₦airaland Forum

Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has said he left at least $4bn balance sheet generated from his companies in 1998 before joining politics, saying he didn't start life as a politician but businessman.

The former Abia governor said before 1998, he built business entities, particularly in the media, oil, and gas sector, shipping, airlines, and others.

In a social media post, Sen. Kalu said he had enough resources to fund his former party the PDP, when he joined politics in 1998.

He said, "I built several entities (businesses particularly in the media, oil, and gas sector, shipping, airlines, and others), and in 1998,  I left more than a $4 Billion balance sheet in my companies before venturing into politics".

He wondered why people like him are expected to be penniless while those who have done next to nothing parade themselves as achievers.

He noted further, "In 1998, I used my resources to fund the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), my former party, and certain personalities. I built several entities (businesses particularly in the media, oil, and gas sector, shipping, airlines, and others).

"Today, those who have done next to nothing in the private sector are the ones parading themselves as achievers and saints. Whereas the real face of the organized private sector and other accomplished personalities like myself who have worked tirelessly and multiplied investments are expected to be penniless.

"Even though I have had my ups and downs, the fact is that I didn't start life as a politician. I am a businessman, a  capitalist with a human face."

Abia State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the state-owned university, Abia State University Uturu, Prof. Godwin Emezue on Friday by unidentified hoodlums, assuring that he will be safely rescued.

He was kidnapped at about 7pm while purchasing fuel at a petrol station in Umuekwu Amachara, Umuahia South LGA, Abia State, PPRO of the command, ASP Maureen Chinaka said in a statement.

ABN TV reports that the varsity don's wife who was in his company during the incident had her ATM card confiscated by the hoodlums.

The command says it is deploying resources and assets including intelligence and technical aid towards unravelling the crime, and safely rescuing the victim from his captors.

Chinaka said, "We urge Abians to remain calm and continue their legitimate activities while maintaining vigilance and being security conscious

Personnel of Abia State police command have arrested five suspected armed robbers who pretended to be officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and dispossessed some students of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike of their phones at gunpoint, and forced them to transfer a total of 120,000 naira to their account.

The crime was allegedly committed on Tuesday, 23/01/2024.

This is contained in a statement on Saturday signed by ASP Maureen Chinaka, the Police Public Relations Officer of Abia State Command made available to ABN TV.

She said, "Upon receipt of this information, officers from Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia commenced an investigation and visited the crime scene where they arrested three men from the Man o War base MOAU", she said.

She listed the suspects to include, Onyedikachi Ihechukwumere ‘M’ (25 years), Onwuka Christopher ‘M’ (26 years), and Tochukwu Obinna ‘M’ (30 years).

Exhibits recovered from them include, 3 out of the 6 stolen phones, and a tricycle with REG No. HAF 011VG FLEET NO 5868, which was used to facilitate their criminal act.

Additionally, on Wednesday 24/01/2024, one James Prince Victor ‘M’ (39 years) of Ohuhu Umuahia North, who claimed to be an EFCC personnel who also led the Man O War suspects to the student lodge at Enyioma Christ Lodge Umudike was arrested together with Chidozie Onwuzuruike ‘M’ (40 years) of same address.

Items recovered from them include, 4 red-coloured jackets with EFCC inscriptions, two EFCC ID Cards, One of the stolen phones, One toy gun, and Four EFCC search warrants.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Abia State University Uturu, ABSU, Prof. Godwin Emezue has been abducted by unidentified gunmen, ABN TV reports.

Prof. Emezue was abducted in a filling station around Umuekwule, Amachara in Umuahia South LGA where he has gone to refill his tank, along with his wife.

Sources told ABN TV that no fewer than three men had accosted him at the fuel station, dragging him into an already waiting Lexus SUV and collected his wife’s ATM card.

Prominent Abia citizens have continued to demonstrate solidarity with ABN TV following the invasion of the studio in Umuahia on Tuesday by policemen from the state command.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxmm-kakG6o

The latest is coming from the Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, Interpol Systems Consultant and security consultant, Sir Chikwe Udensi, member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Ibe Okwara Osonwa and others.

They condemned the action of the policemen, saying it is invasion of privacy and violation of rights.

The police personnel had during a live programme stormed the studio, forcefully taking a guest Mr Udensi Bernard who appeared on the programme ‘Youth Rendezvous’.

They claimed that a senior brother of Udensi had written a petition against him over a family matter.

Following the invasion, human rights groups, prominent personalities and civil society organizations have said the invasion is an attack on freedom of speech.

The Commissioner of Police in Abia State, CP Kene Onwuemelie has apologized to the management of ABN TV during a visit to ascertain equipment damaged during the invasion.

The Commissioner of Police Abia State Command, CP Kene Onwuemeile on Wednesday visited the broadcast studio of ABN TV/Radio located along Azikiwe road in Umuahia, the state capital.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxmm-kakG6o

The visit came 24 hours after come police officers from the command invaded the studio of the online TV and radio during a live programme.

They claimed to have acted on a petition written against one Udensi Bernard who was a guest at the live broadcast, Youth Rendezvous.

He was forcefully taken away and in the process, some broadcast equipment were damaged.

Repeated pleas by the staff of the media organization to allow the programme to come to an end before the guest could be arrested fell on a deaf ear as the policemen went ahead to abduct him in a Gestapo style.

CP Onwuemeile who arrived in the company of top officials of the command expressed sadness over the development.

The visibly angered police boss tendered apologies to the media organization, its management, and staff for the disruption of their routine activities geared towards the development of society.

He said the action of the four police officers does not represent the true image of the command, even as he urged every police officer in the state to work towards enhancing cordial relationship with civil populace.

The Commissioner of Police also promised to fix the damaged studio equipment.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bernard has since been released along with his friend Michael Idika who was initially locked up with him.

Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu has said the bags of rice he recently distributed to his constituents in Igbere, Bende local government area of the state was not donated by the federal government, AbnTV repots.

This is in response to the rumours that the bags of rice branded in the former Abia governor's image was donated to the Senate for distribution to their constituents.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pR11BHIMnjY

In a video release, Sen. Kalu, former Chief Whip of the Senate noted that the rice was sponsored by Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation, a custom he said the non-governmental organisation has upheld for decades.

"The rice I shared in Igbere, carrying my picture is a normal rice that Orji Uzor Kalu Foundation has been giving since 1986 and we used to share to the whole state — Abia North, South and Central and we also shared to less privileged persons in other parts of the country.

"It is not rice from the Senate. Today is 14th January 2024. If we will collect rice, unless we will collect it tomorrow but as of now, I have not collected any rice from the Senate", the lawmaker stated.

He said donations from NEMA had since been distributed, urging his constituent to ignore the rumour.

The former Governor had distributed 25,000 bags of rice and cash grants in Igbere, his hometown, to enable his constituents to celebrate the yuletide.

The Senator representing Abia North district, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu has admonished his constituents of Abia North and Nigerians in general to shun violence and other criminal activities, ABN TV reports.

The former Abia State Governor rather, urged them to develop their agricultural potential to uplift the Nigerian economy.

Kalu made the call at his home in Igbere while donating four security patrol vehicles to the Nigerian Police Force Area Commands and to the Igbere Vigilante group.

He noted that every Nigerian should be patriotic and should not engage in the destruction of lives and public properties, saying that those destroying public properties are making big mistakes.

The Senator who said that the Toyota Hilux vehicles he donated were funded from his personal pocket, urged the Nigerian Police Force in the benefiting Divisions to utilize them in fighting crime and securing the lives and property of the people.

Kalu said that he installed solar electricity in parts of Abia North, but regretted that some of the facilities were vandalized by hoodlums.

He however expressed the belief that the Nigerian Police and Igbere Vigilante group would now function optimally with the availability of the patrol vehicles.

The Senator who appealed to Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu to develop the country, identified crime, epileptic electricity, corruption, and economic challenges as Nigeria’s major headaches, and urged the President to tackle the problems.

Receiving the donated Vans, Abia State Commissioner of Police, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie said that his men in the benefiting Area Commands and Division have no more excuse to fail in their responsibility of securing lives and property.

The CP who directed his men in Ohafia, Isiukwuato, and Umunnochi to collaborate with local vigilante groups in information gathering and operations, thanked the Senator and Governor Alex Otti for supporting the Police and other security agencies.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has appealed to the people of South East to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu, saying the president is interested in the region's development.

Speaking virtually on the ‘South East Political Roundtable’, a current affairs radio programme on FLO FM in Umuahia on Tuesday monitored by AbnTV, the Deputy Speaker expressed concern on the continuous detention of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying his release is achievable.

He said the President needs to be convinced that the people of South East have realized that he (Tinubu) did not contribute anything to Nnamdi Kanu’s incarceration, urging that the government should be supported.

Kalu is also the initiator of the recently unveiled Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), a non-kinetic approach to achieving peace in the region.

“We are working underground. There’s a detailed strategy. It’s not by violence, you can’t coerce the government through violence. It has never worked and won’t work. Let’s be wiser. The wisdom is in peace. Let’s quench the violence.

“If it’s chaotic, it won’t work. Let’s cool down. Let the man see that you’ve recognised he didn’t contribute to locking him up and that he has not done anything to the southeast. We should support him and his government and not attack him.

“I’m standing firmly against the voice of violence, preaching peace. That is what I’m here for, this voice of peace will echo through the Villa and he will come out. Mr President was happy with what happened in Bende. That the whole country can gather together and support this project", he said.

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), says Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, will leave a legacy in governance that will be difficult to match.

The highly revered Yoruba leader spoke when he visited Governor Otti in his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia on Friday, December 29, 2023.

The Ooni was in Abia, where he attended a civic reception in honour of the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt—Hon. Benjamin Kalu, organised by his Bende community.

The event also witnessed the unveiling of the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P), an idea of Hon. Kalu, as part of the activities marking the grand civic reception, thanksgiving, and homecoming of the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House, held on Friday at Bende Local Government Headquarters.

Oba Ogunwusi, while fielding questions from the media during the visit, attested to the competence, character, and capacity of Governor Otti to deliver on his current assignment in Abia, Nwahiwe Chinonyerem Cleverson a Government House press officer said in a statement made available to AbnTV.

He said, “For me, it’s a red-letter day because I know who he (Governor Otti) is. It is not a relationship of now. I know his competence; I know his capacity and what he has delivered in the private sector. So we should rally round him and celebrate him because what he will deliver for the people of Abia will be very difficult to match.

“I have asked him privately, Your Excellency, there is something beyond winning, please share your legacies with me. What do you want the Abia people to know you for? He is somebody I became close to when he left banking and when he wasn’t a Governor and we shared thoughts and ideas. But I’m very fulfilled because he came prepared for the job. I am much more than convinced that he will deliver the dividends of democracy for the Abia people and by extension the Igbos and Nigeria as a country.

“He has the capacity; he has the competence, a very broad brain with ideas and things he wants to implement. So for me, I am here to pick his brain. Your Excellency, beyond winning, beyond celebration, what do you have on the table for the people? For the past two hours, we have been engaging one another, and I am very convinced that he is the same Dr. Alex Otti of yesteryears. In fact, much more better, a finer wine to deliver dividends of Democracy for the Abia people.”

The Ooni urged for prayers for Governor Otti, for sound health and long life to deliver his plans for the State, saying the Governor has a great plan for the state and knows what he is doing.

"He came prepared, so we should continue to support him. Forget that I came from the Southwest, he has been a brother. I call him my own Governor. I told a lot of people from the East, and even the traditional rulers today, you can call him your own son, but he is my Governor. I want to watch him succeed and that’s why I’m here.

“I have been looking forward to this and today, I am fulfilled. Irrespective of politics, irrespective of party, he is out there to be successful and by the very special grace of God, he will be successful. He will deliver great things for Abians,” the foremost Yoruba king said emphatically.

A former House of Assembly aspirant in Abia State and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of IGNES International, Hon. Ifeanyi Elvis Ogbonna has dumped the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) declaring for All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said this decision is borne out of a "deep conviction" that the APC aligns more closely with the principles and aspirations that drive his movement.

In a statement signed by his media director, Amb. Nwankwo Chisom, Ogbonna expressed confidence that under APC, his movement can forge a path towards a brighter future for the people of his constituency.

He said, "Throughout our political journey, our commitment has always been to serve the best interests of our constituents. We see this transition as a means to enhance our ability to positively impact the lives of the people we represent. The APC's commitment to good governance, inclusivity, and sustainable development resonates strongly with our own principles.

"As we embark on this new chapter, we extend our gratitude to our supporters who have been unwavering in their faith and dedication. We assure you that our commitment to your welfare and the development of our beloved state remains steadfast.

"Together, we will strive to build a stronger modern relationship in Abia State."

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti has signed into law the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N567.2 billion, recently passed by the State House of Assembly, AbnTV reports.

Governor Otti, while signing the bill on Thursday, December 28, 2023, said the 2024 Budget would move Abia from its current level of underdevelopment to development, chief press secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko [/b]said in a statement made available to AbnTV on Thursday.

[b]"I want to say that this is a budget that would take Abia State out of underdevelopment to development. The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. This is the first step, once we get things right, and we know we will get them right, the next few years will be Uhuru for all our people, those living here and those who come from here and our friends," the Governor was quoted to have declared.

He noted that the budget ratio of 84% for capital expenditure and 16% for recurrent was not a mistake but a deliberate plan to accelerate the growth of Abia's economy within a short space of time.

"That we devoted 84% of the budget to capital expenditure is not an error. If you went through the details of the budget, you will find out that every kobo we intend to borrow will go into infrastructure or be mapped out to infrastructure. Our discussions are on and we believe that as we require the funding, we will get them," he affirmed.

The Governor maintained that every money borrowed to finance the budget would be channeled to capital expenditure, adding that the budget is expected to excite foreign and local investment, spur large-scale and medium businesses, secure the State, and prepare Abia for the next level of development.

Governor Otti commended the Speaker and members of the State House of Assembly for a great job done, which led to the expeditious passage of the bill.

Earlier, the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, who affirmed that 84% of the budget is for capital expenditure while 16% is for recurrent expenditure, said that the budget would touch the lives of Abia people positively.

According to him the aim of passing the budget before the 31st of December 2023 is to ensure that the 2024 Budget becomes operational from the 1st of January 2024.

Barely two weeks after four children of the same parents were taken to an unknown destination by a tricycle driver, in Umuahia, while on their way to school, a female tenant who newly moved into an apartment has allegedly abducted four children belonging to three different parents.

The kids named Chioma, 6, Ogbonne, 6, Miracle, 5, and Joy, 3, were abducted by two unidentified tenants who moved into a compound at Uwalaka Street by Ossah Road in Umuahia, capital of Abia State.

AbnTV learnt that the alleged abductors in the latest case disguised as genuine tenants who rented and paid for a room in the building where the families lived.

After moving in, they immediately became friendly with the families, giving food and gifts to the children, and also playing around with them while perfecting their evil plans.

One of the grieving mothers, Mrs Ngozi Kingsley, stormed Flo 94.9 FM station in Umuahia to call for help, telling the public about her only daughter, Chioma, who was taken away.

Narrating her ordeal, while crying, she said: “I went to the market as usual and left my children with my sister, who visited with her two children. We had no water in the compound due to a lack of power supply, so my sister went to fetch water and took my son with her.

“When she returned, she discovered that my daughter Chioma, her two daughters, Ogbonne, and Joy, as well as my neighbour’s child, Miracle, were missing and the new tenants were nowhere to be found.”

Mrs Ifeanyi Uduma Ibe from Okon Ohafia in Ohafia LGA whose two children were kidnapped by the new tenants, said the alleged abductors were cooking and serving her children food and giving them other gifts from the day they packed into the compound.

According to her, the suspects became overly friendly with children in the compound, while parents were unaware of the plan to steal their children.

Mrs Ibe, who said her daughter, Joy, can be identified by a birthmark on her knee, said that the case has been reported to the Police.