Senate President Slot: It is Not Your Turn ~ Eze Tells Kalu

  ...Says the Country Needs a Clean, Energetic, Visionary and Goal-Oriented Man in the Mould of Gov. Umahi to Represent the South-East

...Urges Him to Purge Himself of Corruption Case with EFCC before Eyeing and Lobbying for Such Exalted Office

 

Former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze says it is not appropriate for the Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Oji Uzo Kalu, to wake up and begin to arrogate to himself the sole right to head the leadership of the 10th Senate which would be inaugurated in a few months.

 

In a statement made available to media houses in Port Harcourt, Eze urged the former Abia Governor whose State has just broken a long record of hostage by godfathers and cabals who have serially looted their common patrimony and left them in squalor for decades to channel his energy towards relieving himself of the huge corruption allegation pending against him at the instance of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

 

“The claims by Senator Orji Uzo Kalu, the incumbent Chief Whip of the Senate that it is his right to be elected as the Senate President is mischievous and unacceptable seeing that he is yet to free himself from the corrupt charges still hanging on his neck and for ruining the chances of APC in Abia State through his poor style of leadership.“

 

Making a case for the Southeast, Eze said since the ouster of the PDP administration at the centre, the South Eastern region of Nigeria has suffered serial neglect in terms of allocation of key national offices and urged the APC as a party to use the opportunity within its disposal to redeem itself by ensuring that the office of the Senate President is allowed to the South East strictly by merit.

 

He said the plea became imperative since the South West and North have produced the President elect through Senator Bola Tinubu and Vice President elect through Shettima.

 

The party Chief said should the party consider his plea as appropriate, the search for a creditable and suitable candidate should be encouraged. And in that regard, he threw his weight behind the position of the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Ebonyi State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists of their choice of Governor David Nweze Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, who seems to be the best candidate from the zone suitable for the exalted position of Senate President.

 

The above notwithstanding, apart from the fact that Governor Umahi was the Southern Campaign Director of APC during the last Presidential Campaign but due to his ingenuity in politics Ebonyi is one of the very States in Nigeria that elected three APC Senators, an APC Governor and almost hundred percent of elected APC House of Reps and State Assembly while the opposite is the case of Senator Orji Uzor-Kalu in Abia State where the Labour Party is now the ruling party.

 

“I have watched this embodiment of unique feats and his magic in turning Ebonyi State from a desert to the Dubai of Nigeria within a space of eight years. I have also watched his vast connections with political leaders, stakeholders within the South East and across other divides of this nation and feel that he is the most suitable candidate for this particular office if it is zoned to the South East.”

 

Umahi will surely rise to become one of the most visionary Senate Presidents ever in this nation if considered accordingly, Eze noted.

1Quater, Onne Customs Hits N54.9bn Revenue, Seizes 27 Containers of Contraband Goods

Comptroller Baba Imam addressing journalists 

The  Nigeria Customs Service,  (NCS) Onne Customs Command Rivers state says, it has collected a total revenue of N54, 992,123, 687.15 as at March 28th , 2023.While it has  also intercepted and seized 27 Containers of Contraband Goods within the same period under review. 

Briefing journalists, Tuesday, on the activities of the Command, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Baba Imam said  that since he assumed duty as the Area controller of the Command in January this year, a foundation to a successful discharge of the Service mandates and responsibilities of Revenue collection, Suppression of Smuggling, Trade facilitation and implementation of other Government fiscal policies started insisting that .” I started by receiving briefings on the workings of the Command from my predecessor, my Officers and Stakeholders, I embarked on courtesy visits to various sister agencies to seek for their cooperation in terms of collaboration, synergy and information sharing. The Command in its various visits and meetings was emphatic, that it would only welcome complaint traders who are willing to operate in accordance with import and export guidelines. The evidences of these visits and meetings will be made known shortly”, he posited .

He noted that “in revenue generation, the Command was given a target of N336bn as revenue target for year 2023. As at today the Command has generated a total revenue of ₦54,992,123,687.15 which translates  to 16.3% of the target. When compared to the same period last year the Command had an increase in revenue of ₦1,132,925,556.82. This figure realized is in spite of not having vessels berth in Onne Port for some time due to the election atmosphere, we look forward to continuous rise in revenue generation in the coming months as we expect vessels to berth on our coastline within the next few weeks”.

In anti-smuggling activities, the Comptroller said within the past few weeks he assumed office, it has

been a harvest of seizures justifying their committed resolve to facilitating only legitimate trade in line with the provision of extant laws.

Hence according to him, ” This is made visible with the display of a total of 27 containers which comprises, 26 seized Containers and One detained container for violations or contravention of various customs laws and breach of procedures as provided under the revised import prohibition guidelines (by trade) Schedule 3 Article 4 of the Common External Tariff 2022-2026, as well as Sections 46 Paragraph (b), (d), (e), (f) and 169 of Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 as amended.”

He maintained that, the seizures and detention were made base on infractions related to import guidelines, which included: Contraband Goods, False declaration, End user certificate requirement from the office of the National Security Adviser, NAFDAC permit/license among others in line with the Federal Government fiscal policies.

The 24 containers laden with refined vegetable oil comprising a total of 24,860 gallons of 25 and 10 litres La-Jonic vegetable oil. i.e (19,800 gallons of 25 litres and 5,060 gallons of 10 litres) with duty paid value of ₦833,172,538.42. (Based on false declaration and contravention of Schedule 3 Article 4 of CEMA.

Also seized were other two containers laden with 1,165 cartons of Analgin injection and Fireworks with other items. i.e (286 cartons of Analgin injection I.M.V) (2/5g/5ml) (Based on contravention of revised import prohibition guideline) (210 cartons of Banga, 273 cartons of W.Tail, 216 cartons of Coloured flowers, 180 cartons of Pops) (Based on absence of End user certificate).The total Duty Paid Value for the containers is put at ₦94,652,168.39.

Similarly, a 20ft container of machete was detained on documentation grounds pending provision of End user Certificate. Comptroller Imam stated that the feat recorded by the Command was due to the collaboration and synergy with other critical stakeholders for the actualization of Customs statutory mandate he added that these deliberate and concerted efforts would guide the command in contributing their quota towards realizing remarkable results in line with Vision and Mission of the Comptroller General of Customs and His Management Team. 

“For complaint traders of legitimate trade we assure you of trade facilitation while we would in accordance with the provision of the law deal with importers and agents who manifest a recalcitrant attitude to obeying the law.

Concluding, he said "I want to bring to your notice that, in line with the global best practices and the Controller General of Customs resolve in trade facilitation, the Command reconstituted the dispute resolution team headed by the DC Revenue in order to facilitate trade and give fair hearing to stakeholders and importers with genuine or legitimate complaint about their consignment.

 “Additionally, in order to bring stakeholders involved or engaged in importation and exportation up to speed with the best International practice and knowledge required for such operation, our compliant stakeholders who believed the Command should have a conducive training and meeting center initiated as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility to assist in the construction of a conference room that will serve a dual purposes. I am glad to inform you that work on the Conference/ training center is almost completed, and within the next few weeks we shall be commissioning the center.”

 

Credit: Bon Peters in ph. 

Okaani 1 of Ovim, Chief Obiaruko Ndukwe Congratulates Gov. Elect, Mr. Alex Otti

 .... Says the Governor-elect is exactly what State needs now

The Okaani 1 of Ovim, who doubles as the Publisher of Beam Newspapers and President of a Non-governmental organization, Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, Chief Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe has described the victory of the governor-elect, Mr. Alex Otti in the recently held gubernatorial election in Abia State as exactly what the State needs now and a new dawn.

Chief Oby (MEDIA FBI) as she is fondly called by friends, well-wishers, contemporaries and associates, in her terse congratulatory message to the Gov-elect said, “On behalf of myself, and my people of Ovim, Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, I wish to heartily congratulate the Governor-elect, Mr. Alex Otti, on the mandate overwhelmingly given to him by Abia people across political divides.

“Our people have, in the last two decades, looked forward to a day like this, when our votes will speak and produce a leader of our choice.

With over 25 years experience in the Banking industry, a decade of which was spent the highest cadre there is, we believe the Governor-elect is exactly what the State needs now, to heal and rebuild, as well as regain her position as the industrial hub of Eastern Nigeria and beyond.

“This is, indeed, a new dawn in Abia State and we are delighted to be part of this historical moment.

“We will give you all the necessary support even as we pray for God's abundant wisdom and guidance on you as you assume this onerous position.

“Congratulations Sir!”

Chief Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe 

Okaani 1 of Ovim

[Adachorohamma ]

 

 

Rivers 2023: Eze Commends Igbos for the Donation of N20M to the APC Campaign for the Election of Tonye Cole

... Describes Amaechi as a True Son of Rivers State and Igbo Land

 

.... Says Election of Tonye Cole will Promote Commerce in the State to the benefit of Igbos

 

... Laughs Off Wike's Civil Servants Promotion and Employment Gimmick

 

 

 

Erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP), and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has commended the Igbo Community in Rivers State for adopting the governorship candidate of the APC, Pst. Tonye Cole as their sole candidate for the rescheduled February 18 Governorship and House of Assembly Election in the state.

 

In a statement made available to the media, Eze said the Igbo community also made a donation of N20 million as their contribution to the Governorship project of the APC candidate with a promise to mobilize community members to vote in mass for the party and ensure their votes are protected for the interest of the state and democracy. This is unprecedented when many politicians like Wike are looking for a way to bribe tribes and individuals in order to sustain his evil control of the State 

 

Recall that the APC candidate, Tonye Cole alongside other party leaders including former Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi attended an interactive session in Port Harcourt, Wednesday, with stakeholders of Igbo community in Rivers State where the adoption and financial donation were made. 

 

Speaking at the forum, former Minister Amaechi told stakeholders that an APC government would abolish discrimination of non-indigenes in the state as he did during his administration, and pleaded with the Igbo residents to support the APC Governorship candidate, Pst. Tonye Cole for a better, prosperous Rivers state.

 

Eze said he agrees with Amaechi’s assertion that Igbos are not purchasable when he stated, "An Igbo man can't be bought with money. You are too rich to be purchased." Sadly to Wike every human being is purchasable so let him continue to see how many Rivers State people he can purchase to support his evil agenda against the State instead of preparing his handover note come May 29th as he can't continue to fool anybody in Rivers State anymore.

 

The party’s governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, on his part said the future of the state was at stake, and appealed to the Igbo residents in the state to join other electorates to vote him as Governor, for a stable economy and sustained development of the state.

 

Chief Eze commended Dr. Calistus Nwachukwu and the Chairman of Oba Town Union in Rivers State, Mr. Ifeanyi Umezuruike and several other stakeholders for their efforts in ensuring that Rivers people hive a sigh of relief after May 29, noting that their sacrifices depicts deep love for Rivers State and will be reciprocated with good governance under the in-coming APC administration in the state.

 

While commending former Governor, Rotimi Amaechi for placing the interest of non-indigenes in the state top on his priority list during his days as Governor, Chief Eze condemned Wike for destroying the good legacies and cordial relationships the Amaechi administration established with non-indigenous communities in the state through his crass ineptitude and crude display of power in usurpation of laws and known norms in governance under democracy. He however expressed confidence that Pst. Cole will do more. 

 

Eze laughed at Wike’s announcement of promotion for civil servants and planned employment of 10,000 workers into the scanty state workforce. Describing the move as inconsequential to the March 18 elections, he noted that such an initiative that had long been expected cannot save the Governor and his protege from imminent defeat at the guber polls. The party Chief hinted that that the politically motivated gimmick was a reaction of Wike’s unsettled state since the arrival of Amaechi who has been touring the state alongside Tonye Cole, with the result of overwhelming acceptability from people of all cadres.

 

Eze boasted that if anybody can attest to the love of IGBOS by Amaechi, he is in a better position to do that being one of the highest beneficiaries of Amaechi's love to the IGBOS. Stating further, that apart from the scholarship given to children of Igbo extraction, he ensured that Ndi-Igbo were duly captured in his historical 13,000 employment Policy.

 

In this regard, I implore all IGBOS, Yorubas, Northerners and the entire good people of Rivers State to ensure that Pastor Tonye Cole is massively voted for for the emancipation and development of Rivers State

 

Let us prove to Wike that he can't singlehandedly determine the fate and destiny of Rivers State and her people 

 

The APC chieftain noted that he remains doubtless that by May 29, Wike and his administration will go down in history as the worst thing that happened to Rivers State and her people in the 21st century and the remembrance of him will be an unblessed memory.