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  • UI to admit only 3,783 of 56,000 candidates

    UI to admit only 3,783 of 56,000 candidates

    Of 56,172 candidates seeking admission into the University of Ibadan (UI) through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE), the authorities have recommended 3,783 for admission to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    UI’s Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof Adeyinka Aderinto, addressed reporters yesterday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on the institution’s admission for this session.

    Aderinto said the admission for the 2017/2018 would end this month while the screening of those given admission letters will begin soon.

    The deputy vice chancellor, who noted that 26,769 candidates, who scored 200 and above, sat for its post-UTME, added that of the figure, only 9,268 scored 50 per cent and above.

    He said 3,783 admission seekers, who were finally recommended to JAMB for admission, met the approved admission criteria.

    Aderinto said since the premier institution was committed to meeting the mobilisation of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the institution had begun second semester examinations.

    He said: “The University of Ibadan is committed to mobilising students for 2017/2018 National Youth Service and to end the session (2016/2017), we have begun the examinations and the students have started writing.

    “We have also recommended about 3,783 candidates to JAMB for admission and we are concluding the admission process by January ending. The University of Ibadan is committed to upholding its standards in admission. This is what makes us who we are in offering qualitative education to our students, to be the best in Nigeria and have the capacity to compete globally.”

  • Anambra Central: candidates urge INEC to respect judgment

    Candidates in the March 2015 senatorial election in Anambra Central have urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to respect the court judgment and issue a certificate of return to Dr. Obiora Okonkwo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    According to the candidates, the judgment of Justice John Tsoho of an Abuja High Court is a welcome development as “it signalled the resolution of a battle that had denied the people of Anambra Central quality representation at the Senate”.

    The candidates, who spoke under the aegis of Coalition of Candidates in the Anambra Senatorial Zone Election Rerun, said the zone had suffered deprivation due to the pre-election dispute which, according to them “by the grace of God, has now been resolved.”

    Leaders of the Coalition Chief Akudo Chikwendu and Comrade Peter Okala, in a statement said: “It is time we allowed the law to rule our dealings irrespective of how emotionally attached we are to issues. The judgment of the Federal High Court was straight and unambiguous; we welcome it and call on INEC not to delay the process of actualising the judgment.

    “We believe the judgment will begin a healing process that will enable the people to rebuild and plan for 2019. We are just a few months away from electioneering for 2019, and so we believe that swearing Dr. Okonkwo in will enable us to refocus and plan early for 2019.”

    The coalition also said it was wrong and misleading for anyone to insinuate that the Court of Appeal nullified PDP’s victory at the March 2015 polls.

    It added: “We have read insinuations and suggestions that the Court of Appeal in Enugu nullified PDP’s victory at the March 2015 senatorial election; this is false and misleading.

    “We believe those spreading this false information do not mean well for Anambra Central and its people; we have no doubt that such persons are enemies of the peace, who may be profiting from the legal quagmire that had kept the zone without senatorial representation since 2015.

    “It is wrong to put words into the mouth of the justices of the Court of Appeal; we are certain they are courageous enough to make any pronouncement they deem necessary. Since nothing of such was pronounced, it will amount to criminality to put words into their mouths and see to use same to deceive the public.

    “While we call on INEC to issue Dr. Okonkwo his certificate of return, we also urge the leadership of the National Assembly to swear him in. We are all interested in moving forward into 2019. 2015 is in the past and must be closed, and we thank the Federal High Court for helping us close it.”

  • How the main candidates stand

    How the main candidates stand

    The stakes are high in today’s governorship election, because it is a dress rehearsal for the 2019 general elections. Though incumbent Governor Willie Obiano stands a chance of winning the contest, it remains an open contest that can be won by both the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Tony Nwoye, and that of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Oseloka Obaze. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI, who has been following the campaigns, report. How the main

    ANAMBRA State has been agog with political activities in the last couple of weeks. Governor Willie Obiano is believed to be facing a tough reelection battle. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag bearer is faced with a stiff competition from the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic (PDP), Dr. Tony Nwoye and Mr. Oseloka Obaze respectively. In this contest, Obiano is fighting not just for his second term mandate, but also for the survival of APGA as a viable political platform. He is the only governor on the platform of the party, following the exit of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. One interesting aspect of today’s governorship election is that it is a dress rehearsal for the 2019 general elections. As a result, the outcome of the contest may be an indicator of the standing of the parties ahead of the general election.

    In all, 37 political parties are fielding candidates for the election. But, based on the way they campaigned, the election is likely to be a threehorse race. Only three parties are in serious contention for the plum job, namely the ruling APGA, the APC and the PDP. The two other parties that campaigned vigorously for the election are the United Progressive Party (UPP) and the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA), which are fielding former Minister of Aviation Chief Osita Chidoka and philanthropist Chief Godwin Ezeemo, respectively. Unlike the three major parties, Chidoka and Ezeemo’s aspirations will be hampered by the fact that they are contesting on platforms that do not have structures all over the state. Based on campaign, the other 32 parties are in the race just to make up the numbers; they were not able to organise rallies like the five frontrunners to interact with the electorate. As a result, the various bodies organising debates for contestants only invited those believed to be in serious contention for the seat. Who is likely to win today’s election from among the five foremost contenders? Obiano One of the factors in favour of Governor Obiano is the zoning arrangement. In the spirit of the zoning arrangement, the two other major parties – the APC and the PDP — picked their candidates from Anambra North, which is favoured to occupy the governorship seat in the next four years.

    But the odds favour Obiano who is entitled to one more term of four years before vacating the seat for the next governor. Although both Nwoye and Obaze, who are from Anambra North like the incumbent, have signed an undertaking pledging to do only one term to complete the eight years allotted to the zone, indications are that, all things being equal, voters from Anambra South would be more favourably disposed to back Obiano as a matter of expediency. Observers say the political titans from the zone are more comfortable with Obiano, because his continuation would provide the shortest route for the zone to grab power. What this means is that votes from Anambra North are likely to be shared by the three candidates from the zone, while Anambra Central will be a major battleground. Another factor in Obiano’s favour is incumbency. Not surprisingly, he exploited it by trying to muzzle the opposition during the electioneering campaign period. For instance, his billboards and posters were the most visible on major roads in the state. One can hardly find billboards and posters of the other candidates on such roads. Opponents have accused the party of destroying their billboards and posters.

    In terms of performance, Obiano may not have earned a distinction, but he exploited the fact that he is in power by embarking on last-minute developmental projects to garner votes in areas his opponents are expected to have block votes. In his campaign, Obiano tried to whip up the same sentiments that worked for the party in previous elections. One of such sentiments is to position APGA as an Igbo party. Owing to this sentiment, APGA has been winning elections since 2003. Though former Governor Peter Obi and the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu’s son, Emeka Jnr., have refuted the claims of APGA that the former warlord warned the Igbo not to abandon the party, many of the voters that will troop out to vote for the party may not listen to pleas that the party is not what it claims to be. Besides, the party is well rooted in every nook and cranny of the state. So, it has its own die-hard supporters, who believe he has done well under the circumstance he has found himself. However, Obiano has some hurdles to scale to win the election. His major challenge is the division within the party. Apart from members and former supporters who may back Obi and the PDP candidate, the Agbaso faction of the party may go to any length to thwart the governor’s effort to secure a second term mandate.

    The party is basking on the premise that it won the 2003, the 2010 and the 2014 elections with ease and that the status quo has not changed, but that may not be a true reflection of the current state of affairs. For instance, in 2010 and 2014 governorship elections, APGA had a political understanding with the PDP-controlled Federal Government, where they did not field presidential candidate in exchange for the PDP switching off its interest in Anambra State governorship. But, today, that alliance has died a natural death with the fall of PDP at the centre.

    Besides, given the recent defection of Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jnr. to the APC, the Ojukwu factor may not work the way it did in the 2010 and 2014 elections. Nwoye For the APC, winning this governorship will be significant in the sense that the party wants to use it as a launching pad into the South east. With the party consolidating its presence in Enugu, Ebonyi and Abia states, a victory in this governorship election would tilt the balance in its favour in the 2019 general elections, as far as the region is concerned. From what was witnessed during the campaign, Nwoye has proved that he is a dogged fighter and a grassroots mobiliser. Given the mammoth crowd and the number of APC governors that graced the flag off of the Nwoye campaign, as well as the presence of President Muhammadu Buhari during the party’s final campaign on Wednesday, indications are that the APC flag bearer is getting the necessary backing to win the election. His opponents have expressed apprehension that the APC will use ‘federal might’ to enhance Nwoye’s chance of winning. Nwoye who represents Anambra East and West Constituency in the House of Representatives hails from Nsugbe, Anambra East Local Government Area. Interestingly, Governor Obiano is from Aguleri, which is in the same Anambra East Local Government. Nwoye has the backing of Prince Arthur Eze, an oil magnate and one of the strongest men in Anambra politics. The APC flag bearer contested the last governorship election on the platform of the PDP and he emerged the first runner up behind Obiano, in spite of attempts by the leaders of the party to frustrate his candidacy.

    Observers believe that he may perform better at today’s election. Although, there had been a feeling of APC being anti-Igbo, but President Buhari’s visit to Ebonyi and Anambra states a few days ago may have altered that sentiment in favour of the party in the South East in general and Anambra in particular. The president’s visit was thus regarded as a masterstroke. From the reactions of the Igbo leaders, who even honoured the president with chieftaincy titles, the anti-Igbo tag with which he (president) had been labelled may have been consigned to the past. This may work for Nwoye as more of Igbo leaders are eager to embrace mainstream politics.  Obaze One candidate who is leveraging on the governor’s flaws to enhance his own prominence is Obaze, who was a senior United Nations official before serving as Secretary to the Anambra State Government in both the Peter Obi and Willie Obiano administrations. Besides his philanthropic nature, which has endeared him to many voters, one of his strengths is the support he is receiving from former Governor Obi, who appears to be the arrowhead of his campaign. Obi has been rigorously campaigning for Obaze in some of the big markets in Anambra State. Obi’s influence is said to be a strong force the other parties have to contend with, because he remains one of the most respected former governors of the state.

    Obi had said during one of such campaigns: “I am fully in the PDP, and I am determined to campaign vigorously to sell our candidate. This campaign will not be done anyhow; it will be aggressive but without mudslinging. We will all be in the campaign together and we will run it like the PDP has never done before. “We know where we left Anambra State and because Obaze was part of the success story and was instrumental to attracting most of the international donor agencies by using his contacts as a diplomat. He will be in a better place to continue from where we stopped. I am optimistic that if he becomes the next governor, Anambra will be better than it is today.” Obi said his reasons for fighting his successor were informed by the vow he made to the people in 2013. His words: “In 2013, I took Obiano around Anambra State, to the markets, to every part of the state and the people kept asking me if I was sure of him as they did not know him, but that they would vote him because of me. I told them I would be the one to lead a campaign against Obiano if he did not perform well in his first term. Today, can anyone show me what the governor has done within his first term? He has nothing to show for it.”

    But Obaze is widely regarded as a political neophyte; he is said to be relying on Obi and his younger brother, Dubem, to clinch the governorship seat. Besides, the division within the PDP is a big drawback. Since the ouster of Ngige in 2006, the PDP has not been able to get its act together to become strong enough to win the governorship contest in Anambra State. Even now, party stalwarts like Ifeanyi Ubah, Senator Stella Oduah and John Emeka, all former governorship aspirants, have distanced themselves from Obaze’s campaign, and may inevitably work against him.  Chidoka Chidoka, the flag bearer of the United Progressives Party (UPP) dumped the PDP after the Appeal Court had affirmed the leadership of former acting National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff. His aides say he had to make the move because he was not sure of what the outcome of the Supreme Court judgment would be. Chidoka’s strongest advantage lies on the fact that he is fresh and young.

    Security vehicles at the road leading to INEC State Headquarters for today’s Anambra State Governorship election in Awka

    His achievements and revolutionary ideas he brought to the FRSC and Federal Ministry of Aviation are his selling points. He had engaged in a media war with Governor Obiano’s government’s proposal to spend $2 billion to build an airport. Chidoka is in the good books of the elite and the moneybags in the state. But he may only have a slim chance of winning today’s election. He is from Anambra Central, which has just finished 10 years and nine months in power with Ngige and Obi in charge. Besides, he is running on a platform that does not have structures across the state. The other factor is that he appears to have a lean budget.  Ezeemo Ezeemo left the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) because of the disagreement he had with Senator Ngige over the governorship ticket of the party prior to the 2013 governorship election. Subsequently, he joined the PPA to pursue his ambition. In the last governorship election, he came fourth. Ezeemo has strengthened the PPA since he joined the party. He is widely perceived as a gentleman with milk of kindness. Ezeemo has the wherewithal to prosecute his governorship ambition. Another factor in his favour is that people see him as a good material for the position. But he does not stand any chance of winning today’s election because of his weak platform. Besides, Ezeemo, who is from Anambra South, is not favoured by the zoning arrangement. He is from Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area.

  • What do candidates have in stock for Anambra?

    What do candidates have in stock for Anambra?

    Six days to the governorship election in Anambra State, political parties and their candidates are intensifying their strategies with legion of campaign promises. Nwanosike Onu reports.

    Six days to the Anambra State governorship election, campaign activities have been intensified by the contenders for the position.

    Although 37 candidates are in the race, the serious ones are Governor Willie Obiano of the All progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Dr Tony Nwoye of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Oseloka Obaze of the People’s Alliance Party (PDP), Mr Godwin Ezeemo of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) and Chief Osita Chidoka of the United Progressive Party (UPP).

    The candidates have been making promises to the electorate.

    Obiano is the only candidate without new promises. He concentrates on completing the on going projects.

    Observers believe that it is the same old story, as most of the promises may not be kept, if they are voted into power.

    The speeches of various candidates are no longer moving people’s spirits as experience had opened their eyes widely.

    Money is playing an important role in the election.

    Members of the APGA believe that the pudding is in the eating, as the governor had already been tested and therefore, should be trusted by the people.

    A chieftain of the party from Awka South, Comrade Obi Ochije, said other contestants will fail, as the governor has made the people of the state proud with his leadership style.

    Others believe that he has paid his dues in governance, despite criticism by opposition, the reason according to them, political juggernaults from the (PDP) are working for his return secretly.

    Already, work is on-going now at the Anambra State Airport project at Umueri, Anambra East Council Area, while many road projects are on going in many communities.

    A retired Colonel, Chuba Ikeagwu, told The Nation that those opposing Obiano’s return do not understand the dynamics of politics, adding that any move being made to stop his comeback will be resisted   with force in the state.

    He said his vision of lighting  the major roads in the state, from Onitsha to Awka are some of his sign posts to second term.

    Obiano’s manifesto emphasises “continuity” For him, lack of continuity has the obvious tendency of stunting physical development, thereby denying the people a seamless growth.

    He has plans to develop the natural resources of the state such as crude oil, natural gas and fertile soil.

    He also plans to maximise the state’s existing strong relationship with foreign development finance institutions to raise more counter-part funding for social development projects.

    Other key priorities include the use of Private Public Partnership (PPP) to Build, Operate and Transfer models to drive development across all the sectors in the state.

    Obiano also plans to lobby Federal Government to commence full operation of the Onitsha inland port as well as secure adequate funding from the infrastructure-focused financial institutions for the large scale infrastructure needs of the state.

    Also, the PPA candidate said he had entered a social contract with the people especially the youths.

    He said: “I, Mr. Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo, humbly offer myself to serve as the next governor of Anambra State. I agree that I shall do the following for Ndi Anambra within the stipulated time frame when I am elected the governor of Anambra State.

    “I shall focus on Security, Health, Agriculture, Power, Education, (SHAPE). From my first day in office.

    “I shall do a needs assessment of all sectors and the 177 communities in Anambra State to find out their specific problems and design solutions  to them.

    “Within my first six months in office, I shall establish the Anambra State Entrepreneurship Development Center that will help start-up businesses, survive and also help existing businesses to expand within my first three months in office.

    “I shall reduce the cost of governance drastically by eliminating luxuries and frivolous spending. I shall buy made-in-Anambra cars and goods. I shall patronise Anambra businesses from day one. I shall set up special programmes to empower women and youth within entrepreneurship skills and opportunities, within my first six months in office.

    “I shall set up an effective agency that will protect the rights of the people and work with NGOs to ensure social justice in Anambra State.

    Ezeemo added: “I shall put an end to multiple taxation and illegal revenue collection within my first three months in office, among others.

    Chidoka of UPP said: ”My election as governor of Anambra State will start off with a single agenda; an agenda to secure a new state for the southeast region to bridge the disparity we face.

    “We will immediately, upon inauguration, in line with Section 8 (1) of the 1999 constitution, get our National Assembly members from Anambra state, our elected House of Assembly members, and local government chairmen to sign a request to the National Assembly asking for a referendum for the sixth Southeast state.

    “We will vigorously engage our friends from other states in the National Assembly and other states House of Assembly for a new state. Nigeria must take a decision on the issue of additional state for the southeast before the end of life of the 8th Assembly and the 2019 election.

    Former Secretary to Government Mr Oseloka Obaze of the PDP is optimistic that he will win.

    He said: “If elected governor of Anambra State, I hereby set out my core compact with Ndi Anambra, consisting of five basics principles predicated on globally accepted best practices of good governance.

    “Since the essence of governance is to serve the people, I have also identified fifteen core areas encompassing activities and deliverables within the main governance knobs and sectoral drivers which my government must tackle proactively, in the public interest, in the four years which I have undertaken to serve.

    “These are in tandem with United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Obaze listed his principles to include: authentic Continuity: Provide authentic continuity and consolidation of all gains developmental, financial, economic, infrastructural, educational health etc. made by successive Anambra state governments, especially the Peter Obi administration.

    Obaze also promised of stability, civility, frugality, transparency, political tolerance, and diverse views at all levels.

    Nwoye, has marshaled out what he intends to do for Ndi Anambra with his party.

    He said he would deliver good governance for the collective good of all, adding that his administration would focus on security, infrastructural development and job creation.

    Nwoye said to be the people’s choices in the races,  despite his party being not wholly accepted in the state,  said he would attract investments from local and foreign investors.

    The APC candidate who has traversed the nooks and crannies in the state is being followed by the youth, especially the students, market women, artisans, even those from other political parties are joining the train in making sure he wins.

    But, some of the party’s leaders in the state are playing hide and seek them since after his emergence as the candidate.

    If Nwoye garners the support of Senator Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, no candidate among the political parties can match him in the  election.

    Nwoye’s promises are not many, but he knows those things lacking in Anambra State as a grassroot man and he knows how to tackle them.

  • ‘Candidates should debate’

    ‘Candidates should debate’

    A non–governmental organisation (NGO), the Civil Rights Concern (CRC), has urged similar associations to engage the governorship candidates of various political parties on their manifestos.

    Speaking with The Nation in Awka, the CRC Coordinator, Okey Onyeka, said the aim was to hold them responsible if they fail to fulfil their campaign promises.

    Onyeka said: “Elections are coming up in November this year and citizens of this state are to determine who eventually gets elected.

    “This is a big role for citizens to undertake in our governance process. In order to effectively undertake this role, we believe that it is important for them to be prepared, so as to have effective engagement.”

    He said the CRC has mobilised other NGOs, particularly those engaged in sectors such as health, education, agriculture and public utilities, as well as the business community, to take the candidates to task.

    Onyeka added: “We have deliberated on the level of service delivery in the above sectors and came up with the decision that we will engage major participants in the election, to influence the outcome.

    “The various groups associations now have their manifestos and will organise debates for the candidates.

    “Whoever gets elected will be prepared to implement the negotiated objectives as we already have platforms to discuss.

    “The platforms are committees of stakeholders in health, education, agriculture and education. These platforms are currently engaging the government on its results and achievements.”

  • Anambra: Campaign manual for candidates

    In recent times, aides to Governor Willie Obiano have been pushing out articles, the summary of which allege that Peter Obi is striving desperately to remain in the public eyes, to decide who governs Anambra State and is networking to become the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2019. They also re-echoed what their principal had made his campaign mantra – the comical claim that Obi demanded  N7 billon as campaign expenses – and that the N75 billion Obi left in the state coffers for Obiano was actually N11 billion. For good measure in their thinking, they have similarly submitted that Peter Obi is not in good terms with his deputies and Dr. Chris Ngige. As they ramble on, it beats the imagination what their tirades against Peter Obi have to do with the fact that Oseloka Obaze is contesting against their principal. Indeed, they should be explaining to the electorate what Obiano has done with the mandate he was given to merit his choice over Obaze.

    As electioneering goes on, many Anambrarians and Anambra-watchers have observed the antics of desperadoes all over the place. As their frantic moves collapsed, the APGA people resorted to propaganda, which has continued to offend the sensibilities of the people. What is published in the newspapers is child’s play when compared to what is churned out daily from the Anambra State Broadcasting Service. On radio and television alike, the bogey of Peter Obi forms the subject-matter of their commentaries; at times for days in a week.

    But is Obi contesting election? Why are they so afraid of him to the point of paranoia?

    With the intensification of electioneering, it is pertinent – for our collective good – to present a short manual for those vying for public office. The Quintus manual constitutes the introduction.

    In one of Cicero’s campaigns, his brother, Quintus, drew up for him a manual of electioneering technique. “Be lavish in your promises”, Quintus advised; “men prefer a false promise to a flat refusal … Continue to get some new scandal aired against your rivals for crime, corruption, or immorality”. He submitted that “a candidate must be a chameleon, adapting to each person he meets, changing his expression and speech as necessary”.

    Obiano has all the advantages of incumbency. As a governor for over three years, he is in a position to flaunt his achievements to convince the people that he merits another term. This was exactly what Obi did during electioneering for his second term. I was in charge of project tours and access was granted to doubting Thomases to verify our projects, and they did so commendably.

    In his inaugural speech, Obiano promised three independent power plants and a refinery within a year. Anambra people would like to see the progress of those projects and if, for any reason, he has not started them, he should tell us why. Anambra people will like to witness the implementation of close to 100 Memoranda of Understanding he has signed as well as the evidence of the US$7.5 billion investments he claimed to have attracted to Anambra State. We want to see how much he has added to the savings his predecessor, Peter Obi left in the state coffers or how some of the assets were disposed of as suggested by some people close to him. What of the Paris Club refund of over N20 billion and what he used it for? He should also clear the air on the allegation that he collects N1.2 billion every month as security votes – the highest among the states in Nigeria relative to income.

    Obiano spent a lot of state funds in media hype on his supposed export of N5 million worth of Ugu  and Onugbu (bitter leaf) vegetables as well as processing an order for the export of 10 million tubers of yam. Being seasonal crops, is the export of Ugu and Onugbu a regular business or a one-shot, election-year hype? As for yams, we in Anambra know that over 80% of the yams we consume are from Benue and Taraba states. It will be interesting to know by what magic he is generating 10 million tubers of yams.

    A careful observation of the electioneering terrain reveals that it is only Oseloka Obaze they attack. What of other candidates like Dr. Tony Nwoye and Mr. Osita Chidoka? Does it mean that it is only Obaze that they consider a real threat to their hope for another term in office? We know they spent hundreds of millions of Naira trying to prevent his emergence as a candidate even as they engage all manner of hatchet writers to vilify him with badly-concocted lies. What they do not realize is that you cannot destroy genuine reputation built over the years by uncouth propaganda as in the Quintus prescription.

    What is it you will say to run Obaze down? Unlike them, Obaze is a complete gentleman with poise and dignity. After reading commendations to him by world leaders – like the  UN Secretary-General Ban ki Moon – he had worked with, one is  bound to doff off one’s cap for him. I have also read the testaments of his colleagues.

    Indeed, the difference between his mind and the way he thinks and acts with those in power today is almost the difference between maturity and adolescence – in that order. He is their opposite in temperament and world-view.  Exceedingly temperate in food and drink, he has one of the most perceptive, penetrating and logical minds one has ever interacted with. In his company, one enjoys the sight of him tossing ideas like an acrobat into the air and impaling them in the prongs of the questions he usually throws back at one.  He puts on no airs, no elegances and no pretences.  There are no stories of unholy liaisons or risqué tales relating to him. Telling lies is neither a hobby nor habit for him. He is skilled in formulating policies and implementing them.  Much as he cherishes close collaboration, he cannot depend on others to think for him. He has so trained his mind to contentment that those about him are amazed by his asceticism.

    Obaze has not attacked any person beyond raising issues and seeking clarifications. He keeps telling Ndi Anambra what and how he would govern if elected. Take this sampler: “MDG was the (SPV) used effectively by  Mr. Peter Obi, which enabled Anambra to deliver to its 177 communities full dividends of democracy with no community left behind. The use of MDG and our home grown ANIDS Scheme has been discarded. We must return to that trajectory with ANIDS-MDGS to SDG programme”.

    Obiano’s people should emulate Obaze in facing issues. Obiano himself is not helping matters; in the beginning we forgave his lapses thinking he would overcome them with time as the holders of important offices are moulded by executive responsibility and experience into deeper maturity and judgement. However, whenever he speaks or acts, all one observes is degeneration. All the vices noticed about him have been magnified many times over. He has made Anambra a butt of dinner jollity by some of the things he does. His confidence in luck is more active than his faith in himself.

    Have we wondered the time-consuming attention his team deploys in doing the wrong things which, if channelled to governance, will make Anambra a better place?  What is this intemperate abuse of everybody for? Their attitudes keep Obaze and his supporters on the match convinced that come March 17, 2018, we shall breathe with relief, because a long and terrible nightmare would have been over.

    Obaze is the man Anambra needs because he is impatient with tardiness and incompetence.

     

    • Obienyem sent this piece from Lagos.
  • Rescheduled UTME: JAMB urges candidates to print exam slip

    Rescheduled UTME: JAMB urges candidates to print exam slip

    The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has directed candidates scheduled for the mop-up unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) to print their examination e-slips.

    It gave the directive yesterday in a statement by its Head of Information, Fabian Benjamin, in Abuja.

    The rescheduled examination would hold on Saturday, across the candidates’ selected computer-based test centres (CBT) nationwide.

    The statement directed the candidates to visit the board website on www.jamb.org.ng to print the e-slip or their e-mail and profile created by the candidates.

    The statement reads: “A bulk sms has equally been sent to their telephone numbers provided by the candidates during the registration. The board implores the candidates to ensure that their e-slips are printed on or before the examination as no excuse will be entertained.

    “The board wishes to reiterates her un-avowed commitment to deliver on her mandate and urged the candidate to avail themselves of the window of opportunity created by the board to widen access and give equal opportunity to those desirous of qualitative tertiary education.

    “JAMB also appeals to rescheduled candidates to be of good conduct and good ambassadors as they pass through this vital phase to attain greatness.

    It would be recalled that JAMB had, at its enlarged engagement meeting, agreed to reschedule over 85,000 candidates for mop-up examination following late registration and infractions during the examination.

    “Poised to make the examination hitch free the board has deployed necessary logistics for the examination,” the statement added.

  • Cafe operator charged with defrauding UTME candidates

    An Igbosere Magistrate Court has adjourned till July 27 trial of a cyber cafe operator, Emeka Anugwo, accused of defrauding 70 candidates during the just-concluded Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

    Magistrate O. G. Oghre adjourned the case last Thursday to enable the two Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) officials, Sunday Aladegbaye and his subordinate, Mr. Badaru Jubril, who reported Anugwo to the police be in court.

    Anugwo was arrested last month for allegedly defrauding the candidates who sat for the  UTME at his Computer Based Test  (CBT) centre on 7, Ojora Road, Ikoyi, beside JAMB’s Lagos office.

    Prosecuting Inspector Okete Ejime said the accused collected between N3,000 and N3,500 from each of the candidates to help them change their ages, courses, institutions and to generate Remita Code between May 1 and 30.

    Ejime alleged that Anugwo collected the money by impersonating JAMB officials, noting that the offences contravened Sections 323 and 376(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

     

  • Lagos local govt poll: ‘APC didn’t impose candidates’

    Lagos local govt poll: ‘APC didn’t impose candidates’

    The All Progressives Congress has denied an allegation that it imposed candidates on its members ahead of the July 22 local government elections in Lagos State, describing the allegation as a ploy devised by the opposition to snatch its members.

    Speaking in Lagos at a youth forum organised by Hon. Dipo Okeyomi, the APC chairmanship candidate for Ojokoro Local Council Development Area, Deputy National Youth Leader of the party, Hon. Sesan Sowande, said no single candidate was imposed in the Lagos local council primaries.

    Sowande said:“The APC as a party, is guided by its constitution and also has high regards for popular views among its members.

    “As a party, we had primary elections and as permitted by the constitution, we give room for complaints and once it is established that a particular complaint is genuine, we promptly address it in the spirit of justice and fairness.”

    He also debunked insinuations that certain party chieftains influenced the choice of chairmanship candidates in the party, saying, “It is a ploy devised by the opposition parties to snatch our members; knowing it is an allegation that can bring up emotions.”

    Sowande said the President Muhammadu Buhari administration would carry out all the party’s programmes designed to empower the youths, stressing, “now that we are clearing the mess that we met in the system, and that the economy is gradually stabilising, all our promises to the youths will be met.”

    Speaking, Okeyomi, the Ojokoro APC chairmanship candidate, promised to create 700 jobs for the youths in his first 100 days in office, if elected.

    “A lot of people have asked me to explain how I will achieve this but I’ll rather keep the strategy close to my chest; but once elected, rest assured that I will create 700 jobs for the youths in my first 100 days in the office,” he assured.

    Okeyomi also said he had plans to buy shoes and bags for all primary school pupils in the LCDA and also, give grants to indigent petty traders.

    Besides, he hinted that having travelled widely, he would use his influence to bring in foreign investors to establish industries in Ojokoro LCDA.

  • Lagos APC submits candidates’ list for council polls

    Lagos APC submits candidates’ list for council polls

    The Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) has received the list of candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest the chairmanship and councillorship seats in next month’s local government elections.

    A statement yesterday by the party’s state elections committee chairman, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, said the party had passed the list to the electoral agency.

    Afikuyomi expressed confidence in the ability of the candidates to win the available seats because “there is no opposition to the APC in Lagos”.

    The election committee chairman said the popularity of the party accounted for the skirmishes that accompanied its primaries.

    He said: “The process of choosing candidates has been successfully completed. Across the 20 local government areas, 37 LCDAs and 377 wards in the state, APC chairmanship and councillorship candidates have emerged.

    “Our party’s constitution provides for direct and indirect primaries to pick the candidates. In its wisdom, the APC leadership in Lagos opted for a combination of primaries and consensus, in compliance with the provisions of Articles 20 (ii)a, (iii)a and 21(xi) of the APC Constitution.

    “That was done to ensure the emergence of real grassroots leaders and knowledgeable party men and women who can positively impact the lives of the people at the local level, who can make the much-needed difference in governance and deliver dividends of democracy to our people.

    “This is what we need to complement the wonderful work Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has been doing.

    “The process started from a stakeholders’ meeting, where the decision on the modality for the election and other decisions were taken and ratified. However, this is not to say the exercise has been without hitches. These are normal with any democratic arrangement. No system is devoid of problems and challenges. No system is infallible.

    “In the extant case, in a few areas where there have been disagreements arising from the process, these have been resolved through the conflict-resolution mechanism we put in place.