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2023: Okowa receives Lagos ADC decampees into PDP

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Governor Ifeany Okowa of Delta State and the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections has received a large crowd of decampees from the Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) into the PDP in Lagos State.

The decampees were received on Sunday in Ikeja by Okowa, who applauded them for taking that decision, stressing that their national office had done the same in Abuja and Yola a few days ago.

Adewole Ijaogbomo, ADC chairman of the chairmen of the local government in Lagos State who spoke on behalf of the decampees said that the ADC has collapsed its structure in the state to endorse the governorship candidate of the PDP, Dr. Olajide Adediran, the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“This act was consummated by concerned Lagosians who had congregated under the auspices of our great party, ADC for the purpose of rescuing Lagos State from the claws of a slave master who had held and still holding lagosians in the jugular for close to twenty four years.

“There is no doubt, Lagosians are in existential bondage, and no amount of armchair criticism can solve the problems other than for the like-minded individuals and groups who are desolate and depressed to come together and fight the battle – Hence ; the need for this gathering today.

He added, “Before today, we sat down as a group and profile every political parties in Lagos State and their candidates for gubernatorial election for the purpose of identifying the best of all who can match the ruling party in terms of structure, spread, tenacity and all other ancillary qualities required for winning election.

“Based on the aforementioned, we the LGA chairmen of ADC in Lagos State including the ward chapters hereby collapse our structures and through this medium directs our entire structures to mobilize, campaign and vote all PDP candidates from Atiku/Okowa ticket for the presidential election on the 25th February 2023 and Dr Abdul-azeez Olajide Adediran (Jandor) for governor of Lagos State on the 11th march 2023,” Ijaogbomo said.

Okowa who received them and handed over the PDP flays to them, was accompanied by Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, and urged them to use their youthful energy to campaign for the party’s successes in the forthcoming elections,

He said, “For those of us that are politicians when we see strength in politics we would recognise it. When we see positive movements that can change things we would recognize it. You have confirmed that you will work with us, Atiku/Okowa and Jandor, we thank all of you.

“25th of February is six days away and I know that you are very eager to take over Lagos State, and that Jandor will become Governor of Lagos State but the easiest pathway is to ensure that Atiku/Okowa wins the election on Saturday and once that happens by the special grace of God, the so called ownership in Lagos would have been done with, and you can walk very quickly and take over the government house.

“You have not done the wrong thing because your party at the national level has publicly declared for Atiku/Okowa ticket. The declaration was first made in Abuja and was also made in Yola on Saturday. Be courageous and fear not, you will take over Lagos State and Atiku/Okowa will take over Nigeria, and we shall work together to give the best to our people and to unify Nigeria and not be divided,” Okowa said.

He said that the PDP presidential candidate Atiku is a unifier and someone who understands the challenges of Nigeria and was prepared to find solutions to the problems.

Okowa said, “We understand the problems facing the country, problems of downturn in the economy, insecurity, wasting of the country’s resources on refineries that are not working. Why keep the refineries and we continue to waste our resources? We waste the assets of the country on importing petroleum products that make Nigerian poorer and poorer. This will not happen again. With the Atiku/Okowa ticket we can make our country work again and grow our economy to a higher level,” he said.

Jandor who made the movement possible said that the journey to get the ADC on board started over a year.

He said, “When they said that they were coming to work for me I told them that they were coming to work for the party from top to bottom.

“The journey started last year and they ran away at a point. Today they are here. Last week we had the entire structure of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) join us. We will conquer all of them, form a formidable team to win the All Progressives Congress (APC),” he said.

However, while reacting to the defection, the Lagos State chairman of ADC George Ashiru denies the decampees, he said they are not members of his party, and that the membership of the party and its structure remains intact.

Ashiru said, “It is all rumours about the actions of people purporting to be Lagos ADC collaborating or “collapsing” themselves into the PDP or any other party in Lagos State, they are the work of fictitious “members” of ADC.”

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Omambala Association in Houston Celebrates Motherhood with Joyous Mother’s Day Event

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May 11, 2025

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – May 5, 2025 — The Omambala Cultural Association in Houston hosted a vibrant and heartfelt Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday evening at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall on Creekbend. The event brought together families and community members to honor the enduring strength, love, and sacrifices of mothers within the Igbo community.

Led by the association’s president, Ichelle Awkuzu, the Isaaka of Igboland, the gathering featured prayers, cultural music, dance, and speeches dedicated to celebrating motherhood. Awkuzu described the event as a moment of reflection and appreciation for mothers, emphasizing their central role in shaping families and preserving cultural values.

The association’s president, Ichelle Awkuzu, the Isaaka of Igboland, addressing the group.

 

Celebrants celebrate at the Omambala Cultural Association’s Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday evening at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall in Houston.

 

Celebrants

“Mothers are the heartbeat of our homes and the foundation of our culture,” Awkuzu said, urging attendees to honor and support mothers every day, not just on special occasions.

The celebration included lively performances of traditional Igbo music and dance, homemade meals prepared by members, and the presentation of thoughtful gifts to each mother in attendance. Vice President Chief Ugochukwu Chukwuka, known as Omemma Igbo, also delivered remarks, recognizing the vital role of mothers in nurturing future generations.

Photo from left_ Vice President of the group, Chief Ugochukwu Chukwuka – Omemma Igbo, and the President, Ichelle Awkuzu, the Isaaka of Igboland.

The evening was filled with laughter, music, and shared memories, reinforcing the communal spirit that defines the Omambala Cultural Association. Elders and youth alike participated in storytelling sessions and interactive cultural activities, creating a multigenerational experience that underscored the importance of preserving Igbo heritage. Several attendees expressed appreciation for the sense of belonging and cultural pride the event fostered.

The Omambala Cultural Association Inc. is a community-based organization representing people from the Old Anambra Local Government Area in Anambra State, Nigeria. It remains committed to promoting cultural education, unity, and socio-economic development for Igbo people in the diaspora and beyond.

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Global Entrepreneur, Dr. Emeka Agwu Pushes for Unity and Cross-Border Environmental Solutions

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May 10, 2025

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Dr. Emeka Agwu, Director of the EndHunger Initiatives and Global Voice Foundation for Community Development, has issued a powerful call to action, emphasizing the urgent need for unified, global efforts to address the rapidly worsening environmental crisis. In his remarks, Dr. Agwu highlighted that the world is experiencing an unprecedented ecological emergency marked by rising temperatures, increasing pollution, loss of biodiversity, and a surge in environment-related diseases—all contributing to high mortality rates and global instability.

Dr Emeka Agwu is being honored with a presentation at the prestigious Central University of Finance and Economics, Beijing, on April 23, 2025

According to Dr. Agwu, a multi-dimensional strategy is essential to effectively respond to these challenges. First, he called for stronger international cooperation, noting that global problems require global solutions. Second, he stressed the importance of fostering innovation in environmental protection technologies, enhancing energy efficiency, and overhauling environmental governance systems. Third, he advocated for the development of comprehensive policies and standards to guide the global transition to clean energy and ensure stringent control over carbon emissions.

Pastor Emeka Agwu with the Nigerian Ambassador to Beijing, and the Secretary of the organizing committee.

Furthermore, Dr. Agwu underscored the necessity of building a global green economy through collective efforts by governments, the private sector, civil society, and the general public. He emphasized that environmental awareness must be integrated into education systems, and that public campaigns and corporate accountability must be elevated to drive sustainable change.

With Professor Peter. Dr Emeka Agwu, also with other investors seeking collaboration for Chinese and Nigerian youths on innovative technology and AI with the New Chinese Youth Minister.

He also commended the recent establishment of the China-Nigeria Economic Coordination Center Office (CNCC), describing it as a pivotal step toward deepening bilateral collaboration in innovation and technology transfer. Dr. Agwu believes the CNCC will play a crucial role in enabling both nations to jointly develop adaptive strategies for climate resilience and sustainable development.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Agwu reminded stakeholders that the environmental crisis transcends national borders and ideological divides. “We are at a defining moment,” he said. “This is not just about protecting nature—it’s about safeguarding the future of humanity. The choices we make today will determine the world we leave behind for future generations.”

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Nigerians on medical death row: Muna, another victim of a failed system

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April 27, 2025

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On 25 November 2012, my late pregnant sister, Ijeoma, was rushed by her husband to a hospital in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, but the doctors and nurses at the hospital callously and insensitively refused to attend to her without initial payment. They had demanded N20,000 (about €150 then) as precondition before they could attend to her. Her husband begged them to commence treatment and that he would go home to get money since the only money with him – N5,000 – had been spent on other procedures, including registration, as required by the hospital. He told them that the nature of the emergency made him even forget to put on his shoes. They vehemently refused the plea.

Everyone around noticed – especially women that had gone through child bearing – that death was knocking on my sister’s door. As her pain was increasing, people advised that she should be rushed to another hospital. Her husband drove her out in his car in search of a hospital. But unfortunately my sister did not make it. She painfully died in that pregnancy.

About 14 years after, the same system again has failed us. This time, it has consumed my young intelligent and promising nephew, Muna. His life was cruelly and mercilessly snuffed out by a corrupt failed system. It is so heartbreaking and disheartening because the closer we had thought we were in saving his life the more the failed structure had made it difficult and fastened his death. 

Munachimso shortly called Muna was diagnosed with leukemia and everything happened so fast. He went to hospitals in Imo, Rivers and finally in Abuja where he died.

When he was taken to the first hospital in Abuja, we had hope because they were able to stabilize him. After a short period, he was no longer depending on oxygen and started eating and playing with toys. All results carried out showed tremendous response and improvements, but the bills were rapidly increasing like thunder lightening. Within two weeks we had a deficit of more than 60 million naira and that was when the problem started. The hospital threatened to discharge Muna if we would not pay. We pleaded with them to be patient, continue his treatment and give us some time to pay the money. We went public seeking for financial help. Two days into this process Muna was forcefully discharged. He was taken to another hospital that had lesser equipment to save his life. There, his health situation again started to degenerate. 

With the help of the public, we the family members made arrangement to go back to this hospital where he was forcefully discharged. But it was not easy getting back. We made calls and chatted with some people in this regard for intervention so that Muna could be readmitted. We were still in this process and ready to agree on any term given by the management of the hospital so that he could be taken back when the worst news came. Muna was pronounced dead. It is devastating and my heart aches, for Muna’s death was preventable.

Who knows how many Nigerians have died like Muna? How many are currently on death row in various hospitals with death certificates already stamped, waiting to be issued? How long shall ordinary citizens continue to suffer and lament over government representatives’ low performances and uncaring attitude? With all Nigeria has got, why are the people in this state of despair? Who do we blame for Muna’s death? The hospital management that chased him away because of money or the government that failed to create a working healthcare system for all?

In all sincerity, while it is true that norms of medical ethics should at all times be observed, private hospitals are equally doing business too and must be sustained. They are not charity organizations. The problem is the government, its harsh policies and its lack of proper implementation. The Nigerian system in almost everything is only theoretically functional, but practically not existent because the system is corruptly structured. Nothing owned or operated by the government runs justly and smoothly, from schools to hospitals and courts etc. Muna’s death was avoidable but the system made sure that he did not survive. We are so deeply pained and so sad that we lost him. 

Hardly one finds government officials’ children in public schools. So, why should one be proud of a country where the minister of education cannot proudly send his/her own children to a public school preferring private schools or sending them abroad, or the minister of health cannot go to a public hospital for treatment when sick because of its poor standard? Why the deceit?

Why this high level of hypocrisy and compromise? Why do Nigerians condone such arrant nonsense? These are some of the reasons lecturers could go on strike for months and government officials care less to resolve the issue and why Nigerian government hospitals are substandard. Why should they care when their children are in well-equipped expensive schools/hospitals abroad? This is shameful and despicable. And we will all continue to lament until it becomes a law that no minister of education is allowed to send his/her children to a private school in Nigeria or to study abroad, and likewise no minister of health and his/her children are allowed to go abroad for medical treatment except in a few specified cases – including the children of every Nigerian president, lawmaker, and governor. This will revolutionize our schools and health sector to acceptable standards. Until then, Nigeria failed Muna and people like him. 

Yes, the 11-year-old boy was just a casualty of a failed system – a victim of the effect of corruption, nepotism, mismanagement and incompetence. Who will be the next victim? Does anyone know the nature, when and where? 

Good night Muna, and may your innocent soul rest in peace.

♦ Uzoma Ahamefule, a refined African traditionalist and a patriotic citizen writes from Vienna, Austria. WhatsApp: +436607369050; Email Contact Uzoma >>>>

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