₦airaland Forum

By Okechukwu Onuegbu
https://news48hrs..com/2019/06/nri-kingdom-confirmed-prince-ikenna.html

A former Chief Judge of Anambra State, who is now a visiting Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria says Nri Kingdom had confirmed Prince Ikenna Onyeso, the son of the former Ezenri, as the Regent of the Kingdom.
Prof. Umeadi debunked the rumour circulating in news media that the Resolutions of the Peace/Reconciliation meeting between Nzemabuo/Orunzenino Traditional Council and the Eze Nri Palace, held on Sunday 6th January 2019 was tampered with.
A press Statement issued by his Personal Assistant, Mr. Vincent Oraeki said, his Lordship took no part whatsoever in the process that occurred immediately Eze Nri went to be with his ancestors and whatever went on in the Palace during that time. He was not directly involved with what was going on in the Palace, neither did he in any way get involve with what the son of the former Eze Nri was doing personally, in so far as the traditional authority in the Kingdom was concerned. But overtime, the contentions between the Palace and the other relevant groups became acrimonious and loud. Despite words of caution, things were not getting better as many of them have dug into their trenches and fail so aggrieved”.
According to the statement, the grievances came from different angles. Some of which was the instance when members of the traditional council began to assert that they have the right to screen those whom the Eze Nri wanted to invest with traditional titles. However, Eze Nri responded that they demanded from him 30% of all the monies Eze Nri received as royalties from those conferred with chieftaincy titles. The Eze Nri resisted that move, and after several failed mediations and warning to the council members to desist from their demands, the Eze Nri dissolved the council and constituted another one.
That action brought up other consequential issues, both legal and traditional. The leadership at the Palace and the sacked group led by Chief Michael Igidigi had many court cases against each other.
“It was at this juncture that a group led by Chief Eric Okafor appealed to Justice Umeadi to chair a mediation meeting between the Palace and other contending groups. While Chief Cally Nweke was named the Co-Chairman of the peace effort, Chief Patrick Okonkwo, a retired Director in the State Civil Service, functioned as the Secretary and kept the minutes of the meeting.
The resolutions reached at the peace meeting in include that:-
1. Nzemabuo as properly constituted should go back to the Palace
2. The door to the Palace to remain open to usher in the Nzemabuo
3. Nzemabuo should arrange to confirm the appointment of Regent.
4. The Palace should be clean to accommodate Nzemabuo/Ndinze General if it has not been done so.
5. Nzemabuo and Regent should work together for the smooth running of the Palace.
6. The powers that belong to the Palace e.g. security, land, etc should be properly guided.
7. The Palace should create room for a new Palace Secretary
8. Oba Lawrence Nwagwu and Ewenata-Ozo P.C. Okonkwo were constituted into a committee to document all of the above for implementation such that by the time of Iguaro of 2019 the Nzemabuo would unveil the properly instituted regent to the public.
Oba Maduka Arubalueze who spoke on behalf of Umuezekanmmadu ruling kindred were king Onyeso hailed from, advised Onyeso family to have good relationship with the 12 man Nzemabuo Traditional Council That we all are expecting peace to reign, no vacuum should be allowed. He prayed that this years Igu Aro 2019 will be celebrated together at Eze Nri Palace. Regrettably, it is this same man who allowed himself to be used by unrepentant group and is now purporting to have been installed as a Regent, named in vernacular as Akwudolueze which means the same Regent. So, at the time His Lordship invited the Regent Prince Ikenna Onyeso alongside other Traditional Rulers to a public event, the Igidigi group had repudiated the Peace process. The invitation of Prince Ikenna Onyeso as Regent of Nri to a public function is correct as there is no Court injunction anyway so restraining him in that capacity. Prince Ikenna Onyeso is the only Regent of Nri recognized by Nri people until the contrary is shown.
The statement by Mr. Vincent Oraeki also said that it is not true that Justice Umeadi is supporting Prince Ikenna Onyeso as Regent so he would in turn support Justice Umeadi, to be the Eze Nri. “The position of the Eze Nri rotates between known families in Nri. The immediate past Chief Judge is a scion of a family one of which is expecting a mention, if providence permits, when the selection for the Eze Nri begins. His Uncle Akunnnia Obudegwu Umeadi was the head of both the Orunzenaino and Nzemabuo under the reign of Eze Nri Nrijiofor II Tabansi Udene. That is double of the group which Chief Michael Igidigi is laying claim to, even when a court of competent jurisdiction has decided that he has no right to such a position.
It concluded that the repudiation of the peace agreements by their group shows the embarrassment they face as their actions are totally contrary to the Resolutions which they joined to reach.

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The Jerubbal Group, an arm of the Society for Equity, Justice and Peace, SEJUP, has called on the Governor of Anambra State, APGA leadership as well as well-meaning citizens of the state to ensure equity in the distribution of the two principal positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 7th Assembly among the two denominations that constitute the membership of the house.

The Chairman of the Jerubbal Group, Sir Felix Chinedu, made the appeal while addressing newsmen in Awka.

The appeal according to him, has become necessary due to the compelling need to sustain the existing peace and fast track the development of Anambra State.

He congratulated the members elect and charged them to prioritize the good of Anambra state as well as protect the interest of all and sundry.

He noted that the citizens of the state anticipate productive and fair representation from the lawmakers to sustain stability in governance.

Sir Chinedu added that the three senatorial districts of the state, should be given a sense of belonging in the election of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Majority Leader.

This is the legendary folklorist, Gentleman Mike Ejeagha. A man who has brought honor, glory and majesty to the Igbo Nation and kept the ancient ways of our Ancestors alive through his music delivered mostly as folklores.

I and some friends visited him yesterday and what we saw was a man living in abject poverty, complete lack and total sense of abandonment. As I type this, his wife has been gravely ill for long. Himself doesn't look strong even. The condition I met this living Legend and his family is something I will not dare write here out of respect for the dignity of his person.

Good thing is, he lives in Abakpa Nike where anyone could easily go see for him/herself.

The tragic irony here is that when this man finally joins his Ancestors, almost the whole govts officials in Igbo land will start spending millions upon millions buying up the whole newspaper spaces praising this same man IN DEATH. All the Dr, professor, Chief, Nze n'ozos will start donating millions to a burial committee which will likely be set up by one state govt in Igbo land to give him a befitting burial. All the monies that they didn't give him to take care of himself, his wife's health and enjoy his well deserved senior citizen's status, they will now come and be wasting them in one nonsense called befitting burial.

Befitting burial for person wey probably died of starvation, neglect and abandonment.

Even we wey dey here on Facebook, we will all start writing poetry upon poetry on how he was this and that.
....................................................................................
EDITED!!

On popular demand, I am now including his account details:

0016031385
Michael Ejeagha N
Union Bank

Please, be informed that he didn't ask me to beg for money for him on Facebook. We are simply doing this because we feel it is the right thing to do for a living legend like him.

Authored by Charles Ogbu and published by Okechukwu Onuegbu

PRESS RELEASE BY THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS, HOUSE OF CLERGY AND HOUSE OF LAITY OF THE PROVINCE ON THE NIGER, CHURCH OF NIGERIA, ANGLICAN COMMUNION THIS 6TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2018.

After a meeting by the House of Bishops comprising of The Most Rev. Prof. G.I.N. Okpala – The Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of Nnewi Diocese, Rt. Rev. Henry Okeke - Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Rt. Rev. Alex Ibezim Ph.D - Bishop of Awka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Johnson Ekwe - Bishop of Niger West Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prof. Israel Okoye - Bishop of Ihiala Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prosper Amah - Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo – Bishop On the Niger Diocese and the representatives of the Bishops of the Diocese of Aguata and Amichi respectively, the House of Clergy and House of Laity of the Province of the Niger, Anglican Communion, it was resolved as follows:

1. The demonstration going on at Awka today against Bishop Owen Nwokolo, Bishop of the Diocese on the Niger is not by Anglicans, but by hirelings who called themselves concerned Christian and non-Christian citizens of Anambra state co-ordinated by one Mr. Ernest Anafonye and Onyedika Nwosu as their Secretary. They are bent on tarnishing the image of the Anglican Church, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Nwokolo and the Diocese on the Niger, who are the rightful owner of the land at Nkisi Road, G.R.A. Onitsha where there is Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School since 1926 with a duly registered document in 1927.



2. The publication in the Sunday Sun Newspapers the 4th Day of November, 2018 authored by the so called Rev Zachaeus Iloegbuna who used a pen-name, is not a priest of the Anglican Communion, and information therein are all false. Likewise, the publication in the Sun Newspaper of today the 6th Day of November, 2018 authored by Akajiofor is equally unfounded, false and baseless.



3. The Church Missionary Society duly ensured that the school became a local authority school for the purpose of aid and grant whilst the ownership of the school and land remained the property of the diocese on the Niger. Since 1956 Bishop Crowther Memorial School, Nkisi Road Onitsha was founded as a Local Authority School by the application of the Diocese on the Niger.



4. In 2012, the Report of the State Committee on the Resolution of the disputes over the ownership of certain Primary Schools before the takeover of schools by the Government of the then East Central State in 1970 set up by His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi under the chairmanship of Hon Justice G.U Ononiba stated clearly that the school is an Anglican School and should be handed over to the Anglican Church which is the Diocese on the Niger. Up till now, that Report of the Committee has not been implemented despite all efforts to do so.



5. The Government of Anambra State should hand over the school to the Diocese on the Niger to manage, control and administer; and the ownership of the land which commenced in 1926 should be honored as Certified True Copies of supporting documents are available.



God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Anambra State





His Grace, The Most Rev Prof Godwin Okpala

Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop of Nnewi

The Anglican prayer rally 2018 has come and gone but the issues raised are yet to be dealt with.

However, it is important to state that the Roman Catholic Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano did not attend the rally neither was he represented. The venerable, Okwuosa attended the prayer rally as an Anglican priest and so was not a representative of the Anambra state government. The Governor did not attend because it was not a Roman Catholic event neither did he deem it fit to send a high powered Government delegates to represent his government.

Let me put the matter straight that at the prayer rally the elephant in the room - the Roman Catholic Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano has turned the state into a theater of war as a result of his Book haramic activities against those who are not Roman Catholics. His activities if not checked will turn the state worst than the Borno and Yobe state.
So, claiming that the Government of Obiano want to partner with the Anglican church cannot be believed. This is because, he is only interested in partnership with the Roman Catholic church where he belonged. For instance look at the cabinets of the present government, it is 99% dominated by the Roman Catholics, Why should it be so?
Even in employment, denomination is determinant factor if you will get employed. What of the recent APGA primaries, where non Roman Catholics who came first where denied ticked.
It is alarming, that a Governor can come low to start using worshipping thugs and security apparatus to stop a church of God from worshipping in their worship center.

His Excellency, The Roman Catholic Governor of Anambra state - Willie Obiano are you aware that God is watching you? Why can't you learn from what happened to Nebuchadnezzar?

Be informed that no amount intimidation and suppression can stop the Diocese on the Niger from fighting what belongs to them. It is on record that Bishop Crowther Memorial primary school belongs to the Anglican church.

It is high time, Anambrarians of good faith will rise up to call evil, evil because time is ticking faster now such that if nothing is done, religious wars does no one any good.

A REJOINDER
RE: Bishop Nwokolo & The Rest of us
By One Zacheus Iloegbunam (A Penname)

When the Anambra state government under Chief Chief Willie Obiano- The Roman Catholic Governor of Anambra came in an unholy hour of 1am and pulled down Ebenezer Ang Church 33, where Oyolu Oze Primary School is also situate, the some religious powers deployed their agents, and the media was agog with different Penname and Pseudo writers to distort the facts. Bishop Owen was called all sorts of names. However, those lies could not stand the test of time because no grave can hold the truth! Today the truth about Oyolu Oze Primary School and Ebenezer Ang Church land is known to everyone who cares to know.

Today again they are back with what they know how best to do, lies! This Penname writer was obviously given two assignments:
1. To decimate the name and person of my lord Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo and his wife Dr. Mrs. Elsie Nwokolo (Mama Niger), and present the Diocese on The Niger in bad light.

2. To confuse and distort historical and documented facts about Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School and land.

Unfortunately for him, these two assignments are mission impossible! This is because everybody who knows Bishop Owen knows that he is fatherly, friendly, firm, fearless and forthright, and that followership to him within and outside the Diocese, both the clergy and the laity are unprecedented. No amount of name calling or sacrilegious abuse can change this truth.

On the other hand, let me plead with the religious powers using the Roman Catholic Governor -Willie Obiano to stop all these attempts on the distortion of historical and documented facts, aimed at confusing the
innocent public about Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School and land.

In the publication of Tuesday October 9, 2018, on Daily Sun Newspaper page 14, through one of Roman Catholic Knights, Barr Anazor, the Roman Catholic Church claimed that it was the Head Teacher (a Roman Catholic) who they said worked in the school from 2006 to 2008 that permitted the Anglicans to start using the School. But today through this Penname writer, they are now claiming that the acclaimed permission was given a few months ago by the Deputy Governor. This is what happens when somebody is trying to fight the truth! Who gave the Roman Catholic Church permission to establish a Church inside the premises of Bishop Shanahan Primary School, and all the many others?
In the same Sun Newspaper publication, they stated that Omunwaegboka Primary School is an "adjoining" school in Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School premises, but today this mischievios Penname writer claims that the school was originally Omunwaegboka. What a miscalculated onslaught against the facts! He was mischivious enough to fail to mention the name of the said "top Government Officer who requested for the land documents from the Anglican Church"
The true historical and well documented fact remains that St. Simon's(Bishop Crowther Memorial) Church has been in the premises of Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School for over twelve years now, while the School was established by the Anglican Church since 1956. Omunwaegboka was "adjoined" to the premises from the now Basilica of Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church when they started scripting what is now being acted through the Roman Catholic Governor of Anambra state. Some of these distortions were straightened in the rejoinder of Daily Sun Newspaper page 9 of October 18, 2018.

Note that a government panel with Roman Catholics as Chairman and Secretary has established that this school belongs to the Anglican Church.
The genesis of this unnecessary crisis was the letter dated May 26, 2008 by the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Onisha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke to the Bishop on the Niger that he does not want a VARIANT DENOMINATION near his Basilica. From that point till now, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha has employed all manner of means in her fight to distort the facts and uproot the Anglican Church from her land. This is clearly a mission impossible! Mr. Zachaeus the masquerade of the Roman Catholic governor of Anambra state, beware of God's anger. Anyone who knows him should better advise him well. There is still time for to repent, because tomorrow may be too late.
(Rev Chinedu Nnatuanya, Diocese on The Niger Priest)

XTRACT FOR BISHOP CROWTHER MEMORIAL PRIMARY SCHOOL FROM THE REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR RESOLUTION OF DISPUTE OVER THE OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN PRIMARY SCHOOLS BEFORE THE TAKE OVER OF SCHOOLS BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE THEN EAST CENTRAL STATE IN 1970

Members of the Committee were Hon. Justice G. U. Ononiba – Chairman, Hon. Justice C. E. k. Anigbogu, Chief O. B. Onyali SAN, Monsignor N. C. Obiagba, Barr. Azubike Okeke (Anambra State Director of Public Prosecutions), Barr. Humphrey Udechukwu, Ichie Cyprian Ezeani, Humphrey Umeh and Pastor Azubike Nkala as Secretary. The Committee was inaugurated on 21st February 2012. Their report was submitted to the then Governor Peter Obi on 28th December, 2012, signed by Hon. Justice G. U. Ononiba OON, Committee Chairman and Pastor Azubuike Nkala, Deputy Director Administration, Anambra state, Committee Secretary.

LOCUS inquo showed that Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School Onitsha is located along the Old Enugu road Which harbours the old Onitsha Zonal Library, the Central Police Station / Police Area Command, and on the approach to the old Eastern Nigerian Produce Department. You will encounter Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School by the right side or the street before getting to the old Eastern Nigeria Zonal Office of the PED or Works Department, with the Holy Trinity Basilica on the left side of the same street, walled off the same street. It is thus located outside the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity. It could also be accessed on the left side of the road that harbours the old Onitsha Guest House and now the constellation of structures/ hotels presently called Nkissi Palace Hotels, because the same road borders it, but squatting commercial iron welders have virtually occupied that access into Crowther Primary School. It was found out that this school is an old school of 2 (Nos) L- structured blocks of buildings with rustic corrugated iron roofs and wooden windows. In spite of the recent attempt to renovate it, it was still evident that it is an old primary school. The old sign board inscription on its block was recently defaced with white washed paint but a very close and painstaking observations showed the line of letters which read “Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School founded 1956” with motto which tended to read “Education for self reliance” or something close to that. That defacing on the wall showed evidence of treachery or intrigue designed to hide the original identity of the school. When contacted, the staff of PWD and produce Department said they don’t know who defaced the signboard on the wall. In front of the school 5 (Nos) standing signboards were erected.

1. The first one read “Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School, Onitsha North LGEA, founded 1956. Motto: Education for self reliance”.

2. The second sign board read: Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion, St Simon’s (BCM) church, Diocese on the Niger?

3. The third signboard read “Crowther Memorial Primary School, Onitsha”. This one was newly inserted

4. The 4th One read “Church of Nigeria Anglican communion Diocese on the Niger, St Simon’s BCM Church, Ridge/Old Nkisi Road GRA Onitsha.

5. The 5th Signboard read “Omunwagboka Primary School, Onitsha”. This signboard was just newly installed.

Independent inquiry from landlords and other people confirmed that Crowther Primary school is “an Anglican school built before the war “when all the buildings you see here have not been built all this places were bushes”.

Footnote: if you are looking from inside the play ground of Crowther, the imposing Holy Trinity Basilica across the road indicated the signboard of “Trinity Primary / Nursery School, Day Care founded July 1985” right inside the Basilica compound. When one enters inside Basilica en-route to the marine toward the old John Holt Depot by the side of the River Niger, it was discovered that Holy Trinity Primary School founded 1890 situates inside the compound. Also sancta Maria Primary School is located inside the Basilica compound. Within the compound also but located close the wall is Obianazonwu Primary School. Evidence of the inquiry showed that Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary Schools is an Anglican Primary School built in 1956. It should be given to the Anglican Church.

CONCLUSION

From the report of the Committee, it shows that Bishop Crowther Memorial Primary School is an Anglican school which they also recommended that the school be handed over to the Anglican but instead of the current governor, Willie Obiano implementing the report; he championed the removal of Anglicans from the compound. We request all meaningful Nigerians to advice the governor not to start a war he cannot control while the nation is battling with the challenges of boko haram which is a religious war. A STITCH IN TIME SAVES NINE!

By Rev JB Okafor

We write not to argue with one so called Rev Iloegbunam because he is not a priest of the Anglican Church nor Diocese on the Niger. The Anambra state government under Chief Willie Obiano should come out plainly instead of making use of masquerades and pseudo writers. But whoever allows himself/herself to be used should remember that history will judge them. Anambra state Government under Willie Obiano should not draw our revered Bishop and dear wife into the controversy. Diocese on the Niger is a well organised and coordinated Church full of visionary priests with leadership ingenuity, highly submissive to our episcopal visionary leader. It is time for the Government of Anambra state to bring out their documents of ownership instead of resorting to the use of Executive orders and thugs. What we know is that truth must prevail in this matter.

Diocese on the Niger, cannot fight a battle aimlessly nor be drag into something; we know what we are fighting and we cannot loose because God is our help.

This medium is not a forum to give more information on BCM and we cannot be pushed. The Government of Willie Obiano should should stop using Government might and machinery to fight God because those who did it in the past never came out of it. He should learn from Pharaoh of Egypt in Exodus story and King Nebuchadnezzar who ate grass like animal for years until he acknowledged the King of Heaven,God Almighty. Chief Willie should learn and stop fighting the Governor of governors. If he allows himself to be used by any religious power, when the pay day comes, no one will help him out.

Probably we have entered the Era of Emperor Nero and the Christian Church. It is obvious that all the names of persons and places the so called Mr. Ilo the masqurade of Anambra state govt. mentioned are just play upon words and a devilish intention to give false facts. To put the record straight, the Anglican Church is noted for sound academic performance enhanced by sound moral orientation. We do not have miracle centers for external examinations neither do we allow our schools to engage in exam malpractices and so cannot be daunted by cheap, false and fake publications by the already biased authorities on schools who perform well. Some Schools are even sponsored abroad to receive fake trophies that were never openly and truly contested. We know the game and our godly Church cannot be part of this hell. Mr Zaccheus Ilo, Iloegbu, Iloegbunam the masquerade of Anambra State Govt., may God judge you, and your pay master. Is never too late for you to repent now but tomorrow may be too late.

(Written by Rev JB Okafor, priest Diocese on the Niger)

https://www.news48hrs.com/2018/11/bishop-okoye-urged-fg-to-implement.html

By Okechukwu Onuegbu



The Anglican bishop of Ihiala diocese in Anambra State, Rt Rev'd Prof Israel Kelue Okoye has called on the government at all levels to eliminate financial wastages in whatever form and increase the salaries of workers, saying that the debacle over minimum wage implementation in Nigeria is unnecessary.

Bishop Okoye, a Professor of Political Science insisted that Nigerian workers deserve better treatment from what is currently obtainable.

He decried the face off between the Federal Government and workers on one side and state governors on the other side and called for a truce in the interest of workers.
This observation was contained in his presidential address presented at St Mary's Church, Isseke in Ihiala local government area of Anambra State during the second session of the third synod of the diocese.

Bishop Okoye noted that market forces, coupled with greed and financial rascality will continue to devalue any amount paid to workers until leaders device means of liberating the country from dependency and economic parasitism to developing the productive sector of the economy.

According to him, "One issue that has not been given proper attention is why the value of Nigerian money cannot compete favourably with other currencies that dominate the world market.

His words: "As long as market forces influence the value of a currency, countries like Nigeria that are not competitively productive cannot make a head way with their currency"

Commenting on the 2019 general elections, Bishop Okoye hinted that dangerous trend is fast developing in the country following the the political build ups and permutations that usually characterise election years, calling on the INEC and security agencies not to be a tool in the hands of politicians.

The Ihiala Diocesan Bishop said that the "spate of manipulations, protests, violence, vote-buying and defections that characterise the party primaries and other activities associated with the 2019 elections in Nigeria put to rise of the locusts that surge aggressively towards 2019 elections.

"It is starkly incontrovertible that many Nigerian politicians have no passion for the well-being of the people.

"Parasitic politicians " he said, " are now hovering all over the country, promising the best of paradise to the electorates and distributing money to people. They are both enemies of democracy and the people and electorates must rise to the challenges before us" he said.

The fiery preacher talks tough on the continuous delay in release of Leah Sharibu who is still in the hands of her abductors, describing such act as a show of shame and dent on the image of the federal government even as he called on God to intervene in Leah's case.

Speaking on the theme of the synod which is "where are you " taken from Genesis 3:9, bishop Okoye noted that the devil is leaving no stone unturned to derail God's people from biblical Christianity, adding that God raised a growing population of people who fake his gift while some resort to occultism and other immoral acts to serve Satan.

"As poverty spread with rapidity, fraudulent activities being done in the name of Jesus Christ and Christian homes fast losing their spirituality, God persists in asking those for whom Jesus Christ shed his precious blood, Where are you?

He however called on Christians to strive always to stand on the truth as sanctioned by the word of God.

In a synod lecture entitled, " Strategies for raising a self sustaining church " delivered by a politician of note, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, called on the church all over the world to make effort in addressing the needs of the congregants rather than dwell in preaching only salvation.

Chief Iwuanyanwu also suggested that every diocese should establish a special department on employment of youths and skill acquisition which he said is achievable if churches work with government agencies and parastatals.

"Every diocese should have business department where some organs of the church can make investment " he suggested.

By Okey Chris,
Awka

The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Anambra State chapter has suspended its State Chairman, Mathias Aninwachukwu for two months over what it termed gross misconduct, incapacitation, barefaced and flagrant violation of the party’s constitution.
According to PRP, Aninwachukwu was highhanded, ineffectual, nonchalant, and mugger, whose style of leadership was incapable of leading the party to victory on the November 18th Anambra state gubernatorial poll.

It disclosed this in a communiqué issued at the end of its State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting held on Tuesday at Atani, Headquarters of Ogbaru Local Government Area, and signed by 10 out of its 15 executive members, and its apex leader and BoT member, Prince Chijoke Mbanefo (king of highlife in Africa).
Others were Hon Mbanefo Oranyelu, Financial Secretary; Precious Ebele Madu, Woman Leader; Anurika Anene, Treasurer; Echezona Okafor, Publicity Secretary; Okechukwu Onuegbu, Assistant Publicity Secretary; Emma Anene, Secretary General; Ugochukwu Okeke, Youth Leader; Humphrey Anaso, Deputy Chairman; Obinna Nwajagu, Organising Secretary; Chief Patrick Ezeugo, Assistant Secretary.
The communiqué enumerated the embattled Chairman’s offences to include harassment of members and executives with thugs which he often station at their meetings, running the party’s affairs as family or personal business, failure to convene statutory meetings of the state working committee and the state Executive Committee, open denigration of members of the State Executive Committee; Running the Party without approved budget by the State Executive Committee (SEC) and refusal to inaugurate and empower some functional organs of the party as stated in articles 8 and 9 of PRP constitution.

Others are unilaterally accepting a gubernatorial aspirant and attempt to make him a consensus candidate and BoT member at the same time even he was yet to be officially welcomed into the party by both the SEC and State Directorate of the party (SDP) contrary to Article 4 b of the party’s constitution, and article 5 (9) and (10 B, D,), running general affairs of the party and other sundry activities with his family and unknown persons without seeking the approval or ratification of the SEC, failure to open bank account, as well as to render appropriate accounts of the funds accruable to the party including those giving to him by the state leader and gubernatorial aspirant for the executive member and upkeep of the party, and unilateral expenditure of the party monetary and other resources.

Also listed were deliberate neglect of the SEC and SDP, and running the party’s affairs alone or in connivance with his thugs, opening a party’s official secretariat in someone’s apartment without approval of party leader, SEC and SDP, who had been planning to open a befitting secretariat with pomp and pageantry, outright hijack of the revenue source accruable to the party, and running all its affairs such as that of the state publicity secretaries office, woman leader’s office, secretary office, open polarization and factionalisation of all the SWC and SEC offices, and a host of other impeachable constitutional breaches too numerous to mention.

The party, therefore mandated its Anambra State Deputy Chairman, Mr Humphrey Anaso to steer the ship of the party within the two months suspension of his boss in Acting capacity as constitutionally approved, urging the dethroned Chairman to obediently handover all the party’s properties under his care and appear for questioning before he could be reabsorbed again.

It further charged members of the public, INEC, IPAC, DSS, and others to be mindful of dealing with the sacked Aninwachukwu, because anyone transacting business with him is doing so under his or her own volition and not in any way for or with PRP.

Meanwhile, PRP also directed the party’s gubernatorial aspirant and others willing to join the moving train to do so by following the appropriate channel which is by duly consulting the SEC and party leader.

http://www.news48hour.com/2017/03/anambra-2017-one-seat-hundreds-of.html
Anambra 2017: political gladiators and pretenders on rampage
By Okechukwu Onuegbu


As the race to occupy Anambra State government house thickens, not fewer than twenty gubernatorial aspirants have indicated interest to vie for the poll slated to hold on November 18th, 2017.The contestants cut across over twenty-three INEC registered political parties operating in the state such as Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), among others.

While some seemed to be seriously marching to snatch the mantle of leadership from the incumbent Governor, Chief Willie Obiano of APGA whose tenure would expectedly end on March 17, 2018, majority behaves like impostors or pretenders sponsored to hit-up the polity and back out before their political party’s gubernatorial primary.

The political posters of these gladiators and pretenders have flooded the streets of Awka, Onitsha, Ekwulobia, and other strategic locations of the state despite that the state executive hurriedly sponsored a bill for an act to prohibit pasting of political posters anywhere around the state without making payment of N9 million. The bill had been approved and passed into law by the state legislators.

Also adding flavour to the state already charged political terrain are emergency of several political and other interested pressure groups, associations and organisations pitching interest with various aspirants and political parties of their choice.


Furthermore, some individuals and groups are agitating for the governorship seat to be left for those from Anambra North Senatorial Zone whose son, Obiano is struggling to retain his position for four year tenure. Their argument was that Anambra Central Zone/District has produced the likes of former Governor Peter Obi and Chris Nwabueze Ngige, who respectively served 8 and 3 years, while the people of Anambra South, whose sons, Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Chinwoke Mbadinuju managed to lead the state for about 7 years are clamouring to taste the seat again.

As electorates patiently wait for these political parties to present their flag-bearers, and INEC to conduct the election in less than eight months time as they promised, www.news48hour.com is studying the aspirants and their chances of winning their party’s primary election.

Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano
Among the posters making wave in the state are those of the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano of APGA, and it is going under the title “No vacancy in government house.” Also, Obiano, his wife, Ebelechukwu, and their aides have almost gone through the 181 communities in Anambra canvassing for votes with mouthwatering promises and lopsided empowerments. Although available evidence shows that the incumbent administration was yet to complete 1% of the projects it inherited from its predecessor, Mr Peter Obi, the governor and his teams are even claiming to have achieved great feats on security, agriculture, oil and gas, and other economy more than the past governments.
In what could be described as desperation to retain the hot seat, Obiano reportedly directed his aides, commissioners, and security men to restrain journalists from gathering information about their offices, functions, including government houses and lodges without getting permission letters from himself or his brother, Ogbehi Tony Ncheta, who is the state Commissioner of Information and Communication Strategy. The action according to some banned Commissioners who spoke under the condition of anonymity was to cover any loopholes Obiano’s opponents could use against him during electioneering campaign.

Dr. Elochukwu Aforka
However, while some of the governor’s loyalists are tipping him as sole candidate of APGA, another figure which appears to be a political Judas among his kitchen cabinet, Dr Elochukwu Aforka, a PhD holder of Philosophy, and SSA Political to the state Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke, resigned from office and flooded the state with his gubernatorial campaign posters.
Aforka, an alumnus of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) like ex-governor Obi and Obiano, who doubles as cousin and beneficiary of the immediate past National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, while making his intention known to the press and electorates, accused governor Obiano of wastefulness, drunk, and incompetency, boasting that he would defeat him in a free and fair APGA gubernatorial primary. Till date, the State Deputy Governor, Umeh, Obiano and APGA National and State executives are yet to comment on the matter.

Mr Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo of PPA
As APGA continues with his political hullabaloo, opposition political parties in the state like Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) is gradually winning the hearts of Anambrarians and those residents in the state. The major financier and sole candidate of the party is Mr Godwin C. Ezeemo, a philanthropy, industrialist and farmer. Ezeemo is the Chiarman, Orient Group of Companies comprising Orient Farms, Multipurpose computer training institute, Orient newspapers, Orient magazine, Orient Sports, Orient Energy review, Orient Mega FM, Freshlife table water, etc. The Achinagbaraoha as he is fondly called, hail from Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra South and Old Aguata political block (which comprises of Orumba north, Orumba South and Aguata). This zone is also lamenting marginalization in the state polity and recently endorsed Ezeemo. Ezeemo and his party came fifth during the state 2013 gubernatorial election. He joined the party after losing out of APC Anambra State primary’s election to Ngige in 2013. His campaign posters were first to hit the streets of Anambra although he had been campaigning for the position ever since 2013 through his charity works and think-home investments.

APC Aspirants
Like PPA, the All Progressives Alliance (APC) is fast fine-tuning its plans to terminate APGA/Obiano political career as it did to PDP at the centre during the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly Elections. “The APC has become the number one party that will take over the seat of power in Anam¬bra State in 2017,” said the par¬ty’s State Chairman, Barr. Emeka Ibe, while addressing journalists recently. According to Ibe, some of the party’s governorship contenders are Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah; Chief Obinna Uzor; Chief John¬bosco Onunkwo, a philanthropy; and Hon. Dr. Tony Nwoye.
Others are Mr Donatus Okonkwo; Chief George Mu¬oghalu; Senator Uche Ekwun¬ife; Dr Chike Obidigbo; Prof Chukwuma Soludo; Engr Barth Nwibe; Chief Ralph Okeke; Sen Andy Uba; and Mr Obinna Okonkwo.
However, through separate press releases, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and Sen. Uche Ekwunife distanced themselves from the purported APC list of governorship aspirants. But while Soludo matched his words to action by endorsing Governor Obiano when the latter was celebrating his third year in office at Awka Governor’s ldge, Ekwunife maintained that she remains an APC stalwart.

Hon Tony Okechukwu Nwoye
Confirming his intention to vie for the state number one position, Hon. Dr. Tony Nwoye, who hails from Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area of the State said he was convinced that he would win the election if presented with APC’s ticket owing to his experiences as the former National President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); PDP’s state Assistant Secretary, and Chairman at different point in time.
Nwoye is currently representing Obiano’s constituency (Anambra East and Anambra West Federal Constituency) at National Assembly. He won the election under the platform of PDP but later dumped the party to APC. His reasons may not be unconnected to the fact that he won the lower chamber’s election in 2011 but powers that be in his party later substituted him with another person who never featured on PDP’s primary election. He equally took the party’s flag to Anambra 2013 gubernatorial poll and clinched second position although several court actions prevented him from campaigning for the election till last hour.

Dr Chike Obidigbo
Like Nwoye, Dr Chike Obidigbo, the Chairman, Hardis & Dromedas manufacturing company is from Anambra North, the zone that is insisting that it must complete second tenure either through Obiano of APGA or through APC. Anambra North comprises of Anambra East, Anambra West, Oyi, Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Onitsha North and Onitsha South.
The Umunya Anambra East born Obidigbo was the factional candidate of APGA during the 2013 gubernatorial poll. The former university don was endorsed on that election by the stakeholders of Anam¬bra North led by the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe when it was clear that APGA has zoned the governorship seat to North in 2013 but he lost to last minutes political pow¬er play that rocked APGA giving way for Willie Obiano to emerge as the governor of the state. Since then till date, his campaign promises had been to restructure Anambra State dead industries, massive job creation, and others which he believed that the current administration lacks capacity to address.

Sir Paul Chukwuma Chukwuka
Another APC candidate from the zone is Sir Paul Chukwuma Chukwuka, an indigene of Umueri, which shares boundary and even fought with Obiano’s country-home, Aguleri in the late 1990s. Chukwuma is also an industrialist, Southeast youth leader of APC, and a BOT member of the party. He holds Bachelor of Philosophy (first class upper division), Masters degree and about to complete his Doctorate degree from UNN. Chukwuma is also an alumni of Lagos Business School, Chairman and founder of several companies, hotels, Table water and others.

Barth Nwibe
On other hand, Engr Barth Nwibe is from Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra South. The engineering scientist of reputable feats has sat atop ranking international engineering com¬panies as chairman/chief ex¬ecutive officer. He holds a bachelor’s de¬gree in Civil/Structural En¬gineering from University of Nigeria Nsukka, as well as underwent series of intensive training in HSE, Directional Drilling, Bit Design and Ap¬plication and Well Control, Leadership, Busi¬ness and Personnel Manage¬ment. He has been a member and one of the financier of APC in the state. He event contested for Anambra South Senatorial poll in 2015 but lost out to PDP flag-bearer, Andy Uba, who is now a member of the party.

Senator Andy Uba
Sen. Andy Uba is currently representing Anambra South at the red chamber. Although he was elected under PDP, a party he remains loyal to before political power play from his brother, Chris Uba, self-acclaimed landlord of Anambra politics, and other political crises forced him to cross carpet to APC. He made history as the shortest serving governor of the state when he won the 2010 gubernatorial poll and was sworn-in but was later quashed from office by Supreme Court after spending 11 days. Like all the governorship aspirants, Uba has foundations and other structures through which he is penetrating the hearts of voters in the name of charity works.

Obinna Uzor
Obinna Uzor is from Ihiala, Ihiala local government area of Anambra South, Anambra State. The Chairman, Gocuz Group of companies was the candidate of National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2003, and also contested for the seat in 2013 under PDP but lost out in the primaries to Tony Nwoye. He is a businessman, lawyer by training, and sometimes viewed as a moneybag due to his philanthropic works and ways of ravishing money at election time. He decamped to APC less than three months ago.

Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah
The Nnewi born Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, is a philanthropist and Chairman of so many companies and associations including the famous Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra Warriors) FC, State Chairman of Anambra FA, founder and Chairman of Authority newspapers, Authority radio station, Capital Oil and Gas LTD, etc. He was a founding member and major financier of the APGA from where he decamped to Labour Party (LP) during the 2013 governorship election. Ubah did not only make the party popular but also used the flag to clinch fourth position on the poll although his fans believed that he actually won the election if not due to what termed political manipulation.
In fact, due to his presence in LP, APGA lost out at Nnewi North Local Government Election thrice even though it is the country-home of his founder, late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. APGA also lost the National and State House of Assembly election in the council area to Ubah’s LP and PDP. That was before he started building the magnificent Ifeanyi Games village which has turned the industrial hub of Africa into international tourist attraction centre.

PDP Aspirants
Relatively, PDP governorship contenders are not relenting. Their presence are still felt in the state despite that it has two factions at the national level, and three at the Anambra state level. Ejike Oguebego is leading a faction created by Chris Uba; Ken Emeakayi is in charge of those under Peter Obi and Chief Osita Chidoka, an erstwhile Minister of Aviation; even as Hon. Emeka Small Nzekwe takes care of PDP faction loyal to Tony Nwoye before he decamped to APC.
Although court recently ruled that Oguebego’s faction is the authentic PDP Anambra State led executive, the governorship aspirants of the party such as Osita Chidoka, Zeribe Ezeanuna, Oseloka Obaze, and others are yet to state where they belong in the leadership tussle.

Chief Osita Chidoka
Osita Chidoka is the elder brother of Hon. Obinna Chidoka, a member of Federal House of Representative for Idemili north and Idemili South federal constituency, and Chairman, National Assembly Committee on Environment. He was also the erstwhile Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). The Obosi indigene and UNN graduate of Management, was a former Personal Assistant to the Minister of State, Ministry of Works and Housing; Personal Assistant to the Minister of Transport, Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Senior Advisor, Government and Business Relations in Mobil Producing Nigeria, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation, National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Award winner – Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 1996, Secretary, National Committee for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Nigeria in 1998, etc.
He holds Graduate Diploma in Maritime & Ports Management, National University of Singapore – 2002, Certificate in Global Strategy and Political Economy, Mansfield College, Oxford University – 2004, and Masters Degree in Transport Policy & Logistics, School of Public Policy, George Masons University, USA – 2006.

PRP Aspirant
On the platform of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) is an Awka born industrialist, Chief Dr Stephen Obiorah Mbah. He holds Doctorate Degree on Pharmacy and Masters on Business Administration from University of Texas in Houston, and National Certificate on Education (NCE) from Anambra State College of Education (now Nwafor Orizu College of Education). Likewise, the contestant is member, PRP Board of Trustees (BoT), an estate manager, Chairman/founder, Simpo-tec Pharmaceutical, Awka; Spring-tec Table Water, Awka; Nodu Pharmacy and Supermarket; Chukwuka Concrete Industries and Developers (an estate firm); Eatwell Agro Industeries Ltd; and others. This is his first time of taking a short on the Anambra State government politics. He is insisting that his party has nothing to do with zoning of governorship poll, even as he maintains that Awka are the right people to be so considered if zoning is to be adhered to because the capital city of Anambra State was yet to produce governor of the state.

Apart from these notable figures, there are countless other politicians contending for the Anambra 2017 gubernatorial poll who we cannot be able to state here.

http://www.news48hour.com/2017/03/anambra-2017-one-seat-hundreds-of.html
Anambra 2017: political gladiators and pretenders on rampage
By Okechukwu Onuegbu


As the race to occupy Anambra State government house thickens, not fewer than twenty gubernatorial aspirants have indicated interest to vie for the poll slated to hold on November 18th, 2017.The contestants cut across over twenty-three INEC registered political parties operating in the state such as Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), among others.

While some seemed to be seriously marching to snatch the mantle of leadership from the incumbent Governor, Chief Willie Obiano of APGA whose tenure would expectedly end on March 17, 2018, majority behaves like impostors or pretenders sponsored to hit-up the polity and back out before their political party’s gubernatorial primary.

The political posters of these gladiators and pretenders have flooded the streets of Awka, Onitsha, Ekwulobia, and other strategic locations of the state despite that the state executive hurriedly sponsored a bill for an act to prohibit pasting of political posters anywhere around the state without making payment of N9 million. The bill had been approved and passed into law by the state legislators.

Also adding flavour to the state already charged political terrain are emergency of several political and other interested pressure groups, associations and organisations pitching interest with various aspirants and political parties of their choice.


Furthermore, some individuals and groups are agitating for the governorship seat to be left for those from Anambra North Senatorial Zone whose son, Obiano is struggling to retain his position for four year tenure. Their argument was that Anambra Central Zone/District has produced the likes of former Governor Peter Obi and Chris Nwabueze Ngige, who respectively served 8 and 3 years, while the people of Anambra South, whose sons, Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Chinwoke Mbadinuju managed to lead the state for about 7 years are clamouring to taste the seat again.

As electorates patiently wait for these political parties to present their flag-bearers, and INEC to conduct the election in less than eight months time as they promised, www.news48hour.com is studying the aspirants and their chances of winning their party’s primary election.

Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano
Among the posters making wave in the state are those of the incumbent governor, Chief Willie Obiano of APGA, and it is going under the title “No vacancy in government house.” Also, Obiano, his wife, Ebelechukwu, and their aides have almost gone through the 181 communities in Anambra canvassing for votes with mouthwatering promises and lopsided empowerments. Although available evidence shows that the incumbent administration was yet to complete 1% of the projects it inherited from its predecessor, Mr Peter Obi, the governor and his teams are even claiming to have achieved great feats on security, agriculture, oil and gas, and other economy more than the past governments.
In what could be described as desperation to retain the hot seat, Obiano reportedly directed his aides, commissioners, and security men to restrain journalists from gathering information about their offices, functions, including government houses and lodges without getting permission letters from himself or his brother, Ogbehi Tony Ncheta, who is the state Commissioner of Information and Communication Strategy. The action according to some banned Commissioners who spoke under the condition of anonymity was to cover any loopholes Obiano’s opponents could use against him during electioneering campaign.

Dr. Elochukwu Aforka
However, while some of the governor’s loyalists are tipping him as sole candidate of APGA, another figure which appears to be a political Judas among his kitchen cabinet, Dr Elochukwu Aforka, a PhD holder of Philosophy, and SSA Political to the state Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke, resigned from office and flooded the state with his gubernatorial campaign posters.
Aforka, an alumnus of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) like ex-governor Obi and Obiano, who doubles as cousin and beneficiary of the immediate past National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, while making his intention known to the press and electorates, accused governor Obiano of wastefulness, drunk, and incompetency, boasting that he would defeat him in a free and fair APGA gubernatorial primary. Till date, the State Deputy Governor, Umeh, Obiano and APGA National and State executives are yet to comment on the matter.

Mr Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo of PPA
As APGA continues with his political hullabaloo, opposition political parties in the state like Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) is gradually winning the hearts of Anambrarians and those residents in the state. The major financier and sole candidate of the party is Mr Godwin C. Ezeemo, a philanthropy, industrialist and farmer. Ezeemo is the Chiarman, Orient Group of Companies comprising Orient Farms, Multipurpose computer training institute, Orient newspapers, Orient magazine, Orient Sports, Orient Energy review, Orient Mega FM, Freshlife table water, etc. The Achinagbaraoha as he is fondly called, hail from Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area, Anambra South and Old Aguata political block (which comprises of Orumba north, Orumba South and Aguata). This zone is also lamenting marginalization in the state polity and recently endorsed Ezeemo. Ezeemo and his party came fifth during the state 2013 gubernatorial election. He joined the party after losing out of APC Anambra State primary’s election to Ngige in 2013. His campaign posters were first to hit the streets of Anambra although he had been campaigning for the position ever since 2013 through his charity works and think-home investments.

APC Aspirants
Like PPA, the All Progressives Alliance (APC) is fast fine-tuning its plans to terminate APGA/Obiano political career as it did to PDP at the centre during the 2015 Presidential and National Assembly Elections. “The APC has become the number one party that will take over the seat of power in Anam¬bra State in 2017,” said the par¬ty’s State Chairman, Barr. Emeka Ibe, while addressing journalists recently. According to Ibe, some of the party’s governorship contenders are Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah; Chief Obinna Uzor; Chief John¬bosco Onunkwo, a philanthropy; and Hon. Dr. Tony Nwoye.
Others are Mr Donatus Okonkwo; Chief George Mu¬oghalu; Senator Uche Ekwun¬ife; Dr Chike Obidigbo; Prof Chukwuma Soludo; Engr Barth Nwibe; Chief Ralph Okeke; Sen Andy Uba; and Mr Obinna Okonkwo.
However, through separate press releases, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and Sen. Uche Ekwunife distanced themselves from the purported APC list of governorship aspirants. But while Soludo matched his words to action by endorsing Governor Obiano when the latter was celebrating his third year in office at Awka Governor’s ldge, Ekwunife maintained that she remains an APC stalwart.

Hon Tony Okechukwu Nwoye
Confirming his intention to vie for the state number one position, Hon. Dr. Tony Nwoye, who hails from Nsugbe in Anambra East Local Government Area of the State said he was convinced that he would win the election if presented with APC’s ticket owing to his experiences as the former National President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS); PDP’s state Assistant Secretary, and Chairman at different point in time.
Nwoye is currently representing Obiano’s constituency (Anambra East and Anambra West Federal Constituency) at National Assembly. He won the election under the platform of PDP but later dumped the party to APC. His reasons may not be unconnected to the fact that he won the lower chamber’s election in 2011 but powers that be in his party later substituted him with another person who never featured on PDP’s primary election. He equally took the party’s flag to Anambra 2013 gubernatorial poll and clinched second position although several court actions prevented him from campaigning for the election till last hour.

Dr Chike Obidigbo
Like Nwoye, Dr Chike Obidigbo, the Chairman, Hardis & Dromedas manufacturing company is from Anambra North, the zone that is insisting that it must complete second tenure either through Obiano of APGA or through APC. Anambra North comprises of Anambra East, Anambra West, Oyi, Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Onitsha North and Onitsha South.
The Umunya Anambra East born Obidigbo was the factional candidate of APGA during the 2013 gubernatorial poll. The former university don was endorsed on that election by the stakeholders of Anam¬bra North led by the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe when it was clear that APGA has zoned the governorship seat to North in 2013 but he lost to last minutes political pow¬er play that rocked APGA giving way for Willie Obiano to emerge as the governor of the state. Since then till date, his campaign promises had been to restructure Anambra State dead industries, massive job creation, and others which he believed that the current administration lacks capacity to address.

Sir Paul Chukwuma Chukwuka
Another APC candidate from the zone is Sir Paul Chukwuma Chukwuka, an indigene of Umueri, which shares boundary and even fought with Obiano’s country-home, Aguleri in the late 1990s. Chukwuma is also an industrialist, Southeast youth leader of APC, and a BOT member of the party. He holds Bachelor of Philosophy (first class upper division), Masters degree and about to complete his Doctorate degree from UNN. Chukwuma is also an alumni of Lagos Business School, Chairman and founder of several companies, hotels, Table water and others.

Barth Nwibe
On other hand, Engr Barth Nwibe is from Igboukwu, Aguata Local Government Area in Anambra South. The engineering scientist of reputable feats has sat atop ranking international engineering com¬panies as chairman/chief ex¬ecutive officer. He holds a bachelor’s de¬gree in Civil/Structural En¬gineering from University of Nigeria Nsukka, as well as underwent series of intensive training in HSE, Directional Drilling, Bit Design and Ap¬plication and Well Control, Leadership, Busi¬ness and Personnel Manage¬ment. He has been a member and one of the financier of APC in the state. He event contested for Anambra South Senatorial poll in 2015 but lost out to PDP flag-bearer, Andy Uba, who is now a member of the party.

Senator Andy Uba
Sen. Andy Uba is currently representing Anambra South at the red chamber. Although he was elected under PDP, a party he remains loyal to before political power play from his brother, Chris Uba, self-acclaimed landlord of Anambra politics, and other political crises forced him to cross carpet to APC. He made history as the shortest serving governor of the state when he won the 2010 gubernatorial poll and was sworn-in but was later quashed from office by Supreme Court after spending 11 days. Like all the governorship aspirants, Uba has foundations and other structures through which he is penetrating the hearts of voters in the name of charity works.

Obinna Uzor
Obinna Uzor is from Ihiala, Ihiala local government area of Anambra South, Anambra State. The Chairman, Gocuz Group of companies was the candidate of National Democratic Party (NDP) in 2003, and also contested for the seat in 2013 under PDP but lost out in the primaries to Tony Nwoye. He is a businessman, lawyer by training, and sometimes viewed as a moneybag due to his philanthropic works and ways of ravishing money at election time. He decamped to APC less than three months ago.

Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah
The Nnewi born Dr Ifeanyi Ubah, is a philanthropist and Chairman of so many companies and associations including the famous Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra Warriors) FC, State Chairman of Anambra FA, founder and Chairman of Authority newspapers, Authority radio station, Capital Oil and Gas LTD, etc. He was a founding member and major financier of the APGA from where he decamped to Labour Party (LP) during the 2013 governorship election. Ubah did not only make the party popular but also used the flag to clinch fourth position on the poll although his fans believed that he actually won the election if not due to what termed political manipulation.
In fact, due to his presence in LP, APGA lost out at Nnewi North Local Government Election thrice even though it is the country-home of his founder, late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. APGA also lost the National and State House of Assembly election in the council area to Ubah’s LP and PDP. That was before he started building the magnificent Ifeanyi Games village which has turned the industrial hub of Africa into international tourist attraction centre.

PDP Aspirants
Relatively, PDP governorship contenders are not relenting. Their presence are still felt in the state despite that it has two factions at the national level, and three at the Anambra state level. Ejike Oguebego is leading a faction created by Chris Uba; Ken Emeakayi is in charge of those under Peter Obi and Chief Osita Chidoka, an erstwhile Minister of Aviation; even as Hon. Emeka Small Nzekwe takes care of PDP faction loyal to Tony Nwoye before he decamped to APC.
Although court recently ruled that Oguebego’s faction is the authentic PDP Anambra State led executive, the governorship aspirants of the party such as Osita Chidoka, Zeribe Ezeanuna, Oseloka Obaze, and others are yet to state where they belong in the leadership tussle.

Chief Osita Chidoka
Osita Chidoka is the elder brother of Hon. Obinna Chidoka, a member of Federal House of Representative for Idemili north and Idemili South federal constituency, and Chairman, National Assembly Committee on Environment. He was also the erstwhile Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC). The Obosi indigene and UNN graduate of Management, was a former Personal Assistant to the Minister of State, Ministry of Works and Housing; Personal Assistant to the Minister of Transport, Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Senior Advisor, Government and Business Relations in Mobil Producing Nigeria, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil Corporation, National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Award winner – Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 1996, Secretary, National Committee for the visit of Pope John Paul II to Nigeria in 1998, etc.
He holds Graduate Diploma in Maritime & Ports Management, National University of Singapore – 2002, Certificate in Global Strategy and Political Economy, Mansfield College, Oxford University – 2004, and Masters Degree in Transport Policy & Logistics, School of Public Policy, George Masons University, USA – 2006.

PRP Aspirant
On the platform of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) is an Awka born industrialist, Chief Dr Stephen Obiorah Mbah. He holds Doctorate Degree on Pharmacy and Masters on Business Administration from University of Texas in Houston, and National Certificate on Education (NCE) from Anambra State College of Education (now Nwafor Orizu College of Education). Likewise, the contestant is member, PRP Board of Trustees (BoT), an estate manager, Chairman/founder, Simpo-tec Pharmaceutical, Awka; Spring-tec Table Water, Awka; Nodu Pharmacy and Supermarket; Chukwuka Concrete Industries and Developers (an estate firm); Eatwell Agro Industeries Ltd; and others. This is his first time of taking a short on the Anambra State government politics. He is insisting that his party has nothing to do with zoning of governorship poll, even as he maintains that Awka are the right people to be so considered if zoning is to be adhered to because the capital city of Anambra State was yet to produce governor of the state.

Apart from these notable figures, there are countless other politicians contending for the Anambra 2017 gubernatorial poll who we cannot be able to state here.

By Okechukwu Onuegbu
http://www.news48hour.com/2017/03/gospel-artistes-are-gods-mouthpiece-on.html

Illuminator Gospel is a Nigerian gospel artiste, a singer, and songwriter, who is currently making waves in the entertainment industry across Africa and Europe. In this interview with Okechukwu Onuegbu, Illuminator, a passionate servant of the highest God, while lamenting that circular or obscene music is dominating the industry, urges his colleagues to make Christ the centre of their talents and skills.

Who is Illuminator?

Illuminator Gospel is a stage name of Pastor Kalu Pius. I am an Electrical engineer by training, a Pastor by calling, and a family man. I was born on 1st January, 1973 at Bende local government area in Abia State but I reside at Spain. My wife’s name is Vero Pius, and the marriage is blessed with three children, a boy and two girls. I am the youngest among five brothers. I bagged Electrical Engineering at Abia State Polytechnic in the year 1997.

As a Gospel artiste, the crux of my message is Christ. It is my utmost desire that people accept the Lord as their personal Saviour and to change their evil ways. My biggest goal is to continue to populate heaven while depopulating hell.


You said you read electrical engineering, what can you tell your fans that led you into the music industry?

I am musically inclined. I started singing gospel songs in my church at a very tender age. Then, I was about ten years old. And my friends and colleagues kept urging me to make it my profession. It was after my polytechnic education that I hearkened to their advice and become a full time professional musician. On my arrival to Europe, I continued with my passion.
In fact, my love for Gospel music came natural. As a strong believer, I believe that my singing talent and skills would be put into better use by praising the Almighty Creator. By His grace, I invented a unique style of gospel music called Gospel Swagger, which is also the title of my first album.
Gospel Swagger is a means to bring the gospel to the young and restless generation, by speaking their language and adopting their style of music but laced with the gospel truth.

Since 2001 till date, I had being a gospel music artist; singing in crusades, churches, conventions and seminars. But I released my first official album entitled “Gospel Swagger” on March 2010 with a hit single (Nara).

The song, Nara, has made a strong wave in Nigerian gospel music industry. The album has sold more than five million copies in the first six month of its release in Nigeria. The track (Nara) is currently one of the top gospel dance-able music in Nigeria played by so many radio and television stations across Africa such as ABS, Radio Sapiensa, AIT Nigeria, and ITV Chanel. I have even granted interviews to so many radio and television presenters in Africa because of its popularity.

What is your latest release?

My latest project is two mind blowing singles entitled "Bigger than" and "Blood of Jesus". But my latest album is "Lifted to praise" which was released in 2013 with eight tracks.

What usually inspire you to sing? Also, what have are your challenges so far, and you are scaling through them?

My inspiration comes from the Almighty and the reality of my works and miracles in our daily lives. Like many Europe based artistes, the challenges are mainly in the areas of the cost of production and promo. But once you have established yourself and your music, then some of the challenges are minimized.

Besides, my mission in music is to reach every nook and cranny with the gospel through scintillating and likeable music. As a Pastor and a Gospel artiste, I have a very clear vision on how to achieve this using musical talent to win as much souls for the kingdom as possible. Just like the world renowned literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe says that proverbs are like palm oil with which all word are eaten


As an upcoming artist, most of my challenges were to find people who believe in me and finance to promote my albums. But because I am talented, the inbuilt talent eventually attracts the right audience and ´believers´ to me. Glory be to God that I was blessed enough with some close friends and brethrens who believed in me and supported me at the times of my early struggles. These include people like Mr Maxwell Eseoghene Anderson, Her Excellency, Princess Mrs Nwanne Campo and my lovely wife, Vero.

There is allegation that most gospel musicians like preachers go contrary to their messages. What is your take on that?

It is quite unfortunate that there are few members of the gospel fold as well as messengers of God who contradict what they profess. But they are relatively very few though. Majority of gospel singers and preachers still adhere to the principles of the Bible in their life styles. Personally, the grace of God has sustained me through very tough and challenging times. It would be suicidal for me if I were to abandon His ways. I was a Gospel artist before becoming a pastor, but both actually complement themselves. Whether you love the word or the music, I have something for you from the throne of grace.


I still have not seen a Gospel artist that is involved in such vices. But if such exist, they must recognize the fact that they serve a living God who detests sin. Every evil must be revealed sooner or later. It is only a matter of time; those who hide under the name of the Lord to perpetuate evil must meet their judgment day, either here on earth or in Heaven or both.

Putting yourself in the shoes of psychologists and atheists, do you think that music especially gospel has impacts on people?

First of all, I want to let you know that all psychologists are not unbelievers. There are believers who are psychologists. But even for non-believing psychologists, a lot of them do recommend music as a form of therapy to their clients. Music is universal, and Gospel music has been known to have miraculous effects on disturbed souls. Similarly, there are atheists who will never go into a church building. But everybody listens to music, including the so called atheists. Hence, Gospel music is highly impacting medium of evangelism and instrument of social change.

Do you think that music and entertainment industry is moving in a right direction or not?

There is a lot ongoing in the music and entertainment industry. But the world is more open to receive circular music than Gospel music. Hence, Gospel artists have a lot of works to do to push our genre into a global forefront. Every Gospel artist must recognize that they are in a mission of evangelism. Soul winning should be the primary aim, while financial blessings follow suit. We must see ourselves as the mouth piece of God in an industry that is fast submitting to profanity and religious negligence.

Your advise to upcoming talents

This is why I will advise new artists not to see themselves as upcoming. Your talents have always been with you. It is just your public recognition that is new. Therefore, keep blessing the people with your talent and skills. Be very focused on your career and be passionately dedicated to your Creator, the One who makes all things possible. And your day shall surely arrive.

copied from http://www.news48hour.com/2017/01/jubilation-as-8-year-old-mentally.html

By Okechukwu Onuegbu

The date, January 17, 2017 is hard to be forgotten in the family of Ugwuoke in Itchi-Agu, Igboeze South local government area of Enugu State been the day they discovered that their eldest daughter, Onyebuchi Urama (nee Ugwuoke), who they assumed to have died about eight years ago, and as a result, conducted her funeral rite, is still alive.
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Ilonzo barbing the woman's head

Who is Onyebuchi?
Onyebuchi is first daughter of Mr. Albert and Mrs Florence Ugwuoke, relatives of His Royal Highness Igwe Ik Oke, Ikeoha I of Itchi-Agu ancient kingdom. Her eldest brother is Ekene, while her younger siblings are Jacinta, and others. She was born in the Southwestern part of the country before her parents moved down to their country-home during which she got married at age of sixteen to Johnson Urama of Enugu-Ezike. The marriage was blessed with two males and a female namely; Monday, Chinasa, and Ugochukwu.

Why Onyebuchi was termed dead?

According to an investigation, the unfortunate incident that led Ugwuoke family, Itchi-Agu and Enugu-Ezike to conclude that their daughter and wife, Onyebuchi has died, occurred about eight years ago when she was still nursing her last child, Ugochukwu. The business woman, who was trading at the popular Obollo-afor market, suddenly lost her memory after having misunderstanding with her husband.
Like every other mad persons, the mother of three children went stark naked, wandering aimlessly from one state to another; bush to debris, open to close places where she might have dragged food and drinks with flies and rodents, fed on her faeces and urine, and passed out night under the supervision of mosquitoes and other blood suckers.

How she regained her senses

It was this period of roving about that Onyebuchi came to Awka, the capital of Anambra state, where many believed she might have lived for years. Then, on 30th July, 2016, attention of a veteran radio broadcaster, Isaac Nwosu (best known as Aiza Nwosu) was called to a particular scene where some members of a Pentecostal church (name withheld by us) had beaten a mad pregnant woman to a coma.

The mad woman later discovered to be Onyebuchi was accused of littering the church premises with her faeces and urine. It was probably when they could not condone her abnormal lifestyle that they descended on her with whips of different sizes. And on discovering that she had sustained injuries from the beaten, the angry mob dumped her at ring road junction, along old Enugu/Onitsha road Amenyi-Awka. She was covered with her wrapper while she lay there in the pools of her blood. The unpleasant odour emanating from her body, and some flies hovering around her drew drivers, motorcycle riders and others to the scene of horror. It was one of the onlookers, who contacted Aiza Nwosu, who contacted Chief Dr. Mrs Flora Nkemakolam Ilonzo, the Chief-Executive-Officer/founder, Centre for Psychic and Healing Administration (CHPA—Nigeria).

Why Ilonzo was contacted?

Ilonzo, a herbalist and mystic of international repute, who inherited her prowess from her grandparents and great grandparents from both her father and mothers side, had in the past healed mad people like Onyebuchi. One of them was Chinedu Onuoha, a young man who had being mad for 17 years. Onuoha, who hails from Ezimoha, Isiala Mbano Imo State, was suffering of pile when Ilonzo picked him from where he was roaming Aroma Junction and Government House, Awka axis, along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway. His healing was celebrated worldwide. Ilonzo had equally healed other persons suffering of different ailments as well as saved the life of President Mhummadu Buhari in a failed coup d’état which would have ended his life as military head of state.

How Ilonzo became Onyebuchi’s saviour

On hearing of the pregnant mad woman’s fate, Ilonzo and her workers hastened to the place, picked her and returned to her conservative and healing centre behind Government House, Awka. She then bathed the mad woman, fed her and took her to some missionary hospitals for laboratory test, scanning and other medical attention with a view to ascertaining her health challenges.
Fortunately to her, Ilonzo’s benevolent, the priest and reverend sisters on her entourage, prompted the missionary to provide the services to the woman on pro bono. At the process, it was discovered that the mad woman was four months old pregnant of twins (two male children).
However, the mad woman could neither mention her name nor town’s of origin. All she was able to tell her Good Nigerians was that her name is “Chukwu” (God) from “Nazareth.” Notwithstanding, the founder of CPHA accommodated her in one of her well furnished ‘executive wards’, hired a special staff to be caring for her till she gets well. The staff was taken on N15, 000 salary scale.

After some months, ‘Chukwu’ lost her pregnancy while still distressed over some injury she sustained from the angry church members that drove her away with whips. The sickness became terrible that she could neither stand nor work. Also, to eat or bathe became a difficult task to her as she littered her ward with urine and faeces, causing an unpleasant ordour.

As a result, the staff employed to take care of “Chukwu” resigned, saying that she could not cope bathing and feeding the mad woman due to what she was then passing through. Ilonzo equally employed other staff to that effect, who also scampered away.

The latest development prompted Anyafulugo Enugwu-Ukwu n’Umunri into seeking for advice from people she so much respected on what else to do to prevent the woman from dying on her hand. This was because of the calamity and ‘bad name’ the unfortunate incident could bring on her. She even planned to take the woman to Enugu television or radio stations from where she hoped to locate her family as her Igbo language dialect suggests that she hails from Enugu state.

Ilonzo told News48hour.com that while reflecting on what action to take to save the mad woman and herself from embarrassment, her grandfather, Akunne Oyido appeared to her in a dream, urging her to administer a local herb, apiti uzo on ‘Chukwu’. She immediately gathered the herb; mixed it with nnu Igbo (local salt) and urged her staff to administer it on the sick woman.

They did as they were told, and fortunately, on waking the following morning, they saw ‘Chukwu’ where she was busy sweeping their kitchen. The mad woman, according to Ilonzo, woke early in the morning, tidy her ward with help of water and light available 24 hours in the compound, bathed, as well as washed plates used in serving her meal the previous day before proceeding to tidy-up the kitchen. However, she still did not respond to their greetings let alone reveal her names.

When Chukwu revealed her true identity

On 31st December, 2017, Ilonzo held her usual end of year prayers and washing of heads with some medicinal herbs. ‘Chukwu’ was among those that partook on the annual ritual which always attracted people from all walks of life all over the world. She was continuously drinking of such kind of herbs till she miraculously regained her memories and senses on the 7th of January, 2017. It was the same day she woke up from sleep, revealing her name, place of birth, parents name, siblings, relatives, children, village and town.

As a result, on January 17, 2017, Ilonzo, accompanied by the traditional prime minister of Ebenebe, Chief Joe Nwegwu, Elias of Opi, and few of her staff such as David Sani, Emeka friday, Abba Okechukwu, Obi Nwanne, left Awka to Enugu in search of Onyebuchi’s family. Their first point of call was at the palace of His Royal Highness, Igwe Silvester Oshaba Onuh, Eze Di Ora Nma 1 of Umuagama Autonomous Community Enugu Ezike, Igbo Eze North L.G.A Enugu.

After listening to Ilonzo’s tale, Igwe Onuh commended her for the kind gesture, urging her to sustain the tempo as God would reward her abundantly. He however, posited that what could be responsible to the woman’s madness could be disobedience to the law of the land.

“It could only happen to married men or women who committed adultery or fornication. Our land forbids married women from sleeping with any man other than their husbands. It is also applicable to the married men. Once you go contrary to that custom, it will strike you dead immediately or instant madness. If you like commit the act at London, Lagos or so. Once you step your feet on this land, you will become mad, and no doctor could heal you till death.

“So, I am surprised that you were able to save her. Some of them die while wandering about. I will advise you tell the relative to find ways of appealing to Itchi (the gods of the land) responsible for that because without doing that, she will surely become mad once she steps on this land. But the problem is that our custom also forbade husbands from sponsoring such cleansing for their husband, and vise versa. In fact, any husband or wife who sponsors her erring spouse for the cleansing will die immediately. It is only the person’s parents and relative that are qualified to do that,” he said.

The monarch after giving Ilonzo and her entourage a cheerful welcome, instructed his brother, a motorcyclist to lead the team to their destination having discovered that Onyebuchi comes from a neighbouring town. And they were successfully led from the Community through Isiagu-Abagwu Igboeze south, before heading to the main place, Ugwuoke family at Itchi-Agua.

Speaking to news48hour.com, Florence Ugwuoke, the excited mother of Onyebuchi, recalled that her husband was alive when the incident occurred but died a year and six months ago. She revealed that they were tempted to conduct her burial rite about four years ago having searched for her far and beyond in futility.

Also speaking, other relative of the family including Jacinta, the lady’s younger sister, Moses Oke, the monarch’s elder brother who stood in for him as he was absent during the visit to the palace, and others shedding tears of joy on hearing that their long forgotten relative is very much alive and healthy. They promised to come and carry her home with a pump and pageantry.

Journey to Onyebuchi’s husband home

Ilonzo and her entourage did not stop at Onyebuchi’s home. They further went to her husband’s home at Enugu-Ezike during which they met with her children, married mates, friends and family with exception of Johnson who had gone for his mason work before they arrived. The jubilant people said they could not wait to welcome her home.

Expressing her happiness over the development, Ilonzo said, “It touched my heart when I showed Onyebuchi’s children her picture but they said they don't know her because they were still little when she took ill. The community was so happy today for seen their own that had been mad for 8 years. She was last seen after she gave birth to her last child. They thought she had died.

“People should help me thank God and also come to CPHA Nigeria and help us in catering for these kinds of persons. There are so many others like her that need to be catered for. People should come and help or contribute in any way they can even to rehabilitate this kind of persons. I am calling for intervention of the Red Cross society, State and Federal governments, private and corporate individuals to come and help in doing this God work.

“I have mental herbal homes, wards and others where such persons could be treated for free through the agreement of their respective parents, family or guardians. I don’t collect kobo in doing this type of humanitarian jobs. My centre has all manner of herbals to treat people of all kinds of diseases, including quick recovery of memory. I can’t do this alone because I am getting older, and old age may not allow me to attend to them very well. Therefore, I want to make it clear today that I can’t pick mad people on the ways again. People should bring their mad people to us, we shall be ready to heal her if their relatives would be ready to provide for them food and physical help. God almighty will guard and bless you in Jesus name Amen”.
for more more infor log onto www.news48hour.com

About INTERJOBGETTERS.COM
http://www.news48hour.com/2014/02/wwwinterjobgetterscom-is-job-scam.html
Scammers, who defraud unsuspecting job seekers under the pretext of giving them jobs appear to be at it again, this time in Awka, Anambra State capital, where a company going by the name INTERJOB GETTERS is being fingered as guilty of the recurring crime.
OKECHUKWU gathered that this company parades itself as a human resource and job recruitment agency which finds job for young and vibrant job seekers with qualifications such as SSCE, OND, NCE, BSC, HND, etc. in all disciplines in a company/industry of their choice in Nigeria or abroad.
INTERJOB GETTERS claimed to have connections and job slots with Federal , State and Private establishments such as the Nigerian Military, National Communications Commission, MTN Nigeria, Gloworld, Etisalat, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Fidelity Bank, Shell Nigeria, OANDO Nigeria, UNILEVER PLC, Solid Enterprises to mention but a few and vowed to secure employment for 3.5 million people this year. The company claimed to have been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as INTERJOB GETTERS ENTERPRISES on Thursday 5th April, 2012 (CRBN 080965). Their claimed registered address is 269 Zik Avenue (Opposite St. Patrick’s Cathedral) along Old Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Awka, Anambra state. OKECHUKWU investigations show that the company goes with the motto: “Making your dream a reality.” Its e-mail address is info@interjobgetters.com, while the website is www.interjobgetters.com. INTERJOB GETTERS ENTERPRISES also possesses the following phone numbers: 08176016988 and 08065195990, while its details are as follows: GTBANK; account name - INTERJOB Getters; account number - 0123993165.
According a victim of this company’s alleged job fraud, its modus operandi is as follows:
The company posts job vacancies on its web address; www.interjobgetters.com as well as advertise same through fliers and posters pasted at strategic locations on the streets of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi, Enugu and so on. Information on these publications request job seekers to come and pick a form at the cost of N5oo at the office of INTERJOB GETTERS ENTERPRISES. The person is to fill and submit the form accompanied by two recent passport-sized photograph, curriculum vitae and credentials. Then, the applicant will sign an agreement that N2000 must be deducted from his/her first salary and a guarantee that he will get the job within a month.
Our source said, “I applied for a job in this company on November 19 2012. On December 15 2012, INTERJOB GETTTERS sent me SMS to come and apply for job in any of the following federal institutions: National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), National Communications Commission (NCC); the Nigerian Armed Forces and Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki, among others.
“At the office of the company, Director of the company (a lady who is known in Dominion Temple Church, Awka, Anambra State) compelled us (applicants) to pay N2000 (agreement fee) before service because, according to her, it would be difficult for her to deduct it later. About 50 applicants including myself paid the amount.
“However, what broke the camel’s back was when NIMC texted some of us to register for their aptitude test using printed pins. It was so ridiculous and absurd because what we got from INTERJOB GETTTERS was a handwritten note. Logging on with the pin was unsuccessful as such we called our Director on phone but she asked us not to disturb her. That was how we lost the job.”
According to this same source, his businesses with INTERJOB GETTERS did not end with this failed transaction, but continued on January 11, 2013 when the company again texted him to resubmit his CV, credentials and two recent passport-sized photograph with a view to applying for any of the following job vacancies: cashier, teller counter or customer care officer in a purported microfinance bank called INTERSLINGS .
Our source said; “INTERSLINGS according to the company, has branches in Onitsha, Owerri, Aba, Enugu, Asaba etc. I applied as usual but waited for interview for many months in vain. During this period, I got different text messages for online aptitude test with INTERSLINGS. The first date was on 9th of February later postponed to 23 February and lastly to 2nd march. However, the text message requested us (applicants) to follow instructions on www.interslings.com, then pay the sum ofN1500 into an Ecobank Account: INTERSLINGS VENTURES (0057217515) so as to access a pin to be used for aptitude test on 2nd March 2013 via the aforementioned site.
“Immediately, I ran to the company to complain to the Director but unfortunately, she was absent. Therefore, I met with her staff and other applicants who were also there to complain. All efforts to garner cogent information about INTERSLINGS microfinance bank was in vain because its site links INTERJOB GETTERS as creator. As such, applicants and the company's staff were aggrieved. We called the Director's line and told her to come or instruct her staff to refund us our money. But she threatened us to vacate her office at once.”
Sources within INTERJOB GETTERS told our reporter that the Director has sacked up to ten of her staff without remuneration, adding that some of them later returned and beat her up. These sources said that this prompted her to leave Awka before the job seekers she taken money from discovered her fraudulent way. Her staff members who spoke to OKECHUKWU claimed that they were also being owed and have consequently locked up the office and vowing to deal with her.
Check by OKECHUKWU shows that the office of INTERJOB GETTERS has remained under lock and key since February 28, 2013.
The victim, who spoke to our reporter complained that notwithstanding all that has happened, INTERJOB GETTERS has kept sending SMS to him from an unknown location. He called on investigators, anti-graft agencies and human rights groups to investigate the authenticity of this enterprise called INTERJOB GETTERS.
Investigation by OKECHUKWU shows that none of the job seekers that have done business with this company has secured any job despite the N2000 agreement fee they were made paid.