Jankara, always Jankara…Nigerians keeping hope alive…Otite Mbah: My Great Grand Father lives on…plus South East Digest…

Photos of The Week:  Jankara, always Jankara; Nigerians keeping hope alive

We bring you photo stories that have been trending in the social media in the last one week.  It’s a compilation of the very good, the ugly, and the in-between:

Jankara, always Jankara

William Shakespeare wrote that a “a rose by any other name will smell as sweet”.  I don’t know what to say about Jankara!  Is it a matter of name, poor planning, or failure of Engineering and Architecture?  The name has always evoked negativity!!  This is a market in the heart of Lagos where you get one of the best bargains on groceries.

You never know, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State may yet turn Jankara into a showpiece.

PMB’s “television money”

You got to see on television, hear on radio, read on newspapers, but never knew those who got them.

“Nigerians should fear God”

Unscrupulous aviation fuel suppliers seem to be begging for planes to be dropping off the sky all in their quest to make quick money.  See water being drained from the fuel storage of planes at the airport!!!

The infrastructure deficit

Edo State Governor drives/swims the flood and bad roads

Hardship every where

Market women in the North protesting the cost of living.

“Strolling” back from work

Higher and higher transportation costs seem to be “promoting fitness”.

President Tinubu is human, you know!

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is no doubt a good dancer.  Don’t ask me if his dancing is as excellent as his scoring political victories!

A General loved by his troops

Never in our history have we had a General this popular.  Major General Taoreed Lagbaja is no doubt cut from a different mold.  The results are already showing in Plateau State.

Huge infrastructure deficit

Speaking for NEC, Governor Chukwuma Soludo assures that despite the huge infrastructure deficit, there is hope for Nigeria to come out of the woods soon, with all hands on deck.

Seven Oil-producing States Receive N70.3b FAAC Windfall

Former Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State must be beaming with smiles each time FAAC allocations are announced – he put Anambra State on the allocation map.

Seven of the nine oil mineral producing States left Abuja last week with a combined cheque value of N70.408 billion being their allocation from the June 2023 revenue distributed by the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) on Thursday. 

Delta State topped the chart with N23,261,593,427.19, according to the breakdown of the allocations.  Rivers State trailed with N13,192,309,721.26,followed by Akwa Ibom State with N12,745,539,724.44 and Bayelsa State with N12,394,003,050.48.  Edo State got N3,400,607,899.11; Ondo State N2,968,156,301.71 and Anambra State N2,386,453,498.68.

The remaining oil producing states of Abia and Imo received N1,577,804,645.31 and N1,386,364,304.46 respectively.  Amongst the non-oil producing states, Borno received a net allocation of N2,215,429,199.27 after N48,678,953.74 foreign loan outstanding against it, among other deductions, was taken from its gross allocation.  Kano, after all deductions had been made, went away with N2,064,843,128.93 and Benue, N2,032,809,639.68. 

But it was bad news for Lagos State which returned empty handed and even still has an outstanding debt of N79,711,202.02 to pay.

It was gathered that the State has an outstanding foreign loan of N2,637,685,277.47 that was deducted from its gross allocation, leaving its account with the FAAC in the red.

Gombe State received a net allocation mandate for N423,957,430.32 after deductions, and Bauchi N454,931,200.03.

Arthur Eze donates N100M to Ohanaeze Ndigbo

The apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation; Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has confirmed the receipt of the sum of one hundred million Naira (N100,000,000) from Prince Engr. Arthur Eze (Ozoigbondu).

Confirming the donation, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia said Prince Eze made the pledge while “speaking to an assemblage of Ndigbo at the Imo State Government Lodge, Asokoro Abuja on July 10, 2023.”.

“Eze stated that Chief Iwuanyanwu has paid his dues to the Igbo in diverse ways beginning from the war times. He commended the development agenda espoused by Chief Iwuanyanwu on how the Igbo land can be transformed using the Igbo natural endowments and creative potentials. Eze supported the visionary dynamic of Chief Iwuanyanwu on how he will lift Ohanaeze from its present habitat and provenance to a glorious and enviable pedestal where it can command the followership and loyalty of all Igbo, both at home and in the Diaspora. He then pledged the sum of One Hundred Million Naira.”

Dr. Ogbonnia  revealed that Prince Aze redeemed the pledge on July 11, 2023, when he visited Iwuanyanwu in his Abuja residence. 

Funding had been a major handicap of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Nigerian Hotel staff returned $70,000 to a customer

Kekwaaru Ngozi Mary is a dedicated staff member at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.  With a strong sense of integrity and honesty, she demonstrated her outstanding character when she discovered a bag containing an astounding sum of $70,000 within the premises of the hotel.   Kekwaaru Ngozi Mary took immediate action to report the discovery to the hotel management, showcasing.

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

ABIA STATE

Abia residents peak on Alex Otti’s performance after 6 Weeks

Six weeks after his inauguration, the optics of the situation in Abia state is that the people trust the Governor enough to deliver on his campaign promises

The expectations among Abia State residents and indigenes are high following the emergence of Dr Alex Otti as governor of the southeastern State.  Speaking during an interdenominational church service to mark his inauguration, Otti said it is time for the Abia people to rejoice, “this is the time for the people of God to rejoice. The book of Proverbs 29 verse 2 says that when the righteous is in power the people rejoice, and I know that Abia people are going to rejoice very soon.” After six weeks in office, a cross-section of Abia State indigenes and residents say the Governor has been performing well since assuming office on Monday, May 29. 2023.

ANAMBRA STATE

Soludo on Akuluouno

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has been on a relentless drive to attract investments to Anambra State, particularly, from ndi Anambra.  He was in Abuja on the same mission last week.  His Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, writes on the mission:

“Ndi Anambra:  Time to cast aside the shackles of doubt and embrace the clarion call of Homeland Consciousness by Gov. Soludo

“The timeless maxim, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”, is a familiar biblical derivation with human relevance.

“It speaks to our value system and things we hold so dear that we can invest time, effort and resources in. Today, the same above aphorism is being framed as a question to Ndi Anambra Diaspora: where is your treasure? Where is your heart? If Anambra State is dear to your heart, as in there is no place like home, why then have you not planted your treasure in the homeland by investing there?

“These are critical questions that come pertinent as Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has once again reiterated his calls to Ndi Anambra living outside the State to come home to invest. The governor made the clarion call during a town hall meeting with Ndi Anambra businessmen and women resident in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja just few days ago

“It would be recalled that he made similar calls to Ndi Anambra resident in Lagos some weeks ago. The tireless quest by Governor Soludo to see a rapid transformation of Anambra State into a prosperous homeland is a worthy ideal that deserves the support of Ndi Anambra anywhere they are in the world.

“As it is a normal trend in all progressive societies, accelerated development occurs best with all hands on the plough from the government and citizenry.

“Mercifully, Anambra State is blessed with not only a proactive visionary in Governor Soludo as a leader, but also with prodigious, enterprising human resources scattered all over the world. There is therefore no excuse for Anambra not to be great and become first among equals.

“As the sun rises over our beautiful State every day, it illuminates the potential that lies within each of us to transform Anambra into a prosperous and thriving destination instead of a transit point to other places.

On its part, the Anambra State government has been hard at work putting all necessary infrastructures in place and facilitating an enabling environment for Ndi Anambra and outsiders to invest in.

“Security remains a top priority of the government and the security architecture is being strengthened every day with committed human, material and technological resources. On road infrastructure, over 300 kilometers of road across the entire state are currently at various stages of completion while additional ones will be flagged off soon.

“Awka, the state capital, is being modernized just as a new government house and lodge will be ready in the latter part of first quarter next year. On food security, the government has embarked on regenerative agriculture to boost production while also distributing coconut and palm oil seedling to about 140,000 households across the State to drastically reduce poverty in few years to come.

“On the environment, the government is not folding its arms on the existential threat of gully erosion along with the devastating effects of flooding. Re-channeling and desilting of the waterways in the State are on-going and a bill to further combat the menace of erosion is in the works.

“Our commercial city of Onitsha is getting rescue attention to bring it back to its former glory through rebuilding infrastructure and urban renewal. And of course, land acquisition requests by every prospective investor will get expeditious approvals.

“On power, the State government is working with the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, for 24 hours electricity at least for the four major towns of Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and Ekwulobia. 

“So, a lot has been done by the government and more is still being done to make Anambra State an investor-friendly hub. As resident Ndi Anambra are urged to be patriotic in paying their due taxes regularly to the State Government, Ndi Anambra in the Diaspora are also invited to pay part of their taxes to the State as well as channel their resources homewards in strategic investments. 

“Let us cast aside the shackles of doubt and embrace the clarion call of homeland consciousness. We are more than individuals scattered across the globe; we are all custodians of Anambra’s destiny. Together, we hold the key to unlocking the untapped potential of our homeland.

“The government’s role as a facilitator and enabler cannot be understated, but it is our collective entrepreneurial zeal that will breathe life into transformative projects and innovative ventures Governor Soludo is putting in place in Anambra State.

“As the saying goes, “When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” Let us embrace the spirit of ubuntu, where success is not measured in isolation but in the prosperity we collectively create. The time is now; the solution is here, and at the same time in our hands!”

Anambra State-born Onyinye Omenugha makes Nigeria proud by making the list of finalists of the Global Student's Prize

Anambra born Ms Onyinye Omenugha has made Anambra and indeed Nigeria proud for being among the Top 50 finalists for the global student's Prize.  She made the list of Top 50 Finalists for the Global Student Prize for the impact she is making in the lives of other students, and society through her organizations, LAWSANAID and Kate Centre for Arts and Creativity (KACAC).

Onyinye Omenugha, the only student in Nigeria to make the list was recently celebrated for winning the Diana award, the most prestigious award for young people for humanitarian impact across the globe. 

Anambra shines at President's School Debate Nigeria, Wins Three Awards

Anambra State has won three excellence and outstanding awards at the President's School Debate, Nigeria.  The awards are the Best Performing Commissioner for Education in the South-eastern Nigeria which was presented to the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, the Best Performing Desk Officer Fully Committed to the Development of School Debate Program in Nigeria, presented to the Principal of Capital City Secondary School, Awka, Mrs Amaka Anekwe as well as the Second Prize won by the Solution Debate Team (from Anambra State) at the President’s Schools Debate Championship.

At the Debate, Anambra State proudly showcased and was represented by Okey-Okonkwo John from All Hallows Seminary Onitsha, Okafor Obioma and Mmadugafor Chiamaka of Mater Amabilis Secondary School Umuoji, Anikwuolum Adaeze of Queen of the Rosary College Onitsha, and Nwamgbada Annabel of Capital City Secondary School Awka.

They won the laurels at the closing ceremonies of the 2023 Democracy Day President’s Inter Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship, organized by the President’s Schools Debate Nigeria, which was held at the Federal Ministry of Education Headquarters, Abuja.

Their performance at the debate equally secured a slot for the state to represent Nigeria in an upcoming international debate competition coming in 2024 in Dubai, UAE.

My Great Grand Father lives on

It is that time again when the Anam clans of Anambra State celebrate my maternal great grandfather, Mba ana balu Agu.  The annual Otite Mbah (pronounced Oote Mbah by ndi Anam) new yam festival, the precursor of new yam festivals in Igboland is presently holding as we go to press.  We bring you photos from the first actions of the day – a salute to the Gods:

ENUGU STATE

Sit-at-home: Businesses, schools open in Enugu as Mbah vows to seal locked shops, others

For the first time in several months, full academic and business activities resumed in Enugu State, last Monday, as the government intensified efforts to eradicate the sit-at-home order imposed by Biafra agitators.

This was as Governor Peter Mbah, who monitored compliance with the forced restriction, yesterday, warned traders at Ogbete Main Market, Garki, Kenyetta and other places that locking shops on Mondays would no longer be condoned.

Mbah said: “We are going to revoke your license to operate. We will revoke your shop titles and reallocate them to someone else who is ready to do business. This is something we must enforce with effect from Monday, next week.

“There are also consequences for not heeding our orders. Going forward, I want to put you on notice. I will go round the state again on Monday. We are going to come with the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority to put a seal on any shop that is found locked on Monday, because of an illegal sit-at-home order. We would take it that you are not ready to do business.”

 

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