Nigerian Academic Excellence Magazine (NAEM)

 ... QUEST FOR ORLU STATE UNDERMINES OWERRI ZONE, IMO STATE  By Ben AHANONU  For quite some time, the so-called Orlu Political Consultative Assembly, OPOCA, has been displaying much unfounded arrogance, unspeakable and reprehensible zonal primacy,  by constantly harassing with impunity, Imo people especially indigenous people of Owerri Zone, who hold contrary view to what it thinks is "Orlu interest" and which must be protected at all costs even when such interests only expand the Imo political fault line. One prominent son of Owerri Zone, who has often been targeted and lampooned in a manner that is quite provocative by OPOCA, for exercising his freedom of speech and expression as guaranteed by the Constitution is Chief Willie Amadi.  As OPOCA continues to showcase much nuisance value in the Imo political terrain, it becomes pertinent to remind the body that it has zero political relevance and the claim is not far-fetched. OPOCA, is a loose assemblage of self-s...

By Ben AHANONU  Of late, there had been boisterous noise or rather bombastic postulations and imputations that are more like emotional outpouring than factual attestations from some quarters and by some notable individuals about why Chief Ikedi Ohakim (whose emergence as the Governor of Imo State under the banner of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), a party founded and funded by former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, was like an act of providence due to the failure of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to produce a candidate for the election) lost the 2011 gubernatorial election despite the advantage of incumbency - yet I know that such subjective claims are smartly pointless and to no avail. You may recall that the then ruling PDP expelled Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, who won the party’s primaries after which the  PDP, in obedience to the Supreme Court ruling affirming Ararume’s candidacy, withdrew from the election thus paving the way for the realignment of forces that eventually bro...

  The Chairman and Chief Executive of MARCON Group, Barrister (Prince) M. O.  Nlemigbo has refuted the allegation that he grabbed land at Nkaraha, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area (LGA), describing it as calculated propagation of falsehood and a futile attempt to tarnish his image and hard-earned reputation by an ingrate called Chinedu Akpaelu and his fictitious group of misfits that benefitted from his scholarship programme but now masking under the aegis of an unknown and non-existent Ohaji-Egbema Youth Movement, OEYM, to accuse him of what he knows nothing about and has nothing to do with. In a press statement he personally signed, Chief Nlemigbo disclosed how he acquired the land in question, and how the father of the said Chinedu Akpaelu called Matthew Akpaelu had before now tried to seize the land but died in the process after swearing to an oath administered by selected traditional rulers of Imo State along with four others. The statement reads in full: "My attention ...

By Ben AHANONU  Again, Nigeria is standing at the crossroads; in fact, on the edge of a precipice. Is the country about to explode? Tempers are rising, many are very angry, some are shouting blue murder, some are issuing threats, some are spreading falsehoods, others want instant justice, dark clouds hang forebodingly overhead, some are calling it karma, there are claims and counterclaims, some are indifferent, some are wailing and as usual, arrests have been made by the police in the aftermath of the Edo massacre and some of those arrested might be innocent citizens, who are unconnected with the heartless and condemnable killing of 16 people in Uromi, Edo State.  To say the least; it is absolutely wrong for one to kill a fellow human being with the flimsiest of excuses, and unjustifiable reasons - it is wicked in the main and unconscionable before God Almighty. I was utterly shocked and devastated when I learnt of the heinous incident. According to local reports, the victims,...

By Ben AHANONU  Recently, the Appeals Court in Abuja, gave the Federal Government (FG), approval to challenge the judgement that barred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from reopening the trial of former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu. In two separate rulings by a three-member panel of Justices, the appellate court granted an extension of time to enable the FG to file processes to set aside the September 29, 2021, judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which stopped the EFCC from prosecuting the former governor, who is currently representing Abia North in the Senate. Senator  Kalu, who was the Governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007, was earlier convicted and handed a 12-year jail sentence by the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court. The trial court convicted him alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and a former Director of Finance in the state, Mr. Jones Udeogu, over an allegation that they stole about N7.1billion from the Ab...

By Ben AHANONU  The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) is a mandatory, post-tertiary education scheme, established by Decree No. 24 of May 22nd, 1973,  by the military administration of Gowon as a post-civil war initiative aimed at promoting national unity and integration.  Since 1973, graduates of Nigerian universities, and polytechnics under the age of 30,  have been required to take part in the National Youth Service Corps programme for one year and Ahmadu Ali served as the first Director-General (DG) of the NYSC until 1975. The NYSC was established to promote national unity and patriotism, foster self-reliance, inculcate discipline, provide practical experience, and encourage community development among others but the question is to what extent has the aims been achieved in more than half a century of its existence? Objectively,  the concept of NYSC is fantastic but in practical terms, it is a disaster, given the fact that the scheme is bedevilled by system...

 By Ben AHANONU  For quite sometime, Rivers State has been in the spotlight because of the seemingly intractable political impasse between the incumbent Gov. Fubara now suspended and his predecessor, Barrister Nyesom Wike. The first time I met Wike was way back in 2015 at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, and he came across as a vibrant man exuding goodwill, charm and confidence. It was a chance encounter but with lasting impression. Then he was a minister. When he eventually became the Governor, he brought that charm, goodwill and confidence to bear on his office and was able to achieve a lot in eight years as the Governor of Rivers State. Nyesom Wike literally changed the landscape of Rivers State with the countless roads and flyovers he constructed that made the then Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo to give him the nickname, 'Mr Projects.' Nyesom Wike is a thoroughbred, rugged and smart politician that understands the intricacies of the game fully and pitches his tent where...

By Ben AHANONU  A brief citation for Prince Charls Amadi (Charlvon), will read thus: "Here is a man, who came prepared and predestinated from the womb to attain great heights in life with determination and unyielding resolve.  His story is unique because like King David, he followed a tortuous path filled with hard work, challenges and enervating moments but he remained resolute, resilient, undaunted and emerged successful in the end. In clear demonstration of piety and humility, he will always acknowledge that it is only God Almighty that did it. He is a man of immense composure, accommodating, kind, simple, full of integrity, brutally frank but congenitally kind-hearted. He is a gentle giant and man of few words but purposefully fearless and courageous in his actions. He is always calm and full of refreshing candour but made of steel. As man of destiny and notable philanthropist, who  has seen it all, Prince Charls Amadi, has built bridges of love and unity, empowered a...

  In another unprecedented political move ahead of the 2027 Imo governorship election, the Ward Executive of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nguru/Umuowa ward 6, massively resigned their membership of the party, as they joined The Mazi Gburugburu at a press conference held in Owerri Imo State. Leading other members of the Ward Executive Committee, the former Ward Chairman, Mr. Festus Obilor, discribed their as a solidarity to Dr. Chima Matthew Amadi and their brother, the fomer state Publicity Secretary of APC, Hon. Cajetan Duke, who resigned a forthnight to assume the official spokesperson of the Mazi Organization. This landmark political development has significantly depopulated the membership of APC, and sent its rank and file into confusion. Welcoming these Ward Executives, which includes the Ward Chairman, the Secretary, the Ward Vice Chairman amongst others into the TMO family, the Director General of the group, Chief Henry Onwukwe, described their decision as uncommon an...

Sir,  On behalf of my family and my colleagues at Imo Political Think Tank, I congratulate you on the occasion of your birthday. In many spectacular ways, you have demonstrated leadership, greatness, excellence and unwavering determination to make an indelible mark. As the operational leader of Owerri Zone, your tactics and permutations are second to none.  You are also a frontline philanthropist - empowering people, touching lives, lifting many out of poverty, building new crop of leaders, bringing development to the rural areas, constructing roads, charting new paths of success with your strong financial muscle. As a God-fearing man, you always preach peace even to the extent of embracing and forgiving your once sworn enemies seamlessly and all for peace to reign. Sir, your incredible success story is big with a large impact and must be told exhaustively someday but now it is your birthday. This is wishing you good health and God's protection every step of the way and many m...

  Sir,  On behalf of my family and my colleagues at Imo Political Think Tank, I congratulate you on the occasion of your birthday. In many spectacular ways, you have demonstrated leadership, greatness, excellence and unwavering determination to make an indelible mark in life. As the operational leader of Owerri Zone, your tactics and permutations are second to none.  You are also a frontline philanthropist - empowering people, touching lives, lifting many out of poverty, building new crop of leaders, bringing development to the rural areas, constructing roads, charting new paths of success with your strong financial muscle. As a God-fearing man, you always preach peace even to the extent of embracing and forgiving your once sworn enemies seamlessly and all for peace to reign. Sir, your incredible success story is big with a large impact and must be told exhaustively someday but now it is your birthday. This is wishing you good health and God's protection every step of the...

  Sir,  On behalf of my family and my colleagues at Imo Political Think Tank, I congratulate you on the occasion of your birthday. In many spectacular ways, you have demonstrated leadership, greatness, excellence and unwavering determination to make an indelible mark in life. As the operational leader of Owerri Zone, your tactics and permutations are second to none.  You are also a frontline philanthropist - empowering people, touching lives, lifting many out of poverty, building new crop of leaders, bringing development to the rural areas, constructing roads, charting new paths of success with your strong financial muscle. As a God-fearing man, you always preach peace even to the extent of embracing and forgiving your once sworn enemies seamlessly and all for peace to reign. Sir, your incredible success story is big with a large impact and must be told exhaustively someday but now it is your birthday. This is wishing you good health and God's protection every step of the...

Congratulatory Message to Chief Henry Njoku (KSM) Ikeoha, On behalf of my family, management and staff of MARCON Group of Companies, I congratulate you on the occasion of your birthday. Let me remind you that you are a fantastic role model for all those seeking to understand how to make an impact with their life.  You have also proven and distinguished yourself creditably in what life and destiny bestowed on you.  Indeed,  you are imbued with requisite dexterity, uncommon skills, intelligence, sound mind and a calm spirit of purpose, which are the hallmarks of greatness. As you add another year to your age, I wish you many more productive and accomplished years on earth with sound health, Divine protection, contentment and abundant wealth.  Happy birthday! Signed:  Barrister (Prince) M. O. Nlemigbo  Chairman/CEO, MARCON GROUP

By Reuters A selection of handguns are displayed at the Kittery Trading Post, Aug. 9, 2024, in Kittery, Maine.  A decades-old U.S. government ban on federally licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to adults under the age of 21 is unconstitutional, a U.S. appeals court held on Thursday, citing recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings expanding gun rights. The ruling by the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals marked the first time a federal appeals court has held that the prohibition violated the right to keep and bear arms enshrined in the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment. The appeals court had previously upheld that same ban in 2012. But that was before the 6-3 conservative majority U.S. Supreme Court handed down a landmark ruling in 2022 that established a new test for assessing modern firearms laws. In New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, the Supreme Court held that modern gun restrictions were required to be "consistent with this nation...

 By Leadership  Governor Seyi Makinde Oyo State government workers have been mandated by Governor Seyi Makinde to wear attires with the touch of traditional Yoruba fabrics popularly known as ‘Aso Oke’ every Thursday. This is in addition to the existing practice where civil and public officials wear traditional attires on Fridays. A circular from the Office of the Head of Service to heads of ministries and agencies issued on January 27 explained that the policy seeks to showcase and preserve Oyo State’s vibrant cultural heritage while generating economic opportunities. It emphasised that incorporating ‘Aso Oke’ will directly benefit the local economy with local weavers, dyers, and tailors having more patronage. “This initiative sustains livelihoods, reduces unemployment, and increases income streams for artisans,” the circular stated. The government anticipated that the rising demand for Aso Oke will spur growth in the informal sector, boost tourism, and promote inclusive devel...