News

THE CANDIDATE: Unveiling True Identity Of 2023 Narrative Changers (I)

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2023

By Isah Ogbebor

The political landscape in Nigeria has shifted dramatically with new actors coming on board. Before the 2023 general elections, the established political parties and players held sway unchallenged for over two decades.

However, the candidacy of Mr Peter Obi of the Labour Party and the Obidient movement challenged the establishment and caused a heavy political upset in many political dynasties. The political arithmetic of many gladiators failed and dynamic young actors emerged in different states in Nigeria, especially the South East. Therefore, the need for Nigerians to meet these emerging political actors is the focus of this page.

Today, we beam our searchlight on Honourable Chimaobi Sam Atu of the Labour Party. Hon. Atu was elected in the February 25, 2023 elections to represent Enugu North and South Federal Constituency in the National Assembly. He defeated a three-term incumbent, Hon. Offor Chukwuegbo, with over sixty thousand votes.

Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu is a real estate developer, industrialist and consummate politician. He was born in April 1982 to the family of Mr And Mrs Michael Nnamchi Atu of Umumba Ndiaga Ugwuaji in Enugu South Local Council of Enugu State.

He had his primary education at Community Primary School Ugwuaji. Given his sterling performance in basic science, his teachers recommended that the young dynamic Chimaobi should be sent to Special Science School Ihe, Awgu local government of Enugu State for his secondary education. It should be mentioned that Special Science School, as it were in Eastern Nigeria, was an exclusive reserve of committed primary school leavers with creative minds.

After the successful completion of his Senior Secondary School Examinations, he gained admission to study Industrial Chemistry in the prestigious Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Agbani. Chimaobi graduated with honours (BSc.) in 2006.

During his National Youth Service in Amoye Grammar School, Ikere Ekiti, “Uncle Sam”, as he was fondly called by his students, displayed rare teaching traits. Apart from his teaching activities at Amoye Grammar School, he played a key role in social reengineering in the community. As a mentor in the community school, he inspired many who looked up to him for direction.

Shortly after Chimaobi completed his National Youth Service activities, he was employed by United Geophysical Nigeria Limited (UGNL) in Agbor, Delta State. As a staff of UGNL, he initiated many projects and led the charge in several site activities.

After gaining the requisite experience in the private sector and given his entrepreneurial drive, he resigned and moved back to Enugu to establish his own company, Chimfloxy Ideals. Since the establishment of Chimfloxy Ideals, the company has radically changed the real estate business in the South East. As the CEO, Mr Atu played a key role in ensuring that people built affordable homes in the South East.

Expectedly, the Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi appointed him as an Executive Assistant (EA). After the re-election of Governor Ugwuanyi in 2019, Hon. Chimaobi was again appointed a Technical Assistant (TA). These appointments provided Mr Atu with the opportunity to serve his state with the needed panache.

As a thorough community leader, he played a critical in the establishment of the Community Policing Initiative in Ugwuaji and its environs. He was unanimously appointed the Chairman of the Initiative. During his tenure, he dealt with the growing security concerns in Ugwuaji and other adjourning communities. He received several commendations for ensuring a near-perfect security system in his community. He was also elected the Youth Leader and Secretary General of Ndiaga Ugwuaji. It is worth noting at this juncture that Atu was never a bus driver nor a vigilante as insinuated in some quarters.

As a philanthropist, Hon. Atu initiated many projects in his native community. He was responsible for the extension of electricity to some parts of Ugwuaji where government power infrastructure did not get to. More so, Hon. Atu provides scholarships to indigent community members at both secondary and university levels. Since 2012, he has been financing the grading of community roads abandoned by the government.

In recognition of these qualities and unwavering contributions to his community and State, he was awarded a chieftaincy title in 2021. To many, the chieftaincy title only explains in part, the doggedness of a young man who braced up to the challenges of mlife and created a niche for himself. To the young men and women who have benefited from the benevolence of Chimaobi, the chieftaincy mtitle re-echoes his unflinching interest in human progress. For those in the religious circle, ‘brother’ Chima is a passionate church leader who has won souls for God.

Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu is a compassionate family man who is happily married to the love of his life, Mrs Ezinne Maureen and they are blessed with three children.

C. Isah Ogbebor, Ph.D Writes from Enugu, Nigeria

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News

Anambra Guber: ‘I’m On Sabbatical,’ Don’t Use My Name In Your Campaign, Ngige Tells APC

Published

7 hours ago

August 12, 2025

Editor

Former Anambra State governor and two-time minister, Senator Chris Ngige, has asked the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, not to link him to their campaign, saying he is currently on sabbatical from partisan politics.

A campaign poster featuring Ngige alongside the APC candidates has been circulating on social media, creating the impression that he is backing the party in the November 8 governorship election.

In a statement signed by his media aide, Hyggi Obialo, Ngige clarified that his consent was neither sought nor obtained before the publication was released.

“Senator Chris Ngige is on sabbatical from active partisan politics as he takes a well-deserved rest after 25 years in politics and public service,” the statement read. “We advise those behind the poster to respect his wishes, as he has repeatedly stated in public that he is out of partisan politics for now.”

Ngige served as governor of Anambra State from 2003 to 2006, represented Anambra Central in the Senate from 2011 to 2015, and was Minister of Labour and Employment from 2015 to 2023.

News

8,246 mentally ill inmates in custody nationwide – NCoS

Published

7 hours ago

August 12, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian Correctional Service(NCoS) says no fewer than 8,246 inmates are currently suffering from mental illness across the custodial centres nationwide.

The Assistant Controller General of Corrections (ACG), in charge of Medical Services, Dr Glory Essien, disclosed the figure during a public hearing on Tuesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent Investigative Panel on Alleged Corruption, Abuse of Power, Torture, and Other Inhumane Treatment by the NCoS began the third public hearing on Monday.

Essien, however, highlighted the harsh reality of incarceration and its impact on mental health during her address to the panel.

“We have 8,246 inmates with mental health conditions in our custodial centres.

“From the moment someone is brought in, those who have seen a custodial centre know what I mean.

“The police escort them to the gate, and it’s opened, they’re admitted, and then that gate is locked behind them.

“That instant loss of freedom can trigger something. Some begin to show signs of disturbed behaviour almost immediately, as if something in their mind has shifted,”she said.

Essien explained that the prison system relied on an internal network of trained inmate-leaders who assisted staff in identifying those showing signs of psychological distress.

According to her, these leaders are trained to alert the staff when they notice concerning behaviour.

“They might say, ‘This inmate seems dazed, hasn’t eaten, hasn’t spoken to anyone.’ That helps us intervene early,” she said.

Essien said in spite of these efforts, the scale of mental health issues far exceeded the available resources.

She said: “If you’re in a facility housing 500 to 1,000 inmates, and you’re the only attending doctor, nurse, or psychologist, it’s simply not possible to monitor everyone individually.

“That’s why we rely on these trained inmates to help us identify those in need, so we can provide care as best we can,” she said.

She, however, underscored the logistical challenges of delivering mental healthcare in correctional facilities.

“Mental illness is chronic. It’s not like malaria, where a single dose clears up the issue, highlighting transportation issues, limited drug supplies, and staff shortages as ongoing obstacles.

“We’re not operating in a five-star environment.But with the little we have, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of our work,” she maintained.

Similarly, the Assistant Controller General of Corrections in charge of pharmaceutical services, Mohammed Bashir, addressed concerns around drug provision and mental health treatment.

He said that the Federal Government had actually been doing its utmost to ensure that it catered to the health needs of the inmates.

“Money has been appropriated, but is the money enough? No.

“Out of 81,122 inmates in 256 correctional facilities nationwide, about 2.3 per cent are female,” he said.

Bashir revealed that a single item, such as sanitary pads for menstruating inmates, costs over “four million naira monthly.

On mental healthcare, Bashir confirmed that a psychological services unit had been created within the service to focus on treatment.

“We have partnership with this psychiatric and psychological association. We have the consultants who usually go to about 12 designated custodial centres that have a large number of these cases,” he said.

He, however, admitted that drug supplies often ran out within weeks due to inadequate funding and staffing.

In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary(PS) in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani, called for urgent support and systemic changes.

Ajani made a passionate appeal to the Nigerian Medical Association and pharmaceutical companies for support.

“Please come to Macedonia and help us. We are in dire need of psychiatric and psychological aid in remote states beyond Abuja and Lagos.”

Ajani, who chairs the panel, expressed concern over the maldistribution of mental health professionals.

“Let them not only be centered in Abuja and Lagos. We need them to go out to the fields. Because if we even put two in the states, it will help them,” she added.

The PS emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration with private companies, noting that public-private partnerships would be beneficial.

According to her, we can approach companies that can give us drugs as CSR; they do it.

“So, don’t let us sit in the office and forget our primary responsibility.

“Do it now. Build a bridge and empower younger people to be able to sustain that bridge that you are building,” she emphasised.

News

Tinubu Appoints New NCC Chairman, Fresh Board Members

Published

7 hours ago

August 12, 2025

Editor

President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Idris Olorunnimbe as Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Dr Aminu Waida, will continue to serve in that capacity.

President Tinubu also approved the appointments of the members of the board of the NCC.

The members include Abraham Oshidami, Executive Commissioner, Technical Services; Rimini Makama, Executive Commissioner, Stakeholder Management; Hajia Maryam Bayi, Former Director, Human Capital and Administration; Col Abdulwahab Lawal (retd); Senator Lekan Mustafa; Chris Okorie, and Princess Oforitsenere Emiko.