Don’t Insult Hon Smart Okafor- Cornel Osigwe
Saying Smart Is Too Young To Govern Anambra State Is A Big Insult To The Entire Anambra Youth.
Those presently telling Hon Nonso Okafor popularly known as Smart to step down from the Governorship race because of his age are not just insulting Smart but the entire Anambra Youth.
Youths in Nigeria are not new to political leadership and Governance. Without the role and vibrancy of the youth, perhaps Nigeria wouldn’t have gotten her independence in 1960.
The first genuine Nationalist organization that was founded in Nigeria was The Nigerian Youth Movement and which was founded in 1934 by three progressive youths namely; Prof Eyo Ita at 31yrs, Samuel Akinsaya at 36yrs, and Ernest Ikoli at 41yrs.
The Nigerian Youth Movement subsequently partnered with other upcoming Nationalist movement and formed the party known as the National Council of Nigeria and Cameron NCNC, which, at the time was powered by a Youth known as Nnamdi Azikiwe. It was the voice of the youth that gave us our Independence.
Our most respected Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu was 34 yrs when he became the Leader of the Biafran State. With his young energy, wisdom, and strength he withstood the Nigerian federal forces for three years of war until the war ended.
As a youth, he defended the entire Igbo race, produced a system of Government (The Aburi Accord) that truly would have been the best system of Governance in Nigeria. Nigeria and the Igbo nation are still suffering till date from its non-implementation.
Another great Igbo leader known for giant strides achievements is Dr Michael Okpara. Dr Michael Okpara was a youth when he became Prime Minister of the Eastern Region. He was 39yrs old when he assumed the position in 1959. By 1964, five years after Okpara’s ascendancy to the premiership – Eastern Nigeria, as recorded by a research group in Michigan State University in the US, was the fastest growing and industrializing economy in the world – ahead of Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore.
The youthful Premier was fully in charge of the fastest growing and industrializing economy in the world- the Eastern Nigerian economy. That period was regarded as the golden age of Nigeria’s development.
Even in this 4th republic, Nigeria has produced quite a number of young politicians and youth governors.
All in 1999
Chimaroke Nnamani became the governor of Enugu State at 39yrs.
James Ibori became governor of Delta State at 40yrs.
Orji Uzor Kalu became Governor of Abia State at 39yrs
Donald Duke became Governor of Cross River State at 38yrs.
Peter Obi was 42 yrs when he won the election to become the Governor of Anambra State
Bukora Saraki was 38yrs when he became governor of Kwara State.
Many of the Governors in the fourth republic were in their early 40’s when they became the Governor of their state.
Outside Nigeria, we have lots of young leaders in their 30’s that are leading their nation to greatness.
Jacinda Ardern leader of the New Zealand Labour Party became Prime Minister in 2017 at the age of 39 years.
Nayib Bukele was sworn in as President of El Salvador’s after winning the election 2019 at 38yrs.
Kim Jong Un, The Supreme Leader of North Korea became their leader at 35yrs.
Oleksiy Honcharuk became Ukraine youngest Prime Minister at 35yrs.
Sanna Marin, was sworn in as Prime Minister of Finland at 34yrs.
This analysis has proven that being young is never a barrier to good governance, what is needed is the political will to execute and implement progressive policies and these attributes are readily found in Smart.
Constitutionally Smart is eminently qualified to be the Governor of Anambra State, therefore the conversation shouldn’t be about being young to govern Anambra State but whether he has the right experience, sagacity, leadership ability, the capacity and clear-cut vision to govern Anambra State.
In all standard and judging from Smart past leadership activities, he has shown and proven he has the capacity and well-articulated clear cut vision to govern Anambra State. His current impact and contributions as a member of Anambra State House of Assembly has shown he is prepared to lead the state forward.
Smart has emphasized overtime that “being young is only an added advantage to our ability and willingness to solve the problems of our time. And why we have the advantages of youthfulness, ours shall be, like in any progressive government, a government of all the people, not of a few or of select few, on the basis of age, education or other social standing”.
Therefore those telling Smart to step down from the Anambra 2021 Governorship race on the basis of his age are not just insulting him but the entire youth constituency and I urge every youth to resist this insult with every fiber in their veins.
The truth is that it is the fear factor of loosing to Smart which is akin to the biblical story of David defeating Goliath that pose the main reason why some people are intimidating Smart to withdraw from the race.
I urge the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to conduct a free and fair primary election and let the people’s choice emerge.
Let those who claim their age is the rightful age to be Governor Come and prove their strength at the Primaries.
I urge every youth in Anambra State to wake up and support Smart as he is the bridge between the old and new, the older and the younger generation, the new idea of positive change and renaissance.
This is an idea whose time has come. It’s Youth O’Clock. Let the youth arise.
Cornel Osigwe
OPEN LETTER TO THE PEOPLE OF AMBAZONIA- Ifeanyi Chijioke
I am honored to write to you great people of Ambazonia and I want to reinforce that this letter is borne out of passion and from a lover of freedom. As a Biafran journalist; I have felt the impact of fighting for justice but above all, fighting against the rot in the struggle for freedom. Most people that present themselves as saviors and freedom fighters are sometimes gluttons and selfish individuals fighting for their pockets and fame. Ambazonians must be wary of this kind of people; we have them in Biafra and I can see them in Ambazonia, especially in the character of Dr. Cho Ayaba.
I write to you great people of Ambazonia because of the recent development- where a minor factional leader in the person of Dr. Cho Ayaba fraudulently termed an interest press conference a world press conference between Biafra and Ambazonia. The so-called world press conference finally took place in a local internet radio and facebook pages of a factional leader in Biafra who has proven to be the replica of Dr. Cho Ayaba in our own struggle. A premeditated quest for illegitimate mandate for their personal gain. Imagine Dr Cho Ayaba waking up and deciding who lives and who dies in Ambazonia. Accusing your field commanders of kidnapping and they get arrested by Biya’s government the following day- that is the monster you must stop on time.
I wish to explain to few or negligible supporters of Dr. Cho Ayaba that I have no problem whatsoever with him. I am a pan African and as much as I want Biafra to survive; I also want the best for Ambazonia. It is pertinent to know that we are stronger as ideological distant friends because our problems are different- a blind man doesn’t go to another blind man to lead him through. I simply see Dr. Cho Ayaba as a con artist who only wants to bring supreme grandstanding into Ambazonia struggle for freedom. Biafra is facing a peculiar problem in the very man trying to systematically impose ‘blind’ Dr. Cho Ayaba on great people of Ambazonia. You all need the be smart- this is a systematic neocolonial freedom fighting.
In my undisputed capacity as the leading Biafran journalist; I can authoritatively tell you that one Mr Nnamdi Kanu destroyed our struggle. He is a traitor who conspired with our oppressors to kick the can down the road while ranting on daily basis that he is fighting for freedom. A man that has nothing except words and one wonders where words have achieved a thing. Dr. Cho Ayaba is being strategically imposed to destroy the good works of Ambazonians. Patriots of Ambazonia should be wary of a man that woke up and claimed to be the leader of Ambazonia; desperately using media space to impose himself- a conspiracy with our own traitor.
Dr. Cho Ayaba should rather be fighting for a way to identify with all Ambazonian groups; but he jumped off, to meet his fellow betrayal and traitor. Cameroon wants to have him as a stooge; where he can start damage control measures or agitation in Ambazonia. If this man had good intention; he would have called all Ambazonian leaders and seek unity and in a case of world press conference, Ambazonian leaders would jointly partake of it. Dr. Cho Ayaba is fraudlently extending his potential business franchise; the traitor we have in Biafra has media space and Dr Cho and agents of the oppressors believe our own traitor can give him the needed lift- hence announcing him Ambazonian leader.
Great Ambazonians; you the people are taking the hit, the bullets and everything your oppressors brought upon you, while a traitor like Dr. Cho Ayaba is concered about seizing the opportunity to impose himself as a leader, just like Nnamdi Kanu imposed himself on Biafrans. Nnamdi Kanu is doing a nice work for Britain and France needs a replica in Ambazonia to derail the struggle for independence. A situation where Dr. Cho Ayaba can cowardly give patriots false hope and then start fund raising and politics to neutralize or de-radicalize you great fighters. Do not give him a chance; you all have to learn from our mistake. For more than 12years; every year in and out, our traitor is on his radio, ranting how Biafra will be restored today or we know God did not send him, ranting instead of keeping quiet and working. A leader is known by his hard work and not his ability to barking daily.
While many of you are fighting to see Ambazonia become a sovereign state; some are busy looking for a way to take advantage of the agitation and become famous/wealthy. Some have been bought and doing everything to restore the status quo for your oppressors. Why did Dr. Cho Ayaba selfishly meet Nnamdi Kanu for a clueless world press conference? To impose himself on you people, to be recognized or to raise a stooge amongst you? If you can attempt these questions; you will be able to know why Dr Cho Ayaba left his home and came here in the name of the leader of Ambazonia when nobody gave him a mandate.
Something is cooking and Ambazonians must stay awake to avoid the mistake Biafrans made. It is taking us unbelievable efforts to restore confidence and devise another way to continue on this journey of freedom- Because; ever since Nnamdi Kanu ushered in Biafra of lips; we have not made a step except realizing we have been practically moving backward but achieving everything with mouth- lies and propaganda- putting to an end a realistic agitation while we talk and talking until our deaths without offering nothing- in worst case scenario, fighting ourselves instead of the oppressors.
Breaking:South East Governors Set Up Ebubeagu
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS AND HEADS OF SECURITY AGENCIES AT THE END OF THE FIRST SOUTH EAST SECURITY SUMMIT HELD IN OWERRI ON SUNDAY APRIL 11th 2021
After exhaustive discussions on the current security challenges in the South East and with valuable contributions from participants at the first South East security summit in Owerri on this day Sunday April 11th 2021, it was resolved as follows:
1. To strongly and unequivocally condemn terrorism and banditry in any part of Nigeria, particularly in the South East. The meeting strongly condemns the burning of police stations, violent attacks on custodial centres with the unlawful release of inmates, and the killings including security personnel, natives/ farmers and headsmen.
2. That the five South East states are on the same page with the federal government on the issue of security challenges in the country. To this end, the meeting makes it absolutely clear that the South east will stand resolutely with the federal government to fight terrorists and bandits to a finish
3. That the political leadership in the South East has resolved to bring together all the arsenals at their command, as one united zone, to fight and flush out criminals and terrorist from the zone.
4. That the summit resolved that to achieve this, there is a need to galvanise all the relevant stakeholders in the south east, the political class, the business community, the bureaucrats and the intelligentsia to provide all necessary support to security operatives in the five south east states to ensure total success in the fight against criminality in the zone.
5. That the heads of all the security agencies in the south east have resolved to exchange intelligence in a seamless, effective new order that will help to checkmate crime in the zone.
6. That to fast track crime-busting in the south east, the heads of security agencies have been mandated to draw up a comprehensive list of their logistics and material needs for sustainable success in the fight against criminality, for the immediate provision by the leadership of the South East.
7. That a committee made up of security personnel, government officials and relevant stakeholders be set up to coordinate and monitor the implementation of the south east joint security platform.
8. To applaud the initiative of the South east security summit and to make it a statutory summit that will convene every quarter while its hosting shall rotate among the five south east states.
9. The meeting resolved to maintain a joint security vigilante for the South East otherwise known as Ebube Agu.
10. The meeting appreciated the formation of South East joint security outfit co. Named Ebubeagu. Headquarters in Enugu to coordinate our vigilante in the South East.
11. South East Governors requested the Acting IGP to stop the influx of IGP monitory units but to allow cps and state and Zonal commands to handle their cases.
12. Meeting approve that the acting IGP and other security chiefs do invite the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and CAN to find out the reason for increasing insecurity of the South East .
13. Meeting agreed that military policing in the South East should be adequately funded and become effective.
14. Meeting agreed that open grazing has been banned and security agency should implement the ban.
15. The meeting encouraged a peaceful coexistence of farmers and headers to allow Governors to succeed in the fight against criminality
AKACHUKWU NWANKPO AND HIS VAIN CAMPAIGN AGAINST OBIANO AND SOLUDO
Akachukwu Nwankpo, burly, boisterous, and with a smirk, expressionless smile, comes across as a jolly good fellow. This was my takeaway of his persona, when I watched him from an observatory disposition at a retreat in Agulu, sometime last year. I saw some flashes of brilliance in some of his contributions, or so I thought.
But alas, his entry into the race for Anambra 2021 gubernatorial election has been more or less uninspiring and purposeless, for of a man with the modicum of exposure and experience God has gifted him. I was looking forward to his expected contribution in upscaling the contestations of ideas and values that will improve our democratic experience. True, I had thought he would have enriched the quality of conversations about the future of our dear State, especially how our children will do better in a world where digitalization induces split second changes.
To my dismay, Nwankpo appears to only get a lot of kicks in name dropping, sophistry, subterfuge and mind games. He employs satire and polemics as both his strategy and tactics and he is never tired of dishing out both in large doses. Poor Akachukwu!
He blackmails Governor Willie Obiano, using the name of God and or other things he believes in, distracting the good man in the process of exerting energy in the enormous and fascinating legacy projects he is speeding up to bequeath to a grateful and cheering Ndi Anambra. Anambra, home and abroad, are cheering Obiano to a strong finish, but Nwankpo won’t let us enjoy our finest moment in history, as we await the unveiling of our International Airport. He knows not that there is time for everything and a limit to politics.
Nwankpo also nibbles at Cee Cee Soludo directly or through his proxies, as if that is the only reason he is in the race. It is possible that he figures that by nibbling at Soludo with some of his willing cohorts, he would be drawing attention to himself. This tendency to use Soludo’s name to hug the limelight appears irresistible to him, and to the increasing chagrin of even his ardent supporters.
He is wrong on this score, but we will not tell him the good he is doing to Soludo.
However, we will tell him that blackmail, sophistry, subterfuge or mind games will not take him anywhere. Even a fancy office or an over-ornamented administrative building can’t help him. O yes, we shall tell Çhief Nwankpo that this campaign is a battle for the minds, souls and hearts of one of the most enterprising people on earth.
What we shall not tell Nwankpo is how Soludo has become a political Hurricane in Anambra, even if he doles out all the doughs in his vaults because this is the ace his current tactics can’t burst.
Now, if all these are like a black box to Nwankpo and his team, we can only suggest he takes the most honourable step by joining the Soludo supersonic train, after all, he alludes gleefully in public that “Soludo is my friend,” or he takes a crash programme on ‘How Not To Run An Electioneering Campaign,’ with a view to rejigging and revamping his low energy campaign organisation.
On the other hand, notwithstanding recent distress, Soludo remains inversed in consultation of APGA party faithfuls and a wide spectrum of Anambra stakeholders who continue to shower him with love and encouragement. That is the way to go. But please don’t tell Akachukwu Nwankpo.
Joe C. Anatune
Anatune writes from Awa in Orumba North Local Government, Anambra State
Breaking : South East Governors On Security Meeting
South East Security meeting commences in Imo State Government House, Owerri, with all the governors of the five states of the geo-political zone, heads of security agencies in the zone and the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief George Obiozor, in attendance.
Details later
Breaking: CG-IPOB Reconstitutes Council Of Elders
Pursuant to Section 25(1) of the Deed Poll of Customary Governance, the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra hereby announces the names of the members of the reconstituted Biafran SUPREME COUNCIL OF ELDERS as follows:
1. HRM, His Excellency, Igwe Ambassador Lawrence O. C. Agubuzu (Chairman)
2. Maj. Gen Eric P. C. Ekwunife (rtd)
3. HRM Eze Prof Dele Odigbo
4. Prof Mark Anikpo
5. Lt. Gen Akirika Oyoyo (rtd)
6. Col. Samuel Nwosu (rtd)
7. Elder Remigius Anyanwu
8. Elder Josiah Ejim
The reconstituted SUPREME COUNCIL OF ELDERS commences it works immediately in the performance of its roles in accordance with the provisions of the Deed Poll of Customary Governance. The formal inauguration of the Council shall be announced in due course.
Signed:
Emeka Emekesiri, Esq
Chairman of the Governing Council
For: The Customary Government.
Tinubu To Facilitate Oduduwa Republic– Fani-Kayode
Femi Fani-Kayode, former Aviation Minister and chieftain of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP has hinted at the impact of the purported presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on the agitation for Oduduwa Republic.
Fani-Kayode stressed that Tinubu’s presidency would not stop the agitation for the Oduduwa Republic.
He maintained that Tinubu’s presidency would help actualise Oduduwa Republic.
In a tweet, the former minister wrote: “The agitation for the Oduduwa Republic cannot be deterred or dissuaded by a Tinubu Presidency.