₦airaland Forum

Thanks to the ApgaSpiritInUs#

Thanks to the ApgaSpiritInUs#

majamajic:
Personal project , ok

He single handedly built the toilet facility for the market women doing business inside the market. He, Nonso Okafor is not from the same village where the market is located.

Hon Nonso Smart Okafor

Single handedly, Hon Nonso Smart Okafor, has done it again.
Truly, NNEWI NORTH IS APGA.

Hon Nonso Smart Okafor, an APGA product and member representing Nnewi North constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, has single handedly done it again.

....As Eke Amangwu Market in Umudim Nnewi gets a brand new toilet facility from him.

By Bona Ogbonna

Many years ago, a small boy came to the market with his grandma just like every other day for the day's business, it happened that he was so pressed on that day so he had to rush down to the house to make himself comfortable (because there was no toilet in/around the market then), unfortunately it got so serious before he could get to the house so he had to use the nearest bush.

That small boy today is Hon Nonso Smart Okafor and as he had vowed many years ago, he has fulfilled today.

Over 25 years, Ekeamangwu market in Umudim Nnewi has been without toilet untill today being the 30th day of August.

According to Hon. Smart, the ultra modern toilets is a project he has always had in mind from when he was young and by this reason, will be used for free by the market women except for the purpose of maintenance.

The joy of the entire market women knew no bound as they were all dancing and singing praises to Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor for coming to their aid after so many years of being left in the dark.

Dignitaries that honoured the occasion are Obi Umudim, Obi Benneth Okafor (Amaukwu) and some of his cabinet members, the President General, Umudim Youth Association, Comr Nonso Nnetu (Mbadiegwu) and his predecessor, Comr Ifenna Jinwa (Ifedon) APGA L.G Chairman Hon. Chike Agwuncha, APGA L.G Woman leader Hon Felicia Achusim, AFA IGBO BU OFU (AIBO) National legal adviser Hon. Barr Chinedu Tino Adili Ubah (Ming), Umudim Ward One T/C Counsellor Mr Eugene Nnabuike, LGA T/C secretary, Hon Echezona Anazodo, and that of Nnewichi Ward Two. APGA state exco member Madam Silver, AIBO state Organizing Secretary Hon Bona Ogbonna, APGA Umudim Ward One Chairman Mr Onyeka Uzochukwu, APGA Umudim Ward One woman leader Mrs Ngozi Nnadi, AIBO Umudim Ward One Coordinator Mr Mike Muorah, AIBO Ward One Secretary, Victor Offor, AIBO Ward One Woman leader, Hon Mrs Yvonne Igwe, AIBO Ward One Organizing Secretary Chimezie Izuegbu, AIBO Ward One Welfare Officer, Ebuka Obidike amongst many other AIBO Ward One Excos. Others are, APGA Ward Chairmen from Umudim Ward Two, Nnewichi Ward One and Two, APGA Ward One PRO,Onyeka Nwaeje. The landlord of the market, Hon Uzoukwu and his siblings.
APGA Umudim Ward One presented a giant life turkey to Hon Nonso Smart Okafor as a sign of appreciation.

Indeed, NNEWI NORTH IS APGA.

Willie de work.

Hon Smart Okafor follow de work too.

Thanks to the ApgaSpiritInUs#


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgANQwGITDc



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WftMRnWzjuo

NNEWI NORTH IS APGA

NNEWI NORTH IS APGA 100%

NNEWI NORTH IS APGA

NNEWI NORTH IS "APGA" AS OKE-MMANWU U-AYA STORMED NNEWI.

NNEWI NORTH IS "APGA"

NNEWI NORTH IS "APGA" AS OKE-MMANWU U-AYA STORMED NNEWI.

NNEWI NORTH IS "APGA"

NNEWI NORTH IS "APGA" AS OKE-MMANWU U-AYA STORMED NNEWI.

....It also turned out to be a day of commendation galores for Hon Sir Melie Onyejepu who hosted the Oke-Mmanwu visiting team.

....As Ndi Nnewi used the opportunity to shower praises on Gov Willie Obiano, "AKPOO AZA NNEWI" for showing them Love.

By Bona Ogbonna

The gathering of who is who in Nnewi on Sunday 26th, July 2020 at the residence of Hon. Sir Melie Onyejepu, when he hosted the U-UYA & U-UWA in their on going Oke-Mmanwu Local Govt tours, which arrived Nnewi North, has proved beyond all reasonable doubt that truly, "NNEWI NORTH LGA IS APGA."

The Founder/President of U-AYA & U-UWA Chief Hon Chinedu Benjamin Obidiegwu, a one time Special Adviser on political matters to the Governor of Anambra State, but currently a member representing Anambra East and West Federal constituency at the National Assembly who was unavoidable absent, but was represented by Hon Patrick Obalum Udoba ( Eze Ego Anam) member representing Anambra West Constituency in ASHA, gave an inspiring speach which greatly anchored on "power shift to Anambra South" and as a political group in APGA, they have resolved to go South because it is very clear that the good people of Anambra South Zone have supported there son from Anambra North whole heatedly, and for that reason. Power will definitely go to Anambra South come 2021 according to him.

The Host, Hon Sir Melie Onyejepu addressing his visitors, appreciated all those that made out time despite their respective tight schedules to come and indentify with him. He thanked the founder/president and all the members of the U-AYA & U-UWA for their total support to APGA since they were formed. He made it clear that it will be very good for APGA as a party to give its ticket to the people of Nnewi North come 2021, because the town has always been APGA'S strong base in terms of support both financially and what have you.
He acknowledged all the wonderful works already done and the on going ones by the State Governor, Chief Dr Sir Willie Obiano in Nnewi North both in appointment of political aides and physical structures, which includes the Control works at 100ft road, Obiofia Nnewichi and Mbana-akwu Oduda Erosion Sites respectively.
He equally thanked the ever supportive wife of the State Governor, Chief Dr Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano ( Osodieme) for her support for what she is doing with her NGO, "CAFE" to Ndi Anambra, more especially widows, the mentally, physically challenged and the youths.

The President General of Nnewi Town Union, Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, Sir Ugochukwu Udemezue, (Ifeneti), in his speech, thanked Hon Sir Melie Onyejepu for his efforts towards the successful controlling of the 100ft road Nnewi Erosion Menace. He used the opportunity to officially express gratitude to Gov Willie Obiano, on behalf of Ndi Nnewi for sending competent Companies to handle the Control works at all the Erosion Sites in Nnewi. He also informed the gathering of the on going works at Okpuneze-Nnewi hotels-Oraifite road. He prayed that God will continue to bless Gov Willie Obiano for the wonderful works his administration is doing in the State and Nnewi in particular.
Speaker after speaker lauded Sir Melie Onyejepu for using the cordial relationship existing between him the Governor, to attract many people oriented projects into Nnewi, they also extolled the APGA led Government under the quality leadership of Akpokuedike Global, for his love and care, more especially to Ndi Nnewi. They also poured encomium on Gov Willie Obiano for saving the town from the three major devastating Erosion Menace, by putting them under control. Every speaker undoubtedly believed and made it clear that the money spent on the three devastating Erosion Sites would have been more than enough to finance the construction of all the roads in Nnewi North and its environs.

The major highlights of the event was the entertainment of the gathering by the U-AYA Oke-Mmanwu and other masquerades.

Among the dignitaries whose presence added color to the event are:-
The founder/president of U-AYA & U-AWA, Chief Hon Chinedu Obidigwe (Aka Oma Jide Aku), the member representing the good people of Anambra East & West constituency in the HoR, ably reprensentated by Hon Patrick Obalum Udoba, ASHA member from Anambra West Constituency. Hon Nonso Smart Okafor, member representing Nnewi North constituency at Anambra State House of Assembly.
Members of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, led by its President General, Sir Ugochukwu Udemezue (Ifeneti). Nnewi North LGA APGA Excos led by its Chairman, Hon Chike Agwuncha. All the political appointees from Nnewi North LGA under Gov Willie Obiano, led by the Special Adviser on Legislative Matters to the Governor and the immediate past House of Assembly member, Hon Amala Kenneth Anazodo. Also in attendance were all the major political stakeholders and stalwarts in Nnewi North LGA. The present and immediate past TC members from Nnewi North LGA, led by the former Vice Chairman Hon Pius Onwuka, and the current Secretary, Hon Eche Anazodo, and Leaders. Leaders and major stakeholders of various Markets, and captains of industries in Nnewi North LGA.
Some State and all the Nnewi North LGA Excos of the newly formed, but the fastest growing non-political group in Anambra State, the AFA IGBO BU OFU MOVEMENT led by their National Legal adviser, Hon Sir Chinedu Adili Ubah (Tino) and Nnewi North LGA Coordinator Hon Tony Muodielo.
U-AYA & U-AWA, National planning and Strategy, Hon George Udedibia, and media team, led by Hon Dominic Okagbue and Machi Pius Igwe. Members of Association of APGA Aspirants ( AAA) led by Hon Nnanyelu Onyejepu.
Members of the Sir Melie Onyejepu and Sydney Foundations, and others.

HON SIR MELIE ONYEJEPU IS ONE OF GOD'S SPECIAL GIFT TO NDI NNEWI AND HUMANITY.

HON SIR MELIE ONYEJEPU IS ONE OF GOD'S SPECIAL GIFT TO NDI NNEWI AND HUMANITY.

.... He is one of the rare and special species.

By Bona Ogbonna

Once in a while, it pleases God to bless a town, by giving them a kind hearted person. And Nnewi is one of such lucky town, because they have one of God's best gift to humanity as their son, in person of Hon Sir Melie Onyejepu, the current Special Adviser on Budget and Efficiency/AIRS to Gov Willie Obiano, who was also recently appointed the General Manager of Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement Board by the Governor. He is the type of person that doesn't believe in publicizing his good plans and deeds for his people all over the media. Most of the empowerment programs and projects from the State Government the town is enjoying today was facilitated by him, and as a silent achiever which he has always been, you will hardly hear him making noise about it.

Hon Onyejepu, knowing full well that power outage is the major challenge to the lives, economy and general wellbeing of Ndi Nnewi, decided to do everything within his power to make sure that the problem of power is brought to the minimal level in Nnewi.
That was what lead to the distribution of various capacities of transformers to many communities in Nnewi through the support of the State Government under the active leadership of the State Governor, Chief Dr Willie Obiano, (Akpoo Aza na Nnewi).

Some of the communities that have so far benefited from this legacy, are St. Andrew's Anglican Church (DCC), Oduda and Okpuno in Nnewichi, Umuezeokalum and Umuezena in Umudim, Umungo village and Umudibia village Umumeagbu in Uruagu.

Many households and business owners in some of the benefiting communities, while expressing their joy and gratitude to Gov Obiano and Hon Onyejepu for this wonderful show of concern and kindheartedness, assured them that they will never forget. The PGs of all the communities that benefited from the show of love, unanimously lauded the State Governor and Ogbuefi Melie for making the work of their local vigilante groups easier, with the provision of these transformers. According to them, it has also helped to reduce the problem of overloadings off their old transformers.

Akpokuedike lulu olu oma gi gaba na iru, obu olu oma gi ka aga eji cheta gi ma emesia.

Ogbuefi Melie lulu olu oma gi gaba na iru, obu olu oma gi ka aga eji cheta gi ma emesia.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNQDDdywkwI

HOW THE ODUDA-NNEWICHI WAS SAVED FROM THE MENACE OF A DEVASTATING FLOOD AND EROSION.

.....THE COMMUNITY THANKS GOV WILLIE OBIANO FOR HIS QUICK RESPONSE.

..... AND EXTOLS HON SIR MELIE ONYEJEPU FOR FACILITATING IT.

By Bona Ogbonna

The Mbana-akwu Oduda Erosion which has been there for a long time, is an offshoot of the main flood that went right inside part of Oduda. It was as a tributary of the flood that came down from Awka-etiti, part of Oraukwu and Adazi through Nnobi. It passes through Oduda to Obiofia and Okpuno Nnewichi.

HOW THE STATE GOVT INTERVENED

Noticing the active nature of the Erosion Site, the community cried out for assistance from the State Government, and quickly approached Hon Sir Melie Onyejepu for his intervention. Hon Melie upon receiving a letter from the community, informed the hard working Governor of the State, Chief Willie Obiano for the State's intervention. The pictures of the Site was so disturbing to the Governor that that he promptly requested the Ministry of Environment to quickly interven and solve the problem. With the active support of the then Commissioner for Environment, Chief Michael Okonkwo who quickly appraised the situation and awarded a contract to an indigenous local contractor. This timely intervention, saved many properties which were already at verge of collapse.

CONTRACT AWARDED TO A LOCAL AND INDIGENOUS CONTACTOR

The contract was awarded to Godlina Engineering Services Ltd, a very competent and indigenous local company, and they have done 80% of the job by bringing the Erosion under control and hence stabilizing the area. One will be marvelled at the quality of the work being done by the contractor, because no one believed that a local and indigenous contactor has the capacity and competence to do such quality job.

The State Government in collaboration with the NEWMAP has been able to contain the Obiofia/Okpuno portions of the major Erosion menace. The project is costing the State Government and World Bank a woofing sum of#6.7b

The State Government is also working with NEWMAP to make sure that the Erosion is also controlled from the head of the slope, which is at Abubor down to Oduda so that it will connect with the one they are intervening in at Okpuno and Obiofia.

One of the saved property owners at the Mbana-akwu Oduda Erosion Site under construction through the Ministry of Environment, Chief Obiora Okeke JP, couldn't curtail the happiness and joy welling up in him because of this wonderful intervention by Gov Obiano. He thanked the State Government immensely for coming to their rescue. He equally appreciated Hon Sir Melie Onyejepu for facilitating the project.

Still on Dr Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano’s Philantropy

Appreciating Dr Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano’s Philantropy

Appreciating Dr Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano’s Philantropy

Written By: HON MELIE ONYEJEPU

Philanthropy involves charitable giving to worthy causes. It is beyond a gift of cash, goods or services made to help accomplish goals of individuals and organizations. Philanthropy is an effort an individual or organization undertakes based on an altruistic desire to improve human welfare.

Charitable acts or other good works that help others or society as a whole are acts of philanthropy. They include donating money to a worthy cause, or volunteering time, effort or other forms of altruism.

Philanthropy dates back to a Greek philosopher, Plato, in 347 BC. His Will instructed his nephew to use the proceeds of the family farm to fund the academy that Plato founded. The money helped students to keep the academy running. Thus, philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others, expressed especially by the generous donation of money to good causes.

Those who are well known in their communities or business to promote their reputation and assist the poor and the vulnerable in the society are philanthropists. However, anyone can be a philanthropist regardless of status or net worth. Any person who donates his time, money, experience, skills or talent to help create a better world, is already doing the work of charity.

One does not need to be rich to be a philanthropist. Philanthropy is all about thought, care, deliberation, going beyond the expected and becoming involved. One can equally become a philanthropist by performing random acts of kindness, giving away old belongings, donating blood, if he or she is healthy, and taking advantage of workplace benefits. Throw away items can sometimes help others. One could equally provide his or his expertise for charity.

People can sponsor indigent but brilliant chaps or fund sports and healthcare initiatives for the benefit of the down trodden – that is philanthropy.

Individuals with milk of human kindness flowing in their blood sometimes establish foundations to felicitate their philanthropic efforts. One of such is the Caring Family Enhancement (CAFÉ) initiative of the wife of the governor of Anambra state, Chief Dr. Ebelechukwu Obiano. Since Osodieme, in August 2014, set up the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), a non-governmental and nonpartisan organization as a beacon of hope and sustainable empowerment for women and the less privileged, she has kept her promise to be the voice of women beside her husband by providing succor to the needy, indigent widows and rural women across the communities in Anambra state.

So far, Dr Mrs. Obiano has set very high standards with CAFÉ projects in parts of Anambra State. These include building of CAFÉ market toilets, provision of skills acquisition, training and empowerment programmes for women and youths and donation of free prosthetic limbs to the vulnerable. Others are donation of wheel chairs to the physically challenged, maintaining home for the mentally challenged at Nteje and sponsoring of cleft lip and cleft palate surgery for kids.

Through CAFÉ, Dr. Mrs. Obiano has built many houses for poor widows across the three Senatorial zones of the State as well as provided healthcare needs of the vulnernable members of the society. Under the initiative, Osodieme has equally provided avenues for youths, women, children and mentally deranged members of the society, among many others.

Furthermore, many philanthropists have exhibited their humanitarian altruistic nature during this rampaging COVID-19 pandemic. They donated palliatives both to governments and individuals to ameliorate the effect of the virus on the society. This is not only commendable but exemplary. The reward for philanthropy is in heaven. Hence, philanthropists should continue to look out of the loop and under the radar. It makes more sense to help people who spread love wherever they go; those who cannot pay back. This is what Chief Dr Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, Osodieme, stands for.

Umuezeagu of Uruagu in Nnewi North LGA is under serious threat.

By Bona Ogbonna

The people of Umuezeagu, Uruagu in Nnewi North LGA are under a heavy threat from a menacing flood. The traditional head of Umuezeagu, Chief Chinedu Obidozie (Obi Umuezeagu), in company of Mr Sunday Anosike (Community development chairman), Chief Godwin Agu-Okonkwo and Mr Paul Ejefo, while conducting news men round the village, narrated the havoc caused and is still being caused by the flooding to the entire village. According to them, each time it rains, the villagers don't feel comfortable due to the speed and volume of flood that flows into the village from the neighboring villages, more especially from Okpuneze.
According to the Community leaders, they have spent a lot of money through individuals and communial efforts, but it continues going from bad to worst.
They are therefore sending out SAVE OUR SOUL cry to the Anambra State Government, and all the elected Representatives of their Constituency both at National and State levels, to quickly come to their aid and help them prevent the looming disaster.
They however expressed their gratitude to God Almighty for His mercies and protection towards the community, more especially upon their little Children, because, according to them, they have not lost any life to the menace since it went from bad to worst.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BC_arCjjbM



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMykn4Biznc

Still on Anambra State, The Investment Hub Of Nigeria.

Anambra State, The Investment Hub Of Nigeria.

Anambra State leads, others follow

Anambra State, The Investment Hub Of Nigeria.


By Melie Onyejepu

Economic and Business Management experts recently indicated in their findings, after rigorous research, that Anambra is one of the states mostly prepared for both local and foreign investment. According to them, the state has put structures in place that would make the process of investing easy for prospective investors. They are of the view that Anambra is now in her finest moment in history and is building partnerships that would help it leapfrog to a more advanced society.

Apart from the fact that Anambra is the only state in the country that has a separate agency, the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, to champion its cause, Anambra has one of the highest literacy rates in Nigeria. It offers access to the largest retail market in West Africa and has the largest crop of experienced middlemen and suppliers with enough expertise to move goods across Africa.

Anambra equally has easy access to industrial lands, which have been mapped out in the state’s Land-Bank as well as offers a speedy company registration and issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. Above all, Anambra has been ranked as the most transparent and accountable state in Nigeria for having complied with International Public Sector Accounting System and Accounting Standards.

More so, Anambra has abundant human and material resources. The state is blessed with crude oil, natural gas, bauxite, gypsum, lead, lignite, limestone, iron ore and salt among others. With an economy of three point eight trillion naira, Anambra has the lowest poverty rate in Nigeria with two point three dollars per capita. Thus, if Anambra were to be an independent country, its GDP per capita would have been seventeenth in Africa. Anambra would have been ahead of Ghana, Kenya, Cote de Voire, Senegal, Tanzania, Rwanda and many others.

Anambra has great tourism potentials with the Ogbaukwu Cave and Waterfalls at Owerre-Ezukala and Ogbunike Cave at Ogbunike. Anambra is the tenth most populous state in Nigeria with a population of about six point five million people and a population density of eight hundred and sixty per square kilometre. And in the past six years, Anambra has been Nigeria’s safest state with crime rate at its lowest ebb in living memory.

Governor Willie Obiano has made Anambra Nigeria’s most peaceful and business-friendly environment. The ease of doing business here is unprecedented. Akpokuedike also invested heavily in education and as a result, Anambra produces two best performed candidates in the 2020 JAMB exams.

Five school girls from Regina Pacis, Onitsha shocked the world when they defeated the United States, China, Spain, Turkey, Uzbekistan and others to win the Gold Medal at the World Technovation Challenge held at the Silicon Valley, in the USA. Following the footsteps of these Golden Girls, four boys from Saint John’s Science and Technical College School, Alor also won the Bronze Medal at the World Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology in Tunisia.

All these give hope that the future of the state will be brighter than its present. It is therefore no exaggeration that Anambra State is the best place to locate factories in Nigeria at the moment. The Obiano administration has attracted a considerable volume of investments over the past six years.

Ndigbo, especially Ndi Anambra in the Diaspora should help the state to convince the foreign investors to come and invest in the state. Anambra is looking for partners that will help exploit our natural resources. The state has over forty trillion standard cubic feet of gas that has not been touched yet.

Ndi Anambra want partners that will exploit these rich reserves of gas for our mutual benefits. We need partners for the establishment of modular refineries. We also need partners in the power generation, agriculture, agro-allied industries and in the establishment of Industrial Parks among many others. The state government is ready to give priority attention to all investors.

ANAMBRA STATE GOVT IN COLLABORATION WITH WORLD BANK, SECURES NNEWI AND ITS ENVIRONS FROM EROSION MENACE.


.... AS THE COMMUNITY EXTOLS GOV WILLIE OBIANO AND HON MELIE ONYEJEPU FOR SAVING THEIR LIVES AND PROPERTIES

By Bona Ogbonna.

Nnewichi is a Community in Nnewi North LGA of the present day Anambra State. The peace loving People of the community who are predominantly farmers, work up one morning in the mid Eighties to discover to their astonishment, that the water flow from their neighbors, mostly Nnobi, Ichida, Awka-etiti and Nnokwa, have dealt them a great blow as a result of concentrated runoff from steep ground flowing into cleared drainage depressions.

As at then, the Erosion was still in it's early stages but it escalated drastically as a result of a drainage system which the then Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructures (DFRRI) constructed around the Erosion site and didn't channel the water ways to the end properly, but was stopped half way near the site, this made all the water coming from the drainage to move into the erosion site and surged the pace of the erosion.
It will be recalled that the then Federal Military Government established the Directorate of Food, Roads and Rural Infrastructures (DFRRI) with the aim of rehabilitating various categories of roads in the country, and especially for the development of rural feeder roads in order to strengthen the massive efforts of food and agricultural self-sufficiency in the shortest possible period.
The following year after DFRRI constructed the drainage system, the erosion site increased drastically and the site that was once in the outskirts of Nnewichi, was moving in a fast rate and was already threatening lands, lives and properties of Nnewichi community.
The gully which was 3ft deep and 4ft wide before DFRRI's intervention, became more than 10ft deep and 20ft wide after collapse of the palliative works done by them.
The culverts linking Umuogboo Ngo to Akwu Umuogboo, and the one that connected Umuogboo Mbana with Akwu Umuogboo were washed away by the intimidating flood, this lead to a communal efforts to try to control the erosion as kids, youths and elderly came out to address the issue, lots of bamboo trees were planted in the Erosion site, a lot of money running into millions of naira was spent to help control and minimize the pace of the erosion.

HOPE WAS RESTORED BY GOV WILLIE OBIANO ADMINISTRATION.

But as can be seen today, the Government of Anambra State under H E, Chief Dr Sir Willie Obiano, the ANS-NEWMAP and the relentless efforts of Hon Sir Melie Onyejepu, SA BUDGET, EFFICIENCY/AIRS to the State Governor, who was recently appointment the General Manager of Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement Board, have restored the hope of the community by bringing the menace under control.

The World Bank is funding the project because Anambra State Government agreed to pay its counterpart fund.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzsA-ws1qxk

How hope was revived by the Administration of Gov Willie Obiano.

THE STORY OF NNEWICHI COMMUNITY EROSION SITE, WORLD BANK AND ANAMBRA STATE-NEWMAP.

... HOW HOPE WAS REVIVED BY THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOV WILLIE OBIANO.

By Bona Ogbonna.

THE COMMUNITY'S SAVE OUR SOUL CRY TO HON SIR MELIE ONYEJEPU.

Different Administrations passed and the wait for a response was to no avail, but a bright light showed at the very end of tunnel for the troubled and fear gripped community when hope was revived during the administration of Dr Willie Obiano. The community took their complain and sad story to one of the God's best gift to Ndi Nnewi and Humanity in general, Hon. Sir Melie Onyejepu, who was the then Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on budget planning, and explained the situation to him.

HON MELIE ONYEJEPU INVITES STATE GOVT.

Hon. Melie Onyejepu visited the site and immediately invited the Anambra State-NEWMAP, the Commissioner for Environment and Commissioner for Works for proper inspection, documentations and evaluation of the Erosion site.
The community also wrote a letter to the State Government and the State Government acknowledged that they will help coordinate affairs of the Erosion through Anambra State-NEWMAP, and that Hon. Sir Melie Onyejepu on behalf of the State Government will also negotiate with World bank so they can help with construction of the erosion site. And based on the promise, Hon Melie Onyejepu used all the arsenals at his disposal, including his already established contacts as a successful and renowned banker, to bring the World Bank to negotiation table and hence placed the project as a major priority albiet all others in the queue.

HON MELIE ONYEJEPU INVITES WORLD BANK.

Succor came to the community, when Hon Melie Onyejepu's efforts paid off and the World Bank accepted to negotiate and got interested in the project, they asked the State Government to provide a counterpart funding (fund established as part of an arrangement for converting foreign aid) for the project, and it was also agreed that compensation will be paid to those directly affected by the Erosion. The community were astonished when Hon Melie Onyejepu announced to them that funds have been made available for the paying of the compensations and the State Government's counterpart funding.

TEN (10) MAN SUPERVISION/MONITORING COMMITTEE.

A ten man project monitoring and supervision committee, under the leadership of Hon Eloka Ubajekwe was set up to supervise the claims and counterclaims during the compensations, they were also saddled with the responsibility of being the link between the contracting company that is handling the control works, Anambra State-NEWMAP and the community.
The compensation which was paid to all affected families at Obi Nnewichi palace was estimated to be more than Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira Only (#250,000,000:00), this funds was shared among them including those that had lands with economic trees that would be useful for the project and those that their land were washed away.
After the compensation, work immediately started on the Erosion site and the amount of work done so far is massive and highly commendable.
Nnewichi community lost over 20 lives and 30 houses to the erosion and it would have been worse, it was estimated that 60% of Nnewichi community would have been washed away by the Erosion if not for the intervention of Anambra State Governor, H E Chief Dr Sir Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano and Hon. Sir Melie Onyejepu.

CHAIRMAN MONITORING/SUPERVISION COMMITTEE, LAUDS GOV WILLIE OBIANO & HON MELIE ONYEJEPU.

Hon. Chukwueloka Ubajekwe the Nnewichi Erosion projects supervision and monitoring Committee Chairman, has this to say about the State Governor, Chief Dr Sir Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano and Hon. Sir Melie Onyejepu concerning the Erosion Site.:-

"We later heard that one of our son was in touch with the World Bank but we thought that like other promises, that it will still end up as fairy tales.
Until one Faithful day, Hon. Melie Onyejepu called the people of Nnewichi and said a lot of things that almost no one believed, some persons said it was one of their political propagandas because another election (Gov Obiano's re-election to be exact) was around the corner at the time this story came up, some people mocked him saying he was only trying to buy their votes for the Re-run.
Personally, though I'm a member of APGA, I was almost in doubt but I still had to play my role so there wouldn't be any loopholes on my side. Days continue to pass by until I was appointed the Chairman of the project monitoring and supervision Committee that was when we went to survey the Ravine. I still thought it was a joke until I decided to see Hon Melie Onyejepu, that was when he assured me of the level of seriousness this project was about to embark on, that we the Committee members should play our part in every best way we can considering how ready the Government was.
Grassroot progress started as each person was assigned a particular area round the ravine for clarification purpose.
Finally, we were told to compile names of affected person for compensation which was immediately paid. This was when everyone's spirit came alive.
Caterpillars and other heavy duties trucks were immediately moved to the site, and in less than 6 months some areas were already repaired, work has been going on with all form of speed and without any form of retardation.

On behalf of the committee members and the entire Nnewichi Community, I want to thank the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr Sir Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano, Akpokuedike Global, Odogwu Omambala, Akpoo Aza na Nnewi, for all his show of love and cares towards the community and Nnewi Town in general.
We are also extending our profound gratitude to one of the God's best gift to Ndi Nnewi and Anambra State, Hon Sir Melie Ifeanyichukwu Onyejepu (Ogbuefi) for hearkening to the "SAVE OUR SOUL" cry from the community. It's our collective wish that God and Ndi Anambra State will find him worthy to continue serving the State at a much higher level with bigger responsibilities."


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwBKRcCC5AM



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv8BivsZrfA

Anambra Residents to get portable water supply soon. Gov Willie Obiano and Hon Melie Onyejepu

Works advances at Nnewi water scheme

WORK ADVANCES AT THE NNEWI WATER SCHEME PROJECT.

..... As Hon Melie Onyejepu assures Anambra Residents of Portable Water Soon.

By Bona Ogbonna

A visit to the Anambra State water cooperation Nnewi unit, will convince even the doubting Thomases that the Gov Willie Obiano's led State Government is truly matching their words with visible actions with the construction of new model urban water project that is aimed at changing the believe that potable water supply is no longer possible.
The speed and quality of works at the water board Nnewi unit by the construction company handling the project, ATLANTIC DRILLING FLUIDS SERVICES LTD, is not only encouraging but it shows that the State Government really meant business.
Those that visited the site in April 2020, won't be able to believe their eyes with the rate of infrastructures that are in place now at the same Site. The site engineer of the construction firm wasn't even happy with their own pace of works, according to him, the constant rain have forced them to slow down their pace. He said, that since the State Government has fully mobilized them, that they have no reason whatsoever to delay the project, if not for the rain.

He added that they have refurbished the old overhead tank, and that it's ready for use now. He also said that they have put in place two surface tanks and are almost done with the drilling and fixing of the borehole.

Recall that the Anambra State Government commensed state-wide construction of new model urban water projects to phase out individual borehole system that littered all over the State.

The special Adviser to Gov Willie Obiano on Budget, Efficiency/AIRS, Hon Melie Onyejepu who was recently appointed the General Manager of Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement Board, had said during a visit to the Site in April,2020, that the project which was divided into two phases, had already started in Nnewi at its abandoned water project located at old Nnewi Onitsha road Amuko.

According to Onyejepu, the pilot scheme which was the first phase, would gulp $1million and would on completion distribute potable water within the area the project was sited and would later go round the whole Nnewi community when the second phase was completed.

He said that the project was divided into engineering, house enumeration, metering and billing and appealed to Nnewi residents to cooperate with the enumerators to make their job easy.

He noted that the Anambra State Government's collaboration with the foreign donors was designed that the State would pay a counterpart funding of between N50 million and N100 million. He noted that the project was being executed with quality assurance.

It's very important to note that all the Previous Governments in the State did not invest in water and people began to sink boreholes here and there, forgetting that the gains of public water supply far outweighed the individual borehole projects, because apart from the high cost in maintaining the private water boreholes, ecological problems it generated posed a threat to the residents.
Provision of water is a major democracy dividend and Anambra State Government under Gov Willie Obiano is working on various water projects to ensure provision of potable water.

His Excellence Governor Willie Obiano has been working with donor agencies like World Bank and ADB for new urban water model.

The construction firm lauded Hon Melie Onyejepu for making sure that the host Community is giving them all the necessary support, in terms of security and other logistics that has been serving as a motivating factor to their staffs, which in the other hand has also enabled them to put in their best.

Akpokuedike Global, OBRIGADO.

Akpoo Aza Nnewi, OBRIGADO.

Hon Melie Onyejepu, OBRIGADO.

Mrs. Obiano Decries Obnoxious Practices Against Widows.

By Bona Ogbonna

The Wife of Governor of Anambra State and founder of Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE) an NGO, Dr. (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) has decried the sustenance of obnoxious practices which deny widows basic rights in some communities. She called on those who promote such discriminatory and degrading acts to discard them and accord widows their rights as full-fledged members of the community.

Mrs. Obiano made the plea in Awka on 23rd June 2020, in a special message signed by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Emeka Ozumba, to commemorate the International Widows Day 2020.

Mrs. Obiano stated that situations where the rights of women are tied solely to their husbands' is discriminatory, abhorrent and should be abolished.
In her words:

"In this twenty first century it is disheartening and unpardonable to hear that a woman stands accused of the death of her husband and is therefore subjected to life threatening and painful mourning practices and rites. Often, such widows are separated from their children, and the properties of the diseased husbands rudely appropriated by their accusers.Thankfully, our laws have recognized the rights of women to inheritance, but such laws must be enforced to preserve the dignity of widows and the family unit."

The wife of the Governor urged community leaders where such practices hinder widows to ensure the discard of such retrogressive practices which single out hapless widows at their most vulnerable moments for maltreatment in the name of tradition. "Every widow deserves the right to work, access to healthcare and inheritance. No person or group should deny a widow her rights under false pretenses," she emphasized.

Mrs. Obiano whose NGO, CAFE, is in the forefront of care and empowerment of indigent widows has built free houses for twenty-seven beneficiary widows so far. She has equally offered thousands of widows free training on various life sustaining skills.

Osodieme commended the United Nations for dedicating a day of observance for widows which enhances awareness of the challenges they faced in some parts of the world. She also thanked the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, for ensuring that issues concerning women, especially widows, are given priority attention to ensure their welfare.

The goal of the United Nations on the day is to develop resources and policy to empower widows, with all rights restored, and enable them to create a life for themselves and their children in order to end the cycle of poverty and abuse that confront them