₦airaland Forum

*Nigeria's Economic Crisis: Can Paul Chukwuma's Plan Save the Day?*

Obi Trice Emeka

The Nigerian economy appears to have befuddled all analysts, with various predictions and analyses yielding little progress. It seems both the government and experts have thrown their hands up in the air in exasperation, perhaps overwhelmed and conceding defeat. I jokingly told a friend last week that I rarely see economists and financial analysts on television these days, unlike pre-2023 when they championed the free market economy.


It was my quest for solutions to Nigeria's hydra-headed economic woes that piqued my interest when I read about Paul Chukwuma's keynote speech at the Hybrid International Conference hosted by the Faculty of Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The conference theme, "Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa: Issues and Strategies," aligned perfectly with Chukwuma's expertise.

Chukwuma, a first-class graduate in Philosophy from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, transitioned into law and graduated with a first-class degree from Baze University, Abuja He also holds an LL.M in Intellectual Property and Information Technology from the University of Derby, UK, with distinction. As Chairman of the Nigeria-Burundi Business Council, Chukwuma brought unparalleled knowledge to the table and has been rated as one of Nigeria's notable intellectual thinkers


Chukwuma's diagnosis was straightforward: Nigeria's economic growth must be tied to the cumulative productivity of its people, with universities playing a functional role in research to connect industrial output and societal needs. Simple yet brilliant! Nations thrive on the cumulative productivity of their citizens. Nigeria's failure has been the inability of successive governments to trigger productivity across all sectors, likely due to being bogged down by the Dutch disease.


Chukwuma argued that universities should research and provide solutions that can be commercialised. He criticised the obsession with pursuing professorships rather than solutions, creating a vicious cycle that has downgraded the need for solutions in universities. Chukwuma emphasised that consumption-to-production would remain a cliché until research from universities provides a solid foundation for the transition.


In economic terms, cumulative national productivity is measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the summation of all economic activities in a country. Unfortunately, Nigeria's GDP has been underperforming, averaging less than 3 per cent growth over the past few years. Ideally, it should be in double digits to significantly impact Nigerians' lives by raising income and reducing inequality and unemployment. But with general productivity across the country low, the GDP rate has remained low.

Every region in Nigeria is richly endowed with various raw materials, yet we've failed to
convert these resources into end-use products. Chukwuma attributed this failure to the disconnect between university research and industrial demand.


Chukwuma advocated for total support of "Made in Nigeria" products. He noted, "Years ago, we laughed at Taiwan's inferior products. With gradual improvement, their products now traverse the globe." As he correctly proposed, there is a correlation between patriotism and national productivity. Chukwuma urged Nigeria to adopt local products, even if they seem inferior, to stimulate national growth. He did this by praising local manufacturers like Innoson, who are taking charge of national productivity.

Chukwuma is not an armchair critic. He is the founder of Olivia University, Burundi, a STEM-focused university in East Africa focused on providing young Africans with the skills to create solutions to the myriad of Africa's problems. I heard that a similar university is being set up in his hometown of Umueri. Also, a steel mill he has a controlling interest in is presently being set up in Anambra State.


Nigeria is in an economic cul-de-sac, and Chukwuma's solution – homegrown and centred on national productivity – offers a way out. By innovating end-use products for the various raw materials available in Nigeria, Nigeria can establish labour-intensive production chains across local government areas, slashing unemployment, inequality, and insecurity, and thus raising income and government revenues


There's no alternative to triggering national productivity without embracing Chukwuma's strategy, which empowers universities as innovators, churning out solutions regularly.

Sir Paul Chukwuma Recommends “Economic Governance” Model for Africa

By Gozie Ifebuche

The leading APC gubernatorial aspirant for the Anambra 2025 election, Sir Paul Chukwuma has made a strong case for the adoption of what he calls the “Economic Governance” model as the panacea for Africa’s elusive quest for economic development.

In a Keynote address he delivered at the Hybrid International Conference organized by the Management Sciences Faculty of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, at the weekend, Sir Chukwuma who spoke on the theme: “Governance and Sustainable Development in Africa: Issues and Strategies,” argued that any definition of governance that was devoid of economic controls would not stand the test of reasonableness in Africa.

Strengthening his advocacy for the adoption of the economic governance model, he argued that only economic governance could bring about economic growth or sustainable development of the type Africa desires.

Pooh-poohing the African Union's blueprint and master plan for Africa tagged Agenda 2063, a pan African vision of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena, Sir Chukwuma quips: "this agenda remains in my opinion, an age-long aspiration… very difficult to achieve."

Throwing more light on what he means by economic governance, Sir Chukwuma says “economic governance from the African perspective must recognize the following three types of economics: nature’s economy, which simply means the economy of self-renewal, people’s economy, which is the economy of sustenance, and of course the regular market capital economy, which is the economy of office and capital accumulation. Sustainability means an ability to continue an activity in the long term, continuing growth or development without affecting the environment negatively. The question then is, can development truly be sustainable?” he asks.

Speaking further, he argued that “African leaders and academics should pay more attention to economic governance than any other type of governance, regardless of the appeal to the contrary. "Development and economic growth in Africa refers to processes that offer no support to ecological stability. Development and economic growth by extension bring about disruptions to ecological stability, in fact they undermine human ecosystem, leaving it vulnerable and unstable. Development in no small measure destroys both nature’s economy of self-renewal and people’s economy of sustenance," he further argued.

According to him, the World Bank 2022 poverty overview reported that about 13% of world population translating to a total of 720 million people globally live in severe multi-dimensional poverty with sub-Saharan Africa, (Nigeria inclusive) accounting for more than half of this world population of the poor.

“This level of poverty stems directly or indirectly from the enthronement of capital economy as a substitute for both nature and people’s economy. The resultant effect of this unsustainable and unfortunate enthronement is the total of migration of traditional economy paving way for the unsustainable, advanced, affluent economies. Economic governance must recognize this challenge and come up with home grown options. Sustaining the modern concept of development in Africa would amount to playing to the gallery on the part of African politicians, academics, community and religious leaders. The question then is, who will bell the cat?” he queried.

Members of APGA, PDP, Labour Parties Defect to APC in Anambra

By Gozie Ifebuche

As the 2025 Anambra governorship election draws nearer, new political re-alignments in Anambra State have led to a massive defection of members of the APGA, PDP, and Labour parties to the APC.

Offering an insight into this development at a press conference in Awka on Thursday, the Director-General of Sir Paul Chukwuma Primary Campaign Council, Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi, revealed that APC has been witnessing an influx of new members from rival parties who had seen the handwriting on the wall and had decided to make hay while the sun shines.

He says the APC is the only viable party in Anambra State. “APGA is paralysed by an unceasing dispute over its flawed internal democracy and the failure of its government in the state. PDP has remained a house divided against itself through the years and still lacks the cohesion to present any threat. At the same time, the Labour Party is a movement that has failed to become a political vehicle”, he said.

“Many APGA members have defected. Many Labour Party and PDP members are all defecting to APC because APC is the only stable political party in Anambra State today. So we want to rebrand, reposition and re-energize our party to make it a strong purpose-built vehicle for Sir Paul Chukwuma to contest the governorship election in Anambra State. We also intend to embark on a local government tour to take our message to the people,” Hon. Ibezi declared.

Speaking further, he revealed that the press conference was to inform Ndi Anambra about Sir Paul Chukwuma's intention to contest the coming governorship election in the state. “Today in Anambra State, our people are agitating. There is a massive decay in infrastructure, security is a no-go area, and there’s killing every day in Anambra State,” he observed, painting a gloomy picture of a traumatized state.

He further revealed that Sir Chukwuma’s present focus was on rebuilding the party and turning it into a purpose-built vehicle that would take APC to electoral victory in the state.

In his own words; “Sir Chukwuma said he cannot contest election without re-energizing the party and awakening the consciousness of APC in Anambra State. So, we the members of his campaign council began consultations across board this week. We met with the leadership of the party at state level, the state working committee of the party under the able leadership of Chief Basil Ejidike who is the state chairman as well as the zonal working committee. We briefed them on the intention of Sir Chukwuma to contest for the Anambra Governorship election and his plan to revive and re-energize the party in Anambra State. Already he has given the party a brand new office across the road opposite the government house. He also plans to set up offices in 326 wards and 21 local governments in the state. His purpose of doing that is to give the party a new lease of life and to give the members of the party a new hope that a New Anambra is possible.”

Further revealing that a high-powered committee on membership drive had been set up, Hon Ibezi expressed optimism that APC would usher in what he called The New Anambra. “We are saying to the people of Anambra State that the impact of the New Anambra will be enormous. That is why we are working so hard today. So our party is rebranding from the ward to the local government. A high powered committee has been set up on membership drive and we are going to equip our ward offices to be able to receive defectors to our party,” he further declared.

APC must Organize for Anambra 2025 – Paul Chukwuma

The frontline APC gubernatorial aspirant for the 2025 gubernatorial election in Anambra State Sir Paul Chukwuma has urged the Anambra chapter of the party to brace up and organize itself well for an effective push for a regime change in the coming governorship race in the state.

Speaking during a meeting with APC LGA Chairmen and Ward Chairmen in Awka on Wednesday, Sir Chukwuma who spoke through the Director General of his campaign council, Hon. Ifeanyi Ibezi, assured party faithful that their hopes and aspirations of engineering a leadership change that would benefit the people of the state would not be cut off.

“I know that you have been waiting for years now to take over the political leadership of our dear state and make Anambra great again. Your hopes and dreams are not misplaced. The expectations of a determined people shall not be cut off,” Sir Chukwuma assured pointing out that the first crucial step to achieving the party’s goal was to rebuild its entire structure in the state.

“We shall set up proper offices in the 326 wards and in the 21 local government areas in this state. These offices shall be sited in conspicuous locations where everyone can see them. They shall not be tucked away in obscure areas where people will be guessing whether we are serious as a party or not,” he further explained.

According to him, his plan for Anambra State was not captured in a bulky document full of lies like some political leaders who promised to build both Dubai and Taiwan in one place. His plan for Ndi Anambra is simple and represented with the acronym “HIS” which stands for Human Capital Development, Infrastructural Development and Security.

Speaking further, he explained that the pillars would be supported by Enablers which would be distilled down for easier understanding during his forthcoming local government tour.

Earlier in his welcome address, the state Chairman of the party, Chief Basil Ejidike had assured Sir Chukwuma of the infectious enthusiasm of the members of the party and their readiness to challenge for the leadership of Anambra State.

He observed that Anambra was in dire need of purposeful and result-driven leadership in order to overcome the numerous challenges holding the state down.

SIR PAUL CHUKWUMA PRIMARY CAMPAIGN COUNCIL WOOS APC STATE WORKING COMMITTEE


The Sir Paul Chukwuma Primary Campaign Council today, Tuesday, September 17, 2024, held a significant meeting with the 52-man State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State. The meeting, which began at 2:53 pm, with a minute silence in honour of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, was meant to brief the SWC on the campaign’s plans to actualize Chukwuma’s vision for governing Anambra State.

In his opening remarks, the Director-General of the campaign, Chief (Hon.) Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi, expressed gratitude to the SWC for accepting to meet with the council. He emphasized that Chukwuma holds the party in high esteem, which is why consultation with the committee was a priority. Ibezi highlighted Chukwuma’s commitment to strengthening the party by his decision to fund the establishment of functional offices at all the local government and ward levels.

He further revealed that Chukwuma is set to embark on a tour of all 326 wards in Anambra State by November and appealed to the SWC to make necessary arrangements to fill vacant party positions at the local government and ward levels. According to Ibezi, ensuring a well-structured party network across these levels will be critical to achieving electoral success.

Responding, the State Chairman of the APC, Chief Basil Ejidike, thanked Chukwuma for his generous donation of a new state party office, which he described as befitting for the APC. Ejidike disclosed that plans were already underway to invite the national chairman of the APC to commission the office.

He commended the quality and competence of the members of Chukwuma’s campaign council, acknowledging the fresh ideas and new faces that had been infused into the campaign. “We thank you for infusing new faces with new ideas into your campaign council,” Ejidike said.

The chairman also praised Chukwuma's strategy of appointing coordinators at the local government, ward, and cluster levels. He remarked that the approach would foster a cohesive and robust party structure. “There is no doubt that this will ensure a cohesive and virile party structure,” he added.

Ejidike reaffirmed the party’s commitment to ensuring a level playing ground for all aspirants during the primary election. “We are ready to support any candidate the primary election throws up. We have a responsibility to establish a level playing ground for all aspirants. We must all work assiduously hard to get to power,” he concluded.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from Chief Ralph Okeke, the Deputy Director-General (North) of the campaign council. Okeke expressed appreciation for the warm reception from the SWC and their readiness to collaborate on efforts aimed at party unity and success.

*Sir Paul Chukwuma condoles with Chief Dennis Ngene over death of wife*

The Chairman of the Governing Council of Benue State University and Founder of Olivia University, Burundi, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has condoled Chief Dennis Ngene (Ikenga Ebenebe), over the death of his beloved wife, the Late Mrs Regina Chinweogo Ngene, who transitioned to glory at the age of 65.

Sir Chukwuma described the demise of Mrs Regina Chinweogo Ngene as a rude shock and commiserated with the entire family of Chief Dennis Ngene, who is left reeling from the loss of their matriarch, wife, and mother and a homemaker.

"As my dear friend mourns the untimely loss of his lovely wife and inseparable partner, I want to extend my sincere condolences to Ikenga Ebenebe and urge him to be strong in this most trying time of his life. As the remains of his wife are laid to rest, I pray that God comforts the entire family the Late Regina Chinweogo has left behind, "Sir Chukwuma prayed.

Sir Paul Chukwuma who paid a condolence visit to Chief Dennis Ngene the Husband of the deceased at his country home of Ebenebe in Awka North on Saturday August 24, 2024 urged the family to take solace in the fact that Mrs Regina Chinweogo Ngene, while she was alive lived an exemplary life and planted the seed of forthrightness, love, respect and discipline not just in the life of her family members but also in the lives of those who came in contact with her.

Similarly, Sir Paul Chukwuma was at Umueze Anam on August 24, 2024, as the APC treasurer in Anambra West Local Government Area, Anthony Oramulu was laid to rest.

Accompanying him on the visits were: Sen. Emma Anosike, Hon. Ralph Okeke, Hon. Chinedu Eluemuno, Barr CJ Chinwuba, and other friends and associates

*Sir Paul Chukwuma Mourns Senator Ifeanyi Ubah*

_Says the late Senator lived a life of impact_

The founder of Olivia University, Burundi, and Pro Chancellor of Benue State University, Markurdi, Paul Chukwuma, has condoled with the family of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, describing the late Senator Ubah as a fighter, a worthy compatriot, and a brother whose contributions to humanity and the Igbo community were notable.

Paul Chukwuma, who spoke through his media office, stated that Ifeanyi Ubah would be missed as he lived a life of impact

"Ifeanyi Ubah was a brother and political associate whose energy was infectious, and he gave all of it to anything he believed in. He was a philanthropist who cared and loved his people."

"His death came as a shock and has left a big vacuum for his senatorial zone, Ndi Anambra, Ndi Igbo, and indeed Nigeria.

He will be missed. In the relatively short time he was on earth, he lived with purpose and like a man on a mission"

"On behalf of myself and my family, I condole with the Ubah family of Nnewi, his wife and children. I pray that God consoles them and give them the brevity to forge ahead, recognising that Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah lives on in the memories of many whose lives he touched"

" In his honour, I have instructed my team to put on hold all political activities in Anambra state for the next 30 days as we grieve this enormous loss together as a political family."


Chukwuemeka Obi
SA Media to Sir Paul Chukwuma

[color=#990000][/color]*Paul Chukwuma Commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly for Establishing the South East Development Commission*

The Founder of Olivia University, Burundi, and Benue State University, Makurdi, Paul Chukwuma, has praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the South East stakeholders, governors, and lawmakers for their steadfastness in seeing to the passage and signing of the South East Development Commission bill.

Paul Chukwuma, a leading APC aspirant in the 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election, noted that the South East Development Commission is a landmark initiative with the potential to transform the infrastructure and socioeconomic conditions of the South East.

"The South East Development Commission came at the most appropriate time, when our people are being confronted with multiple challenges, including the dearth of infrastructure, escalating gully erosions across the region, and youth restiveness, which fuels insecurity. I commend President Tinubu and the lawmakers for pulling this through. It is now time to get to work and use the agency to effect rapid and efficient development."

Paul Chukwuma further applauded Senator Uche Ekwunife, who introduced the bill in the 7th Assembly and continued the push to the 8th Assembly. He also acknowledged Senator Stella Oduah's contributions to the bill in both the 8th and 9th Assembly, which helped advance the bill. He praised the indefatigable spirit of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who reintroduced the bill in the 10th Assembly with support from Southeast senators, including Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, which led to the bill's passage.

He eulogised the contributions of the South East APC Governors led by HE Hope Uzodimma, whose vigilance and push ensured that the bill was assented to by Mr President, thus opening a new vista of development for the South East.

Sir Chukwuma believes the South East Development Commission's enactment is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's broader efforts to ensure that the South East becomes formidable economically and seeks the support of Ndigbo for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/fhmE2G1hDyrLqiJ8/?mibextid=xfxF2i

*The APC in Anambra State must learn from experience and not be deceived by the rhetorics of capacity.*

By Progressives Media

While we commend the renewed activities in the party as we await the Independent National Electoral Commission's go-ahead to begin the activities for the Anambra 2025 gubernatorial elections, we must advise our dear party to be wary of falling into the same trap it did in previous election cycles.

The APC in Anambra has become too accustomed to the rhetoric of illusory capacity at every election cycle, missing the big picture - the body language of voters and what statistics point towards. In 2017, we approached the election with a firm belief that we had found a magic candidate who had the power to win elections. In 2021, we repeated the mistakes, learned nothing from experience, and sank deeper.

Yet, in 2024, party members who have witnessed these scenarios have refused to learn from both experiences and are determined to plunge the party into another faux pas. Election dynamics are too wide and loosely connected for one factor to determine the possible outcome for any candidate.

In a bid to propagate this rhetoric of capacity, some have resorted to pushing narratives based on false equivalence - comparing apples and oranges. The fact that a candidate won election A does not automatically confer the right to win election B, which has different dynamics. We have seen situations in Nigeria where Senators could not win local governments in their senatorial zones during gubernatorial elections despite winning them during their senatorial contests.

Incredibly, no previous winners of the gubernatorial elections in Anambra since its creation in 1991 had any prior record of winning any election until their victory in the gubernatorial election. Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Dr Chimaroke Mbadinuju had no election victory under their belt before they became governors. Peter Obi won on his first attempt, as did Obiano and Professor Charles Soludo.

If we must discern anything from this data, it is that Anambra voters do not factor in the illusionary political capacity to vote for a candidate and are more likely to vote for a greenhorn than a career politician. There are many deductible reasons for this, but that is not our intention for today.

In conclusion, the Anambra APC must restrain itself from falling into the old rhetoric of capacity and focus on what matters - listening to the Anambra voters and their desires, then finding a strategy to ingrain the party into the hearts of the voters. This is the only way we can win an election.

©️ Progressives Media[color=#990000][/color]

In Anambra State APC,it is only competent and Strong character that determines the candidate and not zoning. Those who are afraid of contest should not even present themselves for election because Anambra State can only field its best.

Good bless Anambra State, God bless progressive family

Thank you sir Paul Chukwuma. May the good Lord continue to bless you.

GO0DHardDick:
Nigerians should shun tribalism if it wants to grow higher!

It is worthy to note that Tinubu supporters are the problem here on nairaland, to them you dare not criticise Tinubu because he is a yolluba man but they forgot how they disgraced and dragged innocent Jonathan to the mud despite how the country was prospering gloriously under GEJ.

All Nigerians are asking Tinubu is for him to take Nigeria back to how he met it during GEJ era abeg! Take the country back to the days of PDP corruption. It is far better than this Tinubu tribulations! May God have mercy on yolluba people come 2024 because the suffering just began

Sometimes you need to apply common sense, you must not talk for the sake of talking

I believe parenting comes with a huge responsibility and one's style may be different from others. Far from being a conservative, I think it is wrong to expose your naked body before your children. From the ages of 3 to 4 children become more aware of their environment, so it is more appropriate to inculcate sense of modesty in them

I hate this man with passion. This is the same man that in his 8 years as a govenor of Anambra State,no single teacher was promoted. Teachers in Anambra State lived a miserable life under his watch. What a hypocrite

Happy birthday APC image maker Anambra State, many more happy returns.

People should be reasonable for once. Federal government does not give Legislators money. National Assembly enjoys full financial autonomy and decides how to spend their money.

Amb Elijah has been a constant friend of APC media forum in Anambra State, God bless him for always making himself available to lead from the front. Same with Sir Paul Chukwuma. They are great men

Congratulations to Anambra State @32.

We pray for more progress and developments.

your foolishness is legendary. Nobody in your entire generation will be able to get close to the personality of Tinubu



Things people do out of sheer foolishness.

Of everyone to named your child after, it's chicago drug Lord, a thief, incoherent dullarrd, a pathological liar. Why will you do this to your son? what on earth will make a father this senseless. It's so sad , sad indeed.

Shey when this child start to misbehave tomorrow, or start talking incoherently and foolishly, you'll wonder why?

I laughed.[/quote]

Capacity Mercy Williams, the founder City Boy progressive. We are solidly behind you

Why Peter Obi was busy visiting South Africa to learn how to govern Nigeria, South Africa in return visited Bola Ahmed Tinubu to see how to bilateral agreement with the incoming government of Nigeria.


Oga na Master

Obi-dient shildren have started again ooo. Na only lie they shabi

I will start taking him serious after INEC announce 2023 presidential election results and Peter Obi wins benue state

Na Yahoo Yahoo boys full Benin city, so it is not surprising they are supporting one of their own.

All these fake life and media attention is not working. Don't show me how Peter Obi trekked home in Lagos, show me one person he empowered before becoming a govenor and one person he empowered as a public figure for eight years.

Gov Yahaya Bello will surely lead this nation in the nearest future

The only way out of this current political quagmire is given the youths who represent over 70 percent of the voting population a sense of belonging and His Excellency Gov Yahaya Bello represents that yarning and aspirition.

#Bello4APCticket

Yahaya Bello is the best man for the job. He understands the dynamism of Nigeria state and he is equipped with the strength and mental capacity to move this country forward