The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Southeast

  • APC Southeast hails Buhari

    APC Southeast hails Buhari

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Southeast  has hailed the promise made to Ndigbo by its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari, to revamp the abandoned coal deposits in Enugu.

    Buhari, when launching his presidential campaign in Enugu at the weekend, promised to revamp the abandoned coal deposits and use it for electricity generation in the Southeast.

    In a statement yesterday, the Southeast spokesman for APC, Osita Okechukwu, said Gen. Buhari had rekindled the hope of the Southeast people that the coal deposits abandoned after the civil war would be revamped.

    He recalled that in the 1970s and even up to the 1980s, abundant deposits of coal in Enugu were used to power the Oji River Power Station, which generated electricity for the East and beyond.

    Okechukwu said: “In those days, electricity from Oji River Power Station served industries in the East, such as Premier Cashew Industry in Oghe, Avop Vegetable Oil in Nachi, Sunrise Flour Mills, Aluminum Industry, Ohebe Dim, Niger Gas and Niger Steel.

    “Today, coal has been abandoned, while Oji River Power Station has gone moribund, throwing our region into darkness like other parts of the country.  These industries that formed the industrial base of the Southeast  have become moribund, hence there is massive unemployment.

    “We have confidence in Gen. Buhari to redeem his promise;  unlike the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government that for the last 16 years has reneged on the promise to revamp the coal industry, which it made on the eve of every election.  I recall that in 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan promised to revamp coal and to date the 3D Seismic Study is yet to begin.

    “But, with the promise Gen. Buhari made last Saturday to revamp coal for electricity generation, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. His promise is a bond and commitment.

    “No doubt, our industries will come alive again and boost the economy of our region. Our youths will minimise their migration, as many will be employed. The economy of the Southeast will blossom once again and our region will reclaim its lost glory as the industrial and commercial hub of Nigeria.”

    He said with Buhari’s commitment, Ndigbo should be reassured, for he is a man of integrity, who, as the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) chairman, started the greater Enugu Water Scheme aborted by the PDP.

    Okechukwu added: “My brothers and sisters, kindly listen to the advice of our elder statesman, former Vice President and founding Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, to Ndigbo not to put all our eggs in one basket, especially when the PDP has lost the vision of its founding fathers.”

    He praised Buhari for his promise to give soft loans to farmers in the Southeast, unlike his opponent, President Jonathan, who came to Enugu to throw stones.”

  • Southeast roads and Jonathan’s re-election

    The Onitsha-Enugu highway is undoubtedly the worst among the so called expressways in Nigeria today. The tar on that road was completely excavated across several kilometers, more than two years ago, and it has now developed craters at several points. The abandoned road has also been made worse by erosion, which is a major challenge in the Southeast. Travelling on that road last week, I was amused that Anambra State which perhaps has the highest number of high-profile supporters for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan has been treated with such ignominy by the government they want re-elected, at all cost.

    In fairness to Anambra politicians, that mess called expressway, stretches all the way to Enugu State, forcing motorists to make a detour into the old Onitsha-Enugu road, starting from Awka to 9th Mile, since the Enugu State government had renovated her portion of the stretch, few years ago. Interestingly, the spate of abandonment of vital infrastructure and monuments in the south-east by the Jonathan administration, first hit me as I passed the Onitsha head bridge, where a perennial joke is played on the south-east, each time a new administration comes into power in Nigeria, in the name of an inland port. In fairness to President Jonathan, it was former President Shehu Shagari, who started that ridicule of announcing the development of a port, without dredging the waterway.

    Of course in vain did I stretch my eyes in search of the new Onitsha bridge, or any tale-tale sign of it, despite the President’s promise to the people when he came asking for their votes in 2011. As I peered into that ancient and combusting center of commerce, and arguably the host of the biggest market in West Africa, I could hear the regal voice of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Ofala Okagbue, as he chided President Jonathan less than two years ago over his unkempt promises.  My sense of shame, as a south-easterner, ricocheted as I passed the residence of the late Owelle of Onitsha, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, where the abandoned mausoleum in his honour, confirmed irrevocably that the Azikiwe stunt in President Jonathan’s name which paid off handsomely in the last election was not borne out of any reverence, for that grand patriarch of Nigeria’s independence and statehood.

    Yet the south-east perhaps have their best chance under the current political dispensation to ensure budgetary provisions to completely repair the Onitsha-Enugu highway, among other abandoned roads in the region. As a senior friend pointed out to me as we remonstrated over the tragedy of the politics of Ndigbo, the south-east has prominent persons in President Jonathan’s government who should be held responsible for the abandonment of critical infrastructure in the south-east. He mentioned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister for Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okojo-Iweala, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on works, Senator Anyogu Eze, the Chairman of the House of Representative Committee on Works, Honourable Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi, as the chief culprits.

    We both wondered how such high profile persons could be in their privileged positions and yet were unable to ensure that adequate provisions were made in the national budget for the rehabilitation of that import artery in the south-east. We also reminisced that former Governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi (Okwute) who is a strong supporter of President Jonathan, travels on that road, and yet despite the abandonment, is so vociferous in his unalloyed support for the reelection of President Jonathan, in 2015. We mentioned Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Chief Arthur Eze, and several other high profile Peoples Democratic Party bigwigs, who are very outspoken that south-east is securely in the pocket of President Jonathan, as far as the 2015 election is concerned.

    Knowing that President Jonathan travels for short distances in a Helicopter, maybe because the roads are not safe, it is possible that he will land in Onitsha or Awka for his reelection campaign and will be regaled with the falsehood that he is the best thing to have happened to Ndigbo in recent times. I can see President Jonathan in Enugu, dancing to the Atiliogwu dance towards his 2015 reelection campaign, dressed in native attires of Ndigbo, bearing falsely the name Azikiwe, and roaring kwenu, kwenu, in greetings, without knowing that those who travelled on the Onitsha-Enugu highway to attend the rally may be cursing him under their breath, unless of course they had been handsomely settled to attend the rally.

    Talking of settlement, it is interesting that the best know campaign organ for the reelection of President Jonathan, the Traders Association of Nigeria (TAN), sorry, the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) is also founded and headed by Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, who is from Anambra state. While many will rail at me or curse me, if I begrudge the business mogul for his ‘acumen and foresight’ in founding and promoting the prime marketing company for the reelection of President Jonathan in 2015, I am worried that he might have to lie to the President should any potential voter query the state of that road, during a campaign stop in his home state. Of course, many believe that reelection campaigns have nothing to do with performance in office.

    In years to come, Sociologists and Anthropologists will be required to unravel the reasons for the uncommon support south-east political leaders have extended to President Goodluck Jonathan starting from 2010 when political fortunes smiled at him, up to the present. On the part of President Jonathan, what is responsible for his shabby treatment of the infrastructure needs of the south-east, despite the harvest of unprecedented support that saved his presidency when it mattered most, may require psychoanalysis?

     

  • 2015: Jonathan, PDP face tough task in Southeast, Southsouth

    2015: Jonathan, PDP face tough task in Southeast, Southsouth

    Contrary to the assumption of an easy ride for President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 eletions, they may face some challenges in the Southeast and Southsouth.

    Some angry stakeholders in the zones are threatening protest votes if the party’s primaries were not transparent to allow the people’s will to prevail.

    One of the Southsouth governors has threatened to ask his favoured senatorial candidate to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unseat a two-term senator.

    The development is said to be of concern to the PDP leadership.

    Investigation by our correspondent showed that the PDP is at a crossroads in eight states following attempts by some governors to impose governorship candidates on the party.

    A high-ranking PDP leader, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are having serious challenges in some states in the Southeast and Southsouth. The consensus option is being resisted in about eight states.

    “Some of the aspirants are already threatening to defect to APC or work against the interest of the party.

    “We have a case where a governor is threatening to work against the interest of the party. We may lose some states in the Southeast and Southsouth unless we are circumspect.

    “I can assure you that the President and PDP leaders will try to resolve the crisis.”

    A member of the NWC said: “We have already opened discussions with some of the affected governors in order to put the success of the party above any other consideration.

    “What you call problems or challenges are not limited to the PDP. We will sort things out in a ‘family manner’ to avoid going for the 2015 poll divided.”

    Some of the governors facing tough tasks in anointing their successors are: Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and Theodore Orji (Abia).

    In Rivers and Imo states, the battle for the governorship slots is tearing the PDP apart.

    While the crisis of confidence in Rivers State is between former Minister Nyesom Wike and some stakeholders, the struggle for the ticket in Imo has pitched former Governor Ikedi Ohakim against Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.

    The case at hand in Enugu State has pitched Governor Sullivan Chime against stakeholders.

    In Delta State, favoured candidate, Tony Obuh, is facing a battle from Ovie Omo-Agege, Ndudi Elumelu and Ngozi Olojeme.

    But the issue in Delta is the opposition to the zoning of the governorship slot.

    A source said: “As the PDP gears up to retain the Presidency and the governorship in Delta State, the party leadership needs to be conscious of a startling fact: In 2011, elections in Delta Central alone accounted for about 60 and 50 per cent of votes in the presidential and governorship elections.

    “Zoning in Delta State has been an issue of concern among the stakeholders. Even though Delta North keeps pushing, it remains the only zone that is yet to produce a governor. Delta Central and Delta South are saying the zoning formula does not come to play as far as the 2015 elections are concerned.

    “Many analysts believe President Goodluck Jonathan faces a tough reelection battle with the emergence of the All Progressives Party (APC), which is threatening PDP’s  hold on the central government.

    “In 2011, voter turnout in the Southeast and Southsouth was 65.8 per cent and 67.96 per cent. If Jonathan and the party must hold on to power, there must be an increase in voter turnout in the 2015 presidential election in these geopolitical zones…”

  • Presidency holds land reform workshop in Southeast

    Stakeholders in the Southeast geo-political zone have converged on Enugu on the promptings of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform (PTCLR) to brainstorm on Land Reform and Systematic Land Titling and Registration (SLTR).

    The workshop, which was coordinated by the Enugu State Ministry of Works, was attended by top government officials, traditional rulers, heads town unions as well as professionals on aspects of land from the five Southeast states. It was aimed at explaining the benefits of Systemic Land Titling and Registration (SLTR) and to convince them to adopt it.

    It is the first in the series to be held in all the six geo-political zones of the country.

    The benefits, according to the Presidential Technical Committee include significant enhancement in tenure security for all land resources, help to properly plan and manage the country’s land resources, generating reasonable revenue from land through land tax and land transaction fees, helping the development of land/mortgage market and promote economic growth, addressing the massive social inequities and issues that stem from the informalities in the land system and reducing land conflicts and attendant loss of lives and properties arising from tenure insecurity.

    Other benefits include improving food security by empowering farmers to access funds through the use of their lands as collaterals, enhancing rural and urban planning and boosting investment generally because of easier access to land.

    The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, on the occasion made a startling revelation. Anyim, who was represented by Senator Ben Collins Ndu, shocked everyone when he said only three per cent of Nigeria’s approximately 923,768 sq. km of land has been duly documented, titled and registered. Anyim was declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Federal Government.

    He said land ownership was a critical factor in the socio-economic and political life of any country, even as he regretted that documentation and registration have been low.

    He told participants that due to poor documentation, titling and registration of the country’s land, the country has continued to be rated poorly among the comity of nations “with regard to the speed and efficiency in the processes and procedures for land governance.”

    The implication, he said, was that the land resources in Nigeria have not been put to optimal economic advantage, pointing out that the primary focus of the land reform effort was that the result would empower individual land holders and enable them to harness the wealth inherent in their land asset.

    He further said it was gladdening to know that the pilot Systematic Land Titling and Registration (SLTR) projects already embarked upon by the Land Reform Committee in collaboration with Ondo and Kano state governments respectively, were yielding remarkable results.

    Also commendable, he said, was the fact that the international development partners such as Growth and Empowerment in States (GEMS) which, he said, was funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), have supported the projects in these states while embarking on similar projects in a few other ones.

    “The pilot projects have proved that land titling could be transparent and quick,” Anyim remarked, adding that “the process of recording every parcel in the presence of adjoining owners is also expected to significantly reduce endless litigations. We are expecting that the first set of Certificate-of-Occupancy shall soon be rolled out from the pilot projects.”

    Anyim explained that the comprehensive inventory of land holdings across the country that would be generated from the ongoing titling projects should also aid housing census and provide data for planning.

    “It is pertinent to state that the greatest beneficiaries of the land reform programme are states and local governments…the revenues arising from the processes shall also accrue to the respective states,” he said.

    Advising state governments to understand the programme and sincerely key into the project, Anyim said the country has reached a stage “where appropriate inventory of our land holdings should be the concern of all.”

    The Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development; Mrs. Akon E. Eyakenyi, commended the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform for organising the forum, thereby providing stakeholders the opportunity to engage on issues of reforming the land governance and administration processes in the country.

    The minister, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mrs. Margaret Okolo-Ebube, said the aim of the workshop was to provide full understanding of the land reform processes and benefits to facilitate buy-in and ownership by all stakeholders, especially those in the Southeast zone.

    She said land was strategic and central to the national development process, emphasising that it was the “bedrock for the success of all government programmes and therefore the current transformation agenda of the Federal Government.”

    She recalled that President Goodluck Jonathan reconstituted the Committee on land reform in 2011, and noted with satisfaction the monumental successes that have been recorded by the committee since reconstitution.

    According to Eyakenyi, such successes recorded by the committee included drawing up the draft regulations under section 46 of the Land Use Act which is “awaiting consideration of the National Economic Council before submission to the National Council of States and the ongoing pilot schemes of the Systematic Land Titling and Registration in Kano and Ondo states.”

    At the end of the conference, a communiqué was issued and read by the Chairman of the Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform, Prof. Peter Adeniyi in which it was resolved that the SLTR “is a process that enables complete inventory of land holdings and subsisting interest in a declared area.

    It was resolved that there should be continued sensitisation and mobilisation of stakeholders on the issue, even as there was the urgent need to embrace the process across all the states of the federation.

    The participants, according to Adeniyi, noted the importance and indispensable role of traditional rulers in land governance in Nigeria and appreciated that such role was being recognised in the implementation of SLTR.

    “It therefore called on the royal fathers and community heads to live up to expectation and play such role effectively when the process commences in their domains.”

  • Don decries lack of true leadership in Southeast

    Prof. Chinedu Nwajiuba of Imo State University has decried the dearth of true leadership in Igbo land since after the times of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Dr. Sam Mbakwe.

    He made the assertion during this year’s Odenigbo Lecture, where he spoke on “Expectation of Good Leadership” (Ochichioma,  Olileanya Ohanaeze) at the Odenigbo Podium at Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri. As customary, the lecture was delivered in Igbo language.

    Speaking, Prof. Nwajiuba reeled off virtues of good leadership to include humility, prudent management of resources, resourcefulness genuine commitment to the well-being of the people, respect for the led; discernment to recognise and sieve evil from good. He regretted that no Igbo leader has shown such laudable leadership qualities after the times of Zik, Okpara, Ojukwu and Mbakwe, until the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi came in and demonstrated to our people, once again, what true leadership should be.

    Speaking in Igbo on good economic management as part of what is desired of good leaders, Prof. Nwajiuba said: “ Kemgbe 1999 n’ala Igbo anyi nwere ike isi na o bu naani otu onye di ka onye chawaputara achawaputa na ndozi aku na uba oha ya bu Maazi Pita Obi, onye nke chiri Steeti Anambra. Otutu ndi mmadu agbaala ama otu O siri jide onwe ya, ka O si ekwu okwu. O na-aga njem, O dighi akpo otutu ndi mmadu aga…. Mgbe O chisiri, e mere ka anyi nu na O hapuru ego gbara okpurukpu nyefee onye nochiri ya.” (Since 1999, Mr. Peter Obi was the only real leader that came from Igbo land. His governance of Anambra State has continued to receive positive testaments from the people, especially the manner he guided the resources of the state through prudence and his civilised conduct. To crown it all, unlike what is obtainable, he left billions of Naira for his successor).

    On education, he lamented the failing standards, even as he praised Anambra State as an exception. Recalling that the state came first in 2013 and 2014 West African Senior Certificate Examination (WASCE) and the National Examination Council (NECO) examinations, he called on other states to return schools back to the missionary owners as Obi did and provide them with grants to rehabilitate the schools.

    Prof. Nwajiuba said the unprecedented improvement in the infrastructure in Anambra State during Obi’s administration would remain a testimony to his enviable legacy. He pointed out how Anambra under Obi utilised the money she received through the Millennium Development Goals to carry out beneficial and tangible projects. He advised other Southeast states to understudy and do the same for their states.

    Instituted in 1996, this year’s lecture was the 17th in the series. It started with Holy Mass celebrated by the Archbishop of Owerri Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony Obinna.

    Those that attended the lecture included the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho; the Catholic Bishop of Aba, Most Rev. Dr. Vincent Ezeonyia; the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Ukachukwu Ewuzie;  the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi who was represented by his former Commissioner for Housing, Mr. Patrick Obi, among other dignitaries.

    Highpoint of the event was presentation of awards to people who had supported the lecture series over the years.

  • Ebola: Southeast governors hail Fed Govt, states

    Ebola: Southeast governors hail Fed Govt, states

    Southeast governors have hailed the Federal and state governments for containing the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

    Rising from a meeting, presided over by its Chairman and Abia State Governors Theodore Orji, the forum also sought a cargo section at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu.

    Other governors at the meeting were Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi) and Anambra State Deputy Governor Nkem Okeke.

    Through their chairman, the governors told reporters that they would convene a meeting of the elders in the next three weeks to discuss various issues affecting the zone.

    They expressed happiness over the befitting burial given former Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili.

  • Southeast happy with Confab’s decisions says Uwazurike

    Southeast happy with Confab’s decisions says Uwazurike

    Chief Goody Uwazurike is the President of Aka Ikenga and a delegate at the ongoing National Conference. In this interview with Precious Igbonwelundu, the lawyer says the Igbo are satisfied with confab’s decisions. Excerpts:

    The conference has been an eye-opener. Delegates from the various zones came with bottled up grievances and we were ready to explode. But down the line, we have been able to make friends, hear each other out and analyse one other’s problems.

    Delegates had to vote repeatedly on the various issues. And to the glory of God, we have reached decisions on all issues and there was not one issue left inconclusive.

    We concluded on all outstanding and all recommendations were made at the floor. Those that the conference felt required changes were made and those we felt were good enough were also allowed.

    As a Southeast delegate, do you think the aspiration of the zone has been met?

    The entire Southeast wanted from the beginning was fairness and equity. We have always demanded that what is fair to other parts of the country should be fair to the Southeast. I remember moving a motion that one more state be created for the Southeast so that it can be at par with other zones which have six states each.

    Some delegates, including Chief Olu Falae supported my motion that the South-east deserves a state. At the end, the conference voted overwhelmingly for an additional state for the Southeast.

    We also stated that we want power to go round the zones in all elective offices. We want local government to be state affairs. We supported 21 per cent derivation and freedom of religion. With the support of other zones, we got what we wanted.

    Most people do not know that, currently there are no zonal headquarters of federal establishments in any of the Igbo-speaking states.

    So, when the conference talked about quality development going round, we from the Southeast were happy because we know that if the region is developed, most of our people will settle back home and earn decent living.

    What other recommendations were made by the conference?

    We made far-reaching recommendations including true federalism. The conference also decided that power must go round among the six zones of the country. It was a clear-cut decision and we also looked at distribution of offices and reducing the cost of governance.

    We decided that local government creation should be an affair of the states, which should not bother the Federal Government. If a state wants a thousand local governments, it should be entirely its business provided such a state does not come to the central government to ask for funds.

    Then, we looked at devolution of powers, which was the last committee report. We considered how to reduce the burden of the Federal Government.

    What is the business of the Federal Government drilling a borehole at my backyard when there are state and local governments?

    We concluded that the state governments should take over most of those responsibilities while the Federal Government should handle mainly defence, external affairs, monetary policy and anything that involves the different states.

    Because we reduced the burden of the Federal Government, we also reduced the funding and agreed that it should be tilted in favour of states. In order words, the more a state has, the more its responsibilities.

    We agreed that the local government system should be guaranteed and state revenue sharing commission put in place to adequately share funds among the local governments within a state. It was also agreed that when there is no election or where there is a transition committee chairman, not a kobo should be given to such a local government until an elected chairman takes office.

    We moved into public finance and this is where we really dealt with the issue of cost of governance.

    What of the issue of state police?

    The conference decided that states who desire it should be allowed to have it provided the state police does not go beyond the confines of that particular state. Also, the state police can only handle matters in which the state house of assembly has powers to legislate on, while federal matters would be left for federal police.

    When a federal police commissioner is to be deployed to a state, it must be done in consultation with the state government to avoid conflicts.

    On revenue allocation

    The issue was knotty and almost brought the conference to a halt but for the wisdom of the leadership of the confab. We made the mistake of allowing a committee to go and discuss on our behalf because that committee was enmeshed in politics and nearly tour us apart.

    All other decisions were taken on the floor of the house but the moment the then chairman of the committee read a report that was not agreed upon, it threw the house into the wrong direction.

    The decision the conference took on the issue was that we have recognised the need for increase and the current constitution says not less than 13 per cent. Thus, the President was advised in his wisdom to set up a technical committee to work on the increment.

    Do you see the government accepting the confab’s recommendations?

    I know that during the committee stages, the 20 committees at one point or the other invited ministers, security chiefs, heads of departments and agencies and they all turned up.

    Questions were asked and they sincerely answered them. Even the issue of Boko Haram, we did an executive session on it just before the suicide bombings started again. We invited military chiefs and we were briefed.

    So, I think the Federal Government is taking the confab very seriously and recommendations made would not be treated with levity.

    I believe they would ensure that whatever we place on the table at the end of the day is used.

    Away from the confab, how do you think Nigeria can surmount its security challenges?

    The problem is for us all. The mistake most people, especially some governors, have been making is to call it a Federal Government problem. That is why I will always commend Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, who has gone the extra mile to put measures in place to ensure that Lagos is safe.

    If you move around Lagos, you will notice that there are groups of security personnel or vehicles stationed at strategic locations. They are not there to control traffic nor search people. They are just on stand-by.

    Book Haram is not Jonathan’s problem. Don’t forget he has enough security to take care of himself. Before he passes anywhere, they would have done massive screening. So, the problem really is for you and I.

    So, I think every governor should take it as a problem of his state and take time to educate his people on necessary security measures.

    Security involves everybody. If you are in a compound and there are new neighbours or even domestic staff who look suspicious and you do not report, remember you and your family will be the first sufferers of any misfortune that results from your silence.

    For those who harbour people in rural areas, knowing they have committed some offences, they should also know that they will be first victims should any evil befall their community.

    Secondly, I have observed that some people now derive joy in lampooning our military. It is very painful. I know of a number of soldiers who have died trying to safe you and me. Their family members are watching you talk nonsense about their loved ones who trained and devoted their lives in safeguarding you and me. The least respect we owe our military is encouragement.

    Now, the latest game in town is computer generated imaging (CGI), where people generate all kinds of images claiming Nigerian soldiers are committing genocide. I just wonder what the masterminds stand to gain. Is seeing people on army camouflages now justification they are soldiers?

    Nigerian soldiers are doing their best and need our respect and support. Have you asked why Boko Haram wants to relocate from their present camps? We were briefed at the conference and the people of Borno also know it.

  • Confab: Ohanaeze youths praise Southeast delegates

    The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the youth wing of the Southeast socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has congratulated the Igbo delegates at the National Conference under the leadership of Chief Enwo Igariwey, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, leader of the Southeast delegates to the conference on their impressive outing. They said the delegates attained 80 per cent achievement of the Igbo Agenda at the conference.

    A statement signed by the National Leader of OYC, Okechukwu Isiguzoro urged the delegates to complete their good work by ensuring that none of what they achieved for Ndigbo gets tampered with at the final stage of the conference.

    While commending the Southeast Governors’ Forum for its commitment to ensuring enhanced security in the Southeast geo-political zone, they said their recent decision to procure security equipment so as to enhance security within the region, proved that the forum is committed to the security of lives and property of people of the zone.

    The youth urged the governors to work assiduously towards regional economic integration in order to pool resources, thereby having a larger and more attractive market by virtue of economy of scales.

    As such, the forthcoming annual Southeast Economic Summit will be an avenue for them to formalise a legal framework for regional integration.

    The youth said: “We wish to commend, in particular, the bold initiatives of Governors Theodore A. Orji and Willy Obiano of Abia and Anambra states respectively which results in tremendous improvement in security in their states, especially in the two commercial cities of Aba and Onitsha.

    “We express the willingness of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing to partner with the Southeast Governors’ Forum to reduce insecurity in the region.

    “However, insecurity is best tackled through massive investment in job creation, youth empowerment, industrialisation and improved agriculture.

    “We urge every Southeast governor to present a score card of how many industries his government has attracted or built in his state.

    “We call on President Goodluck Jonathan to, as a matter of urgency; ensure the resuscitation of the Enugu coal mine, possibly before the end of the year so as to return the economy of the Southeast to what it used to be.

    “Also, we implore the Federal Government to fast-track the construction of the Enugu and Gombe coal-fired power plants as contained in the 2014 Budget, so as to enhance the industrial potential of both the Southeast and the Northeast zones.

    “We commend patriotic Igbo industrialists like Chief Innocent Maduka (Innoson), Chief Maduka Onyishi (Peace Mass Transit) and Dr. Uche Ogar (Master Energy) for investing in the Southeast, thereby empowering Igbo youths.

    “While asking all patriotic Ndigbo and corporate organisations to support the Ohanaeze Youth Wing’s Igbo Youth Development/ Skill Acquisition Centre Project, we commend individuals who are already supporting the project such as Prof. Bart Nnaji.”

  • MASSOB to terrorist: stay off Southeast

    MASSOB to terrorist: stay off Southeast

    THERE was outrage yesterday over the discovery of bombs that were planted in the Living Faith Church, popularly called the Winners’ Chapel, in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The Movement for Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra warnied terrorists to stay off the Southeast and threatened to “bring down” Nigeria should any part of the Southeast be bombed.

    Six suspects are being held for the explosives. The motive of the planned bombing and its planners remain unknown.

    MASSOB leader Ralph Uwazuruike, who spoke in a telephone interview with The Nation, warned that his group would no longer tolerate the mindless killing of Ndigbo in any part of the country.

    According to him, the movement would “retaliate with equal and decisive force if terrorists attack any city in the zone”.

    His words: “The position of MASSOB on this matter is firm. We will bring down Nigeria, if any bomb goes off in the Southeast. We can no longer tolerate the mindless killing of Ndigbo in any part of Nigeria because we will retaliate with equal force against any attack on any part of Igboland.”

    The group also warned against what it described as the deliberate posting of military, police, Customs and Immigration officers, who are Igbo, to the Northeast to confront the Boko Haram insurgents.

    It alleged that their counterparts from the North were being posted to the Southeast for safety. But MASSOB did not support its stand with figures.

    MASSOB claimed that such a measure was part of the grand plan of the pre-Nigerian civil war agenda to totally annihilate Igbo officers and men in the nation’s military by the powers that be.

    The Director General of the Organisation of Biafra Music and Film Authority (OBMFA), Evang. David Eboson, in an interview, said the organisation was concerned with the way Boko Haram insurgents had been killing  innocent Nigerians, including Igbo soldiers in the North, especially in the last three months.

    Eboson, who described the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents as a sign of God’s anger against Nigeria, said it was high time Nigeria let Biafra exist as a sovereign state.

    He said the convocation of the National Conference by the Federal Government was deceitful and was not going to serve any useful purpose so far Ndigbo remains part of Nigeria.

    “The Federal Government is deceiving the public with the National Conference because it is a moonlight play. The problems of Nigeria would only be solved if the Igbo are allowed to go and serve their Lord,” Eboson said.

    The Imo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Campaign for Democracy (CD) has condemned the foiled terrorist attack.

    Speaking during a solidarity visit to the Winners’ Chapel, where Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) were discovered, the state Chairman of the party, Sir Nnamdi Anyaehie, observed that if the terrorists had succeeded with their plot, it could have had a devastating effect on the state.

    He pointed out that “in the last few months, the PDP had raised the alarm over looming security threat in the state following infiltration by strange-looking aliens, but it was dismissed as a political statement”. “But with this discovery, we have been exonerated.”

    The PDP Chairman, who was accompanied by the State Secretary of the party, Chief George Eguh and the Publicity Secretary, Enyinnaya Onuegbu, called on security operatives to ensure that those behind the dastardly act are brought to book”.

    Also condemning the averted attack, the Southeast Chairman of the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dede Uzor A. Uzor, urged security operatives in the Southeast to take proactive measures to protect lives and properties in the zone.

    He said: “Security agencies in the zone should step up measures to arrest the new security challenge because it is now obvious that the terrorists have crept into the Southeast.”

    Also yesterday, the governors of the Southeast were urged to initiate a free comprehensive biometric registration scheme for all residents.

    The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) made the call yesterday in a statement condemning the failed bomb attack.

    HURIWA also canvassed an investigation into a statement credited to the Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, that insurgents would extend their bombing campaign.

    The National Coordinator of the body, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and National Media Director Miss Zainab Yusuf said the comment should be probed to ascertain whether the Sunday bomb attempt has any connection with it.

    It also called on politicians to be circumspect with their public statements on the ongoing insurgency to avoid providing psychological boost for the terrorists.

    The political leadership of the Southeast, especially the governors, local council chairmen and traditional rulers were also advised to always stay in their jurisdictions, fashion out counter-terrorism measures and mobilise their wards and others to stave off possible infiltration by terrorists.

     

     

    “The Houses of Assembly of the Southeast states should make binding legislations to compel the governors to spend at least 85 per cent of the entire tenure provided under the extant constitution within their states and only travel when it is absolutely necessary to so do for the public interest of the people,” HURIWA said.

    It also urged prominent investors and business owners based in the Southeast to work out fool-proof security measures to prevent any possible bomb attacks.

    The group demanded the setting up of youth-led volunteer groups in the Southeast to monitor “strange movements” and to enlighten the populace on ways and means of remaining ahead of terrorists.

    The police on Sunday in Owerri uncovered the IEDs at the church’s auditorium and the car park.

    The bombs were believed to have been planted by suspected terrorists.

    The discovery prompted the bomb disposal unit of the police to shut the church and order worshippers to relocate to another place for the Sunday service.

    Police spokesman Andrew Enwerem said the IEDs were discovered by their men following a tip-off by the security guards attached to the church.

    Enwerem said the explosives were already primed and could have detonated during the service, but for the Bomb Disposal Unit officers, who removed the IEDs and defused them.

     

  • ‘Southeast deserves another state’

    ‘Southeast deserves another state’

    Former governor of Ebonyi State and a delegate at the National Conference, Dr Sam Egwu spoke, in this interview with OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE, on various issues, including the propriety of the confab and the agitation for a sixth state in the Southeast. Excerpts:

    ON National Conference

    The National Conference, like you know, has been very controversial whether it will be or it will not be but I thank God that Mr President thought it wise to convoke the  conference for people to sit down to talk because it has always been said that it is better to talk than to war.

    Nigeria is overdue for this type of discussion. Remember the Igbos that is the Southeast started this request for this discussion under the Aburi Accord. And prominent Nigerians went to Ghana and it was agreed that we will sit down and talk so that the people will air their grievances especially the people of the southeast, the Igbos.

    At that time other nationalities started their own agitations. The Southsouth started, the Southwest started, the North started and it became so confusing. But this was what the Igbos started agitating for a long time ago.

    And like in a family where people are disgruntled, people are annoyed; it is always good for them to come together and find a lasting solution to the problems. If we agree that we want to stay together as a country, there is need to sit down together, all the nationalities and this is a country that has more than 250 ethnic nationalities.

    And they all have their different problems, issues and we want to move forward, we have to hear ourselves and try to accommodate ourselves for the country to move up. In the very first place, this a very good thing the President Goodluck Jonathan has done.

    Before, it was like we were going to box ourselves but now we are understanding ourselves, everybody is settling down and we are hearing ourselves and I think at the end of the day, we will come out with something that will be acceptable by everybody.

    If you listened to the President’s speech, he said that at the end of the day, our decision will go to referendum and that he is happy that the National Assembly is also working towards that. So there is no way you will go for referendum without National Assembly.

    Additional state for the Southeast

    After discussing Mr President’s speech, we went into committees and incidentally I am in the committee of restructuring of the politics and government. And this is a very important committee.

    And there, we discussed whether we are going to be a federation or confederation.

    And generally, we said we want to be a federation unit and one major issue that concerns the Southeast is the issue of creating an additional state in the region to remove that imbalance which everybody acknowledges.

    If in every zone, we have six states and the highest has seven, why should the Southeast have five states as a zone?

    The southeast came out with their own position, saying they believe in zonal arrangement. And they have very good reasons for that. The reasons are that if things are shared on the zonal basis we are now sure that nobody is shortchanged.

    Whatever you want to do with your own, you do; if you want to create 10 states, you do; if you want to create 20 states, you create, we have the same amount. Others, if you want to merge your states, you merge. At least one thing is sure that there is equal distribution.

    However, within the Southeast caucus, we said that Ebonyi differs from other states in the southeast, the reason being that we told them our position that under the East Central State or even down to Enugu, Anambra states, many parts of our state suffered serious marginalisation and parts of Abia state also suffered this marginalisation.

    For us, our state was like an independent state for the first time. That is when we started having what we never had for the first time. Why we agree that regional arrangement is good, in our own peculiar situation, we will prefer states to be a federating unit.

    The implication is that if you make a zone a federating unit, ie the centre and the zone, it means that in terms of allocation, the Federal Government will take their own allocation and they give to zone.

    When Ebonyi was created, we were among the Igbo states that are least developed, educationally backward. To us it was a very pathetic situation. For us it was when we got our state that we now because of our free education which I initiated, which the current governor continued, we started having the number of graduates, we started having professionals we never had before.

    We started being like others. When I enumerated the story of our position, Enugu immediately said they were no more following the regional agitation; they are now following Ebonyi for Centre and States.

    So the entire committee agreed that it is better to have a centre and states. However, when they asked other delegates in that committee, Peter Odili is from Southsouth and all members from the zone said they preferred states. So it was a national issue.

    The whole Northern states said they are not for a region or zone. So, our position was popular at the end of the day. While we were at the zonal level, we were like a minority, at the national level we carried the day.

    Then on the issue of making the states a federating unit, so money will now come to us directly. Remember there was a time in this country when all the schools in the Southeast were on strike because of Labour, Ebonyi was the only state working because I paid our workers. Ebonyi had the highest salary for workers under the Minimum Wage. Remember, I gave Ebonyi the highest. And when others were on strike, Ebonyi was busy going to school because of our peculiarity and many other examples.

    Federal Government’s partnership with US and other country’s against insurgency

    It is long overdue. The truth of the matter is that we have to tell ourselves the truth. We should be able to acknowledge our sufficiency and insufficiency at every particular point in time. Nigeria because of our population has gone to the level where our population has outgrown our facilities.

    And subsequent governments have not been able to address these issues. This did not start with Jonathan. It is something that started many years ago. And it is not just in one sector. We are saying insecurity because of its prevalence rate. In the education sector, it is also there. That is why you see, JAMB for instance, we have more than one million candidates every year but at the end of the year, we can only admit 15% or highest 20 %.

    We don’t have the school facility to absolve all of these people. And what happens to the other 80%? The facilities, schools, infrastructures we have are not enough to cope with the massive population of people we have. The same in the health sector. And in the military, it is the same thing.

    Incidentally and unfortunately, the previous governments have not taken time to address these issues. They have not planned ahead to know that with our country coming up with population explosion, we need to plan ahead on these issues on the education, health, military.

    Many other countries have done that. We are interested in politics. The problem has now overwhelmed us. And that is why I say that we should acknowledge that as a country we have failed in trying to address these issues that are presently confronting us.

    And if we have not been able to confront them, to address them adequately, what we could do is to address it is to have two approaches to it. Short term plan and long term plan. Short term plan is under the current situation, get to governments or countries that have had similar situations that have been able to overcome it or have the technologies to handle it.

    In the long term, why they are here, try to see what we will be able to do to handle the situations when they leave. And what you do is massive employment and recruitment. I have gone to many countries, when I look at our soldiers, the number of people we have today, I always ask, can we adequately say at a time of serious war that we have enough men?

    This is population. We are talking of equipment and training. Israel is a small country bordered by hostile Arab countries but they are able to contain them not by their number but they have their technology where the stay in a particular place and monitor their entire boundaries with a satellite.

    Why we called these people to come and help, we should put efforts so that by the time they would have finished, we must have been  able to make do with the training they must given to us and our massive employment.

    A lot of our people are roaming around the street and we are in the state of war, for Christ sake, whether you like it or not. What we should do is massive employment or conscription. Let our young boys, graduates be recruited into the Army to avoid roaming about, they can be of help to Nigeria.

    The amount of money we spend in politics is not worth it at all. Let’s face our security, health, education. The current position of the President accepting foreign assistance is in right direction. You don’t fight modern war with the kind of technologies we have.