Nigerians For Good Government Policies Nigeria Policy Institute, USA
Nigerians For Good Government Policies Nigeria Policy Institute, USA
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________________________________________________________________________ REGAINING THE STATUS OF OLD AGUATA UNION IN ANAMBRA STATE A presentation paper at the Oklahoma Aguata-Orumba USA Convention July 4 - 6, 2008 Prince Jimmy E. Asiegbu, The People’s Servant, Executive Director, Nigeria Policy Institute, USA. Tel. 310 497-5007, Email: jasmak@usa.com 
Hon. Chairman, supporters, distinguished guests My Fellow Citizens of Old Aguata Union. My name is Prince Jimmy Asiegbu, the People’s Servant, the founder of Anambra State Association, USA and the Director of the Nigeria Policy Institute, USA, an entity of Nigerians For good government policies. I am from Ezinifite and very proud to come from Aguata-Orumba Region. I welcome all of you to this 4th National Convention of our people in USA, especially our special guests from Nigeria who saw it fit to be here with us in search of genuine Progress for our region and for our people. My special thanks to Ide (Dr). Alex Ekwueme, who has become an ICON and an undisputable Institution not only in the Old Aguata Region but also in the whole Nigeria and beyond due to his accomplishment for our people and the entire Nation. Special recognition also goes to the members of the Anambra State House Representing our region such as Hon. ………………and our other special Invitees and Guests who have found time to be with us today. From the bottom of my heart, I say Welcome to this occasion. I want to equally extend my appreciation to the members of the Executives under the able leadership of Chief Ralph Obijiofor for asking me to be the Chief Speaker on the Theme of this Convention. In 2005 National Convention, I spoke on the Unity, Peace, Progress and Serving the People. I am happy to say that It resulted in some progress from our Representatives. I hope that today’s Speech will have similar effect on our people. The Theme of this year’s Convention is "Reclaiming the Status of Aguata-Orumba Union in Anambra State". By the title of this Theme, it is safe to conclude that there has been a Status Change or Shift, a shift that has not been favorable to our Region, otherwise, why should that be an Issue for us to worry about. Yes, I can certainly tell you that there is no doubt that we are fast loosing our status in all areas of Anambra State and federal Affairs and there is definitely a need to address and arrest this retrogressive trend now before it gets too late. But in order to cogently and effectively address this issue, we need to look at the followings headings to help us understand what I categorized as "The Old Order", the "Current Order" and the "Proposed New Order" The Region Old Aguata Region comprises of the current Aguata Local government, Orumba North Local Government and Orumba South Local Government. It is made up of about 43 Towns that stretch from Ogbunka in the South, Igbo Ukwu in the North, Awgbu in the East and Uga in the West. This region is regarded as the most famous part of Anambra State and known for it’s industriousness and endowed with both human and natural Resources. People from this region have made great impact in the administration of Anambra state and Nigeria. Famous Towns include but not limited to Umunze, Ajalli, Ufuma, Oko, Ekwulobia, Isuofia, Umuchu, Isulo, Ogbunka, Uga, Nanka et cetera The size in comparison to Anambra State It has been stated undisputedly that Old Aguata Region represents 1/3 of the entire Anambra State both in population and land mass, hence it has dominated the politics of Anambra State for some years. If this claim is actually true, doesn’t it make sense that the region deserves a minimum of 20 percent attention from the governments of Anambra State as far as distribution of the State’s infrastructural and societal improvements and developments are concerned? One will say that the distribution of these resources depends on the areas of concentration of people, and I contend that people concentrate on the areas that have been developed, and why wouldn’t a single City in Aguata-Orumba Region qualify for such development and transformation? The Major Cities in the zone I could remember as far back as early 70’s of these strategically established cities known for one thing or the other: Aguata (Ekwulobia) – for it’s central location and activities, Ndikelionwu, Ufuma for it’s market, Prayer Center and Hospital, Ajalli for it’s Hospital, Post Office and dedication to Education, Umunze for it’s location in Orumba, Ugochukwu’s Industries, and the debut of Nkpokiti Acrobatic dances, Igbo-ukwu, Nanka and Oko to mention a few. These were fast growing Towns that should have by now developed into big cities if proper attentions were paid to them by Anambra State Governments and our industrious Sons and Daughters of the New Order. The Existing and Old Heavy Weights (Old Order) Since I became a Teenager, I have come to know and respect our region for producing men and women with progressive Vision for our Zone. These eminent personalities of the Old Order had a common purpose, which is Moving our region forward through the mindset of Unity, progress, Empowerment, developing our regions, creating employment for our folks and thinking Home first. They were more concerned with helping others than their own. These individuals include the late Chief Ugochukwu of Umunze, who established many industries ranging from "The Ugo Foam, Ugo Tires, Ugochukwu Industries et cetera. He equally assisted many of our people in the manufacturing and selling of Mattresses and Tires. In fact, he opened our eyes in this industry. Chief Ugochukwu brought Industries home and created employments. Politically, Chief Ugochukwu had connections in Nigeria and was respected in Nigeria affairs. He used his connections to help numerous sons and daughter of Aguata Orumba region and in fact many could not have been what they are today if he had not used his connections very well. Chief Ugochukwu made sure that the first democratically elected Vice President of Nigeria came from Old Aguata Region. That is thinking Home.Another illustrious son of our Zone who worked in the same Vision as Chief Ugochukwu is in our midst today. He is no other person than the former Vice President of Nigeria, (Dr.) Alex Ekwueme, "IDE" from Oko. This is a man who has demonstrated true love for our Region and has carried on the Vision of the Old Order and assisted numerous people to become what they are today. In fact, if those he assisted have followed his Vision for our Region, no part of Anambra State would have seen our back in terms of development, human, educational and social skills. Ide (Dr) Alex Ekwueme brought the beef home, sent many people overseas for higher education, a founder of Aguata High School, single handedly developed Oko town, and ensured that there is federal presence in the zone. Politically he made sure that our zone was not marginalized, though he had to endure the selfishness of some of the enemies of Unity, progress and the continued Vision of the Old Order. Other Heavy Weights of the Old Order who did their best in their own different ways include Air Vice Marshal, Chief Umenwarili who brought Nitel to his home town, Amesi, Prof. Humphrey Nwosu, former INEC Commissioner- noted for his own part, Dr. Robert Ezeife, brother of the former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwueme Ezeife, for his devotion to assisting any of our own without compensation when he was under Abacha’s regime and Engr. Goddy Osele who did his best in developing Aguata Local Government when he was the Chairman. The Emerging Heavy Weights (The Current Order) In this category, these are the few that easily come to mind due to the roles they have played in Anambra State and our Zone. These illustrious sons and Daughters have been adjudged as not pursuing the Vision of the Old Order in areas of Development, People’s Empowerment, Creation of jobs, assisting our communities and putting Aguata Orumba Individuals first and rightly so, they were is positions to do so but failed. These individuals include but not limited to Chief Andy Uba, Chief Chris Uba, Dr. Ugochukwu Uba, Prof. Charles Soludo, Dr. Dora Akunyili, Dr, Obieri, and many more. These emerging Heavy Weights are young, aggressive, wealthy and fearless, had more power and connections than the Old Order, but unfortunately, wittingly or unwittingly they did not use their clouts progressively for our Region. Senator Ugochukwu Uba tried with the construction of the Ekwulobia – Umunze Road, Chief Chris Uba dominated the 2003 political landscape of Anambra State and fought for the uplifting of our zone during that period, Chief Andy Uba, the Personal Assistant on Domestic Affairs to the Presidency influenced a lot of political appointments in our Zone and could have done a lot if he had become the Governor of our State.Mindset of the Old Heavy Weights: "OAU First" and Their Achievements As I stated earlier, the Spirit of oneness. love for one another, unity and progress for our region was the mindset of the Old Order. OAU first, my Community First, My people First. With this mindset, our communities embarked on developmental projects such as Development of Markets, creation of Employments through citing of Industries and bringing home Federal and State health and educational Institutions as well as humanitarian empowerment and motivation of our people to excel in all areas of human endeavors. It was during this time that many Roads were constructed, water projects built, our presence felt in the State and federal levels. There was no selfishness or sabotage of the agreed and focused Agenda. A lot of us traveled overseas for further education, some sponsored by their communities with expectation of a ROI (Return on Investment) for the respective communities. It was a Win-Win for all. The community pays for your education and you assist your community upon completion of your education. Those were the Mindset of the Old Order personalities. The Mindset of the New and Emerging Heavy Weights and Their Achievements As I stated earlier, the mindset of the New Order, the Emerging Heavy Weights has completely deviated from what used to be the case, and in fact has brought retrogressive effect to our region as well as subjecting us to all types of discrimination and marginalization by those not from our Region. The Present Mindset of the New Order has in fact caused our people more problem when you analyze its effect on our people and the young ones. It has become that of Selfishness, control and misuse of power, flamboyance and intimidation. There has not been any sign of Community Empowerment, Development, Assistance and /or Progressive Solutions. It has been ME First, ME second, and ME, Myself and I. Greediness that destroys. This Mindset and Lack of Vision for our zone has caused us more harm than good and it’s retrogressive and divisive effects is simply unimaginable and must be arrested sooner than later. The Old Political, the Present Political Clout of OAU in Anambra State and Their Effects Now due to the actions of the players of the Present Order, and the failure to be able to forecast and plan towards the future, the once Political Control that Aguata-Orumba has in the politics of Anambra State has started to crumble. Due to the fact that the Present Order failed to strategize against political disloyalties or their inability to discern between "Political Jobbers and Supporters" who are ready to turn against you once you loose Power, and "True and Loyal Friends and Supporters who will be there for you no matter what. Due to this failure to think ahead, OAU political Clout in Anambra State has been on the downward trend and serious efforts are being made to ensure that we never regain it. I do not think that if the players in the Present Order had consulted well and kept to the Old Vision of OAU, this decline would not have been so. The way it is now, we have a lot of disgruntled and backstabbing individuals among the Emerging Order, and the effect is that of division, selfishness and retrogression. The Capitalization of the Present Order by outsiders against the Region It is no exaggeration that others have taken advantage of the current decline of our political power in Anambra State. In fact, there have been continued and orchestrated plot by others to ensure that the unity that existed amongst us since the days of the Late Chief Ugochukwu of Umunze is completely destroyed. They have sowed enmity between us and have used our people to do so. This has been the talk of those not from our area and the successive regimes of Anambra State starting from Governor Mbadinuju’s Era to the present. It has led to a constant marginalization of our region in all areas of development by the present and past State administrations. In fact, there has not been any evidence of State and Federal presence in our Region since Dr. Alex Ekwueme’s Era compared to what others have received in the past and current State Administrations if we take our size and population into consideration. Our people are also falling to the plot, and I suggest that we put our heads together and find effective ways to address this problem before we loose it all. It is a task that Must be Done. The Need To Revise this Present Order and Proposals For A New and Improved Order If you agree with me that "Things Have Fallen Apart and The Center Can No Longer Hold" in the Old Aguata Union, then you will also agree with me that there is an urgent need to Revise the Present Order, this present Mindset of our emerging eminent personalities. Hence It is incumbent on all of us be cognizant of what faces us as Ndi Aguata Orumba, to understand our History and to plan for the future. If we hope that our folks at home can deal with this problem, let us think again. Hunger is too much at home, bribery and corruption has become the tools of destabilization and sellouts. There is a Need for a New Order and it is us that will initiate it. New Order and Proposals for Regaining our Old but Improved Status While I will not pretend to have the best solutions to this problem, I would however suggest the following and ask the general assembly to air their views on what the New Order should be and how to achieve them. For now, I would suggest a revisit of the Old Order and seek to improve on it. Some of these are: (a) Thinking Home, (b) Bringing it Home (c) Love Your own (d) Defend Your Rights and (e) Do not be used by others to destabilize your own. Once again, I welcome you to the Convention. My appreciation for the audience accorded to me during this presentation. May God Bless all of you and let’s have a successful Convention. I remain your devoted People’s Servant. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ March 20, 2008 REF. ASH/Budget/2008
Hon Members of the House c/o The Speaker, Anambra State House Awka, Anambra State RE: APPEAL TO PASS THE 2008 ANAMBRA STATE BUDGET Hon. Members: Season’s greetings and God’s Blessings to all of you honorable members of the House. May I seize this opportunity to send my Easter goodwill wishes to each and every one of you and also to urge you to continue finding ways to make Anambra State one of the best in the Country despite past distractions. For those of you who do not know me, I am Prince Jimmy Emmanuel Asiegbu, the Executive Director of Nigeria Policy Institute, USA (NPI-USA) and Ex-President and Founder of Anambra State Association, USA (ASA-USA). In my current position as the Executive Director of NPI-USA, we deal on Public Policy Analysis, Formulations and Recommendations as they relate to the Nigerian Governments as our contribution in moving Nigeria forward. You may please visit our website at: www.nigeriapolicyinstitute.org to learn more about us and our achievements. I come to you this time, not as an opponent but as a proven compatriot and patriotic lover of Anambra State and her people who has been in the vanguard for good governance, peace and progress for our state, between and among all those in the leadership of the State, the Executive, the State House and the Local governments. I am particularly concerned with the current brouhaha with the 2008 Budget presented by the Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, the reported intentional or unintentional procrastination in passing it, and the alleged move by you to slash the budget by 50 percent; not for any justifiable reason other than to politically make it difficult for the Governor to move the State forward with his programmes. Inasmuch as I do not know the veracity of these allegations that have made the news Worldwide, as one who led the campaign for good governance and progress from the days of Gov. Mbadinuju’s administration, leading to the formation of ASA-USA to enable our people home and abroad have a strong Voice in the affairs of our State, it is my honest feeling that every one of you wants to see Anambra State become the Small London some day. This same feeling is shared by all Anambrarians and Ndi Igbo at home and abroad. As such, may you allow me to appeal to all of you respected and Honorable members of the House to, please, see to it that there exists Peace, Progress and most importantly Cooperation with the Executive Arm of the State, and to ensure that Anambra State’s future should remain, at all times, above any other interests, in the execution of your legislative functions. I am aware that politics has come to stay but I urge you to remember what is best for our State at this time that Election is over, and ask that you do not engage in politics that will retrogress the State’s development. Retrogressive politics at this time is not needed due to it’s negative and destructive impact on the State and our people. Consequently, I call on, and appeal to, all of you esteemed Honorable members of the House to please expeditiously peruse the 2008 Budget as presented by His Excellency, Governor Peter Obi, work with the Executive branch on clarification and/or reach a compromise on any area of the budget that you have legitimate concerns to enable you pass the Budget without further delay, and to avoid the incessant negative reaction from the national press. There is no doubt that your taking this step will make the people of Anambra State happy, and reduce the current bad press against you, especially the general perception of being a stumbling block to progress in our State. Recent Court pronouncements have shown that Anambra State and Nigeria polity has entered a new era and I appeal to all of you to be part of it. The quest for good governance is so deeply rooted in the tradition and conscience of the good people of Anambra State, that it has become so fundamental in the administration of the State regardless of which party is in power. While not taking any adversarial and/or confrontational position, I wish to plead with you all, Honorable members of the House to strongly strive to avert anything that will invariably derail the march towards a great Anambra State. Strong politics at this time is not needed; the Anambra people would prefer that you use your privileged positions and opportunity to accomplish laudable goals for your constituents and Anambra State in general. Numerous issues call for your urgent attention and I urge you to focus on those that will develop Anambra State and ameliorate the long sufferings of our people. My greatest appreciation to all of you for according this request the needed audience and hopefully do the right thing for our State and our people by expeditiously resolving this matter. May the good Lord inspire you with devotion, provide you with the wisdom, valor, and heart to do the right things now. Again, have a wonderfully blessed Easter holidays. I look forward to meeting all of you soon. Dr. Francis Onukwuli, a member of NPI-USA’s Board of Directors, known to some of you sends his regards. Sincerely The People’s Servant ,Prince Jimmy E. Asiegbu Prince Jimmy E. Asiegbu Executive Director Tel. 310 497-5007 Email: jasmak@nigeriapolicyinstitute.org ________________________________________________________________________________ Good and Progressive Government
Policies in the administration of By The People’s Servant, Prince Jimmy Asiegbu Presented
at the 2007 6th National Convention of Your
Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, our Executive Governor, Honorable members of the
House, our Special Guests from Nigeria, members of the High Chair, Our Royal
fathers, Ndi Nze na Ozo, my fellow Anambrarians, it is a great pleasure to stand
before you again to welcome you to our 6th national Convention. I
stand before you today to address you, not as the founder of ASA-USA, nor as a
member of the current Executive, but as one who has been in the vanguard of
advocating for good governance, unity, peace and progress in our State, Anambra,
through government’s formulation and implementation of good, effective, sound
and progressive Policies and legislations. Some of
you may already know that since my exit from ASA-USA’s leadership, I have
become part of a Think Thank Group called Nigeria Policy Institute, Our beloved State
Anambra has in the recent past received a litany of bad press as a result of
numerous distractions. The government has made tremendous efforts in the State,
but unfortunately none of these laudable efforts make national news, rather what
we constantly read is about political battles and wars.
It is time for the State to go back to what it does best, formulating
excellent policies and being a leader among all the States in In-depth
analyses of some of the policies enacted by our State government and legislators
have not been well formulated and some have not effectively addressed the issues
for which they were formulated. While some of the policies have not advanced the
cause of ordinary citizens and residents of the State, still some other policies
are anti-progress, anti-unity, selfish and retrogressive to the economy of our
state and the social welfare of our people. Some are self-centered, unimplementable,
and full of loopholes for violators to abuse, and have no monitoring system in
place to check its effectiveness. Most of these policies lack the tools for
implementation or prosecution of violators. It
is my belief and of course that of Nigeria Policy Institute that Good Public
Policies are Sound Politics and that good public policy is a vehicle to
achieving good governance and that the implementations of good policies
lead to good, disciplined, transparent, progressive, less-corrupt and
happy society. Likewise, bad policies and decisions will equally lead to bad
governance, a troubled state that is full of disenchanted people. Engaging in
policies and decisions that are anti-progress, anti-people, economic
retrogression; policies that are meant to achieve selfish goals, or that gives
special privileges to the select few, or that are discriminatory at best should
be avoided at all cost. Policies that are made to unduly and undeservedly reward
certain persons who may have engaged in untoward acts against the people of the
State, or those policies that give undue advantage to these groups of people
should be completely avoided or reviewed if one exists. Policies
that are on a Trial and Error basis, policies that will lead to financial wastes
or loss or become an overbearing burden to the State and the citizenry must be
discarded. Additionally, policies that are solely meant to entrap or punish
political opponents or marginalize certain section of the State must be avoided.
The Legislators should engage in enacting progressive and meaningful
legislations or acts that will move the State forward economically, socially and
politically. Some policies that affect the lives and well-being of our people
need to be publicized to enable people obey them. Some
of these policies, though well intended do not always produce the targeted
results. Every policy needs a thorough evaluation of it’s pros and cons.
Additionally, no matter how sound a policy may be, if it is not implementable it
is as good as nothing. The three most common rationales for Policy formulations
are as follows: (a)
Rectifying purposes:
Policies meant to correct or fix a known or anticipated problem In
this instance, the problem must be identified, majority in agreement that it
does exist; its pros and cons thoroughly evaluated and its implementation
considered. Loopholes to the policy identified and closed and adequate penalty
for violators prescribed. (b)
Preventative policies:
Policies meant to control Usually
targeted at controlling or preventing abuses or criminal acts; and are
formulated to prevent or control such acts from taking place or being
contemplated by a violator. In this instance, the specific abuse or act must be
enlisted and measurable penalty or consequences prescribed. Tools for
implementation must be provided and effective monitoring system created to
ensure efficiency. ©
Progressive Policies: policies
geared towards a holistic progress of the State and he People These
types of policy are formulated for moving the economy, social and political
affairs of the State forward. Just as is the case with any other policy, there
must be cogent reasons for formulating this type of policies, and the rationale
must be sound and implementable. Examples of such policies will include (1)
incentives for foreign and local business investment (2) empowerment policies
for the masses (3) educational and health policies (4) Internal Revenue
generation and control Every
organ of the government needs to understand that government jobs involve serving
the public and your state in the best possible manner, and that, includes making
policies and decisions that will aggressively address the targeted case and
solve problems, thus leading to good governance and a happy state. I like the governor’s programmes for the State and he should
focus on executing them speedily than allowing the distractions get to him, and
ensure that there is unity within the governing bodies in the State. At the end,
Anambra masses want to see what you have accomplished and not the battles you
waged. Your
Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, and the Anambra lawmakers, Nigeria Policy Institute
wants good government policies in our State. We applaud you for some of the
changes you have brought to the State. We want the positive changes to continue.
We shall be knocking on your doors when we witness policies or actions that go
against our goals. If we do knock on your doors, we shall come with our
evaluations of the bad policies and their adverse effect on the state. We shall
come with recommendations. NPI is a friendly Think Thank Group. On behalf of NPI-USA
and our progressively minded membership, once again, welcome to the convention.
It shall be well with Anambra State, Nigeria Policy Institute, ASA-USA,
and Prince Jimmy E. Asiegbu Executive Director Nigeria Policy Institute, www.nigeriapolicyinstitute.org
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