By Uzo Ugwunze

In view of the present socio-economic quagmire across Nigeria, Nwaeze Efunamba Social Club, has at her election held at Skyplus, GRA, Onitsha, Anambra State, vowed to continue her humanitarian aid to the downtrodden

Making the vow in his post election speech, the newly elected President of the Club, Hon. Emeka Ojukwu, recalled that the Club has assisted scores of indigent families that were not able to afford hospital bills, house rent, school fees and three square mills.

“We will not relent in our effort towards assisting them especially now that hardship is biting hard on the people. The aid is not only for outsiders but also for some families of our members to curtail their problems, he stated.

On his election he stated that, “I was acting on appointed capacity as the Club President but now I have been elected to pilot the affairs of the Club for the next four years and I pledge to perform more than I did on acting capacity.

“I thank my members for finding me worthy to be elected their President. The dream which we have been dreaming for a prosperous club shall come true by the special Grace of God.

“This club is more of a business club than a social club because we are into transportation, Nwaeze Efunamba Mass Transit Limited, that will hit the group in no distant time.

“We also operate Nwaeze Efunamba Real Estate Management limited, all aimed at moving the club to the next level,” he maintained.

Earlier, the chairman of the electoral committee, Sampson Nwabude Ezea, expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the election and described it as free, fair and credible.

Among those that were elected included, Hon. Emeka Ojukwu- President, Onyekachukwu Okafor-vice president, Izuchukwu Amanze-secretary, Nonso Obaila-treasurer, Nnamdi Obumse-financial secretary, Ala Owerri-PRO, Uchenna Ogbu-provost and Lucas Nwaeze-welfare.

Commending members for the successful election, one of the club chieftains, Boy O. Boy, said he contested for the post of treasurer but that a better hand defeated him

He revealed that the person that defeated him will do better than he would have done stating that he was happy to have lost.

Also Pascar from Abatete, described the election as free, fair and credible even as he urged the elected executives to take the club to the promised Land.

By Uzo Ugwunze

No fewer than 50 selected youths from all local government areas of Anambra State have commenced training to monitor and document over 100 public infrastructure projects across the state under a youth-led accountability initiative aimed at strengthening transparency, citizen participation and good governance.

The initiative, known as the Anambra Youth Accountability Hub (AYAH), is being implemented by the Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development (CM-CYCD), with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).

Addressing the selected Accountability Fellows in Awka, Executive Director of CM-CYCD and Project Lead of AYAH, Ugochi Freeman disclosed that the training covered public budget tracking, procurement and infrastructure monitoring, Freedom of Information Act, data collection, documentation, verification and evidence-based advocacy.

She however noted that the project was not designed to confront government or embarrass public officials but to promote constructive engagement based on credible information.

She said, “The initiative is founded on the belief that young people should not be regarded merely as leaders of tomorrow but as active citizens and accountability champions capable of influencing governance today.

“Equipping young people with the right skills and opportunities for meaningful participation could improve public service delivery and strengthen institutions.

“The six-month training is expected to
build the capacity of 50 fellows across the three senatorial zones in the state to monitor, track and document at least 100 public infrastructure projects as well as demand accountability through evidence-based engagement.

“Accountability is not about fighting government or embarrassing public officials. It is about asking right questions, seeking accurate information, identifying gaps, presenting credible evidence, and engaging constructively with relevant authorities to encourage improvements.”

Freeman advised the fellows to insist on evidence than rumours, dialogue as against unnecessary confrontation, while upholding integrity, impartiality, respect, inclusion and confidentiality in carrying out their assignments.

Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Chukwukadibia Okoye, while providing government’s perspective, described citizen participation as critical to ensuring public resources addressed the actual needs of communities.

Okoye, represented by Rev. Dr Jude Nwadavid said the Ministry was responsible for planning public priorities, allocating scarce resources and coordinating development programmes with development partners to ensure government interventions produced measurable benefits.

“Policy design and resource allocation are only half of the equation. True accountability happens when citizens, especially the youth, have the capacity, tools, and courage to track implementation, evaluate results, and ask the right questions,” he said.

According to the Commissioner, the state’s development blueprint, anchored on the Anambra Vision and annual budgets, draws from citizens’ needs, available data and the state’s medium-term development plan.

“Government practices participatory and evidence-based budgeting, prioritising sectors such as health, education, infrastructure and youth empowerment in alignment with the state’s long-term Vision 2070,” he noted.

While highlighting relationship between public budgeting, development planning, citizen participation and accountability, Okoye noted that government resources could only deliver meaningful benefits when citizens were involved in monitoring their utilisation.

“Public budgeting without proper development planning is wasteful. Development planning without citizen participation is blind. And citizen participation without accountability is fruitless,” he stated.

Describing the fellows as future budget champions, development monitors and accountability ambassadors, the Commissioner assured open engagement with young people interested in understanding and contributing to the governance process.

Also speaking, Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Anambra State, Mr Dio Emmanuel described integrity and accountability as essential foundations of good governance.

Dio, represented by Superintendent Sanni Ohiare Samson said corruption thrived where integrity was weak and accountability absent, stressing that young people had an important role to play in preventing corruption and promoting transparency.

“As young people, you are not just the leaders of tomorrow; you are partners in the fight against corruption today,” he said.

The ICPC representative explained that the commission’s mandate covered enforcement, prevention and public enlightenment, noting that the fight against corruption required the active involvement of citizens and community stakeholders.

He charged the fellows to uphold personal integrity, demonstrate accountability in their daily activities and challenge corrupt practices through lawful means.

“Challenge corrupt practices through lawful, civil and constructive engagement, not through violence or defamation,” he advised.

Dio further assured the fellows of the commission’s support and partnership, encouraging them to promote transparency, monitor public projects and ask relevant questions responsibly.

State Directory, Project Evaluation, Monitoring and Supervision Unit (PEMSU), Prof. Ebuka Nwankwo said the group’s vision is to ensure every government project in the delivered its intended benefit to the people.

“Our Mission is to track, assess, evaluate, and now supervise public projects to ensure quality, value for money, and timely delivery. We cannot do this alone,” he added.

While the fellows pledged their commitment to the objectives of the project, AYAH promised to provide them with practical opportunities to examine the nexus between government budgeting, project execution and service delivery at the community level.

By Chukwudi Ebele

Labour Party (LP) Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Ven. Tochukwu Ikezue has decried high rate of youth unemployment and idleness in the district, describing it as threat to both the living and dead.

Ikezue stated this during the unveiling of his flagship program tagged, “MY 250,000 YOUTHS EMPOWERMENT AGENDA – THE SAGACIOUS PLAN”, as part of activities to mark All Souls’ Day.

He promised to take youths off the streets across the 7 LGAs of Anambra Central.

“The lesson of All Souls is that leadership must be about leaving a legacy that outlives us.

“High rate of youth unemployment and idleness in Anambra Central is a threat to both the living and the memory of the departed who laboured for a better Anambra.

“Our target is 250,000 Anambra Central Youths,” he declared.

Outlining the breakdown, the Senatorial candidate said, “As Senator, I will facilitate the empowerment of 250,000 youths across Anambra Central in 4 years – 62,500 per year.

“The areas of empowerment include Digital Economy, Trades & Enterprise, Land Banking & Real Estate and Agro & Value Chain.

“Every beneficiary will be registered under the Sagacious Youth Empowerment Data Bank (SYEDB) with LGA Coordinators in each of the 7 LGAs to ensure transparency, tracking and sustainability.

“We will not just empower, we will mentor, monitor and market them. Anambra Central youths and women will not be a nuisance to society, they will be the engine of our new economy.”

Ikezue prayed for the souls of all departed Anambra Central sons and daughters and called on Ndi Anambra Central to remember their loved ones by building a society where youths are gainfully engaged.