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2023: Enugu ADC Guber Candidate Pastor Ozoemena steals show at Mgbidi cultural carnival, woos electorate
By Chuma Austin, Enugu
Strictly, culture can be defined as all the ways of life including arts, beliefs and institutions of a population that passed from generation to generation.
Last Friday, December 30, 2022, the youths of Mgbidi in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State gathered together at Mgbidi Primary School premises to kick-start a cultural revival in the community.
According to John Tochukwu, an indigene of Mgbidi, the cultural carnival was its maiden edition, saying it was primarily held to promote the codes of manners, dress, language, religion, rituals, arts, among others, in the community.
“Mgbidi Youth Cultural Carnival is to showcase the talents of our youths and the culture of the ancient kingdom. There will be a beauty pageant competition as well as an exhibition of indigenous food such as Ona, Ede (cocoyam), Akidi (local beans) in the fun fare”, he told this reporter.
One of the striking features of the Mgbidi Carnival was the glamour brought into it by the Enugu Gubernatorial Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Pastor Donatus Obi Ozoemena.
Amidst pomp and pageantry, Pastor Ozoemena stormed the venue with a message of hope to the youths and the people of the area, saying it is high time the youths took back their state.
Indeed, Pastor Ozoemena stole the show at the event as many people including elders and women, immediately getting the hint of his arrival, started rushing to the venue in their large numbers to have a glimpse of him, a development that gladdened the heart of the ADC flag-bearer.
The Special Assistant to Pastor Ozoemena and Supreme Coordinator of Save Enugu State Now Movement (S-E-S-N-M) Rt. Hon. Okafor Onyeka Cyndian set the ball rolling, introducing the ADC standard bearer to the audience.
Mgbidi Youths at the Cultural Carnival
Cyndian said that actions speak more than words, pointing out that Pastor Ozoemena has demonstrated it with his personal funds.
“Pastor Donatus Obi Ozoemena the Gubernatorial Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has provided food, water and other social facilities to the people of Enugu State even without being in government.
“The on-going S-E-S-N-M football tournament is single-handedly sponsored by Pastor Donatus Obi Ozoemena. He started the youth football tournament in 2019 and discovered talents are plying their trade in Europe and Asia countries
“His Excellency, Pastor Donatus Obi Ozoemena has no godfather or group of scammers to share Enugu State funds. His Excellency, Pastor Ozoemena won his ticket clean while others imposed a ticket to someone who will bring return. His Excellency, Pastor Ozoemena is determined to pull Ndi Enugu state out of poverty which he started already.
True to its bidding, Pastor Ozoemena grabbed the opportunity and delivered a thought-provoking speech that was centred on the need for joint efforts to elect credible leaders in 2023.
Ona, one of the indigenous foods displayed at the Mgbidi Cultural Carnival
Pastor Ozoemena began his message with the life story of his early days in Awgu and Enugu the Enugu State capital, saying that God has been extremely kind to him as he rose to his present status by providence.
“I attended Onoli Community School Awgu, Boys’ Secondary School Awgu and
Government Technical School, Enugu where I majored in Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration. I later went to United States of America (USA) where I furthered my academics in university.
“I am not here as a politician but as your own. I have not been in government but I have the experience to attract foreign investors to Enugu State. I have no experience of stealing public funds.
“I am here today because it is my sincere desire to bring home the things other people in developed countries take for granted.
“We are blessed with great sources and intelligence to create the quality of life our people so desire.
“With great experience I have acquired from the United States of America over a long period of time and joint efforts, we can transform Enugu State and its economy to be one of the best in the world.
“It hurts me seeing our people and our youths in the predicament you have been placed in due to bad leadership. The predicament of lack of hope for future, joblessness are glaring. I am assuring everyone here that with God, there is great hope.
“With joint efforts, we will be happy again. The time is now, your actions and involvement in this great movement will determine our future and even the future of the yet to be born youths and your children.
“I left my comfort zone in America because I was called by God to come home and rescue Enugu State. And it is time for all of us to join hands in creating the kind of change desirable for all of us and our children.
“Enugu State has everything we need to be great. But we need the right leadership to give us what you desire. If elected as governor of Enugu State in 2023, I will make Enugu another Dubai”, he added.
The African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has admitted Enugu Air as Member, extending the Association’s membership base in Nigeria’s fast-growing domestic aviation market and reaffirming AFRAA’s commitment to supporting the continued development of African carriers across the continent.
This was announced by AFRAA in Nairobi on Wednesday, making Enugu Air the 50th Member of the association, joining the AFRAA airline fraternity, collectively representing more than 85 per cent of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
Speaking on the occasion, AFRAA Secretary General, Mr. Abdérahmane Berthé, said, “We are delighted to welcome Enugu Air into the AFRAA fraternity.
“As a state-backed carrier serving Nigeria’s rapidly expanding domestic market, Enugu Air represents the kind of homegrown investment that is vital to building resilient air connectivity across our continent.
“We look forward to supporting the airline through the IOSA certification process and to its continued growth within the AFRAA membership, as we work together to advance the cause of unified African skies.”
Reacting to the development, the CEO of Enugu, Capt Tolu Ita, described the admission into AFRAA as a major milestone in the airline’s short history.
“We are honoured to join the AFRAA fraternity. This membership underscores Enugu Air’s commitment to safe, reliable, and affordable air travel for Nigerians while contributing to the vision of a unified African aviation market.
“We look forward to collaborating with fellow AFRAA members and leveraging the association’s support as we grow our network and pursue IOSA certification,” Tolu stated.
Founded on July 7, 2025, Enugu Air commenced commercial operations with a fleet of Embraer E170/E190/E195 aircraft.
The airline, which has its headquarters in Enugu and operates from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, currently serves nine domestic destinations including Enugu, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Benin City.
As part of the airline’s growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
As part of its growth strategy, Enugu Air plans to expand further across Nigeria and, in subsequent phases, to launch regional and international routes across Africa, Europe, and beyond.
The admission of Enugu Air aligns with AFRAA’s strategic priorities and strengthens the voice of the association. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and one of its fastest-growing economies, remains central to the realization of a truly integrated African aviation market.
Meanwhile, founded in Accra, Ghana, in April 1968, and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, AFRAA’s mission is to promote, serve African Airlines and champion Africa’s aviation industry.
The association envisions a sustainable, interconnected and affordable air transport industry in Africa, where African airlines become key players and drivers of African economic development.
AFRAA membership cuts across the entire continent and includes all the major intercontinental African operators.
The association’s members represent over 85% of total international traffic carried by African airlines.
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved a fresh round of appointments involving a commissioner, three Special Advisers and 1,000 other aides.
The appointments comprise 90 Senior Special Assistants and 910 Special Assistants, with the governor saying the move is intended to reinforce his administration and improve its reach across the state.
Erelu Taibat Yemi Oloruntoba, from Akoko North-West Local Government Area, has been nominated as Commissioner for Special Duties. Her nomination has been transmitted to the state House of Assembly for consideration and confirmation.
The governor also appointed Hon. Abimbola Fajolu as Special Adviser on Environment, Chief Ade Adeniyi as Special Adviser on Rural and Community Development, and Mr Muyiwa Ogunyemi as Special Adviser on Transport.
Among those named as Senior Special Assistants are Erelu Toyin Ogungbure, Women Mobilisation (South); Bidemi Obayangbon, Forestry; Gboluge Olufunmi Alex, Community Engagement (South); Hon. Akin Adeniyi, Community Engagement (Central); and Obayan Theophilus Ayodeji, Community Engagement (North).
Others include Kelvin Solomon, Students Affairs; Adeolu Iwakun, Volunteer Services; Samson Job Bazuaye, Oil and Gas; Fade Ojamomi, Youth Empowerment and Job Creation; Sam Adepoju, Public Engagement; and Alhaji Samad Orijeminiyi, Scholarship.
Also appointed are Victor Omodara, Grassroots Mobilisation; Abayomi Adefolalu, Photography; and Alhaji Abdukadiri Adenoyi, Prince Nzuoma Egbulefu and Alhaji Garba Goni, all for Non-Indigenes.
About 40 people are suspected to have lost their lives after a boat carrying farmers to their rice farms capsized in Gorau town, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The incident occurred while the victims were crossing a stream to access their farms.
An eyewitness said more than 70 people were on the boat when it capsized shortly after taking off.
The village head was among those on board but he was reportedly rescued.
“So far, we have recovered about 40 bodies, while six people, including the village head, were rescued,” a local journalist who was at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, told our reporter.
According to him, the victims comprised farm owners and labourers who had been engaged to harvest rice.
“The canoe capsized shortly after take-off. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with local divers searching for those still missing and recovering bodies,” he said. (Daily Trust)
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