Innocent Ojefia Blog

First, they said it was too early to criticize PMB for non-performance. Why not wait a year before criticizing, they said. Thankfully, a year has since passed and things have worsened, so that excuse has expired.  With "too early to criticize" worn thin, the Buharists transitioned to another excuse: 16 years of PDP damage cannot be fixed in a year, they said; never mind that at least 40 percent of the people in the current administration have origins in the PDP and participated extensively in this 16 year destruction they speak of. It is September 2016, and the economy lies comatose, rendered dysfunctional by a combination of outmoded economic thinking, arbitrary statism, and panicky policy flip-flops. It is increasingly clear now that it's not the 16 year PDP plague or the low oil price, or Niger Delta Avengers, that has taken Nigerian into recession. Rather, It is key decisions taken in the early days of this administration and stubbornly maintained against w...

Per Google, achievement refers to the act of getting "something accomplished, especially by superior ability, special effort, great courage". Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is striding through despite the recession and economic downturn in the country with equanimity. In a country where infrastructural development is  now  totally halted and hardworking civil servants are hardly paid due to economic hardship  arising from the recession , it takes superior ability, special effort and great courage for a Governor to complete so many road projects  among  other infrastructures in one year and continue to pay salaries.  Those who ever doubted whether Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was a good choice as governor of the State, have found themselves reviewing such position in the last one year, especially with the way he has carried on despite the current economic recession. Governor Okowa who is a stickler for time has carried on with every seriousness required ...

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved new appointments in 13 Federal Government agencies. The appointments, according to a statement by the Director (Press) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Bolaji Adebiyi, include Mr. Joseph Ari as Director-General of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) as Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). Others are Engineer Simbi Kesiye Wabote as the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Monitoring Board, while the new Director-General of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) is Aboloma Osita Anthony. Also appointed at the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) is Mamman Amadu, Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has Barrister Sharon Ikeazor as Executive Secretary, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) National Coordinator/CEO is Princess Akodundo Gloria, Petroleum Equalization Fund (...

The Delta State government today held an interdenominational thanksgiving service at St. Joseph Pro Cathedral Church, Beside Oshimili Arcade, Asaba, as part of activities to mark Nigeria's 56th Independent Day celebration. The Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Rt. Hon. Festus Ovie Agas.   Barrister Agas noted that the State Governor has a simple message for Deltans, which is encapsulated in the S.M.A.R.T Agenda and that is life more abundantly for all Deltans.

It can be said categorically and with all emphasis at command that the Buhari government is flailing. And only the ubiquitous hypocrites and cheer leaders would fail to say it as it is, that the grunts of the people are fast turning into deafening lamentations. No amount of approbation by a President Obama can detract from the plaintive suffering and cries of the Nigerian people. Indeed, much as I love Obama, we must remember that his primary interest is America and the fight against corruption which is a sub-plot in America’s fight against terrorism. In case our dear President is unaware, and he feels only the wailing wailers are grumbling, I wish to assure him that this is not the case. Some of the President’s friends and supporters are deeply worried at the sad turn of events. They are wondering what went wrong and what can be done to turn the dangerous slide around. In fact, everything looks to them like a bad dream, a nightmare. But it is reality. That is not to say t...

Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has said Nigerians were beginning to feel that the Federal Government lacked the capacity to end the hardship and sufferings caused by economic recession.  The NLC in a statement signed by the Joe Ajaero faction, therefore, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to provide the needed socio-economic and political leadership to restore hope and douse the mounting despair and sufferings in the country. The statement follows lamentation by President of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, that the talks with the FG on increase in minimum wage have yet to begin. Ajaero said: “Nigerians want to see new jobs or a guarantee that the spate of job losses have ceased. They want to see rice, garri, beverages and utilities within their reach and functioning.” “We want to see the cost of transport come down and the roads being repaired. We want to see that the rot has stopped and the run on the economy turning around for the better. “While Congress’ commends...

Lagos, Kaduna and Edo State are the most indebted states of the federation with a combined profile of $1.84bn.  The three States are under the control of the All Progressives Congress, APC.  According to statistics from the Debt Management Office in Abuja on Wednesday, the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory owe $3.65bn in foreign debts as against the $7.61bn owed by the Federal Government as of June 30, 2016; bringing the country’s total foreign debt to $11.26bn. Lagos, which is the nation’s commercial hub, retained its topmost position as the most indebted state of the federation with a total of $1.43bn in foreign debts. Thus, the state holds 39.17 per cent of the country’s total subnational foreign debts. Kaduna State, with total foreign debt of $225.28m, comes in the second position. It holds 6.16 per cent of the subnational foreign debts. Edo State, with a total of $179.52m as of June 30, holds 4.91 per cent of the country’s subnatio...

The police in Delta State have arrested some members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State following a bloody clash that ensued between supporters of the two factions at the party’s secretariat in Asaba, the state capital.  The party in the State had been in leadership crisis with a faction loyal to Olorogun O’Tega Emerhor and the other loyal to a Second Republic senator, Spanner Okpozo  at loggerheads.  During the melee, thugs armed with dangerous weapons including guns invaded the secretariat and allegedly molested members of the state disciplinary committee who were meeting to consider a report of anti-party activities against some members. Vanguard quoted a source as saying that there was exchange of gun-fire between thugs suspected to be loyal to both factions, adding that heavily armed policemen were immediately invited, who made some arrests. The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Celestina Kalu, said that the matter was still ...

Bizarre things are happening to motorists and commuters plying Nigerian roads as many of them, to no fault of theirs, get stranded while transiting from one part of the country to the other due to deplorable condition of federal roads. While some spend nights on the roads for a journey that is less than 10 hours, others don’t even live to tell the story having been involved in fatal accidents, while others have harrowing experiences from armed robbers. One of the most dangerous road to travel in Nigeria is Abuja-Lokoja-Okene-Auchi- Agbor: If you have travelled from anywhere in the South South and South East of Nigeria to Abuja through the road, then you will understand that this is a road of death. Not only is this road bad, it is a haven of armed robbers. Thousands of passengers travelling the road to Abuja have either died through accidents or have been waylaid by armed bandits and dispossessed of their goods. If you have travelled from anywhere in the South South, South Eas...

The agenda for the day’s meeting with the ministers included the plans for the 2017 budget. The retreat which was facilitated by Mr. Frank Nweke (Jr) took place at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja. Below are nine takeaways from the retreat.  1. It was fashioned to present and discuss priority areas of the 2017 budget and help the economy out of the current recession. Below are some quotes from Buhari’s speech today: First he spoke on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). “Over the years, there has been a mismatch between planned targets and budgetary outcomes at the National and sectorial levels. “The Federal MDAs have not also benefited significantly from working together and building consensus around common national objectives.  This has impeded growth and development of the country.”  2. Then he stated the main aim of the retreat “The retreat will also serve as an opportunity to have a general overview of the economy and discuss ...

In a bid to reduce the challenges associated with unplanned cities, Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said his administration will implement the State's Urban and Regional Planning Law. Governor Okowa gave the assurance on today when members of Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Delta State chapter led by its Chairman, Architect Ifeanyi Imafidon paid him a courtesy call in Asaba. According to Governor Okowa, his administration was committed to ensuring safe and well planned towns and cities in the state, noting that issues of building collapse, poor land development control process and disorderly development should be a thing of the past in the state. "We will look at the implementation of urban planning law so as to give bite to our land development control process and check poor construction work and issues of collapse buildings," Governor Okowa said, stating that his administration would continue to partner with the NIA because the insti...

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has again urged President Muhammadu Buhari to work on resolving Nigeria’s economic woes.  He also told Buhari to stop blaming the former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration for the current economy recession. Kukah, spoke with reporters at the Catholic Bishops Conference Dinner Night held at the International Event Centre, (DOME) in Akure, the Ondo State. The Bishop said,  “the previous government did not only do bad things; he did a lot of good things. “And I think the business of government is not our business; our business is if the previous government did bad, that is why we voted a new government. “We did not vote a government to complain about yesterday. If we wanted yesterday, the new government would not be there. It is really about taking responsibility. “No matter how much you praise or abuse Jonathan, he is not the President of Nigeria. I think that people must understand that you ta...

Discipline is like a river. It flows from top to bottom and not vice versa; so is leadership. GEJ may have run a corrupt government but Buhari is running an incompetent government with misplaced portfolio for ministers and a wrong priority on religion instead of critical sectors. Companies are closing shop because of policy somersault worse food insecurity is biting hard and no plans to evolve a regional agenda for governors to get involved in resettlement of IDPs. Herdsmanism with a grazing bill in 21st century is a priority not tech innovation to introduce fodder tech and encourage increased earnings from breeding with more earnings from milk, cheese and dairy products. Nigeria with PMB is back 30 years to under development with 83-year-old retiree who has no knowledge of ICT as NCC chairman in this age of e-commerce. Religion don’t produce hardware. Science did. Boko haram is a product of skewed religious teachings that are incompatible with modernity. No effort is made to g...

WHICH ONE YOU DEY? 1. Buhari said he would pay unemployed citizens. You clapped. He said he cannot pay unemployed citizens. You also clapped. 2. Buhari said he does not know anything called subsidy. You clapped. He later paid subsidy. You clapped again. 3. When he removed all road blocks. You clapped.  When he reinstalled road blocks. You also clapped. 4. When he relocated military command to North East. You clapped. He returned military command back. You clapped. 5. He said he would never devalue the Naira. You clapped. He devalued the Naira. You clapped. 6. He said he would not have the office of  the first lady. You clapped. He has the office of the first lady. You clapped. 7. He said he will make N1 equals to $1. You clapped. $1 is officially equal N420. You are still clapping. 8.He said he will make petrol price to N40, you clapped, now petrol price is N145, you clapped. 9. He said he will end Boko Haram insurgencies 3 months into ...

The Delta State Government notes with great concern the statement credited to the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, accusing Delta State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, of deploying militants to Edo State to allegedly disrupt the now postponed governorship election earlier slated for Saturday, 10th September, 2016. This allegation is baseless, unfounded, spurious and tendentious. The latest outburst from Governor Oshiomhole is consistent with his favourite pastime of heating up the polity with unguarded utterances and wild allegations. We vehemently reject this accusation as alarmist in conception, reckless in delivery, puerile in content and false in facts and, so, fit only for kindergarten's "tales by moonlight". Governor Okowa is a peace loving Nigerian who has never and will not engage in any activity inimical to law and order. It needs to be reiterated that the exalted office of the Governor is one that demands decorum and maturity. Therefore, tho...

"Government has responsibility to protect the citizens, and not engage in blame game" .... Lai Mohammed May 25, 2014. "A government that is unwilling to take responsibility for anything should not be counted upon" .... Lai Mohammed May 25, 2014 "what is there to celebrate in a presidency that has only given Nigerians widespread unemployment? " .... Lai Mohammed February 2, 2015 " The presidency is behaving like a punch - drunk boxer dazed by a barrage of on-target punches from the opponent. " ...... Lai Mohammed January 6, 2014 The proportion of people living below the national poverty line has worsened" .... Lai Mohammed August 12, 2013 "There is nothing strange or wrong in criticizing a democratically-elected president" ... Lai Mohammed August 12, 2013

President Buhari's worst enemies are the people who make stupid and childish excuses for the shortcomings of his presidency. No reasonable person would not expect any administration to err here and there occasionally, but what we see from supporters is this stupid penchant for lowering the standard for Buhari, thereby making him a borderline leader unexpected to accomplishing anything. Even when there is nothing, they sing High Praises. This presidency of Buhari's has bettered the Jonathan presidency in being clueless, thanks to the fanatics who conjure up stupid excuses after stupid excuses for it. Under this presidency, as pointed out by pastor Joe, no election, however minimal, has been conducted professionally -- all have been inconclusive, delayed, or marred by some levels of violence at one stage or the other. Yet this is an administration headed by a man who suffered various election malpractices and is purported to be disciplined and honest, and as such, would n...

The Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has advocated long term planning and private sector funding as panacea to the dwindling fortunes of sports in the country. Speaking while he receiving the Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Solomon Dalung and his team on a courtesy and advocacy visit in Asaba, Governor Okowa stated that Nigeria failed to perform well in the last Rio Olympics because there was no consistency in the country’s preparation for the competition, observing that for a very long time the country has depended on the public purse which has contracted in recent times thereby impacting negatively on sports development in the country. He opined that the country needed to partner with the private sector in sports funding and development. "Just as we are finding ways to diversify our economy, it is time for us to begin to look beyond the public sector in trying to rejuvenate and create a better impact in sports development, the governor s...

Many of those who voted Buhari were hoping that he will fix the problems for which they voted out GEJ.  Today the same folks are simply hoping against hope that PMB will fix the problems he has created since May 2015.  We can't even conduct elections again. Every election conducted since PMB came to power has been inconclusive. Now with Edo gubernatorial elections it is 'inconclusive ' BEFORE the election itself! How can we run a democracy if we cannot conduct elections?  I am sure that you are not in Nigeria. GEJ left Nigeria better than he met it. Power, Infrastructure etc. Go and check. He met a messed up INEC and fixed it.  Today, INEC cannot even conduct elections anymore. In one year, INEC has recorded about 110 inconclusive elections across Nigeria. Even the successes we recorded in electoral processes are today being eroded.