The Nation Newspaper

Category: Niger Delta

  • ‘Why Obaseki administration should invest more in education’

    ‘Why Obaseki administration should invest more in education’

    By Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Edo State chapter, Mr. Nosa Osemwota, has urged the Godwin Obaseki administration to invest more in education to empower youths and make them better citizens.

    He also enjoined the state government to provide bursary and free education for the blind in institutions, to ease their burden.

    Osemwota, accompanied by members of the association, spoke yesterday in Benin while marking this year’s White Cane Day.

    He said investment in education was the best thing that could happen to any human being, irrespective of his physical condition.

  • Abia, JOHESU to meet on salary arrears

    Abia, JOHESU to meet on salary arrears

    By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

    Abia State Government has said it will meet with the Joint

    Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), over arrears of salary owed health workers.

    Read Also: Wike to Fed Govt: teachers’ salary raise a burden on states

    JOHESU has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the government to pay arrears owed members of the union or risk shutdown of the health sector.

    Information Commissioner Chief John Okiyi-kalu said the government was meeting with the union leaders to tackle issues around the salary owed health workers.

  • UPP collapses structures into PDP in Imo

    By Chris Njoku, Owerri

    Imo State chapter of the deregistered United Progressive Party (UPP) has collapsed its structures at the state, local government and ward levels into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Chris Uche, told The Nation on Thursday in Owerri that UPP fused into PDP because of its stability.

    Read Also: Imo APC: Again, the cookies crumble

    “We had options because other parties approached us, but we decided to defect to PDP because of its stability.

    “This is the first time in the history of the country when the entire party will collapse its structures into another party,” he said.

  • Bayelsa partners NHRC

    Bayelsa partners NHRC

    By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

    Bayelsa State Government has indicated its readiness to partner the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to promote, protect and enforce the rights of people.

    Read Also: NHRC condemns human trafficking

    Bayelsa State Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice Biriyai Dambo (SAN) spoke in Yenagoa during a visit by the NHRC Bayelsa State executives.

    Dambo noted that government would not, under any circumstance, tolerate the violation of individual or group rights of Bayelsans or residents in the state.

  • J. P. Clark’s body moved to Kiagbodo for burial

    J. P. Clark’s body moved to Kiagbodo for burial

    By Elo Edremoda, Warri

    The remains of the late legendary poet, Prof. John Pepper Clark-Bekeredemo, were expected to be interred last night at his country home in Kiagbodo, Burutu Council Area of Delta State.

    The Nation learnt that the remains of the prolific writer arrived in Delta State from Lagos State where he died.

    The Emeritus Professor of Literature reportedly requested in his “written will,” a low-key funeral, within three days of his passing on.

    A community source, who disclosed the possibility of the burial, said: “I don’t really know, but it cannot be very far from the truth.”

    A family source, however, said: “The family is working hard to fulfil his wish to be buried within three days of his death.”

    It was gathered that J. P. Clark had his grave dug at his Kiagbodo creek home while he was alive.

    The renowned literary artist died in the early hours of Tuesday in Lagos. He was 85.

  • Crisis imminent in Bayelsa over regent’s abduction

    Crisis imminent in Bayelsa over regent’s abduction

    By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

    Crisis is brewing at Egbemo-Angalabiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, following the abduction of the acting paramount ruler, Chief Ayakurai Gometi, by armed youths after demanding his resignation.

    It was gathered that armed youths led by ex-militants leaders last Saturday stormed the meeting venue of the community leadership and ordered Gometi to resign.

  • Three police officers’ children drown in Akwa Ibom

    Three police officers’ children drown in Akwa Ibom

    By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

    Three children of police officers have drowned in an open pit filled with flood water at Eket Divisional Police Barracks in Akwa Ibom State.

    Our correspondent gathered that the children aged between 5 and 10 had gone to play in the open pit at about 5pm on Tuesday when the sad incident occurred.

    Two of the children, it was learnt, were of the same parent, an inspector, while the other belonged to another police officer whose name could not be confirmed at press time.

    Our correspondent, who visited the barracks at about 8:30am on Wednesday, observed that carpenters were working to barricade the pit with plywood.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said the pit was dug to collect flood water in the barracks after rains.

    The mother of one of the deceased cried uncontrollably.

    Read Also: Akwa Ibom, Lagos enjoy cash transfer

    None of the bereaved parents could speak about the incident.

    The command’s spokesman, Odiko Macdon, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the death of the three children.

    “Police Commissioner Amiengheme Andrew received with shock the news of the drowning of three children of serving inspectors of police in Eket Divisional Police Headquarters in the barracks,” he said.

  • 12 NYSC members marry in Anambra

    12 NYSC members marry in Anambra

     Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

     

    THE National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Anambra State on Wednesday celebrated 12 of its serving corps members who got married in the state.

    The couples, all of 2019 Batch ‘C’ set, including those redeployed to the state, said they met at the orientation camp.

    The couples include Eze Obinna and Oluchi Peace, Henry Nwachoko and Charles Ruth, Oluchukwu Davis and Ahedo Etiosa.

    Others are Nsofor Obianuju and Ohale Nkemakolam, Ogburie Collins and Nwokearu Chinyeremaka, Bernard Faith Amarachi and Okafor Chukwudi.

    NYSC State Coordinator Kehinde Aremu described the event as unique, saying there had never been an assemblage of marriage in the history of the scheme.

    Read Also: Ganduje inaugurates NYSC governing board

    He attributed the success story to a conducive environment and the friendly disposition of the people of the state and the government.

    The Assistant Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, Mrs. Ify Nwafor, said one of the reasons for establishing the scheme was for integration, including chances for corps members to meet the love of their lives.

    One of the couples, Onyema Nwachoko, said he met his wife while praying at the Family House of the Christian Corpers Fellowship.

    He thanked Almighty God and the government for creating the NYSC platform.

    “Without NYSC, I wouldn’t have met my wife,” Nwachoko said.

  • Oro nation sues Akwa Ibom govt

    Oro nation sues Akwa Ibom govt

     Bassey Anthony, Uyo

     

    THE five local government areas of Oron, Mbo Udong Uko, Urue Offong, Oruko and Okobo have sued the Akwa Ibom State government for not listing them among oil producing communities.

    The matter instituted by the five council areas known as ‘Oro Nation, is before the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    The local governments said they are worried that they have not been gazetted by the government and conferred with the status of an oil producing area eight years after the National Assembly passed a resolution on the matter.

    The suit with no FHC/ABJ/215/2020 is filed by Dr. Celsius Ukpong and two others on behalf of the Oro people applicants, while the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Federal Government as well as the Attorney-General of the Federation are listed as fourth, fifth and sixth respondents.

    The applicants are seeking the relief of court for a declaration that Oro people are entitled to enjoy the same rights as other oil bearing communities in the state.

    Read Also: 60 die in Akwa Ibom community’s cult war

    When the case was mentioned for hearing, Justice A. A. Okeke adjourned the matter till November 28 for further mention on the grounds that the additional affidavit filed by the applicant’s counsel for leave of court to be used was not served to all parties involved.

     

     

  • Ohanaeze youths hail Onochie’s appointment

    Ohanaeze youths hail Onochie’s appointment

     Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

     

    THE leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) Worldwide has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Lauretta Onochie as a commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    OYC in a statement signed yesterday by its President and Secretary-Generals; Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described those against Onochie’s appointment as being treacherous and urged members of the Senate to ensure that they confirmed her as INEC commissioner.