Chukwueze, Azeez, Nwakali Will Excel In Laliga – Amuneke


Former Nigeria international and Misr El Makkasa of Egypt coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has posited that the trio of Nigeria exports, Samuel Chukwueze, Ramon Azeez and Kelechi Nwakali have all it takes to deliver in the 2020/2021 Spanish top league, Laliga, Orient Sports reports.


The threesome youngsters are the only Nigeria players in the Laliga this term and Amuneke who is a Laliga Legend having played for FC Barcelona and Albacete, believes the Nigerian exports are blessed with immense talent and equally have gotten the Laliga experience to power their respective clubs to the top.

Chukwueze is on the payroll of the Yellow Submarines, Villarreal while Ramon Azeez plays for Granada just as Nwakali has just joined the elite league with his modest side, Huesca.
“Chukwueze has been doing very well for his club, Villarreal”, starts Amuneke when he was asked to give his thoughts on the three Nigerian players featuring in this season’s Spanish Laliga.


“He’s been in the team and I think his consistency and continuity in the squad has given him edge and more confidence as a player.
“It has enabled him to mature more into the game so I think he will do more this season having settled down well enough to the demands of the Spanish league”, Amuneke said.


Chukwueze is in his second season at Villarreal, having joined the club shortly after helping Nigeria’s U17 Golden Eaglets lift the FIFA world Cup in Chile 2015 with Amuneke as head coach.
Amuneke had a brief coaching spell in Sudan with Khartoum SC before taking up Taifa Stars of Tanzania coaching job, qualifying them for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals, for the first time in 39 years.
He says Huesca’s promotion will help Nwakali a great deal since the Nigerian starlet will now have opportunity to play top flight football.



“I’m happy that Nwakali took that bold decision of going to Huesca. With Huesca they have gained promotion to the Laliga, meaning he’s been guaranteed top flight football.


“But then, that means he must have to work hard to tie down regular team shirt which is important to his career.
“Yes, we shouldn’t pressure him with expectation of becoming an instant hit in the Laliga. He must have to do that gradually, adapt to the elite league demand.


“And once he sits in with the system, no doubt his best would begin to come. And if that happens, he will give his best to Huesca”.
Amuneke also spoke about Ramon Azeez who plays for Granada, also in the Laliga.


“Ramon (Azeez) is a player with great talent”, the former African Player of the Year says.
“He’s been in the Spanish football for sometime now and understands the system well. So I believe he has the experience which I believe will count for him this time around”, Amuneke said with a confident tone.

#orientdailynews

CRHA Ashamed By Plight Of Workers Blacklisted From Payroll – Speaker

With no end in sight on the plight of over 2500 workers whose names were removed from payroll by the Cross River government, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Eteng Williams, has described the scenario as embarrassing.


The Speaker, who addressed the protesting workers on Thursday said, “we feel your pains. My younger ones are involved. About three of them, so it is not just the number of you that have come out here. There are a thousand and one others out there.

“On two occasions, we summoned the people in government handling the said screening and verification and what we have asked is are you not done with it? How long are you going to continue in it. You can’t continue with screening endlessly.
“As a member of this government, I am embarrassed by this situation and the issue keeps embarrassing me. This screening is getting too long. I am saying it openly here without minding anything.


“We told them to come out with a position paper on where there are and what they are doing. Also let them let us know what the position of government is on what there are doing and where there are on their job.
“The situation is so pathetic and many of us are both directly and indirectly affected.



We are taking more responsibilities from the affected persons and families. We feel your pains. We support what you are doing and I am happy you are doing it peacefully.

The state assembly supports that you should be paid and reinstated.
“There should be a clear cut decisions over this issue.

If I don’t have the qualification and it is true as proven that I am not qualify, you decide to drop me, state it so clearly.”
Speaking earlier Paul Ojeka, President of Niger Delta Activists Forum, Cross River State Chapter said it was unfortunate that families have lost their livelihood abruptly without notice as a lot have lost their homes and dignity in extension.


He said, “Many were duly employed, many were given confirmation letter but the screening is taking so much time and we believe there is no sincerity in all that is being done. The Cross River state government must as a matter of urgency, attend to this burning issues ,we are dying already.,”

The affected workers had been embarking on protest since Monday, saying they were suffering for more than one year and still counting, without salary.


They had taken the protest to Gov Ben Ayade’s office, State Secretariat and lately, the State House of Assembly for solution to their plight, but government top officials in charge of salary matters were yet to come up with any categorical statement to calm the workers’ frayed nerves.

#orientdailynews

Awka Anglican Bishop, Ex-Knight In A Corruption Scandal

A former knight of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, has resigned after making serious allegations against the Bishop of Awka Diocese, The Most Revd, Dr. Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim. The ex-knight, Izuchukwu Nwabueze, claimed that the bishop had abdicated his primary responsibility of shepherding the flock of Christ and, instead, resorted to partisan politics and prioritising money above God.

Nwabueze further claimed that he quit the knighthood in order to expose what he alleged were the dealings of the bishop, help purge the clergy of bad eggs and sanitise the church. According to him, “I had to resign from the knighthood of the Awka Diocese so that I can be free to expose the rot in the house of God,” he declared.


Things, however, took a new twist for the ex-knight days after renouncing his knighthood when police operatives from the Zone 13 police command, in Anambra state, arrested him for allegedly impersonating a police officer to defraud the public.

An official Zone 13 statement signed by its police public relations officer, ASP Princess Nkiruka Nwode, disclosed that the suspect hid under police identity to organise fund-raising, purportedly for the furnishing of an unknown police residential quarters and installation of a sound-proof generating set for the AIG Zone 13, Ukpo. The statement further disclosed that the suspect also allegedly cornered Sir Chris Okeke and Chief Nwaigwe Daniel, both of G20 Foundation, Awka, collecting a total sum of seven million, three hundred thousand Naira (N7,300,00 from them.

The police further said that Nwabueze also obtained various sums of money, amounting to N1, 885,000, under false pretence, from about seven persons, purportedly on behalf of the bishop.

“The suspect had also approached Mr. Akunwata Chuka Modebe, Esq, to join him in the forum he created to support the creation and activities of the newly created Zone 13 police headquarters and allegedly convinced him to pay the sum of one million naira on the 1st of September, 2020, which he did to his Fidelity Bank account.

“In the same vein, he also approached one Mr. Stanley, the CEO of Brost Global Resources and collected the sum of N500,000 from him to allegedly enlist him in his stakeholders forum; another N370,000 to purchase an IPad for the AIG, and yet another N1,150,000 for the furnishing of the office of the personal assistant to the AIG, and when Stanley requested for the refund of his money, Izuchukwu gave him a Fidelity Bank cheque of N1,150,000 belonging to CHRISKWIK VENTURES LIMITED of 32 ISA WILLIAMS STREET, OKEARIN, LAGOS STATE, which he presented to the bank but was bounced.


“Meanwhile, the suspect has voluntarily confessed to the crime, while investigation is still ongoing, after which suspect will be charged to court.



The AIG Zone 13 Ukpo, DanMalam Mohammed, is using this opportunity to implore members of the public, who may have been defrauded by the said Ichie Izuchukwu Nwabueze, to report to the deputy commissioner of police in charge of Criminal Investigations Department, DCP Echeng Echeng, just as he cautioned the public to be wary of this new trend of criminal activity and report suspicions actions or persons through the zone’s emergency number: 08060463492 or the nearest police station or command for prompt response.”

Orient Weekend gathered from a reliable source that the duo of Nwabueze, a close ally and kinsman of a known Ukpo businessman, and Bishop Ibezim had been in very good terms until recently when the latter appeared to be getting close Anambra state Governor Willie Obiano. The source alleged that Nwabueze urged the archbishop to minimise his closeness with the governor, because of his rift with the businessman but that the cleric refused, leading to a misunderstanding which, ultimately, led to Nwabueze denouncing the knighthood of the Anglican church conferred on him by the archbishop and accusing the cleric of fraud and corruption.

“Being that both archbishop and Nwabueze knew each other very well, the archbishop unearthed the alleged zone 13 fundraising issue, to which he, in fact, also contributed, and which he had, all along known to be a fraud. That was how the two friends started washing their dirty clothes in the public,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.

This paper gathered that the suspect was, on Wednesday, arraigned before a magistrate court in Ukpo, Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state, on charges of obtaining money from members of the public under the guise of being an aid to AIG DanMallam.

At the hearing, the magistrate, M. N. Ibeneme, after listening to the prosecution counsel present their seven-count charge and the defence counsel – who told the court that the issue involving his client was politically motivated and meant to intimidate his client – granted bail to the suspect with a surety of one million naira, three-year tax clearance paper both by a resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

This was, however, contrary to the plea of the prosecution counsel who argued that, given the gravity of the offence, he should be denied bail. The defence countered, saying that Nwabueze was a cabinet member in Ukpo and a Bishop-nominee in Nnewi Diocese who would not jump bail.

The magistrate called on the prosecution counsel to provide the witnesses in the matter for the next adjourned date for further hearing into the matter as he allowed the bail application.

Reacting, the prosecution counsel, Mr C. I. Obi, described the bail ruling as final while his opposing counsel, Mr Jack Iyioku, said the magistrate exercised his discretion judiciously on the bail permission.

Orient Weekend reports that the matter was adjourned to October 23, 2020 for witnesses to appear before the court.

When Orient Weekend sought the reaction of the chief press secretary to the bishop of the Awka Anglican diocese, Dr Emeka Odogwu Emeka, he said he was in a noisy place and would call back. His view was still being awaited as at press time.

#orientdailynews

Awka Anglican Bishop, Ex-Knight In A Corruption Scandal

A former knight of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, has resigned after making serious allegations against the Bishop of Awka Diocese, The Most Revd, Dr. Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim. The ex-knight, Izuchukwu Nwabueze, claimed that the bishop had abdicated his primary responsibility of shepherding the flock of Christ and, instead, resorted to partisan politics and prioritising money above God.

Nwabueze further claimed that he quit the knighthood in order to expose what he alleged were the dealings of the bishop, help purge the clergy of bad eggs and sanitise the church. According to him, “I had to resign from the knighthood of the Awka Diocese so that I can be free to expose the rot in the house of God,” he declared.


Things, however, took a new twist for the ex-knight days after renouncing his knighthood when police operatives from the Zone 13 police command, in Anambra state, arrested him for allegedly impersonating a police officer to defraud the public.

An official Zone 13 statement signed by its police public relations officer, ASP Princess Nkiruka Nwode, disclosed that the suspect hid under police identity to organise fund-raising, purportedly for the furnishing of an unknown police residential quarters and installation of a sound-proof generating set for the AIG Zone 13, Ukpo. The statement further disclosed that the suspect also allegedly cornered Sir Chris Okeke and Chief Nwaigwe Daniel, both of G20 Foundation, Awka, collecting a total sum of seven million, three hundred thousand Naira (N7,300,00 from them.

The police further said that Nwabueze also obtained various sums of money, amounting to N1, 885,000, under false pretence, from about seven persons, purportedly on behalf of the bishop.

“The suspect had also approached Mr. Akunwata Chuka Modebe, Esq, to join him in the forum he created to support the creation and activities of the newly created Zone 13 police headquarters and allegedly convinced him to pay the sum of one million naira on the 1st of September, 2020, which he did to his Fidelity Bank account.

“In the same vein, he also approached one Mr. Stanley, the CEO of Brost Global Resources and collected the sum of N500,000 from him to allegedly enlist him in his stakeholders forum; another N370,000 to purchase an IPad for the AIG, and yet another N1,150,000 for the furnishing of the office of the personal assistant to the AIG, and when Stanley requested for the refund of his money, Izuchukwu gave him a Fidelity Bank cheque of N1,150,000 belonging to CHRISKWIK VENTURES LIMITED of 32 ISA WILLIAMS STREET, OKEARIN, LAGOS STATE, which he presented to the bank but was bounced.


“Meanwhile, the suspect has voluntarily confessed to the crime, while investigation is still ongoing, after which suspect will be charged to court.



The AIG Zone 13 Ukpo, DanMalam Mohammed, is using this opportunity to implore members of the public, who may have been defrauded by the said Ichie Izuchukwu Nwabueze, to report to the deputy commissioner of police in charge of Criminal Investigations Department, DCP Echeng Echeng, just as he cautioned the public to be wary of this new trend of criminal activity and report suspicions actions or persons through the zone’s emergency number: 08060463492 or the nearest police station or command for prompt response.”

Orient Weekend gathered from a reliable source that the duo of Nwabueze, a close ally and kinsman of a known Ukpo businessman, and Bishop Ibezim had been in very good terms until recently when the latter appeared to be getting close Anambra state Governor Willie Obiano. The source alleged that Nwabueze urged the archbishop to minimise his closeness with the governor, because of his rift with the businessman but that the cleric refused, leading to a misunderstanding which, ultimately, led to Nwabueze denouncing the knighthood of the Anglican church conferred on him by the archbishop and accusing the cleric of fraud and corruption.

“Being that both archbishop and Nwabueze knew each other very well, the archbishop unearthed the alleged zone 13 fundraising issue, to which he, in fact, also contributed, and which he had, all along known to be a fraud. That was how the two friends started washing their dirty clothes in the public,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.

This paper gathered that the suspect was, on Wednesday, arraigned before a magistrate court in Ukpo, Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state, on charges of obtaining money from members of the public under the guise of being an aid to AIG DanMallam.

At the hearing, the magistrate, M. N. Ibeneme, after listening to the prosecution counsel present their seven-count charge and the defence counsel – who told the court that the issue involving his client was politically motivated and meant to intimidate his client – granted bail to the suspect with a surety of one million naira, three-year tax clearance paper both by a resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

This was, however, contrary to the plea of the prosecution counsel who argued that, given the gravity of the offence, he should be denied bail. The defence countered, saying that Nwabueze was a cabinet member in Ukpo and a Bishop-nominee in Nnewi Diocese who would not jump bail.

The magistrate called on the prosecution counsel to provide the witnesses in the matter for the next adjourned date for further hearing into the matter as he allowed the bail application.

Reacting, the prosecution counsel, Mr C. I. Obi, described the bail ruling as final while his opposing counsel, Mr Jack Iyioku, said the magistrate exercised his discretion judiciously on the bail permission.

Orient Weekend reports that the matter was adjourned to October 23, 2020 for witnesses to appear before the court.

When Orient Weekend sought the reaction of the chief press secretary to the bishop of the Awka Anglican diocese, Dr Emeka Odogwu Emeka, he said he was in a noisy place and would call back. His view was still being awaited as at press time.

#orientdailynews

Awka Anglican Bishop, Ex-Knight In A Corruption Scandal

A former knight of the Diocese of Awka, Anglican Communion, has resigned after making serious allegations against the Bishop of Awka Diocese, The Most Revd, Dr. Alexander Chibuzor Ibezim. The ex-knight, Izuchukwu Nwabueze, claimed that the bishop had abdicated his primary responsibility of shepherding the flock of Christ and, instead, resorted to partisan politics and prioritising money above God.

Nwabueze further claimed that he quit the knighthood in order to expose what he alleged were the dealings of the bishop, help purge the clergy of bad eggs and sanitise the church. According to him, “I had to resign from the knighthood of the Awka Diocese so that I can be free to expose the rot in the house of God,” he declared.


Things, however, took a new twist for the ex-knight days after renouncing his knighthood when police operatives from the Zone 13 police command, in Anambra state, arrested him for allegedly impersonating a police officer to defraud the public.

An official Zone 13 statement signed by its police public relations officer, ASP Princess Nkiruka Nwode, disclosed that the suspect hid under police identity to organise fund-raising, purportedly for the furnishing of an unknown police residential quarters and installation of a sound-proof generating set for the AIG Zone 13, Ukpo. The statement further disclosed that the suspect also allegedly cornered Sir Chris Okeke and Chief Nwaigwe Daniel, both of G20 Foundation, Awka, collecting a total sum of seven million, three hundred thousand Naira (N7,300,00 from them.

The police further said that Nwabueze also obtained various sums of money, amounting to N1, 885,000, under false pretence, from about seven persons, purportedly on behalf of the bishop.

“The suspect had also approached Mr. Akunwata Chuka Modebe, Esq, to join him in the forum he created to support the creation and activities of the newly created Zone 13 police headquarters and allegedly convinced him to pay the sum of one million naira on the 1st of September, 2020, which he did to his Fidelity Bank account.

“In the same vein, he also approached one Mr. Stanley, the CEO of Brost Global Resources and collected the sum of N500,000 from him to allegedly enlist him in his stakeholders forum; another N370,000 to purchase an IPad for the AIG, and yet another N1,150,000 for the furnishing of the office of the personal assistant to the AIG, and when Stanley requested for the refund of his money, Izuchukwu gave him a Fidelity Bank cheque of N1,150,000 belonging to CHRISKWIK VENTURES LIMITED of 32 ISA WILLIAMS STREET, OKEARIN, LAGOS STATE, which he presented to the bank but was bounced.


“Meanwhile, the suspect has voluntarily confessed to the crime, while investigation is still ongoing, after which suspect will be charged to court.



The AIG Zone 13 Ukpo, DanMalam Mohammed, is using this opportunity to implore members of the public, who may have been defrauded by the said Ichie Izuchukwu Nwabueze, to report to the deputy commissioner of police in charge of Criminal Investigations Department, DCP Echeng Echeng, just as he cautioned the public to be wary of this new trend of criminal activity and report suspicions actions or persons through the zone’s emergency number: 08060463492 or the nearest police station or command for prompt response.”

Orient Weekend gathered from a reliable source that the duo of Nwabueze, a close ally and kinsman of a known Ukpo businessman, and Bishop Ibezim had been in very good terms until recently when the latter appeared to be getting close Anambra state Governor Willie Obiano. The source alleged that Nwabueze urged the archbishop to minimise his closeness with the governor, because of his rift with the businessman but that the cleric refused, leading to a misunderstanding which, ultimately, led to Nwabueze denouncing the knighthood of the Anglican church conferred on him by the archbishop and accusing the cleric of fraud and corruption.

“Being that both archbishop and Nwabueze knew each other very well, the archbishop unearthed the alleged zone 13 fundraising issue, to which he, in fact, also contributed, and which he had, all along known to be a fraud. That was how the two friends started washing their dirty clothes in the public,” the source who pleaded anonymity said.

This paper gathered that the suspect was, on Wednesday, arraigned before a magistrate court in Ukpo, Dunukofia local government area of Anambra state, on charges of obtaining money from members of the public under the guise of being an aid to AIG DanMallam.

At the hearing, the magistrate, M. N. Ibeneme, after listening to the prosecution counsel present their seven-count charge and the defence counsel – who told the court that the issue involving his client was politically motivated and meant to intimidate his client – granted bail to the suspect with a surety of one million naira, three-year tax clearance paper both by a resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

This was, however, contrary to the plea of the prosecution counsel who argued that, given the gravity of the offence, he should be denied bail. The defence countered, saying that Nwabueze was a cabinet member in Ukpo and a Bishop-nominee in Nnewi Diocese who would not jump bail.

The magistrate called on the prosecution counsel to provide the witnesses in the matter for the next adjourned date for further hearing into the matter as he allowed the bail application.

Reacting, the prosecution counsel, Mr C. I. Obi, described the bail ruling as final while his opposing counsel, Mr Jack Iyioku, said the magistrate exercised his discretion judiciously on the bail permission.

Orient Weekend reports that the matter was adjourned to October 23, 2020 for witnesses to appear before the court.

When Orient Weekend sought the reaction of the chief press secretary to the bishop of the Awka Anglican diocese, Dr Emeka Odogwu Emeka, he said he was in a noisy place and would call back. His view was still being awaited as at press time.

#orientdailynews

Hoodlums Invade Church, Rape Female Worshipper, Shot Another In Abakaliki

By Ruth Oginyi

Suspected hoodlums, who invaded Assemblies of God church, Abakaliki branch, in the early hours of Wednesday, September 23, raped a female worshipper, shot another lady on the lap before carting away with some equipment belonging to the church, Orient Weekend reliably gathered.

According to witness, the hoodlums launched the attack around 1:am during an all-night rehearsal by the church’s youth drama group ahead of a programme slated for Friday, September 25, 2020. The witness who does not want his name in print for security reasons, disclosed that while the hoodlums were raping one of the ladies participating in the rehearsals, they shot another female member, named Grace, on her laps for trying to resist their attempts to have carnal knowledge of her before fleeing with the items they stole from the church.


He further disclosed that shortly after the assailants invaded the church, other members of the drama rehearsal group abandoned the practice and ran for their lives.

When our reporter visited the church on Wednesday morning, the pastor in charge of the church was not available, but an elder of the church, who was on ground confirmed the incident.

“We were called this morning to be notified of the incident. But we will not be able to give you all the details you require now. Our pastor, who stayed awake all through the night when this thing happened is down now. So, we will not be able to give you details of the attack now. However, the matter has been reported to the police, and the girls have been taken to hospital for treatment”, he said.

When contacted, the Ebonyi state police command’s public relations officer, Mrs Loveth Odah, said the matter was yet to be officially brought to her attention as at press time.

#orientdailynews

Nollywood Actor, Alexx Ekubo, Bags Chieftaincy Title In Mbaise

Nigerian actor, Alexx Ekubo, has been conferred with a chieftaincy title. In a series of videos shared via his Instagram page on Sunday, September 20, 2020, Ekubo expressed gratitude to the king of the community where the title was conferred on him.

The movie star was conferred with the title ‘Ikuku of Amumara Town, Mbaise in Imo state.

“Allow me to Re-introduce myself, I Alexx Ekubo of Arochukwu, Abia state – has just been coronated IKUKU of Amumara town, Mbaise. Imo state, at the just-concluded Iri-Ji (New Yam Festival),” he wrote.

“Coronation by – Eze Umara 3 of Amumara town, Mbaise kingdom, Imo state. Special thanks to High Chief Nwachinemere 1 of Mbaise, @vintagedeluxeinteriors for welcoming me and honoring me in his home town, among his kindred. I Love you forever and ever Obara’m.”

Ekubo went on to say that henceforth, he would love to be addressed as a chief.

“Pls, moving forward, when you see me, address me as a Chief. It’s official. Ikuku is not a “nickname”. #igboamaka,” he said.

Ekubo joins the list of Nigerian celebrities, who have been conferred with chieftaincy titles.

#orientdailynews

2 Undergraduate Brothers Caught Robing Jewelry Shop In Awka

Police operatives from the B-Division of the Anambra state police command, have arrested two brothers over alleged armed robbery.

The suspects, Chigozie and Onyeka, who hails from Aguata; but resides at Kenfrank Lodge, UNIZIK Tempsite, Awka, Anambra state capital, were arrested on September 22, 2020, at about 9am.

According to a statement issued by the Anambra state police command’s public relations officer, SP Haruna Mohammed, the suspects, who were students of the St. Pauls University, Awka and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN) respectively, allegedly broke into a jewellery shop at Tempsite, Awka, and stole valuables worth over N300,000 and cash sum of N37,000.


Mohammed disclosed that the suspects, shortly after breaking into the shop, pinned down and tied the sales girl, covering her mouth with cello tape before ransacking the shop.



“They also threatened to stab the sales girl on her neck if she screamed, and thereafter, carted away 33 wrist watches, 14 necklaces valued over N300,000 and cash sum of N37,000.”

Luck, however, ran out of the suspects when the sales girl loosened the tape and raised alarm as the hoodlums tried to escape, and they were eventually caught after a hot chase.

Items recovered in their possessions include the 33 wrist watches, 14 necklaces and cash sum of N37,000 that they carted away from the shop, as well as a wrap of dried leave suspected to be Cannabis Sativa, following a search at their residence.

“Suspects confessed to the crime and investigation is ongoing after which they would be charged to court”, Mohammed added, while urging victims of robbery incidents to report at B’ Division, Awka, in order to enable the police conduct discreet investigation.

#orientdailynews

CALLERS REVIEWS:
Caller 1: Barrister Ernest - The reason why youths don’t hold their leaders accountable, is that they have this mental you must be a financial bulldozer before you can contest for election. They need to change their mindset. They should know that their votes count.

Winnie: How do we know that our votes count, what yardstick are we using and how will you change the mindset of the young people?

Maureen: You’ll know. They would know, because we know the particular person which we are want to vote for, and would know who and who we also think would emerge as a winner after the elections that our votes count, in as much we know they would still rig the election.

Winnie: It’s alright, we hope that, that will get to change the mind of the young people to know that our vote counts.

Lyrics: Do you vote?

Maureen: Yes, I do and I know that my vote counts.

Lyrics: What other participation in politics are you involved in?

Caller 2: Frank (Awka) - I personally, I don’t think that my vote counts, because during the general presidential election I saw how that turned out to be.
Is there any institution that would tutor me, if for example I wanted to contest for the presidency? Where can I learn how to do that?

Maureen: One is academic institutions and another is innovation centers. I believe he’s a graduate, he should put his ears on deck to listen and get when the next training is coming up.

Lyrics: If we start adopting policies for good governance, and forget money. We think solely about money. What the politicians gives you is only for the moment, hence you sell your vote out through the little money they’ve given you.

Caller 3: Joshua (Enugu- Ezike). The reason youths can’t involve themselves politics, is the issue of finance. The cost of governance is very high. So, it’s a big challenge.

Lyrics: Sometimes, I agree with people who say money is a problem. Money is as important as it gets.

Winnie: Yes, money is one of the key to this. How has leaders helped?

Maureen: Social Media is a place you can err your view. They are actually erring their view on social media, which is nice.

Caller 4: Peace ( Enugu ) - So many youths are afraid of the fact that their votes don’t count. I’ve spoken with many youths, and they think if the elections can be online, they would confidently vote an know their votes count.

Lyrics: I would have agree with her in a way. Just like the gofundme account for funding cause. Just to support what she’s saying. Do you think with the technology we have, can we have that done?

Winnie: We cannot just jump to the top, let use that little sector JAMB, we still have network issues, exam malpractice and then compare to the online electoral process. We are still struggling to get our voter cards, you even have to pay to collect it. So these are measures we need to check.

Caller 5: Steven ( Kogi ) - Lets blame the youths themselves. Who snatch ballot boxes? It’s the youth. They’ve stooped themselves so low to the collecting all those chicken change
Maureen: The youths should have sensible responsibilities. It’s only without sense of responsibility, that would fall prey to thuggery.

Winnie: After elections, We go back and fold our hands. We shouldn’t wait close to elections, to create awareness. Which hungry person wouldn’t take money given to him to disrupt elections. We ought to start now to sensitive the youths towards the election.

#theawakeningp

Winnie: So, what can you say is the level of youth participation in Anambra state?

Maureen: The youth participation in Anambra state is very low and been found to be very poor, they are only seen during the campaigns. There are three stages in politics;
 The Pre-Election stage,
 The Election an
 The Post-Election stage. They are actively available during the pre-election stage.

Winnie: What do you mean when you talk of pre-election stage?

Maureen: They pre-election stage is the stage whereby they prepare for the election, getting their PVCs ready to vote.

Winnie: What exactly can you say is the percentage of the youths during pre-election in the state?

Maureen: In Anambra State, you can score them 90%

Winnie: What is the number of young people that participated or contested for political positions?

Maureen: Here we have it poor.

Lyrics: Can you put it in percentage?
Maureen: 40%

Lyrics: A lot of people think, that my vote do not count. Why do we have that mentality?.
Maureen: The positions given to them, make them think that votes don’t count. Not allowing them be decision makers. It seems to them that they are working under people, they can’t go against their paymasters. So in that aspects, they seem that their vote doesn’t count. Some don’t give listening ear to what they are bringing to the table.
Winnie: Why do we have poor level of youth participation during election?

Maureen : I’ll highlight this in three points:
 Absence of creativity and innovation: These aspect has to do with the mindset of the youths. They don’t have a way of thinking to put something on the table. Not having that mindset of creation and innovation is one of the problems Anambra state youths is facing
 Poor succession plan: - If this didn’t work, what else are we going to pick up. Having a plan A and plan B.
 Violence: They are violent. They are usually hired for as political thugs during election.

Winnie: Do you think Anambra youths are not well educated on political participation to show interest?

Maureen: In Anambra State, most of the political youth leaders are not youths. They are from 40 above, but we know youths are from 18-29 or if we extend it to 35. They are not allowing them.

Winnie: In the area of poverty as highlighted by previous guest speaker, A lot of us believe that election process are very expensive. Do you agree with this.

Maureen: Yeah 100%, because Anambra state they mostly believe in give me cash and I vote for you. So, if you don’t have money there’s nothing for you, they already have this mindset that their votes doesn’t counts. They better collect the 2k or 3k they get to see. Our vote is our voice, it counts.

Winnie: The youths in Anambra, have they been able to hold the government accountable?

Maureen: They are not. The problem is who will stand up to talk, who will take it up.

Winnie: How do they hold them accountable?

Maureen: It’s the youths first, if we start taking a step, bring things to the table with the right people, then I think things will be okay.