PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has empowered a total of 3,500 people under the Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) project. While launching the programme in Ibadan yesterday, President Jonathan through the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, noted that those who benefited from the project comprised 1,982 males and 1,518 females.
All the beneficiaries of the project are currently working in 144 service units spread across all the 33 local government areas of the state. He stated further that the beneficiaries had received a total of N246.8 million as stipends, while a total sum of N29.9 million had been remitted to the state as running/management cost between February and September 2013. Governor Abiola Ajimobi, while receiving the minister said, “when you look at a state with about 10 million population and we are saying only 1,000 or 2,000 people have benefited, to me, this is terribly low. The governor also advised that such a life-transforming programme should be done without any political consideration. He said if Peoples Democratic Party-led Federal Government discriminates against other political parties in the management of SURE-P, its aims would be defeated. Consequently, he called for the setting up of a committee comprising representatives of both the Federal Government and state governments in each of the 36 states of the federation that would run the programme. Besides, he also said that the committee, if constituted, would ensure synergy between the Federal Government and the state government on the SURE-P scheme and other similar empowerment and poverty alleviation programmes of the states. `I also like to suggest that we have synergy when I say synergy, I do not so much like the idea of SURE-P being managed without having a committee of SURE-P with that of the state government that will regularly meet and monitor progress,” the governor said. Governor Ajimobi said,“What I will, therefore, like to suggest is that if we can quickly increase our rate of penetration and impact, and the quantum of participants, it will be better.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
YES it is possible to lose weight, and nothing can be too little or too much.Strategies such as making a commitment and being focused take a lot of mental and physical energy. One fact anyone attempting to lose weight has to know first and foremost is that no one else can make you lose weight. You need to undertake diet and exercise changes to please yourself. It is also vital to adopt habits for slimming down without a complicated diet plan. Here are great tips to make you lose weight without necessarily going on a diet.
To lose weight exercise is key
Slow eaters eat less
Savour each bite and make it last.Partake of smaller portions from which you eat slowly rather than wolfing your food down in a hurry which may signal overeating. Set a timer for 20 minutes and reinvent yourself as a slow eater. This is one of the top habits for slimming without diet plan.
Sleep more, weigh less
Sleeping an extra hour a night could help a person drop eight kilos a year. When sleep replaces idle activities you can effortlessly cut calories by 6 percent. Results would vary for each person, but sleep may help in another way, too. There’s evidence that getting too little sleep revs up your appetite,
Eat more vegetables
Serve three vegetables instead of just one, and you’ll eat more without really trying. Greater variety tricks people into eating more food and eating more fruits and vegetables is a great way to lose weight. The high fibre and water content fills you up with fewer calories. Cook them without added fat. And season with lemon juice and herbs rather than drowning their goodness in high-fat sauces or dressings.
Soups drop weight
Add a broth-based soup to your day and you’ll fill up on fewer calories. Soup’s especially handy at the beginning of a meal because it slows your eating and curbs your appetite. Start with a low-sodium broth or canned soup, add fresh or frozen vegetables and simmer. Beware of creamy soups, which can be high in fat and calories.
Go for whole grains
Whole grains such as brown rice, barley, oats, and whole wheat also belong in your stealthy weight loss strategy. They help fill you up with fewer calories and may improve your cholesterol profile, too. Whole grains are now in many products including waffles, pizza crust, muffins, pasta, and soft “white” whole-wheat bread.
Soups can drop your weight
Cut back on sugar
Sugar is the No.1 enemy of every weight loss strategy. Replace one sugary or soft drink with water or a zero-calorie cola and you’ll avoid about 10 teaspoons of sugar. Add lemon, mint or frozen strawberries for flavour and fun. The liquid sugar in soft drink appears to bypass the body’s normal fullness cues.
Drink from a tall, thin glass
Use a tall, skinny glass instead of a short, wide tumbler to cut liquid calories — and your weight — without dieting. You’ll drink 25-30 percent less juice, cola, wine, or any other beverage. How can this work? Visual cues can trick you into consuming more or less. People tend to poud more into a short, wide glass—even experienced bartenders.
Limit alcohol
When an occasion includes alcohol, follow the first drink with a nonalcoholic, low-calorie beverage like sparkling water instead of moving directly to another cocktail, beer, or glass of wine. Alcohol has more calories per gram than carbohydrates or protein. It can also loosen your resolve, leading you to mindlessly inhale chips, nuts, and other foods you’d normally limit.
Go for green tea
Drinking green tea may also be a good weight loss strategy. Some studies suggest that it can rev up the body’s calorie-burning engine temporarily, possibly through the action of phytochemicals called catechins. At the very least, you’ll get a refreshing drink without tons of calories.
Eat at home
Eat home-cooked meals at least five days a week. A Consumer Reports survey found this was a top habit of “successful losers.” Cooking may be easier than you think. Shortcut foods can make for quick meals.
Catch the ‘Eating Pause’
Most people have a natural “eating pause,” when they drop the fork for a couple of minutes. Watch for this moment and don’t take another bite. Clear your plate and enjoy the conversation. This is the quiet signal that you’re full, but not stuffed. Don’t miss it.
Chew strong mint gum
Chew sugarless gum with a strong flavor when you’re at risk for a snack attack. Making dinner after work, socializing at a party, watching TV, or surfing the Internet are a few dangerous scenarios for mindless snacking. Gum with a big flavor punch overpowers other foods so they don’t taste good.
Shrink your dishes
Choose a 10-inch lunch plate instead of a 12-inch dinner plate to automatically eat less. People serve more and eat more food with larger dishes. Shrink your plate or bowl to cut out 100-200 calories a day — and 5-10 kilos in a year..
Go meatless more often
Eating vegetarian meals more often is a slimming habit. Vegetarians tend to weigh less than meat eaters. While there are several reasons for this, legumes may play an important role. Bean burgers, lentil soup, and other tasty legume-based foods are simply packed with fiber. Most Americans get only half of this important nutrient, which fills you up with fewer calories
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
A Federal High Court, Lagos, yesterday struck out the N77 million fraud charge brought against the Oyo State, former commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives, Mr. Kazeem Adedeji by the Police.
Other defendants in the suit are: Yinka Fatoki, a former Director in the Ministry, and Kolawole Adewole, a banker.
According to the charge, the three accused persons are facing a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy and fraud, offences contrary to the provisions of Sections 1(1), 1(3) (a) and 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, Cap A6, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
They were standing trial before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke and being prosecuted by the Police.
At Friday’s proceeding, the judge struck out the suit for lack of diligent prosecution, as the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Effiong Asuquo, a Superintendent of Police was not in court but was represented by I.O Idowu who could not go ahead with the trial.
The prosecutor informed the court that the accused committed the offences between July 2012 and June 2013, and had written a letter for the adjournment of the matter as he was indisposed.
It will be recalled that Asuquo had said that sometime in 2012, while Adedeji was still Commissioner, the Oyo State Government entered into a partnership with a bank. He said the fund, with a total of N1 billion, was a pool from which indigenous entrepreneurs could access credit facilities.
Asuquo explained that the state government and the bank had each contributed N500 million respectively, towards the fund.
He said the joint venture was aimed at promoting Micro and Medium business in Oyo State.
The prosecutor said that Adedeji lodged the said contribution into Enterprise Bank, where his wife worked as account officer, without the consent and approval of the Oyo State Government.
He told the court that the accused then conspired to obtain over N77 million from the fund, which was allocated to non-existing companies.
Asuquo said that the accused granted the facilities to Josh-Tolani Ventures, Tembenatil Ventures, Ojoo God’s Grace Cooperative Society, Agric Preserve Company Ltd, and Adis Steel Works Ltd, adding that upon investigation at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was discovered that none of these companies were registered.
However, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, counsel to the former Commissioner, leading other two lawyers, Mr. Olalekan Olansibe and Mr. Olabode Iranloye, for the second and third accused persons respectively had urged the court to dismiss all the charges against the accused persons due to the failure of the prosecution to prosecute the matter.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Nigeria were yesterday handed what could be termed a soft group after they were drawn against former World Cup Champions Argentina hoping to inspired by mercurial and skillful Lionel Messi with former African player of the year winner, Victor Ikpeba calling on the Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi to work hard on the team.
Drawn in number four of the group, the Eagles will open their World Cup account with a match against Asians, Iran on June 16, 2014 in the Brazilian city of Curitiba inside the 41,000 capacity Estadio Joaquim Americo better known as Arena de Baixada.
According to Ikepba, “Argentina are favoured to top the group because of their pedidree in footbakll with a player like Lionel Messi. Nigeria will come second but Keshi needs to work hard to contain the stubborn Bosnia Herzegovina and Iran,” he said, adding that “It is a good draw for Nigeria.”
Despite rating the Argentines highly, Ikpeba who would be remembered to have missed his penalty in the 2000 Nations Cup co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana stressed that “ If we work hard on our team, we could take the game to the Argentines.”
Nigeria was in pot two alongside Algeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana,Chile and Ecuador and fans of the Super Eagles were all hoping for the best possible draw .
Joining Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke to assist with the draw were a host of legends: Uruguay’s 1950 World Cup winner Alcides Ghiggia, England’s 1966 hero Geoff Hurst, former Brazil captain Cafu, Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro, Argentina’s Mario Kempes, Spain’s Fernando Hierro, France’s Zinedine Zidane and German great Lothar Matthaus.
It will be the fourth time Nigeria and Argentina will be clashing in the group stages of the World Cup finals.
The two nations both clashed in 1994 when Claudio Canniggia scored a brace to condemn the Super Eagles to a 2-1 defeat.
In 2002, Gabriel Batistuta scored a brace to sink the Africans while Gabriel Heinze netted a solitary effort as Argentina won again at the expense of Nigeria in 2010.
Nigeria will also face Bosnia and Iran in the group.
Hosts Brazil are in Group A alongside Croatia, Cameroun and Mexico while champions, Spain square off in Group B alongside the Netherlands, Australia and Chile.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Police authorities in Imo State are investigating a Roman Catholic priest (names withheld ) for unlawful possession of firearms. The priest, said to be in-charge of one of the prominent Parishes in Dikenafai, Ideato South Local Government area, Imo State, was arrested for allegedly being in possession of three unlicensed guns with which he threatened the lives of hoodlums and some parishioners who masterminded the robbery at his parish house.
Crime Guard reliably gathered that the guns which include one pump action riffle, one double- barrelled gun and a locally -made pistol allegedly belonging to the priest were recovered from his official residence by operatives of Special Armed Robbery Squad, SARS, Imo State Police Command acting on a tip off from concerned parishioners.
Described as a very controversial priest, the reverend father was arrested and detained briefly but granted bail by the police following the intervention of some influential religious and political leaders in the state.
Police sources intimated that the controversy surrounding the catholic priest stemmed from a tragedy that occurred in January 2010 , after the death of a prominent indigene of the area. The resident priest was said to had raised issues over the burial ceremony which inflamed the natives and they had to lodge formal complaints to the Bishop of the area over the way the priest was allegedly calling people names while conducting services especially bad people in the community and requesting them to change.
According to the source, the matter became worse after armed robbers reportedly attacked the priest in his official residence and he openly accused some prominent citizens of the area of masterminding the robbery. Since then, the priest obtained some fire arms and warn the public to avoid the repeat of such attack or they will face the consequenc.
This, the source continued, made some of them to write a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Imo State accusing the priest of threatening their lives with dangerous weapons. The Police boss swiftly acted on the petition and sent detectives from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, to the residence of the priest where some weapons were allegedly recovered.
Meanwhile, investigation into the case is ongoing by the police to ascertain the source of the guns and possibly the actual purposes they are being used for. It is believed that the matter will be charged to court after full police investigation had been concluded.
It would be recalled that the police in Imo State under the present Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Katsina had in recent times made remarkable breakthrough in impounding illegal arms and ammunition used by criminal gangs in the state. The latest arrest of a priest marks a new twist in the war against crime in the state, particularly the illegal use of firearms.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ONE of the legacies that apartheid gave to Africa is the canon known to the literary world today as protest literature or literature of pains. This was an imaginative response by different strata of South African writers community to the challenges of race politics that was practiced by the ruling dominant white minority in the hey days of apartheid.
This form literature found expressionism in all the genres of literary expressionism vis-a- vis prose, drama and poetry as well as theatre, movie and popular culture. The fulcrum of this literary tradition was to use the the imaginative power to engage the politics of colour that segregated the rainbow people of colour.
The works that captured this canon of writing looked at the various ranges of segregation that that took place in the South Africa’s society whether it was at the mine, in the church, school, place of work and other public space.
From this tradition, emerged a whole range of writer activists, wgho employed the power of the intellect asnd the imagination in prosecuting the fight against apartheid. It was the era of protest literature that nurtured and produced some of the world’s best writers including Lewis Nkosi, Peter Abraham, Bloke Modisane Andre Brink, JM Coetzee and Nadine Gordimer.
Also such other notable names like Poet Denis Burutus, dramatist Athol Fugard are also other significant writers and activists , who stoood rigidly with their writing to challenge minority power in South Africa.
In the genre of poetry, such poets like Denis Brutus , Lewis Nkosi and Modisane were notable names whose poetry engage with strong energy of the intellect the inhuman condition in South Africa.
In the area of prose fiction, Peter Abraham, Can Themba, Coetzee, Gordimer and Brink , also captured different dimensions to the obnoxious regime that brought so much pains on the people. Just like in theatre where Fugard’s Swesi Bansi is Dead, in its dramatic power highlighted on stage the heart raking route that blacks had to take to survive works in black job’s stricken South African society.
Beyond wentertainment, alll forms of literary expression and visual culture were appropriated by artists and activists as enlightenment toools with which the activities of apartheid rulers were roundly expose, challenged and exposed to the international community , which rose up against te regime.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
GENERAL Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye will from today play host to millions of worshippers from different parts of the world at this year’s edition of the church’s Holy Ghost Congress.
The programme scheduled for one week at the sprawling Redemption Camp along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, has a unique theme; ‘The Overflow.’
The Redemption Camp, now home to many residential apartments, educational institutions, hospitality units and a few banks came into being in 1985 to host the monthly all-night Holy Ghost service that features praise, worship, scriptural exposition, prayers and personal ministrations in answer to Pastor Adeboye’s request that God should rain His blessings upon the congregation. HOSTS: General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye.
HOSTS: General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye and wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye.
God had asked him to assemble the people to worship and praise the Lord and the promised miracles have been familiar features of the programme. The Congress, now a six-day event, is an expand-ed version of the monthly programme with the maiden edition in 1998 on the beachside of Lekki Expressway.
Millions of worshippers gathered for an all-night programme to celebrate Jesus in a festival-like atmosphere with the theme; “Divine Visitation”. The crowd was far more than the expected four million people and it took several hours for vehicular and human traffic to clear after an admittedly awesome night characterised by lively music, preaching, and words of prophecies, signs and wonders.
The Congress became a six-day programme in 2003. The development of the Congress Arena and support facilities at the camp was rapid and extensive with the incorporation of a modern altar, prayer foyer, offices, parking lots and massive deployment of plastic chairs which have now almost completely displaced the old wooden pews.
Then came the roofing and the tilling of the floor with further expansion and paving of the access and adjoining roads resulting in a massive auditorium said to be one of the largest worship structures in the world.
Traffic flow within and around the camp is also better controlled; putting an end to the nightmare of the earlier years when worshippers spent several hours on their way to and from programmes.
With the provision of more parking lots and better manning of routes, shuttles between the camp and Lagos or other nearby cities which took several hours are now done in less than one hour.
The amenities around the Arena and other parts of the Camp have also been upgraded and improved upon for the comfort of worshippers and visitors. More toilets—mobile and fixed—have been built. Water and electricity are adequately supplied all-year round.
As the first visitors arrive the Camp, the General Overseer, Pastor Adeboye has sent a word of welcome to all participants at this year’s fiesta. In his welcome address, Daddy G.O. thanked the Almighty God for “keeping us since the last Congress in 2012. I am most delighted to welcome you to a special Congress that promises to overflow with signs and wonders.
“Congratulations for making it to this programme. You have come expectant. As the Lord lives, you shall testify all through the Congress and thereafter. As with the past Congresses, the Lord promises to make this a memorable and fulfilling programme. He is a covenant keeping God and He is faithful to do that which he has promised. In what area of your life are you believeing God for an overflow? All you need to do is to bring your case before Him in humility with praises and thanksgiving in prayerful expectation. He is the One who can do all things,” he said.
Continuing, Pastor Adeboye said: “With Him, nothing shall be impossible. He shall answer you in the mighty name of Jesus. The Lord promises to touch every area of your life through His word and the acccompanying sessions of teaching, prayers, seminars and personal ministrations. All the morning, afternoon and evening sessions are specially planned for you.
“The evening sessions will run everyday from the Opening Day (Monday) to the Closing Day (Saturday). The morning sessions shall run on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The afternoon sessions featuring teaching on Marriage, the Home, Business, Career and other aspects of everyday life will run on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.
“I believe you are here for a personal encounter with the Lord of lords. Just wait upon Him and cry out to him on your own and during the general prayer sessions. Do not let anyone or anything distract you. As you key into the various daily programmes and focus on the Lord, your life will never be the same again. You have come expectant: you shall go home testifying,” he prayed.
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
DAY 1: Monday, December 9
OPENING SESSION
6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Prayer & Intercession 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. Praise & Worship 8:00 p.m.-8:10 p.m. Opening Prayer 8:10 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Choir Ministration 8:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Talk One: “I Will Bless The Lord At All Times” 9:00 p.m.-9:20 p.m. Greetings & Announcements 9:20 p.m.-9:40 p.m. Thanksgiving for Past Con- gresses 9:40 p.m.-10:10 p.m. Offering 10:10 a.m.-10:40 p.m. Choir Ministration 10:40 p.m.-12:00 a.m. Talk Two: “Beyond Salvation”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ONE of the few surviving nationalists and former Minister of Aviation in the first republic, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi has revealed how he hid the foremost South African nationalist and former president of South Africa, Chief Nelson Mandela for six months in Nigeria to evade his arrest by officials of the apartheid regime in that country.
Amaechi, who spoke with Vanguard at his Ukpor country home in Nnewi South local government area of Anambra State said people like Mandela are great assets to humanity and should not be going through the pains of life.
The former minister, popularly known as ‘the boy is good’, said it was a privilege to him being asked to live with Mandela when he ran away from the apartheid regime and came to Nigeria in 1963, adding that they shared great moments during the six months plus Mandela lived in his house.
According to Amaechi, even when Mandela returned to South Africa and was sentenced to life imprisonment, he still wrote him letters from prison, showing how appreciative he is.
The interview with Amaechi on Mandela went thus:
PRESENTLY, the foremost South African nationalist, Nelson Mandela, is sick and in the hospital. We want to know if you had any relationship with him in the past or an encounter?
Yes, he was the leader of the Africa National Congress, ANC. He led the group that struggled for democracy in South Africa. That was the time of the apartheid regime in South Africa and when the British government was desperately looking for him to imprison him; he ran away from South Africa and took refuge in Nigeria. That was when the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the President of Nigeria and late Dr. Michael Okpara the Premier of the Eastern Region.
When Mandela came to Nigeria, Zik as the leader of the nationalist group in Nigeria in consultation with Okpara decided that they should find a nationalist of Mandela’s caliber who would accommodate him. So they called on me to take Mandela and accommodate him.
At that time, I was the parliamentary secretary and also a member of the parliament before I became a minister. He moved in to my house and stayed for about six or more months with me and my wife. I was then newly married while he was in his early 40’s or so.
We used to go out together and both the British intelligence and the South African intelligence services knew that he was with me, but there was nothing they could do about it because I was in government. Then, after sometime, during our discussions, he said: “My stay here, how long will it last? “I think I better return to South Africa. They will either kill me or send me to prison and it will spur the other nationalists remaining to continue with the struggle.
So, after about six or seven months in my house, he decided to move back to South Africa. When he went back, he was promptly arrested, charged and sentenced to life imprisonment. He went to prison, but the nationalism in him did not depart from him.
He continued doing his best for some of his colleagues. He wrote me a letter from prison asking me to find employment for one Dr. Barange. Barange’s father was a lawyer who defended the nationalists in a previous case, while Barange himself was a geologist. The apartheid people in South Africa were seriously looking for him and so Mandela wanted him to get out of South Africa. I was able to get a job for Dr. Barange at the University of Ife as a senior lecturer in Geology.
Mandella wrote me from prison. In fact when you called that you were coming, I went to my office to search for this letter. This is the letter he wrote me from the prison on the 18th of February, 1964, he signed the letter as Nelson Mandela, prisoner No 116570/63.
Then during his 74th birthday, he was still in prison, I joined his family to send him goodwill messages.
When he came out from prison, I wrote him too. When he came to Nigeria after his release, he specifically requested to see me and Dr. Azikiwe. So, when he came to Enugu, the then governor, Col. Robert Akonobi, because we were in military rule then, wrote me to say Mandela wanted to see me. I honoured the invitation and I went to Enugu with my wife to see him. He was in the company of his former wife, Winnie. We shared some time together before he went back to South Africa.
After that visit in 1993, have you been communicating with him?
Yes, my last letter to him was on 18th November, 1993.
Since the last letter, have two of you been communicating?
No. We have not spoken to each other again. When he was appointed the President of South Africa, I was invited to his inauguration ceremony, but the military here did not allow me to go. They said I needed clearance to go and I did not get it.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
ENUGU-IGBO leaders held a crucial meeting on the proposed National dialogue in Enugu yesterday where they emphasized the need for the South East to harmonize their position on various national issues and present same to the confab.
The participants at the meeting convened under the aegis of South East Peoples Development Association, SEPDA, also expressed optimism that the conference would afford the Igbo the opportunity to make legitimate demands that would bring to an end the long marginalisation of the zone in the affairs of the country.
One of the major vexing issues which they intend to canvass at the conference is the creation of an additional state in the South East, which has been top on the agitation by Ndigbo for quite a long time.
Present at the meeting held at Modotel Hotel, Enugu were Ohanaeze President-General, Chief Enwo Igariwey, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, Dr. Sam Egwu, Dr. Mrs Uche Azikiwe, Dr Nkemka Jombo-Ofor, Igwe Prof Sam Ukpabi, Prof Joe Irukwu and Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze-Uzu Awka.
Others were Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Prof Uzodimma Nwala, Dr Mbazulike Amaechi, Igwe Aja Nwachukwu, Dr. Philip Atanmuo, Sen Offia Nwali, Chief Simon Okeke, Chief Chekwas Okorie and Chief Ken Emechebe among others.
Speaking at the meeting, former Minister of Education, Dr Sam Egwu said the forum was aimed at building an Igbo consensus on various issues that would come up at the forthcoming National Dialogue.
He said that it would be wrong for Ndigbo to appear before the conference without a consensus on the issues they intend to pursue, stressing that everything possible should be done to ensure that the Igbo race benefit maximally from the dialogue.
“For our voice to be well heard we must first of all build a consensus. Igbo should not allow their differences to jeopardize our collective interest. It has also become pertinent to draw a political roadmap for Igbos in 2015 and beyond. We must ask ourselves basic questions – if the South East will not produce the president in 2015, when will they do that?” Egwu said.
Also speaking, Ohanaeze President General, Chief Igariwey said the umbrella Igbo organization is already working with various Igbo groups to ensure unity among the race before moving to the confab.
“The issue at hand is very pertinent and requires inputs of all the stakeholders. We need to arrive at a consensus so that those representing the Igbo will speak based on the positions agreed upon by our people,” he said.
But in his contribution, the national Chairman of the newly registered United Progressive Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie expressed fears that the desire by Ndigbo to get an additional state might not be realised at the conference.
Giving reasons why it has not been possible for the people of the South East to have the additional state, Okorie said it was neither Ndigbo nor the National Assembly that made it difficult to create additional states but purely the military that bequeathed power to civilian democracy.
Chief Okorie said that it was easier for a Carmel to pass the eye of a needle than for a new state to be created owing to the 1999 constitution that was yet to be reviewed.
According to Okorie unless the 1999 constitution bequeathed to Nigerians by the military administration is altered, there is no way anybody can create additional state in Nigeria.
He said: “Our not getting additional state is the conspiracy of the military junta headed by Abdulsalam Abubakar that handed down the 1999 Constitution.
“Under the provision of the constitution, it will take the proverbial Carmel to pass through the eye of a needle before state or states are created..
“You need to go and look at those provisions. They are extremely difficult to meet and it was deliberately put like that. During the Constitutional Conference in 2005, that’s why I didn’t bother myself with state creation but I insist on making the six zones, federating units.
“If the six zones become federating units that’s equality: whether you have ten states in one zone or three states in one zone does not make much difference. That’s the practical approach to it.”
On the possibility of an Igboman becoming the president of Nigeria come 2015 or in the near future, Okorie was of the view that the only political party that gives an Igboman the opportunity to aspire for the exalted office of the president is his own political party, the UPP.
He maintained that other political parties do not have it in their agenda to give the Igboman the opportunity to become the next president of Nigeria.
“Is there the possibility that APC will make any Igboman presidential candidate in 2015 or later? The answer is No. Is there the possibility that PDP will make any Igboman presidential candidate in 2015 or later. The answer is No,” he said.
“What this implies is that we must support and embrace the only political party which has again passed a resolution by its national executive committee, EXCO, zoning presidential slot to the South East geopolitical zone. That political party is the one I have also founded with the collaboration of some patriotic Nigerians – the United Progressive Party, UPP, with the head of the tiger as its symbol,” he added.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Kanye West is under fire today for claiming that he will soon be a bigger cultural and civil rights icon than Nelson Mandela.
In an interview with WGCI radio in Chicago, the notoriously self-promoting rapper said that yesterday's death of the 95-year-old South African leader will finally allow people to focus more of their attention on West's own accomplishments.
In the studio to promote his new music video Bound 2, the conversation soon turned to the day's biggest news out of South Africa. West was asked who he thought on the world stage today could possibly replace Nelson Mandela in terms of leadership, and his unconventional answer left heads spinning.
"I am the next Nelson Mandela," West responded. "I'm only 36 years old, and when I look at everything I've accomplished, it's the only comparison that makes any sense. By the time I'm 95, I'm going to be a bigger hero than he ever was.
"Nelson Mandela did a lot of good work, don't get me wrong. But I think I'm on track to do something even bigger. I liberate minds with my music. That's more important than liberating a few people from apartheid or whatever.
"Not to say Mandela wasn't for real. I have mad respect. I just think we need to keep things in perspective here. Anyone can be replaced. And I think I'm well on my way towards being the next great black leader. I'm already worshiped around the world. And there's more to come."
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Former South African president and anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela died yesterday after years of declining health. His legacy of peaceful reconciliation has been universally praised by political leaders, the media and ordinary citizens around the world.
Kanye West, for his part, is known for going to extraordinary lengths to focus attention on himself. His reaction today was so unusual, however, that host Adrian Cronauer decided to challenge his assertions.
"What have you actually done for civil rights?" he asked. "Have you been involved in any campaigns? Any political activities? It seems to me comparing yourself to Mandela is a bit of a stretch."
"I've blazed a trail with my career," West responded. "I faced mad racism when I entered this profession. I mean how many black rappers can you name that came before me? I was a pioneer. And now I'm doing the same thing in the fashion world.
"Not to mention I have a bigger market than he ever did. Mandela was working in South Africa, which has, like what, six people? I started my magic here in the USA and then I took my business global. Worldwide baby.
"I just want everyone out there to know. I see y'all crying on the TV. Being all sad. Just know that Kanye's gonna carry on Mandela's legacy. There's nothing to worry about. I got this."
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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