News
Ohanaeze Youth Decries Uzodinma’s “Skill Up” Program as Fraudulent
The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the apex socio-cultural youth organization of the Igbo race worldwide, has strongly criticized Governor Hope Uzodinma’s “Skill Up” program, labeling it as a continuation of fraudulent activities he engaged in during the early 1990s on the streets of Lagos.
In response to Governor Hope Uzodinma’s recent comments regarding his dubious empowerment program at Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, Imo State, on September 27, 2023, where he stated, “I have discussed with European Union companies, Canadian companies too. They have agreed to provide 4,000 jobs to Imo youth.
By December, you will receive employment letters and visas, with the government covering your flight expenses.”
Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the National President General of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), questioned why Imo youths should have to wait until after the November 2023 governorship election to receive these 4,000 jobs.
He asserted that such a political statement is a deceptive tactic employed by Governor Hope Uzodinma to garner votes from gullible electorates and some Imo youths.
“An accountable state government doesn’t seek employment opportunities for its citizens overseas; instead, it collaborates with viable organizations, companies, and countries to create competitive job opportunities for its citizens,” revealed.
Igboayaka, adding, “Governor Hope Uzodinma demonstrates a lack of exemplary leadership and a deficiency in political wisdom and knowledge when it comes to socio-political governance.”
Comrade Igboayaka further informed reporters in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, that Governor Hope Uzodinma’s governorship is a product of a failed and corrupt system, as he continues to engage in fraudulent activities reminiscent of his earlier years in Lagos.
“I want to make it clear to the people of Imo State that Governor Hope Uzodinma lacks a track record of leadership experience or training.
“He should disclose where he acquired his leadership skills and who his mentors and trainers are. In fact, his primary qualification appears to be his involvement in fraudulent activities, learning from figures like Maurice Ibekwe,” stated Igboayaka.
Regrettably, Governor Hope Uzodinma, who has disrupted commerce, businesses, and free movement in Imo State, is now making deceptive promises of 4,000 jobs in Europe to Imo youths.
” As a result, Igboayaka advised the resilient Imo youths not to fall for this dubious foreign job opportunity but instead focus on voicing their dissent through mass protests in the upcoming governorship election on November 11, 2023.
It’s important to note that this suspicious foreign job opportunity may involve human trafficking and could serve as an indirect method to lure some Imo youths out of Nigeria for organ harvesting in unsafe zones associated with Governor Hope Uzodinma and his associates.
After three and a half years of turmoil in Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodinma has failed to facilitate opportunities for Imolites abroad or transform Imo State into a business-oriented entity. Instead, he appears to maintain the disheartening reputation of a mastermind of insecurity.
The OYC accuses the governor of misleading Imo youths with a politically motivated promise of 4,000 job opportunities, which they view as lacking genuine intent and purpose.
A civil society organisation in Zamfara State has strongly criticised Governor Dauda Lawal, accusing him of gross incompetence and failure to secure the lives and property of the citizens under his watch.
In a scathing statement signed by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Dr Suleiman Ibrahim Usman, the organisation alleged that Governor Lawal has abandoned his responsibilities, choosing instead to blame his predecessor, Dr Bello Matawalle, for the state’s persistent security challenges.
“Governor Lawal has failed woefully in his primary duty of safeguarding the people of Zamfara,” the group said.
“Rather than tackle the escalating insecurity, he spends his time pointing fingers at his predecessor, all while living lavishly and ignoring the plight of his people.”
The group criticised what it described as the governor’s “luxurious lifestyle”, claiming that while communities in the state suffer from hunger, sickness, and fear of bandit attacks, Governor Lawal is busy acquiring exotic vehicles.
“It is disgraceful for a leader of a traumatised state to indulge in such extravagance,” the statement read.
The statement further accused the governor of mismanaging the state’s increased federal allocation and internal revenue, questioning what tangible security investments have been made since he assumed office.
“Under Governor Matawalle, despite limited funds, security agencies received over 200 Hilux vehicles and motorcycles. What has Governor Lawal done with the increased allocation?” the group queried.
The civil society group also criticised the ongoing road projects in the state, describing them as mere reconstructions of long-standing roads rather than the development of new infrastructure.
“These are not new roads; they are just politically motivated renovations focused mostly on his own local government area,” the statement alleged.
It condemned aides of the governor for attacking the current Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, saying he had contributed to improved security in the state.
“Thanks to Matawalle’s interventions, many villages are now able to sleep with both eyes closed, and farming activities are gradually returning,” Dr Usman claimed.
“It is only hypocrites or those who have never stepped foot in Zamfara that would commend this administration. We challenge anyone to visit the state and see the suffering of the people firsthand.”
National
Enugu Ministers’ Roundtable To Equip Church Leaders for Spiritual Harvest, Says KARM Leader
The Kingdom Apostolic Revival Ministries (KARM) has unveiled plans for a significant gathering dubbed the Enugu Ministers’ Roundtable, aimed at equipping church leaders and workers for what its convener describes as an “imminent harvest of souls.”
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Apostle John Enelamah, leader of KARM, in a statement released to journalists,on Tuesday.
The conference, scheduled for 11-12 April 2025 at the Jesus the Way Gospel Mission Auditorium in New Era Layout, Akwunanu, Enugu, is expected to draw ministers and church workers from across Nigeria’s South East and South South regions.
Apostle Enelamah emphasised that the event would not only address the spiritual needs of attendees but also tackle their temporal concerns, while fostering discussions on expanding the reach of the Christian faith.
“The Ministers’ Roundtable is a forum where ministers and church workers will come together to fellowship and receive the Word of God, equipping them for the great work ahead,” Enelamah said.
“God’s move and revival are sweeping across the nations, and Nigeria has a pivotal role to play in these end times.”
Enelamah highlighted Enugu’s strategic importance in the South East as a key reason for hosting the event there, noting that the conference would serve as a springboard for further outreach in the region.
He also revealed plans for a future gathering, the Mission To West Africa (MTWA) Conference, set to take place in Umuahia in February 2026.
The Enugu Ministers’ Roundtable will feature prominent Christian leaders, including Archbishop Chris Ede of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Enugu Archdiocese; Bishop Obi Onubuogu of Rock Family Church; and Apostle Chuks Alozie of the Abia Apostolic Intercessory Team.
The event will be hosted by Rev John Uga, with sessions running from 9am to 4pm on 11 April and resuming at 9am on 12 April.
In his statement, Enelamah urged ministers “thirsty and hungry for greater exploits in their ministry” to attend, promising a spiritually enriching experience that would “build up our most holy faith.”
He added that KARM intends to collaborate closely with ministers in Enugu and other parts of southern Nigeria to strengthen the church’s mission.
The Global Information Team (GIT) has urged the newly appointed management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), led by Ojulari, to honour a prior commitment to absorb 12 staff members from the now-defunct Hyson Nigeria Limited, warning that failure to do so violates international labour standards.
The appeal, spearheaded by GIT’s head of investigation, Anabel Crown, follows the dissolution of all trading joint ventures by the NNPCL board in late 2023, which saw Hyson Nigeria Limited officially wound up on 31 December of that year.
The move was part of a broader consolidation effort to bring all trading operations under a wholly owned NNPCL entity.
At the time, assurances were made that the 12 Hyson employees would face no job losses and would be seamlessly transferred to NNPC Retail Limited—a promise that has yet to materialise.
Under the tenure of former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari, who was recently removed by President Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, the transition stalled, leaving the workers in limbo.
The GIT now calls on Ojulari’s administration to revisit the matter urgently, either by absorbing the staff into NNPCL or offering them substantial severance packages akin to those provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria to its relieved employees.
“This prolonged uncertainty is not just a breach of trust—it’s a violation of international labour law,” Crown told Elanza News.
“Keeping workers promised employment in suspense amounts to deceit and deception, with devastating consequences for their livelihoods and families.”
The situation has been compounded by alleged mismanagement during the transition.
Sources within GIT allege that the former managing director of Hyson Nigeria Limited deliberately withheld a crucial letter that would have facilitated the staff’s absorption into NNPC Retail Limited.
“This was an act of selfishness, with no regard for the wellbeing of these workers or their families,” Crown said, pointing to the rigorous interviews the staff underwent, with results submitted to the NNPC Retail board—then chaired by Kyari—for approval that never came.
The affected workers, described as “fathers and children” by GIT, have faced severe hardship, deprivation, and even starvation as the matter remains unresolved.
“These are people who went through a thorough recruitment process and were deemed successful, yet they’ve been left to suffer,” Crown added.
In a direct appeal, GIT has called on President Tinubu, who serves as the substantive Petroleum Minister overseeing NNPCL, to intervene. “As the father of the nation and a true democrat, we urge Mr President to wade into this matter.
These workers deserve sympathy and swift action—absorbing them without delay is not just a matter of humanity, but a defence of their rights and privileges,” the GIT statement read.
The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of NNPCL’s operations following Kyari’s exit and Ojulari’s appointment, with stakeholders watching closely to see if the new leadership will prioritise transparency and accountability.
For now, the fate of the 12 Hyson workers hangs in the balance, their plight a stark reminder of the human cost of bureaucratic delays.