₦airaland Forum

Mr. Obumneme Francis Ezeiru the father of 11-year-old Master Chisimdi Ezeiru; Elochukwu Onyedika Ezeiru, the marketing manager of Zenith Bank, 9th mile, Enugu and his wife, Favour, the Head of Branch Service, First Bank Aroma Awka, are at the risk of being committed to prison over the custody of Master Chisimdi.

This follows an order of an Enugu State High Court presided by Justice I. Okibe for Form 49 to be served on the trio of Obumneme, Elochukwu and Favour, the first, second and third respondents for their failure to obey two different orders of Nigeria Court and another order of Washington state Court.

Master Chisimdi Ezeiru is one of the products of the failed marriage between Obumneme Francis Ezeiru and Chisom Obianozie (both residents of the United States).

The plaintiff, Mrs. Obianozie, had dragged the trio to Enugu High court over their failure to release Master Chisimdi for summer holiday as ordered by Washington state Court (where both parents of the child resides).

On Tuesday, the plaintiff’s counsel, Mrs. Augustina Onah, Esq. told the court that the respondents are in clear violation of three different others of the court, two in Enugu State and one in the U.S.

The first was an order of a Washington court marked exhibit B, which was given 20th April, 2023 in Washington Court.

The second order, marked Exhibit A, was by Justice C. I. Nwobodo, given on 28th July, 2023, which was given in line with the ruling of the Washington court directing the respondents to release Master Chisimdi to her mother to travel to the United States for summer holidays.

While the third and subsisting order mandated the respondents to produce Master Chisimdi Ezeiru in court on Tuesday August 29, 2023 was given on 22nd August 2023.

Barr. Onah in her applications told the court that the respondents have refused to obey the three different orders. She further stated that form 48 has been served on the respondents for disobeying the 2nd order on the 16th of August, 2023.

However, Barr. C. S Esele who was on holding brief for the counsel to the respondents interjected by telling the court that they're not in contempt as they've appealed the matter and seeking for a stay of execution.

On why the respondents failed to produce master Chisimdi in court, Esele said he was unable to reach them and they never told him they won't be producing the little boy in court.

The plaintiff's lawyer told the court that the appeal was after form 48 had been served to the respondents insisting that they can't come to court for stay of execution with dirty hands (after disregarding the court) and said that's why they have filed form 49.

Onah said her second application before the court is with respect to the disregard to the 3rd order to produce the child in court. She said on the day the child was to be produced, the lawyer to the 2nd respondent, said he was unable to talk and the little he spoke, he said the first respondent has taken the child to Abuja and requested for a long date following which they were given one week (which is today).

She further said that non of the three respondents had deemed it necessary to appear in court, while decrying the spate of in facie curiae and ex facie curiae contempts by the respondents and therefore, prayed the court to make two orders.

One was for service of from 49 on the respondents and a warrant of arrest.

The judge took a swipe on the respondents for failing to obey the orders of the court and accused them of deceiving the court of seeking for long time to enable them file for appeal.

A little drama ensued when Barr. Esele told the court that the child was brought back to Nigeria to correct his speech problem. The surprised judge asked the lawyer "do you even believe yourself?" and advised him to properly guide their clients to stop disobeying the court.

The judge granted the application for form 49 to be served on the respondents at their last known address, plot 423 Premier Layout, Independence Layout, Enugu.

"I do agree with the applicant that the respondents don't want to obey the orders of the court and the prayer for form 49 to be served on them is granted.

"The application by Ugwu for more time is aimed at deceiving the court to allow him seek time to file for appeal (though the appeal won't stop the court.)

The case was adjourned until Sept 7, 2023.


https://journalist101.com/2023/08/31/father-two-top-bankers-risk-jail-over-custody-of-11-year-old-child/

Guinness, the country's premium beer brand, has proudly stood alongside the remarkable women of the August Meeting, honoring Igbo women from all walks of life.


True to its mission of empowering and advocating, Guinness collaborated with the August Meeting women to spotlight women achieving extraordinary feats in various Igbo communities.

The 2023 edition of the Meeting witnessed Guinness backing 250 women from diverse communities across Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Abia state. These women were equipped with mobile business infrastructure and tools, enabling them to excel in business ownership and become the best and brightest versions of themselves. 

To delight the elegant women of the August meeting, Guinness treated the women to great music and energetic dancers for entertainment. The Guinness experience was enhanced with trays of Igbo delicacies and chilled Guinness.

Mark Mugisha, Marketing and Innovation Director at Guinness Nigeria Plc. explained the role of Guinness in facilitating the August Meeting: “August Meeting transcends an event; it's an experience Guinness deeply resonates with. It allows us to participate in the age-old celebration of women who are dedicated to making a significant, positive impact on their communities. As a brand, we are unwavering in our commitment to celebrating women in the most authentic ways possible.”

As a proponent of diversity and inclusive marketing, Guinness has seamlessly woven these values into its DNA, reflecting brightly in everything from its marketing and communication efforts to its experiential, audio, visual, and digital content. The August Meeting, a vibrant yearly gathering of Igbo women, is a platform where the brand's commitment to diversity and inclusion is boldly manifested.

Some of the beneficiaries that spoke to newsmen at the event expressed happiness with the gesture and thanked Guinness for coming to their aid in this time of economic hardship. 

They said the support will help them feed their families while promising to continue to support the brand in their own little ways. 


https://journalist101.com/2023/08/30/guinness-launches-250-women-across-south-east-into-entrepreurship/

As we take seriously, the need for a realistically more robust economic activities cum development of Southeast Nigeria where potentials of Ndigbo could be harnessed and deployed towards the end of attaining the full economic potential possibilities and economy of scale befitting of a people whose ingenuity and can-do spirit permeate all spheres of business endeavour, there is the need to firstly identify realisable paths to which focus should be placed in order to achieve the aim of industrialization and commercialization of the zone and in record time without frustration.

Over the years, Ndigbo, home and diaspora, have been pregnant and in deep hunger to unleash their potentials and develop their homeland. Many have great hopes that someday, there will be good and conscientious leadership with the capacity to engender an overarching economic plan capable of pooling the business ingenuity of Ndigbo together to build a Japan-of-sort economy in West Africa on the strength of the attested resilient spirit of industry for which Ndigbo are known all over the world. This expectation has never been more apparent in no other time in history than now.

As this expectation is ripe in every mind, to prime our spirit, Ndigbo must be aware of a deep pitfall, a clear and present danger capable of draining our energy and causing debilitating frustration and which must be avoided like a plague.
This plague is the fallacy and misleading presumption that Ndigbo must have a seaport before the southeast could become an industrial or commercial hub. This lie sown in our minds, and which no one knows when it was sown, has been in the narrative over the years prompting deceptions, every now and then, of the possibility of one seaport or the other in Igboland, especially the often touted Onitsha Seaport. A cursory look at the Google earth map will show you that there is no part of Southeast anywhere near the Atlantic Ocean.

Onitsha Seaport:
River Niger, like all seven rivers of Africa; Nile, Niger, Senegal, Congo, Orange, Limpopo and Zambesi, are drying up due to global warming. In fact, you can walk across the river Niger (not swim) during the Dry Seasons nowadays. High water levels can only be guaranteed during the rainy seasons, and that can only sail floating badges, not ocean-going ships. Therefore, ocean going ship making it to Onitsha is never ever going to be possible, even with the suggested dredging of the river Niger; because dredging cannot introduce more water when the source flow is now so tiny. The only possible means to introduce huge water flow will be to dig the Niger riverbed down to a point where the Atlantic Ocean could flow back up to Onitsha.

Before we go further, let me be clear that our conversation here is about seaport for ocean going ships. Ships from Asia, Europe, USA etc that can only sail to West Africa and Nigeria through the Atlantic Ocean. I am not arguing the present port at Onitsha where floating badges that carry less than 18 containers of cargo from Lagos ports berth, 18 trailers can do that by road; that kind of deception will not help the Southeast; and that is not what I am discussing here.

Onitsha located along the edge of the river Niger at the lower boundary of Anambra and northern part of Delta State, is situated at 62 meters MSL (main sea level). That means to excavate the floor of the River Niger from Onitsha point to where it comes to par with the Atlantic Ocean, you would have to dig deep down to 62 meters. Then, to have the Atlantic flow back up to Onitsha, experts say you would need to dig deeper down to another 50 meters. Furthermore, to guarantee dept enough for ocean going ships to freely navigate, there would be additional 50 meters, making the total dept required to 162 meters from the current floor of the Onitsha end of the river Niger. Experts also report that due to the curvature needed to ensure that earth will not cave into the dug trench and to enable ships pass each other in the Onitsha to Atlantic Ocean channel, the width of the channel would have to be at least 1,600 meters. From Onitsha, following the natural tracks of the river Niger through lower end of Delta State, River State and Bayelsa State, to the Atlantic Ocean, measures 210 km. The question here is, even if we found the political will for such project, can Nigeria find the money to dig 162 metres dept and 1,600 meters wide from Onitsha, 210 km long, to the Atlantic Ocean to have a seaport at Onitsha?

Again, at the Bayelsa State and Delta State end to the Atlantic, there are labyrinths of oil and gas pipelines crisscrossing the entire region where the entry to the ocean will be needed. Can such critical national assets be destroyed to enable ships sail to the Onitsha seaport?

In addition, the height of the just completed second Niger bridge is too low such that no ship can pass under it, this indicate that the designers of the bridge were equipped with the above information; that no ocean-going ship or vessel will ever go to Onitsha.

There are great cites and societies around the world without seaports doing just fine, Southeast Nigeria can be like them. We need not be fixated on seaport; it is a distraction that can lead to frustration, especially as we have the possibility of a much better modern means to move goods and services across the globe and should focus on it. In USA, the cities of Las Vegas, Phoenix Arizona, Dallas, New Mexico City etc, in Europe, Milan in Italy; Munich in Germany, Austria etc, have no seaports but they are doing great, none availability of seaport has not hindered their development or make them inferior to any other city.

In modern air travel, it is proven that there is nothing you cannot move by Air Freight. The only difference could be in packaging. Giant industrial materials are disassembled and packed in smaller units or compartments and shipped by Air Cargo. A full luxury bus of 42 passengers seating capacity can drive into an Anthonov air cargo plane nowadays, and within 24 hours be delivered at the other end of the world. The only thing you may not see is the iron-body ocean shipping containers, but the same amount of goods are packed in pallets and by air cargo shipped effortlessly across the globe in our today’s world.

Moreover, if for instance you have funds to import one container of goods into Nigeria at one time, you could only do just four containers (4 times) in 12 months; that is at three months for one container of goods into Nigeria by ocean freight. While as you can import the same amount of goods twice every month by air cargo. That means 24 times in 12 months. So, even if you would make 30 percent profit from the ocean container goods, due to the cheaper cost of shipping, if you make 15 percent profit on the air cargo shipped goods, you are still going to make more money at the end of the year since you would have done 24 rotations of the same amount of goods - speed!

In Enugu, there is a 3-kilometre runway International Airport, within the city, that can take any cargo airplane in the world. From Enugu airport, the farthest part of Asia, Japan, is only 7,019 nautical miles (13,000 km). Beijing China is 6,090 nautical miles (11,280 km). The farthest of the West is Vancouver in Canada, which is 12,000 kilometres from Enugu, to name but a few. A Boeing 777 cargo or passenger airplane has a nonstop flight range of 17,205 kilometres. So, from the Southeast you can reach the entire world on a nonstop flight with many models of modern aeroplanes.
In Igboland, there is still Owerri airport; Anambra airport and Ebonyi airport. So, we are all set to launch our development if we can all focus our mind on this modern means of movement of man and materials and go further to acquire the expertise required for the full indoctrination of our people in the activities of aviation for we cannot afford to rely on other people to provide for us this basic means by which our economic development would be driven.
Hence, my commendation for the organisers of this event; Aviation Career Meet, at this prestigious university, Coal City University Enugu.

Aviation industry offers innumerable opportunities to any society that avails it. Careers in the industry offer training and expertise in divergent areas for men and women alike and the opportunity to excel anywhere in the world, if properly trained. I am quite delighted this university is partnering with another international institution in USA to bring to the Southeast the level of trainings and degree programs that will be a without-which-not to power the region’s aviation manpower development that will propel its desired development and industrial drive. Aviation being the best and the only viable means to fast track the imperative development of the Southeast, will suffer a serious setback if forward thinking investors and institutions fail to move in now to begin urgent trainings and orientations of our young ones into the industry. The industry is open to trainings in things about the airport and facilities; aircraft flight operations and maintenance, like pilot trainings; aircraft engineers; cabin crew etc. You also have Flight Operations Management; Flight Dispatchers; Material and Logistics Management; Ramp Services; Airline Safety Auditors; Air Cargo Operations and Management, as well as Aircraft Maintenance Planners; Airline Technical Records and Document Control; Aviation Equipment and Spares Store Management etc. These and many other opportunities abound in the industry.

In conclusion, the way forward for Southeast to fast track the desired mega economic development capable of attracting their best brains, human and material resources, and provide our pride of place in the West African market, is to invest in the development of the existing airport infrastructure diligently and deliberately to the best possible international standards. This will mean also, to train and assimilate the young ones in the modern aviation credentials and encourage the regions potential investors to invest in the industry so as to have a permeable and strong foothold that will stimulate a booming economic activity and guarantee the future of the region’s economy.

Presented by:
Capt. Evarest Nnaji
At The Aviation Career Meet – Coal City University Enugu on the 24th August 2023


https://journalist101.com/2023/08/29/this-seaport-in-the-southeast-the-feasibility/

A 45-year-old Nigerian man, Ezeneche Uzochukwu Jerome, and 13 Thai indigenes have been arrested by the Royal Thai Police for their roles in a romance scam syndicate that defrauded victims of more than 800 million baht.

Ezeneche, in 2021 said he was appointed the king Igbos in six nations of Asia.

According to Bangkok Post, following a series of coordinated police operations across seven provinces, the head of the Crime Suppression Division Pol Maj Gen Montree Theskhan, announced on Friday that his division's team had carried out raids at 14 different sites on Thursday.

According to statements from the victims, the scammers initiated contact through fake profiles of foreign women on social media platforms.

They were told by the scammers that they were American female soldiers serving in Syria. After winning the victims' trust, they would express a wish to visit the victims in Thailand.

However, before their journeys, they would inform the victim that they sent gifts or some parcels into Bangkok, via the airports.

They would then lure the victims into paying taxes or other necessary fees in advance on their behalf, adding that they would reimburse the victims when they met.

A group of Thai scammers then contacted the victims pretending to be airport authorities and demanded money for the alleged parcel-receiving process.

After getting the amount they wanted, the scammer would disappear and block all the contact channels with the victims.

The police conducted a further investigation until they identified the gang leader, Jerome. Jerome had been previously charged with a love scam in 2018 but managed to re-engage in the illicit operation.



https://journalist101.com/2023/08/25/celebrated-eze-ndigbo-in-thailand-ezeneche-13-others-arrested-for-alleged-romance-scam/

The Chief Executive Officer, Odengene Air-Shuttle Services (OAS), Captain Evarest Nnaji has stated that the only chance the South East zone has in achieving its economic potentials is by exploring the opportunities available to it in the aviation sector.

Captain Nnaji stated this on Thursday at 'The Aviation Career Meet' held in Enugu.

The aviation guru who was also the keynote speaker and the special guest of honour at the event said the region has to focus on the aviation industry as the possibility of having a seaport is a tall dream that's near impossible.

He said that getting Onitsha River to be at par with the Atlantic ocean will involve a lot of work which the cost implications will scare any government away from embarking on.

The OAS Boss further stated that the physical national assets (oil and gas) under the sea that will be destroyed in effort to dig the river niger are enormous and no one is ready to spoil any of those assets.

He said that the second Niger bridge is a testament that the possibility of digging the river Niger and allowing a ship come in is foreclosed because those that designed the bridge knew that no ship is coming through it and the heights provided in the design says it all.

After enunciating this sad reality about have a sea port in South East, he encouraged the region to look towards the aviation industry, adding that some other countries of the world are existing without a seaport and doing well.

"Ndigbo must understand this and take aviation very seriously to develop this place. If you look at the fact that we have an airport with a 3km runway inside the city of Enugu State, this place can be the hub for huge international flights, carrying cargo and there's nothing you can't bring by air."

Chief Nnaji stated that there are aeroplanes in the world today that can take off from Enugu today and land in any part of the world and vise versa.

On the issue of cost, he said with the amount of turnover Air fleet gives when compared to using ship, using cargos for movement of goods gives more profit annually.

He also encouraged the students present at the event to think about taking up a carrier in the aviation industry because it offers them a better and brighter opportunity of earning descent salaries while revealing that an American University is ready to partner with Coal City University to offer a degree programme in aviation.


https://journalist101.com/2023/08/24/aviation-our-only-chance-of-developing-south-east-captain-evarest-nnaji/

The Enugu State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Pharmacist Ugwuoke Chika on Thursday, met with the leaders of the various Labour leaders in the state.

Commenting on the reason for the meeting, Pharmacist Ugwuoke said it's to commence "a bonding process in order to prepare the ground for a very smooth and non disruptive relationship."

The Commissioner said the meeting afforded them the opportunity to discuss both in generic and specific terms about the issues that are bothering them at the moment which they think the new administration should be aware of.

He reiterated that the convener of the meeting with the Labour Leaders is his principal, Dr. Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State who has defined their responsibilities for them while reminding them that the government "is a Labour friendly one and the objectives of this ministry were directly extracted from the strategic objectives of the Governor.

"Number one in his strategic objective is peace and security," noting that "Labour restiveness can hit up the polity in any society and part of the reasons for our meeting today is to set the platform for a peaceful and secured state.

"The second strategic objective of His Excellency is inclusive economic development and the labour force is the generator of the productive value in the society and we discussed on the need to collaborate with them to ensure that we have optimal productivity in Enugu State which can only come from the engine room of the Labour force.

Pharmacist Ugwuoke further expressed happiness with the response from the Labour leaders which shows that they had already forged a relationship with the Governor "And I'm now coming in to ensure that it works in the direction His Excellency wants it.

"It was a very exciting and fulfilling engagement. The richness of the content of their discussions. The non combatant tones of their submissions is giving me all the assurances that the administration is going to have the most peaceful and stable relationship with the Labour unions.

Also speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Comrade Barr. Fabian Nwigbo, the Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Enugu State Council said "the meeting was fruitful and I see the Commissioner as a very proactive person just like his principal."

Comrade Nwigbo stated that unlike what they had in the past were they will be the one making efforts to reach the new commissioner, Pharmacist Ugwuoke called him (Nwigbo) to arrange for the meeting two days ago.

"We had a very resounding meeting, a lot of issues were raised and discussed, he took notes and assured us that he's going to ensure that His Excellency is aware of them."

While managing his expectations due to the economic situation of the country, the Labour leader said "we're looking at a stage by stage attack on these legion of cases and challenges before the Labour and workers of Enugu State.

Also present at the meeting were the chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, Chairman of Nigeria Union of Pensioners, Chairman Association of Resident Doctors, Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Chairman of Nigeria Association of Nurses among other.



https://journalist101.com/2023/08/17/enugu-commissioner-for-labour-pharmacist-ugwuoke-meets-with-labour-leaders/

Luck seems to have smiled on Ejikeme Mmesoma, student of Anglican Girls Secondary School, Nnewi, Anambra State, who was accused of inflating her Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) result, as one Gaius Chibueze from Enugu State has offered her international scholarship.

In a statement on Sunday Fabian Benjamin, JAMB spokesperson, had said the student, who was widely celebrated for scoring 362 anr said to be the highest for 2023 UTME, actually scored 249 in the exam.

Benjamin had said the student tampered with the original result to curry favour.

He subsequently announced that the result would be withdrawn while Mmesoma would face prosecution.

But speaking on Monday, Mmesoma said she printed her result from JAMB portal, adding that she was not capable of forging her result.

She said she had always been a brilliant pupil, who had secured first position from primary school days.

Mmesoma said she was invited by the Department of State Services (DSS) where her statement was taken, and she was told that investigation was ongoing.

She said she felt traumatised by the incident, adding that, “there must be problem somewhere”.

While the controversy rages on, Mr. Chibueze took to his verified Twitter account on Monday night to announce: "I and our company @VoiceOfTheEast are ready to offer Miss Joy Mmesoma a 100% scholarship to study in the UK, CANADA or the UNITED states of 🇺🇸 America.

"Our team will work with her to get admission From any university of her choice in any of the above 3 countries.

"We will take 100% charge of her Fees and upkeep until her masters level.

"@lota_nna, kindly get in touch with her and her family!"

He called on the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, to stop harassing Mmesoma, adding that the action of JAMB is also an Igbo race.

"We are calling on @JAMBHQ to desist from such unprofessional behavior.

"This is not just an attack on her person but the entire Igbo race!"


https://journalist101.com/2023/07/04/breaking-student-accused-of-inflating-utme-score-mmesoma-ejikeme-receives-fully-funded-international-scholarship/

Police operatives from Ogidi Division, Anambra State have arrested the Ojoto community vigilante commander and two others for the kidnap and murder of a tricycle operator, Christian Oluchukwu Onah.

Onah, a 25 year old tricycle rider from Ovoko community, Igbo-Eze South LGA, Enugu State but residing in Oba, Idemili South LGA, Anambra State was declared missing on 28th May, 2023 when he failed to return after going out for the day’s business of tricycle riding transportation.

His neighbour in Oba had raised alarm over his whereabouts and subsequently reported to the police. The owner of the tricycle the missing Christian rides under hire purchase agreement engaged the services of a security tracker that eventually yielded positive fruits leading to the arrest of a man in possession of the missing tricycle used by Christian.

On further interrogation, the man confessed buying the keke from Ojoto community vigilante operatives. When the police arrested the vigilante that sold the keke to him, he also subsequently mentioned the vigilante commander as the one who masterminded the abduction and subsequent killing of Christian and allegedly throwing his corpse at Mmili John Ojoto, a popular river in that side of the community.

Christian’s father, Emmanuel Onah who raised alarm over the brutal murder of his struggling young son has called for justice over the heinous act and lamented that another painful aspect of the ugly story is that the perpetrators have refused to disclose where they actually buried his son.

While calling for a thorough investigation, fishing out all who had a hand in the killing and total justice over the murder, he appealed to the police for diligent prosecution leading also to recovery of his son’s body.

When contacted for confirmation, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochi said he has not been briefed over the incident. He promised to reach out to the police division concerned for proper update.

But a senior police officer from Ogidi Division who pleaded anonymity disclosed to the reporter that Ojoto community stakeholders are interested in the matter while police has intensified efforts to arrest some other indigenes in the community mentioned as collaborators by the suspects already in custody.


https://journalist101.com/2023/06/28/vigilante-chief-2-others-arrested-for-murder-of-keke-rider-in-anambra/

Tears flowed freely in Umuochi Ugwu, Orji Amokwe in Udi local government area of Enugu state on Friday, as a 30-year old man, Augustine Ali killed by his abductors was laid to rest.


Recall that Augustine Somuadina Ali, was kidnapped and killed by unknown assailants three days after he received a visa to the UK for his Masters degree program.

According to WITHIN NIGERIA, Somuadina, popularly known as Italian Millano, was kidnapped on Friday, June 2, 2023, while on his way to his village, Umuochi Ugwu in Orji Amokwe, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Our source equally narrated that his body was found where it was dumped along a road hours later even as his abductors never asked for ransom.

Somuadina, an ESUT graduate was laid to rest in his hometown on Friday, June 23.

His friend, Rotr Comr Amobichukwu Edeani explained that “the deceased gained admission into Teesside University, Middlesbrough to study Food Science and Biotechnology and had paid the part payment of £5,000, out of £9,000.”

Narrating further he said “Austin, we met in 2014 at Enugu State University of Science and Technology. We studied a 5-year course, and we have been good and close friends since then.”

“The news of your death is still like a shock to me. You have been a supportive friend and someone who truly liked education. On December 21, 2022, was the last day I saw you because I got my visa to further my MSc program in the UK.

Late Somuadina’s visa

“You told me never to forget what your mother told me about helping you come over to the UK for your MSc. We hugged, and I took off.

“I started your admission process immediately after I arrived in the UK, and it was granted. Then you paid £5,000 in tuition fees before we commenced your visa application, which was also granted. I’m shocked that your visa came out on Tuesday, and you got kidnapped and killed after three days you received your visa without a demand for ransom.

“I’m seriously in pain, and my prayer is that it won’t be well with your killer. Rest in peace, my good friend. Rip Milano. Rip Italian G. Rip Ali.”


https://journalist101.com/2023/06/24/tears-flow-as-enugu-man-killed-3-days-after-receiving-uk-visa-is-buried/

The Member representing Udi North State Constituency Hon. Uche Ugwu, has been elected the speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly for the 8th Assembly, confirming our exclusive story on the 12th of June

The Clark of the House, Dr. Emma Udaya set the motion for the business of the day.

Iloabuchi Aniagu, Nkanu West State Constituency nominated the immediate past deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Uche Ugwu of Udi North State Constituency for the position of the Speaker.

The motion was seconded by Chukwudi Nwankwo, the Member-elect for Awgu South

Following his nomination and subsequent acceptance of the nomination, Uche Ugwu and in the absence of any other nomination, was declared the Speaker of

"I hear by declare Hon. Uche Calistus Ugwu as the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly," the Clark of the House, Clerk of the House/Head of Legislative Service, Dr Emma Udaya said.

For the position of Deputy speaker, Hon. Jane Eneh of Awgu North Constituency nominated Prince Ezenta Ezeani of Igboetiti West Constituency. His nomination was seconded by Okey Mba, Member-elect, Nkanu East

In the absence of further nomination, Ezenta Ezeani was declared the deputy speaker of the 8th Assembly by the Clark.



More details later...



https://journalist101.com/2023/06/13/breaking-hon-uche-ugwu-elected-speaker-of-enugu-state-house-of-assembly/

In an exciting race that captured the attention of many, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, has emerged Anambra Woman of the Year,2022. The public voting process showcased exceptional women who have made significant contributions to society.
Among the esteemed nominees were renowned author Chimamanda Adichie, Industrialist Ada Chukwudozie, activist Oby Ezekwesili, former ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, and oil mogul Uju Ifejika.

After an impressive turnout of 8,100 votes, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe secured a remarkable 3,206 votes (39.58%) to claim the title of Anambra Woman of the Year. Her victory reflects her outstanding leadership abilities and the remarkable impact she has made in the banking industry.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe's journey at Fidelity Bank has been marked by her giant strides and transformative vision. As the first female CEO of the bank, she has championed a customer-centric approach, digital innovation, and sustainable growth strategies. Under her leadership, Fidelity Bank has experienced remarkable expansion and success.

One of the key areas where Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe has made significant strides is digital transformation. Recognizing the changing landscape of the banking industry, she has led Fidelity Bank in embracing technology to provide innovative financial solutions to customers. This has resulted in the launch of various digital banking platforms and services, making banking more convenient and accessible for customers.

Furthermore, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe has focused on fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the bank. She has implemented robust training and development programs to enhance the skills of Fidelity Bank employees, enabling them to deliver exceptional services to customers. Her emphasis on building a strong team and nurturing talent has contributed to the bank's overall success.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe's strategic vision has also led to remarkable financial performance for Fidelity Bank. Under her leadership, the bank has consistently achieved strong financial results, recording impressive growth in profitability and market share. Her strategic decisions and innovative approach have positioned Fidelity Bank as a leading financial institution in Nigeria.

Beyond her achievements within the banking sector, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe is known for her commitment to social responsibility and community development. She has championed various initiatives aimed at empowering women, supporting education, and promoting entrepreneurship. Through these efforts, she has positively impacted the lives of individuals and communities across Nigeria.

The recognition of Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe as the Anambra Woman of the Year celebrates not only her exceptional achievements but also her dedication to driving positive change in the banking industry and society at large. Her giant strides at Fidelity Bank have set a new standard of excellence and inspired others to embrace innovation, pursue their dreams, and make a lasting impact in their respective fields.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe's recognition as the Anambra Woman of the Year further solidifies her status as a remarkable leader and a true trailblazer in the Nigerian business landscape.


https://journalist101.com/2023/06/08/fidelity-bank-ceo-nneka-onyeali-ikpe-emerges-anambra-woman-of-the-year/

Chizitere Care Foundation; a non-Governmental Organisation (NGO); in commemoration of this year's children's day, feted over 100 less privileged kids in Enugu State. 

The funfair which the organisation tagged “Feed A Child” attracted children from different parts of Enugu was fun-filled as it featured dancing, football and other side attractions.q

In her address, the founder of Chizitere Care Foundation, Barr. Bonita Oneh, said the event is an annual charity programme of the organization aimed at creating an avenue for vulnerable children to have fun, make merry and eat at no cost to them. 

According to Oneh, it is usually held in rural areas, targeting specifically, the needy and underprivileged members of the society.

She called on the incoming government of Dr. Peter Mbah in Enugu State to give children needs priority once he takes over office.

“Our objective is to curb depression and it’s accompanying ailments through psychosocial support.

“We sponsor businesses for women undergoing counseling and organise events to help ease off mental stress and curb depression.

“Our 'Feed a Child, initiative is an annual Charity event held on Children’s day as a means to feed and entertain the less privileged children while we celebrate them. 

“We preach happiness and prioritise good mental health,” She said.

Chizitere Care Foundation is a nonprofit organisation, which offers various forms of support to indigent children, such as psychosocial support, free counselling, legal consultations, free business set ups and sponsorships.


https://journalist101.com/2023/06/01/foundation-fetes-over-100-less-privileged-kids-in-enugu/

On Monday, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah announced Professor Chidiebere Onyia as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

Professor Onyia hails from Amaechi Awkunanaw, Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Prof. Onyia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Masters of Business Administration degree and a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership. He also had a post-doctoral scholarship in Education Policy from the Ivy League Peabody College, Vanderbilt University.

He served as the Chief of Staff to the Honorable Minister of Power (2012 – 2015) ensuring the Minister’s team which comprised of private local and Diaspora experts in the power value chain provided timely and evidence based decision support in the ongoing sector reform process.

He is currently the Managing Director for the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Facility which is A 70 million pounds technical assistance support for infrastructure development in Nigeria focused on five (5) components namely, Power, Private public partnership, Roads, Capital Budget and North East Nigeria.

He was the Lead strategy advisor for the Federal Government of Nigeria and World Bank Group Power Sector Recovery Programme and the Senior Infrastructure Advisor and Team Lead with the DFID Funded PDF II – a national assignment anchored through the Office of the Vice President of Nigeria and Infrastructure focused MDAs, especially, Power, Works and Housing, CBN, and Nigeria Sovereign Investment Agency.

Prof. Onyia is also a Senior Advisor to Globethics.net Geneva where he provides strategic advice to the leadership of the organization as well as serves as external reviewer to the higher education ethics curriculum modules and the strategic engagement with UNESCO, German and Russian Governments. He is a visiting Professor of Education at the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu State, and serves on the Governing Council of two private Universities in Nigeria.

He is the Chairman of the Board of Org Learning Consult (affiliate of TOL Consult California, USA) and the Centre for Education Reform and Sustainability Initiative. He developed the institutional reform training for principal officers and senior management currently in use at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, where he was a visiting Professor for approximately seven years. He's the, Chairman Strategic Advisory Board Coal City University, Enugu.

Prof. Onyia has built a wealth of experience in change management and leadership, infrastructure development in developing nations, Institutional reform and sustainable public sector performance in his career of over 25 years. He currently implements major change management projects for Nigeria State governments and private sector organizations on strengthening internal processes that can lead to significant performance and attitudinal change.

He has served on the Board of various organizations and still does including the World Bank International Advisory Board on the Nigerian STEP-B project, US Department of Education Advisory Board on Teacher Incentive Program, Lift Saxum Foundation, Visiola Foundation, Powerex Energy Consulting Ltd, the OrgLearning Group and Chrisland University to mention a few. Prof. Onyia was recently admitted as a full member of the prestigious Club of Rome.

Prof. has received numerous international and national awards and accolades for leadership excellence and for his outstanding contribution to the education sector. He was specially recognized by the global ‘Cambridge who is who’ in 2009 and also made the ‘Those Who Inspire Nigeria’ list in 2015. In addition to being featured in many news media, he is well published and a certified educational consultant, researcher, presenter, mentor and author of many books.

https://journalist101.com/2023/05/30/profile-of-enugu-new-ssg-professor-chidiebere-onyia/

The fate of about three students from Enugu State, South East Nigeria studying in Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, India is hanging on the balance as one Ejikeme Maxwell Maduekwe, has made away with their fees.

JOURNALIST101 gathered that Ejikeme Maxwell, from Ezeagu local government area of Enugu State was allegedly into money exchange for foreign students and has been in the country for over four years.

The leader of the Nigerian Students in India, contacted Ejikeme with Passport No. A09628984, VISA NO. VJ9782097 and AADHAR NUMBER 7069-9949-5261 to help some Nigerian students pay for their fees in Dollar because of the difficulty in assessing forex.

Rather than pay the fees for all the students that were given admission at Vivekananda Global University, Jaipur, India, for which he was given the naira equivalent, he paid for half and absconded with the remaining money.

Efforts to reach Ejikeme to pay the fees of the stranded students to the University authority after collecting same from the parents of the victims couldn't yield any result leading to few of the students being stranded in India because the school said they can't continue if the fees wasn't paid while others are trapped in Nigeria till date.

One of the students told our Correspondent that they reported the matter to Indian police and they quickly dispatched a team to arrest him.

A copy of Police document on his arrest

"When they got to his known address within Jaipur National University, Jagatpura, Jaipur, it was discovered that he has packed out of the house and is owing his landlord 3 months rent," the student who doesn't want his name in print told our correspondent.

JOURNALIST101 reliably gathered that a total sum of Five million, one hundred thousand Naira (N5,100,000) was given to him by the parents of the students, but rather than pay the school dollar equivalent, he used the money to process his movement from India to Canada and has blocked all the students from seeing nor reaching him. 

One of the parents of an affected student who spoke to our correspondent, said he's devastated by the development but expressed satisfaction with the intervention from an arm of Enugu State government which he said, is assisting them in making necessary contacts to ensure the culprit is arrested.

Data page of his international passport

Though he declined making further comment on the particular agency of government that's doing this, he said "I wouldn't want to speak about that for now but I'm very sure that Nigeria High Commission in India has been contacted and a strong worded petition has been sent to the Canadian government on why a character like Ejikeme shouldn't be allowed into their country."

Below is some pictures of the suspect:



https://journalist101.com/2023/04/23/fraud-alert-enugu-foreign-students-stranded-in-india-as-one-ejikeme-maxwell-absconds-with-their-fees/

Contrary to the recent media hypes and paid editorials showing that all is well at the Enugu State Post Primary School Management Board (PPSMB), JOURNALIST101 is in possession of a letter to the contrary.

Rather than the rosy atmosphere painted in the media publications, the Board is fast going into comatose under the watch of Dr. Favour Ugwuanyi if the letter by a concerned member of the Board is anything to go by.

According to a letter which was written by a permanent member of the Board representing Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, the chairman of the Board, Dr. Ugwuanyi is alleged to be involved in all manner of illegalities and financial heist while handling the place as her private conglomerate.

Mr. Okenwa, popularly known as CEO in the status report written to the Board Chairman and copied to the Board Members; Hon. Ugochukwu Eneze, Professor Rose Onah, Hon. Oge Uka and the Permanent Secretary, Mr Regimus Eze, accused Ugwuanyi of removing school principals at will without recourse to the provisions of the law nor the Board.

"...Urban Girls Secondary School, where the Principal Mrs, Abugu, was unjustly removed on the grounds of removing the poster of a politician. That is absolutely ridiculous!.

"In that same manner one Mrs Ngwu Sylvia Chinwe, Principal of Girls High School, Uwani was removed in February on the grounds that a staff under her, aspired for a political position and consequently was in court with a politician. This removal happened, despite the fact that the staff involved reasonably disassociated the Principal from her actions. This is a needless indictment of the Principal and the removal is simply not consistent with the PPSMB by laws.

"His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Inaugurated 5 honorary members and one Board Secretary, but the Board it is at the moment is solely administered by Dr. Favour Ugwuanyi and ably supported by Honourable Ugochukwu and Mr. Regimus."

On the management of the finance of the Board, Okenwa alleged that Dr. Ugwuanyi does whatever pleases her and non of them is aware of the financial status of the Board.

"Since the inception of this board, the Chairman handles the issues of the finance like her personal funds, rather than public funds. Other members, such as myself, which represent a whole Senatorial District, do not have an idea about what is going on financially.

"I demand today to have an idea or at least for the Chairman to provide a reason for this height of financial opacity. This is a very rich board,and that cannot be denied. We demand to know what is happening financially in PPSMB. That is what makes us a team.

"The issue of the making of principals has been single-handedly handled by the Chairman, against the Board laws which clearly spells out this role as a function of the Board, not even the courtesy of asking members to get a capable hand who is a level 16 officer to fill in such position, even if is in the community secondary school, where the member hails from. This is a clear abuse of the by laws."

Mr. Okenwa went further to make the following demand from the Chairman

"First, I would love to know the *number of students under PPSMB*. It is completely unacceptable that this information has been private when this is a public sector.

"Second, I would love to know why the issue of the board finances has been entirely at your discretion, in gross contravention of the Board Laws.

"Third, I want to know the reason behind using private POS operators to collect public funds.

"Fourth, I would love to know why the decision of who becomes principal has been entirely at your discretion, without recourse to the Board. What is the rationale for making level 15 a principal over some level 16 staff? Particularly of interest for our conversation, will be a review of all the newly appointed Principals in my region who were appointed without my due consent.

On the future of Board even as a new administration is about to take over in couple of weeks, Okenwa asserted that it's not healthy for the Board to continue with Ugwuanyi as the head.

"It is clear from the body language of the Chairman, that she would want this board to continue beyond 29th May, 2023, but how healthy is it to continue in this manner when 3 honorary members are not carried along in the policies and when the Board finances is solely controlled by the Chairman?

"The Chairman of PPSMB thinks that being lawless is same as being powerful, but that is simply unacceptable."

As at press time, all efforts to get the reaction of Dr. Favour Ugwuanyi failed as she's yet to respond to message sent to her known official line 2 days ago which was followed by a reminder on the 20th, neither did she return the calls which rang out without response.


https://journalist101.com/2023/04/21/how-favour-ugwuanyi-is-killing-enugu-ppsmb-board-member-opens-can-of-worms/

The self-styled spokesperson of autopilot version of the Indegenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Simon Ekpa, has been arrested in his home in Finland. 

The Seperatist leader has been fingered as being the arrowhead of several killing by ‘Unknown Gunmen’, a dangerous armed militia responsible for the deaths of several people and even public officials in the South-East.

Ekpa, a self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), rose to prominence in July 2021 after he was announced as the lead broadcaster of Radio Biafra.

The Finland-based activist was appointed to replace Kanu at Radio Biafra following the re-arrest of the IPOB leader by the federal government. After some weeks, IPOB announced Ekpa’s disengagement, citing his refusal to sign the rules of engagement of Radio Biafra.

Ekpa was picked up from his Apartment in Lahti region of Finland by officers from the Finnish Central Criminal Police on Thursday morning.

Ekpa, a local paper said was invited to explain what his separatism and opposition to the elections is all about. He however, didn't open the door. A neighbour who was running late opened the door to staircase.

According to HS, a Finnish based newspaper, "Simon Ekpa was escorted out of the apartment by plainclothes policemen.

"CRIMINAL INSPECTOR Tommi Reen from the Central Criminal Police confirms to HS on the phone that on Thursday, the KRP had a police operation in a private apartment in the center of Lahti in connection with the ongoing preliminary investigation. The police arrested one man from the apartment. Krp suspects the arrested man of a crime, but does not comment on the crime at this stage.

"Reen did not confirm the man's identity, but only spoke in general about the operation in the apartment in the center of Lahti. He did not comment further on the matter.

"NIGERIA has asked Finland to intervene in Ekpa's activities. Last week, the Nigerian foreign minister invited the Finnish ambassador Leena Pylvänäinen to a meeting because of the topic.

"Jussi Nummelin, the team leader for Western and Central Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland , told HS a week ago on Thursday that Finland shares the concern for security, and condemns violence and incitement to it, as well as "actions aimed at preventing people from exercising their democratic rights".

"Nummelin emphasized, however, that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not an actual party in the case, but that the police have jurisdiction if it is a question of a suspected crime," the newspaper said.


https://journalist101.com/2023/02/23/breaking-simon-ekpa-reportedly-arrested-in-finland/

Ahead of the 2023 governorship election in Enugu State, the youths of Enugu East Senatorial Zone have declared their support for Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP).

The Youths under their umbrella body; Nkanu Youths gave the endorsement on Saturday at a well attended town hall meeting held in Enugu.

Explaining their position in a communique issued at the end of the meeting, Nkanu Youth pointed out that their decision to endorse Dr. Mbah was based on his impeccable track record of integrity, leadership skills, competence, experience, and passion for youth development.

They also noted that his past service as commissioner of finance, Chief of Staff, and founder & CEO of Pinnacle Oil and Gas as proof of his outstanding service to the public and private sectors, which all points to fact that he (Mbah) will make a good Governor when elected.

In the communique which was signed by the trio of Hon. Edeani M. Edeani JP, National President of the Nkanu Youth; Hon. Jennifer Onovo, National Secretary and Hon. Wenceslaus Ogbonnia, BOT Chairman, the youths noted that Dr. Mbah's manifesto and policies for youth development aligns with their aspirations and desires for the future of Enugu state.

While expressing their commitment to embark on aggressive campaigns and sensitization in both rural and urban areas to ensure his victory at the polls, they called on their fellow youths to join them to ensure that Mbah garners more than 98% of the lawful votes, adding that with Dr. Mbah at the helm of affairs, Enugu state will experience a new dawn of progress and prosperity.

The full statement reads:

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF NKANU YOUTH TOWN HALL MEETING HELD TODAY AT THE CASTLE MAJESTIC HOTEL OGUI ENUGU, ENDORSING DR. PETER MBAH AS THE SOLE GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE OF NKANU YOUTHS.

"We, the Youths from Enugu East Senatorial Zone, made up of Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Isiuzo, Enugu North, Enugu South and Enugu East local government areas gathered at a town hall meeting on the 18th of February, 2023, to discuss the forthcoming gubernatorial election in our state. After thorough deliberations and careful consideration of the various candidates vying for the governorship seat in Enugu State, we have unanimously agreed to endorse Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the governorship candidate of the People's Democratic Party as our sole candidate.

"Our decision to endorse Dr. Peter Mbah is based on his impeccable track record of integrity, leadership skills, competence, experience, and passion for youth development.

"Dr. Mbah has a proven track record of outstanding service in the private and public sectors, including his stint as the commissioner of finance, and Chief of Staff in our state. He has demonstrated that he is a man of integrity, who stands for what is right and just, and has consistently exhibited good leadership qualities in all his engagements.

"Furthermore, Dr. Mbah's experience in the private sector, especially his work as as the founder and chief executive officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas; a leading multi million dollars oil company, has equipped him with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to transform our state into a prosperous and economically vibrant society. His competence in managing finances, coupled with his passion for youth development, will be instrumental in providing job opportunities and creating an enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship.

"We are also convinced that Dr. Mbah's policies and plans for youth development which are evident in his manifesto aligns with our aspirations and desires as the future of our great state. His commitment to providing job opportunities, creating an enabling environment for youth entrepreneurship, and empowering young people to take on leadership roles is highly estimable. We believe that he has what it takes to transform our state into a hub of economic prosperity and social development.

"Nkanu Youths also agreed to embark on aggressive campaigns and sensitization in the rural and urban areas to rally and guide our youths towards the best choice and to ensure that none of our votes is found wanting.

"We urge all our fellow youths in the state to join us in ensuring that Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah secure 98% of all valid votes in the forthcoming governorship election.

"We also call on all eligible voters in Enugu state to cast their votes for Dr. Peter Mbah in the March 11th gubernatorial election. We believe that with Dr. Mbah at the helm of affairs, our state will experience a new dawn of progress and prosperity." 

Some of the stakeholders and Youths at the well-attended town hall meetings include:

1. Prof Chris Ngwu
2. Pastor Beloved-Dan Anike
3. Rt. Hon. Paul Nnajiofor
4. Hon. Okechukwu Edeh
5. Hon. Patty Okoh
6. Rev. Amb. Chima Obi Aninwene JP
7. Hon. Emeka Nwatu
8. Hon. Ebuka Okoh
9. Hon. Ogechukwu Nnamene
10. Hon. Dika David

11. Hon. Victor Okechukwu
12. Comr. Francis Obiora Nyia
13. Comr. Nelson Mbah
14. Ugwu Chiemerie P.
15. Pastor OC Peters Jnr
16. Hon. Bennett Ngwu
17. Comr Princewill Ugwu
18. Comr. Charles Edeh
19. Hon. Victor Okoh
20. Comr. Agbo Chibuike
21. Hon. Godwin Duhu

Amongst others.


https://journalist101.com/2023/02/19/enugu-2023-nkanu-youths-endorse-dr-peter-mbah/

The Enugu Radio Broadcast Media community has received a much needed breath of fresh air with the take off of Divine101.3FM- the newest commercial Radio Station in the coal city State.


Divine 21st Century Communications Ltd is unveiling to the listening public, its newest brand - Divine101.3FM. The radio station prides itself as being “The Soul Station”, “Divinely Inspired” offering the Enugu and Southern
audience a different flavour of radio broadcast experience.

After receiving approval to commence Commercial operations by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) following the successful completion of the compulsory Test Transmission phase, the station, currently operating within the 1013Mhz on the FM wave band is created to deliver multi-content family oriented, society-centric and lifestyle broadcast content with an impressive wide spectrum of states- Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Delta, Edo, Abia, Kogi, Benue, Nassarawa, Imo and Cross Rivers States and even beyond.

Divine101.3FM has in the past 2 months, enjoyed the patronage of a fast increasing listenership base drawn from most South East, South South and far flung Western states such as Ekiti.

The license owners of Divine101.3FM - Divine 21st Century Communications Ltd, an Abuja based Media Consultancy firm has shown commitment to the development of the South East by siting the first of its Radio brands in the region. The station which is currently operating an 18-hour shift is set to commence 24-hour manned broadcast by the second quarter of 2023.

Divine 101.3FM will be inaugurated and publicly unveiled by His Excellency, Rt (Hon) Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, Governor of Enugu State alongside top government functionaries, captains of industries, friends and well-wishers on Tuesday, the 20th of December 2022 at the station’s studios located in Dhamija, Trans Ekulu Enugu.



https://journalist101.com/2022/12/18/divine101-3fm-set-to-launch-in-enugu/

Enugu is set to join other states to enjoy oil producing status.

This is the outcome of an impactful meeting of Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, ( RMAFC), in Abuja, the Nigeria's capital.

Quoting an inside source, Freedom Square Tv said the netting ratified the request of Enugu to join other states in getting the revenue accrued to oil producing states.

In October 2021, Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi made a passionate appeal to the leadership of the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) to expedite action on the process to formally designate Enugu State as an oil-producing state in the country.

The governor drew the attention of RMAFC to the fact that “Enugu is about the only state in Nigeria which produces crude oil in commercial quantities without being formally accorded the status of an oil-bearing state”.     





[url[b]https://journalist101.com/2022/11/29/breaking-enugu-designated-as-oil-producing-state/[/b][/url]

Pharm. Ejikeme Omeje, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency is dead.

According to reports on social media, the pharmacist died on a Monday night in a fatal accident along Erina- Edem Ani road, Nsukka local government while on his way home.

A chieftain of the party in Nsukka local government confirmed the sad development to JOURNALIST101, and said that his remains has been deposited to the morgue. 

"Its true, one of our best is gone. He died last night in a fatal accident along Erina Road. His body has been deposited to the mortuary," the party Chieftain who doesn't want his name in print because the party hasn't reacted officially said. 

More details later...


https://journalist101.com/2022/11/08/breaking-ejikeme-omeje-apc-house-of-reps-candidate-dies-in-fatal-accident/

...Extends Hands Of Fellowship To other Aspirants

Hon Francis Bartholomew Chima aka OmoBarca, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for House of Representatives in Ajeromi Ifelodun constituency of Lagos State has sued for peace and unity among party members.

OmoBarca who has received his Certificate of Return, has started making reconciliatory moves to ensure that PDP emerges victorious in the forthcoming 2023 election.

He's also appealing to a former member of the House of Reps in the constituency, Hon. Rita Orji and other aspirants; including Hon. Diriwari Oladipupo Wilson, Hon. Emilia Ezeude and all other aggrieved party chieftains to bury the hatchet and embrace peace so as to improve the chances of the party and growth of the electorates in Ajeromi Ifelodun.

OmoBarca who is still battling court cases within and outside the party has assured his supporters of victory at the polls, having received their mandate to move the constituency forward,

He also promised to accommodate Hon Rita Orji despite her press release urging PDP members to shun invitation to a reconciliatory and peace meeting on Saturday.

OmoBarca, the Candidate of the Party in Ajeromi Ifelodun Federal Constituency for House of Representatives in pursuit of  peace and reconciliation for all aggrieved members in the past days, has reached out to the LGA chairman, Apostle Matthew Abogunde and notable party leaders including Are Tajudeen Balogun the PDP LGA chairmanship Candidate for the local council election in 2021.

Recently, the PDP leaders and LGA Excos in their quest to promote peace, unity and progress for the party in the area, conveyed a PDP Ajeromi Ifelodun LG General Assembly for all party members to hold tomorrow at the LGA party secretariat at Ligali bustop Ojo road Ajegunle Lagos. This is aimed at positioning to the party for victory in the forthcoming general elections in 2023.


https://journalist101.com/2022/08/06/pdp-house-of-reps-candidate-omobarca-sues-for-unity-in-ajeromi-ifelodun/

The new Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG John Amadi, who represents the South East region in the Force Management Team, has assured the people of the zone that more vigour will be seen in the fight against insecurity.

DIG John Amadi who's in charge of the Department of Research and Planning gave the assurance on Thursday while speaking with newsmen on the sideline during his familiarisation tour and lecture of officers and men of Enugu State Police Command.

The new DIG who took over from late Joseph Egbunike said: "Expect more vigour in tackling the heightened insecurity in the South East. That informed this visit, we need to see the men, the Commissioner of Police and the chief security officer who's the Governor, to device a new means of arresting the situation."

He also added that the visit will offer him the opportunity to talk to the men in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali-Baba, get their feedback and report back to the IGP in other to improve the output of their men.

"This interaction will give us the opportunity to ask ourselves some basic questions which aren't for public consumption. I'm here to see the men, to encourage them, to motivate them, stir them up and then to sensitive them to the current moment and the need for each and every one of us to be focused and to ensure that we don't fail Nigerians, ensure that everyone sleeps with their eyes closed," DIG John Amadi said. 

In his welcome address, the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Abubakar Lawal, fdc, welcomed the DIG John Amadi and his entourage to the command, while expressing his conviction that "this familiarisation tour of duty and lecture parade of officers and men of the command is timely and commendable, as it will give some of the personnel the opportunity to meet and interact with our DIG for the first time."

CP Lawal told their August visitor that "despite the prevailing security challenges, the command has been able to record some modest operational breakthrough since my assumption of duty on August 10th, 2021. They include the arrest of 207 suspects for conspiracy, murder, unlawful possession of Firearms and ammunition, kidnapping/abduction, rape/defilement, armed robbery, stealing, vandalism, Arson and Cultism.

"We also rescued 14 kidnapping/abduction victims, recovered 70 Firearms of different makes, 186 live ammunition of different calibres, 147 live cartridges, 50 motor vehicles, 10 tricycles, 22 motorcycles and other miscellaneous items."

The Commissioner attributed the success to the support from the IGP, the Governor of Enugu State the collaboration with other security agencies, Traditional Rulers and his management team as well as men and officers of the command.

He also pointed out some of the challenges the command is faced with which he said "have in one way or the other, hindered our desire to effectively police the State as expected.

"Some of these challenges include, but not limited to the shortage of manpower, the requisite operational equipment and the required working ambience. Whilst I make bold to thank and appreciate the IGP and his Management Team for the support we have been receiving towards ameliorating these challenges, like Oliver Twist; we cannot help but keep asking for more."

https://journalist101.com/2022/07/08/expect-more-vigour-in-tackling-insecurity-in-southeast-says-dig-john-amadi/

The Labour Party will tomorrow unveil Datti Baba-Ahmed as the running mate to their presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

The unveiling of Datti Baba-Ahmed was initially slated for Thursday at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja but the National Chairman of the party, Barrister Julius Abure, said the ceremony was postponed because Obi, who travelled to Maiduguri and was expected back in Abuja Thursday afternoon, had his flight cancelled.

Abure announced that the unveiling of Obi’s running mate is rescheduled for Friday at the party’s headquarters, Abuja

Below is his brief profile:

Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed was born to the Baba-Ahmed family in Zaria in the 1970s. He is 46 years old and among the thirty-three children of his father, Baba Ahmed.

From the prominent Baba-Ahmed family of Zaria, Baba-Ahmed graduated from the University of Maiduguri. After schooling, he worked in business and banking for several years before entering politics.

Datti Baba-Ahmed has four degrees; a BSc and MSc in Economics from University of Maiduguri, a MBA from University of Wales, Cardiff and in 2006, he successfully completed his PhD studies, earning the title of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Westminster.

After his service year at University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Ogun state, he worked as Projects Co-ordinator, Baze Research and Data Services Ltd. and as Officer II in the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, Lagos. He worked as a Banking Officer, First Bank of Nigeria Plc from July 1997 to Dec 1998 and then came back to become the Managing Director of Baze Research and Data Services Ltd in July 1999 - January 2003, before venturing into politics.

He was a member of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007, and was elected Senator for Kaduna North in 2011.

Baba-Ahmed was popular for his principled Activism. During the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he was among lawmakers who opposed letting Obasanjo run for a third term. In May 2006 he said he would not run for reelection unless action was taken to investigate allegations that members had been bribed to support the constitutional changes needed for a third term Presidency. In 2007 he took the Independent National Electoral Commission to court over conduct of past elections. He was known for speaking out against corruption.

In 2011, Sen. Baba-Ahmed established Baze University, an independent University located in Abuja, Nigeria.

In 2015, Sen. Yusuf Baba-Ahmed was appointed as Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Hope Alive Foundation

Sen. Baba-Ahmed is currently;

Pro-Chancellor of Baze University

Managing Director, Baze Research & Data Service Ltd

Chairman, Baze Construction Ltd.

His companies reportedly employ a total of over 1000 people including expatriates, and highly skilled professional Nigerians from the Diaspora

Sen. Datti is a well accomplished philanthropist. Among many of his corporate social responsibility projects; he built and donated two junior secondary schools with total capacity of 4,000 students. It is worthy of note that the schools have graduated over 6,000 students to date.



https://journalist101.com/2022/07/07/abridged-profile-of-peter-obis-running-mate-datti-baba-ahmed/

The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC in Ogurute, Igboeze North Local Government Headquarters, Enugu State was set ablaze by unknown arsonists.

The office was reportedly burnt down around 11:48pm on Sunday, 3rd July, 2022.

Confirming the attack, Festus Okoye Esq., National Commissioner, Information said the Invaders overpowered the security personnel and set the place on fire.

"The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr. Emeka Ononamadu, reported that our Igboeze North Local Government Area office was set ablaze by unknown arsonists. The attack happened at 11.48pm on Sunday 3rd July 2022.

"The arsonists overpowered the security guards, forced their way into the premises and set the building ablaze. Although no casualties were reported, 748 ballot boxes, 240 voting cubicles, office furniture and equipments were destroyed in spite of the best of best efforts of the Enugu State Fire Service deployed from Nsukka. The commission is working to ascertain the status of voter registration machines for the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise as well as uncollected Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) locked up in the fireproof cabinet.

"The incident has been reported to the Nigeria Police for investigation and further action.

"The attack, coming in the middle of the voter registration exercise and other preparations for 2023 General Election, is worrisome. It will be recalled that on 25rd May 2021, Our office in the neighbouring lgboeze South Local Government Area was attacked in a similar manner by unknown gunmen. This followed earlier attacks on Udenu Local Government Area office on 13th May 2021 and the State Headquarters in Enugu on 16th May 2021. The CommissIon has since substantially recovered from these attacks and resumed normal activities there, including the CVR and collection of PVCs

"The Commission will continue to work with the security agencies and the emergency Services to protect our facilities," Okoye said in a statement issued on Monday, but th July 2022.

The Council Area has come under attack recently by unknown gunmen leading the state government to impose 6pm to 6am curfew in both Igboeze North and Igboeze South Local Government Areas.


https://journalist101.com/2022/07/04/breaking-enugu-inec-office-set-ablaze/

Baring any last minute change, three Federal Lawmakers from Enugu are set to dump the ruling Peoples Democratic Party Party, PDP in the state.

The three Lawmakers that are members of the House of Representatives JOURNALIST101 learnt will be leaving to pursue their political carrier under a new platform after failing to secure the ticket of the PDP.

An impeccable source told our correspondent that the lawmaker came from the two senatorial zones in the state.

"The plans are almost completed and I can tell you that it's going to change the political landscape of Enugu State," an Aide to one of the lawmakers from Enugu North Senatorial Zone said.

"Its not only him that's leaving, I can confirm to you that two others from Enugu West Senatorial zone. My Boss might be seeking for a higher office under a new platform but I don't want to let the cat out of the bag yet because the time is almost here and he will be making the big announcement."

On the platform the decampees will be joining, the Aide who doesn't want his name in print because he's not authorised to speak to the press on the matter said "your guess is as good as mine on the platform it will be. I can assure you the i has been doted and the t almost crossed on this platform.

"You are in this country and have seen the political party with the biggest momentum in the country presently, our destination won't be far from this platform that's unlocking a news voting demography in our country. In the coming week, expect this big political announcement in Enugu State," the source said.

A close source to one the Lawmakers from. Enugu West Senatorial zone said "my oga will join other Labourers in the Obi's vineyard. This will no longer be speculation in the coming days.

"My boss will most likely be contesting for the current position he's occupying under Labour Party and I can assure you that nothing will stop him from clinching the position in February 2023."

The source also disclosed that they're consulting widely to get grassroot mobilizers to fly the ticket of the party in Enugu West Senatorial zone so they can stand a chance against the PDP at the polls.

He added that this move was slowed down by some factors but his Boss and others from other zones are ready to take the decision.

"Journalist101 learnt that the delay was because of the permutations to draft one of the Governorship aspirants and former deputy senate president of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu into the Governorship Race.

There are also speculations that a serving Senator will join the defectors but JOURNALIST101 couldn't verify this as at press time.

Similarly, a former member of the House of Representatives from Enugu North Senatorial Zone who failed to pick the ticket of the PDP is tipped to be in the race too.

https://journalist101.com/2022/07/03/exclusive-three-enugu-federal-lawmakers-set-to-dump-pdp-for-labour-party/

All isn't well in Nkpologwu community, Uzo Uwani local government area of Enugu State, following the killing of a 15-year-old boy by members of the vigilante in the area.

JOURNALIST101 gathered that the memories of the vigilante stormed the residence of the deceased on Wednesday night to effect an arrest following a disagreement relating to land in their market earlier in the day. The victim resisted arrest and in the process, he was shut on the waist and he died on Thursday.




An eyewitness told our correspondent that the news of the death of the boy angered the youths that went on rampage, burning down houses belonging to the members of the vigilante. 

"We're currently living in fear because we don't know what will happen next and we're helpless," the eyewitness who gave his name simply as Ifeanyi said. 

"Immediately the news that the boy is died came to the village, the youths mobilized immediately and went on rampage. As I speak with you now, the house of the Chief Security Officer, CSO of our local government, Barr. Chijioke Ezugwu has been completely burnt down. 

"The house of another business man, Anthony Ani was torched and this arson is spreading by the day. We call on the relevant authorities to rise up and save our agrarian community before the situation goes out of hand completely."

Another source said that the victim is accused of selling methamphetamine popularly known as Mkpurumiri and when the vigilante went to arrest him, he resisted and made attempt to running away which led to the shooting. 

JOURNALIST101 gathered that the leader of the vigilante and his members have been arrested and are currently in police custody.

All efforts to reach the council Chairman, Celestine Chukwudi Nnadozie for comments failed as he didn't answer his calls nor respond to the message sent to his known mobile number.



https://journalist101.com/2022/07/01/breaking-killing-of-15-year-old-sets-enugu-community-on-fire/

Uzodinma Iweala, the son of Africa's best export to the world, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has stated that Nigeria needs another independence and should be dissolved.

The author of the masterpiece, Beasts of No Nation made the declaration in his article, 'Nigeria’s Second Independence: Why the Giant of Africa Needs to Start Over’, published in Foreign Affairs- the American magazine of international relations and United States foreign policy is published by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).

In February, 2023, Nigeria will be going to the Polls to elect a new president at a time the nation is facing so many problems; ranging from insecurity to religious intolerance, poor economy and infrastructure.

Uzodinma Iweala insists that one of the solutions to the political troubles of the country is its dissolution as no single individual has the magic wand to steer the ship to the desired destination.

As citizens face serious security and economic problems, he urged them to decide if they want Nigeria’s existence as a state to continue or to expire.

"Nigeria’s political system defies neat packaging”, stressed the son of ex-Finance Minister and WTO DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

“Scholars have labeled it everything from the facetious “chaosocracy” to the more benign “entrepreneurial democracy” to the pejorative “kleptocracy.”

Uzodinma Iweala said such tags wrongly suggest that Nigeria’s problems stem from individual moral failings within the political class.

Citing experts’ recommendation of good leadership and good governance, the Harvard graduate believes no individual, however well intentioned, can fix the challenges.

Nothing should be off-limits for discussion – even the dissolution of the country”, he suggested.

“Before doing anything else, Nigerians need to decide: Do they want the patchwork entity named Nigeria to remain Nigeria?

“It is a reasonable question, given that the country is the arbitrary product of colonial boundaries.”

Uzodinma Iweala said in their quest to form a working system, citizens should not “limit their thinking to outdated and flawed U.S. and European models of democracy”.

The novelist won the Hoopes Prize and Dorothy Hicks Lee Prize for Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis while in Harvard, among other honours.

https://journalist101.com/2022/06/28/2023-breakup-only-solution-to-nigerias-problems-okonjo-iwealas-son-uzodinma-iweala/

Hon Nnamdi Odo, the Representative of Udenu Legislative Council, Saturday,  awarded two hun and twenty five thousand naira (N225,000) to 15 Students in his Constituency.

The councilor representing Obollo Afor Ward in Udenu LGA Legislative council made the cash donation during the monthly party Ward meeting at Obollo Afor.

Nnamdi Odo said the gesture which will take care of the termly school fees of the beneficiaries is being funded  from his salary.

He stated that the award is in fulfilment of his pledge to set aside seventy-five thousand naira (N75, 000) from his monthly salary. He said that this is his own way of saying thank you to his people for giving him the opportunity to represent to them at the local government council.

In his words,

"I am a product of collective interest, I was elected to represent my people and I am under obligation to give back to them. I wish I can give more but for a start, let me take up the payment of the school fees of fifteen students whose parents are faithful to the party. It is a way of encouraging them to remain steadfast."

Reacting to the gesture, the ward Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Osike thanked the councilor for his benevolence, and noted that "this is the first time in the history of the ward: the first time a councilor is sharing his salary with the people.

"Nnamdi Odo I pray you continue to grow politically so as to sustain the vision you have for your people."

Speaker after speaker praised the kind gesture of the Hon. Member and advised other stakeholders and leaders from the area to emulate what the young lawmaker has done.

https://journalist101.com/2022/06/18/enugu-councillor-nnamdi-odo-awards-n225000-worth-of-bursary-to-15-students/

Popular comedienne, and Facebook sensation, Roseline Onyejekwe, popularly known as Madam Social Is dead.

Her death was announced on Tuesday on her Instagram page.

Sharing a picture of the deceased, the post read, “She can’t be gone! How do I witness that laughter of yours?”

Madam Social who hails from nibo, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State died at an estimated age of 81 years.

Mama became popular in 2021 following the continuous promotion of her very funny videos by @MCshade


https://journalist101.com/2022/06/07/popular-comedienne-madam-social-is-dead/