Billionaires' haven in Anambra – anticipate…quotes of the week…Nkanu man invents battery stove…Chioke joins MOFI board…plus South East Digest…

Billionaires' haven in Anambra - anticipate

A billionaires’ haven is soon to spring up in Awka, Anambra State.  According to authoritative government sources, the public-private partnership project covering about 110 hectares which will be flagged-off by the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, on Tuesday, is sited in a new layout designated as the new Awka Government Reservation Area (GRA). 

Our sources say that the project which is a key part of Governor Soludo’s dream of a liveable and prosperous homeland would be of a minimum standard comparable to Banana Island in Lagos State.

We gather that the project has been christened “The Golf Residency, Awka”.  We will keep you posted. 

Quotes of the week

Chioke joins MOFI board

President Muhammadu Buhari has charged the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) to grow its Assets Under Management from the current value of N18 trillion to at least N100 trillion in the next 10 years.  The President gave the charge at the launch of the new MOFI and inauguration of the Governing Council and Board of Directors of the body shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting. 

The president also tasked the new board to “be the clearing house for the management of Federal Government’s investments and assets in line with global best practices with a view to ensuring that these investments are delivering superior risk-adjusted returns to the government.”

He also called on the new MOFI to work with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to create a consolidated national assets register with a view to converting them into cash-flow-generating entities.

The governing council is chaired by the President, with the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, as Vice Chair.

Its members include The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva; Aviation, Hadi Sirika; Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo and Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo.

Others are the Governor of the Central Bank, Dr Godwin Emefiele and three experts appointed by the President, namely: Prof. Muhammad Sagagi, Dr Ayo Teriba and Prof. Ken Ife.

The board members include Former Finance Minister, Shamsudeen Usman as Chairman, Permanent Secretaries of the Ministries of Finance and Petroleum Resources and acting Accountant-General of the Federation.

Others are; Olawale Edun, Fatima Mede, Ike Chioke, Muhammad Nda, Alheri Nyako and an executive from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) are also members of the board

Members of the Executive Management Team are Dr Armstrong Takang, Managing Director, Eric solo, Executive Director, Chief Portfolio Officer, Sani Yakubu Chief Investment Officer and Oluwakemi Owonubi, Chief Risk Officer.

Soludo in the Vanguard of Human Capital Development

by Paul Nwosu

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo put the message upfront that human capital development is of utmost importance to Anambra State. Mr. Governor stressed that Anambra State has the smallest land mass in Nigeria, aside from Lagos State, but the catch is that while Lagos can always acquire more land through ocean reclamation, Anambra is losing her own land through devastating gully erosion. The little land left for Anambra State, therefore, calls for the pivotal development of human capital.

Governor Soludo offered the clarion call at the Southeast Human Capital Development Regional Conference which held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Awka, Anambra State on January 26th and 27th. The well-attended Human Capital Development in Nigeria conference had the theme: Changing the Narrative  Towards Entrenching Human Capital Development in Southeast Nigeria. 

The essence of the human capital development conference is better understood in the context of the brain drain experienced in the country. No country can ill afford to neglect and despise its own human capital. It is even more striking that while Nigeria somewhat maltreats and disregards its human capital, the developing countries are openly and surreptitiously poaching them to come and work in their lands. Governor Soludo appreciates the need to stem this trend whence his wholehearted support for hosting the event in Anambra State.

Human capital intervolves the knowledge, skills and health that people invest in and accumulate throughout their lives, thus enabling them to realize their potentials as productive members of the society. This way, Human Capital Development (HCD) plays a vital role in driving sustainable economic growth, boosting productivity and reducing poverty. The National Economic Council in in 2018 established the Human Capital Development Core Working Group (CWG) to accelerate Human Capital Development all over Nigeria.

The two-day Southeast conference was declared open by Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, who doubles as the Chairman of the State Human Capital Development Council. According to Dr. Ibezim, Anambra State is the rallying point of human capital development in the Southeast region, and in his words, Before we started, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo came with a clear-cut vision and mission. Coincidentally, he was the chairman of Anambra State Vision 2070 Committee. He merged the committee's report with his manifesto to produce development models for the state. He informed the participants that the Soludo administration is founded on five social development pillars, one of which is human capital development.

The Coordinator of the Core Working Group (CWG), Ms Yosolaoluwa Akinbi, challenged the Southeast region to think of the 2030 goal, and informed that the productivity of an average Nigerian is less than 36 percent. She consequently tasked all the zones of Nigeria to work together to bring up those who are not doing well. She submitted that Human Capital Development sits across multiple levels of stakeholders, stressing that everybody has a role to play to ensure healthy, educative and productive Nigerians by 2030. She was of the opinion that the process cannot be driven from the federal level if effectiveness is the goal.

The Southeast regional Consultant of Human Capital Development, Prof Kate Omenugha benchmarked the region's Human Capital Development across eleven milestones, notably, mainstreaming HCD into annual budgets and state development plans, setting up HCD implementation monitoring teams, developing state action plans, engaging stakeholders and selecting HCD interventions etc.

The Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, represented by Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwodobo, MD/CEO, Enugu State Investment Authority, expressed gratitude that Enugu State was carried along in the platform which ended up producing commendable recommendations that will significantly improve the human capital in the region. He summed up thus: Let's continue to stand together.

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, represented by his Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Prince Ford Ozumba praised the initiative, and added that Imo State is already doing a lot including the training of about 15,000 youths on ICT with a view to raising a digital tribe of problem solvers.

As a climax to the two-day event, Governor Soludo lauded the teams and participants for the recommendations, but insisted that most of the recommendations ought not to be government-centric. Mr. Governor provided necessary solutions on how to deepen and upscale the recommendations, stressing that human capital is the Southeast's only dependable resource 

For Governor Soludo, the conference is pivotal and at the heart of the identity of the Southeast region. He gave pride of place to the concept of community involvement and offered the information that more than 99 percent of the resources needed to develop the region is in private hands

He made a case for the putting up of effective delivery mechanisms such as Public, Private, Community Partnership (PPCP) that is already being mainstreamed in Anambra State. He advocated the idea of moving labour across borders and boundaries, stating: As a nation, we can't be dealing with labour force in silos. The artificial borders will not take us anywhere.

Sir Paul Nwosu is the Anambra State Commissioner for Information 

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

ABIA STATE

Abia 2023: winner finally emerges as PDP Guber Candidate after Ikonne's death

Nnamdi Okey Ahaiwe, a former chief of staff to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abia. After a special convention monitored by a team from the Independent National Electoral Commission led by Festus Okoye, Ahaiwe polled a total number of 469 to defeat his closest rivals, the deputy governor of the state, Ude Oko-chukwu and Lucky Igbokwe who scored 12 votes each.  

A lot of aspirants stepped down for Ahaiwe to emerge the winner of the poll.  Other candidates in the election were a former chairman of the party, Senator Emma Nwaka, who had zero votes, and a former House of Assembly member, Sampson Orji, who claimed only 11 votes.  A total number of 516 votes were cast during the special congress, and 12 votes were invalid. Ahaiwe's came about after he secured the support of some of the aspirants including a former Commissioner for Works, Bob Ogu, a businessman, Eric Opia, and a female opponent who stepped down for him.

Declaring Ahaiwe as the winner of the poll, the chairman of the Abia PDP primary and governor of Edo state, Godwin Obaseki, assured him that the party will support him to win the governorship election in the state.  On his part, Ahaiwe thanked the party delegates for electing him to fly the party colour in the forthcoming election.  He said he would bring his experience from the private and government sectors to move the State forward.

ANAMBRA STATE

Soludo is smart, Visionary and a Thinker says Tinubu

by Chris Benson 

The Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Ashiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu has described Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo as a visionary, a brilliant man, and a thinker who knows the way. 

Ashiwaju Tinubu made the remark during the APC Presidential Rally at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka. 

He also mentioned how he discovered one Anambra son, Mr. Ben Akabueze, who worked with him in Lagos as Commissioner for Economic Planning and is now  Director-General of the Budget office of the federation in the Buhari administration

"We will collaborate in an inclusive manner! When I become President, Soludo will be one of my advisers who will help Nigeria prosper "Tinubu stated.

The APC Presidential Candidate pleaded with voters to vote for him as they voted for Anambra State Governor

Regarding what he will do if elected president, Ashiwaju Tinubu promised ndi Anambra that he will turn the state into an industrial hub.

He promised to combat the gully erosion threat that is destroying communities in the state in particular and the Eastern region in general.

The APC flagbearer equally assured of training youths to secure well-paying jobs that will enable them to become useful members of the society. 

Ahmed Bola Tinubu was accompanied by his running mate, Kashim Shetima, the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Organization, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, among others.

Anambra State Assembly confirms TC Chairmen and Members

The Anambra State House of Assembly during plenary last Tuesday, confirmed the reappointment of the twenty-one Transition Committee Chairmen in the twenty-one local government areas of Anambra State, and members of their committee, otherwise called transition councillors.  By this confirmation, the transition local government regime under the current government is now in its seventh month. 

ENUGU STATE

Enugu East Senatorial Race:  Princess Ada Ogbu defeats Chimaroke Nnamani

The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Princess Ada Ogbu has defeated Dr Chimaroke Nnamani of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an online poll. Hosted by Nigerians Decide, an American based online election polls company, the poll was published three months ago in November 21, 2022 for public response.

According to information on the site, Ada Ogbu polled a whopping 1395 votes, beating her closest rival, Chimaroke Nnamani by 806 votes. RECOMMENDED FOR YOU "Real life boss baby": Jim Iyke floods IG with stylish photos of his son on... On his part, Nnamdi scored 589 votes, while Oyibo Chukwu of Labour Party came third by scoring 576 votes, right behind Nnamani, who is a sitting senator.

Nkanu man invents battery stove

A gentleman from Amagunze in Nkanu area of Enugu State has invented a battery operated stove for cooking, against the background of poor supply of electric power from the public power utilities, and the spiraling costs of cooking gas.  In a video now gone viral, the gentleman explained that the story has a minimum battery power life of two weeks. 

IMO STATE

Governor Uzodimma launches Free Medical Outreach in partnership with Diaspora Physicians

Senator Hope Uzodimma has flagged off the free medical mission in partnership with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America.  In his address at the Imo State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, Governor Uzodimma disclosed that the free medical mission is to support indigent Imo citizens with medical challenges. The governor commended the members of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America for their selfless services to Ndi Imo and the humanity at large. Governor Uzodimma launches free medical outreach. 

Speaking earlier, the Imo State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Success Prosper Ohayagha, disclosed the participation of Federal University Teaching Hospital Owerri (FUTHO), Imo State Specialist Hospital Owerri, and Regents in the exercise.  According to the commissioner, this is a way of helping indigent citizens and less privilege in the society by solving medical challenges free of charge with the Shared Prosperity Government of Senator Hope Uzodimma as "the total backbone of this free Medical mission". The president of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in America, Dr Chinyere Anyaogu in an interview commended the turnout of people for the free medical outreach which enables them achieve a healthier world. The free medical mission in Imo featured successful surgeries like myomectomy, herniorrhaphy and eye surgeries among other medical treatments till Friday, February 3, 2023. One of the beneficiaries of the fibroid surgery appreciated the Governor and the medical team for helping people like her who couldn't have afforded the surgery.