News

Kalu Gives Scholarship, Donate Cash, Food Items To Orphanage in Calabar

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2025

By Gloria Ikibah

Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has donates food items, N2 million cash and offered scholarships to two young orphans at Infant Jesus Orphanage in Calabar, Cross River State from primary to the university level.

This was part of his visit to his alma mata at the 37th Convocation ceremony and 50th anniversary celebrations of the University of Calabar.

The young orphans, Chidera Emmanuela Maduka and Chimankpa Emmanuel Maduka, 12 year old twins had indicated interest to study law when the Deputy Speaker asked the children at the home who amongst them wanted to be lawyers.

Moved by the kindness of the Deputy Speaker, some members of the House of Representatives who accompanied him to the visit made a donation of N1 million, while his former classmates of ’98, faculty of law, donated N300,000.

Similarly, a chieftain of All Progressives Congress( APC), Anambra State, Mr. Johnbosco Onunkwo donated N200, 000 while the members of Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) also gave N500,000, totaling N4 million

Kalu said: “I’m here with my classmates from University of Calabar, and my colleagues from the National Assembly to show our love and support to you.

“We will take over the training of Chidera and her twin to University level. I’m happy and proud they want to study law. We will support them. We will pay your school fees.

“We brought you some food stuff and we will send you more. We will bring you toiletries. The people you’re seeing here are your fathers and mothers. We are going to appoint a commitee that will be taking care of you.

“Aside the food stuff, I’m giving a cash donation of N2 million, N200,000 from friends of Benjamin Kalu, N1 million from members of House of Representatives here with me, N300,000 from my classmates and N500, 000 from PISE-P members.

Speaking to Journalists shortly after the brief visit, Kalu added “I came here not only to give them something that they will eat today and not have tomorrow. But to draw up a programme that will be sustainable.

“You know I came with my classmates. Some of the kids here want to be lawyers like us. I have given them scholarships up till law school. This is to inspire them and that’s projecting education. Education can take you from this position and put you on a pedestal you never imagined.

“Like in the speech I delivered at UNICAL 50th anniversary, I studied under a tree, no classroom. That’s the truth. But today through education I have built schools where I used to sit. These kids are potential leaders of tomorrow. If you see my pictures under the tree in the 70’s, you won’t believe I will be Deputy Speaker today.”

The coordinator of the orphanage, Sister Chinyere Chukwuka, expressed heartfelt gratitude to Kalu and his team, praying for God’s blessings upon them.

“We appreciate you all. We pray Almighty God that sees our hearts bless you all. May God bless your family, businesses, offices and keep you away from enemies. As you’ve remembered us, you will be remembered. On behalf of the arch bishop of the arch diocese, we say a big thank you”, she said.

News

You Can Go To Court’ Is Now Mockery Of Justice, Democracy In Nigeria – Obasanjo

Published

20 minutes ago

March 25, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo has declared that democracy in Africa is failing, citing the frequent use of courts as a tool to deny justice rather than uphold it.

Speaking on the state of governance, Obasanjo criticised politicians who dismiss grievances by telling people to “go to court,” even when they know the legal system is incapable of delivering true justice.

He made this statement on Monday at an event in Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Intercontinental Hotel.

Obasanjo stated that Africa’s adoption of Western-style democracy has not served its citizens effectively, arguing that the system is alien to African values and governance structures.

“Democracy in Africa has failed because it is not African,” he declared.
He expressed concerns that democracy in its current form had devolved into mere representation rather than true governance for the people.
“Democracy has now become representative democracy, and it hasn’t taken care of everyone,” Obasanjo said

He contrasted this with the traditional African systems of governance, which he claimed were more attuned to the needs of the people.
“Abraham Lincoln described democracy as government of the people, by the people, and for the people. But what do we have today? The Greek democracy affected everyone. Now, democracy has become representative democracy, and it has not taken care of everyone,” he stated.

The former president further criticised the lack of justice in the democratic process, particularly regarding electoral disputes.

He lamented the common refrain of “go to court” when citizens seek redress, despite the prevailing lack of confidence in the judiciary.
“You will say, ‘go to court’ when you know that you can’t get justice. Democracy is dying in Africa, and to save it, it should be made in the context of Africa,” he added.

Obasanjo called for a redefinition of democracy that aligns with Africa’s cultural realities and historical governance systems.

“We should remember that in Africa, we had a form of government which attended to the needs of the people. That is democracy,” he added.

News

Sam George slams AirtelTigo sale, calls managers “enemies of the state”

Published

28 minutes ago

March 25, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, has sharply criticized those responsible for managing the AirtelTigo transaction, describing them as “enemies of the state” over the sale of the telecommunications company.

He raised concerns over the decision to sell AirtelTigo—burdened with a GHC3.5 billion debt—for a token price of just one dollar.

Speaking to journalists in Parliament on Monday, March 24, the Minister questioned the patriotism of those who oversaw the process.

“Those who managed the AirtelTigo process are enemies of our state and individuals who have no sense of patriotism. So for anybody to have told us that they bought AirtelTigo for 1 dollar, and now that we have taken over the ministry, ATC (American Tower Company), just one of the companies AirtelTigo owes, has presented us with a bill of 1.5 billion Ghana Cedis,” he stated.
He further disclosed that discussions with the American Embassy brought to light concerns over AirtelTigo’s financial liabilities.

News

Reps Displeased With Approach Adopted In Resettling FCT Indegene

Published

3 hours ago

March 25, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

Members of the House of Representatives, Rep. Gaza Gbefwi has expressed displeasure with the handling of the indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as they condemned the approach adopted in resettling the people from their ancestral homes to strange locations, and some times no alternative settlement areas are provided.

Reacting to his colleague, Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, urged Nigerians to stand up, and speak against all forms of oppression, irrespective of all biases.

The lawmaker made this remarks when the House of Representatives Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters met with members of the FCT Traditional Council on Monday in Abuja.

He said: “It is painful how the people are being taken advantage of. The people of the FCT have no other home than the FCT.”

Rep Abiante who recalled multiple resettlement programmes which never ended well in favour of the indigenes, charged the traditional rulers led by Chairman of the FCT Traditional Council, HRH, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa to stand firm in defence of their subjects, who they were appointed to protect.

Abainte took advantage of the session to blame the government on how the people of the Niger Delta have been deprived of their good lives, citing the recent proclamation of State of Emergency in Rivers State as oppressive and against the wishes of the people.

“It has happened in Rivers State and nobody is saying anything. If you don’t speak against injustice today, tomorrow, there would be nobody to speak for you when there is injustice. Today, it has hit you and it is moving until it gets to everybody”, he said.

The lawmaker recalled that the beginning of exploration of crude oil Nigeria was a private initiative by the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) which was going well until Nigeria nationalised petroleum as a national asset, setting the stage for the myriads of problems facing the nation today.