The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

Lawmakers fix road in Abia

The senator representing Abia Central senatorial district, Senator Theodore Orji in conjunction with the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency, Hon Sam Onuigbo have flagged on the repair of the failed portions of the Umuahia/Ikot Ekpene federal road.

The road which passes through Umuahia down to Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom state has been in a state of total disrepair which made the two federal law makers to cry out to the minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola for help, which the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is doing.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at Okwe-Oboro in Ikwuano, Senator Orji warned FERMA and its contractors not to do a shoddy work or risk facing the wrath of the people of the area who have suffered untold hardship because of the bad nature of the road for several years.

Orji said that when he was the governor of the state that he did his best to ensure that the road was passable, and regretted the financial difficulties his administration faced which made it hard for him to achieve the desired result.

He noted that the road has not been touched for several years by the federal government which the road belongs to, “We did our best to make it [passable] for road users, but now as federal lawmakers we have gone to the minister in charge, which has led to palliative measures being done on it”.

The former governor noted that this is not the first time the people of the state will be seeing FERMA, saying, “they will appear, do some magic and disappear, and when you ask them, they will say it is as a result of lack of funds. I know that we have a new FERMA now so it will not be the same again”.

Earlier the member representing the constituency, Hon Onuigbo said that they have worked hard to ensure that the road was inspected by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and FERMA which was later followed with a motion on the floor of the House urging the federal government to declare an emergency and immediately repair same.

Onuigbo said, “I worked hard to ensure that money was provided for the road in the 2016 Appropriation Act for the repair of the road which was quickly followed up with constant visits to the Works minister”.

“This made the minister to direct FERMA to commence repair works on the road within the available budgetary provision for it in the Agency’s 2016 budget, while preparation will be made towards total reconstruction in 2017 with possibility of providing Rigid Pavement because of the high volume of heavy duty trucks plying the road”.

He told his people, “With the commencement of work on this all important road our cries will soon turn to joy, but I want to urge FERMA to ensure that the contractor does a good and quality job and not to do the work that will fail in no distant time as we have suffered a lot”.

In his response the resident engineer for FERMA in the state, Engr Abraham Akange thanked both the Senator and the House of Representatives member for their efforts which has made it possible for the repair works to commence.

Akange promised that quality materials will be used while FERMA will constantly hold quality tests on all materials that will be used to ensure that they meet all international standard practices used for road construction.

January 20, 2017
Visually-challenged undergraduate, others get scholarship

A blind year-two student of the Department of Social Science Education of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Ifeanyi Mpama is among the 60 beneficiaries of the second phase of Senator Theodore Orji’s scholarship scheme for brilliant but indigent students from the Abia Central Senatorial district.

Mpama after receiving his cheque said that education is capital intensive and cannot be facilitated by one man alone. He thanked the senator for his kind gesture, urging him to ensure that the scholarship scheme goes round other categories of physically challenged persons in the senatorial district.

The recipient who spoke on behalf of other beneficiaries urged both the senator and the governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu to ensure that at least two physically challenged persons are picked from each of the 17 local government areas of the state for the scholarship.

In his opening speech, the initiator of the scheme, Senator Orji said that it is now an annual event where indigent but intelligent students from his senatorial district are empowered to enable them pursue their academic endeavors, stressing that education has been identified as the key to success.

Orji said that education has been opening doors for people who ordinarily would not have been where they are, “What I am doing today could have been done with just buying of rice for my constituents to feed themselves, but it is better to teach a man how to fish instead of giving him fish all the time”.

He said, “I decided after a thorough soul searching to select 10 indigent but intelligent students from each of the six local government areas that make up my senatorial district, five of the students must be intelligent while the other five must be indigent to make up the ten for the scholarship scheme”.

The immediate past governor of the state said that what he is doing is also to help the state government which has done well in the area of education, adding that his aim is to ensure that about 260 students from the area are given scholarship before the end of his first term as a senator.

Orji pleaded them to pay him back by doing well in their education, “This is a gesture which I don’t expect any of you to pay me back, the only way you are going to pay me back is only by ensuring that you excel in your education, as your good works will empower me to do more for others”.

He used the forum to give his people his score card saying, “In the last one and half years I have been in the Senate I have sponsored eight bills, including oversight functions which has taken him to different countries including bringing senate committee on works to see erosion sites in the state”.

In his reaction, the state governor, Dr Ikpeazu thanked the former governor for instituting the scholarship scheme and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds provided for them by their senator.

Ikpeazu warned the beneficiaries not to misuse the opportunity being given to them by Senator Orji, “The beneficIaries should not misuse this great opportunity given to them by your senator and should also not pressure your parents as what the former governor has done will help your parents in offsetting your school fees”.

The governor said that he has taken up the challenge given to him by the blind student saying, “I pledge to support at least two physically challenged persons who are interested in education from each of the six council areas in the senator’s constituency to help them in their education”.

In his own speech the chairman of the scholarship scheme, Mr. Emma Nwabuko, an engineer, said that the selection was done under strict supervision whereby candidates who are qualified are expected to apply online and also submit their forms the same way.

Nwabuko said that there was no direct contact with any of the candidates, “Even the blind student who is one of the beneficiaries was never known to any of the board members until he came for documentation”.

January 20, 2017
Ex-governor Kalu: we must mobilise at grassroots

Former governor of Abia State and member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Orji Uzor Kalu has urged leaders of the party in the state to work hard at mobilising grassroots residents to ensure that the party succeeds in the state.

Orji who was addressing APC leaders and some of political associates at his Igbere country home also used the forum to woo some of his political associates and members of his former cabinets to join forces with the leadership of the party to move the state forward.

The former governor who also apologised for choosing the immediate past governor of the state and senator representing Abia Central District, Chief Theodore Orji as his successor, alleging that his successor ruined the state and left it worse than he met it.

Kalu said contrary to the claims and belief that the Igbos will not be carried along in the party, APC remains the platform that will give Ndigbo the opportunity to be more relevant on the country’s political scene.

Kalu stressed that the party would make impact and win more political seats in the state and southeast in subsequent elections only if leaders of the party garner support of the people at the grassroots.

He also reiterated his support for the leadership of the party and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration whose commitment to move the country forward and also place on the world map is total, even as he commended the anti-corruption standpoint of the president.

He said, “Let me tell you this clearly, APC is not an Hausa party as they have been deceiving the people, APC is not owned by President Muhammadu Buhari; the possibility of an Igbo man becoming the president of this country is clearer in APC than in any other party including the PDP.

“When we formed the PDP, some people were saying it was a Hausa party as they are saying of APC now, but it was the same PDP that produced former presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan who are southerners.”

Speakers at the event, including the chairman of the occasion, Senator Chris Adighije, former PDP chairman in the state, Chief Tony Ukasoanya, Obioma Acho, APC State Publicity Secretary, Comrade Godson Benedict, and Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, Abia State Chairman of APC, among other political bigwigs in the state, said that the good thing that happened to the party is Kalu’s defection to the party.

“Kalu is an institution, the Field Marshal of Abia politics who we believe will contribute immensely to the growth of APC in not only Abia State, but the South East in general”, Nwankpa said, adding that the decision of Kalu and other “political big wigs” to join the party is a morale booster and a sign that the party has grown to becoming a force to reckon with as far as politics in the state and southeast is concerned.

Nwankpa while assuring that party faithful in the state of all-inclusive leadership also called on Abians and indeed Nigerians to continue in their support for the President Buhari led administration, stressing that the President would justify the trust the people reposed in electing him in 2015 election.

“Politics is local and for you to win elections, you need to have the grassroots support and ensure that the support is strong enough to match any force. You are all witnesses to what we passed through when we were campaigning for President Buhari in 2015. It was only few of us that believed in Buhari then. Today, we have seen that APC is waxing strong in Abia and Southeast, and in 2019, I can assure you that Abia will produce the governor of the state come 2019.”

January 20, 2017
Communities decry four-decade post-civil war neglect

“No victor, no vanquished” was the pronouncement made on January 16, 1970 by the then Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd), at the end of the Nigerian Civil War. He also announced a programme of “reconstruction, rehabilitation and reintegration, popularly known as the 3rs.” But 47 years after, Uli community, at the celebration of Uli Day, has accused the Federal Government of neglect. PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports

Uli is a border town located on the Onitsha-Owerri Road along Anambra and Imo states axis of the Southeast geo-political Zone. It is bordered by towns such as Oguta, Orlu, Ihiala and Nnewi. Each of these towns is less than 25 minutes’ drive from Uli.

Uli and Amorka gained global recognition during the civil war as a result of their roles as the stronghold of the Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu-led Biafran Army. While Uli Airport served as the escape route for the late sage after the territory was captured by the Nigerian troops, Amorka was home to his secret underground bunk that had exit link with the airport.

As the Federal Government prepares to commemorate this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD), those indigenous to Uli have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to revisit the post-civil war deliberations and ensure they are duly compensated.

Despite promises by the government to initiate developmental projects as compensation to affected communities, the people of Uli and Amorka can only boast of ruined and abandoned infrastructure.

To them, the Uli Airport would have been renovated and upgraded for commercial purposes considering the strategic location of the town.

The people of Amorka believe that at least a Federal Government’s college or any institution that would attract development should have been situated in their community as compensation for the massive loss they incurred during the war.

Even the Ojukwu Bunker which they felt the government should have preserved as a museum alongside other civil war assets, has been overgrown by weeds, and has become safe-haven for Marijuana smokers and other criminal elements.

Southeast Report gathered from members of the community that in 2015, security forces recovered two of the bombs used during the civil war.

An aged woman, who insisted that our correspondent must get at least two huge men armed with cutlasses before entering the dark bunker said: “You can see for yourself that a thick forest has covered the bunker. You cannot enter that place alone. It is very dangerous. Get at least two hefty men with cutlasses so that they would defend you. Also make sure they are people you know very well. My daughter, do not go into that place alone.

“Ever since Ojukwu died, this place has been desolate. When he was alive, he usually came here with some of the Biafra supporters for private meetings. His helicopter would land at the borrow pit and then, a car would pick him and drive him into the bunker. After their meetings, they would leave the same way they came.

“But since his death, the only time we noticed something happening here was when government people came to remove two bombs that have been here since the civil war. One of the bombs exploded but the other one didn’t.

“The place has since become hideout for criminals and hemp smokers. I think the government needs to remember us by establishing something tangible in our community. It was not our fault that our land was used by the Biafran soldiers. The government should stop blaming us for what we didn’t do.

“We do not even have light here. For over three years now, there is no electricity supply to the town but our neighbours in Imo State enjoy constant electricity supply. Why are we being punished?”

According to the Chairman Caretaker Committee, Uli Progressive Union (UPU), Ogbuehi Dan Imochuckwu, the community has suffered decades of neglect simply because of its role during the war.

In a chat with Southeast Report, during the Uli Day celebration, he said: “Uli was one of the towns that suffered during the civil war and it is still suffering. Uli has an Institute of Technology which was converted into a university when our son, Dr. Odera Mbadinuju was Governor.

“But the university has been affected politically and most of the vibrant faculties relocated. The university is the only compensation the town has but it is now a shadow of itself.

“I think the Federal Government is really punishing us for allowing our land to be used by Biafran authorities during the civil war; otherwise, they would have established something that would show federal presence here.

“That is why we are appealing with the Federal Government to consider Uli by situating a federal institution in the town. The town has a good geographical location being that it is situated less than 45 minutes drives to either Onitsha or Owerri. It is also less than 20 minutes’ drive to Oguta Lake. There is need for federal presence in Uli to appease the people.”

Similarly, the monarch of Uli, Igwe Damian Onyekonwu appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to remember the community by locating developmental projects here.

He said: “Uli has benefitted nothing from the Federal Government. Tell President Muhammadu Buhari to please come and remember Uli. Uli is in the map of the world, it is not good that we are forgotten.”

On the Uli Day celebration, the monarch said it’s a day the people of Uli home and abroad, gather to celebrate and brainstorm on best ways to move the community forward, adding that the event also served as a platform to reward hard work.

January 13, 2017
NGO fetes widows, facilitates employment for youths

The Comrade Chinedu Ogah Foundation (CCOF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has said it facilitated employments for 710 youths across different tribes and political divides since its inception in 2006.

The Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the foundation, Comrade Chinedu Ogah revealed this at Item-Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State while distributing welfare packages to over 3, 000 widows and other less-privileged people in the community.

The items distributed were wrappers, maggi, salt, onions; tablets of bathing soap, bowls and cash among others.

According to Ogah, the foundation, within the year under review, ensured the employment of 120 youths into federal parastatals.

Ogah, who is also the National Coordinator of Buhari/Osinbanjo Initiative for Demonstrating Change in Nigeria called on well-meaning Nigerians and philanthropists to use their wealth to enhance the well-being of the poor in the society.

“The widows, youths and other less-privileged people are my security and defence. What my foundation is doing now is an opportunity we have from God and that is why we are extending it to others. In this community, 15 people have gone for the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) this year. Today’s event is an annual one meant to take care of some less-privileged people.

“From January last year till now, 120 youths have been given jobs at federal parastatals and from the inception of this foundation till now, 710 people have been given jobs. This year, we have given out scholarships to the handicapped in the 13 local government areas while widows in Ikwo are equally taken care of,” Ogah said.

In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige explained that the gesture of the foundation was in tandem with the policies of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) of the Federal Government.

Represented by the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr. Marcel, the Minister said the Federal Government was working assiduously to ensure the speedy employment of youths across the country, even as he urged public-spirited individuals to partner government towards the improvement of the living standards of Nigerians.

Also, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Kelechi Igwe who was represented by Mr. Festus Okoha advised the foundation not to relent in its objective of caring for the less-privileged people in the society as the state government has equally set machinery in place for the well-being of all residents of the state.

January 13, 2017
Monarch reveals town’s origin at mother’s memorial

Some of the intriguing aspects of Christmas and New Year celebrations in Igbo land are festivities, visitations and meetings of all kinds.

They are also periods during which people travel far and near in search of knowledge of history, tradition and origin of their communities or race.

Thus, it is not out of place that the ancient Owelle community, Anambra West Local Government Area, Anambra State, recently played host to people from all walks of life during the one year memorial service of the late Iyom Mbanugo.

Iyom Mbanugo was the mother of the traditional ruler of Owelle Ancient Kingdom and Ukpashi 1 of Owelle, Igwe Sir Anthony Okechukwu Onyekwere.

Dignitaries at the event were top government functionaries, well-wishers, friends and associates of the monarch.

Speaking at the event, Igwe Onyekwere said: “It was from his community, Owelle that all communities with some prefix or affix such as Ezi-owelle, Owelle-uno, Owelle-ezukala and others existing in Anambra, Imo, Abia and so on, migrated from.

He said: “My people, Owelle, migrated from Odecha Moka to this coast where we currently live.

“You remember that migration was previously carried out through the seas, rivers and oceans.

“We were living along the coast. It was from here that Owelle-Ezukalla and others left for where they currently live…They have all realised this. I am preparing to present them with ofor (staff of authority) during my next Ofala Festival.

“We are peaceful people, and have never experienced crime. We are great farmers renowned for yam cultivation, stone-free rice productions, fishmongers from natural ponds, nduko (potatoes), and okra and so on. This is why our new yam festival holds mostly in August.

“The Igbo ought to find out their origin. Sometimes they claim to have come from Europe or Egypt. The truth remains that a Whiteman cannot give birth to a black man. But a Blackman can give birth to Whiteman.

“So, it is from here that Europe and other parts of the world migrated from. Our language is Olu. It was from Tower of Babel that different languages were introduced.

“That is why Yoruba, Igala and others are copied from us. Our tradition is still intact. We believe in the Supreme God. This is why Christianity and Traditional religions are in existence here.

“We have three notable traditions namely, Ichualo which is when we celebrate new yam, Ugboroegwu (celebration of the masquerades), and the third used in thanking God for the coming of Jesus Christ.

“These celebrations witnessed influx of people from all parts of the country. This is why there are people from Abia, Delta, Anambra and other parts of the country here today. I am observing iyipu akwa uju (one year memorial service) of my late mother, who was buried on February 25, last year. Iyom Mbanugo is mother-general, mother of all.”

However, the monarch commended the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano for including their road project on Anambra 2017 Budget, insisting that it would help in boosting the state’s agricultural production and also ease cost of transportation.

He said: “Our road having been captured in this year’s budget shows that Obiano meant well for us. He is doing this even when election time has not commenced.

“We need road more than anything. With road, Owelle that is now ejeje (impassable) would become passable.

“Roads bring development. With roads, Owelle would become 15 minutes’ drive to Awka; and one hour to Abuja. It is the fastest route to access Abuja. We also need the Federal Government to intervene on this road.”

Comrade Raphael Obeche, who led his fellow staff to the celebration, described the monarch as a humble man to the core.

He said their relationship had been like that of father and son. He prayed God to grant him Wisdom to lead his subjects.

January 13, 2017
Excitement as work on erosion sites nears completion

Members of House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Habitat headed by Hon. Obinna Chidoka, representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency, visited Abia State for an on-the-spot assessment of the progress of work at the Aguwa, Pepple and Akpu streets gully erosion sites at Aba South Local Government Area. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

For over a decade, Ogbor Ancient Kingdom in Aba North Local Government Area of Abia State and other communities contiguous to it have been battling some ecological disasters.

The situation became worse so much so that commercial and residential houses and farmlands were submerged through landslides and washing off of the soil. This situation results in massive gully erosion sites that dot the area..

Some of the places affected by the gully erosion are Pepple, Aguwa and Akpu roads respectively.

After several representations to the state and Federal Governments, there seemed to be light at the end of the tunnel as the Federal Government, according to reports, through the Federal Ministry of Environment and National Committee on Ecological Problems; Ecological Fund Office, Federal Secretariat, Abuja awarded the contract for the project to Bilijoe + Berger Nigeria Limited in2011. With the award of the contract, the communities heaved a sigh of relief.

Southeast Report gathered that the communities’ joy was, however, short-lived when the contractor handling the project suddenly abandoned the project unannounced for nearly one year. The situation caused members of the community to ask so many unanswered questions.

Southeast Report investigation revealed that the contractors abandoned the project because funds were not forthcoming after the initial mobilisation fund.

A source in the community who appealed not to be named due to security reasons told our correspondent that the situation went from bad to worse as the gullies that are over 35 feet deep began to dot the area; thus forcing many of the residents out of their ancestral homes

“The contractors suddenly disappeared from site and when we made inquiries, we learnt that they were alleging that the Federal Ministry of Environment, after the initial payment to mobilise them to site, failed to release more money for them to continue the job. The situation became bad that the efforts they (contractor) had put in place to check the over 32-feet deep gully was about being in futility as the rains began to wash away the sand-filled gully. Some people left their houses and relocated to other parts of the commercial city in order to avoid being caught up in the process.

“Suddenly, in late 2013 and early 2014, the contractor went back to site to the relief of some of us who were still thinking on what next to do and today, as you can see, they have completed over 80 per cent of the work.

“We learnt that their arrangement with the Federal Government was to sand-fill the gullies in Aguwa and Akpu roads respectively, but the project will not be complete if they were not properly tarred,” one of the residents said.

The cry of members of Ogbor community settlers may have been heard by the Federal Government and their suffering will soon be a thing of the past as a team of members of House of Representatives on Environment and Habitat visited the project to assess the progress of work on the project.

They are in the state to see some of the works that have been executed by the ecological office and to see how well the jobs were being handled or executed by various contractors handling the projects. It is part of the oversight functions of members of the House of Representatives on Environment and Habitat.

At first, the lawmakers led by the chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Environment and Habitat, Hon. Obinna Chidoka representing Idemili North and South Federal Constituency in the company of member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Ossy Prestige and other members of the committee paid a courtesy visit on the Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu where they intimated him on their mission in the state.

Speaking at the Government House, Umuahia, the state capital shortly after the arrival of the lawmakers, Governor Ikpeazu decried the menace of gully erosion in the state and Southeast in general, even as he appealed to the Federal Government to come to the aid of the state and indeed the Southeast in tackling challenges of gully erosion that is ravaging the zone.

On the state of federal roads in the state, the governor noted that there was the need to declare state of emergency on them because of their deplorable state.

“As at today, Aba-Owerri Road is the only entry and exit route into Abia and other states around. Both Port Harcourt and Ikot Ekpene roads are completely closed to vehicular traffic. This has made it difficult to come to Abia State from Akwa Ibom and Rivers State through Ikot Ekpene, Opobo and Port Harcourt road.

“We want the Federal Government to declare state of emergency on the federal roads in Abia. I therefore urge the members of the House of Representatives to help make a very strong case for federal roads reconstruction in Abia State.

“As a government, we have also applied to the Federal Government to allow us reconstruct some of the roads in order to facilitate trade and commerce which Aba has comparative advantage. Even when we have not received reimbursement for previous works done”, he stated.

Speaking after inspecting the erosion sites at Aba South Local Government Area, Hon. Chidoka told reporters that they were in the state as part of their oversight functions to know how well contractors at various erosion sites have been able to use the monies approved by the National Assembly for the execution of such projects and to ascertain the quality of jobs that are being executed at the erosion sites, especially now that the country is facing economic recession.

On how the contractor handling Akpu, Pepple and Aguwa erosion sites have been able to utilise the funds for the projects, Chidoka said: “We couldn’t quite ascertain what is on ground because we don’t know how it was before and we don’t know what it is after. Maybe, if the work goes to the second phase, I can now know how to rate the work. But from what they have described, I think that they have properly done the work.”

While submitting reports of their visit to the state, Chidoka assured that the committee would push for the release of funds for the asphalting of the area to avoid the soil surface from washing off. He further stressed that “if the already recovered gully sites weren’t asphalted, chances are that the soil surface will wash off and funds spent on the project becomes wasted.

January 13, 2017
Kalu celebrates New Year with the elderly

Every year, the elderly in Igbere, the home town of the former Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzo Kalu, have something to hope for. Either it is his celebrating Christmas with them or the New Year.

May be because of his busy schedules, the business mogul could not celebrate Christmas with them; a situation that kept them guessing. They had been asking among themselves whether “our son had forgotten us?” But they never knew that something big was being planned for them in the New Year.

So, when the news got the round that the former governor was planning to host some elderly people in his community, their ears wagged. Yes, the “rumour” became a reality.

The former governor had resolved to host 100 elderly women from his community.

Any wonder the elderly women ambled to the Camp Neya” at Umuizi Igbere venue of the event in an indescribable number.

At 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 6, women whose ages ranged from 60 and above arrived at the venue in their droves.

As soon as the philanthropist, Dr. Kalu arrived at the venue, there was jubilation, with the women whose frames are fragile singing his praises.

At 4:00 p.m., the atmosphere was already charged as the women who had returned from their farms and having completed other domestic chores sang melodiously to the admiration of people who came to witness the event.

The women, numbering over 100 from “Ndi Oji Ogo”; the 13 villages that made up Igbere in Bende Local Government Area of the state were not invited to the “Camp Neya” for any political meeting, but to have a pleasurable and jovial moment with one of their illustrious sons (Kalu), who have been hosting the women at his country home for over 24 years.

In this year’s celebration, Dr. Kalu wasn’t alone with the women; he was with the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state led by its chairman, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa and his other political associates.

While interacting with the women, Dr Kalu thanked them for finding time to come and also thanked God for keeping them alive. He promised that the exercise will continue to be a yearly event.

Dr Kalu, who donated food items, drinks and cash to the women, said the celebration was part of his efforts to touch the lives of the aged in the society. He described old age as a blessing and grace that everyone prays to witness.

The Abia business mogul didn’t stop at the food and cash donations; he used the opportunity to preach to the women about the APC, what the party would bring to bear if voted into power in the state in 2019. He also urged them to support President Buhari’s administration which he said was putting Nigeria on a good path.

Kalu urged the women to take the message of change being preached by President Buhari to their friends and households even as he (Kalu) has strong belief that the country will come out of the current economic recession.

He also debunked the claims that the APC is a Northern party, adding that “APC is that party that will give the Igbo the platform to produce the president that will succeed President Buhari at the expiration of his tenure in office.

Responding, the leader of the women group, Mama Lydia Igbokwe, thanked Dr Kalu for his generosity over the years, even as she urged him not to relent in his good work.

January 13, 2017
A bash for 250 widows in Enugu

In order to give some widows a sense of belonging during the Yuletide, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Lady Nwanneka, invited over 250 widows to their Ezeagu headquarters to celebrate Christmas with them. CHRIS OJI writes that each of the widows drawn from his Enugu West Senatorial Zone received gifts ranging from a bag of rice, N10, 000 and wrappers from the couple.

For widows from the five local government areas that make up Enugu West Senatorial Zone, the Yuletide season would not be forgotten in a hurry. The day clearly marked a turning point in their lives.

Ordinarily, most of them who had lost their supporters and bread-winners may have given up on life, but mother luck smiled on them as they made the list of those who benefited from the Deputy Senate President who represents Enugu West Senatorial Zone in the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu’s generosity.

He and his wife, Lady Nwanneka decided to make the widows, numbering about 250, happy by providing them with bags of rice, cash and wrappers to enable them to celebrate the Christmas with their children.

It was as a result of that that the widows literally relocated to the Ezeagu headquarters of the Ekweremadus to be part of yet another history.

It was natural for some of the beneficiaries to think that the yearly gesture by the Deputy Senate President would not take place this year when, by December 23, they have not received any rewarding piece of information with regard to gifts from their representative at the Senate.

But contrary to their near-lost hope, Senator Ekweremadu, on Christmas Eve, showered his usual affection on the needy.

Speaking at the event, he urged affluent Nigerians to show love to their neighbours at Christmas, as that remains the fundamental message of Christmas.

That was his Christmas message in Enugu when his wife, Lady Nwanneka Ekweremadu, donated Christmas presents of N10, 000 cash, a bag of rice and wrapper to each of 250 widows drawn from the five local government areas of Enugu West Senatorial District.

The Senator, who said Christmas would be meaningless without acts of love as shown by Christ, also observed that love was also engrained in African cultures.

He stressed that “the spirit of sharing is an African tradition that generates happiness and ensures social stability in the absence of a formal social security mechanism that caters for the less-privileged in our society”.

He said: “I grew up in a system that had an inbuilt social security mechanism, where we were our brother’s keeper and cared for one another. If you didn’t have a tuber of yam, you shared from your neighbour’s; and you could go to your neighbour’s house to get fire and light your house; and when somebody got admission to study at the university, people contributed money to ensure the person received education. One person’s problem was everybody’s problem in those days. That is exactly the tradition we are trying to keep alive.”

He, however, regretted that the nation had lost much of her traditional social security values and urged that they be reflected on and revived at Christmas.

“Some of those attributes of our community began to dwindle as society advanced. But we have to keep them alive, especially when government has not come up with a defined social security programme to ensure that everybody counts, and that everybody enjoys the good things of life. This way, we can generate happiness and help secure our system,” he said.

In her remarks, Lady Ekweremadu said the act of celebrating Christmas with widows had become the family’s tradition since 1997 as a way of giving back to the society and help ameliorate the widows’ losses and hardship.

She said: “While on earth, Christ ministered to, not only the spiritual needs of the people , but also to their physical needs. He fed the multitude.

“So, every Christmas, we try to make them (widows) celebrate with us. We select about 250 of them from the five local government areas and each year we try to take different people so that whatever we are giving will go round.

“We have been doing this since 1997 when the Ikeoha Foundation was founded. We began by giving scholarships to indigent students. At a point, we extended it to Igboeze North and Enugu North.

Ikeoha Foundation is the pet project of the lawmaker founded in 1997 but registered in 2004 with a specific mission to provide for the basic educational and health needs of families living in poverty and below the radar of government-sponsored interventions.

The foundation achieves its mission through enhancing their access to quality education and health care and by building their capacity to participate in mainstream social, political and economic activities of their communities.

“After that, we thought about adult literacy whereby we give education to thousands who had no opportunity to have formal education through adult literacy centres which we set up in all the five local government areas.

“By God’s grace, we hope to keep faith with the tradition, as part of our own way of giving back to the community that made us.”

January 6, 2017
Community honours Obiano’s man
A star, no matter the distance, shines to the glare of all. Diamonds shine brighter in the midst of darkness. Comrade Chinedu Obidigwe is a journey strewn with audacity of faith.

Born to parents whose vocation were mainly farming and fishing in the agrarian community of Aguleri on September 26, 1979, he embarked on life’s journey with the burning desire to be a farmer or fisherman as his parents and ancestors were.

However, as he grew up, his teachers discovered a rare gem in him, and with rare intelligence in his academic performances and which changed his course of history.

His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Obidigwe Adumaka of Isiokwe, Mkpunado Aguleri sacrificed much to see him through his academic pursuit because they could not afford to see such a brilliant brain wasted.

Comrade Obidigwe began his academic career at Community Primary School, Ojor in Uzouwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. For his Secondary education, he attended Father Joseph Secondary School, Aguleri Community Secondary School Omor and finished at Model Secondary School Olo, Ezeagu Local Government Area Enugu State.

After his secondary education, he volunteered as an auxiliary science teacher in a couple of schools before he got admission at Ebonyi State University to study Medical Laboratory Science; Graduating in flying colours with a Bachelors of Medical Laboratory Science, (BMLS). Comrade Obidigwe from his days in the university began a life of service to advance the course of youths’/students’ welfare and public service to make the nation a better place for all to live in. Undoubtedly, Mayor, as he is fondly called by his admirers, understood what public service is all about. In the course of these services, he had gathered different Awards of Excellence for outstanding accomplishments.

On June 12, 2012, he was appointed the Transition Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area where his services and quest for excellence were exhibited. As chairman of the council, he embarked on the most audacious youth empowerment exercise ever in the history of the local government area.

He became a beacon of hope for the youth of the area and ensured that no youth was left behind in his empowerment drive across the area. It was during his tenure that the country witnessed the worst flood disaster that devastated parts of the country, and especially part of Anambra East Local Government Area.

But he rose to that occasion and, in partnership with the state government and private citizens, he provided succour to thousands who were adversely affected by that disaster. Comrade Obidigwe became a reference point in the service of humanity due to his style of handling the welfare of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who were victims of the flood disaster.

On assumption of office, the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, (Akpokudike Global, Agunechemba Anambra) spotted him and thus appointed him the Senior Special Assistant on Youth Mobilisation.

That appointment, once again, proved to be a wise one as Comrade Obidigwe embarked on one of the greatest youth mobilisation effort Anambra State has ever seen–creating the now popular and powerful United Anambra Youth Assembly; U-AYA.

These days, U-AYA heralds the arrival of Governor Obiano in all occasions with fun fare and exuberant celebration. Aside this, U-AYA has become solid structure in the 326 Wards of Anambra State mobilising for Goveror Obiano’s second term ambition.

After excelling in this assignment, he was elevated once again, to the position of Special Adviser, (Political Affairs) to the Governor Obiano, thus becoming a full member of Anambra State Executive Council.

What a meritorious rise within few years of being in public service. Again he is demonstrating rare service in this position. As the man saddled with the responsibility of leading the campaign to return Governor Obiano for a second term, he is not disappointing in this direction.

Recall that it was during his tenure as Chairman of Anambra East Local Government Area that APGA first won election in Anambra East Local Government Area during the 2013 Governorship election and subsequent elections; defeating well established political deities.

Otimkpiri is a rare politician. His dedication to public service is unquantifiable. He is not new in serving the people in any capacity he finds himself. This is why before all these he was

Chairman National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) Ebonyi State chapter. He led Omambala Students’ Association where he also displayed unquantifiable comradeship. He was the Anambra North Youth Coordinator for APGA 2010, State facilitator Willie Obiano Support Group, General Overseer Ebelechukwu Obiano Ladies’ Movement, State Secretary APGA Congress Committee in 2015 and President-General of United Anambra Youth Assembly, U-AYA.

Comrade Obidigwe is a rare gem in crisis management. He was Co-Chairman, Aguleri–Ibaji (Kogi) Boundary Conflict Resolution, 2012; former chairman Nando–Igbariam Boundary Conflict Committee, 2013; Chairman Umuoba Anam–Agulu Otu Conflict Resolution Committee, 2012; Camp Manager Internally Displaced Persons for Anambra East and Anambra West and Chairman Nneyi Umueri Factional Crisis on Burrow Pit Management, 2013.

For his excellent service to humanity, the state and the local government, as well as the youth movement, Comrade Obidigwe has received various awards from different organisations among which are Award of Excellence by Legendary Digest, South Africa; Award of Excellence in Grassroots Integration and Transformation by Nigeria Union of Journalists in collaboration with National Council of Local Government Information Officers of Nigeria; Merit Award by Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Ebonyi State chapter; Merit Award on Service to Humanity and Support to the Government of Anambra State by Councilors’ Forum, Anambra East/West local government areas.

Other Organisations which have recognised Comrade Obidigwe for his outstanding public service are Catholic Youths’ Organisation of Nigeria (CYON), Aluta Award as an icon of students’ emancipation by the Aluta Newspaper; Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Hero’s Award as Senior Advocate of Youths.

Other awards he received were from Aguleri Students’ Union, Open University Law Faculty, Enugu Otu–Mkpunado Welfare Association, Lagos Branch; Youth Mobiliser Award as Obata Ifeadi by U-AYA, Onitsha South Local Government Area; Arise Award by Arise Leadership Award. These are just to mention a few.

Comrade Obidigwe is a determined personality whose focus is on human welfarism as his second name is now youth empowerment. He is especially interested in ensuring that his generation makes a difference. It is a thing of joy that his community, the Aguleri Kingdom is recognising his accomplishments in human development.

The Aguleri monarch, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Igwe C.N. Idigo (Ogalagidi Aguleri) and his cabinet of chiefs have announced one of theirs for conferment of a chieftaincy title.

Now there is new Sheriff in town in the state’s youth leadership who is driving the entire Anambra youths to support the second term bid of Governor Obiano, Apkokuedike Global, Agunechemba Anambra.

Comrade Obidigwe, congratulations as you are conferred with the chieftaincy title of Aka Oma Jide Aku Olutu Umu Ogbenye 1 of Aguleri (the blessed hand that reaches out to the poor).
- Dr Anozie, Public Affairs Analyst, wrote in from Awka.
January 6, 2017