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Tag: Chukwumerije

  • Buhari, Atiku mourn Chukwumerije

    Buhari, Atiku mourn Chukwumerije

    “As a politician, he was very classy and as a statesman he was exceptional. His death came as a rude shock and I do sincerely pray that God grants his family, the people of Abia State, friends and colleagues at the National Assembly the fortitude to bear the loss.”

    President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar yesterday condoled with the family of the late Senator Uche Chukwumerije.

    In a statement by the Director, Media and Publicity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Mallam Garba Shehu, Gen. Buhari said the late senator was a Pan-African par excellence.

    “As a man of my own generation, I observed the progressive political activities of Uche Chukwumerije and admired the Pan-African interests and national patriotic zeal which dominated and dictated major part of his actions and pursuits,’’ Gen. Buhari said.

    He recalled that in the Second Republic, Chukwumerije parted ways with the ethnic and regional politics of that era to identify with Mallam Aminu Kano, the leader of the masses (Talakawas) and this “marked him out as a worker for national unity and a man of noble values”.

    He added: “As a media practitioner, Chukwumerije was a professional who did his job with passion and conviction in all positions he held. I was not surprised he was a leading voice in the Senate for twelve years, where he had been serving the Federal Republic till death came calling.”

    Gen. Buhari said the late  Chukwumerije lived an active life and never sat on the fence on any national issues, adding: “Senator Chukwumerije has played an exceptional role in the business of legislation in the country and we will all dearly miss him as an outstanding politician and an elder statesman.

    “I sincerely condole with his family and friends, especially his constituents in Abia North senatorial district, the people of Abia State and members of the National Assembly,” Buhari said.

    Atiku, in a statement from his Media office in Abuja, said the news of Chukwumerije’s death came to him as a rude shock.

    Atiku said: “Senator Chukwumerije was in the class of those gentlemen you cannot but notice his outstanding qualities even when he stood in the midst of other men.

    “His mannerism came across as someone who was well cultured. He was very sartorial in style and in presentation; and he never confused you about the disciplined background of his origin. He was a very worthy ambassador of his people.

    “As a politician, he was very classy and as a statesman he was exceptional. His death came as a rude shock and I do sincerely pray that God grants his family, the people of Abia State, friends and colleagues at the National Assembly the fortitude to bear the loss.”

     

  • Gemade mourns Chukwumerije, Senate suspends business today

    Gemade mourns Chukwumerije, Senate suspends business today

    Chairman, Senate Committee on National Planning, Senator Barnabas Gemade, yesterday said the news of the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije came to him as a rude shock.

    Gemade spoke just as indication emerged that Senators would suspend legislative business today in honour of their departed colleague.

    Gemade, in a statement by his legislative aide, Bob Jija, described the death of Chukwumerije as a monumental loss to the Senate and the country at large.

    The lawmaker, who represents Benue North East Senatorial District, lamented that the Senate would miss the forthrightness, frankness, bluntness and intellectualism which the late Chukwumerije brought to bear in his legislative business.

    “The Senate will miss his deep sense of reasoning and the seriousness he attached to his duty as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The country will miss his patriotism because he fought for the unity and progress of this country.

    “The death of Chukwumerije was indeed a huge loss to the country. I pray that God would grant his family and other close friends that fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” Gemade said.

    According to the tradition of the Senate, when a member dies, the plenary is suspended at least for a day as a mark of honour to the deceased.

    As a result, the Senate is expected to suspend all legislative businesses, including committee assignments today in honour of the late Chukwumerije.

     

  • Buhari, Atiku mourn Chukwumerije

    Buhari, Atiku mourn Chukwumerije

    President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari , has said the death of former Minister of Information, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, is a blow to the generation of true progressives in Nigeria and the African continent.

    Also, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar described Chukwumerije as a fine gentleman whose outstanding quality will be missed.

    In a statement signed by Mallam Garba Shehu, the Director, Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Buhari said the late senator was a Pan-African par excellence.

    “As a man of my own generation, I observed the progressive political activities of Uche Chukwumerije and admired the Pan- African interests and national patriotic zeal which dominated and dictated major part of his actions and pursuits,” Buhari said.

    Buhari recalled that in the Second Republic, Chukwumerije parted ways with the ethnic and regional politics of that era to identify with Mallam Aminu Kano, the leader of the masses (Talakawas) and this “marked him out as a worker for national unity and a man of noble values.”

    “As a media practitioner, Chukwumerije was a professional who did his job with passion and conviction in all positions he held. I was not surprised he was a leading voice in the Senate for 12 years, where he had been serving the Federal Republic till death came calling.”

    Buhari maintained that Comrade Chukwumerije, as he was fondly called by admirers, lived an active life and never sat on the fence on any national issues, saying, “Senator Chukwumerije has played an exceptional role in the business of legislation in the country and we will all dearly miss him as an outstanding politician and an elder statesman.”

    “I sincerely condole with his family and friends, especially his constituents in Abia North senatorial district, the people of Abia State and members of the National Assembly,” Buhari said.

    Atiku on his part said in a statement from his Media office in Abuja that the news of Senator Chukwumerije’s death on Sunday evening came to him as a rude shock.

    “Senator Chukwumerije was in the class of those gentlemen you cannot but notice his outstanding qualities even when he stood in the midst of other men.

    “His mannerism came across as someone who was well cultured. He was very sartorial in style and in presentation and he never confused you about the disciplined background of his origin. He was a very worthy ambassador of his people.

    “As a politician, he was very classy and as a statesman he was exceptional. His death came as a rude shock and I do sincerely pray that God grants his family, the people of Abia State, friends and colleagues at the National Assembly the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Jonathan mourns Chukwumerije

    Jonathan mourns Chukwumerije

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday extended condolences to the family of late Senator Uche Chukwumerije and government and people of Abia state over the death of the Senator in Abuja on Sunday.

    Jonathan, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also commiserated with the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria over the death of Senator Chukwumerije.

    Noting that he was an ardent believer in national unity, peace, political stability and progress, the President joined them in mourning the late Senator who left behind an impressive legacy of discipline, honesty, integrity and hard work in public service.

    The President believed that the late Chukwumerije, who had a distinguished career as a journalist, social critic, Minister of Information and Senator, will  be long remembered for his dedication and passion for a just and equitable society.

    “As the nation mourns him, the President urges Senator Chukwumerije’s family, friends and associates to honour his memory by continually upholding the values and principles which he lived for and never stopped fighting for till his death,” the statement said.

    The President also prayed that Almighty God will comfort all who mourn him and grant the deceased’s soul perfect peace.

     

  • Chukwumerije dies of lung cancer at 75

    Chukwumerije dies of lung cancer at 75

    The Senate lost one of its leading lights yesterday. Senator Uche Chukwumerije (Abia North) died of lung cancer at the Turkish Hospital in Abuja. He was 75.

    The exit of the three-term senator was announced in a statement signed by one of his sons, Che Chidi Chukwumerije, titled: “The passing of an inspirational icon”.

    The statement said: “this  evening of Sunday, the 19th of April, 2015, surrounded by his family, Comrade Uche Chukwumerije passed into the open arms of history, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, after a long but gallant battle with lung cancer.

    “His life is many volumes, which can only be told with care and time, of dedication and focus, integrity and discipline, and an unbroken love for the highest ideals of our shared humanity.

    “Details of burial arrangements will be announced in due course.

    “We ask only for your prayers and good wishes. God bless.”

    The Senate followed up with its own announcement later last night on its Education Committee chair’s demise.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Media and Public Affairs, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said Chukwumerije passed on on Sunday evening at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja.

    Abaribe described the lawmaker as a “political giant and one of the nation’s finest legislators.”

    He added that Chukwumerije during his service at the Upper Chamber easily passed as a repository of legislative tradition and practice.

    He said: “The Senate will surely miss his erudite contributions on the floor of the chamber and his painstaking approach to committee work.

    “Chukwumerije was indeed an embodiment of legislative tradition and consummate activist-democrat who loved his people passionately.”

    According to Abaribe, late Chukwumerije would be remembered for his deep love for Ndigbo, which was manifested in his relentless struggle for the total political and social emancipation of the race over the years.

    He also insisted that the late Senator’s love for Nigeria and her corporate existence was unprecedented.

    The late Chukwumerije’s son, Chika, the last of his seven children who won an Olympic Bronze medal in Taekwondo inBeijing in 2008 said of his dad: “He has been an inspiration in ways I cannot explain.” His dad sponsored his pre-Olympic training and competitions which enabled him to win the medal.

    Last December, Chuwumerije denied his death rumour as the handiwork of “a few ungodly and irresponsible individuals.” The rumour went viral after the legislator lost his return bid to the Senate. He was said to have slumped. The five-paragraph statement said: “It has come to our notice that a few ungodly and irresponsible individuals are sponsoring the rumoured demise or incapacitation of our amiable, admirable, adorable and highly responsible senator.

    “This is just one of the tactics of a prolonged campaign of calumny against the person and office of distinguished Senator Uche Chukwumerije, orchestrated by these few unscrupulous individuals who have no fear of God and will go to any length to blackmail, deceive, short-change, loot, kill and destroy the people of Abia State just for their selfish political agenda.

    Senate President David Mark last night expressed shock and sadness over the death of Chukwumerije.

    Mark, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, in Abuja, stated that Nigeria has lost an erudite and extraordinary nationalist.

    The Senate President lamented that Chukwumerije was one of the brightest and fertile minds in the Senate.

    Mark said: “He radiated intelligence, exemplary conduct in both public and private life.  He was a team player who brought meaning to hard work. He was focused and determined to make positive difference.

    “We shall miss him. No doubt he left a vacuum that would be too hard to fill.

    He was a consummate and passionate Nigerian who believed in the sanctity of the peace and unity of the nation,” he said.

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu also expressed shock and sadness.

    Ekweremadu described him as “a patriot who gave his best towards the peace, unity, and development of Nigeria”.

     Ekweremadu’s statement, signed by his Special Adviser (Media), Uche Anichukwu, said: “I am most saddened by the news of the passing on of Distinguished Senator Chukwumerije. It is the exit of a lion senator, brother, friend, brave comrade, seasoned journalist, credible mobiliser, social critic, pro-poor politician and a legislator par-excellence.

    “Comrade was a highly principled patriot who detested political excesses and injustice of any form to any people. He was a most detribilised Nigerian who believed that every part of the country deserved the respect, opportunities, and rights intrinsic in their membership of the Nigerian commonwealth.

    “He loved his people, Ndigbo, and gave his very best towards protecting their interest and working for the development of the region.”

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) described Chukwumerije’s death as “unfortunate”.

    Ashafa said his incisive contributions to issues of national importance will be greatly missed.

    According to him, Chukwumerije will be remembered for standing firm in defence of policies that will benefit the downtrodden in the society.

    “He (the late Chukwumerije) was outspoken when he served as the Senate Committee Chairman on Education, especially during the committee’s oversight functions. He wanted the best for our educational system,” Ashafa said.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also lamented the senator’s death.

    A statement by the party said: “The national chairman, on behalf of the National Executive Committee, mourns the death of Senator Chukwumerije.

    “We are indeed deeply saddened by the loss of this great Nigerian, a highly respected statesman who has made immense contributions to the development of our dear nation.

     ”Senator Chukuwumerije was a patriotic Nigerian and a brilliant lawmaker who gave his all and discharged his responsibilities with unequaled forthrightness, loyalty and commitment to the service of our dear fatherland.

     ”He was a democratic icon and an outstanding party-man who remained committed to the ideology of the PDP and the visions of the founding fathers.

     ”We will greatly miss him. Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family as we pray God to give them the fortitude to bear this great loss.”

    Chukwumerije was born in November 1939. He was elected a Senator in 2003.

    Chukwumerije served as minister of Information in the dying days of the military regime of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. He was retained in the same position in the Interim National Government (ING) led by Chief Ernest Shonekan, which was installed after Gen. Babangida’s forced exit from power.

    In the Fourth Republic, the late Chukwumerije was first elected to the Senate on the PDP platform.  He fell out of favour with the party’s leadership and joined the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) platform in 2006. He was re-elected to the Senate in 2007. Chukwumerije was elected for the third time on the PDP platform in 2011.

    The late Chukwumerije, who was divorced with seven children, studied economics at the University of Ibadan (UI).

    A confidant of the erudite Senator in Abia State, Mr Godi Udeaja, described him as a very good Igbo man, a serious-minded man who was a man after justice and fair play.

    Udeaja, who described the late senator as  a rugged fighter of Igbo cause. The Igbo race has lost of its main defenders, while the senate has lost one of its brightest and erudite.”

  • Chukwumerije wants scholarships for athletes

    Chukwumerije wants scholarships for athletes

    • Clamours for taekwondo support

    BEIJING Olympics bronze medalist, Chika Chukwumerije has called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) to consider awarding scholarships to athletes across all sports.

    The Mechanical Engineering graduate of the Federal University of Owerri (FUTO)  believes these athletes must be empowered through scholarships so that some of them willing to further their education will proceed.

    “I want people to know that after quitting sports some day, they (athletes) will go into other endeavours and they will become professionals in other fields. So the confidence from here is what they will take into other sectors and build the Nigeria we both are looking for. The only thing I am going to ask for is that most of them are in school, I personally ask if they can be given some form of sponsorship because those are the most important things. Sport is very important as well as winning the Olympics but for long term, when they leave here where do they sleep; do they have food?

    “The ones that have businesses, is it working? Are we going to move from the street to the podium and back to the street? I say it is not a very good way to run things. We can give them the sponsorship and this is not much because how they feel outside the sport will determine the quality of medals they will give to us as a nation,” the All Africa Games medalist said.

    “So do they eat three times  a day? Is their school fees paid? Do they have clothes to wear? Sometimes, do they have a little motorcycle to run around with? It might not cost much but the kick back from such initiatives will give us the Olympic medals we need and the feel-good feeling that every Nigerian craves from every sport that goes to represent the country.”

    Chukwumerije, who is excited about the prospect of taekwondo said: “I am very happy about the awareness with regards to the electronic system in taekwondo. Last year during the same event, they (athletes) were struggling with equipment but this year I see a lot of confidence on the mat and I think that is a very good thing. Now the second thing I have seen is that there are some teams here that did not win medals but they have athletes that are very tall, physically I think that is very good and as the technical assistant, I have noted it down.  I have noted their names so that we will bring them into the national camps and test them. You know next year is a very important year for us. Next year is the World Championships and All Africa Games and we want to deliver, we want to do well. So this is just the start to discovering those athletes.”

    He, however, admitted that tactically a lot still needs to be done.

    “But I  still think there is a long way tactically, maybe not a long way but there is a lot of work to be done for them to compete at par with the likes of South Korea, United States, Mexico, Cote d’Ivoire and Egypt our main opposition and I am happy that we have done this. Next year we are going to need much more support in terms of a national training centre, going out for more tournaments, we want to have more partnerships and training with other teams. And we hope we can continue to count on the support of the National Sports Commission(NSC) and private industries that can look at taekwondo as the next best sport because we are the ones producing all the medals in Nigeria now.”

     

  • Ndoma-Egba, Chukwumerije, Lokpobiri, Uba, others bid National Assembly bye

    Ndoma-Egba, Chukwumerije, Lokpobiri, Uba, others bid National Assembly bye

    They never saw it coming. Their plan was to walk-over their challengers and get the tickets to represent the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But they got it all wrong as they kissed the National Assembly bye, writes Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu. 

    How are the mighty fallen? They exuded confidence before the parliamentary primaries. But, when the wheat were separated from the chaff, their egos were bruised. The so-called Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gladiators were demystified at the shadow poll.

    Losers

    Chukwumerije

     In Abia North Senatorial District, ebullient and fork-tongued Comrade Uche Chukwumerije, the combative wordsmith and Information Secretary under the military administration of Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), fell at the primaries. His political strength failed him. Next year, he would bow out of the Senate after two terms.

    Ndoma-Egba

    In Cross River State, legal luminary and Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, lost his deposit at the primaries. It was a keenly contested exercise. The senator, who has been elected three times, was floored by the House of Representatives member, John Owan Enoh. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) will be missed in the Upper Chamber by his colleagues – Senate President David Mark and his deputy, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu.

    Ugbesia

    In Edo State, former minister Senator Odion Ugbesia also lost at the primaries. In the Senate, he is the Chairman of the Committee on Commerce and Trade. The senator from Edo Central, was elected in 2007. His godfather, elders statesman Chief Tony Anenih, could not save him.

    Itulah

     Also, House of Representatives member Friday Itulah, who represents Esan Southeast Northeast in the Lower Chamber of the House of Representatives could not make it.

    Aguariavwodo

    The tenure of Emmanuel Aguariavwodo will be brief in the Senate. He was elected during the senatorial by-election in Delta Central, following the death of Senator Pius Ewherido. His attempt to clinche the ticket of the PDP for his Senatorial Zone failed.

    Lokpobiri

     In Bayelsa West, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who was first elected on the platform of the PDP, failed in his third term bid. From 1999 to 2003, he was a  member of the House of Assembly. He was the Speaker until May 2001.

    Ola

     In Ekiti Central, Senator Bode Ola’s dream was dashed. Although Governor Ayodele Fayose was rooting for his candidature, pressure by notable monarchs made the governor to back out. Instead of Ola, former House of Representatives member Mrs. Fatimah Rasaki, was endorsed by stakeholders.

    Gbajabiamila

     On Lagos Central, Hakeem Gbajabiamila, an engineer and  former Commissioner for Water Front and a one-time governorship aspirant in 2007, could not make it. He was defeated at the primaries by the PDP governorship candidate in the 2011 election, Dr. Adegboyega Dosunmu.

    Winners

    Mark:

    Senate President David Mark has secured the ticket in Benue South for the fifth time. He was set to defeat Chief Mike Onoja, who hurriedly withdrew from the race. Nevertheless, the shadow poll was held and he scored 384 votes to pick the ticket. There was jubilation in Otupko, Okpokwu, Ado, Ogbadibo, Agatu, Oju, Obi, Ohimini and Apa local governments which constitute the constitute the district. If the PDP retains power in next year’s poll and he defeats his APC challenger, the retired General may retain his seat as the Senate President.

    Suswam:

    Following the withdrawal of the former PDP National Chairman, Chief Barnabas Gemade, from the senatorial race in the Northeast, the coast was clear for Governor Gabriel Suswan to emerge as the flag bearer. The lawyer had earlier protested moves by the PDP national leadership to make him step down for Gemade. If Gemade defects to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and he gets the ticket, the battle will become more interesting.

    Aku:

    In Benue North, Mike Aku was elected by delegates. But, the battle will now shift to the general election where he will have to face a lot of heat from the APC candidate, former Governor George Akume.

    Ekweremadu:

    Ike Ekweremadu is the Deputy Senate President. The lawyer fought a big battle to retain the ticket. He survived pressure on him to step down. Senator David Mark threw his support behind him. In fact, he travelled to Enugu State to drum support for him among constituents. Both have worked harmoniously in the Senate.

    Manager:

    Senator James Manager is s strong politician. He is also a lucky man. When Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan unfolded his ambition for the Senate, people thought that his time was up in the Senate. But, through serious horse trading, wheeling and dealing, the governor was compelled to step down.

    Uba:

    Eselu Chris Uba has sacked his brother, Senator Andy Uba. At the primaries monitored by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, he won the ticket. A parallel primary election of the PDP also produced another candidate. But, it is doubtful, if the party will accept the result.

    Kashamu:

    Billionaire businessman Prince Buruji Kashamu emerged as the PDP senatorial candidate in Ogun East. Ahead of the primaries, former Governor Gbenga Daniel had stepped down, following the partisan heat. The ticket will further embolden Kashamu in his anti-Olusengun Obasanjo politics and enable him to consolidate his hold on the district chapter.

    Adeyemi

     Despite stiff opposition from a former Senator, Tunde Ogbeha and former Governor of the old Western Region, Gen. David Jemibewon (rtd), Senator  Smarth Adeyemi has clinched his party’s ticket to represent the Kogi West Senatorial District. the threats by the duo to stop the third-term bid of the former Presdent of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) collapsed like a pack of cards at the part’s shadow poll.

  • Still on Chukwumerije’s 4th term bid

    Since I publicly urged Senator Chukwumerije to jettison his ambition to remain in the Senate for 16 years, a lot of darts have been thrown at me, especially, as it concerns my career trajectory. These later-day image managers made fruitless attempts to contrive a scenario of a provoked house boy that maimed his master’s favourite goat (apologies to Ola Rotimi). The issue of biting the fingers that fed one does not arise because, a finger that deliberately co-join you as a leech, while surreptitiously cutting out a thorax to give you a permanent scar or disability on your body, cannot, in good conscience, claim to be feeding you.

    I came in contact with Comrade Chukwumerije in 2002 through a bosom friend who approached me, on his behalf, to help mobilize the youths for his ‘Uncle’s’ election in 2003. That was after my tenure as the President of the Students Union Government of Abia State University (ABSU). The strategic importance of the university community within the Senator’s constituency, and the position I held as the leader of over 20,000 students, made me a ready political asset. During the election, the Comrade Senator nominated me to INEC as his Election Agent in both Umunneochi and Isuikwuato LGAs, strategically to also cover ABSU end. I still have the letter today.

    After my NYSC in Kogi State, I visited the Senator at the National Assembly, Abuja and solicited for his assistance in getting the copies of the book I wrote as a Community Development Service (CDS) project in Kogi State across to the federal legislators from Kogi State. That was not done! He rather asked me to work for him, specifically in the area of media research, follow-up on the constituency projects and compilation of his ‘achievements’. I obliged. Within a few months, I discovered that ‘hiring and firing’ of aides was routine. Some even resigned to avoid denting their records. One of them is today a lecturer at the University of Abuja, after earning a PhD. Another one is a Magistrate in the FCT Judicial Division.  In that environment of job insecurity and a clear absence of any stop-gap cushioning for the disengaged aides, I resigned after nine months to pursue my post-graduate studies at UNN.

    During the 2007 campaign for his re-election for a second term, Senator Chukwumerije reached late Chief Nkemdirim Nwigwe, (a retired Director of SSS from my community) to bring me back to work for him in the election. I obeyed. I managed, satisfactorily, the Senator’s logistics for the election in Zone 2 political bloc of our LGA. After the election, Chief T.A. Orji, the former Chief of Staff of Government House of Abia State and my mentor, whom I collaborated with as SUG President of ABSU to address the needs of the students from Abia State Government, had emerged Governor of Abia. So, it was not difficult in getting me appointed as a Special Adviser on Sports in the Governor’s cabinet. At the same time, the Senator’s nomination for a commissionership slot meant for our LGA could not go through. And when the cabinet was dissolved and reconstituted in October 2009, the governor graciously assigned me the portfolio of Senior Special Assistant on Students Affairs, perhaps because of my experience in the management of students and youth-related matters. At this juncture, it is pertinent to state that Governor Orji knew me from August 2000, two good years before I met the former Comrade and was eventually invited to work for his senatorial election in late 2002. In my first appointment as the Transition Committee Chairman of Umunneochi LGA, I was not the Senator’s preferred choice. It was when some court jesters ran into a  hitch over his choice of Chief Uzor Egbo that he hurriedly arranged for a meeting of stakeholders to resolve the matter. Right there, an election was conducted to choose who would be recommended to the governor. It was even Chief Uzor Egbo that nominated me and I won with over 90% of the votes of the stakeholders. Rev. Ndeke Dimanochie is a living witness. That was the first and last time a prospective appointee was subjected to an election of stakeholders in our LGA. But the Senator blackmailed me out before the expiration of my tenure. My sudden removal truncated the plan that had reached advanced stage, in collaboration with other investors, to establish a cashew processing factory at Mbala Isuochi, with the immediate job prospects of over 150. Happily, this happened after I had successfully built a new Library and ICT Centre at the LGA Headquarters, which was commissioned by Governor T. A. Orji on March 10, 2011.

    Before then, Chima Mgbeke and I were engaged by the Senator to mobilize and monitor our LGA delegates that significantly boosted his victory at the Abia North PDP senatorial  primary election at Ohafia LGA in 2010, which predicated his election for a third tenure in the Senate. Therefore, any political goodwill that anybody from our place enjoyed from the Senator is a like a ‘dividend’ from our investment and risks in his elections in 2003, 2007 and 2011. Indeed, my reappointment by Governor T.A. Orji depicts him as a vanguard of justice and a vindication that power comes from God and that no man can take God’s glory.

    As a top ranking public officer from our area, the Senator had the ears of successive governors in Abia State but he abused it to an unbearable level. Comrade Uche Oliver Egeonu whom he encouraged to vie for the chairmanship of our LGA was hounded throughout his tenure. At the fullness of time, our people would ask questions on the circumstances that led to the arson that was carried out at INEC office in Nkwoagu Isuochi, a day before the Local Government Council elections in January 2008, which was ‘caused’ by electrical fault, according to a press release by the ‘Voice of the voiceless’. Our people have a common sense verdict that anybody who consistently fights in every market during the traditional four market days in Igbo land cannot be seen as guiltless. So, the orchestrated attacks and ‘beer-parlour’ judgments against me are their usual stock in trade.  Those calling for my head, on account of my well-intentioned advice to the Senator, are a tiny clique of bootlickers who must justify the pittances they get or those intoxicated by the aphrodisiac fake promises of securing contract jobs from the Senator’s juicy committees. Of course, Warren Buffet, an American capital market tycoon once said that “nothing sedates rationality like huge doses of effortless money”. The bottom-line is that the serial threats emanating from anonymous callers and careless boastings of instigating violence against me by lily-livered faceless groups are intended to cow me but in the words of the Senator “I will continue to soldier on under the captainship of the good Lord, the author of life”.

     

    •  Uche is chairman, Umunneochi LGA, Abia State

  • No fourth term for Chukwumerije

    Sir: One of the tension-soaked issues in the political landscape of Abia North Senatorial District today is Senator Uche Chukwumerije’s ‘ungentlemanly’ ambition to return to the Senate, after 12 years in the saddle. But the shock he received from the just concluded ward delegates’ congress is indicative of the people’s poise to take their destiny in their hands.

    His claim that Oha-Na-Eze Ndigbo persuaded him to go back for the fourth tenure (making it 16 years) is not only sickening and but also makes a caricature of the republican spirit of Abia North constituency. In fact, he insulted the psyche of Ndigbo by the provocative impression that there is a desert of personalities in Igboland, which means: No Chukwumerije, No Ndigbo!  Unfortunately,it is this unrepentant sit-tight mentality that has stymied our country to the laughable level of giant toddler and led to the increasing slide of our hard-won democracy into gerontocracy.

    With his co-travellers in the self-serving desperation, they shut down the activities which they were elected for and arm-twisted the national leadership of the PDP just to extract illusive automatic tickets for themselves. What an ironic twist!

    I therefore urge him to back out from the untamed ambition that is threatening what remained of his credibility. His mantra of ‘bumper harvest’ is a smokescreen intended to create a false sense of hope, and elicit the usual ‘carry go’ hysteria of uninformed masses. Certainly, that hackneyed sing-song is already out of fashion. Though there is always a thin-line between morbid ambition and sugar-coated sycophancy, yet when the chips are down, the people will stand behind their leaders.

    Besides, I make bold to say that he should allow the younger generation to grow. He should groom the youngsters.  We expect him to retire honourably and take up mentoring as a hobby, since his stupendous wealth is enough for his family’s upkeep. In civilized countries, people like him dedicate their remaining days on earth to publish their memoirs for the benefit of future leaders. And at his nearly 76 years of age, he should metamorphose from a politician to a statesman.

    More importantly, and from the points of morality and conscience, he should give chance to other remaining four LGAs in Abia North to produce the next Senator. If Senator Ike Nwachukwu whom he succeeded had remained in the position on the mere argument of ‘preserving institutional memory’, he wouldn’t have been in the Senate today. Let him therefore spare himself of people’s revolt.

     

    •C. Jasper Uche

    Chairman, Umunneochi LGA, Abia State.

     

  • Chukwumerije departs for WTF Manchester Grand Prix

    Chukwumerije departs for WTF Manchester Grand Prix

    Nigeria’s sole representative in the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Grand Prix holding in Manchester this week, Chika Chukwumerije will today depart the country aboard a Lufthansa Airline to Manchester, United Kingdom (UK).

    However, the Beijing Olympics bronze medalist is expected to face stiff oppositions from 31 top taekwondists including the current Olympics champion, Gabon’s Anthony Obame in the men’s +87kg.

    Chukwumerije qualified to take part in the tournament following his world rating, while he will compete against the best in the world at the three-day championship holding at the Manchester Central Convention Complex

    In total, 250 of the world’s best players will gather for the three day event and after series stop-offs in Suzhou, China and Astana, Kazakhstan.

    The Team Nigeria captain to the 2012 London Olympics was in danger of losing out on the prestigious Grand Prix, after missing out in Suzhou, China, but he ensured he competed at the 2nd Grand prix of the year in Astana, Kazakhstan, held 29th August – 2nd September 2014, in order to gain enough momentum to make it to Manchester.

    In Kazakhstan, he fought his way into the last 16 to be able to secure a spot at the Manchester Grand Prix this month.

    The WTF Grand Prix, is currently the most interesting and competitive series on the WTF Calendar, and has had the Taekwondo global world buzzing since the inaugural edition in December 2013. Only the world’s top 31 athletes in each weight category, based on their recent 2014 WTF Olympic ranking, are eligible for the tournament, and the Grand Prix series have a direct impact on qualification for the RIO 2016 Olympics, as a massive 40 Olympic ranking points are at stake.

    Meanwhile the host – Great Britain has named a 14-strong squad for the Manchester leg of the World Grand Prix series including Olympic champion, Jade Jones, and London 2012 bronze medalist, Lutalo Muhammad.

    Great Britain’s Performance Director, Gary Hall, wants to replicate and potentially better the 2013 performances when Manchester Central again stages the tournament later this month.

    The event sees the world’s best athletes come together to compete not just for the Grand Prix title, but also for valuable ranking points in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

    Chungwon Choue, World Taekwondo Federation President, said: “We are extremely excited about the WTF World Taekwondo Grand Prix”.

    “The inaugural event in Manchester last year was a great success and served to highlight the passion and enthusiasm that exists amongst fans to see regular Olympic-standard competition between the world’s best athletes.”

    Chairman of GB Taekwondo, Jeremy Beard said: “Having worked closely with the World Taekwondo Federation over the last couple of years to develop the concept of the Grand Prix, we are delighted to be hosting it in Manchester once again.

    The best Taekwondo athletes will gather to reach the valuable 40 WTF Ranking Points and the $ 5,000 cash prize.