NNPC wonder! President Tinubu says we should persevere…Tiger Foods continues expansion…Anambra is open for business on Mondays…plus South East Digest…

Photos of The Week

Everything handed over to God

“Igbos have lost their elders to the United States”

“The poor must breathe!”

President Tinubu says we should persevere

President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to persevere in the face of hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

Prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), or petrol, have more than tripled from below N200 per litre in less than two months since he took office on May 29, when he declared in his inaugural address that “fuel subsidy is gone” 

The economic travails resulting from the policy have since prompted protest calls by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). 

Speaking to youths of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday, the President appealed for Nigerians’ understanding as the “economic reforms” take effect.

“I can assure you that I understand your pains and the pains of your uncles, brothers, your mums. I understand, I feel it. It is not easy to get out a monster of over 40 years that is called subsidy,” Tinubu said.

“For few leaders, elites, fleecing Nigeria, it’s not acceptable and will never be acceptable to us all. You’ve endured, you just need to persevere a little bit more. It’s not going to be easy to make the changes necessary, but what we are going through today is saving for greatness, tomorrow.” 

NNPC wonder!

Not a few Nigerians were surprised to note that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) contributed to the latest FAAC revenue shared by the Federal, State and Local Governments.  NNPC contributed N81 billion as a monthly interim dividend and N42 billion as 40 per cent PSC profit oil totaling N123 billion.  This payment according to inside sources “is in addition to compliance on payment of royalties and taxes”.

The move, which is a marked departure from previous years of sleaze and wastages, according to a top NNPCL source is to set the track for future profitability and global best practices designed to build the company into a world class oil company in the ranks of Saudi Aramco, China Petroleum & Chemical Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp., and others. 

“The goal of the Mallam Mele Kyari led NNPCL is to set the nation’s oil company on the path of profitability and sustainable growth. Since the transformation of the NNPC from a loss making organization pre-PIA to a robust profit making company post-PIA, the company under the Group Chief Executive Officer (GECO) has pursued global governance best practices aimed at repositioning the company for greater growth,” another source at the NNPC Limited said on Friday.

The source that spoke on condition of anonymity said the payment to FAAC“ clearly shows that the company under the leadership of Kyari is moving in a positive trajectory as enshrined in the PIA”.

Tiger Foods continues expansion

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State last week inaugurated the state-of-the-art Paste Plant of Tigre Foods Limited, easily one of the most successful industrial success stories East of the Niger in the last two decades.  The facility will be dedicated to producing three delectable delights:  Mayonnaise, Chocomayo, and Tomato Paste.  The company says that this is a testament to their “commitment to excellence and innovation in the food industry.”

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Soludo commended the founders of the company, Mr. Celestine Ebubeogu and Mr. Don Ebubeogu, for their hard work and dedication.  He said the story of how they started needs to be mainstreamed and talked about, citing countries that have been industrialized and the way they have grown. 

"One of the items in my manifesto is to transform Anambra from an importation to exportation state and make the state an industrial hub," he said.

"We are transcending from an informal commerce economy into a new world of commerce driven by aggregation, modern warehousing and exportable items. Logistics as well will be very critical."

Governor Soludo assured Tiger Foods that there will be a space for the company in the upcoming industrial city that will be built in the State, calling for partnership between the State and the company.

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

ABIA STATE

Independent Power Supply To Be Activated In Abia In Coming Weeks – Gov Otti

Alex Otti, the Governor of Abia State has said Aba will be independently powered through the Geometric Power Limited’s power plant in one or two months.  Otti disclosed this in a statement through his official Twitter handle when the Chairman of Geometric Power Limited, Prof Bartholomew Nnaji, a former Minister of Power and his team paid him a courtesy visit.

Governor Otti expressed delight that Aba will soon have a reliable power supply.  He stated that the State and GPL were in talks with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited to resolve the gas supply issue.

“Right now, we are buying power from the National Grid, that is why power is not reliable yet, and so, we would like to ask our citizens of Aba to bear with us that we are getting there. We are there.

Ignore mischief-makers, rumour-mongers, no doctor genuinely employed was sacked by Govt – Abia Health Commissioner 

“The turbines to power the electricity plant, which were taken abroad for maintenance, have been brought back to the plant and reinstalled.

“We are now working with the NNPC to resolve the gas supply issue to the plant,” he said.

Geometric Power Aba Limited, located in Alaoji Aba, is expected to add 188 megawatts to Nigeria’s electricity output.

ANAMBRA STATE

Soludo Marks Birthday with 8km walk, inspects Ekwulobia Flyover, vows to transform it into a Modern Town

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, has reiterated his administration's determination to modernize Ekwulọbịa town.  Governor Soludo stated this when he inspected the ongoing construction of the Ekwulobia Flyover bridge, roads, and ultra modern bus terminal. 

Speaking during the inspection, Governor Soludo applauded the contractor, AG Vision, for their quality work.

The Governor also urged the people who are building houses or shops along the road to be conscious of government landmarks and ensure that the space of 4.752 meters from the major road is maintained.

Governor Soludo recalled how the people of Ekwulobia awarded him a chieftaincy title as "ifechiwetalu Ekwulobia" and said that he was committed to fulfilling the promise of bringing light to the town.

He vowed that Ekwulobia would be transformed into a modern town to befit its status as the capital of Old Aguata Union, saying that the projects he is embarking on will lay the foundation for the future of the Anambra child.

The project inspection followed Governor Soludo's eight kilometer walk around Isuofia to mark his birthday on a low key accompanied by his wife, Nonye Soludo, among others.

Soludo inspects on-going projects in Onitsha, terminates contract with Tec Engineering Ltd handling Niger Street Road Project

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR, has terminated the contract with TEC Engineering Nig Ltd, the contractor handling the rehabilitation of Niger Street road project in Onitsha.  The Governor terminated the 2.17km Niger street road Fegge with a 1.1km flood control channel contract when he paid an inspection visit to the project and discovered that the contractor was not delivering  according to the timelines and agreement reached before the contract was awarded

He accused the contractors, of negligence and lack of capacity to deliver the job.

The Governor gave assurance that another contractor will be engaged to execute the job and reiterated that street trading have been banned in the state, as new markets are being built where street traders can stay and trade.

The Governor also inspected Ose market, Bida road, Emodi street, Oduigbo-Ochanja Market, Fegge, Onitsha South Stadium, and creek road in Onitsha.  He promised that street lights will be installed on the roads and all drainages will be cleared to enable free flow of water all the way to river Niger.

Governor Soludo also pointed out that Onitsha South Stadium will be renovated into Urban entertainment, leisure, recreational centre which will be family friendly.

He said that a framework will be created where the state sports development commission and Onitsha South local government will synergize to actualize the plan.

Anambra holds 2023 Women’s Summit

Wife of Anambra State governor, Nonye Soludo has launched the 2023 Anambra Women’s Summit in Awka.  The Summit, which is hosted by the Ministry of Women and Social Welfare, brings women from different religious, social, political and cultural groups in Anambra State together to discuss distinct issues that could form the basis of discourse in their August meetings.

The theme of this year’s summit is: ‘Women: Agent of Change for Sustainable Development’.

Mrs  Soludo, while speaking at the event, described mothers as important players in repositioning the society, reminded them that a lot still needs to be done to get the society working again.

She explained that mothers need to be alive to their responsibilities and called their attention to rising cases of abuses, gender-based violence, drug use among children and youths, and called for legal sanctions against women that give out under-aged children as housemaids.

She also urged the women to use their meetings to talk about the importance of family planning, genotype tests, women participation in politics and the need to embrace the agric revolution spearheaded by the present state government, even as she announced the introduction of her healthy living clubs in secondary schools in Anambra State, insisting that making healthy living a household practice in the state is her ultimate target.

A keynote speaker and veteran broadcaster, Mrs Hephziba Agwaniru, who discussed the theme of the event, said that women are a key part of the Sustainable Development Goals, and have an important part to play in the development of the society beginning from their homes.

She noted that women can become real agents of change when certain factors such as poverty alleviation, social inclusion, partnership and collaborations are given priority. 

Another speaker, Dr Casmir Nnaemeka, explained that women must begin to take child raising more seriously, regretting that many of society’s ills come from parental negligence.

He said that the duty of a mother at home and society are enormous and explained that once a mother loses sight of her home, the larger society bears the brunt.

The Chief Magistrate of Children, Sexual and Gender-based Violence Magistrate Court, Anambra State, Mrs Genevieve Osakwe, who spoke on “Rights of Women” disclosed new laws in Anambra legal books, especially those that concern women and children, and stated that women have important rights that are protected by the law.

Anambra is open for business on Mondays

By Paul Nwosu

Anambra State is known all over the world as a vibrant centre of commerce and industry. It attracted this fame because of the enterprising nature of her people who diligently work from Mondays through Saturdays.

But this culture of hard work has been truncated by the Monday sit-at-home and other varieties of sit-at-homes. There is no gainsaying that Anambra State and indeed the entire Southeast have been hemorrhaging economically, and some criminal elements have seized the opportunity to plunder, murder and abduct our people.

We all know that evil by a minority can only persist when the good people keep quiet. Ndi-Anambra are tired of keeping quiet and can no longer be oppressed by a tiny minority of miscreants claiming to be freedom fighters when we know they are actually engaged in barefaced criminality. 

Our people are now boldly saying: “Enough is enough!” And given the removal of oil subsidy which has escalated the cost of living, Ndi-Anambra need to go about their normal businesses all the days of the week in order to make ends meet. We can no longer afford to stop work at the start of the week.

Within this inglorious period of sit-at-home our markets, parks and sundry businesses have continued to die, only to resurrect in Delta State. If those who come from far and wide to patronize our markets cannot find them open on a prime day of the week like MONDAY, they naturally have no option than to go to where they can get what they want. This is what has been happening for many months now, making us to be gradually losing that commercial identity for which we are known.

Our economy is panting for dear life. Our people are saying: “Ike agwugo anyi!” They cannot wait any longer to take back their MONDAYS, and the time to do that is now. Delay can be dangerous. There was a time in the late 1970s when criminals almost took over the commercial city of Onitsha until the traders united and struck back through the celebrated Boys’ O Yee uprising.

It has been estimated that Anambra State loses Billions of Naira because of the every Monday sit-at-home. The State is losing handsome revenue that helps to make her GDP and low employment rate the cynosure of the eyes of our fellow compatriots. This is no longer acceptable.

The question now is: Are we going to forfeit our collective economic well-being on the altar of the proclamation of a renegade who lives comfortably in faraway Finland in Europe? The answer is of course a resounding “No!” Anambra is saying yet again: “Enough is enough!”

Simon Ekpa’s excuse for shutting down the Southeast is to put pressure on the Abuja-based Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. This does not make any sense at all as Abuja has shown that it does not feel the so-called pressure by Ekpa. So, it’s like winking at a lady in darkness.

It’s remarkable that even the authentic Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB has repeatedly made statements disassociating itself from Ekpa’s murderous sit-at-home proclamations which have only allowed criminality to fester in Anambra State and Igbo land. Nnamdi Kanu has just ordered Simon Ekpa to stop the Sit-at-Home charade forthwith!

We are choking and we can no longer breathe. We want our Mondays back! That’s what our people are praying and saying. Anambra State Government is committed to bringing back the spark and bustle of Mondays to our markets, motor-parks, government offices, and schools.

To ensure that this happens on a sustainable basis, all the security agencies have been fully mobilized to be on red alert to protect lives and property through constant patrols and encampments at strategic locations. There is enough security in place to protect our people. There is no reason whatsoever to fear. As President Roosevelt of America who saved the United States from the Great Depression said, “The only thing to fear is fear itself.”

Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo (CFR) has reassured us all that fear is neither here nor there because the tiny minority oppressing the majority of our people can be flushed out once there is unity amongst us all. So, let’s all unite to take back our Mondays in Anambra State.

As a good citizen of Anambra State, you should immediately say something when you see something bad happening. That is the only way we can end this criminal onslaught on our peaceful way of living.

Here are the numbers to call:       

09093170790              09187514891

07039896429              09168041120

09017280990              08124153139

09076237441              07039194332

08093175528 

Odinma anyi di anyi n'aka!

SIR PAUL NWOSU

Commissioner for Information

Anambra State

 

EBONYI STATE

Nwifuru swears in 35 commissioners

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, has sworn in 35 new commissioners and warned them to take their job seriously, noting that the saying ‘to err is human and to forgive is divine’ will not apply in his administration.  Nwifuru, who made the statement while swearing in the commissioners and other appointees of his government, made it clear to them that they would leave office the moment lapses are observed. 

He, however, congratulated the appointees, adding: “The people are looking upon us and we have to show them our style of leadership.”

Prof. Emmanuel Echiegu, the new Chief of Staff to the governor, thanked the Governor for appointing them and pledged that they would not disappoint him.

The governor assigned portfolios to the new commissioners.

They include: Mr. Jude Okpor, Information; Mrs Ann Aligwe, Human Capital Development; Mrs Chinwe Okah, Budget and Planning; Chief Sunday Inyima, Capital Territory

ENUGU STATE

Enugu governor Mbah nominates Ekweremadu’s son as commissioner

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has included Lloyd Ekweremadu as one of the 15 commissioner-nominees.

Lloyd Ekweremadu is the son of the imprisoned former Nigerian Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who, along with his wife Beatrice and their doctor, Obinna Obeta, was convicted of organ trafficking and sentenced to prison by a UK court for violating the Modern Slavery Act.

Mbah also included Ada Chukwu, the daughter of ex-governor Sullivan.

The list of nominees has been forwarded to the State House of Assembly and was read on the House floor by Speaker Uche Ugwu in Enugu on Friday.

In a letter accompanying the list, the Secretary of State, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, mentioned that it might not be the final list and requested the House to consider the nominees promptly.

“While this may not be the exhaustive list, I’m optimistic that this request will receive your usual expeditious consideration,” Onyia appealed.

Among the 15 commissioner nominees are Aka Eze Aka, a veteran broadcaster; Prof. Ndubueze Mba; Mrs. Ngozi Eni; Prof. Sam Ugwu; Chika Ugwoke; and Dr. Kingsley Ude.

Former commissioners Prof. Emmanuel Obi and Deacon Okey Ogbodo, as well as Ugochi Madueke, Dr. Malachy Agbo, Gerald Otiji, Nathaniel Urama, and Prince Lawrence Ezeh, have also been nominated.

 

 

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