The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Tag: Uche Nnaji

  • Chijioke Edeoga Again?

    Chijioke Edeoga Again?

    By Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor , Ph.D

    On Saturday, August 30, 2025, political leaders from Enugu East Senatorial District gathered at the Enugu International Conference Centre to discuss the progress of the state. Many notable figures from the zone who are progressives attended, and serious deliberations were made on unity and development, especially in the zone.

    During the session, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga was invited to move a motion affirming that Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has performed well and therefore deserves the full support of the zone beyond 2027, so that power could eventually rotate to Enugu West Senatorial District which he did unapologetically. After Edeoga moved the motion, Hon. Anioma Frank, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, who served as moderator, called on Dr. Ben Nwoye, leader of the progressives, to second it.

    In the course of seconding, Dr. Nwoye digressed a bit to speak about Minister Uche Nnaji. He also used the opportunity to call on Governor Mbah to join APC and realign Enugu with national politics, because his roadmap to development aligns with that of the renewed hope agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

    It was at this point that some paid persons deliberately twisted Edeoga’s mere presence on the podium to suggest that he was part of Nwoye’s remarks. Such a false narrative is not only dishonest but also a show of cowardice and immaturity. Everyone present knew that Edeoga’s mission was solely to move a motion in support of Governor Mbah, not to contribute to what Nwoye said. He has devoted his time and energy to support the Governor, after being convinced that such is the best way to approach development through politics and it seems his support to the Governor is even more pure than that of many who are even in PDP.

    For the record, there is a political battle currently in Enugu APC, that is between APC Progressives led by Dr. Ben Nwoye, which I am part of, and those who have weakened the party, led by Minister Uche Nnaji. Linking Barr. Edeoga to APC quarrels where he has no involvement is nothing but an attempt to create needless unrest in Enugu and those behind it should abstain from that.

    What they intend to achieve is still oblivious to me, howbeit, it is also important for all to know that Barr. Edeoga has been a friend of the Minister since 1998, and nothing visible has happened to change that relationship.

    Therefore, the social media attacks that followed against the Isi Uzo born legal luminary are clearly coordinated onslaughts by sponsored data boys and political actors unsettled by the implications of his return to the PDP and his decision to stoically work with Governor Mbah. To me, these attacks might have also come from different directions, but all of them are threatened by Edeoga’s renewed alignment and still allegedly and conveniently sponsored through the machinery of those in the APC, Labour Party and no party.

    Using his appearance on the podium as an excuse to launch attacks with deepfake apps is childish. Rather than embrace progress, these groups have chosen to spread deepfake videos and manipulated narratives to tarnish his image. Their fear is simple. They know that unity between Edeoga and Governor Mbah strengthens not just the Governor but also the political stability of the state.

    Politics of development should not be about falsehoods or propaganda. It should be about service, loyalty, and truth. Governor Mbah has already shown leadership that inspires confidence, and Edeoga believes that supporting the Governor is the right step for the people of Enugu.

    Those who attack him today will later understand that his actions may have been guided by a higher principle, which is the pursuit of unity and progress. No deepfake or propaganda can erase the fact that his role at the meeting was only to move a motion of support for Governor Mbah in the collective interest of the zone.

    When I had a chat with Edeoga to understand his position on the politics of Enugu State, he made it very clear that Governor Mbah’s performance is already building and nourishing a special brand new unity across the state and thus has his full support. Such is the position of a man who is experienced in the game and though I may not like the Governor, that is his stance which he does not look perturbed.

    Instead of resisting this progress, those who are sad should either respect his decision or mind their business. To me, Edeoga’s decision may favour or harm him, depending on the sincerity between Governor Mbah and him even though I still do not trust the latter. In all honesty, the future of Enugu State lies with leaders who can work across divides and put the people first.

    Until then, no amount of lies, manipulations, or manufactured controversies will succeed in hiding the truth, which is simple. To tell the truth, APC needs Governor Mbah, and he should listen to the calls made by the progressive agenda leader led by Dr. Ben Nwoye.

    Those attacking Barr. Edeoga should remember that he simply exercised his right to take a political decision that he believes will serve his people. It is better for others to also make their choices openly instead of spreading confusion.

    No one should create tension in the state because of differences in political direction. Peace is more useful than strife, and progress can only come when leaders allow one another the freedom to choose their path.

    “Dey your dey, and allow ndị ọzọ to also dey their dey, to avoid imebi Enugu; makana onye mebie Enugu, ọ kwụọ anyị ụgwọ.”

  • [SPOTLIGHT] Updates on the Scorecard of the Chief Uche Nnaji-led Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (2)

    [SPOTLIGHT] Updates on the Scorecard of the Chief Uche Nnaji-led Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology (2)

    Isa Umar, Abuja

    Building and Infrastructure

    -The Ministry through NBRI has commenced Building Technology using Bamboo as an innovative cost-effective way of building houses and sensitization going on to get buy-in from the public.

    [SPOTLIGHT] Updates on the Scorecard of the Chief Uche Nnaji-led Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology
    Complete Bamboo Building

    -The Ministry expanded the NILEST’s scope of operation by increasing the number of extension centers across Nigeria from 9 to over 22. Expanding these extension centers underscore a commitment to decentralizing NILEST’s operations and maximizing its impact nationwide in advancing the leather sector across various regions of Nigeria.

    -The Honourable Minister has revived the tanneries at NILEST’s Maiduguri and Sokoto extension centers. By the third quarter of 2024, these tanneries are poised to resume operations, each projected to produce up to 5 tons of leather weekly. This strategic move aligns with the government’s agenda of promoting local content and revitalizing critical sectors of the economy.

    -In the period under review, the Minister revitalized, constructed and equipped FIIRO zonal offices in the six zones.

    -Through the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), the Ministry has developed and established a Cosmic Ray Muon Detector (CRMD), developing a weather station and a continuously operating reference station. These will aid climate change atmospheric research and high-precision positioning data, which are essential for various applications such as surveying, mapping, and scientific research.

    -The Ministry procured broadcast equipment for the full take-off of NSTI TV to advocate and disseminate information.

    -In December 2023, the Minister launched the National Policy on Welding. This has been followed up with several agreements with the private sector for its full-scale implementation nationwide. The Ministry has concluded arrangements under the 2024 Procurement implementation to train many Welders from the six zones of the Federation and the FCT.

    -Others are Development of self-ignition fire extinguisher ball devices for buildings and vehicles; Development of an Auto Gas Technology to power vehicles at lower prices and Development of an accelerometer sensor for monitoring bridges to measure the vibration of road bridges.

    Information and Communication (ICT)

    -Bilateral agreement for collaboration on Science, Technology and Innovation with Cuba. The Minister of Innovation, Science & Technology, Uche Nnaji, signed on behalf of Nigeria while Cuba’s Minister of Science, Technology, and Environment, Elba Montoya signed on behalf of Cuba.

    -The Honourable Minister launched the TechAdvantage Platform on February 19, 2024, to bridge the gap between apprentices, business owners, and aspiring entrepreneurs in the tech industry, facilitating knowledge transfer and skill development.

    -In April 2024, the Ministry launched the i-step Naija digital technologies program. The program is a multi-strategic socioeconomic empowerment scheme imparting up-to-date innovations to young and middle-class Nigerians for solution-driven enterprises across all spheres of the Nigerian economy.

    -Through NBTI, the FMIST established Technology Incubation Centers (TICs) in the following locations: Ahuwa Oboro Ikwuano LGA, Abia State; Adikpo Benue extension; Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwo, Ogun state; Oko Polytechnic, Anambra State.

    Engineering, Industrialization, Digitization, Creative Arts, Manufacturing and Innovation

    -The Honourable Minister in line with his target of attracting Foreign Direct Investments has formalized collaboration with Domineum/Edenbase UK by signing a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of Abuja Tech City, which Mr. President approved. The Abuja Tech City is expected to replicate the success of the London Tech City, which generated over 61 billion pounds in its fifth year of operation. Upon its full implementation, the partnership envisions Abuja Tech City as a full-fledged smart and green city.

    -Through the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion, NOTAP, the Ministry facilitated the registration of 27 Patents in the management of intellectual properties in the country as a necessary step towards promoting entrepreneurship in innovation, science and technology.

    -The Ministry, through NNMDA, established collaboration and partnerships with 22 organizations worldwide. These collaborations led to scholarships for staff, educational resource donations, training, and access to expensive international reference documents. These organizations include United State Pharmacopoeia (USP), Aberdeen Commercial, Evans Baroque Pharmaceutical Industry, etc.

    -The Ministry, through NNMDA, established Research Farms across the country. The integrated agro-allied medicinal product development platform has resulted in medicinal eggs, medicinal garden eggs and organic bio-pesticides. This feat, which has attracted the interest of a renowned international farming association from the Netherlands, is the first integrated bio-farming with medicinal products as the output. These centers are being developed at Gberigbe in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Akure in Ondo, Jesse in Delta, Obinagu in Enugu, Karu in Nasarawa, Kano in Kano State, Jos in Plateau and Calabar in Cross River State.

    -The Ministry through the Raw Material Research and Development Council, RMRDC, has developed and patented CHITOSAN. Chitosan is a naturally occurring polymer derived from the deacetylation of chitin, a key component of the exoskeletons of crustaceans, insects, and arachnids. It has a number of valuable applications in water treatment and waste water management, cosmetics and skincare, etc.

    -The Honourable Minister perfected arrangements to establish a pilot state-of-the-art floating glass manufacturing facility named N-SEGMA (Nigeria Silicon and Glass Manufacturing) in Nigeria by facilitating private sector investments. This Project encompasses a silica extraction plant and a float glass production line with an annual capacity of 500,000 tons.

    -The Honourable Minister concluded plans and obtained the President’s approval to set up a 2500-Ton/day Pilot Methanol Plant. The President’s focus on achieving the methanol economy revolution is to harness the vast potentials of methanol as a clean and sustainable energy source and position the Nation as a leader in Africa’s energy transition.
    It also constructed a Multi-Chemical Plant for the six geopolitical zones of the country. It also established prototypes for Model Science Laboratories across the six geopolitical zones.
    On April 26, 2024, the Honourable Minister concluded and Signed an MoU with Enthrust Microgrid UK to repair, maintain, repurpose, reuse, recycle, and recover advanced technological products, including electric vehicle (EV) batteries and high-value computing and electronic products, in Nigeria (“the Project”). The Project will promote the Research and Development and Utilization of our Local Lithium to manufacture batteries in Nigeria.

    -The Honourable Minister launched four (4) Oral Solid Dosage Formulations at the NNMDA. The four oral products developed 100 % from our indigenous herbs using science and technology are now ready for clinical trials. The products are for managing and treating upper respiratory infections, anti-aging, sickle cell disorder, and diabetes mellitus.

    -The Ministry, through NARICT, designed and developed a pilot plant to utilize indigenous technologies in salt production, intermediate chemicals, chlorine gas, Sodium hydroxide and Sodium hypochlorite (bleach) from salt deposits in Nigeria. It also developed a Semi-continuous Process Plant for extraction of essential oils from aromatic plants in rural communities of Nigeria for poverty alleviation.

    Conclusion
    -The Honourable Minister, Chief Uche Nnaji was quoted to have said: “It makes no sense expending money on R&D, if there are no applications in mind. My goal therefore is to push for collaboration between investors/entrepreneurs and the agencies of the Ministry. My target goes beyond the shores of Nigeria as I also work to attract international investors and Foreign Direct Investments, FDI.”

    Sourced by PACESETTER from the Office of S.A, Media & Publicity to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology; Published Sectoral Updates on the Achievements of the FMIST 2023-2024; Official X and Facebook handles of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology.

  • ENUGU 2023: Uche Nnaji, APC standard-bearer, identifies state’s challenges; vows to create 590,000 jobs within 4 years

    ENUGU 2023: Uche Nnaji, APC standard-bearer, identifies state’s challenges; vows to create 590,000 jobs within 4 years

    …to collaborate with the organized private sector

    …set to unveil campaign manifesto

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    The Enugu State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Geoffery Uche Nnaji, has highlighted the three challenges bedevilling the growth of the state’s economy, while noting that the state can only break away from the stranglehold of poverty and unemployment through solid collaborative governance with the organized private sector.

    Nnaji made these revelations, Friday, November 4, 2022, at the ongoing governorship candidates interaction with the business community organized by the Enugu State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, ECCIMA, at the ECCIMA House, Abakaliki road, GRA.

    Reeling out the challenges, the governorship candidate identified the first one as the high rate of poverty of about 58% and an underlying poverty mindset, such as the admittance of Enugu state as a civil service state. The others are the deficient levels of industrialization and entrepreneurship, majorly responsible for the state’s high unemployment conditions totalling approximately 53%, with poor governance accounting for low levels of exploitation of our vast natural potentials, particularly in agriculture and agro-driven economic expansion.

    Nnaji expressed his “determination to change this sad socioeconomic scenario by prioritizing the following: agriculture and agro-based industrialization, entrepreneurship growth and market access, particularly at the rural level, drastic poverty reduction and massive improvements in youth employment opportunities, highly improved water supply conditions, the revamp of the education and health sectors, sustained road infrastructure expansion and maintenance and an enhanced electricity generation”.

    He noted that “if the current government had paid adequate attention to the provision of entrepreneurship-supporting infrastructure, it would have been able to significantly cut down on the high level of poverty and unemployment conditions.

    “For instance, capital expenditure as a share of the state’s total budget consistently, albeit regrettably, shrank from 65.6% in 2014 to 31.5% in 2021, while the current expenditure, which used to be 34.4% in 2014, rose to 69% in 2021, making way for fiscal mismanagement and the heightening of poverty and unemployment”.

    He vowed that his administration would “create a minimum of 590,000 jobs within four years from 16 sectors.”

    Nnaji whose campaign catchphrase is “Enugu shall rise again” noted that the choice of the catchphrase was predicated on the “quality of handshakes with the organized private sector, improved ease of doing business and the sustained stimulation of entrepreneurship and enterprise growth”.