₦airaland Forum

KAREN JAMES.



ONITSHA:This year annual women convention of chapel of faith bible assembly int'l kicks off at the church auditorium in grand style with theme taged: Women As Agent Of Transformation presented by Dr.Mrs Nnenna Faith Nwankpa( Mother General)

The annual event was declared open preceded with prayer showers by His Lordship. Bishop Dr. Emeka Nwankpa,General Overseer Chapel Of Faith Bible Assembly Int'l 33 Nkwelle Ezunaka.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Mrs Nnenna Faith Nwankpa tasked women to be agents of transformation in their homes and societies,as ideal women their behaviors and attitudes should be of high moral standard,disciplined, inspiring, creative and extraordinarily God fearing in order to move their families, church and societies to greater heights.

Dr.Mrs Nnenna Faith Nwankpa went on to say that women are principally teachers by nature as they teach their children the ways of life by guiding them in the ways of God and through the rigours of life." Women are instructors of righteousness, judgment and equity as they impact positivity in the lives of their children, husband and people around them physically, spiritually, financially, intellectually and socially.

Moreover, on women as agent of transformation to their husbands, Dr.Faith Nwankpa stated that women were made by God as helpers to their husbands, they need to be trusted in every thing,in finance and conducts as they are catalyst of transformation.
If women were well trusted and husbands puts the house under their care, they make it a home. If women were given money, they produce wealth and makes a fortune for their husband to command. If women were given sperm they make children, if given fish, they produce food and if the husband shows them real love ,they bring down heaven on earth. So the hearts of their husbands should cleave unto them for greater unity and peace at home in particular and the society at large.

Finally, Dr.Nnenna Faith Nwankpa urged women to be positive influencers in the church, they must be lovers of God and their love for God must extend to the high priest, his households and the entire church. The welfare of the church must be paramount in their agenda, they must never be sycophantic rumour mongers. Women should be pillars and not caterpillars, gatherers and not scatterers so that the church of God will move to greater heights.
The annual convention is expected to come to an end on the 11th of April,2021

BY Karen James




A Governorship aspirant in Anambra State for 2021 poll, Valentine Ozigbo, met stakeholders of his state origin in Enugu where he addressed them on his reasons to succeed Governor Willie Obiano. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant was cornered by a group of journalists before the event where he spoke on national burning issues, his ambition to rule Anambra State, among others.
Excerpts:
Q: May we know exactly why you decided to join in the struggle to become Anambra State governor this year?

A: I will like to start by saying that I don’t promise eldorado, I don’t promise perfection, I don’t promise that once I get in there Anambra would be another New York or Dubai. But my government would be totally different and unique. I want to lay a solid foundation, a rebuilding process of changing a story of a blackman, South Eastern Nigeria in particular. I am in this race because I am totally uncomfortable with what is going on in Anambra State.

Q: We know you are not a magician. Therefore, how are you going to achieve these your set objectives?

A: We are blessed by God, we have virtually everything to be great, but why are we so naive, so backward and unreasonable? What is the difference between a black and white man? How come others have moved on and left us behind? In all these questions and puzzles, what have been your answers? Honestly, the response have been one blame or the other, some have even accepted that there is something wrong with us, some say nothing is wrong rather we are politicizing everything in this state. Some even blamed our fate on colonialism, but that is a stupid excuse because we are not the only people colonized. We have India, China, Japan, Korea and rest of them. So it is useless to talk about that. Or, can we say that Nigeria would have been better if not for military encroachment into politics, tribal rivalries, ethnic cleavages – all these are stupid excuses from the neophytes. When you look at the countries with similar experience – Japan, Singapore, Korea, Rwanda, etc, you will discover that we are the architect of our woes. We shall start seeing positive changes in economy when democracy triumphs without nepotism, when leadership is decided via free and fair elections. So, based on the existing madness in the entire sector, one may be forced to ask; Is something actually wrong with us?
Q: Which way out of the woods? We are already stuck.
A: Two definite conclusions hold sway here. One, there is nothing wrong with us because there are quite number of things which our people have done and excelled, though single man’s effort is not usually enough. We need to build a sustainable system, a platform that will serve and last for long. How are we going to do that? Firstly, we need to own-up, we need to take responsibility for all the errors, stop blaming anybody and forge ahead with beautiful solutions. Don’t blame the politicians, ministers, governors, commissioners, civil servants and so on. In fact do you realize that even the journalists have important role to play than these aforementioned leaders? They are at vantage position to use their pen to correct the ills going on in the society, but have they been doing that? If they are really working, why should that political rot take place in Imo State would be happening without the press reporting the truth? Well, the point here is that the system is already enmeshed in corruption, and what then shall we do to save our people? Basically, we need to have good people in leadership; we must insist on competence, we have that person who can inspire greatness in people’s mind across board – from federal down to local government level. Our current ugly situation requires competent person, someone with merit ideas, and not nepotism or indolence. We need to change our reasoning culture, elect people with mobile ideas, sound innovation, modern creativity to move the society forward. We need to bring in thinkers who are eager to impact positively on people’s lives, a prudent – modeled governor of a state who will change the status – quo for overall betterment of the citizenry. We need a good builder that will transform our educational system, business life and social integration – all geared towards enthroning an egalitarian society.

Nigeria is the hope of black race in the entire world, she is the country looked upon to drive the course of black people, the linchpin of any meaningful economic development in Africa, but sadly the country is still slumbering. Why haven’t the country woken up? God created us for a purpose but we are yet to discover that, there is no way Nigeria will make progress without the inspiration of an Igbo man. Trace the history of socio-economic development so far, starting from the era of Dr. Michael Okpara and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, how South Eastern state economy was transformed, go back to the civil war era and Igbo man ingenuity, even the recent turnover of Anambra State by the former governor, Mr. Peter Obi. These are pointers that the Igbos are builders of economy, and Anambra State leads the vanguard. We need to re-strategize and reintegrate, that is the only time this life will be useful to us, that is the only time we should no longer be branded criminals by the outsiders, that is the only time our mindset would be shifted and white men will be thinking of how to come to Anambra state and stay. As it is now, it is shameful for a responsible person to call himself citizen of Anambra State. Personally, I am disappointed but certainly not discouraged. I have travelled quite a lot around the world, God has blessed me with good things of life, nothing would have stopped me from staying abroad and enjoy good things of life and people oriented leadership. But alas, I have decided to be here to serve my people, to build a befitting legacy, because if things remain like this, shame is the right word to qualify me. We need to catch up with the rest of the world, and there are areas which we can capitalize and overtake them. Technology is one area we need to focus on, our people are genius, what they require is right atmosphere, good support system and surely they will deliver; they are ready to do extra-ordinary things in extra-ordinary manner. Already, my campaign team has developed the manifesto that would be in tandem with the moving trend; all sectors were captured in our written agenda. We are ready to make Anambra a dream land, where the Indians, Chinese would come and do business. Why is it that we are noted and respected for high intellectual business skill, yet most of our youths are in Abuja and Lagos streets hawking clothes and food items? Why do they say that our youths lack the competitive edge among their peers in Nigeria? Why is it that all governors, past and present, have refused to come together, work in unison for the betterment of the state? Why have they not devoted their energy and resources to solve the problems of Anambra state? If I don’t love the state, I would not have thought coming out to vie for the gubernatorial seat. I was privileged to come from a good background, son of a headmaster in those days, grew up in Umuomaku – Orumba South, last child of seven siblings, with right Christian values, made the best results in primary and secondary schools, taught physics and mathematics immediately afterwards, moved to University of Nigeria Nsukka and made excellent result in Accounting. Had my MBA and later qualified as chattered Accountant. I had scholarship that took me to England for more advanced courses in Lancersta University, returned and joined banking industry. I spent 12 years as a banker with high financial discipline, moved to Transcorp and made an enviable landmark there. As Chief Executive Officer, I was the best among the subsidiaries all over the world, became the president of Transcorp Group, shook hands with the presidents and best CEO’s in the world economy. All these achievements were God-given, I am not in Anambra State guber race to make money, or to service personal debts. I am very much comfortable with the blessings of the Lord. My people are suffering and languishing that is why I have decided to come out to salvage their plight.
Q: Godfatherism is a nagging issue in Nigeria politics, how are you going to tackle the problem which is very common in Anambra State?
A: Today in Anambra State, I am the man to beat amongst other aspirants, the evidence is there in public domain. And how do I become the toast of electorate? How come that someone who was not well known in Anambra politics suddenly emerged the talking point in today’s discourse? How come that I am now a top man in PDP gubernatorial race? How did it happen? Honestly I don’t have any political godfather, I don’t even know any around, my only strong supporter is God, the decider of mankind. Guess what, I still have respect for these prominent PDP members, but not to prostrate before them. I did not go to Peter Obi, Nicholas Ukachukwu and the rest asking them to be my pillar or godfather. All I want is for the party to have good consensus candidate so that we can enthrone solid democratic government in Anambra state.

Q: In Anambra state, a lot of people are talking of competence and zoning. Where do you stand based on your analysis?
A: They are twin words with almost the same meaning and relevance in scheme of things, one cannot operate without the other, there is competency in zoning. What is competence in the first place? Simply put, it is all about character, merit, intelligence; it is not about going to school and you hate humanity, become arrogant and demigod. Whatever we assume to be in this world, we must learn to be humble, respectful and original. We must always be guided by good reasoning faculty, know what to do or say at critical point of need. Competence is ability to inspire and create enabling environment for people to thrive. When you have all these qualities, political mathematics would be easy to solve. This race is not just about party but how qualified is the man coming on board. The recent PDP stakeholders meeting in Enugu hosted by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi was a pointer that the next governor of Anambra State will surely come from the south, because all the people there openly said that it is the turn of the south to mount the throne of leadership. I am from the south, I am equally competent to revive the state, I have done the survey, and very much convinced to win this race.
Q: What about money politics in Anambra State? How prepared are you to spend on the electorate who are obviously hungry and eager to sell their political franchise?
A: What I am doing is to connect to bigger vision without sounding utopia. My mission is to take the change mantra down to the kindred, villagers, communities and towns. My agenda is to make Anambra state a fashionable business place devoid of stress, insecurity and banditry, where touts and hang-ons would not thrive, and the state becomes a healthy competitive business zone. We want to be a role model in entire Southeast, where the citizens would be happy seeing their efforts yielding result. I have established the structure in entire 21 local government areas, I have travelled more than five times in each of them, preaching and spreading the gospel of good governance. Anambra state is not all about building roads, we need to take issue of agriculture serious, establish steady power supply for industries to operate at full capacity, support system for entrepreneurship to boom. And my campaign team has taken cognizance of all these before arriving at the slogan – Ka Anambra Chawapu! We are prepared to take the state to higher standard, to catch up with the rest of the world, not using neighboring states as benchmarks. No, we are not prepared for such government.
Q: Do you think the Federal Government has a way of drawing the State Economy Backward?
Beautiful question that deserves beautiful answer; what can we do in the face of this imbalance? We should not wait for the federal government to get it right before we act, else we will fail. If the rest of Nigerians are not ready for positive change, definitely we will abandon them and move on. We have the creative minds, ingenuity and skill to achieve that purpose. The 2023 presidency is beckoning, PDP is not joking with it, and Anambra State election come November is test case. If we win the election, the chances of winning the presidency are bright because Anambra remains a focal point. If we fix the state, the chance of fixing the South East and Nigeria as a whole is high.

Q: Anambra State is presently owing heavily from the donor agencies across the world, how are you going to repay this as a governor of the state?

A: Good! That is why I earlier said that you will not sacrifice competence at the altar of nepotism. An ability to manage human and material resources is very important and necessary drive home your vision. Economic competence is the key, creativity counts a lot, I am just an aspirant but already I have been called upon to commission some roads rehabilitated in Anambra state. What does that tells you? Government is all about credibility and trust, once the people have confidence in your leadership, your work load is half-solved. Play on the greed of private sector, inspire their need to do well, because government does know how to run business more than them. So, we are ready to inspire their greatness, give them the enabling environment to work so that their business and industries would perform and our youths would be employed. The reason why I am elected as governor is not to start throwing blames on my predecessor, but to correct the ills already discovered.
Q: In all the leading political parties jostling for the eviable seat, do you see PDP emerging the winners?
A: Yes, I see our great party, PDP emerging victorious. The APC will fail irrespective of its federal might and connections, Young Progressive Party (YPP) is not our class, I cannot descend so low to assess their chances, the only little threat we have is All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) simply because they are still in power in Anambra State. Basically, we all know that the party has continued to diminish numerically and administratively. I was approached to be given automatic ticket by the party owners, but I know that “Nkaa bu Nke Anyi” is no longer working. The party cannot even take us beyond Anambra state if at all it remains in existence after the November polls. PDP is national party with strong base in the South East and South South, even in the North. The party can open doors in Aso-Rock Villa Abuja, I don’t believe in minority group, we have passed that political stage.

From Franca Nweke


With what is happening in Umuahia, the killings of some people and multiple attacks on some public facilities in parts of Imo State yesterday and early morning of Monday by some unknown gunmen, Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has declared curfew in Umuahia and Aba cities.

A press statement released on Monday signed by Chief John Okiyi Kalu, the Commissioner for Information, said the curfew would start from Monday on 10 pm to 6 am daily till further notice.

Governor ikpeazu said, the decision to impose the curfew was a product of intelligence reports the State government received, adding that there was the need to protect Abians from harm.


The statement read, " Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the imposition of curfew in Aba and Umuahia metropolis between 10pm and 6am daily from today, Monday, 5th April, 2021 till further notice.

This is sequel to security reports received from multiple sources, and informed by the need to continue to protect innocent citizens and residents of the state.

Security agencies in the state have been directed to ensure strict enforcement and compliance with the directive. Only those on essential services with proper identification are exempted from the curfew.

We urge traditional rulers, men of the State Homeland Security Team and Community Vigilante Services in the state to monitor movement of persons within their respective domains and take necessary measures to protect the people and their property.

All law abiding citizens are advised to go about their normal duties, outside the curfew period, without fear of molestation as the security architecture of the state is robust enough to guarantee their safety, thank you," the statement concluded.

It would be recalled that the residents of ththe State like Aba, Umuahia were gripped by fear following reports of attacks in nearby Imo State since Sunday by some unknown gunmen.

Also, the proximity of Imo towns like Ngor Okpala, Obowo, Ihite Uboma, etc to Abia State may have also made Governor Ikpeazu to act fast to protect Abians.

By Karen James



As controversy in Okposieke family of Onitsha community rages over who represents the family as the principal counsel in all its dealings with the public over their landed properties scattered all over the Onitsha metropolis.

Mr.Nnabuenyi Igweze Ekwerekwu elder and head of Okposieke family in an emergency meeting of the entire Okposieke family members including the elders, youths and the principal family members at Onitsha stated that the contentious issue of who is the legitimate family lawyer that represents the family is not a matter to be contested anywhere, as the entire Okposieke family of Onitsha community years ago in unionism appointed Bar. Harold Ekwerekwu as the legitimate legal counsel that will oversee their affairs particularly in legal cases concerning their landed properties scattered within the Onitsha metropolis and beyond with a mandate to recover all their lands that their lease aggrement had expired which some are still with private individuals and the State Government.
Also,Speaking to newsmen at the emergency meeting of the family members conveyed in Onitsha, Mr. Ben Ezedinobi said that Bar. Harold Ekwerekwu had been carrying out this mandate to the satisfaction of the entire Okposieke family of Onitsha. His efforts and success in recovering the lands were roundly supported by the late diokpa of the family Akunnia Ustesc Ojekwe that died few months ago, family elders, the entire youths and principal family members.
He however regretted the actions of two or three dissidents in the family championed by Nnanyerugo Chike Agha that had decided to scuttle the collective efforts of the entire family in recovering their expired leased lands in the Onitsha metropolis by approaching the state government and the state judiciary to discredit the family and the family lawyer Bar.Harold Ekwerekwu by saying that he does not have the authority of the family to represent them and also execute all legal cases he had been doing.
Mr.Ben Ezedinobi Ekwerekwu said that the entire Okposieke family members frowns at the behavior of Nnanyerugo Chike Agha and his cohorts who had already tarnished the image of the entire Okposieke family through their actions and antecedents by jeopardizing the collective efforts of the family in getting back their ancestral lands leased to the Government and individuals which had already expired.

“Nnanyerugo Chike Agha had being acting like a paid saboteur, I wonder what he stands to achieve by going against the family,” he decried!

“For him to partner with Anambra state government ,the state judiciary and other individuals to fight against the family is what beats my imagination”.

Also, he had being laying claims to the Diokpa position in the family forgetting that his father is till alive as he has not told Onitsha people about his demise by performing his full burial rites(second burial) according to the native laws and customs of Onitsha people. He cannot be the Diokpa or the head of the family so long as the Onitsha native laws and customs is at place.”

“Nnanyerugo Chike Agha is an imposter, the entire Okposieke family did appoint Nnabuenyi Igweze Ekwerekwu as head and elder of Okposieke family pending the second burial rites of the late Diokpa of Okposieke familyals.
We have collected all our family members signature to discredit his actions, to attest also and reaffirm our support and mandate to Bar. Harold Ekwerekwu as Okposieke family lawyer,for him to continue his drive legally to recover all our family ancestral expired leased lands from the hands of Anambra state government, the state judiciary and private individuals also.

In addition, Nnabuenyi Igweze Ekwerekwu added that ,”the entire Okposieke family at this emergency meeting says that, Bar.Harold Ekwerekwu is still the legitimate Okposieke family lawyer and it is not disputed anywhere,for he had been in that capacity for years now and the entire Okposieke family members are at his back in full support of his efforts which had been yielding positive results ever since he was appointed as our legal representative”.

We advise Nnanyerugo Chike Agha and his cohorts of saboteurs and dissidents to desist from their ugly acts and channel their energy elsewhere and allow Bar.Harold Ekwerekwu to continue his good works in securing back our family ancestral lands that were tyrantly held against our collective wishes as these lands had already expired under the lease agreement with the occupants.

By Karen James



As controversy in Okposieke family of Onitsha community rages over who represents the family as the principal counsel in all its dealings with the public over their landed properties scattered all over the Onitsha metropolis.

Mr.Nnabuenyi Igweze Ekwerekwu elder and head of Okposieke family in an emergency meeting of the entire Okposieke family members including the elders, youths and the principal family members at Onitsha stated that the contentious issue of who is the legitimate family lawyer that represents the family is not a matter to be contested anywhere, as the entire Okposieke family of Onitsha community years ago in unionism appointed Bar. Harold Ekwerekwu as the legitimate legal counsel that will oversee their affairs particularly in legal cases concerning their landed properties scattered within the Onitsha metropolis and beyond with a mandate to recover all their lands that their lease aggrement had expired which some are still with private individuals and the State Government.
Also,Speaking to newsmen at the emergency meeting of the family members conveyed in Onitsha, Mr. Ben Ezedinobi said that Bar. Harold Ekwerekwu had been carrying out this mandate to the satisfaction of the entire Okposieke family of Onitsha. His efforts and success in recovering the lands were roundly supported by the late diokpa of the family Akunnia Ustesc Ojekwe that died few months ago, family elders, the entire youths and principal family members.
He however regretted the actions of two or three dissidents in the family championed by Nnanyerugo Chike Agha that had decided to scuttle the collective efforts of the entire family in recovering their expired leased lands in the Onitsha metropolis by approaching the state government and the state judiciary to discredit the family and the family lawyer Bar.Harold Ekwerekwu by saying that he does not have the authority of the family to represent them and also execute all legal cases he had been doing.
Mr.Ben Ezedinobi Ekwerekwu said that the entire Okposieke family members frowns at the behavior of Nnanyerugo Chike Agha and his cohorts who had already tarnished the image of the entire Okposieke family through their actions and antecedents by jeopardizing the collective efforts of the family in getting back their ancestral lands leased to the Government and individuals which had already expired.

“Nnanyerugo Chike Agha had being acting like a paid saboteur, I wonder what he stands to achieve by going against the family,” he decried!

“For him to partner with Anambra state government ,the state judiciary and other individuals to fight against the family is what beats my imagination”.

Also, he had being laying claims to the Diokpa position in the family forgetting that his father is till alive as he has not told Onitsha people about his demise by performing his full burial rites(second burial) according to the native laws and customs of Onitsha people. He cannot be the Diokpa or the head of the family so long as the Onitsha native laws and customs is at place.”

“Nnanyerugo Chike Agha is an imposter, the entire Okposieke family did appoint Nnabuenyi Igweze Ekwerekwu as head and elder of Okposieke family pending the second burial rites of the late Diokpa of Okposieke familyals.
We have collected all our family members signature to discredit his actions, to attest also and reaffirm our support and mandate to Bar. Harold Ekwerekwu as Okposieke family lawyer,for him to continue his drive legally to recover all our family ancestral expired leased lands from the hands of Anambra state government, the state judiciary and private individuals also.

In addition, Nnabuenyi Igweze Ekwerekwu added that ,”the entire Okposieke family at this emergency meeting says that, Bar.Harold Ekwerekwu is still the legitimate Okposieke family lawyer and it is not disputed anywhere,for he had been in that capacity for years now and the entire Okposieke family members are at his back in full support of his efforts which had been yielding positive results ever since he was appointed as our legal representative”.

We advise Nnanyerugo Chike Agha and his cohorts of saboteurs and dissidents to desist from their ugly acts and channel their energy elsewhere and allow Bar.Harold Ekwerekwu to continue his good works in securing back our family ancestral lands that were tyrantly held against our collective wishes as these lands had already expired under the lease agreement with the occupants.

By Karen James




The Chief Executive Officer, Immaculate Heart Multi Specialty Hospital (IHMSH), Aguleri, Rev. Fr. Vincent Mbanogu has urged pregnant mothers to deliver their babies at functional health facilities.

This, he said would aim at reducing maternal and child mortality rate.

Fr. Mbanogu said this during an interaction with health correspondents in his office at IHMSH, Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area (LGA).

He decried the attitude of some pregnant mothers, who usually attend antenatal care at IHMSH but end up patronising the traditional birth attendants during delivery periods.

It hurts me when I see our young women lose their lives due to carelessness

Majority of them prefer going to the traditional birth attendants to be delivered of their babies only to come to the hospital when they have little chance of survival.

``Unfortunately, some of these ladies lose their babies after nine months for patronising traditional birth attendants.

``Those children may have ended up being Rev fathers, teachers, doctors and so on,’’ Fr. Mbanogu lamented.

The CEO listed some measures that the hospital had taken to stem pregnant women from being delivered of their babies by traditional birth attendants.

According to him I make their charges affordable, routine check up for pregnant mothers cost little amount of money, and routine drugs cost N120.

He noted that he gives out incentives like transport fares to motivate those that could not afford it, biscuits and devotional articles to Catholics, who attend antenatal.

He advised everyone not to dwell on any cultural imprisonment but access healthcare at good hospitals in good time rather than waiting for a long time.

Fr Mbanogu cited an example with a boy of 12 that had a hip fracture and was taken to a herbalist by his parents, where he stayed for months before he was brought to the hospital.

``The boy was messed up by the herbalist as he could not work and our consultant told me that the parents could not afford the cost for treatment because the condition was too bad.

I could not hold back my tears seeing this boy being bedridden for life, so I looked for help, and today the boy has started to walk.

I was ready to sell off my car to see that this boy survived the fracture.

He stressed that the problem could have been averted if the boy was brought to the hospital in time, adding that so much resources had been wasted and the young boy’s future could have been truncated.

Fr Mbanogu thanked the state government for the efforts to transform the hospital to a multi specialist and referral hospital, assuring of his optimal commitment to run the facility.

He also expressed happiness over the quality of all the equipment earlier supplied to the hospital while pleading for more and provision of ambulances and more bed spaces for emergencies, especially during festive periods.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of General Hospital, Mrs Nwamaka Arinze Okoh, who was on her routine monthly supervision thanked the CEO for the good work he was doing in saving people’s lives.

She urged him to continue rendering selfless services and also making sure that the hospital was well managed.

The SSA thanked the priest for having it as an additional responsibility to sensitise the host community on the need to access healthcare services in the facility.

Mrs Arinze Okoh used the opportunity to address no fewer than 30 pregnant mothers that came for antenatal care, emphasising the need for mothers to space their child birth for the health of their unborn children.

She enjoined them to ensure they deliver at functional hospitals to avoid loss of their lives and those of their babies too.

By Karen James



In its bid to restore peace and tranquility in the crises torn Nawfia
community, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra state, the State
Government last week allegedly came to the rescue by cancelling a
purported planned kangaroo election billed to be held on March 26,
2021 in the said community.

In a two-page letter, dated March 25, 2021, cancelling the conduct of
the election which was sent to the community President General, people
of the Area and to the attention of Chief Nathan Enemuo/comrade Tony
Obiesili, by the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and
Community Affairs, Hon. Greg I. Obi, he said, "the said election is
hereby cancelled".

The title of the letter read thus, "Re-Re; Notification regarding
fixture of March 26, 2021 for the holding of election by Nawfia
town indigenes to elect a new Igwe of Nawfia (Eze Nawfia) at Nawfia
town hall in line with the constitution of Nawfia town, 2013 and other
extant applicable laws".
In the cancellation letter the Commissioner recalled, "I refer to your
letter dated 22nd March, 2021 and received on 23rd March, 2021 on the
above subject matter and hereby convey to you the state Government
decision as follows, that the said election is hereby cancelled".

Giving reasons for the cancellation he hinted that, "the cancellation
is necessitated by petitions before the state Government alleging
violation of the town's constitution and laid down procedure for
Igweship election"

He added further that, "there is imminent security threat regarding
the election which can give rise to breakdown of law and order".

The Hon. Commissioner consequently stated that, "it therefore becomes
necessary to address the above crucial issues before allowing the
election to proceed".

The Commissioner copied the letter of cancellation of the election to,
Special Advisers on Town Union Matters and Security Matters,
Government House Awka.

Others were, the state Commissioner of Police, Awka Police Area
Commander, Chief Security Officer, Government House and the State
Director of DSS.

In a swift reaction when contacted, the embattled Traditional Ruler of
Nawfia, Igwe Chijioke Nwankwo, while admitting that the community has
been in crises since his alleged suspension and subsequent withdrawal
of his certificate of recognition by the state Government, added that,
the case is still pending in court so there should not be any Igweship
election until the case is disposed of.

His words, "as far as I am concern there was no election on March 26
2021 because the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy
AFfairs, Hon. Greg I. Obi, cancelled the planned election over crises
and security threats and besides, the matter over my purported
suspension and withdrawal of my certificate by the state government as
the Monarch of Nawfia is still pending in court"

He revealed that the people alleged to have held the election despite
the Commissioner's letter cancelling the election were enemies of
progress that have since 2013 been fighting tooth and nail to grab the
Igweship stool even by overt or covert means employing kangaroo
route.

"Some people who want to hold the community hostage conducted kangaroo
town union election in 2013 and in 2019 they repeated it again and the
state government repeatedly cancelled the election"

"let it be known that there is no legal NPU in Nawfia pending the
determination of suit No. NN/48/2020. I am also challenging my
suspension/withdrawal of certificate in suit No. A/273/2020 for my
fundamental human right in suit No. A/263/2020 and now suit No.
A/53/2021, asking for the interpretation of 2007 Traditional Rulers'
law, if due process was followed in accordance with this law"

The monarch reiterated that it is extremely imperative to know that as
far as these cases are pending in court, he remains the monarch of
Nawfia adding, "this case is even better than those of Onitsha and
Nteje towns"

Vowing to drag the matters to Supreme court if need be, Igwe Nwankwo
urged the people of Nawfia to remain calm as the wheel of justice is
slow but that one would eventually get what he wanted.

By KAREN JAMES


In Nigeria today Corruption still persists as a great challenge to the system in Country. The present administration of President Mohamadu Buhari has done greatly well and has been praised by the international communities although there is lots of sabotage. We believe that more efforts is still needed to tackle the endemic called corruption.

Chief Nnoli Justin who is the Convener, noted that the ASCORF was set up to assist the anti- Corruption fight because there is obvious need for that.

In the words of Mr. David Cameron former British prime Minister when he was asked by BBC News Network to give insight on the fight against Corruption in former British colony -Nigeria, he stated that ' Nigeria is a fantastically corrupt country." He went on to say that " corruption is the the single greatest obstacle preventing Nigeria from achieving its enormous potentials. It drains billions of dollars each year from the countries economy, prevents systemic development and weakens the social contracts between the government and its people.

We have lots of ways to fight Corruption in people and that is by fighting the corruption which is within you first. Understanding how it extends to us and how we can combat against Corruption. So fight against Corruption is for everybody irrespective of your class and status.

Corruption in Nigeria today is a foremost matter that harmfully affects our economy .

Nigeria today could be rated as one of the most corrupt country in world .

Corruption as we all know is a moral atrocity and it has become a status symbol. Today, corrupt indivuduals walks with their heads high instead of walking with their heads bent low. To me, it seems that corruption has become socially accepted in our society.

Corruption is a burning issue in Nigeria. The fact that corruption is not being eradicated and that the corrupt ones are roaming freely goes to show how far our moral values have declined in recent time and this must be checked by all hands being on deck if we must have I clean society and country that can be called our own.

Corruption by world bank is referred as : "The abuse of public office for private gain . It involves the seeking or extracting of promise or receipt of a gift or any other advantage by a public servants a consideration of the performance or omission of act , in violation of the duties required of the office."

How do we prevent corruption:

Corruption prevention is about intervening before the corruption takes place/occurs. To prevent corruption and other serious misconduct, we need to decide how and where are the best ways and places to intervene.

On this therefore, let us get started and see how we can contribute towards this fight against Corruption starting from our immediate environments.

With over one million of our members scattered all over Nigeria, the journey to assist the government on this fight against Corruption will be a huge Success.