The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • ‘APGA will be truly nationalistic under my watch’

    ‘APGA will be truly nationalistic under my watch’

    The National Chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sly Ezeokenwa, has reassured his commitment to the transformation of the party.

    He said he would make it a viable platform for producing ideal leaders for the country.

    Ezeokenwa, a lawyer, promised to change APGA’s negative narrative of a local party to a national party through increased visibility with collaboration with the media, which he described as a major critical stakeholder in his vision.

    Speaking during a courtesy visit of executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), he said APGA would no longer concentrate on a state, but would take root across the country.

    He said: “From assumption, I had a clear vision of what I wanted to achieve for APGA. As former national legal adviser, who worked closely with the past chairman, I observed certain lapses in the leadership, especially with the media. 

    Read Also: UPDATED: Tribunal strikes out APGA, Odoh’s case against Governor Nwifuru

    “The kind of publicity we had was that of negative publicity. APGA was always in the news for the wrong reasons, including legal leadership issues.”

    “I coined an acronym – Project DRIVE (Discipline, Rebrand/Reposition, Inclusive leadership, Visibility and Expansion programme as a vision for my leadership, with the media as number one partner.

    “The only way APGA can be visible is through the media. Some of the negative impression about APGA is that it’s not just a Southeast party, but Anambra-owned. 

    “Yet, APGA has been here for 21 years. So, it’s no longer a baby. There’s no reason the party will still be concentrated on a state. APGA is not just a party, but a movement of the masses.

    “Though it might not have lived up to that expectation over the years, I’m certain we’ll achieve that and much more under my leadership, as being truly an alliance of progressives in Nigeria.”

    Scoring Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s performance high, especially in the area of human capital development, agriculture and infrastructure, the APGA boss canvassed for media support for increased development.

    “Soludo was voted on account of the promise he made and in years to come, we’ll judge him solely on account of his performance and not on his opinion. 

    “The several visible indices show that this government is solidly on the right track of trajectory. We’ve been so used to bad leadership that we don’t appreciate excellent leadership. 

    “The government’s unprecedented investment in infrastructure, human capital development and conscious effort to empower the poor economically, especially in agriculture, including palm oil and coconut, is visible,” he added.

    NUJ Chairman Dr. Emeka Odogwu praised APGA chairman’s efforts towards changing the party’s narratives, urging him to ensure he took advantage of his position to make indelible impacts.

    He advised him to maintain cordial relationship with the media to record desired successes, assuring him of NUJ’s continued support.

  • I will not be controlled by godfather, says Otti

    I will not be controlled by godfather, says Otti

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has assured indigenes and residents that he would be accountable to them than any godfather.

    Otti, who said he was open to constructive criticisms, added that his administration would run a transparent government where ‘Abians’ would have access to any information about his government.

    Read Also: I won’t be controlled by any godfather, says Gov Otti

    The governor was answering questions from reporters yesterday in Umuahia.

    On why he prioritised the Ossah-Umuahia six lane road leading to the state capital, against major roads in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, which needed government’s intervention, Dr. Otti said his administration was active on 11 roads in Aba metropolis.

  • PIA: Bayelsa community leaders reject calls for separate development trust

    PIA: Bayelsa community leaders reject calls for separate development trust

    Some leaders and chiefs of Amatu II community in Ekeremor Local Government of Bayelsa State have rejected purported demands by some communities under the Estuaries Area (EA) oil field operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), for a separate Host Community Development Trust (HCDT) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    The PIA provides for the incorporation of HCDT in oil and gas-producing communities where oil/gas companies are mandated to make an annual contribution to the HCDT of an amount equal to three per cent of the company’s actual annual operating expenditures of the preceding financial year for developmental projects in the host communities.

    Recall that some community leaders have reportedly informed SPDC that they would not want to be clustered alongside other communities of the EA oil field under one HCDT, a demand that has been rejected by a section of chiefs and elders of Amatu II community.

    In a statement in Yenagoa yesterday by some chiefs and elders of Amatu II community led by Chief Paul Oweipade, they said the purported request for a separate HCDT came as a surprise to the people of the EA host communities, particularly Amatu II community.

    Oweipade said: “Amatu I, Amatu II, Besangbene, Letugbene, Azamabiri, Orobiri and Ogbeintu communities seeking a separate HCDT should be ignored because the people of Amatu II have never sat in a meeting to deliberate and agree to go into a separate HCDT with the aforementioned communities.

    “Amatu II community is not a ghost community, neither a fishing camp that her leaders can sit in a hotel room or drinking bars to take decisions and expect such decisions to be binding on every person.

    “To this purpose, the good people of Amatu II are stating it categorically that they are not a party to any separation, so SPDC and the public should take note.”

    Read Also: Bayelsa guber: APC will shock Diri, PDP, says Nabena

    “You cannot shift the goal post in the middle of a game because the said advocates of separation were those who have already recommended their BoT members to the 16-member community HCDT board, where elections of chairman was conducted and concluded.

    “But because their unpopular candidates lost out and instead of accepting defeat, they are opting for separation, which is childish, anti-development, un-educative and unprofessional, but to crown it all, for selfish aggrandisement which we the people of Amatu II will not sit down and watch.”

    He stated that even if the good people of Amatu II deemed it fit to seek a separation, it would not be with community like Azamabiri, whose existence is questionable.

    Oweipade added: “Interestingly, if truly the people of Amatu II community want to seek a separate PIA, it will be an Iduwini all-inclusive PIA, where the following communities and others of Iduwini origin are to be host.

    “They are Amatu I, Amatu II, Amatu-agoliyo, Ikeka-ama, Ingodiama, Igunugbene, Lagos-ama, Besangbene, Letughene 1, Letughene 2, Aghoro 1, Aghoro 2, Bakiri-ama, Iyapregha-zion and others of Iduwini origin, not those other communities like Azamabiri.”

  • A glimpse inside the trailblazing Journey of Engr. Chidomere Ndubuisi, Pamtech Oil

    A glimpse inside the trailblazing Journey of Engr. Chidomere Ndubuisi, Pamtech Oil

    In the heart of Owerri, a city known for its bustling marketplaces and vibrant culture, an unprecedented narrative is unfolding.

    Chidomere Ndubuisi, a man whose career began in the public sector, has been quietly steering a revolution in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

    Pamtech Oil & Gas Limited, a company born out of necessity and grit, has risen from humble beginnings to carve a significant niche in the Nigerian oil and gas sector. This week, we sat down with Ndubuisi to uncover the powerful story of how one individual’s perseverance and ingenuity is changing the game.

    The Genesis of Pamtech

    Embarking on this venture wasn’t merely about accruing wealth; it was about answering a call to fill a void that resided within the industry. A void that not only concerned the quality of petroleum products but also extended to an immense gap in accessibility and affordability.

    Ndubuisi noted: “I spotted opportunities – a lack of structured petroleum product hauling and a significant number of filling stations unwilling to procure products directly from the refinery.”

    Yet, to seize these opportunities, Ndubuisi knew he needed to bring something different to the table. Thus, his strategy pivoted on two pillars that would set Pamtech apart in the saturated market – Quality Products and Speed of Delivery.

    Building from Scratch

    Lacking the essential capital to start, Ndubuisi took a leap of faith, collaborating with partners to acquire two 45,000-litre Capacity trucks. The initial business model, however, leaned heavily on middlemen, a practice that proved unsustainable due to unreliability and financial irregularities.

    Ndubuisi recounted: “We realized that to truly flourish, we had to establish direct connections with our customers.”

    This transition saw Pamtech embarking on a journey of fostering direct business relationships, a move that exponentially increased their client base and necessitated the expansion of their fleet to cater to the growing demand.

    The Crusade against Adulterated Products

    As the business progressed, a new challenge emerged on the horizon. The majority of petroleum products circulating in the market were adulterated, wreaking havoc on generators and other machinery in hotels across Owerri.

    Here, Ndubuisi saw an opportunity for Pamtech to not only expand its business model to B2C but also to serve the community by providing quality, unadulterated products.

    However, the journey to convince customers to opt for quality over cheap adulterated products was an uphill battle. “It required a shift in perspective, a demonstration that opting for quality over price would yield long-term benefits,” said Ndubuisi. Through perseverance and adherence to core values, Pamtech triumphed, becoming the go-to supplier of quality petroleum products in the region.

    The secret behind the success

    At the heart of Pamtech’s meteoric rise lies an adherence to eight core principles encapsulated as the 8 Ps – People, Passion, Purpose, Peace, Progress, Promise, Profit, and Pathfinding.

    Ndubuisi shared: “I’ve always emphasized the power of a functional team. It’s a culture of integrity and excellence that permeates every stratum of our organization.”

    This people-centric approach fostered an “Ownership Culture” within the company, where employees embraced their roles as stakeholders, ultimately steering the company towards exponential growth.

    Lessons from a Trailblazing Journey

    Reflecting on the journey so far, Ndubuisi highlights the importance of adhering to principles and fostering a robust structure from the outset. “Serving a greater number of people not only builds influence but exponentially increases income,” he noted.

    Steering Towards the Future

    As Pamtech continues its upward trajectory, the future holds prospects of further growth and consolidation. To sustain this momentum, it is recommended that the company focuses on bolstering its corporate governance and embarking on strategic planning to navigate potential challenges in the future.

    Join us as we witness the unfolding story of Pamtech Oil & Gas Limited, a beacon of innovation and integrity in the oil and gas sector. A testimony that with the right blend of passion, innovation, and commitment, the sky is indeed not the limit but a launching pad to greater heights.

  • Anambra Diaspora community condemns poor road construction as farmlands, houses face submersion

    Anambra Diaspora community condemns poor road construction as farmlands, houses face submersion

    A group of some Anambra State indigenes living outside Nigeria has expressed shock and disappointment over shoddy roads constructed by an indigenous contractor in Nneyi, a town in Umueri community of Anambra East Local Government Area.

    Known as Nneyi Diaspora Progressives (NDP), the group said they were in Nigeria recently to participate in the 2023 Alommuo (New Yam) festival of Umueri but saddened to see that roads, constructed barely two years ago, during the administration of Governor Willie Obiano have been completely washed off.

    The group called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo, to order investigation to unravel the identity of the owner(s) of the company that was awarded the contract for the purpose of finding out why such bad job was done on the roads.

    NDP also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to wade into the matter to bring the culprits to book, adding that the action of the construction company was nothing but economic sabotage against the people of Nneyi, Umueri community and Anambra State in general.

    Speaking to newsmen in Awka on Monday, Chief Linus Obidike, President of Nneyi Diaspora Progressives, said even though they were on their way back to the countries of the residence, they would follow up the case to ensure that justice is done, as their people back home have been robbed by the company and are now facing untold hardship instead of relief that the road was supposed to bring to them.

    He said something urgent needs to be done before their farmlands, crops, schools and houses get submerged.

    NDP lamented that villages have been cut off due to the bad roads, thereby making it difficult for inter-communal interaction while food items and other commodities cannot be moved to the markets, adding that the worst affected area is the Afia Ama-Ogbu-Mgbede Umueri road.

    He noted that the community had been doing so many palliatives on the road before it went beyond their individual and group capacity.

    He said- “We want to use this opportunity to call on our able and working Governor, His Excellency, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, to come to the rescue of Nneyi community in Umueri, as our schools, farmlands, crops and houses are under serious threat of submersion due to bad road constructed by a certain contractor during the administration of Chief Willie Obiano.

    Read Also:Soludo prays for Tinubu’s success, honours Achebe in Anambra

    “We believe that the roads were awarded in good faith and for the betterment of our community.

    “However, the good gesture has turned to a nightmare as the roads which were badly constructed are now death traps. In addition, because they have been totally washed off, the roads are now part of the reasons for the erosion threatening to submerge our houses, farms, crops and schools.

    “It is so saddening that we came home to rejoice with our people during the celebration of 2023 Alommuo festival only to meet our community roads completely washed off, which has brought sorrow to our people. This is not acceptable.

    “NDP therefore want the state government to identify the contractor that was awarded the roads for questioning and sanction, as it has become obvious that the company just pocketed the money and whitewashed the road before disappearing. We call on the EFCC to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.

    “In addition, we pray that Governor Soludo send the state commissioner for Works to come and see the roads in question, in order that urgent measures would be taken to remedy the situation before it gets completely out of hand.

    “NDP wishes to use this opportunity to thank Governor Soludo for his good works in the state, including transformation of Anambra communities and especially his recent declaration of free and compulsory education from nursery to Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) in public schools in the state, adding that it would inspire all parents and guardians to send the children to school, irrespective of their financial standing.”

  • Media group partners NGO to lift young women

    Media group partners NGO to lift young women

    Worried by the plights of young women in view of the prevailing socio -economic  challenges  in the country, a  media group, WAVE Media and Talent Services (WMTS) Limited, in partnership with Tayo and Cynthia Adediran (TACA) Foundation has stressed the need for a strong and independent feminine character  to advance the cause of positive change in Nigeria.

    Towards this end, the coalition   is set  to offer a new lease of life to young Nigerian-African women, who are expected  to be imbued with entrepreneurship skills in various vocations.

    Under its empowerment programmes, the group is set for talent  hunts for young women to showcase their skills in mega pageant open to young women across Nigeria. The winners   are expected to become ambassadors and  fly Nigeria’s flag abroad by using the platform to influence and promote positive change in the country.

    The Women Advocates for Virtue and Empowerment (WAVE,) Coordinator, Cynthia Adediran, in an interview in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital at the weekend, explained that the event became necessary in order “to seek, recognize and reward young women who are not only talented, but also intelligent, passionate, and determined to make a positive impact on the world through skill acquisition and mentorship programmes.”

    Read Also: PDP will not exceed four years in Osun, says APC council chair

    She recalled that the programme, unlike others, “offers open doors of opportunity to contestants, as well as give them the possibility of going into acting, modeling, entrepreneurial careers and many more profitable jobs , in addition to their individual pet projects.”

     The winners, she added, “will champion the ‘Train A Girl Campaign’, which is an initiative of the TACA Foundation with which they hope to train 100 young girls and women in Lagos in various skills such as, Web design and development, Digital Marketing, Photography, Videography and Editing, Fashion designing, Hair dressing and Bag Making.”

     Adediran, who also doubles as the chief host, stated that “our goal is to be recognized as a beacon of empowerment and inspiration for young women in Nigeria. We envision a future where every woman feels empowered to pursue her dreams, challenge societal norms, and make a meaningful impact in her community.”

    “The grand finale of Miss Wave Nigeria is slated for November 25 at the prestigious Royal Oak Centre, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, the entertainment capital of Africa. We have gone the extra mile to get these incredible personalities; Bam Bam, Winfrey Agbelese and Victory Gbakara as our judges, while the delectable Simi Drey will join me as host.

    “We have passion to see young women become better, and I am delighted to announce to the world the advent of a new pageant birthed to redefine the perspective of pageantry and change the narrative. Miss Wave Nigeria is a Beauty Pageant that celebrates beauty, talent, and empowerment, with the vision of becoming a symbol of grace, confidence, and social responsibility.

    “The 5-star event will be spiced with Fashion runway showcase promoting Made in Nigeria brands by Nigerian upcoming female fashion designers and an award presentation to female change makers in Leadership, Tech, Business, Fashion and Entertainment sectors,” Adediran said.

  • CSU: Nothing to celebrate in Atiku’s pyrrhic victory— Onoh

    CSU: Nothing to celebrate in Atiku’s pyrrhic victory— Onoh

    President Bola Tinubu’s former spokesman in the south east Dr. Josef Onoh has described as ‘Ajasco dance’ the celebration of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his supporters over the Judgement of the United States court that ordered the Chicago State University to release the certificate of the Nigeria President.

    Jeffrey Gilbert, a US magistrate Judge  had ordered the Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s credentials as requested by Atiku, which brought celebration to Atiku’s supporters.

    Onoh however countered Atiku’s celebration, describing it as a pyrrhic victory that has no deviation from the previous order of the court that had given a similar order to release the certificate.

    He described as baseless, Atiku’s argument that President Tinubu’s second Chicago State University diploma had emerged, dated June 27, 1979, with alleged difference from the June 22, 1979 diploma.

    Onoh said it was unfortunate the inability of some gullible public not to understand that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as amended in 1974 has already covered issues raised by Atiku.

    According to Onoh, FERPA  establishes the right of students to inspect and review their education records and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate and misleading data through informal and formal hearings.

    “So Atiku has nothing to celebrate about. He told the US that he wanted to authenticate these documents, whether a Chicago State University diploma in the name of Bola Ahmed Tinubu dated June 22, 1979, that was submitted to the INEC before the Nigerian presidential election in February 2023 is genuine or was forged.

    Read Also: Nigerians lament as food prices rise further

    “Atiku said that under Nigerian law, the submission of a fraudulent document to the INEC would have disqualified President Tinubu from participating in the election.

    “Now, when Atiku filed his application in the US district court on August 2, his petition challenging the presidential election was pending before the Nigerian Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. Atiku said his application in the US court was to obtain discoveries that would support his petitions in the Nigerian court of appeal.

    “For issues of clarity I wish to state that the Nigerian Court of Appeal declined to consider issues related to President Tinubu’s educational background that had not been included in Petition but rather were belatedly raised for the first time in Atiku’s petition.

    “Hence, even if Atiku returns from his wild expedition, he will still meet same empty dinner table and no guests to serve his oysters because they have gone out of season.

    “The US Eastern Illinois court that ordered the Chicago State University to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu to Atiku was clear and specific while handing down the ruling in favour of Atiku with the right and cleverly taking the keys with the left.

    “When Jeffrey Gilbert of US magistrate judge, gave the ruling on ordering the university to produce all relevant and non- privileged documents to Atiku within two days. This means that Chicago State University is only limited to providing all documents not protected by the FERPA to Atiku. Unfortunately some of the documents requested by Atiku are FERPA protected.

    “So, clearly there is nothing new to celebrate, reason being that The Chicago State University already complied with the order even before the magistrate granted Atiku his order. CSU already confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended the university and graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree.

    “However, the university stated that the United States’ federal law, prevents it from providing any further information about Tinubu’s record, without consent or unless allowed to do so via court order. Clearly, Atiku and his cohorts have nothing to celebrate as the court clearly stated that only non-privilaged records may be issued to Atiku,” Onoh said.

  • Shell’s host communities in Bayelsa reject clustering

    Shell’s host communities in Bayelsa reject clustering

    Seven communities at Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Estuary Area (EA) in Bayelsa State have insisted on their autonomy in development matters.

    The communities in Ekeremor Local Government said they would continue to resist plans by SPDC to join them with five others in the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT)

    The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 mandates oil firms to set aside three per cent of their operational expenses for community development to be managed by HCDTs.

    Leaders of the communities: Bisangbene, Amatu 1, Amatu II, Letugbene, Orobiri, Ogbintu, Azamabiri, said they would not hesitate to shut down the company’s operations if their demand was ignored.

    The Chairman of Bisangbene community, Mr Timothy Geregere, and Mr Ebis Rames, his counterpart in Amatu II community, spoke in interviews yesterday.

    Read Also:  How to prevent Military rule in Africa, by Ganduje

    They maintained their stand that they would not want to be clustered alongside other communities, adding that they had made the position clear in several letters to the company.

    Geregere said: “We want to be treated separately in the EA oil field and we have written several letters to SPDC. We have also demonstrated that we need separation.”

    “We will not allow divide and rule in our communities, so we are telling the world that we should be allowed to operate a separate trust.

    “The separation is necessary because we are about 12 communities in the EA and the 12 communities cannot live together.

    “We were initially about four different clans operating the GMoU, when the PIA came they invited us for a meeting, where they told us about it.

    “Right in the meeting we told Shell that we needed separation but they wanted to force the 12 communities together and we said no.”

    He listed the 12 communities as Amatu 1, Amatu 2, Bisangbene, Letugbene, Bilabiri 1, Bilabiri 2, Ikeni, Izetu, Orobiri, Azamagbene, Agge and Ogbintu.

    However, Bisangbene, Amatu 1, Amatu 11, Letugbene, Orobiri, Ogbintu and Azamabiri, are the seven communities that have agreed to work together.

    On his part, Rames said if there is no separation in the PIA, there will be no operation in the EA field.

    He stated: “For the past years, we have been making peace, giving them enabling environment to operate and we have already built peace to almost 89 per cent but they are the ones now causing problem.

    “We will shut down their operations, because I think for the past two years, even the GMOU has not been operating properly. The communities are not benefiting anything for the past three years.”

    He also said they were facing challenge on community content plan policy, which the SPDC is yet to sign after the communities endorsed the draft and have been awaiting its implementation.

    Rames said: “SPDC brought community content plan to us, I think precisely last year, that communities should sign and the communities have signed and SPDC refused to sign its own part.

    “Up till this minute, we are saying they should sign that documents and we also want the GMoU, the remaining part of the GMOU to be paid to the communities.”

    The communities also bemoaned the refusal of the oil firm to redeem its promises to employ indigenes of the areas, saying they should be paid their peace bonus for being peaceful communities.

    The Media Relations Manager of SPDC, Mrs. Bola Essien-Nelson, declined to respond to the development when contacted.

  • ‘Illegal levies killing businesses in Niger Delta’

    ‘Illegal levies killing businesses in Niger Delta’

    Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has decried the negative effects of multiple taxes and illegal levies, saying they are clogging the wheels of businesses and the economy of the Niger Delta.

    The foundation, which organised a workshop in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the weekend, on dangers of multiple and illegal taxation, said such  levies from the federal, state and local government levels exerted enormous burden on small and medium scale businesses, particularly those in the agricultural value chain sector

    Speaking at the event, the Analysis and Advocacy Manager, PIND, Chuks Ofulue, lamented that the anomaly had reduced business incomes and caused the closure of businesses in the region.

    Ofulue said: “One of PIND Foundation’s focus is to see how we can advocate against constraints for economic development in the Niger Delta.

    “We have looked at multiple taxation and illegal levies as one major constraint against economic growth in the Niger Delta because it affects small businesses, particularly those in the agricultural value chain sector.

    “That’s why we are doing this, so that these small businesses can have improved income and improved livelihoods over time that is sustainable.

    “Multiple taxation and illegal levies are quite disruptive to their activities. It reduces their business incomes and affects some of the businesses in such a way that they go out of business overtime.”

    Ofulue called on the three tiers of government to automate tax administration to avert duplication of tax collection.

    He said: “We have the federal, state and local governments collecting taxes, some of those taxes are duplicated or triplicated in most cases across states because the administration of these taxes are not tied.

    Read Also: PDP will not exceed four years in Osun, says APC council chair

    “There are legislations around the taxes that are legal, but those taxes that are even legal are duplicated at the three levels; take education tax for instance, those are duplicated.

    “But I’m glad that the Federal Government has set up a committee to look at those multiple layers of taxes that are legal and see how we can reduce them and remove duplication or triplication as the case may be.”

    Speaking about the negative impacts of multiple taxes and levies on female traders, the Executive Director, Centre for Creative Development Strategies (CCDS), Port Harcourt, Nancy Iheduru, said it had led a lot of emotional trauma on the business owners.

    Iheduru said: “I’m actually more interested in the very informal sector, women traders, those at the table market, those in shops, artisans and all of those whose incomes are not measured.

    “So when taxes and levies are collected indiscriminately, it impacts negatively on them, first, most times when their wares are destroyed or confiscated when that is all they have or they had borrowed to sell and suddenly their products are confiscated, they may not be able to pay the taxes or levies.

    “There is a lot of emotional trauma that goes with it because the economy is not friendly, everyone is looking for ways to survive, so when the tax burden is heavy on the poor, it impacts negatively.”

    The Rivers Tax Justice and Governance Platform (RTJGP) condemned the punitive tax and levies administration employed by state and local governments.

    The Rivers State Coordinator of RTJGP, Amaechi Justin, said: “As a platform and a civil society actor, we support that the government should collect taxes, whether at the federal, state or local government level, because we have found out that taxes are the most sustainable source of development and economic growth in society.

    “However, we do not agree with the practices that abuse the rights of people, especially women and girls who are petty traders who go out to eke out a living. So such modus operandi needs to change.

    “They need to begin to look at deploying technology for collection or tax administration in Rivers State. That way it will reduce human to human contact that has created that opportunity for people’s rights to be abused and for people’s properties to be destroyed.”

  • Agency pledges partnership with schools

    Agency pledges partnership with schools

    Anambra State Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Agency has said it was ready to partner secondary schools in the state to develop solution-oriented apps and technologies.

    Managing Director, Fred Agbata, spoke at the BossLadyLaw Business Challenge 2023 Finals and Awards Ceremony.

    The event, held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, provided a platform for secondary school pupils to showcase their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial projects.

    Agbata assured young entrepreneurs of his support, especially in advancement of technology education in Nigeria, encouraging interested schools to reach out to the agency for collaboration.

    He described Governor Chukwuma Soludo as very supportive of entrepreneurial and innovative ideas, especially among the youth.

    He hailed the entrepreneurs for their courage while presenting their ideas and products.

    Read Also:  How to prevent Military rule in Africa, by Ganduje

    Underscoring that entrepreneurship was not for the faint-hearted, Agbata regretted that a staggering 90 per cent of new businesses failed in their first year, which he identified as a major challenge facing entrepreneurs.

    He, however, encouraged participants not to be disheartened if their schools did not emerge as winners, stressing that success stories often stemmed from perseverance and resilience.

    He added: “It’s important to learn from the experience and build upon the knowledge gained at such events. Don’t forget, the world eagerly awaits the contributions of budding entrepreneurs.

    “Many people go to their graves afraid to try. There is never a special time to start a business, it’s your business, and the time is now.

    “I must commend the organisers for their dedication to nurturing young talents and promoting innovation in Anambra State.

    “I urge the pupils to pursue their dreams. The skills in the technology industry are in high demand with numerous opportunities for those willing to explore the field.”