Politics
Orji Kalu Rolls Out New Schools, Roads In Abia-North
… Establishes cottage industries
Nduka Okafor, Umuahia
The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Orji Uzor Kalu, has earned accolades from his constituents after he distributed over 250, 000 bags of grains, flour and Toyota Hilux vans to communities within the district.
In addition to his food and security interventions, the former Senate Chief Whip has continued to commission more newly completed roads and School infrastructures within Abia-North.
Recall that early this year handed over security patrol vehicles which he personally procured to the Ohafia, Isiukwuato and Igbere, Bende LG Area Commands of the Police force in Abia-North and the Igbere Vigilante group. Admonishing his constituents to shun crimes and other forms of violence the Chairman Senate Committee on Privatisation said the gesture will stem the tide against insecurity.
As a follow-up to tackle hunger occasioned by the Nation’s economic crisis, the former Abia Governor distributed a total of 250, 000 bags of rice beans and garri to his constituents drawn from the five local Government areas.
Seeing the need to execute more infrastructural projects, Kalu has since the beginning of the new year commissioned newly constructed and renovated infrastructures such as schools, roads including a cottage industry.
Some of the notable roads include the completed and delivered long awaited roads located at “Amoba ” , “6km “Itumbuzor”, “Ugwuazo/Akama” , 2km “Uburuihe”, Ndi Inya Abam all in Arochukwu LGA of the Senatorial District.
Others are the Okafia Igbere to Alayi road, The Uzo Ubi Ozara Road Ezeukwu Road all in Bende LGA.
Taking to his official social media page, the Senate Chairman on Privatisation expressed that the roads will aid the massive movement of farm products from the rural to urban areas and equally boost economic activities in their respective areas.
More schools in Abia-North have also been wearing new looks as community dwellers showered accolades on the Lawmaker who they described as “God Sent”.
Kalu who bagged awards on the Best Senator in constituency development twice in a row has continued to build and commission newly built and renovated blocks of classrooms across the Senatorial District.
So far the following schools have been commissioned; Mbala Central School, Lokpanta National School , Nneato Central School all at Umunneochi LGA. At Arochukwu LGA Amaeke Abam Primary School, Ndi Okpo Primary School and May Selessor Primary School Amannagwu Village Arochukwu Town have all been opened up for use.
Other newly completed schools expected to be launched within the month of March and April are: Umuakpa Primary School Item, Alaiyi Community Primary School , Obibia Primary School Itumbuzor; Umuerem Central School ,Central school Amune-Ovim, Amiyi Uhu Central School , Okono Central Primary School, Ndi Ibe Communiy School ,Okagwe Community Primary School all situated at Bende, Isiukwuato and Ohafia local government areas respectively.
Rural industrialisation also caught the attention of the Abia-North Lawmaker, who constructed now functional cassava processing plants in Agbagwu and another Palm oil processing plant in Agboji Abiriba areas of Arochukwu and Bende LGAs accordingly.
The gesture according to the Senator is a consolidatory effort to the over 2000 grain and cassava processing machines which he shared amongst low income farmers last year.
The senator noted that; “The agricultural sector in his constituency experienced a significant boost, leading to increased food production and improved livelihoods for the farmers.”
Kalu’s service delivery has continued to attract accolades amongst community members and stakeholders.
Recently the “Ndi Ibe” Ohafia Development Union in a letter of appreciation, signed by the NDU Secretary-General, Chief (Comr.) Stephen O. Idika, on behalf of the community, NDU applauded the former governor of Abia State for attracting the construction of a block of three-classrooms to Ndi Ibe Community School and for installing solar street lights in strategic locations across the community.
The letter reads in part, “On behalf of the National Executive and the entire members of Ndi Ibe Ohafia Development Union, we hereby formally appreciate your decision to identify and allocate 10 solar-powered lights and a three-classroom block to our community, Ndi Ibe Ohafia, from among the numerous and other bigger communities in Abia North senatorial zone.
“We also appreciate the fact that you did not only allocate these facilities, but also ensured that they are actually installed and constructed in our community.
“The story of the development of the present day Ndi Ibe Ohafia cannot be complete without mentioning your name, as we recall that you were also instrumental to the construction of the asphalt road that passed through our community and the engagement of our sons in governance.
With regards to education, Daa Oyidia Ogbonna a good governance advocate thanked Kalu for renovating schools in Ibom Village of Arochukwu. Residents of the village testified that the last time the classrooms at Aggrey Primary School were renovated was during his tenure as governor, and now, under his senatorial leadership, the same classrooms have been refurbished to provide a conducive learning environment for the students.
Ogbonna said that Kalu’s commitment to the community goes beyond just education. In addition to the school renovations, he has also installed solar street lights in the area, though residents note that more lights are needed.
He said; The gesture has been met with gratitude and appreciation from the residents of Ibom village, who see Dr. Kalu as a senator who truly cares about their well-being.
David Olayinka, Akure
The Jagunmolu of Ikaleland and Ojagbulegun from The Source, Prince ( Dr.) Gen. Olu Bajowa, CFR has commended Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, describing him as a Governor whose victory at the November , 16th poll was made possible by God , the Almighty and the good people of Ondo State , who showed him massive love and vote support on election day.
Gen. Bajowa gave this indication in a special congratulatory statement, personally signed by him , which copy was obtained by thepolity.net
In the statement, the retired top brass Army General said, ” I write to join all well-wishers to congratulate you on your well deserved election victory as ” the God’s anointed” Executive Governor of Ondo State.
“The people have spoken loud and clear! Your outstanding and overwhelming performance with the wide margin at the polls is a testimony of your popular acceptance by the good people of The Sunshine State.
” As the old proverb says, ‘ Vox Populi, vox dei’ ( the voice of the people is the voice of God), therefore by God’s grace , you are the Executive Governor of Ondo State for the next four years. ”
While congratulating the Governor on his ‘ sweet victory,’ Gen. Bajowa said Gov. Aiyedatiwa has enormous responsibilities in making life more abundant for the people of Ondo State, noting that the Governor’s responsibility includes providing adequate security, transformation of Agriculture , health and education sectors among others; the fight against poverty, hunger and unemployment , ensuring adequate water and regular power supply for the growth of SMEs and reactivation of all the moribund industries with serious attention to road network and infrastructural development. Going further, Gen. Bajowa noted, “Also important are the issues of the development of our natural resources and solid minerals : bitumen, oil, fisheries and the Ondo State deep seaport project.
” You can count on me , my family and the entire Bajowa Royal Family for our continued support and loyalty to good governance and administration of Ondo State,” Gen. Bajowa stated.
While wishing Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa a successful tenure , Gen. Bajowa wished him more of God’s guidance , protection and good health as he governs Ondo State afresh.
…as voting commences across wards
Feranmi Daniel, Abeokuta
There was very impressive turn out in Sagamu and Ikenne Local Governments on Saturday during the Local Government elections going on in the State, as voters were seen trooping to their various polling units to cast their ballots.
Recalled that Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) had earlier slated Local Government elections for Saturday, 16th November, 2024.
An election observer from Advocacy for Social Justice & Liberty, Charles Odunuga, commended the electoral body for what he termed decent and well organized process.
He therefore, urged electorate to maintain the peace till the end of the exercise, adding that peaceful environment plays pivotal role in strengthening democracy.
Also, a voter in Sagamu, Pastor Sola Komolafe, euologised the proactiveness of the electoral commission and level of preparedness, including level-playibg ground for opposition parties to thrive.
In the same vein, Mrs Kafilat Sokoya, another voter in Grammar School area of Ikenne described the process across the town as peaceful and orderly, as she advised voters to shun inducement and act of violence.
Feranmi Daniel, Abeokuta
The ongoing local government polls in Ogun State got off to a good start on Saturday. This newspaper can exclusively report.
Election into chairmanship and councillorship positions are currently ongoing in the 20 local government councils of the state, with the major political parties, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) saying that they will have a good showing.
In the polling units surveyed in major cities such as Abeokuta, the state capital; Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Ota and Ilaro, election materials arrived on schedule even as voters expressed confidence that the exercise would be concluded without any hassles.
Findings by reporters across the state have not shown any incident of voter harassment or ballot box snatching so far.
This contradicts the false alarm raised by a major opposition party in the state to the effect that the election has been bedevilled by violence.
Some voters, however, complained of late arrival of materials even as officials of the Ogun State Independent Electoral Commission (OGSIEC) interviewed across the state said materials have reached all polling units in the State and they expected voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise.