IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

By Ik Ogbonna

It’s often said that “giving is a sign that one has conquered SELFISHNESS AND GREED”. But nobody can genuinely give without being in love with the people around him. When it comes to giving because of love for humanity, Senator Osita Bonaventure Izunaso towers above most of his contemporaries especially in Orlu axis. 

Senator Osita Izunso is a seasoned Journalist and Lawyer whose philanthropic lights have never dimmed before and after he stepped into Nigeria’s political arena. This is because of his undying love for humanity; his love and care for the less privileged in the society which has undoubtedly earned him enormous love of the people.

Osita Izunaso is popularly known as KPAKPANDO, which means Star. As a shining star among his people, Senator Izunaso used all the appointive and elective positions he has held to touch the lives of people around him. The love he has for his people created a strong bond between them which earned him election into the House of Representatives in 2003 to represent Oru West, Oguta and Ohaji/Egbema Federal Constituency. While at the House of Representatives, he gave his people quality representation through effective representation, legislation and oversight which attracted road projects and other infrastructures to his constituency. As a matter of fact, his election into the House of Representatives increased the volume of his philanthropic gestures which overwhelmed the good people of Orlu zone to elect him as their Senator in 2007. Senator Osita Izunaso used the instruments of effective legislation to attract many laudable projects to Orlu zone. He facilitated the employment of many sons and daughters of Orlu zone into various positions in the federal civil service. Also, Senator Osita Izunaso established his Kpakpando Foundation through which he empowered many less privileged and disabled persons for better livelihood. 

The achievements of Osita Izunaso as a Senator are indelible in the history of Orlu zone and that’s why the people of Orlu zone are yearning for his return to the Senate and consolidate his numerous achievements in the zone. Fortunately, the National Assembly elections have provided a great opportunity to Orlu zone to return Kpakpando Orlu to the Senate for the continuation of his numerous human and infrastructural developments. This is the reason why he has decided to answer the clarion call of his people to return to the Senate by making himself available for Orlu Senatorial election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Although, Senator Osita Izunaso has challengers in PDP and LP but it’s very clear for even the blind to see that Senator Osita Izunaso is the most competent to represent Orlu Zone in the Senate because of his track records. He is a tested and trusted legislator who can’t afford to fail his people.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to to the betterment of our society, Senator Osita Izunaso has been honoured with many chieftaincy titles and awards by many communities and organizations. Also, in recognition of his contributions to national development, Senator Osita Izunaso was honoured with Officer of Federal Republic (OFR) by President Muhammadu Buhari during the last National Honours Award. This is indeed, another Eagle feather to the golden cap of Kpakpando. 

The laudable achievements of Senator Osita Izunaso are indelible in the hearts of Orlu people. Many sons and daughters of Orlu have continued to applaud the National Honour bestowed on Senator Izunaso, describing it as well deserved. It’s not in doubt that the National Honour recently conferred on Senator Izunaso is a National endorsement for more service to the good people of Orlu zone. This has really placed him far above his opponents in the Orlu Senatorial race. Honestly, the candidacy of Senator Osita Izunaso is an assurance of better days for Orlu zone as he is better equipped for quality and effective representative than his opponents who are only coming to learn the job. Having passed through the rungs of legislative ladder, Senator Osita Izunaso is best equipped with the requisite experience to represent Orlu zone at the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Kpakpando is committed to  leading Orlu zone on the path of prosperity and massive development; his antecedents are witnesses to his capacity to deliver democracy dividends to his people. 

It’s not in doubt that the national honour conferred on Senator Osita Izunaso will give him more strength work for the good people of Orlu zone as the people warm up to return him to the red chambers come 2023. 

The good people of Orlu zone are undoubtedly proud of their son, Senator Osita Izunaso who has distinguished himself in the service of God and humanity. This uncommon love of Senator Osita Izunaso for his people will surely be reciprocated by the people at the polls by voting massively for his return to the senate. This is because, he had performed for done extremely well and will definitely do more if he returns to the Senate to represent the good people of Orlu zone. 

As a golden man with a heart of gold, Osita Izunaso deserves the golden crown at this critical moment of Orlu history in other to restore it to the the path golden opportunities and economic prosperity where effective legislation, job creation, women and youth empowerment and infrastructural development will be pursued with vigor for massive development of Orlu zone. 

To God be the glory!

Ik Ogbonna is an Owerri based Journalist and PR Practitioner

- As Media Aide To PDP Nat’l Scribe, Onuoha Elected PRO

Imo state University Alumni Association has elected new leadership to pilot the affairs of the body in Imo state, the mother chapter.

The new executive include, Dr Majesty Duru (Chairman), Arc Chukwunonso Nnaji (VP), Mrs. Amarachukwu Nwachukwu (Secretary General), Nwamkpa Chikaodi (Assistant Secretary), and Mrs Asogwa Becky as Treasurer.

Others include, Kelechi Amadi (Financial Secretary), Ikegwuonu Godwin (Assistant Financial Secretary), Ikenna Onuoha (PRO), Barr Chima Onumajuru (Legal) and Wilson Amaefule as Director of Socials.

Inaugurating the new Exco, a former Alumni President, Mr Vitus Ukwuoma charged them to be proactive in the discharge of their duties, appealing to them to work in synergy with each other to realize the objectives.

Mr. Ukwuoma expressed optimism that the leadership would keep no stone unturned in ensuring that the vision of the Alumni was achieved, warning against act capable of dragging the Association’s image to the mud.

In her remarks, the outgone Chairperson, Mrs. Nkeiru Iwuorisha advised the new Executive to be respectful, dedicated and committed in the things that concern the Alumni, saying that the association would not tolerate any insubordination.

Mrs. Iwuorisha said that in trying to bring the association together, her leadership succeeded in boosting the membership and ensured that everyone were on one page.

In his speech, the Electoral Committee Chairman,Mr Uche Omeihe said that his team conducted the freest and fairest election in the history of the association, adding that the new leadership emerged after a keenly contested election.

Speaking on behalf of the executive, the new Chairman, Dr Majesty Duru thanked members of the Alumni for given them the opportunity to serve, promising to galvanize the association aimed at taking it to an enviable height.

According to him, “we shall work together and will never relent until results are achieved. The team under me shall not be found wanting in everything. If we must be talked about, it shall only be for good and nothing less than that” he said.

By Ikenna Onuoha, Owerri.

Ahead of the 2023 elections, National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu has said that every member of the party in Imo state has a responsibility to be loyal to PDP, adding that by so doing, the victory of the party will be assured irrespective of personal interest.

Anyanwu called on party members and Stakeholders to put personal interest aside and join hands to move the party forward, regretting that as a result of internal wrangling witnessed in the past, PDP was unable to take its rightful place during the 2015 and 2019 elections respectively.

According to him, contrary to speculations that he was working to dissolve the current State Working Committee (SWC) of the party in the state, he urged the public to see such misleading story as not only baseless and diversionary, but totally false.

“We are doing everything possible to galvanize the party in our state. In doing this, all hands must be on deck to raise enough funds for the party to meet its financial obligations. I am aware of a fake news linking me to a phony underground plot to dissolve the present SWC of our party in the state; please disregard the falsehood, it remains the handiwork of mischief makers” he said.

Anyanwu therefore assured of his readiness to continue to assist the party financially when necessary, and warned against the use of unguarded statements by some leaders to cause disaffection. 

He said that such unguarded utterances are not only capable of igniting crisis within the party, but can discourage members from carrying out their responsibilities to the party.

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has said the sins of the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Iyorchia Ayu are so grievous that if they are disclosed his children will disown him.

“If people know what we know, if we release what we have, Ayu’s children will go to him and say we are no longer your children,” Wike said.

Speaking during a live media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Friday, the Governor said Ayu had no locus to stand before Nigerians and campaign for PDP ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The Governor maintained the PDP boss has no integrity and alleged that the chairman also received double pay for a single project.

On the N1billion he accused  Ayu of collecting, Wike said:   “There cannot be any comment. He (Ayu) cannot say anything. Look, I am the governor of Rivers state and I don’t just come out to speak.

"Let Ayu say he did not collect N1 billion. In fact, let me also tell you, Ayu collected N100 million naira from a Governor that he was going to renovate our democratic institution and then he (Ayu) went back to the PDP NWC and took the same N100 million naira for doing the same work.

“What kind of system is that? I am telling you all these are facts. Let him (Ayu) say no first and I will tell you (those he collected money from).

“A leader must be a man of integrity. And I have realised that people find it hard to have that (integrity) lately. You are presenting a man (Ayu) who lacked integrity as chairman of the party. Somebody that wants to lead a campaign to take the reigns of government?

"What is the problem with what we are asking of Ayu? We are saying let there be equity, let there be fairness and justice. But if you don’t want it that way then you are the one causing the crisis (in the party) and that shows you (Ayu) don’t have leadership skills because this is the time to show it. This is the time to show leadership skills on the part of those who are leaders of the party.”

The Appeal Court in Abuja has discharged and acquired Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, of terr@rism charges.

Kanu is being prosecuted by the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja for 15 count charges bordering treasonable felony and terr@rism, offences he allegedly committed in the course of his separatist campaigns.

He approached the court of appeal to quash the charges. A three-man panel of the Court of Appeal said the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to try him in view of his abduction and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in flagrant violation of the OAU convention and protocol on extradition.

The court held that the 15-count charge preferred against Kanu did not disclose the place, date, time and nature of the alleged offences before being unlawfully extradited to Nigeria in clear violation of international treaties.The court further held that the Federal Government failed to disclose where Nnamdi Kanu was arrested despite the grave allegations against him.

Some of the charges read, “Mr Kanu has repeatedly called for the breakaway of a significant chunk of southern Nigeria to form the Republic of Biafra. On October 2015, he was arrested by Nigerian authorities on an 11-count charge bordering on “terr@rism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.” He was granted bail on April 2017 for medical reasons.

However, Mr Kanu fled the country in September 2017 after an invasion of his home by the military in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State. He was then sighted in Israel and later continued to rally his supporters in Nigeria to employ violence in achieving secession. Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said after Kanu was rearrested and brought back to Nigeria in June 2021. Mr Kanu has denied any wrongdoing.

It is an obvious fact that the story of Barrister Chyma Anthony has persistently remained a reference point among leaders of Owerri zone senatorial district and the good people of Ikeduru where the man who is going represent the people of Imo East hails from.

This man have exhibited steering leadership qualities that has endeared him to many people who now see him as not just a role model or idol but a case study both in the legal profession and administration.

He is humble, honest, panache and unwavering doggedness in the pursuit of the populist agenda for the common good of Owerri zone and has shown that he is a team player who will work for the good of the team and not for his selfish and personal interest.

Chyma Anthony, no doubt has shown and exhibited that he is the ideal person that will represent the good people of Owerri zone at the Red chamber of the national Assembly given the obvious fact that he is a man endowed with wisdom and knowledge to reconnect his senatorial district to the national grid.

The Umuori, Iho Dimeze born legal practioner cum international mediator and chartered Arbitrator and philanthropist of note is tested and trusted with the way and manner he has changed the mentality of the youths of the who he helped in securing them jobs in so many firm within and outside Nigeria where they are doing wonderfully well for themselves. He did not just give them fish but thought them how to fish and be self reliance.

He has shown through his actions and inactions that creating wealth and industrializing Owerri zone will not be a problem for him with his reach and contact.

Imo East as a zone need a man like Chyma Anthony as the next federal lawmakers because he will use his wealth of experience and international exposure to create massive job opportunities for our unemployed youths which our present representatives and even successive ones could not do. 

The APGA Senatorial candidate for Owerri zone will move the zone forward with sound economic policy that will improve the living standard of living of the people from the area.

The legal luminary cum chartered Arbitrator said that he will sponsor a bill guaranteeing the independence of local government council so that state executive can't disburse elected government without their entitlement nor determine their electoral cycles.

According to him, he will make strong and credible representation to attract beneficial and growth inducing Federal projects to Owerri zone.

"I'll maintain functional and accessible offices in all the nine local government of Owerri zone and disburse 50% of my total allowance across all the nine local government within my first 9 months of my tenure.

"I'll bring amendments to energy, security and infrastructural regulation to enshrine transparency and accountability in these sector".

Also, he bring amendments to the public finance like law to ensure that the money meant to execute projects and programme in Owerri zone are judiciously used for the purpose to which it was released for.

Chief Barr. Chyma Anthony is accepted in the whole Owerri zone and this is evidence with the numerous endorsement that have greeted his declaration to represent the people in 2023 and has shown that he is trustworthy and sincere in his dealings with ndi Imo East. 

As a legal luminary of international standing, Chyma Anthony has helped in facilitating the appointment of so many Imo youths across the three geopolitical zone in the state and this goes to show that he will not be a senator for only Ikeduru Local government area but the whole of Owerri zone.

It's a truism that what the people of the Imo East need in 2023 is a man like Barr. Chyma Anthony, the leading senatorial candidate of APGA party who has shown through his activities that he is the ideal person to take over from his brother, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi in 2023.

Ndi Owerri zone both home and in diaspora believes that it is time to separate Paul from Barnabas. Meaning that, it is time to tell the people the nakad truth and allow this man Chyma Anthony to takeover from Sen. Onyewuchi who has given the people of the zone sound and effective representation at the Red chamber of the National Assembly and he will even help to reconnect his people to the national reckoning once again.

Mr. Chyma Anthony has today become the bride pride of ndi Imo East politics even though his foray into mockery waters of politics was not too long but he has completely been courted by the people of Owerri zone because of what he stand for and what he will bring to bear in the Red chamber of National Assembly in 2023.

It's a known fact that ndi Imo East has vowed to support Mr. Chyma Anthony to become the next senator of the federal Republic of Nigeria because they now know that he is not like other politician who has over the years deceived them with their sugar coated tongue. He is different from the every day politics because his word is his bond and has also proven beyond every reasonable doubt that what he says, he does.

That is why today ndi Owerri zone are clamoring for him to become their senator because he has a track record of service full of achievements and many of the younger ones sees him as a role model and pathfinder of great nobility.

Chyma Anthony has promised to reciprocate the love Owerri zone people has shown him and therefore pledge to serve the people by making himself available in 2023 to service of the zone and would do it with all his powers and might.

Without sounding indifference, Mr. Chyma Anthony is the type of Senator the people of Imo East need in all ramifications to better the lives of the people who are gnashing of their teeth as a result of the pains, sufferings and untold hardship the people has faced as a result of having bench warmer as representatives in the National Assembly.

Chyma Anthony is an applicant who have applied to represent the people of Owerri zone and rescue it them from total collapse because he is a man with genuine heart and intention to return the zone back to reckoning where every Dick, Tom and Harry will be given equal opportunity to contribute to the development and growth of Owerri zone.

I therefore urged all Owerri zone eligible electorates to vote Chyma Anthony as a man that deserves the senatorial seat in 2023 and if the zone mistakenly give their mandate to a wrong person, it will certainly spell doom for the good people of Owerri zone.