By Prince-solomon Okorie-Guidepost News International
A communique an aftermath of South-East relevant stakeholders Strategic meeting Leaders of thought, Governors, Ministers, National Assembly Members, Traditional Rulers and the Clergy of Igbo extraction, held on Saturday, 19Th June, 2021, at Banquet Hall , Lion Building, Government House, Enugu.
Which states as follows
Arising from the meeting of 11, June, 2021, with the Presidential team led by Hon. Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd.), we agreed to a further meeting – consequent upon that, we scheduled a meeting today, for articulation of our positions and further meet with the Presidential team;
The meeting set up Committees under Ohaneze to articulate and address our positions on all burning issues to further meet among ourselves and thereafter meet with the Presidential team:
We, the Igbos do reaffirm our commitment to one united Nigeria under a platform of justice, equality of rights, fairness, love and respect for one another;
We have noted threats by some groups against our people of South East, while we firmly promise to protect everyone either from other regions or ours, we plead with the leaders of other regions to protect our people living in their regions;
We condemn the killing of security agencies, burning of strategic infrastructure and killing of civilians in South East and other regions. We request our security agencies to please discharge their duties within the rules of engagement and the law;
We request our National Assembly from the South East to support State Police creation in the ongoing constitutional amendment;
We condemn in totality, the activities of violent secessionist groups in South East and elsewhere, we firmly proclaim that we do not support them, they do not speak for South East. The impression that South East leaders are silent over some of our youths agitators for secession is not correct. South East Governors, Ohaneze President, National Assembly members, notable leader had come out publicly many times in the past to speak against such agitations. In order not to mismanage the unfortunate situation, South East leaders have set up a committee to engage such youths to stop and allow elders speak to address such fears
Meeting directed our Governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo to liaise with indigenes from northern part of Nigeria and indigenes of other regions to assure that the nation Nigeria and their people of their safety in South East.
The meeting endorsed our South East joint security outfit – Ebubeagu and asked them to work with security agencies and to respect the rights and privileges of all those living in South East and our visitors;
By Prince-solomon Okorie – Guidepost News International
The Honourable Commissioner for Capital City Development, Ebonyi State, Barr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has reacted to what he described as unfortunate comments coming from the State House of Assembly over alleged molestation of the residents and properties destroyed in the state capital city by the workforce from his office within the weekend.
Recalls the State House of Assembly was yesterday reportedly summoned Barr Nwebonyi for alleged ‘unwholesome destruction of properties and molestation of Ebonyians.’
But in an interview with our newsmen on Saturday at Abakaliki, Barr Nwebonyi said that the State House of Assembly has right to make some comments as a way of exercising their freedom but he has not been invited by the House on the issue.
He noted that even though the statement by the House is ‘out of point’ as according to him, the Ministry of Capital City under his watch, is simply implementing laws made by the House in regards to building and traffic control within the state capital city by penalizing the offenders.
“For the House of Assembly without hearing from the Ministry and started making uncomplementary statement, shows that the members of the House are either opposed to their own Laws or failed to open their minds to welcome what my ministry is doing,” that he described as the handiwork of those in opposition, he hinted.
The Commissioner, however, said he would not doubt the repute of the House, but for the record to be put straight, ” that is not how to go about it.”
“In as much as we are serving one government, if they feel that the ministry is not doing well, I should have been informed, because there are administrative measures those things can be resolved rather than going to the Press.
“By that comment of the House, it has exposed the level of their understanding, as regards to the law they made, because it was very unfortunate,” he stated.
He further maintained that even though the state lawmakers were reacting to the impulses from Ebonyians, they would have heard from him first and not just going to the press.
“What are we doing? We are opening the roads, to meet the capital city standard. How can you tell me that people out of greed in their bid to reduce the street of 10-metres to 3-metres?
“How can you tell me that government will have a designate park, and miscreants will resort to turning our streets to motor parks? Are we going forward or backward? He who seeks equity must come with clean hands! Those who are complaining are miscreants – they do not want to obey the law of the state and the law of the state is meant to be enforced – the capital city must enforce it to the latter. “
He added: “If anybody is angrieved, he should go to the Court and not the House of Assembly.
“Let me also tell you that some of the members of House of Assembly, are also violating the law. They made the law and think that the law should be observed by the poor, NO! The law should be observed by all.
“How can a lawmaker, make a law that nobody should embark on any project within the capital city without getting approval from the ministry of the capital city and that lawmaker will be building by force and has refused to abide by the law he made?”
He disclosed that upon his assumption of office as the State Commissioner for Capital City Development, he had radio programme, and called for the meeting involving all the motorists in the capital city alongside the developers, where after educating and engaging them on the provision of the law regarding the development projects in the state capital.
He also noted that the good citizens in the state have been observing the law, “but the sheers of few miscreants who are in opposition refused to be law abiding.
“If you watch those who are complaining, you will observe that they are a few in opposition. These are the members of the opposition against the administration of our pragmatic leader and Governor of our dear State, but you see, we can’t go backward, we must continue moving forward.”
He advised Ebonyians especially the residents of the state capital city, to always observe the law, as he maintained that, “they are not in a State of anarchy and the law must prevail, for both the rich and poor. “
The Commissioner accused some lawmakers in the House to have allegedly failed to observe the law by building house (s) in the capital city without approval and described the act as ‘an exhibition of madness and illegal.’
Nwebonyi who believed that he is acting on the ambit of the law, and cannot abuse his office as alleged, asked those attacking him to stop by tackling the issue on ground and not opposing his office unnecessarily.
He therefore, advised Ebonyians to be law abiding and to always choose learned and wise citizens who would represent them in positions of trust during elections, to avoid repeat of several mistakes beclouding the leadership system these days, which he said, was the causes of the unfortunate comments from the State Assembly.
By Prince-solomon Okorie-Guidepost News International
Mr. Chelsea Emmanuel Okezie
The Founder of impact care foundation and the chief executive of CIFO Construction Service Development, Mr Chelsea Emmanuel Okezie, has shared his motive and passion for humanity with our newsmen
Chelsea, as well expressed his solidarity to the governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi, whom he described as a visionary leader with the passion to change the narratives of his people from darkness into light.
In this exclusive interview at his residence in Abakaliki, he tells us why he recently donated some money to be shared to individuals who have similar views with him about governor Umahi on social media as well as noted that those criticising the governor are not with him in the spirit, he also said his wishes for the governor comes 2023, as his role model.
Hear him:
“Impact care foundation is a none governmental organization, that was established in 2014/2015, with the objectives to take care of the poorest of the poor, to ensure that they are being accommodated in our society,
“impact care foundation started in Enugu and by the grace of God we extended it to Ebonyi, from 2015 to date, impact care foundation has constructed a motorized boreholes across all the wards in Ezza north, not only that,
“We have offered scholarships and other human and economic empowerment schemes to women and youths by introducing them to SME’s, sponsoring financially with to ensure that that they are self sufficient and live normal independent life, free of thuggery criminality, exactly what His Excellency the governor of Ebonyi State, Engr David Umahi is doing.
“God Almighty has touched many lives through us, it stated when I was I little child, I see humanity as a thing that we must have to do, because when you love one another, there will not be any misconception, I see it as a call and I need to do it to cover what I am sent to do in my journey of life and I cue to it,”
Recently, your donated some money to support a social media post about the good works of Governor Umahi and you said he is your Role model, Why do you see Governor David Umahi as your Role model?
” Reason is because I came into my state and I discovered that my governor, His Excellency Engr David Umahi has the same interest as I do and I decided to make him my role model.
“I remembered where we were before 2015, and look at where we are today, these are the things I love doing, I decided to emulate him, I have learnt a lot of things from him, particularly his leadership style, so when i saw a post about my role model,
“His Excellency the governor, I have to support it, and if you check it out you will see that all over the country people are celebrating him, I was very touched to see that His Excellency is known by people even outside the state, I believe that God is watching and recording all his efforts towards humanity, we have to be grateful to God for given us someone like my role model, Engr Chief Nweze David Umahi”.
What can you say about those people criticising him?
“Criticism is part of politics but the truth of the matter is that those who are criticising him are those who are with him in the flesh and not in the spirit, gone are days when people loot money without doing anything,
“in the past administration, a councilor builds a duplex and a coordinator can even own an estate, but my role model has set up a template, not that you cannot build an estate nor a house, but you must build it genuinely because he has changed the system of governance and some people have come to know that it is not business as usual, got disappointed and started castigating him, but the truth of the matter is that God is watching and recording whatever he is doing, for instance, go outside the state and see what other people are saying about him, people worship him and even wish that he can be transferred to their states, so I am not bothered about what people say, because even our Lord Jesus was criticised”
What is your view on national security?
” In the area of security, I will say it again that we need to show love to one another, when we show love to ourselves there won’t be any insecurity, there is a bridge of love, and there’s a bridge of unity, and I think we need to campaign about love and show gratitude to God, and when we are united the issue of insecurity will be settled, when you love someone you cannot hurt him”
How can you compare governor Umahi and the past two governors of Ebonyi State?
“Well, everyone has his vision, Elechi had is own vision, likewise Sam Egwu, but my role model today, has a particular vision, which is to bring us out of darkness, not that the past governors have not done well, but everyone has his own vision, but his vision today has made Ebonyi to become a much talked about State in the country, everything is about grace”.
Do you think Umahi has the capacity to rule Nigeria?
“He has the capacity to rule Nigeria well, with his aticident, I don’t think there should be any negotiations about him, he has always said to his apointees to “show your works, and I will reappoint them” I believe that in 2023, God will pay him back for his love to his people”
By Prince-solomon Okorie – Guidepost News International
Until his next level election, Very Rev Fr. Dr. Abraham Nwali is still the Ebonyi Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, And SSA to the Governor on Religion and Welfare Matters. We Congrate him on his successful election as the New CAN Chairman in Southeast Nigeria.
Congratulations Dear father. We in Guidepost News International pray for more grace and wisdom of quality leadership in your new position.
With love from Prince-solomon Okorie, Publisher Guidepost News International
General oversee of City of Grace Royal Assembly Church , Prophet Jeremiah Prince Okoye has condemned the renewed killings of innocent people and destruction of property, between the people of Alike Ikwo and their Izzi brothers of Enyigba in Abakaliki LGA.
The Prophet disclosed this in Abakaliki, at the 3- days programme, title from labour to Favour, while he stated that people of Ikwo and Izzi, are supposed to live as one united family in the state, he describe such act as barbaric and unfortunate.
He condemn in strong terms the reports of blocking of major roads, demands that people should leave the capital city, hostage taking and other forms of impunity which are capable of raising more tension not only among the people of the two clans, but other residents of the capital city.
However, he call on those instigating, sponsoring such acts to desist from it, as nature will not hesitate to pay them back with the same coin.
Prophet has urged the both Ikwo and Izzi people to sheathe their sword and embrace peace and live in unity and God’s love, while prophecy’s to the trouble zone that there would be no more attacks, shading of blood between the two clan.
He expressed hope that God will restore peace in ikwo and Izzi, while any person sponsoring or encouraging further attacks will face God’s wrath and judgment..
Meanwhile, he commend the State Government efforts towards finding lasting solution to the cause of the crisis .
By prince-solomon Okorie Guidepost News International
In order achieve lasting peace in the state, the governor of Ebonyi state is the first in the world to staddle a Christian body like Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) with the responsibility of peacemaking, negotiation, settling disputes among rifts or Waring communities and for six years now the results have been tremendous, CAN has been so result oriented. Said Rev. Fr. Nwali, CAN chairman, Eboyi state.
Hence, today being 7th June 2021 with honor and dignity of Bishop Nnachi Okoro who played the host, invited dignitaries and stakeholders from the disputing communities, the principal reason for the meeting was resolve the impending potential conflict between Izzi and Ikwo clan on the ground that they are brothers, after peaceful deliberations which forms a resolution which we documented as communique which states as follows:
The Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Engr. Chief David Nweze Umahi is deeply sad with the sudden turn of events between two brothers of Enyibuchiri Ikwo and Enyigba Abakaliki.
The abduction of the children of Enyigba Abakaliki by some miscreants from Enyibichiri Ikwo is the height of provocation as there was no dispute between the two communities
The Governor is aware that the only land dispute between them has been finally settled by the government with the assistance of the Christian Associaton of Nigeria CAN and the Bishops in Ebonyi State, which took the state over three years to find lasting peace in the area
4 It is to be noted that Ebonyi State government through CAN went as far as hiring heavy-duty equipment working on the disputed land for three months and a final demarcation was successfully done and same accepted by both parties.
Government, therefore, wonders why the abduction of innocent children of Enyigba Izzi, should be hatched and executed by just a few miscreants of Enyibichiri Ikwo.
The Governor assures the entire Izzi clan that the entire Enyibichiri and Ikwo people at large totally condemn this act as evil
The Governor vows to rescue and reunite these children to their families at all costs and therefore pleads with our Izzi brothers and sisters to please remain calm and prevent their children from taking laws into their hands while promising them that within 7 days, this matter about the abduction of their children will be amicably resolved.
The Governor is very hopeful that with his government, religious leaders and good stakeholders of Ebonyi State, these children will be returned to the people of Izzi without any harm. The Governor, therefore, pleads with abductors to kindly release the children to the government within the next 7days from this 6th of June,2021 with a promise of total amnesty to them.
Government is not willing to release any of the leaders of Enyibichiri, that are in detention to underscore the value of the lives of those abducted. The Governor believes that every life is sacred, and the life of those abducted matters so much to the government.
Government, therefore, warns the abductors of the consequences of not providing these children in the next seven (7) days, as government shall have no option other than to move into Enyibichiri to make a massive arrest to get back the children.
The Governor, therefore, admonishes the parents of the abductors, both the immediate and extended families, that they are well known and pleads with them to talk to their children to release those innocent children. He further warns that should they fail, refuse and or neglect to do that, the government will fish them out, no matter where they run to
The Governor appeals to parents in Ebonyi State to please advise their children to be law-abiding as any further killings in Ebonyi State, burning of police stations, attack on security agencies or innocent citizens, where we cannot apprehend those involved, we will go for their family members.
Government has given enough room and a lot of incentives and empowerment packages for our youths to turn away from crimes and not take laws into their hands. The grace period is over and it is time for parents to advise their children, or submit the names of such children that they cannot control to the government. 14 Government warns all political gladiators irrespective of political party affiliation who, through their fake news, and various media outbursts either initiate this crisis in the state or get involved in inciting crisis or escalating it, that government will not fold its hands but will go after them no matter where they are.
Government warns that any news you are posting or circulating, you should be able to prove it. The government is pleading that we as leaders of Ebonyi State should not play with the lives of our youths or our citizens for whatsoever gains, as everyone will give an account before God of whatever blood that is shed.
While the security challenges are being sorted out, the Governor requests the good people of Ebonyi State to go about their normal businesses as the government is doing everything possible to protect their lives and properties.
Imo has suffered series of attacks in recent times.
Security agents on Sunday repelled an attack on the Imo State Police Command Headquarters in Owerri and killed one Joseph Uka Nnachi alias King of Dragons, the suspected mastermind of series of attacks on police stations in the state.
Four other gunmen were also killed by the security operatives.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Imo Police Command, Bala Elkana, the security operatives who repelled the attack comprised of men of the Army, Police Special Forces, and other supporting security agencies.
Elkana explained that the hoodlums who planned to attack the Imo capital at about 06: 15 am, “came in a white hummer bus, wanted to access the Command Headquarters through Works Layout around Alvan Nursery and Primary School Owerri but had a bloody fight with the security forces.
“They were first Intercepted by the Military at the outer perimeter cordon provided for the Police. Five hoodlums were killed in action (KIA)including Joseph Uka Nnachi alias King of Dragons.”
The police spokesman noted that one suspect, a 30-year-old Stanley Osinachi who hails from Achi/Mberi, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the southwest state was arrested and is being investigated.
“He confirmed that Dragon is the leader of the gang in Imo State reporting to their supreme leader Nnamdi Kanu. He stated that they belong to the proscribed IPOB and ESN,” the police statement added.
A Police Inspector, however, sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and is receiving medical attention.
Some of the items recovered from the gang included four AK-47 rifles and 2000 rounds of ammunition and a large number of explosions.
“The rifles breach numbers were crossed checked and found to be the same Police Rifles that were stolen by the hoodlums from our Police station at Omuma on 31st May 2021 which claimed the lives of four Policemen,” it noted.
Other exhibits recovered from the gang are Assualt (AR) Rifle breach N0: 03018058; Assualt (AR) Rifle breach N0: 070007055; Assualt (AR) Rifle breach N0: 5801297; six locally fabricated Explosive Devices; Police beret cap; 7 AK47 Magazines fully loaded; one military cap; one military cardigan (Polo); one silver-coloured minibus with Reg N0: WAM-8673 B ABD and one Hummer Bus with Reg N0: KED-382 X laden with Explosive Devices.
While praising the security officers for their gallantry and resolve to restore sanity to Imo, the Commissioner of Police in the State Abutu Yaro condoled with the families of officers who have died and sustained injuries following attacks by terror gangs in the area.
“They are the real heroes,” the police public relations officer explained. “The Commissioner of Police also extends his gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc, NPM, FDC for supporting the command with the necessary resources used in combating the deadly gang.”
There was a mild drama on Saturday in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, as the traditional ruler Oba Rufus Adeyemo Aladesanmi III, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, refused to welcome the popular Yoruba Freedom Fighter, Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise known as Sunday Igboho to his palace.
Newsflash Nigeria gathered that Sunday Igboho, stormed Ado Ekiti , the Ekiti State capital, with hundreds of agitators, saying no going back on the demand for Yoruba nation.
The agitators who converged at Old garage area, Ado Ekiti, for the rally as early as 8 am later moved to the popular Fajuyi Park area of the town where Igboho was received by the crowd.
The agitators who are armed with placards grounded social and commercial activities within the town while roads were blocked, hindering vehicular movements for several hours.
Newsflash Nigeria gathered that there was a heavy presence of security operatives including the police, the Department of State Services, and the Amotekun Corps at the venue.
A security operative, who preferred anonymity, said they are at the venue “to prevent the breakdown of the law and order and ensure miscreants do not hijack the rally”.
The agitators also expressed their readiness for the Yoruba nation away from Nigeria.
Sunday Igboho who arrived Ado-Ekiti around 5:02pm was received by thousands of residents and agitators who had gathered for the event since around 8am.
He decided to visit the traditional ruler Oba Rufus Adeyemo Aladesanmi III, the Ewi of Ado Ekiti.
The agitators however experienced a major setback as the Ewi of Ado Ekiti refused entrance into his palace. A man was heard during the broadcast saying; ‘Oba ordered them to close the gate.’
Sunday Igboho who was desperate to see the traditional ruler had to jump over the fence together with few of his followers so as to gain entry into the palace.
In the live broadcast shared by his spokesman on Facebook, Sunday Igboho left the palace angrily upon seeing that Rufus Adeyemo would not show up.
Later, Igboho addressing the enthusiastic crowd, he lamented the suffering of Yoruba people in the hands of criminal Fulani herdsmen, saying all hands must be on deck to achieve the desired aim of secession.
He declared that the 2023 general elections would not hold in the region unless the Oduduwa republic is created, calling on all stakeholders to support him and other leaders in achieving it.
He said: “I am sorry for coming late and I want to really apologise for this. I went to a meeting with some Yoruba leaders that was the reason I came late.
“Today, we are here to sensitise our people that we can no longer ensure the sufferings being meted out to us by Fulani feudal lord’s. We are no longer slaves under them.
“The South has oil and water and other natural resources, but Fulani are the ones enjoying them. Most of our university graduates are Okada riders being what our politicians who tell lies recklessly have made us to be.
“Enough is enough for the Fulani colonisation in our land. We have all the natural resources but it is the Fulani people that are controlling it. It is enough. We have a lot of our youths that are graduate but no job for them, that should not be the case.
“This is the reason we said it is enough, we are not going to work with them. We will not vote in 2023, if there is no referendum, that is the truth. The election won’t hold.
“You can see what the criminal Fulani are doing in our land, killing us, kidnapping and raping our women. People can no longer go to farms for fear of being killed. As from today, we will begin to enter the bushes to chase out Fulani from our land. We don’t want them again.”
“Yoruba is the most educated race in Nigeria, but are these graduates getting jobs, no. Rather, our politicians would be buying motorbikes for them for Okada riding. This was wrong and would have to stop. Can they allow their children to ride Okada?
“Today, they have shared everything that belongs to Nigeria among themselves. The President is a Fulani man, the Inspector General of Police, Director General of the Department of State Services, the Chief of Army Staff, Chairmen of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Comptrollers General of Immigration and Customs are all Fulanis.
“They said they gave us the Vice President, who was a mere spare tyre.
“Let me say this emphatically, we won’t vote in the Southwest in 2023. We need a government of our own. The Fulanis are kidnapping us and collecting ransoms, killing and raping us and our leaders were watching because of politics. This were no longer tolerable
“The next line of action now is that, we are entering the bush to chase away these Fulani herders. We don’t want them on our lands again. We will pursue them just like I have been saying”, he stated.
Also speaking, the media communication secretary of Ilana Omo Oodua group, Maxwell Adeleye said the rally was aimed at sensitising the people of Ekiti on the need for the creation of Oduduwa nation.
According to him, “We at Ilana Omo Oodua, supported by well-meaning Yoruba people within and beyond the shores of Nigeria will continue to mobilise and educate our people on the dangers associated with our continuous stay in Nigeria.
“We are ready and our people are ready. The rally today is to sensitise the good people of Ekiti state to start preaching the gospel in all the nooks and crannies of Ekiti state. We shall succeed and triumph against the gighota. We shall rescue our land from the jaw of under-development.
“Our continuous stay in Nigeria is slowing down our progress. We were progressing and excelling well in all ramifications before the coup of 1966 which has dragged us 60 years backward. The only panacea is for the Yoruba people to have their independence from Nigeria and that shall be achieved peacefully and logically without violence.”
Engr David Umahi’s landmark Achievements is like David’s victory over King Saul, the Bible says that Saul killed thousand and David tens of thousands…and when King Saul listen as women praised David instead of him, he became jealous. Little wonder conservatives Leader like Sen. Sam Egwu resorted to thuggery and slander…
Gov. Umahi’s Six Years Anniversary speech.
Hear him:
It is my pleasure to announce that we are six years in Office as the third administration in Ebonyi State and we are deeply very grateful to God almighty for giving us the grace to navigate the affairs of the State. These six years have been quite challenging, I don’t know whether we have had two or three recessions, we have all kinds of disturbances, the devaluation of the naira, turbulent economy but in all these things, God has been very very faithful to us, where people felt we have excelled and each time we met challenges, God has never left us, so we are deeply grateful to God almighty.
We must thank the late General Sani Abacha very highly who saw the reasons to liberate Ebonyi people from the bondage of slavery and created Ebonyi State and for this, we remain grateful to him and we continue to pray God to judge him fairly. I have said before now that we will set a date when we call the family of late Sani Abacha and honor him, we are deeply indebted to him. We thank all founding fathers that are still alive and those who have joined our ancestors, I will continue to remind Ebonyi State, the spirit of the founding fathers, and the spirit upon which they fought was devoid of selfishness, they foresaw the level of slavery we were going to undergo and they set aside their differences and put the interest of Ebonyi State ahead of all of us and they kept saying each time they were reminded that we may not have had economic viability but whatever was given to us we will continue to manage it and we are living today as a Government through that spirit and my Prayer is that the spirit should not depart from our people because it is that spirit that created the State and it is that spirit upon which we shall Excel as we are on our journey to excelling very well, so we thank our founding fathers, those who are alive and those who have departed, without which, we will not be celebrating this sixth anniversary.
We must thank the Deputy Governor, my family members, especially my wife, my brothers and sisters, my children, the Right Honourable Speaker and the House of Assembly members, my Lord the Chief Judge including all the past Chief Judges, all the Judiciary members, my great Commissioners, SSAs and SAs both those who are still here and those at the waiting wings, I must thank you so much for your cooperation, I thank the Press so much, the Press has been very fair to us, they have reported us fairly, they have been very objective in their reporting and we remain very grateful to all of you. We must exceedingly thank the Security Agencies, a lot of them have made the supreme sacrifices fighting to give us peace, protect us and protect our investment, so we thank them for the sacrifices they have made and the ones they are making, they are fighting that we do not kill ourselves and my Security Chiefs, I remain grateful to you and I promise to do everything possible to support Security Agencies to ensure the safety of every Ebonyi man or woman and her visitors.
I will say that the journey so far is a journey of grace, a journey of mercy, a journey of miracles. I can beat my chest with gratitude to God almighty to say that the dreams of our founding fathers have been substantially realized. We may not give our scorecard, we do that from November when we will roll out drums to celebrate, my preoccupation now is how to secure Ebonyi State and to ensure that Ebonyi State does not go back to slavery, so we are postponing our anniversary celebration to November.
Significant among the things that we have done is the new University of Medical Sciences in Ohaozara which has been signed into law, passed by the House of Assembly, and by this, we are highly grateful to God, this University is not going to be cheap, it is going to be a very high profile University that can compete favorably with any University in the world, and we are projecting that the total income from this University at the end of the first two years will be about the average of 30 billion per annum, and so, this University will be able to sustain itself and sustain other higher Institutions in the State.
Finishing touches are going on now at the University and we are also trudging very highly at the International Airport. Some of our brothers in the South East have argued why Ebonyi State should have an international airport and that is the mind of those who don’t love us, they want us to go into second slavery but this has become the Nazareth not just of the South East but of the entire Country. Who is he that speaketh when God has not spoken and God has spoken that this is the Nazareth of this Nation and no man can stop it, and funny enough we are going to have the longest and widest tarmac in this Country, we are pushing ahead.
The dualization of Abakaliki to Enugu and Abakaliki to Afikpo is also on the advanced stage and these two projects we intend to complete before we bow out of office. The moment you enter Ebonyi State from any part of other States, you have dualized roads and you have light and this is important to us.
We have successfully completed phase one of the processes of the famous Abakaliki Ring road and we must first thank His Excellency, Jim Nwobodo who first articulated this and constructed the road, though on earth because of paucity of fund at that time and of course Chief Martin Elechi who also worked assiduously in the maintenance of the road, today, the entire road is gone but by the grace of God and the assistance of Mr President, if he is bad to other people, he is good to Ebonyi State and we are not afraid to say it, this man has helped Ebonyi State tremendously, and my Bible tells me that he who will pay evil for the good done unto him that evil will not depart from his household, so, Mr. President we are grateful as Ebonyi people because your assistance and the assistance you gave to other Governors is what has liberated Ebonyi State and put us in an irreversible gear that we will never go back to second slavery, so we are happy for this ring road, it is a total of 199 kilometers, Ebonyi State Government has constructed part of that as 25% required equity and so the phase one has started because we have signed the contract, and we are grateful to God for this project. When we finish it, Abakaliki Zone in particular and Ebonyi State, in general, will never remain the same.
I have flagged off the intervention projects totaling about 10km in Ozzizza and Mater roads, Oriuzo to the Airport road and Mgbo to Okwo market road, these are promises made in the campaign of 2015, it is not an easy thing, it is not convenient for us but through God’s mercies and grace, we must keep our promises, this we must do.
The mall which is the beauty of the State is in its completion in the next two months and it is a beauty to behold and we are proud to have a mall like that, it is a microcosm of the macrocosm of Dubai mall and no one can contest that.
Our flyovers are going on, the average construction period of our flyovers with grade 40 concrete remains 9 to 12 months. The two last flyovers we shall be doing is one in Afikpo and one by Ogbe Hausa junction and all the ongoing projects and the Edda flyover are all on the verge of completion, that Edda flyover that defied the courage of many men is 70% done and we will finish it before the end of this year and we will deploy it.
On the issue of Security, people of South East, we have met ourselves with a very dangerous trend that I will continue to plead to our people and our Politicians to rise to the challenges because this is a monster that will do nobody any good, and anybody that will rise and say that external forces are destroying South East is deceiving himself because we know who is destroying South East, it is southeast that is killing South East.
I continue to tell the Security Agencies to mind the utterances of Politicians, it is their utterances that is fueling these crises, when you go to Social media, you will see all these people, and they are the people that are instigating the bandits to be killing the Security people, some of them even have Security protection and this is absurd and I will like you to rise to this, our print media they have been very wonderful, our electronic Media they have been very wonderful, but this issue that somebody would take a phone and begin to dish out fake information that can destroy a nation should be checked and should be confronted.
I think that what is important now is for all hands to be on deck and to fight this monster of insecurity, what is needed at a time like this is patriotism.
I have been getting voices from some agitators that tomorrow there will be no movement, this is foolishness if there is no movement in South East, will there be no movement in the whole country, what an Ebonyi man will never accept is to go into second slavery under any guise, we know the Biafra we need, it is to have money so that we can cleanse off the toga of slavery that our brothers and sisters subjected us into, if you love Ebonyi State bring money, come and put up one construction, we want to see your investment in Ebonyi State. I want to say there will be free movement throughout today, throughout tomorrow and going forward and I challenge the Youths, Security Agencies, Local Government Chairmen to ensure that nobody is molested. I have banned any form of procession or gathering till further notice in Ebonyi State.
On Sunday, I would want people who are of Christian denomination to go about their church services and pray for our Nation, pray for the souls of those who have lost their lives during the war and even now that the Security Agencies are striving to protect us.
On Monday, the markets must be fully operational, I ask the Security Agencies to deploy massively Security people to protect Ebonyians everywhere.
Ebubeagu has been signed into law, for those who are afraid of Ebubeagu, Ebubeagu is not after any Politician or tribe, it is to assist Security Agencies to maintain law and order, but it is legal and it has come to stay, only the guilty are afraid.
I want to appeal to parents to advise their children, I want the Stakeholders to advise our children, these Children should please do not confront Security Agencies because Security Agencies will defend themselves decisively if they try it, Ebubeagu will defend themselves decisively if they try it, let us stay in peace, agitations do not mean violence, agitations does not mean insulting leaders of this country, agitations do not mean killing Security Agencies, how much have Ebonyi people been loved in the past, Ebonyi people be wise.
Only yesterday in Exco, we had to do two sets of dissolution of Exco, the first set has taken place, the second one will still take place but the first is in place, we dissolved Exco because we have been getting agitations of some members that want to contest elections, so we had to dissolve to allow them to enable those who want to contest elections have enough time, about a year and six months to contest elections.
We have a population of about 4 million and both the elected and appointed is about 4000 which is about 1% of the population, so if anybody believes that I am Governor just to take care of these 4000 people, you are just wasting your time, because if I don’t build hospitals, if I don’t build roads, if I don’t build schools, then we are wasting our time, the education of our people, the welfare of our people is also very important, and remember we have over 30000 Civil Servants, we also have to look after of them, so for those who have the benefit of having brand new vehicles, Jeeps, having lands allocated to them at the Centenary City, having salaries every month, having one form of favor or the other and they are complaining, let those who have sympathy for opposition be able to join opposition but we have 3000 businesses waiting for Ebonyians.
To the rest of the Boards and Commissions, we also noticed the same thing that there are also people warming up for our Local Government election next year, we noticed that some TAs, STAs, EAs, Liaison officers, Advisory Committee Members will also want to contest, so accordingly, all the Liaison officers are hereby dissolved, all the TAs, STAs, EAs are hereby dissolved, all the Advisory Committee are hereby dissolved, Management Committee Members are hereby dissolved, the only Commissions and Boards that are not dissolved are State Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission, Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, Judiciary Service Commission, apart from these Boards and Commissions, every other Commissions and Board are hereby dissolved. We will reconstitute these Boards and Management Committee when we know those who are Politicians that want to contest elections and those who will weather the storm with me who are not interested in contesting another election will now come back so that we now focus on governance While they focus on politics.
We also put before these ones that have been dissolved a permanent job of 3000 Civil Service jobs, so if you don’t make it back and you are still of the working-age, we will give you a permanent job, we have approved that we are going to employ 3000 civil servants, 3000 SMEs that is also there and the employment that will happen at the International Airport, we are advertising for it, the College of Medicine, the mall, in the International market and of course in the ring road, so if you are not good in politics you will be good in business, if you are not good in business, you will be good in Civil Service job, the dissolution is a win-win for Ebonyi State so that you don’t do two things at the same time.
Everyone that has worked with me, be it in the Judiciary, the House of Assembly, the Exco, the TAs, the Civil Servants since 2015 will be given handsome empowerment before I bow out of office, for my Exco members and Government officials that it will enable you to start a substantial business. We will be approaching the House of Assembly for massive empowerment next year, our budget is going to constitute the same about 45% recurrent, empowerment will do about 30% and 15% will be a capital project, it is the 7th year, the 7th day that our Lord Jesus Christ rested, that is the year of rest for me and I will be supporting all those who want to go into politics.
So, I want to thank the Local Government Chairmen very highly, you have done extremely well, you have let the people you are governing know that the economy is tough and bad, nobody gets one kobo from your money, your money goes straight to the respective Local Government.
The former Chairman of the Local Government was complaining, every month, Afikpo North is on negative, they cannot meet up their obligation and that is why the former Chairman went to steal 50 million from the Bank in the name of borrowing without the approval of the House of Assembly, approval of Governor, approval of F&G, he took it and embezzled it and that is why he is running helter-skelter, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission has to catch up with him and he has to be moved to EFCC, he must vomit the money, so I have to thank the Chairmen and Coordinators and the EAs, STAs, some of you are just fantastically wonderful. For some of you that are wonderful and committed, am sure the tendency of your coming back is over 95%, so continue to support the government, be assured that by November we will roll out our drums and we will celebrate but in all, I am grateful to all of you for your loyalty, for your support, for your love, for your sacrifices and your determination, Ebonyi State must be great, this is what God told us and we are deeply very grateful to God, so once again thank you very much.
And to announce that the supplementary appropriation bill has been passed by the House of Assembly and signed into law, and to announce that Public procurement bill has been signed into law, the amended law of Ebonyi State University.
I want to vow that I am going to reposition the University before I bow out, I will put that University in an International standard, I have started with the solar lights and generators and water there, in all the campuses of Ebonyi State University and tertiary institutions in the State, we have light twenty-four hours and water twenty-four hours, we have started internal concrete roads for EBSU and we will not stop until we conclude all the Internal roads, after that, we go into sporting activities and we do visitation panel, we will get the quality of teaching and learning to the highest standard in this country and you know when we say we will do, through God that strengthens us we have always done.
For the avoidance of doubt, Local Government Advisory Committee stand dissolved, EAs, STAs, TAs dissolved, all Liaison officers dissolved, Management Committee Members dissolved, Secondary Education Board dissolved, Universal Basic Education Board dissolved, Ebonyi State Community and Social Development Agency dissolved, and other Boards like State Agricultural Land Development Board and every other Commissions and Board that I didn’t remember. Thank you and God bless you.
Beautiful church edifice built by Deacon Austin Umahi and donated to Redeem Christian Church of God, Achievers Parish, Uburu
By Prince Solomon Okorie – Guidepost News
Governor David Nweze Umahi has charged political officeholders in Ebonyi State to take God’s projects as one their priorities while delivering dividends of democracy to the people.
Governor Umahi stated this on Friday in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state, during the dedication of the new building of Redeemed Christian Church of God’s Achievers Parish to God.
The parish’s new building built by Deacon Austin Umahi, the immediate past Vice Chairman of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) South East zone was described by Governor Umahi as one of the supreme gifts for eternal elevation.
“With most of us that are invited from far and near, we are here by challenged, to go back and think like our own Deacon.
“He has dropped a brand new bank account here before God, none of our struggles on this Earth were all equal, following the prerequisites to access Heaven, he built a church and he has made it, and I know there’s no how God will not consider this offer.
“So, I challenge all political officeholders starting from myself in a little way God has elevated you to go back to God and do something very tangible because that’s the only permanent account we have after here,” he said.
The governor represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Kenneth Igwe Ugbala, commended Chief Austin Umahi for his kind gestures to the church and charged others especially the political officeholders to emulate him.
“We want to thank Almighty God because it is a privilege to build and dedicate church to Him. This is not common to all men.
While expressing gratitude to God who inspired Deacon Austin Umahi to embark on the project to the successful completion and dedication to Him, congratulated the members of the church for the wonderful work in spreading gospels, wining souls for the Lord, and saving humanity from eternal destruction.
“I want also to congratulate all the members of the church, because it is not that the church is only built, but your support made it possible, your prayers and that’s why our dear father, our own brother, Deacon Austin Umahi built the church for God, I congratulate him highly,” he said.
He described Austin Umahi as a major stakeholder in Ebonyi State who has a great passion in investing for eternity, commended him for listening to the voice of God, saying nobody had ever embarked on such project and remained the same.
“There are many people God has spoken to, but they refused to listen. There are many people God has given assignment, they refused to do it; but I want to thank you in a special way because you have opened bank account with God.
“There’s no man who can take this kind of decision and remain the same. Solomon and David built for God and their lives were never the same again. I want to thank you for this giant decision you have taken. It’s God you serve knows you serve him, He said to those who diligently seek Him, will never regret it, I Congratulate you Sir.”
The governor also thanked all the churches in Ebonyi State for their support to his administration, pointing that his leadership keep succeeding despite all challenges because it was built by God.
“When others are cast down, we are lifted up, and that’s why Ebonyi State is succeeding more than other states, and so, we pray you keep praying for us, and be partnering with us, because together we anchor the leadership of this state into God’s hand. I want to thank you for your support and prayers which has made Ebonyi to rise not only economically but spiritually.”
He called all and sundry to pray for the peace and security of the entire nation, believing nothing is impossible before God.
Deacon Austin Umahi recalled in the year 2004, when he emptied his bank account to do the work of God and testified his breakthroughs were amazing. “I’m not a property person, like some build hotels, personal assets but what will profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul, so I choose to invest in eternity – investing in eternity is when I touch the life of people for better, when I work for God. Touching life is one of the things that get me excited.
Deacon Austin Umahi, the Donor
Interacting with the builder of the Parish, Deacon Austin Umahi, said working for God is his hobby. “Working for God is my own Yahoo Yahoo,” he hinted.
Advising people on prioritizing on God’s projects, Deacon Umahi said, “you came to this world with nothing and you will go with nothing. Try to invest in eternity, it is better to invest in what cannot rotten, it is better to invest in what is rewarding because you can’t see anybody that dies today and carries any of his property to leave this world.
“It’s better we leave legacies, because the essence of life, is to touch life, by serving God, that is service to humanity and service to God.”
On his part, the Senior Pastor incharge of Achievers Parish, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Uburu, Pastor Nnamdi Chinyere expressed joy for the completion and dedication of the building to God.
He thanked Deacon Austin Umahi for the great offer for the church and called other philatropists to emulate him by investing in the vineyard of God; pointing that the building project was singlehandedly financed by him (Austin Umahi).
Very Rev. Edward Obumneme, officiating
Also speaking, Very Rev. Obumneme Joseph, who is the National President Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria/Pentecostal Fellowship Youth Wing, noted that the church hosted the Assistant Continental Overseer RCCG incharge of South East, Africa Continental one, who came to dedicate Achievers Parish.
He also explained that Achievers Parish was built by one of the illustrious sons of Uburu and Ebonyi State, Deacon Austin Umahi.
He described the event as a significant one in the history of the church, saying that builders for God never lost the grace for divine covering.
Obumneme advised everybody to be security conscious, and shun anything capable of flaming insecurity, urging all the leaders of Ebony State and beyond especially the Christians to make things to work better for the church and society at large.
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