NIGERIA: Arresting Enugu’s Decent into the Abyss

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Read Time:9 Minute, 31 Second

Perhaps, the proposed visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Enugu State will help diffuse tension in the state as well as refocus the battle for 2015, writes Akinbami Faloye

That the South-east is in high mood as it prepares to receive President Goodluck Jonathan and other national leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Enugu for the zonal rally of the party is not in doubt. What has agitated the minds of party faithful and Enugu citizens, however, is whether the few hours the president would be spend in the coal city would be enough to see through the alleged political impunity going on in the state as well as the douse the simmering crisis in the Enugu chapter of the PDP.

For instance, since Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu reportedly ‘challenged’ the decision of Governor Sullivan Chime of the state to unilaterally decree that all federal lawmakers from the state serving out their second term and upwards must retire in 2015, a lot has changed about the politics of Enugu.

That pronouncement by Chime made at a Town Hall meeting to mark the 2013 Democracy Day at the Nike Lake Hotels drew public ire including the open reactions from Ekweremadu and the behind the scene condemnation by those not bold enough for fear of the unknown. That declaration was also widely considered dictatorial and selfish since the governor did not consult other party stakeholders before making public the statement.

There have also been some suggestions that even the governor himself who is completing the maximum two terms as governor, would have certainly gone for a third, and even more terms had the constitution permitted. This school of thought is backing its assertions with the governor‘s burning and almost desperate desire to go to the senate at the expiration of his tenure a situation that has heightened political tension in Enugu.

Some therefore allege a grand design by the governor to sweep away the present lawmakers to create space for himself and his cronies.

These were part of issues discussed at a meeting the governor held in Abuja with all the National Assembly members from the state where he maintained his stand that it was over for all the National Assembly members from the state.
Whatever his stand, Chime is seen as uncomfortable with the rising profile of Ekweremadu, who has initiated as well as changed the lives of many within and outside his Enugu West senatorial zone. His constituency project, which is said to have turned things around in his area, has also been extended to other parts of the State. Ekweremadu is therefore seen as the only threat that can alter the plans of the governor to retire the lawmakers.

Ekweremadu’s goodwill in the state is said to have endeared him to the party machinery in the state especially the ward, local government and zonal levels where he has taken it upon himself to see to their welfare since becoming Deputy Senate President.
Chime, who is known to have done less in this regards was actually however advised to reach out to the party executives at the ward level thereby forcing him for the first time as governor to give out Christmas packages to PDP executives at different levels.

Not until it became clear to him that Ekweremadu may have penetrated even the governor’s own Udi Local Government where the PDP council chairman, Mr. Uche Ogbodo, openly challenged the plot to scheme out Ekweremadu and carter to his senatorial ambition.

Uche immediately faced alleged victimisation that many of Ekweremadu’s supporters are said to being subjected to across the state. He was first suspended and later purportedly removed by the governor’s henchmen. He was however reinstated by the National Executive of the party, even though the governor and his Chief of Staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo, were believed to have refused to allow him to function.

The governor is also believed to be afraid of the close relationship between Ekweremadu and President Goodluck Jonathan. Chime, it was said, once snubbed Jonathan during a visit to the South-east as vice-president, while other governors were on hand to receive him.

It was about the same period that he allegedly kept the former national chairman of the PDP waiting for several hours. But the visitors who came in from Abuja got tired of waiting and allegedly left in anger. Chime was almost gravitating towards that when during the recent visit of party stakeholders from Enugu to the new PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, stated clearly that it was the first time he was visiting a sitting National Chairman of the party.

He would later insinuate that he visited because of the fear of Ekweremadu and the politics of 2015. “As a governor for seven years by May, this is the first time I am coming to this place (party headquarters) with a delegation of Enugu State to identify with any Chairman,” Chime had aid on that occasion.

Realising the consequences of the face-off between the two highest office holders in the state, the PDP National Vice Chairman, Col. Akobundu and the BOT Members, former governor Jim Nwobodo and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, brokered a peace meeting in Abuja at the instance of President Jonathan. The party leaders were not happy with the sour relationship between the duo and the face-off between the two camps.

They reportedly told the governor that there was no way he could stop the Senator by zoning the governorship to Nsukka zone on the mere suspicion that Ekweremadu wanted to be governor and at the same time prevent him from returning to the Senate. They asked both leaders to go home and settle on the best way forward.

At the same meeting, which held at Senator Ken Nnamani’s Abuja home, Chime was said to have expressed displeasure that Ekweremadu did not restrict himself to lawmaking, but was busy siting federal government projects as though he was competing with him. But Ekweremadu was said to have maintained that representation was a critical aspect of legislative business, hence the need to get government interventions in matters affecting the people.

As far as political observers are concerned, the Abuja peace talk failed because rather than exhibiting a positive action from the meeting, what follow was politics of endorsement and counter endorsement.

The decision of the Deputy Senate President to keep mute over what position he would be vying for next year has not helped matters. But the governor’s camp, with the help of the state Chairman of the PDP, Vita Abba has been on the case of local government party executives and Council Chairmen in to endorse Chime as the candidate for Ekweremadu’s senate seat.

Abba, who also nurses a governorship ambition, has been accused of initiating the endorsement project. Although the party chairman has distanced himself from some of these allegations, there have been cases where local council chairmen and party executives were allegedly threatened to endorse the governor’s senatorial ambition and that of Nwobodo.

Yet the alleged campaign to stop Ekweremadu or anyone seen as standing in the way of the governor or Nwobodo is pounced on. Royal fathers from Ezeagu Local Government who had joined their subjects on an appreciation visit to Ekweremadu for his development focus were allegedly harassed and forced to either recant or lose their stools.

Also for advising against some hasty endorsements as well as resisting the attempt to force PDP chairmen in the five LGAs of Enugu West Senatorial District to sign a document purportedly zoning the senatorial seat from Greater Awgu (Chief Ekweremadu’s area) to Udi/Ezeagu (Chime’s area), the party chairman in Udi LGA, Uchenna Ogbodo, has not been allowed to function.

A Permanent Secretary in the state, Eze O. Eze was also allegedly sanctioned for advising against the sponsorship of a newspaper advertorial against Ekweremadu by the Awgu LGA chapter.  The Permanent Secretary was unceremoniously demoted to a Director.

These stakeholders are allegedly funded to place adverts announcing the purported endorsements of Chime by LG party executives without even consulting the executives concerned. But some courageous council executives have been issuing statements and placing advertorials denying any such endorsements.

In furtherance of the rivalry, government recently descended on the Ikeoha Foundation, an Ekweremadu NGO. The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chris Okoro, ordered secondary school principals not to release their students to participate in the 2014 edition of Ikeoha Quiz Competition, which has promoted competitive learning for over a decade in the senatorial district.

Winning schools and runners up usually receive instructional and science equipment, while overall winning students who gain admission into higher institutions of learning have always received half a million naira each.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. George Eze, has recently stopped the distribution of 20,000 units of anti-malarial drugs acquired by the Ikeoha Foundation to assist health centres in the area to fight the malaria scourge, the highest killer of people in this part of the world. Unfortunately, this has not gone down well with the people of the state who believe that there should be a limit to politics.

The politics of 2015 in Enugu has also found its way into the proposed building of a befitting Secretariat for the party because Ekweremadu has been removed as Chairman of the project. A project Committee was set up a few years back with the Deputy Senate President as Chairman and State PDP Secretary at the time, Mr. Don Udeh as secretary. A land opposite the old ESUT was mapped out for the project just as PDP political office holders were to contribute an agreed amount for the project.

At the end, only Ekweremadu, National Assembly members and a few LG Chairmen complied bringing the total money raised to N21 million. The money which is in a Zenith Bank account has Ekweremadu and Udeh as the signatories to the account.

Meanwhile, some drawings had been submitted following the call by the Committee. While those drawings were being processed, Abba reportedly took over the project and no explanations were offered the Project Committee. Consequently, action has been suspended on the project just as those who had made good their promise plan to return the money.

Abba has since not returned to Ekweremadu after he asked for the money and was referred to the Project Secretary, who also has the cheque book. There has been alleged attempt by some people to hijack the project. And the chairman is believed to be working in concert with those who refused to make their own part of the contributions.

Despite the onslaughts, however, many political pundits believe that only a democratic and constitutional process can remove or throw up Enugu’s representative at the National Assembly in 2015.

“After all these, Governor Chime and Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo have not become the PDP candidates for the next election; neither have their actions precluded anyone from contesting any political position in the State,” a political analyst, Nicholas Ozor said.
Thus, as President Jonathan visits the state, the logical question to ask is whether he and the PDP national leadership would arrest what Hon. Paul Anikwe, former member of the state assembly and currently the chairman of Enugu West Peoples Forum described as “Enugu’s descent into a political garrison”.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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NIGERIA: Fani-Kayode Holds Talks with Jonathan, Mulls Return to PDP

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Read Time:2 Minute, 13 Second

There were indications Tuesday that President Goodluck Jonathan met with the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, ahead of the 2015 presidential election.

Fani-Kayode, one of the top critics of the Jonathan administration, is a former Senior Special Assistant and Minister of Culture during the regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He was said to have visited the Presidential Villa yesterday, where he held closed door talks with the president.

Investigation by THISDAY revealed that the former minister, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), may be appointed a Special Adviser to Jonathan any time soon.

He spoke with journalists but declined to reveal what he discussed with the President, saying: “I won’t go into that.”

Fani-Kayode said: “This is a Presidential Villa. The President is a president of Nigeria.
“Every single person in this country that is a Nigerian is entitled to come here from time to time, when the doors are open to come and pay their respect to the wonderful people that are here.

“As a Nigerian, I have done that today and I’m delighted to be here.”
Asked what informed the change of mind having lambasted the President for “non-performance,” Fani- Kayode said: “I have always believed that every Nigerian, regardless of the side of the political divide they belong, and as a Nigerian myself, I have believed that we disagree on an issue from time to time.

“The most important thing is for us to be able to resolve these issues, come together to move this country forward.

“And I think every right thinking responsible person should be able to do that.
“They should also be able to come to the Villa from time to time to see how they can help to move the country forward.”

Fani-Kayode also criticised the APC as a party prompting one religion above the other when asked if he would dump the APC.
Fani-Kayode said: “The step that I will take will be made known to Nigerians at the right time.

“The most important thing, and I think you are fully aware of this, is that I cannot and I will not be associated with a situation whereby any group of people is promoting a religion above another.

“I think all of us have gone past the stage of religious politics in this country.
“We must treat the Muslim community with utmost respect and we must treat the Christian community in the same way and even the non-religious.”

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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NIGERIA: PDP Govs Fault APC for Criticising Court Ruling against 37 Lawmakers

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Read Time:1 Minute, 46 Second

The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has condemned the All Progressives Party (APC) for criticising the court ruling against the 37 lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akpabio said: “We commended the court ruling against the 37 National Assembly members who defected to APC from the PDP.”

In a communiqué read in Dutse after a two-hour meeting yesterday, Akbabio said: ‘We commended what is going on at National Conference and people should continue with what they are doing but they should consider national interest as the most important.”
The PDP governors also condemned the insecurity in the North especially between the Fulani and farmers.

They expressed sympathy with people and government of the states affected by the insecurity.

The communique read: “We commend the security agencies in the country especially those who are in the areas of insecurity despite negative allegations against them.

“Equally, we commend the PDP unity rally led by President Goodluck Jonathan in some states and also commended the National Chairman of our great party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu for handling the primaries in Ekiti and Osun States.”

The governors also called on all the aggrieved members of the party in the two states to calm down and join the candidates that won the primary.
He also added that the next the forum of the PDP governors would be on May 8  in Bauchi State.

On his part, Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has said there is no alternative to the PDP and as such the party must put its house in order to continue the rescue mission in the country.
Lamido said the party rescued Nigeria from the military in 1999 and had the capacity to ensure the development of the country.

He said a good PDP means a good Nigeria and a bad PDP means a bad Nigeria.
He explained that most members of the opposition are a product of the PDP, adding that and it was immoral for them to condemn the party.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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CONFERENCE NOTE Rapists in Fresh Trouble

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Read Time:40 Second

A delegate, Lucy Offiom Tuesday added her voice to the call by a fellow woman that rapists should be castrated as a price for their conduct.

“I am in support of the call for proper punishment for the culprits. But in addition to the call for the castration of rapists, I suggest that they should also be ostracised”. A notable woman activist, Joe Oke Odumakin also joined the army of women seeking a pound of flesh from their male counterpart for alleged misdeeds.

Hear her: “All those who perpetuate women violence must be ready to go for life imprisonment”  The delegate’s outburst threw the conference into a noisy atmosphere. At this stage, the Deputy Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi joking said the continued calls for castration of men involved in rape is getting scary.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Human Barbie’ claims interracial couples are ‘making the human race uglier’

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Read Time:41 Second

Valeria Lukyanova, dubbed the ‘Human Barbie’, has sparked anger after making racist remarks during an interview for men’s magazine GQ.

The 28-year-old, who hit the spotlight due to her bizarre doll-like looks, told the magazine: ‘Ethnicities are mixing now, so there’s degeneration, and it didn’t used to be like that.’

She went on to say that this ‘degeneration’ was the reason for the rise in people undergoing plastic surgery.

Her comments led the interviewer to brand her a ‘racist space alien’.

This isn’t the first time the Ukrainian has courted controversy.

She has also previously claimed she is ‘not human’ and is capable of surviving on energy from the sun rather than food.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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NIGERIA: Outcome Must Comply with Statutes, Says Ahmed

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Read Time:2 Minute, 33 Second

Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed Tuesday urged the delegates at the ongoing national conference to ensure that the outcome of the conference comply with the laws of the land.

He also said that, “as the 2015 general election draws nearer, the nation’s judiciary should maintain its impartiality, resist the temptation to descend into the arena at all times, promote strict adherence to the rule of law and uphold the independence of the judiciary as safeguards against political interference and manipulation,” he stressed.

Ahmed made these submissions in Ilorin, Kwara State capital yesterday, while declaring open the 2014 biennial law week of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

According to him: “As our country makes another attempt at dialogue through the national conference, the role of the legal profession in this process is pivotal not only in capturing the letter and spirit of the decisions reached at the conference but also in ensuring that such outcomes comply with the laws of our land”.

He said, “Indeed, the national conference is recommended by its capacity and potential to heal our country’s woes and give her constituent nationalities a greater sense of belonging in the way our affairs are conducted.

“Although the legitimacy of the 1999 constitution is often challenged due to its military origins and the lack of popular participation in its emergence, I hold that the problem is not with the constitution. Rather, the challenge lies in our tendency to circumvent constitutional provisions and statutory laws by exploiting loopholes and unintended ambiguities.

“No matter the outcome of the conference, therefore, only a change in our national values, especially a willingness to fully apply the rule of law while entrenching equity and justice, will make the outcome meaningful and sustainable”.

“I urge you to wade into the debate on whether the decisions of the conference should be subject to a referendum or be submitted to the National Assembly for ratification. For the avoidance of doubt, your role in the resolution of this imminent impasse will be critical to our democracy”.

He further stated that, “the forthcoming 2015 general election calls for greater caution, especially in the myriad of conflicting court cases and decisions that are bound to ensue as we move towards the elections.

“While some argue that this will enrich jurisprudence, the impact of such overlapping court cases and contradictory rulings portend little good for our growing democracy.

“In view of this, I urge the Judiciary to maintain its impartiality, resist the temptation to descend into the arena at all times, promote strict adherence to the rule of law and uphold the independence of the judiciary as safeguards against political interference and manipulation”.

The governor noted that, “The Judiciary is also enjoined to guard against equivocal judgments whose only effect is to conflate the issues resulting in litigation in the first place and cause confusion in the socio-political space”.

He also urged the NBA to jealously guard the Judiciary’s reputation as an impartial arbiter and the common man’s last hope.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Sam Nda-Isaiah: Stepping Up a Notch the Presidential Bid

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Read Time:7 Minute, 22 Second

While not many have shown the desire to vie for the presidency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, the publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, begs to differ with his resignation of the chairmanship of the newspaper last week in lieu of his ambition. Shola Oyeyipo writes

For many book makers, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and even some members of Nigeria’s main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the biggest hurdle before the opposition party would be choice and the process of emergence of the presidential standard bearer bearer.

While some are thinking in the direction of a former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as a likely candidate of the APC being his lifelong ambition, the recent entrant into the party, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has altered the equation on the battle for APC ticket.

But late last year, the former Editor-in-Chief, publisher, Leadership Newspapers and Chairman, Leadership Group, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, declared his intention to contest the 2015 presidential election on the platform of the APC, piloted by a series of consultations. He not only attracted public attention but also the attention of some major players in the party.

Though some would not take him very seriously; others thought he was acting a prepared script while there were those held the views that he was only experimenting with his popularity and not really committed to the ambition because the APC ticket, expectedly, would be a clash of the titans with considerable war chest. But beyond whatever anyone thinks, Nda-Isaiah does appear serious.

During a courtesy visit to the management of THISDAY Newspapers at the Lagos office last year, he specifically noted that his decision to vie for the party’s ticket was well thought out. In fact, despite the cordial relationship that exists between him and Buhari, Nda-Isaiah noted that he was ready to contest the party primaries against his political mentor and one of the founding fathers of the party, if Buhari decides to take another shot at the presidency.

As 2015 elections gather momentum, the media mogul, who is one of the earliest contenders for the presidency on the APC platform, was in the news last week when he took a landmark decision of quitting his position as the chairman of the Leadership Group, in preparation for the party primary. This, of course, is one indication that he is serious about his ambition.
The Group Managing Director, Leadership Group, Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, said the decision followed several months of consultations with family, friends and associates on the need to answer a national call.

Nda-Isaiah, it was gathered, had told the board of Leadership Group during its February meeting that having placed the company on a solid path of growth, he felt the need to answer a national call from people of various backgrounds who have been in search for something new, and who have invested their hopes and dreams for a better country in him.

Ishiekwene, also added that the decision to step down from his current position as chairman of the group and contest the APC primary was one that his boss iwa not toying with. “This is not a decision that he is taking lightly.”

Ordinarily, not many would assume that he would just be taking such a decision without purpose because Sam, Kakaki Nupe (mouthpiece of Nupe tribe) is one of Nigeria’s most consistent voices on contemporary and domestic policy issues who has won the hearts of many of his readers as an advocate of the Achebean creed that everything stands or falls on leadership. He has consistently maintained this position for more than a decade.
He attained the status of pro-good governance advocate with his column, which dwells principally on politics, the economy and global affairs.

A pharmacist, Sam worked briefly at the General Hospital, Minna, Niger State, before joining Pfizer in 1985. He was a goal-getter who worked flat out until 1989 when he resigned to start his own business. He later became a member of the Daily Trust Editorial Board as well as a member of the committee appointed by the Kano State Government to revive The Triumph, the state-owned newspaper where his father had also left a mark as the pioneer Managing Editor in the late 1980s.

Determined to underscore his seriousness in the race, he had perfected his registration as a member of the APC at the Gofar –Dogara Mainadi in Makera ward of Chanchaga local government area in Niger State. According to him, he joined politics to offer a direction and chart a new course for the country, stressing that “the country is nose-diving as a result of the corruption of the PDP,” and that “the APC is a party that would bring the needed change for Nigerians.”

During his visit to THISDAY, Nda-Isaiah emphasised that his resolve to vie for the presidency in 2015 was a long time ambition and did not intend to drop out since he had already discussed it with Buhari.

“I told him (Buhari) tactically that I am in the race. And he said it was politically correct. I went round all those close to him. I have gone far into the race. So, if he decides to contest, I’m going to contest. I will contest against him. I will try everything to make sure that the relationship remains the same. But I wish it would not happen,” he added.
According to him, his presidential ambition is to arrest the retrogression that Nigeria is experiencing in spite of its ability to join the league of developed countries and its desire to make a difference.

He said: “It is now we should start doing very big things. We should have the biggest airports and the biggest seaports. Look at the things we achieved when there was no oil. Go to the universities now and compare what they did 20 years ago. We need new direction. I don’t believe that there is a magic to it. I believe it is possible to make the difference.”

He lamented the level of division among Nigerians, saying if he won the presidential election, one of his first assignments will be to ensure the unity of Nigeria, which he identified as the panacea for rapid development.

“The most important thing is to bring people together. We are too divided over small issues. If any leader is sincere, it is the very thing to do. I will not say we are going to fight corruption because that is part of governance,” he said.
On the perception that as an antagonist of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, his critical articles were because of his presidential ambition, Nda-Isaiah said he had been critical of previous administrations and added that such an insinuation did not bother him as he had been committed to speaking the truth.

This, perhaps, was why Ishiekwene said Nda-Isaiah’s decision  to quit his position as chairman of the company was because doing otherwise would not be consistent with the media mogul’s personal values, respect for public goodwill and principles of good corporate governance.

“It is a matter of commonsense that any such meddling – real or perceived – can only undermine the credibility of Leadership’s platform that Nda-Isaiah has invested his entire life and resources to build. Mr. Nda-Isaiah is not unaware of the trepidations, genuine and not so genuine, by persons who fear the worst, not just for the company but also for what his coming out would mean.

“He has set the company on a solid growth path and we are proud of his legacies. In the last one year since he stepped down as Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Group- a startup which he founded 10 years ago- he has gravitated more and more towards active politics.
“In that time, he has been humbled by the tremendous show of goodwill and support across faith, ethnic, professional and generational lines.

He assured Nigerians that the management of Leadership Group, which now comprises six subsidiaries, was capable of handling the chairman’s absence and strive to making the company one of the most vibrant and trusted brands. Ishiekwene said while away, Nda-Isaiah would still continue to write his Monday column and would take full responsibility for the content of his articles.
Though the pharmacist, media mogul and presidential hopeful has continuously said he was yet to begin a full-blown campaign in compliance with the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he is one of the first persons to take bold steps in furtherance of his presidential ambition.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Nigeria 2015: APC’ll disappoint PDP — Peterside

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Read Time:5 Minute, 5 Second

CHAIRMAN House of Representatives committee on Petroleum Resources, Mr  Dakuku Peterside in this interview, explains why he staged a walk-out at the Federal Ministry of Works budget defence session in the National Assembly. He also spoke on other issues including the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015.Excerpts

How will you describe  weekends Congresses of APC across  the country?
I am unaware of crisis that rocked some states during the APC congresses, but I can confirm that the congress was peaceful in the whole of South-South and South-East. For a large party practising democracy, such is expected. That is the very nature of political contest but what is important is the management of the process.

APC is no longer the majority party in the House. Do you foresee more members leaving  for the PDP?
I don’t see more persons leaving for PDP. The movements of  members recently were in both directions. It also showed that  people are enjoying more freedom which is fundamental in democracy. However, you are aware that there is allegation that some of these movements were influenced by inducements.

I may not know the veracity of that allegation but it is definitely a scenario. Ultimately, what I am sure is that most members of the National Assembly identified with the philosophy of APC . Very few persons are comfortable with the current dysfunctional system. Most persons yearn for change meaning they believe in APC, though local factors vary. You cannot ignore the influence of local politics.

It is unfortunate that some party chieftains left. But if you consider the sentiments of youths in their respective states you will agree with me that it is almost a none issue. Nigerian youths are interested in a party and leaders who can guarantee them quality education, employment, security of lives and properties among others.
Neither these leaders nor their new party can give them that. So you can see that Nigerian youths  know what they want and they constitute the bulk of voters.

How sure are you that APC has what it takes to retain the governorship seat  in Rivers State come 2015?
Retaining power in Rivers State involves a combination of factors. Who among the gladiators will protect  the interest of all Rivers people against the interest of a particular  clan? Who will work for the interest of Rivers people above personal consideration? Who among these political actors have character and competence? Character will be the key in  deciding who to follow in the state. APC in Rivers State is led by men of character.

Most importantly, APC leadership in Rivers State is populated by God fearing men and women. The recent party registration exercise in the state has shown that majority of registered voters,  registered as members of APC to the chagrin of our detractors.

Some have argued that your party will disintegrate with time, what is your take?
It is unfortunate that PDP is behaving like the proverbial woman who cannot give birth and is blaming her mate. PDP will be disappointed. It does not make sense to hope on the misfortune of your neighbour for you to thrive, instead of planning and working hard to emerge victorious. PDP had opportunity to solve some of Nigeria’s problem in the past,  but it blew it.

The party has by its actions and inactions promoted corruption to new heights, advanced impunity to a level never seen before in the polity. They also  institutionalised mediocrity and nepotism in governance. If you ask the average Nigerian on the street what he will associate the PDP with, the best he can tell you is election rigging and corruption.

Recently you staged a walk out during a Federal Ministry of Works budget defence session in the National Assembly. What actually happened?
I looked through the budget proposal and confirmed that there is absolutely no intention to do any project in Rivers State in the year 2014 despite our contributions to the  economy and the votes we gave to the current government. I raised alarm that the implication of denying  Rivers  infrastructural projects is akin to declaring war on the state.

I saw this zero allocation to all federal road projects in Rivers State as an extension of the political persecution Rivers State is going through for some time now. I considered it morally indefensible to seat in a session where Rivers State will be cheated.

I had to loudly register my protest by staging a walk out. I am told the  Minister did not deny my assertion but explained that the Ministry discovered that Ahoada-Omoku road dualisation has been awarded by the NDDC,  thus his Ministry is not proceeding with it. The Minister said the money meant for that project will be applied to Degema-Abonnema road which is not in the budget. How he will do that is yet to be seen as there is no budgetary provision for such.

The Minister is not the National Assembly that appropriates. The Minister claimed that Bonny-Bodo road will be executed under public private partnership after being listed in the budget for several years. On rehabilitation of Enugu-PH Expressway, the minister said it will be given adequate attention this year but refused to acknowledge that Rivers State government has awarded the section within the state to JDP Limited, an Israeli firm. .

Do you share the assumption of some that  Amaechi likes courting trouble?
I don’t agree with them. Some persons may not like the fact that Governor Amaechi is vocal and forthright, nobody will take away the fact that Amaechi is fighting for the right ideals. Nobody will deny the fact that Amaechi has performed well, has character and can go to any length to protect the things dear to the minds of Rivers people.
Governor Amaechi is not our everyday politician who quite often lacks courage and do not have principles and ideals to live for.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Half of a yellow sun” film gets kudos from movie goers

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London – The film”  Half of a yellow sun”, an adaptation of Chimamanda Adichie’s, novel has been described by movie goers in London as one of Nigeria’s finest brand.

The film, which depicts the story of the Nigerian Civil War, love and family, saw a “sold out ticket” in its premiere on Tuesday night at the Odeon Cinema in streatham.

Some movie goers at the premiere told the Europe Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the film would become one of the nation’s international acclaimed brands given its unique story line.

Others said  they were satisfied with the superb performances by `A list’of international and local cast in the film.

NAN reports that the hall was full to capacity with people of all races, who wanted to fill in the gaps on the story of Nigeria’s civil war.

The film, which was directed by Mr Biyi Bandele, featured stars like the Nigerian-born British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Hollywood actress Thandie Newton.

Others are Onyeka Onwenu, Genevieve Nnaji, John Boyega and Joesph Mawle among others.

In an interview with NAN, Bandele said the film was quite contemporary in style and had received positive responses from movie goers.

He expressed the hope that the film will go a long way in countering the stereotypes about the nation, adding that “the cast of the film was a selection of best actors”.

Also speaking Ejiofor, who won the British Academy Film Awards 2014, for his role in”12 years a slave” said that the film was a “beautiful story based on the Biafra civil war which captured the beauty of the Nigerian society”.

Also speaking to NAN the author said she was delighted that the film was able to capture the essence of the novel.

She said the book portrayed the message she tried to pass across about love, relationships and the civil war.

NAN recalls that the film had its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival in September.

The film will also be premiered in Nigeria and the U.S. in April.

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About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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Bombing in Pakistan fruit market kills 22

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ISLAMABAD (AFP) – A bomb tore through a bustling fruit and vegetable market in Islamabad Wednesday, killing at least 22 people, police said, the latest violence to hit government peace talks with the Taliban.

The blast took place around 8:00 am (0300 GMT) at the wholesale market close to the Pakistani capital’s twin city Rawalpindi, as hundreds of grocers and sellers gathered to trade.

The bombing — the deadliest to hit Islamabad since a huge truck bomb at the Marriott Hotel in 2008 — left a 1.5-metre (five-foot) diameter crater and littered the site with body parts and guava fruits drenched in blood, an AFP reporter at the scene said.

The attack comes as the government tries to negotiate an end to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) campaign of violence.

Talks began between government and TTP intermediaries in February, but more than 160 people have been killed in attacks since the start of the process, leading many to question its worth.

Javaid Qazi, the vice-chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital, said 22 people had been killed and 96 wounded in the blast.

The TTP’s main spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said the group had nothing to do with the attack and urged the government to find those responsible.

– ‘Bodies flying everywhere’ –

Eyewitness Muhammad Tahir described the bloody carnage as the bomb detonated.

“The blast took place around 8:00, when we were standing there — bodies were flying everywhere, bodies were flying at the height of 20 to 25 feet,” he told AFP.

Ambulances were rushing in and out carrying wounded people and dead bodies.

Senior local administration official Nauman Yousuf told AFP “it was a planted bomb”.

A bomb disposal official told AFP on condition of anonymity that the device hidden in a fruit box weighed five to six kilograms (11 to 13 pounds) and was packed with nuts and bolts to cause maximum carnage.

Thousands have been killed in militant violence since the TTP rose up against the Pakistani state in 2007 but attacks on the capital, much of which is heavily guarded, have been rare in recent years.

Wednesday’s blast came a little over a month after a gun and suicide bomb attack on a court complex in Islamabad killed 11 people including a judge.

The TTP also denied that attack, which was claimed by the Ahrar-ul-Hind splinter group which rejects the peace process.

Fighting has erupted between rival TTP factions since Sunday and four more people were killed in South Waziristan tribal agency on Wednesday.

The clashes pit supporters of Khan Said Sajna against followers of the late Hakimullah Mehsud, the TTP commander killed by a US drone in November.

The government has freed more than 30 Taliban prisoners in the past week to try to spur talks with the militants and on Friday the TTP said they would extend a ceasefire begun on March 1.

On March 26 a four-member government committee held their first direct meeting with members of the TTP’s political council in North Waziristan tribal district.

There have been suggestions that high-profile figures held by the militants, including the son of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, could be freed in return.

The peace talks were a key campaign pledge for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif before he was elected to office for a third time last year.

But some analysts have voiced scepticism about their chances for success, given the Taliban’s demands for nationwide sharia law and a withdrawal of troops from the lawless tribal zones.

Regional deals struck in the past between the military and the Taliban have failed and some have accused the militants of using them as a means to regroup and rearm.

About Post Author

Anthony-Claret Ifeanyi Onwutalobi

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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