Peter Obi and the Nigerian catharsis…PMB promises sustainable democratic culture…SE accounts for 65% of cargo…Igbo census…plus South East Digest…

Peter Obi and the Nigerian catharsis

Not many remembered that yesterday was Nigeria’s 62nd Independence anniversary.  This is because all attention was focused on the Lagos rallies of the Peter Obi “Takeback Nigeria” movement and other similar rallies across the nation.  In some States where Governors held the usual annual Independence anniversary march past, the venues were scantily populated as the Labour Unions and the youths were focused on the hugely successful “Takeback Nigeria” rallies.

Nigerians seem to have resigned to waiting for the 2023 general elections to usher in a new leadership.

 

PMB promises sustainable democratic culture

President Muhammadu Buhari in his 62^nd Independence anniversary broadcast raised the hopes of Nigerians on the 2023 general elections with his promise to bequeath a sustainable democratic culture to Nigeria.

Reviewing the past, President Buhari noted that “our efforts in re-setting the economy manifested in Nigeria exiting two economic recessions by the very practical and realistic monetary and fiscal measures to ensure effective public financial management.  In addition, the effective implementation of the Treasury Single Account and cutting down on the cost of governance also facilitated early exits from recessions.”  He pointed out that his administration

“removed several decades uncertainty for potential Investors in the Oil & Gas sector with the passage of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021. This landmark legislation created opportunities for foreign investments in addition to improving transparency in the management of the sector.” 

The President added that his “administration has given the desired priority to the Agricultural Sector through a series of incentives to Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises that resulted in creating millions of jobs. Leading this initiative, the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in a number of areas as well as the Anchor Borrowers Programme had created the required leverages for Nigerians towards self-sufficiency in food and the necessary attraction for farming as a business.”

On the future, President Buhari assured that the resilience and patience of Nigerians would not be in vain as his “administration continues to reposition as well as strengthen the security agencies to enable them to deal with all forms of security challenges.”  He reiterated his call “for the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to return to the classroom while assuring them to deal with their contending issues within the limits of the scarce resources available. This administration has made appreciable progress in redressing these issues that have been lingering for over eleven years.” 

President Buhari implored all aspirants in the 2023 general elections “to conduct issues-based campaigns devoid of hate speeches as well as other negative and divisive tendencies.” 

Flood displace 651,000 in Anambra State

At least one person has been confirmed dead and 651,000 displaced across six local governments a flood ravage Anambra State, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

Ogbaru local government had the highest number of victims with 286,000 persons.  Anambra West and East local government areas (LGAs) followed with 237,000 and 103,000 victims, respectively.  Awka North LGA had 10,345 victims, while Ayamelum had 9,240 flood cases with 5,468 displaced persons.

 

65% of containers from abroad end up in Southeast — NIWA

The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, said last week that over 65 per cent of cargo coming into Nigeria through the Lagos port ends up in Onitsha and Aba in the Southeast.  Managing Director of NIWA, Dr George Moghalu, disclosed this when he featured at the 52nd Session of the State House Briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team, at the State House, Abuja.  He also said that everything is in place for the movement of Cargo in Onitsha River Port even though he explained that it is the owner of the cargo that will determine the movement.

Moghalu, who was providing updates on the agency’s activities, however noted that the current road network infrastructure cannot withstand the sheer volume of traffic required to move cargo from the southeast to other parts of the country.

 

(A digest of latest reports on the Economy, Industry, Politics, Sports, and developments around the South East of Nigeria)

ABIA STATE

Ariaria Flood

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has commiserated with traders at Ariaria Market over a recent flooding in the market.  The Governor was represented by the Commissioner For Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, during a visit to the affected areas of the market on Monday.

He warned those trying to hide behind the incident to cause trouble to desist from such actions as government continues to seek the understanding of the traders in view of the ongoing reconstruct of some sections of the market. 

ANAMBRA STATE

Nigeria @62:  Soludo calls for collective action

Governor Chukwuma Soludo yesterday called on all patriotic progressives of Nigeria to unite. Speaking at the Independence anniversary march past programme held at Ekwueme Square, Awka, Governor Soludo noted that next year is an election year. He urged all “politicians are all over the place now, wanting to get into office. But I think it's a time for soul searching, for us to rediscover the purpose of public service.  It is time for us to rediscover the essence and why our founding fathers fought for us to be an independent nation.  For us to build that black race that will be the greatest black nation on earth.  And I call on all patriotic progressives to unite for the next Nigeria because that next Nigeria has all the potentials to become anything we want it to be.” 

Governor Soludo told ndi Anambra “I applied for the job and six months now, since I was sworn in together with my Deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, we've been working, pushing on all fronts, trying to address some of the key foundational issues, to be able to live out the whole essence of our dream and vision as articulated in the Soludo Solution manifesto- the agenda to build a liveable and prosperous smart megacity as Anambra.”

EBONYI STATE

Appeal Court Gives Verdict on Suit Challenging Umahi's Emergence as Ebonyi South Senatorial Candidate

Governor David Umahi is the authentic candidate of the ruling APC for the Ebonyi South senatorial election, the Court of Appeal has ruled.  The appellate court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja gave the verdict on Friday, September 30.  A now-expelled APC chieftain Ann Agom-Eze had challenged Governor Umahi’s emergence as the APC candidate for the senatorial district.

ENUGU STATE

Enugu is one of the States paying salaries regularly

BudgIT, a Nigerian civic organisation, has released a sub-national salary survey which revealed States in the country not owing workers and those who are yet to pay civil servants from at least one month and above.

BudgIT has it that States like Edo, Ebonyi, Ondo & Taraba have not paid some workers for up to six months and above. 

Below is a full list of compliant States who are not owing workers at least after the end of July: Sokoto; Borno; Zamfara; Katsina; Jigawa; Yobe; Kano; and  Bauchi States.  Others are Gombe; FCT;  Abuja; Kebbi; Niger; Kaduna; Kwara; Enugu; Oyo; Ogun; Ekiti; Osun; Lagos; Akwa Ibom; Rivers; Bayelsa; and Anambra States.

IMO STATE

Census exercise can address Igbo marginalization, says Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma has called for grassroots sensitization on the need for southeast residents to participate in the 2023 population and housing census.   The Imo State  Governor assured the National Population Commission in the State of every necessary support they need to ensure that the exercise turns out well.

According to the Governor, the census exercise is an opportunity for the southeast to address its perceived marginalization.  He charged the entire southeast region to take advantage of the 2023 census to address marginalization.   Governor Uzodimma made the comment at the Imo State stakeholders summit on population and housing census flag-off ceremony in Owerri.