'Nsukka People Have No Justification To Fight Chime'

LEO SOBECHI

James Ugwu, (AKA Igwurube Nsukka), is the Public Relations Officer of Adada State Creation Movement. He is a grassroots politician and also a member of the Local Government Service Commission in Enugu State. In this interview with LEO SOBECHI, he reflects on the current wrangling in Enugu State PDP.

NSUKKA promises to be an interesting place in the forthcoming elections, how do you see it?

I think the forthcoming elections in Enugu State, as it affects Nsukka is not going to be the way people are talking about it presently. The picture being painted now, particularly outside Enugu State, is different from the realities on ground. Majority of Nsukka people are very comfortable with Governor Sullivan Chime.  The reasons why the people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone are comfortable with the present government are many. First, we have one major challenge, which the entire people are praying for. This government under Sullivan Chime, without pressure, without prompting, willingly came out and said that Adada is our collective project, not that of Nsukka people alone.

He has enumerated the benefits that would accrue from the creation of Adada State and set up a committee to work towards its realisation. Therefore this gesture is in line with the highest thing the average Nsukka man needs.

I am a politician, but it is not about people having personal interests, we are talking about collective interest. We suffered a lot in the hands of the past administration in Enugu State. During the immediate past administration, we found it very difficult to even hold a meeting, talk less of having any of our brothers in government coming out to append their signatures to support the request.

Governor Sullivan is the kind of leader we are looking for.

Apart from that if you come to the issue of infrastructure in Nsukka, the popular Oba road that was impassable was constructed when Sullivan came to power. It was abandoned, but today it is tarred. Then you can talk about Anglican Road, Ezike Road, Ehalumona-UNN Road among others. These roads are now in good state courtesy of the responsible administration of Sullivan Chime. What else? In some parts of Nsukka, pipe borne water has become a reality. It is unbelievable. Some people instead of telling the truth criticize blindly. If you want to criticize a government, do that objectively. That is the positive side of opposition, so that the government will always be on its toes. But it should not be on the basis of lies and blind logic, it is unfair.

But Dr. Joe Nwodo holds a contrary view on the creation of Adada state. He said if Nsukka is able to raise it's internally generated revenue to N500 million in a month, it does not need a state. How do you react to that?

I don't understand that, but is that not the more reason why we should have a state? I think that justifies the quest for the creation of a state so that you can sustain yourself whether there is federal allocation or not. I have my respect for Dr Joe Nwodo, but I don't understand his argument. May be the respected Nwodo was not properly briefed. He had been in the forefront in the struggle for Adada State creation. I should be surprised if he said so.

The issue of automatic ticket rages in Enugu North Senatorial Zone, what is the predominant view there?

I don't think anybody has talked about automatic ticket. As I said earlier, when you want to kill a puppy, you give it a bad name so as to be justified in hanging it. Nobody has talked about automatic tickets for serving members of the legislatures. Yet the rumour is making the rounds. The Governor has invited somebody like me to a stakeholders' meeting; today I believe in Jesus Christ and insist on telling the truth. I have no business telling lies to anybody. At that meeting, the Governor told every aspirant to go to the stakeholders in their area. He added that the stakeholders would return those who did well and reject those that did not perform. The governor declared that it was in the hands of the people to say who should go back or not. Now, does that amount to automatic ticket? Or was any one prevented from obtaining nomination forms as in the past? If the governor can summon a meeting and say that in public, what else do you need? If you know your onions, go on campaigns. But it is those who are afraid of failing that claim they have been endorsed for an automatic ticket. People are afraid of their shadow. Is automatic ticket given by merely saying it? It has to be practicalized and the man who is in charge says, there is no such thing but that if you are popular with the people they could return you for another term, and if you are not popular there is nothing he can do.

Is the issue of automatic ticket not responsible for the dissolution of the state executive committee of PDP?

People allege that the governor said there should be automatic ticket, is that responsible for the dissolution; what has that got to do with internal democracy? I want to sound out this very clearly. In politics, virtually everything is about interest, let us stop deceiving ourselves. I wish to appeal to the people of Nsukka because of what we are looking for and because of truth. We have no justification whatsoever before God to fight Sullivan Chime.

Apart from his support, there has been this rotation arrangement. The Enugu East Senatorial Zone has taken their eight (8) years, why shouldn't west take theirs? Is it even in the interest of Nsukka for any Nsukka man to begin to think of coming in at this point in time? If he comes in he takes four years instead of eight years. Is he helping matters? We have two things that are working to our advantage and the best option is to support Sullivan for a second term. We need him more than Udi people need him. I can explain this; Nsukka people require Sullivan more than Udi people because we are not sure of getting any other person that can support the struggle for the creation of Adada State the way he is doing. Secondly if he completes his second term it becomes automatically the turn of Nsukka, so why can't we wait? That is, assuming Adada in not created. Shall we behave like Odunukwukwu (Tortoise) that had been inside hole for years only to begin to shout for freedom when it was about to be released?

I am saying the people of Nsukka should not fight Sullivan. He should rather be encouraged to complete his second term, then it would be our turn. By then we shall be free to spend our eight years, that is, if Adada is not created. If the state is created that is the end of it. These two things are working to our own advantage. So what is the essence of all these crises?

What is at stake between the PDP National Chairman Okwesilieze Nwodo and Governor Sullivan Chime?

At my level I have not been opportune to be in any of their meetings to hear both sides. I want to believe that some people are putting undue pressure on him. I also know very well about the battle fought to make him the National Chairman of PDP. And if you bring all these factors on the table, it would be clear that all the trouble is uncalled for. If you factor in where he came from, how he came; I was with him in ANPP. If you aggregate all these and the kind of support that came from Enugu State for him to become chairman, you would discover that this battle is not necessary.

From what is going and the rate of development, what else do you think the people expect from government?

Sincerely speaking, the people apart from what they are already enjoying, they need more of these benefits of democracy. And that is why some of us are insisting that he should not be interrupted. If Governor Sullivan comes back for a second term, he is not coming back to put up asphalt on these township roads again, it would go down to all the rural areas! In addition to that people are praying for him.
Source: The Guardian, 19^th December 2010.

Nzukka: Engaging Nano Technology To Tackle Climate Change

BY TUNDE AKINGBADE/IN CANCUN, MEXICO (AND WHO WAS AT NZUKKA, NIGERIA

Expert use rice and corn waste to make water filter

A vehicle  is being driven along the highway. The driver suddenly applies the brake either to slow down or to avoid a possible disaster. The driver may even want to end the journey at the final destination. Within seconds, that singular act of applying the brakes gives the car's battery more energy! The battery stores the energy and the car can utilise it again.

This is the new generation of energy devices, fuel cells, super capacitors and lithium ion batteries which Dr. Kenneth I. Ozoemena, an expert in Nano Technology, University of Pretoria, South Africa described as environment-friendly and helps to combat the problem of global warming and climate change.

Dr. Ozoemena, who was recently conferred with Nigeria's 'Outstanding Young Academic Award'  by Ambassador, Buba Marwa at the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, held the audience spellbound while delivering a paper at a two-day international seminar on 'Climate Change Adaptation, Nano Science and Nano Technology". The seminar was staged in Nsukka,  just before the opening of the 16th Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change, UNFCCC.    

The seminar  was organised by the University of Nigeria, Nzukka's, (UNN) Climate Change Research Group, Natural Science Unit, School of General Studies in collaboration with Nano Research Group, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Physical Sciences, UNN.   

Dr. Ozoemena, who is the Regional Representative of International Society of Electrochemistry(ISE) and Director of CSIR, South Africa, said that the type of vehicles whose batteries' energy is not lost is the new generation of cost effective, energy efficient and environment-friendly power sources for several things that we now do. He hinted that  many Nigerian scientists within and outside the country are in the forefront in the use of Nano Technology to combat climate change as it is now being discussed in Cancun, Mexico. According to him, this new technology is one of the best ways to protect the environment.                   

Ozoemena noted that apart from the use of such batteries in vehicles, the batteries are now used in such devices like laptop computers and cell phones.

The devices have been "forecast to drastically ease the current global energy crisis and reduce man's dependence on crude oil that have been implicated in global warming and climate change," said Ozoemena, adding that these new devices are now made through electro chemistry, which is his field and he is now collaborating with experts at the UNN, Nigeria, to use the same technology for the country to tackle global warming.

Dr. Enoch Dare, another expert in Nano Technology based at University of Agriculture, (UNAAB), Abeokuta told the gathering that included, Prof. Isaac U. Asuzu, deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, UNN; Prof. Elsie A Ogbonna, Dean, School of General Studies, Prof. O. Oyesanya, Dean Physical Sciences, that he has been able to use Nano Technology to fabricate a new water filter that saves energy.

Incredibly, Dr. Dare's new water filter is made from rice waste! After the first phase of the project, he discovered that he could use corm cobs that are usually thrown away after the corn is eaten to make water filter. Dare, a Japan-trained Nigerian expert has been involved in personal, national and international projects where bio-diesel, hydrocarbon fuel, ethanol fuel are sourced from renewable bio materials and biomass.  

His new water filter project was commissioned by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure(NASENI) under the leadership of Prof. O. Adewoye.

Dare who enthralled the audience while explaining teh process of his invention, said that his water filter fabrication will not only curb diseases, it will also combat the problem of climate change through reduction of waste that emit green house gases from the dump sites.

The water filter, he said, is very cheap to make and when it is available in the market, the makers are expected to make it affordable for members of the public.

Mrs Julia Agwu, an expert in Parasitology and Medical Entomology as well as Gender and Climate Change spoke on the studies she haddone on the massive gullies in South Eastern Nigeria in Agulu, Nanka, Akama Ngwo areas on  climate change. Agwu also spoke on her studies on mosquitoes in relationship to climate change noting that her research has shown that certain mosquitoes formerly found in the forest regions of South Eastern Nigeria are now moving indoors.

Prof. Isaac Asuzu, who represented the host Vice Chancellor, Prof. B.N Okolo, said that the UNN is ready to collaborate with other world experts in the field of Nano Science and Climate Change. Dr. Fabian Ifeanyinchukwu Ezena, Department of Physics and Astronomy, who coordinated the event, said that UNN experts are willing to explore the new frontiers in Nano Technology to combat diseases, poverty and climate change.

Mr. Paul Ejike, Department of Pure/Industrial Chemistry, UNN, said that the university has been working with other scientists in the field of Nano Science and Technology to solve some of the problems facing mankind.

...Why We Focus On Environment, By  Deputy VC

Professor Isaac I , the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics spoke to Tunde Akingbade in his office at Nzukka on the University and why the experts are coming together to tackle the problem of climate change. Excerpts:

WHY is the UNN interested and involved in this National and Global issue using Nano science?

The UNN has been interested in this national and global issue but it seems that this interest was shown in pockets. Individuals showing individual interests, but now the individuals are coming together to form a group. And you know that what one person is doing does not show as much as when a group of people come together with a common interest. What is happening now is that all these groups that have been showing individual interests are now discovering themselves and are coming together and are pulling their strengths together. And I think that is a good thing. I remember, a group in Kenya came in here to talk on climate change and they wrote a joint proposal recently and I heard that it's being supported by OSI, an international body and they have been given a grant.

Is it Open Society Institute?

Yes, I think you are right. They are supporting our experts with some good funding to work on this area of climate change. I think a lot is happening and now there is an awareness and people are coming together to pull their strength together. And it's a good thing.

If you look at where we are in Southeastern Nigeria, its an area majorly affected by erosion and flooding that may result from climate change problem... Yes, Erosion problem is a very disturbing one in this part of the country, and I am sure you must have heard about areas such as Nanka, Agulu…

I was there?

Oh… good. That's where houses are being carried away. There are gullies. I know the Federal Government had been doing something on that. But this area is prone to serious erosion problem and the awareness on climate change is very much welcomed. I think that this area of the country will benefit a lot from efforts to combat climate change. And you know in this part of the world, one of our practices is to burn the bush during the dry season because of the young people who look for rats and rabbits. They set fire on forests and the grasses and everything begins to burn. Apart from the effect on the soil, there are gases that escape into the atmosphere. These are practices that I think the awareness will help our people to stop or control.

The landscape of the UNN with the trees within the campus, it's a beautiful place...

That right. We usually say that the campus has green hills around it.

If you look back into the history of the founding of the university, what will you say about the founding fathers —Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Dr. Michael Okpara and others who left a legacy of a green campus that helps protect the environment?

I tell you, those were great men. Each time we talk about them, I have the feeling, how did these people think about all these things many years ago when people were not even thinking that way. If you look at the location of these university, you will see that it's ideal for academic work. The location is fantastic; and in fact, if you listen to the speeches of Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe that we are reading today, you will see that that man had vision. We are still pursuing these things he said many years ago.
Source: The Guardian, 19^th December 2010.

Nsukka corn millers weep as council bulldozes market

From KASSIDY UCHENDU, Nsukka

Wednesday September 1, will remain indelible in the minds of hundreds of mill owners and other citizens doing business at a section of Ogige Market in Nsukka Urban popularly known as corn mill zone.

To them, it was a black Wednesday as they lost not only their shops, but also their various means of livelihood.

As early as 6:30 a.m., the mill owners and traders had arrived to their places of business in the expectation that their presence could prevent the Nsukka Local Government from carrying out its plan to demolish their shops.

Their calculations were wrong as the local government made good its plan. Their leaders had for the past few months engaged the local government authorities in dialogues to persuade the Hon Tony Ugwu-led administration to give the reconstruction of the portion of the market a human face than taking to the manner of el-Rufai in those days at Abuja, when it was alleged that property were demolished with reckless abandon and the owners thrown into economic hardship. But the controversy over the reconstruction of the corn mill zone did not start with the present local government administration. It was actually bequeathed to it by its predecessors in office, especially the penultimate and immediate past administration of Daniel Ugwuja, who made an attempt to reconstruct the corn mill zone.

Daily Sun gathered that Chief Onyeman Idoko's three month's administration had given a written authority to the mill owners through the their market superintendent to reconstruction their shops by themselves, a document which Ugwu's administration, according to the millers, treated with contempt and disdain.

To stop the administration of Ugwuaja from going on to demolished their stalls, the mill owners had gone to court in a suit No N/ 34/2009, which the Ugwu administration inherited.

This remained the situation, but on September 1, it became obvious that the negations between the mill owners and the local government had collapsed. Consequently, at about mid-day, on that fateful Wednesday, the demolition of the mill zone had commenced in earnest, causing panic as mill owners and traders in the zone ran helter-skelter in a last minute effort to rescue their movable property. Amid wailing and crying, the bulldozer operator descended on the hundreds of shops within the area designated corn mill zone and in a jiffy the area which once housed mill-stones and other business ventures lay desolate.

Pensive-looking victims were seen rummaging in the rubbles, searching perhaps for valuables trampled underneath by the massive earth-moving equipment.

The police had used its Hilux patrol van to block the busy University Market Road lying parallel to the market to prevent the flow of both human and vehicular traffic. Traders in other parts of the Ogige Market not affected by the controversial demolition exercise abandoned their wares and trooped to the area perhaps in sympathy or sheer urge to have a glimpse of what was going on.

While the demolition was going on, some placard carrying victims of the demolition exercise matched peacefully along the University Market Road, chanting Christian song to invoke divine intervention.

The millers react

A widow and mill owner, who does not want her names on print for fear of victimization by the local government authority while lamenting told Daily Sun: "We are finished. My husband died after starting a corn mill business; since then, I and my eight children had depended solely on the mill as our only source of income to eke out a livelihood. Now that we have been displaced without being relocated to another place we will go home and prepare for the worst."

A university teacher who gave his name as Dr S. Agu, reacting to the demolition said; "when el- Rufai was demolishing the property of Igbos in Abuja, all of us were condemning his actions. Now what can you say about what is happening here today? I am not against market reconstruction, but it should be done in a manner that will attenuate its resultant hardship."

"I am diabetic," said one Mr Ozioko Paul, "and my wife comes here to grind wheat for me. My problem is that the council has failed to provide an alternative place for the displaced victims. I am in trouble because I cannot afford the high cost of packaged wheat."

A trade unionist and president of Allied Business Community Nsukka Urban, Comrade Ezike Theo Nzuteigbo frowned at the demolition, saying that the authority had failed to take the plight of the victims into serious consideration before embarking on it.

"I lack words to express my feelings about what happened today. I am surprised that some social crusaders as soon as they are voted into a political office, they begin to do those things they were condemning. Only God can determine the fate of hundreds of our people affected by this insensitive exercise. Many can die out of frustration. The Allied sympathizes with the victims of this mindless exercise that smacks of official rascality," Nzuteigbo said.

The President of Ogige Market Traders Association, Nsukka, Mr Festus Onugu, however, differed from the others.

According to him, the demolition was necessary to bring the corn mill zone in conformity with other parts of the market that have been modernized.

However, the leader of the mill owners, Chief Anthony Ozo-Onwuemdie condemned the action of the local government, describing it as selfish and a violation of the gentleman's agreement they reached with the LG Chairman, Mr Ugwu where they agreed that the demolition would be in phases and that his members would be allowed to do the reconstruction themselves to attenuate its attendant hardship.

"It is inhuman to throw hundreds of people into more serious economic hardship. All of us have paid our rent to the local government for the whole year and now our shops have been demolished. I think it is a rape of democracy and disrespect to the rule of law and court process. The economy of the local government area and indeed the revenue of the local government will be adversely affected," Ozo-Onwuemelie pointed out, expressing fear that many people will lose their shops after the reconstruction exercise unless wiser counsel prevails.

Reacting, the council chairman, Ugwu said the demolition was not intended to witch-hunt anyone, but to modernize the Ogige Market.

"The people are expected to re-build their shops by themselves, but where they failed, we will do it," the chairman told Daily Sun on phone.

According to him, an alternative temporary location would be provided to the affected people very soon.

Earlier, the Ugwu-led administration had carried out the same controversial exercise which his predecessor had parried when it bulldozed the yam market.

The yam traders have since been settled at a new market known as Ikpa on the outskirts of the urban town.
Source: Sun, 22^nd September 2010.

No Automatic Tickets in Enugu- Chime

By Our Correspondent  

Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has reassured members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state that the party leadership was determined to conduct a free and fair primaries for the various elective offices during its forthcoming congresses.

Chime, who stated this on Tuesday at a meeting with stakeholders of the party in the state, during which he also reaffirmed his commitment to the Goodluck Jonathan presidency in 2011, declared that the era of imposition or "appointment of candidates" for elective positions was over.

He stated that the decision on which aspirant will be the party's flag bearers for any elective position squarely rested with members of the party.

He said, "The era of appointment of candidates for elective positions in the state is over. We can no longer tolerate a situation where few people would gather and decide for the party who should represent it in elections.

"This time around, that decision will be made by people at the congresses and we will not allow anyone to compromise that".

The governor whose second term bid was unanimously endorsed at the meeting by stakeholders, stressed that the interests of each constituency in the state would override that of any particular individual.
Source: Punch, 21^st September 2010.

Enugu PDP Escalates As Chime, Others Feud Over Primaries

By Samson Ezea

THERE are strong indications that a fresh crisis may be brewing in the Enugu State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as Governor Sullivan Chime is said to be on the warpath with two separate blocs in the party.

Sources told The Guardian yesterday that in the next few days, leaders of factions of the party in the state are likely to pool their forces together to tackle the governor on many fronts, especially by working against his alleged moves to return all present elective office holders as he strategises to get a second term.

The source of the renewed tension is a motion said to have been moved by the governor during the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party leading to a resolution that contrary to the existing rule where the national chairman and the secretary would be allowed to submit the names of candidates elected during the party's primaries to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the NEC of the party must now meet to scrutinize and ratify the list first before it goes to the electoral body.

The decision, it was gathered, has literally taken away all forms of relevance from the national chairman, the secretary and their secretariat since they will no longer have a say in the emergence of any candidate, including that of the presidency.

The development has apparently worsened the rumoured estranged relations between Chime and the National Chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, on one hand and on the other, the relations between the governor and those leaders who protested in Abuja last week, calling for the dissolution of the PDP Exco in the state alleged to be loyal to the governor.

Yet, Chime's estranged political godfather and former governor of the state, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, who has since declared war against the governor's re-election, has not shifted in his resolve but rather, his political camp has also joined in the call for the dissolution of the PDP Exco working with the governor.

Those who analyzed the situation yesterday agreed that Chime had moved against the national chairman who is from his state, and certainly nerves are fraying in the political circles in the state, even in other states.

Yesterday, political interest groups were said to have met secretly in parts of the state and one source close to one of the groupings told The Guardian that "in the next few days, you will see protests because we know that with that development, the governor will now come back to settle for returning all elected office holders as he did during the last council polls but we will certainly fight him".

It was also gathered that having got his motion approved by the NEC, Chime was said to have met quickly with National Assembly members from his state in Abuja where it was said to have been resolved that all of them will be returned irrespective of how long they have spent and not minding the rotational principle existing in the various constituencies and the popularity ratings of the politicians.

Yet, a source close to the governor explained that he is torn between pandering to the wishes of the National Assembly members lobbying intensely for his blessing and leaders and other stakeholders bent on stopping some of the legislators.

Another source in a telephone interview who pleaded anonymity stated  that "it has been discovered that the governor had also agreed with his present allies that those in the State House of Assembly should be allowed to return so that all of them will help to deliver him".
Source: The Guardian, 17^th September 2010.

Enugu: Assessing Chime's Performance

By Chika K. Nnamani

Despite the monumental transformational leadership by Governor Sullivan Chime, he needs to transcend excellence to become Governor or leader extraordinaire by following the footsteps of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dr. Michael I. Okpara, all exemplary leaders. He must articulate a grand vision that are concrete, measurable, bold, and visionary for Enugu State. This grand vision must be accompanied by strategic plans with measurable goals and objectives developed by his executive council and commissioners in charge of various ministries and parastatal.

This bold initiative will enable him to navigate the usual perverted and convoluted culture that was planted, nurtured, and orchestrated by the home grown "colonialist rulers" of the previous administrations who abused public trust.  The enunciated grand vision by the governor should include critical elements of the primary interest of Enugu State - its viability as a sustaining self sufficient entity.  Questions such as -how could/would Enugu State survive financially without overly depending on the monthly allocations from the Federation Account should be properly studied and analysed.

This issue should be explored with concrete strategic plans showing the game plan. It is clear that the states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot continue in the current track of over dependency on Federation Account and expect to remain sustainable entities especially with the dwindling return on our crude oil sales. Figures released from the Federal Ministry of Finance reveals that the dooms day is approaching faster than previously anticipated.

The Accountant General of the Federation figures reveal that the current practice and culture cannot be sustained indefinitely. Enugu State should borrow a chapter from Royal Dutch/Shell "grand vision" in the 1970's and early to mid 1980's. Enugu State, like the other states in the Federation except for, perhaps Lagos State, is trapped in similar situations as the Royal Dutch/Shell was in the 1970's when they became one of the first large organisations to understand how critical it was to prepare for the "rainy day."  When they enunciated a grand vision that helped them navigate through the volatile and convulsive changes that occurred in the world crude oil business in the 1970's and early mid 1980's the other Big Six Oil Giants though that Royal Dutch was paranoid and overreacting.

Their success could be attributed to their "grand vision" that catapulted them from the most vulnerable of the Big Seven Oil Giants in the world in the 1970's to the strongest and most viable today.  Dr. Michael I. Okpara equally did not depend on the Federation Account/or the balance in the Foreign Excess Crude Oil Account to run the former Eastern Region. His approach was a bold plan that included every conceivable sector of the region on micro and macroeconomic dimensions. The result was an Eastern Region that was economically and politically sustainable and robustly viable.

Malaysia sent their experts to learn how to grow and nurture palm oil seeds/trees and how to process the oil for other industrial purposes/outputs. Today Nigeria is not even ranked in the powerhouse palm oil/kernel productivity whereas Malaysia is the king. Similar actions could be initiated by Governor Chime , as as the launching pad of an "Enugu Renaissance" and thus make Enugu State a "State upon a hill"

 ((Mathew 5:14). It is up to Governor Sullivan Chime to tell the people of Enugu State and for that matter the entire Federation of Nigeria that "Enugu is the light of Nigeria. A state that is set on a hill, as we are adorned by God, and cannot be hidden." We have the intellectual capacity in Enugu State to realise this dream.

Another challenge or stumbling block to the total transformation of Enugu State as a "shining state on a hill" is the absence of cohesiveness or inclusion of all our beloved sons and daughters of Enugu State. By "inclusion" I mean configuring opportunity, interaction, communication, information and decision making to utilise the potential of all the diversity prevailing in the state.  It requires fully, respectfully and appreciatively involving all the Enugu State citizens in the activities and life of Enugu State. This daunting challenge is equally as paramount as the diversification of Enugu State revenue bases.

  The question is "does Sullivan Chime have the "balls," the political will to tackle the looming destructive social ticking toxic bomb, that has been rearing its ugly head in Enugu State specifically in Nkanuland?" The issue at stake is the antiquated social construct of the so called "Ohu and Amadu" - the Caste System that is tearing the Nkanuland to pieces and therefore the entire Enugu State.  This issue qualifies to be flagged or elevated to a 'State of Emergency' that should not only be addressed immediately but also not be allowed to be or remain a 21st Century Social-Political construct.

 If it is not addressed so urgently, it will be the "Armageddon" that would consume not only Nkanuland but its chilling effects will eventually spill over to the rest of Enugu State and beyond. Without finding a meaningful solution to the complex outlived social absurdity, all other efforts or initiatives by Governor Chime or any other future governor for that matter,  will only be a watershed. In this regard, Chime should borrow a page from the good beginning of Governor Okwesilieze Nwodo's initiative in this very matter when he was the executive governor of Enugu State.

Like President Barack Obama pointed out in his June 4th 2009 speech while addressing the Muslim World in Cairo, Egypt, "so long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sew hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than the cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity.  And this cycle of suspicion and discord must end."  I must add Amen  to that because this is equally applicable to the prevailing situation in Nkanuland - my beloved land.

 I realise that Governor Chime alone or any other leader for that matter does not have the magic wand to wave off  this complex matter.  But I do believe that he possesses the astuteness to rally and mobilise all the powerful constituents and stakeholders in Enugu State starting

from the Igwes , Elders, illustrious sons and daughters of Enugu State, clergymen/women and to various civic organisations in Enugu State charging them with finding a workable solution to this antiquated value system. Our generation should no longer sit idly by and watch our brothers and sisters be consumed by this flame of misguided distrust and hatred. Both sides have endured the unendurable and suffered the insufferable because of the misguided actions that do not actually project the true values of Nkanuland.

 The dawn of the millennium requires us  to rise up against oppression and injustice for the dignity of humanity..

Is it not time for our generation, regardless of where we fall into the obscured distant tradition that has pitched brothers and sisters of same heritage against each other, to rise to the challenge and pledge to work together in finding a solution? How long shall we hang our hats, draw lines in the sand, continue to live, and walk on egg shells that smash the unique opportunities on both sides that could transform Nkanuland? The absence of a real resolve to end this ugly quagmire will deprive us of the much needed unity of purpose that would enable Enugu State to be a true "state on the hill," that is endowed by nature to set the examples for others to emulate or copy.

Have we not buried enough of our brothers and sisters?  Burnt enough homes?

How long shall we allow hatred to consume us? How long do we continue to deprive our people of true opportunities that could transform Nkanuland and Enugu State? Have we not learned enough from history?  Especially from President Abraham Lincoln's "A House Divided Against itself Cannot Stand" speech and subsequent actions in the United States that ended slavery? It is clear to me that the same level of thinking that continues to fan this antiquated issue on both sides of the aisle cannot resolve it. We all have to ascend to a different level of thinking in order to resolve this awful tragedy.

This is where Governor Sullivan Chime's leadership is needed to navigate the challenging and slippery roads of reconciliation and resolution of this matter forever. The moment to assert the leadership is now.  We have already wasted valuable decades that could have benefited Enugu State immensely.  We all must understand, to paraphrase Mahatma Gandhi, that "a bullet destroys the perceived enemy, nonviolence meditation converts the enemy into a friend." So Governor Sullivan should select members of the Nkanu Reconciliation Commission that looks into this ugly set of values.

 The primary purpose of the commission is not to castigate but to investigate the reasons for discontentment and recommend a win-win conflict resolution strategy that could enable us to move forward and coexist as brothers and sisters. If Senator Mitchell could broker peace in Northern Ireland, Chime can find respected members of Enugu State that can find a solution to this man made absurdity.

Finally, Governor Chime should also review and revamp the entire State Education System with a primary purpose of revising or changing the curriculum from the kindergarten through SSII, teachers training colleges and the university level. It is quite clear that our state educational system has fallen apart and that decay has gradually sipped into the very foundation of what a forward thinking educational system should be. When pupils cannot construct simple correct sentences, or worth more conjugating verbs or read a complex composition -it symbolises total condemnation of the decaying foundations of our school system.

 The new educational system and curriculum should be laced with a culture of high expectations, measurable results/outcomes for the teachers and students, fundamental reading/writing skills that promote critical thinking and analytical reasoning and respect for the sanctity of lives; and appreciation of hard work as the key to success. Our children from very early age should be taught the value of civic engagement, culturally relevant pedagogy, and how to celebrate our unique heritage. Our children and their teachers must commit to something greater than" themselves/ourselves" -peaceful coexistence, tolerance and respect and appreciation for all.

Enugu State citizens are not seeking for "Pax Enuguana" but for a genuine renaissance that would revitalise the value systems. From all indications Sullivan Chime is in the route of carving his name in the rocks that sustain the "State on the Hill" as the mighty and indefatigable Rock C.C.Onoh - "Anu nefu ngwu" of Enugu State did. C.COnoh looked straight at the eye of the storm and never blinked as he single handedly told the"Wawa oppressors" and their agents not anymore, hence the ushering in of Wawa pride in the face of orchestrated efforts of our oppressors to introduce an apartheid mind set in our beloved land.

 It is equally clear that Sullivan Chime drinks from the fountain of courage that exemplified thepublic lives of Chief Jim Nwobodo -former Governor of old Anambra State when it comprised of current Anambra, Ebonyi and EnuguStates and Chief Ken Nnamani - Senate President Emeritus of the Third Republic of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Chief  Jim Nwobodo was gobbled by the "Beast" of the Third Republic of Nigeria but he remained indigestible in the belly of the beast until the "beast" began to choke and Jim walked out from the depth of the belly in his characteristic style. "Owa of Enugu" Chief Ken Nnamani on the other hand, demonstrated to the same "Beast" that the will of God will never take you where His grace will not protect you.

  Hence he rose to the occasion to provide the leadership in the Federal Republic Senate to stop the Beast's mad design to unconstitutional third term bid, inspite of the fact that the "Beast", had gobbled all the previous Senate Presidents.  These three men represent our profiles in courage and Sullivan Chime without doubt has equally earned himself an enviable place in the company of these great Giants from Enugu State.

 The packs of government appropriations that lured his weak predecessors - past governors of Enugu State , became the granite that provided the stepping stone in the pathway of Chime. He has proven to the citizens of Enugu State, just in three years, that the choices leaders make, not the chances they take, decide a state's destiny.  I am glad that he has chosen service over self interest.
•Nnamani wrote from Normal, IL;  USA
Source: This Day, 15^th September 2010.

Why Enugu Catholic Diocese Began University –Prof. Anieke, V. C

From Peter Agba Kalu

On 27th of October 2009, the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission in a formal communication, informed the proprietor of Godfrey Okoye University that they have satisfied the requirements needed to be accorded provisional approval to take – off as a private University, in Nigerian. The pioneer Vice Chancellor, the very Rev. FR. Professor Christian Anieke (Honorary citizen of Milterkirchen, Austria) sat down with the sun for this interview.

What is the ideal behind the establishment of Godfrey Okoye University, by the Catholic Diocese of Enugu?

You know, the problem of university education in Nigeria is a very serious one, coupled with the issue of indiscipline among the members of staff and the students. And private institution like the Godfrey Okoye University intends to solves this problem.

Every private University knows that in order to succeed, in order for it to make progress and continue to increase it have to tackle the problem of indiscipline. So the idea behind the establishment of this university is to tackle this problem from the root.

We have gone a little further in this direction by insisting that when we establish a university-of course we have got one- that the students will live on campus.

That is the only way you can make sure that you take care of their life, their moral life, their academic life and of course their social and spiritual life. It is also a way of checking movement because indiscipline among students won't decay when you monitor their movement. We don't want a situation were some don't attend lectures, while some travel out from school while their parents think that they are busy studying in school. Girls will go to men and stay for months and come back to campus and of course, because you did not prepare for exams the intension will be to cheat. So we actually decided from day one that when we get a university it is going to be hundred per cent residential. So that it will help us in checkmating this very element of indiscipline and help the students to bend down and read. And of course, it is the serious minded ones who will agree to come to such university.

Of course, it was and it is still our intension that all members of the staff will be totally screened. Because if we don't have good teachers, discipline teachers, good and discipline workers what ever you are doing among students will not have an effects. It is important that you have discipline teachers and discipline students. It is this basic fact that motivated us to get a university that understands the word 'discipline' we applied for it and worked towards its maturity.

What type of curriculum do you run; I mean is it religious or is it open – ended. Again is it open to individuals who are not member of the Catholic Church?

The university belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, it is a university for all Nigerians it is not restricted to the Catholic Church or to the Christians. It is open to every Nigeria from all work of life, and we emphasis dialogue as the very important element of this university. In fact, dialogue is the basic philosophy of this university. And this dialogue is not restricted, dialogue for everything, dialogue among teachers, dialogue among students, cultural dialogue and dialogue along religious line. So our philosophy of dialogue implies that the university is open for all.

We have two faculties, the faculty of Natural and Applied Science and Management Departments. We try to emphasis this philosophy of dialogue and what ever we are teaching here should have something to do with what others are teaching. We run courses were lecturers are expected to bring exerts from different field. So, it is not about specialization in the sense because whatever we have here is also what is obtainable in other universities. It is all about our way of life which is like an Igbo traditional setting where everybody has an opportunity to express his or her own view on issues concerning the community.

There is lamentation all round about the fall of our educational standard. Do you have a solution?

The educational standard has fallen because we do not have good teachers. The standard has fallen because we don't have good secondary schools. The standard has fallen because we don't have good primary schools. All these contributed to fall in standard of education in the country. If we want to move forward, then we have to start from scrach. We have to start from our nursery schools to our secondary schools, to ensure that those who are teaching are those who are qualified to teach, that's where we should begin. We have to emphasis seriousness in the class room from the beginning because once the basic foundation of education is bad, it can affect everything. So we should get back to nursery, primary and secondary schools. That is were we should begin and then we proceed to higher institution of learning.

I don't know…I don't know how a tout should become a lecturer, I don't know, it doesn't happen any where in the world. A lecturer is some one who is convinced that knowledge is very important for the survival of the society. So when a tout has access to run and teach in the university, it is in deed the end of qualitative education and will bring about ruin to the educational system. What is society? It is about knowledge and dissemination of knowledge. Tell me the quality of knowledge in a society and I will tell you the quality of life you have in that society. So we have to go back to roots. We have to be first of all convinced that we need education in this country.

I don't think that we are convinced, that is my worry, we are not quiet convinced that education is important in this country. Look at our politician what is their emphasis on education? What is the budget for education? What is the Salaries of teachers and that of politicians? If you go to places like Abia, Imo and all that, you hear that teachers are being owned six months. What is it? Why? Why must it be teachers all the time? That will tell you the value our teachers palace for education.

Are we convinced that education is necessary for our society?

In countries like Finland, you can't imagine how much is invested in education, that it. So it is about being convinced, and once we are convinced, then we go back to the root. Once we clean the root, then every other thing will fall in place.
Source: Sun, 15^th September 2010.

Doctors Lament Dearth of Facilities at ESUT

From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

ABOUT six years after it was upgraded to a teaching hospital, doctors at the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT) have lamented dearth of facilities, saying it is adversely affecting the profession and development of the sector.

Speaking while announcing the suspension of their 11-week-old strike, the doctors said they decided to "suspend the action based on the intervention of the National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD), which has mediated in the dispute between doctors and government over the implementation of CONMESS for doctors in state-owned institutions".

President of the ESUT chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), Dr. Ogbodo Okechukwu, while announcing commencement of work by the doctors from September 8, added that they were taking the action because they sympathised with patients and not that their demands had been met by the government.

"The NARD has decided to suspend the ultimatum, which would have culminated in a nationwide strike in sympathy for our colleagues in the states and due to outbreak of cholera in some states in the North, the commitment of the Minister of Finance and intervention by the Minister of Labour", Okechukwu said.

But he lamented lack of basic amenities in the hospital, stressing that six years after, the obstetrics, pediatrics and gynecological departments were yet to be completed.

He added that the hospital exists without mortuary and workers' canteen, just as he called for the provision of fully equipped ambulance services.

"We need to improve on the library services, electric power supply as the power-generating set on ground is yet to be installed in case of outage. We don't have much bed spaces and the TC scan is not in place. The hospital needs more manpower to meet with the pressure from patients, as well as the completion of some uncompleted projects", he added.

Okechukwu, who was flanked by members of the body, urged the government to tackle the problems, even as he said that the chief medical director was liaising with the governor on ways of providing the needs of the hospital.
Source: The Guardian, 9^th September 2010.

14 Perish in Auto Crash on Enugu-Onitsha Expressway

ANONYMOUS

No fewer than 14 persons were killed in Tuesday's night vehicle crash at Umumba on the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, FRSC officials confirmed on Wednesday. The officials told newsmen that the crash, which occurred at about 6:55 p.m., involved an articulated vehicle and a mini bus with registration number XY 212 ENU, belonging to Peace Mass Transit Company.

The articulated vehicle had XA 214 NNR as its registration number. The FRSC officials said the fully loaded mini bus was on its way from Lagos to Enugu when it collided with the articulated lorry that was on its way to Onitsha from one of the states in the North. Anyebe Okpe, the Enugu Unit Commander of the road safety agency at the 9th Mile Corner, said: "The accident happened at about 18:55 hours on Tuesday and involved a truck and a bus. "We received the information and rushed to the scene within 15 minutes. They were 17 people involved in the accident.

"Fourteen died on the spot, two were injured and one of them was the conductor of the truck, while the articulated truck driver escaped unhurt." Okpe said the driver of the bus was among the dead and added that the corpses had been deposited at the mortuary of the Oji River General Hospital.

He attributed the cause of the accident to route violation, saying: "The bus left its way because of ongoing road construction work on the other side of the dual carriage expressway and was facing oncoming traffic.

"In addition to route violation, both vehicles were over- speeding." The unit commander advised the public not to engage drivers in arguments that could lead to auto crashes Okpe also advised drivers "to learn to use the road with caution in spite of the sorry state of our roads".
Source: Business Day, 9^th September 2010.

Police Smash ASUU Demonstration with Dogs

Chris Oji

Policemen in Enugu State yesterday disrupted the peaceful demonstration of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) with police dogs.

The ASUU members had planned to march to the Government House in Awka, the state capital, in solidarity with their colleagues in the Southeast, who are on strike over the non-implementation of the Federal Government (FGN)/ASUU Salary Agreement.

Men of the police command arrived with police dogs, warning them to limit themselves to the premises of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

Efforts by ASUU leaders to convince the Police that the demonstration would be peaceful failed.

The security men threatened to unleash the dogs.

The ASUU members then decided to carry out the demonstration within and in front of ESUT.

Policemen stationed in Awgu Local government Area were said to have prevented Union members from Evan Enwerem University, Owerri, from going into Enugu.

ASUU National President Prof Akachukwu Awuzie alleged that the Enugu State government used policemen to disrupt the demonstration.

Awuzie, who was represented by Dr Emmanuel Osadeke, said: "You saw what happened, Police disrupted the peaceful protest. Members from Evan Enwerem University were prevented from coming into Enugu.

"Where is our freedom of speech and movement? What we are asking for is not only the implementation of the agreement, but also the renovation of state owned universities in the Southeast.

"The police asked us not to go beyond the gate of ESUT and warned us that we should not blame them if we fail to obey the order.

"We applied to all the security agencies seven days before the protest, but we were told today not go beyond the gate."

He said the Union had planned to present a letter to the Southeast Governors through Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime.
Source: The Nation, 7^th September 2010.

Police Disrupt ASUU Peaceful Demonstration In Enugu

NNAMDI MBAWIKE, ENUGU

Heavily armed policemen numbering over 200 yesterday disrupted a peaceful demonstration embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) with dogs.

The ASUU members had planned to march to Government House, Enugu as part of their solidarity to the South East Zone of the union that embarked on a strike action to press home their demand for the implementation of the FGN/ASUU agreement of July 1, 2009 in state owned universities in the zone.

Apart from the FGN/ASUU agreement, the South East Chapter of the ASUU is also calling on governors of the zone to as a matter of urgency, embark on immediate renovation of the universities.

But, the protesting lectures who were drawn from Enugu State State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Abia State University (ABSU), Evan Enwerem University, in Imo State, Ebonyi State University, (EBSU) University of Calabar, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka, among others were astonished when operatives from the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies unleashed dogs on them, warning them to limit themselves within the premises of ESUT.

Efforts by leaders of ASUU to convince the operatives that the demonstration would be peaceful met brick walls as the security men threatened to let loose the dogs if the protesters go beyond the gate of ESUT.

Following the intervention of the security operatives, the ASUU members who carried placards with different inscriptions, including "South East Governors Save Our Universities", "All the Geo political Zones in the country except South East have fully Implemented the ASUU/FG Agreement," Nigeria, Great Nation, Good People, Bad Leaders", among others decided to carryout the peaceful demonstration within and in front of ESUT.

Prior to development, some policemen stationed at Awgu in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, had prevented some members of Evan Enwerem University Chapter of ASUU from entering the Coal City State.

Addressing newsmen shortly after the demonstration, the national President of ASUU, Prof. Akachukwu Awuzie, regretted that the Enugu State Government allegedly used policemen and other security agencies to disrupt the peaceful demonstration.

The ASUU president, who was represented by Dr Emmanuel Osadeke disclosed that all the states in the 6 geopolitical zones of the country have implemented the agreement, insisting that the South East zone has the capacity to implement the agreement.

"You saw what happened, Police disrupted the peaceful protest. Some of our members from the Evan Enwerem University Chapter were prevented from coming into Enugu State. Where is our freedom of speech and movement? What we are asking for is not only the implementation of the agreement but also the renovation of the universities owned by the states in the South East Zone

"The police asked us not to go beyond the gate of ESUT and warned us that we should not blame them if we fail to obey the order. We applied to all the security agencies 7 days before the protest but we were just told today not go beyond the gate," he said.

Prof. Awuzie explained further that the union had planned to present a letter to the South East governors through Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, regretting that their efforts met brick walls because of the intervention of the police.

The ASUU members had in the letter titled "The Motivation for the Ongoing Strike Action in the South East State Universities in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo" warned the governors that "you risk withdrawal of recognition by the NUC when the situation gets bad in your state universities"
Source: Leadership, 7^th September 2010.

Enugu Warns Against Abuse of Traffic at
Rallies, Laud Police on Nnamani

FROM LEO SOBECHI, ABAKALIKI

WORRIED by the illegal act, the Enugu State government has warned politicians to desist from holding campaigns on the roads, which obstruct traffic. It said such publicity stunts as the use of commercial motorcycle operators, should be discouraged to ensure the safety of other road-users, especially pedestrians.

The caution came from the state Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory, Mr. John Egbo, who handed down the warning while speaking with journalists on the plans by his ministry to revitalise the operations of the coal city cab scheme.

He also commended the police authorities for guarding the former governor, Chimaroke Nnamani, to his home-town, saying that the prompt response of the security agents averted possible breach of public peace and traffic snarl in the metropolis.

Egbo, who also oversees the Ministry of Transport, explained that leaving the former governor to drive through the streets would have caused a long grid lock on the roads especially for the fact that many people would have, out of sheer curiosity, wanted to catch a glimpse of the former governor who is now senator representing Enugu-East Senatorial District.

He said that alternatively, people whose relatives were murdered during the Adoration Massacre could also have cashed in on the senator's road show to vent their anger.

He added that the publicity stunt and ploy to create a controvertible popular image through the use of rented commercial motorcycle operators and taxis has become outmoded, since according to him, such gathering could provide cover for misguided elements to foment trouble.

"But having invited journalists to tell his story and possibly whip up sentiments and sympathy, it is ironical that nobody asked him (Nnamani) why a prima facie case of financial corruption was established against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Or don't you think that the fact that he is walking the street free could also have compelled negative sentiments against him? I commend the police for their prompt action and for checkmating what was actually a calculated attempt to test the security arrangement in the present day Enugu State", he declared.

Egbo noted that though the law states that an accused is perceived innocent until proven guilty, it would be proper for public officers who had a case in court for corruption and moral questions in the court of public opinion, to tread with modesty and sense of contrition.

He added that his ministry would ensure that politicians do not create problems for road-users in the state during the forthcoming electoral campaigns.

Meanwhile, the Enugu government has awarded contract worth over N6 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of two major roads in the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chuks Ugwoke, disclosed this at a press briefing with Government House correspondents at the end of the executive council meeting presided over by Governor Sullivan Chime.

According to Ugwoke, out of this amount, contract for the rehabilitation of old Enugu- Onitsha road, from 9th Mile through Udi Nachi, Oji River, terminating at Enugu State's border with Anambra State at Ugwuoba, was awarded at the cost of N3,109,816,556.50 to be borne by Udi Council and the state government.
Source: The Guardian, 7^th September 2010.

My Problem with Chime, By Nnamani

From Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani yesterday said his major problem with major political actors in the state including his successor, Sullivan Chime was his decision to dislodge the elite and establish a new political class during his eight-year tenure.

The former governor said he was hated by those who felt they owned Enugu following the application of "social principles" which he introduced in his government that gave a sense of belonging to the downtrodden to become part and parcel of the state.

"The mistake I made was to apply social principles that have been studied in well developed societies, and tried to apply it in Nigeria .  I went to bring a woman carrying sand, brought her up and sent her to the House of Assembly; or I decided to bring a bad boy, brushed him up and send him to the House of Assembly; I am doing that because the democratic set up does not need for you to be literate to be guaranteed a say in the society.

"But that didn't go down well with the political elites. Those who felt they owned Enugu , those who felt that they should be part of every activities of the state, that the state is perpetually indebted to them, probably by their contribution to ensuring the creation of the state. You won't understand that what is going on in Enugu State is pure elitist deceit; it is a deceit of the elite; elite that is thoroughly disconnected from the masses; the elite that, for the eight years I was in power, they were dislocated from power. So, unknown names, people without antecedents, people who were nobody became somebody."

"So they can't forgive me; they cannot; I don't expect the Enugu elite to forgive me, because for eight years of governance, they were dislodged; they were dislocated," he said. He added, however, that no matter how any one feels in the state, his achievements as governor of the state for eight years would continue to speak for him.

"Whether you like it or not, wherever you go to in Enugu today you will see me; if you go to Opi-Nsukka road you will see me, if you go to Obollo-Afor-Ogrute you will see me, I'm there; if you go to Ozaraezimo-Nkwere-inyi, you will see me; you will see me in the water project, you will see me in the bore-holes. If you come to Enugu urban you will see me; you will see me at Park-lane hospital; if your child is sick and you go to Park-lane hospital you will see Nnamani right there; if you pass through the tunnel that decongested traffic between Okpara Avenue and Ogui, you will see Nnamani. If you use New Haven bye-pass you will see me right there; and when you are at Okpara Square you see me looking at you; I look at you at the International Conference Centre, I look at you at the Judiciary; so what surprise are you talking about. If you start heading to Nkanu you will see me; you will see me at ESUT, you will see me at Air Force, you will even see me at Renaissance and Mea-Mater. So let's not belabour the issue.

"The issue of popularity does not arise; nobody can touch more lives or build capacity than I have done in the history of Igbo land. Check it, who is it? Okay where are the names now? The names that you hear that belong to the political elite, where were they before I came back from America; ask yourself, is there anybody who is a major player in Enugu today that was somebody before I came back from America. How many of them could afford a new car? How many of them could have their own homes? How many of them know the way to Government House, Aso Villa or National Assembly? So I have nothing to prove to anybody. It is there, whether you accept it or you don't, it is a historical fact; and you can't remove it. Because you cannot beat a child and ask him not to cry, they have to complain; they have a right to complain because its democracy.

"These guys were dislocated for eight years; it's like a baby clutching the nipples of the mother, breast feeding and you remove the mouth from the nipples, that baby will not leave you alone. So I don't expect these people to be clapping for me, praising me, it does not make sense; how else do you expect them to express their anger, the hostility, the denial of access they had. These were the exploiters of my people; these were the bourgeoisies, dysfunctional elite who exploited Enugu people for years, carrying CV's, doing contracts and this boy from Agbani shows up from nowhere and took power for eight years and you want them to give me a red carpet, they will not; because I dislocated them, including their children and grand children; I raised a new political class in Enugu, that is what the quarrel is," he stated.

Though he refused to disclose what his next line of action would be in the 2011 elections, the governor who now represents the Enugu East senatorial zone said he was not worried by the hostility he had continued to receive from those who he personally saw through their political aspiration.
Source: This Day, 5^th September 2010.

My Ordeal In The Hands Of Policemen,
By Ex-Gov Nnamani

BY LAWRENCE NJOKU

"This Is An Interesting Democracy'

Last Thursday, policemen in Enugu disrupted a welcome procession for former governor, and current  senator representing Enugu East, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani. The police ensured that his supporters, who lined the various locations from the Benue-Enugu border in Nsukka to his residence in Agbani, to receive him, were prevented from doing so. It was the second time Nnamani was returning home since he left office in 2007. The policemen, numbering over 80 and operated in 10 Hilux vans, had a hectic time dispersing the supporters even as they fired several canisters of teargas at some locations in a bid to ward off the people. At some point, the vehicles would be stopped and searched. The journey, which ordinarily could take about two hours from the Opi-Nsukka junction to Nnamani's home, took over four hours, as vehicles were forced to move slowly. When Nnamani finally arrived at his residence, he narrated the ugly experiences to anxious reporters including LAWRENCE NJOKU.

"I AM narrating this story with some level of reluctance since as a senator, a two-term governor and a member of the Police Reform Committee, I have not made reference to the police authority to, at least, have an idea of where what happened is coming from. But at your insistence, I believe it is in the spirit of transparency and communication; it is left for me to contact the police authority later.

"I must say that (when) we reached the Benue-Enugu border, somewhere around Obolloafor; we were accosted by a mass of policemen, combat-ready with about 10 Hilux vehicles and about 80 in number. My driver and pilot driver, on sighting them, were confused because we had initial report that police were brutalising people who came to receive me at the border.

"So, on seeing these policemen, I believe my driver and pilot driver were disoriented and they did not make an immediate turn. Of course four Hilux vans made criss-cross across the road and all the policemen jumped out with guns full ready.

"So, on their insistence, I was now accosted by a Superintendent of Police, from the Mobile Command, Enugu, who said he had instruction from the Commissioner of Police to escort me straight to my house in the village. That I shouldn't stop anywhere, I shouldn't wave to anybody. That the instruction was that all those policemen should escort me straight to my house in Agbani.

"Of course, I welcomed the policemen and I felt humbled: that with all that was going on; with apparently dearth in terms of the number of policemen; that almost 100 policemen would welcome me unsolicited at the border and under a democratic set up and direct my movement whether I like it or not. Since I had no plan of going anywhere, I welcomed their intervention.

"The day before, I had informed the Inspector General of Police and the Enugu Commissioner of Police that I was going home. So, if there was any such welcoming party, the Commissioner should have informed me. At each point where people (not necessarily my supporters) who knew I was coming home were stopping to welcome, the police would physically disperse them.

"At Obolloafor, Opi junction, Egede, from time to time, two or three Hilux would stop and say they wanted to confirm that there were no other vehicles coming apart from my vehicles. All sorts of excuses to delay my movement and intimidate my people.

"What really pained me was the anxiety and worry on the faces of the policemen, who were carrying out these orders. I went to the University of Nigeria and the motto is to restore the dignity of man. Those policemen lost their dignity. If you saw their faces and concern, you would know they were doing the wrong thing. I can say that the people (policemen) were ashamed; you could see shame and disappointment on their faces and at every point, they would say they were carrying out orders.

What were their reasons for doing so?

"They claimed that we were blocking the express road; that it was an illegal assembly; that it was a campaign ploy and other several excuses. We also noticed that at each entrance point into Enugu urban, they would move ahead and block it, just to make sure I didn't enter Enugu. Suppose I had decided to enter Enugu, perhaps, it could have been a different story.

"At each entry point, two Hilux (vans) would move ahead and block it. At any point where there was traffic hold-up, the two Hilux would sideline my car so that I didn't see people. This continued till we got to my village. And what pained me most was the tear-gassing of people at Opi junction, who refused to retreat.

"I believe that what transpired could have happened in error. I don't think that the Inspector General of Police or even the Commissioner of Police here endorsed the action. But I will just overlook it, to say that it is an action by few misguided junior policemen. I believe that attention has to be paid to the policing and security of Enugu State and I don't want my return to distract from it. 

When I see the Commissioner of Police, I will thank him for humbling me with such a heavy welcoming party, even in the midst of complaints about lack of policemen, facilities, and kidnapping going on in Enugu State; that 100 combat-ready policemen would spend a whole day just to ensure that a senator got home safely. It is an interesting democracy."
Source: The Guardian, 5^th September 2010.

Prices of Yams Hit Roof Top in Enugu

By Our Correspondent

Prices of new yams have hit roof tops in markets in the Enugu metropolis, although the commodity has flooded markets in the Coal City, a survey has shown.

The survey, covering Ogbete, Kenyatta, New Market and Cattle markets all in Enugu State, the News Agency of Nigeria said showed that the prices of yams – new and old – are quite high.

The survey showed that it was only at the Cattle Market that old yam stocks were still on display along with the new ones.

A small-sized new yam tuber costs as much as N200 while the price of sizeable old ones cost between N250 and N500 per tuber.

At Ogbete Main Market, Mrs Nnoyelum Ugwu, a yam seller said she stopped stocking old yams because they were rotting away, making her lose her investments.

"I have only new yams because my customers complained that the old ones easily get spoilt soon after purchase.

"Because l do not want to lose my customers, I opted to trade in the new yams,'' she said.

Ugwu attributed the high cost of the new yams to the fact that they had just come out newly to the market.

She added that the prices would get lower as soon as more harvests reached the markets, particularly the species from Ebonyi and parts of the northern states.

Mr Ibe Nwizu, another dealer said he had yet to consume the new yams because according to him, they have yet to mature.

He said, "I eat new yams from September to allow them to get matured and sweet.''

He denied sticking to Igbo traditional practices that hindered people from consuming yams unless they had observed some traditional rites.

"If I stick to such traditional rites before eating new yams, I will be risking dying of hunger with my family, because yams are our staple foods that are easily affordable.

"If you remove it from my menu, it can have a telling effect on our survival,'' he explained.

Although more of the old yams were on display at Cattle Market than the new yams, Malam Abdulkareem Salami, who sells them, complained of low patronage as many of his customers were requesting new yams.

Also at the Kenyatta Market, Ifeoma Nzeka, a food vendor said she had since opted for new yams since her customers did not mind going for new yams.

"My customers are happy as most of them are bachelors, who do not bother about observing traditional rites before eating new yams, more so that they are not in their rural communities,'' she said.

At the Artisan and New Markets, new yams were all over the markets but some buyers like Mrs Nkem Okafor expressed surprise at the exorbitant rates.

"With this high price, l have to purchase only five tubers, instead of the 10 that l had planned earlier to purchase,'' she said.

Chief Innocent Obianozie, an Ozo titled man from Neni, Anambra State, noted that as a titled man, he would only consume new yams after observing traditional rites, to avoid incurring the wrath of the gods.

"I do not want the gods (ancestors) to come after me. Tufiakwa.

"It is a mark of respect, not only for the yam as `king of all farm products' but also to thank our ancestors and god for his kindness to mankind through farming,'' he said.
Source: Punch, 22^nd August 2010

Enugu Denies Badagry To Become Lagos State's New Economic Hub, Says Fashola

BY ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA

IF all goes well, Badagry would soon become the new economic hub of Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola has said.

He made the disclosure during the week in Lagos while speaking at the public presentation of the book, 'Slave trade and Western civilisation in Badagry: A brief history of human enslavement in West Africa and the new world,' written by Mr. Ashamu Sewanu Fadipe, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations.

Fashola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Ranti Odutola also tasked people to fight for their freedom and against slave trade.

The prime location of Badagry, its history and huge presence of tourist attractions, Fashola said, have made it one of the most visited tourist attractions in Nigeria. These factors and many more, he said, informed the decision of the state government to focus its attention on the town as the new hub for wealth generation.

"Because of this and the possibility of making tourism a big foreign revenue earner for Lagos State, my administration has embarked on development of tourism related infrastructure in Badagry."

He listed the infrastructure to include the ongoing expansion of the Badagry Expressway into a 10-lane highway, reclamation of Badagry marine, upgrading of the VIP Guest House to a modern recreational facility, the slave route project, the Black Heritage Festival and the citing of an electricity equipment factory.

For the governor, completion of the projects in no distant time would transform the town into a new economic centre and tourism destination for the state.

"It is hoped that when these and other projects are completed, Badagry and its environs would attract more tourists and consequently put Badagry on the world tourism map,'' Fashola said.

He described the 72-page book, a revision of the first edition written some years ago by the same author who is from Badagry, as very incisive. 

"It opens a new vista and better national and rural appreciation of the place of Badagry in world economy and human solidarity,'' he said.

As the world looks forward to celebrating the International Day of Slavery on Monday, August 23, the governor urged everyone to continue to fight for the freedom of humanity from all forms of enslavement and deprivations.

The book presentation, which was well attended by people from both the private and public sectors had in attendance the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Inter -Governmental Relations, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi who gave the welcome address; the Akran of Badagry, Oba Aholu Wheno Tovi 1; high chiefs from Badagary and representatives of the body of permanent secretaries and commissioners in the state civil service.
Source: The Guardian, 20^th August 2010.

Tears As Man Narrates Ordeal With Soilders

Written by Ebere Uzoukwa, Owerri

It was a theatre of tears and sorrow in Owerri, the Imo State Capital on Thursday  as  a 70 year-old-man recounted his ordeal in the hands of an army sergeant before a tribunal. He said the army officer, identified as Sgt Ogar, who is serving at the 82  Division,  Enugu Barracks of the Nigerian Army caused his blindness by hitting  his eyes after serious beating with military belt  which damaged his eyes.

The aged man, who introduced himself as Joseph  Okechukwu Agu, from Enugu State,  told  a public  tribunal  on police abuse  in  Nigeria, held at  Imo Concorde Hotel for the South-East zone, that  the incident  happened on  January 15, 2009;  precisely the day the army celebrated its Armed  Forces Remembrance Day.

Agu, who was assisted to the podium by his wife, narrated that the army sergeant recklessly overtook his lorry and stopped him abruptly on the accusation that he wanted to hit his Mitsubishi bus. The military personnel subsequently mounted his vehicle and started unleashing terrible blows on him and seized his vehicle key.

After efforts to stop him by some of his colleagues failed, Sergeant Ogar did the worst by hitting Agu's face from behind with military belt, which damaged one his eyes instantly with blood gushing out from the damaged eye.

"Immediately, I fell down, lost my sight, became unconscious and didn't know where I was. My eye bleeded for two weeks with terrible pain" he said in tears.

He lamented the failure to carry out surgery on the remaining eye, as the military hierarchy at the 82 Division ignored his cry for help and the delay subsequently led to the final damage of the remaining eye that caused his total blindness two months ago.

Agu accused the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of frustrating the report of the military police panel that investigated the incident, and lamented that Sergeant Ogar, who caused his blindness is still serving in the Nigerian Army today without facing appropriate punishment.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians to wade in to ensure that Sergeant Ogar is brought to book and adequate compensation  paid  to him by the Nigerian Army.

Meanwhile, the chairman, National Coordinating Committee , Network on Police   Reform in Nigeria, Mr. Andy Nkemneme, had earlier assured that the public  tribunal, which was set-up in  conjunction with the National  Human  Rights  Commission (NHRC)  and National  Committee on Torture,  would provide  opportunities and platforms  for numerous  survivors  and relatives or representatives  of victims  of indefinite  detentions, extrajudicial  killings, torture and other inhuman, cruel or degrading  treatments such as rape and other sexual violence to testify about  their experiences with the police and armed forces.

He expressed  optimism that the panel had carefully chosen eminent  Nigerians who  would hear  the testimonies  and make recommendations with  a view  to ensuring  that the victims  of these abuses get redress  and remedies, and that  the perpetrators are appropriately  brought  to book.
Source: Leadership, 20^th August 2010.

Chime lights up Enugu communities

Chris Oji

GRASSROOTS people toil the year round but find it difficult taking their produce to the markets in the towns and cities. Why? Because their roads are often in utter disrepair.

When Governor Sullivan Chime took office, he promised to open up feeder roads. Now, he has kept faith with that developmental agenda. Feeder roads are being upgraded. Hitherto unlit communities are also being connected to the national grid

This was demonstrated when the governor commissioned the 33KVA Oji Substation Circuit Breaker and the Oji-Nachi Inter-Town Connection (ITC) network to improve quality of electricity supply to Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas.

The project, which was executed by the state government in partnership with Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) at the cost of N68m included the Construction/Installation of 33KVA circuit breaker and 7.2 kilometer route length of 33KVA Inter-Town Connection (ITC) Network from Oji Substation to Nachi.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Chime said the execution of the project was in line with government's efforts to improve the number and effectiveness of PHCN facilities in rural areas and boost power supply in rural communities in the state.

Chime noted with satisfaction that the impact of the improved power supply is being felt by power consumers in the affected communities in Udi and Ezeagu council areas.

He commended the State Rural Electrification Board, officials of PHCN, the State Water Corporation and all the unseen hands that contributed in one way or the other to the successful execution and commissioning of the project.

Governor Chime then appealed to the people to protect the project, even as he said: "So long as we protect what we have and pay our electricity bills promptly, things will be better and government will continue to provide the people with the basic needs of life."

In his speech, the State Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Casmir Ugwu said the project was embarked upon to address the age-long epileptic power supply to communities in Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas from the 9th Mile Corner injection substation.

Ugwu explained that before now, some communities in the two local government areas used to connect light to the dedicated electric power line to Ajalli Owa and Oji River water intake pumping stations thereby increasing electricity demand on the line and resulting in water shortage in the state capital.

He said: "It is as a result of these disturbances on the dedicated line that the State Rural Electrification Board (REB) and the PHCN conceived this alternative route of supply from Oji River Power Station to supply light to these communities within the affected two local government areas."

He stated that the project was completed in March this year by the (REB) through direct labour and confirmed fit for energisation by the Ministry of Energy, Electrical Inspectorate Division in May. He thanked the PHCN and the state government for their support towards the execution of the project.

The Chief Executive Officer, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Mr. S.A. Yahaya in his brief remarks said with the commissioning of the electricity project and its improved quality and quantity of power supply, the socio-economic well-being of the entire people of Udi and Ezeagu council areas will improve greatly.

Yahaya used the occasion to appeal to electricity consumers in the area to reciprocate government's gesture and help Enugu Electricity Distribution Company to serve them better. This, he said, they could do by protecting the power line from vandalisation and prompt settlement of their monthly electricity bills to sustain the power supply.
Source: The Nation, 13^th August 2010.

Enugu herbalist takes 48th wife

…Says I have accomplished ambition of making my family become a village. I will go to heaven because I am a good man

From KASSIDY UNCHENDU, Nsukka

An Enugu based herbalist and self-styled King Solomon of Africa, Dr OnuUwa Simon Odo, made history recently when he performed the traditional wedding rites to a 24-year-old girl to bring the total of his wives to 48.

The 64-year-old herbalist, who married his first wife at the age of 15 , by the recent marriage, now ranks among the world's most polygamous men.

OnuUwa wedded Ndidi, a secondary school leaver at a flamboyant traditional marriage ceremony unprecedented in the annals of Ajii, a hinterland community in the Igbo Eze North Local Government Area, Enugu State.

The herbalist who said he specialized in healing the sick, especially those whose ailment had defied orthodox therapy; preparation of good luck and success charms, claimed to have received his power from Eze-Nwayi (mermaid) at an early age.

Although he told Daily Sun that his latest wife, Ndidi would be his last, a family source said it is doubtful if he could resist the urge to marry more wives, insisting that "he will marry again."

OnuUwa, who said he was a baptized and confirmed Catholic, as well as a Mass server, denied any involvement in ritual sacrifices or shedding of human blood.

"I will go to heaven because I am a good man," he boasted, adding that if he were bad, the gods would have punished him through his children or wives, pointing out that he has never recorded death of a child or wife.

It is just very wonderful how peaceful the family is, given its large population. Explaining the secrete behind the unprecedented harmony in his family, he attributed it to the strict adherence of members of his household to the written rules guiding his family, which he calls the "four commandments" that forbids them to steal, be jealous, fight or kill.

There is no barren woman in his household, but he refused to disclose the number of children he has.

"How can I tell you the number of children I have. You don't count children, because they are gifts from God. Before you leave, one of my wives may give birth, would you not call me a liar?" the herbalist queried jokingly.

"My ambition to establish a village with my family has been realized. We are now more than a village," he told Daily Sun. Hear him:

I once served mass

I started my herbal business in 1962 when I was 15 years. I was attending the Catholic Church. I was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church and I even served the mass. Because I was poisoned by my enemies I had to leave. I was born in 1947, the year locusts appeared in the sky.

My kind of herbal practice

Since I started the herbal practice in1962, I have been kind to my patients and I used my gift to help very many persons. If you give me $100 million to kill a human being, I will not take, I no dey "share" blood. I am a man and I cannot "share" blood because, God created the people.

I want to emulate King Solomon

No, it is not 47 wives, but 48. Yes, I married a very young secondary school leaver and did the traditional marriage recently. Her name is Ndidi and I love her too much I decided to marry the 48th wife because, it is what I desire to do. To marry many wives is ordained by God. For me, I want to marry like King Solomon in the Bible. God is helping me. I am healthy. I have the money and can marry as many wives as I like, since I am sexually active. Even in the next 30 years, I will still be sexually active. I am a herbalist and I know the power of plants and roots in our body.

Ndidi will be my last wife

Ndidi will be the last woman I will marry. I will not marry anybody again. I don't want to marry any more. I am okay. I am getting older even though I am healthy; I am okay with 48 wives. I will not marry again; I don't want to reach 50 wives. You want me to marry two more to make it 50, no!

How many wives have you, yourself?

The number of my children

They are plenty; I don't know how many they are. You don't count children, they are gifts from God. I don't count them. It's abomination to do so. What I know is that some of my wives have 10 children, some five, some four, some two. We have not recorded any death here either of a wife or child. The last wife is yet to get her own children. One of my daughters is a councilor, serving for the fourth tenure. My first son Emeka has married and he has six children and his first daughter is already married. I have 35 grand children. Many of my daughters are married. One of my wives just came back from the North where she went to see her daughter who gave birth recently. Some of my children are in the universities.

The work I do

The work I do is not by inheritance. It is a special gift from Eze Nwayi. She can choose anybody from the family irrespective of age. It is my destiny; nobody can learn it unless you are chosen because it is very, very hard.

When I will die

Yes I know, and it is God who will say it. When he says, I will know. How can you ask me that question? Do you want me to challenge God? No, I will not.

Me being a politician

I am the father of all the political parties, PDP is my own; PRP is my own; NCNC is my own, all of the parties are my own. Anyone of the politicians who want to contest, if he comes to me, I help the person. I like politics; I love it so much because it is the easiest way to make money in Nigeria today. I did not go to school otherwise I would have become a politician.

Yes, I helped many of them to become governors and commissioners, but I will not tell you their names. Why do you want to know their names? They come from Hausa, Igbo, Igala, Yoruba and other parts of Nigeria. Some are now in the National Assembly; when, you help them and they go up, they will not remember you again. They are wicked.

Achieving my dream of having a village as family

Yes, it has been achieved, God has made it possible, if you come to my house now, you can get more than 300 people, are they not up to a village?

My best wife

Thank you very much. My lovely wife and the one I love most is Ndidi, the last one. I love her most because she is yet to get her own children. When she gets issue up to two or four I will begin to love all of them equally.

Any Will?

I will not share my property now. I made no Will. If I do it now it will bring misunderstanding. God gave me obedient and good wives. Nobody is envious of her neighbour. Even if I die today, they know how to share my property peacefully because they know I am not a wicked man, I am not a bad person; God will never give me or my children power to do bad things. I am sure of that one.

Feeding my wives and children

Some of my sons have money. They are rich. My first son has his own house and is married with six children. The senior rich children are catering for their families. I only see to the upkeep of the junior ones. None of my children is useless. All of them are very responsible. That is why I have no problem.

My strength sexually at 64 and with 48 wives

Yes, I am strong 24 hours. Even in the next 30 years, I am on; in the next 30 good years I have the strength to meet my wives. Do you know the reason? I have no envy in me. I have no time to fight with anyone or struggle for something. Money is not my problem. I have never made case with anybody. I live a peaceful life. All these things make me to grow younger. I am always happy in my compound. Everybody knows what to do and what is forbidden. So, there is no quarrelling or scolding. My wives are happy. If there is no peace in my house it can weaken me both physically and spiritually. I feed very well. If a wife who should feed me for the day fails, another one will take over.

Any regrets in life?

Nothing whatsoever; absolutely nothing. I say nothing at all. I am fulfilled. God is so kind to me. I thank my God for everything. I don't habour any ill feelings. Even all my wives know this. I don't tolerate nonsense. If any of my wives misbehaves, I sack her . But thank God none of them has given cause for me to act in that way.

I married all my wives in the traditionally

I did not marry any of my wives in the Christian tradition. I married all of them in the pagan way. True, I was a Catholic and was baptized and confirmed in the Catholic Church and was a Mass server. I had to leave the church when I was poisoned by my enemy.

Advice to my children

I don't want any of them to tell lies, I don't want any of them to steal, I don't want any of them to be jealous, I don't want any of them to kill or do any evil. I told my children that any of them that disobeys the advice, I will disown him.

Ndidi: why I married my husband

My wedding the herbalist is the best thing that has happened to me in life. I am grateful to God for doing me the favour. He is my choice, nobody or circumstance forced me. I love him because he has a good reputation in our area and beyond. I relate well with other wives. As human beings, if we have any misunderstanding, we settle it immediately before our husband finds out because if he finds out, we will be in trouble.
Source: Daily Sun, 11^th August 2010.

10 Feared Dead As Kerosene Tanker Runs Into Enugu Streets

Written by Nnamdi Mbawike, Enugu 

No fewer than ten persons were feared dead yesterday, when a tanker conveying kerosene to an unknown destination ran into houses at Abakpa Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

According to an eye witness account, the accident which also injured many people occurred when an operative of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps jumped into the vehicle and struggled the steering with the driver

Leadership Sunday gathered that the Civil Defence Officer had flagged down the vehicle at one of its checkpoints in the area but the driver was said to have sped off, a situation that forced the officer to jump into the tanker.

  It was further gathered that the driver of the tanker refused to stop or hand over the steering to the officer, a development that forced both of them to lose focus.

The refusal of the two persons to give up in the struggle, it was further learnt, forced the vehicle to run into houses, killing 10 and injuring many innocent citizens.

  As at the time of filing  in this report , the identities of the suspected dead and injured persons  were yet to be identified but it was gathered that majority of them are citizens of Enugu State.

The injured victims of the accident are currently receiving treatment at an unidentified hospital.

When contacted, the commandant of the Enugu State Command of the NCDC, Sakiru Adisa said the accident would have been avoided if the driver had obeyed the orders of the his officer.
Source: Leadership, 8^th August 2010.

'Enugu North Senatorial District Yearns For Federal Presence

BY ONYEDIKA AGBEDO

What is your take on the controversy surrounding the zoning arrangement of the PDP?

First and foremost, I want to plead with Nigerians to believe in this country. If we believe in the country, we will be more comfortable in evaluating issues that emerge as we continue our journey to nationhood.

The background I come from is such that what you first look at is the quality of delivery that somebody has before other things come into play. So, for me, if we are able to get the quality right, then emphasis as to where the person comes from is a secondary issue.  In as much as the concept of inclusivity in a diverse setting is important, we should not over sensationalise it in the present debate about the zoning of the presidency because power comes from God and He lets power go the way he wants. If we agree that power comes from God and He shows mercy to whomever in accordance with His riches in Grace, then we need to tone down the extreme positions that we want to balance power in the name of zoning so that we do not risk playing god to assign power in accordance with our thinking.

That said, it is usually a common occurrence that when it is convenience for some interested parties in Nigeria, they use USA as reference and then in other circumstance that may not favour there desires, they look the other way. When Richard Nixon was impeached as the president of the U.S. after the Watergate scandal, Gerald Ford Rudolph took over as the president and he went ahead to contest for election on the Republican Party platform although he lost to President Carter. When J.F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, his vice, Lyndon Baines Johnson took over and he governed for two terms.

What I am saying in essence is that these are human systems and there is no mechanical application to human systems.  So, we should look at where the hand of God is and apply ourselves in that direction.

What is your comment on the just concluded amendment of some sections of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly in view of the thinking in some quarters that the amendments were self-serving and failed to address important issues in the country?

I agree that we have fundamental flaws in the 1999 constitution. It was like a dummy that was presented to the people. I believe that the amendment of the constitution should be a holistic exercise before it can really address the core issues that sometimes threaten our corporate existence as a nation. So, whereas I would not outrightly condemn the amendments as self-serving I would say that it is a partial address of the issues that bother the polity. What has been done so far looks like something that was done in a hurry because elections are coming, so the challenges of the moment did not give the lawmakers the full concentration and commitment to be able to do a holistic job.

Do you think that Nigerians have any cause to celebrate the 50th independence anniversary of the country come October 1?

I have very great honour for this nation. We have got our shortcomings and failings but I must tell you that if there is nothing to celebrate, we must celebrate the fact that we remain one country after all the travails that the nation has suffered. It shows the resilience of the people no matter the disappointments and uncertainties that confront us as living creatures. I believe that this country is the place to be; we only need little changes in human behaviours, which should be led by the leadership of the country and things will shape up. So, we have got to celebrate.

I am aware of your intention to run for the Enugu North Senatorial seat in next year's elections. What is your attraction?

I am by nature a grassroots man. I grew up in my locality in Enugu North Senatorial Zone and have been observing overtime that things have been dwindling and the prospects of bringing hope to the people almost getting extinct. I looked at my interactions particularly with the youths and concluded that we are heading towards a dangerous end if some basic interventions are not taken to give elements of hope and direction to salvage the situation.

The governor of the state, Sullivan Chime has, however, done excellently well in trying to bring hope to the masses. But despite his efforts, we have got a huge gap particularly in the very poor environment that is synonymous with the senatorial district. It is poor in the sense that we have got enormous resources in terms of natural and human resources, which are yet to be activated in a place where you have a teaming population of youths that are looking at the future. That is why we need to be involved. 

To be modest, we have over three trillion naira already committed in Recurrent and Capital expenditure by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the past three and a half years, but in absolute terms the people of Enugu North Senatorial zone with a population of more than 1.5 million have not had any visible presence in terms of infrastructure development, employment or human capacity building. So, I believe that we require a very efficient and well-focused representation in the Senate to provide the right advocacy, networking and vision to be able to attract life-enhancing projects and amenities to the zone.

As you saying that the representative of the zone in the Senate under this dispensation has not done well?

I am always very positive when I talk about my colleagues and friends. I believe he has done his best. He has performed to his utmost capacity and that is very well given. And when somebody has done something to his utmost capacity, you have got to congratulate him.

My position is that we have untapped opportunities while the people continues to face challenges in their daily lives in search of a direction for growth that will help a young, educated and active population My mission to the senate, therefore, is to tap into the existing opportunities waiting to be tapped by providing the right attitude, activity, network and disposition. I want the zone to move out from the position of having their existing opportunities unharnessed to the level where we will have them fully harnessed and then focus our energies on creating new opportunities that will further benefit the society.

Given that you will not be vested with executive powers as a senator, how do you intend to go about it assuming that you win? 

The privilege of serving as a senator is a very strategic one in the operation of the federal system. You are aware that every year, the country runs a budget where all the projected activities of the federal government for the year are crafted. I will illustrate it thus: If you are working in an organisation and they intend to have a feast for a particular class of people and you belong to the committee where all the preparations are made such as the type of foods to be cooked, the quantity, who should be invited to the event, etc., wouldn't you want to ensure that your people benefits? That is the position of a senator in this country and it takes your personality, using the positive competencies which has God endowed you with and which you acquired overtime, to get your colleagues and all that are involved in the decision making process to get some portion of what will benefit your people.

So, if you are a senator and these budgets are being crafted, you should be in a position to use your competencies to get some of the projects to your own senatorial zone and see that they are executed for the benefit of your people. This is part of giving hope to the people.

In my senatorial zone, we have all kinds of professionals and business entrepreneurs who can handle any kind of challenge in this country but I am yet to see any person from the zone that has done a job of even N50 million for the federal government in the last three and a half years.   These are part of the things that are expected of a senator. When somebody has a business and you engage his business, it is a way of enhancing his capacity. It takes a senator that knows the challenges to be able to build that kind of intervention.

How prepared are you for the contest being that you have not played on the terrain before and the fact that the incumbent might not let go easily. Moreover, on which platform are you contesting?   

As a matter of fact I agree with you that the Nigerian political system is a monstrous terrain. But as a child of God, I am not going there with my power. The people that inspired me overtime to make a decision and move into this terrain are people that should I become a senator by the grace of God, would not need anything from me. Their satisfaction would be the benefit that the society and their communities will get. So, that is my first and major encouragement as I enter the race. 

Also, the words of the great philosopher, St. Francis of Italy which says "spend time to find out what is necessary, do the possible and then you will find yourself doing the impossible" is a kernel of inspiration to me.  

Despite that, however, I had to go into deep meditation because the forces are enormous. But in the Christian parlance, with God all things are possible as long as you have got the right inspiration. I have that inspiration.

In terms of the party platform, I am contesting on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The party has done very well in Enugu State. It has had a very good representation in the state and that is my attraction to it.
Source: The Guardian, 7^th August 2010.

Enugu lawmaker's wife, seven others die in auto crash

By Ozioma Ubabukoh, Enugu

A member of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Mr. Emmanuel Maduagwu, on Wednesday lost his wife in a car accident, in which the lawmaker was severely injured and slipped into a coma.

Seven other people were reportedly killed in the accident, which our correspondent gathered, occurred along the Enugu - Port Harcourt Expressway.

Both the legislator's driver and the driver of the other vehicle, a mass transit bus, with which the lawmaker's car collided, died on the spot.

Maduagwu who represents Awgu South in the state House of Assembly, was said to have been returning from a meeting he held with members of his constituency at Awgu in company with his wife, when the accident occurred.

According to a source in the assembly, the lawmaker was rushed to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, where he was admitted to the intensive care unit.

The Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, Ebere Amarizu, told our correspondent he was yet to be informed about the accident.

"I am just hearing it from you now. You are the first to tell me. I will ask and get back to you," he said.

Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication, Mr. Marcel Njeze, confirmed that Maduagwu was involved in an accident and that his wife died.

"Yes, he had an accident. The wife died on the spot. Right now, he is at the intensive care unit of UNTH. The doctors are battling to save his life. We pray he survives.

"Meanwhile, we (his colleagues) are rallying round to see what we can do," Njeze told our correspondent on Wednesday.
Source: Punch, 5^th August 2010.

Army Official Decries Level of Insecurity

Emma Mgbeahurike

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 division, Nigeria Army Enugu, Maj-General Mohammed Isah has raised alarm at the security situation within his area of responsibilities, regretting that cases of armed robbery, kidnapping and road traffic accidents dominated situation reports within the zone.

 This has been giving me great concern because so many lives are being lost unnecessarily.

General Isah made this statement on the occasion of the 82 Division Inter-Brigade Warrant Officers and Senior Non-commissioned Officers competition held at the headquarters of the 34 Brigade, Obinze.

He charged the officers and men of the division to always be security conscious, in view of the forthcoming 2011 general elections, urging them to ensure that democracy and democratic principles are rigidly adhered to.

Quoting Field Marshal Evwin Rommel-a renowned German General during the 2nd World War, the GOC said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), LT Gen. AB Dambazau had identified training as an essential part of his mission statement for the Nigerian Army (NA).

He expressed concern at the poor performance of last year's WOS and SNCOS competition in map reading, drill and weapon handling, warning that such abysmal performance would not be tolerated in the 82 division.

The GOC listed the 13 Brigade Calabar, 2 Mechanised Brigade, Port Harcourt, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, 82 Division, Enugu, 54 Division Signal, 72 Special Court Battalion, Makurdi as the participants in the competition that was packaged to enhance professionalism and efficiency among the officers who are the bridge between the officer corps and the soldiers.

Describing the competition as an annual event, Gen. Isah said that part of the visions of the COAs for the soldiers is to be more efficient in service to their father land.

The Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brigadier-General David B. Shaljaba, explained that the WOS and SNCOS competition was organised in compliance with the implementation of the 2010 training directives as laid down by the headquarters of the 82 Division.

According to him, the competition was aimed at improving the leadership and organisational abilities of the WOS and SNCOS in the division with a view to preparing them to undertake more challenging responsibilities.

He stressed that the objective of training is to achieve success during operations and to attain optimal goals and objectives.
Source: The Nation, 1^st August 2010.

FG to Investigate Cause of Landslide in Enugu

From PETRUS OBI, Enugu

The Federal Government has promised to carry out a detailed investigation into the landslide disaster that destroyed farmlands, cash crops and property worth millions of naira two years ago in Ugwuleshi community in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The Acting Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr. Charles Agbo, noted that the government had earlier sent some experts to identify the actual disaster that affected the community which came out with the report that it was a landslide and not earthquake as speculated.

He, however, assured that the government would carry out further findings to determine the extent of damage and probability of future occurrence.

The NEMA director general urged the Enugu State government as well as the host, Awgu Local Government to fulfill their own part by providing the necessary counterpart fund that would enable the project to take-off.

Agbo who flagged-off the rehabilitation of the community's water scheme and reconstruction of broken culverts in the area described the incident which occurred on October 7, 2008, as quite unfortunate, acknowledging that the disaster brought untold hardship to the people. Said he: "The incident no doubt led to the loss of farmlands and cultivated crops, agony, fear, confusion, and tension, saying though, "we are glad that various government interventions brought succor to the victims of the ugly incident when it happened."

He recalled that the agency had earlier donated relief materials to victims of the disaster through the South East zonal office under the leadership of Dr. Abdulahi Onimode, as immediate relief measure, stressing that the projects were part of the recommendations made during the administration of the immediate past director general of the agency.

"The Federal Government is not disposed to paying compensation to victims of disaster but has decided to use this measure to bring succour to this community.

I, therefore, urge this community to be part of reconstruction work, be the good host and insist on the use of approved materials and ensure that the expected standards are maintained."

Agbo disclosed that the project which is expected to be completed within four weeks was under a tripartite arrangement involving the Awgu Local Government, state and NEMA, adding that arrangements were concluded by the agency for the mobilization of contractors to site.

He noted that disaster management was a business for all since nobody could determine when it would happen and urged the community not to misconstrue the disaster as being the hand work of an offended god.

He therefore called on the people to always be vigilant in observing early warning signs, and to also take local precautions to help mitigate disaster and to always call the attention of the government whenever it overwhelmed them. "I call on all of you to preserve the environment by planting tress, resolve quarrels through dialogue and make use of legal authorities where there is any breach."

In his remarks, Chairman of Awgu Council Area , Chief Uche Anioke, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government through NEMA , for coming to the aid of his people, recalling how the landslide threw the entire community into perpetual suffering . He praised NEMA for its quick intervention but stressed the need for the Federal Government to send down experts to conduct a detailed investigation in the affected area with a view to ascertaining the real cause of the disaster and put in place mechanism to prevent reoccurrence .

He, however, announced that his administration was set to pay the sum of N2 million counterpart fund needed for further investigation into the disaster.
Source: Sun, 5^th July 2010.

Robbers Raid Adult Education Class in Enugu

Emmanuel Nzomiwu

Enugu — Daredevil armed robbers invaded an adult education class at St. Luke Primary School, Obiagu Enugu at the weekend and dispossessed students of their belongings and cash.

The robbers, who were said to be five in number, stormed the evening adult education class of over 400 students on Friday while lessons were going on and at gun point, forced everybody including the teachers to lie down on the floor.

One of the students, who pleaded anonymity, said the robbers moved from one row to another in the large class and dispossessed students and teachers of their mobile phones, other valuable belongings and cash.

Our source disclosed that the robbers, who were between the ages of 18 and 22, shut all the doors to the class to stop anybody from going out or coming in while the operation lasted.

It was gathered that the armed robbers, who operated in the class for about two hours, later carted away their loot from in three big travelling bags, leaving the students counting their losses.

Another student, who also pleaded anonymity, expressed shock over the robbery, saying that last weekend's robbery was the first he had witnessed since he enrolled in the Adult education class.

The source said that most of the students are now scared of continuing with the class, adding that "in as much as we consider education important, we would not pursue it at the risk of our lives.

"I decided to join adult education because my parents were not able to send me to school. Everyday I finish vulcanizer work around 5 pm and leave my work place for school. I have been doing this for five years now, but this is the first time I am experiencing such a thing," the student said.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Enugu, ASP Ebere Amaraizu, could not be reached on phone for official confirmation as of press time.

The latest incident added to the growing spate of armed robbery in Enugu, which in the last one month, has claimed the lives of a South Korean national, Yon Shon Lee, Chairman of the Butchers Association, Cyracus Onyemaechi and a police officer.
Source: Daily Independent, 23^rd June 2010.

ENUGU: Opposition In Tatters

From Lawrence Njoku, Enugu

AT one of his functions at Okpara Square Enugu in 2008, Governor Sullivan Chime stunned the gathering when he declared that there was no credible opposition in the state, explaining that those fanning the embers of opposition were doing so purely in the media.

He had gone further to proscribe the former governor Chimaroke Nnamani?s ebeano political family, a subset of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing it as ?unconstitutional, illegal and doesn?t exist in the lexicon of the party,? even as he called on the leadership of the party to discipline all those carrying the banners of ebeano, instead of those of the PDP.

While he was reminded that he too emerged from the ebeano platform, Chime told the crowd of PDP supporters that ebeano was not a political platform, but ?deceit coined by few individuals to exercise political control.?

Turning to other opposition parties, he declared that the PDP was ready to accommodate those that are willing to join the party, stressing that, by the time the administration would have finished her first tenure, there would no longer be anybody left in other opposition parties.

Chime, stressed that the good work embarked upon by his administration, would not only speak for the party and his government, but would ensure that opposition of any kind was permanently rendered meaningless as there would be nothing left for them to talk about.

Like a prophetic utterance, that declaration of the governor is fast coming to reality in the state, as almost all the opposition political parties have become prostrate, with their members jumping into the PDP, leading to concern that Enugu is being turned into a one party state.

It started with the movement of members of different political parties; on a single day, for instance, the leadership of the PDP played host to over three thousand members of the Accord Party, who said they decided to join the PDP in view of the good work of the government of the state.

Members of the Action Congress, and the Labour Party soon joined them, to the extent that the entire executive of the parties moved over to the ruling party.

Soon, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), led by Adonys Igwe, which many felt could have provided the necessary checks and balance joined in the frenzy, singing the praises of the PDP government and scolded any body who criticized it.

Many who had blamed hunger for appointive or elective offices as responsible for the development, were however, stunned early this year, when two prominent members of opposition parties, who had in fact ran for governorship in 2007, but lost to Chime abandoned their parties and joined the PDP. It was a blow that left the opposition paralyzed.

They were Ugochukwu Agballah of the Accord party and Oscar Egwuonwu of the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP).

Incidentally, the duo, who finished 3rd and 4thth in that election, according to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were among the candidates that took Chime to the tribunal, where after much legal battle, the tribunal voided his election and called for re-run.

It took an appeal by the Governor to the higher Court to have his mandate restored, but not without the tension it generated.

Sources told the Guardian that since wooing the two politicians to his side, an air of certainty appears to have been procured, as a major block to the governor?s re-election bid in 2011 might have been removed. This is being speculated following the length of experience garnered in the politics of the state by the two politicians.

Agballah was former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani?s Campaign Manager during the 1999 elections; he ran for the office of governor of the state in 2003 against Nnamani and Chime in 2007 and failed on each occasion.

His appetite for political power is also attributed to his movement from one political party to another, having worked with PDP in 1999; and in 2003 ran for governorship on the ticket of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and moved to Accord Party in 2007 when he was denied APGA?s ticket.

On the side of Egwuonwu, who became an archrival of Nnamani following a petition he lodged against the administration at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), he served as the Council Chairman of Udi local government under Nnamani. Perhaps, his rating by the society which was boosted by that singular action in challenging his boss at the EFCC, led to his dream of becoming governor of the state in 2007.

Although, he ran and lost, he remained a strong voice until the verdict of the Court of Appeal in 2008, which restored Chime's victory.

But beyond the roles the duo had played, perhaps to raise the political ante of the state, sources said that, the mass exodus of their supporters into the ruling party was responsible for current confidence of the ruling party.

However, while the opposition political parties, were recovering from the shock inflicted on them by the exit of Agballah and Egwuonwu, another dangerous blow, which may have driven a death nail permanently on the coffin of opposition in the state is the declaration for PDP last weekend of the governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2007, Chief Fidel Ayogu.

Ayogu is seen as a strong opposition, who had variously contributed in the political development of Enugu State and his new posture is regarded as the last straw. In 2003, former governor Nnamani did the battle of his life to outwit him in the governorship election; likewise, incumbent governor Chime.

Ayogu declared for the PDP at a well attended rally at Enugu Ezike, in Igbo Eze North local government area, during which traditional rulers in the area also gave their backing for Governor Sullivan Chime?s second term bid.

The former ANPP Chieftain, who is now Nigerian Ambassador to Uganda said his decision to lead his followers to the PDP was borne out of a realistic assessment of the popularity of Governor Chime among the people and the need to unite all Enugu people especially those from his (Ayogu?s) Enugu North zone in pursuit of peace and rapid development.

He disclosed that he had been in touch with the Governor from the earliest days of his administration and was impressed with the remarkable changes he had brought to the state within a short period.

Ayogu said, ?I must say frankly that even though it has not been a pleasant experience to have contested the governorship of this state twice, I am very much impressed with what Governor Chime has done within the past three years. His performance is simply exceptional and that explains his astonishing popularity among the people. He is a good man, he has done well and it is only wise that we join hands with him to ensure that he completes the work he has set out to do?.

He further declared that the Enugu North (Nsukka) zone would stoutly resist attempts by an undisclosed politician to sponsor a candidate from the zone against Chime, saying that the zone has unanimously decided to wait its turn to produce governor after Chime might have completed his second term in 2015.

State Chairman of the Citizen Popular Party, Prince Uzochukwu said the defection of opposition party members was as a result of the style of administration of the governor.

He said, ?How do you expect opposition to thrive with the level of poverty ravaging everywhere in the state and the political parties are not being patronized by the ruling party? The outcome will be a one party state and this is what is happening now in Enugu.?

But Okey Ezea, who is the leader of Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) in the state, told the Guardian that though it is the ?inalienable right of people to join any political party of their choice,? the fact that the level of decampment had reached a feverish pitch would not dim the spirit of true opposition party members.

?I don?t see these discouraging true opposition party members; we have lost nothing as far as I am concerned because, so many factors could contribute to their movement. It is now that the stage is defined, people now know the true opposition in the state and those who have been pretending to be part of it. For me, I will remain opposed to what is happening in Enugu and there are so many people in Enugu who are not satisfied with what is happening in this state,? Ezea said.

He noted that the level of movement in the PDP now does not mean that the party was formidable enough to win the 2011 election, stressing that, most of those joining the party had done so for want of what to eat.

Presently, there are no party offices in the state other than the PDP and it has even become difficult to pin down a politician that has refused to join the PDP. Most of the political parties cease to exist after the 2007 election and have remained like that till date.

On the surface, the opposition in the state seem no more, but though the PDP has remained the most glamorous, its success may also be its undoing.

This is going by the fact that, though the governor had claimed that his work would campaign for him, he had already set out to do the campaign himself with the mobilization he is doing at the moment.

The development within the party at the national level has not also helped matters for the state chapter, as the fear is that a change in the movement of the pendulum might spell doom for its present arrangement. Although many are jostling to get the ticket of the party towards 2011 and nobody so far has indicated interest in flying the flags of the other parties, the state PDP does not feel too secure, as the way it handles the issue would determine the position of the party in the election.

Again, the seeming silence of Senator Chimaroke Nnamani and his group in PDP has become another major worry that cannot be over looked. This group, as being alleged could work with remnants of opposition parties in the state to cause upset in the election.

For instance, recently when the PPA inaugurated her state chapter, a chieftain of the party had told the press that the mammoth crowd at the event was drawn from various wards of the party, explaining that, none was hired to grace the event.

The deduction is that should such crowd still exist in the opposition and perhaps remain intact till 2011, then opposition might still pull a surprise in the coming election.
Source: The Guardian, 2^nd May 2010.

Nsukka residents endorse Chime's
second term bid

ENUGU—TRADITIONAL Rulers and leaders of thought in Nsukka senatorial zone of Enugu State have endorsed Governor Sullivan Chime for a second term in office with a request to the Governor to handover power to somebody from the zone in 2015.

The Nsukka people advised governorship aspirants from the area not to challenge Chime in the next year's election as anybody who does so will not be supported.

They made this known when the former gubernatorial candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party, ANPP, Ambassador Fidel Ayogu decamped to the ruling People's Democratic Party, PDP, at Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area.

Source: Vanguard, 28^th April 2010.

Enugu Assembly okays Health Insurance Bill

Enugu—The Enugu State House of Assembly has passed the National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, Bill into law.

This followed the presentation of the report of the Joint Committees on Health and Judiciary at the third reading during a plenary of the House, yesterday.

Mr David Atigwe, Chairman of the Joint Committee, said the bill was referred to the committee on 4 February and that a public hearing was held in March.

Atigwe noted that with the passage of the bill, affordable healthcare services would be provided for all levels of income earners in the state's civil service.

Ruling on the motion to pass the bill, the Speaker, Mr Eugene Odoh, commended members for their useful contributions since the inception of the bill.

He apologised for the delay in the passage of the bill, which he attributed to other official engagements, urging the implementing agencies to put necessary arrangements for its immediate implementation.

"With the passage of this bill, the contributions of Enugu State civil servants will not be in vain as it will enable them to access healthcare services at minimal costs," he said.

In another development, the Enugu State Road Maintenance Agency Bill was introduced to the House by the Deputy Leader, Chief Mike Onyeze.

The executive bill which was not referred to any committee was to enable members to debate its merits and demerits before committing it to any committee.

Meanwhile, Odoh emphasised the need for the House Committee on Works to arrange for legislators to visit the rehabilitation sites at the Onitsha-Enugu and Enugu-Port Harcourt highways.
Source: Vanguard, 28^th April 2010.

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