The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Enugu 2023 Guber Race

  • 2023 Enugu Guber: Aspirant, Kingsley Udeh, meets party excos, expresses readiness to serve

    2023 Enugu Guber: Aspirant, Kingsley Udeh, meets party excos, expresses readiness to serve

    2023 Enugu Guber: Aspirant, Kingsley Udeh, meets party excos, expresses readiness to serve

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    As the date set for the Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial primary election draws near, a leading contender for the position of Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, Esq., has paid glowing tributes to the Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and expressed his readiness to meritoriously serve as Governor when elected.

    Udeh, 41, made the call, Friday, when he paid a visit, as part of his consultative strategies, to the state executives of the party led by Hon. Augustine Nnamani.

    Dr. Udeh, a Lawyer, Notary Public, scholar and development expert with international experience spanning close to two decades, explained that he believed in rendering service to the society and doing charitable deeds without publicity and fanfare.

    He described Governor Ugwuanyi as his mentor and a man who gave him the opportunity to be in Government, thereby providing the fertile ground that saw to his emergence as an aspirant of the party.

    Udeh addressing party executives

    “I have come today to appreciate and thank the state executives of our great party. Without PDP, there would not have been the administration of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi in Enugu State. It is political parties that run for elections in Nigeria.

    “So, I am here like one of you, because I recognize that you as the party, are the ‘engine’ of our politics.

    “Our Governor appointed me as a Senior Special Assistant on Development Aid in 2017. Then, in 2019, he appointed me as his Special Adviser on Education.

    “Apart from these, my governance experience as an international development expert is close to twenty years. I have also lectured at the Nigerian Law School and in Baze University, Abuja.

    “I’m currently a Visiting Senior Lecturer at the Law Faculty of the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, my Alma mater, where most of my services are ‘pro bono’. This is because I believe in service and giving back to the society.

    “I also studied in the University of Nottingham, UK, for my Master’s degree and in University of Stellenbosch, South Africa for my PhD. I have given something back to all these communities, that is in line with my character and upbringing. Till date, I still hold an academic position in the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, as a Research Fellow, where I undertake scholarly work to support the school.

    “Apart from this academic work, I have been a development consultant for many years. I have consulted for UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, African Development Bank and I still consult for the Nigerian Governors Forum.

    “This consultancy work, in the area of public procurement, public finance management and public policy has made me experienced working in all the states of the Federation, and I’m still consulting for the Federal Government”

    “Our Governor mentored me and I have learnt well. I shall be consolidating on his legacies, especially that of peace and development, since both are sacrosanct for good governance”, he noted.

    Reiterating his commitment to public service, something he described as being ingrained in him, he said “I am a servant, that is the way I was brought up. I now want to serve the party and the state in another dimension.

    “I believe that once something is agreed upon as a family, it should be adhered to. I believe there is zoning in Enugu State for the office of Governor and that it is the turn of Enugu East Senatorial District. I’m from Enugu East Senatorial District and I feel that if I present myself to serve as an aspirant and if I become your candidate and eventually get elected, that I shall serve you diligently as Enugu State Governor.

    “I have the experience and capacity for the job. Zoning is only meant for stability. I will not run an Nkanu Agenda, no, I will run an Enugu Agenda. I don’t believe in discrimination; Nkanu, Nsukka, Awgu, Agbaja, no. Having lived in different parts of Nigeria and different parts of the world, I believe we are all one”.

    He recounted how he had been supporting the party structure at the State, LGA and ward levels since he joined Governor Ugwuanyi’s Government, through Christmas packages and other means, to the extent of his financial capacity.

    “Again, I have the youthful energy. If Government is really about service, not for grandstanding, I believe that I can effectively render this service, if you send me.

    “Today, in France, Macron with his youthful passion for service was returned to office as President, unlike most of his predecessors who served for a single term, owing to the ‘difficult-to-please’ nature of the French electorates. Just like him, I believe that by the time I’m through with my first tenure, you shall be pleased to ask me to go back for another tenure”.

    Giving a glimpse of his family background, to establish the moral burden he bears, he recounted that his mother was a teacher and his father served as Director, Public Prosecution in the old Anambra State, Solicitor General, Acting Attorney General and eventually as a judge of Enugu State, before he retired.

    He urged the party leaders to rate him and other aspirants from their antecedents and their background.

    The state party Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, welcomed the aspirant on behalf of the party executives, while confirming that Udeh had always served the party with his time, talent and treasure.

    “The officials of our great party acknowledge the love and recognition that you have shown the party in the past years. You have always silently supported the PDP Excos at the State, in addition to your LGA and ward”, Nnamani said.

    Dr. Kingsley Udeh is an alumnus of the College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu, holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Nigeria, a Master of Laws Degree (Nottingham, Uk) and Doctor of Laws (LLD/Ph.D) from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

    He has lectured in the Law Faculties of Baze University, Abuja, and the University of Nigeria, Enugu, as well as in the Nigerian Law School.

  • Press Conference: Ekweremadu presents 13 point agenda, as he declares interest in Enugu 2023 Guber Race

    Press Conference: Ekweremadu presents 13 point agenda, as he declares interest in Enugu 2023 Guber Race

    Press Conference: Ekweremadu presents 13 point agenda, as he declares interest in Enugu 2023 Guber Race

    …Appoints Ogbo Asogwa as Campaign Director General

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    Former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate and Senator representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone, Sen. Prof. Ike Ekweremadu, today, held a Press Conference at Best Western Hotel, Enugu as part of his consultation on running for Enugu’s top seat in 2023.

    Before kicking off his speech and presentation of a 13-point agenda document titled ‘A Pathway to a New Enugu State’ he made it clear that the press conference wasn’t a governorship declaration.

    Ekweremadu presenting his 13 point agenda document

    Speaking further, he said the 13-point agenda was a way to develop Enugu State to an ultra urban city, having the standard of international cities like Dubai and others, if elected the governor. His agenda included:

    ~Industrialization in all the local government areas of the state

    ~Education

    ~Good governance which involved equal treatment to all

    ~Road infrastructure

    ~Housing/Urban Renewal

    ~Youth Employment and Empowerment

    ~Security

    ~Health

    ~Water

    ~Tourism

    ~Agriculture

    ~Energy Sufficiency

    ~Special Cities

    On good governance, Ekweremadu promised to run an open door government, and to ensure the judiciary and civil service are technology driven. On the part of the local government, he pledged not to interfere at all. “On the local governments, I hereby pledge to not interfere” he said. On water, he was confident that if elected, he would restore pipe-borne water and build dams to ensure the problem of water scarcity is curbed completely in Enugu.

    On Education, “I am willing to improve our schools, train our teachers to teach the students in a way that they can measure up to international standards. I promise to upgrade the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) to a degree awarding institution”.

    Sen. Ekweremadu reiterated that job creation would be at the heart of his government, reducing unemployment by 70% within the first four years of his administration.

    On insecurity, he insisted that the major panacea to insecurity is decentralising the police system, “and this would be what we will do. To achieve more, we will have a database of everyone in Enugu, that way we will control crime” he added.

    Ekweremadu promised that if elected Governor of Enugu State, he would complete all abandoned government projects in the state.

    Asked directly if he would run in the 2023 Enugu Governorship race since he appeared to be declaring, despite saying he wasn’t declaring, he said, “Yes, I will run for governorship of Enugu State come 2023”. When asked about the issue of the popular zoning system in Enugu, he emphatically debunked the idea that there was ever a discussion about a zoning system in Enugu, “There was never any discussion about zoning system anywhere in Enugu. And I was never a product of any zoning at all” he said.

    Ekweremadu reacting to questions from the press

    When asked how he intended to achieve all he had listed, he said “The essence of this press interaction is to further my consultations and get the gentlemen of the press ask me questions on them. I had been to China, Dubai, Malaysia and others at the stage when they were working to build their system into what it is today. It’s not rocket science and I will follow their roadmap” he responded.

    Ogbo Asogwa

    He also appointed Ogbo Asogwa, a former Commissioner in Enugu State, as the coordinator of his campaign organization.

  • Enugu 2023 Guber Race: Profile of Likely Candidates-3

    Enugu 2023 Guber Race: Profile of Likely Candidates-3

     

    As the race to the Lion Building of Enugu State come 2023 continues, The Pacesetter Frontier  Magazine X-rays the profile of likely contenders from Enugu East Senatorial Zone, as already published in the 2021 Christmas/2022 New Year edition of the Magazine.

    Frank Nweke II, Okeifufe

    Frank Nweke II (Okeifufe) was born on September 18, 1965 to HRH Igwe & Lolo Frank Onyemaechi Nweke, Okeifufe 1 of Ishi Ozalla. He is from Ishi Ozalla in Nkanu West LG of Enugu State.

    Frank has more than 15 years proven leadership experience at both State and Federal government levels and well over 20 years of same in the private sector of the economy. He has remained above board in all the private and public sector roles that he has occupied, and is today, regarded as one of the few highly respected public servants in Nigeria.

    The recognition of his intellect, dedication to duty and personal integrity as the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Enugu State from 2001-2003 led to his appointment in 2003 as a Federal Minster by President Olusegun Obasanjo in the Intergovernmental Affairs, Special Duties and Youth Affairs portfolio, making him one of the youngest members of the Nigerian Federal Cabinet in which he served. He was to be later appointed as a Minister for Information and Communications in 2005. Prior to being the Chief of Staff to the Governor he was the Resident Consultant on Economic Affairs. He currently sits on the boards of some of Nigeria’s leading companies for the similar considerations.

    In February, 2009, Frank was appointed the Director-General of Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), with a long list of achievements credited to him. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group was founded in 1996 as a platform for public-private sector cooperation on Nigeria’s economic development.

    Frank has to his compliments two Masters degree, Masters in Public Policy and Administration and Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and University of Maiduguri, Nigeria respectively. His first degree was in Zoology from University of Maiduguri where he graduated with a second-class upper division in 1989. He also attended the Aspen Institute, Colorado, USA.

    In 2020, he was elected as the President of Harvard Kennedy School Alumni Association of Nigeria (HKSAAN).

    Frank Nweke II

    Rt. Hon. Edward Uchenna Ubosi, Ozege

    Born on April 3, 1971 into the family of Late Chief Felix and Lolo Cecilia Ubosi of Umuchigbo in Iji-Nike part of Enugu East Local Government Area, Enugu State, Edward Uchenna Ubosi has since, become a household name in Nike, Enugu state and beyond.

    Ubosi attended the College of Immaculate Conception (C.I.C), Enugu and the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, where he obtained an OND & HND. He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from University of Calabar and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from ESUT.

    His joined partisan politics in 1997 when he served as Councilor for his ward and later a Supervisory Councilor for Finance from 1999-2002. At a time, he was also the Administrator for Enugu East Central Development Council and the Executive Chairman, Umuchigbo, Iji-Nike community from 2002-2007. In 2009, he was found worthy to be the PDP’s State Financial Secretary up till 2011. He was also the Chairman of Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) Board from 2010-2011. He ran for House of Assembly in 2011 to represent Enugu East Urban Constituency at the State House of Assembly and won.

    Ubosi, a three-time member of the Enugu State House of Assembly was elevated to the hallowed position of the Speaker of the House in the Sixth Assembly, a position he has held till date. He was unanimously elected as the National Vice Chairman, Nigerian Conference of Speakers and in March 2018, he was given the chieftaincy title of Sabbenen Gusau in faraway Zamfara state by the Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello.

    Ubosi is a devout Catholic and a faithful family man married to an Amazon, Lady Princess Akunna Ubosi, a union blessed with beautiful children.

    Edward Ubosi

    Dr. Ben Nwoye, Esq

    Dr. Ben Nwoye is from Amurri in Nkanu West Local government area of Enugu State. He is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party and was the Enugu State Chairman of the Party from 2014-2021. Presently, he is the Enugu State APC Caretaker Committee Chairman.

    During his sojourn in the United States of America, he practiced as a Civil Rights Lawyer. He holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the prestigious Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School.

    In the 2011 general elections, spurred by a desire to serve, Nwoye ran for Senate under the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) party to represent Enugu East Senatorial Zone. He repeated same in the 2015 general elections under the now ruling All Progressives Congress.

    He is the Executive Director of Opeans Nigeria Limited, a safety consulting company, providing safety in Oil & Gas, Maritime and the Military, with locations in Port-Harcourt, Warri and Lagos.

    Nwoye was recently appointed a Federal Commissioner representing the Southeast region in the Federal Competition & Consumer Protection Commission by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Ben Nwoye

    Engr. Prince Lawrence Ozoemene Ezeh, FNSE

    Engr. Prince Lawrence Ozoemene Ezeh started his Engineering career at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now, Rivers State University) Port Harcourt, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Marine Engineering in 2000. At the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, he obtained a Masters Degree in Engineering management in 2015, and he is currently studying for his PhD.

    Ezeh has successfully ventured into the Transport and Shipping Business, Construction and Civil engineering, Oil and Gas and other subsidiary businesses. A COREN Registered Engineer, he is a Member and Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) as well as a member of the International Marine Contractors Association.

    Ezeh, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Buzuzu Construction Company Limited, a Civil Engineering and Construction Company, while also sitting on the board of several other companies as Chairman. Engr. Lawrence is a Former Board Member, Federal Medical Centre, Nguru, Yobe state and a Philanthropist by Nature. Engr. Lawrence has taken his philanthropy to an enviable height which has brought succor to communities in his area. Among these numerous services are:

    -Extension of electricity to all the villages in his community.

    -Continuous annual grading and lathering of Nara-Mburubu-Nomeh roads

    -Award of scholarship to 69 indigents youths Through Prince and Princess Lawrence Ezeh Scholarship Foundation

    -Rehabilitation of the electrical installations in Nkanu East Connecting some parts of Nkanu East to the national grid

    -Rehabilitation of the several bridges in Nkanu East.

    -Construction of 4.5km asphalt road with street lights in his community

    He is also a recipient of an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the Federal College of Dental Technology, Enugu; United Nations Mayor of Peace Award, the prestigious title of Omeruoha 1 of Enugu state conferred on him by the apex Igbo cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and numerous other prestigious awards in Nigeria and Diaspora.

    In the 2019 general elections, he ran for the Nigerian Senate to represent Enugu East Senatorial Zone, first under the Peoples Democratic Party, and later under the All Progressives Congress.

    A Royal Prince by birth, he is from Mburumbu in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    Engr. Prince Lawrence Ezeh
    Engr. Prince Lawrence Ezeh

    To be continued…

  • I visited Chinyeaka Ohaa to pray for his house, not to talk politics – Jim Nwobodo

    I visited Chinyeaka Ohaa to pray for his house, not to talk politics – Jim Nwobodo

    …The Governor is the one who has the power to choose his successor

    …My agitation for power-shift to Nkanu East is based on fairness and justice; I reassure Isiuzo that my love and friendship for them remains

    A former governor of the old Anambra state, Sen. Jim Nwobodo, has cleared the air on what transpired when he visited the Enugu home of a retired Federal Permanent Secretary and governorship aspirant in Enugu State, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa.

    In a press conference held at his Amechi country home, today, Wednesday, January 26, 2022, Nwobodo said he never discussed politics with Mr. Ohaa but simply offered prayers of thanksgiving for the gift of a new house to Ohaa.

    The former Minister and Senator, who made available a press release titled ‘The Gross Misrepresentation Of My Visit To Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa’s Residence In Enugu’, said it became necessary to issue the statement because in the past weeks, the media had been awash with conflicting reports purportedly from him (Jim Nwobodo) on whom or what local government should produce the next Governor of Enugu State come 2023, the purveyors of the misinformation hoping to take advantage of his old age to skew the true narratives.

    He cursed those who felt old age was an aberration, saying they will “never experience old age”.

    His words: “I was invited by Chinyeaka Ohaa to come and bless his new house. He brought Kolanut which I received and appreciated him for building his house, such a gigantic one. I never discussed politics with him. What I did was simply say, in my style, that Power belongs to and comes from God.

    “I was surprised to hear that I endorsed him as Governor. Who am I to endorse someone as Governor? It is the serving Governor only that has such powers to endorse his successor.”

    Going further, “The PDP has a slogan, Power to the People, but I believe that it is God that gives power. As an elder statesman, I understand quite well that only the Governor or a President can give powers. Even if I want to endorse anyone, he or she should visit me at my home, not the other way round,” he said.

    “I believe that Nkanu East is tailing behind when it comes to general development as compared to other parts of Enugu East Senatorial Zone, and it deserves to be developed too. People have abused me but that’s the beauty of democracy. I want to reconfirm that in the course of fairness, equity and justice, Nkanu East deserves to be given Governorship so that they can develop their place.”

    When asked about the propriety or otherwise of Micro-zoning, he said, “This is my personal opinion. I’m from Awkunanaw, Amechi precisely, and if it is zoned to Enugu South, it may not seem equitable because we have produced Governor, Minister, Senators and Senate President, including Ambassador.

    “Micro-zoning is the reason Southeast is asking to be given opportunity to produce the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and it should be considered in the discussion for the position of Governor of Enugu State.”

    On Isiuzo as a local government, he was clear on his stand, “I love Isiuzo and they know that. The first Senator in my Government, Sen. Isaiah Ani was from Isiuzo. The first road I built was a road leading to Isiuzo. I built schools as Governor in Isiuzo. Isiuzo is far better than what it used to be. If an Isiuzo man becomes Governor, it is my joy. I reassure Isiuzo that my love and friendship for them remains. My agitation for power-shift to Nkanu East is based on fairness and justice,” he added.

    See the full text of the press release below:

    THE GROSS MISREPRESENATION OF MY VISIT TO CHRISTAIN CHINYAKA Oha’s RESIDENCE IN ENUGU.

    I read with utter dismay, the wicked misrepresentation of my private visit to Chinyeaka Oha’s residence in Enugu. A visit I made on the invitation of Chinyeaka for me to come and bless his newly built mansion in GRA Enugu.

    When I got his invitation, I declined it and told the people he sent that I had other engagements this period. But when I was reminded that I did not attend his mother’s funeral and the reception organized by Awkunanaw community for his retirement, I accepted to come. Before accepting his invitation, I gave him a condition that is must be a private visit and I made it absolutely clear that I was not coming to discuss his governorship ambition. Chinyeaka accepted and assured me he was going to keep to my agreement.

    I prayed with the kola nut he offered, that God should bless his home and he and his family will live peacefully in their new home in good health. I then added that Power Belong to God, and whomsoever God decides to give power to, no man can stop it and I am not God.

    But for me to read some publications saying I went to endorse Chinyeaka or that my prayers centered on his political ambition, is mischievous and a betrayal of our mutual agreement of the condition for my visit. Those who accompanied me on that visit are here to and can tell you what I said at Chinyeaka’s home.

    My position on Nkanu East has not changed, and my visit to Chinyeaka Ohas’s new home has nothing to do with my support for Nkanu East. I am using this opportunity to re- affirm my support for Nkanu East to produce the next governor. Like I said, God is the ultimate decision maker, so my prayer is for God of justice and equity to see us through this process.

    I am a people friendly and people-oriented person, I have relationships across Nigeria and the world. I will continue to maintain my relationship with diverse group of people, but that will not change my stand on what I feel strongly about.

    I have also read some nasty and very insulting comments from people who hide under pseudo names, but I know who they are. For those of them who think old age is an aberration, may they not experience old age. And for those who respect, honour and value the experience and blessings that comes with age, they will so be blessed.