Obi Tells Nigerians To Stop Honouring Corrupt Leaders

Obi tells Nigerians to stop honouring corrupt leaders. Presidential front-runner of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to stop celebrating individuals accused of looting public funds if the country must overcome poverty.

Obi made the call yesterday in Abuja while receiving members of the Association of Skilled and Vocational Artisans of Nigeria (ASVAN), led by its National President, Obijuru Everest, during a courtesy visit.

He lamented that despite Nigeria’s vast natural and human resources, more than half of the country’s population still lives below the poverty line, attributing the situation to poor leadership choices and tolerance for corruption.

“We are poor because we have chosen to be poor. We give titles and front-row seats of honour to those who steal public funds, and yet we expect to grow,” Obi said.

The former governor of Anambra State recalled a conversation he had with political leaders in Indonesia, noting that the Asian country, which is similar to Nigeria in population and size, has made significant progress due to responsible leadership and investment in human capital.

According to him, Indonesian leaders advised that tackling corruption, investing heavily in education and healthcare, and empowering citizens would lead to economic growth.

He urged Nigerians to actively participate in the democratic process to ensure credible leadership.

“Join the fight for a great Nigeria. Stop worshipping those who steal your money, stop giving them titles, and stand up for what is right. Vote, defend your votes, and help produce good leaders at all levels, from councillor to president, and you will see the country change,” he said.

Earlier, Everest said the association had been following Obi’s political journey and believed it was important to align with leaders who share their vision for national development.

He noted that artisans remain critical to Nigeria’s economy but have continued to face challenges due to lack of adequate government support and a conducive operating environment.

Everest disclosed that ASVAN, which has coordinators in all 36 states of the federation and over two million members, is advocating for a bill before the National Assembly to formally recognise and regulate the artisan sector.

He added that the association had also developed a blueprint for a world-class artisan workshop village that would enable artisans to produce high-quality finished products and compete favourably with their counterparts in other countries.

Peter Obi

According to him, the group has been engaging government authorities for land allocation for the project over the past three years but is yet to receive approval.

Everest expressed optimism that with proper recognition and support, Nigeria’s artisan sector could significantly contribute to national economic growth.

Court Dismisses Abebe, Co-Defendant’s No-Case Submission In Alleged N120m Fraud

Court dismisses Abebe, Co-defendant’s No-Case Submission in alleged N120m fraud. Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, March 5, 2026, dismissed the no-case submission filed by Dr. John Abebe and his company, Inducon Nig. Ltd, who are standing trial over an alleged N120m fraud.

The defendants were arraigned on September 19, 2022 on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, stealing, conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, obtaining by false pretence and obtaining execution of security by false pretence to the tune of N120m.

One of the counts reads:
“That you, Dr. John Abebe and Kamoru Alade Oladimeji, on or about the 4th day of June 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: stealing the sum of N120 million, property of Arsenal Technologies Limited.”

Another count reads: “That you, Dr. John Abebe and Kamoru Alade Oladimeji, on or about the 4th day of June 2013 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: obtaining by false pretence the sum of N120 million, property of Arsenal Technologies Limited, under the pretence that your property lying, being and situate at 9, Magbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos State, which you pledged as security to Arsenal Technologies Limited, was unencumbered, a representation you knew to be false.”

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges preferred against them, thereby leading to their full trial.

During the trial, which commenced in 2022, the prosecution called four witnesses and closed its case on May 15, 2025.

Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the first and third defendants filed a no-case submission on October 14, 2025, arguing that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case linking them to the alleged offences.

Ruling on the application on Thursday, Justice Fadipe held that the court, at the stage of a no-case submission, only determines whether the prosecution has produced legally admissible evidence linking the defendants to the offences charged, and not whether the evidence is sufficient for conviction.

Court

The judge ruled that evidence led by the prosecution indicated that the defendants allegedly obtained about N120 million from the complainant, Arsenal Technologies Limited, by pledging property as security that had earlier been pledged to a bank.

The judge also held that the evidence, if believed, required an explanation from the defendants.

Consequently, the judge dismissed the no-case submission and ordered the defendants to enter their defence.

The case was adjourned till May28, and June 3, 4, 24 and 25, 2026 for the defendants to open their defence.

How Governor Umo Eno Creating Cities Out Of A City

How Governor Umo Eno creating cities out of a city. On Dominic Utuk Avenue in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, where a menacing erosion gully once swallowed land, livelihoods and hope, a new geography has emerged.

It is not merely a construction project; it is an audacious reimagining of space and the recreation of the biblical “City Made of Gold”. The ARISE Palm Resort standing on the space today is a proof that vision, when matched with execution, can convert ecological scars into economic signatures.

Before bulldozers progressively arrived the site, the 70–71 hectares were a troubled landscape—deep ravines, criminal hideouts, and advancing erosion threatening nearby public and private infrastructure. What could have remained an environmental liability has instead become an engineered ecosystem, courtesy of the visionary leadership of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno.

At the construction site of the “City” which unarguably is the first of its kind in Nigeria, ten to twelve metres of unstable earth have been excavated and replaced. A massive drainage control tunnel—about 3.5 metres high and 6 metres wide—now channels water responsibly. This is not beautification; it is environmental surgery, and the narrative shift from danger zone to economic citadel sends a powerful development message: decay is not destiny.

At the center of the resort is a cynosure of a Palm tree, which is both symbolic and instructive. This, perhaps, explains why Palm forms part of the name. In local culture, the palm tree represents resourcefulness—every part productive, every yield valuable. In similar fashion, the resort has been structured so that each facility—sports, hospitality, retail, conferencing, entertainment—becomes a revenue stream.

The foregoing implies that the ARISE Palm Resort is not an isolated beautification effort. It is a coordinated strategy aligning erosion control, tourism development, employment generation, renewable energy adoption and revenue expansion within a single framework. Few public projects attempt such multi-layered integration.

To understand the scale, one must see the resort not as a leisure park but as a multi-sector economic city. At its heart lies a nine-hole golf course built across hills, slopes and a bridge that spans a water channel—challenging terrain that meets international sporting standards.

Around it radiate villas, apartments, banquet halls, exhibition galleries, sports complexes, retail spaces and waterfront attractions. This is urban planning within a single perimeter.

Additionally, the economic projections are striking. When fully operational, the resort is expected to generate between ₦22 and ₦27 billion annually in internally generated revenue. In an era where subnational governments struggle with fiscal sustainability, this single development could significantly strengthen the state’s revenue base and foreign exchange inflows through tourism and events.

But macroeconomics often hides the human pulse. During construction alone, about 2,000 direct jobs were created, with an estimated 10,000 indirect engagements across supply chains. If each worker supports an average family of four, the livelihood impact extends to tens of thousands. Bricklayers, welders, ICT experts, gardeners, food vendors, POS operators—an entire micro-economy found oxygen.

Expressing her excitement about the all-in-one project, Grace Etim, a food vendor at the site confided thus: “I used to worry about feeding my children,” . “Now, lunch hour feels like harvest time.” Another artisan admitted candidly that steady site work kept many young men away from destructive paths. Development, in this sense, became a social stabiliser.

Significantly, the execution leaned heavily on local content. No expatriates dominated the workforce. Nigerian professionals—about 75 percent from Akwa Ibom—interpreted, developed and delivered the governor’s vision. It is infrastructure built by indigenous competence, reinforcing confidence in local capacity.

At the resort, power is not an issue as energy sustainability forms another pillar that makes the center unique and distinctively different. A 1.5-megawatt solar farm powers the complex, complemented by a dedicated public electricity line and standby generators. This layered power architecture reduces vulnerability and aligns with global hospitality standards where uninterrupted service is non-negotiable.

Again, security and institutional presence further reinforce investor confidence. With a police post, fire service station, clinic, pharmacy, bank, and 24/7 CCTV control room, the resort functions like a self-contained municipality. It is leisure fused with governance infrastructure—order embedded within recreation.

The artificial lake, stretching about 2.6 kilometres in its expanded design, introduces aquatic tourism—floating bars, canoe rides and planned electric boats. Waterfront dining and landscaped walkways extend over 1.5 kilometres, encouraging family recreation and wellness culture. It is environment curated as experience.

Sports tourism is another strategic layer. Beyond golf, other sporting activities that will take place at the resort include football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, badminton, squash, bowling, gymnastics and yoga. With a 1,500-capacity banquet hall expandable toward 2,000 seats and six breakout rooms, the resort positions Uyo as a conference and events destination capable of hosting national and international gatherings.

Quite commendable is the proximity of the resort to the Victor Attah International Airport. Delegates can land and arrive at a world-class leisure and conference environment within minutes. In tourism economics, accessibility determines viability. Here, geography cooperates with vision.

The residential component—20 luxury apartments (15 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom units) with smart-room features and curated services—signals long-stay hospitality potential. The Phase Two’s additional villas further amplify revenue streams and property value appreciation within the axis.

Critics may call it ambitious. Supporters may call it transformative. But its structural logic is undeniable: creating an attraction that multiplies value across sectors—agriculture (through food supply), transport, retail, entertainment, real estate and professional services. The multiplier effect is already visible in surrounding communities.

Importantly, the resort rebrands Uyo psychologically. Cities grow not only by population but by perception. A destination city attracts conferences, destination weddings, sporting tournaments and cultural festivals. Each event translates into hotel bookings, restaurant bills and transport fares.

How Governor Umo Eno Creating Cities Out Of A City

For Governor Umo Eno, this is more than bricks and landscaping. It is governance as place-making. By reclaiming a threatened terrain and converting it into a revenue-yielding asset, he demonstrates how leadership can create cities within cities—self-sustaining enclaves that relieve pressure on government finances while uplifting citizens.

Ultimately, the ARISE Palm Resort is a statement that development need not be incremental; it can be catalytic. From ravine to revenue hub, from erosion site to economic citadel, the transformation challenges conventional limits of subnational ambition.

In the final analysis, the ARISE Palm Resort is less about luxury and more about leverage. It leverages reclaimed land into revenue, recreation into employment, and vision into measurable economic value.

In doing so, it offers a template for how bold subnational leadership can indeed create cities out of a city—transforming geography into growth and aspiration into architecture. This is what the Arise Agenda of Governor Umo Eno represents- leadership with a human face.

Venerable Richard Peters is a Public Relations manager and writes from Uyo.