“Tinubu it’s a Goal”…Soludo goes “haywire”…”Azu Ofala”…Achalla New Dawn shines Brighter…plus South East Digest…

 

“Tinubu it’s a Goal”

“T-i-n-u-b-u it’s a gooooaaal!  Oh noooooo!! Goooaaal e-w-u-u-u!!!  What a terrible miss!!!!” That’s the way football commentators of old in the class of the late Ernest Okonkwo would have described the “Fitch” report which clogged the social media since last Friday night.  The

“Fitch” report had stated that “Tinubu is the candidate most likely to win the presidential election as a split opposition vote will favour the All Progressives Congress.”

Can you imagine?  I have been prouding since yesterday morning that today, I will tell you that “I told you so!” only for the same social media to burst my bubble this morning!!  Yes, MOM’s Sunday Revue had been predicting since 2020 that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu would most likely win the Nigerian Presidency come February 2023 given his rate of work and coverage of Nigeria, sans the South East.

Well, news filtering in indicates that the “Fitch” (Fitch Solutions) report which predicted victory for Tinubu may not be from the reputable Fitch Ratings that most people thought! Some reports say that the website of this new emergency “Fitch” (Fitch Solutions) has since been pulled down following strong complaints by the real Fitch!! The demon of fake news gets stronger and more domineering by the day!!! 

Soludo goes “haywire” on roads

Anambra State is gradually becoming one big construction site as Governor Chukwuma Soludo continues to vigorously pursue his “state of emergency on roads” programme.  Last week several road construction programmes were flagged off across the State.  All the roads are expected to be completed before the end of next year.  Indeed, a good number of them would be completed before the end of March 2023.  Each of the roads is guaranteed to last at least 20 years. 

The roads for which contracts were awarded last week include:   Ogbufo, Okpunoeze Uruagu, Umudim, Teaching Hospital to Nkwo Nnewi roads, all in Nnewi; 2.2 kilometre road between Nanka and Isuofia; 16.4 kilometre Ajali-Nawfija-Ufuma-Ogbunka road; 14.48 kilometre Unizik junction-Okpuno-Isuaniocha road; 7.798 kilometre Ugwuagba-Mgbuka – Obosi road;  10.95 kilometre Igboukwu – Ikenga – Ekwulobia road with spur to Isuofia – Nanka road. The Ikenga community would be getting its first tarred road courtesy of the 10.95 kilometre Igboukwu – Ikenga – Ekwulobia road with spur to Isuofia – Nanka road.  Naturally the people of Ikenga went wild with jubilation.

We gathered that contrary to what obtained in the past where contracts for roads were priced at an average of N1.6 billion per kilometre, the Soludo administration with the use of advanced equipment, is now able to price and build better roads at far less than the old average cost per kilometre in most terrains in the State.  Indications are that by the time Governor Soludo completes his “state of emergency” on roads, Anambra State would not only be better networked than ever, but would have established the road infrastructure towards the achievement of Soludo’s vision of a livable and prosperous homeland.  By that time too it would be difficult, if not impossible, to compare Soludo’s impact on roads to that of any other previous administration.

“Azu Ofala”

No!  It’s not a story about the day after Ofala!!  Azu Ofala traditionally describes the ceremonies that happen the day after the Ofala, according to Onitsha tradition.

Last week production deadlines could not allow us to give you all the key highlights of the 2022 Ofala.  We also had to reduce the number of photographs we could publish.  Today, we give you a brief detail about the significance of the Ofala as well as an insight into what you should be expecting the coming years. 

According to Nn’Emeka Maduegbuna, a member of the Ofala Steering Committee, and Chairman of the Strategic Marketing and Communications Subcommittee, “the Ofala is essentially  a spiritual activity which is at the apogee of the Onicha Ado N’Idu ceremonial cycle.  It occurs on the oye and eke market days immediately following the monarch’s annual seclusion, inye ukwu na nlo.   The spectacle of royal dances, tributes, parades, and music, which have come to characterize the Ofala is a celebration by the monarch and his subjects that the monarch had during the seclusion, successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom.  The festivity is also a reenactment of the joy which the monarch shared with his subjects at the discovery that yam is non-toxic, and a valuable source of nutrition”.

Mr Maduegbuna told us that a couple of innovations were introduced during the 2022 Ofala including “bringing the throne room, iba ufife out of the main palace building into the arena, in order to enhance the bonding between the monarch who is the main celebrant and the rest of the celebrants, including the guests” and “reorganizing the spectacle to create a much more richer content without detracting from the essence of the various components of the spectacle.”

Another key innovation was “moving the sponsors activations, exhibitions and vendors activities out of the palace grounds to the nearby stadium, so that these associated activities are able to run without stoppages as a result of the actual Ofala proceedings.” 

Speaking on the contributions of the Ofala to the socio-economic development of Onitsha, he stated “to paraphrase Agbogidi, our purposes regarding the Ofala is to bring the world to Onitsha.  We expect that this will contribute significantly in all material respect, to the growth and development of the metropolis.”

On the future of the Ofala, Mr Maduegbuna tells us that ndi Onitsha expect the Ofala to continue to be a major event in the  Nigerian, and West African cultural/ tourism calendar, attracting considerable attention, and a major contributor to the Ime Obi treasury.” 

We bring you some of the pictures which we wanted to, but could not serve in our last edition:

Achalla New Dawn shines Brighter

When His Majesty, Uthoko N’eze Achalla VI, Igwe Ositadinma Sonny Nwokedi (Ezeoranyelu Na Uthoko) performed his first Iruji Festival last year, the people of the ancient kingdom of Achalla declared “a new dawn”.   That new dawn has begun to shine brighter.  This point was attested to by the Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial zone, Chief Dr Mrs Uche Ekwunife, yesterday, while giving her acceptance speech after being conferred with the title “Afa Eji Ejemba” by the Uthoko in Council. 

The occasion was the second Iruji Festival of Igwe Ositadinma Nwokedi which took place at the Community Primary School, Achalla.  Senator Ekwunife pointed out that as one of the youngest first class monarchs in Anambra State, Igwe Ositadinma Nwokedi, was not only favoured but also naturally endowed to catalyze the upliftment of Achalla ancient kingdom.   Senator Ekwunife by that investiture became a member of the Achalla Royal Cabinet.  Several other notable individuals from within and outside Achalla were honoured with honorary chieftaincy titles.

This year’s Iruji Ora Achalla was preceded by an “Introductory Reception of the Joseph Ndubuisi Nwokedi Lecture Series” which took place at the new palace of the Uthoko N’Eze.  From the year 2023, the Lecture series would be held a day before the Iruji.

Professor Sylvanus Ajana Ekwelie, the first professor from Achalla, and a member of the Ndi Alor – the Kingmakers – delivered the introductory lecture.  Speaking all through in Igbo, Professor Ekwelie traced the history of Achalla, and paid special emphasis to the contributions of Chief Joseph Ndubuisi Nwokedi, Uthoko N’eze III, to the growth and development of Achalla, including giving increased impetus to ndi Achalla to acquire modern education, the abolition of killing of twins, as well as the introduction of modern hygiene and overall improvement in medical health of ndi Achalla.  

Speaking shortly before saying the closing prayers, the community priest, Reverend Father Charles Ezeugwa, drew from the points made by Professor Ekwelie on education, and urged ndi Achalla to further increase the encouragement of their children to acquire basic western education.

We bring you photographs from the introductory lecture and the 2022 Iruji festival:

 

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

ANAMBRA STATE

Soludo launches “One Youth, Two Skills Initiative”, targets to equip 10,000 youths with digital skills annually

In his avowed determination to stem the tide against youth unemployment in the State, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has pledged to assist selected youth trainees with start-up funding for businesses.  The Governor gave the assurance at the launch of the "One Youth, Two Skills Solution" one day workshop. 

The workshop organized by Anambra State Ministry of Youth was held at the International Convention Center, Awka which had the theme "Raising Smart Entrepreneurs for a Prosperous Anambra State". 

While addressing the teeming youths, Governor Soludo said: "we have come to kick off the commencement of a long journey. The future of Anambra is in your hands…We will give you the skill and training.  Our agenda is to have one youth with at least two skills. That is the future of Anambra, Nigeria and Africa…As I look into your faces, you are ready to go.  We will approve more billions in coming years for the development of special skills and programmes we have for our youths…” 

The Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Patrick Aghamba, disclosed that the programme is targeted at raising mass entrepreneurs through apprenticeship, business financing and mentoring.

Encroach on Govt land at your own risk

By Sir Paul Nwosu, Commissioner for Information

The Government of Anambra State is committed to recovering all government land from ill-assorted land-grabbers. It is in keeping with this commitment that the Chairman of the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, Barrister Chike Maduekwe has led the joint task force to remove illegal structures in Oba, Onitsha and Nkwelle-Ezunaka.

It must be restated for the avoidance of doubt that any building erected without approval will be brought down. The same treatment goes to buildings on government lands which were hijacked by gangs of youths and resold to innocent people. People should equally be careful who they buy land from to avoid embarrassment and loss of their hard earned money. Government will no longer condone the kind of impunity that goes on in land transactions.

It is incumbent on the public at large to take due notice and obey all the necessary laws before erecting structures in the new Anambra State that insists on integrity in all operations.

In attending to land matters, it is crucial to get all the necessary clearances from the Ministry of Lands before going to the Physical Planning Board to get the authorisation to construct. Anybody trying to cut corners will have his building removed and then risks being taken to court to face the law. 

There is no compromise whatsoever in putting in place a liveable and prosperous megacity state.

 

EBONYI STATE

Appeal Court Verdict: Governor Umahi Sends Message to Ebonyi People

Governor David Umahi on Friday, October 28 dedicated his appeal court victory to God, the Ebonyi people, and lovers of justice The governor said the verdict re-echoes the truth that the jusdiciary is the common man's last hope Umahi added that the verdict also shows the constitution's position on issues of defection for politicians. 

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has described the appeal court’s judgment which reversed his earlier sack a sound judicial articulation. In a statement released in Abakaliki by his special assistant on media and strategy, Chooks Oko, the Ebonyi governor also referred to the Friday, October 28, verdict as a sound defense of Nigeria’s constitution.

IMO STATE

INEC Announces Date for Imo, Kogi, Bayelsa Governorship Elections

INEC has scheduled the Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa State Governorship elections for Saturday, November 11, 2023.   The electoral commission made this known to the public in a statement released on Tuesday, October 25.   The full timetable released by INEC indicates that the primary elections by parties will hold between March 27 and April 17, 2023.