Urbanpaparazzi

31/03/2024

Anambra North ASTPA Brothers honour Hon Peter Anaekwe

A group known as Anambra North ASTPA Brothers, made up of people from the area who are resident in Abuja have presented a plaque to the Honorable Member representing Anambra East and West Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon Peter Anaekwe, aka MacPee.
The plaque was supposed to be presented to him and other National Assembly members from Anambra North during their inauguration lasting year but it was presented on 26th March, 2024 due to lack of chance.
During the presentation, the chairman of Anambra North ASTPA Brothers, Chief Engr Emmanuel Chikelue, said it was mark of solidarity from Anambra North People living in Abuja to the Senator (1) and House of Representatives membe (4) from the zone. He said the group will work with the national assembly members to help them where necessary, to succeed in their duties.
Responding, Hon Peter Anaekwe said he accepted the present with thanks and remarked that it signifies love.
He noted that he was not the only person that won election in Nigeria, but that there were others whose people live in Abuja and a few of them were honoured by their people.
He promised to work with the group as they do things collectively.
He promised he would bring the other assembly members from Anambra North to meet the group.
He admitted that what the group know are many and will be of help to the national assembly members.
He emphasized that as things come, they would be shared in the spirit of solidarity.

26/03/2024

Bolanle Olukoju lauds NIPR spokespersons summit

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) is a body that regulates the practice of public relations in Nigeria, more especially when it concerns the image of a nation or corporate identity.
The NIPR organised national spokespersons summit to discuss the need to change the narrative in public relations. The maiden national spokespersons summit with the theme; "Change Narratives, Change Society" took place in Abuja.
The event was on 26th and 27th March, 2024 at the International Conference Centre.
Speaking at the first day of the event to newsmen, the Honorable Commissioner of Communication, Kwara State, Mrs Bolanle Olukoju said the event is timely. She said that as practitioners, they have to lead the way for others to follow.
She believes that if the practitioners fall to change the narrative it will be disservice to the nation, on their part.
She commended the some retired public figures like ministers, commissioners and the former DG of NTA, Prof T. Iredia for their presence at the event and for their contributions to the discourse.
The Governor of Kwara State, Ahj AbdulRahaman Abdulrazaq was the chairman of the event and was ably represented.

13/03/2024

13/03/2024

Brig Gen Iheme explains Lt Gen Lagbaja's support for technology innovation

A Deputy Director in charge of transportation and innovation, Brig Gen E. C. Iheme has explained how the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Lagbaja has been supporting the force in the area of technology innovation. He made the disclosure at the 2024 Science and Technology Innovation Expo held in Abuja between 11th and 15th March.
He said the Nigerian Army has invented many novel security machines that can help in combating insecurity in the country. Some of them are unmanned airial vehicles and other automatic security systems.
He said that most of the inputs used in the production of the machines are locally sourced.
He said the Nigerian Army was at the event to showcase what they have been able to produce in support of the economic growth of the country especially in the area of security.
He led some representatives of the organisers of the event round the various stands of the Nigerian Army pavilion.
At one of the stands Col D.C. Filibus explained to the representatives of the organisers how an unmanned security boat under his supervision works.
He said the boat has camera which could be operated from a remote controlled office while it is out in the sea.
He explained how the boat could be used to fire bullets at bandits on the sea.
Brig Gen Iheme took the representatives to many inventions of the Nigerian Army at the Expo.

13/03/2024

Science and technology is the way forward for Nigeria - Leo Anderson

An international businessman, Leo Anderson has posited that Science and technology is the way forward for Nigeria economic growth.
He made the statement at the 2024 Science and Technology Innovation Expo 2024 held in Abuja, Nigeria.
Speaking to newsmen, he supported his argument with Nigeria population which he said is a plus for the survival of any business. He said that business people can leverage on the population when they offer good products. He gave example of when he was in Ghana.
He said there is no need for Nigerians to leave the country if there is an enabling environment for businesses to operate.
He said the government is not helping matters. He believes that people in government can fix the country. He gave an example of how Holland was rid of criminality by good and visionary leadership in the 80s. He gave examples of other economies like Dubai and China that turned from bad to good through visionary leadership.
He therefore advised that Nigerians should start doing like other revived economies instead of going to ask for grants and loans from other climes.

04/03/2024

How Williams and colleagues discuss state police etc

The spokesman of the House of Representatives, Hon Rotimi Williams and some of his colleagues discuss the way forward for state police, local government autonomy etc at a function in Abuja.
Their discussion centers on the reforms being worked on by the House of Representatives. They are of the opinion that state police is very necessary.
This discussion took place at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja in February 2024.
They also explained the stand of the constitution on certain matters concerning the performances of public office holders like governors.

02/03/2024

Okoro explains Coleman Wires and Cables leadership in the industry

The regional sales manager North of Coleman Wires and Cables, Engr Okoro Emeka Kingsley has said that the company in a pioneer in many wire and cable products in West Africa. He said this at the Nigeria International Energy Summit held in Abuja.
He said the company is an indigenous Nigerian organisation that manufactures all forms of cable ranging from telecommunications cables to oil and gas cables.
He said that the company presently manufactures optical fibre in Nigeria.
According to him, the company was incorporated in 1975 and started full production in 1998. They first started from a location in Ikotun and have moved to Arekpo and currently has Shagamu one and two.
He said the company is like a pioneer for a lot of new products. He said the company is the first and only manufacturer of high voltage cables in West Africa. The first and only manufacturer cat 5 and 6 cables for networking; first and only manufacturer of TV cables; first and only manufacturer of fibre cables in West Africa and the fifth in Africa; the first and only manufacturer of rubber cables for oil and gas.
Engr Okoro said the company has expanded so much that has the volume to export out of Nigeria. He said Coleman Wires and Cables is a company the entire Africa needs to be proud of. He said the company is like one stop where one can get anything cable.
He described the summit as being wonderful, "We have had a lot of experience at the summit where we talked of sustainability of energy in Nigeria", he said.
He said the event was informative and interactive for everybody; the exhibitors and visitors. He said they had good contacts that will help those businesses in future, which is one of reasons his organisation was at the event- to let people know what the company does. And that the aim was achieved.

21/02/2024

ATWAP will work hard to produce safe water - Akwuh

The FCT Chairman of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Akwuh O. Muhammed has promised that his members will try as much as possible to produce excellent water for their customers.
He made the statement during a two-day training for his members in conjunction with NAFDAC and SON.
Akwuh charged participants at the training to take whatever they learnt from the training very serious.
He revealed that the agency would be going round for routine checks to see if what the participants learnt were being put into practice.
He pleaded with his members to do the needful because if anybody is found wanting as he put it, they should not call on him.
He gave the training 90% success because it is the first time of such training.
He revealed that ATWAP is divided into units and zones, and said that units and zonal heads should report those who did not participate in the training. He said their names would be forwarded to their partners so that they might be considered for fresh training or caution.
In conclusion he said that ATWAP would try their best to produce excellent water to their customers. Because according to him, they do not know who might use their products, such could be one's loved one like the daughter, mother etc.
Speaking at the event, the CEO of Gathan Enterprises Ltd Abashi Bidemi lauded the training. She said the major takeaway from the training is the call for maintenance of hygiene at work place. She wants the government to go after those who do not want to register with the association.
According to her, they are the ones producing bad waters and tarnishing the image of water producers.
Abdulaziz Musa of Oasis Christac Water said that the training was timely. He pointed out that costs of inputs are high and wants the government to do something about it. He sees this as a big challenge to Nigerians. He asked the government to help local producers with soft loans so that they would not go out of business.

21/02/2024

ATWAP will word hard to produce safe water - Akwuh

The FCT Chairman of the Association of Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Akwuh O. Muhammed has promised that his members will try as much as possible to produce excellent water for their customers.
He made the statement during a two-day training for his members in conjunction with NAFDAC and SON.
Akwuh charged participants at the training to take whatever they learnt from the training very serious.
He revealed that the agency would be going round for routine checks to see if what the participants learnt were being put into practice.
He pleaded with his members to do the needful because if anybody is found wanting as he put it, they should not call on him.
He gave the training 90% success because it is the first time of such training.
He revealed that ATWAP is divided into units and zones, and said that units and zonal heads should report those who did not participate in the training. He said their names would be forwarded to their partners so that they might be considered for fresh training or caution.
In conclusion he said that ATWAP would try their best to produce excellent water to their customers. Because according to him, they do not know who might use their products, such could be one's loved one like the daughter, mother etc.
Speaking at the event, the CEO of Gathan Enterprises Ltd Abashi Bidemi lauded the training. She said the major takeaway from the training is the call for maintenance of hygiene at work place. She wants the government to go after those who do not want to register with the association.
According to her, they are the ones producing bad waters and tarnishing the image of water producers.
Abdulaziz Musa of Oasis Christac Water said that the training was timely. He pointed out that costs of inputs are high and wants the government to do something about it. He sees this as a big challenge to Nigerians. He asked the government to help local producers with soft loans so that they would not go out of business.

11/02/2024

Awute felicitates Onaiyekan at 80

A former Permanent Secretary with the Ministry of Defence, and the Director of United Nigeria Airlines, Linus Awute has felicitated with His Eminence Jonh Cardinal Onaiyekan during his 80th birthday celebration in Abuja.
His Eminence was ordained priest on August 3, 1969 at Lokoja. He became the Bishop of Ilorin in 1984. And in 2012 he became Cardinal of Catholic Church.
Speaking at the event , Linus Awute spoke glowingly about the virtues of the great man of God.
He said he was at the event to show appreciation for what the great priest has imparted in his life. His words, "We are at the event to appreciate the wonderful services Cardinal Onaiyekan rendered to the Catholic community".
Linus Awute prayed to God to keep him to do more to the Catholic Church in particular and humanity at large, even though he had retired from active service of the Catholic Church.

21/01/2024

Time to move Delta forward - Hon Nanakparo

The SSA to the Delta State Governor on Community Development, Hon Victory Nanakparo says it's high time the State is moved forward. He made the statement in Abuja after the Supreme Court affirmed the victory of the Governor.
Also Hon Nasiru Apeh thanks God for the victory given to the Governor.
Hon O. Akpimegi admonishes Deltans to support the Governor.

20/01/2024

The problem we have in FCT is multiple taxation - Chief Okolie

The National President of Self Employed Commercial Drivers Association (SECDA), Chief Okolie Uche Victor has pointed out that commercial drivers face multiple taxation in FCT. He made the statement in his office in Abuja.
He said that SECDA is one of the licensed commercial vehicle operators in FCT.
The association according to him has vehicles they give out to drivers on hire purchase.
He explained that SECDA is a parallel association to NURTW.
He said that SECDA launched taxi recapitalisation scheme last year August. He said it was aimed at removing rickety vehicles from FCT.
He explained that the association acquired new vehicles and gave to their members at 5% initial deposit and to complete repayment in three years.
He further explained that members of the association use all types of vehicles: taxis, buses and high capacity trucks.
He said that the association operates in other states like Rivers, Abia, Imo, Enugu, etc.
Chief Okolie pointed out that most of their drivers are not finding things easy due to the economic situation in the country.
He said that the three years repayment period given to the drivers might be extended.
On the other hand, he posited that the major problem drivers face in FCT is multiple taxation.
He gave instances of how different groups sell the same type ticket to drivers on daily basis. And that one of them claims to be from FCTA while the other group claims that they are the ones empowered by the law to sell local government tickets to drivers.
He wants the authorities of AMAC to look into how they give contracts to people for revenue collection.
He said that the groups collect about twenty five different revenues from drivers alone. These include daily tickets and yearly stickers.
"If you go to the streets of Abuja you will see many people forcing drivers against their wish in the name of collecting revenues, he said".
He warned that the authorities should caution their agents so that the people do not begin to resist their exploitation.

04/09/2023

It takes passion to be a Rotarian – RTN Onuorah PHF
Hon. (Amb.) Prince Kingsley Chukwudi Onuorah has said that it takes passion to be a Rotarian. He made this statement while speaking to our correspondent in Abuja. Excerpts:
May we know you officially?
My names are Hon. Amb. Kingsley Chukwudi Onuorah.
You are a member of the Rotary Club and you are now being elevated to be the President. How do you see this elevation?
For me it is a call for more work, because it is for me to continue to contribute my little best to humanity, so we have been there and we served as board members.
From just an ordinary member to board and now as a president of Rotary Club, So, it is an elevation for more work and we are happy we are adding value to humanity.
What qualifies one and what has made you want to be in the Rotary Club?
Basically, it is all about passion. It is all about interest. And it is also all about your ability to understand that in life there are gaps and spaces to fill. And this is the major drive that will push one into joining the rotary.
It is an international organization that is charity driven – basically into humanitarian activities; supporting the system.
Of course you all know we have seven areas of focus as we call it, which include maternal and child healthcare, creating an enabling environment in our ecosystem, disease prevention and control.
We also have what we call water and sanitation. And today the Rotary International President is talking about mental health. So, you can see it is a wide coverage that is quite demanding.
So, this is actually what prompts the passion and drive inside of us that we need to affect life in one way or the other.
What made you join the Rotary Club?
Basically, it is all about humanity. It is all about humanity. It is all about creating hope, just about this year’s Rotary theme. It talks about creating hope in the lives of the hopeless. It is all about creating opportunities. It is all about changing lives. It is all about affecting humanity.
So this is for me the passion behind what I am doing.
Can you give us a little bit of your achievements in life so far?
As a person, one may not be able to find it convenient to sing much of your praises. But one of the things I know is that it is left for people around you to speak of how much you have affected them and affected their lives. You don’t need to sing it loud. But by and large basically I want to tell you that being a Rotarian has really availed me that opportunity.
I have a community where we have been privileged to sink bore holes for them and give water to the community where there is no water. We are also building what I call primary health care where people will want to fill in gaps where the government cannot provide what we call medical equipment. Or to ensure that life is being saved, mothers give birth safely. So, we cannot really quantify and count them; but all we know is that in the background we are doing much for humanity. And that is our motivation, and that is our encouragement.
What are the criteria for enrolling new members?
Like I said, our first major factor for enrollment is your passion. It is the passion. It is of interest for humanity. That is the first major thing. We are also not ruling out the fact that classification is of importance, because we have the 3Ts in Rotary. We have time. We have treasure and we have talent.
So, if you can give Rotary your time, I want to tell you that you are qualified to be a Rotarian. If you can give Rotary talent, probably by the virtue of your profession, be it medical engineering, all fields of life. You are qualified to be enrolled into Rotary. Then if you also have your treasure of course we know that everything about life can also be encouraged with funds.
So, if you have your fund to also encourage, it is one major thing that permits you to also be a Rotarian. But basically, you must have the passion. You must have the hunger to serve humanity.

22/08/2023

If we fail to cooperate with the minister, we waste 4 years - Ibrahim Yusuf Bama
A former Managing Director of Kano State Agricultural Supply Company (KSASC), and former SA to the Former Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, Ibrahim Yusuf Bama has noted that if the people of Kano State fail to cooperate with the two ministers appointed from the state by President Tinubu, the four years in office would be wasted. He said this while speaking to newsmen in Abuja during the inauguration/posting of the new ministers of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Excerpts:

May we know you officially?
My name is Ibrahim Yusuf Gama, former Managing Director Kano State Agricultural Supply Company, former SA to the Former Senate President, son Bukola Saraki.
What will be your advice to the new ministers?
My advice is, I am calling to the ministers to work very hard to justify the confidence reposed on them, because we are in a very critical situation. The country needs people like them.
Honestly, the people being conferred with these appointments, they deserve it and they are a crop of people they are supposed to work with.
And let them justify the trust the people are having on them.
Kano state has two ministers and is governed by an NNPP person. What will you tell the ministers so that they will work with him in terms of appointment?
I will call on the president to make more appointments to the parastatals in order to checkmate the government in power.
To win the 2027 election, more appointments must be done in order to checkmate, because Kwankwaso, honestly he has youths. They don’t have direction, what you put them on, they follow.
Now that ministers have been appointed, what will you say to the people?
I am calling on the Kano people to give the two ministers all the necessary cooperation in order to deliver, because if we don’t cooperate, we waste our next four years in office.
So I am calling on the people of Kano State to surround them and make sure they perform. And give them advice which will make them perform satisfactorily.

11/08/2023

Sir Anadu leads ASTPA to answer the call to Anambra State “think home” philosophy

Think home philosophy is a call to Ndi Anambra and other Igbo people living outside Igbo land. It was opened by Chief Emeka Odumegwu – Ojukwu after he came from his sojourn in Ivory Coast. The phrase means that every Igbo man must send to Igbo land whatever earnings he is making outside the sures of Igbo land. Such funds would be used to develop Igbo land.

Chief Odumegwu – Ojukwu created the adage out of experience. When he came back in the early 80s, all his father’s investments in Lagos were seized by the Nigerian government and it took a lengthy legal struggle to recover them.

Not only from Lagos, most property of Igbo people in Port Harcourt which they acquired before the civil war was seized by the government after the war.
The government of the day labeled them abandoned property. These instances and many more where properties of Igbo people are envied by their host communities made Chief Odumegwu – Ojukwu to begin direct and indirect advocacy of the “think home” philosophy.

During the launch of Alaba International Market in Lagos, according to people who were at the event, Chief Odumegwu- Ojukwu addressed the crowd as “Ewu kwenu.” When they said Iyaa!! He told them that they would one day regret building such a large market outside Igbo land and left immediately.

The philosophy seemed to be only Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu’s thing until Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife Okwadike became the governor of Anambra State in 1991. He made the philosophy so popular that the state Tv and radio stations played the commercials and jingles very many times every day. Special billboards were created to pass the message to all Anambra people and Igbo people that come in contact with those messages.

Successive governments in Anambra State tried in various ways to drum up support for the philosophy. Gov. Peter Obi did a lot in promoting the philosophy. He made sure that goods produced in Anambra State by Igbo business men were patronized by the state government. A glaring example was when he bought various brands of Innoson Vehicles for use by state Institutions.
Many Anambra people have seen the need to be part of the philosophy. Innocent Chukwuma, the CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manu factors cited the plant in his hometown, Nnewi. Chief Ibebo started before Innoson when he cited most of his businesses in Nnewi. People from other towns in Anambra have woken up to the call.

Currently, Anambra State Town People's Association (ASTPA), an association of all town unions of Anambra State towns living in Abuja has woken up to the call also. ASTPA has been in existence for almost twenty years, but it is now that a vibrant executive led by Sir Arinze Anadu that ASTPA became the first Anambra association in diaspora to key into the “think home” philosophy.

The new rebirth of think home philosophy under Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is going as far as asking Anambra people to relocate the head offices of their business so that it will enable them to be paying their personal income tax in Anambra State. He argued that it will help the individual to be part of developmental strides in the state.

ASTPA involvement is in the area of estate development where the association just acquired a large expanse of land at Igboariam by Nando Junction.
The ASTPA investment in the state will go a long way in addressing the problem of housing in the state. The estate will provide social and recreational facilities that will improve the economy of the state in several ways. Beneficiaries of the scheme cut across towns from Anambra State.

Chief Anadu and his team have been in office for barely two years and have endeared themselves to the heart of the governor and other well meaning Anambra people.
No wonder ASTPA was given a special invitation during the Town Hall meeting the governor held with Anambra people living in Abuja. During the occasion, Chief Sir Arinze Anadu asked the governor to provide infrastructure to the site so that it will enable the association to complete the project in record time and embark on other development projects in the state. To this, the governor reserved his response and promised to speak on that during the forthcoming Anambra Day in Abuja.
ASTPA was part and parcel of the group that put the town hall meeting together.

By this, the ASTPA executive under Chief Sir Arinze Anadu has set an enviable record for other Anambra State people and groups to follow. It is a very laudable achievement that successive ASTP leadership must not allow to wane.

11/08/2023

FRSC will reduce 2023 traffic fatality crash to5% - ACC Imrana Lamba Ibrahim
The Assistant Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps Ass Corps Commander Imrana Lamba Ibrahim has revealed that the FRSC made a strategic goal to reduce the traffic crash fatality on Nigerian roads to 5% from the result of last year. He made the statement when he was honoured with the “award of excellence in life and property security on the road 2023x.” FRSC
FRSC will reduce 2023 traffic fatality crashes to5%.
ACC Imrana Lamba Ibrhaim.
The Assistant Corps Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps Ass Corps Commander Imrana Lamba Ibrahim has revealed that the FRSC made a strategic goal to reduce the traffic crash fatality on Nigerian roads to 5% from the result of last year. He made the statement when he was honoured with the “Award of Excellence in Life and Property Security on the Road 2923”, by Urban Paparazzi Publication.
During the award called Urban Development Award and put together by Urban Paparazzi Publication, Commander Imrana Lamba Ibrahim first thanked the Almighty God for giving him the chance, life, health and the team he is working with that made it possible for him to be noticed for the award.

He acknowledged that to whom much is given much is expected and said that the award is an encouragement and motivation to him to do more for the nation. “I am assuring you that we are going to double our effort to make sure that lives and properties on Nigerian highways are safe and secured”, he promised.

He said that the 5% reduction in road traffic crash fatality as projected by the agency will be achieved through vigorous enforcement of traffic rules and regulations. He said the agency will be doing aggressive sensitization and public education of all road users that include the drivers, the passengers, the pedestrians and anybody that uses the road.

He revealed that the agency will move to ensure that they have sensitized the public on how to make the best use of Nigerian roads.
Speaking at the event, the publisher of Urban Paparazzi online/offline, Samuel Dozie Nworah told the awardee the award is to spur him to greater height.

11/08/2023

Bombard events organized by MFM members - Dr. D. K. Olukoya to members

The General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) Dr. Daniel K. Olukoya has admonished members of MFM to attend en masse any event being organized anywhere in the world by members of MFM. He made the statement during the service that ushered in the 2023 annual prayer and fasting programme of MFM.

Dr. Daniel K. Olukoya said that members should see and take fellow MFM members as a family member and stand with them at the time of need.
He urged members to endeavour to attend events being organised by other members of the church anywhere such an event is taking place and show brotherly love. He said whatever such event could be whether it is a naming ceremony, marriage, burial, thanksgiving etc.

The call by Dr. Olukoya has now made it possible for members who could not have people attend their events due to none association with certain worldly practice to now enjoy the presence of MFM members and probably support when they are hosting events. It will also help in spreading the word of the Lord as such gathering must create an atmosphere akin the certain MFM programmes.

What members need to do now is to do enough publicity of their events and make themselves verifiable in such publicity and watch out for a crusade sort of gathering at their events.

02/08/2023

Essence of Civil-Military Cooperation is to foster good relationship – Commandant Ogwuja

A commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant Oliver Ogwuja has said that the essence of civil-military cooperation is to foster good relationships between the workers of the two entities. He made the statement at the 2023 annual civil-military conference held in Abuja.

The event is the annual Civil-Military Conference with the theme: “Engaging Multi-Stakeholders in Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMICO) and Collaboration with Intelligence Security Forces: A Renewed Hope”.
Commandant noted that days are gone when the military are known for their intimidation. He argued that things have really improved as the military is no longer as it used to be.

Commandant Oliver Ogwuja advised that everybody should try as much as possible to get themselves deepened into the activities to be able to function well.

The stakeholders at the event. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs); Ministry of Defence (MOD); office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Armed Forces, Nigeria Police Force (NPF), State Security Service (SSS), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOs), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service (FFS), Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).