Chime's political camp in disarray

ONLINE Vol. 2 No. 105, November 24, 2014

NIGERIA

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ENUGU 2015:

Chime's political camp in disarray May dump PDP *Confusion Abuja, Enugu courts grant *conflictingas injunctions

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GBURUGBURU 2015 ‌Truly the Choice of the People The PDP Stakeholders, The People of Enugu North, East & West Senatorial Zones, The Academia, Professionals, Teachers, Students, Workers, Women, Youths, Children, Taxi Drivers, Okada Riders, The Civil Society Groups and Everybody in Enugu Say YES, It is GBURUGBURU.

Hon

for

(Gburugburu) ENUGU STATE

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November 24, 2014

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ENUGU 2015:

Chime's political camp in disarray

By Ted Peters, Rex Arum “But it is unfortunate that offices to his cronies and close & Augustina Eze Nwobodo, former Military Governor Chime who has been aides like Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, saying it paved the way for those

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he political camp of Governor Sullivan Chime the supposed leader of the People's Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State is now in disarray following the colossal loss of the governor and his supporters in the protracted battle for the soul of the party in the state.

For the governor and his supporters, political analysts say, “things have fallen apart and the centre can no longer hold” as members of what was known to be PDP family in Enugu State have now turned to different directions in search of their political destiny.

Members of the governor's camp who have clearly lost control of the PDP structure to the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Dr. Ike Ekweremadu and his loyalists, are now grumbling.

They have been thrown into confusion over the next line of action to recover lost grounds after their political future had been battered on account of “blind loyalty'”.

As a way out of the political quagmire, it has been speculated that Chime and his group might dump the ruling PDP for another political party before the PDP primaries scheduled for November 29.

The governor was reportedly being pressurized by various aspirants in the camp to adopt an alternative political platform if he must continue to retain the support and loyalty of his members but it could not be ascertained if he has accepted the proposal.

Trouble started for Chime and his followers when the governor declared publicly that he would retire all the serving members of the National Assembly from the state. The plan was to replace them with his own first eleven made up of his appointees that have worked closely with him in the last seven years and five months.

Among those on his list to retire from politics are Senators Ekweremadu, Ayogu Eze and Gilbert Nnaji representing Enugu West, Enugu North and Enugu East respectively as well as all serving members of the House of Representatives.

It was from this point, ADVOCATE NIGERIA learnt, the camp of Chime's political foes began to swell as those he plotted to “retire from politics” began to dig deep pits around him using their connections with the Federal Government and the resources they have acquired over the years.

Besides, the governor was said to have committed some political blunders when he allegedly unilaterally shared out political

his Chief of Staff for over seven year whom he anointed for Enugu East senatorial seat and some Commissioners to whom he allocated House of Representatives seats.

These appointees have continued to flaunt their wealth and influence derived from the supposed leader, who had given a false hope that they would be given automatic tickets of the party to ventilate their political ambitions.

But recent developments within the state Chapter of the party appears to have truncated their dreams as the party's tickets have become elusive owing to the unexpected turn of events which has almost deprived the group their hitherto stranglehold on the party.

The immediate past State Chairman of the party, Engr. Vita Abba reportedly took ill suddenly after the contentious emergence of the party's consensus candidate under an arrangement brokered by Chime.

Many of the governorship aspirants who were in the purported meeting described it as “political ambush.”

Abba, though without a poster on the street was nursing a governorship ambition and was confident that Chime would give him support having worked with him closely since 2007.

At the meeting however, he was cajoled among the nine aspirants from Enugu North senatorial zone (Nsukka area) to step down for the consensus candidate.

Few days after the exercise, Abba resigned as party chairman leaving a vacuum which his deputy, Elder David Aja was empowered by the PDP Constitution to fill in acting capacity.

But rather than allow Aja to act pending the convocation of a meeting of the State Executive Committee, SEC of the party where a substantive chairman would be elected, Chime and his group, railroad the SEC convened by party Secretary, Steve Oruruo to appoint Ikeje Asogwa as the successor to Abba.

Some stakeholders of the party especially members of the National Assembly whom the governor had threatened to “retire from politics” and some governorship aspirants who were not favoured by the consensus arrangement, capitalized on the alleged breaches of the party's constitution to have a foothold on the party's structure.

A member of the party, who pleaded anonymity, said that Engr. Abba's resignation and his speculated ailment was “divine”,

who were to be shut out of the 2015 elections to have access to the party's tickets which were allegedly reserved only for

Governor of Gombe State, Group Captain Joe Orji (rtd) also rose in defence of the congress saying they fully participated in it and

Gov. Chime governor's candidates.

However, with the successful conduct of the November 1, 2014 PDP Ward Congresses under the supervision of the Acting Chairman, Elder Aja, who was recognized by the National Working Committee, NWC, as the State Party leader, opponents of Chime believe that the coast was now clear for a free and fair contest for the party's ticket.

Meanwhile, the Ekweremadu group led by Aja conducted the Ward Congresses supervised by four members of the Electoral Panel from the PDP headquarters, Abuja; the Chime group led by Asogwa on the other hand said its members did not participate in the congress alleging that materials meant for the exercise were held up at Abuja.

The protest was however shortlived as the Ward Congress Appeal Panel confirmed the election even as a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja restrained the party and its members from tampering with the result of the November 1 congress conducted in Enugu. Stakeholders of the party like the former National Chairman and former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governor of Old Anambra State, Chief Jim

urged the PDP National leadership to uphold it.

The development has seriously unsettled Chime and his group and it is seen as a serious setback in the power game in the state.

Said a chieftain of the party from Enugu north senatorial zone on condition of anonymity: “It is unfortunate that Chime could allow such a devastating mistake at this injury time but it seems everything happening in Enugu now is in line with God's plan to liberate the state from those who planned to hijack power to the detriment of those that God has destined to lead His people.

“The sudden resignation of Engr.

Vita Abba as PDP Chairman, I believe was not voluntary and his ailment which was widely reported by the media was indeed suspect because both the governor and his aides made it a secret and up till now nobody can give a clear account of Abba's state of health.

Whoever masterminded the sudden exit of the former Chairman should be blamed for whatever political misfortune that the Chime group has encountered and not Elder Aja or his backers.

God has indeed intervened in the affairs of Enugu State and I believe that better days are ahead for Enugu people.

governor for two-terms could not build a solid and sustainable party structure like his predecessor, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani did in order to produce his successor without the kind of crisis and political brouhaha that we are witnessing in Enugu today. Anyway, we are not surprised by what is happening because Chime has always said that he is not a politician”.

Meanwhile, insider sources told ADVOCATE NIGERIA that all hopes are not lost for Chime and his group as President Goodluck Jonathan has mediated in the rift between the group and Ekweremadu's. There is the possibility of agreeing to “work together” in the interest of the party in the state.

Although details of the peace accord brokered by the president has remained a top secret, the accommodation of some supporters of Chime in the list of Local Government delegates that would participate in the PDP National Convention and Presidential Primary at Abuja following last Saturday's Local Government Congresses in 17 Local Government Areas of the state supervised by the Acting Chairman, Elder Aja, could be an indication to this.

The situation in the party is still very dicey as it was not clear to supporters of the two principal parties – Chime and Ekweremadu - if the purported peace accord includes who produces the next governor and members of the National Assembly from the state in the 2015 elections.

S e n . Ay o g u E z e , Speaker Eugene Odo, kick Already, two governorship aspirants of the party who earlier opposed the consensus arrangement for the selection of the gubernatorial flag-bearer, Senator Ayogu Eze and Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barrister Eugene Odo, have stuck to their guns insisting that a level playing ground be provided for all the aspirants to participate in the party primaries.

Chime has reportedly threatened to impeach the Speaker should he go ahead in his bid and submit his nomination and expression of interest forms, which he obtained at Abuja some weeks back. Odo, it was learnt, has since submitted his completed forms.

Apparently to beat the governor to the game, he has also adjourned further sitting of the House till December 2.

It was learnt that before the adjournment which took some

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November 24, 2014

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Coal City Cab Operators rally for Ugwuanyi The Enugu Forum President expressed conviction that Hon. Ugwuanyi will make a good governor saying; “he is going to build on the legacies laid down by Governor Sullivan Chime. I want to also tell you that Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, I know him very well, I know his pedigree, and our people in Enugu State know that this man will be one of the best governors in 2015.”

He described the PDP guber consensus candidate, U g w u a n y i a s a philanthropist, a team leader, a politician who has been in the system for almost 12 years as a member of the National Assembly. “He knows that politicians exist and we believe he will perform wonderfully well.

“As I talk with you today, you can verify from the streets of Enugu, he is the most popular Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwanyi candidate in the state. There believe they will queue up. is nowhere you mention his name “I don't know what you mean by that people will not say 'that good political maneuvering; the PDP has man.' It's not for me to start telling spoken and whoever disagrees has you what he has done for the people an option to go to another party but but if you go down to the grassroots, we are not praying for that. Since and ask, the down trodden will tell the party has come out open to say you that this man has touched their this is our consensus candidate, I lives in one way or the other am only preaching as the leader of without being a governor. So, if you Enugu Unity Forum that all our give him the leadership of the state, brothers who in one way or the he is going to build on the existing other feel they should have been the infrastructural development that governor should queue up and the present administration has put respect the party.” in place in the state. And I know he

*Gets more group endorsements

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he consensus Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Hon, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has continued to garner more support from different professional bodies and political pressure groups in the state who have vowed to ensure his victory in the 2015 gubernatorial contest.

Ugwuanyi has received overwhelming endorsements froonm both PDP and several other opposition parties as well as professional bodies and pressure groups, who are determined to ensure that the state is well governed in the next dispensation by a leader that is generally accepted and loved by the people.

Apart from the endorsement given to him by the PDP stakeholders in the three senatorial districts of the state, the Enugu consensus governorship candidate has also received groundswell supports and solidarity from PDP leaders and members at the District and Ward levels, the Academia, Professionals, Teachers, Students, Wo r k e r s , Wo m e n , Yo u t h s , Children, Traders' Associations, Taxi Drivers, Okada Riders and Civil Society Groups among others.

On Wednesday, November 12, 2014 over 1,000 taxi cab operators took over the major streets and roads of the Enugu capital city when the Enugu Unity Forum, an association set up for good governance in the state in conjunction with the Coal City Cab Operators, held a mega rally that almost grounded activities in the state capital.

The road show which lasted for over five hours was a rare show of solidarity as the taxi drivers voluntarily agreed to take a day off to drum up support for the House of Reps member for Igboeze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, who has been adopted as the PDP guber consensus candidate for the 2015 elections.

Leader of the forum, Hon Tahil Ochi told newsmen shortly after the rally that brought major roads in Enugu to standstill that he was satisfied with the large turnout, which he noted was unprecedented.

Ochi said: “I thank God that Enugu people have again spoken to show solidarity for Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. I don't know how to describe the crowd today but I must thank the almighty God for the overwhelming support for Sullivan Chime because it is a support for the governor as well as the incoming governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

“We organized this mega rally for Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi the consensus guber candidate of the PDP in Enugu State in conjunction with Enugu City Cab. I am highly

impressed and all glory must go to God. “It's a support for Ugwuanyi, a popular candidate, the choice of Enugu people and we said it will be good to organize a rally for him to show how popular he is amongst the populace. So, the Enugu Unity Forum with Enugu Taxi came out en masse and joined hands to have a road show round the whole city of Enugu State to show solidarity with the man that we know will be the governor of Enugu State.”

On the few members of the PDP, who are still kicking against the consensus arrangement, Ochi said; “Of course, they must accept the decision of the party because we are all party members and if you even look at what happened in the presidential nomination too, everybody came together and said okay; let the president contest as a consensus candidate. And if you have looked around, even some people that went to buy form, they have all dropped because you must respect the party because the party has the final say.

“In Enugu State, the PDP stakeholders have endorsed Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi but that doesn't mean that you have to shut out people from showing interest to contest but they are in the minority and I

is going to do better in 2015 as a governor.”

Ochi noted that the forum which pushed for the realization of a power shift to Nsukka zone has always believed that for the sake of equity that power should go to Enugu North.

“We don't have any problem in the state whether it is going to the North or East, everybody in the state has agreed it is for the North and more than 90 per cent of those aspiring to be governor are all from the zone.

And when the stakeholders met, you discover that more than 99 per cent supported the emergence of Ugwuanyi from the zone.

“So, we are not afraid that the zoning is on-course but in politics, there is need to carry the message to the grassroots again to tell them yes, this is the decision of the stakeholders. So, we are not afraid of anybody contesting the election because majority will always have their way.”

He maintained that; “there is a pattern in PDP; and the party has not shut anybody out from contesting but at the appropriate time, and before the primary, I assure you that Ugwuanyi will be the sole candidate.”

Hon. Ugwuanyi has continued to acknowledge the unprecedented solidarity from various groups in the state with the assurance that he would live up to the expectation of the people for good governance that would move the state to another glorious destination.

Jonathan declares second term bid, vows to defeat Boko Haram

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resident Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday declared his bid for a second term with a pledge to do all “humanly possible” to defeat Boko Haram.

Jonathan made the declaration a day after a suicide bomber killed 47 people and injured 79 others at the Government Senior Science Secondary School, Potiskum in Yobe State.

Addressing party supporters at the Eagles Square in Abuja Tuesday, where he declared to contest the 2015 elections, President Jonathan said the killings, one of many, has clearly “cast a dark cloud” on Nigeria.

But he said Nigeria, under his watch, will defeat a bloody fiveyear-old insurgency by Boko Haram which is suspected of being behind the school bombing.

“Many Nigerians have lost their lives and property to these mindless killings,” Mr. Jonathan said. “A number of young men and women have been kidnapped by these criminal elements including our daughters from Chibok. We will free our daughters and defeat terrorism.”

Jonathan said his government, which has come under intense criticisms over its handling of the crisis, was currently equipping the

armed forces and deploying Special Forces to fight Boko Haram and end the “senseless war”.

“We must protect our country. We must save our people. I will do everything humanly possible to end this criminal violence in our Nation,” he said.

Declaring for another term, Jonathan listed what he said his government achieved in the past four years, and told the crowd he decided to contest the 2015 presidential election after seeking the face of God, in a quiet reflection with his family.

“Therefore, after seeking the face of God, in quiet President Goodluck Jonathan reflection with my family and having listened to the call of our “Just as we stopped Ebola, we are people nationwide to run, I, on our way to eradicating Polio in Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, Nigeria” “I promise that I will not have accepted to re-present myself, handover Polio to anyone”. on the platform of The Peoples' He said he has established 14 new Democratic Party, for re-election as Universities out of which two are the President of the Federal specialised. “Under my watch, Republic of Nigeria, in the 2015 every Nigerian state has a Federal University,” he sai?d. He said he has general elections,” he said.

The president recounted how he, established 150 almajiri schools in alongside the governors of Lagos the north. and Rivers State, and other ?The president said the Dangote group has invested US$1 bn on rice Nigerians, united to fight Ebola.

production and that in time, Nigeria will become a net exporter of rice.

Jonathan said he has eradicated corruption in the agricultural sector and that the success will be extended to other sectors. He said he will double his effort in the fight against corruption and that corrupt government officials will begin to face justice. ?H e said his government has succeeded in eliminating long queues at fuel stations through consistent provision of petroleum products to Nigerians.

The President said he has started a “revolution” in the housing sector that will enable millions of Nigerians to become first time house owners. Currently, 66,000 mortgage request from young Nigerians is already being processed, he told his supporters. ?H e said his government has completed the dredging of the River Niger from Baro in Niger state to Warri in Delta state. ?O n power, Jonathan said his government has pursued reforms to “an irreversible progress”?and that additional hydro power stations are being built in Zungeru and Manbila. ?Jonathan said he was grateful for the trust reposed on him by many Nigerians, and thanked Nigerians for their understanding over the Boko Haram insurgency in the north east.

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Chic

NIGERIA

2015: PDP will not hand over power to terrorism sponsors, says Akpabio

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overnor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party Governors' Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio said Tuesday that the ruling party will not handover to sponsors of terrorism.

Akpabio said this on behalf of his colleagues at President Jonathan's presidential declaration at Eagles Square, Abuja said that the road to 2015 would not be smooth for President Jonathan and the party but assured that the party will still win the presidential election and majority of the governorship seats in the country.

“We were robbed of three states, but the entry of Ekiti and Ondo States have increased our number. We may end up with about 30 states.

“But Mr. President, we know that the route to 2015 is not going to be very smooth but we are assuring you that at the end of the tunnel victory is yours as victory belongs to all of us and victory remains that of PDP. “We will never be intimidated. You are like David in the Bible, you are fighting all the

wars today so that future Presidents in Nigeria will have peace.

“We recognize that. You have taken the right step by building the Almajiri schools particularly in Northern Nigeria, you are building other schools in the South.

“You have decided to take education as a major step to educate Nigerian children so that they will not be misled in the future again.

“Never again will people mislead our children into terrorism; never again will our children succumb to insurgency. We are witnessing something that is totally unNigerian and we are saying do not be intimidated, we are behind you.

“Those who are behind you are more than those who are against you. In 2015 all Nigerians are going to tell you that we are behind you.”

He said that the opposition was fighting a lost battle, adding that there was no way the ruling party would hand over the reins of government to them”, he said.

Collect your forms, PDP tells Prof. Abiola

By Euclid Myke, Abuja

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HE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Friday urged Prof. Akasoba Duke-Abiola to collect her Presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms, or leave the party with no option than to presume that she has an ulterior motive.

Chief Olisa Metuh, National Publicity Secretary of PDP, in a statement explained that the refusal of Prof. Akasoba DukeAbiola to collect her Presidential Expression of Interest and Nomination forms in spite of the one week extension granted by the party, which expires on Friday, November 14, to accommodate teeming party faithful interested in running for respective offices implies that she may have a different agenda.

The party also noted that "Prof. DukeAbiola willfully refused to collect her

Expression of Interest form with Code number PD002/P and serial number 0000003 and Nomination form with Code number PD003/P and serial number 0000003 even after it was sent to her through her lawyers".

Metuh insisted that "Professor DukeAbiola's refusal to collect the forms suggests an ulterior motive", adding that other aspirants including Dr. Ghalil Tafawa Balewa and President Goodluck Jonathan collected their forms on October 30th 2014 and November 6th 2014 respectively.

The party expressed surprise that Professor Duke-Abiola, chose to go to court instead of taking advantage of the extension, which expires on Friday to collect her forms.

Stating that the aspirant still has until the close of November 14, to collect her forms, the PDP said "failure to do so, it will have no option than to consider her as not being interested in the contest, but out to cause confusion and foment trouble in the party".

Fake Corps member in police net for alleged forgery

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OziokoOkoli Jennifer Name: Name: Brenda 5th Augustand Acting DateHobby: of Birth:Modeling Reading & Dancing Hobby: Likes: Honesty Likes: Honesty & Justice Dislike: Dishonesty Dislike: Injustice & Dishonesty Email: brendyo417@yahoo.com Occupation: Student Source: st santos productions Phone: 07036281687 07067899677 Email: oziokochizzy@gmail.com

he police in Enugu have commenced investigations into the alleged forgery and impersonation by one Henry Emeka Onyekwere, a native of Ihube Okigwe in Imo State.

Onyekwere who claimed to be residing in Ghana and a graduate of Industrial Physics from Abia State University, Uturu, was apprehended by the police on November 9, 2014 at the National Youth Service Corps Orientation Camp, Awgu.

He was arrested for allegedly stealing an NYSC Tag number 1614 which he used to produce his own tag bearing the same number.

The State Police spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, who confirmed the arrest of the fake corps member said that the photographs in the purported call-up letter he presented was quite different from the

one in the NYSC register at the orientation camp.

According to him, the suspect confessed that he actually graduated from the Abia State University where he studied Industrial Physics between 2010 and 2013 but he was not called up for national service.

“The suspect said since he was determined to participate in the service and was not called to the orientation Camp at Awgu he had to steal a tag from a corps member from where he did a tag for himself to enable him have a free access in the camp,” Amaraizu said. He said that the suspect had spent three days at the Awgu NYSC Orientation camp before he was detected, adding that he had pleaded for forgiveness.

The police, he said, he would ensure that all those connected with the forgery were brought to book.

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OIL SUBSIDY, PENSION FRAUD:

EFCC recovers over N6billion, convicts one, says Larmode

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conomic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, said it has recovered over five billion naira from subsidy fraud investigation while prosecuting over forty suspects in court.

Delivering a speech in a workshop on “Effective Reporting of Financial Crimes” organized by the commission for selected journalist from Southeast, held at Golden Villa Hotels and Suites, Enugu, the Executive Chairman of EFCC, Ibrahim Lamorde represented by the deputy director, public affairs, Osita Nwajah, said the commission has recovered properties valued at over a billion

naira in a pension fraud matter while one conviction was secured by the commission refuting some reports in some section of media that the commission has maintained a low profile.

Lamorde noted that in spite of their shortcomings, he said the media has been helpful adding, “The Commission owes its modest achievements in the last 11 years to the active support of the Nigerian media and we are determined to consolidate this working partnership, going forward”.

He said the decision of the commission to sponsor the workshop underscores the importance which it attaches to

the role of the media in the fight against corruption and economic crimes.

According to the EFCC boss, “The anti-graft war cannot be won without the support of the media. We rely on you to help carry the message of anti-corruption to Nigerians and mobilize them to buy into the anticorruption campaign as the anti-graft agencies, alone cannot win the fight against corruption in the country”.

Lamorde, who urged the media to act as whistle blowers by beaming searchlights on area where corrupt practices thrive in

Ibrahim Lamorde our country, however regretted that “corrupt elements in our midst have infiltrated a section of

our otherwise very robust, patriotic and nationalistic media.

“It is common these days to see the media celebrating persons who epitomize all that's wrong with our nation”.

The corruption agency chief advocated that the media should take greater interest in cases that are either being investigated or prosecuted by the commission, stressing that situation where media interest in corruption cases fizzles after arraignment is unhealthy.

“You must be prepared to track the trial of corruption cases as that will not only help in putting such matters in public consciousness, it will also be a disincentive for compromise by errant judicial officers”, he said.

Stop Enugu's N11 Billion Loan, Group tells CBN

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he Enugu Rescue Group, ERG, has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to stop the N11 billion loan from commercial banks approved for the Enugu State Government by the State House of Assembly at its closed door sitting on Thursday, describing it at as “2015 general election bonanza that would be of no benefit to the masses of the State”.

This came even as the group strongly condemned what it termed the penchant of the Enugu State House of Assembly and Chime administration for the

conduct public business in s e c r e c y, s a y i n g t h a t t h e emergency reconvening of the House, which had earlier adjourned plenary till November 4, just to approve the loan was very questioning.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Martin Okenwa, and made available to reporters on Friday, the Enugu-based pressure group lashed at the State House of Assembly for approving the N11 billion loan, insisting that the move would further enslave the current and unborn generations of Enugu State.

The ERG said: “The reasons adduced for the loan, which is to complete ongoing projects and offset an earlier loan, is untenable and fallacious. We strongly believe that the loan is not unconnected with the 2015 general election.

“We consider it unhealthy for both the State's economy and the 2015 general election in the State to make such monumental sum available to a government during an election season, especially when they are desperately searching for an alternative political platform to actualise the political ambitions of the

Governor's allies, which is in serious jeopardy under the PDP. “We therefore call on the Central Bank of Nigerian and other relevant financial regulatory agencies to stop the loan. We also wish to make it categorically clear to the banks in question that loaning such money to the Chime Administration is at their own risk as incoming people's government will not repay such dubious loan.”

The group said there would not have been any need for the House of Assembly to approve the loan in a closed door session if the

Administration if the loan was public good.

Also reacting to the loan approval, President of Jonathan Support Group, JSG, Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Chief Paul Anikwe, said it was surprising that the governor who had less than five months to go would decide to incur such a huge debt, which would definitely not be repaid before the expiration of his tenure.

He said: “Who do they expect to pay back the loan. What projects is the loan meant to serve if not personal aggrandizement? The timing was totally wrong. It is not right to take such heavy loan at the heat of the current politics.

“How can an outgoing governor request for an approval of N11 billion credit and the House just approved it in few hours without considering the consequences of debt.

“There should be a public hearing where details of such expenditure should be made public for the people of the state to know what the fund is meant for because as we speak, it is on record that the September 2013 salary of Enugu workers has not been paid till today and Enugu civil servants remain the least paid in the Federation which is disheartening.”

Chief Anikwe said that the loan might be part of the funds the governor needed to actualize his political ambition, urging the CBN to stop the release of the fund by the banks until a clear explanation is given to the people of Enugu State regarding the projects it would be spent on.

“Until such explanations are made, the CBN should halt the release of the fund while the UBA and GTB should know that they are giving the money at their own risk,” he said.

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2015: APGA set for an upset Ukachukwu, Ubanese Igbeke, Emeka Ojukwu jnr, others, to carry party’s flag against PDP in Anambra

By Uche Chukwu, Awka disposition that cut across the

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head of the forthcoming general elections billed for 2005, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is already looking beyond the party's primaries to make a good impression after the defection of former governor of the State, Chief Peter Obi. Investigations revealed that APGA is shopping for credible and tested candidates to carry its flag in a bid to constitute a big obstacle to the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Apart from Anambra Central Senatorial District, where the incumbent Senator, Dr. Chris Ngige of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is seen as the major threat to the ambition of the APGA's National Chairman, Sir Victor Umeh, there are indications that the party is fielding marketable materials with broad grassroots base to contest the forthcoming National and State Assemblies seats in the State.

It was gathered that APGA's intent to pick good electoral candidate informed the drafting of first Igbo man to win the House of Representatives as a candidate representing AMAC Federal Constituency, Abuja, and former Senatorial aspirant and governorship aspirant f the PDP, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu into APGA to challenge incumbent Senator, Dr. Andy Uba of the PDP. The bid to draft Ukachukwu, according to sources, did not go down well with other aspirants of the party especially former House of representatives member for Orumba North and South federal Constituency and one time Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Okey Udeh who was pressurized to step down for Ukachukwu and seek to return to the lower house in the National Assembly.

The son of the former Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Chief Emeka Ojukwu junior and Sole Administrator of Nnewi North Local Government Council was equally prevailed upon to settle for the House of Representative slot instead of Senatorial ticket because of Ukachukwu's interest.

Ojukwu junior is contesting the House of Representatives sat for Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency and is already anointed to replace the incumbent member from APGA, Hon. Chris Azubogu, whose representation was once described as voiceless.

Again, APGA is bent on throwing its weight behind Alphonsus Ubanese Igbeke as a result of his experience as a onetime Senator, p o p u l a r i t y, p h i l a n t h r o p i c

District as well as the 'electoral' magic wand in place of former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Dubem Obaze.

Senator Ubanese is tipped to have a better local reach than the incumbent, Senator Margery and former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah, both of PDP Similarly, the defection of the member representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal C o n s t i t u e n c y, H o n . U c h e Ekwunife from APGA to PDP, is believed to have created a big vacuum with APGA being forced to look for an experienced marketable candidate with grassroots base in the Njikoka local government area that make up the Federal Constituency.

It was this thinking; an impeccable source said that informed the wide applause that greeted the entry into APGA of a former PDP Chieftain and top contender for the seat in the last ten years, Chief Mike Nkwocha, an Abuja-based lawyer of 23 years standing to carry the party's flag.

With Enugu-ukwu town of Umunri endorsed to produce Ekwunife's successor, narrowed the struggle between Chief Nkwocha and Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo, a philanthropist and in-law to the River State governor, Chibuike Amechi. The Presidency it was gathered is not comfortable with the aspiration of Amechi's in-law and is like the State government looking elsewhere.

The secret anointing of Chief Nkwocha, who was the Chairman of the Electoral Sub-Committee of the Political Matters and Electoral Committee of the National Political Conference of 2005 was on account of his ability to sway the votes in favour of APGA in both the Local Government Council and governorship elections held in the State.

Nkwocha's arrival to the State Headquarters of the party ignited the atmosphere with electrifying presence that one of the State executive members, could not hide his feelings to say that “APGA has nothing to fear losing former governor Peter Obi to PDP,” as according to him, 'Nkwocha has the contact in Abuja, and maintains an inter-party network of voter base.”Little wonder, Nkwocha told his supporters that he will provide purposeful and people-oriented leadership as well as make the voice of the Federal Constituency and State heard loudly in Abuja.

APGA may have tacitly endorsed the Speaker, Princess Chinwe Nwaebili in favour of the incumbent member of House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Ogene who is seen as an outsider in APGA.

Ubanese Igbeke

Ukachukwu

The choice of Nwaebili was given a boost when the wife of the State governor, Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano openly told the crowd in one of her outings that the Speaker had been endorsed to carry the party's flag, amidst protests.

In Anambra East and West Federal Constituency, APGA is not only counting on experience but also grassroots base which in the thinking of chieftains and leaders of the party are possessed by a frontline politician from the area, Barrister Edith Nnacheta MikeEjezie, the wife of one time governorship candidate and former State Chairman of All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP), Ichie Mike Ejezie.

Her preference to the Special Assistant to Governor Obiano on Youth Mobilization, Chinedu Obidigwe is to enable APGA produce a tested and grassroots-

oriented politician to challenge the incumbent member of the House of Representatives for the Federal Constituency, Hon. Chriscato; observers say is a way to appreciate his efforts.

In Awka North and South Federal Constituency, APGA appears to be shifting to Awka North zone to favour a former Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Godson Ezenagu, in order to have a base to fight PDP's likely flag bearer and former Deputy Chairman of Awka South Local Government Council, Chief Pat Chukwuemeka Orjiakor, who is being tipped to carry the PDP flag instead of the former Speaker, Chief Hon. Anayo Nnebe who is accused of not having managed Sure-P activities well resulting in arrears of stipends owed hundreds of workers.

Orjiakor is favoured by the party's godfathers, Prince Arthur Eze and

Emeka Ojukwu jnr Chris Uba on the rotation of the seat to Awka South 2 or Obizi (Constituency B) which is yet to produce a House of Representatives member as Awka South 1 and Awka North zones have dominated it sharing it at 7 and 2 respectively.

Hon. Chinedu Eluemunoh is vying for Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency to recover the seat he lost in the last election, but APGA seems to have allocated the slot to a woman, one Architect Chinelo who is an aide to governor Obiano and as an expression of practical step to give more women political space.

APGA is still searching for a formidable candidate to carry its flag in Ihiala Federal Constituency, Onitsha North and South Federal Constituency and Aguata Federal Constituency as those areas are strongholds of PDP.

Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe will produce self-reliant graduates, says Provost by the 2008 global he provost Nwafor Orizu economic meltdown College of Education have made it Nsugbe, Anambra State, m andatory for Dr. Ego Uzoezie says the college Nigerian students to possesses all it takes to produce b e d i l i g ent and self-reliant graduates who will be serious with their job creators, and even employ studies to come out others to create wealth and from school ready to become useful citizens and future work on their own. leaders of tomorrow that will The college provost contribute their quota to nation r e m arked that building. governor Obiano, She told newsmen in an interview Immediately on in her office at Nsugbe that with assumption of duty the infrastructures and facilities last March, took on ground in the institution, appropriate measures students of the college are better to reposition the equipped to acquire the necessary college to entrench basic skills to actualize this noble quality service objective of being self-reliant on delivery, took care of graduation, courtesy of the state the welfare of staff governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

Dr. C. Ego Uzoezie and promised to Dr. Uzoezie pointed out that the Provost Nwafor Orizu College p r o v i d e p o l i c e of Education, Nsugbe current mass unemployment, security van to ensure huge job cuts and budget deficits, collar jobs experienced in many as well as the extinction of white countries of the world occasioned Continues on page 27

T

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LEGAL NOTICE FORM 9 (RULE 19) ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION

Chime's political camp in disarray Continued from page 2 fourteen days to file its

statement of defence and serve same on the plaintiff.

The matter was adjourned to 8th December, 2014 for definite hearing.

It would be recalled that the Acting State Chairman of the party, Edler David Aja had said that the ward congress was conducted “peacefully” in Enugu State and proceeded to publish the names of the three-m an delegates elected during the congresses held in 260 wards in the state. But Ikeje Asogwa, has continued to maintain that no congress was held in the state on November 1.

law makers unaware, a move had reportedly been initiated through the leader of the House to enlist support of members in the inglorious move against Odo. But several groups have continued to declare support for Odo's candidature t h r o u g h r a d i o announcements while he has intensified his campaign ahead of the party primaries.

On the other hand, Senator Eze, has maintained that nothing would stop him from pursuing his ambition to a conclusive end, saying only God would decide who would emerge as the next governor of the state and not E l e c t e d W a r d man. Like Odo, Senator D e l e g a t e s f l a y Eze's quest has continued to court order receive endorsements across However, delegates elected at the state. t h e N o v e m b e r 1 Wa r d Chime's group gets Congresses of the party in a injunction against swift reaction, flayed the exparte order granted by the PDP Enugu State High Court Meanwhile, the battle for against the Party Congresses party delegates by the two conducted in the state. f a c t i o n s t o o k a n o t h e r Reacting on behalf of the body dramatic turn on Thursday as of Ward Delegates elected at the Chime group obtained an the Ward Congresses in interlocutory order from the question, a member of the State Chief Judge, Justice three-man Ward Delegates I n n o c e n t U m e z u l i k e that emerged from Umuabi restraining the PDP from W a r d i n U d i L o c a l using or acting on the list or Government Area of the State, names purported to be the Hon. Emeka Aneke described list of delegates elected the ex-parte injunction granted by the Chief Judge of during the recent Ward and Enugu State, Justice Innocent L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t Umezulike as a “gross abuse Congresses, pending the of court processes and a hearing and determination of t y p i c a l m a r k e t p l a c e the substantive suit on the injunction” matter.

Hon. Aneke, who said the The Enugu High Court order delegates were not surprised came two weeks after an a t s u c h “ m a r k e t p l a c e earlier order by the Federal injunction”, observed that the High Court sitting in Abuja State Chief Judge abused that restrained the national court processes by granting an leadership of the party from injunction upon an earlier tampering with the result of court order on the same the November 1, 2014 ward matter, which is being heard congresses conducted by the by the Federal High Court in Elder David Aja-led State Abuja.

Executive Committee of the He said: “We the elected Ward party in Enugu State. The Delegates take exceptions to order was not vacated before this gross abuse of court C h i m e a n d h i s m e n processes by the Enugu State approached the Enugu State Chief Judge. It is a public knowledge that the matter is a High Court to obtain the subject of litigation at Federal counter order.

High Court sitting in Abuja, Ruling on an application for w h i c h h a d g r a n t e d a n interlocutory injunction filed injunction restraining the PDP by one Charles Okafor and its principal agents from challenging the validity of receiving any other result of the congresses held by PDP the November 1, Ward in Enugu State, the State Delegates election of the party Chief Judge, Justice o t h e r t h a n t h e n a m e s Innocent Umezuluike, also submitted by the acting ordered an accelerated Chairman of the party, Elder hearing of the substantive David Aja and the Electoral suit, citing the urgency of the Committee of the party.

“This however did not come matter.

Justice Umezulike further to us as a surprise, especially granted the plaintiff seven given an earlier the online days within which to file his reports accusing the Chief statement of claim and serve Judge and the Enugu State same on the defendant (PDP) Governor, Sullivan Chime of and granted the defendant plotting to use a kangaroo injunction to truncate the

peace deal brokered by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

“It could be recalled that APC governors had boasted that they had some members of the PDP Governors' Forum working for them to frustrate the party in the forthcoming general election before decamping, and this second injunction coming on the heels of an earlier injunction and various subterranean moves seeking to undermine the Acting Chairman of the PDP in the State, Elder David Aja, from carrying out his legitimate duties leaves no one in doubt that Governor Sullivan Chime is indeed an enemy within.

“We are now truly convinced that although the Governor claims to have accepted not to join the race for the Enugu West Senatorial District, he is hell-bent on working with opposition forces to ensure that the PDP does not present candidates for the 2015 general elections, even as we have it on good authority that the Governor and his men are making plans to field candidates on another party platform in the State”.

Hon. Aneke who alleged that the decision not to properly serve the PDP before ruling on ex-parte motion, was a deliberate attempt by the piper to rig the judicial processes in favour of its paymaster as was the case in the Enugu 'chicken impeachment' and a similar controversial order restraining the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Victor Umeh from parading himself as leader of the party.

“They deliberately served the Enugu PDP instead of the national headquarters to ensure that the PDP did not make an appearance at the court and we are already sending a petition to the National Judicial Council to investigate the processes leading up to this kabu-kabu injunction and the habitual abuse of ex-parte injunction by one man”, he added.

Hon. Aneke asked the PDP faithful and aspirants in Enugu “not to lose sleep over this contrived order as the three-man delegates elected in all the 260 wards of the State will on November 29th elect PDP's candidates for the House of Assembly election and proceed to elect candidates for the National Assembly and governorship elections in the State”.

As things stand in the party, the battle line has been drawn between Chime and his former loyalists and events in the next few weeks would determine where the pendulum would swing in the ongoing power game in Enugu State Chapter of the PDP.

IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT CAP 20 LFN 2001 AND IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION FOR WINDING UP PURSUANT TO SCTION 401, 408 AND 416 OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT CAPC 20 LFN 2001 BETWEEN NIGERIA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (LIQUIDATORS) - PETITIONER. AND FIRST OMASI MICROFINANCE BANK LTD RESPONDENT. NOTICE is HEREBY GIVEN that a petition for the winding up of the above named company was on the 5th November 2014, presented to the Federal High Court Enugu (Suit No FHC/EN/CP/3/2014) by Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation Plot 447/448 Central Business District, Constitution Avenue Garki Abuja.

And that the said petition is directed to be advertised and set down for mention before the said Court sitting of the Federal High Court Enugu on the 4th day of December 2014.

And any creditor or contributory of the said Company desirous to support or oppose the making of any order on the said petition may appear at the time of hearing in person or by his counsel for that purpose, and a copy of the petition will be furnished on payment of charge for same.

SAUDI ABUBAKAR ESQ. Petitioner's Consel.

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT HOLDEN AT ENUGU IN THE MATTER OF FIRST OMASI MICROFINANCE BANK LTD AND IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT (CAMA) 1990 PETITION FOR WINDING UP SUIT NO FHC/EN/CP/3/2014 BETWEEN NIGERIA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION {THE PROVISIONAL LIGUIDATOR}…………………………………….......…PETITIONER AND FIRST OMASI MICROFINANCE BANK LTD…………..RESPONDENT PETITION The humble petition of Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation [s provisional liquidator vide 5.40 national deposit insurance corporation NDIC Act 2006] shows as follows: (1) The first Omasi Microfinance Bank Limited (hereinafter called the Company) was in the month December 2007 granted approval in principle to operate as a Micro Finance Bank...

(2) The registered office of the company is at Iwollo Ezeagu Local Government Area Enugu state.

(3) The nominal share capital of the company is =N50 million. The amount of the capital paid up or credited as paid is =N16,300,000.

(4) The object for which the company was estabished are as follows: “To carry out business as Microfinance bank; and other objects set forth in the memorandum and Article of association thereof.”

(5) The company being a Microfinance Bank is subject to regulation by the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] under the Banks other Financial Institution Act [BOFIA] 1991.

(6) The company being a Microfinance Bank is also an insured institution with the petitioner under the NDIC Act 2006.

(7) That sequel to the outcome of the joint Target examination conducted by CBN and the NDIC Between March 24th and 25th 2010 on Microfinance Banks (MFBs) across the country, the operating licenses of 83 MFBs that were found to be technically insolvent were revoked by the CBN pursuant to S.12 of BOFIA 1991 [as amended] The official gazette and the announcement to that effect were issued on the 20th of December 2013.

(8) That the respondent company is one of the MFBs whose license was revoked vide that Gazette dated 20th December 2013. (A copy of the gazette is attached to this petition and marked as exhibit ND1 and First Omasi MFB is no 70 on the list).

(9) That the virtue of S.40 of( NDIC) Act 2006 where the license of a failed insured institution is revoked, the petitioner [NDIC] is deemed the provisional liquidator and shall apply to the court for a winding –up order of the affairs of the failed insured institution .

(10) That by combined effect of S.49NDIC Act 2006 and S.408 and S.410 of CAMA 1990, the revocation of the respondent company is a ground for petitioning for the winding up of the company and the petitioner is one of the persons authorized to petition for the winding up of the respondent company.

(11) In the circumstances, it is just and equitable that the company should be wound up.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays as follows: (1) That the First Omasi Microfinance Bank ltd may be wound up under the provision of S.40 of NDIC Act 2006 and under the provisions of the CAMA 1990.

(2) That the petitioner, Nigerian deposit Insurance Corporation as provisional liquidator, be appointed as the liquidator of the company pursuant to S.40 (1) of NDIC Act 2006.

(3) Or that such order may be made in the circumstances as may be just.

It is intended to serve this petition on First Omasi Microfinance bank ltd, at Iwollo Ezeagu local Government Area Enugu State. ……………………………..

PETITIONER'S SOLICITOR SAIDU ABUBAKAR ESQ. SAIDU ABUBAKAR & CO. NO 4 New Jos Road Zaria.

08037032599 E-mail: ajdanhalima@yahoo.com

(1) (2) (3)

IN THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT HOLDEN AT ENUGU IN THE MATTER OF BIRNIN KUDU MICROFINANCE BANK LTD AND IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES AND ALLIED MATTERS ACT (CAMA) 1990 PETITION FOR WINDING UP SUIT NO: FHC/EN/CP/3/2014 BETWEEN NIGERIA DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION (THE PROVISIONAL LIQUIDATOR)……….PETITIONER AND FIRST OMASI MICROFINANCE BANK …………..RESPONDENT AFFIDAVIT VERIFYING PETITIOON I, Saidu Abubakar, Male, Muslim, Legal Practitioner, and Nigerian citizen of Number 5 Tamale street Wuse zone 3 Abuja do hereby make an oath and state as follows that: I am a solicitor for Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, the petitioner in the above matter.

I have been concerned in this matter in such capacity and I am duly authorized by the said petitioner to make this affidavit on its behalf.

Such of the statements in the petition now produced and shown to marked with the letter A as relate to the acts and deeds of the said petitioner are true and such of the statements as relate to the acts and deeds of any other person or persons I believe to be true.

……………………….

Solicitor/ Deponent

SWORN TO AT THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT REGISTRY, ENUGU. THIS ……..DAY OF……….2014 BEFORE ME …………….……………………...

COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS

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November 24, 2014

NIGERIA

Newspaper mopping in Enugu:

I will sue Newspaper houses and their Enugu distributors if... – Nnaji Radical lawyer and politician, Hon. Ray Nnaji expresses dismay over the alleged mopping up of newspapers that has uncomplimentary reports on the activities of Enugu State government through her agents ostensibly to block the masses access to such information. Nnaji described the act as wicked and against the principle of freedom of information, adding that it has never happened, even during the military era in Nigeria.

By Rex Arum & Patrick Onyishi There's an allegation that Enugu state government through their agents have been mopping up news materials especially newspapers that have written stories that affect them negatively. What's your reaction?

Yes, this thing has been giving me nightmare for a long time because of the fact that many newspapers have been mopped up in the past and most recently, Guardian, Va n g u a r d a n d t h e S u n newspapers that published certain things that were perceived to be against the government of the state were alleged to have been criminally mopped by His Excellency, Gov Sullivan Chime and his ex-chief of staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo for reasons best known to them and thereby depriving the citizens and indigenes of the state the right to information which is against the principles of freedom of information act. As a result of that I have been contemplating and I have been researching on how I am going to bring an action against some newspaper houses and their distributors who allow that criminal mopping of newspapers in the name of selling them to those people on bulk purchase. It is wrong, it is not allowed, it has never happened, even during the military era when we served under them; such thing had never happened. I have never seen that type of thing; it is a dastardly and wicked act perpetrated by some people against their own indigenes; preventing them to know exactly the other side of the coin. It is not proper that every moment, it is only what is positive and what is palatable to the leaders that should be made known to the public. If there are certain things that are truth that are not properly done, even if it affects the government, they should allow the public to know. During the time of military when Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor were imprisoned, I was also in detention to face that decree 4 as at then, for what I published against A.A Madueke (rtd) who was then the military Adminisrator of Enugu state. It was condemned and that was why

decree 4 did not see the light of the day after the imprisonment of N d u k a I r a b o r a n d Tu n d e Thompson. Such a thing is no longer in existence and that is the reason why the National Assembly brought the freedom of information unhindered. The mere fact that some persons are contemplating of going to the Senate to represent us, Sullivan Chime is interested in going to the senate from the west, while Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobobo is also interested in going to the Senate for Enugu East, what are they going there to do if they from now start mopping up things that are not in favour of them, just because they didn't want the people to know the truth. It is uncalled for, it is bad and it made me to go to the extent of calling the editor of vanguard in one the times the mopping took place and I told the man what is happening in Enugu. When I told him, he expressed surprise that such a thing is happening. I also told him not to be surprised if I drag some of them to court because they are the people aiding the government and her agencies to do that. The distributors can tell the government, I am not selling bulk purchase; knowing their intention or what they are trying to do (the government). Nobody is against bulk purchase but a situation whereby they make sure that any newspaper that has an assumed negative report against them is not in the news stand is bad and highly condemnable. In democracy, I have never seen a thing like that.

The governor of Enugu state told all the serving members of the National assembly from the state to shelve there ambition of seeking re-election in 2015 as if he is the person who has the ultimate power to ask people to contest. Is there any known law or democratic principle that promotes the governor's position?

This is one of the reasons why I decided to reopen my case in the court because His Excellency Governor Sullivan Chime and his ex-chief of staff Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo are bent on destroying the party (PDP) in the state. The reason is that they are not

Chime and cohorts, and these are the things that are getting me angry. Is this what we discussed?

Is this the principles that made the party to be winning elections? It is not done! These people are so determined to destroy the party in the state and not until the National chairman of the party with his national working committee comes to the aid of this party in the state, things will be going out of hand. I have continued to sound this as a warning “things are going out of hand.” You find out that he is thinking as the governor, even if he manipulates the list of candidates and get it to INEC, the day of election is coming. People will speak! The idea of trying to rig elections is not going to be possible. And then you will find out that the party will be having serious problems at the general elections. That is why we are saying that it is not proper now, it is better we speak out and correct this anomaly that is on ground than allowing it to destroy our fortune in the general election. It is not going to be good. Everybody will be a loser.

Do you envisage a situation where the governor will finally sponsor a consensus candidate; an adopted candidate he feels that will cover his tracks when he is out of office?

Ray Nnaji foundation members of the party, they don't know the principles behind the formation of that party and they don't know why that party is ruling and should be allowed to lead while others follow. You don't tell people not to contest, the only thing you could do; even during the time of Chimaroke Nnamani, he never told those aspirants that. What he did was to make it impossible for anybody to have access to the party structure, even if you want to see the structure for the purpose of trying to make use of them to garner your own vote, it was to be very elusive. What kind of practice of politics is this? We are not saying that it is not good for consensus candidate to be arranged or be allowed to emerge.

It helps to solve a lot of problems but it must be with the consent and the acceptance of the generality of the members of the party and not a situation whereby you get few “kitchen Cabinet” and decide that they should take decisions and lord it over and above others. Noooh! When Chime was selected in the primaries at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, I, Uche Anioke and the rest of them were happy. I was commissioner for sports, we

arranged things, it was an open primaries done by everybody, Okey Itanyi contested and that is how things are done, not a situation you come and arrange and say “this is the person you have endorsed” it is not done.

Even the president who has not even accepted his endorsement by the party, you see how everybody was carried along starting from the Caucus, the governors, NEC and by the same way the national convention way will ratify. Do you know that these people went and amended our constitution; that is 2012 PDP constitution and removed some members that are supposed to be structures from the wards to the state and continued doing what they like telling me that the constitution has been amended.

But they do not realise that the constitution has procedures of amendment and not until it is ratified by the National convention, there is no new constitution that will be in place.

So the 2012 is the current constitution of the party. But they claimed to have amended it removing some people from attending meetings of the party.

And this was done by the ex-chief of staff, Governor Sullivan

No! No, let me tell you, if you are thinking on that, then you seem to have forgotten what happened to Chimaroke Nnamani when he was picking Sullivan thinking that Sullivan is a novice; somebody who was harmless, without knowing that he was ready to bite but he (Sullivan) hid those teeth till he got power. If that is what is in his mind, he's making a very big mistake. If you have committed atrocities believing that somebody coming will cover it, there will be agitation, criticism and pressure to the extent that the person's hands will be tied and then he would have no option but to say “let's look into this problem, he finds out that the problem is too big and that will anger him and then they will start having problem. So if Sullivan Chime believes that he is bringing people that will cover his atrocities “if at all he has”; because I have not known in details, but by the time he leaves office, we will now know what he has done. I know a lot of debt has been created, I know that the governor's successor will face serious tremendous debt and I don't think Chimaroke left any debt that was handed over to him.

He did not leave any debt, rather he gave him assets. He gave him some amount of money left in the

Continues on page 9

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I will sue Newspaper houses and their Enugu distributors if... – Nnaji Continued from page 8 bank. The state is in serious debts.

I am not talking authoritatively, but I want to tell you, he couldn't have been doing all those things without entering into credit facilities. By the time he would be out of office, more will be heard and if you are trying to say that he is going to cover all those things, it's not possible, we have been in executive positions. We know how it looks like; it's not going to be possible! This is because he treated everything in secrecy and by the time he leaves office some of these things will come to the open, and that is why they will continue to mop up newspapers that writes anything. How long will you do that? By this time next year Sullivan Chime is “ex” Ifeoma Nwobodo is “ex” even if they have new positions, they are “ex”, no matter the positions she found herself (Mrs Ifeoma). If she finds herself in the office of the deputy governor, she's under the governor, she finds herself in the senate, she is a first time senator. I don't think she has even wielded more power than Ejiofor but where is he now?

I met him the other day in the bank, he was finding it difficult to even start his vehicle, so this is life; you know by the time the woman gets out of office, she will know what she has done to herself. By the time Sullivan gets out of office, he will know what he has done to himself. It is very unfortunate! All of us had positions and we are out of office.

So this is why they are trying to go to the Senate to hide there, not to contribute but to hide and they have a window period to face the kind of barrage of probe that will come their way because there will be a lot of probes.

So what do you think could be the panacea for the Enugu problem?

The panacea for the Enugu problem is to make sure that the right people who have the right orientation, that have interest of the people and that are determine to do holistic development of the state are elected. It is not a situation where such persons concentrate on infrastructural development, neglecting human development and the rest of them; where by a lot of people are angry, more people are dying.

I read in a paper where they were saying” Enugu State workers are the least paid in Africa” it is terrible and you said you are developing infrastructure? What are you developing? Is it the leader that will be going on the road? Are they not human beings that will be going on the road?

That is what I said; there is more debt in this government than any government in the past. That is not what PDP as a ruling party

stands for. These people are strangers to the party and fortunately because of one reason or the other, they have found themselves where they didn't dream in the past and they have started misbehaving. As it is said in Igbo parlance 'one who did not know that he will be an 'Ozo' title holder, wears the beads beyond his ankle. That is the point. That is what is happening to those people, it is terrible and very unfortunate. You know we have founding fathers of these party in the state but unfortunately some of these people kept quiet, I don't know why they kept quite. Ken Nnamani though wasn't a founding father, he joined us but he was initially a member of ANPP but he is a leader of the party [PDP] in the state now.

Senator Jim Nwobodo, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo who I know he is still nursing the wound of his bad treatment by his Excellency Sullivan Chime who never forgives anybody.

And now he is trying to draw Nwodo close because probably he felt he would like to use him but I know Nwodo too well; he is just waiting for his own opportunity, that is the point. I must have to tell you that some of these people who are founding members of this party kept quiet and are dancing to the tune of the man. I don't know how much they have been paid, if they have been paid, let me tell you, there are certain times you go inwards, even if you collect the money, you speak the truth, without even hurting anybody, you speak the truth because nobody is against you saying the truth. So even if you are given the money, you come out and say the truth, but it is very unfortunate. These are people that kept quiet; history will never forgive them because they kept quiet in the face of tyranny and oppression.

Some people say you are agitating probably because you are not in government and therefore no longer partaking in largesse and could have not been be talking the way you are talking now if you are part of the loot?

No! No!! look at what you should understand, nothing stops me from going to governor Sullivan Chime and lie down, nothing stops me from going to Mrs. Nwobodo and lie down for them

to give me peanuts so I will keep quite if at all that is my basis, I didn't depend on all those things, I am a practicing lawyer and I go to court everyday and I am satisfied with the little I am getting.

The issue is that we have an arrangement which we know quite well that before 2011elections, Sullivan Chime would have been into terrible mess. If it's not because he came to me and pleaded with me, he nearly knelt down to plead with me. He wanted to come to the office and see me to know how desperate he was but along the line he started begging that I should please come to the government house, I know how serious that matter was, I know how difficult it was for him that time but you know quite well.

One of the reasons, like I said, that made me to listen to him was because of the facts that prince Sam Ejiofor as at then would have been one of the major beneficiaries of that my struggle and he has not contributed anything to that struggle, because when Chimaroke had problems, everybody ran away I was the only person that came to stand defending him even when I had no cause to do that but for reasons best known to him and myself, because I was not well treated during his own time, and I have told him that even this year, but because of the facts that I felt he shouldn't be rubbished on the facts that somebody he made governor suddenly decide to develop teeth which nobody knew he had and started eating everybody and everybody started running dancing to his tune.

Nothing stops me then to go and beg him and say please give me, this appointment or that and that was even what I told them on April 27th when I was with him, but Jide Chime and Joe Mmamel wanted to bamboozle me into apologizing because I signed a paper for “Save Enugu Group” you know it was reported. I confronted him there, Sullivan could not do anything, what he was asking was why I signed the paper “Save Enugu group”. I said there was a time there were rumors that you were dead and then a time they said nobody knew your status, everything was shrouded in secrecy, the state was gradually coming to a halt and

this “save Enugu group” came to existence and the letters were signed for us to know exactly the where about of the man [Sullivan] and when we discovered his where about, I stopped writing, I was satisfied.

So as at that point in time, the problem was that Joe Mmamel, the Commissioner for Arts and Culture was trying to bamboozle me into apologizing to him Joe and Jide Chime and I said for what? I told them I owe no apology to any of you and if there is anybody I owe apology to, it's the governor who was believing that I signed the letter seeking for his whereabouts, when actually I didn't know his where about.

And the Governor asked me whether I asked Jide and Joe Mmamel his whereabouts? I answered; do I have any business asking these people? And they said I should tender apology. I told the governor, I did it in good faith because I wanted to know his whereabouts as an indigene of the state, it is my duty to know his where about. “You left the state for almost five months and there were lots of rumours and lots of communication gaps, that people were rumouring it even in the social media and newspapers were writing, saying that you were dead, some were saying you were at a hospital, nobody knew which hospital, it is our duty to know the hospital”. Let me tell you, there are so many questions to be answered in respect of that five months that he left this country, there are so many questions to be answered but those questions do not arise now but at that appropriate time he will give us accounts of what happened in the five months.

I must have to tell you that anybody who is saying that I am doing this because of the facts that I was not settled, have failed to understand that I am not the kind that normally carry plates, begging anybody for things; I don't do that. I have benefitted nothing from Chime's government and I was asking them for seven years, he is in government and I have not gotten anything. Do I look like a hungry man? Is it one year that I cannot survive? Is it only about seven that remains? So what makes one to think ….because some people told me that I should have apologized and I said apologize to who? It was to the governor that I said “if you are feeling bad about what you said I have signed, that I am sorry about that, though I did it in good faith but as a friend you claim you are, you could have called my attention to that then, but you did not”. It was on the27thApril. “So because I came to your domain, red carpet lounge to tell you that you owe me and you brought the issue of “Save Enugu group”. It is an arranged meeting they thought I

would come there and be bamboozled into pleading to Joe Mmamel and Jide Chime. Who are those people? Joe Mmamel, I have been local government chairman before him, I have been former commissioner before him.

Jide, what was he? He was nobody, He was non-quantity if not because his brother is a governor, He was nobody before now. In this state, we know how many we are who are the foundation members of this party and like I said nobody will chase me out of this party that I had served in its highest position as former National Auditor, so there is nobody that can chase me out.

So you cannot bamboozle me, I have been attending red carpet before Sullivan Chime if not because of Chimaroke that came into power in 1999. I started attending the red carpet for the first time in 1997 when I was the local government Chairman under late Col. Sule Ahman (rtd).

I was then attending meetings in the red carpet so you cannot bring me to red carpet and believe you will bamboozle me into accepting what I am not prepared to accept.

People that are saying I am doing all these because I was not settled; it's not true, but I found out that things were going wrong. Even if they settle me and there are certain meetings that I am supposed to attend and I don't attend them on the claims that the constitution of PDP 2012 had been amended without me knowing, as a member of the exnational working committee, exNEC member and member for life of National convention where any new constitution is ratified. I have already written to the National Secretary asking him which constitution is taking precedent in Enugu, which constitution we are using because what is happening in Enugu is not suppose to be happening whereby meetings are held and some group of people that are supposed to be part and parcel of that meeting will be excluded and somebody is telling me things are going well. Is that how the party should face other parties in the general elections? It's going to be very difficult except certain things are rectified before then and that is why I am calling the National leadership of the party to act very fast because I have seen something happening; that is going to cause the party the 2015 election in Enugu State.

It is president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan that is sure of his election in Enugu state but the problem lies on other positions in the state because Sullivan Chime has not done well for the party, no matter he is fanning his ember saying he has done this and that but the party members are suffering and these are the people that will help him deliver the state.

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November 24, 2014

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How Anambra-born Philanthropist, Dr Jim Okonkwo mobilized for President Jonathan

Dr Okonkwo in a handshake with Chief Igariwey, Ohaneze Boss

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nambra state was agog with festivities recently as Widows from the South Eastern states received Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan and First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan at Alex Ekwueme square Awka.

The event was South-East Wo m e n ' s E m p o w e r m e n t Programme for widows jointly organized by her nong o v e r n m e n t o rg a n i z a t i o n (NGO), Women for Change Initiative and 4J, another NGO, campaigning for the re-election of President Jonathan anchored

by Prince Arthur Eze, an oil tycoon.

Wife of the President (Mama Peace) flew into the crowded venue in a helicopter and was welcomed by dignitaries, including Governor Willie Obiano and his wife Ebelechukwu (Osodieme), National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria and Auto bike Owners Association of Nigeria ( M . T . U . N / A . O . W. A . N ) / National Chief Taskforce on Network, Abuja, Dr Jim Okonkwo , Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and other members of the National Assembly from South-East, Prince Arthur Eze and the wives of Governors of Ebonyi, Abia States.

The event was splendid but there are those behind the scene that mobilized thousands of widows

already in their payroll like the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria and Auto bike Owners Association of Nigeria ( M . T . U . N / A . O . W. A . N ) / National Chief Taskforce on Network, Abuja, Dr Jim Okonkwo. He not only mobilized widows, hundreds of youths and keke drivers and motorcycle drivers that thronged the venue of the reception were mobilized by Dr Jim Okonkwo.

He said he did that as his support to the re-election bid of President Jonathan, adding that he had been mobilizing discreetly for Jonathan's re-election until recently he came open.

But before that event , Dr Okonkwo an Abuja based businessman and Patron of Agulu Youth Movement (AYM) had mobilized men and women especially widows at different forum canvassing for support for the state Governor Willie Obiano and wife as well as President Goodluck Jonathan and wife Patience Jonathan in their reelection bid. That has taken him to Ebonyi and Enugu as well as other states in other parts of the country as whatever official function he is going is targeted at mobilizing his members across the Nation for Jonathan. His followers and members have given him their words that they are for Jonathan. Think of the population of Motorcycle riders, Keke drivers and Autobike drivers and marvel the number of votes Jim Okonkwo is coming to table with as well as other sheds of his interest like security where he is the national Chief Taskforce

on Network Abuja.

Dr Jim Okonkwo has been in support of widows from Agulu his home town, to communities in Anaocha, his local government area as well as Anambra state at large and has extended his philanthropy to the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE) pet project of Anambra State First Lady, Mrs. Ebele Obiano where he donated N1 million to the Initiative. The

pet project takes care of poor rural women , orphans and vulnerable children as well as widows and youths in Anambra communities.

Dr Okonkwo made the donation when the First Lady visited Neni, Anaocha local government area headquarters as part of her ongoing empowerment tour to the 21 local government areas in the State.

Presenting the donation to Mrs.

Jonathan

Obiano, Okonkwo said experience has shown that the hand of God is always seen in the lives of those who care for widows and empower poor people in the society like Obiano and his wife.

Okonkwo expressed support for the empowerment programme and pet project of the first lady, adding that as a community leader in Anaocha local government area, he would contribute his quota to ensure that her programme succeeds.

His words, “I love anything about poor masses and widows. I am from a poor family. I think I have made their duty my duty. I am very happy with the wife of the current Governor , Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) because she is following that step also, taking care of the widows, youth empowerment and all these.

“I think that is the major thing you can do for the poor in life. I am not surprised on their victory at the Supreme Court because when you are taking care of the poor, everything is possible. I am congratulating her and her husband.

“Behind every successful man, there is a woman. We have been on it for a long time. So she should keep on with the empowerment because from there, the hand of God is on us.

We are very happy. We have to play our little role to show that we appreciate what she is doing.

Before her husband became Governor, I was the one who endorsed him at Ohanaeze Ndigbo meeting” Okonkwo said.

He enjoined other public spirited individuals to emulate the wife of the Governor, describing her as the mother of all widows, poor people and youths in Anambra State.

The Patron of Agulu Youth Movement (AYM), attributed the court victory of the Governor Obiano at the Supreme court recently to the kind gestures shown to widows and poor people by his wife, Ebele Obiano, the first lady of Anambra Anambra state Governor's wife , Chief Mrs Ebele Obiano thanked all the donors especially Dr Jim Okonkwo for supporting her pet project, assuring that she would deploy all their donations to the service of humanity, especially towards bettering the lives of widows, the poor and youth empowerment.

Earlier, Chairman of Anaocha local government area, Ikeobi Ejiofor welcomed the wife of the Governor, saying that she has shown love to the people of Anaocha local government area through her empowerment programme.

In her speech, wife of Anaocha boss, Mrs. Chioma Ejiofor noted

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November 24, 2014

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A widow's nightmare: How “next-of-kin” palaver landed me in hell

By Ted Peters & Rex Arum

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Russian-Nigerian-born, Mrs. Chioma Stephena Okeke, who probably is one of the newest widows in town, has cried out to the Nigerian authorities, particularly, the Acting Inspector General of Police, Sulleiman Abba and the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, Mohammed Abubakar to quickly save her from her late husband's siblings who, she alleged, are threatening to “make me bleed”, and perhaps force her to meet the husband in the world beyond.

Mrs. Chioma Okeke, 33, and mother of two girls, Samanta Nnenne Okeke,2, and Hazel Nkem Okeke,8, told ADVOCATE NIIGERIA in an interview in Enugu that she was born to a Nigerian father from Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Abia State and of a Russian mother both of whom are currently residing in the United Kingdom.

Chioma's father, Dr. Eugene Obisike Nwankwo, in his 80s, was former Chief Medical Director, Aba Health Centre, according to her.

But since about eight years now, Chioma said, she fell in love with a U.S-based businessman, Mr. Chukwudi Emmanuel Okeke, 54, a native of Njikoka in Anambra State, although she has had sad tales to tell about her husband's relations.

Chukwudi lived 35 years in America.

Life was not all that rosy for husband and wife who engaged in fish pond and oil business until this year when they had what could be regarded as a breakthrough in terms of material reward for their hard work, according to Chioma. “It is only this year that we made some money,” she said.

Sadly, Chioma's husband, 'Chuky,' as she fondly called him, never lived to enjoy the gains of t h e i r l a b o u r .

But before his sudden demise, he made sure that each member of the family of eight children – three boys and five girls – was wellsettled financially so as to reduce the financial pressure they were putting often on husband and wife. “We were actually getting tired of the brothers and sisters coming to ask for N10,000 or N100,000 assistance as the case may be,” Chioma told our reporter.

“Just before he died, he gave each member – they are eight – without him meaning seven; he gave each member N5million. The first sister, – I drove her car that day; we gave her a car, Toyota Camry and N5million cash just to sort herself out. We are tired of every time, 'please give me N10,000'; 'give me N100,000'.

So we (my husband and I) thought, ok, this is a kind of investment; may be, this one could start up a boutique or another business, whatever it may be. N5million each was enough for all the help me, help, help me they were requesting quite often,” according to the widow, who also remarked: “When I met him about eight years ago, my husband had nothing.”

Besides, Chukwudi built three bungalows which signified three

chose to stay under the rain rather than step into the house . It was raining that day. The whole villagers saw it and that's why they have problem now in the village in Njikoka Local Government,” she remembered.

But asked why her husband's siblings never had soft spot for him in spite of all he did for them as she claimed, Chioma replied that petty envy and jealousy was the root cause. And moreover, they were against their brother having her as his life partner chiefly because they felt that “this oyibo girl was too exposed, too enlightened and smart for their liking.”

Chioma said: “It was so weird; I thought they would be happy their brother married an enlightened wife but they wanted the opposite.

the next day at Ogidi, Anambra State, she said.

But after the traditional wedding in the village, Chukwudi also attended the white wedding of the same couple in Enugu and reportedly took ill after the event.

She said: “He took ill immediately after the wedding and it continued till he was taken to the hospital.”

The widow further recalled: “I came to Enugu from Lagos on the 6th of October, 2014 because my husband, Chukwudi Emmanuel Okeke was reported ill. He called me and said he was ill. And so I flew down from Lagos to Enugu and then I drove down to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu where he was admitted. Then I stayed from the 6th till he finally gave up

Late Chuwudi and Chioma (half caste) Okeke during their wedding at Ikoyi Magistrate Court, Lagos in June 2014. Pix From family album brothers – Chukwudi and his two brothers, according to the wife, who added that her husband was also renovating their family house before his sudden death occurred.

“So we strived to settle them but they were still not happy. He built three bungalows in the village compound and was renovating the main family house, and the three bungalows signify three brothers, him and his two brothers but they were still fighting for only God knows what,” she said.

“They have always been against him,” she remarked, noting that the family has always experienced needless chaos.

“Last time when we went home for a burial before this wedding, we were in the new house but his two sisters – Ijeoma and Pauline -

And so he fully kept them away from me. But they kept coming.

And the relationship was always sore.”

Apparently, this made some of the family members to stay away from the wedding of Chioma and Chukwudi at the Magistrate Court, Ikoyi, Lagos on 25th June, 2014. “My husband's sisters' husbands attended because there's always chaos in the family,” she added.

Chioma recalled vividly the sequence that eventually led to the husband's death. On 26th September, 2014, Chukwudi drove his Mercedes Benze CClass from Lagos to Enugu to attend the traditional wedding ceremony of his sister's daughter,

on his birthday, the 8th of October, 2014.” And from 1am on October 8, when the husband passed on till the time of writing this piece, her husband's siblings literally forced her to 'experience hell' simply because her name was next-of-kin in her husband's medical file, she said.

TROUBLE BEGAN AT UNTH: Right from the UNTH where relations of the decease reportedly spent over eight hours arguing the issue of who would be the next-of-kin, even while the corpse of their brother was yet to be deposited in the hospital mortuary, to Chukwudi's GRA, Enugu residence where his wife was allegedly denied access to

some of her husband's personal belongings, to the New Haven office of an Enugu-based NGO, Women Aid Collective (WACOL) that assisted the widow in handling the matter, to the police stations at GRA, Enugu and the State CID (Criminal Investigation Department) where she was detained for almost two days, Chioma lamented that she has literally passed through the eye of a needle in the hands of her husband's relations. And she explained that the entire incident seems like movies to her.

“Basically, when my husband passed away, his brother was like screaming in the background to the matrons and the doctors that they would listen to him and take orders from him from now on. I was still struggling to see how I could give my husband CPI (Chest Inspection for the Heart) And then the matrons called me and said, look madam, he's gone but we've got medical record. When we admit patients we get a file, and so I don't know who filled the file when your husband was admitted but whoever is the next-of-kin on that file, we will take orders from that individual. I said, ok, check your record then. And then she went and checked and then came back and asked me if my name was Chioma Stephena-Okeke, and I said yes. And she said I'm going to take orders from you from this moment,” Chioma recalled.

Of course, that was the beginning of the 'hellish experience' she said she had in the hands of her brothers and sisters inlaw.

And for eight stressful hours, relations of the decease argued with hospital officials over next-of-kin palaver.

“And my husband's corpse was lying in front of the mortuary while the argument lasted,” she said as she fought back tears. At last, the matron's argument was superior to theirs and they reluctantly agreed to deposit the remains of their brother on the ground that “they could come to claim it with a letter of authorization from me as instructed by the hospital.”

However, that was not the end of her experience which she regarded as “widow's nightmare.”

Upon leaving UNTH after depositing the corpse in the morgue, Chioma went back to

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November 24, 2014

A widow's nightmare: Continued from page 11 their GRA Enugu residence but was confronted by her in-laws again. “There were people camping in the house,” she said.

This time, they denied her access to her husband's belongings, especially the contents of the bags with which he travelled from Lagos to Enugu, she said.

As she sat and wept openly in front of the house after she was harassed and threatened particularly by one of her brother's sisters, Chioma said she was mentally confused and didn't know what next to do. That was when a family friend of many years sold to her the idea of reporting her ordeal to the New Haven, Enugu-based WACOL for assistance. Backed with the legal officer of WACOL, they went and reported to the GRA, Enugu Police Station how the widow was disallowed from having access to her husband's belongings.

Eventually, when a police Inspector accompanied Chioma to the residence, the main woman who reportedly harassed and “threatened to deal with me spiritually” was nowhere to be seen within the compound. “I'm concerned about my safety because I received so many threats from them; that I will bleed, that they will fight me…

Even today at the airport, people called me and said they were waiting for me,” she said pitifully.

Later, the police Inspector went and obtained an official search warrant with which he broke into the only room that was locked, and it turned out that some of her husband's belongings which they initially denied were there, somehow, were also found inside the room, according to the widow.

She said: “They took away his ATM cards. The car he drove down from Lagos is C-Class Mercedes Benz automatic, and the bags that I packed for him though I managed to get that, but a lot of items were missing. The car key to the automatic was not there. His chain that was about N1.6m which I bought for him on his last birthday was not on his neck. His wristwatch was not on his wrist. His ATM cards were not there.

His UBA cheque books were not there. We only recovered two cheque books – Fidelity and Access banks. His mobile phones were not there.

The iPad was retrieved but we had to break the code on it because they had handled it so bad that it got compressed and automatically the iPad will not function. So now even if I want to open it, I must go to iPad manufacturers because they hid it under a heavy object and it compressed. So they are still with

these items, my husband's items.

They have been using his phones to call his business associates and asked them for money. They even sent email message claiming that my husband is in hospital and needed kidney transplant, and they demanded some money. But my husband, they know, has died.

They have most of his personal effects.”

Unfortunately, before Chioma realized what she was into, her inlaws wrote a petition to the police alleging that she connived with people to kill her husband and that she has to surrender all her husband's exotic cars and other assets. The petition, she said, originated from the state CID where Chioma was invited to for questioning. And on getting to the police station, she was detained alongside Ike, the husband's friend of many years right from when they lived in the U.S.A. “They put Ike in the most critical part of the cell,” she said. Even the WACOL legal officer was helpless, possibly because the State Commissioner of Police,

Mr. Mohammed Abubakar who would have ordered Chioma's release was out of the country, and also, WACOL's Executive Director, Dr. Barrister Joy Ezeilo was not in town. “I made an undertaking that I will bring the things they said I should produce, at least to gain my freedom,” she said.

PASSIONATE APPEAL: Right now Chioma wants to give her husband a peaceful burial and also to be left alone by her husband's relations who, she said, have forced her to “see hell on earth.” She said: “My husband was a very nice human being. He was the best man I have ever come across and he deserves the best. I want to mourn my husband. I want to be able to sit and lie down with my kids and be able to know how to do it. But I don't have the energy now to do all this because I'm in a different kind of shock.

“Secondly, I went to the police because I believe the police are for protection; they are going to

NIGERIA

guard you in the right direction and then help to restore order. I need order. I need people to understand that right now, a brave man has died, a man that I loved.

And as far as I'm concerned his wellbeing is the most important thing to me right now, and the cause of his death is also the most important thing to me right now because as far as I'm concerned (his death) is a mystery. It just happened all of a sudden, and is suspicious too.

“And then thirdly, I would like his family to please leave me alone.

LEAVE ME ALONE. The last thing I care about now is his assets. The last thing I care about now is to look for where his documents are. And I'm concerned about my safety because I received so many threats from them; that I will bleed, that they will fight me.

Even today at the airport, people called me and said they were waiting for me there. Emma Nwachukwu himself today called me so many times; the man that was eating with the 2i/c yesterday.

He had to send me a message saying this is Emma Nwachukwu.

I don't know what he's calling me for. Right now, I'm worried. My

kids have lost their father; I have not seen my kids since I got here in Enugu, and is very sad. I'm scared. I just want them to leave me alone. Let's concentrate on how we are going to bury my husband and see how we can make the best out of it. Right now, is not about property; is not about all that; that's not my main concern.

“But also why are they holding onto his personal effects and trying to cause problem for us?

These are things we just managed to achieve this year and they know that. And they 've caused so many problems already by releasing all sorts of nonsense information that is not meant to be. And so I need all these things to come to an end and that's why I believe WACOL is going to do that, is going to help me because I am tired. A woman has lost her husband, and is the worst that can ever happen to her, especially a 33 year old woman; is the worst thing I think I'm going to experience in my entire life. And so the least any one can do for me now is to help me. But obviously, they are not ready for that and I'm not asking for their help, what I'm asking for is what is rightfully mine.”

How Anambra born Philanthropist, Dr Jim Okonkwo chairman of the event, Arewa mobilized for President Jonathan Consultative Forum (ACF) was

Dr Jim Okonkwo third left being welcomed by Chief Gary Igariwey in red cap , during the Igbo day Continued from page 10 that the CARE project has ensured that women in Anaocha and the State in general have a voice in all spheres of life and appealed to the First Lady to assist women in the 10 towns in the area with Garri processing machines, tailoring equipment among others.

At the maiden World Igbo Day 2014 celebration which was held for the first time locally at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra, Dr Jim Okonkwo mobilized too for President Jonathan and Igbo agenda and was commended by the President

general Ohaneze, Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey .

Igariwey reiterated that for equity and justice, Ndigbo would seek the office of president of Nigeria at the expiration of Jonathan's tenure, saying that Ndigbo would continue to build bridges with other ethnic nationalities towards the cause.

According to Dr. Jim Okonkwo., “Our strength should come from our demographic weight spread all over the country, very soon, after consultation, our people will be called upon to speak with one voice in the issue of president, we did it before and we can do it

again” “The security situation in some parts of the country has exposed our people to clear dangers both in their lives and investments” "With the escalating body counts from the violence and incendiary rhetoric from discredited politicians who continue to fuel the fire of anti-Igbo hatred, the time to think home is now” Dr. Jim Okonkwo said.

In attendance were former Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazurike Amechi and the former Ohanaeze President General, Dr. Dozie Ikedife , Prince Arthur Eze was billed to be

represented by Rev. Samuel Audu, Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) was represented by Hon. Husseni Abiola while the Ijaw National congress (INC) was represented by Engr. Ebieridei Charles Ambacowei, the groups Vice president while traditional rulers came from all the states in South East led by the chairman in the zone, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya.

The president of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Anambra state, Elder Chris Eluemunoh, who doubled as the chairman, organizing committee in his address, commended the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for his enormous contribution towards the Igbo day celebration.

Eluemunoh said there was need for economic empowerment of Ndigbo to enable them participate fully in the transformation that is now taking place in Nigeria under Jonathan.

Governor Obiano said Anambra was supporting President Goodluck Jonathan 100 percent, but APGA would contest every other election in the South East zone.

Dr. Okonkwo and his group took over the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square glamorously, expressing happiness for their solidarity and support for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Governor Chief Willie Obiano.

He is insisting that President Jonathan must be re-elected and they have all it takes to mobilize not only his members but millions of others to support his re-election bid come 2015.

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November 24, 2014

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The Nigerian Nationalist

Wuraola Esan

W

u r a o l a E s a n (1914–1985) was a Nigerian teacher and politician who opened new doors to channel the voice of women in a new and patriarchal political climate. She also combined her modern political pedigree with that of a traditional noblewoman by becoming the Iyalode of Ibadan.

Biography Early life and education She was born in the city of Ibadan to a prominent family. Though her parents were not western trained, they promoted a western educative course for their children. She attended Idi Aba Baptist Girls School, Abeokuta before proceeding to the United Missionary College to earn a teachers training diploma. From 1930 to 1934, she was a domestic science teacher at a missionary training school in Akure.

She later married Victor Esan in 1934 and they briefly lived in Lagos. A few years later she moved back to her hometown of Ibadan.

Political career Although educational facilities

Wuraola Esan

available to women during the colonial era were limited. In 1944, she established the Ibadan People's Girls Grammar School in Molete, to educate women in different subjects including domestic science.

H o w e v e r, h e r v i e w s a n d subsequent political ideas did not advocate a much more expanded vision of women's place in a broader society.

In the 1950s, she entered partisan politics and was a member of the women's wing of the Action Group.

Though the

women were important instruments to garner votes, few were accorded official power and party-wide responsibility. However, Esan was able to rise through the ranks to become the first female member of the Nigerian National Assembly, as a nominated senator from Ibadan West.

She was also a founding member of the National Council of Women Societies.

Nigerian Women and political development:

Setting the stage for total involvement

By Okey Anyichie

T

he Enugu catholic politics commission in collaboration with justice development and peace commission Enugu catholic diocese on Wednesday 15 th October,2014 organized a one day seminar with the theme; the role of women towards good governance. The chairman of the occasion was no other personality than [Mrs.] Marie Okwo, who was the national assistant treasurer of the defunct Nigeria peoples party [NPP] and Special Adviser to governor Jim Nwobodo during the second republic that ran from 1979 to 1983. The Ordinary of the Enugu Catholic diocese, His Lordship, Dr Callistus Onaga was the guest of honour along with many catholic priests of Enugu diocese. It was a well attended seminar by the members of Catholic women Organization of Enugu Diocese with some men as observers.

The lead paper was presented by Dr (Mrs) Obiamaka V. Opara of Abia State University who spoke on the topic women’s role in

governance. She spoke very robustly and historically, Lady Eunice Oguanya, the president of Catholic Women Organization Enugu diocese gingered women on academia, this time from University of Nigeria Nsukka, Professor Rose Onah thrilled her audience on gender equalityutopia or realizable. The well known advocate of women's right and the only female gubernatorial candidate in 2007 elections in Enugu state and scion of the late chief judge of old Anambra state, Mr. Justice Anthony Aniagolu, Chief Loretta Aniagolu was very eloquent and transparent in her own presentation on the topic “Ball in our court “she held her audience captive with her brand of erudition on the question of women emancipation especially as it concerns the role of Nigerian women in politics.

After listening to these women who bared their minds on the current political issues of the day, my mind went on retrospect on the past role of Nigerian women from colonial days to the post independent political situation in Nigeria. Hence we were taught that the political amazons like

Gambo Sawaba of Zaria, in Kaduna state, Chief Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti of Abeokuta in Ogun state chief (Mrs) Margaret Ekpo from Calabar in Cross River state and Janet Mokelu from Oraifite in Anambra state were pioneer female political activist that fought along with their male counterparts for freedom and political emancipation of Nigeria during the colonial days and saw the light of political emancipation of Nigeria on the 1st October 1960. These pioneer amazons of political emancipation of Nigeria have thus earned a place in sociopolitical ‘Hall of Fame.’ Thereby remaining as role model and reference point for the present day activists, Having set a stage for political emancipation of Nigerian women, the political scenario of the country is definitely bound to change hence no force can arrest the movement of time from 1960 to present. The impact of women especially from 1960 to 1966 was very negligible as from that period of the first republic, there was no woman minister at both federal and

regional levels. But the tide rose during second republic that ran from 1979 to 1983, when apart from the appointments of two female ministers, at federal level, Chief (Mrs) Ebun Oyagbola and Chief Janet Akerenade and later Chief Keziah Asinobi and Elizabeth Evase. At the state levels women were part of all the 19 states’ members of the executive councils now have 'enjoyed' fifteen years of peoples government otherwise called democracy or is it 'democrazy' but what is important now is that the masses can vote, whether the votes count is a different ball game. Hence Nigeria now could be counted as one of the countries where people are called upon to elect and direct their leaders, Again the number of Nigerian women both in executive and legislative arms of governance have increased.

Again it is not a surprise development that even in judicial arm; Nigeria has given a woman the opportunity to mount the saddle of Chief justice. With this trend in three arms of federal government now the ball' is in their court: for Nigerian women with the benefit of education

which is the outcome of both psycho-physical and psychospiritual equilibrium have nothing to lose except like Carll Marx stated only their chains.

Nigeria is one of the leading countries in Africa today that influence of emancipated women remains complementary to that of men in the polity. In taking a look globally, to chronicle about the women on the saddle in countries like Germany, Isreal, India, Pakistan, Turkey, SriLanka, Ireland, Britain, Argentina, Brazil, Malawi, Central Africa Republic, Liberia among other countries requires an effort for another day, it is therefore very thought-ful of Enugu Catholic Diocese to Organize the sensitization of the Unique role women played and will play in future in Nigerian political destination of Nigeria as the eyes of the world are on the out-come of the electoral exercise in the country which is supposed to mean that either we organize a free and fair elections or blunder hoplessly putting our political rights in jeopardy. This is now where the position of women counts and to be or not be that's the question.

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November 24, 2014

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Court remands pastor for snatching cars at gunpoint

A

district pastor of a church in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, has been remanded by a Lagos Magistrate's Court sitting in Ikeja.

T h e 3 7 - y e a r- o l d p a s t o r, Adebambo Adetunji, was alleged to be one of the gang members, who robbed motorists at the Ojota Bus stop, between April and July, 2014.

It was learnt that Adetunji and other suspects, who were still on the run, were notorious for snatching cars and robbing victims of their valuables at gun point.

The police said that a Toyota Camry and a Mercedes Benz ML320 with number plates MUS 413 BH and LND 623 BF respectively, were diverted by the suspected robbers, who were said to have also used cutlasses in their operations.

While the Mercedes Benz car was said to be the property of one Boniface Joseph, who was robbed around 10.30pm on April 30, at the bus stop, one Oluwatoyin Badmus, was reportedly robbed of her Toyota Camry around 6pm on July 6 at the same spot.

The police said Joseph also lost two phones and an iPad to the robbers, adding that valuables lost by the duo were worth N4.5m.

It was learnt that Adetunji was arrested by men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad led by SP Abba Kyari after Badmus had reported the attack to the police.

The prosecutor, Inspector Nurudeen Thomas, on Thursday, brought the suspect, who hails from Osun State, before the Magistrate, Mrs. M.O. Oshodi, on three counts bordering on armed robbery.

Oshodi, who was holding brief for Mrs. Dan Oni, refused to listen to the defendant's plea and ordered that he be remanded pending the time the Directorate of Public Prosecutions would issue legal advice on the matter.

The charges read in part, “That you, Adebambo Adetunji and others now at large, on April 30, 2014 at about 10.30pm at Ojota Bus stop in the Lagos Magisterial District while armed with guns and cutlasses did rob one Mercedes Benz Jeep ML320 with registration number LND 623 BF valued N1, 850,000, IPad valued N80,000, Blackberry Bold 5 valued N30,000, Nokia E5 valued N26,000 and cash sum of N250,000 total value N2,236,000 property of one Boniface Joseph.

“That you, and others now at large on July 6, 2014 at about 5.30pm at Ojota Bus stop in the

aforementioned magisterial district did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit; armed robbery.

“That you and others now at large

on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district while armed with guns and cutlasses did rob one Toyota Camry 2008 model with

registration number MUS 413 BH valued N2.3m property of one Oluwatoyin Badmus.”

It was said that the offences contravened Section 5 (b) and were punishable under Section 1 (2) (a) (b) of the Robbery and Firearms Act, Cap. 398, Vol.

XXII, Law of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 and 2003 as amended.

Adetunji, who was clad in Ankara, burst into tears on hearing the charges.

The case was adjourned till December 3, 2014.

Bar Association members besiege court, refuse announced appearance as a arraignment of colleague in Onitsha friend of the court spoke on

By Hillary Agbo

A

mild drama played out on Monday at the Anambra state high court 3 sitting in Onitsha when members of the Nigerian Bar Association numbering over 30 opposed the arraignment of their learned colleague one Chike Charles Ononye by Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, on four count charge of stealing and issuance of Dud Cheques.

One Mr. Kenneth Ndejiobi petitioned the EFCC in 2006 stating that he engaged the services of Barr. Chike Charles Ononye for the management of his properties at Onitsha and alleged that the accused issued him dud cheques after collecting rents from the occupants of the property.

That subsequently Ononye stole the sum of one million and forty one thousand, six hundred naira (N1, 041,600.00) part of which was received by him as rent for the said property. That the in a bid to defray the said amount of money issued him a UBA cheque No. 84196529 in

payment but returned unpaid.

“That Ononye later gave him another UBA cheque No. 33752320 in the sum of four hundred and eight thousand naira (N408, 000.00) dated 15/12/13 which was again presented for payment but again returned unpaid”.

When the Charge No. O/32c/2014 came up before the trial judge, Hon. Justice Mbonu Nwenyi, the lawyers who were Hon. Justice Mbonu Nwenyi in court objected to the the sum of four hundred and arraignment of the accused, e i g h t t h o u s a n d n a i r a pleading that the case be settled (N408,000.00) dated 24/12/07 out of court. and another UBA cheque No. However, the prosecution told 84196535 in the sum of six the court that a lawyer has no hundred and thirty three i m m u n i t y t o c r i m i n a l thousand, six hundred naira investigation and prosecution (N633,600.00) dated 12/03/08 and as such the suspect be both of which were presented called up for arraignment and on 31/12/07 and 15/02/03 for the charge read to him.

Barr. A. A. Ononye, who

14-yr-old, man docked for sodomy

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14-year-old boy (names withheld) and 20-year-old Gideon Harrison have been remanded in prison custody o v e r a l l e g e d homosexuality, pending the perfection their bail conditions.

When arraigned alongside Harrison at Juvenile Court, Ikeja, Lagos southeast Nigeria, the teenager pleaded not guilty, while Harrison pleaded guilty to the charge.

According to the police, the accused persons were arrested by the police at

Ikotun, where they were allegedly engaging in a man to man sex after the residents, who saw them, raised alarm on what the two were doing.

Trouble started when Harrison attempted to lure another teenager in the area into the act, but the boy refused and raised the alarm that attracted residents' attention.

At the station, the teenager, who is from Abia State, admitted that he was lured into the act by Harrison, who is from Delta State.

Harrison also told the police

that he used to give the teenager between N200 and N300 and that he was not the only person involved.

According to him, there are other teenagers in the area who have also collected money from him and allowed him to sodomize them.

The court, however, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N200,000, with two sureties each in like sum.

The court also ordered the sureties to deposit N200,000 to the Chief Registrar Account until the end of the matter.

The matter was adjourned to November 17, 2014.

behalf of the entire members of the Nigeria Bar Association present in court urging the court to grant an adjournment to enable parties settle out of court while other senior lawyers present took turns to plead with the court not to allow the matter proceed thereafter.

The Prosecution Counsel Mainforce Adaka Ekwu rejected the plea of the learned counsels insisting that the suspect be called up for arraignment and the charge read to him, stressing that the requests for out-of-court settlement is an attempt to frustrate the trial of the accused person.

Insisting that a lawyer has no immunity to criminal investigation and prosecution, he posited that the charge filed against the accused person is a criminal matter, which unlike civil matter cannot be settled out of court.

Perceiving that the presiding Judge was not being convinced by the argument of the Senior NBA lawyers to postpone the arraignment of the accused person, the defense team led by Chief Ikenna Egbuna raised fresh objection to the arraignment on the ground that the charges brought against the accused was incompetent and as a result the court has no jurisdiction to entertain it.

He submitted that the filing of the charge ought to be in the way of summary trial and not by filing proofs of evidence.

In his responses council to EFCC submitted that the filing of proof of evidence is consistent with section 36 (6) of the 1999 constitution as amended citing section 185 and 186 of administration of cr imin al ju s tice law o f Anambra State which made provision for filing of proof of evidence in summary trials. He urged the court to dismiss the objection and proceed with the arraignment and trial of the accused person.

The court adjourned the matter to 20th November, 2014 for ruling.

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November 24, 2014

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2015:

Nkanu Youths seek quality representation, back Ujam for Nkanu East/West seat *Ask Rep. Peace Nnaji to bury her 3rd term ambition

By Ted Peters

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kanu youths in Enugu state have said that whoever must emerge to represent Nkanu East/West at the lower chamber of the National Assembly must be ready to offer quality representation.

They stated that the area has suffered serious infrastructural deficits due to poor representation.

At two separate rallies held at Nara in Nkanu East and St John's Primary school, Agbani Nkanu West, they urged the incumbent member representing the area, Princess Peace Nnaji to bury her third term ambition and give others opportunity to serve.

The youths drawn from the 28 wards of Nkanu East and West

federal constituency under the aegis of Youths Coalition for Change Initiative (YCCI), said though others who represented the area in the past have tried, their efforts had not addressed the plethora of challenges facing the area.

“We have an incumbent, who though has done her best, but has not been able to offer quality representation and this is making us unhappy.

We are sick and tired of poor representation.

We have suffered so much Infrastructural deficit in roads,

Chukwuemeka Ujam

electricity, health and even education. Nkanu East/West is backward compared to other federal constituencies in the state.

We have screened all the aspirants and we have come to the conclusion that Dr Chukwuemeka Ujam is the most qualified to represent the area at the federal House of Representatives next year", the youths said.

Addressing the rallies, its state leader, Comrade Chukwuka Nnamani said: "Amagunze, Akpawfu, Amechi Idodo, Nomeh, Ubahu and Oruku among others remained the areas with the worst road network in the state presently. We have known Chukwuemeka Ujam as Commissioner for Lands and an intelligent young man; he has no match among his contemporaries.

We believe he is going to deliver wholeheartedly the desired

yearning of our people".

He stated that “The youths of Nkanu East and West have after critical analysis of the representation of the area has come to the conclusion that it is the turn of Nkanu West to represent the area in the federal constituency. Incumbent upon the above reasons, we are pleading with the stakeholders of our great party, the PDP and good people of Nkanu land to join us and support Dr Chukwuemeka Ujam for the f e d e r a l H o u s e o f Representatives”.

Speaking on the choice of Ujam, one of the leaders of the group, Comrade Henry Chibuzo said the former commissioner had before now demonstrated concern in the affairs of the youths.

He said that they had "secretly reviewed records of those as piring to arrive at the conclusion that he will be more accessible than others".

Accident rate still high in Nigeria, says FRSC boss

T

he Corps Marshal and Chief Executive of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Boboye Oyeyemi has bemoaned the fact that despite the efforts of the corps to minimise road accidents in the country, the rate still remained high.

He lamented that about $100billion is lost yearly to road crashes by low and middle income countries.

Oyeyemi emphasised that such huge loses undoubtedly hinder economic and social development and therefore inhibit national development efforts.

Delivering a 16-page speech entitled, “Governance and The Public Policy Process: The Contributions of the Federal Road Safety Corps to the Transformation Agenda,” at the 2014 annual public lecture organised by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka inside the Princess Alexandra auditorium, Oyeyemi said reports of crashes recorded in the country over the years remained high, saying that victims of road accidents consisted mostly of young, productive and energetic segment of the national population.

“They are either killed or injured in the Nigerian roads. We know from studies that low and middle income countries unfortunately are the most vulnerable to road traffic crashes and currently lose in the region of $100 billion every year to road traffic crashes, almost twice as much as the total

development assistance received worldwide by developing countries,” he said.

Painting a graphic picture of the figures of road mishaps in the country and the casualties, Oyeyemi said: “For the avoidance of doubt, a total of 6,052 people died from road traffic crashes in Nigeria in 2010, and by 2012 it was 6,092, while 6,450 died from road crashes last year 2013. And as at this last week of November 2014, a total of 4,643 people have died from road traffic crashes throughout the country. This decline is positive for the previous trend but it

remains high.”

He quickly added: “The economic and social costs that these human losses have brought to bear on the nation are better imagined. But what is clear is that though the aforementioned number of people unfortunately died from avoidable road traffic crashes, the situation could have been worse without the presence of the FRSC men on the highways to caution, enlighten and enforce traffic laws on recalcitrant drivers while deploying rescue teams to assist crash victims so that those who would have lived, do not die due to lack of prompt and efficient

attention.”

The FRSC Corps Marshal regretted that Nigeria with a total road network of 204,200 km comprising 34,120 km Federal roads, 30,500km State roads, and 129,580 km Local Government roads was characterised by lack of coherent national road policy on application of road standards.

“It also has limited professional and business capacity resulting in inefficient services. In addition, the country's road network lacks appropriate road design standards to keep pace with increased vehicular traffic volumes and vehicle weights,” he said, adding that this was in addition to the “lack of road markings, safety barriers, and signage which

contribute to the high crashes and casualty rate on all roads.”

He appealed to state governments to fully buy into road safety, demonstrating political will through the establishment of state traffic agencies while taking advantage of the FRSC training institutions to train their personnel.

“All critical stakeholders, transport associations, insurance companies, government agencies, haulage and other professional associations to fully cooperate with all tenets of the National Road Traffic Regulations, RTSSS, DSSP and other laudable programmes put in place by the FRSC to checkmate carnage on our roads,” he said

Obiano hopeful on the completion of Ogbunike important tourist attractions in the Cave road by December State and open the entire area as

T

o ensure a speedy completion of the road leading to one of the tourist attraction centres in Anambra State in order to boost tourism, attract investors, create jobs and alleviate poverty, the State governor, Chief Willie Obiano has warned the contractor handling the road project to complete the work on schedule or face sanction.

Making this warning when he inspected the extent of work at the project site, governor Obiano expressed dissatisfaction with the level of work done so far and directed the contracting firm to accelerate the pace of work to complete it on schedule.

He said the contractor

complained that the delay was as a result of rainy season and stated he had e x t r a c t e d commitment from the contractor to deliver the project before C h r i s t m a s .

The governor enjoined the contractor to use the onset of dry season to increase pace of work to cover more lost grounds and meet the schedule.

He noted that, when completed, the road would give people easy access to the cave as one of the

Governor Obiano

well as boost socio-economic activities of the people and area.

At Nkissi Bridge, along Umudika - Umunya road, the governor said the Bridge would be delivered before the end of the year and the road made motorable while the asphalting would commence by January next year adding that when completed, the road would also give access to the Ogbunike Cave.

While inspecting the Umunya end of the road, the governor assured it would be completed within one month with markings and other road infrastructures that would enhance free flow of traffic and safety on the road.

He said the road has strategic importance as it links the Anambra North and Central Senatorial districts.

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November 24, 2014

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THINK-HOME:

Ozalla indigenes in US uplifts Education in Community

I

t was a glorious moment for the pupils and teachers of six Primary Schools in Ozalla community of Nkanu West local government area of Enugu State on Thursday as the sons and daughters of the community living in United States of America celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Education Assistance Project (EAP) they instituted to encourage academic excellence among the children.

The natives of Ozalla in USA had in 2004 formed an association known as Ozalla Union USA (OUUSA) primarily to contribute their quota towards knowledge acquisition back home.

Members of the union were resolute in their determination to wipe out the tears of their people whose children had lagged behind due to absence of decent schools in the community. They contributed their resources and set out to effect a positive change in the lives of the pupils who were hitherto learning under very harsh conditions in poor environments.

Most of the OUUSA members had passed through such harsh learning environment during their primary schools days particularly due to lack of decent classrooms and learning materials like books and writing materials hence they decided to support the pupils and the schools with a view to improving the learning environment and improving the quality of education in the area. This they did as a way of giving back to the community from where they began their educational career many years back.

However, ten years down the line, OUUSA has not only contributed meaningfully to the upliftment of education in the area through a project known as Education Assistance Project (EAP) but has brought a great relief to the parents through regular donation of books and other learning materials to their children, The programmer has already began to yield the desired results as a pupil from the community emerged as the best in a computer examination organized within the local government recently, a feat which the people say was made possible by the OUUSA education support programme.

Since inception, the tentacles of the project have been widened; from mere donation of learning materials to public primary schools in Ozalla annually to the presentation of awards to the best performing students in each school, as well as the renovation of a primary school block which gulped over N5 million.

At the 10th anniversary of the programme held at premises of Central School, Ozalla on Thursday, education materials and cash prizes worth millions of naira were presented to pupils from six primary schools who performed excellently in their past examinations as part of activities lined up for the anniversary celebration.

The event was witnessed by sons and daughters of Ozalla from far and near including traditional and religious leaders, students, teachers and other community stakeholders. The pupils from the six public schools covered by the project had converged with their wards for another round of the programme. Like in past years, various items were presented to the pupils and the teachers from the various schools.

Chairman of EAP Ambassadors, the local representatives of OUUSA, Mr. Dan Nwomeh, addressing the participants, said that it is a thing of great joy that the union has continued to carter for the welfare of their children through the provision of the materials and the award presentation.

He recalled that the project had begun as a meagre one with just four schools but now, it has been extended to six schools, adding that the value of the items/awards has also improved a great deal. He noted that besides helping to alleviate some parents' burden of sponsoring their wards in school, the project has also been a source of motivation to the children.

The project, he said, has enhanced the academic performance of the pupils in various ways, even as it has aided competition among the students.

Continues on page 17

Ozalla Community Leaders during the ceremony

A Cross section of teachers and pupils at the ceremony

Primary school teachers receiving gift items from OUUSA

Books donated to the primary schools and teachers

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November 24, 2014

NIGERIA

Wife of the president dame patience Jonathan, at the Adoration Ministries Enugu, for a Special Thanksgiving service last Sunday

Wife of the president dame patience Jonathan, being welcomed by the Spiritual director of Adoration Ministries Enugu, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka

Governor Rochas Okorocha, flanked by All Progressive Congress (APC) during the party’s presidential rally in Enugu recently.

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman, and Senatorial Aspirants for Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Victor Umeh delivering a lecture during the NUJ Enugu correspondent chapel inaugural ceremony in Enugu.

Group Pictures at the event

Cross section of Attendants at the event

Ozalla indigenes in US uplifts Education in Community Continued from page 16 According to him, the members of the union are out to make landmark achievements in education sector of the community, pointing out that a lot has already been done in that regard. His words: “We are here to commemorate the ten years of existence of this Education Assistance Project which was launched in 2004. Since then, it has been held consistently over the last ten years and has continued to improve from mere donation of learning materials to giving merit awards to the best performing pupils and even to renovation of a classroom block.

“Every year, the members of OUUSA task themselves to fund this project and this same union carried out the renovation of the worst primary school building in Ozalla and made it the best in the local government, a project that gulped about five million naira”.

According to Nwomeh, the union has since

its inception spent over N10 million for the project, adding that by the grace of God, expressing the hope that the union would do more in the years ahead. “Some of us don't understand the level of poverty in some places where some children cannot afford to go to school because they cannot afford to buy ordinary exercise books. These are the type of things we see here. So the programme has indeed helped a lot of students in that regard. And from the records, the various winners of the award have continued to excel”, he said.

He further revealed that what had motivated the members of the union to embark on the project is the desire to ensure that the children are given the opportunities which some of them did not have during their time.

“It is the 'think-home' belief, bringing the benefits of their education back home.

Some of them passed through this same school, so they want to provide a better opportunity for the pupils”, he noted.

Nwoneh, however, regretted that some members of the community living overseas have turned blind eye to such a project, urging them to join hands in making the community better.

While thanking the union for its good works, a school headmaster who spoke on behalf of other school heads, Mr. Paulinus Onah, thanked the union for its good works in alleviating the sufferings of the community members.

He further acknowledged the effect of the project in the community, promising that the teachers will not relent in their efforts in imparting knowledge on the pupils.

“Our prayer is that you shall remain united for ever so that your good works will continue to be of very good example which others shall not cease to emulate. We promise you that the pupils of Ozalla community shall not disappoint you”, he said. Moreover, as a sign of appreciation, the pupils, on their own part, took to the

centre stage to thrill the gathering with presentations ranging from drama to recitations.

Earlier in his address, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Bernard Igwe, also thanked the union for their kind gestures toward the schools in the community.

He further called on other members of the community living abroad to emulate the union by carrying out similar kind gestures in a special way for making this day possible for us in this community.

“It is not an easy thing at all because we all know that they are not the only people of Ozalla living oversees but because of their kind nature, they have decided to show us the way by empowering our children yearly.

Through this programme, they have made our schools and education stable. So we thank God for them and pray that God will keep on strengthening them to do more”, Igwe said.

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November 24, 2014

NIGERIA

Magistrates are not judicial officers, says Okonkwo Chief Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo, political enigma, civil right activist and social commentator bares his mind on the state of Nigerian nation 54 years after independence. He said the country's greatest undoing is the attachment to ethnic cleavages by the people and the abolition of regional government which had hitherto propelled her into the most rapid growing economy in the sub-region soon after independence blaming military intervention for institutionalising corruption brought the country to her knees. Excerpts.

Rex Arum, Patrick Onyishi Development starts from the & Augustina Eze capacity of the individual to Sir, Nigeria just celebrated believe in himself, to pursue his dream and the way we have th h e r 5 4 i n d e p e n d e n t practiced politics here, we have anniversary, 54 years after, used ethnicism to rob excellence what can you say is the state and ever since then, we have not of the nation from your own gotten on track. There is a lot of jingoism going on in terms of perspective? motivation telling people to The independence of Nigeria from United Kingdom in 1st October, 1960, when you deduct 30 months of Nigerian civil war and then the subjugation of the Nigerian dream which was subplanted by the military junta headed by northern military group, when you look back, the system we were operating is the parliamentary system of government which recognized every region as center for power but when the military came, the core north felt that they needed to control the south, so in navigating that control, they now brought the American system of government in 1979 which now looks at the country as one constituency thereby eliminating the control of independence of the regions and they succeed in neutralizing the pursuit of our regional development and now put us under a central platform. That was the beginning of Nigeria's problem, even though some intellectuals felt that Nigerian problem started with the amalgamation. What the military did was to bring in the intelligentsia in our institutions into the public institutions and corrupt them, more particularly during the regime of Muhammed Buhari who used the elite in the north that were in the judiciary to muscle the judiciary and then Babangida towed the line and brought in the intellectuals in the universities and gave them the hemlock and our problems of not having the dissenting voice and growth of the country was marred; and so we lost our vision and it hasn't been easy.

Most times people begin to look at development and national goal in terms of highways, bridges, Universities, the National goal ought to be measured by the individual freedom, the attainment of the objective we set for ourselves in chapter 2 of our constitution. Until we are able to address it; construction of highways, towers and roundabout are not development.

believe in Nigeria, you don't force a man to love his country. The leadership prepares you to surrender your life for the country because the country gives you a platform for self-fulfillment.

Our 54 years could have been better because when the petty bourgeoisie who were the political leaders decided to take over the way the British left it and we lost focus so we stop pursuing excellence.

The average Nigerian believes in

did not move on the part of ethnicism, zoning, but they have affirmative policies to assist maybe disadvantaged group, not as a national policy, so ethnicity has robbed Nigeria of its dream and its is still robbing us and its really difficult. Some people talk about the national conference, you find out that majority of what the national conference was doing was passing resolutions; 600 of them if I am correct, I stand to be corrected. The structural framework of our constitution, they could not resolved it because of the same ethic interest we are promoting, so 54 years is like years wasted in prison .

So if you say the issue of ethnicity has been a

Chief Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo competition but the elite don't want competition, the want allocation and so national goal has been so difficult to attain. So the 54 years is like a time wasted on preliminaries, you do a comparative analysis with people who were at the same age with us when we got independence, they

leadership, we are talking about national enterprise to take people to the Eldorado, you don't zone ambition for excellence. You give the opportunity to those who will move the boat so that we will sail to the shores. Ethnicity has become the major instrument of setback the country. Admission into Universities and secondary schools, we are now teaching our children that you don't have to be the prefect of your class to be ontop, it depends on where you come from but that is not the standard of measurement of those who will sail somebody to the moon. So it's really difficult, we have to be reborn again. The president of Nigeria today couldn't have been president if not for ethnicity because the man has never sought for leadership in Nigeria. Now you can see the quagmire we are in where group of people who are pursuing personal interest have decided not to set any perimeters for competitions, maybe they think it's a strategic way of chipping the country down, we can't talk about personal growth without group success.

Apart from ethnic cleavages, are there other impediments to the actualization of effective democracy and economic Look at where they went, people development in Nigeria? major setback, what do you think should be done so that it doesn't come to play again in Nigeria's development? are talking about zoning

First of all, the masses don't lead

the country. Usually it's a group of intelligent people who are patriotic and have been able to adopt process and want to help the country to advance in some political platform and it's the vision of the leader that usually propels the policies of government.

So if you could look at Nigeria's economy and government in the1960s as a small nation, we started by building human capital, sending our children to abroad to go to school and then after a while we thought about the cost of doing that, that we could establish those institutions here, when we were setting up those institutions, we were not lowering standards, we were preparing the group of people that will see through the vision of those who fought for independence for Nigeria. Immediately after we got started, there were some problems of new ideas by some group of young Nigerians military officers who have read military history and they felt that they could intervene, maybe correct what was wrong in the system but they made the biggest mistake because the structure of the military was so central. At that time we were a regional grouping that were maintaining our identity and pursuing our individual goals at our own rate. Furthermore, when the military handed over power, they made policies first, they decided that Nigerians should play a role in their own economy and they stated what I called “indigenization policy�. That was under Gowon, and these policy became apparent when a tripod, a leg of the tripod just came out of the war, the people from the north and the people from the west decided to buy over the means of production, they took over all the industries the banks were indigenized and then we stated afresh . And then when Murtala and Obasanjo took over, they had a system of import substitution to help and promote local industries and they had some regime of licensing and when we are pursuing that, it wasn't working.

Government felt that they should also step up in acceleration of the

Continues on page 19

November 24, 2014

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19

Magistrates are not judicial officers, says Okonkwo Continued from page 18 industrialization by owning major source of production they started the car accessory plants, the petrochemical industries and the construction of the steel mill, to help industrialization. And after a while, after the second military coming into government, then during the first civilian government we now saw that the only way we can now do anything is to privatize. There's an economic system you will be running and you begin to sometimes ask yourself “what is the vision “under our constitution, we still believe that the state will own major sources of production so that they could be equity and distribution of wealth but if you should go down the line, you would understand that none of the system is working. Nigerians are celebrating privatization; they copy America without understanding the philosophy of economic development in America. American economy is in private hands from day one, which was the vision. America don't have any sympathy or passion for the poor, it is a different set of economy. It is in America that you could see that people owned railroad, bridges, airports and all the major industries and that is what Nigeria is copying. I want to see how we will end up, because we are running away from corruption and lack of discipline in leadership. If you look at the economy of Soviet Union, you will realize they tried to imitate west by going into privatization but at the time they decided to buy back those industries because poverty is spreading in great proportion and here the new leadership managing our economy have told us that privatization is the way forward.

There is something that they have not realized even in America, government is intervening; if you remember the last collapse of the auto industry, the American government had to lend money to all those private businesses to help them to stay afloat by the competition from Asia and China, and here in Nigeria we have started privatization of our electricity in the area of distribution and all of a sudden, just a couple of days ago, the government started through the central bank creating money for the same people that they have told us that, they have taken over of all those distribution to enable them forge ahead. Looking at our economy, we don't even know what we are doing until the political-parties will now go and look back and see that they have enormous responsibility of engineering Nigeria. It is not only about election, it is about showing

the country how we can achieve greatness and self sufficiency. So the political parties are still infantile; they are only talking about elections and offices. They would be the engine room for our national growth.

So are you saying that what they brandish as manifesto does not exist in real terms?

What the political parties have failed to realize is that the architecture of national building is not only a manifesto. It must be the within the workings of those demands that we have set for ourselves to be happy particularly in chapter 2 of our constitution.

They have to re-engineer and design and architectural blueprint for growth, education and retirement even for those who will die; it is expensive to die in a poor country like Nigeria, very expensive to die! Because you know that once a man that is penniless dies he become a responsibility to even his immediate friends because the system has not provided for him.

So if we can't take care of the living, so where are we going?

These are part of the observations in the system because the third process of our development has not been well articulated because the parties are responsible for governance, they would sit down and create the architecture for national growth and development and they have not realized that.

They feel that the international bodies would give them a blueprint of how they would rule their country.

On your own, what economic system would you proffer as an antidote for Nigeria economic problem to make her get back on track given the prevailing circumstances?

The system we are running in this country had never been

communism, the system we are dishonest, they don't want to re- Education, the Commissioners of running right now, they call it work the economy, so people will education in different states to tell capitalism, that is privatization pay taxes because a man who me the cost of sending a child to but at the end of the day, this is a bought a house that is worth secondary school for one year. system where the post houses of 20million, that same man cannot They don't even know the cost and government were sold to the last tell you he earns half of the cost of somebody will be trumpeting occupant of those offices and we that building and that he didn't “free education” like you have in still did not know the capital take a mortgage and you write it Imo state. We have a fundamental return on the sale of those houses up for him. You have given him administrative problem. The type because it is a real estate automatically new capital of 20 of problem that you need a simple belonging to us as a million and what is the state mechanic to fix because there is common wealth. The getting out of it, nothing. He still no grid in the system and if there is privatization we said we pays tax from the salary of three no grid there is no track for the are doing in Nigeria will million, so what is re-basing? It economy to run on. You see the never work because it's in needs to give the economy its government coming to say c o n f l i c t w i t h t h e actual value and give to workers sometime about ghost workers provisions of chapter two what they worth so we can why won't you have ghost of the constitution where equalize. Very simple arithmetic, workers when before if you want we said that the means of between 1975 and 80, you can buy to employ a staff, you advertise it production of the major a brand new car assembled in and employment is transparent industries must be owned Nigeria under 10,000 naira and an based on a competitive aptitude by the state for equitable e x e c u t i v e o f f i c e r o f a n y and qualification and you are distribution and access to establishment needs three years employed. The day you will retire, capital. Regulating it is to salary to buy that car today, for all the leaves that you spent in help the people rather than you to buy a brand new car, the service will be gazetted and leaving anything under price of the car is not less than 7- everybody has a record, so what the control of market 8million and no executive officer happens to those people who keep forces. Today you look at earns three million. So where is these records? Maybe they have the situation where our the de-basing and re-basing? We all died. You have a car, you have a minister for finance and need to do a proper appraisal of mechanic, you know his number those economic advisers the arithmetic. When Soludo was but at your age and situation, there m a r k e t e d t o u s t h e leaving office, he wanted to is no hospital that has your rebasing of our economy, remove some zeroes from our medical record or your family. it is imperative that once you money and some of these men felt What does it cost? It is really rebase an economy to give it its that he wanted to create a new difficult to comprehend these real value, elementary things then it must that are basic. You b e live in a town, in a commensurat p a r t i c u l a r e with the neighborhood, earnings of planning could be those who done, they know produce those where you work goods and and when the services. system starts They are working, people dishonest will queue up to because you say look, I have not pay a worker paid my taxes, a wage when please where can I you know that go and pay my y o u a r e taxes because they encouraging can see the system him to be working. It just corrupt. And need discipline you are telling leaders that will h i m t h e take these things economy is into a particular worth so big, perspective and but the person will create a grid who is now and the system will powering that be on auto drive. economy is Yo u a r e i n worth so court with small. I will Enugu State p a i n t a h o u s e of scenario, you will go and Assembly and buy a truck E S WA M A , Chief Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo for carrying may we know goods, you bought the truck class of poor people so it didn't 10million, you will now hire an work out. It is an experiment that why you are in court with operator for that truck, no life Ghana had tried and that's why it these institutions? insurance for him, you pay him became attractive because the gap I want to talk because citizens pittance to operate that heavy between the rich and the poor is so have a duty to challenge government when they are overm o v e a b l e i n v e s t m e n t o f phenomenal. stepping their bounds, in that way, 10million, and you are the fool. So What is your view about our if we have proper correcting the critical issue is that we need to educational system? sit down and tell ourselves the To set up an institution like a system, the government will even truth. All over the world the re- secondary school… and I want to thank you and look at the law working of the economy is based challenge the minister of Continues on page 20 on taxes. Some of our leaders are

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Magistrates are not judicial officers Continued from page 19 again. Let's look at the environmental law; the National Assembly is the only body that can make law on environment.

If you have no power to make law and you want to exercise that power in an environment, then the power will be delegated to you by the Honorable Attorney general of the federation so that you can exercise that power.

Without that delegation, you really cannot exercise that power.

Lagos state government was smarter, they now moved away from their environmental law and now called it fiscal planning and sanitation law but Enugu felt that the law still had to be environmental and now they went further to create what they called Environmental court, a nomenclature they have no power to create as a court. So it was wrong, I felt I should challenge it so that they would go back to the drawing board and make amends but the Attorney General of the state being the chief law officer of the state, maybe they are too busy doing other things. We are still in the federal high court where issues of jurisdiction of the court is still pending and I hope we get around it but nothing stops them from quickly going back to the drawing board and change the laws and do what Lagos State has done but sometimes pride and ego becomes our own undoing. It is just a citizen exercising his rights to challenge illegality in the system

How has the judicial system of this country fared in the last 54 years?

Let me criticize the judiciary a little bit. First of all, until 1979 constitution, our judiciary was not independent. The independent of Nigerian judiciary is a new phenomenon.

This is because the Divisional Officers who are executives were the people manning the local courts as we know it before we now created a distinct power for the judiciary. Up till today it's the governor through the public service commission that appoints magistrates but lawyers have never thought about that issue.

Magistrates are not judicial officers because they are appointed by the state public service and seconded to the judicial service. And you find out that trials at magistrate courts before were being done by DOs. Who employed the magistrate?

It's the governor. I have suit now in court challenging the appointment of magistrates into

election tribunals', I sued the President of the Court of Appeal in 2006. After my suit they stopped appointing them in tribunals but the matter is still pending because it is a constitutional issue. This is because the President of the Court of Appeal has no power to appoint none judicial officers into election tribunals; they were doing it until I went to court in 2006. At the federal high court I lost because the judge said it was a matter of policy; that he would strike out my action. So I went to Court of Appeal for it to tell me what now is public policy, it is a ver

y interesting case. The matter was up on the 2nd of November for hearing at the Court of Appeal. So the judiciary in Nigeria are mainly constituted by civil servants, they are people who are used to taking orders, so it's really difficult if you have been a man on the line of the ladder and all of a sudden you are given an opportunity to exercise certain powers, you will still be listening to your shadows and more particularly, how do you appoint the judicial officers? Today, just like in all spheres of corruption in Nigeria, the judiciary has become a dumping ground for children of judges and retired judicial officers. It's their own retirement benefit that they now have a way to fix their children. Look at the magistrate court, how they employ; there's a case of somebody who was asking someone I know to bring 500,000 to be employed as a magistrate, it's a tragedy. But who will criticize the judiciary? We need eminent citizens who understand the workings of the judiciary to criticize it. That's why I can talk about the judiciary because I used the court system. I am not a lawyer; I have no allegiance to them. So the issue is that in that institution you see cases come to court and everyday people are talking about delays in hearing matters. 80% of the time, the judges and the lawyers are

ignorant of the rules, because if they knew the rules, they apply it.

You come into a court, no matter how the conditions of the judges are; they can seize the moment because they are in charge of proceedings in the court. And where you sit as a judge is also important, the environment and the psychological disposition of the person you made a judge is also important. A man who is wearing an undersized shoe can never have patience to listen to a man telling long stories because he is uncomfortable. So some of these things reflect in their judgment and again you can see the junior staff; the other day, the Chief Justice of Nigeria without any shame told us that corruption in the judiciary are perpetrated by the registrars and secretaries and the rest of them. I felt sorry for her; the Chief Justice of Nigeria. How can I blame my house keeper and steward for the way the house is run, its either that I have not appointed the right steward or I have been conniving with my steward and allowing him to get away with blue murder.

How do you even employ the people who you call registrars and the rest of them? It's also the same patronage system we have in Nigeria. The critical issue and fundamental problem of Nigeria is leadership, if we get a committed leader in a small room, everything around him will change and all the cub-webs will be wiped out, so it's a critical problem. If the governor knows his job, left and right and he is up and doing, he also reads the constitution, everybody around him will be careful, because if you write a memo and cannot explain what you wrote, he will subject you to disciplinary measures and then you be careful and then do the proper thing but they want to insulate themselves from receiving petitions.

Petitions are very necessary for every system to work. Then don't raise bottle-necks so that everybody will wake up and like to get things done. Now you get to the offices and the only business that government has was is to sell land; how can a government be selling land? That's a criminal act. Sometimes I sit down and ask, what is this that is going on?

When the British were here they never sold any land. The land belongs to the people, the people sold their land. Registration is what they were doing but now government will move in the pretence that they are acquiring a place to go and now appropriate it to themselves at a give-away price and tell you that they are only paying you for the economic tree and that there is no development. It never happened when the British were here so the government itself is not innovative. The government is anti-people, that is what I am telling you about political parties.

What is the philosophy of governance that is not running in tandem with our constitution?

Ignorant people can't be in charge of a nation and you expect that nation to do things differently.

How are the people going to rally around to elect the right Leaders?

It is difficult to elect people with the regime we are running. Today in the newspapers, I saw that selling forms to be a presidential candidate in APC is 27 million, if in other climes that is the system for them to evolve leadership, people like Obama who had only two jackets as a state senator wouldn't have run for president.

What is wrong with this country?

It looks as if some people have ganged up to emasculate innovative people. Where will you find 27 million to go and get a form for you to show interest in an office? I have a pending suite at the Federal High court Awka, where I brought an action against

We need people who can believe in themselves and say no to all these Kangaroo things because I gave you an example that in the next ten years the people who will bring radical changes in Nigeria must have retired because people who are below can't even read; without knowledge you cannot even do a revolution, it's becoming deplorable. By the next 10 years, you think about your age or the age of the person listening to me now, and ascertain where you will be, who will be the people that will be the VCs, the Ministers, Doctors, Head of prisons, police, you must look at it, there's no example in the system so who motivates you? It's hard; we need a very serious surgery. That is why sometimes I sit down and look at the military intervention in Government. It is only in Nigeria that the military squandered the bloodshed of the military coup and could not save the country, it is so difficult. You want to run for a public office,

Chief Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo some individuals who paid 15million naira to purchase a form to be a governor and I wanted to see their tax return. I am finding things difficult as an elite in this country so I wonder how these people find these money that they give to them, except at the end maybe they don't pay the money and if you know people at the top they will give a waiver so that you may not pay. How can you get good leadership in that kind of system?

So what is going to be done to change the tide and calm the storm?

and they tell you that the office is zoned to a particular people because they have never tasted power. Do you know what that type of stagnation means? That if you are a man of idea, you must wait until the indolent finishes then if you are still around you can now come in. We have the quota system, federal character but all these things are indices of primitivism; that we that are not pursuing excellence. We must find a way to do equalization and opportunity fair play but not in leadership because the whole country is suffering.

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Ayamelum’s catch-them-young Initiative on course – Hon Obiorah

W

ife of the Anambra state Governor , Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano has described the pet project of the chairperson of

represented by three of her aides , Special Assistant, Women Mobilization, Mrs Cecilia Ezii and Special Assistant, Special

them that they would not be disappointed by her and her husband.

But Hon Paul Katchy Obiora , the

Mrs Obiora Oluchukwu Ayamelum local government area, Mrs. Obiorah Oluchukwu, ''Catch them Young initiative' as an ultimate supportive programme to her pet project Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) .

Chief Mrs Obiano, who spoke during the inauguration of the scheme at Anaku, the local government Headquarters, said the pet project is the ultimate and in line with the policies and programmes of the APGA administration in Anambra state led by her husband, Chief Willie Obiano.

She noted that the project has the capacity of stimulating greater interest in the youngsters to enable them develop interest in education which would change their lives ultimately and the lives of the people of the local government many years from now. '' This is what we are preaching with CAFÉ initiative and this is the ultimate because it is targeted at the children, the future leaders of this country and the only avenue that would make that dream easier and more visible is education . I commend Ayamelum first Lady , Mrs Obiora for taking the first step and I wish this programme would be sustained.

The future is brighter for Ayamelum children and people. I charge the beneficiaries and their families to value the support to upgrade their children in line with our government's desire to empower rural women, rural children and orphans and vulnerable children in our state. " Anambra first lady Mrs Obiano

Duties Mrs Eyiuche Nwankwo led by her Senior Special Assistant on Protocol, Media and Events , Dr (Mrs) Ify Madukasi said the government of Governor Willie Obiano was committed to the future of Anambra children as well as growth and development of the state in all ramifications.

The Anambra State First Lady described the Chairman of Ayamelum council as the pillar of support to his wife's initiative and commended him for his support for the education programme.

She stated that Obiano's government has invested much in fighting insecurity in line with its determination to protect lives and property, pointing out that this has led to a drastic reduction of criminal activities in the state.

Wife of the Ayamelum Chairman, Mrs Obiora Oluchukwu in her address said her , ''Catch them Young initiative' was born out of her husband's love for children and selfless support he has given to teachers in the local government since assumption of office. She encouraged teachers to assist in taking away the children off the streets by being committed and dedicated in all they do , appealing to the farmers to allow their children take advantage of the initiative to better their academic skills.

She gave out school bags , Exercise books , writing materials and cash support to thousands of pupils to encourage them sustain interest in education.

Mrs Obiora, who was elated by the large turnout especially on the Independence day celebration of pupils and students, assured

Executive Chairman of Ayamelum local government area on the 54 t h Independence Anniversary of Nigeria celebration at the council headquarters witnessed by thousands of pupils/students, announced a bursary award to over 500 students the first of its kind in the council area.

Although he did not disclose the f i n a n c i a l involvement of the bursary, it was learnt that the council chairman gave each students an amount ranging from N10,000 to N50 ,000 as bursary, the first of such gesture since the creation of the local government over 20 years ago.

Obiora said his administration was encouraged to support the students with bursary because the future is in their hands and to step up the tempo of his wife's educational programme which is catch hem young initiative aimed at mobilizing the pupils and students to develop interest in education at a young age.

He said his council area was backward because of lack of

education as majority were farmers and had interest in other things outside education but added that God has brought him with his Deputy and councilors led by the speaker to champion and stimulate interest in education in all ramifications, since it is the only tool to empower his people better.

The Ayamelum council boss assured that he would continue to mobilize support for the catch them young scheme as a true son of the council committed and dedicated for a better course for his people, having known their problems.

He said they have noticed that children of same parentage when exposed to different climes behave differently because of level of exposure to education they have hence he vowed to expose their children to education early to enable them develop interest, adding that the financial support and schooling materials are targeted at motivating both parents and pupils to have interest to pursue education against all odds for their better future.

Hon Obiorah He appealed to all and sundry to assist the innovative work by supporting in fighting against school drop out and lack of interest by whatever means they

could until Ayamelum children are captured in school.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Anambra state Governor Willie Obiano on Chieftaincy and Town Union Affairs , Hon Barr Reuben Obiajulu Udemgba recalled with regrets what he suffered during his school days and declared his support for the catch them young initiative pet project of the Chairperson Ayamelum Local government area, Mrs. Obiora Oluchukwu.

Udemgba, who hails from Umumbo community, said that the importance he attached to the programme made him leave Abuja for his local government area to demonstrate his support for the success of the programme as it was in line with the policies and programmes of Governor Obiano and his wife, Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano.

Udemgba said although the Ayamelum first lady is young in administration she has started very strongly, stressing that so long as the needful was done, he was not envisaging any problem in carrying out her programme more so with the support from the political class in her local government.

He used the opportunity to challenge the traditional rulers to continue to maintain the peace and security in their domain in order to attract development in line with the charge of Governor Obiano.

He reminded that catching them young will assist in inculcating better moral ethics e s p e c i a l l y discipline and hard work and good value system needed to prosper gracefully rather than get quick mentality.

Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Ayamelum local government, Mr Samuel Emeka said that the chairperson was inspired by her husband Hon Paul Obiora who provided funds for the scheme, E m e k a , a businessman and the Vice Chairman Bridgehead Market traders Association, Onitsha, said the move was to stimulate the interest of the children on the need to pursue education to the highest level since that is where

Continues on page 22

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November 24, 2014

Ayamelum’s catch-them-young Initiative

Guests at the event Continued from page 21 their future lies.

'It was a motivational outing for our people hence you saw people donating generously to that course. Her idea is wonderful and we want to help her catch them young and to strengthen our party APGA because there is no PDP in Ayamelum since the defection of our Member in the House of

Assembly to APGA. '' We are appreciative of what the local government chairman, Hon Obiora, is doing with his wife and as the chairman in the local government I am proud of them. ''Remember that I am the chairman of APGA and soonest election nominations and primaries will be on and I want to be remembered as a very transparent umpire as my duty is

to make sure that primary is transparently done so that if you lose you will be able to support the person who won to prosecute the election" Emeka said.

On his part, member representing Ayamelum constituency in the state House of Assembly , Hon Gabriel Onyenweife said the initiative to catch school age pupils young is apt and an extension of Anambra First

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Lady's mobilization of widows, orphans and vulnerable children to better their lives and that of their household.

Onyenweife insisted that since government is a continuum that the project will not die with the initiator as other people will buy into it and continue it after her tenure, adding that the programme is a lifelong project.

Earlier in her speech, the Chairperson Ayamelum Local government area, Anambra state, Mrs. Obiorah Oluchukwu said the Governor Willie Obiano's administration remains the best that has happened to the eight (8) communities in the council area in terms of infrastructure upgrade, empowerment and development.

Obiorah, a former beauty queen runner up lauded the wife of the Governor, Chief Mrs Eberechukwu Obiano, (Osodieme) for her concern for the less privileged which served as her motivation in looking the way of catching the pupils young to develop interest in education and enumerated some of the ongoing projects to include Umumbo Road; Omor – Umerum Oba-Ofemmiri road; Bridge at Umueje leading to oil rig at Aguleri-Otu; Water project to serve the entire council area.

She even hinted that her husband Hon Paul Obiora since assumption of office 9 months ago

has attracted from the state government a lot of things including bursary award, various appointment both state and local government as well as the Skill acquisition center which is about to take off adding that she is 100% satisfied at the level of every project in Ayamelum. ''My husband gave a bursary a w a r d t o Ay a m e l u m undergraduates which have not been done in the history of education in Ayamelum council area. As the first lady, I want to add colour to what he did by again embarking on the programme catch them young in the primary school for children in Ayamelum.

All these are to promote education in Ayamelum."

Mrs Obiora said Ayamelum is made up of 8 communities with 11 wards including Omor with 3 wards, Ifite-Ogwari with 2 wards; Igbakwu with 1 ward; Omasi with 1 ward; Umueje with 1 ward Umumbo with 1 ward and Anaku with 1 ward and Umerum with 1 ward.

She said the women in her council have agreed to be supportive of the Obiano administration's community policing by every women giving her children a good parental advice and directing them to things that will make them responsible members of the society rather than deviants.

APGA appoints Obiano leader, BoT chair Party approves guidelines for primaries

T

he National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has appointed the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, as the Leader and Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party to replace the former Governor, Peter Obi, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The NEC of the party also

approved guidelines for the conduct of its primaries to select candidates for the elections as was released by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party on October 21, 2014.

In a press statement signed by the APGA National Chairman, Vi c t o r U m e h , a n d m a d e available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, he stated that pursuant to the mandate given on January 18,2014 by the National Executive Committee to the

National Working Committee to fill existing vacancies in the NWC, the NEC also appointed Alexander Amujiogu as the Acting Deputy National Secretary of the party.

The party's NWC had on October 21, 2014 released the schedule of activities for the conduct of its primaries for the 2015 general elections.

According to schedule of activities released after a meeting of the party's NWC and

signed by the National Secretary, Dr. Abdulahi Sani Shinkafi, the purchase and return of the expression of interest forms and nomination begins on October 27 and ends on November 4.

The party pegged its governorship form at N12 million with the expression of interest form going for N2 million while the Nomination Form is N10 million.

For the State Houses of Assembly the expression of

Interest form goes for N200,000 while the nomination form is N1 million.

The expression of interest form for the House of Representatives is N500,000 and the nomination form is N2 million. Expression of Interest Form for the Senate sells at N500,000 while the nomination form goes for N3 million and Nomination Form, N3 million.

Shinkafi said women aspirants shall pay only 50 per cent of the fees for the Nomination Forms stipulated above.

Opposition should support good initiative of government – Umeh

By Augustina Eze, John Mathew & Patrick Onyishi

T

he National Chairman of APGA, Sir Victor Umeh has admonished the opposition parties in the country to desist from unconstructive criticism in the name of opposition.

He made the call during the 2nd Annual lecture of the Nigerian Union of journalist Enugu state correspondents chapel [NUJ] held at the Gold Value Hotels, Enugu.

The Lecture which was organized by the Enugu State Correspondent chapel NUJ with

t h e t h e m e ; “ To w a r d s a successful 2015 election, the role of the opposition was aimed at sensitizing the various parties on the need to engage in constructive opposition towards the 2015 election and not to engage in election malpractice.

In his speech, “when you see a government that is doing well, support the good initiative of that government and when they are making mistakes, you find a way of making suggestions for improvement, not destabilizing the good policies of the authorities.”

Chief Umeh currently contesting for the Anambra central Senatorial seat under the All

Progressive Grand Alliance [APGA] highlighted the current political trends in the country adding that Boko Haram insurgency is a political instrument aimed at destabilizing the president Goodluck ledadministration pointing out that people are not seeing it from the right perspective instead it has become an issue of propaganda which is grossly affecting National development.

He encouraged the opposition to engage the

Umeh

government in power in a manner that can address the needs of the people, advising them to align their political views with others that may wish to merge for the purpose of winning elections.

“You need to check if the idea of the party corresponds with your aim, many are blind opposition, with no aim than to test the seat of leadership in Nigeria”, he said.

He went ahead to praise the efforts of the president and pledged the support of APGA to Mr President's re-election agenda come 2015. “The opposition should serve as a wakeup call for National development as we will not support fascism and extremism in this country”, he added.

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7-month pregnant woman dies after romp with lover A

seven-month pregnant woman was found dead in a hotel room after a suspected marathon sex bout with lover in Onitsha The man (names withheld), currently being interrogated according to a police source, had allegedly taken the deceased to an undisclosed hotel in Onitsha, only for the hotel staff to discover that the woman was dead in the morning.

The incident, the source said, occurred on Tuesday when the

man allegedly checked into the hotel with the heavily pregnant woman, only to find out in the morning that his partner could not wake up on Wednesday morning.

Though the police in Onitsha Area Command refused to give details on the incident, a resident of the area said the suspect and the deceased were just love birds.

He said the suspect had lodged into the hotel room and invited the deceased through a phone call.

The source further faulted rumours that the woman died as a

result of charms made by h e r husband, adding that i t w a s possible that the w o m a n died of exhaustion from the marathon

Man dies in a fight with neighbour over wife

P

olice in Lagos State have arrested a 50-year-old m a n , S u n d a y Orochendo, for allegedly killing his neighbour, Rafel Ngbobile, 60, during a fight.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident which o c c u r r e d o n S a t u r d a y, November 1, at their 30, Magbesa Street residence in Kirikiri Town, Lagos, started

when the deceased had a quarrel with the suspect's wife over a yet-to-be ascertained reason.

It was disclosed that the wife of the suspect, who is said to be on the run, had contacted her husband, who was not at home at the time of the quarrel, through a phone call and reported the matter to him.

It was gathered that the

husband, on his return, engaged the deceased in an argument that degenerated into physical exchange of muscles.

An eyewitness further disclosed that as the argument degenerated into a fight, Orochendo was alleged to have pushed Ngbobile, who slumped and died.

The eyewitness added that the suspect's wife reportedly fled with her children, when she learned of Ngbobile's death.

Lovers found dead 2 weeks before wedding

T

he decomposing remains of two lovers, simply identified as Udogi Eguke and Ese, were found on Sunday, days after they died in mysterious circumstances in their Makolomi Street apartment of Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The house owner, Chief Alfred Onavwa, who shares the top floor of the one-storey building with one of the deceased, confirmed the incident.

He said having been contacted on the absence of one of the deceased by neighbours, he called his line only to realize that his mobile

phone was ringing upstairs.

He explained further: “On getting close to the door of the private stairway leading to their apartment, I noticed that it was locked from inside, with a stench oozing out.

“On realizing this, I personally invited the police who came and broke the door only to discover their decomposing bodies.

“Their remains were later deposited in the mortuary and I was made to understand that investigation into the matter was ongoing.

“Even the Ughelli Divisional

Police Officer was here to see things for himself.”

Meanwhile, findings revealed that the couple, whose wedding was slated for November 22, had started preparation, with invitation cards already sent out to intending guests.

When contacted for comments, Ughelli Divisional Police Officer, Samuel Musa, neither debunked nor confirmed the incident.

He directed all comments on the matter to the state Police Public R e l a t i o n O f f i c e r, D e p u t y Superintendent of Police, Celestina Kalu.

However, at press time, calls and messages to her phone were yet to be replied.

Mermaids: The Body Found?

A

mermaid is a legendary aquatic creature with the upper body of a female human and the tail of a fish.

Mermaids appear in the folklore of many cultures worldwide, including the Near East, Europe, Africa and Asia. The first stories appeared in ancient Assyria, in which the goddess Atargatis transformed herself into a mermaid out of shame for accidentally killing her human lover. Mermaids are sometimes associated with perilous events

such as floods, storms, shipwrecks and drownings. In other folk traditions (or sometimes within the same tradition), they can be benevolent or beneficent, bestowing boons or falling in love with humans.

Mermaids are associated with the mythological Greek sirens as well as with sirenia, a biological order comprising dugongs and manatees. Some of the historical sightings by sailors may have been misunderstood encounters with these aquatic mammals.

Christopher Columbus reported seeing mermaids while exploring the Caribbean, and supposed sightings have been reported in the 20th and 21st centuries in Canada, Israel, and Zimbabwe.

Mermaids have been a popular subject of art and literature in recent centuries, such as in Hans Christian Andersen's well-known fairy tale "The Little Mermaid" (1836). They have subsequently been depicted in operas, paintings, books, films and comics.

Lagos State Police Command spokesman, Ken Nwosu, while confirming the report, said policemen from Kirikiri Police Division had apprehended Orochendo, while Ngbobile was taken to a private hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

Nwosu added that the case had been transferred to the Homicide section at the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, Lagos, for further investigations.

sex romp.

He urged the police to conduct a t h o r o u g h investigation into the matter.

At press time, nobody from the s u s p e c t o r deceased's family had been identified, as the corpse was deposited in an undisclosed mortuary in Onitsha by the police.

At the Inland Town Police Division, Onitsha, the Divisional Police Officer, Mr. Cosmas Eze, refused to comment on the incident but referred our correspondent to the Area Commander, ACP Benjamin Wordu, for clarifications.

Confirming the incident, the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Uche Ezeh, said the command received the information concerning the incident, disclosing that the suspect had been arrested and case transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department, SCID, Aw ka, for further investigations.

Alaba trader kills customer over price negotiation

By Hillary Agbo

T

he Lagos state police command has arrested a trader, Mr Lawrence Ikonne for allegedly killing a buyer Isa Yaya because the deceased haggled over the price of a commodity.

The incident occurred at Ikonne's residence at afro close, afro media estate, Okokomaiko Lagos.

Ikonne is a trader selling electronic appliances at Alaba international market, Ojo Lagos.

It was learnt that the victim, 22year old Yaya, from the northern Nigeria had gone to Ikonne's apartment to buy a fairly used air conditioner. Yaya it was said, usually bought and resold condemned iron and electrical materials.

When they got to the house, it was said that the two of them went inside a room to bring out the commodity, and they started haggling over the price.

It was gathered that Yaya insisted on buying the air conditioner below 5000 naira- a price which did not go down well with Ikonne As the haggling continued, a fight was said to have ensued between the two which turned violent during which Ikonne allegedly hit Yaya with a plank in the belly.

During interrogation, the suspect

explained that he had asked Yaya to either pay 5000naira or assist him to return the commodity to where they brought it from but Yaya had refused. Ikonne added that he felt insulted by this attitude.

He said, ''I had not met the young man before. I met him that morning at the Alaba market, and asked him to buy one of my appliances; an air conditioner. He actually looked like a cart pusher.

When we got home, we both went in to remove the product and we brought it outside for negotiation. ''As we continued, he said he would pay less than 5000naira. I replied that he should assist me to return it where we took it from but he refused. In the process, we started fighting. He even asked me to pay him for helping me bring it out. I was mad, and I hit his belly with a plank''. ''when I realised he had fainted, I tied him with a rope and dragged him into a corner. I also fled the house.''

Our correspondent gathered that it was one of Ikonne's co-tenants who noticed Yaya's corpse where he was tied up.

He then raised an alarm, and reported the case to the Okokomaiko police station. The policemen later came to arrest Ikonne.

24

November 24, 2014

NIGERIA

Boko Haram attack, counter-attack in Yola as chopper crashes

N

igeria's air force on Friday said it had lost another helicopter in the restive northeast, after Boko Haram rebels raided two more towns and vigilantes and hunters clawed back a key militant stronghold.

The second crash in a week happened late Thursday in Yola, the capital of Adamawa, which is one of three states that has been under emergency rule since May last year.

While there was no immediate indication that the armed Islamist movement was responsible for the crash, there has been an increase in Boko Haram activity in the state in recent weeks.

Boko Haram has reportedly taken over more than two dozen towns in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states, including the commercial hub of Mubi, some 200 kilometres (125 miles) from Yola.

Last week, the extremists, who have been waging a five-year insurgency to create a hardline Islamic state, renamed Mubi “Madinatul Islam” or “City of Islam” in Arabic, residents said.

Nigeria's chief of army staff, Major General Kenneth Minimah, told a Senate defence committee on Thursday that the loss of territory was “painful” but promised that troops would recapture lost ground.

Locals and a government official

said later that about 200 vigilantes and hunters armed with homemade guns, spears, clubs, bows and arrows, and machetes took back Mubi.

“It is true Mubi has fallen back into the hands of Nigerian soldiers with the help of local vigilantes and hunters,” Chibado Bobi, chief of staff in the Adamawa state governor's office, told AFP. “It is however too early for residents who fled to move back to Mubi because the security and vigilantes need to mop up all remnants of the group that may be lurking in nearby areas.”

Boko Haram had introduced its strict version of Islamic law in the town, including amputations for

accused thieves, according to residents who fled.

The hunters captured the Boko Haram-appointed emir, or leader, of Mubi after the attack, while militant fighters fled.

But instead of being pushed back to other territory it is reported to control, locals said Boko Haram invaded Hong, 50 kilometres (30 miles) south on the way towards Yola, and Gombi, to the northwest of Mubi.

In both Hong and Gombi, the militants were said to have razed the towns' police stations.

The move towards Yola will raise concerns about safety in the city, where thousands of people have taken refuge to escape the violence.

The chopper crash near a hall of residence at the Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology caused panic among students, as weapons said to be on board apparently exploded.

“We heard a huge thundering sound which made us rush out of the hostels, thinking the school was under Boko Haram attack,” said one student, Harisu Abdulaziz.

Another student said there was chaos as residents at the hostel tried to flee but were prevented by soldiers guarding the gates.

The university has been under military protection after a spate of Islamist attacks against schools in the region.

Cervical Cancer: MWAN vaccinates 136 girls, women in Enugu

By Ted Peters & Augustina Eze

T

he Medical Women's Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Enugu State Chapter has vaccinated 136 young girls and women against the deadly Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is the major cause of Cervical Cancer among women in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The association provided the vaccines, which were procured with funds donated by some philanthropists at no cost to the beneficiaries some of who were screened on October 11, 2014 during the association's campaigns for free screening for cervical cancer using the “Visualisation in Ascetic Acid (VIA) method.”

President of the Association, Dr. Mrs. Olive Obienu, said that the exercise which was carried out in two parts including screening for Cervical Cancer and the administration of the first dose of the HPV vaccine was part of the determination of her administration to pursue the goals of MWAN which is to care for

Ten year old twins, Chisolum and Chilotam Echezona, Primary 5 pupils of Justine-Thomas Primary School, Enugu were among 136 young girls and women vaccinated by MWAN during the exercise. women and children especially the girl-child.

“Cervical cancer is a cancer affecting the cervix-the mouth of the womb. It is the second most common cancer and leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the world. There are more than

75,000 new cases and about 50,000 deaths yearly. The highest incidence rates of cervical cancer in the world are in sub Sahara Africa (SSA). The incidence of Cervical cancer in Nigeria is 23/100,000 population/year; and less than 2/100,000 population in

countries like Sweden with more robust screening programmes,” she explained.

Dr. Obienu said that science and research had proved beyond doubt that the causative agent in more than 80% of cases of invasive cervical cancer is a virus

A'Ibom timber dealers elects new EXCO

By Christopher Okon, Uyo

T

he Associated Timber Merchants and Producers, Akwa Ibom State has called on all illegal operators that have interest in timber business but operate unauthorized outlets to move into government approved and authorized timber markets in the state.

The president-general of the association, Prince Victor Godwin Imose made the call in his address during the swearing in ceremony of the new executive council held at timber conference hall, Ifa Ikot Okpon in Uyo. The President general said his administration would soon commence the issuance of state

identification cards and advised those involved to immediately follow the association's directive and desist from their illegal activities for their own benefit as they, the new EXCO is set to sanitize the system.

According to him, “we have begun a new phase of dynamic and positive government to upgrade the standard of timber business in the state, despite that the task ahead is enormous we'll not relent on our responsibilities as well as to protect members’ welfare in order to experience peace and harmony in our association.”

He said his tenure would surely witness open door policy, hand of fellowship to those that have constructive ideas and good

proposal that would lead the association to an enviable height while commending members' maturity and understanding in the activities of the association.

The Chairman Electoral C o m m i t t e e , M r. B e n j a m i n Udokang and His Highness, Uwem Udo urged the new executive council not to accommodate failure in the discharge of their responsibility but should ensure that members interest are protected by showcasing transparency in all their dealings.

The duo who noted that the association contributes immensely in the employment sector and boost the state economy, advised members to cooperate with the new executive council to succeed and

desist from any form of witch-hunt or character assassination that will make them to fail.

The Vice Chairman, Mr. Monday Eyo and the treasurer, Mr. Ifiok Ekanem Inyang said failure cannot be their portion as they have come to serve and transform the timber sector, pledging to work tirelessly with the president general to achieve the association's set goals without any form of compromise.

They said their tenure would seek for the welfare of members to foster peace, unity and progress among them such that will positively ameliorate the challenges being encountered by timber dealers while calling for government partnership to solve some of their problems.

- the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), adding that the prevalence of the virus in SubSaharan Africa is about 24% across all ages and the virus is predominantly spread through sexual intercourse.

She pointed out that the protection against the virus through immunization was the sure way of reducing the incidence of the disease, adding that “receiving the vaccine before possible infection is most beneficial.” This, she explained, was the reason why young girls from nine years of age who are not expected to be sexually active were the target group for the best outcome of the exercise.

“Today we have assembled to give the first of 3 doses of the HPV vaccine to women and young girls. The 2nd dose will be given after one month and the last and final dose will be given 6 months from now. We implore everyone to please adhere to this protocol for maximum benefits from this exercise,” Obienu said.

S h e , h o w e v e r, e x p r e s s e d gratitude to the donors including Akiota Works Ltd, The Ibeto Group, Michelle Laboratories, Chikason Group, MacDanielle Quarry & Concrete Limited, Master Holdings, Roban Group, Artseals Production, Master Travels, Innoson Group, the Medical & Dental Consultants of Nigeria UNTH and the Nigeria Medical Association Enugu State as well as some private individuals who contributed towards the success of the health programme.

The MWAN President said that the Cervix Cancer screening and vaccination would be a continuous exercise to enable more people to benefit, assuring that the association would remain passionate about screening and early detection of the pink cancers – breast and cervical cancers, which predominantly and solely affect women.

25

November 24, 2014

NIGERIA

Enugu 2015: Awgu Division rejects zoning of guber to Enugu North …Endorses Onwuegbu for guber, Ekweremadu for Enugu West Senatorial seat

Onwuegbu

By Augustina Eze

T

he people of old Awgu Division now consisting of Awgu, Aninri and Oji River local government areas of Enugu state Friday announced the rejection of the zoning of governorship ticket to Enugu North senatorial district by Governor Sullivan Chime saying that it was a deliberate attempt to further subjugate the greater Awgu people.

They decried alleged marginalization of the area in the scheme of things, insisting that they must produce the next governor of the state after Governor Sullivan Chime.

The people under the aegis of G r e a t e r Aw g u P e o p l e ' s Protection Solidarity (GAPPS) consequently adopted Engr.

Anayo Onwuegu, popularly known as Omeihukwu, and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu as their sole consensus governorship and E n u g u We s t s e n a t o r i a l candidates respectively in the 2015 general elections.

Addressing journalists in Enugu,

Chime the National Coordinator of GAPPS, Anayo Sadiq Okoli, stated that it was wrong for Governor Chime to announce somebody (Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi) from Enugu North, otherwise known as Nsukka zone, to succeed him and at the same time wanting to displace

Ekweremadu Senator Ekweremadu, an indigene of Greater Awgu cultural zone, at the senate for Enugu West senatorial district.

He stressed that Enugu State is made up of four cultural zones including Nsukka, Agbaja (Udi/Ezeagu LGA in Enugu West senatorial zone) Nkanu (Enugu

East senatorial zone) and Awgu (which he said was squeezed into Enugu West senatorial zone).

“Recent events in Enugu State have poignantly revealed these other groups seem to be either acting of ignorance the true situation or are playing politics with the destinies of thousands of innocent people. “for instance, many people either do not know or do not want to know that Greater Awgu people are a totally distinct sub-cultural group from Greater Udi (Agbaja) peoplethe fact that the two groups were lumped together into the political contraption known as Enugu West does not make them the same sub-cultural group,” he said.

He said that the former Governor of the State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani from Enugu East senatorial district anointed Barr.

Sullivan Chime an Agbaja person, from Enugu West

senatorial district as his successor despite the protestation from the Greater Aw g u p e o p l e w h o t h e n complained that an Agbaja person, late Chief C.C. Onoh had been governor before.

And that as if that was not enough, Governor Chime has now anointed Enugu North person (Hon. Ugwuanyi) as his successor and is also vying for the senatorial seat of Enugu West, presently occupied by Senator Ekweremadu, a Greater Awgu son, even when Ugwuanyi is allegedly scouting for a running mate from Enugu East senatorial zone (Nkanu zone).

“Now, the question is-in the top political scheming of things in Enugu State, where do the Greater Awgu people fit? … As far as GAPPS is concerned, there are only two persons from the G r e a t e r Aw g u w h o a r e contesting external political elections i.e. Engr Onwuegbu for Governorship and Senator Ekweremadu foe Senate,” he declared.

Rivers Hausa Community pledges support endorsement without regret for Jonathan, Wike for president Jonathan/Wike

By Christopher Okon, Uyo

T

he Hausa Community in Rivers State has pledged their support for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to run for re-election in next year presidential poll.

Speaking in Port Harcourt with our political correspondent, during the grand rally of nonindigenes without borders for President Jonathan / Wike 2015, the leader Hausa community in Rivers State, Engr. Lawal Yahaya said the community anchored its support on his statesmanship, democratic

tendencies and developmental stride in transforming Nigeria to a greater height.

He said that as a community they came out in full force to pull their weight to support Mr. President / Wike ambition to contest 2015 presidential and the governorship polls without any fear of contradiction adding that they cannot be deceived by desperate politicians on their present stand, come rain and sun.

He commended the leader of non-indigenes without border in the state over their initiative to be part of the rally.

The national women leader grassroot development initiative,

President Jonathan

Mrs. Patience Ibiamu Michael had expressed satisfaction on their group support and

to contest the presidential and governorship election respectively.

The GDI woman leader maintained that their decision is without compromise and that they cannot shift their ground on the project adding that she is not tired of mobilizing women towards the project which will guarantee that the common man put food on his table.

She said GDI has been in existence and would use its numerical strength to ensure that president Jonathan won in a free and fair election come 2015 without any controversy.

A'Ibom LG Pensioners decry non-payment of arrears, gratuities, urge govt’s intervention

By Christopher Okon, Uyo

T

he Unified local government retirees of Akwa Ibom State has called on government to quickly intervene in the non-payment of arrears, gratuities and irregular monthly pension before its takes an unexpected dimension.

The Chairman board of trustee, Association for the welfare of retired local government staff Akwa Ibom State, Elder (Engr) Emmanuel D. Usoro made the call while speaking with media practitioners shortly after their general meeting held at NULGE Secretariat in Uyo.

Elder Usoro described the nonpayment of pension arrears and gratuities since over six years; from 2009 till date as an unfortunate development stressing that those responsible do not mind that the pensioners are facing countless challenges ranging from health, poverty to other sundry responsibilities.

The pensioners chairman queried why the senior citizens who had served the state local government system meritoriously should be subjected to such untold hardship while their counterparts who retired from Akwa Ibom State Civil Service are promptly paid their

Godswill Akpabio

gratuities and pensions as and when due.

He expressed dismay that pension and gratuity which is the only hope for their survival have been highly politicized by administrators and some conspirators a situation which has resulted in some deaths among their colleagues asking if they have committed any crime to deserve such satanic treatment after serving the state diligently.

Elder Usoro accused the office of the Accountant General of the state as being responsible for their woes alleging that over N4 billion pension fund belonging to unified local of Akwa Ibom and another N1.44 billion being local

government mandatory monthly contribution to pension board since 2010 have been withheld by the AG's office insisting that these funds if released is adequate for payment of the entitlement of the retirees of the unified local government of the state.

Earlier, the chairman Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, Akwa Ibom State, Comrade Felix Udo sympathized with the pensioners over their predicaments and advised them to continue to exercise patience and continue to be law abiding as his office would not relent in working tirelessly to make sure that their demands are met.

26

November 24, 2014

The Advocate Gospel This Week

Catholic Bishops meet Jonathan over displaced people

TEXT: Matthew 22:34-40 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' Jesus replied: '"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: "Love your neighbour as yourself." All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.' (NIVUK)

NARRATION The Pharisees were obsessed by rules. They believed that keeping the rules would earn them favour with God: the more diligent they were in their religious practices, the more God would be pleased, or so they thought. They had forgotten that God demanded that every law was kept perfectly all the time and that even the smallest sin was enough to invalidate their salvation.

Yes, they had the sacrifices to atone for their sin temporarily, but there was no sacrifice for intentional sin. Therefore, everybody who relies on the Law will be condemned (Romans 3:23).

By asking Jesus to name the greatest commandment, the Pharisees wanted Jesus to side with them against the Sadducees (who did not give the Old Testament Law too much literal significance). They also wanted to see whether He would agree with their idea of which laws were the greatest - it was a popular debate at the time. But, of course, Jesus was not caught out.

Instead of citing a particular commandment, Jesus summarised the purpose of the Old Testament Law - to bring people into relationship with God. He did not want their religious duty but their love; neither did He want legalistic nit-picking among religious communities, but genuine loving relationships and sacrificial lifestyles. Jesus wanted the Pharisees to understand that legalism was not enough. Without love they had no future with God at all.

That is the reason for the gospel. We are all sinners and cannot justify ourselves in God's sight. That is why Jesus became the one perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. Those who trust in Him will enter a relationship with God. That is so different from Christ-less religion. Whichever religion you look at, it has a sort of moral ladder to climb, hopeful of pleasing God. But that is not the Christian life. We start to enter a relationship with Him once we admit we are out of relationship, and experience the relationship once we welcome Him as Saviour and Lord. Look at www.crosscheck.org.uk and share it with your friends. It will help them to find this relationship also.

Prayer: Loving God. Thank You very much for loving me despite my weakness and sinfulness.

Thank You for making a way for me to have a new life with You through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Forgive me when I have kept this excellent news hidden from my friends or when I have let them think that my life with You is due to my good works rather than Your saving grace. Give me the boldness to share the truth. In Jesus' Name.

NIGERIA

Jonathan

M

embers of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria have called on the federal government to collaborate with it to ameliorate the sufferings of displaced persons.

Speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama said though Boko Haram terrorists had targeted Muslims, their primary targets were Christians and others considered not good muslims.

According to him, what the catholic Bishops told the President was that Catholic

Church in Nigeria had what it would take to handle displaced people and sharing relief materials.

He said it had become important that government collaborated with the church and carry them along in its general efforts to take care of the victims of insurgency.

“We are here on behalf of the Catholic Bishop Conference of Nigeria, we came not to wish him a bad day but to talk about our nation.

“We had some concerns about the situation of security in the nation as well as political developments. So in general terms we shared with him in a conversation and discussion.

“We just wanted to remind him of things he already knows, there was nothing we said that was new, we just wanted to lay emphasis and we wanted him to know we are concerned.

“The President is already doing his bit, he has assured us that he is on top of the situation. They are reviewing strategies and all that and by the grace of God this terrorism that we are witnessing will soon be a thing of the past. This is the assurance we are coming away with” Kaigama said.

He added that “we feel that things are not right. Territorially our land is being taken away, the people we look after are displaced, their homes, their villages, towns are captured and they are internally displaced being refugees in their own land.

Bishop leads protest against BEDC over 3-year blackout in Delta community

T

HE people of Uwheru in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State have staged a peaceful protest against the management of Benin Electricity Distribution Company, BEDC, over lack of power supply to the community for over three years.

The protesters alleged that despite the fact that they had been thrown into darkness for over three years, they were still being given estimated bills.

Retired Bishop of Ughelli Anglican Diocese, Bishop Vincent Moughere, who led the protesters, said: “Since I retired as a Bishop about four years ago, I live in the community and what we experienced was epileptic power supply under PHCN. “Since the change of management after privatization, we have been plunged into darkness under the new regime.

“Today's protest is to show the world what we have been suffering in the community despite promises of light for all

communities by Mr. President before the completion of the privatization exercise.

“I, therefore, call on the President, Delta State governor and representatives of the people, both at the federal and state legislature, to come to the aid of Uwheru.

“We are suffering and to make matter worse we do not even know where to go and complain; we do not know the new managers and their operations.

“This is why we are protesting for the whole world to see, so that they will know what we are going through.”

Some residents said the lack of electricity supply in the area has posed a big economic challenge to them as prices of goods and services have increased.

Sellers of frozen foods and cold drinks have reportedly added between N20 and N100 to their items, while barbers and hair dressers have increased prices by N100 and N200, respectively, for their services.

Business centres, saw mills and others have also increased the prices of their services.

27

November 24, 2014

NIGERIA

UNN, stakeholders chart new course for progress

W

ith a burning desire to leave a legacy after his five- year tenure, the new vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, has been holding consultations with different segments of the university community, since his appointment on June 6, 2014. In fact, as a good leader, such dialogue is best option to study the environment and identify problem areas and come up with solutions.

It was therefore, in continuation of this robust exercise, that he launched his visionary and strategic action plan with stakeholders to take the university to another level in education, research, scholarship and human capital development.

Because it was the first of its kind in the institution's 54- year old history, the 3,000 capacity princess Alexandria Auditorium, venue of the event, was filled to the brim with thousands outside.

The large attendance to the occasion by friends of the university, the Alumni, patriots in the pursuit of academic excellence, all categories of academic and administrative staff, union leaders and students, despite that the institution was not in session at the moment, did not come as a surprise.

It was indeed a demonstration of solidarity to the new administration, which quickly was applauded by the vice chancellor and his three deputy vice chancellors. Apart from immediate members of the university community, the ceremony attracted captains of industry, traditional rulers, university administrators from within and outside the country.

Prominent among them were former senate president, Ken Nnamani, represented by prof.

Steven Dike,famous Catholic priest Prof Obiora ike, new provost of the college of Medicine, EnuguCampus of UNN, Prof. Ernest Onwasigwe, the deputy president Enugu- Chamber of commerce, Rev. Ugo Chime, the doyen of economics, Prof. Hyacinth Eme Ichoku of the university of Nigeria and Mr. Chinedu Onu. Former deans of Faculty of Health Sciences and technology Enugu- campus of UNN, Proffessors Obinna Onwujekwe and Ngozi Onyemelukwe and renowned radiologist, Prof. Ifeoma Okoye, the Director Public Relations Unn,Mr. Omeaku, Dr. Sam Ibeneme and Dr. Bond Anyaehie, both of the college of Medicine UNN, as well as Doyen of law, Dr. Edith Nwosu also graced the occasion.

In his inaugural speech, the vice chancellorof Unn, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, said that his ideas of st transforming the university to a 21 century institution was in the conception of the stakeholders, especially the principal officers of UNN, who had so happily identified with the strategic and roadmap vision of his administration. He made it clear

that for the first time, the University was organizing an all-inclusive visioning/strategic planning session involving all stakeholders

was to stimulate the requisite change and become the nucleus of the matter and manner of his transformation initiative, hence, the plan would stand as a veritable contract between the university and its various stakeholders in the march to excellence in all its

Ken Nnamani to produce a master plan that will be consistent with the vice chancellor's dream.

The vice chancellor explained that the aim of the strategic action plan

ramifications.

According to Prof. Ozumba, “without sounding pedantic, I want to reflect on the meeting point between my administration and the

evolution of the University of Nigeria. Before establishing the university, Dr Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, had ruminated on the modalities for the establishment of an institution that would be unique in all respects. Before applying for the post of vice chancellor of this great institution, Prof. Bejamin Chukwuma Ozumba, had cogitated on the problems of the university to ensure that, through the authority of the Almighty God, he will delve into the solution to these problems if he becomes the vice chancellor.”

He continued: this all- inclusive visioning/strategic planning session is the brain child of the periods of rumination, cogitation and browsing. As psychologists say, our character is basically a composite of our habits because our character traits are consistent with our unconscious patterns of thought. Prof. Ozumba re-stated that his vision for UNN was to create a leading operational academic centre of learning with a global standard, adding that it should be the university that will see excellence in the eyes of the great philosopher, Socrates, as a habit and not an act. “in a nutshell therefore, the university should under my administration, offer quality academic and professional programs, develop a studentcentred, intellectually stimulating and technologically advanced teaching, learning and research environment and serve as an intellectual and cultural centre for the promotion of new ideas.”

On how to fund this gigantic vision, the university administrator noted that for this innovative spectacle to mature into fruition, his administration would not rely entirely on government, but would

embark on an aggressive internally generated revenue base with mechanized farming as area of focus, even as he indicated that emphasis would not be on school fees. Earlier in a key note lecture, former senate president, Ken Nnamani, charged authorities of the university of Nigeria to re-invent those rare values that made the institution the envy of many in education, medicine and research in the early 70s.

Prof. Steven Dike, who represented Senator Ken Nnamani, recalled that after damaging his eyes in an accident in 1974, after surgery and sight restored at UNTH, surgeons at the United States of America where he had gone for follow up, expressed surprise that such world class surgery was done in Nigeria.

“The most important asset Nigeria has is human capital and UNN has been richly blessed in several ways, but has seen trust betrayed of late, UNTH should not only maintain that standard but improve on it, he further remarked.

He continued: to have all stakeholders of UNN gathered here today to move the institution forward means there is a renewed spirit under the leadership of Ozumba, we will get there, and collectivism is the only option.

Also speaking, the national president of the UNN Alumni Association, represented by Dr. Florence Orabueze, carpeted the immediate past administration, saying that workers and students were in tears during the period. She said that God gave them Prof.

Ozumba, as new Vc, after they had declared prayers asking for a messiah to come and heal their wounds and reassured the Vc of their support.

Nwafor Orizu College of Education Nsugbe will produce self-reliant graduates, says Provost Continued from page 6 secured environment conducive for learning.

She disclosed that the college with under 10,000 students runs 21 programs for N.C.E and 19 for B.ED, and that these programs have all been fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) even as she pointed out that the institution's Vocational and Technical Education programs are well equipped and repositioned to give a boost to the nation's quest for job creation.

According to Dr. Uzoezie, the National Universities Commission on visitation to the college was so satisfied with the infrastructures and facilities on ground that it expressed the view that it certifies all the necessary requirements to be converted to a university.

Said the Provost: “All facilities for effective teaching and learning are on ground; “The staffs are qualified and quite dedicated to duty and there is cordial relationship between the

management and staff on one hand, and the host community Nsugbe and the college on the other; “And the environment, the entire atmosphere is quite conducive for studies”, just as she pointed out that the governor has promised to ensure adequate welfare of the staff, a promise she said has given the entire management and staff strong hope.

The college Chief Executive made it clear that graduates of the college have no need to hunt for job on graduation as they are fully prepared to be on their own to teach, establish their own schools, nurseries, kindergartens and even work on consultancy basis stressing that this advantage is one unique feature of the institution which the students are blessed with and must avail themselves of.

While describing, governor Obiano as an education friendly governor and one with the political will, uncommon commitment to duty and the wellbeing of all Ndi Anambra

including the youths at heart the college Chief Executive extolled the governor's enterprising spirit, ingenuity and his unbending will to develop all sectors of the state economy as well as his sheer focus, selflessness in service and total commitment to valuedriven leadership.

D r. E g o U z o e z i e a l s o commended the governor for initiating his Four Pillars of development in oil and gas, industrialization, commerce and agriculture and their Enablers which include Education, health, transport, environment, investment and housing which she likened to his predecessor's ANIDS philosophy and SocialRe-Orientation Program and opined that his giant studies in the agric sector by refocusing it towards commercialization will boost employment and create thousands of jobs for our teeming young unemployed graduates, and enjoined the youths to queue into this dynamic programs and policies of the governor to enhance their

economic well being.

On the governor's Joint Security Outfit, the provost described it as unique and a model in the country stating that the unparalled security network has sent criminals including kidnappers packing from the state. She noted that never in the history of Anambra state has the state Chief Executive set in motion such bold and pragmatic plans, given governance a human face, and restored such strong hope to all cadres of people both the young, the old, the rich and the poor particularly the rural dwellers who have benefitted much from the First Lady Chief/Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano's largess through her Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ).

Observers see Nwafor Orizu College of Education, Nsugbe, absolutely transformed and repositioned with the management, staff and students working in harmony in an atmosphere of peace, unity and discipline since the assumption of office by the new Provost.

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ASUTH Awka now repositioned for better health care services – CMD … says Nigeria Ebola free declaration by WHO is credit to both government and the people The Anambra State University Teaching hospital Amaku, Awka, South East has recorded great medical feats after undergoing monumental transformation with massive infrastructures and state-of-the-arts facilities on ground. The medical school is now better repositioned to give quality health care service to the people. In an interview with our correspondent in Awka, the Pioneer Chief Medical Director (C.M.D) of the hospital, Dr. Lawrence Ikeako spoke on the workings of the health institution, its prospects and challenges, and the way forward. EXCEREPTS: were made on the facilities there then, and as the Commissioner for Health then, I took it up with the governor, Mr. Peter Obi who contributed immensely to make our theatre look ultra modern with the provision of necessary facilities. We have scheduled a repeat of the hip and knee surgery operation again, it was scheduled for November this year, but most likely due to the Ebola scourge, it was called off, but we hope the mission will be in March next year, 2015, and I am sure by then the people will find our theatre with the current equipment a pleasant one and good place to work in.

Dr. Lawrence Ikeako Meet you Sir? I am Dr. Lawrence Ikeako, the Pioneer Chief Medical Director of the University Teaching Hospital. I am from Ogidi in Idemili Local Government Area of Anambra State.

What is the true position of the Hospital in terms of facilities and staffing?

The medical school was established in 2009, the present medical school; and the Teaching Hospital came later. I can say it took off around 2011 and 2013.

There has been several attempts by previous governments before that of Governor Peter Obi to establish the Teaching Hospital but I' ll say those attempts weren't successful because necessary accreditation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria was not realized. It was only the determined attempt of the Obi administration in 2009 and 2012 that actually gave the head way.

What achievements have you made so far in terms of facilities available befitting a Teaching Hospital of this status?

The Teaching Hospital grew out of the old Amaku General Hospital. I was the Consultant InCharge of the General Hospital.

Then, we had only four small buildings that actually constituted what was then the General Hospital, but with the

establishment of the Teaching Hospital there has been massive infrastructural development visible to everybody. A lot of transformation has taken place and the staff then was inadequate to man a Teaching Hospital but the then Governor Peter Obi Administration give us a waiver that allowed us to employ some staff on adhoc basis to be able to scale through the hurdle of accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria; widening the service both in scope and ah-ah whatever, we shall continue to recruit staff to be able to deliver quality service because we still need more staff.

Achievements made so far?

A teaching Hospital is supposed to be a specialized centre and we are battling to meet up that expectation of our people. We've tried to improve the quality of service here by employing the right calibre of specialists. This is a place where things are expected to be done correctly; this is itself an achievement, and we have received a lot of equipment from the past administration so many to be mentioned here-now say digital X Ray machines, mammographic machines for screening of breast cancer and many more others all brand new ones absolutely new. We've done hip and knee replacement surgery in this institution –first one done last year and a lot of observations

Now that Nigeria is declared Ebola free by the international Community (by W.H.O), what measures are being put in place to avert a recurrence and do you see the credit as that of Federal and State Government alone or that of all Nigerians?

The credit goes to all Nigerians. It was an achievement by the whole Nigerians, Federal, State and even Local governments; the doctors, the nurses, the citizens; without the citizens' co-operation sure, we would not have realized our goal of eradicating the scourge. Everyone co-operated.

We are the benefits now that Nigeria is declared Ebola free by the International Community.

And furthermore, the present administration of governor Willie Obiano has done a lot; he has gone ahead to established Ebola Treatment Centres - three of them, one in each of the three Senatorial Districts. So we were equally ready for Ebola. So the state government also complemented the efforts of the Federal Government and I wish to commend the administration of Governor Obiano for its proactive steps in this direction.

What measures are being put in place to check future occurrence?

Very good; the three centres have been established; I suggest we establish permanent structures, what I'll call 'Infectious Disease

Hospital' designated to handle this matter and it should be permanent, and train workers to work in that institution and staff to undergo training and retraining because Ebola is not the only infectious disease; there are others. This centre if set up, will be able to handle other infections disease like laser fever, diarrhea, cholera, and other infectious diseases. So a permanent structure for this is necessary. And we appeal to the citizens to adopt hygienic measures and to ensure a clean environment. The Obiano administration has taken adequate measures in this direction-a government that emphasizes the need for good hygiene, clean environment, clears all gutters and drainages; to me this is living by example. The government is playing its role and the people should also play their own role.

Your general assessment of t h e O b i a n o administration?

Government is a continuum. In fact to be frank with you, the government of Obiano is prepared to take us from where the previous Peter Obi administration left us. The management of the Teaching Hospital has made contact with His Excellency and the outcome was fruitful; very good. We've set up a committee and it has gone around drawing up what is required to deliver quality service. At the end of it all, we will be meeting with the committee set up by the governor himself to transmit whatever we brought to his Excellency. And he promised us that he will pick it up from there. We have aspirations here, there are medical students and if everything goes well, this Teaching Hospital will be turning out its first set of graduate doctors come Aug. 2015. And we are optimistic that the government of Obiano will support us in this our noble aspiration. And we are taking it to the next level. We want to start specialist training here; on completion of the undergraduates training, we have scaled the first, scaled the second; we are set to come out in Jan 2015 for the last accreditation and I want to assure

everybody that we have the backing of the present administration of Governor Wille Obiano. We are together in our desire to give our people and the country the best.

Can we know the relationship between your management and staff, how cordial?

Success here is a combination of the joint efforts of the staff, nurses and management; our relationship is very cordial, wonderful; and we work in harmony to provide the best; entrench quality service delivery.

Your message to Anambra Citizens?

Yes- when we had HIV, the government and various agencies mounted advocacy and our people listened and we seem to have put on check this issue of HIV. We advised our people to listen to medical authorities; to abide by the instructions they are given in order to avert the spread of this infectious diseases. Our people must listen; government and its agencies are ready to guide us. Our duty is to listen to them.

How would you appraise the Obiano administration particularly his Four Pillars of development, and their Enablers?

You know I was part of this administration. We did a lot when I was commissioner for one year.

We made sure that the Teaching Hospital here had its accreditation up to date; that the school of Health Technology Obosi had 100 % accreditation with backing from the government. The school of Nursing Nkpor was taken over and is rehabilitated. We did so many things like setting up the Drug Information Centre, the Quality Control Unit; setting in motion the rehabilitation of the general hospitals among others.

So we are very happy we tried as much as possible to leave Anambra State in a better position health wise. And my successor is a very nice man. We are in good c o n t a c t . We d i s c u s s professionally. He has a listening ear and crystallizes information

Continues on page 30

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November 24, 2014

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Entertainment plus

1. Okey Ogunjiofor

2. Elizabeth Benson

I

n 1992 he gave birth to Nollywood when he released movie 'Living in Bondage'.

But now he calls himself an actor and a preacher of the gospel. He left the movie industry because he considered it to be a hobby.

N o w h e spreads the Word, gives motivational speeches and is an author of many Christian literatures.

L

iz Benson was rather popular in the 90's. She appeared in popular soap opera 'Fortunes' in 1993.

The show ran for nearly 2 years. After this, she acted in many movies and TV series. But in 1994 she became a subject of many scandals and controversies. It was connected to her role in popular movie 'Glamour Girls'; a movie which was focused on prostitution. So the actress disappeared from the industry to reinvent her image.

In 2009 she married a man who is a Bishop at the Rainbow Christian Assembly in Warri, Delta State. Now Liz and her husband run the church together.

4. Zack Orji

3. Eucheria Anunobi

With Hillary Agbo

The life of a celebrity seems to be far from the life of saints. It seems to be something glamorous and marvelous. But some Nollywood celebrities changed their lives to spread their love for God by becoming pastors.

4. Pat Attah

E

ucheria Anunobi also suffered after starring in the movie 'Glamour Girls'. After the role, she also became in the center of different scandals concerning her relationship and crushed marriage. But then she announced an even more controversial news; she has given her life to Christ. She was ordained at the F r e s h O i l Ministry, Egbeda, Lagos, as an evangelist. Then she decided to preach as a pastor which is what she is currently doing.

She counsels youth in the church and travels spreading the word of God.

T

he winner of the recently concluded Gulder Ultimate search season 11, Chinedu Ubachukwu was officially presented with the keys to a brand new Ford explorer and a whopping sum of ten million naira. The 24year old graduate of uniport couldn't hold back tears as he made merry while friends and relatives

H

e used to be the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. But some time ago, he decided to devote his life to God. A little while later he was ordained as a full-time evangelist at the Christian Central Chapel International (CCCI). So he dedicated his life to spread the word of God all over the world. This veteran of Nollywood has been spotted engaging in some evangelical activities all over Nigeria.

gathered to celebrate the glorious crowing moment.

Other 13 contestants who participated in the Gulder Ultimate search 11, and were evicted at various stages of the contest were also rewarded accordingly as they also smiled to the bank with sums that ranged between 2.7 million to 1million naira each and this is the first time that all

participants are rewarded with cash.

Guests at the party encouraged Gulder to continue the trend and even make it better in later years as they strive to satisfy their numerous consumers in Nigeria.

T

his handsome Nollywood actor also became a pastor. He used to conquer girls' hearts. But now he is conquering hearts for Jesus.

The actor and musician currently lives in Hamburg, Germany.

He is a preacher and he uses social networks sites including Facebook to deliver his sermon/messages to everyone.

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November 24, 2014

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By Okey Anyichie

Didier Drogba says, he will leave Chelsea this summer

Horse playing in Nigeria's football house, how will it end?

D

S

ince after the end of the world Cup Soccer fiesta in Brazil, where the Supper Eagles participated but fell by the way side in the second round, it had been crisis galore in the Nigerian football House, known as the “Glass House” in Abuja.

This crisis which started with the removal of the then chairman of the Nigerian Football Federation [NFF] and election of a new boss of the Nigerian soccer body have set the movement of the game in anti-clockwise direction.

And it will be very unfortunate for the soccer body which was formed in 1945 to enmesh in such crisis which if not well handled with every amount of

Amaju Pinnick dexterity would create a bad image on the standard of the

game in the country both continentally and globally.

First the ban that will be imposed on Nigeria by the Federation of International Football Association [FIFA] will see Nigeria out of the race to Africa cup o f N a t i o n s competition which Morocco has withdrawn as host next year and the world soccer competition for Women in Canada next year.

The two global youth soccer tournaments in under-17 and

under -20 Championship and q u a l i f i e r s f o r u n d e r- 2 3 Olympic soccer tournament for the Olympic games in Brazil in 2016 will also suffer the same fate. All these soccer Competitions definitely must elude Nigerian football teams if sanity is not restored in the “glass house” in Abuja.

The intervention of President Jonathan in the matter may have returned peace in the Glass house as shown in the recall of Keshi via president's fiat and the charge for the withdrawal of related matters in court to evade FIFA's axe.

It will be recalled the world soccer governing body FIFA had threatened that sanction would be an obvious option for Nigeria should the matter not come to an end by Friday 31st October, 2014.

THE SUPER- FALCONS:

Seventh time in African women champions

W

hile the soccer house, the “Glass-House is boiling and about to throw the game of football in an obscure direction, the happy news is that the Nigerian ladies have done the country proud in the last African women Championship [AWC] held in Namibia.

In the final play-off of the competition, the Super falcons of Nigeria swept off the indomitable lionesses of Cameroon by 2-0.It was a very sweet victory coming at this time

ASUTH Awka now repositioned for better health care services – CMD Continued from page 18 when it is given to him. I communicate with him well and he has nice programs for the state. And for the Obiano's Four Pillars of development, and their Enablers of which the health sector is one, I will say they are nice programs and policies that will take Anambra State to the next level. And his Joint Security Outfit is unique, a model, and is already yielding dividends with criminals and kidnappers sent packing out from the state and their dens systematically demolished, giving the Anambra citizens hope and confidence to go about their normal business without fear of harassment or molestation by hoodlums. And the hitherto notorious and dreaded Upper Iweka in the Onitsha metropolis is now peaceful with business activities going on unhindered even as

major part of the area is beautified to offer recreation, relaxation to the inhabitants. You know sectors are anchored on security. So his administration is getting its security right. And mention must be made of his bold agricultural policy, especially refocusing that sector towards commercialization to create jobs for thousands of our teeming young unemployed graduates and others. You know the current global mass unemployment, huge job cuts, budget deficits, and extinction of white collar jobs occasioned by the 2008 economic meltdown; this bold agric policy will serve as a panacea to youth unemployment.

You remember he recently launched the Mobilization of Schools for Agriculture and Industry program (MOSAI) to revive school farming system; this is a replica of President

Jonathan's School Agricultural Program which he recently launched. In fact what am saying is that the present state administration is working with the governor's Four Pillars of development and their Enablers like his predecessors ANIDS Philosophy and Social- ReOrientation program to develop all sectors simultaneously. And if this tempo of development is sustained with the full support of the Anambra State citizenry then the state will be second to none in terms of development socioeconomic advancement.

C.M.D, free from the rigorous of office duties what else do you do, enjoy; that is your hobby?

Well, I like to watch football especially international matches;- Manchester is one of my favorites. I play tennis, and of course I like reading.

the qualification of the Nigerian “Super Eagles” for 2015 cup of Nations is walking on a tight-rope.

At present, Nigerian is playing third role in their group with Congo-Brazzaville, Sudan, and South Africa, where they lost one match, drew one and won one. It is now thrown open to permutations that the two matches left will summarize their fate in the next year's Champion-ship.

However the ladies have gone to Namibia saw and conquered neatly and impacted gloriously on the Africa female Soccer scene for the seventh time since the competition started two decades ago.

And like it is known that nothing succeeds like success, it is all smiles for these soccer ladies of the moment as they pocketed three million naira each for their winnings.

With this seventh triumph in the continental female soccer champion-ship, it is now time for the Nigerian ladies to showcase their skills and victory consciousness in Canada when they will play along with two other African countries next year in the world Ladies soccer Champion-ship.

They have to really show that seven years of being African champions in the competition is enough to crown them the global champions.

By Hillary Agbo

idier Drogba has dropped the biggest hint that this will be his last season in a Chelsea shirt.

Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge as a free agent in the summer after leaving Galatasary and signed a twelve month contract. The 36 year old was voted

by Chelsea fans as their greatest ever player who has left the first time in 2012, having played a major role in winning ten major trophies in Eight seasons.

He has more of a supporting role to Diego Costa, this time around but still netted three goals in as many games last month to prove his worth.

He said, “This year, the key for me is to enjoy my football and to be with my team-mates and to win trophies. There is no more year to go, so let's do it, let's win more trophies let's make history again. ''The relationship between me and the fans go ways, the way they show their support and the way they love me. If there is some way, I love them even more because of all we achieved together, all the history. I have always said that my eight years here are the best years of my career. I know they enjoyed it because I did. I am far from all the players who made history here but I am also next to them”

Falcao could be left out at Arsenal, says Van Gaal

By Hillary Agbo

L

ouis Van Gaal has said it is unlikely to bring any of his injured players straight back into Manchester united starting 11 for the trip to Arsenal, giving the likes of Radamel Falcao no guarantee of a place in the squad.

The Colombian International who has missed united last three games and not started for them since scoring the winning goal in the 2 – 1 victory over Everton in October 5. Tweeted on Tuesday “ready to train with the best motivation” Right back, Rafael is also training again after sitting out the defeat to Manchester city and the win over Crystal Palace with a muscle problem, while centre backs, Johnny Evans and Philip Jones are long term absentees, though there are hopes that both are on their way back.

Philip Jones have suffered from a shin splints since last month's 2 – 2 draw at West Bromwich Albion while Evans who has an ankle problem has not played since the 5 – 3 defeat at Leicester in September.

But Van Gaal says he does not want to risk those who have been out for a while and warned that they could be substitutes against Arsenal on November 22. According to Van Gaal “No, I don't think so because now, some of them have already not played for 5, 6, 7 weeks; They could sit on the bench because they can play 20 minutes, but I cannot put a lot of players who are not

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November 24, 2014

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Chelsea declare 18million pounds profit for the year

N

ovember 14 - Chelsea FC have announced a profit of £18.4 million on a record turnover of £319.8 million for the year ended 30 June 2014.

This is the second and largest profit the club has made since Roman Abramovich became owner of the club in 2003. Two years ago the profit was £1.4 million.

These results ensure UEFA's break-even criteria under the Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations continue to be satisfied.

The £18.4 million profit follows the £1.4 million generated two years ago. Strong revenue increases as well as a significant surplus on player sales during the 12-month period contributed.

The club's turnover figure rose from £255.8 million to £319.8 million and is the fifth

consecutive increase. The figures were helped significantly by increased broadcast revenue and a number of new sponsorships.

The club has signed new partnerships with Rotary, H a c k e t t , C o r a l , Wi l l i a m Lawson's, Indosat and Guangzhou R&F Football Club.

Chelsea's current kit deal is with Samsung, estimated to be worth about £18 million a year – small in comparison to its big club rivals but it is the end of a long term contract. Turkish Airlines are widely expected to replace Samsung in a vastly improved deal next year.

The figures were also boosted by the sales of midfielder Juan Mata to Manchester United and defender David Luiz to Paris Saint-Germain for a combined £87 million. The signings of striker Diego Costa and

midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who cost £59 million in total, are not included in the 2013-14 accounts as they were announced after June 30.

The club reported a small rise in

match day income but in its statement said that "with Stamford Bridge filled to capacity year after year there was no scope for significant financial growth in this area. General

admission ticket prices remain frozen at 2011/12 levels.”

The results mean that Chelsea fall easily within the FFP requirements.

Senate fixes tenure for NFF President, repeals NFA 2004 Act

T

HE senate Thursday rose to stop the crisis that had bedeviled the nation's football sector especially the succession problem in the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, as it finally fixed tenure for the NFF executives.

This was contained in the Repeal and Re-enactment Bill 2014 that seeks to legalize the NFF and reduce government's interference in football that was passed into law.

Speaking after the passage of the bill, Chairman, Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Adamu Gumba explained that the new law would stop friction in the succession problem as there has been fixed tenure for the NFF executives.

He said, “It is a bill that is trying to improve on the Nigerian Football Association Act. It seeks to improve on that particular act, to make sure that most of the provisions of the law comply with FIFA regulations.

“We hear FIFA each time it intervenes in Nigeria's football administration that it is going to sanction national federation. We have received similar threats this year. That happens when some regulations of FIFA seem to be violated by individual federation.”

“In Nigeria, they observed that we were violating these regulations and they threatened to sanction us. So this particular bill is trying to remove those areas, to make sure that our football administrators now try as much as possible to work in accordance

with the governing regulations and laws of FIFA. “In trying to streamline our activities, to make sure that we work hand in hand because we are recognized and a voluntary member of that particular organization, then we must comply with the regulations governing football worldwide.”

Senator Gumba further explained that the bill was handled by the NFA alongside the Senate Committee on Sports, adding that the relevant stakeholders in the football sector made input after looking at the various provisions of the law and agreed with what the senate proposed.

On the fixing of tenure for NFF executives, he said that that was done after looking at the peculiar nature of Nigeria where even the initial four years given, some members of the football family wouldn't want to allow the new executive to last for four years.

According to him, “They would try as much as possible to oust them and if that is the case, pegging the tenure to four years will probably improve on what is happening, then whoever comes in to fight or look for your seat will know that there is a law making provision for you to last

for two years or eight years at least on that particular position and they will allow you.

“What we have been seeing is that the moment the executive or board completes the first four years, then, there will be turmoil in the football family. There would be trouble, there would be confusion, there would be court actions and counter court actions and so, these are what we are trying to reduce.

“I understand Sepp Blatter is there now as FIFA president for many years and Isa Hayoutu is

there for many years. If the Nigerian football family decides to fix their own the way we have presented in the bill, Nigerians will see. I think that we should start somewhere than to jump into another area that we cannot be able to sustain. That is the position.”

He said that the senate would not delve into the selection or appointment of foreign coaches or technical advisers, adding that the primary concern of the red chamber was to try as much as possible to provide the law, while

individual members of the football family try to also comply.

“Nigerians are quite interested in litigation, you may make a perfect law and they may decide not to obey the law but the courts are there, the arbitration panels are there to enforce the decisions or the provisions of the law because in football, FIFA frowns at going to court but there are Football Arbitration Panels that can sit down to reconcile, adjudge, adjudicate on matters where you have differences as members of the football family.”

Vol. 2 No. 105, November 24, 2014

ONLINE

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NIGERIA

Back page comment

Ndigbo and their position in national politics

By Rex Arum

T

he Igbos are once more being driven to some kind of political oblivion not minding the various superimpositions, the political gladiators in Nigeria tends to do in their bid to make them feel the ephemeral value of the tapestry used to undermine their political sensibilities.

During the second republic the Igboman occupied the seat of Vice President and the Speaker of the House of Reps. Even during the despotic military junta days, Igbos also held various meaningful positions in government some of which include: Chief of General Staff, Chief of Naval Staff etc but in the recent past the story is no longer theasme.

In the present dispensation or better put, republic, it's like degeneration from the sublime to the ridiculous, moving to the fifth position and even the ruling party Chairmanship was lost on account of zoning, internal wrangling and lack of proper focus which were hither-to the highest political position occupied by anybody from the South Eastern extraction.

Ndigbo have however lost political relevance in terms of national representation. The problems are quite numerous and disheartening as followers of political trend in Nigeria will unanimously agree to this school of thought. To chronicle the circumstances surrounding this situation is immaterial here as it is glaring in the face of history that Igbos have been crying foul since the post independent era especially on account of glaring marginalization.

Igbos has been short changed in appointments of persons to occupy juicy positions at the National level, they are short changed in the number of States and Local Government Areas in their zone, number of Federal Constituencies, House of Assembly Constituencies as well council wards and most disheartening in area of infrastructure.

What is the problem with the Igbos? Is it that their leaders or generality are plagued with some kind of ill-luck or negative forces that are opposed to their political consciousness? The plausible answer maybe found in self serving political elites who have abandoned their political mandates to the detriment of the people they are representing. In other words, lack of powerful delegation or otherwise effective representation obviously is considered as the primary factor that has placed the political growth and development of the South Eastern comatose.

This is sometimes occasioned by the lip service being paid by the Igbo representatives at the Federal level who

rather than canvass against the marginalization of Ndigbo, will collude with some people whose inordinate desire is to decimate the igbos and place them under perpetual political slavery.

Upon this political situation, the Igbos are left with one important option, such that will make their counterpart from other zones of the country feel their presence in the National Assembly.

Therefore Igbos should be mindful at this time about the calibre of persons to elect for representation at both the hallow chambers and the Green chambers which form the hub of National politics. It is no longer business as usual or where some self acclaimed power brokers or political godfathers sit at the ambience of their cozy homes and use legislative offices to settle their political

friends or cronies. Ndigbo must screen who represents them at the National Assembly so that they will not be thrown into another series of marginalization songs.

In the recent past the Igbos had the worst representation in National Assembly and except for the likes Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Senator Uchechukwu Merije, Senator Chris Ngige and Senator Gil Nnaji who has been wonderful at the committee level. Some vibrant others in the House of Reps include Emeka Ihedioha, Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and a few others. It is almost a pack of 'sidon de look' representatives, whose interest in the largesse being shared at various levels, has been their primary interest. What contributions can they make when they are bamboozled by their high profiled

contemporaries from other zones of the country and their uncompromisable stands as the “real owners” or directors of Nigeria?

However, the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has been astute and hard working but at some instances he is constrained to dance the music of the same hegemonists that designed a strategy to diminish the socio-political status of Igbos in Nigeria.

South Eastern electorates should read the writing on the wall and make the right choices of who represents them in the National Assembly. Those who have the emancipation of Ndigbo as their primary agenda as well as peace and unity of the country should be considered during the 2015 polls; they should be persons with proven track record and pedigree that will ensure effective representation.

Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State is one person with Igbo interest at heart.

He has been very vocal about the marginalization of Ndigbo. This had sometimes made him fall out of favour before the powers that be. He has the will, he possesses the opinion, he has the courage and resolve to play like a “big boy” in the senate. A consideration of his likes will be a panacea for the much eluded strong voice of the Southeast in the senate and Reps Senator Ike Ekweremadu, political enigma and a political phenomenon, is another strong mind, brave heart that can stand the tide and wither the storm when it comes to complex issues in our national politics. These are significantly seen in the last 12 years of populist oriented and effective representation in the senate where he excelled as the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament and have not compromised the south Eastern interest.

Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige has an unwavering guts to face the demagogue, survived the first ever kidnap of a Governor which endeared him to the Anambra electorates after which he crushed the concept of Godfatherism in the state.

Chief Victor Umeh, a man who swam meritoriously on where most men sank and transformed the All Progressives Grand Alliance. This political giant has proved his onion in political his carrier. There is no doubt that the likes of Umeh will be a strong voice of the Easterners in the National Assembly if elected.

National Assembly is not an ice cream joint where every Tom and Harry can go to. It is not for political neophytes, rather it is a place where matured political minds that can hold their own assemble to do serious legislative business as well as ensure positive attraction of Federal Government presence to their people.

Vincent Enyeama (born 29 August 1982) is a Nigerian football goalkeeper. Since 2002, he has played for the national team of Nigeria. He currently plays for Lille OSC who he signed for in June 2011.

Club career During his spell with Enyimba International F.C. he won the CAF Champions League twice, with one noteworthy mention: He was always substituted before penalty shootouts. "I don't know why I was substituted before penalties, but it worked," he said in an interview in 2006.

"In Israel I stopped many penalties and now everyone knows that I can handle penalties.

After three seasons with Enyimba International F.C. and one with Iwuanyanwu Nationale (now known as Heartland F.C.), Enyeama moved to a minor club in Israel, Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv. He had a fantastic first season, showing amazing physical and athletic skills. In his first season with Bnei Yehuda, the team qualified for the final of the Israel State Cup and achieved fourth place in the Israeli Premier League, which qualified the team for the 2006 UEFA Cup. Enyeama signed for Hapoel Tel Aviv in 2007.

Hapoel Tel Aviv endured a poor season in 2007/2008, but Enyeama helped the team to avoid relegation and reach the state cup final.

During 2008/09 Hapoel, unexpectedly, almost won the league title, with Enyeama winning the "Player of The Year" award - although he is a goalkeeper, and although he wasn't playing at the team who won the championship. During that year Enyeama became Hapoel's penalty kicker.

In 2009/10 Hapoel won the Double, with Enyeama scoring an advantage goal during the Cup Final, and missing a penalty on the last fixture of the year, where Hapoel eventually managed to score a winning goal on the 92nd minute and win the league.

On 18 August 2010 he scored his first goal of the 2010–11 season with a penalty against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League qualifiers.

During that season Enyeama played well on the Champions League Group Stage with Hapoel, claiming great grades from the press during a game against Lyon and against Schalke 04. At this year Enyeama won the Israeli cup once again.

In June 2011 he moved to French side Lille for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract. He made his debut on 18 October 2011 against Inter Milan in the 2012 UEFA Champions League group stage, where Inter managed a 1–0 victory.

In August 2012 Enyeama agreed a one-year loan deal with Maccabi Tel Aviv and was presented to the media by Maccabi's Sports Director Jordi Cruyff at 8 August 2012. At that season he captured 27 appearances in the Israeli Premier League and took part in Maccabi's success to win the championship title.

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