The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Willie Obiano

  • Peter Obi, Willie Obiano in verbal war

    The relationship between a governor and his godfather in Nigeria follows a usual pattern: an enviable rapport is followed by the godfather picking the godson to stand for election, the godson wins the election and occupies the seat, and then he falls out with his godfather after a few months.

    The latest example is that of Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano and his erstwhile godfather and predecessor Peter Obi. The two have frequently engaged each other in verbal war since Obiano became governor, sometimes simmering beneath the veneers of civility and sometimes bubbling to the surface. It has, however, come to the boil in recent times in spite of a public show of reconciliation between them in August at the burial of Father Nicholas Tagbo, a former principal of Christ the King College, Onitsha, which they both attended.

    On that occasion, Obiano knelt before Obi and begged the latter to forgive him of all perceived wrongdoings. Obi had embraced his successor to a thunderous applause from everyone in attendance. Alas, it was not to last. Like a temporary bandage on a large wound, the truce proved to be short-lived as both men have since resumed their war of words.

    While Obiano has vowed to deal with Obi and threatened to reveal his alleged dirty secrets while advising him to stay away from the state, the former governor accused Obiano of sponsoring a witch-hunt against him. He also boasted that nobody could stop him from entering Anambra.

    Watchers of the unpleasant drama cannot help but shake their heads at this latest example of what power does to friendship.

  • Osinbajo to visit manufacturing firms in Anambra

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would on Thursday visit some companies in Anambra to assess the challenges facing them in the state.

    The state governor, Willie Obiano, made this known to journalists in Awka on Wednesday.

    Obiano said the visit was against the backdrop of the presentation he made to the Federal Government after he met with the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria, Anambra chapter, recently.

    He said the visit would enable the federal government to provide sustainability package in the areas of forex and raw material sourcing to 300 firms in the state to enable them stay afloat.

    According to the governor, Osinbajo would visit the major industrial hubs of the state including Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka.

    He said the need to help the manufacturing firms could not be farfetched as the sector alone employed about 800,000 workers.

    “Recently I had a meeting with manufacturers in Anambra where they made their challenges known to us and I tabled the problems in Abuja before the Federal Government and Central Bank,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the governor as saying to journalists.

    “On that basis, the vice president will visit the state on Thursday (November 24) and see things for himself; he will visit selected firms in Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka.”

  • Obiano sets up 28 IDPs in readiness for flooding

    Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, on Wednesday said the state government has established 28 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in readiness for flooding in the state.

    The governor stated this at a one-day Anambra State Fire and Safety Summit in Awka, the state capital, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    He urged the flood prone communities in the state to be prepared and comply with government’s directives on movement to avoid mishaps.

    “Pay attention to what the government is saying about flooding. Be alert, prepared and keep to the advice of the government to vacate your vicinity if you are in the prone communities,’’ NAN quoted the governor as saying at the summit.

    Obiano said the government had acquired 10 modern fire fighting trucks to reduce the rising cases of inferno in the state.

     

  • Anambra to construct N1.5b Housing Estate

    Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano, on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private firm for the construction of a N1.5 billion Housing Estate in the state.

    Speaking after signing the document with the firm, Lake Petroleum Limited, in Amawbia, Awka South local government area of the state, the governor said the estate would be located at Government Reserved Area (GRA) Onitsha.

    He said project was designed to provide affordable and durable houses for the people in the area, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Obiano said the estate would be the eighth housing project to be initiated by his administration, adding that it would be built to international standard.

    The governor said the project is expected to generate direct and indirect jobs for youths in the area, urging the contractors to begin work within three months or risk losing the contract.

    Earlier, the Managing Director of Anambra State Investments Promotion and Protection Agency, Mr. Joe-Billy Ekwunife, said in the course of executing the project, the firm is expected to reclaim some land lost to erosion.

    Ekwunife assured that the project would boost the state’s internally generated revenue when completed.

  • Anambra records 2000 cases of tuberculosis

     

     

     

    Anambra state has been hit by over 2000 cases of tuberculosis, says the state commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike.

     

    The commissioner said this on Monday in his office in Awka, while briefing reporters that the patients were receiving treatment at various Directly Observed Therapy Centres in the State.

     

    He hinted that Anambra State and 13 other states, including Federal Capital Territory (FCT), contributed to over 75 percent of the total TB burden in Nigeria.

     

    The theme of his briefing was “Find TB, Treat TB and work Together to Eliminate TB”.

     

    The Commissioner waved aside the belief that TB could be caused by voodoo.

     

    He said the disease was caused by a germ called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, adding that it was spread through the air when people who had active TB in their lungs sneeze, cough, spit, speak or sing.

     

    Akabuike added that people living with HIV were more vulnerable to TB infection, adding that the ailment could be cured when detected early.

     

    He therefore commended the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for the prompt payment of salaries of health workers and provision of health facilities for the TB programme as well as signing of MoU with the global funds to contribute 20 percent of the funds by the donor to control TB in the State.

     

     

    Earlier, the State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Officer, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Okolie and the Director Primary Health and Disease Control, Dr. Emmanuel Okoye  had stressed the need for people to go for diagnosis and treatment when detected, adding that diagnosis and treatment were free.

     

  • Obiano hosts children

    Obiano hosts children

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has celebrated Christmas with children at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.

    He gave them gifts to commemorate the festive season.

    Obiano, who spoke while opening the Christmas party hosted by his wife, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, advised the children to be serious with their studies.

    He told the over 4,000 children from variuos parts of the state to pay attention to their studies, to realise their ambitions.

    Mrs. Obiano, represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke, urged the children to  imbibe the spirit of team work.

    She said they should always pray to God for good health, and pray for their parents and leaders.

    Mrs. Okeke enjoined parents to take care of their children and give them quality education.

  • Anambra budgets N164.496bn for 2015

    Anambra budgets N164.496bn for 2015

    •As assembly rules out impeachment

    Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has presented appropriation bill of one hundred and sixty-four billion, four hundred and ninety-six million naira (N164.496bn) for 2015 fiscal year.

    The amount is made up of 11.0 979 billion for capital expenditure and 53.517 billion naira for recurrent expenditure or in percentage terms, 67.5% and 33.5% respectively.

    Presenting the budget yesterday at the state House of Assembly complex, Obiano said that a total of 1.8 billion naira had been mapped out for the take off of the contributory pension scheme for workers welfare.

    Tagged “budget for wealth creation and social cohesion” Obiano said roads would take 48% in the capital sector, while education will receive 45.6 percent of the total expenditure of the social sector.

    However, the 2015 budget represents only a marginal increase of 3.17 percent over the figure of 159.469 billion for 2014 which was former Governor Peter Obi’s last budget in the state.

    Accordingly, the total recurrent revenue earning for 2015 for the state was projected at 102.039 billion naira which was made up of 48.040 billion naira from statutory allocations and 54.000 billion naira from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Furthermore, the statutory allocations in 2015 are projected to be approximately 8.6 billion naira, less that the estimate in 2014, which according to him reflects the decline in the state’s share of revenue from federal allocation.

    Obiano announced that the development partners contributed 10 billion naira to the total capital receipts in 2014, adding that in 2015, his administration would intensify efforts to grow this vital sources of revenue for the state to14 billion naira.

    The motion for its first reading as ordered by the speaker, Hon Chinwe Nwaebili was moved by the majority leader, Hayford Oseke and seconded by the minority leader, Hon Tony Oneweek Muonagor of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which was read by the House clerk.

    Meanwhile, the speaker of the Assembly, Hon Chinwe Nwaebili, used the forum to debunk claims in the social media that the executive and the legislative were not in good terms.

    The speaker said it was the imagination of the emissaries of rift and meddlesome interlopers, adding that the cordinal relationship existing between the two arms would continue.

    According to her, “ those who write and post impeachment stories in the internet to cause confusion between Obiano and the state Assembly will not succeed, Anambra state has left Egypt and will not go back to it again” she said.

    Continuing she said Obiano had charmed the people of Anambra State with his people oriented programmes, adding that the house would make sure that the 2015 bill would be given accelerated passage.

    But, the chairman, House committee on finance and appropriation, Nikky Ugochukwu, called on commissioners and ministries to come forward for the budget defence in making sure that the budget would be ready for Obiano before January, 2015.

     

  • Anambra lawmakers demand return tickets

    Anambra lawmakers demand return tickets

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano is on a warpath with the House of Assembly members, following the demand of automatic return tickets to the House.

    They have asked the governor to choose between automatic tickets or a likely impeachment.

    The Speaker, Princess Chinwe Clare Nwaebili, is also asking for the Ogbaru Federal Constituency ticket.

    This is, however, not going down well with stakeholders, who believe that the incumbent, ex-editor of The Source magazine, Victor Afam Ogene, has performed well.

    According to investigation, the lawmakers asked for the automatic tickets at a session with the governor last Saturday.

    They were adamant and held Obiano hostage on the concession.

    The development has made the governor, a bureaucrat, who is new in politics, to be desperate to prevent crisis, which may derail his administration.

    The Assembly is made up of 30 lawmakers- 24 from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), four from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It was learnt that 153 aspirants had bought forms for the 30 seats.

    Also, 44 aspirants are vying for the 11 seats in the House of Representatives allocated to the state.

    A source said: “The legislators are using the automatic tickets as a bargaining chip because if the governor dances to their tune, they still have time to initiate impeachment proceeding against him, no matter how frivolous.

    “Obiano is not so much concerned about the federal seats but the House of Assembly seats.

    “But APGA chieftains are pressurising him not to bow to the request of the lawmakers. They said since Obiano promised party members free and fair primaries, he should stick to it.

    “The chieftains and members chose Option A4 for the primaries. They said if Obiano deviated from free and fair process, it might mark the beginning of the disintegration of APGA in the state.

    “The governor is, however, afraid of the lawmakers. He has met party chairmen in the state and the elected council chairmen on how to concede the tickets to the lawmakers.

    “Although some of the legislators failed to perform, the governor will prefer to allow the electorate to decide their fate.”

    Another source said one of the seats creating tension in Anambra is Ogbaru Federal Constituency, which the Speaker is insisting on having.

    Stakeholders and party chieftains, however, prefer the return of Ogene.

    “The Speaker wants to snatch the ticket, but we are opposed to it. Yet the governor cannot confront her. The alternative we have is for APGA to lose the seat.

    “The imposition will mark the fall of APGA in the state. APC and PDP are just waiting for any slip to take advantage,” the source added.

    A member of the state Executive Committee of APGA said: “We have issues on senatorial tickets too. In Anambra South, Nicholas Ukachukwu, who left PDP for APGA is jostling for the slot with a former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Mr. Ernest Ndukwe (being sponsored by billionaire Emeka Offor); and ex-Deputy Governor Okey Udeh.

    “In Anambra North, the battle will be fought by Alphonsus Igbeke (from   Anambra East); Dubem Obaze (the younger brother of the Secretary to the State Government); Patrick Nwachi and Mike Okey Areh.

     

  • Obiano in trouble as lawmakers demand automatic return tickets

    Obiano in trouble as lawmakers demand automatic return tickets

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano is on a warpath with the House of Assembly members, following the demand of automatic return tickets to the House.

    They have asked the governor to choose between automatic tickets or a likely impeachment.

    The Speaker, Princess Chinwe Clare Nwaebili, is also asking for the Ogbaru Federal Constituency ticket.

    This is, however, not going down well with stakeholders, who believe that the incumbent, ex-editor of The Source magazine, Victor Afam Ogene, has performed well.

    According to investigation, the lawmakers asked for the automatic tickets at a session with the governor last Saturday.

    They were adamant and held Obiano hostage on the concession.

    The development has made the governor, a bureaucrat, who is new in politics, to be desperate to prevent crisis, which may derail his administration.

    The Assembly is made up of 30 lawmakers- 24 from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), four from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It was learnt that 153 aspirants had bought forms for the 30 seats.

    Also, 44 aspirants are vying for the 11 seats in the House of Representatives allocated to the state.

    A source said: “The legislators are using the automatic tickets as a bargaining chip because if the governor dances to their tune, they still have time to initiate impeachment proceeding against him, no matter how frivolous.

    “Obiano is not so much concerned about the federal seats but the House of Assembly seats.

    “But APGA chieftains are pressurising him not to bow to the request of the lawmakers. They said since Obiano promised party members free and fair primaries, he should stick to it.

    “The chieftains and members chose Option A4 for the primaries. They said if Obiano deviated from free and fair process, it might mark the beginning of the disintegration of APGA in the state.

    “The governor is, however, afraid of the lawmakers. He has met party chairmen in the state and the elected council chairmen on how to concede the tickets to the lawmakers.

    “Although some of the legislators failed to perform, the governor will prefer to allow the electorate to decide their fate.”

    Another source said one of the seats creating tension in Anambra is Ogbaru Federal Constituency, which the Speaker is insisting on having.

    Stakeholders and party chieftains, however, prefer the return of Ogene.

    “The Speaker wants to snatch the ticket, but we are opposed to it. Yet the governor cannot confront her. The alternative we have is for APGA to lose the seat.

    “The imposition will mark the fall of APGA in the state. APC and PDP are just waiting for any slip to take advantage,” the source added.

    A member of the state Executive Committee of APGA said: “We have issues on senatorial tickets too. In Anambra South, Nicholas Ukachukwu, who left PDP for APGA is jostling for the slot with a former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC), Mr. Ernest Ndukwe (being sponsored by billionaire Emeka Offor); and ex-Deputy Governor Okey Udeh.

    “In Anambra North, the battle will be fought by Alphonsus Igbeke (from   Anambra East); Dubem Obaze (the younger brother of the Secretary to the State Government); Patrick Nwachi and Mike Okey Areh.

    “Certainly, APGA is in disorder in Anambra State over the general elections. We are trying to sort things out and the inexperience of the governor in politics has not helped the situation.

    “The APGA National Chairman, Victor Umeh, who should have solved the problem, is contented with the Anambra Central ticket conceded to him.”

     

     

  • 2015: Obiano, Umeh vow to sack Okorocha

    2015: Obiano, Umeh vow to sack Okorocha

    ANAMBRA State Governor Willie Obiano and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, have vowed to sack the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, in 2015 and reclaim the party’s mandate in the state.

    The duo and the former Minister of Interior, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho, told the Imo State governor to prepare to hand over power to APGA, adding that the party is poised to take back its “stolen” mandate.

    Speaking during APGA sensitisation rally held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, this weekend, Umeh expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of APGA leaders in the state, which he attributed to the party’s determination to reclaim its stolen mandate in the forthcoming general elections.

    Charging party members to always work harmoniously towards actualising total victory for APGA, Umeh assured that only responsible and true Igbo sons and daughters without questionable backgrounds would be nominated as candidates of the party at different levels in the state to avoid “repeating the mistakes of the past.”

    Obiano, in his speech, promised to give all the necessary support needed for the party to reclaim its mandate and win overwhelmingly in the forthcoming general elections in Imo State.

    He charged the party members to remain steadfast and committed to the party’s victory in 2015, noting that APGA was formed to realise and protect the collective Igbo interest.

    Obiano acknowledged that it would be a difficult task for any other political party to defeat APGA in Imo judging by its present strength and the grassroots support the party enjoys in the state.

    The former minister and the party’s major governorship aspirant, Iheanacho, assured that the party leaders and stakeholders have agreed to close ranks to ensure that APGA reclaims its ‘stolen’ mandate in 2015.

    According to him, “APGA as a party has been well repositioned ahead of future political challenges. Imo people have already embraced the party again believing in its ideology and this is a clear indication that APGA has been deeply entrenched at the grassroots to win elective positions in the state.

    He promised to rewrite the history of the state in the areas of socio-economic development, job creation, women and youth empowerment, affordable and quality healthcare delivery, industrialisation and quality education system if elected governor.

    Addressing the mammoth crowed the secretary of the Rally Organising Committee and House of Assembly aspirant for Oguta State Constituency, Emmanuel Ogboko, said the huge turnout of party supporters was an affirmation that APGA is the party to beat in the state.

    He added that the party has overcome its internal wrangling and has come together to takeover its position in the state.