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IGWE AFORJI: The Legislator with Uncommon Passion for Youth Development
By Eric Elezuo
It is often said that a child that washes his hands clean will never be denied a sumptuous dinner with kings and princes, and to a large extent with the gods. This is the story of the lawmaker representing Eleme Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Engineer Igwe Obe Aforji. A typical reflection of the age long ‘son of the soil’ syndrome.
Young, vibrant, energetic and rearing to go, Igwe Aforji was born in Aleto, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State to the family of Obe Isaac. Igwe, as he is fondly referred to, is a proud Mechanical Engineering graduate of the reputable University of Port Harcourt in addition to a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA), also from the same institution.
Mr. Aforji sees himself as the idea whose time has come, and didn’t see it a burden when he left his comfort zone as the Community Relations Officer of Indorama/Eleme Petrochemical Limited to paddle through the murky waters of politics in other to bring tangible development to his immediate constituency, especially the youths, whom he hold close to his chest.
Before undertaking this task, Mr. Aforji has told as many that were listening that his mission to the Rivers State House of Assembly is not just to improve on what his predecessors have achieved but make a resounding difference in the life of the people of Eleme in particular, and Rivers State in general.
Igwe, receiving royal mandate to serve the people
A highly youth-centric person, Aforji, true to his words prior to his election, has began moves towards sponsoring bills that will generate developmental ideas towards creating more factories and industries in the land, thereby absorbing the youths of all cadre for purposeful engagement. His passion as he relayed during an interview while aspiring to be a legislator is basically to get youths “engaged in plastic production, production of fuse and other items with market value.” He added that “I shall equally work hard to make sure that all the entitlement and empowerment that should be given to the host communities are given to them.” He is busy doing that to the applause of his community.
Tested, proven and trusted, Aforji, who has been assistant to many political office holders in the past as well as having held public offices of repute where his integrity was showcased, is not the kind of person that says one thing and does another. And the Lannisters (apologies to Game of Thrones), he keeps his promises. Little wonder it didn’t take time before he started bringing all his campaign promises.
Hear him:
“Giving scholarships and education to the people as well as creating an enabling working environment for our people is key. We shall do environmental plan to mitigate pollution. We shall equally embark on street naming in the 10 clans of Eleme. We shall empower as many as we can in our host communities, using companies.”
Aforji didn’t just say that, he is accomplishing them just a few months after winning the mandate
“We shall convince the state governor to consider Eleme local government that brings Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the state and needs attention in the area of infrastructural development. Because I have been tested in several positions and I have not betrayed them. I always stand tall and have that confidence that no kind of influence will change me as a legislator. I know that I will make laws and at the same time, I will touch lives. So everything that I have stated clearly should be on record for you to ask me after four years…” the man of integrity had stated.
Receiving INEC Certificate as duly elected legislator
Aforji had distinguished himself with his One Million Youth Project, which aims at creating leverage for the youths to prove their desired mettle. As a youth Ambassador of the project, Aforji was able to produce about four councillors and is determined to do more with the legislative mandate the people has bestowed on him.
Aforji is responsibly married to Mrs Enitan Igwe, and they are blessed with four wonderful children.
He’s got a mission, and he is absolutely focused to bring them to pass. The legislator is one kind that governorship looks good on…by every standard.
President John Mahama of Ghana has said that there is no place for xenophobia in the country, assuring that his administration is committed to the safety of Nigerians and their businesses in the country.
Mahama also restated his commitment to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Protocols, especially the free movement of persons and goods in the region.
He stated this when he received the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace, Accra.
According to a statement signed by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media in the Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Magnus Eze, on Friday, Mahama urged President Bola Tinubu not to lose sleep over recent protests against Nigerian nationals resident in his country.
He stated that Nigeria and Ghana have a shared history.
President Mahama noted that the recirculation of an old video made by a Nigerian residing in Ghana over 10 years ago generated tension, but announced that the situation was swiftly managed.
The Ghanaian president assured the envoy of the safety and protection of the lives, properties, and businesses of Nigerians in Ghana.
Earlier, the minister thanked the Mahama for his hospitality since the Nigerian delegation arrived in Ghana.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu was clear that their mission was to douse the tension in Ghana following a viral video against Nigerians.
She said that every Nigerian back home was worried about the situation and concerned about the safety of Nigerian nationals in Ghana, their properties, and businesses.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu also said that the visit was to facilitate the establishment of a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission.
She said that the joint commission would help in addressing the youth and the issue of migration caused by the huge demography of unemployed people under 45 years.
“We are encouraging our youth to stay in Nigeria, and if it is necessary to migrate, they are to be great ambassadors,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu said.
She informed the Ghanaian president that she was meeting with Nigerians in Ghana to urge them to adhere to the laws of Ghana.
In a post on her X handle, she described the meeting as an engaging one.
“The Ghanaian President is committed to promoting peaceful coexistence as had hitherto been the situation between Ghanaian citizens and the Nigerian community and to ensure that both citizens and non-citizens, including their properties and assets, are safe and secure,” she stated.
The minister was accompanied on the fact-finding mission by the Director, Africa Affairs Department in the ministry, Regina Ocheni; Director, Office of the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Innocent Iwejuo, and Special Assistant (Administration) to the Minister of State, Ajuluchukwu Eze.
Former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has formally resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing the party’s inability to provide credible leadership and deliver good governance to Nigerians.
In a resignation letter shared on his official X account on Thursday, dated July 4, 2025, and addressed to the chairman of the PDP in Ward 1, Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Melaye announced his immediate withdrawal from all party activities.
“I hereby tender my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party at all levels of involvement.
“This decision has become imperative due to the lack of potency and capacity by the party to deliver the Nigerian people from the prevailing political cankerworms that have eaten deeply into the fabric of our dear nation”, the letter partly read.
Melaye, who once served as the PDP’s candidate in the 2023 Kogi State governorship election, said his decision followed deep reflection on the party’s current state and trajectory.
“Having carefully reflected on the state of the party, I can no longer in good conscience participate in the activities of the parties or lend my support to her agenda”, the letter continued.
He further requested that his resignation be treated as a formal and total withdrawal from all party levels and structures.
“In view of the above, please consider this as my formal withdrawal from the party and all its activities at all levels with immediate effect”, the letter added.
In his closing remarks, Melaye expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve under the party’s platform during his time as a member.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve under the platform during my period of membership,” the letter concluded.
The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has given the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) 21 days to provide detailed explanations on financial discrepancies totaling N210 trillion, even as its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Bayo Ojulari, pleaded for more time to respond adequately.
Appearing before the committee on Tuesday in response to an earlier summons, Ojulari stated that he required more time to properly study and understand the issues flagged in the company’s audited financial statements covering the period from 2017 to 2023.
“I have been in office for barely 100 days and I need time to fully understand the issues. Given the explanation I’ve heard today, my perspective has changed,” the NNPCL chief said.
“I need to carry out further internal review and reconciliation to provide the answers the committee requires’. He pledged to assemble a team to work on the queries.”
The financial concerns revolve around N103 trillion in liabilities and N107 trillion in assets, figures that lawmakers described as troubling and largely unsubstantiated.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said that the figures raised red flags.
“The amount is mind-boggling. The liability figure cannot be substantiated and is therefore not acceptable to this committee. Even the receivables making up the asset component cannot be verified,” the senator said.
According to Wadada, the N210 trillion in question was extracted directly from NNPCL’s audited financial statements and the company is expected to provide concrete explanations for both its liabilities and assets.
Some lawmakers also expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s posture, accusing NNPCL of showing disregard for the committee. They argued that the NNPCL boss’s plea for more time was not sufficient and questioned why the CEO appeared to be unfamiliar with the details despite sending representatives to earlier hearings.
Following an appeal from the CEO, the committee directed the NNPCL to return with a comprehensive and reconciled response within 21 days.
