Category: News

The third time they say is the charm. This rings true for the banker cum politician, Alex Otti, who emerged as the Governor-elect of Abia State after two failed attempts. His victory proves that perseverance pays off and brought the much-needed relief to the people of Abia who had longed for a leader to rescue them from the clutches of inept governance, Wale Igbintade writes.

The air that Wednesday evening in March was filled with suspense as the people of Abia State awaited the results of the March 18 governorship elections. It was a critical moment that would determine the future of the state that has been riddled with inept governance since the new democratic rule. And then, suddenly, the suspense was shattered by the sound of jubilant cheers and the beat of drums. From every corner of Umuahia and Aba, the two major towns of the state, people poured out into the streets, their faces alight with joy and excitement. Dr. Alex Otti of the Labour Party had been declared the winner of the governorship election by the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the people were beside themselves with happiness.

Residents danced to the rhythm of music and made bonfires to light up the night sky. Fireworks exploded in a colourful display, adding to the festive atmosphere. Tricycle operators joined the celebrations, driving wildly through the streets in honour of the Labour Party’s triumph. People freely offered drinks to one another, spreading joy and camaraderie. Even the hometowns of the governor-elect and his deputy, Arochukwu and Ohafia, were not left out of the revelry. There, the people chanted songs of praise and thanked God for ending 24 years of PDP’s “misrule.”

For many years, the people of the state had been yearning for good governance, but none came their way. Therefore, Otti’s victory was a moment of profound significance. It represented a turning point, a chance to break free from the chains of bad governance that had held them captive for so long. It was the beginning of a new dawn for the majority of the people.

The state Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Dr Charles Chinekezi, said that he was happy that the votes of Abia people could count in the election. He added that Otti’s government would change the narrative and put an end to the era of non-payment of workers’ salaries, multiple taxation and unfulfilled promises.

“With Otti’s record of achievement, Abia people are sure to have a new lease on life,” he said.

In his reaction, a businessman in Aba, Mr. Michael Mba, said that he was very happy because Abia would witness sustainable development with Otti on the saddle.

Another resident of the state, Mrs Nneka Onyegbula, said that the achievements of Otti’s government would surpass the performance of the outgoing administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu. She urged the citizenry “to join hands with the new government to deliver the expected result.”

Another resident of the state, Mrs. Sandra Okechi said that her joy was informed by her belief that Otti’s administration would enthrone an all-round development in infrastructure, social amenities, health, education and regular payment of salaries to the civil servants. She said that she was eager to see how a new party in power in Abia would impact the lives of the people.

“This is why I am excited about Otti and the Labour Party’s victory,” Okechi said.

On her part, Mrs. Nkiruka Godwin, who was seen dancing in the market alongside other women when the news of Otti’s victory broke out, said she was hopeful that the new government would alleviate “the pain inflicted on us in the last 24 years.”

Godwin added that she believed Otti would run a people-oriented government that would end traders’ exploitation in Aba.

Of all the governorship elections conducted across the country, that of Abia State stood out, not only because of Otti’s perseverance but because of what the people stand to benefit from in the new dawn.

To show that they were completely fed up and frustrated with the level of bad governance, many also resorted to holding church services and night vigils in supplication to God for releasing them from bondage.

Not a few were taken aback when Otti in 2014, resigned from his plumb job as the Managing Director, Diamond Bank Plc, to venture into politics. The fears in some quarters were that the Abia State-born gentleman was too polished for the murky waters of Nigerian politics. But rather than entomb his living dream, he pursued them all with unimaginable vigour. As fate would have it, he was able to worm himself into the hearts of his people in the state. He proved to all that it was a well-thought-out plan; he campaigned far and wide, courting those who matter in the state. He was overjoyed when he emerged as the governorship candidate of his party, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). After the April 2015 governorship election, Otti was coasting to victory when the power brokers in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who had held the state hostage for many years manipulated the figures against him to favour Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

After the poll, it took him a long time to get over the shock. Although he petitioned the Election Tribunal citing irregularities in the polls, he lost at the tribunal. But the Appeal Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State, nullified the election and declared Otti the winner. However, his victory did not last long as the Supreme Court eventually quashed the judgment and upheld Ikpeazu’s election as the governor.

In 2019, he, again, contested for the same position. But like in 2015, he was also defeated by the incumbent, Ikpeazu. To put it mildly, that period was one of the worst of his life. He didn’t only feel desolate but shattered. While some of his friends advised him to quit politics, the ex-banker followed the quote of the late 16th President of the United States Abraham Lincoln, he stood firm to his belief and braced up for another time.

Like the phoenix, the brilliant man rose and refused to be shaken by the temporary setback in a surprising manner. He came back in 2023, wiser and more experienced. This time, he went to the fight like a gladiator and fought like a warrior. It was a long and tortuous journey. But he came out of the battle with the trophy of success.

According to the results announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. Nnenna Oti, the Governor-elect polled a total of 175,466 to defeat his closest rival and candidate of the PDP, Mr Okey Ahiwe, who scored 88,526.

For a moment, it felt like his victory would be snatched away again. Rehashing the 2015 episode, armed security personnel and thugs invaded the Obingwa INEC Collation Centre, held the Returning Officer hostage for over 36 hours and compelled him to falsify the figures.

They also brutalised the Labour Party LG collation agent, Dr. George Alozie. And in their desperate plot to replicate the 2015 puerile victory that brought Ikpeazu to power, they began to joggle figures, indiscriminately alloting votes to PDP in order to close up LP’s margin of lead, totalling more than 97,000 votes.

So, from a paltry 27,000 accredited voters, the election riggers generated, first, over 80,000 votes, and later escalated it to over 108,000 votes. All that was rubbished by Otti, who prevented the marauding thieves from truncating the wishes of the masses. Oti swore not to be part of any covert and evil conspiracy to undermine the validity of the people’s mandate, which they massively handed to Otti, the Governor-elect on Saturday, March 18.

Born on February 18, 1965, Otti hails from the Isiala-Ngwa South Local Government Area. He had his secondary school education at Ngwa High School, Aba and Secondary Technical School, Okpuala Ngwa in Abia State. After his secondary school education, he graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Economics in 1988 from the University of Port Harcourt. He also earned an MBA degree from the University of Lagos in 1994.

In his acceptance speech which he delivered as soon as the results were declared, Otti said the “siege is over” and that the people’s votes have “broken the gates of hell.” He also reaffirmed his implicit commitment to implementing his lofty manifesto, designed to transform Abia and make life more meaningful for its people.

“I want to assure you that your ideas and dreams are consistent with building a virile Abia State shall come to fruition under my watch. I therefore, invite all of you to join hands with our administration in order to serve Abians who have been victims of several years of maladministration and state capture,” he assured.

The high point of Otti’s victory was when Governor Ikpeazu congratulated him and commended him for his resilience and doggedness, saying he fought a long battle. He urged the governorship candidates of other political parties in the state not to distract the governor-elect, with court cases.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, Ikpeazu called on members of other parties to give Otti an enabling environment to run the affairs of the state from May 29. He added that having spent about three and half years in different courts, he knows the distraction such cases can cause a leader.

“I appeal to every candidate in this election not to distract the incoming administration with court cases, so that they will settle down and deal with the very demanding business of governance. Let us break this negative trend of subjecting our governors to endless litigations and allow them to concentrate on providing good governance. “Since we have come to the logical end of this battle, it is appropriate to congratulate the winner, Dr Alex Otti on his hard-fought victory,” Ikpeazu.

In the end, it was a victory that had been a long time coming for Otti. After two failed attempts, he finally triumphed, winning the trust and support of the people of the state. Although there are challenges ahead, and much work to be done, Otti is ready for the task. With a clear vision, a steadfast commitment to service, and the unwavering support of the people, he is determined to lead the state to a brighter future, one step at a time.

For a man that is driven by the passion to serve his people and deliver them from hardship and poverty, there is no time for unrestrained celebrations. The journey ahead is rough and the road, rocky. While the Abia electorate and indeed, the entire South-east erupted in jubilation over his announcement by INEC, as the winner of the March 18 governorship election, I rather empathized with him. He has enormous expectations to contend with.

Interestingly, while receiving his Certificate of Return from INEC in Abuja, Otti acknowledged that the expectations from the people have put huge responsibility on him and declared; “I won’t fail Abians who have waited for opportunity like this for a new dawn”.

For the people of the state, those are nice words that they want to hear from a leader and hold him accountable for. It is believed that he will always recollect these promises and focus his mind on them.

A philanthropist and international businessman, Chief Sunday Okoro, while felicitating Otti, said his coming on board is very timely because Abia State needs urgent attention. He added that there is no doubt that Abians have full confidence in the governor-elect’s abilities to lift the state out of the doldrums.

Okoro, who is also the Anaemenyuoku 1 of Ohafia, said the victory of Otti has opened another chapter in the annals of the state that has been begging for attention for so many years. He noted that Otti would work to surpass the expectations of Abians with his experience in business and corporate world.

(This Day)

The Chinese Embassy in Nigeria has expressed dissatisfaction with media report claiming that Chinese people bribed militants in the country in order to have access to vast mineral reserves, insisting that Chinese government and his people have never been involved in any act of terrorism in any part of the country.

The Times of UK had on April 15 come out with the scathing report, which was later culled by many Nigerian news media.

The Chinese Embassy in a statement published on it’s website on Monday, said: “Our attention has been drawn to a media report titled ‘Chinese bribed Nigerian militants for access to vast mineral reserves’”, published by the The Times of the U.K. on April 15, 2023.

This report, claiming that “Beijing could be indirectly funding terror” in Nigeria, is based on unverified, unclear and unproven information, to which we have to express our strong dissatisfaction and objection.”

It added that: “The Chinese government, as well as the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, have always encouraged and urged the Chinese companies and nationals in Nigeria to abide by the laws and regulations of Nigeria, and to implement the local rules and guidance on labour, environment, health and safety, etc, and would continue their efforts in this regard.”

The statement further read that: “The Chinese government was and would never be involved in any form of funding terrorism,” describing: “The allegations contained in the report were totally irresponsible and unethical, and the intention of the report is seriously questioned.”

The statement said: “For the past decades, the bilateral cooperation between China and Nigeria has brought tangible benefits to our bilateral ties and well-beings of the two peoples. We will continue to work with the Nigerian government to promote development and address security issues. We welcome international partners to join our efforts in good faith, but would reject any intention or action that would smear our cooperation.”

(Arise News)

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed the Adamawa state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yunusa Ari to stay away from the commission office in the state.

The Secretary to the Commission, Mrs. Rose Oriran-Anthony gave the directive in a letter titled, ‘Commission’s Directive to Stay Away From INEC, Adamawa State’ and dated April 17th and addressed to Ari.

The letter read: “I hereby convey the Commission’s decision that you (Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State should stay away from the Commission’s office in Adamawa State immediately until further notice.

“The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State with immediate effect. Please, accept the assurances of the Commission’s warm regards.”

Recall that Ari created a scene on Sunday when he declared the Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa state, Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani as the winner.

But INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, in a statement described the action of the REC as a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer.

The commission, therefore, suspended the collation of results of the supplementary election in the state and also maintained that the declaration of Binani as the winner of the election was null, void and of no effect.

The commission also summoned the REC, Returning Officer and all those involved to the Commission’s Headquarters in Abuja immediately.

(This Day)

The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Aviation, has issued a strong plea to aviation unions to end their ongoing strike, which has caused immense disruption to air travel across the country.

The FG also expressed its displeasure at the ongoing warning strike by the aviation unions in spite of efforts at meeting the demands of the workers

A statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the ministry, Odutayo Oluseyi, noted that the strike is unnecessary as it will increase the hardship “on our citizens, affect flight schedules, lead to economic losses and negatively impact our rating globally.”

Oluseyi, who spoke on behalf of the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said the grievances prompting the strike by the unions are issues that should not lead to a strike.

She added that the planned demolition of certain buildings obstructing the runway is in the public interest and an administrative issue that can be sorted in-house.

The statement further noted that the unions should have met with the management of agencies for alternative accommodation to all affected offices before going ahead with the strike.

The statement read, “On the Concession of airports, the Unions are aware of global practices and for the Aviation industry in Nigeria to be the hub in Africa, the concession is the way to go to improve infrastructure and make our airports economically viable as this is without loss of jobs.

”On Conditions of Service in some of the Agencies, it is a work in progress. The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission is already carrying out assessments and will soon conclude.

”The Unions should also note if they are not already aware, that the consequential adjustment of the minimum wage has been finalised and is about to be paid anytime soon. We have always conveyed this information in the several conversations and meetings held with the unions.

“The Management of the Ministry of Aviation is open to continuous engagement with the Unions to improve their welfare. However, this can only be done in an atmosphere of peace and mutual respect.

It added, “Let me reiterate that while we are appealing to the Unions to sheath the sword, the Management will seriously view any behaviour by any Union that is likely to lead to a breakdown of law and order at our airports.

“The Ministry wishes to appeal to the Unions to call off the strike and join hands with Management to make the Aviation industry a hub in Africa.”

(Punch)

The cause of a Sunday morning fire outbreak at the campus of Queens College, QC, Yaba, has not been ascertained, though firefighters said no life was lost.

This came as the Director/Principal of the college, Mrs. Oyindamola Obabori, has not responded to calls and text messages for her comment on the matter.

The fire was alleged to have occurred inside a two-room boys’ quarter located behind the Staff Quarters of the all-girls school.

The two-room apartment was being used for lodging as well as a store.

Meanwhile, the Director, Lagos Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, who confirmed the incident, said there was no casualty recorded.

Adeseye said: “The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. Meanwhile, the fire has since been put out by a combined effort of the Lagos State Fire Service and Federal Fire Service, while the police who were also alerted, prevented hoodlums from forcefully gaining access to the school premises. No life was lost in the incident.”

(Vanguard)

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Ms. Zainab Ahmed, at the weekend clarified that the $800 million facility the country recently got from the World Bank for post-petrol subsidy removal palliative was awaiting parliamentary approval for the federal government to commence disbursement.

Ahmed, said this during an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the just concluded International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington DC, United States.

According to her, the facility would be deployed to provide succor to 10 million households, who are expected to get N5,000 each for a period of six months.

The minister explained that the initial duration of the palliatives meant to cushion the effects of the planned subsidy removal on vulnerable Nigerians was for six months, but would be reviewed upon extensive consultation with stakeholders.

She also debunked a report by a national newspaper (not THISDAY) that the federal government would be paying consultancy fee of $23.3 million on the facility.

Ahmed explained: “The $800 million has been negotiated and approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and we now have a request before the parliament for approval. And once the parliament approves it, we will roll it out.

“We’ve also been doing preparatory work side by side along the approval process. And that includes the building of the social register which will be used for the electronic transfers of the funds.

“We needed to have this ready because when the government eventually removes fuel subsidy, there will be an immediate transport palliative that will be provided to the most vulnerable members of our society who have been identified, registered and now contained in our national social register.

“This effort is led by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development. They developed that register with the support of the World Bank. The register has about 10 million households and that’s an equivalent of 50 million Nigerians.”

Speaking further, Ahmed said the initial design was to disburse cash transfers of N5,000 per month per household for a period of six months.

She noted that there would be an assessment with the transition team and If the initiative or relief was not enough, the country may need to raise additional resources to be able to cover more people, extend the period or increase the amount.

“When the subsidy is removed, there would be additional revenue that would now accrue to the federation account. One of the things we are working on is how this incremental revenue would be used. The money belongs to the federal, state, and local governments.

“We hope that we’ll be able to still ring- fence this incremental revenue and apply it to measures that will help to ensure that the fuel subsidy removal is actually sustained so that It won’t be another start-and-stop program.

“But this has to be a collective decision. The current administration and the incoming administration are working on a plan to make sure that we have a consensus on how to use that incremental revenue.”

Responding to a THISDAY question on the payment of consultancy fee on the facility, Ahmed said: “I have no clue as to what this is about. We raise our funds ourselves. We don’t need consultants to raise funds from these institutions.”

She added: “The $800 million was raised by discussing with the Debt Management Office, the Ministry of Finance, and the World blBank Country Office for Nigeria. We don’t need consultants to help us raise any kind of finance. We have internal expertise that has worked well over time, so we don’t need consultants for that.”

Shedding more light on the likely impact of fuel subsidy removal on the economy, she acknowledged that it was expected to cause some increase in the prices of goods and services. This may further elevate inflationary pressure in the country.

The Consumer Price Index which measures inflation in Nigeria rose to 22 per cent in March, according to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics at the weekend.

“Fuel subsidy removal would always come with some challenges like increased inflation, which would naturally happen. It would spike initially and then it would moderate and normalise. Anywhere in the world where you remove any kind of subsidy, it has that effect.

“That is why that initial fund is necessary so that you are deploying it quickly and reducing the impact on the lives of the most vulnerable people in our society.

“So yes inflation may go up, but our assessment is that it would not go up much because as it is, price of fuel in Nigeria or the cost Nigerians are already paying for fuel reflects the high cost of what would be attained when the fuel subsidy is removed,” Ahmed declared.

She pointed out that, “people are buying fuel at very high rates, it is not the pump price. So we think that inflation is already built into it. There might be some increase, but it would not be a huge spike and even if there is, it would be transient and it would quickly come down and moderate.”

Giving an overview of the performance of the country’s delegation to the 2023 Spring Meetings which was led by her, she said: “We met at a time of high global uncertainty with successive shocks of the war in Ukraine, rising inflation, fragmentation and monetary policy tightening and most recently the financial market stress in the Silicon Valley Bank, Signatures Bank and Credit Suisse Bank.

“With over 345 million people in Developing countries facing acute food insecurity and 700million people living in extreme poverty most of who are in Africa. The delegation attended a couple of statutory, bilateral and side meetings.”

On the statutory meetings, she said: “At the International Monetary and Financial Committee where I represented 22 countries, I spoke on the need to monitor financial stability risks and the need for moderation, open and rule-based trading system to allow for the free flow of essential supplies.

“I also called for the speedy implementation of the G20 Common framework on debts. While raising concerns on delays in debt restructuring for some countries., I encouraged cooperation between creditors and the affected countries to ensue completion of the programs. I also used the opportunity to highlight macro-economic development in Nigeria including ongoing engagements with all critical stakeholders on the need to mobilise additional resources for remove the fuel subsidies and free up resources for investment in the social sector.

“I am happy with the retention of the IMF growth forecast for Nigeria at three per cent which is consistent with our internal projections even though our desire is to have higher GDP growth.

“At the Development Committee of the World Bank, we discussed the on-going World Bank Group evolution agenda which is in response to the G20 Independent Panel on Capital Adequacy Framework.

“We encouraged the Bank to remain focused on the twin goals while enhancing its operating and financing models to enable it cope with increasing trans-border and global challenges. We encouraged the World Bank to consider access to energy as one of the global challenges for Africa

“At the G24 Meeting, I commended members for their support that led to election of Dr. Iyabo Masha of Nigeria as the first African Director.

“I also had bilateral meetings with Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) to consider how best Nigeria can leverage MIGA resources in infrastructure investment and discussed some pipelines

“I also met with Senior Management of IFC Vice President for Africa, where we agreed to grow Nigeria’s portfolio in the real sector. We also had preliminary conversations on the possibility of IFC’s visibility in the aviation and maritime sectors especially in the newly modernised airports and some of the seaports in Nigeria. I also facilitated the dialogue between MOFI and IFC

“I also had preliminary discussions with Shelter Afrique on the need to explore an innovative housing program for the IDPs and support the affordable housing scheme

“At the FAD of the IMF, we discussed the need to scale up Technical Assistance for FIRS and NCS in growing the revenue potentials of the country.”

Furthermore, Ahmed disclosed that in collaboration with the World Bank Group, development partners and some members of the international community, “we held an event to showcase the massive investment potentials of the country, the current challenges and how we are tackling them.”

“We also had conversation with them including members of the Transition Team on potential priorities of government and requested for the understanding and strong support of the Developments and Business community for the in – coming government,” she added.

(Arise News)

The National Population Commission, NPC, has clarified that the census questionnaire has no column for religion and ethnicity.

No fewer than two million vulnerable Nigerians from across the country benefited in year 2022 from projects implemented under the Federal Government’s National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).

According to a progress report presented at the NPRGS Steering Committee meeting, chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja, about 1.6 million smallholder farmers were also impacted under the Agriculture for Jobs Plan.

The breakdown and other details of the progress report presentation was contained in a release issued on Thursday by media aide to the Vice President, Laolu Akande.

Besides, 13,000 youths have been trained under a Technical and Vocational Education and Training programme in 6 States comprising Lagos, Ogun, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna and Nasarawa, while arrangements are underway to provide similar training for 2000 beneficiaries in Edo State.

Also, more than 8,000 Nigerians were employed in rural roads construction under the Rural Roads programme which built 40 rural roads in 120 communities, covering about 57.3 km across the country.

The NPRGS implementation monitoring update, presented by the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, said “following the release of N50 billion, programmes that have achieved 100% completion include: Agriculture for Food and Jobs Plan (AFJP),and Construction of Rural Roads, among others.

“A total number of direct beneficiaries of the implemented programmes currently stands at 1,818,782 vulnerable Nigerians and a total of 9,527 Nigerians have also been directly employed through the implementation of the programmes so far”, he said.

Additionally, at the meeting, the committee approved the sum N250 billion for the execution of projects for the year 2023. Projects scheduled for implementation under the NPRGS for the year include:

The provision of 100,000 homes for low-income earners which will create 1 million jobs directly and indirectly, expansion of energy access by providing 1,200 solar street lights in rural communities and 6 mini-grids for high-capacity productive farming under the Solar Naija Programme, creation of 4.5 million direct and indirect jobs through the Rural Roads programme which targets to connect about 750 rural markets.

Others are provision of N9 billion support for over 1.6 million vulnerable smallholder farmers for the 2023 wet season farming under the Agriculture for Jobs Plan, and expansion of the National Social Register with additional 3 million households.

In an interview with newsmen after the meeting, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State who is also the Co-Chair of the Technical Working Group for the Committee said though implementation has not reached expected levels, efforts are underway to touch each of the targeted 15 areas of implementation.

According to him, “today, we just came to review the implementation and update on the spending on the projects so far and approval for this year’s projects for the same scheme.

“Based on what was received from the co-chair of the Technical Working Group, over N50 billion have been spent so far. The performance so far hasn’t reached the level we expected. But nearly every aspect of the 15 areas targeted is being implemented in one way or the other.”

(Arise News)