Monday, 15 April 2013

APGA: Umeh is gone forever – Okwu

APGA: Umeh is gone forever – Okwu


Written by CHRIS OCHAYI
Chief Victor UmehChief Victor UmehNational Chairman of All progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, faction, Maxi Okwu, has said the party’s leadership under him remained the authentic until the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, or competent court of law said otherwise.

Okwu, who spoke at the town hall meeting with APGA members in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, weekend, said Chief Victor Umeh was gone, adding that what he was carrying around was just a court order.

Okwu, who also paid a visit to the Eze Igbo 1, Abuja, Dr. Nwosu Ibe as part of an advocacy campaign to take the new APGA leadership to the people, noted, however, that he was not nursing any fear that INEC might nullify the party convention held in Awka where he emerged.

He said:  “ “I am not afraid the INEC will annul the national convention of the party held in Awka, where I emerged victorious as the national chairman.

”No I am not afraid but I am merely stating the obvious. Only a court of law or INEC can change the situation. But as I speak with you, INEC is with us. INEC was with us in Awka to observe the convention.

Who succeeds Obi?


Who succeeds Obi?

Who succeeds Obi?

Political parties are warming up for the next governorship election in Anambra State. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU examines the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirants.
The next governorship elec tion is expected to be a milestone in Anambra State. Governor Peter Obi will bow out in March, next year, following the expiration of his second term in office. Will he hand over to another All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governor? Will any of the opposition parties steal the show and instal his successor?
The political parties are warming up for the epic battle. The contest may hold in November. The governorshipaspirants have started positioning themselves.
Four parties are in contention. There is the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which is fusing into the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Labour Party (LP). There are two other parties-the African Democratic Party (ADC) and the United Peoples Party (UPP).
The PDP, which is the self-styled largest party in Africa, is in disarray in Anambra State. The ruling party,APGA, also has its problems, although the governor has done it proud by performing in office. The fearsome APC is being expected when the merger plans between the ACN, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) are concluded. APGA is basking in the euphoria of the power of incumbency. But ACN has said that this will collapse on poll day.
There are three zones Obi is pushing for power shift to Anambra North Senatorial Zone. He is mobilising party leaders to support the rotational principle.
The governor has pointed out that since the creation of the state in 1991 by the former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida the zone has not produced any civilian governor.
The Central Senatorial Zone produced Obi (2006 till date), Dr. Chris Ngige (2003-2006), Dame Etiaba (November 2006-February 2007).
The South produced Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju (1999-2003), Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife (January 1992-November 1993) and Dr. Andy Uba, who was deposed by the court. Thus, in the last 22 years, the South has produced three governors and the Central has also had a stint.
Anambra North has only been playing the second fiddle. The former deputy governor, Dr. Chidi Nwike, who was recently murdered in Asaba, Delta State capital, hailed from the zone. He was until his demise the National Vice Chairman of the ACN in the Southeast. Chief Chinedu Emeka, who was deputy to Mbadinuju, is also from the zone.
The various groups and associations calling for power shift to the North have been strengthened by the governor’s position.
However, the aspirants from other zones are not deterred by this clamour. Those of them who belong to the ruling party have vowed to resisit the governor’s move to back a contender from the North.
From all indications, the aspirants from the other zones seem to be stronger than those from the North. Therefore, observers contend that the North may end up producing another deputy governor.
Already, the posters of the aspirants have flooded the nooks and crannies of the state. Those who have not come out with posters said that they are consulting with the stakeholders.
The aspirants include ACN strongman, Senator Ngige, who represents Anambra Central, the federal legislator from Anaocha/Njikoka Dunukofia Constituency, Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Senator Andy Uba, Nze Akachukwu Nwankpo, and Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu. Others are Chief Olisa Metuh, Dr. Chike Obidigbo, Dr. Ifeanyi Uba, Mr. John Nwosu, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Oseloka Obaze, Senator Emma Anosike, and Sir Godwin Ezemo.
PDP has more aspirants than other parties. APGA has a sizeable number. But ACN seems to parade the strongest aspirant.
There are some aspirants still floating without any political platform. Some are just in the race to seek relevance. Some of them lack a strong financial base. More aspirants may still join the crowd.
 THE ASPIRANTS
Ngige (ACN)
He is the political bulldozer.
The dimunitive, bearded politician is very popular in the state. Many admire him for his courage and strong will. He is vocal on the podium and he has mobilisation skill. Ngige is running for the third time. He ruled the state between 2003 to 2006, before he was removed by the Appeal Court in Enugu, which ruled that Obi won the 2003 poll.
He has a good leadership style. He also performed creditably as the governor. Ngige constructed many roads that have continued to remind the people that he cared for them. The roads opened up many communities.
Recently, Ngige said that he was not coming back to play but to continue the good work. He explained that his motto now is: “Operation totality for restoration of the abused system”.
However, he will have challengers in the ACN, although there is the pervading feeling that he will get the ticket.
Ngige’s popularity has reflected in the outcome of past polls in Anambra State. His party won six House of Assembly seats, one House of Representatives seat and a senatorial seat. During the senatorial election, he defeated the former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili of APGA.
If he emerges as the ACN candidate, he will be the candidate to beat.
Ekwunife (APGA)
Uche Lilian Ekwunife has endeared herself to the hearts of the people because she is a colourful politician.
Recently, there was the rumours that she is only interested in becoming the deputy governor. But she debunked it, saying that “if anybody is thinking of such a thing, it means the person does not understand what politics is all about. I was there in 2010 and I want to state it here again, that I, Uche Ekwunife will be running for the governorship of this state. Why should I vie for deputy? I am not joking about it.”
Ekwunife is contesting on the platform of APGA. She is from Central Senatorial Zone and the only woman running for the position at present.
She is the House Committee Chairman on Environment. She has given scholarship to over 300 students, not only in Anambra, but also in other states. She has widows and other less privileged persons on her pay roll.
In the state, Ekwunife is described as the woman with the heart of gold. The only thing that disturbs her mind right now is the crisis tearing her party apart.
Already, the aspirant has visited the 21 local government areas for the inauguration of her campaign committees.
Ekwunife, Ngige and Ifeanyi Uba are the only contenders for the governorship position who are serious with their projects at the moment.
Uba (PDP)
Andy Uba, who represents Anambra South Senatorial Zone in the Senate, had tested the carrot in 2007 when he won the seat under (PDP).
But his tenure lasted for only 17days, following the interpretation of tenure by the Supreme Court that returned Obi to power.
In 2010, PDP denied him the ticket and handed it over to the former Central Bank Governor Prof Chukwuma Soludo. Uba moved to the Labour Party, but he failed to make an impact. Many believed that he was in the race to reduce the chances of Soludo.
After the election, Uba returned to the PDP, where he has been consulting with stakeholders on his ambition to return to power . This seems to be yielding dividends. Although he has not formally launched his ambition, political hangers-on have been urging him to contest.
Analysts believe that Uba may make an impact during the election, if given the ticket by his party. However, others are equally going for the same ticket. The only problem he may face is clearing the mess of his enfant terrible younger brother, Chief Chris Uba.
Political observers say he may not likely pursue his project on the platform of PDP because of his alleged romance with LP , if he is denied the PDP ticket, which is likely to happen.
Nwankpo (PDP)
Many believe that he has the backing of the Presidency to grab the PDP ticket. He is the Secretary of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), which has been enmeshed by controversies.
The man, who hails from Okija in Ihiala Local Government Area, has been acquiring chieftaincy titles since 2012. He has also actively participated in alleviating the sufferings of the flood victims.
However, some people have been alleging that he does not have what it takes to rule Anambra State and that he is not a grassroots politician. Alhough he has not corrected such impression already created by delving into the foundation work, analysts still believe that he still has a lot of work to do.
A close look at him could convince one that he is a gentle man, but the question remains whether he could swim in the political water of Anambra State, despite his closeness to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Nwankpo is believed to be in the good books of all the appointees of the President, but can he get the ticket?
Ukachukwu (PDP)
In 2010, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu contested the governorship on the platform of Hope Democratic Party (HDP), but failed to secure the ticket.
Today, he is back to the PDP . He has not formally announced his ambition, but insiders in his camp told The Nation that he is seriously mobilising for the exercise.
A dogged fighter and mobiliser, Ukachukwu is known for contesting every election in the state. He contested and won the House of Representatives seat in Abuja Municipal Council in 1999.
Already, he has taken a full duplex in Awka for his campaign, with his photograph boldly displayed in front of the building along Onitsha-Enugu Express Way.
His major problem now is how to get the PDP ticket, which is also being contested by Nwankpo and Uba. If he eventually emerges, he is likely to face stiff opposition from some party chieftains.
Obaze (APGA)
A career diplomat, Obaze returned to the state on Obi’s request to become the Secretary to the Government.
Described as a gentleman and a hard worker by his admirers, Obaze replaced his younger brother in Obi’s executive council, Dubem, who was referred to as de-facto governor of the state during his time as Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.
The Nation gathered that the ground is being watered for him by APGA to replace Obi, despite the number of interests in the plum job.
The Ogbaru Local Government born-diplomat, returned to the country in 2012, when he assumed his new position. Many APGA faithful believe that the party may be embarking on a suicide mission, if eventually he picks the ticket because he is a political neophyte.
But what is going for him is his humility, sense of direction and organisational acumen.
Ezeemo (ACN)
For now, he is the only person to battle Ngige for the party’s ticket, having been with the party when he was in London. He is a party financier.
Sir Godwin Ezeemo’s gestures to churches, markets, artisans, corporate organisations and has really brought him closer to the masses.
Moreover, his support for Ngige for a period of over seven years has made people to believe that, if given such opportunity, he is likely to surpass what the former governor did.
The amiable young man built a two-storey edifice for the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Anambra State. It is worth over N80 million. Previous and present administrations could not achieve that.
Not only that, in May 2012, the Orient Magazine and Newspaper publisher took another giant stride in collaboration with the Anambra State NUJ by organising a one-week public conference on value re-orientation.
He is a formidable challenger to Ngige.
Ubah (APGA)
Ifeanyi Ubah is the man the Uba Dynasty in Uga, Aguata Local Government Area, refers to as Ubah with “h” in the state. The Chief Executive of Capital Oil and Gas hails from Nnewi. It was believed that his travails recently were the handwork of some people in the state because of his political ambition.
Apart from Ngige and Ekwunife, who are on the lips of ACN and APGA faithful, Ubah is the next person in line that has appealed to the people.
In 2012, he distributed kerosene to many homes at the peak of scarcity which hit the country. He ordered that a litre should be sold at N50 when it was being sold at N150 per litre elsewhere.
Many associations have been formed in the state by the youths and the women in support of Ubah with “h”, while Nollywood actors and actresses have been following him to every nook and cranny to show their support.
Before now, he has supported the National Chairman of APGA, Chief Victor Umeh, who is battling other party leaders for the soul of the party. His subtle endorsement earlier by Umeh was what triggered off the sour relationship between Obi and his chairman.
However, political observers believe that, with Uba and Ekwunife pairing , APGA is likely to give other candidates sleepless nights as being speculated.
Anosike (PDP)
The only thing that has been hampering Emmanuel Anosike from kicking off his campaigns is the crisis that has bedeviled his party in the past eight years.
The senator, who represented Anambra North, but was replaced by Senator Joy Emodi following a Court of Appeal verdict, has been holding meetings in his country home, Umueri, Anambra East Local Government Area.
Anosike had equally represented his Anambra East and West in the House of Representatives between 1991 and 1993 where he excelled.
Since then, he has not looked back in Anambra politics and is regarded as a political buldozer by his admirers and supporters.
He seems to be the only person in the PDP that has officially announced his interest and readiness to represent the party during the election. Furthermore, it is believed that “Opete Umueri” has the ears of the powers that be in the party. He is close to the Presidency, which was the reason for his being made the Southeast Co-ordinator of Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation during the 2011 presidential election.
Apart from these gladiators, there are other candidates in other smaller parties. They include Dr. Chike Obidigbo, who hails from Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area. He is the Southeast Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN). He has been going round to canvass for support and relies heavily on the promise of Governor Obi that the North should produce the next governor.
There is also Dr. Alex Obigbolu from Onitsha, who was the chairman of the Anambra State Local Government Civil Service Commission. He contested the governorship in 2010 on the platform of African Political System (APS). Later, he defected to the PDP. He sees himself as the most qualified among the candidates. Though his backers are not known, but from all indications, he has a large following at the grassroots. The only thing that can hinder his chance is the lack of strong financial base.
An orator and a gentleman, Obiogbolu’s intelligence is another strong point. Recently, a PDP chieftain told The Nation that the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, is also interested in the plum job. He however, said Metuh is studying the crisis in the party, which has failed to abate.
Other aspirants are John Nwosu and Patrick Obianwu. The list may swell as time goes on. The Nation learnt in Awka that Obi’s deputy, Emeka Sibedu, may throw his hat into the ring.
A source said that the pendulum may swing to his favour, despite the clamour for a candidate from the North.
However, his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Madu, told The Nation that those behind such speculations are on their own, adding that his boss has never has no ambition.
“My boss is only interested in giving his full support to his oga, his Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, in making sure that Anambra State becomes better than they met it”, he said.
The whistle has been blown. The race is on. Whoever emerges as flag bearer of his party would work harder to replace Obi n 2014.

Kogi, Anambra crisis: Group urges FG to avert ethnic war

Kogi, Anambra crisis: Group urges FG to avert ethnic war

A group under the auspices of Networks of Igala Association has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to wade into the lingering boundary dispute between Ibaji community in Kogi State and Aguleri Otu in Anambra State to avoid what it called an unnecessary ethnic war.
President of the group, Dr Goodman Akwu, made the appeal at the weekend while speaking to journalists at Idah. Akwu  said the two communities have been living peacefully for centuries.
“We have been living together and even inter-marry, but since oil was discovered in the land, peace has departed the area. Anambra people want to claim that area because of oil”, he said.
He urged the Federal Government to stop foot dragging over the issue, adding that since the Orient Oil has the right of exploration of the said oil well, the people of Ibaji in Kogi State have the right to enjoy the benefit of their land.  
“It will be a shame on the people of the Northern region if the people or the land that produced the oil for Orient Oils is refused to enjoy the benefit of it. The  Arewa Consultative Forum, (ACF) Northern Governors’ Forum and allied agencies have been informed of the injustice being metted to the people of Kogi State over the denial of this benefit,” he said.

Okwu’s must tender apology on insult on Ojukwu –APGA chieftain

Okwu’s must tender apology on insult on Ojukwu –APGA chieftain

Okwu’s insult on Ojukwu ’ll hunt him –APGA chieftain
From PETRUS OBI, Enugu
Igbo elder statesman and former deputy national chairman, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Onwuka Ukwa has warned those linked with the reported insult on the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to tender immediate apology or have themselves to blame.
Factional Chairman of APGA, Chief Maxi Okwu had in his post-election speech at the party’s convention in Awka, last Monday, described Ojukwu as an extremist, saying his (Okwu’s) leadership of the party would adopt non-extremists philosophy of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe. Okwu said: “Political reality in Nigeria does not favour extremism.”
Speaking to newsmen in Enugu at the weekend, Ukwa recalled that Okwu’s abuse of Ojukwu was quite similar to the insult by Dr. Chuba Okadigbo on the legendry Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe (Zik), whose remarks, he (Okadigbo) dismissed as “the ranting of the ants.”
He said Okadigbo was then a member of the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), and also a notable political aide to former president Shehu Shagari in the Second Republic.
He said the same way Okadigbo’s insult on Zik hunted him (Okadigbo) throughout his political career, apparently was the way Okwu’s abuse of Ojukwu would hunt him except he retracted the statement. According to Ukwa, “it was even more unfortunate that Okwu insulted Ojukwu in the presence of Governor Obi,” who he said, sat there watching and never called him to order.
Ukwa insisted that Okwu and his cohorts needed “to quickly retract the statement. “It’s a serious concern to both the party and Ndigbo that Maxi Okwu of yesterday will describe our hero, Dim Emeka Ojukwu as an extrimist; I don’t see Ojukwu’s struggle for the cause of his own people as that of an extremist.
It’s so unfortunate he made such disrespectful and insulting statement on a man who was given a hero’s burial a year ago.”

Njiko Igbo: The True Story

Njiko Igbo: The True Story
 [ Masterweb Reports: Yahaya Ezeemoo G.K. Ndu reports ] – It has come to my notice that a group led by Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu [ a former Governor of Abia State] is parading itself as Njiko Igbo and the group’s objective was the actualization of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, come 2015.

I beg to use this medium to explain the origin, mission , vision and operations of the NJIKO IGBO cultural Organization which I founded and has been effectively operating with since 1983 . I also wish to use this medium to appeal to well meaning Igbos to prevail on Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu to please leave Njiko Igbo alone and rather look for another name to further his political aspirations in the interest of peace.

I have absolutely nothing against the emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2015,afterall, I myself contested for the presidency of Nigeria in 2003 and again in 2011. Incidentally, on both occasions I did not bring the Njiko Igbo into the partisan struggle as my idea in establishing the organization was not to use it to oil any partisan political machinery but for some deeper course.

PREAMBLE

I was born in Jos the Plateau state capital in 1957 and was therefore 10 years of age when the genocide against Igbos termed civil war started and witnessed first hand the most inhuman pogrom in the history of black Africa,  if not of the whole world and of all times.

When the war was said to have  ended in 1970, I continued to witness the continued atrocities meted out against the Igbos. In 1976, I gained admission to read law at the University of Ife [now Obafemi Awolowo University] and had become passionate about researching into the life and times of the Igbo race from time immemorial to the present day and with an unquenching desire to hazard their future.

I read about King Jaja of Opobo[1821-1891] and of other prominent ibos such as Olaudah Equino  and was surprised that there were no organized establishment in Nigeria dedicated to the study of Igbos , their culture, history and civilization.

Incidentally, the motto of the University of Ife is For Learning and Culture. NJIKO is an Igbo word and Njiko Igbo is an Igbo phrase meaning the unification/unity /union/fraternity of the Igbos and as such could be said to be existing as a phrase ever before the birth of either my humble self or Orji Uzor Kalu, but the circumstances surrounding the Njiko Igbo cultural organization as well as its relationship to Orji Uzor Kalu is such that I am of the considered opinion that every and all fair minded human beings, whether Igbos or not whom are privileged to know the facts will to say the least appeal to Orji Uzor Kalu to leave Njiko Igbo alone and look for another name for his group and aspirations.

The NJIKO IGBO Cultural Organization was founded by me in 1983 at Enugu at No.61 Owerri Road, Asata, Enugu and was formerly inaugurated at the Prince Palace Hotel, Enugu on Thursday  20th April 1989 in an public function which was witnessed by many prominent and regular Igbos from all walks of life. One very prominent Ibo who was also there was Chief[Dr]B.U.Nzeribe,the Ekwueme of Orlu.and the proprietor of Palm Beach Insurance and Palm Beach Tourist Village , Awoommama, in Oru East local government of Imo State.

At the said inauguration event, Dr. B.U.Nzeribe openly there and then expressed his gratitude for the initiative and invited me to  Awomamma [his home town]  to discuss further on the organization, its objectives and plans and on how to make it a real beacon for Ndiigbo.

I accepted his invitation and traveled to Awomamma where details were accordingly discussed. It was decided that other prominent Igbos especially those who were passionate about the projection of Igbo culture, traditions and civilization should be involved. Two of such people were Eze Ahurukwe Madukwem Unaka,the traditional ruler of Abba, and his West Indian wife,lolo Unaka.

I therefore travelled to Abba, and with a letter of introduction from Dr.B.U.Nzeribe dated that day-25th ,April,1989.I met with and held discussions with the said Eze Ahurukwe Unaka and Lolo Unaka at the Eze’s palace in Abba,Imo state. In the course of which both the Eze and his wife were intimated  on the next meeting scheduled to hold at Awommamma on the 1st of May, 1989.

On the 1st of May, I set off from Enugu early in the morning in the company of Mr. Simeon Onuora and Mr. John Ezerim, the later was driving us in his Peugeot 504 saloon car, The three of us drove straight to Abba and picked up Lolo Unaka since the Eze was unavoidably engaged elsewhere.

On getting to Awommamma, the scheduled meeting was held at Harambe lodge at Palm Beach Tourist Village, on the ground floor. It was later moved upstairs, after lunch. At the meeting, Chief [Dr] B.U.Nzeribe announced to all that he has donated the major hall in his Palm Beach Resort to the Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization [ the hall was hitherto called and known as Odinkenma Hall] and that he would wish the hall to be known as and used as Igbo cultural Research Centre. This was initially agreed upon until a better name was suggested. His name later suggested was Institute of Igbo Culture and Civilization.

All were informed at the meeting of another meeting convened by Mr. F.C.Ogbalu of Igbo intellectuals and scheduled to hold at the University of Nigeria ,Nsukka and it was further greed that moves be made to move the Ogbalu meeting to the Palm Beach Tourist Village, Awommamma so as to further water the grounds for the Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization to more effectively serve Ndiigbo.

I was mandated to represent both Dr.B.U.Nzeribe and Eze Anurukwe Madukwem Unaka at the F.C.Ogbalu’s meeting and was driven to the meeting by the personal driver to Chief Nzeribe[by name Celestine].The F.C.Ogbalu meeting received my message very happily.

CENTER FOR IGBO STUDIES[CIS] AT THE ABIA STATE UNIVERSITY [ABSU]

I was invited by Prof.Godfey N. Uzoigwe[the pioneer Director of the Center for Igbo Studies at the Abia state University and the then President of the Historical Society of Nigeria] to the opening ceremony of the First Annual Conference of the centre on the theme: The Igbo and the tradition of Politics, that held on the 11th July,1991 at the University auditorium. I participated actively at the event and was later made an Associate fellow of the centre.

After attending the event, I persuaded other members of the Njiko Igbo Cultural organization that rather than dissipating and duplicating efforts in trying to establish another Center for Igbo Studies and civilization, that since there was already an existing   Center for Igbo studies at the Abia state University, that if our intentions were truly to serve the Igbo race, that it would be better for us to channel our energies towards ensuring that the center at ABSU was better equipped and funded to discharge its functions effectively. My appeal was heeded and I thereafter initiated communications with the authorities of the university for this purpose.

After scores of meetings and travels from Enugu to Uturu/Okigwe, eventually on August 17th 1994 an agreement was signed between myself and the Abia state University for the organizing of an endowment fund for the Centre for Igbo Studies of the university.

Throughout  this period, the Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization was receiving maximum publicity in the news media, especially in Abia state. The TSM [the Sunday Magazine] of December 4,1994 for instance had a lot to say on both the Njiko Igbo Organization and on the endowment fund project of the centre for Igbo Studies . Its story was entitled: In Search of Igbo Ancestry. So also had the National Ambassador newspaper of Thursday 18-Sat 24 December,1994, on an article entitled: Clues to a Cultural Future-How Njiko Igbo is setting the pace.

The Military Administrator of Abia State, Navy Captain Temi Ejoor, on Tuesday 10th January, 1995, inaugurated an eleven [11] member Endowment Fund Planning Committee for the said Centre for Igbo Studies of the Abia State University. The occasion took place at the Executive Chamber, Government House, Umuahia.  On that occasion, the Military Administrator announced a Take Off grant of N100,000.00[ One hundred thousand naira] to the Endowment Fund Planning Committee.

The Planning Committee member were as follows:

[a]PRESENT.

1. Alhaji Yahaya E.G.K.Ndu-Representing Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization and the African Films Limited-Chairman.
2. Senator Ben Collins Ndu-member.
3. Prof.M.A.Mkpa,Deputy Vice Chancellor-Representing Abia State University[he later rose to become the Vice Chancellor of the University and is currently the Secretary to the Abia State Government]-member.
4. Mr. O.E.Onuoha[ Registrars nominee]-member.
5. Barrister C.P.Madumere-member/Secretary.
6. Mr.Dele Olowu [nominee of the Military Administrator and Representative of the Abia state Government].-member
7. Rev. P.J.O.Okorie[nominee of the Ministry of Education and Youth Development]-member.
8. Mr.Okpi[nominee of the Ministry of Information]-member.

[b] ABSENT
9. Dr.U.D.Anyawu-Representative of ABSU-member.
10. Mr.M.O.Oleka,Representative of ABSU.member.

[c] IN ATTENDANCE WERE-
11. Chief Imo Iboko, Commissioner for Education, Abia state, and
12. Mrs B.Aja Wachukwu, Commissioner for Information, Abia State.

This event was widely reported in numerous National Nigerian Newspapers, Radio and Television. For instance, the National Ambassador newspaper carried it on its front page on its edition of Sunday 15-Wednesday 18, January, 1995.

The OHANEZE Ndiigbo invited me to explain the project to the group, which I did and the group expressed its satisfaction.

The Planning Committee held several meetings and prominent Igbo sons and daughters were appointed into the Board of Trustees of the centre for Igbo Studies Endowment fund project, amongst which were:

1. His Excellency, Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu-Chairman.
2. His Grace, Most Rev. Dr. R.O.Uwadi-Vice Chairman.
3. Chief Dr. H.I.Uzoewulu-Secretary.
4. Prof. M.A.Mkpa-Financial Secretary.
5. Prof. S.O.Igwe-Vice Chancellor-Patron.
6. H.R.H. Eze Ogbonnaya Okoro[Eze Aro]
7. Colonel C.Ike Nwosu-member.
8. Prof. J.C.Irukwu-member.

9. Eze Ogo Dr. Anagha Ezikpe-member.
10. Pro.S.O.Emejuaiwe-member.
11. Prof.A.I.Nwabughuogu-member
12. Comrade[now Senator]Uche Chukwumerije-member.
13. Prof. J.K.Onoh-member
14. Prof. A.E.Afigbo-member.
15. Mr.C.N.Iroanya-member.
16. Chief Kalu Okpi-member.
17. M.O.Oleka-member.
18. Mr.B.U.Mbilitam[Representative of Senator Francis F.J.Ellah]-member.
19. Alhaji Yahaya Ndu-member.
20. Raph O.Aja-member.
21. Mr O.I.kanu-Assistane Secretary.

The Board of Trustees was inaugurated by the then Honourable Minster for Information and Culture, Chief Dr. Walter Ofonagoro on Thurday the 5th of June, 1997 at Hotel Presidential ,Enugu. Even the hall where the event took place was paid for by the Njiko Igbo cultural organisation, and I still have the receipt.

DR. ORJI UZOR KALU

To sensitize and mobilize Igbos both prominent and commoners like myself, both at home and in the Diaspora, I traversed the length and breadth of Igboland and Nigeria. I visited hundreds of homes and offices, wrote thousands of letters, wrote to all Igbo Organizations that I could identify allover the world, all in the name of Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization, and later in the name of the Planning Committee for the Endowment of the Centre for Igbo Studies at the Abia State University.

I visited Dr. Sam Mbakwe at Obowo, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu, Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu,Chief Saab Ejimofor,I visited the Hill Top Club Aba,Chekwas Okorie, Wrote to the Internet wizard Philip Emeagwali,Visted Chief Osita Aguna in Enugu Ukwu, visited Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, visited Chief Arthur Nzeribe at his home in Oguta, visited the Eze Nri severally at Agukwu Nri, visited Prof. Edozien [the Asagba of Asaba] at his palace in Asaba, visited Justice Azinge,I travelled to Jos to visit Chief Rochas  Okorocha, Eddy Onuoha. I wrote severally to Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu and visited his offices . at a point, I was directed to another of his offices in Aba to meet Barr. Chuka Odum who later became minister of state for FCT. I wrote to the world Igbo Congress and to the World Igbo Council. I visited the Eze Okpoko of Oba,Travelled to Lagos to visit Chief Ben Obi, and Alhaji Abdulazeez Udeh. I travelled to Nsukka where I met Dr. Mrs. Uche Azikiwe.I wrote to Dr. Alex Ekwueme and to Chief Emeka Anyaoko who was then at the Commonwealth and still have their replies.

In fact, I recall vividly that when Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu won election to become the Governor of new Abia State, before he was sworn into office, he was guest at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria[FRCN]’s audience participation phone in program-Radio Link. I was the first  caller and called from Enugu, where I had congratulated him on his election victory , after introducing myself and the Njiko Igbo cultural organization, I had sought to know his plans for assisting the actualization of the Center for Igbo Studies at the Abia State University, especially as he was someone believed to be passionate about Igbo affairs. His answer which I found surprising and to say the truth disappointing if a little preposterous in the circumstances was  that he was not so concerned with issues of Igbo language, but that however in the tail end of his second tenure, he would look into it.

During both his first tenure and his second tenures as the Executive Governor of Abia State, he ignored all letters that I wrote to him to assist the project. After his terms in Abia state, I still went to him at an appointment arranged by Dr. Iboko Iboko at his residence/office in Wuse 2, Abuja. I solicited his assistance to assist the Njiko Igbo Cultural Organization to organize a meeting of all Chairmen and Secretaries of Igbo Town Unions, but he was not interested.

I was therefore shocked to discover that he has recently started using the name Njiko Igbo and publishing about it mostly in the Sun Newspaper. I have tried all I can to get him to drop the name and to look for another name for his 2015 presidential election project to no avail.

Shortly before Easter this year I complained to Chief Nkire, the National Chairman of the Progressive Peoples Party[PPA{ a party founded by Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu. Nkire told me that Dr. Kalu was abroad but that he was expected back before the Easter celebrations and that he would arrange a meeting with us ti iron things out. After the Easter holidays , I called Nkire to remind him, but he now said that he had expected me to call while Dr. Kalu was around and that Dr. Kalu had travelled abroad again.

I sent a Lawyer to the Corporate Affairs Commission [CAC] to seek for the availability of name but was informed that another person [whom I suspect to be Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu’s agent] had reserved the name. I find this most unfortunate and I dare say that it is not only in bad faith on the part of the former governor but also an abuse of office. He clearly is making unlawful, immoral and unpatriotic use of information available to him while he was in office to say the least. It is an act most unbecoming for one who proclaims that he is interested in Igbo unity to seek to hijack the initiative that was planted and germinated in Enugu but sought to endow the center for Igbo studies in his own state-Abia.

I recall that at one time when a prominent chief from Enugu state was the President general of Ohaneze Ndiigbo, I had been invited for tongue lashing for seeking establish in real terms the center in Abia. It was wondered why I did not deem it fit for such an establishment to be sited in my own Enugu state. My reply then was that it was unfortunate that we the Igbos were crying against marginalization by the Nigerian state while at the same time discriminating among ourselves.

The Centre for Igbo studies at the Abia state University at that time was the only such centre in Nigeria. It was established in 1988 as a community of scholars devoted to the study, documentation, promotion and preservation of all aspects of Igbo life and culture from the earliest times to the present. The activities of the center were intended not only to make a contribution to the world of learning, but more importantly to ensure the continuity of all positive aspects of the cultural attainments of the Igbos as a necessary couplement to Igbo survival in Nigeria and Africa in particular and the world at large.

The centre had evolved a comprehensive and admirably integrated multi-disciplinary strategy for the  achievement of its objectives. For this purpose, the work of the center was carried out through five units, each headed by a competent scholar. The units which were envisaged to have the status of schools were: research, publications, lectures, and seminars, documentation and performing arts.

The scholarly endeavors of these units in varying degrees focus on the history, philosophy, science, medicine, architecture, technology, anthropology, religion, politics, law, economy, etc. of the Igbo through micro and macro studies.

In its short term of existence up till that time, and in spite of constraints, particularly, those of space and finance, the centre had pursued the attainment of its goals with remarkable vigor and results. Consequently, it had already attracted attention from scholarly and other angles as a centre with promise for excellence, not only for Igbo studies but also for Africa/black studies.

The objectives of the endowment fund that the Njiko Igbo cultural organization planned for the centre were:

1. To house the centre in an adequate accommodation. The centre had been operating from a few rooms within the Humanities block of the Abia state university. The Endowment Fund was to be partly used to erect a befitting complex for the centre. This complex will necessarily provide for Auditoriums, libraries, museums, amphitheatre, offices, research rooms, photo units and so on.
2. To seek and unravel the roots and genealogy as well as civilization of the Igbos.
3. To document for posterity the cultures, arts, histories, traditions, and civilizations of Igbos.
4. To investigate, document  and project the life and times of positively exemplary Igbos and to finance documentary and feature films based on their lives and times and to also establish monuments in their memorials.

The Abia State University on account of this Endowment project initiated by the Njiko Igbo later sponsored Prof. M.A.Mkpa [who was then the Deputy Vice Chancellor-Admin] to the Conference of the World Igbo Congress that held at New Yorker Hotel, New York, And to the Igbo Communities in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, U.S.A. from August 29th to September 14th, 1997.

Like any other people the Igbos have their cultural traits, most prominent and outstanding of which is their love of democracy. According to Elizabeth Isichei [1976:21]:One of the things that struck the first western visitors to Igboland , was the extent to which democracy was truly practiced. For instance, reporting their visits to Igboland, Johnson [1982:547], said that he felt he was in a free land, among a free people. Poirier [1908:18] observed that true liberty existed in Igboland, though its name was not inscribed on any monument. Forde and Jones [1950:24] characterized Igbo political traditions as Ultra democratic. And Coleman [1958:336] put it as Concilar and democratic. Isichei [1976] rightly noted that: Igbo political institutions were designed to combine popular participation with weighting for experience and ability .Professor Kenneth Dike [1956:37] describes the Igbo political tradition as :Excess democracy.

Paradoxically, of all Nigerian people, the Igbo have probably changed the least while changing the most. While many of the formal elements of the social, religious, economic and political structure such as lineages, family groups, age grades and secret societies have been modified through culture contact, alternative choices and goals, achievement and competition, and lack of strong autocratic authority have survived and one part of the newly developed culture-Simon Ottenberg.

In view of the foregoing, it is surprising that those who wish to lead the Igbo race strive stupidly, I dare say to portray them selves as superhuman. Their wish is to dictate to the rest of us. They use their wealth and political positions either past or present to seek to bamboozle others into accepting them as gods. But in truth, even if you make them presidents for a thousands years, they can in no way improve the lot of Igbo for the simple reason that they do not understand the Igbo, that is the essence of being Igbo.

The powers that be in Nigeria today are holding the Igbo captive. The 1999 constitution which the nation today operates is skewed terribly against the Igbo and most of the rest of Nigeria wish to keep it that way. In keeping it essentially intact, they use Igbo sons and daughters .

Only a sovereign national conference can fundamentally restructure the nation in such a way that the Igbo can once again be a free people in a free land But what do you find? The Senate whose President is a non Igbo delegates the headship of the so called Constitutional review to an Igbo from Enugu state., by name Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who tells us that all we need is to review the constitution that we know to be a lie. At the federal House of Representatives, what do you have?. The Speaker who also is an Igbo also delegates the headship of the constitutional review process to another Igbo from Imo state by name Ikedioha , who also tells us that we do not need a national conference and that all that is necessary is to review the constitution. This wicked fallacy they maintain even while hundreds of their fellow brothers and sisters are daily murdered by religious fundamentalists in the trap called Nigeria.

The Njiko Igbo cultural organization seeks to amongst other things sensitize and mobilize Igbo at home and in the Diaspora to insist on nothing less than a Sovereign National Conference where the Nigerian state shall be renegotiated. A free and restructured Nigeria is a million times more important than having a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.In other words: it is better to serve in haven than to rule in hell.

On the night of Monday 12th, July 1999, I held a brief discussion with Senator Arthur Nzeribe at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, where on behalf of the Njiko Igbo I had pleaded with him to introduce two[2] bills in the National Assembly ,viz,[i]Bill extending the Obasanjo Government’s Probe to Independence period-1960, and [ii],bill on Reparation for Igbos for genocide and economic emasculation. The distinguished Senator requested that the Njiko Igbo suggestion be put in writing,   did so in a letter dated Wednesday 14th July, 1999.

It will be recalled that the Obasanjo Administration in 1999 said it wanted to probe human rights abuses in the country, when the local and international outcry against human rights abuses in the country made such a probe imperative. The  move was also in consonance with the trend all over the world that has severally been extended to such a level as to establish War Crimes Tribunals. The bill that the Njiko Igbo pleaded with Senator Arthur Nzeribe to put forward was one that as said before sought to extend the Obasanjo administration’s probe of human rights abuse in Nigeria to October 1st, 1960 when Nigeria gained independence.

The second section of the Njiko Igbo letter of 14th July 1999 states in quote:

BILL OF REPARATIONS FOR IGBOS AND EASTERN NIGERIANS FOR ECONOMIC EMASCULATION.

General Yakubu Gowon the former Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who led Nigeria through the civil war[1967-1970]and uptill the overthrow of his government by General Murtala Mohammed recently went to Igboland and APOLOGISED  for the injustice done to Igbos during and following the persecution of this war.

It is a fact of history and on record that when that war ended which General Yakubu Gowon declared- NO VICTOR NO VANGUISHED, Igbos were paid a pittance of Twenty Pounds each in place of no matter how much they had in Nigerian banks before the outbreak of hostilities.

It is equally on record that that was immediately followed up with an Indigenisation Decree which ensured that other privileged Nigerians bought-up common vibrant Nigerian lucrative and money-spinning enterprises while their Igbo counterparts who had hitherto been economically emasculated and hamstrung watched helplessly.

It is also on record that landed properties of these same set of Nigerians [Igbos] were confiscated and still confiscated as of this 1999, and labeled abandoned in their own fatherland-country-Nigeria.

Almost everyone have lost count of how many times properties of Igbos have been wantonly destroyed and looted in almost every upheaval or riot or demonstration or celebration whether political or religious in numerous parts of the country, their only country Nigeria.

If indeed these Igbos qualify as Nigerians. If indeed they can be referred to as citizens and  NOT prisoners of war. If indeed that Civil War of 1967-1970 has indeed ended; If indeed no Nigerians are more Nigerians than others- then the aforelisted articles of economic emasculation of these set of Nigerians by other Nigerians have to be revisited.

In my own humble opinion as a patriotic and law abiding Nigerian who wishes Nigeria well and who is determined that Nigeria rises to take her rightful place in the comity of nations as an equitable, just, democratic and development conscious state, then it is imperative that the National Assembly pass a bill for the establishment of a Committee to probe, investigate and quantify the financial value of these economic dis empowerments of Igbos and the Federal Government of Nigeria should proceed without any delays to pay the necessary reparations to the Igbos.

Glory be to Almighty Allah in the high heavens who is witness to all that have ever happened in the universe, in the world and in Nigeria and who knows all that will happen in the future. Who knows as we do that it was at the hands of General Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo that the Biafran resistance collapsed. Who has made it possible for this same General to be the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today. Indeed, General Olusegun Obasanjo is a competent witness by all standards to all that is alluded to have happened and is the competent President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today to order and supervise the Reparation for Igbos for the well known Economic Emasculation.

The orginal NJIKO IGBO cannot be said to have been dormant for too long, warranting someone else like the former abia state Governor to seek to take it over as the Sunday Independent newspaper of March 28,2010 ran a full page advertisement by the Njiko Igbo on its page 5, so also did the Sunday Champion of the same date, on its page 9. Both advertisements were entitled: The Sins of Prof. Maurice Iwu:The Facts and Fictions.

I  recall that when Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan became the President of Nigeria, I had written him a letter on behalf of the African Renaissance Party[ARP], stating that the party would support him on the condition that he commits himself to a National Conference and to bringing about a mass participatory system of democracy.This is because the party which I also founded is committed to the same set of principles a the NJIKO IGBO.

Yahaya Ezeemoo G.K. Ndu
President
Njiko Igbo cultural organization

Sunday, 14 April 2013

ANAMBRA STATE CAMPAIGNS FOR 2013 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE


Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi
As the campaigns for 2013 governorship election begin to take shape, EMMANUEL OBE, captures the mood among contending political parties and candidates jostling to replace Governor Peter Obi
Things are beginning to look up in the political firmament of Anambra State as political parties and candidates get set to present themselves for the governorship election tentatively slated for either November or December.
Events in the state in the past week have indicated that it is not going to be an easy ride for any of the parties or candidates. Before now, the arena was calm and quiet.
The three leading political parties in the state — All Progressives Grand Alliance, Action Congress of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party — also witnessed developments that have left pundits guessing.
Positive signals seem to be coming more from the Peoples Democratic Party, which literarily went into coma due to a vicious factional wrangling which gripped it after it lost the governorship seat to APGA 10 years ago.
In a well-attended rally at Emmaus House, Awka, the major factions of the PDP came together under the chairmanship of Mr. Kenneth Emeakayi, and constituted a harmonisation committee, made up of representatives of the major factions, as directed by the National Working Committee of the party.
The party has since gone to the wards to conduct a fresh registration of its members. Given the huge following the party enjoys in the state as well as the clout of its leaders, PDP could spring a surprise if the current momentum is maintained.
The big names have started stepping out. Nicholas Ukachukwu, a veteran of the governorship race since 2003, and a candidate with a deep pocket, has opened a high-profile campaign office along the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway. Senator Andy Uba, who, in the guise of constituency visits, has been subtly campaigning, is also among the contenders. President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Chief Akachukwu Nwankpu, who oversees the SURE-P scheme, has also been campaigning for the governorship seat. Dr. Obinna Uzoh, who has inaugurated a charity foundation, is among the party’s aspirants. The list that also has Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, Senator Emma Anosike and a lot of others is growing with each passing day.
Something fresh is also coming out of the Action Congress of Nigeria which is neck deep in a proposed merger with some opposition parties. The prime mover of the party in Anambra State, Senator Chris Ngige, who had during the Christmas season, given an indication that he would use the Easter break to make pronouncements about his political plans went taciturn during the season.
Instead of the news about Ngige’s declaration for the governorship, the posters and billboards coming out in the name of ACN are those of Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, the publisher and Philanthropist, who recently built and handed a brand new NUJ Press Centre to the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
In the past, Ngige had served as the party’s sole governorship candidate.
If Ezeemo is stepping out, chances are that he has the backing of Ngige, who might have decided to hold on to his seat in the Senate, and not bother about the money guzzling race for Government House.
However, the main focus is on the All Progressives Grand Alliance, which before now appeared to be well favoured to carry the day in any election before it was thrown off balance by a self-inflicted crisis that is widening its divisions.
With the crisis that exist in the PDP and the total control of the ACN by Ngige, the next party that could provide candidates with a solid platform is APGA. The case for APGA is strong because the incumbent, Peter Obi, having served his two terms in office, is no longer eligible to contest and would therefore pose little problem to candidates seeking a fresh mandate.
The popular choice of APGA could be seen from the manner many aspirants have been jostling to catch the attention of the governor, who however made it clear that his choice of a successor would come from the less privileged senatorial zone, Anambra North, that has not produced a governor since the state was created in 1991.
The nestling around Obi was largely informed by the fact that he had yet to name a successor, thereby leaving the contest open. Many political observers in the state believe that Obi’s quarrel with Umeh was due to Umeh’s frolicking with multi-billionaire petroleum products marketer, Ifeanyi Ubah, who though hails from Anambra South, has insisted on running for the governorship against Obi’s declared position.
The quarrel between Obi and Umeh, who had all along forged a united front, has taken a huge toll on the party, which, only a few months ago, appeared to be the strongest party in the state. The refusal of any of the parties to back down has not helped matters.
Parading the powers and money that go with his office, Obi had borne the burden of ensuring that Umeh was kicked out of APGA, at a time when his brother governor from Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, had boxed himself into a critical situation by declaring for the yet to be registered All Progressives Congress, without as much as carrying his party men along.
The removal of Umeh by an Enugu High Court however provided the needed fillip for Obi and his faction of the APGA, who proceeded to take over the national leadership of the party.
They were already feeling home and dry when the Court of Appeal, Enugu, came out like a bolt from the blue, declaring that Umeh should continue to hold onto his office until his appeal is tried and dismissed. That appeal court ruling technically put paid to all the efforts that culminated in the election of a NWC of APGA led by Chief Maxi Okwu, and placed Obi’s faction in jeopardy.
From the look of things, both factions of APGA might just spend the rest of the party’s election year slugging it out in court to the detriment of their chances at the poll.
With virtually every other APGA national officer having crossed over to the Obi faction, leaving behind Umeh and his national secretary, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, on the other side, it appears that APGA’s political travail just begins in Anambra State.
 But Umeh can fall back on the support of the Anambra State Executive Committee led by Chief Mike Kwentoh, who was purportedly removed from office by the Obi faction two days before the national convention that produced Okwu as national chairman. Another loyalist of Umeh is Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, the leader of the APGA caucus in the House of Representatives.
Ekwunife parted ways with Obi when her governorship ambition clashed with Obi’s insistence that APGA would entertain only aspirants from Anambra North Senatorial Zone. Ekwunife, who like Obi, comes from Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, says inasmuch as she is not opposed to  zoning as a formula for picking candidates for the party, the issue has not been previously discussed. Even at that, she says if zoning is going to be adopted; it should start alphabetically, with Anambra Central, her senatorial zone,  taking the first slot.
The crisis seems to have touched raw nerves in the South East where the Igbo-speaking people, irrespective of party affiliation, consider the party as their own, which they can always fall back on when they cannot find accommodation in other national parties.
But Dr. Okey Umeano, the Anambra State Chairman and governorship aspirant of the United Peoples Party, says there is no need to cry over the crisis in APGA as UPP has come to give the people of the South East a voice. UPP was founded by Chief Chekwas Okorie, the founding chairman of APGA. Umeano, a former member of the House of Representatives, was the founding chairman of APGA in Anambra State.
It would seem that the smaller parties would as usual be waiting in the wings to profit from the fallouts of the rough games that will play out in the big parties. The  PPN, ADC, Labour Party and ANPP have also been renovating their secretariats preparatory to the elections.
 In the meantime, the Obi camp appears yet undecided on who to back for the governorship. Several of his aides are jostling for the position including the current Secretary  to the State Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze; his brother, Dubem, who is the immediate past Commissioner for Local Government; and the immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Chief Paul Odenigbo. Callistus Ilozumba, who has served as the Commissioner for Works in the last seven years, has been going round churches requesting the people to pray for a governor that will build on the records of Governor Obi.

Ubah agrees to fund Flying Eagles’ World Cup preparation

Ubah agrees to fund Flying Eagles’ World Cup preparation

NIGERIA Football Federation’s (NFF) ambassador for youth football, Ifeanyi Ubah, has taken over the responsibility of camping the national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, in its preparation for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.

The NFF has also approved the U-20 Coach, John Obuh’s programme, but moved the team’s camping from April 15 to 2, while it continues to search for states that will come to its aid.

The NFF had earlier written to Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, appealing that the state government come to its aid and take over the preparation of the team. But while the federation was yet to get the Anambra State government’s response, it got a reprieve from Ubah, who was recently appointed the federations’ ambassador for youth football.

Speaking while accepting his appointment by the NFF at the weekend in Abuja, Ubah, who is the chairman of Capital Oil, disclosed that he has concluded arrangement to move the team to the Beverly Hills’ Hotels in Nnewi, Anambra State, stressing that the team will not waste any day from the coach’s proposed April 15.

On Super Eagles’ preparation for the busy June matches, Ubah urged the NFF to give its full support to Coach Stephen Keshi and his technical crew, stressing that they must work as one for the team to get good results at the World Cup qualifiers and FIFA Confederations Cup in June.

“I feel been honoured by the NFF with this appointment and will accept with thanks and pledge that I will work hard to ensure that the nation’s youth football is taken to the next level.

“With my appointment as NFF youth football ambassador, we will now join hands to search for genuine sponsors, who will put their money into the development of football in Nigeria.