The Eagle Gate

Author: Admin

  • STRATEGIC PLAN FOR CURBING MIGRATION PROBLEMS IN NIGERIA 2015-2019

    IYAMIDR / ANEEJ designed a Strategic Plan for our government and other relevant agencies to identify areas that need urgent attention towards enhancing the potentials of youth in Nigeria. The Strategic Plan will identify seven key integrated Strategic Priorities for our government over the five-year period, 2015-2019, and key areas of interventions for each.  The integrated Strategic Priorities are:

    (1) Building Economic Resilience through (1) Agriculture; (2) Social Welfare Resilience; (3) Environmental Resilience; (4) Technological /skill acquisition Resilience; (5) Building and  Strengthening capacities in our youth to Identity and address their challenges; (6) Strengthening Community Awareness programs in every quarter to amplify the ill -effects of illegal migration and the benefit of getting engaged back at home; (7) Create a Research, Development and Innovation Centre for voluntary and forcefully returnees to enable them get their feet back on the ground.

    The Plan is the product of the wide consultations and in-depth deliberation in the cause of the thematic session that there is a need to draw a long term plan and a short term plan to address migration challenges in Nigeria. Heads of Organizations selected a narrow range of priorities to be accorded top priority attention over the next five-year period and the arrangements to be put in place across the State to enable implementation taking into account the resource limitations, both human and financial, and appeal for speedy implementation .

    At the end of a well deliberated session, the following resolutions were adopted.

    (1) That European Union especially the Italian government must work to rebuild infrastructure in Libya and Nigeria so that plans to travel illegally will get a better alternative here in Nigeria and  the international development agenda must be inter-governmentally determined and agreed;

    (2) That the eradication of poverty though creation of camps to host farmers and a create market for their products must remain the core objective and overarching preoccupation of our government to achieve the national development agenda;

    (3) That the development agenda must be premised on promoting the welfare and well-being of all people;

    (4) That the development agenda of any state government should promote a sustainable youth development and to balanced reintegration of its three dimensions – economic, social and environmental – at all levels;

    (5) That emphasis must be placed on ensuring that definitive arrangements, including effective partnerships with government and other agencies are made to provide adequate financial and other resources to help organize more seminal, symposium and workshop in all the area majorly affected by migration in our nation.

    (6) That greater emphasis must be placed on “PREVENTIVE MEASURES INSTEAD OF CURATIVE MEASURES” by the Nigerian government and international community.

    (7) That all relevant stakeholders, such as governments, civil society, the private sector, and intergovernmental organisations, must be included in raising awareness on the danger of illegal migration.

    Priority areas of focus identified:

    (1) Nigeria government and European government should accelerate implementation of youth friendly Programme to get them engaged to serve as a deterrent to intending migrants.

    (2) Nigeria government should Introduce Measures for Macro-economic Stabilization in our society; Building competitiveness and encourage entrepreneurship which is Key to Economic Growth to Generate Employment for our teeming youth;

    (3) Building Human Capital Development Major Key;

    (4) International organization and all government agencies should commit their fund and resources to amplify and intensify  Public awareness Programme Using local television stations, radio, jingles, hand-bills/fliers and billboard on the danger of illegal migration and the benefit of getting engaged back at home  in Edo state and Nigeria in general.

    (5) Heads of Organisations noted that the Plan by IYAMIDR and ANEEJ represented a good strategic economic repositioning for the entire good of our society, as it sought to secure the future of our youths in a rapidly changing environment.  It was agreed that for it to have a remarkable impact on our youth, the Plan would require commitment and focused implementation by all the major actors in our society.

    Other strategic area of focus

    THE STATE OF OUR ECONOMY

    In the interactive session, Heads of Organizations senior Government officials also beam their touch light towards the root cause of Mass exodus of our youths who fled the country on daily basis in search of greener pasture to a strange land, why many die of dehydration in Sahara desert trying to get to Libya, others were drawn in the Mediterranean sea trying to reach Italy through the back door.  The group identify agriculture as a major tool to end this surge.  States and federal government should urgently implement the Work-Plan by IYAMIDR /ANEEJ   for advancing the decisions that had been made by Heads of Organisations and Senior Government Representative to achieve IYAMIDR /ANEEJ strategic plan for Community’s Growth Agenda with the aim of ending violence and poverty in our society that is mostly caused by hunger and to minimized migration challenges in Edo state, Nigeria and other sub-Sahara states.

     

     

    Mr. Okoduwa Solomon

    President / Founder IYAMIDR

    Phone: +2348074512666

    Phone: +2347031949579

  • Bayelsa Decides: INEC releases results

    Bayelsa Decides: INEC releases results

    The incumbent governor and the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Seriake Dickson, has emerged winner after scoring the most votes in the Bayelsa State governorship election.

     

    Total Registered Voters: 654,493

    Accredited Voters: 242,114

    APC: 86, 852

    PDP: 134, 998

    Margin: 48,148

     

    Sunday, January 10, 13:40: The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reconvenes to continue the collation of results.

     

    EKEREMOR

    Registered voters 9, 157

    Accredited voters 3,018

    ACPN 1, ADC 0, APA 0, APC 257, APGA 1, CPP 0, DPC 0, DPP 1, ID 0, KOWA 0, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 0, PDM 10, PDP 2,695, PPA 3, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

    VALID VOTES 2,968

    REJECTED 42

    VOTES CAST 3,010

     

    NEMBE LGA

    Registered voters 4,294

    Accredited voters 2,649

    ACPN 0, ADC 0, APA 0, APC 1, 400, APGA 1, CPP 0, DPC 0, DPP 0, ID 0, KOWA 1, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 0, PDM 12, PDP 1,160, PPA 0, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

    VALID VOTES 2,574

    REJECTED 31

    TOTAL VOTES CAST 2,605

     

    Sunday, January 10, 01:20: Collation of results begins.

     

    OGBIA LGA

    Registered voters 4,344

    Accredited voters 1,551

    ACPN 0, ADC 0, APA 4, APC 139, APGA 1, CPP 0, DPC 4, DPP 2, ID 0, KOWA 1, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 1, PDM 4, PDP 1,290, PPA 2, PPN 1, SDP 0, UPP 0

    VALID VOTES 1,449

    REJECTED 47

    TOTAL VOTES CAST 1,496

     

    SAGBAMA LGA

    One Registration area affected

    Registered voters 2,005

    Accredited voters 326

    ACPN 1, ADC 0, APA 2, APC 119, APGA 0, CPP 0, DPC 0, DPP 0, ID 0, KOWA 0, LP 0,MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 0, PDM 1, PDP 180, PPA 0, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

    VALID VOTES 303

    REJECTED VOTES 21

    TOTAL VOTES CAST 324

     

    BRASS LGA:

    Registered voters 2,255

    Accredited voters 1,703

    ACPN 0, ADC 0, APA 0, APC 1679, APGA 0, CPP 0, DPC 0, DPP 0, ID 0, KOWA 0, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 0, PDM 12, PDP 05, PPA 0, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

    VALID VOTES 1696

    REJECTED VOTES 7

    TOTAL VOTES CAST 1703

     

    YENAGOA LGA

    Registered 9,560

    Accredited Voters 1480

    ACPN 0, ADC 1, APA 7, APC 448, APGA 3, CPP 1, DPP 2, ID 0, KOWA 0, LP 0, MPPP 0, NNPP 0, PDC 3, PDM 3, PDP 839, PPA 1, PPN 0, SDP 0, UPP 0

    TOTAL VALID VOTES 1309

    REJECTED VOTES 54

    TOTAL VOTES CAST 1363

  • Oshiomhole carpets PDP on ‘rice and garri’ politics

    Oshiomhole carpets PDP on ‘rice and garri’ politics

    As controversy rages over alleged diversion of Goodluck Jonathan campaign rice meant for distribution to the people of Edo State in the last general election by a gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, Friday, took a swipe at the said aspirant and the PDP, saying the people of Edo State will no longer be swayed by rice and garri politics.

    A chieftain of the PDP, Mr Okharedia Ihimekpen had alleged that bags of rice released by former President Goodluck Jonathan to sway votes in favour of the PDP in the last general election were not distributed and was shocked to see the portraits of a certain gubernatorial aspirant super-imposed on the bags of rice and distributed as his Christmas package last December.

    Speaking at the 2016 Auchi Day celebration, on Friday, Governor Oshiomhole said politics of rice and garri was out of fashion as the people now prefer politics of development which his administration has introduced to the state in the last seven years.

    Giving his scorecard to the mammoth crowd of natives of the town who thronged the palace of the Otaru, Alhaji Haliru Momoh, Ikelebe 111 and some invited guests at the Auchi Day celebration, Oshiomhole said: “the PDP Federal Government awarded the Auchi erosion contract to one of their own; in the name of Auchi erosion, they enriched themselves and abandoned even the tractor in the erosion site, compounding the erosion problem. You wrote petitions and those letters were read and ignored but we thank God for using me.

    “We thank God that today, in the Auchi Erosion site, we can now locate two, three football pitches of Olympic standards in those areas that erosion had claimed.

    “We have shown that government needs not lament, that government can listen and when contracts are awarded, they are meant to be done, not to provide avenue for them to deepen their pockets and use out of it to buy rice once in two years.

    “I am glad that, Otaru, it will go down in the records that it was under your reign that God used us to dualise the Auchi road which your highness has kindly named Oshiomhole way and I am humbled. At night, we now can have street light in spite of the challenges of power arising from PDP mismanagement of billions of naira that was voted for power.

    “As you drive here, you see red roofs of schools that Auchi children can now attend and this year before the end of my tenure your Highness, the remaining schools in Auchi will wear red roofs. We will do that because your highness, you deserve it and I will try to discharge only part of my debt obligations to you.

    “Every commitment that I have made, I will do, including the ones we are already doing. We will sustain them, we will complete them before the end of my tenure. My government will never lament. When others are not paying salaries, we paid before Christmas because my task is to make things happen, not to cry.

    “Edo people continue to prosper and our people will never again submit to the politics of rice and garri.”

  • Aubameyang Ends Hegemony in African Football Award

    Aubameyang Ends Hegemony in African Football Award

    Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finally ended the winning streak of Ivory Coast’s midfielder Yaya Toure to win the Confederation of African Football’s player of the year award.

    Yaya Toure who scooped the prestigious individual accolade in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, failed to register his dominance during the 2015 African footballer of the year award.

    In a vote of coaches and technical directors of Confederation of African member -nations, Aubameyang scored 143 points ahead of Manchester City and Ivory Coast midfielder Toure on 136 while Ghana and Swansea midfielder Ande Ayew scored 112 points.

    The 26-year-old Gabon skipper has been in outstanding form this season for his club side Borussia Dortmund so far, scoring 18 goals in 17 league games.

    In this contest between goals and glory, between net-bursting regularity and continental-conquering, the cold, hard stats of Aubameyang’s year have won out.  And they’re numbers that make the heart beat just that little bit faster.

    In 2015, the Dortmund forward scored 41 goals in all competitions, of which 18 have come in just 17 Bundesliga matches so far this term—making him the division’s top scorer by the year’s end.

    His unswerving consistency of the end of last season (2014-2015), it’s worth noting that he only scored five league goals in the first half of the 2014-15 campaign, compared to 11 after the break, have given way to a relentless dominance over defenders this term.

    Gabon President Ali Bongo Ondimba paid tribute to the Gabonese star who will be key to the country’s hopes of lifting the African Cup of Nations on home soil in 2017.

    “The epitome of commitment and success at the highest level, this exceptional Gabonese demonstrated dazzling intuition and an attack of unparalleled velocity,” said the Gabon President in a statement.

    “His genius is a major asset for the panthers in preparation for the next African Cup of Nations.

    Aubameyang is the first player from his country to win the award. In 2014, he lost his first opportunity to win the award by losing to Yaya Toure.

    At the beginning of the year, Yaya became the first player to win four times the African Player of the Year awards in a row, but by October, Aubameyang had made headlines of his own, becoming the first Bundesliga player to score in each of the first eight games of the season.

    According to Goal.com, Beyond ending Toure’s hegemony of the award, Aubameyang may well have brought the curtain down on the cabal of truly world-class African players that established themselves as continental greats over the last decade and a half.

    Between them, Yaya, Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and Michael Essien, all of whom remain in football in some capacity, have 10 Caf POTY awards, eight second-placed finishes and nine third-placed finishes stretching back over the last 15 years—but it’s hard to see any of them truly challenge for the award again.

    Aubameyang’s victory looks to have just heralded in a new era of African elite.

     

    Other Award Winners

     

    Victor Osimhen was crowned Youth Player of the Year after 10 goals in seven matches helped Nigeria win the Under-17 World Cup for a record fifth time.

    Herve Renard, who managed Ivory Coast to their Africa Cup of Nations victory, won the coach of the year award. The Frenchman, who led Zambia to victory in the tournament in 2012, is the first person to coach two different countries to the title.

    Mbwana Aly Samatta, the Tanzanian star who helped his club side TP Mazembe to the African Champions League title, was crowned African-based player of the year.

    Mazembe were named club of the year, having also represented Africa at the Club World Cup, while Ivory Coast and Cameroon were respectively named men’s and women’s national team of the year.

    Gaelle Enganamouit of Cameroon was named women’s player of the year. She starred as the Indomitable Lionesses reached the second round of the Women’s World Cup, having qualified for the tournament for the first time in their history.

    Most Promising Talent of the Year – Peter Etebo Oghenejaro (Nigeria)

    Referee of the Year – Papa Bakary Papa Gassama (The Gambia)

    Leader of the Year – Abdiqani Said Arab (Somalia)

    Fair Play Award – Allez Casa Supporters Group (Senegal)

    African Legend – CK Gyamfi (Ghana) and Samuel Mbappe Leppe (Cameroon)

    Africa’s Finest XI of 2015

    Goalkeeper: Robert Kidiaba (DR Congo)

    Defenders: Serge Aurier (Ivory Coast), Aymen Abdennour (Tunisia), Mohamed Meftah (Algeria)

    Midfielders: Andre Ayew (Ghana), Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast), Sadio Mane (Senegal), Yacine Brahimi (Algeria),

    Forwards: Mbwana Aly Samatta (Tanzania), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Baghdad Bounedjah (Algeria)

  • Edo State: Communique, One-Media Round-Table Discussion Forum

    Edo State: Communique, One-Media Round-Table Discussion Forum

    A Communique Issued At The End Of A One-Media Roundtable Discussion Forum Held At The Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre In Benin City Under The Auspices Of The Coalition For Good Governance And Economic Justice In Africa On Wednesday, January 6, 2016.

    A Round-table Forum was convened by the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa in Benin City with the theme: “The Media Practitioner’s View of Edo State under Gov. Adams Oshiomhole”.

    A panel of seven discussants, all practicing journalists in Edo State, critically x-rayed, reviewed and appraised Gov Oshiomhole’s seven-year tenure so far and made projections into the future of governance in the state.

    The panelists, after expressing their viewpoints observed as follows:

    That Edo state, prior to Adams Oshiomhole’s assumption of office on Nov 12, 2009, was characterized by general despair and despondency; and near-total decay of public infrastructure.  That ‘god-fatherism’ phenomenon had virtually held the state hostage and so negatively impacted on governance, thus hindering socio-economic growth in the pre-Oshiomhole years.

    That the Adams Oshiomhole’s administration has succeeded in upgrading the benchmark for infrastructural development in the state with particular references to road construction/rehabilitation, drainage and erosion control via the Benin Water Storm Project, as well as the multi-million naira Queen Ede, Auchi and Ekewan gully erosion projects. Also remarkable has been the “Red Roof” revolution in primary and secondary schools across the state.

    That the Adams Oshiomhole’s “one-man one-vote” mantra has changed and improved the electioneering process in the state.

    That the government deserved an applause for its efforts at keying into the Federal Government’s UBE counter-part funding scheme that has improved the standard of education in the state with particular reference to the improved facilities and increased performance rating of Edo State in national examinations.

    That Gov Oshiomhole has reasonably restored the people’s confidence in government through people-oriented and purposeful policies and programs. This confidence had been greatly eroded by past governments which perverted leadership, looted the commonwealth and thus engendered the distrust of the people.

    That Gov Oshiomhole’s gesture at improving on past administration’s assistance to the state council of NUJ and the practicing correspondents in the state through logistics support to aid their job performances is salutary.

    They noted, however, that the Oshiomhole administration has not done much to improve on workers’ welfare through payment of approved salaries and allowances, especially for pensioners as evidenced by the series of protests in the state over the years.

    That Oshiomhole’s healthcare policies have not been far-reaching enough as they seem to pay more attention to tertiary health institutions to the detriment of the primary healthcare institutions which are indeed closer to the people.

    That his government did not devote much resource to human capacity development in commensurate terms with infrastructural development in the state since capacity development is sine qua non to any government’s desire for speedy socio-economic development.

    RESOLUTIONS:

    The round-table resolved as follows:

    1. That arising from these findings, political parties should re-align their manifestoes and policy plans and programs ahead of the state governorship election to be in tune with people’s desires, aspirations and expectations.
    1. That political party leaders should make credibility, personal integrity and unquestionable pedigree of candidates as a crucial factor to be considered during party primaries.
    1. That political parties should do away with the old tradition of imposition of candidates to avoid unnecessarily over-heating of the polity as the electorate has become wiser.
    1. That governorship aspirants must be prepared to diversify the state’s economy and move it away from the current over-reliance on statutory allocations and excessive taxation as sources of its revenue.
    1. That the next government in the state must aspire to foster agricultural revolution, taking good advantage of the fertile and arable environment of the state.
    1. That any incoming government must first believe in the people and ensure a holistic approach to development of the state by providing the enabling environment for safety of lives and property.
    1. That the Press at all times has a constitutional responsibility to make governments accountable to the people and this they must continue to do through unbiased and objective reportage that placed the interest of the people foremost.

    In attendance at the round-table forum were over 70 journalists from various media in the state.

    The forum is first in series by the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice to sensitize the citizens on participatory democracy and responsible governance.

    Chairman, Communique Committee

    Date: Jan 6, 2016

  • Rivers PDP Calls for Arrest, Investigation of Amaechi’s Ex-Commissioner, Ibim Seminetari in N1.8b Looted Funds

    Rivers PDP Calls for Arrest, Investigation of Amaechi’s Ex-Commissioner, Ibim Seminetari in N1.8b Looted Funds

    Press Statement

    The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expressed grave concern over more startling discoveries of monumental looting and misappropriation of public funds by officials of the Amaechi administration in the State.

    The PDP says the latest discovery of over N82m wasted on a three-hour dinner organized for Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, by former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, through the Ministry of Information and Communication, was another confirmation of how terribly wasteful, imprudent and corrupt that administration was.

    The Party notes that apart from the negative implication this singular action has on the image of the guest, in whose honour the money was allegedly spent, it further goes to expose possible collaboration, a development that calls for explanation to Rivers people.

    The pains of the PDP is further heightened with the fact that as at the time all these financial wastes were being carried out, staff, pensioners and contractors of the State Ministry of Information and Communication were owed several months’ salaries, pensions, gratuities, and control funds; facilities at the State owned media establishments were also moribund and obsolete, and needed to be enhanced/upgraded.

    For the Party, this action by the then Commissioner, Mrs Ibim, was a clear case of financial recklessness and misappropriation, and one sure way this could be discouraged in public service is the prompt investigation and arrest of those responsible for the fraudulent actions.

    Meanwhile, following the antecedents of the former Information Commissioner, Ibim, who has been appointed acting Managing Director of the NDDC, the PDP also wishes to caution against diverting the fund’s of the Commission meant for the development of oil devastated communities in the region into funding the APC re-run Governorship Election in Bayelsa State, and re-run of some State and National Assembly elections of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

    We call on the relevant authorities to be on alert and to check the flow of funds from the Commission thoroughly during the period she may be in charge.

    We again, reiterate our call on the Police, the EFCC and other security agencies to immediately commence investigation into the N1.8b loot, which include the N82m waste on Prof Soyinka, and ensure she is arrested and prosecuted accordingly to serve as deterrent to others.

    Signed:

    Jerry Needam, JP

    Special Adviser on Media and Publicity

    To the Rivers PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah

    Thursday, January 07, 2016.

  • Reverend Father Mbaka’s New Year Prophetic Message

    Reverend Father Mbaka’s New Year Prophetic Message

    Enugu – Fiery Catholic Priest and Founder, Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria, AMEN, Reverend Fr. Ejike Mbaka, Friday, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to be on his guards, prophesying that alleged beneficiaries of massive corruption perpetrated during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration would plot to kill him.

    REACTION

    I am not a catholic or a follower of Rev. Mbaka but I agree with his views expressed in the article below on Igbo marginalization.

    EXCERPT:

    ““During these moments of the oil boom, there was excess crude money, they didn’t know what to do with our money, when our youths were suffering and still suf­fering, graduates had no jobs, new industries were not built, our roads were not reconstructed, our hospi­tals were in shambles and total col­lapse; our educations systems were in shambles and these politicians were building good schools out­side the country, Ghana, etc, even hospitals in South Africa, and other neighbouring countries and when any of them is sick, he will be flown outside the country because there is no hospital in the country worthy of authentic medication, you can­not find any country in Nigeria that has worthy diagnostic facilities; not one; the entire money voted for hospitals was looted out, corruption was in quantum, to the level that the Nigerian Bishops had to convene a prayer against bribery and corrup­tion and enjoined all Catholics to be praying that prayer daily.

    “All the money voted for roads was swindled; many of them be­came millionaires, billionaires overnight in naira, in dollars, in pounds, in euro when they have no workshop; no business centre; somebody who has nothing doing, just because he is a politician, and they wasted our oil money, now the doom came and there is no preparation for it; the economy of Nigeria is an oil-based economy.

    “My beloved Nigerians, those who led us from last year down­wards, have killed this country; none of them is qualified to stay in this country by now, both the President, the Senators, the Reps, the chairmen of local governments, the governors, they are wicked; it doesn’t matter the man of God they worship with; I tell you, be­fore God and man, all of them are wicked; they hate this country, they succeeded in removing the liver, kidney and cardio vascular system of this country, and handed over to President Buhari, shambles, skel­etal organs of this country; a nation that is sick.”” – Rev. Mbaka

    I must add that we ought to hold Igbo politicians accountable for Igbo marginalization. Buhari just took office barely 8 months ago but Igbo marginalization has been going on for several administrations before Buhari took office.

    Every state in the southeast (Igbo state) receives allocation from the federal government every month just like every other state in the north, west, south south and mid-west. Political appointments at the federal level are derived equitably from all states in Nigeria. Every state in Nigeria elects senators and house representatives which it sends to Abuja to represent the interest of the individual state. By this I mean that citizens of Igbo states such as Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo elect their own senators, and house representatives who represent their respective interests at the federal capital in Abuja. These Igbo states elect their own state governors. Every governor from every Igbo state receives monthly allocation from the federal government with which to run the affairs of their respective state. The federal senators and house reps from every Igbo state are sent to Abuja just like others from other states in Nigeria for the interest of their individual state. Why then do we continue to blame the federal government for lack of development in the Igbo states? What do you expect the federal government to do after providing monthly allocations to every Igbo state as it does to every other state in the north, west, mid-west and south south? If the federal government is not maintaining the federal roads and bridges in the Igbo states, why haven’t we held our senators and house representatives who represent us in Abuja, accountable? What dividends have the federal senators and house reps from Igbo states brought to their respective states? Why should we be blaming the federal government of Nigeria for Igbo marginalization without first holding our Igbo governors, senators and house reps accountable?

    It should be clear to every objective mind that successive Igbo governors, senators and house reps are the ones marginalizing Ndi-Igbo and not the federal government of Nigeria. The federal government during past administrations before Buhari allocated funds for the building of roads and bridges in southeast (an example is the famous “RRR” initiated by General Gowon through Ukpabi Asika). But the funds usually disappear and the roads and bridges are continuously left in a dilapidating state. Why don’t we ask our Igbo federal senators and house reps what happened to the funds allocated by the federal government during every administration?

    My point is that for most part, Igbo governors, senators and house representatives should be held accountable for the marginalization of Ndi-Igbo and not the federal government of Nigeria. One cannot cut off his/her nose just to spite his/her face. Enough of these lies and deceptions because they have claimed, and are still claiming innocent lives of the Igbo youth while successive Igbo governors, senators and house reps laugh their way to foreign banks with their loot of Igbo coffers.

    This is my opinion and yours is welcome.

    Dr. Mike Okeke
    Ifekanku
    Atlanta, GA

  • 6 Pupils win IGP scholarship in Edo

    6 Pupils win IGP scholarship in Edo

    BENIN CITY-Six pupils of the Police Children School 1 and 11 have won the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) scholarship in Benin City.

    The pupils whose ages range between six and nine included Aboye Israel, Izomon Osariemen, Obah-Oshomokhare Peculiar, Aliyu Mohammed Junior, Obah-Oshomokhare Destiny and Nawerebgha Faith.

    The commissioner in Edo State Mr Chris Ezike presented the IGP scholarship to the pupils at the state police command headquarters in Benin City, yesterday.

    CP Ezike explained that that the scholarship programme was initiated by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, to provide succour to serving, retired and deceased police officers in the junior cadre, whom he said had distinguished themselves in service to the nation.

    He disclosed further that similar presentation of the IG scholarship had earlier held in Abuja as it would go round other states across Nigeria.

    CP Ezike urged parents and guardians to moderate the behaviour of their children and wards, especially as it affects the companies they keep.

    The police boss however congratulated the children maintaining that many were called but few chosen.

    “Having said that, I want to ask all DPOs, whose jurisdiction covers our police primary and secondary schools or police institutions, to do their utmost best to offer the necessary security and safety that the children need.

    “If you have problems doing that, get back to the DC Ops, who will reinforce you to ensure their safety and security are not compromised,” CP Ezike stated.

    By MIKE OSAROGIAGBON, January 4, 2016, Culled from the Nigerian Observer

  • Edo 2016:  Godwin Obaseki Betrays Me – Don Pedro Obaseki

    Edo 2016:  Godwin Obaseki Betrays Me – Don Pedro Obaseki

    A gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC, in Edo state, Don Pedro Obaseki has described as shocking what he terms as ‘betrayal of trust’ on the part of his elder cousin Godwin Obaseki.

    Don Pedro Obaseki said as it is typical of African tradition, he intimated his Elder cousin, Godwin Obaseki about his governorship intent only to be shocked that few months later, same Godwin has now shown same interest in running for the position

    The media guru who spoke in Benin added that, though the action of his cousin who is the Edo state chairman, Economic Team will not divide the Obaseki family but said he is much accepted within the entire Obaseki’s family worldwide.

    According to him “Everybody in my family is fully aware of my ambition, they are equally aware that I am seeking for the APC ticket.

    “I am shocked as you are that another Obaseki is running but be that it may, this is politics. It really sounds funny and uncomfortable to many people outside.

    “Me as child of tradition before I decided to run, I consulted massively with my friends and family, when am talking about my family I don’t mean my immediate family, I mean the enlarged Obaseki and to the extent that I have done two serious event to cement that announcement of my ambition.

    “Before the end of next week I will release the documentary of my adoption by the family and the blessing of my family and I have equally presented my intent to the upper room elder’s council of the Obaseki for me to go ahead with my ambition. So my quest is not based on share shenanigan or a few people sitting behind the sanctuary of open doors to anoint anybody.”

    ‘For me I have the corporate endorsement of the Obaseki’s clan, not just the Obaseki’s clan in Nigeria but the Obaseki’s clan worldwide. Mine is not a forested ambition of one person but a collective decision of the Obaseki family.”

    “You mention my elder cousin, Godwin. He is eleven years older than I am, so I give him respect in the fact that I was shocked because I have actually gone to him to beg him to lead me to the Governor so when I was told some months later that one of those I thought will be on my side was now also selling self, so let’s live the sea for the better mariner.”

  • The Jonathan Campaign Rice Thief

    The Jonathan Campaign Rice Thief

    President Jonathan conceded office and President Buhari was sworn in on May 29, 2015. There was the question of loyalty among PDP members. Everyone blamed someone else for failing to return Dr. Goodluck Jonathan back to office. Many of the issues bordered around provision of finances and other resources to ensure a win in all states including Edo State. However, it is puzzling to many members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Edo that they seemed to be the only state left out in the distribution by the Jonathan Campaign team.

    It was shortly before the presidential primaries a group of individuals left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the PDP in Edo State. One of such large groups was led by Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu after a major disagreement between himself and Governor Oshiomhole in 2014. It was after the PDP’s primaries that he got himself the choicer job as State coordinator in Edo State to the Jonathan Campaign Team. Heavily mobilized in December 2014 in the millions to begin his work in the State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu returned to claim that no money was given to him, that in fact he was using his personal funds to assist the President. The situation was so sad that no bill boards were erected on behalf of the president in Edo State by the state team and hardly any effort to promote the comeback of the president.

    The rumour about the President’s neglect of Edo State spread like wild fire, it increased when the money sent by the president’s campaign headquarters for the House of Assembly candidates representing the PDP was also diverted and majority of them lost in the elections.

    There was unprecedented theft of campaign funds and materials. This came to public glare in December 2015, when the then state coordinator and aspirant for the Governor’s seat, pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu decided to distribute rice to his followers. To their surprise it was the rice packs meant to be distributed for the presidential elections in April 2015.

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu has not only proven to be dishonest, but a liar and a thief. The individual, who assisted with the large theft of Edo resources during the Lucky Igbinedion administration, milked the ACN/APC dry before decamping to the PDP where he now wants the governor’s seat in 2016 to carry out wanton looting of state resources and assets and further impoverish the people.

    The PDP through its publicity secretary, Mr. Chris Nehikhare gave a statement on December 30, 2015 to refute the allegations to cover up this theft. This is a knee jerk reaction on Mr. Nehikhare’s part because he was not privy to the conversation the pastor had with a PDP leader in his defense saying, “if he shares the rice in April or December is it not the same thing.” The hush-hush is meant to still bring out Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as its candidate, the party desperate for a win believe that only he can give a good contest and possibly win on behalf of the party. However, the error in this decision would either bring the party to its knees or leave the state in shambles.

    What everyone should know and understand, it was not the APC that discovered this theft, but the members of the PDP who raised the alarm of the theft. They were surprised that anyone could be so callous as to divert funds and materials meant for another’s election as his own and betray President Jonathan. If this is the best that the PDP can do, then opportunity should not ever be given to them to take back the reins of power.

    In any civilized society the pastor has no alternative now, but to apologise to President Jonathan, the people of Edo State, and the National headquarters of the PDP, quit the race and the party on its own submit him to law enforcement for the offense of theft.