Politics
Science, Technology minister declares to also run for president
**He is the best man for the job, says Patriots for Dr Ogbonnaya Onu
Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu has thrown his hat in the ring to slug it out with the array of other aspirants for the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former Governor of Abia State while declaring on Friday morning in Abuja said Nigeria can not continue with the ‘cap in hand’ mindset, looking out to foreign countries for its survival.
Onu harped on the fact that Nigeria has the key to unlocking its own prosperity.
He, therefore, asked his party and the electorate to elect him as Nigeria’s “Chief Servant”.
He recalled his days as governor of Abia when the state provided free treatment in public hospitals.
Apart from the health sector, the minister said Abia witnessed development across all sectors of the state.
“As a man of great compassion, and also believing that women are great builders of nations, I did not want any pregnant woman or child to die either during pregnancy or childbirth, which are the most challenging periods in any woman’s life, just because the woman cannot afford to pay hospital bills. Hence, all pregnant women received free treatment in public hospitals,” the presidential hopeful said.
“I want all Nigerians, particularly the youth to know that Nigeria has a bright future. Let there be nothing that can make any Nigerian lose hope about the future of Nigeria.
“The Almighty God that created us, gave our dear nation, everything that she needs to be a leader in the world. Working together, we will make use of the knowledge economy driven by STI to make Nigeria truly great.
“My fellow Nigerians, we have the key to unlocking the prosperity of our dear nation, and this key is a knowledge economy driven by science, technology and innovation.
“This is so, because no nation has ever become truly great, whether in ancient or modern times, without the efficient and effective deployment of science, technology and innovation to nation-building.
I am convinced that I have the knowledge, the experience, the credibility, the education having been trained in one of the best universities in the world, the vision, the integrity, maturity and a man who can be trusted.
“I most respectfully ask my political party, the APC, to elect me as its presidential candidate, and the people of Nigeria to elect me as the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for me to be the chief servant of the nation.”
Meanwhile, a group under the aegis of Patriots for Dr Ogbonnaya Onu led by Prof Hakeem Fawehinmi had on Thursday paid the minister a courtesy visit in Abuja to prevail on him to join the 2023 presidential race, for the advancement of Nigeria and the improvement of the wellbeing of her citizens.
Fawehinmi who is a professor of clinical anatomy and biomedical Anthropology at the University of Portharcourt observed that Nigeria is going through perilous times and more than ever before needs an experienced and dynamic leader with the capacity to pull her from the brinks.
“We are here today to beckon on a non-sentimental silent achiever, we so much believe in, to throw his hat into the ring and contest for the highest office in the land on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“While we expect the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible election that will respect the aspiration of the Nigerian masses, there are key attributes a presidential candidate is expected to possess to make him suitably qualified to occupy this coveted office.
“Nigeria at this precarious time needs a detribalized leader that will foster unity, put the interest of all Nigerians above sectional interest, fight endemic corruption frontally, tackle widespread insecurity pervading the land headlong and prosper the lives of its citizenry through economic emancipation and job creation.
“Amongst the contenders that have openly declared their intentions to contest, these requisite attributes stand you out as the most formidable with sterling performance over the years.”
According to Fawehinmi, the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation under his watch have made remarkable progress and giant strides.
“On assumption of office in November 2015, you increasingly created awareness on the importance of Science, Technology and Innovation to nation-building through programmes such as the Annual TechExpo, adoption of Science, Technology and Innovation to drive Economic Diversification, Commercializing some of the research findings by your Agencies, Patenting many of them as ways of job creation, reducing capital flight by a reduction in the overdependence on imported goods and thereby strengthening the naira.
“Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has facilitated the signing of Executive Order 5 by the President to boost local content and move the economy to a knowledge-based one. He has revitalized and inaugurated the National Research and Innovation Council (NRIC) to serve as a driver for economic development: and infused Science, Technology and Innovation into the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) of the federal government.
“His Excellency values the youths and has instituted an Annual National Science, Technology and Mathematics Competition in all the 774 Local Government Areas as a way of nurturing young talents and future scientists and award scholarships and start-ups to the brightest minds.”
According to the leader of the group Onu has been an indigene of 3 South-Eastern States (Imo, Abia and Ebonyi) at different times, with a political career that spans over 3 decades and is the most senior political office holder amongst all the aspirants currently jostling for the job.
“During your tenure as the first civilian Governor of the old Abia State in 1991, you meritoriously served as first Chairman Conference of Nigerian Elected Governors.
“His Excellency is sound in mind and body and one of the most educated aspirants having bagged a First Class honours degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos and a PhD from the reputable University of California, Berkeley, USA.
“In the academia, you were pioneer Head of Department of Chemical Engineering and Member of Senate and Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt before your foray into politics.
Read Also >> 2023: Amosun Notifies Senate Of His Presidential Ambition
“As a foundation member of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and National Chairman, you carried its flag in 2013 to the union with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) along others to form the APC.
“When you won the election as the presidential standard-bearer of the APP in 1998, you forfeited this ticket to Chief Olu Falae who contested under the AD/APP joint platform due to your belief in the unity of this country.
“This move was to assuage the feelings of the Yoruba in their yearning for the presidency due to the annulment of June 12, 1993, presidential election convincingly won by Chief MKO Abiola.
“As National Chairman, most of ANPP’s presidential candidates were from the North and your character stands out as one of the very few politicians pre-2015 that remained in the opposition despite its deprivations, because of your diligent and principled nature.
It is noteworthy that of the three major political parties that merged to form the APC, the ANPP stock appears to have been most short-changed in the tripartite power-sharing equation.
“A multicultural society like Nigeria requires a nationalistic leader and technocrats like Dr Ogbonnaya Onu that can be entrusted with its unity and treasury and can provide a transformational leadership devoid of sentiments and rancour.
“You have never had a brawl with the anti-corruption and security agencies, and this gives you the moral justification to fight corruption. His Excellency prefers meritocracy to nepotism as a way of earning the confidence of the people and has the demonstrable capacity to work with every Nigerian irrespective of religious or tribal persuasion.
“This political sagacity, requisite experience, managerial acumen and comportment will earn him the respect of the government and people.
“Egalitarianism cannot be fostered when a major segment of society is nursing a feeling of discontentment.
“His election will assuage the feeling of real or perceived marginalization among the Ndigbo that constitute about a quarter of the population, guarantee their full re-integration into the post-civil war Nigerian state and end their agitation for socio-economic and political emancipation, as happened to the militancy struggle in the South-South with the election of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as President in 2011.
“It will give the civil war veterans including former Heads of State a sense of fulfilment, seeing their dream of a truly unified Nigeria which they have fought for, materialize in their lifetime.
Therefore, political and opinion Leaders should make a clarion call to all well-meaning citizens to synergize, pull resources together, build bridges across party lines and rally support from the various regional interest groups for Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.
“He has been projected as the ideal President for Nigeria come 2023 as he belongs to an endangered species of statesmen who can galvanize all facets of this country and provide the needed modern-day progressive leadership.
“The election of Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as President will sustain the existence of Nigeria as an indivisible entity.
“The APC should therefore put its best foot forward and adopt Dr Ogbonnaya Onu as its consensus presidential standard bearer in its legitimate quest to retain power at the centre post-2023, as he is not only acceptable to the Ndigbo and APC, but to all Nigerians due to his broad appeal for which the majority of voters will coalesce.
“This worthy course if left to slide can only be realised in the next 16 years with the sustenance of the current democracy.
The Patriots are passionate about you taking the mantle of leadership of this great country and piloting its affairs and lead us to the promised land.
We beseech/implore you to declare for the race and urge the ruling APC to adopt you as its consensus candidate as Victor Hugo once said that “there is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come” and that is your Excellency’s declaration. We rest our case!”
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo has expressed solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the state of emergency declared in Rivers State.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, vented this in a statement in Benin City on Thursday night, asserting that his principal was not consulted by his colleagues in the South-South Governors’ Forum before going public with their view.
ALSO READ: Global Money Week: NGX, CBN, MinieMoney Preach Financial Literacy To Students
Itua wrote, “The position by the Governors of the South-South, opposing the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, did not get the nod of Governor Okpebholo. Governor Okpebholo was neither consulted nor informed.
“While Governor Monday Okpebholo acknowledges the right of other Governors in the South-South geopolitical zone to take a position, he, however dissociates himself from any statement that opposes the declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, understands the issues at stake.
“Governor Okpebholo supports actions so far taken by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that will bring lasting solutions and peace to Rivers State and the South-South geopolitical zone.”
In what political watchers note as a clear demonstration of bowing to political maneuvering and arm-twisting, 17 Local Government Chairmen, elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This, according a statement in Benin City from the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua, has bolstered the confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would sweep the votes come 2027.
He cited his boss, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo as having predicted that President Tinubu will win the 2027 presidential election with a landslide.
ALSO READ: PHRC Fully Operational, Producing Refined Products – NNPC Ltd
According to Itua, the Governor disclosed this at the New Festival Hall of Government House, Benin City, while addressing chairmen of the 17 local government councils who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Okpebholo who praised the leadership style of President Tinubu said steps that previous administration were afraid to take that would have put the nation on sound footing for development and growth is what he took by removing the contentious fuel subsidy.
He said his administration is in to develop the State and make the lives of the people better.
The Governor said his administration is ready to work to change the lives of the people for the better, adding that in just four months in office, he and his team have changed the narrative of Edo State.
He said: “I welcome you all our Chairmen who have come to join us, and I praise you for the courage and bravery to leave your party to join the APC. It takes a grounded politician to take this step you have taken today.
“Let me draw your minds back to where we are coming from as an administration. We practically met that Edo was not working when we came into office. What we met in Edo were insecurity, killings, looting Edo treasury using consultants to deceive Edo people and other backward policies implemented by the Obaseki led administration, but we came and changed the narrative.”
The Governor used the occasion to thank a former governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; the State chairman of APC, Jarret Tenebe and all members of the APC for their continued support and sacrifices.
He also thanked the councillors who spoke for their various communities through the impeachment exercises in the councils and subsequent election of these new chairmen across the 17 local government areas of Edo State.
“2027 is a reality in Edo State as President Bola Amed Tinubu will continue in office. I charge the 17 of you today that the campaign for the election of President Bola Tinubu has started here today. Go back to your various local governments and erect his bill boards to draw home the message of re-electing President Tinubu.
“There is no vacancy in 2027 in Abuja. Those forming a political party now can’t rule us. They ruled their States and the people suffered from kidnapping, but since they left offices, their States are now free. Such people can’t rule Nigeria,” he declared.
Governor Okpebholo assured the President that Edo is right behind him, predicting a landslide victory in the election as the APC will continue to lead the country.
He said he and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa are both committed to the development of Edo State, and his administration has come to rescue the State.
The Governor expressed optimism that leaders of the opposition parties in the State will join the APC fold following his infrastructural development strides in the State.
The party secretary who received the decampees on behalf of the APC, Lawrence Okah thanked the new members, urging them to unite with other members of the party as the administration of Governor Okpebholo has come to rescue the State from retrogression.
“The desire of the governor is to unite the State and ensure the people enjoy the dividends of democracy through his developmental strides,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the Chairmen, the ALGON chairman and chairman of Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, Hon. Kelvin Iyere thanked the Governor and all APC party faithfuls for accepting them into the fold of the APC.
He noted that they decided to decamp from PDP because of the crisis in their party and their love for the development that Governor Okpebholo has brought to Edo State.
Dignitaries at the event included the Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Gani Adams, Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, Members of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), serving commissioners, other top government officials and APC party faithful among others.
As part of efforts to get a firm grip on governance, Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo plans to probe the sinking of $10 million in the state-owned newspaper, The Nigerian Observer by the immediate-past governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki.
This was revealed in a statement in Benin City on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor, Fred Itua.
According to Itua, his principal made the disclosure when he led top officials of his administration on an unscheduled visit to the premises of the Observer titles to inspect facilities on ground.
ALSO READ: Atiku Decries Declaration Of State Of Emergency In Rivers State
The Governor and his entourage were shocked as they could not gain access to the buildings where all the machines purportedly bought by the previous administration were kept.
Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, Crusoe Osagie as well as the Publicity Secretary, Edo PDP Caretaker Committee and former Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare were the foot soldiers used by Obaseki on the project.
The once vibrant newspaper organization was closed by Obaseki for the purpose of revamping it and ensuring it competes favourably with other national dailies but instead of delivering on his administration’s promise to Edo people, the media house has been worse off.
Gov Okpebholo, who was not happy as he could not gain access to the facilities, promised to revisit the premises again to inspect the buildings and see for himself the machines Obaseki claimed to have bought with tax payers money.
On the development, the governor said: “I was in the premises of The Observer Newspaper company to see for myself the money claimed to have been spent by the former governor, Godwin Obaseki on revamping the State owned media outfit.
“The former governor claimed to have used $10 million to revamp the newspaper house just before election. Everywhere was locked because there was nothing inside, I could not even see a cleaner in the premises as those we met on the ground were not those working there.
“I need to be there again myself, and I need to inspect the buildings housing the equipment bought by the previous administration led by Godwin Obaseki. I will check inside the buildings myself to be sure that the machines are there. I can’t really say for now if there are machines there because I couldn’t go inside. If the place was working, people would have been there, especially considering the resources spent there.
“Edo people need to ask what happened to their money spent in revamping The Observer Newspaper. I am here as their governor to provide them with the answers. Hence, the visit to the organization became necessary.”
‘A Woman Once Gifted Me ₦30m Because She Liked Me’ – Orezi
WCQ: Osimhen Makes History, Becomes Nigeria’s Second-Highest Scorer
Okpebholo Stands With Tinubu On Rivers State
Global Money Week: NGX, CBN, MinieMoney Preach Financial Literacy To Students
‘Port Harcourt Is My City’ – Ibas Assumes Duty As Rivers Sole Administrator
