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Mbah’s socio-economic policies of eradicating poverty in Enugu State

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Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah
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By Ejeh Josh

In its recent report released on 13 of December, 2023, the World Bank presented a graphic image of a country receding deeper into the pit of poverty as a result of years of accumulated mismanagement, bad governance and poor system of leadership. The report shows an economy plummeting despite reforms by the present federal government to salvage the situation. This has sent, at least, 104 million Nigerians to the dungeon of extreme poverty, rapidly moving away from 79 million people living in poverty in 2018, according to the World Bank release. An attempt to understand the meaning of “extreme poverty” would have a recourse to the World Bank’s September 2022 adjustment to global poverty lines which benchmarks any person living below the sum of $2.15 per day as living below poverty line or held in extreme poverty.

The above figure is not new to Nigeria as the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its 2022 National Multidimensional Poverty Index Report, squared 133 million Nigerians as multi-dimensionally poor. The reports noted that the reasons for the increase in poverty were not unconnected with the sluggish growth and hyper-inflation the country is going through. This has implications to the overall well-being of the country. First, more Nigerians will face a scourge of hunger as their purchasing power falls. Second, there is pressure and stress on those outside the poverty line for maintenance, and this may probably drag them down the line of poverty. Third, crime rate will increase among the youth. Fourth, high incident of school dropouts are expected. Fifth, human capital flight, known otherwise, as the “Jappa syndrome” which is a brain drain to Nigeria and its economy, will be on the rise. The list goes on almost without end.

Appreciating the above terrific throes Nigeria is presently mired, the Enugu State governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, threw down the gauntlet, first in his statement of purpose or manifesto which boldly has its vision statement as “making Enugu one of the 3 top states in Nigeria in terms of Gross Domestic Product, and to achieve a zero percent rate in the poverty headcount index.” This vision, although, sounds lofty, could only be achieved with focus, dedication, resilience, discipline, and “intentional” drive of disrupting the norm and its prevailing status quo. Like Mr. Mbah keeps reminding himself and his team, “we are in a hurry to achieve our humongous promises to the people of Enugu State”. A study of some of the policy and economic reforms being undertaken by the state government would reveal a government truly in a hurry to deliver on its mandate.

First has been the intention of the Mbah administration to peg a timeline to every project undertaken and enjoin the citizens to participate in the process of execution by holding the government to account. Matching up these timelines are the core internal policies in which one is called, key performance indicators (KPIs). KPIs are measurable and quantifiable metrics used to evaluate and assess the performance of an organisation as to the extent its objectives or goals have been achieved. This adopted term is basically used in the private sector and development space to rate performance and award credit or sanction. With this, each appointee is under pressure to deliver within time allotted. Mbah has shown that governance is no longer a space for merrymaking. Every dime is accounted for and must be judiciously put to use for the benefits of the people. Underperformance, inefficiency is shown the way out, and this has become a KPI dashboard for self-assemment before general assessment.

This little deviation is necessary to underscore the discreet action behind every success story that the people of the state are telling about this government. In most states, the past six months had been dedicated for euphoria excitement of clinching to office. However, this government has remarkably moved from policy formulation to policy and projects execution. This permeates both the tangible projects such as road execution, provision of potable water, payments of salaries and other emolument to workers, training of youths on digital skills for global competitiveness, upgrading and building of new hospitals, construction of primary and secondary school blocks including the state-of-the-art smart schools with centres for robotics, artificial intelligence, creative studios, modern science laboratories, and a shift in the curricula of tertiary institutions to meet today’s needs with a view to thinking about future technologies. This gives credence to the gale of accreditations and upgrade some of the state institutions have received. From schools of nursing to colleges of nursing and degree-awarding institutions.

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On the intangible aspect of the feats, the administration is championing a leadership role in digitisation and automation of all the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) as a way of strengthening the state’s institutions, creating a viable social order that would allow citizens transact businesses in the state without necessarily having a physical interface with any of the MDAs. This is creating the much promised conducive environment for business and investment. A cursory look at the mission statement encapsulated by the administration will aid the better understanding of where the government is headed. In his mission statement, Mbah tersely captured it this way: “To deliver quality, people-focused governance by making Enugu the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living “. There is no magic that could make the state an investment hub without the deliberate reforms the administration is now undertaking. This could basically be seen as the process of derisking investment and guaranteeing that investors have flexible and friendly access to information needed for a start-up and other investment prospects.

This being at the verge of completion, the governor had thrice hosted economic and investment summits, outlining pipeline projects that would activate the interest of investors given their promising return on investment worth over $2.1 billion. The recent trips to Lagos State, United States, Indonesia, Egypt, Abuja, for investment summits, economic talks among others, the administration had optimally maximised the opportunities afforded to woo investors to Enugu with their clear outlays of what the state has got to offer. Enugu is an unmined territory of gold the administration has laid out for exploration. There is no more any excuse for willing investors to have their presence in the state and have their return.

Huge reforms had been carried out in the agro-allied space, with many now returning to agriculture in a modern way. With thousands of hectares of land earmarked for agriculture, and some already farmed, Enugu is poised to announce to the global market, its presence and products. Visits to different local government areas and their farmlands cultivated for rice, cassava, yam, special species of pepper, vegetables, and other staple food, the end of poverty is near in the state. Being passionate and committed about agriculture, the state seizing every opportunity to liaise with international agencies and donors by paying its counterpart funding boost the chain of food production. The target population includes women and youths. This accounts for the training and retraining of the population on the use of modern farming tools.

One of those issues usually raised as concern by investors is security. No business thrives in a swamp of insecurity. Mbah understood this immutable principle of a safe state for a thriving economy when he came in as governor. His series of security reforms alluded to it. First, he declared war against insecurity and the now forgotten illegal sit-at-home orders which had become a sub-culture of notoriety in the southern part of Nigeria, particularly the southeastern zone. Like the National Security Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, admitted last week, Governor Mbah was at the forefront of the battlefield against insecurity beyond Enugu State to the entire southeast region. With his resolute spirit, he dealt with the incidence of sit-at-home, eradicated the then looming unknown gunmen, flushed out kidnapping, and ensures that security and normalcy was returned to the state and the region by extension. The above was also corroborated by the Federal Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Engr. David Umahi, when he gave testimony of how peace returned to the zone. The message is clear; Enugu State is ready for business!

Following all these efforts, investors have started scrambling for space, drilling down on the mission and vision of the administration. While the battle against a depressing economy continues at the national level, Enugu State has made some significant gains. First, some of the institutional mechanisms that would lead to a zero percent poverty headcount rate in the state are beginning to gain attention not withstanding that the state is also cushioning the effect of the “sluggish growth and high rise in inflation”. The 2023 to the second quarters of 2024 wage award the administration had outlined for workers in the state would increase the purchasing power of majority of the people in the state. Workers have received the first payment of such, boosting their capacity to invest from what they are earning. This welfarist policy has the tendency of impacting on the socio-economic status of workers leaping further upward the rung of the ladder of the economy.

These deliberate policies are geared towards upscaling the people’s economic welfare, insulating them from the national economic crunch. With the policies transforming into deliverables, and the economy rebounding from the shock of national economic crisis, eradicating poverty in the state could only happen sooner than projected.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year ahead!

e-mail: ejehjosh@gmail.com

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How Businessman Lucky Adimike was stabbed to death by his son – Sources

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Lucky Godwin Adimike
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Businessman Chief Lucky Adimike, also referred to as Lucky Godwin Adimike, was allegedly stabbed to death by his 19-year-old son in Abuja.

The incident is said to have happened after an argument at their home in Guzape.

A report says the son, who was reportedly keeping late nights and returning from a night club allegedly stabbed him multiple times and is currently in police custody while investigations continue.

The police reportedly confirmed that a homicide investigation is ongoing.

The incident allegedly happened at his residence in Guzape, Abuja.
He was described as a businessman and electrical dealer.

Sources claimed there was an argument between him and his son, reportedly a nightcrawler, in which he scolded him to be more serious with his studies and life instead of roaming aimlessly, spending lavishly and getting into substance abuse.

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The disagreement allegedly also involved money, lifestyle expectations, and accusations about business funds.

Police reportedly found him injured after a distress call and later confirmed him dead at the hospital.

The Nigeria Police Force reportedly said several people, including a relative, were taken into custody while investigations continue.

Why youth corps member stabbed billionaire father dead -Associate

Friday, May 15, 2026, will linger in the memories of family members of the late multi-billionaire business tycoon, Chief Godwin Adimike, as the day he was allegedly killed by his 21 -year-old son.

Chief Adimike, popularly known as Egonaejeije Na Awka-Etiti, was killed in the early hours of that fateful day at his Number 3, Hassan Adamu Street, Guzape home in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Findings revealed that Adimike, a native of Awka Etiti in Anambra State, a major figure in Nigeria’s electronics and import business, was renowned for his strong presence and influence at the Alaba International Market in Lagos.

Having built a vast business empire over the decades, he was widely respected as one of the leading merchants in the popular market.

Findings revealed that Adimike was killed by his son, a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), on that night following a heated argument at their Guzape home.

When our correspondent visited the Guzape home of the deceased on Friday, the premises were cordoned-off with security operatives still carrying out forensic analysis in his apartment.

One of his close friends resident in Abuja and pleaded anonymity told our correspondent that Adimike owned houses in Lekki, Lagos and in Guzape and Maitama, Abuja, frequently shuttling between the two cities for his business interests.

He explained that the news of the incident reached the union after reports emerged that the businessman was allegedly stabbed three times by his son, who had returned from a club before the confrontation.

He said: “We received news that one of our members, one of the big boys in the market, was involved in a tragic incident. He is an importer, a major dealer, and also involved in real estate.

“He travelled to Abuja to see his first son who is working there as a youth corps member and also manages some of his father’s real estate business.

“Godwin shuttles between Abuja and Lagos because of his business.

“We were told that his son went to a club and later returned to his Guzape home, one of the estates he manages for his father.

“Apparently, a heated argument ensued after the son confronted his father about being unfair with money, citing how some of his friends’ fathers, who are not as wealthy, buy cars for their children.

“Following the confrontation and an argument over mismanagement of business funds, the son allegedly stabbed his father three times in different parts of the body as seen in the body of the deceased.

“The boy is currently in police custody in Abuja, and the wife of the deceased has also been invited for questioning”.

Adimike belongs to the Electrical Dealers Association of Nigeria (EDAN).

A neighbour, who also pleaded anonymity, said: “It was my husband that his son called at about 1am that day that he should come and see his father on the floor.

“When my husband got to their apartment, because we have six flats here, our own is the first while Adimike’s own is the second. My husband got there and saw Adimike on the floor, and he was the one that called the police. The son did not call the police.

“That day, the son was with two ladies and another of his friends.”

Another neighbour described the incident as unfortunate, saying: “That night to the following morning, there is a dog in the neighborhood that barks whenever there is a stranger.

“But that day, the dog did not bark, and this tells a lot about the situation.

“My prayers are that the police should do their investigation and come out with results. This is not funny.”

Details of the incident remain sketchy as investigations are ongoing. The motive behind the incident is yet to be established by the police.

The death of Adimike has left many people in deep shock and mourning. A man widely known for his generosity, kindness and support for the less privileged, whose name echoed across Awka-Etiti and beyond because of his philanthropic lifestyle.

Another close friend said: “What an abomination and painful tragedy. A man known for helping widows, supporting the church, empowering people and touching lives positively did not deserve such an ending.

“This heartbreaking incident is a reminder that anger, lack of self-control and family conflicts can destroy lives within seconds.

“It is also a painful lesson that wealth, fame, and influence cannot replace peace at home.

“The entire Awka-Etiti community, friends, business associates and loved ones are mourning the fall of a great iroko tree.”

Many people who knew him described him as a humble and cheerful giver whose doors were always open to the needy.

During the COVID-19 period, he reportedly distributed food items and cash worth millions to members of his community in Awka-Etiti, showing his heart for humanity and the welfare of others.

It will be recalled that the FCT Police Command on Tuesday issued a statement confirming the incident and the arrest made.

FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Ade, said the police had commenced investigation into the death of Adimike, whose body was discovered following a distress call from concerned persons.

Reacting to the incident, Adeh said the police responded to the report and discovered the victim lying injured in a pool of blood at his residence.

Adeh said he was immediately rushed to Karu General Hospital where doctors on duty confirmed him dead.

“Following the incident, the police swung into action and arrested five suspects, including a relative of the deceased, as part of ongoing investigations.

“The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, ordered a discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

“The Command urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing any useful information that could assist the investigation,” Adeh said.

As of Friday, Adeh told our correspondent that investigation was still ongoing. “I would not want to disclose any information now till we conclude our investigation. This is a very serious case,” he said.

While all of these are unfolding, the family members issued a statement over the circumstances surrounding his death, frowning at growing speculations and unverified claims over the tragedy.

In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Adimike Family, a copy of which was obtained by THE NATION, the family cautioned the public against what it described as misinformation, speculation and false narratives circulating across social media and some news platforms regarding the gruesome killing of the businessman.

The family said many of the claims being circulated about the circumstances surrounding Adimike’s death were speculative, misleading and unsupported by facts emerging from the ongoing police investigation.

“The Adimike Family of Awka Etiti, Anambra State, wishes to strongly caution the public against the growing wave of misinformation, speculation and false narratives being circulated across social media and certain news platforms regarding the tragic circumstances surrounding his death,” the statement said.

The family stressed that contrary to widespread reports, no official determination had been made regarding the identity of the perpetrator or the brains behind the killing.

“As of this moment, no official determination has been made regarding the identity of the perpetrator(s), and the family considers it irresponsible and deeply hurtful for individuals and platforms to spread unverified allegations and assign blame without evidence,” the statement added.

The family further appealed to members of the public and media organisations to avoid sensational reporting and allow law enforcement authorities to conclude investigations professionally.

“The family respectfully appeals to the public and media organisations to refrain from sensationalism, allow the police to conclude their investigations professionally, and keep the family in prayers during this difficult period,” it stated.

News of Adimike’s death had sparked widespread reactions after reports emerged alleging that the prominent businessman and philanthropist was killed inside his Abuja residence following a domestic altercation.

However, the family’s statement appears to push back against what it described as premature conclusions while police investigations continue.

Our correspondent also saw a viral audio sound of the deceased’s wife crying and saying in Igbo language that she is being accused of killing her husband.

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DISCLAIMER: NDC disowns John Paul Anih

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…Says he’s neither Enugu State Chairman, nor represents NDC

The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) and entire leadership of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has been drawn to the nefarious activities of a certain John Paul Anih who is purporting to be the Enugu State Chairman of NDC, there by impersonating the authentic and legally recognised Enugu State Chairman, in the person of Engr. Ibuchukwu Obeta.

Apart from impersonating our state Chairman, the said Mr. John Paul Anih, we learnt also conducted a kangaroo state Congress where he allegedly installed himself as state chairman. He has also approached a court in Enugu, seeking to compel NDC to recognise him as our state Chairman for Enugu State.

Mr. John Paul Anih did not stop at that. While his case is yet to be heard, he went ahead to forge and reproduce copies of the NDC Expression of Interest Forms which he sold to unsuspecting prospects.

The NDC hereby warns unsuspecting members of the public that Mr. John Paul Anih does not represent the NDC in any category whatsoever, and whoever transacts any business with him on behalf of the NDC does so at his/her own risk.

Earlier today, we learnt that John Paul Anih has also seized the opportunity of the ongoing screening of aspirants by the party and set up what he called an aspirant screening Committee for Enugu State, which he is using to further defraud and extort some gullible politicians.

For the avoidance of doubt, the National leadership of the NDC has set up screening committees to screen aspirants for the state houses of assembly across the 36 states of the Federation. The three-man team for Enugu State comprises the following:

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Hon. Sylvester O. Nwankwo – Chairman
Barr. Ifeanyi Emmanuel Agbom- Secretary
Ngene Helen Funmilola – Member

Any other person outside of the above mentioned, purporting to be a member of the Enugu State House of Assembly aspirants screening Committee is a fraud and should be treated as such.

We reiterate that John Paul Anih is a fraud, does not represent the NDC, and is not by any stretch of the imagination, the Enugu State Chairman of NDC.

Signed:

Osa Director Esq.
National Publicity Secretary,
Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)

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Supreme Court restrains FG from controlling waterfront lands in states, voids parts of NIWA Act

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FJSC nominates 22 Justices for Supreme Court Bench
Supreme Court of Nigeria
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The Supreme Court has delivered a landmark constitutional judgement limiting the federal government’s powers over lands adjoining inland waterways across the country, declaring portions of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Act unconstitutional.

In a major victory for Lagos State in Suit No. SC/CV/541/2025, the apex court held that Sections 12 and 13 of the NIWA Act are invalid to the extent that they empower the federal government to regulate and control lands adjoining waterways for purposes unrelated to navigation, maritime activities and fishing.

In addition to Lagos, other states that joined the suit against the federal government were Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Cross River, Kaduna, Enugu, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Benue, Rivers, Osun, Oyo and Anambra.

Lagos State’s legal team was led by the State’s former Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, alongside Olasupo Shasore SAN, and Muiz Banire SAN, while the federal government was represented by Akin Olujinmi SAN.

The court affirmed that state governments retain constitutional authority over adjoining lands used for non-navigational purposes, thereby restricting the federal government and the NIWA from exercising sweeping control over such areas.

The seven-member panel of the court, led by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the federal government from dealing with lands adjoining waterways within Lagos State and other states of the federation for non-navigational purposes.

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The matter was determined by a panel comprising Justices Garba, Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, Chidiebere Nwaoma Uwa, Haruna Simon Tsammani, Stephen Jonah Adah, Abubakar Sadiq Umar and Mohammed Baba Idris. Justice Umar, read the lead judgment.

Although the court was unanimous on most issues, the decision recorded a 5-2 split on the constitutionality of Sections 10 and 11 of the NIWA Act.

Justices Agim and Idris dissented on some aspects of the decision, maintaining that Lagos State ought to have succeeded on additional reliefs relating to federal control over waterways.

Lagos State had approached the Supreme Court under its original jurisdiction, challenging the constitutional validity of several provisions of the NIWA Act.

The state argued that the National Assembly exceeded its constitutional authority by enacting provisions empowering the federal government and NIWA to exercise control over lands adjoining waterways within states.

Specifically, Lagos contended that Sections 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the NIWA Act conflicted with Sections 4 and 315 of the Constitution, the Land Use Act, and Items 36 and 64 of the Exclusive Legislative List.

The state further argued that the federal government could not validly exercise powers over inland waterways that had not been designated as international or interstate waterways by the National Assembly.

Lagos also maintained that the federal government lacked constitutional authority to regulate lands adjoining waterways for purposes unrelated to navigation.

The state sought multiple declarations and orders nullifying the disputed provisions and restraining federal authorities from exercising control over adjoining lands within its territory.

Before delving into the substantive issues, the Supreme Court first considered preliminary objections filed by the federal government and other defendants challenging the jurisdiction of the court. The objections were dismissed for lacking merit.

The court subsequently proceeded to determine the constitutional questions raised in the suit.

One of the key issues addressed by the court was whether the case had already been settled in the earlier dispute between NIWA and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LSWA).

The defendants had argued that the doctrine of res judicata applied because the issues had been determined in the earlier NIWA v. LSWA decision.

However, the Supreme Court rejected the argument, holding that the present suit was distinguishable from the earlier case and therefore not barred.

That finding cleared the way for the court to fully examine the constitutional validity of the disputed provisions of the NIWA Act.

In its substantive findings, the court held that Sections 12 and 13 of the NIWA Act went beyond the constitutional powers granted to the National Assembly.

The apex court ruled that while the federal government possesses authority over navigation, maritime activities, fishing and international waterways, those powers do not extend to general control over lands adjoining waterways within states.

The court held that the National Assembly acted ultra vires by attempting to regulate adjoining lands for purposes outside navigation-related activities.

Accordingly, the court declared Sections 12 and 13 unconstitutional to the extent of their inconsistency with the Constitution.

The court specifically held that the federal government cannot rely on those provisions to deal with lands adjoining waterways for non-navigational purposes.

The judgment is expected to have far-reaching implications for waterfront development, land reclamation, urban planning, environmental regulation and revenue generation in Lagos and other coastal states.

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