Demolitions in Alaba, Lagos: No cause for alarm…SE Govs in strategic move…Enugu lady proving “Waste to Wealth”…plus South East Digest…

Demolitions in Alaba, Lagos:  No cause for alarm

In these days of citizens’ journalism, sensationalism, fake news, and all, it is good to be cautious in accepting everything we hear or read about.

There is no cause for alarm about the demolitions in Alaba, Lagos!  Take it from Ohanaeze Ndigbo!!

The latest statement from Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, says “Since the disturbing news broke out, we have made investigations in order to establish the true state of affairs.  One of the reliable sources, Hon. Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, Member, Lagos State Market Advisory Council and President Ndigbo-Amaka Progressive Market Association, stated that 'the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority has been issuing warnings as regards the obstruction of some water ways'. Ukatu added: 'all that happened at Alaba and the emergency visit by the state government officials were directly about those blocking the free flow of water through the provided water ways'.    Ukatu added that the directive is 'not in any way related to plazas and shops on the markets or along the market road'.  Ukatu enjoins all and sundry to 'disregard the statements and video messages trending on the Internet and admonished that such propaganda is not necessary for the Igbo at this time'.

“Another Alaba resident, Chief Ikechukwu Okolo stated: 'The truth is that, some structures were erected on waterways, thereby obstructing drainages and causing flooding, especially during the rainy seasons. According to Okolo, 'the owners of the affected structures have since been notified, for months, but as we can see, each time the execution order was to be effected, corrupt Government officials would get compromised, and the flooding challenge continues, until this time'.

“Chief Evaristus Ozonweke, an Ohaneze chieftain, resident in Lagos, has also validated the above position.

“The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR (Ahaejiagamba) expresses concern over the lingering problems in Lagos. While urging the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority to exercise prudence and best considerations in discharging their duties, he asks the Igbo in Lagos to remain calm. He has therefore indicated a pressing need to visit Lagos and the South West in the next few weeks. He is very optimistic that during the visit, all the challenges confronting the Igbo in Lagos will be addressed.”

SE Govs in strategic move

Following the governorship changes in four States after the last general elections, the South East Governors Forum (SEGF) is not just wearing a new look but also looks like one that has been listening and is poised to address the yearnings of the entire South East.

The new SEGF was formalized in Abuja last week with Governor Hope Uzodimma as the new Chairman.

Political pundits say that the choice is a very strategic one not just because Uzodimma is the most senior on the seat as Governor but also considering his party, the APC, and the roles Governor Uzodimma has playing in the party, as well as his perceived strong acceptance by President Bola Tinubu.

Photos of The Week

Muritala the blind mechanic who has been faithful to his job for over 38 years, though blind:

This looks like the Happiest Father’s Day for Fathers

This robot from First Bank of Nigeria may look entertaining but are Nigerians going to use it”

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

ABIA STATE

Intriguing scenario as Labour Party Lawmaker emerges Speaker in PDP-Dominated

The Abia State Parliament has elected Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa as its Speaker for the next four years.   Hon Emeruwa is a member of the minority Labour Party and also a first-timer in the legislative chamber.   Despite being a member of the minority party, Emeruwa was able to get 24 votes from parliamentarians during the election.

 

ANAMBRA STATE

So much happening, but still a difficult picture

There is so much construction and reconstruction going on in Anambra State today, not just road construction works.  There is ongoing work on almost every facet of the State.  Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, says it is a march towards “Singaporean Wonder”.  We at MOM’s Sunday Revu7e are not surprised – we actually predicted the Singaporean style development in the run off to Governor Soludo’s election in 2021.

Soludo and the journey to 'Singaporean Wonder' in Anambra State!

by Christian Aburime 

In the world today, Asia’s Singapore continues to be referenced and celebrated as the most successful development story that emerged from the 20th century.  

Dubbed a ‘little red dot’ on the Asian continent map, Singapore was indeed a tiny island country with little natural resources; a third-world country that got transformed into a prosperous, modern, smart first-world city-state thriving with rapid growth, full employment, life expectancy, education, housing and other socio-economic infrastructure milestones.

But a society does not get transformed in such a phenomenal manner without a transformative agent. 

Behind the Singapore success story was the larger-than-life reputation of its world-respected former president, Lee Kuan Yew. It was Yew who, through his ingenious vision and astute leadership, led the economic transformation of Singapore into a modern-day wonder.

Lee Kuan Yew passed away in 2015, but his legacy thrives on. No doubt, the world will continue to witness amazing stories like those of Singapore and Yew in diverse measures. 

Closer home, comes the big question: will Anambra State become a Singaporean marvel under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo?

Well, if the last one year of performance in infrastructure development by the governor is anything to go by, a Singaporean experience is surely in the offing in Anambra State

As an accomplished economist who had served as a presidential economic adviser and Central Bank Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo came to become the Governor of Anambra State with a rich hindsight that there cannot be economic transformation without infrastructure investments.

Today in our series of x-raying his achievements under one year, we shall examine his score card in that regard. On hitting the ground sprinting from his first day of being sworn in as governor, Soludo has had a crystal clear vision which was well spelt out in his now famous manifesto, (The People's Manifesto). And one of the core areas he addressed succinctly was to transform Anambra State into “a livable and prosperous smart megacity” and “Africa’s new axis of sustainable prosperity”. 

A place where people, Ndi Anambra and visitors alike, would prefer to live, learn, work, invest, relax and enjoy.

In order to actualize that grand vision, the economist in Soludo knew that he must invest massively in critical infrastructure. True to his vision, the governor took off aggressively under one of his 5-Solution policy pillars, namely Infrastructure and Economic Transformation.

Within 12 months, Soludo’s Anambra became what observers now routinely call a ‘huge construction site’. It is neither tales by moonlight nor playing to the gallery. It is a verifiable daylight reality of concrete achievements by a quiet achiever despite the obfuscating aura of political distractions and controversies cast around him by his traducers.

For a start, Governor Soludo early last year declared a state of emergency on roads in order to improve road infrastructure throughout the state. Swinging into action, he awarded and flagged off 261 km road contracts crisscrossing all the 21 local government areas of Anambra State. 

Today, some of the awarded road constructions have been completed while others are under various stages of completion. Even more reassuring is that the road projects come with complementary full-scale desilting of drainages and are designed to last at least 20 years! In addition to major road constructions, reconstructions and rehabilitations, the Soludo administration also embarked on palliative works on many roads across the state, thereby making them motorable for Ndi Anambra as was enjoyed during the last festive season. With the improving road infrastructure, Anambra’s economy is being primed for robust flourishing.          

Taking the journey of infrastructure and economic transformation further, Governor Soludo also latched on to improving power supply. His government developed a clear road map to 24/7 electricity in Anambra State, being executed in collaboration with power sector partners with the ultimate goal of providing regular power in key cities over the next 2 years. For instance, the government signed an MOU with Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), thus building a collaborative pact that has engendered the steadily improving power supply across Anambra State till date. 

In fact, some feeders in the state are now receiving 22 hours of power every day. Aside that, the Soludo government has also converted over 6,380 diesel-powered streetlights to solar to sustainably keep our streets well lit at night at minimum cost. 

What is more, the Phase 2 of converting additional 11,000 more street lights to solar is underway. When an improved power supply meets a state of improved security, the result is a buoyant night economy already emerging in Anambra! 

Have we arrived now? Well, the journey of transformation continues in the transport sector. As infrastructure development cannot be fully enjoyed without a functional transportation system, Governor Soludo developed and is executing a strategic Transport Intervention Plan.

The plan encompasses the modernization of water transportation for riverside areas in the state; the construction of bus terminals at Ekwulobia, Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi; strict adherence to civil aviation safety and operational standards at the airport; refurbishment and repair of existing boats and water buses; continuing work to complete the Anambra International Airport; completing a feasibility study for sky train with a pilot in Onitsha, with exploring financing options; and rejuvenating Anambra Transport Management Agency to address the traffic chaos. Still, the journey goes on.                            

From Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem, ‘The Rime of the Ancient Mariner’, comes the famous line: ‘water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink’. In Anambra State, water is everywhere around us too but is often not clean or safe enough for Ndi Anambra to drink and use for other purposes. Yet, water is an essential part of any economic transformation. That is why the Soludo government also kept faith with improving water resources for the people.

Thus, the government conducted hydrogeological and hydrological mapping of the state; developed a concession plan for water supply in Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Ihiala, Aguata and other areas; rehabilitated and resuscitated water supply to the state Secretariat Complex; and collaborated with UNICEF to rehabilitate 98 hand pump boreholes in the 7 LGAs. 

If usable water availability is essential, food security is indispensable. This brings us to the agriculture aspect of Soludo’s economic transformation journey. 

Conscious of the need for healthy nutrition, Governor Soludo launched a regenerative agriculture project aimed at producing natural (organic) food through sustainable means. He went further to attract donor agency funded Small Holder Horticultural Empowerment Project (SHEP) to Anambra. He embarked on a new Palm and Coconut revolution drive by procuring and distributing 220,000 oil palm seedlings and 150,000 coconut seedlings for poverty alleviation and economic growth.

Also procured and distributed were Ukwa (1000 seedlings), Ogbono (1000 seedlings), Akilu (1000 seedlings), Guava (1000 seedlings) and Sour Sop (1000 seedlings).

And to cap the massive support to Anambra farmers, the Soludo administration undertook mass distribution of free farm inputs to farmers through the FADAMA Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (FADAMA CARES) which included fertilizers, cassava stems, poultry feeds, day-old chicks (DOCs), improved rice seeds, herbicides and pesticides. 

Food security is growing.   But that’s not all. Someone once said that industry is fortune’s right hand. It is true. How would the economic transformation of Anambra State be complete without a thriving industry?

How would Anambra attain a Singaporean prosperity without industrial flourishing? Or how would Ndi Anambra make a fortune out of opportunities without industrialization? This made the Soludo government to also prioritize huge infrastructure investments in industry.

First, his government developed a framework for the development of industrial cities that will catalyze rapid economic growth of the state. Then, 53 hectares of land have been acquired in Ukpo (more expected from Ukwulu to make 100 hectares) for the development of an export emporium and Africa’s largest shopping mall. 

Also, there is an ongoing engagement with the Federal Government for the Automotive Industrial Park sited on 80 hectares of land donated by Akwaihedi, Unubi and Uga communities.

The Soludo government has further embarked on the construction of the wholesale drug market at Oba to become the largest open drug distribution market in Africa, as well as started the clearing of a 200 hectares Anambra State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Hub in Ogboji to house over 100 pharmaceutical companies, a pharmaceutical school and so on.

Digitally, to enable the vision and emergence of Anambra as a connected, modern, smart megacity, the Soludo administration has commenced the construction of 2,000km of fibre optic ducts to ensure last mile connectivity. Imagine the resultant digital economy possibilities! Other infrastructure investments include designing and commencing the construction of a Leisure/Entertainment hub around Agulu Lake (African Disneyland); acquiring about 250 hectares of land and signing a PPP agreement with 7 companies for the new Awka City, with 3 companies already on site; and putting back on stream 4 of non-functional 21 housing estates inherited by the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation (ASHDC). 

So far, so eventful has been Governor Soludo’s one-year journey to transforming Anambra State economically with massive infrastructure investments. If, according to the World Bank, development happens through structural transformation which shifts the balance of economic activity towards higher productivity manufacturing and service sectors, then Soludo is on the right track. 

And as the tireless governor sustains his giant infrastructure development strides, Anambra State could well end up being a modern Singaporean wonder after all. This is just the beginning. 

ENUGU STATE

Married Master’s Degree holder finds lucrative world of Waste Recycling in Enugu

Since 2019, Ogechi Nwonye-Bernard has been in the business of recycling waste. Ogechi Nwonye-Bernard, who hails from Okpanku in Aninri LGA of Enugu State, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Master's in International Law & Diplomacy from the University of Lagos, Akoka. She is 32 years old and married with three kids.

Ogechi explained that she founded Eco-Cyclers, a waste management and recycling startup in Enugu State, Nigeria. "Our startup is a for-profit business that collects household everyday waste like plastics, cans, tins, pure water sachets, nylons, paper, and cartons for recycling. We are also a social enterprise that carries out green environmental projects like clean-up campaigns and sensitisations in Enugu State," as a side business. However, she got it registered in 2022 after three years of operation.

On how she developed an interest in waste recycling, she said it was all thanks to a recycling centre she worked for. In her words: "I ventured into it after I took a keen interest from working for a recycling centre. I started with sensitisation and advocacy, but friends and family talked me into starting my for-profit venture. And let me tell you, it is very profitable if you know your craft." The young lady, however, gave an insight into its profitability. She said: "No, I can't attach real estimates, though. "But, figures like buying a ton of plastic for N300,000 and selling higher." She estimated that her monthly profits are around N150,000.  (Source Legit.ng) 

IMO STATE

From 2020 till date, I’ve transformed Imo, says Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma has boasted of transforming Imo State from January 15, 2020 when he took office till date.  Uzodimma said this on Wednesday, while fielding questions on a Channels Television programme, “Politics Today.”  According to him, the state could be likened to a body exhumed from a cemetery and put life into once again.

Uzodimma was enthroned on January 14, 2020, when the Supreme Court declared him the lawfully elected governor of the state, sacking Emeka Ihedioha, who had been in office for seven months and two weeks.

The governor, who hinted that the state was in a state of disrepair when he assumed office after taking the oath of office, said: “Given the situation in Imo State before 2020 when I became the governor and the situation of it today, 2023, three years after, a lot of things are there for people to now know that there is a huge difference.

“When I came on board, I met a moribund state that was in distress. A state I can even say that was in the cemetery; I exhumed the body. 

“Can you imagine a state where I came as the governor and everybody absconded? No handover note. There was no compass for me to navigate the aircraft.

“After harvesting information from ‘official and unofficial quarters,’ I was able to establish a nominal roll.”

He noted that he re-established the civil service, which he regarded as the engine room of government.

Uzodimma hinted that he created a payroll and rehabilitated the infrastructure, which he described as hitherto being in a dilapidated situation, adding: “The infrastructure deficit was so huge, all the roads were not motorable and all the hospitals were not working. I started work immediately.”

The former senator, who represented Imo East Senatorial District, said he would work towards employing numerous youths to make the state’s 27 local councils vibrant, economically, politically and socially viable.

You can reach us on 0803 245 9817 or obimeze@gmail.com