Anambra Judiciary: Senior Magistrate Excel At Justitia Awards, Austria

By Ejike Abana

A Senior Magistrate in Anambra State Judiciary, Neni Division, His Worship Ifeyinwa Nasiah Okoye has made Anambra State proud as she was celebrated as a "Game Changer" in the Legal profession, in far away, Vienna, Austria.

The Justitia Awards to the Magistrate is a cheering news to the State as she emerged tops on the global stage.

She was one of the five shortlisted nominees for the Justitia Awards during the Women in Law conference held in September, 2023.

Periodically, the Justitia Awards receives participants and competitive entries from all over the world.

Out of the four other outstanding female legal Practitioners shortlisted under that category including; Jalila Haider (Pakistan), Joyce Williams (USA), Leah Moletseli (South Africa) and Mehwish Muhib Kakakhel (Pakistan), Senior Magistrate Ifeyinwa Nasiah Okoye became the only Nigerian so recognized.

In addition, recall that in 2022, The BBC service conducted an inspirational story of resilience on Magistrate Okoye who despite being physically challenged and walks with the aid of crutches, has gone ahead to defy many challenges to fulfill her dream of being a voice for the voiceless.

This she had variously demonstrated through her service in the temple of Justice.

She has no doubt achieved many firsts for her state and we are proud of her.

Indeed, His Worship Ifeyinwa Nasiah Okoye, deserves commendation and handshake with the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the Chief Judge of Anambra state, Hon. Justice Onochie Anyachebelu and the good people of Anambra State for this feat.

For details of the award and more, visit:

https://www.womeninlawconference.at/justitia-awards-2023/

https://youtu.be/Q00vqK8z6Lo?si=0wvTWYvNFHNes_v2

https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewspidgin/videos/624787468639390/?app=fbl

Soludo Bags Trailblazer Governor Of The Year Award

By Ejike Abana

In a stunning recognition of his contribution towards the state's development, especially in the area of digital technology, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has been awarded the prestigious Govtech Trailblazer's Governor of the year.

The award by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms of the Presidency is in recognition of the Governor's exemplary leadership in advancing Digital Governance.

The ceremony was held at the International Convention Centre, Abuja.

The award comes as a striking recognition of Governor Soludo's leadership in using technology to transform the state's governance, public services, and public safety.

The Governor's skillful use of technology is helping the state quickly move to remote work and online service delivery, minimizing disruptions to public services while keeping state employees safe.

Moreover, Governor Soludo's innovative programs have helped increase access to healthcare and education.

From online doctor consultations and telemedicine to distance learning, the Governor has leveraged technology to provide access to essential services that were previously out of reach for many residents before his advent.

The Governor's focus on using technology to increase public safety has been commendable, as well. He has facilitated the development of tracking systems for first responders, helped to implement a public safety app, and improved communication systems for emergency response teams. These tools have improved response times, increased situational awareness, and helped save countless lives.

According to the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Tony-Collins Nawbunwanne who received the award onbehalf of the Governor, Professor Soludo's effective use of technology to increase government transparency and accountability has been one of his most visible milestones.

The Commissioner pointed out that the Governor has implemented an open data initiative to provide citizens access to data about state government activities, finances, and statistics; an effort that has helped increase public trust in state governance, and citizens are more engaged in decision-making.

Governor Soludo's tireless efforts to use technology to transform governance, public services, and public safety deserve the highest recognition.

Indeed, the Governor of the Year award is a testament to his vision, dedication, and commitment to the state's development.

Anambra Tops As Best Local Government In Nigeria

Anambra State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs is celebrating a massive win having been awarded by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms of the Presidency under the auspices of Nigeria GOVTECH Public Service Awards as the best local government in Nigeria.

The event was used to honour the Ministry for its outstanding performance in promoting local governance in the country, leveraging technology, implementing and utilizing technology solutions to achieve established goals or objectives within the state.

The ministry was recognized for its efforts in engaging local communities in grassroots development projects, successfully implementing decentralization policies, and championing transparency and accountability in local government governance.

The award ceremony, which was held at the International Convention Center, Abuja, was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from civil society organizations, and the media.

Recieving the award, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Tony-Collins Nawbunwanne, praised Governor Soludo for his unrelenting efforts in driving local development initiatives and ensuring that local communities have a say in their own governance, deploying technology.

The Commissioner who led the delegation to the award ceremony, expressed his gratitude to the Bureau for recognizing the ministry's efforts and promised to continue working tirelessly in promoting the development of local communities.

He also thanked the government for its unwavering support in providing the necessary resources to enable the ministry to carry out its mandate in line with the manifesto of Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

During the event, Anambra Local Government Service Commission was also awarded the best state local government commission in adoption of Information Communication Technology (ICT), while the Transition Committee Chairman for Aguata Council Area, Dr. Offorbuike was awarded the best Digital Local Government Chairman of the year.

In their separate reactions, Chief Ezeaka and Dr. Offorbuike revealed that alot of innovations have been introduced by the present administration of Governor Soludo into the system, saying that his manifesto is the key to a liveable and prosperous homeland.

Earlier, the Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, D.I Arabi said the efforts of President Tinubu's administration are geared towards improving the life of the common man on the street, leveraging technology.

The award has been received well by communities across the state, who have hailed the Ministry of Local Government for leading by example in promoting good governance practices at the local level. This was the view of the member representing Ihiala Federal Constituency, Dr. Paschal Agbodike.

Overall, the award to the Ministry is a testament to the government's commitment to promoting good governance practices and ensuring that local communities have a say in their own development.

It is a fitting tribute to the men and women who have worked tirelessly in the ministry to ensure that local communities benefit from the country's development initiatives, using technology.

The theme of the event which featured dance presentation by the Tiv ethnic group is "Advancing Public Service Reforms through digital transformation".

Written By Ejike Abana

Government Taskforce Reads Riot Act To Recalcitrant Developers, Demolishes Illegal Structures In Onitsha, Ogbunike, Airport Road

The joint Anambra State government taskforce has pulled down illegal attachment structures and shops in Marine Modern Market, Onitsha.

The shops which are under construction is located at number 11 Gohehol Avenue Marine Modern Market Onitsha in Onitsha South Council Area.

The Joint taskforce led by the officials of Anambra State Physical Planning Board arrived the Onitsha market at the early hours of Wednesday to stop the action of unidentified developer who go about indiscriminately erecting structures and shops in the market. 

The Taskforce also demolished an illegal structure built by youths of Ogbunike which blocked the original waterways thereby always causing high rate of erosion and destruction of properties in the area.

They carried out a partial demolition at the airport road where another developer was erecting perimeter fencing and structures without mapping out the required distance from the road.

Also visited was Azu Ogbunike in Oyi Council Area where a contracting firm converted a road project that is supposedly dual carriage road into a narrow one.

Recall that the Taskforce had served stop work notice on the developer who remained adamant.

In an interview with ABS the leader of the Taskforce, Barr. Chike Mmaduekwe said that the developer who has been warned severally to stop remaimed adamant instead he went about attaching structures to old ones in such a way that is contrary to the law of the state.

Barrister Maduekwe further appealled to wealthy developers in the state to support the government in developing the state, using the building codes.

He warned that henceforth, any developer who is caught carrying out unapproved structures such as blocking of the waterways and erecting of unapproved structures in the state will be made to face the full embrace of the law.

Speaking with ABS earlier, Chief Raymond Edozie who is a landlord at the Onitsha Marine Market, expressed sadness over the action of the unidentified builder who have been erecting unapproved structures around the area.

He alleged that he also goes about intimidating and threatening anyone who dares speak up and commended government of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for restoring normalcy to the area.

By Ejike Abana

Anambra State Government Demolish Illegal Shopping Mall In Onitsha

By Ejike Abana

Anambra State Government joint Taskforce has pulled down an ongoing Shopping Mall in Onitsha.

The mall which is under construction is situated at Nwangene Stream/River Niger Water Ways Niger Street, Fegge in Onitsha South Council Area.

The Joint Taskforce led by officials of Anambra State Physical Planning Board stormed the area at the early hours of Friday; September, 22, 2023, to stop the action of a developer who was erecting the unapproved shopping mall.

The structure is being built on original waterways and drainages thereby endangering the lives of unsuspecting future occupants and the people around the area.

Recall that the Taskforce team had before now served stop work notice on the developer who remained recalcitrant.

Speaking on the development, Chairman the Board of Trustees of Progress Market, Mr. Ekene Okoye and the Chairman of the market, Mr. Nnamdi Igwebuike  claimed not to know the builder but condemned the action of the builder, while commending government's effort to restore normalcy to the area.

Government of Anambra State, especially under the current administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo had been advocating the need for controlled development across the state.

"I DID NOT FALL OUT WITH GOVERNOR SOLUDO" Ifeatu Onejeme, former Commissioner for Finance, Anambra State

Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, formally received the resignation of the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ifeatu Onejeme, on Thursday, 14th September, 2023 with emotional remarks and robust commendation for his contributions to his administration. But in spite of the cordial disengagement, mischief makers have been prowling the social media, spreading lies and figments of what they wished would have happened. Paul Nwosu engaged the former Commissioner of Finance in a very frank exchange to elicit directly from him the circumstances that led to his voluntary exit and his next move. Below are excerpts of the brief conversation. 

Q: You resigned and Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, accepted the resignation on the 14th of September with apt commendation. This notwithstanding, some are writing that the reverse was the case. So, my question is: Why are you leaving in the middle of the game? Why didn’t you wait till the end of the tenure?

A: Thank you very much, Paul. I think the answer to your question goes back to nine and half years. In the beginning, the former Governor invited me to come. I didn’t want to come after we won the election. We’ve known ourselves since the Fidelity Bank days in the early 1990s. I told him that our place is a difficult terrain, and dealing with our people can be quite a challenge. But he said: “Look, if you don’t come, you lose your right to criticize.” And because of what he said, I decided that I must come so that I don’t lose my right to criticize. Also, that I can contribute my quota to the development of our state. That was how I accepted the offer to work under Governor Willie Obiano for two years. After two years, he refused to let me go. He said I should complete the one term of office. After the one term, he still refused to let me go. And each time, I had to go back to my family to renegotiate. When I initially came, I told my wife and children that I was coming to serve for two years and will be back. So, it’s been a huge personal sacrifice for me in the past nine and half years. I travelled to see my wife every two weeks, either by road or air. 

Then coming back to your question... When this administration started, I knew it was going to be a huge task convincing my family that I have to go again. But I said to them that it is for a higher calling. We need to fix our homeland, and people have to make sacrifices. I have started making the sacrifices already. Just give me a small window to help the administration which I know would transform Anambra State to settle in, and this was what I said at the Executive Council valedictory speech. I worked to help many of my colleagues and counterparts to settle in because I know what the higher calling is. And when it was done, I felt this was the right time to rejoin my family, and they have been exceedingly happy (laughs) since the announcement was made. After nine and half years, I think I have contributed my quota. Someone else can come and build on what I’ve done. I feel a sense of fulfillment that I have been able to contribute something and that I have also contributed my time and effort in the process.

Q: So what’s your reply to skeptics who have been expressing figments of their imagination on social media as the real reason for your resignation? 

A: I have been seeing a lot on my WhatsApp and SMS, and I just shake my head. I've been wondering – is this how people devote their time and energy doing negative things? First of all, to state facts and set the record straight. I did not fallout with Governor Soludo who is a visionary and transformational leader. In fact, he is a man I have tremendous respect for, who is a mentor to me. These skeptics need to understand that. This is a country where people have a sit- tight mentality. They don’t believe that somebody can wake up one day and say, “ I think I’ve served long enough; let some other persons play their roles,” and they start insinuating that there must be something - somebody is blocking him or trying to take his job, or he’s fighting with someone, and so on. I want to make it clear that there was nothing like that. I had a good relationship with the Governor, a very good relationship, a professional relationship. We also had a very good personal relationship. So what people are writing in the media is wrong. I’m even shocked to read these things. 

Q: So if you are called upon in the future to contribute.......(Ifeatu interjects) 

A: I’m an ambassador! A very passionate and committed ambassador of this administration! I believe so much in this Solution Agenda, and so people shouldn’t make that mistake. I’m sending this message out to the social media guys who are there to just misinform, disinform, and sell falsehood everywhere. They will fail with any message concerning me. People already know me. I have been around for almost forty years. People know my track record. So I’m not the typical politician who comes to sell lies. And that’s why they’re finding it difficult to deal with Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, our Governor because he shoots straight. He tells you this is what he’s going to do, and he comes out to do it and they don’t like it. They like it when you say you’re going left, meanwhile you’re going right.

Q: You have obviously not resigned into retirement. From your looks, I can see you’re still active and agile. What’s your next move after resting?

A: You got it right because that is what I was going to say. Everybody needs rest. So first, I will rest very well. After resting, I will be ready to work for Anambra, but not from a location in the state because I have been located in the state for nine and half years. So I’m open to such things. I’m also looking at private things that I've been doing which have incidentally suffered within this nine and half years that I was in public service. So, I will return to them and build them up. I intend to also tour the world. Our Igbo people are fond of “ oga alugido olu, lugido olu”, (they keep working, working………) until one day they drop dead. So, it's okay to just pull back and tour the world and enjoy life, move around and that’s also part of living.

Q: What are the memorable incidents/challenges you can recall in the span of your nine and half years in public service career and the major roles you played?

A: There are several of them. Many are covered by the oath of secrecy that I can't disclose because of the sensitive position that I held. Some of them are on the political platform under APGA. How we have contributed to getting APGA to start winning elections in both my Ward, my Local Government Area and the State. The second one is how we have funded Anambra State to get it to where it is today, both in the previous administration and the current one. You can see the prudent management of resources. People keep wondering how we’ve been able to accomplish what we have accomplished without breaking the bank. That took some financial ingenuity. When people have projects, they want it funded anyhow. They just want cash flow. But my responsibility as Commissioner for Finance was to advise government on the best way to finance those projects - how the cash flow will come. This sometimes brings me in conflict with them, but I don’t go there saying we can’t do this. I go there thinking we need to do the project, but what is the best way to fund the project? One such project is the Airport and partly the Convention Centre. So these are some of the things we did in the back office. 

Q: Let’s have a peep into your career in the corporate world before venturing into public service?

A: I was in the financial services industry as it was then called. I started out after my graduation, training in Arthur Anderson which was then the foremost accounting firm in the world. They had an office in Lagos, Arthur Anderson and Co, which later metamorphosed into KPMG. After qualifying as a chartered accountant, the then president Ibrahim Babangida had started licensing some new banks in Nigeria. So a bank called Diamond Bank was licensed. I was one of the 25 pioneer staff that started the bank with the founder Chief Paschal Dozie. From Diamond Bank, I moved to Fidelity Bank. From there, I worked in UBA. I went to Savannah Bank  to assist in the turn-around, but left them when their goals were not exactly the goals I saw that would turn around the bank for good. Unfortunately, a few months after I left, CBN closed down the bank. I went to UBA twice when Akeem Bello Osagie took over the bank in 1997. I joined the turn-around management team. Subsequently, I went to the Guardian Express Bank where I was an executive director. Later, when Tony Elumelu took over UBA, he brought me back. In UBA, I was the group treasurer and later in charge of African Expansion with my colleague and perfect gentleman, Rasheed Olaoluwa. Then I went on to head the investment and corporate banking as an executive director, and then retired in 2013. It was a few months after I retired that former Governor Willie Obiano invited me to come and work with him. 

So in the corporate world, I have seen it all. I worked in various parts of Nigeria. I supervised the New York operations of UBA, the London operations of UBA, and Paris operations of UBA. So that was the kind of training and background I had before coming to Anambra State. 

Q:Thank you very much, Mr Ifeatu Onejeme. We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavour.

Soludo's Anambra State Is On The Verge Of Running An Export-Based Economy

By Ejike Abana

It is no longer news that exportation is a key driver of economic growth, not just for individual businesses but for entire nations.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of exportation for economic development, and state governments around the world, Anambra inclusive, have implemented a range of policies to support businesses looking to expand their international trade.

State government support for exportation takes many forms, from financial assistance to regulatory reform and trade missions. With the global market becoming increasingly competitive, state governments are taking an active role in promoting their businesses overseas to ensure that their economies remain strong and vibrant in the years ahead.

It was in view of these that the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo through the Mr. Christian Udechukwu-led Ministry of Industry, convoked a business round table session with importers, manufacturers and exporters in the state. The meeting which was held at the International Convention Centre, Awka, was themed; "From Import to Industrialization for Export".

The session was meant to be used to ascertain the challenges facing manufacturers, importers and exporters in Anambra state with a view to assisting investors to solve them.

The Governor highlighted his administration's economic transformation initiatives such as pharmaceutical processing hub, Export Emporium, Free Trade Zones, Industrial Parks, Leisure Hubs among others.

On the ease of doing business in the state, the Governor revealed that reforms are ongoing in Anambra Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA to make sure that "multi-doors" are created to eliminate bottlenecks and speed up approval time for investors.

One of the most common forms of state government support for exportation is financial assistance. This can take many forms, including low-interest loans, export credit insurance, and grants to cover the cost of market research, trade shows, and other export-related expenses.

In some cases, states may offer tax incentives or subsidies to businesses that are looking to expand their international trade. These incentives can be targeted to specific industries or sectors that are deemed to be of strategic importance to the state's economy.

By providing financial assistance to businesses, state governments can help to overcome some of the barriers that can make exportation prohibitively expensive or risky. This support can make it easier for businesses to access new markets, increase their exports, and create new jobs at home.

Another way that state governments can support exportation is by undertaking regulatory reform. Many regulations can act as a barrier to international trade, either by making it more difficult for businesses to meet foreign market requirements or by creating unnecessary costs for exporters.

By simplifying or streamlining regulations, state governments can help businesses to access new markets and compete more effectively overseas. This can include changes to customs procedures, simplification of product standards and labelling requirements, and reforms to investment rules and regulations.

Other regulatory reforms that can be helpful for businesses looking to expand internationally include improvements to infrastructure, such as ports, airports and highways, as well as measures to address corruption and other trade barriers.

The Governor who said that his administration is already driving production efforts in agriculture, especially engendering an ecosystem around palm and coconut farming, assured that his government is working to reduce processing time for acquiring land Certificate of Occupancy down to 72 hours.

The Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu said that the session is in line with Governor Soludo's vision of transforming the state into one of the biggest industrial, financial, economic, leisure and entertainment hub in the continent, accelerating "Made in Anambra Export Policy Initiatives" to offer the state huge share of the African continental market.

One of the most effective ways for state governments to support exportation is by leading trade missions to foreign markets. Trade missions provide an opportunity for businesses to showcase their products and services to potential buyers overseas, as well as to network with other businesses and government officials and learn more about the local market.

Trade missions can be organised by individual states or in partnership with other countries or international organisations. State governments may also organise seminars and conferences to educate businesses about the opportunities and challenges of exporting to specific markets.

Through these efforts, state governments can help businesses to build relationships with potential customers and partners overseas, as well as to gain a better understanding of the local market, culture, and business practices. This can be instrumental in helping businesses to develop successful export strategies and to identify new opportunities for growth.

Participants at the round table session took time to walk the Governor through their challenges including the Monday sit-home, bad roads in and around Onitsha, especially Owerri Road, difficulty in processing VISA, difficulty in procurement of Certificates of Occupancy, insecurity, touting, revival of the Onitsha Seaport, among others, and pleased with government to mount CCTVs at Upper Iweka and other entry points, to encourage investors to come in.

They also advocated the establishment of integrated trade platform, facilitated by the state, provision of incentives for more people to go into industrialization, creation of a contributory scheme for manufacturers for greater impact, among others as the way forward.

From the foregoing, despite the numerous benefits that state government support for exportation can offer, there are also a number of challenges that need to be overcome. One of the biggest challenges is the risk of creating market distortions. If certain businesses or industries receive more support than others, this can create an uneven playing field and lead to market inefficiencies.

Another challenge is the extent to which state governments are able to properly evaluate the success of their support programs. While it may be possible to track the number of businesses that receive financial assistance or participate in trade missions, it can be much harder to determine the long-term impact of these programs on businesses, the economy, and broader societal goals such as sustainable development.

Finally, there is a risk that state government's support for exportation can lead to a reliance on external markets, at the expense of developing local industries and markets. It is actually very good that the government of Anambra State currently emphasizing on production within the state and environs.

In conclusion, notwithstanding these challenges, state government support for exportation is likely to remain an important driver of economic growth. With the global market becoming increasingly competitive, businesses need all the support they can get to expand their reach and access new markets overseas.

Anambra state government can play an important role in facilitating this process, by providing financial assistance, undertaking regulatory reform, and organising trade missions to foreign markets. The Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, ANSIPPA should truly be a one-stop-shop for potential investors. Through these efforts, government can help businesses to overcome the barriers to exportation and build strong relationships with customers and partners overseas.

It is imperative to note that as we move into an increasingly interconnected and globalised world, state governments that invest in exportation support will be well-positioned to reap the benefits of expanded trade and economic growth. By helping businesses to expand their international trade, state governments can create new opportunities for jobs, innovation, and investment, while strengthening their local economies for generations to come. Ndị Anambra, this is the trend that will potentially work and Anambra State under Governor Soludo is on course.