NPFL week 3 results Plateau United 3 Vs. Heartland FC 0 Enyimba 1 Vs. Wikki Tourists 0 Ifeanyi Uba 0 Vs. Dakkada FC 1 Jigawa Golden Stars 0 Vs. Rangers 1 Katsina United 2 Vs. Adamawa United 0 Lobi Stars 3 Vs. Warri Wolves 0

@newsechonigeria @newsechonigeria @newsechonigeria MFM FC 1 Vs. Sunshine Stars 0 ...Strong voice echoes the truth ISSN: 2736-0512 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 VOL. 2 NO. 4 N150 Rivers United 3 Vs. Kwara United 0 Fire destroys Nnewi Bishop demands return Nasarawa United 1 Vs. Kano Pillars 1 multi-million naira motorcycle spare of Ibeku High School Wike commissions parts factory Pg. 12 to Anglican church Pg. 2 jetty, warns criminals Pg. 12 Just to elect PG, Ohanaeze Ndigbo scatters Gunmen kill three policemen in

Ebonyi attack Pg. 7 Imo AA holds congress

Jan. 16 Pg. 11 PDP blasts Kalu over defection claims Pg. 3 Pg. 8,9 As confusion trails Obiozor’s emergence Other candidates boycott in protest Monday, January 11, 2021

Bishop demands return of Ibeku High Abazie; Prefect, IHS 80 Anambra NDLEA seeks set, Chukwuemeka Obike School to Anglican Church (Stagger); Ugo Nwabisi, partnership to tackle illicit sorry state of the school Emeka Obike, Chimezie From Dan Maduagwu, K a n u , C h i n e d e m queen palms planted all and encouraged the old drug trafficking Umuahia A j u a m i we a n d M r s. round the school are boys to do more towards Christy Onyekwum said it From Ovat Mike, where some traffickers use he Ibeku High watered and adequately the school's uplift as the was a thing of joy after 40 Onitsha the state as transit point for School Boulevard taken care of. government cannot do it years to come together and drugs to different parts of and Solar powered He pointed out that the all alone. he Anambra State T brainstorm on how to northern Nigeria. street lightings financed by first queen palms planted H e r e m i n d e d t h e Command of the move the school forward. Odigie, who regretted the 1980 set and Connak were neglected and they gathering that the school National Dr ug T h e y d e c r i e d t h e T that despite the efforts Foundation has been withered off. belongs to the Anglican Law Enforcement Agency, dilapidated state of the already made by the officially commissioned Ukeagu who assured the communion before the school, adding that they NDLEA, has announced command to curtail drug by the Commissioner for school of more assistance, state government took were shocked to see that its readiness to partner trafficking in the state, Education, Abia State, said he was happy and over most public schools in most of the structures other state commands to d r u g p e d d l e r s h av e A s s o c i a t e P r o f e s s o r proud to identify with his Nigeria, and seized the were in bad shape with less ensure that trafficking continued to device new Kanelechi Nwangwa. old school mates. occasion to call on the attention to it. dr ugs to other states means to move illicit drugs T h e o l d b o y s He said since he started state government to return They recalled with t h r o u g h A n a m b r a i s through the state. re presented by their the Connak Foundation in the school to the church as nostalgia their days in nipped in the bud. He however, called on secretary, Mr. Temple 2012, it has changed lives they recently did to some school, how they viewed The Public Relations community leaders to Nwosu also used the and brought people out of churches including Holy then principal as a thorn in Officer of the command, strengthen partnership occasion to bestow an poverty. Rosary Secondary School their flesh and how every M r. C h a r l e s O d i g i e with the NDLEA as award on one of their own, Ukeagu revealed that in w h i c h w a s r e c e n t l y offence, no matter how community participation Mr. Kenneth Ukeagu, Umuahia and Aba, the returned to the Catholic disclosed this to newsmen little attracted punishment will be the only strategy to founder and CEO, Connak foundation has trained church and has been in Awka, on Saturday. and suspension. address the menace of Foundation and to the and still training over 400 transformed immensely. According to Odigie, They said they began to d r u g a b u s e i n staff of the foundation. persons including Ibeku Ibeabuchi called on the this will help the agency appreciate the principal communities. S p e a k i n g i n High School students on old boys to shun sin, stop the horrible situation, after leaving school. appreciation of the award ITC and also given out wickedness and raise their They however frowned at Ibeku High School play money for people to start children with the fear of that the school no longer Abia has great potentials, ground, during the grand their own businesses. God. has boarding houses with felicitations of joy as we home-coming/reunion Earlier in his speech, the I n t h e i r v a r i o u s most hostels converted to says Ibe put a permanent seal on and the commissioning of b i s h o p o f A n g l i c a n speeches, the chairman of offices, adding that the 2020 and with g reat the boulevard, Ukeagu Communion, Umuahia the occasion, Sir George he Founder and benefits of boarding on e x p e c t a t i o n i n i t i a t e called on the management Diocese, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Akomas; national leader, Chief Executive students are enormous. transition into 2021. of the school to ensure that Ibeabuchi lamented the Old Students, Kenneth TOfficer of Gregory University Uturu, Abia “ I t i s a g a i n s t t h e State, Prof. Gregory Ibe backdrop of the many has called on the people of challenges that confronted Foundation offers free medical services humanity globally in the adding that they were the state to have great From Ovat Mike, be replicated in Anambra sponsor of the free medical out-gone year, that I have focusing on checking on confidence as the state has Onitsha N o r t h a n d A n a m b r a outreach and called on chosen to enjoin all vital signs and called on the g r e a t p o t e n t i a l f o r Central Senatorial Zones affluent individuals in the Abians to remain positive. he clarion call by beneficiaries to adhere development. respectively. s o c i e t y t o e m u l a t e As a people of faith, let Governor Willie s t r i c t l y t o d o c t o r ' s Ibe in a New Year On his part, the leader of Orajiaka's magnanimity. us therefore quickly heal O b i a n o t o prescription for better message to the people of T the medical team, Dr. Fola The beneficiaries in their over the pains and perils of t h e s t a t e, w h i c h h e Anambra people to invest David from Lagos State, result. s e p a r a t e s p e e c h e s , personally signed, said the 2020, even as we take sure at home is beginning to said that the free medical The President-General expressed gratitude and state is steadily making and steady steps into the yield positive result as the outreach is for everybody Azia General Assembly, prayed God to bless the progress. prospect of a promising people of Azia community irrespective of their age, Dr. Tonna Nwabueze, on benefactor. H e e x p r e s s e d glorious future of great in Ihiala local Government his part, commended the confidence about the possibilities for our dear area of the state, are tremendous potentials of Abia. savouring the benevolence the state and assured that I remain confident of one of their own, Chief 2023: Group drums he would continuously about the tremendous Paul Orajiaka. and sacrificially partner potentials of our state and News Echo gathered that every development-driven w i l l c o n t i n u e t o the people were filled with support for Atiku stakeholder in the state, in sacrificially partner every gratitude as they received order to realise the state's d e v e l o p m e n t - d r i v e n health care services free of the 2023 election results held in Umuahia with a call stakeholder, in order From Dan Maduagwu, dream. charge. came out in reflection of by the new leadership for realise the Abia of our Umuahia The statement reads in The event took place at p e o p l e ' s w i s h , b u t the Abia State government, p a r t s , " I b r i n g y o u dream". the Azia Civic Centre, on group known as expressed the confidence security agencies and Sunday. Atiku Suppor t that the country still has the general public to avoid Bribery: Rivers sacks 11 Speaking to journalists, O r g a n i s a t i o n shortly after the exercise, A chance to correct the dealing with miscreants ( A S O ) h a s s a i d t h a t the sponsor, Chief Paul anomaly in 2023 by picking w h o m a y p a r a d e taskforce members Nigerians missed the Orajiaka, said the outreach the right choice. From Godson Nwosu, chance to take the country t h e m s e l v e s a s I PA C N w a d i b e ( r t d ) w h o was for the benefit of the Also speaking, the zonal leaders. Port Harcourt revealed this in Port people of Anambra South to a greater height by not coordinator of ASO, Hon. Igara in his mission Harcourt, said he received Senatorial Zone. having Alhaji Abubakar Alozie Alozie said the leven members of statement after his victory, several reports against H e n o t e d t h a t t h e Atiku as the president of activities of the pro-Atiku the newly formed promised to lead the them. foundation is aimed at the country in 2019. group were active in the ERivers State task W h i l e e x p r e s s i n g giving the people a new The group in a statement entire South East zone and council with the fear of force on illegal trading and lease of life, healthwise, at Aba, signed by its Abia beyond, adding that Abia God and to pilot the affairs motor parks have been concern that they carried adding that most of the State Coordinator, Barr. State chapter, headed by of his office in line with the relieved of their duties for out the act despite several challenges facing the Chima Ogbonna during its Ogbonna had successfully mandate given to him. allegedly collecting bribe. wa r n i n g s b e f o r e t h e people include getting i n a u g u r a l e x e c u t i v e been inaugurated. Igara also said the victory commencement of the health care services at the The task force personnel m e e t i n g s a i d i t h a d M e a n w h i l e , t h e o f L a b o u r P a r t y i n new exercise, Nwadibe primary level. who were sacked on 7th reactivated its mandate to Chairman of Labour Party councillorship elections in said the sack would serve Orajiaka added that it is January, 2021, allegedly sell the candidacy of the (LP), Abia State Chapter, Ikwuano L.G.A. recently, as a deterrent to any important that people at the former vice- president of extorted money from grassroots get free medical Hon. Ceekay Igara has showed the strength of the member of the taskforce Nigeria before the 2023 members of the public c o n s u l t a t i o n a n d been elected the new party in the rural and urban who wants to carry out game. around Choba area in medication for all their Chairman of Inter Party parts of the state, vowing O b u i / A k p o r L o c a l such act. ailments as they need to be The ASO regretted that Advisory Council IPAC), that his party would spring H e a l s o e x p r e s s e d Government Area. healthy and live a good life, the economic and security of the state chapter. more surprises in future satisfaction at the level of The new coordinator of intimating that the same crises rocking the nation H e w a s e l e c t e d o n polls in the state and the performance of members the taskforce, DSP Felix free medical treatment will would have been avoided if Thursday in an election entire country. of the taskforce. Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 3

Ozubulu church dedicated 4 yrs after attack From Maduako Eleweke, guidance on the church Onitsha and the people throughout the year and declared that atholic Bishop of the 'gate of hell will never Nnewi Diocese, CMost Rev. Hilary prevail against the church'. Paul Odili has performed Odili thanked Chief the dedication of St. Aloysius Ikegwuonu for Philip's Catholic Church, singlehandedly building St. Ozubulu, Anambra State. Philip's Catholic Church, The dedication is coming O z u b u l u a n d f o r h i s four years after the church generousity to the church was attacked by gunmen in and mankind and prayed 2017, leaving many dead and others injured. G o d t o b l e s s h i m In his speech, Most Rev. abundantly. Odili urged Christians to Speaking during the occasion, Chief Aloysius recognise the sacredness of Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku and wife, Mrs. Bola, praying during church service to mark the church as an institution Ikegwuonu thanked God a reception organised by his alma mater, St. Columba's College, Amaimo, Ikeduru, recently. under the authority and f o r u s i n g h i m a s a n guidance of God. instrument for the service of mankind. He said that Christ He also thanked the exemplifies love and PDP blasts Kalu over defection claim church for their prayers advised Christians to love From Dan Maduagwu, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in Umuahia on Saturday, was in tune with the needs that helped to sustain him one another in order to Umuahia which he claimed that urged Abians and the of the people. after the tragedy that befell overcome evil. many members of the general public to disregard "We challenge Orji Uzor St. Philip's Church four h e P e o p l e s party had defected to the The prelate noted that Democratic Party the claim. Kalu to make available the years ago and prayed that All Progressives Congress Kalu had been quoted as the church should be a such ugly incident would T(PDP), Abia State (APC) in the state. pictures of the thousands chapter has dismissed the saying that thousands of house of prayer for the not be experienced again. The PDP in a statement o f P D P m e m b e r s h e faithful not a place for report credited to the PDP members joined APC T h e c e r e m o n y wa s from its spokesman, Mr. at his Camp Neya home in purported to have defected politics and warned against S e n a t e C h i e f W h i p, attended by many other Fabian Nwankwo, in I g b e r e, B e n d e L o c a l to APC in his residence. using the church for other members of the clergy and Government Area. T h e p i c t u r e s b e i n g activities that do not give the Traditional Ruler of violence were also arrested. said he would allow a Nwankwo submitted glory to God. circulated in Abia by his Ozubulu, Igwe Fidelis Facebook and Twitter smooth transition of power that Kalu was only on ego- to the president-elect. cronies do not make up to He prayed for God's Oruche, among others. h av e s u s p e n d e d t h e boosting dance, adding Trump is also facing twenty people despite the a c c o u n t s o f T r u m p that the Senate Chief Whip impeachment proceeding fact that the faces are well Vice President Pence indefinitely for inciting his for the second time before was trying to impress the supporters to invade the the expiration of his tenure presidency and APC office known APC members", Capitol Building. as there are indications that i n A b u j a a b o u t h i s the statement reads. to attend Biden's Tr u m p ' s I n s t a g r a m l a w m a k e r s o f t h e popularity. The PDP further insisted Democratic Party are also account was also blocked He charged Abians to that Kalu's home does not permanently. considering removing him maintain their support for h ave t h e c a p a c i t y t o Jan. 20 inauguration Trump had indicated from office before January 20. House Speaker, Nancy c o n t a i n u p t o 1 , 0 0 0 ike Pence, U.S. prevent a further escalation that he would not attend the PDP and Governor Pelosi, is also reported to persons, adding that the Vice President, of the crisis. Several of the the inauguration of his O k e z i e I k p e a z u ' s be eager to have the senator's claims were jokes w i l l a t t e n d p e r p e t r a t o r s o f t h e successor on January 20 p r e s i d e n t i m p e a c h e d a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , a s M after he had grudgingly taken too far. President-elect Joe Biden's again. according to him, the PDP inauguration on January 20, a senior administration official has said. 7 killed as Amotekun, herdsmen clash in Oyo Pence presided over the even persons were He said, “It all happened and in less than 2 minutes commandant arrived from available to newsmen after senate certification of the r e p o r t e d ly k i l l e d that some youth had a music stop playing and that Ibadan. the media briefing by the when men of the Oyo was around 9.25pm, I was But the Commandant, Electoral College votes that S carnival around a market Commandant stressed that Col. Olayinka Olayanju State Security Network square and were permitted still able to be hearing its operatives raided the handed Biden victory over Agency popularly known as people shouting "Is it up to (retd.), has denied that there to do what they were doing were clashes between the forests of Ibarapa and Oke President Donald Trump. Amotekun and some Fulani 10pm? till 10pm, I notice the men of the corps and Fulani Ogun areas of the state in He acted as the senate clashed in Tapa in Ibarapa “And that was when I the early hours of Saturday gathering around 6pm and I herdsmen in Ibarapa and president. North local government heard gunshots for about 45 Oke Ogun axes of Oyo t o r i d t h e a r e a s o f invited the Disc Jockey to Tr u m p h a d wa n t e d area of Oyo state. minutes, even when I got State. kidnappers and criminal T h e A m o t e k u n know what the gathering home, I was still hearing the P e n c e t o r e j e c t t h e A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , elements. operatives were said to be on was all about and who gave gunshots going on and on. I Amotekun had recently The corps paraded one of congressional certification a mission to fish out them the permission and logged in to Tapa Indigene embarked on operations in the suspected kidnappers, of the electoral victory of kidnappers from the area when was it schedule to end, Whatsapp group to follow response to the incessant Sanni Bello, who was Biden in the November 3, w h e n t h e i n c i d e n t I was briefed that the king updates on what was going reports of killings and arrested in the forests happened. on and that was how I knew 2020 election. was well informed and that kidnapping in the area, around Aiyegun in Iwajowa 3 of my cousins were shot. T h e c o n g r e s s i o n a l But there were conflicting launching his men launched Local Government Area. the gathering will be till “The venue was just a reports of the incident. six operations in four local The statement read, certification came after While one account said that 10pm, I personally asked stone throw to my family government areas. “Contrary to reports, there security was tightened at the area was a den of the DJ to end things by house and while they were However, he stated that was no clash whatsoever Capitol Building following kidnappers, another said 9.30pm so everyone could happily sitting in front of the the team in Aiyete was between Fulani herdsmen a mob of Trump supporters that the operatives simply go home before 10pm. house, the deceased was hit attacked in the forest by and Amotekun in Ibarapa ran into people who were “I left my family house in the chest at 5 different who had earlier invaded suspected bandits, three of or Oke Ogun axis of Oyo celebrating and started leaving my cousins sitting in angle, another lady was hit the building to prevent the whom were killed by men of State. shooting. In the process, front of the house around right under her breast and “When our men entered lawmakers from sitting. 9.08pm, I passed the venue the Amotekun Corps. many were killed and another in the leg! All three the forests at Aiyede, they Four people died while of the gathering looking for According to him, the several others wounded. people were my cousins were attacked and a gun s eve r a l we r e i n j u r e d a bike around 9.15pm, I operations were fully An eye witness, Qudus sitting in their house. Over battle ensued, which led to o p t e d t o t r e k w h e n I supported by Fulani leaders including police personnel Odugbemi from Tapa, said 15 people were shot in the death of three of the in the ensuing violence that couldn't get a bike to take different part of their bodies in the areas. He added that that a group of youth was me, I was trekking down to s o m e M i y e t t i A l l a h attackers. One of our men followed the invasion. including a pregnant lady.” celebrating their carnival the garage when I met the He said that the cops members were part of the sustained injuries' he said. The police are yet to issue A curfew was declared by when they were attacked by Amotekun cops going knowing what they have operations. done all ran away until their a statement on the incident. the local police chief to Amotekun operatives. towards the gathering venue A s t a t e m e n t m a d e Monday, January 11, 2021

What is the value of your award? wards as we understand are e l e m e n t s w i t h q u e s t i o n a b l e EDITORIAL made out by organizations as characters well known to the society Publisher Aa way of honouring or have been admitted into the noble Larry Kingsley acknowledging the outstanding knights hood of some churches while performances of individuals or the honourary degrees of the Acting Editor-in-Chief Jude Owuamanam groups who may have distinguished universities are traded off at the themselves in one endeavor or highest irrespective of what these Executive Editor another. Such recognitions naturally institutions may represent to the Jennifer John are designed not only to appreciate larger society in terms of roles. Managing Editor them but to encourage them further as We now live in a society where Ori Martins well as challenge others in similar people's worth is measured by the size effort or other endeavors to work of their pockets. It matters not how Editor harder to be so acknowledged too. this wealth came about. Big men can Afam Echi There is nothing wrong in giving or be found among the ruling class, the News Editor receiving awards but there is educated class as well as among the Emmanuel Iheaka everything wrong in the manner these business people. The common Production Editor awards are handled making it to lose indicator or denominator is money or Anthony Ogbekile its worth or value. Virtually wealth. everything in the country has been Today chieftaincy titles are up for Correspondents bastardized or devalued including grabs at the highest bidding. We have Dan Maduagwu Okey (Abia State) awards. There are just very few redefined our values. Money is what Uchenna Ezeadigwe (Anambra State) awards that people earn genuinely defines our placement in the society. Senior Reporter based on merit even at professional or Just grab money from anywhere and Uzoma Ogoke national level. anyhow, even if from armed robbery, Reporter It is sad to remark that some 419, stealing public funds (our Ikenna Orioha persons today deliberately engineer common wealth), you will be their own awards and approach knighted by the church, your Contributors/Columnists organizations to honour them either community will honour you, the press Dr. Sir Amos Agwamba Dr. Chuks Osuji for personal gains or political reasons. will sing your praises, the Universities Justina Nkechi People do so because of the perceived will award you honorary degrees and Ogechi Erondu elevation it would provide them as your fans will celebrate you. high ranking members of the society. It is the same society that confers Production Philip Kalu To some it is a short cut to realizing undue recognition to never do wells Ifeanyi Raymond their dream of self-actualization. that still suffer. In other words we Awards in recent times have been create the society we live in. The point ADMINISTRATION General Manager identified as one of the processes we have reached in our state of James Kalu through which organizations can anomie is where we can neither raise funds. The underlying objective distinguish between what is right or Operations Manager in most of the awards here is not the wrong. We are in constant state of Patricia Nwoye value conferred which should go to shifting values depending on what Web Administrator deserving individuals but which are suits us. Bismark Ibegbulam made to those who can 'cash and One of the implications of carry'. It is laughable in some cases undeserving awards conferred on Circulation Team Mr. Aloyius Ogboka that some of the awards made out to never do wells is that it has not only Ignatius Ogechi Ajoku individuals are pushed to them lowered our standards of judgment of Tasie Chidiebere through subtle pressure because of what is true, right and honourable but Christain Okafor the pecuniary interest. has encouraged more of those in that Legal Adviser The recent trend noticed is the category to want to be so honoured. H. O. Ogbusu situation where some unemployed News Echo identifies strongly with persons who are not contributing any the fact that honour must be given to value to the society form themselves whom it is due and that he who the into groups and engineer awards to cap fits let him wear. As a matter of some members of the public through encouragement people should be which they enrich themselves. Some picked out and honoured based on folks who have developed the habit of proven achievement. Character of the collecting strings of award fall for individuals should be a source of such traps in order satisfy their ego inspiration to upcoming young men. driven desire. It is inappropriate for the moral It is sad to remark that the frivolous health of our society to continue to awards made to certain person have honour men of questionable integrity further helped to devalue and debase because that amounts to encouraging our society. Some persons criminal them in their illicit behavior. Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 5 Opinion Demystication of the American democratic process By Anthony Akinola underestimated. come at the time they did, leaders worldwide. He powers. with his endorsement and T r u m p d i d n o t President Trump might hired and fired his staff Another aspect of his e n c o u r a g e m e n t , t o ometime in 2018, a manage the crisis that still have managed to like a businessman solely combative nature was his attempt to prevent the w e l l - r e g a r d e d erupted in the aftermath secure a second term in motivated by personal apparent unwillingness to f i n a l r i t u a l i n t h e Sprofessor of politics of the police killing in a office. The opinion polls profit. In the words of s t r i k e a c o r d i a l c e r t i f i c a t i o n o f t h e in an American university manner that would have did not give him a chance, P r o f e s s o r R i c h a r d relationship between his election of Joe Biden. The told this writer he would s u g g e s t e d h e w a s a but his performance in the N e u s t a d t , “ T h e presidency and the press, undemocratic leaders of n o t b e s u r p r i s e d i f p r e s i d e n t o f a l l e l e c t i o n , r u n n i n g Presidency is not a place relying on monotonous the world will, for a very President Donald Trump Americans, irrespective of President-elect Joe Biden for amateur. The type of tweets for the conveyance long time, justify their secured a second term in race. The opposition very close, suggests it was expertise can hardly be of his messages. To be fair authoritarianism with office. The economy was exploited this, while the a job not well-done by the acquired without deep to Trump, the press seems what they saw in America. doing very well, and the a g g r i e v e d A f r i c a n - pollsters. America has experience in political to have always been The world will not economy has always been Americans registered and always been a divided office. The presidency is a antagonistic to his person. forget the presidency of t h e t o p p r i o r i t y i n voted massively than they nation along diverse place for men of politics Trump may have been Trump in a hurry. He has A m e r i c a n e l e c t o r a l had hitherto done even in sentiments. but by no means is it a the worst thing to have run a show, negative in decision. Quite a number the election of Barack The rise of Trump as a place for every politician.” happened to the image of many respects, which of former presidents had Obama in 2008. dominant figure in 21st Of course, if one may American democracy in m a n y A m e r i c a n failed to win reelection The second event is the American politics has a d d t o t h e e l o q u e n t recent memory. America presidents were not able to because of unfavourable invasion of our space by been that of a character statement of Professor i s r e v e r e d a s o n e do in two terms of office. economic circumstances. the coronavirus pandemic who has been able to Neustadt, the presidency important nation of the H i s p r e s u m p t i v e The global perception of which has continued to exploit those divisions to cannot be a place for men world where the transfer successor, President-elect Trump as an unorthodox claim lives all over the political advantage. He and women of untested of political power from Joe Biden, has a lot of American President made world. America has been has more or less become a character. The combative one leader to another has mending to do. His first the suggestion of his one of the most badly hit cult figure to millions of and aggressive nature of hardly been problematic. task would be to heal the p o s s i b l e r e e l e c t i o n nations, not least because Americans, especially Trump infiltrated into the Political contestants were divisions which Trump something of curious of its population and those white Americans g l o b a l a r e n a w h e r e known to have conceded has stoked for political interest. seemingly nonchalant who claim to be superior diplomacy suffered a defeat and congratulated advantage. However, two critical attitude of President to others. major assault. He decided their rivals even before the He has acknowledged events in the 2020 election Trump to the crisis. He When Trump sought o n c o u n t r i e s w h o s e counting of votes was the enormity of this task in year could be said to have tended to underestimate and won the presidency in nationals could come and concluded. President his post-election speech. conspired in putting an the deadliness of the 2016, he was described as those whose could not Trump has proved to be a Biden will hopefully be e n d t o t h e h i g h l y disease by not prioritising t h e m o s t c o m b a t i ve come into America and conspicuous exception to a s s u m i n g o f f i c e i n controversial presidency the advice of medical presidential candidate had to contend with this beautiful aspect of January, inheriting an of Donald Trump. The experts. Even where he since Andrew Jackson, challenges in the law American democracy. economy that has been murder of George Floyd should have been seen to 1789-1797, and, uniquely courts by ideological and He continues to rant, badly damaged by the in May, by a brutal white be leading by example, his the only president to have political opponents. His without any authenticated pandemics. Not least policeman, galvanised the antics trivialised the come into office without philosophy of America proof, that his victory was because of his age-he is 77- a w a r e n e s s a n d wearing of face masks as a having held a previous First which undoubtedly stolen from him. He had Joe Biden looks very much determination of African- protective cover for the political and military resonated with millions of m a d e c r i m i n a l a n d like another prospective Americans to a new spread of the disease. p o s i t i o n . T h e l a t t e r Americans at home meant unconstitutional efforts to one term president whose reality. The Black Lives Rightly or wrongly, his attribute makes him an America was gradually have votes overturned in focus and priority would Matter sentiment earned opponents blamed him for amateur that he proved to losing ground as the his favour. The greatest be on domestic politics global sympathy and its tens of thousands of be in his management of preeminent nation of the show of shame in all of r a t h e r t h a n t h e consequences for the COVID-19 deaths. p r i v a t e s t a f f a n d world it has been for many t h i s w a s w h e n h i s expectations of the global November presidential H a d t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h decades, and this to the s u p p o r t e r s s t o r m e d community. election could hardly be aforementioned events not politicians and political delight of rival global Capitol Hill, apparently Ihedioha, Christmas and spirit of love By AIC Akwarandu remained the same over enthusiasm associated r e c o r d e d o v e r 2 0 0 receiving and meeting is a period of supporting hristmas all over the years. The same spirit w i t h t h e s e a s o n . thousand people who with guests, while some each other with the little is celebrated as o f o n e n e s s , l o v e , However, due to the joined via zoom platform will come as groups, you have in other to Ct h e p e r i o d happiness, joy, etc. Like Covid -19 pandemic, the a n d Fa c e b o o k L ive some others will come in radiate joy which the heralding the birth of t h e S o n o f G o d , 2020 edition of the stream to participate in t h e i r i n d i v i d u a l birth of Christ simplifies. Jesus Christ, the Son of Ihedioha radiates joy Cantata was hugely the event. The Cantata, capacities, while others Little wounded he takes for Emeka Ihedioha, is may come as delegations. G o d . A c c o r d i n g t o from one place to the played in line with out time to attend various always a take off point After the morning events, ranging from Matthew 2:10, “When other across the state and corona virus protocols. f o r t h e r e s t o f t h e rituals, the man sets out w e d d i n g s t o c h i l d they saw the star, they beyond where he spends Yet, the essence was not lost! Christmas and New Year to meet and celebrate the dedications, festivals, were overjoyed”. Indeed, his Christmas. T h e f o r e g o i n g celebration. Of course, season with the people. b u r i a l s , f o o t b a l l there was joy as the Star For the past nine practically explains that Ihedioha believes that in Ihedioha takes his time competitions and many signaled the arrival of years, Ihedioha has the 2020 Christmas all you do, God must be to visit people, friends, other events held within Baby Jesus at Bethlehem, m e t h o d o l o g i c a l l y Cantata will, certainly, placed first. r e l a t i ve s, p o l i t i c a l the period. who the world believes m a i n t a i n e d a w e l l remain remarkable in the After the annual associates, traditional Conclusively, it is came to save mankind. structured standard of annals of history, as it Cantata begins the real leaders, elder statesmen, r i g h t t o s a y t h a t E x p e c t e d l y , celebrating Christmas. t o o k a d i f f e r e n t thing. Those who have a m o n g o t h e r s. Fo r Ihedioha's far reaching Christmas in actual sense K i c k i n g o f f e v e r y dimension from the visited Ihedioha's home I h e d i o h a , t h e r e a l acceptability is premised is a period of love. A December 24, with a very usual norm. While the during Christmas, either essence of Christmas is on the fact that he is period God sent his son d i g n i f i e d a s w e l l wo r l d b a t t l e d w i t h when he was the deputy celebrating with one among the very few to wipe away our tears organized Christmas Covid-19 pandemic and speaker of the federal another. leaders in the state who and renew our spirit, Cantata and Festival of its attendant effects, H o u s e o f Another important feels the pulse of the b o d y a n d s o u l . Songs, Ihedioha opens I h e d i o h a , a l w a y s R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s , s i d e o f I h e d i o h a ' s ordinary people. He Christmas is a moment to his gate for visitors, deliberate in his actions governor or even now Christmas festivities is understands the plights, share love with one among who are youth also adopted to the will agree that as early as that for the past 20 years, challenges, happiness another no matter how bodies, support groups, changes in time and 6am on each day, the He has continually doled and the general attitude little it may seem. It is a women, political elite, announced a virtual compound is already out Christmas gifts, of the people and that period of thanksgiving to clergy, artisans, and C h r i s t m a s C a n t a t a f i l l e d . P r a c t i c a l l y, unannounced, to the less was achieved through our maker who sent his many others. celebration for all lovers Ihedioha wakes up every privileged ones, groups, constant engagement only begotten Son to It is usually a carnival of Christ and sweet day to the greeting of individuals, and all those and consultation with the people who have come to who came to see him c o m e a n d s a l v a g e of sorts but Ihedioha, melodies of Christmas. people. share the Christmas during the period. humanity. displaying a high degree Undoubtedly, the No doubt, Ihedioha season with him. He of decency and humility, 2020 version is the most For him, Christmas is stands out as the leader F o r R t . E m e k a spends the mor ning also a period of sharing normally welcomes all attended Christmas of the people. Ihedioha, Christmas has hours on daily basis love with one another. It w i t h j oy a n d f r a n k Cantata ever held, it Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 6 Business News c om petent persons' Data Repository account oilfield bid round process report, and $25,000 for and signature bonuses to is still ongoing in line with Oilfield bid round: field-specific report. be paid into the Federation our published timelines on “In addition to the Account. DPR website and bid above-listed fees, the The Depar tment of portal,” he was quoted as signature bonus shall be Petroleum Resources said saying. FG to earn N7.9bn paid by successful bidders earlier this month that 161 He said the DPR had put prior to award,” the DPR successful companies had measures in place to ensure said. been shortlisted to advance that the awardees would be A c c o r d i n g t o t h e to the next and final stage credible investors with guidelines, registration, of the bid round. technical and financial from 161 finalists application and processing The Head of Public capability. fees are to be paid into the Affairs, DPR, Mr Paul According to the DPR, h e F e d e r a l investors interested in unattended for a period Treasury Single Account; Osu, was reported to have the bid round is aimed at G ove r n m e n t i s p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e of not less than 10 years, the fees for data leasing, said that the firms were g r o w i n g p r o d u c t i o n Te s t i m a t e d t o e x p l o r a t i o n a n d from the date of first data prying, CPR and selected from the over 600 capacity by expanding the generate a total revenue of production business in discovery, or such field as field-specific report are to companies that applied for scope of participation in N7.9bn from the 161 Nigeria'. the President may, from be paid into the National pre-qualification. Nigeria's petroleum sector, companies short-listed to The DPR said then that time to time, identify as a ”The 2020 marginal and increasing oil and gas advance to the final stage 57 marginal fields were marginal field. reserves base through of the marginal fields bid available, with data from With each of the 161 aggressive exploration and round launched seven the agency showing that finalists paying just for one Group to raise development effort. months ago. applicants would pay fees m a r g i n a l f i e l d , t h e Other objectives include The De par tment of totaling N49.09m per field government would earn to promote indigenous Petroleum Resources had (comprising N5.5m and N7.9bn. The revenue will funds for Africa's participation in the sector, announced on June 1, 2020 $115,000). be much higher when the t h e r e b y f o s t e r i n g the start of the 2020 According to the agency, fees paid by applicants who technological transfer, and Marginal Field Bid Round, a marginal field is any field did not qualify for the final development to provide opportunity to w h i c h ' i s o p e n t o that has been discovered stage and the signature gainfully engage the pool indigenous companies and and has been left bonuses to be paid by the d e v e l o p m e n t Africans to take part in d r i v e n g r o u p - the process, 10 per cent of of high level technically successful bidders are African Growth the profits realized from it competent Nigerians in the added to it. A has initiated plans to raise would be retained by those sector. According to the DPR's Pension assets rose funds to address lingering who brought the projects African countries. guidelines, applicable fees challenges and myriad while the remaining 15 per “This is why our priority a r e N 5 0 0 , 0 0 0 f o r p r o b l e m s f a c i n g t h e cent will be used for the is set on getting Nigeria on by N184.68bn registration; N2m for continent. expansion, management, the right track and Nigeria's application; N3m for bid Using the window of and development to help success will make it that bit processing; $15,000 for African Growth Project, bring the project that easier for other countries in in three months data prying; $25,000 for the organisation said it is generated the profit to the continent to become t o t a l p e n s i o n data leasing; $50,000 for sending out requests to global standards, such that successful as well. Several – PenCom contributions received into the CPFAs Fund; and Africans who can generate the projects will be able to people have handed in their the pension fund indicated N 1 . 1 9 t n f o r t h e enough funds for the generate the sort of funds projects for us to review and otal assets under the that the top five ranked A p p r o v e d E x i s t i n g d e v e l o p m e n t o f t h e that will help transform the we have been able to spot C o n t r i b u t o r y P e n s i o n F u n d Schemes Funds. continent. continent. one project with lots of Pension Scheme rose T Administrators received As of the third quarter of According to the group, T h e c o o r d i n a t o r potential. The project we by N184.68bn in the third 73.28 per cent of the total 2020, the RSA funds such Africans willing to e m p h a s i z e d t h a t t h e are referring to is a platform quarter of 2020. contributions as of the end (Funds I – V) had the largest release funds could then strategic position of Nigeria known as ViaNile.Com. The National Pension of the third quarter of 2020. portfolio, accounting for recommend and execute in Africa has made the We would describe ViaNile Commission disclosed this Similarly, the top 10 N8.76tn or 76.87 per cent of p r o j e c t s u n d e r v e r y group focus more on the as a platform with a blend in its third quarter report on ranked PFAs accounted for the total assets under t r a n s p a r e n t a n d country, so as to put them of the features of Amazon the scheme. 89.36 per cent of the total management. circumspect regime. on the right track which will and Facebook combined,” Part of the report read, contributions while the The CPFAs and AESs E x p l a i n i n g t h e definitely rub off on other she noted. “ T h e t o t a l p e n s i o n bottom five and bottom 10 assets stood at N1.44tn and modalities of operation, contributions g rew by PFAs accounted for 1.83 N1.19tn, representing coordinator of the project, Labour to go on a Customers in tariff N184.68bn within the third per cent and 7.55 per cent of 12.65 per cent and 10.47 per Gloria Poku Adusi stated nationwide strike forced classes D & E who are quarter of 2020. t h e t o t a l p e n s i o n cent respectively of the total that 75 per cent of the the government to suspend those with less than an “Out of this total, the contributions respectively assets under management. generated profits realized the tariffs for two weeks average of 12 hours of public sector accounted for as of the end of the third A c c o r d i n g t o t h e from such projects will be ending October 15th, 2020. electricity daily also saw N117.7bn or 63.73 per cent quarter 2020. commission, the RSA Fund used exclusively for the The latest tariff increase their tariff increase albeit while the private sector T h e t o t a l va l u e o f I constituted 0.26 per cent development of Africa on a suggests all customers will slightly and not up to the contributed N66.98bn or pension fund assets was (N29.59bn) of the total massive scale. see their tariffs increased levels originally included in 36.27 per cent. N 1 1 . 5 6 t n a s a t 3 0 A U M , R S A F u n d I I Posu said to encourage regardless of the band the September 2020 tariff “The cumulative pension S e p t e m b e r 2 0 2 0 constituted 42.59 per cent unlike in the previous order order. In general, Nigerians contributions received from comprising of N8tn of the (N5.02tn); Fund III 25.82 t h e n e w N E R C where tariff class D & E was (including businesses) will both the public and private RSA 'Active' Funds (i.e. per cent (N2.94tn); Fund IV Chairman, Sanusi Garba frozen. Customers on Tariff see their tariffs rise by as sectors from inception to the RSA Funds I, II, III and V); accounted for 8.19 per cent a n d o n e o f i t s Class A, B, and C will see much as 75% depending on end of the third quarter of N934.19bn of the RSA (N934.19bn) while the RSA C o m m i s s i o n e r s D a f e their tariff go back to the the distribution companies. 2020, therefore, amounted Retiree Fund; N1.44tn of Fund V accounted for less Akpeneye. tariff order released on However, the NLC boss to N6.37tn, up from the The increase in tariffs September 1st, 2020. Some said, it was disheartening to N6.19tn as at the end of the follows a suspension of an of these customers will see note that the citizenry had second quar ter, 2020, New electricity tariff: earlier order issued in their tariff increase by as to be made to bear a greater representing a growth of August increasing tariffs high as 120% compared to burden at the beginning of 2.98 per.” How FG, DISCOs starting September 1, 2020. the pre-September 1st the year. The agg regate total However, a threat by MYTO 2020 levels. “If the intention of the pension contributions of the breached agreement, M i n i s t e r o f P o w e r , public sector increased by Engineer Saleh Mamman is 3.76 per cent from N3.13tn (NLC), Comrade Ayuba to allay the fears of ordinary as of the end of the second by Wabba Wabba spoke against the Nigerians that we would quarter, 2020 to N3.25tn as b a c k d r o p o f t h e n ew he organised labour not start the new year on the of the end of the reporting electricity tariff announced has described as pedestal of intensified period. by the Nigerian Electricity s c a n d a l o u s a h a r d s h i p , t h e n t h e The agg regate total T Regulatory Commission situation where the federal c o n t r a d i c t i o n s i n h i s pension contributions of the (NERC). government flouts existing statement only succeeded in private sector on the other It may be recalled that the agreements as well as act in reinforcing the anxiety by NERC had instr ucted hand increased by 2.19 per breach concerning the Nigerians that we yet again electricity distribution cent from N3.06tn as of the cessation of further tariff face a year where the biggest companies (DISCOs) to end of the second quarter, increase in the electricity p r e - o c c u p a t i o n o f increase tariffs, effective 2020 to N3.13tn as at the end sub-sector. government appears to be January 1, 2021. of the reporting period. The President of the the deflection of the worst The order was signed by The ranking of PFAs by Nigeria Labour Congress economic vicissitudes on Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 7 Cr me Watch Gunmen kill three policemen in attack on Ebonyi The attackers reportedly had been deposited in a said. as policemen were said to be carted away two AK 47 rifles mortuary while the two who The attack was similar to carrying out mass arrest in Police station from the affected police sustained bullet wounds the ones that happened the area. station. were receiving treatment. during #EndSARS protests Sources from the area nknown gunmen on It was gathered that the Police spokesman in the Odah urged the general in the state. also told our Reporter that Friday night attacked policemen were attacked by s t a t e , L o v e t h O d a , public to provide the police T h e S t a t e p o l i c e t h e r e w a s n o a Police station in suspected hoodlums who U confirmed the incident. with information that could commissioner, Philip Maku misunderstanding between Ebonyi State and killed three stormed the police station in re por tedly visited the S h e e x p l a i n e d t h a t lead to the arrest of the the police and the people of police officers. the night. attackers. Onueke Police Station corpses of the slain officers the area prior to the attack Two others sustained bullet It was learnt that the the “Yes, three policemen S a t u r d ay m o r n i n g t o wounds in the attack on slain officers were two H o w e v e r , t h e they bring a female vagina. I were killed in the attack. We ascertain the level of havoc Onueke Police Station in Ezza inspectors and one female Commissioner for Internal told him I am not interested. I don't know the identity of done by the hoodlums. South Local Government who was relaxing in her room Security in the State, Mr discussed with one of my the attackers yet; and we are He was reported to have Area of the State. when the hoodlums struck. friends called Musa, he calling on the general public vowed to fish out the Stanley Okoroemegha, said advised me to avoid Wada. to provide information to perpetrators. t h e g o v e r n m e n t w a s Teenagers confess “The next day, while I was the police in order to hunt Residents of the area saddened by the incident. i n my s h o p d o i n g my down the perpetrators of were living in palpable fear O k o r o e m e g h a g av e mechanic work, I met Wada this heinous crime”, Odah security agencies forty-eight to removing girl's at the garage. He then gave h o u r s t o b r i e f t h e me an amulet (charm), which I bought human part government on how such a vagina for N500,000 I threw inside my pocket. breach could have occurred Later on, we met and he without any intelligence to w o s u s p e c t e d gone to Kwata, the area the for N2000 – Suspect asked me to accompany him forestall it. ritualists arrested for latter's elder brother, who is to a place called Kwata. suspected ritualist, of all hues and their sponsors, allegedly killing and married, lives. Lukman Garuba has procurers, counsellors and T “When we got to the area, state will enjoy our services. confessed to the accessories in and outside the removing the vagina of a girl He recalled that they we saw two young girls at a A in Bauchi State have narrated waylaid a little girl, dragged police that he bought a State. “Policemen will be made location. We called them. more visible in the state their roles in the dastardly act. her into an uncompleted human part from ritualist “Our war mantra will be W a d a r e m o v e d a through adequate protection The duo confessed that building and strangled her to killers for N2000. “criminals, here are your own handkerchief from his pocket Garuba, 31, was arrested in coins”. Policing activities in of key and vulnerable points, they committed the heinous death. and flashed it on one of the i n t e n s i v e p a t r o l s o f act for N500,000. “Abdulrauf then removed Iwo, Osun State when the the state will be widespread girl's face. After she slumped, police burst the ritualists' den a n d p e r c o l a t i v e ; n o n - neighbourhoods, business The suspects, Abdulkadir a knife from his pocket and h e t o o k h e r i n t o a n in the town. d i s c r i m i n a t o r y a n d districts, and roads; constant Wada (19) and Adamu cut off the girl's private part. It uncompleted structure and Tajudeen Monsuru, 31, and unrestricted. Both the low surveillance and regular raids Abdulrauf (20), in an audio was a marabout, who is now removed her organs as H a m s a t A k e e m , 2 5 , and high individuals, big and of black-spots and criminal clip obtained by PRNigeria, at large, that asked us to get d i r e c t e d b y t h e n a t ive c o n f e s s e d t o h a v i n g small communities in the hideouts.” he police boss added. said they were asked to bring him a female sexual part in doctor.” kidnapped and killed one the sexual organ of a female return for N500, 000,” the They, however, advised Akanbi Adeolu. Unknown persons build by a native doctor. teenager revealed. desperate and idle youths to Fielding questions from The boys from Jama'are H oweve r, A b d u l r a u f shun ritual killing and be journalists while he was paraded along with other N20m bridge in Ogun Local Government were denied killing their victim. wary of bad friends. suspected criminals at the nabbed by men of the Bauchi “Wada who came and met B a u c h i P o l i c e State Police Command. me in our house. He told me State Police Command forest, govt orders spokesperson, DSP Ahmed Headquarters in Osogbo, Speaking in Hausa, Wada, that he and one of his friend Mohammed Wakil said the A s t a t e m e n t b y t h e the chief culprit, disclosed went to a spiritualist who O s u n S t a t e, M o n s u r u Information Officer of the suspects would be arraigned confessed to having killed his demolition that he and Abdulrauf had promised them N500,000 if Ministry, Soji Solarin, stated in court after investigation. girlfriend, Mutiyat Alani and ome unknown persons that the Commissioner Akinloye Ibrahim and many have constructed a ordered that the bridge, which other victims. b r i d ge wo r t h N 2 0 Wisdom. We are also taking S is almost completed, be him to a family court before While the fourth suspect, million in a remote area in Awayewasere Yusuf, 37, Ijebu East Local Government destroyed within two weeks. the end of this week. The contested to have bought the area of Ogun State. According to Akinosi, those infant is now hospitalized at h u m a n p a r t s f r o m t h e The bridge, it was gathered, constructing the bridge were Warri. gangsters and also sold to was built across Oluwo river d o i n g s o t o h ave e a s y “I commended all the some suspects who are still at to link Omo Forest in Area J4 transportation of stolen people that assisted us to large. to a village in Ondo State. state's forest resources by ensure that the man was He admitted to strangling B u t , t h e O g u n s t a t e illegal loggers and taken away arrested.” his victims to death after government has ordered the to neighbouring states. Efforts made to reach the gaining their trust. demolition of the N20 He disclosed that some Police Public Relations “We strangle our victims to million bridge, which it unscrupulous elements are Officer in the state, DSP death after gaining their trust. termed as “illegal”. behind the illegal bridge, The suspected ritualists Onome Onovwakpoyeya, Most times, we sleep together It was learnt that some saying it must have gulped failed as calls and text at night and deep into the illegal loggers, who have been about N15 to N20 million. message put across to her cell night strangle them before engaging in illegal felling of He threatened to arrest and daybreak and cut their body Police arrest father over phone were not responded to tree, had tasked themselves to prosecute settlers keeping into pieces for sales. begin the construction of a as of the time of filing this illegal arms to perpetrate report. Earlier, speaking with b r i d g e i n t h e s t a t e starved, locked up son journalists, the Osun State crimes in the area. But the Executive Assistant government forest reserve. he Delta State Police molested by the father and Commissioner for Police, “Armed soldiers would on Girl Child to the Governor On Saturday, the state C o m m a n d h a s stepmother. Wale Olokode vowed to take Commissioner for Forestry, remain part of the frequent of Delta State, Barrister Ta r r e s t e d a f a t h e r He said, “Zino is a two- the battle to the den of Hon. Tunji Akinosi was said monitoring exercises in order identified as Wisdom for year-old child whom the Bridget Anyafulu, said that kidnappers, cultists, drug to have led a monitoring team to prevent banditry which is a l l e g e d ly m a l t r e a t i n g , biological mother dropped Delta state government is d e a l e r s , s e a p i r a t e s , to Laagan village where he b e c o m i n g p r e v a l e n t starving and locking up his with his biological father and implementing the child right traffickers, indeed criminals saw the 50-metre long bridge. nationwide,” he said. two-year-old son in a dark stepmother at No. 113 law, adding that the welfare of room. Okumagba Avenue. Since any child in the state remains The two-year-old son t h e n t h e f a t h e r a n d paramount. identified as Zino was said to stepmother have been giving “The child is in the hospital have been maltreated by his t h i s c h i l d a l l s o r t s o f r i g h t n o w r e c e i v i n g father and stepmother at No. maltreatment and starvation. treatment. No payment will 113 Okumagba Avenue, Off “They lock him up in a be made under 0-5 free Deco Road, Warri, Delta dark room and beat him up medical prog ramme of State. when he receives help from Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. The Director-General, neighbours. Neighbours now “We don't want to hear that Young Nigerian Rights are afraid so they don't end a child is suffering anywhere Organization, Comrade up killing him. even if the child is living with Victor Ojei, told newsmen on “Police from B Division the stepmother. It is the duty Sunday in Asaba that the station Sunday morning of that stepmother to be a under-age child was allegedly arrested the father, Mr good caregiver to that child,” she explained. The suspected ritualist alongside others on parade Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 8 Cover Confusion trails Ohanaeze's PG election as Obiozor emerges By Jude Owuamanam, Jenifer John, Ori Martins

Obiozor Nwodo t wa s a l l a b o u t organization. Obiozor v o t e s , w h i l e H o n . f a c t i o n a l p r e s i d e n t faulty as known leaders election. confusion, crisis and controversially emerged Sergius Uju got three g e n e r a l . H o w e v e r, of the organization, It will be recalled that Ichaos galore as the a s t h e o t h e r f o u r votes. The election took s p e a k i n g t o o u r especially in Rivers State, Obiozor was backed by long awaited election to candidates boycotted the place on January 10, correspondent in an were not taken along in governors of the South produce the president of e l e c t i o n i n p r o t e s t 2021 at the Dan Anyiam interview, a chief of the the election that chose E a s t l e d b y H o p e Stadium, Owerri, Imo organization in Rivers them. According to him, Uzodimma of Imo State. the Ohanaeze Ndigbo against the procedure State. State, Dr. Omenazu t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f It was gathered that they e n d e d i n a m o s t adopted by the electoral Indications that the Jackson described the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in withdrew following the disgusting dramatic end committee. election had already election of Obiozor as a Rivers State will go to decision of the electoral with the emergence of a Even before the result headed for the rocks charade devoid of every court to challenge the committee to adopt former director general was announced, major emerged following the d e m o c r a t i c n o r m . outcome of Sunday's option A4 instead of of the Nigerian Institute stakeholders in the parallel faction which Jackson, who is a BOT election. He accused the secret balloting for the of International Affairs, election had rejected the had produced a former m e m b e r o f t h e Ohanaeze leadership led election. Also delegates e l e c t i o n . O b i o z o r Prof. George Obiozor, i n f o r m a t i o n organization in Rivers by Chief Nnia Nwodo of f r o m s o m e s t a t e s emerged victorious with on Sunday emerged the commissioner in Imo State, said that the manipulating the system withdrew in protest 304 votes, defeating his president general of the state, Chief Chidi Ibe process under which the to ensure that a preferred against the procedure. closet rival, Dr. Valentine coming tops as the delegates emerged was candidate emerged in the apex Igbo socio cultural Oparaoche who got 15 APC allegedly hijacks Ohanaeze Ndigbo

Okorocha,Uzodimma's camps produce two PGs Prof Chidi Osuagwu and he crises brewing of Ohanaeze is already u n d e r t h e R e s c u e because of the ban on Iwuanyanwu in tow as Chief Chris Asoluka in the Ohanaeze tearing the apex Igbo Mission administration, large gathering as a result the consensus candidate. pulled out from the race. TN d i g b o t o o k s o c i o – c u l t u r a l Engr Chidi Ibeh (MFR) of the dreaded Covid-19. This attracted some They alleged imposition another dimension as it organization apart as emerged as the president Confusion at the time of protests from other and interference. Not appears that the All there were pointers to general. Richard Ozobu filing in this report had candidates who called s a t i s f i e d w i t h t h e c o n d u c t o f t h e Progressives Congress a n o t h e r O h a n a e z e o r g a n i z e d l e d t h e trailed the election f o r a l eve l p l ay i n g proceeding according to ( A P C ) m a y h a v e faction that held its own election committee. conducted by a former ground. The governors them they called it quits. swallowed the socio- election at Awka on T h e s u s p e n d e d Ohanaeze helmsman of the South East states secretary-general, Barr Chief Garry Igariwey in in a statement forty eight Observers noted that the cultural organization. Saturday. The Ohanaeze Uche Okwukwu (Rivers) which it was reported hours to the Owerri outcome of the election This is as a result of the election officially was was elected the deputy t h a t P r o f G e o r g e election threw their will go a long way to e m e r g e n c e o f t w o scheduled to hold on president general while Obiozor emerged as the weights behind Obiozor determine the continued factional leaders of the Sunday but by Saturday a Okechukwu Isiguzoro president general. who they indicated was existence of the apex group heavily backed by faction pur por tedly (Abia) emerged as the Protests against Obiozor their preferred candidate. I g b o s o c i o - c u l t u r a l Gov Hope Uzoimma supported by Okorocha secretary general. Ozobu raged high when it was However, about 24 hours group. Some are of the and erstwhile Governor held its own version of had told media hounds discovered that he had to the election, Joe views that the issues Rochas Okorocha. the election in Enugu. that the election was been endorsed by the N w a o r g u w h o h a d playing out now may There are indications In the election, a former c o n d u c t e d t h r o u g h Imo State government dutifully ser ved the sign post the end of the that the fight for the soul Imo State commissioner Z o o m a p p l i c a t i o n with Chief Emmanuel organization as well as group. Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 9 Cover Ohanaeze election: Uzodimma, Umahi laud Obiozor's emergence

Awuzie Asoluka

Nwaorgu Osuagwu ...as other candidates boycott in protest restructuring of Nigeria n his address before down syndrome for the Making his remarks, the four years mandate to serve a n d c r e a t i o n o f a n the election, Imo State recent setback of the zone, governor of Ebonyi State, Ndigbo in the capacity of additional state for the Governor, Senator but expressed optimism Engr. Dave Umahi lauded president general of the I S o u t h E a s t z o n e , Hope Uzodimma made that the recent show of Ohanaeze for a peaceful apex Igbo socio cultural appointing committee bold to say that Igbos have u n i t y a n d c o h e s i o n conduct of the election. In organization. He used the members for Alaigbo always been first in Nigeria exhibited by Igbo leaders his valedictory speech, the opportunity to recount S t a b i l i z a t i o n F u n d i n a l m o s t a l l h u m a n prior to the Ohanaeze outgoing president of some achievements of the Committee, revisiting the endeavors and so the Ndigbo election was a Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief O h a n a e z e N d i g b o O h a n a e z e N d i g b o Nnia Nwodo appreciated leadership led by him election would be free and pointer that the zone has constitution which review t h e b o d y ' s g e n e r a l w h i c h i n c l u d e d t h e fair. He however blamed braced up to reclaim its lost was ongoing, among assembly for giving him the audacious advocacy for the disunity and pull him glory in the country. others. Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 10 Insights Chukwu and death hysteria Nwaigwe, the plane broke into By Ori Martins three pieces on landing. Due to he iconic Zik of the crash, the CAF shifted the Africa and Nigeria's return leg match in Owerri Tgreatest political from 3 to 10 October. evangelist was officially the first Nationale would draw the Nigerian to read his obituary return match 1–1, failing to (while he was still alive). After advance in the competition. the Zik's rumoured death The connection here is, which caused a huge national Chukwu was Nationale now embarrassment, other notable Heartland coach. When the Nigerians, including Fela, IBB, news of the crash filtered out, Yar'Adua, Nzeribe, Obasanjo the rumour was that all aboard and even Buhari, have at one the aircraft, including Chukwu, time or the other said to have perished. Again, miraculously, kicked the bucket but it came Chukwu escaped death rumour out to be lie. of death by the whiskers. Last weekend, the social I n v i e w o f C h u k w u ' s media platforms were awash intimidating credentials as a with the agonizing obituary of coach, he was appointed the the former legendary captain of Super Eagles coach and he the famous Rangers of Enugu supervised the team to the and sensational Super Eagles Tunisia 2004 Nations and of Nigeria, Christian Chukwu, Germany 2006 World Cup who turned 70 on January, 4, qualifying campaigns. In 2020. People jumped up and Tunisia, Chukwu came home down trying to confirm the with a bronze medal. But in veracity or otherwise of 2006, he could not qualify the Chukwu's death rumour. There country for the mundial. In the was panic which gave way for home game against Palancas pain in the inner soul. Negras Angola in Kano, the As the seconds thick away, Eagles shockingly got a 1- minutes slide into hours and 1draw and that effectively hours into days, the true sealed the World Cup fate. position became clearer - After the match, Chukwu's Chukwu, the man with four C's life was once again threatened (Captain Christian Chukwu, by the angry fans who blamed Chairman) is not dead. In fact him for the World Cup ouster. as veteran journalist and editor, Christian Chukwu during his time as Super Eagles coach On account of that, Chukwu Vanguard on Saturday, Mr. and the other technical crew O n o c h i e A n i b e z e, s a i d : between 1980 and 1981 which two goals Algeria scored Champions Cup quarter-final, was given a police escort out of "Chukwu is alive, healthy and also caused people to fear for Nigeria came via Chukwu's losing 3–0 to Espérance of the stadium but was dismissed hearty, dancing and kicking". his life. On the final day of the position. After the blunder had Tunisia in first leg tie, 18 by his employers, NFF. Responding, Chukwu, 1980 African Cup of Nations already been committed, S e p t e m b e r, i n A l g e r i a . About two years ago, perhaps, roundly perplexed which Chukwu led Eagles Chukwu was pulled out and Iwuanyanwu chartered an Chukwu was diagnosed with a even smitten, said: "“I am lifted for Nigeria for the first replaced with Keshi. As Oriental Airlines plane to fly l i f e t h r e a t e n i n g i l l n e s s. terribly embarrassed with this time, he, as the captain, was Chukwu was coming out of the home from Tunis the night of However, hope came from news that I am dead. Several cheered and applauded when p i t c h , t h e s a m e L a g o s the game, but upon landing at unexpected quarters when oil people have been calling me the then president, the late spectators that had cheered and Tamanrasset in southern magnet, Femi Otedola doled from across the world since the Shehu Shagari, handed him the applauded him a year ago Algeria, the plane hit a runway out N50m and flew Chukwu n e w s b r o k e. I a m s t i l l Unity Cup. jeered and booed him. The lamp and a fire truck and overseas for proper medical investigating the source of the The following year, Nigeria hysteria was high and there was crashed. attention. When he was healed, story". He advised journalists faced the same Algeria in a fear that Chukwu's life was Two players, defender Chukwu declared, "after God, and social media influencers to 1 9 8 2 S p a i n Wo r l d C u p threatened and so security Aimola Omale and goalkeeper Otedola is the next in my life". always investigate and get their q u a l i f i e r w h i c h e n d e d around him was beefed up. Uche Ikeogu, lost their lives in Chukwu still lives despite the facts right before writing. disastrously for both Chukwu Tragedy struck Heartland in the accident, along with the death rumour hysteria. It was not the first time and Nigeria. It is remarkable to the champions league in 1994. pilots and a flight attendant. Chukwu was involved in death recall that the great Chukwu N a t i o n a l e r e a c h e d t h e According to striker Tony hysteria. During the 1976 CAF had announced his retirement Champions League quarter from the national team. He was final campaign against ASF however recalled to duty on the Police of Senegal which day the Desert Warriors of R a n g e r s w o n 2 - 1 , t h e Algeria came calling. Iwuanyanwu Nationale now Heartland FC chartered Senegalese fans descended Following Chukwu's, having heavily on the Nigerian captained the Eagles for six an Oriental Airlines plane to y home from Tunis the night of representatives. They never years, crowning it with the allowed the team to leave the Nations Cup victory on home the game in 1994, but upon“ landing at Tamanrasset in stadium. Even security men soil, an upcoming but dynamic deployed to protect the visitors player, Stephen Okechukwu southern Algeria, the plane hit a runway lamp and a re joined hands with the fans in Ke s h i , h a d a l r e a dy a n d truck and crashed. Two players, defender Aimola Omale and the obnoxious attack. In fact, e f f e c t ive ly s t e p p e d i n t o C h u k w u a n d t w o o t h e r Chukwu's shoes. But on the day goalkeeper Uche Ikeogu, lost their lives in the accident. When R a n g e r s p l a y e r s w e r e of the excruciating encounter dangerously stabbed. It took on October 10, 1981, Keshi the news of the crash ltered out, the rumour was that all the supreme order of then who had established a good military head of state, now understanding with the other aboard the aircraft, including Chukwu, perished. Again, retired General Olusegun defenders like Kadiri Ikhana miraculously, Chukwu escaped death by the whiskers. Obasanjo who flew military and Tunde Bamidele in the plane to Dakar to rescue central defence, was benched Rangers. for a struggling giant, Chukwu. There was a dramatic As fate would have it, the display of irony for Chukwu “ Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 11 NEWS one serious step, noted that said he came into the college Highlights of the day Prelate blames political leaders it was the formation Njoku in the year 1960, and from were interactive session received at St. Columba's there, rose to greater heights. b e t w e e n t h e d e p u t y for fall of education standard College that helped him all Njoku described his governor and the students, through his course in life. By Uzoma Ogoke homily during the reception occupied the seats of power, success in life as a great presentation of gift items to He charged the students organized in the honour of he was proud to identify privilege which also came t h e d e p u t y g ove r n o r, h e C a t h o l i c with Njoku, whom he said t o s t a n d b y t h e b e s t through hard work and the deputy governor of Imo dedication of the science A r c h b i s h o p o f earned his degrees and humility. He told the standard, no matter the laboratory hall attracted to O w e r r i State, Prof Placid Njoku, by positions by dint of hard students to remain focused T price. the school by Senator Ecclesiastical Province, the management of St. work and not by malpractice and resilient, even in the face In his speech, the deputy Most Rev. Anthony Obinna C o l u m b a ' s C o l l e g e , or certificate forgery. of challenges, as they are the Samuel Anyanwu and a h a s a c c u s e d N i ge r i a n Obinna who reiterated gover nor, Prof. Placid only ones that can stop friendly football match in Amaimo, Ikeduru, his alma t h e m s e l v e s f r o m political leaders of abusing that the jour ney of a Njoku who gave a testimony honour of the de puty mater on Thursday, at the succeeding. and lowering the standard thousand miles begins with of his humble beginning, governor. of education, while de- school premises. emphasizing its importance. The prelate however, stated that at a time when O b i n n a m a d e t h e leaders with low or no assertion while delivering a quality education have Refusal to render nancial account tears Anambra community apart able to meet as scheduled on From Uchenna Ezeadigwe, two different occasions. Awka According to Mr Cyprian Okoye, “our tenure finished mimi village in on December, 2019, we Nawfia, Njikoka agreed to organize an ML o c a l election on 30th December. G o ve r n m e n t A r e a o f But that very day, the Anambra state has been election ended in fracas. thrown into crisis following Later some group hijacked the alleged refusal of the the office and started acting former financial secretary of as executives. the village union, Mr “I told them I won't hand Cyprian Okoye to submit over my position as financial the financial reports and secretary until election is o t h e r t r a n s a c t i o n conducted and someone d o c u m e n t s t o ' n e w wins. But they refused and executives.' kept acting on it until this As a result, elders of the very day. I have written a Accident scene report documents after funds have been going village ordered for Mr letter to them to stop period he got elected into his employment of young discovering embezzlement w i t h o u t p r o p e r Okoye to be brought in to piloting the affairs of the position, pointing out that g raduates which they going on between the accountability calls for more the hall for questioning union because it does not the Christmas largesse and observed would reduce villages. proactive action. While against his wish which exist. But it turned out to be empowerment packages in youth tendencies to engage Igwe Nwankwo however calling on all members to be ended up in police custody. fruitless”. which over 300 constituents in crime. emphasized that the manner remain peaceful until the The village, it was learnt, However, Ozor Ifeanyi benefitted are indications Responding to their in which the communal land right judgment is made. had been in fracas over Nkemka who identified that he cared for his people. submissions, Hon. Crown election of new executives himself as the chairman of In passing a vote of expressed gratitude to them since December 30th, 2019. Mmimi communal union c o n f i d e n c e o n t h e for the words of admonition While one group alleged alleged that election was IPO lauds legislator L e g i s l a t o r, t h e g r o u p and regretted that all effort that the election did not hold held with him emerging as pledged their unwavering he made last year to attract Chairman, stressing that “if the other claimed that it was support and urged him not development projects to the anybody has issues with the for outstanding held under the presence of t o r e l e n t f r o m u s i n g constituency were not election, the best thing to do the Nawfia Executive Town available opportunity to totally achieved. is go to court rather than Union. lobby for the interest of However, he urged News Echo gathered that holding unto community performance property as if it belongs to Ihitte/Uboma constituency them to be patient as he has the case has been reported to group under the marked their 2020 end of on the floor of the house. perfected a robust plan to Nimo Divisional Police him.” a e g i s o f I h i t t e year party. T h e y f u r t h e r put smile on the faces of his station, which has equally Speaking to our reporter P r e m i e r President General of admonished the lawmaker constituents in the 2021 d e m a n d e d t h a t t h e on phone, the traditional A the group High Chief Cletus r uler of Nawfia, Igwe O r g a n i z a t i o n h a s t o a l w a y s c o n s u l t government programmes. document be brought to the c o m m e n d e d t h e C. Anyanwu, in an opening station as well as the Chijioke Nwankwo, who stakeholders for opinion On appointment and outstanding performance of remark, described Crown as presence of the two parties said he was aware of the when stuck with critical employment, Crown drew m e m b e r r e p r e s e n t i n g a politician whose selfless to settle the scuffle amicably. crisis, disclosed that he took challenges. attention of the group to the service and kind gestures However, both had not been custody of the financial Ihitte/Uboma Constituency The group used the fact that the governor has in the Imo State House of has gone a long way to opportunity and appealed to assured Imolites that the Assembly, Hon. Onyemechi alleviate the suffering of his Governor Hope Uzodinma present administration will AA holds congress Jan 16 Njoku Crown. constituents. to consider indigenes of not leave any part of the Leadership of IPO Also secretary to the Ihitte extraction for key state behind in any of its ction Alliance, AA, t h e s t a t e c h a i r m a n , made the commendation organization Barr. Uche positions in subsequent programmes and projects, Imo State, has fixed Anyamele, stated that when it led her members on Konkwo, appreciated Hon. appointment, and as well saying people should expect Aits ward and Local joining issues with them a solidarity visit to Crown as Crown for the remarkable suggested the need to create a better performance from G o v e r n m e n t A r e a would be tantamount to par t of activities that feat he achieved in a short o p p o r t u n i t y f o r the government this new congresses for January 16, giving them undeserved year. 2021. relevance. are publishing, he would the pages of newspapers". nefarious enterprise, and He solicited for their The state congress is to "Come to think of that, have spared sometime for "I referred to them as craps they go together always". prayers and support for come up on January 30, who are these people in the them". because they're being used "In our case, the man first H o p e U z o d i n m a l e d 2021. as dices in a gambling game. joined, then, later he government to succeed T h e S t a t e P u b l i c i t y first place? When did they " O k p o n w a - E z e i s They are in Action Alliance toward its drive to build an Secretary of the party, Dr. join AA? To me, just like the presently encumbered with brought the lady. Their enviable state that will be the S t e p h e n A n y a m e l e state chairman has rightly issues bordering on taking to replicate what they did in h e i g h t s, i n f a c t , a l s o dream of everyone to live in. disclosed this to journalists, s a i d ; t h e y a r e the party to higher heights in the rested SDP when they deceived our chairman who accused the then chairman weekend, in Owerri, the inconsequential. My boss, I the state. They are agents of t h o u g h t t h e y h a v e asked to come and inform of embezzling N50m just to state capital. mean the state chairman of destabilization, and we have something upstairs. The you on our forthcoming cause confusion within the On the rumoured crisis in our great party, Comrade been able to unmask them. I chairman gave them very congresses". the state chapter of the Ifeanyi Okponwa- Eze, is in purposely don't want to call ranks in the party. They used sensitive positions, which T h e A A P u b l i c i t y party, Anyamele dismissed the same professional their names. Like I said, I a respectable leader in AA they used to wreak havoc in Secretary regretted the it as no issue who knew just a little about calling with you guys, and want to obey the state the recent Imo Nor th performance of the party at When referred to some them to join the party four he's good with the pen. If chairman. Those craps are senatorial by-election; the Okigwe election, but newspaper reports, which months ago. They use all please I don't want us to go he's interested in what they not worth mentioning on assured that the party would painted an ugly picture of kinds of things in their into details on this. I was just do better in 2023. Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 12 NEWS deployed to various LGAs has fought fire outbreaks in the proximity of such Abia recorded 350 re incidents to work as vanguards in fire just two days between bushes to people's homes prevention and safety January 5 and 7, 2021, a n d f a c i l i t i e s a r e techniques. a r i s i n g m a i n l y f r o m in 2020, 5 in 2021 - Contoller He further attributed the considered before his men cooling gas problems. Last From Dan Maduagwu, Spirit (PMS) is on, to avoid On what his office is rise in fire disaster to and facilities are deployed. night, we attended to a fire Umuahia igniting fire incident, while d o i n g t o c o n t r o l t h e activities of animal hunters This, the controller said, outbreak at the Umuahia also cautioning residents situation, Gbaruko said who set some bushes on is to avoid wasting water he Controller of t h a t e l a b o r a t e mechanic village which against keeping their gas fire when chasing animals, a n d c h e m i c a l s w h i l e Abia State Fire enlightenment campaigns brought the numbers to five cylinders inside their adding that many fresh commending Governor S e r v i c e, C h i e f had started in 2011 with farms were destroyed in in just two days", he said. T kitchens, as according to Okezie Ikpeazu for his V i c t o r G b a r u k o h a s about 207 members of the such incidents, resulting in He however stated that him, most fire incidents at support for the fire service, revealed that his men National Youth Service f o o d s c a r c i t y a n d homes were caused by gas C o r p s ( N Y S C ) b e e n the fire service does not through provision of fought a total of 350 fire economic waste to farmers. explosions. trained by the fire service attend to all bush fires as equipment and interest in outbreaks in 2020 while "Umuahia station alone after which they would be workers' welfare. five have been recorded so far in 2021. G b a r u k o m a d e t h e 27 escape death in Anambra multiple vehicles accident From Uchenna Ezeadigwe d i s c l o s u r e i n A b a , number: AAA 861 FA, said to be involved in the Federal Road Safety Corps, over-speeding. Awka weekend, while reviewing Toyota 4 Runner jeep with accident, comprising 18 Andrew Kumapayi while Meanwhile, three male the activities of the fire t was all praises and registration number; YAB female adults and nine confirming the accident, adults who sustained service in the past years and thanksgiving to God, 33 TD, Toyota Hiace bus male adults. wished the injured quick varying degrees of injury the plans to combat fire ISaturday, as no life was with registration number: The Anambra State recover y and war ned refused to be taken to outbreaks in 2021. l o s t i n a n a c c i d e n t AKL 330 XA, Volkswagen Sector Commander of motorists to desist from hospital for treatment. He pointed out that the involving multiple vehicles car with registration 2020 figure of 350 meant in Anambra. number: AQ 535 GDD and had hundreds of workers at Hon. Nonso Smart who he thrown out of job because of the fire outbreak. 40 less when compared to The accident which a Mercedes Benz 608 with the section that got burnt in s a i d we r e p hy s i c a l ly present to motivate the He, however, appealed to 390 recorded in 2019, involved six vehicles, registration number: KTU its employ. fight against the fire. Governor Willie Obiano of stressing that 12 human happened at Obosi by 733 XZ. O n w u g b e n u O n w u g b e nu s a i d i t Anambra State to come to casualties were recorded in slaughter at Idemili North News Echo gathered from acknowledged the effort of the aid of the company. an eyewitness that the would cause him huge 2019 fire outbreaks. Local Government Area of C h i e f I n n o c e n t He said if the governor crash was due to excessive amount of money to the state. Chukwuma, Chairman of could reconstruct an access The controller warned speeding and loss of rebuild the factory, adding fuel station owners not to The vehicles include, the Innoson Group and that he was uncomfortable road that leads to the c o n t r o l f r o m t h e company from the major discharge liquefied gas Toyota Hiace bus with member re presenting about the number of commercial drivers. highway; it would ease up from tankers when the registration number: UGB Although no life was lost, Nnewi North in Anambra workers that had been 16 ZQ, Toyota Highlander his burden. dispensing of Petrol Motor a total of 27 persons were State House of Assembly, jeep with registration Fire destroys Nnewi multimillion naira motorcycle Louis Carter Group of spare parts factory Companies, Chief Louis From Maduako Eleweke, In his reaction, owner of Onwugbenu said the fire Awka the factory and Chairman, incident had caused a huge i d n i g h t f i r e Chief Executive Officer of loss to the company that outbreak at the Mweekend, razed down a multi-millionaire Wike commissions factory of Louis Carter Industries Nigeria Limited, jetty, warns criminals producers of motorcycle spare parts and allied From Philip Ezuma, thrive, it will not tolerate products at Akaboukwu Port Harcourt criminal activities around the remodelled jetty. Uruagu Nnewi, Anambra overnor of Rivers "Don't come here and kill State. S t a t e, N y e s o m people. Don't come here and W i k e h a s The incident according G kidnap people. Don't come threatened to shut down the to a source, started at about here to act as thugs and Bonny-Bille-Nembe Jetty in 10:00pm and raged for six criminals", he warned. Port Harcourt if there are h o u r s d e s p i t e t h e The governor ordered the reported cases of criminality contractor to erect a concrete intervention of the men of or physical violence in the wall around the jetty in order the fire service who were area. to make it inaccessible for said to have arrived one The governor said the zeal non-travellers. He also hour and thirty minutes to provide an enabling directed the Commissioner e n v i r o n m e n t f o r s e a later. for Transport to ensure the travellers and boost marine Commenting on the departure and arrival hall at economy of the state, incident, the General the jetty is furnished within The burnt factory spurred his administration d o n e a l o t i n t h e H e d e s c r i b e d a s Manager of the company, the next two weeks. t o r e m o d e l t h e o n c e Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri infrastructural development preposterous the decision of Wike reiterated that the Mr. Ndubisi Okoli said the dilapidated jetty first built in Tambuwal, commended of the state and importantly the federal government to hope for a better and company's security men the 1950s. W i k e f o r j u d i c i o u s l y bringing back security and borrow money from bank prosperous Nigeria depends had alerted him about the He stated this at the applying the resources of safety of life in Rivers State. accounts that have been on the return of the Peoples commissioning of the state to address pressing That is very key and that is dormant in the past three incident. Democratic Party to power remodelled jetty by the needs of the people. v e r y f u n d a m e n t a l " , years. Okoli alleged that the fire in 2023 and urged the people governor of Sokoto State, He described the jetty as a Tambuwal stated. R i v e r s S t a t e outbreak was caused by an to continue to support the Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri very critical project that will I n h i s r e m a r k s, t h e C o m m i s s i o n e r f o r explosion of high tension party. Tambuwal on Saturday. go a long way to further National Chairman of the Transpor t, Mr. Osima c a b l e o f t h e E n u g u He further declared that The governor noted that make transportation easy Peoples Democratic Party, Ginah, lauded Wike for t h e s t e r l i n g Electricity Distribution while government will not and indeed easier for the Prince Uche Secondus, completion of the project, accomplishments of his Company (EEDC), adding r e l e n t i n p r o v i d i n g people of the riverine a d v i s e d t h e f e d e r a l adding that the arrival and administration have silenced that raw materials and infrastructure needed to communities of the state. government to emulate departure hall at the jetty can t h e A l l P r o g r e s s i v e s c r e a t e a n e n a b l i n g "You have done a lot in the Governor Wike in provision comfortably accommodate crushing machines worth Congress in the state. over N500million were environment for business to area of human capital of basis amenities for 100 passengers. Governor of Sokoto State, development. You have lost. Nigerians. Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 13 Imo guber Imo guber: can the Supreme Court redeem itself? Onwuasoanya Fcc Jones requirement of 2/3 2 months after spread, at the end of the governorship tabulating these highly elections in Imo controversial results? 2 3. What logic can State and 20 clear m o n t h s s i n c e t h e explain the reality that change of baton on a g o v e r n o r s h i p May 29th, Imo enjoys c a n d i d a t e w h o s e election fell on the the awkward record of same day as those of being the only State the House of Assembly among the 29 States candidates could win, whose governorship while none of the 27 election held on March House of Assembly 12th, 2019, with valid candidates, who ran on controversies still the same platform as hanging around the him, won their election authenticity of its t o t h e A s s e m b ly ? political leadership at Ehime Mbano House the governorship level. of Assembly member Apart from being was returned by the the only State that it's Appeal Court. 4. What governorship election mathematical magic was nullified among all was used in arriving at the 29 States, Imo is the figure with which one State that could be Chief Uzodimma was rightly said to have the declared governor? demons of illegitimacy Now, let us get to the a n d u n c e r t a i n t i e s Uzodimma Ihedioma va l i d i t y o f P h i l i p hanging over its clouds. m u s t r e f r e s h o u r or all of them: 1. They a dv i c e o f a l e g a l U g w u m b a U c h e Umeadi's application These situations could minds, unbiased to the reckoned that it would practitioner to know Nwosu's candidature before the Supreme to a large extent be circumstances that put be easier to defeat t h a t , i n t h e at the governorship C o u r t . U m e a d i , b l a m e d o n t h e our dear State in this U g w u m b a U c h e circumstance that the election had been apparently, a non- u n c o n s c i o n a b l e q u a g m i r e a n d t h e Nwosu if he is denied 2019 gover norship nullified, thereby, Imolite, is qualified to tradeoffs by politicians Nigerian Supreme the ticket of the ruling election was, the right giving the justices the i n s t i t u t e t h i s from all divides in the Court - supposedly, the Party thing would have been l e e w a y t o a v o i d application, being a State, in the run-up to final arbiter and on 2. They saw Senator to order for a runoff answering the most Nigerian. His is not an the 2019 elections. i s s u e s o f Hope Uzodimma has between the highest i m p o r t a n t application for review W h e n J u s t i c e C o n s t i t u t i o n a l i s m been unpopular and polling candidate - C o n s t i t u t i o n a l of an earlier judgement Chima Centus Nwaeze within the borders of u n p r e p a r e d t o Emeka Ihedioha, who question of the 2019 of the Supreme Court, in giving a contrary Nigeria - in an ignoble u n d e r t a k e a won the majority votes, elections. but a demand to the o p i n i o n o n t h e limelight. g o v e r n o r s h i p but failed to secure 25% However, by going Supreme Cour t to application for the The first of the campaign at the time, in at least, 18 LGAs of ahead to adopt an e x e c u t e i t s o w n review of an earlier factors that brought us so, proponents of t h e S t a t e - a n d allegedly fabricated judgement, vide the judgement brought to to this position in the z o n i n g s a w h i s U g w u m b a U c h e and unverified set of Action People's Party the court by Chief political affairs of our nomination as a short Nwosu, who polled the results submitted by (APP) Versus Uche Emeka Ihedioha and country is the charade route to an Owerri or second highest number one of the candidates Nwosu. the PDP, warned that p a s s e d o f f a s t h e Okigwe governorship. of votes. in that election, the By this application, the decision of the governorship primaries 3. They hated Owelle But, for reasons that Supreme Court opened Umeadi accepts the court in that matter, of the All Progressives Rochas Okorocha and will forever be stressed m o r e r o o m s f o r controversial results w o u l d h a u n t t h e Congress in Imo State. would endorse any o n t h e p a g e s o f q u e s t i o n i n g i t s produced by Chief Nigerian Supreme B e c a u s e o f t h e action, no matter how i g n o m i n y, i n o u r i m p a r t i a l i t y a n d Uzodimma and upheld Court and the judiciary embarrassing and well illegal, that cut him to n a t i o n ' s b o o k o f acclaimed prescience by a panel of the for a long time, he was publicized irregularity size, politically. political history, INEC on Constitution and Supreme Court headed not simply giving a that greeted those A t t h e g e n e r a l - with a Professor of justice. by the Chief Judge, but judicial opinion, but primaries, Gulak has election proper, the Statistics as returning S o m e o f t h e is calling the attention been prophetic. And become a byword for Independent National officer - declared Chief questions begging for of the same Supreme very few people would electoral fraud, while Electoral Commission Emeka Ihedioha, as answers as long as Court to an earlier have doubted him. His, Ben Johnson has taken picked up from where d u ly r e t u r n e d , i n G o v e r n o r H o p e j u d g e m e n t b y i t w a s a c l e a r a n d a n e n t i r e l y n e w APC stopped in their glaring derangement U z o d i m m a ' s n u l l i f y i n g t h e culture of impunity by from unambiguous "manufactured" 388 u n d e n i a b l e t r u t h . r e l e v a n c e i n o u r n o m i n a t i o n o f declaring a candidate l e t t e r s o f o u r (or is it even 366) U g w u m b a U c h e T o d a y , t h e political lexicon. whom it was obvious Constitution. polling booth results is Nwosu on the grounds unpopularity of that No one was in doubt d i d n ' t m e e t t h e Curiously, all three concerned are; 1. How o f D O U B L E 'supr e m e ' jud ic ia l about who really won C o n s t i t u t i o n a l j u d g e s o n t h e come that out of about NOMINATION. The decision still resonates the APC governorship r e q u i r e m e n t o n Governorship Petition 70 candidates who simple grammatical a n d e v e n t h e nomination in 2018, electoral spread, as the Tribunal and all five participated in the and logical implication beneficiaries are not at those who celebrated governor-elect. judges on the Appeal election, only the of DOUBLE is that ease with their pyrrhic t h e f a r c i c a l f r a u d u l e n c e H a d t h e I N E C panel closed their eyes results of Mr. Hope something existed in crown. exorcised itself of the to the issue of the U z o d i m m a a n d two places. To understand the perpetrated by Gulak w i t h t h e a c t i v e demon of partisanship Constitutionality of Emeka Ihedioha were Therefore, if Uche situation with Imo and refused to be Ihedioha's purported captured in the results? Nwosu was DOUBLY governorship, and how prodding of Adams O s h i o m h o l e, o n ly influenced by external victory. At the time the 2 . D i d H o p e nominated, hence, his best the Supreme Court celebrated for either of forces and powers, they m a t t e r g o t t o t h e Uzodimma, meet the disqualification, how can redeem itself, we the following reasons, didn't require the S u p r e m e C o u r t , C o n s t i t u t i o n a l Continues on pg 14 Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 14 Imo guber Continued from pg 13 Imo guber: can the Supreme Court redeem... could there be another E L E C T I O N candidate for one of PROCESSES IN IMO the Parties that duly STATE AND ORDER n o m i n a t e d U c h e F O R F R E S H Nwosu? Uche Nwosu PROCESSES: This couldn't have been the w o u l d b e rightful candidate of unprecedented, but the APC and Hope seems to be the only U z o d i m m a i s t h e o p t i o n l e f t i n t h e governor, purportedly circumstance. Imo as a candidate of the governorship is like a same APC. One does building on the verge of not need to be a lawyer collapse due to serious t o a p p r e c i a t e t h e incongruity in such structural deficiencies. j u d g e m e n t . I s a I t w o u l d b e b o t h p o l i t i c a l P a r t y expensive and risky, if empowered by the w e c o n t i n u e t o Nigerian Constitution reinforce this danger, to field two candidates b y c a r r y i n g o u t for the same electoral remedial works, here position, in the same and there. The best constituency? thing would be to A ppa r e ntly, the demolish everything judgement returning completely and build C h i e f H o p e afresh. U z o d i m m a a s The governorship of governor is a very a State once it has got unpopular one and to the table of the p u t s t h e S u p r e m e Araraume Nwosu highest court in the Court of Nigeria and land should not be the judiciary in general U g w u m b a U c h e However, this would U z o d i m m a a s for an average Nigerian awarded on the basis of on the headlamps of Nwosu as the rightful n o t r e s o l v e t h e governor. However my to have the slightest sentiments or to the i g n o m i n y . T h i s c a n d i d a t e o f t h e controversies bugging little experiment leaves confidence in our highest bidder or most Action Alliance (AA), the Imo governorship me with more than judiciary. application by Philip politically connected, hence, the judgement nor would it be a good 95% of percent of 4 . R E F U S E TO U m e a d i ( S A N ) b u t t o t h e m o s t by Justice Mary Odili way for the judiciary to respondents in Imo H E A R T H E therefore offers these judicially qualified justices an opportunity led panel affirming him r e d e e m i t s e l f . A State and about 90% of O B J E C T I O N , c a n d i d a t e. I n t h e to either redeem the as both the candidate judgement in this Nigerians believing T H E R E B Y , c i r c u m s t a n c e , image of the Nigerian of AA and that of APC d i r e c t i o n w o u l d that the judgement was SUSTAINING THE everyone of those who judiciary or allow this gains more relevance. present the Supreme influenced by either STATUS QUO: Some discontentment and Since, this is not an Court as bowing to money or political p e o p l e a r e o f t h e stand a chance of being mistrust against her to application for the high-level blackmail considerations. opinion that the best returned as governor in continue to fester. How review of any of those a n d m e d i a D u r i n g t h e l a s t way t h e j u d i c i a r y the final consideration can they do this? We j u d g e m e n t s , t h i s i n t i m i d a t i o n , Christmas, I spent over would save itself of o f t h e p r e s e n t will look at different Supreme Court panel orchestrated by the two weeks in Imo State, further embarrassment litigation, has one scenarios that some cannot reverse any of PDP. This will not be a within which time I is by turning down the judicial baggage or the commentators have those judgements. So, good precedent for the u s e d p u b l i c request to entertain this other related to the played and analyze the t h i s m e a n s , t h a t i n t e g r i t y o f t h e transportation for all matter. This would be 2 0 1 9 e l e c t o r a l logicality of each of U g w u m b a U c h e Nigerian Supreme my movements. The cowardly and would be processes. them: Nwosu - clearly the Court and judiciary in prevailing opinion t a n t a m o u n t t o So, the best option 1. UPHOLD HOPE most popular of all the general. among Imolites is that avoiding treatment for would be to quash U Z O D I M M A ' S g o v e r n o r s h i p 3. DISMISS THIS the Supreme Court was a cancerous tumor in everything and order a "MANUFACTURED candidates, adjudged OBJECTION AND compromised in giving order to avoid the c o m p l e t e l y f r e s h " RESULTS, BUT variously as the actual U P H O L D T H E that judgement. In fact, pains. This would leave exercise, from the U P H O L D U C H E winner of the election, STATUS QUO: This is a Busimo operator y o u i n t h e m o r e nomination stage to the N WO S U A S T H E but a victim of high what Uzodimma's whom I engaged in an precarious situation main election. This R I G H T F U L wired conspiracy - s c a n t g r o u p o f i n t e r a c t i o n w a s w h e r e t h e c a n c e r option could pass as a C A N D I DAT E O F remains disqualified. s u p p o r t e r s w o u l d u n s p a r i n g i n h i s m e t a s t a s i z e s a n d doctrine of necessity. It T H E A P C A N D 2 . U P H O L D earnestly wish for. But d i s m i s s a l o f t h a t would require more would both calm the RETURN HIM AS PHILIP UMEADI'S would it be popular judgement as the; painful, expensive and volatility of the Imo G O V E R N O R O F ARGUMENT AND with the people of Imo " m o s t b r a z e n l i k e l y f r u i t l e s s political temperament RETURN EMEKA State? Will it speak well miscarriage of justice treatments. This is not IMO STATE: This and afford the Nigerian I H E D I O H A A S of the image Nigerian a n d t h e c l e a r e s t a matter the justices scenario would be the j u d i c i a r y o f a n most preferred by me; GOVERNOR: This is judiciary? If we had e v i d e n c e o f t h e should sweep under the opportunity to cleanse yet, it is most unlikely the head for which the g o o d p o l l s t e r s i n p a r t i a l i t y o f o u r carpet for any reason. itself of the taint of and would not rest the hat of the matter was Nigeria, we would be judiciary." He told me They should hear it, p a r t i s a n s h i p a n d controversy bugging made. Philip Umeadi able to come up with a that Imo State has been and give a judgement, corruption in the eyes the Imo governorship. i n s t i t u t e d t h i s very reliable data on s o l d o f f t o s o m e then leave posterity to The Supreme Court argument, Ihedioha what Imo people and powerful elements pay them in the right o f N i g e r i a n s i n h a d i n a b o u t t wo has joined and the PDP Nigerians think about outside Imo State and coins. particular and the previous cases, before has also joined the the Supreme Court that it would only take 5. NULLIFY ALL curious international the double nomination m a t t e r, ex p e c t i n g j u d g e m e n t t h a t a r e v e r s a l o f t h e 2 0 1 9 community. c a s e , a f f i r m e d favourable judgement. r e t u r n e d H o p e judgement, if possible, GOVERNORSHIP May Truth Win! Monday, January 11, 2021 Page 15 SPORTS Monaco set to decide Onyekuru's future

Fans query CAF over potential

o n a c o out. Enyimba, manager Niko H e s a i d , “ H e n r y Peter Obi in a visit to Christian Chukwu MK o v a c h a s Onyekuru will return Rivers clash disclosed that the club from Nigeria tomorrow Christian Chukwu alive, will decide the future of (yesterday). We will i g e r i a n f a n s h ave Nigeria international decide on his future questioned the decision embarrassed by news of Henry Onyekuru in two within two weeks. As far Nof the Confederation of that paid him tribute on weeks time. as Grandsir & Benasser African Football to pair two his death S e g u n O d e g b a m i ' s The former Everton are concerned, they are Nigeria Professional League sides igeria's soccer p l aye r i s d ow n t h e free to leave the club. Enyimba and Rivers United against programme on NTA, The each other in the Confederation l e g e n d p e c k i n g o r d e r a t They should try to find a Parliament. Abadi Pele, Cup. C h r i s t i a n Monaco, having featured new club.” N Anthony Bafoe, Yaya just four times this According to reports In the draws on Friday, Enyimba Chukwu is alive. Chukwu – w h o d r o p p e d f r o m t h e Toure, Godwin Odiye and season, with his last from France, Onyekuru Champions League – would face was rumoured to have Jay Jay Okocha were appearance back in could be heading back to either Rivers United or South passed on Saturday, same September 2020. Turkey and will be among the Africa's football African side, Bloemfontein Celtic, The 23-year-old is no l i n k i n g u p w i t h day that he spoke with the stars who congratulated in the final preliminary stage of the longer considered an G a l a t a s a r a y, w h o Saturday editor, Vanguard Confederation Cup. him on his 70th birthday integral part of The wanted the 23-year-old N e w s p a p e r, O n o c h i e The Rivers, Celtic tie is yet to be Thursday night. Anibeze Monégasques and the on loan with an option to Anibeze who was then decided with CAF postponing the also spoke with Chukwu, club is willing to listen to buy permanently at the second leg after the Nigerians won unaware of the rumour. yesterday, Sunday, January offers for the forward. end of the season. the first leg 2-0 away from home. Anibeze said Chukwu was 10 and said Chukwu was Kovac, while speaking Onyekuru helped the The return leg was called off by full of life and cracked during a press conference Turkish giants to a CAF after the Nigeria Football e m b a r r a s s e d b y t h e ahead of the club's Ligue league and cup double in many jokes during their Federation wrote to them on r u m o u r. H e q u o t e d 1 clash against Angers, his first stint at the club in chat. He said Chukwu was Monday, asking that the game be Chukwu as saying that his disclosed that Onyekuru the 2018/19 season, postponed and possibly relocated elated by the birthday phone has not stopped would return to France scoring 16 goals with six t o a n e i g h b o u r i n g c o u n t r y messages from President ringing since Saturday Onyekuru on Sunday (yesterday) assists. following COVID-19 regulations. and have his future sorted Muhammadu Buhari and night. The NFF said the request the galaxy of football stars followed the refusal of the Nigeria Transfer: Declan Rice to Stamford Bridge if he Centre for Disease Control to step Allardyce calls for new leaves East London. down on some of the COVID-19 Rice may feel he has protocols for the South African choose between Man Utd, unfinished business at contingent. football coronavirus Chelsea and will be Reacting ahead of the potential and meetings have to be caps for his country. Chelsea United and Chelsea have both tempted to join his best clash between the two Nigerian done in smaller groups. friend and England clubs, some of the fans said it was a shutdown e s t H a m expressed interest in signing “We cannot let players sit t e a m - m a t e M a s o n ploy by CAF to eliminate one of the a m A l l a r d y c e m i d f i e l d e r , Rice, who West Ham fear will down.” M o u n t i n F r a n k suffered another Declan Rice, has leave the club in the summer. teams. West Brom's loss on W Lampard's squad. “They are apparently trying to humiliating defeat told friends he would rather Rice began his career at S penalties highlighted their West Ham value Rice — then called for a football sign for Chelsea than Chelsea's academy, before being eliminate as many Nigerian clubs shortage up front. between £70-£80million lockdown. Manchester United, the UK released at the age of 16. as much as they can,” Adeyinka Striker Charlie Austin is and may be forced to sell But Allardyce claims the Mirror reports. And he is looking to return to Adegbayibi tweeted. off on loan to QPR and if he pushes for a move. s e a s o n s h o u l d b e Since making his first- Olalekan Owolabi also said, Allardyce admitted a suspended if coronavirus team debut in 2017, Rice “Two NPFL teams meeting in the replacement is a priority. cases continue to soar. has gone on to make 128 f i n a l C o n f e d e r a t i o n C u p He added: “There's no He warned: “We're out to a p p e a r a n c e s f o r t h e qualification game is a bit unfair for point in beating around the entertain and if we're to Hammers. Nigeria.” bush, we need to move continue to do that then The 21-year-old's form “CAF what is your problem with players on and bring players we're fearful of someone saw him called up to the Nigeria. Why will two Nigeria in. catching a virus they're not England squad in 2019 and teams Enyimba and Rivers United “We played up front with going to recover from. he has gone on to earn 13 Rice meet. This is bad,” Gomba nobody because we've not “I don't know how long Hamilton also said. got anybody. ormer Super Eagles we can carry on. Siasia backs Umar for Eagles “African football and planning. “We need one, if not two, coach Samson Siasia What's the rush, has it always been “The big help is the g r ow n t o b e c o m e a frontmen because we need is backing Almeria like this? Two teams from the same vaccinations happening as F call-up discipline, mature and striker Sadiq Umar for an to score goals.” Last weekend, the 23-year-old federation meeting this early in a quickly as possible but we invitation to the national much better player.” scored his first hat-trick in continental competition. A draw may need a lockdown if team. With Victor Osimhen A l m e r i a ' s 3 - 0 w i n o ve r was made but what are the odds? cases outside of football Umar, a member of the Gernot Rohr's first choice Ponferradina in the Spanish Three teams from Tunisia and they continue to rise. bronze-winning U-23 team in attack, Siasia believes Segunda to help them move to d i d j u s t e n o u g h t o a v o i d “There's talk about extra at the 2016 Olympics in Umar can combine well second on the log. themselves,” Samuel Abayomi restrictions that we are Brazil, joined Almeria in the with the Napoli man to Reacting to the striker's form, added. going to come under in the last transfer window from good effect in the Eagles Siasisa, Umar's coach at Rio While CAF is yet to decide on next few weeks. Partizan and has been very attack. 2016, told newsmen, “I believe the date for the second leg of the “We've got to do things at impressive for the Spanish He added, “Osimhen Umar is ready to join the senior Rivers versus Celtic clash, the first the training ground in outfit, having been involved a n d U m a r a r e t w o national team. leg of the second preliminary round smaller groups, we've got to i n 1 2 g o a l s i n 1 8 different and unique “I know him very well, he has will be played February 14, with the spread ourselves out further appearances. players.” second leg billed for February 21. Allardyce Pension assets rose by 185bn in 3 months – PenCom Pg. 6 Bribery: Rivers sacks 11 taskforce members ISSN: 2736-0512 MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 VOL. 2 NO. 4 Pg. 2 Column In my own thinking Phone: 08035360957 By Afam Echi Email: [email protected]

there suffering and smiling. law. Many are begging for the return of I s U z Ihedioha which is subject to the odimm a ruling of the Supreme Court. It will going? Will Imo work Uzodimma going...? not surprise many if the learned again? Feelers from the street gentle men of the law send another indicate that Imo people are happy position emerge first. In that decision shock waves beyond the common with whoever comes in so long here are strong the Philip Umeadi (SAN) matter expectations because the ordinary for inexplicable reasons Uzodimma Uzodimma goes. Uzodimma speculations that asking the Supreme Court to folks in the street have no idea of going????????? Tthe era of Gov interpret and give expression to its received in excess over a hundred what is in the bowel and heart of the Hope Uzodimma will any ruling of December 20, 2019 during thousand votes from God knows m o m e n t t h i s w e e k b e which it ruled that Uche Nwosu is the where which helped to impose him consigned to the dustbin of authentic candidate of APC but also on Imo people. IMSU VC: Sin of IMSU history. The speculations are ran under the ticket of Action Since then he has lived with the tag anchored on the Supreme Alliance. Having disqualified the “Supreme Court gov” which he has profs or love for Orlu Zone? Court judgment expected to rightful candidate of APC the fruitlessly struggled to fight off. Just be delivered this week. Some question is how did Uzodimma like in the typical tradition of the Igbo t is difficult to comprehend for for the powerful position and here hold the view that the emerge? w h e r e r o b b e r s a n d m e n o f w h a t e v e r r e a s o n t h e such projections are kissing the judgment will be made today I t w o u l d b e r e c a l l e d t h a t q u e s t i o n a b l e c h a r a c t e r a r e Ij u s t i f i c a t i o n f o r t h e canvas. That is not a good one from while others say it is either the Uzodimma got into power following stigmatized by their kinsmen it is appointment of a Vice Chancellor the government. The new VC might 14th or 15th. the spectacular and shocking ruling doubtful if Uzodimma's government from another university. Could it be be pitched against the home lads who Decision will be given on which saw a man in the number 4 has sunk well with Imo people. The that none of the professors in Imo may not want to give their co- pointers are very clear. University is qualified enough to operation if they chose to play dirty. He has been struggling by every hold the exalted position? This Universities are reckoned as centres imaginable way to push himself and comes across as an indictment over of excellence but here in Naija that is his administration into the minds of all of the professors. Could it be that where you have excellence in the the people but it remains an uphill they are not also qualified in learning worst of things. They can set the task. Someone described it like and character to be so exalted? banana peels for him and the school is squeezing water out of stone. Sadly, My further inquiry has not still the loser. the situation has not been helped by revealed any good reason but it is Some have tagged the appointment the integrity deficit, corruption, suspected according to some of the Orlu man, Peter Aka to the ineptitude and mediocrity of the man professors that the governor may obsession of Uzodimma's love to from Omuma. It is very clear he was have followed the recommendations corner everything to Orlu. Those who not prepared for leadership. of the Visitation Panel that probed hold this view point to his sponsorship If Uzodinmma gets booted out the activities of the out gone Vice and interest in Prof George Obiozor, this week, to Imolites it would be Chancellor, Prof Adaobi. What then another Orlu man for the Ohanaeze good riddance to bad rubbish. It could be this sin of IMSU profs? plum job. would be a good sigh of relief. Many The action in my own thinking Recall that last week Uzodimma who have prayed and wished the exit could be demotivating. Some of the sacked the VC and appointed Prof of the regime would do thanksgiving. egg heads may have nursed the Aka from the University of Nigeria. Since the administration emerged it ambition and prepared themselves has been a tale of woe even for the aides of the governor who cannot secure their benefits. They are just Where is the harmattan reason we will be given. yet to show its presence. There is strong Uzodimma Reports and observations indicate hibernating?fear that there will be shortage of fruits in this New Year when it is harvest that the contractors have gone off onders they say shall never end time. This is because of the clear Uzodimma: What is the roads. Work is not going on and this statement finds absence of the effects of harmattan on anywhere. Most of the major roads Wexpression in the so called the fruit trees. Those of us that are fond they have been trumpeting that will c l i m a t e c h a n g e w h i c h h a s n ow of African apple (udara), mangoes, happening to get attention are still lying prostrate. confounded the inhabitants of the earth cashews etc should brace up to accept What is 'holding dog to die' on the planet with dramatic change in climate. what we see. This is unfortunate. if they ever credit the people Previously, when we were growing up it Some of these changes in natural with any degree of intelligence much publicized Okigwe and Orlu Imo roads? roads awarded to a so called was fairly easier to make a near prediction phenomenon according to science is that they know that they are not of when the rain starts and ends. As at reputable construction firm. I pray it caused by human interference o a d i s a c r i t i c a l fooled all of the times as their then you can correctly determine when to especially in the area of technological infrastructure in Imo minds keep deceiving them doesn't go the way of Julius Berger. expect the harmattan and when it will end. advancement which generates carbon RState but it is not Many times Uzodimma and It will not be long the rains will The cold harmattan period it is monoxides that disturbs the ozone c e r t a i n t h a t t h e p r e s e n t his commissioner for works have come again and we remain in the reported helps some economic trees to layers. What we are experiencing as a government is in realization of trumpeted of their wonders on same boat of buck passing. One year fruit and mature, bringing plenty harvest consequence is the maddening heat for any period it showed strong presence. wave and climatic changes. this. They are content with the road when the dry season has cycled and we are still telling making pronouncements and s t o r i e s o n I m o r o a d s. T h e The magic year 2020 was truly magical Those in the northern hemisphere sets in. Now the fair weather is and uneventful in the life of many. It has what they will do to transform performance in relation to promises with all their advancements upstaging here what is actually happening. moved from the global pandemic which and resources is below par. What nature seemingly have no remedies everywhere but never get to walk We are not seeing any work brought Nigeria another recession to towards this. What we enjoy in one about the Ramp roads? The story is their talks. Politicians indeed going on. Could it be that they affect the weather. way we suffer in another way. Who will never stop to deceive the went on break to enjoy the not any different. Our governor how We will soon transit to season yet the knows where the harmattan is populace. Sometimes I wonder holidays? That is the most likely far? beautiful cold weather enjoyed by many is hibernating.

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