Category: Southeast report

Four winners who emerged from the Anambra State Talent Show Season Two would receive more support to showcase their talents and skills, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, United Nigeria Airline, Prof Obiora Okonkwo has said.

Okonkwo,  receiving the winners of the talent show in Abuja on Monday, promised to expose the young talents to individuals and companies that have excelled in the same field.

He called on the Federal Government and Southeast governors to invest in talent and youth development, which he said will reduce the rate of youth restiveness.

The Anambra State Talent Show Season Two was organised by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Entertainment, Leisure and Tourism, with sponsorship from United Nigeria Airline.

Okonkwo said: “The show was keenly contested, there was no form of bias and the best emerged, and looking at you here, I have no doubt that this should be a beginning of a new life for you.

“We have some hidden talents in us and the actions of the office of Bob Manuel Udokwu has proven to be such that help to bring out these hidden talents, and this is also another proof to my belief that we must not relax or rest until we are able to bring out the best from every youth around us because in every person there is just something in the person that she or he can use to become a better person in the society.”

He noted that there was a need for individuals, corporate entities and governments at all levels to invest in youth development and talent development.

Okonkwo continued: “As much as I believe that this kind of youth development activities are not only the duty of the government, I believe in the participation of corporate entities and individuals, that is why we got involved but the government will have more role to play than just providing the platform.

“So, I call on the government of Anambra State and the government of the South East and the Federal government in general to embrace programmes of this nature, especially when it is done and coordinated with credible people like Bob Manuel Udokwu.

“We are continuing our commitment to supporting development of talents and development of youth not only in the area of entertainment. This is one of the reasons you may recall my foundation in partnership with Nnamdi Azikiwe University set up a research on entrepreneurship for Igbo land with the Onitsha main market as a case study.”

The Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Entertainment, Leisure and Tourism, Bob Manuel Udokwu, said they came to show appreciation to the Chairman of United Nigeria Airline for his support.

He said during the planning for the show, they sought sponsorship and support from individuals and corporate bodies but the United Nigeria Airline came through for them.

He said: “We are here to say thank you to the Chairman and CEO of United Nigeria Airline. In Nigeria of today, we know that the economy is not stable, the Talent show was not funded by the state government, but the state Governor, Professor Charles Soludo is highly interested in the development of the youth of Anambra state especially those with talents.

“We had four categories in Acting, Singing, Dancing and Technovation, it was as keenly contested.

“We sourced for sponsorship from different individuals and corporations and United Nigeria Airline was magnanimous enough to say that those who win will have tickets and the opportunity to fly their airline to any part of the country at any point in time they need to do so.

“We are here to say thank you to the company and especially to the CEO whose benevolence made it possible for us to benefit from the operations of the airline which is the fastest growing airline in Nigeria.”

The winners of the Anambra State Talent Show Season Two included Jeremiah Udenze (Technovation), Okeke Chukwuebuka (Music), Paschal-Zion Chukwubikem (Acting) and Nwolisa Uchenna Paul (dancing).

The Enugu State Government has applauded the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) for its recent interventions in the state.

The state government made the commendation through the Third National Fadama Development Additional Financing Project.

The REA is an agency of government with a mandate to provide all rural-dwelling Nigerians access to reliable and affordable electricity. power.

Read Also: Marist Polytechnic matriculates new students in Enugu

In a letter signed by Ikechukwu Jude Ogboke, the state project coordinator, the government expressed “profound gratitude to the REA for the provision of solar-powered irrigation pumps and their accessories”.

The Enugu government was also appreciative of the street lights and support in building the capacity of beneficiary farmers on their utilization and maintenance.

The letter added these interventions will improve the productivity of farmers, especially during the dry season while contributing to food security in the country.

The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) has rejected the zoning of National Assembly principal officers’ positions.

The group says offices should not be subjected to regional zoning since members of the National Assembly are mature and not children, hence they should be left to exercise their autonomy in selecting their own leaders.

The group’s National Coordinator, Comrade Israel Uwejeyan made this known in a statement.

He said: “The Niger Delta Youth Congress (NDYC) firmly asserts that the principal offices of the National Assembly should not be subjected to regional zoning.

“We advocate that the members of the National Assembly are mature and not children, hence they should be left to exercise their autonomy in selecting their own leaders.

“We contend that the esteemed members of the National Assembly possess the necessary wisdom and maturity to make informed choices regarding leadership. They are well-equipped to identify capable leaders who can effectively address the challenges facing our nation. By granting them the independence to choose their leaders, will foster an environment that encourages independent thinking and political growth.

Read Also: 10th Senate: Reps member commends Tinubu, APC for zoning

“The practice of regional zoning imposes unnecessary limitations and perpetuates division within the National Assembly. It stifles the diversity of thought and restricts the assembly’s ability to elect leaders based on merit, competence, and vision. Removing regional barriers allows for a broader pool of qualified candidates and harnesses the wealth of talent that exists nationwide.

“Our objective is to cultivate a merit-based leadership selection process that promotes national unity and fosters inclusivity. Leadership positions should be earned based on qualifications, experience, and proven track records, rather than being predetermined by regional considerations. Such a meritocratic approach strengthens our democratic institutions and nurtures a sense of unity.

“In fact, the zoning of the Senate presidency may end up creating more problems than it solves. For one, it can result in a situation where the most qualified candidate is excluded simply because they do not come from the region or ethnic group that the position has been zoned to. This could lead to a leadership vacuum and contribute to the underdevelopment of the Senate and the country at large.

“Moreover, zoning is a divisive concept that has the potential to stoke ethnic and regional tensions. It creates a sense of entitlement among certain groups who feel that they are entitled to certain positions, regardless of their qualifications or suitability for the job. This could lead to resentment and friction among different groups and ultimately undermine national unity and cohesion.

“The NDYC calls for the National Assembly to transcend parochial interests by abandoning the practice of regional zoning. By doing so, members can prioritize the greater good and work collectively toward the advancement of our nation. This shift will foster an environment of cooperation, enabling robust debate and the emergence of consensus-driven, well-rounded leadership.

“In conclusion, the NDYC strongly advocates for the elimination of regional zoning for the principal office within the National Assembly. We firmly believe that the mature members of the assembly are capable of selecting their leaders based on merit, competence, and a commitment to national unity. Embracing an autonomous leadership selection process will pave the way for a more inclusive, progressive, and prosperous future for our great nation.”

A group of young professionals numbering over 40 under the aegis of Senator Akpabio Vanguard are backing the aspiration of the senator representing Akwa Ibom Northwest zone, Godswill Akpabio for Senate president.

The group which cut across the states, and from different walks of life described Senator Akpabio as the face of the youth and less privileged in the next dispensation.

Senator Akpabio was in Makurdi to sell his aspiration to the chieftains of the party.

Read Also: Senate presidency: we want Akpabio, Niger Delta youth leaders plead

The group’s leaders, Islameen Etudiaye, CEO of TechBuildaz, and Jeffery Udende, an engineer and CEO of Troika Tech applauded the leadership qualities of Senator Akpabio to lead the 10th Senate, saying with the enormous votes the Southsouth zone provided especially in Akwa Ibom State, Senator Akpabio deserves to be president of the Senate unopposed.

They described him as the only candidate that can complement the efforts of President-elect Bola Tinubu.

Replying, Senator Akpabio said he was happy that young Nigerians have come together to project his ambition to become the Senate President. He noted that with over 23 years of experience as a public servant, he is committed to helping the President-elect, Bola Tinubu in formulating good policies and laws that will be impactful on the lives of Nigerians.

He said if elected as president of the Senate, he will work hand in hand with the presidency to ensure that poverty, insecurity, and other social vices are flushed out, while also promising to build youth and women of integrity that the society can reckon with. He thanked the group for their efforts so far and promised not to fail Nigerians who believe in his leadership abilities.

Some of the Young Professionals who were part of the delegation include; Godswill Edward, Raymond Asemakaha Ph.D., Raphael Irem, Itiza Imojime, Amande Solomon, Doe Egwurube, Tsafa Daniel, Chisom Ikechukwu, Realtor Vivian Ugwu, and Clement Iormom. Others are Shiaondo Kunde, Avaungwa Dogo, Terkula Aliagyu, Jerry Iorgeam, Leonard Ikyem Abraham Awuapila.

The height of the event was the dressing of Senator Akpabio in Tiv Traditional attire as a mark of honor and friendship.

A Professor of Comparative Constitutional Law and Governance at the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin in Edo State, Edoba Omoregie, has stated that the two broad cross-cutting flaws/deficits in the design of the nation’s federal system are the reasons is in quandary, and in dire need of reforms.

He insisted that if the cross-cutting solutions to fix Nigeria’s federal system were pursued with vigour, they held the key to making the country’s federal system to be a catalyst for national development, conflict prevention and national stability.

Omoregie, who is on approved national assignment with the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja, the think-tank of Nigeria’s National Assembly as its Director, Legislative Support Services, declared that the nation’s federal system was facing serious risk of disintegration, with unthinkable consequences of violence and strife, if proactive steps were not taken to fix it.

The academic maintained that the dire consequences of remaining tardy in fixing Nigeria’s federal system were already being foretold by the waves of separatist agitations, ethno-militia strifes, bitter and persistent regional autonomy agitations, conflicts over the handling of perennial farmers/herders’ violence, insurgency, kidnapping and many other acts of criminality were spreading across the country.

The SAN also pointed out that the federal system was by far the most acceptable mechanism available to divided countries to organise their vertical government while declaring that the unitary and confederal systems were unsuitable for countries with the kind of deep divisions Nigeria has.

Omoregie, at the expansive and recently-renovated Akin-Deko Auditorium of UNIBEN, at the 280th inaugural lecture, titled: “Nigeria’s Federal System In A Quandary: The Whys And Hows To Fix It, noted that there was the urgent need to fix the broken federal system.

The inaugural lecture was attended by eminent personalities, including a former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Dr. Pius Odubu; the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo during the September 19, 2020 election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; and a former Minority Whip/two-term member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Samson Osagie, a lawyer.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Catherine Ufumwen Ukponmwan, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, who stood in for the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lilian Salami, in her remarks, stated that Omoregie did justice to “explicit” lecture, the kind that was needed in Nigeria, especially on how to fix the giant of Africa (Nigeria), which had been struggling over the years, and yet to take its rightful position in the continent.

The inaugural lecturer (Omoregie) said: “The design of Nigeria’s federal system suffers from these two broad cross-cutting flaws: The design creates an ambivalent system of dual sovereignty, and grossly circumscribes subnational autonomy in many crucial areas of subnational governance. The design institutes an unprincipled and in consequence unbalanced distribution of powers to the federal and state governments.

“These design deficits are inseparably linked together. In practical terms, they are the reasons Nigeria’s federal system is in quandary, and in dire need of reforms.

Read Also: Local government autonomy in a federal system

“Lack of autonomy in access to significant tax revenue sources, and horizontal organisation and management of the states, lack of subnational autonomy in policing and internal security, and the problem of an unbalanced distribution of power, incoherent system of federal solidarity and non-obligation to provide a minimum standard of living for citizens and must be frontally addressed, in order to move Nigeria forward.

“Nigeria’s federal system must quickly be fixed to avoid disintegration, as the consociational solution (federal character) is not enough. We must confront the resistance to change. Reforms are urgently needed in Nigeria.”

Omoregie also revealed that Nigeria’s broken federal system could be fixed by placing a premium on federalism expertise; ensuring well-resourced and expert-driven constitution reforms and alterations of unsatisfactory aspects of Nigeria’s federal system; as well as promoting policy federalism and judicial review.

The eminent scholar noted that there was the need to mainstream federalism in the activities of political parties; establish a well-funded think tank for federalism and intergovernmental research institutions by an Act of the National Assembly with a mandate to undertake focused studies and evidence-based research on federalism, multi-level government and intergovernmental relations, with particular attention to be paid to Nigeria’s federal system.

Omoregie stated that robust civil society organisation engagements on federalism must be frequently and systematically organised to address and propagate issues of Nigeria’s federal system, and said it was imperative for the inclusion of federalism and the federal system in Nigeria in the civic education curriculum at all levels of education should also be encouraged.

A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSO’s) in the North have backed former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sen. Godswill Akpabio for Senate President..

The group said after a lengthy deliberation by its members, it decided to endorse and support the emergence of Senator Akpabio due to hi competence and integrity.

The coalition also said its decision was motivated by the patriotic desire he had demonstrated towards the Northern region as a bridge builder through synergies of social relationship and peaceful coexistence.

The group’s Chairman , Mal. Danjuma Muhammad said this yesterday in Abuja at a news conference on the need to zone the Senate Presidency to Southern minorities.

He stated: “It is on this premise that we, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in the North, after a lengthy session of an intensely debated permutations and deliberations decided to endorse and support the emergence of Senator Godswill Akpabio, former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State and immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs as the next Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly.

Read Also: Senate president: Akpabio intimates Buhari of ambition

“Our decision to endorse and support Senator Akpabio for the coveted office of the Senate President, was motivated by the patriotic desire with so much love he has demonstrated towards our region as a bridge builder through synergies of social relationship & peaceful coexistences, also his zeal to ensure a smooth and amicable working relationship between the executive and the legislative arms of government due to his wealth of experience in administrative and legislative management.

“The National Assembly being the engine room of democratic governance requires a man of positive action and uncommon leadership ability, like Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio as its Chairman.

“From his antecedents and accomplishments, Senator Godswill Akpabio possesses the requisite quality of leadership and innate ability to lead the next National Assembly to successful deliberations, (without crises or fracas) to surmount the monumental challenges confronting the nation.”

Members of Ida Obolo Sim (IOS), have expressed gratitude to the outgoing Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike for endorsing and backing the Governor-elect , Siminialayi Fubara in the just concluded governorship elections.

IOS, a Socio-Political support group in Andoni Local Government Area , and pro- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), supported Fubara in the poll.
Fubara scored the highest number of votes in the March 18 Governorship above his three nearest contenders, and was declared winner .

Speaking with reporters in Port Harcourt, the state capital yesterday, members of the group led by their Leader, Kingston Sylvanus said: The choice of Fubara for the highest job is one of the outstanding decisions of Governor Wike, and a worthy parting gift to the New Rivers Vision.
Sylvanus described the incoming Governor as a worthy successor to Wike, and thanked him(Wike), for saving Andoni from political slavery.

They expressed the convictions that he(Fubara), will not disappoint the Governor and the state when he assumes Office by May 29.

In a statement, the people thanked the Governor for identifying the rare qualities in Fubara, his endorsement at the primary election over several other aspirants and follow-ups through success in the general election.

Read Also: Tinubu’s visit: Wike declares today public holiday

They also lauded him for other elective slots he attracted to the local government area .
“…members of IOS wish to use this special news event to wholeheartedly thank you for your prayerful, well-thoughtout, and formidable support towards the candidacy and election of Sir Siminialayi Joseph Fubara as Governor-elect of Rivers State.

“Your Excellency, we cannot agree less with you on the exceptional qualities and impeccable character, and virtues- humility, honesty, integrity, intelligence, Smartness, result-oriented, wisdom, among others that are undeniably inherent in him that endeared him to your heart…
“Thank you Your Excellency, for allowing God use you to give Rivers people the very best in the person and personality of Fubara, for the consolidation of the new Rivers vision as your parting gift.

“We dare to boldly say that you’re not only correct in your choice and backing of the aspiration and ambition of Sim Fubara, but that you sincerely love the growth and development of Rivers state’’, the group added. ‘’

Ida Obolo Sim is a social-political group in Andoni consisting of friends, like-minds, acquaintances, and Well-Wishers of Fubara, and cut across Andoni and Opobo Council Areas .

The Uche Ebere Foundation has reiterated its commitment to supporting people who are in need.

The non governmental organisation would not relent in its efforts to support people and put smiles on faces of the less privileged through donation of food items, toiletries and others.

According to the founder, Uche Ebere-Adewole, it is also poised to bring positive changes to local communities, improve health and well-being of people.

In a statement, she noted that the foundation has been able impact many people since inception.

“We donated food items to individuals at their door steps, especially during the festive period. Widows were able to eat during Christmas and they got some clothings too. Others were shown love as they received gifts during Easter celebration.

Read Also: Foundation donates food items to orphans in Delta

“The foundation has included every age category in the umbrella of love. Both the old people, the young people, and the children have benefitted from the movement and will continue to benefit from the love we share. We open our arms wide to accommodate our community, giving a helping hand to make the world better,” she said.

The NGO also promotes education by providing educational materials such as note books, pen, pencil and school bags.

Ebere said whatever the challenges, the foundation would continue to work to actualise its mission and vision.

“There is no success without challenges. Like it is rightly said too that “No challenge, No change”. It is not an easy task to fish out the right people who really need support. However,we are blessed with a group of individuals who are united and decided to dedicate their time to visit villagers voluntarily, reaching out to them to achieve the vision of the foundation’’.

Mrs Ebere-Adewole praised the Foundation’s team for doing a fantastic job.

A Non-Governmental and Non-Profit Organization, the Joint Action for Good Governance in Cross River State, has raised the alarm over plots to assassinate the character of Governor Ben Ayade by some desperate politicians for challenging the outcome of the Cross River North Senatorial election.

The group, in a statement in Calabar by its leader, Imbufe Jude, said allegations made against the governor by Network Against Corruption and Trafficking were part of the scheme to malign the governor. He said it was sheer blackmail.

The group also raised the alarm of further plots to blackmail the governor in the days preceding May 29 handover date and even on the handover day.

It slammed the Network Against Corruption and Trafficking for “Its ridiculous, false and baseless allegations against Ayade”, insisting that rather than lend itself to executing the hatchet job for desperate politicians, the NGO should applaud the government for its transparent and judicious management of the lean resources of the state.

“We dare say without fear of contradiction that Governor Ayade has been very transparent in the management of resources of the state and has been above board. Cross River State gets the second lowest revenue allocation in the country. What the so-called NGO said is the most incredulous falsehood of the century.”

The Joint Action for Good Governance described the activities of the faceless NGO as a poor imitation at fabrication, stressing that all that these hirelings needed to have done was to have gone to the Federal Ministry of Finance, to get their facts right. But because they were on a mission to disparage and destroy, they would stop at nothing to concoct falsehood.

The group noted that despite the lean resources of the state, the record of achievements of the Ayade-led administration is unmatchable in the area of industrialization and infrastructural development.

Describing the governor as a silent achiever, the group listed some of the achievements of the Ayade-led administration to include; the world-class Teachers’Continuous Training Institute in Biase, the Obudu-Germany Hospital, the British Canadian University of Law and Medicine, Obudu, the floating of a state airline with two Boeing 737 aircraft, the ongoing Obudu Cargo and Passengers airport, the dualization of the Calabar-Odukpani highway with the spaghetti flyover, the dualization of the 148km Mfum-Okpoma-Bekwarra-Obudu-Obanliku highway and the 23km Boki East-West road.

Read Also: Ayade extends teachers’ retirement age by five years

Continuing, it also listed the numerous industries built by the Ayade-led administration, including the 24 000 birds per day chicken processing factory, the ultramodern rice mill in Ogoja, the 30000 tons cocoa processing factory in Ikom, the Cross River Garment Factory, Calabar, the Kissmie Noodles Factory Calabar, and the Cross River Pharmaceutical Factory, amongst others.

It, therefore, advised hired-goons “NGO” to desist from acting the script of failed and desperate politicians who are bent on giving the governor a name that is not his.

The group threatened to expose the politicians behind the plot and vowed that henceforth, there will be a tit-for-tat for anyone who maligns the governor.

It also advised those planning to sponsor miscreants to cause crisis during the inauguration of the new administration on May 29 to desist from the fiendish thought “because it will be fire for fire.”

The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State chapter, Chief Solomon Aguene, has pleaded with Nigerians to back President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration

He expressed optimism that Tinubu would deliver on his campaign promises given his antecedents.

Aguene spoke to the Ohanaeze Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos.

He urged to the president-elect to run an inclusive government that would unite Nigerians while appealing for the immediate release of detained IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu to douse the tension in the Southeast.

“Nnamdi Kanu’s case is at the nub of Igbo interest. The young man is reportedly ill and needs medical attention. If the Buhari government fails to use Nnamdi Kanu’s bail as a valedictory gift to the Igbo, I appeal to the President-elect to grant him freedom on assumption of power as it’s the right thing to do since there is a subsisting Court ruling for his bail. Such action by Asiwaju Tinubu will be heroic and the Igbo will support his Government,” Aguene stated.

Chief Aguene said: “My advice to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is for him to work hard to justify his election. To this end, it’s profitable to anchor the strength of his government on inclusion rather than exclusion on the grounds of political patronage, ethnic or religious affiliations, but to treat Nigeria as his entire constituency, creating the enabling environment for the young and the old to actualize their potentials.

Read Also: Tinubu hails Wike for championing fairness, justice, unity

“Asiwaju should focus more on youth empowerment and job creation to contain our restive youthful population. He may adopt the German approach to salvaging unemployment and job loss through a method called, Abate loss, where there is unemployment benefits and those who lose their jobs are paid a certain percentage of their salary until they secure a job.

“China’s application to contain frightening poverty ravaging their country may be useful to us at this material time as the nation has not escaped the categorization as the world poverty capital.

“Housing is a very big problem in the country, Chief Lateef Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State’s approach of building low cost houses, affordable and probably in the neighborhood of not more than N1m selling price may be integrated into the national housing scheme. This will spring life to the middle-class and low-income earners asphyxiating under the yoke of an economic downturn.