₦airaland Forum

UNKNOWN GUNMEN, MAAZI NNAMDI KANU and NDIIGBO

A lot is happening in ENUGU, SouthEast these days.

The Security Situation is getting worse every day.

The other day the driver carrying me to speak at ESUT was panicking because of that very day Custom Officers were gunned down.

Today, just after few days after the Custom Officers were "sent to God for judgement" as many will say, another set of police officers were gunned down.

A woman close to me saw their corpse loaded in a police vehicle.

Every concerned OnyeIGBO ought to be very concerned.

I am very concerned over this situation.

Why?

1) I am worried that there is a calculated attempt to make the SouthEast completely INSECURE, using ENUGU to test the waters. It is not just for ENUGU. Enugu might be the testing ground for a bigger agenda.

2) MAAZI NNAMDI KANU is facing trails. ABUJA is determined to have MAAZI rot in jail. Could it be that there is an attempt to give IPOB a bad name in order to have more reasons to jail MNK? Could it be why the incidents of killings increase whenever MAAZI is about to appear in court?

I am worried that many supporters of MAAZI NNAMDI KANU has not started seeing that these incidents of killings could be a strategy against NdiIgbo and our MAAZI.

3) Historically, there has been attempts to cripple the BUSINESS spirit of NdiIgbo. With what is happening now, that attempt is getting bolder. Business owners in the SouthEast, especially in ENUGU are panicking. Many of my close friends are planning to leave Nigeria. As they close their BUSINESSES and leave, the ripple effect will be more unemployment and poverty.

4) Again, now that many prominent Voices of NdiIgbo are DEMANDING to taste ASO ROCK as PRESIDENT, could it be that there is a calculated effort by the foes of NdiIgbo to give the IGBO dog a bad name in order to kill it?

At this crucial point in our quest for Self Determination, we all must be alert and stand for this land that received the bones of our Fathers.

I am not talking about careless show of force or hate.

This is not time to entertain fear. Our fathers were not cowards.

What we need now is to unanimously stand against this terror that has come to eat the IGBO bone.

~All of us in business must do our best to hold on even in the midst of this ugly rain. Ala IGBO needs more jobs. Let's do our best to create as much jobs as we can. This is very important especially now.

~Lets all speak against this evil. No need to rejoice when our men are being gunned down daily. I know many of our Youths are angry with the Nigeria State. However, we must channel our rage well. Our fallen ancestors will be ashamed if they see we've joined the enemies of NdiIgbo to shoot ourselves in our own legs.

~If you can pray, PRAY. If you can fast, FAST. And as much as possible, remain security conscious.

~Finally, don't overheat the already tense polity by spreading hate and rumors; online, offline.

We need as much wisdom as possible now.
We need as much UNITY as possible now.

May the same God that has always sustained and preserved NdiISRAEL sustain and preserve NdiIgbo.

Iseeeeeeeeeee.

.
SAMPSON UKWU
(The Coach)

Why I Want To Be The Next Governor Of Enugu State by CHUKWUMA EPHRAIM OKENWA (CEO)

*My quest is an answer to the genuine call by Enugu Youths and Professionals.
*We can't keep just analysing when we have the Capacity to bring Change to our People.
*Leadership should be a Social Contract with the People.
*I have an understanding that if a Governor builds roads, he'll not use his money, he'll not enter tractor.
*We're not going to serve ENUGU when we are old. We'll serve now that we have the Freshness.
*One problem I've seen in ENUGU is the problem of UNSUSTAINABILITY.
*Governance is all about CONTINUITY.
*My template for Development is that it should be ALL-ROUND and SUSTAINABLE.
*I am not desperate. It is not all about Ambitions.
*Integrity is an interface between what you SAY and what you DO.
*I want the kind of Leadership that people can engage.
*We'll be available to engage people and bridge the gap between the Government and the Governed.
*If my seeking to be a Governor will be to bring a disgrace to my family name and the legacy I've built over the years, then may God never allow me to be Governor.
*My candidacy is more of a Vision not Ambition.
*I belong to EVERYBODY, I belong to NOBODY.
*We are going to esteem MERITOCRACY above everything else
*Power doesn't corrupt anybody. It only magnifies what's already there.

By CHUKWUMA EPHRAIM OKENWA (CEO)

Enugu 2023 Guber Race: Profile of Likely Candidates

As the race to the Lion Building of Enugu State come 2023 commences, The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine X-rays the profile of likely contenders from Enugu East Senatorial Zone, as already published in the 2021 Independence edition of the Magazine.
 
Chief Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji – Nwakaibie

Chief Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji (Nwakaibie) was born to very wealthy Business Parents – Late Chief Obed Nnaji & a living healthy Mother – Chief Mrs. Monica Nnaji. He is from Amugo-Agu Village, Amugo Autonomous Community, Akpugo, Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State. His Secondary education was at St. Patrick Secondary School Emene, Enugu. He later went on to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where he read Microbiology/Biochemistry.
Nnaji’s political life and desire to serve led him to join the Peoples Democratic Party as one of its founding members. At the time, he was prevailed upon to run for the Governorship Election in 1999 but declined for His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani as his elder brother from Nkanuland. He instead ran for Senate and won but still stepped down for His Excelllency, Sen. Dr. Jim Nwobodo who was an elder statesman and foundation leader of PDP in Nkanuland, Enugu State and Nigeria. He was later appointed Member of FCDA Board by President Olusegun Obasanjo where he became the Chairman of Finance Committee of the Board.
Nwakibie is an International Business Man, Industrialist and Contractor. It is reported that his Rice Mill factory in his hometown Akpugo is currently at 80% completion. He has a huge verifiable record of Philanthropy, Human Development and Political Patronage both at the Ward, Local Government, various States & Federal Level.
He is married with 4 Children (One girl & Three boys).



Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa (CEO)

Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, popularly known as CEO due to his initials, hails from Amorji, Akpugo in Nkanu West LGA of Enugu State. He was born on March 13, 1984. He holds a BSc. in Medical Microbiology and a Diploma in Multilateral Diplomacy from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).
CEO is a Social Entrepreneur and a Public Affairs Analyst. He is a School Administrator and the Convener of #YouthDecide2019. CEO is the brain behind the One Nigeria Reality Project, endorsed by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the project lead, ADA 042 Tourism and Cultural pageant.
As an SME enthusiast, he has been involved as a Mentor in projects such as the Youth Empowered by Coca-Cola and the Boost Your Business training powered by Facebook. He is the Convener of the Annual Employability and Entrepreneurship Summit (EES) since 2015 in Enugu State and the Author of the classic THINK GLOBAL. He is the Executive Director of LEAD NETWORK, Principal Partner at H-Formance Consulting and the founder of CEO Media Agency.
A happily married man, Okenwa has been appointed twice as a YALI Network Influencer in Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the Leadership Course in Criminal and Security Intelligence Management (Defence Intelligence College, Abuja). Okenwa is equally a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and a Fellow of the International Security Management Course.



Rt. Hon. (Prince) Ofor Chukwuegbo

Hon. Prince Gregory Oforbuike Chukwuegbo was born on August 23, 1971 into the family of Igwe Vincent Van Chukwuegbo and Lolo Dorathy Chukwuegbo family of Umunuzi Kindred, Ndiaga, Amechi Uwani, Enugu South LGA of Enugu State. He is the seventh of nine children of his mother.
Hon. Chukwuegbo attended St Jude’s Primary School, Amechi Uwani, the College of Immaculate Conception (CIC), Enugu and Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree. After his graduation, he worked as Operations Manager at Private Network Ltd, the leading analogue telephone company. He was to rise to the position of Chief Executive Officer, in merited recognition of his leadership and resourcefulness. He went on to set up many other businesses; Wireless Point Communications, Private Concept Limited and BYK Fishing Company; before he heeded the call of his people to join politics.
In 2003, Ofor Chukwuegbo contested and won election under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) into the State House of Assembly, representing the people of Enugu South Urban Constituency where he served as Chairman, House Committee on Works, Housing and Transport.
His political stock which was in steady ascendency rose even further in 2007 as he got elected into the Federal House of Representatives where he served creditably for an initial two terms. His transition from State to Federal Law Maker in record time, earned him the sobriquet – “Ochuko Mgbada Zogbuo Enyi”. He represented Enugu North and South Federal Constituency. In 2015, Ofor couldn’t return back to the green chambers until 2019 when he won another election to the House of Reps, to continue his representation and service to the people of Enugu North and South Federal Constituency. Prince Chukwuegbo was Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Police affairs in the 6th Assembly (2007-2011) and Chairman House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in the 7th assembly (2011-2015). He is currently Member, Governing Council, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja, Chairman House Committee on Abandoned Projects in the Ministry of Water Resources, and a member of several other committees.
His privileged upbringing notwithstanding, Ofor has managed, by pure personal endeavor, to distinguish himself as a shrewd investor, and an astute entrepreneur. As the MD/CEO of Lit Group, he has managed to grow the hitherto little-known business, with modest investment at inception few years ago, into an international competitive brand. Lit has interests in Hospitality, Apartment Development, Leasing, and Lifestyle. Health Trust Pharmacy and Stores is the newest addition to the Group.
Prince Chukwuegbo, a devout Catholic, is happily married to Lolo Ngozi Chukwuegbo (Nee Okechukwu), his wife of over 20 years and they are blessed with children, some of whom are already young adults.


Dr. Surv. Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam

Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam was born into the family of Chief John Okwor Nnam and Mrs Florence Nnam of Amechi in Enugu South LGA of Enugu state on 23rd February 1984. He attended Robinson Primary School, Uwani, Enugu, from where he proceeded to UNEC Secondary School and later Enugu State University of Science and technology where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Surveying and Geoinformatics in 2007. Nnam holds an M.Sc in Geoinformatics and Surveying. In 2019, he obtained a PhD in the same course.
Victor Nnam is a registered surveyor, a member of the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS) and was a Lecturer in the department of Surveying and Geoinformatics in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology. In 2019, he was appointed as the Enugu State Honourable Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development by the Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a position he holds till date. He has also been a member of the Enugu State Boundary Committee, Office of the Deputy Governor and has attended several international conferences and trainings, with a lot of academic research work and publications to his name.
A recipient of several awards, Victor Nnam is a devout Christian, a champion of youth advancement and a detribalized man. He is married and has three children.


 Source:
(The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine)

Those Bosses Who Are Comfortable With Owing Their Staff For Months, HOW DO THEY SLEEP?

:::::

First, I want you to understand that I'm not a 'soft' guy to work with. Those that work with me know that lateness to work (later than 7:50a.m), absenteeism and other forms of 'unseriousness' has stated FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS i.e I deduct money from your salary if you mess up.

.
Second, I'm not a money bag. So when I'm preaching that Employers should live up to their financial covenant to their staff, don't think this is because I have millions dumped in my bank accounts.
.

My standard is to pay my staff on the 24th of every month, but there have been few occasions when one or two staff have to receive later.

Truly, I'm not yet like Dangote or Otedola.

:::::

However I see this trend of most Employers not taking the payment of salaries seriously.

.
Some could owe for like 90 days without bothering. They are even surprised when an employee complain.

I've experienced this first hand because I was under a boss for over 6 years before I moved on.

::::

See, I am in the game so I understand how tough business can be, especially when several staff are involved.

I understand that money can run away sometimes.

::::

But I have issue with those who are ALWAYS owing. They owe in January, owe in February, owe in March and still expect the staff to understand.

As a boss, I'm always conscious of the fact that there are a lot of STOMACHS depending on each of my staff

Imagine if she's the breadwinner of a family of 5. And you owe her for 3 months.

You sef check am nah

You wan make dem die?

:::

I believe the point is clear enough now, and I trust most of us will REPENT!

::::
SAMPSON UKWU
[Global Education Consultant; Proprietor, Noble Group of Schools]

Thank you for engaging.

What do you mean by "front page material"?

Many of us are concerned with the way Enugu is going.
We all know Enugu deserves better.
Enugu needs better leadership.
Enugu needs Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa in the Lion Building.

2023 is near.
Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa is coming.....!!

Of course there are bad eggs in every tribe. But there are still good ones.

Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa is one of the best leaders in the SouthEast.

Profile of Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa:

Chukwuma Ephraim Okenwa, popularly known as CEO due to his initials, is a Social Entrepreneur and a  Public Affairs Analyst.
He is a School Administrator and the Convener of #YouthDecide2019

CEO is the brain behind the one Nigeria Reality Project ,endorsed by the National Orientation Agency and the project lead,ADA 042 Tourism and Cultural pageant.
 As an SME enthusiast, he’s been involved as a Mentor in projects such as the  Youth Empowered by Coca-Cola and the Boost Your Business training powered by Facebook. He is the Convener of the Annual Employability and Entrepreneurship Summit(EES) since 2015 in Enugu State and the Author of the classic : THINK Global.
He is the Executive Director of LEAD NETWORK , Principal Partner at H-Formance Consulting and the founder of CEO Media Agency.
Okenwa has been appointed twice as a YALI Network Influencer in Nigeria. He is a fellow of the Leadership Course in Criminal and Security Intelligence Management(Defence Intelligence College,Abuja) and holds a Diploma in Multilateral Diplomacy from the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. Okenwa is equally a member of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and a fellow of the International Security Management Course.

http://www.meetceoafrica.org

WHEN YOU'RE INVITED TO SPEAK AT A MAJOR EVENT......

This is where many public speakers shoot themselves in the leg.

Folks just go there with zeal. They speak very well

But after the speaking, they just collect envelope and walk away!

See, that's not how to grow your ministry if you want to blow like Fela Durotoye and A.Y

People like us shine our eyes well.
We don't just speak, we utilize every speaking gig to increase our network.

I always listen to other speakers invited to speak in the same event. I show I am interested in them. I engage them. I ask questions. We exchange contacts.

That's how you slip yourself into the memory of popular speakers. Before you know it they'll invite you to speak in their own events.

That's the secret behind rising speedily in this our Public Speaking industry.

So when next you're invited, don't just speak well, CONNECT WELL!

.
Did you grab my point?

::::

SAMPSON UKWU

HOW PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS CAN BECOME VERY RICH.

My attention has been drawn to the widespread lament of most people over the 'peanuts' paid to teachers in private schools.

I'm the Proprietor of Noble Group of Schools and I worked as a teacher for seven years before starting Noble, so such lamentations gets to my heart.

The average Nigerian believes that there's a lot of Money in the Private School sector. They believe every private school owner is swimming in millions.

Infact, many believe most private school proprietors are both greedy and stingy.

Greedy and stingy.

Some also wonder why Private school teachers should not be paid as much as those teachers in the public schools, since private school teachers put in more work than those in the public schools.

These are valid points, very valid.

The only issue is that most of us see things just from the side of the teachers. No one really cares about the EXPENSES involved in opening/running a private school IN NIGERIA.

We already know that running a business in this part of the world is damn tough. The system is set up to favour only the rich. Infact, certain government policies are so tough and expensive that most people close down before they even break even.

Apart from salary, which is a monthly payment, there are a litany of other expenses. Most proprietors still pay rent and other utilities.

Then comes the multiple taxations from different government arms.

Then you must pay for annual license renewal etc.

Most times, salary is only 50% or less of your expenses especially when you're just starting.

Many of these private schools are standing on loans, so the proprietor is really struggling to pay off the loans.

All these happen before you even talk of profit. Remember, it is a business and Oga/Madam must make profit if the school must keep running.

Another error is when teachers compare their pay with the pay in another Private school. Just like comparing the pay of teachers in XYZ private school with that in ABC private school.

XYZ may have like 3000 students with school fees around N50,000; and about to celebrate their 75th anniversary. ABC may have like 61 students with school fees around N9,000 and less than 4 years.

You see the mistake in comparing the two?

So we may have to accept the bitter fact that private school teachers may have to endure low pay.

Most times the pay is so low that it cannot even pay for Mr. Teacher's basic needs, talk more of luxury. It becomes worse when the teacher is a tenant with spouse and children.

OK, now since private schools may not be able to cough out fat envelopes for teachers, the alternative is for the teachers themselves to seek out ways to make extra money, while still working as teachers.

One thing I tell my teachers during our trainings is that IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NOBLE HIGH SCHOOL TO MAKE YOU RICH.

Think over that. I know its blunt, but isn't that true?

You'll be miserable if you only depend on the government or a boss or parent to build wealth.

That said, most teachers begin to lose the money game by romancing the excuse that their job cannot allow them to do any other thing.

Na lie!

I know most schools operate till 4p.m some days of the week.

But remember teachers don't work on weekends. What of holidays?

Lazy teachers will still say they are busy making notes and teaching on weekends and holidays.

That's a weak excuse for a teacher ready to build wealth.

Let me show just few things teachers can do to make extra cash.

-Writing of Novels and Textbooks.

I wrote my book WELCOME TO SECONDARY SCHOOL as a classroom teacher. That book has remained my bestseller.

Most teachers are too lazy in this area. And if you tell me you are a teacher and you can't invest your midnights into research to write a textbook in your subject(s), then forget it, you're not yet ready for money.

Some say they don't write because they have no money to publish. My answer has always been, 'Write it first and I'll show you how to publish'

-Organising Private/Holidays Lessons.

Almost every teacher can do this one, and there's money in it. I was doing this as a teacher. In fact there was a time I use to employ other teachers to handle my private lessons, because many parents wanted it. Remember I was still a classroom teacher then.

-Poultry and other animal farming.

The thing is that most teachers don't think in this direction. Some will plaster you with ten thousand reasons why they can't rear animals. My principal has a piggery and she's making cool cash from it.

-Typing/Printing/Photocopying.

My vice principal runs a small cyber café. He handles the typing/printing/photocopying of all our exam questions. He makes cool cash from this.

-You can have a shop.

My formal vice principal has a shop in front of his house where he sells electronics. He operates in the evenings and weekends. The man makes cool cash.

-Selling of Data and Recharge Cards.

This one doesn't even require a physical shop. Your smart phone is enough. I won't preach much on this one. Chime Chinonso Simon is an expert who can teach you all you need to know on this.

-Hair Dressing/Tailoring/Laundry services.

These are things teachers can learn and do at home and over the weekends, midterm breaks, public holidays and holidays.

-Web Designing/App Development/E-commerce

These ones can give you millions if you play your game well. I had a staff who was an expert in web/app building. Today he has resigned to focus on that. The guy is doing well.

-Real Estate

One of our teachers is an expert in helping people buy/sell lands. He collects a handsome "agent commission" It has not stopped him from teaching. Infact, he's one of our best staff.

-Public Speaking / Consulting.

During my time as a secondary school teacher, I was moving around this country organising and speaking in trainings for writers and public speakers. I do those ones during the holidays and weekends. I was becoming popular, money was coming in and it did not stop me from teaching.

:::::::

We must keep on campaigning for higher salaries for private school teachers. This is very important, because most school owners are very reluctant in that area.

But that is not enough.

Teachers themselves must shine their eyes. Don't box yourself into only one tiny stream of income.

This is 21st century. There are many options to wealth.

Explore those options and become rich.

Or fold your arms and manage your 'monthly peanuts'

Daaaalu!

.

SAMPSON UKWU
[Global Education Consultant; Proprietor, Noble Group of Schools]