Valentine Obienyem

We have never met. I only know you by reputation and I have had cause in the last year to write on your activities within the public arena and offer my own views about you, your persona, and your interventions in the Nigerian debate. I sincerely hope you would get to read this letter wherever you may be, that is assuming you are still alive.

It is forty years and 139 days after he joined the saints on May 9, 1987. Many folks – loyalists and admirers- will flock to the site of his imposing statue Tuesday September 26 to watch the dramatic re-emergence of the philosopher, statesman and politician. A few acquainted with his interest in metaphysics may tarry till the veil has been cast away. As one of Moses Olaiya’s comic offerings remind, the dead may resurrect amidst the celebration!

EVERYTHING has got its own time and season.  The season of politics in the State of Osun is here. Contestants are warming up.  New alignments are being forged. In other places, old ones are being resuscitated. Forces are gathering, all towards the 2018 governorship election.

IT is yet another election period and as usual, Anambra State has found itself in the frenzy of the democratic process, which requires  elective office seekers to woo the people they wish to lead to vote them into power. Usually, in the bid to actualise this, the incumbent is naturally the number one victim of vociferous media attacks and castigations that could potentially reduce their achievements and Governor Willie Obiano has not been spared either.

Anambra State is of course not lacking in successful young men and women. All over the world, enterprising young men and women of Anambra State origin can be found in diverse professions making our country and state proud.

RECENTLY, May15 to 16, 2017 to be exact, my esteemed brothers at the African Finance Corporation – Andrew Alli, Oliver Andrews, Taiwo Adeniji, etc., brought the best brains in Infrastructure Finance to Abuja for AFC live to celebrate 10 years of purpose and infrastructure financing impact in Africa. As I sat on my seat at this glittering ceremony; Acting President Osinbajo gave a most inspiring speech and clarion call for public private collaboration to address Africa’s infrastructure deficit. As I was thinking, I said Chidi if you are given an opportunity to address AFC live what would say. I then wrote this speech which I am very happy to share with all as a way of reminding all that a lot of work still needs to be done to address the parlous state of infrastructure in Africa, but there is silver lining on the horizon and it’s called Public Private Partnerships.

THOUGH the 2019 governorship election is 18 months away, the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Delta State has started putting structures in place to forestall a re-occurrence of the loss it suffered during the 2015 general elections to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate and current Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

For a considerable while now, the Lagos State Government has enjoyed reputation as a responsible government that pays the requisite attention to its pension responsibilities to the workforce of the civil service.

Was I surprised that the Federal Government (FG) declared the unarmed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) a terrorist organisation? No! I am only surprised that many Nigerians were surprised.