Columns/Opinions/Letters - Abia ThinkTank News

Nov

2024

Obasanjo Calls For Sack Of Mahmood Yakubu, Other INEC Leaders At Federal, States, LGAs

Columns/Opinions/Letters, News Flash, Politics

Obasanjo Calls For Sack Of Mahmood Yakubu, Other INEC Leaders At Federal, States, LGs Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called for the dismissal of the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, and officials of the commission at all levels as part of a reform of the electoral process in Nigeria. Mr Obasanjo made the call in a paper he presented at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum, Yale University, in the United States. The annual lecture honours the late Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe. He delivered the address, titled “Leadership Failure and State Capture in Nigeria”, in a pre-recorded speech played at the…

Nov

2024

0 Comments

By Abia ThinkTank

A Governor And His Strategic Mayors 111 – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, News Flash

A Governor and his Strategic Mayors III I read an article titled: Gov. Alex Otti's Alleged 'Authoritarian' policies spark outrage among Abia State Local Government Officials as Chairmen decry new restrictions on appointment, salary caps, and revenue seizure. The author reported that during a closed door meeting on November 13, 2024, there were new Instructions read out by the honorable commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu. The author's skillful report can be summarized thus:Restrictions on Appointments:Prohibition on Chairmen appointing key officials, including the Secretary to the Local Government Council. Only the Chief of Staff and a…

Nov

2024

0 Comments

By Abia ThinkTank

NETWORKING FOR PROGRESS: Dr Otti And Mr Obi Connect With Global Thought Leaders At Yale – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance, News Flash

Networking for Progress: Dr Otti and Mr Obi connect with global thought leaders at Yale Peter Obi was recently at Yale University as a speaker at the Chinua Achebe Leadership in Africa Forum. This prestigious event aims to promote leadership and governance in Africa, aligning with Obi's expertise and experience. As a respected leader and private sector titan, his participation in such forums facilitates knowledge sharing and networking with global thought leaders.Peter Obi's Yale visit was quite the event! He shared valuable insights on effective governance and leadership. On Effective Governance, Obi emphasized the importance of good governance in Africa's…

Nov

2024

0 Comments

By Abia ThinkTank

Abia’s Green Gold: Unlocking The Potential Of Palm Oil For Sustainable Development – By Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance

Abia's Green Gold: Unlocking the potential of palm oil for sustainable development Governor Alex Chioma Otti's vision for Abia State is ambitious, with a 50-year plan that aims to transform the state into a major player in various sectors of the domestic and international economy. Today, we want to zero in on the palm oil industry. It is his hope that Abia State representingNigeria will certainly rival Malaysia and Indonesia. Generally, his Prosperous Abia plan is broken down into two 25-year phases, with each phase having its own theme and objectives. The governor's goal is to cascade resources into different…

Nov

2024

0 Comments

By Abia ThinkTank

Beyond Doubting Thomases And Deceitful Thomases – Ukoha Njoku Ukoha (CPS To Gov. Otti)

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance, News Flash

BEYOND DOUBTING THOMASES TO SHAMELESS AND DECEITFUL THOMASES. The data below is from the Debt Management Office (DMO), a Federal Agency. On the inauguration of Governor Alex Otti in May 2023, Abia Debt Profile was over N191 Billion. In December 2023, just after 6 Months of the inauguration of Governor Otti, the Debt Profile of Abia State drop to a bit above N138 Billion. The June 2024 update from the Debt Management Office (DMO) put Abia Debt Profile at just above N97 Billion. They are like Uloka who had no shame borrowing and lazying about in Things Fall Apart. They…

Nov

2024

0 Comments

By Abia ThinkTank

With Our 1999 Constitution, Even Angel Gabriel Won’t Save Nigeria From Miseries – Emeka Anyaoku

Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, News Flash

With 1999 Constitution, Angel Gabriel Won’t Save Nigeria From Miseries – Anyaoku Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Wednesday, warned that if Nigeria refuses to do away with the 1999 Constitution, development will continue to elude the country. While faulting the 99 Constitution which he described as unitary, Anyaoku argued that united and progressive pluralistic countries were those who addressed their diversity with true federal constitutions. The elder statesman spoke at the launch of the book: ‘The Noble Academic and Patriot: A Biography of Emeritus Professor Akinjide Osuntokun,’ held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, in Lagos. Those…

Nov

2024

0 Comments

By Abia ThinkTank

Abia’s Entrepreneural Spirit: Trade, Factories And Development: A Historical Assessment – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Business, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Economy, Good Governance, News Flash

Abia's Entrepreneurial Spirit: Trade, Factories and Development: A Historical Assessment Abia State is a hub for trade, factories, and still striving for development in Nigeria. The state boasts an impressive array of industries, including brewing, textiles, and manufacturing. Let's dive into the history of some of the notable factories and industries in Abia State.Nigerian Breweries Plc, located in Aba, has been operational since 1957 and was upgraded in 2014.Guinness Nigeria Plc, another major brewing company, also operates in Abia State.Aba Textile Mills is a significant player in the textile industry, producing various fabrics and materials.International Glass Industry (IGI) in Aba…

Nov

2024

0 Comments

By Abia ThinkTank

The Shocking Truth: ‘Free Education’ Then Vs Truly Free Education Now! – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Education, Good Governance

The Shocking Truth: 'Free Education' Then vs Truly Free Education Now! The PDP-led Abia administration from 1999 to 2023 had some notable achievements in education, but let's not sugarcoat the failures. The free basic education policy did increase access to education, leading to higher enrollment rates. However, the quality of education was severely lacking due to poor funding, inadequate resources, and low teacher morale. Infrastructure development was another area of focus, with the construction and renovation of schools, as well as the provision of basic facilities. But, let's be real, these efforts were often marred by corruption, mismanagement, and a…

Nov

2024

0 Comments

By Abia ThinkTank

Mayor Of Ohafia LGA Urge Citizens To Consider A Major Shift In Strategy That Will Sustain Demand For Goods And Services – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia North, Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, News Flash, Ohafia LGA

Fellow Ohafia sons and daughters, esteemed business leaders, and industry titans of our great community, I, Chief Eleanya Ojuu Kalu, Mayor of Ohafia Local Government, issue this heartfelt appeal to you today. As we strive for economic growth and development in our beloved Ohafia, I urge you to consider a crucial shift in strategy. Rather than establishing firms or companies first and then struggling to meet demand, let us join forces to develop a thriving market that sustains demand for our goods and services. This approach is not just a reversal of the usual order; it's a recipe for success.…

Nov

2024

0 Comments

By Abia ThinkTank

Common Man’s Concerns: Surviving Today, Shaping Tomorrow – The Practical And Political Pursuits Of Abia’s Citizens – By Dr. Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke

Abia State, Columns/Opinions/Letters, Good Governance, News Flash

Common Man's Concerns: Surviving today, shaping tomorrow - the practical and political pursuits of Abia's citizens. As I stepped into Ohafia, the vibrant Igbo culture enveloped me. I was there prior to the recently concluded local government elections to research voters on the streets. The warmth of the people made me feel right at home. The ancestral capital, stood proudly, its history woven into the fabric of the town. I walked through the bustling Amavo central market, where locals traded goods and shared stories. The air was thick with the smell of yams, cassava, and melons, fresh from the nearby…