TheNewsGuru

Tag: Pat Utomi

  • Big Tent for Peter Obi hosts listening clinic on healthcare

    Big Tent for Peter Obi hosts listening clinic on healthcare

    Consistent with its mantra of big thinking and innovation in policy direction driven by the need of the Nigerian people, the umbrella body of the Peter Obi Presidential campaign organisation, the BIG-TENT for Peter Obi has organised the first-ever global town hall meeting on healthcare, the first in a series, designed to listen to Nigerians in every facet of national development.

    In his opening remarks at the town hall meeting on Monday, attended online and physically by medical practitioners in the country and from across the globe, appropriately tagged “Listening Clinic on Healthcare,” convener of the BIG-TENT for Peter Obi, Professor Pat Utomi, regretted that policy articulation in the country so far is not driven by listening because people in government hardly listen with the attendant consequence of misplaced prioritization in allocation of scarce resources.

    Charles Odibo, Director of Media and Communications for the BIG-TENT for Peter Obi, quotes Professor Utomi as reiterating the importance of effective healthcare delivery in our country as no nation can be prosperous without a viable healthcare delivery system, hence the imperative of the listening clinic to elicit informed feedback from doctors and medics to enunciate healthcare policies that will build a healthy and productive nation that the country desires.

    Opening the discussion, a representative of Doctors and Medics for Peter Obi, a group of voluntary medical practitioners supporting Peter Obi’s candidacy identified primary healthcare delivery as being central in fixing the nation’s decayed healthcare system. Other critical factors needed to improve healthcare delivery, according to this group include the need to give adequate health education to the general public, especially in the rural areas, required infrastructure for primary healthcare, and the need to curb the incessant misapplication of funds in the healthcare system.

    Other medical practitioners, at home and from across the globe regretted that the nation still lacks electronic medical record system and harped on the need for it to be developed urgently so that patients can have unified and integrated records in the system across hospitals nationwide.

    Other issues raised by the participating doctors and medics include the need for effective implementation of the nation’s healthcare insurance scheme to ensure that citizens have access to quality healthcare and guarantee proper funding of the sector; regulation of production, supply, storage, and consumption of drugs; enacting and enforcing regulations to prevent non-certified pharmacists owning and running pharmacies.

    Overall, participants at the town hall meeting were delighted and appreciative of the distinctive and differentiated direction in policy formulation by the Peter Obi team to ignite a bottom-up engagement driven by a common purpose.

    As pointed out by Professor Pat Utomi, this new thinking on governance is about Nigerians getting together to follow a well-articulated national agenda based on Peter Obi’s new approach to governance, an approach that underlies his perspective and future-forward positioning on the polity and state of the nation.

  • JUST IN: Labour Party rejects Odibo’s appointment as spokesperson

    JUST IN: Labour Party rejects Odibo’s appointment as spokesperson

    The Labour Party (LP) on Saturday, said it had not appointed Mr Charles Odibo as its spokesperson as announced by Prof. Pat Utomi .

    A statement signed by Mr Arabambi Abayomi, National Publicity Secretary on Saturday in Abuja,  said that the  National Consultative Front (NCF ) had no constitutional power to make appointments for the party.

    Abayomi said that only National Chairman Julius Abure could do that.

    “Our attention has been drawn to the news intercepted through multiple news medium that one Mr Charles Odibo has been appointed as the  Spokesman of Labour Party by Prof. Pat Utomi.

    ”It is not undisputed that  LP has not made such an appointment since Utomi who is the leader of NCF cannot usurp the function of the National Chairman.

    “For the records, Utomi who is the leader of the NCF, a strong affiliate of the LP , while in a zoom meeting introduced Charles Odibo as the Media Head of the “Big Tent”, an acronym for the NCF and  No mention of LP was made on that platform.

    “All appointments by the LP are made through the office of the national chairman and announcement made by the National Publicity Secretary under the directive of the national chairman, he said.

    According to Abayomi, for emphasis and clarity: Article 14 sub section 1(a) of the Labour Party constitution states as follows;

    ”The national chairman shall give leadership to the party and shall preside over all meetings of the National Executive Council and the National Working Committee of the party.”

    He said the constitutional provision quoted above,  vested the power of all appointments and leadership only to the person and the office of the national chairman.

    “LP now uses this opportunity to say the LP is guided by the constitution in all its activities.

    ”As such, all members of the party as well as interested members of the public presently in LP should from here on, take serious caution that the function of the national  chairman as head of LP is not in question.”

    Abayomi, therefore, urged that everyone should obey the constitution of the Labour Party and be guided by the party’s directives.

  • 2023: Prof Okigbo urges campaign managers to show new level of maturity

    2023: Prof Okigbo urges campaign managers to show new level of maturity

    Ahead of the 2023 general election, Professor Emeritus Charles Okigbo has advised campaign managers of political parties to show a new level of maturity, stressing that “it cannot be business as usual”.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof Okigbo gave the advice in a statement on Saturday while decrying that campaigns during Nigeria’s elections have left much to be desired.

    Okigbo, who is currently enthusiastically leading a team of political communication researchers in Nigeria and the diaspora to continue their Mixed Methods Research on Nigerian election communications, disclosed that “horse race” campaigning tactics of using inuendos and unverified gossips” had been uncovered in the campaign trends of Nigerian presidential elections.

    He stated: “Our research team on Nigerian political communications has uncovered many important trends in Nigerian presidential elections, especially the most recent two campaigns in 2015 and 2019, where we found clear emphases of certain themes and topics, as well as considerable “horse race” campaigning tactics of using inuendos and unverified gossips.

    “2023 campaign managers should show a new level of maturity evident in the quality of messaging and respect for the individual candidates who are engaged in the contest. It cannot be business as usual”.

    TNG reports Prof Okigbo had earlier corrected the news story about his appointment as the campaign spokesman for ObiDatti 2023.

    Prof Pat Utomi in a press conference introduced Mr Charles Odibo as the campaign communication lead for ObiDatti 2023. However, some people thought they heard Prof Charles Okigbo.

    And since it is a strategic communication position, Prof Okigbo’s area of expertise, they ran with their mistaken notion and Google Search added to their mistake.

    Professor Okigbo wished Mr Odibo well and hoped that the #Obi/Datti2023 campaign will live up to the public’s expectations and set a new tone for presidential election campaigns in Nigeria.

  • ObiDatti 2023: Prof Okigbo puts confusion in Odibo’s appointment to rest

    ObiDatti 2023: Prof Okigbo puts confusion in Odibo’s appointment to rest

    Professor Emeritus Charles Okigbo has put the confusion in the appointment of Mr Charles Odibo as the leader of the communication team for the Labour Party 2023 campaign team to rest.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Prof. Pat Utomi, a renowned Economist on Thursday at a special announcement session of the Media Team for the Peter Obi Campaign team held in Lagos announced Mr Odibo as the leader of the communication team.

    However, as a result of the similarity in names, many have mistaken Mr Odibo for Prof Okigbo, who is currently enthusiastically leading a team of political communication researchers in Nigeria and the diaspora to continue their Mixed Methods Research on Nigerian election communications.

    Prof Okigbo in a statement noted that the results of their research on the 2015 and 2019 presidential campaigns are being used to design the forthcoming research for the 2023 campaign.

    Okigbo, meanwhile wished Mr Odibo well in his exciting and challenging task of providing adequate public enlightenment on the merits of the ObiDatti2023 project.

    Announcing the Media Team for the Peter Obi Campaign team held in Lagos, Utomi had disclosed that the team comprises of media veterans who are professionals, passionate and committed to the Nigerian people.

    Utomi also said that the “Big Tent Platform” for Peter Obi campaign team would begin a “Listening Clinic” from Aug. 16. He explained that the Big Tent Platform comprised of several political parties working together to present the candidates that all of Nigeria would embrace.

    Utomi who is also a management expert said that the listening clinic would highlight the fact and the way government of the people and for the people had to begin with the sharing of what the people thought and felt.

    This, he added, was how to solve their problems, noting that it was only the person that wore the shoes that knew where it pinched. The clinic would be handled by a communication team who were professionals, passionate and committed to the people.

    Utomi also disclosed that a ceremony would hold on Friday in Owerri, Imo, where members of the Rescue Nigeria Project (RNP) in all of the South East states would come together to declare for the Labour Party. He said he would be receiving members of the RNP on behalf of the Labour Party.

    “It is a point of convergence for the  RNP, National leaders of Labour Party, Civil Society Movements, streams of social movements and other political parties. They are all coming together so that we can change our country’s politics fundamentally for good,” he said.

  • 2023: Labour Party has better structure than APC, PDP – Pat Utomi

    2023: Labour Party has better structure than APC, PDP – Pat Utomi

    A political economist, Professor Pat Utomi,  says the Labour Party has a better structure than the nation’s two dominant parties – the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Utomi, a member of the Labour party, made the comment as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today yesterday.

    He expressed confidence that his party will coast to victory in the 2023 presidential election, which is barely seven months away.

    “Labour Party has a super structure, much better than the structures APC and the PDP have,” he said. “The Labour Party is built around the labour movement and a college of civil society organisations.”

    According to him, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have political commissions in every state of the federation.

    He stated that the party will mobilise people during the forthcoming polls to ensure that every polling booth is covered.

    Utomi however decried a situation whereby those in public office would steal money to rig elections, a situation people have mistaken to be political structures.

    He explained that the scenario whereby politicians bribe their way during elections is changing as the people want a different narrative.

    “With the structure that we have, I am guaranteeing that on the election day, in every polling station in this country, there are at least 15 people who are standing up for the third force to support the Labour party candidate,” he said.

    On the possibility of a merger with other parties, the Labour party chieftain stated that talks are ongoing with several political parties, although he did not disclose any specific one.

    When asked why he’s confident of Labour party’s victory, he berated the performance of both APC and PDP that have ruled Nigeria.

    Noting that they have made Africa’s most populous nation bankrupt through excessive borrowings, Utomi insisted that Nigerians demand new confidence from fresh leadership.

    While the Labour party has fielded ex-Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi as its presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar emerged as PDP’s flagbearer with ex-Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu to fly the APC’s flag in the 2023 presidential election.

  • BREAKING: Peter Obi emerges presidential candidate of Labour Party

    BREAKING: Peter Obi emerges presidential candidate of Labour Party

    Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has emerged as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party for the 2023 presidential election.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Obi emerged as the candidate of the Labour Party after Professor of political economy and co-convener of the National Consultative Front (NCFront), Pat Utomi stepped down from the race.

    The National Youth Leader of the party, Comr. Mr Eragbe Anslem, who was also vying for the office of the president, had earlier withdrawn from the race and declared support for Obi as well.

    Obi, who was the 2019 vice presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), emerged as the candidate of Labour Party at the ongoing National Convention of the party in Asaba, Delta State.

    TNG reports Mrs Olushola Emmanuel-Tella also stepped down midway into the State by State voting process for Obi to emerge winner of the Labour Party presidential primary election.

     

    Details shortly…

  • BREAKING: Pat Utomi steps down from Labour Party presidential race

    Professor of political economy and co-convener of the National Consultative Front (NCFront), Pat Utomi has stepped down from the presidential race of the Labour Party.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pat Utomi stepped down from the presidential race of the Labour Party for Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra.

    Details shortly…

  • Peter Obi, Pat Utomi, 3rd Force bigwigs storm Asaba for Labour Party Presidential Primaries

    …describe APC, PDP Delegates as Political Bandits ask EFCC to go after them

    …calls on more Progressives, Leaders of Conscience to join Labour Party Ballot Revolution

    The 3rd Force Movement under the aegis of the National Consultative Front, NCFront has called on more leaders of conscience in the country to quickly join the moving train of the Ballot Revolution of the working People crystalizing in the Labour Party, following its adoption by the 3rd Force Movement as the alternative ‘Big Tent’ for the 2023 elections.

    This call was made by Head of Public Affairs of the NCFront, Mallam Dr Tanko Yunusa in Asaba, Delta State, while addressing teeming supporters and delegates of the Labour Party, who have come to attend the Presidential Primaries of the Party, holding on Monday at the Orchid Hotels, GRA, Asaba, Delta

    Tanko Yunusa, in company of other Party Chieftains and bigwigs also used the occasion to carpet the ‘cash and carry’ Party Primaries of the APC and PDP, describing it as corruptive and criminal, calling on the EFCC to immediately go after the candidates and delegates of the APC and PDP for destroying Nigeria’s electoral system and moral fabric.

    The Front, while also applauding the bubbling political synergy between two leading Presidential Aspirants of the Party, Peter Obi and Pat Utomi in the Labour Party, also condemned the activities of some disgruntled elements and sponsored agents by APC and PDP in the Press, trying to create a false picture of incohesion in the Party

    The Movement, in the light of the crystalizing rainbow coalition in Labour Party, also invited all well meaning Nigerians, including Women, Youths, Physically Challenged, the Poor and the well to do, among others to immediately join forces with the Labour Party to rescue Nigeria from the heightening insecurity and imminent collapse foisted by incompetent rulers of the country, currently trading in Delegates all over the country.

  • Nigeria now poorer, more corrupt than it was before Buhari took over – Utomi

    Nigeria now poorer, more corrupt than it was before Buhari took over – Utomi

    A professor of political economy and management expert, Pat Utomi has said Nigeria is now more poorer and corrupt that it was before the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari came on board in 2015.

    The don noted that Nigerians are hardly in the conversations around how they should be governed.

    “Political parties do not have programs, do not have a direction to make any difference in people’s lives.

    “The truth of the matter is that this is the most miserable place to live on earth today, all the statistics say so,” Professor Utomi said on Sunday on a monitored Channels Television programme.

    He added that “today we have overtaken India in terms of the total number of the poorest people on the planet.”

    According to Utomi who is a founding member of the National Consultative Front (NCF), it is like Nigeria is in multiple civil wars.

    “They are dying from insecurity with all the killings every day, more people are killed in Nigeria every day in most of the major civil wars of the world.

    “Today we are dying more from Malaria than any other people in the world,” he reeled out.

    In his viewpoint, the reason for this misnomer stems from the fact that there is no formidable opposition in Nigeria that can speak alternatives and deal with the big and major issues.

    While arguing that the country has become more corrupt than it was prior to the emergence of this government, said conversations around big issues must begin to fill the socio-political spaces.

    He asserted that many well-meaning Nigerians gave their all for the present government to come into power because of the anti-corruption mantra, however, these Nigerians Utomi says have been disappointed because the administration has proven even more corrupt than what existed.

    The political economist was of the opinion that the nation must have a conversation with itself as regards how the country can be saved.

    “We have not been able to reform the political process to get money out of politics, to get people who should not be in politics out,” he stressed, adding, “Politics has been reduced to how do you capture a state and use it for your own aggrandizement. If politics were not about state capture, you will see people who come out to give sacrifices of themselves to achieve immortality of making a difference in the lives of others, but that is not the case as we have seen in our country, sadly.”

    In proffering a solution for the way forward, Professor Utomi said Nigeria must emulate South Korea and get rid of money politics. He said it is a shame that Nigerian politicians have no empathy for the masses.

    “Nigerian politicians do not have empathy for the people… There is a complete disconnect between the political class and the people,” Prof Utomi noted.

    “Poverty rules the land but do you see it reflected in the lives of the political class? No, you don’t,” he retorted.

    He urged Nigerians to take back their country, stressing that civil society must be more active.

    Speaking to the “complicit middle” class who he says are a major part of the problem of the country, Prof Utomi asked the middle to stop folding their arms and stand up to the political class who are only in the polity for their pockets.

  • 2023: Utomi proposes merger of three major political parties; Jega backs electronic transmission of results

    2023: Utomi proposes merger of three major political parties; Jega backs electronic transmission of results

    A political economist, Professor Pat Utomi has proposed the merger of three political parties aside from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as parts of efforts to unveil a fresh political dawn in 2023.

    He made the proposal on Friday during a national political summit in Abuja, ahead of the general elections in 2023.

    He said, “To project these desires, the comity of NCFront for Political Parties is proposing the merger of three of the leading political parties outside of the PDP and the APC to merge with a plan to absorb other parties and righteous wings of the APC and the PDP.”

    Meanwhile, a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega, has called for the electronic transmission of election results in the country.

    “Transmission of election results has been one of the key areas in which reckless, unpatriotic, and self-serving politicians have undermined the integrity of the Nigerian electoral process,” Jega said.

    “Bringing remarkable integrity to the Nigerian electoral process, therefore, would no doubt require the jettisoning of the traditional obtuse manual transmission of results, and its replacement with using appropriate technology with electronic transmission of results.”

    Professor Jega also expressed worries over citizens’ lack of trust in the electoral process and the poor performances by those elected through the process.

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mike Ozekhome, on his part blamed the failure of the electoral system on Nigerians who ‘enthrone tyranny during elections for peanuts’.

    “Are we practicing democracy? No. We are practicing election-ocracy, that is my new term for it. What do I mean by election-ocracy? Every four years, Nigerians go out to the poll to carry out a ritual of electing their leaders,” he explained.

    “They never actually elect them anyway because their leaders select themselves, they are state captors. They have captured the state.”