Politics
80-Year-Old Equatorial Guinea President Obiang Re-Elected For Sixth Term
President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo on Saturday won a sixth term in office, a much-expected result in an authoritarian country with next to no political opposition.
The 80-year-old has been in power for 43 years — the longest rule of any leader alive in the world today except monarchs.
During his election campaign in 2009, Obiang promised “social housing for all” in the oil-rich central African state.
Obiang planned to provide enough housing to raise Malabo’s shanty towns, including Nubili, a mass of tin-roofed shacks along narrow paths that is home to thousands of families in the heart of the city.
Since, some 20,000 housing projects have sprung up in the country of around 1.5 million residents.
But sitting outside his shack in Nubili, 70-year-old Julio Ondo said none of them appeared to be for people like him.
“They’ve made fools of the poor,” he said. I’ve lost all hope of one day living in “dignified housing”.
Most people live in poverty in Equatorial Guinea, the World Bank estimates, while wealth is concentrated in the hands of just a few families.
– ‘I’ll be dead’ –
In some parts of Malabo today, lines of identical apartment blocks have sprung up as far as the eye can see, built with the profits of high international oil prices.
In the suburb of Buena Esperanza, some 2,300 small detached homes appeared during the 2010s, supposed to welcome families from Nubili.
But today, shiny four-wheel drives and other expensive cars line the neighbourhood’s streets, appearing to indicate the wealth of its new residents.
The homes are being sold for around $15,500, payable in monthly instalments of $78.
But that is astronomical for many in Nubili.
Plantain farmer Antonio Omecha, 72, is one of many who had hoped the housing plan would allow him to leave a slum plagued with disease and frequent fires.
He said he did receive a housing coupon to go and live in Buena Esperanza.
“But we had to pay 1.5 million francs (more than $2,350)” upfront first, he said.
It was impossible on his monthly income of $30.
His neighbour Tobias Ondo, 65, said the new homes were simply too expensive.
“Do you really think someone who works seven days and barely makes 2,000 francs can afford to own such a home?” he said.
“I’ll be dead before I go and live in the public housing promised by the president.”
– ‘Powerful’ landlords –
Equatorial Guinea is the region’s third richest country, with a GDP per capita of $8,462 last year, after the Seychelles and Mauritius, the World Bank says.
But in 2006, when the oil boom was in full swing, more than three quarters of the population lived in “extreme poverty”, or on less than $1.90 a day, the international financial body said. There have been no new figures since.
The country ranked 172 out of 180 in Transparency International’s 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index.
During his election campaign at the start of the month, Obiang admitted that social housing intended for “people without great means” had been snapped up instead by “people able to build their own home”.
But he did not offer a solution.
Martinez Obiang, of micro-financing firm Atom Finances, says he thinks the homes should have cost no more than the equivalent of $780, payable in tiny monthly instalments of less than $3.
Sociologist Nsogo Eyi said the new homes, including those in Buena Esperanza, did not seem to be serving their intended purpose.
“Some powerful men have bought them to rent them out, including to expats,” he said.
AFP reached out to several of these new owners, but they refused to comment.
AFP
Political activist, Prof Pat Utomi has expressed joy at the level of public support for ‘activism’ given the rousing reception accorded him in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He took to his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday to declare that “what you may see as pain I count as gain for cause.”
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Prof Utomi wrote, “Yesterday at the PH airport, a Shell officer escorting me was fascinated by the number of people who walked up to greet me.
“I was uplifted by their kind acknowledgment with words similar to those Americans say when they meet uniformed soldiers – ‘thank you for your service to our country’.
“But what puzzled me was how many of them asked similar questions.
“Where do you get the courage to carry on. How do you cope with what must be significant personal costs of standing up for right and truth where people believe their own repeat lies, and how do you cope with stupid idiots who lack civility.
“I was honestly not prepared for the questions but muttered stuff like what you may see as pain I count as gain for cause.
“With role models like St. Thomas Moore, the man for all seasons, it’s easier to see what comes with the territory. I learned long ago that love hurts. To love God, neighbor and country can be counted on to bring discomfort but joy in the end.
“With a small sense of contentment, the will to work harder than others and gratitude for mercies granted its not really as appalling as people fear. Service can be a fun life.”
Edo State’s Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo has presented his certificates of return to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Special Adviser, Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga made the disclosure in a statement on his verified handle on micro-blogging site, X.
According to Onanuga, it was a family thing as Senator Okpebholo and his deputy governor-elect Rep. Dennis Idahosa were joined by leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to present the certificate of return to President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Onanuga in a photo statement on his X handle wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with APC governors and APC officials, receives Edo State governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo and the deputy governor-elect Rep. Dennis Idahosa during the presentation of their certificates of return at the Presidential Villa Abuja.”
he gave the photo credit to Taiwo Okanlawon.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday hosted fellow citizens of Osun State in Abuja and delivered an extensive brief on his stewardship in a mini – ‘Ipade Imole’ hosted by the Ministry of Federal Affairs in Abuja.
The event attended by leaders of various towns and professional associations witnessed advice, suggestions and questions on governance issues to which the Governor responded in detail.
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Leaders of the Association of Osun State Indigenes in the Civil and Public Service, Osun State National Assembly Staff Association and Osun Indigenes Association commended the Governor for his unprecedented records of achievements since assuming office.
According to the leaders, the Abuja event is the first of its kind by any Governor since the creation of Osun State, declaring their being proud of the records of achievements of the Governor under two years in office.
Question from the participants range from agriculture, workers’ welfare, technical education, airport project, yuletide transportation, and good governance to which the Governor responded in details to the applause of the audience.
Gov Adeleke expressed appreciation for the unwavering support from the citizenry at the inception of his administration as well as the commendation on his performance in office from leaders present at the occasion.
The Governor said the peoples’ trust and confidence in his five-point agenda has been a driving force behind the concerted efforts to reposition Osun State, asserting that “Osun state is undergoing a remarkable transition from well-known civil service state to a vibrant industrial hub which is open to investors worldwide.
“We just concluded an industrial investment summit in Osun. We hosted investors from far and near. Osun is open to investment in agriculture, mining, digital economy as well as tourism and entertainment industry.”
Tasking Osun diaspora to become investment agents for the state, the Governor reaffirmed his determination to extend dividend of democracy to Osun in the diaspora to the wide applause of the audience.
“As a token of our appreciation, we shall be presenting cooperative loan cheques to registered Osun associations that are resident here in Abuja. This gesture mirrors the benefits that our cooperative societies have received back in Osun State.
“Our Government recognises the importance of expanding opportunities, hence our resolve to ensure that our indigenes, regardless of location, partake in service delivery.
“As great ambassadors of Osun State, I urge you to continue to showcase good conduct wherever you reside and keep spreading the word about the investment opportunities that are ever available in Osun State.
“It will also be pleasant to let your friends, associates and networks know that Osun is open for business. Our state boasts of vast potentials and we welcome partnerships that foster growth and development”, the Governor told the cheering crowd.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Federal Affairs, Hon Adenike Adeleke commended the Governor for embracing the idea of inclusiveness for Osun indigenes in state governance space, noting that “the Governor has demonstrated unparalleled administrative effectiveness amidst commitment to infrastructural development, healthcare, education, and tourism reforms.
“As you approach two years in office, your current achievements are monumental. We are grateful for your dedication to the people of Osun State. Your leadership has earned recognition from esteemed individuals, including Former President Obasanjo, who praised your joy and work ethic, and commended your developmental projects.
“Recently, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations ranked Your Excellency amongst the top nine performing governors in Nigeria for the Reputation Perception index Governance Report.
“The rating by NIPR indicated that Governor Adeleke secured the high ratings because of his visionary and tremendous strides in transforming the state since assuming office through implementation of various initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism, and youth development”, the Commissioner stated.
In the same vein, the Commissioner for Cooperatives and Empowerment, Prince Bayo Ogungbangbe narrated how the Adeleke administration has disbursed over N4 billion-naira cooperative revolving loans to strengthen small businesses while also commending the Governor for extending the gesture to Osun residents in Abuja.
The major highlights of the occasion include the presentation of multi-million-naira cooperative business loan cheques to the three associations representing Osun indigenes in the federal capital territory.
The Governor was accompanied to the event by the three senators, six members of the House of Representatives, the House Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, several state lawmakers including some members of the State Executive Council.
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