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ARCHITECTS LAUDS GOV SOLUDO’S URBAN REGENERATION INITIATIVE IN ANAMBRA

By Ukpa Ewa :

The Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA), Anambra State Chapter, has commended Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s urban regeneration initiative.

The Institute gave the commendation during its 2024 Annual Conference, with the theme; “Towards a Liveable and Sustainable Urban City: role of professionals in planning and construction”, held at Oba D.A Nwandu Architectural Research Centre, Department of Architecture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, on Friday.

They argued that the ongoing tree planting initiative across the three major cities in Anambra, Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi to make the State clean and green and other huge projects like the ongoing construction of Ekwulobia flyover, construction of fun city in Awka and the rehabilitation of Okpoko slum in Ogbaru Council Area of the state, mass employment in all sectors and the 1 youth 2 skills acquisition programme will remain the major unforgettable achievements of Gov. Soludo in Anambra State.

The Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Rev. Fr. Prof. Peter Chukwuemeka Agbonome while declaring the event open, challenged young and old architects in the state to portray the spirit of sportsmanship, hard work, enthusiasm and dedication in their profession, noting that working cooperatively with others within the engineering world remains the major way to curb quackery, incident of building collapse and inefficiency.

Gov. Soludo represented by the State Commissioner for Housing and Infrastructure, Hon Pauly Onyeka, also urged them to be creative and diverse-oriented architects, move beyond designing, building, and develop entrepreneurial master plan and integrity to strengthen the reputation and values of the profession in line with governor’s vision of making Anambra a livable, clean, green and prosperous state in Nigeria.

The Anambra Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Architects, Arc Dr. Ikenna Michael Onuorah, in his address said that the conference would be helpful in repositioning the chapter and equipping the teeming young architects with the right knowledge for more effective performance.

He called on the governor to consider the establishment of “Artisan Guild” to pave room for training and re-training of the artisans, especially, the building labourers, popularly known as mason-men, carpenters, fitters, others , saying that they contribute to the totality of any construction work in the society.

Earlier in his keynote address, the guest speaker of the event, Arc Asomba Andrew Egbuonu, whose lecture centered on the theme of the conference, urged the Anambra State Government to collaborate with the professional bodies and other critical stakeholders to deliver the most liveable and sustainable cities in Nigeria and Africa at large.

According to him, the Anambra architects, urban planners, engineers, environmental scientists, and other built environment professionals, should be challenged to see to the realization of liveable and sustainable city of Awka, Onitsha and Nnewi in the State.

“Liveable and sustainable urban cities are designed and developed with the primary intention of providing high quality of life for habitants while minimizing the negative impacts on the environment.

“They are designed for resilience and prioritize the well-being of residents, providing access to clean air and water, affordable housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and recreational spaces.

“I recommend we start identifying our talents and begin the process of harnessing these capabilities as a key element of the Soludo solutions to the improvement of our urban spaces,”he said.

The Executive Chairman, Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB), Barr. Chike Maduekwe, urged the Architects to sustain a stronger synergy with other professionals in order to achieve their set goals.

Maduekwe, used the event to warn residents against passing the night in any building undergoing construction, noting that the warnings were part of the Anambra Government’s directives to mitigate building collapse in the state.

The Managing Director Anambra Bureau of Public Procurement who is also Anambra State Council member of the Architects Registration Council, lauded Gov. Soludo’s developmental strides and charged Architects to live up to the expectations.

The conference also featured cash gift to three Nnamdi Azikiwe University Architecture Students; Ogbuagu Ifeanyi Emmanuel, Oli Emmanuel Ikechukwu and Mgburuchi Emmanuel Chinwendu for winning the NIA Students Design Competition on the topic “A Model Market for Anambra State” as sponsored by Arc. Charles Egbudom.

Award presentation to some deserving members of the society for their various contributions to the development of Architecture in Anambra State include; the State Commissioner for Housing and Infrastructure Mr Pauly Onyeka, the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Mr Ossy Onuko, Don Ameachi Ifejika, the guest speaker, Arc Asomba Andrew Egbuonu.

*Ukpa is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.

NIGERIA’S EVOLVING FEDERALISM AND THE SEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

By Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR Governor, Anambra State :

The Anambra State House of Assembly passed two progressive legislations pursuant to its powers under the Constitution (Anambra State Economic Planning and Development Law, 2024; and Anambra State Local Government Administration Law, 2024), and I have signed them into law. This has generated commentaries and debates especially in relation to their consistency or inconsistency with the recent Supreme Court judgement and the mantra of “local government autonomy.” My media team, other members of my government as well as well meaning Nigerians have vigorously defended these progressive laws and that should suffice. At this moment in Nigeria, being a state governor is not a fanciful job, especially given the gamut of allegations and innuendoes levelled against governors vis-a-vis local government funds. In the circumstance, any comment by me would be construed as self defence. However, I have a citizen duty to clarify and contribute to the discourse—especially as one who has been extensively involved in the debate and search for a more perfect union.

At the outset, let me make an important disclosure. I am a federalist and a proponent of competitive federalism for a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, vast country as Nigeria. From my limited knowledge, I do not know any federation (except perhaps some variants in Brazil) where a uniform local government system is provided for in a federal constitution or where the local government is treated as a de-facto federating unit. I understand that the issue of appropriate local government system was vigorously debated by the framers of the 1999 Constitution and a compromise was to insert Sections 7 Constitution which, among others, empowers each State through its House of Assembly to make laws which provide “for the establishment, structure, composition, finance, and functions…” of the local governments. Pioneered by Lagos State about 2004 several states have various laws pursuant to these Constitutional powers. The composition or structure of local governments in Lagos or Ebonyi state is certainly different from Anambra.

Also, the debate as to whether local governments should be part of the federal constitution or left to each federating unit (state) to determine its own appropriate local government system is still an unsettled matter. The APC committee on restructuring Nigeria proposed scrapping the local government from the Constitution of Nigeria. As the former chairman of planning and strategy committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, I know that the published position of Ndigbo in 2018 was that local governments be scrapped from the Constitution and let each state/region determine the type of local administration that suits it. Similar positions have been argued by Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum, etc. This is an issue for another day.

In the context of our evolving federalism, I see the recent Supreme Court judgment regarding the direct transfer of funds belonging to the local governments as an important contribution to our search for effective and transparent administration of resources at the local level. I see the judgment as an opportunity for public good. Given the Constitutional mandate for joint planning between the State and local government, I see the judgment as an opportunity for greater transparency and predictability regarding the sources and uses of funds, as well as greater coordination and collaboration between the State and local government. If there was any state where the State-Local Government Joint Accounts Committee did not manage the LG funds transparently, the Supreme court judgment is an opportunity and mandate to do it differently by further empowering the LG administration.

But there is more work to be done. We all need to think through how the funds transferred to the LGs should be appropriated, spent, or accounted for. Monies meant for the federal or state governments are not spent by the president or governors. The National Assembly and State Assemblies make appropriation laws on how and by whom the monies should be spent and provide oversight functions. What happens to the monies directly sent to the LGs? Who spends the monies, on what and how will they be accounted for?

This is where Section 7 of the Constitution comes handy, and the Anambra State House of Assembly has risen to the occasion. Happily, the Supreme Court did not nullify Section 7 of the Constitution. The new laws by Anambra House of Assembly are therefore consequential to give operational life to the Supreme Court judgment and not to undermine it. If the State House of Assembly abdicates this constitutional duty, the Local Government will then have no law on the use and management of its finance which the Constitution has given the State House of Assembly (and only the House of Assembly) the mandate to legislate on. Indeed, in many states the House of Assemblies retain the power to suspend or remove chairpersons of local governments.

By the way, isn’t the legislative authority exercised by the State Assemblies under Section 7 of the Constitution similar to the powers granted by the Constitution to the National Assembly over the Federal Capital Territory and its Area Councils? I understand that the Senate President had recently at one of the Plenary Sessions rhetorically asked if it was indeed possible to grant the kind of “autonomy” some people talk about without major amendments to the Constitution. Many Nigerians ask the same question. I also understand that the Senate recently resolved to begin the process of Constitutional amendment in this regard. This is a welcome development. But until that is done, our laws pursuant to the Constitution and designed to give operational effect to the Supreme Court judgment remain subsisting and valid.

A critical instrument for muddling through our evolving federation and delivering higher efficiency and effectiveness in development is through structured collaboration among the tiers of government. No tier of government enjoys absolute autonomy. For example, the FGN has exclusive right over solid minerals, but the States have exclusive right over the land. Only a collaborative framework will maximize benefits from natural resources. Currently, there is a collaborative funding for the security agencies. The States and LGs contribute tens of billions monthly and deducted directly from FAAC every month towards the funding of the armed forces which are exclusively under the FGN. At the state levels, each state is spending a fortune of its own revenues on logistics and operational costs for the federal security agencies. The FGN, States and LGs are jointly paying for the FGN initiative on metering, etc. The states understand the above “emergency measures” as part of the collaborative arrangements to make Nigeria work better. A federal agency, the Debt Management Office (DMO) must clear any state government seeking to borrow from domestic financial system, while the National Assembly must approve States’ external borrowing. The federal UBEC insists on counterpart funding by states before it can release federal funds for basic education and also supervises the utilization of the contributions by states. There is a dozen or more areas of oversight of federal agencies over State finances. The above illustrations are simply to make the point that no tier of government can function in absolute autarky without collaboration with others. Given the functions assigned to the LGs by the8 Constitution, it is impossible to see how they can perform them without active collaboration with State governments. Because the Constitution did not envisage “absolute autonomy” for the Local Governments, it gave the State House of Assembly powers to make laws for them and equally did not create a Local Government Judiciary distinct from the State Judiciary.

The two legislations passed by the progressive Anambra House of Assembly seek to achieve three objectives: consistency with the Constitution and judgment of the Supreme Court; enhanced transparency and productive collaboration; and promotion of sustainable finance, democracy, and development at the local government. The laws seek to codify the collaborative arrangements to promote transparency and accountability. We seek to avoid ad-hoc or arbitrary arrangements—- building to last! The good news is that the eminent jurists at the Supreme Court did not outlaw collaboration and cooperation among the LGs in funding joint or common services, nor did they nullify Section 7 of the Constitution. What the new laws simply require is that ALL the chairmen/mayors of the local governments, meeting under the aegis of the State Economic Planning Board (similar to the National Economic Council) decide what percentage of their revenues to contribute to a Joint Local Government Account to pay for common/pooled services such as: (a) payment of salaries, allowances, gratuities and pensions of workers and retirees under the Local Government Service Commission; (b) provision and maintenance of primary, adult and vocational education including all salaries, allowances, gratuities and pensions payable in that regard; (c) provision and maintenance of primary health services including all salaries, allowances, gratuities and pensions payable in that regard; (d) payment of allowances to traditional rulers and Presidents-General of the communities; (e) Subventions to the Local Government Service Commission; and even for community security.

What many people do not know is that the Constitution puts primary education and primary health care under the local governments. Many also do not know that primary school teachers are pooled under the UBEC—Universal Basic Education Commission. Workers in all the LGs are also pooled staff under the Local government service commission. Ditto for primary health workers. Absolute autonomy would mean that each LG would have its own primary education policy, employ its own teachers, and pay them whatever it can afford and whenever it can do so, etc. Now that Anambra has free education for primary and secondary education in all public schools, some LGs may decide that they cannot afford it. It might even get to a point where some LGs might ask “non-indigenes” who are workers in the LGs or teachers in primary schools to “go home” to their LGs of origin due to budgetary or other constraints.

Indeed, absolute autonomy of LGs would mean that institutions that pool resources and workers would be scrapped including the Local Government Service Commission, Local Government Pension Board, the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), the Primary Health Care Agency, etc. Does it mean that the federal UBEC or Federal Ministry of Health would have to deal with each of the 774 LGs in respect of primary education or primary health care instead of coordinated through the State UBEC or state primary health care agency? This would be a recipe for humongous chaos, not only for the administration of local government and pensions, but more so in the primary education and primary health sectors. My administration inherited 4 years arrears of gratuity which we have been clearing systematically. How do you share the outstanding balance among the LGs or pay pensions to over 15,000 LG retirees who served the LGs as a pool without pooling of funds? Some years ago, some LGs rejected teachers posted to their LGs because it would jack up their wage bill.

Yes, our nascent federation is evolving but some of us as practitioners are determined to make it work for the people while we have the opportunity. I believe in building enduring institutions, especially ones founded upon due process, transparency, and rule of law. People remind me that many of the institutional reforms we established at the CBN still endure. Since assumption of office as Governor 30 months ago, we have devoted a lot of efforts in reforming and strengthening institutions, including the local government administration. Today, Anambra State under my watch is ranked number 1 among the 36 states on fiscal transparency by BudgIT, and among the top five states on financial sustainability. We inherited a local government system with four-year arrears (2018-2022) of gratuity to retired primary school teachers and other staff of local government. We have restructured their finances back to sustainability. Everyone who retired from the local government and State civil service since my tenure is paid gratuity/pension, and we are on course to clear the outstanding arrears soon. Three years’ arrears on counterpart funding for Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has been cleared, resulting in billions of Naira recently invested in our primary schools. Some 326 primary health centres are being constructed or modernized in all the 326 wards in the state as well as employing hundreds of medical personnel to man the primary health centres. Most of the local government secretariats have been remodelled and equipped, and the LG system is once again alive. This is not to mention that 3,615 out of the 8,115 new teachers recruited under my administration are for primary schools and they are being paid. We do not want to go back!

So, the laws are designed to protect our gains so far and strengthen the system for the future consistent with the Constitution and laws. I always remind myself that I am a bird of passage, and eventually, I will leave office. But we must build to last— for the next generations. More specifically, the new laws are designed to protect our workers at the local level and protect our primary education and primary health care from chaos and collapse. Many teachers and pensioners wrote me to passionately plead that they do not want the agony of the 1990s–2003 when some primary school teachers in some LGs were paid and others owed salaries. I just read a report that the organized labour (particularly the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE; Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT; and Nigerian Union of Pensioners) were urging the FGN not to transfer workers/teachers salaries to the local government in the name of “local government autonomy”. No law protects the workers against nonpayment of salaries or pensions by governments. In Anambra we want to ensure that we do not wake up and hear that some LGs paid salaries of primary school teachers and others did not or that some pensioners are paid and others not, or that some contribute towards UBEC counterpart-funding while others do not. The laws seek to create a framework to ensure that the basic functions mandated by the Constitution for the local governments are discharged as a matter of first-line charge or the irreducible minimum. With these laws, workers, and retirees from the local government system in Anambra (primary school teachers, primary health workers, workers in the local government system under the local government service commission) can sleep with their two eyes closed. The LGs and State government can also collaborate in the security of the communities, just as the States and FGN collaborate in funding even the federal security agencies.

It is equally important to understand that the Constitution mandated this collaboration between the States and Local Governments when in its section 7 (3), it provides that “it shall be duty of a local government council within the State to participate in economic planning and development of the area referred to in sub section 2 of this section and to this end, an economic planning board shall be established by a Law enacted by the House of Assembly of the State”. This provision gave rise to the establishment of the Anambra State Economic Planning Board of which all the local government chairpersons are members and who, among other things, decide on the percentage to be contributed to the Local Government Joint Account. It is important to appreciate that this money is not handed over to the State but remains with the Local Governments under a joint pool for the discharge of certain services by the local governments which services are uniform/common among the local governments as stated earlier.

In sum, the laws ensure that the State can function in a cohesively planned, transparent and sustainable manner to maximize the security and welfare of the citizens. They constitute a very smart solution to a possible systemic threat.

Governors are often accused of seeking to “control” LG funds with insinuations that LG funds are mismanaged. Of course, in a society where public office is seen as “dinning table” and public trust is low, people judge others by their own standards: by what they would do if they were in the position. I often ask: control for what? While I cannot hold brief for every governor, I know that most states are struggling to ensure a solvent local government system. I wish I can be spared the headache, if not for the predictable collateral damage to the system if we abdicate from structured oversight and collective accountability. The challenge ahead can be daunting given the quantum rise in wage bills because of the new minimum wage, as well as consequential rise in future pension/gratuity payments. Without active collaboration and coordination between state and local governments, many LGs will end up in a huge financial mess, requiring bailouts by state governments or will FGN directly intervene in every case of insolvency among the 774 LGs?

In conclusion, the progressive legislations by the State Assembly are designed to unleash the creative powers of the LGs, encourage peer learning, optimal development outcomes in planning and execution among the LGs, as well as novel accountability and transparency. The laws are ingenious by creating multiple layers of collaborative oversight whereby the LGs agree on monies to set aside and managed collectively by them for common services or first-line charges, while the rest is appropriated by the Congress of Councillors in each LG. In an innovative sense, the legislative powers – including powers of appropriation and oversight now largely reside with the local government legislature—Congress of Councillors, which is empowered to make bye-laws, which are in the nature of regulations, for the Local Governments (as it is the House of Assembly that is empowered by the Constitution to enact laws to guide the Local Governments).

Since neither the Constitution nor the Supreme Court judgment prescribes the manner of appropriation, expenditure, and audit/accountability for local government funds, the House of Assembly and the Congress of Councillors fill in the blanks under the new laws pursuant to Section 7 of the Constitution. The evolution of our federalism is a work-in-progress, and the new Anambra laws constitute creative and progressive additions to institution-building. May the Federal Republic of Nigeria continue to win!

HAVE VISION TO SOAR HIGHER IN YOUR PROFESSION, CULTURE COMMISSIONER URGES STAFF

By Ifeyinwa Ogwo :

Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji has urged the staff of the ministry to aim for the top in their profession, be efficient and outstanding in discharging their duties.

Mr Onyenji who stated this during a meeting with his staff in Awka explained that talents not nurtured or used will go to waste. “People are using their talents to create wealth and job opportunities. So, utilize yours and be outstanding in what you do. Initiate constructive ideas in your various departments that will boost the ministry.

“Have a vision of getting to the top by upgrading yourselves regularly. This ministry is a creative industry where you can showcase your skills and excel. So, task yourself to be relevant,” he posited.

The Permanent Secretary, Mr. Jerome Ilokwu charged the staff to improve themselves in the service and be of good conduct, noting that it will yield good results.

“Comport yourself and respect your superiors as stipulated in the civil service rules. Be computer literate if you do not know about it because the world now, revolves around the use of computers,” he noted.

He then encouraged them to learn one or two skills in line with their various departments to promote themselves and the ministry and as well be efficient in their duty post.

In their various responses, Offor Nwafor, a Senior Cultural Officer and Basil Igwemma, a Senior Tourism Officer expressed gratitude to the Commissioner for scheduling the meeting. They expressed that the ministry has capable and professional staff who can create and project the state to the limelight when given the opportunity.

* Ogwo is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

APGA FAMILY FELICITATES WITH THE NEW MAYOR, IDEMILI NORTH ON HIS BIRTHDAY

By Judith Oraeki-Anigbogu :

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Party members on Sunday congratulated the newly elected Idemili North Council Mayor, Mr Stanley Nkwoka on his birthday.

The Chieftain of APGA, Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu in his congratulatory message, described the chairman as a political rallying point in the council area, stating that his life inspired young generation of politicians.

“He is committed to the progress and development of Idemili North and he has changed the council area during his few months as the caretaker chairman,” Iyiegbu noted.

The celebrant, Mr Stanley Nkwoka in his speech hailed Governor Chukwuma Soludo, critical stakeholders, political associates, business partners for largely contributed positively to his political ambition and his source of happiness

“As I turn 44, I find myself reflecting more than celebrating. An October baby and avid birthday enthusiast, this year feels different. With only a year left before reaching middle age, I’ve been contemplating life’s valuable lessons. At 44, I’ve gained profound insights and perspective,” Nkwoka shared.

The Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Mr Ifeanyi Okoma in his congratulatory message, described the council Mayor as an amazing man of his words, who has done wonderfully well as far as democratic governance is concerned, a politician with a stream of political traits and a democratic per excellence.

He prayed that God will grant him more success, good health with long life to continue his service to the people, Idemili North and humanity at large.

*Oraeki-Anigbogu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

MARKET CHAIRMAN COMMENDS LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMEN, COUNCILLORS, CHARGES THEM TO PARTNER WITH GOVERNOR SOLUDO FOR DEVELOPMENTS

By Juliana Nwachukwu :

The Chairman of Drug Dealers(Ogbo- ogwu) Bridge Head Market, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Mr Chukwuleta Ndubuisi on Saturday, commended the 21 newly elected chairmen and all the councillors in the just concluded local government election in the state.

He also charged them to partner with the state government in ensuring that the governor’s aim to make the state a liveable homeland comes to realization.

He expressed optimism on Governor Soludo’s leadership qualities, and as an economist, he manages the states finances without borrowing kobo, noting that it is his leadership qualities that makes Ndi Anambra to bestow their trust in him.

Mr Ndubuisi reiterated that Mr Governor has done well and ndi Anambra appreciated him and he is still doing more, saying that “this is exactly what God demanded from us, service to humanity is a service to God.”

He commended him on the successful local government elections which according to him, was peaceful, noting that the state has not had such peaceful local government election.

“The newly elected chairmen and councillors should reach out to their constituents and deliver on their campaign promises. This entails a three-pronged approach: first, getting elected; second, defining their mission; and third, executing that mission for the greater good of the people.

“Our society needs to be changed and it is the responsibility of all to partner with the government, use our good offices to address some bordering issues for the good of humanity.

“I also call on the people of Anambra State to discharge their civic responsibilities by paying their taxes as the money generated from taxes are being channeled to the development of the state which the Holy Bible encouraged too.

“No organisation, community, even the churches can stand or progress without money, so let us pay our taxes because the western countries we admire were developed and maintained with their tax money,” he posited.

He stressed on the need for the chairmen and their councillors to always make sure that the gutters in their respective communities are always desilted for free flow or they can task the members of the community to do such with supervision.

He explained that as a village chairman in Isuofia, Aguata LGA he leads by example. During every cleanup day, he personally travels to the village to participate and mobilize residents for gutter desilting efforts. He also provides a tipper for efficient dirt evacuation and also provides a tipper for efficient dirt evacuation.

He prayed that the elected chairmen would be surrounded by people who have wisdom for good advices and warned the bad eggs among them to shun pull him down syndrome, selfish interest which would be of no use for them.

* Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

REACTIONS TRAIL LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION, FREE EDUCATION, OTHERS

By Juliana Nwachukwu :

Reactions have continued to trail the just concluded LG elections, Free Education and minimum wage which was recently announced by the governor.

The Chairman of Old Motor Car Parts Dealers Association, Mgbuka Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa who praised the governor, noted that his integrity has to be emulated.

He stated this while speaking to newsman on the just concluded election, followed by the free education and the minimum wage for the public servants in the state.

He reiterated that the recent local government election was one of his campaign promises which was fast- forwarded by the supreme Court judgement mandating all the states to conduct LG election within three months of the delivered judgement.

According to him, the local government elections in the state was perfect, free, fair and credible, the people of this state are happy.

“What has not been done for the past 11 years has been done by Governor Soludo, it is something to be emulated.

“I was at the polling units at Mgbuka market, people were trooping, casting their votes, what they were saying was that the governor is doing very well, for that they would vote for the people that would help him to work.

“The free education from nursery to secondary school level of the government schools in the state has never been done by Governor Soludo’s predecessors and parents are so much happy about it.

“I was passing through Awada Secondary School, people, parents were there jubilation, singing praises to the governor, infact Governor Soludo is doing very well and he is a great man.

Chief Ifurunwa charged the newly elected local government chairmen and the councillors to give their unalloyed support to the governor.

He specifically charged the Idemili North Local Government Chairman, Mr.Stanley Nkwoka to also partner with his constituents, especially the market leaders under his jurisdiction to achieve the common goal and urged the people of Idemili North to give their unalloyed support to the elected chairman.

* Nwachukwu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

FEGGE RESIDENTS HAIL GOVERNOR SOLUDO OVER ACCESSIBLE ROAD NETWORK

By Obianuju Azukeago/Ndidi – Chibueze Chinaemelum :

A cross section of Fegge residents in Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State have hailed Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State for constructing a good road network in the major streets of the area.

Speaking with Information Officers at Fegge, a Keke driver, Mr. Noble Okonkwo said that the present administration has given the occupants/residents of Fegge easy access to their various houses.

Mr. Okonkwo explained that before now, the streets had the problem of road accessibility. “As you can see now, the roads are easily connected with each other which makes our business less stressful”, he noted.

He described Governor Soludo as a public oriented person who has the interest of his people at heart.

Also, Mrs. Angelina Okagbue, a business woman on her part said that the residents of Fegge now enjoy good roads since the inception of Prof. Soludo as the governor of the state.

Mrs. Okagbue added that the roads in the area were dilapidated and abandoned until the present administration came to construct them.

She urged the people of Anambra State to vote Prof. Soludo in for the second tenure to enable him continue with the good works he is doing in the State.

Others who spoke to our reporters rained encomiums on Governor Soludo led administration for the good road network and other developmental strides in the state.

* Azukaego and Chinemelum are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

FLOOD ALERT: NEMA, SEMA CONDUCT WATER LEVEL ASSESSMENT IN OGBARU LGA

By Chinyere Nwoye :

The Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has embarked on an assessment tour to Ogbaru Local Government Area to ascertain the current water level.

The aim was to enable NEMA and SEMA team to gather vital information on the flooding situation as well as provide accurate reporting of the current situation of flooding in the area to the federal and the state governments respectively.

The Acting Zonal Coordinator, South East, NEMA, Mrs. Ngozi Echeazu told newsmen that the teams have been drawn early to Ogbaru on the predictions by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (Nimet), about flooding this year, “and it is here now.”

She noted that the federal government does not want to be caught unawares by this year’s flooding hence the early prediction and warnings to people who are likely to be affected to get prepared.

“The early warning and sensitization is to get you ready so that the flood does not take you unawares by destroying your property or kill anyone.

“After getting a call from a federal house member representing Ogbaru Mr Afam Victor Ogene that some people have been displaced by flood and are in Holding Centres we immediately came for assessment.

“I plead with victims who are yet to move into Holding Centres to do so now while we wait for succour from the government,” she noted.

On his part, the Executive Secretary (ES) SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo noted that the essence of this joint assessment from both NEMA and SEMA is to avail them the opportunity of first hand information on the havoc caused by the flood and report to the state government.

The teams were also directed to prepare immediate evacuation of persons into Holding Centres until the surging water recedes.

Mr. Emeka Obi a flood victim pleaded with the government to assist them with food and medication, especially for their children and women as they came to the camp without anything.

* Nwoye is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: GROUP HONOUR FOUNDER QUEEN-TOVAH CARES FOUNDATION INT’L

By Regina Igwebuike :

The Umechiukwu Kindred, Ngene Village, which is the maternal home of Rtd. Air Commodore Ify Udoka-Menuba, husband to Princess Dr Jessie Ifeoma Udoka-Menuba, Founder, Queen-Tovah Cares Foundation Int’l, and the Royal Golden Boys both in Amawbia, Awka South LGA, Anambra State have honored the Princess on her birthday celebration for impacting positively on humanity.

The Foundation is one with global outreach that looks toward the plights of the downtrodden, the less privileged and is not politically motivated.

Princess Udoka-Menuba is a bridge builder not minding the ethnicity and religion.

Celebrating the icon at Desire Hotel Agu Awka on Oct. 12, Iyom Egoeru Obiechina, said that the Princess is a good motivator, very passionate, lover of truth, and a lioness with a heart of gold.

She noted that the Princess is a mother general, a great achiever and an Amazon, as well as a blessing to humanity, praying that she will live long to be celebrated, urging others to emulate her.

Mr Louis Ozoekwe, Chairman of the occasion and one of the Coordinators of Royal Golden Boys; the League of Male Gender with no age restriction, poised to give to humanity, uphold the neighborhood principle and serve as watchdogs to government and public office holders for them to act within the tenet of their portfolio, said that he was overjoyed with the celebration likewise others.

He acknowledged that the Princess deserved to be celebrated looking at what she has done and still doing globally in the areas of human capital and community development, praying that God will continue to bless, and replenish her.

Jonathan Chigozie Ezeoke, aka MC Reallegacy, said, “I’m happy for the celebration, It is a testament that the Princess is doing well. I pray that someday, I will grow to the level of celebrating her myself.

“Right from when she picked me up as a ‘motherless adult’, she has been there for me and had never ceased attending to a commoner like me. Let’s emulate from her good deeds and live a sincere life.”

He wished her long healthy life, noting that he has not seen a replacement.

One of her beneficiaries, Mrs Callista Okonkwo said,”We are proud of her for her philanthropy and benevolence. I’m a living witness of what the Princess is positively doing on people’s lives irrespective of race and religion.

She prayed God to shower on Princess the grace and resources to continue the good work she is doing.

*Regina Igwebuike is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

IGBOEBISI EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION OFFERS SCHOLARSHIPS TO SCHOOL CHILDREN IN OBOSI

By Chiedu Uche Okoye :

The Igboebisi Empowerment Foundation, which came into existence some years ago, gave 22 pupils in Obosi educational life-lines that would enable them to acquire qualitative secondary school education.

The factors of indigence, diligence, and brilliance were the benchmark used to select the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme.

The well-attended event, which was graced by illustrious sons and daughters of Obosi, took place inside the Cavernous hall of the Obosi town hall.

Pupils who came out with flying colours in the state Common Entrance Examination were selected for the scholarship examination.

Each of the 14 primary schools whose pupils sat the Igboebisi Scholarship Examination selected four pupils for the examination. And 16 pupils from all the schools that participated in the scholarship examination sailed through in the competitive examination.

More so, four pupils from Central School, Obosi, a pupil who executed an engineering feat, and a diligent and obedient pupil from a poor home benefited from the scholarship scheme, too.

The event was opened with prayers said by Venerable Chukwubuihem, who prayed for the sustenance and continuation of the Igboebisi Educational Empowerment Programme.

The Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka(Eze Iweka III), in whose domain the event took place, said that investment in human beings is the greatest investment we should make.

He thanked teachers for grooming school children for greatness and referred to them as builders of our society.

Igwe Iweka further prayed that teachers should receive their rewards not only in heaven but also on earth.

More so, the President General of Obosi Development(ODU), Barr. Chimezie Obi, who was represented by Mr. Amala Egbuonye, advised the beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme to use the opportunity offered to them for the acquisition of education to realise their manifold potential.

Barr. Obi further enjoined the people of Obosi to continue supporting the Igboebisi educational initiative, which is beneficial to Obosi people.

In his remarks, Dr. Uche Chukwurah, who is one of the directors of the Foundation, said that the idea behind the Foundation is transformational, not transactional. He said, “our volition to support pupils from poor homes to acquire secondary school education had proved that we’re one people, who have not lost our humanity”.

During the event, dance groups from some primary schools in Obosi entertained the guests with their cultural displays.

The climax of the event was the collection of certificates of recognition by the beneficiaries of the Igboebisi Empowerment Foundation Scholarship Programme.

Some of the dignitaries, who attended the event donated money to the Foundation so as to enable it to foot the educational expenses of the beneficiaries of the Igboebisi Educational Foundation.

The donors included Rtd Col. Agbanusi, Barr. Victor Nwokeabia, Lady Phina Onwuachu, Mr Omezie Onyire, Kosisochukwu Iweka’s Foundation, Obosi Village Square Initiative, and ODU Enugu Women’s Wing.

Other illustrious sons and daughters of Obosi, who were present during the event were Rtd AIG Nnaemeka Okeke, Prof Nnamdi Onyire, Barr. Oby Ajaegbo, Prof.(Mrs) Ononye, Mr. Chinedu Nwogem, Mrs Oby Agom(Principal of Union Secondary School, Obosi) , Mrs. Arinze(Principal of CSS, Obosi), and Chief Omezie Chukwurah(Oshaa Obosi).

The Igboebisi Empowerment Foundation, which is the brainchild of a London-based medical doctor, Dr. Kene Igboebisi, is designed to help brilliant kids from poor homes acquire post-primary school education.

*Chiedu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State