Politics

Ebonyi: Association urges Umahi to recruit youths into civil service

Published

5 years ago

July 23, 2020

…Commends governor for sacking over 1000 aides

The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes in Diaspora (AESID) has asked governor Dave Umahi, to recruit young men and women into the state’s civil service, saying politics is not a vocation.

The association, however commended the governor for recently sack of his over 1000 political aides in the state.

In a statement signed on Thursday by the AESID’s President Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, also expressed satisfaction with the state government’s decision to share the COVID-19 palliatives to Ebonyians after three months.

“We commend the decision of the Governor to sack his Executive, Special and Technical Assistants who he acknowledged have been grossly inefficient in the discharge of their duties since their appointments.

“However, we urge him (the governor) to immediately recruit youths into the state’s civil service as he has not recruited any single soul into the system since his emergence in 2015. Because it is our believe that politics is not a vocation, we rather urge the governor to provide skilled employment opportunities for our teeming youths to teach them how to fish rather than just hand over pieces of fish to them.

“For us, it is very heart-warming that the State government has after months of delays and obstinate procrastinations, finally decided to share the COVID-19 palliatives to Ebonyians.

“We must therefore caution that these items must get to the government’s targeted benefactors which are poorest of the poor in our extremely poor State. It should not be hijacked by some political hawks wearing the toga of ‘Honourable’ in the various communities comprising our dear State.”

The association expressed displeasure over actions and inactions of certain principal officers of the state government for manipulating justice system against poor citizens in the state.

“On the other hand, we are also deeply saddened by the notorious and nefarious activities of some of those manning the hallowed temple of justice in our beloved State. We are reliably informed for instance, that despite AESID’s laudable call for immediate release of an Ebonyian, Engr. Stephen Oken who was recently arrested, detained by security agencies obviously working on the firm instructions of the state government for merely baring his mind on the plights of some displaced Ezza indigenes following the construction of the State’s airport project, he was later ‘dumped’ in prison and literally denied bail.

“A reliable source had stated very ostensibly that an appointee of the governor, had curiously demanded for a ‘book shelf’ for his office use to sign the bail bond of the said accused person before he was released from the Correctional Service Centre in Afikpo where he had been ‘dumped’ and abandoned for weeks on frivolous charges. This organization is miffed by this ugly development in our justice system as we may not know how many poor Ebonyians must have been denied justice due to the actions and inactions of certain principal officers of the state government. We hereby call on the Governor to thoroughly investigate this allegation and bring those culpable to book.”

The association also commended the leadership of the Department of State Security Service for its diligent and disciplinary action which led to the removal of the former director of DSS in Ebonyi following the outcome of investigations on a petition filed against him by a Business mogul and the Executive Director, Economic Strategic Growth and Development Initiative of Africa (ESGADIA) Maazi Obinna Agommuo.

“We wish to call on its men to be more circumspect and thorough by not allowing itself to be used as a pawn in the Chess board of some political actors and shenanigans in the state which we have keenly observed to be the case, particularly in our dear Ebonyi state.

“The falling of the dried leaves should ordinarily serve as a warning to the green ones and we believe the new Director who has since been posted to Ebonyi to replace the former would not tow the path of his predecessor.”

Politics

Anambra Guber: Soludo Clinches APGA Ticket, Picks Ibezim as Running Mate

Published

1 month ago

April 6, 2025

Sunrise

Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has emerged as the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

The APGA primary election was held on Saturday at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, where Soludo stood as the sole contestant.

Announcing the results, the Chief Returning Officer, Uche Nwegbo, declared:

“Out of 3,260 delegates, 3,175 were accredited. A total of 3,172 votes were cast, with four votes declared invalid. Governor Soludo polled 3,168 ‘yes’ votes and no ‘no’ votes.”

“In line with INEC guidelines, I hereby declare Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as the duly elected candidate of APGA for the 2025 governorship election.”

In his acceptance speech, Soludo expressed gratitude and confidence in the party’s support, saying:

“I am humbled by this historic show of solidarity. Anambra is APGA, and APGA is Anambra. We are just getting started—Anambra has not seen anything yet.”

Highlighting his administration’s achievements, the governor noted that his government has been delivering results without borrowing funds and promised even more development in the next term.

Soludo also used the occasion to announce his running mate, re-nominating Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, his current deputy.

“If it’s not broken, why mend it?” Soludo said, reinforcing confidence in their current partnership.

He concluded by thanking supporters, party members, INEC observers, and donors—especially market women and grassroots groups—who continue to back his second-term bid.ren, Ughelli South LGA, Delta State.

Politics

Soludo Appoints Law Mefor as Anambra Commissioner for Information

Published

8 months ago

September 18, 2024

Nats Odaudu

By Elizabeth Okwe

The governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed renowned media consultant and Forensic Psychologist Dr Law Mefor as the state’s commissioner for information.

In a statement on Tuesday by Christian Aburime, the chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, Soludo expressed confidence in Mefor’s ability to foster a robust information environment in the state.

The governor also commended Nwosu for his contributions as commissioner for information during his time and wished him the best in his future endeavours.

“The governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has approved the appointment of Dr. Law Mefor, who has been sworn in as the new commissioner for information in Anambra state,” the statement reads.

“Dr. Mefor replaces Sir Paul Nwosu, who has moved on after over ten years of meritorious service to the Anambra state government.

“Dr. Law Mefor, a distinguished academic and public intellectual, brings a wealth of experience to his new position.

“With an impressive academic portfolio, he holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, alongside degrees in General and Applied Psychology from the University of Jos, Forensic Psychology from Nasarawa State University, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar, and a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.

“Over the years, Dr. Mefor has established himself as an educator and media consultant, lecturing for over a decade at the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.

“He has also made significant contributions as a syndicated columnist, publishing thought-provoking articles in TheCable and various online and mainstream newspapers.

“Wishing him success as he assumes his new role, Governor Soludo expressed confidence in Dr. Mefor’s ability and extensive experience to strengthen the communication machinery of the state and foster a more vibrant information environment for the government’s developmental strides.

“Also, the governor commended Sir Paul Nwosu for his dedication and contributions during his tenure as Commissioner for Information, wishing him the very best in his future endeavours.”

A perfect choice

Meanwhile, the choice of Dr Law Mefor as the state’s commissioner for information by Governor Soludo has been described as a fit-to-type one which will raise the bar in the state’s information management.

According to Public Affairs Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Media Limited, publishers of SunriseNigeria magazine and sunrisengr.com, Dr James Odaudu, Dr Mefor is not only a consumate academician but also a thoroughbred media professional with a wide reach who will definitely deploy his wealth of experience and professional expertise to make a difference.

In a congratulatory message to the new commissioner, Odaudu expressed the hope that he will continue in his well-documented trajectory of devoted service to his people which has been his hallmark even as a private practitioner.

The SunriseNigeria publisher assured the Commissioner of his organisation’s readiness to partner with the Anambra state government to achieve its desired goals in information dissemination and public engagement.

International

Some Top Republicans Secretly Pray for Kamala Harris Massive Win

Published

8 months ago

September 5, 2024

Nats Odaudu

By Dan Ladden-Hall

It seems it’s not just Democrats who are hoping that Donald Trump will be dealt a devastating defeat in November.

Several notable Republican figures also want the former president to lose to Kamala Harris but aren’t saying so publicly, according to Politico. Some GOP lawmakers see the possibility of a new Trump term as bad news for the party, the outlet reports.

Among those concerned are proponents of free market economic policies who are concerned by Trump’s proposed import tariffs, while abortion rights opponents are also skeptical of his inconsistent messaging on that issue, according to Politico.

They’re also reportedly concerned that Trump winning in 2024 could hurt the GOP’s electoral chances in the future.

“There’s a lot of anxiety about what Trump does to Republican ability to win in 2028—and what he also may do to the party in terms of policy long term,” one anonymous conservative leader told Politico. “There is just this concern that like, ‘OK, if the party just goes in that direction, then what kind of party is it going forward? And can conservatives, then, have a home going forward?’”

The outlet also claims concerned Republicans hope Trump’s loss is by a wide margin in order to help stifle any attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of his hypothetical defeat.

In a separate column, Politico’s columnist Jonathan Martin claimed the best outcome for the future of the Republican Party is for Trump to “lose soundly” in November.

“For most Republicans who’ve not converted to the Church of MAGA, this scenario is barely even provocative,” Martin writes. “In fact, asking around with Republicans last week, the most fervent private debate I came across in the party was how best to accelerate Trump’s exit to the 19th Hole.”

In a statement, Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes told the outlet that Trump has “unified the GOP like never before” and “expanded his coalition of support across partisan lines to Democrats and Independents.”

“Our campaign and down-ballot Republicans are poised for a great result in November, despite a few hand-wringing, anonymous sources who are not bold enough to attach their names to this drivel,” Hughes added.

* Reuters