The 2nd Renaissance…Anambra Airport renamed…Nationwide blackout looms…plus South East Digest

Nigeria@63:  Tinubu Declares Additional N25,000 Pay For Low-Grade Workers

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that for the next six months, an average low-grade worker shall receive an additional N25,000 per month.  The president said this in his nationwide broadcast as part of the programme of events marking Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary celebration.

“Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation. For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional N25,000 per month,” he announced, while outlining measures being taken to relieve the stress on families and households after the removal of fuel subsidy and unification of exchange rates.

The 2nd Renaissance

The wind of change blowing across the South East of Nigeria now can best be described as the “The 2^nd Renaissance”, after the first led by Ukpabi Asika and his team at the end of the Nigerian Civil War.  At the end of the Nigerian Civil War, Ukpabi Asika, as the Administrator of the then East Central State (comprising all the five States of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo States), led the rapid rehabilitation of the war torn area just as they developed and executed an aggressive socio-economic recovery of the South East in the fastest time possible.

Since the breakdown and increase in the number of States, it has been almost impossible to get the South East States to plan and work together.  That situation seems to have changed with the 1^st South East Economic and Security Summit held last week.

Speaker after speaker at the event harped on the need for unity of purpose and action.  We bring you excerpts from the addresses from a former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, as well as the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as they represent not only the views across Igboland, but also among the various speakers.

Former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ayim Pius Anyim, painted a grave picture of life in the South East calling for a rethink of the Biafra agitation and strategies to deal with insecurity in the region.

He warned that going by recent developments, the region risks losing economic and political relevance in the country, with drastic consequences already being felt by the people of the region after years of insecurity and agitation that have been used as a cover by criminal elements to thrive.

“In the last four years, every Monday has been declared by some non-state actors as sit-at-home day. The enforcement has been brutal, leading to enormous loss of lives and property,” Senator Anyim said at the 2023 South East Summit on Economy and Security. “It is estimated that hundreds of lives and hundreds of billions of naira have been lost to the sit-at-home order”. 

The implication of this is being felt by all residents of the region, including successful people, who are often targeted for kidnapping and assassination.

For Senator Anyim, the situation can be turned around by providing the youth and those in authority with data on the real losses and consequences of insecurity in the region and a return to the economic systems that made the South East a model of economic strength and growth in the past.

He pointed out that the attention of governments in the region has shifted, with governors paying little to no attention to the development of industrial estates and corridors. This, he explained, may be responsible for the upsurge in crime.

He also faulted the weakening of the South-East’s social entrepreneurship and apprentice system, which was very popular in the region in the 1970s and 1980s.

He called for the reform and strengthening of the system and the development of the industrial estates to ensure the South-East continues to contribute significantly to global economic development and growth.

The Director General World Trade Organisation, WTO, Okonjo Iweala in her speech attributed the underdevelopment of the South-East region to the attacks and undermining of one another by residents of the zone.  She spoke through online video.

She said: “This is an extraordinary gathering while coming together to consider the economic and social development of the region. I will say it is about time. Nigeria is facing a lot of crises and at the same time changing rapidly.

“If the initiative of this gathering succeeds and achieves results, then it will be  a start of  enjoyment to improving the lives of our people in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Umuahia, and Imo States.

 “The zone has the potential to become a place of good governance.  A redirected South-East will make our young men and women become part of the team of the digitizing world.

“Back home, we must fully own up to our problems while looking at the many available solutions. The South-East has so many talents and opportunities. I think they can plan how to explore them all to the benefit of the region and its people.

 “On the challenges, I am sure you want me to mention the gaps in infrastructure. Yes, that is the challenge and we have to come to that.  And I don’t think it is our biggest challenge. Our biggest challenge in the South-East is itself. We have often been our own worst enemies. We have allowed ourselves to be divided.

“We have lost focus. We have lost sight of our biggest community assets. We are fragmented as a people. We don’t support each other. Instead, we attack and undermine each other. We are too individualistic. An individual can be good but not better than when we come together as a body.

“But there is a bright side to this challenge. The big problems are us and it means that the solution lies in our hands. If we can build a sense of common purpose and coalition, we can solve any problem. We have to do that through joint leadership as you are taking this step today.

 “Our other big challenge is security.  Insecurity in our region is sending the wrong signal that no one can invest in the South-East. The lesson is clear.

Anambra Airport renamed

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, today renamed the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport after the world renowned writer, Professor Albert Chinualumogu Achebe.  He made the pronouncement as part of his 2023 Independence Anniversary address to the people of the State.

Professor Soludo pointed out that “…However, it is evident that almost all those honoured are persons involved in public service. They are all deserving. However, at this historic moment when we are trying to re-set our values, it is important that we also beam the light on those beacons that we wish to celebrate as icons. A society ultimately mirrors what it celebrates. Here in Anambra, we are going back to basics and have identified human capital as Anambra’s greatest resource. We are not just a land of politicians and distinguished public servants, but even more so a land of acclaimed academics, entrepreneurs, professionals, and the clergy. We are a land where intellect and enterprise are celebrated. We are determined to reclaim the soul of our society and celebrate those values that made us who we were. We must signal that you don’t have to hold political position to contribute to the advancement of our civilization. Henceforth, we shall be deliberate in fishing out and celebrating our largely unsung heroes, as motivation to our children and youths in terms of what matters, including distinguished teachers, medical and other professionals, persons of honesty and integrity, philanthropists with known sources of wealth, entrepreneurs/job creators, community leaders/developers, clergy with great devotion, etc. During the first Anambra Investment Summit last month, I already indicated our intention to honour also my predecessors.

10. An example of Africa’s unsung hero is late Professor Albert Chinualumogu Achebe (Chinua Achebe). Wikipedia describes Achebe as 

“a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, regarded as a central figure of modern African literature. His first novel and ‘magnum opus’, Things Fall Apart (1958), occupies a pivotal place in African literature and remains the most widely studied, translated, and read African novel. Along with “Things Fall Apart”, his “No Longer at Ease” (1960) and “Arrow of God” (1964) complete the “African Trilogy”.

Nationwide blackout, fuel scarcity loom as workers mobilize for indefinite strike

There are indications that Nigerians will experience nationwide blackout and fuel scarcity in the coming days as the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, and the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas, NUPENG, have commenced mobilization in compliance with the planned indefinite strike declared by organized labour unions.

Dominic Igwebike, NUEE’s acting general secretary, urged members to stop work from the early hours of Tuesday.

The NUEE’s call on its members to join the planned indefinite strike comes on the heels of a similar call by NUPENG on its members to withdraw their services, raising fears of possible fuel scarcity across the country.

The development comes as the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, declared an indefinite nationwide strike to pressure the government to address the hardships associated with the removal of fuel subsidy.

The NUEE members’ strike could throw the country into darkness, given the workers’ critical roles in electricity distribution in the country.

Eastern Rail Project:  You’ve performed poorly —Alkali blasts CCECC

In a scathing statement, the Minister of Transportation, Sai’du Alkali, lashed out at the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for what he described as their poor performance on the Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri narrow gauge rail project.

Stating that the project is being carried out at snail-pace, Alkali wondered why 63 kilometer  could not be finished 12 months, expressing worry that the company may not be able to complete over 2000 km in 36 months

The Honourable Minister of Transportation spoke when he recently visited Port-Harcourt for an-on-the-spot assessment of the Eastern rail project.

Kano-Lagos, Port Harcourt-Aba rail services to begin by December

Nigeria Railway Corporation says Kano-Lagos and Port-Harcourt to Aba rail services would commence by December 2023.  Fidel Okhiria, the Managing Director of Nigeria Railway Corporation, disclosed this on Friday in an interview on Channels Television.

Following the contractors’ assurance, passengers and cargo transport will begin on the Kano-Lagos and Port-Harcourt-Aba rail tracks, he said.

He added that the federal government is working to guarantee security in the rail service sector in Nigeria.

Abia to recover Ojukwu bunker, war museum, other tourism sites from FG

Abia State has initiated moves to retrieve Ojukwu Bunker, National War Museum, and other important tourism sites in the State that are currently under the control of the Federal Government for better management.

Music legend and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Entertainment, Dr Justice Martins popularly known as J. Martins, disclosed this during a press conference to mark the World Tourism Day in Umuahia.

He said that the State Government had already engaged the Federal Ministry of Tourism, and expressed optimism that the move would be successful.

The idea, according to him, is to prevent such historic and important tourism sites from further deterioration. 

He said that the intention of the Alex Otti-led administration, was to revive the tourism and entertainment industry in the state and make the sector one of the active job and revenue generating sectors.

The SSA who said there are over 17 tourism sites in the state, further hinted that efforts were on to identify and harness other tourism potentials in the state.

He said that plans were also in the pipeline to develop the popular Azumini Blue River in Ukwa East, and turn the area into a major tourism site in the country. 

J. Martins further said there were plans to build leisure parks in Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia representing the three senatorial zones in the state.

He also hinted that by October the State Government would begin the certification of hotels in the state with a view to classifying them according to their ranks, and ensuring efficient service delivery.

According to him, hotel owners in the state have already expressed delight over the proposal, promising to upgrade their facilities.

  

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

ABIA STATE

Otti flags off first 6-lane road project in Abia, inaugurates 2 specialist hospitals

Governor Alex Otti, last Wednesday, flagged off the construction of a six-lane Ossah road expansion project.  The three and half-killometer road which is the first six-lane road in the state will upon completion, serve as the major and befitting entrance and exit point to Umuahia the capital city.

Speaking during the flag -off at Okpara Square end of the road, Governor Otti said that when he conceptualised the project, many did not believe it would be feasible.

He also noted the initial resistance by some owners of the structures affected by the road expansion, but said that an agreement had been reached between them and Government for the project to commence.

The Governor said that funds for full compensation of the 130 structures marked for demolition had been provided by his administration.

He said that payment had commenced and assured that those who had not received their alerts probably due to some transaction delays should not panic as the money would soon hit their accounts.

Property owners were paid before demolition – Abia Govt insists

The Abia State government has claimed that property owners were compensated before the ongoing demolition along the Ossah-Okpara Square axis of Umuahia.

The Accountant General of the State, Njum Onyemenam, who disclosed this to journalists on Thursday, said that claimants who provided their correct account details have already received payments.

ANAMBRA STATE

Import of Governor Soludo’s Free Education Policy

 _- No one should be left behind_

By Sir Paul Nwosu, Anambra State Commissioner for Information:

Ndi-Anambra and non-Ndi-Anambra residents in the State were naturally happy and jubilant when Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, announced complete Free Qualitative Education in Anambra State public Nursery, Primary and Junior Secondary Schools, and slashed the fees and dues of Senior Secondary School by more than half. The Governor himself stated: “This is not about tuition fees, but every other dues and levies running into thousands of Naira per term.”

Though chapter 2, section 18, subsection 3a and b of the Constitution prescribes that  “Government shall as when and practicable provide free, compulsory and universal education and free secondary education”, but in a bid to appear to have complied, most states abrogated tuition fees with the right hand only for their left hands to replace them with a plethora of dues and levies.

While Governor Soludo’s empathic masterstroke which resonated beyond Anambra State might mean nothing to the affluent class who can afford to squander N1,000,000 at a weekend hangout; but for the petty trader and street hawker whose entire wares are between N2,500 to N5,000 and have school children they do not want to end up with their same fate, Governor Soludo’s announcement drew tears of joy from them and avalanche of positive prayers for him. They wear the shoes and know where they pinch most. They are the ones who are in a better position to appreciate the huge burden that Nwa Mgbafor has lifted off their shoulders.

Aside from the money saved for these  indigent parents, one of the most significant aspect of this deft move by Mr Solution is that parents don't now have excuses not to allow their children have, at least, the basic education. They can no longer plead poverty for keeping their child(ren) at home or sending them to hawk on the road or work on their farms or beg for them. Soludo has availed every child living in Anambra State the rare opportunity to acquire basic education. In fact, law enforcement agents now have a valid reason to arrest parents of children roaming the streets during school hours. 

Politically, we must not forget that Governor Soludo was voted into office on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), a Party that has the unique philosophical mantra of “onye aghana nwanne ya”, which means “no one should be left behind”.

So, if governments are supposed to govern according to their Parties ideologies and beliefs, then, Governor Soludo has just walked the (APGA) talk of “onye aghana nwanne ya”. He has simply demonstrated that he is truly an APGA governor and unapologetically running a progressive-oriented government, and the people are happy.

But beyond politics, Governor Soludo has demonstrated a clear determination to entrench free quality education in Anambra State contrary to the views of some cynics. Shortly after the policy was made known to the public, he held a marathon meeting with Heads of Primary Schools, Principals of  Secondary Schools and members of the State’s Education Boards. The main agenda was how to improve the standard of education in public schools.

A product of public schools himself, Soludo is committed to bringing back the good old glory for which these schools are famous. He believes that it is by fixing the quality of these public schools and making them affordable that we can equalize our children in terms of opportunities to become whatever they aspire for. The meeting rose happily with an understanding to make our public schools stronger and even better than the private schools.

Trust some people to test government’s resolve to follow its policies through. Amidst the euphoria of the announcement, four Secondary School Principals were allegedly caught contravening the brand new policy. To demonstrate his determination to ensure the policy succeeds, Governor Soludo swiftly ordered the suspension of the suspected  culprits pending when the Committee set up to investigate them has completed its work.

Ndi Anambra, particularly those that have been charged with the sacred task of raising our children should support Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, to ensure that we have a future population of educated people. The benefits are incalculable.

Solution is definitely here.

The face of Anambra markets poised to change

Every day somewhere across Anambra State, Governor Soludo’s Vision of a “livable and prosperous Anambra” is becoming manifest.  One of the agencies charged with delivering this dream is the Anambra State Urban Regeneration Council.  The Council has been very active in many areas including hospital and recreation.  Last week, we saw the Council in action in its programme to upgrade and modernize markets across Anambra State.

The Council and the Office of the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Trade and Markets met with firms involved in the construction of two new markets and reviewed designs designed by the firms for the markets allocated to them.

One of the firms, Silicent Engineering Services, which is handling the construction of Oyi Central Market, met with the Office of Trade and markets and the Council.  We bring you pictures from that meeting:

EBONYI STATE

Ebonyi govt approves N13bn for rehabilitation of Chuba Okadigbo airport runway

The Ebonyi State government last Tuesday said it has approved over N13 billion for the immediate rehabilitation of the Chuba Okadigbo’s International Airport runway, Onueke, Ezza South Local Government Area.

The commissioner of Aviation and Transport Technology, Mrs. Ngozi Obichukwu, made this known while speaking to newsmen at the airport, shortly after the official handover of the runway site to the contractor.

Obichukwu said that the runway rehabilitation, which was awarded to Infrastructure Development Company, IDC, will take the maximum period of eight months for its completion

She said: “The contractor has fulfilled the procurement requirements that we gave them, at the biding opening, assessment and evaluation.

The Chuba Okadigbo airport runway is being rehabilitated barely three months after it was constructed and commissioned by the former governor, David Umahi.

ENUGU STATE

UK Visa renewal centre

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Tuesday, urged South-East residents to patronise the United Kingdom (UK) Visa Application Centre in Enugu.  Mbah made the call when he submitted his visa renewal application at the centre.

The Governor, who described the application process as swift and seamless, used the opportunity to appreciate the UK authorities for opening the centre.  He said the centre would strengthen the UK-South East socio-economic ties.

Mbah also urged Nigerians, especially the people of the South East in and outside the region, to apply for UK visas at the Enugu Visa Centre.

Speaking to newsmen after submitting his application, Mbah said: “It was quite an experience, adding that he was quite impressed. 

“I noticed that first of all, the time you spend here to file your application is quite short. We do not have the heavy traffic, as you will experience in other places.

“I should also take this opportunity to call on our brothers and sisters in other South East states to know that there is now a visa centre in Enugu,” he said.

He said there was no need for them to go and stay in the long queues in Lagos and Abuja while they could easily come to Enugu and get their application processed expeditiously.

“If you are coming to a centre like this, you are thinking of comfort, confidentiality and the amount of time you spend being attended to and you have all those benefits here.

“So, it is an opportunity even for those who live in Lagos and Abuja, I will also enjoin them to visit this Enugu UK Visa Center to get attended to as quickly as possible,” the governor stated. 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the British High Commission in Nigeria on Sept. 11 announced the opening of a new submission centre for UK visa applications in Enugu State, starting from Sept. 13. 

The UK Mission said the facility would operate from the Omedel Luxury Hotel, Independence Layout, Enugu, and would offer twice-a-week service on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, said that the new visa application submission centre followed requests by Mbah and many others during his visit to Enugu in June.

IMO STATE

Imo Govt unveils Oguta Lake survey for gas sector optimization

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has highlighted that the hydrographic and bathymetric investigative survey report of Oguta Lake will play a pivotal role in optimizing the gas sector within the state.

Governor Uzodimma made this announcement during the reception of a comprehensive survey report of the Oguta Lake project by the Nigerian Navy experts at the Government House in Owerri on Monday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria reports.  

The survey report encompasses an analysis of the potential dredging of the Oguta/Orashi River extending to the Atlantic Ocean. 

Governor Uzodimma’s vision for dredging Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean

The governor underscored that the primary objective of this project is to promote gas optimization not only within the state but also in the broader South East region. 

He emphasized that Imo State offers an ideal setting for a gas industrial cluster, petrochemical plant, and fertilizer production facility.

Furthermore, Governor Uzodimma disclosed that his administration is exploring opportunities for a Public Private Partnership in the maritime sector, with potential involvement from China and France, to contribute to this endeavour. 

He expressed confidence that the dredging of Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean would generate employment, curtail oil theft, and facilitate the extraction of abundant gas reserves and other natural resources along the lake and Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Zinox partners Imo State Govt, as Uzodinma administration equips 15,000 youths with digital skills

Frontline technology giant, Zinox Technologies has partnered with the Imo State Government to equip 15,000 youths with digital skills to make them wealth creators in the tech-driven global ecosystem. 

The 15,000 youths were the latest batch of graduates from the Skill-Up Imo programme sponsored by the Imo State Government. Each of the graduating youths received either a brand-new Zinox or HP laptop, equipped with cutting-edge specifications for high-key performance.

In attendance at the graduation ceremony held at a packed Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri were dignitaries from all walks of life, including the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji; Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Nkiru Onyejeocha, many Distinguished Senators and Members of the House of Representatives, captains of industries and much more.

ANSIPPA TACKLES KEY ISSUES

One of the key issues and challenges mentioned at almost every segment of the 2023 ANINVEST is the issue of electric power supply.

ANSIPPA is organizing a webinar to shed more light on the vital role of Natural Gas in clean power generation.

The webinar will ex-ray the environmental advantages of utilizing Natural Gas and how it contributes to enhanced energy efficiency and sustainability.

 

 

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