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Tag: Philip Idaewor

  • APC diaspora mourns party leader in South Africa

    APC diaspora mourns party leader in South Africa

    The Leadership, members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Diaspora on Thursday mourned the death of the party’s leader in South Africa, Festus Ogbeide.

    Speaking to The Nation through a statement, the heavy-hearted party leadership in diaspora maintained that the news of the death of Festus came as an utmost shock and disbelief.

    “The news of the death of our dear brother, compatriot and one of the leaders of our Party, the All progressives Congress (APC) in South Africa Festus Ogbeide, came unexpectedly. This is too much of a shock for us.

    “On behalf of all members and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the Diaspora, we mourn the sudden death of our compatriot Festus Ogbeide, of APC South Africa in fatal car crash in South Africa in the early hours of Sunday, 8th January 2017.

    “Festus, how could we possibly even contemplate that you will leave us so suddenly and so violently? Your life was driven by a belief in Nigeria and you were constantly networking, contributing and mobilising to see a democratised, egalitarian and prosperous country.

    “The energy and leadership you brought especially into the 2015 Presidential campaign on behalf of our party’s candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari and governorship candidates in different states are testimonies.

    “No doubt, Nigerian youths have lost a tireless campaigner and an advocate for youth empowerment and positive affirmative political leadership opportunities in Nigeria. You carry the torch of your distinguished Alma Mata, May flower School Ikenne, founded by Tai Solarin with distinction.

    “The outpouring of grief from party members and supporters especially in the Diaspora and numerous youth organisations is a testament to the impact you made in your very productive and memorable, but short sojourn on this side of eternity. All of us in the leadership of APC in various countries outside of Nigeria will miss you very dearly.

    “We commiserate with your wife, children and family for the gaping void your death has brought into their lives. Words fail us to console them. We can only pray that the Almighty God grant them and all who knew you the fortitude to bear the loss, and carry on the crusading torch for democracy and Youth leadership in Nigeria, as you so honourably and courageously carried in your life time.

    “Rest in Peace, Patriot. May your Children see and enjoy the Nigeria of your dream,” the statement said.

    The statement was signed by Ayoola R. Lawal, APC Scandinavia; Mr Tony Isama, APC USA; Dr. Philip Idaewor, APC UK; Stephen Adeayo Tella, APC Spain; Chief Mohammed S. Olanrewaju Balogun, APC France; Lawrence Adesola Adelekan, APC Philipine; Mr Olalekan Ogunwede, APC Germany.

    Others include Prince Hammed Adefioye, APC Republic of Ireland; Chief Victor Bruno Omoregbe, APC Republic of Benin; Charlies O. Micheletti, APC Ghana; Prince Chima Ibezim, APC Italy; Elas Abone, APC Canada.

  • 2017: APC UK Chairman greets members, supporters

    2017: APC UK Chairman greets members, supporters

    As the cotton is finally drawn for 2016, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the United Kingdom, Dr Philip Idaewor, has extended Season’s greetings to members and supporters of the Party.

    In the message signed by the Chapter’s Chairman, the gratitude went to the party’s leadership both in the UK and in Nigeria, “and the APC-led state and federal government.” Idaewor further commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on his victory over terrorism in the far North-eastern state of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.

    His words: “I send you this message to firstly thank you for your steadfast support for the leadership of the Party both in the UK and in Nigeria, and the APC governments both at the federal and state levels, through your numerous acts of standing up to social media opposition campaigners as well as continuously pointing out to the governments areas requiring their attention.

    14f15c12-a370-4e88-9e78-32b98a8c0bcf“The government of President Muhammadu Buhari ended 2016 with a high performance with the successful dislodgment of the murderous, and terrorist, Boko Haram from their stronghold of Sambisa forest. This is surely a notable achievement by President Buhari; it is a clear fulfilment of one of his key campaign promises, whilst highlighting the huge possibilities that are now available to the North East of Nigeria in terms of its people having space to renew/recover their economic activities and capabilities, and lead lives of peace not fear.

    “On behalf of our members and supporters in the UK, I rejoice with Mr President, the leadership and members of the Nigerian armed forces as well as the National leaders of our Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the support given the President in the discharge of our campaign promises.

    “It is gratifying that Mr President recognises the continuing security challenges in other states of Nigeria with the associated unnecessary loss of lives in his New Year message to Nigerians thus; “The lingering security issues in several states will be frontally addressed. These ugly crises cannot be allowed to fester as they strain the unifying bonds of brotherhood and neighbourliness”.

    “I plead with Mr President on behalf of our members from Kaduna state in the UK, who continue to agonise over the fate of relatives and friends, to urgently deploy the full force of the Nigerian state to curtail the incessant communal killings taking place especially in Southern Kaduna. These have also become a huge distraction to the state government who, up to now, were making great progress in delivery on the Party’s manifesto to the people.

    “To all our members I urge a renewal of our support for the Party and Mr President. Yes, many of us have continued to express disaffection with the way we feel the government has related to us in view of our efforts and contributions to the outcome of 2015 campaigns.

    “My response is that when we look at the progress this APC federal government has made in the areas of diversifying the economy away from a mono oil and gas based one to agriculture, as well as the improvements in the infrastructural remapping of Nigeria and the stemming of the previous haemorrhaging of national earnings through financial corruption.

    “As Party members and supporters, we should have every reason to be proud of the impact our contributions to the electoral victory of APC and President Buhari is making to national development. We should be proud that against all odds, as believers in the “Change” mantra of the APC, we have already made impact in placing Nigeria on the path to attaining peace, social justice and prosperity for the greater majority of the Nigerian people.

    “We should look forward positively and begin the process of helping our Party, the APC, grow into a truly social democratic political Party that is ideologically branded and entrenched, and is sensitive to the needs of Nigeria and her peoples.

    “This New Year is an especially important one for us as members of the party in the UK as we build upon the solid foundation of a disciplined political Party with country-wide structure that we have successfully put in place in the UK to ensure that our Chapter reflects both our Diaspora location which is also Nigerian-focused. This is the year to prepare for our political future as people of Nigerian ancestry within the All Progressives Congress (APC) Party platform for our continued active and productive participation in the politics of Nigeria.

    “I am inviting all our members and supporters to join hands with us in ensuring that the APC becomes the Nigerian Political Party of choice for all patriots and social democrats. That this Party becomes a unifying Political Party for all Nigerians, free of the cult of personality worship that breeds parochial nepotism, ethnic and religious bigotry, financial and political corruption and the worship of ageism.

    “The campaign of change in Nigeria’s politics did not end and should not be seen to have ended in 2015.  The “Change” campaign should now also be inward-focused within the Party in order to attain the needed outward growth, credibility and stability.

    “We should intensify our efforts to push for the emergence of a Party whose elected political officers respect the Party and her officers, and a Party that respects its social contract with the people via its manifesto.

    “Happy New Year 2017.

    God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria
    God bless President Muhammadu Buhari
    And God bless the All Progressives Congress.”

  • APC Diaspora condemns Melaye over alleged threat on Sen. Tinubu

    APC Diaspora condemns Melaye over alleged threat on Sen. Tinubu

    The forum of All Progressives Congress Diaspora Chairmen in the strongest terms, condemn the statements credited to the Kogi West Senator, Hon. Dino Melaye against Senator Tinubu (Lagos Central) during a recent executive session of the Senate.

    The forum wants to believe that Senator Dino Melaye has been misquoted  as the use of uncouth, abusive, derogatory language or the threat of rape and death against any person, not to talk of a female colleague in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be treated a criminal case.

    This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Philip Idaewor, Chairman, APC UK, Ayoola R. Lawal, Chairman, APC Scandinavia, Stephen Adeayo Tella, Chairman, APC  Spain, Chief Mohammed Suheed Olanrewaju Balogun Chairman APC France, Lawrence Adesola Adelekan, Chairman, APC Philippines, Mr Olalekan Ogunwede, Chairman APC Germany and Prince Hammed Adefioye, Chairman APC Republic of Ireland.

    We therefore call on the leadership of the Nigerian Senate or the appropriate institution of state empowered to investigate such to act immediately and decisively in confirming the veracity of the said incident and ensure that disciplinary and/or appropriate measures are applied to avoid recurrence of such at the Upper Legislative Chamber of the most populated black nation in the world.

    If found or proven to be a true report of what happened at the said meeting of the Senate, we call on  Senator Melaye to tender unreserved apologies to Senator Tinubu, the Senate and the Nigerian people for dragging the integrity of the Nigerian Senator to such unwarranted mess.

    We hold the view that this said incidence is more worrying, if not embarrassing  considering the ongoing investigation of the reported sex scandal reported by the America High Commission against some Nigerian parliamentarians during recent their leadership program in the USA.

    As a Senator representing our party, the APC and as people who strongly believe that the promise which our party the APC, made to the Nigerian people to introduce a new kind of politics; one founded on party discipline and accountability to the people, we warn that we will forward the press reports of this case to all foreign missions/embassies with a request that Senator Melaye be denied visiting rights to those countries until he is cleared of this accusation as we do not want any of our leaders bringing disrepute or further inflicting intolerable dark blot on Nigeria and Nigerians.

    We deem this the right and appropriate thing to do as the sweat and blood of numerous Nigerians brought in the present government and we will not allow their memory and sacrifices be trampled upon or the image of Nigeria/Nigerians be maligned by inappropriate behaviours of our leaders.

  • Outcome of APC diaspora Chairmen conference

    Outcome of APC diaspora Chairmen conference

    The Diaspora Chairmen of the All progressives Congress (APC) recently held an e-conference to review the state of the party and the nation on the anniversary of the pivotal election that brought the party to power exactly one year ago.

    The conference was conveyed to coincide with and commemorate the one year anniversary of the pivotal and historic election (March 28, 2015), that brought change to the political landscape to Nigeria.

    According to the conference, after so many years of pro-democracy struggles, with many lives lost, Nigerians thought they were being ushered into a new lease of life of functional and responsible democracy, but woke up to a new nightmare of unrestrained official pilferage of the commonwealth to such an extent that our country tetered on the brink of economic collapse and faced security challenges unheard of in our national history.

    The Party thanked Nigerians for voting the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari at the 2015 general election. The conference also thanked Nigerians for the continued support being accorded the APC-led Federal government of President Buhari, and calls for the commitment, support and determination of all to see through the successful prosecution of the war on corruption so that our country truly changes for the better in all ramifications.

    The chairmen therefore called on Nigerians to step up and help ensure that all agencies of government begin to work for and in the interest of the Nigerian people and state at all times. Saving Nigeria from the scourge of corruption – economic and political, in all ramifications is task for all.

    “Affirms the loyalty of the Diaspora chapters to the national leadership of the party and the government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, the conference calls for coherent linkage of government with our chapters and Nigerians abroad.

    “In this regard, conference congratulates Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa for her appointment as the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to the President on Diaspora and foreign Affairs. This is a well-rounded appointment judging from the experience and dynamism of Mrs Dabiri-Erewa. Like all other Nigerians in the Diaspora, our party diaspora Chapters look forward to working closely with her.

    “Congratulates the party for the successful outcome of both recently held National caucus and National executive committee meetings. The news report from these meetings have been very positive especially the statement regarding the adoption of President Buhari to be the candidate of the party in 2019, thus effectively stomping the divisive possibilities and instabilities that angling for the office could create in the party.

    “The conference is pleased with the effort of President Buhari to kill and make corruption history in Nigeria through the various methods being presently employed in the war against this disease that has clearly destroyed the institutional and moral fibres of the Nigerian state and society.

    “The conference advises, however, that all efforts of the present government will soon be reversed in the near future, if there is no robust, fully comprehensive National data management system with the capabilities for multilevel and multidimensional crosstalk. This is the only way to safeguard the institutions of state, the private sector and indeed Nigerians against fraud, and also provide robust data for functional National planning.

    “Notes that the government has recently inaugurated a platform to address the issue of a unified national e-data. The conference therefore emphasizes that in this specific area of the national data management system, the Diaspora members of the APC, having a first-hand experience of the benefit of sound National data management, are well placed to help the government achieve a fully operational National Data management programme in Nigeria within the life span of the current government. We therefore call for urgent action to draw Diaspora expertise, contacts and commitment, and leverage same into realising this long overdue National project.

    “The conference congratulates the government in convening a National Economic Council retreat and publishing the outcome of the retreat. We are pleased by this development and feel again that this is one area where the party, government and the country could benefit substantially from the leveraging capabilities of the Diaspora members of the party in driving National development,” the conference said.

    The conference thus concluded that party leaders should begin the active process of ideological branding and marketing of the party, as one rooted in progressivism and social democracy through people centered policies and interaction with the Nigerian people.

    “This ideological plank of the party should be closely interlocked with government policies at all levels, such that the party’s manifesto becomes the mirror through which all APC governments’ policies are viewed,” the chairmen summed

    Signed.

    1. Philip Idaewor, Chairman, APC UK
    2. Stephen Adeayo Tella, Chairman, APC SPAIN.
    3. Ayoola R. Lawal, Chairman, APC Scandinavia
    4. Chief Olanrewaju Balogun Chairman APC France
    5. Lawrence Adesola Adelekan, Chairman, APC Philippines
    6. Mr Tony Isama, Chairman, APC USA
    7. Mr Olalekan Ogunwede, Chairman, APC Germany
    8. Prince Hammed Adefioye, Chairman, APC Republic of Ireland
    9. Mr festus Ogbeide, Chairman, APC South Africa
    10. Chief Victor Bruno Omoregbe, Chairman, APC Republic of Benin
    11. Charlies O. Micheletti, Chairman, APC Ghana