Wike Vs. Fubara: “Wike Should Come And Kill All Of Us”, Protesters Shout

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October 30, 2023

By Charles Igbo

The political crisis in Rivers State over the alleged plot by the Rivers State House of Assembly to start an impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara boiled over Monday morning.

The Governor’s entourage was allegedly shot at, tear-gassed and sprayed with water at the premises of the Rivers State House of Assembly. The Governor was present.

In response, scores of angry people who accompanied Governor Fubara screamed continously: “They want to kill the Governor. They are shooting at the Governor. We are here with the Governor. Wike should come and kill all of us. Wike should come and kill us with the Governor. Fubara is our Governor. We voted for him.”

The political crisis in Rivers State became public on Sunday when a group of Rivers indigenes in the Diaspora alleged that there were forces within and outside the State bent on causing friction between the Governor and his predecessor/political father, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The allegation became a reality when on Sunday night, political hoodlums invaded the House of Assembly and set it ablaze in a bid to stop the Members of the Assembly from sitting, and thus, abort the alleged move to start an impeachment of Governor Fubara.

Monday morning when Fubara went to inspect the damage inflicted on the Assembly by the hoodlums, he was greeted with sporadic gunshots, tear gas and splashes of water. The incident forced those who accompanied him to point accusing fingers at Wike. They chanted his name, and asked him to “come and kill all of us.” They added: “We are Ijaw, we no dey fear anybody.”

When Fubara addressed the people at the Government House, he said he had done nothing wrong, but would talk at the appropriate time.

It is not known what led to the plan to start a process to impeach the Governor. None has been made public. It is, also, not known what suddenly came between him and Wike who imposed him on the State. But, not a few people are shocked by this development as the impression is that it is Wike who still calls the shots at Government House Rivers. The Governor, literally, it is said “cannot drink water without taking an excuse from Wike.”

Presidential Election: Supreme Court Judgement Implies Crime Is Good – Atiku

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Ayodele Oni

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October 30, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The greatest loser of 2023 Presidential Election is the Supreme Court, Atiku Abubakar, Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 25, 2023 Election has declared.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Atiku stated that as long as Nigeria wins, the struggle would have been worth the while.

According to him, “Someone asked me what I would do if I lost my election petition appeal at the Supreme Court. In response, I said that as long as Nigeria wins, the struggle would have been worth the while.

“By that, I meant that the bigger loss would not be mine but Nigeria, if the Supreme Court legitimizes illegality, including forgery, identity theft, and perjury.

“If the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, implies by its judgment that crime is good and should be rewarded, then Nigeria has lost and the country is doomed irrespective of who occupies the Presidential seat.

“If the Supreme Court decides that the Electoral umpire, INEC, can tell the public one thing and then do something else in order to reach a corruptly predetermined outcome, then there is really no hope for the country’s democracy and electoral politics.

“Obviously, the consequences of those decisions for the country will not end at the expiration of the current government. They will last for decades. I am absolutely sure that history will vindicate me. We now know what the Supreme Court has decided.

“At critical points in my political life, I always ignored the easy but ignoble path and chosen the difficult but dignified path, the path of truth, of morality, of democracy and rule of law.

“I always chose freedom over servitude, whatever the personal discomforts my choice entails. When I joined politics, the critical challenge was easing the military out of power so that civilian democratic governance could be restored in Nigeria.

“It later became a very defining struggle, and, as one of the leaders of that struggle, I was targeted for elimination.”

Atiku Suggests Single Term Of Six Years, Rotation Of Presidency Among Six Geo Political Zones, Says Supreme Court Endorsed Banditry

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Ayodele Oni

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October 30, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has put forward suggestions to guarantee that each Geopolitical zone of the country has access to the Presidency.

Atiku condemned a situation whereby two or more zones will hang up and alternate the Presidency among themselves.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, in reaction to recent judgement of the Supreme Court which threw out his appeal against the victory of President Bola Tinubu, he also canvassed for a single term of six years for the President.

“In order to reduce the desperation of incumbents and distractions from governing and also to promote equity and national unity, we need to move to a single six-year term for President to be rotated among the six geo-political zones.

“This will prevent the ganging up of two or more geo-political zones to alternate the presidency among themselves to the exclusion of other zones.”

On the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in future elections, Atiku stated that “INEC should be mandated to verify the credentials submitted to it by candidates and their parties and where it is unable to do so – perhaps because the institutions involved did not respond in time – it must publicly state so and have it on record.

“A situation where a candidate submits contradictory credentials to INEC in different election cycles and the electoral umpire accepts them without question points to gross negligence, at best, or collusion to break the law by the leadership of the INEC, at worst.

“The submission of contradictory qualifying documents by a candidate as well as those found to be forged or falsified should disqualify a candidate even if the falsification or forgery is discovered after the person had been sworn into office.

“The burden of proving that a document submitted to INEC is forged should not be on the opposing candidates in the election. It is never the responsibility of an applicant for a job to prove that the person who eventually got the job did so with forged documents.”

He also canvassed for amendment of the electoral act saying “In addition to these proposed constitutional amendments, the Electoral Act should be amended to provide that, except where they explicitly violate the Constitution and other laws, the rules and procedures laid down by the electoral umpire and made public for the benefit of the contestants and the voters will be treated as sacrosanct by the courts in deciding on election disputes.

“A referee cannot be allowed to set the rules for the game only to change or ignore them when one side has scored a goal or is about to win the match.

“We must restore confidence in our electoral system which the current leadership of INEC has completely eroded and undermined.

“Also, we need well-thought out provisions in the legislation and regulations to reform the judiciary, including the introduction of an automated case assignment system; transparency in the appointment of judges; a practice directory that stresses that the goal of judges in election cases should be to discover and affirm voters’ choice rather than disregarding voters’ choice for the sake of technicalities.

“There should also be publicly available annual evaluation of the performance of judges using agreed criteria.

“By improving the transparency of the electoral process and reducing the incentives to cheat, in addition to transparency in the appointment of Judges and other judicial reforms, the number of election petitions as well as corruption in the judiciary will be significantly reduced.

“More importantly, we would have succeeded in taking away the right to elect leaders from the courts and return it to the voters to whom it truly belongs.”

The former Vice President, also, dismissed Tinubu’s declaration as winner of the February 25, 2023 Presidential Election as political banditry, and accused the Supreme Court of endorsing banditry.

Governor Fubara: “I Have Done Nothing To Warrant Impeachment”

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 30, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has said that he has done nothing wrong to warrant the Rivers State House of Assembly’s alleged move for his impeachment.

The Governor is, allegedly, at loggerheads with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, who installed him. This, many think, is at the root of strongly speculated move the move by the State Lawmakers to impeach him.

To forestall the move, the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was, on Sunday night, set ablaze by a group of yet-to-be identified political thugs.

Fubara, on Monday, while addressing his supporters at the Assembly Complex, part of which was razed by fire Sunday night by hoodlums, shortly after the House members, led by their Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, convened to, allegedly, begin the impeachment process against him, lamented:

“Let them come out and tell Rivers people the offence I have committed to warrant any impeachment.”

“Let me assure the people of Rivers that I will continue to ensure that you get the dividends of democracy.

“At the appropriate time I will address the press.”

Early Monday morning, there were heavy gunshots and firing of teargas within the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex as some Lawmakers sat to, allegedly, begin an impeachment process on Governor Fubara.

The Lawmakers also suspended the leader of the House, Edison Ehie, and a couple of his colleagues believed to be loyal to the Governor. But the Governor has described their suspension as null and void – a declaration he knows he has no powers to make.

Rivers Of Many Troubles: Fubara Fights Impeachment In Battle With Wike

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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October 30, 2023

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Governor Similaye Fubara of Rivers state has demanded to know his offence following the attempt by the state house of Assembly to impeach him. I have not committed any offence to warrant my removal from office, the governor who is barely six months in office, after his swearing on May 29 this year, said on Monday as the dispute between him and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike deepened, and the plot to sack him from office becomes stronger.

Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, was instrumental to Fubara becoming govrnor in the oil rich state, but serious crisis has been linked to both as the stake for the control of the oil rich state notches higher.

The former governor had in May this year promised not to meddle in the administration of Governor Fubara, but, this has not been so, considering what happened in the last few days, with watchers of politic in the state accussing the FCT ministr of plotiimg to oust his successor, by using the State House of Assembly, because of the alleged rift between them over who is in control of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the party that brought the incumbent and his predecessor to power.

Early today, some hoodlums believed to be supporters of the governor set the House of Assembly ablaze to stop the impeachment process on Fubara. The magazine learnt that the governor got wind of the plot early enough to forestall it.

But it was too late to save the Leader of Assembly, Edison Ehie, a staunch supporter of the governor who have now been impeached by some lawmakers, believed to be working hand in hand with the former governor.

The police and other security operatives have now been sent to take over the premises of the Assembly complex along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, the state capital to forestall the breakdown of law and order, the magazine learned from sources in the city.

Speaking after the incident, Governor Fubara stated that he has committed no offence to warrant his impeachment.

The governor made the assertion while adressing his supporters, whom he assured that his govrnment would deliver the dividends of democracy no matter the efforts of his detractors to stop him.
He challenged those behind his problems to be bold enough to tell Rivers people’s his offence to warrant his impeachment barely six month in office,

The defiant governor said: “Let them come out and tell Rivers people the offence I have committed to warrant any impeachment,” the governor said while addressing his supporters at the Assembly Complex.

“Let me assure the people of Rivers that I will continue to ensure that you get the dividends of democracy. At the appropriate time I will address the press.”

It was learned from competent sources in the state, that the impeachment notice was served on the governor by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly early on Monday before the arson took place.
The magazine learned that what caused the crisis of confidence between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, whom he rode to power, may not be unconnected with the latter’s quest to continue to control the party aftr he has left the office.

The former governor was also said to have been surprised that the governor is trying to dstroy some of his legacy projects and cancel some contracts awarded during his eight years tenure but have not been completed,

Instructively, less than a month after coming to office, Governor Fubara cancelled and re-awarded the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Unity Road project, for which his preecessor had already paid contractors 100 percent contract fee.

Even though the govrnor did not openly criticised former Governor Wike for the contract failure, political watchers in the state told the magazine that the governor’s action was a veiled disapproval on how the contract was shoddily handled by those he believed are close associates of the FCT minister.

What Govrnor Fubara said: “What I have seen here today leaves much to be desired, given that the immediate past administration had good intentions for the people of Andoni.

“The last administration made so much commitment to even making 100 per cent payment to ensure quick delivery of the project before the end of its tenure, unfortunately, the contractor did otherwise.

“We are left with no option than to remove the big elephant behind the slow pace of work on this project just like President Bola Tinubu removed the big elephant behind fuel subsidy.”

The governor had since reawarded the multi-billion road contract to another contractor.

Rivers State Joins Edo, Ondo, In the Impeachment Race; Governor Fubara’s Job On The Line

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Ayodele Oni

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October 30, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The job of the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, is on the line. The impeachment rope is dangling dangerously around his neck.

This is as it has become obvious that idle Houses of Assembly in States have found new lucrative job to do.

In the last three months, the topic has been getting out of office perceived Deputies that have lost out in the game of politics with their principals.

t was first in Edo State where Governor Godwin Obaseki accused his Deputy,, Philip Shuaibu, of disloyalty, occasioned by his lust to succeed him. The battle started with Obaseki sending the Deputy out of Government House in Benin city and relocated his office to an extreme side in the GRA.

The House of Assembly in Edo however distanced itself from the roforofo fight between the two leaders, but rather joined in reconciling them. Intervention by leaders of thought in the State saved Shaibu his job and he again found favour in the Governor.

As the Edo imbroglio was being resolved, Ondo State House of Assembly came up with seven allegations against the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa among which was misappropriation.

Aiyedatiwa was Acting Governor when Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was on medical leave for over three months. During his period of acting, various allegations were made against him especially his plan to succeed Akeredolu.

Since his return and decision to relocate Ondo Government House to Ibadan, Oyo state, Akeredolu’s aides are busy pursuing how to get Aiyedatiwa out of office with the help of the Assembly.

There have been drama and new political developments over the issue of the impeachment. The intervention by the Federal High Court, which restrained the Assembly from going ahead with the impeachment and the peace move by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are what is saving Aiyedatiwa’s job till date.

Now Nigerians woke up this week to hear that the impeachment song is now being sang in Rivers State. This time the target is the Principal, Governor Fubara.

A group had flown a kite earlier on Sunday that Fubara and his maximum political father former Governor Nyesome Wike are at loggerhead.

According to the group, Rivers in Diaspora, a collective of concerned indigenes of Rivers State residing abroad, “there is sinister plan by some unscrupulous elements to cause disaffection between the incumbent Governor and his mentor.”

It claimed that there is information from sources about how the concerned individuals, both within and outside the Government of Rivers State, are conspiring to create political turmoil within the State.

In a statement, the group alleged that the sinister agenda is to sow discord between Governor Fubara, and his mentor, Wike.

Few hours after this, report said there was an explosion at the Rivers House of Assembly which razed down the building, apparently to prevent the Lawmakers from sitting on Monday. There is also reported heavy security presence at the assembly’s premises.

Another update is that the Assembly has removed Ehie Edison as Majority Leader while it also suspended three other lawmakers for yet to be disclosed reasons.

It was also gathered that the remaining 24 members of the House resolved to serve a motion of impeachment on the Rivers State Governor Fubara. His sins are yet to be made public.

Governor Fubara has however described the alleged suspension of the leader of the House ,Edison Ehie and three other Lawmakers as null and void. But the question is whether he has power to reverse the order of the Assembly.

Fubara who stated this when he visited the Assembly complex that was set ablaze by hoodlums Sunday night expressed shock that security personnel who were supposed to protect lives and property turned their guns at him.

The Rivers impeachment drama has just started to unfold, a situation that has made it impossible to know those behind the rampaging Lawmakers and the offences of Mr Governor.

Fidelity Bank: Houston Designates October 25 Fidelity Int’n Trade And Creative Connect Day

By

James Orji

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October 30, 2023

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Fidelity Bank Plc’s commitment to fostering bilateral trade and economic development between the city of Houston, Texas and Nigeria, has been recognised by the City of Houston which has designated October 25 as “Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect Day”.

Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston officially declared the special day in a statement released from Houston, Texas, on Thursday, 26 October 2023.

The proclamation reads in part, “Whereas, The Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect summit committed to fostering bilateral trade and economic development between the city of Houston and Nigeria. The City of Houston commends Fidelity Bank Nigeria for their commitment to enhance international trade.

“Therefore, I, Sylvester Turner, Mayor of the City of Houston, hereby proclaim October 25, 2023, as Fidelity International Trade and Creative Connect Day.”

It would be recalled that Fidelity Bank hosted the second edition of its international non-oil trade expo tagged FITCC Houston on 24 and 25 October 2023 in the city of Houston, Texas, United States of America. The event featured exhibitions by more than 160 businesses as well as several panel and networking sessions all tailored towards increasing the number of Nigerian businesses that export into the US market and enabling exporters to build capacity to improve product quality and meet international standards amongst other objectives.

“We are grateful for the warm welcome from the Houston community and residents of Nigerian descent. Quite often we are asked why we choose to host this year’s FITCC in the city of Houston and our response has revolved around the economic opportunities provided by its demographic profile and ethnic diversity as well as its strategic location which makes the City the ideal destination for international trade and a transit point to other regional markets in the South of the United States of America”, remarked Fidelity Bank’s MD/CEO, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe in her welcome address at FITCC Houston.

Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged customer commercial bank with over 8 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.

The bank was recognized as the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards. The bank has also won awards for the “Fastest Growing Bank” and “MSME & Entrepreneurship Financing Bank of the Year” at the 2021 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Deadly Clash Between Cross Rivers, Benue Communities Kills 20 Persons

By

James Orji

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October 30, 2023

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No fewer than 20 people are said to have been killed in a renewed clash between two communities in the Yache-Ijiegu Yala LGA of Cross River State and Tiv settlers from Benue State.

The clash, which started on Thursday, is the latest in a series of violent disputes between the two communities over land ownership.

Women and children are said to be among the dead, and many more have been injured. Houses on both sides of the border have also been set ablaze.

The conflict began two months ago when the Tiv settlers reportedly refused to continue paying royalties for their stay on Yache land. The Tiv settlers claim they are being extorted and have nowhere else to go, having settled in the area for over 100 years.

A Tiv leader, Mr Jacob Uswa, has blamed the conflict on the Yache people.

He said, “We can’t fold our arms and watch them continue to exterminate our people. We have to defend ourselves. They usually hide in the bushes to launch attacks. This is also our land. We are also from Cross River State,” he claimed

“My father and his own father lived in this community for over 100 years. And I have lived here for over 50 years.

“I am surprised to hear from Yache people that we are not from here.

“We are indigenes of Cross River State, not Benue State. Despite this, we had succumbed to obeying their demands to pay royalties on lands and houses.”

Yache youth leader Augustine Odey blamed the governments of both states for failing to address the crisis. He also alleged that the military has been complicit in the violence, claiming that soldiers have been seen accompanying Tiv attackers.

A commander of the security team, who gave his name as Lt. Alex, has denied these allegations, saying that the military has tried to maintain peace in the area.

He blamed the Yache boys for the renewed violence, stressing that a meeting will hold on Wednesday with a view to brokering peace between the two warning communities.

Prof. Effah-Attoe, PDP National Woman Leader, Dies

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The Source

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October 30, 2023

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The Peoples Democratic Party, has announced the death of its National Women Leader, Professor Stella Effa-Attoe.

In a statement on Sunday, October 29, 2023, the Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, said the Party is devastated by Professor Effah-Attoe. “Our heart bleeds”, Ologunagba said.

The statement reads:

“The National Working Committee (NWC) and indeed the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) family is utterly devastated over the death of the National Woman Leader of our great Party, Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe.

“Our hearts bleed! Our Party and Nation have lost one of our best and brightest. Prof. Effah-Attoe’s death is a huge blow not only to her family, but also to the PDP, the academic community, the people of Cross River State and indeed the Nation.

“Prof. Effah-Attoe was very brilliant, towering and magnificent in all spheres, but yet lived an exceptionally humble, pleasant, sociable, gracious, compassionate and loving life. She touched lives in many positive ways and made pivotal contributions towards the growth and development of our Nation.

“She was a dedicated teacher, politician, author and fearless mobilizer who always stood for the truth; fought for justice, equity and fairness and gave her energy, passion and resources in the pursuit of the rights of women in Nigeria.

“Over the years, as Commissioner for Education and later Commissioner for Information and Culture in Cross River State, member of the Cross River State House of Assembly, member of Governing Board of several Cross River State and Federal Government Agencies and Programmes; a University Professor and one of the most decorated scholars in Nigeria, she distinguished herself as an amazon with extraordinary intellectual capacity for leadership and national service.

“As the National Woman Leader of our great Party, she brought in an uncommon intellectual aptitude into Party administration especially in mobilizing women for greater participation in politics and governance.

“The PDP will always remember her tireless contributions alongside other PDP leaders in the effort to rebrand and strengthen our great Party in the build-up to the 2023 general elections in line with the mission to rescue, rebuild and redirect our nation from misrule.

“Prof Effah-Attoe’s death has left a huge vacuum in our Party but we take solace in the fact that she lived a devout Christian life, triumphed in her chosen path and left indelible marks in the service of the Nation and humanity.

“The PDP commiserates with her immediate family, the people of Ikun in Biase Local Governnment Area of Cross River State, the Academic Community, the Cross River State Chapter of the PDP and the people of Cross River State.

“Our Party prays to God to grant us all the fortitude to bear the loss; and to the faithful departed, an eternal rest in His bosom.”

The late Professor succeeded Dr Betty Edu who is the current Minister for Humanitarian Affairs. She was a Professor of African Studies and Gender Affairs in the Department of History, University of Calabar.

Obi Urges Blacks To Shade The Slave Trade Psyche And Deploy Their Talents

By

The Source

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October 30, 2023

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The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25, 2023 election, Peter Obi has urged blacks to deploy their abundant natural resources and talents to shade off the slave trade effect.

Obi who spoke at the Weekend in England as a guest at the Celebration of Black History Month by the black community at Oxford University said that the time has come for Africa and the black community to engage in productive activities, good governance, and purposeful leadership.

Mr. Obi who shared ideas with the black community reminded them that life, irrespective of color, race, or tribe, should be about building a better society and making humanity better recalling this was what motivated him to enter politics.

He noted that he joined politics leaving his lucrative business, to serve the public not minding the huge loss available.

“I relayed to them my experience in 2001 while taking an Executive Management Course at Kellogg School of Management, a personal encounter I had with Prof Donald Jacobs, the School Dean, which eventually motivated me to join politics back home in Nigeria, to help build a better nation for all.

“Looking back in time, not minding the bold challenges I have faced, I am grateful for all I have accomplished, especially the positive changes I have engendered in the nation.

Especially in the areas of health, education, and pulling people out of poverty.

He reminded them that Africa needs to invest heavily in Education and utilize its energetic youth populations.

Africa should not be attending the summit asking for concessions, pointing out that the era of tokenism for Africa has passed.

According to the LP standard bearer, ‘Africa with a landmass of 30.3 million km² and a population of over 1.4 billion people, continues to fall short, economically, far below Europe, with a landmass of 10.18 million km² and a population of about 746 million.

‘Africa will rise and enjoy development and progress.

Obi went further to say that with a land mass of Europe of 1,152,000km almost the same as Nigeria with 923,000km Nigeria with a youthful population should be more productive but is hindered by poor leadership.

Obi noted that “Development is a journey. Time was when Europe faced similar challenges, as we face today but tackled by engaging in productive activities.

Nigeria, and indeed, Africa need only committed ethical leadership to lead it on the path of development.

He noted that the three biggest economies in Europe, Germany, the United Kingdom, and France with a population of about 216m have a GDP almost 25 times the GDP of Nigeria with an almost similar population.

Germany has $ 4.4 trillion with a land mass of 349, 223km, plus a population of about 84m and France has a GDP of $3.049. and 551695km land mass, plus a population of about 54m the UK has a GDP of $3.3.., and a land mass of 243,610km with a population of about 67m while Nigeria has a land mass of 923 769km and a GDP of $489.80 billion.

Obi told his audience that what This means is that what is lacking in Nigeria and many African countries is a lack of productivity arising from poor and focused political leadership which Africa should strive to achieve and take their destiny into their own hands and stop looking for tokens from areas not as blessed as the continent.