Governor Soludo signed the budget tagged “Building Off From The Blocks” at the Government House, Awka.
Performing the function, the Governor commended members of the House of Assembly for being diligent, responsible and responsive to their job as lawmakers and representatives of the people of Anambra State.
He canvassed for stronger synergy between the legislative and other arms of government at all levels.
Governor Soludo reiterated that the patriotic and responsive manner the budget was passed by the State House of Assembly was not only commendable but signalled the birth of a new partnership for a greater Anambra
The Governor affirmed that there was no underhand dealings in signing the budget rather the process was conducted with integrity, patriotism and responsiveness
Governor Soludo recounted that in his campaign manifesto, N250 billion naira was estimated as the amount required to build critical infrastructure towards the realisation of the livable and prosperous homeland in the State that every Ndi Anambra yearns for. He lamented, however, that the resources at Government disposal are abysmally lean as well as the earnings from the oil sector which has become so low.
Consequently, Governor Soludo said the government was left with no options other than to ratchet up multiple strategies including taking a look at the trajectory of expenditure, introducing prudence in spending, among others.
He also stated as part of the measures to improve government finances, efforts are also being made to digitize the Internally Generated Revenue of the state to eliminate leakages
He further explained that in the interim, his administration has decided to borrow N100 billion naira, as Ndi Anambra cannot wait, emphasizing that not the whole amount will be spent this year.
He stated categorically that the borrowed money will be re-fenced and will be used for critical infrastructural development particularly in building roads, bridges etc. He again reiterated that there will be absolute prudence in making sure Ndi Anambra gets value for the money borrowed adding that every kobo will be judiciously used to create wealth that will benefit the people of the state
The Governor therefore thanked the Speaker and the House members for understanding the exigencies to approve the plan to borrow, and “promised Ndi Anambra the money will be spent on critical infrastructure, particularly on roads, bridges, flyover, among other strategic places,”
While assuring of implementing the budget within the cash flow, the Governor pointed out that his administration is currently cleaning up the state wage bill and the payroll system.
Governor Soludo said, “I thank Ndi Anambra for their support and sacrifices through payment of their fair share of taxes and others. For people who have violated public order such as indiscriminate building of illegal structures, we say enough is enough. These are necessary, painful steps that we must take to rescue our state”.
The Commissioner for Budget, Ms. Chiamaka Nnake and Special Adviser to the Governor on House of Assembly Matters, Chief Anayo Nnebe appreciated the members for doing a good job on the budget.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Okafor, Hon Nnamdi Okafor, House Majority Leader, members of the Anambra State Executive Council including Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Head of Service, Barrister Theodora Igwegbe, President General of Anambra State Association of Town Union, Barrister Titus Akpudo, Mr Chris Azor, representative of the civil societies among others were present at the ceremony.
The Christian Association of Nigeria on Wednesday dissociated itself from Bishops who attended the unveiling of the vice presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kashim Shettima, saying they were desperados who went there for themselves.
The organisation said that although the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was free to “hire mechanics and other artisans and sew clerical garments for them”, that effort would only add to their many ropes but would not change the need for fairness and justice.
The Vice President of CAN (19 Northern States and Abuja) and its chairman in Kaduna State, Rev. Joseph John Hayab, said this in an interview with journalists in Abuja.
He said, “The people we saw at the unveiling of Shettima paraded as Bishops are people who did not have enough time to learn how to wear Bishop garments. Take a closer look at their photo and you will see another Nollywood movie.
CAN wonders why the desperation. First, a story was out claiming to have come from the Chairman of CAN Borno state only to be refuted. Secondly, there was another lie that BAT (Bola Ahmed Tinubu) and his running mate were on their way to meet CAN President one night. A meeting that was not true and was on a night that the CAN President was in Alabama USA attending the Baptist World Alliance Conference of which he is the Vice President.
“Another desperation story was that they met Papa Adeboye which the RCCG later refuted. If Christians are not important why the desperation?
“BAT is free to hire mechanics and other artisans and sew clerical garments for them. An effort that will only add to their many ropes when the political exercise is over but will not change the need for fairness and justice that CAN is calling for.
CAN appreciate that we are in a democracy, no need to do funny and dubious things just to prove a point because it will in the end bounce back. BAT team should simply do what is right and stop the drama.”
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, officially unveiled former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate.
This is as Tinubu, who is a former Lagos State governor, promised to work with his vice presidential candidate, alongside his team, to change the country for the better.
The APC flagbearer made the promise while speaking at the unveiling event held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. APC stalwarts, including the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, were at the unveiling ceremony.
“We will change this country for the better,” he said.
Justifying his choice of Shettima despite opposition to the Muslim-Muslim ticket, Tinubu said he had considered principles that determine victory in politics with his choice of the former Borno governor.
“All my life, my decision regarding the team around me and those I work with are guided by principles of competence, innovation, compassion, integrity, fairness and adherence to excellence.
In politics those principles are sacrosanct. They are not negotiable. Without them, there can be no victory or joy,” the former Lagos governor said.
This is where politics must end and leadership must begin. True leadership is not grounded in religious pandering, populism or sentiment. To forge ahead as a nation toward development and prosperity, we must, instead, break the shackles of old thinking.
“This chapter in our nation’s history demands a bold yet pragmatic approach. In selecting Senator Shettima I have committed myself to this path. I have made the hard choice because I believe it is the best choice.”
He added, “Much has been said, written about my decision to select Shettima to partner me on this journey. As a committed and progressive leader, I have read and listened to all that has been written and said. It has been an emotional situation for me.
“Out of many competent Nigerians and out of many advice, I know it has to be my decision. And the hallmark of leadership is taking a decision at the right time when it ought to be taken.
“I did consult and I am proud to see all of you here acknowledging the quality of our Vice President Kashim Shettima.”
Government of Anambra State has announced plans to extend the removal of illegal structures defacing the environment and endangering lives beyond Onitsha in the coming weeks.
This was part of resolutions at the Anambra State Executive Council Meeting, held at Government House, Awka.
According to a Post-ANSEC release by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, “It has come to the attention of ANSEC that the lands of many community secondary and primary schools have been massively encroached on by some communities and developers”.
He pointed out that it is unacceptable and government is seriously looking to recover these portions of land, adding that as part of measures, to achieve this within the ambits of the law, government is seeking to quickly amend land laws so that land grabbing will be criminalized.
THE Commissioner further noted that as a responsive government, ANSEC has set up a committee to review payment claims by contractors of the previous administration to ascertain if the contracts were awarded in line with due process, if they were completed or not, among others before payments would be considered.
Members of the committee include Finance Commissioner as Chairman of the Committee, Accountant General, Department of Public Procurement, General Manager, Commissioners for Works, Housing and Power. They have till September to complete their work.
Sir Nwosu further explained that haven discovered that some native doctors provide charms with which gunmen operate, it has become necessary to enumerate and register them as practitioners, categorised into herbalists and spiritualists.
“While government appreciates the fact that some of them add value to health care, it is also not unaware that they have helped to imbue these criminals with the dare-devil confidence that has driven them into committing despicable crimes as kidnapping, extortion of ransom, beheading, etc. Where they are found culpable in such crimes, it will be easy to fish them out from the register”.
Also at ANSEC, a Revenue Committee was constituted, comprising the Chairman of Anambra Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Richard Madiebo, Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, Special Adviser, Medicals and Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Godwin Nnadozie as well as Managing Director, Information Communication Technology Agency, Mr Chukwuemeka Agbata.
The Commissioner said that their responsibility is to disaggregate the various revenue waste management through the demand notices issued in order to determine where greater effort would be channeled.
He revealed that following the last teachers’ Computer Based Test, a total of 6,250 candidates have been shortlisted.
They include: 3,250 for Primary School and 3,000 for Secondary School, stressing that the oral interviews have been scheduled to commence on the 27th of July, 2022 and will last for two weeks.
“The interviews which will come in batches will hold at Igwebuike Grammar School Awka; St John of God Secondary School, Awka and ASUBEB, Awka”.
Highpoint of the ANSEC meeting was presentation of a souvenir from the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Cui Jianchun to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, through the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Chief Don Onyenji.
The souvenir serves as a token of friendship in preparation for the envoy’s visit to Anambra state later in October when the plan to set up a Cultural Centre in the state would be concluded.
Sir Paul Nwosu is the Anambra State Commissioner for Information.
Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo has called on the Central Bank of Nigeria to champion the shift from dependence on oil to agriculture-driven economy.
Governor Soludo who was speaking when he played host to the CBN, Awka branch Manager, Mr. Benedict Maduagwu at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia described agro-export as the game changer for Nigeria’s economy.
The Governor said that his administration is already taking the lead by introducing regenerative agriculture, reinvention of the palm revolution and coconut economy, emphasizing that dependence on crude oil at this critical time may spell doom for the country as the NNPC had made remittance into the federation account since February this year.
“The economy of the old in our region was built on palm, but crude oil came and Nigeria forgot the other oil. It is time for the country to maximize agriculture. In Anambra, we want to plant one million palm and coconut seedlings”.
“I believe that over the years, the value chain will improve to earn foreign exchange and earn income for the state. Thank God agriculture is central to the Central bank and we wish that CBN will be worthy partners in our export agenda”.
The Governor noted that the Central Bank plays a pivotal role in the development of the country, stressing that when inflation is galloping, nothing else will work.
“CBN is a Macro economic institution and financial regulator and it plays developmental roles”, Governor Soludo added.
While recalling the achievements recorded during his tenure as the CBN Governor, Professor Soludo expressed appreciation that the thrust in agriculture introduced during his tenure was maintained.
Said Soludo, “It’s now a matter of survival with agriculture as the new economy. There are huge redundancies in the sector and we must fully exploit it by determining ways to deliver more efficiently and more effectively’.
“We are strong in the area of Anambra rice, cassava. CBN should release grants on research and development. Consider our ukwa (bread fruit), uziza, uda and our local spices. Get scientists to produced the improved varieties. Even for our palm wine should be exported the way they export Champagne across the globe”.
The Governor who commended the CBN Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, revealed that greater partnership between CBN and Anambra state government on areas that have potentials to change lives is desirous by his administration. He said; “export oriented production is the game changer and I applaud CBN staff for their integrity and professionalism”.
He concluded by calling the attention of the CBN to other issues, including the supposed 2.5 billion naira agriculture fund, to Anambra state, among others.
Earlier, the CBN, Awka branch Manager who led the delegation, Mr. Benedict Maduagwu spoke about the efforts of the institution in key areas of the Country’s economy, especially in the agricultural sector. He disclosed that they are making gradual progress on improvement in sensitisation, calling the mind of the governor to some CBN facilities that can be of immense benefit to the state including the Anchor Borrower Scheme, Accelerated Development Scheme, among others.
He asked the state government to key into them.
Principal Secretary to the Governor, Barrister JPC Anetoh, State Head of Service, Barrister Theodora Igwegbe, Deputy Chief of Staff/Chief Protocol to the Governor, Hon Chinedu Nwoye ( Glamour), among others, were present during the visit.
Award-winning writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has declared her support for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, saying she can’t wait to address him as “My President”.
Adichie in her post to celebrate the 61st birthday of the former Anambra Governor said she will come back to Nigeria and cast her vote for Peter Obi.
In the message she titled “Happy Birthday to Peter Obi, my dearest Big Bro,” the author of the award winning Half of a Yellow Sun said the Labour Party candidate has always been passionate about improving the condition of Nigeria.
Her birthday message to Peter Obi reads:
I will never forget your kindness to my beloved parents. Thank you for the respect you showed them, for your many visits to Abba, where you gave to Daddy and Mummy the most precious gifts: your time and your attention.
Thank you for walking this still-unbearable journey of grief with my siblings and me.
I remember how you regaled Daddy and Mummy with your stories until we started joking about your obsession with the “GDP of Malaysia.” But your obsession spoke of hope: your hope for Nigeria, your belief in what Nigeria could be. A belief that has always been practical, grounded in numbers and in reality.
I remember when you came to support me as I was being honored by the United Nations Foundation in New York, and I teased you about the inexpensive hotel you were staying in, and you shrugged and said, “it’s just a place to sleep, why do I need to be in an expensive place?”
And then only days later, you once again exhibited your incredible generosity to the causes you believe in, and it reminded me of all the hospitals and schools and churches you have supported over the years, and often without fanfare. You have always been clear about what your priorities are, what matters to you, what you believe should matter, and that is deeply admirable.
I have always admired your humane pragmatism, how you are willing to talk to almost anyone if it will bring about a good outcome.
And how you believe in certain ideals without being an ideologue.
And how you see people as people, knowing that human value is not measured in material terms.
And how you are able to laugh at yourself, and laugh when I tease you about your ‘one shoe and one shirt.’
And how you have always been consistent in the core of who you are.
Thank you for your compassion and your circumspection. For your honesty and your humour. For your willingness to acknowledge flaws, yours and others’, knowing that nobody is perfect. For your fuss-free kindness and your humility that is never performative.
I am inspired by your intellectual curiosity, your eagerness to learn, your genuine love of education (which is why you sought out, and honored, Daddy all those years ago when you learned that he was Nigeria’s first professor of statistics.)
Sometimes it is the simplest of language that captures the most complex of things, and so I will end with simplicity: You are a good man. You are loved. You are appreciated.
May your eyes continue to light up when you talk about the lovely confident Margaret (Thank God she agreed for you!) and your lovely children, A and E.
May joy follow you and yours always.
Mummy called you her ‘first son,’ my siblings and I call you our ‘big bro,’ and I cannot wait to call you ‘My President.’
I cannot wait for February 25, 2023, when I, with personal pride in you and with hope for what Nigeria can become, will cast my vote for you and your running mate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed.
The Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers have called on the Federal Government to urgently and in the interest of the nation put an end to the lingering strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
A statement signed by NAAPE’s Deputy General Secretary, Umoh Ofonime, read, “The refusal of the Federal Government to honour the agreement signed with the union since 2009 is very disturbing considering the negative impact the prolonged strike will create in the life of these children.
“NAAPE, therefore, completely supports the position of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress to embark on a nationwide protest on July 26 and 27, 2022 in solidarity with the trade unions in the Nigeria Public Universities and others.”
In a statement made available to the press on Monday, the General Secretary of ANAP, Comrade Abdulrasaq Saidu called on President, Major General Mohammadu Buhari’s (retd.) government, to end without further delay, the ongoing strike before it gets out of hand.
ANAP noted that the continuing stay at home by students of tertiary institutions has added to social vices in the country.
The group also threatened that they will join in the strike in solidarity by closing the aviation sector if the government did not take urgent necessary steps to address ASUU’s demands.
ANAP further noted that the over four months strike has ridiculed the educational system and made it a laughing stock before the world.
The union noted that ASUU, NASU, SAUTHRIAI, NAAT had been on strike for more than four months due to the apparent failure of government to sign the re-negotiated 2009 Agreement with ASUU, and the habitual failure of government to respect Collective Bargaining Agreements willingly signed with Unions.
ANAP noted that education remained the bedrock of any nation aspiring for greatness saying that ASUU strike will eventually lead to a regrettable situation in future if not well handled.
“Our children are using eight years to read courses of four years with resources being wasted. We cannot continue this way,” the statement read in part.
ANAP warned that the future of education will be bleak as little or no attention was focused on the system as most of the children of politicians were schooling abroad
The union warned that its members will align with the Nigeria Labour Congress’ position in protest against the unfortunate situation in the tertiary education sector.
According to ANAP, all its members have been put on alert in solidarity actions on the directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress at very short notice.
The National Administrative Council has directed all branch chairmen and secretaries to disseminate this information to all members in their various branches to participate in the solidarity protest in their various states starting from Tuesday 26, July 2022 to Wednesday 27, July 2022 at all the states capitals of the federation and Abuja the federal capital. The take off point is NLC State Secretariats and the Labour House, Abuja.
The Benue State-born actress died on Sunday in Warri, Delta State around 11 pm on Sunday, a source who pleaded anonymity said on Monday morning.
Ada Ameh was said to have been a in a function with family members and associates when she suddenly collapsed.
She died in Warri, Delta State around 11 pm on Sunday, a source who pleaded anonymity said on Monday morning.
Ameh was said to have been a guest of an oil company toyshop and his family when she suddenly collapsed.
It was gathered that she was rushed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s hospital but passed on before they arrived the facility.
Ada Ameh, who played the role of Anita in the movie ‘Domitilla’ in 1996, is famous for her comic characters especially in the series The Johnsons.
Born on May 15, 1974 in Ajegunle, Lagos, the popular actress shared a video of her eating with the family around 12:53pm on Sunday on her official Instagram page.
Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Ademola Adeleke has been declared winner of the Osun governorship held on Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Adeleke polled PDP 403,371 to defeat Oyetola and the APC with 375,027 votes, while Lasun Yusuf of Labour Party, LP polled 2,729
Adeleke won in 17 local government areas against Oyetola’s 13 to returned the stated votes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC’s, returning Officer for the Election, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe pronounced Adeleke winner having scored lawful available votes in the election.
INEC declares APC’s Oyebanji winner of Ekiti governorship poll
Announcing the result, the returning officer said, “I Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, hereby affirmed that I am the returning officer for the governorship election held on Saturday, July 16 and the candidate polled the following votes… Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola, APC, 375,027, …. Ademola Adeleke Nurudeen Jackson polled 403,371
“I declare that Ademola Adeleke Jackson Nurudeen, having satisfied the requirements of the law is hereby declared winner and is returned elected”.
All the party agents signed the result sheet.
Adeleke contested the governorship seat with the incumbent Governor in 2018 which he lost narrowly about 350 votes.
Reacting to the declaration, PDP Caretaker Chairman, Dr Akindele Adekunle described the outcome as a victory for the entire populace of the state.
“Though it was anticipated because we have been to all the nooks and crannies of the state selling our candidate to a populace that desired change and they proved it at the poll.
We will not let the people down. They trust and believe in us, our duty is to reciprocate that trust
The Supreme Court has finely served the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the Enrolment Order of its judgment in favour of Chief Edozie Njoku.
According to the document, all candidates contesting for political positions under the former National Chairman of APGA, Victor Oye are now voided.
With the latest development, Chief Edozie Njoku is the only authorised person to forward list of candidates to INEC.
The 5 Supreme Court Justices removed Chief Oye’s name as the RESPONDENT in the judgement of October 14, 2021 and replaced same with that of Chief Edozie
They also removed Oye’s name in the Enrollment Order as a RESPONDENT and replaced same with that of Chief Edozie Njoku.
