$430 million Enugu-Cameroon highway project completed… Eastern railway corridor project not feasible — FG…Celebrating Onowu @ 60… Imo unveils industrial policy…plus South East Digest…

Quote of the Week

 

Most Popular Christmas card

For some reason, this card appears to be the most popular Christmas card in the social media this 2022 Christmas season!  I personally find it a little bit eerie!! 

$430 million Enugu-Cameroon highway project completed

Reports say that the $430 million highway project linking Enugu to Bamenda in Cameroon has been.  Akinwunmi Adesina, African Development Bank (AfDB) President, at the 59th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, in Ghana, in June 2021 stated that AfDB was investing massively in West Africa, adding that the total active portfolio of the bank in West Africa currently stood at 16 billion dollars.

Last November, the European Union, the Governments of Cameroon and Nigeria, and the African Development Bank, inaugurated the new Cross River Bridge at the Mfum-Ekok border crossing between Cameroon and Nigeria. This critical infrastructure also includes a new joint border post at Mfum (Nigeria) and is part of the EU-supported Bamenda-Enugu corridor between both countries.

The highway is expected to contribute significantly to the facilitation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Eastern railway corridor project not feasible — FG

The Federal Government last Wednesday said it will not be able to complete the narrow-gauge Eastern railway corridor before the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), leaves office in May 2023.  This is because the foreign loans required the fund the project is no longer available, it said.  Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, disclosed this to State House Correspondents at the end of this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja..

It will be recalled that in April 2022, the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation commenced construction of the 2044.1km Port Harcourt-Maiduguri narrow gauge railway project.

The Minister of Transportation at the time, Rotimi Amaechi, who inspected the commencement of work said the project will stimulate economic activities in the 14 states including five Southeastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo, and nine others—Benue, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Rivers and Yobe.

Amaechi added that the laying of rail tracks may reach the Enugu State capital by September 2022, with hopes to complete the project before Buhari leaves office in May 2023.

This latest development has brought to the front burner the issue of whether Nigeria’s huge loan burden would be shared according to the direct beneficiaries of projects built from such loans. 

Celebrating Onowu Aguleri @ 60

Nothing, they say, succeeds like success.  Onowu Aguleri, Chief Henry Chinedu Manafa, FCA, rose to the pinnacle of his career before retiring a short while ago.  Naturally, people flip for him.  The Thanksgiving Church service and subsequent reception at his Aguleri country home last Sunday was a must for most of his relations, friends, and well-wishers.

MOM’s Sunday Revue could not resist getting a few lessons for our readers from Onowu, who like most Finance people, shy away from the media.   We were able to ask him a few questions. 

(Continued after the South East Digest)

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

ABIA STATE

Ikpeazu dissolves LG councils

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the immediate dissolution of all 17 Local Government Area (LGA) chairmen in Abia State, their deputies and councilors.  This was disclosed in a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem. 

The Governor took the action following the expiration of the tenure of the LGA chairman, their deputies and the councilors.  They were elected into a two-year term in office in December 2020.

Governor Ikpeazu also directed the dissolved council officers to hand over to the Head of Service of their respective councils.  He thanked them for their services and wished them well in their future endeavours.

ANAMBRA STATE

Soludo pays Christmas visit to Obiano

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR has commended his immediate predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano for the legacy projects he put in place while in office as APGA Governor in Anambra State.   The Governor also reiterated that Anambra government is APGA and should be sustained being the third biggest political party in the country 

Governor Soludo who made these remarks at the Aguleri Country home of Chief Willie Obiano during a courtesy visit, stressed that Obiano was instrumental to building APGA to its present pedestal.

Speaking during the Courtesy call, Governor Soludo said that he feels at home, visiting Chief Obiano. 

Governor Soludo was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Head of Service, Barr. Mrs. Theodore Igwegbe, Chief Protocol officer, Hon Chinedu Nwoye (Glamour), Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa, Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr. Anthony Ifeanya, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, Former Commissioner for Public Utilities, Mr. Emeka Ezenwanne among others.

Wonderful Christmas for Civil Servants

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR has increased salaries of the state civil servants by ten percent (10%).  Governor Soludo who made the declaration at the celebration of the 2022 Public Service Day at the Anambra Secretariat Complex Awka, also promised to give them N15,000 as Christmas bonus. 

The theme for the event was; "Performance Management System: Impact on the Nigerian Public Service. 

The Governor expressed empathy for income earners, especially in the light of the dwindling economic situation in the Country.

Lamenting the current economic hardship in the country, Governor Soludo said: "Given my own background as a worker, what we are not able to do for the working class, you must understand it is literally impossible”.

"Christmas Carol and Awesome Praise"

Anambra State Governor Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR has charged ndi Anambra to use the yuletide season to remember the poor and downtrodden of the society, in the spirit of APGA Slogan "Onye aghana nwanne ya".  The Governor gave the charge at the Anambra State "Christmas Carol and Awesome Praise" which he attended with his wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo, The event took place at the International Convention Center, Awka.

The Governor in his goodwill message, thanked God Almighty for making the day possible.  He reiterated that Anambra will continue to win.  "This period is a time to remember the downtrodden in the spirit of APGA slogan "onye aghana nwanne ya…We should take this message across. Nobody is too poor to give and nobody is too rich to receive. We should learn the spirit of giving," Soludo stressed.

The Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, wife of Governor Soludo,  Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Pascal Agbodike, Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, Head of Service, Barr. Mrs Theodora Igwegbe, Deputy Majority Leader,  Anambra House of Assembly, Hon Emeka Aforka, Chief Protocol, Hon Chinedu Nwoye, Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Patrick Aghamba, Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa, Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Mr. Anthony Ifeanya, Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engr. Sir Julius Chukwuemeka, Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, Commissioner for Environment, Mr Felix Odimegwu, MD ABS, Sir Chido Obidiegwu, National President ASATU, Barrister Titus Akpudo, President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Anambra State, Chief Emeka Udodeme, Vice Chancellor COOU, Prof. F.U. Okafor, Bishop Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor,  Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the clergy include the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, among others, attended the event.

EBONYI STATE

Governor names Stadium after Abacha, Buhari, Daughter react

Engr. Dave Umahi, Governor of Ebonyi State, has honoured an ex-Head of State, General Sani Abacha, by naming a stadium after him.   Abacha's daughter and first lady of Yobe state, Gumsu Sani Abacha, said the honour is based on merit because the family did not lobby for it.   President Muhammadu Buhari, through his special assistant on digital communication, Bashir Ahmed, thanked the State for the honour. 

Oyinbo Man Goes to Fetch Firewood in Afikpo

An Oyinbo man who visited Nigeria has been seen fetching firewood and trying to carry it on his head.  Elvis Chi Nwosu, a Norwegian born to a Nigerian mum posted the photos on Twitter on Wednesday, December 2.   Elvis said he brought the Oyinbo man to Nigeria and he decided to visit Afikpo, Ebonyi state, where he fetched the firewood.

ENUGU STATE

APC Members declare for PDP

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Enugu State, has suffered a huge setback as thousands of its card-carrying members from Ezeagu Local Government Area of the State declared support for the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Peter Mbah, saying they had taken over the ownership of the project. 

Members of the party who converged on Enugu, on Sunday, December 18, under the aegis of Ezeagu Igbudu Movement said they believed Mbah has what it takes to move the state forward by giving the citizens a new socio-economic outlook.  Speaking at the venue, the convener of the group and former commissioner in the State, Chief Joe Mmamel, was quoted in a statement to have described himself as a staunch member and chieftain of the APC who had decided to lead members of the party and other professionals to give maximum support to Mbah’s governorship project.

IMO STATE

Imo unveils industrial policy, partners private sector to grow economy

Imo State government has floated an industrial policy tailored to generate sustainable revenue and employment opportunities.

Unveiling the policy, yesterday, during a workshop for public and private organisations and agencies on ‘Implementing a Sustainable Industrial Policy for Imo State,’ in Owerri, the Chief Economic Adviser to the state government, Prof. Kenneth Amaeshi, urged participants to do more to grow Imo’s economy through aggressive investment, noting that it is the reason the guest trainer/ resource person, Pascal Odibo, who is the Group Country Director of Jeff & O’Brien Knowldge Africa, an African focused knowledge development firm, was invited. 

Amaeshi, a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, said: “Bring your strength, let government bring its strength in a collaborative endeavour. 

“The kind of industrial policy that looks at employment creation, as well as needs of the people without compromising needs of future generation, a policy built on our people’s values; that’s what we are looking for. If you identify any opportunity, come let us help you; we are here as facilitators. We must expand the horizon so that our people can see opportunities. Let us create the Imo State we want.”

He spoke on the importance of taking digital technology to optimise businesses in the state by maximising earnings, while, also, identifying areas of comparative advantage, and putting in place an institutional framework that would drive the process.

According to him, the interaction was tailored to brainstorm on the highlight of contents of the industrial policy, and on strategies for its implementation, as well as the collaborative role of both private and public sectors to sustain the policy.

Delivering his lecture, Obi harped on the need to leverage the industrial policy for the survival and expansion of businesses.

He said: “To survive, we have to start a change process, stimulate change and when it comes, don’t fight it, it is called transition. Old memories can hinder progress, frustrate your next move and old habits, as well as tradition can kill innovation.”

 

Celebrating Onowu Aguleri @ 60  (Continued)

We asked him to give us three to seven blessings of his life for which he is most grateful to God.

His reply:  My wife and children; my parents and siblings; my work life experience at Deloitte; my 8 years sojourn in England for education; Good health and life!!

We asked him for the high points of his work at Deloitte.  His reply:  “Was Manager at Enugu office, then to Lagos as Audit Partner from 2003 to 2019.  Audit leader in charge of the Audit function in the firm for two years.   Handled the biggest Bank Audit clients as Engagement Partner. Managing Partner Port Harcourt office for 6 years plus”.

What does he miss from his growing up years:  “My friends and the freedom from responsibilities associated with growing up, and reading voraciously.”  On why he misses voracious reading:  “Time. Got excessively involved in my work.” 

If he was to relive the last 60 years, what two to three things would he  want to change:  “Probably be more business minded, less of the vices, study in a Nigerian university before going abroad because I would have  cultivated a wider network of acquaintances and identified  more with the Nigerian thing.”

We bring you photo highlights from the Thanksgiving Service and the reception below: