“Tinubu, Odogwu aburo guy name!”…Photos of the week – “Did you win your Common Entrance?”…Ever heard of Mama Adele? Plus South East Digest…

 

“Tinubu, Odogwu aburo guy name!”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a very good dancer, no doubt from the clips we have seen since the Presidential Campaigns started last year.  I have good reasons to believe therefore that he is likely to know that Bob Marley’s song:  Natural Mystic.   There is a natural mystic blowing across West Africa with our President as Chairman of ECOWAS.  Mr President may wish to find time to listen to this song a couple of times today.

ECOWAS ultimatum to the Nigerien coup plotters expires in a couple of hours!  Nothing, absolutely nothing must make us take the War option!!  So much has been said about whether it is a game or not.  So much advice against the War option has also been given.  Whether there is going to be a loss of face or not, War is not the answer.  President Tinubu is already doing so much on the diplomatic front.  This should be much more vigorously pursued.

Oh!  By the way, Odogwu means strongman.  But most “strongmen” have no home!!!

Ripples of the Niger Coup in the South East

By Dr Ifediora Amobi, our special Correspondent

It is no longer news that on 26 July 2023, soldiers from Niger's presidential guard deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and closed the country's borders, thus affecting movement, and in particular trade and commerce. Since then reactions have been mixed with ECOWAS and the western world taking a firm stance towards reverting to status quo or an outright threat of a military invasion, while the Nigeriens stand firmly with their military and demand that France relaxes its strong colonial grip on their economy and their future.

For a lot of people in southeast Nigeria, this occurrence seems so far-flung as they do not feel it has any direct impact on the region, especially when considering the distance between Ala-Igbo and Niamey and the apparent differences in language, culture, religion and lifestyle amongst others. However, it is interesting to note that in Niger Republic’s southern region of Maradi, Tahoua, and Dosso, and up to the capital city of Niamey, 45% of the merchandise trade from Nigeria to these areas are controlled by Igbo traders while 95% of commodity and livestock trade from Nigeria is controlled by Hausa and Fulani merchants. Despite comprising less than 0.5% of the population, Ndi Igbo also dominate the spare parts, pharmaceuticals and building materials products trade as most of them operate as non-residents of the country.

The effect of the border closure as a result of the coup therefore will have a significant effect on the volume of merchandising between Nigeria and Niger on a wider scale, but most especially on the turnover and profits of the Igbo traders who haul merchandise from Nigeria to Niger at least twice every week. The ripple effect is that their businesses in Nigeria, which supply the Nigerien market, will experience slow sales, a stockpile of inventory, and a drop in profits which could result in staff layoffs and general business stagnation at least until the present problem is resolved.

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Only six out of over 40?

 

“Have you won your Common Entrance?”

The point made by a supposedly extremely brilliant ranking Senator (who hugs controversy as if it is going out of fashion) says so much about the type of people we are and the increasing types of leaders we are producing:

Don’t forget your roots

 

Two prominent Americans of Igbo Ancestry General W. Ward (rtd), former Commander US African High Command and Dr E. McHenry, creator of the Internet were today inducted into the Igbo Nation in a colorful ceremony at the Smithsonian Institute of African Museum in Washington DC by Ohanaeze President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and assisted by the Coordinating Chairman of Ohanaeze in Diaspora, Chief Sam Obaji. The event was witnessed by both Nigerians and Americans.          

Nnamdi Kanu ends sit-at-home, declares Mondays ’empowerment day’

The Indigenous People of Biafra said it has now set aside Mondays as an “Economic empowerment day” in the entire South-East.  The pro-Biafran group said the aim is to enable the people to mobilise resources and means towards reversing the sharp decline in the economic, educational, and social sectors of the region caused by the prolonged sit-at-home.

The spokesman for the group, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement released on Saturday.

Powerful said the move followed the total cancellation of all forms of sit-at-home in the entire South-East as stated in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s handwritten letter which was made public through his counsel Alloy Ejimakor, a few days ago. 

Observers are worried that we may be entering another era of lamentations and regret.

 

UNN signs agreement with Japanese firms to develop ICT software

The University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, has signed an agreement with Japanese firms in development of Information and Communications Technology, ICT, software.

The agreement which was signed at the Shinjuku ward, Sankaku Hiroba Event Centre of Sumitomo Corp, Tokyo, Japan, was between Appleach Corporation, Japan, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and Nahfconnects for Africa and the World Inc, Japan.

The Vice Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Charles Igwe, who signed the agreement with the firms, Friday, described the event as a welcome development and an inroad to a robust economic relationship between Africa and Japan.

Prof. Igwe enjoined other world economies to be disposed to knowledge transfer and research collaborations in order to resuscitate the global economy from the ruins of COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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

ABIA STATE

Governor Otti to set up commission on ease of doing business in Abia

The Ease of Doing Business ranking for Abia State dropped from 16th in 2018 to 32nd in 2022, about a 50 per cent drop within four years, according to data released by BudgIT.

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State said his administration would soon set up a commission to ensure ease of doing business in the State.  Mr Otti disclosed this on Wednesday when some officials of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), visited him in the state, according to a statement by his spokesperson, Kasie Uko, on Friday.

The officials were led by CBN Controller, Abia State Branch, Olaoba Ayotunde.

The Chairperson of the National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Abia State Chapter, Linus Okezie, was also present during the visit.

Earlier during the visit, the CBN officials had complained to Mr Otti about some ugly experiences the bank has had with previous administrations in the State, which hindered the implementation of some of their intervention programmes.

Otti reiterates determination to rebuild Aba, inspects ongoing Road Projects

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has declared that not even the rains would hinder his avowed decision to rebuild Aba, the commercial capital of the State.

Governor Otti, who was joined on Friday by the Hungarian Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria, Gabor Kruss, and Economic Counselor of the Hungarian Embassy in Nigeria, Judith Beres, on an inspection tour of some ongoing road projects in Aba, said his government was determined to deliver on his promises during the campaigns.

Speaking to a jubilant crowd at Cemetery Road, one of the several roads being revamped in Aba, the Governor declared that the rains would not be an obstacle to giving residents of Aba the good life they have longed for in the past 24 years.

 

ANAMBRA STATE

Ever heard of Mama Adaeze?

Well, may be.  For those of us at MOM’s Sunday Revue, we just heard.  In the short piece below, our special Correspondent, Enzo, gives reasons why you should meet this special lady:

Mama Adaeze: Both Industrious and Financially Independent

Her voice was both patronising and welcoming as I approached her stall by the roadside. After the usual harangue between buyer and seller, we agreed on a fair price. Then moments of magic began.

She expertly skinned the fowl and butchered it into meaty pieces before my awestruck face. The practiced ease with which she handled the task of skinning the fowl was a delight to watch! Believe me, Mama Adaeze is simply a working-class woman in a class of her own!

It's amazing to see women like Mama Adaeze working tirelessly day in and day out, butchering over 50 chickens daily; you cannot but marvel. She is financially independent. These kinds of women need our encouragement. 

Please, if you are around Goodwill Junction, Awka, Anambra state, do well to patronise Mama Adaeze. She has gladdened my heart through her doggedness to make ends meet.

You can call her via: 09021537989.

ENUGU STATE

Enugu Lawmakers screen, clear Governor Mbah’s 15 Commissioner nominees

The Enugu State House of Assembly has screened and cleared the 15 Commissioner nominees by Governor Peter Mbah.

Recall that on July 28th, 2023, the Governor transmitted the list (which is the first batch) to the Lawmakers for screening and clearance as members of the state executive Council.

During their plenary on Thursday, the Lawmakers under the Chairmanship of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, subjected the Nominees to thorough screening devoid of the cultural “bow and go.”

However, three former Commissioners; Deacon Okey Ogbodo, Prof. Emmanuel Obi and Dr. Kingsley Udeh didn’t go through the fire of baptism by the lawmakers

Prominent among those that were screened are Lyon Ekweremadu and Adaora Chukwu, son of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and daughter of former Governor Sullivan Chime respectively.

Fielding questions from the lawmakers, Engr. Lawrence Eze said if named Commissioner for works, he would make sure that contractors build quality roads that can stand the test of time.

According to Eze, most roads wear off shortly after commissioning because they do not have a solid foundation.

On his part, Ekweremadu, a lawyer, said he would embark on programmes to decongest correctional facilities in the state, which he said were heavily congested.

According to him, most of the inmates were in the faculties on trumped-up charges while many others on awaiting trial had overstayed the number of years they were supposed to serve if found guilty.

Fielding questions from the Lawmakers, a Commissioner nominee, Emmanuel Obi, stressed the need to ensure that the Primary Health Centres are strengthened in order to cater for the health needs of the rural dwellers.

Obi, who was the immediate past Commissioner for Health, said the health centres should be made to operate for 24 hours, saying it has become imperative to implement a planning strategy to ensure improved health system in Enugu State.

Another nominee, Ngozi Enih, pledged to assist the state government implement its policies and programmes, especially ones that relates to youth and women empowerment.

Enih expressed worry at the number of unemployed and unskilled in the state, particularly those who have taken to criminality, stressing that she will initiate profitable ways to address the ugly trend.

Nathaniel Urama in his own submission advocated the need to de-risk the economic sector by using federal allocation accounts funds as sinking funds. 

Also, Engr. Gerald Otiji said he will bring his several years of experience to bare in transforming the infrastructure of the state should the Governor find him worthy to serve in that capacity. 

He further stated that the opportunities that abound in renewable energy will be explored as he has the technical expertise to harness these opportunities and help the state save a lot of money spent on energy.

IMO STATE

Erosion in Imo:  Senate to the rescue

Succour may be on the way for the people and residents of Ideato South and Ideato North local government areas, LGAs, of Imo State, as the Senate has called on the relevant Federal Government, FG, agencies to embark on immediate remedial works on several erosion sites in the area.

This move by the upper chamber of the National Assembly, NASS, became necessary as the people are now, more than ever, faced with existential threats posed by multiple gullies ravaging every nook and cranny of the area.

The Senate noted that the total collapse of erosion sites has led to the loss of human lives, and property worth over N4 billion as well as inflicted severe injuries on many people.

In Imo, the sites of gully erosions are commonplace. However, Ideato is believed to be the most erosion-prone area in the state with over 200 erosion sites across the federal constituency. The entire Ideato nation is gasping and in shambles as a result of ecological problems.

As the rains pound harder, the gullies are expanding daily. These days, buildings cave in even when there’s no rain, it is more like landslides. The people are frustrated and hapless and unhappy with the government’s slow pace in managing active erosion sites in the two council areas.

 

 

 

 

 

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