[dropcap]D[/dropcap]elta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has condemned in strong terms the killing of his aide, Lawrence Ngozi Ijei by suspected assailants on Friday and  says the killing of his political aide was politically motivated.. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa made this revelation when he paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Ijei who was allegedly assassinated on the eve of the botched Presidential and National Assembly elections in Ekpan, Uvwie local government area of Delta State.

Although Governor Okowa did not mention those who had masterminded the purported political killing, he said, “the death of Ngozi Ijei was very unfortunate as he was slain and it was obvious that it was politically motivated.”

He said that the deceased was a major contributor to the relative peace in Ekpan, alleging that some undisclosed elements who do not value life unfortunately, killed him over the forthcoming election.

“In the last two years we had worked to have peace in the Ekpan area and he played a crucial role in the peace process, but, unfortunately, those who do not value life decided to strike and it is not the best thing to do for it pays us nothing for us to lose a life to win in an election,” the governor said.

“We should continue to embrace peace as the election comes up because, going to the extent of using guns to get votes is not the best way for our country; I believe that it is important that all Nigerians should realize that getting votes can be achieved by what one has already done and the improvement that can be seen, not by violence.”

He urged the family of the deceased to take solace in the fact that nothing happens without the knowledge of God.

“I know that the loss of a dear one is very painful but, stay strong for the children,” the governor told Mrs Veronica Ijei, wife of the deceased who was crying throughout the period the governor spent with the family.

He continued, “depend on God; I beg you, stay strong for the sake of these children and be prayerful; God will take control of every situation; accept our condolences and in everything that you think or do, you must look up to God.”

Governor Okowa who was in a pensive mood, wrote in the condolence register opened in memory of the deceased, “on condolence visit to the family of late Mr Ngozi Ijei, my SA (Special Assistant) who was slain on Friday, February 15, 2019.

“Ngozi was an architect of peace in the new Ekpan of our dream; he had worked largely with the security agencies in the last two years to make Ekpan peaceful; we will miss him dearly for his contributions.  I condole with the young family, and it is our prayers that God will fill this gap and give them peace. Adieu Ngozi, may the Lord receive you in his bosom,” Okowa wrote.

The Governor who was accompanied by the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Barr. Kingsley Esiso and a chieftain of the party, Chief Nkem Okwuofu, however used the occasion to call for violent-free elections, saying politicians could engage in issue-based campaigns without killing or maiming the electorates.

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]bubakar Tsav, Former Lagos State Police Commissioner has disclosed that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike have resorted to imploring the do-or-die approach of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to win Saturday’s Presidential election.

He noted that the key players were working closely with officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission; INEC to ensure Atiku Abubakar of the PDP becomes the next president

Tsav, in a statement released on Tuesday, said the plan was thwarted by the postponement of the elections.

He said: “The evil that was planned against Nigeria by Chief Obasanjo and his protégés – Atiku, Wike and others is beyond imagination. It was as if he has sensed that Nigerians will vote in a way that will disgrace him with his failed alliances and lying letter so he decided the only way to save face is to manipulate the elections by compromising the umpire.

“A last minute realisation of the crimes that have been committed in INEC is what jolted its chairman out of his lethargy to postpone the polls in the hope that remedial actions can still be taken to reverse the damage that the PDP, Obasanjo and Atiku have done to its credibility.

“Before now, there have been several calls on these men to desist from their acts that are capable of plunging the country into crisis but it is now apparent that they are not amenable to reason. Instead of retracing their steps they have approached their western allies to mount undue pressure on INEC while unfairly accusing the government of the country.

“They are activating their international enforcers to declare the elections as fraudulent while ignoring the capacity of this irresponsible move to cause widespread unrest.

“The media is also replete with fake news they are pushing to the effect that the elections would be rigged by the ruling party while in reality, they, the PDP, are the ones that are desperate to win in the Obasanjo ‘do or die’ style.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Presidency has reaffirmed President Muhammadu Buhari’s warning that ballot box snatchers in the forthcoming general elections will do so at the expense of their lives.

Buhari had issued the warning on Monday at the national caucus meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja.

“Anybody who decides to snatch boxes or lead thugs to disturb the election, maybe that would be the last unlawful action you would take,” the President said, adding that, “I have given the military and police the order to be ruthless. I am going to warn anybody who thinks he would lead a body of thugs in his locality to snatch boxes or to disturb the voting system; he would do it at the expense of his/her own life.”

The statement had since attracted more negative than positive reactions as most Nigerians who commented on it have argued that there are prescribed laws for electoral offences.

Ballot snatching in Nigeria attracts a jail term of 2 years.

[dropcap]“T[/dropcap]he true worth of a man is in the way he treats people who are absolutely in need. If you care about people in need, you are actually making a contribution to the development of the nation. We need to give life back to the people. We need to see how we can use the available resources for everybody; create opportunities for all and care, especially for those who are truly in need. The gap between the rich and the poor should be bridged. Those of us blessed with material resources need to share with others. We must strike a balance with our resources.” This is the Philosophy of Hon Ndudi Godwin Elumelu.

It is certainly impossible to gloss over the attributes for greatness of Hon Ndudi Godwin Elumelu , the Chairman/Chief Executive of Trans Global Investment Limited, the trail-blazing business mogul and Legislator  par excellence from Onitcha-Ukwu, Delta State. Elumelu’s rise to the top was not a one-step movement. It was a humble beginning for a humble man. The inter play of factors that would establish him as one of Nigeria’s reputable Legislator shaped Elumelu’s principle and philosophy of life and business-humility, honesty and hard work. His unassuming nature and infectious humility explain why he does not trumpet his numerous philanthropic gestures.

Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu was a Member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives. He is a Card Carrying Member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was elected a Member, House of Representatives in 2007 and served in the Sixth Assembly. Considering his outstanding performance, he was re-elected into the House of Representatives by his people in 2011 in the Seventh Assembly.

As a Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Ndudi Elumelu has made impactful contributions by sponsoring several motions and bills for the improvement of quality of life of his immediate constituency and people of Nigeria in general .

He was  the Chairman House Committee on Health and Member of the following Committees: (1) Information, (2) Climate change (3) Interior, (4) Water Resources (5) Science and Technology (6) National Security and Public Safety. He was formerly the Chairman House Committee on Power 2007-2010.

Hon Ndudi Elumelu was born in Jos, Plateau State on February 23, 1965, to the Christian family of Dominic and Susan Elumelu of Onicha-Uku, Aniocha North Local Government Area, Delta State.

Young Ndudi obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) at the Lagos State School of Arts and Science (1985/1986) and proceeded to Yaba College of Technology where he obtained his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Business Administration in 1989.

He then proceeded to Edo State University, Ekpoma, where he obtained his B.Sc. (Hons) in Accounting in 1993. He later took a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the same University in 2000. The same year, he obtained the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria (CPA) and the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (ACIB) in 2003. He undertook the course on Strategic Leadership Programme (SLP) from the University of Oxford in 2004, capping it up in 2005 with a Certificate in Leadership Best Practice (LBP) Course from Harvard Business School, Boston, USA, and Post-Graduate Diploma in Organisational Leadership (2008/2009) from Oxford University, Oxford.

Hon. Elumelu is an Associate Member, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria (ICPAN), Associate Member of Chartered Institute of Insurance Brokers of Nigeria (NCRIB), Member, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and Member, Institute of Directors of Nigeria, Nigeria EO1246 (IOD).

His other activities include: Board Member, Governing Council NCRIB (Finance Committee) from December 2003 – 2009, Member, NCRIB Secretariat Development Committee from March 2002 to date; Member, PDP Monitoring Team for State Congress in Edo State, November 2003; Member, Publicity Committee, PDP National Convention, December 2003; Chairman, Finance Committee for Local Government Election, PDP Aniocha North LGA, Delta State, March 2004; Member, Building Committee of Redeemed Christian Church of God (Praise Sanctuary), Ikoyi, Lagos, 2003 and Member, Ikoyi Club, 1988 (E954).

Hon Elumelu served as Secretary, PDP Fund Raising/Building Committee for the new Delta State PDP Secretariat, 2009 – 2011. Chairman Father’s Day Committee Aso Villa Chapel 2011 – 2013.

Hon. Elumelu was Executive Vice Chairman, TransGlobal Insurance Brokers Limited and later rose to become the Chairman/Chief Executive, TransGlobal Investment Limited, Victoria Island, Lagos. He was at various times Head, Credit & Marketing, Inter Capital Limited, Lagos, Acting Head, General Trade & Commerce, Head, Treasury/Credit & Marketing, Ikeja Branch and Credit Analyst (Corporate Banking) at Head Office of Gulf Bank of Nigeria Limited, Victoria Island and Lagos.

In the course of his career, Hon Elumelu attended the following courses: Banking Induction (GBN), July 1995, Marketing of Financial Services (GBN), July 1995; Functional Credit Courses (GBN), August 1995; Banking Operations Course (GBN), August 1995; Credit Analysis Workshop (GBN), September 1995; VAT Income Tax Workshop (GBN), October 1995; Credit Analysis Course by H. Pierson Associates Limited, August 1996; The Role of Accountants in Developing Economy in Democracy 2000; Insurance Brokers Certification Course by CIIN, 2001; The Role of the Director in Corporate Governance (LOGS) February 2001; Lagos Business School, Lagos – Strategies for Service Excellence 2001; Company Directors Course (LBS/IOD), November, 2003.

His publications include (a) The Chronicles, Causes, Effects and Panacea Of Bank Distress in Nigeria (MBA Thesis) and (b) Accounting under Inflationary Conditions: Implications for Financial Reporting in Nigeria (B.Sc) Project.

Hon Ndudi Elumelu is an amiable and notable philanthropist with an avowed commitment to improving the conditions of humanity especially the poor, underprivileged and widows. His youths’ and women empowerment programmes have touched lives in virtually all the wards in his Federal Constituency and beyond. Most recently, he single headedly built and handed over a Magnificent Church edifice for his community in Onicha-Uku that has become a centre of attraction and excellence for the Christian community.

Hon. Elumelu is the recipient of several chieftaincy titles, honours and awards. His chieftaincy titles include:
(viii) Ogodileze of Obior, Delta State;
(ix) Ezediohanma of Issele Azagba, Delta State;
(x) Omelora of Ukwunzu, Delta State ;
(xi) Uwolo Ochiagha of Onicha-Uku, Delta State;
(xii) Hasken Daura (Light of Daura), Katsina State, and
(xiii) Onwa of Oligbo Kingdom, Issele-Uku, Delta State.
(xiv) Odoziani of Oko, Oshimili South, Delta State

His Awards Includes:
(xvii) The Most Outstanding Niger Delta Representative of the Year 2007 by the Business and Leadership Development Centre (BLDC), Abuja. (16th December 2007).

(xviii) Award of Excellence by the University of Port Harcourt Graduate Students’ Association, School of Graduate Studies, University of Port Harcourt in recognition of exemplary Contribution towards transforming Nigeria’s Power Sector (25th March 2008).

(xix) The Offspring of David Award (TODA) as Courageous Voice of the People and Youths in the House of Representatives by the Central Parish Youth Fellowship of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Abuja, in recognition of his exemplary courage During the House Investigation into Power Sector Funding between 1999 and 2007. (25th April 2008).

(xx) Award for Exemplary Leadership by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Delta State Chapter in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards the welfare of the underprivileged as represented by the labour movement in Delta State. (1st May 2008).

(xxi) Award by Delta State Student Union, Ebonyi State University Chapter in recognition of his Ardent support for Students and Exemplary Leadership Qualities and Philanthropic Gestures. (8th August 2008).

(xxii) HEROES AWARD by Crusade for Greater Nigeria (CFGN) in collaboration with ICPC/UNDP in recognition of his efforts to expose the rot in the Power Sector and bring an end to the lingering power crisis in Nigeria. (21st August 2008).

(xxiii) Patriotic Achievers Award in Accra, Ghana by Vision Africa Magazine in recognition of his contribution to good governance in Africa. (30th August 2008).

(xxiv) The Prestigious Africa Merit Gold Award by Tony Africa Media in Lagos in recognition of his contribution to humanity and society at large. (24th September 2008).

(xxv) NTA Distinguished Peace Ambassador Award for his Exemplary Contribution in the enhancement of Peace and Development of the Niger Delta. (17th April 2009).

(xxvi) Merit Award by Illah Development Union. (8th October 2011).

(xxvii) Award of Recognition by Igbo Women Progressive Union (Northern Chapter). (10th November 2011).

(xxviii) Award of Recognition by Committee for the Victims of Extra Judicial Killings & Torture. (25th November 2011).

(xxix) Award of Recognition Towards Sports Development in Ibusa by Ibusa Youths.

(xxx) Award of Excellence by National Youth REA South South. (23rd March 2013).

(xxxi) Merit of Honour Award by Honour & Care International. (29th September 2013).

(xxxii) Award of Excellence by Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Chapter, Benin. (12th December 2013).

Hon Elumelu’s hobbies include Reading, lawn tennis, table tennis, meeting people and socialising. Hon. Elumelu speaks English Language, Igbo, Yoruba and Hausa. He is happily married with children.
Proactive, focused, courageous, uncompromising and determined personality, he exudes a sense of urgency for a better Nigerian society. His major legislative interest is human development and the prudent utilisation of national human and material resources to promote welfare of Nigerian citizens, particularly in the power, Health, water, and other vital infrastructural sectors and removal of all impediments which hamper the achievement of this goal. His driving objective is to contribute to nation building based on peaceful co-existence and sustainable progress in Nigeria that will leave a lasting legacy in the sands of time.

By: Grassroots Publishers

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n preaching social reforms the world over, one very illustrious personality that comes to mind is Nonso Okafor; a great politician, a dogged and transparent fellow who holds strongly the view that the most luxuriant way to positively impact our society is to first work on the minds of the young adults. Nonso Okafor is one of those few personalities who believe that “until you realize how easily it is for your mind to be manipulated, you remain the puppet of someone else’s game. This is the same message Nonso Smart is preaching; the reawakening of the social consciousness of the youths of Nnewi North to rise up to the dynamic challenges of the time; a message that will totally repudiate any attempt to fall for the manipulative devices of sit-tight leaders.
Leadership is a calling to serve the people. It is a peculiar task. A true leader must possess exemplary qualities; be a servant and not lord over his followers and Nonso Okafor (Smart) falls into those who possess these qualities in its entirety.

Our society is in dire need of leaders who can look their own people in the eyes and tell them; “I am here because of you. And I will do everything to make sure our voices will resonate far and beyond.”
Nonso is someone who is hardworking and diligent in whatever he chose to undertake in life. This explains why Smart is today a workaholic and a goal getter who would stop at nothing to get the job done.This also contributed to the way Nonso Okafor came into the political stream of Anambra State as his story is not of a rich man with a godfather but of the fact that if you are good to people and work hard, the universe will bless and reward you.

As a student in Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, Nonso Okafor left his footprints in the sands of time. He was in the institution not only for the acquisition of paper certificates, but also for the rigorous but bountiful self-purification for the herculean task ahead. In the Institution, Nonso cut his teeth in politics, winning all of the positions he ever contested for. Having held some vital positions at the Departmental level, he however proceeded to run for office of the President at Students’ Union Government (SUG) level; he won with a landslide. He left the institution with several medals for academic astuteness, student activism and unequalled indefatigability.

Today, the story of Nonso Okafor can be told with piquant breadth by those who witnessed his gentle metamorphosis to greatness. He represent an embryonic portent of a total paradigm shift for his generation.In politics, he is viewed by his friends as one of the most fascinating and compelling player in Nnewi North politics.

As the election into the Anambra State House of Assembly draws near, Ndi Nnewi have continued to show maximum love and support to this true son of the soil, who lives with his people and feels their daily pulse which is applicable to his political slogan “Nonso noo anyi nso.”
Ndi Nnewi should therefore vote for their son, Nonso Okafor (Smart) who has the knowledge of their problems for Nnewi North Constituency, Anambra State House of Assembly under APGA.

By: Maduike Ifeoma

Publisher: Guide Express

[dropcap] I[/dropcap]n February 16, 2019, in less than two weeks from now, Nigerians will go to the polls to elect their representatives for the next four years. Despite the presence and participation of a record number of political parties and candidates, the contest will be effectively between the ruling All Progressives Congress, and the Peoples Democratic Party. The main gladiators will be the current President, Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Abubakar, the man who wants to replace him. The two of them are both Muslims from the Northern part of the country, while their running mates, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and Mr Peter Obi, are both Christians from the South-West and South-East respectively. The first point of note, therefore, is that the usual cleavage along religion and ethnicity has been blurred if not neutralised this time.

By consequence, and also given that the two parties sprang up from one into the other (the APC and the PDP members have cross-carpeted so many times that the two parties appear different in name only), the choice facing the electorate in terms of policy is more of the same, and in terms of the dramatis personae, the choice is one between the devil and the deep blue sea. That makes the forthcoming election arguably the most inconsequential in Nigeria’s history yet, one whose outcome will have the most far-reaching consequences for the foreseeable future. Here is why.

If there is anything the ruling elites are good at in Nigeria, it is the game of brinksmanship they tend to indulge in especially at electoral cycles. Over time, they have come to take the electorate for granted so much in this country that they feel the people are so docile, so unresponsive that they usually bear and grin at politicians’ antics in office in a “suffering and smiling” style. They feel no scent of a revolt in the air, feel no backlash to misrule, feel no direct pressure from the hungry mob, so, they ensconce themselves in the Abuja bubble and damn the consequences, which, time and time again, come to nought. “This country will go on” is their favourite fire-side yarn. It is this crass complacency on the part of the ruling elite that may spell disaster for the country going forward irrespective of the victor.

Since the so-called “Third Force” touted as the alternative to the APC and the PDP at the beginning of last year has fizzled out as predicted, see; “The Third Force Fever”, The PUNCH, January 30, 2018, where this column pointed out quite clearly the misguided notion of some ‘third force’ parachuting itself onto the political stage to clear out the Aegean stables.

Such a proposition was merely pie in the sky. “If the new coalition wants to win power by playing regular politics, they are much too far behind to make a meaningful impact come 2019”, the column stated. “Only a long and sustained campaign of voter education over a couple of electoral cycles would suffice to overcome that”. The column went further to assert, and predicted a win for the APC in the 2019 election. The analysis concluded back in January 2018 remainsvalid today as the PDP has spectacularly failed to come up with a distinctive agenda from that of the APC. Rather than simply mouthing ‘restructuring’, the PDP presidential candidate should have committed himself to the convening of a Sovereign National Conference on the day of assumption of office. That would have been a masterstroke, as it would have opened up huge divisions within the ranks of the APC, leading to its collapse at the polls. Here then are the likely scenarios in Nigeria after the election.

First, the APC wins a disputed election at the Supreme Court. The man who could possibly stand in their way in the judiciary, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has been removed (albeit) in an unsavoury and rather shambolic manner. Let us be frank, Justice Onnoghen was a sit-tight judge, who was determined to take cover behind the letter of the law by affirming his innocence when he was no longer morally and ethically suitable to remain the Chief Justice of Nigeria. Yes, going by the letter of the law, he was legally protected, but the letter of the law is not a sufficient standard for a man in his position. He ought to have held himself to a higher standard in the spirit of the law, and by virtue of his position. He ought to have tendered his resignation from office the moment he knew and admitted in writing to his “forgetfulness” on his assets declaration. The APC, sensing that the judge wanted to dig in his heels, preparing to preside over a possible presidential dispute at the Supreme Court after the election, Buhari and his administration smelt a rat. They developed cold feet that the Honourable CJN might indeed be the PDP’s ace card; the fifth column in the theatre of war. They decided to strike before being struck down later along the line themselves. It was a dishonourable way of treating a dishonourable matter, but in the APC’s view, the end justifies the means.

Removing the Chief Justice was the APC’s major blunder of the election thus far. It will cost the party votes, as it cannot be reversed, but not removing him would have left too many hostages to fortune. The people heaping condemnation of the move on President Buhari, and clamouring for its reversal are out of sync with the mindset of the administration. It is that it sees itself above all else, as a ‘cleansing’ administration on a ‘rescue’ mission to extricate Nigeria from the palsied grip of marauders and latter-day brigands desperate for a return to power. The greater good, therefore, must always be considered first, before issues of due process and civil liberties. To this end, the person of Buhari, himself, is held out as a shiny example of a modest and uniquely incorruptible leader, whose occasional digression from procedural nicety can, and should always be waved away. To the supporters, it is a salutary lesson in leadership and vision, and to the administration’s teeming critics, they see a predilection for tyranny, as the road to hell is often paved with marvellous intentions. That said, the APC may end up only winning a pyrrhic victory at the Supreme Court if it means massive protest, riot and unrest throughout the country, but the lack of a viable alternative independent political force makes that scenario unsustainable in the long run. A viable uprising cannot be the PDP-led; it would have to be a mass, grassroots, spontaneous reaction to a glaring injustice and a yearning for a different political path. Are we there yet?