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Ekweremadu, Chime, Others Mourn Achebe

The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Prof. Chinua Achebe.

Ekweremadu, in condolence message by Mr Uche Anichukwu, his Special Adviser (Media), in Abuja on Friday described Achebe's death as the ``exit of a literary Iroko’’.

``This is a very sad development given that Achebe employed his writing prowess to paint Nigeria proudly on the global map of fame, and as a social critic.

``He was very courageous and spoke his mind according to his conviction without fear or favour,’’ he said.

Ekweremadu condoled with the professor's family as well as the government and people of Anambra and the nation in general over the irreparable loss.

Also, Sen. Uche Chukwumerije, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, described late Achebe as a patriotic, honest and detribalised Nigeria of this era.

Chukwumwerije said this while speaking with newsmen in Nsukka on Friday during the committee’s oversight function at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

He said the death of Achebe had marked the end of era of undiluted truth in the history of Nigeria.

``I received the news of Achebe’s death with shock. Achebe dedicated his life time to the service of humanity. Nigeria and the world in general have lost literary icon and giant.

``Achebe will be remembered as detribalised, great thinker and honest Nigerian. The history of world best literary icons will be incomplete without mentioning Achebe,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Bartho Okolo, also described the death of Achebe as great loss to the country and the world at large.

``Achebe will be remembered as one, who believed in excellence, intellectualism and merit. UNN will remember Achebe, especially on his immense contributions to Institute of African Studies.

Gov. Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers while reacting to Achebe’s in Port Harcourt on Friday said his literary works spoke volumes and were internationally recognised.

Amaechi said his favourite among the books written by Achebe was a man of the people’’ noting: “I love and have read’’, the book over and over again, mostly because of its portrayal of leadership as it is in Africa.

``I have also commissioned that a movie be made out of it for the benefit of more people, especially our youths who are the leaders of tomorrow.

``It is such a shock to me that our dearly beloved Achebe, the man who gave us several notable works of literature is gone,’’ he said.

Amaechi said, ``Achebe's intelligence still motivated me, I remember his kind words, his fatherly advice and encouragement.’’

 While, Gov Chime wants Achebe’s literary legacy sustained

Gov. Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has called for the sustenance of the legacies of the late renowned author, Prof. Chinua Achebe, who died at 82.

This is contained in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Chukwudi Achife, in Enugu on Saturday.

Chime described Achebe as a renowned and celebrated literary icon whose works and efforts toward the advancement of the human race would continue to be acknowledged and respected.

The governor called on stakeholders, writers to advance his legacies, adding: ``Achebe’s death is a huge loss to mankind, Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

`` Nigeria in particular will miss a great patriot, worthy ambassador and a role model for many generations,’’ he said.

Chime extended his condolence to the President Goodluck Jonathan, the government and people of Anambra as well as the family of the deceased.

 

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Gov. Dankwambo Inaugurates Committee To Facilitate Marriage For Divorcees

Gov. Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State has inaugurated a 14-member committee to study the problems of divorcees in the state. Inaugurating the committee, Dankwambo decried the high rate of divorce in the state and said the committee’s objective wa...

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Kano To Alleviate Prison Inmates’ Suffering By Restoring Water Supply

The Kano State Government has said that water supply to prisons in the state would be restored to reduce the hardship being faced by inmates. Gov. Rabiu Kwankwaso made this known on Friday when he met with the new Controller of Prisons, Mr Abdurrahman ...

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Obama Says Israel, Turkey PMs Speak On Phone

US President Barack Obama said the Israeli and Turkish premiers held a rare telephone call on Friday, welcoming the move in a statement issued before he wound up a three-day trip to the Holy Land.

"I welcome the call today between (Israeli) Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu and (Turkish) Prime Minister (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan," he said, stressing the need to heal the deep rift since 2010 between Washington's two allies.
 
"The United States deeply values our close partnerships with both Turkey and Israel, and we attach great importance to the restoration of positive relations between them in order to advance regional peace and security," he said.
"I am hopeful that today's exchange between the two leaders will enable them to engage in deeper cooperation on this and a range of other challenges and opportunities," Obama said.
 
Once flourishing ties between Israel and its only Muslim ally Turkey deteriorated after Erdogan stormed out of a Davos panel with Israeli President Shimon Peres following Israel's war in Gaza in December 2008-January 2009, telling him: "You know well how to kill people."

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Achebe A Patriot, Nation’s Conscience We’ll Miss- Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan has described literary icon, Prof Chinua Achebe as a committed patriot and the conscience of the nation the country will miss, following his exit from the face of the earth.

 
"He (Jonathan) recalls that with maturity and global stature, Prof. Achebe fearlessly spoke the truth as he saw it and became, as he advanced in age, a much revered national icon and conscience of the nation who will be eternally honoured for his contributions to national discourse as well as the immense fame and glory he brought to his fatherland", a statement by Dr. Reuben Abati, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity noted yesterday.
 
The statement made available to LEADERSHIP Weekend reads in parts: "President Goodluck has received with immense sadness, news of the passing away of Nigeria’s globally acclaimed writer, scholar, tutor, cultural icon, nationalist and artist of the very first rank, Prof. Chinua Achebe.
"President Jonathan joins Prof. Achebe’s family, his friends, colleagues, past and present students, admirers and all who have learnt indelible lessons of human existence from his award winning works of literature in mourning the legendary author.
 
"As he mourns however, the President is consoled by the knowledge that Prof. Achebe will live forever in the hearts and minds of present and future generations through his great works which brought him enduring international fame and countless honours.
 
"The President believes that Prof. Achebe’s frank, truthful and fearless interventions in national affairs will be greatly missed at home in Nigeria because while others may have disagreed with his views, most Nigerians never doubted his immense patriotism and sincere commitment to the building of a greater, more united and prosperous nation that all Africans and the entire black race could be proud of.
 
"On behalf of himself, his family, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Prof Achebe’s family.
He prays that God Almighty will receive Prof. Achebe’s great soul and grant him eternal rest from his outstanding earthly labours".

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Elechi Dethrones 2 Traditional Rulers For Sabotage

Gov. Martin Elechi of Ebonyi on Thursday announced the dethronement and de-stooling of two traditional rulers and two village heads in Ishielu Local Government Area of the state for sabotaging government's programmes.

Elechi said that the affected traditional rulers ``sabotaged and decimated'' the Nigercem at Nkalagu.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Dr Onyekachi Eni.

The dethroned chiefs are Eze Mathias Nnaji of Nkalagu, Eze Michael Egbo of Amaezu, Prince Benjamin Onwa, regent of Umuhuali and Prince Augustine Okwor, the regent of Nkalaha.

``The traditional rulers and regents were sabotaging government efforts to stem organised decimation of Nigeria Cement factory (Nigercem), Nkalagu.

``Government views with embarrassment attempts by the traditional rulers to sabotage its effort to reclaim Nigercem from Eastern Bulkcem company which was privatised in 2002 and which in turn sold it to Ibeto Group,’’ the government said.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Eastern Bulkcem in 2009, dragged the Ebonyi Government to courts in Enugu and Abakaliki for revoking its Certificate of Occupancy but the courts declined to nullify the order as prayed by the core-investor.

The statement said that neither the seller nor the buyer of Nigercem notified the State Government and people of Ebonyi as strategic partners in the business before the sale.

According to the statement, the government has used every available opportunity to brief the people of the area and the state about developments in the company.

``The State Government, therefore, regrets that in spite of its efforts, some compromised traditional rulers from Ishielu colluded with agents of Ibeto Group to disparage her and sabotage its efforts to stem the organised decimation of Nigercem,’’ it stated.

The government directed the affected traditional rulers and regents to immediately vacate their stools and cease to represent or parade themselves as traditional rulers of the affected communities.

They were also ordered to hand over their certificates of recognition and staff of office to the chairman of Ishielu Local Government Council within 48 hours.

 

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Gov Yero’s 100 Days In Office: Challenges, Achievements And Chances Come 2015

Dr Yero, the youngest governor among governors, at 44, was sworn in on 15th December, 2012, according to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, just 24 hours when his predecessor late Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa died in a Nigerian Navy hel...

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Obasanjo Shuns PDP Reconciliation, As Members Move Against Tukur

Indications emerged suggesting that the crisis of confidence between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his protégé, President Goodluck Jonathan, is yet to abate as sources stated that the former leader has shunned moves for reconciliation between the two.

This is coming just as some aggrieved members have commenced moves to oust the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from office owing to series of crises within the party.

The underground moves, LEADERSHIP gathered, is aimed at easing the Adamawa born politician out of the party’s leadership owing to what the aggrieved members termed his highhanded manner in running the party.

Both President Jonathan and Obasanjo have been at loggerheads regarding how the party should be managed with the latter throwing darts in the direction of the former on how he has been managing the country.

President Jonathan retaliated by weeding out those perceived to be loyal to Obasanjo from the party’s hierarchy both at the national level and the South West zone.

The casualties of the battle of wits between the two include the former national secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and the national auditor, Alhaji Bode Mustapha.

Also, the Olusegun Oni-led zonal executive committee of the party was dissolved by the national leadership which  hinged its move on an existing court order purportedly outing them from office.

The source said the development had left Obasanjo and his loyalists bruised, prompting yet another rounds of crisis within the ranks of the party, necessitating reconciliatory moves by the Alhaji Bamanga Tukur-led national executive.

Sources close to former leader told LEADERSHIP that Obasanjo has continued to shun entreaties to him by some leaders of the PDP who have continued to reach out to him to solve the lingering crisis ahead of the 2015 general elections.

The sources told our correspondent that the former leader has continued to make himself unavailable to those that the leadership of the PDP has delegated to pacify him.

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