Information reaching 247ureports.com indicates that the late Nkemba of Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu willed his estate and monies to his widow, Bianca Onoh-Ojukwu. This was made known at an Enugu High Court on holding Friday where the late Ikemba’s will was read to the family members.
Other details of the Will are not available presently but Late Ikemba’s family have been plagued by controversies over the right to the late Ikemba’s estate. The fight had been between the young wife of the late Ikemba and the children of the first wife.
It was gathered that the Late Ikemba’s Will gave the lion-share of the properties and monies to Bianca Onoh-Ojukwu – a landed property in Nnewi was given to the Late Ikemba’s first son, Emeka Ojukwu [Jnr]. Other of Ojukwu [jnr]’s siblings were reported to received some sharing of the properties.
There was no mention of Dede Sylvester Ojukwu in the Will. Dede had been making claims that he was the rightful first issue of the Late Ikemba.
The shocker came when a name [a Hausa name] was mentioned. The name of a Hausa girl believed to be the first child of the Late Ikemba. The mention of her name came as a shocker to Bianca – who told our correspondent that she was not aware of the Hausa daughter. The daughter was mentioned in the WIll as a benefactor in the Ojukwu Estate.
This is the first National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party after it was registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Tuesday 2nd October, 2012 and which was conveyed to the party through the Commission’s letter Ref. No. INEC/DPPM&L/UPP/446/Vol.1/167 dated 4th October, 2012.
NEC deliberated on the policy thrust of the young party and resolved as follows:
1. NEC has resolved to uphold the strictest sense of internal party democracy at all levels of the party’s organs and in dealing with members on all matters.
2. NEC insists that only bona fide members of UPP shall have the prerogative to elect party officers at party congresses and to elect party flag bearers at party primary elections at all levels in accordance with the clear provisions of the party constitution registered with INEC.
3. NEC resolved that our great party shall field candidates to contest all contestable elective positions at every election everywhere in Nigeria.
4. NEC holds the identity, characteristics and ideology of the United Progressive Party to be sacrosanct. In this regard, the party shall welcome, encourage and participate in political alliances with like-minded political parties for the promotion of democracy and electoral benefit to the alliance partners without compromising the party’s identity, characteristics and ideology.
5. NEC resolved that the United Progressive Party shall not countenance any proposal for merger with any political party either now or in the future.
6. NEC resolved that our great party and its officers at all levels shall endeavour at all time to observe the highest principle of credibility, responsibility, courage and boldness in all our comments, reactions, input, and intervention in all political or social issues in Nigeria. In this regard, at any level in which we find ourselves in opposition our criticism of government policies and actions shall be constructive without resorting to the abuse of persons and denigration of public office holders.
7. NEC resolved that the United Progressive Party shall constructively engage other political parties and work in concert with them to ensure free and fair election and promote the credibility of the electoral process. In this regard, the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission and its officers, as well as, the conduct of all agencies associated with the conduct of elections in Nigeria shall come under our close scrutiny at all times.
8. The United Progressive Party shall engage in mobilizing other political parties and relevant stakeholders to canvass for the amendment of the Electoral Act and relevant provisions of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to provide for electronic voting system with effect from 2015 general election in Nigeria.
9. The United Progressive Party supports further democratization of the process of Local Government election in Nigeria. In this regard, our great party supports the transfer of the responsibilities of the various States Independent Electoral Commission to INEC. In this way, the decision and timing of the conduct of Local Government election shall not be left at the whims and caprices of State Governments and their political parties.
10. NEC upholds the principle of rotation of political offices and supports the principle of Federal Character in the appointment of public office holders as already enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, without compromising merit.
11. The United Progressive Party shall at all times promote the citizenship right of all Nigerians wherever they may be domiciled in the country, equity, justice and fair play.
12. The United Progressive Party shall immediately put all machinery in motion for effective participation and contest of the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria. In this regard, NEC has approved the zoning of the presidential slot of our great party for the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria to the South East geo-political zone. All aspirants from the South East geo-political zone wishing to contest for the office of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the 2015 presidential election are welcome to do so on the platform of our great party.
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson – Kicking off during a Charity football match between Creek Haven All Stars and Creek Haven Young Stars to commemorate the World HIV/AIDS Day Celebration at the Gloryland Castle Field in Yenagoa. Photo by Lucky Francis, Government House, Yenagoa
Captain of Creek Haven All Star Deacon James Dugo (2nd left) introducing his team member Dr. Temple Iluma (left) to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson (right) during a Charity football match between Creek Haven All Stars and Creek Haven Young Stars in commemoration of the World HIV/AIDS Day Celebration at the Gloryland Castle Field in Yenagoa. Photo by Lucky Francis, Government House, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State government has reaffirmed its commitment to the wellbeing of people living with HIV/AIDS, saying it has made several approvals for their welfare.
Governor Seriake Dickson stated this at a charity football match between the Creek Haven Young Stars and Creek Haven All Stars to mark the 2012 World HIV/AIDS Day at Gloryland Castle field in Government House, Yenagoa.
As part of measures geared towards alleviating the plight of HIV/AIDS victims, Hon. Dickson said government has approved stipends that would be disbursed to them through the State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS (BYSACA) on a regular basis.
In demonstration of its seriousness to the fight against the scourge, the Governor noted that his administration was set to purchase test kits as well as intensify efforts at creating awareness about the disease.
According to him, the football event was part of efforts at sensitizing the people on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and expressed concern over the high prevalence rate of the pandemic.
While thanking the organisers of the event for their support, Governor Dickson pointed out that government would continue to use sports as one of the instruments to promote healthy living.
Speaking, Chairman of the occasion, General Owoye Azazi (Rtd) commended the state government for its show of concern for persons living with HIV/AIDS and stressed the need for more campaigns against stigmatization.
In his remarks, the state Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd) encouraged the victims not to despair as their current condition does not mean the end of their lives.
Also speaking, former Super Eagles Coach, Mr. Samson Siasia called for more help for HIV/AIDS victims and concerted efforts to encourage prevention of the disease.
The charity football match, which was keenly contested ended 2 – 1 in favour of the Creek Haven Young Stars.
For the third time, the hearing of the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, challenging the order of an Enugu High Court, restraining him from parading himself as chairman was stalled yesterday.
The matter which came up during the court sitting yesterday could not go on as scheduled by the Enugu division of the Court of Appeal, following a letter addressed to the court by Chudi Obieze, the counsel to the respondent, praying for an adjournment on grounds of ill-health.
The said letter from Obieze was supported with a medical certificate signed by the Chief Medical Director of an Anambra State-owned general hospital, confirming him sick and stating that he would be off for five days, starting from Wednesday, November 28, 2012.
However, counsel to Umeh, Pat Ikwueto (SAN), had while addressing the court on the letter, noted that if the respondent’s lawyer cannot come, he has other lawyers in his chambers and there was no reason why he should not send them to represent him.
He expressed dismay that the delay witnessed in the matter have been detrimental to APGA as a political party and therefore prayed the court to allow him to move his application or rescind all the orders made by the lower court in manifest disregard to rules of the court.
But, in his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Inyang Okoro, held that the medical certificate tendered by the defendant’s counsel had shown that he is sick and the court cannot disregard that.
“Since the medical certificate stated that he would be off for five days, I suggest that the court should look for a short date,” he noted.
Consequently, the court noted that the motion filed on September 15 and all other motions be adjourned to January 15 and that fresh hearing notices should be issued to the respondent.
On his part, Umeh told reporters that it was clear his opponents were frustrating the hearing of the Court of Appeal, stressing that up till now, the trial judge at the lower court, Justice Innocent Umezuruike, has refused to release his rulings and records of proceedings in court on September 17 and October 8.
“Up till this moment, because we were at his court yesterday and they said he still has not brought out the records. So, the record is under lock by the trial judge and here at the Court of Appeal, all the antics of the respondent are clear, to frustrate the court from hearing the appeal.
“They had to go and bring an Anambra State government hospital report that Chukwudi Obieze is sick and the hands of the Court of Appeal have been tied. So, they know that when you plead that you are sick, human being can take ill and the Court of Appeal can adjourn this matter. When we were here last Thursday when this matter was supposed to come up and the issue of taking new date came up, they were suggesting February 28 which means that they didn’t want this matter to be heard at all,” Umeh said.
He however said in the face of all these, they have to be patient because at the end of the day, no matter how they run around, the truth would remain constant in the matter, adding that even if they finish what they are doing in the lower court, the Court of Appeal would be here to remedy the situation.
After a successful tour and rigorous selection for the First Abia Secondary School Talent Hunt Show, and Movie Production that was facilitated by the Abia First Lady, Odochi Mercy Orji, twenty students from the seventeen local government areas in Abia State have emerged.
This worth-doing-again exercise in the words of elated Nollywood comic actor, Charles Awurum kicked off on November 5, 2012 and got concluded with a grand finale that held at the Township Stadium of Umuahia, where over 130 students that successfully made it to the programme converged, and it ended with 20 students emerging from the different local government areas that makeup Abia State.
The shortlisted students which are: Mercy Dike, Ezeigbo Amarachi, Nwabuko Promise, Ogba Nkechi, Okosi Miriam, Nwaozo Ogechi Grace, Ihedoro Gospel, Nnamdi Chioma Gold, Uzoma Oyeoku Inyima, Awah Uduma Racheal, Nzeadi Peterleen, Chike Emerike, Adindu Beauty Chiamaka, Ikeh Juliet, Ukonu Chisom, Ayo Rebecca, Ekeoma Ezinne, Stand-Hope Emmanuel, Ekeka Cynthia and Emmanuel Saviour; would be featured in a movie that will be shot in Abia State titled, My Hidden Treasure.
However, the Production Manager of Magic Lens Pictures Limited, Ahamefula Ndubuisi emphasized that those who upon their effort could not be on the list of winners, should not be discouraged in the pursuit of their acting career, while thanking God for the success of the outing that lasted for a month. He further disclosed that soon, the crew would arrive at the State for the commencement of the movie production that will star those selected.
Consequently, the movie production and hunting exercise which aims at harnessing, discovering and empowering of young talented Abia citizens and Nigerians, who are of secondary school age at the rural areas who due to hardship and lack of opportunity do not have the medium of showcasing their talents, could be noted as one of the pet projects of the Abia First Lady, through her Hannah May Foundation.
Following the progress of the hunt exercise, more Abia citizens have continued to laud the First Lady for extending her humanitarian hands into the showbiz industry by facilitating a programme that is aimed at discovering the unharnessed youthful talents amongst the students of the State.
In his appreciation words, one of the illustrious sons of the State, Chief Emmanuel Ndubuisi, the Ijiri 1 of Uzuakoli expressed satisfaction over what he described as true dividends of democracy that has come to touch the lives of the people at the rural communities.
For him, “The people can feel the presence of the government, having remembered those at the grass root level. I must commend the First Lady for this kind gesture that will go a long way into motivating the students and the people in general, into developing the mindset of a better tomorrow”.
“With this kind of project, it means that the government has come to partner with the people, and that’s exactly why I must send this message to the First Lady for the sustenance and continuity of this programme. We are happy to see such a great development,” he expressed.
Also speaking, the Transitional Chairman of Isikwuato Local Government Area, Hon. Enyinnaya Nwosu who is still basking in the euphoria of the successful outing, described it as the first of its kind in the history of the State.
“Your coming shows that the entire Nollywood has come to identify with our people. And that’s why we are thanking the First Lady specially for creating such programme that will create an opportunity for our people to showcase their talents. I must call it the discovering of our hidden treasures. Firstly, it is a good start, and also a good foundation for the untapped talents here. I would also want to urge her not to let this vision die, because our people needs it most,” he urged.
In conclusion, the talent hunt search that gave an opportunity to the students into honing their skills in acting would also empower and nurture the selected participants by creating a platform for their growth.
The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) tearfully announces the
transition of Zulai Buhari, the first daughter of our National leader,
General Muhammadu Buhari. She was a graduate of Economics from the
prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and was, until her untimely
death, a staff member of Nigerian Raw Materials Research Development
in Kaduna.
Indeed, complications resulting from child birth resulted in her
death. She would have been 41 years old on 5th December, 2012 but for
the death which took place on Thursday, 29th November, 2012.
Our sincere condolences go to the family and friends, especially the
close relations and the entire CPC family on this very tragic loss.
Indeed, this must be very difficult season for the Buhari family and
it is our Prayer that Allah will comfort them. We pray very sincerely
for grace for General Muhammadu Buhari to bear this irreparable loss.
She was buried same day according to Islamic rites, and we pray Allah
to grant her Aljannah Firdausi.
God bless Nigeria.
Rotimi Fashakin (Engr.)
National Publicity Secretary, CPC.
(Friday, November 30, 2012).
Senators pressed ahead Thursday on a new set of tough sanctions against Iran’s domestic industries as they seek to cripple the Islamic republic’s economy and thwart its nuclear ambitions.
Sens. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., unveiled a package of penalties that would designate Iran’s energy, port, shipping and ship-building sectors as entities of proliferation and sanction transactions with these areas. The legislation also would penalize individuals selling or supplying commodities such as graphite, aluminum and steel to Iran.
The punitive measures build on the sanctions on Tehran’s oil industry that the two lawmakers have shepherded through Congress in the past year.
“Yes, our sanctions are having a significant impact, but Iran continues their work to develop nuclear weapons,” Menendez said in a statement, adding that with the new penalties, “We will send a message to Iran that they can’t just try to wait us out.”
Kirk said the measure “will greatly increase the economic pressure on the Iranian regime and send a clear message of support to the Iranian people.”
The sanctions are contained in an amendment the two lawmakers hope to add to a far-reaching defense policy bill that the Senate was debating and could wrap up by week’s end. Congress has overwhelmingly backed previous efforts by Menendez and Kirk.
The legislation also would designate the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and its president as human rights abusers for broadcasting forced televised confessions and show trials.
The United States and European Union have imposed tough sanctions on Iran that have weakened its economy. But Tehran has found ways to bypass the penalties, such as Turkey’s use of gold to pay for Iranian natural gas imports.
The Menendez-Kirk measure would allow the president to impose sanctions in cases of the sale or transfer of precious metals, targeting efforts by Iran to circumvent the penalties.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only.
Mark Dubowitz, a sanctions expert and executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said there is strong bipartisan support for intense sanctions, with the goal of pushing the Iranian economy to the brink of economic collapse.
Only then “can the central thesis of the administration’s sanctions policy be fairly tested: That crippling economic pressure will break the nuclear will of Iran’s supreme leader and his Revolutionary Guards and lead them to meet their obligations under international law,” Dubowitz said.
The president has 90 days from the legislation’s enactment to act. The bill does include the authority to waive the sanctions based on national security.
The Seme Border Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 28 year old Ghanaian auto dealer for concealing wraps of powdery substances that tested positive for cocaine in his inner wear. The suspect, Ali Aminu with Ghana international passport number H2252580 allegedly imported 1.3kg of cocaine from Dubai enroute Benin Republic. He was caught during routine search of passengers at Gbaji security post along Lagos Seme express way.
NDLEA Seme Border Commander, Mr Nicholas Ajaduronye who confirmed the arrest stated that the suspect packed the drugs in his inner wear. “Officers at Gbaji security post detected the drug during search of passengers. A total of 78 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.3kg was found hidden inside his inner wear which he covered with the clothes he wore. The suspect took flight from Dubai to Cotonou because he preferred to enter the country through the land borders” Nicholas stated.
The suspect in his statement admitted the crime stating that it was his friend in Brazil that introduced him into the drug business. “I am a businessman and I deal on auto parts. A friend in Brazil called me that I should go to Dubai to bring cocaine. He made my travel arrangement and promised to help me get capital for my business. I took Kenyan airways flight from Dubai to Cotonou and came through Seme border. My friend promised to pay me 2,500 dollars which I intended to invest in my business” Ali stated.
Ali who is married with 2 children told narcotic investigators that his father is from Ghana while the mother is from Anambra State, Nigeria. He attended Primary School at Onitsha but dropped out of School in Junior Secondary class 2.
Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA Ahmadu Giade in his reaction commended the officers for detecting the drugs. According to Giade, “the officers did well by intercepting the drugs. The arrest is an indication that our drag nets are wide enough to bring drug barons to justice.
Imo state governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has extended his free education programme to students from other states pursuing their education career in the state owned tertiary institutions as government assumes the responsibility paying 50 percent of their tuition fees.
The governor disclosed this yesterday when the leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and Student Union Governments of all tertiary institutions in Imo state paid him a solidarity visit in government house, Owerri.
He explained that the gesture is for non-indigenous students in Imo State University, Imo State Polytechnic and College of Health Sciences Amaigbo whose counterparts of Imo origin are enjoying total free education.
Gov. Okorocha who reiterated the commitment of his administration in making education free at all level in the state, however urged his counterparts in other states to adopt similar measure towards creating opportunities for Nigerian students in other tertiary institutions to enjoy free education.
The governor promised to sustain the free education programme which he said to be topmost in the priority of his administration, warning that days of corruption and massive accumulation of wealth by public officers are gone for better things like free education at all level to happened in the state.
He urged students to make good use of the opportunity provided by his administration under the free education programme to build a better future as well as shun vices that are capable of ruining their future.
Gov. Okorocha, however, declared Nov. 29 a free education day to commemorate the solidarity visit by the leadership of NANS as the governor of Imo state while the president of the association will always be the special guest.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and president of NANS, Mr. Dauda Mohamed, said they came to demonstrate solidarity to Gov. Owelle Rochas Okorocha for his outstanding achievements in the education sector.
He described The governor as a man that truly represents hope for Nigerian students adding that his achievements within the short period in education sector have remarkably placed him as the commander of free education in the country.
The NANS president also declared critics of the free education in Imo state enemies of Nigerian students warning that the programme should not be politicized as the governor has done what many had described as impossibility.
Highlights of the event include the presentation of award by SUG presidents of tertiary institution in Imo state as commander of free education.
