By Ijewa, Zeb Obioma

One remarkable feature in the present political dispensation is the vibrancy in government circles. This is what helps Nigerians to stabilize their strained psyche in the face of near economic strangulation situation. Although certain political pontifications, economic calculations and system observations revel in the interpretations that there may be certainty in the hope of seeing light at the end of the tunnel, Nigerians, under the current hardship, are rather inclined to get prepared for a tougher future. The ‘hit the ground running’ attribute to the President Bola Tinubu leadership has lost steam. Nigerians are beginning to wonder whether the ‘running’ is in forward movement or in backward movement. However, the tonic in this administration is in having a person and character of Ezenwo Nyesom Wike as a member of cabinet and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Wike appears to be the pivot upon which all other meaningful activities in this regime revolves. He has revolutionized the engine room of administration and project development of the Federal Capital Territory.
Marking the one year in office of the Bola Tinubu administration was merely about commissioning the many infrastructural development projects accomplished by the Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory, H.E Bar. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.
It is believed in some quarters that President Tinubu applied great wisdom in making Wike a Minister in His administration and, more still, putting him in charge of the Federal Capital Territory.
As if President Tinubu read the minds of Nigerians correctly, mostly those living in the federal capital territory, Abuja, Wike as the Minister could, as well, be the best gift ever to have been given to the residents of the Capital Territory. Many might not agree with this. They would like to talk about controversies – and this is the point where certain hibernating, stragglers, and off the mill self acclaimed activists latch upon, recently, to rant and make spurious allegations against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The eight years of former FCT Minister, could be defined as the worst leadership experience for the residents of the Federal Capital Territory.. While Nigerians lamented Buhari’s leadership doldrum, inactivity and insensitivity at the center, the then Minister of the Federal Capital Territory seemed to be apparently absent from duty. There was hardly any outstanding project which could be linked to his name. He has been adjudged the worst Minister of the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory ever. Yet our ‘attack dogs’ activists failed to direct their criticism and discontent in the former Minister’s direction.
Wike’s coming on board as the Honourable Minister of the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory has made all the difference, positively, in both administrative system and infrastructural development of the federal capital territory. A man adjudged ‘brash’ but also a man approved as most accomplishing in any assignment or task he sets his mind upon to do. Wike’s leadership mantra agrees with the popular saying, “A man whose name is always mentioned, must have accomplishments attached to him”. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike is a workaholic – a trail blazer of sorts and an achiever. He once came to the Federal Ministry of Education and delivered, even as a Minister of State. He went to Rivers state as an elected Executive governor where his good works for him baptized as “Mr Projects” not by friends and supporters, but by an opposition central government. No other Nigerian governor has been so ‘baptised’ or named by any key figure in an opposition federal government- then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
This is the same Wike that has happened to the Federal Capital Territory as the Honourable Minister and before people woke up, he has splashed developmental projects all over the FCT both new ones and others abandoned or non completed by past administrations. In less than two years, the road network in Abuja has redesigned the developmental architecture of Nigeria’s capital territory. Junctions hitherto left bare, have been decorated with traffic light gadgets. From Nyanya through AYA to Kubwa; from Abacha Barracks through Asokoro extension to Kuruduma axis, and from AYA through Apo to Airport road, new roads and avenues have been built with astonishing network construction of overhead bridges purposed to obliterate sluggish driving and traffic nuisance occasioned by roundabouts. The rural outskirts are not left out in this infrastructural development spree.
Critic activists have not seen any reason to appreciate the Honourable Minister for all the above and more yet to be mentioned but would not waste time to make nonfactual and unfounded allegations about very minor demolitions that have been effected due to an overriding need for security and revitalisation of delineated places for special purposes of development which are in line with the master plan of Abuja. As far as Wike is concerned, If it is development, Nigerians must not be denied. After all, those who failed to engage development are now bearing the consequences of such negative impressions to their names – and they may never have a second opportunity to come back and rectify their administrative mistakes or failures.
Unfortunately Wike’s admirable developmental strides have drawn the ire of certain self styled political or civil society activists who hoped to capture on the spur of the aforementioned developmental initiatives to launch their somewhat imbecile attacks on the performing Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
However, something worthy of note about those speculating and hibernating self styled activists is that they operate from the unpopular angle of “sour grape” syndrome. These sets of ‘activists’ have been mere ‘street actors’ who had, at one time or another in the past, approached the Honourable Minister for one favour or another. They forget that as much kind hearted as Wike is, he diligently applies discerning instincts to know well intended aspirations or ends as against selfish and or blackmail motives. Wike needs friends just as everyone does, but he prefers to choose his friends and not the other way round.Therefore, engaging in unproductive criticism from a biased, non factual non objective and non constructive grounds would never serve anyone any good purpose.
Recently, there was unfounded and unverified news that the Honourable Minister collapsed. Some went further to wish that he died. One could only imagine that a fellow human – a mortal could be wishing another death. This is the extent to which some could stretch hatred. But such is left for morality and conscience to deal with. The insect, ‘kolo-kolo’ can only gather around the waist of the Iroko tree just to dramatize inexistent strength pretending to push the Iroko tree down:, in vain do they labour because they could never succeed. Wike has already emerged as a reference point in Nigeria politics reinventing the political ideology of fighting for what is right, just, fair and equitable.

Ijewa, Zeb Obioma

By David Owei, Yenagoa.

Charles Preye Zuofa, a former classmate to the Senate President, Dr. Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed the allegations of sexual harassments against the former Akwa Ibom State Governor saying it is inconsistent with Akpabio’s character.

Zuofa, who hails from Kaiama in Kolokuma-Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State said for over 50 years he had known the Senate President, nothing of such could describe his character.

He said unless otherwise proven in court, Akpabio had never displayed any attitude suggestive of sexual harassment in the over 50 years he had closely related with him insisting that the Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations and the one made earlier by a former Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Joy Nunueh were all strange to him.

Zuofa went down memory lane to recall how his relationship with Akpabio started at the Federal Government College (FGC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State saying Akpabio was fondly called Gody A because of his sense of humour and intelligence.

He said: “Gody A as we used to call him back then in FGC, Port Harcourt was a very intelligent, yet humorous student. Before stand-up comedy became popular in Nigeria, ‘Gody A’ was a stand-up comedian. He contested I think in our 4th year and won the best DJ and stand-up comedian of the school; it was thereafter that we coined and gave him the nickname ‘Gody A’.

“The Senate President was someone who made light of what would ordinarily pass for serious situations. He always cracked jokes to make everyone feel comfortable in his presence. The Senate President even in his humorous nature was a serious minded, studious and intelligent student who exhibited high level leadership qualities.

“He was our Senior Prefect and, you know to be Senior Prefect you must be a well-rounded individual who embodies leadership, responsibility, integrity, and strong interpersonal skills. As Senior Prefect, Godswill Akpabio played a crucial role in maintaining order, fostering a positive school environment, and serving as a role model for the entire student body.

“Am not surprised that the high-quality leadership traits he exhibited back then, has now catapulted him to the leadership of the legislative arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

Zuofa said after their FGC years, he still maintained close relationship and contact with the Senate President and was part of many public engagements, celebrations and receptions involving Akpabio.

“A documentary was made to celebrate Godswill Akpabio at 50. I spoke on behalf of his friends in the documentary. I was also present at his 59th birthday held in Uyo. I was further present at his 61st birthday and well attended triumphant homecoming held at the world renowned Godswill Akpabio Stadium. My presence and active involvement at the organization of these milestone events underscore the durability and depth of our relationship”, he said.

While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations made against Akpabio by Natasha, he said: “But the allegations of sexual harassment do not align with the behaviour and conduct of the Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio that I have known and interacted with very closely for 50 years.

“Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio who is a remarkably close friend and, about whom I can safely give a character opinion has always displayed and treated women with utmost courtesy and respect. I must restate that the current allegations of sexual harassment are entirely contrary to my personal experience of the Senate President, and I would consider it totally unfounded until otherwise proven”.

Zuofa said he was present at the guided tour of Akpabio’s House in Uyo, where Natasha claimed that the Senate President made some improper comments about her.

He said: “Specifically, on the allegations of improper comments made during the guided tour of the new residence of the Senate President in Uyo, I want to state that I was at his residence on the eve of the celebrations of his 61st Birthday, I met Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and her husband, High Chief Uduaghan, and I was also part of those that went on the guided tour of the new home, alongside the Uduaghans.

” Thereafter we all (including the Uduaghans) gathered just before midnight in the chapel located within the new residence, and at precisely midnight we all prayed, sang and all wished our friend, brother and leader (The Senate President) a happy birthday. All of us departed the residence shortly afterwards because the immediate family wanted to continue the praise & worship session with the Senate President.

“On the morning of 9th day of December 2023, which was the actual birthday, we celebrated the Senate President at the stadium after which we all had lunch at his residence. We all stayed till late, until the Senate President retired. I departed Uyo on 10th December 2023.

“At this point, it is pertinent for me to state that throughout the guided tour, I neither saw or heard the Senate President say or do anything suggestive of inappropriate advances or comments towards Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, nor did I observe any discomfort on her part or on the part of her husband.”

On the earlier allegations of sexual harassment made by Nunieh, Zuofa said: “The allegations as we all know occurred after a security report from Mr, Abba Kyari the then Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari indicating that she had issues with her NYSC programme led to her removal as Interim Administrator of NDDC so as to avoid embarrassment for the government of the day.

“At that time, it was alleged that her NYSC certificate was forged and if you recall, this was shortly after the then Finance Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Mrs. Kemi Adeosun who had a similar problem, voluntarily resigned her position. Barrister Nunieh had wrongly alleged at the time that it was because she rebuffed the advances from the then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Dr. Godswill Akpabio that she was removed. The clear facts of the matter proved otherwise as we all know.

“I have been a very close friend of the uncommon Senate President for 50 years, during which period he served as Commissioner, Governor, Senator, Minister and presently the Senate President. Throughout, this period he hosted men & women from different backgrounds and there has never been any complaint of harassment made against him (whether sexual or otherwise).”

Zuofa added: “The instant allegation made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is strange as was the one made by Joy Nunieh, which was never proven. There appears to be a common trend in these allegations to the extent that the allegations were made by the accusers after the occurrence of events that the accusers considered as being averse to their interest.

“This is not to discount the fact that they reserve the right to make their allegations at any time they deem necessary provided that they can prove such allegations whenever called upon to do so. Let me state again that the Senate President has never, for the 50years I have been a close friend of his, exhibited any character trait indicative or suggestive of someone that would sexually harass anyone and, I have never heard any allegations in that regard with the exception of the allegations made by Joy Nunieh (Former Interim Administrator of NDDC) and recently, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan”.

Zuofa advised the Senate President to continue to render the support that he had always provided to the President of the country and, not be discouraged by what he described as deliberate attempts at distracting him.

He said: “The relationship between the two arms of government should be complimentary and not confrontational for the much needed synergy towards nation building and rapid infrastructural development.

“I would also advise him that while, I understand the embarrassment, ridicule and hurt that he, his wife and children as well as other well-wishers would be feeling at this time as a result of these allegations, he should as he has always done, take it as part of the sacrifices he would make in his role as the leader of the legislative arm of Government.

“He should continue to exhibit his usual humble character and not be deterred in his resolve towards ensuring that women are given their pride of place within the politics of the Nation just as he exhibited or displayed during his time as governor of Akwa Ibom State”.

January 18, 2025, was a memorable day as family, friends and loved ones were on hand to honour a talented young actress, content creator and a budding movie producer, LiliGrace Blankson as she celebrated her 10th birthday in a star-studded ceremony.

The celebration was filled with exciting activities, including entertaining performances, games, and delicious refreshments.

Highlight of the event was the cutting of LiliGrace’s stunning birthday cake, marking her first decade of life filled with achievements, love, and laughter.

Guests showered LiliGrace with goodwill messages and prayers, demonstrating how much she is cherished and in line with the family’s tradition of giving back, guests received thoughtful gifts courtesy of Lilygrace Productions And Films in partnership with the Isioma Humanitarian Foundation (ISHF).

LiliGrace’s parents, His Highness Chief (Hon) Blankson Edwin Osomkime, Esq., and Deaconess Mrs. Isioma Usoegbu Blankson, expressed their gratitude to everyone who made the day special.

As LiliGrace begins her second decade, she has already shown incredible potential as a rising star in the entertainment industry.

The celebration was a testament to her bright future, and those in attendance eagerly anticipate her upcoming achievements.