HOTEL AND ENTERTAINMENT DIRECTORS UNITE FOR PROGRESS…SAY NO TO ILLEGAL AND INCESSANT POLICE RAIDS

A group going by the aegis of Ejigbo Hotel and Entertainment Directors Association (EHEDA) rose from the inaugural general meeting with a resolve to unite for the progress of its members.

In a well attended meeting featuring top managers and Directors in the business of hospitality in Ejigbo held at Mecvilla Gardens , the group also resolved to say No to all incessant and illegal harassment of their members by the Nigeria Police who raid their hotels at will to intimidate patrons without undue provocation.

With a strong membership and representation, the group reasoned that only unity of the members would guarantee progress in their trade.

Members had discussed how to see to the welfare of its members and made a strong resolve to be brother’s keeper at all times.

Speaking to Ejigbo City Diary after the meeting, Chief Paul Emegoako, MD of Formula 4 Guest House said “It is only a united front that can withstand all the problems associated with our business. Our decision to stand together is to speak with one voice because unity is strength”

On his own, Chief Dom Ezekwobi Executive Director of Link Garden said“ I always support worthy causes and this is one of them. I value this gathering because it will make things better for entertainment directors in this part of the state. No longer shall we be seen as a disunited people as it breeds contempt from all sides and corners”

In his own submission, Hon Kamoru Rasheed, Managing Director of No story Guest House” I call on all other entertainment Directors who are operating in this area and still thinking that they can be lone rangers to join EHEDA to make their businesses easier. “

Ejigbo Hotel and Entertainment Directors Association EHEDA was convened by Chief ASM Nwoye, Managing Director of Mecvilla and Rockland Gardens who said EHEDA has the blessing of the various stakeholders of the entertainment business in the area.

Hon Anene Enebeli is Executive secretary. Its membership spans the entire Ejigbo LCDA.

PETER ODILI; REAL REASON HE ESTABLISHED PAMO UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES

(L-R)Dr. Sir Peter Odili, Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar, Governor Nyesom Wike at the inauguration ceremonies

By Fred Iwenjora

Former Governor of Rivers state Dr Sir Peter Odili has reiterated reasons he founded Pamo University of Medical Sciences PUMS in Port Harcourt.

He also announced a yearly scholarship award to brilliant students as well as for under considerations.

During the inauguration of the Board of trustee which included Former Head of state Abdulsalam Abubakar as Chancellor Dr Odili said he founded the institution to” provide excellent medical training for the production of world-class medical and health science professionals characterized by the core values of knowledge, discipline and humane service”.

He declared “Firstly, PAMO University of Medical Sciences is the first private university of medical sciences to be established in Nigeria. Secondly, it has set a record in being the university that took the shortest time to plan and establish. It took only eleven months from submission of our “letter of intent” to the granting of an operating license by the Federal Government. Thirdly, PAMO University of Medical Sciences is the first private university of any type to be established in Rivers State”

Odili also stated that “PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS) is a citadel of excellence in the delivery of tertiary education in the medical and health sciences in Nigeria. The University represents the efforts of the PAMO Educational foundation and its Board of Trustees to make meaningful contributions to the development of medical education in Nigeria”.

Three faculties including the faculty of Clinical sciences, Basic medical sciences and Allied health sciences already exists in the University

Investigation revealed that Odili had always had a vision to take his love and dedication to medical excellence to the next level via high-quality medical education to impact on future generations. .

The process of getting certification took just eleven months breaking a record in the grant of such approval. It is straight pointer to the fact that Nigeria pays great attention to education and training in the  health sector.

He first gathered a cerebral think tank as board of the institutions including former Head of state Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar as Chancellor.

 He also brought in others including Justice Umar Faruk Abdulahi, Justice Olufunlola Adekeye(RTD), Senator Abu Ibrahim as members of the board of trustees .

Odili went as far as Kuwait to fish out erudite Professor Michael Diejomaoh formerly of the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of the University of Kuwait as PUMS Vice chancellor and Barrister Walter Imoedemhe as Registrar.

The majestic university gate

ENDEE IKEJI FINDS NEW LOVE

By Fred Iwenjora
First class entertainment manager Endee Ikeji may have found a new love as a star actor.

This is because since some young men involved in Nollywood conscripted him to act in their movie, he has not looked back as roles keep coming.

Abia state born Ikeji won the famous Lekki Sunsplash musical talent competition and later gave Nigerians an unforgettable album Positive Change which featured his all-time hit tracks Revolutionise Nigeria and Obiriwo many years ago.

Since his recent stumbling on Nollywood so to speak, he has featured in many films since the past one year playing roles as a palm wine tapper, a chief judge, a chief and a mafia don amongst other roles in soap opera and films.

Some of his films and soap include the very popular Jemeji where he played the village palm wine tapper

Nollywood directors see him as a delight on screen and keep throwing roles and more roles his way.

In a chat recently at Rita Lori Hotels where he is manager of all entertainment in the hotel group, Ikeji said “acting is not new to me because I acted during my years at Federal Government College Enugu. I also was a dancer. During my years at the University of Lagos where I 

studied Banking and Finance, I also learnt to play the guitar and keyboards and to perfect my singing.

Speaking further, Ikeji told of how he played for Tunde Kuboye and the Extended family Jazz Band before picking up a job as a sound engineer at the then famous EMI studios. It was while working at EMI that he contested for the Lekki Sunsplash and won a recording contract at Premier Records with Alex Zito and co”.

WHY I WANT TO RULE NIGERIA….BELGIUM BASED NIGERIAN ACTIVIST SPEAKS

Comrade Fidelis Lawrence- Ekoh meeting the press after his declaration

By Fred Iwenjora

Belgium based Nigerian activist Comrade Fidelis Lawrence Ekoh has given reasons why he wants to contest to be Nigerian President come 2019 general elections.

Speaking with ECD recently in Benin after his declaration to a jam packed hall of youths at the Youth House Benin City Edo state capital, Ekoh enumerated all the problems plaguing Nigeria and detailing how he would solve them as soon as he mounts the saddle.

Ekoh who graduated from department of Agric Economics at Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma said ““We have become tired of the hardship bad leadership has brought us over the years. You have become tired of bad economy, you are tired of bad roads, you are tired of poor income, to most Nigerian workers, even your take home pay cannot actually take you home. Healthcare is rather too expensive for the ordinary low income Nigerian. As a result, too many people have died of illnesses that naturally shouldn't be life threatening. 

Continuing, the graduate of Agricultural Economics and founder of  Youths Initiative for capacity Development and Nation Building told enthusiastic youths numbering over five thousand who had earlier stormed the Benin Airport to receive him and drove in a motorcade to the Youth House that “The frustrations being brought on all of us by our leaders is countless. 

“For ages, the leadership of our country is being passed from one old clueless and purposeless politician to the other. They end up in the same routine of "cluelessness" and embezzlement, leaving the rest of the citizenry to continue to wallow in abject want and penury.

Ekoh with National Youth Council Chairman Edo state Comrade Innocent Ajayi before the declaration

“Fellow compatriots” he thundered at the podium “we cannot continue to complain and pray and fast without taking necessary actions. Faith without works they say is death. The time is now for us to wake up from our slumber and act right. We have been for too long bedeviled by too many debilitating economic hardship, to the extent that many cannot boast of eating three square meals a day. 

Our dear country, Africa's giant has been cornered to a sleeping and creeping position. A nation so abundantly blessed by all forms of endowments, from mineral resources in form of Liquid, Solid and Gas to a great tropical climate and arable land that grows almost all types of agricultural produce cannot boast of providing her citizens even the very basics of livelihood.

Ekoh,  sensitizing Nigerians in Europe on his mission

“Our dear youths who have put in all efforts to go through all the rigors of education to attain a higher employability status come out of school, only to be frustrated and disillusioned. The outside world has to place for them; only the children or the relatives of the highly connected get the jobs. To keep hopes alive, many of our youths have decided to take destiny into their own hands by taking some of the greatest risks in the world, crossing the Mediterranean sea in overloaded balloon boats in the quest for greener pasture. In the process, they have died in their thousands in the waters. Along the line, they have been abused, many have been tortured and killed, So many of our young girls raped and impregnated, several have been maimed, and in the recent past, so many of our dear youths have been captured and sold into slavery.

The youths back home who do not see traveling abroad as best option have decided to be anti-social in their activities. Many have resorted to all forms of criminal activities such as armed robbery, kidnapping, ritual killings, internet fraudsters to mention a few in a bid to earn a living.

ABOUT ARTHUR NWANKWO'S NEW BOOK; NIGERIA ON HER PATH TO DOOM

*Dr Arthur Nwankwo devouring books in his library

Prolific author, historian and politician Dr Arthur Nwankwo is out with another book.

The new book titled Nigeria on her path to doom is coming many years after his last.

Book reviewers and political analysts are already describing the new book titled;  Nigeria On Her Path to Doom as very hot

 Coming many years after his last offering; Can Nigeria Survive, the new book  is said to be an outcome of much research on the path of historian whose numerous books include his first;  Nigeria; The Challenge of Biafra.

Published by Fourth Dimension Publishers, Nigeria On the path to Doom talks about all the problems plaguing the country and suggestions for return to path of greatness amongst others.

Dr Ejiofor Benjack Nwankwo Managing Director of the publishing company said the new book will speak to Nigerians and the international community in a way they will understand.

He describes the author as “erudite” and the book as” thought provoking” and from a “refocused, repositioned, revamped, and resourceful publishing house”.

*The new book

Arthur Nwankwo studied History at Eastern Mennonite College, Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA, 1966, also went to Duquesne University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, 1967.

He first went to work for Gulf Oil Corporation Headquarters, Pittsburg, as a consultant for Nigeria and corporate strategies department. He founded several publishing companies including the internationally renowned Fourth Dimension Publishers to give vent to his prolific thoughts about Nigeria in his numerous books.

Aside from some of his nationalistic books like Before we lose Nigeria,  My People my vision, Retreat of power, Arthur Nwankwo also  wrote classical fiction stories like Shadows over Breaking waves, Sand dunes and wind blows, Season of Hurricane etc.

Arthur Nwankwo who was born August 19, 1942 has honorary Doctor of Letters, from The Shaw University Raleigh, North Carolina, USA and has contested for the governorship of Anambra state under Peoples Redemption Party PRP in 1979. Later he joined Alliance for Democracy and was pivotal to the formation of Eastern Mandate Union of which he is chancellor

HON. NATHANIEL IKYUR ON REASONS HE WANTS TO REPRESENT GBOKO/TARKA PEOPLE AT HOUSE OF REPS

*HON NATHANIEL TYOHOM IKYUR

Major contender for the race to the House of Reps in Benue state Hon Nathaniel Tyohom  Ikyur has been speaking on what his constituents should expect from him if he wins the election.

Ikyur, journalist and currently aide to Governor Ortom of Benue state on public utilities, environment and sanitation stated recently during his continuous tour of his constituency themed  Let’s Start Afresh, that he guarantees the best representation ever for his people of Gboko/ Tarka Federal Constituency of Benue state.

Ikyur said “ I need you to believe in my ability to deliver quality legislative duties at the House of Represwntatives . I am also asking you to take a firm stand on truth and fairness

 According to him “Of the 360 federal constituencies at the House of Representatives, only Tarka people have not been so elected to serve as only the Gboko LGA has enjoyed this opportunity in the past 20 years.

“For fairness and equity” according to Ikyur  “I seek to make that difference”.

“Benue and indeed Nigeria needs vibrant men and women with fresh ideas such that I possess in quantum. From my education at Bayero University and work experience as bureau Chief for Vanguard in Kano and my varied legislative background to benefit our people I believe I am the best choice.

Your recall I also worked as a legislative aide for 12 years at the House of Reps and without doubt have the requisite experience as to what plays out in the green chamber. I humbly seek your votes and God will bless us all”

A SOLID BACKGROUND

Ikyur was  Senior Legislative Aide to Rep Fraouk Mohammed Lawan from 2003 to 2011.  He later served as Senior Special Assistant to former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, now governor of Sokoto State from 2012-2015.

He also was Special assistant to Dr Mohammed Lame Secretary merger committee that set up framework for the merger of ACN, ANPP and CPC into APC In this role, he actively participated in key meetings that gave birth to the party.

During the 2015 general elections, Ikyur served as the Director of Social Media for Ortom/Abounu Campaign Organisation. 

Ikyur is also a prolific author with many books both published and on manuscript stage including the posthumous biography of Late Aper Aku,  the first executive governor of Benue State entitled: APER AKU: The Rise of Minority Politics in Nigeria.

His work on STATE VIOLENCE in Tivland: A Compendium on the 2001 Tiv/ Jukun ethnic violence is still being reviewed internationally as a pointer to root causes of ethnic violence in Africa

By Fred Iwenjora