Repositioning APGA for National Leadership

By Emeka Ozumba

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), which prides itself as the foremost progressive political party in Nigeria, was mirred in controversy and unending legal tango across court rooms in Nigeria prior to the election of the Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Chukwuma Soludo, CFR; and subsequent election of Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa as National Chairman at the party's National Convention on May  31, 2023. As at the last count, there were said to be over 50 court cases most of which were seeking determination of the authentic National Chairman with the most baffling ruling coming out of a Court in Birnin-Kudu,  Jigawa State.

Whereas doomsday scenarios were being fanned out by pessimists about the future of APGA, the new national executive led by Sly Ezeokenwa, bouyed by the mandate of the party and the national leader, set forth at inception to change the perception of a fractured party to that of a positive pan-Nigerian profile befitting it's motto: Be Your Brothers and Sisters Keeper! As the national executive of APGA marks one year on the saddle, it goes without saying that the ship of the party has been steadied through share diplomacy and accommodation of all as well as deft management of the party affairs inspite of subsisting challenges. 

On the trail of APGA progress within the period, some wonder where the current APGA National Chairman got the dexterity for political party administration. Well, Sly is a scion of the pioneer APGA Local Government Chairman, Onitsha South, Chief Sylvester Okenwa Snr;  aknowledged by many for exemplary dedication and selfless leadership of the party. As the saying goes, "the apple never falls far from the tree," having learned at the feet of his father, Sly's staying power and deft leadership skills

are evident in his patience, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty.

A towering and unassuming young man, sharpened by mentorship and invaluable experience, his intellingence belies his age. Ezeokenwa's philosophy of service and value, is a life shaped by a near death experience long ago. Hence, he has continued to live by these principles in and out of politics.

Fondly called Sly by friends and associates,

Ezeokenwa  started out as the APGA State Legal Adviser, and carried with him the knowledge and treasure troove of the party's history he learned from his father to the legal office where he acted as the clearing house for all the court cases as APGA's National Legal Adviser. He also doubled as an aide to the immediate past National Charman of APGA, Ozonkpu, Sir, Victor Oye whose tenure was largely in the eye of the storm.

As a forward looking political party, Ezeokenwa and his team embarked on "DRIVE APGA" campaign which is an acronym for Discipline! Repositioning! Inclusivity, Visibility and Expansion! They set out by quietly consulting and re-intrgrating stakeholders across Nigeria to the fold. Again, recognizing the import of the bourgeoning youth population and its impact on the Nigerian political lanscape, they're set to commence digital registration to drive membership, and the mainstreaming of young persons to have a sense of belonging and provide leadership. A typical ingredient, is the party's concept of reducing the cost of Nomination to Office by 50% to encourage youth aspirants. 

Ezeokenwa believes that APGA has shown exemplery leadership and profound developmental credentials since the party took the reign of leadership in Anambra State in 2006; stressing that Soludo's record of achievents in two years is a testimonial to the party's ideology of leaving no Nigerian behind through people-based development programmes across health, education, agriculture, human capital, infrastructure development  and workers welfare. As the thirty-one national executives of APGA led by Barrister Sly Ezeokenwa marks one year in office, it is safe to assume that the newly repositioned APGA is on a sustainable path to achieving a leadership of Nigeria's dream. 

A P.G.A! APGA!!!

Ozumba writes from Ward-4 Urunnebo, Enugwu-Ukwu.

Anambra New Permanent Secretaries Hold Training, Brainstorm On The Soludo Mandate, Others

By Ejike Abana

The 18 newly appointed permanent secretaries in Anambra have been tasked on aiding to fulfil the vision and mandate of the Governor Soludo-led administration.

During the opening ceremony of the two days capacity building training held in Awka, Anambra State Head of Service, Barrister Theodora Okwy Igwegbe urged the permanent secretaries to tailor all activities according to the plan of the present administration.

Barrister Igwegbe who made a presentation on "Anambra State Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (ASCSSIP) (2022-2025)", reminded them that their appointment was based on merit, pointing out that it is a privilege that they were appointed out of the over thirty thousand civil servants.

She went on to remind the participants that the training was borne out of the need for improved efficiency and productivity in service delivery in Anambra State Civil Service, as well as a result of the dynamic nature of today's world, which requires that adaptation and improvement be continuous exercises even in areas where laudable feats may have been recorded in times past.

While urging them to execute their job with much zeal, the Head of Service encouraged them not to drag their feet in executing and implementing government mandate and policies.

Barrister Igwegbe asked them not to work in silos, but arm themselves with what she described as five pillars that drive the service, including, capacity building, performance management, service delivery, anti-corruption and staff welfare, which all work, dependent of each other.

Barrister Igwegbe mentioned a number of improvements that has been brought into the system including the gradual movement to digital service, performance management which is an improvement of what obtained in the past, among others, asking them to always ensure to identify the skills, knowledge, passion and interest of people working with them and make it a must to link it to rewards and punishment where necessary in their various places of assignment.

"It is all about using 20 percent to achieve 80 percent in your area of call.

In this job, monitoring and evaluation is important, just as Mr. Governor would always say that if you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it.

"This administration took a look at the challenges facing the service, with a view to tackling them.

"As a civil servant, you are being paid for your time and skills, as such, mismanagement of work hours for personal activities affect the civil service. Hard work doesn't kill someone", said Barrister Igwegbe.

She however emphasized that the mandate is an agenda with a deadline.

Some of the participants including, Dr. Nwabufo Nwankwo, Engr. Martin Agbili and Mr Joachin Acho expressed satisfaction over the import of the workshop, which they explained has energized them more through a better understanding of their core mandate.

They variously assured of giving their best in the service of Anambra State.

The workshop has as its theme, "Strategic leadership: Thriving through challenges and opportunities in governance".

Recall that on March 2024, Governor Soludo identified excellent and high-performing individuals in different fields within the service, appointed and inaugurated them as permanent secretaries after a rigorous appointment process.