Thursday, January 8, 2009

INSIDE EX-GOV ORJI KALU'S COUNTRY HOME IN IGBERE, ABIA STATE

Quite a number of A-list events took place during my “break-in-transmission” . Unfortunately, I won’t be able to post most of them in order not to bore you with ‘stale’ news. However, there is this particular one that took place few hours to the end of 2008 which i felt i should not dump in the 2008 archive.

It was the “FORMAL RETIREMENT CEREMONY(Igboto Nma) OF EX-GOVERNOR ORJI KALU’S MUM, MADAM EUNICE ORJI KALU FROM POLITICS”. The very colourful event held inside the ex-Gov’s expansive country home in IGBERE, BENDE LGA, ABIA STATE on 30th Dec, 2008. In attendance were top personalities and power brokers like ex-military ruler Gen Ibrahim Babangida(retd), Dep. Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, Govs Theodore Orji of Abia state, Ikedi Ohakim of Imo state, Dr. Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Lyel Imoke of Cross River, Adams Oshiomole of Edo, Information Minister Dora Akunyili (who represented President Yaradua), Foreign Affairs Minister Ojo Madueke, Sen Jubril Aminu, ex-Gov Bafarawa and a host of others.

SHORT GIST FROM THE EVENT

WELCOME TO 'CAMP NEYA'
Really, I’m yet to find the right set of adjectives that accurately describe the awesome structures erected by Ex-Gov Orji Uzor Kalu in his place of birth, the sleepy town of Igbere, in the Southeastern state of Abia, Nigeria. Popularly known as ‘CAMP NEYA’, it comprises of several units of eye-popping buildings and other exotic structures which stand elegantly on a massive piece of land that is large enough to host a town of its own. As you meander your way towards the main entrance of Camp Neya, what attracts your attention is the lavish array of well-nurtured flowers and a carpet of plush green grasses that cover the entire surface of the premises. A tour through some parts of the Camp would later convince you that the owner of this place is a national politician of no mean status. This is because, almost all the buildings and structures were named after one national or international leader. For instance, there was Nnamdi Azikiwe House, Gen Abdulsalam Abubarkar Square, Gen, Ibrahim Babangida Hall, Bill Clinton Fountain, and several others. Apart from these, there was also this particular sprawling edifice which contains 37 rooms with each named each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Interestingly, Camp Neya was said to have been completed 100% long before Kalu became the Governor of Abia in 1999.

WHO IS NEYA?
Neya is Dr Orji Uzor Kalu’s first child. Very pretty, cool-headed and sociable, the camp was named after her to confirm her status as the heiress apparent to the gigantic Orji Uzor Kalu dynasty. 17 year old Neya played the role of the Chief Hostess during her beloved grandmother’s ceremony and really, she did it well. She is a student of an exclusive institution in the United States.
However, talk is rife in the streets of Igbere that Neya has already been espoused to a young Igbere chap and both of them are currently being groomed in the states.

'IGBOTO NMA'
‘Igboto Nma’ or 'Mgboma' is the Igbo word for ‘retirement’.. 70-something year old Madam Eunice retired after 61 years of active politicking. Indeed, there is no doubt about the fact that she has seen it all and she looked so radiant and fulfilled throughout the ceremony.

A TALE OF TWO BABANGIDAS
In Nigeria today, there are two prominent personalities among several others who bear the name BABANGIDA: former Nigerian Military President, Gen, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), and the incumbent governor of Niger state, Dr Babangida Aliyu.. Both are from Niger state and have engaged each other in a cold war for quite a while over who controls the state’s political machinery. The duo extended their acrimony to the Orji Kalu's event, as they tactically avoided each other throughout the event.

ADAM OSHIOMOLE CHANGES STYLE
Well, those who still expect Edo Governor, Comrade Oshiomole to stick to his usual Labour Khaki style now that he is a governor might be slightly disappointed by this. The peoples' governor has changed his style. He stormed the Orji Kalu party in a smooth, smart and well designed French suit.

BETWEEN TEE MAC AND GODDY ANABOR
Factional President of PMAN, Tee Mac Omatsola, came to the event in company with controversial international businessman, Goddy Anabor. I’m still trying to figure out what the two have in common.
IS ALL WELL BETWEEN ORJI KALU AND T.A. ORJI?
Gov Theodore Orji is the incumbent governor of Abia state. He won the governorship election from prison last year April to succeed Orji Uzor Kalu on the platform of the Peolple’s Progressive Alliance (PPA). Going by Nigeria's Political culture the latter is suppose to be the former's godfather but recently, gist has it that the duo have fallen apart and as if to confirm the rumour spreading in town, the two hardly interacted throughout the event .

Below are some of the pictures of the event as presented by
Sola Folowosele.




Madam Eunice Orji Kalu


Orji Kalu's 17 year old daughter,Neya


Welcome to Camp Neya inside Camp Neya


inside Camp Neya
inside Camp Neya
inside Camp Neya inside Camp Neya


inside Camp Neya


inside Camp Neya Night time at Camp Neya


Night time at Camp Neya
(L-R)Orji Kalu, IBB & Gov. T A Orji


Gov. Adams Oshiomole without his khaki (right)


Information Minister,Prof Dora Akunyili

IBB & KALU IBB & Ex- Gov Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto state


(R-L) Govs Babangida Aliyu & Adams Aliyu Oshiomole (L-R) Anambra Dep. Gov, Virgy Etiaba &Sen. Pius Anyim Pius Imo Gov, Ikedi Ohakim


Foreign Affairs Minister Ojo Madueke Kalu(left) welcoming Dep Senate President Ike Ekweremadu(middle) Associates of the celebrant Associates of the celebrant (L-R) Tee Mac & Goddy Anabor(L-R) Charlie Boy & ....aah! i cant remember the 2nd guy's name..somebody help!

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year 2009!
Thats........Dr Alban

princekay123 said...

Egbon Sola

I trust you. You will always give us exclusive gists with befiting pictures. I love this; its a good way of coming back with full force from a 2 month slumber.

Na wah o! So Kalu built this kind of masterpiece in his hometown, yet we're complaining of East-Wesr highway. I can now figure out what is wrong with us.

The 17 year old chic was the host! Its a way of bringing her to politics.

Adams in suit? I hope he's not going astray.

Kalu and incumbent gov's dispute is a fight for supremacy.

I like IBB's outfit. The guy is simply smart and intelligent.

Haba egbon Sola, the last picture is Charlie Boy and Dr Alban now!

princekay123 said...

I hope you'll be more consistent this year.
Cheers!

The Activist said...

It’s all good so far Oshiomole isn’t changing to Agbada. That will be funny!
The second guy next to Charley boy is called Dr. Alban

Chris Ogunlowo said...

Happy New year

Sola Folowosele said...

@anon jan 8,2009 10:38am--Thanks

@princekay123-My maaaain man!dont mind all these our political leaders, all the East-West, Niger Deltal noise is all politics of revelance..gbogbo won n jeun sapo arawon ni!
i will try hard to be consistent, broda.thanks for your rich and insightful comment.

Sola Folowosele said...

@StandTall-The Activist-May u continue to stand taller than them!
dont be surprised to see Oshiomole re-enact the late Tai Solarin's 1988 stunt when he was appointed the Chairman of People's bank at.

@Aloofar-Happy New Year sir! howz yr base in 'outer space?'.thanks for stopping by!

The Activist said...

Amen to your prayers. Hmmm you are right sha after all Tai Sholarin did it

princekay123 said...

Something inside me tells me Oshiomole will want to play politics and that may bring down his government. One thing I appreciate so much about BRF is that he is not interested in politics; you hardly see him at political meetings and cocktails. He is busy planning, strategising and implementing programmes. If Oshiomole allows the political elemens in the state divert his attention to 'politricts' instead of insisting on technocractic governance that we have in Lagos today, then Osunbor will have the last laugh.

For now, let's hope the 'man-in-khaki' is still planning to actualise the 10,000 jobs he promised Edo people in 365 days. Let's assume he is working and evaluate him after a year.

What I know for sure is that it is easier to criticise than to govern.

God bless my country!

Sola Folowosele said...

@princekay123--great thoughts! i love your political views too..You see,Gov.Fashola is able to detach himself from politics cos he has a godfather who takes care of the political arm of governance while concentrating on pure government affairs.Oshiomole can't afford not to play politics in Edo,otherwise,the 'Hawks' will capture and pocket him!He has to play politics and provide good governance as well..he only needs to know where and when to draw the line.Khaki or no khaki, he stands a good chance of succeeding! and i think he will

princekay123 said...

Egbon

Yes you're very correct! The godfather in Lagos takes care of the political stuffs while the governor rides on. I think that's good.

But don't you think combining politics and governance in Edo won't be too much for the former labour leader?

Lati said...

Happy NY!! how has 2009 been so far!! I gbadun all these pix oh!

Yewande Atanda said...

Nice combinations. Kalu is stepping up.

Yewande Atanda said...

waiting for an update...

bimpe kelveen said...

orji kalu is very young to allow himself in such mess, he wants to go 4 president while Abia is the worst state throught out the federation, dirty,arm rubbery, etc. his house is nothing to me c'os i dont hvae respect 4 him, were is his wife? orji if u r thinking of bringing your daughter into politics, remember is a dirty game, so allow her study then got married, ok

bimpe kelveen ( uk)

Anonymous said...

Ahhhhhhh ahnnnnn, oya now, update!!

Bombchell said...

wow just realized in scrolling down your blog, the only name i realized was charlie boy.

nnamdi a said...

pls i read a comment that camp neya was built by abia state government as a resort centre. go to wikipedia and search for camp neya. it was built by anthony obi former military governor abia before orji uzor kalu took over.

Steve S said...

Charlie Boy and "Dr Alban"