Defection: Monica Defends Umahi

...... Described those critizing him as enemies of Ndi Igbo 

....... Commend Mr President and APC Leadership

As reactions continue to trail the recent defection of the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, Apostle Dave Umahi, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media, Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze, has expressed disappointment over comments credited to some media urchins, whose tongues have been wagging on the subject; brandishing opinions which can at best be described as destitute of facts and far from reality.

In a statement made available to media houses, Lady Monica said Gov. Umahi is a stern believer in the principle that "man lives not by bread alone, but by giving a little thought to the lives of others", and his thoughts towards the good people of the South East informed his recent political realignment.

She said it is saddening to read comments imputing fictitious reasons and linking cocktail of lies to the underlining rationale behind Governor Umahi's defection from the crumbling Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Describing the thoughts as misguided, Lady Monica said those still harboring the opinion that the PDP was fair to the South East based on some appointments made to the zone during her 16 years reign at the centre, are flamboyantly untutored, ridiculously ignorant and grossly dishonest.

Lady Monica AKA Ada Ebonyi further said only a group of unconscious and conscienceless mortals who have lost all sense of fairness will count political appointments as the fairest share due a particular region in a country of heterogeneous population like Nigeria.

Is it fair enough that after Chief Alex Ekweme, saw to the emergence of the democracy the country currently enjoys and especially, the formation of the PDP, no Igbo man is considered as been worthy to occupy the exalted position of the President of Nigeria? Lady Monica queried. 

"I want to make it categorically clear that those who fail to understand the maverick politics of Governor Umahi only view the Igbos as second class citizens of this country who are not worthy to occupy the office of the President of this country and this is nothing but deliberate unfairness and it can longer be tolerated," She said.

The good people of South East collaborated with other zones to secure the Independence of this country and as a result, the Igbos have risen and are no longer ready to play the second fiddle in a country to which they have made much sacrifices.

Umahi, no matter the odds and regardless of what may be the position of anybody, has exposed the sins and wickedness of the PDP against the Igbos and has accordingly, laid the foundation for its total decimation in the South East if it continued with playing pranks with the future and destiny of the zone as regards the Presidency of this country. 

Umahi, has by this action resurrected the spirit of the Owelle of Onitsha and one of the leading fathers of this nation, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe and every patriotic Nigerian is ready to file behind the new Zik in his determined journey to salvage the fortunes and  future of the South East people and Nigerians in general.

Lady Monica Chidinma Ada Eze who also doubles as the Founder and President of David Umahi Nweze Akubaraoha Ebonyi Transformation Agenda (DUNAETA), a grassroots NGO based in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, pleads that we should be guided with President Muhammadu Buhari's reaction to Governor Umahi's defection. Mr. President in his reaction described Umahi's defection  "as a bold move driven purely by principle rather than opportunistic motives. I am proud of Governor David Umahi for taking this bold decision in accordance with his conscience and principles rather than any external influence or coercion. Good governance is very important to us in the APC, and I’m glad that the governor has cited this as a major factor in his decision to join us. I urge our citizens to pay less emphasis on identity politics if we want our democracy to make a positive impact on our country. With men like Umahi, I foresee a brighter future for our democracy because the voters will be more motivated by performance records of parties and their candidates. Let me once again; commend the boldness of Governor Umahi for taking this courageous decision in a country where principles are in short supply among many. I know people might call him names, but that is the price men of principles have to pay for acting according to their conscience and convictions" 

Monica highlighted further that Dr Umahi never stated that he defected to the APC to struggle for any position. She therefore appealed to those who are using the 2023 Presidency as his reason for defecting to the APC to desist from such calumnious campaign. 

For avoidance of doubt, Monica presented the exact words of Governor Umahi on the reasons he defected, "Let me first clarify that I never sought for PDP presidential ticket and so, whosoever is saying that I moved to APC because they refused to zone the ticket to me is being very mischievous because even if PDP promises an individual a presidential ticket; how does it work when over 8000 delegates will be electing the person and such promise cannot happen with ten or twenty people. So, people are being very mischievous about that but there are a lot of prominent people from South East, I don't want to list them but I think the House of Assembly members in their letter to PDP listed very much more qualified personalities from the southeast that can take the Presidential slot of PDP".

 "Some people said I was promised this and that - there was no such discussion. APC never promised me any position, they never promised southeast any position. However, I offered this movement as a protest against the injustice being done to southeast by PDP. That since 1998, 1999, the southeast people have supported PDP in all elections. At a time, the five states were all PDP and one of the founding members of PDP is from southeast, the late Vice President, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme. And so, it is absurd that from 1998 going to 2023, the southeast will never be considered to run for Presidency under the ticket of PDP, this is absurd. And this is my position and will continue to be my position...."

Lady Monica said Umahi has truly justified why is he the Hero of Nigeria's nascent democracy and called on people of goodwill and lovers of democracy to support the course championed by Gov. Umahi.

Monica commended Governor Mai Mala Buni-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) for formally receiving the peoples Governor to the great party and for setting up a very strong and commendable APC Leadership in the State as I am very convinced that Stanley Okoro led State Exco will surely take the State to higher heights.

Maikaya Development Foundation Distributes Educational Materials To Selected Schools In Nasarawa State

 

Wishing all the Nasarawa State Students from Primary and Secondary level all the best in their academic endeavors. We're equally appreciating the good efforts of the Maikaya Development Foundation for the continues with the provisions of basic requirements of combating Covid19 as well as for the provision of all the required learning/teaching aids to some selected Primary and Secondary Schools in the State. Kudos to His Excellency Alh. Dr. Muhammed Maikaya ( Ciroman Toto & COE MDF) for the strides.

The Maikaya Development Foundation is committed to making basic education right, that is why there has been so much emphasis on the primary and secondary level of education, we will not shy away from giving the necessary support to any individuals and organisations that may want to add their quota to the sector", Comr. Sani said.

Comr. Shuaibu Sani also noted that free learning materials and meals were being provided for the learners. He in turn appreciated the state government for the support they have been given, promised that they would not relent in giving their best to the students under their care.

In his remarks, the Founder of Maikaya Development Foundation H.E Maikaya, who represent by the (COO MDF) said that the Educational (Intervention programme under MDF) was put in place to support the average Nigerian learners, so that there won't be a difference between learners in the private and public schools.

Speaking on behalf of the parents, Mrs. Jamila Abdull and Mrs. Patient Audu expressed their gratitude to the Maikaya Development Foundation for the provision of learning/teaching materials for the children.

Engineer Sule Inaugurates Committee To Design Coat Of Arm, Flag For Nasarawa

Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has inaugurated the Nasarawa State Emblem Development Committee, charged with the responsibility of designing and developing an independent coat of arm, to showcase the economy, culture and traditions of the people of the state.

Engineer Sule inaugurated the committee, at a ceremony at the Government House, on Thursday.

According to the Governor, the committee, which is has 5 weeks to carry out its assignment, will also design and develop an independent flag and motto, to serve as a symbol of identity and also complement the coat of arm of the state.

Engineer Sule said under the federal system of government, component states are allowed to have their own flag, coat of arm and anthem.

While noting that several states of the federation have already adopted their own independent emblem, as a symbol of their identification, Nasarawa State is yet to adopt her own.

"The general objective is to protect and project the economy, culture and traditions of the people of the state, as a symbol of identity," he stated.

Members of the committee, who were selected, based on their records of experience, professionalism, patriotism and pedigree, has Mohammed O. Egye, a retired director of arts and culture at the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, as Chairman, while Danladi Tukura, Director, Mobilization and Orientation, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, is to serve as Secretary.

The 7-member committee, which has Mukhtar Wakil, Public Relation Officer, Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, is to be guided by four terms of reference.

e-Governance Masterplan: NITDA, Jigawa Review Draft Document

 

In furtherance to the implementation of the National e-Government Masterplan and the Digital Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has given its assurance that it would continue to support   e-Governance implementation at the state level.

This is coming on the backdrop of the reviewed draft of Jigawa state e-government master plan which the Agency presented to the state today.  

The document presented for review was developed by NITDA in conjunction with the Jigawa State Government. The document aimed at providing concrete master plan that will guide the state on how to incorporate digital technology in running the activities of government in the state.

The NITDA Director General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, while giving his remarks virtually said; to build a strong foundation, the Agency has been supporting the state with interventions like Information Technology Hub, ICT Innovations and Entrepreneurship, IT Capacity Building Centres, Women in ICT (Capacity Building) amongst others.

Today, we are putting the draft Plan with 20 strategic initiatives before the top government officials for your inputs, haven gone through a series of developmental stages from preparation to assessment stage, envisioning and documents development stage, he added.

The NITDA boss noted that Jigawa state is the first choice for e-Government master plan because of the Jigawa State Comprehensive Development Framework, adding that, with the vision to have a society full of opportunities, where people are sufficiently empowered to participate in decisions and processes that affect their lives in an enabling environment for sustainable economic growth and human-centred development, e-governance implementation has become imperative.

The vision, he stated is built on four pillars which are; Generating Economic Growth (GEG), Human Capital Development (HCD), Governance and Institutional Development (GID), Ensuring Sustainable Development (ESD). The DG stated that the acceleration of this vision is guaranteed if digital technology and innovation is embedded in the reforms.

He stated that for any government to be highly competitive and successful, it must integrate digital technology and innovation in all its reforms. He added that, “Digital Economy will not be sympathetic to any Government who refuses to embrace digital technology and innovation”.

Mallam Abdullahi maintained that the plan will set the strategic direction for all other digital initiatives in the state.

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Nigeria Has Potentials Of Becoming Exporting Nation If… - Pantami

 

The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami has revealed that Nigeria has the potentials of becoming an exporting nation if the country leverages on the various innovations her youths are coming up with and are being deployed to cater for the needs of the nation.

The Minister disclosed this today in Abuja at the stakeholders Review Workshop on National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy with the theme “Developing an Enabling Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship.”

Pantami maintained that the responsibility of the ministry is to work on policies that will remove the obstacles and the barriers to the development of the country adding that National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship Policy is aimed at providing an enabling environment for indigenous innovations to thrive.

He said, “We want to engage our start-ups, ICT hubs all over the country, identify their major challenges and see how government can provide an enabling environment for them to be very successful and that is the idea behind this policy.

The Minster noted that from his engagement at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (MIT) Boston, he realised that a nation’s digital economy success relies on two elements - on indigenous digital innovation and indigenous entrepreneurship.

“These are the two elements that will make the country a producing nation instead of a consuming nation. It is because of this I feel this is the right time to work on the National Digital Innovation and Entrepreneurship policy,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi said the objective of the policy produced is to help “institutionalised digital entrepreneurship in our country in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari’s economic diversification agenda.”

While assuring that the implementation of the policy would create enabling environment for the growth of Innovation Driven Enterprise, (IDE), the DG noted that policy would also create IDE mind-set and skill-set which would support learning how to do business in our communities. “Part of it is the mentorship to develop an ecosystem because you cannot be a successful entrepreneur in isolation,” he added.

He decried that out of 615 unicorn companies in the world; only three are from Africa and one in Nigeria in particular adding that with the proper implementation of the policy, IDE would become a “game-changer in terms of job and wealth creation.

He said, “We have seen an IDE (Jumia) that created more than 5,000 direct jobs and grew to more than 1B USD valuation within three years. Boston Consulting Group projected that by 2025, Jumia and other potential unicorn companies could create more than three million jobs in Africa.

Mallam Abdullahi said the global COVID-19 pandemic has made the implementation of the policy imperative because it has accelerated the need for innovative ideas more than before.

“Indeed, there will never be a more perfect time to have this policy than now. We are passing through a time of unprecedented crisis. A quadruple crisis started with a health crisis, which led to the economic crisis that led to the humanitarian crisis and the mental health crisis", he submitted.

Engineer Sule Inaugurates State Council To Implement National Policy On MSMEs

Nasarawa State Governor,  Engineer Abdullahi Sule,  has inaugurated the State council on implementation of the national policy on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in line with the policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari,  with a view to opening up the frontiers of economic activities to thrive across the country.

Engineer Sule inaugurated the committee, with himself as the Chairman, at a ceremony at the Government House,  on Thursday.

According to the Governor,  inauguration of the state council on the implementation of the national policy on MSMEs,  will see to the domestication of the policy in Nasarawa State, earlier formulated by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), which will serve as a vehicle to enhance sustainable economic development.

Being the first ever national policy on MSMEs,  Engineer Sule  opined that it is meant to facilitate and sustain a vibrant MSMEs subsector, which will drive national economic growth and employment.

While the national committee on MSMEs will be headed by the Vice President,  Professor Femi Osibanjo, the committee at the state level will be chaired by the Governor, with members drawn from relevant ministries, as well as major stakeholders. 

The Governor disclosed that with SMEDAN being a one-stop shop for MSMEs development in the country, part of its mandate is to initiate and articulate policy ideas for the Small and Medium Enterprises growth and development, as well as promote, facilitate developmental programmes, instruments and support services to accelerate the modernization of MSMEs operators.

"It will also serve as a vanguard for rural industrialization, poverty reduction, job creation and enhanced livelihood," he stated.

The 21-member committee inaugurated in Nasarawa State,  will have Engineer Abdullahi Sule as Chairman, Hon Obadiah Boyi,  Commissioner of Trade, Industry and Investment, as Vice Chairman, while Bashir Shola, State Director, SMEDAN,  will serve as Secretary.