Obiano and investors’ renewed confidence in Anambra

By Chukwudi Enekwechi
AT   a time when many state governors are missing in action in terms of providing developmental projects in their states, Anambra State has a different but pleasant story to tell. It is common knowledge that even at the peak of the economic recession when some state governments were unable to pay workers’ salaries or discharge their obligations, Anambra State under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano continued to pay worker’s salaries, pensions and still provided basic amenities to the citizens.

Perhaps, the best attestation to the remarkable progress being made by the state government can be seen in the various developmental projects going on across the state. It is pertinent to remark that such projects cut across all sectors and today Anambra State has become an investment destination. Of course, the policy of the state government to provide adequate security of lives and properties has contributed to the new investors’ confidence in the state.

The convivial and serene atmosphere was most visible during the last Christmas celebration as most Anambrabrians returned to a state that has been repositioned in all spheres. For example, it was enthralling to see street lights installed  on major roads of the state.
To say that the joy of the Christmas celebration was on a high pitch due to the way most parts of the state were lit up is an understatement. Additionally, Obiano’s love for aesthetics must have justified the need for the three hanging bridges constructed within Awka, the state capital.
With the erection of the hanging bridges, the needed status of a state capital was immediately conferred on Awka.
Before Obiano’s emergence, Awka was more of a glorified village, and many would-be investors hesitated to invest their huge capital in the state. Furthermore, that Obiano was able to calm frayed nerves and restore peace among the feuding parties in Awka has enabled investments to flow into the state.
Obiano’s leadership quality has also manifested in his ability to attract investors from all corners of the world to Anambra State. He has been able to achieve this through the state government’s public-private partnership. This is a policy that encourages investors to partner with the state in setting up industries in the agro-allied and manufacturing sectors.
This imaginative and innovative idea has led to the attraction of over five billion dollars worth of investments into Anambra State. We are familiar with the Coscharis Farms, Lynden Poultry and several other investments that have established multi-billion naira agricultural and poultry farms at Igbariam. Similarly, the long abandoned Ufuma Rice Mill has been renovated by Joseph Agro Industries Limited as a mark of confidence in the state’s economy.
In a bid to boost the image of the state as well as create recreational facilities, the Pinnacle Integrated Expert Solutions has signed a memorandum of understanding with Anambra State government for the construction of Anambra Golf Resort and Estate. Obiano, a trained banker and administrator has demonstrated that government can work for the people, and his programmes and policies have been designed to remain people-friendly and result-oriented
Apart from infrastructural development and attracting huge investments, the governor has placed priority on education, health care, environment, sports and human capital development.
The success story of the Obiano administration did not happen by accident, as he ensured that careful planning is matched with diligent execution of programmes.
This deliberate approach to governance has precluded Anambra state from the recession-afflicted states. Today, salaries, wages and pensions are being paid as due, while new road projects are being executed in the three senatorial zones of the state.
The governor has, in a bid to upgrade the  dilapidated federal infrastructure in the state reconstructed federal roads and this amounted to huge debts which the federal government is yet to redeem.
Therefore, it is worthwhile to join millions of Ndi Anambra and other Nigerians to celebrate on the occasion of the conferment of Silverbird Award of “Man of the Year” on Governor Willie Obiano. This is an award that is well deserved and will go a long way to spur the performing governor to redouble his efforts in the arduous task of developing Anambra state.
It is, indeed, remarkable that Silverbird has chosen to give its award to people of substance and reputable Nigerians like Governor Willie Obiano,  who understand that occupying a high office should be used to serve the greater good of the people.
Anambrabrians have been beneficiaries of Obiano’s commitment and selflessness in the service of the people. Since his assumption of office, he has not  shirked his responsibility of delivering good governance and restoring the glory of the enterprising people of the state.
  In fact, it seems the fate of Ndi-Anambra is intertwined with Governor Willie Obiano as he crystalizes the hopes and dreams of the people. In other words, he symbolizes the resilience and strength of the people who, despite all odds, refuse to give up even when faced with daunting challenges.
It is also important to commend the governor for prudent management of scarce resources, and the concomitant effect of this is that resources  are deployed towards providing basic amenities that serve the interest of all citizens.
    As he begins the journey into seeking a second term mandate, Governor Obiano has an impeccable record of solid and verifiable achievements, and in all fairness posterity will judge him positively. It is, therefore, not misplaced to join Silverbird to eulogise Governor Obiano as he has elevated Anambra state to enviable heights.

Enekwechi writes from  Anambra

Ndigbo urges FG to expedite action on second Niger Bridge

A league of Ndigbo in the south eastern part of Nigeria have called on the Federal Government to show commitment and expedite action on the construction of the second Niger Bridge to rekindle confidence in the government.

A cross section of the people made the call on Tuesday in an interview when the Ashiwaju.org visited the site of the bridge in Ogbaru near Onitsha.

A food vendor, Mrs Ijeoma Agu, said that activities at the site were last observed in December 2016 when the contracting firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, took some equipment away from the site.

Agu, who appealed to the government to release funds to the firm for the project, said that when completed, the project would not only ease the burden on the Niger Bridge, but would also promote economic activities in the area.

A tipper driver, Mr Samuel Aguncha, said that he and his colleagues normally drive vehicles to the site but added that no work was going on there.

“I want the government to construct the bridge to reduce traffic on the Niger Bridge; I want the government to start the project which I learnt had been approved,” Aguncha added.

Mr Isaac Nwankwo, who dredges sand along the riverbank, said that since the project was awarded, no tangible work had been done on site and urged the government to order the contractors back to site.

“What I see is that government is taking the project for granted; nothing is happening there at all and I can’t really say why,” he said.

In his reaction, Mr Edward Bosah, Controller of Works in the state, assured that work would soon resume at the site.

“The consultants have since left for South Africa, but work may resume between February and March,” Bosah said.

An official of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN that the company was working hard to resume work.

“Yes, we have not worked this year, but we will soon resume as things are being normalised as we speak.

“If you come back in the next one month, you will see some activities; we have just put things in order to resume work,” the source said.

Correspondent reports that though some equipment were on site, no substantial work had been done since former President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the project in 2014.

The Minister of Works, Mr Babatunde Fashola, who inspected the project early in February, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was committed to completing the 2nd Niger Bridge.

Gsniyu Caught For Using His Wife Fir Money Ritual

Sakiru Bello (36 years) has been arrested by Lagos State police command for dismembering his wife and mother of his three children, Sherifat Bello on February 13th.

Sakiru Bello told the Police;
“I called her on February 13th and she came to see me at home. Later, both of us went to the Island. It was on our way back that a commercial bus hit the bike that we boarded and she fell, hitting her head on the ground.

When we got home, she started complaining of pain in the head and then she died. I didn’t take her to the hospital because I didn’t have money. After she died, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t call her family members since we aren’t in good terms. It was while thinking about what to do that a thought came into my mind that I should cut her corpse into pieces to enable me dispose off her remains easily. So I cut her head, her breast, her leg and other parts of her body. I later wrapped them in a sack before taking it to an uncompleted building, where I buried the parts in different holes.”

The deceased elder Sister said;
“My sister is a nurse. She is the one who has been catering for the family, while they were married. She once bought him a bike and later, a Danfo just to ensure that he is gainfully employed. But nothing came out of it. About a year ago, she raised alarm that he wanted to use her for rituals, so the two families came together and they separated them.”

Gov Obiano Dedicates Silverbird Award To Nigerian Youths

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.
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.
Speaking further on the strategic focus of his administration, Governor Obiano declared “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.

3 Out Of Every 10 Nigerian Men Are Not The Biological Fathers Of Their Children – DNA Expert

In a bombshell interview with a DNA Expert, it has been revealed that three out of ten Nigerian men are not the biological fathers of their children. www.naijagists.com Interview excerpts below Is paternity testing becoming an issue in Nigeria? We have seen that there is serious need for it because in many homes things are happening that are scary both to the lives of children and their parents. And for the general statistics that is now available, it is found that three out of every ten men are not the fathers of their babies. Similarly, three out of every ten children are not fathered by men they have seen as their biological fathers. What we have found out is that, anytime we take ten men, at least three of them eventually found that they are not the fathers of the children they call their own. And these men would have taken care of the children for all their lives. Now, the global statistics is 100, 000 out of every 300, 000 men. But what we have found that is that the situation is higher in Nigeria than other places. For example in our laboratory here, 50 per cent of the cases comes out negative. And we also realised that majority of the first-borns are affected. You only need to be here to see big men cry like little kids and watch children weep in agony. It has been that bad. And I dare say it is becoming something every home must do and you may be quite surprised at the level of dastard revelation. About thirty per cent of fathers are unknowingly bringing up children who are not biologically theirs. And it is suspected that this percentage may be on the increase due to sexual recklessness. According to recent trends in sexual health, especially in Nigeria, it was suggested that unprotected sex and multiple partners are comparatively common occurrences with a large proportion of conceptions still unplanned. So, more than half, that is, 50 per cent of all paternity tests carried out by our lab comes out negative and the most affected are first-borns, except in a few cases. Do these cases happen mostly in matrimonial settings or in casual relationships? In both matrimony and casual affiliations! I tell you, we have had series of married men come here and go back home devastated. In one instance, a man came here with his wife. Out of the five children he thought were his own, he discovered that only two belonged to him. And they are both duly married, living together as husband and wife. You see, the major problem we have in our country is that most of these cases are not duly documented. So, people don’t know we have such issues among us. In fact, some even don’t know where to go for the test to determine their child or children’s paternity. And I tell you, if you go to ten homes as we speak, you will be amazed to find that in almost all of them the children there do not belong to the men. It is that rampant. If it is that rampant, how would you describe the three years since you started testing men? Now, the general statistics by the American Association of Blood Banks is that globally, 100, 000 out of 300, 000 men are not the actual fathers of their presumed children. And like I said earlier, the Nigerian situation is even alarming. Also, Duess International, the condom manufacturers, once noted that Nigeria has the most reckless sexual life. So, you can then imagine what the outcome would be like if we say okay, let’s start taking statistics one-by-one. How many families do you attend to each week? We test about 15 to 20 families. People come here as a result of various types of controversies over the paternity of certain children. You know, families have come to us with claims that a child neither takes after the mother nor the father in looks and character. So, the man of the house would be curious to ascertain facts. And when they come here with such children, the fears of the fathers have often been affirmed. Fathers usually have the doubts; maybe he has been hearing some rumours, and you know, men are often the last to hear such things about themselves. Until many of them come here to take the test, they have nurtured other men’s children before realising it.What does it take to do a paternity test? Technology has made it so easy. It is just like any other deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test. In less than two seconds, we take the sample from the man. We use the Helix Swabs like a “big cotton buds” to extract some cells from the man’s mouth. We rub the ‘Swab’ up-and-down the mouth to get some epithelial cells from around the cheek bone. In the nucleus of every cell, there is DNA. Once we collect that, we purify, extract and then multiply it and get the genetic profile which we then send to DNA laboratory abroad for testing.What happens in situations where DNA samples do not match as we saw with some DANA victims? So many reasons could be responsible for that. We have had a case in which a boy went to an hospital to claim the body of his deceased dad and on testing him, it was found that he was not fathered by the dead man. The genetic profile of the boy does not match with that of the man he claimed to be his father. And DNAs don’t lie. The medical experts conducting these tests have nothing personal against the people that come to them for testing. Every human being take half of the genetic profile from either parent. Therefore, it is a matter of case closed if the genetic profile of the living does not match with that of the dead man. He is simply not that father. Forwarded as received!

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.