Princess Stella Oduah Emerges Winner of Anambra North Senatorial Polls

Below are the results of the Senatorial elections as declared by the returning Officer.

The result indicates a landslide victory by Princess Stella Oduah. 

We say congratulations

PDP- 42,239
APGA- 8,868
2. Onitsha South LGA
PDP- 25,890
APGA- 10,112
3. Ayamelum LGA
PDP- 9,782
APGA- 15,292
4. Oyi LGA
PDP- 12,301
APGA - 10,683
5. Ogbaru LGA
PDP - 33,542
APGA - 7,558
6. Anambra East LGA
PDP- 8,871
APGA- 12,342
7. Anambra West LGA
PDP - 9,007
APGA - 5,863
TOTAL
PDP - 143,478
APGA- 70,906
Winner - Princess Stella Oduah
Results declared by Dr Celestine Okaro, 

INEC returning officer

I will bridge the developmental gap between Anambra North and other zones - Oduah assures

The PDP Candidate for Anambra North Senatorial Zone, Princess Stella Oduah, has revealed that Anambra North was lagging behind in development in Anambra due to lack of people-oriented representation.

``I will bridge the development gap between Anambra North and other zones, if I am elected as your senator come Saturday,’’ Princess Stella Oduah said on Wednesday.

Oduah said this when addressing a mammoth crowd, including PDP faithful, in Onitsha during a mega-rally to mark the end of her three-month senatorial-wide campaign tour.

She noted that the tour had availed her opportunity to know the zone better and feel the pain and neglect of the people; adding: ``Honestly, I saw poverty and neglect at its peak’’.

``By the grace of God, I would work hard to address the challenge of abject poverty confronting our people especially those living in riverine communities.

``I clearly know we are behind other senatorial zones of the state in terms of human and capital development; however, God’s willing with your support, we would join hands and fast track development of our place and people,’’ she said.

Oduah, who was the former minister of aviation, noted that education was the key to a generational transformation.

``I will not spare anything to build and collaborate with other individuals and institutions to build schools and up-grade existing ones.

``While our farmers and fishermen and women would get soft credit grants to expand their businesses; while experts in these fields would come to educate them on best practices and ways to increase their catch or yields in order to improve our all over economy within the zone.

``Skill acquisition and talent development centres would be established to help those talented in various arts to master their trade and be the best they can be,’’ she assured.

Highlights of the occasion were the presentation of plaque of ``Excellence in Service of Humanity’’ to Oduah by the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Anambra Chapter as well as a dance session by Oduah and her campaign team.

Onitsha South Political Stakeholders Accord Princess Stella Oduah a Rousing Reception

Onitsha South Political Stakeholders accord

                    Princess Stella Oduah a rousing reception                     

 Former Aviation Minister Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah was accorded a rousing reception by PDP stakeholders and other members of Onitsha South Local community when she visited the area yesterday.  

Speaking while receiving Princess Oduah, leaders of the various communities in Onitsha South Local Government Area namely Fegge, Odoakpu, Woliwo and Housing Estate said that following the  excellent performance of Princess Oduah in the aviation industry, they will not hesitate to endorse her senatorial ambition for the Anambra North Senatorial Zone.

One of the community leaders chief Sylvanus Ohaemesi described Princess Oduah as an embodiment of humility and achievement deserving of representing the people at the senate.  

Addressing the huge gathering, Princess Oduah lamented the wasting huge potentials of Anambra North in the area of human resources and agriculture which would have been used to better the lives of the people.

The Princess vowed to restore the glory of Anambra North Senatorial area if she realizes her ambition as a senator representing the zone and also will ensure that Onitsha traders no longer travel all the way to Lagos to offload their goods as she will provide enabling environment for them to do so in Onitsha.         

                   

Some of the leaders of the Onitsha South Stakeholders present on the occasion include Chief Basil Ejidike,Mrs Jessie Balonwu,Chief F.O Onwuachu and Sir GOG Umezoke.A delegation of Onitsha leaders of thought led by chief C N Udeh also attended  the reception.

By Ononye V.C 6th Dec., 2014. 

A community leader addressing the audience

The director, Stella Oduah campaign organisation Hon. Pandola Okwuosa addressing the audience

Another community leader addressing the audience

Another cross section of the high table

Community leader Chief Onwuachu speaking 

Cross section of stakeholders

Cross section of the high table

Cross section of the stakeholders

Hon. (Barr) Jessie Balonwu speaking 

Hon. Basil Ejidike welcoming Princess Oduah

Lady Ukeji meets the Princess

Leader of Anambra leaders of thought Chief C.N Udeh speaking

Leaders of Onitsha South Political Zones

Leaders of Onitsha South welcoming Princess Oduah

Praying for peace and success of the event

Princess Oduah recieved by a little flower girl

Princess Stella addressing the audience

Some of the stakeholders supporters

Princess Stella Oduah wins Anambra North Senate Primaries

Breaking News.....
Former Aviation Minister and aspirant  to Anambra North Senatorial seat Princess Stella Oduah has won the PDP senatorial primaries held this morning at Nteje,Oyi L.G.A. Anambra state.She polled 259 votes  to defeat incumbent Senator Margery Okadigbo who polled 8 votes while Chief John Emeka polled 15 votes.
The voting was peaceful.

From Ononye VC reporting from Nteje.

Anambra North Senatorial Seat: Endorsement Galore for Princess Stella Oduah in Onitsha North LGA

Anambra North Senatorial Seat:

Endorsement Galore for Princess Stella Oduah in Onitsha North LGA 

- Pledges Erection of Town Hall for Onitsha Community

Former Aviation minister and presently an aspirant to Anambra North Senatorial seat, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah OON won the hearts of Onitsha indigenes and the wider community as she announced that she will erect a Town Hall for the Community.

This is coming on the heels of unanimous endorsement of her senatorial ambition by political stakeholders across Anambra North senatorial Zone.

Princess Oduah made this pledge in Onitsha during a reception organized for her by the Onitsha North Political stakeholders and the indigenous community held at the KSM guest house Onitsha during the week.

There was wild jubilation amongst the huge crowd as most of them shared the view that the Princess has broken an age long jinx in the community where since Adam, a town hall serving as a rallying point for the community was non existent.

Addressing the political stakeholders and members of the community, Princess Oduah said, ‘coming to Onitsha is like home coming to me because where my parents were among the early settlers’.

She lamented lack of some basic amenities Anambra North senatorial zone and promised to attract them to the commercial city and called for alignment of all to the ruling party and (PDP) and support for President Jonathan.

The representative of the Obi of Onitsha and the Akpeh Olodi of Onitsha. Chief Chulo Asika expressed gratitude to Princess Oduah for her promise to attract democracy dividend and erection of a town hall for the community and the entire Anambra North senatorial zone.

According to Chief Asika, the antecedents of Princess Oduah and her monumental achievements of in the aviation industry speak volumes about her.

In their separate speeches, the President General of Onitsha improvement Union Mr. Peter Nwagu, the spokesman of the prestigious Agbalanze Onitsha society, Ononenyi Odi Obi, the spokesman of the Out Odu society Mrs. Mary Onwualu and Mrs. Nwachi Egwuatu for the Ikporo Onitsha group expressed their strong support for the candidature of Princess Oduah for the Anambra North Senatorial Seat.

Princess Oduah was accompanied to the reception by chairman of her campaign organization Chief Okwudili Uzoka, the Director General of the campaign organization Chief Hon Pandola Okwuosa, Hon. Jessie Balonwu and Her Excellency Mrs. Stella Odife.

Other members of her entourage include Princess Nwaka Ononuju, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu, the PDP chairman Onitsha North Mr. Jonathan Iheme, the co-ordinator of campaign Onitsha North L.G.A Mr. Oraegbuna Amene among others.

By Ononye V.C

President General of Onitsha Mr. Peter Nwagu speaking

Hon Dr. Alex Obiogbolu speaking 

Hon Barr Jessie Balonwu addressing the audience

Princess Stella Oduah Hails Onitsha Monarch, Igwe Alfred Achebe At Ofala Festival - Women Groups, Others Cheer the Princess

Former Aviation Minister Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah’s arrival at the Ime-Obi Square, Obi’s palace Onitsha, venue of this year’s Ofala festival of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Achebe, triggered excitement amongst hundreds of spectators especially women groups who wanted to catch a glimpse of her.

The excitement may have been elicited by the huge gathering following recent unprecedented humanitarian and charitable works and assistance given to the less privileged and especially widows by the Princess Stella Oduah Foundation across Anambra North Senatorial Zone.

Princess Oduah had attended the Ofala festival to pay homage to Igwe Alfred Achebe as a mark of respect to the monarch and appreciation of his peaceful reign in the ancient kingdom of Onitsha.

Before paying homage to Igwe Achebe, the Princess took time to trek round the arena to greet the cheering crowd after she was led into the arena by a cultural troupe and a retinue of aides which include a former Rep. of the Ogbaru Fed. Consituency, Hon. Chief Okwudili Uzoka, Hon. Pandola Okwuosa, Dr. Alex Obiogolu, Hon. Basil Ejidike, Princess Chuchu Onyema, Mrs. Amaka Ebenebe and Lady Nwaka Ononuju.

Reacting to questions from journalists after paying homage to Igwe Achebe, Princess Stella commended Igwe Alfred Achebe for improving tremendously on what his predecessors left behind in terms of customs and tradition of Onitsha people which she described as rich and historic.

She pointed out that as a Royal Princess of her home town Akili-Ozizor, she shares almost the same culture and traditional sentiments with Onitsha people just as the entire Onitsha and Ogbaru people see themselves as brothers and sisters. 

By Ononye V.C

Pictures of the event below

Princess fielding questions from Journalists

Princess Stella greeting cross section of title holders 

Princess Stella greeting women leaders

Princess Stella sitting in the midst of traditional rulers 

Hon. Engr. Egwuatu greeting the Princess

Igwe Alfred Achebe taking the Traditional Egwu Ota dance step

Mr. Peter Nwagu, President Gen. Onitsha Improvement Union greets the Princess

Prince Chuchu Onyema, Princess Oduah, Chief Hon Okwudili Uzoka at the venue

Princess greeting members of the Prestigious Otu Odu Onitsha

Princess greeting members of the Agbalanze Onitsha

Princess Adaeze Stella Oduah bends low to prostrate before the Obi as a mark of respect and homage

The Princess greeting Ikporo-Ogbe Onitsha

                                                          The Princess Stella arriving the Ofala with a retinue of aids

ANAMBRA 1ST CLASS GRADUATES GET 1 MILLION EACH

There was a ceremony yesterday to celebrate academic excellence in the commercial state of Anambra where the Anambra State Governor Peter Obi presented a cheque of N160 million which is to be disbursed to 160 first class graduates who are origins of the state.

The Governor said it was a gesture by his administration to encourage undergraduate students to strive for academic excellence. 

He directed that none of the recipients should be given cash but the money should be paid into their various accounts for better utilization.
kudos to the Governor and we implore the recipients to utilize the money judiciously to encourage a continuous process.

NDLEA HAS RUINED MY CARRER - BABA SUWE

In a recent interview with Encomium mag, popular Yoruba comic actor Baba Suwe said that he has not received any money from NDLEA as damages and that the 'false accusation' has damaged his acting career and most of his friends don't want to associate with him anymore...

"I have not collected any money. The most painful thing is that I was wrongfully accused. Had it been I actually committed the crime, I wouldn't mind but they punished me for nothing. I was in NDLEA for almost three weeks and nothing was found on me. No matter the kind of juju one may have used, I don't think there is anybody that can even conceal cocaine for even two days. It would burst inside the person's stomach which may lead to death. And I believe after all their investigations, they should have released me so that I can continue with my career. But the whole situation, the way I was treated actually rubbished my image. My career has been dwindling. A lot of people who are supposed to be inviting me to take part in their movies abandoned me because of that incident. A lot of people that could have assisted me financially dont want to associate with me again. For instance I was close to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu before and he was very nice to me. He had done a lot for me but now its very difficult for me to be close to him again. He is also even not comfortable with me around him again because of the allegation" Baba Suwe said

credit:: LIB

Accomplishments of an Aviation Icon as She Hands Over

 Immediate past Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has commended President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, workers and Stakeholders in the aviation sector for the opportunity to serve the country and for the tremendous support given to her during her two and a half years' stewardship as Aviation Minister. Oduah made the commendation shortly after officially handing over to the Supervising Minister and current Minister of State, Trade and Investment, Dr Samuel Ortom, JP

She said that." It was a great privilege to be chosen from amongst over 160 million Nigerians to serve in the Federal Cabinate. My profound gratitude goes to Mr President who provided me with this rare privilege. I also want to thank him for all the support he acorded me to pursue his Transformation Agenda in the Aviation Sector. I equally wish to thank my personal aides, aviator sector workers and stakeholders who partnered with me to realize our Vision and Mission in the sector", 

Oduah declared, continuing:

"During my tenure, we gave our best to institute reforms in line with Mr President's Transformation Agenda.
 - We produced the Aviation sector Master plan and implementation Road Map. Using the Master Plan and Road Map, we were able to reconstruct and remodel all 22 federally-owned airports across the country. We also commenced the construction of five new international terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano.
-We also introduced the Perishable Cargo and Aerotropolis concepts to drive the growth and development of not only the aviation sector, but also the Nigerian economy. 
-Construction of the cargo terminals has commenced across 16 airports across the country while           -modalities have been completed to kick-start the Aerotropolis project. 
-We also carried out institutional reforms, built the capacity of NCAT to produce enough professionals both for the local aviation market and for export.
-"My greatest satisfaction comes from our accomplishments in the area of safety and security of the Nigerian airspace. We were able to procure, update and install safety-critical infrastructure that has repositioned the sector to achieve our objective of zero-accident rate in the Nigerian airspace.

The former Minister said the reforms instituted during her tenure will no doubt propel the sector to greater accomplishments and expressed the hope that her successor will sustain the tempo and momentum of transformation in the interest of the sector, the air travelers and the Nigerian economy.

Joe ObiFormer SA (Media) to immediate past Minister of Aviation

PERISHABLE CARGO, AEROTROPOLIS, THE FUTURE OF NIGERIAN AVIATION - ODUAH

*As Sen. Henshaw hails transformation in Aviation sector.

Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has declared that the perishable cargo and aerotropolis initiative hold the key to the true development of the Nigerian Aviation sector. Oduah was speaking in Calabar weekend during an inspection tour of the newly-remodeled Chief Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

Aviation, the Minister contended, has the brightest potential, through the aerotropolis and perishable cargo programmes, to bring about a bottom-up growth and development of the Nigerian society. She said the perishable cargo terminal at the Calabar airport will provide a platform for farmers in the state and the neighbouring communities to live a good life beyond mere survival or existence. 

''Cross River state is known for her agricultural produce ranging from pineapples, bananas, plantain, cocoa, yam, cassava, etc. Today, much of what the farmers produce here is either grossly under-priced or rots away as a result of lack of local capacity to absorb the huge harvest. But with the perishable cargo taking off here in a matter of months, farmers will begin to secure real value for their hard work as their farm produce will find their way to the biggest cities and supermarkets not only in Nigeria but also in Europe and America'', Oduah declared, adding:

''The value chain that will result from this is also very immense. Just imagine the industries that will spring up to service this terminal like the packaging companies, transportation hubs, as well as the grocery stores that will feed off this facility. Thousands of jobs will be created and the entire landscape of this wonderful city will be greatly enhanced; the possibilities are indeed endless'', the Minister stated, and expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the airport.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw has hailed the on-going reconstruction and remodeling of the nation's airports, and expressed happiness that the Calabar airport is one of many in the country that has been totally transformed. Henshaw was speaking with Reporters who caught up with him at the airport during the inspection tour by the Minister.

The NDDC Chairman commended President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for giving the Minister all necessary support to carry out the reforms in the sector, adding that the people of the state and other Nigerians who pass through the new edifice will eternally remain indebted to his administration. He particularly commended the perishable cargo initiative, stressing that the day farmers in the state had been waiting for for decades to have full value for their crops has finally arrived.

 ''This singular initiative is bound to change the lives of our people in many more ways than anyone can imagine'', Henshaw stated, and alluded to the laudable pineapple produce initiative started by former state governor, Donald Duke which could not fully take off the ground due to lack of local and international markets for their produce. Today, I can assure you that pineapple farming will be fully resuscitated with the siting of the perishable cargo facility in this airport'', the former lawmaker concluded.

Joe Obi

SA (Media) to Aviation Minister

THERE WILL BE NO ABANDONED PROJECT UNDER MY WATCH – ODUAH

Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah has declared that there will be no abandoned project in the sector under her watch as Minister. Oduah was speaking at the Yola airport, weekend at the commencement of a two-day inspection tour of the remodelling projects in airports across the country.

Oduah, who decried the abandoned project syndrome in the Nigerian polity in the past, said President Jonathan and the leadership in the aviation sector is very committed to the full and timely completion of projects started in late 2011 under the Airport Remodelling Project initiative.

‘’When we came on board in 2011 and drew up our Master Plan and implementation Roadmap which had as its core components, the Airport Remodelling Project, we were charged by Mr President to ensure that we complete every project we embark on. We assured Mr President that we will see every project to its logical conclusion and we are committed to that promise.

‘’We are fortunate to have his full support and the support of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The result of that level of support is what you are seeing today. Not only have we completed, commissioned and put to use a lot of the remodelled airports, work on the remaining ones is at 95 per cent completion. So under my watch, no project we have commenced will be abandoned’’, the Minister assured.

She said the Yola airport is very important and critical to the successful implementation of the transformation programme in the aviation sector as one of the designated Perishable Cargo centres, and disclosed that the Cargo terminal would be completed in the second quarter of this year.

The Minster expressed happiness with the quality of work at the remodelled Yola airport, saying that when fully operational, the airport and its cargo facility will not only create thousands of jobs for the people of the state, but more importantly, empower the rural farmers whose fresh produce will have access to both local and international markets.

At the Sultan Abubakar 111 International Airport, Sokoto, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the quality of work on the remodelled airport, disclosing that government was constructing the biggest Pilgrim Terminal in the country at the airport. The terminal, whose construction has already commenced, has a capacity of about 5,000.

At assumption of duty as Minister in 2011, Oduah assembled a team of Experts to produce the Aviation Sector Master Plan and implementation Road Map.

The airport remodelling project initiative is a core aspect of the Master Plan. 11 airports were taken in the First Phase of the remodelling programme. The second Phase took care of the remaining 11. Work on the 11 airports in the Second Phase is at 95 per cent completion.

Joe Obi

SA (Media) to the Hon. Minister

AVIATION IS WORKING AS EMIRATES AIRLINE COMMENCES OPERATIONS INTO ABUJA, KANO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

EMIRATES AIRLINE COMMENCES OPERATIONS INTO ABUJA, KANO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS

Flowing from the approval granted to Emirates Airline by the Federal Ministry of Aviation, the international Carrier has said it is set to enhance its operations to Nigeria by launching scheduled daily passenger flights to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano. August 2014 has been set as the commencement date.

In a letter to the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah dated February 03, 2014 and signed by Salem Obaidalla, Senior Vice President, Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs, Emirates Airlines, the Carrier expressed gratitude to the federal government for the continued support and assistance extended to it throughout the period it has been operating in Nigeria.

The Senior Vice President disclosed that the flights will be operated ''in accordance with the existing UAE-Nigeria agreement on air services, with four weekly flights routed Dubai-Abuja-Kano-Dubai and three weekly flights routed Dubai-Kano-Abuja-Dubai, without carriage of domestic traffic (cabotage) between Abuja and Kano''.

Obaidalla further assured that Emirates Airline ''remains fully committed to the Nigerian market and to provide Nigerian travellers the best possible service''.

Commenting on the development, Oduah expressed joy that passengers from Abuja, Kano and other parts of the North who patronise Emirates would have the airline's services brought to their doorsteps, and pledged to continue to partner Emirates and other airlines to deliver the best possible service to air travellers in the country. ''I am particularly delighted with this development'', the Minister enthused.

Joe Obi

SA (Media) to Aviation Minister