IPOB leadership: Ikedife, Radio Biafra co-founder reply publicity secretary
THE PANDORA’S BOX:
On September 13, 2012, the Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous people of Biafra (SCE) issued a legal instrument that initiated proceedings at the Federal High Court, Owerri, which authorized Bilie Human Rights Initiative, a body attached to the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra, IPOB to take action against the Federal Republic of Nigeria on behalf of the remnants of Biafrans who were not consumed in the war of 1967 -1970.
The intervention was propelled by the compelling need to ensure that the agitation by the youths for Biafran independence, which has been ongoing since 1999 was conducted lawfully. According to the Deputy Chairman of the Council, Dr Dozie Ikedife, the “elders invoked their powers under customary law to organize, direct, manage and control their children, so that the independence struggle would follow due process of law.”
The head of the Customary Law Government of IPOB is His Royal Majesty & His Lordship, The Honourable Justice Eze Ozubu, OFR, who is a retired Chief Judge of Enugu state and a serving royal father. In the suit, No FHC/OW/CS/192/2013, the IPOB who sued Nigeria in a representative capacity are defined as the “people inhabiting three contiguous regions, namely the South–east, parts of the South–south and parts of the Middle Belt regions of Nigeria.”
This definition covers the territorial jurisdiction where these Policy Statements and Orders apply under Customary Law. In the proclamation, the group deposed as supportive grounds of evidence, the United Nations Declarations on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Res.61/295 of 2007 and articles 19-22, African Charter on Human Rights and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap10, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 (now, LFN 2004). Also deposed in court is the ancient map of Africa in1662 which showed the three kingdoms in West Africa from where Nigeria was created.
The three kingdoms, in the legal document in possession of Sunday Sun were, the Kingdom of Zamfara in the North; The Kingdom of Biafra in the East; and the Kingdom of Benin in the West.
The fourth Kingdom known as Oyo Empire was not contained in the said map, but was enlisted as a great kingdom in West Africa as described in section 4.11 – 4.14 of these Policy Statements “These documents are now before the Federal High Court, Owerri. Our lawyers carried out extensive legal researches in England and obtained all the necessary documentary evidence from the British authorities,” Ikedife explained.
THE TWISTS AND TURNS:
On the heels of the proclamation, which was hinged on a 25- step gradual autonomy, another group also known as IPOB sprang up from the fold and declared its intention to take up arms against the Nigerian state. The radical group led by detained Nnamdi Kanu with registered offices in London and California in the United States of America, USA, caught the imagination of idealists and young people within and outside Nigeria, and it spread like wildfire. In time, it began to overshadow its parent group and indeed other organizations with similar objectives as the flagship and cause célèbre of the Biafran freedom movement. In a deed of Trusteeship and Memorandum of Understanding made on September 5, 2012 between Nnamdi Kanu, Dr Chukwuma Egemba, Uche Mefor and Amaracha Opara (holding Radio Biafra London, in trust for IPOB) and Bilie ( Biafra Liberation in Exile) Human Rights Initiative, it was resolved that Nnamdi Kanu should transfer all ownership rights and interests in Radio Biafra London to Egemba, Mefor, and Opara, who shall hold the said radio station in trust for the benefit of the IPOB. That agreement which was geared towards healing the deepening cracks merely papered over it and paved the way for more insidious cataclysms. In a desperate bid to outdo each other, the battle twisted towards themselves rather than the ‘common interest’.
The foreground to the pending issues began in 2012 when the unregistered IPOB brought an action in a representative capacity by Bilie Human Rights Initiative in suit no FHC/OW/CS/102/2012. The suit was struck out on technicalities and went along to dampen the morale of the revanchist IPOB members who defiantly opted for an all out violent approach. They argued that it was wrong for IPOB to operate under the human rights law, through Bilie Human Rights Initiative. Cashing in on the lacunae, they promptly took the name of the organization and registered it in the USA, wrote a petition to the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria and copied the defendants, (Federal Government of Nigeria) in the suit with the intent to frustrate the suit. The American based factional organization, “Indigenous Peoples of Biafra – USA, was registered in the state of California on 12th February 2014 as shown in the California Secretary of State Business Directory. Nnamdi Kanu, the arrowhead of this group was subsequently declared wanted by the Imo State Police Command for gun running and illegal arms deal, which they intended to use to disrupt the 2015 general elections. A member of the Supreme Council of Elders of IPOB and a deponent in the suit, Engr Innocent Amadi told Sunday Sun that “In paragraph 1 of the Originating Summons commencing this suit in 2013, the IPOB was defined as the ‘indigenes of the South-east geo-political zone of Nigeria, parts of the South-south geo-political zone of Nigeria and parts of the Middle Belt zone of Nigeria and we never contemplated that an impostor organization would come into existence in America and take the same name.”
Following their expulsion from IPOB, Kanu and his followers embarked on a consolidation gambit to claim IPOB through massive propaganda on Radio Biafra, the internet and other mass media organs. They further registered IPOB as a limited liability company in England (Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra LTD) with share capital owned by Nnamdi Kanu and Uche Mefor, therefore, opening fresh scars in the internal struggle of supremacy.
Amadi speaks: “We did not authorize the organization called Indigenous Peoples of Biafra LTD to be registered in the United Kingdom as a platform to sue the British Government. We are building friendly relationships with various countries in the international community and will not authorize any law suit against any other country unless it becomes necessary.” In a swift reaction, and to douse fears of a fractured organization, the IPOB Supreme Council of Elders ostracized Kanu and his vociferous followers via a Disclaimer and Public Notice dated 12th May, 2014. Kanu fought back on the 14th of June 2014, by posting on the internet the following: “The best antidote to lies and deceit is TRUTH. The best antidote to treachery and sabotage is death. To all the amateur lawyers experimenting with Biafra independence in Nigeria’s law court and their shameless deceit, your end is near.”
CENTRIFUGAL FORCES:
An air of suspicion and threats presently pervades the entire freedom struggle. Amadi, who is also the president of Bilie Human Rights Initiative insists that IPOB- USA, including Kanu are working for the Government of Nigeria either as agents recruited to frustrate the claimants’ suit for self-determination or as volunteers hoping to gain some favours from them. IPOB is also alleging that the widening cracks is a product of the meddlesomeness of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which not only exploited the petition by the American based organization to the Corporate Affairs Commission as part of its defence, but is relying heavily on technicalities arising from the internal schisms in its defence.
In an originating Summons served by the court on the Federal Government of Nigeria on October 11, 2013, the defendants were given 30 days to enter appearance. The Court sat on the matter on October 25, 2013. The defendants (FG) did not put up appearance. The time limited for their appearance expired on November 11, 2013. They, however, filed their memorandum of appearance with their motion on notice and other processes on November 22, 2013 (late by 11 days) The Federal Government was represented by Barrister D. U Amon, Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Justice. A Lagos based private Legal Practitioner, Dr Fabian Ajogwu, SAN filed the defence on December 2, 2013, before Justice S. M Shuaibu of the Federal High Court Owerri, and the legal fireworks commenced in earnest. Although the suit has suffered several setbacks and adjournments, it has maintained the same momentum with which it started.
The second hearing took place on February 24, 2014. Despite two subsequent mentions in 2015, little progress has been made, with the defendants putting up preliminary objections in the main. On September 22, 2016 before Justice I. A. Alagoa , the hearing will commence in earnest. The court will adjudicate on a heap of 73 “Further and better affidavit in reply to the preliminary objection and counter affidavit and further and better counter affidavit of the 1st and 2nd defendants.” This is complemented with 37 exhibits.
Speaking on the forthcoming hearing, the General Secretary, of the Supreme Governing Council, Col Joe Achuzia said; “At the moment, the Biafra Independence movement has taken a new shape. It is no longer in the hands of charlatans and fraudsters or blind leaders leading the blind. It is now in the hands of intellectuals, professionals and diplomats.”
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Apparently referring to the pioneering efforts of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State Of Biafra, ( MASSOB) led by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, which has since mushroomed into a multiplicity of groups, Amadi had this to offer: “It is unfortunate that the pro- Biafra groups, which started the Biafra independence movement many years ago did not follow due process of law and thereby brought disgrace and ridicule upon a genuine self-determination struggle of indigenous people of Biafra that should be anchored on law.” Kanu’s group, which is the opposition within is not excited about the court case.
According to Emma Powerful, the group’s spokesman, “Biafrans need a radical political movement that will free them. Getting freedom is neither a tea party, nor a walk in the park.”
Whether through the court rooms, diplomatic channels, or in the streets, the goal is the same, echoed Great Ochefu a moderate and a leading voice in the struggle.
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State says his last 100 days in office have been “bumpy” and challenging due to the rising ‘insecurity and red treasury’ he inherited from his predecessor, Willie Obiano.
Mr Soludo, who disclosed this on Saturday during a ceremony to mark his 100 days in office, vowed to end the Monday sit-at-home order declared by outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra.
“To be sure, the last 100 days have been bumpy and challenging as expected, with insecurity and a red treasury being the most portent, as clearly identified in our inaugural address,” he said.
“Thus, with declining revenue in the context of insecurity and a mountain of debt including over N20 billion in arrears of gratuity to pensioners since 2018 vis-à-vis the sky-high expectations from you, some fundamental disruptive changes are inevitable,” Mr Soludo added.
The governor, however, asked people who were pitying him for the situation to withdraw their pity, explaining that he “consciously applied for this job, and there will be no excuses.”
The Monday sit-at-home order by IPOB, which has wrecked the the Anambra economy and the disrupt the people’s social life, will soon be history, the governor said.
“Our children will have their full week of studies and our businesses will be in full charge again,” he said.
“We have declared zero tolerance for touting which has endeared the government to transport owners, operators and stakeholders.
More programmes and projects will be unveiled in due course, particularly to retrain and empower the former touts.”
He said the major part of the 100 days have been devoted to making key appointments into the government and fighting insecurity in the state.
The governor said his administration would work hard towards implementing his manifesto, which he said, centres on five driving pillars of security, law and order, economic transformation agenda; social agenda; governance, rule of law and value system, noting that he has begun work in those areas.
“We have maintained the policy of the past administration on ‘Community Choose Your Project’ in which communities receive grants from the state government to execute a project or projects of priority to the community.
“Our administration has launched a new phase and increased the grant from N20 million to N25 million per community. We have also launched a policy that no retiree from the state civil service will be owed gratuity under our administration and have paid retirees from March to date.
“We have also begun, albeit gradually, to pay gratuity to pensioners who retired since 2018 and there is hope and joy in the land. We have also approved the same policy for local governments,” the governor said.
Mr Soludo said his administration has successfully screened over 40,000 candidates who applied for teaching jobs in the primary and secondary schools in the state.
He said additional 6,000 candidates would soon be screened for recruitment in the state.
The governor said, in the face of dwindling state resources, his administration would begin to collect taxes from Anambra residents and indigenes of the state in the diaspora, assuring that such taxes must be put to good use.
More programmes and projects will be unveiled in due course, particularly to retrain and empower the former touts.”
He said the major part of the 100 days have been devoted to making key appointments into the government and fighting insecurity in the state.
The governor said his administration would work hard towards implementing his manifesto, which he said, centres on five driving pillars of security, law and order, economic transformation agenda; social agenda; governance, rule of law and value system, noting that he has begun work in those areas.
“We have maintained the policy of the past administration on ‘Community Choose Your Project’ in which communities receive grants from the state government to execute a project or projects of priority to the community.
“Our administration has launched a new phase and increased the grant from N20 million to N25 million per community. We have also launched a policy that no retiree from the state civil service will be owed gratuity under our administration and have paid retirees from March to date.
“We have also begun, albeit gradually, to pay gratuity to pensioners who retired since 2018 and there is hope and joy in the land. We have also approved the same policy for local governments,” the governor said.
Mr Soludo said his administration has successfully screened over 40,000 candidates who applied for teaching jobs in the primary and secondary schools in the state.
He said additional 6,000 candidates would soon be screened for recruitment in the state.
The governor said, in the face of dwindling state resources, his administration would begin to collect taxes from Anambra residents and indigenes of the state in the diaspora, assuring that such taxes must be put to good use.
First 100 Days in Office: State of the State Briefing to Ndi Anambra by Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR: June 25, 2022
Umunne m Ndi Anambra!
We have just clocked our first 100 days in office since you employed me and Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim to serve you as Governor and Deputy Governor respectively. I am not a fan of the fad about the first 100 days. I prefer to give you comprehensive annual reports and I look forward to the first one in March 2023. However, as a responsive government and as part of our periodic citizens’ engagement, we are providing this briefing on this short term milestone. We will also periodically brief and engage you as our employers, through interactive phone-in radio programmes.
As promised, we hit the ground running from the first minute after swearing-in; working for 8 hours and 45 minutes on that day, starting with a three and a half hours meeting on security. Since then, I go to the office every day and literally working 24/7 to make you proud. To be sure, the last 100 days have been bumpy and challenging as expected, with insecurity and a red treasury being the most portent, as clearly identified in our inaugural address. Since February 2022, the contribution of oil revenue from NNPC to the federation account has been zero and many states have difficulty paying salaries. Thus, with declining revenue in the context of insecurity and a mountain of debt (including over N20 billion in arrears of gratuity to pensioners since 2018) vis-à-vis the sky-high expectations from you (my employers), some fundamental disruptive changes are inevitable. I remind everyone who has tried to commiserate with me that I consciously applied for this job, and there will be no excuses. We thank you, Umunne m, for your continued solidarity and support. Together, Anambra will win!
We have spent the last 100 hundred days addressing some key foundational issues: appointed, swore-in and organized a retreat for a new cabinet within five weeks; launched the campaign to mobilize our people to take back our state from criminals and head-on systematic and comprehensive attack on insecurity to restore law and order; revised 2022 budget and provided unprecedented allocation of 64% for capital/infrastructural development as well as priority for youth development; declared a state of emergency on roads and traffic and preparing to flag-off the construction of over 220 kilometres of roads as the rains subside; getting touts out of our roads and markets; redefining the purpose and character of government focused upon service delivery as well as prudent and transparent fiscal management; ending the phenomenon of schools without teachers and hospitals without doctors by embarking on an ambitious, open and competitive process to recruit thousands of teachers as well as doctors, pharmacists and nurses for our hospitals; cleaning up the mountains of waste on our roads; working to ensure that entry into and exit from Anambra especially at Amansea and bridge-head Onitsha become pleasurable experience; signaling our urban renewal agenda with illustrative ambitious agenda for cleaning and modernizing Okpoko and Onitsha metropolis as well as other urban centres which will take greater vigor after the rainy season; laying the foundation for our everything technology and technology everywhere agenda; restructuring and digitizing our Internal Revenue Service; designing and approving a regime for a GIS and digitization of our land registry; launching a policy of never owing gratuity to new retirees and gradually paying down the backlog for the State civil service and approving same for local governments; etc.
In sum, let me assure you that so far, so bumpy but so good! Most people attest that the grave insecurity is being significantly contained, and we are unrelenting. All eyes are on the ball and we are determined to ensure that despite the daunting challenges, our State will remain on course to a livable and prosperous smart homeland. We remain focused on implementing the Soludo Solution—The People’s Manifesto, with its five driving pillars: Security, Law and Order; Economic Transformation Agenda; Social Agenda; Governance, Rule of Law and Value System; and Environment—towards a clean, green and planned sustainable communities, markets and cities. Below, we summarize some of the initiatives we have begun within the first 100 days under these pillars as follows.
Security, Law and Order
Created a new Ministry of Homeland Affairs (for homeland security) to signal the emergency and utmost priority on homeland security.
Embarked upon massive consultation, mobilization and sensitization of the citizens and critical stakeholders— including security agencies, the clergy, traditional rulers, town unions, youths, civil society organizations, businessmen and women, agitation groups, etc. We worked with South East Bishops to organize prayers; offered amnesty/carrot to repentant outlaws; etc. The people are united in fighting against the lucrative criminal enterprise and its idolatrous energizer which held the entire South senatorial zone plus Ogbaru local government hostage. The criminals masquerading as agitators have been exposed, and the nexus between crime, idolatry and hard drugs has become evident. The narrative is changing and the people are seizing the conversation and initiative.
Declared zero tolerance for criminality and drug abuse, and declared war on all criminals in Anambra State. No forest, bush or house can accommodate criminals in Anambra and government is determined to do sustained battle with them. It took some years for criminality to take deep root in parts of the State and we have a longer-term perspective on sustainable solutions.
Cohesive operational team with the State Security Council, and enhanced operational capabilities. We remain grateful to the various security agencies for the massive support and professionalism
Created Anambra State Vigilante Central Strike Force to complement the security forces to keep our forests and homeland free of the criminals.
Put several mechanical arsenal and vehicles to work
A lot of programmes are underway through the Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Youth Development, the ICT Agency and other government institutions under the youth empowerment and preventive security approach.
Establishment and inauguration of the Truth, Justice and Peace Committee to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the agitation and violence in Anambra/South East; seek a restorative justice approach for truth-telling or real facts; for the healing of the victims of the violence, accounting for responsibility and accountability of the actors, conditional mercy for the repentant perpetrators, restitution for certain losses and rehabilitation of the perpetrators, for the overall aim of restoration of peace and justice as well as the promotion of development in the State/region.
Declared zero tolerance for touting (Agbero) which has endeared the government to transport owners, operators and stake holders. More programmes and projects will be unveiled in due course particularly to retrain and empower the former touts.
Citizen participation has been emboldened. We have created an avenue for connecting with the people by the provision of seven phone lines for citizens to reach the security managers of the state. There is a flood of actionable intelligence and the security forces are prompt with response.
The 6 p.m. to 6 a.m curfew on motorcycles (okada), tricycles (keke), and shuttle buses in 8 Local Government areas is a short term security measure that will be lifted in no distant time.
Work is ongoing to restructure and strengthen the community security architecture and deployment of technology in security.
Declared emergency on traffic management and the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) is being strengthened to deliver.
Economic Transformation Agenda
Works and Infrastructure
A new framework for a combination of Direct Labour Model and Outsourcing (contracting) model in the provision of roads/infrastructure as well as concessioning, public private partnership, public- community partnership, as well as rural community infrastructure development model are being worked out.
Direct Labour Intervention has been successfully deployed to rebuild the washout section of Onitsha – Enugu Federal Highway opposite Chisco Park at Onitsha as well as the Amansea section of the Enugu – Onitsha Federal High way (entry section of Anambra), at a highly cost effective rate.
Engineering design and procurement process completed and contractors soon to move to site to deal with two dangerous portions of two federal high ways which experience massive flooding each year, drowning unsuspecting commuters. These are the Ekwulobia- Nnobi federal road (Igboukwu/Isuofia boundary) and the Ogbunike – Ogidi section of the Enugu – Onitsha Road (old road).
De-silting of 1km of the Obodoukwu road, Okpoko to Idemili River end of the Sakamori storm water discharge. The exercise is still on-going and will soon move on to the Fegge/Nwangene end of the discharge drain.
Hydrological studies and hydraulic designs of storm water discharge channels as well as engineering designs almost completed for over 220 Kilometres of roads scattered all over Anambra state and these roads will all be flagged off for construction before the dry season commences.
Power and Water Resources
In the light of the Administration’s goal to attain universal electricity access for Ndi Anambra, the government reconstituted and reinvigorated the Anambra State Power Committee, which also has the EEDC as a member. The Committee recently finished a Retreat and is finalizing details of the plans and programmes (including the legal/regulatory framework) to align all the stakeholders in the electricity market in Anambra and ensure optimal performance and delivery of government’s target.
Rehabilitation of the water facilities at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat for civil servants. The Secretariat has not had water running in the offices for over eight years.
Completion of the Urban Water generation at Amuko-Uruagu, Nnewi.
Achievement of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status for Aguata LGA. This is the second local government, after Anambra East LGA to achieve such a status.
Agriculture
Successfully launched new Agro-economic transformation along the Oil-palm and coconut value chains, with the target of planning one million trees per annum. Over 30 Communities, institutions and investors have been profiled to plant over 2.5 Million seedlings, in partnership with the State government. This is designed to re-start from where Dr. M.I. Okpara stopped and to maximize our potentials in these highly profitable agro value chains – to create jobs, wealth and revenue to government.
Created 14 task teams to aggressively drive the agro-transformation agenda of this new government at all levels
The reactivation of the Ministry of Agriculture E-platform for data gathering, hosting and dissemination, to enable R&D, tech-driven monitoring and evaluation
Restoration of the image of Anambra State as a responsible, trustworthy recipient of development programmes by World Bank, African Development Bank, UN, JAPAN, FGN etc by paying Counterpart funding
Adoption and Declaration of Regenerative Agricultural Systems as a state policy.
Transport
Embarking on the decongestion/removal of obstructions along our major roads (Amansea to Head Bridge, Upper Iweka to Amorka & Awka to Ekwulobia, etc), market encroachments/trading activities on the roads & sustenance of free flow of traffic. To achieve this, we have completed the cycle of Public Service Announcement and Town Hall meetings with Transport Unions/Associations.
Identification/Assessment of public parks in the State.
Central Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Teams at Zonal levels have been constituted.
Culture, Entertainment & Tourism
Hosted a high-profile research team from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture for the possible enlistment of the Ogbunike Cave at the UNICEF World Heritage Site.
Three designs from notable Architectural firms have been shortlisted for further consideration for the building of a world class Entertainment and Leisure Park, at Agulu Lake. The designs will be presented to the Executive Council.
Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) has given approval for the deployment of Anambra Tourism System Statistics, a globally approved strategy which will provide automated/digital monitoring and regulation of the Tourism and Hotel Industry among other sectors. This will boost and standardize Hospitality, Hotel and other related businesses.
Lands
The Evaluation and Service Delivery Committee is a new innovation introduced under the present administration. The Committee is charged with the responsibility to, among other things; ensure expeditious action and quick service delivery in every documentation process within the time frame stated in the Ministry’s Timeline for Execution of tasks. The Committee also ensures strict compliance with the time limit assigned to every department/unit in the Timeline for efficiency and quick service delivery.
Land Disputes Resolution Committee has been set up to review land disputes
Issued public notice directing holders of Certificate of Occupancy issued on or before the 31st day of December, 2018 to pay up their outstanding ground rents. The Ministry also intends to announce the proposed revocation of the Right of Occupancy of those who fail to pay within a particular time.
The implementation of Geographic Information Service (GIS) to enhance effective land administration and increase revenue has been approved by Anambra State Executive Council.
The launching of Land Transparency Initiative and Setting up Partnership Forum with Private Sector Investors and Operators in Land and Property Sectors is ongoing.
Begun to engage with host communities on acquisition of 1000 – 2000 acres of land for the building of the World Class Entertainment Resort akin to Disney World.
A trial run on Implementing Fast Track Mortgage Transaction Acceleration Programme, in the Ministry of land has commenced.
The Anambra State Land Reform Committee has been constituted. The Committee is to review the procedures, parameters and purposes for land acquisition, allocation and revocation.
Technology—ICT
Anambra Digital Tribe; Initiative ready for launch and activities will commence within the next 90 days.
Standardization of Internet Assets; the process of hosting all MDAs under the same domain has begun. All Government assets will gradually be migrated to the Internet domain name anambrastate.gov.ng as we finalize our Cloud Strategy.
The Anambra Cloud; a public cloud service just finalized. It will consolidate the numerous cloud providers being used by MDAs today.
State Digital Assets SOPs; Released the Digital asset SOP based on the naming convention approved by Mr Governor, which is currently being adopted by all MDAs.
Last-Mile High-speed fiber optic internet provision; In line with the Manifesto of providing high speed broadband, the State is in final negotiations with a PPP partner which would ensure a dig-once policy and the laying of fiber-optic cable in ducts. This project will attract thousands of direct and indirect jobs, as well as help launch Anambra fully into the global economy.
Public WiFi Proof of Concept; the concept and proposal for a public Wi-Fi for the state is being finalized and upon deployment would ensure that select Public areas would be powered with Wifi.
NITDA’s Planned Innovation Centre; the National Information Technology Development Agency ( NITDA) has expressed interest in launching an Innovation Centre in Awka – the First of its kind in the South Eastern Part of the Country. Land will be allocated for the project shortly.
Baseline Study of e-government in Anambra State; the ICT Agency undertook the study, which showed the state of e-government infrastructure in the state. This will serve as a basis for the development of our Civil service into a Digital workforce.
GovTech preliminary strategy; The state participated in a World Bank subnational Government GovTech Maturity Index survey and based on the preliminary results of this survey and the baseline study, the state has designed a first draft gov-tech strategy which advises the government on the relevant infrastructure to put in place, for a transition to e-government.
The Social Agenda
Education
Completed Phase 2 of screening of over 40,000 candidates who applied for teaching job in the primary and secondary schools. The next phase of interviews for the last 6,000 candidates will soon commence.
Reviewing the state of our tertiary institutions with view to aligning them to global best practices and responsive to needs of the State and Nigeria..
Launched “operation bring back our school/Adopt a School Programme” to support Government effort in improving our Educational system.
Students successfully completed their WAEC exams despite the insecurity challenges
Health
Ground breaking ceremony of Coordinated Wholesale Center, Oba has been achieved. The project was jinxed for six years. When completed, it will be the largest drug distribution hub in West Africa.
Introduced and activated drug revolving fund in the State hospitals.
Achieved a rapid response to measles outbreak in 13 LGAs. Currently the outbreak has been contained in 12 LGAs out of the initial 13
Fixing of the State ambulances to aid emergency responses with a toll free number boldly displayed
Massive recruitment of health workers in our General hospitals
Activation of Endoscopy unit at General Hospital, Onitsha.
Activation of dental units in General hospitals, Enugwu-Ukwu, Umueri and Ekwulobia.
Optimization of laboratory department of general hospital Agulu and general hospital Nnobi with haematology analyzers.
Introduction of Anambra State hospital Inspection team.
Zero Malaria Initiative: In collaboration with the Malaria Consortium flagged off the distribution of 3.8 million Insecticide Treated Nets (ITN).
In collaboration with the State government, the Global Fund is building a new Oxygen plant at Onitsha.
Women and Social Welfare
The Ministry has rescued a total of 13 Children from agents of human trafficking.
The Ministry has been able to establish for the first time, a situation room for Sexual Gender Based Violence and Data collection in the State.
D: Governance, Rule of Law and Value System
Governance
Transition from the former administration has been superbly managed without rifts and rancour and the new administration is geared toward moving the state to our destined heights.
Rearranged and realigned the MDA’s to be more precise and functional, and created two new ministries (Ministry of Homeland Affairs and Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources) to meet the immediate needs of Ndi Anambra.
New administration is mainstreaming the culture of efficient service delivery; fiscal prudence and transparent financial management. Emphasis is on value for money in every expenditure as per our contract with Ndi Anambra. A new Code of Conduct, among others, forbids public office holders from making public donations. An example of the orientation towards prudence and value for money is that the new Administration has re-negotiated the contracts for Facility Management (cleaning services for government offices) down from N137 million per month to N11 million per month, with a savings of N126 million per month or N1.512 billion per annum. With the savings in one month, we have fixed the dreaded Amansea road with its nightmarish logjam, the washout portion of federal road at Onitsha, and still have change to intervene in one other terrible spot. That’s the new normal for our administration: cutting waste and delivering service to the people!
Maintained the policy of the past administration on “Community Choose Your Project” in which communities receive grants from the State government to execute a project or projects of priority to the community. Our administration has launched a new phase and increased the grant from N20 million to N25 million per community.
Launched a policy that no retiree from the State civil Service will be owed gratuity under our administration and have paid retirees from March to date. We have also begun, albeit gradually, to pay gratuity to pensioners who retired since 2018 and there is hope and joy in the land. We have also approved the same policy for local governments.
New administration is determined to ensure that local government funds are deployed to address developmental issues at the grassroots.
Budget & Economic Planning
Submitted the 2022 revised budget to the State House of Assembly tailored to meet our ambitious infrastructural and other capital development, especially roads.
Updating the social register which is a social protection net for the poor and elderly in our state. It was last updated in 2017.
UNDP/UN System is back to Anambra and an office space has been given to them with other logistics support to enhance their functionality.
Ongoing engagement to implement the Ease of Doing Business programme in Anambra with support from the Office of the Vice President
Ongoing Development of Economic and Social Database with the Statistical Office
Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS)
Completely digitalized our revenue collection to remove leakages and widen the bracket to meet our set targets (ANSIDD has been replaced with ASIN which ensures a dynamic Biometric Data collation structure).
New Digital structure would ensure long term and user friendly channels and we have commenced pilot schemes on the use of POS , USSD, Web and App channels and the payments into Banks and Bank ordered agents which ensures that those within the informal sector especially, can make payments seamlessly.
Commenced wide scale engagements with the various markets and Transport Unions to ensure that the leakages are plugged.
Local Government, Chieftaincy and community Affairs
PwC reviewed the operations of the local government and submitted report for government action
Resolved 15 community disputes which include re-instating 4 President General through the rule of law; resolved 11 community crises and successfully conducted 15 Town Union Elections
As part of Government’s resolve to put an end to lingering leadership crisis in our communities, the ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs has continued to engage with key stakeholders in the communities with a view to resolving the crises
Government has also ensured that communities are allowed to elect their own leaders thereby reducing the appointment of caretaker committees
E: Environment: Towards a Clean, Green and Planned sustainable communities, markets and cities
Environment
Embarked upon the clearing/cleaning of mountainous waste dumps in Onitsha, Okpoko, Awka, Nkpor, etc which had impeded flow of traffic, undermined commercial activities and constituted health hazard.
De-silted over one kilometre of drainage preventing the impending flood that faced the residents of Okpoko and environs.
Revised and launched a framework for the collection and evacuation of solid waste within our state, and selected waste management contractors for the 31 zones specified in the State.
Launched the tree planting campaign designed to make Anambra the greenest State in the country.
Conclusion
Umunne m, Ndi Anambra!
We still have a very long way to go. It is not time to celebrate anything. We are just warming up. In March 2023, we shall present you with the first annual report. For now, we are keeping awake to ensure your safety and lay the foundation for your prosperity. We are working hard and the Monday Sit at Home will soon be history. Our children will have their full week of studies and our businesses will be on full charge again.
The road ahead will be bumpy and every citizen has a duty to contribute to building a livable and prosperous homeland in the context of dwindling resources. You will be called upon to bear some sacrifices. To my supporters and party members, it would mean that the State can longer afford many political appointments. A nimble but effective government will be required. Ndi Anambra at home and abroad are called upon to pay their taxes to Anambra State government. We can’t build those roads to your local governments and communities with bare hands. Our Covenant with you is that your tax money must work for you. For those who made a living by collecting revenue on behalf of government through various “revenue windows”, we regret that those can no longer work as the government is determined to collect every kobo due to it through digital processes. Yes, oil money is out but we must survive and prosper. For those in government, it means that the State can’t afford any waste of any sort. Only expenditures that are absolutely imperative will be undertaken in our quest to ensure that every penny is devoted to give maximum value to Ndi Anambra. With the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism by all, Anambra will surely win.
Let me again specially thank and appreciate all our citizens and stakeholders for their massive solidarity and support— the clergy, traditional rulers, town unions, youths and women organizations, market unions, transporters, CSOs and professional groups, captains of industry, members of the media, etc. We appreciate the communities embarking on various development programmes without waiting for government. We thank those investors who, in spite of the insecurity, are still betting on Anambra. You will surely reap the huge benefits. I must not fail to thank in a special way the security agencies as well as our vigilante, and all the donors and supporters who have contributed to the war against criminality in Anambra. May the God of Anambra bless you all. We remember all the victims of the crass criminality and pray that God will grant their souls eternal rest. They died but we must not let them die in vain. In particular, let me thank the members of the international community for their solidarity, goodwill and support. We will soon receive many of you in our State, and we will later have the opportunity to document and appreciate your various contributions. Anambra is ready, as a case study, to showcase your exemplary contributions to our country and humanity.
On my part, I continue to pledge my commitment of absolute dedication and exemplary service to you. As I adorn our locally made Akwete dress and wear the Anambra made shoes, eat Anambra foods and enjoy her drinks as well as drive the Anambra made cars, I signal my readiness as the chief promoter and marketer of everything produced in Anambra. In time, we will take the made in Anambra to Africa and the world. God did not make a mistake to make us Ndi Anambra. Let’s take back our state and make her livable and prosperous. Of course, we are Ndi Anambra, and we can! Let’s get back to work!
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the Director of Publicity and Advocacy of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), has said that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, isn’t an ethnic candidate.
Hakeem who met with the frontline presidential candidate on Friday said he wish those that see him in such light will get to know him better adding that “we could see a revolution.”
Baba-Ahmed is a retired federal permanent secretary, and a top member of the People’s Redemption Party (PRP) made the statements via his official Twitter account.
“I spent valuable time with Mr Peter Obi this morning. I wish those who see him as an ethnic candidate can get to know him better. I also wish those who try to sell him will tone down his ethnic identity. I hope the nation will see the candidates up close, we could see a revolution.
While admitting that Peter Obi has passion and energy, Hakeem said Obi has massive problem with his primary Constituency, adding that they must unite behind him to let others see him as a Nigerian and not an Igbo person.
After Scoring 2 Votes With N76 Million Paid To Delegates
“He has passion and energy. He also has massive problems with his primary constituency, which must unite behind him and show other Nigerians that he could be a good Nigerian (not Igbo) President.
“He is fighting on too many fronts, and some of his adversaries are secessionist,” he tweeted in response to one the reactions to the earlier tweet.
Obi’s meeting with Baba-Ahmed comes a few days after he visited Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Meanwhile, the former Anambra State governor; and Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Kano State governor and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), are yet to agree on a presidential candidate and running mate.
While it is no longer possible for political parties to merge, in line with Section 81 (2) of the Electoral Act, both presidential candidates are working on a joint ticket with the hope of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and others in the February 25, 2023 presidential election.
An Onitsha-based human-rights group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) has alleged a plot to assassinate the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.
In a statement signed by the chairman of its Board of Trustees, Mr. Emeka Umeagbalasi, and other senior officials, the group claimed that it had credible intelligence that a plot was being hatched to eliminate the former Anambra State governor before the 2023 presidential election.
The group in the statement stated: “Intersociety is strongly and unmistakably raising alarm and alerting the world especially the office of the United Nations Secretary-General and Presidents of the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council; that the life, safety and liberty of Mr. Peter Obi, are in grave danger.
“These are on account of the fact that politico-religious extremists in the Nigerian political establishment have assigned the country’s jihadists to assassinate him in coming weeks or months, or before the 2023 presidential election scheduled to take place at a date in February 2023.”
Intersociety appealed “The highly respected local and international authorities above mentioned are hereby put on notice.
The group stated that the alarm was particularly based on a recent confession by an alleged Fulani kidnapper, who revealed to his captive on the plot to kill Obi.
The group said a kidnap victim, Dr Frankln Ezeonwuka of the Spiritan University, Nneochi, Isuochi, Abia State, the same area where the Prelate of the Methodist Church, Most Rev. Uche Kanu was kidnapped, said some Fulani herdsmen had revealed to him while he was in their captivity that the presidential hopeful was their next target.
Intersociety said; “On Wednesday, 15th June 2022, Dr. Frankln Ezeonwuka of the Spiritan University, Nneochi in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State was pursued in his jeep and abducted by some AK-47 rifle armed Fulani jihadists.
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, risks disqualification as the Action Peoples Party (APP) said it will on Monday, June 27, 2022, drag the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to court to challenge his academic qualifications to stand for the 2023 presidential election.
The decision followed alleged irregularities in the academic qualifications and documents submitted by Tinubu to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a report by Peoples Gazette, the former Lagos governor, however, claimed he had two degrees from two American universities, which he further stated had been stolen by unknown soldiers during the military junta of the 1990s.
Chairman of the party, Uche Nnadi, on Friday said the party has enough facts to prove its case.
According to Nnadi, INEC publication of the list of candidates for 2023 elections allegedly shows that APC presidential candidate is not eligible to contest as his forms allegedly contain false information.
He said, “Tinubu denies attending primary and secondary but claims a university degree in new INEC forms published today (Friday).
“Tinubu commits perjury as he abandons his earlier claim of attending primary school, sworn in an affidavit to run for governor but now claims not to have attended primary school.
“Tinubu’s new forms contradict his 2007 affidavit that he has primary school and secondary.
“Tinubu’s new declaration in new INEC forms of not attending primary and secondary school is false information, in view of earlier nomination forms of 2007 on oath containing alleged controversial primary and secondary schools he claimed to have.”
The documents released on Friday showed Mr Tinubu left the columns for his primary and secondary education unmarked. But he said he obtained a degree in business and administration in 1979, apparently referring to his previous claims of attending the Chicago State University.
“I went on self-exile from October 1994 to October 1998. When I returned I discovered that all my property, including all the documents relating to my qualifications and my certificates in respect of paragraph three above, were looted by unknown persons.
“My house was a target of series of searches by various security agents from the time the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to adjourn following the military takeover of government of 17th November 1993.
“I was the chairman of the Senate committee on appropriation, banking and finance. I was also a plaintiff in one of the two suits against the interim national government in 1993.
“I went on exile when it became clear to me that my life was in danger,” Mr Tinubu said in his claim to INEC.
When PEOPLE POWER is activated, STRUCTURES crumble. It happened in South Africa. It happened in Pakistan. It happened in France. It happened in Ukraine.
Volodomyr Zelensky, a lawyer and comedian, was a political outsider before he became Ukrainian president. His political party, Servant of the People, named after a TV series in which he played the role of Ukrainian President, was formed in 2018 with no structures anywhere except on social media where he was considered the frontrunner in opinion polls after he declared his intention to run for President in December 2018.
In 2019, he contested against political juggernaut, incumbent President Petro Poroshenko, and won with 73.23 percent. Not only that, but his party also won a landslide victory in the snap legislative election held shortly after his inauguration as president. What was his trump card? He positioned himself as an anti-establishment and anti-corruption figure, a hot selling point for a people already sick and tired of corruption in high places.
Does that ring a bell? Nobody gave Zelensky, a comedian, a chance against the onslaught of Russia’s hard nut former KGB boss Vladimir Putin. He has led his people in the battle against Putin from the front, unlike some Generals, who would be bunker-bound at the threat of rag tag bandits.
Imran Khan, the renowned Pakistani cricket star had no significant political structure when he was voted Prime Minister in 2018. He rode to power on the populist approach that emphasizes the idea of juxtaposing the people against the elite.
Emmanuel Macron was a banker and civil servant before he became President. His only political experience was as a senior adviser to President Francois Hollande and later as Minister of the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs between 2014 and 2016. In April 2016, he formed the En Marchel centrist political movement.
By May 2017, he contested and was elected President, beating serial presidential contestant and seasoned politician, Marine Le Pen, with 66.1 percent of the vote. He was only 39 years old, which made him the youngest President in the history of France.
A month later, in the June 2017 French legislative election, Macron’s party, renamed La République En Marche (LREM), secured a majority in the National Assembly. Those legislators belonged to the traditional parties with decades of structure. They saw the need to realign with progressive forces and did the needful. That is how rational human beings behave.
Now, the response of the naysayers to the above is quite predictable. They are going to say, ‘Nigeria is different!’. Exactly! Nigeria is the poverty capital of the world, courtesy the same grandfathers that will not allow their children and grandchildren with modern ideas to lead.
Those basing their 2023 permutations on stereotypical variables should hear this: What happened in Soweto in June 1976 happened at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, Nigeria, in October 2020. Nigerian youths dared security forces and spoke in one voice, amplified by the social media, to say enough is enough to the mindless killing of youths on flimsy grounds.
#ENDSars was born! It reverberated around the world. It rekindled separatist agitations. It may not have achieved its purpose for various reasons. But it would be foolhardy to presume that #ENDSars is dead. We can already see its reincarnation in the OBIdient Movement.
The choice for the electorate in 2023 is not between Atiku, Tinubu and Obi. It is between continuing to live in bondage and making a fresh start. It is between disgruntled Nigerians and the hegemonic predators. It is between purveyors of the oppressive status quo and hitherto apathetic youths and students bent on taking the country back from the leaders of yesterday and today, using the people’s money to pave the way for them and their children and grandchildren to remain the leaders of tomorrow.
For those saying social media cannot elect a President, they are very correct. But at the same time, they are missing the point. It’s the people that will elect a President using social media to get people to register and change the perception of registered voters. Is that not happening already? That you are in PDP or APC does not mean you must vote for those parties. Party membership cards are not demanded at polling booths before the casting of ballots. Buhari rode partly on social media hype as MR INTEGRITY to Aso Rock in 2015. It was on social media the hooey that NEPA bill is better than PhD was sold and bought. Millions of votes cast for Buhari in 2015 by registered voters were not for the APC. They were for Buhari based on the perception created that he was the long-awaited messiah. They were protest votes against PDP and GEJ and their perceived 16 wasted years and cluelessness.
The unprecedented interest in who becomes Nigeria’s next President is symbolised by the OBIdient Movement. Whether it succeeds or fails in 2023 is not the issue. For sure, Nigeria is entering a new era of political activism. If Obi fails in 2023, it is Nigeria that will fail – again! It is an unfathomable irony that Nigerians agree that there is a dire need for a redirection of the country but want to leave the reins in the hands of morally deficient operators who contributed actively to steering it into the present morass.
So, if you want Nigeria to win, help build the superstructure needed for the victory. Talk to your friends, neighbours and family members. Let them know the absurdity in taking money from politicians to make their children and grandchildren slaves to the politicians’ children and grandchildren. Nigeria is made up of families, not political structures!
Tony Ekata is a South Africa-based Communications Consultant and Public affairs Analyst.
The presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that he didn’t attend primary and secondary schools.
In a report by Peoples Gazette, the former Lagos governor, however, claimed he had two degrees from two American universities, which he further stated had been stolen by unknown soldiers during the military junta of the 1990s.
The disclosures came in an affidavit submitted by Mr Tinubu to the electoral office as part of his eligibility filings for the 2023 presidential elections.
The documents released on Friday showed Mr Tinubu left the columns for his primary and secondary education unmarked. But he said he obtained a degree in business and administration in 1979, apparently referring to his previous claims of attending the Chicago State University.
“I went on self-exile from October 1994 to October 1998. When I returned I discovered that all my property, including all the documents relating to my qualifications and my certificates in respect of paragraph three above, were looted by unknown persons.
“My house was a target of series of searches by various security agents from the time the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was forced to adjourn following the military takeover of government of 17th November 1993.
“I was the chairman of the Senate committee on appropriation, banking and finance. I was also a plaintiff in one of the two suits against the interim national government in 1993.
“I went on exile when it became clear to me that my life was in danger,” Mr Tinubu said in his claim to INEC.
The electoral law mandates candidates to submit their personal credentials that will be published for public scrutiny ahead of elections.
Mr Tinubu’s latest claims appear to contradict his previous election submissions, especially in 1999 and 2003 when he ran for office as a governorship candidate in Lagos. He claimed both times that he attended primary and secondary schools.
He said he attended St Paul Children’s Home School, Ibadan, between 1958 to 1964; while his secondary education was at Government College, Ibadan, between 1965 to 1968.
From Ibadan, Mr Tinubu said he proceed to Richard Daley College, Chicago, from 1969 to 1971.
He stated finally to have attended both Chicago State University and the University of Chicago.
The Chicago State University confirmed Mr Tinubu as its student, graduating with a degree in business and administration on June 22, 1979.
All the submissions were, however, challenged as fraudulent by a prominent Nigerian lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi.
Mr Fawehinmi, 1938-2009, argued the matter up to the Supreme Court, which dismissed the case on technical grounds rather than on its merits.
Ikenga Ugochinyere, a political activist in Abuja, said he would challenge Mr Tinubu’s filings in court, accusing him of having committed perjury.
Mr Tinubu “commits perjury as he abandons his earlier claim of attending primary school, sworn in an affidavit to run for governor but now claims not to have attended primary school,” Mr Ugochinyere said in a statement. His “new forms contradict his 2007 affidavit that he has primary school and secondary.”
