By Our Correspondent

It was celebration galore in Anambra State as Obi of Onitsha, Anambra State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Friday, while celebrating the 2025 Onitsha Ofala festival which is his 24th since he assumed the throne in 2002, prayed for a peaceful and transparent Anambra State gubernatorial election billed for 8 November, this year.

His words, “This is our 24th Ofala festival since 2002 when I ascended the throne of Ezechima, our ancestor father. Except for the two year period of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have celebrated the festival in the usual manner. This year is no exception.

“We are most grateful to our creator, the Most High God of the universe, even as we continue to supplicate for His guidance and protection. An amazing retinue of guests and visitors have come from distant places to join our celebration,” he stated.

On the Anambra State gubernatorial election Igwe Achebe explained that, “We are gearing up for the off-cycle Governorship election next month. The campaign is intense among the five major political parties in the contest.

“Our fervent prayer is for a peaceful and transparent election to enable the electorate to freely determine their choice in the true democratic norm and practice,” he pleaded.

The monarch however expressed dissatisfaction with the scourge of violence and kidnapping in the Southeast that have continued to mutate in different forms and prayed that the conviction of Simon Ekpa, the Autopilot leader, would curtail the increased violent crimes in the zone.

“We pray that the recent conviction in Finland of Simon Ekpa will contribute to the general reduction of violent crime in the region. Unfortunately the damage to the economy has grown astronomically in all sectors of human endeavor.

“The SBM intelligence report titled, “Four years of Disruption”, published in May 2025, estimates that some #7.6 trillion has been lost since 2021 when the imposition started”, he explained.

He reiterated that this is the moment for deep reflection among Ndigbo lamenting that Nigeria and the entire world are leaving us behind due to the deliberate actions of a few purveyor of violence among us.

Pic shows Obi dancing

By David Owei, Yenagoa.

It was celebration galore at the weekend as the leadership and members of the Bayelsa West political family as well as friends of the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, converged on his Ofoni country-home to celebrate his Diamond Jubilee.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion, Captain Matthew Karimo, noted that though belated, the Bayelsa West Political Family deemed it fit to identify with Senator Ewhrudjakpo on his 60th birthday, describing him as an illustrious son that has made the Senatorial District proud in various ways.

Captain Karimo, who stressed that the Bayelsa-Number-Two man deserves the honour, expressed gratitude to the crowd for defying the downpour to grace the event at very short notice.

He however said he was not surprised at the impressive turnout some weeks after the Deputy Governor marked his 60th Birthday on the 5th of September, considering the achievements and the impact “the celebrant is making in the lives of people within and outside Bayelsa West.”

In their separate goodwill messages, the Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Mike Ogbere and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Suru Oyarede, thanked God for gifting Bayelsa with Senator Ewhrudjakpo who is loyally working with Governor Douye Diri to provide quality leadership and good governance in the state.

Also, the Chairman of Sagbama Local Government Area, Mrs Alice Tangi, the Chairperson, Ekeremor Rural Development Authority, Mrs Deme Pamooso and a representative of Bayelsa West PDP women, Mrs Julie Okerena, described the Deputy Governor as a dependable leader that is loved by his people.

According to them, the impressive attendance at the event was a testament to the organic solidarity and love the people of Bayelsa West have for their son, Senator Ewhrudjakpo who had proved his mettle in various capacities as a public figure.

In a response, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who was represented by the Chairman, Visitation Panel of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Dr O.O. Osusu, thanked the organizers of the ceremony and the people of Bayelsa West for the honour done him.

He particularly thanked Governor Diri and the people of Bayelsa West for their abiding support over the years, stressing that without them and the special grace of God he would not have attained his present height in life.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who prayed God to bless all who identified with him on his 60th birthday, which he described as milestone age, urged the people to remain united with a view to attracting more development to the area.

Dignitaries who graced the event were serving and past lawmakers, including the Member representing Sagbama Constituency 1 at the state House of Assembly, Dr Godbless Oyinke, his Nembe Constituency 1 counterpart, Hon. George Brah, and an elder statesman, Hon. Fyneman Wilson.

Others included the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Deputy Governor, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, Commissioner for Local Government, Chief Thompson Amule and his colleagues from Bayelsa West, Special Advisers including that of Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia, Chief Torpedo Amananagha as well as a philanthropist and former Chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area, Hon. Seles Saboh.

Also at the event were the Executive Secretary, State Universal Basic Education Board, Chief Victor Okubonanabo, Acting State Chairperson,
Teachers’ Registration Council, Dr Peremoboere Ugulor, Chief Kemi Prefa, Hon Jonathan Obuebite, among others.

By Our Correspondent

As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) celebrates the 2025 Customer Service Week on Monday,the Commission’s National Chairman,Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, restated the Commission’s commitment to empathy, responsiveness, accountability, and excellence in public service delivery.

Declaring open the Customer Service Week in Abuja on Monday, Yakubu said the annual event, celebrated in the first week of October, offers an opportunity to appreciate frontline staff and recommit to improving citizens’ experience in public service.

He described the 2025 theme, “Mission Possible,” as timely and deeply resonating with INEC’s vision of continuous innovation, stakeholder trust, and excellence in electoral service delivery.

“Customer Service Week reminds us that every complaint and every inquiry responded to, every concern addressed, and every moment of engagement reinforces the Commission’s commitment to serving the public interest as enshrined in the laws of our country, particularly the Freedom of Information Act, and articulated in our Integrated Service Charter.

“As we continue to introduce innovations and constantly review the Commission’s processes and procedures, I encourage us not to use this week for mere celebration, but to recommit ourselves to the core values of the Commission. We must rededicate ourselves to service delivery, generally speaking through empathy, responsiveness, accountability, and excellence,” Yakubu said.

He urged the Commission’s staff not to treat the week as a ceremonial exercise but as a moment of reflection and recommitment.

“We should continue to demonstrate our commitment to these goals by action and not mere sloganeering, for at the same words, action speaks louder than words. I am also one of those who believe that walk is actually prayer and action, so we should pray but keep walking. With these very few remarks,” he added.

The INEC Chairman also commended the Commission’s SERVICOM Desk for its efforts in promoting customer-oriented reforms and improving citizens’ access to timely and quality service.

Yakubu and several distinguished officials of the Commission were honoured with awards in recognition of their exceptional performance and unwavering dedication to advancing INEC’s mission of transparency and service excellence.

On his part, the Acting National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM, Mr. Anthony Oshin, lauded INEC’s commitment to institutional reform and service delivery to citizens.

Represented by Mrs. Ngozi Akinbodewa, he described INEC’s approach as a model for other public institutions, noting that its data-driven processes, technology adoption, and real-time accountability dashboards are examples of how public agencies can combine efficiency with transparency.

“This year’s theme, ‘Mission Possible,’ reminds us that even the toughest challenges in governance and elections can be turned into opportunities through teamwork, creativity, and resilience,” Oshin said.

He added that INEC’s commitment to proactive service delivery and its use of technology in stakeholder engagement demonstrate the Commission’s leadership in driving service excellence across the public sector.

According to him, the 2025 Customer Service Week, celebrated under the colors symbolizing calmness, honesty, and passion, reinforces the resolve to strengthen citizens’ confidence, improve transparency, and deliver seamless service across all platforms.