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100 days in office, Governor Uzodinma has stabilised Imo

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court swears in Hope Uzodinma

I HAD serious temptation of not writing on Hope Uzodinma’s 100 days in office. On the other hand, as a public opinion analyst, I equally had deep temptation to write, if only as a senior citizen whom many people look up to for my contributions in matters of public interests. I considered it inevitable to write on 100 days in office as a matter of public interest, because it has become my literary culture and a societal imperative to write on 100 days of every passing governor since Achike Udenwa.

Before I progress, I want to advise members of the public, to the best of my knowledge, to be open-minded lest they misunderstand the basic objectives which I bring into my writings on those concerning politics in Imo State, nay Nigeria. It is important to say that writing on Uzodimma’s 100 days in office will be in the best interest of members of the public. Because in this article as I always do, I will strike a balance between a negative and positive assessment of his 100 days in office.

Therefore, those who are Uzodinma or Ihedioha apologists must make up their minds one way or the other that they will be disappointed. Because I am not a praise-singer or obdurate critic. But if you are one of those who have written Uzodimma off for one reason or the other, not even giving him a chance to try then you will be disappointed with this article. After all, I do not write to please people, but I write from the perspectives of objectivity of the truth.

Taking an objective view at Uzodinma’s 100 days, it will be preposterous to take a position one way or the other in assessing him because the circumstances surrounding his emergence as governor have so many embedded public opinion misgivings. After all, there is one Igbo proverb which says: “The hen does not lay eggs while something is blocking her view.”

Prospects of anarchy

It is too late now to talk about those circumstances which preceded his emergence as the governor. To me as a responsible citizen, I have since accepted the realities of such unbelievable legal scenario. No matter how much we may complain, according to Lyndon Johnson, a former American president, “what you cannot avoid or prevent you must try to endure it”.

I said in one of my past articles entitled, “The supremacy of rule of law”, that “this case has become supreme and must be accepted no matter how bitter or uncomfortable.” I strongly posited that all we can do now is to give him support and good advice to move forward in the best interest of the Imo people. If during the past 100 days in office he has held Imo State and its people together, without the state succumbing to the threat of anarchy, it must be seen as an achievement.

Initially, the backbone of Imo civil service was almost in disarray and downcast. Although a few are still lukewarm towards his government, they must be told that they are probably crying for the wrong reason. Gradually but steadily, he is knitting together to move the state forward. Importantly, from January 14, when the Supreme Court affirmed its decision, the political aspect in Imo has not been rosy. After all, after a civil war, both the victors and the vanquished must join together to remove ruins of such war. Because they would not join together to destroy the place.

Added to his political predicaments was the natural phenomenon of COVID-19 which has consigned every government matter to the back seat to secure the health of the people before securing their political interests. Life first. And in this regard, his government has not been found wanting.

Furthermore, in his broadcast to commemorate his 100 days in the office, sincerely speaking, what were listed as achievements could be regarded as anticipatory achievements, scripted by zealous aides and officials who wish to impress the governor.

Even at that, no right-thinking person could say that the governor has wasted 100 days in office. And equally it is wrong to compare Ihedioha’s 100 days with those of Uzodinma. Those doing so are not being reasonable because Ihedioha knew where he was coming from and where he was going. Besides, both Uzodinma and Ihedioha are two different individuals with different political balance sheets. People must compare him (Uzodinma) with Ihedioha because in all aspects, they are different personalities. But Uzodinma will define his own style of governance to suit his own orientation. It is not the question of how far but how well and not issue of expression of political jingoism but results of substance in terms of concrete achievements.

All he (Uzodinma) can do now once the COVID-19 is over is to take a holistic appraisal of his journey. And be able to do internal assessment with those whose perspectives are for his success and not those who want to clap for him in error. In all things considered, in my view, he is not likely to be a failed governor. I remember that when I was a pupil at St. Mary’s Catholic School, Port-Harcourt, I used to ride a commuter bus with the inscription “Hope rising”. Few years on, the entire Diobu vicinity with shanties and slum became a developed modern area known today with pride as Garden City.

Without joining the fray of if he will or will not succeed, why not pull together to help him succeed? That is the bottom line now. Because irrespective of mudsling going on now between Uzodinma or Ihedioha apologists, before long the state will be calm. But as a senior citizen, I want to share with Uzodinma the quotations from Walter Bagehot, a British philosopher, thus: “The banner of every leader must be not to tell the citizenry lies and also to prevent others telling lies on his behalf. A government built on the platform of truth, honour and justice will always have a citizenry on its side.”

After all, truth has no alternative. And according to Michael Stewart: “A leader who is on a shaky ground can only consolidate such ground with fundamental of truth, honesty and good public policies.”

This is a word from a concerned senior citizen. We wish the Governor the best of wisdom to succeed.

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JUST IN: Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun joins ancestors at 81

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The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun has joined his ancestors after a brief illness.

He joined his ancestors at the age of 81.

It was gathered that the late monarch was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning having stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though, he was hail and hearty on Monday during which he personally received few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day.

Making this announcement was the Baba-Kekere Olubadan and his younger brother, Dr Kola Balogun in a statement by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.

According to the statement, Dr. Balogun disclosed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites just as he said that the State Governor Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed, would be formally notified early in the morning.

The late Olubadan was the first most educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch, a British trained P.hd holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party, NPP, former Senator and a successful business man.

His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobed Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja was taken.

He however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade to midwife a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The decision of the small committee was earlier on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.

The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.

Announcing the passage of the monarch, Governor Makinde, in a statement, stated that Olubadan, who joined his ancestors late Thursday evening at the University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, described him as an epitome of royal excellence and a great achiever, who made great marks on Ibadanland in just a little over two years of his reign.

He expressed his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State, praying to God to grant repose to the soul of the deceased monarch.

Makinde said: “With total submission to the will of God, I announce the passing unto glory of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Lekan Balogun, Alli Okunmade II, the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

“A mighty Iroko has fallen; Oba Dr. Balogun has joined the ancestors.

“In Kabiyesi, Ibadanland had a cosmopolitan and well-experienced Olubadan, who made indelible marks on the sands of history and achieved greatly within a short while.

“On behalf of the Government and good People of Oyo State, I condole with the immediate family of the Oba Dr. Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Oyo State Traditional Council and the people of Ibadanland.

“It is my prayer that God grants repose to the soul of our late monarch.”

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JUST IN: Labour Party National Chairman, Abure arrested for attempted murder in Edo (Video)

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Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested the National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure.

Abure was arrested on Wednesday in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on allegations of premeditated attempted murder, amongst other alleged infractions.

The Labour Party chairman’s arrest followed a petition by the LP Youth Leader, Comrade Eragbe Anselm Aphimia.

The petition, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, dated February 13, partly reads, “I, Comrade Eragbe Anselm, write to you with utmost urgency and grave concern regarding a heinous act of violence perpetrated against me on the 29th of December 2023.

“I am a member and National Youth Leader of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria, and the events I am about to recount are of utmost importance for justice and the safety of individuals involved in political activities.

“On December 28, 2023, I flew into Benin City Airport around 2 p.m. as part of an official 5-member delegation authorised by the Acting National Chairman of the Labour Party, Alhaji Lamidi Basiru Apapa.

“Our mission was to organise Ward, LGA, and State Congresses in Edo State, as well as supervise the sale of nomination forms for various posts, as mandated by INEC guidelines, within the stipulated time frames.

“On arrival at the Benin Airport, I was received by one Mrs Mary Okheime Newberry, who falsely claimed to be providing transportation and accommodation on behalf of unnamed “stakeholders.”

“She proceeded to lodge us at the Smart Homes Hotel, unknown to us that she was plotting a sinister and gruesome ambush. The next morning, a man named Austin Emeka came to pick me and my colleague, Mr Patrick Anethua, up from the hotel lobby, pretending to take us to a meeting venue.

“Instead, we were violently attacked just outside the hotel gates by a waiting mob.”

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JUST IN: Tinubu appoints new leadership for NAFDAC, NCDC

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President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment and reappointment of chairpersons of boards and chief executive officers of agencies under the ministry of health and social welfare.

In a statement on Thursday by Ajuri Ngelale, presidential spokesperson, Tinubu approved the appointment of Mansur Kabir as the chairman of board of National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

He also reappointed Mojisola Adeyeye as the director-general (DG) of the agency and appointed Olajide Idris as the DG of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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