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Ex-Federal Permanent Secretary Commends Ugwuanyi on Community Development
Odalije, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa, the immediate past Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Abuja has commended the effort of Enugu state government led by His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in introducing and sustaining what he called, “the novel idea of Basic Community Government, facilitating bottom-to-the-top approach to infrastructural development, as a paradigm shift from the previous governance structure in Enugu state.”
Speaking in a keynote address on the topic, Entitlement Expectation Bogeyman and the challenge of Basic Community Government in the 8th Edition of the Annual Conference of the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA) hosted by the Coal City University, Enugu, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa took a brief look at the pre-independence Eastern Nigeria projected economic trajectory from 1955, which led to the erection of industrial estates or parks such as:
- Aba light industries which presently limps for reasons of subsequent failure of infrastructure. The Aba light industrial plan was designed, and it took off, as a corridor to coalesce with Port Harcourt in present day River State;
- Biotechnology industries for Umuahia (also presently limping);
- Steel, heavy industry and automation for Emene (now non-existent for failure of infrastructure);
- Cement and building material belt for Nkalagu, Calabar, Port Harcourt (largely surviving today on the wings of private enterprise);
- Commercial/retail trading emporium for Onitsha (which has remained a huge success despite several incidences of vast destructions by war and seasonal fire disasters);
- Dairies, holidaying, private, group and corporate tourism for Obudu;
- Vast spread of plantations: cashew, oil palm, cocoa, coffee, timber, etc, coordinated for Oghe (present Enugu State), Okigwe (present Imo State), Obudu, Akamkpa, Itumbenuzor (present Cross River State), and many others nursed and harvested in present day Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa, Anambra; and,
- For necessity of the right kind of manpower or expertise, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, arrived as the first composite university in Nigeria, offering professional courses, as three new other specialist universities were planned out for Port Harcourt (Science & Technology), Nnewi (Medical Sciences), Omor/Uzouwani (Agriculture), Owerri (Education), Enugu (conglomeration of colleges), etc. These were to stand side-by-side with varieties of specialist institutes in the areas of Administration, Management, Arts, Culture, Law and Customs, etc.
“The Emene plan,” according to Sir Ohaa, “Was to be a 90 kilometre industrial corridor stretching from Emene in present Enugu State, through Abakaliki in Ebonyi State, to Ogoja in Cross River State. Perhaps, if it had not been interrupted, it would have been connecting with Bamenda in Cameroon.
These ambitious start-ups were to be serviced by coteries of feeder industrial and agricultural outlets which were to jut from, and through, some localities primed to form their own clusters. “
Continuing, he emphasised, “Of course, we know what adverse effect the civil war had on the entire plan. We are also conversant with General Gowon’s civil war strategic political development which split the geo-economic entity into minute but disparate entities, forced to chart entirely independent, if not hostile, politico-economic identities.”
“But if the war tragedy was the reason for the collapse of these beautiful ventures in old Eastern Region, could it have been the same with other regions, which were into the same gainful development frenzy as the East at the same time?,” he queried
“Not exactly, I think.
While it may be the same in the case of the political actions leading to multiple state system, the nexus, I hazard, was that Nigerians had quickly gotten over fed on the malaise identified by Professor Nnoli of UNN when he said, “Widespread expectation of benefits from public administration at little or no cost to the citizen … because there is a strong heritage of government involvement in many welfare functions … consequence of this great expectation is that the populace is not eager to calculate or make allowances for the cost of providing these amenities”
Sir Ohaa continued, “We had this vast blessing of petroleum and other natural resources, but, at the same time, we had unfortunately, and regrettably too, cultivated this massive relapse into indolent, indulgent, and suckling, expectation tradition, giving birth to a culture of entitlement mentality.
The arrival of the screaming petro-dollar wealth was supposed to impress greater strides on these. But it also speeded up the rise in urban population ambivalence, indulgence, indolence and shiftlessness.”
Taking a swipe on the role of Nigeria political scientists in post colonial Nigeria, he said, “Granted that the suddenness of its arrival, the vastness of the proceeds, and flamboyance of the time, were humungous; yet, socio-political science scholars should not have been off-guard their critical role of keeping post-colonial Nigeria leaders on their feet while the boom burst into a recipe for the present economic crisis pervading the nation. Regrettably, this has quickly bloated this “expectation community”, which props the bogeyman called “entitlement mentality.”
“Remember, having started on that framework where the citizens operate on the premise that there are rights to be provided for as is the case in welfare states, a great percentage of Nigeria population perennially hibernate in the “entitlement tradition” or “expectation” culture.
I read about Nigerian intellectuals and analysts insisting that the presence of this bogeyman or the culture of “entitlement mentality,” so called, was a creation of practicing politicians. Some even go as far as attempting to situate the argument that politics, as a career, does not exist outside the beggarly tradition, which is the full manifestation of the “entitlement mentality.”
Conversely, pro-system scholars have situated that this, having originated in the welfarist colonial political management pattern, was sustained by those Marxist-socialist intellectuals who hold that the State is irreversibly indebted to the citizen for every item needed for existence and sustenance. However, as a trained professional manager of scarce resources, my thought is that we are currently faced with severe challenges on how to contain this bogeyman, ‘entitlement mentality.’
We remember, even as Professor Nnoli holds this as colonial heritage, in the old Eastern Region, East-Niger Igbo areas, have had our strong socio-economic culture of consensus-communalism, which spares no bogeyman. It is a practice that sprouted from age old culture. In the past, it aided us in sponsoring our brilliant sons and daughters to the best universities in Europe and America. We also erected numerous Community Secondary Schools, providing the platforms for our young ones to access education and advance in careers.
Till date, it baffles me that having known, participated in, and understood, these practices, the socio-political scientists, who specialize in the Igbo socio-political and cultural systems, have not paid much attention in building, formulating and spreading the principles of these informal institutionalized community governments across the south east Igbo heartland and elsewhere.
Already, there have been attempts by some governments to infuse life into this, but we know that government alone cannot be everything for everybody, forever time, at the same time. The Enugu State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has since realized the gains of this, and has been propping its brand of Community Government System quite impressively. To underscore its serious attachment to this, the State Government has so far recognized elected Presidents-General of over 400 autonomous communities in the state as integral part of community government system, besides ensuring the pride of place for our Royal fathers as the rallying points in community administration. Each President-General is paid monthly stipend. Most importantly, through the community government system, the State government, in 2017, approved the sum of Ten Million Naira grant for each of the autonomous communities, out of which Five Million Naira has already been disbursed to each community in the state for rural infrastructure.
It was an opportunity for communities to brainstorm, conceived and prioritize their development plans and execute same without interference from the top, i.e. the state government. Some communities preferred to repair their boreholes, schools, health centers, local markets, etc. It was a rare privilege for every person, even at the lowest rung, to once in a life time, bear the burden of government, and have his date with the overbearing bogeyman.”
Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa droped a food for thought to political scientists as he enthused, “Please, permit me to now drop a challenge to our socio-political scientists who are supposed to be specialists in social organizations and political engineering to: conceptualize, outline, situate and dissect the principles of Community Based Governments (CBG) for the true activation of development in our communities; being also a panacea to pruning the edges of the bogeyman who, I dare hazard, is susceptible to being weaponized in the electoral and electioneering processes.
The urgency of now demands that we search for that which creates the institutional foundations on which the stability of the society is built, that which props sufficient platforms for the participation of the would-be disruptive bogeyman. Needless to emphasize that this can be found in retooling our community based government structures, which, no doubt, is the first line of understanding, percolation and defense of policies of government while, at the same time, exposing and training rising community leaders, and checking the dreaded “entitlement” bogeyman, in the working of government.
Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha has continued to distinguish himself not only as a grassroots politician but as a sound parliamentarian who clearly understands the true essence of legislative representation and public service.
Since emerging as the Member representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Umeha has consistently demonstrated capacity, vision, and commitment both on the floor of the National Assembly and within his constituency.
Unlike many politicians whose promises disappear after elections, Rt. Hon. Umeha has steadily transformed his campaign mantra, “Go and Verify,” into practical realities visible across communities in Ezeagu and Udi Federal Constituency.
From road construction to solar-powered streetlights, classroom projects, healthcare interventions, agricultural empowerment, scholarships, boreholes, and youth development programmes, his stewardship has remained rooted in service delivery and measurable impact.
Observers say one of the strongest qualities that separates Umeha from many lawmakers is his deep understanding of parliamentary responsibilities. Through strategic bills and motions, he has continued to show that representation goes beyond rhetoric and political appearances.
Among several notable legislative efforts, he sponsored bills seeking the establishment of a Federal College of Entrepreneurship and Skill Acquisition in Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, reforms in the education sector through the abolition of levies in public basic schools, mandatory insurance protection for NYSC members, and the establishment of a National Football Academy.
He also sponsored motions addressing critical national concerns, including the investigation into the gruesome killing of Nigerians by soldiers in Enugu State and the urgent completion of the Karshi/Apo Road project in Abuja to ease traffic congestion.
Political analysts note that these interventions reflect a lawmaker who understands that effective representation must combine constituency development with strong legislative advocacy.
Many constituents equally commend him for remaining faithful to the promises he made during his campaigns. Across the constituency, residents point to completed and ongoing projects as evidence that the lawmaker has not reneged on his commitments to the people.
Beyond governance and legislative duties, Rt. Hon. Umeha also played significant roles in efforts aimed at restoring sanity, stability, and internal cohesion within the Labour Party before his eventual defection to the APC.
Sources within the political space in Enugu State revealed that Umeha consistently pushed for peace, unity, and institutional order within the party during periods of internal crisis and leadership disagreements. His interventions were said to be driven by the desire to protect the interests of party members and preserve the integrity of the platform.
However, following prolonged internal challenges and unresolved structural issues within the Labour Party, the federal lawmaker eventually moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a decision many political observers described as strategic and inevitable.
Despite the political transition, supporters insist that his focus has remained unchanged — delivering quality representation, empowering constituents, and sustaining developmental projects across Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency.
For many residents, Rt. Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus Umeha represents a rare blend of grassroots leadership, legislative competence, humility, and political responsibility.
And across the constituency, the verdict from many communities remains simple:
“He promised, and he delivered.”
Today, Friday 8 May 2026, Chief Sir Paul Chukwuma (Onwa Umueri) laid his beloved sister, Late Mrs Christiana Amaka Okeke to rest in a solemn but dignified ceremony.
A large number of family and friends gathered in Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area for her burial.
It was a solemn yet beautiful celebration of a life well lived, one marked by grace, resilience, and strong family values. The Funeral Mass was officiated by His Emience, Cardinal Peter Ebere Okpalaeke, The Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia Diocese.
In a heartfelt family tribute, Chief Sir Paul Chukwuma shared that her sister “it is indeed well with your soul and has gone to rest with the Lord,” expressing profound grief over the irreplaceable loss of a beloved sibling who played a significant role in their family. He prayed for God to grant her His mercy and reward her with Beatic Vision. He opined that they as a family will continue from where she stopped. Our Hope in God and Believe in the resurrection of the dead and communion of the saints will spur them on as they continue to place all their hopes in God who made Heaven and Earth.
The Funeral and Burial Ceremony was graced by notable dignitaries including Her Excellency Senator Dr Iyom Uche Ekwunife, APC State Chairman, Most Distinguished Senator Emma Anosike, Chief Uzoma Igbonwa (Okeife Alor), YPP Deputy Governorship Candidate 2025 Governorship Election, His Excellency, Chief Uzu Okagbue, Former Nigeria Ambassador to Burundi, His Excellency, Ambassador Elijah Onyeagba (Ozonkpu Ike Enuguwu-Ukwu N’Umunri, Dr Oby Orah, Executive Director FAAN, Prof Charles Esimone, Former Vice Chancellor Unizik, Chief Hon Raph Okeke, Barr CJ Chinwuba, Hon Chizo Obidigwe, Hon JC Okeke (Deputy Chairman ,APC Anambra State, chief Anthony Obiazie (Ichie Ide), Onwa Lento Aluminium.
Others are The Vice Chancellor of Benue State University and Members of the Governing Council, the Rector Anambra State Polytechnic,Dr Njideka Rita Chiekezie, Hon Obi Henry APC State secretary, Hon Ify Nwachukwu (Ada Onowu), Prof Jaja Nwanegbo, and several other respected leaders from the political, traditional, and religious communities.
Late Mrs Christiana Amaka Okeke died after Major Brain Tumour Surgery in Germany, aged 44 years. May the soul of Late Mrs Christiana Amaka Okeke rest in perfect peace, and may God grant the entire Chukwuma of Umueri and Okeke family of Ogboji, the strength and comfort to bear this irreparable loss.
*Videos and Photos Speak:*
*(C) Paschal Candle.*
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Gubernatorial candidate Mr John Nwosu and running mate of the African Democratic Congress ADC in Anambra state Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu have stated that despite the deoature of Mr Peter Obi, and Alhaji Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,the party is still intact and would run it’s full course in the 2027 general election.
The duo however lamented that the deoature of Obi is indeed painful but was quick to add that the party must forge ahead .
He said as leaders, Obi and Kwankwaso and other key chieftains of the ADC who suddenly left to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) would have waited to resolve the problems the ADC is facing when it mattered most rather than taking a swift to another fold.
Chief Nwobu bared his mind and feelings of other stakeholders of the ADC while briefing newsmen shortly after the ADC Anambra Leadership Consultative Meeting held on Friday in Awka the state capital.
He noted with nostalgia that the candidate of the Labour Party (LP) during the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi could have shown restraint and commitment in the ADC even in face of the party’s plethora of litigations pending before different courts than leaving it unceremoniously with others.
He vowed that despite the development, leaders and members of the State chapter of the ADC are resolute to take the full circle of the electoral battle ahead of next year’s general elections and would get to it to successfully.
Accorisng to him, the National leadership of the party was not given the opportunity to settle down even less than 24 hours before the supreme Court judgment on Thursday last week when news about the detection of those who left the party rented the air waves up till Friday and Saturday same week and finally on Sunday when the news was finally blown to the entire world.
Nwobu disclosed that the opposition ADC in the state at the moment parades about nine House of Representatives and six State House of Assembly aspirants who have bought nomination forms to contest the 2027 elections while more have indicated interest to join the epical race.
The ADC stalwart further maintained that all those who indicated interest to contest the various positions are greatly prepared to run the race with high morals.
“We feel pains that these people left the party (ADC); definitely it’s going to affect the gains of the party. There’s no point saying every other thing. That having been said I am telling you that those who remain in the party are resolute and prepared to run the course.
He said the ADC Anambra Leadership Consultative Meeting reaffirm loyalty and support to the National leadership under David Mark as national chairman and Rauf Aregbesola as the National Secretary.
Nwobu who was flanked by Hon. Christian Okeke, Ven. Chris Orajekwe and Arch. Afam Moma, Samuel Ikefuna, and Reginald Akunekwe and Ben Chuks Nwosu said “the state leaders reaffirm loyalty and support of the ADC Anambra state to the National leadership headed by Senator David Mark and His Excellency Rauf Aregbesola.”
“The meeting resolved to commend the founding chairman of the ADC Chief Ralph Okey Nwosu for the exemplary show of representing the ADC platform as an umbrella body for the coalition and his selfless role In navigating the coalition to it’s fruition.”
“And we wish to affirm that the ADC’s best is from Anambra state and Anambra state will not be found wanting in the efforts of the party to achieve success during the 2027 general elections,” he said.
“For our brothers who has moved on tp other platform, we wish them well. I look forward to a day we will all join hands together to salvage this country,” Nwobu stated.
He explained further that no new leadership has been Inaugurated in Anambra,adding that that it’s unnecessary for somebody to say he or she has resigned as the party is still contending on issues of offices, conduct of Congresses at the Federal High court.
Chief Nwobu stated that the Inauguration of officials elected at Congresses across the states would be made on the 11th of this month.
By Chinedu Sabastine
The Enugu State Government, in partnership with the South Sahara Social Development Organisation (SSDO), has intensified efforts to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation (DRM) as part of broader strategies to boost climate finance and promote responsive budgeting.
The initiative aligns with the administration’s climate policy framework, which emphasises sustainable development, a green economic transition, and improved fiscal planning.
This was disclosed during a two-day stakeholders’ dialogue on domestic resource mobilisation for climate-responsive budgeting held at Sylvia Hotel, Independence Layout, Enugu and funded by ActionAid Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director of Climate Change in the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Nnamdi Arum, said the state has integrated climate considerations across its projects and programmes.
According to him, while Enugu continues to benefit from international funding support, deliberate steps are being taken to strengthen internally generated resources for climate initiatives.
“Climate change has been prioritised across ministries in Enugu State. Most projects are now designed with green considerations in mind,” Arum said.
He commended Governor Peter Mbah for appointing Prof. Chukwumerije Okereke as Special Adviser on Climate Change, noting that his leadership has helped translate climate policies into actionable programmes.
Arum added that the government is actively engaging diverse groups, including youths and persons with disabilities, to ensure inclusive climate policy development.
On funding gaps, he acknowledged that despite progress, external support remains crucial particularly in the agricultural sector to enhance food security and affordability.
In his remarks, Research Policy Officer with SSDO, Okechukwu Ajah, said the dialogue aimed to bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation.
He noted that although Enugu has domesticated its climate policy and action plan, challenges such as weak inter-ministerial coordination and the absence of clear climate budget tagging persist.
“Many agencies still operate in silos, and there is no distinct climate imprint in budgeting across ministries. This affects ownership and effective implementation of climate policies,” Ajah said.
He expressed optimism that the engagement would yield practical, implementable recommendations, stressing the need to move from theory to action.
Ajah also highlighted the importance of youth inclusion in climate discussions, describing young people as critical stakeholders in shaping sustainable futures.
One of the participants, Chidera Ekoh, described the dialogue as insightful, noting that it provided practical knowledge on addressing climate challenges.
“Climate change is already impacting our economy. This programme has equipped us with the knowledge to prioritise challenges and mobilise resources effectively,” Ekoh said
The Enugu State Government has disowned a group allegedly defrauding traditional medicine practitioners under the guise of acting on its behalf.
In a disclaimer issued on April 28, 2026, the government warned against the activities of individuals operating under the name Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners of Enugu State (AMTIPES), describing the body as illegal and unrecognized.
According to the statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Hon. Onyekwere Nwobodo, the group has been harassing practitioners and collecting unauthorized levies despite having no accreditation from the state.
The government clarified that the registration and certification of traditional medicine practitioners in Enugu State fall strictly under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in line with existing laws. It stressed that no other body has the authority to act on its behalf in this regard.
Authorities disclosed that reports of AMTIPES’ activities have been forwarded to law enforcement agencies. Some individuals linked to the group have already been apprehended and are currently facing prosecution in court.
The government urged members of the public, particularly traditional medicine practitioners, to remain vigilant and avoid any dealings with the impostors.
It further emphasized that compliance with only officially recognized channels would protect practitioners from exploitation, reiterating the warning that “to be forewarned is to be forearmed.”
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