Equity MEDIA Ambassadors

20/11/2023

NIGERIA IN AGELONG DILEMMA
Nigeria the acclaimed giant of Africa is still battling with multiple agelong problems which has plunged the country into oblivion.
Efforts to thwart this hopeless situation proved abortive. It is quite unfortunate that an endowed country of high magnitude like Nigeria could not find better antedote to her teething problems which fingers on:
INEC
JUDICIARY
SECURITY (operatives) and
POLITICIANS (in power.)

A look at recent and past elections in Nigeria shows that INEC, Independent National Electrical Commission constitute 90% of problems confronting the country by failing to conduct free,fair and credible elections. The "Independent " attached to INEC is a complete misnomer because Nigeria INEC is not Independent. They are under the tutulege and control of Mr President in power..
The JUDICIARY which is seen as the last hope of the common man is a total flop. They robb shoulders together in crime and corruption with INEC. The highest bidder is always the best friend of todays judges. A look at 2023 electoral court verdicts is a clear manifestation of what Nigeria is suffering from.
Worst still is the Security operatives who uses guns and uniforms to perpetrate malpractice and crime after collecting fat envelopes from political money-bags during elections. They abate crimes in disguise with utmost impunity. What a shame cm disservice to the country!
Above all, the greedy politicians in power who wants to retain their position to Infinity uses all arsenals within their reach to champion their selfish ambition either by hook or by crook..
Distinguished, can Nigeria still overcome these deadly monsters to survive ?
Can Nigeria still retain her pride of place as giant of Africa and abide by democratic principles and practices for better brand new Nigeria?
Can Nigerians rise up and challenge these deadly monsters to a hut.
No matter what , Nigeria must be better. Let's keep Hope alive and pray God Almighty to come to our aid Amen.
thanks

17/12/2022

31/07/2022

COPIED Attention to all:

*2023 ELECTION: THE USE OF NEW MACHINE—BVAS*

This is an important message that we must all read and forward to our people and groups.

1. INEC will be using BVAS (Bimordal Verification Accreditation System) in the coming General Election. It is replacing the Smart Card Reader used in previous General Elections from 2015.
2. It means before anyone with a PVC is allowed to cast his vote—the person must be accredited with the help of the BVAS Machine. If the person is not accredited, he will not be allowed to vote.
3. The BVAS accreditation will be through thumbprint and Facial Expression. It means, once a voter’s thumb is placed on the machine, the person’s information on the INEC portal will pop up. If the thumbprint doesn’t work, the BVAS machine will be placed across the person’s face to capture his image-once, it is captured by the machine, the person’s information will pop up and such voter will be accredited to vote.
4. The advantage of the BVAS is that it reduces rigging and electoral malpractices considerably. Now, a voter must be verified that he is the owner of the card before he will be accredited to vote. It is now one man, one vote.
5. This BVAS Machine has been used in different Bye and State Elections i.e. Delta State, Anambra State Gubernatorial Election 2021, FCT Council Election in February, and the recent concluded Ekiti State Gubernatorial Election.

*THE MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE BVAS MACHINE.*

We ran a thorough research on the functionality of the BVAS machine through the reports received from the places it has been used so far for elections.

It’s just a common problem that was discovered: the BVAS machine couldn’t successfully accredit many voters through their facial expressions. Thus, many voters even with their PVCs were disenfranchised in those elections.

This issue affect particularly the aged people and those whose PVCs were given in 2010/2011, 2014/2015. The BVAS couldn’t successfully connect their present images with the ones uploaded years back during the registration processes.

We need to put a preventive measure in place now so that our people won’t be disenfranchised in the 2023 General Election.

*SOLUTION*

1. I would advise that those whose cards were given 2010/2011, 2014/2015, 2018/2019 should do revalidation which means they should upload their current images on the INEC Registration Portal.

2. The Voter’s Cards from 2010/2011 does not expire. It is permanent. So, you won’t be given a new card if you do revalidation, it only means you have uploaded your recent picture for accreditation purpose in the coming election.

So how do I revalidate?

Kindly follow the following which is the same process for changing a polling unit:

PLEASE TRY TO TRANSFER YOUR POLLING-UNIT TO THE ONE THAT IS CLOSEST TO YOUR HOUSE AND ENCOURAGE YOUR NEIGHBORS TO DO SAME.

*Transfer of Voter's Card!*
Don't go to join the long queue at INEC Office.

*Go to*
1. cvr.inecnigeria.org
2. Services
3. Voter Transfer
4. Create account with your email address
5. Login with your email
6. Open the link sent to you in your email
7. Fill out the form provided and your new address
8. Go through your application to be sure no mistake
9. Save as instructed.
10. Use your phone to snap and upload 2 of your photos (First photo with serious face and the second with smiling face)
11. Submit
12. Wait for when it is ready and INEC send you message (on your phone and or your email) where to pick your card (around your new place of abode).

Don't just pray for good leaders, work by taking part in their emergence thru the ballot.
Be involved!

Get your Voter's Card!!
http://cvr.inecnigeria.org

It is your Civic Responsibility!!!.

*Please share to family, church, meeting groups, school alumni, town unions, pta, etc let those who moved/ relocated from other states or neighbourhoods use to redirect their voter cards. It's very important and convinient.

Those who have not registered can use it to pre- register. Then go to inec office for capture it's so convinient.

Please please.

*If you are a registered voter, check your status via link below. It is seamless, innovative and reliable. Simply Select your:

1.) State
2.) Surname
3.) Date of Birth

https://voters.inecnigeria.org/

If your details are not in the database please go and register.

Please, help circulate widely!

You can Pre-Register as a Voter Online, Schedule Appointments, Transfer to Another Polling Unit, Correct or Update Your Voters Record, Request for a PVC and Track Your Application Status

28/07/2022

WHO SHALL WE SEND?. WHO SHALL GO FOR US AGAIN? HERE I AM , ( HON. DR. PASCHAL OBI) ,PLEASE ,SEND ME !

When the people of ideato Nation was walloying in abject political hulabaloo and excruciating pains and pangs of socio-eco-political quagmires looking for a rescuer, a game changer, and a deus ex-machiner, to save the battered situation, no sooner they made this assertion, than Hon.Dr. Paschal Chigozie Obi divinely appeared ,and offered himself, please send me. !
Since the emergence of this quintessential unassuming, political collossus, as the honourable Member Representing Ideato Federal Contituency at the Green Chambers Abuja, the narratives have changed. Hon. Dr. Obi has carved a niche for himself in the hall of immortality through his unparallel developmental strides and human oriented bills and motions.
Dr. Obi's intimidating profiles and track records of indelibility as the only firsttimer to head a juicy position of Health Institutions at green chambers baffled the utmost profundity of knowledge of our past representatives who saw the giant feat as a mirage and mere impossibility.
Ideato Nation have hived a sigh of relief for having this paragon of excellence, and refined lawmaker as their representative.
Today, having assessed all aspirants that are standard bearers of various political parties for 2023 election , Hon. Dr. Paschal Obi, stands tall amongst them in all ramifications. His supersonic scholarship laurels, skyrocketing political sagacity which is tested and trusted, superlative intelligent quotient, oratory prowess coupled with the understanding of the nittygritties of national politics made him the cynosure of all eyes and epicentre of examplary leadership.
Dr obi has within the period in view changed the naratives for good. His endorsements for second term received overwhelming ovation to enable him consolidate on his giant feats of employment, empowerment, education, health,and infrastructure.
Ideato nation are poised, committed ,and determined to cast their vote to , Hon . Dr Obi 'for second term because he has the swag, the capacity and the supernatural grace to cruise with divine victory. Indeed he has offered to serve ideatolites for consolidation.
Lets support him for more democracy dividends.

OKWARA, LOUIS IFEANYI

11/05/2022

SELF INFLICTED WAR AND CONFUSION IN IMO PDP : WHICH WAY FORWARD ?
The unending war and impending trauma coupled with utter confusion that is ravaging and beclouding People's Democratic Party PDP since the political topnotchs in the party hijacked the harmonised delegate lists is becoming unbecoming.
The embattled aspirants , the statutory delegates, the local party leaders, and even the ordinary members of the party were dismayed and embittered. Other political parties are now making jest and caricature of PDP owing to their inability to keep her house in order to be able to face the challenges of 2023 general elections.
The party is in chains of problems, The recent rejection of her harmonized delegate lists by INEC owing to court injuction instituted by one of the embattled aspirants of the party Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere which was granted in good-faith by an Abuja high court is a big--blow on PDP. What an in-house politics.?
This latest bad development doesn't ugur well with the party. It has created division and suspicion amongst the members. If this ugly trend is not checked, PDP may go back to Egypt and remain serial opposition and bad looser till thy kingdom comes.
Worst still, any candidate who emerges on this scenario may face legislative hammer if the party disregards the Court order and conducts the purported primary. Those with foresight, have already jettisoned the party to avert the abracadabra and sheer impunity. How can you toy with a topnotch candidate who is tested and trusted with uncommon track records of antecedents. I hail Hon Dr Paschal chigozie Obi, for his bold steps in jettisoning such wishy-washy kitchen politics of PDP.
We are watching, if Ikenga wins the impending court case, it means PDP is nothing to write home about but where otherwise, Ikenga will not go scotfree of her sledge hammer . What a battle of titans!
As soon as the in-house war has started, looming problems will be trickling .Let's keep our fingers crossed for more episodes . If PDP cannot get it right now, it means they have planned to fail and remain in political Coma for another eight years.

Thanks for reading

03/05/2022

POLITICAL JUDGES WITHOUT CHAMBERS : IDEATO NATION AT A GLANCE :
" Wonders they say, shall never end, having a judge without chamber"?
Moreso, " the saying that a prophet is worth nothing in his own land " remain evergreen in my memories when I started ruminating on the way and manner our people play selfish politics enveloped with false allegations, character assassination, selfish egotism and sentimentality, bickering and acrimony, natural hatred and war of ugly words and vituperations in Ideato nation.
What a shame and disgrace.!
Negative politics and selfish aggrandisement have beclouded our sense of reasoning and judgement and as a result of this, we invoke all negative mannerisms and idiosyncratic attitudes against any aspirant that is not in tandem with our selfish accumulated interest even when such a person has some super track records of antecedents.
We believe that social media is the only platform to cast aspersions and venoms on your opponent. This is not only flimsy but myopic in all ramifications.
The better we learn the ethics of social media reportage the better for us. Criticisms are better accepted when constructively handled. As you awash ones dirty linings endeavour to commend the areas of one's giant strides to crack a balance.
Our people are fond of insulting, abusing, cajoling ,and mesmerising their own on various platforms thinking that they are doing good, not knowing that they are inflicting pain on their innerself. Enough is enough.
A clear look at those aclaimed political saints from Ideato nation who unjustly criticise Our presidential aspirant Owelle Rochas Okorocha , calling him all sorts of names and raining of abuses should subject their medulla oblongata for psychosomatic test. It is sacrosanctly clear that no amount of hatred cm debilitating political criticisms should deter him from contesting APC Presidential Ticket, or becoming the president of Federal Republic of Nigeria .
How many people or platforms from the North or West have you seen pulling down their aspirants. it is high time we trade with caution and behave maturely. Owelle Okorocha is a human, he is not infallible, his track records speak volumes. We cannot deny that.
Leadership is not easy. It is good, as we criticise grey areas to effect corrections, in the same vain, we should applaud areas of success to strike balance. Anything short of this, is wishy-washy, sentimental and unacceptable.
Meanwhile, who gave those aclaimed judges without chamber the effrontery, the sheer audacity, and temerity to judge even when they have logs in their eyes. God is watching. Let's embrace and support our own. The new Nigeria is on the way.
Above all, Let's criticise and judge wisely on social media. People are watching
Thank you.
OKWARA Louis Ifeanyi
Reporting.

10/04/2022

HERE COMES THE RISING SUN: HON. DR. PASCHAL CHIGOZIE OBI, Mfr,
Distinguished comrades
and great Ideatolites,
I once again appreciate your indomitable efforts and unflagging faith in the Honourable Member Representing Ideato Federal Constituency at the Green Chambers Abuja and the Chairman, House Committee on Health Institutions : Hon. Dr. Paschal Chigozie Obi, Ugwumsinachi.
Dr Obi has been a grassroot champion, he has been on ground for ages that's why he was able to know the nitty gritties of our local and national politics . He knows his people and his people know him well.
This common attribute endeared Dr Obi to his people who endorsed him unequivocally for federal House of Representatives in 2019. Even when the Ruling party APC stole his mandate, the good people of Ideato nation still stood with him in AA where he won with landslide victory.
Since the emergence of Hon Dr Obi as the Honourable member representing Ideato federal constituency, the refined lawmaker has blazed trail in empowering his people, securing over 150 federal jobs, rehabilitation of Health Centres, building of ultramodern classroom buildings, equipping of schools with desks and books, Road construction, erosion controls, skill acquisition trainings, provision of water boreholes, solar street lights, distribution of Tailoring machines, Erecting of modern civic centres, supporting small scale businesses,.and scholarship education programmes etc.
These track records speak volumes because, we have never had it so good like this.
All these he has done as a first timer, checkout if he is there for the second term. He will not only redouble his achievements but will be in a position to clinch either the speakeership , the deputy speaker , the majority or minority chief whip, and other multiferous ranking positions to enable him attract more dividends of democracy to his constituents.
It is on record that no honourable member from Ideato nation has headed a juicy position at the Green chambers let alone being a ranking member. But Hon Dr Obi has broken the jinx by heading a juicy committee on Health Institutions despite been a firsttimer .
This is as a result of his sound wealth of experience as a technocrat , civil service Odyssey, superlative intelligent quotient coupled with his Endowed Penetrative Strategy. (EPS) .Hon Dr Obi has proved his mettle where past representatives did not make impact. He is not a bench warmer and can never be a political errand boy who doesn't know when and where national cakes are shared . Dr Obi's positive and active representation coupled with his exceptional imaginative projections at the green chambers stands him tall. He has placed Ideato nation to the National grid through the attraction of federal projects and jobs.
It is better we continue to support him to accomplish more and to consolidate on his good works. If we can see reasons together without political attachment, and unequivocally support Hon. Dr Obi for second term Ideato Federal constituency will be a cynosure of all eyes and the epicentre of giant developmental strides.
As he join the new political platform, PDP to actualise the dream , we enjoin him with total commitment and support to ensure that victory is ours and assured.
Let's continue to support HON DR PASCHAL CHIGOZIE OBI, irrespective of our differences, political affiliations, or class. We did it before we shall do it again in a grandstyle for our common good. .

GREAT IDEATO NATION ........

OKwara, Louis Ifeanyi (Ficon)
Reporting.

31/03/2022

2023: Obi finally picks PDP Presidential nomination forms

Former Anambra state governor, Mr. Peter Obi has finally joined the league of Presidential aspirants vying for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in next year's election.

This follows the purchase of the expression of interest and nomination forms for him by a group which identified itself as Like minds for Peter Obi.

Addressing newsmen shortly after obtaining the N40m nomination forms, spokesman of the group, Ekene Nwakuche said the members hold no affiliation to any political party but decided to rally behind the former governor based on his capacity to provide good governance.

"We don't belong to any political party. We are just a group of young Nigeria professionals that feels that the way the country is going, the country is not going in the right direction and we need someone, a a seasoned technocrat that can steer the affairs of the country in the right direction, and cut down the cost of governance.

"Because we believe that if we cut down the cost of governance, the country would move in the right direction. We are different individuals in the group- professionals, businessman , public servants, different category of contractors and artisans.

"We have members from everywhere in Nigeria and we are fully represented. We want the country to move forward. We think Peter Obi can steer it forward and we believe in him because we have seen what he did in Anambra when he was a governor. And we have heard him talk; he has the wealth of experience to lead Nigeria to the promised land," he said.

24/03/2022

ZONING SAGA IN NIGERIA POLITICAL LANDSCAPE : THE NEED FOR CONSTITUTIONAL BACKING.

OKWARA, LOUIS IFEANYI
IMO STATE

Since this democratic dispensation, mouth has started wagging on the way and manner some geopolitical cm Ethnic groups are dominating in controlling the affairs of this country, living others marginalised, disenfranchised., utter confusion and deeper oblivion.
Owing to lacuna in equitable distribution of power and national cakes in this democratic dispensation, some of the political class has deemed it worthwhile to introduce ZONING formular where power is shared amongst the geopolitical blocs for unity, equity, justice and faireplay.
Though Zoning is unconstitutional but, a welcomed gentleman's agreement which is yet to be enshrined in the Nigerian constitution to give it a legal backing.
Hence power is rotating between the North's and the Souths, the political parties will be advised to tow the same path. Now the power pendulum is dangling to the South, it is imperative and common-sensical for the slot to be narrowed down to the region that has not taken her fairshare which is the SouthEast, hence SouthSouth and SouthWest have enjoyed their slot.
This arrangement will not only foster peace and love but will accelerate effective representation and grassroots development and equally ward off wishy-washy political sentimentality, coupled with agitations for freedom.
When a slot is zoned to a particular region, the region will be mandated to bring out the best brains and brands to contest from various political parties in existence. Whoever wins become the primus inter pares and has automatically represented his region .
To allow peace to reign supreme the political parties in Nigeria today PDP, APC, APGA, NNPP etc should zone their presidential slot to the South which will likewise narrow it to the SouthEast for peace and tranquility .
Let " The- New- Nigeria" of our collective dream come .
May God help us.

REMAIN RICHLY BLESSED AMEN.

05/02/2022

JOSTLING FOR PREDIDENTIAL MATERIAL FROM IGBO EXTRACTION.
(A hard nut to crack ?...........No.!!
As 2023 presidential election is drawing closer, political parties, business moguls with heavy financial muscles, political bigwigs and irokos, geopolitical zones, sociopolitical organs , and even religious organisations are in deep thoughts and search on who becomes the next president of Nigeria. Many nocturnal meetings and conferences are in progress to realise this dream project .
Meanwhile, from the political calculations and moral justifications, other zones /tribes have taken their fair share in the leadership of this country remaining the Southeast (Igbos) to balance the equation .
Despite the fact that it is the turn of Igbos to produce the next president of this country, other zones and tribes are still striving to usurp the position.
Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is secretly warming up from the west while Atiku Abubakar, Lamido Sanusi and host of others from the North were eyeing the position too. All things being equal, it is sacrosanctily and politically clear that this is the turn for Igbo's to produce the next president for equity, justice and fairplay .Anything short of this is undemocratic, unacceptable, and chaotic which is capable of breaching peace and unity of Nigeria .
Igbos are not relenting in search of credible personalities for the plume job. My recent facebook search for Igbo presidential candidate was quite overwhelming and encouraging. Indeed, we have personalities who are academically, socially, politically, morally, financially, emotionally and psychologically balanced to handle the job . A candidate who can cut across national and international boundaries with ease, a candidate who can maradonna with the nitty-gritties of Nigeria politics, a home breed Igbo-man with other tribal inclinations and connections.
After thorough permutations, assessments and counter assessments we were able to prune the number of candidates for the post to three, which are subject for further examinations and re-assessments .
We should jettison political acrimony and selfish aggrandisement and pool our resources together to support any candidate from IGBO exraction irrespective of age, class , state, political or religious background, indeed, Igbos can boast for any of these candidates like.....
Owelle Rochas Okorocha,
Mr. Peter Obi
Sen. Orji-Uzor Kalu
These three candidates are hotshots for Nigeria presidency come 2023. Let's make a final choice from any of them. They are credible, capable and dependable.
LETS GO TOGETHER, IT IS OUR TURN TO LEAD NIGERIA TO THE PROMISE LAND......
TOGETHER, WE CAN
IGBO KWEZUONU OOOOOOO...........

Louis Ifeanyi Okwara

02/02/2022

POLITICAL WATCHDOG EXTOLS MEMBER REPRESENTING IDEATO FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY HON.DR PASCHAL OBI ON HIS ACHIEVEMENTS
THE MAGIC WAND OF A QUINTESSENTIAL LAWMAKER VOLUME 1
Aside from championing the highest number of life changing bills and motions, impeccable representation and effective oversight activities which remains the primary functions of a law maker, Ugwumsinachi continues to blaze the trail in empowerment and developmental programmes.

This astute Federal Legislator became a synosure of all eyes when he gave federal jobs to several graduates of Ideato extraction and still counting. Indeed, his sojourn in Abuja has brought pragmatic solution to tasking issues bedeviling our federal constituency. It is very pertinent and just to state that Ideato Nation at the moment has a credible parliamentarian at the National Assembly.

Without mincing words, Hon. Dr. Paschal Chigozie Obi's excellent scorecard in two and half years of stewardship is a clear manifestation of wit, erudition and preparedness. We have never had it so groovy like what we are experiencing today. It is a bumper harvest in all the nooks and crannies of Ideato North / Ideato South Federal Constituency.

The underlisted projects are captured in the 2021 budget.

Solar powered street lights at Umukegwu - Akokwa (Completed)

Solar powered street lights at Ozuakoli - Urualla (Completed)

Solar powered street lights at Obiohia (Completed)

1.5 km road at Nneato-Ogwugwu Dikenafai (Ongoing)

A unit of six(6) classroom block at Amanator (Ongoing)

Federal Medical Center (FMC) Annex at Ogboko (Ongoing)

Completion of Obiohia civic center (Ongoing)

Renovation of Health Center at Isiokpo (Ongoing)

Renovation of Health Center at Ndiuche - Izuogu (Ongoing)

Renovation of Health Center at Umualaoma (Ongoing)

Renovation of Health Center at Umuaghobe (Ongoing)

Renovation of Health Center at Ugbelle (Ongoing)

Renovation of Health Center at Umueshi (Ongoing)

Renovation of Health Center at Dimagu (Ongoing)

Renovation and equipping of Health Center at Umuchima (Ongoing)

Rehabilitation of boreholes at Obodoukwu, Urualla, Dikenafai, Obiohia, Ugbelle (Ongoing)

Motorized boreholes at Osina, Ndianiche-uno Izuogu, Amanator, Umuegbu-Umumaisiaku (Ongoing)

NOTE: The above are 2021 projects. We have completed our 2020 jobs and handed them over to the owners. We are optimistic that 2022 package will be the greatest.

Ugwumsinachi is simply a round peg in a round hole.
VOLUME 2 LOADING

27/01/2022

Book shopping made easy with Evans Estore
Visit:
www.evanspublishers.com/estore

18/01/2022

Hon. Dr. Paschal Obi promoting education in ideato nation.
Thanks for funding our education..........beneficiaries

11/10/2021

ARCHBISHOP OBINNA WORRIED OVER KILLING OF YOUTHS IN IMO, SAYS FMC MORGUE FILLED WITH CORPSES

The head of Owerri Catholic Archdiocese, Archbishop Anthony J.V. Obinna has expressed sadness on the gruesome manhunt going on in IMO state by Nigerian military.

Delivering the homily on Sunday during a mass celebration with Owerri Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Men Organization, at Maria Assumpta Cathedral, Owerri, Archbishop Obinna said: “I am very worried about the senseless killing of our youths. I am extremely worried that scores of unidentified corpses are lying in the FMC mortuary. They are in varying degrees of decomposition.

I visited the FMC morgue in the past week and what I saw in the place, shocked me beyond description. I saw what I can call corpses yard. They were mainly lifeless bodies of our youths, the fathers of tomorrow, who were senselessly mowed down by both the state and non-state actors.

The question we must ask now is: With the rate of killing in our land today, are we likely going to have fathers in the days ahead? Only a few hours ago, I got wind of killings by soldiers and the arson that followed at Izombe, Oguta local government area of our state. Bloodletting is getting off hand.

Soldiers have been pumped into the South East, thus militarizing the area, to the discomfort and temptation of the citizenry.

He recalled with grief that a death threat is now hanging on the necks of the bishops that took part in the recent meeting with governors in Enugu.

What will anybody or group gain, if they kill me? At over 70, I am already heading to my grave. Anybody that kills me now, did not do it early. Also threatened is the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valarian Okeke. Let’s see how far the planners will go.

03/10/2021

The economy of the former Eastern Region was planned from ground up by the US consulting firm Arthur D. Little

Zik brought them and they worked with MI Okpara at first, then with Sam Otti and Eluwa who headed the Civil Service and later with Louis Phillip Odumegwu Ojukwu who at the time was the Chairman of the Eastern Nicerian Development Corporation (ENDC) and also the Chairman of the Eastern Nigeria Commodities Board (ENCB)

Louis Phillip also sat as Chairman of 15 multinational companies at the time - John Holt, PZ, Michelin, Costain, Thomas Wyatt, Guinness, GB Ollivant etc

He was so rich that he single handedly funded the establishment of the Lagos Stock Exchange but refused to list his company there for fear of losing control

His photo still hangs proudly on the floor of that exchange as its first chairman

Arthur D Little also worked with a coterie of young Eastern Nigerian economists at the time - Pius Okigbo (PhD Northwestern), Ukwu I. Ukwu (PhD Cambridge), Chukwu Sunday Okongwu (PhD Harvard). These young men in their early twenties worked with Arthur D Little to plan our economy from scratch

I know this because Ukwu I Ukwu taught me at Nsukka and I also worked in Dr Chu SP Okongwu's economic planning firm right during and after grad school in Nigeria.

Arthur D. Little recommended the setting up of a university in the East to produce key skills needed to drive economic growth as most of those skills were not being taught in Ibadan at the time

Zip sent Dr Akpabio (MA Columbia) who at the time was the East's Minister of Education on an extended tour to universities in Michigan New York for collaboration in key fields like medicine, engineering,, surveying and photogrammetry and business administration.

UNN was the first school in Nigeria to offer many of these courses. Ibadan at the time taught mostly Classics, General Science and later Medicine

Palm oil, Palm Kernel, Coal, Cocoa (from Ikom), Coffee from Obudu and later petroleum from firstly Izombe - Oguta area and later from Oloibiri in Ijaw land drove the economy of the East

In terms of development,, the East started late, compared to the West.

Development and education had started in Lagos and Abeokuta right after Beecroft occupied Lagos in 1850s and made it a British colony. Lagos and the SW thus had more than a 70 year headstart over the East in terms of total gross capital formation and the platform that it gave for growth.

But after the implementation of Arthur D Little's recommended growth plan, the East's economy grew at more than 9.2%, starting from 1958 till 1967 when the war began

At over 9%, the Eastern Region in this period, had the fastest growing economy on earth consistently for 9 years and was estimated to equal Western Nigeria by 1978 (in terms of total gross capital formation) and then overtake the Western Region after that.

The civil war truncated that momentum and the East never recovered after that.

Louis Philip Odumegwu Ojukwu brought his industrial influence to bear on the growth plan as he singlehandedly pushed for the establishment of not just industrial estates but industrial corridors in the region.

An industrial estate is localized. An industrial corridor joins two or more industrial estates to form an industrial conurbation.

Industrial estates sprang up across the East
TransAmadi in PH.

Aba for light industries.

Umuahia for biotechnology.

Emene in Enugu for steel and industrial automation.

Nkalagu, PH and Calabar for cement and building materials.

Onitsha as an emporium to drive retail trading.

Obudu in Cross River for dairy, holidaying and corporate meetings.

Because he was the chairman of 15 multinational companies at the time, he used his influence to compel many of them to buy into the East's industrialization plan.

Okpara also partnered with Israel for the setting up of industrial farms and plantations - seedling production, extension services, assistance to farmers etc.

So plantations (cashew nuts, palm kernel, cocoa, coffee, timber etc) sprang up in Oghe (Enugu State), Okigwe (Abia State), Obudu, Itumbenuzor, Akamkpa all in Cross River state and in various parts of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Abia etc.

Okpara personally delivered some of the seedlings himself by driving behind the trucks that did the delivery.

Sir Louis Phillip pushed for the establishment of 3 major cement plants in the region - Nkalagu, Eastern Bulkcem in PH and Calabar cement factory in Calabar.

Nkalagu and PH opened before the war started in 1967. Everything for the take off of the Calabar cement factory was purchased but the war truncated its take off

In 1970, Governor Esuene of the newly-created Cross River State opened Calcemco plant to the appause of many.

Three industrial corridors were planned also planned for the East

The Emene-Nkalagu Industrial corridor which was to focus on automobiles, building materials and industrial automation. Kaiser Motors in the US at the time (it has since been acquired) had agreed to build a car plant in Emene and a plant for car engines. That corridor was to stretch for almost 100 miles

The second industrial corridor was to stretch between PH and Aba. So industrial centers were set up in Trans Amadi and in Aba and over a ten to 15 year period, these two centers were to be linked by many feeder industries that would be located on the highway joining both cities.

Okpara had hoped that over time, the PH-Aba industrial corridor would follow the old road between Port Harcourt and Enugu and join with the Emene - Nkalagu industrial corridor to create a massive industrial cornubation that almost imitates the almost 200 kilometer Ruhr Industrial Valley in Germany built under Chancellor Otto Von Bismarck

Onitsha was to drive the East's Retail economy and so the market was built there as an Emporium...to attract buyers from all over Nigeria and West and Central Africa so they could come spend their money in the East.

Dubai would copy this same model 50 years later and implement it successfully but on a global scale. Onitsha market achieved its purpose by 1958, two years after the East achieved self government. It became the preferred destination for retail and bulk shoppers from a over West Africa and even Cameroon, Gabon and Congo. This gave the Anambra Igbo a head start in retail trading...an advantage that they enjoy till date.

All of these development and growth projects were centrally driven by the Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation - ENDC and the revenues were centrally aggregated into the account of the Eastern Nigerian Commodities Board (ENCB). Both groups were headed by Sir Louis Phillip Odumegwu Ojukwu

Funds for development came mostly from 3 sources.

1. Local revenues from the export of cocoa(Ikom and Itumbenuzor), coffee (Obudu and Arochukwu), timber (Akamkpa) Coal (Enugu-Udi), Palm oil (Rivers, Imo, Abia), Palm kernel (Rivers, Imo, Abia)

2. Direct Foreign Investments

3. Loans from Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC)

Umuahia was to midwife the Easts' biotechnology industries which explains why Golden Guinea Brewery and the Root Crop Research Instutute were established there.

Obudu because of its pristine hills and its fresh weather was to be a holiday resort for many as well as a primary center for a dairy industry that just started before the war commenced. Obudu Cattle Ranch was the first in a series of investments that got scuttled in Obudu by the war.

Lastly, oil was discovered late. Chief Nwodo, Eastern Nigeria's first Minister for Trade (father to the Ohaneze Chairman) negotiated the first contracts with Shell on a 50-50 investment and sharing basis.

Virtually all of the East's oil assets were seized by the Federal Government under Gowon with no compensation paid till date. The Federal Government simply inherited the East's 50% slot and paid nothing for it. Today everyone profits from it

Most of the catalytic cracking and downward refineries that NNPC would later build were in the plans that the Eastern Regional Government had for the region.

Today, some of those plants are located in far away Kaduna and no mention is ever made of the East.

Every Nigerian today depends on that oil to survive including states that claim that they can survive from internally-generated revenues.

I believe that rather than whine everyday, we Igbos should sit down and learn our history...take a look at the growth plans that got scuttled in 1967 and see how we can work to together to pick up the pieces and build again from scratch

Copied from Nnamdi Ezeji Wall

Me : Please I want every Igbo youths herein to read this post. Thank you