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Tag: Nwobodo

  • Jim Nwobodo remarries in Catholic Church, dumps Anglican Communion

    Jim Nwobodo remarries in Catholic Church, dumps Anglican Communion

    •re-weds in Catholic Church

    Former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Ifeanyi Nwobodo and wife, Patricia, were yesterday rejoined in holy matrimony by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Calistus Onaga.

    Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and his wife, Monica, were sponsors of the couple in the marriage in fulfillment of requirements demanded by the Catholic Church.

    The marriage took place at the Bishops’ Court, Independence Layout, Enugu.

    The governor thanked God for the successful wedding and prayed that the union grows from strength to strength.

    In his sermon, Rev. Fr. Peter Akpunonu recalled the past cordial relationship between Chief Jim Nwobodo and the Catholic Church, especially when he was the governor of old Anambra State.

    He added that the long association informed the decision of Nwobodo to join Catholic Church having been impressed by his association with the church.

    Rev. Fr. Akpunonu thanked Nwobodo for having the courage to embrace Catholicism.

    In a brief remark, Nwobodo observed he felt fulfilled to have fully joined the Catholic Church.

    He described the development as a home coming and spiritual thing.

    He assured that he would remain in the church which he said he trusts and believes in.

     

  • Nwobodo, Ekwunife, others dump PDP for APC

    Nwobodo, Ekwunife, others dump PDP for APC

    Top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State yesterday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The defectors include Senator Jim Nwobodo, who was the first executive Governor of old Anambra State, and Senator Fidelis Okoro, who was a senator between 1999 and 2007. They declared for APC at a State APC stakeholders meeting convened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Jeffrey Onyeama, on Thursday.

    Sen. Uche Ekwunife, the erstwhile senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, also announced yesterday that she had defected to the APC.

    Inaugurated as a senator in June, 2015, Ekwunife had her election nullified by Appeal Court in Enugu on December 6, 2015, on grounds of irregularities. The court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election in the zone within 90 days.

    Ekwunife, who has begun preparation for the repeat poll, confirmed her defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to newsmen in Awka. “ It’s better now for me to join the APC,” she said.

    “Let the heat be there; I am already on campaigns for my return to the senate, to complete my contract with the people of Anambra Central District.”

    She said that her goodies for her people under the APC would soon be made public.

    Nwobodo was recently named by embattled former National Security Adviser (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) among those who benefited from the multi-billion-naira arms fraud currently being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    The former governor denied any wrongdoing, saying that the N500 million released to him by the NSA was meant for PDP leaders in the Southeast to mobilise support for the re-election of Goodluck Jonathan as President in the 2015 election.

    Members and stakeholders of APC at the meeting were shocked when Chief Jim Nwobodo and Senator Fidelis Okolo stormed the meeting. The minister who apparently attended the meeting for the first time could not hide his surprise at the turn of events as depicted in his speech.

    The entrance of Nwobodo and Senator Okoro apparently surprised some APC stakeholders at the meeting. The visibly angry stakeholders said: “These are ‘Dasukigate fugitives’ and ‘food is ready politicians’. Are they not those who collected money from Dasuki and allocated 14,175 votes to Buhari as against over 500,000 votes they allocated to former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan?

    “Is there no shame in the country again? They are shameless and the unfortunate thing is that they cannot win their wards. They will infect and contaminate the APC.”

    All efforts made by Dr Ben Nwoye, the state chairman of APC, who appeared to be the only one aware of their entry, to calm frayed nerves failed.

    In his declaration speech, Nwobodo urged members of the APC in Enugu State not to be deterred by the electoral losses they suffered in the state in the past.

    “You must always lose. What matters is the ability to rise again. I must condemn our former party, PDP. I know we had problems. I told our former chairman: ‘how come did we allow five governors to leave the party’?

    “I am not looking for a job. I am talking because I want peace. I want our people to be part of the Federal Government at the centre. I had a problem being an opposition governor. I am not coming into APC because I want anything. I want our people to reintegrate and have our own share of the Federal Government resources,” Nwobodo said.

    Nwobodo recalled that while he was in PDP, his wife had always been an active member of the APC, just as he pointed out that the slogan “change” did not start now, but started in 1983 when he was an opposition governor.

    Earlier, a founding member of APC in Enugu State and former Secretary to the State Government, Onyemuche Nnamani, reminded the party of the need to keep tab on its members, stressing that those who worked for the party’s success must be recognised.

    “We recognise our old members and open door for new ones. Peace, essentially, is guarded by justice. Without justice, we have peace of the graveyard. Those who don’t cherish peace are those who have not tasted the other side. Please, let us do justice. Let us carry everybody along,” Nnamani said.

  • I got N500m from Mu’azu, says Nwobodo

    I got N500m from Mu’azu, says Nwobodo

    Former Governor of the old Anambra State and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Jim Nwobodo has denied receiving money from the former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki. He also denied being part of the PDP chieftains that shared N3.05 billion through the former Minister of State, Bashir Yuguda.

    Nwobodo said the N500 million he got for the election was from the former National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu.

    He added that the money was disbursed to the five Southeast states through the state chairmen of the campaign committee, adding that he could not have queried his party chairman as to the source of the fund, which was strictly spent on the election as directed by the party.

    The former governor denied any personal knowledge or contact with Dasuki and Yuguda.

    His words: “I don’t know Sambo Dasuki; I have never met him in person; I have never had any interaction with him. And I didn’t receive money from him. As for Yuguda, the Minister of State, whose name was mentioned, I don’t know him. I think I only met him once and that’s all.

    “The party approved N500 million for the Southeast for the campaigns. We have five states and when nominees from the zone met, I was chosen to be the chairman.

    “After series of meetings, the committee was invited to the residence of the National Chairman, Dr. Adamu Mu’azu, who handed over money to me for the zone. I invited the chairmen of each of the state campaign committee and we disbursed the money, each state got N100 million.

    “It was not possible for us to ascertain where the money came from. We simply received money from our National Chairman and we did not ask for explanations pertaining to the source; I don’t think it is our duty as party members to query our chairman as to the source of the money he was giving us for an election.

    “For me, the money was handed over, disbursed and used for the campaign. The money was given to the committee, not me; to the committee by the National Chairman, Mu’azu at his residence.

    “She state chairmen and members who received and disbursed the money are alive and they can be contacted. At no time did the NSA hand over any money to me; there is no such thing. I have never met the former NSA; I don’t know him. There is nothing between me and the then NSA; I only worked for the PDP.”

     

  • I gave N600 million to George, Odili, Bafarawa, Nwobodo, others -Ex-minister Yuguda

    I gave N600 million to George, Odili, Bafarawa, Nwobodo, others -Ex-minister Yuguda

    •Offers to recover N600m and help trace the balance
    •Bafarawa: I got N100m but Yuguda didn’t tell me where it came from

    The embattled former Minister of State, Bashir Yuguda, has told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he gave a total of N600million cash to six chairmen of the Contact and Mobilisation Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 general election.

    He listed the beneficiaries as Bode George (South-West); Amb. Yerima Abdullahi (North-East); Peter Odili (South-South); Attahiru Bafarawa (North-West);  Jim Nwobodo (South -East); and Ahmadu Ali (North-Central).

    He said he instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer N300million to BAM Properties whose account detail was given to him by a former National Chairman of PDP, Bello Haliru.

    Yuguda, who made the allegations in a Statement of Witness/ Caution which he wrote on oath, said he sent N200million to the erstwhile PDP Governorship candidate in Kebbi State, Bello Sarkin Yaki.

    He said a former Governor of Zamfara State, Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, also got N100million.

    The statement is part of the proof of evidence against the former minister whose trial is scheduled to commence this week at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Yuguda will stand trial with ex-Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and his son, Sagir Attahiru; Dalhatu Investment Limited.

    The ex-minister is expected to account for over N3.050billion including N1.1billion being part of the funds in the account of the ONSA and aggregate sum of N1,950,000 belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which sum was transferred to Jabbama Ada Global Services.

    The ex-minister said: “For the cash disbursement of N600million, it was meant for the six zonal chairmen for Contact and Mobilisation Committees for Election of 2015. The chairmen are Bode George, Amb. Yerima Abdullahi; Peter Odili; Attahiru Bafarawa; Jim Nwobodo; Ahmadu  Ali. The sum of N100million was given to each chairman. I gave the money in company of Prof. Alkali, who was Political Adviser to former president. The zonal chairmen are for the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP). I also instructed Jabbama Limited to transfer the sum of N100m to Dalhatu Limited on the request of Attahiru Bafarawa.

    “I also remember that Bello Sarkin Yaki was among the people that the then NSA instructed that I send the sum of N200million to. He was the PDP gubernatorial candidate in Kebbi State.”

    Yuguda, who claimed that he had liaised with Stallion Limited, gave the details of other disbursements.

    His words: “I knew the chairman of Stallion Limited whose second name I cannot remember. Between December 2014 to June 2015, on the instruction of the then NSA, I introduced Jabbama Limited to a staff of the company on the instruction of the chairman.

    “When the account was in credit, disbursement was made from time to time on the instruction of the then NSA. Part in foreign exchange or transfers.

    “I wish to add that sometime in February 2015, I instructed Jabbama to transfer the sum of N300m to BAM Properties. The account was given to me by Bello Haliru as one of the people the former NSA requested me to give money. I also remember that Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi was sent the sum of N100million on the instruction of the then NSA.

    “Further to my statement of 30th November, 2015, I have brought the sum of $829,800(equivalent to N200m) and N600m was given to me to distribute to the six PDP Zonal Committee chairmen. I don’t know who are the directors of Dalhatu Investment Limited but funds were transferred to the company’s account on the instruction of Dalhatu Bafarawa for the total amount of N1.5billion received from the then NSA by Jabbama Limited.

    “I shall endeavour to recover the sum of N600million given to the six zonal PDP committee chairmen, while I appeal to the commission to use their machineries to trace the remaining balance of the money transferred to various accounts.”

    The former minister however denied receiving another N200million credited to him.

    “I have been shown transaction of N200million from the Office of the Accountant-General to Jabbama which Jabbama said it’s on my instruction but I cannot remember this instruction until I crosscheck,” he said.

    Some of the charges against Yuguda are: “That you Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki whilst being National Security Adviser and Shaibu Salisu, whilst being the Director of Finance and Administration in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Bashir Yuguda whilst being the Minister of State for Finance between 5th February and 16th April 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court entrusted with dominion over certain properties to wit: an aggregate sum of N1.1billion being part of the funds in the account of the National Security Adviser with CBN committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you transferred same to the account of Jabbama Ada Global Services Nigeria Limited for the purpose of financing the campaign of PDP in the 2015 general election and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.

    “That you, Bashir Yuguda whilst being Minister of State for Finance between 23rd December 2014 and 10th February, 2015 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court dishonestly misappropriated certain property to wit: an aggregate sum of $9,809,619 which was an equivalent of the aggregate sum of N1,950,000 belonging to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which sum was transferred to Jabbama Ada Global Services to be converted into the said dollars and you  thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 309  of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Vol.4, LFN 2004.”

    Meanwhile, a former Governor of Sokoto State, Alh. Attahiru Bafarawa, admitted that he collected N100million from Yuguda through Sagir Attahiru.

    Bafarawa, in his statement to the EFCC, said: “I know Bashir Yuguda. He called me to tell me there is money to be given for (sic) the North-West Campaign Committee which I asked how much and he told me is N100million for the seven states and ask (sic) to give it to Sagir which he did and the money was sent to the states campaign committee between 20th and 21st of February 2015 for the PDP Campaign for General Election.

    “He did not tell me where the money was coming from. I did not ask him where the money was coming from.

    “Sagir is my son and I directed Sagir to send the money to state chairmen campaign committee for PDP North-West.

    “I also received N100million (dollar equivalent) from the North-West Campaign Committee. The money was given to me in the PDP National Chairman, Alh. Adamu Muazu house in Abuja in the presence of all the zonal chairmen as listed …and after collecting all this (sic) money, I gave the money to Abdullahi Yauri who was the Secretary of the North-West Campaign Committee to share to the state chapter and Yuguda didn’t tell me where he got the money from.”

  • Nwobodo delighted at successful surgery

    Nwobodo delighted at successful surgery

    Nigeria U-20 striker Obinna Nwobodo has  undergone a successful operation on an injured knee at the ASPETAR Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital in Doha, Qatar.

    The player, who missed being part of the Flying Eagles’ squad to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand, was so excited that he called the NFF Secretariat to express his joy following the operation by Dr. Philippe Landreau.

    “I am very happy, and I thank God and the NFF for making this possible,” Nwobodo said on phone from Doha. ASPETAR is the world –renowned medical facility situated inside the Aspire Zone, which also houses the respected Aspire Academy for Excellence.

    The player suffered anterior cruciate ligament tear in the second half of the final match of the 2015 African Youth Championship, in which Nigeria defeated host nation Senegal 1-0 to lift the trophy on March 22.

    Following the surgery, Nwobodo, who left Nigeria on Wednesday last week, is expected to spend a minimum of five weeks convalescing in Doha, Qatar.

  • Nwobodo faults court’s judgment over property

    Nwobodo faults court’s judgment over property

    Former  Anambra State Governor Jim Nwobodo has faulted the judgment of a Federal High Court in Abuja, ordering him to vacate his rented apartment in Maitama. He said the court erred in law.

    Nwobodo’s counsel, Mr. Amobi Nzelu said his client had been residing in the property at 24 Ona Crescent, Plot 768 Cadastral Zone A5, Maitama Abuja for a long time.

    He wondered why the respondent decided to release the judgment to the press after two months but did not inform the media that he had gone to appeal against the judgment.

    The respondent, Adin Miles International Limited, was said to have bought the property from Alhaji Al-Mustapha Abubakar in 2008, who had earlier leased the property to Nwobodo.

    “It is not about non-payment of rent as was wrongly reported in the media. My client was ready to pay rent. He was negotiating for an outright sale. The man that bought this property is a fellow Igbo man and knew that my client was occupying this house and that he was his former governor.

    “Despite knowing these facts, he still went behind and bought the property, and then told his lawyer not to disclose his identify to my client. That was what happened. A Yoruba man will not do this to his brother; a Hausa man won’t do this to his brother.

    “My client had an agreement with the person that sold the house. We do not have any business with the new buyer. I have raised the issue in court, but the judge closed his eyes on these issues,” Nzelu said.

    In an appeal filed at the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, Nwobodo asked the appellate court to set aside the lower court’s judgment of March 25 by Justice Suleiman Belgore, in favour of the respondent, Adin Miles International Limited.

    He said: “The learned trial Judge erred in law when he failed to appreciate the fact that for title to vest in any person who purchases a property in Abuja, the consent of the FCT minister must be sought and obtained, this failure occasioned miscarriage of justice.

    “The learned trial Judge erred in law when he entered judgment in favour of the respondent without neither the deed of sale nor deed and of assignment, or power of attorney, this occasioned miscarriage of justice.”

    “The Judge erred when he assumed jurisdiction to hear and determine the case in the absence of valid documents that will vest/clothe the court with jurisdiction.

    “We have been in possession of this property for a long time and the owner made an offer to sell it. He now went behind and picked up this property. My client went and discussed with this man, even adding N30 million to what the man originally paid to acquire it. When we took over this property, it was in a bad shape.

    “We went to court and the judgment was to come up in January this year, but it was deferred till March 25 because of the judiciary workers’ strike. The man that went is not the original owner of this property. “There was no breach of agreement between my client and him and they are not my client’s landlord. There is no deed of sale on this property before they went to court. There is no agreement between my client and the man that went to court.”

    According to Nwobodo, six days after the judgment, specifically on March 31, he appealed, adding that the respondent was served the processes and motion for stay of execution, for which his counsel responded.

    He therefore prayed for “an order of this court allowing this appeal and an order of this court setting aside the judgment of the trial court delivered on March 25”.

  • Jonathan greets Shonekan at 79

    Jonathan greets Shonekan at 79

    … Hails Nwobodo too

    President Goodluck Jonathan has felicitated with the former head of the Interim National Government, Chief Ernest Shonekan, on the occasion of his 79th birthday.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said that Nigeria owes Shonekan a huge debt of gratitude for his immense contributions to national development.

    He said: “On behalf of my family, the Government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I write to felicitate with you on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary, tomorrow, May 9, 2015.”

    “Over the years, you have always readily given of yourself to the cause of peace, stability, growth and development in our country, Nigeria. For this, we owe you an enduring debt of gratitude.”

    The President wished Shonekan a very happy birthday and prayed that God Almighty will continue to guide and bless him.

    President Jonathan also felicitated with Chief Jim Nwobodo who celebrates his 75th birthday on Friday.

    He noted that Nwobodo had every cause to celebrate and thank God Almighty for His benevolence on the joyful occasion of his 75th birthday.

    He said: “In a life that has seen you reach the apex of your entrepreneurial, public service and political endeavours, there is great cause for you, members of your family, your many associates, protégés and well-wishers to thank Almighty God for His benevolence upon you.”

    “As you deservedly celebrate this landmark, it is my prayer that Almighty God continues to bless you with robust health and many more years of happiness.”

  • 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.”

  • PDP ‘ll retain Enugu, say Nwobodo, Nnamani

    PDP ‘ll retain Enugu, say Nwobodo, Nnamani

    Former Governor of old Anambra State Senator Jim Nwobodo has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will win.

    Nwobodo made this declaration while addressing a huge crowd of supporters at the PDP campaign rally held at the headquarters of Enugu South Local Government Area.

    He said there is no opposition in the state as far as the election is concerned, adding that members of the PDP that left the party to contest elections in other political parties are wasting their time.

    Nwobodo however urged such people to return to the PDP as the umbrella of the party is big enough to accommodate their various interests.

    The former governor also expressed confidence that the governorship candidate of the party, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi will continue with the good works of Governor Sullivan Chime, having distinguished himself creditably as a three-time member of the House of Representatives, who has held important portfolios, including the position of the Chairman, House Committee on Marine Transport.

    Also speaking at the rally, former Senate President Senator Ken Nnamani decried the antics of fifth columnists within the party, especially in Enugu East Senatorial District, and charged party members to be watchful and not to relent until victory is achieved.

    Nnamani said that Enugu South Local Government Area was a fortress for the PDP, having produced him and Nwobodo, adding that the good works of Chime will make it easy for the party to coast to victory, in the forthcoming elections.

    Hon. Ugwuanyi thanked all the stakeholders that voted for him during the primary election for their overwhelming support, and assured them of his resolve to continue with all the policies and programmes of Chime’s administration for the overall interest of Enugu State.

  • Obi, Nwobodo for UNN lecture

    The Faculty of Arts of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) will, on Monday, hold an African Leadership Forum  on crisis resolution. The event will be held at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium.

    According to the Dean of the Faculty, Prof Patrick Okpoko, the lecture is designed to discuss the causes and dynamics of leadership crises in Africa, using Nigeria as a case study. He said the event was timely, taking into cognisance the fact that the nation is entering an election period.

    Prof Okpoko said the forum was the faculty’s way of contributing to national development and restoring dignity to governance. He added that the lecture would provoke thoughts on leadership questions and related matters.

    The lecture with the theme: Leadership issues in Nigeria, will be delivered by the former governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi, while Dr Jim Nwobodo, the first executive governor of old Anambra State and former Minister of Youth and Sports, will chair the occasion.

    The Dean said diverse thoughts on leadership travails in Africa would be brought to the fore at the forum, hoping that contributions from participants would help to chart a better future for the black continent.

    He said: “It is my vision to create an enabling environment for teaching and research that will not only be knowledge-based, but also technologically-driven. To accomplish this task, we need to engage our students in effective mentoring and workshops to develop their potentials in leadership and knowledge by creating a platform for them to meet experienced scholars.  I believe this can help repositioning the faculty.”