Columns

Hope Uzodimma : A Prophet Truly At Home: Kennedy Eweama

Published

1 year ago

April 7, 2024

Ekwutos Blog

Governor Hope Uzodinma

Hope Uzodimma : A Prophet Truly At Home

By Kennedy Eweama

It was the immortal writer and novelist, Chinua Achebe, who asserted in one of his ever green literary works, *ARROW OF GOD*, that “a man who is called again and again by those trying to catch a bull in vain, has something he alone can do to bulls”. Juxtaposing Achebe’s axiomatic assertion with the age long postulation that “a prophet has honour except in his home”, one is tempted to ask, where does Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State fit in after four years on the saddle as Imo State’s Governor.

But, the indissoluble truth remains that the incumbent Imo Governor is like the Ijele masquerade in Igbo cultural worldview which can viewed from different prisms because of its enormous size. Its viewer ship is panoramic by nature.

Governor Uzodimma strutted into Office quietly amidst all manner of oppositions which I need not regurgitate. There were doubts from some Thomases, who pessimistically felt that “nothing good can ever come out of Bethlehem”.

Alas, four years down the line, the Ozuh, Omuma born political maverick has become the beautiful Ijele masquerade , not just in Imo, but also on the national scene. Today, Uzodinma has hooked Imo firmly to the national political grid,thus, making the State, a destination choice for the powers that be in Aso Rock Villa.

The Governor has become the leader and articulate administrator with the midas touch of solutions to naughty issues of both State and national importance. He is seen nationally as the man who has the wherewithal to rein in bulls of all kinds, sizes and idiosyncrasies . He has become the prophet truly recognized and applauded at home for the panache he has brought into governance and public administration.

The pessimists who abinitio, doubted Governor Uzodimma’s leadership credentials, are now dwelling in amazement. Waoooh! “What is going on?” The hitherto arid mentality of the pessimists has completely vamoosed.

Imo people are elated for the massive and quality infrastructural developments in the State, improved health care delivery, educational growth and justice delivery system as well as enhancement of the civil and public services,innovations in agricultural productions, etc.

The Governor’s giant strides in Imo, is indeed, a reminder that nobody should judge a book by its cover and that truly, something good can always come out of Bethlehem.

Columns

NAHCON sets date for return of Nigerian pilgrims

Published

4 days ago

June 7, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has set June 9 for the commencement of the return journey of Nigerian pilgrims who completed this year’s Hajj rites in Saudi Arabia.

Chairman, NAHCON, Professor Abdullahi Saleh, made this known in a statement issued in Minna, where he congratulated Muslims on the occasion of Eid al-Adha.

He said the return of Nigerian pilgrims will begin on the 13th of Dhul-Hijjah which corresponds with June 9.

The return journeys will commence with pilgrims from Imo State via Air Peace while pilgrims from Bauchi State will fly back via Max Air

Columns

Tinubu Group Advises Nigerian Government To Settle Nnamdi Kanu’s Matter Through Arbitration ‎

Published

5 days ago

June 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

‎Grand Patron of One Nation for Asiwaju Support Group, Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to settle the issue of Biafran nation agitator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other agitators, out of court through a formidable national committee of arbitration.
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‎Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Ndarani, was optimistic that the move will lead to peace, and unity in diversity.
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‎“President Bola Tinubu should consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like arbitration, conciliation and mediation in some of these cases concerning these agitators.High profile cases like Kanu’s are best resolved as quickly as possible because they evoke a lot of sentiments”

“Another reason for an expeditious resolution of the matter is because it would begin to heal festering wounds which we can certainly do without at this stage of our nationhood.

“Justice delayed is invariably justice denied” Ndarani said.

He urged President Tinubu to watch out for little foxes that spoil the vine while he is trying to hold Nigeria together as one indivisible nation.
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Columns

Poor Nigerians Left In Detention As Judges Ignore Mandatory Monthly Inspections —Falana

Published

7 days ago

June 4, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Femi Falana

According to Falana, the inaction of the judiciary has left the poor vulnerable to arbitrary arrests, torture, and prolonged detention, while wealthy individuals can afford legal representation to protect their rights.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has accused the Nigerian judiciary of aiding the unlawful detention of poor citizens by failing to enforce the mandatory monthly inspections of police stations and detention facilities prescribed by law.

Speaking at the 1st NBA Western Zone Human Rights Summit in Ibadan on June 3, 2025, Falana said that despite the enactment of Section 34 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in 2015, Chief Magistrates and Judges have neglected their duty to carry out monthly inspections.

“From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that visiting Chief Magistrates and Judges are empowered to order the release of detainees, or grant them bail or direct that they be arraigned in court,” he said.

According to Falana, since the passage of the ACJA, which should challenge illegal arrests and detentions, its protective measures have been observed in breach.

“But since the Act was enacted in May 2015, Chief Magistrates and Judges have failed to enforce the provisions of section 34 of ACJA by visiting all police stations and other detention facilities at least once a month,” he said.

He lamented that while the Chief Justice of Nigeria had directed state Chief Judges to enforce these provisions in 2018, there has been little practical compliance, and the Nigerian Bar Association’s Human Rights Committees have also failed to ensure these inspections take place.

“But in spite of the clear provisions of the ACJA and Police Establishment Act, Chief Magistrates and Judges have failed to conduct monthly visits to police stations and other detention facilities in the country,” he said in his address.

“Hence, the incessant arrest, detention and torture of poor citizens by the Police and other security agencies have since become the order of the day.

“The Nigerian Bar Association has not helped matters as the Human Rights Committee in its 130 branches have failed to ensure that Chief Magistrates and Judges conduct visits to police stations and other detention facilities.”

Falana called for immediate action to protect the fundamental rights of detainees and end what he described as systemic injustice against poor Nigerians.

“Section 34 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 provides that the Chief Magistrate, or where there is no Chief Magistrate within the police division, any Magistrate designated by the Chief Judge for that purpose, shall, at least every month, conduct an inspection of police stations or other places of detention within his territorial jurisdiction other than the prison,” he said stressing the provisions of the ACJA.