₦airaland Forum

EBONYI CIVIL SERVANTS SMILE AGAIN

By Philip Nweze

It’s early Christmas for civil servants in Ebonyi state.

Feelers from Government House has it that Governor David Umahi is set to pump about N400 million from the Paris London Club Refund Loan from FG into uplifting the spirits of his workforce. This money will be sunk into clearing 2017 December salaries, accumulated 2016 and 2017 leave allowance benefits as well as pension liabitilities stretching as far back as 2015, before this year's Christmas celebration. This gesture is to be accompanied with the end of the year bonus of N10, 000 across board for all civil servants. The beauty of this pronouncements is its ability to improve the purchasing power of civil servants this yuletide as all outstanding debts to workers are to be cleared. No strata of the civil service population, including retirees will say that the Governor has not reached them one way or the other during this season.

In fact, Ebonyi State civil servants are truly in a celebration mood as Governor Umahi goes about distributing love and touching their lives every now and then. Governor Umahi has laid foundation for a memorable Christmas for these workers and their dependants.

Public servants in the state are also stretching their necks eagerly looking forward to the usual Christmas Rice largesse of the Umahi administration which the governor has also promised to dole out.

The reality is that millions of civil servants across Nigeria are going to have a blue Christmas and an even bleaker new year with some owed up to 9 months arrears of salaries. But not Ebonyi workers! Ebonyi governor has an incredible trajectory of regular salary payment, with salary alerts received by 15th of every month. As their contemporaries slip deeper into salary palaver, Ebonyi workers would rather be smiling big this yuletide.

Ekubaraoha we applaud you jare!

Ebonyi Hawkers in Lagos Smile

By Philip Nweze

It is no longer contestable that human empowerment and wealth creation is at the heart of the current administration driven by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state.

This time around, no fewer than 520 street traders who are indigenes of the state and resident in Lagos joined the wagon after smiling home with 250, 000 naira each. This is 520 Ebonyians pulled out from the Lagos traffic.

The timing of the ongoing empowerment initiative by the Ebonyi state government couldn’t be more perfect. It is no longer news that Ebonyi state indigenes are rated as the lead street traders and hawkers in Nigeria. The rate at which Ebonyi youths are involved in street hawking across the country is giving the state governor and well - meaning Ebonyi people sleepless nights.

Aside the danger involved in street hawking, these boys die on a daily basis ; In 2016, one of them fell inside the lagoon running from Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) officials on Third Mainland Bridge . Another one fell from Maryland Bridge , before he could even land , a BRT bus rammed into him. A chip seller identified as an indigene of the state was also killed at First Gate, Festac , Lagos in 2015 by a hit and run driver. These and many more is the reason behind this interventionist role by the governor.

Recall also that the Lagos state Governor, Ambode Akinwunmi had in a live interview session on TVC, a Lagos based TV station in July 2016, declared that it would start total enforcement against street hawkers and buyers, with culprits liable to a fine of N90,000 or a six months jail, in line with Section One of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law 2003 which restricts street trading and hawking in the metropolis.

The beauty of the ongoing empowerment programme is its ability to mitigate the burden of hunger, poverty and exposure to life threatening circumstances, which are direct products of unemployment, by creating the enabling circumstances to take hawkers off the street and empower them to earn decent living. The first stage is data collation and registration to have a comprehensive data of hawkers of Ebonyi state extraction in Lagos which is the pilot state.

In an attempt to accomodate everyone the governor has further broadened the programme's reach. Genuine traders with identifiable shops and registered with any of the town unions from Ebonyi were also supported with unspecified cash with a view to strengthening their capacity and boosting their economic viability.

Now that the opportunity has been made available, the burden is on those privileged to be part of it to justify the goodwill of government by going all out to give it their best shot. To whom much is given, much is expected.

#Share.

RESPONSE TO MARTIN ELECHI'S CARELESS VERBAL ATTACKS


By Philip Nweze


Chief Martin Elechi's latest outburst on Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state has simply portrayed the former governor as sanctimonious, misleading, self-serving and discomfiting.

First, it is quite surprising that Chief Elechi could descend this low and forget so soon. During his reign, there was much suffering in the land. The people were hungry. Yet, the person responsible for this unsavoury state of affairs relishes in adding insult to the people’s injury. He makes statements that are not only reckless but also untrue. We know the former governor is still nursing the wound of defeat but rather than generalise his anger, Elechi should speak for himself.

With due respect, Chief Elechi failed this state many times over than all members of his generation failed this country. He talked of Governor Umahi completing his abandoned projects. If he had served his state well, would there be any. Chief Elechi's abandoned projects are stamped in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

Chief Elechi wasted all the golden opportunities that he had to make this state great, first as a foremost stakeholder in South east politics from the defunct old Eastern region and later as a two-term civilian governor. It is too late in the day for him to now cry foul. He had his chances and blew them!

It is laughable that he talks about the governor's intolerance to credible opposition views. Here is a man who neither recognised nor entertained any advice or opposition even from his inner circle. Those who dared him were paid fatal visits by his youth assembly attack dogs. He said his APC has come to salvage decaying political values caused by misgovernance of one man who has lost focus of what political leadership and governance entails. Yet even the leader of APC and Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari thinks the governor is a super performer.

Chief Elechi has the right to feel bad that he suffered political defeat in the hands of his former deputy and therefore feels an obligation to shoot down and disparage every move he makes. But he should know his limit.

It is the irony of the century when Elechi says the governor prefers to embark on unrealisable elephant projects that have no direct bearing on the lives of the people. Isn't this the same man who frittered millions of dollars on the Centenary City Secretariat. The Ebonyi Centenary Tower Elechi constructed at the centenary city is the most compelling evidence of financial recklessness. The Tower was supposed to last for the next hundred years but the supposedly monument failed few months after its completion. The Califco power plant saga and the abandoned 8, 000 lock-up shops in the international market are also topping the strings of Elechi's white elephant projects.

Chief Elechi also accused his successor of abandoning the Oferekpe water scheme. Well, let us recall that Elechi's government expended over thirty six billion naira on this same project and procured pipes that will cover fifty two kilometers from Oferekpe to Onuebonyi in Abakaliki Local Government Area at the cost of over nine billion naira. The cost implication is not the issue, but the most annoying thing is that the project was never designed to be functional. 90% of the projects Chief Elechi initiated were mere conduit pipe for embezzlement designed by his aides to fleece away the tax payers’ fund. His lieutenants raped the state economically to a bleeding point.

Chief Elechi also accused the governor of insensitivity to the plight of pensioners and ordinary Ebonyians. Perhaps, Elechi has gone senile with age hence the twisted information concerning pensioners being owed months of arrears in Ebonyi state. Let me remind Chief Elechi, incase he has forgotten, that precisely in August this year, the Umahi-led government released over N1.5 billion for the immediate payment of pension and gratuity to retired workers from 1996 when the state was created till date. Specifically, the sum of N750 million was approved for the payment of the pensions arrears and gratuities of retired State Civil Servants and an equal amount of N750 million also approved for the payment of the pensions arrears and gratuities of Local Government workers. The governor also released another N400 million for the immediate empowerment of over 2000 widows domiciled across the 13 local government area of the State. Similarly, over 3, 000 women and youths have been empowered with 250, 000 Naira each to do any business of their choice. The governor through the office of his Senior Special Assistant has also made it a monthly ritual to settle medical bills of indigent patients who could not offset their bills.

Governor Elechi's broadside on his successor is simply laughable and bereft of facts. Chief Elechi should give us a break. There is no denying fact that he failed the state. The least he can now do is leave the governor alone to clear the peculiar mess he and others of his ilk got this state into. Let him quietly retire into obscurity; fade away from the limelight; and allow us our peace and serenity.


#MenOfGoodWillShare

As Buhari departs South East...


By Philip Nweze

Tuesday, November 14, 2017 went down as a special day in South East politics. History books won't fail to remember this day when documenting the renewed relationship between Ndigbo and the government of President Muhammadu Buhari. But more importantly, posterity will always remember the historical role played by the leader of South East Governors' Forum, Engr David Umahi, in the birth of the new order.

For states in the South east geo political zone, the visit has a symbolism that goes beyond state visits at normal times. For over two years into the office, this is the president's first official visit to any state in the south east region.

By attracting the president to the zone, Governor Umahi has taken the first out of the many footsteps towards addressing the dismal development index in the area, having successfully extracted a firm promise from the president to address several issues of concern, including the deplorable state of roads and infrastructure in the region. This is a powerful string only a smart governor can pull.

On a general note, Ndigbo owe the leader of the South East Governor's forum a deserved tribute on his efforts to reverse the extinction of the Igbo nation in the national political equation.

On the home front, the visit of Mr President has placed Ebonyi state on a surprisingly high pedestal on the scale of national politics. Ebonyi has bcome assertive as a key player in Nigeria's political discourse.

Governor David Umahi is the man behind it all.

AS PRESIDENT BUHARI VISITS EBONYI...


By Philip Nweze


President Muhammadu Buhari will, early next week, join Ebonyi state governor, Engineer David Umahi to commission some of the mega projects that have changed the face of governance in the state.

The visit is a testimony to the landmark achievements in the last two years of Governor David Umahi as well as the good working relationship between Ebonyi state and the Federal Government.

Ebonyians are looking forward with excitement to see the presidential motorcade grace the smooth roads in Ebonyi land which are some of the governor's legacy projects... To see Mr President step his feet on the rich agricultural destination called Ebonyi. To see him rate the governor's rich scorecard in all spheres of leadership.

Feelers from the governor's office reveals that the President will commission three numbers of twin flyovers that are built across the African transahara Road running from Enugu to Cameroon passing through Ebonyi State, built to decongest traffic on that road, each of the twin flyover measuring 700 metre length. The governor has completed two and the third one is 80% done. Another project that would receive presidential stamp is the famous Ebonyi mall that is modelled after the famous Dubai mall. President Buhari is expected to lay a foundation stone of that mall which he will also come back to commission within the next 12 months.

The state government is also building a tunnel that dovetails into a flyover that is parallel to the existing flyover at Akanu Ibiam junction. And Mr. President is also to lay the foundation stone and that flyover bridge will be named after him. This project has 12 months completion period. There is also a federal Road that is 14.5km that the governor got the consent of Mr. President to build and the road is fully done. Also fully ready for commissioning is the18.5km road leading to the Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo which was done with concrete and overlaid with Asphalt.

Worthy of mention too is the 15.5km of Nigercem that road passes through the first cement factory in the country which is in Ebonyi State and connects to Benue. The 15.5 km in the axis of Ebonyi built with concrete isready for Mr. President to commission. 23.5km of state road which the governor built with concrete is equally ready for Mr. President to commission.

As of today Ebonyi state government has completed over 500 km of internal roads which is ready for Mr. President to commission. As an Ebonyian, I believe we have the stadium we remodeled as another evidence of good governance, we have the best VIP stands in the whole country in our stadium which is fully air conditioned and all the stands are fully covered. Mr. President will also commission that.

Governor Umahi has also given a nod to a minimum of 30km of concrete Road in each of the 13 local government areas of the state; with most of them completed while some have attained 80% completion. There's the water fountain innovations, the mushrooms factory, the waist recycling plant, numerous Agric projects like the Solar farm and the green house farm at Ezzamgbo, the one man one hectare agriculture concept and so on. The governor has breathed life into major federal roads that were once death traps.

This grandmaster of infrastructure deserves accolades for his achievements. He has done everything that needed to be done by anybody occupying this position for eight years.

Governor David Umahi has not just developed Ebonyi State. He has laid the foundation for the continuous development of the state.

Is that her clitoris or she padded herself?

PRINCE NDUBUISI CHIBUEZE AGBO'S BATTLE WITH NEMESIS

By Philip Nweze


My attention has been drawn to a malicious letter written by a former Commissioner for Education, Prince Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo, containing serious allegations about an assassination plot on him by no less a person than the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi.

Surely, I wouldn’t have responded to the ridiculous allegations, but for the unsuspecting members of the public who did not truly understand the game the writer is playing by voicing such hateful utterances.

At a first glance, I simply concluded that the man has sunk to a new level of mental derangement and was in dire need of mental therapy. But in the overall public interest, I am however constrained to refute these allegations in the strongest terms .

This cock and bull story of an aassassination plot is part of his desperate bid to seek relevance, revive his dimming political career and attract cheap publicity. This is an apparent attempt to call away attention from the numerous atrocities he's yet to answer for in his local government area where he has been fingered in virtually every criminal activity in the last decade, including armed robbery and cultism.

We sympathise with Prince Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo if it is true that anyone is threatening his life but we have our doubts. I think he is simply exaggerating his importance.
He has written several petitions to the security agencies pointing their attention to the killers squad quartered in the Government House with specific responsibility to attack him. This is laughable.

Who is Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo and what has he said that would warrant the governor to go after him? He  is such a political fly to attract the attention of the governor. We call on the security agents to investigate him for recklessly lying to the public. But wait, everyone knows Prince Agbo as a drunkard and an incurable night crawler who should not be taken serious.

It is highly untrue that due process was not followed in closing his private schools being run in his local government namely, Mandate International College Ezzamgbo, Demonstration Nursery and Primary School Ezzamgbo, and Royal Comprehensive College Ezzamgbo and that the 30 days ultimatum given for the closure was not exhausted.

The reason for the closure  is due to non-compliance on taxes accruable to government as the schools blatantly refused to pay the consolidated Internal Generated Revenue between 2005-2009, totalling about 1.5 million naira, despite being repeatedly served demand notices which they never complied to. There are available documents to back this up. Similarly, the affected schools neglected to pay the payee tax that is supposed to be paid by the staff of the schools; thus forcing the IGR team on enforcement duty to do the needful. A notice was earlier served on the school on 17th of June, 2017, in addition to another 7 days warning which were expressly ignored.

Available security report also shows that most of the criminal cases in Ohaukwu are championed by some of his schools and they also record highest in cultism activities in the state.  Right from the time he served as Commissioner, his school has always been used for all forms of examination malpractices and other indecent acts, including  a prostitution chalet.

He equally claimed that the governor murdered more than a dozen people to clear his path to his 2015 electoral victory. These words are too serious to say them without backing them with reliable information. At the very least, this is irresponsible. It is a ridiculous allegation by a man who has made indiscretion and promotion of violence a deliberate policy in life.

For the avoidance of doubt, there was no time either recently or in the past that the governor gave an order or assignment to any killer squad or assassin anywhere in the state to kill for him in the 2015 elections as he defeated his predecessor fair and square in the keenly contested polls, across all the 13 local government areas of the state.

my concern is that Mr Chibueze Agbo's malicious statements are capable of misleading and causing disaffection between the state government and the good people of  Ohaukwu local government area who the Governor swore to lead and serve democratically without prejudice and in accordance with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Prince Agbo should take into cognizance national security and that of the people of Ebonyi State as against any personal, political or group interest, and resist the use of personal grudges, grouse and sentiment to attack the hard earned personality of the governor of Ebonyi state.

Indeed this is not the first time some unpatriotic and vile individuals would spread falsehood about the person of Governor David Umahi and the 2015 election. But the just shall surely be vindicated. Not wonce has the governor been implicated in any security report. He prosecutes his political battles in the court of law and the court of public opinion. But, I can say without any fear of contradiction that the same cannot be said of Prince Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo.

Prince Agbo's stint as Commissioner for Education in Ebonyi State leaves behind a trail of financial corruption, immeasurable ineptness and unspoken avarice. Mr Agbo also failed in his primary duty to guide Governor Elechi aright in key decisions in the education sector.

On getting the job as Commissioner for Education, in Ebonyi state, Agbo constantly misled both the state executive council and the governor by over-inflating allocation to the education sector. The details of such transactions will be made public in due course. During his tenure,  he routinely misused opportunities for funding the state's public schools in preference  for his own private schools. When Mr Agbo cannot find a way of personally benefitting from an initiative introduced by any of his colleagues, he is known to kill it with lies. He would then repackage the same ideas in a way that would benefit him directly.

The appointment of Mr. Ndubuisi Chibueze Agbo as a Commissioner by the past administration confirmed that the so called security screening for the then set of commissioners in Ebonyi state was a hoax. There should have been proper background check on the commissioner. Had those incharge of the screening done a good job, characters like Chibueze Agbo wouldn’t have had any business near the seat of power and Governor Martin Elechi would have been saved from all the shame the Izhia born lawyer brought to his administration.

His greed and inclination to corrupt practices is second to none. At one time, the association of the proprietors of closed down schools in Ebonyi state boldly claimed that their schools were closed down because of their inability to remit over twenty million naira to the honourable commissioner as gratification (bribe).

There is no doubt that the tenure of Mr. Chibueze Agbo as Commissioner for Education was a dent on the image of the state.

The only part of honour for the honourable (dishonourable ) former commissioner is for him to urgently tender a public apology to Ebonyi people for being a bad influence on school children and lying to Ebonyians.

EBONYI FLYOVER: UMAHI, THE INFRASTRUCTURE MASTER.

BY Philip Nweze

If there is any monument that will clinch the outstanding structure award for 2017, it is the recently built twin flyover bridge at the Akanu Ibiam junction, in Abakaliki. To anyone who has been to the scene, this probably comes as no surprise. Built as a solution to the traffic snarl at the ever busy junction, the structure remains one of d greatest engineering feats of the 21st century. The bridge which situates at the heart of the city is simply a marvel to behold. Built, along two others for a reported 700 million naira, which seems remarkable value for money, it opened for traffic this year.

An estimated 10, 000 motorists use the route daily. The twin bridge is beautifully defined by installation of decorative lights adorning the bridge and a water fountain which reflects myriads of colours that dazzles passersby, especially by nightfall..

The Akanu Ibiam Flyover Bridge was conceived to reduce the surging traffic pressure along the Trans-Sahara Highway, amidst criticisms from the opposition camp. Unknown to these people, cities are measured by the volume of infrastructure they possess.Flyovers are not only the superstars of the engineering world. They influence the development of cultures, environments and lives in more ways than we can count. Its structure also shapes our lives, aiding commerce, social life and urban development.

A flyover in Ebony will help the state zoom ahead in development and pave the way to our progress. To the citizens, it will minimize congestion, reduce travel time.

Today, even the governor's most trenchant critics have joined in the beautiful refrain hailing this architectural masterpiece.

Akubaraoha is working, Ebonyi is on the rise.

#Share

ABAKALIKI AND THE UMAHI MAGIC



By Philip Nweze


Many Landscapes have been so utterly transformed in so little time as the slice of South Eastern Nigeria called Abakaliki. The terrain itself, until a few decades ago, was mocked as “The Dust of the Nation.” Visitors who dared to venture into it ended with a bitter taste in the mouth. Being an Abakaliki man was a mark of shame. The Abakaliki I knew could not even boast of one tarred road. The state was lying prostrate in utter ruins orchestrated by long years of abject neglect and dehumanization. The result was that the pride of the Ebonyi man was bruised and battered and we simply faded to laughing stocks before our neighbours and contemporaries.

Though Ebonyians have tested power from the hands of successive governments since it was carved out to exist as a state in 1996, the people had received very little in the way of any positive lasting legacy.

Then came the Umahi magic 19 years down the line! Abakaliki, formerly a sprawling metropolis has floated to an architectural marvel. The state now qualifies for a spot in the list of Nigeria's finest state capitals. Within the last 2 years, Abakaliki town has been meticulously engineered to become one of the nation’s grandest metropolises , and the fastest growing city in the South east region.

The speed at which modern Abakaliki has sprung up is hard to conceptualize. Surely, Ebonyians who have not visited the state for so long should get ready to embrace a new reality upon their return. With a look at the road networks, street lighting intervention, water fountain concepts, the art works and other numerous infrastructures that adorn the state, it's clear that development in the state has entered an irreversible stage. The hallmark of the series of reforms that have swept through the state can simply be smelt in the state capital.

While the task of readying the state for investment inflow has been a massive undertaking for Governor Umahi, perhaps the greatest logistical feat was reconstruction of the Abakaliki Township stadium within the heart of the city. The ambitious undertaking has been accelerated by pressing infrastructure demands. Upon completion, it quickly became a defining image for the state. Just last week, a portrait showing the extent to which the skyline of Abakaliki has improved flooded the social media and instantly rewarded the governor with an enviable online fan base. The picture offered stunning view of Abakaliki from the sky.

It is always exciting to discover a city from above and Abakaliki made no exception with its famous monuments and landmarks put in place by the government of Engr David Umahi. The aerial view displaying the image of the newly reconstructed Abakaliki township stadium and the Udensi roundabout was another great example of government in action. The vista was simply breathtaking and the response overwhelming. Many are still surprised that a Nigerian state thought of constructing such a wonderful stadium like ours in the face of biting recession. Today, the Abakaliki township stadium is something of a destination in it's own right. This stadium is majestic, amazing; it is a timeless and priceless piece of architecture. It is the first of its kind in the state. It is trendy and I think this should be the pride of not just South East, but the entire Nigeria.

Though the phraseology differed, for those who commented online, the general sentiment in the vast majority was the same: Two decades have brought such monumental change—what will the Salt of the Nation look like in two more years?

Abakaliki may be one of the smaller state capitals, but what Abakaliki lacks in size, it makes up for in style: staggering beauty and architecture which is even threatening to upstage some of country's finest.

As a part of Governor Umahi's contribution in making Abakaliki a mega City , the governor has gone a step further into the digital age with introduction of another modern technology. The city is now adorned with backlit 48 sheets , ultra display and LED screen billboard. This large screen LED billboards, are popping up in hot places like Udensi round about junction. this has proved a major attraction for passersby. These brilliant digital displays offer effective, high impact , targeted , and flexible beautiful displays. In places like Lagos, these digital displays are widely accepted as the new advertising medium, because of their myriad advantages such as : dynamic creative elements and interactivity guaranteed delivery and scheduled display, multiple advertisers with no clutter , co- op revenue opportunities , instant digital changes for season , price , or promotion , rapid ability to update content , timely insertion of trailer loops with advertising content , instant digital programming with informative and entertaining content , and the ability to deliver specific messages to specific audiences in specific locations

Today, Abakaliki can confidently rank as one of the fastest growing state capitals in Nigeria. Successful milestones have been achieved in the beautification of the capital city, particularly in the night. A stroll down the streets of Abakaliki is an indulgent experience by any measure but when you add classic skyline view to the package, things enter a whole new level of luxury.

When in 2015, Engr David Umahi became the governor, many observers believed that a possible end to the dark days and the snail-pace development of the state may be in sight after all. This is because analysts shared the sentiment that the governor is a stickler for excellence.
I am one of those who believe strongly that the heart of Governor Umahi must have bleeded seeing the sorry state of the capital city then. So when he was sworn-in I knew that a major reform was not only necessary but imminent in the state capital.

Today, we are happy that there are such reforms at all levels and the results are there for anybody to see and verify. This is my joy as an Ebonyian. His government has taken visible steps in the restoration of the Abakaliki master plan. Umahi's pre-election years must have been spent preparing the ground for a major revolution such as identifying all decrepit structures qnd ailing sectors, with a specific mandate to clean up the city when fate eventually beckons.

And today it is on record that never in the 21years history of the state have such earth shaking socio-economic and political restructuring, and reforms been formulated and implemented like in the last two and half years. And today, Abakaliki is better for it while Ebonyians are happy for it.

Indeed, Governor David Nweze Umahi possesses the stuff of a legend. Thumbs up the People's governor!

THE DAY EBONYI APC SOLD THEIR CONSCIENCE



By Philip Nweze



T​he All Progressives Congress, APC, Ebonyi state chapter, at the early hours of Monday, September 4, commenced a "walk of shame" along the major streets of Abakaliki to kick against the $150m loan request by the government of Governor David Umahi for the reconstruction of the old Abakaliki ring road.

The shameful road match which witnessed the presence of, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, the former governor, Chief Martin Elechi, was intended to ridicule the state.

APC sponsored petty political activists carrying out frivolous noise making gimmicks in motor parks, or simply passing reckless opinions in public drinking places also decided to relocate their nuisances to the city's major streets and highways. The unwarranted overzealousness led to the blockade of roads within the town. The pervading spirit of peace and calm in the capital city took flight. Ebonyians had first hand experience of egregious acts of lawlessness unleashed on them by "obsolete politicians" who shamelessly displayed their vastly crushed faces with those of their band of renegades. Expectedly they painted the state government in unprintable words and presented a portrait of desolateness and neglect about Ebonyi state.

Their anger was the loan request being sourced from the African Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank for the construction of ring roads in the state, by the state government. In a saner environment, this would have been a cause for joy and jubilation given the magnitude and scope of the proposed intervention. For one, this is an unusual feat to be accomplished in the history of Ebonyi state as no administration has conceived any intervention of this magnitude on the road. The chain effect of this singular feat would be evident in multiple brand new access roads in eight agrarian local government areas of the state.

Rather than venerate the man behind the good tidings, APC came up with a very convoluted and baseless claim that the loan was conceived for the 2019 PDP gubernatorial election campaigns. I was particularly appalled by this hateful, obnoxious rhetoric and wondered thickly if the password to the brain of the accusers has been compromised by some malicious hypnotic hackers. I am rather surprised that fellow Ebonyians, including venerated elderstatesmen could make such humongous mockery of the struggle to liberate their state from dearth of infrastructure. I wondered why it was most convenient for them to strangulate the progress and development of our dear state because they are in opposition.

Without any shadow of doubt, The September 4 rally was yet another in the series of half-hearted attempts to discredit the efforts of the government of Governor David Umahi to reposition the state. Truths were turned upside down.The distortion of facts becomes even clearer with the blindfolded analysis of development efforts in the state since governor umahi came into office, by the vociferous critics.

The so called match by APC was simply a culmination of years of disdain and hatred harboured against the state Governor since he delivered a wounding blow to the opposition camp at the 2015 polls which plunged their electoral fortunes. Chief Martin Elechi, an accomplished verbal sniper of the state government withdrew his battle axes in the media this time, and declared a full blown street war against the state government. He spoke arrogantly as if he were Almighty God whose inclination is infallible, unquestionable.

Without any shadow of doubt and fear of contradiction, the statements were borne out of pure dislike for the man whose guts he hates so much. So evident was the unfortunate tissue of lies and deliberate distortion of hard facts that are verifiable even with a simple and cursory enquiry. ADB has operational procedures for administration of loan. For instance, there is no direct link between the benefiting state and the money as the ADB deals directly with contractors. The state merely plays supervisory role. But perhaps, APC in the state already knows this but finds it convenient to pontificate the lies.

However, in a funny twist of fate, a separate faction of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state embarked on it's own rally too.

While one rally kicked against the loan request, a counter rally by another APC faction supported the $150 million loan request by the state government .


Meanwhile, the Ben Nwobasi’s led state executive committee dismissed the protest, calling on all members of the party in the state to disregard the announcement as the party is completely in support of the loan which the National Assembly and the Federal Executive Council have approved for the development of the state.

A statement from the latter read in part...“We are against the protest. We have told our members to disregard Nwachukwu and his group. They are not speaking for APC. What we want is development and that is why the President is not resting on his oars to ensure that he delivers on his promises. Anybody who is attacking the President for aiding development in Ebonyi state is anti-people. We must not strangulate the progress and development of our state because we are in opposition in the state. The President has that he belong to everybody and belongs to nobody”.

“The loan has been approved by the national assembly that has the largest numbers of APC members. The same loan was deliberated in the federal executive council and approved. Then, to whose interest is Nwachukwu serving? We must unite for the development of our state and Country. APC in Ebonyi state is solidly behind President Muhammadu Buhari and we want him to continue to support us in any measure for the development of the state”, Nwobasi said.

Nwobasi noted that APC is in support of any programme that would lead to the development of the state, stressing that the ring road if constructed would boost the economic fortunes of the state and alleviate the sufferings of the people.

I sensed nemesis at work.

However, as the factional protesters gathered at the party’s office, a team of armed policemen were deployed to the area to forestall breakdown of law and order, which culminated to the heavy traffic logjam along the ever-busy Abakaliki-Afikpo federal highway. Commuters were the hardest hit. The security officers also barricaded one of the double lanes to ensure free movement of people along the road. When the atmosphere was charged, youths suspected to be members of Nwobasi’s faction blocked another section of the road with trips of sounds and created burn fires. The youths were aggrieved that the factional party headed by Nwachukwu has allegedly constituted social menace in the state since their leadership battle started in the state. These parallel rallies and protests affected human and vehicular movements in Abakaliki, the state capital despite the presence of policemen.

The clash itself was the high point of a lingering feud between different political forces within the party fold.Two factions loyal to the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya and governorship candidate of the party in 2015 general election, Senator Julius Ucha, have been battling for supremacy since the conduct of the last congress in the state. Onu’s faction of the party has Eze Nwachukwu as its chairman while Ucha’s faction has Ben Nwaobsi as chairman. Ucha’s faction had distanced itself from the rally against the proposed $150 million loan by the state government and called on its members to disregard the rally. Again, validating the fact that APC in the state has been torn into disagreeable pieces.

Governor Umahi may not be perfect but he serves as the messianic figure pioneering what you and most so-called intellectuals and leaders of APC can’t afford – and I mean this both literally and figuratively. It is not enough to speak grammar and quote the dictionary like you’re some descendant of William Shakespeare. Many of us, the younger generations would have expected a bit of decency from the Minister of Science and Technology. It is true that he reserves the rights to say whatever he likes, regardless whose ox is gored but I hope that the violence he orchestrated in his own state leaves him with the taste of his own medicine. I am not asking him and those who resonate with his ideals to support the struggle or believe in it, or approve the loan. I know he has always shied away from the truth as a person.

The leadership crisis that has divided the Ebonyi APC down the middle makes mockery of their desire to rule the state. How can we imperil the future of the state to these vicious fighters. Since what increasingly appears like a renegade segment of the APC, led by Dr Ogbonnaya onu, took on the leadership of the party, things haven’t been the same again in the APC. The APC under the Onu faction had exhausted all avenues to assert control over the rebels in their fold.

His last resort to a rally, at best is a sign of political immaturity. This reckless act might be an open invitation to political annihilation for all those involved in this show of shame. Politics is nothing without ideals. They have simply shown that they are betrayers of their people and people without ideals and principles. This is the time for the APC to stop holding Ebonyians to ransom, move on and stop beating a dead horse that will only end up driving their supporters into the waiting hands of the PDP.

More importantly, the match was uncalled for, reckless and capable of derailing our democracy and creating chaos in the land. Such display of violence and defacement of the state capital is a sign of depravity and moral bankruptcy by all those involved. On the other hand, the only way to stop the rebellion in the party is for leaders of the APC in the state to accept the status quo and guard their misguided members right.

It is easier as matters stand for the APC leaders to accept the reality on the ground than to continue to chase after a long gone animal by insisting on cancellation of the loan.

The PDP government is not clueless. It is on course to creating an inclusive and broad based economy that offers opportunities and jobs to all our people. The PDP government remains focused and visionary. Thats why EbonyI state is moving at multiple levels. There is a concentrated consistent effort to purge underdevelopment from the state. Before now, there was poverty, falling living standards of the ordinary people, environmental destruction, trouble in Ezillo, broken infrastructure and massive corruption. There was decrepit in health and educational institutions, all these are history today.

Ebonyians condemn in strongest terms the egregious display of hatred, narrow-mindedness and meanness by these apostles of hate hiding under the guise of APC.

The governor should be venerated for his vision, which is anchored on unity of purpose and the desire to work together in order to move EbonyI to an era of economic and political transformation. Governor Umahi is selfless, disciplined and result oriented. He has become the standard by which political party candidates are measured in and outside Nigeria. The governor is thinking outside the box and thinking ahead of today. His administration is opposed to leadership that focuses on enriching itself. It is giving effect to the will of the people and will continue to do so.

The APC is used to creating imaginary scenario just to whip unnecessary sentiments to sway voters but Ebony people can see through the thick veil of their lies. They should understand that there are couple of things we should not play with. Essentially, they should be careful how they challenge the credibility of institutions that mean well for the people or gamble with policies tailored towards the people.

The recent APC rally is a show of shame and a sign of ingratitude to the laudable achievements of the Umahi-led administration. The proposed bank loan is a social assurance approved for the people of the state to execute a road project which cuts across 8 local government areas.

The perpetrators of the so called demonstration that took place last Monday are enemies of the state, especially those that could benefit from the ring road project and should tender unreserved apology to the Ebonyi people.

Having run out of options Ebonyi APC has resorted to telling open lies. The governor has demonstrated unquantifiable zeal, passion and commitment to the Ebonyi project and no amount of propaganda can change this. Am very confident that fate will surely nail the APC and it's lying spin doctors to the very cross they prepared for the governor.

Iamzik:
A picture is worth a thousand words...

Op over to you. Abeg no the needful

Should the ring roads remain in this deplorable condition?

Wisdomkosi:
God will not forgive Umahi for all these lies. Thank you

Who are you to speak for God? watch your tongue.

UnknownT:
No pictures of the road.... Try again later

There is.

EBONY RING ROAD PROJECT; A DREAM COME TRUE


By Philip Nweze


To say the least, Ebonyi state is at it again! This time on the right direction towards the realization of the dreams of indigenes and residents of the state. Today we are celebrating, enthusiasm, passion, commitment and the joyous fact that someone stood up and took action. Someone with a historical responsibility to free ebonyi people from the clutches of underdevelopment and set the urgent tone for its rebirth. The state governor, Engr David Umahi is the face behind these good tidings.

The governor's quest to make the state the perfect habitat for business yielded positive results following the visit of representatives of the African Development Bank (ADB) and Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to assess the readiness of Ebony state government towards the loan approval for the ring road project. The development partners were in the state to assess the technical, economic, environmental and social viability of the proposed ring road project. As part of the process for accessing the loan, they were expected to tour the project sites and submit their findings to the boards of ADB and IDB who would now approve the loan request after necessary appraisal of available indices.

The ring road project which measures about 198km cuts across 8 local government areas of the state with intersections on the Transharan African highway. Ever since the news of  the proposed road construction permeated the public space, Ebonyians had nothing but joy for the project and gratefulness for the man who made it happen. To register their excitement, people held separate rallies at the council headquarters of the 13 local government areas of the state on Saturday last week in support of the ongoing effort to access over one hundred and fifty million US dollar loan from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the African Development Bank (ADB) to construct the state's ring roads. The rally which held simultaneously, came a day after the state government raised an alarm over plots  by some leaders of the opposition in the state to frustrate the loan deal. These enemies of the state had dragged the state government to court over the loan.

The logic is simple. The loan being requested for is for the state to meet up it's development obligations. ADB considers states that have demonstrated ability to perform and partners such states in development. A more interesting news is that the loan attracts zero interest, as against the 22 percent obtainable in the normal financial market. The loan is also payable over a period of 25 years with a five- year moratorium, which means that the state has about 30 years to pay back. It will be foolhardy for any government to reject such offer. This arrangement differs from previous loan arrangements (under the previous administrations) which came with floating interest rates as high as 18 percent.

On the side line, the interface is a veritable platform to develop synergy and partnership with economic players from the bank which will go a long way in boosting our drive to diversify the Nigerian economy. It is clear that the intervention is an all important initiative that will benefit Ebonyi state, contribute towards diversification of it's revenue base and create possible employment opportunities for Ebonyians. It would help in addressing the biting infrastructural deficit in the state. Tackling infrastructure deficit would force down costs of goods and services and bring down the general price level.  If you deal with infrastructure problem, the cost of power will be lower, the cost of transportation will be lone and the cost of most other services will slide too. This means that the facility will help revive business in the state.

Contrary to claims  by opposition elements in the state that the state government is attempting to borrow over 150 million dollars to prosecute the forthcoming 2019 general election, the loan is being sought for the purpose of constructing the state's long abandoned most strategic road which unites 8 area councils in the state. It is therefore pertinent to point out that the allegation by the opposition is merely an attempt to deter this administration from developing the state. The governor is not looking for political points but the betterment of the lives of his people.

Ebony state  Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe in one of his chats with journalists, expressed regret that opposition groups had dragged the state government to court as a way to stop the release of the 150 million dollars loan. He expressed dismay that despite the giant effort of the governor to develop the state and most importantly reconstruct the dilapidated ring roads as a way to boost the economy of the state, many still constitute a dangerous clog in the wheel of progress and rather preferred to see the clock of development tick backwards.

Recall that the governor had on Monday in a courtesy call by the representatives of Islamic Development Bank, IDB, and African Development Bank, AFB, commended president Muhammadu Buhari for assisting the state to borrow over 150 million dollars from them, which according to him will enable his administration to reconstruct ring roads that connected 8 local government areas of the state . This means that the loan has all the colorations of federal approval.

It should be on record that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while acting as President, requested the bicameral National Assembly to consider and grant 10 states of the federation accelerated approval to borrow a total sum of $1.5 billion from multilateral agencies and France.
The states’ loans requests were parts of the 2016-2018 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plan whose approval the presidency had sought since last August.

“I write in reference to my earlier letter requesting for the consideration and approval of the Senate (and House of Representatives) for the 2016-2018 External Borrowing Rolling Plan and to request the Senate (and the House) to separate the States’ Projects from the items listed therein with a view to giving them accelerated consideration,” Mr. Osinbajo wrote in his letter to both Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara.

The letter, dated June 1, 2017, was read in both chambers of the National Assembly. Mr. Osinbajo sought approval of the lawmakers to allow Kaduna State and Ogun State access $350 million each for their respective State Development Policy Operation (DPO) from the World Bank.
Ebonyi and Abia States are also to secure $150 million (for Ebonyi Ring Road Project) and $100 million (for Abia Rural Access and Mobility Project) from a credit facility to be co-financed by the African Development Bank and the Islamic Development Bank, Mr.Osinbajo further told the National Assembly.


It is therefore shocking to find out that such a laudable programme could be mocked by saboteurs in order to embarrass the government. The petition is a show of rascality and lack of decorum. To my mind, such action is really reprehensible and should be discouraged. Such antics would only delay the development going on in the state if not discontinued. Perhaps, those opposing the loan are jealous of the good name the governor has earned in the state and the country in general due to his developmental strides. That an elderstatesman like Dr Ogbonnaya Onu would involve himself in anti-development activities against his own state by spearheading the campaign to shipwreck a loan request that would benefit his state tremendously is  simply the height of mischief and attitudinal recklessness.

Last week's rally by Ebonyi people is a strong statement from the people and a show of solidarity to the lofty idea. One with the people is majority. The efforts of detractors will not kill this vision. The people must prevail. Power to the People!

Donald50:
: can u bate ur life for this?

Good question

Kingxway:
I sight you nwannem

More blessing to you. together we can Make it.

chiochio1:
What about Abakaliki town? I hear he has fixed every road in Abakaliki town, I have been long I visited home

You need to come and see for yourself. Abakaliki is now wearing a new look.

EBONYI PENSIONERS SMILE AGAIN


By Philip Nweze

Despite conflicting demands for available cash, Governor David Nweze Umahi has never hidden his desire to uplift the status of workers and pensioners. At a time that public service workers in more than half of Nigeria's 36 states, at the last count are being owed salaries of between three and eight months by their governments, EbonyI workers have remained immuned from the venom of unpaid salaries. The state governor, Engr David Umahi has demonstrated a great deal of sensitivity to the plight of workers and retirees on his payroll. The governor's sustained harmonious industrial relationship with the state workforce, such as regular payment of salaries, pensions and other allowances on or before the 15th of every month, when many other states could not so, is simply legendary. In the prevailing crisis of unpaid pension arrears threatening the lives of Nigeria's retired senior citizens Ebonyi pensioners woke up to another cheery news on Tuesday 15th August 2017as the state executive authorized the release of the sum of N1.5 billion for the payment of arrears and pensions and gratuities for retired civil servants. interestingly too, the local government system awaits the intervention of N750 million promised to kick-start pensions arrears and gratuities of local government workers as well.

The figure automatically clears the arrears inherited from the previous administrations relating to the period 1996-2017. To further demonstrate the sincerity and expediency attached to this gesture, a statement from the office of the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, directed all eligible beneficiaries to proceed immediately to the office of the Deputy Governor of Ebony state for verification in order to ensure that payments are disbursed with dispatch. The governor has in different fora signaled his intention to fashion out template to vacate the state's indebtedness to retirees any time the state's share of the Paris fund arrives. The huge accumulated gratuity arrears Ebonyi inherited from its mother states since 1993 has remained a source of concern to the administration until Tuesday. With regards to the payment of gratuity and death benefits, the present administration when it came to power in May 2015, inherited unpaid gratuities, pensions backlog and contract gratuities owed retirees.

Also, the present administration is set to give a stable means of income to widows, to help them meet their needs and those of their children.

This is to ensure that widows are not left out in the celebration of this new dawn. The state government is currently processing another batch of widows to benefit in the ongoing economic empowerment programme for over 200 widows scattered across the state, which would be available in the coming weeks. The sum of N200, 000 each is to be released to the prospective beneficiaries fro Monday the 21st of August 2017. Already, The verification exercise by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious and welfare matters has been completed and submitted to the state executive council. The widows empowerment programme has also been expanded to accommodate additional 2, 000 widows.

Similarly, the N1 billion Nair budgeted for the empowerment of 4, 000 eligible ebonyians is still being disbursed by the ministry of empowerment and job creation. As at today, about 1, 000 people have applied and collected grants up to N250, 000 each. Others who meet the criteria should expect to be paid with effect from Monday the 21st of August 2017.

Also, interested Ebonyians with creativity and entrepreneurial drive are also to rejoice. The state government in partnership with BOI has established an SME fund of N4 billion, operated by the BOI for companies and cooperative societies with a qual7flying business plan to access loan facilities ranging from N1 million to N100 million to either start or expand small scale or medium scale enterprises.

The impact of these programmes are enormous on the psyche of an average Ebonyian. The greatest weapon against poverty is empowerment. An empowered individual stands the chance of succeeding in his society unlike those who lack such opportunity. Be it sponsored or self-empowerment, support is very important as it beautifies the average citizen. On a general note, Ebonyi people shall feel immuned from the harrowing ordeal of the biting economic recession used as excuse by state governors who have deliberately refused to offset liabilities to their citizens. Governor Umahi has simply proven that though managing an economy in recession is a difficult task, it presents challenges that are surmountable once the political will is there. The overview of salary situations in the country presents Ebonyi as a reference point and a case study. When others are busy amassing public funds, Governor Umahi is rather yielding to his conscience and his social contract with the people.

Regular payment of salaries and pensions may not be considered as achievement by some people because salaries are debts. People worked and should be paid afterall. However, in today's Nigerian, payment of salary has become rare and this makes it an achievement especially for a state like Ebony which is currently battling at the bottom of the federal allocation table. It's a wonder that Ebony state has managed to stay afloat despite the prevailing financial turbulence. But the secret is simple.

Prudence and careful planning have become the watchword of the present administration ably led by Engr David Umahi. The governor focuses on the economic and social dimensions of governance. He understands the place of entrepreneurship and empowerment as the solid foundation for any given society. Moreover, he regards his citizens as his priority.

God bless Akubaraoha. The People's Governor.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THIS IMPORTANT PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Following the conclusion of the work of the Committee on the Verification of the State Pensions & Gratuities from 2nd October, 1996 to 6th June, 2017, and following the presentation and consideration of the Committee’s Report by the Executive Council of Ebonyi State on Tuesday the 15th of August, 2017, the Council has authorized the release of the sum of N1.5 billion for the payment of arrears of pensions and gratuities of Ebonyi workers from 1996 to 2017. Specifically, the sum of N750 million has been approved for the payment of the pensions arrears and gratuities of retired State Civil Servants and an equal amount of N750 million has also been approved by Council for the payment of the pensions arrears and gratuities of Local Government workers.

The Chairman of Council, His Excellency, Engr David Nweze Umahi, has therefore directed all eligible beneficiaries to please proceed immediately to the office of the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State for verification in order to ensure that payments are disbursed with dispatch.

Furthermore, Council deliberated on the deepening economic recession in the country and resolved to expand the empowerment programme of the Government of Ebonyi State in order meet the growing economic challenges faced by the ordinary citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in society.

Accordingly, therefore, the ongoing economic empowerment of over 2000 widows across the state with the sum of N200,000 each will be released from Monday the 21st of August, 2017, now that the verification exercise by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious and Welfare Matters has been completed and his report presented to Council.

The widows empowerment programme has also been expanded to accommodate additional 2000 widows who will be selected, verified and paid the sum of N200,000 each by 1st October, 2017.

Let it be reiterated that the N1billion naira budgeted for the empowerment of 4000 eligible Ebonyians is still being disbursed by the Ministry of Empowerment and Job Creation. As at today, about 1000 people have applied and collected grants of up to N250,000 each. Others who meet the criteria should expect to be paid with effect from Monday the 21st of August, 2017. The Ministry of Empowerment and Job Creation will announce and publish the names of recipients of the grants at the conclusion of the disbursements.

Finally, in a unique partnership programme with the Bank of Industry, the Government of Ebonyi State has established an SME Fund of N4 billion, operated by the BOI, for companies and cooperative societies with a qualifying business plan to access loan facilities ranging from N1 million to N100 million to either start or expand small scale or medium scale enterprises.

Interested Ebonyians with creativity and entrepreneurial drive are encouraged to approach the BOI to obtain loan facilities at a staggeringly low interest rate of just 6%.


EKUBAROHA IS WORKING. EBONYI STATE IS ON THE RISE

Senator Emmanuel Onwe
Commissioner for Information &
State Orientation

Umahi Is A Peacemaker Genuis

EZZA/EZILLO CRISIS: AS FINAL PEACE RETURNS TO EZILLO, UMAHI IS A PEACE BUILDER GENIUS.

By Philip Nweze

A strange atmosphere of peace and tranquility pervaded Ezillo Community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi state on Thursday 6th June 2017 in what seems to be an end to the 9 year skirmishes brought about by the bloody Ezza Ezillo crisis. After years of crisis and irreconcilable differences which polarized Ezza and Ezillo communities, peace has at last returned to the area as stakeholders met over the week at the Government House Abakaliki, to bury the hatchet. Many were surprised to see former arch enemies on both sides sit side by side without molestations, signalling the final return of peace and security to the town previously under siege. Ezza and Ezillo people, two parallel lines that never saw eye to eye exchanged love, under the watch of the state Governor, they embraced each other in jubilation, after which both communities expressed their unalloyed appreciation to the leadership of the Governor for bringing the much desired peace in the land of Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo, and made a lifetime commitment to abide by any decisions taken by the state government henceforth. They showed uncommon understanding and maturity, making concessions, including conceding land.

As a sign of goodwill, the people of Ezillo welcomed the state government's pronouncement to create Autonomous Community for Ezza-Ezillo settlers in Ezillo community on the 500 hectares of land earlier mapped out for resettlement of the Ezzas by the peace committee constituted by the state government. He requested two lawyers from both sides for inclusion into a legal team that would draft a government policy document which would be gazetted into law as a binding legal instrument for the peace deal.

Before now, members of each com­munity avoided anything that would take them to the other community. When it is unavoidable to ply the Abakaliki/ Enugu expressway, the Ezza man would disguise. So would the Ezillo man if he had to go through any route in the Ezza axis. The di­vision permeated all of their social activities. They had two parallel groups that never saw eye to eye. They lived like cat and dog, working against each other in a manner that led to the hiring of youths from time to time to unleash mayhem on each other.

The latest attempt at peace cost the Governor and his team days and nights of brainstorming, hard-work, trekking, mapping, inspecting, planting of tree but in the end the aim was achieved at last. The peace that left their household many years ago after a communal war broke out is back.

No doubt, Ebonyi state has witnessed a number of intra communal clashes; some interstate clashes involving neigh­boring states of Cross River and Benue; but none had dealt a deadly blow on the people of the state as the Ezza/Ezillo clashes. The scuffle which broke out in the two communi­ties in Ishielu local gov­ernment area of the state on 10th May, 2008, has claimed hundreds of lives, including pregnant women and children.

The Abakaliki/Enugu Expressway, at a time, became major war front where road users be­came major victims of the war. Bodies of massa­cred people were thrown into rivers and streams.

The then governor of the state, Chief Martin Elechi, in the company of armed security person­nel that arrived the Ezilo community, witnessed the mass murder, and broke down in tears. Elechi set up committees that inves­tigated the incident, which came up with resolutions. The administration’s ap­proach failed to deliver appreciable resolution to the disputes. Whereas the Ezza people felt they were unduly sacked from the land, the Ezillo people saw Elechi’s tactics to the feud as not being holistic.

Engr. David Umahi, in his 2015 governor­ship campaign, promised that he would throw up sustainable resolution to the Ezza/ Ezillo disputes. And he was true to his word. Not many people under­stood why Umahi earlier in his administration, cut uncommon relationship with the Ezza and Ezillo communities. He ap­pointed people from both communities into sensitive positions, demonstrated high level of confidence in them. Some of them whom he considered in­fluential were in some cases, drafted into the af­fairs of his administration.

With the assurance that he had gained the trust of the people of the areas, Governor Umahi set up a reconciliatory committee headed by his Deputy, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, to negotiate peace for the Ezza/Ezillo kits and kin.

The committee, after series of meetings, visita­tions, trekked through the troubled and de­serted Ezza/Ezillo lands submitted their reports and recommendations. Convinced that the job was well done, for the purpose of the signing of agree­ment between the Ezza and Ezillo, the state gov­ernment declared a public holiday and announced that every 5th of Septem­ber would be observed as peace day in Ebonyi state. Ebonyi people defied heavy downpour to mark the day as they converged at the Abakaliki Town­ship Stadium. Governor Umahi, while addressing the gathering, commended the two factions for agree­ing to lay down their weap­ons and embrace peace, while lamenting that lives and property worth bil­lions of naira had been lost to the ugly incident. He commended the peace and reconciliation com­mittee headed by the Dep­uty Governor, Dr. Kelechi Igwe, for coming up with a workable recommenda­tion that has brought peace to the communities while reiterating the readiness of the state government to rehabilitate and compen­sate the victims of the war.

The Governor, who set up an implementation committee of 3R of Recon­ciliation, Reconstruction, Rehabilitation headed by the Senior Special Adviser on Religious and Welfare, Very Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali further enjoined the two factions to live in peace in their designated lands. He said the state would mark 5th of September every year as Ebonyi Peace day to commemorate the peace Umahi’s administration achieved in the Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo community.

What triggered the Ezza/Ezillo crisis was in itself ridiculous. The story was that two persons, an Ezillo man and an Ezza man had misunderstand­ing over erection of a mini phone booth near their Eke Market. Because of deep nursed animos­ity, some members of the two communities saw the mere misunderstanding as a chance to vent their bottled anger.

With the situation, the re­lationship was like a keg of gun powder that exploded with the least glint of fire. As God would have it, peace has returned to the area.

The governor since assumption of office has intensified efforts to end the tussle and restore peace in the land driven by the conviction that offense against a brother does not get to the marrow. With a view to resolving the over nine-year crisis in which over 100 persons lost their lives, Ebonyi state government in April begun a field tracing on the disputed land measuring about three kilometre radius, cutting across a portion of Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway and endowed with economic trees and stone deposits.

Driven by his peaceful disposition and courage he kept pushing harder, stomached accusations and counter accusations, endured name calling and misrepresentations walked through forests, trekked long distances under scorching sun, until the elusive peace finally came. Today all parties have realized the need for reconciliation and sacrifice.

In addition to this, the state government also agreed to compensate owners of property destroyed during the Ezillo and Ezza-Ezillo communal clashes in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state. To do this, the government will negotiate with them on the best approach to rehabilitate them, compensate them and reunite them with their household.

This is a powerful string only a smart governor can pull.

COMMUNIQUE ARISING FROM THE MEETING OF SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS, OHANAEZE NDIGBO AND SELECTED IGBO LEADERS OF THOUGHT ON THE STATE OF THE NATION HELD AT NIKE LAKE RESORT, ENUGU, ON SATURDAY, 1ST JULY 2017

At the end of the meeting of the above enumerated categories of Igbo leadership, the following resolutions were adopted:

1. That Ndigbo are in support of a united Nigeria where peace, love, fairness, justice, equity and equality of opportunity are paramount regardless of creed, ethnicity, gender or political affiliation.

2. That we condemn all hate speeches and conducts emanating from any segment of Nigeria.

3. That Igbo leaders lend their full support to the restructuring of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the basis of fairness and equity. We therefore call on the Federal Government and all Nigerian leaders to commence a process of dialogue among Nigerians on the modalities of achieving this pressing question within a reasonable time frame.

4. That Ndigbo support the report of the National Conference of 2014 and urge the Federal Government to set up structures that will enable the implementation of same within a reasonable time.

5. That the South East Governors, members of the National Assembly from South East and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo should henceforth constitute the official organs that will speak on behalf of Ndigbo on political matters.

6. That the South East leaders in consultation with leaders from other parts of the country will engage the Federal Government on all areas of concerns to Ndigbo and to Nigeria as a whole.

As presented by

Engr. David Nweze Umahi
Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman of South East Governors Forum.

LionDeLeo:
Coming from the chairman of Eastern Governors Forum.

I can't fit laff.

To think these are the people calling others parasites is quite amusing.

Una never see anything.

Abeg let's restructure jor, we are more interested in knowing who the actual parasites are, nonsense.

He never made such statement. such is coming from APC in the state

sarrki:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/06/29/we-dont-want-restructuring-says-umahi/

Governor Umahi never made such statement.

Umahi flags off ANDP 5,000 housing project in Ebonyi

…says joint fund by govt, BoI for SMEs underway

 

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi  on Saturday laid the foundation for the 5,000 unit of blocks for less privileged in Umuobuna Etiti Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area.

Umahi, at the ceremony which attracted members of the state Executive Council, traditional rulers,  businessmen youths and many others, Umahi thanked the initiators of the project, Africa Nations Development Programme for considering Ebonyi State for the project.

 
The governor  added that a  similar project would take place in Izzi Local Government Area and enjoined the people to release their land for such development.

 

Umahi, who headed straight to the venue of the ceremony from his working visit to Abuja, also  said that his administration and the Bank of Industry have planned to deposit N2 billion each to fund small scale industries.
 
The governor, in a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya,  noted that the aim was to enable people engage in productive ventures. He  explained that the money would be made available for any group of people in the state with viable projects.

 

  His words "We have  concluded discussion with  the Bank of Industry and what the BoI is   funding small scale industries and programmes. We  have offered to deposit in a common account the sum of N2 billion and  the bank  will add their own N2 billion. With this, any group of persons or corporative that comes up with viable project today, they will draw from this fund. It  doesn't matter if the entire fund  is spent  in one LGA. It's going to be  first come first served. This is an incentive to draw our people out to begin to do things with their hands."

The governor said that efforts  were  on  to settle for investors interested in the development of limestone and salt in the state. He disclosed that  a multi-national cement company   Larfage, was at the final stage of establishing the biggest cement factory in the country in  Ebonyi LGA.

He said,  " We have also spoken to about three investors that are very much interested in our salt and limestone and our Nigercem in Nkalagu will  very soon resume production.  We're also working with Larfage to develop the biggest cement factory in the whole of Nigeria at Ebonyi LGA. They're at the final stage of doing this."

While the governor appreciated the ANDP for the project, he announced that the two- kilometre  of road  requested  by the organisation  would be constructed.

  “Your Excellency, Ambassador Samson Omojuyigbe, we want to thank you very much and we will give you all the support. Presently, we have very good road network around this location and the only request you made which is about two kilometres  of   road, the moment you start construction, we will do the road  to encourage you."

Earlier, the Director General of the ANDP,  Amb. Omojuyigbe, said   the new city would on  completion alleviate the suffering of the less privileged and  guarantee decent life  for the coming generation.
   
On his part, the Country Director, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Eze, said that the housing project would  comprise 5,000 detached two bedroom bungalows and other facilities such as schools, water, electricity, police station, barracks, hospitals among others.

 

He stated that the occupants would be trained and empowered to enable them have standard means of livelihood.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Ohaozara LGA,  Nkechinyere Iyioku, and the Commissioner for Lands, Chief Sunday Inyima, commended  Governor Umahi  for attracting the project to the area.

Jlow2:
why in his native uburu,and not in abakaliki town?

Must every project be in Abakaliki?

Hizzy:
He took it to his home town instead of him to build it in Abakaliki the state capital we are waiting 4 him, for his second term

Must every project be sited at Abakaliki?

Gov. Umahi in collaboration with the Africa Nations Development Programme yesterday laid the foundation for the construction of 5,000 housing units for the less privileged people at Umuobuna, Etiti Uburu, Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State.

The ANDP, is a subsidiary of World National Development Initiative, said the houses mainly for the poor would be given out for free after its completion.

The two-bedroom 5,000 housing unit will have facilities such as, schools, police stations, market and hospital.

colossus91:
Firstly am not a politician,secondly nweze is the mouthpiece of umahi,the said man of God whose image is being tarnished us because he said umahi would nt win second term of which the governor fabricated stories and locked up his church and is also after his life,i dnt know the said man of God, bt sincerely u need to recide in ebonyi to knw thst umahi is just beautifying and nt tackling the main issues which is hunger. for instance a graduate teacher in ebonyi earns 23k as start up salary please just imagine,snd umahi has been in power for almost 12years nw.......umahi is jyst a totalitarian!!

React to the issue on ground and stop showing us your hatred for Umahi led administration.

EVANGELIST EPHRAIM ONONYE: A WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING


By Philip Nweze

Whether it is sexual indiscretion, fraud, or physical abuse, Evangelist Ephraim Ononye is always at the centre of it all. In fact, it appears controversy never leaves his side. The man who left the Anglican church some years back in controversial circumstances to open his personal miracle centre is back in the spotlight, again for the wrong reasons.

By the feelers reaching us this time, then the self acclaimed Evangelist should not even be walking the street a free man. At the very least this man should have spent some time in a police lock-up facility. The fact that we still have people like Ephraim Ononye in the priestly frock is a slap on christian faith. The more I look at him, the more I'm convinced that judgement will start from the house of God.

I have always known the evangelist to be controversial but not even the knowledge prepared me for the side of the story I heard last week.

On Saturday 17th June, this month, a young lady from Okposi told a rather stunning story of how the evangelist almost deceived her into having intimate sexual affair, by tricking her into his hotel room after a crusade programme during which he made abortive attempts to rape her. She recounted how the prophet dipped his hands into her bra and grabbed her breasts.  She told me how she struggled, pleaded, and wept uncontrollably, until the prophet had no choice but to unseal the already locked door to avoid drawing attention to the room. After the ordeal, he offered her money to silence her which she vehemently rebuffed, and ran out still shocked to the bones.

The young lady said she later reported the attempted assault to her Pastor and church officials who confronted and cautioned Ononye seriously over the incident. I shudder to even contemplate what transpires behind closed doors during his numerous prayer sessions with different categories of ladies in his ministry.

Evangelist Ephraim Ononye, aka High Tension Corner and Gods Battle Axe gained popularity back in 2005 when he dared Ogwugwu Ndorohia, a deadly shrine in Uli, Ihiala LGA of Anambra state, and his unilateral adventure yielded positive result as priest of the deadly shrine surrendered to Christ, along with his instruments of devilish acts. The fame and popularity the daring act gave him has made him a big time entreprenuer in church business ever since. Many have claimed to be healed through handkerchiefs that has been prayed over by the man and given to those who are unable to physically attend his church in Abakaliki. Top contractors, businessmen, barren women, the sick and downtrodden troop to his church to seek one miracle or the other or some other forms of spiritual assistance. This has made him become too blotted with arrogance too.

His show of arrogance reached its peak when he dared the Bishop of Abakaliki Anglican Communion by rejecting his new posting by the church leadership.

His sojourn into full time church business however started when the the Anglican Communion of Abakaliki Diocese evicted him from the All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Abakaliki as a result of insurbodination and anti church activities. Thereafter he came up with Power House Interdenominational ministry. The evangelist who speaks with a tongue coated with honey wasted no time in filling up his church auditorium with miracle seeking worshippers.

These unsuspecting church folks who are gullible clones of his fraudulent ministry have gifted him into riches overnight. Today, his flourishing miracle centre has afforded him lavish fleet of flashy automobiles, in addition to various houses scattered across the state capital.

Typical of Ononye, he doesn't stay away from controversy for too long. Mr Ononye has continued to make headlines in different criminal cases, the very ones that he so fervently preached against with his fire and brimstone deliveries from his bully pulpit. He has been fingered in one dirty scandal after another which is capable of dragging the name and body of Christ in the mud.

As a priest, he has stripped himself of every modicum of dignity and caused monumental embarrassment to his kind. Around 2010, the Police in Anambra issued an arrest warrant on him following his suspected involvement in two kidnap cases. How he managed to hush the case and pacify the police, I have no idea.

The most damaging scandal to meet the fleeing kidnap suspect was the death of two members of his church later in 2016 during a healing session, after they drank a concoction he offered them. Expectedly, he produced an intense rebuttal to the murder incident that exonerated him.

I fear to say that the church of Christ is now littered with small men in cloth with huge egos. Hence, this article is borne out of the pathological need to resist wolves in sheeps clothing who spit on the word of God; pompous empty ineffectual vessels and end time prophets preoccupied with selfish motives.

Ononye was yet again at the centre of controversy last year when the entire body of Divine Mandate pastors in the 13 local government areas in Ebonyi state unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on him and inaugurated a new leadership in the state with Pastor Ifeanyi C Igwe as chairman and Ernest Anayo as secretary.

The reason for the change were on account of his general misconduct and unruly behaviour. They alleged that the man is arrogant, autocratic, hostile and worst is that he abuses pastors of Ebonyi state origin that they are hungry pastors.

They alleged that two chances given to them by the state govt for pilgrimage to Jerusalem last year was hijacked on the way by Evang Ononye. He gave one to his wife and gave one to one of his partners. He arrogantly told anyone who asked off.

This kind of attitude was responsible for his transfer from the All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Abakaliki to a rural area. Apparently dissatisfied by the churchs decision, Ononye established his worship centre located in Oroke Onuoha, Mile 50, Abakaliki. There he perfected his act of fraud. Ononye has become a guest of the Nigerian police several times.

Apart from his lies, the cleric is an inverterate wife beater. In fact he will be a perfect match for Muhamned Ali if he encountered him in the boxing ring. He was said to have battered his wife and turned her into punching bag more times than one, prompting her to run to the anglican Bishop repeatedly for refuge.

May I aptly clarify that his confessions of blatant lies against the state governor is not the reason for this article. It's not about name calling too. It's about unveiling the multiple faces of a dubious cleric. It is about the ease at which he fabricate lies and throw them to our faces without any form of guilt. The dirty pictures being painted by Evangelist Ononye against the state government are simply the rantings of a sinking man.

However, when one summons the moral courage to write an article of this nature in Nigeria, the most overwhelming response would be to judge him with Mathew 7:1. "Judge not that ye may not be judged." This is because it is a particularly exaseperating taboo in this part of the world to criticize a priest. But I pray many readers would understand the spirit of the piece, which is, quite simply, to expose evil in all its forms and appearances. There’s a hint of a positive redeeming value at the heart of it.

Its time for people to wake up and hold their pastors accountable to ethical and upright moral character not offer up excuses and defences on their behalf. It's time to break this tradition of silence. Evangelist Ononye's overt desire and covert antics to outsmart the government and people of Ebonyi state would surely be vehemently resisted.

Umahi to churches: Don’t join the bandwagon of hate speeches

 

 

  Governor of Ebony State, Engr. David   Umahi, has called on churches not to join the bandwagon of those spreading hate speeches across in the country.

 

 Umahi, at the  2017 Father’s Day celebration by the Christ Embassy in Abakaliki on Sunday, pointed out that hate speeches were capable of igniting war in the country.

 

“We need to pray for our nation,” the governor went on to admonish churches, pointing out “that war is not a good thing.”

 

Umahi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, added: “ I want us as a church not to join the bandwagon of such spreading of hate. No matter how much you are despised or maltreated, the word of God still tells us to show love.

  “Those who are beating the drums of war have not witnessed war before . If there is war, the church will no longer come together  I believe with our prayers, we can avert every plans of the devil."


Umahi  also used the occasion to encourage  the people not to depend so much on government but to work hard  to overcome the economic challenges facing the country. He urged Ebonyians  and non-Ebonyians resident in the state   to take advantage of his  administration’s empowerment schemes  by engaging  in productive  ventures.
The governor also   advised those who are making it big in various fields   to carry others along, pointing out that such behaviour would help in the propagation of the gospel.

His words: "We need to work hard. The economy is not getting better. Of course, that's what the Bible says. We leaders   get text messages everyday telling us that ‘we worked for you;we made you to be governor; we made you to be commissioner; we made you to be this and that. We want opportunity to serve.’

“But let me tell you that  there  are many international finance houses that are not ready to give money to government but ready to give to the  private sector. Those  who are doing something can accommodate one or two persons and lead them in the ways of the trade and the kingdom of God will expand."


Earlier, in her  sermon, the Pastor in charge of  the  church, Mrs. Eunice Oyeyemi,  advised fathers to be alive to their responsibilities in order to have  peaceful homes.
  While she  also  admonished them to have respect for their marriage vows, she told the women to respect and support their husbands even in time of difficulties.

Governor Umahi, in company with his wife, Rachel, later visited the   Motherless Babies Home in the city to celebrate the day with the children there.

He prayed    and made a cash donation to them.

ATTENTION: EVANG. EPHRAIM ONONYE’S COUNTERFEIT LIFE EXPOSED: PART 1

By Ebube Chima

It is inexplicable how devil’s incarnates have mysteriously turned men of God overnight even when they have been publicly rejected and pushed out of their own fold by their church and congregation. Such is the story of Evangelist Ephraim Ononye, owner of Power House Assembly, located at Mile 50, Abakaliki. Mr Ononye whose father was a renowned herbalist is from Obosi in Anambra State.

His evil activities some of which have recently come to limelight knows no bounds; just last year, he killed two mad men of the same parents who were brought to his church (The Power House Assembly) for deliverance. An eyewitness said the prophet, after praying for the mad men administered a substance suspected to be ‘anointing oil’ on the three mad men and left. Two out of the three men were found dead the next day, and apparently were part of the required items for sacrifice to get powers that will enable him run a new generation church were magic will be the ultimate line for worship. Read below for confirmation;

https://www.naij.com/792533-tragedy-read-happened-2-mad-men-deliverance-prayer-ministry.html

As usual, he explained it away. He alleged that the cause of the death was that another man of God sneaked into his ministry without his knowledge and administered a concoction which led to the death of the mad men while he was away. This is indeed an irony of the greatest order but let me leave the judgment for you to take care of.
Mr. Ononye is a known criminal in Anambra state, with involvement in several kidnapping cases in his state which gave a better explanation to the massive Matchet and Axe marks scattered all over his face. He is currently wanted by men of the Nigeria Police Force for his involvement in two crime cases in his state (Anambra).

The wolf in sheep clothing who cries the cry of a wolf has been severally involved in rumored cases of adultery. Information has it that married barren women who visit his church for assistance are being subjected to sex romps, on oath that they don’t disclose it to their husbands. Strong evidence are available on this note and will be released soon.

His greed for money is one of the reasons why he perfected a breakaway from the Anglican Church and started running a healing centre and an illegal school, at the detriment of the upcoming children. Mr. Ononye is a first class fraudster, a case of how he mismanaged a position giving to him at Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA is enough evidence to make you understand who he truly is, click on the link below to see details;

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/11/scandal-rocks-ebonyi-sema/

I therefore wonder why any rational being will ever give attention to a prophecy from someone of questionable character like Mr. Ononye. But this is Nigeria where practical reasoning and rationality takes a back seat to religious sentiment. Discerning Ebonyians are aware of the lies being manufactured against their governor by the embattled self-made evangelist to redeem his wounded image. But truth will surely prevail. I am proud of the numerous developments going on in the state and I want to request the Ebonyi state governor to remain focused and never be distracted by the like of Ononye.
Mr Ononye can go ahead and pronounce false prophecies to draw attention to himself but I sure know the long arm of the law will catch up with him sooner than later. Ebonyians, this fake prophet has done enough damage in our state and should not be allowed to continue to have a field day at the expense of unsuspecting members of the public. We should stop crying at the mercy of these clerics who ride on our mentality, and make circumstantial predictions.

Note: This is just the beginning, the PART 2 is coming soon.