Blue economy is the Koko…Arts and Culture on the upswing…Anambra Energy Market opens soon…plus South East Digest

Photo of The Week

 

Anambra Magistrate captured on camera riding to work

“A considerable amount of light has been shed on the plight of judicial officers of superior courts of record, their meagre remuneration and poor conditions of service. However, not much has been said about the even worse conditions of service that judicial officers of the lower (I would rather not use the term ‘inferior’) courts, particularly the Magistrates, are facing.” wrote Onikepo Braithwaite, in her column ‘The Advocate’, published in ThisDay of 22 Aug 2023.

Continuing, the Law Editor, said: “Even though the Magistrate Court is not a superior court of record as listed in Section 6(5)(a)-(j) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended in 2023)(the Constitution), nor is it expressly listed by name in the Constitution like the superior courts, it is still recognised in the Constitution, since it is a lower court of record established for a State covered by Section 6(4)(1) & (5)(k) of the Constitution.”

The deplorable conditions of Nigerian magistrates came to the limelight on Wednesday 4th of October when a Magistrate in Anambra State Judiciary was captured on camera riding on a motor bike on her way to court.

Her Worship was headed to the Neni Chief Magistrates’ Court from Nri all in Anambra State.

As it stands, public affairs commentators and analysts are questioning why the  Chief Judge of Anambra and the Governor, including Anambra NBA are insensitive to the plight of these judicial workers or what it implies to the populace. 

Hopefully those concerned will heed the parting words of Ms. Braithwaite. “It is time for the State Governors/Governments to therefore, do the needful. The salaries and allowances of Magistrates, are overripe for a healthy upward review. It seems that the Nigerian Magistrates, may be in the category of the worst paid. How can dignity be restored to the Magistracy. when Magistrates ride on okadas and struggle for public transportation?”

FG bans use of laterite for road construction

As part of the ongoing reforms at the Federal Ministry of Works, the Minister, David Umahi, has ruled out the use of laterite in road construction and directed that henceforth contractors should use lumps, sharp sand and stone base to form the base before laying of concrete or asphalt pavement.

The Minister stated this at the inauguration of the committees for the supervision of the Reconstruction of Benin –Warri dual carriageway and the dualisation of East – West Road, Port Harcourt-Onne Port junction road in Rivers State.

The Director of Press Affairs of the ministry, Mrs. Lere Adams, in a statement in Abuja yesterday, quoted the minister as saying that laterite has a limited load bearing capacity and is also susceptible to erosion and weathering especially in areas with heavy rainfall, which could lead to degradation of the road surface overtime.

“We are giving very serious attention to the roads between Benin and Warri. The road between Eleme and Onne Port, we are mindful of the site conditions of these roads, the water conditions and the boreholes instead of potholes on these roads. No more laterite; contractors are now to use lumps, sharp sand and stone base in place of laterite”

The minister directed the newly inaugurated Road Taskforce Team to ensure continuous maintenance of all the roads under construction until the end of the project and make sure that the contractors are duly informed of the development.

Nigeria’s blue economy offers 350 million jobs-NIMASA boss

Dr Bashir Jamoh, Director-General the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), says the blue economy will offer 350 million jobs to Nigerian citizens if adequately harnessed.

Jamoh, represented by the Acting Coordinator of NIMASA, Abuja Office, Hajia Rakiya Lamai, made this known during the NIMASA Special Day at the 18th Abuja International Trade Fair, Abuja.

According to him, Nigeria’s vast under-utilised blue economy offers huge opportunities for growth and development to overcome its present economic challenge.

“The blue economy has enormous potential as it offers the country the opportunities of 350 million new jobs if adequately harnessed.

“Ocean resources like fish, shrimps and other sea foods have not been satisfactorily harnessed, just as ship repairs are done in neighbouring countries and faraway Turkey because the facilities are lacking locally.

“With a combination of modern technology, relevant laws and support from the Federal Government, relevant agencies and stakeholders, disbursement of CVFF Funds, NIMASA is working to fulfill its mandate of regulating operations in the maritime industry,” he said.

FG targets $6,000 GDP per capita, 6% unemployment by 2030

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu has revealed the Federal government’s target to increase the country’s GDP per capita to $6000 and reduce unemployment to 6% by 2030.

Nigeria’s GDP per capita currently stands at $2,184 while its unemployment rate dropped to 4.1% according to the latest report. 

Beyond that, the Minister also said there are plans to reduce the poverty rate to 0.6% and transition the country to a middle-income economy. 

Digitally-Delivered Services Trade: The New Paradigm

By our Special Correspondent

Can the South East harness the role of e-commerce to drive growth and trade as well as create jobs for its young people, despite the development-related challenges we face as a region? This was one of the questions I was asking myself as I listened to the Keynote Speaker, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the just concluded South East Governors’ Forum Summit on Security and Economy in Owerri last week.

During her sterling and eloquent speech, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala suggested that the State governments in the South East region have a collective responsibility to help their young population harness the full potential of the digital economy for economic growth, job creation and trade diversification, taking full advantage of digitally-delivered services trade. That was the e-commerce solution I was waiting for! The opportunities digital trade offers for online learning, health and accounting services and even micro and small enterprises that can provide good jobs for our youths. 

According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), digitally-delivered services trade are “all international trade transactions that are delivered remotely over computer networks”. But Dr. Okonjo-Iweala brought this definition home, notifying us that digital trade, especially digitally-driven services trade is the fastest growing segment of trade, and it covers anything from “streaming music and movies to delivering accounting and backup medical services”. These are areas our youth are very familiar with. WTO stated that global exports of digitally delivered services has grown by 8%, compared to 5.6% growth for goods exports. The opportunities are enormous, and can benefit the creative industry tremendously. She suggested that all that was needed in each state in the region was to build a digital backbone either through cable, satellite or broadband to provide the appropriate digital infrastructure.

I pray that our states in the region sieve through this speech and implement the prescriptions identified by Dr. Okonjo-Iweala. Calling upon stakeholders in the South-East region to come together and establish a collaborative leadership to address the challenges of insecurity and poor leadership afflicting the region as a unified effort, she emphasized the importance of the region enhancing its internally generated revenue, minimizing borrowing, growing entrepreneurship, capitalizing on the Igbos in the diaspora, and increasing capital expenditures especially in infrastructure.

A final hint from her is that the states should collectively approach the Minister for Health who is currently working to attract the health supply chains to Nigeria, and to partner with the ministry in attracting vaccines, therapeutic or diagnostic manufacturing facilities, etc to set up their factories the South East. As a matter of urgency, the states need to review its supportive policies to ensure they can attract this kind of digital infrastructure investment na Ala-Igbo.

Reps mandate Ministry of Works to complete deplorable roads in Anambra

The House of Representatives has mandated the Federal Ministry of Works and the House Committee on Appropriation, to include the completion of Onitsha-Atani-Ossomalla-Ogwuikpele-Ndoni Road project, in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra state in the 2024 budget estimates.

This directive was given during plenary at the floor of the House on Wednesday in Abuja following a motion by Hon Afam Ogene.

The House also mandated the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) to provide palliative measures on the road in the interim, to ease transportation.

Delta to establish auto gas plant in Asaba

Vice Chancellor of Dennis Osadebey University, Asaba, Delta State, Prof. Ben Emukufia Oghojafor, yesterday, laid the foundation stone of a gas energy plant, an alternative source to fuel and diesel energy.

Oghajafor said the gas plant, which is the first of its kind to be established in Asaba, the state capital, would provide Deltans with fast and easier access to gas and encourage the conversion of vehicles and other machineries to gas-powered. He said that there are some tricycles already converted to auto gas, disclosing that they were test run by the tricycle riders.

The VC, who spoke through, Prof. Chukwuji Christopher, commended the Chief Executive Officer of Bina E. Gas and Oil Limited, Alex Okunbor for the initiative, and described the new technology as environment-friendly and cost effective.

Arts and Culture on the upswing

...Onitsha culture and hospitality in living colour

In the last couple of years, each time we write about the Onitsha Ofala, We call it “The Ofala” because not only does it stand heads and shoulders above other ofalas in Igboland, but also because it has continued to upgrade and expand year-on-year.  This year is not going to be an exception, we are told.  Well, it’s just one week away:

...Mega Arts and Crafts Exhibition

By our Special Correspondent, Ejimofor Azodo

The Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism in partnership with the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) held a 5-day Mega Arts and Crafts Exhibition from Wednesday 27th to Sunday 1st October (was to have ended on Saturday 30th September but Mr Governor requested for an extra day so that he can attend the event to show the high premium he places on the creative arts). The event was held at Oma Events centre, Awka Anambra State.

The wonderfully-packaged event featured; awesome arts and crafts, paintings, Metal and bronze works, Sculptures, ceramics, textile works and footwear etc.

Apart from Anambra-based professional craftsmen, other Exhibitors came from; Lagos, Nsukka, Abia, Enugu, Delta and Imo including select Anambra secondary schools who exhibited lovely works of art.

Highlight of the event was the Ikpu uzu (blacksmithing) arena, sponsored by Awka Capital Territory Development Agency (ACTDA) and Dr. Clem Nwogbo (CEO Millenium City),where live fabrication of metal products were witnessed by excited visitors who came to see how the ogene, oji and other metal products were made. It also signaled the renaissance of the nearly dying art of blacksmithing for which Awka is known for. 

The event included a colloquium, which analysed the creative arts industry in order to synthesise solutions for a disruptive agenda that will put the industry on a massive trajectory, and had; Professor Cliff Nwana, Sir Chuka Nnabuife, Sir Chido Obidiegwu (MD ABS), Chief Tony Otikpa in attendance with Mr Commissioner Don Onyenji and the Chairman Organising Committee of the event Mr Marcel Manafa as Hosts.

The event was rounded up, with cultural displays, on Sunday 1st October 2023 and the Dignitaries that visited include; Mr Governor Prof Chukwuma Soludo CFR, Mr Deputy Governor Dr Onyeka Ibezim, Former Anambra State Governor Senator Chris Ngige, The Chief of Staff, SSG and the entire State Executive Committee Members, HRH Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe (who has the largest collection of arts in Nigeria) and others.

The Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Don Onyenji described the event as a true testimony to the richness of Anambra arts and promised to ensure that Anambra arts and crafts will be the most sought after in the world as well as increase the appreciation of arts in the state and encourage the youths to get involved in the industry.

On the same note, the Chairman Organizing Committee, Mr. Marcel Manafa said that the event underscored the potency of art to bridge the past and present, honoring cultural roots while embracing the ever-evolving dynamics of creativity.

Nsugbe, that Igbo town known for “Truth and Credibility” (Akuoyibo Nsugbe) continues to upgrade its culture

By our Special Correspondent, Ngozi Obileri

For the past four years, Otite Nsugbe has been experiencing steady improvement from the ancient way to a more modern way, though not leaving out the core activities.

And why do i say so, apart from the usual ika otite, ichu oda, igbu ewu otite, iwa ilo umuikolobia and igba oso ogolo of the three quarters, Ezi, Ivite and Ikenga, activities like igba mgba, yam competition, and the youths having a good time together with lots of food and drinks amidst all night dance featured.

This year's Otite witnessed  commissioning of six security gates built in all the entrances into Nsugbe by Odigomma age grade Nsugbe, the age grade that were admitted into elder hood .

This commissioning happened on  Eke day being Friday, same day the youths of Nsugbe toured round the community and same day Ndi Eze Nsugbe and indeed those who are wealthy enough killed goat in their homes , by the way, Otite Nsugbe is a four days action parked event.

The festival is a special period when visitors troop into Nsugbe to felicitate and enjoy the festival with their friends and associates as is witnessed in Omabala area. 

Back to the festival, on the day of igba oso ogolo of each of the quaters beginning with Ezi Nsugbe make up of Enugu, Ovianta, Abba, Amumu and Nnadi, indegens of the five village trooped into Ilo Abito , the square where  special events are held to   witness first hand their masquerade dances . 

Masquerades like Ogolo,Asuwu, were the usual ones but Izaga and Ijele featured this year in Ilo Abaito, Ilo Ikenga and Ilo Ivite respectively.

Worthy of mentioning is the fact that Otite Nsugbe affords Ndi Nsugbe at home and in the diaspora the opportunity to come home , and unwind, away from official activities.

Some members of Nsugbe council of elders include chiefs Christian Ebochie, Onyedika, and Iveanacho Akudo identified Otite as festival that breeds peace and unity in Nsugbe town.

The four days event climaxed on Monday second of October 2023 with Ivite masquerade display.

 

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

ABIA STATE

Tribunal affirms Otti’s election as Abia Governor

The Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State, yesterday, affirmed election of Governor Alex Otti of the Labour Party in the March 18, 2023 poll.

The tribunal dismissed the petition filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Okey Ahaiwe, challenging Otti’s election as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The three-member tribunal led by Justice H.T.D Gwadah, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed PDP’s petition for lacking merit, declaring Otti as the duly elected governor of Abia State. 

On Otti’s non-qualification to contest the election as alleged by Ahaiwe, Justice Gwadah held that Otti was qualified, describing the issue of qualification as a matter that should have been determined before the election hence the tribunal lacked jurisdiction to entertain pre-election matters.

The PDP through its Vice Chairman/acting Publicity Secretary, Elder Abraham Amah, rejected the tribunal’s verdict. In a statement, Amah said: “We are not surprised at the judgment because all along, Alex Otti and the Labour Party carried on with all manner of subterfuge to subvert the judicial process. A few days ago, Otti and his men have been around town bragging that the petitions of the PDP and the other parties that challenged Otti’s declaration as winner of the 2023 Abia governorship election would be thrown into the trash bin.”

ANAMBRA STATE

Contracts galore

In a bid to fulfill the desire of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, of ensuring efficient and responsive health system in Anambra State, the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has approved the release of the sum of  Two Hundred and Ninety-Nine Million, Five Hundred and Five Thousand Naira (N299, 505,000) only for Establishments of  Modern Telemedicine Hub and Spoke System in Anambra State.

The contract was awarded to CALYZID VENTURES LTD. Date of completion is a period of 5 months from the date of the payment of the mobilisation fee.

Also  approved was the release of the sum of One Billion, Six Hundred and Five Million, Two Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Five Hundred Naira (N1, 605,237,500.00) only for the Supply and Installation of Modern Laboratory Equipment in all the 326 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCs) across the state(disaggregated into the three senatorial zones). 

The contract for Anambra  North Senatorial Zone was awarded to

CLOLOMILO GLOBAL VENTURES at the sum of N489,070,500. Date of completion is

5 months after mobilization fee. That of Anambra South Senatorial Zone was awarded to

VILLINI LTD at the sum of N578,981,000. Date of completion is 5 months after mobilization fee; while the contract for Anambra Central Senatorial Zone was awarded to

MINEK MULTI-CARE NIG LTD at the sum of N531,186,000. Date of completion is 5 Months after mobilization fee.

Contracts for Recreation Centres, including Stadium

In line with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo's  committment to interconnect every space of Anambra State with a labyrinth of well tarred roads that would further leverage economic activities, Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), at its meeting of Wednesday, October 4, 2023, awarded the contract for the construction of Centre Nnokwa to Awka-Etiti Road. The work which will be done by IIC Construction Company Ltd is valued at One Billion, Six Hundred and Six Million, Eight Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Eighty-Five Naira, One Kobo Only (N1,606,837,285.01). The  completion date is a period of 8 months from the date of award.

ANSEC also approved the release of the sum of Five Hundred and Sixty-Six Million, Nine Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Seven Hundred and Thirty-Seven Naira,Forty-Nine Kobo (N566,918,737.49) for the construction of the  Ekwulobia Stadium Complex, Aguata LGA, Anambra State. The contract is awarded to M O & C INT'L LTD. Date of completion is 8 months from the date of mobilisation fee.

Driving Governor  Soludo's Think-Home Agenda

By Sir Paul Nwosu, Anambra State Commissioner for Infomation 

By declaring free, compulsory education from nursery to JSS 3, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, has institutionalized a cherished welfare state in Anambra State. Mr Governor has also instituted free ante-natal care and child delivery for all the pregnant women in the state. Indeed, women and children have never ever had it so good in Anambra State. Governor Soludo has lifted a heavy burden off the shoulders of the breadwinners of Anambra families. Solution is now a way of life in the state justly lionized as the Light of the Nation.

What needs to follow in due course is for celebrated Anambra State personages of high net-worth to follow the lead of Governor Soludos welfare drive by undertaking public works such as the construction of roads and the building of schools and hospitals in their various communities. The buy-in from the great numbers of Anambra's captains of industry scattered all over Nigeria and the world will instantly project the state in line with Governor Soludo's plan of enacting the Dubai miracle on African soil.

As Leo-Stan Ekeh, the CEO of the trailblazing Zinox Computers who is not from Anambra State once said: "The wealth, energy and knowledge per square metre in Anambra does not exist in any other part of Africa."

The Anambra titans should join forces with Governor Soludo in building within the fastest possible time a liveable and prosperous homeland. Development ought to now flow from the various states of Nigeria because federal allocation is on a continuous downward dwindle. Tax revenue is hard to come by because people are yet to get it ingrained in their system that it is an inescapable duty to pay taxes. 

It needs to be recalled that during the First Republic, the regional governments depended almost entirely upon taxation to deliver development. For instance, the Eastern Region under the exemplary leadership of Dr Michael Iheonukara Okpara built the cities of Onitsha, Owerri, Enugu, Aba, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and Umuahia etc. with taxes, and the money generated locally from oil palm produce. The government was able to supply electricity and pipe borne water all over the urban centres. It also established industrial corridors, and built the University of Nigeria with three campuses and so on with taxes collected from peasant farmers.

The coming of the so-called Oil Boom in Nigeria after the civil war created a rentier culture that destroyed the incentives and institutions for taxation.  Now the oil boom has turned to oil doom. States can no longer get adequate allocations from the federal purse in Nigerias feeding bottle federalism. 

Public-spirited individuals of great wealth should in the circumstances step in to help build up the communities. According to Governor Soludo, "In most developing countries, including ones much poorer than Nigeria, tax revenue to income (GDP) is about 15% - 28%. In Nigeria, it is about 8%. Anambra state is probably one of the worst in Nigeria. With estimated state GDP of about N5.5 trillion, our projected internally generated revenue (IGR) for 2023 is N48 billion (or 0.87% of GDP).  At 0.87% of our income (GDP), Anambra state is probably one of the locations in the world with least tax revenue as a proportion of income. Note that this N48 billion is about 100% increase from current and historical levels.  For comparison, Lagos state projects to generate N1.1 trillion from IGR in 2023 (almost N100 billion per month and 64% of its N1.7 trillion 2023 budget). Anambras IGR for 2023 will be barely 4.4% of Lagos states IGR. If Anambra generates just 5% of its GDP as IGR in 2023, it would be N275 billion - far higher than our total budget.” 

The need for Ndi-Anambra of high net-worth to come forth to help develop the state cannot be gainsaid. There is the shining example of the late Sir Anthony Enukeme, KSJI, Onowu of Neni, who took community development to a different level in his lifetime. Chief Enukeme was the CEO of Tonimas Group of Companies who carved a niche for himself through the roads, schools, hospitals and churches he singlehandedly built in his native Neni community of Anaocha Local Government Area in Anambra State. The lives he empowered are well-nigh uncountable. It did not matter whatever name you called him, whether Tonimas, or Onowu, or Ezeani Akuvom, the man always stood up to be counted through his grand think-home philosophy which needs to be emulated by other billionaires of Anambra State. His uncommon passion for bettering the lives of Neni, Ndi-Anambra and Ndigbo at large must not be eclipsed after his sad demise. His belief in investing at home must be taken a step further across all the towns and communities of Anambra State.

Incidentally, Chief Enukeme, alias Tonimas, who grew his business from Aba in Abia State, initiated his philanthropy by constructing and renovating several roads in all the host communities of his companies. He started out by constructing a state-of-the art church, St. Agatha Catholic Church, at Umuarakpa Community of Osisioma Ngwa LGA before taking his village Eziaja, and town Neni, by storm until his death on June 9, 2020.

The baton has of course been passed on to other billionaires of Anambra State extraction to enhance the think-home revolution launched forth by Governor Soludo. A healthy competition in development is needed amongst the communities of Anambra State towards the development of the homeland. No community can be said to be lacking in business moguls of high net-worth. If the communities are built up this way, Anambra State would turn from being a departure lounge to a destination point. This way, the liveable and prosperous homeland propounded by Governor Soludo will instantly become a reality before our very eyes. 

ENUGU STATE

Enugu, Indonesia to stimulate cross-border investment, capital flow

Enugu state and the Indonesian government are set to stimulate greater trade and investment between Nigeria and the Southeast Asian country across key sectors such as agriculture, energy, power and transport.

As part of the efforts, the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, is expected to give a keynote at the Nigerian Indonesian Trade and Investment Forum scheduled for Jakarta, Indonesia this month.

Both parties pursue mutual prosperity, capital flows and diversification of Indonesian industries into Enugu, the Enugu State Government said.

This was made known at a press conference organised by the Nigerian Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) in Lagos. 

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the forthcoming forum themed, ‘Rediscovering Business Potential in Nigeria’, is aimed at exploring and stimulating greater trade and investment between Nigeria and the Asian country across key sectors.

Affordable and Clean Power in Anambra State

As part of the programme to promote increased and improved understanding of the role of Energy in the emerging new Anambra State, ANSIPPA, The Ministry of Power and Water Resources, and the State’s Electric Power Committee, last Friday, held a webinar to further interrogate the State’s Energy programme.

Easily one of the best attended and very engaging of ANSIPPA’s open dialogue programmes, the webinar examined  every area of Anambra’s current and future power challenges, during which it was noted that Anambra State has a high potential for green and other sources of green energy including Wastes to energy (wastes to wealth), and water to hydro.

Two major developments are to occur within the next one month and these are: 

·         The presentation of the State’s draft Power Policy to the State House of Assembly;

·         and the establishment of the Anambra State Electricity Regulatory Commission.

One of the major spinoffs from the above would be the establishment of a one-stop shop for everything energy in Anambra State, the Anambra State Electricity Market.

 

 

 

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