I heard it's been decentralised now i.e you'll have to go to your local government council headquarters to obtain the form so that the crowd(just like the one pictured) will reduce. I want to agree with you that this might be a political dangling carrot used by Governor Obi but one also can never know if this time it's actually primed to work. I had somebody do it for me cos i couldn't travel down to awka for it. We can only hope for the best!

Legend extraordinaire, poet, revolutionary infact the next best thing after Martin Luther King Jnr, Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey. Lesane Parish Crooks(widely known as Tupac(2pac) Amaru Shakur still lives in his music cos they never fade. I have chosen the following:

Who do you believe in

Unconditional Love

Changes

Trapped

Ain't Mad at cha

Letter to my unborn child

Baby don't cry

Worldwide ft Outlawz

Carlifornia Love ft Dr Dre

Hail Mary

Black Jesus

infact the list is endless......

daphor11 mine's in Lagos 29th. Pls do send the format obienrie82@yahoo.com thanks.

Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark and Prof John Pepper Bekederemo Clark....just like the cartoon series 'Pinky and the brain', one is a genius and the other is insane, and insane he'll be no matter the number of apologies rendered. I expect more apologies anyway, keep them coming.

Nnamdi Asomugha....Is he anyway related to James Ikechukwu Asomugha (Jim Iyke)

Guys heard KBC channel(Kenya Broadcasting Corporation)on DStv is showing the match....pls who can confirm?

Sadly, these days a lot of things happen and one cannot categorically beat his chest and say 'YES' to that question. But personally, i believe that there are girls out there who love for the sake of it, and not motivated by the size of the pocket or bank account. It's just they are in the minority.

Dr Emmanuel Nnamdi 'Andy' Uba! Cos something tells me it's either him or some APGA imposed candidate of Gov Obi would emerge as governor. Did someone just say Hon Uche Ekwunife?

Her brother Christopher Okechukwu Okagbue was GUS 6 WINNER.....children of the late Ofala Okagbue, former Agbogidi(Obi)of Onitsha

tjskii: Eeiya congrats to him,he realy shud av won project fame,but I gues d fact that he looks a bit old wasn't to his advantage

Well that's your opinion but i don't think his age has anything to do with the fact that he is a huge talent waiting to explode as we all saw during the show. I just think most of the voting public voted based on sentiments. Ayo is good but personally i think Marvelous is better. I've known him from way back when he began in the church choir in the late 90's and early 2000s, he has grown from strength to strength.

The guy we all wish won 2012 MTN Project Fame(no hard feelings to Ayo) but Marve's talent is awesome. He finally said 'i do' to his sweetheart, Joy Ilibeno. This coincided with the release of his single 'Lady' which he dedicated to his hearthrob. Congrats man can't wait to see your album drop. http://lindaikeji..com/2013/02/project-fame-marvelous-odiete-weds-joy.html

Daddy Showkey - John Odafe Asiemo.

Mamuzee - Anthony and Andrew Dixon

Baba Fryo - Friday Igwe

Chinedu Okoli - Flavor
Obiora Nwokolobia - Agu - Obiwon
Williams Orioha - 2shotz
Resonance -Esther Ebigbo
Wizboy - Emeka Ebenato

If you Love me - Sunny Ade ft Onyeka Onwenu

Ekwe - Onyeka Onwenu

Seun re re - Christy Essien Igbokwe

Eddie Kwansa - Dan Orji and Peacock International

Osondi Owendi - Stephen Osita Osadebe

Ifeoma - Felix Lebarty

One Love - Onyeka Onwenu

Lady battered by naval men, looks back in gratitude
… Uzoma Okere, others laud Lagos govt’s humanitarian efforts
By CHIDIEBELE EZEANI and IFEOMA NDUKAUBA

Friday, April 08, 2011
• Uzoma Okere
Photo: Sun News Publishing
More Stories on This Section


Uzoma Okere. Remember her? She’s the lady that was stripped unclothed and battered in Lagos in September 2008 by some naval ratings attached to a senior Naval officer, Rear Admiral Harry Arogundade. The Lagos State government, through the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), later took up her case in court. She eventually got justice, with the court awarding her N100m.

Well, Okere was in the news recently. On March 29, at a forum in Lagos, the lady relived her bitter experiences in the days following her ordeal, even as she heaped praises on the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) for coming to her aid in her hour of need.

She spoke at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, at an event to commemorate Fashola’s 1, 400 days in office. Many others, who claimed to have benefited from the state government were at the event to publicly applaud the Fashola administration for always coming to the aid of the citizens in their moments of distress. Okere recalled how she was brutally attacked by the Admiral’s guards that morning. The naval men, who accused the lady of blocking their principal’s convoy, jumped on the lady and thoroughly battered her in the presence of on-lookers. She was thereafter rushed to the hospital by some of those who witnessed the ordeal.

According to her, she never imagined that she would get justice when those angry ratings were humiliating her. She expressed joy that help came from the state government when she never expected it. Her words: “I could have been assaulted and harassed without justice if the state Office of Public Defence initiative was not “conceived, established and effectively operated to help the downtrodden in the state. Even though I am not from Lagos, I benefited from the state’s people-oriented policies.
“I’m grateful to the Lagos State government under Governor Fashola for making an initiative like the OPD work. When I was beaten by those ratings, and Governor Fashola heard about how they dragged me down from my car and assaulted me, he directed the OPD to intervene. I got free legal service from the state and a N100 million claim.”

Justice delayed but not denied, a sterling example  BRF 2011, eko o ni ba je

@op u want to know why? For me, it's simply this: Their founding fathers people like George Washington Carver were close to God and all their affairs were thrust into God's hands and just like the biblical(and even the mordern day)Israel, God blessed them exceptionally despite all the vile and immoral acts that emanate from there. Till date, the dollar bill still has the inscription 'In God we trust'

jumobi1:

Pretty well spoken gentleman

U can say that again, one of the few that earned my respect even up till date. His diction is far from the regular northern politician that pronounces 'f' as 'p'. They say he was a fine gentleman to the core and i believe that(earning the OBE from the queen is no mean feat). Infact, he and his contemporaries: Awo, Zik and Sarduana were indeed Nigeria's finest and to me may never be replaced.

blank:

I once worked in an indigenous oil servicing company in the finance dept.
Things were really rough we were owing banks large sums of money but we never owed staff salary.
Rather, what we did was to borrow money from banks at ridiculous interest rates to pay staff.
The only thing was that we froze salary increases, sacked redundant staff and did not pay any bonus for that period (13 months).
However, once the govt paid the money we were owed, we paid out bigger bonuses to staff for their patience.
Even those that were sacked were paid a prorated bonus.
That is an example of a responsible employer.
I still stop by to know how they are doing and they are growing bigger n bigger.

 

This is how it ought to be, if u ask me


But this is fast becoming a norm in working circles these days, i used to work for one company that paid salaries once every three months( i can imagine how the guy that said he was last paid in january feels but that is suicidal), These practice by companies encourage fraud and other related vices in the system.


God help us all

Tottenham Hotspurs have secured the signature of Dutch international and Real Madrid midfielder, Rafael Van Der Vaart. According to goal.com, the 26 year old signed a four year contract and will challenge for honours with the North London outfit.

With the likes of Sandro, Gallas (suspect though), and some other names that are now in, Spurs have more strenght in depth that their injury prone North London neighbours and with Wenger failing to strenghten and the likes of Nasri and V.persie, only time will tell to see if Wenger can secure a top three finish this season.

oladayo042:


According to the agency, Okpala is a 1997 graduate of Banking and Finance Department of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology.

What a shame, ESUT alumni again? few months ago, it was a similar story, God help us all.

PhinaBrown:

obiom or whatever your name is, is it a crime for somebody to make a mistake in spoken english?. How many times did you correct the speeches of our former president - Olusegun Obasanjo. Or that of the former vice president - alhaji abubakr atiku or better still, are you trying to suggest to the president for follow his predecessor's idear [b]of dumbing his realy wive [/b]for a second wife because of her inability to speak fine in public? Common guy, this president is down to earth. He respect peoples opinion including his. So if you feel, the first lady does not have a good command of spoken english, then apply as a consultant english teacher, in fact, the job is yours. tatapho. you no go mind your business. Amibo. Abi na only you hear when she talkam! lol.

Where did this one jump out from to attack me? See ur written english, ur case is even worse than that of the dame. It's not your business only if you decide to make it yours. Advice work on your english dear Phina Brown and fro the records, it's obiem not obiom!

favouredjb:

Made a mistake,"someone"not a someone

Tanx favouredjb for that one

seanet02:

HOW DID GOD BLESS HIM? HIS BURIAL GROUND IS ROTTING AWAY YET GOD IS BLESSING HIM!!! YOU ARE SAYING THE TRUTH SHA SINCE IGNORANCE IS WAHT YOU WORSHIP IN THE EAST

 


U are just a blabbing loof who feels he knows everything, yes that's what u 're, Zik's burial ground may be in rubble as u imply, but dat doesn't give u the impetus to talk about the dead like that!  

The words in red also highlight how lousy u are with words(especially untrue ones)

@OP

I agree with u on this one, if only we the aniomas would see things in this light cos truly the Urhobos, Itshekiris and others clearly out number us in delta state that why the governorship slot has always eluded the aniomas.


Anioma state is just what the South east needs if etiti and njaba states fail to materialise.

seanet02:

JUST AS AZIKWE'S BURIAL GROUND WAS NOMINATED FOR THE MOST UNTIDY BURIAL GROUND IN THE WORLD

God bless the dead, and for u?

@becomrich3

Did u read the article with maps? It didn't say Yaba College of technology was later re-christened University College, Ibadan. U of all people should know that there are two states involved here, Lagos and Oyo!

Meanwhile there's no difference between Yaba Higher College and today's Yaba College of Technology. It's d same thing, just a re-christening.

@OP

Nominee for the 'dumbest' post of the year

seanet02:

JUST TO COUNTER THE SAMUEL LADOKE AKINTOLA, IGBOS ALWAYS SECOND TO YORUBAS.
HOW MANY OF YOU IBOS EVEN HAVE MUCH TO SAY ABOUT HIM

@Dede1 and Mazi Uche, tanks for proving this imbecilic 'homo sapien' wrong!


Okpara made his mark as premier and as a pre independence nationalist. Despite his agrarian initiatives which turned the economy of the eastern region into one of the fastest growing economies at that time, his role in the impasse between the locals and the colonial masters at the coal mine in Enugu is also of note. This earned the mine it's present name 'Okpara mine' in present day enugu state.

Nchara:

Seanet02
How did Akintola and Awo serve Nigeria? They served Yorubaland, except for Awo that negatively served humanity via his Biafran kids starvation tactics

Very well said Nchara,

MaziUche0:

This man desserves praise and monuments throughout the East. When I get enough money, I will definitely build a monument in this man's honor. He was ahead of his time and one of his kind. And a man who lived a simple life. He cared not only for the Igbo, but the East in general.

He did not care if the person was Igbo, Ibibio, Ijaw, Efik, Idoma etc. The man just wanted to improve the East.

I can't agree more with u more mazi uche, Okpara was truly ahead of his time.

seanet02:

AND HOW DID HE SERVED NIGERIA? HE SERVED THE EAST

With ur written english and ur footnote, it's easy to conclude. In the same way Awo/Akintola served the west.

seanet02:

JUST TO COUNTER THE SAMUEL LADOKE AKINTOLA, IGBOS ALWAYS SECOND TO YORUBAS.
HOW MANY OF YOU IBOS EVEN HAVE MUCH TO SAY ABOUT HIM

There is something called personal opinion, i think this is it

Aloy_Emeka:

And? 

We are talking about the living and how to feed and clothe them in Nigeria and you are still fixated on the dead.

 
U're right but i don't think remembering people who served this nation selflessly is out of place, something our present day politicians lack and may never have.

Dr. Michael Iheonukara Okpara was the Premier of Eastern Nigeria and leader of the National Convention of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC), known at its birth as the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroon. He and Chief Dennis Osadebay of the Mid-West were the only Regional Premiers who survived the army revolt of January, 1966, in which two other premiers were killed.

An Ibo from Ohuhu, near Umuahia-Ibeku in the then Eastern Nigeria - Nigeria's first military ruler, Major-General J.T.U. Aguiyi-Ironsi, also came from Umuahia - Dr. Okpara was at 46 the country's youngest Premier. The son of a laborer, he was born in December, 1920. After attending mission schools, he went to the Uzuakoli Methodist College, near his village, and won a scholarship to the then Yaba Higher College, Lagos, to study medicine. Completing his medical studies at the Nigerian School of Medicine, Dr. Okpara worked briefly as a government medical officer before setting up private practice in Umuahia. While

.carrying on his practice, Dr. Okpara showed great interest in the Zikist Movement (named after Dr. Azikiwe), the militant wing of Dr. Azikiwe's NCNC which brought the independence struggle to a head in the late 'forties. After the shooting of rioting workers at the Enugu coal mines (1949), Dr. Okpara was one the Zikists arrested by the government for allegedly organizing the workers for political ends. He was later released. Following the granting of internal self-rule by Britain, Dr. Okpara was elected to the Eastern House of Assembly in 1952 on an NCNC ticket. Between then and 1959, when he took over from Dr. Azikiwe as Premier of the East, he held various Cabinet posts from Minister of Health to Agriculture and Production.

When in 1953, NCNC legislators in the Eastern House of Assembly and the Central Government in Lagos revolted against the party leadership, Dr. Okpara was among party loyalists who joined forces with Dr. Azikiwe. It was not until November, 1960, when Dr. Azikiwe finally left active politics to become Nigeria's first African Governor-General, that Dr. Okpara was elected leader of the NCNC. Very forceful and outspoken, Dr. Okpara is uncompromising on vital national issues. This in 1963 led to severe strain in relations with the ruling Northern Peoples' Congress of the late Prime Minister Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, with which the NCNC formed the country's first post-independence Government.

A strong advocate of what he calls 'pragmatic socialism', Dr. Okpara believes the country's salvation lies in agricultural revolution. He owns a large farm in his hometown and thus inspired many Eastern Nigerian leaders to take and interest in farming.

Dr. Okpara was one of the politicians detained soon after the military coup of January, 1966, which brought an end to civilian rule. He was released in July after a second coup swept General Ironsi out of power. He received the award of GCON (Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger), the country's highest decoration, in 1964 in recognition of his services to the country.


Another great son of Nigeria which people hurriedly 4got, some say he lived under the shadow of Zik but under his reign as premier, eastern Nigeria(Including the present day niger delta) thrived basically on agriculture which was his fulcrum for socio economic empowerement.

Would like to hear various views,

By RAZAQ BAMIDELE
Thursday, August 05, 2010
•Okonkwo
Photo: Sun News Publishing

      More Stories on this Section

Senator Annie Okonkwo in his three years at the National Assembly has not ceased to campaign for an equitable policy in state creation. By this campaign he champions, he has steadily advocated that the South East, his geopolitical zone deserves one more state to have as many as others.

Next on his agenda for his zone stems from his position as the deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Erosion and Ecology. He believes that the president should give executive impetus to Senate resolution to declare a national environmental emergency in the zone.

In this interview he also observed that INEC, having gotten the constitutional framework for a free and credible election in 2011 has no reason not to give Nigeria the next election next year. Senator Okonkwo has more in the discussion.

After three years, what would be your assessment of the present Senate, which you are a member?
I would say that the Senate of this dispensation has shown honest capacity to align with the positive aspirations of the Nigerian people they represent. This Senate expanded the horizon of citizen’s education in the workings of the senate through live telecasts of screenings of major appointments and events. Before, it was only during budget presentations and very special sessions that live telecast are shown to the public.

And even then, such occasions are largely formal. But this Senate opened up the process, and I think we are all richer through the criticisms and appraisals we get. This Senate has also shown uncommon courage in the face of our immediate past national adversity to invoke the stabilizing doctrine of necessity when it was most needed. But very importantly, this Senate just put into place the first successful constitutional amendment undertaken by our national legislature. I think that’s very remarkable and historic. The improved electorate law and the steady support we have shown to INEC to deliver to the people the best and very commendable election next year are good reasons for the Senate to announce its records in the development of the nation’s democracy.

Most Nigerians feel the federal legislators are overpaid. Why didn’t the amendment of the constitution take that into consideration?
I am aware the vocal public feels that Nigerian politicians, not just the legislators alone are overpaid. I also think that they probably arrive at this conclusion based on comparisons with the civil service salary conditions. But I do know that the salary I earn as a Senator fixed by the Revenue and Fiscal Allocation Committee of the executive branch of government is barely sufficient to cover necessities and responsibilities of my office, not luxury.
Most of what is fed to the public does not reflect the true position.

In fact, most senators have been put into difficult situations due to untenable expectations from the public as a result of this unfair hype about fat salaries. I will implore the media to help us balance the information as regards this particular issue and help redeem us from terrible financial pressure. However, salaries and wages are normally issues of constant dialogue between the government and the public, just as the new minimum wage now, which the civil service truly deserves and should be efficiently implemented. States should work hard to implement it as well instead of probably looking for escape. So when the operators of government feel there is need for upward or downward review in order to meet existing realities, of course the senate will not stop them.

Does the recent constitution amendment satisfy your longing or is there any shortfall?
I am happy with the amendment and the way it went. It is a sign that our democracy is growing the way it should. But my painful regret is that the South East did not have a new state created for it as was forcefully argued and nationally accepted by the last senate. The South East is so unfairly shortchanged in all parameters of development because of this glaring injustice.

But I have to add that I am happy to be part of this historic first by the National Assembly with the consent and backing of the state Assemblies. I am delighted at the financial autonomy granted INEC, because that will certainly help enhance their impartiality. The enhancement is to the extent that legislative enactment may not automatically transform to an attitude of impartiality by INEC, if they do not have the will. So they must take full advantage of it to grow and advance the frontiers of true independence as suggested in the name.

How?
Let me illustrate my point clearly on the state creation issue for the South East. The last state creation was in 1996 by the Abacha government, which brought every other region of the six geo political zones to at least six states, except the South East. That was about 14 year ago. Assuming that the least federally disbursed annual allocations to the states has been N30 billion.

Then, South East in the last fourteen years has lost conservatively N420 billion. That is not inclusive of inflows from the ecology fund, derivation dues, excess crude account drawdown, special new state take off grants, and so many other paraphernalia of state apparatus that come with state creation. By the time you add the real loss – human representation in government, more local government areas and the allocations, human capital enhancement, infrastructure, etc, you will find that the real loss would be in the neighbourhood of N800 billion to one trillion naira so far.

My brother, half of that amount will rehabilitate all the federal roads in the South East that has remained the worst in the whole federation. This state of South East roads is also a nationally verified fact. That is why I always feel agitated that this glaring injustice has not been corrected. And that injustice will remain until it is addressed, otherwise the South East remains unjustifiably robbed and denied.

Should the region just resign to fate and watch the situation?
Accept that situation? Certainly not at all. I insist the nation in the spirit of fairness should revive the conscience and make that recommendation a national priority without opposition in the aborted amendment of the last senate. Remember, there is a National Newspaper that has as its motto “conscience is an open wound, only truth can heal it”.

Let us suppress the politics of “we too deserve more states” and heal this long open wound for the South East. It will not hurt anybody at all. In fact, for enduring this pain and denial for that long, the South East should get two more states to make up the huge loss over time. And I honestly pray that the media should help us to deepen this message. The Senate will soon start another constitutional amendment and I will devote all my energy to this pursuit. In fact, I do hope all fair thinkers should do just that.

How do you see the present INEC and the 2011 elections?
Permit me to hold to my chest my views on the present INEC until the coast clears. I would prefer work to be done and we can then make balanced assessments based on their quality of work or otherwise. But I will tell you what I expect INEC to do. With most legislative hurdles out of the way, and going by the support it enjoys, the body should get down to business and let their work speak for them. I urge the federal executive arm to release the requested fund to INEC on time.

I also expect INEC to strictly enforce obedience to regulations both to the political parties and their staff. I expect INEC to break the jinx and give us a credible voter’s register that will form the foundation for reliable electoral data that will stand the test of time, long after they are gone. They cannot afford anything less considering the huge budget for the voter’s register alone. We can afford that necessary sacrifice now, but cannot do that every time we are getting ready for elections. I would suggest to INEC to restore those good old tenets of democratic culture enunciated through fair and transparent process that originated in my home state of Anambra.

In your own state?
Yes. I stand to be corrected that the best of politics in Nigerian political history had its birthplace in present day Anambra. Great Zik was an asset in patience, speech and wisdom. Ikemba Nnewi was brilliant in the army and has remained beautiful in politics. Late Chuba Okadigbo was very colourful, and so it was with so many others. Are they not all from Anambra? Through a credible election, my people will prove to Nigerians that they are not the centre of electoral war, but indeed real lovers of genuine democracy. There are no better lovers of democracy in this nation as the Igbo because of our republican history and antecedents.

What is the position of the two bills you came up with about two years ago?
The Nigerian Essential Commodities Commission Bill or Social Responsibility Bill and the Nigerian Citizens in Diaspora Bill are receiving progressive attention in the Senate. The issues these Bills are seeking to remedy are so fundamental to be ignored. But because they are fundamental, the responsibilities attached to them are also huge. So the Senate is weighing all the options to make sure a legislation that is practicable is finally enacted. I have no doubt, They will soon come to be.

For instance, the Nigerian Citizens in the Diaspora Commission Bill has become a common global discourse of high and mounting interest because their rights and impacts in their domain and places of origin cannot by any stretch of imagination be taken for granted. I am glad that even President Goodluck Jonathan has become the leading advocate of this viewpoint. Nigeria stands to gain enormous economic benefits if her Diaspora citizens are encouraged properly to double or triple their over four billion dollars annual remittances back home. INEC is also being persuaded to see how over 20 million Nigerians in outside the nation could be captured as part of our electoral voting assets. It can be done, and should be done. That’s part of my commitment in the Senate.

Do you plan to return to the Senate in 2011 since your gubernatorial bid failed?
Not long ago, by God’s special favour, I turned 50, and my dear wife, Lady Chinyere Okonkwo and family members surprised me. I came to the understanding that most things we truly appreciate are not things we can give ourselves. I desire to live as long as possible as most people will, and God in His mercy has seen me above fifty and still going strong. In 2007, I sought election to the Senate, and my people made that possible. Now if you ask me, do I desire to go back to the Senate? Yes. Have I made that public? No. Because, the people whose prerogative it is to make that desire a reality must be consulted and their approval gotten.


I agree with all dis talk of Gurara, Igbomina, Savannah etc and nobody is hearing the proposed Adada state or Anioma state, this imbalance still pesists