HAPPY DELIBRATIONS IN DALLAS MBAISE USA

On behalf of my self and my family I wish Mbaise USA fruitful deliberations in Dallas TX. Once again all roads will lead to Dallas for an annul ritual that is supposed to usher in a new administration with a fresh mandate and blue print that will lead the association for a couple years. As an Mbaise son who has followed the Mbaise USA and other associations that derives its root from our mother land I venture to make a few comments that may be helpful in stirring the ship of this umbrella.

For Starters, it has become very irritating and uncomfortable to read the abuses that we all haul at each other for no reasonable justification. What makes any entity what ever it is, is its membership and that's where it derives both her strenght and legitimacy. I am appalled that members of this association especially those in elected positions have no tolerance for criticisms irrespective of how valid they may be. No one enjoys the monopoly of knowledge and that's why every question or issue raised should be addressed to satisfy which ever quarters the issues or questions came from.

Your recently concluded medical mission back home though successful has generated a lot of bad blood and press just like the previous ones. Is it not time for certain things to change? Why the infighting for a worthy and good course? Why must Mbaise's good name be driven to the mud each time be it  by the central body or state associations? This has become a complete turn off for those of us that watch events and comment on them. As a none member of this outfight but a son of the land that has the welfare of Mbaise at heart I am offering my little advice based on the  communications that you put out there for general consumption.

In my humble opinion the problems so far can be attributed to the failure of leadership. I am not blaming any one particular person. By now Mbaise USA should have gotten over its teething problems and be that shining light on the hill. If the issue has been accountability this is the time to fix it. Elect people with proven track record that will uplift our image and not tarnish it.  May be retaining an accounting firm would be be a bad idea. All eyes are focused on what you guys will do at this convention. You have no right to fail us. You must get it right and stop all the name calling and get on with the business of dealing with  what ever you set out to archive for our people. Mbaise has the human resources needed to run an outfit like this. So I urge you all to do what is required to put your name on the map. It is not enough to go on a medical mission and come back here to fight and point fingers. There are  a host of other associations of Mbaise origin that are doing so much without any one insulting each other and yet they get the job done.

Ladies and gentle men, history will not be kind to any of us especially all of you who will gather in Dallas but would not put the interest of Mbaise above your personal pettiness. I pray that all your deliberations will produce the best that Mbaise can offer at this critical point especially with an eye towards 2015 what ever that may main to any one either here or at home. May the Almighty God grant all of you safe trip to and from Dallas.  Yours in the struggle.

PAUL O ONUOHA FOR PRESIDENT- MBAISE USA 2012

PAUL ONUOHA For PRESIDENT - MBAISE USA – 2012 Paulo 2012 – mbaise’s unity & progress

                  

WHO IS PAUL ONUOHA?

PERSONAL & PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:

Hometown	Okpofe – Ezinihitte – Mbaise – Imo State
Marital Status	Happily married to Chinyere Onuoha; together, we have four children.
Professional Experience	Over 21 years of Information Technology experience. Currently, works as a Network Design Engineer with Sprint Corp for 14 years now. Prior experience - Telecommunications Manager with UPS in Mahwah, NJ for 7 years.
Consultant/Partnerships	Etrom Corp., Icomm Systems and Infotex Systems.
Educational Qualifications	M.Sc - Telecomm. Management – Stevens Institute of Technology – 2005 BS – Computer Science – New Jersey City University – 1989.
Cultural Affiliations and Positions held	Present Positions: Vice President – Mbaise USA – 1st Term Member – Mbaise USA Constitutional Drafting Committee President – Mbaise Family Union (MFU) – North Carolina – 3rd Term Previous Positions Held: Vice President – Okpofe Development Association Financial Secretary – Okpofe Development Association Provost – Mbaise Association of New Jersey, Inc.

MY MANIFESTO

My Manifesto

History has demonstrated that a handful of logical minds with strong ideals and determination to pursue them can enormously impact the direction of the society. My BROTHERS and SISTERS, I offer you a united, dynamic and brave leadership and service in my capacity as the President of Mbaise USA - for Mbaise’s Unity and Progress. Our time is now; our moment is immediate in reinventing Mbaise USA and propelling our great organization to greater heights.

Those who are familiar with me can factually attest to the interest and enthusiasm I have for working for Mbaise. Right from the time when I lived in New Jersey to now that I live in North Carolina, I have never shied away from serving Mbaise Community here, in the USA and at home. I am a founding member of Mbaise USA, of which I am the current Vice President. My commitment now is to move the organization to even greater heights and into a new era of glory through inclusive management, humility and, above all, accountability - for Mbaise’s Unity and Progress.

Being one of the founding members of our great Union, I am aware that many of you heeded the clarion call to start Mbaise USA, despite the obstacles and challenges that littered the path of our formation. Having been closely associated with the founding and running of our union up to the present time, I have come to the conclusion that it has become imperative to reposition and strengthen Mbaise USA for the challenges ahead, if we are not to derail from the tenets and the noble aims and objectives that led to our existence in the first place.

If elected the next President of Mbaise USA, I will work with all the executive members, Board of Delegates and affiliate chapters on new ideas - for Mbaise’s Unity and Progress, that will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Page 1 of 4

	Action Plan	Rationale
1	Increase Mbaise USA’s Membership	Membership Drive: Unity is Strength, and the inclusion of all Mbaise people resident in the USA and in the Diaspora in general will help to boost the effectiveness and outreach of our organization. My administration will therefore devote more time to bring new affiliate chapters to join Mbaise USA.
2	Development and Enhancement of Projects such as: · Medical Mission · Public Libraries · Action Committee · Prior Approved Projects · Others	Page 2 of 4 Mbaise belongs to all of us – together – we shall all work cooperatively – using our strengths, talents, skills, education, business, professional connections, entrepreneurial spirit, positions of influence, and, above all, the love we have for our homeland - to leave our positive footprints on the sands of Mbaise’s history. For Mbaise’s Unity and Progress, my administration will: · Collaborate with other Mbaise organizations on programs and initiatives. · Continually seek the support of Mbaise sons and daughters, including those without a chapter to assist in providing solutions to the myriad of problems confronting Mbaise as a whole - including but not limited to – education, roads, water, healthcare, electricity, etc. Medical Mission: Yes, medical missions can become our pet project. Because of the significant impact it has had on the lives of people at home, the medical missions will be expanded, improved upon, and sustained - for Mbaise’s Unity and Progress. Under my leadership, we will develop AIDS Awareness and other critical healthcare programs and combine them with the medical mission. Establish Public Libraries in all the Local Government Areas in Mbaise: A mind is a terrible thing to waste – Forrest Long, The Ad Council and The Directors of The United Negro College Fund - would be amplified under my leadership. The establishment of a library in each of the Local Government Areas that make up Mbaise would be a central focus and it would be given unprecedented visibility to actualize this noble goal. I will co-opt all the Local Government Chairmen in this endeavor. We have a responsibility to provide a framework for our future generation in Mbaise; to ensure we play our part in giving them a platform cum prerequisite nurturing to compete with their counterparts worldwide, this project would serve as a springboard. If a significant percentage of Mbaise families in the USA donate the books they no longer use, the minds those books would open and enlighten back home can only be imagined. We can expand this venture by choosing pilot schools in the three LGA's to equip with books, computers, and other study aids. Should the School of Nursing & Midwifery in Aboh Mbaise be revitalized, no doubt our campaign for books donation and exceptional book drive would immensely be beneficial to the nursing students. I will therefore enhance the use of our 501© charter to reach out to the numerous development and charitable organizations to support this laudable and other ventures of Mbaise USA. Action Committee: Mbaise USA definitely needs assistance from all Mbaise sons and daughters both at home and in the Diaspora, to support our medical missions and other humanitarian projects. With proper communication with the LGA Chairmen, State and Federal Representatives, they can help us to provide adequate security, transportation, accommodation, etc., for our medical missions. Also, they may help us in other projects we will embark on in Mbaise in the future. Revisit approved projects: Some projects like the Sports tournament, women development and Micro-financing that were not implemented due to funding can be reviewed and pursued if re-approved by Mbaise USA.
3	Standardization of Processes and Procedures · Convention Schedules · Convention Invitations · Convention Expenditures · Anonymous names on our Web Forum	Convention Schedules: A standardized Convention schedule based on Chapter registration rather than picking and choosing during the Convention period will prevent problems that might arise should one chapter, for any reason, refuse to host our Annual Convention. Should this be the case, other chapters that might have previously hosted our Convention may not be willing to bail out the unwilling chapter. Giving advance notice to all the chapters will help them to be more prepared while circumventing the above scenario should it become a reality. Synergistically working with the BOD Chairman will make this schedule to be easily published on time and achievable. Convention Invitations: Extending Mbaise USA’s Convention Invitations early to our LGA Chairmen, State and Federal elected/appointed Representatives, and other Mbaise sons and daughters from home, Europe, Canada, US and all over the world. Timely and early distribution and dissemination of Convention invitation cards and information will give our sons and daughters back home and in other countries ample time and opportunity to apply for Visas on time at American embassies. Our invited guests from outside the US will also be given the opportunity to plan in advance. Standardize Accounting and Reporting of Expenditures: Provision of timely information helps to avoid and possibly eliminate every distrust arising from poor and delayed accounting of Conventions’ and other expenses/revenues. This helps to build trust while making our organization stronger. I will provide leadership to standardize and institutionalize the adherence of accounting and reporting expenditures to ensure that all Convention accounting is released in a timely manner. Control the use of anonymous name on our web forum: As nwa afo Mbaise, I wonder what would be the motive and or the benefits a person would derive from hiding his or her identity while trying to communicate with other Mbaise sons and daughters. If a person cannot use his or her proper name, there is no need to be exposed to messages from such individual(s). My administration will seek other avenues to control and/or eliminate the use of anonymous names on our web forum.
4	Broaden our Outreach and Influence	As our interactions with our elected/appointed representatives back home become cordial, we can now implore them to champion the creation of more LGAs in Mbaise. Mbaise USA should be in a better position under my leadership to have all our state and federal representatives to dialogue. It baffles me how Mbaise has only 3 LGAs while Owerri and Okigwe have 6 LGA’s each. Orlu has12 LGAs. Mbaise needs, at least, additional 2 LGAs. So, Mbaise USA should work hard, while acting as an enlightened catalyst but in synergy with our state and federal representatives, council of Ndi-Ezes, other influential and key stakeholders, to achieve this goal.
5	Reduce Road Hazards and Preventable Death Traps	Page 3 of 4 Something has to be done about Eke Ahiara junction, Aboh Mbaise junction, Nkwogwu junction, Ogbe market square, and Afor Enyiogwugwu market before more tragic but preventable accidents happen. These spots are deadly as they constitute death traps for our people. Any mistake by an oncoming vehicle with a failed brake approaching any of these spots will result in many deaths. People back home are not seeing this until it happens. Mbaise USA will raise the awareness of these death traps to the LGA Chairmen, state ministry of works, and other key stakeholders and influential; and spearhead the prevention of catastrophes on these spots to our beloved people back home.
6	Conflict Resolution	For Mbaise’s Unity and Progress - unmitigated efforts will be made towards a comprehensive and total reconciliation of all destructive misunderstandings within Mbaise USA’s affiliate chapters. My administration will setup a Committee to assist in the resolution and mitigation of internal strife within Mbaise USA’s affiliate chapters.

Conclusion:

There is no doubting the fact that Mbaise USA started on a good note with unquantifiable promises. It is therefore my goal that our dear association will not become moribund to avoid going down the same dead-end lane previous attempts made to bring Mbaise people in the Diaspora together ended. From my manifesto, you will agree with me that NOW is the time to take our collective destiny in our hands if we are to bring about the desperately needed change(s) in the lives of our despondent, dispossessed, disabled, dispirited and disillusioned kinsmen and women back home in Mbaise.

If I am elected the next President of Mbaise USA, I will be mindful of and respectful of other executive members’ opinions, and I will motivate the executive members to perform the duties assigned to them by the entire Mbaise USA, to the best of their abilities and with openness and humility. My Presidency will listen attentively to what Mbaise people want. I will obey and abide by the Constitution. I will reach out to all the executive members, Board of Delegates members and other Mbaise citizens to implement all approved projects, without favoritism. Also, I will diligently work with the Financial Secretary to present to Mbaise USA an accurate record of every and all project(s) in an open but very timely manner.

I present Mbaise USA with a new agenda and pledge to be a Defender of Mbaise USA’s democratic values, advocate of our cherished principles of accountability, transparency, standardization of procedures, respect, humility, teamwork and the unapologetic upliftment of the living standards of our people through our humanitarian projects, and the refinement and consolidation of the laudable goals of Mbaise USA. These will be the ultimate pillars of my administration. I earnestly count on your support, partnership and vote.

For Mbaise’s Unity and Progress - Help elect Paul Onuoha for the next PRESIDENT MBAISE USA!!!

Udo diri anyi na ezi n’ul ọ anyi nile.
Ọgwu akpọla unu na ezi n’ul ọ unu nile.
Ka Chineke gọzie Mbaise - ugbua ruo mgbe ebighi-ebi – Amen!

Vote PAUL ONUOHA PRESIDENT MBAISE USA – 2012 Paulo 2012 – mbaise’s unity & progress

Long Live Mbaise!
Long Live Ndigbo!!
Long Live Nigeria!!!

Page 4 of 4

IMO STATE GOVERNMENT SCORE CARD AFTER ONE YEAR IN OFFICE

Fabian K. Ekeanyanwu

Since after the administration released its score card giving it self high marks I have waited to read the reactions of top commentators on this site and the silence is deafening. Is it by design that only the usual suspects, praise singers and hangers on are here making the loudest noise? Let me start by congratulating the governor for his first year in office. Let me attempt to grade the administration from a none partisan point of view solely as an independent observer who has a stake in the well being of Imo State. Lets start from the pension that received unprecedented publicity even by the Ohakim standard. What happened to that? Where the pensioners all paid as the government promised or are we still looking for funds to fulfill that promise? Education: what has the administration done with all the schools in the state that are in sorry state and in need of rehabilitation? For goodness sake why are we embarking on building new ones when those already functional are in states of disrepair? Free education and students allowances: How many students are now getting allowances and free education to the university level? Or is this another sham? If Lagos and River States that get most allocations from the federal account can not implement these what makes the governor of imo State think he can? Does he know some thing that the rest of us do not? Where is the money coming from? The issue of the millions of Naira spent to have students of Imo State origin intern at the university of Maryland in the United States have been raised severally by this writer and other well meaning citizens and yet the administration does not see it fit to explain where the money went and why the students never traveled. Still on education, the relocation of Imo State university is another issue where the government lied to the people. Till this date no one at the national universities commission is able to go on record to repeat the excuse the government gave for relocating the school...withdrawal of accreditation. Infrastructural development: I want to know what projects that the administration has completed so far that is geared towards the benefit of the people. So far all I have read is first lady's office as if we elected her. Every other thing is hotel, hotel and more hotels. When is the administration going to embark on projects that will benefit the average Imolite instead of things geared only towards the rich and powerful? Renaming of structures already built and renovating offices was not what Imo voted for. The Ikemba Ojukwu center if truth must be told should have been sited in Ahiara where he did his famous Ahiara declaration but politics being what it is objectivity was thrown to the dogs. Unemployment and security: This is one area that the administration gets a grade of an F. The purpose of every government is to protect life and property. So far Imo has become a safe heaven for armed robbers and kidnappers and yet the government does not seem to understand the link between unemployment and crime. So far I have not seen any thing in the administrations plans to gainfully employ our teaming population of young school livers who turn to the live of crime to get ahead. When is the government going to start creating the much needed jobs in the state? Road construction in the state: So far there are a lot of resurfacing of roads in the state, I do not know if these count as road construction. Rainy season will soon be upon us and these roads would be rendered impassable, I hope the government has a backup plan in place because it will get ugly indeed. The engine that runs every government is its civil service, picking up fights with the civil servants because of a nullity called community out reach or any other name is bad politics at best and ill advised. It would be beneficial for the government to try listening more and talking less. This is one advice that is in very short supply with this administration. Let your work speak for you. I thought that the era of governance by announcements and billboards ended with the last administration. In all the governor's one many show is bound to have disastrous consequences. The essence of having a team is to listen and make informed decisions. The state should not be run like a personal business empire especially given dictatorial tendencies of the governor. Finally I give the administration a grade of "work in progress". I sincerely hope that the future of our children would not be mortgaged given the number of white elephant projects this administration has embarked upon so far. Mr. governor, you have three years, take your time, seek advise and implement those projects that can be paid for and that would also benefit the majority of the citizenry while creating jobs at the same time. If you do that then history will not only be kind to you but will also record your name with the likes of Chief Sam O. Mbakwe of the blessed memory.

As we elect/seclect our governors

Next week and precisely the Tuesday the 26Th of April 2011 Nigerians will once again go to the polls for the purpose of electing state governors. Frankly I would not have cared either way who gets elected and for what reasons and how they got elected. I have had a lot of rethink following the just concluded national assembly and presidential elections. The reason being that Inec has been parting her self on the back for a job well done and more so some favored politicians have also praised the conduct of these polls.

We as Nigerians can not deceive ourselves every time. Truth be told these elections have not be free and fair as Inec, the federal government and the ruling party would let the whole world believe. Is there any reason why we can not get this election thing right say like other countries around us like Ghana? Their a several reasons why Nigeria can not have a free and fair elections, first on the list is money. Second is the average politician who sees power as a birth right, and finally poverty. Let me take these issues one after the other. How much money exchanged hands between the PDP, the security agents, Inec officials and the poor citizens whose voters registration cards were bought before elections? Can the president's party tell Nigerians how much of our oil revenue was squandered in this exercise?

Who and who were paid off to look the other way? If is one thing to proclaim a winner after each election but the question still remains... at what expense? How come only the ruling party got almost 100% in some areas when we all know that there is no way in hell that fifty percent of registered voter ever participated. Be that as it may the votes have been counted and a winner declared, the next front is the courts where money bags will will be moving every night in other to let the status qua remain. Now comes the politicians, this is the most wicked form of slavery, using unemployed youths as thugs to do their dirty deeds. Kidnappings, killings and intimidation has become the law of the land. Tell me which of the state governors standing for election next week that would not kill to remain in office? In most states we already know that most Inec officials are in bed with the state chief executives that the Tuesday's election would be simply an exercise in futility as plans have already been perfected to return all the PDP governors back to office. At this point let me sound a note of warning to the federal government, that if it does not want what is happening in the middle east and the horn of Africa to a child's play then it should allow the will of the people to prevail.

Hot spots: Already people know the governors that have not performed and those who have only been looting the people's money. A case in point is Imo. Any one who has been watching events knows that Ino State is a sitting gun powder that will go off should the people's will be twarted. There are already documented reports of the working arrengements between the Inec boss in the state and the state governor. Every poll I have seen so far suggests that come April 27Th Imo would have a new goveronr elect that would not be in the person of Ohakim. Any attempt by Inec and the security agencies to change the outcome of the election will see the explosion of the south east beyond whats going on in the north. Abia and Eboyi are two other states in the south east to watch. The federal government can not fern ignorance of these facts.

Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Federal constituency: Matters Arising.

I did not want to waste this time and space to respond to an article in Ukpaka reports but for the simple reason that if I do not many people may use it as a fact. I do not know where Mr S. Ikenna hails from but one thing I know as a matter of fact is that he does not know the history of the creation of Ahiazu Local Government and how its leadership has ever emerged till this date. If his intent and that of those who sponsored this write up is to through a monkey ranch in the otherwise stable and working arrangement between the two sister communities of Ahiara and Ekwerazu, then they should seize and desist forthwith.

From the inception of the local government till this date it has been a known fact to any one who has cared to know that the headship has been rotated between the two communities. This arrangement was put in place by notable men of Ahiazu from may Late father Chief C.A. Ekeanyanwu to Chief D.O.Onu and a whole host of others too many to be mentioned here and it has worked well.I do not know where Mr. Ikenna is getting his facts, the bottle line is that some people are trying to foment trouble.

That brings me to the issue of the federal constituency, it has been a rotational arrangement between Ahiazu and Ezinihitte. The issue here is that Tony Anyanwu of the late memory held the seat for Ahiazu and death did not allow him to do complete his term. Then comes Independence Ogulewe who is already out due to his own circumstances. Its now the turn of Ahiazu to produce the next member of the house of reps. Any thing short of that will not only be unacceptable but would likely throw Mbaise into a political turmoil. Let the trouble makers leave us alone. We have not gained a thing from the present government in Imo State and the last thing Mbaise wants at this critical juncture is internal rift which will do no one any good. Many people in Ezinihitte may have have the resources to mount a credible campaign but then what next? Is it a win at all costs? I have no clue who Peter Onu or Iheoma Emele are but in their own interest and that of Ahiazu and Mabiase in general let them go and study their history before they start consulting an outsider. "When kids begin to question the cause the death of their father without proper research what killed their father will also kill them". This is a popular proverb in our land. Those who have ears let them hear for a stitch on time saves nine.

He who is without sin let him cast the first stone!

All the hue and cry about the Ogun state governor being elected the chairman of the governor's forum is becoming a big embarrassment and distraction. Given the reasons that some of the governor's have given for their opposition to Daniel's election one would venture to ask, who among you is without sin? Like the scripture said" for all have sinned and therefore fall short of the glory of God". From misusing local government funds in your states to outright embezzlement of your state funds, all of you are guilty of some form of corruption or another.

Accusing the Ogun state governor of being a dictator, who does not have any clue of what democracy is all about is well and good but then who among you governors is without sin? This shows how shallow most of you can be. You intimidate your opponents every chance you get, you misappropriate state funds accruing to your people from the federation account, basically you all steal, you rob, you assassinate your political opponents all in the name of being in power. Some of you even go to the extent of kidnapping your potential opponents and yet your now pointing an accusing finger at one of your own. When will this hypocrisy stop? For how long would a few of you hold the entire country hostage? For the record, I have no clue who Danial is neither do I care know.

For the avoidance of doubt, you all have helped in no small way to destroy the entity known as Nigeria and should spare us all the agony of watching you fight over your ill gotten wealth. Why can't you all go home enjoy the loot you have taken from the down trodden masses of Nigeria and then allow history judge you and your likes who have taken liberty with the poor, children, the elderly and above all the defenceless among us. The irony of this whole saga is that the president who came to power promising that he would be a champion of democracy and fight corruption to a stand still has become so impotent that a vote for him in the forth coming election would be a vote for the status quo. May God save my beloved country.