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Thursday, July 20, 2017

PPA fixes July 22 for primaries, Ezeemo joins race

Peter Ameh

Ahead of the Anambra governorship poll, the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) is billed to conduct its primaries on July 22 to determine the eventual flag bearer of the party. The party’s National Chairman, Comrade Peter Ameh made this known while presenting the N7 million worth Declaration of Interest and nomination forms to one of the party’s aspirants, Chief Godwin Ezeemo at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja. Ezeemo who expressed optimism that he would emerge the candidate of the party promised free and compulsory education to pupils in both primary and secondary schools in the state.

While giving assurance that education will be accorded priority in his administration, he expressed concern that a sizeable number of children of school age don’t go to school due to biting poverty afflicting their parents and guardians. According to him, “Firstly, my administration will ensure that in Anambra State, primary school to JSS 3 education will be free so that we will empower every child born within the state, no government has ever done it. “What I will do differently is many. First of all, Nigerian children, Anambra children have been suffering. I can tell you that over 40 percent of them don’t go to school because their parents don’t have the money.”
 
Ameh who applauded Ezeemo for joining the race, frowned at the spate of defection among the political and expressed optimism that the party would triumph at the poll. Promising to ensure internal democracy in the PPA, he described Ezeemo as a worthy aspirant with the pedigree to impact positively on the fortunes of the citizenry in Anambra if voted into power. Recalling victories recorded by the party in previous elections in Imo, Abia, Bayelsa, Taraba, and Ebonyi states, he noted, “I find those qualities in our Chief, I find those qualities in Godwin Ezeemo, he has been in this party for over four years, he has been faithful and one of the qualities of a good leader is faithfulness, to his people, to his community and to the organisation he belongs. “He (Ezeemo) has shown faith to the course of our party because we belong to one party, we have one mission, one agenda and we have one understanding and that understanding is based on the fact that time has come for us to do things differently “We have done series of elections in the past; we have won election in a lot of places and our party has stayed against the tide in all the conditions we have met along the way.”

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

EZEEMO GETS ENDORSMENT FROM AUSTRALIA



In a well attended meeting held at the city of Melbourne, Victoria in  Australia, Anambrarians living in the country cum continent of the Kangaroos  has unanimously decided to adopt Ezeemo as their preferred  candidate for the November Anambra  elections. Delegates made up of over 1000 Anambrarians from all the territories and most of the states with a great number of Igbo population attended the summit dressed in colourful Igbo attires.
According to the coordinators of the event, Dr. Emmanuel Nnopu, who is a private medical practitioner residing and practicing in Australia; and Mr. Henry Ezenwa, managing director, Global Enterprises Plc also based in Melbourne Victoria, the summit was attended by professionals and private businessmen of Anambra origin, which included academicians,  diplomats, students, vacationers, caregivers, and others from various walks of life.
A communiqué released at the end of the summit, read that, after watching the Anambra governorship  debates organized by the Nigeria Election Debates Group (NEDG), via cable and  satellite, the group said  without any iota of doubt, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo carried the day at the debates. His eloquence, sincerity, humility, honesty, composure, among other desirable attributes were manifest throughout the period of the debates. However, his  western orientation,  nature and approach to issues stood him out from all the other candidates; and there is convincing evidence that the man will definitely transform Anambra State to what obtains in western cultures within a very short while, when he becomes governor.
The group continued that as a candidate, Mr. Ezeemo is completely against godfatherism, the bane of Anambra politics;  and also is sponsoring himself in the election  entirely from his personal efforts and sweats, unlike what obtains with other contestants / candidates who are being sponsored either with Anambra state funds, funds from other states governors, godfathers, or are using funds duped from unsuspecting financial institutions and subsidy scams.
Besides Ezeemo’s philanthropy from his personal wealth is indeed a great factor to his credit; his philanthropic activities can be traced back to over 10 years, and he has invested wealth acquired abroad at home in Anambra State, thereby creating jobs for the teeming population of Anambra youths.
Other factors that necessitated their support includes  that throughout this electioneering campaign, Ezeemo has carried out a robust campaign devoid of blackmail, character assassination, brickbat and mudslinging rather focusing on facts and issues as it affects Ndi Anambra in particular, and the entire Igbo nation in general. From the foregoing there is no doubt that Mr. Ezeemo is the right person needed to take Anambra State to the desirable position. They also commended Ezeemo’s imagination and ingenuity in introducing SHAPE  (Security, Health, Agriculture, Power, and Education) in his manifesto, saying that with SHAPE, the transformation of Anambra state will be completed in a very short while.
The  communiqué, urged all Anambrarians to come out en masse to vote for Ezeemo as the next governor of Anambra State. They also promised to mobilise their friends and family members in Nigeria to not only support Ezeemo, but to effectively campaign for him so that come March 2014, all Anambrarians, both at home and in Diaspora will begin to enjoy the benefits of a government under the control of Mr. Ezeemo; for such a government will no doubt solve all the myriads of problems besetting Anambra state, such as kidnapping, youth unemployment, decaying infrastructure, non existing medical facilities among others. The group finally added their widow’s mite to support Ezeemo in his electioneering campaign.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Ezeemo and His Deputy: Two for the Price of One



The above aptly signifies Ezeemo’s covenant with the people of Anambra State. The event was Ezeemo’s Manifesto presentation held at the All Saints Anglican Cathedral Church, Onitsha. Ezeemo who with his deputy, Prince Ralph Chikwenze and their wives, Winifred and Chinyere, all in PPA attire addressed the gathered supporters on his 5-point programme for resuscitating Anambra State termed SHAPE.

Ezeemo who told the gathered supporters that before deciding on Chikwenze, he carefully studied and vetted the several potential aspirants who wanted to be his deputy before he finally settled for Chikwenze, a man whom he described as being after his own heart. He therefore, told Ndi Anambra that they will be getting a bargain when elected because they will be getting two for the price of one; because, once they elect a man of his calibre, he will be bringing with him, another of like calibre in the person of Dr. Chikwenze. A man well known for the successes his has achieved in his profession, who has demonstrated immense love for the poor masses and also for his ability to deliver the dividends of democracy.




  Ezeemo and wife, Nneka at the Manifesto Presentation at Onitsha

Ezeemo who unveiled his promise and manifesto to the over 100,000 party faithfuls and supporters who braved the early morning rain that threatened to disrupt the entire day, and afternoon heat that beat mercilessly to await the arrival of the Anambra messiah and PPA flag bearer to hear the message of hope. Ezeemo true to his nature and bearing did not disappoint his supporters. He outlined his programme which he introduced with the acronym ‘SHAPE’ which literally translates as Security, Health, Agriculture, Power, and Education. According to the Guber front liner, SHAPE was designed to be the solution to the multifarious problems besieging Anambra state.

He explained further that having analyzed the problems of Anambra State, he will tackle Power first, for without Power, industries cannot function. Most of the moribund and non functioning organizations were as a result of lack of power. Industrial operations with plants and generators are cost exorbitant and significantly adds to cost of production. Welders, hair dressers, saloon operators and other cottage and small scale enterprises need constant power supply to operate at optimum cost. Without power, nothing else could work. Therefore, constant power was paramount to move Anambra state forward.

Security will also be effectively provided, so that our people will not be afraid to come back home. Security challenges will be tackled by first getting the youths gainfully employed and secondly by making use of the community policing system.

Presently, our hospitals are built up entities, without facilities and doctors. He bemoaned the situation were only 21 registered doctors are available in the entire Anambra state. Government Hospitals in Anambra State are edifices that do not cater for the health of the people. He promised to employ more doctors and at the same time provide adequate remuneration to attract the doctors and nurses to stay in Anambra Sate. Expectant mothers will be given free health care. He emphasised that equipments, professionals and drugs are what makes a good hospitals, not just buildings.

Agriculture, Anambra has the facility and the opportunity to be the food basket of the entire nation, if properly harnessed. Ezeemo promised to introduce mechanized agriculture that will not only provide food for the people but also provide jobs for the people of the State. In Anambra North, where the environment is suitable for rice farming, government will ensure that this is properly harnessed.

Education, this is the pivot of his manifesto. Every child will have free education from Primary to secondary school level. He bemoaned the situation where children were seen hawking sachet water instead of being in the school. He warned parents to ensure that their children are in school as a law to mandate parents to send children to school will be introduced. Students in Higher institutions will be paid bursaries and allowances. Sports will also be introduced into the school curriculum; to help train and produce successful sports men and women who will win laurels for the state.

Other notable speakers include Chief Sam Nkire, the National Chairman, PPA; National Women Leader PPA;  National Secretary PPA, Dr. Noah John; and all the State Chairmen of PPA in the Southeast States. Chief Sam Nkire told the supporters to vote Ezeemo as he is the only person among all the candidates that can move Anambra to the next level. A man who by his deeds and actions has shown unparallel love for the poor and downtrodden. He continued that PPA is a united house, not like all the other parties who were either in the Appeal Court, Supreme Court, or the High Court. He further continued that PPA does not just give its flag to anyone, but only to those who will deliver the dividends of democracy, and solve the people’s problems. He pledged to follow Ezeemo come rain come shine. He said Ezeemo and his deputy are: Buy one get one free!

Chief Kanayo Obidigbo, the PPA State Chairman Anambra in his vote of thanks spoke on the need for the people of Anambra to massively support PPA and Ezeemo on the November 16 election, as he is the candidate able to solve the myriad problems besieging the state and at the same time, take the state to the next level.

Special recognition was also given to ‘Decampees’ from PDP, APGA, APC, UPP ANPP, who all pledged their support for Ezeemo candidature. All Decampees where promised equal rights and opportunities with existing members.

Chief Pat Orjiakor, the Director General Godwin Ezeemo Campaign Organization, turned religious when he led the gathered supporters in various praise tunes to the Glory of God, and assured the supporters that God is in support of their quest to occupy the government House.

Ezeemo concluded by showing the supporters the gun riddled car of his director of Publicity, Mr. Okey Nwoke, who was attacked for decamping from APC and joining PPA. Ezeemo said that the fact that his aide survived the attack without a scratch shows that God was in support of his quest to bring the dividends of democracy to Anambra State.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Anambra NUJ & Godwin Ezeemo



By Victor Agusiobo

 This year’s Anambra NUJ Press Week which kicks off today is definitely unique.  It is the first time in the 22-year-old history of the state that the union will be celebrating the press week priding herself of a press centre she can call her own.
  There is no doubt that this new sense of independence has brought deep professional joy and satisfaction to all the journalists in the state.
  It is noteworthy that the press centre feat was made possible by the magnanimity of an industrialist and publisher, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo who understood that the press has a pivotal role to play in nation building.
  The massive edifice contains very spacious offices capable of accommodating all the officers of the union, in addition to halls and over 16 suites which presumably are meant to be rented to earn income for the professional body.
  Profoundly selfless are the thoughts which Mr. Ezeemo had espoused while agreeing to construct the NUJ press centre edifice.  He had expressed conviction that the media is an indispensable handmaid for sustainable democracy, the world over.  Mr. Ezeemo therefore reasoned that a self-sustaining NUJ would naturally contribute meaningfully to the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
  Today, Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo, the very urbane, humble industrialist, farmer, manufacturer and publisher is the Anambra State gubernatorial candidate of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA).
  Doubtlessly, he has brought in a whole lot of noble qualities that are sure to nudge PPA swiftly up the ladder of high competitive relevance in the state. Not a few believe that his joining the PPA has positively altered the fortunes of the party and offered a possible game changer to the politics of Anambra State.
  He has equally brought very unique and refreshing difference to the political arena of the state.  While many politicians strangulate the people financially in order to mop up resources to vie for elective positions, Ezeemo successfully makes money from all the continents of the world and uses same to develop the state.
  Ezeemo, one of Anambra’s high employers of labour has no flair for mundane pettiness.  Experience has shown that he neither bothers  with what religion his workers profess nor where they come from.  His watchword is competence, based on merit.
  In a society where sectarian cleavages filter into political considerations, Ezeemo has successfully lived above the fog.  His uncommon ecumenical charity benefits all the churches in the state.  He has remained an even handed philanthropist.  Hundreds have benefited from his over 10 year-old Charity Ezeemo Trust Fund.
  The soft spoken politician believes that politics is not a do or die affair.  He is an advocate of free, fair elections where votes count, are counted and accounted for.
  Indeed for any enterprise where humility, good naturedness, selflessness and two ready hands of service are the requirements, Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo is sure to fit into that space with God-given ease. The PPA through him is likely to spring surprises to the Anambra gubernatorial election calculus. It is in this Umuchu-born politician and publisher that one readily captures the immortal essence of the thoughts of Ouincy Adams, America’s 6th president when he said: “if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more you are  a leader.” Ezeemo is indeed a leader.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

AS ANAMBRA GOES TO POLL: VIRTUES OF A WOULD BE GOVERNOR



 For everything under the sun, there is a season, ala Ecclesiastes; Anambra state, is at the dawn of yet another season. After 8 years in office, the incumbent governor must hand over the mantle of leadership to another person, who is expected to steer the affairs of the state, hopefully for another 4 years or maybe even 8 years.
Ndi Anambra has been known for their ability to outdo other states in the southeast and indeed Nigeria as a whole when it comes personal enterprise and industry. The Anambrarian exemplifies the Igbo spirit of never-never  say die, industriousness, and individual motivation. Hence, unlike what obtains in other states of the federation, Anambra state was able to feature close to 50 aspirants as intending occupants of the government house in Awka; although party primaries whittled down this number to 23 according to INEC sources. Even with the first huddle over, voters in Anambra may still be at a dilemma over who to elect as their governor; over who is the right person to take Anambra State to the next level and indeed Ndigbo to their rightful place in Nigeria. For there is no doubt that Ndigbo are still marginalized in Nigeria as of today; and anyone who occupies the position of governor of Anambra does not only speaks for Ndi Anambra, but automatically speaks for Ndigbo not only in Nigeria, but worldwide.
Since the issue of deciding who occupies the position of the governor is entirely an Igbo affair, Igbo traditions and culture as passed down from generations to generations; from ancestors to the living; from parents to their children and wards; should be used as a yardstick by the voters to decide  on whom to elect to govern them for the next 4 years. Every society or culture as a matter of fact is known by or can be associated with certain values. The Igbo Nation from time immemorial have prided themselves with possessing the core  values of integrity, hard-work, family pride, justice, and communal aspiration.  Others values associated with the Igbos  include self-worth, bravery, solidarity and prudence.  While negative values such as greed, materialism, opportunism, falsehood are generally frowned upon and condemned. Of these core Igbo values, none is of lesser importance than the others. Anyone who mounts the leadership position of Anambra State must not only possess the above qualities, but must indeed be seen to have them in over abundance.
Of all the virtues expected from a would be governor, integrity may be the most important.  Integrity is strength of character; steadfast, resolute, having fibre; walking the talk, doing what was promised; authentic, straightforward, what's on the inside is displayed on the outside; open, honest and direct in their dealings with others; clear and uncompromised values, and clarity about what's right and wrong; committed, with the courage of their convictions; principled, honourable, fair, accountable and responsible; balanced, integrated, whole; self aware and self-reflective; mature and wise.  This virtue may be the most important, although this is not in any way to diminish the importance or relevance of others. However, the importance of integrity as an attribute of a would be governor of Anambra State cannot be overemphasized; former, US President Dwight D. Eisenhower underscored its importance when he stated: “The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible, no matter whether it is on a section gang, a football field, in an army, or in an office.”
Out of the 23 candidates whose party insignia appears on the ballot paper, which of them can be said to have scored a 70% mark or above in the above mentioned parameters?  Someone who renegades on an agreement cannot be said to be open and honest; someone who agrees to out-rightly sell Anambra to godfathers cannot be said to have strength of character; someone who admits going to Okija shrine with his bible has without doubt compromised his Christian values; anyone who supports the deportation of Ndi Anambra from Lagos can lay no claim to being matured and wise. A principled and honourable man will not hit below the belt, even if it means losing an election. Someone who had to surmount several stumbling blocks in order to get to his final destination can be credited with strength of character; the same applies to someone who keeps promises, no matter the type; not promising to do one thing and doing exactly the opposite,  once his objectives has been achieved.
Integrity can be said to be the base upon which other virtues are built. Without it, we lose our ability to stand up and be called men. In the olden days, our grandparents preferred to be poor, but maintain their integrity. When an elder concludes an agreement, he seals it by hitting his Ofo on the ground. No witnesses are  needed, no form of formal contract need to be signed, in fact all the paraphernalia of a modern society need not be present for an agreement to be properly enforced. And no one, absolutely no one dare renegade on an agreement for fear of the gods of the land.
Today, with over 20 gubernatorial candidates vying for the position of governor of Anambra state, how do you the voter determine which of them can be credited with integrity? Integrity can indeed be worn as a toga; for when you see a man who has integrity, it shows in everything he does, including his carriage. He talks the talk; and walks the walk. Everything about him exudes honesty. Some politicians have argued that politics is dirty game, especially in our environment;  while others are of a different opinion. Some of the candidates who have had the opportunity of sojourning in Europe understand and play politics just like the British. In everything they say, they are forthright, not just for the sake of winning election, but because, they are sincere and wants the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people.
Hard work can be described as being able to put in maximum effort in all undertakings. Okee o buru uzor!  Dignity of labour!!  It does not mean the person has to be a superman, or have the ability to knock down a building with his bare hands. Rather it the ability to make each day count. The Igbo tradition places much emphasis on virtues of hard work. In the days when men were judged by the size of their yam barns, only those who are hard working can be able to have several barns filled with all kinds of yams. In today’s environment where lesser emphasis is placed on the size of a man’s barns, the success of a man in his chosen profession may serve as a yardstick to determine if he is lazy or hardworking. Some candidates who got to their position by being O! yes men, cannot be considered hardworking, despite their assumed success, rather such people are at best sycophants and praise singers who are just out to line their pockets, not minding what the vast majority think; and in this election, there are so many of such. Some of the candidates are confirmed swindlers and 419ners who are regular guest of anticorruption agencies of EFCC and ICPC. While voting, it is important to understand those who have godfathers, whom have helped them achieve their successes in life, and who they will sign over the coffers of Anambra state once they are elected.
The Igbos are by nature a very proud nation. The family unit is really important. Unlike other tribes, the Igbo man values his family very much. In term of the election, how does each of the candidates fare vis-à-vis his family (nuclear and compound)?  Questions to ask here include, are the family living together as a unit, or is the wife separated from the man? Anyone who cannot manage his family, without doubt cannot manage the state. What of the children? What examples are they setting for other children in the state? Are the children associated with noisy parties, smoking, drinking and partying everyday of the week? Or are they model students or model workers/businessmen? What of the extended family? Are they still living in penurious poverty, while their kith the governor to be enjoys stupendous wealth? What of the nephews and nieces, are they productively engaged?
From the foregoing, it is important to ensure that whoever emerges as the next governor, must as a matter of necessity, be an established family man. While the constitution does not stipulate these conditions, however Igbo cultures recognises that a man must be married before he can be considered for any position of authority. Most of the towns in Anambra state have recognised this fact, which is why any candidate for the position of a President General (PG) of a town must be a happily married man. Some of the candidates in this election are not even married in the true sense of the word; meaning they don’t even have practical experience on how to manage a family, not to mention a whole state. Again, some of the candidates although not officially divorced, but are not living together with their wives. Rather, they change women like they change hankies. Such people should not be considered as future governors of Anambra State.
Communal aspiration has always existed among the Ibos. Communal aspirations made Indirect rule by the colonial masters not to flourish in Igbo land, while it flourished in other cultures. This fact has long been recognized by the Igbos, hence ‘Umunna bu ike’ is a common war cry among the Ibos. How many of the candidates for governor realises this fact and what of have they done in this direction? While some of them endeavoured to invest in their communities in particular and Anambra in general, to help create employment for the youths of Anambra, others may not even know the direction to their villages, not to talk of knowing who is their traditional ruler. Anyone who aspires to the position of governor, must as a matter of necessity have an unqualified love for his people and their culture. For it is this love that will make him take decisions, even at personal cost to ensure the wellbeing of his people. This love must be exhibited in all things, not just because of the election. A candidate who fixed his campaign flag-off to coincide on the same date with the yearly Ofala Festival of Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha truly does not place any importance on Ndigbo and their culture. A candidates who supports negative actions taken against  Ndi Anambra by the government of another state or even the federal government cannot lay claim to loving Anambra, such a candidate  does not deserve the votes of Ndi Anambra. On the other hand, any candidates who uses his personal resources to sponsor programmes and activities aimed at the promotion of Igbo culture and language truly has exhibited an unqualified love for Ndigbo. A candidate who sponsors “Otu  Subakwaigbo” (an organization for the promotion of Igbo language and culture) shows a complete love for the Igbos and their language and deserves the votes of every Anambrarian.
Some of the candidates are laying claims to continuity. The questions to be asked here are what are they claiming to continue? Is it the over one year judiciary workers were on strike, or is the total ban on civil service employment conscientiously enforced for the past 8 years, or is it the ban on Local Government elections enforced to the detriment of Ndi Anambra? Continuity as a rhetoric is sweet to the ears, but, emphasis must be placed on what aspects of the incumbent’s policies and programmes the candidate wishes to continue; for there are many areas where the incumbent can be found wanting; and if the continuity refrain is sang as a whole, it means Anambrarians are again condemned to suffer the injustices and deprivations of the present in the future.
As November 16 the D-day is just around the corner, it is really imperative that Anambra voters should carefully sift through all those being presented as possible governors of Anambra State before casting their votes. Luckily, the Nigerian constitution allows for secret ballot, in other words there  is no fear of intimidation or harassment from any quarter. Anambra has long been recognized as a state of billionaires and rightly so; however, that does not mean Anambrarians should put filthy lucre above Igbo values in deciding their next governor. The time for action is now, the Igbo nation should rise up against all kinds of materialism and other anti social behaviours that are not in line with Igbo values and ethics. A society where money is elevated above integrity and core values is certainly heading for doom and extinction. Let us ensure the survival of the Igbo Nation by using  core Igbo values as a yardstick in deciding the next governor of Anambra State.