UNMASKING DR CHIMA AMADI: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCHOLAR AND ADVOCATE FOR TRANSPARENCY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.

 By: James Emeahu

Dr. Chima Amadi, hailing from Umuehieze, Umuekwune in Ngor Okpala LGA of Imo State, is  a distinguished scholar, researcher, and advocate for transparency and good governance. With a diverse academic background and wealth of professional experience, Dr. Amadi has made significant contributions in the fields of Political science, Economics, and Development studies. His commitment to promoting accountability and transparency in governance has earned him recognition and accolades nationally and internationally.

Born and raised in Kano, Nigeria, young Dr Amadi completed his primary education at Dabo Primary School in Kano before proceeding to the Comprehensive Secondary School, Umuekwune, Ngor Okpala LGA, Imo State, where he completed his secondary education. Driven by his hunger for knowledge and desire to make a difference, the youthful and energetic Dr Amadi enrolled at the University of Ibadan, where he pursued a Bachelor's in Human Nutrition. He excelled in his studies and graduated with honors.

During his time at the University of Ibadan, Chima demonstrated his leadership potential when he served as the Secretary General of the Students Union. This experience stimulated his passion for advocating transparency and good governance.

After completing his undergraduate studies and still Driven by a the thirst to advance his knowledge and desire to make a difference , Dr Amadi obtained a Ph.D. in Human Nutrition from the University of Ibadan in 2006. However, his thirst for knowledge and his multidisciplinary interests led him to pursue further education in various fields.

Dr. Amadi's academic pursuits took him to prestigious institutions such as the London School of Economics and Political Science, University College London, and the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. He obtained Master's degrees in Comparative Public Policy and Administration, Democracy and Comparative Politics, and Economics and Development Studies. His extensive and impressive academic attainments have equipped him with a deep understanding of diverse disciplines and enabled him to approach complex issues from a multidimensional perspective.

 Dr. Amadi's professional career is marked by organizational leadership roles that promote transparency, accountability, and good governance. One of his notable positions is as the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA), which he has occupied since October 2020. In this role, Dr. Amadi provides strategic leadership and oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the organization's programmes. He is responsible for ensuring that the CTA's initiatives align with its mission and reflect the priorities set by the Board.

Prior to his role at CTA, Dr. Amadi served as the Senior Programme’s Manager at Partners for Electoral Reform from June 2010 to October 2014. He was responsible for implementing election operational plans, coordinating operations and observer teams during elections, and conducting training workshops for observer teams. His work in this role contributed to promoting free and fair elections in Nigeria.

Dr. Amadi also served as the Consultant Networks Manager at Publish What You Pay (Nigeria) from May 2007 to May 2010. In this capacity, he trained coalition partners on best practices in the extractive industry and designed training manuals for advocacy. He facilitated zonal training workshops and strategically supported coalition partners involved in advocacy campaigns.

Furthermore, Dr. Amadi worked as the Programme Manager for Democracy and Good Governance at the Centre for Transparency Advocacy from August 2004 to March 2010. He conceived, coordinated, and managed projects related to civic and voter education, human rights monitoring, and transparency and accountability in governance.

Dr. Amadi's passion for advocacy and research is evident in his numerous publications and paper presentations. His work addresses critical issues such as elections in Nigeria, patronage and agency budget in presidential appointments, public institutions' accountability, and the role of Nigeria in international economic relations.

Some of his notable publications include "2019 Elections in Nigeria: The Clear and Present Dangers," where he highlights the challenges of elections in Nigeria, and "Engaging With Public Institutions on Accountability Issues," which examines the experiences of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy. These publications showcase Dr. Amadi's expertise and insights into governance and transparency-related issues.

In addition to his publications, Dr. Amadi has presented papers at various workshops and conferences, sharing his research findings and contributing to academic discourse. He has presented papers on topics such as the rejection of the global North's development ideology for Africa's development, gender, politics, power, accountability, and democratic processes.

Dr. Amadi's exceptional contributions to his fields of expertise have earned him several awards and honors. In 2016, he was recognized as a Chevening Scholar, a prestigious award that acknowledges outstanding individuals with leadership potential. He was awarded the Jide Owoeye Prize for Foreign Policy Analysis in 2015 and was named the Best Graduating Student in International Relations in the same year. These accolades reflect Dr. Amadi's dedication to academic excellence and commitment to positively impacting his field.

As the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) since October 2018, Dr. Chima Amadi’s crusade has had a significant impact on various fields.  These include minority rights, gender and human rights, the rights of refugees and IDPs, community development, capacity building, electoral reforms, and citizens' participation in the governance process. For instance, his advocacy focused attention on the rights of the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It contributed to reviewing the Community Development Agreement (CDA) guidelines by the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development. It led to a review of the Electoral Act and the initiation of a Bill for an Act to establish the National Electoral Offences Commission. It also led to the disbursement of palliatives (Cash in Envelope, CiE) to refugees living in Abuja. The advocacy efforts resulted in the incarceration of a government officer accused of raping an 11-year-old girl in the Kurudu community. This was achieved in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Finally, Dr. Amadi deserves credit for promoting institutional reforms and citizens' participation in budget tracking and implementation.

Dr. Chima Amadi is a multidisciplinary scholar, advocate, and leader in the fields of political science, economics, and development studies. His diverse academic background and professional experience have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of governance and transparency-related issues. Dr. Amadi has made significant contributions to promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance in Nigeria and beyond through his work at the Center for Transparency Advocacy and other organizations. His dedication to research, advocacy, and leadership has earned him recognition and respect among his peers. Dr. Amadi continues to be a driving force in the pursuit of transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria and across the globe.

The Umuekwune, Ngor Okpala born Social entrepreneur and trained human nutritionist is indeed the proverbial boy who washed his hands clean that dines with the king.

AMADI, SANWO-OLU, MBAH, MOHAMMED, DIRI OTHERS BAG NEW TELEGRAPH'S AWARDS

 By Cajetan Duke

In an august gathering with the presence of no fewer than four state governors, deputy governors, high-ranking government officials, top captains of industry, as well as entrepreneurial giants., which was marked by an aura of significance and importance, and  serving  as a confluence of political, administrative, and corporate luminaries, who gathered at the instance of the board, management and staff of the New Telegraph Publishing Company Ltd, the publishers of Daily Telegraph newspapers, for her 2023 Award ceremony.

It was an epoch at the Belmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, as Dr. Mathew Chima Amadi, alongside other eminent and distinguished Nigerians received the prestigious New Telegraph's Social Crusader of the Year award. The award really stands as a testament to his exceptional contributions to society. 

The Umuekwunne, Ngor Okpala born social entrepreneur and trained human nutritionist, has carved a niche for himself as a seasoned administrator and accomplished technocrat. With a diverse academic background and exceptional professional experience, Dr. Amadi has made significant contributions to various sectors of the economy, hence this prestigious accolade not only acknowledges his individual accomplishments but also highlights the importance of his role in championing social causes that resonate on a national scale.

Amadi's recognition alongside governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Douye Diri, Muhammadu Yahaya, Peter Mbah of Lagos, Bayelsa, Gombe, Enugu, and Bauchi states respectively underscores the breadth of his influence and the universal impact of his initiatives.

As a Social Crusader of the Year, Dr. Amadi's accomplishments extend beyond regional boundaries. His influence has clearly manifested not only in Ngor Okpala but also in the broader Nigerian landscape.

To this effect, Amadi, as a social crusader fights for public good even as he promotes social services that give lifewire to the poor. This has remarkably made him the cynosure of all eyes and ultimately uplift him to his current recognition by one of the fastest growing national newspapers. 

A man of decency, Amadi's biggest assess is his highly developed mind which has enabled him to be cherished by the public as a disciplined personality with character, competence and courage. 

Ever meticulous and ingenious, Amadi does not flaunt accomplishments like a bill board. Instead, he joins forces with other fellow professionals for the purposes of "uplifting the living standards of the people".

For this singular reason, Amadi works to strengthen dialogue, discourse. He fundamentally promotes constitutionality and constitutionalism rather than toeing the path of infamy called illegality. 

Therefore, this award by The New Telegraph Newspaper essentially dramatizes Amadi's true identity as an epitome of a man with the Midas Touch whose goal is to make living a meaningful venture through social crusades and enlightenments.

Cajetan Duke, a public affairs analyst and community enthusiast writes from Nguru Umuaro.

Analysis of Gov. Uzodimma's 15 - Priority Sectors: Electricity

By Ben AHANONU 

One of the hallmarks of a great leader is his/her ability to identify the needs of the people and conceptualize policies, development projects and programmes towards solving those needs.

In addition, creation of employment opportunities in robust partnership with the private sector is a top priority for nearly every people - oriented government, especially in countries with large unemployed and underemployed youth populations; while, the main economic objective of every purposeful country or state is to generate, supply and distribute enough electricity to power its economy.

However, irregular power supply and skyrocketing cost of electricity are hurting businesses in Nigeria - impacting negatively on the economy and invariably hampering the ability of the government and the private sector to create meaningful employment opportunities. In fact, it cannot be overemphasized that businesses need electricity to function, grow, create employment and other opportunities for the people.

Meantime, research has shown that for every 1% increase in electricity supply, an economy is expected to grow by 3.94%, which means that electricity is quite essential in the delivery of fundamental services such as education, health and other social services.Therefore, relieving the electricity constraint is critical.

 It is estimated that Nigeria alone will have a population larger than the United States by around 2045 — but it can only boast of 2 percent of America’s electricity generation capacity - such is scary.

If millions of young Nigerians especially Imo people are to escape poverty, the challenges of large-scale power generation, supply and distribution must be addressed holistically.

During the late 18th century, advancements in physics and engineering paved the way for the discovery of electrical energy. The development of electrostatic generators and the invention of battery laid the foundation for harnessing and utilizing this new-found power source. However, it was not until the early 19th century that electrical energy changed the lot of the industrial world.

Equally, the Industrial Revolution was made possible by the harnessing and application of electrical energy. This transformative technology quickly became the major driving force behind industrial growth.

The advantages of access to a steady supply of cheap and abundant electricity, carried Britain to a peak of relative economic success in the middle of the nineteenth century.

Certainly, electrical energy acts as a catalyst for innovation and drives the implementation of the fourth industrial revolution, known as Industry 0 technology that integrates digitalization, automation and data exchange to create "smart factories." These factories utilize electrical energy to connect and synchronize various processes, optimizing production efficiency and enabling real-time decision-making.

One indisputable fact is that if electric power supply is scarce, it hampers output growth resulting in a Malthusian steady-state (positive extensive effect but negative intensive effect) but when electric services are abundant, the economy exhibits the behaviour of the “modern growth regime,”characterized by steady growth in both income per capita and the level of technology.

Late Chief Sam Mbakwe PhD, was elected as the first civilian governor of the state in 1979, on the platform of the Nigeria People’s Party, NPP, and following his inauguration, one major goal of his administration was rapid industrialization of an underdeveloped State that was still reeling from the devastation of an ill-fated 30-month-war that ended in 1970.

To achieve that goal, the government sought to provide electricity to power small-scale industrial clusters in the state and which culminated in the establishment of Amaraku Power Station in Isiala Mbano  Local Government Area - the first independent power generation, supply and distribution effort in Nigeria.

The power plant functioned optimally and supplied electric power to rural communities that kick-started rapid economic and infrastructural development in the outer reaches of the State.

Unfortunately, the power plant was sold by one clueless military administrator - a clear manifestation of bad leadership and lack of foresight.

Upon assumption of office on January 15, 2020, Governor Uzodimma recognised the great need to tackle electric power insufficiency in the state.

Pursuant to this goal, the Shared Prosperity Administration is currently partnering with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Federal Ministry of Power and other willing corporate organizations in the development of interconnected mini-grids as sure power sources in the state.

Nonetheless, I advise Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma to go one step further by declaring a state of emergency in the power sector as a faultless demonstration of his determination to fix the seemingly intractable issue.

I equally recommend the establishment of model power plants akin to the defunct Amaraku thermal power plant in the three Senatorial Zones, which will be fired with gas that is abundant in the State.

Moreover, opportunities should be created for both local and foreign investors with excellent track record in the power sector so as to avoid the Atiku - led  privatization of the power sector that has landed Nigeria in a recurrent and miserable cycle of poor power generation, supply and distribution.

It is so much that Nigerians now feel nostalgia for the era of National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), because it was a lot better.

 

I also advise that alternative sources of energy especially renewable energy should be exploited for the generation, supply and distribution of high quantities of electricity at relatively low prices.

Without doubt, the impunity and monopoly of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, (EEDC) has taken a turn for the worse since the beginning of Year 2024, as Imo electricity consumers continue to give a groan of dismay under the yoke of highly inflated bills for darkness occasioned by near - zero power generation, supply and distribution even as the EEDC has made the acquisition of pre-paid metre an uphill task despite government assistance because of the desire of the owners of that inefficient establishment to continue their heartless milking of Imo electricity consumers with unreasonable estimated bills.

Therefore the Imo State Government should find a way to rein in the grossly inefficient and ineffective EEDC - with clear lack of competence and save Imo State and the people from abuse and continued humiliation by the electricity distribution company that seems to be carrying out a political vendetta because the major stakeholders are members of the opposition, who are not only mindful of profit maximization but have tried and failed woefully in their efforts to unseat Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma.

Indeed, with the unending evolvement of technology, electric power will remain the lynchpin of continued progress and innovation, hence the Shared Prosperity Administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma should as a matter of urgent public importance, pursue an aggressive policy on power that will arrest and resolve the electric power deficiency in the State, as such will fast- track industrialization - a major part of the cardinal goals of the Shared Prosperity Administration.

Commendable and of strong interest is the Orashi Power Development Company, another breathtaking initiative of His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, which will utilize the abundant gas reserves in Imo State amounting to over 200 trillion cubic feet (TCF) with additional potential of 600 TCF,  to generate, transmit and distribute power to Imo electricity consumers including businesses and industries, when it comes on stream.

Today, as the world reaps the benefits of electricity, Imo State under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, can set the pace and become a model in terms of independent power generation, supply and distribution given the liberalization of the sector by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Let me declare that Uzodimma with enormous predilection for public service, achievement of innovative and transformational goals, visionary leadership and probity like late Dee Sam Mbakwe PhD, makes things happen. It is incontrovertible and even the naysayers know that it is true.

Let God Almighty continue to bless Imo State.

Hon. Prince Ben AHANONU is former Special Adviser (CSDP) to the Governor of Imo State.