BossGerald:

Lagos was our former capital for more than 75yrs with heavy federal government infrastructure and presence till today...Soludo should stop unnecessary comparison with lagos.

Anambra is doing great with development, Soludo should take it easy with tax.

Imagine telling Anambrains living in lagos and diaspora to pay tax back home after they must have paid in their respective place of residence.

Ko make sense nau

but regardless of that, I doesn’t make sense that our Internally generated revenue is less than 1% of our GDP. Anambra state doesn’t get much from Federal Government allocation, the only way for any meaningful development is through IGR. With the amount of business and economic activities going on in the state, we have no business with having an IGR of 2Billion Naira. That too poor.

The cumulative total of Anambra State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the year 2022 was approximately 20 billion.

However, in same 2022, Lagos state averaged an IGR of 65 billion a month. and over 700Billion for the said year:

The Anambra State IGR collection for the month of January was 2Billion Naira. Accounting for just 0.2% of the total GDP of the state.

For a state with high economic activities, what we get as revenue is an anomaly. This is why the people must cultivate the habit to pay taxes. they must see it as a personal and collective responsibility they owe their state.

At least if the government can tax just 1% of the total GDP, of the state, we’d be in a better place.

This is why Gov. Soludo has taken steps to reform our revenue collection system.

From digitizing revenue payments to uniting payments and eliminating multiple taxations to the ban on Agberos and the war against illegal revenue collectors, this administration has taken deliberate and necessary steps to overhaul and set the system aright.

I feel it is important that people know some of these details and how they can deliberately and purposely play their part in nation-building.

One thing one can be certain of is that, to the last kobo, Ndi Anambra will get value for their money.

Join us to spread the word

#TaxPower #ThePeoplesPower #SolutionIsHere

@UgoOputa

OreMI22:
Gov. Obiano's greatest attribute is putting Anambra's interest above his own personal interest.

Many in his shoes would not complete projects started by his predecessor so that the praise would not go to their predecessor instead of them. A tragic example of this is how subsequent Enugu governors abandoned the 95% completed 5,000 seater Enugu International Conference Center and started their own petty projects!

Obiano understood that this flawed logic was the reason why many states remained littered with abandoned projects and remain backward. He made sure to complete all his predecessor's projects for the benefit of Anambra state. He completed the Agulu Lake 5 star hotel, Onitsha Mall, Anambra state university teaching hospitals, many roads & bridges, and many other projects started by his predecessor Mr. Peter Obi. It must be noted that he completed Peter Obi's projects despite not being in good terms with him!

Again Peter Obi secured the site of the present Anambra International Cargo airport but did not pay the compensation. A typical Nigerian governor would have hidden under that excuse to move the airport to his village. But not Obiano. He completed the compensation already started by Peter Obi and went further to build a world-class facility on that site.

I hope that Obiano's patriotism to Anambra State will be rewarded in the future by immortalizing him to serve as encouragement for others to always place the interest of their state above their own personal interest.

I agree. He has a good heart

Cc Lalasticlala, Mynd44

- Ugochukwu Oputa

With Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s emergence as Governor-Elect in the just concluded Anambra State Gubernatorial Election, there have been many narratives around the election and the many factors that influenced it. Amongst them, is the role of the incumbent Governor, Chief. Willie Obiano, whose position and status, both as the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, as well as the national leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA were at stake.

Governor Obiano's preference for Prof. Soludo as his successor, was one of the major factors that influenced the eventual landslide victory and emergence of the former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, as Anambra State's Governor-elect.

However, a deep observation of the various factors and scenarios that abound will show you that Gov. Obiano charted a course that not many Politicians of his status would follow should they be in his shoes.

In our political clime, where it is almost a norm for incumbents to find for a successor, someone who they can control, micro manage and by proxy, extend their grip of power, Gov. Obiano‘s choice for a successor with such towering reputation and personality, seem like an odd one.

To put in perspective, Gov. Obiano was an Executive Director in Fidelity bank when Soludo was already the head of Nigeria’s Banking Sector as the CBN Governor.

It can be said that at some point, Soludo was his Boss, but that did not deter the Aguleri-born Politician to see in him, a more befitting successor for Anambra State.

On 21st of November 2019, Gov. Willie Obiano inaugurated the Anambra 50 Year Development Plan Committee with Prof. Soludo as it’s Chairperson. This further placed Soludo in a position to get a closer and clearer insight of the State's unique challenges and put together, long term strategies and solutions in repositioning Anambra state.

The Soludo project was a well calculated and deliberate one by Gov. Willie Obiano; one which at the very core of its execution, was the sole interest and greater good of Anambra State and _Ndi Anambra._

Another display of Gov. Obiano’s strength of character, was what Soludo described in his acceptance speech during the 2021 APGA Guber Primaries, as “Iron clad commitment”.

Beyond resolving for the candidacy of Soludo years back, he remained committed and consistent all through, amidst the numerous pressures from all quarters and political interests.

Gov. Willie Obiano might have had his challenges in some areas, in the course of his stay administering the affairs of the state, but his decision to support a successor beyond personal gains, by putting the interest of the state first, has distinguished him as a different breed of politician and a man who, amongst other things, has shown a golden patriotism for his people and the state.

With the results of the November 6th Governorship election, one can say that indeed he supported the best candidate for the people.

May history be kind to him

Ugochukwu Oputa
November 11, 2021

THE PDP, GOV. WIKE & A TIMELINE OF HISTORY

By Ugochukwu Oputa

It was sometime in July 2013, when the then former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi unofficially left the People’s Democratic Party.

In same vein, on the 16th of July 2013, 25 lawmakers at the Rivers State House of Assembly made known their decision to quit the PDP for the APC as announced by the then House Leader, Barr. Chidi Lloyd.

These series of defections kept the state PDP in disarray.

On the 31st of August 2013 at the Special Delegate convention of the PDP, 7 Governors led by the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar staged a walkout; an action which heralded the infamous nPDP group that eventually became part of the APC.

On the 29th of March 2015, the PDP lost the presidential election, and in 2 months later, APC came to power.

For almost 2 years, PDP struggled to find its form. Infact, just after 2 months of the loss at the General Election, Adamu Mu’azu who was the National Chairman of the Party resigned from the party.

Everything was in disarray until Wike came.

It is no hidden fact that but for Wike, PDP would have been dead in Rivers State. As the then Minister for Education, and an effective grassroot politician, Governor Wike was able to galvanize massive support at the Grassroot for the party much that the party won overwhelmingly well at the polls in 2015.

At the National Level, after the resignation of Mu’azu, his then deputy from Rivers State Prince Uche Secondus stepped in to man the Leadership of the party; a move wish irked some party leaders that were of the opinion that Mu’azu was from the North and that a replacement for him should have come from the north. One of the aggrieved persons was Ahmed Gulak who took the party leadership to court and got a favorable judgment at an Abuja High court, and then “invaded” the party headquarters in Abuja to take control of its leadership.

It was on the back of the whole debacle that various caucuses of the party resolved on former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff to serve as the acting National Chairman.

However, at a Convention held on May 21, 2016, Ali Modu Sheriff was removed and a National Caretaker Committee was set up with Ahmed Makarfi as its chairman.

Series of Court processes ensued, with Ali Sheriff declaring himself as the chairman. And to add more legitimacy to his claims, he won an appeal court judgment that recognized him as the authentic chairman of party.

However on July 12, 2017 the Supreme Court Sacked Ali Sheriff who was earlier declared by the appellate court as the Chairman of the Party, and Reinstated Ahmed Makarfi as the Caretaker Committee Chairman, and Authentic leader of the Party

On December 9th 2017, 5 months after the Supreme Court Judgement, Prince Uche Secondus was elected as the National Chairman at the PDP National Convention.

In all these that happened, Governor Wike was instrumental to most of the processes. From the resolution of the Secondus-Gulak saga to that of Makarfi-Sheriff, the many legal processes that led to the victory at the Supreme Court et al.

Even after the Victory at Supreme Court, it was same Wike that was traveling around the country, seeking better resolutions, alliances, unity and synergy amongst PDP Governors and party leaders alike.

Gov. Wike literally fought for the soul of PDP and what we presently enjoy today as a party.

Most of the Party leaders and founding members left the party on its gloomy days, while some of them we see today m, only came in when they saw that there was stability now in the party.

Till this very day, Gov. Wike has remained instrumental to PDP’s relevance as a valid Opposition in the country. He has gone out of his way numerous times to raise his voice against unpopular decisions of the Federal Government, even on issues that affects other state governments. This action of his earned him the “DEFENDER OF DEMOCRACY” title.

Knowing all these, how do one talk about PDP without WIKE?

Inconceivable!

Ugochukwu Tony Oputa
05 August, 2021

More Photos

Cc Lalasticlala Mynd44

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ITS MULTIPLIER EFFECT IN JOB CREATION: THE GOVERNOR WIKE’S STRATEGY

By Ugochukwu Oputa

In the words of Conor Lamb, “Building infrastructure is our most powerful tool to create jobs and improve the playing field for all businesses.”

World over, Infrastructural development is considered as the construction and improvement of foundational services with the goal of sparking economic growth and improvements in quality of life.

Renowned global economists believe that sustainable economical growth stems from the foundation of good infrastructure, which in turn leads to job creation and high employment rates.

As at today, Some of the advanced societies in the world were built and being built on the back of infrastructures that were put in place decades ago by visionary leadership.

Simply put, for the “long game” of Economic Growth, industrial boom, and job creation, Infrastructural Development is the first step.

In Nigeria, the Rivers State Government is one of the few state governments that have invested heavily in the area of Infrastructural Development. The Governor Nyesom Wike’s approach to infrastructural development have been adjudged by many public fora as the best and most aggressive in the country.

Through his Accelerated Road Development Programme (ARDP), the Governor Wike’s Administration have delivered over 500 kilometers of road infrastructure, inclusive of Trunk-A roads, Bridges and flyovers cutting across nearly every Local Government in the state, and is estimated to hit almost 1000KM of road network upon the completion of ongoing projects, and before the end of the administration.

In his second term inauguration speech on May 29th, 2019, the Governor made the following statement hinting of a 25-year plan for an economic transformation of the state, beginning from massive infrastructural development;

”We know we are developing, but it’s better and more result-oriented if approached in an organized and strategic form.
We will therefore adopt a holistic approach to development by partnering with relevant national and international agencies and expertise to initiate and implement a 25-years Master Plan for economic transformation and development to guide and accelerate the future development of our State”.

A close analysis of what is going on in Rivers State, ranging from infrastructural development in not only on roads, both the Education and Health Sectors, it will show you that within a decade, the state will be recording a massive economic and industrial boom, and this is where the REAL JOBS comes in.

An article published on worldbank’s blog stated the following;

“It is widely accepted that investments in infrastructure can lead to direct and indirect jobs, and usually have spillover effects into other economic opportunities. For example, good roads, transport systems and agro-logistics services help move freight from farms to locations where value can be added (like intermediate processing, packaging and sorting of agricultural produce) and ultimately to consumers.”

Lets Take the ongoing construction of the Woji/Aleto/Alesa/Refinery road, the 6.5KM road upon completion, will create a new industrial corridor. As a result of the vast lands available, industries will be sited there, most especially, those that the Port Harcourt Refinery would be its source for raw materials. Also considering the solid Road Network, there will be better access to all part of the State and Country at large.

Though many jobs have been created in course of this ongoing infrastructural development, it is good to note the actual employment boom, will come on the back of all that is being laid down today.

The Nyesom Wike led administration has shown visionary leadership in its developmental strides. From the establishment of the largest cassava proceeding plant in this part of the country, to the Ongoing construction of the Nation’s first Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Center, the Completed Mother & Child Specialist Hospital, the Establishment of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, and Establishing a Medical College and School of Nursing in the Rivers State University to produce man power to run these infrastructures in the healthcare sector. Same applies in the Education Sector, which are the two main focus of his second term.

While there have been many leaders before him, and many to come after him, it is safe to say that Governor Wike is Building a Rivers State of the Future and in a decade from now asking after he’d be out of office, posterity will judge him kindly

Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to a RIVERS STATE OF GREATNESS & ENORMOUS POSSIBILITIES.

Ugochukwu Tony Oputa
04 August, 2021

THE “MIRACLE” IN RIVERS STATE

By Ugochukwu Oputa

Towards the end of the Rotimi Amaechi’s tenure, the outgoing going Governor was credited to have said that he wondered how the incoming Administration would be able to pay salaries, talk more of to execute projects.

Upon the assumption of office by the NEW administration in May 29th, 2015, the NEW Governor kickstarted the Urban Renewal Program that very day with the operation zero pothole, which saw to the return of Julius Berger to Rivers State.

Even though most part of the first term of the Nyesom Wike led administration saw to the plethora of legal tussles which ended at the Supreme Court, the bye elections that held in the state, and the overtly tensed political space, the NEW administration kept on working in full capacity regardless.

It will interest you to know that with just under two years into the first term in office, with the many projects and evidence giant developmental strides thereof that abound, on 13th February 2017, the Vice President and then Acting President after taking a tour of the state, gave the famous MR. PROJECTS title to Governor Nyesom Wike.

In well about 20 months in Office, Governor Wike was already adjudged MR. PROJECTS.

By the end of Governor Wike’s first tenure, even members of the opposition party could not help but appreciate his giant strides. In fact, one of my friends who was a stakeholder in the opposition party said these words to me: “You cannot try to criticize Gov. Wike in terms of performance, and not sound stupid”. This statement he made in response to a former Governorship Candidate of the APC that attempted to put the Wike administration in a bad light on the famous Viewpoint radio program on Rhythm 93.7.

The Year 2019 was an election year, and even though elections held in March, Rivers State had to wait till April for a final closure. However, in same election year, just months after a very hectic reelection process, Gov. Wike flagged off simultaneously the construction of the 3 Magnificent flyovers and many other major projects in the state.

The year 2020 was one year that will remain in the world’s history books for a long time.
With the breakout of the deadly CoronaVirus that created a global pandemic, virtually all government around the world had a valid reason to “count losses”. However, in Rivers State, the case was different.

While many state governments came out of lockdowns with many excuses on how the pandemic was affecting development, Gov. Wike Launched his series of project commissioning that lasted for about two weeks.

Just before the December holidays, the Governor yet again continued with the another phase of project commissioning which included the commissioning of Elelenwo, Ndoni & General Diriyai Street - 21st Dec by , Tombia, Ndoni, Amaji Street on 22nd Dec by Gov. Samuel Ortom, and the commissioning of Aker Base road by Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu on December 24th, 2020 and many other projects commissioned.

The third phase of project commissioning resumed in the first week of January with the commissioning of the 10.3K Sime-Nonwa-Kira Road (Old Bori Road) by Sen. Bala Mohammed on the 4th of January 2021.

Other projects commissioned were the Bolo internal roads, Rumuche-Rumuakunde-Ohna Awuse Road, Isiodu road, Rumuekini-Aluu road, Abonnema Ring Road, Saakpenwan-Bori-Kono road, Bonny/Bille/Nembe Jetty, Eleme Oyigbo internal roads, Isiokpo internal Roads and others.

On March 1st 2021, the Rivers State Government started forth phase of commissioning with the commissioning of the Okoro-Nu-Odo Flyover by the former Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Donald Duke. This followed with the commissioning of Rumuogba 1 and 2 Flyover by the former Governor of Kano State, His Excellency, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in March 2nd, 2021, The commissioning of the GRA Phase 2 Roads( Tombia Crescent, Opobo Crescent and Isaiah Odolu Street) commissioned on March 3, 2021 by the former Governor of Katsina State, His Excellency, Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

The Fifth phase of project commissioning saw to the commissioning of the Real Madrid Academy in March 9 by the Minister of Sports, Mr. Sunday Akin Dare. Other commissioned projects are the Trade Union Congress(TUC) Secretariat and the Omuhuechi-Omuoko-Omuokiri Road in Ikwerre LGA.

In what looked like an unrelenting desire for project delivery, the Governor Wike led administration in May 2021, launched a super 6th phase of Project commissioning and flag off with a 37-day pact events and activities.

This unprecedented feat saw to the commissioning and flag off of many legacy projects.

Some of the projects commissioned/billed for commissioning were the following:

the Cassava Flour Processing Plant, Oyibo, Mother and Child Hospital, Rumuomasi, Opobo/Nkoro Road, Odufor-Umuoye Road, Etche, Umueze-Umuogberi-Eberi Road, Omuma and the Rehabilitation Centre, Iriebe.

Other projects include, National Industrial Court Judges Quarters, Rivers State University(RSU)Senate Building, Isaiah Odolu Street, GRA, Herbert Macaulay/Nzimiro Streets, Rumuigbo Street and William Jumbo/Ernest Ikoli/Eleme Streets, Old GRA.

Community Secondary Schools at Obiagu, Oyigbo and Eteo, Eleme, National Union of Rivers State Students Secretariat and Pabod Breweries/Oginiba Roads are also billed for commissioning.

Also some projects that were billed for flag off included the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Treatment Centre, Rumueprikom Flyover, Trans-Kalabari Road, Bori-Kono Road, Aluu-Omagwa Road,new campuses of RSU at Emohua, Etche and Ahoada as well as projects at Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Other projects are, Government Secondary School, Kpor, Gokana, Ogbunabali/Eastern Bye-pass Road, Ogbakiri Internal Roads, Omerelu Internal Roads and Abonnema/Obonoma Sandfilling.

Woji-Aleto-Alesa Road, Mgbuitanwo Roads, Okochiri Internal Roads, Okrika Sandfilling, reconstruction of Government House Jetty and foundation laying ceremony of the new University of Port Harcourt Convocation Arena etc.

Wow!

With all these are happening just months after the entire world came out of a lockdown.

The giant strides of this NEW administration have created some kind of wonderment. If not for the fact that almost all these commissioning ceremonies were televised, their stories thereof are almost unbelievable.

From infrastructural development, to massive interventions in the areas of Health care, Education, Agriculture, Security etc. almost every sector have felt an impact of the NEW Administration.

My dad captured it in this question to me:

You guys are just doing projects everywhere in a time state governments are struggling to pay salaries - where Wike dey get money? Abi una dey sell una own oil, dey take money?

Just like my dad, the common question on the mouth of many is now “WHERE WIKE DEY SEE MONEY”

And as an answer to the question, Gov. Wike have it to attributed prudent financial management, while noting that the state government is not taking any loan from any bank.

While the entire world might be carried away and engrossed with coping with the aftermath of a gloomy 2020, and trying to lay claim to the perfect excuse for inefficiency, I seek to bring your attention to an administration Miracle in Rivers State.

While you might be hesitant at first to acknowledge the eccentricity to these feats, take a moment to look around the country, and the eminent reality will dawn on you.

Welcome to the NEW Testament

Ugochukwu Tony Oputa
July 1, 2021

#OurStateOurResponsibility

The Sponsored Cyber Attacks On Soludo, June 23rd And The Opposition Endgame

By Ugochukwu Tony Oputa

The activities of the last couple of days would not come as a surprise to any mastermind and strategist as it was an expected move by some desperate opposition elements.

Over the past couple of days, Social media have been awashed by a coordinated cyber attack on Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo. The intensity of these attacks from both internal and external forces, and the ferociousness at which they decimated falsehood, twisted facts and doctored narrative, made most concerned individuals ask the questions; WHY SOLUDO?, WHY NOW?

Make no mistake, these opposition elements are no fools, they are conscious of the fact that the actual Battle for the 2021 Anambra State Gubernatorial Election is not in November 6th general election but in June 23rd APGA primaries.

Have you ever wondered why attacks have been on Soludo, not APGA, nor other Individuals that have indicated interest to contest under the platform?

Have you not wondered why the so much jittery for an aspirant who is even yet to emerge as his party flag bearer?

Normally, these sort of coordinated attacks comes after primaries, but these one are coming before primaries, and coming against just one aspirant. What does this tell you?

I have said it many times that the November 6th Election is APGA’s own to win or lose. The Opposition knows that the biggest and most significant battle they can fight, is making sure that Soludo does not emerge as the APGA flag bearer.

They know that the biggest determinant of the outcome in NOV 6TH, lies in the actions of APGA in JUNE 23RD primaries.

Like Sun Tzu opined in the Book “Art of War”, that The Supreme Art of War, is to Subdue the Enemy Without A Fight. The opposition elements being guided by this knowledge, know that the actual elections holds on 23rd of June and sadly, they won’t be amongst those who would decide on that.

But then, there is one thing they can do, and that is to try their best to launch attacks on one of the candidates just before the Party primaries with hopes of influencing the Party’s decision.

While they seem to have a clear-cut plan and already acting on it, one thing they seem to heavily underestimate is the strong resolve of APGA and its members, and their ability to see through their gimmicks.

If the actions of the Opposition Elements have gone to show one thing, it is a reconfirmation of what we’ve always thought; That we hold all the aces. It’s ours to win and their show of fear and jittery confirms so.

I expect these attacks to intensify in the coming days, but I assure you this that after June 23rd, you would notice an abrupt stop. And it is at that moment that the Opposition elements would realize that they expended in a wrong way the only chance they stood in the NOV 6TH election.

They’ve showed their fears, confirmed our candidate’s strength and in turn carried out free publicity for him and forgetting to promote their candidate.

It is like putting all efforts to make sure an exam do not hold and it eventually held. Now the time is too short to prepare for the exam as you expended your time trying to avert it.

How sad.

Ugochukwu Oputa (@UgoOputa) Writes from Ozubulu, Anambra State.

Below was my Response to DEJI

_____________

Dear Adeyanju Deji

I respect you, one of the reason for my respect is because of some of the individuals I consider Friends and acquaintances who you’ve mentored and hold you to high esteem. It’s on the bases of that respect that I’m making this response assuming that you’ve reached this your conclusion due to lack of proper information.

N2B RAISED FOR HOSPITAL

The issue of the Memorial Hospital for his late MUM has been one that have been on the discus since Soludo showed interest for the Plum Job in Agu Awka. After the Opposition tried fanatically to find dirt on Soludo, the resolved to twist the facts on this hospital as a hope to cling on straws.

The Memorial Hospital was launched, and on the said day, Many individuals who are still alive till today made series of PLEDGES. The figure being thrown around was for the Pledge made that day. The irony of the fact is that, some of the individuals who made those pledges as aspirants for the Nov. 6th Election.

Infact, one Prominent Billionaire only redeemed his pledge last year.

We have asked Soludo to come forth with the names of these debtors, but considering the class of this individuals, and given that most of them will one way or the other play a role in the forthcoming elections, and outright embarrassment on their personality, might come with a Political cost on Soludo. However, in course of the Electioneering process, it will all be unveiled. However Dear Deji, Do not join the band wagon of individuals who do not know what a PLEDGE connotes.

ON CRITICIZING BUHARI

Dear Deji, it is surprising how Criticizing Buhari now serves as one variable to know a Good Leader. Deji you can remember that even you yourself once told the entire nation that “Buhari Means Well”.

Soludo is a professional, rather than public criticism just to play to the gallery, Soludo do what he does best; Profer Solutions.

In the wake of the Numerous Lockdowns, Soludo authored a piece were he recommended that the Lockdown strategy by the Government was unhealthy and that Africa could not afford a lockdown.

Deji, should I provide other recommendations by Soludo in course of the administration?

Did you listen to Soludo presentation at the Platform of 2019?

Dear Deji, a man who just make criticisms and a man who proffer solutions as a statesman from his wealth of wisdom, which do you rate the most?

“SUDDENLY JOINED APGA PARTY”

Uncle Deji you should know that your followers take you seriously, uninformed statements like this is not healthy for your reputation.

Soludo join the PDP 2007. He ran for Governor under the PDP, he lost out.

In 2013, he joined APGA. He was screened out because he came from Anambra South and APGA had zoned the ticket to Anambra North, and that was how Willie Obiano emerged. Unlike other unstable persons, SOLUDO remained with APGA and joined the re-election campaign of Willie Obiano, where he made the popular statement that crippled the Opposition - “If its not Broken, Why Mend it”

Soludo remained in APGA amidst calls by other party for him to contest as their flag bearer.

Soludo went on to become a BOT Member of APGA till this day.

How do you then refer to a BOT member of a political party to have “Suddenly Joined”?

Was Soludo ever a member of the APC?

You see the issues?

AS CBN GOVERNOR

Soludo Served as the administrative head of the No.1 bank in the country. He had many interventions in the South East.

Onitsha houses one of the 6 entrepreneurship centers nationwide established by the CBN under Soludo. Many of the individuals in the rank and file of CBN have Soludo to thank for their growth in one way or the other.

How you conveniently sit and make this assertion marvels me.

Let me ask you, How persons has Emeifele employed from his state?

How many People do you know that Sanusi Employed from his state?

You see? These informations are over you, and you should stick to the much you know.

In conclusion Dear Uncle Deji, my intent here is to provide you with more information as I believe that upon verification of these information I’ve provided, if will held you make a more informed opinion on the subject matter and I can bet that you will see things differently.

Best regards always.

Ugochukwu Oputa

doggedfighter:


I have never seen these large number of people contesting for governorship positions in

Anambra before.

Omo, Anambra elections are always that way oh. Over 30 persons. PDP alone is almost 12 or so...

Elections there is Tough

ShalomHomesAndP:
These are the kind of people we want in politics

Truly. Those with proven track record both in public and private service.

More of these kind, and Nigeria will be better

By Ugochukwu Tony Oputa (@UgoOputa)

Initially it was stated that Prof. Soludo was not on ground and was just an intellectual with no actual political prowess.

But as time went on, and they saw the massive movement behind Soludo and his strategic political assemblage, the narrative moved from “He is not on ground” to “APGA will not give him ticket".

They ran along with the “APGA will not give ticket” narrative, in a bid to undermine his deep rooted involvement in the affairs of the Party as a staunch party faithful, one who stayed put even in “not so good times”, and grew to highest ranks of the party as a BOT member.

While at that, they saw that the prudent Prof has knowledge of the workings of the third largest political party in the country, consulted widely along the ranks and file of the party, beginning from Party Leadership at the National and State, Stakeholders and political office holders, State house of assembly, TC Chairmen, LGA Party Chairmen and Principal officers, ward chairmen cutting across the 21 LGAs, Youth and women leaders. Till this moment, Soludo remains the only aspirant to have achieved this feat.

Upon realizing the import of such an impactful and yet strategic consultation, the naysayers filled with fear and intimidation of Profs eminent triumph, cooked up yet another narrative of “Imposition” and “cabal”, insinuating that the “Powers that be” plans to impose Prof. on the party. One of the most ridiculous and laughable narrative in resent times.

On seeing the desperate attempt by the naysayers to launch their failed narrative, one question bugged me - isn’t it this same man you said had no actual Political Value?

Isn’t it this same man you said APGA will not give him ticket?

How did we move from all that to “They want to impose him”?

You see, my father used to tell me that “a bad worker always quarrels/blames his tools”

It is normal for those who are set up to fail, to blame the system, strategy, anybody else but themselves. They are just looking for a comforting justification for their failure.

Today, launching media attacks on Prof. Cee Cee Soludo is now the go-to strategy for lazy aspirants and their promoters. The candidacy of Prof. gives them a convenient excuse to failure.

Cee Cee Soludo has shown that indeed he is prepared intellectually, politically, strategically and “otherwise”

While we agree that Politics is a game where a winner must emerge, one should not forget that the essence of the game is to bring about good leadership that will provide good governance to our people, and for the pursuit of a #GreaterAnambra. And for that sole purpose, while it is the tenets of the political process for candidates to lock fist in battle, the end goal of a better leadership should supercede, and that is enough to make leaders of thought with well meaning intentions for Ndi Anambra to cue behind a candidate that Provides and assures that.

Rather than lock fist with Soludo, it is more noble to join hands with him.

The project for a #GreaterAnambra is our project, let’s do this for our people, and for the Love of God and country.

Ugochukwu Oputa (@UgoOputa) writes from Ozubulu.

Today, while having the usual morning round table discus with my kinsmen, my Dad recollected the story of a lady who sold Akara while they were very small. He stated how the lady would always give them Akara every day they passed her place while going to school.

My Dad’s brothers also stated the same. They said it got to a point that the lady would deliberately keep aside some portion of Akara to give to them anytime that stopped by. This was over 3-4 decades ago, and the lady should be way above 100 years now.

My Dad said thoughts of the Lady had always crossed his mind and was of the opinion that he had an obligation to see her, at least while she was still alive.

My Dad’s brothers bought into the idea and within minutes, we decided to drive and go locate “Daada”

When we arrived at her place, it was amazing to see how agile she seemed after living for over a century.

Immediately we got to her, she hugged every one of us with excitement and rubbed our foreheads with the charcoal on her fingers, while raining blessings on us.

Amazingly, Daada was able to recognize the “Children”

They recounted their experiences with her, mehn, you need to see her excitement.

The thing is, she never had any child of her own, but her kindness to these children was phenomenal, and for these “children” to visit her unexpectedly after many years, in remembrance of her act of kindness, it was a great deal to her.

She entertained us with groundnuts.

When we were about to leave, everyone put funds together and gave to Daada for Christmas, and Daada told us to come together, went in to bring get her Bible, and started praying for everyone.

She went on to tell us to write our prayer points individually in her Bible.

It was an awesome experience for me, as I left there feeling so blessed.

She prayed for us from her heart.

In her words when translated,

“I’m not leaving yet, but still, you all will live longer than me”,

“As you came together today, please when I finally leave this world, you all should come when I’m being laid to rest”

May our good deeds always be remembered.

@UgoOputa

banio:


So You are sure BMH is now world standard. Anyways Wike and family will travel out for his medical trip. You can keep believing and using the painted BMH

It’s beyond sure. I was there, and went round myself. I authored the article based on my firsthand experience

banio:


Continue reading. After all, Presidential spokesman, Garba said food prices are going down. Did You read that too.

Continue believing what You read from these polithiefcians

But you chose to read the part they wrote 10Million Dollars, but somehow, managed not to see what the stayed they used the funds for, because to you, all you see is only “Paint”. Stop being bold in ignorance. E no go help you

banio:


People like You are easily deceived. Does BMH have dialysis machine ?. Which equipment did Wike buy for $10 million dollars. All I see is painting, no equipment.

“All you see”

That’s because you see, you don’t read.

Did you read where is stated that the hospital has the best Radiology Department in the region covering south east and south south?

Na paint then them take do the department?

banio:
$10 million dollars for painting alone.

$10 million dollars equals #3.8 billion naira.

Did you fail to read up? How you managed to see “Painting” were “Medical Equipment” was clearly written, should be studied as one of the wonders of the world.

Cc Lalasticlala Mynd44

By Ugochukwu Oputa

The hospital which was established in 1925 as Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, named after Eldred Curwen Braithwaite, a British doctor and a pioneer of surgery, originally, served as a medical facility for senior civil servants. It later became a General Hospital and has since gained status as a "Specialist Health Institution.

A major turn around in the facility, occurred in 2018 upon the establishment of a Medical College at the Rivers State University, which in turn led to the upgrade of the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital to a teaching hospital renamed, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

The Administration of Governor Nyesom Wike saw to the overhauling and upgrading of infrastructures at the hospital, with will over ten million dollars invested into the procurement of medical equipments.

Last week, I and my team was at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital on a fact finding mission, so as to have a personal assessment on the facility. On ground to receive us, was the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Hospital, Dr. Friday Aaron.

Dr. Aaron intimated us on the many great strides going on at the hospital and how the state government interventions is greatly impacting the Nation’s health sector.

The facility has 375 licensed beds and 731 medical staff members. It’s departments includes; Medicine, Paediatrics, Laboratories, Radiology, Family Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Anaesthesia, Surgery, Pathology, Ophthalmology, Accident Centre and the Surgical/Medical Emergency.

Apart from meeting the heath challenges of the public, the hospital also serve as training facility for medical students from the newly established Medical College at the Rivers State University, and also for nurses to become graduate nurses.

In addition to the current infrastructural development in the hospital by the State Government, more surrounding lands have been acquired, and contracts awarded for the further expansion of the Hospital. Also as an addition to the Doctors quarters that was built by this administration, construction works have begun for the construction of the Junior Doctors Quarters. All these are to ensure the comfortability of the personnel and close proximity to the hospital.

As part of the activities for our visit, we went on a tour around the facility, led by the Deputy CMD, Dr. Ali Ben Jumbo.

We visited the Radiology department, Obstetrics & Gynaecology department, Surgery department, the Accident Centre, the Surgical/Medical Emergency and other departments within the facility.

We also saw the water treatment plant, and a Gas plant that enables the hospital produce oxygen for its use., hereby making it self sustainable in that regards.

However, most fascinating for me was the Radiology Department.

It is equipped with the state of the art equipments, and rated the best within the Region, as it plays host to patients from different states in the country.

Out of curiosity, I asked the Head of Radiology Department, Dr. Rufus Abam, if the facility was not being overwhelmed, given the wide geographical area that their services covers. In response, he said; “With the amount of equipments we have here, and their various capacities, I can tell you that this facility is being underused. We can handle more than we are receiving right now”. He also went on to inform us that, that their Mammography section, offer the the most affordable Brest scans and check ups within the region, as the Rivers State Government subsidises cost on that, and that we should notify the public.

Another wonderful innovation we discovered at RSUTH, one which was unveiled to us by the CMD, was the e-Hospital portal.

Presently, through their website rsuth.ng, you can book for an appointment, make relevant payments, even without visiting the hospital. They also created an app for that too.

This innovation is geared towards making RSUTH a smart hospital. Presently, patients registration is being automated, as every patient now have their unique ID Number in the hospital’s data base. All activities at the hospital, including payments and financial summary can be monitored at the backend through the aid of the app.

With the aid of this mobile app, one can interact remotely and virtually with the hospital. It has an e-wallet system integrated with every patient’s ID number and portal where you can load funds, which can be used for payment of services. These funds is also transferable to other users, as you can now remotely transfer funds from your wallet, to that of a relative who needs medical attention.

With the introduction of Paperless consultation and family Medicine, the hospital inches closer to telemedicine.

As our rising population continues to grapple with increasing health challenges in a society with weak health care system, it is encouraging to see that the Rivers State Government is making efforts to ensure that people have increasing access to quality health care by not only building new health facilities (e.g the Mother and Child Hospital) but also upgrading and equipping existing health facilities in the case of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

Ugochukwu Tony Oputa
11th September, 2020

#OurStateOurResponsibility

By Ugochukwu Oputa

Workers play an integral part of the running of any organisation, and in most cases, the performance of the organisation thereof, is greatly dependent on the welfare of these workers.

If there have been one narrative that have rubbed negatively on the Nyesom Wike led administration, it is that of Workers pensions and gratuity.

This narrative, told overtime, have formed what one of our well celebrated writer, Chimamanda Adichie referred to as, The Danger of a Single Story; as the facts have been misrepresented to seem like a clear disregard to the civil service by the state government.

In 2017 and 2018, a survey done by an independent Statistical & Financial Data analysis firm BudgetIT, made the observation that, while 20 states were owing workers salary and remunerations, Lagos and Rivers had a clean slate, noting that the states have been consistent in the payment of workers’ remuneration and pensioners’ entitlements

(See Link for yourself:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/20-states-owe-pensions-salaries-budgit/%3famp=1)

It will also interest you to know that, this administration have been paying pensioners from the first day in office, till this day. But just like the other narrative, that is not the whole story.

I believe that at this point, your question will be, what then is the whole story?. If the present administration have been paying pensions, why then is it been said that they are owing workers pensions and gratuity?

To answer this question, we’d need to do some back tracking in time.

Prior to the Nyesom Wike led administration in the later part of 2015, the former administration were already owing workers salaries for a period of 3 months, pensions arrears for a period of over 4 months and also a backlog of gratuity accruing to billions of naira.

Also, at the center of the pensions issues was a law passed by the former administration, known as the Contributory pension scheme.

CONTRIBUTORY PENSION SCHEME

Let me take some time to explain this to you.
In 2004, the Obasanjo led administration initiated the contributory pension scheme, which was further reformed in 2014 by the contributory pension reform act of 2014 (amended).

The idea behind the contributory pension scheme is a noble one. It is arranged in such a way that the employer is expected to contribute a minimum of 10% of the employee’s monthly emoluments (sum of the basic salary, transport, and housing allowances) while the employee contributes a minimum of 8%; making a total of 18% pension contributions.

These funds is then deposited to the individual employees Retirement Savings Account RSA, and then invested on behalf of the employee via FGN Securities, Money Market Securities and other investment vehicles to the benefit of the employee. The idea is that, you do not only save for retirement but gain some accrued investment on the contributions.

How then did this good idea turn into a problem?, you must be wondering.

Problems started when Government failed to remit their own part of the contributory pension funds. In fact, in 2017, the NLC doubted the sustainability of the Contributory Pension Scheme claiming that the federal government’s liability to the scheme was no less than N183billion.

In Rivers State, the former Governor had adopted the Contributory Pension Scheme act, and signed it into law, hereby having part of Rivers State worker trapped in the challenges emanating from the failing Pension scheme.

The resultant effects thereof, created a complex challenge of properly deciding how the scheme should come into effect, or proceed.

POST MAY 29, 2015

Upon assumption of office, the Governor spotted the the defective pension law operated by the past administration as one that posed a major challenge to workers welfare. He kick started the process of fixing the law through the State Assembly, and in 2019, he sign into law, The Rivers State pension reform law (No.4 of 2019)

Upon the amendment of the state pension law, the state government commenced biometric capture exercise aimed at enlisting eligible individuals into the pension payroll. As at June 2019, over 800 pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme where placed on the payroll and had started receiving their pensions.

It is worthy to note that pensioners who are not under the Contributory Pension Scheme, have been receiving their pensions uninterrupted since 2015 when this administration came to power, till this day.

In fact, the Governor, also cleared the four months pension arrears he inherited from the Amaechi administration, before entrenching the regular payment of monthly pensions.

While we cannot say all the challenges have been solved, it is only right to appreciate the fact the the government have been making deliberate efforts in trying to fix a problem it inherited. More so, the fact that efforts of the government have been bringing desired results, should be an indication of sincerity of purpose on the side of the Government.

A Government met its workforce being owed, trapped by a defective law, with challenges here and there, swung into action, cleared the workers outstanding payment, reformed the defective law, enrolled eligible pensioners to the payroll, and went further to clear debts being owed to them by the past administration.

To me, this government is but a victim of a single story.

Yes, plight of civil servants with regards to unpaid benefits are well understood and I frankly sympathize with them. However, the steps taken by the government in trying to fix these issues should indicate that this administration appreciates workers' welfare.

The narrative that the government inhumanely and unjustifiably ignores workers' welfare is simply inaccurate

Ugochukwu Tony Oputa
7th September, 2020

#OurStateOurResponsibility

More Photos from the Launch of the Operation Sting Programme

Demolition of Criminal Hideouts in the state, in partnership with the then Commisioner of Police

Arms recovered from the State Amnesty Programme being displayed at the Government House.

Cc Lalasticlala Mynd44

By Ugochukwu Oputa

Rivers State is one state that have had its share of bad PR on the bases of insecurity; even when other states were terrorised in worst manner, political actors would spare no time in brandishing the state “Rivers of Blood”.

Regardless the political exploitation of the security situation in the state, the NEW Administration have risen above board to show leadership.

Governor Wike's strategic approach to tackling the security challenge in the state has been anchored on the effective cordination, collaboration and synergy with the Federal Government, the constitutionally recognized law enforcement agencies, community leaders and traditional institutions. This approach have been effective thus far and is bringing desired results.

In June 2016, the “NEW” Administration went head on against cultism elements in the state with the demolition of Cultist and kidnappers hide outs around the State. The Governor oversaw the demolition along side the then Commissioner of Police, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo. This action sent a strong signal and it became clear that the government was committed in bringing about a safer Rivers State.

In applying the Stick and Carrot approach, in September, 2016, the Rivers State Government launched the State Amnesty Programme as a way of giving a second chance to some of these persons who would want to turn a new leave.

The Amnesty committee was saddled with the responsibility of receiving repentant cult group members, retrieving Arms from them, binding and rehabilitating them. At the end of the Programme which lasted for 60 days, a total of 22,430 cultists and militants had renounced cultism and embraced the amnesty offer, while they surrendered 911 arms, 7661 assorted ammunition and 147 explosives.

Indicating Gov. Wike’s strong resolve in stamping out crime in the state, in March 2018 Governor Nyesom Wike gave his assent to three bills:
- The Rivers State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law No.8 of 2018
- The Rivers State Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) (Amendment) Law No.6 of 2018 and
- The Rivers State Kidnap (Prohibition) (Amendment) No.2 Law No.7 of 2018.

This Laws further gave the needed legal framework in stamping out insecurity in the state.

However, The Neighbourhood Safety Corps which was envisaged with the finest of intentions to suit our peculiar society was abruptly disrupted by the Federal Government forces; an action which seemed like a case of double standards as similar security architecture existed in other part of the country.

Not one to be deterred by setbacks, Governor Nyesom Wike being true to his firm commitment and strong resolve in ensuring a safer Rivers State went further to visit various communities where issues of insecurities and cult activities held sway. The Governor stated that Traditional Rulers that allow and aid criminality to thrive in their communities stood at risk of loosing their government recognition. Recall that the NEW Administration was the first to introduce Security Stipends for Traditional Rulers in December 2015.


In a move further reinforcing the administration’s efforts in ensuring a Safer Rivers State, on the 26th of July 2019 the “NEW” Administration launched the OPERATION STING; A security architecture comprising of the Army, Navy, Airforce, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), C4I Unit , Police Anti-Cultism, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, Federal Road Safety Corps, and fully funded by the Rivers State Government.

A total number of 76 patrol/operational vehicles fitted with communication gadgets; 8armoured fitted gunboats, to tighten coastal security and protect our waterways from the activities of criminals; 2 armoured Personnel Carriers for Policeswift responses actions; 450 hand-held mobile radios to enhance communication among the security operatives and overcome the current wide gaps in intelligence gathering.

The State Government also established operational bases in all the 23 Local Government Areas to strengthen the command and control structures of the initiative and commissioned 30 toll free emergency call centres with capacity to support and transmit 30 concurrent calls.

As a way of encouraging the gallantry of the Officers and Men, the State Government announced the establishment of a grant to cater for their families, should they suffer any mishap in the course of service to the State.

While the goal of achieving a SAFER RIVERS STATE is a continuous one, the results thus far have been outstanding as crime and issues of insecurity have dropped drastically. As a matter of fact, last year, Rivers State recorded one of the safest festive period in recent times.

We cannot say all is perfect, however with the impressive progress made thus far, and the commitment on the side of the Government, we can only expect more better times.

#OurStateOurResponsibility

Ugochukwu Oputa
10th August, 2020

Multi Storey regional referral Hospital, Degema