Category: Opinion

  • Dr Janet Ekpenyong: Celebrating A Dynamic Humanitarian and Professional

    Dr Janet Ekpenyong: Celebrating A Dynamic Humanitarian and Professional

    It’s April 24th, the birth date of one of Cross River’s young and emerging leaders, Dr Janet Ekpenyong who currently serves as the Deputy Coordinator, National Cash Transfer Office Abuja.

    Dr Janet’s leadership journey isn’t one without history and dedication to duty, humility, selflessness, philanthropy and empathy to the masses.

    A trained medical Doctor with specialty in Health Financing from various institutes across Europe, Asia and the African Continent a knowledge she has deployed in the development of a functional health system locally and nationally.

    In her first state’s engagement as Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong brought remarkable reforms in the health sector, promoting dedication, hard work and effective service delivery in the grassroot.

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    She saw to the drastic reduction in maternal and child mortality, prevention and prompt attention to endemic diseases and the trust building between health workers and the community.

    Consolidating on her achievements in the Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong was subsequently appointed Commissioner for Health, Cross River State by the then Governor, Senator Ben Ayade where she offered both Health and Humanitarian supports to individuals, families, groups and organisations.

    Among many goodwill and humanitarian supports offered by Dr Ekpenyong is the notable rescue of a then mentally deranged middle aged woman simply known as Cassy who gave birth in a dump site around Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    Little known to the media or widely publicized is the fact that Cassy underwent rehabilitation in the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Calabar for months until she gained stability before she was finally reunited with her husband and immediate family in Benue state Nigeria, all these were facilitated by Dr Janet Ekpenyong.

    She remains a mentor to many young girls who intend to serve humanity with their purposes and crafts and well as life coach to many who seek guidance in the medical profession.

  • Interview: Soludo hates Anambra journalists with passion – NUJ Chairman

    Interview: Soludo hates Anambra journalists with passion – NUJ Chairman

    By Ovat Abeng

    Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD, JP is the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State. Dr Odogwu is also a lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Unizik, and also an Assistant Director, UNIZIK Business School of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka.

    He is a child rights activists.

    In this interview with select journalists, Odogwu spoke on a wide range of issues including his leadership of NUJ,and the relationship with the Anambra State Government, led by Prof Chukwuma Soludo

    Excerpts:

    You have been the Chairman of NUJ Anambra Sate Council since January 2022, what are your achievements so far?

    (Laughs!) Can we even enumerate our achievements? I and my team have
    worked very hard to ensure that NUJ Anambra state is in the news everyday by lining up about fifty activities in the last one year plus. We are not interested in praise singing but because there is need for you to know , let me summarize them.

    In our first year, we did so many activities that people thought were impossible. We have held events like the Blogger’s Summit, Media Executives Summit, Cultural Day cum New Yam Festival, Fashion and Arts Expo, just to mention but a few. We had so many events. I can give you a list of them if you want. All these we did to recreate, in the minds, that NUJ is numeroe-un whether as a trade Union, or as a professional body in Nigeria and Anambra state per say.

    We had so many events that almost every member of NUJ was involved in one activity or the other. And as a Union, we did not force anybody to be part of what we are doing. We wooed and are still wooing everyone to be part of what we are doing, because we came in with a rescue mindset which is not just to rescue NUJ but to give it a better standing and move it to the next level for a new crop of professionals to take it over from where we have stopped. We are part of the middle professionals. This means that we looked up to some people like Victor Agusiobo, Chris Aghanya, Okechukwu Obeta, Tony Okafor ,Anayo Okoli, Onu Nwanosike, Daniel Anigbo among others even Monic Okechukwu, a national officer and the rest of others, when we were growing up. I met Victor Agusiobo as chairman of NUJ in 1999 when I was powering as a student activist, championing the cause of literacy and enrollment for the people of Awka North. It is on good record that Victor Agusiobo spoke at the event that we organized with the likes of then Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Pita Ejiofor, and so many other top dignitaries who came to move Awka North forward. So, it is not today that I have been at the front runner of moving the society forward through Unionism. I joined the media shortly after. I was the Coordinator, Campaign Against Illiteracy and low male enrolment in Awka North . We really rallied our people to go to school. It was the same year I joined journalism as an attachee with ABS Radio and Television Awka. And, later that year, I joined National Link Newspapers as a staff with my ND.

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    Let me inform you that we attracted a brand new 18 seater bus within one week in office and finances thereto to fuel it as donated by former Governor Willie Obiano. I was pretty okay with his solidarity and after that gesture, he left office. We had a goodtime with him we even at a point stayed the entire day with him exchanging views. That was why when he left office, and had challenges with EFCC , we stood by him against all odds. And that gained the necessary milage, leading to his release.

    As if not enough we embarked on provision of a functional Borehole in the press center. We have done that but someone has to offset the bills and we name the water scheme after him or her.

    If you noticed our benefactor Mr Godwin Ezeemo either by a wrong advice or personal choice haven’t been interested in issues concerning the union which is unfortunate. We are eternally grateful to him for building us that structure, and with time, if I get his nod to so do, I shall set a day every year to celebrate him. That’s why I was looking for him but some busybodies aren’t comfortable to let him see us. I personally made moves to get to the root of his anger but met a brick wall. Let me stop at this unless otherwise moved to. And the level Ezeemo left the press center building, anyone doing anything upstairs maybe risking his or her life hence we built and installed iron protectors and handrails from first stair to the last floor and the large veranda. We are planning for more work over there. We are also looking for partners.

    Most importantly is our ability to unite our members across the state whom have not known them selves by names for a longer time by bringing everyone to the same table for events and Committees. We are grateful to God for that. We tried to carry everyone along without let.

    We also did training but we are not yet satisfied with that aspect but curiously, the government of Prof Soludo we thought would be media friendly became non supportive. In other to continue the good tiding of the founding fathers of our union, some journalists without Journalism certificates were enrolled into Paul University, Awka for Professional Certificate in Journalism and Media studies after an arrangement championed by our Amazon, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna, now a DVC in the university after a meritorious service at Unizik. I suspect we have about 30 of us doing the immersion programme.

    We awarded scholarships worth close to One million Naira to indigent pupils in Anambra state particularly Awka North in partnership with a pressure group , Odimma Awka North Peoples Assembly led by Chief Shedrack Anakwue and A & D Tabansi Foundation led by Ambassador Aloysius Tabansi who is also the President General of Urum Development Union. We also mobilized to reach out to flood victims, underprivileged and deprived members of the society. What we mobilized is worth several millions.

    We attracted free healthcare for all the journalists in the state as facilitated by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike. Let me not talk about our welfare of feeding our members at every Congress and providing transport support. And our picnic visit to Ogbunike cave. So many events happening at NUJ.

    We even constructed a minor pavement at the NUJ Secretariat complex, and rewired some faulty electrical points at the press center. We have partnership with Paul University, Awka which I told you about earlier and we have partnership with Nigeria Book Foundation in an effort to immortalize ,late Prof Chukwuemeka Ike , then traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu, Orumba North local government area. We did the first memorial lecture series last four months.

    And the one everyone benefitted most was our facilitation of the processing and renewal of International Passports for journalists in Anambra State in preparation for foreign training which was later stalled by lack of support from our Govermor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo. We thought he would have supported us no matter how little but our application was thrown back at us with impunity. Who is fighting NUJ behind the scene, as if Soludo is? I am yet to unravel the mystery.

    We recovered our bus abandoned at government House for over 11 years . The bus was used by Late Tochukwu Udoji-Omelu and Henry Nwasike. We are seeking for resources to refurbish it. We are trying to recover the one used by our National Vice- President, Emma Ifesinachi during his term as Chairman of NUJ. All efforts have been futile but we are hopeful he shall avail us the easiest way out. Note that during the election, we facilitated the coming of INEC officials for journalists to register for PVC at the Press Centre. There are so many projects to mention, even though we have failed in the major one we targeted which is attracting someone to take over the compound for an eatery and a drinking pub, even the building for mini hotel since we have about 25 rooms there. It’s painful but the economy isn’t favorable either. So many economic crisis now, but trusting God, we shall do our best and others shall continue.

    What have been your biggest challenges so far?

    Well, I have had challenges. One major challenge is that human beings are very difficult to manage. I have had the challenge of mobilizing my men in one accord to pursue a goal. We supposed to be agenda setters. We supposed to be moral barometers of the society. Remember, a journalist does not have a friend or an enemy because he is a friend to the society. Any journalist who is a friend to anybody is losing the mark because the so called friend may commit an infringement, fraud or atrocity; you find it hard to report such. But, when you are a friend to the society, you are dispassionate and you do the right thing at the right time always, not minding whose ox is gored.

    Aside the human challenge, we have completely lacked government patronage. In as much as we have friends in government, like the Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, the Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, Don Onyenji, Ify Obinabo, and so many others, but they are handicapped to assist us because it is when they are given approvals to support us that they would support. Governor Soludo, in over a year in office, has not deemed it fit to interact with journalists in Anambra State, but he interacts with every other pressure group in the state and country. He did one year in office, invited everyone across Nigeria but no formal invitation to Journalists in Anambra. I may be wrong but my men called severally and I said nobody told me anything. Journalists were the agenda setters and the pace setters who will inform him about what is happening in the society, especially areas where he has no knowledge of and where he needs to take a decisive stand. Like ,this one youth, two skills fraud ongoing, what does he know happening but, we know how it’s been sabotaged with trusted people in government compiling just names to pay people who did nothing just to share the dividends into two equals after payment. I saw and heard rubbish when they shared N10,000 each to the youths. Let me leave it at this. So many things going wrong under his nose ,yet he hates journalists with passion or so, I think.

    Do you mean that Governor Soludo has not been of any help to NUJ and
    your administration in the state?

    He has not been of any help. NUJ in other States enjoy subventions and have their secretariats built and secured by the state government. But here nothing like that exists. Even when we applied for training, he threw it inside the gutter. We applied for subvention and if you read the reply, you shall ask if the letter was meant for a journalists body, but we stomached it. Across the Federation, journalists in various states were appointed into positions of authority and Councils assisted greatly like in Kano, Ganduje built a multi-milllion plaza for NUJ as well as a press conference center and Plateau State Governor did same in different style. Edo state government and Delta State government dis wonders too and across the Federation it’s wins for NUJ, yet our Governor is the most exposed among them, but could not even see us as friends. His first move in journalists direction was to mute closure of National Light Newspapers and sack journalists. Preposterous decision. He employs thousands of other professionals but journalists working with National Light should be rendered jobless and useless.

    How best can you assess Soludo’s general performance as governor of
    Anambra state?

    So far, I’m not happy that he is not carrying the journalists along. Even the journalists working in his office who are called Press Corps were not carried along allegedly. He is acting as if he is not interested in journalists instead he is happy dealing with his group called Soludo TV. He has forgotten the fact that mainstream media remains mainstream media. With the presence of Professionals like us with enormous experience in the field, the governor has the opportunity of getting clues of happenings around him that are unknown to him, but since he doesn’t want us to be telling him things off record, maybe we would be telling him some of those things on the pages of newspapers for him to read and get himself acquainted with what is happening. And sometimes those who witness Exco meetings couldn’t hide their observations on his attitude to his cabinet. But, I won’t talk about that as I am not in his Exco. It’s gossip.

    Would you give him advice if you are opportune to?

    No advice. I can only suggest to him. He is the executive governor of the state and a professor for that matter. Probably, he knows more and even better than some of us that are practicing it. But like I said earlier, those things we ought to have told him in private are what we would start telling him in public now. The truth is that as members of the fourth Estate, our duties are constitutional but however the governor and his government wish to, we are here and shall be here as his four years or eight years elapse.

    What do you hope to achieve at the end of your reign as Chairman of NUJ in Anambra state?

    I want to be remembered for reviving NUJ and the interest of the members in the Union. Already, I have about five persons showing interest to become next Chairman of Anambra NUJ. That shows that interests are already rekindled unlike it was before now. And since interests are rekindled, it means that the Union is matching forward. I told the Union members that I am not even looking for a second tenure, but if it comes, know it’s by happenstance. My interest is three years and to live the stage when the ovation is high. I want to be remembered as someone that came, saw and conquered for NUJ and its members.

    What is your advice to your members especially this time that the new media is ushering in as the fifth estate of the realm?

    The key to a professional practice is professionalism. Anyone who is not yet carried as a professional journalist or rather still dwells on the traditional method should upgrade. And for us to be professional in what we do, we must face the ethics squarely. We must be topnotch in whatever we do, so that those who are not trained journalists but have the opportunity of having online social media handles and blog sites will learn from what we do. We the professionals should drive the online space. In Anambra state and southeast, I was the first person to establish a blog site, that’s an online newspaper where I practiced online journalism… www.odogwublog.com . I started the practice before it was taken over by Tom, Dick and Harry. But we are not deterred. As a university teacher, we are bringing up young ones who will smash the city as soon as possible and after their graduation. They are already doing wonders in school and if they take after us, society would know that they really are pen pushers and that the pen is mightier than the sword.

    Having devoted your career in the profession for over two decades, why is it that NUJ members do not command the same respect as members of other professionals like NMA, NBA, among others?

    The truth is that journalism started with low rank operators. What I mean by this is: when journalism started, there were no people who read journalism. So, everybody was brought in to come and practice journalism. People with school certificate and anybody who can write
    or spell his name was brought together. That was why so many people who did journalism do not have up to first degree. Again, the issue of he who pays the piper dictates the tune; so many people who are not supposed to own a media house established media houses and brought people who are not qualified to be journalists to be in charge of the stations because of religion, nepotism and tribalism. In the process, they too who are the managers of the stations brought in their friends and relatives to come and work. Before you know it, they had become journalists by association and were enrolled. And in this era of social media, everybody is now a journalist. And what killed journalism is the hiring of illustrates on media power and performance in the name of media team. They pollute the cyberspace though a few hired the right people as leaders of the bunch. However, despite these, journalists today are having the respect and attention they desired. This is because now we practicing journalists have PhD in journalism, Mass Communication, Media literacy, among others. In NUJ Anambra, we have about 8 professionals who practiced journalism with PhD now even though I am the first PhD holder to be the Chairman of the Union in both old and new Anambra State. And the first to get it in core journalists in field journalism known as Correspondents Chapel, a chapel of NUJ. I contested to become Chairman via Correspondents chapel. So I am an example of those with PhD in journalism and I have others too.

    Again, qualified tutors who are journalists are training younger ones to go higher than they had gone. In another dimension, Journalism is not only a professional body, but also a trade Union. Some persons are practicing journalism as a trade union; others are practicing it as professionals. This is why you cannot synchronize it very well in tits and bits to make it like the NBA, NMA and others. Again, because of the advancement of technology which has permeated into journalism coupled with the unbundling of Mass Communication, there are so many people who will still be part of journalists or NUJ which ordinarily
    should not be members. Consider a situation where you have the online media and the multimedia; they are all part of the unbundled Mass Communication, therefore, they should be part of NUJ. However, NUJ has streamlined, strengthened and repositioned under the National President, Chief Chris Isiguzo, for a better professional and trade unionism. Currently, if you don’t have a degree in the related fields, you won’t be a member of the NUJ. That’s what the new constitution stated.

    Do you think there are other ways NUJ can be repositioned?

    Yes of course! Play with the media and get roasted. An average journalist is not supposed to have money because when you are working for the society, money should not be your interest. The way we are talking about professionalism is to charge money to do our reports. We are even crying that some people are charging money to do their reports because it is unethical and unprofessional. But when we now professionalize, for you to be able to maintain your profession, you have to charge people to do their reports. If anybody calls you to talk about anything you have to tell him or her how much to pay. If he pays it that is the professionalism we are talking about. When lawyers talk about professionalism, they charge people to render their professional services. Same as doctors, they charge you before they touch you. Journalists are not like that. They can’t be completely professional body for money making. They can professionalize in certain ways that the ethical standards would be maintained or the rules of the job will be observed. But if they professionalize like the medical doctors and lawyers then it will cut off the neck of everybody in the society and the poor people cannot access the media to voice out their desires. We are already a professional body but we are doing our best to harmonize. That is why we are saying for anybody to be a member of NUJ or practice journalism, you must have minimum of first degree or HND in Mass Communication or related fields. Now you must be a graduate before you practice as a professional.

    How has it been combining lecturing and your duties as the NUJ Council
    Chairman?

    The truth is that I had no intention of being a lecturer. I had planned my life to be a director in the Ministry of Information either in the state or Federal level. However, circumstances threw me up. Having completed my PhD at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, I was looking for job for some people and fortunately came in contact with my ally, Oga and colleague, Prof Emeka Ezeonu, former REC Imo state, former Vice-Chancellor Hezekiah University Umudike. This is somebody I have been giving my services over the years. And rather than do what I was pleading for, he said my type of person is what is needed in the University system. That was how I found myself in the university system and to the glory of God; they gave me the task of training year one students on MAC 111, News Writing and Reporting. Today, if you see my students either in year one or two, you will know that I gave them practical experience of what they do. A lot of them are doing great in their levels and if sustained to their graduation, they will be warriors and ambassadors of the profession from Unizik, though they are first my Ambassadors and Ambassadors of www.odogwublog.com. The platform that marketed them.

    So, combining the two is like a marriage of circumstance. I was planning to contest an election when the offer came. I won the election despite the oppositions against my candidacy. Truth be told. I am a misunderstood personality. People do not understand who I am and my behavior. So many people stood against me but to the glory of God, I won the election and I am carrying everyone along. Immediately after the election, I met my Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone FAS, the Dean of my Faculty, the Head of my Department; individually and they all gave me their supports. They put my lectures in the early hours to enable me do my lectures then rush back to tidy up the NUJ activities. I am coping very well. Even, this new semester, I have four courses I co-lecture and other engagements.

    What advice do you have for upcoming writers and journalists?

    Things have changed. Anybody that is still practicing journalism of those days is no longer a journalist, he is a carpenter because now is it the fastness of the digital world or the enablers of ICT that before you even move an inch, stories are already trending. Journalists now are not only digital savvy but tech savvy. They are now ICT compliant, now having everything at a go. Is it the Facebook that has helped? You can be in your room and be monitoring what is happening elsewhere; real time issues of what is happening there. Before 2002, there was no mobile communication but now you can use phone and communicate. You can contact somebody in another geographical area and write his opinion on an issue. If you are to go there, it is just to see things for yourself. You can follow issues up to a logical conclusion.

    ICT has made journalism easier, better, enjoyable and wonderful but at the same time has brought competition between citizen journalists and conventional journalists because you are at a function, you are lazy and have not done your story to send to your office to publish online. One amateur citizen will just do whatever he wants to do, post it online and that is what will be trending. By the time you do your own, they will say you copied from him where as you are the conventional journalist paid to serve the public better as a member of the fourth Estate of the realm. So, it has re-awakened the promptness among journalists of today. Also, the good thing there is that those of us who would say ‘ we are not in the old order or new order’ are equally catching up. I know my colleagues in punch, Independent, Guardian, and some others who are in their late 50s and early 60s who are even doing better than some of the young people in the internet savvy. So ICT and social media have helped media practitioners more than ever but it has also affected adversely revenue generation and real time buying of newspapers. People no longer have the hunger to buy newspapers. Vendors are unhappy and complaining bitterly. I know a vendor who built a duplex from vending Newspapers and magazines but it’s impossible today.

    The Prof Soludo-led administration asked you to apologize for your write up about the closure of National Light. Have you done that?

    There is nothing to apologize for. Hon Commissioner was put in a tight corner by his employers and he did what he got to do, defending the indefensible. I stood by my report on that episode as captured in my weekly Cornucopia. There was no line that was out of sync signaling insult or criticism. I was just appealing to Governor Soludo not to sack journalists and close their office for whatever it’s worth whereas he was been praised for employing other section of workers. And I didn’t stop there, I said if you must close down the National Light Newspaper office, redeploy the workers to the Ministry of Information and other Ministries. How does this constitute to insults or criticism to the government? That press statement by Hon Paul Nwosu, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment already viral exonerated me because it admitted the State Executive Council meeting were still deliberating on the National Light Newspapers issue. I did Investigative and interpretative journalism and they were busy shouting I got my information from the grapevine. That’s journalism. Any piece of information liked by those concerned is a PR material not journalism. Journalism is expository, solution oriented, development oriented and sometimes smashing the cover up. Let me restate that it’s inhuman and wickedness of the highest order for government to.

    I think of closing a newspaper house employing below 100 persons, and sacking their staff or paying them off whereas the same government was busy employing 5000 teachers, 3000 Health workers and other sets of workers in the civil service and was busy gloating over that, yet planning to sack another set of workers who haven’t constituted nuisance in their work place. Why sack journalists? Does it mean there are no journalists undergoing training to be employed to replace the old hands about to retire as in teaching profession and Health sector among others? Where would they practice journalism before professionalizing? It’s a sad commentary on the part of Prof Soludo’s government and whoever that is poisoning his mind or hatching to get the government close down National Light Newspapers to establish an amusement park or whatever the playground for children is to be called is an enemy of the people. The person is anti Labour and we are watching. How can a Labour friendly Governor mute an idea of sacking journalists and closing their office to erect an amusement park abi playground? It’s ridiculous and unexpected from Soludo-led government. The only propelling force is hatred for a particular profession. That’s why I summed it up that he hated journalists.

    And it’s unfortunate the Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for Justice didn’t bring his attention to the fact that Anambra Newspapers and Printing Corporation, was established by law in Edict No 8 of 1994 to print and publish Newspapers and Journals. The law also empowers the Corporation to go into commercial Printing. This means the state House of Assembly must get involved in shutting it down.

    Section 18 of Edict No 8 of 1994 defines clearly the NATURE OF SERVICE.” Service under the Corporation shall be PUBLIC SERVICE within the meaning of Pension Ordinance of 1951 as adapted by Cap 102 laws of Anambra State 1991″.

    This Edict was signed into law by Col. M E Attah on 25th March ,1994..The Edict took effect from 27th August 1991 when Anambra State was created.

    It was originally branch of the Eastern Nigerian leading newspaper popularly called NIGERIAN OUTLOOK. And for avoidance of doubts, NIGERIAN OUTLOOK is the mother of DAILY STAR Newspaper currently maintaining staff and publishing in Enugu State AND…
    NATIONAL LIGHT newspaper in Anambra State now under threat for God knows why? I wish to exonerate the Head of Service, Barr Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, mni from this naked dance because as I was told , she stood against this evil of planned closure of National Light Newspapers in their Exco and elsewhere. Most shocking aspect of the entire episode was the current MD/CEO, Sir Chuka Nnabuife who was appointed by former Governor Willie Obiano for 8 years, standing on the part of government in shame. The question is what is he still doing at National Light Newspapers after staying for 8 years, 4 years each his appointment stipulated? Or is he appointed for life?

    Out of the management team ,nobody but one admitted knowledge of his defense of government press statement. It was unfortunate. In some climes, union members in National Light will bar the MD/CEO from entering office immediately after his tenure expires. Ask a Commissioner in Ministry of information what his workers did to him on his final day in office, when he tries to carry his furniture. Let me not say so many things I have been armed with by over 173 callers since I penned down the Cornucopia exposing plans to shut down National Light, excluding text messages and whatsapp messages as well as face to face communication.

    But are there areas the governor and his government is doing well?

    I told you I don’t want to talk about his successes and failures yet. He is doing great in so many silent areas and even on roads but spare me the agony now until I am ready to constructively speak on his government. His wife Nonye Soludo is powering too. Some of his commissioners are taking leads but as I said it’s too early to speak about his government openly unless issues of life and death like National Light Newspapers. We shall talk about Prof Soludo soonest. I shall praise him where necessary and criticize him constructively where necessary. He is our Governor and we have nothing against him. We are praying for him to succeed because his failure shall be unimaginable.

    Why do you always exude positivism and love even when provoked?

    I have carefully avoided toxic people by staying positive always, with a grateful heart to God. I refused to let anger and Vengeance control my emotions. I make wise and informed decisions, trusting God because with Him, all things are possible. I have freed myself of judgement and comparisons as well as toxic people and toxic thoughts. But I refused to be associated with timidity because it’s not humility. I fear God and glad he endowed me with little wisdom to survive the vicissitudes of life, unfriendly friends, traitors , selfish friends and fault finders. I find happiness in almost everything I do. That I am proud of myself doesn’t mean I am arrogant and pompous, not at all. I am positive and generate positive energy always, hence I encourage everyone easily in their endeavours and I am always optimistic. I avoid highly toxic people, pessimists and fault finders because they generate negative energy and they are filled with negativism. I have never underestimated myself, I remain positive, fearless and patience, trusting God in prayers. I admit my errors whenever and I easily apologize to people even when i am right. I build mutual respect and trust easily though people are always threatened by my misunderstood personality. It’s difficult but I have learnt to lift the white flag at all times. I watch others back and never betrayed anyone. I try to be honest at all times though difficult as a journalist because there are information that you have if released, you scatter families, institutions and organizations even government. I have contacts that could be my social capital but I found it difficult to sneak into their lives when I have needs, hence I have started to reach out to have a true relationship though still impossible sequel to daily choked life of an African, struggling to meet up demands. I always celebrate God’s faithfulness. I have a Superior prayer life and a strong faith in God hence there is nothing I set my eyes on i haven’t gotten in life. I am a dreamer. It’s a daily occurrence.

    My greatest headache is that I forgive easily but I don’t forget because it becomes subject of advice, lesson, and teaching for reference purposes.

  • Bekwarra Group Expresses Concerns Over Political Dynamics in Cross River North

    Bekwarra Group Expresses Concerns Over Political Dynamics in Cross River North

    …Calls for Caution in Political Relationships

    A socio-political organization based in Bekwarra, known as the Bekwarra Concerned Group (BCG), has issued a statement cautioning against the recent political alignment between the State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, and Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe from Cross River North.

    In a statement signed by Eneji Paul Akonjom and released to the press in Calabar, the group expressed initial optimism about the political collaboration between the Governor and Senator Jarigbe. However, they raised concerns about Senator Jarigbe’s alleged inconsistent behavior, likening it to that of a “chameleon.”

    The statement tagged “The Jarigbe Factor and the APC, Cross River State: Issues for Consideration,” reads in part: “It was initially heartwarming when we heard of the political romance between you and Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe. In fact, I considered it a harmless, symbiotic relationship. As good as your intentions would be in that relationship, unfortunately,Your Excellency, Sen. Jarigbe is only playing the Chameleon.”

    The statement highlighted a recent incident involving Hon. Signor Omang Idiege, a prominent figure from Bekwarra, who visited the Governor along with stakeholders to pledge their loyalty. According to the statement, Senator Jarigbe allegedly undermined the visit by taking the group to Vandekya, Benue State, where he purportedly discussed plans to deviate from his political understanding with the Governor regarding the 2027 elections.

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    Furthermore, the group accused Senator Jarigbe of planting moles within the Governor’s camp to gather sensitive information for his own political gain. They claimed that Hon. Idiege, one of the stakeholders who visited the Governor, was allegedly bribed with ₦5 million, while others received sums totaling ₦30 million from Senator Jarigbe.

    The statement also addressed recent defections of APC members in Bekwarra, attributing them to Senator Jarigbe’s alleged manipulative tactics. However, it stopped short of making direct accusations without substantial evidence.

    The group urged the Governor to remain vigilant and suggested that the proposed Caretaker Committee for Bekwarra should be led by individuals with proven grassroots impact and democratic credentials. They emphasized the importance of selecting candidates based on merit rather than political allegiances.

    “The solution lies in our party making more grassroots impact in Bekwarra.”

    “Jarigbe,” he furthered, “is a grassroots Politician and may I suggest that the proposed Caretaker Committee for Bekwarra should be headed by one with the requisite pedigree and is reputed for effective grassroots mobilisation and impact.”

    The statement maintained that by the reason of such appointments “the people of Bekwarra will naturally look away from Jarigbe.”

    It further said one who won the last general elections in his polling unit is eminently qualified for the Caretaker Committee Chairmanship, while urging the Governor to do a dispassionate assessment of the results of the said election as a guide for the appointment.

    In conclusion, the statement urged the APC to address the concerns raised regarding Senator Jarigbe’s actions tactfully, emphasizing the need for fair and transparent political processes.

  • Why Otu Allocated over 10 Percent to Health in 2024 Budget

    Why Otu Allocated over 10 Percent to Health in 2024 Budget

    By Our Reporter

    The Special Adviser to Gov Bassey Otu on health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, has said that over 10 percent was allocated to the health sector in Cross River in this year’s budget estimates because it is only a healthy population that would benefit from the vast human capacity building and infrastructural development projects the Governor was embarking on.

    In a chat with our reporter in Calabar, Wednesday, Bassey, who is also the immediate past two-term member of the State House of Assembly for Bakassi State constituency, said such an allocated percentage, which he described as the first in a very long time, has generated hope for the sector.

    “Gov Bassey Otu’s desire in promoting quality, accessible and affordable healthcare systems in Cross River state is commendable. For a very long time, the budgetary provisions for health had not been this much.

    “The Governor believes that health is wealth and there is no democracy without healthy people. Our people must benefit from the robust on-going road rehabilitation and constructions and other infrastructural and human development he is embarking on across the State.

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    “He has made history by allocating over 10 percent of the budget and as you know, the Governor believes that it is only when the people are health that they can enjoy the dividends of democracy. A sick man cannot walk on beautiful, well-paved tarmac.

    “And, good health can only be enhanced when the healthcare sector is properly funded. When we talk about health governance, we mean funding, manpower, medical technology, supplies, accountability and quality service delivery, and this is what the Governor is doing, striving to achieve good health governance.

    “One of the outstanding sources of healthcare financing is the government. If expenditure is captured in the budget, releases become legal and then you may consider implementation. It would have been worse if provisions were not made or funds not allocated at all in the budget,” he submitted.

    Dr Bassey disclosed further that apart from the allocation for healthcare, the government was taking practical steps in ensuring diseases like measles, hepatitis and other ailments were frontally tackled.

    “Few days ago, we launched a viral hepatitis strategic plan for 2024 through 2026. The content of the plan is to ensure that we reduce prevalence of viral hepatitis to the barest minimum or completely eliminate it. This is because the prevalence rate of viral hepatitis is too high.

    “Besides, we are tackling other areas in healthcare delivery with a view to making Cross River people strong and health so has to enjoy what the government has in store for them,” he stated.

  • Mrs Soludo Donates Cartoons of Multivitamin Supplements To Over 26,000 Elderly Persons In Anambra

    Mrs Soludo Donates Cartoons of Multivitamin Supplements To Over 26,000 Elderly Persons In Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has donates a total of twenty seven thousand cartoons of multivitamin supplements to over 26,000 elderly persons in the State.

    The elderlies, especially the octogenarians also received bags of rice at the occasion that took place at the ASUBEB conference hall, Awka, on Friday.

    Speaking during the distribution exercise, Mrs Soludo noted that the gesture was part of her Healthy Living Initiative to make Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland in Nigeria.

    She said, “With this, we are gradually detaching poor dieting in Anambra State.

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    She said: “Old age is a blessing. It is a stage of life that we will all get to. it is just a matter of time. So, we need to plan and prepare to do better in taking care of the elderly in our society to improve their lives.

    “Many aged persons are lonely, unhealthy and unkempt, this is why Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo as part of its programmes is prioritizing care for the elderly.

    “These multivitamin supplements will help to increasing the quality of life of the elderly in our communities, so that they can age gracefully and successfully,” she said

    The governor wife added that her Healthy Living Initiative was also initiated in the State to take care of and maintain the elderly and indigent people in respective of political affiliation.

    Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike, said that the councillors in the 326 wards in the state were consulted to compile the names of the elderly in their various wards.

    “We made provisions for 80 elderly persons in each of the 326 wards and  our councillors will help  distribute the multivitamin supplements on their various wards.

    “This is the part of the Healthy Living campaign that our society should not abandon the elderly because they are still very relevant.

    “The multivitamin supplements are essential nutrients that they need for their body and brain to function well,” he said

    Some of the beneficiaries of Mrs Soludo’s largesse that spoke to our reporter described her husband led-government as a working progress, calling on successive governments to build on the successes of the incumbent administration.

    The State Commissioner for Environment Dr Felix Chinedu Odiemegwu and thousands of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo supporters were also present during the event.

  • Why Govt should invest more in showbiz now —Music Producer, Dr. Gee

    Arising from the current economic reality and the need to cushion the effect of the hardship in the country through job and wealth creation, a famed Showbiz Maestro and Music Producer, Jatto Godstime Martin, has urged the Federal Government to review its investment template to create more opportunities in the entertainment industry, which according to him harbors an army of unemployed youths who have demonstrated increasing passion for the industry.
    Martin who is known by the stage name, Dr. Gee said in Calabar recently that the entertainment industry particularly showbiz and music has become a major attraction for the burgeoning population of youth who have demonstrated immense passion as they invest their energy, time, and resources to grow the sector.
    He maintained that no other sector has witnessed the kind of passion and energy of the youth than the showbiz and music industry where they also discover and develop their vast potentials.
    According to Dr. Gee, investing in the sector will be a very potent means of creating employment opportunities which will also change the orientation of the idle ones, whom he said may become willing tools in the hands of evil perpetrators.
    “It is my opinion and a very strong suggestion that the Government should invest more in the showbiz and music industry. This is one sector that has a retinue of youthful population who are able, ready, and willing to unleash their God-given potential to improve and grow the industry.
    “Investing in the industry cannot be a waste of resources. We would have also solved employment issues, put good food on the table for the burgeoning population of these idle youths, and rake in substantial resources for the further growth of the nation’s economy,” he emphasized.
    Further to that, Martin who is also a Lagos-based Sound Maker, said the entertainment industry has the potential of projecting and sustaining the growth of the economy, observing however that not much support has been given to boost the sector.
    “Unfortunately, the sector has not received the kind of patronage from the Government in terms of investment the way other sectors have received. So my appeal here is genuine and of course, founded on the need to promote a stable society through sustainable development and livelihood.
    “The budget size of Government should be reviewed to include job creation for the teeming Army of unemployed youths who are incidentally neck deep in the entertainment industry.”
  • High Cost Of Living: Nigeria Paying For Years Of Agricultural Neglect And Insecurity

    By Adémólá Òrúnbon

    Nigeria is endowed with lots of natural and human resources with large expanse of fertile land and estimated to be the most populous country in the Sub-Saharan Africa. And it has different sectors such as agriculture, solid minerals, sports and entertainment, tourism etc, yet the citizens live in abject poverty subsisting on less than $2 a day as a result of several factors which includes inappropriate domestic policies and an unfavourable external economic policy and environment. The country discovered oil in 1956, over sixty-eight (68) years ago at Oloibiri in today’s Bayelsa state, but over 70 percent of the country’s earnings come from oil paying, little or no attention to other sectors of the economy and that is why Nigeria is said to be suffering from what is known as the “Dutch Disease”.

    In Nigeria, agriculture remains the mainstay of the economy, employing about 65-70 percent of the labor force. Agricultural holdings are generally small and scattered; farming is often of the subsistence variety which characterised by simple tools and shifting cultivation. These small farms produce about 80 percent of the total food. About 30.7 million hectares (76 million acres), or 33 percent of Nigeria’s land area, are under cultivation. Nigeria’s diverse climate, from the tropical areas of the coast to the arid zone of the North, make it possible to produce virtually all agricultural products that can be grown in the tropical and semitropical areas of the world.

    Squealing to the discovery of petroleum, Nigeria has rapidly grown into a major food importing nation as the government has become neglectful of the agricultural sector since petroleum is considered a more viable resource for economic development. This situation quickly polarized the nation into high and low income groups. Unfortunately, while only small fraction of the population benefited from the oil wealth, the population suffered the misfortune of food insecurity as they can hardly afford the rising prices of imported foods. However, though at a subsistence level, a sizable ratio of the population in Nigerian is still employed in the agricultural sector.

    Food security is a phenomenon which is multidimensional with economic, environmental and social aspects. Unfortunately, the greater share of the population of the undernourished is located in the developing countries. Although the total population of the food insuring people in Asia outweighs that of Africa, 18 out of 23 nations where undernourishment is prevalent are from Africa.

    Food is no doubt, the most basic of all human survival needs. Although, so many efforts have been sunk in improving the quality as well as production of world food supplies, food insecurity remains prevalent, particularly in the global southern nations of Asia and Africa, and in Nigeria, malnutrition has resulted in death of many of its citizens. African Food Security Briefs (AFSB) estimated that approximately one out of every three persons in the sub-Saharan Africa is undernourished. Achieving a sustainable economic development in Nigeria and Africa at large will continue to be a mirage without well-nourished and healthy people.

    In fact, failure to ensure food security has unavoidably resulted in many social problems including civil unrest and riots in many major cities of the world. Some economic experts, described food system and its governance as a process with complex web which many times overlapped or even contradicted with formal policies and regulations, and made even worse by the unwritten laws and practices which may not be susceptible to political subjugations. Food insecurity is therefore strongly linked with other global issues, such as population growth, surge in energy demand as well as completion for land and water and issues of climate change.

    Though, Nigeria prides itself as the giant of Africa with its economy becoming the largest in 2014, the poverty rate in the country is alarming. Not less than 70% of the Nigerian population is surviving on less than $2 per day while food insecurity prevalence in the low income urban house-holds and rural areas respectively stands at 79% and 71%. Since the discovery of oil in Nigeria in the 1956, the agriculture sector became less important to the government as it cannot withstand the economic sagacity of the oil industry. Thus, Nigeria became heavily dependent on importation of food. The rural areas have become even more vulnerable to malnutrition, erratic supply of food items, unaffordable food costs, low quality foods and sometimes complete lack of food. This situation is more prevalent in many parts of the northern region of Nigeria.

    Nigeria is blessed with a very diverse and rich vegetation capable of supporting large population of livestock and has estimated surface water volume of about 267.7 billion cubic meter and underground water of about 57.9 billion cubic meters. The ecological zones in Nigeria are also very diverse with the semi-arid Sudan (Sahel) zone, Guinea Savannah and Derived Savannah zone as well as Forest and Mangrove (high rainfall, moist sub-humid and very high humidity) zone. A few variations exist within each ecological zone. The ecology and trends in precipitation in a region determines what kind of farming system the people will practice, their food preference and how they make use of natural resources in their environment.

    Agriculture, since independence, has been a major contributor to the Nigeria economy. The agriculture sector has been metamorphosed by commercial activities from small to medium and large-scale level of the market. The principal cash crops, include cocoa, oil palm and rubber while major staple foods are rice, cassava, yams, maize, taro, sorghum and millet. Production of timber and livestock rearing such as goats, sheep, cattle and poultry as well as artisanal fisheries are the common occupation.

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    Agriculture in Nigeria has remained the largest non-oil contributor to the national economy, accounting for 41.84% of the GDP in 2009 and employing almost 70% of the national work force. The farmers are mostly small-scale subsistence farmers totaling about 14 million with an average farm size of 1 hectare in the south and 3 hectares in the north of Nigeria. Despite the fact that the sector has been neglected by the Federal Government sequel to the discovery of commercial quantity of petroleum resource in 1956, the inevitability of agriculture to the Nigerian economy cannot be over emphasized.

    Nigeria is grossly an agrarian state which is reflected in the fact that over 70% of her economically active population is employed in the agriculture sector. The difference lies in the kind of crop that cultivated in the various regions of the country depending on the soil characteristics and climatic conditions. However, due to the discovery of oil in most of the south-south region of the country, agricultural activities have been grossly limited resulting from the consequential industrialization and frequent oil spillage. Also, agricultural activities in the north are sometimes plagued by extreme weather conditions such as draught and flooding during the raining season. The south-west and south-east have over the years had a relatively balance conditions for agriculture but unfortunately, these two regions also have the highest level of education in the country and mostly seek for opportunities outside the agriculture sector.

    Food insecurity is a multifaceted problem. It is quite an uphill task discussing the driving factors for food insecurity in Nigeria. Nigerians lack enthusiasm for local products and often consider them inferior to imported food products. The emergence of oil sector marked the imminent end of the agriculture sector as the huge revenue generated from the petroleum products shifted attention from agriculture. The government embarked on importation food and local production shrinked away, especially as wealth from oil has changed the status and tastes of many Nigeria in favor of foreign goods. This couple with socio-political instability which precluded the economic downturn, civil war, dwindling human resource base, gender inequality, education decadence, poor health facilities and the general loss of good governance have coexisted to further degenerate food accessibility. The following among others have however, been identified as the prime agents of food insecurity in Nigeria.

    Modern agriculture has become so highly industrialized and dependent on energy. Mechanized farmers are very reliant on consistent power supply which has eluded us has become a mirage for successive government to achieve. Now, much of the agricultural products we consume are produced in farms located far away and processed other distant location before being imported via air, water or land.

    The whole of these processes requires a lot of power and fuel to keep food price low and affordable for the common man. However, with escalating prices of petroleum products, there have been calls for diversification to increased energy efficiency. One key alternative is biofuel and other agriculture-based energy production. This alternative will create more completion for food item particularly in developing nation and depending on how the process is managed mat increase food insecurity.

    Adémólá Òrúnbon is a journalist, poet and public affairs analyst.

    Can be reached via: orunbonibrahimademola@gmail.com or 08034493944 and 08029301122

  • Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger opt-out creates security concerns than economic once

    By Jerry Jonah

    Only three days ago, leaders of the military-led States of Mali, Burkina-Faso, and Niger announced their withdrawal from its regional bloc of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The juntas accuse the ECOWAS of a shift from its founding principles, foreign influence, and neglect to population whose happiness it was to ensure, for its decisions. This is in view of the post coup posture the ECOWAS have adopted against this regimes after coming to power. In response, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Ministry whose capital, Abuja host the ECOWAS secretariat and whose president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is also the Chairman of the regional body say ‘it is not an action in good faith’. And the ECOWAS say it has not been notified of this countries withdrawal.

    But this is not good news. For one, the ECOWAS is not just a Political structuring, it is also an Economic and Geographical one. As such, what will this pullout mean for this States, Will it mean an isolation or a re-alliance? Again, how would this play out, would the dislocation mean a Political one and not necessarily a Economic one, or are we about to see a significant restructuring, affecting as far as geographical re-balance? If this leads to a new alliance how would it play out. Will we see a situation were this forges further north as we see in the wake of the Niger coup what we may call a sympathy support from Algeria, or, one out of the Continent itself as we see with significant growing support from Russia for both Mali and Burkina-Faso led regimes?

    Whichever, this brings up a critical question, evoking deep thoughts how we may consider the outcome. For anything, it may reshape the sub-region and the ECOWAS from a mere strictly geographical identified one to a broadly political one – with alliance further North or East for the military States. There are also Economic ones(concerns), as expert argue that this will cut the 3 exiting States off its regional $702bn economy; and may put the $277.22 billion dollar trade of the Economic Community of West African States with the world in a risk, a score which it reached in its 2022 total trade, including import and export, according to a data from the regions trade information system (ECOTIS) portal.

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    But although this are of immense concern, there is yet another: Security: Dealing with the security challenge which the region is lurked in for decades: terrorism, violent crisis.

    For another, the ECOWAS over the years through its cooperation and joint strategies have record significant success in its insurgency fight. For example, the African-led International Support Mission to Mali(AFISMA), an organized military mission of the ECOWAS to support it member nation, Mali against Islamic rebels in the Northern Mali conflict. This gains have come through regional cooperation. Intelligent gathering, information sharing, personnel support are only but a few to which this dislocation or exit or withdrawal may threaten or even drag further backwards. Although progress in the region’s fight against terrorism and violent extremist within the last two years have dwindled, yet an isolation between this groups or states do not poss a positive prospect.

    How can the ECOWAS prevent this split, What can be done? Although States are free to pursue its best interest, the reality of the security situation within the region especially in the sahel present a perculiar situation. As such the ECOWAS and both parties should be open for further talks and negotiations. If the Juntas can state in clear terms what there reasons are, which may be Economic reasons or for reasons bordering on Recognition. Although I doubt the ECOWAS may consider the later, and for reasons good enough.

    About The Author

    Jerry O. Jonah is a Political affair analyst, Writer and Life Coach.

  • Political Chess: Examining the Akpamkpa/Biase Rerun Elections and the Ghost of John Gaul/Alex Egbonna of 2019

    Ukorebi Esien  | 29th January 2024



    As electorates in the 16 polling units in Akpamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency return to the polls to cast their votes in the scheduled rerun elections to determine the authentic winner of the Feburay 2023 National Assembly election, our analyst, Ukorebi Esien has taken out time to analyse the election comparing it with the rerun held in Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency in 2019 between John Gaul and Alex Egbonna. 

    He looks at the similarity of both elections and tries to question if a repeat of likely to happen where Alex Egbonna came from the back with 7,000 votes down to defeat John Gaul
    Take a read; 
     
    In the intricate world of Nigerian politics, where alliances shift and power dynamics evolve, the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency rerun election scheduled for February 2024 emerges as a intriguing sequel to the political drama that unfolded in 2019. Drawing parallels from the past, particularly the Abi/Yakurr rerun involving Ekureku 1&2 in 2019, the upcoming electoral battle mirrors a strategic chess match between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
    In 2019, the tables turned dramatically as Alex Egbonna of the APC faced an uphill climb, trailing behind PDP’s John Gaul Lebo by over 7,000 votes. The rerun, set in Ekureku 1&2, witnessed a stunning turn of events. Egbonna, against the odds, not only secured the majority of the 11,000 votes in Ekureku but went on to claim victory with a meticulous play, securing 7,000 votes initially and later adding another 3,000 to clinch the seat.
    Fast forward to 2024, a similar script unfolds in the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency. The APC candidate finds himself with a comfortable lead of over 2,000 votes. The question now looms large: Can the PDP candidate stage a comeback, mirroring the surprises witnessed in Ekureku 1&2 in 2019?
    A historical context adds an intriguing layer to this narrative. In 2019, the PDP held the reins of power in Cross River State, yet the APC managed to outsmart them in a rerun that was anticipated to be a walkover. Now, the tables have turned; the APC is the reigning administration, and the PDP stands as the opposition at both the state and national levels. The lingering question is whether the PDP, armed with newfound strategies and motivations, will repay the APC in their own coin.
    As the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency braces for another showdown, the echoes of the past reverberate, creating an air of anticipation and uncertainty. The political landscape, ever dynamic, beckons us to witness whether history will repeat itself or if a new chapter will be written in the annals of Cross River State politics. The upcoming rerun, a battleground for power and redemption, promises to be a testament to the resilience and strategic prowess of political contenders in this ever-evolving Nigerian political saga.
  • In Anambra, Umueri President-General Defines Stewardship For Nigerian Leaders

    In Anambra, Umueri President-General Defines Stewardship For Nigerian Leaders

    By Ovat Abeng

    Amb. Dr. John Chukwudi Metchie, the President-General of Umueri community in Anambra-East Local Government Area of Anambra State, who also doubles as the Prime Minister of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) has defined stewardship for Nigerian leaders.

    This definition of a transparent and accountable stewardship was the Crux of the matter as Metchie presented his scorecard to the people of Umueri; accounting for every penny that was spent from his pockets and those gotten from freewill donations.

    Although the trouble with public office in Nigeria hinges on accountability due to the immunity that comes with such position whether as an appointed or elected official, most public office holders wallow in diversions, embezzlement as well as misappropriation of public funds inimical to the general wellbeing of the people.

    Accountability in public office could be likened to a Camel trying to force itself through the needle’s eye because it is almost an impossibility to have a culture of transparency, probity and accountability in the Nigerian situation judging from the culture of impunity and corrupt practices that have eaten deep into the fabrics of the public and private sectors of the nation’s economy.

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    Reports have it that many a person who have been either appointed or elected public officials either absconded or disgraced out of office over their inabilities to render accounts of stewardship to the people who entrusted the offices they occupied in their care.

    The internet is equally awash with plethora of stories of how elected and appointed government functionaries siphoned monies meant for infrastructural cum community development purposes while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) have been on their trail and some corrupt public officials have been jailed for lack of accountability while in service.

    Johnny Metchie who defied the temptations and attractions of public office as the President-General of Umueri community, decided to display an impeccable character coupled with an uncommon integrity to uphold his pledge upon inception of duty as PG to render quarterly account of his stewardship to the people of Umueri community with visible, concrete projects in tandem with their most pressing needs on ground.

    Metchie whose achievements as PG cuts across security, education, infrastructure, healthcare, local economy, rehabilitation of flood victims, conflict resolutions, power supply, to mention a few, noted that the milestones wouldn’t have been possible without supports and teamwork from his Executives in Umueri General Assembly. He told this journalist that the support from his Executives and the people of Umueri have been very massive and encouraging.

    In security, Metchie outlined a number of very laudable projects his regime executed to ward off criminal elements and to ensure watertight security in Umueri and her neighbouring communities. He said, ” We set up a state-of-the-art surveillance control room in Anambra-East to track and trail criminal elements.

    Recall that I am also the Deputy Commander General (Technical Services) of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS). So I received an SOS call on 15th December, 2023 that one Mrs. Ugochukwu Chikelue, a mother of four children and an indigene of Umueri was kidnapped.

    I immediately mobilised a combined security team comprising operatives of the Nigerian Hunters, officers of the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police and other security agents and they swung into action and before long the lady was rescued from her abductors in the bush.

    Another great milestone achievement by my regime was the construction of fully equipped Multi-million naira ultramodern joint security post. I singlehandedly built the security post from my personal resources and it was commissioned by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on 13th October, 2023. “

    Again the United Nations Peace Ambassador revealed that in the realm of conflict resolutions, he waded into the boundary crisis between Nneyi Umueri and Enugwu-Nsugbe. He said he drew the attention of the state government to the crisis and equally expressed great satisfaction in the way and manner the Deputy Governor Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim handled the matter.

    In infrastructure, Amb. Dr. Johnny Metchie embarked on rural electrification tagged” Light Up Umueri Campaign. ” In this project, emphasis was the less privilege, widows and widowers including those who completely had to access to electricity supply, adding that his government installed the identification signage at Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport now Chinua Achebe International Airport Umueri even as he profoundly thanked the government of Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for the full sponsorship of the new signage at the airport.

    Metchie who also thanked Governor Soludo, the Local Government Commissioner Mr. Tony-Collins Nwabunwanne and the Chairman of Anambra-East council area Mr. Anslem Onuorah, for the ongoing construction works on Patrick Metchie Street, said the road has been neglected and abandoned by previous administrations thereby causing havoc for residents in the area.

    Again, the maintenance and repair works at Ngene Okwuazu Bridge in Umueri was another monumental achievement of his regime even as he commended the local government chairman Dr. Anslem Onuorah for his timely intervention on the bridge when he was notified of the bad portions of the bridge. Still on infrastructural development, the PG disclosed that Umueri Civic Center was massively renovated and giving a befitting facelift while thanking an Umueri son in the diaspora who donated a whopping N2 million for the renovation and refurbishment of the civic center.

    In education, the Johnny Metchie Foundation founded by Amb.Dr. Johnny Metchie has distributed over 300 back to school packs to young students in Umueri community. Moreso, Metchie undertook the payment of WAEC fees for 93 students last year and recently donated the sum of N1 million for the renovation of Government Technical College Umueri, just as he informed too that the founder and pro-chancellor of Greenfield University Kaduna, Engr. Chief Simon Nwakacha is extending full scholarships to Umueri indigenes willing to school in the university.

    The PG who commended the Anambra State Government through the Commissioner for Health Dr. Ben Afam Obidike for the renovation of Umueri General Hospital and making it very functional again, also extended heartfelt appreciations to the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources,  Mr. Julius Chukwuemeka for improved power supply in the area. He however extended his heartfelt appreciations to his Executives and Umueri community in general, saying that it is time public office holders began to be really accountable to the people who elected or appointed them into office.