The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Muhammadu Buhari

  • Buhari approves new appointments

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of three Directors-General/Chief Executive Officers of three Agencies under the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development.

    The President, according to a statement by Olusegun A. Adekunle, Permanent Secretary (General Services Office) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, enjoined the new appointees to use their expertise and varied experiences to reposition and reinvigorate the agencies.

    He charged them to discharge their duties with utmost rectitude and sensitivity to Government’s commitment to enhancing mining and steel sector as a major driver of the Administration’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

    Read Also: Uproar in Senate over Buhari’s appointments

    The new appointments include Engr. Umar Albarka Hassan as Director-General/ CEO of the National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency (NSRMEA), Kaduna for initial period of four years, with effect from 12th July, 2018.

    For the National Metallurgical Development Centre, Jos, Prof. (Engr.) Linus Okon Asuquo, was appointed as the Director-General/CEO for initial period of four years, with effect from 12th July, 2018.

    Prof. (Engr.) Suleiman Bolaji Hassan was appointed as the Director-General/ CEO for Nigeria Institute of Mining and Geosciences, Jos, for initial period of four years, with effect from 12th July, 2018.

  • Uproar in Senate over Buhari’s appointments

    *** Southeast senators kick against alleged marginalisation

     

    There was uproar in the Senate on Thursday over alleged lopsided appointments by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Proceedings were held up for over 30 minutes as senators mostly of the Southeast extraction took the floor to convince their colleagues that “a grave injustice had been done to the zone in the spread and headship of federal agencies and parastatals.”

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, spearheaded the protest when he drew attention to what he called “unacceptable nominations for the leadership of some agencies.”

    Ekweremadu was particularly peeved when Senate President, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, read a communication by President Buhari on the nomination for appointment of Chairman and members of the Governing Board of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA).

    The nominees have a former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Mr.Tunde Lemo, as Chairman of the board.

    Other nominees for the board included “ Engr. Nurudeen Abdulrahman Rafindadi (managing director), Buba Silas Abdullahi, Babangana, Mohammed Aji, Engr. Shehu Usman Abdullahi, Loratta Ngozichukwu Aniagolu, Mujaidu Stanley Dako and Vincent Oladapo Kolawale, as executive directors.

    Ekweremadu said that the Senate should not continue to allow skewed appointments to escape its scrutiny and sanction.

    Citing Section 14(3) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which deals with Federal Character Principles, Ekweremadu said that the constitutional provision is clear on how appointments should be shared in the federation to accommodate every section of the country to ensure equity and fairness.

    Ekweremadu said: “I want to draw the attention of this Senate to the provisions of Section 14 (3) of our constitution.

    It says: ‘The composition of the government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few states or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or any of its agencies’.

    “I don’t have problem with any part of Nigeria. But I have problem with the way government is directing its appointments. Over the last two to three weeks, Sir, we have had cause to either discuss this FERMA that has been announced today or the NDIC or AMCON or FCSC.

    “The heads of all these parastatals have come from one particular part of Nigeria and this is completely unfair. We can’t sit in this Senate and allow that to go on.

    “So, I believe that we need to point it out to the federal executive to ensure that every part of Nigeria is represented in the running of Nigeria. This is completely unacceptable to me, Sir.

    “I am talking of the leadership of these agencies. The leadership of these agencies, all of them have come from one part of Nigeria”.

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan promptly faulted the observation of Ekweremadu.

    Lawan (Yobe North) said that Ekweremadu picked only FERMA appointment in exclusion of the general picture of appointments.

    Insisting that the President has been fair in all ramifications, Lawan said the general picture of appointments should be considered to get a clearer spread of nominations and appointments.

    He said that a holistic consideration of appointments should be conducted.

    Ekweremadu interjected and noted that he was talking particularly about the leadership of the appointments made by the President which he said continued to tilt in favour of a particular area of the country.

    He said that fairness demanded that all sections of the country must be given a sense of belonging both in appointments and other affairs of the country.

    Tension soared in the chamber as members took ethnic and regional lines.

    Shouts of “yes, no, yes, no” echoed in the chamber.

    Saraki who appeared to have sensed danger, described the matter at issue as “very sensitive” to be considered on its face value.

    He said that the chamber should mandate the committee on Federal Character to scrutinise and present a report on federal appointments on Tuesday to enable the Senate take a position.

    Senators, he said, should wait for the report to be better informed especially when Ekweremadu came under Point of Order.

    Saraki reminded the chamber that he merely read a communication from Mr. President and has not referred it to any committee.

    Hardly had Saraki concluded when the Senator representing Enugu North, Chukwuka Utazi raised another Point of Order on privilege.

    Utazi who also harped on fairness and equity in the country was cut short by Saraki on the ground that the issue he was talking about had already been ruled upon.

    The presentation of the request of President Buhari for the confirmation of nominees for appointment as chairman and commissioners for the Federal Civil Service Commission who had Dr. Bello Tukur Ingawa (Katsina) as proposed chairman did not help matters.

    Other proposed members of the commission included Moses Musa Ngbale (Adamawa), Waziri Umara Ngurno (Borno), Bello Mahmoud Babura (Jigawa), Ahmed M. Sarna (Kebbi), Iyabode Odulate-Yusuf (Ogun), Shehu Umar Danyaya (Niger), Fatai Newton Adebayo (Oyo), Ejoh Michael Chikwumemeka (Anambra), Joe Philip Poroma (Rivers), Ibrahim Mohammed (Kaduna), Aminu Dio Sheidu (Kogi) and Simon Etim (Akwa Ibom).

    The senator representing Abia North, Mao Ohuabunwa, moved that consideration and screening of the nominees for the Federal Civil Service Commission should be suspended pending the submission of the report of the Federal Character committee on appointments.

    Ohuabunwa insisted that suspension of the screening of the nominees should allow the Senate to take proper cognizance of the leadership and spread of appointments made by the president.

    Some of his colleagues attempted to shout him down but Ohuabunwa insisted on being heard.

    “As a comrade, I can shout louder but shouting is not the issue. We are talking of the important issue of fairness and equity in this country. I move that the consideration and screening of the nominees be suspended to allow us to receive the report of the Federal Character committee,” Ohuabunwa said.

    Utazi who supported the prayer for suspension of the screening of the nominees said that “every thing should be kept in abeyance until the submission of the report.

    Saraki insisted that the Federal Character committee had already been mandated to submit a report on Tuesday.

    Senator Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi central) said that the issue should not be swept under the carpet.

    He noted that it is curious that certain states have continued to be favoured in appointments to the disadvantage of others particularly Ebonyi State.

    Saraki asked Ogba to hold his peace until the report of the committee is received.

  • Group hails FG for new Airline

    …calls for reactivation of other dead assets

    …says, also pay Nigeria Airways workers

     

    A civil Society group in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, “The Integrity Group”, has called on the Federal (FG) Government to take steps to revive the dead national assets and investments in parts of the country.

    The call followed the news of the plan for a new air craft for the country by the Minister of Aviation,  Hadi Sirika in London recently, to mark the re-introduction of Nigeria air carrier into the  air space.

    The Founder of the group, who is also the Executive Director, Livingstone Wechie in a statement in Port Harcourt on Thursday commended the FG led by President Muhammadu Buhari for the feat but said it should be left to be fully managed by a private company.

    The social/Political activist also urged the FG to ensure total transparency on all aspects of the transaction, by ensuring that each level of the business was made available in the public domain.

    He also spoke on the need to the FG to also take steps to revive other critical moribund national assets like the Ajaokuta Steel industry and the seaports for economic diversification and growth.

    Wechie said, “It was a thing of great joy the news that made the rounds for a new national carrier as unveiled by the Minister of state for Aviation Hadi Sirika in London recently.

    “Whilst this innovative and noble idea must be honestly commended, a few concerns must be put into consideration by the federal government in this airline which was established in 1958 but liquidated in 2003 among other matters of great interest.

    “Giving that this project will and should outlive the current administration,  the new national Carrier according to the agreement with the federal government, will be controlled and managed by the handler on zero government involvement and that the transaction, procurement and bidding processes of every phase of the project should be open in line with open governance policies particularly the purchase of the aircrafts, and other facilities captured in the agreements, including  the bidding for the company that will take the deal as well as the evidence of budgetary provisions or virement for this project in keeping with the public trust.”

    Read Also: N-Power: Group praises Buhari

    He also said that proper plan must be put in place to ensure that the factors that led to the closure of Nigerian airways, like free flights and private use of the aircrafts by government officials among other embarrassing factors are properly taken care of and blocked to avoid another disaster in the airline business.

    Speaking further, Wechie called for the setting up of investigation panel on the Nigerian Airways, with the view to identifying and prosecuting those behind the dearth of the company to serve as deterrent to others who may intend to repeat the same in the future.

    “The federal government and the National Assembly must immediately commence investigation on the alleged cases of fraud that grounded the National Carrier in the past with a view to bring all known perpetrators to justice as well as show that it will no longer be business as usual in the new investment of public funds in this case with a view to build the confidence of investors.

    “We propose in the public and citizenship interest that this same speedy gesture by the federal government should be immediately extended to other sectors as top priority, particularly the immediate revival of the  Ajakuta Steel Company, Port Harcourt, Onne, Calabar and Warri Seaports amongst others,  to give a strong economic spread of opportunities in the spirit of economic and commercial decentralization of business opportunities in the country by showing the will and courage to dismantle all human cartels and principalities holding back this dream.

    “The Federal Government should immediately consider the  decentralization of our international travel routes through  a shortest implementable plan to expand international routes to other parts of the Country such as Port Harcourt international airport, Owerri Airport, Enugu international Airport  along with the spread of consulates etc so as to serve as an opportunity for economic expansion in those areas to attract  foreign investors along with a plan to boost all the necessary facilities to world class standards in these airports.

    “The federal government should not forget the unpaid workers of the defunct Nigeria airways who have not only lost their lives in high numbers but have continued to wallow in abject poverty and denial following the failure of the FG to pay them their entitlements even after the approval of over N450 billion by the Federal Executive council for that purpose.” he stated.

  • 2019 election will be walk over for Buhari despite gang-up – APC chieftain

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Engr. Kailani Mohammed has said that, the 2019 presidential race would be a walk over for President Muhammadu Buhari despite the ‘gang-up’ against him.

    This was also as he said that, greedy and selfish politicians were the ones behind the killings in the country especially the North Central region.

    Engr. Mohammad, a very close ally of  Buhari since the days of All Peoples Party (APP) argued that, the said selfish politicians were causing the insecurity to discredit Buhari’s government.

    The President’s ally while addressing a press conference in Kaduna said, Nigerians were treated to a rude shock as cattle rustling, kidnapping and Fulani herdsmen/farmers clashes soon took center stages to replace insurgency, all in the bid to dampen the gesto, anticipations and expectation of the Nigerians in Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

    He added that, these politicians working their selfish interests posit that the Fulani/farmers clashes is a manifestation of the fact that Fulani herdsmen see the President as their kinsman but it is known fact that some people guise of Fulani to perpetrates killings in the North Central.

    Mohammed who was the Chairman “Buhari Votes Guard and Awareness” further stated that in order to debunk the insinuation, President Buhari ordered security agents to arrest any Fulani man found trotting a gun and we hope this will neutralize the rumor mill. However fingers are pointing at politicians for rising wave of killings in Nigeria.

    “It is alleged that politicians sponsor thugs and hoodlums who are responsible for most community skirmishes and killings in the country that has sent many Nigerians to the great beyond.

    “In this direction, the Nigeria Police have invited President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki over an allegation that he sponsored some political thugs that have been unleashing terror in Kwara State,” he said.

    Read Also: Rep to Buhari: Beam anti-corruption light on civil service

    He continued that, revelation by the leader of the Middle Belt Peace Network, Jayeola Mohammed that Jonah Jang a member of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Governor of Plateau State once vowed to make Plateau ungovernable for Lalong is something that is worrisome.

    “Mohammed further claimed that Jang, who was recently arrested by the DSS over issues bordering on corruption and abuse of office, had sworn to extinguish the peace of Plateau State and enshrine anguish and despair by empowering youths in the area with weapons.

    “The Intelligent community and the civil police must thoroughly be investigated so as to know the connection between those killing Nigerians under whatever guise.

    “Security agencies should rise up to this challenge and ensure that those who kill daily to promote and protect their political hemisphere must be brought to book. It is quite disheartening that our politicians have turned themselves into security threats in the country. They use human lives as shield to promote their political ambitions.

    “Human lives should not be devalued by killings as part of political games. No matter how highly placed, offenders must be prosecuted and adequate justice be meted out to serve as deterrents to others of like minds.

    “No Nigerian is bigger than the law. It is time for government to wield the big sick against vicious politicians, who daily foment trouble for the country and her peoples so that the rest of us smaller mortals will be secured from the high and mighty,

    All these they are doing to discredit this government, but, God and the masses of Nigeria are behind President Muhammadu Buhari. By God’s grace, 2019 presidential election will be a walk over for President Buhari, despite the gang up against him,” he said.

  • Buhari meets Nigerian Embassy staff, concludes visit to Netherlands

     President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday concluded his official visit to the Netherlands with a meeting with Nigerian Embassy staff before departing for home.

    Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity in a statement in Abuja, said the president met with the embassy staff, their families and thanked them for being worthy ambassadors.

    The presidential aide said while in the Netherlands, President Buhari on Tuesday delivered the keynote address at the 20th anniversary of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

    The president, at the event, canvassed support for ICC with jurisdiction over serious cases of corruption and illicit financial flows by state actors.

    He also used the occasion to assure the international community of a free, fair and peaceful 2019 general elections in Nigeria.

    Buhari assured that under his watch, the tragic incidents that characterised the 2011 general elections, necessitating preliminary investigations by the ICC would not happen again in Nigeria.

    He also met with Shell CEO and discussions focused on investments in deep water and gas projects in Nigeria, toured the Port of Rotterdam and the Shell Refinery Pernis, Hoogvliet, a borough of Rotterdam, Netherlands.

    At the Binnenhof on July 17, the President met with Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands and the two leaders restated their commitment to growing trade partnership between Nigeria and the Netherlands.

    During the talks, Rutte described Nigeria as the Netherlands’ most important trading partner, noting that in the field of modern agriculture, there were opportunities for Dutch companies and knowledge institutes.

    The two leaders also discussed issues relating to the fight against insurgency in the North-East, climate change, particularly the shrinkage of Lake Chad.

    Read Also: Buhari lauds quality of Nigerian professionals in Netherlands

    Adesina said the discussion also include economic cooperation, the fight against corruption and a range of other issues of mutual interest.

    Buhari welcomed the interest of the Dutch Prime Minister on Lake Chad and commitment to establish a technical committee to work with the Nigerian side on the best approach to address the issue of the receding Lake.

    In pursuit of one of the cardinal themes of his administration, the President also met with over 20 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Dutch-owned companies.

    Buhari assured them of a secured Nigeria where their investments would be safe and yield handsome returns.

    The president said: “Stability was the first thing in our campaigns. You have to secure a country first, before you can efficiently manage it.

    “Before businesses can thrive, security is paramount. That is why we lay so much emphasis on securing the country.

    “After security, our next emphasis is reviving the economy and then, fighting corruption.’’

    He commended the many Dutch-owned companies operating in Nigeria for dealing fairly.

    The President noted that with many of them, “the relationship dates back more than two generations, and it is now almost a blood relationship rather than commercial.”

    In the course of the three-day official visit, the President also met with members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), the Netherlands Chapter.

    He lauded them for their professional and intellectual achievements and contributions to the development of their motherland.

    “I am pleased with the quality of people I am seeing. You are high quality people. Congratulations on your personal achievements.”

    Among those that met the President was Julius Nnamdi Nwankpa, Chairman NIDO and Dr Mustapha Gidado, a specialist in tuberculosis.

    Gidado has oversight over management of the disease in 22 countries and Lola Visser Mabogunje, a performance monitoring expert.

    Dr Peter Ngene, a research scientist and Assistant Professor at Utrecht University and Cornelius Obot, a software expert.

    Toyin Loyo, an artist and culture enthusiast of international repute also attended the meeting with the president.

    On the sidelines of the President’s visit, the Nigerian Foreign Minister, Geoffrey Onyeama and his Dutch Counterpart, Stef Blok, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral consultations at Schedeldoekshaven, The Hague.

    The MOU aims to promote and facilitate relations between Nigeria and the Netherlands in the key thematic areas of security, trade, investment, agriculture, political dialogue and education.

    “With the signing of the MOU, Nigeria and Netherlands have agreed to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation in these areas.

    Senior officials from both countries will meet at least once every year to assess the progress on mutual benefits,’’ Adesina said.

    The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Audu Ogbeh led a presidential delegation on a visit to Greenhouse Horticulture in Bleiswijk, one of the experimental greenhouses of Wageningen University and Research (WUR), the Netherlands.

    Some of the Dutch most advanced greenhouses are in Bleiswijk and operated by WUR, widely regarded as the world top agricultural research institution.

    The Netherlands is the second largest exporter of food, second only to the United States.

    Other members of the Presidential delegation that visited the Research centre are: Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau and Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state.

    The others are the Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar and the National Security Adviser, retired Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno.

    According to Adesina, in the course of the visit, the Nigerian delegation interacted with Nigerian postgraduate students studying in WUR.

    “Out of 5,900 Msc students studying at Wageningen University, 106 are from Africa of which nine are from Nigeria.

    “Wageningen University has 13 Nigerian Ph.D candidates, out of 2,200 candidates, 300 of them are from Africa,’’ Adesina said

    NAN

  • FG to assist, compensate victims of Jibia flooding – Osinbajo

    The Federal Government, on Tuesday pledged to assist victims of flood disaster in Jibia Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina state.

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the pledge when he visited the scene of the disaster to commiserate with the victims in Jibia.

    “I am here on behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari to commiserate and condole with the Katsina State Government and victims of the disaster.

    “The President asked me to assure you that everything will be done to ensure that every victim is taken care of and this never repeats itself again.

    “We are here with the Director General of National Emegency Management Agency (NEMA), to provide all the relief materials that will be needed.

    “As Nigerians, we deserve to live our lives happily, we deserve to be treated well,’’ Osinbajo said.

    Read Also: 2019: North West lawmakers endorse Buhari/Osinbajo

    He prayed to Almighty God to avert future occurrence of the disaster.

    “We will work with the state government where compensation is necessary, we will compensate and rebuild where necessary,” Osinbajo

    The disaster occurred last week, leading to the death of over 50 persons and rendering over 1,000 homeless.

    NAN

  • Rep to Buhari: Beam anti-corruption light on civil service

    President Muhammadu Buhari has been advised to beam his anti-corruption fight more closely on the Nigerian civil service.

    A member of the House of Representatives, Chika Adamu (APC, Niger) said the anti-corruption drive of the government should be more than recovery of looted funds and assets but the need to create a system whereby public officers would be discouraged from stealing public funds.

    Adamu, at a press briefing on Tuesday alleged civil servants saddled with the responsibility of executing the projects of outright stealing, while urging anti-graft agencies to find out the status of the N100b Zonal intervention projects of Federal lawmakers.

    According to him, the intervention projects for his Munya/Rafi/Shiroro Federal constituency domiciled at the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing  in the 2016 and 2017 budgets estimated at N6om were grossly flawed.

    Read Also: What Buhari has done on killings, by Presidency

    According to him, six ‘solar powered’ boreholes sunk in his constituency for the two years at N42m could not  have cost more than N2.5m each.

    He said none of the boreholes functioned for more than three weeks.

    He however challenged the Ministry on the whereabouts of his constituency projects as the ones claimed by the Ministry were marked Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) projects.

    Adamu, who claimed not to be involved in the process of chosing projects or contractors for the intervention projects said, “There is corruption in the system and it is mainly in the civil service.

    “It is the civil servants that encourage politicians to commit corruption.

    “There is a need for President Buhari to device a system that will discourage the civil servants from stealing.

    “I want to know what happened to the Zonal intervention project fund for my constituency because the non-functional boreholes were clearly marked SDG projects”.

  • Coalition warns against politicising renewed Boko Haram attacks

    As the 2019 General election approaches, the Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria  has warned against the continued politicisation of Boko Haram war, especially the recent attacks by the insurgents, as is being done by some politicians who are opposed to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
    In a statement in which the group said it was reacting to a recent statement credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, where He called for the sack of all the nation’s Service Chiefs,  and signed on behalf of the group by its Convener, Comrade Odeyemi Oladimeji, the group warned that challenges of terrorism, which has claimed several lives and properties of innocent Nigerians and many members of our Armed Forces, are beyond politics and should therefore not be trivalised on the alter of narrow political ambitions. The group lauded what it described as the demonstration of leadership by the Nation’s Service Chiefs, citing the recent relocation of the Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai to Maiduguri, as a courageous move required to enhance the morale of  soldiers who are preoccupied with the war against insurgency in the Northeast region of the country.
    “As patriotic Nigerians, we must realize that the Challenge of Insurgency is beyond Partisanship interest and no one is immune to the consequences of the dastardly acts of these terrorists.” the statement said
    “Rather than blaming President Buhari for the pocket of insurgent attacks still being experienced in the country,  the administration deserves being commended for its efforts, especially in the milestones so far recorded, leading to the return of IDPs back to their ancestral homes, and also building international support and synergy to tackle the monstrous group”
    “We therefore wish to advise these politicians, to desist from all forms of actions and statements, that seeks to further embolden these terrorists, at the detriment of the innocent people of the affected communities and our gallant troops, who are putting in their best, to ensure that our country is rid of all insurgency at the earliest possible time.” the statement concluded.

  • Katsina flood: Buhari directs NEMA’s intervention, death toll hits 44

    President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to quickly intervene in bringing reliefs to victims of a ravaging flood disaster which hit the border town of Jibia town in Katsina state last Sunday which has so far claimed 44 lives with 500 houses destroyed and virtually hundreds of cattle and domestic animals drowned

    The Governor of Katsina State Aminu Bello Masari, who made the above disclosure on Monday evening while addressing newsmen at Government House Katsina, said he called the President who presently is on official visit to the Netherlands, and acquainted him with the development, adding that the President has directed relevant agencies of Government including NEMA, to quickly moving in to assist the flood victims .

    Read Also: Fayose faults Buhari on Fayemi’s election

    Governor Masari who was visibly shocked by the extent of damages done by the flood after a two and half hour rainfall in Jibia town on Sunday night said already the state government has temporarily resettled the victims at a nearby Primary School, and provided them with immediate reliefs adding that NEMA is also sending 13 trucks of relief material to the town today

    He said ’’I went there myself to see things for myself; I have never seen such a natural disaster as big as what happened in Jibia town. Occupants couldn’t salvage anything; the flood is over 10ft deep, there was drainage but because of the heavy down pour, the drainages that would have emptied themselves into the main river were beaten back by the river, 20 people were still unaccounted including a two day old bride

  • 37-year-old declare to run for Abia South senate

    …Says, it is time to get rid of old political class

    Less than two months after President Muhammadu Buhari signed the “Not Too Young to Run” Bill into law, 37-year-old, Engr. Chinedu Onyeizu has declared his intention to contest the Abia South Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abia State chapter.

    Onyeizu while speaking at the formal declaration of his political voyage at El Dorado event center in Aba, the commercial hub of the state also reminded the old political class occupying different elective positions in the state and national levels to consider leaving the scene now that the ovation is high and give the youths the chance to inject new blood and ideas into the system as obtainable in other climes.

    Onyeizu, a graduate of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Havard University and Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, Imo State who described the 12 years of incumbent Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe as wasteful disclosed that apart from giving his best in carrying out his duties as a legislator, he has worked out plans; Farm For Factory (FFF) programme to tackle hunger, poverty and promote ease of doing business in his constituency.

    The senatorial hopeful while charging youths in the state and other parts of the country to be bold and take the opportunity of the bill signed by the President to make the difference in the political scene said “You the youth, my generation; endowed with fluid intelligence, amazing smartness, fresh ideas and bubbling energy are the future of this great country. Time and again a rare opportunity has beckoned on us to step forward with boldness and take charge of our future. This time, we won’t look the other way.

    Read Also: Abia chief judge calls for stiffer penalty on rapists

    “The 2019 election is around the corner and it’s about you and me. It is about every Nigerian youth who desires qualitative future. The time is now for us to re-position ourselves and prove wrong those holding the assumption that we are a generation meant to be relegated.

    “Let us start now to jettison with the ritual of playing bodyguards and thugs to desperate politicians during election year only to return to menial lifestyle as soon as elections are over.

    “The 2019 election is therefore about reclaiming the meaning of the youth, restoration of the essence of our common purpose and realizing that together we can transform our country and initiate innovations that could speed up our process of social, political and economic society.

    “By signing into law recently, the Not Too Young to Run bill, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has removed any encumbrances that may have been standing in the way of the youth to participate actively in politics.

    “We therefore as for the greater support from the older generation of leaders to ensure elaborate succession planning, a plan that will amplify the social contract between young leaders and the holders of highest office in the land.

    “I am fearlessly stepping forward to distort the old style of representation which for 12 years has been characterized by selfish interest as opposed to the betterment of the masses.”

    In his speech, the Aba North chairman of APC, Hon. Uba Omenazu commended the boldness of Onyeizu, stating that it was a wakeup call to youths in Abia State and the country at large to believe in them, set aside fears and pick the courage to make a difference within their constituency.

    According to Omenazu, president Buhari through the signing of the “Not Too Young to Run” Bill into law has shown Buhari as true democrat, adding that the leadership of the party was committed to giving the youths the opportunity to make their marks in politics.

    He promised to give Onyeizu and other aspirants the level playground, stressing that the party in Aba North would work with whoever that emerges the flag bearers of the party in the state and national levels.