₦airaland Forum

High Chief Ikechi Emenike, An Archetype of Statesmanship and Developmental Politics

By Uche Aguoru

The famous American author and philosopher, Sir Alfred Marshall said, and I quote "The most valuable of all capitals is that invested in human beings"

High Chief Ikechi Emenike is a renowned economist, respected statesman, Politician, international publisher, and patriot whose contribution to human capital development and growth stands immeasurable, and his selflessness has shaped the lives and future of many Abians.

The Ohuhu Umuahia North-born businessman and quintessence of veracious politics though highly misunderstood by many has used his political contacts and connections to impact positively on very many Abians from across the 17 local government areas of the state.

Reputed to be very thorough and firm, but has been proven to be very fair, warm, and amiable detests dishonesty, sycophancy, and a life of double standards.

High Chief Emenike plays developmental politics, and his human capital attractions are blind to clannish or tribal considerations, he is a selfless and compassionate leader who recognizes and empowers faithfulness, and loyalty.

The human capacity developmental milestones and footprints of this brilliant politician could be found across the 17 LGAs of the state from Ukwa East through to Arochukwu, there is no Local Government that High Chief Emenike has not empowered people with federal appointments and lucrative employments.

The attraction and realization of the Federal College of Education Ofeme, is an eloquent testimony among many other infrastructural developmental projects High Chief Emenike has attracted to the state, while many politicians are looking for personal benefits, he single-handedly pursued and got approval for the first and only Federal College of Education in the state.

Chief Emenike's political personality is defined by vision, honesty, resilience, tenacity, integrity, and purposefulness. This silent achiever possesses a mysticism that resonates even as he strives to attract human capital and infrastructural development across the state.

While many politicians are busy amassing wealth, Ikechi has been silently and selflessly contributing immensely towards the state's infrastructural and economic growth and development.

Aguoru
Is A Public Affairs Analyst

Pulling Down The Abia Lodge In Abuja, Time For Otti To Stop The Recklessness, Greed, And Plunder.

By Uche Aguoru

It sounds unreasonable that Governor Otti is pulling down the Abia Lodge in Abuja, which he has budgeted to rebuild at an exorbitant cost of 8.5 billion Naira, it is even more disturbing that he has announced the demolition of the newly built Government House in Umuahia.

While some of his aides and uninformed supporters may want to offer some blind support for the governor's illogical action, the fact is that his administration has become eerily consistent with financial recklessness, plundering, and straight-out of the kleptocratic playbook that his administration has come to be identified with.

Governments across the nation are working seriously hard to reduce expenditure by prioritizing only projects that impact directly on the improvement of people's living standards and welfare, I am at a loss on what Governor Otti wants to achieve by destroying a building that its integrity is still intact and standing and only recently refurbished and retrofitted with modern facilities and standards?

Abia under Otti has the infamous reputation of running the most expensive government East of the Niger at the same time, the citizens descend into poverty on a daily, while the majority of the residents cannot afford one decent meal a day, and the health facilities have been left to dilapidate with unemployment and crime hitting an all-time high.

It's concerning that a Governor, who has openly complained that the civil service payroll is still very huge and the reason he has significantly cut down the salaries of civil servants through unexplained taxes and has been unable to meet up with salaries of agencies, parastatals, and also forcing pensioners to forgo their pensions and entitlements while seriously considering further reduction of the state workforce after the initial sack of close to 20,000 Abians, even after a very huge improvement in the monthly allocation from the federation accounts is prioritizing the building of a new lodge in Abuja over the immediate needs at home.

The Lodge in Abuja was built by the Orji Kalu's government and has been maintained and kept standard and modern by preceding administrations, building a new lodge with 8 billion Naira when the citizens are facing severe hunger and poverty shouldn't be considered an immediate need especially when the Primary Health centers are non-functional, and primary and secondary school infrastructures are dilapidated and seeking immediate attention.


This decision has proven that Governor Alex Otti lacks compassion, empathy, and prudence in the management of state resources, and he is unwilling to shun self-aggrandizement and greed or sacrifice personal comfort and his profligate lifestyle for people's welfare.

With rising insecurity, poverty, and hunger in Abia, this decision highlights the disconnect between the government and the people. It is unacceptable and the people are demanding a more prudent and compassionate use of resources and priority for people's livelihood and welfare.

Governor Alex Otti, it's time to stop this greed, impunity, insensitivity, and waste of taxpayers' resources and refocus on the needs of the hungry and suffering Abians.

Aguoru
Is A Public Affairas Analyst

"The Only Crime I Committed Was Being Black" A Nigerian Born Canadian, Kanayo Nwachukwu, Laments R@cial Discrimination In A Train Ride In Canada


Narrating his ordeal Mr. Kanayo Nwachukwu, an Ohuhu Umuahia North Born Canadian Citizen laments how he was abandoned at a border by a r@cist bus driver and the Canadian authorities tried to cover for the racist driver for the simple reason that he was black


According to Kaanayo Nwachukwu, "I was dumped in the middle of nowhere" after taking the tunnel bus across the border and visiting the customs office in Canada.

"The only… crime I committed was being Black."

Nwachukwu says he got late notice of his son's graduation date and so rushed back from a business trip in Atlanta to attend the ceremony on June 26.

He says the driver of a bus he took from the Detroit Metropolitan Airport suggested he use the tunnel bus to get across the border to Windsor to pick up his rental car and complete his trip to St. Thomas.

When he first boarded the tunnel bus, he says he asked to pay with a $50 US bill but the driver, who was white, informed him he had to use exact change to board the bus.

"The way he answered me, it was like we were already having a problem before," Nwachukwu said.

During the exchange, Nwachukwu says the driver also repeatedly said something to the effect of "Who knows what the customs are gonna hold you for?"

"I said, 'Sir, I am a Canadian citizen, I am not a criminal, I have never committed crimes before, so I don't know why you are thinking this.'"

Nwachukwu says the driver raised his voice and "practically" kicked him off the bus.

Tunnel Bus in Windsor
Transit Windsor says the Tunnel Bus runs on a scheduled route and its driver does not take counts. (CBC)
He then had to wait an hour for the bus to return during which time he got change to pay for the bus. He says when he boarded he noticed it was the same driver.

Once they arrived at the customs facility on the other side of the tunnel Nwachukwu says he held the door for people to go ahead of him, including the driver.

He says he cleared customs last but when he and Dewayne Boyd, who was right in front of him in line came out, the bus was gone with no announcement.

"I was completely disoriented. I didn't know Windsor," he said.

"We looked around [and] we couldn't find the bus.

"He didn't leave the other white people in the bus behind. He left only the two Black people in his bus behind."

A couple of days later, as Nwachukwu returned to Detroit to fly back to Atlanta, he encountered the same tunnel bus driver on the way back and asked if there had been a mistake or some sort of miscommunication. He says the driver told him there was a rule that he could only wait for three minutes at the border.

He also says that he told the driver he didn't understand why it was only the Black passengers that were left behind and at that point the driver told him to 'just walk out and go."

"He told me 'just walk out and go'."

Nwachukwu told the CBC he was only in the customs office for about five minutes or so.

Football fans cross border to take in NFL Draft
Windsor's event tunnel bus to Detroit is back in service
While a spokesperson for Transit Windsor said the outcome of its investigation was that the complaint was "unfounded," the agency did not directly address whether it was referring Nwachukwu's allegations of racial discrimination.

Tyson Cragg, the executive director of Transit Windsor, says the tunnel bus runs on a fixed route on a schedule and does not take passenger counts.

"Because Transit Windsor has no control or influence over the processing of passengers by [Canada Border Services Agency], once the bus has waited out its time, it departs on its regular route," Cragg wrote in a statement to CBC News.

"A passenger who is left behind due to a delay in CBSA processing would have to take the next bus or find alternative arrangements."

Different experiences
Nwachukwu says Boyd helped him out by paying for an Uber to get him to the airport, where he was picking up a rental car.

Boyd says he didn't have any sort of negative interaction with the driver before arriving at the border.

"[Nwachuku] wanted to say that the guy acted this way toward him particularly because he was Black," Boyd told the CBC.

"I was telling [Nwachukwu], hey brah. We go through this practically every day of our lives here, particularly in America."

Boyd said his experiences in Canada have been much different.

"From our perspective, being in the Detroit area and Windsor just across the river, it's just a world of difference in that kind of attitude.

"I said 'Maybe the driver is just having a bad day.'"

Nwachukwu says Transit Windsor never responded to an email he sent asking for an investigation.

"I just don't know why he would treat me that way," Nwachukwu said.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here.

I received the news of the signing into law of the South East Development Commission Act by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a dream come true.

The bill is a visionary initiative meant to foster development across the region, we have suffered a lot of underdevelopment as a direct fallout of the effects of the civil war and deliberate neglect and marginalization.

The degree of dilapidation, and economic and infrastructural decay the region has experienced became very concerning, it fired my passion for politics and I am glad a young man and a visionary in the person of Rt. Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shares a similar vision, passion, conviction, and interest for regional development.

Let me commend Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu and all the legislators who in one way or another contributed towards making this wonderful and memorable achievement that will accelerate the transformation of the southeast region a reality.

I will not fail to appreciate President Bola Tinubu who has proved his sincere interest in the overall development of the southeast region by signing this significant bill into law.

This is a testimony that the President is a leader who values equity, and justice and is determined to right the wrongs done to the region by previous administrations.

When established the commission will be charged with the responsibilities of reconstructing and rehabilitating roads, houses, and other economic and infrastructural damage the region has suffered.

This commission If well administered will precipitate inclusive development of the zone and assist our region back on the road to inclusive economic and infrastructural development and can put to rest, the restiveness and separatist agitation that heightened insecurity in the region.

Thank you, Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu
Thank you, our National Assembly members
Thank you Jagaban
May Ala Igbo Succeed

Sign.....
H/Excellency Mayor Lucky Obinwa Igbokwe
(Don Lulu)

The Traditional Ruler of Umudiawa Ancient Kingdom HRM Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu has described the signing into law of the Southeast Development Commission Bill as the best gift that has ever been gifted to Ndigbo since the end of the civil war.

In a Press Release signed by the Chairman of Southeast Progressive Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, and made available to the press, he commended President Tinubu and Rt. Hon. Ben Kalu, the Royal father stated that the bill will serve as a significant milestone in the post-civil war reconstruction of Igbo land and would address the long-standing developmental gaps, he pleaded with Igbos to shun the planned protest.

Full Text.........

HRM Eze Ofoegbu Commends President Tinubu, Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu for Southeast Development Commission Bill, Call On Igbos Not To Join Planned Protest.
The passing into law of the Southeast Development Act is the best gift the Nigerian nation has gifted to the Igbo nation since the end of the civil war, on behalf of the Southeast Progressive Traditional Rulers Council, I am gladdened that for the first time in the nation's history, the federal government is prioritizing the development of the southeastern region.

Let me use this medium to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the speedy assent to the bill which is a testament to the president's sincerity and interest in the development and welfare of the Igbo land, we are also grateful to our worthy son the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu for his thoughtfulness, passion, and love for the Igbo nation which ignited his sponsorship of the bill, we pray that history will be kind to him.

This is a significant milestone in the post-civil war reconstruction of the region, and we are certain it will to a large degree address the long-standing developmental gaps in the Southeast and also scale down the Biafran agitation.

It is public knowledge that what has strengthened the agitation and insecurity in the region has been the long-term neglect and marginalization of the zone.
This is what the average Igbo man has been clamoring for and the basis upon which some of our sons began the separatism.

I thank Mr. President for this gift and call on the National Assembly to structure the organization in such a format that the traditional institution will be incorporated into the running of the body since we are the closest and the custodians of the people.

I won't fail to commend our worthy sons in the National Assembly for the cohesion demonstrated by them without which we wouldn't have the opportunity of marking this pivotal moment.

As we celebrate this historic feat, I want to call on Mr. President to please for the sake of humanity release our son Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to us, he has suffered enough, and we learnt that his health has been affected. we will continue to support and pray for you. While urging you to please continue the good works you are doing.

I call on Ndi Igbo across the federation to please shun the temptation to join any protest as it will not be in the interest of Ndi Igbo and Nigeria in general but rather give President Tinubu the chance to redeem the country.

Sign.

HRM Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu, the Oroko Abia,
Diawa Of Umudiawa Kingdom, Umuahia,
Abia State.

Chairman
Southeast Progressive Traditional Rulers Council.

Given the insecurity that has bedeviled Abia State under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti, Barr. James Okpara has expressed concern over the inability of the government to arrest the incessant killings of security personnel and innocent citizens that has now become a regular occurrence in the state.

In a press release made available to Newsmen by Barr. James Okpara media team, the frontline aspirant to the chairmanship seat of the PDP and a legal icon decried government's lack of ideas on how to tackle the security challenge and advised Governor Otti to stop playing politics with security but scale up investment in the security of lives and properties of Abians.


Press Release.....



INSECURITY IN ABIA STATE TIME FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO GET A GRIP

For a sustained period, the level of insecurity, killings and lawlessness in Abia State has become unprecedented and the violence is spiraling out of control. The insecurity in Abia State is worrisome to all Abians in particular and Nigerians in general.

Abia State which before now had for many years been the most peaceful in Nigeria where no armed robbery, kidnappings, killing of members of the armed forces, police men and innocent civilians has now turned into a killing field.

Yesterday SundayJuly 21st in Aba, an inspector of police, three civilians and two unidentified armed men were killed. About 2 weeks before yesterday, two police men were killed in Aba and before that time 5 soldiers were killed.

The list of killings in Aba and other parts of the state is seemingly endless and it appears that there is no end to these killings.

These deaths are one person too much and it appears that the government has no grip or control over this dangerous and sustained insecurity in Abia State. Residents of Abia State and visitors to Abia rightfully fear for their lives and properties. one can touch and feel the tension and apprehension amongst Abiansover these killings and insecurity which this government has seemingly lost control over.

Whilst some analysts point to the alleged activities of some separatist movements in Abia State, others point to the draconian policies of the present government whereby thousands of Abians have been sacked by this government and thousands also have lost their
places of business and residence due to their being demolished by thisgovernment.

Thousands of workers in the transport and allied businesshave lost their business due to the multiple taxes, levies and dues that they pay to Abia State government and her agencies. Businesses are taxed massively and far above their capacities.

Government policies must have human face. The business of government is neither to make profitnor maximize profit.

The first duty of government is to provide security and guarantee the welfare of her citizens every other thing is secondary.

We should remember that there is serious multiplier effect to the thousands of Abians who have lost their jobs and means of employments and livelihood by the policies and actions of this government.

Their families and dependents are directly and negatively impacted by the loss of jobs and sources of livelihood.

There is pervasive hunger and poverty in Abia State. The cost of living is unbearably too high and unaffordablefor Abians.

Government is a continuum and there is nothing wrong in this government seeking advice from those who have served in previous administrations about how security challenges were sorted out.

We are also of the view that there must be a bottom to top review of the security apparatus in Abia State. The style of having fixed security checkpoint is anachronistic, obsolete and inefficient.

Criminals know where these points are and simply avoid them whilst knowing precisely where security agents are stationed at each
time which makes them vulnerable to attacks.

Fixed security or stationary check points is akin to the Maginot line which spectacularly failed the French against the Germans during the second world war.

Static security points do not work In other climes, the armed forces are not involved in internal security because they are not trained for it.

Internal security is not the forte of armed forces. Internal security is the business of the police and intelligence agencies statutorily established and trained for that purpose.

The armed forces are not trained to gather internal intelligence or fight urban warfare. Armed forces are trained to defend the country against external aggression and foreign attacks.

Intelligence gathering is the work of the police and the D.S.S in Nigeria. The Abia State government should invest more in the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the police and theD.S.S in Abia State.

We also suggest that the government should seriously invest in the re-training, equipping and reorganizing of the Abia State Vigilante services. It is a fact that Bakassi Boys are good at intelligence gathering in view of the fact that they live in the communities and mingle freely with the inhabitants of the communities.

Bakassi Boys have sources that the police and armed forces may not have. We encourage thegovernment to review her policies which has caused serious social and economic fractures and dislocations in Abia State.

There is also a need to get Town Associations, Landlord and Tenants Associations, Trade and Merchant Unions seriously engaged in efforts
to fight criminality andviolence.

These institutions have unlimited reach and intelligence gathering abilities. They know who is doing what in their societies and
should be included in the security apparatus and programmes of thegovernment.

With insecurity, there are little or no economic activities because of fearfor life and insecurity of investments and properties.

Social and community activities are also severely and negatively affected. Insecurity is an ill-wind that blows no good to anybody and the government is encouraged to rejig and rethink her security strategies and operations.

Nobody has the monopoly of knowledge and the government should engage in wide consultations and collaborations with every
strata of the society to solve this security crisis we have in our dear Abia State.

We condole with the family and all the members of police force, armed forcesand civilians who have lost their loved ones in these mindless violence.

May the souls of those who fell in active service to their fatherland rest in peace in the bosom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen



Barr. James Okpara Media Team.

Ezeship Tussle: Court Fixes July 18th For Hearing As Community Vows To Resist Imposition of An Unpopular Candidate.

The Ezeship tussle in Umuyota Autonomous community of Umuahia north LGA, Abia state has taken another dimension, as the High Court sitting in Umuahia is set to hear a motion on notice filed by Chief Adimchinobi Abraham, restraining The Abia state Governor, The Chairman Umuahia North LGA, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Attorney General of Abia state, Dr. Sylvester Ibeleme, Maxwell Ugo Nwosu, Chief Okechukwu Ogbonna, Chief Jonathan Ogbonna from presenting Chief Sunny Nlewedim as the Eze Elect of Umuyota Autonomous Community pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The suit also seeks to restrain Chief Sunny Nlewedim from parading himself as the Eze Elect of Umuyota Autonomous Community, an order of injunction restraining the state governor from presenting Chief Sunny Nlewedim will also be heard.

Chief Abraham is also asking the court to issue an order asking the parties mentioned in the suit to maintain the status quo until the determination of the substantive suit.

Mr. Chikamara Metu, the youth leader of Umuokorafor Umuyota said since the death of the late Eze Nwakanma, our community has been without a Traditional Ruler and the people were making frantic efforts to bring not just an Eze but one who will have the support of the people and that was why after due consultation and considerations our people went to plead with Chief Adimichinobi Abraham to come and be our Eze, he said Chief Abraham enjoys the support of the youths, women, children and every well-meaning member of the Umuyota Autonomous Community and the youths will do everything within our legitimate reach to ensure that he emerges as our Eze, we will make sure that those working against the wish of the majority of Umuyota indigenes cannot succeed

Also, a community leader who spoke with our reporter on condition of anonymity said, Chief Abraham is an illustrious son of our community who has shown tremendous generosity and brought meaningful development, he has been giving our children scholarships, assisted financially in every community development project, and also took a special interest in the welfare of almost every member of our community, we will not allow a few people whose interest is only on immediate pecuniary gains to derail the wishes of the greater members of the community.

Madam Mgbechikwere, a septuagenarian said, Chief Abraham is the people's choice, and we stand by him, "Watch what will happen, youths, women, and even the elderly members of the community will match with him to the court, and if given the opportunity we will tell the court that Chief Abraham is our choice"

Mr. Chikamara called on the Chairman of Umuahia North H/Chief Victor Ikeji PhD, and the Abia state Governor Dr. Alex Otti to restore calm and order in Umuyota by handing over the staff of office to Chief Abraham as the monarch.

The case comes up for hearing on Thursday the 18th of July 2024 at the High Court Umuahia

In a message written by Barrister James Okpara, a frontline aspirant for the chairmanship seat of the PDP in Abia state, the Legal luminary has cautioned the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa to immediately swear in Hon. Aaron Uzodike whom the courts declared as the rightful winner of the Aba North state constituency election.

He described the speaker's refusal to swear in Uzodike as part of the despotic, authoritarian, and undemocratic governance that Labour Party has come to be identified with, he stated that the speaker is exhibiting brazen lawlessness, gross dereliction of his duties and unbridled arrogance, and declared that Abians will no longer tolerate such undemocratic tendencies.

Full Text........

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH......

Speaker of ABHA must swear in Hon Aaron Uzodike immediately or be removed from Office.

The unlawful and unjustified refusal of the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly to swear in Hon Aaron Uzodike the duly elected member representing Aba North State Constituency is mind-boggling and befuddling.

Hon Uzodike went through the whole process of litigation after the election and finally, the Court of Appeal which is the apex court in election matters for the NASS elections declared him the WINNER and INEC gave him the Certificate of Return.

In any decent and lawful society,the next action would have been his swearing in. For the past seven months,the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly has bluntly refused to do his job by swearing in Hon Aaron Uzodike who is the duly elected member of Abia State House of Assembly for Aba North State Constituency.

There is no litigation, lawful or constitutional impediment stopping the swearing-in of Hon Aaron Uzodike by the Speaker. What the Speaker is doing in refusing to swear in Aaron Uzodike is brazen lawlessness,gross dereliction of his duties and unbridled arrogance. The contempt that the Speaker has for all norms of decency and legislative behaviour is unparalleled in the comity of states. The Speaker by his actions has denied the people of Aba North State Constituency representation in the Abia State House of Assembly which is their undeniable constitutional right.

Emeruwa's actions in refusing to swear in Aaron Uzodike is part of the despotic, authoritarian, and undemocratic governance that Labour Party has inflicted on Abia State and ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

This is the same modus of lawlessness, disdain and contempt for due process,fairness and disregard for parliamentary rules and procedures that Labour Party which is one of the minority parties in Abia House of Assembly applied to manufacture the Speaker and other principal members of the Abia State House of Assembly despite and in spite of the fact that PDP is the majority Party in Abia State House of Assembly.

There was nothing democratic about how Emeruwa became the Speaker of Abia House of Assembly and since then he has been enmeshed in Leadership crisis and beholden to those who imposed and forced him on the members of the Abia State House of Assembly.

In the same vein, duly accredited journalists to the Abia State House of Assembly were ordered out of a press conference to be addressed by the Speaker without any reason or explanation. The reason for this draconian and autocratic action can not be divorced from the fact that the said journalists and their employer have been engaging in fair and objective comments and questioning of both the Executive and Legislative arms of the Labour party Abia State Government.

Democracy requires accountability and if you do not like the heat,do not enter the kitchen. We have not forgotten how this same Labour Party for years did nothing else but engage in unjustified criticisms and vilification of the PDP government of Abia State and nothing was done to them.

It is now clear to Abians and Nigerians that Labour Party is an undemocratic party and a personality cult.

Emeruwa must swear in Aaron Uzodike or be removed from office. It is crystal clear now why Abia State House of Assembly cannot act as a check and balance to the Executive.

The Speaker is not worthy to occupy this exalted office and should resign.

Barr James Kwubiri Okpara Media Team

Hon. Demian Igbokwe has commended the Minority Whip of the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Osita Ngwu for his efforts in attracting quality international capacity-building programs for members of his Senatorial District.

In his closing remarks Hon. Demian Igbokwe, the Special Adviser to the Senate Minority Whip, who led the Nigerian delegation to China for a seminar/training on Inclusive Growth and Poverty Reduction for Developing Countries by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on behalf of his principal Sen. Osita Ngwu, thanked the Chinese government for their efforts across the globe in supporting the growth of developing nations, and expressed gratitude to God for the success of the program. he stated that programs of this nature make room for Increased collaboration and productivity, innovation and creativity, improved strategic planning and decision-making ability, enhanced adaptation power and resilience, and also Fulfilled stakeholder expectations.

Hon. Igbokwe stated that facilitating the foreign training is one of Senator Ngwu's efforts towards ensuring human capacity building for greater height for Enugu West Senatorial District and Nigeria at large.

The program which was funded by the World Bank, UNDP, and the Chinese government through the Chinese Ministry of Commerce started on the 13th and ended on the 27th of June 2024, is centered on building capacity for participating developing countries on the policies and steps taken by China to overcome poverty and develop into what the country has grown to become.

During the program, participants were taken for fieldwork across some provinces where the Chinese government has made tremendous efforts to alleviate the poverty of citizens.

At the end of the program, participants were equipped with improved capacity to begin a better navigation of their activities for poverty alleviation.

Senator Ngwu, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District took time to harness competent and qualified academics and resource persons including PhD holders and professors to attend the seminar, it is expected that the knowledge acquired from the seminar if implemented would help the federal government to alleviate poverty, and fast-track expected results in other related economic enhancement programs.

He also plans to activate a Train the Trainers scheme, whereby the knowledge acquired by the trainees would be transferred to many persons in Enugu West Senatorial District and Nigeria at large.

Alex Otti Is Campaigning For PDP - Barr. Olugu Kalu Ugba. (Isi Bu Mba)

A frontline aspirant to the chairmanship seat of the Peoples Democratic Party Chief Barrister Olugu Kalu Ugba (Isibumba) has stated that the party is on a mission to reinvent the party and put the party back to winning ways.

Chief Kalu Ugba, while speaking with newsmen at his Umuahia residence said the party took a lot of things for granted having been in leadership for a long time.

"Right now the people are prepared to elect their own leaders and in the spirit of returning power to the people as propagated by the founding fathers of the PDP, round pegs will be put in round holes," he said the party is now here to return power to the people and that the people will elect their own leaders to ensure quality people-oriented leadership.

Barrister Kalu Ugba said, Governor Alex Otti, is campaigning for the PDP to return to power because of poor leadership, and because he is not doing enough for the people, his policies are draconian and scaring investors, and people are laid off from work, and the people have tried both ways and have seen that the PDP is better.

The former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor stated that he has the backing of the people and that for the very first time, PDP is taking its leadership campaign to the people and people will choose who will lead the party through a people-oriented process.

He assured that if elected, he would start from the ward to the state level in his reconciliation program those who left the party would return because according to him PDP is the only party in Abia and those who left are waiting for the party to get it right by electing him and they will return to the party.

Otti's Adoption Of Hitler's Leadership Style And Principles Is Evil And Inhuman.

By Uche Aguoru

Let me start by congratulating my brother and friend Ukuoha Njoku Ukoha on his appointment as the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Otti and I must not fail to let you know that the job you ascribed to is not a mean feat but rather a challenging accomplishment that requires considerable effort, skill, resources, and discipline.

I noticed that in your first assignment as the Chief Press Secretary, you devoted time to respond to my measured missive to my Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, where I advised him to please stop using Adolph Hitler's policies, leadership style, and principles as his governance standards and also went further to point out the humongous roguery and pilfering of states resources using unquantifiable subheads going on under his watch and approval which Abians and even Non-Abians have seen and noticed each time the government releases its quarterly fiscal report, but sadly, it is very unfortunate reading his response to me through his Chief Press Secretary that my governor is still insistent and has no regret applying the Hitler principles as propounded by Joseph Goebbels the chief propagandist for the Nazi Party and Hitlers long-standing follower and ally who propagated and defended the killing of Six million Jews during the holocaust.

Let me pardon Mazi Ukoha's naivety, maybe out of blind support, he hasn't taken a close study of Governor Otti's leadership ideology which is derived from Hitlers Nazi party persecutory, suffering, and exclusionary laws that are extremely antisemitic and promotes persecution and systematic state-sponsored killing of six million Jewish men, women, children and millions of others by Nazi Germany and its collaborators.

But before I delve into the meat of the issue, I will advise for the sake of decorum and decency that you understand you are firstly the spokesman of the governor and his image maker and you have to communicate his activities and policies using the most decent of languages.

Your Job as a Press Secretary is to collect information about actions and events within the governor's administration and issue the governor's reactions to developments and this must be done using the finest of languages and not Ikonu, given this background, your use of words such as "orgasm and Masturbation" in your official communication to the world in your capacity as the Chief Press Secretary leaves much to be desired and brings the office and personality of the governor to a very big low unless, of course, the governor enjoys motor park style of communication "WHO KNOWS"?

But then inorder to preserve the image of the governor and the government of Abia State ethics must be applied while doing your job and you must not resort to vulgarity and use of indecent words in public spaces no matter how tempting not even under the influence of "Premium Whiskey"

With my governor having fully adopted the devil-inspired principles of Adolph Hitler, Let me appeal to your conscience if there is still one, my brother and friend, Ukoha Njoku, can you please explain to Abians why the government you serve derives so much pleasure in the impoverishment and suffering of Abians?

“Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”, this is a law of propaganda attributed to Joseph Goebbels your government's role model in propaganda

What offense did the Abia pensioners commit that Dr. Otti is forcing them to forfeit their pensions and entitlements and at the same time lying against them that he has cleared their nine years of pension arrears?

If not for the strict application of Hitler's leadership principles, why would Governor Otti in the face of the intense poverty, ravaging hunger, and severe hardship in Abia, refuse to show empathy to Abia civil servants by approving wage awards or other forms of palliatives to cushion the effects of the hardship but will cumulatively expend Eleven Billion Naira of taxpayers money for Refreshments, Meals, Whiskey, Nkwobi, peppers soup and running of his Umuru Nvosi Government House within nine months?

Why will Julius Berger charge 2.45 billion naira for one kilometer of road in Rivers State despite the complexities associated with road construction because of the challenging terrain of swamps, rivers, and creeks and turn around to charge 5.4 billion naira per kilometer of road in Abia? "My brother E Get as E Be"

Since Okey Kanu the commissioner for information is lost and could not afford answers to my initial posers let me also repeat for the sake of emphasis, since you are in a better position to know as the governor's spokesman

Where are these multi-billion naira facilities Governor Otti claimed to have built located in Abia?

1. The #3.4bn ICT center.
2. The #6.1bn Research and Capacity Building Center
3. The #3.77bn Office Buildings
4. The #4.57bn Public Schools
5. The #2.8bn Governor's Vehicles
6. The #1.6bn Agric Facility
7. The #2bn Hospital

While struggling to respond or find answers to my honest question as a concerned Abian, I must appreciate you because I know how difficult it is to defend a governor who made propaganda and deceit the policy fulcrum of his government and conceals vital information including the cost of contract awards to his media managers, but let me indulge you to allow your conscience to be your guide as I wish you well in this very difficult assignment of defending a government that has refused to be open and honest even to its media managers.

Aguoru
Is A Public Affairs Analyst

I read a piece titled "THE PDP's WEB OF DECEIT AND THE LIMITS OF PROPAGANDA" written by Mr Okey Kanu, Governor Otti's Commissioner for information where he repeated a quote by - Joseph Goebbels "THERE WILL COME A DAY WHEN ALL THE LIES WILL COLLAPSE UNDER THEIR OWN WEIGHT AND THE TRUTH WILL AGAIN TRIUMPH"

For the benefit of those who may not know "Joseph Goebbels" was Adolph Hitler's ally and long-standing follower who propagated and defended the killing of Six million Jews during the holocaust, Goebbels, alongside his boss Hitler was directly responsible for that genocide and the quotes from this devilish character is what serves as an inspiration to Governor Otti and his style of government. it is therefore not surprising why his administration lacks empathy.

Paul Joseph Goebbels was chief propagandist for the Nazi Party, and then Reich Minister of Propaganda from 1933 to 1945. He was one of Adolf Hitler's closest and most devoted followers, known for his skills in public speaking and his deeply virulent antisemitism which was evident in his publicly voiced views.

Goebbels advocated progressively harsher discrimination, including the extermination of the Jews in the Holocaust. shockingly no government across the globe apart from Governor Otti of Abia state will want to align with the thinking and policy style of Hitlers Nazy Germany and this is very scary and accounts for the mindset of the Otti administration towards Abians.

Governor Otti we are not unaware of your intolerance to opposition and criticism and your plans to infiltrate the PDP using all those elements that conspired against the party to give you the undue advantage you had in the last election.

It's not lost on us how you, in connivance with well-known conspirators within the PDP fold are planning to weaken and possibly factionalize the party

Governor Otti why are you afraid of the PDP?

It's a globally acknowledged fact that the Abia PDP despite your efforts and evil machinations to weaken it remains the only strong and potent opposition to your government, and has exposed the huge financial malfeasance, ridiculous inflation of contract amounts, and corrupt activities that have characterized your government, PDP is fighting to keep democracy alive in Abia state, what we have today under your leadership is not democracy but dictatorship, a situation where the governor approves and disburse funds from his bedroom without recourse to the house of assembly, how will one explain the embarrassment that happened at the legislative chamber a few days ago where the speaker was threatening to cancel a deal with INNOSON Motors without knowing that the company is yet to receive payment one year after?

My governor suspending your Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okonkwo, and making her the fall guy does not address the questions of humongous corruption and stealing that has become the hallmark of your administration, the fiscal irresponsibility and official roguery exposed through the quarterly financial reports published in the states official website is mind-blowing.

The suspension of Dr. Okonkwo and Pastor Dike Nwankwo is nothing but a smokescreen, Abians are aware that 4 other commissioners that you cannot muster the courage to touch because of the information at their disposal are under probe for offenses bordering on financial impropriety, the fiscal irresponsibility being experienced under your watch is what have hindered anti-kleptocracy efforts and created new corruption opportunities for state officials and their enablers, My governor can you be bold and tell the world the real reason you removed your Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Kazie Uko and what is his connection to the former Health Commissioner and alleged corruption charges?

Under your watch in just one year, wasteful expenditures, plundering of resources, insensitivity to plights of citizens, egoistic squandering of state resources on self, hatred, and nepotism have been elevated to official state policies.

You have shown that your campaign promises of transparency and financial prudence are mere rhetoric and your intentions are different from your words, what we have in Abia today are weakened institutions and a powerful dictator without empathy who enjoys seeing the poor civil servant and common Abian suffer, at no time have Abians been more impoverished and financially ruined than now.

According to Governor Otti's commissioner for information, the administration gave transparency as the reason his government announced the suspension of Dr. Okonkwo, my simple question to you, is why is it that you have not announced the cost of projects since you assumed office as the state's image maker?

Why are Abians kept in the dark about the cost of projects being done under a government that claims to be transparent?

Lest I forget, Abians have applied both native and artificial intelligence in their search for these multi-billion naira facilities you claimed to have built.

1. The #3.4bn ICT center.
2. The #6.1bn Research and Capacity Building Center
3. The #3.77bn Office Buildings
4. The #4.57bn Public Schools
5. The #2.8bn Governor's Vehicles
6. The #1.6bn Agric Facility
7. The #2bn Hospital

Governor Otti, If there is anybody who deserves a suspension for corruption, my Governor it is you.

Aguoru
Is A Public Affairs Analys

KPMG on 2nd of March 2024 submitted their final report on the Provision of process review services of the Abia state government to the Governor through the Accountant General of Abia State Mrs Njum Onyemenam.

The report covered the period from the 29th of May 2015 to the 28th of May 2023. Page 2 of the 360-page report has restrictions and caveats on the distribution of this report as they stated that it is a mere process review and never a forensic audit as it's inconclusive.

The Abia state government has been trying to fly kites using this report to portray the past administration of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu as being reckless in the management of Abia state funds during the period under review.

They started with the N10b Contractor Finance Scheme initially earmarked for the Abia Airport project which was later redirected and cancelled as funds were channeled towards payments of local contractors for road projects. Even when evidential documents were produced, contractors' names stated and identified, and the amounts paid were made public, the Government of Alex Otti continued in their blackmail just to paint a different picture whereas worse situations are going on as evidenced in their financial report of Q4 of 2023 and Q1 of 2024 as stated and hoisted on Abia state website ( abiastate.gov.ng )

The KPMG report on page 30 sub 2.4 under the Executive Summary as attached stated that the total collection and utilization of funds from the Federation Account Committee (FAAC ) for the period under review was N468,357,645,293.64.

Under the same Executive Summary page, 31 Sub 2.6 as attached stated that total IGR (Internally Generated Revenue) stood at 82,610, 062,726.79. All these represent about 90% of expected revenue within the period under review, it now beats every discerning mind's imagination how N1.9 trillion was manufactured by Alex Oti and his co-travelers as never in the report did KPMG mention such figures in the whole of the 360-page report.

The attached documents (which represent the sectoral analysis of Abia receipts) are from the Abia State financial report as approved, signed, and sealed by past and present Accountant Generals and Commissioners of finance of the state. This report as hoisted on the Abia state website represents the financial position of the state at various times from 2015 to 2022, It has been summarized and analyzed as follows.

Total Revenue which includes revenues from FAAC allocation and IGR Internally Generated Revenue 2015 to 2022 stood at N597,462, 453.105.67.

From the data above N216.679.541.267.70 was used as Salaries (Personnel Cost.

N251,330, 156,108.34 was used for Capital project payment.

N158.679.675.678.86 was used as Overhead.

While these figures may have little variations to the last kobo in summation, at least, it gives a picture of what Abia got during the period under review. We are convinced Abia state government under Dr Okezie Ikpeazu never received more than N630b (Gross figure) as FACC, VAT allocation or loans and Grants. The 360-page KPMG report never mentioned any figure higher than N550b as a total receipt as stated on pages 30 and 31of the KPMG report . The question begging Gov Otti and his co-travelers is how he arrived at N1.9 trillion being total receipts, not to talk of being misappropriated.

We are not ignorant of the unending efforts of the present government to paint a bleak picture of the administration of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu instead of focusing on the job which they were voted for. It is instructive to note that within 9 months of Gov Otti's administration, a whooping sum of about N300b has passed through the government. N160b being the total receipt of both FAAC and JAAC from June 2023 to March 2024 as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) report and Debt Management Office (DMO), the N100b naira borrowed from Access Bank of which Craneburg Construction owned by late Herbert Wigwe got N50b and N45b from Union Bank using the JACC account as security there denying Local Government Transition Committee Chairmen unrestrained access to the local government funds as promised during the campaigns.

Abians are yet to witness the kind of positive changes commensurate with the volume of funds received by the government. Today, Abia state government receives on the average N15b monthly outside the IGR of 1b. This is against an average of N7B received by the State within the period under review.

Abia workers including Pensioners are still being owed as stated in the NLC letter to the Governor (View Attached Letter) and so much noise about infrastructural development is only on social media as most of the things we see are mere road Patchings and maintenance of existing roads, borrowing their words "retrofitting" projects.

Abia state during the period of Okezie Ikpeazu never received half of the amount stated by Premium Times as allocation or revenue within the 8 years and with the explanations as contained in the summary sheet, Governor Alex Otti should reduce lies, propaganda, and blame game, and focus on his job as Abians eagerly expect the "NEW ABIA" that he promised.

Uche Aguoru
Is A public Affairs Analyst and commentator.

Abia Politics Of Hate And Bitterness, A Historical Perspective.

By Uche Aguoru

It's quite amusing how some people have been struggling to wear a clannish toga to the politics of bitterness and hatred going on in Abia state.

Shockingly, I have read some of our Ngwa brothers blame people from the old Bende for the attacks and insults being hauled at Dr. Ikpeazu in the media.

For clarity, those who initiated and orchestrated the attacks, insults, and abuses on the person of Dr. Ikpeazu are his Ngwa brothers.
I have yet to see any individual from Old Bende who has hauled a quarter of the measure of the vulgar attacks and malignment on Dr.Ikpeazu's image and family more than Hon. Dannie Ubani.

No other politician in the history of Abia state had launched the volume of abusive campaigns the way Hon. Ginger Onwusibe did to the former governor, and the last time I checked, they were his Ngwa brothers.

The present government in Abia state led by Dr. Alex Otti, has encouraged and elevated bitterness and hate, making it an unofficial state policy. To fully understand the origin of hate and bitterness that has permeated the fibers of Abia politics, one must take a journey back to history beginning from the M I Okpara era.

Dr. Michael Okpara, a revered leader who was loved by many governed the Eastern Region as its premier, an entire geographical sphere that covers what is today known as South East and part of South-South, though highly respected, his arch-political rival then was Dr. JOJ Okezie, his Ibeku brother in the present-day Umuahia North LGA, history has it that their rivalry was very tense and bitter and most often degenerated into physical exchange of blows between the supporters of Dr. Okpara and those of Dr. Okezie.

Upon his globally celebrated return from exile in 1979, his Ohuhu brother, Dr. O B Aguocha, a commissioner in the cabinet of Dr Sam Mbakwe in the then Imo State became his major opposition and political adversary.

Apart from the hostility that existed between the late Lamidi Adedibu, the political godfather of Oyo state who is famous for his Amala style of politics, and ex-Governor Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo state, history has yet to record another political hatred and bitterness comparable to the one that has existed between Senator T.A Orji and Prince BB Apugo.

Overlook the pretenses, apart from Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, who genuinely forgave, the average Ohuhu political class has not fully forgiven former Governor T.A Orji, because of the fierce governorship contest of 2007/8, they still accuse him of intentionally underdeveloping Ohuhu politically.

The political crisis between then Governor T.A Orji and Dr Orji Kalu, was an avoidable crisis that only benefitted a few individuals while the state suffered political backwardness.

I was shocked when Chief Charles Ogbonnaya (Evule Ogu) a politician I have deep respect for because of his sincerity on issues, told me a story about why he would never forgive Chief Sam Okwulehie, narrating what he did to them when his brother the late Chief Johnson Onuigbo (Akinbod) was contesting for the chairmanship seat of Umuahia North, in his usual frankness swore never to support any of his children in any political contest both now and in the future.

The major obstacle in Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu's governorship journey in 2014 were his Ngwa brothers, many of them stood against him as a preferred choice of the then-Governor T.A Orji, it took the intervention of Elder Emmanuel Adaelu and a few other respected Ngwa elders to convince his Ngwa brothers to support his candidacy.

The Abia political history from creation has been a story of "Iro no na Ulo" which has done us more harm than good, it has stunted societal growth and development and has left a malignant cancer in the Abia political system thus creating confusion, disrespect and mutual suspicion amongst brothers and sisters making it difficult for people to lift or assist their brother's political growth genuinely.

It is only in Abia that Former Governors maintain enmity with the serving governor to the point of distancing themselves from government functions and programs and are even refused in most cases to contribute experience, ideas, or suggestions necessary for the growth and development of the state where they once administered and are supposed to be statesmen.

This piece will be incomplete if I don't emphasize the devilish roles of merchants of political crisis whose stock in trade is to stoke crisis even where it does not exist, these politicians who we all know as ndi "ori na crisis" intentionally create these crises for purposes of selfish political and financial benefit at the expense of the peace and development of the state, truth be told no society can experience holistic political, social, and infrastructural development when their leaders are at war with each other.

This cycle of hate and bitterness needs to stop, we must separate opposition politics from politics of hate, animosity, and resentment, This generation must begin to see images of our past and present political leaders in one picture dining, wining and laughing during state functions just like we see in other states.
It does not diminish our individual political beliefs or differences nor stop us from exercising our political rights of criticizing or advising the government where necessary.

Peace and unity are priceless in every society, they make us more effective and help accelerate societal growth and development, our leaders should learn that any society that sows animosity must reap crisis.

Let me take a quote from one of the most influential musical icon in history Jimi Hendrix “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.”

Aguoru
Is A Public Affairs Analyst

CITING OF A BUS TERMINAL WITHIN THE UMUAHIA CAPITAL CITY. WHY GOVERNOR OTTI SHOULD HAVE A RETHINK - Obinna Oriaku

Last week, many of us were thankful to God for the grace to see the one year anniversary of Governor Alex Otti, as Governor of Abia state.
We witnessed the Commissioning of some roads and flag off of the construction of a bus terminal as appropriately described above.
My concern is with the citing or location, of the bus terminal at Umuahia.

The newly expanded Ossa to Okpara Square road renamed Theophilus Umunnakwe Aguiyi Ironsi Boulevard (though it has no feature of a boulevard) welcomes a visitor to the center of the state capital with the statue of Dr M.I Okpara in the same stretch, greeting you.

I am of the strong opinion that the same road should have been named Okpara Square or M. I Okpara Way instead of this interjection of names, for merely just the sake of name change.

Overlooking the Okpara Square, is the TradeMoore Event Center which the Otti administration wants to convert into a Modern Bus terminal.

While I congratulate the state government, for being alive to its duty, by reclaiming the State owned facility which was allegedly, illegally occupied by Trademoore Developers at a location that used to be Umuahia Main Market (Ogwumabiri Umuahia), which was relocated by the administration of the former Governor TA Orji due to the nuisance and traffic congestion which usually welcomes visitors to the city capital owing to the activities at that location.

We all know that just like motor parks, every market has its attendant negatives.

Unfortunately, this present government is proposing a bus terminal in the same location.

While I appreciate the importance of a modern bus terminal, just like the reason the governor gave for relocating the Aba bus terminal, I strongly feel that just like the Aba terminal is being relocated to the Port Harcourt - Enugu expressway, the Umuahia bus terminal should also be cited at the old site, which is about a few kilometres after the Tower located on the express, by the Aba/Umuahia Expressway.

This will enable the city to be decongested beyond the negatives of a bus terminal in the middle of a city center.

It also demeaning that while other locations with iconic names of these past patriotic leaders are known for political/social and spiritual gatherings, our own Okpara Square will be known with a bus terminal.

From Tafawa Belewa Square in Lagos to Okpara Square in Enugu, Barnawa Paradise Park Kaduna and Heros Square Owerri, all are known and used for
State events and recreational purposes but not bus terminals.

I will suggest that the State convert half of that Trademoore event centre to a recreation, relaxation, amusement center for children and families with a morden shopping mall.

Today in Umuahia, there is no location kids and even adults can freely go for recreation.

This center will be built to have, state of the art recreation equipment for kids, like merry go round etc.

The other half of the Trademoore event centre should have a covered stand by both sides for open events, be it political/ social or spiritual which would be rented and offer some sources of revenues.

The excuse that the rail line is closer to that location in support of the bus terminal, does not hold water as it negates the essence or reasons for relocating all bus parks in Aba to the Expressway.

The Optics for any first time visitor to Umuahia, using the newly reconstructed Osaah road will be "wowed" with a beautifully constructed recreation park which will add to the urban renewal project rather than a bus terminal.

It will also enhance the aesthetics of the capital city.

We will be creating a better optic and image, of our iconic leader for the present and future generations, about the personality of our revered Dr. Michael Okpara with his imposing statue identified with a recreational center instead of a motor park with its attendant environmental pollution.

Umuahia people and indeed Nde Abia will be grateful if this bus terminal is relocated around Abia tower to create a new ecosystem along that corridor especially because of the inter city travelers that have no need entering Umuahia city .

This will by every standard further expand development across the state capital of Umuahia.

Unfortunately, as usual the cost and structure of these projects are hidden from Abians.

I strongly feel, we need to know, though Public - Private Partnership (PPP) would have been best funding structure for this kind of project.

Obinna Oriaku
Ekwedike

Celebrating The Season of Conspiracies Against The PDP In Abia.

By Uche Aguoru

The memories of the 2023 governorship election loss may have been waning in the minds of the PDP faithful, and the reality of being the major opposition is gradually settling.

Since the loss of the 2023 governorship election, it has become very convenient for everyone to blame former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for the party's woes in the last election, even those who remotely worked and ensured that the PDP failed in their polling units and wards have been heaping all the blame for the loss on the lap of the former governor. As a responsible leader, he had chosen to accept the blame. He refused to go into exchange of words with those who accused him of being solely responsible for the loss recorded, with the realization that time and events would expose the wickedness of men and vindicate the just.

Ikpeazu must be the most vilified Governor in the history of Abia. He is abused and bad-mouthed with ferocious intensity.

But let it be on record that this has nothing to do with his performance in office.

His records in infrastructure, economic, and human capital development have remained unrivaled despite the denials, lies, and propaganda of the present administration.

Most of the facilities that the present administration is leveraging are facilities built or attracted by the Ikpeazu government.

So it is misplaced to assume that the party lost the election because of the performance of the Ikpeazu administration.

The truth is, there was a virulent conspiracy from within against Governor Ikpeazu and the sole agenda was that power must be wrested from him and whoever he was supporting must be stopped either by hook or crook because of the entitlement mentality of a few, the event of Saturday the 1st of June 2024 was a celebration of that conspiracy that dethroned the PDP in Abia.

Recent political developments have exposed that much, permit me to explain.

Every Abian knows how much Governor Alex Chioma Otti dislikes the PDP, the whole world knows that, and he has not failed to seize the slightest of opportunities to display and voice his detestation for the party and its leaders, Abians are aware that Otti usually dedicate a huge portion of each of his speeches to revile the PDP and its leaders.

How then can such a man turn around to love and support a party he besmirchs its leadership with so much bitterness and hate?

It is still confusing to Satan how Dr. Alex Otti, suddenly became lavishly kind to PDP that he could donate a state-owned facility, fund the entertainment, hire a caterer, provide security, and of course did not forget to provide choice wine and premium whiskey to ensure the satisfaction of every guest at a PDP organized event meant to receive its BoT Chairman.

Just like a leopard that cannot change its spots, trust Dr. Otti, he did not miss the opportunity to cast aspersion on the leaders of the PDP even in their event. will you blame him? NO, because he bankrolled the event.

The governor accused the leaders of the party of circulating text messages asking members not to attend the event because according to him the state is not safe.

While I am aware that the Abia PDP has been vocal, strong, and focused in its role as the main opposition to the LP government in Abia state and has not failed to point out the areas where the government needs to improve, Abia PDP has been very responsible and has refused to play opposition with security, while it is very clear that security has become a big challenge in the state, the PDP as a responsible party knows that the security of Abians should not be politicized the way Dr. Otti did during his days in opposition.

like a poorly planned ambush, the organizers of the event did not inform members of the party that the event was a joint project with the Labour Party in which the governor would be a special guest, and having failed in their plot to ambuscade their main target Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Gov. Otti, in his usual bitterness vented his anger and frustration on our own Dear Senator Austin Akobundu, he disregarded courtesy and protocol and recognized Hon. Darlington Nwokocha as a senator while deliberately refusing to accord Senator Austin Akobundu, a seating senator his due compliments as the Senator Representing Abia Central.

Needless to remind you, Mr. Governor, even the seat you occupy as a governor is a creation of the law and the same applies to the seat of the senator irrespective of how strongly you feel about him, he deserves to be accorded his deserved respect as our party the PDP have always accorded your office its due respect.

While we must not fail to express our anger over the embarrassment the event has brought to Abia PDP, we are also happy it exposed the conspiracy and subversion of yesterday.

Some characteristics that have unnerved those working to ensure that the Umbrella is torn and weakened is that the party takes advantage of the conspiracies and sabotage to reposition, re-strategize, garner more acceptability, grow bigger, stronger, and more popular, and has remained the only political party with grassroots appeal.

Aguoru
Is a Public Affairs Analyst

Today I want to talk about Ikuku. Ha ha!! you said talk about who? Yes, I want to talk about Ikuku, and what Ikuku has been silent about for a period of 8 years., Nawooo!!! Anyway let's read what you're trying to say....

Is Ikuku a victim, victim of what? presumptuous sin I guess. Maybe this article will give you an idea why this question is being asked and then you can make your judgement.

By the way, who is ikuku? Okay, don't let me bother you with speculations. His real name is Rt. Hon.Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, the son of the former Governor TA Orji of Abia State, he was also the former Speaker of the Abia House of Assembly and was once one of the most interested actors in the PDP in Abia.

Do you know that Rt. Honorable Chinedu Orji Alias ​​​​Ikuku Ochendo may not be guilty of everything he was accused of during the Ikpeazu government. Anyway, keep reading and reflect, let's solve it now, so that we know if you will continue to cling to the absurd (cock and bull) stories of the Ikpeazu government..

Ikuku was somewhat misunderstood and mispressented, although he should blame himself for that. He kept silent at that time when he would have voiced out. There is a popular saying that he who remains silent on an issue has accepted it, in Igbo dialect it is said that onye gbara nkiti ekwerela. Maybe he felt good about it, I wouldn't know, as if it was a way of praising him, and since it looked like he felt good about it without holding back and correcting the impression, the narrative continues. He exposed himself too much, fighting necessary and unnecessary fights to protect the government he fought to win, thus allowing Ikpeazu's "food is ready" brothers to take advantage of him.

That was how the gossip and label that Ikuku was fully behind Ikpeazu's poor performance in government was put on him and then it spread throughout the state. And Gov. Ikpeazu and his other cliques, being cunning, used that intentional gossip as leverage to plunder the soul, body and spirit of Abia's treasury, portraying Ikuku as the cause of their underperformance.

The consequences would later turn into hatred from many people and justification for the loss he suffered during the last election. Something he misread, he thought that it would have portrayed him as the strongest and most fearsome politician in Abia at the time, later hurt him badly.

Although in the last few minutes to the 2023 election, Ikuku was between the opinions of speaking out to correct the wrong impression about him, in order to remove the bad label that had been given to him, but those who worked with him at that time and the help he requested were not enough to save the situation.

Any lessons on this: Yes, the same lesson that a mosquito mother taught her children, that some of those who you ignorantly believe or said clapping for you, actually do not. Also, "ozokwa" silence is not always golden at all times.

Anyway, can you tighten your seatbelts? let me for the first time pilot you further to another perspective of Ikuku, an open Ikuku story that some of his allies have pretended to ignore. Ikuku, the man who many Abians thought was completely an antagonist of good governance in Abia and also believed to be behind Ikpeazu's poor performance in government.

I do not claim to know all the profound things that happened during Ikpeazu's rule, but I think sometimes people need to speak up when they see something that seems to have judged someone almost incorrectly. This forensic audit released by Governor Otti is an eye opener, it reveals a lot of things and at the same time refutes some of the beliefs that many have had in the past about someone like Ikuku who many people criminalized in their minds.

Can I digress a little? If yes, as always, let me quote this scripture to put more emphasis on where I am heading; Psalm 19:13 "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression".

What is a presumptuous sin? This is a sin that every indiscernible mind can easily commit, believing everything bad about someone when in reality it is not so.

Presumptuous sin comes from the word presume and is a situation where in your mind you are thinking that a particular person is committing a crime or has already committed a crime when the person is not actually committing the entire crime that was imposed on him.

In a situation where you have the wrong impression about someone. You may have it in your mind that someone is a criminal when that person may not be. When you are making a completely wrong judgment against someone, whether in your mind or your words, or by your actions or relationship with the person, being negative about someone, due to your wrong assumptions or rumors when the person is somewhat innocent.
Ikuku was a victim of this during the 8 years of Ikpeazu rule.

What was the cause? Ikuku somehow misunderstood the nature of some typical Abia politicians and their camouflages, perhaps he was thinking that everyone who praised him to his face and told him made-up stories and gossip could be considered friends or allies, without being smart enough to to understand that he was being used to achieve some individual evil motives. That is the situation of the man called Ikuku Ochendo in Abia from May 2015 to May 2023.

There was a day I pinched myself and screamed chai! so somewhat wrong stories were sold about this man. It was the day that some of the assembly members were cornered to impeach Ikuku who was the honourable speaker of the house at that time but Ikuku resisted and frustrated the impeachment attempts.

Within that time, there were chats allegedly between Governor Okezie and one of his special assistant supposedly Hon. Uchenna Erondu that were leaked. It may be that Ikpeazu released it intentionally to show that he was not part of the impeachment game plan. Of course we understood he was not telling the truth, because you can read in those chats where Erondu himself tried to justify the attempted impeachment as something the governor earlier permitted, telling the governor that he had done thousands of tasks for him, trying to question why the governor did not want to own up the assignment he gave them.

Also, part of that chat conversation read; you don't want to consider my own image in this matter, have you not made more money than me in my government. (Maybe on the line, Governor Ikpeazu understands himself) I was just a few days away from leaving the office, and you want me to be in the negative news by starting a fresh fight. What will people say: that his father helped me become governor and I impeached his son. You and the CO should not come to see me because I won't recognize your own speaker. These and much more were contained in the chat.

I shouted chai again and wondered, asking myself this question; does it mean that Gov. Ikpeazu believed leadership was about making money for himself? And for Erondu, it was about bringing down Ikuku to give them space to continue squeezing the state and at the same time making the people of Abia feel that Ikuku was entirely the cause of Ikpeazu's poor performance in government. Your guess will be as good as mine anyway.

After the failed impeachment and chats were leaked, some people were saying; imagine, Erondu was working with the APC gubernatorial candidate in 2015 and was recruited during the rerun of some of the electoral units in that 2015 election in Abia. They wondered why he allegedly benefited so much in a government he did not campaign for from the beginning. Anyway, I also join them in the question, but I'm not one of those who believed the rumors that "do as I say juju-charms" was used to manipulate the governor.

Come on guys and dear readers, sorry for taking so long, I know you can't wait for me to summarize this article, well let's get there. With all my mumbo-jumbo, you can now judge whether Ikuku is a victim of a presumptuous sin or not. Gov. Ikpeazu and his cliques were busy looting the state treasury, failing to provide vital facilities for the development of the state, but they used Ikuku as an excuse, presenting him as the cause of their poor performance.

You can imagine how they presented the construction of an airport for the state and used it to loot the sum of N10 billion Naira, you can imagine the names of the construction companies and their directors to whom Ikpeazu awarded the contracts, I think, until now, you would have expected Ikuku to have a stake in the companies that were awarded the contracts, but that's not the case.

Actually, I am not defending Ikuku or saying that he doesn't have his own deficiencies, but based on the latest audit report released by Governor Alex, it will be difficult not to conclude that it was like Okezie looted the state with his friends and brothers, but they used Ikuku's name as a scapegoat.

Imagine that audit report again, did you see that people whose names you barely hear and their companies in public spaces are the main beneficiaries, they are given billions of naira contracts and used to siphon off funds while some almost innocent people are demonized? If that's not what happened, please refute me with broader facts. They sold Ikuku to the public as a bad man, while in the real sense they are the ones who committed most of the embezzlement of state resources.

This goes a long way to defining Ikpeazu as a silent betrayer who deserves to take all the blame and face the law if found guilty. However, he is not ashamed, instead of staying calm, you saw him running to the media to defend 10 billion that they just looted yesterday as if it was just the only fund managed by his government. Many thanks to Governor Otti for this audit report which exposed alot, today, as the composer sang; Adam say, our eyes don clear, Adam say our eyes don open. Indeed, our eyes don open..

Let me stop here to continue with further exposition on Ikuku in politics in the second part of this article. I know you can't wait to read the part 2.

Thanks for reading
My name is Chuks Omesie
Alias Chuks Digits
I am an Abia who likes to analyze local political activities in my own way

A Chieftain of the PDP in Abia state, Chief Surv. Jeffrey Ogbudu has described what is happening in the PDP as a great opportunity for the party to rebuild and re-strategize to form a formidable party that is focused and ready for victory ahead of future elections.

Speaking to journalists in Umuahia the capital of Abia state, Chief Ogbudu said: "Our committed party members and supporters should not feel discouraged but rather understand that it is important that those who may not be committed enough to work towards rebuilding the party voluntarily give way for genuine, patriotic, honourable and selfless members who are ready to work and build our party and our state.”

According to him“ Nigeria is a multi-party democracy where our constitution guarantees the right of everyone to belong to any legal organization of their choice including political parties.

He maintained that “whatever that is happening now is not totally out of place, but part of the road towards strengthening the party for excellent results in elections, the defections have provided an opportunity for the PDP to “genuinely restrategize” ahead of coming elections"

“The party remains strong, formidable, and the biggest political party in Abia state, he advised members to stay committed to the PDP and join hands to work towards building a stronger party both at the national and state.

Chief Jeffrey Ogbudu, who was an aspirant for the 2023 House of Assembly seat in Umuahia North state constituency said "The PDP remains the party to beat in any election both at the national and state levels and expressed confidence that the party will come out of its present turbulence healthier, bigger, stronger and victorious"

The Chairman CHEMLAP Nigeria Ltd and Former House of Reps member Rt. Hon Solomon Adaelu has lost his father-in-law Dr JONAS AWUJO.

According to Hon. Adaelu, the late Dr. Awujo was not just a father inlaw but a father, friend, and confidant, who retired from the Nigerian Customs Service as a Deputy Comptroller General, he is a fine gentleman and a jolly good fellow who lived a life dedicated to philanthropy and kindness towards others.

He was a community leader who during his life on Earth lived and worked in different parts of the country and overseas, born into the family of the Late Mr. Felix Ukaegbu Awujo of Ubakuru Mbieri, Mbaitolu, LGA of Imo State, Dr. Jonas went to be with his maker on the 21st of February, 2024, at a fulfilled age of 79 years.

He will be buried on the 24th of May 2024 in his hometown, Ubakuru Mbieri in Imo state.

It's unfortunate the way the table has turned for the once biggest party in Africa the PDP, more worrisome is the fact that most people who benefitted hugely from the PDP during the period of its hold on power have either dumped the party or are shopping for a new political organization where they can continue to gain influence and political relevance.

The behaviour of an average Nigerian politician gives credence to the popular belief that in the Nigerian political environment, politics is not about societal development but more of personal aggrandizement and I have heard some well-respected Nigerian politicians describe political parties as not ideologically-based but a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to achieve political power.

The PDP as a political organization has had more than a fair share of being used and dumped at will for what appears to them like a greener end, Let me state that it is convenient for anyone to blame the former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike for the role he played in the making of Tinubu's presidency as against supporting his party to return to power.

Wike stood against his party and ensured that Atiku Abubakar lost the presidential election, if we all can condemn what Wike did and judge him harshly for the sabotage, what do we do to Atiku Abubakar for the Haram he committed against the PDP and Nigeria as a nation in 2015?
It's important to remind those who may not know that the plot to wreck the PDP was hatched in 2014 with Atiku Abubakar as a willing tool in the hands of the opposition led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While many may think that Wike refused to support Atiku because he (Wike) lost the PDP primaries, those holding onto that belief certainly do not understand the character of an average Nigerian politician.

The question you should ask is, why Wike refused to also support Atiku in 2019.

Let's retrospectively assess the events that led to the Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan losing the election in 2015 and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar's role in ensuring that the party he was instrumental to its formation, lost power.

The former Vice President and serial presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar have always nursed the ambition of ruling Nigeria through the PDP, having recorded failures in 2011 and knowing that the party will still hand the incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan the party ticket in 2014, out of desperation he went into conspiratorial alliance with the opposition against the PDP and made sure that the PDP lost the election in 2015, despite all attempts, entreaties, pleas, and promises made to make him change his mind, he was arrogantly adamant and at the end, the PDP lost the presidential election, he did not stop at that, he also sponsored a mole in the person of Alhaji Alimodu Sheriff, to take over as the interim chairman of the Party, a move made to finally bury the party if not for the likes of Barr. Nyesom Wike, Dave Umahi, Godswill Akpabio, Enyinnaya Abaribe, T.A. Orji, Ayodele Fayose, Bode George, and other governors that saw beyond Atiku's evil game and went to battle to save the soul of the party with all the resources at their disposal.

While Atiku was away and attending to his businesses from his base in Dubai, Wike provided the resources and leadership that sustained and kept the PDP alive only for Atiku to launch a return in 2019 with the hope of using the PDP to unseat a Buhari whom he assisted to power at the expense of his party, the PDP.

Having mastered Nigeria's political behaviour with the realization that the PDP is hooked on transactional politics, in 2019 Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, threw in dollars and purchased the PDP presidential ticket from the party leadership led by Uche Secondus and lost the general election thereafter, that outing caused another round of crisis in PDP as many southeast and south South governors led by Wike, Dave Umahi, Ike Ekweremadu, Fayose, etc. refused to support his ambition.

For Atiku, the PDP ticket is a commodity that is up for grabs by the highest bidder, and each political season his immoderate ambition further divides and deepens the crisis in the party, he allows the likes of Wike, Bode George, Fayose, etc. to do the work of financing and keeping the party alive while he comes in after 4 years to purchase the presidential ticket, needless to repeat the already known story of how his last attempt claimed the head of another party chairman Sen. Iyorchia Ayu

Political sins are hardly forgiven, Wike, Bode George, Fayose, and the G-5 Governors only paid Atku back in his own coin, Atiku does not deserve to use the PDP, a party he helped to destroy to achieve his selfish ambition of becoming president, Atiku not only destroyed the PDP he destroyed Nigeria by assisting Muhamadu Buhari to power, Atiku does not deserve such honour. what if there was no Wike to protect, fund, and defend the PDP when Atiku plotted the party's loss and destruction?
Any person in Nyesom Wike’s shoes will certainly feel hurt and demeaned watching Atiku reap from a party he defecated on, he has been a pillar in the PDP when the party was defeated and deserted and he’s one of the consistent members of the PDP that have never left the PDP to another party.

You may not like Wike's face, it's within your rights, you are free to hate his guts, I don't think he is bothered about that, you may even choose to park out of or not to go to the FCT again because of Wike, that's your choice. but one thing you cannot deny about Wike is his passion, commitment, love, and commendable efforts to ensure that PDP remains alive and potent.

PDP, though shedding a lot of weight, remains the most potent opposition to the ruling APC, the party is being restructured, it will bounce back, the leaking umbrella is being stitched and it will come back stronger, bigger, more colourful, rebranded, and better.

DISCLAIMER...

ACTORS GUILDS OF NIGERIA ABIA STATE CHAPTER

It has come to the knowledge of ACTORS GUILDS OF NIGERIA ABIA STATE CHAPTER that one Mr David Onyebuchi Amalaha and others namely:

Nathaniel Nwoko,
Solomon Onyekwere
and Daniel Egwuatu

Have been illegally parading themselves as the duly elected Chairman and Executive Officers respectively of Abia State Chapter of The ACTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA.

In view of the above, the general public is hereby notified that neither Mr David Onyebuchi Amalaha nor the above mentioned persons was at any time ever elected as the Chairman and Executive Officers respectively of Abia State Chapter of ACTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA as they falsely claimed.

We wish to inform the general public that Doris Ogala, was on May 26th, 2023, duly appointed Chairman, Interim Government of Abia State Chapter of ACTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA by the resolution of the National Executive Committee of AGN, and as such remains in office in that capacity as interim Chairman of AGN, Abia State Chapter pending when election to elect new Executives is duly conducted.

Other members of the Interim Government of AGN, Abia State Chapter appointed same day by the National Executive Committee of AGN alongside Doris Ogala are:

Moira Mba - Secretary Chybyke Agu - Member.

The general public is hereby warned that anybody or group of persons that deals or transacts any business with Mr David Onyebuchi Amalaha and his above-mentioned cohorts as Chairman or Executive Officers of Abia State Chapter of ACTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA, does so at their own risk.

Signed..

Doris Ogala
Chairman, Interim Government, ACTORS GUILD OF NIGERIA,
Abia State Chapter.

Moira Mba
Secretary, Interim Government,
AGN, Abia State Chapter.

The name, His Excellency Senator Orji Uzor Kalu means different things to different people depending on how you perceive the persona of this successful businessman, politician, former governor, and Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Many perceive him as a tactical, bold, and courageous politician who bares his mind without inhibitions irrespective of whether he is right or wrong, others see him as an enfant terrible with a magic wand that evokes success and dominates his environment.

Others think of him as a man who is always courting controversies and never allows himself to get lost in the crowd even if he has just a partial grasp of the issue on the table.

But my evaluation of OUK suggests him as a hardworking and visionary character who lives his natural self, displays openness, is very humane, unpretentious about life, and is very vociferous, he doesn't hang onto malice and cannot display ethnicity or tribalism.

As a businessman, Orji Uzor Kalu was formidable, influential, and vast, he built his business empire at a very young age and is the owner of a conglomerate that consists of an array of successful companies, among which are Ojitex Furniture Company, SLOK Nigeria Limited, SLOK Vegetable Oil, SLOK Paper Factory, SLOK Airlines, Sun Publishing Limited, First International Bank Limited, and host of other international businesses under SLOK group, he is an employer of labour with thousands of Nigerians working and earning a living under his business empire.

In Politics, Kalu is persuasive, foresighted, outgoing, and confident, he is also analytical and creative, an astute politician with strategic thinking, and an amiable personality.

He became the governor of Abia state in 1999 upon the return of the 4th republic politics and during his time as governor, he pioneered most of the developmental milestones subsequent governors have been building on including the Aba Independent Power Project that is being celebrated across the country today, I can vividly recall how he recovered most parts of Aba from infrastructural decay, parts of cemetery road and other areas of Aba was fully submerged under the mud then, save for the intervention of OUK.

He established an indigenous home-grown and people-oriented security that effectively contained and to a very great degree decimated the activities of criminals and mafia groups that brazenly held the commercial town of Aba to ransom unchallenged, overpowered the police and were even imposing taxes on residents and grounded commercial activities until OUK stepped in, he established and equipped the Bakassi boys that later became Abia Vigilante Services and charged them with the responsibility of returning security and sanity to Aba and Abia state at large and till date we are yet to see a better equipped and more successful Vigilante outfil in the whole of Nigeria.

During his time, OUK was rated as the best-performing governor and Abia was the most celebrated state in terms of infrastructural development after Lagos at the time, he influenced the context in which development could be evolved and sustained and that earned him the moniker "ACTION GOVERNOR"

OUK is referred to as the father of Abia Politics because most successful and less successful politicians in Abia State started under him directly or indirectly.
As a governor he prioritized education and health care and made primary education compulsory and free, Yes, he has his lows as a human but objectively one can attest to his visionary, charismatic, pragmatic, and sterling leadership qualities.

Little wonder he remained relevant even after leaving office as governor and without any political position for close to a decade.

As a Senator, it is debatable if any other senator had attracted more developmental projects to the zone than OUK or outperformed him as a legislator, he has attracted the construction of rural roads across the 5 LGAs, which make up Abia North senatorial zone, he has also attracted construction, and Renovation of public schools and hospitals, and had delivered empowerment items and scholarships to his constituents among other numerous achievements in the green chambers that earned him a recognition as the 2022 Best Senator of the Year in constituency projects.

The truth is that Senator Kalu has always demonstrated deep-rooted concern for the welfare of people particularly the underprivileged.

Senator Kalu is a revered political figure whose opinion on national issues is never taken for granted, a significant personality whose achievements and inputs in business and politics will remain embossed in Nigeria's history.

His Excellency Senator Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu is one outstanding stakeholder in the Nigerian project whose contributions to the growth and development of the country's socio-economic and political development have been very significant.

Though often misunderstood, he has always lent his voice to the injustice and imbalance in our political system and has in many political seasons signified intentions to contest for the presidency.

Senator Kalu is very eminently qualified with all the characteristics and qualities of a prepared leader, but sadly he may not have the chance again to be president unless, by some divine arrangement, the present political equation does not favour his ambition given his geographical identity as an Igbo Man
Senator Kalu celebrated his 64th Birthday on Sunday 21st April 2024 Let's wish Mmiri Riri Enyi Ndi Igbo, a happy birthday.

Chief Uche Aguoru

A Public Affairs Analyst
Writes From Umuahia

The remains of late Sir Ihekweaba Godson Uwaga, (KCW) were on Friday 19th April laid to rest in his hometown Umuda Isingwu, Ohuhu in Umuahia North LGA of Abia state amidst tears.

The late Sir Ihekweaba Godson Uwaga, (KCW) until his death was a teacher, Great Mathematician, Composer, Choir Master, Father, Grand Father, and Uncle who left an indelible footprint in the teaching profession, he was a devoted Christian, award-winning composer and choirmaster who led his local church to win so many laurels, an author of mathematics books and most importantly a mathematics teacher who made maths classes fun, interesting and simple to understand.

During the funeral service which was held at St James Methodist Church Nigeria, Umuda Isingwu, The Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia Archdiocese, Most Rev Chibuzor Opoko urged Christians and those whom the late Sir Uwaga left behind to emulate the exemplary life of the late Sir Uwaga whom he described as one who dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity and reminded the living of the futility of life and the need to submit their lives to God, He noted that the deceased lived a fulfilled life on earth and has gone back to his creator.

Also speaking the member representing Ikwuano\Umuahia federal constituency Hon. Obi Aguocha encouraged the family and friends of the deceased to take solace in the fact that Sir Uwaga even though dead, left a legacy of selfless service to humanity, he said Sir Uwaga, lived a life worthy of emulation.

One of the children of the late Sir Uwaga Chief Hope Uwaga in an emotionally laden tribute to his late father said “My father was a character engineer with excellent interpersonal skill and an ability to inspire and motivate a generation into success, he impacted so much into humanity and ensured that every child that came under his tutelage was not just successful in academics but in character, he described him as a disciplinarian who didn't spare the rod and never discriminated between his biological children and his students and insisted that his father was simply unforgettable, he expressed gratitude to everyone who attended the ceremony.

At the event were high-profile personalities, including clergymen, community leaders, Government officials, captains of industries, members of the academia friends, and well-wishers of the Uwaga family who gathered to bid the deceased farewell.

See photos from the burial below.

The bold and courageous move by the Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area, H\Chief Victor Ikeji to demolish shanties and illegal settlements within the city center to ensure proper infrastructural upliftment and reinvigorate the major metropolis by aligning its developmental trajectory with other state capitals
Mayor Ikeji's entry into the administrative landscape of Umuahia North brought forth a renewed sense of optimism and transformation, armed with a resolute determination to instill change and decency, as a first assignment, he embarked on the remodeling of the administrative building turning it into a masterpiece and a beauty to behold.

Over the years the once serene and beautiful environment Umuahia is known for has been destroyed and all attempts made to sanitize the capital city and give it the ambiance it deserves haven't yielded impressive outcomes.

The city center especially the Isigate axis has become host to all manner of criminal activities, like snatching of phones and handbags, armed robbery, hawking of illegal drugs, and even rape during the dark hours.

There has been a cluster of unapproved shanties behind the popular Okigwe Park and the former Mgbuka area while the valley behind the bypass known as Down Below has become a den and a safe coven for notorious criminals.

Investigation has shown that most of the criminal activities in Umuahia and environ have been planned and executed from there, the place has become a den of criminals and very notorious for gun-running and a distribution point for all manner of hard and illicit drugs being sold in Umuahia and environs.

Mayor Ikeji's move to demolish those dreaded areas of the town will return security and sanity to the capital city, as a courageous leader who understands his charge and is ready to take on his responsibilities inline with his oath of office, as the council chairman he understands that he is charged with the responsibility of protecting and managing the Capital Territory’s environment, and also the enforcement of all environmental legislation, and the abatement of all forms of environmental degradation and nuisance.
.
it's an established fact that the general image and impression of the state for a first-time visitor lies on the looks of the major metropolis (Umuahia) and It has become necessary to remove the shanties. as a proactive leader, Mayor Ikeji's commitment to sanitizing the city and making the environment healthy, beautiful, and secure should be encouraged and supported by all.

The effort to sanitize Umuahia should not stop at just bringing down shanties, there should be plans to build a central hub for intracity transporters and also build a park and pay center to avoid indiscriminate parking of cars along the streets as that will ease the incessant traffic usually experienced between cooperative to Uzuakoli road and the adjoining streets along that corridor.

Bus stops should be created with modern bus stop shelters at designated landmarks with commercial vehicle operators encouraged to use the designated bus stops for pickups and passenger disembarkments or face sanctions.

Trading around Isigate should be seriously frowned at and discouraged using every available strategy not excluding force, over time trading at Isigate has constituted an eyesore for people coming into the city and it leaves a very poor impression of the state.

Umuahia should be given priority attention and this move should not end with just the news and photo sessions, there should be intentional efforts and investment by both Umuahia North LGA administration and the state government to give the capital city a deserving ambiance.

Mayor Ikeji should ensure that before embarking on the demolition exercise that provisions will be made to resettle owners of legitimate businesses who operate within the marked environment whose businesses will be affected to avoid escalation of crimes and criminal activities, government should also make immediate efforts to develop those areas because if left undeveloped, the shanties will return, creating the impression of an unserious government.

It's very impressive to note that within the first one hundred days in office of the Chairman of Umuahia North Local Government Area, Mayor Ikeji has exhibited integrity, self-awareness, courage, commitment, dedication, vision, and resilience and I have no doubt his vision will spark a renewed transformation of the capital city while aligning with the aspirations of a community yearning for 21st century developmental touch.

Aguoru
A Public Affairs Analyst Writes From Umuahia

Dr Alex Otti is a very lucky governor,

Just as his name implies "CHI-OMA" he has a benevolent God

The Aba Integrated Power Project (AIPP) was initiated in 2013 under the then Governor TA Orji,

Ochendo provided the investment ambiance, approved and constructed the access road to the project site, and gave tax holidays within the neighbourhood of 500 million Naira to enable Geometrics Power Plant the smooth take-off of the first indigenous power generating plant in Nigeria.

Shortly after Emeka Offor took up fights with Prof Barth Nnaji's Geometrics Power Ltd for acquiring the Aba ringed fence the fight stalled the project.

In 2015 Ikpeazu took over, he understands the importance of power in driving industrialization and SME development, and he knows that if AIPP functions optimally his vision of industrializing Aba would have received a very big push, he intervened and worked very hard, investing time, energy, and resources to untie all the knotty issues surrounding the contractual disagreements involving Enugu Disco and Geometrics that had stalled the operations of Geometrics and hindered the realization of the AIPP.

His administration invested 5m USD giving the state access to 5% ownership of the power project and also assisted Geometrics to secure funding for the project through AFREXIM BANK, today Ikpeazus's time was up and he had to vacate the seat and leave the remaining part of the job for another governor.

Just like the historic AfDB Loan Of USD 263m, the Otti administration is benefitting from and being used to carry out the development of key road infrastructure across the state, the processing of that facility started during Governor TA Orji's era, it was under Gov. Ikpeazu that the state paid the counterpart funding and followed up with all the processes and also fought very hard to resolve the human-induced bureaucratic bottlenecks which the current Governor Dr. Otti, admitted to have made efforts at stopping the state from accessing the loan but today he is the beneficiary.

Governor Otti, within a short period of 9-10 months as governor is commissioning the first Independent power project in Nigeria. what a lucky governor!

I must admit, Governor Otti is lucky, the past administrations laid the foundation and set the platform upon which he is excelling

The gullible Social media community who doesn't know that power is on the exclusive list is celebrating him for being the only governor who built a power-generating plant in his state.

Abegooo Ndi Sosha Midia, to build a Power Generating Plant takes time and cannot be built in 8 months.
He is enjoying all the media glitz and taking the entire glory by giving a little touch to the infrastructures built by his predecessors.

His supporters are celebrating him for mounting solar streetlights and patching the roads constructed by his predecessors.

He has repainted the flyover built by the Ikpeazu administration and he is being hailed and praised for it.

He understands the use of media and his media support base is large, his Chi is very benevolent, and has his palm kernel cracked.

My Govo don't take all the shine alone, in the spirit of fairness abeg give small credit to those who deserve it.

But what is more important is that Aba now has light.

Uche Aguoru

The Anambra waxbill is a species of estrildid finch found only in the eastern part of Nigeria

Discovered by Reichenow in 1902, the waxbill is a small bird with many colours measuring approximately 12cm long, with a pale greyish head, olive upperparts, buffy underparts, a distinctive orange-red bill, rump, and pale eyes.

Found in pairs and usually in small and large groups in the wetlands of southern Nigeria

This bird is reputed to exist in only one place in the world, the Southeastern part of Nigeria. (IGBO LAND)

Nigeria the acclaimed giant of Africa today has all the trappings of a failed state.

We are today experiencing extreme poverty

Galloping inflation rate

Hunger

High cost of living

Insecurity

Food crisis and

High level of unemployment

Extreme poverty is a threat to human security and a hungry nation is an angry nation.

Shockingly and unknown to many Nigerians, the Buhari administration sold out our crude upfront. The country can't earn enough forex to service dollar liquidity, which is the major cause of the forex crisis.

Buhari and Emefiele went aborrowing from every lending institution without consideration to our revenue ratio, standing our external debt profile at 43.2bn USD

We are in a dire situation with every indicator of a failing nation

The most frightening is the hunger ravaging the nation which we must admit has security implications

As Nigerians, we have reached the stage of unshockability that nothing shocks us anymore

But the scary reality is that the nation is on the edge of a precipice and needs urgent intervention.

Nigerians are on the streets protesting and calling on Jagaban to perform the Lagos magic

While lawmakers insist that Emefiele must be made to account for the mess he created which had defied all the economic precepts that Cardoso and his team have so far applied.

But am I hopeful of the nation surviving the current economic crisis? .... YES 💯%

but don't ask me how and when

Uche Aguoru

Sim is definitely a governor in power but without powers

He is stripped of the full powers a Nigerian governor enjoys

But come to think of it, it's either Sim is a dullard or a poor student of history who does not understand the political history of his Oga

If he doesn't know let me tell him a little story, since 1999, no governor in Rivers state has succeeded in producing a successor except Wike.

Wike has built a strong political cult around himself and has succeeded in suppressing all known political voices in Rivers state either through heavy dose of kindness or brute political force including that of his former boss and close ally Amechi who is known to be very loquacious


He single-handedly and carefully handpicked all the people he wanted in power including Sim.

Fubara must have been very naive or have taken his advice to fight Wike this early from a madman

Fayose warned him openly not to fight if he is not prepared to go the full hog.

You can't successfully fight a war without arsenals

The 90% of Rivers legislators both at the national and state level are members of Wikes political cult where he serves as the Capon.

And mutiny is an unforgivable sin in politics

Wike also enjoys the support of the judiciary in Rivers State because he was intentional about their welfare and placement when he was governor.

That means he has the keys to the entire armoury and the question is how did Sim embark on mutiny without access to requisite arsenals?

Amaewhule and his group of 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike have made laws stripping the governor of any influence in LG administration and funds and have gone ahead to veto the governor, which leaves the Sim without network

Today those who openly supported him are facing the heat and smelling the rods, while Wikes supporters are having fun. the court has ordered the arrest of his CoS and other hatchet men that he used to avert his impeachment by destroying the House of Assembly.

Fubara, underestimated his boss, he must be full of regrets now for acting without thinking, even as a governor Sim is without a network, lonely, cold, and powerless.

Put Sim in your prayers he needs it, but again that's the consequence of ingratitude even heaven hates ungrateful people.

Serving Injustice And Confusion From The Temple Of Justice

By Uche Aguoru

For the sake of emphasis, the Nigerian election political cycle starts with the INEC registration of voters and ends in the courts.

While the politicians and political parties are expected to conduct their intra and inter-party activities within the guidelines as set by the umpire in this case INEC, the judiciary is expected to apply sanctions where necessary for the failure of any politician or political party to abide by the set rules of such election as required by either the constitution or the regulatory body in this case the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), because the constitution did not empower INEC to punish or disqualify any politician or political party for conducting their activities outside the set guidelines.

Recently, decisions arising from the judiciary have left Nigerians more confused than they were politically before the 2023 general elections.

The tribunals and Court of Appeal in some of their decisions sacked some governors and lawmakers anchoring their decisions on issues around membership and/or non-sponsorship by political parties for those seeking elective offices since independent candidacy is unknown to our laws.

In some instances, the tribunal and appeal panels viewed non or partial compliance to the electoral act as punishable and went ahead to sack those who by the wisdom of the courts did not comply with the guidelines as enshrined in the 2022 electoral act as amended, a further review of the judgments as dispensed by the courts during the last election cycle, calls for serious concern on how our judiciary is presently structured.

Some of the cases that stood out are that of Plateau and Abia states where the appeal courts in their wisdom citing the provisions of the electoral acts nullified the elections of the lawmakers, in Abia state the appeal court panel sitting in Lagos sacked the Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial zone Senator Darlington Nwokocha and member representing Aba North state constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly Hon. Destiny Akaraka Nwagwu all of the Labour Party, one can rightly describe the ruling of the 3-man panel of the Court of Appeal led by Hon. Justice Georgewill Biobelle JCA, that sacked the Senate Minority Leader Sen. Nwokocha as dramatic because the same panel in a different ruling few munites later upheld that of Hon. Ginger Onwusibe in an election that went through the same process of nomination and sponsorship.

In Plateau state, the election of all 16 PDP members in the state House of Assembly were nullified, the Appeal panel also sacked the Governor, senators, and House of Representatives members elected under the umbrella of the PDP on the grounds of the party’s alleged lack of structure to nominate them as candidates, there are also similar occurrences in other instances like Kano, Adamawa, Nasarawa, etc.

However, the Supreme Court had in their recent rulings declared that the reasons adduced by the tribunal and appeal courts for voiding those elections as pre-election matters, and therefore cannot be entertained by the election tribunals.

I can recall that Senator Nwokocha before the ruling of the Supreme Court on Abia, Kano, and Plateau, had approached the apex court in an attempt to review the rulings of the appeal court that sacked him only for the Supreme Court to dismiss the motion and slam him with a cost of 2 million.

Now that the Supreme Court has ruled, and in many cases berated and cautioned the appeal court justices and election petition tribunals that matters bothering on internal affairs of a political party, membership, sponsorship, nomination et al, should not be entertained by election petition tribunals, does it not amount to injustice to deny those whose legitimate electoral victories were voided on those grounds the right to review their matters?

However, it is a widely held opinion that the rulings of the Supreme Court especially as they relate to the 2023 governorship election are attempts at mending the already dented image of the judiciary and discourage politicians from relying on technicalities arising from INEC guidelines and constitution to climb to office but rather work hard to impress the electorates and gain their votes at the polling booths. but in their efforts to redeem their image, they have created deeper confusion and more injustice.

I am not a lawyer, but my study of the recent pronouncements by the Supreme Court being a court of policy whose decisions in most cases are not predicated on provisions of the law but on many other considerations majorly national interest and security. but their recent pronouncements appear more as Protest Judgments aimed at discouraging politicians from burdening the courts with petitions after elections.

Truth be told, the recent pronouncements of the Apex Court have thrown the entire political landscape into serious confusion, defeated the essence of the electoral act, and murdered internal party democracy.

The Supreme Court ruling which no doubt has straightened the needless controversy on the jurisdictional ambit of the Election Petition Tribunal has deepened the confusion in our body politic, in Abia, Hon. Destiny Nwagwu has refused to vacate his seat insisting that though the appeal Court is the final court in matters involving State Assembly and NASS elections, he had insisted in a tone that sounds like self-help citing the recent declaration by the Supreme court, that matters of nomination and sponsorship are internal party matters of which the tribunal and appeal court has no jurisdiction over and therefore has validated his election irrespective of the fact that INEC has withdrawn his Certificate of Return and reissued it to Aaron Uzodike of the PDP who came 2nd in the election.

In Plateau state, the 16 PDP lawmakers are also insisting that their position as validly elected lawmakers has been validated by the Supreme Court since they are all elected through the same process as the governors whom the Supreme Court has declared properly elected despite the clear breach of processes and have gone ahead to petition the NJC on the matter which they rightly consider as injustice.

There is no doubt that our judicial system is reputed for corruption, but does it mean that the panel of appellate court Jurists who ought to know and should know ended up not knowing, or was it a case of justice for sale?

To all those whom the Appeal Court sacked for non-compliance to the Electoral Act 2022 as amended please accept your fate as casualties of a failed and corrupt judicial system because it has been proven to be an impossible act to reverse the decisions of Courts of last instance as such attempts usually meet a brick wall.

Aguoru
Writes From Umuahia

Exclusive: Unknown Gunmen Abduct APGA Party Chairman, Businessmen Along Arondizuogu Okigwe Road.

The Abia State chairman of the All Progress Grand Alliance, Chief Emmanuel Egwu in the company of his friends, Mr. Henry Egesi and another renowned industrialist and business mogul was on Thursday afternoon around 1:48 PM abducted by unknown gunmen along the Arondizuogu/Okigwe road by unknown gunmen

Narrating their ordeal to the News-Gazette Online, Mr. Henry Egesi said they were abducted while driving back to Umuahia from Anambra state where they attended a burial ceremony.

According to him, they were heading back to Umuahia from Anambra state with two vehicles a Lexus SUV and a Toyota Hilux Vehicle when they ran into some men carrying AK-47 rifles on sighting the men racing towards our vehicle dressed in all-black attire with Biafran insignia we tried to escape but unknown to us it was an ambush of over 100 men armed with sophisticated weapons, we alighted from the vehicle and ran into the nearby village only for them to come and march us out from the compound we ran into for refuge and took us into the forest where they are camped, they subjected us to severe punishment, torture and beating and afterward forced us to transfer millions of naira into an O-pay account.

When contacted Chief Emmanuel Egwu (ESERE) who was in the hospital corroborated the story adding that they were manhandled and beaten mercilessly forcing them to transfer millions of naira into an account they provided and only released them later in the night after seizing the Toyota Hilux Vehicle, jewelries and valuables they were traveling with, he thanked God for sparing their lives and prayed God not to allow even his enemy to have such a terrifying experience.

Mr. Egesi confirmed that the matter has been reported to the police and called on the government both at the state and federal levels to intensify efforts to secure the southeast zone while thanking God for sparing their lives.