Massive floods are here!...Nna, container gi o land go na Onitsha?... Igboanugo broke records in Russian University…plus South East Digest…

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Photos of the Week

Girl clears all prizes

We have gone to borrow the Rwanda magic!

Contrary to speculations, the programme was sponsored by the UNDP.  The UNDP says it expects the programme to equip participating leaders with enhanced leadership skills, knowledge, and the mindset necessary to cultivate the leading of others.

Massive floods are here!

The Federal Government has given an alert to States on the impending flood, following notification from Cameroonian authorities of the release of water from the Lagdo dam on Benue River due to heavy downpour in Northern Cameroon.

States, some of which are on the frontline of flooding caused by release of water from the dam, said they had already started taking steps to prevent loss of lives and destruction of properties. Such states, including Lagos, Benue and Delta, have also asked people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher grounds.

1^st Investment Summit East of the Niger

The forthcoming Anambra Investment Summit coming up in less than two weeks from now promises to be not only the first such summit (in words and action) East of the Niger but also one that will turn around the economic trajectory of Anambra State and indeed the entire South East.  This is the summation of our Correspondent who has been following arrangements for the summit.

We gathered that several local and international organisations have indicated interest in participating.  Such organisations include DFIs, Afrieximbank, UNIDO, etc. Most Nigerian banks as well as the Capital Market and other financial institutions have already registered to attend.  Indeed, as at last Friday, there were less than 100 spaces of the 1,200 provisions for guests left to be taken up.

The summit is expected to address all areas that have militated against Anambra State taking its rightful position in Nigeria.  These will be x-rayed by five discussion panels including one on Corporate Governance.  The Corporate Governance panel will proffer solutions to the frequent death of businesses not long after the founder’s death.

We also gather that the Anambra State Government would be closing some deals with about eight local and international business concerns as part of the summit.  Some of the deals are in the area of LPG and CNG manufacturing, agriculture, and vehicle manufacturing, among others.

Nna, container gi o land go na Onitsha?

No more “container mu no na high sea”.  Bye bye to congestion at the ports in Lagos.  Bye bye to risks and losses on container movement from Lagos to Onitsha.  Bye bye to numerous levies and tolls at legal and illegal check points on the roads. 

The Onitsha River Port is now formally and fully operational.  You can export and import from Onitsha.

FG secures $500m for local funding of digital innovation, entrepreneurship – Minister

The Federal Government has secured access to approximately half a billion dollars for local funding of innovation and entrepreneurship in the country’s digital sector, Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy Minister Bosun Tijani has disclosed.

Tijani spoke at a dinner organised by the Tech community in Abuja on Friday night.

“We’ve got access to about half a billion dollars to start local funding,” he told reporters.

 He said  the fund would target  “true, real Nigerian businesses.”

He added that by domiciling the funding in Nigeria, the government aims to foster the growth and development of homegrown enterprises, ultimately contributing to the country’s economic progress.

 He stressed that more investors would be brought on board, increasing the funds available to support Nigerian innovators. 

How I broke record, made history at Russian varsity —Somadila Igboanugo, First Class medicine graduate

I feel excited to have graduated from medical school with first-class honours and a CGPA of 5.0. I am grateful to God that all my efforts paid off.

Well, from the beginning, I didn’t know that I would graduate with a CGPA of 5.0/5.0. I only wanted to graduate with a first class and be among the best students at my university. To be among the best students, you have to study hard and sacrifice some things like partying and other things that do not contribute to the success of your academics.

I would be unhappy for a while, but I would console myself with the fact that we would not always get everything we wanted. In life, we gain some and lose some.

I did my secondary school at Godfirst International Secondary School in Abia State. In 2014, I graduated from secondary school with a WAEC result of six As and three B2s. I have been a bright student and always maintained the first position throughout my secondary school education. In 2015, I got an admission to study Medical Laboratory Science. Though I applied for Medicine and Surgery, I was not successful at that.

By 2016, I heard about the Federal Government Scholarship Board and I applied for it. I passed and was awarded a bilateral scholarship to travel to Russia to study Medicine and Surgery. I had to do the Russian language course for one year and after that, I resumed studying Medicine in September 2017. In June 2023, I graduated from Rostov State Medical University in Russia with first-class honours and a CGPA of 5.0. I was equally the valedictorian for graduation.

In my school, foreign students have graduated with first-class honours but not with a CGPA of 5.0. I am the first foreign student to break that record.

Return from Abuja with 2/2

Last week Sir Paul Nwosu, Anambra State Commissioner for Information told us they were going to Abuja with the Best and Brightest from Anambra State.  They have been to Abuja and they are back.  See Sir Paul’s report below:

NELIAKU AND OMENUGHA, ELECTED NIPR PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL MEMBER

By Paul Nwosu

Two of Anambra State's esteemed personages, Dr Ike Neliaku and Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, have been elected the President and Council Member respectively of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations NIPR.

At the keenly contested election after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NIPR on Thursday, August 24, Dr Neliaku was elected the President while Prof Omenugha got elected as a Member of Council.

The newly elected NIPR President Ike Neliaku, Ph.D, fnipr, is an accomplished Public Relations Practitioner, Development Administrator, Real Estate Developer, and Researcher who worked in the Federal public service for over 20 years, holding key positions in Federal Ministries and The Presidency at different times. He has travelled to over 45 countries as a member of various Federal Government delegations, and participated in more than 55 technical missions on sustainable development; information and communication management; negotiations, conciliation and diplomacy; cultural relations; public sector administration; infrastructure development; leadership and management development; gender equity and empowerment; youth development; etc. A personable leader, he served variously as Chairman, Technical Coordinator, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Member, of over 37 specialized committees at various times while in the service of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and equally served as a Member, Governing Board, Federal University, Gusau, Zamfara State. Dr. Neliaku is the founding CEO of Cymbals Ltd; founding Vice-Chairman/CEO abc Shelters Ltd; Principal Partner, Rightangle PR; Executive Producer, Rightangle Productions; and Convener Issachar-200 Centre for Research and Development.

 The elected Member of Council, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha is a consummate educationist, literary-gender-and-cultural studies specialist, author and the second female professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria. She distinguished herself as the Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education and was the only commissioner in the education ministry to complete two terms with a state governor. During her tour of duty, Anambra State beat the rest of Nigeria in debating competitions and conquered the world in academic competitions. Prof. Omenugha has over the years made huge and enviable investments in students and teachers capacity development. In a word, she is a brand.

With the dynamic duo of Dr. Ike Neliaku and Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha, Anambra State will bring competence, vision and transparency to bear on the affairs of NIPR.

Incidentally, before the NIPR AGM, Anambra Night was staged on Wednesday, August 23 to showcase Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo's inimitable progression toward turning Anambra State into a liveable and prosperous megacity state.

The Institute of Public Relations is ready to partner with Anambra State in advancing the "Solution" philosophy.

Solution is here!

 

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

ABIA STATE

Abia Govt begins distribution of Palliative, to share 14 bags of Rice per Ward

The Abia State Government has kicked off the distribution of 3,000 50kg bags of rice received from the Federal Government as palliative for the State.  Speaking with the press at the warehouse in the Government House on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Intervention cum State Chairman for the Sharing of Federal Government Palliative, Reverend Father Christian Anokwuru, said they target the poor and vulnerable across the state, adding that the number is far beyond their expectation.

On the modalities for the distribution, Father Anokwuru said each of the 184 wards in the state would receive 14 bags, adding that instructions have been given to the people in charge, on the categories of people that would benefit from the palliative

According to him, members of the committee comprise representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), pensioners, political appointees, and elected members.

Abia rolls out bulldozers in Aba to restore city’s master plan

The town planning authorities have started the demolition of illegal structures in the Aba area of Abia State, comprising Osisioma, Aba North, Aba South, Ugwunagbo and Obingwa, aimed at restoring the master plan of the Aba metropolis.

Chigozie Ahaiwe, executive secretary, Osisioma Ngwa Town Planning Authority, who is leading the demolition team, decried the manner residents erect structures without approval by the town planning authorities.

He explained that owners of the affected structures either did not get planning permits before building or built on public facilities, like pipelines, rail lines, and under electricity transmission lines.

ANAMBRA STATE

Anambra implements zero Right of Way charges to boost digital adoption

The Anambra State Government said it has begun the implementation of zero charges for Right of Way to allow speedy deployment of broadband infrastructure across the state as it aims to boost digital adoption. 

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists in Lagos on Thursday, said waiver by the State was in line with the ‘Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere’ vision of the State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.

He added that the implementation of the Right of Way charges removal by the State Government is the first step to a digital economy that will encourage key investors, innovators, and businesses to the State.

Special Announcement

*THE FLOODS ARE COMING!*

The season of flooding is here with us once again. 

The Cameroon authorities have officially issued a release that they will open the floodgates of the *Lagbo Dam* any moment from now.

When this happens floodwaters overrun Nigerian towns and villages across many states including Anambra State.

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has advised all Ndi-Anambra living in riverine and flood-prone areas to immediately move into the Internally Displaced Peoples' (IDP) camps provided by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo (CFR). The local governments usually affected include: Ogbaru, Ayamelum, Anambra East and West, Onitsha North and South, Awka North, Idemmili South, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala. 

 There is the urgent need for the people to relocate immediately to these IDP camps especially the older ones and children.

Household items should also be properly secured alongside farm produce and livestock. 

Those living along these areas should act now to avoid massive devastation to their means of livelihood.

 "A stitch in time saves nine!". This warning should be strictly adhered to in order to avoid regrets.

Signed

 *SIR PAUL NWOSU* Commissioner for Information Anambra State

August 27, 2023

ENUGU STATE

Governor Mbah appoints Chairmen, Members of various Boards

The Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has approved the following board and political appointments:

1. Prof. Bertrand Ngwu, Chief Medical Director, ESUT Teaching Hospital, Parkane

2. Barr. Uche Anya, Executive Chairman, Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority.

3. Laurence Ani, Executive Secretary, Council for Arts and Culture 

4. Nnanyelugo Dan Onyishi, Executive Secretary, Enugu State Economic Planning Commission.

5. Dr. Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, General Manager, Enugu State Investment Development Authority 

6. Gerald Asogwa, General Manager, Enugu State Housing Development Authority

7. Dr. G.O.C. Ajah, mni, Chairman, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB)

8. Dr. Amaka S. Ngene, Member 1, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB)

9. Dr. Hyginus Bankho, Member 2, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB)

10. Nwakaego M. Aja, Member 3, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB)

11. Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, Chairman, Board of Internal Revenue

12. Rita Mbah, Chairman, Enugu State Tourism Board

13. Amobi Paulinus Ezeaku, General Manager, Rangers International Football Club 

The appointments take effect immediately.

IMO STATE

Imo Governor’s Aide, Eric Uwakwe honoured wth SDG Youth Ambassador for Africa Award

Imo Governor’s Aide, Eric Uwakwe honoured wth SDG Youth Ambassador for Africa Award

Resilience to duty has continued to earn the young, vibrant Adviser to the Imo State Governor on Youth Affairs, Hon. Eric Uwakwe JP., more accolades, and honors, with the latest award from the United Nations on SDGs.  Uwakwe serves the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as the Special Adviser on Youth Affairs.

As part of events that heralded the 5th African Youth SDGs Summit held in Lusaka, Zambia, as organized by the United Nations, Uwakwe was elevated as the year’s Sustainable Development Goals Youth Ambassador for Africa Award.

The 4-day summit, which had the presence of the Zambian President, afforded Imo-born Uwakwe the opportunity to deliver a keynote speech on the theme, “Youths Participation in Politics.

Uwakwe led the Nigerian delegation to the summit in company with three other Imo State youths.

Other thematic areas dissected at the seminar include youth innovation, technology, job creation, and Job creation/enterprise development; meaningful youth participation in governance and decision-making spaces; inequality, human rights, adolescents, and youth health; humanitarian response to crises, climate change, and emergency preparedness; and SDGs coordination, data, and partnerships for SDGs financing in Africa.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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