Novelty Cake being cut by Hon. Chief Ugumba Uche Nwosu flanked by  Imo Student Leaders

2Oth  & 21st September 2016  was  historic  in the annals of Students Leadership Support Organizations as we hosted Imo Students and friends from the neighboring states in a power packed, informative, educative and interactive leadership workshop aimed at human capacity building, development and preparing these young leaders for future leadership roles.
Theme: Nigerian Students, Leadership and the way Forward: Mind Power For Relevance.
It\’s important to note all over the world today, \”Leadership\” poses a great challenge to us and in order to tackle the challenges and proffer solutions, the  organizers of the event deem it wise to gather opinion molders, Student Union Government Presidents and their executives, secondary school prefects,educationist, technocrats, religious groups leaders, legislatures for an interactive session.
It was also opportunity to train and develop our leaders. As the illiterate of the future is the person who has refused to learn. Abraham Lincon once said \” I will study and learn, perhaps my chance will come\”.

The summit was put together by Bureau of Student Affairs in Partnership with Arise Africa and support from Zanders Fm, Shirley Supremo Finishing Ltd, GCFN Consult and Govt House

The Student Leadership after the event signed a communique and  agreed to work together with the government in order to ensure that the youths are steered away from negative influences

Chief Ugwumba Uche Nwosu – Chief Of Staff to the Governor while addressing the student leaders on behalf of Governor Rochas said;
\”Any leader who is a cult member is not a leader, leaders are descent in their speeches, they don’t speak vulgarly, leaders don’t show anger in their face, leaders are not arrogant, they are humble and gentle.
They don’t spread rumor, leaders embrace all and operate an open door policy\”
There above are some of the leadership qualities enumerated by the Chief of Staff, Imo State Government House.

After the last online voting for the Imo @ 40 commemorative Lecture and Awards. our crew unveils the Imo Proactive lawmakers

HON DCN CHIKE OKAFOR EMERGED THE MOST PROACTIVE LAWMAKER ( FEDERAL)
In his citation, Dcn Okafor was described as an outstanding banker, public servant, administrator and lawmaker who has touched many lives through his philanthropy and service above self. He was present at the occasion alongside Hon Ikeh Ibeh who represented the Governor at the event.
 

RT. HON. UGONNA OZURIGBO (ENYIOHA) was recognized as Imo State House of Assembly Most Proactive Lawmaker

Repentant ex-militants in Imo state were today granted amnesty by the state governor, Rochas Okorocha, a‎fter they surrendered their weapons to the state government and vowed never to return to their old ways. The governor received them at the Victory Chapel at the government house, prayed for them & advised them to shun violence, oil pipeline vandalism, cultism & other criminal activities.

According to reports reaching us from gistgate NYSC  members were recently advised,
President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday in Daura called on Nigerian youths to make the country great again through pursuit of knowledge, patriotism and commitment to values that promote national unity.
Receiving over 100 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Daura local government area, in his residence, President Buhari pledged his unalloyed commitment to the unity and prosperity of Nigeria.

He urged them to remain focused in life, pursue their dreams and reject those fanning embers of discord and disintegration of Nigeria.
The President, who specially recognised corps members from the Niger Delta and South-Eastern states serving in Daura, praised the vision of former President Yakubu Gowon in setting up the scheme in 1973.
The President said the scheme had creditably promoted national unity and cohesion by exposing young people to the uniqueness and cultural diversity of Nigeria.
“I asked for those from the other extreme of Nigeria because I very much appreciate the NYSC scheme and whenever I see General Gowon, I always thank him for that”, he declared.
Speaking specifically to corps members from the South Eastern states,
The President said:-

    “Tell your colleagues who want Biafra to forget about it.’’
    “As a military commander, I walked from Degem, a border town between the north and the east, to the border between Cameroons and Nigeria.
    “I walked on my foot for most of the 30 months that we fought the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, in which at least 2 million Nigerians were killed.
    “We were made by our leaders to go and fight Biafra not because of money or oil, because oil was not critical factor then, but because of one Nigeria.
    “So if leaderships at various levels failed, it was not the fault of the rest of Nigerians who have no quarrel with one another.
    “So please tell your colleagues that we must be together to build this country. It is big enough for us and potentially big enough in terms of resources.
    ”Those who work hard will earn a respectable living. I have seen this country, I fought for this country and I will continue to work for the unity of this country,’’

In his remarks, Mr Egbewumi Adebolu, the Corps Liaison Officer in Daura, thanked the President for the honour of receiving them and making their stay in Daura memorable.
He said the youths strongly believed in the programme of the President to reduce unemployment and create jobs for more Nigerians.
Adebolu thanked the President for his personal gifts of cows, bags of rice and cash to corps members in the community for Salah celebration.

Aboh-Ngor Okpala University To Commence Soon – Gov Okorocha

Imo State Governor, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha has assured the good people of the state on the early takeoff of the Aboh/Ngor Okpala Campus of Imo State University housing the Faculty of Agricultural Science & Veterinary Medicine.

The Gov made this remarks while inspecting some projects of his government. He said the location of the university which would transform to a full fledge university as soon as the Nigerian University Commission gives nod is in keeping with the vision of late Sam Mbakwe\’s vision. The Chairman of the Progressive Governor\’s Forum said the campus has resolve the age long border dispute between Aboh Mbaise and  Ngor Okpala border communities.

The Governor also inspected buildings required for the full commencement of international operations of the Imo International Cargo Airport including the Customs Long Room.

He was accompanied by the SGI, Sir George Eche, COS Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, Commissioners and other government functionaries

Patience Jonathan Sues EFCC For Placing ‘No Debit Order’ On $31.4m Account

Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan has filed a N200m fundamental rights enforcement suit against Skye Bank Plc, following the freezing of four bank accounts, which she claims the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has used to inconvenience and embarrass her.
The four accounts, lodged with Skye Bank Plc, are in the name of four companies which is said to have a balance of $31.4m

The four companies are Pluto Property and Investment Company Limited; Seagate Property Development & Investment Co. Limited; Trans Ocean Property and Investment Company Limited and Development Company Limited and Globus Integrated Service Limited.
In an affidavit filed before the court and deposed to by one Sammie Somiari, a legal practitioner on behalf of Patience Jonathan, the deponents claims that the EFCC placed a No Debit Order on the four accounts in July in the course of probing one Waripamo Dudafa, a former Special Adviser on Domestic Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
After its investigations, the EFCC went ahead to file an amended 17-count against Dudafa and seven others, including the four companies, with the defendants being accused of conspiring to conceal the monies which the EFCC claimed they ought to have known formed parts of the proceeds of an unlawful act.
In the affidavit however, Sammie Somiari claims that it was Dudafa who helped Mrs Patience Jonathan to open the four bank accounts which the EFCC froze.
According to him, Dudafa had on March 22, 2010 brought two Skye Bank officers, Demola Bolodeoku and Dipo Oshodi, to meet the former first lady at home to open five accounts.
He, however, claimed that after the five accounts were opened, Mrs Patience Jonathan later discovered that Dudafa opened only one of the accounts in her name while the other four were opened in the names of companies belonging to Dudafa.
Somiari added “that Mrs Jonathan complained about this to Honourable Dudafa, who at her prompting and instance promised to effect the change of the said accounts to the applicant’s name; and to effect this change, Honourable Dudafa brought the said bank manager, Mr. Dipo Oshodi, who claimed to have effected the changes. This was about April 2014.
“The bank official, Mr. Dipo Oshodi, as it would appear did not effect or reflect the instruction of the applicant to change the said accounts to her name(s) despite repeated requests.
The deponent also claims that Mrs Patience Jonathan who is said to be away for an urgent medical treatment abroad, is the sole signatory to the accounts as the money belongs to her.
The affidavit also said that the ATM credit cards bearing the said companies’ names were brought to Mrs Jonathan by the bank manager who promised to replace them once the cards bearing the changed names were available, but he never did.
“However, since 2010 up until 2014 and thereafter, Mrs Jonathan had been using the cards on the said accounts and operating the said accounts without let or hindrance. Even in May, June and July 2016, the former First Lady traveled overseas for medical treatment and was using the said credit cards abroad up until July 7, 2016 or thereabouts when the cards stopped functioning.”
In her fundamental rights action before the court, the wife of the former President is asking the court to compel the EFCC to immediately vacate the “No Debit Order” placed on her accounts.
She also says the action of the EFCC without a court order or prior notice to her is illegal, overbearing and constitutes a breach of her fundamental rights as enshrined in Section 33, 34, 35 & 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
She wants the court to order Skye Bank to pay her damages in the sum of N200m for what she termed a violation of her right to own personal property under Section 44 of the Constitution.
The EFCC on its part is set to arraign the former Presdent’s aide, Dudafa and his alleged accomplices for money laundering before a Federal High Court in Lagos.
The case will be heard on Thursday, Sept 15.

FROM  EDITORS DESK:

We might have come across a lot of publications with different objectives; however here is one publication with a distinction in all areas. It is with excitement that I introduce you to  Arise Afrika  an international online magazine that seeks to increase awareness of bordering issues within our country Nigeria, and around the world.  We would like to serve you with accurate information on events around the globe. 

Our publication seeks to convey valuable and timely information on the life and culture of the Nigerian people, these will be educating. The contents I know certainly will interest you as it ranges from  Interviews from Oprah David a woman with a craze for singing and reaching out to the world with her God-given talent which was one of our first publications here online.  If you ask me you are up for best time of information acquisition.
Arise Afrika Magazine which would be unveiled this month  center of attention will be on Politics, economy, Health and real life issues, Pictures from Iconic 40th Anniversary of Imo state – co organized by GCFN Consult and Nigerian Eye Newspaper,  my article on Nigerian Youths Leadership and the way forward. We are  here to showcase your business online .
To everyone that assisted us from the very beginning making direct and noticeable contributions, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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Victor Nwaorgu – Editor/Director of Media

Arise Afrika International are partners of Bureau of Student Affairs in organizing the Imo Student Leadership summit. The group has urged the  Nigerian youths to rise up and brace up for leadership as a way forward. According to the Leader of the Group Mr Ikechukwu Anyanwu – co-host of Imo @ 40 Commemorative Lecture held on 18th June at Imo Concorde Hotel Owerri.

Arise Afrika  is a non government and non profit organization. It is also a movement geared towards re-engineering the mind set of Africans about sustaining themselves in their immediate communities. An off shoot of Global Circle of Friends Network (GCFN) a community based organization founded by Anyanwu Ikechukwu in 2001. We hope to help you to discover and develop your talents so as to make a positive impact in the society. We will help you get the education, time and financial freedom that you desire.

The online news platform of Arise Afika is used as to promote social democratic values of Justice, freedom and democracy. Create a reawakening of our strong and sustainable ethical and cultural values.

The future lies with the youths and they need to be steered away from negative influences. Our nation needs to arise from the deep slumber that we have fallen into  and our youths must take our own destinies in our own hands . Nigerians must cooperate with each other to build a better functioning communities through small scale industrial vocations . We must become advocates for better governance and implementation of policies that affect the society.

Arise Afrika seeks to develop and encourage youths to embrace their full potentials in all spheres of human endeavour and not to feel alienated by the present severe socio-economic conditions. The youths must be challenged to recover lost values through the same cooperative dedication and strength that must pull them out of the fangs of poverty.

He commented:  \” It\’s not a skyrocket science, neither is it difficult for us to identify our problem as a nation. They say when you discover your problem, it\’s the  first  step to finding a lasting solution to the problem.  the bane of our society has been lack of good leadership. The time to act is not 2019 but now. It\’s about  time for us  youths to rise up to the challenges facing us. Alone is a voice but together is a force. The youths are a force to be reckoned with and would midwife the desired change in this country. \”
In their press release 7 days to the kick off of 2 days LEADERSHIP SUMMIT. They advised the youths. Read the statement of the group below the pix cut

Mr Ikechukwu Anyanwu -Publisher Arise Afrika

JONATHAN SPEAKS OUT…

I Didn\’t Hand Over A Collapsed Nation To Buhari – Dr.
Goodluck Jonathan-

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has replied his critics who accused him of handing over a nation at the verge of collapse to his successor, President Muhammadu Buhari.

Jonathan recounted the achievements of his government to include, handing over a country that produced the richest man in Africa.

Jonathan said, “I took over a Nigeria that was the second largest economy in Africa with a GDP of $270.5 billion in 2009, I handed over a Nigeria that had grown to become the largest economy in Africa and the 24th largest economy in the World with a GDP of $574 billion.

“I inherited a Nigeria in which the trains were not working, and handed over a Nigeria in which citizens can safely travel by trains again. I also inherited a country where illiteracy rate particularly in the Northern part was alarming.
I handed over a country where every state in the North and indeed all the states had a Federal University. I inherited a country where there was total infrastructural decay in all the unity schools and colleges of education. But I handed over a country with massive infrastructural improvement in almost higher institutions. I inherited a country where agricultural inputs and production were almost zero. But I handed over a country where a bag of rice was sold for N6,500 to N7000. My regime since the establishment of ecological fund office did more irrigation dams in the North and other parts of the country than other subsequent administrations put together. I inherited epileptic fuel supplies resulting to endless queues at the filling stations. I maintained despite enormous challenges of fuel subsidies and handed over a relatively stable fuel regime.

I inherited a Nigeria that was a net importer of cement, and handed over a Nigeria that is a net exporter of cement.
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In 2009 the richest Nigerian was the 5th richest man in Africa, but I handed over a Nigeria that produced the richest man in Africa.

The former President further stated \” I inherited a country where people were almost losing hope on the credibility of its electoral process but I noticed that democracy will continue to grow in the African continent if leaders value the process of elections more than the product of the process. I handed over electoral process that engendered fairness in its conduct and conclusiveness \”.

He said, “Even in the 2015 general elections in my country, Nigeria, there was potential for major crisis if I was not a President duly elected by the will of the people.
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“The campaigns leading to the elections almost polarized the country into Christian vs Muslims and North vs South divide. Most World leaders were worried that our elections will result into major crisis. Some pundits even from here in the United States said that those elections would spell the end of Nigeria and that we would cease to exist as a nation because of the polls.
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That is where the leadership question comes into play.
.As a leader that was duly elected by the people, I considered the people’s interest first.
.How do I manage my people to avoid killings and destruction of properties?
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With the interest of the people propelling all the decisions I took, we were able to sail through.

Indeed, we sailed through because I refused to interfere with the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, having appointed a man I had never met in my life to run it. We sailed through because I maintained and still believe that my personal ambition, interest is not worth the blood of any single Nigerian.
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My philosophy was simple. For elections to be credible, I as a leader, must value the process more than the product of the process. And the citizens must have confidence in the electoral body.