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Tag: Ekweremadu

  • PDP hails Mark, Ekweremadu, others for successful stewardship

    PDP hails Mark, Ekweremadu, others for successful stewardship

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has hailed Senator David Mark and Senator Ike Ekweremadu for the mature leadership they provided for the last National Assembly.

    The party also commended the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and his deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha for their efforts in steadying the ship of the last House despite unpredicted daunting challenges.

    A statement yesterday by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said the leadership of the party noted the efforts of the last National Assembly under Mark in ensuring unity among lawmakers and leading the federal legislature to provide the much needed direction for national development.

    The party also showered encomiums on Ihedioha and other PDP leaders in the last House of Representatives for their steadfastness to the party and the nation at large.

    “The leadership of the PDP and members of our great party nationwide appreciate the commitment of our leaders and members in the Seventh National Assembly for their selfless contributions to the development of our nation.

    “Indeed, we are pleased to underscore that in line with the undying values, tradition and manifesto of the PDP, our leaders and members in the last Senate and House of Representatives respectively, amply demonstrated that the true essence of statesmanship lies in employing its uncommon values to the benefit of the people rather than self and for this, we are very proud of them.

    “This reflects in their commitment in oversight functions as well as many landmark people-oriented legislations, especially the amendments to the 1999 constitution to further reflect the wishes and aspirations of the citizens while strengthening the unity and stability of the nation,” the party added.

    The PDP also listed the passage of the Freedom of Information Act, which further guaranteed personal freedom and greater transparency in governance; amendments to the Electoral Act for credible, free and fair elections which the nation enjoys today at all levels, among scores of other important legislations passed under the PDP-led National Assembly.

    It expressed satisfaction with the performance of the leadership in the last National Assembly, saying it laid “very solid foundation” upon which the nation’s legislature can always leverage for greater productivity in the interest of all.

  • Ekweremadu to PDP Senators: Shun careless opposition

    Ekweremadu to PDP Senators: Shun careless opposition

    The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Monday urged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators-elect not to engage in what he described as market place propaganda against President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He tasked the party’s Senators-elect on credible opposition, stressing that being in opposition is not a death sentence.

    He, however, enjoined the All Progressives Congress (APC), not to dither on its campaign promises.

    Ekweremadu, who spoke while delivering a keynote address at a retreat organized by the Forum of PDP National Assembly Members-elect in Port Harcourt, said: “Being in opposition is an opportunity for soul-searching, self-reconstruction, and providing healthy, robust, vigilant, and responsible opposition, which is critical to democratic growth and good governance.”

    He, however, warned the lawmakers-elect to eschew a brand of opposition that sees nothing good in any government action or policy, but to “oppose responsibly and patriotically, play by the rules, and stick to verifiable facts.”

    He also urged them not to engage in “market square propaganda and destructive criticism that turn truth upside-down or tends to incite the citizenry against the government in power.”

    Ekweremadu said the inherent danger in such brand of opposition was that “apart from overheating the polity and detracting from good governance, even if such propaganda and false promises get you to power, it will not keep you there.”

    The Deputy President of the Senate stressed the need for shadow committees relative to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), to sustain a methodical monitoring of the APC performance and reporting to the public on real time basis.

    He added: “The PDP lawmakers in the 8thNational Assembly should not only hold the APC accountable in terms of their list of promises, but also in accordance with the timeline they gave in the course of the campaigns.

    “They should be able to bring exchange rates down to one Naira to one US Dollar, bring back the Chibok Girls, eradicate terrorism and insurgency, stamp out corruption, create two million jobs every year, provide uninterrupted electricity supply, and fulfill other campaign promises or prepare to hand over power to the PDP in 2019.

    “Their recent dithering and excuses on their campaign promises are not acceptable. “

  • Ekweremadu: Beauty, brains and character

    Ekweremadu: Beauty, brains and character

    History and the holy books alike are replete with examples of what ignoble or positive difference women around power can make.

    Jezebel rendered Ahab’s regime irredeemably bloody. Potiphar’s lecherous wife had God-fearing Joseph thrown into jail. Bloodthirsty Herodias clamped John into prison and subsequently set up Herod Antipas to offer John’s head to her daughter on a platter. Queen Mother Athalia almost wiped out all heirs to the throne.  In the literatures too, Lady Macbeth’s inordinate ambition in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” is the architect of Macbeth’s tragic fall.

    Conversely, there were also the virtuous women whose mouths drooped with wisdom and their hearts filled with kindness. Abigail, wife of Nabal, not only saved her wealthy, but foolish husband from destruction in the hands of David, but also turned David away from bloodguilt. Pilate’s wife tried to dissuade Pontius Pilate from sentencing an innocent Jesus to death. Although she did not succeed, at least she told him the truth. At the risk of her own life, Queen Esther brushed aside her opulence, comfort, and beauty to fast and put her marriage to King Ahazarus to positive use by saving the Jews from imminent genocide in Persia.

    Dr. (Lady) Nwanneka Ekweremadu, wife of the Deputy President of the Senate and Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Ike Ekweremadu indeed belong to the clan of women who use and influence power positively. Without prejudice to his personal pedigrees, even the Senator himself publicly admits that Lady Nwanneka Ekweremadu is God’s uncommon jewel and the virtuous woman behind the Ikeoha phenomenon.

    Born on September 10, 1966, the pretty and graceful woman holds Bachelor of Education (Accountancy/Economics), MBA in Accountancy, plus another MSc. can best be described as the Senator Ekweremadu’s version of Ulysses’ Telemachus in Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem, “Ulysses”. About Telemachus, Ulysses says: “This is my son Telemachus/ To whom I leave the sceptre and the isle… /Most blameless is he, centred in the sphere/ Of common duties, decent not to fail/ In offices of tenderness….”

    Thus, while the Deputy President of the Senate is busy with the affairs of state, Lady Ekweremadu ensures that she keeps the home front running well. I recall her meeting with the Wives of African Ambassadors in Japan on the sideline of our official visit. The wife of the Nigerian Ambassador, Lady Georgina Agbo, wanted her to share her experience on how to manage the life of a political office holder as a wife. Mrs. Ekwermadu does not believe that abandoning the kitchen to the cooks is how to announce that you have arrived.  She not only cooks, but also directs the kitchen affairs, cooks pots of soup by phone even when she is away.

    She has also distinguished herself in ensuring that their constituency outreach arm, the Ikeoha Foundation where she is a Trustee, delivers on their vision of unusual transformation.

    Under her close watch, therefore, the Foundation has literally given a new lease of life to countless women, widows and youths through scholarships, vocational training, ICT trainings, Adult Literacy programmes, etc.

    However, this piece was prompted by academic accomplishment at the Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki where she bagged a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Accountancy. As though in a healthy academic competition, Ikeoha himself has also bagged a PhD in Law at the University of Abuja.

    I cannot claim to have known her for ages, but the much I have seen and the testimonies of those who knew her way back in her early life bear witness to the fact that she is an epitome of brain, beauty, and character. Definitely not the type that throws her weight about, her words are healing. She, like her husband, believes that every human being is entitled to some respect inherent in his/her humanity.

    One, she taught my bosom friend’s wife at the Federal Government College, Enugu many years ago. Mrs. Onyinye Obeagu (Nee Ogbu) speaks so passionately about her kindness, intellect, and neatness. I mentioned her convocation to an elderly friend. It happened that she was actually Lady Ekweremadu’s principal during her secondary school days. She described her as an intelligent, hardworking, humble, and meticulous woman who was oblivious of her beauty in her school days. She said what baffles her is her ability to still remain the same woman of virtue. She mentioned how at an event a few years back Lady Ekweremadu sighted her and ran to receive her with a warm embrace. Lady Ekweremadu even offered the woman her sit, but the former principal insisted that she should maintain her place at the high table.

    For me, I can’t possibly recount all her acts of kindness and humility. She is a boss’ wife who would often call you aside to appreciate your little efforts and to encourage you. She cares down to you family. “Uche, has madam put bed? Don’t worry she would soon ‘climb down’”, she inquired and encouraged countless times when my wife was pregnant with our last baby. She was away when baby Osinachiadimma was baptised/decicated with Senator Ekweremadu as the godfather, but she kept in touch on phone throughout.

    This is a woman that throws her inner dinning table open to her husband’s members of staff and ensures everyone is well taken care of. I recall one morning at Enugu when I and two other staff had gone to eat only to discover that nothing had been touched- obviously the husband had not eaten. We made to turn back (you don’t take people for granted), but she said no. The husband later joined us with the usual lighter mood stories.

    I also recall the small in-house get together in their Abuja residence on her husband’s 50th birthday. It nevertheless turned out to be a gathering of the high and mighty. I was busy, but she took my wife by the hand and led her into the inner recesses where the “ogas and madams at the top of the society” were.

    You would never know the essence of all these until you work in a hostile environment where your sacrificial efforts only earn you abuses and the mere sighting of your relation around is enough to earn you a sack. Your pregnant wife is a distraction to the slavish service you ought to render and your dead relative is worth less than a mere log of wood.

    It is not about the food. No one starves in his/her house. It is about humility and the extra mile the duo of Dr. and Dr. (Mrs.) Ekweremadu go to care. It is about a couple that see their staff and their families as equally a member of their family. They are definitely generous. But life is not about Naira and Kobo. After all, as the Igbos would say, you ‘eat’ someone’s face before you eat what he/she offers. Above money, people really want to be valued, cared for, and respected. Sounds simple, but it is indeed a tall order for so many.

    The other essence of some of these details is that beyond and above her intellectual prowess, which has been capped up with the successful completion of her doctoral studies, she holds a greater PhD in the hearts of people as one of the kindest products of Creation. She had a humble beginning, no doubt. But, how many people remember humility, service, and sacrifice when they ‘arrive’?.

    Congratulations on your academic millage, Your Excellency. Keep being you. Power is transient, but the many positive marks you have made with power will last beyond your lifetime.

    •Anichukwu is Special Adviser (Media) to Deputy President of the Senate

  • Ekweremadu hails Ugwuanyi

    Ekweremadu hails Ugwuanyi

    The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has congratulated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

    Ekweremadu said Ugwuanyi’s victory was expected, as PDP was not only the party on ground in Enugu State, but also because of his popularity.

    He said: “This is a well- deserved victory. Enugu has always been a PDP state since 1999. We marketed an unbeatable product in the person of Ugwuanyi. Therefore, the poll was more of a coronation ceremony.

    “Ugwuanyi is a man with a good heart. He is very knowledgeable about Enugu politics. He has garnered experience from the centre as a ranking member of the House of Representatives. He is a grassroots person and he has a vision about what he has set out to achieve. Hence I have no doubt that Gburugburu will take Enugu State to greater heights.”

    Ekweremadu urged those who contested against the PDP standard-bearer to support him to move the state forward.

  • Ekweremadu: I’ll not defect to APC

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu told his supporters yesterday that he would not defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the March 28 elections.

    Ekweremadu, who spoke at a meeting with stakeholders in Enugu West at his Enugu home, however, said Ndigbo has nothing against  Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said the Igbo would cooperate with Buhari “in line with our regional agenda and for the development of Nigeria”, adding that they would support him  to succeed because he would be President of all Nigerians.

    Ekweramadu, who was re-elected as the senator representing Enugu West, said although he would not hold the fort for the PDP stalwarts in the Southeast, he could assure that “on PDP we stand.”

    He said PDP leaders in the geopolitical zone were committed to repositioning the party, adding: “We may not have the Presidency, but we are strong in the states and remain the party to beat.”

    According to him, although the defeat of President Jonathan was an unpredictable loss, Nigeria won by proving the doomsday prophets wrong.

    The senator assured Ndigbo that they had done nothing to be ashamed of, saying they owed no one any apology for voting PDP.

    “I have read and listened to many lament what they regard as the Southeast misadventure in view of the emerging scenario at the federal level. But let me assure you that Ndigbo have done nothing to be ashamed of. We owe no one apology for voting PDP.

    “For me, this is instead a defining moment for Ndigbo because we spoke with one voice and we are proud of our electoral decision. We took a principled position and take full responsibility of the political choice. I have read statements credited to some opposition elements on how the Southeast and the PDP will be overrun in the governorship election.

    “This is wishful thinking. They have not taken cognisance of the history of the PDP and the fact that Ndigbo, as personified by elder statesman and former Vice President Dr Alex Ekwueme played a leading role in forming the PDP.

    “By the emerging scenario and as far as the Southeast is concerned, PDP is only coming home to roost.”

    On the alleged threat by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, against the Igbo, Ekweremadu said Ndigbo would not be intimidated in any part of Nigeria, “not in Lagos State where our people have contributed to its development.”

     

  • Mark, Ekweremadu, Tambuwal, Nwobodo, Ijaw leader greet Buhari

    Mark, Ekweremadu, Tambuwal, Nwobodo, Ijaw leader greet Buhari

    SENATE President David Mark, his deputy Ike Ekweremadu and Speaker of House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal yesterday led other eminent citizens to congratulate the president-elect, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, for his victory at the polls.

    He described the victory as a reflection of the wishes of majority of Nigerians.

    Mark, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja, hailed the political resilience of Gen. Buhari.

    He noted that Nigerians have rewarded his efforts with victory at the polls.

    The Senate president urged the president-elect to be magnanimous in victory and govern Nigeria equitably and fairly, irrespective of party’s affiliation or creed.

    He praised the sportsmanship of President Goodluck Jonathan, describing him as a worthy statesman.

    Mark said: “President Jonathan has assumed a clear leadership in the comity of African nations, where Heads of Government are perceived to be sit-tight leaders.

    “He (President Jonathan) has set a classic acceptance of the aphorism that power belongs to God and He grants it to whoever He pleases. For this, history will be kind to him.”

    Ekweremadu, who also reacted to the outcome of the presidential election in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, in Abuja, said the citizens have spoken through their ballots and praised President Jonathan for conceding defeat to Gen. Buhari.

    He noted that such “unprecedented show of statesmanship had gone a long way in rewriting the history of the nation’s democracy and ensuring post-election peace and security of Nigeria.”

    He said: “Whichever way we look at the 2015 presidential election, the real winner is Nigeria, and the greatest beneficiaries are Nigerians and our democracy, especially our electoral system.

    “I congratulate General Buhari, who no doubt has the experience, popular support, and goodwill to continue with the transformation process, and commend President Goodluck Jonathan for not only bequeathing the legacy of reformed electoral process, but also leading by example in the quest for the post-election stability, peace, security, and harmony of Nigeria”.

    Tambuwal described the presidential election as a watershed in the country’s history.

    He said the will of the majority of the people, as expressed in the results of the election should be respected.

    Tambuwal, in a welcome speech on resumption from election break, congratulated President Jonathan and the president-elect over the successful conduct and the outcome of the election.

    According to him, by conceding defeat, Jonathan has written his name in gold.

    He said Jonathan would be remembered for playing a critical role in eliminating tension following the announcement of result of the election.

    The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega and his colleagues were also lauded by the Speaker for not capitulating in the face of mounting pressures.

    Hailing the international community, the media and civil society organisations (CSO) for their support, the Speaker urged them to ensure the success of the April 11 elections.

    Former Old Anambra State Governor Senator Jim Nwobodo also congratulated the president-elect on his victory.

    Nwobodo, a former chairman of the Governors’ Forum during the Second Republic, also congratulated Jonathan for his sportsmanship in conceding defeat.

    In a statement in Enugu yesterday, Nwobodo assured Buhari that the Igbo would support and cooperate with him and his government in moving Nigeria forward, “in spite of the way the Igbo voted.”

    He appealed to Buhari to reunite Nigerians, as the voting pattern in the last election showed a great divide across ethnic and religious divide.

    “The campaigns and elections are over and every Nigerian irrespective of tribe, tongue and religion, would very soon become your responsibility,” Nwobodo said.

    Also yesterday, the president’s kinsmen, who are members of the umbrella organisation of Ijaw people, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), have congratulated the president-elect.

    They admonished Nigerians to eschew any act that was capable of endangering the peace, unity and corporate existence of the country.

    INC, through its president, Boma Obuoforibo, in an online statement yesterday, stated that President Jonathan did well by conceding defeat and congratulating Gen. Buhari, even before the formal announcement of the final results by INEC Chairman.

    INC said: “On behalf of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, we commend President Jonathan for his courageous outing in the 2015 presidential election. He made all Nigerians proud by his unprecedented show of sportsmanship in accepting the verdict of INEC.

    “His telephone call to congratulate Gen. Buhari on his victory at the polls, even before the formal declaration of results by INEC, is a statesmanlike act that has endeared him as a role model for emerging leaders of our country and Africa.

    “We congratulate Gen. Buhari on his victory at the polls and wish him divine wisdom and courage to lead our dear Nigeria into a new era of peace and broadly-shared prosperity.”

  • Ekweremadu assures on N52b NILS project

    Ekweremadu assures on N52b NILS project

    Deputy Senate President Senator Ike Ekweremadu yesterday assured that the permanent site of the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) would be completed soon.

    He spoke during an assessment tour of the phased-funded N52 billion project on the Musa Yar’Adua Way (Airport Road).

    Ekweremadu, who was conducted round the project by the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria, Detlev Lubasch, accompanied by the Director-General of NILS, Dr. Ladi Hamalai and Julius Berger’s Abuja Divisional Manager Hartmut Warnecke said the project could not meet the April 2015 completion target due to lack of fund.

    He stressed that the National Assembly would complete the project and make it self-sustaining in the next few years.

    The senator, who doubles as the Chairman of NILS’ Governing Council, said: “This is the major project of the National Assembly in the last few years, as it is exclusively funded from our budget.

    “So, in addition to our overhead costs, this is exactly what has been taking the chunk of the National Assembly over several fiscal years.

    “But, this institute is not only going to help us save more money when completed, but it will also bring in foreign exchange as the hub of parliamentary training in Africa.

    “We used to train a lot of our parliamentarians and parliamentary workers abroad, but we felt it is not sustainable.

    “So, we are beginning to domesticate our trainings. For instance, we are working with the Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC, to set up a centre here.

    “We are already working with the University of Benin and the National Open University on various degree programmes in legislative studies.

    “As you can see, what we have here is a state-of-the-art facility that will have an ultra-modern library in just as the US Library of Congress with superb audio-visual facilities.

    “There are also various ICT-driven classroom blocks that can take between 150 and 250 students. The project, comprises an aesthetics buildings, student hostels, staff quarters, including a small clinic.”

    The deputy Senate  president said building the capacity of the parliamentarians was paramount to the survival of democracy in the country and Africa, hence the need for a sustained training.

    He said legislators could not effectively oversight the executive unless they had the requisite capacity to do so.

    Senator Ekweremadu, who expressed satisfaction at the level of work, described the project as the first in Africa.

    He said: “It is going to be Nigeria’s contribution to intellectual, good governance and the development of democracy in Africa, especially in the area of legislature.”

  • UNN to honour Ekweremadu, Azinge

    UNN to honour Ekweremadu, Azinge

    The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) will on Saturday confer honorary Doctorate degree  (LL.D) on the Deputy Senate President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu and  Dr. Valerie Azinge  as part of activities marking  its 44th convocation.

    Also to be honoured by the University are Chairman of Tetfund, D. Musa Babayo and Chief Executive Officer Seplat Petroleum Lagos,  Mr. Augustin Avuru

    Senator Ekweremadu is also the Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament).

    He was born on May 12, 1962 in Mpu, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State. He holds Bachelor of Laws ( LLB. Hons)  and Master of Laws (LLM) of the UNN in addition to Leadership Certificates of the Harvard University and Oxford universities.

    He is a legal practitioner and was an Associate Lecturer at his alma mater, where taught Constitutional Law and Labour Law before venturing into politics. He has fulfilled all the requirements for the award of Ph.D. in Constitutional Law at the University of Abuja, having successfully defended his doctoral thesis recently.

    His thesis is on the legal framework, theory and practice of fiscal federalism in Nigeria.

    Ekweremadu have been consecutively elected into the Senate in 2003, 2007 and 2011. He is serving a second consecutive tenure as the Deputy President of the Senate, having been unanimously elected by his colleagues in 2007 and 2011.

    Dr. Azinge attended Santa Maria primary School Enuge, where she obtained her primary school certificate, thereafter, she went  to Queens School, Enugu where she obtained her West African School Certificate (WASC).

    She obtained her LL.B (Hons) from the University of Jos, she came out with Second Class upper in 1980 and was called to the Bar in 1981 after a Barrister at Law training at the Nigerian Law School.

    Dr. Azinge obtained her Master of  Laws (LL.M) from the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science in 1984 and in 1990, she obtained a Ph.D from the Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma

    A private legal practitioner with Azinge & Azinge Chambers, she  renders consultancy services to the House of Representatives’Committee on Power, Committee on Immigration, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Federal Government, Anambra and Bayelsa State governments.

    Mrs Azinge has attended several local and international conferences. They include: International Bar Conference London,  Human Rights Conference Switzerland, International Bar Conference, Canada African Union Conference on Human Rights,United Nations General Assembly Session on Human Rights, New York, Pacific Lawyers Association Conference United States Female Lawyers Conference, Nigerian Bar Association Annual Conferences. She belongs to various professional associations, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Bar Association, World Jurist Association

    Mrs Azinge, a prolific writer and fiery advocate, is the author of several books. They include: Jurisprudence of Failed Banks tribunal and Law of Broking in Nigeria.

    She was a Commissioner in the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) – 1996-2000, Senatorial Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Delta North               in 1999 and Secretary, the National Conference.

     

  • Ekweremadu hails Johns Hopkins’ presence in Nigeria

    Ekweremadu hails Johns Hopkins’ presence in Nigeria

    DEPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu has hailed the presence of the renowned Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC, United States in Nigeria.

    He stated this while speaking with reporters after a meeting with a delegation of the university’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), in Abuja.

    The SAIS plans to collaborate with the National Institute of Legislative Studies in Nigeria on some executive programmes.

    The lawmaker noted that such collaboration would help to boost the nation’s capacity for good governance and development.

    Ekweremadu said the university’s presence would help to meet the demands of Nigerians who travel abroad in search of quality education.

    He explained: “Nigerians are hungry for quality education and training. So, I believe it would be cheaper and more convenient for us to bring a highly reputable institution like Johns Hopkins University here.

    “I am happy that following my discussion with them in Washington DC last year, the school authorities have agreed to come and set up executive education programmes here, which we hope would blossom into a full-fledged university in the future.”

    In his remarks, the Associate Director of African Studies at SAIS, Prof. Paul Lubeck, praised Nigeria’s democratic strides, noting, however, that there were still challenges.

    He said: “The democratic experience in the Fourth Republic is a major achievement as we go into another general election. This surpasses what most critics thought Nigeria is capable of.  Stabilisation of the economy, vibrant press, civil liberties have improved immensely. Those are great achievements of the Nigerian democracy at this period. There are, however, challenges that we all know about.

    “We have held successful discussions on the possibilities of collaborating with the National Institute of Legislative Studies on expanding education in a truly global, truly networked way that will bring benefits to both American and Nigerian Students.”

     

  • I’ll clear Ninth Mile gridlock, says Ekweremadu

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekwere-madu, has expressed concern over the perennial gridlock at the Ninth Mile Corner in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State especially during festivities, promising to find a lasting solution to the problem before the next Yuletide.

    Motorists and holiday makers have been encountering serious difficulties passing through the Ninth Mile Corner, which is a major gateway for travellers from Northern and Western parts of the country due to heavy traffic and absence of alternative routes.

    Holiday makers who travelled through the commercial town during the Christmas and New Year season had a very bitter experience as they were held up for several hours, forcing some to seek alternative routes through bush paths in neighbouring villages at great risk.

    The Chimaroke Nnamani government had few months before leaving office in 2007 attempted to tackle the traffic problem by creating the Ebeano Bypass intended to divert traffic from Nsukka highway through the Ama Brewery junction to Enugu – Onitsha Expressway in order to decongest Ninth Mile.

    Although only the earthwork was done before the administration left office, some motorists used the road as alternative route especially during the Christmas season.  Travelers from different parts of the country and the people of some neighbouring communities have continued to lament their plights on account of the perennial traffic crisis in the area during the yuletide.

    In spite of the contingent arrangements put in place by the police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission to ensure free flow of traffic in the area this yuletide season, the problem persisted mainly due to the deplorable condition of the Enugu – Onitsha Expressway axis and the absence of alternative routes to decongest the only single carriageway used by motorists.

    Experiencing the incessant difficult traffic situation at Ninth Mile, Senator Ekweremadu, who represents Enugu West senatorial zone, promised that everything possible would be done this year to ensure that the traffic gridlock in the area was eliminated.

    Ekweremadu, who visited the Amandim-Olo community in Ezeagu local government area to inspect progress of work on the road project he attracted to the senatorial district, said that his presence at the senate was not just to make laws but to use the mandate to seek ways of assisting his people.

    He said: “So many of you have been waiting for us here but we came late because of the traffic problem at Ninth Mile. There was a serious traffic gridlock there which delayed our journey.  I know the problem the people of this area have been passing through at Ninth Mile particularly this time of the year.  I have experienced the problem today and I want to tell you that the Egyptians you are seeing today, you shall see them no more.

    “It will be a major issue that will be address this year.  So, by Christmas 2015 there will be an easy movement at Ninth Mile.”

    Thanking the people of Amandim for their tremendous support for his cause, Senator Ekweremadu assured that he would continue to regard the problem of the community as his, adding that he would endeavour to identify with them.

    He said: “God has been very kind to us, he has answered our prayers and that is why we are celebrating.  I thank the Reverend Fathers for their prayers. I am very close to this community.  I remember that I gave this community a transformer sometime ago.  I have just inspected the road project we are doing here and I am happy that it is moving well.  I will like to assure this community that before this time next year, we will be able to have asphalt overlay on that road.  We can only do this because the contractor is doing a good job and he is interested in completing the work.

    “So, we are going to fund the project in the 2015 budget so that there will be enough resources to complete the project for our commissioning before this time next year. I am also aware that you have a challenge of drinking water in this community; again, we are going to address that problem. “

    Responding to a request by Amandim community to come to the aid of their dethroned traditional ruler, Igwe Harford Agana, who they said “is being persecuted for being on the side of the truth” by the state government, the Deputy President of the Senate assured that the matter would be amicably resolved.

    “We don’t want trouble in the communities. We want peace so that there will be progress in this community. No matter the level of provocation, we must need peace in this community.  There is no problem that cannot be resolved on the roundtable.  I know about the issue you have raised and I want to assure you that it will be resolved.  There is nothing to worry about, so we will resolve it,” he said.

    Earlier, the Amandim Community had in an address presented by the Secretary of the Town Union, Dr. Maxwell Odumeh expressed gratitude to Senator Ekweremadu for his tremendous assistance to the community and appealed to him to come to the aid of their embattled traditional ruler, who they said had ensured the progress of the community.

    “Under the leadership of Igwe Harford Agana we witnessed rapid infrastructural development like the express linking us with Uzo Uwani and Iwollo, electrification of the community, provision of pipe borne water, quick dispensation of justice and more importantly security of lives and properties.  All these are in the past now, crime has increased and nobody is safe as the community is left without effective leadership.

    “It is worthy of note that Igwe Harford Agana has been the Igwe of the community for over 13 years and rose to become the chairman Enugu West Council of Traditional Rulers due to his excellent leadership qualities despite his youthful age.

    “He has helped in mediating peace in Amandi, Olo and the entire Enugu West, his advice is sought far and wide and that he gladly and freely gives.  However, the peace and tranquility we enjoy was shattered when on 12th August, 2014 an impostor was imposed on us without consultation, the community protested but was not heard instead we were brutalized.  We are therefore crying out for justice and redress of this injustice by restoring to the throne the rightful owner and we are confident that justice will be done,” the community told Senator Ekweremadu.

    Also speaking, the embattled royal father, Igwe Agana, who had challenged his dethronement in court, noted that Ekweremadu has shown great interest in the affairs of the community and had assisted them with the provision of infrastructure.

    He urged the people of Amandim to pray for Ekweremadu’s success in all his endeavours so that he would continue to assist the community, which is part of his constituency.