Opposition parties COMMEND Gov Orji for his GOOD work in Abia.

 From CHUKS ONUOHA, Umuahia

Opposition parties in Abia State have come together under a yet-to-be-identified umbrella, to APPRECIATE Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji. The parties are All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Leadership of the parties met yesterday in Umuahia, the state capital and agreed to form a formidable body that would ensure that PDP remains the BEST whether the merger agreement at the national worked or not. They came out with a seven-point communiqué which lamented that there was good governance in Abia and Nigeria, that they would always appreciate good governance, that all Abia opposition parties were now one, that process of merging would be peaceful and that meeting of the group would be going on at all levels, etc.

The leadership of each of the parties spoke strongly in support of the project as they all agreed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had NOT failed the state. Others who spoke during the meeting were floor members, representatives of the women group and representatives of the youths.

They agreed that the only state in the South East that change for good was Abia State and implored the people to be steadfast in what they were doing. ANPP was represented by its state Chairman, Chief Cassidy Agbai, CPC by Mr. Kalu Kalu, DPP by Chief Ikonne Okechukwu, APGA by Chief Ozo Obata while ACN was represented by Chief Egwuatu Egbulefu. Speaking earlier, Egbulefu said that Igbos had come together in a meeting to agree that wherever there was GOOD governance in the South East, they would ensure the establishment of good governance by SUPPORTING the leadership in that state.

“The decision is that whether parties merge or not, Igbos have merged to bring about good governance for our people, by SUPPORTING Gov T.A. Orji, We are here because we want our first meeting to be on neutral ground,” Egulefu said. They implored everyone to go to their wards and talk to people, stating that they should welcome everybody, including those coming to spy on them because when they come, they would realize that the coming together of the Igbos was for the good of all.

Speaking on the process of merger going on at the national level, Egbulefu said every party involved in the arrangement would hold a convention, return their certificate of registration and fuse into one another to become one entity. According to him, if this worked out, the new party would accommodate all principal people in the various parties that had come together.
Speaking that, whether merging or no merging, we will always support PDP and also the State leader Chief T.A. Orji( Ochendo) for the wondrous work going on in Abia!

When it comes to sex OUK is legendary

The truth is that Kalu who is legendary when it comes to sex, since he is always on drugs, raped his girl friend to death. The girl who was on her period refused Kalu's advances and this angered Kalu.

The former governor does not joke when banging is at stake (even if its a ten year old girl) over powered the lady, tied her hand, and went hay wire, till the girl gave up, since she was asthmatic. The ghost of that lady is still hunting Kalu.

ABIA GANG RAPE INCIDENT: WHY ABIKE DABIRI SHOULD APOLOGISE TO ABIANS

Abike Dabiri before membership of the National Assembly had risen to fame first as Presenter of NTA Network Programme NEWSLINE. She is therefore by every stroke of the imagination, a professional Journalist who is schooled in the rudiments of verifying facts before they are reported. This is because, news is not an event but an accurate and unbiased account of an event.

Abike refused to apply this common principle of journalism when she took the floor of the National Assembly in September 2011 to condemn Abia State Government for breeding Gang of Rapists at the Abia State University. Abike cajoled, insulted and made mockery of Abia State Government and indeed Abians. She based her condemnation on a video that was making the rounds showing a hardly clear image of about five boys raping an unidentified female student.

Only recently, the Nigeria Police through their official organ The Dawn March 11 – 24 edition revealed that they have arrested the gang believed to have perpetrated that dastardly act. They were arrested in Obite Town in Eche Local Government Area Rivers State same place investigations revealed the crime was committed. Interestingly too, the students are not Abia State University Students and the rape victim was a known family friend whose family were in land feud with the boys who masterminded the rape. So, Abia State University and indeed Abians is nowhere in the picture. By implication, Abians did not deserve being taken to the cleaners over unconfirmed reports.

The question is: Who sold the dummy that Abia State University and Abia State Government had a take in the incident? Who told SUN NEWSPAPERS that the rapists were from Abia State University because when you see that video over and over again, no mention was made of Abia State University? Why would anybody refer to that malicious statement and still make comments on them?

What Abike did tantamounts to malicious libel. She needs to apologise to Abians for ridiculing them before right thinking members of the public.

By the way Abike quoted SUN NEWSPAPER (aka rumor newspaper) profusely.There are also too many Abikes out there who swoop on every incident to cast aspersions on Abia Government and Abians. They are the enemies of progress, those who see no good, hear no good and talk no good. Resist the temptation of being an Abike Dabiri. Always cross check your facts before you rely on them for further comments

PRESS RELEASE: Unveiling those behind alleged gang rape at ABSU

The police has been commended for unraveling those behind the alleged gang rape at the Abia State University, Uturu published in the social media in 2011.

Briefing newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia, the Chief Press Secretary to Abia State Governor, Mr.Ugochukwu Emezue said Abia State Government and the Abia State University (ABSU) has been vindicated by the findings of the Police which show that the incident never happened at the Abia State University but a village in Rivers State.

According to him, the Police has confirmed that the case is before magistrate court, 9 Port Harcourt , Rivers State as the alleged rapists  are facing trial.

Mr. Emezue who said that detractors of the government who do not want to see anything good in the government insisted that the event took place at Abia university should now hide their face in shame.

He stated that Abia people are decent and cannot involve themselves in such barbaric act and urged Abians to ignore the antics of those who do not mean well for the State.

Revealed! Orji Uzor Kalu and mother’s sex scandal

This is Bizarre, but it is a true life story that is only known to few people close to former governor of Abia state, Orji Uzor Kalu.

 

Have you pondered why Kalu is so close to his mother, Eunice a.k.a Odiuko,  such that the former governor allowed his mother to actually rule Abia while Kalu was in power? Now hear this: Odiuko initiated Kalu into her secret cult before he became governor for protection and success. And one of the conditions the cult gave Kalu if he must succeed was to be sleeping with the mother. 

For the eight years Kalu spent in office, Kalu serviced the mother at Nweke street Aba, constantly. That was why he left governance for her mother with the title MOTHER EXCELLENCY. Odiuko used this power so much that even Kalu never challenged her. This is chapter one of sex saga between Kalu and mother Odiuko.

BREAKING NEWS: 60 killed in Kano bus park bombing

KANO—About 60 people were feared dead, yesterday evening, in Kano when a suicide bomber attacked a bus park located at Sabon Gari, a predominantly Christian quarters.
The blast reportedly destroyed several buses while soldiers and policemen cordoned off the area after the blast.

The Chairman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Kano, Chief Tobias Idika told Vanguard on phone that, “the incident occurred around 5.00 pm when activities at the park were at their peak. So far we have counted 60 human bodies burnt to ashes from five luxury buses affected by the blast. Eye witnesses gave conflicting accounts of how the explosion occured.

An account said “the blast occurred as five fully loaded buses were moving towards the exit gate at the park when an unidentified individual driving a Golf Volkswagen car in an opposite direction rammed into the buses resulting in an explosion. The suicide bomber died instantly.”
According to Chief  Idiaka , “all the five buses have been reduced to ashes by the impact of the blast, and scores of others with high degree burns have been taken to Government hospital. Casualty figures might rise if what I have seen so far is anything to go by.
“We saw it coming and we informed the relevant authority to provide security for us in Sabon Gari but it fell on deaf ears”, he lamented.

Idika who was in tears further said: “ I cannot comprehend that human lives can be wasted like this; it is a horrible scene to behold and the fire service are trying their best to put off the inferno within and around the park”.
Another eyewitness told Vanguard that “an Improvised Explosive Device went off in one of the five buses going out of the park by 5.00pm”, adding that ”there are heightened fears that none of the passengers survived the blast.”

The Sabon Gari blast triggered pandemonium in the state capital as shops were hurriedly shut down in fear of possible looting by hoodlums.
The Joint Military Taskforce confirmed the blast. Spokesman of the Military outfit, Captain Ikediche Iweha told Vanguard that “we have moved in to the scene of the blast and we are trying to restore confidence to forestall looting.”
Captain Iweha explained that “we have invited men from Fire Service Department to put off the fire triggered by the blast and dozens were down by the impact of the blast. Our priority now is to secure the area and we do not have the casualty figure because we have not started counting. Investigation has commenced on the incident and that will reveal what happened, and how it happened”.

Jonathan condemns blast
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has condemned in strong terms, yesterday’s bomb blasts in Kano. The President said the barbaric incident will not deter the Federal Government from its strong-willed determination to overcome those who do not mean well for this nation. He said the Federal Government will not be stampeded, for any reason whatsoever, into abandoning its unrelenting war against terrorists in the country.

President Jonathan reassured Nigerians and foreigners in the country that the Nigerian Government will continue to do all that is required to ensure the safety of lives and property, including continued collaboration with local and international partners and stakeholders to check the menace of terrorism.
He commiserated with the victims of the Kano explosions, their families and friends, and assured the KanoState government of the Federal Government’s continued support.

VANGUARD

Why governing Abia is difficult, by Ekweremadu

Prince Christopher Ekweremadu, former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, commissioner and council chairman, is a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He spoke to GORDI UDEAJAH in Umuahia on the issue of rotation of power in the state.
IS there any reason to make people believe that Abia is peculiarly difficult to govern?

Abia people are well-informed but unfortunately, they are negatively informed and this makes governance difficult. For instance, Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state, has people from all over the world coming to do business or even reside in the city. From experience, governing an Aba man is a difficult task.
The expectation of the people from the government is constrained by scarcity of funds and this makes governance difficult. The state is unfortunate to have as neighbours oil-producing states and the people easily make comparisons with what happens in Abia.
How can the governor keep pace with the developments in Rivers, a state that can easily give Abia part of its allocation without even noticing it? Where Rivers gets N55 billion, Abia will get about N5 billion.
Our people will naturally expect that what is done in states like Rivers should be done in Abia. It is not their fault. As I said, they are informed, but not holistically.
What do you make of the excitement generated by the anticipated return to the PDP of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu?
This is being over laboured. I am not among those concerned with his return to the party. I believe that he needs to ask himself questions on why he wants to return to the PDP.
I share the opinion of many in the PDP that his desire to return has not been demonstrated genuinely. It is clear that there are disruptive tendencies in his approach.
The Peoples Progressive Party (PPA), which he founded, is yet to be disbanded. If his supporters were still in the PPA, it would be morally right for him to first disband the PPA because a report credited to the PPA chairman asserted that the former governor’s departure from the party would not affect it.
If all those behind him in the PPA are still working with him and operating in PPA, how genuine is his attempt to return to the PDP?

Should the next governor of the state come from the Ukwa Ngwa area, as the people are agitating?
Abia South senatorial zone or Ukwa Ngwa comprises the Ukwa and Ngwa of the state. The Ukwa Ngwa people are prepared for the 2015 Abia governorship election following the agreement with incumbent Governor Theodore Orji that power should shift to the area in 2015. The aspirants are gearing up for the race.

Are the Ngwa in Abia Central senatorial zone excluded from contesting in the governorship?
Originally, state power was shared between the Old Bende zone and Old Aba zone comprising Ukwa Ngwa in Old Aba Province and non-Ukwa Ngwa in Old Bende, which did not take cognisance of senatorial arrangement.
So, the next governor should come from the Ukwa Ngwa extraction of Abia South in line with our agreement with non-Ukwa Ngwa/Old Bende brothers.

In 2011, some Ukwa Ngwa politicians contested the governorship despite the agreement of rotation. Do you expect the rest of Abia not to contest the in 2015?
It would be unconstitutional to stop any interested aspirant from contesting for any available elective position so long as the aspirant is constitutionally qualified.
Today, we are talking about an agreement that led to the support the governor enjoyed from Ukwa Ngwa, which has precipitated the promise that he would supervise the power shift to Ukwa Ngwa in 2015. It is on this premise that we believe that if he keeps to the agreement, we will scale the hurdle.

Does that agreement include the other political parties or is this is purely a PDP affair?
The PDP is the controlling party in Abia and it’s under the leadership of the present governor; and given the scenario and all things being equal, the PDP will still be in power in 2015.

How do you factor in the rivalry between the Ukwa and Ngwa over who should produce the candidate?
It is difficult to put all that together now but the truth is that it is the desire of the majority that power should shift in 2015 to the Ukwa Ngwa. The two areas don’t lack good hands.
There are eminently qualified names like Senator Nkechi Nwaogu, Uzor Azubuike, Acho Nwakanma, Chris Nkwonta, Emeka Wogu, Chinwe Nwanganga, to mention a few.
I have no ambition to be governor but we are working to ensure that the right person emerges to represent Abia.

Why has the area always talked about being marginalised in the scheme of the things?
Under the present state government, the Ukwa Ngwa people have been accorded their dues. But it will be complete when power shifts; then, the talks about marginalisation will stop. Ukwa Ngwa felt marginalised because they had never produced a governor — military or civilian — for Abia.
In the past, we talked of marginalisation in the disposition of materials but the government has addressed some of these issues as reflected in the appointments enjoyed by Ngwa people at different levels. We occupy two seats in the Senate; this had never happened.

Is there any special strategy open to the Ukwa Ngwa towards actualising this dream despite the agreement?
We remain loyal and supportive to the state and federal governments. Having reached that agreement with our non-Ukwa Ngwa brothers and supported by the state governor, we will continue to heed suggestions and liaison with people across the state and members of the ruling PDP.

History has shown that the three deputy governors from Ukwa Ngwa were not loyal to the governors. How will an Ukwa Ngwa governor expect loyalty from elsewhere?
As a former Speaker, I can attest to the fact that it is not usually disloyalty that attracts impeachment. I challenge the claim that deputy governors from Ngwa were not good followers.
We have always been in the forefront of electing governors because the majority of Abia people reside in the Ukwa Ngwa area. If some individuals, for any reasons, fall out of favour with their bosses, I do not think it is the reflection of the behavioural pattern of the Ngwa people.

Nano-particles & Bee Venom Can Kill HIV – New Study

Nanoparticles smaller than HIV were infused with the bee venom toxin, explains U.S. News & World Report. A "protective bumper" was added to the nanoparticle's surface, allowing it to bounce off normal cells and leave them intact. Normal cells are larger than HIV, so the nanoparticles target HIV, which is so small it fits between the bumpers.

“Melittin on the nanoparticles fuses with the viral envelope,” said research instructor Joshua L. Hood, MD, PhD, via the news release. “The melittin forms little pore-like attack complexes and ruptures the envelope, stripping it off the virus.” Adding, “We are attacking an inherent physical property of HIV. Theoretically, there isn’t any way for the virus to adapt to that. The virus has to have a protective coat, a double-layered membrane that covers the virus.”

This revelation can lead to the development of a womanly gel to prevent the spread of HIV and, it seems, an intravenous treatment to help those already infected. “Our hope is that in places where HIV is running rampant, people could use this gel as a preventive measure to stop the initial infection,” said Hood.

The bee venom HIV study was published on Thursday in the journal Antiviral Therapy, according to U.S. News & World Report.

This study comes on the heels of news that a Mississippi baby with HIV has apparently been cured. The mother was diagnosed with HIV during labor and the baby received a three-drug treatment just 30 hours after birth, before tests confirmed the infant was infected. The child, now 2 years old, has been off medication for about a year and shows no sign of infection.

Nigeria: Ansaru Posts Video of Foreign Hostages' Bodies as Wlliam Hague names Killed British Hostages

Nigerian Islamist group, Ansaru,  that killed seven foreign hostages it had been holding since February has posted a video of their bodies on the Internet.

Italian and Greek authorities confirmed on Sunday that a British, an Italian, a Greek and four Lebanese construction workers abducted in northern Nigeria last month had been killed by their captors, reports Reuters.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said it was "very likely" they were dead, calling it "an act of cold blooded murder." Nigerian authorities have thus far refused to confirm or deny the killings.

The silent video published by the al-Qaeda linked group dated March 9 shows a gunman standing next to a pile of bodies, then a series of close-ups of their faces lit up by a torch.

It is entitled in Arabic "The Killing of the seven Christian hostages in Nigeria." A caption underneath says in Arabic and in English: "In the name of Allah Most Beneficient Most Merciful".

The workers were seized from the premises of Lebanese construction firm Setraco in the remote town of Jama'are in the northern state of Bauchi.

About a week after they were taken, the group claimed responsibility and said it was because of "atrocities done to the religion of Allah by the European countries in many places such as Afghanistan and Mali".

The British foreign office named the British hostage as Brendan Vaughan. An intelligence source in the Nigerian capital Abuja named the Italian as Silvano Trevisan, adding that he had been suffering from hypertension and heart problems.

The group killed a British and Italian hostage in northwest Nigeria during a failed rescue mission by British and Nigerian forces a year ago. Italy and Greece both said there had been no attempted rescue of the foreign hostages this time around, although Britain has not commented.

Attacks by Islamist groups in northern Nigeria have become the biggest threat to the stability of Africa's top oil producer. Western governments are concerned Nigerian Islamists have forged growing ties with groups elsewhere in the region, including al Qaeda's North African wing.

French intervention to flush Islamist groups out of northern Mali has greatly increased the risk posed by Islamists to Western interests in countries north and west Africa -- a risk highlighted by the dramatic attack on an Algerian gas plant in January in which at least 37 foreigners were killed.

Ansaru declared itself a separate group from Boko Haram in January, although security officials believe them to be closely linked. Its full name is Jama'atu Ansarul Musilimina Fi Biladis Sudan ("Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa").

British Foreign Secretary William Hague

William Hague Announcement Video on Youtube 

 

Things About IBB, Nigeria's Military President

-Born during the World War II on 17 August, 1941 in Minna, Niger State into a humble family, his father, Muhammad Babangida, was an Islamic scholar. By 14, his mother, Aisha, had died and IBB was orphaned. Babangida, who joined the army at 21, is neither Hausa nor Fulani but of Gwari ethnicity. This claim has been debated.

-Widely known to have married the late paragon of elegance, Maryam Babangida, IBB's first marriage has never been publicized. Maryam's mother, Hajia Asabe Halima Mohammed came from Niger State while her father, an Igbo man, Leonard Nwanonye Okogwu hailed from Asaba, Delta State where she was born in 1948. At 20, she married IBB. When she died in 2009 in the United States from complications of ovarian cancer (one of the deadliest forms of malignancies), IBB, a romantic lover till the end, was by her side. Nigeria's Senate President, David Mark, broke down into tears upon hearing her demise.

-In July 1966, a group of Northern soldiers mutinied. Some of them were IBB, Sani Abacha and Garba Duba (IBB's classmate and Maryam's cousin, he later became a lieutenant general, Bauchi State Governor, Sokoto State Military Administrator and Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He is now a Non-Executive Director of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc. and First Bank Nigeria Plc.)

★★★On January 14th, 1994, Abacha announced the cancellation of the Dedicated Accounts set up by General Babangida, and appointed a Panel of Inquiry headed by Pius Okigbo, an economist of international repute to look into the operations of the Central Bank of Nigeria where the Dedicated Accounts were operated. In its report that was submitted to Abacha in September 1994, the panel revealed that out of $12.4 billion that went into that account, $12.2 billion could not be accounted for. IBB would later vehemently deny he was responsible for the money developing wings of a B2 stealth bomber and flying into the far ends of the Milky Way. The correspondent of the Financial Times, William Keeling, who was first to come out with the story had been speedily deported from Nigeria by IBB. The legendary Gani Fawehinmi would fight the cause of the $12.2 billion till he breathed his last. And it's like the case has been buried with him. (Or when was the last time you heard anyone talking about it?)

Okigbo remarked that Babangida and Abdulkadir Ahmed, the Central Bank Governor, accounted to no one, and the records of much of the extrabudgetary expenditure could not be found in the Central Bank. Well, remember he also tried to rule again. He could have succeeded fa. But he actually still rules Nigeria in a very surreptitious way, many of his boys are in Jonathan's government or the current ruling party. We all know the Senate President and the 3rd most powerful person in the country. His former ADC Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (who effected the arrest of Buhari in the coup) is now the National Security Adviser and insecurity is now a thing of the past in Nigeria (no be so?). Dasuki was also once the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Security Printing & Minting Company Limited under Obasanjo.

-In 2001, When former President Obasanjo tried to look into the $12.4 billion that disappeared under IBB's regime, it was said that all records with the Central Bank of Nigeria that were pertaining to the fraud had DISAPPEARED. But in 2005 when the House of Representatives wanted to impeach the President, the records suddenly REAPPEARED. Why? Those in Obasanjo's camp felt IBB was behind the impeachment saga. #Naija.Film.To.Gun.Ni.Olohun.E.Ni.Duro.Wo.Tan...LOL!

-Nigeria's 6th military ruler also made himself the Defence Minister was one of the few soldiers been involved in all the successful coups in Nigeria. As far back as July 1975, IBB, Ibrahim Taiwo (later gruesomely murdered outside Offa, Kwara State), Abdullahi Mohammed (later Major General and Chief of Staff to the Presidency for 10 years under Obasanjo & Yar'adua), Lt. Col. Shehu Yar'adua (died in Abakaliki Prisons), Lt. Col. Muhammadu Buhari (later head of state), Muktar Mohammed and others orchestrated the coup that ousted Yakubu Gowon. They were successful and IBB was became the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps Commander but would later be accused of buying old tanks and passing them off as new, making huge profits.

-After the assassination of Murtala Mohammed a day before Valentine's Day in 1976 by Buka Suka Dimka, IBB (then a Colonel) was ordered by Lt. General Theophilus Danjuma (now a billionaire) to remove Dimka from the radio station, and he told him to take an okada (motorcycle) to avoid detection. That would be a very dangerous task for him as he was also on the hit list of the coup plotters, and funnily, he was a very good friend of Dimka, one of those who graced his wedding to the elegant Maryam Mohammed Ndidi King (nee Okogwu) in September 1969 (Aisha, Mohammed, Aminu & Halima were the products of the marriage). IBB would later say that he escaped death by luck when he suddenly told his driver to take another route in Ikoyi. (Max Siollun in his book explains better, see references on our website). Instead of taking an okada, IBB went to the house of his air force friend, Hamza Abdullahi, dropped the okada and borrowed his car. IBB would later make Abdullahi minister of the Federal Capital Territory (paddypaddy don kill us!). Before attempting to flush out Dimka and others, he placed a call across to his wife, Maryam, to soothe her frazzled nerves.

-Upon reaching the station, IBB was not allowed to enter by Dimka's sentinel until the rifle-armed Dimka gave his permission. IBB, unaware of the fact that Murtala had been killed, strutted in unarmed and requested they speak in private. According to IBB, the rebels were in a state of stupor, absolutely intoxicated. He then spoke to Dimka in Hausa as a family friend, calming him and reassuring he was without a gun. IBB would even use his sugar-coated tongue to effect: he told him that even if he lost his life at Dimka's hands, he would be happy that it was to someone who would surely take care of Maryam and her kids. A cautious Dimka brushed off the idea and told IBB he was on the death list but did not want him killed, and that he could have opened fire on the Evil Genius immediately he arrived. They continued 'gisting' until IBB left the station to discuss an 'amnesty' for the coup plotters with Danjuma, leaving Dimka behind with a promise to be back in the afternoon. Dimka waited but the next scenario was bloody. IBB returned with heavily-armed soldiers who engaged Dimka's men in a terrific gun fight. In the confusion that followed, Dimka escaped in circumstances that are still unclear. IBB was traumatized that his close friends would want to assassinate him because they felt he was too young to be in the Supreme Military Council (SMC). He felt betrayed and from that point, he would become hardened, trusting no one. Omo Omoruyi says of him: 'He did not trust anyone and became more distrustful over time.' His success in dislodging the plotters launched him into national limelight, and for the very first time, Nigerians heard of a name they will never forget in a hurry: Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Trainees Receive 113 NDE Starter Packs in Abia

Director General,  NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed

By Damilola Oyedele

One hundred and thirteen beneficiaries of one of the major schemes of the National Director for Employment (NDE), Easybiz Business Ownership Scheme in Abia State, have received starter packs to enable them commence businesses they have received training for.

Speaking during the disbursement in Umuahia, Abia state recently, the Director General of the NDE, Mallam Abubakar Mohammed, said the agency was enjoying the collaboration of notable Nigerians in the bid to address the challenge of mass unemployment.

Mohammed, who was represented by the NDE’s Director of Small Scale Enterprises, Mr. Kunle Obayan, particularly lauded the commitment and efforts of the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, towards job creation in Nigeria.

In a copy of the speech, which was made available to THISDAY, Mohammed explained that the Easybiz is designed to allow unemployed youths engage in small scale businesses on cashless basis using the point-of-sale (PoS) technology.

“Early in the year 2011, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) initiated actions that will launch Nigeria into the league of cashless economies. The NDE quickly keyed into this initiative by introducing the NDE Quik-Quik Business Ownership Scheme as well as the Easybiz Business Scheme,” he said.

He disclosed that the agency was enjoying tremendous support from the members of the National Assembly through the execution of many job creation initiatives on collaborative basis. The disbursement of the starter packs was done in collaboration with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who is from the state.

“This is hinged on our conviction that the best way forward in the fight against unemployment is in our ability to create a synergy with all well-meaning stakeholders. I am proud to say that we have recorded very significant and encouraging results from the efforts,” Mohammed said.
He reiterated the preparedness of the NDE to continue to work with innovation, passion and commitment towards reducing unemployment in Nigeria to tolerable levels.

THISDAY

Orji Kalu’s party, PPA, thanks Abia varsity for stripping former governor of degree

PPA chairman said Mr. Kalu thought of schooling as trading in spare parts
Former Abia state governor, Orji Uzor Kalu’s degree from the Abia State University was a “moral burden” Mr. Kalu’s own party, the Progressive People’s Alliance, PPA, said Sunday, justifying the school’s decision to withdraw the award.
The state university announced the withdrawal on Saturday saying it found out Mr. Kalu’s admission was flawed.

The National chairman of the PPA, Ken Gbalikuma, commended the school for stripping the former governor of the award, saying the decision was “proper” although it came late.
“The award of the certificate to the former governor, who was the incumbent visitor of the university, was patently a clear indication that his admission and graduation violated the institution’s extant rules and regulations,” Mr. Gbalikuma said.
Mr. Kalu has blamed the incumbent governor of Abia state, Theodore Orji, for the withdrawal, threatening to respond “appropriately”.

Mr. Kalu’s recent dispute with Mr. Orji, his former trusted aide, and the irony of his post-office experience, have surprised many.
As former governor, Mr. Kalu founded the PPA, and deployed state and party machinery to install Mr. Orji, then his chief of staff, as his successor.
Both men have since fallen apart, with Mr. Kalu abandoning the party, and seeking to return to his former People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

The withdrawal of the school degree is seen as yet, the highlight of that conflict.
The National Chairman of PPA, Mr. Gbalikuma said that based on the strength of the findings and recommendations of an ABSU’s investigative panel, the decision of the school was in order.
He dismissed allegations that the school’s action was politically motivated; but attacked Mr. Kalu as a politically unstable person.

He said the former governor spent only two semesters in the school, “thinking that the university was a political spare parts shop where any dealer in government can ply the trade by using political power to aggrandize his bloated ego.”

“All political groups in the country to be wary of associating with Kalu as he portends evil in all his undertakings, and would readily tarnish the image of any sane entity,” Mr. Gbalikuma said.

PRESS RELEASE: Abia State University Withdraws OUK's Degree Certificate

On the strength of the findings and recommendations of an Investigation Panel into allegations of breach of the extant Academic Regulations of Abia State University, in the process of the admission and graduation of Kalu, Orji Uzor in the discipline of Government and Public Administration, of Matriculation number: 00/42226, the Senate of Abia State University, at its resumed 69th Extra-Ordinary meeting of Friday 1st March 2013, and by a vote of eighty-eight(88) against three(3) dissenting voices only, approved the cancellation and withdrawal  of the Degree result and Certificate awarded to him.
The decision of Senate was based on the following grounds, among others:

• The violation of the Academic Regulations of the University on Adimission-by-transfer, which rendered the offer irregular, ab initio.

• The non-completion of the mandatory six(6) Semesters(i.e. three academic years of study), before he was awarded a degree of the University. He spent only two semesters in all.

• The University Senate maintained that its action, aforesaid, derived from the exercise of its onerous statutory responsibility to guard and maintain, at all times, the Academic Regulations of the University, its hard-earned reputation and the credibility of the Certificates it awards.

Signed
O.E Onuoha
Registrar/Secretary to Senate