Paradise News

Tag: Anambra State

  • Olivia Varsity to offer scholarship to Nigerian medical students

    Olivia Varsity to offer scholarship to Nigerian medical students

    By Ovat Abeng

    The management of Olivia University Bujumbura (OUB), Burundi East Africa, has announced its plan to award scholarship to Nigerian medical students.

    The announcement was made by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Rev. Fr. Prof. Josephat Obi-oguejiofor, during an interactive session with relevant stakeholders and some of the intending students in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, on Saturday.

    Prof. Obi-ogojiofor, said the scholarship program is the endowment of the Pro-chancellor and founder of the University, Sir Paul Chukwuma, who happened to be the first Vice Chancellor of the Varsity to contribute his quarter to quality education for Nigerians and the Africa Continent at large.

    He said three Faculties are commencing this year; Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Nursing.

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    According to him, the Pro-chancellor, Sir Chukwuma want to endowed some scholarships for this faculties for the first entrance, those who will be the foundation students for the three faculties in the University.

    “The Pro-chancellor is proposing to Nigerians the possibility of studying medicine/surgery, pharmacy and nursing with half school fees.

    “The intending students will paid only half of the tuition fee through out their study period. It is a big opportunity for Nigerian to acquire quality education in a University that started from the top. It is a big academic history for Nigerians amidst hardship.

    “Olivia University Bujumbura (OUB), Burundi, is an English speaking University, first of it kind in East Africa and Nigeria has a good reputation in Burundi.

    “Unlike Nigerian Universities, Students of Olivia University are assured of uninterrupted academic calendar with world place Lecturers in an ideal learning environment.

    “The University aligns itself with international best practices in higher education as It is programmed for excellence in tertiary education in sub-Saharan Africa.

    “Our students are better prepared to provide solutions to the 21st Century Challenges as Olivia University also prides itself with speciality in the following courses Artificial Intelligence, Mining Engineering, Software Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering,Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Cyber Security, Information Systems, Accounting, Architecture, Banking and Finance, Business Administration and Economics.

    “I urged Nigerian parents and students to take advantage of the world class quality education which Olivia University offers and enroll in the scholarship program, the Vice Chancellor advocate.

    The South East coordinator in Nigeria, Dr. Tochukwu Matthew Oguegbe, who also address the session, noted that the prestigious scholarship program is for all Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, ethnic and religion affiliations.

    He said the opportunity for students to go on vacation in other part of the World is also available.

    Oguegbe further disclosed that Olivia University Bujumbura, Burundi East Africa is located in Mayugi, Avenue, Mukaza and can be reached through the University website www.oliviauniversity.com

  • Nigeria at 63: NULGE chairperson attack for addressing workers in Anambra

    Nigeria at 63: NULGE chairperson attack for addressing workers in Anambra

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Chairperson of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, Mrs. Ogwo Scholastica Anolika, has been allegedly attack by the Council Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mr. Jonathan Chidozie Uzoigwe, for addressing workers ahead of the Nation’s 63th Independence day celebration, holding on Sunday, 1st October, 2023 Nationwide.

    Speaking with Journalists in Awka, on Friday, Mrs Anulika disclosed that she was beaten to stupour by the HLGA Mr Jonathan Uzoigwe in attempt to stop her from addressing workers for the celebration as directed by the Council Transition Committee Chairman, Mrs Anulika, adding that the quick intervention of the Security  Officers attached to the Council Area saved her from being beaten to death.

    She said the incident happened at the Council Secretariat, on Wednesday.

    According to her, I was given the 63th Independence Anniversary  invitation as the NULGE Chairperson in the Area  by the Social Welfare Unit in the Council, so, I have to informed the workers that the Council Chairman has invited us to the anniversary march past on Sunday, while addressing the workers, the HLGA, Mr.Uzoigwe, angrily came out of his office and order me to stop addressing workers, noting that there is nothing like NULGE in Orumba South and Anambra State in general and the process of trying to resolved the issue, he started beaten me without considering that I am a married woman.

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    “During the attack, I sustained fracture in my right hand and bruises in other part of my body.

    “If not for the quick intervention of the security officers in the area, I don’t know what would have happened to me by now, I thanked God Almighty for spearing my life, she wept. She has made official report to the local Government service commission and the union state secretariat respectively

    Mrs Anulika appealed to the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo to call the HLGA to order to avoid further break down of law and order in the Council Area.

    The HLGA, Mr. Uzoigwe, in his swift reply, denied the allegation, saying it is a taboo beaten a married woman in Igbo land.

    According to him, nothing of such happened in the Council Area. How do you expect me, a HLGA to insult myself by beaten a junior Staff.

    How will this sound before the public? When there are procedures and rules I would have applied if truely such case arises. My rank is above beaten any junior Staff. I did not beat her. It is a cook fabrication plan by her and the State Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu, to tarnished the hard end reputation I have build for decades across the state. The bandage she is tiring around her hand is a plan to spoiled my name before the state government and the general public.

    “The general public should please disregard the information, he summited.

    Reacting to the incident, the State Chairman of NULGE, Comrade Adigwe Chikwelu, called for the suspension of the HLGA for the assult as this has been his routine character. Uzoigwe case has been a reoccurring issue, we have recieved several reports against him in the past which we have relayed to the relevant authorities.

    He said the leadership of NULGE in Anambra under my watch will not take the matter likely, we will ensure Justice for Mrs. Anulika.

    The HLGA, Mr. Uzoigwe, will take care of the hospital bills, all the financial implication and other damages he has caused, the Chairman vowed.

  • Anambra ICT Agency To Partner Secondary School Students On App Development

    Anambra ICT Agency To Partner Secondary School Students On App Development

    By Ovat Abeng

    In a remarkable display of support for young entrepreneurs and the advancement of technology education in Anambra and Nigeria at large, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Anambra State Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Agency, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, had said the agency is ready to help the state take its place in the ICT world.

    Agbata who has been behind several innovations in the government of Prof Chukwuma Soludo in terms of ICT said the agency will be happy to begin a partnership with any secondary school that is ready to develop computer applications.

    He stated this during a school competition hosted for secondary school students in Anambra, by Bosslady Law chambers, owned by Barr Orbby Agwuncha, an Abuja based legal practitioner.

    Agbata who was the keynote speaker at the event said: “Many people go to their graves afraid to try.

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    “There is never a special time to start a business—it’s your business, and the time is now.

    “The presentations made by the students, particularly those who pitched tech solutions are so wonderful.

    He commended the young entrepreneurs for their courage in presenting their ideas and products to the audience.

    Agbata noted that Anambra ICT Agency is open to partnering with secondary schools to develop solution-oriented apps and technologies. We encourage interested schools to reach out to the agency for collaboration.

    He however, encouraged the participants not to be disheartened if their schools didn’t emerge as winners, emphasizing that success stories often stem from perseverance and resilience.

    Earlier, students of competing schools presented computer applications built by them for the challenge.

    Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone, represented by Prof Angela Ufele commended the group for bringing the challenge to Anambra, and also hosting the event in the institution.

    “Our motto include making students self reliant and not depending on white collar jobs. That is why we are very supportive of this scheme.
    “We must start teaching young people to be self reliant, and we are happy that the challenge was brought here, so that we can catch them young,” she said.

    On his brief remark, the South East regional manager of Bossladylaw, Mr. Jerry Chijoike, said the whole idea behind the Philanthropical gesture of Barr. Orbby Agwuncha, is to ecouraged entrepreneurial spirit among secondary schools students in Nigeria.

    It was also gathered that the event held at the ASUU hall of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, on Friday, provided a platform for secondary school students to showcase their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial projects.

  • NYSC tasks employers on safety, comfort of corp members

    NYSC tasks employers on safety, comfort of corp members

    By Ovat Abeng

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has called on employers in Anambra to continue to prioritize welfare of corps members in their workplaces by giving attention to their safety and comfort.

    Director General, NYSC, Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, made the call at the 2023 Corp Employers Workshop held at the Federal Secretariat Awka, on Thursday.

    Ahmed who cautioned the employers against aiding and abetting Corp members’ abscondment during their one year national service in the state, also identified delay in issuance of monthly/final clearance to deserving corp members and lack of provision of their statutory welfare needs as other shortcomings of corp members employers that needed urgent attention.

    According to the DG, who was represented by Mr. Aluyor Osikhuemeh, the workshop would also be addressing challenges of poor treatment as well as lack of support for community service development projects.

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    He said “It is pertinent to remind employers to further demonstrate appreciation of services of corp members by providing permanent employment, irrespective of their state of origin, as we encourage them to seek career employment across the nation.”

    He noted that there was scarcity of white collar jobs, hence, the scheme introduced Skill Acquisition Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) being an empowerment for self-reliance, self-employment and wealth creation for corp members.

    “We are also expected to review the roles of Corp Employers in achieving the objectives of the NYSC Scheme, ways of addressing the security and welfare needs of Corps Members in their workplaces,” he added.

    In her welcome address, the State NYSC Coordinator, Mrs. Blessing Ekene Iruma, expressed joy over reduction in cases of rejection of corp members by employers in the state.

    She described corp members as highly productive, particularly when meaningfully engaged in enabling environment.

    She said, “Percentage of rejection of corp members in Anambra has drastically reduced. This is as a result of regular meeting with the employers and other critical stakeholders to forge a way forward.

    “Most youths are restless because they’re not meaningfully engaged in an enabling environment. But if you create a stable emotional atmosphere, these corp members can give you much more than you bargain.”

    Appreciating the State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo for the N8,500 monthly stipend to corp members, Iruma called for upward review of the allowance in view of the prevailing economic situation.

    “The governor’s favourable disposition to issues concerning the scheme is a clear manifestation of his youth driven policies and his dogged determination to ensure that the state continues to be the light of the nation.

    “Besides, the governor has been addressing the issues of brain drain, including recruitment of teachers and medical personnel. On our part, corp members have also been filling the gap.

    “But with the prevailing economic situation, 33,000 can barely take care of these basic needs. When someone isn’t settled, it affects the mind.

    “The corp members have the energy, initiatives and capacity to adapt to working environment,” she said.

  • One-year Anniversary: Wikimedia enrolls over 50 Okopoly lecturers, students on free open knowledge

    One-year Anniversary: Wikimedia enrolls over 50 Okopoly lecturers, students on free open knowledge

    By Ovat Abeng

    Wikipedia, one of the world’s largest free online encyclopedia, has enrolled over fifty lecturers and students of the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, into it free open internet knowledge.

    Mr. Timothy Ezenwanne, the Communication and Project Officer, Wikimedia Anambra State Network, announced this during the one-year anniversary celebration of the Wikimedia Anambra Network, held at the Ekwueme Centre for Multi-Disciplinary Research, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, on Wednesday.

    He said the enrollment, opening of free Wikipedia page for Chukwumemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Greg Chukwudi Nwakoby and other executed projects in Anambra State by the organization were part of the achievement recorded so far within one year.

    Mr. Ezenwanne while calling for more people to enrolled in the Wikimedia free internet services in the state also revealed that about eighty percent of Nigerian States, Communities, leaders, Institutions of learning, Traditional institutes and their Monarchs, and some other organizations in the country can not be found in it website.

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    According to him, Wikimedia, been one the online company working with most of the online searching engines in the World, has evolved from a seemingly impossible idea into a sprawling testament to humanity, a place where we can collaborate, share, and learn about anything and everything.

    “It is a global effort of volunteers who elevate knowledge and cooperation over conflict and self-interest. We are committed to preserving the integrity and value of information at a time when the world needs it most.

    “Today, Wikipedia’s more than 55 million articles can be accessed in over 300 languages, for free, and without advertisements, all created by volunteers,” he added.

    Declaring the ceremony open, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, called for a shift towards positive narratives about Anambra State.

    Agbata emphasized that Anambra, under the administration of the Governor Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, is flourishing and deserves to be portrayed in a more positive light. He urged citizens to take up the challenge of crafting positive narratives, particularly through digital platforms like Wikipedia.

    He extended congratulations to Wikimedia Anambra Network for its one-year milestone, underscoring its pivotal role in Governor Soludo’s vision of transforming Anambra into a thriving and prosperous smart mega city.

    Agbata stressed the importance of supporting the Network and highlighted the governor’s endorsement of initiatives that promote Anambra’s unique story.

    “When I first encountered the Wikimedia group in Lagos, I was impressed by their work. If you don’t share your story, no one else will. No one understands your culture and experiences better than you, which makes it imperative for networks like this to proliferate across the nation,” Agbata stated.

    He further noted that editors outside Anambra may not fully grasp the rich culture and captivating stories of Anambra communities, emphasizing the need for local residents to rise up to the challenge of telling their own narratives authentically leveraging the Wikimedia platforms.

    Dr. Ngozi Osuchukwu, President of Wikimedia User Group, Anambra Network, on her welcome speech, explained that Wikimedia focuses on digital literacy, skills, and digital information management, empowering individuals to contribute to open knowledge in a progressive manner.

    “Over the past year, the Anambra Network has executed over 22 projects in Anambra State and beyond, with six of them being community-based initiatives covering health, governance, politics, community information, and open knowledge

    “Recently, the Network formed a partnership with the Anambra State ICT Agency in recognition of its pivotal role as the Agency mandated to drive the “Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere” vision of Governor Soludo.

    “We are celebrating our successes today, and it’s worth mentioning that the Anambra Network won the award for the highest participation in July’s ‘Naija Office Hour.

    “Our members have also been selected to attend Wikimedia international conferences, with one member sponsored to Singapore last month for a Wikimedia activity. In the upcoming month, another member will travel to Morocco for a Wiki activity, and yet another will visit India,” she said.

    Dr. Osuchukwu urged people to embrace digital literacy and volunteer in Wikimedia spaces to share their stories.

    She commended the brands and organizations that partnered with and sponsored the Network over the past year, particularly acknowledging the Anambra State ICT Agency’s support and expressing hope for continued collaboration to promote digital literacy in the state.

    The celebration included the cutting of an anniversary cake, cultural performances, and poetic renditions in both English and Igbo languages, as highlights of the event.

  • Anambra Assembly: Tribunal strikes out APGA petition against LP for lack of merit

    Anambra Assembly: Tribunal strikes out APGA petition against LP for lack of merit

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Awka Anambra State has delivered judgement in favour of Labour Party LP Anambra State House of Assembly member representing Awka South 1  Constituency Hon Henry Mbachu for lack of locus standi.

    A petition filed in by All progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Awka South 1 Constituency, Chief Igwedinma Nwofor praying for the disqualification of the candidacy of Hon Mbachu for lack of due process for party nomination was struck out during judgement today.

    According to the petitioner, Chief Igwedinma Nwofor of (APGA) who joined INEC and Labour Party (LP) as 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively to the first respondent Hon. Henry Mbachu stated that the candidacy of Hon Henry Mbachu should be nullified and that he the Petitioner should be declared the winner as the 1st runner-up.

    The three-man panel judges; Hon. Justice L.O Ogundana (chairman), Hon. Justice Usman S. Sakwa (member 1), Hon. Justice A.T Changbo (member 2) in the judgment unanimously stated that the petitioner Igwedinma Nwofor has no jurisdiction for asking that the Candidacy of Hon Mbachu be nullified as it is 1.Solely a pre-election matter, 2. An intra-party affair.

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    The court therefore struck out the petitions for lack of Merit.

    “This is mere academic exercise and a waste of time of the court for lack of locus standi and purely a high court matter that should be done by the LP Aspirant and not APGA,” the judgment reads.

    “For lack of Merit for the 1st prayer, other prayers were dead on arrival. And it’s waste of time of the hallowed chamber,” it reiterated.

    While reacting to the outcome of the judgment, a senior member of the lead counsel Barr. Nnamdi Anagor noted that the judgment at court today was clearly defined and should be upheld.

    “Then judgment today, 27th September, 2023 was expected because of the lack of eligiblity on the the part of the Petitioners. The court held that the Petitioners were not eligible to contest the candidacy of the 1st respondent.

    ” One, the 1st Petitioner is not a member of the Labour party and equally not an aspirant of the primary of the party. Two, the election petition tribunal is saddled only with election matters not pre-election matters which is the jurisdiction of a federal high court.

    “And consequent upon these premises, the petitioner’s 2nd prayer to declare him, who came second as winner, was struck out by the Tribunal and the judgment was hinged on Section 284 subsections 2 &14 of the constitution which is very clear on the jurisdiction of the Election Petition Tribunal,” he stated.

    Hon Henry Mbachu while speaking to Journalists, thanked the electorates for the mandate given to him, and equally his lead counsel team for the victory at the Tribunal.

    ” I thank God for today’s victory and this reaffirms the judiciary as the last hope for the common man. I profusely thank my lead counsel team for their ingenuity at work and most especially for doing this Pro Bono.

    “I call on everyone in Awka South 1 Constituency to come on board for the task ahead. I sincerely call on the Petitioner to see this victory as a win for us all. I win, he wins, he wins, I win.

    “In the spirit of sportsmanship, I enjoin him to sheath his sword and board the ship for a greater Awka South 1 Constituency,” he implored.

  • Anambra Govt to commence arts and craft exhibition, Wednesday

    Anambra Govt to commence arts and craft exhibition, Wednesday

    By Ovat Abeng

    Preparations are on top gear for Arts and Craft Exhibition in Anambra State.

    The event scheduled for twenty-seventh to thirtieth September 2023 will take place at Oma Event Center Awka, as prospective exhibitors and sponsors of the programme are already filling up.

    The programme is organised by the State Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism in conjunction with the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA).

    The State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Sir. Don Onyenji, who disclosed this in a statement, in Awka, on Tuesday, called on artists and crafts enthusiasts to make a name for themselves by exhibiting their works, meeting their collectors and buyers, as well as celebrating creativity and exploring opportunities to conquer their world.

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    He said that the programme will presents opportunity for the world to appreciate that special endowment of the state and savour new ideas from her creative people.

    “Features of the display are mainstream art pieces produced by artists in SNA; items of craft by craft producers in the state, and indigenous traditional artworks such as the works of the Awka guild of blacksmiths and native wood carvers along with cultural performances.

    “The exhibition encapsulates Anambra abundant treasure in the arts.

    “It presents ample chance for a good peep into what the state’s creative industry can offer Nigeria’s economy.

    “The event will also push forward, for patronage, the contemporary artists based in the state, who do not always exhibit their art works in mainstream galleries across the country.

    According to him, the expo will offer good chance of discovery for art collectors as collectors, curators and critics who may not have seen the now seldom noticed smiths or traditional carvers in the state will have the chance to encounter and interact with them.

    “Through it, the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo seeks to offer solution to unemployment and poverty through creation of business opportunities for the artists and stakeholders of the sector in the state,” the Commissioner added.

  • Eid-El-Maulud: Anambra Speaker Urges Muslims To Promote Peaceful Coexistence

    Eid-El-Maulud: Anambra Speaker Urges Muslims To Promote Peaceful Coexistence

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon.Somtochukwu Udeze has enjoined Muslims in the state to continue to give maximum support to the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo especially by maintaining peace and order.

    Felicitating with Muslims as they celebrate the feast of Eid-el-maulud, Udeze called on them to always champion the unity, peace and progress of the country.

    The Speaker who noted that since no religion preaches violence or immorality, charged Muslims to eschew acts capable of disintegrating the country or causing dissatisfaction among the people.

    He urged them to use their religion to promote ethical values and those things that will make the country stronger in terms of development and social welfare.

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    The Speaker, commended Governor Soludo for providing an enabling environment for Muslims in the state to propagate their faith and also earn a living, urging them to join hands with the Governor in achieving maximum security of lives and property of the citizenry.

    The message was contained in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Awka on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Madu.

  • South-East APC youth demand two more ministers

    South-East APC youth demand two more ministers

    By Ovat Abeng

    South East APC Young Progressives Forum, a support group of the All Progressive Congress (APC, have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint at least two additional ministers from their region.

    The group said their demand was to ensure fairness and justice in the representation of all geopolitical zones in Tinubu’s led-government.

    Comrade Paschal Candle, made the position of the group known in a statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka, on Monday.

    Candle, who is the National Convener of the group also complained that the South-east region has the lowest ministerial representation among those appointed by President Tinubu with five nominees only.

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    The statement read in part, “We the South East APC Young Progressives Forum wishes to draw the attention of Mr President to what is going on with recent appointments in his Government.

    “Following the nomination of two additional ministers by the President, the South East APC Young Progressives Forum wishes to thank Mr. President for truly walking his talk of incorporating the youths into his government.

    “His appointments so far has shown his tilt to the youths. In fact this is the first time in a long while that the Minister of Youths Development will truly be a youth.

    “We also thank Mr. President for being a listening Leader who listened to the cry of youth Constituency when a not so young person was initially nominated as Minister for Youths Development.

    “To that extent, the South East APC Young Progressives Forum convey our esteemed appreciation to the President.

    “However, we also at the same time feel a bittersweet taste in our mouth following this latest ministerial nominations by Mr. President, not because the individuals so nominated are not eminently qualified for such appointments but because of the missed opportunity by Mr. President to correct the glaring imbalance in the entire ministerial list.

    “With the nomination of the substantive Minister of Youth Development from Kwara State, the North Central geopolitical zone with six states now boasts of nine (9) ministers while the South West with six states now has ten (10) ministers following the nomination of the Minister of State for Youths Development from Ondo State. The South East geopolitical with five states remain the only zone among the six geopolitical zones without an additional Minister. In fact, we we have only five Ministers without any zonal representation.

    “The recent turn of events shows otherwise. This is against the Principle of Federal Character and laws of our Nation.

    “The ugly situation of this Ministerial nomination from the Southeast was formally brought to light in a motion tabled by Senator Dr Tony Nwoye, Anambra North Senatorial District and other Senators from South East on the floor of the Senate, they let Nigerians know that whereas all other zones in the country had extra nominations, yet no extra nominations for south east.

    “This is clear violation of section 14(3) of 1999 constitution as amended and section 5 (a) & (b) under part 3 of Federal Character Commission Act Laws of Federation 2004 in ministerial appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “We also want to draw the attention of Mr President and National Assembly on Section 14 (3) of 1999 constitution as amended which provides that ‘the Composition of the government of the federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the Federal Character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few state or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that government or in any of its agencies.

    “Section 5 (a) & (b) under part 3 of Federal Character Commission Act laws of Federation 2004 which also provides that “As far as practicable, the appointment to the various categories of political offices shall be done on the basis of equitable representation of the states of the federation, FCT or Zones as appropriate using the relevant formula.

    “The political offices concerned include Minister of cabinet rank and Ministers of State.

    “The analysis of the Ministers appointed so far by President Tinubu, which is as follows: North West Geopolitical Zone​​-​10 Ministers (3 extra Ministers), North East Geopolitical Zone ​​-​8 Ministers (2 extra Ministers), North Central Geopolitical Zone ​-​8 Ministers (2 extra Ministers), South West Geopolitical Zone ​​-​9 Ministers (3 extra Ministers), South South Geopolitical Zone​​-​7 Ministers (1 extra Minister) South East ​​​​​got 5 Ministers without any zonal ministers.

    “We therefore wish to cry unto President Tinubu, once again to find a way to remedy this glaring anomaly. This is no longer oversight, but seemingly deliberate. We understand that cabinet positions are not the only appointments, however for equity to be seen to be upheld, at least two additional Minister needs to be appointed by Mr. President from the South East region of Nigeria for the sake of inclusion, fairness and Justice.

    “We humbly wants to use this opportunity to appeal to our listening President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider nominating someone from the youth Constituency in the South East geopolitical zone and one who has the capacity and capability, to fill the position of the Minister for Youths, even as a minister of State for Youth Development.

    “We also plead with President to readjust this latest appointments and give the South East at least two additional ministerial slot.

    “The South East APC Young Progressives Forum will be eternally grateful if Mr. President heeds to our humble plea. We have within the South East APC fold, highly capable and energetic young professionals and grassroot politicians who are capable of revolutionising the Ministry of Youths.

    “We implore the President to choose this Minister from a pool highly qualified young progressives who can easily be found in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. We have young inspirational figures in the South East progressives fold who have distinguished themselves in various fields of endeavours.

    “What Nigeria needs currently is a formula that will unleash the latent entrepreneurial and creative potentials resident in our vast population of Youths. This is the best way to renew the hope of teeming youths. There is no better region to produce a Minister that can tap this youthful potential other than the South East, which is known as a zone of relentless entrepreneurs.

    “We are equally calling on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio to fulfil his promise when Senators from South East drew his attention to this anomaly in which he promised to meet with Mr President and speak with him over the matter. We are still waiting for the outcome of the meeting.

    “This appeal has become necessary because of the need to give the South East an extra ministerial slot since it is the only zone that did not have extra ministerial nominees,” the group stated.

  • Nawfia community Celebrates New Yam Festival

    Nawfia community Celebrates New Yam Festival

    By Ovat Abeng

    The Traditional ruler of Nawfia Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Daniel Ogochukwu Obele, over the weekend, performed the 2023 “iwa ji” festival of the community, amid governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s Cabinet Members.

    It was gathered that the event held at the palace of the traditional ruler attracted his counterpart from Abacha in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, Igwe Godwin Odiegwu, people from all walks of life, including sons and daughters of the Nawfia Community.

    Guests and attendees to the event were adorned in flamboyant traditional attires as an array of masquerades, cultural music and rhythmic beat of drums echoed throughout the arena.

    Igwe Obele while officially cutting the new yam, stressed that the significance of the festival is in preserving the cultural identity of the community and Ndigbo at large.

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    He stated that the festival is not a mere celebration of harvest but a testament to their enduring traditions and the vital role of agriculture in their lives.

    The traditional ruler appreciated Governor Chukwuma Soludo for restoring peace to the town and prayed for progress, unity and harmony to be restored to the community.

    Earlier during a mass to herald the ceremony, Reverend Father Jude Ezeanokwasa from St Anthony Catholic Parish, Nawfia, led prayers for blessings on the community.

    In their separate speeches, the Anambra State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake and Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr. Chinedu Nwoye who are indigenes of the community thanked the people for the peaceful celebration and promised working hard towards bringing a lasting peace to the community.

    Also speaking at the event, the President General of the Community, Mr. Daniel Okoye, thanked the people for coming together to celebrate the new yam festival in grand style, noting that the new yam festival over the years, has been a rallying point for the community.