Boardroom Guru, Gamaliel Onosode Passes On

Tue 29 Sept, 2015
Renowned technocrat and boardroom guru with a remarkable record of chairing numerous of blue-chip companies, Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, has reportedly passed away

Aged 82, Delta State-born Onosode was said to have died of cancer in a London hospital where he was receiving medical treatment.
Initial reports said that Onosode's remains had already been flown into the country via Lagos, today.
Gamaliel Oforitsenere Onosode is a Nigerian technocrat, administrator and a former presidential candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party of Nigeria.
Educated at the Government College, Ughelli and the University of Ibadan, he emerged in the 1970s, as one of Nigeria's leading educated chief executives, when he was at the helm of NAL merchant bank of Nigeria. Over the years, he has risen to become a leading boardroom player in Nigeria's corporate environment. He was also a former presidential adviser to President Shagari and a former president of the Nigerian Institute of Management.
Throughout his career, Dr. G. O. Onosode has chaired several private and public sector businesses and initiatives. He was the Chairman of Dunlop Nigeria Plc (1984-2007), a former chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc (1977-93), the Presidential Commission on Parastatals (1981), Nigeria LNG Working Committee and Nigeria LNG Limited (1985-90) and the Niger Delta Environmental Survey (since 1995).

APGA woos Arthur Eze, others

-tackles PDP, LP over hollow criticism in Anambra

Indications shows that Anambra’s foremost billionaire philanthropist and oil mogul, Prince Engr Arthur Eze may dump the people’s Democratic Party, PDP for the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA.

Our correspondent gathered that a delegation of prominent APGA members have paid Eze a visit in Abuja, spelling out to him the benefits of joining the ruling party in his state, Anambra to help in its development.

This development which was confirmed by the State publicity Secretary of APGA in Anambra State, Hon Chinedu Nkwonta during a press interview with journalists also stated that Eze was not the only Anambra top shot approached to join the party.

According to Nkwonta, the party was strengthened by the high flying performance of the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the need to woo stakeholders  to join him in building the state.

Nkwonta said the move was also responsible for the recent regular attendance of government functions by Eze and some other stakeholders who previously had shunned the politics of the state and faced their businesses in Abuja and Lagos.

Briefing journalists, the state publicity secretary also dismissed the PDP and their Labour Party counterpart for what he called hollow criticisms on the governor of the state, saying that the party will welcome constructive criticisms but not people hiding under party to cast aspersion on a governor whose works is greatly acknowledged.

“We are a party that cannot be stopped, we have a governor who is a known manager of men and resources, and he has deployed his skills to build the state, and today the result is seen.

“For PDP, there are already dead in Anambra and even their surviving members are still confused about the leadership of their party. The people in the party who you see hiding under the party to malign the image of the governor are mere touts.

“We welcome opposition with constructive criticisms, as they will help us shape our government and draw our attention to areas that are needed, not what these people are doing. As for Labour party, they are no where in Anambra State, so there is no point dignifying them with reactions.” Nkwonta said.

Reacting to allegations that the state government has no intention of conducting the local government election following the coming expiration of their tenure, Nkwonta said that the state governor is not the body that conducts elections, rather, Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission does.

He said APGA as a party is ready for elections if the commission announces their readiness to conduct the election, and urged those peddling rumours to grow up.

Anti Corruption: Use Ghana method, Bishop tells Buhari

The Catholic Bishop of Awka diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption initiative, urging the President to adopt the Ghana method that repositioned the country (Ghana) after many years of doldrums.

 

Ezeokafor stated this on Tuesday in a press briefing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka ,Anambra to mark the 55^th Independence anniversary of the country.

 

“Though I may not quite recommend the type of killings that took place in Ghana before the desire charge came, I will urge the President to intensify more efforts in his anti-corruption crusade.

 

“Corruption is the bane of this country. If President Buhari achieves his goal in anti corruption, this country is fixed for good.

 

“We all know about the “Ghana must go” story, today we are the people going to Ghana to imbibe good excellence.

 

“So, we need such anti-corruption method that made Ghana great today, the Bishop said.

 

The Bishop tasked the Buhari government to fix electricity in the country, stressing that if the sector is got right the country’s economy would naturally soar up.

He said “all hands must be on deck to build a better Nigeria.

“We need to eschew clannishness all forms of bigotry to move forward.

 

“God knows why he brought us together as a nation, in spite of our different ethnic groups.

 

“These groups should not constitute an obstacle to our development but should be a rich endowment that we should utilize to enhance the wellbeing of all.

 

“We should open up our ethnic frontiers to embrace people of other groups.

 

“Culture is like a living organism. It grows not only through origination, but also through diffusion brought about by contact with others. No one is an island.

 

“Nigeria is a diverse country and needs the input of all its ethnic and religious make up to succeed.

 

“Our leaders should know how to harness the rich human resources with which this nation is blessed. Cliquishness or nepotism should not be the yardstick for measuring competence or utility.

 

“People’s ability and potentialities should rather be enhanced by imbibing a more inclusive mentality and running a more inclusive government that makes all sections feel at home.

FULL TEXT OF MEDIA CONFERENCE BY THE STATE PUBLICITY SECRETARY OF APGA, HON. CHINEDU NKWONTA ON THE 29TH OF SEPTEMBER 2015 AT ANAMBRA STATE APGA OFFICE AWKA.

Gentle men of the press, it gives me great pleasure to have you all here today. For all of us members of the State Working Committee of APGA in Anambra ably led by a tested and proven technocrat and politician, Hon. Sir. Norbert Obi, we are delighted to have you here today.

Today marks the beginning of a relationship we intend to nurture and mature for the next four years of our tenure as the pilots in charge of APGA in Anambra State.

As we all know, Anambra is the home State of APGA, not just from the point of party leadership but also in terms of the reference points of the exemplary display of compassionate, committed, consistent and unique approach to capital and human resource administration by our BoT Chairman and Leader of our great party, His Excellency, Chief Dr. Willie Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano, Akpokuodike Ndigbo Global.

Permit me to quickly touch on some key strides Akpokuo has made since he became the Executive Governor of Anambra State. We all are securely settled today in Anambra because of the vision and wisdom of Akpokuo in making sure that the security of life and property is guaranteed as the first requirement of any positive change.

We are free to move around the State at anytime of the day with no concern of attack by the miscreants, Akpokuo has either chased them to their last point of hiding or exiled them completely from our State via his well thought out "Operation Kpochapu"

Today we have clearly defined roles in the administration of our State, if anyone has any business with Anambra State government, we know exactly where to go. This is no more the era of running from one Ministry to the other not sure of which department or Ministry to deal with. In the recent past, investors coming into the State were dealing directly with different Ministries and other government organs, the unpatriotic and greedy ones in service most times built their personal interest into projects, their interests then become burdensome for the investor who consequently lose interest in the entire process, Ndi Anambra then loose. Today we have the ANAMBRA STATE INVESTMENT PROMOTION & PROTECTION AGENCY, (ANSIPPA) that has the singular responsibility of dealing with anything investment. As the name of this agency implies, they do not just sort the due process of investments, they supervise and protect the entire process thereby guaranteeing the expected end benefits for Ndi Anambra and the investors.

I need to remind you that we have the AWKA CAPITAL TERRITORY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (ACTDA) that has the responsibility of giving Ndi Anambra a comprehensively planned and befitting Capital City. All these systems are put in place by one man that understands what it takes to be a proud Igbo man, a man that has proven his mettle over years in his professional carrier, a man that became our Governor and Leader today through consistent proof of integrity professionally and otherwise. Gentle men of the press, that person is our BoT Chairman, Leader of our great party APGA and Executive Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency Chief Dr. Willie Mmaduaburochukwu Obiano, the Working Willie.

I hope we all remember that Governor Obiano was not actively involved in politics prior to becoming our Governor, he had meritoriously retired from active service and was busy enjoying his wealth and life when Anambra State APGA came calling.  As a man that is where he is due to his consistency in positive and innovative services in his professional carriers, he has brought all those experiences to bear in managing our dear State, today the dividends of APGA's wise decision by luring him back to yet another active service are paying off and we thank our former Governor His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi and our former National Chairman, Chief Sir Victor Umeh for this God inspired decision.

I am sure that most of you are journalists based in Anambra, we cannot tell you guys fibs, you are professional news hunters and possibly know what is happening than most of us, we are here to reaffirm to Nigerians through your professional selves that truly truly, Willie is Working and Ndi Anambra are happy.

This interaction is not meant to bore you with long speech but mainly to tell you that we recognise that you are here, we would be glad to work with you in this already activated journey of progress that APGA is making, we understand and appreciate your role in this project, my office as the State Publicity Secretary of APGA in Anambra is ever open to all of you, it is our office, please feel free to come in at any time. This is not a political statement, it is how it is with the new APGA, the way it has been working with Sir. Norbert Obi our State Chairman and the hierarchy of our party in the State.

This address may be incomplete if I do not say something about the frivolous and ludicrous allegations being concocted and peddled by the opposition elements in the State especially the PDP and Labour Party. Let me be clear in this, the honey moon for these visionless and non directional political parties and their cohorts are over, APGA can no more sit and watch them undermine the office of the Executive Governor of our State via frivolous and unfounded allegations. My office is equipped and ready to return back to them as they dish. He that lives in a glass house should not be throwing stones. Enough of their nonsense, that APGA is a law abiding party does not give anyone the impetus to ride our Leader and BoT Chairman, any negative attack on Akpokuo is an attack on APGA. It is an attack on the general integrity of Ndi Anambra who are predominantly APGANS. Let me remind the dreamers once more that PDP does not exist in Anambra, what they have are bullies and intimidators that have in the past advantaged their control of the centre to defraud us during elections. APGA is fully awake now, be rest assured that such can never happen again in Anambra. Labour party has gone extinct as it is, no need to push it.

The essence of opposition is to have a party that is consistently observant of the policies of government and to detect any type of policy, project or action that will be tantamount to the progress of the State, by detecting and bringing such flaws to the attention of Ndi Anambra and proposing better solutions, Ndi Anambra would then see them as leadership options. In other words, good opposition should proffer superior ways of doing things. What we have today are groups and factions that are directionless in terms of even knowing who they are. Who is the State Chairman of PDP in Anambra? Where is Labour Party in the comity of political parties? How can someone that has not been able to manage his home come to the public to allege unfounded and ridiculous allegations against a working Governor. The position of His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano as our Leader is that we should not expend energy in replying frivolous allegations, we spend our time in telling Ndi Anambra, Nigeria and the world what Akpokuodike Igbo is doing as a template for leadership based on the people and for the people. This does not imply that we have to let the miscreants in PDP and their disgruntled partners to keep undermining the office of the Governor and the integrity of our BoT Chairman and Leader. Willie is Working, Ndi Anambra are happy and APGA is succeeding, that is their grouse and we shall keep improving, be rest assured.

In terms of performance, we have not called you gentlemen of the press here today to give our report card, we shall do that at the appropriate time, but permit me to state that Anambra State government has taken agriculture to a new level never witnessed in this State. Akpokuo's government of APGA has taken education to a new level, some teachers were sent overseas for training in vocational and technical skills acquisition. The performance of students of Anambra State origin in WASC, National and International quiz competitions ably testify to these claims. Infrastructural developments are on the increase and I wish to state that there is a great deal of attention to quality and standards, that is to say, things are being built to last and serve Ndi Anambra for some reasonable period, it is called value for money.

Let me quickly reaffirm what we know to Ndi Anambra home and abroad, there is no abandoned project anywhere in the State. APGA government is a continuity government, we only had a change of Management at the top. It is obvious that style of approach to issues will be different but the goals remain constant.

You all are aware of the volume of projects that were initiated by the exited APGA government in the State on their last days, we are aware of the Civil Service recruitments, the Local Government elections and others. The financial demand on the present government was increased tremendously, we are not complaining because they were all initiated for the benefit of Ndi Anambra and we were financially positioned to continue the momentum without much stress. No Civil Servant has been sacked by Akpokuo, the type of thing tenable in most States in this country. Akpokuo has been paying salaries and pensions as at when due. It is on record that Anambra State Government is the only State in Nigeria that paid salaries in the past month, please go and verify. Anambra State increased salaries of Civil Servants by 15% at a time when so many States are owing salaries for up to one year and beyond. Another truth is that the Federal Allocation coming into the State crashed with the drop in the price of crude in the international market. If Anambra was getting N100 a month, we are now getting N48. The drop is huge and this is where the professional background of our Governor and Leader is activated, Akpokuo Global, as a square peg in a square hole, adjusted the speed of development by prioritising. Reduction in speed from 100 miles per hour to 60 or 70 miles per hour does not imply the vehicle has stopped. Anambra is on steady upward movement and we all have to support the Governor, government and our party APGA to do more.

There is an internal focus on revenue drive to improve our income, it has already improved and still improving. Ndi Anambra need to know that this is the period to sacrifice and show commitment and support to a working government by paying their taxes and dues. In this drive, there have been some criminals in the streets of mostly Onitsha and Nnewi impersonating members of revenue team, harassing and intimidating Ndi Anambra to part with their hard earned money.. These criminals have the audacity to brand their vehicles to look official and genuine thereby painting a wrong picture of Anambra State government through their unprofessional and intimidating approach.

The government is working with the security agencies in making sure these heartless criminals are caught and treated accordingly, there is no room in the present Anambra for any type of criminality. Ndi Anambra, please support Governor Willie Obiano to do more, support APGA, please pay your taxes and dues as at when due so that Willie will keep working for us all. Let us all see this as a call to commit and prove that our love for Anambra is not mere lip service, let us see this period as a term to identify and really claim shareholding in this progressive Anambra Project.

Let me conclude by saying that we at the State Working Committee are lucky to have the like of Akpokuo as our Leader, we are lucky to have a proven political strategist as our National Chairman and we are lucky to have Sir. Norbert Obi as our daddy in the State. The political terrain is green, we only have the responsibility to move to the nooks and crannies of our State to reaffirm  the good message to Ndi Anambra, we have the responsibility to connect with Ndi Anambra all over the world to proclaim same message, we equally have the responsibility to move away from the safety of our State and get into our neighbouring States especially in the South East and deliver same message.  

We all know that Ndigbo have lacked credible leadership in the past, with an ardent, courageous and politically willed Leader like Willie Obiano, who has proven in all ramifications that he is equal to the task, with the creative and focused leadership of our National Chairman, Chief Dr. Victor Ike Oye and the guidance of the experiences of our daddy in the State Sir Norbert Obi, Ndigbo are in for a great rebirth. Nigeria must know that the only viable party with clearly defined vision to chart better tomorrow for us all is APGA, ignore us at your own peril.

Gentlemen of the press, thank you for your time and patience, I am grateful you came.

Hon. Chinedu Nkwonta

State Publicity Secretary, APGA

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‘Nigeria’ll not be healthy until youths are empowered’

Youth have been described as the mirror with which the health and economic status of a country can be measured and ascertained.

A senior lawyer and lecturer with Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin City, Edo state, Dr Uchenna Ibe while delivering a paper titled; youth for a healthy society, during the youth empowerment sensitization programnme of the Friends of the Poor, an NGO, stated this.

He said that Nigeria will never maintain a healthy society until its youths are fully empowered, and that government must map out strategies to achieve youth empowerment as the evils bedeviling the society were mostly caused by the decadence among youths.

Another guest speaker, Barr Chukwudi Ezechiefo speaking on the topic; empowerment for self reliance said, with youth empowerment, the future prosperity of a nation is guaranteed because the youths are the ones that will take care of offices and functions of the country in the future.

He said that empowering the youths is like saving in a bank that cannot be affected by theft, and that the benefit of such savings is that it cannot be consumed totally. In essence, he harped on human capital development, urging that the government alone should not be left with the burden of empowering the youths.

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, Sir Cosmos Ezeobi the founder of the Friends of the Poor International and organizer of the programme said for years his organization has been training and empowering young people from indigent homes.

“Here we believe that the youths must be supported and encouraged to grow because their unique position in a society is like great treasures whose greatness makes a nation great.

“We restore these youths to greatness and are poised to empower them, recognize them including their potentials, capabilities, treasures in nature and greatness too.”

He said the event was put together by friends of the poor International, a non governmental organization through the savings from family businesses and without any form of external help from government and individuals.

The programme witnessed the picking of 50 unemployed youths from the 10 communities of Nnewi South local government area through random balloting, who will be trained in several skills acquisitions for six months and also empowered with equipments for their trades.

Highlight of the event was the exhibition from students of Sancta Maria technical Secondary School and the testimonies from youths who were empowered in the last programmes, who spoke of their financial freedom and attainment of their goals in life.

Obiano acknowledges multiple taxation in Anambra

-       Pledges to sort things out

The Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano has accepted that truly, citizens of the state are being milked through multiple taxation avenues.

The governor while speaking with journalists after a catholic mass to mark the 55th independence anniversary of the country said he was aware that traders and other investors in the state were facing multiple taxation, but that he is working hard to resolve the matter.

Recall that FIDES had previously carried a story of traders and other investors in the state complaining that the tax burden on them under the current administration was way over their capacity and needed to be adjusted or harmonized.

In what looked like a reaction to the story, Obiano laid the blame on the door steps of fake government agents who manufacture all sorts of taxation and enforce it, even  when the monies do not get to the state government coffers.

“Obiano said, “we are looking into issues of multiple taxation and people posing as government agents, and all that would be sorted out soon. I urge the people to always pay their taxes and together we will get Anambra to greater heights.

“I am assuring the people that we will keep up security and as you can see, night life has returned and our prople are happy. All hands must be on deck for us to get things right in this state.”

Earlier while addressing catholic faithful, Obiano said that 55 years in the life of any man is a long way, but in the life of a nation, wast still short. He said if Nigeria must attain greater heights, then the people mujst be ready to make sacrifices.

Obiano said APGA was the party to clean up and move the society forward, and the Igbos must first identify with their party and use it as an instrument to move Anambra forward before replicating same in the south east and Nigeria.

Probe Funds Donated to Sickle Cell Foundation, association urges govt

The National Association of People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder has called for a probe into millions of Naira donated to the association through different  organizations because it is doubtful if such monies were not diverted.

The call was made in Awka by the national coordinator of the association, Aisha Edwards after a ‘Walk to Life  in honour of Sickle Cell disorder patients which began from the premises of Anambra Broadcasting Corporation (ABS) premises through the major streets of Awka.

Edward also said the association is at a loss as to what use was put “multiple millions of the Federal Government and other individuals and corporate bodies donated on World Sickle Cell Day, to Sickle Cell Day Foundation”.

She lamented that rather than promote the course of people living with Sickle Cell  disorder, people are busy feasting on their plight and vowed that from now on, the victims themselves will fight for their course.

According to her, members of her group have been exploited by healthy people who do not suffer from Sickle cell and that must stop.

She praised sponsors of the walk, particularly ABS and its Managing Director, Mr Uche Nworah, Anambra state Government, Chairman of Fresh Life Water, Mr Godwin Ezeemo  Federal Road Safety Commission, Red Cross, chairman of House Committee on Health in the state House of Assembly, Mr  Obinna Emenaka among others.

She warned people living with the disorder not to be deceived by conmen who claim cure of the disorder through their prayers. also warned young people to stop blind love but to check their genotype status before getting married.

In his speech, Anambra state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike said Sickle Cell is easy to control and cure if only  people can undertake simple laboratory test to ascertain their genotype status.

He said, the walk was one of a series meant to challenge Sickle Cell disease besides being what will make people healthy and to make sure that Anambra is free from Sickle Cell disease.

The Managing director of ABS, Nworah, said  the walk is an advocacy to inform     the people of Anambra state about the disorder more so, when one of the roles of the media is to inform, entertain  and educate.

Mr  Godwin Ezeemo  said that the company sponsored  the walk because of its strong belief in need to create massive awareness of the preventable disorder  and called on parents to always guide their children and ward properly before it is late

Ezeemo  described the walk as positive action which will now match the publicity that has accompanied the awareness creation of the disorder. and urged the people living with the disorder not to feel less to the living without the disorder as in every disability there is ability

The chairman of the committee on Health, Mr Obinna  Emenaka  (Anambra West APGA) who is a pharmacist by profession also blamed the widespread of Sickle Cell disorder to lack of information and lamented that at this day and age, some people are yet to know their genotype and advised that one should check their genotype before falling marriage