2023 Strategy: Igbos in APC dethrones Igbokwe, affirms Idimogu as Apex Leader

Success Damian:

 From left: Eze Christian Nwachukwu, Hon. Jude Idimogu and Chief John Uche during the endorsement of Idmogu as Apex Leader, Igbo in APC Lagos on Saturday.

Though 2023 General Election in Nigeria is still three years away, Igbos in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos, have unanimously endorsed the dethronement of Chief Joe Igbokwe as their Apex Leader, while at the same time elevating Honourable Jude Chukwuemeka Idimogu to the position. 

Idimogu, representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency 02 in the Lagos State House of Assembly was assigned the lead role at a press conference which was held at the Igbo Community Center, Nwachukwu Drive, Okota, Lagos on Saturday.

Those present at the press briefing were Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Eze (Dr.) Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, prominent Igbo traditional leaders, leaders of thoughts and other stakeholders who restated their endorsement of Hon. Jude Idimogu as their new Apex Leader; they also dissociated the Ohaneze Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Solomon Ogbonna from the development, as Ohanaeze was said to be a social cultural group.

Speaking, Eze Nwachukwu noted that the endorsement of Idimogu as the Apex Leader, was because of the need to give Igbos the relevance they deserve in the political structure of the state, as the previous leader was not reaching out to the grassroots, adding “We have not seen a genuine mobilization of Igbos since Pastor Ben Akabueze left for Abuja and Igbos are self-reliant people doing well in their various fields.

“We will not allow an individual to give us a bad name in APC, we can see in Jude Idimogu humility, self respect and dignity, and we irrevocably guaranteed that a new leader has emerged. We said it; we believe it and will defend it, because we need restructuring in Ndigbo APC Lagos state. We have Ndigbo in elective and appointed positions in time past who denied us the benefits.

“Ohanaeze don’t play politics but Ndi Eze who are the traditional leaders do; we have done it, the President Solomon Ogbonna was really not involved, but we declared Jude there at our secretariat being traditional leaders.

“We have seen bad leadership before and that is why we have endorsed Idimogu as our new Apex Leader and it remains so, we want him to look for other elected and appointed and bring them together for the good of all.

Hon. Idimogu in his acceptance speech noted that he has always being concerned about the state of things in the political circles as Ndigbo are not getting what they really deserved.

“I have not always being a happy man in Lagos State because our brothers are not getting what they deserve even in government. Today, I assure you by the grace of God, is a new beginning for all Igbos in Lagos. Ndigbo in APC as we are self made people and deserve respect from our leaders.

“It is not true that Igbos don’t like APC but success is linked to type of leadership, Asiwaju Tinubu’s wisdom and tenacity has transformed AD to APC, a great feat. APC Ndigbo were not doing much because the leadership were taking the ordinary Igbo man for granted.

“Most Igbos voted against APC, because the former leader betrayed their trust, I plead with the leadership of APC to give us the necessary support, we want to start working now.” Idimogu said.

On his part, the National President, Igbo Mandate, Prince Anselem Udoka disclosed that the decision made by Ndigbo traditional leaders and other stakeholders  emanated from the fact that Igbos have distanced themselves from the APC and because they don’t like being insulted by Dr. Joe Igbokwe.

“Ndigbo today say enough is enough, when somebody has been in position for over 21 years, we have come to tell the world the leadership of Igbos in Lagos APC like Joe Igbokwe did not reach ground. Jude is now the Apex Leader of Ndigbo in APC.
We are assuring the government of Lagos State, that what we are trying to do is to bring Igbos together for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu before 2023.

“We begged Honourable Jude for years before he accepted so as to touch the grassroots unlike the other leadership who doesn’t know how to talk. We Ndigbo in APC are strongly behind him.
Igbos in Lagos have been distancing themselves from being insulted by Igbokwe not APC.”

Udoka said Chief Igbokwe has held several positions in Lagos without emplying a single Igboman, such positions include Chairman, GM, LAMRA; Chairman, Whaff Landing; Public Relations Secretary, APC, Lagos and now Special adviser to the Governor on Drainage.

Chief John Onyebuchi, Founder, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos and President Igbo Stakeholders in Nigeria and in Diaspora corroborated all said by Udoka, noting that there is no more opposition in Lagos State with respect to Ndigbo.

“APC had no opposition again, our new Apex leader never insulted me back then even when I confronted him, he handles the situation with respect.

“If Joe Igbokwe is popular let him go and contest, Igbos have been watching and knows that a day like this will come, you don’t insult anybody, leave trouble for us.”

Lasu V-C commiserates with LASG, Judiciary, family of late former Pro-Chancellor, Justice Oluwa

Success Damian:

Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU) Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun, (SAN, NPOM) has commiserated with the Government of Lagos State, the Judiciary, immediate and extended families of the Late Justice Isiaka Ishola Oluwa.

Justice Oluwa who was a retired Justice of the Lagos High Court, former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council of the Lagos State University, died on Saturday, 9th May, 2020 at the age of 102 years. 

In a condolence message, Prof. Fagbohun expressed his sympathy at the death of Justice Oluwa thus. He said "On behalf of the entire Lagos State University Community, myself inclusive, I convey our deepest sympathy at the death of Justice Isiaka Ishola Oluwa, who served as the second Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of our dear University between 1988 and 1990.

“During this period, his leadership and character served the fledging university well and contributed immensely to the success story it has now become as the foremost University in the country. His profound impact on other notable positions that he held within and outside Lagos State, during his lifetime will also remain indelible for a long time to come," Fagbohun said.

The Vice Chancellor ended with a prayer for the departed and his family: "His death is indeed a painful one, but we can do nothing but yield to the will of Almighty Allah. May the Almighty Allah accept his gentle soul and grant his family the fortitude to bear the huge loss. Amen."

Fagbohun inaugurates 21- man Lasu Financial Sustainability Committee

Success Damian:

Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU) Professor Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun (SAN, NPOM) has inaugurated a 21- man Lagos State University Financial Sustainability Committee to develop strategies for the financial sustainability of the University during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to a press statement, Professor Fagbohun, speaking during the inauguration which took place via a virtual meeting on Monday, 11th May, 2020, said constituting the 21- man Committee became imperative in the light of financial challenges that are expected to confront the University in the wake of, and aftermath of the pandemic.

He said "As a management, we do recognize that our institution, like almost every other institution around the world, are already facing and will face serious (financial) challenges. But a lot will depend on how institutions chose to manage their affairs. It is for this reason that the Management of our University felt the need to put in place strategies that will ensure the sustainability of our University; strategies that will endure. That is why we have put together this Committee, more as a think -tank to critically think through all facets of financial sustainability relevant to our now and future," Fagbohun disclosed. 

The Vice Chancellor also revealed that capacity, competence and all-inclusive representation were key factors in deciding membership of the Committee.

"This Committee is one of the most important Committees that we will be setting up for the Lagos State University because the sustainability, growth and progress of the institution going forward will depend largely on it. That is why the university management was focused on selecting the right members. The composition of the Committee is diverse and all inclusive: all our staff unions including the students union are represented. We want to lean on the strength, competence, expertise and goodwill of the members to achieve our goals."

The Terms of Reference of the 21-member Committee include; to identify short and long term income generating opportunity for the University, to develop strategies to implement the identified opportunities to boost the financial capability of the University, to identify possible leakages in the system and to make recommendations on any other matter that may be directly or indirectly incidental to the Committee's assignment. 

Fagbohun further said "Through the effort of this Committee, we must be able to show to the government that we on our own are also thinking outside the box to move forward and deepen our income generation beyond the subvention from government. We also want the government to recognize that we are disciplined and able to develop our own solutions as a University.

"As a management, we can assure you that we will fully support you to achieve your terms of reference. We believe that we can work aggressively to come out of the woods and we can confidently say that we are moving forward," he said.

Responding on behalf of the Committee, former Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Banji Fajonyomi appreciated the University Management for deeming them fit for the assignment. He said, "We have accepted this responsibility and we promise that, to the best of our ability, we will give the University the best to sustain itself financially. We thank the University Management and promise to deliver within the time frame given us."

Members of the LASU Financial Sustainability Committee include Prof. Ayo Omotayo as Chairman; Prof. Banji Fajonyomi; Prof. Elias Wahab; Prof.  M. A.  Oludara; Prof. Moses Akanbi; Prof. Shehu Akintola and Dr. Tunji Azeez.

Others are Dr. Toyin Enikuomehin; Dr. Bosede Amoo; Dr. Taiwo Ajala; Dr. Ibrahim Bakare; Dr. O. M. Williams

13. Mr Olabode Akinrinmade; Mr Emmanual Sosu Olaitan; Miss Agnes Sesi; Representative of ASUU and Mr Lateef Salami, Representative of SSANU.

The committee which has Mr Aderemi Fashola as Secretary, also has representative of NASU; Representative of NAAT; Mr. Abdul Basit Ashade, President, Students Union; and Mr Abdul Qayum Aromire, Speaker, Students Parliamentary Council.

The Committee was expected to submit it's report in four weeks.