The governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo. A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said that Prince Owoade after thorough consultations and divinations, has been recommended by the Oyomesi and approved by Governor Makinde.

According to the commissioner, a statement to this effect has been issued by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ademola Ojo, who said that the announcement has put to rest all the socio and legal bickerings that have ensued since the demise of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III on April 22, 2022.

The Alaafin stool became vacant following the de@th of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who was Alaafin from 1970 to 2022.

1) The National Youth CONFAB:

This is expected to kick off in the first quarter of the new year as the administration seeks to strengthen the synergy between its young population and the leadership.
The Ministry of Youth is expected to announce, soon, the modalities for selecting the conference’s representatives from across the country.

2) National Credit Guarantee Company:

First announced during the President’s 2025 New Year Message, the administration is expected to launch the National Credit Guarantee Company before the end of the second quarter of 2025.
This company will assist the administration to further consolidate and increase access to credit for individuals and critical sectors of the economy to boost national economic output.

3) Tax Reform Bills Implementation:

The tax reform bills that are currently being debated on the floor of the National Assembly are expected to be passed over the next few months with implementation expected to begin in earnest.
The bills, apart from strengthening Nigeria’s tax collection capacity also aim to fix many basics of the economy which will in turn tackle poverty, inflation, unemployment, pand oor revenue as well as strengthen the ease-of-doing business rating of the country.

4) Consumer Credit Phase 2:

The Consumer Credit Scheme which is a major initiative of President Tinubu’s administration is expected to be taken to a new level as the general public starts to access the benefits embedded in it.

The first phase of the scheme which has already benefited tens of thousands of civil servants will now be extended to the general public as the administration completes to increase access to consumable goods which will help drive industrialization, reduce corruption and improve the standard of living of the populace.

5) Special Agro Processing Zones/Green Imperative:

The Special Agro Processing Zones which is an initiative of the federal government in partnership with the African Development Bank seeks to improve food production on a large scale in the country with six states pencilled down for the first phase. Large farming clusters will be setup across the country.

The Green Imperative seeks to ensure farmers at the grassroots get access to extension services including mechanized farming, and training on the use and maintenance of modern equipment by establishing centres across the 774 Local Governments.

6) Full Implementation of the Local Government Autonomy:

All things being equal, the judgement of the Supreme Court on Local government autonomy is expected to be fully implemented in the new year.

This is expected to improve governance at the grassroots level as it enables the FG to send allocations directly to local governments without interference from the states, which is currently obtainable.

7) National Livestock Program:

Following the introduction of a new Ministry of Livestock by President Tinubu’s administration, a National Livestock Program is billed to commence in the new year as Nigeria seeks to harness the potential in the livestock sector.

Northern Nigeria is a major player in the development of livestock and with a new operational framework in place, the sector is expected to contribute significantly to the economic growth of Nigeria, eliminate issues of farmers-herders crisis and reduce poverty in the country.

8) Renewed Hope Creative Villages:

According to the Presidency, plans have been finalized to establish creative villages of arts in each state across Nigeria, named “Renewed Hope Creative Villages” with the goal of enhancing the creative industry and preserving historic sites.

The initiative would collaborate with state governments to identify historic locations and transform them into creative hubs.
This one-stop-shop solution will help the government to harness the potentials of the sector to create thousands of jobs, preserve monumental sites across the country and develop a sector that could contribute immensely to economic growth.

9) Infrastructure Commissioning:

The Presidency said several Infrastructural projects are expected to be commissioned in 2025. Some of them are:

Phase one of Lagos-Calabar Highway
• 3 bus terminal stations in FCT
•Renewed Hope Cities
• The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project
• Kaduna Refinery
• 52MW Maiduguri Emergency Power Project (MEPP)
• The next phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI)
• Kaduna power project (Kudendan power plant)
• 375MW Egbema Power Station, Imo State

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu has reaffirmed his commitment to hand over the reins of power to an indigene of Rivers State on Friday, January 10, 2025. He stated that though his tenure as a President General is very brief, but “what matters is the impact and legacy with which we will be remembered. The millions of Igbo people all over the world are watching us with more than a passing interest on the quality of Ohanaeze leadership that will be enthroned on January 10, 2025”

Chukwu made the above remarks during the Valedictory Session of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo which was held on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at its National Secretariat, No 7 Park Avenue, GRA, Enugu.

The Igbo Leader reiterated that the success or failure of any organization is a function of its leadership recruitment process. He explained that the Screening, Appeal and Electoral Committees for the purpose of the forthcoming Ohanaeze election comprise men and women whose public records and antecedents are above reproach.

He once more urged the people of Igbo extraction in Rivers State in particular and other Igbo states in general to ensure that only men and women of integrity and proven records of accomplishments are put forward to fill the offices zoned to the states in accordance with the rotation principles of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. “Every true Igbo looks forward to a vibrant Ohanaeze Ndigbo; a sociocultural organization that comprises men and women of honour, moral rectitude and selfless service, an organization that lives up to expectations and places the Igbo interest first in their policies and programmes”. In addition, an Ohanaeze that “every Igbo will embrace with pride irrespective of political leaning, ideological persuasions and religious affiliations ”.

Chukwu emphasized that for one to lead the Igbo, the person must have proven experience in leadership roles, particularly in cultural organizations, age grades, town unions, market associations or similar contexts. Evidently, the person must be well educated with demonstrable leadership traits, including strategic thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Not only that, the person must have cultural competence; a deep understanding of Igbo culture, traditions, and values. Above all, such a person must have a profile of strong moral character, transparency, and accountability.

TalkJudith
The Igbo Leader seized the opportunity to introduce two Executive Orders: The first is on Membership Registration. Chukwu lamented that since the Ohanaeze Ndigbo was founded in 1976, it has lacked the capacity to function effectively due to paucity of funds. He therefore proposed that every Igbo should pay a registration fee of One Hundred Naira per month or One Thousand Two Hundred Naira per anum; while affiliate organizations will pay Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira annually. He stressed that every proud Igbo will subscribe to the prescribed fees because we all aspire for a viable Ohanaeze with a strong economic base. Membership Registration gives one a sense of belonging, ownership, and participation. A committee comprising eminent Igbo was constituted to drive the process.

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The second Executive Order is the establishment of a Presidential Advisory Council (PAC), which is charged with Advisory, Representative, Oversight and Supportive Roles. It provides benefits of corporate knowledge and institutional memory. The PAC will offer strategic guidance, policy formulation, stake-holders engagements, community outreach, mentorship, fundraising, conflict resolutions, capacity-building, amongst others. The two executive orders were approved by the NEC.

He later led the NEC to an exciting tour of the Centre for Memories at No 2 Awgu Street. Independence Layout. Enugu.

The Igbo Leader appealed to the Federal government to put more efforts into the resolution of the state of insecurity in the South East by assisting the states in reviving the industries and thereby providing employments to the teeming youths. He added that to restore peace and order, there is the need for a balance of kinetic and non kinetic approaches.

Nze Chukwu highly commended the NEC Members for their patience and demonstration of community spirit.

To the Governors Nze Chukwu was full of praises. He said that though he had no interactions of any type with any of them except, of course, his State Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma. He appreciates the fact that they all have Igbo Spirit burning in them. He prayed for them to remain very committed to the growth and development of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

He appealed for special attention to the needs of the youth. We should assist them to achieve their life dreams and goals. He stressed that our future is in the youths. We must demonstrate empathy, care, and concern for their needs and future.

Members commended the Igbo Leader for his enviable vision, his missionary zeal and Apostolic ideal; more importantly, the courage to step in at a critical juncture that needed the intervention of a moral edifice with character. Members noted that on January 10, 2025, the name of Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu will go down in history as the man who took the bull by the horn, re-wrote the Igbo narratives and left his name in gold.

Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR also received commendations for piloting the ship, weathering the storms and emerging successfully at the demise of Chief Joel Kroham, the Deputy President General; Late Professor George Obiozor, a former President General and Late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, a former President General, all within the life of this current administration. Appreciations also went to Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary for his outstanding intellectual outputs and consistent aggressive media engagements amidst the numerous challenges that confronted the socio-cultural body. Members commended Prince Garry Enwo Igariwey, a one time President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for his invaluable interventions to save Ohanaeze, especially during the most turbulent times.