Category: South East

Anambra State Governor Prof. Charles Soludo has described partnership with media practitioners as critical to his government.

He said collaboration with the media remained essential to achieving the kind of creative disruption he was bringing to the state.

Soludo spoke at the weekend, during the maiden Media Executive Summit organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), themed ‘Objective Reporting and Unionism in a Digital Era’.

The governor, represented by Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Sir Paul Nwosu, noted that the summit’s theme was not only relevant, but anchored on what the present administration intended in running a prosperous and smart mega-state.

NUJ National President Chris Isiguzo hailed the initiative, which he described as unique being the first of its kind across the 36 states.

He said such summit be organised for front liners, managers, union leaders, among others.

Soludo’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, noted that the governor held journalists in highest esteem, stressing that no responsible government would survive without the media.

“What defines journalists is their ability to report objectively. Therefore, you must ensure you eschew every element of bias in your reportage,” he stressed.

Governor Soludo has also mourned the death of Joe Anatune. He described the late Anatune as one of the foremost apostles of the Soludo project with uncommon strength and courage to deliver on any given assignment.

The governor noted that Joe’s personal sacrifices during his electioneering campaign were not only exceptional, but highly commendable.

“He spearheaded the Soludo Promoters Forum (SPF) and, for two years, used the platform to engage the professionals in mainstream politics.

“The government and people of Anambra State will miss Joe Anatune,” he said.

The late Anatune died on April 30, few days after his 62nd birthday. He was appointed MD/CEO of Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency on April 19.

A former member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mrs. Maria Nwachi, has called for the jettisoning of zoning policy in elections because it breeds ‘mediocrity’.

Mrs. Nwachi, who represented Afikpo North/East Constituency from 2015 to 2019, stated this yesterday in an interview.

She said: “I m personally and completely against zoning. I have always been against zoning as I equate it with mediocrity. I will support anyone whom I believe has the capacity to win the election and lead us effectively.

“I would not care where they come from. I am reminded that every zone has taken its turn, and so the governorship can start from anywhere in 2023. But even if it were not so, I will still want the best to clinch the position no matter where they come from.”

Mrs. Nwachi, who also backed the governorship ambition of Ifeanyichukwu Odii, a Lagos-based businessman, said the state needs a vibrant leader like Odii ‘because he would be the best thing to happen to the state in 2023’.

She described Odii as a service-oriented leader ‘who is untainted by the present corrupt political system in the country’.

“It is rare to see someone who has emerged from outside the system. I knew nothing about politics when I was elected, I went in and served and served and even forgot to serve myself. I practice service politics, and we are highly likely to be blessed with a governor with the same mindset in the person of Ifeanyichukwu Odii.

“I honestly see Odii as Maria on speed, Maria at the highest level possible. So you can imagine what will happen. It seems too good to be true that we are going to get such a governor; but it is very possible and then Ebonyi will rejoice,” she added.

A socio-politico group, Southeast for President 2023 (SEFORP2023), has said it endorsed Sam Ohuabunwa as its presidential candidate because he stands out among all other aspirants.

It, therefore, admonished the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against edging out Ohuabunwa during its primaries.

Ohuabunwa, a former Chairman of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PSN), is one of the 17 PDP presidential aspirants.

The group, in a statement yesterday by the National Coordinator, Okechukwu Obiora, said it was endorsing Ohuabunwa during its third year anniversary.

It reads: “Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa is our own preferred presidential candidate because he has proven his worth; he has been trusted and tested. In the event that our preferred aspirant does not emerge as a candidate of PDP, due to irregularities, we will meet to decide what other steps to take.”

The Chibuike Rotimi Ameachi Non-Negotiable (CRANN) 2023 team was launched in Delta State at the weekend.

National Coordinator of CRANN Henry Igbokwe praised Ameachi for accepting to join the presidential race. He described the minister as a detribalised servant-leader with the capacity to fix the challenges facing Nigeria.

Igbokwe, who was represented by Charles Igwa, a CRANN member in Rivers State, said the group is confident in Ameachi’s ability to deliver the country from its present challenges.

He said: “We thank God that Rotimi Ameachi heard our appeal to join the presidential race. We are confident he will lead Nigeria well following his antecedents in governance. Therefore, I urge everyone of you to rally round in supporting his aspiration to become the president of Nigeria come 2023.”

The Chairman, Board of Trustees of CRANN, Dr. Evens Ogbueji, urged the Southsouth to rally round the minister’s aspiration.

Ogbueji, who described Ameachi as a servant-leader, said the minister is the best for the 2023 presidential seat having garnered experience as governor and lawmaker.

Victor Odebala, who was inaugurated CRANN Southsouth CRANN Coordinator, said he was delighted to be appointed to lead the group, and so promised to work hard to achieve the set goals.

“If you know Ameachi very well, you will know he is a hard working and humble man. His political antecedent, right from being a student union leader, speaker and then governor, shows he is a man that can fix the economy and security of the nation.”

The five-man Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) panel in Anambra State has cancelled the delegates’ congress.

No date has been fixed for the exercise which was to hold on Saturday, but shifted till Sunday because, according to them, they arrived late in the state.

Panel Chairman Jibrin Ahmed, and Secretary Ogbonna Okorie, said the congress was cancelled again yesterday because the original result sheets were not available. They claimed to have left the originals in their hotel room and brought the photocopies.

The stakeholders however engaged them in a shouting match, and held them hostage. This forced the panel members to write a cancellation letter to the stakeholders.

The letter was signed by Ahmed, Okorie and two other members. The fifth member ran away.

The letter was thereafter handed over to the party’s administrative secretary, with photocopies of the result sheets for the 21 local government areas. It was equally copied to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), PDP National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu and the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng.

It reads: “We sincerely apologise for not conducting the congress which was to hold on Saturday but shifted to Sunday by us. This was due to our inability to provide the original copies of the Congress result sheets and we regret the inconveniences.”

However, it was gathered that one of the committee members sent to pick the original result sheets from the hotel abandoned the others at the party secretariat in Awka.

The Army has said accused the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of using pictures of fake soldiers arrested by troops to malign the institution.

A statement yesterday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said one Solomon Okafor of Radio Biafra, London, has been peddling malicious information and falsehood on social media, alleging complicity by troops in a fictitious case of the kidnapping of a family of 10 in Kaduna State.

According to him, Okafor also alleged that about 87 per cent of Nigerian soldiers were kidnappers and bandits.

But Nwachukwu described the report as a creation of the IPOB/ESN social media foot soldiers with the intent to malign the Army.

He said the picture being circulated on social media was a picture of fake soldiers (impostors) arrested recently in the Lagos-Ondo states axis by troops of Operation Checkmate under 81 Division.

Nwachukwu added: “It is also crucial to emphasise that following troops’ successful exploits in unravelling and unmasking IPOB elements who have been masquerading as unknown gunmen and wreaking carnage against Ndigbo in the Southeast, IPOB/ ESN have severally attempted to use doctored graphic images, video footages and spurious narratives in online and social media campaigns to disparage the Army and bring her to disrepute.

“The author and his sponsors should note that no matter the campaign of calumny by IPOB and other fifth columnists, the Army will be undeterred and remains a cherished national institution that will continue to execute its constitutional mandate of defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Nigeria toward building a united nation.

“The public are therefore urged to disregard this mindless and irresponsible propaganda clearly emanating from IPOB, aimed at promoting insecurity in the country.”

THE Ijaw Elders Forum (IEF) has expressed sorrow over the demise of Chief Tony Graham-Douglas and conveyed its condolences to the family of the deceased.

IEF conveyed its feelings in a condolence message to the Graham-Douglas family on Saturday.

The message signed by the Chairman, IEF, Chief Bukazi Etete, noted that the late Graham-Douglas was a nationalist who served the country diligently.

The elders extolled the virtues of Graham-Douglas as a patriot who served his country with exceptional commitment in several capacities as minister in the federal cabinet for some ministries under several administrations.

The statement said: “The Ijaw Elders Forum commiserates with the family of late Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, the good people of Kalabari Kingdom, the Ijaw nation, the government and good people of Rivers State and Federal Republic of Nigeria on the passing unto eternity of a great Ijaw icon, Chief Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas.

“We mourn this great leader of men and nation builder. He was an elder statesman that strived for the emancipation of the Ijaw people in Nigeria.  He attained great heights as Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in charge of several ministries.

“He was Minister of Aviation, Tourism, Labour and Productivity as well as Youths, Sports and Culture at different times.”

A Guinness book of record Chartered Accountant and Chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria Export Promotion Group (MANEG), Mr. Ede Dafinone, has promised to consolidate on the achievements of the Deputy President of the Senate, Obaisi Ovie Omo-Agege if elected to represent the good people of Delta Central Senatorial district under the platform of All Progressive Congress, APC.

Promising to fight and create more jobs to solve the insecurity problem bedeviling the society, Dafinone, who is also the Chairman of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and board member of NEXIM Bank, noted that the district requires a vibrant, diversified economy with a strong manufacturing base.

Dafinone said the task is to seek new ideas, create means of employment for the teaming youths, lift millions of Deltans from poverty, and engaging experience person with vast ideas to occupy the seat, saying that over the past seven years, Delta Central Senatorial District and Delta State in general have witnessed the great achievements of the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Barr. Ovie Omo-Agege.

Also, speaking, Chief Tuesday Onoge maintained that only Chief Ede Dafinone is qualified to take the baton from Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege who has made the Delta Central Senatorial district proud.