HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY CAPACITY AND VISIONARY LEADER,DISTINGUISHED SENATOR UCHE LILIAN EKWUNIFE

 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY CAPACITY AND VISIONARY LEADER,DISTINGUISHED SENATOR UCHE LILIAN EKWUNIFE.

With deep sense of elation and heart enriched in joy , I write to congratulate, my capacity Senator,woman of virtues , sound  and intelligent federal law maker as she blissfully celebrates God s faithfulness in her life today. A woman of good qualities and wonderful political endowment who has been instrumental to the passage of beneficial and life transforming bills in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.

The jewelry of our modern time, full of fantabulous spirit towards getting Nigeria achieve administrative harmony and improvements. Senator Lilian has been a committed law maker  from her very first day in the Parliament.

Like a valued treasure , we are proud of your good antecedents and services delivery to the people of Anambra State and Nigeria in general.

As you receive the grace to be alive ,marking another birthday in sound health , May God continue to lead and guide  your path. Courageously ready to speak and work in lines with the principles of equity and FairPlay in governance, you are highly respected and cherished .once more, happy birthday and many more years of togetherness.

Wishing you a merry Xmas  and prosperous new year in advance.

 Chief Dr Emeka Kalu 

National Coordinator 

PDP Coalition.

EKWUNIFE AT 51: GARLANDS FOR THE TIRELESS AMAZON

 EKWUNIFE AT 51: GARLANDS FOR THE TIRELESS AMAZON

A Piece In Commemoration of Senator Uche Ekwunife's Birthday

By Kingsley Ubani

Distinguished and established, Senator Uche Ekwunife (Iyom) ranks high among the political players within Igboland and Nigeria’s political firmament.

Born on the 12th day of December to the family of Ogudebe from Igboukwu, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, Senator Ekwunife's entrance into Nigeria's political space remodeled the place of women in Nigerian politics.

Married to Chief Larry Ekwunife (Ozo Okutaoluoibe), a successful businessman from Nri in Anaocha Local government Area of Anambra State, Ekwunife has been a blessing to both her marital home, Nri and her home of birth, Igboukwu.

Her political sojourn which began after a successful career in banking, where she attained the positions of Regional Manager at Standard Trust Bank and Head Public Sector at United Bank for Africa (UBA) saw her represent the good people of Anaocha, Dunukofia and Njikoka federal constituency, one of the largest federal constituencies in Nigeria in terms of numerical strength.

Ekwunife's two-tenured representation in the federal house was effective and impactful. She moved motions for the betterment of Anambra State and her constituency. Motions against flooding, erosion, armed robbery and kidnapping form part of her contributions at the green chamber. Prominent among her motions was the motion seeking for the completion of the then abandoned Zik’s Mausoleum in Onitsha, an edifice of great emotional attachment to Ndi-Igbo which was abandoned by successive governments.

Ekwunife pursued bills that sought for constitutional reforms and alterations for the betterment of the larger Nigerian society. Her bill which sought to alter Nigeria's constitution to guarantee local government financial and political autonomy speaks volume in this regard. Iyom Ekwunife equally fought for the sustenance of the environment, she sponsored the bill for the establishment of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, an agency that had existed without a clear-cut document guiding it's establishment and administration - the bill was in 2018 signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Her stay in the 8th Senate, though short-lived did witness some significant achievements for the Senatorial zone. During this period, Senator Ekwunife became the first woman and the first South Easterner to serve as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream. She moved a motion to address the dilapidated state of the Enugu/Onitsha expressway as well as curb the erosion menace troubling her Senatorial zone.

Two years into the 9th Senate, Ekwunife has demostrated dexterity in the business of lawmaking. She has stood firm in projecting the interest of Anambra Central, Anambra State and the South East region. Her motion of urgent national importance seeking to address the devastating storm in Obosi, Nkpor and Oraukwu communities of Anambra State and her clamour for a representative from South East to be appointed on the board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) are only a few examples of her efforts in this regard.

Madam project as she is fondly called, has attracted numerous projects to the Senatorial District. Projects such as, road construction and erosion control projects, classroom blocks, market stalls, health centres, borehole construction, transformer installation, solar powered streetlights plus numerous empowerment programmes for women and youths have made Anambra Central the envy of other Senatorial Districts in Nigeria.

One of her unique projects, which is the construction of 3-bedroom bungalows for the less privileged has seen close to 20 vulnerable families across the zone become proud owners of new homes, earning her the nomenclature O JI UNO EME OGO.

The youth-friendly lawmaker has equally shown strong commitment to the welfare of the youths. She has facilitated federal employment for close to 1000 youths. Her scholarship programmes date back to her days in the private sector where she used the foundation she named after her late parents to sponsor many Anambrarians through secondary and tertiary education.

Through the both chambers of the National Assembly, Senator Uche Ekwunife has shown legislative prowess, her constituency projects in the various communities are felt, seen and verifiable. She has chaired the House Committee on Environment, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, and is currently the Chairman Senate committee on Science, Technology and Innovation. She is equally a member of critical standing committees in the 9th Senate.

Iyom as she is fondly called is loved by her people, she holds the prestigious title of Anyanwu-Nri from Nri community for her contributions to the socio-economic development of the town. Her title, Adaugo-Igbo is consequent of her contributions to Igboukwu community, the home of her birth. She is widely recognized by many communities and associations, with numerous awards in recognition for her strides in community development.

Iyom, your efforts in human capital development, community development and the socio-economic development of Anambra State and Nigeria at large have endeared you to the hearts of many.

Your scores of supporters and team of admirers wish you a Happy birthday and many returns!

Happy birthday, Adaugo-Igbo!

Happy birthday, Anyanwu-Nri Kingdom!

Happy birthday, Iyom Ugochinyelueze!

 

A New Ambition for the European Union: ‘Power’

President Emmanuel Macron of France laid out plans for a Europe that is “master of its own destiny.”

President Emmanuel Macron of France speaking on Thursday. France will assume the presidency of the European Union on Jan. 1.Credit...Pool photo by Ludovic Marin

PARIS — President Emmanuel Macron, in a rare news conference, called on Thursday for the European Union to change from a “Europe of internal cooperation to a powerful Europe active in the world, fully sovereign, free in its choices and master of its own destiny.”

Speaking on the eve of the six-month French presidency of the European Union, which begins Jan. 1, Mr. Macron said the slogan chosen for this period would be “relaunch, power and belonging.” Power is not a word often held up as a goal by a union that emerged from the ashes of war.

The president’s assertive tone over a two-hour meeting with journalists, the first half of it taken up by his own speech, reflected his determination to forge “European sovereignty” as the only means for the continent to count in the 21st century between an autocratic China and a United States whose focus has moved away from Europe.

Many Europeans have become convinced of the unreliability of the United States as an ally and protector, and of the economic and ideological threat from China — reasons to build a more independent Europe. But how ready other European states, especially Germany, are to embrace Mr. Macron’s vision is not clear.

The difference between the word CHRISTMAS and the word X-MASS

 The difference between the word CHRISTMAS and the word X-MASS

CHRISTMAS is combination of 2 words:

Christ and Mass.

Before Christ was born, many years ago, 25th Dec used to be PAGAN'S day for SACRIFICES.

Later in the year 533 AD Constantine, the head of the then Roman Church which is today the Roman Catholic, changed the day from pagan's day of sacrifices to Jesus Christ's birth commemoration. He called the day THE MASS FOR CHRIST ie CHRISTMAS

1. CHRIST in Hebrew means The Anointed One or The Chosen One

2. MAS in Greek means A Big Gathering of People

Thus CHRISTMAS means "The Gathering of People of Christ, (His Followers/Disciples)

Then, where did the word "X-MASS" come from?

Be ware!!

Its believed that after the day of gathering of Christ's Followers {CHRISTMAS}, became famous and respected worldwide, Atheists & Antichrists decided to change it by removing the name Christ for an X to mean that there is no Christ.

It changed the meaning by reading X-MASS i.e to mean "there is no gathering of Christ's Followers"

Merry CHRIST-MAS & NOT X-MAS

X is often used to designate a person,thing, factor, whose true name is unknown/withheld.

It's used to take out, excise,cancel words.

"X" has nothing to do with "Christ" "The Anointed One," Don't replace Christ with "X" Therefore as a Christian don't use X-MAS but

CHRISTMAS

You might have made that mistake last year by wishing people "X-Mass" instead of "CHRISTMAS". Our Father in heaven is a lovely Father and a merciful one at that. Why don't you share this message across to others.

God bless you as you help and join in correcting this error. The Lord bless u and have a Merry Christmas not X- MASS !! Or XMASS   !!!

 Drug Bis

Mkpurummiri Addiction Has No Cure – NDLEA

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has said it is committed to clamping down on the consumption of methamphetamine, popularly known as mkpurummiri.

Mr Isah Adoro, Commander of NDLEA, Ebonyi Command, during a one-day security sensitisation campaign, organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Tuesday in Abakaliki said mkpurummiri is a very dangerous illicit drug, adding that the addiction is hard to treat because it has no cure.

Adoro, represented by Mr Owunwa Ibezim, Assistant Commander, Training, NDLEA in the state, said the Agency was worried about the consequences of mkpurumiri on the mental health of youths.

“Drug abuse should not be treated as a political issue but a socio-economical issue. The use of mkpurummiri is already banned in Ebonyi; we call on the public to join the campaign train to overcome the intake of such drugs,” Adoro said.

Dr Garba Abari, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), represented by Dr Desmond Onwo, the Agency’s Coordinator in Ebonyi, said using drugs is one major cause of the increase in crime rate in the society.

He advised the general public to desist from the abuse as well as the intake.

“Drugs are often associated with virtually all antisocial behaviours bedevilling the country.

“It is the enemy and the trigger, which pushes people into crime such as banditry, kidnapping, rape, gender-based violence, wanton killings and destruction of public assets amongst others,” he said

Excitement As Ekwunife Flags Off Road Project In Enugwu-Agidi, Assures Constituents Of Legislative Responsiveness

  Excitement As Ekwunife Flags Off Road Project In Enugwu-Agidi, Assures Constituents Of Legislative Responsiveness

 Charges Contractor To Ensure Quality Work

By Linus Chukwuma

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife, PhD, has assured her constituents of legislative responsiveness, saying that she would continue to give the zone the best representation. Ekwunife noted that she remains committed to facilitating infrastructural development across the state.

The federal lawmaker who made these remarks on Tuesday, December 7, 2021, during the flag-off of the erosion control project at Enugwu-Agidi, Njikoka LGA explained that her aim is to surpass her legislative goals, stressing that the people of the zone will witness more tangible projects under her watch. 

The A-grade lawmaker who was represented by a delegation of her project team led by Anambra state former Commissioner of Women Affairs, Lady Henrietta Agbata expressed satisfaction with the quality of the ongoing dual drainage project. She charged the contractor to ensure that the project is completed in good time.

Welcoming the delegation, the President General of Enugwu-Agidi Brotherly Union, Hon. Ebuka Onuorah lauded Ekwunife's developmental strides across the state, adding that he is excited that the great feat [flag off] is happening in his tenure. He noted that the road links Enugwu-Agidi to Isuanaocha and said that he was optimistic that the project will improve economic activities within the two communities and beyond.

"Ekwunife is one of the finest lawmakers in Nigeria. She is known for quality representation. I am sure that she will complete this project in record time", the PG noted.

In his remarks, Barrister Fidelis Anyanaegbu said that Ekwunife has set an enviable record and would find it very easy to be re-elected in 2023. According to him, the federal lawmaker is not the only Senator in Nigeria but we[constituents] bear witness to the different projects she either flags off or commissions weekly in the state.

Speaking further, the legal luminary who represented the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Michael Okeke-Uche explained that a widow in the community by name Mrs. Maureen Okekenta is one of the beneficiaries of the 3-bedroom bungalow that Ekwunife had facilitated for the less privileged in the state. He added that the project is nearing completion and will be commissioned in the coming months.

In their separate remarks, a PDP stakeholder in the community, Sir Anthony Okafor and the chairman of Obinagu Achalla village, Comrade Ebuka Ementa said that the performance of the Senator shows she would do more if given greater leadership responsibilities. The duo appreciated the Chairman Senate Committee on Science Technology and Innovation for her legislative efforts aimed at rapidly developing the Senatorial District.