Ever since then, Mr Chime has not left any one in doubt, be it Tom, Dick or Harry of his mission, vision, resolve as well as his determination to transform Enugu State far better than he met it for posterity to pass its judgement on his tenures as the governor of the state. To this end, he kick-started what some refer to as an envious and ambitious road construction (infrastructural development) that has never been witnessed among the south-East States. Today in Enugu state, traffic lights, street lights, road construction sites, building sites among others are currently common sights to behold and no doubt majority of the inhabitants of the Coal City are not only happy with their governor but also pleased with him because of the good work he is doing in Enugu.

It is not the intention of this writer to bore his readers with other commendable feats this humble, friendly, gentle, amiable and people-oriented governor has been able to achieve within a period of five years plus in office, such as his administration’s tall water project which is currently being addressed as water taps are now being installed in every residential home to mitigate the perennial and acute water needs of residents which some parts of Enugu is well known in the past which has made every landlord or landlady to dig well as an alternative source of water, but it is for doubting Thomas’s to work out of their way to confirm the assertion made in this piece.

In an open letter to Governor Sullivan I once posited “Enugu metropolis today have roads built with green verges, pedestrian walkways, drainage systems, street lights and bus stops powered by solar-energy lights, all thanks to the development oriented personality of the man at the helm of affairs in Enugu State, Mr Sullivian Chime. This writer, having been away from the state for the past five years, was elated seeing the unprecedented democracy dividends being bestowed on the Coal City, the former capital of the Eastern Region.

School children now board the state government buses free of charge to and from school though there may be some discordant views to this. In addition to the above, there is at present about 680 coal city cabs and shuttle buses offering internal transportation services to commuters, Public Private Partnership which ushered into the state world-class investment stores such as ShopRite, Game and Max which have not only helped in providing employment for the unemployed but have strengthened the state’s image in terms of commercial tourism as residents of neighbouring states come to make one purchase or the other at the stores.

Other areas the chime led administration is positively giving uncommon facelift to include; renovation of dilapidated school structures, provision of Ambulances and medical emergency response personnel in Enugu State which is under its Medical Emergency Response Scheme, recruitment of 2000 teachers for secondary schools and an additional 2000 volunteer teachers to fast track its Volunteer Service Scheme, a scheme whereby retired but not tired teachers are engaged based on personal volition in order to increase and complement the inadequate number of teachers teaching in the state’s schools, provision of brand new tractors to encourage mechanized system of farming to add vim to the revolution going on in the agricultural sector etc. These deeds among others not mentioned herein have in no mean measure, endeared many to the Chief servant in Enugu State.

Given these achievements of his, it is sad to say the least the recurring rumour of his death which has continued to gain publicity in a few online media and social network sites. We are enjoined not only to pray for our friends but also our foes no matter who they are. It may be on this note well-meaning people like the Rev Father Ejike Mbaka, a renowned Roman Catholic Church Priest is calling on all and sundry to pray for the governor to enable him recover from the ailment he is suffering from.

Whenever I visit Enugu State, I get informed, see and experience the good work Mr Chime is doing, based on this I cannot but ask God, in His infinite mercy to grant you quick recovery and long life so that you will continue to contribute your quota to the well-being of humanity. I wish you quick recovery in Jesus name. Amen.

Nwaorgu Faustinus writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +2348035601312 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting +2348035601312 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. Email: fausteness@yahoo.com

By Nwaorgu Faustinus | NNP | July 17, 2012 -

Enugu metropolis  today have  roads built with green verges, pedestrian walkways, drainage systems, street lights and bus stops powered by solar-energy lights, all thanks to the development oriented personality of the man at the helm of affairs in Enugu State, Mr Sullivian Chime. This writer, having being away from the state for the past five years, was elated seeing the unprecedented democracy dividends being bestowed on the coal city, the former capital of the eastern region. 

School children now board the state government buses free of charge to and from school though there may be some discordant views to this. In addition to the above, there is at present about 680 coal city cabs and shuttle buses offering internal transportation services to commuters, Public Private Partnership which ushered into the state world-class investment stores such as Shoperite, Game and Max which have not only helped in providing employment for the unemployed but have strengthened the state’s image in terms of commercial tourism as residents of neighbouring states come to make one purchase or the other at the stores.

Other areas the chime led administration is positively giving uncommon facelift to include; renovation of dilapidated school structures, provision of Ambulances and medical emergency response personnel in Enugu State which is under its Medical Emergency Response Scheme, recruitment of 2000 teachers for secondary schools and an additional 2000 volunteer teachers to fast track its Volunteer Service Scheme, a scheme whereby retired but not tired teachers are engaged based on personal volition in order to increase and complement the inadequate  number of teachers teaching in the state’s schools ,provision of brand new tractors to encourage mechanized system of farming to add vim to the revolution going on in the agricultural sector etc. These deeds among others not mentioned herein have in no mean measure, endeared many to the Chief servant in Enugu State. It is left for doubting Thomas’s to verify the above position by visiting Enugu. The truth is the governor will be leaving the state far better than he met it.

Having said these, it is important to draw the attention of the governor to the plight of silent minority of his people who feel they have been neglected and treated unfairly in the fair award of road construction since 1999 to date and the execution of same. They have continued to wonder what their offence is, that they are neglected and treated as though they were not in the map of Enugu metropolis. Residents of Umuchu, mount, Ilofranco, nnajiogbodo, and nnajinwaede streets among others, view it as ironical whereby other streets roads near them have been constructed by the state government, theirs seem to be overlooked by the government they overwhelmingly cast their votes for.

Speculation in one of the streets which patiently wait and hope to benefit from the Enugu state government’s dividend of democracy has it that a prominent family who lived there and featured in the former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani ‘s administration pocketed the fund which was meant to construct the street road. Many living in Umuchu Street today feel this may be the reason the street has been neglected by the statement government. If this be the case, I earnestly appeal to the development-oriented Chief Servant at the helm of affairs in the Coal City to reconsider his stand and remember the inhabitants of the above streets. If you can do a wonderful and magnificent work at Akwata near Ogbete Market through the Arab Contractors, a world class construction company handling the state’s road construction the above street roads are easy to execute.

As you remember the above streets among others, may God continue to endow you with the needed wisdom to affect positively the lives of your people and residents in Enugu state, so that by the time you leave the government house you would have left your footprint in the sand of time and thus be remembered by posterity.  Well done the Chief servant.

Nwaorgu Faustinus writes from Igboetche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Email:ngorokpalaresearcher@yahoo.com

ByNwaorgu Faustinus, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria – October 27, 2011 –

The name, “Emeka Ihedioha” is not unfamiliar to many a household in
Ngor-Okpala, and Aboh- Mbaise from where he hails from.   He is the
Hon. Member of the House of Representative who represents
Ngor-Okpala/Aboh Mbaise Federal Constituency.  Apart from being Deputy
Speaker, he is also House Committee Chair on Marine Transport.  He was
elected House of Representative Member for the first time in 2003 and
ever since then, and even now has maintained a firm grip on his
position not minding dissenting views or opinions.

 The contrary voices arose as result of his so to say sit-tight
disposition which according to silent majority of Ngor/Okpala people
robbed them the opportunity to have a shot at the position in 2007.
During this period, unconfirmed report has it that Hon. Emeka Ihedioha
paid money to some king-making politicians of Ngor/Okpala extraction
to allow him contest for the Federal House of Representative which was
believed to have been zoned to Ngor/Okpala in 2003. The lobby,
allegedly allowed Hon. Ihedioha to hijack the position which an
Ngor/Okpala man or woman ought to have occupied.  Hon. Ihedioha for
the records became a member of the Federal House of Reps for the first
time in 2003 and for the second time in 2007 and for third time in
2011.

However, that is history for now. The question is has Hon. Emeka
Ihedioha in all fairness/justice bestowed on Ngor/Okpala LGA
constituency  projects that have direct bearing on the lives of
people?  Can he in all honesty say that what he has given to the
people of Ngor/Okpala in terms of constituency fund-initiated projects
is commiserate to the constituency fund he collects on behalf of his
constituents? These are not mere rhetorical questions that should be
swept under the carpet, but ethical, imperative and insightful
questions that beg for answers. This is because of the consensus view
held by many to the effect that Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has not impacted
much on the lives of people from the LGA.

The last time I visited the council area, I had the opporunity to see
Solar Energy Project initiated and executed with the constituency fund
by Hon. Ihedioha which was located at Okpala, Nkwala (a popular weekly
market) and Umuneke Ngor.  The solar Energy project got me thinking on
its value to the inhabitants of the council area. Apart from
illuminating the strategic places where they were located especially
in the night, I cannot come up with any other importance the solar
energy powered lights could serve as most of the places where the
solar lights were erected are not known for nefarious/criminal
activities. In my thinking it is a project of little value. There are
no doubt that majority of Ngor/Okpala indigenes long for projects that
will put food on their tables, make life better, tackle bad roads and
erosion, create job opportunity for the youths, provide portable water
and deal with health related problems in rural areas among others.
Recently too, I was able to visit Umuneke Ngor where the council area
is to have firsthand information from the inhabitants who live close
to a newly built “alleged” computer laboratory (with MDGs  inscription
on its wall) being a constituency project allegedly initiated by Hon.
Emeka Ihedioha. While one must commend him for this initiative if he
is the brain behind it, it is not out of place to say that the
laboratory if finally equipped and becomes functional will encourage
most rural dwellers to visit the place to repair their computer
system, have their hand written scripts typed, scanned, photocopied
etc. In addition, it will provide job for a few unemployed persons
apart from serving as an avenue for training would-be computer
literates who live at the grassroots. It is important to note that
it’s one thing to build a laboratory and another to adequately equip
it as well as employ people who will manage it.

While I commend him for providing fund for the renovation of Okpala
Secondary School, electrification of a few village(s) in Eziamma in
the time past, it is important to draw his attention to the Augean
Stable which stare his constituents from Ngor/Okpala in the face to
wit; lack of good roads, unemployment, inadequate rural
electrification, non – renovation of dilapidated public schools across
the communities that make up the council area, reactivation of some
comatose reservoirs, to mention a few.  It is therefore high time he
started tackling the above problems with the constituency fund he
gets.

He should also use his network of connections to attract investors to
the area, who will invest in the education, agro, communication,
health or the banking sector as there is no bank t in the council area
as well as the provision of scholarship to indigent students.  If the
above challenges or some could be achieved in no short time, you would
not have only endeared yourself to your constituents but left your
footprint in the sand of time. The time to write your name in gold is
now. God bless Ngor/Okpala Council Area.

Nwao(r)gu, Faustinus wrote from Port Harcourt, Rivers State and can be
reached on 08035601312.
Email:ngorokpalaresearcher@gmail.com/ngorokpalaresearcher@yahoomail.com.

Mr. Nwakanma pointed out thus, “All we need to arrive at this conclusion is simply to examine his conducts as Chairman of the National Airspace Management Agency. A little peep into his website indicates a serious lack of in sight. His great credential is of a “philanthropist” – Eze Umu-ogbeye, as the Igbo would put it. Charity is a good thing, but there is certainly a higher form of charity wherever there is equality; and I’m afraid that a cursory look at Okorocha does not satisfy the imperative for a 21st century administrator in Imo State.” Whatever might be the reason behind Mr. Nwakanma’s conclusion may not be unconnected with his own purported personal interest – for he inclined to support the candidature of Mr. Emeka Nwajiuba of the Congress of Progressive Change CPC whom he endorsed on the grounds of being a young professional, well-educated, and astute politician among other credentials of the CPC candidate.

Before I left my base in Port Harcourt for Ngor/Okpala before the elections to exercise my franchise, I had already made up my mind to vote for Owelle Rochas base on his track record in granting scholarship to many students, his good name and philanthropic works that do not only resonate in Nigeria but also outside the shores of Nigeria.   Calls came from both Nigeria and abroad on the need to rally support for this God, electorate-favored personality – Owelle Rochas. This, strengthen my conviction that he was the one most favoured, loved, legitimate and accepted candidate to occupy the government house and it came to pass –today he is the Governor of Imo State. The truth is Imolites have high expectations from the successive government, led by Mr. Owelle Rochas. The question is, how he will go about to actualize such enormous aspiration and yearnings of Imo people given the present economic fortunes of the state, passed unto him by prodigious “Ikiri”? Such hopes include rapid and even distribution of infrastructural facilities; good roads, well equipped and staffed schools, health centers and hospitals and portable water across the twenty seven Local Government Areas. In addition, employment generation; prompt payment of pensioners and salaries of civil servants, protection of life and property, reduction in tuition fee of students in higher institutions among others are top in the minds of Imo people.

Needless to talk about the state of our roads, educational institutions, hospitals, health centers which are melancholic sights to behold, no thanks to past kleptomaniac regimes whose stock in trade is to line their pockets and stash our common patrimony in closely guarded foreign banks. Though it has been said that Mr. Owelle Rochas is bighearted, but can only his generousity deliver the dividends of democracy at the door steps of Imolites?   It is his deeply seated determination, persistence and the crop of likeminded personalities that would work with him who have the overall interest of Imo people at heart given the vital enablement (funds for the execution of people oriented projects) that will see him through. Any thing short of this will bring us back to where we were four years ago because you are not a miracle worker. 

Therefore, you should have the necessary sights – insight, hindsight and foresight to be able to select those to work with you to lift Imo from its comatose state to El Dorado. The time to play out your rescue mission to the letter is now and brings Imo back to what it used to be when Sam Mbakwe was the Chief Executive.  
Nwao(r)gu, Faustinus Chilee writes from Igboetche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +2348035601312. Email: fausteness@yahoo.com

When the idea of using two weeks to execute the on going voter registration was communicated to the public by the federal government of Nigeria through INEC, I was one of those who contemplated on the ability and possibility of INEC’S ad hoc staff to deliver on the deadline given by the body responsible for the conduct of elections. My position as at the time was informed by the large number of eligible would-be voters which could take more than two weeks to be registered.

It was on record that initially, the federal government and INEC did not give in to calls made to allot more weeks to enable as many eligible voters as possible to be registered. It is heartwarming that at present, they are reconsidering their earlier position on the extension of the time frame for the registration.

The present change of mind is widely known to be coming on the heels of the recent technical challenges being experienced at the registration centers to wit; fingerprints hitches and poor passport quality, timely exhaustion of battery etc, which has slowed down the registration exercise.

The intension of President Goodluck Jonathan to extend the exercise beyond two weeks is therefore highly needed as well as a welcome development. This will offer the opportunity for exhaustive and comprehensive eligible voters to be captured.

As a matter of urgency, INEC should make every effort to ensure that the remaining 2,273 registration centers across the federation receive the Direct Data Capture machines as well as mount pressure on the contracting Firm; Avante Technology limited to expedite action on the supply of the remaining 16,500 units of the machines.

I appeal to the federal government to as matter of necessity make good its intention to extend the time frame for the exercise because if it does not, many eligible voters will be disenfranchised. INEC do not disfranchise Nigerians by sticking to the two weeks given for the registration of voters.

Finally, the federal government in collaboration with INEC should reconsider their position on the closure of public and private primary and secondary schools with a view to reopening them before its deadline expires as registration of voter conducted in the past did not lead to closure of schools for two weeks. Nigerians go and register.

Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee, writes from Igboeche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +2348035601312. Email: fausteness@yahoo.com

By Nwaorgu Faustinus, Port-Harcourt, Nigeria – Jan. 4, 2011 -

The six Committees includes Mobilization and Contact Committee to be headed by Prince Tonye Princewill the Deputy Zonal Coordinator in charge of Rivers and Bayelsa States with all the other six State Coordinators of Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, CRS, Delta Bayelsa and Edo States as members; the Finance & Logistic Committee to be headed by Bishop Boma Lawson the Zonal Secretary with three other members. The Transportation Committee is headed by Chief Fred Sowho the Deputy Zonal Coordinator in charge of Edo and Delta States; Dr. Essien Ibok the Deputy Zonal Coordinator coordinating Akwa-Ibom and Cross Rivers States, takes charge of the Security Committee while Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, the Zonal Publicity Secretary handles Publicity and Protocol with Dr. Mrs. Edith Wele, the Rivers State ACO Coordinator and first woman State Coordinator of any Presidential Candidate campaign in Nigeria handles the Accommodation Committee .

Prof Oyovbaire informed the various committees that the task given to them is not only onerous but a challenge to each of them. According to him, “the realization of the Committee’s goals will determine not necessarily the success of the visit of our Principal but stating the obvious – Atiku is both at home and in comfortable lead in the South-South”.

He further stated that,   “Atiku apart from being the second largest employer of labour, after the Rivers State Government, has the most ambitious strategy to turn the fortunes of the zone around. As a Chief of the Ogoni Kingdom, he is a son of the zone and should not in any way be ignored. Though we respect our brother and elder Chief Anenih the former BOT Chairman of PDP, we consider the threat on delegates from the zone if they vote for Atiku as not only childish but uncalled for as we expect the delegates from the zone to consider the future and sanctity of our nation by ensuring that Atiku wins the PDP Primaries come 13th January, 2011.  Chief Anenih outburst demonstrates that he is still living in the past from an analog age and so it is the duty of these Committees to pave the way for the solution to arrive and be heard”.

In an online media release by Chief Eze Chukwuemeka, ACO South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary said, “the Zone commended Prince Tonye Princewill who apart from donating and furnishing the Secretariat to be commissioned and keeping the name of Atiku alive and well by erecting billboards and printing posters, also sacrificed his birthday event for the visit as the Principal is visiting the zone on 4th January, the very day of the birthday of the Prince of Niger Delta Politics”.

The Prince in his vote of thanks on behalf of the Committee members assured the Zonal Coordinator of the total loyalty and commitment of members to ensure that Atiku’s visit achieves its purpose in the zone. “It is time to make good things happen.” he said.

Atiku Abubakar is expected to address a world Press Conference at the Port Harcourt International Airport on arrival, commission the ACO Zonal Secretariat on Aba Road and inaugurate his Zonal and Campaign Committees for the six States in the South-South zone.

He is also expected to interact with the Church, other pressure groups in the State and   PDP Leadership in the zone as well as pay a courtesy call on the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi among other functions lined up for him in the zone by his campaign team.

Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee, writes from Igboeche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to Turaki Vanguard, “what we are trying to do by this further appeal is to restore and sustain the integrity of the party and avoid the consequences his action will cause on the party and our nascent democracy if he insist to run and the party failing to stop him. We as a Group knew what we suffered in the formation of PDP and the process of  elevating it to the level it is at the moment not minding the futile efforts by some undemocratic minds to hijack and destroy the democratic stand of the party and portray it as a lawless party but where our call fails on deaf ears we will like to retaliate that with the adoption of Atiku Abubakar as a son of the Ogoni Kingdom in Rivers State the battle for the soul and the votes of PDP delegates will now be between Atiku Abubakar a Niger Deltan vs President Goodluck Jonathan a fellow Niger Deltan. His Majesty King Tsaro Igbara the Gbenemene Babbe in Ogoni Kingdom of Rivers State in a letter attached addressed to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar GCON in his Ogoni native title as the Mene Kiisi 1 of Ogoni ”, stated, “I on behalf of the people of Babbe Kingdom, Ogoni heartily express our good will to you especially as you seek the mandate of Nigerians in the forth coming elections. You have been a friend and a son of the Ogoni people and your visit to this Palace while you were Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria still remain indelible in our minds. We pray that the Almighty God grant your hearth desire”.  

They group generalized that with this development it becomes clear that apart from late Chief MKO Abiola, Atiku Abubakar is the next Nigerian widely accepted by all the tribes in Nigeria if traditional titles he has received is anything to go by, as it becomes a laughable attempt and funny when some Lilliputian politicians describe Atiku Abubakar at this stage as a Northern Politician while in actual fact, he is a consensus candidate of all Nigerians but we need not worry ourselves as we are very convinced that the PDP Delegates will do the right thing and ensure that Atiku as the popular choice is voted to fly the flag of the party in the 2011 general election.

In an online press statement by the National Director of Turaki Vanguard, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka said, to prove that Atiku is a nationalist and not a zonal politician as being portrayed by some mischievous politicians and that Atiku is totally in control of Niger Delta region, one of his anchorman in the region, Prince Tonye Princewill has turned his dreaded political machine in the region, Princewill Political Associates (PPA) to an Atiku mobilization outfit to ensure that he wins the zone in all ramifications both during the PDP Primaries and the general elections . To this great mind well known as the Prince of Niger Delta , “in Nigeria we seem to be very tribal about the way we play our politics but I am in the minority on this as I am not a tribal politician. My politics is about substance; my politics is about the nation. My choice for the 2011 presidency is former Vice President; Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and my reasons are: I prefer merit and if we are to compare the presidential candidates based on merit and sustenance then Atiku Abubakar is that candidate, Atiku apart from being the outstanding democrat, he is the most coherent, substantive, most colourful, organized, detribalized, unifying Nigerian and the most acceptable politician out of the lots”.

Chief Nwachukwu Callistus.Obienu, President of Platform for Good Governance in South-South for Non Indigenes in the South-South that includes the Hausas, Ibos, Yorubas, etc, “Atiku has the most outstanding democratic credentials of all the presidential aspirants and to us, we felt that we can partner with him to make his dream come true but most importantly to make good things happen again in Nigeria”.

Princess Isabela Mpi Leader, South – South Royal Women Group, “We see Atiku as the only one who can rule this country as apart from his rich political and leadership experience we are happy with his five point agenda as means through which some of the problems facing our country can be addressed”.

To Mr. Mgbang Mathias Rex David the National Coordinator of the Atiku Woniye 2011 a group powered by Coalition of South-South Youth Forum; “President Jonathan is an outsider so far the region is concerned on the 2011 presidential election. With Atiku’s five point agenda that includes addressing the Niger Delta region issue he stands as the candidate to beat in the region. Sadly, President Jonathan has not inform anybody that he has any programme to alleviate the suffering of our people in the region instead he is lackluster attitude is causing the region more embarrassment and hardship so let us be realistic over this issue, do we leave a man with ideas on how to address our myriad of problems and just follow a man blindly who believes that with luck he will win a presidential election? I beg tell me something else as we have passed that level. We are talking about a man (Atiku) who is the second employer of labour in the entire Niger Delta after the State Governments to a dreamer in the person of President Jonathan who preaches luck as a way out of obvious problems confronting us”.

Nwaorgu Faustinus Chilee, writes from Igboeche, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +2348035601312. Email: fausteness@yahoo.com