₦airaland Forum

News coming in from Anambra State where Prof Charles Soludo takes oath of office as Governor of Anambra state is not encouraging. The outgoing Anambra First Lady and wife of Late Ikemba Nnewi were engaged in public brawl.

An eye witness account reveals that fight broke out between the duo when Mrs Obiano who came late to the Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo inauguration ceremony, was going round to greet the dignitaries.

The account said that on getting to where Bianca Ojukwu sat, she said. "Bianca so you are here, I thought you said you will never attend any APGA event again."

The eye witness account said Bianca, Ojukwu's wife was provoked by that silly remark. She stood up quickly and gave the outgoing First Lady of Anambra State a dirty slap and dragged her wig off her head.

This caused disruption to the oath of office being taken by Prof Charles Soludo who was signing some documents as at the time of the slap.

It remains to be seen how this will play out in the coming days. Only time will tell.

www.naijaeyewitnessnews.com

Naija Eye Witness News

The member representing Iseyin/Itesewaju/Iwajowa/Kajola Federal Constituency (Oyo State), in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rep. Shina Peller, has reiterated the need to build great institutions and committed leaders as panacea for Nigeria’s hydra-headed problems. Peller made this remark today Saturday March 12, 2022 during the launch of we2geda movement for South-South in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

Peller who also doubles as the National Coordinator of we2geda movement, maintained that for too long, the political structure of Nigeria has developed and empowered a select few who have become strong individuals with the penchant for abusing and weakening public institutions with reckless abandon.

“The political structure of Nigeria is designed to favour, develop and empower a select few; very strong individuals that have wreaked havoc on our common wealth, destroyed and made public institutions reflect their ego-centric and inordinate features; condition them to do their biddings and satisfy their insatiable lust for power and wants” Peller lamented.

The Founder of multi billion naira Aquilla Group Companies, added that until the narrative is changed, the youths will find it impossible to be part of governance and leadership while the institutions that are supposed to drive change and development will keep promoting the empowerment of these powerful individuals.
Peller noted that the motive behind the we2geda movement is the need to create a new system of commonality where every youth is given a sense of belonging; where brotherhood reigns supreme and a platform to effect the needed change that will bring about development and prosperity. He therefore called for a paradigm and generational shift in thought, focus and strategy.

“You cannot be clamouring for change and you are not getting it or continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. For change to happen, a new system must be in place. There must be a paradigm and generational shift in thought, focus and strategy. We2geda is that change, paradigm shift and strategy. It is a conglomeration of like minds, the aim of which is to fashion out the one best way to get the youth involved in governance and leadership, create a guaranteed future for them and ensure a workable system is in place. This will be done by identifying, mentoring and empowering youths to take up leadership position” Peller enthused.

He further noted that there are identifiable deficits within the present system that are anti-people, development and anti youth. He said we2geda is out to isolate these deficits, nip them in the bud by proffering workable solutions, identify leaders and institutions that would drive the implementation.

“Nigeria is richly endowed with natural, material and human resources but the challenge has been that of leadership to harness these resources and institutions to deploy them for the benefit of the people. This gap is what We2geda seeks to bridge by encouraging youths with the pedigree, capacity, competence and character to take up the challenge” Peller concluded.

He urged Nigerian youths to embrace we2geda and join the movement for their own good and future.

By Aluu Vincent

While Nigerians were still savouring the political abracadabra that took place at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja yesterday, news filtered into the air that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, sacked Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Deputy, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, following their defection from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC. The court, in a judgement that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that the total number of 393, 042 votes governor Umahi secured during the March 9, 2019 governorship election in Ebonyi state, belonged to the PDP and same could not be legally transferred to the APC.

According to the court, having defected to the APC, both Umahi and his deputy, not only jettisoned the PDP, but also the votes that belonged to it. It held that going by the outcome of the governorship election, the office of the governor and deputy governor in Ebonyi state, “belong to the Plaintiff and no other political party”. The court went on to order the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to immediately receive from the PDP, names of persons to replace Umahi and his Deputy, or in the alternative, conduct a fresh gubernatorial election in Ebonyi state in line with section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended. The court further restrained both Umahi and Igwe from further parading themselves as governor or deputy governor of Ebonyi state.

Nice as the judgment may sound especially as it relates to stemming the tide of defection, I am tempted to state that the judgment may not stand that the test of time. Also, there are bound to be legal implications on the body polity of Nigeria. On what basis of law did the learned Judge deliver his judgment? Is there any constitutional provision or precedence that backs his decision?

Defection from one party to the other is not new to Nigeria. Since the return to democracy in 1999, avalanche of individual politicians have decamped from one party to the other. There have also been pockets of mass defections, the most astounding, being the mass defection of members of the national assembly from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and vice versa. Only recently, we began experiencing governors defecting. Governor Matawale defected from the PDP to the APC, Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, Ben Ayade of Cross River State moved from PDP to APC while Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Godwin Obaseki of Edo moved from the APC to the APC. The list is endless.

Generally, defections in Nigeria are premised on five factors-the poverty of ideology, personal interest and ambitions, division in the party, lack of internal democracy in political parties and weakness of crisis resolution mechanism.The main problem with defection is that the defector takes along with him the office he occupies by virtue of belonging to his former party. In another clime, the appropriate thing would be for decampees to resign from the offices they occupy before joining another political party. Hence, when a major political office holder decamps from his party to the other, it becomes a huge issue which ends up affecting the entire polity. The consequences could sometime threaten democracy.

Nigeria as a federal state operates a constitutional democracy guided by provisions of the 1999 constitution as amended. On the issue of defection for the President, the Vice, the Governor and the Deputy, no mention is made of punishment. The 1999 Constitution only frowns on defection of lawmakers at the state House of Assembly and the National Assembly. In specific terms, Section 68 (1) of the constitution states, “A member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives shall vacate his seat in the House of which he is a member if — (g) being a person whose election to the House was sponsored by a political party, he becomes a member of another political party before the expiration of the period for which that House was elected.”

Therefore, it may be asked, what are the circumstances wherein a governor of a state can be deemed to have vacated his office or he can be compelled to vacate his office? Section 180(1) of the Constitution encapsulates the circumstances in which a governor may vacate his office as follows: (i) When his successor in office takes his oath of that office or, (ii) he dies while holding such office or, (iii) the date when his resignation from office takes effect or, (iv) he otherwise ceases to hold office in accordance with provisions of the Constitution. In addition, section 180 (2) provides as follows: “subject to the provisions of sub-section (1) of this section, the governor shall vacate his office at the expiration of period of four years commencing from the date when: (a) In the case of a person first elected as governor under this Constitution, he took the oath of allegiance and oath of office. (b) The person last elected to that office took the oath of allegiance and oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such oaths.

In addition, section 180 (2) provides explicitly how a governor may vacate office. It says inter alia: “subject to the provisions of sub-section (1) of this section, the governor shall vacate his office at the expiration of period of four years commencing from the date when: (a) In the case of a person first elected as governor under this Constitution, he took the oath of allegiance and oath of office. (b) The person last elected to that office took the oath of allegiance and oath of office or would, but for his death, have taken such oaths.
Given the express provision of sections 180, 188 and 189 of the Constitution, the circumstances in which a Governor of a State can vacate his office or be removed from office are expressly and abundantly stated, it follows that it that it is impossible and legally wrong for anyone to “import” into the Constitution any other condition or circumstance for his removal outside those expressly stated in these sections.

Justice Walter Onoghen JSC while summing up the position of the Court, in his concurring judgment on the issue of defection held inter alia: “There is nowhere in the 1999 Constitution that it is stated that the President or Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be removed or is removeable from that office if he defects from the political party on whose platform he was elected to that office and joins another political party”. See celebrated case of Attorney-General of the Federation v Atiku Abubakar (2007) 10 NWLR (PT. 1041). Also see the recent Supreme Court Judgment between Matawalle versus the PDP where the supreme court submitted submit that its decision applies mutatis mutandis to the facts and circumstances of the defection of Governor Matawalle of Zamfara State from the PDP to the APC. So long, as there are no similar provisions for the declaration of the office of a governor of a State vacant on account of his defection from the party that elected him to another as it is in sections 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution with regards to members of the State House of Assembly, it is not possible to insist that he (Governor Matawalle) must vacate his office as governor.

Given the aforesaid as expressly quoted in relevant provisions of the 1999 constitution, one therefore wonders where Justice Inyang Ekwo got his inspiration from while delivering judgment. Is the trial Judge not aware of similar court judgment okaying defection for governors in the case of Matawalle versus PDP? While not supporting defection in its entirety, it is vital the laws of the land be respected and applied on the matter at hand. We can only await the details of the said judgment to feast on the facts of the matter.

Let it however be known that defection smacks of grand opportunism and represents a lack of adherence to political ideals and values. Politicians are not just elected to political office on account of their individual capability and personal recognition, but also on the strength and visibility of their political parties as vehicles of political contestation. The world over, political parties in a democracy are distinguished and identified by their ideologies and guiding philosophies. Sadly, these are lacking in Nigeria in the current political dispensation. Instead, the major attraction to politics has been the huge perks and patronage in public office. When these are not forthcoming, defection becomes the next option. It is in the interest of democracy that this bill becomes law.

It is time for the National Assembly to be alive to its constitutional responsibility to make or amend the laws including the Constitution, where the need arises to outlaw defection in Nigeria. While we await the decision of the Appeal and Supreme Courts on the matter, we sincerely do hope that the electoral process in Nigeria will be strengthened to guard against defection. I wholeheartedly support any law that barn defection from the political lexicon of Nigeria.

Aluu Vincent, a public affairs analyst and publisher of Naija Eye Witness News, writes this piece from Uyo 08036688375.

There seem to be some ray of hope for free, credible and fair election in Nigeria following the signing into law of the much-awaited Electoral Act Amendment by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking at the event, the president, who highlighted the contents and advantages of the Act, urged the National Assembly to immediately amend Section 84 of the Act, in line with the nation’s 1999 Constitution as amended.

He expressed the hope that the law would promote sound electoral processes and good governance in the country. Buhari said: “I hereby assent to the Bill and request the National Assembly to consider immediate amendments that will bring the Bill in tune with constitutionality by way of deleting section 84(12) accordingly.”

While applauding Mr. President for accenting into law this all-important bill, it is equally important to appreciate the role played by INEC, CSOs and National Assembly especially members of the harmonization committee set up to address grey areas and harmonise different versions of the bill from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The Senate set up a Conference Committee on the 2021 Electoral Amendment Act to meet with the House of Representatives Conference Committee for the harmonisation on the Electoral Act Amendment Bill passed by both chambers of the National Assembly.

The Senate Committee which was led by Senate Leader Sen. Abdulahi Yahaya representing Kebbi North had other members including Sen. Kabiru Gaya, representing North- West, Sen. Uche Ekwunife representing South-East, Sen. Danjuma Goje representing North-East, Sen. Mathew Urhoghide, representing South-South, Sen. Surajudeen Basiru representing South-West, and Sen. Sani Musa representing North -Central. The House of Representatives Conference Committee was led by Hon. Adeyemi Raphael Adaramodu – APC – Ekiti (South-West) -Chairman, Hon. Unyime Idem – PDP – Akwa Ibom (South-South), Hon. Ahmad Abdullahi Kalambiana – APC – Sokoto (North-West), Hon. Blessing Onu – APC – Benue (North-Central), Hon. Emeka Chris Azubogu – PDP – Anambra (South-East), Hon. Abiodun Faleke – APC – Lagos (South-West) and Hon. Aishatu Dukku – APC – Gombe (North-East).

The terms of reference of the committee for both chambers of the National Assembly to be on the same page on the mode of conducting primaries by political parties, electronic transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) among other things. The Committee met for two months before coming up with a harmonized version of the electoral act. It is instructive to note that while some Lawmakers loyal to the All Progressive Congress were against electronic transmission of results to INEC server, Unyime Idem who represented PDP, the South South and his colleagues voted in favour of electronic transmission of result.

Prominence was given to Akwa Ibom and South-South in that committee courtesy of Rep. Unyime Idem, member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency. It was the first of its kind for an Akwa Ibom son to be member of such a sensitive committee made up of only 7 members out of 360 members of the House. Gladly, Unyime Idem as usual did not disappoint his membership. He made sure he lobbied his colleagues to vote in support electronic voting and indirect primaries. It is historic therefore that the 2021 electoral act as amended has the insignia of an Akwa Ibom son. He toiled day and night for two months with other members of the committee, visited prominent Nigerians, organisations and stakeholders to garner input. He lobbied his other colleagues from the APC to vote in support of electronic transmission of results and indirect primaries. Finally, the patriotism and labour of love of Unyime Idem paid off as the said Bill has been finally assented into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Kudos to Unyime Idem and his colleagues for staying true to their conscience by ensuring that these provisions that will clean up and strengthen electoral process in Nigeria were included. The implication of this patriotic stance of Rep. Idem is that election rigging will be reduced to the barest minimum, no more snatching of ballot boxes, no more writing of election results in the home of politicians, no more manipulation or altering of election figures and at least the vote of Nigerians will begin to count. Also, party politics will be robust and dynamic as they will have options of direct, indirect primaries or consensus in the choice of party candidates. This is the beauty of democracy. The onus is now on INEC to ensure strict application of provisions of the electoral act as amended.

Like Mr. President said during the signing ceremony, “It is gratifying to note that the current Bill comes with a great deal of improvement from the previous Electoral Bill 2021. There are salient and praiseworthy provisions that could positively revolutionize elections in Nigeria through the introduction of new technological innovations. These innovations would guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens to vote and to do so effectively. The Bill would also improve and engender clarity, effectiveness and transparency of the election process, as well as reduce to the barest minimum incidences of acrimony arising from dissatisfied candidates and political parties”.

Public anxiety had mounted, in the last few weeks, over President Buhari’s delay in assenting to the re-amended bill, as some members of the public as well as some critical stakeholders had concluded that he was withholding assent to the bill again. Reall that the National Assembly had transmitted the amended Electoral Act to President Buhari on January 31, having reportedly revised the bill, which he withheld his assent to at the end of last year, for reasons bordering on mode of nomination of candidates by political parties.

President Buhari had withheld his assent to the bill in November 2021, citing the cost of conducting direct primary elections, security challenges, and possible manipulation of electoral processes by political players as part of the reasons for his decision. He, however, gave some conditions to give his assent, prompting the lawmakers to re-work the bill which initially led to the emergence of two versions from the red and green chambers of the assembly

“Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.” Mahatma Gandhi

By Aluu Vincent

The contest between religion and politics for supremacy and eminence is far from being over. They are both but different institutions that operates in the same sphere of influence. Religion as it were can be seen as a wholesome part of culture, even as the people in politics are also ‘people of culture.’ Whereas, the state derives its supremacy and nourishment from extant laws in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which is the grundnorm, religion is in a class of its own, deriving sustenance from its firm belief in the supreme extra-terrestrial omniscience force, which controls the affairs of mortal beings.

It is near impossible to say that religion should be divorced from politics in the Nigerian context. The both as Siamese twins that have been exploited for political gains by our leaders. Religion as the opium of the masses has a lot to do with politics. Undeniably, politicians have ways of whipping religious sentiments to their favour. Ignore this fact to your own peril. The voters, delegates and stakeholders all belong to one Church bloc, religious inclines or the other.

Let me remind us of some democratic utilities of religion which include the integration of human societies composed of individuals and social groups with diverse interests and aspirations. Here religious bond transcends these personal and divisive force. We tend to forget the ability of religion to legitimise the existing social order. In addition, religion play critical roles of restraining or criticising the conduct of government, encouraging political participation, promoting democratic values and norm, articulating and aggregating distinctive societal interests, generating cross-cutting identities and providing avenues for the development of leadership skills,

The emergence of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and Sir Ahmadu Bello as premiers of the Western, the Eastern and the Northern regions, maintained the status quo in the manipulation of religion in Nigerian politics. Christianity continued to wield greater influence in the South while Islam was in control of the North. This issue of politicization of religion was more glaring in the North, majority of who were from royal families. They had full control of Northern politics and those were highly influenced by Islam.
Nigerians have demonstrated stronger link or alliance to their religious organisation than the political body. This perhaps, accounts for why Nigerians have been adjudged the most religious people on earth. The fact remains that this tendency, rather than stabilising the polity reinforces differences and ethnic variations. If the Pastor or Priest preach to the people year in year out, pray for them, reassure them of God’s promises and they are better off, are you saying such clergies can't make pronouncements about who they should vote for and they obey without hesitation?

Few days ago, Pastor Umo Eno the preferred and chosen, was endorsed by leadership of the Apostolic Church as choice for the 2023 governorship election in Akwa Ibom. This has not gone down well with a section of the faithful. While a handful have had to vent their anger in public citing the fact that they have their own candidate hence cannot be bound by the decision of the church leadership, others have gone ahead to cry blue murder and even resigned their membership of the church. While these decisions and outcries are understandable, the truth is, there is nothing sinister about the endorsement of Umo Eno by the Church. We seem to forget that Umo Eno was groomed and raised in the Apostolic fold; was ordained there and began his pastoral calling there. When it was time to forge ahead, the same church called and prayed for him and also sent him forth as an ambassador of the church. It is unthinkable that a dog will eat his own. Were we not told that charity begins at home?

The Apostolic Church did no wrong in endorsing their son in whom they are pleased. It does not also stop other aspirants from seeking the blessings of the Church.
Those kicking against the endorsement seem to forget that politics and religion have a meeting point which is hard to separate as long Nigeria is concerned. Examples abound to show how religion determines the direction of politics and vice versa. If the endorsed candidate was your preferred, would there be this hullabaloo? Can we just give this a break and concentrate on the strength of the candidates which of course is the meat of the matter?

Why the fuse as to why churches are endorsing Umo Eno? Is it his fault that he is a Pastor ordained in Apostle Church? Have you ever heard of a dog eating his kind before? We are still in Akwa Ibom, the system and actors have not changed. Like Prof Dode will say, "Until political behaviour and electoral politics in Nigeria is sanitised to reflect what ought to be as against what is, it is not yet uhuru". Until then, you cannot rule out religion from politics and you cannot stop the church in a Christian dominated state as Akwa Ibom from pitching tent with a particular candidate.

For the avoidance of doubt, we have had cases where the church became partisan and went all out to support her own. Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu, a catholic priest became second Executive Governor of Benue State on 2 January 1992, elected on the Social Democratic Party (SDP) platform. He was not only endorsed by the catholic church, he was sponsored and supported by the church to win the said election. Although his tenure was short-lived due to military takeover, his impact as governor was enormous. Adasu said that politics is not a dirty game, but those who are in it for selfish reasons make it dirty. He said "I am in politics to baptise politics and make it pure"

Reverend Jolly Tavoro Nyame, an Ordained Reverend in the United Methodist Church of Nigeria became Governor of Taraba State in 1992 through the endorsement and support of the church. He went on to become a two-term governor when democracy returned in 1999.
In Anambra, the governorship seat alternates between the Catholics and Anglicans. Although Chief Chinwoke Mbadinuju who served as Governor of Anambra between 1999 to 2003 was a Pentecostal. His failure to secure a second term in 2023 was blamed on denominational politics and on account of his being a Pentecostal. His successors Chris Ngige, Peter Obi and Willie Obiano are Catholics while Andy Uba, Virgy Etaiba are Anglicans. The soon to be sworn in Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo is a Catholic. In Ebonyi my home state, the leadership of the state revolves around Assemblies of God and Catholic.

In Akwa Ibom State, the scenario is no different from that of Anambra state. Obong Victor Attah used it to favour the Catholics, Obong Godswill did same in favour BCS and the Catholics. He also used CAN as a bloc. During Senator Akpabio’s second term bid, did we not see Archbishop Cletus Bassey blessing him and the church queueing behind him? Did we not also see Bishop Josephine Eggar prophesying that the candidate of the APC was going to win the election? When Mr. Udom Emmanuel became Governor, the lexicon of Fathers of Faith was introduced into the political sphere of the state.

Have we not been hearing Akwa Ibom born Lagos Based Bishop Ekong, Primate Ayodele and a host of others release prophecies on the direction of politics in states and the nation? Just few days ago, more than 600 Bishops and countless churches gathered and honoured Prof Zulum of Bornu State in faraway Port Harcourt Rivers State. If it is not politics at work there, then it is something else. Those opposed to this endorsement have been clandestinely visiting churches and prophets of God to know their faith in the coming race. Is it not also a subtle way of seeking endorsement?

Make no mistake about it, religion play critical role in politics. Let no one deceive you. When FG brought out Governance code for churches few years ago asking that Church GOs spend 10 years and retire same as bank MDs, what happened? Just a comment from Daddy GO that it is time for the church to register her own political parties and sponsor candidates sent fear down the spine of Federal government. Of course, the obnoxious law was suspended while the head of NFIU was suspended immediately too. That is the efficacy of the power of the Church.

My take is that religion has a place in the life of every nation, Nigeria included. Irrespective of the faith or denomination, religion when truly practised in its truest form and spirit, has been and remains sacred. It plays a vital role in purposeful leadership, community building, social justice, law and order, peace-making, reconciliation, forgiveness and the healing of wounds, by the political, family and personal. Our political leaders, on both sides – Muslims and Christians have invoked the name of God in politics and sought to use religion freely in influencing the political decisions and swaying national political and economic policies and to that end governance.

That a particular candidate is a Christian or a Muslim or a traditional worshiper should not determine the voter turnout. Instead, politics, based on issues, should determine who rules and governs well. With it, the scorecards become easier to monitor and politicians are conscious of the essence of an abiding legacy. Politics of issues will not only bring instant relief to the electorate, but it can also drive our politics to make it more interesting and more productive. And that will be fantastic!

Finally, we must not forget the place of God in the equation of politics. He rules in the affairs of men and gives the kingdom to the chosen. It is the duty of the church to enforce what God has ordained. Umo Eno should be left alone. Perhaps it is his turn to enjoy ecclesiastical support. For candidates who are crying blue murder, maybe they should organize their own endorsement party after all, no one person has monopoly of endorsement.

Let the Kite Perch, let the Eagle Perch. The one who refuses the other the right to perch should provide another space for perching. Until then, you cannot deny candidates the right of endorsement by their various religious inclines. Do not forget the wise words of Mahatma Gandhi that “Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.”

Vincent Aluu, a Research Scholar, Public Affairs Analyst and Publisher of Naija Eye Witness News contributes this piece from Uyo, 08036688375.

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Agberos have seized textbook writing and publishing.

In those days, siblings shared books. Older siblings wrapped their textbooks with brown paper and powdered the pages so that the books could remain clean and fresh, preserved for younger siblings. But that has changed.

These woke days, textbooks expire like vegetables. A particular conspiracy makes sure siblings can’t share books. In most schools, the cost of textbooks has been made part of the school fees.

When schools were schools and not business outfits, parents bought textbooks children brought them to school for teachers to inspect. But now, schools have acquired commercial instincts. They insist on buying books for students. So they force parents to pay for textbooks they already have. And these school fees must be paid in full before resumption.

So three siblings born one year between them can be in the same school, and by the time the oldest finishes primary one, the second can’t use his maths textbook. Wait for it. By the time the three finish primary one, the family might have three primary one textbooks. It’s comical.

The schools work hand in hand with publishers to reap off parents, to fill homes with useless textbooks. While this happens, the schools’ boards and supervising ministries stay aloof. Or do they?

It’s a huge scandal. Here is how it works. A man masquerading as an author writes a book. He approaches the ministry of education through friends and family. A sizeable politician is indispensable.

The book is assessed. Most times, private financial negotiations take place. Most times, the publishers orchestrate the manoeuvre. The book is recommended to be used as a textbook in schools in the state. Once listed, the author and publisher organize a thanksgiving for men and God.

After barely one year, the author, in collusion with the publisher, rearranges some words and pages and baptizes its second edition. Effectively, they classify the edition of the previous year as technically obsolete.

They are not bothered by the fact that at the lower levels of school education, facts don’t change that fast. In agriculture, economics, biology, chemistry, at the primary and secondary school levels, fundamental epistemological changes happen slowly. But the authors and publishers aren’t bothered about knowledge.

Their motivation is money. So once they switch around the words and pages, they prevent students from using the copies which have already been sold. They sit in their offices and make them expire, so they can sell tons of the same books as new books.

The schools know the truth. The teachers read the books. They could have resisted the perfidy. But it’s a grand conspiracy. So despite knowing that no fundamental changes came with the new farcical editions, the schools insist on the new and discard the old. Some parents know but feel helpless. Most parent’s don’t know; they are too busy to read the children’s books. So they don’t resist the schools.

But the schools have to make sure they are not denied their share of the heist. So the schools become buyers of books for their students. So they get their slice of the bounty from the publishers without stories but paying for the books at an arranged discount.

The ministries of education aren’t aloof. They are neck-deep in the game. The publishers lobby to have their books on the list. Then they birth new editions every year. If the books are literature books, then new editions won’t help much. The ministries of education juggle the books. They feature them for one or two years, take them out of the syllabus and bring them back later.

Perhaps our biggest national challenge is how to improve the quality of education and make quality education accessible. That is why it’s heart-rending that the government can sit and watch this perfidy that raises the cost of education for poor families to go unchecked. How can the system allow these sophisticated tapeworms to burrow into the bowels?

So even the noble field of book writing and publishing has become agbero turf too.

Vanguard News Nigeria

By Ofonime Honesty

Just as university students in Nigeria were preparing for their first semester examination, the perennial strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) struck again.

The strike which has totally crippled academic activities in the about 49 Federal Government owned universities in the country, is disrupting an academic calendar already contorted by previous strikes and the long Covid-19 induced break.

As the campuses become deserted once again, ASUU and the Federal Government will definitely be locked in another round of negotiations likely to span weeks, even months.

But students have become irked by the situation. They feel dehumanized not only by the federal government but ASUU as well. To this end, they have informed both parties to buckle up for a mass action.

The students, speaking exclusively to Crystal Express Newspaper, through the Public Relations Officer of the South South/ South East Zone (Zone B) of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Ekanem Utibe called for a permanent solution to the strike.

He bemoaned that over the years the Federal Government and ASUU have failed to prioritize the interest of the students in the matter hence the incessant strikes.
He accused both parties of paying deaf ears NANS in previous years but warned of consequences if their requests are rebuffed this time.

"Federal government and ASUU are playing with the destiny of the Nigerian students. It will not be business as usual. We will occupy all federal government establishments, we will occupy the federal secretariats, federal government owned radio stations, federal roads and everything owned by the federal government. We will not be idle, we will make it a duty of ensuring that everyone including the federal government also stay at home. We have been trampled upon for so long," Ekanem stated.

Describing the incessant strike actions as irresponsible action by ASUU, he advised the union to always take ingenuity and sound argument to the negotiation table with Federal Government, and resist using strike as avenue to perenially extort the federal government.
"ASUU should change tactics. Shutting down universities and then going behind the students to be financially induced by government is an act of irresponsibility."

Furthermore, the NANS Zonal PRO called for reforms in the education sector that would among other benefits ensure that tertiary institutions become self sufficient.

The current strike action comes after a 48 hour long meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

ASUU National President, Emmanuel Osodeke, at the end of the meeting, complained that the union’s demands on revitalisation of public universities, academic allowances, University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) promotion arrears, renegotiation of 2009 ASUU-FGN agreement and inconsistencies in Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system (IPPIS) payments have remained unfulfilled despite repeated assurances by the federal government through the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige.

The strike was preceded by a three-week ultimatum to the federal government to meet their conditions.

*Culled from Crystal Express Newspaper

A funny, albeit grave report making rounds on the internet, reveals that a man named Darius Makambako has sued his neighbour who he hired to impregnate his 28-year-old wife, Precious.

According to the report, the man was sterilised which rendered the marriage childless six years after marriage. The man unable to withstand the pressure from her wife over his inability to produce a child, recruited his neighbour, Evans Mastano to impregnate his wife.

Evans was already married and the father of two beautiful daughters, and was said to look very much like Darius, so the plan seemed good. Makambako paid Mastano 2,000,000 Tanzanian Shillings (N360k) for the job and for three evenings a week, for 10 consecutive months in 2016.
Evans tried desperately, a total 75 different times, to impregnate his friend’s wife Precious, but failed.

Reports say Precious, a nurse at a private clinic, had decided to get a three months’ vacation leave (March to June 2016), to dedicate her time to sleeping with her husband’s best friend and neighbour, in order to have her first child, but the man failed to impregnate her, despite the husband leaving them in bed the whole day, at most times.
When Precious failed to get pregnant for 10 months, however, Makambako could not understand and insisted that Evans have a medical examination, which he did in January 2017.

The doctor’s pronouncement that Evans Mastano was also sterile, shocked everyone, except his wife, who was forced to confess that Evans was not the real father of her two children, but his cousin Edward.
“I was forced to secretly sleep with his first cousin for these two children, after realising that my husband could not impregnate me for two years,” Angela told the Dar-es-Salaam Today News.

Now Makamboko is suing Evans for breach of contract, in an effort to get his money back, but Evans refuses to give it back, because he says he did not guarantee conception, but only that he would give it an honest effort.

Indications have emerged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may have to postpone the scheduled conduct of the 2023 general elections if President Muhammadu Buhari acts on the electoral bill sent to him after February 22, 2022.

LEADERSHIP Friday reports that immediately after the 2019 general elections, INEC, which is the electoral umpire empowered by law to fix dates of elections, scheduled the 2023 presidential and National Assembly elections for February 18, 2023.

But barely a year to the presidential election, INEC is yet to issue guidelines for the conduct of the election on the ground that it is waiting for a new electoral act.

According to Section 28 (1) of the Electoral Bill 2022, INEC is required to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the day appointed for an election.

INEC had already scheduled the 2023 presidential and National Assembly election for February 18, 2023.
LEADERSHIP Friday reports that the Electoral Bill 2022 stipulates that the deadline for INEC to issue the notice of election for the 2023 general election is February 22, 2022.

The executive director, Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, said, “In line with the Electoral Bill 2022, the deadline for INEC to issue the notice of election for the 2023 general election will be 22nd February 2022 and not February 18, 2022 – the reasons being that the total number of days from February 22nd, 2022, to February 17th, 2023, is 360 days.”

The Electoral Bill 2022 was transmitted to President Muhammadu President for assent on January 31, 2022., and by virtue of Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution, he has a timeline of 30 days to give or decline assent to the Bill.

On the contentious 2022 electoral act amendment bill sent to Buhari, he has up to March 2, 2022 to indicate where he stands on the bill.
“If the president gives assent to the bill on or before February 22nd, 2022, INEC will be legally bound to issue Notice of Election, and the dates for the 2023 elections will be maintained,” Itodo said.

“However, if the president acts on the bill after 22nd February, 2022, the dates for the 2023 election and other subsequent electoral activities will be affected, which will force INEC to reschedule the 2023 general election dates.

“Granting presidential assent to the Electoral Bill, 2022, on or before 22nd February 2022, is in the best interest of our electoral democracy,” Itodo added.

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have reiterated their call on President Buhari to sign the electoral bill transmitted to him by the National Assembly bureaucracy on time if the dates of elections are to remain unchanged, warning that time was running out.

According to the CSOs, if the president signs the bill on time, it will help the INEC to issue guidelines for the 2023 general elections and make all the necessary preparations as required by the new law.

The CSOs urging Buhari to sign the bill are: Yiaga Africa, International Press Centre (IPC), Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD), The Albino Foundation, CLEEN Foundation, Institute for Media and Society (IMS) and Nigerian Women Trust Fund (NWTF).

Others are: Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), Partners for Electoral Reform (PER), Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), Nigeria Network of Non-Governmental Organisations (NNNGO) and Inclusive Friends Association (IFA).

Speaking to LEADERSHIP Friday, the executive director, Yiaga Africa Samson Itodo said the CSOs are happy the errors they found in the bill earlier rejected by Buhari had been corrected.

Itodo also pointed out that the issues raised by the president had also been addressed, and now it is for him to sign the bill on time to enable smooth preparations for the 2023 general elections.

“The National Assembly should be commended for accelerating the entire process of the review. We are glad that they reworked the bill and the drafting errors might have been resolved. We hope that there are no errors and there are no cross-referencing gaps.

“Now that it has been transmitted, we hope that the president will assent to the bill on time because we are running out of time. All the issues that he raised have been addressed and we expect him to sign the bill within one week.

“The law said that within 360 days to election, INEC is required to issue the notice of election. We don’t want the president to waste any further time because this is a critical moment for democracy,” Itodo added.

Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), which raised a fresh concern over plans to scuttle the signing of the 2022 electoral act amendment bill, said President Buhari must side with the majority of Nigerians.

IPAC chairman, Yabagi Sani, said like most enlightened Nigerians, they had expected that following the withholding of assent by the president when the Bill was first transmitted to him by lawmakers, the reworked version submitted afterwards would have been such that possible areas of conflicts were avoided.

The umbrella body of all political parties said it is loath to buy into the opinion held in many quarters that all the controversies over the electoral bill might have been a deliberate and conscious conspiracy by powerful interests in the Executive and the Legislature who are averse to positive changes that make it difficult for them to continue in their old game of manipulating the electoral process.

“If that is the case, all democrats and patriotic Nigerians owe it a duty to stand up against these retrogressive forces who are bent on retarding the progress of our hard-won democracy.

“IPAC is calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to go ahead and give his assent to the Bill as presently transmitted by the National Assembly.

“This will be demonstrating his avowed commitment to bequeathing a culture of transparent and credible elections to the country. The Bill can afterwards be revisited and amended again if compelling reasons emerge to do so, either before or after the 2023 elections.

“In other words, IPAC is of the standpoint that under no circumstances or pretext must we throw away the grains with the chaff which will be the case if the Electoral Act, for reasons of some clauses in it, is thrown away in its entirety,” Sani added.

INEC had earlier said that it could not issue guidelines for the 2023 general elections if the electoral legal framework was not ready.

Even though the commission could not respond to inquiry yesterday, the INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, had said that the commission would not release the 2023 general elections timetable until the Electoral Act Amendment Bill was signed into law.

He made the comment during a consultative meeting with political parties in Abuja last month

“As soon as it is signed into law, the commission will quickly release the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election based on the new law,” Yakubu told heads of political parties during a meeting on January 18, 2022.

LEADERSHIP Friday reports that with INEC required to issue a notice of election not later than 360 days before the day appointed for an election, if Buhari acts on the bill after February 22, 2022, INEC may have no option than to postpone the 2023 presidential election to a later date. (Leadership NG)

Aniekeme Finbarr

He was born on a glorious Friday, the 24th April 1964. The young Umo lost his father in his tender years and had to approach life with the vigour of an ox.

Today, he has become an accomplished Entrepreneur, Visionary and tenacious business leader with a proven track record in achieving positive business results, a Pastor to over 3,000 membership congregations in various assemblies across the State and outside, and a Public Administrator whose yearnings for continuous self- improvement and growth has got him currently studying for a PhD in the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Umoh established Royalty Hotels & Recreations Ltd from a humble beginning in 1997 with just 5 rooms and gradually evolved into a Group of hospitality and allied service provider in Akwa State and Nigeria at large. The operations span through hotels, apartments, eatery, coffee shops, industrial catering and water production.
He has effectively managed and provided jobs to a direct team of over 2,000 persons in more than 12 locations (including offshore locations), adding its quota to the social-economic index of the State and country.

His journey is a wonderful study in growth. He attended the good old St. Francis Secondary School, Eket, Akwa Ibom State and Victory High School, Ikeja, Lagos State between between (1975 – 1981) where he bagged School Certificate (O’ Level) and didn’t end there. He always had a push for education and success. He proceeded to the University of Uyo, Uyo Akwa Ibom State and bagged a degree in Political Science & Public Administration (1998 – 2002). He went further to bag a Master of Science degree in Political Science & Public Administration (2006 -2008).

He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Hotels & Catering Institute (FNHCI), an alumnus of the Lagos Business School, Pan-African University, a distinguished Rotarian of the Rotary International District 9140 and a 2-Star Paul Harris Fellow (PHF), a recipient of the Honourary Member Award of the World Conference of Mayors, United State of America and a recipient of several awards of excellence for meritorious services.

With his keen interest in community development, he is involved in key corporate social responsibilities in community development, upgrade of some schools within his environs, providing scholarships and trainings to several students as Interns and Industrial Attaches in Royalty Group.

His achievements at Royalty Hotels are worthy of emulation. He Opened up of five (5) additional locations in Akwa Ibom State with a liaison office in Lagos.

Eno became one of the first completely indigenous catering organization to win and execute an industrial catering contract with multinationals prominent amongst them with Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (MPN) that covered eleven (11) MPN offshore locations and QIT onshore location; and Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) Agbami FPSO respectively.

Eno effectively managed team of over 2000 employees in 12 different locations Increased revenue by over 200% in a 5-year timespan.

Eno Increased customer base retention by 35% yearly. AkwaFresh Premium Table Water got SON commendation as an award winning water with good alkalinity.

The Hotel got the “Highly Productive Company Award (Private Sector)” by National Productivity Centre, Abuja As Chairman, 2004 – 2007
Akwa Ibom Hotels & Tourism Board, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Eno conducted a state wide hotel inspections for categorization and classification. He also Developed and printed the first Akwa Ibom Hotels Directory for travelers and tourist.

Driven by excellence, his cardinal objective is to build synergy with individuals, corporate organizations, private and government institutions in pursuit of building human capacity, maximizing productivity and wealth creation, and ensuring strong future growth for the benefit of national development and human good.

As a minister of God, Pastor Eno is an ordained apostle in the body of Christ and the Undershepherd of the All Nations Christian Ministry Int’l in Eket. A ministry called to build a community of Christian Believers that transcend race, tribe, colour, tradition and denominations into a kingdom focused church.

He holds annual conferences for youths, women and men; aside the general ministry convention. Notable amongst such are the Ignite Conference for youth with over 2,500 youths in attendance; Bone of my bone couples seminar and day out.

He strives in his daily work to enthrone kingdom principles in doing business in the marketplace. He is a good social mixer who believes in hard work, integrity and strong character.

He is married to Pastor (Mrs.) Patience Eno and have enjoyed a marriage togetherness in the last 33years. A responsible and loving father to six children and a grandfather to several grandchildren.

This man cannot be exhausted in one piece. Akwa Ibom, yak Ibò Enò.

Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. Harry S Truman

By Aluu Vincent

History is in the making as May 29, 2023 approaches slowly but steadily. On that historic date, there will be change of guard as occupants of Hilltop Mansion will take the backstage for another occupant. This of course will happen after the electioneering, approbation and reprobation, alignment, realignment which follows the emergence of a governor. Akwa Ibom state having been a PDP state from onset, is 100% of surety going to retain power and by extension have Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, the preferred choice of the incumbent governor sworn in as Governor through the support of Akwa Ibom people.
Once this is done, the next line of action will be to face governance and implementation of whatever development agenda he came with.

As a research scholar and an Akwa Ibom resident with interests in development having been a keen observer and indirect participant in politics and governance between 2005 to date, there are critical areas I know Umo Eno will anchor his governance Blueprint on. I foresee Umo Eno’s Blueprint summarized into:
• Infrastructural Development and Industrialisation
• Adoption of Knowledge Economy and Entrepreneurship
• Agricultural Revolution
• Health is Wealth
• Moral and Attitude Reorientation through the Dakkada Philosophy

Having listened to Umo Eno address issues severally and having studied his antecedents, the aforesaid 5 points agenda are areas I strongly believe he has developed to help drive development of the state.

First is the fact that Umo Eno already has the big picture of the kind of government he wants to operate. He has an idea of the kind of Commissioners and Aides he needs to drive his vision given his expertise in managing men, material and financial resources. I foresee an admixture of tested professionals and politicians with the requisite experience to contribute to the development of the state. I see him travelling round the world in search of successful Akwa Ibomites in their chosen fields; bring them home and create the congenial environment for them to ply their trade and contribute their quota. Development does not happen in a vacuum. I see him putting in place a dynamic structure that will drive his policies. I see him applying the 20/80 percent pareto principle in identifying key ministries that will give him 80 percent of the results he needs. This imply that leadership will be needed at all times.
There is no doubt that Umo Eno will continue with the industrialization drive of Governor Udom Emmanuel by intensifying efforts to attract foreign direct investment. This was the strategy of the late Lee Kuan Yew that transformed his country from a third world to a first world economy. He will follow through with the efforts of the present government to actualize the Science Park project. There are enormous potentials in that project capable of pushing the state forward in the terms of knowledge and ICT. The Ibom Air fleet will be expanded with more regional and international routes created. I need not mention the huge impact and value chain the Ibom Deep Seaport will create in the state. Provision of basic infrastructures that will open up the state for further development will be taken to the next level.

The 21st century economy is knowledge based, private sector driven and entrepreneurially oriented. There is no doubt that Umo Eno will bring his more than 20 years business expertise to the fore in transforming the Akwa Ibom economy to be knowledge and entrepreneurship based.

Umo Eno a tested, tried and consummate industrialist, has taken to heart the words of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda who said, “we must create economic opportunity, build a culture of entrepreneurship, get people to take responsibility for improving their lives, rather than putting them in a position where they sit back in poverty and blame others for it”.

By this the Progenitor of the Royalty Group has plans to create an entrepreneurship village in the state like the Ariara in Aba, Computer Village in Lagos and Silicon Valley. The main aim of this hub will be to create entrepreneurially minded citizens, ICT wizards and skilled citizens who would be self-sustained job and wealth creators. He has plans to create digital zones in the federal constituencies of the state. Akwa Ibom state is blessed with brains interested in science and technology. Creating technology village becomes the hygiene factors these brains will need to explore, exploit their talents for the good of the state. The incoming has laid emphasis on encouraging skills education where apart from undergoing conventional studies, students will be encouraged to learn life enhancing skills that will put food on their tables rather than depending on white collar jobs, government for survival or public office holders for handouts. He intends to raise the next generation of self-reliant and self-sustained citizens.

The importance of agriculture to the development of any nation cannot be over emphasized. It must not be lost that Umo Eno aside being Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources still serve the state as Executive Director, Agricultural Investment, a new directorate that was created in the Akwa Ibom State Investment Corporation. It has the duty of ensuring sustainability of all government investments in agriculture and turn them to agricultural businesses. Therefore, he is sure to reinvent his track record as Head of the Agricultural Investment by ensuring that Agriculture takes the centre stage of his administration when finally given the nod. This is to ensure food security, sufficiency, foreign exchange earner and providing raw materials for the many agro-allied firms that will dot the landscape of the state.

Umo Eno once said, “I know how to connect the dots. I know how to fix issues from scratch to completion. I will bring same experience to the fore in fixing challenges facing Akwa Ibom. I have a blue print that will encourage job and wealth creation”. From this prism, I see him creating Ministry of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. This will help promote skills education, talent hunts and supporting innovative minds in science, ICT and knowledge economy.

On youth development, Umo Eno is turbocharged to make a difference. Recently he said, “Let us go beyond the days our youths carry placards and wait at Plaza for those who share money. The monies shared there won’t last a day. We must equip our youths from now own with requisite skills to compete intellectually and become job and wealth creators. We must teach our youths how to fish and not depend on others for fish. I started from the streets of Lagos before relocating to Akwa Ibom State. I started my business from the scratch. Today I employ more than 500 persons. That is my story and I challenge our youths to engage in meaningful ventures that will help their families and society grow”.

To ensure support from foreign donor agencies, Umo Eno is likely to enlarge the Department of Multilateral and Donor Agencies and transform it to a full fledge department and ensure that all the opportunities and benefits from international Donor agencies are judiciously tapped to the benefit of the State.

Finally, the Umo Eno I know will engage local economic leaders and organisations in a new conversation about the state economy, identify opportunities for new Transition-oriented enterprises, cooperatives & social enterprises, begin to build networks of existing businesses, by sector, support the growth of key resilience-building sectors, such as food, renewable energy, and the informal sector. This is in a bid to broaden and appreciate the workings of the state economy and know how to intervene when I eventually come on board.

Make no mistake about it. Umo Eno is no overnight sensation. In fact, he achieved success the old-fashioned way: he earned it. He worked hard and stayed humble. He lives the right way; he plays the right way. But however, you choose to see him, the story of Umoh remains the stuff gallant dreams are made of. Unlike many of his peers, his rise to eminence is as much a product of unrelenting will and his astounding ability to pirouette himself from obscurity to entrepreneurial acclaim by the jockstraps and now heading towards an unblemished public service.

The summary of the Umo Eno blueprint represents a government that will not depend on monthly allocation alone to drive the state but will explore other avenues of raising funds such that the state will be self-sustain most of its development efforts. One key factor that is already working for Umo Eno is the fact that he is peaceful and unassuming. He has no excess luggage neither has he been corrupted by the system. He is as clean as crystal having not been tainted with the nuances of politics. He comes on board with time tested principles and values of hard work, honesty and integrity; always ready to get the job delegated not minding who gets the credit. He earned his wealth from his personal labour and sweat, yet has remained an epitome of humility, with a common touch, and a compelling grass to grace story.

Aluu Vincent, Policy Scientist and Publisher Naija Eye Witness News contributes this piece from Dept of Political Science/Public Admin, Univeristy of Uyo. 08036688375.


www.naijaeyewitnessnews.com

News making the rounds from Delta State says a baby of one year, 7 months is currently admitted at an undisclosed hospital in Delta State after the proprietress of his school, one Mrs Ogbo gave him 31 strokes of the cane for playing with water.

According to Sahara Reporters, the name of the school is Arise and Shine Nursery and Primary School, Asaba, the Delta State capital.

The sad incident was made known by Ebenezer Omejalile, Chief Operating Officer of Advocates for Children and Vulnerable People’s Network (ACVPN), a human rights group.

According to the mother of the victim, the act was perpetrated by the proprietress and her son who tied the hands and legs of the baby before flogging him into a coma.

In a video shared by the mother of the victim, the victim was seen on a hospital bed receiving treatment.

The teary mother said, “My son has not been himself since the incident, this is him on the hospital bed receiving drip after the incident in the school and up until now, the school has not called to know how he is faring or how it’s going.”

However, the police have arrested the accused person who is said to be asking for forgiveness and pledging to pay the hospital bills of the baby.

The ACVPN Chief Operating Officer said, “According to the baby’s mother, her son’s hands and legs were tied by the owner of the school who gave him 31 strokes of the cane.

“The name of the School is Arise and Shine Nursery and Primary School, Asaba, Delta State, behind Ibori Golf Club.

“The school proprietress tied his hands and legs and started flogging him; he is just a year and seven months old – all this because the baby played with the tap water and got himself wet. What do you expect from a child of that age?

“The owner of the school is Mrs Ogbo, she is from Orifite while the husband is from Akwuku Igbo in Delta State.

“Currently the proprietress has been arrested. She is now pleading, promising to pay for all expenses incurred by the baby’s treatment.

“This was a woman who was initially boasting to the baby’s mother that she has people in high places in the police force but for us, forgiveness is a sin.

“Who gave such monsters approval to operate a school? Where is the Ministry of Education Quality Assurance unit?

“The proprietress’ elder sister went to the hospital the baby is currently admitted, ranting that nothing will happen. Thankfully the police officers from GRA Police Station, Asaba, Delta State apprehended her and she too has given a confessional statement. She is being detained along with the proprietress and her son.”

“So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy” Rom. 9:16

The day Sunday January 30, 2022 will remain ever green in Akwa Ibom State. It personifies the day over 5 million Akwa Ibomites fixated their eyes at Hilltop Mansion waiting for the White smoke to signal glad tidings and fulfilment of the promise of Governor Udom Emmanuel to name his successor in office. Within minutes, there was tumultuous shouts in the air, “He has spoken” He has spoken. Governor Udom Emmanuel chose one of his commissioners in charge of Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, as his successor in office come May 29, 2023.

While the choice of Umo Eno did not come as a surprise to many, some persons are jilted by his choice. Severally, Governor Udom Emmanuel has said he was waiting on God to give him direction on who the person will be. He even asked Akwa Ibom people to pray God to choose his successor. "I have no hand in who emerge as the next governor. Akwa Ibom people should ask God for their next governor. I am not using God's name in vain. Let us allow God to do what he wants to do. It will be in the best interest of Akwa Ibom State," Emmanuel declared.

The Governor confessed that he has been under severe pressure over the choice of his successor and went spiritual by saying that he will not be another Saul, who sinned against God by bowing to pressure and do what he was not supposed to do as King. Emmanuel, whose reelection campaign slogan was 'Only God,' insisted that; "God will make his choice for Akwa Ibom State.". Finally, what was secret has become public knowledge. Umo Eno is the chosen one, the preferred, the anointed of the incumbent and the one the Governor is disposed to supporting as his worthy successor in office come 2023.

Ever since the news broke out, there has been argument in support and against the decision of the Governor. Those in support are of the view that it is within the right of the Governor to support a candidate and give direction to his party, the PDP on who to market as the next governor. This school of thought says that it has been a tradition for an incumbent to have a preferred candidate. They went on to cite instances in the state to buttress their point. For example, Obong Victor Attah anointed his son-in-law Dr. Udoma Ekarika as his choice successor although Senator Godswill Akpabio went on to clinch the ticket and became Governor. Pundits cite Attah’s inability to produce a successor to the fact that he was gunning for the presidency, had some axe to grin with former President Olusegun Obasanjo ostensibly because of his stance on resource control and at the same time wanted his son in law to succeed him. In 2015, Senator Akpabio, then Governor chose and anointed Udom Emmanuel fresh from the Bank as his successor. Not everyone in the party supported the idea but he succeeded. We are back to the same scenario as we approach 2023 even as Governor Udom Emmanuel has made his choice.

Those against Udom’s choice are of the view that it is undemocratic, means imposition of candidate and has the potency of shutting out other contestants. Some persons even went ephemeral and juvenile by questioning the colour of his skin and that he is Albino hence can’t be governor. Excuse me; what has skin colour got to do with performance?

Like Etimbuk Ekpenyomg wrote, “Pst Umo Eno’s skin colour did not stop him from building mega businesses. It did not stop him from founding and running a church successfully. It did not stop him from becoming aa commissioner. It cannot definitely stop him from being a governor…”

Truth be told, the role and impact of governors in the emergence of their successors in Nigeria cannot be overemphasized. In fact, governors are so powerful in their respective states such that they dictate and direct the tempo of political behavior and to a large extent the electoral process of their respective political parties. You cannot ignore the power of incumbency as far as Nigeria’s democratic experience is concerned. It is within this context that Udom Emmanuel acted and he cannot therefore be faulted as he has merely done the obvious as is expected of him. The choice of Umo Eno does not in any way invalidate the ambition of others. The Governor as a citizen has rights to vote and be voted for. He has right to support any candidate same way we all do. He has exercised that discretion by declaring his sentiment to the public. That does not in any way means that he hates other aspirants. It simply means that as a political animal and free moral agent, he can take decisions and be responsible for the outcome of his action. As a leader who believes in the efficacy of God’s word, Udom has sought the face of God as he has always done from the first day he took over as Governor. He asked God for direction in the choice of who will take over from him and God obliged his request.

Those against the choice of Umo Eno seem to have forgotten the place of God factor in the affairs of men. Instances abound where a person is eminently qualified to occupy a certain exalted office yet the absence of the God factor zeroes in against the person. God’s word in Daniel 4:17b says “to the intent that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.” The message bible says that God arranges kingdom affairs however he wishes and make leaders out of losers. From the bible verse above, it must be noted that God can choose anyone and make him King over others out of His will. Isa 2:8a says “ He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory:”. Obong Victor attah, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Udom Emmanuel may not have been the most qualified in their time to become Governors based on political pedigree and other factors yet they were favoured to become the Governors.

In other words, God does not call the qualified, he calls the unqualified and qualifies the fellow so the fellow fits into the office he is called to occupy. The bible is replete with instances of unqualified persons that God called, qualified and made them Kings and Princes over nations. 1 Sam 16:6-7 is a classical example of how an unqualified can be qualified. 6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him. 7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart”.

The summary is that while as humans we set our criteria on whom we deem fit to have rule over us, God is the one who qualifies such a person. As it stands, grace and favour has located Umo Eno, the most unqualified to be the choice of Governor Udom Emmanuel same David was favoured more than his brothers who had intimidating qualities. This is in line with the words in Eccl 9:11, “ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”

Umo Eno may not be the best or the most qualified for the job but divine providence has made it possible for him to be the chosen one to fly the gubernatorial ticket under PDP. He remains one of Akwa Ibom finest entrepreneurs; served Obong Victor Attah’s administration as Chairman Ibom Hotels Management Board, served as Executive Director, Akwa Ibom State Agricultural Investment before being appointed Commissioner .

He may not have had all the political exposures in terms of the offices he has occupied whether elected or appointed. He may not have had an intimidating profile, may not have had all the grassroots contacts, connections and savvy. But as Romans 8:29, NLT says,: For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Sometimes, God make choice of leaders for reasons best known to Him and beyond our comprehension. This is confirmed in 1 Cor. 1:27-29 which says God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence”.

In any case, his choice by the Governor does not in any way invalidate the ambition of others. Those seeking to jostle for the PDP ticket will have to slog it out with him during the primaries. Besides, elections in Nigeria are in stages – being cleared by the party to contest, taking part in primaries, undergoing security check and winning it and facing candidate of other political parties at the general election where the people will decide the ultimate winner via the ballot. So, it is not yet uhuru for Umo Eno in spite of his choice by the incumbent governor.

Like Anietie Usen the award winning writer said, the Governor may have opted to support Udom Emmanuel because he is convinced that Pastor Eno would continue with the developmental projects and programs that he is executing in the State right now. He depends on God Who sees tomorrow, for guidance on major issues of this magnitude and the Christian credentials of Pastor Eno weighed significantly in his considerations. Umo Eno is a highly respected person because of his enormous capacity for hard work and visible managerial skills, even in his own private businesses and chosen field of endeavour. He earned his wealth from his personal labour and sweat, yet has remained an epitome of humility, with a common touch, and a compelling grass to grace story.

Dr. Udeme Nana the founder of Uyo Book Club in one of his widely shared writings had noted that executive leadership in a competitive society goes beyond sophistry and playing to the gallery. It demands deep thinking, big picture visioning, planning, organizing, discipline, motivation, monitoring, evaluation, execution. According to Nana (2022), “It is important to headhunt for an adaptable person who truly understands planning and has the knack to go through the rigors of systematized planning and the monitoring and evaluation process that ensures success of a plan. It needs someone who stands on time tested principles and values of hard work, honesty and integrity. A person whose credibility is not cloudy. Someone who is open minded; approachable, a listener who has the ability to motivate and mentor. The State needs someone who respects and responds to others with readiness to go through ideas brought by someone else, modify them, and implement with deference to the originators without feeling diminished in any way; someone who is not bossy, but trusts others and delegates responsibilities without looking away, without abdicating his roles”

Without sounding immodest, Umo aptly fits into the picture of who will take the state to the next level. For now, he is the choice of the Governor as the oil of leadership has dropped on his head. Even if he is not qualified for it, he has been chosen. His political party, delegates, the people will do the needful while God will finish the rest by further qualifying him.

Deacon Aluu Vincent, a Research Scholar, Public Affairs Analyst and Publisher of Naija Eye Witness News, contributes this piece from Uyo. 08036688375

…EX GOV ATTAH PRESENTS COMMISSIONER FOR LANDS TO PDP STAKEHOLDERS

Governor Udom Emmanuel has finally ended months of speculations and permutations with the presentation of one of his cabinet members to succeed him as Governor in 2023.

At a well attended PDP Stakeholders' Meeting which took place this evening at the Governor's Lodge, in Uyo, Governor Udom Emmanuel, after months of seeking the face of God, finally announced his Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources, Pastor Umo Eno, as his preferred choice to succeed him.

Former Governor, Obong (Arc) Victor Attah, thereafter made the formal presentation of Pastor Eno to the Stakeholders which comprises major and leading political chieftains from the three Senatorial Districts, who all applauded the choice and pledged to work towards his emergence as the Governor of the State come 2023.

Pastor Eno spoke passionately and emotionally about how he grew up in the Police barracks and how dreary and challenging those days were, but he summoned hope to overcome those difficulties.

He said he was grateful to God and to Governor Emmanuel for finding him worthy of the onerous task to lead the people of the State and continue the people-focused and developmental strides of Governor Udom Emmanuel .

Bishop Uma Ukpai and the Prelate Emeritus of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Dr. Sunday Mbang prayed for his success, a sentiment that was re-echoed by the Oku Ibom Ibibio and Chairman of State Council of Chiefs, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk.

Among those who attended the event, were the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo, MFR, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey, Senators Akon Eyakenyi, Effiong Bob, Ibok Essien, Aloysius Etok, former Deputy Governor, Etim Okpoyo, Member, representing Etinan Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Onofiok Luke, PDP Party Chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem, the National Coordinator of the Maintain Peace Movement, (MPM) . Hon Pat Ifon, Member representing Eket Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and Member, PDP BOT, Chief Nduese Essien, a former Minister of Housing, Ambassador Assam Assam, SAN, Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Russia , Fathers of Faith, and other leading members of the state’s political class.

By Aluu Vincent

Uyo Book Club, a leading intellectual hub in the country has urged Nigerians to adopt a DEAR moment in their homes as part of efforts to reawaken reading culture among Nigerians. The founder of the Club, Dr. Udeme Nana disclosed this on Saturday, January 29 2022 at Shakespeare Hall, WatBridge Hotel during the January Edition of Uyo Book Club while welcoming members to the first meeting for 2022.

Providing insight into to the meaning of the acronym 'DEAR', Dr Nana explained that DEAR stands for "DROP EVERYTHING AND READ" adding that the moment should be a period where individuals and family members should Drop Everything And Read. Dr Nana said it was a quiet and special moment for individuals and households to gather, dedicate a period of time just to read books, or any writing. He noted that when people read, they will become enlightened and better informed to make contributions to the development of their society. The former Media Adviser to Governor Attah highlighted that the sensibilities of people who read widely will be refined.
The 'DEAR' MOMENT will also create an avenue for bonding among family members, he said.

The Media Scholar likened the special moment to a time when families drop everything they do to pray, eat or sleep. People who embrace this idea will be transformed sustainably, Dr. Nana emphasized.

He maintained that things will change in Nigeria for the better while a mental and attitudinal revolution will take place when families include a time for reading in their daily routines. He added that during the 'DEAR' moment, one will be amazed at what can be learned as the mental faculty will be opened to fresh ideas and innovations will take place.

While addressing the gathering, Dr. Martins Akpan, a medical doctor cum cerebral writer appreciated club members for finding time to attend the reading exercise. “Reading maketh a man. That is why it is often said that readers are leaders. You can do nothing without books. Reading is one of the most serious things anybody can do. As a Medical Doctor, I interact with my patients through word as a form of cure. Some of them come to me for drugs but I present words to them and they become okay” Dr Martins said.

Also speaking , Professor Joseph Ushie, Dean Faculty of Arts University of Uyo, said that reading is to humans what blood is to the body. He said that William Shakespeare was born on April 1564 and died in April 1616 hence lived for 52 years. “If you ask an average English man who the richest man is, he may not know but William Shakespeare still live in the hearts of almost everyone in the world through his writings and poetic works. This is to tell you how important reading is to human life” Ushie said. Prof. Ushie maintained that words are therapeutic in nature and has the potency to heal and make whole when rightly applied. According to the former Chairman of National Association of Nigerian Authors Akwa Ibom State, “When people gather to read, brains are opened up to gather more wisdom, ideas and innovations are birthed that can lead to development”. He introduced a new word LOGOS-THERAPY into the English vocabulary meaning the use of words to cure patients .

The Patron of Uyo Book Club and former Commissioner for Environment and Mineral Resources, Rt. Hon. Barr. Ekong Sampson PhD, underscored the importance of Books and reading in the life of any nation. Ekong Sampson popularly referred to as the Encyclopedia by admirers, noted that writers have a duty to draw the attention of government and the public to wrongs and inadequacies that needs attention. He cited the ugly trend of gradual return of military rule in Africa as unacceptable and remains a recurring decimal and rape to democracy. “The happenings in Mali and lately Burkina Faso reminds us of Anthill of the Savannah and a Man of the people by late Professor Chinua Achebe. There can never be a substitute to democracy. Since Writers blossom in democracy, they have a duty to write and condemn the subtle comeback to power by Men in Khaki uniform. There should be immediate restoration to democracy in affected countries. The right to freedom of expression and writing are guaranteed under a democracy not military rule. Writers must wake up now” Sampson said.

Highlights of the first meeting of the year was the commencement of the 'DEAR' MOMENT by Members of the Club, introduction of new members, presentation of prizes to winners of crossword puzzles, and review of the Book by Richard Mammah titled “The History and Prospects of the Nigerian Book”.

By Aluu Vincent

The times are indeed interesting and precarious as the 2023 general elections draws nigh. Nigeria once again is at the point of history where it will decide on whose shoulder the responsibility of managing the complex affairs of the nation after 2023 will rest on and which geo political zone of the country should produce the president. Although the odd favours the South East Zone predominantly occupied by the Igbos, political mathematicians and those who do not mean well for this country are at it again claiming that there is nothing like zoning. They have gone to work to design the formula, abracadabra and permutations on which zone will produce the President. The bitter truth is that zoning and consensus is a part of Nigeria’s political process and has always helped political parties produce leaders. Though not conceding that the South East will get the presidency on a platter, the need for bridge building, wider consultations, negotiations and compromise among the other geo-political zones cannot be over emphasized.

Nigeria is a federal structure made up of 36 states, a federal capital and 774 Local Government spread across 6 geopolitical zones of North East, North West, North Central, South West, South East and South-South. Going by the Federal Character Principles, offices whether elective or appointive and resources are shared among the geo-political zone to allow for equity, fairness and justice. How these have been applied remains to be seen as there has been cries of marginalization from different zones of the country especially the South East Zone.
Since after the civil war, the South East Zone has not remained the same as the war left it devastated with completely destroyed hospitals, schools, and homes. In addition to the loss of their savings, many Igbo people faced discrimination from other ethnic groups and from the federal government. Some Igbo subgroups, such as the Ikwerre, started dissociating themselves from the larger Igbo population after the war. In the post-war era, people of Eastern Nigeria changed the names of both people and places to non-Igbo-sounding words. For instance, the town of Igbuzo was anglicized to Ibusa. Due to discrimination, many South Easterners had trouble finding employment, and during the early 1970s, the Igbo became one of the poorest ethnic groups in Nigeria, Tamuno (1970). Uzokwe (2013) revealed that Igboland was gradually rebuilt by its citizens and some contribution from the Nigerian government over a period of twenty years and the economy prospered again due to the rise of the petroleum industry in the adjacent Niger Delta region. This led to the establishment of new factories and other businesses.

The defining characteristics of the South East geopolitical zone are critical. First, it is the geopolitical zone with the least volume of landmass, and the fewest number of states in composition. The region accounts for 3.2 per cent of Nigeria’s land space. Second, it is the geopolitical zone with nearly 95% homogeneous population of Igbo – speaking ethnic persons, Uzokwe (2013).

Structurally, South East remains disadvantaged as the emergence of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) spread across the six geopolitical zones, has the zone with the least number of 95 LGAs. While the North West zone has the highest number of 186 LGAs, the South West zone has 138 LGAs, South –South has 123 LGAs; North Central zone 115 LGAs; and North East zone 112 LGAs. The same structural outlook is manifested in the number of Senatorial and House of Representatives’ seats or districts/constituencies among the six geopolitical zones. Out of the country’s 109 Senators, the South East zone has the least number of 15, whereas the North West zone is given 21 followed by South West, South-South, North Central and North East zones with 18 each.

Being already disadvantaged in all ramification, the Zone has taken the bull by the horn to remain self-made with private entrepreneurs demonstrating their determination to accentuate the economic progress. Anambra State tops the chart in boosting the economy of the zone through industrialization and agriculture. Nnewi indigenes who are industrialists ensured the location of various industries in their homestead and has been dubbed the ‘Japan of Africa’. From manufacturing of household item, automotive spare parts, wires and cables and food products, the industrialists have contributed a great deal in this aspect. This has seen Chief Innocent Chukwuma of the Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, producing locally made vehicles and Aba commercial nerve centre of Abia state is renowned for the ingenuity and the industry in handcrafts, including shoe-making, fashion and design, steel works and fabrications, textiles, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and cosmetics, amongst others.

Despite all these trappings, majority of the indigenes of the South East region have the strong perception that the region has not had a fair deal in terms of proportionate political representation in federal institutions and structures of government at the centre, even though there are basic constitutional provisions and other guideposts, (Nnamani 2017:23). One could see that the rulership of Nigeria is dominated by the Northern section of the country thus, excluding the South East in the process. The appearance of some southerners as heads-of state was accidental. For instance, the assassination of Murtala Muhammed on 13th February, 1976 led to the appointment of his erstwhile second-in-command, Olusegun Obasanjo. Also, the late Ernest Shonekan who also hails from the West was manipulated into office by the military to head a contraption called Interim National Government (ING) to placate the westerners who were annoyed over the annulment of the June 12th presidential election believed to have been won by the late business mogul, Chief M.K.O. Abiola Adeosun, (2000:101). The second coming of Obasanjo from 1999-2007 has been attributed to the south-west threat of possible secession if not given the shot at the presidency, which informed the two presidential candidates (Olusegun Obasanjo and Olu Falae) from the same zone-south-west during the transition programme of General Abdulsalam Abubakar Ojo, (2009:390). The death of Umaru Musa Yar’adua led to the emergence of Dr Goodluck Jonathan. Although the latter was later elected in April General Election of 2011, in what has been described as a pan–Nigerian mandate, the post-election crises that followed his announcement as the winner of the election further showed that the country was far from being united and make nonsense of the so-called Pan –Nigerian mandate.

There is a seeming mutual tension between the elites of the South and the North resulting in concerns by the Southerners that the more populous Northern region would always have the upper hand in any majoritarian electoral contest. In the same vein, the Northerners were of the view that the more educated Southern elite would dominate state institutions. In the political arena, there have been a Northern domination and monopoly of political power at the expense of the other regions. Of the 15 Nigerians who have exercised executive powers at the federal level either as Military or Civilian presidents; ten have come from the old North, two from the Old West and three from the old East. The North has ruled Nigeria for a collective period of about 40 years out of Nigeria’s 61 years post-independence period.

The South East still suffers effects of the war for daring to secede from Nigeria. They have not forgotten the deliberate, wicked, heartless, obnoxious and outrageous policy master-minded by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the then Finance Minister purposely to cripple the south east economically where they were merely and ridiculously given twenty pounds irrespective of how much of Biafran pounds they brought for exchange. The Igbos cannot also forget the infamous and inhuman ‘Abandoned Property’ saga that was perpetrated against the Igbo people in Rivers State immediately the civil war ended in 1970.

The South East has not had a shot at the presidency of Nigeria since 1966 owing to the politics of exclusion in place apart from the late Nnamdi Azikiwe who was a ceremonial head of state. If the 36 states structure is based on equity, the South-East would have six ministers as constitutionally guaranteed. The South-East has no visible presence in the present federal government despite promises of balancing. The South-East is not in the security apparatus of the present government as represented by heads of security agencies. Uneze (2016) notes that the South East is one of the major entities in the social unit called Nigeria but often treated differently in the power equation for various misgivings. Uneze maintains that for the South East to assert and take its place in the scheme of things, its leaders have to come together as a people and speak with one voice. Uneze says unity of purpose had long eluded the Igbo race and the resultant effect of disunity among the people had actually brought untold hardship and unimaginable marginalisation.

Some of the exclusion indicators of the South East Zone include political emasculation where Igbos are excluded effectively from being key players in the formation and execution of major policy decisions in Nigeria; politics of state creation with the zone having the least number of states, discrimination in federal appointments with instances abounding where the office of the President of the Federation, Chairman and Directors of federal parastatals, commanding structures of various military installations, have been specifically left for the Hausas, Fulanis and Yorubas. There is also military neutralization where the Igbos are allowed only token presence in the Nigerian Army through absorption of only a negligible number of the Nigerian army officers of Igbo origin. There has also been selective development where seaports of Calabar and Port Harcourt which are close the Igbo have been excluded from a serious development attention to promote import-export activities. Today many importers travel to Lagos to clear their goods. More so occasional ban on importation of second-hand vehicles (Tokunbo) and stockfish (okporoko) are intended to marginalize the Igbo. The question to ask is, why the Oguta Lake has not been transformed into an international seaport and the dredging of River Niger at Onitsha.

Given the above, it becomes imperative to conclude that the South East has not been fairly treated economically, politically, socially, militarily and otherwise. The leaders of the zone share a greater portion of the blame as they have colluded with other zones to deny the zone what is theirs. The activities of secessionist groups like IPOB have worsened security situation and the condition of the people. As the discussion shifts to the 2023 general elections, the narratives need to be centered on how to allow the Igbos have a shot at the presidency. It is not only as a matter of urgency; it has become needful for the sake of equity, justice and in line with the federal character principle.

Facts are sacrosanct and sacred. Federal elective and appointive offices have always been zoned. In 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo was president from the South East with his Vice from the North (Adamawa). When the late Yardua emerged in 2007, his Vice Dr. Goodluck Jonathan was picked from Bayelsa State, South-South. Former President Goodluck had his Vice from Kaduna. President Muhammadu Buhari is a product of zoning with his Vice from South West zone. Also, apart from producing military leaders, the North has had the privilege of producing two civilian presidents, the South West produced two while South-South has produced one in the current democratic dispensation leaving the South East orphaned. Where lies equity, fair play and justice? As the tenure of President Buhari gradually screeches to a halt, the Presidency returns to the South with the hope that the South East is favoured to take a shot. Those who deny zoning now are mischief makers and enemies of Nigeria. When other zones had their turn, no one talked about competence because the onus was on the favoured zone to field its best. The South East is no doubt blessed with some of the very best hands.

Incidentally, a handful have indicated interest to take a shot. The likes of Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra state and an international businessman, Prof Kingsley Muoghalu, former Deputy Governor of the CBN, Engr. Dave Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former Senate President and Secretary to Government of the Federation, Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu, former Governor of Abia State and current Senate Chief Whip, etc. The list is endless. It is important at this point to call on Ohaneze Ndigbo and all relevant stakeholders to close ranks, bury their differences, build bridges across different zones, consult, negotiate and if need be make some compromises to ensure that all political parties zones the presidency to the South East. The zone should be firm enough to make a choice among the very best hands available and come up with a sellable and acceptable candidate. The idea of having so many Igbos contesting will be counterproductive. The maxim that (Igbo nwere mmadu) meaning Igboland has great people should be applied and the best hand chosen as the choice of the Igbos. The North and the West did same. The Igbos should follow suit.

For other geo-political zones in Nigeria eyeing the presidency too, there is an Igbo proverb that says, (k’emenyelu nwammadu, k’emenyelu nwammuo) translated to mean treat the children of the living same way you would treat children of the spirit. The South East provided supported to both South West and South-South when they held sway as President. The zone also did same to the North. It is time to extend same brotherhood and reciprocate same gestures. Nigeria belongs to all of us. No one is more Nigerian than the other. It is time we dropped what divides us and concentrate on what unites us one of which is to ensure that a Southern President of Igbo extraction emerges. Together, we an achieve more. (Ka Chineke Mezie Okwu), Let God be the Righteous Judge. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Deacon Aluu Vincent PhD (In View), Policy Scientist and Publisher of Naija Eye Witness News writes from Uyo Akwa Ibom State. 08036688375

By Udeme Nana

Celestine Udofia is a vulcanizer who plies his trade opposite a popular hotel in Uyo. The other day, one was curious to find out why he sets up about 6 in the morning and works till 8 in the evening. I wondered how much money he makes daily and was shocked to be told that he rakes in at least N50k daily. 'I have been on this for more than 20 years and have built a house for myself and all my children are graduates' he confessed proudly. This shows that even as the economy is struggling, Nigerians are not giving up on their daily grind to make a living. Across the nation, a lot of people, whether motor cyclists, Keke, taxi, bus, lorry, trailer or truck drivers or wheelbarrow pushers cross our streets and roads a thousand and more times to pursue the elusive daily bread.

They are also making useful contributions to the economy. Others, including petty traders, barbers and dry cleaners are also pining away. In Akwa Ibom State, our streets are getting busy and busy every day with ordinary people eking out a living. The robust bustle and hustle by the very young, not too young, old and the very old daily from dawn to dusk seems to drive the economy of developing societies more than half of the public service salaried workforce.

These people belong to the informal economy, and are not mobilized for a more effective role - play in the economy. But they are the engine of any economy contributing to its development given the chain in their activities amongst others. They need to be mobilized and organized like MSMEs. According to the World Bank, MSMEs constitute about 90 percent of businesses in any nation. They provide 50 percent of employment world-wide. In most emerging economies, MSMEs that have been captured by the formal sector drive GDP by 40 percent.

According to the SMEDAN/NBS’ Survey, Nigeria’s SMEs contribute nearly 50 percent to the nation’s GDP and accounts for 80 percent of employment in the country. Indeed, the sector is crucial to the nation’s economic growth, particularly in reducing poverty incidence. Unfortunately, however, even the MSMEs are the least factored into the country’s economic planning. This is even worse in the states. For us in this state, the challenge is how best to channel the boundless energies of our people and resources to transit from a largely informal economy to an industrial one. The fact that we have an airport and airline is an advantage. Completing the MRO part of the airport, the Deep sea port, the vehicle assembly plant, the BUA Petrochemical complex, and the fertilizer project planned for the state by some investors is therefore very compelling. Getting them into production is the major catalyst the state requires to build a more sophisticated and productive economy.

But who will superintend over these? Who has the pedigree, the clout, skills to fast track these ? And what would we need to identify in someone that could give us the hope that such a person has the potential to make the difference in turning around the informal economy and linking it up with big industrial concerns. Executive leadership in a competitive society goes beyond sophistry and playing to the gallery. It demands deep thinking, big picture visioning, planning, organizing, discipline, motivation, monitoring, evaluation, execution.

It is important to headhunt for an adaptable person who truly understands planning and has the knack to go through the rigors of systematized planning and the monitoring and evaluation process that ensures success of a plan. It needs someone who stands on time tested principles and values of hard work, honesty and integrity. A person whose credibility is not cloudy. Someone who is open minded; approachable, a listener who has the ability to motivate and mentor. The State needs someone who respects and responds to others with readiness to go through ideas brought by someone else, modify them, and implement with deference to the originators without feeling diminished in any way ; someone who is not bossy, but trusts others and delegates responsibilities without looking away, without abdicating his roles.

There is a need to unlock Udom Uko Inoyo, a tried and tested manager of men and resources, who has had both public service and best - of - the - pack private sector experience at the highest level. He can get our people back to work. He can lead by inspiring people to do things they never thought were possible to do. Udom Inoyo is deep, visionary, innovative, mature, statesmanly and widely exposed. He engages people and respects superior opinions. He has the contacts that would be tapped to stimulate economic growth in our environment. The Udom Inoyo I know will challenge the prevalent culture parasitism among once dignified, hardworking, proud people who have now become parasites to professional politicians and political office holders.

He has the capacity to explore possibilities where the citizenry would work to earn a living ; restoring their dignity and self pride in the process. Among the contenders for the Governorship of Akwa Ibom State in 2023, Mr. Udom Inoyo holds the correct key to mobilize and organize the 'wretched of the earth' - vibrant and useful but forgotten sections of the populace to become a more effective key contributors to economic growth. He has the profile to attract big investors to the state. Investors follow people. They do not just venture with their funds into locations with unknown leaders. The cap fits him. The 2023 moment requires a solid pair of hands. Udom Inoyo has those hands.

By Aluu Vincent

The essence of this write up is to examine how the Nigeria’s economy fared under the presidency of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonthan. This has become necessary ostensibly because the blame of every failed effort of the APC led government to attain success and guarantee economic growth and development has been put at the doorstep of the Jonathan Presidency.

My intention is to reel out fact and figures of the nation’s economy between 2010 to 2015 as opposed to what we have now for the sake of comparing and contrasting.

Economic development is the process of improving economic welfare in an economy. It could also mean a stronger economy enabling a greater range of social services that improve a nation’s welfare. It could involve an increase in real incomes, higher life expectancy, lower poverty and a greater provision of basic amenities. Economic growth on the other hand is the increase in the production of economic goods and services through the use of land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship. This can be caused by growth on the size of the workforce and growth in the productivity (output per hour worked) of that workforce.

To measure the performance of an economy, real GDP per capita, GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP), levels of absolute poverty, malnutrition levels, access to safe water, literacy rate, number of doctors per 1,000 of population, Average life expectancy, openness of economy to international trade, levels of foreign direct investment, quality of nation’s infrastructure, political stability, security and Wildlife Diversity, etc, are put into consideration.

Based on the aforesaid, can we in all honesty say that the Jonathan’s era had a robust, productive and booming economy that benefitted the generality of Nigerians? Res ipsa loquitor (Let the facts speak for itself)

To start with let me say that the Jonathan’s presidency handed over a foreign reserve of $28.6 billion, $5.6 billion Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited dividends and a 2015 budget of over N4 trillion along with a total of $2.2 billion in the Excess Crude Account. Where the Buhari government got the narrative of inheriting an empty treasury and a failed economy leaves much to be desired.

On May 29, 2015, President Buhari inherited a foreign reserve of $28.6 billion, according to official data still present on the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria, as well as $5.6 billion Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited dividends. Also, a 2015 budget of over 4 trillion Naira was handed over to the present administration by the outgone Jonathan government.

Furthermore, the Jonathan administration left a total of $2.2 billion in the Excess Crude Account on May 29, 2015. (As verified by the Ministry of Finance both by the immediate past minister and the incumbent).
It must be noted also that on May 29, 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari inherited an economy that, by the testimony of the World Investment Report, prepared by the Geneva-based United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), was the number one destination for foreign direct investment in Africa. In the five years of President Jonathan, Direct Foreign Investment stood at about 35.25 billion Dollars. For example, In the first six months of 2014, a total of US$9.70 billion or N1.51 trillion flowed into the national economy as foreign direct investments (FDI), NBS (2015 Report). You can compare this to the 11.55 billion Dollars Direct Foreign Investment received from 2016 to 2020. It is instructive to note that Jonathan handed over a $550 billion economy and a stable exchange rate of N199 to $1 at the end of his five years in office making it the largest in Africa and 26th globally and highly diversified. Again, these facts can be verified at CBN, Federal Ministry of Finance and National Bureau of Statistics.

We had a stable currency with the Naira exchanging for ₦199 to $1, and Nigeria had a single-digit inflation rate. Today, after 6 years of the current administration headline inflation rate hovers above 15%. Also, unemployment rate stood at 7.5% (better than European Union) under the Jonathan presidency. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, six and half years after Buhari’s government came in, unemployment is 33% with Nigeria as the poverty capital of the world. Before the government came in, Nigeria’s poverty rate was 32% as of May 2015. We need not compare it against 71% today

Need I mention the skyrocketed external debt under the watch of President Muhammad Buhari? As of May 2015, it stood at $7.3 billion, the Gini coefficient (degree of inequality) was not different from China’s as of 2015.today, it has ballooned to $37.9 billion as of September 2021 with the propensity to increase. In the words of Osita Chidoka (2021), “In the face of declining revenues, available public data revealed that external debt servicing gulped $1.82 billion between January and September 2021; this is 43.9% higher than the $1.27 billion spent in the corresponding period of 2020. In the same period of January to September 2021, Domestic debt servicing rose to N1.74 trillion from N1.53 trillion recorded in the same period of 2020. The implication is that we spend more to service our debts than we spend on infrastructure and other aspect of the nation’s life, a complete departure to what we had in the Jonathan’s era.

On a general note, let me add that the GEJ government did its best to reposition the Nigerian economy and made inroads in other sectors of the economy. Efforts were made to boost the manufacturing sector and also employment, agriculture and reduction in poverty. For example, there was initiation of the YOUWIN and SURE-P programmes in 2011 designed to generate over 200,000 jobs for innovative unemployed youths across the country. There are testaments of the wonders these programmes performed in the lives of beneficiaries.

Global auto giants like Peugeot, Nissan and Hyundai either assembled or wholly manufactured small cars, Sport Utility Vehicles, trucks and buses at various locations in Nigeria. In addition to that, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company (IVM), Nigeria’s flagship indigenous automaker, began the sale of their first made-in-Nigeria cars and SUVs in August 2014. Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote’s net worth increased from US$2.1 billion at the start of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s administration to US$ 23 billion in 2014, making him Forbes’ richest black person in the world and the overall 26th richest in the world. He attributed this mammoth increase in his monetary worth to Goodluck Jonathan administration favourable economic policies.

The GEJ government embarked on construction and beautification of many federal roads in the country, including the Lagos-Benin expressway, Abuja-Lokoja expressway, Enugu-Abakiliki expressway, Onitsha-Owerri highway and most parts of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway. There was revival of the comatose railway system of transportation as well as remodelling, beautification and standardization of airports across the country.

Nine federal universities were established across the country in states which previously had no federal degree awarding institution while education was computerized with the introduction of the computer- based test (CBT) which became mandatory for all UTME candidates from 2015. I need not mention the introduction of the Almajiri system of education in the academically disadvantaged Northern parts of the country or the arresting the outbreak of the deadly and highly contagious Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in record time, though it unfortunately claimed some lives at the onset.

The agricultural sector witnessed a massive transformation of the agricultural sector, so that, in the words of former Agriculture minister not AFDB Chief Akinwumi Adesina, “Nigerians will stop thinking of agriculture just as a means of livelihood, but more as a business.” Nigeria has reduced its food imports by over 40% as of 2013, moving the country closer to self-sufficiency in agriculture. Nigeria became the world’s largest producer of cassava with an output of over 45 million metric tonnes in 2014 according to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

Due to favourable economic policies, internet penetration in Nigeria increased from about 45 million in 2011 to 63 million in 2014, overtaking countries such as the United Kingdom and France in the process. What this means is that more people now use the internet in Nigeria than in the UK and France. As of the second quarter of 2014, the number of registered active telephone lines in Nigeria stood at 130 million out of a total of over 170 million telephone lines. The GEJ government introduced the Nigerian electronic identity card (e-ID card), one of the most secure in the world and the largest in Africa. The e-ID card serves as both an international identification module and an electronic payment solution*n. The GEJ government introduced the cashless system which aims to encourage the use of e-payment systems in the country and reduce the volume of physical cash in circulation.

Despite the successes recorded by the GEJ government, it does not take away the fact that the government failed or did not do well in some areas. Critics have lashed out at the GEJ government for failing to tackle insecurity especially as it concerns Boko Haram, the kidnap of the Chibok girls. Also, the government has been accused of corruption and mismanagement of the nation’s resources. How true this is remains to be seen compared to what is currently going happening in the Buhari led government. However, what the GEJ government did not achieve security wise, it did economic wise. Figures don't lie as they can be obtained from relevant agencies of government.

Since government is a continuum, one would have expected that the present government having come on the umbrella of change would have effected same to the betterment of Nigerians. It has been blame game for the past 6 years.

Gladly, the next 14 months will see Nigeria head to the polls to choose another set of leaders. Issues of economy, poverty, unemployment and insecurity will top the agenda. It is expected that Nigerians will shun sentiment that characterized the 2015 and 2019 elections and vote for capacity, competence, accountability, honesty and integrity. For me, only healthy, sound, economically savvy, energetic and technically knowledgeable candidates with track record of service both in public or private sector should be voted for to handle headlong the myriads of hydra-headed challenges facing Nigeria. When we get it right in the choice of leadership, most of our present challenges will be nipped in the bud. This is the reality that stares us in the face. It is 16 years of PDP rule versus 8 years of APC rule. Res ipsa loquitor (Let the facts speak for itself)

Deacon Aluu Vincent Aluu PhD (In View), Policy Scientist and Publisher of Naija Eye Witness News, writes from Uyo Akwa Ibom State. 08036688375.

It was an eye opening session at the 2nd Obong Victor Attah Colloquium and 83rd Birthday organised by Uyo Book Club which held a Shakespeare hall, WatBridge Hotel Uyo, Saturday November 20, 2021.

There was Galaxy of testimonials from some of Obong Attah's Commissioners, trusted aides and well wishers.

Setting the tone for the colloquium was Arch Okon Obot, Obong Attah's Housing Commissioner who described him as affable, humble, selfless, mature, widely experienced and exposed. Obot said, "My Boss Obong Attah, served the state and forgot about himself. As at the time he left office, his personal house was incomplete. He came to serve and not to be served".

Barr. Joe Ukpong, Obong Attah's Environment Commissioner said, "My Boss is a selfless leader who challenged the resolve of the Federal government to deny Akwa Ibom State the right to enjoy the benefits of resource control. He did this at the expense of his own life. He is an embodiment of what Nigeria needs as a leader. He is the father of Resource Control"

Also contributing, a renowned scholar Etokowo Owo quipped, "Obong Victor Attah is a man of excellence, irrevocable integrity, altruistic and selfless. He knows how to say I am sorry, please. He was fond of appologising to his guests for keeping them waiting".

Obong Attah's Media Chief and founder of Uyo Book Club, Dr Udeme Nana eulogised the detribalised nature of Attah who appointed him Media Chief at age 30 not knowing his local government. Udeme emphatically said that 2023 is an opportunity for the State to elect a Governor in the mould of Obong Victor Attah who would be meticulous in spreading development projects across the state without biases.

Dr. Ekong Sampson, former Commissioner for Economic Development said, "Obong Victor Attah never interfered or stopped people from growing and exhibiting their talent. He ensured that there was level playing ground for everyone to shine. The exemplary nature of Attah brings to mind the need to protect Nigerians from theft of opportunities".

Samuel Ayara of AKBC TV said," How can I forget my years in the University of Calabar when we got bursary to support our education courtesy of Obong Attah. Here is leader who cared about the welfare of Akwa Ibom students across Nigeria. We really miss his Midas touch"

Others who spoke paid glowing tribute to a leader who mentored many and never held back what belonged to others. He built bridges across divides and ensured everyone got his due irrespective of class or social status.

Obong Attah remains an enigma, a selfless and meticulous Leader who laid the foundation for a modern Akwa Ibom State. Shelter Afrique was one of his signature projects among others.

To hear from the horses mouth about True federalism, keep a date with Obong Victor Attah on December 10, 2021 at E Library Complex Uyo during my Book launch.

Happy birthday Eduek Ekpe.

Activist Aisha Yesufu,

“Imagine if IPOB works with APGA to control the political power in the South East? Bring the best candidates to be nominated. Show the rest of us how people with competence, character and capacity in leadership positions can change a region. Use the power to negotiate at Federal level. An APGA/IPOB alliance can bring the South East together politically. Instead of IPOB wasting its goodwill on giving sit-at-home orders, they can make it ‘nominate and vote credible candidates’ order." With that power, you can negotiate with any party wanting to win presidential elections and give the terms for your alliance. Any party interested in winning the region must be ready to meet your terms. That way, no party takes the region for granted. Use your political might to negotiate. Let PDP sweat for it too.”

(C) Activist Aisha Yesufu, urging the Indigenous People of Biafra to form an alliance with the All Progressives Grand Alliance towards bringing the South-East together politically.

_By Christian ABURIME_

_The People's Democratic Party, (PDP), gubernatorial candidate, in the just concluded Anambra State governorship election, Mr Valentine Ozigbo, has congratulated Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo on his victory at the governorship polls_

_Mr Valentine Ozigbo in a telephone call at exactly 1:09 pm Wednesday afternoon, congratulated the Governor-elect Cee Cee Soludo for winning the governorship election._

_The businessman cum politician believes the election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), that produced Soludo as the winner reflected the people's will and was fair and transparent as equally attested to by Ndi Anambra and Nigerians in general._

_Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo, the Governor-elect and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA), in his response commended Mr Ozigbo's maturity and sportsmanship._

_Cee Cee Soludo reiterated just as he had earlier said in his victory acceptance speech that he considers all the contestants as brothers and he therefore looks forward to working with Ozigbo and other candidates by joining hands with him_

_The gubernatorial election results which were announced by INEC shows that Cee Cee Soludo polled a total votes of 112,229 to defeat Valentine Ozigbo who scored 53,807 to emerge second_

Book Review of Vincent Aluu's

CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN NIGERIA'S FEDERALISM AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS

By Osondu Ahirika

Reading through the immensely incisive book titled, Contemporary Issues In Nigeria's Federalism And Intergovernmental Relations by Vincent Aluu left me with no choice than to undertake an abridged review of the book because of the new dimensions it offers to the perennial question of national rebirth or restructuring.

This book is a sneak peek into the concept of federalism, features and aberrations of the federalist system with specific interrogation of the faultlines, horrors and misconstructions of this operational structure in the evolution of the Nigeria State.

Apart from its strength of reflection while dwelling on the pre-independence and post-independence political and Constitutional development in Nigeria with a comprehensive review of the practice of federalism in Nigeria, the book examines the current state of affairs vis-a'vis the institutional processes of intergovernmental relations between the three arms of Government, as indeed it further probes the enablers and disablers of the relationship between the three tiers of Government.

The pitfalls of Nigeria's federalism and observed impediments of the dichotomous exclusive, concurrent and residual lists are also generously highlighted with commensurate remedies and advovacies rendered.

The aspects which I liked the most are the contemporaneous existentialist perspective of the socio-cultural, political and economic challenges ravaging the nation, including degenerative insecurity manifest in Boko Haram, banditry, farmer/herder clashes and Niger Delta militancy, police brutality leading to the end sars protest and its aftermath, even as the study makes submissions for regional security.

The unabating call for restructuring also gets an extensive look-in as the author makes Patriotic propositions towards improving the practice of federalism and achieving what is now famous agitation in Nigeria referred to as True Federalism.

Overall, the book with eight chapters, spanning 308 pages, complete with references is a deep academic read.

Contemporary Issues In Nigeria's Federalism And Intergovernmental Relations by Vincent Aluu is in my consideration a wealthy addition to the repertoire of expressed and researched knowledge into the notion of Good governance and Federalism as a concept of nation building.

The single weakness of the book which exposes all our challenges in terms of resource/ revenue allocation, Federal character in composition and appointments, lacuna in community policing, military interventionism, nepotism, electoral malfeasance, religious and tribal bigotry, the politics of oil deregulation among other evils of our society fails to intervene in the growing Biafran secessionist debacle , entangling Independent People of Biafra, IPOB and the rampaging Eastern Security Network, ESN.

The print quality of the book is superb and the language is simple, modern and lucid. In research and citations the author is detailed, comprehensive and informative.

The book is the authors proposal to achieve peaceful co-existence, social justice, equity and fairness in a country as Nigeria with so much potentiality.

I highly recommend this book for lecturers/students/ researchers and scholars in the social sciences as indeed for every lover of knowledge and those who wish to lead as public servants.

Vincent Aluu hails from Ebonyi State and is a reputable scholar who holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Uyo and a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Nigeria.

For a copy of the Book, call 08036698375 or send a mail to nellyvingroup@gmail.com.

THE FEAR OF IPOB IS THE BEGINNING OF...

Nigeria Police Force deploys 2 DIGs, 5 AIGs, 14 Commissioners of Police, 31 Deputy Commissioners of Police, 48 Assistant Commissioners of Police and 34,587 personnel made up of conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Forces personnel.

Others are the Explosives Ordinance Unit (EOD), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit (SPU), Police Medical Teams as well as the Police Airwing, the Force Marine and the Force Animal Branch.

NSCDC deploys 20,000 personnel, including NSCDC Arms Squad Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Explosives Unit.

In addition, personnel from Kogi, Ekiti, Ondo and Benue have been placed on standby, in case there is the need for reinforcement.

FRSC deploys 1,500 Personnel, 35 Vehicles, 2 tow trucks and ambulances

Military Police deploys 300 Personnel with 3 helicopters, 6 gunboats and 5 speedboats.

Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions /Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that Our elders have spoken in our terms , the Leadership of IPOB ably lead by MAZI NNAMDI Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021.

We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It's never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.

IPOB leadership is only interested in Our referendum and peaceful agitation for self determination, and can not by under any guise be seen to be interfering with any electoral process.

The people of Anambra State should go out enmasse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 20121 and accordingly, chose a leader of their Choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.

Credible intelligence available to us confirmed that the Nigeria DSS has concluded arrangement to deploy a branch of their trained terrorist group to Anambra state come 6th Day 2021, to unleash mayhem on our people and attribute the killing to peaceful IPOB members.

Anambrarians should vote and standby to protect their votes. No rigging of any kind will be tolerated on the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all.

We wish to thank Biafrans, IPOB members worldwide, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom for their continued support for our dogged struggle for independence.

May we therefore, warn detractors, traitors and enemies of Biafra not to cause confusion by imputing motives to our decision. IPOB doesn't expect anybody to observe, monitor or enforce the suspended order otherwise such action will be considered a rebellion to the highest leadership of our global movement.

On the other hand, our oppressors should not take our decision as an act of cowardice. IPOB still believes that our elders, religious leaders, political leaders and various stakeholders will live up to their promises in their engagements and efforts towards securing the unconditional release of our leader.

We therfore urge all Biafrans and residents of Biafra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestations. All agents of darkness recruited by our enemies to inflict pains on our people under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home are hereby warned to steer clear or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.

IPOB will not relent in our pursuit for Biafra freedom. Nigeria government must give us date for Biafra referendum to decide where we want to belong.

COMRADE EMMA POWERFUL MEDIA AND PUBLICITY SECRETARY FOR IPOB.

Extortion: Disguised Zulum finds health officials collecting N10,000 for free medical services

Gov Zulum Disguises, Discovers Govt Hospital Where Officials Extort Patients For Free Treatment

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Thursday disguised and visited some government hospitals unannounced, during which he discovered officials collecting between N8,000 to N10,000 from patients for services meant to be provided free of charge.

Zulum had summoned the Commissioner for Health, Mrs Juliana Bitrus, and asked her to join him in a 10-seater bus that is usually used for airport services.

The governor left the Government House around 1:30 pm without his convoy and siren and headed straight to the newly established primary healthcare centre at Gwange II ward in Maiduguri where he found out that some workers were collecting between N8,000 to N10,000 before diagnosing and treating patients of common ailments such as malaria.

“The staff we met here (at Gwange II, PHC) confirmed that they use to collect between N8,000 to N10,000 from patients to treat malaria. In fact, they have turned this government health centre into a private hospital, and this is why the centre has been deserted by people who mostly do not have the money to access services here. The workers just collect money and put it in their pockets,” an unhappy Zulum said.

The governor directed the Borno State Primary Healthcare Agency to thoroughly investigate, identify all the culprits and take appropriate disciplinary actions.

Zulum decried that the same primary healthcare centre had only one medical staff on the ground to attend to patients despite having 29 health workers on the government payroll.

“You can imagine that at 2:00 pm, this primary healthcare centre we built and fully equipped is empty (because of extortion and without medical staff). This level of impunity cannot be tolerated. The earlier we address it, the better for all of us” Zulum added.

The governor proceeded to a similar primary healthcare centre at Gwange I but found medical workers on the ground attending to patients without extorting them.

While noting that he was happy with the development, the governor commended the staff for being good people.

Tribune Online reports that the governor has since formed the habit of showing up at odd hours including midnights at hospitals and early mornings at schools, for on the spot assessment of essential public services, some of which require him to drive hours from Maiduguri, the Borno capital.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/gov-zulum-disguises-discovers-govt-hospital-where-officials-extort-patients-for-free-treatment/

"Last Sunday, PUNCH newspaper published a breakdown of what the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) intends to spend in 2022.

It is beyond scandalous.

Beginning with N2.8 billion for “uniforms and clothing” it includes N550 million for refreshments, N262.5 million for security votes and a whopping sum of N17.8 billion reserved for “miscellaneous” expenses.

Besides the N1.4 billion for electricity charges, N460 million on telephone charges and N1.3 billion on security services.

Other budgetary items include N2.5 billion for the purchase of land, N3 billion for office furniture, N1.5 billion for photocopying machines, N2.04 billion for computers.

N500 million for the construction of sports facilities,

N6 billion on new headquarters, N2 billion to purchase new vehicles, N1.3 billion for cleaning and fumigation, N1.4 billion on general maintenance services.

N1.3 billion for office stationery, another N3 billion on printing non-security documents while a cumulative sum of N1.8 billion will go for the fueling, maintenance and purchase of new generators.

*By the time you tally the inordinate amounts of money one federal agency that produces nothing will spend on non-essentials, the only conclusion to draw is that of misplaced priorities*".

- Olusegun Adeniyi in his ThisDay Backpage Column of 21 Oct, 2021.

I forgot to draw your attention to it. Thisday newspapers first published it. 17.8billion reserved for "miscellaneous" expenses !!!

To say that Nigeria is a joke is an understatement. That's what is happening all over. The thieves calling themselves lawmakers collect their share and pass such fraudulent budgets unquestionably. Recall all the noise about how Fowler allegedly stole money from FIRS but whatever he allegedly did is child's play when you compare to what is happening there now. Like I keep saying we can only pray and hope.

The Dakkada spirit now enveloping Akwa Ibom came alive yesterday, in the United States of America, as an Akwa Ibom daughter rose to make history.

In elections held across various states in the US, an American of Akwa Ibom State descent, Ms. Ukeme Awakessien- Jeter broke a 103 record by becoming the first ever black elected City Council Member of a predominately upper middle class city of Upper Arlington, Ohio.

In a keenly contested election, Ms. Awakessien, a partner in the law firm of Taft Stettiniius and Hollister LLP Law Firm, and whose parents are from Ikot Obio Asangha, in Nsit Ibom Local Government was overwhelmingly elected.

“I am running to bring fresh perspectives and innovative leadership to Upper Arlington City Council.

"My varied experience makes me uniquely qualified to harness the power of broad civic engagements, leverage design thinking to birth novel ideas and utilize technology to inform our decision-making and provide innovative services”, she had stated as she made her campaign rounds, leading to her decisive victory yesterday.

Council Woman- Elect, Awakessien, is the older sister to the wife of the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Udom Emmanuel, Inyene Awakessien- Udoh.

Former UNIZIK SUG President suspended for 'questioning the status quo' graduates with Distinction in UK

Lines are certainly falling in pleasant places for Mr. Noble Eyisi, a one time President, Students Union Government of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

Mr. Eyisi became popular following his ordeal with UNIZIK Authorities in 2015 for questioning what he perceived as unjust financial burden placed on students of the institution by the Management as at the time he held sway as SUG President.

He was impeached by the Students Representative Council of the institution on the instances of the Management and was later suspended by same University authorities.

As fate would have it, the young man left the shores of the country when he couldn't get justice from the courts.

The young smart Eyisi took the world by surprise in 2019 when he bagged First class honours in Law with Politics at the University of Hull.

As one destined for greatness, Noble just bagged yet another Distinction in International Commercial Law.

Celebrating his latest achievement on his Facebook page, he wrote:

"It’s not coincidence and it’s not luck. I know it comes from above. I’ve got miracles, a million little miracles’.

"This one feels different for so many reasons, one of which was becoming a dad to Chimdaalu, having to do three jobs while attending my lectures and studying and being a husband to my beautiful wife. But finally, thank God it ended with praise.

"I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who made this possible, from my family to my mentors. I appreciate you all a lot.

"I’ve embarked on a different journey now as I wait to do my PhD and I hope you’ll be kind enough to follow me on @noblenigeriaorg as we try to build a Nigeria that we all can be proud of and call ours", he added.

By the People's Gazette

Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna of Wuse Zone 6 magisterial division in Abuja has admitted that he was lied into signing a search warrant for the residence of a top Supreme Court jurist by the Federal Ministry of Justice under Attorney-General Abubakar Malami.

Mr Iyanna consequently revoked the search warrant he approved against Justice Mary Odili’s residence due to misrepresentation in the first information application supplied by an ad-hoc public asset recovery panel domiciled under the justice ministry and overseen by Mr Malami.

“Upon misrepresentation to this honourable court that led to the issuance of a search warrant in favour of Joint Panel Recovery, Ministry of Justice, against House 9, Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja, dated October 29, 2021,” the senior magistrate said in a fresh order. “In view of the above fact, the said search warrant is hereby revoked.”

Mr Iyanna’s October 29 order came hours after Peoples Gazette reported that armed operatives have tried to breach the residence of Mrs Odili on Imo Rivers Street in Maitama.

Officers had arrived at the residence bearing a warrant that was issued based on whistleblower information from Aliyu Umar, an Abuja residence. Mr Umar had deposed on October 13 that there were illegal activities going on at 9, Imo Street, Maitama, that should warrant immediate action from the law enforcement. The whistleblower also said in court filings that the tip-off was supplied to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

This prompted Mr Iyanna to issue a warrant on October 29 for the property to be searched. Subsequently, operatives mobilised to Mrs Odili’s house based on the warrant seeking to forcibly search it in the evening of October 29, the same day a warrant was approved. Our sources said the Supreme Court jurist rejected the move to search her residence because she had no pending issues with anti-graft agencies.

Mrs Odili also argued that the warrant was not meant for her residence since she lives at 7, Imo River Street, Maitama, and not 9, Imo Street, Maitama, as stated in the warrant. The operatives nonetheless laid siege on the residence for hours.

Court document
Even though the whistleblower stated in court filings that he provided his findings to the EFCC and one of the operatives had told The Gazette that EFCC led the operation, the anti-graft office denied playing a role in the operation.

“If there was any such operation” that Mrs Odili’s house was besieged by anti-graft operatives, “it was not carried out by the EFCC,” the agency’s spokesman Wilson Uwujaren said in a statement to The Gazette late Friday. The Gazette had earlier reached Mr Uwujaren for comment prior to breaking the news but received no immediate response.

Mrs Odili’s husband Peter had been under EFCC investigation for alleged fraud that dates back to his tenure as Rivers governor between 1999 and 2007. Mr Odili denied the charges, and a federal judge ordered the release of his international passport earlier this week.


A chief police superintendent, Lawrence Ajodo, also signed off on the operation and The Gazette’s sources previously mentioned that police officers were part of the operation.

The officers left Mrs Odili’s residence following the revocation of their warrant. But the development has elicited harsh criticisms of Mr Malami, whose controversial role in alleged anti-democratic moves of the administration contributed to his new status as a formidable force in President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.


In 2016, Mr Malami supported the State Security Service when its brutal personnel broke into the residences of over a dozen federal judges, including three of the Supreme Court at the time. The attorney-general also recently proposed suspension of the Nigerian Constitution and declaration of martial law in order to restore peace in volatile parts of the country.

EFCC LIED IT WAS NOT INVOLVED

Chief Magistrates’ Court has revoked a search warrant granted to the Joint Panel Recovery unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice to search the home of Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili.

The panel, which comprises the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Justice, had obtained a search warrant from the magistrates’ court after a whistleblower, Aliyu Umar, claimed to have observed illegal activities going on at No. 9, Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Umar’s affidavit dated October 13, 2021, read in part, “I have observed some illegal activities going on in those houses within Abuja are illegal and hereby report the said matter to the law enforcement agency.

“I hereby state that all information provided by me to the EFCC is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.”

In a second affidavit deposed to by a senior police officer, CSP Lawrence Ajodo, the panel applied to the chief magistrate in Abuja seeking a search warrant to search the house.

The Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Iyanna, subsequently approved the search warrant on October 29, 2021.

Armed with the search warrant, the police and other members of the panel stormed the house which turned out to be the home of Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili, who is also the wife of former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State.

She was said to have resisted the attempts by the policemen to search her house, insisting that the house belonged to her and not her husband.

A top source said, “EFCC operatives armed with a search warrant stormed Justice Odili’s home today, claiming to be investigating her husband. Justice Odili insisted that it was her personal house and not her husband’s.

“As I speak to you, the operatives are still there, insisting that they must search the house.”

But the EFCC Spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said, in a statement, that the commission had no hand in the matter and advised members of the public to disregard any news to the contrary.

A Chief Magistrates’ Court has revoked a search warrant granted to the Joint Panel Recovery unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice to search the home of Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili.

The panel, which comprises the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Justice, had obtained a search warrant from the magistrates’ court after a whistleblower, Aliyu Umar, claimed to have observed illegal activities going on at No. 9, Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja.

Umar’s affidavit dated October 13, 2021, read in part, “I have observed some illegal activities going on in those houses within Abuja are illegal and hereby report the said matter to the law enforcement agency.

“I hereby state that all information provided by me to the EFCC is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.”

In a second affidavit deposed to by a senior police officer, CSP Lawrence Ajodo, the panel applied to the chief magistrate in Abuja seeking a search warrant to search the house.

The Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Iyanna, subsequently approved the search warrant on October 29, 2021.

Armed with the search warrant, the police and other members of the panel stormed the house which turned out to be the home of Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili, who is also the wife of former Governor Peter Odili of Rivers State.

She was said to have resisted the attempts by the policemen to search her house, insisting that the house belonged to her and not her husband.

A top source said, “EFCC operatives armed with a search warrant stormed Justice Odili’s home today, claiming to be investigating her husband. Justice Odili insisted that it was her personal house and not her husband’s.

“As I speak to you, the operatives are still there, insisting that they must search the house.”

But the EFCC Spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said, in a statement, that the commission had no hand in the matter and advised members of the public to disregard any news to the contrary.

“The commission, by this statement, wishes to inform the public that the report is false as it did not carry out any operation at the home of Justice Odili. If there was any such operation as claimed by the media, it was not carried out by the EFCC. The commission enjoins the public to discountenance the report.”

Amid the controversy, however, the chief magistrate issued an order on Friday night accusing the government of misleading the court.

The order read, “Upon misrepresentation to this honourable court that led to the issuance of a search warrant in favour of Joint Panel Recovery, Ministry of Justice, against House 9, Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja, dated October 29, 2021. In view of the above fact, the said search warrant is hereby revoked.”

Peter Odili, who was governor from 1999 to 2007, obtained a perpetual injunction from the Federal High Court in 2007 which barred the EFCC from investigating or prosecuting him.

In 2020, he again approached the Federal High Court to get another injunction to stop an impending probe. Last month, the former governor sued the Nigeria Immigration Service for seizing his passport at the airport.

In its response, however, the NIS said it was the EFCC that asked it to seize Odili’s passport as part of a probe.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, however, ordered Immigration to release the passport to Odili immediately.

By Osondu Ahirika


Ahead of the upcoming 2023 General elections, the Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly, ACA, on Wednesday, regrouped to pray for God’s divine intervention in Nigeria with particular focus on the emergence of the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

The solemn assembly was hosted by the President of Akwa Ibom Christian Assembly, Archbishop Cletus Bassey at Destiny International Missions, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo.

In his address Archbishop Bassey stated that the spiritual exercise had become expedient eith a view to contain and frustrate satanic practices, conspiracies and operations by evil minded politicians which will negatively affect Akwa Ibom State.

The ACA leader explained that enthronement of righteous leadership in the State will not be compromised by the people called after God's name and the peace of the State must be preserved before, during and after the 2023 elections.

According to him, 2023 would be a time for the righteous to takeover leadership positions in the state in accordance with God's divine mandate for service.

Archbishop while praying for Governor Udom Emmanuel’s successor, during the convocation with the theme, “Establishing God's Rulership Upon Our Land", beseeched God to give Akwa Ibom a Governor in 2023 that would sustain the peace and development of the state and put up leaders at all levels that have the fear of God.

Archbishop Bassey who prayed for God's direction, specifically prayed God to preserve the governor and give him divine direction. "let his eyes be opened boldly onto God, and let his ears hear only what God says concerning who the successor will be", he said.

On his part, Rev Ntia of Full Life Christian Center decried the politics of mbiam and declared that God will frustrate all those who have sworn to any oath or amassed ill-gotten wealth for the purpose of emerging political leaders in the next dispensation.

The well attended solemn assembly had many heads of denominations, Senior pastors and a cross section of Christian faithful from all 31 Local Government Areas of the State.
The session featured praise worship, intercessory prayers, word ministration and Thanksgiving with a declaration that every contenting force against God's perfect will for Akwa Ibom State will fail.

Some prominent clerics who attended the event include
Rev Ntia Ntia of Full Life Christian Center, Apostle Nyeneime Andy of Holy Ghost Ambassadors, Bishop Emmanuel Ekoi, Rev Angela Ashong, Apostles Gabriel Thomas, Steve David, and Rufus Willie; Bishop Aniekan Lawrence and Bishop Awasiakan Otong of Christ Faith Church, among many others.