Prof. Victor Nnam, Enugu Former Commissioner, 

As Nigeria steps into the new year, the former Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development in Enugu State, Professor Victor Chukwuemeka Nnam, has urged citizens to renew their hopes and remain steadfast in the pursuit of a better future for the country.

In a new year message made available to DAILY GAZETTE, Professor Nnam emphasized the importance of unity, perseverance, and collective effort in overcoming the challenges that lie ahead.

“The year 2025 presents a fresh opportunity for growth, progress, and transformation. Despite the obstacles faced in 2024, we must embrace hope and resilience as we work together to build a stronger nation for ourselves and future generations,” he said.

He called on Nigerians to take stock of the lessons learned in the past year and channel those lessons into meaningful action.

“The challenges of the past year should not diminish our spirit but inspire us to work harder, support one another, and remain committed to the values that bind us together as a people,” he added.

The former commissioner also urged the people of Enugu State and Nigerians at large to focus on the collective good, stressing that everyone has a role to play in shaping the future.

“As we enter 2025, we must be reminded that every effort counts, whether in our communities, schools, workplaces, or homes. Together, we can overcome the hardships that have tested us,” he said.

Nnam also highlighted the importance of leadership, urging both political and civic leaders to prioritize the welfare of the people.

“Effective leadership is essential to the prosperity of any society. Our leaders must be accountable, transparent, and committed to the common good. As citizens, we must also hold them to the highest standards and ensure that their actions reflect our collective aspirations. Let us work together, hand in hand, to renew our commitment to peace, unity, and development. The future belongs to us if we remain steadfast in our resolve,” he added.

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has assured the people of the state that his administration will maintain its rapid pace of development throughout 2025.

In his New Year address, the governor emphasized that there would be no slowing down in the transformation of the state, following the significant progress made in 2024.

Mbah urged Nigerians to foster love, empathy, and charity, highlighting these values as crucial for building a stronger and more united country in the coming year.

“We cannot afford to lower expectations or make excuses. The successes of 2024 are a foundation we will continue to build on. As we enter the New Year, there will be no reduction in the energy and commitment we’ve shown to drive social and economic change in Enugu,” he said.

The governor outlined the upcoming commissioning of major projects, including the completion of Smart Green schools, an international conference center, new primary healthcare facilities, rural and urban roads, and modern bus terminals aimed at improving public transport in the state.

“These are just a fraction of our broader vision for Enugu. The opening of our smart schools across the state will bring new opportunities to children, providing them with practical and impactful education that prepares them for the future. This is just the beginning of our plans to ensure every child receives the best education possible,” Mbah added.

He emphasized that his administration’s focus remains on inclusive development and creating economic opportunities for all citizens.

Looking ahead to 2025, Mbah expressed confidence that the state will continue to make strides toward a brighter future for its residents.

The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has strongly condemned Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2025 Appropriations Bill to a faction of the Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, who is loyal to the governor.

This criticism came during the House’s plenary session on Tuesday, where the House’s Judicial Committee, headed by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, presented a Court of Appeal ruling affirming the legitimacy of the Assembly and the Speakership of Martin Amaewhule.

The deputy speaker condemned the governor for disregarding the court’s decision.

Several lawmakers voiced their displeasure over the governor’s actions, with one, Smart Adoki, suggesting that the matter be forwarded to security agencies for further investigation and action.

Speaker Amaewhule expressed concern over the governor’s consistent defiance of legal authority, emphasizing that such actions undermine the rule of law.

On Monday, Governor Fubara had presented the 2025 budget proposal of ₦1.1 trillion to the Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Assembly, touting it as a continuation of the progress made under the 2024 budget.

He highlighted key achievements, particularly in economic growth and revenue generation, under the ₦800 billion 2024 budget.

Dr. Chike Obidigbo, an elder statesman, has called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate a meeting with ethnic nationalities to revisit the amalgamation document that united Nigeria, asserting that it expired in 2014.

In his New Year message titled “Criticality of Urgent Ethnic Nationalities’ Conference and National Referendum,” Obidigbo emphasized the need for a national dialogue, as he believes the forced merger of Nigeria’s ethnic groups by the British colonial rulers has led to ongoing political instability.

Obidigbo noted that the British colonialists did not seek the consent of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities before merging the various regions into one country.

He pointed out that, while the British left a provision in the 1914 agreement for a potential review after a century, it was clear that the amalgamation has not yielded the desired results.

“From 1914 to 2014, Nigeria’s political landscape has remained unstable, and the country has seen numerous forms of governance including parliamentary systems, military rule, and presidential democracy, yet it remains politically fractured,” Obidigbo stated.

The elder statesman proposed that Nigeria urgently needs a referendum to assess whether it should continue as a unified nation.

“Calls for separation from major ethnic groups like the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba have intensified. The time has come for ethnic nationalities to come together and resolve the way forward,” he said, adding that such a referendum could address the current restiveness in the country and prevent further violence, particularly in the north, middle-belt, and other regions.

Obidigbo also argued that the ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution have failed to address the root causes of Nigeria’s political instability, which he attributes to the lopsided political structure inherited from the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates.

Instead, he suggested that a national referendum could provide a more effective solution.

Looking ahead to 2025, Obidigbo emphasized the significance of the year, which will mark the second anniversary of the controversial 2023 general elections.

He called on President Tinubu to take the bold step of revisiting Nigeria’s political structure in a way that addresses the historical, cultural, and political imbalances that have contributed to the country’s instability.

He further criticized the way political power has been distributed in recent years, specifically referencing the South West’s control over the presidency following the 2023 elections.

Obidigbo expressed disappointment that while the South East played a significant role in the formation and support of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it was overlooked in favor of other regions in the party’s presidential race.

“The lack of respect for the contributions of the South East to the development of the PDP and the country is evident,” Obidigbo said.

He also lamented the lack of unity and political leadership within the South East, with many politicians failing to prioritize the collective good of the region.

“The political leadership in the South East must learn to put aside personal interests and focus on the greater good of the people,” he added.

Obidigbo also expressed concern over the delay in the takeoff of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which he believes could have been a significant development project for the region.

He noted that political infighting within the region had delayed the screening of SEDC members and hindered progress.

Obidigbo reiterated the need for urgent national reconciliation and restructuring, stressing that only through honest dialogue and a national referendum could Nigeria move forward as a stable and united nation.

Tension has gripped the administrative headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA), Agenebode, in Edo State, following the theft of the legislative mace from the local council chamber on Tuesday.

The incident has raised concerns about a potential political crisis, with allegations that the stolen mace was intended to facilitate an impeachment plot against the council chairman, Benedicta Attoh.

The theft occurred amidst growing unrest within the local government, with 10 councillors publicly reaffirming their support for Attoh.

Sources suggest that the act of stealing the mace is linked to an attempt to impeach her, stoking fears of an impending disruption of democratic proceedings.

Ibrahim Afoso, the Majority Leader of the legislative arm, strongly condemned the theft, calling the perpetrators “democratic assassins.”

Afoso reiterated the council’s support for Attoh, emphasizing that any impeachment efforts would not succeed, as they did not come from the duly elected councillors.

He stated, “We stand firmly with the council chairman, Hon. Benedicta Attoh. She is the legitimate Executive Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, and any impeachment attempt from any source is illegitimate.”

Afoso also called for the immediate return of the stolen mace and urged security agencies to investigate the crime.

He reassured the public, saying, “We are committed to safeguarding democracy, and we will not allow lawlessness to prevail in this council.”

This incident comes at a time of heightened political tension in Edo State following the recent suspension of the chairmen and vice-chairmen of all 18 local government councils by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Observers fear the mace theft could further destabilize the local government and deepen the ongoing political crisis.

At the time of reporting, efforts to reach Governor Okpebholo’s office for a comment on the incident were unsuccessful.