₦airaland Forum

Eid-el-Maulud: Alex Otti's Refusal to Greet Muslims, Demonstration of Intolerance, Divisive Tendencies - Group

A group in Abia State, Abia Renaissance Movement, ARM, has berated Governor Alex Otti for not being sensitive to the pluralistic state of Abia by ignoring the Muslim celebration of Eid-el-Maulud on Wednesday, 27th September, as he did not send any official message to the Muslim faithful in the state, an act which the group described as "insensitive and intolerant" and unprecedented in the state.

In a statement signed by its Convener, Comrade Ukachukwu Chinonso and the Secretary-General, Comrade Mrs Maria Nwokoma, and made available to the media in Umuahia on Thursday, the group said it was even worse that Alex Otti chose the day to demolish people's properties in Umuahia thereby inflicting pains on the people on a day they were supposed to be celebrating the Islamic holiday.

Part of the statement reads:

"Muslims all over the world marked the joyful commemoration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Wednesday, 27th September. Nigerian Muslims were not left out of the celebration as leaders across religious lines sent heartwarming messages of celebration to the faithful.

"We are however shocked that, apart from ignoring our Muslim brethren in Abia, the Governor, Mr Alex Otti, desecrated the day by choosing to demolish buildings along Ossah Rd on Eid-el-Maulud day thereby inflicting pains on Abia Muslims at at time they were supposed to join their counterparts all over the world in celebration.

"One way or the other, Muslims were directly or indirectly affected by the demolition.

"This act is not only wicked but also goes a long way to show that Alex Otti is not only insensitive but also intolerant of people of other religions.

"The question we want to ask is this, if it was Christmas, would Otti not have sent solidarity messages and season's greetings to Abia Christians? Would he have chosen such a day to demolish people's properties?

"We are sad that Otti does not realise that religious tolerance even of the minority is a panacea to restiveness and instability. His treatment of the Muslims in Abia is unprecedented and unacceptable. It is the first time in the history of the State that our Muslim brothers and sisters would be shabbily treated by a sitting Governor.

"In the past, leaders in the state have always shown brotherhood by sending messages to Christians and Muslims alike during their religious festivities, to deviate from that agelong practice now is a recipe for disaster. They should not mistake this act of Otti to be that of all Christians.

"We therefore urge our Muslim brethren not to take such official intolerance to heart but continue to pray for responsible and responsive government that will unite our people across sociopolitical and religious divides because that is the only way we can guarantee true prosperity of our people", the statement concluded.

Alex Otti's 100 Days of What?

Last week, the Governor of Abia State, Mr Alex Otti joined some of his counterparts in other states to mark his first 100 Days in office. Since then, diverse reactions have trailed the milestone in Abia.

Ordinarily, 100 Days in office should be a pointer to the direction an administration is headed, at least, that was what was used to judge the strides of former president of the United States of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt who started the tradition of marking 100 Days in office in June 1933 after being elected and sworn in as President on March 4, 1933.

Remarkably, Roosevelt became President when the United States was going through the period of The Great Depression. Never for once did he blame his predecessor, Herbert Hoover, for pushing the country into the Depression four years earlier starting from September 1929 when major stock prices fell to a historical low thereby sending economic shock waves around the world.

Roosevelt was rather focused on the job of ameliorating the hardship Americans were passing through then. He did truly hit the ground running with several administrative, legislative, and regulatory actions that brought immediate succour to the citizens within just 100 days in office. Such actions included declaring a bank holiday, which stopped the disastrous run on the banks, took America off the gold standard, passed groundbreaking legislation for farmers, homeowners and the unemployed.

The positive impact was so significant and immediate that the citizens erupted in jubilation and held "beer parties" all over the country to celebrate Roosevelt's 100 Days in office.

But somewhere in Abia State Southeast Nigeria, rather than enjoy "beer parties", the people are enduring "tear parties" of worry, wailing and weeping because the governor has refused to emulate the examples of great leaders like Roosevelt.

Unlike Roosevelt, Alex Otti has spent his first 100 days in office lamenting about the previous administration, blaming his immediate predecessor and officials of his government for everything inconceivable, when he should be focused on fulfilling his campaign promises to the people.

He has spent his first 100 days in office being unnecessarily vindictive and pursuing vendetta, the thieves of his time. Sadly, these actions of his did not stop with officials of the immediate past administration. The citizens have also been bearing the brunt of his gross incompetence.

Rather than create jobs, Alex Otti has sacked about 10,000 state workers with no excuse other than that they were employed by his predecessor. In one fell swoop, he rendered thousands of Abians jobless and subjected numerous households to hunger and suffering, not considering the hardship the nation's economy has already brought upon the people.

Worse still, he has manufactured one reason or the other not to pay workers of some sections of the state civil service and even pensioners contrary to his promises. These and more are the reasons pensioners and workers have embarked on protests in Otti's first 100 days in office including the one on the day the State was supposed to be celebrating her anniversary, another on the day Otti was supposed to be marking his milestone of 100 days.

That the protests by Abia workers held on such days speak volume of how Otti has eroded the people's love for their dear state that on days they were supposed to be having "beer parties" they were subjected to parties of tears.

Although Alex Otti has tried his best possible to paper the cracks in his administration's gross incompetence and maladministration by procuring a section of the media and social media influencers to launder his already battered image, the fact that he has no single project to his name in the period under review unlike his predecessor who he loves to loathe, in the same period, and the fact that weeks after other governors have deployed the palliatives shared to states by the federal government to cushion the effects of removal of fuel subsidy on their people, Abians are yet to see any palliative not to talk of feel one. Rather, allegations have it that the funds may have been looted by government officials, hence, no activity around the palliatives.

No matter the media hype and propaganda, Abians are truly in pain, and only positive actions by government can relieve them of such pains, and not media fabrications.

That has been the lot of the people since Otti's era, and never in the history of the state has the people wished so quickly that a 100-day old government should be changed urgently.

As the race for who becomes the Governor of Abia State on May 29, 2023 intensifies, candidates are putting forward strong arguments why they should be chosen. The supporters and critics of the government are putting forward various claims and counter-claims for either continuity or change. It behooves on well-meaning Abians, Abia residents and political observers to evaluate these diverse claims by separating myth from reality. This will enable the electorate to make informed and correct choices at the polls.

In view of the foregoing, I wish to categorically make the following observations:
Whereas it is the right of the opposition to criticize the government in power, it is wrong for it to do so by casting aspersion on the State and its people. Making derogatory remarks against the State as the worst and or least developed in Nigeria, using spurious and prejudicial claims and arguments is uncharitable and illconceived. Such unfounded derogatory remarks only go to expose members of the opposition as ignorant people who are not in touch with the State and its people.

Contrary to these erroneous and misleading claims, the facts on ground show that Governor Ikpeazu has bequeathed and entrenched outstanding legacies in Abia State. First amongst these legacies are peace, harmony and social order, anchored on justice, equity, love and understanding. Hence, Abia is one of the most peaceful and secure states in Nigeria today.

Prior to and even at the inception of the Ikpeazu administration, Abia was under the grip of armed robbers, kidnappers and other criminal elements. Many residents fled and relocated. People feared coming to the State. Abia was a pariah. 

The Ikpeazu administration has made spirited efforts at tackling insecurity in the State. It has committed enormous resources on the war against insecurity. Vehicles, security gadgets, equipment and apparatus are regularly bought and given to all the security agencies (police, military, paramilitary, SSS, custom, immigration, prisons, civil defence, Abia State vigilante, Homeland Security, etc. Allowances are paid to them. Ultramodern Buildings and complexes are constructed and given to them. Old buildings are renovated and modernized for them. These have given them conducive and enabling environment for optimal productivity. To the glory of God and betterment of our people and the State at large, they have been doing their best and the huge resources invested in security have been yielding very positive dividends. That is why Abia is no longer a pariah. It has leapfrogged from being the most insecure to the most peaceful and secure State in the South East, if not in Nigeria as a whole.

Secondly, in line with his commitment to make Abia more functional and livable, the Ikpeazu administration has made the most investment in critical infrastructure since the creation of Abia State. Before Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu assumed office as the Governor of Abia State on May 29, 2015, Abia was groping under gross infrastructural decay and deficit. In Aba, for instance, there was no motorable road except the Okpun-la-Umuobo Road built by the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saints. All the internal roads were in complete state of disrepair. The same was true of all entry and exit roads; Obikabia, Ururuka, Portharcourt, Faulks, etc., roads were impassable. The only exception was Aba-Owerri Road which was full of potholes and gullies, where goods, products and property worth billions of Naira were lost daily from fallen trucks. Can we forget the harrowing hours lost in the most debilitating traffic dreadlocks?

However, today the infrastructural state of Abia has positively changed. This is evidenced in the OKE-ZUO Abia fly-over at Osisioma, over 160 roads (including Brass, Faulks, Eziukwu, Azikiwe, Okigwe, Aba- Owerri, Ngwa, Obikabia-Umuene, Umueje-Arungwa, Osusu, MCC-Samek, Ururuka-Umuobiakwa, Ukaegbu, Umuola, etc., all in Aba; including Ubakala - Aba, Isingwu Ohuhu Roads in Umuahia, Abriba Ring Road, Nkporo Roads in Ohafia, etc.). The Permanent Government House Complex (on-going), the JAAC Building, the Ultramodern ASUBEB Complex, the Investment House Complex, the upgraded and modernized Enyimba International Stadium, the ongoing remodeling and modernization of Ariaria International Market, etc., etc.

Furthermore, the Ikpeazu administration has paid the most critical attention to the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector in the State. MSMEs were in comatose and or near collapse when Governor Ikpeazụ assumed office as the Governor of Abia State. Made in Aba products were denigrated and rejected with disdain. There was very little patronage for those who managed to produce. Businesses operated under very difficult and severe conditions. There were no roads to access the markets. Power supply was virtually inexistent. Multiple taxes and levies were the order of the day.

Today, these negative stories have changed and everything is positively turning around for the good and betterment of Abia businesses and MSMEs. As an Aba Boy, Ikpeazụ took it upon himself to be the Chief promoter and marketer of made in Aba products. He assumed the role of the Ambassador of made in Aba products. He proudly wears, exhibits and projects them wherever he goes. With 'Proudly Made in Aba' conspicuously written on his apparels, the world took notice and the story of Aba products has changed. Access roads with drainages and street lights have been provided. Power supply has improved with the coming of IPP and Geometric Power.

Governor Ikpeazu's assumption the role of the chief promoter and, in fact, the Ambassador of Made in Aba products has had revolutionary impact on both MSMEs and the Abia economy. The results of these pioneering and exemplary home-made business, trade and investment promotion efforts have been tremendous. The Presidency, the National Assembly, the Office of the Vice President, President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ministers, State Governors, foreign missions and embassies, CNN, Ford Foundation, businesses, etc., are all caught up in the quest for made in Aba and Nigeria products.

Today, contrary to the erstwhile cynicism and disdain for Aba products, people now proudly patronize and wear made in Aba products. The turnover of Abia artisans, traders, businesses and MSMEs has significantly increased. The multiplier effects of the boom in their businesses are unquantifiable: more goods and services, more income, higher standard of living, additional foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria, reduced importation of foreign goods, etc.

More-so, all people of goodwill will continue to appreciate Governor Ikpeazu's outstanding support for MSMEs. This critical support is attested to by the establishment of SME Microfinance Bank, as well as the ongoing construction of automated shoe and garment factories. It is, therefore, not surprising that Abia has emerged the undisputed headquarters of MSME in Nigeria.

Moreover, we need to appreciate and commend the Ikpeazu administration for granting international scholarship to students, coupled with training of artisans abroad on the latest technology in their crafts. We need to profoundly appreciate the fact that these achievements have galvanized and transformed the Abia economy. Hence, Abia State under Ikpeazu is one of the most secure and peaceful states in Nigeria. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Abia under Governor Ikpeazu is the State with the 3rd least incidence of multi-dimensional poverty in Nigeria. Abia has the least number of poor people in Nigeria (about 1.1m). Abia State is also the first in 3 key global indicators of development. Abia equally excelled as the best performing State in the South East and South South. Abia State under Governor Ikpeazu also elegantly bestrides among the top-ranked 5 States in Nigeria in ease of doing business.

Governor Ikpeazu has made critical infrastructural strides and laid solid foundation for exponential growth and development of Abia State . His exceptional skills in democratic dialogue and social engineering are evident in all spheres of governance: atmosphere of peace, harmony, social order and security in Abia, boom in home made products, his intermediary role in resolving the imbroglio surrounding Geometric Power, as well as the critical support he provided for Geometric in securing national and international funds, etc.

Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has made Abia home to an expanded, safe and effective physical and social infrastructure such as roads, power, portable water, as well as schools, hospitals, sports and other recreational facilities.

I, therefore, call on opposition political parties and their candidates to stop the useless and futile voyage of desparaging Abia State. This ill-conceived voyage in self-glorification is unavailing. Abia State does not need a Messiah. What Abia needs is a leader with sound vision for sustaining and consolidating the achievements of Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu.

Since the PDP is the only party whose candidate, Sir Ambrose Okechukwu Ahiwe, boasts of such sound vision, I call on all Abians and Abia residents to turn out in their large numbers to vote for the People's Democratic Party on Saturday, 11th March 2023.

PROFESSOR SAMUEL NGOZI AGU.

COMMUNIQUE FOR ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHIEF SIR OKECHUKWU AHIWE, KSJI, AS THE ABIA STATE PDP CONSOLIDATED CONSENSUS GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE AND CONTESTANT, FOR MARCH 11, 2023, ABIA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTIONS, BY A COALITION OF 170 CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS IN ABIA STATE.

Based on the urgent need for a new dependable leadership in Abia State, new accountable leadership in Abia State, new responsible leadership in Abia State, new amiable leadership in Abia State, new positive leadership in Abia State, new progressive leadership in Abia State, new proactive leadership in Abia State, new constructive leadership in Abia State, new purposeful leadership in Abia State, and new people - oriented leadership in Abia State, we members of 170 Civil society groups in Abia State, ten groups from each of the 17 LGA's in Abia State, after five hours of critical, analytical, and political deliberations, at the Block Rosary Hall, CKC Cathedral, Aba, Abia State, on Friday, 3rd March, 2023, resolve as follows :

1) That we unanimously and with due sense of Abia patriotism, humility, integrity, and dignity, announce the Abia State PDP Governorship Candidate, Chief Sir Okechukwu Ahiwe, a member of the Knight of St John International as the Consolidated Consensus Candidate for all Abians, both indigenes, and non indigenes, for the Saturday, March 11, 2023, Governorship and State House of Assembly Elections.

2) That all the 170 groups, call on all women, youth and men of voting age, to vote for Chief Sir Okechukwu Ambrose Ahiwe as the next Governor of Abia State on March 11, 2023.

3) That the new Government of Chief Sir Okechukwu Ahiwe is committed to fufilling all financial, monetary, salary, allowance, and pensions of all persons in Abia State within the shortest possible time after being sworn in as the new Abia State Governor on 29th May, 2023.

4) Finally, that these coalition of 170 Groups, stand to guarantee that Chief Okechukwu Ambrose Ahiwe, will serve Abia State, both indigenes, and non indigenes, to the best of his ability, with humility, honesty, integrity, decency, perspicacity, and dignity to the joy and happiness of all Abia Citizens, under the canopy of God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, so be it.

Signed : For Coalition of 170 Abia Civil Society Groups led by Amb Lady Eucheria Osuala, 1) President International Women leadership Forum.
2) Chief Peter Maduekwe, Chairman, Umuneochi People's Forum
3) Chief Humphrey Nwasimo, President, Aba South Leaders Assembly
4) Chief Brown Kabra, Chairman, Bende People's Network
5) Dr Ukpai Uma Eleazu, Chairman, Ohafia Movement For Change
6) Hon Okoro A. Okoro, Chairman, Arochukwu Association For Good Governance
7) Hon Comrade Iwundu Okeke, Chairman, Anambra Association, Abia State
Apostle Chinedu Ikpeama, Chairman, Imo National Union
9) Hon Agwu O. Agwu, Chairman, Ebonyi peoples Forum. 10) Hon Uchechi ulelu Nworgu, obuda peoples Association Aba South LGA.

The Labour Party candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency at the forthcoming 2023 general elections, Obi Aguocha has berated the Abia State Government, tagging it a total failure.

Obi Aguocha made the statement earlier today at Eziokwu Bu Ndu New Yam Festival cum community development event held at Chief Dr Smart O. Nwokorie's compound, Dim na Opara Ogbodi-Ukwu, Umuopara, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State.

Chief Aguocha lambasted the Abia State government for what he described as gross maladministration, emphasising that the state has witnessed total decay in infrastructure since their reign.

He urged the people to support the gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party, Dr Alex Otti as he is the better candidate to liberate the state from the shackles of bad governance orchestrated by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State.

Those at the event include aspirants vying for different political positions in the state including the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) gubernatorial candidate, Bishop Ndukwe Onuoha, the Representative of the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, Dr Alex Otti, Chief Enyinnaya Onyekwere, Chief Emeka Inyamah, Hon Max Adindu and a host of other dignitaries.

A US-trained human rights consultant, Mr Chuks Peter Iwunoh has berated both the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the lingering strike action by the university lecturers describing it as ‘unconscionable’.

He said that failure of both parties to reach an agreement since February 14 when the industrial action by ASUU commenced “amounts to a grievous breach of the fundamental human rights of the affected youths” and called on both parties to make sacrifices and reach a compromise in order not to totally destroy what little value is left of the nation’s education system.

Mr Iwunoh who is a member of International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), trained human rights consultant from the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, Washington DC and President/Founder of Impact Alliance for Peace and Humanitarian Development (IAPHD), said no other nation in the world closes down almost its entire university system in such circumstances for such a long time and in multiple times except Nigeria, describing the situation as “disruptive and destructive” to the youths and human capital development of the nation.

“The lingering strike action poses serious security risk to the nation as a good number of the affected students could be exposed to societal vices and crime.

“So, sacrifices must be made; compromises must be reached; our universities must reopen in earnest for the sake of our children”, he said

A US-trained human rights consultant, Mr Chuks Peter Iwunoh has berated both the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the lingering strike action by the university lecturers describing it as ‘unconscionable’.

He said that failure of both parties to reach an agreement since February 14 when the industrial action by ASUU commenced “amounts to a grievous breach of the fundamental human rights of the affected youths” and called on both parties to make sacrifices and reach a compromise in order not to totally destroy what little value is left of the nation’s education system.

Mr Iwunoh who is a member of International Institute of Professional Security (IIPS), trained human rights consultant from the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, Washington DC and President/Founder of Impact Alliance for Peace and Humanitarian Development (IAPHD), said no other nation in the world closes down almost its entire university system in such circumstances for such a long time and in multiple times except Nigeria, describing the situation as “disruptive and destructive” to the youths and human capital development of the nation.

“The lingering strike action poses serious security risk to the nation as a good number of the affected students could be exposed to societal vices and crime.

“So, sacrifices must be made; compromises must be reached; our universities must reopen in earnest for the sake of our children”, he said

Eks Steve, a Political Merchant or a Mere Notorious Blackmailer

By Paul Chidiebere Chukwuma

One would have thought that the rants of the self-styled 'crusader' Eks Steve in recent times were about the good of Abia and Abians except that his 'crusade' is usually dotted with mischief, laced with malice and filled with the desire to manipulate his audience through the deliberate misinterpretation of data and playing to the gallery just to achieve his own parochial gains.

It is no longer news that Eks Steve, having failed to get his desired personal favours from the Abia State government, some of its officials and political leaders whom he had had extensive communications with in the recent past, pressuring them for one personal favour or the other, sometimes running into humongous sums of money, under the guise of 'consultancy services', the usual cliché which most people with bogus but empty ideas like him try to use to defraud the state government and or its agencies, has resorted to the old time trick of blackmailing the government and its officials either as payback or as a bait to be invited for 'settlement' so as to 'keep quiet'.

However, it is now obvious that Eks Steve is pained that the Abia State government, its officials and other political leaders in the state whom he has selected for his infantile attacks have chosen not to taint themselves with such an unstable character by ignoring him and calling his bluff, a situation that most apparently riles him to no end.

Having failed to attract the attention of the state government and serving political leaders, and facing starvation abroad, the 'Scout-land' based Eks ekes out a living by scouting for alternative means to make ends meet, hence, his recent confession that he landed beneath the table of a gubernatorial candidate of one of the relatively unknown parties in the state to pick up crumbs and that he works for that candidate.

That confession by Eks rubbishes all his flaunted credentials of a 'crusader' but confirms what many have always known that this was all about politics, to undo one party for the other in the run up to the 2023 elections, for his own personal gains.

No true crusader will approach a ruling government for 'jobs' or ever accept any invitation from such a government for any job in the name of consultancy or under any other guise. Once they do that, they lose whatever little integrity they might have had as their crusade becomes a nullity and a mere weapon of blackmail for not being patronised by the government or any of its officials as is now the case with Eks Steve. It is now clear that the misplaced crusade by Eks is all politics, a way of manipulating and poaching supporters of government and winning them over to his new found party as election approaches.

It has been stated as a matter of fact that Eks Steve had also several times approached government officials for an appointment but was rebuffed because he was all noise and fury without the needed capacity to add value to the system. This is a fact that even Eks himself has not been able to deny because the 'receipts' have been made available to the public and even to him in one of his exchanges with other political actors. At that time, the ever furious but banal Eks threatened to take the political actors who exposed him to court hoping they would back down but they instead dared him to go ahead as that would serve as an opportunity for them to make public more of such intense lobbying of government officials by him. As expected, the noise making Eks backed down immediately.

So such a character should not be taken seriously by anybody as his videos are made and his writings authored out of bitterness to mislead the unsuspecting public just for his own personal gains. Such a political merchant whose soul is offered to the highest bidder to further advance his notorious blackmailing activities just to feather his own nest should be known for what he is: a political merchant and a hatchet man for dirty jobs.

The Alleged Killling of Ihedigbo Mbaukwu's Mother by Village Deity over Adultery: a Synopsis on the Role of Deities in African Society
(Part 1)

Mr Ihedigbo Mbaukwu is a staff of one of the new generation banks and a regular commentator on social media. While Mbaukwu gives the impression of a man of virtues of himself before the public and bitterly castigates others ringing falsehood around them in the public domain, little did people know that Mbaukwu himself is a source of controversy back in his Umuokwom Ohiya village in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, a controversy that allegedly led to his mother being killed by their village Deity.

The story has it that Ihedigbo Mbaukwu is a product of extra marital affairs by his late mother who concealed her adulterous ways and made it look like her husband was the owner of the pregnancy. It is said that in Umuokwom Ohiya village, it is a taboo of deadly consequences for a woman to have extra marital affairs. It is a great offence to the deity of the village that has no antidote. The only antidote is for the culprit to quickly confess and some rituals would be carried out on her thereaftee as a way of "cleansing the land"! But if she refuses to confess despite what the villagers term "a series of warning sicknesses" from the deity over the years, she would be hit with one final one from which she can never recover. What is more, if she still decides to die without confessing, then the deity will go for the offspring(s) resulting from the adulterous affair, and as many of them will die mysteriously.

It was at this point that Ihedigbo's mother admitted to the villagers that her son Ihedigbo was a product of some of her adulterous affairs and that she pushed it to her husband in order to cover her shame. She pleaded for forgiveness before giving up the ghost on December 7, 2011, at just 48 years old.

This shameful occurence account for why Ihedigbo never celebrates his mum's milestones  posthumously, whether birthday, Mother's Day or such other occasions, unlike many others who lose their mums do. It is said that till date, Ihedigbo Mbaukwu has not forgiven his mum for bringing such a shame to him and their family, the reason, he had to relocate away from his State to another.

It is also said this is the same reason Ihedigbo, despite his regular writings and posting pictures of other people on social media, particularly his Facebook page, never ever posts his mother's picture. In fact, in an attempt to wipe out the shameful memory his mother left behind, Ihedigbo does not celebrate his father or siblings except himself.

The saddest part is that Ihedigbo's mother did not get to show him who his real father is before she died as she was too sick and close to death when she confessed her adulterous ways. Even at that, the people of Umuokwom Ohiya said it would even have been difficult for them to believe her if she had pointed to any man as being Ihedigbo's father because of the multiple affairs she was having with men then.

She was eventually thrown away into the forest by the traditional priests of the village, hence, the poster announcing her burial was terse in details as the usual details like conveying her body from the mortuary, lying-in-state and reception were left out because it was a taboo to retrieve her corpse left to rot in the village forest for any ceremony pertaining to burial. Only the church service was held without her corpse.

Mental Health: Disruptions and Solutions

By Ugonna Orji  


Many people all over the world are grappling with mental health issues. The World Health Organisation estimates that 450 million people worldwide have a mental disorder and that 25% of the population will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives. According to the Organisation, “Mental Health is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”.

Mental health is not just about the absence of mental disorders or disabilities, it is not only about avoiding active conditions but also looking after ongoing wellness and happiness.


However, there are several factors that could disrupt this “state of well-being” and lead to mental disorders. Such factors as stress, depression and anxiety are usually the culprits. These could arise from socioeconomic factors wherein long periods of financial constraints, poverty and less than desirable living conditions play major parts in disrupting one’s mental health.


On the social side, a lack of acceptance of an individual by social groups or belonging to an oppressed ethnic group could affect one’s mental health. There are also biological factors where certain genes and gene variants are passed down to a person; genes with links to a mental health disorder such as depression or schizophrenia are usually the commonest. Stress, depression, and anxiety may also develop due to underlying, life changing physical health problems such as cancer, diabetes, and chronic pain. Other common forms of mental disorder include anxiety disorders, panic disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood disorders, and schizophrenia disorders.


There are some early signs which might indicate that an individual is suffering from a form of mental illness or the other. Such early signs include withdrawing from friends, family and colleagues, avoiding activities that they would normally enjoy, sleeping too much or too little, eating too much or too little, feeling hopeless, displaying negative emotions, using mood-altering substances like alcohol and nicotine more frequently; experiencing delusions, hearing voices, thinking of causing physical harm to themselves or others etc.


One step one can take to avoid slipping into, checkmating, and solving mental health disruptions is talking about one’s feelings. Talking about how one feels makes one feel better especially when the listener is supportive. Talking can really be a way to cope with problems.


Also, keeping active can help one avoid or solve mental health issues. Regular exercises have ways of making one feel better, boost self esteem and can help one to concentrate, look and feel better.


Eating well can equally help one to maintain a good mental health. Eating sufficient foods with lots of fruits and vegetables, wholegrain cereals, oily fish, dairy products and plenty of water can be helpful. This is so because whatever food is good for the body also positively impacts one’s mental health.


Drinking sensibly rather than heavily is recommended for a balanced mental health. Drinking heavily as a way of dealing with fear, loneliness or similar conditions will only provide temporary relief but will leave one feeling worse after the effect wears off.


Keeping in touch with friend and family members can help one ease the stresses of life and deal with mental health issues. This is because friends and family can help one feel loved and cared for and offer different views to situations of life that can help one see the positive side of things.


Asking for help is another way to deal with mental health issues. No one is a superhuman. There is no shame in asking for help. If things are becoming too overwhelming, one should ask for help. Apart from asking for help from family and friends, one can also join support groups, consult a counsellor etc.


Taking a break is another way to deal with mental health challenges. It could just be a five-minute pause from cleaning the house, a half-hour lunch break from work, or a weekend exploring somewhere new etc. This helps to relax the mind.


Doing something one is good at gives a sense of enjoyment. This helps one dwell on the positives of life as (s)he goes about enjoying himself/herself and relieves stress in the process.


Lastly, dwelling on negative occurrences does not help the cause of mental health. Accept who you are, get a sense of fulfilment by caring for others because in doing so, one usually gets a sense of usefulnesd and other issues affecting mental health are checked.


There are solutions for those who are already battling with mental health issues. Treatments are available and can be administered in different forms. However, treatments may differ from person to person as what works for one may not work for another person.


Taking therapies is one of several ways to treat mental illness. Such therapies could include cognitive behavioural therapy, exposure therapy, and dialectical behaviour therapy. Psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists and some primary care physicians carry out this type of treatment.


Prescribed medications like antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anxioytic drugs can help, too. Even though these cannot cure mental disorders, they help in improving symptoms and patients can resume normal social interactions while they continue to work on their mental health difficulties.


Finally, self-help is key in treating mental health challenges. One struggling with mental health conditions can help him/herself by reducing alcoholic intake, exercising, eating balanced diets and engage in a change of other of their lifestyle to facilitate wellness.


In conclusion, while cases of mental health might persist in society because of the conditions already stated above, it is not a death sentence and cannot only be controlled but also treated. Those undergoing one from of stress, anxiety or depression should be willing to reach out, speak up and seek help. This way, the challenge can be successfully combated. 

Ugonna Orji sent in this piece from Abuja

Abia 2023: Obinna Ichita and the Limits of an Inordinate Ambition

By Michael Chijioke

Lawmakers anywhere in the world are usually known by their quality representation of their constituents in Parliament through the canvassing of sound Motions and Bills that positively impact their people. Even while conducting their oversight functions which is another fundamental function of a legislator, such functions are usually performed with decorum and not necessarily to play to the gallery or make media capital of. It is for this reason that House Committee members, including their leadership, all over the world are usually selected across party lines because it is an age long legislative tradition not to play politics with the issues of governance.

By his recent engagements, Hon Obinna Ichita, the Lawmaker representing Aba South State Constituency at the Abia State House of Assembly, has inadvertently exposed his weakness as a man with no achievements in the Assembly, and at a time his lacklustre reign in the House was beginning to be questioned by his constituents, with no result to show, he decided to take to the ignominious role of peddling falsehood and weaving mischievous narratives about certain World Bank/NEWMAP projects in the State, claiming that sums that he manufactured in his head were missing.

He takes advantage of the social media where there is little or no check to noise his mischief even when it has been explained time and over again by both government and NEWMAP officials that World Bank funds for projects cannot be unilaterally accessed by government officials as payment from such facilities for projects are only released through a special project account after certification of milestones achieved.

The question rational individuals should be asking is, if a whopping sum of $26m (or did he say it's $56m?) was missing from the fund, does Ichita think the World Bank would need him to be the one to raise the alarm? If any kobo misses from the fund, the Workd Bank will certainly not only raise the alarm but might have since withdrawn the facility in its entirety. So Ichita should stop dancing naked in the market.

In making videos of areas of concern by himself and posting same on social media, sometimes conducting interviews on the streets with a class of people who don't understand the workings of such facility structuring, and whom he finds so easy and convenient to manipulate because of their limited knowledge of such transactions, Obinna Ichita has attracted to himself a high level of opprobrium from his constituents. They are asking why a lawmaker of his status who earns enormously cannot employ even one person from his constituency as an aide to run his media activities or even to handle his other errands to the extent that he is the one who takes his phone to market places and streets recording images and downloading same on social media. Apart from the fact that such self-imposed assignments give him the leverage to manipulate things, it is the height of greed, the level which shocks his constituents as they are aware that other Lawmakers in the Assembly engage a number of their constituents who they pay as a way of supporting them, that is quite befuddling to neutrals. Ichita has attracted no roads, nor even graded any, nor attracted any project to his constituency except the ones initiated and being executed by the Executive Arm of Governmemt. He is about the only one with such abysmal record of representation in the Assembly as all other Members can boast of attracting or even directly doing one project or the other in their constituencies. What is worse? Ichita does not find anyone in his constituency good enough to be engaged as aides to the extent that he takes up the job which ordinarily should have been given to some constituents to do. That is how greedy a political leader he is!

We all are aware of different empowerment programmes embarked upon by the State's Lawmakers. We are greeted almost on a daily basis with news in the media of how these Lawmakers empower their constituents through start-up capital, scholarships, cash gifts to widows, trainings/empowerment of youths, health outreach, provision of electricity transformers and water borehole to communities, attracting projects to their constituencies etc. But Ichita has not been able to emulate his colleagues in the House in any of these gestures, thus making his constituents see him as a failure, and knowing full well that he has nothing to campaign on in 2023, he has resorted to making noise in the media through blackmail by weaving falsehood, selling jaundiced opinions and even going as far as allegedly arranging his own attacks all in a bid to curry favour from unsuspecting members of the public and also to cover up for his disgraceful outing as a lawmaker

Ichita should know that his tenure as the lawmaker representing Aba South State Constituency will not be based on the excellent performance of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu who will certainly finish the Workd Bank facilitated projects in Aba and beyond, but that he, Ichita, will be judged by his own people based on what he has been able to do for them. Sadly, they all know as much as Ichita does that he has done NOTHING!

The knowledge of the consequences of such tepid tenure as a lawmaker is what is making Ichita apprehensive.

When the time comes, the same people he has been lying to will make it clear to him that they cannot be fooled and that the attention he is getting from them for now is just for its entertainment value.


Michael Chijioke sent this piece from Aba

How Ihedigbo Mbaukwu's Mother was Killed by Village Deity over Adultery

Mr Ihedigbo Mbaukwu is a bank staff of Polaris Bank and a regular commentator on social media. While Mbaukwu gives the impression of a man of virtues of himself before the public and bitterly castigates others ringing falsehood around them in the public domain, little did people know that Mbaukwu himself is a source of controversy back in his Umuokwom Ohiya village in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, a controversy that eventually led to his mother being killed by their village Deity.

The story has it that Ihedigbo Mbaukwu is a product of extra marital affairs by his late mother who concealed her adulterous ways and made it look like her husband was the owner of the pregnancy. It is said that in Umuokwom Ohiya village, it is a taboo of deadly consequences for a woman to have extra marital affairs. It is a great offence to the deity of the village that has no antidote. The only antidote is for the culprit to quickly confess and some rituals would be carried out on her thereaftee as a way of "cleansing the land"! But if she refuses to confess despite what the villagers term "a series of warning sicknesses" from the deity over the years, she would be hit with one final one from which she can never recover. What is more, if she still decides to die without confessing, then the deity will go for the offspring(s) resulting from the adulterous affair, and as many of them will die mysteriously.

It was at this point that Ihedigbo's mother admitted to the villagers that her son Ihedigbo was a product of some of her adulterous affairs and that she pushed it to her husband in order to cover her shame. She pleaded for forgiveness before giving up the ghost on December 7, 2011, at just 45 years old.

This shameful occurence account for why Ihedigbo never celebrates his mum's milestones posthumously, whether birthday, Mother's Day or such other occasions, unlike many others who lose their mums do. It is said that till date, Ihedigbo Mbaukwu has not forgiven his mum for bringing such a shame to him and their family, the reason, he had to relocate away from his State to another.

It is also said this is the same reason Ihedigbo, despite his regular writings and posting pictures of other people on social media, particularly his Facebook page, never ever posts his mother's picture. In fact, in an attempt to wipe out the shameful memory his mother left behind, Ihedigbo does not celebrate his father or siblings except himself.

The saddest part is that Ihedigbo's mother did not get to show him who his real father is before she died as she was too sick and close to death when she confessed her adulterous ways. Even at that, the people of Umuokwom Ohiya said it would even have been difficult for them to believe her if she had pointed to any man as being Ihedigbo's father because of the multiple affairs she was having with men then.

She was eventually thrown away into the forest by the traditional priests of the village, hence, no poster of her burial can be seen anywhere, not then, not now!

With the way one Ihedigbo Mbaukwu, a staff of Polaris Bank, has been dissipating energy, trying hard to blackmail the family of Senator T.A Orji, one does not need a prophet to know that this is nothing but a vengeance mission which the Orji family must pay for for ignoring his overtures to them in the recent past.

For the records, Ihedigbo is known to do the "dirty jobs" for some opposition leaders in Abia State. He has been doing this for some stipends. He has been doing this since 2015 in the hope that his political patrons would take over power. But that never happened, either in 2015 or 2019. Frustrated, Ihedigbo decided to jump ship, abandon his paymasters, and join those in power in Abia State in the hope of a greater financial reward. But the Orji's whom he tried approaching through several of their aides rebuffed him for the simple reason that anyone who would so easily abandon his paymasters so quickly after losing an election was not worth considering for anything worthwhile.

Since then, the said Ihedigbo has intensified his blackmail of the Orji's through mendacious write ups conceived in hate, authored in bitterness and delivered in malice, all out of vengeance for being rebuffed.

One then wonders why one who works with Polaris Bank would have the temerity to repeatedly pen blatant falsehoods against a family whose only offence was that they refused to enter into a "deal" with a blackmailer banker without his bank calling him to order. Is the bank benefitting from his blackmail activities? Are there other staff of Polaris Bank encouraged by their management to win new accounts and funds through any means, foul or fair? Apart from politics, could another reason the said Mbaukwu was so desperate to switch allegiance to the Orji's was to win them over to Polaris with the prompting of the bank even if it means doing it through blackmail? Because except the bank is the one prompting him to embark on his voyage of malicious write ups, there was no way he wouldn't have been called to order.

In all, Ihedigbo Mbaukwu has now made himself fully, completely and totally available to be used by political opponents of the Orji's to blackmail them since he couldn't extract any funds from them. He should know that blackmail us for the petty-minded and will do him no good

"The greatest single virtue of a strong legislature is not what it can do, but what it can prevent" - J. William Fulbright

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is riding high. He has continued to endear himself to Abians, both home and abroad, and has continued to amaze even the most ardent of his critics with his excellent performances especially in the areas of road project delivery and provision of other critical infrastructure in the State.

No doubt, as it stands today, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is one of the most, if not the most popular Governor in Nigeria by virtue of his performance.

While people rightly applaud the Governor for these feats, the discerning and politically savvy of society know that no Governor or Government can succeed in an atmosphere of political rancour, unrest or confrontations, the type engendered by a belligerent legislature usually led by a bellicose Speaker.

Let me quote my friend and ardent critic, Ihedigbo Mbaukwu, in one of his recent writings:

"The importance of peace and peaceful atmosphere cannot be overemphasized. Peace is the cheapest commodity anywhere once gotten. Once you invest in peace, every other project works smoothly".

Nothing can be truer than this.

The peaceful atmosphere which the 7th Abia State House of Assembly as led by Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji operates by, has created the needed room and the desired audacity for the Governor to soar as high as he wishes in the provision of democracy dividends to the people.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is working with the confidence and aplomb of a man who is one hundred per cent sure of the unalloyed support of the legislature which has worked so hard and made enormous sacrifices to ensure the Governor succeeds.

For example, in their less than two years in office, the legislators have cut short their holidays to ensure they return Abia's fiscal year to January 1 - December 31 in compliance with global best practices. The positive implication of this is that it removes the handbrake from the Governor's vehicle of performance and allows him to drive unhindered to his desired destination of sociopolitical, economic and infrastructural development for the State. Also, with such development, contractors and other service providers are sure that they will receive payments for services provided as and when due without the rhetoric in other climes that "the delayed budget is delaying payment".

Furthermore, by not hesitating to rein in recalcitrant government officials whose actions might be a drawback and distraction to the Governor, through appropriate legislative instruments, the legislature helps to insulate the Governor from such irritations and help him keep his focus on the ball.

The 7th Abia State House of Assembly is an Assembly of highly principled and responsible men who will never take to upsetting the system or heat up the polity just to feather their own nests. Since their assumption of office on June 10, 2019, they have sacrificially dedicated time and painstakingly invested efforts for the smooth running of the State by the Governor.

Despite being an Assembly of multiple Parties, the Speaker, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji has been able to show strength in character by ensuring there is no inter-party or even intra-party rancour among the Honourable Members such that the Governor and other stakeholders might need to be intervening every now and then; or even inter-arm of government confrontations that blow no society any good wind.

Without compromising its own independence, the 7th Abia State House of Assembly has always deployed its legislative instruments in a most civil but firm manner in its work with the Executive Arm thereby engendering peace, understanding and progress for the State.

Going back to J. William Fulbright's quote in the opening paragraph of this article, "The greatest single virtue of a strong legislature is not what it can do, but what it can prevent".

The Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji-led Abia State legislature has prevented rancour, distractions, heating up of the polity and other negatives that stunt the growth and development of society. Now, the Governor can keep flying as high as he wishes since the political weather is clement and the sky has been cleared of all forms of hindrances, thanks to him, his team, and more strategically, the 7th Abia State House of Assembly.

Maka oganiru Abia!

Jude Chijioke Ndukwe
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly

Senator T.A Orji awards scholarship to 100 undergraduates of Abia Central Senatorial District

The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Theodore Orji, on December 23, 2020, presented scholarship fees of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) each to over 100 university undergraduates of his Senatorial District selected from different universities.

In a COVID-19 protocols compliant event which held at the Senator's constituency office in Umuahia, Abia State, Orji reminded the beneficiaries that education remains the key to success, adding that he will always be happy to support educational development of the people especially the young ones.

Speaking further, the Senator said to the beneficiaries, "I thank all the scholarship beneficiaries both past and present for allowing me be a part of their academic successes, and more importantly, for giving me the opportunity to provide help through this annual scholarship scheme of mine".

Recall that, this is the 4th edition of Senator T. A Orji annual university scholarship awards in Abia Central Senatorial District.

Agbazuere: Abia's Chief of Chaff

December 6 could have gone unnoticed, undetected and unannounced but for the exuberance of a certain Anthony C.B. Agbazuere who has now been suspended from office by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for a recklessly irresponsible act of spraying cash on Odumeje who paid him a visit.

In saner climes, Agbazuere should by now be cooling his heels in EFCC detention and bundled to court for violating the law on the Naira.

While Abians have been celebrating the suspension of the Law expert from office, many more have been wondering why a man of such experience would so easily and flagrantly foul the law, bring shame to Abia State Governor and his government in particular, and to Abians in general, calling for his outright sack.

Findings have revealed that the reason Agbazuere invited the controversial pastor to his office could be far from noble. Many have alluded it to what they suspect to be Agbazuere's penchant for fetish activities and consulting sorcerers. The story from impeccable sources is that Agbazuere had hosted Odumeje in his office on one of the nights as late as 10pm while the visit was repeated the next day, only that this time round it was as late, or should I say, was as early as 1am, in the dead hours of the night.

Pray, what business transaction could Agbazuere be having with Odumeje that had to be conducted in unholy hours of the night? No matter how one looks at it, objectively, the conclusion will always be the same.

Agbazuere should also come out clean and tell Abians why he chose to host such a meeting inside Goverment House which signifies our collective destiny as a people, and not in his private residence? Was he trying to fortify the spell he was rumoured to have casted on the Governor for some time now that made him go away with several acts of gross impunity of his in the recent past? Could the spraying of cash on Odumeje be a gesture of appreciation for a job well done the previous night? What was the evil significance of Odumeje being chauffeured around our Government House in an open roof vehicle from where the pastor was waving and acting out his circus? Was that a sign that something sinister could happen to the Governor and Agbazuere will, in his warped and jaundiced imagination, somehow become the Governor through the help of his sorcerers? Or was he merely trying to hypnotise the Governor and make him do all his biddings including wielding absolute powers at the expense of the Governor and other Exco Members? Could this be why he was desperately signing correspondences that were far beyond his office, including the ones sent to the State Assembly, when the Governor took ill, when there was a sitting Deputy Governor in place then?

Things are beginning to add up now. Like Macbeth who was promised the throne by the witches, Agbazuere wanted to get there by his own means, whether foul or fair! And he, indeed, pursued it vigorously, albeit, through foul means. With the benefit of hindsight, one could now rightly ask the question, was the governor's illness then medical or was he attacked through diabolic means? Because the very poisonous propaganda suspected to be churned out by Agbazuere and his camp against the Governor in the last two days thereabout for suspending him is indicative of a man who never loved the Governor but who merely hanged around him to finish his suspected demonic mission. Such hate that will propel the wheel of hateful propaganda against one's Principal is not cultivated in just two days. It is certainly a thing that has always been there waiting for an opportunity to be unleashed!

The ill will that Agbazuere alone has brought to the Government of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is unimaginable. Such ill will attracted to one's Principal qualifies one in that position to either be designated "Thief of Staff" for causing disquiet among Government House workers, or "Chief of Chaff" for having contributed nothing to the advancement of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu's administration other than discord, controversies caused by overambition.

As for Governor Ikpeazu, he should have nothing to fear because He that is in him is greater than He that is in the world. He, however, needs to extricate himself and his government completely from snaky and poisonous elements like Agbazuere before the damage already done by such elements become irredeemable!

It would have been a black Saturday for the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as its chieftains including former governor of the state and a 2023 presidential hopeful, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK), his younger brother and 2023 governorship hopeful, Mascot Uzor Kalu (MUK), the immediate past commissioner for finance in the state, Mr. Obinna Oriaku, who has been positioned for Deputy Governor to Kalu’s brother for the 2023 governorship in Abia, among others escaped an air mishap as a chartered jet billed to convey them to Maiduguri, Borno State, had a failed engine after boarding at the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport, Abuja.

According to a close aide of Kalu, the Senate Chief Whip, was billed to attend some strategic political meetings in Borno with some northern leaders over his 2023 presidential ambition, as well as over the 2023 governorship ambition of his younger brother, Mascot, who was in his entourage on the aborted trip.

Kalu’s trip was called off after one of the engines of the chartered jet failed after boarding.

A close political ally of the former governor said: “OUK has a strong political contact in the north. He had arranged meetings with some political heavyweights in the north for his presidential ambition as well as his brother’s governorship ambition in Abia, but the meeting had to be canceled because a chartered jet developed a fault after boarding.

“We thank God it happened this way. It would have been a sad story if the jet’s engine failed midair with OUK and his entourage onboard. OUK is a destiny child and God is with him. He has returned to his Abuja home in a joyous mood.”

Among Kalu’s entourage were Senator Abubakar Kyari, Dr Daniel Kanu, Alhaji Mustapha Habeeb, Hon. Usman Zannah, Hon. Ibrahim Bukar Mohd, Chief Mascot Uzor-Kalu, Hon. Obinna Oriaku among others