Ahead of 2023 General elections, leading All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidencial Aspirant, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi arrives Afunbiowo Hall in Ondo State, meets with Odun Dun ll the Deji and Paramount ruler of Akure Kingdom, H.R.M Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi as consultations begin in Ondo State
In February 2020 Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi bagged THISDAY Editor’s Choice Minister of the Decade award after being nominated alongside former Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and 42 others.
On the award, an editor of ThisDay Eddy Odivwri wrote a feature which partly read, "No matter what people will say, Amaechi has come to be the poster boy of the President Buhari administration, with his deep devotion to driving the railway project of the country. Never before has any minister shown that degree of commitment to public task.
"He drives himself to all project sites, no matter how far and rough the paths may be. Once, he plunged his personal car into a shallow pond which was an obstacle to the continued inspection of the project.
"Those who have followed the zealotry of Amaechi in driving the railway construction work of the present government will shudder at the incredible energy he has shown and continue to show in over seeing every inch of the work. He remains a challenge to the physical fitness of even younger engineers and ministry staff who often accompany him on such inspections.
"With a monthly inspection of the rail project, Amaechi has proven beyond any string of doubt that when he is committed to anything, he gives it his all."
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, Amaechi's declaration for Presidency at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt was greeted with resounding acceptability that clearly shows the readiness of Nigerians to go with a man who's passion and vigour can make a difference.
Today Nigeria still faces myriads of developmental challenges following decades of failures by successive civilian and military governments. What Nigeria needs is a passionate leader who has demonstrated capacity in the past, knowledgeable about the plurality and diversity of challenges and experienced in effecting change. This is where Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi comes in.
To start with, the revival of the railway system which went moribund in 1960 by building, completing and commencing commercial train services from Lagos to Ibadan on a 156KMs railway, completion of Abuja to Kaduna rail project and reconstruction and commencement of commercial train services from Warri to Itakpe in Kogi state, can only demonstrate the fact that Amaechi can revamp any sector of the economy if Nigerians give him the opportunity to lead as President.
But the trailblazing demeanor did not start with Amaechi's appointment as Minister. As Governor of Rivers State, his achievements were unprecedented. From infrastructure, human capacity development, job creation to economic rejuvenation, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi left legacies in Rivers State that are still visible and impacting nearly a decade after he left office as Governor. It is on records that his administration undertook the construction of over 200 Health Centres, 3 Hospitals, 500 Primary Schools and 9 Secondary Schools. Other notable feats include the construction of over 1500km of roads and 23 bridges. Amaechi's policies in Agriculture saw the rehabilitation of the over 30,000 hectares of Rivers State Oil Palm plantation -moribund RISONPALM and the Songhai Farm that became a national model.
Worthy of note is how Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi decimated the prevailing Niger Delta militancy crisis in Rivers State, barely six months into his tenure as Governor- a feat he will achieve if elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
To support our passionate entrepreneurs and owners of Small and Medium scale Enterprise (SMEs), I facilitated business funds for over thirty people through The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL Plc).
Over the years, I had perfectly understood that education plays a critical role in training our young people to be key players in both Public and private sectors, hence I secured International Scholarship for our Youth to study Maritime and another STEM related programs, including the less privileged.
I have also ensured the empowerment of our Youths and women through the National Directorate on Employment (NDE).
In addition to training over 40 youths in Technology related skills, and donation of start-up support, I have provided medical equipment and drugs in our Federal Constituency, as well as make provisions for the construction of a complete Poultry Processing plant. These were not only an expression of my commitment to the people, but demonstration of vigour when saddled with responsibilities from the people.
In road construction, we have the following ongoing road projects I facilitated:
1. Road construction at Majalisa street which we'll be doing the flag up tomorrow 2. Road construction at Mahmoud asta street Bayan kasuwan buhu 3. Road construction samenaka 4. Road construction at lekki taba street Jimeta 5. Road construction at tambo 6. Road construction at jera Bakari and Jera Bonyo.
When elected, I will continue vigorously in ensuring job creation, empowerment and appointments for our people. I will partner Federal establishments, Non-Governmental organizations (NGOs) and multinational corporations in capacity building for our young people and relevant skills programs.
Over the years, the Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) have been the dependable backbone of our economy, and through policies and provisions of funds and technical supports we will raise at least 20,000 self sustaining Businesses in our first tenure, these businesses will in turn create jobs and generate revenue both for our entrepreneurs and our government. I will facilitate the creation of cottage industries cluster to boost our macro-economy.
For the first time in our State, we will be pursing career internship and employability program to make sure that unemployment is confronted and decimated. I will continue facilitating International scholarships for our students and payment of bursary to students in our higher institutions. I will partner both Government agencies like the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and private sectors players to build at least two functional Tech hub in our Federal Constituency, this will kickstart a process of making our Federal Constituency a hub of Tech skills and Freelancing support base for our young people.
With policies making being the core of the duties of a member of parliament, I will sponsor bills and motions for the collective improvement of the wellbeing of our people. I will be proactive in taking issues bothering us to the National Assembly, and performing oversight functions in those regards also.
We will intensify the fight against insecurity and terrorism by putting serious demands on the Federal Government, ensuring our galant armed men are supported with operational weapons and improved welfare.
As your representative, I will be intentional about developing the Agriculture sector, improving crop yield and making our food chain effective for job creation and revenue generation. I will ensure annual provisions of high yield seedlings and farming inputs. Our Federal Constituency will be a center for dairy products production, procession and export.
We will establish Entrepreneurial development centers for mentorship and business incubation, and will explore our vast social networks to facilitate start-up funds for the trained entrepreneurs.
To increase Federal presence in our constituency, I will sponsor a bill for the establishment of a functional center to fight desertification and monitor climate change in our Federal Constituency.
I will ensure budgetary allocation and implementation of Federal road projects in our Constituency. We will advocate for the building of a substation within our Federal constituency to improve the power situation and to boost electricity available for businesses.
We will pay attention to healthcare, rural education and grassroots development by pushing for provisions of conducive learning environments and school buildings, provisions of text books and learning materials; construction of health facilities and provisions of drugs, and construction of markets.
As your House of Representatives member, I will take up petitions from our retirees whose gratuities have been delayed and present them to relevant agencies and committees.
As much as we will pay utmost attention to governance, I will not fail to empower our political stakeholders, youth and women of our political party who are doing enough in sustaining our highly priced democracy.
I will be a representative for everyone including those in the diasporas, and we will encourage them to come home and invest to grow our economy, as we will ensure the safety of their Start-ups. The vulnerable and less privileged will not be left out, as we will initiate programs to raise them out of poverty.
This is my message of HOPE, and pledge that I will serve as member representing Yola North, Yola South and Girei Federal Constituency with commitment and dedication!
Hon Mahmood Mamman Abba Asta (Cigari Jimeta) for Member Representing Yola North, Yola South and Girei Federal Constituency
A former Chairman of Yola North Local Government area, Hon Hon Mahmood Mamman Abba Asta who is aspiring to represent Yola North, Yola South and Girei Federal Constituency in the National Assembly says he will raise 20,000 self sustaining businesses, facilitate the creation of a cottage industries cluster and at least two functional Tech hub in our Federal Constituency, this will kickstart a process of making our Federal Constituency a hub of Tech skills and Freelancing support base for our young people.
Hon Mahmood Mamman who shared his declaration speech on his Facebook page said he has ensured the provision of six transformers and road projects to communities in the past, and will sponsor bills and motions for the collective improvement of the wellbeing of the people of the Federal Constituency.
Full text of the declaration speech:
A message of Declaration of Aspiration, and the assurance of HOPE
PROTOCOL,
- Leaders, Members, and Congress delegates of our party, - Political stakeholders - Citizens and residents of our Federal Constituency - Youths and Women - Press and members of the fourth estate,
Let me begin by thanking you and all my supporters for choosing to be part of a historical journey for us, for posterity and for generations yet unborn. Thank you for your readiness to chart a course of HOPE in the face of challenges and political uncertainties. This is an assurance that we are ready for progress, ready for a paradigm shift and set for sustainable development. Today is about everyone of us, our children and the future that lies ahead of us.
Today, I am declaring with courage, commitment and with a sense of humility my intention to lead and represent our Federal Constituency by the will of God. To be a voice for the people of Yola North, Yola South and Girei in the Green chamber of the National assembly. I wish to state boldly my aspiration to bring hope of better opportunities for the young people, hope of a better welfare for the aged and bring to birth an era of sustainable development.
My decision is borne out of the conviction that my passion for service, undeniable capacity and experiences in the past, coupled with your unalloyed support will mark a begining of a journey to a prosperous future.
As a people, residents and citizens of our Federal Constituency, we face numerous challenges that can only be surmounted by leadership that is intentional, people oriented and passionate about change.
As a civil servant who worked with the Ministry of Lands and Survey, who went further to become a public servant having served as a Local Government Chairman and with records of working in the private sector, I feel the heartbeat and yearnings of our people, and have garnered experiences of the needs of our people, the peculiarities of our Federal Constituency and the prospects of a better future.
Today I urge you to join me in bringing hope to our people. I seek for the support of our dear party and the votes of our delegates to be the candidate of the APC during the 2023 National Assembly election of our Federal Constituency and to lead us into a tenure that will pay rapt attention to the things that will bring us Sustainable Development.
As a Child who was born and raised in Jimeta, and who has lived and worked in Yola, my experiences have shaped my leadership style of service, and guilded me to meet the needs of my people at every point.
It is worthy to mention the Construction of storm water canal at Wuro Kuturu Jambutu Jimeta Bye pass and rehabilitation of Hand pumps across Local Government areas of our Federal Constituencies as part of initiatives borne out of my commitment in ensuring that the standard of living of our people is improved.
The modification and expansion of Yola North Local Government Secretariat was done under my watch as the Chairman of the council, and was at the last stage of completion when I left office
In ensuring the provisions of basic amenities in the past, I ensured the provisions of the following;
1. Motorized borehole in Wuro Hausa Yola 2. Motorized borehole in Nassarawo Lumokoffi 3. Motorized borehole in Hullere 4. Motorized borehole at gwadabawa ward Jimeta 5. Solar borehole at Girei 6. Solar Borehole at Damare Polo Yola 7. Borehole at Dafuru Street
In the area of Power and electricity to support business owners and household usage, I ensured the provisions of;
1. Transformer at Majalisa Street Jimeta Yola 2. Transformer at Yelwa Kofar Gidan Yidi 3. Transformer Yelwa Near Palace 4. Transformer at Bayan Road Safety 5. Transformer at Net City 6. Transformer near Betola Hotel
Over the years, I have understood the place of sustainable empowerment in youth and community development, and this has always been the inspiration behind facilitating jobs and opportunities for our youth. Some of these are:
1. Facilitating youth empowerment through the Federal Government Special Project Work (SPW) where I secured for, - Yola North 60 people - Yola South 60 people - Girei 60 people - Fufure 40 people
Other Local Government area were Song, Gombi, Hong and Maiha.
In the past, I have facilitated jobs and appointments in Federal establishments including the Federal Road Safety Corp, Nigerian Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs and the Nigerian Police force.
The Embassy of China in Nigeria has debunked an online news alleging that the People’s Republic of China is supporting Minister of Transportation of Nigeria, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, for the 2023 Presidential Election.
In a press release by the People’s Republic of China Embassy in Nigeria, it says thar “mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs is the basic principle and long-term commitment of China’s diplomacy”.
Full statement shared on website and official handle of the embassy:
The attention of the Embassy of China has been drawn to a misleading report on an online news portal, alleging that Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Hon. Minister of Transport of Nigeria and one of the aspirants to the 2023 Presidential Election, “has secured the backing of the Chinese Government”, and “…several meetings were held between Amaechi’s allies and the Chinese Government”, even claiming that “China needs to … install its dominance in Africa”. The general public is kindly reminded to ignore it and keep vigilant on this kind of fake news, which is fabricated with ulterior motives.
Mutual respect and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs is the basic principle and long-term commitment of China’s diplomacy. With respect to Nigeria’ democratic political system, we are confident on the capacity of the Nigerian Government and people of organizing and conducting a successful general election.
Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was yesterday evening received by Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero during the Minister's consultation visit to the palace. Photos of the consultation visit was shared by the Minister's aide.
After joining Christian faithfuls for a Palm Sunday service in Rivers State, Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the Port Harcourt- Maiduguri rail line.
The former Governor of Rivers who shared the video on his verified Twitter handle wrote:
I just inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line. The contractors are working in different gangs across the line simultaneously. Our first target is to get track-laying from Port Harcourt to Enugu completed, then proceed with the next phase.
I just inspected the ongoing reconstruction of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line. The contractors are working in different gangs across the line simultaneously. Our first target is to get track-laying from Port Harcourt to Enugu completed, then proceed with the next phase. pic.twitter.com/lJTYR64fiW
Timmy4real: He listed everything he did as a minister, they are majorly projects done in the North, West and south south. But my Eastern brothers are the ones drumming support mostly for him it's a Shame.
The Port Harcourt- Maiduguri rail passes through the East. How about the inland waters projects that takes containers from Lagos to Onitsha?
Watch the moment Transportation Minister and former Governor of Rivers State, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi declared his intention to run for President in 2023