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Tag: Amaechi

  • Amaechi Aloke emerges president of Just Friends Club of Nigeria

    Amaechi Aloke emerges president of Just Friends Club of Nigeria

    Just Friends Club of Nigeria(JFCN) has announced the election of Chief Amaechi Aloke, a retired director of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, as its new President.

    Chief Aloke will serve a three-year term, with the possibility of renewal for one additional term.Bringing a wealth of experience in public service and leadership, Chief Amaechi Aloke is poised to guide the Abuja-based Just Friends Club of Nigeria toward new heights.

    His distinguished career at the Bureau of Public Enterprises was marked by dedication, integrity, and a commitment to national development.The election of a new Executive Committee was held on Saturday, August 16, 2025 in Abuja. Other members of the EXCO are: Mrs. Maria Cardillo (Vice President); Mr. Nonso Okechukwu (General Secretary); Adaeze Oputah (Assistant General Secretary); Mr. Ehimare Uwaifoh (Legal Adviser); Mr. Eric Nwafor (Financial Secretary); Paul Ikpokilli (Social Secretary); Ngozi John-Uyah (Public Relations Officer); and Mr. Benevolent Okpogor(Treasurer.)

    The new executive committee will be sworn in on November 28, 2025 during the club’s annual end-of-year party in Abuja.

    Aloke will succeed Mr. Fred Onoriode Ohwahwa, who has served two distinguished terms as president of the club.In his new role as President,

    Chief Aloke will focus on strengthening the club’s mission of fostering camaraderie, community development, and social engagement among its members.“I am honored to take on this leadership role,” said Aloke. “I look forward to working with our members to build an even stronger, more vibrant Just Friends Club that continues to make a positive impact in our communities.” He added:

    “I wish to express our gratitude to the members of this most prestigious club in Abuja for finding us worthy to serve as members of the executive. On behalf the members of the newly elected executive, we wish to commit ourselves to serving the club with total dedication.

    The outgoing president and members of his executive have done so much for the club and it is difficult to surpass what they have achieved. However, we commit ourselves to continue to steer the club forward and achieve new heights.”Just Friends Club of Nigeria is a social organization committed to promoting friendship, cultural exchange, and community service among its members across the country.

    Signed: Efe AwhinahwiPRO, JFCN

  • Why I turned down offer to work for Tinubu – Amaechi

    Why I turned down offer to work for Tinubu – Amaechi

    Ex- Governor of Rivers State and two-time Minister of Transport, Rotimi Ameachi, has finally disclosed that he rejected offer to work for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he was convinced that he could not lead Nigeria.

    The two term minister revealed this during a public lecture to celebrate his 60th birthday, he said, “I met President Tinubu in Yola and I told him I will not work for you and I will not vote for you.

    “I told him like that. People have been saying I do not work for All People’s Congress (APC) or Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), that is because I was convinced that there was an issue of capacity.”

    The public lecture held in Abuja with the theme “Weaponization of Poverty” had in attendance Emir of Kano Sule Lamido Sanusi, Prof Wole Soyinka, Former Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai, Governor of Bayelsa State Sierake Dickson, Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, several traditional rulers, and several others

    Amaechi, in his remarks, noted that Nigeria is where it is today because many Nigerians have been voting on a religious and ethnic basis.

    “Let me tell you, no Nigerian leader cares for the poor, because they know that Nigerians can do nothing to them once they are in power. When Nigerians protested, the President announced an increase in the price of fuel because they know you cannot do anything,” Amaechi said.

    He further reflected that he is more concerned about moving the country forward and respecting people with requisite knowledge.

    “Nigerian leaders and elites are not the problem of Nigeria; the problem of Nigeria is the followers. We say Nigeria is a capitalist country, but capitalists are those who invest in production, however, Nigeria does not produce anything, we just want to feast on the revenue gotten from crude oil.

    “I was ashamed of one of my appointees when I was the Minister of Transport. I appointed her to improve and turnaround things around, unfortunately, she was more interested in speaking Hausa/Fulani to the President.”

    He added that an ordinary northerner who is a Muslim has no problem with the ordinary southerner who is a Christian.

    “It is when they come to elections, they will tell you. Now you have a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Let the Muslim-Muslim market come out now. It’s time. We are all hungry. All of us are. If you are not hungry, I am,” he added.

  • Matawalle condemns protest statement credited to ex-minister, Amaechi

    Matawalle condemns protest statement credited to ex-minister, Amaechi

    The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has condemned the alleged statement credited to former Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi calling for protest from Nigerians.

    This is contained in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence.

    Amaechi is alleged to have called on Nigerian youths to rise up in protest against government policies that were anti people.

    Reacting Matawalle condemned Amaechi’s call in the strongest of terms.

    He cautioned the former minister to desist from inflammatory remarks that threaten the peace and stability of the nation.

    He also accused the former minister of inciting violence and unrest among the Nigerian populace.

    Matawalle also expressed deep concern over the dangers posed by such rhetoric.

    “It is both reckless and irresponsible for a former public servant of Amaechi’s standing to incite Nigerians against their own government.

    “At a time when President Bola Tinubu is working tirelessly to address the challenges facing the nation through various reforms that are yielding results.

    “It is absurd, preposterous and shameful for anyone to exploit the genuine situation of our citizens for selfish political gain,” he said.

    The Minister further reiterated Tinubu’s commitment to safeguarding the peace and security of every Nigerian, warning that any attempts to destabilise the country through incitement will not be tolerated.

    “We will not allow anyone to fuel violence or manipulate the prevailing situation of our people.

    Matawalle also cautioned the former minister not to cast aspersions on government genuine intentions for the people.

    “It is expected that Amaechi joins hands with the government to move the country forward, rather than chose to stay aside with myopic assertions,” he added.

  • I never promised to return abandoned property to Igbos in Rivers – Amaechi

    I never promised to return abandoned property to Igbos in Rivers – Amaechi

    The immediate-past Minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has declared that he never promised to return abandoned property to Igbos residing in Rivers State.

    Amaechi, who is also former Rivers State Governor, made the declaration in a statement issued by his media office, which was made available to News men in Port Harcourt.

    The statement reads in part: “We have observed as unscrupulous and ill-advised elements have twisted and misrepresented the speech made by Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi during his stakeholders meeting with Igbos in Rivers State last week.

    “We are astonished that even the respected Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers fell for the false story and fake news been propagated by the Rivers State Governor without making any effort to clarify what Amaechi actually said; yet they went ahead to address the media, castigating and condemning the immediate past Rivers State Governor on the basis of a fake, ill-conceived story obviously concocted by the current failed Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike

    “We would ordinarily not respond to these kind of comments deliberately twisted by the rarely sober Governor Wike and his agents of wickedness and mischief who Rivers people and Nigerians know trade in divisive fake news, to malign the person and character of Amaechi. For record purposes, we hereby state the fact as it is:

    “That Amaechi did not and have never said anything about compensation on abandoned properties to the Igbos in Rivers State.

    “That he only rehashed his apology to the Igbos when he became governor of Rivers State, that he was sorry on behalf of the State on abandoned properties from the Nigerian civil war. That if he had been in power at that time, he would never have let that happen.

    “That Amaechi only mentioned compensation when he spoke about people who are being intimidated, harassed and threatened with violence due to their choice of voting and support for the APC in the upcoming Governorship and State Assembly election.

    “This is the true state of things, and we urge Rivers people to ignore and discountenance the misconstrued alcohol-fueled tirades being peddled by the utterly shameless Governor Nyesom Wike and his agents of falsehood and purveyors of fake news.”

  • Amaechi’s Camp rubbishes PDP-PCC over alleged romance with Atiku

    Amaechi’s Camp rubbishes PDP-PCC over alleged romance with Atiku

    Former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has described as moonlight tale by the Nyesom Wike led the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Rivers State that former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi is secretly meeting with Atiku Abubakar against Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in Rivers State.

    The Peoples Democratic Party Campaign Council (PDPCC) through its Director of Publicity and Communications, Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, had alleged that Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi is a member of the ‘wicked’ cabal punishing the people with fuel and naira-swap crises and challenged Amaechi to deny that he was not part of persons making life a nightmare for Nigerians.

    Nwuke also alleged that Amaechi was also working secretly for the PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, alleging the former Rivers Governor recently reconciled with members of the PDP’s Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers.

    He said Amaechi had been working secretly and holding meetings with Atiku and others in the cabal to starve the country of the much-needed funds in the name of politics.

    Reacting through a statement made available to the media, Eze, a member of APC Legacy Projects Media Team said Amaechi remains one principled Political Leader in whose integrity Nigeria prides and cannot be caught in the web of political cowardice.

    Eze recalled that in 2014, when it was a taboo to be associated with General Muhammadu Buhari and opposition interests, Amaechi singlehandedly supported Buhari and in 2015 and 2019 respectively when he won as President and sought re-election, Rt. Hon. Amaechi served as Director General of Campaigns and he played roles of that office with the boldest attention and commitment required for the task at the glare of the world.
    The party Chief described as vague the claim that Amaechi is part of the cabal allegedly responsible for the fuel and cash swap crisis and challenged Nwuke to furnish Nigerians with detail of roles played by former Governor Amaechi; when and where such roles were played to further the fuel crisis and cash crunch as a weapon against the people.

    Dismissing claims that Amaechi has pitched tent with Atiku, the party stalwart said although every Nigerian reserves the right to association and the PDP presidential candidate is one man who has made adequate preparations and is stocked with the requisite experience and leadership expertise to take the country out of woods, but Amaechi as a loyal party man has his integrity and public interest to protect and every actions and inactions he has taken are geared towards that direction and particularly guided by the love of country.

  • BREAKING: First aviation minister, Amaechi is dead

    BREAKING: First aviation minister, Amaechi is dead

    First Republic aviation minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi is dead, aged 93 years.

    Chief Amechi who hailed from Amihe village in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra died on Tuesday in a brief illness, his family has stated.

    The elder statesman was the only surviving member of the Zikist Movement of the pre-independence era.

    The family’s statement signed by Ezeana Tagbo Amechi, his son read in parts that “Amechi, nationalist and First Republic Minister of Aviation transited peacefully in the early hours of Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022.

    “We thank God for the fulfilled life that he lived, the lives that he touched and his service to God and to country.

    “We respectfully ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this time.’’

  • Delegates who sold votes At APC presidential primary are shedding tears now — Amaechi

    Delegates who sold votes At APC presidential primary are shedding tears now — Amaechi

     

     

    Rotimi Amaechi, a former minister of transportation, says delegates who sold their votes at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary are bitterly regretting after collecting peanuts to sell their conscience.

    Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers state, polled 316 votes and was second in the exercise.

    Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos, clinched the ticket after securing over 1,000 votes.

    Speaking over the weekend at an event to mark the 60th birthday of Eugene Ogu, General Overseer of Abundant Life Evangel Mission in Port Harcourt, the Rivers capital, Amaechi said the “ordinary” citizen is the problem of the country.

    The former minister said the prayer should be for Nigerians to vote for the right person to govern the country.

    “I don’t believe that is the solution to Nigeria’s problem — giving money. I hope you know. I give you N10 million now and when it finishes, what happens? The solution to Nigeria’s problem is that all of you must rise,” he said.

    “God should save the ordinary Nigerian, because they are the problem. Those who voted at the APC primary, who are they? The ordinary Nigerian. The small money they got solved their immediate problems.

    “Now ‘oh we made a mistake’; ‘we didn’t make a mistake’. We are hearing different things. Pray for the leadership of the country, but also pray that ordinary Nigerians choose the right person to govern.”

    He also spoke on the recent concerns raised over the identity of the clerics that attended the unveiling of Kashim Shettima as the APC vice-presidential candidate.

    According to the former minister, the persons in questions are Christians.

    “Those bishops you saw BB [Kashim Shettima’s unveiling ceremony], they may not be bishops, but they are Christians,” he said.

  • If Peter Obi wins 2023 election, looters will run to Dubai – Amaechi

    If Peter Obi wins 2023 election, looters will run to Dubai – Amaechi

    First Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi has said if the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi wins the 2023 election criminals and looters will leave the country and run to Dubai.

    While declaring his support for Obi and his running mate, Datti Baba Ahmed, the 93-year-old stated this at his country home.

    He said, “I don’t think it was just an accident that Peter Obi emerged. I think it was God’s way. If anything happens to him, it would worsen the situation in Nigeria and the situation may degenerate to something non-describable.

    “If they’re afraid of Obi who is just a beginner, why should they not be eternally afraid? Peter Obi is the only governor who left office and nobody asked him any questions.

    “He didn’t know the office of EFCC, ICPC or DSS because of his clean records. The man who succeeded him wanted to leave the country two hours he handed over, meaning he wanted to sneak away.

    “Many other governors who left office have been arrested and charged to court but they ran into Senate or APC as a party and today their cases are closed. That’s the kind of rotten country you have. Yet people are suffering, and may continue to suffer.

    “I don’t think God created us to continue to suffer. The 2023 election is an opportunity he’s provided for us to right the wrongs. You will see how the whole world will embrace Nigeria if Peter Obi wins the election and all the criminals and looters will melt away to Dubai.”

  • ‘I’m still part of Tinubu’s family’ – Abe speaks after leaving APC

    ‘I’m still part of Tinubu’s family’ – Abe speaks after leaving APC

    Former Rivers Southeast Senator, Magnus Ngei Abe, has said he is still part of the family of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu after leaving the party.

    Featuring on TVC on Wednesday, Abe maintained that he left to seek his fortune elsewhere.

    The Senator, who is a former ally of ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, insisted that although he has left the party, the purported letter of resignation circulating online does not originate from him.

    He said: “I have since left the APC in Rivers State but the letter circulating round is not from me. I am still part of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s family and have no issues with him whatsoever.

    “I am a part of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political family, and I’m also part of his own family, and that is a very separate thing from the politics of Rivers State.

    “Yesterday, there were some funny letters circulating on the internet that I have resigned from the APC because Asiwaju refused to intervene in the politics of Rivers State; that is ridiculous. All politics is local, I have no interest whatsoever in the APC in Rivers State.

    “When people talk about resignation, how do I resign from the party I don’t even know who the ward chairman is, so I couldn’t have written a letter to people that I don’t know, what I know from the Constitution of the APC, and the constitution of the country is that there are several means by which you leave the party, and one of the means is by way of resignation. So resignation is just one of the ways that are available for members to leave the party.

    “You can leave by resignation, you can leave by death, you can withdraw your membership, you can join another political party, the way the APC is sinking in Rivers State it makes no sense for any politician that has a serious political interest in the State to remain in the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State.

    “I have no stake in the APC in Rivers State, I don’t know anybody that is in the entire executive of the APC in all the 319 wards in the State. I don’t even know who my ward chairman is nor do I know any ward ex-officio or officer of the party. I don’t have anybody who is running for any office in the APC in Rivers State that I know, except Asiwaju who is running for President.

    “I have absolutely no stake in the party in Rivers State and all politics at the end of the day is local. And so it will be irresponsible of me to stay in the APC in Rivers State and support a party in which I have no stake in their victory.

    “So it is clear to everybody who is watching the politics of this country that my future in the politics of Rivers State is not tied to the All Progressives Congress and so it is clear that I’m no longer a member of the APC in Rivers State as far as that goes, but the purported letter flying around wasn’t authored by me and I know absolutely nothing about it. And, it does not reflect my views and my opinions as far as the politics of Rivers State is concerned.

    “I have said in the coming days a lot of things will unfold but the issue of me and the APC in Rivers State I think that was decided a long time ago.

    “I don’t know why people are still speculating and writing letters on an issue that I have made public a long time ago that I’m not part of the APC as far as Rivers State is concerned”.

  • Just In: Rivers Gov, Wike set to emerge as Atiku’s running mate

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has been selected and is set to emerge as the running mate to the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, thus ending days of horse-trading characterised by suspense and anxiety over the sensitive issue.

    Wike, a Christian, according to TheNewsGuru.com sources garnered 16  votes to Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa’s  3 votes to secure the consequential recommendation of the Committee set up by the party to deal with the issue.

    Except unforeseen circumstances intervenes, Wike will pair with  Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in next year’s general election.
    According to TheNewsGuru.com sources which included three former governors who are members of the selection committee, the stage is now set for his formal announcement and transmission of the joint presidential nomination ticket to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

    The recommendation, according to the report, was made by the committee set up by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, to screen three southern governors and recommend one for the position.

    At the end of its assignment on Tuesday, June 14, the 16-member committee voted 13 – 3 in favour of the Rivers State Governor.

    The report did not however say who ran away with the three votes.

    Wike was runner-up at the PDP special convention two weeks ago at the National Stadium, Abuja, where Atiku emerged as the party’s standard bearer.