Obiano Dedicates Man of the Year Award to Nigerian Youths

By James Eze (eziokwubundu@gmail.com)

The Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has dedicated the Silverbird Man of the Year Award conferred on him last night to the youths of Nigeria.

Giving his acceptance speech on a night that he had the attention of the nation’s political and business elites to himself; Governor Obiano showed strong concerns about the nation’s future by symbolically dedicating his honour to the Nigerian youths who look up to the present crop of political and business leaders for direction and inspiration. 

Speaking, the governor declared, “I am dedicating this award to the youths of Nigeria who are waiting for us leaders to do something new in their lives. God has trusted us with the leadership of this country at this point in time. It is for a purpose; let’s make sure we utilize that purpose very well.”

The governor charged his colleagues in leadership positions in every stratum of the society to strive to do a new thing in the lives of the youths, emphasizing that it behoved on him and his colleagues to touch the lives of the youths of this country.

“We can achieve this by the way we conduct ourselves, by shunning corruption, by showing integrity, by showing that hard work pays and by showing that we are prepared. You cannot just jump into something that you are not prepared for,” he suggested.

To drive home the point that his concerns about the youths were not an empty rhetoric, Governor Obaino reminded the audience that he still held the record in the current dispensation for appointing Nigeria’s youngest commissioner into his cabinet.

Said he; “We have demonstrated our resolve to work with the youths in Anambra State. That is why I appointed the youngest commissioner in Nigeria today at the age of 30 as my commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget (Mark Okoye). 58% of the people working with me are between the ages of 18 and 31. We are not paying lip service to youth development and welfare.”

Speaking further on the strategic focus of his administration, Governor Obiano explained that “We are working hard to make sure that we get it right in Anambra. If we get it right in Anambra, we shall get it right in the South East, if we get it right in the South East, the Igbo man’s story in Nigeria will change for good.”

Presenting the prestigious award to him, the Arole Oduduwa, the OOni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II declared that he was proud to be associated with Governor Obiano whose achievements stood out as testimonials of his service to his people.

Oba Ogunwusi therefore challenged other Nigerian leaders to live a life of selfless service to the people, saying, “today I will challenge other leaders of this country to continue to live a life of selfless service. For each and every one of us to believe in this country, for each and every one of us to know that someday this country will be a great nation. I am very proud to be associated with you. I am very proud to believe in you because of the quality of your leadership savvy. I am speaking on behalf of the youths of this country; I will continue to pray for leaders like you. I will continue to support leaders like you. Congratulations. I am very proud of you.” 

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray Bruce reminded Governor Obiano that he emerged the Silverbird Man of the Year because Nigerians voted for him.

Pointing out that it was impossible for an unpopular candidate to win the Silverbird Man of the Year award; Senator Bruce explained that the process was based on a popularity contest involving all the nominees.  

Hear him, “All the past winners were subjected to a contest and based on that competition which the audience can verify at any point in time, they were chosen. We do research across the country. For instance, the wife of the Kebbi State governor, I have never met her in my life. Never! The research team went across the entire country. When they came back they said, there is a lady in Kebbi who is shining and excelling and she is doing amazing things for the people of that state, and that is why she’s here today.

“Now, that goes for everybody who has received our award in the past and in the present. Today, I did my research before the competition and wrote several articles about Anambra. And in the articles I wrote, what I came about was agriculture, health, education, security, the things we talk about every day. So my research team kept going back to Anambra. I wrote several articles. So, if I write articles and you see your name in Thisday as governor or minister or president or ex-president, it’s not because I know you. I don’t have to know you. I will always write the truth. And you don’t have to be my friend,” he further explained.

APC ANAMBRA STATE AND OCHANJA MARKET POLITICS (NDI MMACHA HOW FAR?)

Sometime last month there was so much media hype and frenzy about APC’s intention to wrestle  Anambra state from the ruling APGA. They with immediate effect deployed their foot soldiers and all the apparatus to register members from all the wards, communities, local govt and senatorial districts in Anambra state. They attached so much noise making to the futile exercise that most of us thought it was voter’s registration exercise. Unfortunately for them Anambra people have long resolved on their rejection of APC as a party. Even one of their registration agent painfully lamented that it was impossible to sell APC even to his own immediate family. With all the money APC budgeted and assigned to that irrelevant task it was huge failure….. No photos, no videos, no line ups flooded the internet to show that their strategy to rent a crowd also was thwarted as Anambrarians out rightly rejected them.

Shamefully enough they never told us how exercise ended. The only major news I read was that APC record registration of 30 thousand members in Imo state. I now ask the organizers of that failed registration exercise tagged: Operation Capture Anambra and South East. How market? APC Anambra state chapter, how many members did you record in your party membership registration exercise? Or did the exercise started openly and ended secretly…. I want APC to know that Anambra is not Ondo or Edo where propaganda can thrive. We play real politics in Anambra and any party that felt they have rigging formula should better stay away from our beloved state. They might have succeeded in Edo, Ondo and other southwest states…. This is Anambra, the land of many Ikembas, land of many nobles, land of greatest African and Nigeria leaders….. The light of Igbo Nation, they can never succeed with their darkness here….

APGA is united, focused, determined and indomitable. This coming election is an option for great Anambrarians to choose between light and darkness, between hunger and abundance, between recession and economic prosperity, between security of lives and property and lawlessness and anarchy, between good and evil, between truth and lies….. APC have shown us what it stand for with position of Nigeria economy today… They have brought hunger, starvation, fear, failure, darkness, recession, nepotism, tribalism, religious intolerance, deprivation, corruption, sectionalism, oppression, violation of freedom of expression, intimidation, manipulation of judicial process, inconclusive electioneering, manipulation of electoral process through high powered rigging and many uncountable vices to our nation… You can listen again to Daniel Wilson’s song titled NEVER AGAIN for a detailed rhythmical expression the quagmire APC has plunge Nigeria into…. ANAMBRARIANS BE WISE…. USE THEIR BROOMS AND SWEEP THEM AWAY!!!

APGA ONYE AGHANA NWANNE YA OO!

Machi Pius Igwe
Writing from Lagos

ANDY UBA: A POLITICIAN TO WATCH

Senator Dr. Andy Uba, Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone and a Governorship Aspirant of All Progressive Congress (APC) known as the front-runner in the Anambra gubernatorial race, who has declared his interest and support for efforts to make Anambra great AGAIN. Senator Andy Uba’s opinion and commitment to this struggle is partly informed by his desire to build a power station for Anambra state if elected governor, to enhance productivity, generate jobs, mass employment and prosperity in the state, as well as arrest the desperate security situation in the state, attract both local and foreign investors and curb the continuing exodus of quality manpower from the state.

According to #iStandWithAndyUba’s Volunteer Group Founder, Mr. Okonkwo Samuel, Senator Dr. Andy Uba also hopes to use the proposed state police to consolidate the security needs of his state as well as work for the exploitation of the long neglected oil & gas resources of Anambra State.

I think that Andy Uba is a politician to watch. His articulations and deft politics mark him out as one who not only understands the terrain in which he is operating but also the issues that are close to the hearts of the people he seeks to lead. His forthright declaration and support for a new constitution for Nigeria and his bold politics are bound to alter for the better the developmental paradigm of Anambra State, the South East and Nigeria in general.

Mr. Okonkwo Samuel, who has already remarked that given Andy Uba pronouncements and identification with the drive for true federalism in Nigeria, he has proved that unlike his fellow contestants in the Anambra governorship race, he, Uba, sees the bigger picture and understands the wider issues and possibilities for Anambra state and Nigeria as a whole, and is not one of those narrow-minded politicians without the depth of character, courage and perception to deliver or perform creditably in office. But what are the wider issues the Mr. Okonkwo refers to? It is true that when people of different ethnic or racial background congregate to build a nation, they tend initially to be parochial, but they do generally become cosmopolitan with time.

Nwafor Ukeji Writes from Abagana
#iStandWithAndyUba
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I've not received a kobo as pension, entitlement since leaving office – Kalu

Eminent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has said he is yet to receive a kobo from the Abia State Government either as pension or entitlement since leaving office in 2007.
Kalu was the governor of Abia State between 1999 and 2007.
Reacting to a publication alleging that 108 former governors have been collecting pensions and entitlements from their State Governments, Kalu said he was not involved.
He said none of his successors has paid him a dime since he left office, alleging that his had been withheld.
He said he is the only ex-governor does not receive pension.
Kalu, who spoke with newsmen at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Monday, said the report is heartbreaking considering that many ordinary pensioners were being owed by some of the people currently receiving the pensions.
Kalu recalled that as a governor, it was one of his most important obligations to see that all the pensioners in his state were paid appropriately and timely, adding that he left the state with no pensioner being owed.
He also said that while leaving the Government House on May 29, 2007, he left behind all the government vehicles and other properties that belonged to the government.
Kalu explained with no regrets that none of the privileges that accrue to former governors have been extended to him, not even the security attache or vehicles.
He expressed disenchantment over non-compliance with the laws of the land by some leaders.
This, he said, does not speak good of a leader.
When asked if he is broke because of the non payment and his next line of action, Kalu said: “It is not about being broke or not.
“The pension laws of the state did not exclude me from being paid as expected.
“In fact, it is illegal according to the law to deny one his rights and privileges.
“Since 2009, I have not received any pension or entitlement from the state government, but I took it in good faith.
“I have earlier written to my two successors in different periods notifying them of how they were flouting the laws by withholding my pensions, but it was ignored.
“If it is out of will to disregard the law, I shall instruct my lawyers to take legal action against the governor for denying me my rights.
“If the present governor cannot resolve it, I will seek redress in the court.
“It doesn’t matter what I will be doing with the money.
“I can channel it into humanitarian service and philanthropy, but the laws must be obeyed.”

Treat Public Property As Yours, Bishop Ezeokafor Urges Nigerians

By Abuchi Onwumelu of Fides Newspaper (07034507760)

The Catholic bishop of Awka  Diocese, His Lordship Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has urged the citizens to always treat public property as theirs by protecting them, adding that it will be wrong of them to conclude that government’s business was nobody’s business.

  Bishop Ezeokafor who stated this at St. Patrick's Catholic Cathedral, Awka while fielding questions from  newsmen, enjoined Nigerians to guard jealously  Govt projects sited in their various areas as a way of  supporting the Govt in her onerous efforts to ensure infrastructural and human development.

  The Catholic prelate, charged the citizens to continue to pay their legitimate taxes to the state's treasury which he said was part of their civic duty that would enable the state to implement its projects and other programmes for them.

  'It takes people for government to succeed; they must do their part, pay taxes and justify their wages in this era of dwindling oil revenue.

  'That is only way they can hold the government responsible,' the man of God said.

  The chief shepherd of Awka Catholic Diocese, also called on the state civil servants to justify their monthly salaries by rendering corresponding services to the state, and by extension, to the citizenry.

  Bishop Ezeokafor said a worker who received their wages without working was robbing the state and does not deserve it.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AFTER A MEETING OF STAKEHOLDERS OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON THE 20TH FEBRUARY 2017 WHEREAS:

A.​Following the repugnant attempt by Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif and other undemocratic forces to undermine and take over the Peoples Democratic Party, the National Convention of the party held at Port Harcourt on the 21st day of May 2016 dissolved the then National Working Committee and the National Executive Committee and replaced the National Working Committee with a 7-member National Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi as Chairman and Sen. Ben Obi as Secretary with a mandate to run the party and organize an elective National Convention as soon as practicable;
B.​The Federal High Court in Port Harcourt in FHC/PH/CS/524/2016 PDP & ORS. Vs. SHERRIF & ORS in its judgment endorsed the decisions of the 21st May 2016 National Convention, holding that the Convention did not violate any extant Order of the Courts or any provisions of the Party’s or Country’s Constitution.
C.​On the 17th February 2017, the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt in a split decision in CA/PH/349/2016 SHERRIF & ORS. VS. PDP & ORS. nullified the decision of the National Convention of 21st May 2016 and reinstated the Sherrif-led National Working Committee;
D.​While the party holds the judiciary in the highest regard, the decision of the aforementioned Court of Appeal was greeted with consternation not only amongst leaders and members of the party in Nigeria but also true lovers of democracy in Nigeria and the world over;
E.​Moved by the outpour of anxiety and rage over the decision of the Court of Appeal, stakeholders and leaders of the party ranging from the Board of Trustees, Governor’s forum, National Assembly Members, former PDP Ministers forum, National Vice Chairmen, State Chapters represented by the Conference of State Party Chairmen, Leadership of State Assembly Caucuses and other major stakeholders assembled in Abuja on the 20th day of February 2017 to examine and review the state of the party following the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
NOW THEN, the stakeholders and leaders of the party aforestated firmly and unequivocally resolve as follows:
1. That the Peoples Democratic Party is united, strong, resolute, steadfast and solid under the leadership of the National Caretaker Committee in view of the fact that the Court of Appeal is not the final court on the matter. All members, leaders and organs of the party, including but not limited to the Board of Trustees, the Governor’s forum, the National Assembly Caucus, PDP former Ministers forum, National Vice Chairmen, State Chapters represented by the Conference of State Party Chairmen, Leadership of State Assembly Caucuses and teeming members nationwide, stand resolute that authority to lead the PDP, and indeed any party, solely and exclusively derives from the consent of members at plenary. PDP members freely and clearly expressed themselves on the 21st May 2016 at the Port Harcourt National Convention and we stand by the decision given that the National Convention is the highest decision-making organ of the party.
2. That we fully endorse the prompt and proactive decision of the National Caretaker Committee to lodge an appeal to the Supreme Court of Nigeria against the decision of the Court of Appeal as well as filing an application for INJUCTION PENDING APPEAL all of which was done in the morning of Monday 20th February 2017. Our abiding faith in the capacity of the judiciary to protect Nigeria’s democracy and political aspirations of the Nigerian people, particularly at the level of the Supreme Court, proven repeatedly over time, is aided by the profound, fearless, irrepressible, comprehensive and insightful minority decision of T. N. Orji-Abadua, J. C. A. in CA/PH/349/2016 SHERRIF & ORS. VS. PDP & ORS., whom we salute for doing the judiciary proud in spite of the predatory interferences of anti-democratic forces and State actors.
3. That having duly filed both an appeal to the Supreme Court and an application for Injunction Pending Appeal in the morning of Monday the 20th February 2017, we pass a resounding and unqualified vote of confidence in the leadership of the Sen. Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party and pledge our unalloyed support to it as it pilots the affairs of the party in this critical transitional period of the party’s life. To this end, we are not at all deceived by the supposed olive branch being offered by Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif, knowing that the only thing that can come from traitors of his ilk is nothing but a poisoned chalice and a Greek gift.
4. The meeting reiterates that the party’s Constitution stipulates the process of democratically electing officers of the party and therefore emphatically rejects any imposition such as those being illegally paraded as officers of the party by Sen. Ali Modu Sherrif.
5. That stakeholders and leaders of the party are enjoined to return to their Geopolitical Zones, States, LGA’s and Wards to convene meetings of the party and disseminate the foregoing to members. True Partymen are urged to remain calm, steadfast, loyal even in the face of wanton provocation of sealing off the venue of a peaceful assembly of stakeholders. We remain committed to the ideals of the party which stands us out as democrats.
6. That in view of the mismanagement of our economy by the APC-led Federal Government, the decline in investor confidence and massive capital flight leading to the Nigerian currency being the worst performing on the African continent; the dehumanization of Nigerians, the abridgement of fundamental human rights, persecution of political opponents, and the return to the dark days of mindless dictatorship and the reign of fear, all leading to a state of helplessness and hopelessness; the PDP reaffirms its commitment to return Nigeria in 2019 to the path of Economic growth and respect for fundamental human rights as guaranteed by our constitution. A PDP-led Federal Government will remove hunger in the land and restore confidence in the Nigerian economy.
7. The meeting agreed to appeal to all Nigerians to fully support the Peoples Democratic Party, a genuinely Democratic Party that is people oriented and a great defender of equity, justice and fairness to all in its commitment to eradicating poverty, hunger and under-development from our country.

STATEMENT ON ALI MODU SHERIFF, SENATOR AHMED MAKARFI AND THE NATIONAL CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE PDP

By Femi Fani-Kayode

"Those that say that they will work with Ali Modu Sheriff are misguided and naive. 

Worse still anyone that calls for members of the PDP to rally behind him and recognise him as our National Chairman is a simpleton and a fool.

I say this because the man is evil: he is an agent of destruction and no good can come out of him. I was the first to see him for what he was and I said so publicly.

Then came the PDP Ministers Forum who also stood their ground. At first no-one believed us until eventually 90 per cent of our party members lined up behind those of us that opposed Sheriff and that supported Makarfi.

I read his insulting comments about Fayose and Wike and I laughed. Are these not the very same people that brought him in the first place and convinced others in the PDP Governor's Forum to support him?

Now he has finished using them to get what he wanted he is insulting them and saying that they must be kicked out of the party and dealt with.

I say shame on him because that will never happen. Fayose particularly has proved his worth to Nigeria and Wike has stood firm and strong in defence of his people and state. They are both lions and I am proud to stand with them and Makarfi.

Sheriff is nothing but a traitor who is biting the fingers that fed him. Fayose is one million times the man he is. As a matter of fact so are almost all the governors and other party leaders. Sheriff comes nowhere near any of us in any shape or form.

Only a blind, deaf and dumb simpleton or prancing village idiot would line up behind a man with such filthy and evil antecedents.

This is a man whose fundamental purpose and ambition in life is to sell the PDP down the river and to help the ruling APC and the Buhari government to destroy us and win the presidential election in 2019.

Sheriff is the Angel of Death to the PDP. He is worse than the bubonic plague: not only is he a curse to our party but he is also an affliction to our nation. 

I stand with Ahmed Makarfi and our Caretaker Commitee and unless and until the Supreme Court says so he remains our National Chairman" -

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode,
19th February 2017.

Breaking news !!!!! INEC to Drop Makarfi from Party Chairmen’s List

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will obey the verdict of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal, which, nullified the outcome of the May 21, 2016 Convention of the PDP.
Before, the judgment, the commission, in the list of 40 registered political parties in the country, recognised Makarfi as the National Chairman of the PDP.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman of INEC, Mr. Rotimi Oyekanmi, said the commission would comply with court verdicts on the PDP’s leadership tussle.
Oyekanmi said that the commission would commence the process of obeying the court directives as soon as it was served with the papers.
He said, “Our position has not changed; we will always comply with legitimate court orders and judgments. So, in this case, when we are served, we will take the necessary steps to obey the judgment. I am not sure we have been served with the judgment
"If they serve the commission with the judgment, absolutely, the commission will recognize Ali Modu Sheriff as the chairman of PDP because that is what the court has said.

"We also know that the other party (faction) has said it will be proceeding to the Supreme Court.
"Whatever is the decision of the Supreme Court, which is the final verdict, would be obeyed by INEC.
"But as we speak, the Appeal Court is the superior and latest judgment. INEC will comply with the provisions of that judgment as of today when we are served, and that will affect everything in the PDP as far as INEC is concerned.”

"Oyekanmi stated that it was the desire of the commission for the PDP to resolve its internal dispute as INEC would always obey whatever the courts ruled on the matter.

I regret supporting Sheriff, it’s one of my worst political decisions – Nyesom Wike

Nyesom Wike, Rivers state governor, says assisting Ali-Modu Sheriff to the position of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is one of the worst decisions he has made in his political career.

Wike and Ayo Fayose, his Ekiti state counterpart, had backed Sheriff, but they soon fell out with him.

This degenerated into a series of lawsuits that culminated in the recent affirmation of Sheriff as PDP chairman by an appeal court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

Reacting to the development during an interview on Sunday Politics, which aired on Channels Television, Wike said he regretted bringing Sheriff into the fold of PDP.

The governor said the PDP would file for a stay of execution on the appeal court’s decision, adding that afterwards, an appeal will be filed at the supreme court.

The governor said he was shocked by the ruling and maintained that Sheriff had no good intention for the opposition party.

“I do believe that even in life, even as human beings, there are times for setbacks, and challenges. What has happened to us is a temporary setback,” he said.

“I will not support anything that has to do with Sheriff. I know that he doesn’t mean well for the party.

“He’s a mole in the party. His antecedents tell you that there are people behind who are not members of the party, who do not want PDP to exist.

“I’m not new in this game. Even the characters around him, they don’t augur well for the party.

“That is one of the worst political decisions I’ve ever taken. In life, when you take a decision and you realise that you made a mistake. In that decision you made, there is nothing stopping you from saying, ‘I’ve made a mistake, I think we can correct it’.

“Frankly, I have never regretted any decision I’ve taken than this decision. Politically, we have seen his conduct. It has shown that he does not mean well for the party. It will be difficult for me to work with him. That is clear. I don’t have that confidence that he can lead the party.”

 

Nigeria Now Second Largest Producer of Rice Worldwide

Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu

Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday assured Nigerian youths that their support and confidence in the Federal Government would yield the desired results.

Shehu gave the assurance in Abuja at an interactive session organised by the Citizens Support for Good Governance in Nigeria for youths.

The group is a coalition of non-governmental organisations and Civil Society Organisations in the country.

The programme was organised for youths to air their views on the present administration and the way forward.

Shehu said that Buhari’s desire was to ensure a secured and stable future for the upcoming generations.

Shehu said: “All we require of you is to be patient; President Buhari is a long distance runner, he is not looking for short-term gains that people will just clap for him.

“He wants to build a future of prosperity that will be everlasting, something that will stay for generations, and I assure you that this is a beginning of the good things to come.”

According to him, the Federal Government has, under the leadership of President Buhari, done a lot in ensuring the security of the nation as well as fighting corruption.

Shehu also said that the government’s whistle blowing policy had to a large extent helped in recovery of looted public funds.

He said: “The policy gives opportunity to every Nigerian to raise alarm when they notice that an individual may have stolen public funds.

“You will not only be honoured for pointing it out for discovery, but you can earn a commission.”

Shehu said that government was working hard to restructure the country’s economy, “though its efforts is being misunderstood by most Nigerians”.

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He said: “The President Buhari-led administration met a ravaged economy and people were used to lifestyles that can no longer be sustained.”

Shehu said that no country would develop when it imports everything, including toothpick and tissue papers.

He said that things were beginning to take shape, as Nigeria had become the second largest rice producing country in the world.

He also said: “The rice revolution just started a year ago; a newspaper did an investigation in Kebbi and found out that there were 48,000 new millionaires in Kebbi alone for growing rice.”

Shehu said the nation’s over-reliance on oil in the past was not healthy for the country’s development, adding that such attitude should not be allowed to continue.

He said that the Federal Government was looking on how to create more jobs for the unemployed youths across the country and to scale up power generation.

He said: “You can see that exploration and exportation of oil is growing, gas is coming back and power is getting better.”

Shehu said that President Buhari had delivered on his promise of putting the economy on a sound footing and fighting corruption.

He said the results were already showing, adding that the government required a little more patient from Nigerians.

According to him, the government’s war against corruption is acknowledged all over the world, while its effort to restructure the economy is becoming manifest.

He expressed confidence that the country would come out of the recession soon, following the boom in agriculture, especially in rice and sugar production.

The session was attended by students of the University of Abuja, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Federal Polytechnic, and was used to identify achievements recorded by the President Buhari-led administration.