“What does it profit a man to build a nation, yet leave this world with empty pockets but a full legacy?” (Saint Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe )

Dr. Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe, fondly remembered as the “Weeping Governor” of Imo State, left behind more than concrete structures—he left behind a testimony of servant leadership. At a time when corruption was already seeping deep into Nigerian politics, Mbakwe proved that governance could be about service, sacrifice, and foresight. His story isn’t just history; it’s a mirror for our generation asking us: What will we leave behind?

During his tenure in the 1980s, Mbakwe turned Imo into a model of what visionary leadership could achieve. He pioneered industrial growth with over 100 enterprises across Imo, Abia, and parts of Ebonyi. He built roads that endured, developed housing estates, and made education accessible by founding Imo State University. While others made promises, he laid foundations—quite literally—for generations unborn.

Mbakwe’s leadership was not just about projects but about dignity. He extended electricity to nearly every community, ensured water reached remote villages, built Nigeria’s first independent power plant, and even constructed an airport. His urban planning included advanced drainage systems and an innovative waste management system (Sulo) far ahead of its time. He governed like a man who saw tomorrow and wanted his people ready for it.
And yet, after leaving office, Mbakwe had no mansion, no fleet of cars, no looted wealth stashed abroad. He lived and died with only one modest house in his village. He showed that true wealth is not counted in banknotes but in footprints left on the earth and in the lives of others. Today, when many leaders are celebrated for what they took, Mbakwe is remembered for what he gave.

“Greatness is not in what you gather, but in what you scatter for the good of humanity. Saint Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe lived poor in pocket, but eternally rich in legacy.”

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INECNEWS.Com

INEC Urges FOSIECON To Improve Local Govt Elections

By Nathaniel Gana and Dominic James

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has urged the State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs) to strive to conduct local government elections in the manner that INEC conducts the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Elections.

Prof. Yakubu made the call on Tuesday, 31st July 2025, during a courtesy visit by a delegation of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON), led by its Chairman, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri.

He described local government elections and local government areas as the foundation of credible elections and development, just as he expressed satisfaction over the emergence of elected local government councils in all states of the federation. But Prof Yakubu expressed reservations about the quality of the local government elections.

He said: “Your role is significant to credible elections in Nigeria. Local government elections, just like local government areas, are the foundation, not only of credible elections, but also of development, and we will continue to partner with you in this regard. I am glad to note that virtually all the States of the Federation now have elected local government councils.

“But you will agree with me that the challenge is the quality of the elections. I hope there will be an opportunity for us to discuss how INEC can partner with the SIECs to continue to improve the quality of these elections. We share responsibility with the SIECs on the conduct of local government elections. The best cooperation that can exist between INEC and the SIECs is for the SIECs to strive to conduct local government elections in the manner that INEC has done in the FCT.”

He continued: “As you know, the FCT is the only part of the country where there has never been a caretaker committee in the six area councils. Elections have been conducted regularly, initially for a period of three years, but with the amendment to the Electoral Act, the tenure has been streamlined to four years, just like the executive and legislative elections conducted by INEC. The elections are held regularly, and no one party has ever won all the elections in the FCT. And we have functional offices in all six area councils in the FCT. And there is, equally, the importance of planning in the conduct of elections.”

Explaining further, the INEC Chairman said while the next FCT area council election would take place next year, the Commission had earlier this year released the Timetable and Schedule of Activities over 360 days ahead of the election as provided by law.

His words: “It is on this note that I would like to seize this opportunity to draw your attention to the judgment of the Supreme Court, which the Chairman of FOSIECON alluded to on the conduct of local government elections. Conducting local government elections without serving the mandatory statutory notice long before the election contravenes the judgment of the Supreme Court.

“Recent announcement by a state electoral commission, which gives, in effect, 21 days’ notice, is not only a violation of the law and the subsisting judgment of the Supreme Court, it is also a practical problem. Within 21 days, how do you expect political parties to conduct primaries, nominate candidates, organise a campaign, and for the Electoral Commission to conduct voter education, recruit and train ad hoc staff, manage logistics, and organise security for the election? It is practically impossible to do so within 21 days. Therefore, as the umbrella body of all state electoral commissions, carry this message to your members about the importance of complying with statutory timelines in the conduct of local government elections.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of FOSIECON, Hon. Mamman Eri, said the delegation embarked on the visit to introduce the newly inaugurated national executive formally and to foster the enduring partnership between INEC and FOSIECON. He asked for the Commission’s support in the areas of technical assistance, capacity building and knowledge sharing.

He also talked about the recent Supreme Court judgement that annulled the Rivers State local government election. “It is clear that most of the states have their laws that have been enacted and passed by the House of Assemblies,” he stated. “The fact remains that most of us have this issue of 90-day notice for election. And from all indications, one of the things that the Supreme Court judgment hammered on is the issue of 360 days.

“How do we marry this with our state laws and the laws made by the National Assembly for the FCT? And from that judgment, we learned that the procedure that INEC uses is the same procedure that is expected to be used for local government elections.

Who is the devil to you?

Many individuals believe that society has oversimplified or misunderstood the notion of evil. The following are several perspectives on this issue:

1. **Cultural Interpretations**: Different cultures and religions have varying definitions of evil, often shaped by historical contexts, moral frameworks, and societal norms. What one society views as evil, another may see as acceptable or even necessary.

2. **Moral Relativism**: The idea that morality is not absolute but rather relative to the individual or culture suggests that definitions of good and evil can vary widely. This can lead to misunderstandings about the nature of evil when viewed from different perspectives.

3. **Psychological Factors**: Some argue that evil actions can stem from psychological issues, trauma, or social conditions rather than inherent malevolence. This perspective emphasizes understanding the root causes of harmful behavior rather than simply labeling it as evil.

4. **Complexity of Human Nature**: Humans are capable of both good and evil, and many actions fall into a gray area. Simplifying individuals into categories of "good" or "evil" can overlook the complexities of human motivation and behavior.

5. **Societal Influences**: The influence of society, including media, politics, and education, can shape perceptions of evil. For example, fear and misunderstanding can lead to the demonization of certain groups or ideas.

Overall, the concept of evil is multifaceted and often requires a deeper exploration beyond surface-level judgments. What are your thoughts on this?

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PRESS RELEASE

CONCLUSION OF THE CONTINUOUS VOTER REGISTRATION (CVR) IN ANAMBRA STATE AND UPDATE ON PARTY REGISTRATION
The Commission held its regular weekly meeting today, Thursday 24th July 2025. In continuation of the Commission's preparations for the off-cycle governorship election in Anambra State, the meeting received the final report on the Continuous Registration of Voters (CVR), followed by a presentation by the ICT Department on the portal for party registration.

Voter Registration in Anambra State

As earlier announced by the Commission, the CVR scheduled to end on 17th July 2025 was extended to 20th July 2025 following appeals by citizens. The final figure of new registrants is 168,187 which is the highest number recorded in two weeks in Anambra State since the introduction of the CVR ahead of the governorship election in 2017.

Although these are preliminary figures pending data clean-up, the detailed breakdown shows that 97,832 (58%) are female while 70,355 (42%) are male. In terms of age, 90,763 (53.97%) are young people aged 18-34 while the occupational distribution shows that 62,157 (36.92%) are businessmen/women while 44,243 (26.31%) are students. In terms of Persons with Disability (PWDs), 303 (24.92%) have physical impediment, followed by 207 (17.02%) with albinism. The detailed breakdown has been uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information.

The immediate next step is to display the preliminary register of new voters for claims and objections by citizens who are the ultimate owners of the register. This will take place in all the 326 Wards in Anambra State from Saturday 26th July 2025 to Friday 1st August 2025. Once this process is concluded, including the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), the new registrants will be added to the existing register and published on Polling Unit basis ahead of the election.

Thereafter, the Commission will announce the dates and locations for the collection of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) for new registrants and those who applied for transfer or replacement of their lost or damaged cards. The PVCs from previous registration will also be available for collection. With 105 days to the election, the Commission is aware of the tight timelines but we wish to reassure all new registrants in Anambra State that their PVCs will be available for collection ahead of the election.

Update on Party Registration

In our last press release, we assured Nigerians that we are finalising the necessary tests on the party registration portal designed and built in-house by our ICT officials. As is the case with all our IT innovations, the new portal has been demonstrated before the Commission and approved for deployment.

The Commission is evaluating all numerous letters of intent received so far to determine the associations that meet the requirements to proceed to the application stage. A report is expected at our next regular meeting.

Meanwhile, the Commission has received 10 more letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties, bringing the number so far to 144. The details of the new associations, including their names, acronyms, logos, addresses and interim leaderships are published on our website and other platforms for public information.

We will continue to update Nigerians on all our activities.

Sam Olumekun mni
National Commissioner and Chairman, Information & Voter Education Committee
Thursday 24th July 2025

The Upright Man!
“We Are All Sankara’s”: The Flame That Refused to Die. He lived for the people. He died among them. And even in death, they never let go.

In the dusty heart of West Africa, Thomas Sankara dared to dream—and to act. Born in December 1949, he rose like a storm and passed like a meteor, gone too soon in October 1987 at just 38. Yet, his four-year presidency transformed not just a nation, but a mindset. When he seized power in 1983, Upper Volta was a name left behind. He rechristened it Burkina Faso, “Land of Upright People,” a reflection of his ideals—and himself. Sankara was upright in character, fiery in truth, and unwavering in justice.

In a world that too often trampled on women’s voices, Sankara raised them. He banned forced marriages, championed girls' education, appointed women to leadership, and declared, “The revolution and women’s liberation go together. We do not talk of women’s emancipation as an act of charity, but as a basic necessity.” This was no mere rhetoric—it was policy, it was action, it was belief. He lived simply, shunning the trappings of power. He sold government limousines, took a modest salary, and even rode a bicycle to work.

But truth is a dangerous thing. On October 15, 1987, Sankara convened a meeting with 13 close allies to discuss the nation’s pressing issues. It began at 4:15 p.m. By 4:30, the meeting room echoed with gunfire. The first to fall were his bodyguards and driver. Sankara tried to protect the others. Always the shield, never the sword. But this would be his final act. The bullets that rang out that day didn’t just kill a man—they tried to kill a movement.

Yet the revolution did not die. At his humble grave, a note once appeared:
“Do not worry, Mama Sankara. We will avenge the death of your son. We are all Sankaras.”
No truer words could honor him. His spirit—unshaken, unyielding—still echoes in classrooms, protests, speeches, and songs across Africa and beyond.

Let us remember this: A man may be killed, but not his convictions. Thomas Sankara proved that when you live for the people, you never really die. You become the people.

Peter Obi celebrates his birthday today. Okwute Ndi Igbo. A notable philanthropic gesture was made yesterday with a ₦15 million donation to the UNN Dentistry Department, exemplifying his commitment to education. Despite his reluctance to celebrate birthdays, we are compelled to acknowledge him. Let us overwhelm this post with expressions of goodwill. As a distinguished politician known for his consistency, discipline, and selflessness, he merits celebration. Happy birthday to Peter Obi. May God's guidance and protection continue to be upon him. We celebrate you on behalf of all of us at Jaconna and JAGAJAG Africa and wish you well in your quest to liberate Nigeria from corrupt politicians. As a pan-African, we stand by you at all times.

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Russian Embassy comment on the Business Day article (July 15, 2025)

We took note of the article How Russia wins friends and influences people by Nicholas Shubitz published in Business Day on July 11, 2025, and found it thought-provoking and partially reflective of the realities of getting education abroad – be it in Russia, USA, China, Europe or elsewhere. Yet, one important issue is missing.

Education has traditionally been one of the most vibrant sectors in #RussiaAfrica relations. Since the early days of African independence, hundreds of thousands of professionals – doctors, engineers, teachers, technicians, and others – have received training in Russia. After completing these studies, most of the graduates return to their home countries, where they contribute to building a better future for their communities.

We firmly believe that Africa is not, and should not be, an arena for geopolitical rivalry.

As President Vladimir Putin emphasized in his article “Russia and Africa: Joining Efforts for Peace, Progress and a Successful Future,” our country has consistently adhered to the principle of “AFRICAN SOLUTIONS TO AFRICAN PROBLEMS,” standing in solidarity with African nations in their pursuit of self-determination, justice, and sovereign rights. Unlike some external actors, we have never sought to impose our values, governance models, or development paths on our African partners.

Our engagement with African countries is guided by the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2023-2026, adopted at the highest level. This strategic document outlines broad cooperation in numerous areas, including security, trade, investment, agriculture, science, culture, and – critically – education.

Shane Shauke, a graduate of a Russian University, current medical practitioner and representative of the Russian African Centre of University Studies (RACUS) in SA, shares his experience:
“As a South African from the rural Limpopo province, I had the opportunity to study in Russia. Many of us who studied there were drawn not by political influence, but by the accessibility of quality education – especially in fields like medicine.

Russia’s investment in international students, particularly from Africa, certainly fosters goodwill. It’s equally important to acknowledge that the relationship is not one-sided: African students often return home with valuable knowledge and skills.

Russia may gain friends through education, but those friendships are rooted in complex human experiences, not just political strategy.”

The Comment was partially published in Business Day on July 15, 2025: https://tinyurl.com/ykh59r24

You lied about your past, your father disowned you – APC chieftain Eze blasts Wike

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has responded to some of the claims made by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike during a recent interview.

Wike recently appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today where he, among other things, claimed that he came from rich background and attended school driving in his own car. He said this insisting he did not come from the same background as his former boss, Chibuike Amaechi.

Wike also claimed that Dame Judith, the wife of Rotimi Amaechi, was collecting the sum of N4 million monthly to train Rivers women. Wike vowed to resign if the report of forensic audit on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, does not indict Amaechi’s wife.

Reacting to Wike’s claims, Eze, an ally of Amaechi, who often stand for the former Minister of Transportation, said Wike only presented falsehood about his past exposure to the public thereby ridiculing himself.

According to him, Wike, who was an errand boy to Amaechi, has of today denied everyone who made one contribution or another to lift him from abject poverty which reigned supreme in his family.

Eze wondered whether it was Wike that made himself a Local Government Chairman, Chief of Staff to Amaechi and later nominated himself as a Minister during the Jonathan regime.

“Trying to claim how rich his father was when poverty that radiated his family was as strong as the direct ray of sun, is denying his background,” Eze said in a statement he signed and made available to reporters at the weekend.

“His father, if alive, would be disappointed in his act of self-denial to justify his lavish living with public funds. Not minding that his father disowned him because of his character and if not for his friend’s father who assisted him by paying his school fees, Nigerians would have been spared of having such a charlatan in public service

“In his futile attempt to castigate Amaechi’s wife who had genuine dealings with the NDDC, one is forced to ask whether Wike’s wife is fit for the exalted position of a Judge which she holds given that sleeping daily in the same room and on the same bed with a character like Wike will definitely affect her sense of judgement in the delivery of justice. The business of Court is a noble one and the background of a Judge shapes his/her sense of judgement.”

Eze blamed Amaechi said the former Rivers Governor made the greatest error in his political journey by encountering Wike and assisting him to be a Local Government Chairman; appointing him as his Chief of Staff and recommending him for Ministerial appointment.

“As Governor, Wike’s biggest legacy is the destruction of all major policies and projects set up by the Amaechi’s government for the betterment of Rivers State and her people. The Agricultural set up that would have taken care of the food challenge currently facing Nigerians was destroyed, the educational sector and scholarship set up by Amaechi to make Rivers State a hub for human development was destroyed by Wike.”

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PETER OBI SPEAKS

I will ensure those who are stealing our oil stops. Today, every president wants to be the Petroleum Minister. I will not. As a matter of fact, I want to be the Minister of Security. I want to secure the nation.

I am involved in the coalition and I attend all the meetings except when I am not in the country. The coalition for now is not talking about who will be what. I am there for the benefit of the country.

Those who refuse to count our votes in 2027, we will force them to count the votes.

I went to the 90th birthday of the Vanguard publisher. There, I met Bayo Onanuga. If I see him on the road, I won’t even recognize him.

Being friendly or laughing with people doesn’t have anything to do with the law…if you do anything to face the law, you face it.

I will bring peace and stability all over Nigeria. I'll serve with the opposition, I will work with them. I want a Nigeria that works.

I will not go to St Lucia for holiday with the level of insecurity in Nigeria. I will rather go to holiday in Maiduguri and work to stop the bloodshed. I will not go to holiday when Nigeria is at war.

Wherever there was an issue in Anambra State, I was there physically. Anybody who wants to serve should be ready to put even their life on the line for the lives of Nigerians.

To bring order in governance, I will priotize security, education and pulling people out of poverty. To do this, is by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one.

People are dying in Benue , Borno, [and other parts of the country] and our leaders are commissioning Bus Stops.

Nobody abroad takes you seriously if you don't have a stable government.

We will not be violent and will ensure that every vote in each polling unit counts in 2027.

If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue, Zamfara, how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive, how to put food on the tables of Nigerians… Count me out!.

In 2 years, Tinubu has not spent one night in any state in Nigeria apart from Lagos, yet he is going to spend 8 nights in St Lucia, a place smaller than Ajegunle.

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