NIGERIAN NOTCH

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejoiced with a former governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, on his 70th birthday on Dec. 16. The president’s congratulatory message was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Sunday. Buhari said in the statement that he was joining the family, friends and associates of the former governor in celebrating the milestone. He particularly congratulated Ajimobi ”for his many years of outstanding achievements in both the private and public sectors, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in the places where he had been at the helm of affairs, especially in the insurance and oil sectors.” According to him, Ajimobi’s forthrightness, patriotism and passion in working for the good of the country and humanity will continue to stand him out as a resourceful manager, exemplary leader and patriot. The president also commended the former governor for his contributions to the nation’s d

The  President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has been eulogised for his consistent efforts to  speak against the obvious marginalisation of Ndigbo by the Nigerian federation. Ndigbo Unity Assembly (NUA), in a statement yesterday in Enugu, in Enugu State, said they were particularly happy the way Chief Nwodo has continually spoken truth to power without mincing words. The Assembly said one of such was his recent letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector-General of Police on the  numerous military/para-military and Police check points dotting the major Expressways leading to South East, especially between Lagos and Onitsha Expressway, where he alleged that there were at least 64 check points. Chief Nwodo in the letter according to the statement  signed by  spokesman,the check points were erected purposely  to extort Ndigbo who mostly ply the road on daily basis to  carry out their businesses. The Assembly called on the IG to dismantle the check poin

Dr Samuel Orijiako, a pain management specialist and medical consultant at NAUTH, Nnewi Anambra state, has conducted a free medical outreach in Umuonaga Village, in Awka South LGA of Anambra state. The maiden edition of the medical outreach which started at Umuonaga, the home town of Dr Orjiako, witnessed massive attendance by the young, elderly and children, who came out to check their health status, by a team of medical consultants from NAUTH, who were on ground to take care of the health challenges of the people. While speaking with newsmen, the coordinator and sponsor of the medical outreach, Dr Samuel Orjiako, thanked members of his community, for coming out enmasse to partake in the medical outreach. He stressed that the reason he brought the medical outreach, with his team of consultants to his community was because he wants people around him, to be hale and hearty at all times. Dr Orjiakor stressed that " one does not need to have so much before sharing with y

.......sets up Taskforce on decongestion The chairman of tricycle operators known as CITROWAAS in Anambra State, Mr. Sylvester Obiora, has cautioned the operators to avoid recklessness on the road this season. Obiora who spoke recently in Awka the state capital , while  addressing the operators also warned them not engage in criminal act this season. He cautioned  that  Christmas and new year period was  associated with heavy traffic,  therefore they should obey traffic rules and regulations to avoid accident and congestion of the roads. The chairman charged the taskforce not to hesitate to arrest any tricycle operator who defaulted  the directives, stating that for any operator to run one way amount  to serious traffic violation. Obiora lauded the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Christian Madubuko, for his commitment to sanitise transport sector. Madubuko  in his speech commended Obiora for setting up Special Taskforce for the decongestion of roads during this season.

By Obi Bright Governance and legislation are said to be a process, where the fortunes of the masses are entrusted in the hands of an elected few to drive the course of development and to pilot the affairs of nations, states, constituencies as well as local government areas for a period of time. If governance is a process, then the process is supposed to be marked with “continuity” at all level. Unfortunately, over the years Nigeria has been bedeviled with neglect of projects by previous administrations at all levels. This trend of initiation and reinitiating projects has resulted in littering of fragmentary projects in states, federal constituencies and local governments “the hallmark of democratic dividends” since the resurfacing of democracy in 1999 to the Nigerian political sphere. Hence, democracy which is thought to be a system of governance that leads to social equity has become the machinery for not just disparity but planting seeds of discord and clannish repugnance. Ho

World heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has expressed appreciation to the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Mr Benaoyagha Okoyen, for psyching him up to reclaim his titles. After Joshua lost to Andy Ruiz Jr during their first match in New York in June, Okoyen sent him a letter praising his courage and assuring him of Nigeria’s support in his future fights. In the four-paragraph letter, the envoy assured him that Nigeria remained proud of the “remarkable feat’’ he had attained in his boxing career. The letter obviously meant a lot to the 30-year-old Nigerian-British pugilist, who held it up in a photograph obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). After reclaiming the titles in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, he reciprocated with words of appreciation to the Consul General. Joshua’s message was conveyed by a U.S.-based Nigerian journalist, Joi John, who covered the rematch in Saudi Arabia. The two-time heavyweight boxing champion was quoted as saying that the