Saturday, March 4, 2023

2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria: Delusions of Grandeur of Peter Obi, Chimamanda and the Obidients

2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria: Delusions of Grandeur of Peter Obi, Chimamanda and the Obidients 

The followers of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) need a reality check for their bloated political Delusions of Grandeur for his victory in the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

Making the loudest noise does not mean you are making sense.

Emotional immaturity, intellectual insecurity and political hypocrisy  of majority of them are glaring from their widely circulated lies of demagogy and now worsened by the intellectual hypocrisy of the celebrated Nigerian novelist and feminist, Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie who is misinforming the ignorant foreign news media on the current affairs in Nigeria. She has been posing and posturing in conceit and deceit to show Peter Obi as a new political personality. A lie.



She has known him since he became the Governor of Anambra State in South eastern Nigeria from March to November 2006, February to May 2007, and June 2007 to March 2014 as a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and later decamped to the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in 2014.

He was in the PDP when the party lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 presidential election.

He was a leading member of corrupt and incompetent administration of the former President Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP that failed to tackle the insurgency of the Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in northern Nigeria and failed to rescue the unfortunate  hundreds of Chibok secondary school girls abducted by Boko Haram in April, 2014.

On 12 October 2018, Peter Obi became  the running mate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2019 presidential election and they lost to the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Oluyemi Osinbajo of the APC.

When Peter Obi was in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan,  Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie rejected the national honour given to her by the Nigerian government. 

She and Obi are from the same Anambra State and of the same Catholic Church.

In May 2022, Obi became the Labour Party nominee for President of Nigeria in the 2023 presidential election, after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Living in denial of the truth is foolishness.

It is delusional for the followers and supporters of Peter Obi to claim that he won the 2023 presidential election held on February 25 as the presidential candidate of the dysfunctional Labour Party (LP) without formal functional offices in the 36 states and federal capital of Abuja.

During the last presidential election in 2019, LP had only 5, 074 votes nationwide for the presidential candidate Alhaji Muhammed Usman Zaki and his running mate, Chief Ezekiel Akpan.

LP has had only one state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who ran successfully as Governor of Ondo State under the banner of the LP for a period of two terms (2009-2017). Then he returned to the PDP in 2021. 


Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu achieved more than all the state governors combined as the Governor of Lagos State from 1999 - 2007.

He made Lagos attractive to FDI.

His economic blue print made Lagos the 4th biggest economy in Africa: the Startups capital of Africa and with the most Unicorns and attracted Binance, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the world.

Majority of people attacking the APC do not understand the indices of human capacity development and achievements of Nigeria under the government of the APC.

Over 10 million new jobs have been created since the administration of the APC came to power in 2015.

Most of the jobs have been created in Lagos.

Lagos is the best and safest state to do business in Nigeria.

The economic development master.plan of Bola Tinubu, include the Eko Atlantic City; the Lekki Port Project, a $1.5 billion  project to develop Lekki port in Lagos. 

The acceleration of any ecosystem depends on the environment.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu made Lagos the best place to do business in SubSaharan Africa.

Achievements of the Administration of the APC

Majority of the supporters of Peter Obi are ignorant of the unprecedented achievements of Nigeria under the dynamic economic policies of the administration of the APC since 2015 - 2023.


The booming fintech sector created more than 2 million jobs from the POS vendors on every street to those trading on the internet with over 300,000 online traders.

There were over 41 million micro-enterprises in Nigeria in 2017, which represented over 99 percent of the micro. And the numbers have increased.

Number of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria in 2017.

For more details, contact Sylva Ifedigbo

Head, Clients and Markets Development, PwC Nigeria

https://www.pwc.com/ng/en/events/nigeria-sme-survey.html

$256 billion: The total sum of money Nigerians transferred electronically in 2019.

Digital payments in Nigeria have surged more than fivefold since 2014, hitting 105 trillion naira ($256 billion) by 2019. This rise was partially fueled by companies like Flutterwave and Paystack, which developed easy-to-use payment solutions for individuals and businesses.

This is why it wasn’t a surprise when U.S. payments giant Stripe paid over $200 million to acquire Paystack in October 2020, or Tiger Global valued Flutterwave at over $1 billion in March. Others are also getting involved: The Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement Scheme (NIBSS) and Interswitch have developed infrastructure like real-time transfers that fintechs rely on.

https://restofworld.org/2021/five-nigeria-fintech-stats/#/256-billion-the-total

All these unprecedented achievements happened during the administration of the APC with the visionary leadership of President Muhammad Buhari and tech savvy Vice President Oluyemi Osinbajo.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-jjMBCgthM

The acceleration of any ecosystem depends on the environment.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu made Lagos the best place to do business in SubSaharan Africa.

Hundreds of thousands of Igbos did not come out to vote on Saturday, February 25, because of their fear of attacks by different fringe elements of the separatist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

 that threatened to enforce the Sit-At-Home order declared by the Simon Ekpa-led faction of IPOB that the 2023 general elections will not take place in the South East geo-political zone of the country.

Peter Obi has not condemned the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and this has implications for his presidential ambition, because majority of Muslims and others, especially non+Igbos who are against the breakup of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will not vote for him.

It is even unbelievable that Peter Obi defeated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos State, the home state of the presidential candidate of the APC! 

Wherever the LP won, they were happy and even claimed that they should have won more votes than the national ruling party of the incumbent administration of the Nigerian government. 

How can you claim you have won in more states than the APC that has been ruling the federal government since 2015 to date; with 22 governors in 22 states of the 36 states in Nigeria; majority of Senators in the Senate; majority of members in the House of Representatives and the Houses of Assembly in the 36 states with functional offices in all the states and in Abuja.

Peter Obi and the Labour Party cannot win the presidential election in more states than the national ruling party. 

Peter Obi actually exploited the gullibility and political naivety of majority of Nigerians by widespread defamation of the personality of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and labelling the APC as an evil political party and lied that the APC has failed in the administration of the federal government. They deliberately ignored the outstanding achievements of the APC since 2015 to date. 

The Labour Party accused the APC of rigging the presidential election. But I have a video showing the LP rigging the election. 

They lied by calling Peter Obi "Mr. Clean" and incorruptible politician. But Peter Obi was linked to the misappropriations of funds by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when he was a leading member of the former national ruling party, People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, the MD of Fidelity Bank was arrested by the EFCC and he told his interrogators that he was under instructions from Peter Obi, believed to be one of the owners of the bank, to go to former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Alison-Madueke’s residence in Abuja for a “financial transaction that could benefit the bank.”

Peter Obi was once the Chairman and is a major stakeholder in Fidelity Bank.

He is among those named in the Pandora Papers for international financial crimes in illicit foreign assets.

PANDORA PAPERS: Inside Peter Obi’s secret businesses — and how he broke the law

Peter Obi serially violated the law by failing to declare to the Code of Conduct Bureau the companies and assets he tucked away in secrecy havens.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_Papers

Read the following for more details on the consequences of foreign illicit assets.

This Act governs the freezing, confiscation and restitution of assets held by foreign politically exposed persons or their close associates, where there is reason to assume that those assets were acquired through acts of corruption, criminal mismanagement or by other felonies.16 Aug 2016

https://www.unodc.org › 201...

PDF

Foreign Illicit Assets Act (FIAA) of 18 December 2015

The IMF and the Fight Against Illicit Financial Flows

Illicit and tax avoidance related financial flows (ITAFF) can have a significant impact on the economic stability of a country and

https://www.imf.org/en/About/Factsheets/Sheets/2023/Fight-against-illicit-financial-flows

It is really baffling that Chimamanda Ngozi-Adichie would endorse such a character, because they are from the same tribe and church when she should know that suspects in similar situations in the United States of America would have been on trial for their crimes and not contesting for public office.

#Nigeria

#nigeriandecides2023

#NigerianDecides

#presidentialelection 

#President 

#Tinubu

#Atiku 

#PeterObi 

#NnamdiKanu

#kwakwanso

#Chimamanda

#Obidients

#Igbos

#IPOB



 

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

February 25, 2023 Elections: The Beginning of a New Nigeria

February 25, 2023 Elections: The Beginning of a New Nigeria

Only Patriotic Nigerians Are Celebrating the Victory of Democracy

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the national ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria that was held on Saturday, February 25.  He defeated Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, People's Democratic Party (PDP) and presidential candidates of other political parties. 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday, March 1st, 2023 presented the certificate of return to the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu in Abuja.

*AN ELECTION...*

An election that has turned Lagos from APC to another party other than PDP;

An election in which El-rufai could not deliver Kaduna;

An election in which Ganduje could not deliver Kano;

An election where Labour Party won in Nassarawa;

An election where atleast 7 popular incubent governors lost their bid for the Senate despite spending massively, to "nobodys" who barely spent anything;

An election where an Okada man and a driver have been reported to have won a seat in the Federal House of Representatives;

An election where the son of a nobody has finally been able to become somebody without the help of anybody;

Yet, you want to rubbish that election?

Because we didn't reverse it all completely?

How do we not see that THE CITIZENS have won already?!

How can we not see that the will of a people has prevailed over established political "structures"!

How can we not see that this is a MASSIVE win for democracy, and then plan to build on this even if the overall result doesn't fall as desired?

How can we not see that this is indeed the first election that the voice of the people has really mattered and has officially killed the age long narrative that *votes don't count*?

Shouldn't we start to celebrate this massive win for Nigeria;
Knowing it's the beginning of massive things to come?

Knowing that something has shifted and true change beckons?

Will blood on the streets be the only indication of change? And what guarantees does that offer?

Do we not see, that what happens from here is the most important thing?

Do we not see that how we build from here, is what matters most?

Do we not yet understand that anger is NOT a strategy and doesn't exactly produce the right result, but it is only an emotion
which, if channelled postively, should birth the right strategies?

Do we not yet see that we have achieved for the first time what has been impossible since the rebirth of our democracy in 1999?!

Are we so blinded by unguided passion that we will rather throw out the baby with the bathwater?

And cannot see that a massive thing just occured?

How many of you calling for blood on the street, is truly ready and willing to shed his/her blood?

Have we not  checked history?

Have we not seen that those that died for change still did not fast forward the process of change?

For change still happened completely, ONLY in the process of time.

Can we therefore not see the massive step we have already taken?

And for those shouting, "The violent shall take it by force";

Did you not read your reference completely to understand that violence is the language of KINGDOMS and not DEMOCRACIES?

What exactly do we want?

Outside of the bandwagon mentality and somewhat unguided passion, have we truly defined what we want?

Every election Nigeria has had from 1999, with the exception of NONE, has been marred with protests, disenfranchisement of voters, and violence of massive proportions!

This election is not different, neither is it unique in that regard!

Some of the "tipexing" and "record changing"  we have seen, which gives us the illusion that something  monumentally wrong happened this time around, has actually been happening in much worse dimensions since 1999.

The only difference which we can't seem to appreciate is that for the first time, we have now been given a system in BVAS, that will shine light on whatever happens in the backend, and therefore, for the first time in our democratic history, the average citizen has been given eyes behind the scenes!

What a WIN!!!

All of this, therefore, makes this
election, the "closest" to CREDIBLE, or if you like, the closest to REALITY that we have ever had!

The pointers are littered all over the results we see!

We must really learn to separate things and not muddle them up with emotions.

We must be sincere enough with ourselves, to know when we have stopped fighting for our country and are just now performing for our individual egos and straddling the lines of arrogance.

If there be any grievances as would legitimately be expected, should we not then go through the established legal framework to address same?

NIGERIA HAS WON!

This election shows that much!

This victory, however, is a continium;

And in our lifetime, we will enjoy the fullness of it!

- *'Laolu Alabi*
February 2023








Monday, February 27, 2023

Afro Nation Portugal 2023 announces the addition of main stage headliners Wizkid and Davido

Afro Nation
 
PRESS RELEASE
Afro Nation Portugal 2023 announces the addition of main stage headliners Wizkid and Davido
… as well as more new names including Little Simz, Popcaan and Focalistic


Access Multimedia Content

PORTIMAO, Portugal, February 27, 2023/ -- Afro Nation Portugal 2023 (www.AfroNation.com) announces the addition of main stage headliners 
Wizkid and Davido, as well as more new names including Little Simz
Popcaan
and Focalistic - all joining the world’s biggest lineup of Afrobeats and Amapaino this summer.

Returning to the beautiful Portimao beach on 28-30th June, Afro Nation has a star-studded line up already boasting the likes of Burna Boy50 CentBooba, Aya NakamuraFireboy DMLAsakeArya StarrBlack Sherif, Oxlade, Dadju and Ms Banks to name a few. Now the Star Boy himself joins the party once again. With his silky voice and irresistible beats, the Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum-selling global superstar 
Wizkid heads to Afro Nation Portugal to perform countless hits including ‘Essence’, ‘Mighty Wine’ and ‘Blessed’ for the adoring crowds.

Wizkid has recently joined fellow Afro Nation Portugal 2023 headliner Burna Boy, in becoming the first African artists to take on UK Stadium headline shows in 2023. Wizkid’s ‘More Love, Less Ego’ tour is taking the artist to new heights just two years after his record-breaking sell out London O2 Arena shows on the ‘Made In Lagos’ tour - which The Evening Standard described as “a triumph for African music’s increasingly globalised reach”.

Davido, meanwhile, has built a reputation as one of the most exciting and innovative artists in the Nigerian music scene, known for his infectious hooks and equally infectious onstage energy. With his return to the stage highly anticipated this summer, expect another crowning moment with the audience singing along to every word, as the feel-good party king dishes up all his hits like ‘Fall’, ‘If’ and ‘Skelewu’.

BRIT Award-winning lyricist Little Simz also heads out to the Algarve, to ignite the crowd with hits from her groundbreaking new albums ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’ and ‘NO THANK YOU’, along with her classic tunes like ‘Venom’, ‘101FM’ and ‘Boss’. Always fearless and thought-provoking, Simz has been collecting accolade after accolade in recent years and next up is another moment to savour as she makes her Afro Nation debut. The iconic dancehall legend Popcaan will also be pulling up to Portugal this summer to heat things up with his most sizzling anthems like ‘Only Man She Want’, ‘Party Shot’ and ‘When You Wine Like That’.

And that’s not all. Another one of Amapiano’s finest Focalistic is announced as a leading name on this year’s Piano People stage, off the back of his London headline show at the start of this month. 
Kamo MphelaFelo Ła TeeSir Trill and Skyla Tylaa will also be appearing alongside countless South African stars, such as previously announced headliners Scorpion Kings, Major League DJz and Uncle Waffles, and so many DJs and artists behind the world’s most exciting sounds right now. Powerhouse Musa Keys, popular singer Young Stunna, celebrated queen of genre DBN Gogo, trailblazer Vigro Deep, “future ghetto punk” superstar Moonchild Sanelly and many more will all be bringing the heat and stirring up the sand with all the latest moves this June.

Day Splits for Afro Nation Portugal 2023 have also been announced today, with Burna Boy, Aya Nakamura and Popcaan opening the show on 28th June, Wizkid, Little Simz and Asake performing on the 29th June and 50 Cent, Davido, Booba and Fireboy DML providing the final fireworks on 30th June.

"We are excited to welcome Wizkid, Davido, Little Simz, Popcaan, Focalistic and more to Afro Nation Portugal 2023," said Afro Nation Portugal organisers. "These artists represent the very best of African music and culture, and we can't wait to see them perform on our beautiful beach stage. With so many incredible acts on the lineup, this is shaping up to be the summer’s most unmissable party, and our best festival yet."

Following a momentous return to West Africa for Afro Nation Ghana during “Detty December” and a landmark show in Puerto Rico in April 2022, the very first Afro Nation on mainland North America arrives this year. The 2 day debut will see Burna Boy, Wizkid, Rema, Asake, Beenie Man and more landing in the Sunshine State of Florida between 27th - 28th May, for Afro Nation Miami 2023.

Afro Nation has become a must-attend event since its 2019 debut in Portugal. The rapid growth of the festival, which is now hosting events on sites of cultural significance across three continents, is a testament to the power of uniting the diaspora and showcasing the best of African music and culture. With this explosive lineup to come, and the stunning Portuguese sun that you can always rely on, Afro Nation Portugal is set to draw in crowds from the UK, right across Europe, Africa, and beyond, for another unifying and joyful celebration of Black music, dancing, food and good vibes.

Afro Nation Portugal 2023 Second Wave Line Up (new additions in bold):

Wednesday 28th June:

Burna Boy, Aya Nakamura, Popcaan, Ayra Starr, Oxlade, The Compozers, Nelson Freitas, Nissi, Camidoh

Thursday 29th June:

WizkidLittle Simz, Asake, Tayc, BNXN, Black Sherif, Victony, Ms Banks, Tyla

Friday 30th June:

50 Cent, Davido, Booba, Fireboy DML, Vegedream, Gabzy, Sauti Sol, Gyakie, Soraia Ramos

Piano People Stage:

Scorpion Kings, Major League DJz, Uncle Waffles, FocalisticKamo Mphela, Musa Keys, DBN Gogo, Young Stunna, Felo Ła Tee, Daliwonga, Tyler ICU, Sha Sha, Vigro Deep, Moonchild Sanelly, Sir Trill, TXC, Pabi Cooper, Boohle, Charisse C, Nicky Summers, Skyla Tylaa, DJ Fistoz

Hosts & DJs:

Eddie Kadi, Shopsydoo, Xavier, Captain Lulaz, P Montana, Dj Sogood, Mercedes Benson, DJ Dollar

Plus more to be announced!

BBC Radio 1Xtra is the official media partner for Afro Nation Portugal.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afro Nation.
 
Editor’s Notes:
Afro Nation Portugal
 2023 will take place between 28-30th June 2023 on Praia Da Rocha Beach, Portimao, The Algarve.

Tickets:
All tickets are be available via: www.AfroNation.com

Download hi res photo highlights from Afro Nation Portugal 2022 here: 
https://apo-opa.info/3KGURuB

Watch the Afro Nation Portugal 2022 Official Aftermovie:
https://apo-opa.info/3mc7JyB

Tickets for Afro Nation Portugal 2023 are available at: https://apo-opa.info/3Y5HJST

PR/Press Enquiries:
For all press enquiries please contact:
marie@apo-opa.com

Follow Afro Nation:
Instagram: https://apo-opa.info/3ZoB8nD
Twitter: https://apo-opa.info/41tKG2A
Facebook: https://apo-opa.info/3kA9lSv
www.AfroNation.com

SOURCE
Afro Nation


Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha Reelected for the House of Representatives

HON. PRINCESS MIRIAM ONUOHA DEFEATS OTHER CONTESTANTS TO WIN OKIGWE NORTH HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION

The Electorate in Okigwe North have finally made their choice in Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha through the polls in the just concluded General Elections for the House of Representatives. This portends that the incumbent lawmaker will continue her responsibility as the legislator representing Isiala Mbano, Onuimo and Okigwe Local Government Areas at the Green Chamber till 2027.

The preferred candidate of APC won the election with resounding margin to floor other contestants in a suspense ridden competition that finally gave her Victory.  Hon. Princess Miriam really deserved the victory, having done so well in her first tenure at effecting meaningful changes in the vicinity.

Congratulations 👏👏👏🎉!

© Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha PR/Media Team

Sunday, February 26, 2023

How to Watch the Political Hysteria of the Presidential Election in Nigeria

How to watch the political hysteria of the presidential election in Nigeria.

The Youngest Voter in the History of Democracy Discovered in Nigeria

The youngest voter in the history of democracy discovered in Nigeria during the 2023 presidential election on February 25. The Guinness Book of Records will like to celebrate him and interview him on CNN. 



Wow! He is so cute!

#Nigeria

#Democracy
#voters
#NigeriaDecides2023
#NigeriaDecides
#presidentialelection
#elections
#Nigerianelections
#politics
#CNN
#youngest
#Guinness
#book
#worldrecord


Thursday, February 23, 2023

Peter Obi and the Political Realities of the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria

Peter Obi and the Political Realities of the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria

Millions of Igbos will not vote for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the presidential election on Saturday February 25, 2023, even though he is the preferred choice of majority of Igbos among his fellow Igbo presidential candidates of the other political parties. 

Living in denial of the facts on the political realities in Nigeria is sheer stupidity. Because, these realities will determine the outcome of the presidential election. 

There are 371 ethnic groups in the most populous country in Africa; the largest of which are the Yoruba, Hausa and the Igbo. These ethnic groups consist of multiple tribes enumerating up to 371 with about 500 languages.

Majority of non-Igbos don't like Igbos; especially the non-Igbo ethnic groups in Edo State, Delta State, Rivers State, Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State, because of the wickedness of the Igbos during the Nigerian civil war from 1967-1970.

They have not forgotten their agonies under the defunct Republic of Biafra before their liberation by the victorious Nigerian Armed Forces.

Igbos Have Ruled Nigeria As President, Military Head Of State And Senate

Only those who don't know the political history of Nigeria will say that the Igbo tribe has been marginalized or deprived of the political leadership of Nigeria. Because the Igbos have had it all even before the Independence of Nigeria from the British Empire on October 1, 1960.

The Right Honourable: Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe was the third and first ever Nigerian Governor-General of Nigeria; the representative of the Monarch of the United Kingdom in Colonial Nigeria and the Nigerian Head of State from 16 November 1960 – 1 October 1963.

Nnamdi Benjamin Azikiwe, PC (16 November 1904 – 11 May 1996), popularly known as "Zik of Africa", was a Nigerian statesman and political leader who served as the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966.

Preceded by

Position established (Elizabeth II

(as Queen of Nigeria))

Succeeded by

Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi

3rd Governor-General of Nigeria

In office

16 November 1960 – 1 October 1963

Monarch

Elizabeth II

Preceded by

James Robertson

Succeeded by

Position abolished

1st President of the Senate of Nigeria

In office

1 January 1960 – 1 October 1960

Preceded by

Position established

Succeeded by

Chief Dennis Osadebay

Gen. Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi MVO, MBE (3 March 1924 – 29 July 1966) was the first Military Head of State of Nigeria.

The Igbos have had more Presidents of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria than any other tribe in Nigeria since 1960 to date.

Senate Presidents of Nigeria

Senate President Term Party

Nnamdi Azikiwe 1960 NCNC

Dennis Osadebay

1960–1963 NCNC

Nwafor Orizu

1963–1966 NCNC

Evan Enwerem

1999 PDP

Chuba Okadigbo

1999–2000 PDP

Anyim Pius Anyim

2000–2003 PDP

Adolphus Wabara

2003–2005 PDP

Ken Nnamani

2005–2007 PDP

The Igbos should stop all their brouhaha over the Office of the President of Nigeria. They have been more favoured in the national leadership of Nigeria than the other tribes.

There are millions of Igbos who will not vote for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), because of the Inter-tribal conflicts and rivalries among Igbos.

Igbos in the Delta State don't like Igbos in the south eastern states

Igbos from Abia don't like those in Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra.

There are deep rooted ethnic rivalries among Igbos.

The 2023 presidential election is a sort of Referendum of the Igbos who want the restoration of their defunct Republic of Biafra and the Igbos who want to belong to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Peter Obi and Nnamdi Kanu.

It is a contest for the leadership of the Igbos between Peter Obi and the detained Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB.

True members and supporters of IPOB will not vote in the presidential election and other elections in Nigeria.

Because, it is betrayal of the mission of IPOB to participate in Nigerian elections for the sovereignty of Nigeria.

Hundreds of thousands of Igbos will not come out to vote on Saturday, February 25, because of the fear of attacks by different fringe elements of IPOB that will enforce the Sit-At-Home order declared by the Simon Ekpa-led faction of IPOB that the 2023 general elections will not take place in the South East geo-political zone of the country.

Peter Obi has not condemned the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and this has implications for his presidential ambition, because majority of Muslims and others, especially non-Igbos who are against the breakup of the Federal Republic of Nigeria will not vote for him.



Monday, February 20, 2023

Content Creators Earn More on Blogger Than TikTok

Content Creators Earn More on Blogger Than TikTok

Monetizing a blog with Google AdSense or another advertising platform may provide earnings of about $2 to $5 per 1,000 page views.

 A blog that receives 10,000 views per day may generate about $20 to $50 in income.- 16 December, 2022.

TikTok pays around $0.02 and $0.04 for every 1,000 views. These are reports based on payments received through the TikTok Creator Fund. 

This is a program that TikTok introduced in 2021 in a bid to compensate content creators.

There are content creators making thousands of dollars monthly on Blogger from sponsored posts and adverts on their blogs.

As a publisher, you will get 68 percent of the click amount (and 51 percent when it comes to Google AdSense for search). The commission you will receive depends mainly on the competition as well as CPC in a niche. In most cases, the commission per click will range between $0.20 and $15.30 

- August, 2022.

Meta should pay content creators on Facebook and Instagram.

My premier blog on Blogger, Nigerians Report Online has over 200, 000 pageviews monthly and should be making from $5, 000 - $10, 000 monthly. But I have not really monetized it. 70 percent of the viewers are located in the United States of America. 

#Bogger
#TikTok
#YouTube
#Google
#AdSense
#Meta
#Facebook
#CPC
#views
#adverts
#monetization

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Poetry in Motion Picture


One of the best scenes from my documentary film, "Lagos in Motion".

Featuring two of the most beautiful actresses in #Nollywood, international beauty pageant queen @celinaideh and @nunuojong at the Elegushi beach in #Lekki during the first phase of the principal photography in 2016.



I call my style of filmmaking, "Poetry in Motion Picture".

Filmmaking is the art of storytelling in motion picture.
The Art of filmmaking is the horse pulling the cart which is the craft of filmmaking.
Not every filmmaker is an artist.
The greatest filmmakers are artists.
Ask James Cameron.
Ask Steven Spielberg.
Ask Spike Lee.
Ask Francis Ford Coppola
Ask Quentin Tarantino
Ask Woody Allen
Ask Oliver Stone
Ask Clint Eastwood
Ask Martin Scorsese
Ask Sofia Coppola
Ask Sir Steve Rodney McQueen and coming home to Nigeria:
Ask Dr. Ola Balogun
Ask Femi Odugbemi
Ask CJ "Fiery" Obasi.

#filmmakers
#Filmmaking
#art
#poetry
#horse
#cart
#motionpicture
#Lagos
#Lekki
#elegushibeach
#documentaryfilm
#documentary
#photography
#cinematography
#Nollywood
#spielberg
#coppola
#tarantino
#scorsese
#spikelee
#jamescameron
#clinteastwood
#stevemcqueen
#woodyallen
#sofiacoppola

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
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Thursday, February 16, 2023

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria : Citizens’ Participation in Good Governance in Nigeria

 


Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)
PRESS RELEASE
Citizens’ Participation in Good Governance in Nigeria
The Catholic Church continues to insist that government has a constitutional and statutory duty of protecting human rights and securing basic justice for all
ABUJA, Nigeria, February 16, 2023/ -- A Communiqué issued at the end of the First Plenary Meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) at the CSN Resource Centre, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, 11 to 17 February 2023.

1. PREAMBLE

We, the Catholic Bishops of Nigeria, held our First Plenary Meeting for the year at the CSN Resource Centre, Catholic Secretariat of Nigeria, Durumi, Abuja, from 11 to 17 of February 2023. Having prayerfully reflected on issues affecting the Church and the Nigerian State, we now issue this Communiqué:

2. INDICES OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

The Catholic Church continues to insist that government has a constitutional and statutory duty of protecting human rights and securing basic justice for all. Society, as a whole, is responsible for building up the common good, and the role of government is to guarantee the minimum conditions that make human rights and justice possible. If the primary purpose of party campaigns is to win elections, then the justifiable end is good governance.

Chapter IV of our Constitution on Fundamental Rights is very clear on what constitutes an aspect of good governance, namely, protection of the rights to life, human dignity, liberty, fair hearing, and so on. Despite the many failures of our leaders to ensure good governance, we still nurture and sustain the hope of a democracy that will usher in a renewed era of social justice, equity, peace, and prosperity. These fundamental rights are further enhanced in the rights that are enshrined in Chapter II of our Constitution, such as the rights to health, education, basic amenities, et cetera. Unfortunately, these rights are not justiciable and cannot be enforced in the law courts, thereby leaving the enjoyment of these rights to the whims and caprices of the people in power. As shepherds, we call for a legislative review of Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution, in such a way as to make the provisions justiciable and enforceable. This will go a long way to nurture and sustain good governance.

3. SOME CHALLENGES FACING OUR COUNTRY

i) Worsening Insecurity in our Nation

Increased insecurity has continued to haunt our nation. The Boko Haram insurgents, herdsmen militia, bandits, and the so-called unknown gunmen have continued to unleash terror in different parts of the country. Some communities have been sacked and their inhabitants displaced as a result of the activities of some criminals and some government security agents. Hundreds of lives have been lost in very brutal circumstances and many more have been maimed. Some of our Church personnel have been victims of abduction and killing. Kidnapping for ransom is on the increase such that nowhere seems safe. Highways, homes, and even the sacred precincts of worshipping centres are not spared. We condole with all the bereaved and pray for the eternal repose of the deceased. While we continue to call on governments to stand up to their primary responsibility of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, we enjoin all to strengthen security measures in their homes and institutions. We call on all citizens to be law-abiding, and vigilant, and to shun all forms of violence and criminality.

ii) The Challenging Economy in our Nation and its Effects on the Citizens

Our crumbling national economy has continued to make life difficult and hard for our people. As the value of the Naira continues to decline, the high cost of goods and services, including food items, continues to soar. Still more, the flawed implementation of the cash swap policy, which resulted in a cash crunch, has added to the ordeal, hunger, anger, and frustration of the people. Again, on account of the persisting fuel scarcity, our people spend many hours in long queues under harsh conditions trying to buy fuel at exorbitant prices. As a result of high unemployment and hard-biting economic conditions, many of our brothers and sisters wallow in abject poverty, and many either flee the nation in search of better living conditions or resort to crime and begging to survive. This situation is further compounded by the growing debt burden that is mortgaging our future and that of upcoming generations. We, therefore, urge Federal Government and its relevant agencies to immediately increase the circulation of new Naira notes and make and implement adequate monetary and other relevant policies that will reduce the suffering and hardship experienced by our people. We admonish those who collaborate in hoarding the new currency and petroleum products to desist from such a dastardly act. We laud the citizens for their bravery in the face of the hard situation while we thank the President for approving the extended use of the old N200 notes. Furthermore, governments need to provides enabling environment for the creation of more jobs by both the government and the private sector.

4. CITIZENS’ PARTICIPATION AND GOOD CHOICES

Participation is at the core of the realization of the common good, which good governance serves. Indeed, citizens’ participation is a key element of a good governance structure. We, the Bishops, have continued to voice out the need for Nigerians to be more involved and be part of the decisions over what happens in our society. As enshrined in various sections of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, the right to political participation is a human right. The Church teaches that responsible citizenship is a virtue and participation in the political process is a moral obligation (CCC, nos. 1913-1915).

One of the potent instruments of participation in the political life of a country is the choice of its leaders. In the face of the daunting challenges facing our nation, we should not give in to hopelessness and despair, or compromise our values in such a manner as to come up with leaders who are neither intended by God nor truly elected by the people. We, as citizens, must learn to make the right choices for good governance to thrive and be sustained. We, therefore, urge one and all to be more conscious of the kind of choices that they make in their life, especially, as we approach another critical period in our political history.

5.  THE GENERAL ELECTIONS 2023

The 2023 General Elections are around the corner. As we wrote in our recent Pastoral Letter on the 2023 Elections in Nigeria, “these upcoming elections provide us with yet another opportunity in our national history to choose leaders capable of governing for the common good” (p.1). This is now the time to reject evil, greater or lesser, and wisely choose good and capable candidates at all levels. Our votes are precious; we must use them well. We encourage all eligible citizens to come out en masse to vote for God-fearing, honest, vibrant, and transparent leaders for a better Nigeria.

We urge the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and its officials to ensure that their conducts in the entire electoral process are transparent, honest, and beyond reproach. We continue to enjoin the Commission to make sure that the newly adopted technologies for accreditation, transmission, and collation, are transparently and sincerely deployed and not manipulated to give false results.  We equally call on the law enforcement agents, whose primary duty is to enforce law and order and ensure the protection of persons and materials during the elections, to efficiently and professionally carry out their responsibilities without fear, favour, or partiality. In the same manner, we advise our youths not to allow themselves to be used as thugs and agents of disruption and violence before, during, and after the elections. We, at the same time, enjoin voters to ensure that proper counting is done before the transmission of the results.

One ugly and unfortunate phenomenon that has characterized the electoral contests in our nation is that of vote buying and selling, aimed at frustrating and compromising the free choice of the people. We vehemently continue to condemn this practice and urge all politicians and the electorate to avoid this unlawful and sinful practice and embrace the values of human dignity, integrity, and decency in order to have free, fair, and credible elections. We acknowledge the important role of both national and international observers in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process and the promotion of its greater openness and transparency. We call on all those engaged in this task to eschew every trace of bias and partisanship in discharging their duties.

The Judiciary is an important institution in the settlement of electoral disputes in our nation. The significance of this role has continued to rise to the point that it seems no election is complete and determined without the pronouncement of the courts. Unfortunately, this role sometimes results in the abuse of judicial power and office wherein unconscionable orders are made, which mock the electoral process and the general will of the electorate. No doubt, this not only compromises the essence of democratic competition but also leads to loss of confidence in the Judiciary. We, therefore, encourage all judges and lawyers to, once again see themselves as ministers in the temple of truth and justice, and work to make the Judiciary the ‘last hope of the common man’.

6. THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN GOOD GOVERNANCE

The media have a crucial role to play in entrenching good and democratic governance, by providing the necessary information that empowers the citizens not only to engage the political class in debates on the issues that affect their lives, but also, to exercise their democratic choices and make informed decisions about public issues (Inter Mirifica, nn.3-5; Communio et Progressio, n. 87). The Media also function as watchdog by engaging in investigative journalism, which holds political officials and the citizens accountable in the use of public patrimony (Aetatis Novae, n. 14, par. 2). We call on the Media practitioners and owners, not only to seek but to speak the truth with a clear conscience, desisting from the sensational journalism presently being promoted, largely through fake news, violence, inflammatory and divisive remarks. We also urge all citizens to be very discerning and circumspect about news being peddled in the social media. (Pope Francis, Letter to SIGNIS, the World Catholic Association for Communications, 2022). Furthermore, we call upon Governments at all levels to ensure free and independent media that will help to achieve good governance and responsible citizenship.

7. NEWS FROM THE CHURCH

We thank God for the successful visits of the Holy Father to the Democratic Republic of Congo, (31 January to 3 February 2023) and South Sudan (3 to 5 February 2023). We hope and pray that these visits will have lasting impact not only on these two nations but on the entire African Continent. In the same vein, we pray for an end to the war in Ukraine and other parts of the world.  We equally pray for the victims of the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria. With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we remember our Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, who passed on 31 December 2022 and was laid to rest on 6 January 2023. May he continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen.

Since our last Plenary Meeting in Orlu, Imo State, in September 2022, the Church in Nigeria has been blessed with two additional Diocesan Bishops, Most Rev. Michael Kalu Ukpong, Umuahia Diocese (installed on 2 February 2023) and Most Rev. Anthony Ovayero Ewherido, Warri Diocese (ordained and installed on 9 February 2023). We felicitate with them and pray for the grace to shepherd the flock of God entrusted to their pastoral care. In the same vein, we thank the Holy Father for creating Wukari Diocese on 14 December 2022 and congratulate Msgr. Mark Maigida Nzukwein, appointed as its pioneer Bishop. We look forward to his Episcopal Ordination on 13 April 2023. We equally received with joy, the most recent announcement of the Creation of Aguleri Diocese with Most Reverend Denis Chidi Isizoh as its first Bishop. Furthermore, we rejoice with Most Rev. Peter Kayode Odetoyinbo and the entire Faithful of Abeokuta Diocese on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of the Erection of their Diocese. Likewise, we are grateful to God for Most. Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins, Metropolitan Archbishop of Lagos, and the pioneer Bishop of Abeokuta, who recently clocked 25 years in the Episcopate.

8. CONCLUSION: PRAYING FOR FREE, FAIR, AND PEACEFUL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

Providentially, the General Elections 2023 fall within the Season of Lent, which summons us all to repent of our sins, to retreat from our evil ways, and to amend our personal and corporate lives (Matthew 6:1-8; 16-18).  Prominent in the Season of Lent is the demand for more intense prayer, and fasting not only from food and drink but also from the evils that destroy human and social life.  In the spirit of the season, we continue to pray as we say: God our Father, grant us the wisdom to identify what is good and the courage to make the right choices.  As we keep our eyes open and our minds alert, inspire in us the will to vote solely for the common good of our nation; fill our electoral umpires with the spirit of patriotism, justice, and fairness; enable us to embrace and usher in a new dawn in our country Nigeria, where citizens’ participation becomes the hallmark of institutional accountability and economic emancipation.  We pray God to bless us with leaders with integrity and nobility while we hope and work for a brighter, more peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.  Mother Mary, Queen of Nigeria, intercede for us. Amen.

Most Rev. Lucius Iwejuru UGORJI                   
Archbishop of Owerri                                                                                                                        
President, CBCN         

Most Rev. Donatus A. OGUN, OSA
Bishop of Uromi     
Secretary, CBCN                                                                                                               
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN).

SOURCE
Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN)