Hero Lager Supports Igbo Apprentices With N50m Grants

SUN NEWS ONLINE

The grand finale of the IgbaBoi Hero campaign from Hero Lager in promotion of Igbo apprenticeship scheme popularly called, Igba Boi, has been held in Lagos. The IgbaBoi Hero initiative of Hero Lager, a premium beer by International Breweries Plc, a proud part of the world’s largest brewer with over 400 beer brands, AB InBev, culminated in the award of certificates and financial grants totaling N50 million to graduates of the scheme.

The Initiative was launched to reinforce its Ahagiefula (Legacy) Campaign message – May Your Name Never Be Forgotten. This campaign was built upon the insight that the Igbo people’s biggest ambition is to leave a legacy that makes their names renowned. The Igbo Apprenticeship (Igba Boi) system is the longest existing communal legacy of the Igbo People.

Igba Boi was activated in six markets across the South East and Lagos, including Ogbaru Main Market, Onitsha, Nkwo Nnewi Market, Awka, Coal Camp Market, Enugu, Alaba International Market, Owerri, Ariaria International Market, Aba, and Alaba International Market, Lagos. The campaign reached a total of 12,290,487 million people, 4680 apprentices applied to the programme and 300 apprentices were eventually shortlisted. These 300, got a total 1.4 million + votes of confidence from consumers who were asked to vote in support of their ambition.

IGBO POLITICS: 2023: APGA Vows To Win More Guber, National Assembly Seats In Nigeria

BY CHIJINDU EMERUWA

ABUJA (DAILY POST) The National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), has boasted that it will win more gubernatorial and legislative seats in Nigeria come 2023 general election.

Ozonkpu Victor Ike Oye, said this in a statement forwarded to DAILY POST on Sunday, by the National Publicity Secretary of APGA, Barrister Tex Okechukwu, at the end of the enlarged meeting of the National Working Committee of the party held at its National Secretariat in Abuja.

The APGA National Chairman also reiterated that the party will spread more and even overtake other major political parties in Nigeria.

Oye said, “APGA is consistently rising, spreading all over the country as the most formidable political party giving its pacesetting antecedents in all democratic ramifications.

“Nigerian people have seen that APGA is transparent, diligent and determined to take the party to the next level, unlike other parties. They are indicating interest to join from all over the country and even from the diaspora.

“Even the defectors are full of regrets and are making frantic efforts to rescind and reverse their mischievous mistakes by decamping to APC”.

He further stated that APGA is the bride and pride of contemporary Nigeria politicians.

Oye said, “the usual sincerity and determination of all the stakeholders in the party, particularly in the immediate past election that produced Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo as governor and Dr. Ibezim as Deputy governor-elect of Anambra state respectively speaks volumes.

“Every astute politician in Nigeria particularly in the southeast has found APGA as the only political haven and are hurriedly taking advantage of that, by trying to join. Other political parties are overwhelmed with the irreversible political crisis”.

Continuing, the national Chairman further reiterated that Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State did excellently well and that Soludo will definitely do more and improve in the established legacies of Obiano’s administration in the state.

“Professor Charles Soludo stated categorically that he has contracted with Ndi ANAMBRA, and that he will bring his wealth of international and national experiences to bear in developing Anambra State, that he has resolved to make Anambra State a haven for investors and even for leisure seekers, he promised massive infrastructural development, security will be at its best, provision of jobs for the youths of Ndi Anambra, partnership with public and private sectors etc”, Oye said.

He, however, used the medium to commend the National Working Committee (NWC) and other party faithful for their unshakable and maximum cooperation since their inception more particularly during the trying times of the immediate past gubernatorial election.

According to the statement by the APGA spokesman, the National Secretary of the party, Dr. Labaran Maku, Deputy National Chairman Northern Nigeria, Adamu, the Deputy National Chairman southern zone, Chief Uchenna Okogbuo and all the national vice-chairmen and members of the APGA NWC were present during the enlarged meeting held in Abuja.

In another development, the Yobe State Executive Committee of the All Progressive Grand Alliance has honoured its national chairman, Ozonkpu Victor Oye for an excellent leadership award.

The State leadership of the party described him as a Colossus and a go-getter.

Ohanaeze Calls For Airlifting Of Stranded Nigerians In China

BY CHIJINDU EMERUWA

The Igbo youth socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Youth Council(OYC), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government to subsidize flight tickets for stranded Nigerians in China

Ohanaeze disclosed that about two thousand five hundred Nigerians are currently trapped in China amidst the spread of Coronavirus pandemic which has led to the lockdown of economic and social activities across the world.

The Igbo group made the call in a press statement forwarded to DAILY POST on Wednesday.

The group also appealed to the South-East Governors Forum and well-meaning philanthropists to assist in helping stranded Nigerians in China to return home.

Ohanaeze also commended the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Nigeria Diaspora Commission for their approval to evacuate stranded Nigerians abroad.

It urged all Igbos stranded in China or any other country to report to the nearest Nigerian Embassy for evacuation.

On its stimulus package to cushion the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown, Ohanaeze said it has approved to pay for 20 tickets to stranded Nigerians especially poor students, who are faced with a lot of difficulties in China.

Rep. Sam Onuigbo Donates Examination Materials To Schools In Abia

Sam Onuigbo. Image: Facebook.

BY LINUS EFFIONG

The member representing Umuahia North/Umuahia South/ Ikwuano federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Sam. Onuigbo has donated examination revision materials to students in his constituency. Onuigbo made the donation of examination revision materials to students in his Constituency, at Kolping Event Centre, World Bank Housing Estate, Umuahia.

Speaking at the event, held he said it was in fulfilment of the promise he made to the youths and it was meant to improve their studies. “I have always been interested in the provision of quality education for our young ones. That is why my journey through life has always been highlighted by the offering of several scholarship opportunities to young people from primary, secondary, tertiary, and even post-graduate levels,’’ he said.

The lawmaker said since 1999, he had facilitated the construction of a block of three classrooms at Obuohia Ibere Community Primary School, which was followed by the establishment of a secondary school in his community.

“My conviction is that a conducive learning environment will help our young ones do better and continue to excel and maintain Abia State’s enviable position as the state that has consistently come first in the country in the West African Secondary School Examinations over the years.

According to him, this year, he has procured registration forms for students who wanted to sit for the West African Examination Counci l(WAEC) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board(JAMB) examinations.

SOURCE: DAILY TRUST

IKEDI OHAKIM: Nigerian Leaders Including Myself Have Failed In Terms Of Security

Ikedi Ohakim, former Governor of Imo State.

BY ADINDU OBIALOR

A former Governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim has blamed the current security situation in the country on the nation’s political leaders who have remained unmoved and indifferent in tackling the security challenges confronting the country.

Ohakim stated this today while delivering a lecture He said that insecurity has hitherto become the national anthem on the lips of every Nigerian, a situation, he noted will continue to portray the country in a bad light before the international community.

“Our lands have suddenly become graveyards as a result of incessant killings which have become the order of the day.”

“The late Nobel Laureate, Chinua Achebe was right when he put up his first artwork, ‘Things fall apart’ and ended it with, ‘There was a country’. Indeed, things have fallen apart in Nigeria.”

“I charge Mr. President, as a matter of urgency, release the presidential Marshall plan for security because we shall not continue to fold our arms and watch our people die like fowls everyday.”

“Just last week, bandits killed another 52 in Kaduna state. These are not 52 cows but human beings. What a country! Meanwhile, the Governor of Kaduna state has apologized for his inability to protect his people. It is indeed a sorry situation.”

Ohakim who spoke as a guest at the event further said that Nigeria will hardly make a headway while leaving with the enemy called ‘insecurity and corruption’, urging the leaders to apply human face in the fight against the menace.

Igbo Governors Get 90 Days To Establish Regional Security

BY CHINONSO ALOZIE

OWERRI (VANGUARD)--The Igbo National Council, INC, on Tuesday, handed down a 90-day ultimatum to the governors of the five states of the South-East zone, to establish a regional security outfit just like the Northern and South-West regions did.

The warning came from the statement issued in Owerri, by the INC, National President, Chilos Godsent, alongside other executives after their meeting.

According to them, failure to do so that their people would be encouraged to protect themselves from the killings by suspected armed herdsmen said to have camped themselves in the forest of the zone. 

He said: “We wish to inform the people of the Igbo Race that the proposed community policing by the IGP is meant to officially aid the framework for intelligence gathering and invasion of Igbo communities by the Jihadist. 

 “On the foregoing, the Igbo National Council (INC) request the Governors of the South-East, South-South and North-Central geopolitical zones respectively as a matter of urgent necessity to establish and officially inaugurate their regional security outfits like the South-West (AMOTEKUN) and North-West (SEGE KA FASA) within ninety days from 29th February 2020 as a sign of patriotism and commitment to the security and welfare of their citizens. 

“We note that failure for the Governors of the aforementioned geopolitical zones to adhere to this call, the Self-Determination groups in those geopolitical zones may be compelled to take their destiny into their own hands in other to protect their citizens from the rampaging Fulani Jihadist.

“The meeting supports in its totality the call by the National Assembly (NASS) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria urging President Mohammadu Buhari to sack all the Service Chiefs with immediate effect. 

“The reality on the ground has clearly shown that the present crops of service chiefs can no longer protect the lives and properties of Nigerians who are daily slaughtered like cows and chickens by Boko Haram, Fulani Herdsmen and Fulani Jihadists.” 

They continued: “The meeting condemned the wanton arrest and arbitrary detention of the elders and people of Ifite-Ogwari community in Anyamelum Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra State for the simple reason of defending their community from Fulani Herdsmen who have continued to attack and kill members of the Ifite-Ogwari community in their ancestral land. 

“On the foregoing, INC urge the Government of Anambra State to rise up to the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of the people of Anambra State. 

“The NWC meeting urged the Federal Government to be very sensitive of the untold hardship the people of Southern Nigeria are passing through because of the border closure. On the above, INC, therefore, requests the Federal Government to reopen the southern border or otherwise close the porous Northern borders where too many smuggling activities have been taking place since the politically motivated closure of the Southern borders. 

“Finally, the Igbo National Council (INC) wish to advise the leadership of Miyetti Allah in Nigeria to urge her members who now camp in many forests in South-East and South-South geopolitical zone to immediately vacate those forests or regret their deviancy.”

Eastern Region Unites On Kanu's Parents' Burial

IPOB members from Igweocha, Rivers State at the burial of Nnamdi Kanu's parents. Image via Vanguard.

BY CHIMAOBI NWAIWU

Satisfied with the successful burial of its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s parents, In Isiama Afaraukwu Umuahia, Abia State, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, yesterday said that attendance by people from the 11 States of old Eastern Region, now divided into the South East and South-South, was an indication that they are united in pursuit of freedom. 

The old Eastern Region is made up of Abia, Imo, Enugu Ebonyi, Anambra, Edo, Delta Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom States.

IPOB in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful said that Mazi Kanu’s parents’ burial has more than before, united the old Eastern Region who were allegedly maliciously divided into South-East and South-South, in order to prevent their coming together to fight one common problem against them which is injustice.

The attendance by traditional rulers, chiefs kings and queens from all the South-East and South-South, is a proof the old Eastern region is still one united people, even though the Federal government divided it into two geopolitical zones to stop them from uniting for a secession a second time. 

“We had traditional rulers and chiefs, from Ijaw, iIkwerre Anang, Efik, Ogoni, Ibibio, Idoma, all present and others represented in Afara Ukwu Ibeku Umushia, to pay their last respect to Nnamdi Kanu’s parent” 

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s parents’ burial once again has united South-East and South-South in the pursuit of one important goal which is freedom for our people.” 

It will be recalled that representatives of very important personalities and members of IPOB from the all the State in South East and South with private and chartered vehicles stormed Isiama Afaraukwu Umyahia, Abia State, for the burial.

According to IPOB, the attendance of the burial by people from different states of the South East and South-South was how the old Eastern Region was doing things together before the government of Nigeria became threatened and divided the region into two. 

The group thanked the elders and politicians of Yoruba ethnic group and individuals that attended the burial ceremony, just as it thanked traditional rulers from Igbo land, politicians and businessmen that attended including, former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator Victor Umeh and Mr Peter Obi, and others too numerous to mention.

-----VANGUARD

NEWSROOM: S’East Leaders To FG: Declare Herdsmen Terrorists

Map of South East

Plans ‘Operation Ogbunigwe’ to fight insecurity
Govs adopt community policing
It’s the way to go, says IGP

BY KENNETH OFOMA

ENUGU (NEW TELEGRAPH)--South-East leaders, comprising members of apex Igbo body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, traditional and religious leaders, yesterday, called on the Federal Government to declare killer herdsmen terrorists and tinker with the constitution to allow digbo to establish a regional security outfit to be known as “Operation Ogbunigwe.”

The Igbo leaders made the call during a security summit, with the theme: “Strategic partnership for defective community policing in the South-East,” organised by the Nigeria Police in partnership with governors of the five states of the zone.

The event was attended by police hierarchy led by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu; Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Willie Obiano (Anambra), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and the deputy governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, who represented Governor Hope Uzodinma.

Also in attendance were a cross section of Igbo leaders, including Ohanaeze President General, Chief Nnia Nwodo; religious leaders and prominent traditional rulers.

Nwodo, who decried rising insecurity across the country, called on the Federal Government to allow the South-East to establish a security outfit to be named “Operation Ogbunigwe” to tackle the menace.

“Section 14 of the Constitution gives the governors as chief security officers, the power to provide security for their people. If the governors are not fully integrated in the processes of community policing, including recruitment of the special constables among other things, then it is dead on arrival. What our people want is to own our domestic security. There must be a way our law will allow us to have our own Ogbunigwe,” he said.

Also decrying a situation where no police commissioner of Igbo speaking state was posted to any state of the region and posting of one State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) of Igbo extraction to one state in the zone, the Ohanaeze President General wondered how people with a different language, religion and culture can effectively police other people with opposing features.

He consequently called for dismantling of excessive and oppressive security check points within the region, saying that he personally counted 17 of such roadblocks along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway and they all serve as toll gates for financial extortion.

The Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Ecclesiastical Province, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, who spoke on behalf of other religious leaders, called on the Federal Government to declare killer herdsmen as terrorists.

“The Federal Government should declare Fulani herdsmen as terrorists. Our men and women don’t go to their farms any longer. Government should reduce the number of roadblocks in the South-East and reduce the number of policemen attached to politicians. Some politicians have 20 policemen, while we don’t have enough,” he said.

However, governors of the South-East in their submission resolved to adopt the Community Policing Programme of the Nigerian Police Force to solve security challenges in the zone.

Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi, who stated the position of the governors at the summit, said they were satisfied with the Inspector-General of Police strategies for the implementation of the community policing programme in the zone.

Umahi, who noted that the governors had earlier had a closed door meeting with the police boss at Enugu Government House before coming to the Base Event Center, Enugu, venue of the summit, stated: “We reached satisfactory and acceptable decisions and agreement. We can assure you that all the concerns of security challenges we have here in the South-East as presented here by the President of Ohanaeze, our religious leaders and of course our traditional fathers was not different from what was handed to us and we went through that with the IGP without letting you know the details. We assure you that all the challenges are being addressed.”

The governors noted that explanation and details provided to them by the IGP gave them the confidence to assure the people of the zone that community policing is not different from the neighbourhood watch, vigilante operation and forests guards as well as the herdsmen and farmers peace committees.

Umahi further said that the governors resolved as follows: “We decided as your governors to embrace the initiative of community policing, which is an official endorsement in line with the Police Act as part of what we are doing to safeguard the lives and property of our people. We commend the IGP so much, he is a man that is committed to professionalism. Even the roadblocks, we have discussed it and you will begin to see a lot of changes from today.

“Taking into cognisance the existing security initiative instituted by governors of the states in the South-East geo-political zone at the various local level such as vigilante group, the neighbourhood watch, forest guards among others which are in conformity with the community policing strategy, the state governors have accepted and adopted community policing as an effective tool in bringing policing to the grassroots.

“Community policing committees made up of traditional rulers, community leaders, town union leaders, religious leaders etc., within the locality will be charged with the responsibility of selecting and recruiting community policing officers that will work within the communities.

“The governors of states within the South-East geo-political zone are to reinforce and provide improved capacity for the police and other security agencies in their respective states in support of the community policing programme. This is as the states within the South-East zone will individually and periodically undertake operation against crimes and criminality in synergy with the police and other security agencies.

The Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Amb. Lawrence Agubuzu, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers in the zone, said the royal fathers stand with the position of the governors.

The IGP had earlier stated that the community policing model being envisioned for Nigeria under the current dispensation is one that will draw on the legal opportunities provided by the Police Act for the engagement of special constables, who in this instance, will be engaged as community policing officers under the coordination of the Nigeria Police towards evolving a community-focused policing architecture.

His words: “Provisions for the establishment and utilization of Special Constables is provided for under Section 49 of the Police Act and they are appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 50(1) of the Police Act.

“In view of these provisions which approve them to serve particular purposes and which also confer upon them, the powers, privileges and immunities of police officer within their localities, special constables will be trained and used as Voluntary Community Police Officers to drive the Community Policing initiative at the grassroots level.

“This event is convened within the framework of our community policing initiative and as part of the strategies of the Nigeria Police to employ an all-inclusive strategy toward aiding us in the achievement of our internal security mandate, particularly in the South-East states.

The IGP said the summit was the sixth in the series and that all ended with very successful outcomes and the strategies jointly developed as well as partnerships built have so far been effective in addressing the security threats that are peculiar to each zone.

ND'IGBO: Insecurity - South-East To Name Joint Security Outfit Soon

Dave Umahi, Chairman of SEG Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State. Image: Facebook

BY ANNAYO OKOLI, DENNIS AGBO, CHINEDU ADONU

With the various regions of the country forming their security outfits as a result of rising insecurity, the South East governors, yesterday, disclosed that they would soon name their region's security outfit which was proposed last year.

They also disclosed that the state houses of assembly in the zone were on the verge of passing laws that will give the outfit legal backing.

The governors disclosed this on a day Ohanaeze Ndigbo warned that due to the worsening insecurity situation in the country, Ndigbo will henceforth embark on self-defence.

The apex pan-Igbo organization said Ndigbo could no longer fold their arms and watch their citizens slaughtered helplessly as though the country was in a hopeless state.

S/East to name joint security outfit soon
Rising from a meeting in Enugu last light, the Governors said they had notified the Federal Government about their plans and would follow it up with details of the mandate of the security outfit.

In a communique read by Chairman of South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi, the governors' said the forum had been inundated with questions on the region's plans after the South West unveiled Amotokun, stating that the South East was not in competition with other regions.

Umahi, however, recalled: "The South East Governors had formed their South East joint security on July 28, 2019, and inaugurated her committee on joint security on August 31, 2019.

"Forum took briefing from chairman of the South East joint security committee and is satisfied with all the arrangement that will lead to South East State Houses of Assembly to enact a law to back up the South East Security programme with a name to the outfit."

The governors also reiterated March 31, 2020, as date for reopening of Akanu Ibaim International Airport, Enugu to commercial activities.

They expressed satisfaction and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his attention and release of funds for the airport rehabilitation, Second Niger bridge construction and rehabilitation of other federal highways in the zone.

The South-East governors also agreed to commence construction of a ring road to connect South East and South South zones, in view of the progress being made in Enyimba Economic City.

Ndigbo 'll embark on self defence --Ohanaeze
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, rising from its Imeobi meeting of the year, in Enugu, yesterday, said it exhaustively considered and deliberated on the lone agenda of the meeting, which was security, and with deep trepidation, noted the deteriorating security situation in the South East and Nigeria in general, saying Ndigbo would henceforth embark on self-defence.

Among those in attendance at the meeting were the President-General, Nnia Nwodo; Peter Obi, Jim Nwobodo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Mbazulike Amaechi, Achike Udenwa, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Adolphous Wabara, Anyim Udeh, Frank Ogbuewu, Azu Agboti, among many others.

In a communique by the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, the group said: "Ohanaeze, hereby, states categorically that Ndigbo will not stand by and watch their people slaughtered and that Ohanaeze will defend every soul in Igbo land.

"Ohanaeze, hereby nominates, activates and directs the council of elders, made up of reputable Igbo personalities and leaders, to engage Ohanaeze and state governors immediately on prevailing security challenges.

"Finally, Ohanaeze reminds Ndigbo that there have been difficulties in security in our history in Nigeria. In all these, our determination to protect our homeland and families against aggressors has never wavered and we have always relied on our ingenuity and vigilance to ensure our survival. Let nobody take us for granted."

The meeting dispersed to join the South East Governors Forum meeting held at Government House, Enugu.

SOURCE: VANGUARD

Why Your Judgment Is Fraud, Ihedioha Tells Supreme Court

Emeka Ihedioha

BY GODWIN TSA

The sacked governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha, has predicated his motion urging the Supreme Court to set aside its January 14, 2020 judgment that ousted him from office on the ground that it was fraudulently obtained by the incumbent governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

The apex court had in a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun removed Iheadioha from office and ordered that Uzodinma of the All Progressive Congress (APC) be sworn in as the validly elected governor of Imo State.

But in a motion on notice filed pursuant to section 6(6) of the 1999 constitution, section 22 of the Supreme Court Act, 2004, and the inherent jurisdiction of the court, the former governor has asked the court to review it’s judgment on the ground that it was obtained by fraud.

The motion which was filed by the legal team of the former governor headed by Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) was in respect of appeals Nos: SC. 1462/2019; SC/1470/2019; CA/OW/GOV/05/2019and petition No: EPT/GOV/IM/08/2019, between Senator Hope Uzodinma, All Progressive Congress (APC) and Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

It is the contention of Ihedioha that the judgment is a nulity as it was obtained by fraud.

On this ground, Ihedioha submitted that “the Appellants/Respondents (Uzodinma), fraudulently misled this court into holding that a total of 213,495 votes were unlawfully excluded from the votes scored by the 1st Appellant/Respondent in the election.

He further submitted that “the 1st Appellant/Respondent admitted under cross-examination that he was the person (and not the 3rd Respondent [INEC] or any of its officials) who computed the result that gave him the 213,495 votes alleged to have been excluded from his total votes in the election.

“The fraudulent nature of the additional votes was demonstrated by the fact that the total votes cast as shown in the 1st Appellant/ Respondent’s computation was more than the total number of voters accredited for the election and in some polling units more than the total number of registered voters.

“The fraud was also demonstrated by the fact that the result computed by the 1st Appellant/Respondent showed only the votes of the 1st Applicant and the 1st Appellant/Respondent without specifying the votes scored by the other 68 candidates who participated in the election.”

He told the apex court that the fraud was further demonstrated by Exhibits 63RD1 to 63RD19 (INEC Forms EC40G) which show that there were no valid elections in the 388 polling units where the additional 213,495 votes claimed by the 1st Appellant/Respondent were allegedly generated.

Another reason to set aside of the judgment is that it was given per incuriam.

He stated that by Exhibit A1 (Form EC8D) the total number of voters accredited for the election was 823,743 while the total valid votes cast was 731,485.

The applicant contended that “with the inclusion of 213,695 votes for the 1st Appellant/Respondent and 1,903 to the votes of the 1st Applicant, as ordered by this court, the total number of votes cast at the election now stands at 953,083 (i.e. 731,485 + 213,695 + 1,903) making the total number of votes far in excess of the total number of voters accredited for the election, 129,340.

He submitted that it is unlawful for the total number of votes cast in an election to exceed the number of accredited voters and that illegality rendered the judgment sought to be set aside null and void.

The applicant argued that the Appellants/Respondents pleaded in paragraph 39 of their petition that a supplementary election should be conducted in the 388 polling units where the additional votes that created the illegality were alleged to have been cast and that pleading was binding on the Appellants/Respondents and the court.

SOURCE: SUN NEWS

ENUGU: New Minimum Wage And Ugwuanyi’s Care For Workers

Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

BY THERESA CHINWEUBA
I was not among those who were surprised when news hit the airwaves, online and print media that Enugu state government has approved the payment of the N30,000 new minimum wage to workers in the state with effect from February 2020. The approval according to the news came after the State Executive Council approved the report of the Joint Committee of the state government representatives and that of the leadership of the Organised Labour in the state that was set up by the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to work on the consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage.

Many may ask why I wasn’t surprised. I was not surprised for several reasons and verifiable facts. Since 2015 Ugwuanyi assumed office, I have kept close tab on his administration’s policies and programmes, especially as it concerns workers’ welfare. It is a matter of fact that Enugu is not an oil producing state. In the country’s Monthly Federation allocation cadre, Enugu state is almost at the bottom level. The state is more of civil servants’ state than any other thing.

On assumption of office, Ugwuanyi took note of the abovementioned facts about the state and set his administration’s priorities right from the onset. Ugwuanyi firstly introduced fiscal discipline, accountability and prudence in the management of the state meagre resources. His government plugged the leakages and loopholes in the handling of the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), an action that shored up the state’s IGR tremendously and significantly.

Knowing the indispensable roles of workers in formulating, implementing and strengthening government policies and programmes, Ugwuanyi without delay made worker’s welfare one of his administration’s top priorities.

To show his administration’s preparedness, sincerity and commitment to this, Ugwuanyi’s quickly cleared the backlog of salaries owed workers in 14 out of the 17 council areas in the state, he inherited from his predecessor.

As if that was not enough for the workers, Ugwuanyi’s administration commenced the prompt payment of workers’ salary and allowances every 23rd of the month and 13 month in December as Christmas bonus.

Ugwuanyi’s government absorbed 54% of the total cost of the 100 housing units at Elim Estate, Ibagwa Nike allocated to workers and prudently utilised the state/ local government share of Paris Club Refund. His government also promoted and recruited over 4000 workers and at the same time approved the elongation of the terminal grade of qualified primary school teachers to level 16. Not left out in Ugwuanyi’ s ceaseless largesse to workers in the state are 731 former staff of some state parastatals who were paid arrears of salaries owed them and 42 casual staff of Enugu State Teaching Hospital, Parklane Enugu that were made permanent staff of the hospital. N100 million was also approved by the Enugu State Executive Council to be spent monthly in clearing the backlog of pension arrears owed pensioners in the state over the years. Because of the huge accumulations and backlogs, Ugwuanyi’s government is still struggling till date with scarce resources to clear pensions and meets up with its other financial obligations.

It is on record that since 2015 Ugwuanyi came into office, workers in the state have never embarked on any strike action.That is unprecedented in the history of government-workers relationship in the state. The workers have always had the best of relationship with Ugwuanyi’s administration, because of the way Ugwuanyi’s government has continued to care for thier welfare.

So it was not out of place, when in 2018 in Enugu, the leadership of the Organised Labour in the state alongside its national leadership conferred on Ugwuanyi, the award of the most Labour-friendly governor in the country, an award many Nigerians described as well deserved.

Having done all the above mentioned good things for Enugu workers since 2015, I was not doubtful of Ugwuanyi administration’s readiness to pay the 30,0000 minimum wage when the issue began to rage in April last year between Federal Government and its workers. My only little worry and surprise then was that even at the peak of the negotiations between the Federal Government and Labour union over the payment of the minimum wage, Ugwuanyi’s government recruited 1500 primary school teachers and recently the State Executive Council approved another recruitment of middle level and senior cadre personnel into the state’s civil service.

According to the State Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, “the recruitment is aimed at strengthening the state workforce by bringing in sharp and fresh hands into the system. The government also approved the total overhaul of the State Ministry of Health that would entailed the recruitment of consultants, nurses and others.”

One interesting and good thing about Ugwuanyi government’s approval of the new 30,000 minimum wage is that it is an outcome of the collective bargaining and dialogue between the leadership of the Organised Labour in the state and Ugwuanyi’s government. This is unlike in 2011 when the then Enugu state government unilaterally fixed what should be paid to workers in the state as minimum wage. It would be recalled that Ugwuanyi set up a joint committee on consequential adjustment of the new minimum wage which has the leadership of the Organised Labour and representatives of the state government as members.

The committee looked into the financial books of the state government thoroughly before arriving at a consensus on the new minimum wage adjustment before its approval by the state executive council. This was confirmed by the Chairman of the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council, Comrade Chukwuma Igbokwe, when he said: “What happened was that in 2011, we were not given this opportunity as labour union to go into negotiation with government. We were shut out by the state government then. What was paid in 2011 as minimum wage was not a product of collective bargaining. That means that consequential adjustment was done in 2011. “What Enugu Government did then was to add money to salaries of those below N18,000 and so on. That kind of arrangement created confusion in the service. We are happy to be fully involved in the consequential adjustment negotiation with Ugwuanyi’s government before arriving at a consensus.

“We are happy with the outcome, which is the approval of the new 30,000 minimum wage for workers in the state to take effect from February 2020.” With all these, one can say unequivocally that since the creation of Enugu State in 1991, workers in the state have never had it so rosy and good as they have experienced and witnessed it under Ugwuanyi’s administration. The governor has indeed shown the workers undying love and care since 2015.

With the prompt and constant payment of salaries and allowances 23rd of every month since 2015, which has helped the workers in the state to be financially stable and plan for their future, the workers cannot stop supporting and celebrating Ugwuanyi. No wonder they massively voted for his reelection in 2019 and have continued to show his government undiluted solidarity and support in the state.

Chinweuba, a retired civil servant, writes from Independence Layout, Enugu

Belemaoil Donates Duplex, Music House To Jim Rex Lawson’s Band Member

Tein jack Rich, Belemaoil. Image via Concordia

BY THE TIDE EDITORIAL

A 74 year old music legend and a surviving member of the Jim Rex Lawson Music Band Tamunoemi Gold is now a beneficiary of a 5-Bedroom Duplex, a Music House and Instruments in Buguma, Asari-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The gesture is an empowerment initiative by the Belemaoil Joint Venture in collaboration with the Jack-Rich Tein Aid Foundation and Belema Aid Foundation for the advancement of Music, Arts and Culture in the Niger Delta.

The Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom King T.J.T Princewill represented by his Secretary Alabo Prince Dateme who commissioned the building said the Kingdom is pleased with the donor who is an ilustrious son of Kalabari Kingdom Engr. Tein Jack-Rich, for identifying and encouraging what he described as a rare musical talent of Tamunoemi Gold.

The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Pedro Diaz represented by the General Manager, Geosolutions, Mr. Sunday Akpaduado during the commissioning of the building in Buguma on 28th January 2020, said the gesture was an act of magnanimity by the Founder and President of Belemaoil which coincided with his birthday.

He said the company is committed in making visible footprint in its areas of operation.
According to Mr Akpaduado “Today is a very important day to all of us in Belemaoil and I believe, to many people here in Kalabari and other people in Rivers State. I do not know the extent of my joy. When I look back and I look at history, I believe today is a very special day. I don’t know how many people are happy today. I am directed by Engr. Tein Jack-Rich, he is our Founder, he is our mentor, he is our driver; and the Managing Director of Belemaoil, Mr. Pedro Diaz. You have heard some history about the origin of this building. Today is to celebrate the culture of Kalabari Kingdom, the culture of our people in the riverine area, the culture of Nigeria, because Kalabari is a significant place in this country by way of knowledge, by way of achievement. There are many significant people that have risen from this Kingdom, then came our Engr. Tein. Some of our projects are all over the place. We want our identity to be in all the rural communities where we dwell, where we make our money, that is the idea and I believe”.

For his part, the Manager, External Relations, Belemaoil, Samuel Abel-Jumbo said the gesture is in recognition of the impact of the beneficiary in Music, Arts and Culture in Kalabari Kingdom, Niger Delta and the country at large.

“Belemaoil has a Founder/President who is very desirous in empowering humanity. This is one of such gestures that demonstrates his desire to support humanity, to empower humanity, to take mankind from a particular stage to a higher stage. Like they used to say that charity begins at home. The Founder/President of Belemaoil, Tein Jack-Rich has started this demonstration from his home, from his kingdom, Kalabari Kingdom, from Rivers State. So we are very proud to associate with this project that was initiated by the Founder/President of Belemaoil, Tein Jack-Rich in collaboration with Belema Aid Foundation and the Jack-Rich Tein Aid Foundation. This is not just Kalabari music, it is music as a whole. It is for the youths of the Niger Delta, youths of the Kalabari Kingdom to have access to such opportunities that will be able to re-focus, re-direct and re-channel their strength and energy into much more productive ventures and the likes of Tamunoemi Gold provides that opportunity. His generation has what they will be celebrated for what they were able to bring to bear in music and art, so we won’t allow their generation to pass-by without transmitting what they have to the upcoming generation.

Belemaoil, while we do things like infrastructural development and buildings here and there, water provision, we also do things like economic empowerment and intellectual capacity development. So this is a demonstration that Tamunoemi Gold has created an impact, not just in Kalabari, within the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large”.

Also, speaking, Prominent Niger Delta Leader, Asari Dokubo commended Belemaoil for giving the beneficiary a new lease of life by recognition his impact in the music and culture of Kalabari Kingdom.

“For me, this is one of the greatest opportunities that has been given. Mr. Tamunoemi Gold has been resurrected, he was dead. This has not happened before. A lot of persons will say we are flattering people. If your brother is doing the right thing you have to praise him. Shell and Chevron are the main oil companies that were operating in this part of the world in Kalabari land we have never seen something like this before now. Who would have remembered Tamunoemi Gold if not for one of his sons. So what Tein Jack-Rich is doing, what Belemaoil is doing, has never happened before, we are very very grateful and on-behalf of Tamunoemi Gold and others like him, we want to tell Belemaoil a big thank you for what has happened and we encourage that more people should benefit from what is happening today. I feel like crying because I know Tamunoemi Gold, he is my cousin and lifting him out, lifting him up is something that should enliven and excite everyone of us. Belemaoil should continue to set the pace for our people”.

For the Chairman, Interim Committee of Performing Musician Association of Nigeria, PMAN, Rivers State Chapter, Mr. Arthur Pepple Jnr. the gesture was the first of its kind.

He said “I am here with our elder, a veteran, a legend, Mr. Tamunoemi Gold, who has just been given a very wonderful edifice by our brother and friend from the Niger Delta, Founder/President of Belemaoil, Engr. Tein Jack-Rich, a man who has been supporting Entertainment business in Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. Today happens to be one of the greatest days for entertainers in Rivers State and in Niger Delta because we have not seen such an empowerment before. We say a very big thank you to Tein Jack-Rich. We say thank you and may God continue to bless you”.

The music legend and beneficiary Tamunoemi Gold who thrilled guests at the occasion with his musical performance expressed gratitude to the Founder and President of Belemaoil Mr. Tein Jack-Rich saying it would prolong his life.

Mr. Gold said “I’m the happiest man today in this world. I am 74 today and for me to have a building of my own especially with musical instrument means a lot. Now it has prolonged my life. I have nothing more to say but I give Ten Jack-Rich to the control and guide of Almighty God and I pray to God to prolong his life more than mine. I think I am the first person, of all the musicians that have benefitted from such gesture. No musician has gotten such gift before now. Music has to do with passion, it is a gift from God. Music calls those who like it. There are those who just play it. But I love music and that was why I learnt it from my childhood till now”.

In his own remarks, the Amanyanabo of Kula Kingdom and Chairman Kula Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, King (Dr.) Kroma Eleki,(JP), Sara XIV, commended the Founder/President of Belemaoil Producing Limited for resuscitating the ailing Akaso Cultural Society of Kalabari Kingdom with the donation of the Musical House to the Kalabari music legend Tamunoemi Gold.
King Kroma said “I am one of the patrons of Akaso Cultural Society (ACS), I love culture. Today, while we are thanking Tein Jack-Rich for this kind gesture we should also appeal to our young ones not to allow ACS to die. Because about four years ago when I saw some of them and I told them look, ACS is dying and they told me ACS will not die. And today by the special grace of God Engr. Tein Jack-Rich, Founder/President of Belemaoil has come to resuscitate the ailing and dying association. So, young ones, try to emulate the footsteps of Tamunoemi so that we will revive ACS”.
For his part, The Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass and former Governor old Rivers State, HRM King Alfred Diete Spiff who was represented by Prince Iwefa Aganaba described music as a veritable tool for economic growth.

He opined that such empowerment initiative by the Founder and President of Belemaoil would preserve the culture of Kalabari Kingdom which he described as priceless.

Mr Aganaba said “The music industry today is booming and is one of the credible tools for economic growth. Cultural music is unique, it is priceless so there should be measures to train the next generation. Commended the very special initiative and to tell him that he has done what coming generations will emulate. We encourage him not to stop doing what he is doing”.

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion include Paramount Ruler and head of Belema Community, King Bourdillon Ekine, Publicity Secretary of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, His Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe, President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo amongst others.

IGBO POLITICS: The Imo Conundrum

BY DONS EZE

I do not like attributing a peculiar attitude, behaviour, or characteristic to any one particular group of people, language group, religious group, tribe, etc., and using it as basis for reaching a conclusion in an argument. This is because any such conclusion may not likely follow from its premises.

Besides, drawing up conclusion in an argument based on one’s place of birth or where one comes from may largely be abusive, or fallacious . In logic, we call it “Argumentum ad Hominem”. That is to say, argument based on a person’s place of birth, or his origin.”Can anything good come from Nazareth?” That was the question Nathaniel asked when he was told about the person of Jesus Christ, which is a fallacy or fallacious.

When we were growing up, they used to tell us stories about a certain group of Igbo people who were very noted for personal enjoyment, that is, who love to enjoy themselves. They would spend endless hours in beer parlours, eating and drinking, and would tell whoever cared: “Ntaruma ugba, Nghuruma mminyi, Ndi agbaagba ruruma”. (While I will be eating and drinking, let those building zinc houses continue with whatever they doing). I do not know the truthfulness or otherwise of this story, but we still joke with it.

Imo State, since the recent Supreme Court judgement where the last suddenly becomes the first, is becoming very interesting. Everybody there wants to become part of the winning team, whether that win was by fair or foul means. Nobody wants to be in opposition. Everybody wants to have a bite in the largesse of government. They all want enjoyment, no suffering.

Since Senator Hope Uzodinma was pronounced the new Governor of Imo State, things have suddenly changed. Look at the rate Imo State politicians have been resigning from their previous political parties to join the winning party. Before that Supreme Court judgement, the standing of various political parties in the Imo State House of Assembly were as follows:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), 13 members; the Action Alliance (AA), 8 members; the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), 6 members; and the All Progressives Congress (APC), zero member.

But like the Supreme Court verdict, everything has changed. The All Progressives Congress (APC), which formerly had no member in the State Assembly, presently has 18 members, while the Peoples Democratic Party, originally with 13 members, is now having only 8 members. The rest of the other political parties have emptied their members into the APC. That is Nigerian politics for you.

We do not know what is responsible for this dramatic turn around, whether it is part of the hallmark or characteristic of this group of Igbo people who were noted for enjoyment, or whether it is externally induced, or both.

In the present political dispensation, Imo State appears to be the only state in the country that does not have attachment to any political party. They always change political parties like undies.

At the onset of the current democratic governance in 1999, Imo people voted for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which had Achike Udenwa as its Gubernatorial flag bear. When Achike Udenwa served out his tenure as Governor in 2007, Imo people switched over to the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), with Ikedi Ohakim flying the Gubernatorial flag of the party. Ohakim later left PPA and decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party as Governor.

In 2011, Imo people abandoned both the PDP and Ikedi Ohakim, and voted for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with Rochas Okorocha as Gubernatorial candidate. Okorocha later left APGA and crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Imo people followed him there.

When Rochas Okorocha was in his best elements, virtually every Imo person was singing his praises and hailing him. They saw Okorocha as their redeemer, but at the twilight of Okorocha’s administration, Imo people turned their back on him. That was why in spite of the larger than life presence of Rochas Okorocha during the last general election, the people of Imo State voted for the PDP and Emeka Ihedioha.

Now that the Supreme Court has thought otherwise and proclaimed Hope Uzodinma of the APC as the winner of the March 9, 2019 Gubernatorial election in the state, Imo people begin to troop back in large numbers to the APC. Even Okorocha who previously had proclaimed Hope Uzodinma as his worst enemy, has suddenly turned round to embrace the man.

Thus, while some people may believe pressures from outside to be the reason for what is currently happening in Imo State, others, however, impugn financial inducements and the character of some Imo people, who are pleasure loving, as actually responsible.

Many people are still in dilemma, going by what is presently happening in this self-acclaimed “Igbo heartland”, whether Imo people could still be counted in the struggle of the Igbo people to have a respectable place in the Nigerian political scene. Perhaps, they may be tempted to describe the people of Imo State as unreliable, or not to be trusted in the struggle for the Igbo cause.

Imo State under Rochas Okorocha was their target for a berth in their plan to capture Igboland, but that had failed to materialise. Will the new man in the saddle provide that launch pad? We keep our fingers crossed. Interestingly, they had told us that they will capture three states in the South East in 2023!

We do not want to insinuate that everybody in Imo State is cash and carry, or not principled. On the contrary. There are many respectable and responsible people in Imo State who are in tune with the Igbo cause. They should stamp their feet and not allow the few bad eggs in their midst to dent or spoil their credentials.

SOURCE: NATIONAL ACCORD

Uzodinma Forfeits Security Votes

Hope Uzodinma

BY GIBSON ACHONU

OWERRI (PUNCH)--Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, on Wednesday announced that he had forfeited his security vote to enable him to meet up with the economic challenges in the state, especially the payment of salaries and pension.

The governor spoke when he met with the Imo Economic Development Initiative led by Prof. Maurice Iwu, at the Government House in Owerri.

He said he took the decision because of paucity of funds.

He also revealed that his next plan was to establish power and petrochemical plants, boost electricity supply and review the 2020 budget to address the current problems militating against development in the state.

The governor also announced plans to launch a special security outfit to tackle criminals, revealing that over 100 vehicles had been procured for the purpose.

“A new Sheriff is in town and I must deliver,” he said.

Copyright PUNCH.

Obiano Floats Free Medical Scheme For Ex-Biafran Soldiers

Anambra State Governor Willie Obiana. Image: Facebook

BY TONY OKAFOR

AWKA (PUNCH)--Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has announced a free medical scheme for ex-Biafran soldiers in the state.

He said the gesture was part of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Nigerian Civil War.

The war, which lasted from 1967 to 1970, was between pro-secessionists of the defunct Eastern Region led by the late Chukwuemeka Ojukwu and the Federal Government.

The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Don Adinuba, said the veterans would receive medical treatment through the Anambra State Health Insurance Scheme.

He said also included in the free health scheme were former players of the Rangers International Football Club of Enugu who played for the team between 1970 and early 1980s.

He said, “This is in recognition of their pre-eminent role in lifting up the spirit of Igbo people at the end of the civil war.

“The veterans are, therefore, required to register with the state health insurance scheme. A committee to conduct a census of the veterans is to be set up shortly under the leadership of Air Vice Marshall Ben Chiobi (retd.).

“The committee has one month to submit a list of all the veterans in the state regardless of whether they are indigenes of Anambra State or not.”

Adinuba added that since Obiano assumed office in March 2014, a large number of people had approached the governor for financial assistance for the veterans, just as many of them had been soliciting help directly.

“Most of the veterans are now old and frail and a good number of them suffer from various disabilities as a result of gunshots and other war-related experiences. In other words, they cannot fend for themselves and many of them do not have relatives rich enough to take care of them.”

Copyright PUNCH.

Contact: theeditor@punchng.com

Gender Violence: South East With Highest Number Of Cases — NHRC

Illustration via National Catholic Reporter

BY CHINONSO ALOZIE

OWERRI (VANGUARD)--The South-East zone has topped other regions in Nigeria, with the highest number on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, in Nigeria. The Executive Secretary National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, yesterday in Owerri, made the disclosure on the ongoing public hearing and investigation into cases of sexual-based violence in the country.

He added that out of the 114 cases received from the six geo-political zones of the country, that South East region has 41 number of the cases. 

It was followed by South-South (26) North Central (19), South West (15) and North East (4). According to Ojukwu, “The core mandate of the Commission is to promote, protect and enforce the human rights of Nigerians and all living within the country. In realizing these mandate, the Commission can investigate all alleged cases of human rights violations as well as monitoring developments in various thematic areas. 

“Human rights; assisting victims of human rights violations through appropriate awards and compensation; bringing its findings to the attention of the government to ensure government compliance with its international and regional human rights obligations, etc. 

“So far, the Panel has received one hundred and fourteen (114) complaints/memo across the six (6) geo-political zones with South East accounting for the highest number of forty-one (41) representing 36% of the total complaints received. North Central accounts for nineteen (19); North West has twelve (12); South-South has twenty-six (26); South West fifteen (12); and North East four (4). 

“This is to enable the panel to have firsthand information on a different type of cases being handled/managed by the centres. The Commission after its sittings in Owerri will replicate this sitting in Abakaliki, Benin City, Calabar, Kano, Yola and a return to Abuja to complete pending complaints before it. 

“This will enable all victims of all SGBV all over the federation to be heard. We, therefore, urge other victims of sexual and gender-based violence to forward their complaints to the Panel. The Panel assures of adequate protection of identity whereof victim(s).

” He highlighted further that, “The essence of this Public sitting is to check the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence in Nigeria and increase access of Nigerians to the services of the Commission to seek for accountability where there is evidence to indicate that any officer or officials or any individuals have been involved in acts of sexual and gender-based violence. 

“The public sitting is also to provide opportunities for a fair hearing to both complainants and alleged violators and to mainstream human rights norms and tenets into the operations of AEPB, Law enforcement officials and members of the public, etc in line with global best practices and internationally accepted human rights standards. 

“The public inquiry will furthermore provide stakeholders opportunity to contribute ideas on how best to develop guidelines and policy on sexual and gender-based violence for institutions, MDAs, public and private organizations and homes that can serve as good practices against the backdrop of reported cases of abuse. 

“May I use this opportunity to commend the complainants and the public for the courage to lodge their complaints and submit memoranda to this Panel despite some reported cases of intimidation. 

“I want to assure all that this Panel and the Commission will adhere to the principles of a fair hearing in discharging its functions and will not stand idle and watch while the fundamental human rights of citizens being trampled upon and violated by law enforcement agencies, entities or individuals. 

“The Panel will sit in private when the situation demands to protect the victims from stigmatization and other challenges associated with Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases.”

SOURCE: VANGUARD

LG Elections Holds April 25 In Ebonyi

Governor of Ebonyi State David Umahi.

BY MBAM OGODO

ABAKALIKI (TNV)--The Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) said elections into the 13 substantive local Government Areas of the state will hold on Saturday, 25th April 2020.

The notice which was signed by the Commission's Chairman, Jossy Eze and Secretary, Chukwuemeka Oji said the election will hold in all the the 1758 local wards in the state

According to the notice, nomination papers are to be delivered to the Commission's headquarters in Abakaliki.

The statement disclosed that the process was pursuant to the provisions of the Constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) as well as the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2001, (as amended).

The current Chairmen of the council were sworn in on the May 29 2013 after the election which was conducted in April we year.

In that election the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the state won in all the local government areas and 1785 local wards in the state.

It will be recalled that the State House of Assembly had last year reduced the tenure of the Council Leadership from three to two years

It is expected that the change will take effect from the next Executives to be elected in the forthcoming election.

SOURCE: THE NIGERIAN VOICE

Imo Guber Verdict, Blame The System

BY LUKE ONYEKAKEYAH

The verdict by the Supreme Court on January 13, 2020, which nullified the election of Governor Emeka Ihedioha of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and declared Senator Hope Uzodinma of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), as winner of the March 9, 2019 governorship election has, expectedly, attracted much vituperations from different quarters.

By the INEC results in the 2019 guber election, Ihedioha polled 273,404 ahead of his closest rival and candidate of the Action Alliance, Uche Nwosu, who the electoral body said scored 190,364 votes. The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ifeanyi Ararume, came third with 114,676 while Senator Hope Uzodinma of the APC, polled 96,458. A total of 70 candidates representing various political parties took part in the election. People are asking how the Supreme Court declared Uzodinma who was 4th as winner of the election in place of the Ihedioha who was first.

There is shock and anger in many quarters. The overturning of the election was least expected. Legal pundits I spoke with expressed dismay saying they could not understand why the apex court reversed the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the discounted votes from the contentious 388 polling units, as well as the decision of the Election tribunal and Court of Appeal. They argued that the Supreme Court hardly overturns the decision of the two subordinate courts except there is manifest injustice to the contrary.

Blames are being thrown to the right, left and centre. Protests have been staged in Owerri, Abia and Abuja against the Supreme Court decision. The Supreme Court that gave the verdict has been put on the front burner for blame. The PDP has asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad to resign, saying that the court under his watch is heavily compromised.

Some are blaming INEC for not countenancing the rejected votes from the controversial 388 polling units. INEC, reports say, rejected the votes because they were falsified. Others are blaming the ruling APC for being out to capture Imo State at all cost. There are still others who blame the legal team of Ihedioha for failing to file a counter motion to nullify the 388 polling units that are the bone of contention.

The role played by Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu is not left out. Mbaka is blamed for making a contentious prophesy many thought was part of the plot to sack Ihedioha. Where do we stop in this blame game after the milk has been spilt? I don’t blame any of the above sub-entities for whatever they did that might have led to the verdict.

My blame goes, unequivocally, to the corrupt Nigerian system. Once the system is corrupt, all the sub-entities of it are affected. It is the corrupt system that gives leeway to individuals and entities to do whatever they like, whether good or bad, knowing that “nothing will happen” as is often expressed.

The judiciary of which the Supreme Court is part cannot afford not to be clean in a corrupt system. The pervasive systemic corruption affects every fabric of our society, indeed, every thread. That is the reality we face.

A Chinese adage says an honest mind needs honest time to survive. It is hard to be a lone honest man in the midst of corrupt people. Once the system is tainted, it permeates deep in such that there is little or nothing any individual or entity could do.

If, for whatever reason, you choose not to be corrupt, you are seen as a fool (mugu, mumu). The system, more or less, forces everybody, entities, to conform to the prevalent culture. Consequently, there is no part of the Nigerian system that is not tainted.

In an attempt to raise the bar, INEC, along the line, decided to engage university Vice Chancellors as returning officers to make a difference. It was as if to say that these men and women are saints from heaven. But the 2011 elections disproved the general perception after allegations of compromise by some of the Vice Chancellors rent the air. The integrity of the academics was put to question.

I have mentioned representatives of the academic system in part because of the involvement of some Vice Chancellors as returning officers. Whatever the Vice Chancellors did still boils down to the corrupt system. INEC as an institution manages the electoral subsystem. Nigeria’s flawed electoral system is to blame for whatever happens at the polls.

For instance, blame an electoral system that permits politicians to move from one political party to the other without sanction. Senator Hope Uzodimma, the new Governor of Imo State was a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and was indeed a member of the board of trustees of the party until he decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the wake of the 2019 general elections to contest for governorship under the party. His sudden switch over to the APC pitched him against Governor Rochas Okorocha, who wanted his son in-law, Uche Nwosu, to be the APC flag bearer in the election. Uzodinma snatched that position from Uche Nwosu and the rest is now history.

Blame the corrupt electoral system that cannot freely elect leaders at the poll except by the courts. If statistics were taken of governors, senators and lawmakers at the federal and state Houses of Assemblies, who are there based purely on electoral poll win, it would be discovered that more than 80 per cent of our leaders are there by judicial virdict. The courts have replaced the voice of the people. Even President Muhammadu Buhari is occupying the seat by Supreme Court judgment.

The courts would have no business in election matters if the system were good. Once the courts are involved, there is no guarantee, anymore, that the peoples’ will would be respected. The few judges use their power to decide the outcome the way they want. The will of millions of voters is thwarted. The wicked system deliberately created the gaps in the electoral system so that poll outcome could be manipulated to suite the whims and caprices of politicians.

Blame the corrupt electoral system that knows what to do to make things work but refused to do it. This system has refused to institute proper enumeration and voting system. Nobody knows how many eligible voters are there. An attempt to give Nigerians national ID cards that could serve as voters’ card has been frustrated by the system. An attempt to institute electronic voting that would completely remove thuggery, ballot box snatching, fictitious vote counting and other forms of electoral malpractices was overturned by President Buhari who refused to sign into law the 2018 revised electoral bill that could have saved us from these troubles.

Blame a corrupt electoral system that more or less recognises political thugs that perpetrate violence on Election Day, intimidate and harass voters, snatch ballot boxes, thumb-print ballot papers and write fictitious results to favour their paymasters. During the last elections, the offices of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State were set ablaze by political thugs. Natasha Akpoti, the party’s governorship candidate was harassed and intimidates by the same thugs.

Blame the system that compromises security personnel – army, police, civil dense, etc, who are engaged on Election Day to maintain law and order. Allegations of army and police being compromised in many states abound. Governor Nysome Wike of Rivers State and Henry Dickson of Bayelsa State accused the army of being compromised in the election in their states.

Blame a system that accommodates greedy and selfish politicians who seek power by all means. Blame a system that makes elections a do or die affair instead of a civil contest to elect responsible leaders to govern the people.

Blame the wicked system that “captures” votes instead of wining them. This corrupt system has no place for the people. The elections merely throw up greedy political oppressors who lord it over the helpless masses. Unfortunately, the corrupt wicked system cannot be changed by those fueling and benefitting from it. They have no love for the father land. They are not patriots but political hit men and women.

President Buhari should, without further delay, sign the 2018 revised electoral bill into law to save the country’s democracy.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN

Catholic Church Annuls 30 Marriages Over Fake Birth Certificates, Deceits

Catholic Diocese of Orlu Pastoral Center, Imo State. Image: Image: Orlu Diocese

BY DAMIAN DURUIHEOMA

30 marriages allegedly contracted with fake certificates have been annulled in Imo.

The Catholic Diocese of Orlu in Imo State, which raised the alarm, lamented the rampant cases of people going into marriages with fake birth certificates.

The church said the certificates were responsible for the annulment.

Addressing the faithful during a Holy Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Owerri-Ebiri in Orlu council area of the state, the Judicial Vicar of Orlu Catholic Diocese, Rev. Fr. Donsteve Nnagha, lamented most of the annulled marriages were on the grounds of deceits by spouses.

Fr. Nnagha, according to a Catholic newspaper, The Leader, added that deceits by spouse, which the other partner deems non-acceptable soon after wedding, had been a major cause of broken marriages in recent times.

The cleric listed other reasons behind annulment of marriages in recent times to include forgery in the birth certificate and other sensitive documents.

According to the priest, the acts, which had caused serious troubles in the family, were identified mostly with women.

“In this situation, the man has the legitimate right to file for annulment and this would a long way in bringing peace to both parties”, the Vicar is quoted as saying.

He added that birth certificate is equal to West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) certificate, which cannot be altered, irrespective of the situation.

Nnagha also spoke on the importance of baptism, which he said Christ himself participated in, adding that is every baptism made in the Catholic Church, was always recorded and documented for future references.

He warned those involved in the acts of rewriting their age with a view of retaining their public offices to desist and retire from the civil service when they are due, so the younger could get jobs.

The priest described such acts as bad omen and injustice in the law of the church and society.

SOURCE: THE NATION

NEWSROOM: WIC Expresses Concern Over Nigeria’s Political Development

BY GABRIEL IDIEGE

The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has said it is watching with grave concern the political development in Nigeria, following the Supreme Court “judicial coup” that overturned the electoral mandate given to Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and handed victory to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), candidate, Hope Uzodinma, who came a distant fourth position.

In a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Hon. Basil Onwukwe, WIC said: “We call on all stakeholders in Igboland to remain vigilant with the utmost decorum in the face of these developments. We thank Ihedioha for taking a bold step, in his call for total submission to peace and unity of Imolites.

“The protection of life and property of our people is of great importance. We advise Hope Uzodima to ensure that peace and tranquility is maintained in our homeland.”

It maintained that any institution or individual that is being used by external incursions, aimed at destabilising the culture and traditions of the people will not be tolerated by WIC.

----------------THE GUARDIAN