News
2023: Chief Clark endorses foremost philanthropist, Ukadike for presidency
As the 2023 presidential race gathers momentum, the leader of PANDEF and former Minister of Information in the first Republic, Chief Edwin Kiagbo Clark has endorsed Chief Bobby Tochukwu Ezra Ukadike for president.
Chief Clark’s endorsement of Chief Ukadike, a Chieftaincy title holder of ‘Dan Kano of Nigeria’ and ‘Apiti Ndigbo’ a successful international businessman and philanthropist is at the backdrop of effort to have Nigeria President of South East extraction in the interest and unity of the country.
At the occasion, Chief Clark describes the presidential aspirant as a ‘nexus between the older and younger generation’, whose capacity to lead the nation is unequalled given his deep knowledge of socio-economic, political, cultural and religious understanding.
The elder statesman asserted that Chief Ukadike who is an Imo born business mogul is a ‘wise man from the East’ who has made himself available to move Nigeria further in terms of infrastructural development, noting that out of the plethora of presidential hopefuls across the nation, who have indicated interest so far, the business tycoon is the most credible, a development that he would not waste time to endorse him.
He further explained that Nigeria needs a unifier in 2023 as a result of multiple challenges that daily threatens the stability of the nation, stressing that the aspirant is one among others yet to be seen who is committed to uniting the nation as it would be easier for Chief Ukadike to leverage on his contacts across the the six geopolitical zones into a full fledged bond of unity to drive the Nigeria to stardom among the committee of nations.
Chief Clark who was elated that the much revered Ohaneze Ndigbo, an apex Igbo socio-cultural group has already endorsed Chief Bobby Tochukwu Ezra Ukadike for the 2023 presidency, called on all to support his presidential ambition, saying that it was not only the turn of South East to produce presidency, but it speaks of Justice, fairness, and equity for the South East to produce presidency.
Chief Clark said: “I was happy to discover that Ohaneze Ndigbo has endorsed you ahead of 2023 general election and I am calling on all at home and abroad to rally round you because it will serve the interest of the country and also will be justice and equity for South East to produce presidency.
“I also call on political leaders and traditional rulers across the six geopolitical zones to rally round you as the project has started.”
Earlier in his address, the presidential hopeful, Chief Bobby Tochukwu Ezra Ukadike said, he threw his hat into the ring as a result of the passion he has for the country, saying that under his presidency, Nigeria will be more united than before.
He maintained that the nation has the potentials to be one of the best country in the world which unfortunately has not yet been tapped, adding that he will roll out “class policy”, to achieve Nigeria’s greatness in four years.
The “class policy”, he explained, is a two fold policy that governs the rich; the elite and the poor with all category of citizens being driven by the policies that tend to reduce corruption to the barest minimum.
Ukadike said, youth is a critical mass that must quickly be converted into a productive society before they become one singular huge challenge to the nation, saying that the world over, youths are not left idly, in the manner it is in Nigeria, hence, he would tailor a special programme that harnesses the youngsters in the country.
The presidential aspirant who is contesting on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) said he has contributed enormously to the party to deepen it in the South East region adding that, he had initiated peace meetings among diverse interest groups to believe in unity of the nation.
According to him, “there have been pressure from Igbo and Nigerian youths asking me to come and save Nigeria from disintegration and which I have decided to answer their call to duty in other to save Nigeria from going into extinction. And that Nigerians should reciprocate by voting for me enmass.”
As part of his commitment to the presidential project, he revealed that his consultations with the political class, businessmen, traditional rulers women and youth groups have been yielding results.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
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