₦airaland Forum

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/04/i-will-unite-nigerian-youths-in-nation-building-through-our-great-party-apc-obidike/

https://thenationonlineng.net/how-i-will-unite-nigerian-youths-by-obidike/


Comrade Obidike Chukwuebuka, a member of the Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and an aspirant for the post of the Party’s National Youth Leader, has promised to Unite Nigerian Youths in Nation-Building, if elected as the APC National Youth Leader.

Speaking with the press, he noted the disinterest in Nation-Building and patriotism by Nigerian Youths, due to lack of trust, confidence and strong National Orientation. In his words, he said; “It is true that the youth constituency (which I belong to) makes-up 60% of Nigeria’s population. But the impact and significance of this huge youth population is not actually felt in our National Life. Many Nigerian Youths are leaving the country on daily basis in search of greener pastures; some who are still in the country are disinterested in Nation-building and participating in the electoral process and governance of the country. Only a few are deeply committed to our National life and development as a country. But there is a cause for all these. If elected the National Youth Leader of our great party, I will use the opportunity to open ‘The Youth Discuss’, and Unite our Youths across the country”.

“A united Nigerian Youth Force is a force to reckon with in the whole world. The ingenuity of Nigerian youths is incomparable with non across the globe. Individually, Nigerians Youths are excelling in academics and various other fields in which they find themselves in abroad. What is now left is to give our youths a sense of belonging, unity of purpose, confidence and equal opportunity in Nigeria, and they will transform every sector of our Nation to the 21st century reality, obtainable in other developed countries of the world. It is doable and achievable and we must begin the work now. There is no time to waste. We must restore the pride and confidence of our youths in our country and together work for a better Nigeria”.

Comrade Obidike further told our correspondent during the conversation that; since he declared his intention to contest the post of the APC National Youth Leader, he has initiated multiple engagements with Nigerian Youths across the federation on the issue of Nation Building, and that responses he is getting are heart warning and he hopes to enlarge these conversations on a National Platform if Elected. “The finest and most admirable trait of Nigerian Youths is their strong and resilient spirit. We mustn’t take that for granted or let them down” Obidike said.

EFCC Ambassador Obidike congratulates Igwe Orizu III on his 95th Birthday Celebration.

Ambassador to the Economic Financial Crime Commission, EFCC Obidike Chukwuebuka, has congratulated His Royal Highness Igwe K.O.N Orizu III, on his 95th birthday celebration.

He prayed for more years of unmatched advancement and development on the throne of his ancestors. 
He celebrated the Igwe for ensuring stability, peace and progress in Nnewi.

In a statement he sent to the PRESS, "I heartily congratulate your His Royal Highnes Igwe K.O.N Orizu III, on the auspicious occasion of your birthday celebration. We have indeed benefited from your fatherly role in ensuring stability, peace and progress in our dear town, Nnewi.

“I pray that the many more years that God Almighty shall grant you to sit on the exalted throne of your forefathers will usher in unmatched advancement and development to our people. 

May God continue to grant you sound health, the vitality and wisdom to enable you continue to lead our great town, Nnewi.
Congratulations!
May your reign continue to be fruitful, Igweee!!!”

EFCC Youth Ambassador Obidike chides corrupt NASS members, Governors, Ministers.

Ambassador to the Economic Financial Crime Commission, EFCC Chukwuebuka Obidike has appealed to Nigerian leaders; the National Assembly members, Ministers and Governors to shun corrupt practices and give selfless services to the country.

Speaking at a press conference held in Abuja, Obidike decried the sordid state of the nation, accusing some National Assembly members, some state Governors and ministers for decay in the polity and developmental backwardness in the country.

He stated, “Corrupt practices has become one of the most assailed factors in explaining the failure and underdevelopment in Nigeria. This is not without cause. Corruption is one of the most prominent elements militating against the proper marshalling of resources in Nigeria. The stench of corruption permeates almost every space in Nigeria and has made the country and its systems sickly and unhealthy. Corrupt National Assembly members, Governors and ministers hinders development in Nigeria.

“The fight against corruption is everyone’s responsibility, the government, the citizen and even the international community as a result of the fact that they are guilty of money laundry for most government officials in the country. But the people’s commitment would be difficult to secure if the leaders who are calling on them for sacrifice do not make sacrifices by themselves.

“Why are our infrastructural facilities including roads, power, schools, hospitals among others are in such a calamitous situation? Corruption has done an incalculable harm to the progress of Nigeria as a country and the effects have been far reaching, including negative international image, lack of legitimacy for government, violence and political instability, erosion of social values including the culture of hard work, social trust, respect for others, especially elders and the weak, etc.

“Resources are inefficiently allocated and companies that otherwise would not be qualified to win government contracts are often awarded projects as a result of sharp malpractices.”

The Ambassador also noted that corrupt tendencies can lead to an uneven distribution of wealth as small businesses face unfair competition from large companies that have established illegal connections with government officials.

He mentioned that government officials, even un-elected ones, live on trust and retaining the confidence of the people is crucial to their survival, while saying that public confidence is important to the smooth functioning of government. “Unethical behaviour on the part of government officials lead to loss of public trust. A government cannot function effectively, if the public believes that its officials are corrupt, even if they are not,” said Obidike.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/efcc-youth-ambassador-obidike-chides-corrupt-nass-members-governors-ministers/

Electoral malpractice, vote buying, serious crimes, warns EFCC Youth Ambassador 
...as he urges electorates in Edo and Ondo to stay clear of corrupt politicians

A youth ambassador to the Economic Financial Crime Commission, EFCC Chukwuebuka Obidike has appealed to Nigerians to shun election malpractice and promote transparency, access to information which according to him, will increase responsiveness of government, while simultaneously having a positive effect on the levels of public participation in a country.
Addressing the press, Obidike urged Nigerians to utilise the electoral opportunity to elect men of integrity and uprightness into respective positions of authority.
“Politicians seeking votes have indulged in an unfair manipulation of the voting public, disenfranchisement of registered voters, intimidation, vote buying and printing of ballot papers that mislead voters among other things.

“Voter inducement is the highest form of electoral corruption. We need to educate ourselves and possess the will to detest from being induced with money, food from wicked and underperforming politicians and their agents. If we come across such people, we must have the ability to isolate them.

“We must develop the spirituality and inner strength to do the right thing, which is to totally reject bribes. Corruption will not happen if there are neither takers nor givers and there is no such thing as a small or a big bribe. A bribe is a bribe. Bribing spells corruption and everyone must say no to it.

“In Nigeria, calls for stiffer penalties for electoral fraud and malpractices have led to 2010 Electoral Law Reforms which have established INEC Electoral Tribunal to try and imprison violators and perpetrators of electoral fraud in Nigeria. This is what has worked in other climes to stabilize democratic governance for development. It is therefore a combination of both prevention and deterrence strategies that could reduce the incidence.
“We cannot comfortably function effectively without reenacting our existing laws to provide stiffer punishment for economic crimes offender.

“The time to vote out corrupt leaders is now. The principle of lootocracy and greedocracy has been entrenched into the fabrics of our national life. The looters are been honored with traditional titles thus setting negative precedents for the younger generation.

“As Edo and Ondo states governorship elections draw closer, I advise citizens of these states to eschew corrupt tendencies, resist wicked politicians and remain law abiding in order to have the best and most competent persons in government. I therefore, insists that if the people cooperate with agencies of government and stand against corrupt electoral practices, good governance will not elude them.

“The time to stop them is now. The time to enlist patriotic young lads who will fulminate against corrupt tendencies and looters who have eaten deep into our national lives.”

Vanguard
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/electoral-malpractice-vote-buying-serious-crimes-warns-efcc-youth-ambassador/

Youths should desist from internet fraud, says Obidike, EFCC Youth Ambassador

 A youthful Nigerian entrepreneur, Chukwuebuka Obidike has appealed to young Nigerians to shun cyber crimes and other internet related vices that will tarnish the image of the country.

In a communique to the media, Obidike, who is a Youth Ambassador to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) charged the youths to utilise the opportunities that internet services can offer instead of using it negatively.

The advent of the internet age has revolutionized communication among networks, persons, and corporate entities, bringing with it enormous and limitless access to information, knowledge, contacts, and connectivity. This is true in Nigeria as it is in all other parts of the world.

Sadly, as in anything with advantages, the immeasurable gains have also come with very disturbing demerits, including identity theft, bullying, and financial fraud, among many others. Notably, internet fraud, which has become too rampant among the youths, is a serious, punishable crime and offense as provided in the Cybercrimes {Provision, Prevention, etc}Act 2015.

Yet, the menace has become a major subject now bordering on insecurity across the country, shredding the very fabrics of our national ethics, and giving our country an ugly name in the comity of nations.

The perpetrators do not only hack websites and social media accounts but also rip off innocent people of their life-savings, just as they defraud private companies and agencies created for the well-being of the citizenry, rendering their lives useless and making some people die due to the consequences that emanate from their activities.
It is indeed very tragic that Nigeria is trending as a nation where merit is hardly valued and the sources of the citizen’s wealth are hardly questioned. Driven to the brink of collapse of morality and away from their distinct principles known over the years, Nigeria is now faced with an existential ethical crisis.

It is more alarming to note that the Nigerian society has raised a generation that believes that the end justifies the means  leaning on the cynical attributes of the Machiavellian theory. If not, how do you explain a situation where parents will buy leaked WAEC question papers for their children so they can pass the exams? What are they teaching them in the long run?
Unfortunately, this has become the order of the day and many secondary schools are doing the same in order to get their candidates to score higher grades that can attract more students to enroll with them, obviously with eyes set on increased revenue.
I remember coming home on holidays during my secondary school days, to hear my father, a stern educationist, who ran the home like a disciplined general, drum the “Honesty is the Best Policy” maxim into the ears of us his children. As it was true over many years ago, so it is today, and true will it remain even tomorrow, and forever.
But, how many parents still keep an eye on their children. Again growing up, I remember wearing at home a face cap a friend gave to me and the first question my father asked was, “where did you get that cap from?” I almost froze to death, because I was raised by a parent who knew every item he bought for me and would question everything he saw with me that he didn’t buy.
But some present-day parents do not care to find out about the sources of what their children come home with. When their daughters return home with the latest iPhone XI, do they get question its source? Some would even ask their daughter to buy them one.
Young boys are buying gadgets and cars from the proceeds of advanced fee fraud, and some parents encourage them by taking them to witchdoctors to scale up their fraudulent practice to ‘yahoo plus’ in order to make more money.
Fathers have very important roles to play in helping to define the future of the economy –  one that will not be heavily polluted by financial crimes and other forms of sabotage –  because, if a father is corrupt or celebrates corruption, that virus may be transmitted to his children.
The future of Nigeria depends on the youth having the right people to mould their characters and give them a proper upbringing. And again, the family, particularly the parents, have a huge role to play here, owing to the fact that if the right attitude and character prevail at home, it would be in a strong position to contribute immensely to raising good leaders from among the youths.
That is why fathers shouldn’t abdicate their responsibilities because fatherhood is sacrosanct in raising good leaders. Fathers provide the firmness and discipline required in the molding and formatting of the characters of their kids. This, no doubt, influences their future.
The much-touted economic circumstances in Nigeria, like unemployment, as one of the causative factors in youth involvement in internet fraud and other crimes, can never be convincing, at least, not to this writer, and should not be made an excuse or defense for criminal activities.
That is why a situation where some elements opt-out of honest work and greedily decide to seek ‘employment’ in criminal activities {just because they want to make big money in easy way}, should never be justification for the crime.
All internet fraudsters should be aware that the eye of the ‘eagle’ is watching, and there is no peace for the wicked because they will be caught someday and be made to face the law.
Youths and all criminally-minded elements, should, therefore, wake up to the fact that ignorance has never been, is not, and can never be, an excuse or defense, when docked for internet crimes. So, it is better for them to desist from the acts or be caught, disgraced, and possibly have their future jeopardized.

Chukwuebuka Obidike, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission {EFCC} Ambassador, writes via docobidike@yahoo.com


https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/08/youths-should-desist-from-internet-fraud-says-obidike-efcc-youth-ambassador/

The advent of the internet age has revolutionized communication among networks, persons, and corporate entities, bringing with it enormous and limitless access to information, knowledge, contacts, and connectivity. This is true in Nigeria as it is in all other parts of the world.

Sadly, as in anything with advantages, the immeasurable gains have also come with very disturbing demerits, including identity theft, bullying, and financial fraud, among many others. Notably, internet fraud, which has become too rampant among the youths, is a serious, punishable crime and offense as provided in the Cybercrimes {Provision, Prevention, etc}Act 2015.

Yet, the menace has become a major subject now bordering on insecurity across the country, shredding the very fabrics of our national ethics, and giving our country an ugly name in the comity of nations.

The perpetrators do not only hack websites and social media accounts but also rip off innocent people of their life-savings, just as they defraud private companies and agencies created for the well-being of the citizenry, rendering their lives useless and making some people die due to the consequences that emanate from their activities.
It is indeed very tragic that Nigeria is trending as a nation where merit is hardly valued and the sources of the citizen’s wealth are hardly questioned. Driven to the brink of collapse of morality and away from their distinct principles known over the years, Nigeria is now faced with an existential ethical crisis.

It is more alarming to note that the Nigerian society has raised a generation that believes that the end justifies the means  leaning on the cynical attributes of the Machiavellian theory. If not, how do you explain a situation where parents will buy leaked WAEC question papers for their children so they can pass the exams? What are they teaching them in the long run?
Unfortunately, this has become the order of the day and many secondary schools are doing the same in order to get their candidates to score higher grades that can attract more students to enroll with them, obviously with eyes set on increased revenue.
I remember coming home on holidays during my secondary school days, to hear my father, a stern educationist, who ran the home like a disciplined general, drum the “Honesty is the Best Policy” maxim into the ears of us his children. As it was true over many years ago, so it is today, and true will it remain even tomorrow, and forever.
But, how many parents still keep an eye on their children. Again growing up, I remember wearing at home a face cap a friend gave to me and the first question my father asked was, “where did you get that cap from?” I almost froze to death, because I was raised by a parent who knew every item he bought for me and would question everything he saw with me that he didn’t buy.
But some present-day parents do not care to find out about the sources of what their children come home with. When their daughters return home with the latest iPhone XI, do they get question its source? Some would even ask their daughter to buy them one.
Young boys are buying gadgets and cars from the proceeds of advanced fee fraud, and some parents encourage them by taking them to witchdoctors to scale up their fraudulent practice to ‘yahoo plus’ in order to make more money.
Fathers have very important roles to play in helping to define the future of the economy –  one that will not be heavily polluted by financial crimes and other forms of sabotage –  because, if a father is corrupt or celebrates corruption, that virus may be transmitted to his children.
The future of Nigeria depends on the youth having the right people to mould their characters and give them a proper upbringing. And again, the family, particularly the parents, have a huge role to play here, owing to the fact that if the right attitude and character prevail at home, it would be in a strong position to contribute immensely to raising good leaders from among the youths.
That is why fathers shouldn’t abdicate their responsibilities because fatherhood is sacrosanct in raising good leaders. Fathers provide the firmness and discipline required in the molding and formatting of the characters of their kids. This, no doubt, influences their future.
The much-touted economic circumstances in Nigeria, like unemployment, as one of the causative factors in youth involvement in internet fraud and other crimes, can never be convincing, at least, not to this writer, and should not be made an excuse or defense for criminal activities.
That is why a situation where some elements opt-out of honest work and greedily decide to seek ‘employment’ in criminal activities {just because they want to make big money in easy way}, should never be justification for the crime.
All internet fraudsters should be aware that the eye of the ‘eagle’ is watching, and there is no peace for the wicked because they will be caught someday and be made to face the law.
Youths and all criminally-minded elements, should, therefore, wake up to the fact that ignorance has never been, is not, and can never be, an excuse or defense, when docked for internet crimes. So, it is better for them to desist from the acts or be caught, disgraced, and possibly have their future jeopardized.

Chukwuebuka Obidike, an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission {EFCC} Ambassador, writes via docobidike@yahoo.com

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/tackling-youth-involvement-in-internet-crimes/

LOCAL NEWSBarr. Nonso Henry Nwaebili, Founder Elite Youth Development Association of Nigeria, Salutes Youths on International Youth Day
ByadminPublished on August 12, 2020
Happy International Youth day to every Elite Youth.

On this event, I am happy to Identify with Youths all over the world.

In the past it has been a practice for the Youth person to be relegated to the position of insignificance. Youths especially in Nigeria are not seen as worthy to lead which is wrong but it could be because we don’t have a unified voice or bargaining chip.

A lot of young people are ashamed to be referred to as youths because of this height of relegation but then the big question is;
When they sit and plan or take decisions is it not the same youths that are sent out to execute the plans whether good or bad?
Just like Myself, If the answer in your mind is YES, Then the time is Youth O Clock.

Elite Youth Development Association of Nigeria AKA YouthOclock is a canopy body for every liberated young Nigerian whom have identified that Nigeria will be a better place if we Join the discussion, get involved and rewrite these ills and narratives that affect the Youth Person.

This is greatly achievable when we pocket our genuine and achievable personal interests, Ambitions and work towards a vision that will better our lives and place the Youth person at a positive pedestrian where we can sit and discuss issues that affect us and come up with formidable resolutions and work plan.

Dear Elite Youths, this might look impossible or difficult in the start but with determination, sincerity of purpose and God on our side, All things are possible.

The world will be a better place when youths realise that there comes a time when silence becomes betrayal.

Since I believe, if you believe and practice it by getting involved, we can positively rewrite the words of the Renowned Writer Chinua Achebe when he said “There was a county” to There is a country.

Barr Nonso Henry Nwaebili
Convener/founder

OBIDIKE CONGRATULATES HON. IBEABUCHI, PRAYS FOR A SUCCESSFUL SERVICE


The EFCC and Anti-Corruption Ambassador, Obidike Chukwuebuka on Thursday congratulated the newly sworn in Federal character commissioner from Anambra State, Hon. Rev. Uche Ibeabuchi on the occasion of his inauguration by president Buhari at Presidential Villa Abuja.

Addressing News men in Abuja the capital city, he described Hon. Uche as an astute leader of a humble background who have shown high level of patriotism in his duties. Obidike while attending a get together event organized in honour of Hon. Uche Ibeabuchi took time to congratulate him for the well deserved appointment and successful inauguration into the federal character commission of Nigeria. He prayed for a successful service delivery and urged ndi Anambra to support him.

Rev. Uche Ibeabuchi was among the 37 persons appointed by President Mohammadu Buhari into the federal character commission and were inaugurated at the presidential villa Abuja.

I will partner with Nigerian security agencies in curb the increased of corrupt practices most especially the cases of internet fraud among Nigerian youths.

OBIDIKE CHUKWUEBUKA
EFCC AMBASSADOR

Unemployment Is Not A Criteria To Defraud People Of Their Life Savings, OBIDIKE - EFCC Ambassador Warns Nigerians.

By OBIDIKE CHUKWUEBUKA
EFCC AMBASSADOR

Rapid technological growth and development have provided vast areas of new opportunity and efficient sources for organisation of all sizes .

Internet has become a national asset , the whole society is depending on it but this new technologies have brought also unprecedent threats with a cyber crime .

Cyber crime is a crime in which a computer is used for a crime like hacking , spamming and phishing etc.

Cyber criminals use the internet and computer technology to hack users personal computer , smart phone and business secret to defraud people their hard earn money and lender their lives useless and even some people died at the process by high blood pressure .

Many people have become victims of identity theft , hacking and malicious software from this criminals in which security agencies are trying to tackle this problem .

Economic circumstances like unemployment has been linked to be one of the reasons of internet fraud in Nigeria which I refuse to treat as a causative factor for crime and should not be made into excuse for criminal activities.

This excuse is trying to acts as a justification for elements that opt out of honest work and instead seek employment in criminal enterprises because they want to make big money in easy way.

And also to say people commit internet fraud because of poverty and unemployment is unacceptable and doesn't hold any water from my point view and cannot be taken as excuse .

All internet fraudsters should be aware that eye of the eagle is watching and there is no peace for the wicked because they must be surely caught and make them face the law .

Ignorance is not and can never be an excuse , so is better you desist from it or you will be caught and disgraced.

Internet Fraud: Obidike Chukwuebuka, EFCC Ambassador Get’s Imo Youth and Sports Commissioner’s Support

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Anti Corruption Ambassador, Obidike Chukwuebuka has won the support of the Imo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Chief Dan Chike Ogu in a partnership on war against Internet fraud in the state.
 

The Street Reporters Newspapers reports that the creative writer and human rights activist met the commissioner on Tuesday a courtesy visit in Owerri, the state capital.

Obidike Chukwuebuka who was warmly received by the Commissioner said “we discussed intensively on how to partner with the ministry to curb the increased of corrupt practices, most especially cases of internet fraud among Nigerian youths.

“The youth commissioner assured of his readiness to play a vital role in the fight against internet fraud in Imo state”, he said, thanking the commissioner for his performances and encouraged him to do more.

WHO IS AFRIAD OF MAGU?

By Obidike Chukwuebuka
EFCC Ambassador
docobidike@yahoo.com

Buhari, change and anti- corruption were all synonyms in the minds of the majority that brought the president to power. But the truth is that the real change would require something that not many of us Nigerians, whether elites or not are willing to give. It is one thing to want change on paper, it is another to accept that systemic change which means that everything about ourselves, the way we have so far operated, done business and lived, must change .
So many corrupt ones are afraid of Magu and his kind of courage .

Magu a dogged officer which has played an invaluable role in the success story of president Buhari fight against corruption .

Not a few people both locally and internationally have applauded Magu's efforts which have been selfless transparent in giving vent to the anti corruption crusade of President Buhari .

Interestingly, EFCC under Magu has secured about 2,240 convictions from 2015- till date.
Magu's achievements have surpassed all other previous chairmen of the commission which includes handing over forfeited properties to federal government agencies, recovering of properties from former minister of petroleum Resources, Mrs . Diezani Alison Madueke, Sen. Saraki's forfeited 200million allegedly obtained from the NGF through false consultancy claims , conviction of former National publicity Secretary of People's democratic party (PDP), Olisa metuh, conviction of Governor Jolly Nyame from Taraba state and Joshua Deriye from Plateau State, on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 handed over N263,327,800 (Two hundred and sixty-three million, three hundred and twenty-seven thousand, eight hundred naira only) to the Kwara State Government which was recovered from suspected looters of the state treasury and many other.

With all this convictions and recovering of government properties , who are those actually afraid of Magu?
I am not surprised because those with ill-gotten wealth whose properties have been seized while some sentenced are finding a way to discredit Mr. Ibrahim Magu and his effort to kill corruption.

Recall that the African Union named President Buhari as the Champion of Anti- Corruption in Africa due his stands against corruption and his remarkable achievements made by EFCC under the leadership of Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

Today, The Economic and Financial Crime Commission under Mr Ibrahim Magu has become an ivory tower in both the fight against corruption in Nigeria and repositioning the financial mal-adjustment , wielding enormous power in tackling corrupt practices stemming from several convictions of corrupt persons in both private and public sectors in Nigeria.

At least 800 properties estimated to be worth well over 146 billion naira (N) ($400 million) were found to have links to Nigerian politically exposed persons or their family members, associates, and suspected proxies.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission under Mr Ibrahim Magu has secured over 340 convictions for various offences and recovered billions of dollars stolen funds from unscrupulous individuals.

It is disheartening to hear that minister of Justice and Attorney General of the federation , Abubakar Malami is now playing the ostrich, heaping allegations to discredit Mr. Magu to unseat him because he has become a thorn in their flesh.

Malami should not dent his credibility by allowing himself to be used by corrupted cabals to impede President Buhari efforts on the fight against Corruption.

Nigerians who have the good of this nation at heart should rise against this new dirty campaign targeted at the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) because it will dent the image of our dear country on fight against corruption and also take the country back to pre-2015 era.

Thank you!

Internet Fraud is destroying Nigeria, Foreign nations now see our youths as criminals.
Repent now!

#SayNoToCorruption

OSHIOMHOLE: THE TRUE PICTURE OF HIS CASE IN THE EYES OF THE LAW.

By Obidike Chukwuebuka.

Sometime around November 2019,Oshiomhole was suspended in his ward as an APC member. He was accused of trying to disintegrate the party in Edo State,hence the suspension.
Recall that one Oluwale Afolabi had instituted a substantive suit against Oshiomhole before a Federal High court sitting in Abuja. In the substantive suit, Oluwale is praying the court to remove Oshiomhole as the national chairman of APC since he has been suspended as a member of the APC in his ward.

The substantive suit is still in progress and Afolabi Oluwale brought an application of interim injunction before same court on 16th January,2020, asking the court to grant an interim injunction which would restrain Oshiomhole from acting as the national chairman of the APC, pending the adjudication and final determination of the substantive suit which is already pending before the court.

Around March, 2020, the Federal High Court saw sense in Afolabi's argument and granted the interim injunction which restrains Oshiomhole from acting as the national chairman of the APC.

Interim and interlocutory injunctions in law are not court judgements as widely misconstrued and reported by journalists and most reporters. Injunctions are equitable remedies which protect the interests of every party in a litigation. Interim injunction for instance is an order of a court which comes during the pendency of any litigation and the reason for interim injunction is to always ensure that none of the interests of the parties to the litigation is harmed in the interim.

It is always issued to stop either party from acting in a particular manner while their case is still pending before the court. Therefore, in essence, no litigant obtains judgement through injunction. Injunction either interim or interlocutory is literarily an equitable temporary remedy set out by the court to make sure that neither of the parties in a litigation would refrain from or even perform specific acts that would harm each other's interests.

As a matter of fact, a party who is not satisfied with the decision of the court on granting interlocutory and interim injunctions can still appeal such injunction and then apply for stay of proceedings pending the determination of his appeal on the injunction. The appeal court can still agree with the appellant when he is able to prove that the trial judge erred in law or has exceeded his discretion which resulted to a substantial injustice.

When the High Court granted Afolabi's application of interim injunction, Oshimhole had two choices by law ; to either obey the interim injunction of the FCT High Court and vacate office pending the determination of the main and substantive suit or file an appeal challenging the interim injunction at the appeal court.

He finally chose the latter by appealing against the interim injunction at the Court of Appeal which he lost on 16th of June, 2020.

The main suit between Oluwale Afolabi and Oshiomhole is still pending before the Federal High Court,and the court is yet to adjudicate upon that matter.
Oshiomhole may win the substantive case or even lose to Afolabi, but that's not the reason for this analysis as I cannot preempt the court.

The point is that the interim injunction granted by the Federal High Court and concurred to yesterday by the appeal court does not represent court judgment and can't be misunderstood to be such. An injunction of the court is different from court judgement. In Oshiomhole's case, the Federal High Court is yet to adjudicate upon the matter. What does it then imply? The implication is that no court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria has concurred with the suspension of Oshiomhole by his ward as wrongly reported by most journalists and media houses.

However, while Oshiomhole is standing as a respondent to the suit instituted against him by Oluwale Afolabi, I advice him to institute an action before the court challenging the procedure which led to his ward suspension as an APC member or seek alternative means of resolving the issue, else even if he wins the suit instituted against him by Afolabi, it doesn't lift his suspension.

Thank you!

Corruption in the form of bribery and misuse of public funds is a major obstacle to democracy and economic development in Nigeria. Repent and Nigeria will be the best country.

#Say No To Corruption

Happy Democracy Day!


OBIDIKE CHUKWUEBUKA,
EFCC Ambassador

REV. UCHE IBEABUCHI SALUTES PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

Just after the confirmation of 37 member nominees into the federal character commission, one of the nominees confirmed, Rev. Uche Ibeabuchi spoke to news men in Abuja the nation's capital. He thanked President Buhari for finding him worthy to serve in the commission.

In his words; It is with great pleasure and humility that I thank president Muhammadu Buhari for finding me worthy to serve as a member of the federal character commission. It is an honour and privilege to accept this task, so I cannot thank him enough for providing this wonderful opportunity and I won't take it for granted. I know it requires significant commitment and I'm ready to contribute meaningfully.

Rev Ibeabuchi also extended his appreciation to the APC family within and outside Anambra state especially the stakeholders who supported his appointment. He thanked Chief (Dr) George Moghalu for his guidance and support all the years he served under him in the party, All progressive Congress. He also thanked his family for their moral support and seek more from them.

Rev. Uche Ibeabuchi is from Anambra state and among the 37 persons confirmed on Tuesday 2nd June 2020 by the 9th Senate to serve as members of the federal character commission.

The Federal Character Commission (FCC) is a Federal Executive body established by Act No 34 of 1996. The provisions of the 1999 Constitution in Sections 14 and 153 consolidated the establishment of the FCC for operation in a democratic system of Government. The commission is saddled with the responsibility to promote, monitor and enforce compliance with the principles of the proportional sharing of all bureaucratic, economic, media and political posts at all levels of government.

Obidike Chukwuebuka,
docobidike@yahoo.com

AN X-RAY ON THE SHADY DEALS IN NIGERIAN OIL AND GAS SECTOR.

By Obidike Chukwuebuka
EFCC Ambassador
docobidike@yahoo.com

Oil and gas are the natural resources found beneath the soil which could be drilled and refined for industrial, mechanical, technical, and commercial purposes.

Crude oil is defined as a mixture of hydrocarbons that exists in liquid phase in natural underground reservoirs and remains liquid at atmospheric pressure after passing through
surface separating facilities (Usman 2010). Oil was discovered in 1956 at Oloibiri in the present Bayelsa state by the international oil merchant, Shell D’Arcy. In 1958, commercial quantity of about 5,200 bpd was exported. This was followed with the production and exportation of 175,000 bpd, in 1960 (Usman, 2011). Nigeria joins Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 1971.

Nigeria oil and gas sector is divided into upstream, Midstream and downstream sectors. The upstream deals on mining, exploration, exploitation, production, and exportation of crude oil. Gillies, 2009 outline five areas that stand out as possible loci of corruption in Nigerian oil and gas industry. They are: the awarding of licenses; the awarding of contracts; bottlenecks and inefficiencies; the role of bunkering; the exportation of crude and importing refined products.

Awarding of licenses: Without well-regulated award procedures, the allocation of licenses for
exploration and production might represent possible opportunities for corruption. 'Nigeria’s Petroleum Act gives the Minister of Petroleum full authority over the allocation of licenses for the exploration, prospecting, and
mining of oil.

There are, therefore, no legally mandated processes or oversight mechanisms for the allocation of blocks' (Gillies, 2009). During military rule, most licenses were awarded on a discretionary basis by the head of state. The oil block national cake sharing fiesta could take twists according to the mood of the Commander-in –
Chief at the particular time (Mashika, 2014).

Awarding contracts: Due to high capital influx in oil and gas industry there is bound to be malpractices in the award of contract within and outside the industry. Gillies, (2009) Oil sectors also involve the award of numerous large-scale contracts, primarily to oil service companies.

Nigerian government retains a high degree of control over such transactions. Government officials can benefit from procedures that favour companies in which they have a financial stake and officials can also give preference to companies owned by their allies, and then seek repayment through other business deals or political favours (Gillies, 2009). Bottlenecks and Inefficiencies: 'Oil and oil service companies frequently confront costly delays and
inefficiencies in their dealings with Nigerian state institutions.

Though they do not constitute corruption per se, such delays create the motive and opportunity for “greasing the wheels”, or paying bribes to speed along procedures. Most contracts are subject to a three tier approval process consisting of NAPIMS, the NNPC Group Executive Council, and the NNPC Board, with larger awards also requiring Federal Executive Council approval' (Gillies, 2009). The average time for the review of contracts is 24 months, while the global industry average is closer to six to nine months (Ajumogobia, 2008).

This bottleneck ensures that top NNPC officials remain the gatekeepers of the industry.

Protecting this arrangement often contradicts profit maximisation within the national oil company. As a result, its functions remain inefficient, politicised, and susceptible to capture by individual interests (Gillies, 2009).

Bunkering (theft ) of oil: Bunkering is the theft of crude oil directly from pipelines, flow stations, and
export facilities (Gillies, 2009). Most sources quote around 100,000 bpd - 200,000 bpd lost via bunkering in Nigeria, a quantity equal to the entire oil production of Cameroon (Gillies, 2009). Some estimates, however, run as high as 600,000 bpd (Gentile, (2007). It is widely perceived that both government and oil company
representatives are complicit in bunkering activities.

Groups of well-armed young men typically execute the pipeline sabotage, but their activities are overseen by powerful figures. Other methods of bunkering (e.g. the loading of more crude than is reported onto export vessels) would likely require some level of official complicity.
Bunkering inflicts serious costs. It lowers the amount of crude Nigeria exports, thereby reducing the revenues which accrue to the state.

The security risks and damage to equipment associated with bunkering dissuade investment into onshore exploration and production (Gillies, 2009).

Exporting crude and importing refined products: NNPC issues “lifting” or export contracts to
international oil trading companies, several NNPC-affiliated companies, and a few foreign governments. The traders buy the crude from NNPC at market price and sell it on to refineries and other buyers worldwide.

Similarly, NNPC also awards licenses to import refined petroleum products such as petrol, kerosene, and diesel. These export and import transactions yield high levels of fungible returns, and the lack of transparency surrounding them creates considerable opportunities for corruption (Gillies, 2009).

Petrol and kerosene prices are subsidised by the government. Proponents of the subsidy argue that it represents the only tangible benefit of oil wealth for most Nigerians. The subsidy and weak market regulation create enormous distortions and opportunities for corruption (Gillies, 2009).

Few Corrupt Cases: The frequent increase of corruption cases both in the oil and gas industry and other sectors of Nigeria economy gives room for questioning the efficiency and effectiveness of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other securities agencies. And as well our judiciary system. James Ibori, former governor of Delta state was discharged and acquitted in a Nigerian court for over 170 count charges in December 2009 filed against him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, but was jailed for 13 years in a British court on April 17, 2012 for fraud and money-laundering and for embezzling N12.6 billion. This exposed the weakness and defects of our entire ( political, legislative,security and Judicial) systems.

The anti-graft agency has discovered two mansions allegedly owned by former minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. The agency has also traced about U.S.$1.5 billion, believed to be proceeds of crime, to a Swiss account as part of the ongoing probe of Diezani Alison-Madueke. A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos ordered the interim forfeiture of 56 properties allegedly bought by former minister of petroleum resources Diezani Alison-Madueke between 2011 and 2013. The order came two weeks after the anti-graft agency said it had traced N47 billion and U.S.$487.5 million to former minister.

The UK's National Crime Agency has frozen properties valued at £10 million allegedly bought for the former minister of petroleum resources Diezani Alison-Madueke. Two properties located at Regents Park, along with one in Buckinghamshire, have now been frozen based on the request of Nigerian authorities.
Prosecutors in Lagos began proceedings to recover U.S.$1.76 billion of assets owned by Kola Aluko and Jide Omokore, whose companies were awarded oil contracts by Alison-Madueke.

The documents alleged that companies owned by the businessmen were awarded these lucrative contracts despite being "unqualified" to execute them. Kola Aluko has since been on the run and his luxury apartment has been confiscated.

Punch Editorial Board, (2012) state that two members of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan and Boniface Emenalo, were accused of demanding and collecting $620, 000 bribe from an oil tycoon, Femi Otedola, to get rid of his company from the list of those found wanting during the investigation into petrol subsidy fraud. These are people entrusted with responsibility of sanitizing the oil sector now joining the bandwagon of corrupt public officer. Although, the report revealed how an astounding sum of N2.58 trillion amount in excess of 50 per cent of Nigeria’s current N4.4 trillion national budget was spent on a budgetary item that was supposed to cost the taxpayer just N240 billion. The probe also revealed that about N1.7 trillion out of the N2.58 trillion could not be properly accounted for and must therefore be returned to the government till ( Punch Editorial Board, 2012).

Omitaomu, 2014 state how the former CBN governor Mr. Sanusi accuse Minister of Petroleum
Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke of mismanagement of $3.5 billion (N577 billion) of Nigeria’s money
without budgetary approval. Mr. Sanusi also said that for all crude oil sales within the period of 2012 and july 2013 the NNPC paid only 24 per cent proceeds into the federation account, and diverted the remaining 76 per cent which cannot be accounted for. It found out that the unremitted misappropriated fund was $20 billion (N3.3 trillion) (Omitaomu, 2014).

The well-known Halliburton scandal involving nearly most of the Nigerian leaders, as shown on Below, was blew open in Nigeria after a US oil service company, pleaded guilty to paying around US $180 million in bribes to the top Nigerian government officials, to secure four contracts, worth over US $6 billion, to build Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facilities in Nigeria.

The Halliburton Scandal indicating the beneficiaries and the amount S/N Periods Beneficiaries ( company / Individual) Amount
involve.

A - 1994 - 1995 General Sanni Abacha (former Nigeria Military Dictator) $40 Million

2 - 1996 - 1998 Dan Etete (former Minister of Petroleum under Abacha) $2.5 Million

3 - 1996 - 1998 M. D. Yusuf (Former Inspector General of Police and Chairman of
LNG) $75,000

4 - 1998 General Sanni Abacha’s brother, Abdulkadir Abacha $1.887 Million

5 - 1999 - 2000 Atiku Abubakar (former Vice President, 1999 – 2007) and Don Etiebet, ex Petroleum Minister)
$37.5 Million

6 - 2001 - 2002 Olusegun Obasanjo and Atiku Abubakar, and Funsho
Kupolokun( Former President, Vice President and GMD, NNPC respectively) $74 Million

7 - 2001 - 2002 Bodunde Adeyanju, ex personal assistant to Obasanjo.$5 Million

8 - 2001 - 2002 Ibrahim Aliyu, a retired federal permanent secretary (Urban Shelter
and Intercellular) $11.7 Million

9 - 2001 - 2002 Mohammed Gidado Bakare, a retired Chief Planning Officer $3, 108, 675

10 - March, 1999 Nasir Ado Bayero, Son of the Emir of Kano (Gosmer International, Risers Brothers) $600,000

11 - 1999 - 2000 Shinkafi and Glosmer International $195,000
12 March, 1999 Edith Edeghoughou $290,000

13 - March, 1999 Zertasha Malik and Grety overseas $600,000
14 March/June,1998 Grety Overseas and Riser Brothers $1.12Million

15 - 2001 and 2002 Principal officials of the Nigerian Federal Inland Revenue Service $2.4 million

Total amount involve in the bribery scandal. $181,650,675.

Nigeria so much depends on the oil sector for her sustainable development and national economic growth, the high rate of corruption in the sector affects all other sectors of the nation’s socio-political economy from realizing their set economic objectives.

Efforts put in place by all levels of governments in the management of corruption in the oil and gas sector are insufficient in eradicating corruption in the sectors. But it seems that the outputs of such efforts are far more than desired (Obioma, 2013).

All anti-corruption agencies should carry out their primary assignment without external influence. They should not be used as a weapon against those who oppose the ruling government.

The award of oil block, contract, licensing and production right should follow due process without government and its agents interference. And the awarding of oil block to individual should be discourage rather they should be awarded to corporate entities with wide spread ownership.

Government at all level should join hands to ensure that the proposed PIB is approved and all its content are implemented for the well being of their citizens, which will help to curb Corruption, either involving public sector actors or enabled by their weaknesses.

_ Obidike Chukwuebuka, MBBI.
EFCC Ambassador
docobidike@yahoo.com

UNMASKING CORRUPTION IN THE NIGERIA'S HEALTH SECTOR.

By: Obidike Chukwuebuka,
EFCC Ambassador.

As nations battles the global covid19 pandemic, its imperative to underscore how corrupt practices has undermined the development of Nigeria's health sector.

The emergence of COVID19 has unveiled our unpreparedness as a nation in tackling our healthcare challenges and this is traceable to age long corrupt practices that has whittled down and eroded the prospect of making our healthcare system a reliable institution for our citizens.

The World Health Organization currently positions the Nigerian
health system at the 197th place of 200 WHO countries evaluated, also Evidence from an International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports show that corruption has a devastating negative effects on health indicators like infant and child mortality, female education, health budget and spending. Corruption therefore lowers the immunization rate of children as stated above, and also thwarts the delivery of essential treatment, especially for the poor; and as well dampens the use
of public health facilities.

Nigeria is tagged with some of the worst health care statistics in the world. This makes the country one of the least in virtually all development index.

Corruption has placed the Nigerian Primary Health Care system is in a state of total breakdown. Primary Health Care centres are in disarray with structures adorned with expired drugs and cob webs.

According to a report by UNDP, life expectancy in Nigeria has declined drastically from 47 to 43 years. Nigeria accounts for 10% of the world’s maternal mortality rate in child birth and constitute only 2% world’s population (WHO, 2015).

The menace of corruption is quite complex as it threatens health care access,
fairness and outcomes. The EFCC must be eulogisised for taking action against the malicious effects of corruption as it struggles to disaggregate precise corruption harms in the health sector, and to detect and comprehend the core causes in the fight to overcome this menace.

Its worthy of note that the efficiency of health care system in any nation is predicated on transparent combination of financial resources as well as human resources, the supply and delivery of timely services to vulnerable populace throughout the country.

If Nigeria's health care system must achieve efficiency, it needs a
system that mobilizes, distributes resources, processes information and acts upon it. This entails that good governance is considered as a yardstick in ensuring a sustainable and efficient health care delivery as government officials have the oversight in ensuring that the right approach is taken and the right policies implemented.

Obidike Chukwuebuka,
EFCC Ambassador.
docobidike@yahoo.com

MAGU: AN UNCOMMON PATRIOT

By Obidike Chukwuebuka
EFCC Ambassador

Nigeria's effort to extricate itself from the clutches of corruption which has preciously daunted its image before the international community cannot be complete without the recognition of the tireless, purposeful and goal oriented leadership of the epic anti corruption czar, Mr Ibrahim Magu.

Today, The Economic and Financial Crime Commission under Mr Ibrahim Magu has become an ivory tower in both the fight against corruption in Nigeria and repositioning the financial mal-adjustment , wielding enormous power in tackling corrupt practices stemming from several convictions of corrupt persons in both private and public sectors in Nigeria.

Nigerians would recall the widespread opposition to his conferment as the substantive chairman of the anti corruption body. Little did the generality of Nigerians knew that the Hawks cum enemies of the nation who pilfered the wealth of the citizens were the brains behind the opposition to his conformation.

The tirades of media balkanisation from the purveyors of fake news aimed at tarnishing the hard earned reputation of the anti graft chief is not unconnected to the a recent research which revealed that the amount of money looted as a result of corruption in Nigeria stands above $600 billion by politically exposed persons whose ill-gotten wealth are stashed away in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) their alluring destination for investing illicit gotten wealth.

Recall that At least 800 properties estimated to be worth well over 146 billion naira (N) ($400 million) were found to have links to Nigerian politically exposed persons or their family members, associates, and suspected proxies.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission under Mr Ibrahim Magu has secured over 340 convictions for various offences and recovered billions of dollars stolen funds from unscrupulous individuals.

The helmsman of EFCC needs the support of Nigerians in this collective fight against corruption. There is need for the strengthening of the Nigeria judicial system.

The successes recorded in the anti graft war is dependent on the amendment of our nations anit corruotion laws to establish a special anti corruption courts that will dispense of corruption cases within a record time, proffer stiffer punishment for corrupt practices because the commission does not have control over the activities of the Nigerian court system.

The responsibility of the anti graft commission is to received petitions, investigate, arrest and charge suspects to court, and its left for the court to determine the fate of the accused relying on our extant laws.

There is need for a united and concerted effort in eradicating the menance of corruption in our system, Acts of corruption must be identified for what they are, and an abnormality stamp be cast on it by society. Without doing this, conquering corruption in Nigeria becomes a knotty task to unravel.

Obidike Chukwuebuka,
EFCC Ambassador.

UNMASKING CORRUPTION IN THE NIGERIA'S HEALTH SECTOR.

By: Obidike Chukwuebuka,
EFCC Ambassador.

As nations battles the global covid19 pandemic, its imperative to underscore how corrupt practices has undermined the development of Nigeria's health sector.

The emergence of COVID19 has unveiled our unpreparedness as a nation in tackling our healthcare challenges and this is traceable to age long corrupt practices that has whittled down and eroded the prospect of making our healthcare system a reliable institution for our citizens.

The World Health Organization currently positions the Nigerian
health system at the 197th place of 200 WHO countries evaluated, also Evidence from an International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports show that corruption has a devastating negative effects on health indicators like infant and child mortality, female education, health budget and spending. Corruption therefore lowers the immunization rate of children as stated above, and also thwarts the delivery of essential treatment, especially for the poor; and as well dampens the use
of public health facilities.

Nigeria is tagged with some of the worst health care statistics in the world. This makes the country one of the least in virtually all development index.

Corruption has
placed the Nigerian Primary Health Care system is in a state of total breakdown. Primary Health Care centres are in disarray with structures adorned with expired drugs and cob webs.

According to a report by UNDP, life expectancy in Nigeria has declined drastically from 47 to 43
years. Nigeria accounts for 10% of the world’s maternal mortality rate in child birth and constitute only 2% world’s population (WHO, 2015).

The menace of corruption is quite complex as it threatens health care access,
fairness and outcomes. The EFCC must be eulogisised for taking action against the malicious effects of corruption as it struggles to disaggregate precise corruption harms in the health
sector, and to detect and comprehend the core causes in the fight to overcome this menace.

Its worthy of note that the efficiency of health care system in any nation is predicated on transparent combination of financial resources as well as human resources, the supply and
delivery of timely services to vulnerable populace throughout the country.

If Nigeria's health care system must achieve efficiency, it needs a
system that mobilizes, distributes resources, processes information and acts upon it. This entails that good governance is considered as a yardstick in ensuring a sustainable and efficient health care delivery as government officials have the oversight in ensuring that the right approach is taken and the right policies implemented.

Obidike Chukwuebuka,
EFCC Ambassador.
*docobidike@yahoo.com

Corruption Is A Cancer That Has Eaten Deeply
Into The Fabric of Nigeria Polity.

The general global perception about graft in Nigeria is that it is generally acknowledged that corrupt practices are endemic and systemic in both public and private sectors of Nigeria. From the forgoing it is evident that corruption undermines the country‟s integrity and security. It also poses serious developmental challenge being responsible for the poverty of the populace. Public resources meant for the development of all ends up in few hands, the nation pays the price. This has resulted to absence of social amenities such as portable water, electricity and good roads. The populace becomes demoralized and become willing tools to be used as sabotages to the state. It has led to the extinction of institutions of national significance and pride such as Nigerian Airways, National Shipping Lines, Steel Rolling Mills, Nigerian Telecommunication Limited, car assembly plants etc.

We've a duty to rise at this definite time to rescue our Nation from the clinches of corruption.

So Help Us God!

#SayNoToCorruption
#JoinTheFightAgainstCorruption

Obidike Chukwuebuka,
EFCC Anti Corruption Ambassador.

WATERWAYS CAN REDUCE THE PRESSURE ON OUR ROADS — CHIEF DR. GEORGE MOGHALU

When fully developed, Nigeria’s waterways have the capacity to reduce the burden on the nation’s roads, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, George Moghalu, has said.

Moghalu, who is the Managing Director of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), said the waterways also have the capacity to generate millions of jobs and open up communities across the country.

The NIWA chief expressed concern that majority of Nigerians were unaware of the capacity of the agency, which he attributed it to lack of publicity for its activities.

In an interview in Abuja at the weekend, Moghalu said his plan for the agency was to engage critical stakeholders and brainstorm on how to make good use of the waterways and develop the water transport sub-sector more effectively to take pressure from the roads.

The NIWA managing director noted that peculiar cases, such as the Apapa gridlock, could be addressed easily, if the waterways were developed and opened up.

He said goods arriving the ports would be easily transported to various parts of the country when the waterways are well developed. Moghalu expressed appreciation to the President for the confidence he reposed in him to head the agency.

He said: “With a firm commitment, I assure the President that I will not let him down and I will not let Nigerians down. I am determined to leave a mark by the time I wold have finished my term in NIWA.

“NIWA is more of a regulatory agency in charge of the waterways in the country. I believe that if we explore the waterways of Nigeria, they have great potentials in the area of water transport.

“The simplest I can say now is that it will reduce the burden on Nigerian roads. If our waterways are opened, the channels are free and secured, you can open the scope of passenger traffic. It is economical and it goes round the country.

“A good percentage of the goods that arrive the port in Lagos goes to the Southeast and are transported by road. It puts great pressure on the roads. But if we have a clear waterway transport system, all these goods can be received in Lagos and moved to the inland ports.

“We have a completed river port today in Onitsha and a jetty being built in Oguta. We also have a completed port in Baro. Some of the goods going to the North can be moved by the waterways to Baro and to other areas where we have functional jetties and ports.

“It will open up the waterways, and if these waterways are opened, you see that communities and other settlements along those routes will start being developed. It reduces, tremendously, the pressure you have on the roads, if the agency engages a major critical stakeholder, like Dangote, for example.

“It will come to a point when cement and other heavy goods are moved by rivers and they still get to where they are meant to go to. When we do that, we would have succeeded in reducing the pressure on Nigerian roads. We can develop it to a point where passenger fleet can still be enhanced.

“The beautiful thing is that it provides opportunity for massive employment. It is capital-intensive and we have to make a huge capital investment to make it very functional. It is one area that, if we make it functional, it will help in reopening our economy.

“It is my intention to create an opportunity to engage critical stakeholders so that we all can discuss these issues and come to a point of understanding and see the potentials lying fallow that we can explore for the benefit of our nation.

“As an agency, we have challenges. It is not as easy as we are saying it. Sometimes, you talk about desilting of the channels, you talk about the security challenges of these waterways. But these are issues that are surmountable and issues that can be addressed.

“With collaboration with sister-agencies of government, I am sure these issues can be addressed and water transport will then become the favourite of Nigerians. I think that will help our economy.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/waterways-can-reduce-pressure-on-roads/amp/

#Obidike Chukwuebuka

I SAY NO TO JUNGLE JUSTICE.

This morning I watched a video of two young men alleged to be Yahoo Yahoo Boys being murdered by group of persons in Mosogar, Ethiope West, Delta State.

Irrespective of the crimes, I totally condemned them and also condemned the jungle justice I just saw.

I really understand the pains People passed through on a daily basics under the hands of some bad elements but be it as it may, we as People must seek judicial procedure while dealing with criminals.

According to the Nigerian Constitution,
Section (33) 1 states : “Every person has the right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save the execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria...

As a Nigerian, I will never support jungle justice.

Let me call on the security agencies to adhere uncompromisingly to their terms of engagement and rebuild the trust of Nigerians.

Join me to Say No to Jungle justice

#saynotojunglejustice, take this hash tag on twitter,Facebook,instagram and lots more

#Obidike Chukwuanyiebuka

The corrupt system in our universities is the cause of sex for grade and sex for admission.

Are u aware that University admissions are supposed to be out by now but u can count the number of schools that have published such yet. In fact, they won't even give you the cut off marks for the various faculties.

U hear a student with an aggregate 52 telling u that he/she has been offered admission while that person that has 58 for the same course/dept/ university does not know his/her stand.

They rather want students and parents to be running from pillar to post, even those with the best grades. Every inquiry will be met with 'sir, I can help u secure the admission'. Do u need to help me when the student did well in both JAMB as well as the Post UTME? Why should I pay N150k when the requirements are met?

Everyone wants to link u up with one Professor or Dean or someone. Its money, money (and sex like we are seeing).

University admission is not a favour, it is by qualification.

Our University are now the Citadels of Corruption.

This is not a BUHARI matter!

Obidike Chukwuebuka ,
Former Director of Welfare: National Union of Anambra State Students.

The Former Director of Welfare - National Union of Anambra State Students and Human Right Activist, Comrade Obidike Chukwuebuka has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR for appointing hardworking, Persisting and committed Anambra APC Chieftain Chief Dr. George Moghalu as the Managing Director - National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

The Human Right Activist and the Former Director of Welfare - National Union of Anambra State Students described the appointment in a news statement as the best recognition to the Igbo tribe during independence.

The Activist further stated ''I am not surprised for his appointment because he's a man of an integrity and uprightness most importantly his intellectual capacity. He will use his experience to bring more development to NIWA and the country at large.''

He added ''the reward for good work is for work, I always wish you well Chief Moghalu''

Tale of a Two Faced Hypocritical Governor: Governor Willie Obiano!

By Comr Obidike Chukwuebuka

It is very shameful that
Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra state visited President Buhari in Abuja yesterday 13th May, 2019 where he claimed that his closeness to President Buhari was because of their shared commitment to honesty and passion for infrastructural development.

Gov Obiano also went on to ask President Buhari to give him some share of his appointments for the state claiming to have worked for APC and President Buhari in the just concluded general elections in the state among other hypocrytical lies that has thrown all APC and President Buhari's supporters into a state of pity for the confused governor who no longer no where and how to stand.

It is a known fact within the state that Governor Obiano and APGA through it's media aides has accused President Buhari and APC of playing politics with the construction of Enugu/Onitsha express road (Anambra axis) asserting that President Buhari has no intention to award and complete the project it started during the 2017 governorship election in the state up till the 2019 general elections. Governor Willie Obiano deployed one Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe who constantly was on Social and Print Media abusing APC, President Buhari and even APC Anambra of deceiving Ndi Anambra with those projects.

As the governor of the state who claims to be working for President Buhari/APC, Governor Obiano couldn't win his Aguleri ward and polling unit for President Buhari talk more of Anambra East, rather he fought against all possible activities of the APC party members in the state to achieve winning for President Buhari. Let Governor Obiano tell Presidency how and who were instrumental to tagging APC and her members Boko Haram & Islamic party in the State.

*On which moral and political platform is Governor Obiano asking for reward where he didn't work?* *Let Governor Obiano tell Ndi Anambra who and who he gave Anambra slots for Federal Commissioners in the Federal Service Commission. Why should the 2 slots for Anambra State be give to Aguleri indigenes only? So there is no other town or community in Anambra State that is qualified to get those appointment?*

It is quite shocking that Governor Obiano went to Abuja to make claims of commitment and constant checking of the Level of work at the sites of Enugu/Onitsha Express Road and that of Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha when he has always downplayed all attempts to make ndi Anambra know what President Buhari and APC is doing in Anambra.

It is time for ndi Anambra to ask Governor Obiano what he meant by ascribing himself to the same level of honesty and transparency when he couldn't keep any of his campaign promises to ndi Anambra or made any reasonable attempt to better the lives of ndi Anambra. Let Governor Obiano tell Ndi Anambra his level of transparency and honesty in management of Local and State Government funds in the last 6 years.

It is obvious that the decision of the current State leadership of APC to block all ways that Governor Obiano and APGA has been taking advantage of APC and President Buhari's Policies didn't go down well with The Governor, hence his skeptic run to Abuja. Governor Obiano and APGA has taken advantage of the development policies in the state claiming to belong to APGA, programs such as N-power scheme, Feed the School Children Program in Primary Schools and tradeMoni which he is trying to hijack from APC.

Governor Obiano should be told to focus on governance and bringing democratic dividends to the people of Anambra instead of chasing frivolities. Governor Willie Obiano should come back home and face security challenges at Upper Iweka axis and some areas in Awka. The governor should also address Erosion menace at Nnewi and provide Leadership which the people of Anambra State elected him for.

Anambra has no Elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors to carry on government activities at the local government level.

It should be a matter of concern to Governor Obiano than gallivanting round Abuja looking for Alhajis that will influence his hypocytical desires from the Ever Patriotic and Dedicated President Buhari. He should come and address workers plight in the State as it concerns the new minimum wage as Medical Doctors at Anambra State University Teaching Hospital has gone to an indefinite Strike leaving Patients unattended to.

OBIDIKE CHUKWUEBUKA

HEAD NEXTLEVEL MEDIA ADVOCATE
docobidike@yahoo.com

Tale of a Two Faced Hypocritical Governor: Governor Willie Obiano!

By Comr Obidike Chukwuebuka

It is very shameful that
Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra state visited President Buhari in Abuja yesterday 13th May, 2019 where he claimed that his closeness to President Buhari was because of their shared commitment to honesty and passion for infrastructural development.

Gov Obiano also went on to ask President Buhari to give him some share of his appointments for the state claiming to have worked for APC and President Buhari in the just concluded general elections in the state among other hypocrytical lies that has thrown all APC and President Buhari's supporters into a state of pity for the confused governor who no longer no where and how to stand.

It is a known fact within the state that Governor Obiano and APGA through it's media aides has accused President Buhari and APC of playing politics with the construction of Enugu/Onitsha express road (Anambra axis) asserting that President Buhari has no intention to award and complete the project it started during the 2017 governorship election in the state up till the 2019 general elections. Governor Willie Obiano deployed one Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe who constantly was on Social and Print Media abusing APC, President Buhari and even APC Anambra of deceiving Ndi Anambra with those projects.

As the governor of the state who claims to be working for President Buhari/APC, Governor Obiano couldn't win his Aguleri ward and polling unit for President Buhari talk more of Anambra East, rather he fought against all possible activities of the APC party members in the state to achieve winning for President Buhari. Let Governor Obiano tell Presidency how and who were instrumental to tagging APC and her members Boko Haram & Islamic party in the State.

*On which moral and political platform is Governor Obiano asking for reward where he didn't work?* *Let Governor Obiano tell Ndi Anambra who and who he gave Anambra slots for Federal Commissioners in the Federal Service Commission. Why should the 2 slots for Anambra State be give to Aguleri indigenes only? So there is no other town or community in Anambra State that is qualified to get those appointment?*

It is quite shocking that Governor Obiano went to Abuja to make claims of commitment and constant checking of the Level of work at the sites of Enugu/Onitsha Express Road and that of Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha when he has always downplayed all attempts to make ndi Anambra know what President Buhari and APC is doing in Anambra.

It is time for ndi Anambra to ask Governor Obiano what he meant by ascribing himself to the same level of honesty and transparency when he couldn't keep any of his campaign promises to ndi Anambra or made any reasonable attempt to better the lives of ndi Anambra. Let Governor Obiano tell Ndi Anambra his level of transparency and honesty in management of Local and State Government funds in the last 6 years.

It is obvious that the decision of the current State leadership of APC to block all ways that Governor Obiano and APGA has been taking advantage of APC and President Buhari's Policies didn't go down well with The Governor, hence his skeptic run to Abuja. Governor Obiano and APGA has taken advantage of the development policies in the state claiming to belong to APGA, programs such as N-power scheme, Feed the School Children Program in Primary Schools and tradeMoni which he is trying to hijack from APC.

Governor Obiano should be told to focus on governance and bringing democratic dividends to the people of Anambra instead of chasing frivolities. Governor Willie Obiano should come back home and face security challenges at Upper Iweka axis and some areas in Awka. The governor should also address Erosion menace at Nnewi and provide Leadership which the people of Anambra State elected him for.

Anambra has no Elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors to carry on government activities at the local government level.

It should be a matter of concern to Governor Obiano than gallivanting round Abuja looking for Alhajis that will influence his hypocytical desires from the Ever Patriotic and Dedicated President Buhari. He should come and address workers plight in the State as it concerns the new minimum wage as Medical Doctors at Anambra State University Teaching Hospital has gone to an indefinite Strike leaving Patients unattended to.

OBIDIKE CHUKWUEBUKA

HEAD NEXTLEVEL MEDIA ADVOCATE
docobidike@yahoo.com

Ngige Is A Clannish Clown - Obidike Chukwuebuka

Like many other ministers of Buhari, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige is unfit for purpose. He doesn't look like someone who can be trusted or taken seriously if sent abroad to engage foreign investors in bilateral trade talks in order to import jobs back to Nigeria. We need a charismatic personality who is armed with facts and figures, not a flamboyant local chief who is armed with beads and cowry shells. Ngige says, Nigeria needs 600 million jobs by 2030 - well, that is not only an exaggerated figure which is meaningless, unworkable, and unachievable.

The figure neither corresponds with demographic statistics of youth population of age between 18 to 30 years nor the percentage of youth unemployment rate at around 35% of the 200 million population in the country.

Where Buhari ministers generate their wild figures from, only God can tell. Would a British investor, an American CEO or a Chinese manufacturer negotiate a serious business and sign a business deal with a Nigerian minister who wears a ghostly goatee and dresses like a voodoo priest? That is the man Buhari gave the job to provide jobs for 23 million unemployed youths of Nigeria.

I have no issue with Ngige and his chosen way of life, I have issue with him being in the wrong job at the wrong time. This time we need level headed, sleeve-rolling ministers who are ready for work. And if President Buhari doesnt take his choice of ministers seriously this time, his second term wont last 4 years as disastrous problems continue to loom over Nigeria and particularly over his administration.

#Obidike Chukwuebuka
docobidike@yahoo.com

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Rochas Okorocha Has A Good Case If He Has Good Lawyers;

By Obidike Chukwuebuka, MBBI

Two days ago, I keenly followed an electoral program on channels TV ,where Festus Okoye who's the INEC national commissioner said that Okorocha's certificate of return was withheld because the returning officer for IMO west senatorial district declared him winner under duress.

I didn't just follow that program as a lawyer but I also followed the program as one who believes that law could be viewed from two angles ; statement of case versus statement of law. You may sometimes win the argument in statement of case but lose the verdict when viewed from the statement of law.

The law doesn't give INEC the legal power to upturn any result after it has been announced. It is only the election petition tribunal that can order that or even cancel any election already announced by the returning officer if such election was declared either erroneously or under duress.

Mr Festus Okoye's submission was wrong. In fact I was quickly reminded of the provisions of section 68 of the electoral Act which says "
The decision of the Returning Officer on any question arising from or relating to unmarked ballot paper, rejected ballot paper and declaration of scores of candidates and the return of a candidate,shall be final subject to review by a Tribunal or Court.

Honestly, Okorocha has a good case, his legal team should swiftly approach any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain a "WRIT OF MANDAMUS" based on this ground. Every lawyer knows what this means. This writ would automatically compel INEC to issue him with a certificate of return.

If INEC fails to Issue him with a certificate of return even after obtaining this Writ of Mandamus. He shouldn't worry. Okorocha could be sworn in without the certificate of return. One would ask how possible that could be, but I will explain.

This is possible pursuant to the provisions of section 75(2) of the electoral act which says "Where INEC refuses or neglects to issue a Certificate of return, a certified true copy of the order of a court of competent jurisdiction shall, ipso facto, be sufficient for the purpose of swearing-in a candidate.

I am not a fan of Rochas Okorocha, I am only standing by the statement of law as it is without minding whose ox would be gored. Kindly permit me to borrow the words of Femi Falana before dispensing with his services to defend Ken Sarowiwa in 1995. " I want my learned friend here to appreciate that it is Ken Sarowiwa today and it could be anybody tomorrow " it is Rochas Okorocha today and it could be anybody tomorrow.

I love cases like this and it makes me research further. Thanks Amb Timothy Chukwuma Nwachukwu for igniting my attention towards this point of view.

#Obidike Chukwuebuka, MBBI
docobidike@yahoo.com