General
Dissecting John Emeka’s Manifesto for Anambra State
By Edwin Emeka
Like any other state in the sub-Saharan Africa, Anambra is a state that has its own strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. How these threats and weaknesses are harnessed and turned in to assets for the overall development and wellbeing of the state and its people should however be the ultimate concern and pre-occupation among aspirants who seeks to govern the state in governorship capacity.
While not leaving out its strengths and opportunities to nosedive into a terrible nightmare, aspirants for the Anambra seat of power in Awka should be candid and truthful enough to admit that while the state is among the best states in Nigeria, it has not by any means realized its full potentials.
And like we all know from our basic knowledge of Physics, potential energy is the energy that is at rest. This energy would remain in a state of permanent rest until an outside force is applied to it to set it in motion.
Precisely on the 27th of this month, Anambra State would be marking her 26 years of existence after it was created as a full independent state on August 27, 1991 by former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida.
Twenty-six years in the life of any man should be full of many positives, but what is the reality confronting Anambrarians today? Your guess is as good as mine!
In spite of these challenges, Anambra has great sons and daughter who will truly make the state great again. One of such rare gem among the array of aspirants jostling to succeed the outgoing Governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano is Prince John Okechukwu Emeka, a man the Anambra state electorates have pencilled down to be their next Governor.
Somebody recently called me to ask why I am supporting this young and assuasive Prince from Anambra North Senatorial District to become the Governor of the light of the nation, my response to him was very simple. His manifesto is the best among the aspirants and his long established political ideology is developmental orientated.
For Instance, his six-points agenda under the Sustainable Development Action Plan captured the most pressing needs confronting Anambrarians of all ages, class and ideology.
As a political journalist, I am not married to persons, but good ideologies. It is this strong ideology that bonds people together ideologically, politically, socially and otherwise. Therefore, reading his manifesto, which has gone viral online, is like reciting my political beliefs as a journalist and as political operative in front of my standing mirror.
Before, I move further on Prince Emeka’s campaign manifesto for the November 18 governorship race in Anambra state, I want to quote some paragraphs from few of his many enthralling and inspiring speeches.
On what should be the qualities that the incoming Governor of the state must possess, here is what Prince John Emeka has to say: ”I believe we need as Governor, someone…who will not deviate while grappling with challenges of office, a Governor who understands that government is a continuum, a good manager of scarce resources, a defender of our core social values, a Governor with a listening ear and in touch with the people.”
Reaffirming that his word is his word, here again is what the Anambra Prince has to say: ”Fellow citizens, we are made for this moment and we shall seize it together. I am in this race so that I will fight for the cause you and I believe in – good governance.
“Under my watch, no zone, no community and no one shall be left behind … If elected as Governor, my administration will drive growth and development via Sustainable Development Action Plan.”
These action plans are modelled after the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted by world leaders in September 2015 with home grown inputs and strategies by Prince Emeka.
The Sustainable Development Goal is a guide to the role government, private sectors, and nongovernmental organizations as well as other development agencies and partners should play in achieving the global development agenda.
Based on the peculiar nature and needs of Anambra State, Prince John Emeka painstakingly crafted his 6-point agenda for Anambra with local content. The 6-point agenda are; Security, Education, Environment, Agriculture, Trade and Industry and finally Infrastructure.
The first agenda which is Security is based on SDG11 whose goal is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
The second agenda which is Education is based on SDG4 whose goal is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The third agenda which is Environment is based on SDG6 whose goal is to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
The fourth agenda which is Agriculture is SDG2 whose goal is to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
The fifth agenda which is Trade and Industry is based on SDG8 and SDG1 whose goals are to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and descent work for all as well as ending poverty in all its forms everywhere.
The sixth and the last agenda which is Infrastructure is based on SDG9 whose goal is to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
These United Nations backed Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) which Prince John Emeka modeled his 6-point agenda after, were clearly crated and anchored on the Sustainable Development Action Plan for Anambra, where a touch of local content was given to it to suit the peculiarities of Anambra State and its people.
With these lofty ideas in mind, all that is required from Anambrarians both at the PDP Primary election and at the general elections are impressive electoral investments to solidify trust already invested in this young, talented and entrepreneurial minded Prince on August 19 and November 18 respectively.
These days would mark the beginning of the new vista of unending and equal opportunities for all persons in Anambra State.
Mr Edwin Emeka, a Public Affairs Analyst wrote from Abuja and can be reached on ed**********@***il.com.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria will hold next year’s presidential and National Assembly elections a month earlier than planned, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) revised the polling schedule.
The elections will be held on January 16, instead of the previously announced date of February 20, INEC said in an X post, signed by Mr Mohammed Kudu Haruna, National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee.
There were also changes to the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections initially fixed for Saturday, March 6 2027, in line with the Electoral Act, 2022, have now been moved to Saturday, February 6, 2027.
The electoral commission said the changes were caused by the enactment of the Electoral Act, 2026 and the repeal of the Electoral Act, 2022, which introduced adjustments to statutory timelines governing pre-election and electoral activities.
“The Commission reviewed and realigned the schedule to ensure compliance with the new legal framework,” it said.
INEC said party primaries (including resolution of disputes) will commence on April 23, 2026 and end on May 30, 2026, after which Presidential and National Assembly campaigns will begin on August 19, 2026, while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly campaigns will begin on September 9, 2026.
It noted that campaigns will end 24 hours before Election Day, and political parties have been advised to strictly adhere to the timelines.
INEC also stated it will enforce compliance with the law.
The electoral body also rescheduled the Osun Governorship election which was earlier scheduled for Saturday, August 8 2026, by a week to Saturday, August 15, 2026.
INEC noted that some activities regarding the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have already been conducted, and the remaining activities will be implemented in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.
Speaking at a news briefing in Abuja two weeks ago, the chairman of INEC, Mr Joash Amupitan, expressed the readiness of the commission to conduct the polls next year.
The timetable issued by the organisation for the polls at the time came when the federal parliament had yet to transmit the amended electoral bill to President Bola Tinubu for assent.
Later that week, the Senate passed the electoral bill, reducing the notice of elections from 360 days to 180 days, while the transmission of results was mandated with a proviso.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has pledged its commitment to provide the regulatory leadership, technical coordination, and stakeholder engagement required to successfully develop and implement a robust National Action Plan on maritime decarbonization in Nigeria.
The Director General of the agency, Mr Dayo Mobereola, made this known during the National Stakeholders’ workshop on the development of a National Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan, further describing the workshop as a critical step in actualising the Federal Government’s blue economy and climate objectives.
Represented by the Executive Director, Operations, Mr Fatai Taiye Adeyemi, the NIMASA DG underscored the significance of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, a technical cooperation initiative /designed to support developing countries in implementing the IMO GHG Strategy.
According to him, the National Action Plan being developed will reflect national realities, leverage existing capacities, address identified gaps, and align with broader economic and environmental priorities of the federal government.
Mr Mobereola stressed that “this transition is not merely about compliance with international obligations, it is about safeguarding our marine environment, protecting public health, strengthening the blue economy, and ensuring that our maritime industry remains competitive and future-ready”, the DG said.
Also speaking at the event was the Technical Manager of the IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project, Ms Astrid Dispert, who highlighted that the overarching objective of the initiative is to advance a coherent and globally aligned regulatory framework to accelerate maritime decarbonization.
She also emphasised that NIMASA plays a pivotal role in driving the project at the national level.
The IMO GreenVoyage2050 Project provides technical expertise and institutional support to assist countries in developing and implementing National Action Plans that promote sustainable shipping practices, encourage investment in clean technologies, and strengthen capacity for long-term emissions reduction.
Through this collaboration, the federal government is advancing deliberate steps towards maritime decarbonization, reinforcing its commitment to global climate goals and ensuring a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for the sector.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with its digital submission process effective March 1.
The directive was contained in a circular signed by the Director-General of the Bureau, Mr Adebowale Adedokun, noting that the move was part of the bureau’s commitment to digital transformation and paperless governance.
It explained that the transition followed an earlier circular of Aug. 4, 2025, which introduced electronic submission procedures.
According to the bureau, it has successfully moved from physical filings to a dedicated e-mail service for document submissions and is now advancing to a more robust and integrated system.
The circular announced the inauguration of the BPP Digital Submission Portal, a web-based platform designed to enable MDAs submit procurement-related documents directly to the Bureau.
It stated that the automated platform would streamline the submission process, enhance transparency and ensure accelerated tracking of procurement-related documents and petitions.
“With effect from March 1, all MDAs will be required to use the portal to submit requests for ‘No Objection’ Certificates, approvals for ‘No Objection’ for special procurements, clarifications and status updates on submissions,” the bureau said.
It added that the portal would be hosted on the Bureau’s official website and would become fully operational from the effective date.
The bureau warned that physical submissions or manual hand-deliveries would no longer be prioritised and would eventually be rejected following the full transition to the digital platform.
It urged accounting officers to brief their procurement departments and ICT units on the development to ensure seamless processing of procurement activities from March 1.
It further advised MDAs to contact the Bureau via its official email for information on the onboarding process and integration into the portal.
The bureau emphasised that full compliance by all MDAs was required to ensure a smooth transition and avoid delays in the implementation of the 2026 fiscal year procurement processes.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn