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The Virtue In Audacious Noise
By Chief Tony Okocha
I read a line from the usual pedestrian syntax typical of Gov. Sim scripts, specifically in his failed attempt to respond to the deluge of well~thought out criticisms against his moribund Government, during the inauspicious inauguration of Boards of Tertiary institutions in Rivers State,
I stopped reading when I picked up from the inexperienced Governor’s speech, that those subjects and objects of criticisms from critical minds, are Noises.
What a faux pas?
On a second thought, I agreed with Gov. Sim that those constructive criticisms and unearthing of his cluelessness are noises to his undiscerning ears.
Afterall, “Noise”, is a sound made so loudly that creates discomforts and amounts to disturbance.
(1)How would a Governor refer to as “noise”, the counsel offered pro-bono, against weekly frittering away of State funds in Street jamborees dubbed Thanksgiving for Supreme Court judgement, in the 23 Local Government Areas and 319 wards of Rivers State, at the chagrin of the mass of Rivers State People who wallow in choiceless want, occasioned by the prevalent global economic downturn?
(2) How does it sound unpleasant in the ears of one who heads the Executive arm of Government, when unbiased critics and well~meaning statists ,pieces of advise on the need for him to work with the Legislative arm of Government?
(3) How does it discomfort when a Governor is advised to undertake a peer review with colleagues of other States and also think outside the box with a view to being responsive to the immediate clamour of the people he was elected to govern?
(4) How is it “noise ” to remind the Governor that States are not run by whims and caprices of a Governor?
That holding of State Executive Council meetings at regular intervals agree with laid down tradition and thusly, sine qua non, knowing the fact that it is at the floor of the SEC that Commissioners and other constitutionally recognised top Government officers, profusely canvass policies and programmes of their respective areas. And that huge approvals of funds for Government projects and programmes, are as debated and agreed at the SEC meeting.
(5) How is it “Noise” to demand that the Governor falls to the constitution and the laws of the State which he swore to protect?
That Local Government Elections, being statutory provision in the laws of the State, should be conducted as and when due?
Just how?
(6) How is it “Noise” to remind the Governor of the mantra upon which he ascended the rostrum?
If he will change or discontinue with it, shouldn’t Rivers People be told?
Does it look like Rivers People have become electric switch at the beck and call of the occupant of a room?
In clear conscience, is the Governor still within the planks of “Consolidation and Continuity of the Rivers vision?
(7)Is it “noise” to speak against the gory sight of hunger~stricken and pale looking Old Grandmothers and Mothers and Wives and Sisters, clad half nude in public, in a sponsored function, markedly to shore support for Gov. Sim.
Is it not one of the definitions of “organic support” of Rivers State people that Gov. Sin boasts to enjoy?
(8) Is it “Noise” to counsel the Governor to present the budget of the State for the 2024 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly, so that it is vetted and passed as law of the State?
Can a State really run without an approved budget?
(9) Is it “Noise” to demand that the Governor should concentrate on Governance ~ the reason for electing him and de~emphasise inanities and frivolities?
(10) It is “noise ” to advise the Governor to be sensitive to environments and situations and scenarios, and so, choice matching dictions?
Is it not true that a speech at a burial ceremony by no less the Governor, should be about Tribute to the dead and the family and not a place for political innuendos especially as the one lying in State, wasn’t a Politician and the audience at the funeral service not purely Politicians?
(11) Alas, it is “noise” to hold the Governor or demand accountability from the Governor on the finances that accrued to the state from the inception of his Government to the present, especially when one is convinced that it doesn’t reflect or translate to visible tangible projects?
Did the Governor not vouch to accountability?
(12) We should have applauded the Governor for not obeying and religiously following Mr. President’s charges towards peace in Rivers State as evinced in the 8 points Proclamation document of Mr. President, as handed down to feuding parties in Rivers State.
These further questions will beg for answers?
(A) Is it true that it was only the Gubernatorial Election case in Rivers State that Transported to the Supreme Court?
(B) Is it true that it is only Gov. Sin that enjoys “Organic support” in the comity of State Governors?. Reason why his, are on the streets every weekend on jamborees while the others because of inorganic support from their people, don’t enjoy the privilege?
(C) Is it true that Gov. Sin’s election case, which he won at the elections tribunal and the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, was the most feared and dicey in our history?
(D) Which other State in Nigeria dares the volatility of the environment and the attendant security challenges and the pervading economic crunch to sponsor ostentatious weekly streets jamboree?
(E) Who was after Gov. Sin at the Supreme Court?
(F) Who engaged the legion of Senior counsels (SANs) that stood in courts for Gov. Sin’s Governorship victory ?
(G) Did Governor Sin, having been sworn~in, at anytime even in the thick of the controversy with his benefactor, change the defence Lawyers?
(H) Were the Lawyers withdrawn by the one who hired them at any point, to show disdain and disinterest or worse case, aversion for the matter at the Supreme Court?
(I) Is it true that manna falls for Rivers People as a result of the ostentatious thanksgiving events in the whole length and breadth of the State?
(J) Is it the tradition that Thanksgiving service provides the veritable grounds to derogate, denigrate and/deride a perceived political enemy to the extent that a Speaker pointedly calls a perceived enemy, ‘a Mad man’?
(K) Is it recommended that intra party squabbles which have rocked the ruling PDP in Rivers State should negatively rob off on members of other political parties and those non~aligned citizens of Rivers State?
Any rational thinking person, devoid of the least atom or iota of bias and other prejudices and idiosyncrasies providing answers to the questions posed herein and subjecting these submissions to critical scrutiny, will arrive at the conclusion that the counsels and lead we provide, are noble and “noises” as held by Gov. Sin.
It is only one with the spirit of insanity or in this case unthinking or visionless or mindless being, that abhors wise counsels and at best, dismisses them as Noises.
“Wisdom is profitable to direct …” so said the Holy books.
Gov. Sim should expect more “Noises” that will continue to come as shrapnel in the days ahead.
What war is Rivers State enmeshed so fiercely that would warrant this statement – “if resigning will bring about peace in Rivers State, I will resign” .~Gov Sim Fubara. The Governor Sim had announced in advance that he will resign for incompetence and it is commendable.
Enough of the shameful flip flops, Gov. Siminalayi Fubara (My brother Knight)
*Chief Tony C Okocha KSC DSSRS JP*
Chairman, (Caretaker Committee)
APC Rivers State.
(Public affairs analyst)
March 14, 2024.
…Lament Absence Of Ngige, Moghalu Others
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Foundation members of the All Progressives Congress APC in Anambra state have protested what they call the hijack of the party by members of the People’s Democratic Party PDP at just concluded State Congress.
They further lamented the absence of former governor and Minister Sen Chris Ngige, former National Auditor of the party Chief George Moghalu, former National Youth leader of the party Chief Uzoma Igbonwa and others during the Congress.
According to the spokesman of the foundation members Mr Uchenna Adika from Onitsha North local government area ; members such as Chief Ike Ekwensi and Chief Kene Nzekwe were both disqualified and denied access to purchase forms for the post of Deputy Chairman and Chairman, most original members of the party.
“What you saw that took place there at the party Secretarate is a hijack of the party by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and not the real APC stalwarts”
“Some of us went to buy forms for the post of state Chairman they refused to sell to us and there are some of us who actually purchased forms for the post of Deputy Chairman but they were disqualified by them and you call it internal democracy in the party ”
The group questioned that ; “,At what point did all these people join the APC ? ”
“There should be a demarcation between the Renewed Hope Ambassadors campaign organization of Mr President and the leadership of the APC in Anambra state” he said.
But Sen Uche Ekwunife during the Congress contended that what the party did was I line with the provisions of the APC constitution adding that the party at this point do not need Photoshop executive members who do not have capacity or anything to offer for the growth and progress of the party .
“Our outgoing Chairman Chief Basil Ejidike is not going because he did not do well or that he is incompetent but he has been there for seven years and there is the need to regig the party ”
“It is not about becoming an executive member of the party for Photoshop or just to be there ”
“We did basketing and consensus in line with the provisions of our party Constitution and we are looking at people that had capacity to work and deliver and not rubber stamp executive ” she said.
By Chinedu Sabastine
The second edition of the Enugu Tech Festival (ETF 2.0) has concluded with a record-breaking 53,000 physical participants, reinforcing Nigeria’s growing ambition to emerge as a continental hub for digital innovation.
Held from 24 to 27 February 2026 at the Enugu International Conference Centre, the four-day festival exceeded its projected target of 50,000 attendees, drawing innovators, founders, investors, policymakers and students from across Nigeria and beyond.
Convener of the festival and Enugu State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, described the turnout as “a resounding validation of Enugu’s vision to become a technology trailblazer in Africa.” He noted that the festival also attracted hundreds of online participants globally.
The event was broadcast live on Africa Independent Television (AIT) and reportedly ranked among the top five trending global events on social media during its run—an unprecedented level of digital engagement for an African technology convergence.
“We set out to inspire 50,000 innovators, thinkers, founders, investors and digital talents. To see nearly 60,000 people here—not registrations but real engagement—shows that the African tech narrative is shifting from perception to measurable impact,” Dr Ezeh said.
Attendance Breakdown and Daily Focus
Organisers disclosed that Day One recorded 20,000 participants, Day Two 15,000, Day Three 13,000, and Day Four 5,000 attendees. Each day was structured around a central theme, featuring contributions from government, global tech firms, startups and academia.
The theme for ETF 2.0 was “Coal to Code: Energy in New Form.”
Policy, Investment and Innovation
Day One focused on policy and governance and was officially declared open by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who emphasised technology and innovation as central pillars of his administration’s development agenda.
“We are witnessing an economic renaissance powered by technology… The global economy is now driven by ideas, code, data and innovation,” Mbah said, adding that Enugu has chosen to be “a producer, not a spectator” in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Dignitaries including Sweden’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Anna Westerholm, toured exhibition halls showcasing startups, coding boot camps, robotics demonstrations and AI-powered agricultural tools.
Observers from Britain and other European markets noted a shift in Nigeria’s tech discourse—from aspirational rhetoric to implementation-driven frameworks with measurable outcomes.
Day Two spotlighted entrepreneurship and investment. A curated “Deal Room” facilitated engagements between startups and venture capitalists, while masterclasses addressed scaling, product-market fit and cross-border expansion. Investors from Lagos, Nairobi, London and Dubai attended, reflecting rising global interest in African digital enterprises.
Dr Ezeh described the festival as “a bridge between talent and capital,” positioning Enugu as an emerging investment gateway to South-East Nigeria’s technology corridor.
Day Three explored artificial intelligence, blockchain and Web3 technologies, featuring a live hackathon with teams developing solutions in fintech, healthcare diagnostics and climate-smart agriculture. Panels also examined responsible AI governance and decentralised finance regulation.
Youth Empowerment and Lasting Impact
The closing day blended innovation showcases with awards and cultural performances. Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, reaffirmed federal support for youth-led innovation and research commercialisation.
Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, described ETF 2.0 as “a landmark achievement” that has elevated Enugu’s global profile.
One of the festival’s most tangible outcomes was its youth empowerment initiative. Hundreds of young participants received laptops and tablets, while selected startup founders and innovation teams were awarded ₦10 million grants each to accelerate product development and market entry. Additional groups received smaller grants to support training, prototyping and community tech hubs.
“Inspiration without tools is incomplete,” Dr Ezeh said. “We are placing real resources in the hands of those who will shape the ecosystem.”
A Growing Continental Signal
Beyond speeches and exhibitions, ETF 2.0 functioned as a marketplace of ideas, ambition and opportunity. Cultural performances and digital art installations underscored the festival’s message that technology and cultural identity can coexist.
For international observers, the festival reflects a broader continental shift: Africa’s youthful, tech-savvy population is increasingly entrepreneurial and globally connected.
Against persistent challenges such as infrastructure gaps and regulatory uncertainty, Enugu’s successful convening of over 53,000 innovators sends a clear signal—subnational governments are stepping forward as active ecosystem builders.
As the curtains fell on ETF 2.0, Dr Ezeh reflected on what he termed “Africa’s defining decade.”
“This festival is not an endpoint,” he said. “It is the foundation. We are building from Enugu to the world.”
If ETF 2.0 is any indication, that ambition is already gaining momentum.
While the Nigerian Police Force said 75 persons were confirmed killed in the assault on Woro and Nuku communities, local sources and international observers put the death toll significantly higher.
In a statement on X on Friday, the US Mission in Nigeria described the attack as “horrific,” saying more than 160 people were feared dead, with many still unaccounted for.
“The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this senseless violence,” the statement read.
It welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to protect affected communities.
The reaction adds to international condemnation of the attack, which had earlier drawn rebukes from the United Nations and the Republic of Türkiye.
Tinubu had ordered the deployment of an army battalion to Kaiama and approved the creation of a new military command to lead the operation, following the assault on Woro and Nuku communities.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had also ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to Kaiama and surrounding communities to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The alleged sit-at-home order reportedly issued by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for Monday, February 2, 2026, in Anambra State has suffered a major setback, following a firm denial by the group that it authorised such a directive.
IPOB dismissed the order as false and further disowned the use of the pseudonym Emma Powerful as the signatory to any of its press statements, warning that any statement issued under that name did not originate from the organisation.
In a statement attributed to the Head of the Directorate of State (DOS), Mazi Chukwukadibia Edoziem, the group said it never approved any sit-at-home or lockdown across Biafraland on the said date.
“Furthermore, the Directorate of State categorically states that it did not authorise any individual or group whatsoever to issue a lockdown or sit-at-home order across Biafraland on Monday, February 2, 2026,” the statement read.
IPOB also announced new guidelines for its official communications, resolving that all press statements representing its position must henceforth be issued exclusively on the organisation’s official letterhead.
The group explained that due to the abuse and compromise of the pseudonym Emma Powerful, it would no longer use the name for issuing statements.
“For the avoidance of doubt and in the interest of clarity, any press statement released under the pseudonym ‘Emma Powerful’ going forward does not emanate from IPOB leadership and does not represent the position of the IPOB Directorate of State,” the statement added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled the posting of an ambassadorial nominee to Turkey, clarifying that no ambassador has been appointed to Ankara despite an earlier announcement suggesting otherwise.
The clarification came on Friday, hours after the Presidency initially announced the posting of former Kebbi State Governor, Usman Dakingari, as Nigeria’s ambassador-designate to Turkey.
Earlier in the week, President Tinubu had approved the posting of four ambassador-designates from a pool of more than 60 nominees confirmed by the Senate last December. However, the Presidency has now confirmed only three appointments, effectively leaving the Turkish diplomatic mission without a nominee.
In a statement issued late Thursday night, the President’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, had announced that President Tinubu approved the posting of four ambassador-designates.
The initial list named Kayode Are, former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), as ambassador-designate to the United States; Ayodele Oke, former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), as ambassador-designate to France; Amin Dalhatu, former Nigerian ambassador to South Korea, as High Commissioner-designate to the United Kingdom; and Usman Dakingari, former Governor of Kebbi State, as ambassador-designate to Turkey.
Following the revision, the Presidency directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formally notify the governments of France, the United States and the United Kingdom of the confirmed ambassador-designates, in accordance with diplomatic procedures.
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