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Tag: Anyaoku

  • Nwabueze, Anyaoku, Adebanjo, others set for consensus on restructuring

    •Elder statesmen plan to engage with Fed Govt 

    Eminent leaders of thought have concluded plans to mobilise national consensus on agitations for restructuring to forestall degeneration of ethnic acrimony, it was learnt at the weekend.

    This came to light after Thursday’s media interaction organised by a group of elder statesmen led by Prof. Ben Nwabueze, SAN in Lagos.

    Already, it was gathered that a high-powered team from southern Nigeria led by Prof. Nwabueze, including former Secretary-General of Commonwealth Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Gen. Alani Akinriade, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Ayo Adebanjo and Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, has already initiated “a major tactical national consultation”.

    Others in the team are: Mr. Donald Duke, Prof. Pat Utomi, Prof. Kimse Okoko, Solomon Asemota, SAN, Obong Victor Attah, Admiral Ebitu Ukiwe, Prof. Akin Oyebode, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Chief Tola Adeniyi and Prof. Sola Ehindero.

    The group’s Head of Secretariat, Olawale Okunniyi, spoke at the weekend while clarifying issues after the inaugural public intervention of the emergent pan Nigerian Movement on Thursday.

    The move, Nwabueze said, was designed to forge a negotiated consensus among critical stakeholders on how best to restructure the country.

    Okunniyi, who also heads the Nigeria Political Summit Group (NPSG, said regional youth groups and ethnic militias are included in the consultation.

    He said: “This stakeholders driven initiative, under the auspices of Project Nigeria Movement is projected to surpass what PRONACO achieved under Chief Anthony Enahoro and Prof. Wole Soyinka between 2005 and 2007; when PRONACO convened a major peoples’ national conference of ethnic nationalities and social groups in Nigeria, leading to the unanimous adoption of a draft peoples constitution for Nigeria on August 26, 2006…

    “It could, therefore, be reassuring to recall how both progressive leaders rode in the same vehicle into the open hands of Chief Anthony Enahoro and other leaders at the PRONACO Secretariat on June 12, 2006.”

    He said the list of the “Northern/Middle Belt team for the national consultation on restructuring is still being composed by the leaders of the North”.

    Okunniyi said the labour movement and other social groups in the country have also been penciled for strategic consultation and mobilisation before a major interface with the Federal Government on the modalities for the restructuring.

  • Anyaoku, Akintoye renew calls for Nigeria restructuring

    Anyaoku, Akintoye renew calls for Nigeria restructuring

    Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and a second Republic Senator, Prof. Banji Akintoye, on Monday warned the government on the danger in keeping its current federal structure.

    They said Nigeria’s federalism allows “too much power and resources” at the center to the detriment of the country’s ethnic nationalities.

    This, they argued, fueled political, ethnic and religious divisions which threatened the country’s survival.

    The duo stated these in Lagos at the 2017 Obafemi Awolowo Memorial Lecture organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Foundation (OAF) where Akintoye, an historian and Awoist, spoke on “The Awolowo legacy and its message to Nigerian youths.”

    The event, which marked the 108th posthumous birthday of the late Awolowo, was attended by former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, represented by his deputy, Dr. Idiat Adebule, Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola and his Ogun State counterpart, Ibikunle Amosun, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Tolu Odebiyi.

    Other dignitaries included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba and his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, among others.

    Gowon, the chairman of the OAF, said his government was able to keep Nigeria one through Awolowo’s expertise and advice which ensured that the country didn’t borrow to prosecute the civil war.

    Anyaoku, who heads the selection committee of the Obafemi Awolowo Prize for Leadership, regretted that no candidate was found suitable for the prize in 2017.

    He wondered how “Nigeria’s founding fathers,” Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Sir Ahmadu Bello would feel about their country if they rose from the dead.

    Anyaoku said: “I have no doubt that lamentation and grievous disappointment would be their feeling, especially for Chief Awolowo, who championed the cause of true federalism, and as premier, invented the impressive socio-economic development of Western Nigeria.

    “Chief Awolowo would be disappointed to find that instead of a few viable federating units in which effective economic development can be planned and pursued with security, better policed and maintained, we now have what I would describe as a plethora of nonviable federating units with an all-powerful central government.”

     

  • Buhari greets Anyaoku at 84

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday felicitated with seasoned diplomat, elder statesman and administrator, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who turns 84 on Wednesday.

    The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, joined the diplomatic community, the Anglican Church, where he served for many years as a chorister, and Chief Anyaoku’s family and friends in celebrating the quintessential diplomat.

    He noted that Anyaoku’s distinguished international career attracted many national and international laurels, especially after serving as the third Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

    Buhari also believed Anyaoku’s footprints as a teacher, who was renowned for being very articulate and meticulous, and diplomat, during whose stewardship as the Secretary General of the Commonwealth apartheid was peacefully replaced by non-racial democracy in South Africa, will remain indelible for posterity to cherish and emulate.

    “As he turns 84 years, the President appreciates the enduring relationship he has enjoyed with Chief Anyaoku over the years, and the many wise counsels he has received, affirming that his title as the Ichie Adazie of Obosi in Anambra State is most apt as from early age he has shown a proclivity for ‘keeping, and doing things well’ for his community, country and humanity,” the statement said.

     

     

  • Anyaoku seeks scrapping of states

    Anyaoku seeks scrapping of states

    •Statesman favours regionalism

    Former Secretary General of Commonwealth Chief Emeka Anyaoku has blamed poor federal structure for the country’s underperformance.
    He called for the scrapping of the 36 states’ structure and its replacement with the six zones as federating units.
    Chief Anyaoku, a one-time minister of External Affairs, stated this position in his New Year message.
    He said: “It should deal with the root cause of the country’s continuing underperformance through not deploying its rich human and material resources more efficiently.
    “This calls for a rearrangement of the number and nature of the federating units of the Nigerian federation from the existing 36 wasteful and non-viable units to much more politically and economically viable six units.
    “Let this be the main contribution by the Presidency and the National Assembly to the nation’s progress in the New Year.”
    Anyaoku urged the Eighth National Assembly to extend its Constitution amendment towards economic restrucuring and efficient deployment of human and material resources.
    He said 2016 had been disappointing, but that 2017 was “more hopeful”.
    “Nigeria has clearly failed to meet the hopes and expectations of its citizens in 2016.
    “This fact has been acknowledged by President Muhammadu Buhari, who is promising an improvement in the welfare of the people through the budget for 2017.
    “I believe that the optimistic prospect will be considerably increased if the existing national architecture of governance, which remains the greatest drawback to the nation’s political stability and pace of development, is restructured.”
    The National Assembly, he added, “must not stop at tinkering with the edges” during Constitution amendment.
    He urged the legislature to realign the 36 states along productive political and economic lines.

  • I’ll keep advocating restructuring, says Anyaoku

    I’ll keep advocating restructuring, says Anyaoku

    Former Commonwealth Secretary General Chief Emeka Anyaoku has restated the need for Nigeria to restructure its political system.

    Anyaoku said he had been advocating a system to convert the geo-political zones into six federating units for better governance and holistic development.

    He spoke at the launch of a book, titled: Nigeria: The Forsaken Road to Nationhood and Development, organised by the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development (SCDDD) in Abuja. The book was written by Humphery Orjiako in Abuja.

    Anyaoku, who hailed the author, said the book was significant coming at a time restructuring was popular with the people.

    He noted that the country did well with just three regions, faulting military invasion for the structural breakdown.

    Anyaoku said: “I have advocated and still advocating restructuring to make the six geo-political zones six federating units, because each one will be more efficient in planning programme in pursuing greater internal security and in holding the government accountable to the governed.

    “I commend the author of the book, which I regard as an important contribution to the debate on the future of Nigeria, particularly as far as restructuring is concerned. I hold the view that the forsaken road is the absence of true federalism.

    “I believe this country was doing a lot better and could have done much more successfully if the three regions with which it started was maintained, but since the military ventured into governance in January 1966, the country has continued to have a centre stronger than it should be and 36 federating units mostly non-viable.”

    Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Odein Ajumogobia identified lack of sense of belonging as major bane to the present structure.

    He said: “I think the reason for our predicament is essentially lack of sense of belonging by all parts of the country to this nation and sense of ownership.”

    The author said the system has not served Nigerians well, hence the need for restructuring.

    According to him: “I think the system has not served any part of Nigeria well… there is a better way and opportunity for every Nigerian if we create a level-playing field for all to compete well.”

  • Ekwueme, Anyaoku rally Anambra community

    Ekwueme, Anyaoku rally Anambra community

    Obosi, hometown of former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku, came alive as the veteran diplomat, and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme led other dignitaries to honour former Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marshal Osita Chidota’s grandmother, the late Madam Juliana Obumnwe Chidoka. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    The sheer number of dignitaries was enough statement: it was not just another day in Obosi, Anambra State. Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme was there, as was son of the soil, veteran diplomat and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku. So also were Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, traditional rulers and priests.

    They were in town to honour Madam Juliana Obumnwe Chidoka, grandmother of former Corps Marshal of the FRSC Mr. Osita Chidoka.

    Some 91 years ago, Madam Chidoka wedded at the Saint Andrew’s Church, Obosi, and went on to deliver and nurture other Chidokas, one of whom would become the FRSC chief as well as a federal minister. In her memory and to honour the church to which they all stuck, Madam Chidoka’s grandchildren built a hall at Saint Andrew’s.

    There was more to the occasion. The celebrities used it to rally Obosi residents, urging them to give back to their community. Anyaoku made that point clear.

    Obosi is in Idemili North local government of Anambra State.

    It was an event that stood out in the community. It coincided with the closing ceremony of the Anglican synod that took place at the church premises.

    For Osita Chidoka, it was a monument to the memory of their matriarch and more importantly, as a generational reminder of their incalculable debt to their Anglican roots planted and nurtured by Juliana Chidoka.

    “Mama wedded in this church founded in 1882 in 1925 and gave birth to my father in 1926,” he said. “My father’s joy knows no bounds as he turns 90 years in November.”

    The traditional ruler of the kingdom, Igwe Chidubem Iweka was not short of appreciation for the Chidoka family for donating a storey building hall to the church in Obosi.

    The monarch said the family had made the people of Obosi proud by remembering the matriarch of the family 91 years after.

    Also, another son of Obosi, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was all smiles on the day, told The Nation that it was important to always give back to the society.

    He said he equally built a school opposite the church for the community, describing the action of the Chidokas as a wonderful gesture to the church and community.

    The gesture, according to the former commonwealth secretary general, brought important people from all walks of life to the community.

    Again, he said it was good because it coincided with the Anglican synod hosted at St. Andrews in the community, adding that the community had written its name in gold.

    One of the women in the community, Agnes Ibesi told The Nation that the philanthropy of the Chidoka family was unrivaled in Obosi, adding that the former minister also built homes for the less privileged in the area.

    “We are not going to forget the family in a hurry because they have helped and lifted some down trodden individuals in the society”

    The speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Dogara was represented by the member, representing Ideato North and south federal constituency in Imo state, Hon. Austine Chukwukere, who praised the Chidokas’ for the gigantic building for the church.

    He said the family led by example, while calling on others to emulate them.

    The synod and the dedication of the church hall were equally attended by the former governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke, among others.

     

  • Anyaoku hails Hallmark of Labour Award’s integrity

    FORMER Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku has hailed Hallmark of Labour foundation (HLF’S) Awards organisers for celebrating outstanding individuals and worthy causes.

    Speaking at the HLF’s 20th anniversary awards in Lagos, Anyaoku noted that the yearly event had celebrated some Nigerians and Africans who attained success through hardwork.

    The showcasing of such people, he said, had made them role models over the years and projected them as worthy of emulation by youngsters.

    Recipients of this year’s awards are Second Republic Governor of Lagos State Alhaji Lateef Jakande, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, renowned diplomat Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, legal scholar Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), seasoned accountant Chief Toyin Olakunrin, environmentalist Emeritus Prof. Njidda Gadzama and the Lumeni Christi International High School in Uromi, Edo State.

    The organisers hailed the school for building an academic track record and instilling honesty, hard work, self-discipline and leadership in its pupils. The school had the best West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) results in 2014.

    Chairman of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees Emeritus Prof. Umaru Shehu said in the past 20 years, it had done well to recognise and reward good conduct.

    The awards are in two categories: individual, under which six of the seven awards for this year fell; and institutional, which went to Lumeni Christi International High School.

    As part of Lumeni chriti’s prize for emerging Nigeria’s best in the WASSCE for 2014, the Foundation is boosting the school’s e-library, with 10 brand new computers.

    Justice Mukhtar got the Life Time Achievement Award for exemplary leadership in the advancement of the legal system, Prof. Gambari (Emeka Anyaoku award for Nigeria’s most Outstanding International Icon), Alhaji Jakande (Excellence in Leadership and Good Governance), Prof Sagay (Exemplary/Courageous Service to the advancement of Legal Service), Emeritus Prof Gadzama (Umaru Shehu award for the most consistent Advocate for Positive Change in the University System) and Mrs Olakunrin (Role Model for Business Management, Administration and Accounting in Nigeria).

    In attendance were Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, former Lagos State Deputy Governor Princess Sarah Sosan, former First Lady of Lagos State Dame Abimbola Fashola, Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor, Prof Ben Nwabueze (SAN), Mrs Priscilla Kuye, Prof John Pepper-Clark, Prof Grace Alele-Williams, Vanguard Publisher Sam Amuka Pemu and Yeye Oge of Lagos Chief Opral Benson, among others.

  • Anyaoku backs Buhari’s stance on naira devaluation

    Anyaoku backs Buhari’s stance on naira devaluation

    Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku yesterday in Ibadan endorsed President Muhammadu Buhari’s stand against the devaluation of the naira.

    Anyaoku spoke at the presentation of Olusola Sanu’s memoirs: Audacity on the Bound: A Diplomatic Odyssey.

    He called on Buhari to maintain his stance and assemble a team of economic experts on the issue.

    Anyaoku, however, stressed the need to take the nation out of its economic crisis.

    He bemoaned the exploitation of the Nigeria presidential system by new generation politicians, whom he blamed for the nation’s woes.

    “I have worked with the old political leaders, who during their time were hardworking, brilliant and known for high  integrity.

    “The new generation has exploited the presidential system. The president, governors and local government chairmen now parade over 3,000 special advisers.

    “Some state governors that cannot boast of strong revenue also have up to 30 advisers.

    ” A local government chairman now operates presidential system at council level,” he said.

    Anyaoku who quoted copiously from the work, described the book as an instructive material for future generations.

    He said Sanu was one of the brightest administrators in Nigeria, who lived a life of hard work and integrity

    Similarly, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, ex-Head of State, hailed Sanu for his brilliant performances in the positions he occupied.

    Gowon said the book would  boost the capacity of young career diplomats.

    “I am sure Sanu will never forget his exploits as an ambassador to Ethiopia,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the book has 514 pages, divided into 21 chapters.

  • Tinubu, Atiku, Anyaoku, UPU, others mourn Ibru

    Tinubu, Atiku, Anyaoku, UPU, others mourn Ibru

    MORE groups and eminent Nigerians have continued to mourn the passage of former Delta State governor of Olorogun Felix Ibru, even as the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) declared a three-day mourning period for their departed leader.

    Among those who mourned the late senator were All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, former Vice President and chieftain of APC Atiku Abubakar, former Commonwealth Secretary General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, immediate past Abia State Senator Theodore Orji and ex-Edo State Governor Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion.

    Others included Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, spokesman of the Interim Committee of UPU Josiah Ntekume, Interim President-General of the apex Urhobo socio-cultural organisation Gabriel Ofotokun.

    Tinubu described the late former Delta State governor as a role model and fighter for democracy, who would be sorely missed.

    In a statement yesterday, the APC national leader said he received the news of Ibru’s passage with a deep sense of loss.

    He said: “Chief Ibru was a sort of renaissance Nigerian. He was a politician, business mogul, bureaucrat, architect, educationist, administrator and friend of Nigeria.

    “He belonged to a rare breed of Nigerians, who defined success not by what they earned for themselves, but for their fellow citizens. Hence, after making his mark as an architect, which was his first calling, he became a lecturer at the Yaba College of Education.

    “He also was at the top of a business conglomerate that not only flourished but became a nexus of commerce in the country. Olorogun Ibru succeeded in the old-fashioned way with hard work, imagination and persistence.

    “He was also pioneer governor in Delta State and a senator, who gave a polemical heft to his contribution on the floor of the grand hall of the parliament. In spite of his cosmopolitan virtues, he never forgot his roots. Hence, he led the Urhobo Progress Union as the president general.

    “He blended well in Lagos, where he achieved much and gave much. He will be sorely missed as a role model, fighter for democracy, a man of ideas and beachhead of business.

    “My heart bleeds with the Ibru family, but I believe they will take comfort in the nobility of his life and legacy that will endure.”

    Atiku, in a statement by his media office, expressed sadness and profound shock at the death of Ibru.

    He described the former governor and senator as a gentleman of high standing and a democracy icon, who risked his life, properties and personal comfort to fight for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria by standing up to military dictatorship.

    Anyaoku said the death of Ibru was a passing of an outstanding player in the democratic evolution of Nigeria and Delta State.

    He said: “As a senator of the Federal Republic, he during his tenure demonstrated notable perspicacity and unalloyed patriotism in the debates of the National Assembly. And as the first civilian Governor of Delta State, he not only exemplified a true sense of public service, but also left behind a legacy some of which his successors have adopted to the benefit of the State. In his last years, I had the privilege and indeed the pleasure of working with him as a member of the Selection Committee of the Chief Obafemi Awolowo Leadership Award, which I chair and will always remember his quiet sense of humour and sterling contributions to the committee’s deliberations.”

    Orji, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Mr. Don Norman Obinna, described the late Ibru as astute leader and entrepreneur who contributed immensely to the development of the country, adding that his statesmanly advice would be highly missed.

    Igbinedion noted that the former governor was an upright man, who had an unflinching faith in the growth and development of Delta State.

    Emerhor, in a statement, described the passage of the politician as shocking, a loss to the Urhobo nation, Delta State and Nigeria.

    He noted that as first elected governor of the state, Ibru built bridges across ethnic divides, describing him as the architect of modern Delta State, whom the state’s chapter of APC would miss sorely.

    The UPU yesterday declared a three-day mourning period for the late Ibru, according to a statement by the spokesman of the interim committee of the UPU.

    Ntekume added that the interim President-General of the apex Urhobo socio-cultural organisation ordered that UPU flag should fly half-mast in the period.

  • ‘Ekwueme, Anyaoku, Nwabueze not IPOB commanders’

    ‘Ekwueme, Anyaoku, Nwabueze not IPOB commanders’

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that its preferring Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Emeka Anyaoku, Ben Nwabueze and others to negotiate on its behalf did not mean “these great Igbo elders are IPOB commanders”.

    A statement by the spokesmen Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya said the clarification was necessary because “some enemies of peace have deliberately and mischievously twisted our suggestion to mean that they are members of IPOB”.

    The statement reads: “It has come to our notice that avowed  enemies of peace have mischievously twisted our suggestion that the visiting US congressional delegation meet with Anyaoku, Ekwueme, Nwabueze and others, to mean that these gentlemen have suddenly become IPOB members. This is not so, hence this clarification.

    “Three weeks ago, the US Consular General visited the Southeast on a fact-finding mission. Surprisingly, he met with the APC executives in Enugu State and predatory elements of moribund Ohanaeze Ndigbo, where road construction, second Niger Bridge, appointment for more Ndigbo into Buhari’s cabinet e.t.c, were presented to the delegation as reasons for our agitation.

    “Two days ago, another US delegation, led by a senior staff of the US embassy in Nigeria, met with Ohanaeze at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, over our agitation for freedom from the hostile prison called Nigeria.

    “Well-meaning and conscientious people expressed outrage and shock, wondering why these delegations are avoiding the most credible names from our political space.

    “World over, fact-finding teams usually seek out the most credible names in their search for the truth, not organisations like Ohanaeze, that are well known as political jobbers and government errand boys, whose sole agenda is how to establish a self-serving relationship with the present government as they always do and have done with previous governments.

    “IPOB maintains our position that these visiting delegation ought to endeavour to meet and speak with credible names like Anyaoku, Nwabueze, Ekwueme, and co. That does not mean they are IPOB commanders.

    “Convinced that over 90 per cent of our people are standing with IPOB today, we dare the Nigerian government to organise a referendum to ascertain the authenticity of our demand to freedom. Our assertion that these and future  delegations endeavour to meet with Ekwueme, Anyaoku and co, did not make them IPOB commanders. We also would wish them to meet with other credible opinion leaders from the clergy, traditional rulers, town union leaders, and even student union.

    “Discreetly arranging them to meet with Ohanaeze and scurry away the next day is suspicious, more importantly, hiding their visit from IPOB, whose agitation led to their visit in the first place is dubious.

    “This clarification became necessary because we learnt from these great men that some journalists are sending them emails asking them if it is true they have been appointed IPOB commander.”