Columns/Opinions/Letters

The Impact Of The Trump World Order On ABIA State’s Diaspora: A Socio-political Analysis – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

The Impact Of The Trump World Order On ABIA State’s Diaspora: A Socio-political Analysis – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

The Impact of the Trump World Order on Abia State's Diaspora: A Socio-Political Analysis I want to put together shocking discoveries that may have been buried as we embark on a journey to explore the socio-political implications of the Trump World Order on Abia State's diaspora. Our base year is 2019, drawing inferences from the Trump first term 2016 - 2020. Let's examine how changes to immigration policies, trade agreements, and international relations affected the lives of Igbo people living abroad, particularly in the United States. The Trump World Order has had a positive impact on Abia State's diaspora. Despite…
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The Health Of The African Must Be Sustained Through Nutrition And Healthy Lifestyle, Not Medicines Nor Vaccines – By Maazi Obinna Agommuo

The Health Of The African Must Be Sustained Through Nutrition And Healthy Lifestyle, Not Medicines Nor Vaccines – By Maazi Obinna Agommuo

THE HEALTH OF THE AFRICAN MUST BE SUSTAINED THROUGH NUTRITION AND HEALTHY LIFESTYLE, NOT MEDICINES NOR VACCINES. “Let Food be thy Medicine and Medicine be thy Food” says Hippocrates, the great Greek Physician and Philosopher in 440 BC. Sometime ago, I wrote an article on Healthy Lifestyles and promised to further insight into the subject matter with proof as I was challenged then to do so.This attached photo of myself in blue suit on the left side of the photograph was taken on 5th of November 2019 at Uyo Akwa Ibom State Nigeria while the one on the right side…
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Beyond The Rhetoric: Unpacking The Socio-political Consequences Of Otti’s Leadership – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Beyond The Rhetoric: Unpacking The Socio-political Consequences Of Otti’s Leadership – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Beyond the Rhetoric: Unpacking the Sociopolitical Consequences of Otti's Leadership The Socio-political consequences of Otti's leadership are complex and multifaceted. While it is true that his leadership style has been criticized by some, it has also been praised by many for its transparency, accountability, and commitment to good governance. A nuanced and balanced assessment of Otti's leadership is necessary to fully understand its implications for Abia State. We conducted a survey and had a focus group discussion with 28 persons resident in Aba/10, Umuahia/11 and Ohafia 07. Here's a summary of what we generated as termed as their negative perceptions…
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Otti’s Security Master plan: A Game Changer For ABIA This Yuletide – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D(SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

Otti’s Security Master plan: A Game Changer For ABIA This Yuletide – By Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D(SSA To Gov. Otti On Public Affairs)

Otti's Security Masterplan: A Game Changer for Abia this Yuletide Ebere Uzoukwa, Ph.D As the yuletide season approaches, Abia State is gearing up for a festive period like no other. Governor Alex Otti's administration has been working tirelessly to ensure that the state is secure and safe for residents and visitors alike. The Governor's security masterplan, which has been rolled out in phases, is a game changer for Abia State. The recent empowerment of security operatives with modern equipment and gadgets is a testament to the Governor's commitment to security. The handing over of 20 brand-new Hilux vans to security…
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Otti’s Meritocracy Agenda: A Panacea For Boosting Abia’s GDP – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Otti’s Meritocracy Agenda: A Panacea For Boosting Abia’s GDP – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Otti's Meritocracy Agenda: A Panacea for Boosting Abia's GDP During the just concluded December Media Chat, Governor Alex Otti's statement that civil servants who failed the promotion and confirmation examinations in Abia State did not prepare well is a clear indication of his commitment to enthrone meritocracy in the state's workforce. This approach is reminiscent of the former Nigeria Eastern Region's workforce, which was known for its efficiency and productivity. Meritocracy is a system where rewards and opportunities are based on individual merit, rather than on personal connections or other factors. This approach has been successful in countries like the…
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Abia Showing Southeastern States How To Beat The National Economy – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia Showing Southeastern States How To Beat The National Economy – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia is showing Southeastern states how to beat the national economy Job creation rates in Nigeria, particularly in the South East region, have been a topic of discussion. Nigeria's economic growth has not been largely inclusive, with poverty and unemployment rates increasing despite high GDP growth averaging 7.3% since the 2018. In the South East region, Abia State has a relatively high job creation rate, driven by its strong manufacturing sector and agricultural production. According to a report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Abia State had a job creation rate of 12.6% in 2023, compared to 9.5% for…
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Would Otti’s Pro Business Programs Expand ABIA State’s Economy In 2025/2026? – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Would Otti’s Pro Business Programs Expand ABIA State’s Economy In 2025/2026? – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Would Otti's Pro Business Programs Expand Abia State's Economy in 2025/2026? Last month, Abia's Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, declared in a private meeting that he has laid out and implemented a series of programs and projects in the three senatorial zones of the state, drawing immediate appreciation from business leaders of those zones. “Most of the programs rolled out would likely prompt pro-poor growth, leading to expanded opportunities for enterprises,” a business man Chidi Umeh in Isiukwuato said. An importer of used fabrics in Aba, Kalu Nwojo, said he’s expanding more patronage come 2025/2026 as he's expecting higher purchasing…
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SEDC Chair Appointment: Round Peg In Round Hole – By Pius Nzewuihe

SEDC Chair Appointment: Round Peg In Round Hole – By Pius Nzewuihe

SEDC Chair Appointment: Round Peg in Round Hole The wisdom of the sponsors of the bill for the establishment of South East Development Commission at the National Assembly and President Bola Tinubu’s commitment for an overall equitable national developmental agenda cannot be over-emphasized. To drive home his Renewed Hope Agenda, the President has in no mistakable terms demonstrated his vision to place the country on a fresh developmental map among comity of developing nations through regional development commissions Aside South East Development Commission (SEDC) charged with the responsibility of “reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, houses and other infrastructural damages suffered…
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PDP ABIA Crying Wolf Where Non Exist – By Dr. Engr. Odo Ijere (Okpotemba)

PDP ABIA Crying Wolf Where Non Exist – By Dr. Engr. Odo Ijere (Okpotemba)

PDP ABIA CRYING WOLF WHERE NON EXIST. We have read with interest the release by the Abia PDP signed by its publicity secretary Mr. Erik Ikwuagwu accusing the government of Abia state of suppression of dissent and opposition voices. Nothing can be far from the truth as this amounts to crying wolf to attract undue sympathy. When the newly appointed Abia PDP exco were inaugurated, they went overboard in their bid to play to the gallery and impress their paymasters that they had arrived by forming what they called a 'Shadow Government'. They were immediately cautioned and warned not to…
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2024 Tax Reforms, Nigeria’s Fiscal Landscape And ABIA State: Matters Arising – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

2024 Tax Reforms, Nigeria’s Fiscal Landscape And ABIA State: Matters Arising – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

2024 Tax Reforms, Nigeria's Fiscal Landscape and Abia State: Matters Arising Nigeria's 2024 tax reforms aim to transform the country's fiscal landscape, and Abia State is no exception. The Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, established in 2023, is driving these changes. Here are key aspects of the reforms: Harmonization of Taxes: The committee proposes streamlining over 60 taxes and levies to a single-digit number, reducing the burden on citizens and businesses ¹ ². Digitization of Revenue Collection: The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a USSD code for tax payment, making it easier and more convenient…
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