Opinion
Enugu 2023: Ekweremadu Swimming Against The Tides
Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Lawrence Ekweremadu parades a very rich and intimidating credentials amongst his contemporaries. A good parliamentarian who was also Speaker of ECOWAS parliament. Besides, he holds a Doctorate degree; PhD in Law. Only recently, the university of Abuja made him a professor of Law.
He has the enviable record of the longest serving Deputy President of the Senate; Eight years under Senator David Mark and four turbulent years under Senator Bukola Saraki. He has been in the Senate since 2003 . By the end of the current Senate , Ekweremadu would have been in the Senate for a period of 20 uninterrupted years . .
He is a beneficiary of Former Enugu state Governor Senator Chimaroke Nnamani’s Ebeano political family . It is on record that Senator Nnamani first appointed him his Chief of Staff in 1999, later Secretary to the state government (SSG) before he catapulted him to the upper legislative chamber in 2003. Senator Nnamani also sponsored him to be President of the Senate in 2005 but for a twist of events.
On his return to the Senate in 2019, Ekweremadu wanted to maneuver like a maverick . Unable to read the political barometer, he plunged in to contest for the office of Deputy President of the Senate under a hostile All Progressive Congress (APC ) controlled administration and the result was obvious. He was defeated and flattened by that Ben Johnson mace bearer .
Recall Ekweremadu’s alleged opposition to the emergence of Mr. Peter Obi as running mate to Atiku Abubakar in 2019 presidential race . In fairness to him , he was then the highest political office holder from the South East Zone . At least he should have been consulted before the choice of Peter Obi. He was believed not to have been consulted .
As the campaign for the 2023 elections gathers momentum , Ekweremadu is believed to have thrown his hat into the ring to contest for the office of the governor of Enugu state. In Enugu and some other states, zoning of key political offices especially the governorship is sacrosanct at least since 1999. Ekweremadu is from Enugu West Senatorial Zone and he is aware that the stakeholders in Enugu politics have unanimously agreed to Zone the plum position to Enugu East where it began in 1999.
Former Governor of old Anambra state, Chief Jim Nwobodo, third republic governor and former National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, former Governors Senator Chimaroke Nnamani and his successor Sullivan Chime and former President of the Senate , Chief Ken Nnamani have all lined up behind the incumbent governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to say emphatically and unambiguously that the next governor of Enugu state should come from Enugu East Senatorial Zone.
Chimaroke Nnamani ((Enugu East) 1999 to 2007, Sullivan Chime (Enugu West) from 2007 to 2015 and the incumbent governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from 2015 to 2023. The political leaders even across party lines resolved that the governorship position moves to Enugu East where it started in 1999.
For them adherence to rotation or zoning of key political offices in the state has ensured peace and political harmony at least since 1999 .This , Governor Ugwuanyi vowed to sustain and will bequeath to his successor.
But Ekweremadu is insisting that there is no zoning arrangement in Enugu state to wit; he must go forth because the clamour for zoning in Enugu is only an elite conspiracy.
Ekweremadu is a good politician who has mastered the game and knows how to hit target but his current political ambition to thwart the existing arrangement in Enugu politically may be an uphill task and a costly venture. He has succeeded in the past but this one may be a bitter pill .
Ekweremadu was the other day speaking about gratitude and the consequences of ungratefulness . Some say , Ekweremadu was being hypocritical and asked; how did Ekweremadu show gratitude to Chimaroke Nnamani; the man who gave him the political ladder and the building blocks. Did he and others like Sullivan Chime, Frank Nwaeke not abandon their benefactor when he needed them the most .
For the avoidance of doubt, Ekweremadu’s ambition was to be chairman of Aninri local government council in 1999. He lost the election to then All peoples Party ( APP). Chimaroke Nnamani called him and appointed him his Chief of staff, he later made him Secretary to the state government (SSG) and by 2003 , Nnamani sent Ekweremadu to the Senate.
Yes, Ekweremadu has grown . He is no longer a beginner, but can he boldly confront the political leaders in Enugu state. Can he swim against the tides.
He is believed to be lobbying political heavy weights in Abuja to help him secure the PDP ticket but what will he tell the people of Enugu state.
Ekweremadu may have more new clothes than his elders today but he cannot claim to have more rags than them. It will be a wise decision for Ekweremadu to retrace his step and reunite with Ebeano political family. It will be a fatal fall for a man to forget how and when he climbed . In African cultures, character counts .
…Stanley Bob Anosike wrote from Emene , Enugu.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.
The Progressive Students Movement (PSM), a leading Pan-African student body, has commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Ogun State under Commissioner of Police (CP) Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, for its commitment to security and community engagement.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of PSM Nigeria, Comrade Ambassador Okereafor Bestman, highlighted the CP’s efforts in strengthening collaboration between the police, stakeholders, and other security agencies to maintain peace and stability in the state.
“It is worthy of note that CP Lanre Ogunlowo, PhD, has further fostered a harmonious working synergy between the police, stakeholders, and other security agents aimed at ensuring peace and tranquility in Ogun State,” Okereafor said.
The student leader expressed confidence in CP Ogunlowo’s leadership, stating that Ogun State is on track to becoming one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria under his administration.
He also praised the professionalism and dedication of the Ogun State Police Command in tackling crime, regardless of its scale.
Additionally, PSM acknowledged the Ogun State government’s continued support for security agencies, particularly in providing mobility and logistics to enhance their operational efficiency.
The commendation comes at a time when security remains a top priority for residents and authorities in the state, with ongoing efforts to curb crime and ensure public safety.
BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF
On assumption of duty in January, 2025 , the new Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, Boss and well grounded World Bank expert , Aisha Garba envisaged the need to reposition the Basic Education through interfacing with the critical stakeholders.
Amongst them is the office of the National Security Adviser , NSA, led by Malam Nuhu Ribadu whose achievements in the last few years in the area of security has become distinct and outstanding.
Therefore, seeking to cooperate and collaborate with the office became germane and needful particularly the protection of lives and properties of actors in the promotion of Basic Education ranging from the pupils , teachers , workers and facilitators to enable it drive the new wave to curb Out of School Children OOSC in the country.
Aside providing the basic security arrangements for schools , the need to engage the security apparatus at the level of National Security Adviser NSA became needful, so as to address the sophistry of security problems in the country, to nip in the bud any unforseen circumstances.
With the high rates of kidnappings, abduction , banditry, cattle rustling, ritual tendencies among many other vices, the idea of bringing on board , the security architecture of the country in all ramifications will assist the commission to consolidate the implementation of Basic Education policies and programs, also introduce new ones .
Since pupils at the Primary, Junior Secondary and Secondary Schools are prone to such ugly development and security issues , the need to be proactive on the part of the commission became timely and desiring.
This led to the success story of the bilateral interface between the management of the commission and NSA, to streamline, perfect and chart a new course on the issue of security of actors in the Basic Education.
The visit described as timely and long overdue, discussed fruitfully the way forward and the immediate and long term intervention of both agencies in the area of collaboration.
According to the Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba she stated by discussing” strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing educational access and security in Nigeria. ”
She further said” the engagement focused on strategies to address challenges such as the safety of schools, particularly in vulnerable regions, and the promotion of equitable education for all children.”
“the meeting highlighted the critical intersection between education and national security and the need for collaboration between UBEC and Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on improving access to basic education and safety of safety schools across the nation. ”
“This collaboration underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a secure and inclusive learning environment as part of its broader agenda to strengthen the nation’s educational framework,” it added.
“UBEC boss had pledged to engage critical stakeholders to break down barriers to education and create inclusive learning opportunities for children across the six geopolitical regions of the country.”
“She said: “My goal is to deliver on this mandate which includes strengthening collaboration, partnerships and institutional learning for effective service delivery. ”
“Together, we will work to increase access, improve quality, provide conducive and safe learning environments, supply adequate teaching and learning materials, and adopt the concept of ‘best fit’ in addressing specific basic education challenges, state by state and region by region”.
Highlights of the program which included the engagement of both bodies with a commitment to ensure the introduction of security architecture in schools in Nigeria is achievable.
Written BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF on yus.abubakar3@gmail.com.