The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Edo Speaker at Owan summit: Avoid pull-him-down syndrome

    Edo Speaker at Owan summit: Avoid pull-him-down syndrome

    The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, has called on Nigerians, especially politicians, to always avoid pull-him-down syndrome, in order to move forward and ensure peace.

    He also urged Owan indigenes to be united, so as to attract more development projects to the area.

    Agbebaku, who represents Owan West constituency, spoke yesterday at Afuze, the headquarters of Owan East Local Government Area in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State, at the maiden Owan Summit, powered by Owan Conscience, with the theme: “Transcending the Miasma of Ethnic Chauvinism: Towards a People-Centred Development in Edo North.”

    Fourteen illustrious Owan indigenes, consisting of four posthumous, were honoured at the summit, for their contributions towards the development of the area, including a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, and the representative of Owan constituency in the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the leader of the House.

    The Edo speaker said: “The Owan summit is long overdue, but it is never too late. The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, while the second best time is now.  Owan will no longer be an appendage to other ethnic groups.

    “Let us avoid pull-him-down syndrome. If an Owan man is excelling, an Owan man will want to pull him down. Equity and fair sharing are also very important, for progress, development and peaceful co-existence. Owan Nation has been marginalised for a very long time. Now, we need to take the bull by the horns. Rest assured, I will stand for Owan people anyday, anytime.

    “I want to thank you, as the Speaker representing you in the Edo State House of Assembly. You cannot sit inside the house to see the moon. If you must see the moon, you must come outside. That is why as Owan people, we must fight for what belongs to us, since power is not served a la carte. We want to pursue it, wrestle it, and take it, and that is what the vibrant Owan people must continually do.

    “I am your very vibrant, restless, and hyperactive son that will always stand for Owan people, to make sure that things that belong to Owan people are given to us. Owan is not too small to have a university, as we have all it takes to have a higher institution. We will soon start driving the vital university project. I want to assure you that as the Speaker,  I will do everything possible to make sure the Owan nation is great.”

    Agbebaku also thanked Obaseki for various development projects in the two Owan LGAs, while urging him to do more, and added that very soon, Owan would be a great place that everybody would want to come to.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Justice Rowland Amaize, a retired judge of Edo High Court, in his opening remarks, insisted that Owan ethnic nationality could not be undermined in any circumstance in Nigeria.

    Amaize also described Owan as a viable land that must be reckoned with in Nigeria, while stating that the ethnic nationality could not afford to lag behind, but the people must eschew primordial considerations and never to undermine the youths.

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    The Chairman of the Planning Committee of Owan summit, Richard Ofen-Imu, a lawyer, in his welcome address, disclosed that Owan conscience was a response initiative, focused at identifying basic anti-development obstacles confronting the Owan people, and resolving the contradictions in the best interest of the senatorial district.

    Ofen-Imu said: “Critical to the present challenges of the Owan people is a process of denigration integrated into a philosophy of alienation. It is about a deliberate design to enthrone an inferiority complex in the psyche of the Owan personality. It is a response to the compass of derogation, inferiority, subjugation, and alienation foisted on our people and community.

    “As patriots and objects of holistic development, we will be undermining the development of our country, when we permit or tolerate ethnic chauvinism that eliminates the best brains and hands of our own small geographical compass in harnessing the potential of our country.”

    The planning committee chairman also stated that beyond the provocation rendered by ideological contraption, Owan conscience was focused at making responsible and responsive leadership the hub of the cultural nexus.

    The keynote speaker, Prof. Monday Igbafen, of Edo state government-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, noted that the theme of the summit was apt, in view of the renewed awareness and agitation for fairness and equity in the sharing of political power among three sub-ethnic groups of Edo North senatorial district: Etsako, Owan and Akoko-Edo.

  • Soludo orders remand of suspected rapist

    Soludo orders remand of suspected rapist

    Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered immediate remand of a suspected rapist, Onuora Innoma.

    The remand, according to him, should be at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Awka, while investigation continues on the alleged rape.

    Soludo, who spoke through the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, requested for the remand of the rapist.

    Read Also:Soludo orders remand of suspected rapist

    Meanwhile, the suspect arrested at the Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha had been detained at the Inland Town Police Division Onitsha.

    The governor frowned at such a terrible and nefarious act of preying on the innocent persons.

    He vowed to take every available legal means to bring the perpetrator to book, hoping it would serve as a deterrent to others.

    He enjoined people of the state to speak up in the face of such despicable acts.

  • NSCDC rescues wandering Anambra teenage boy in Ebonyi

    NSCDC rescues wandering Anambra teenage boy in Ebonyi

    A 13- year old boy, Goodluck Onwe has been rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Enugu State.

    NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, Okadigbo Edwin who disclosed this in a statement said the victim was rescued while wandering the streets of Abakaliki.

    He said the victim had since been reunited with his family in Anambra State.

    He said, “The little boy was seen wandering the streets of Abakaliki before he was rescued on the 4th of February, 2024 at about 1300hrs by operatives of NSCDC Ebonyi State Command.

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    “Investigation revealed that the said boy stayed with a relative in Abakaliki but ran away from home with an intent to return to his parents who resides at Peter Okonkwo Street Aguleri, Anambra East LGA, Anambra State.

    “Subsequently, NSCDC Anambra State Command was contacted by Ebonyi State Command to trace the origin and parents of the Child.

    “In response, the Command made a frantic effort to locate his parents for identification and collection. After a detailed verification process, the boy has been handed over to Mr. Onwe Sabastine, his father.”

  • Gunmen in military uniform kill four in Imo

    Gunmen in military uniform kill four in Imo

    Gunmen have killed four men at Abacheke in Egbema clan of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The gunmen who were dressed in army camouflage stormed the community in the late hours of Friday and shot the young men dead in their home.

    The victims were seen covered in pools of their blood. The recent development signifies the return of killing in once troubled oil producing communities.

    Reacting to the killing on Saturday, the Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki condemned the attack describing it as senseless.

    Danjuma condemned in totality the gruesome murder of the four young men at Abacheke Community in Ohaji Egbema by gunmen who were dressed in military camouflage.

    He deployed the Command Special Tactical Squad to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and clamp down on the hoodlums responsible for the senseless act of violence.

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    He disclosed that the hoodlums swiftly attacked Abacheke Community in their numbers, on Friday at about 8.30pm riding motorcycles and firing sporadically during which five residents were seriously hit.

    “In a swift response, the Area Commander in charge of Ohaji Egbema and other tactical teams mobilized to the scene, the victims were immediately rushed to the hospital where four were confirmed dead on arrival while one is currently receiving medical treatment at the Hospital. Intense operation is ongoing in the area,” Aboki said.

    He said normalcy had been restored in the area, adding that “a comprehensive investigation is ongoing to fish out the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly act and make them face the full wrath of the law.”

    While commiserating with the deceased’s families, he called on the general public, particularly the residents of Ohaji/Egbema who may have any useful information that will assist the Police in the investigation to kindly report at the nearest Police Station or via 08034773600.

    “Let us collaboratively work towards stamping out violent crimes in the State,” he appealed.

  • Rivers political crises ‘ll soon be over, says Rivers PDP Publicity Secretary

    Rivers political crises ‘ll soon be over, says Rivers PDP Publicity Secretary

    Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sydney Gbara, has said that peace will soon come the way of  the party in the state.

    Speaking in Port Harcourt, Saturday,  Gbara said the Rivers people were tired of political drama in the state.

    He said Rivers people sought peace in the state in order for Gov. Siminialaye Fubara to concentrate on good governance.

    Gbara commended the governor for demonstrating self-comportation by not allowing room for distractions in the midst of heightened political disagreements.

    “The governor even in the midst of pockets of disagreements with his predecessor and some organs of the government had remained focused, delivering back-to-back life touching policies, programmes and projects for the people.

    Read Also: Rivers political crises to end soon – PDP

    “His policy is directly touching lives and building capacity.

    “We shouldn’t be surprised when we see that people are beginning to rethink and throw-in support for him because as they say, if you can’t beat them, join them,” he said.

    He also described as timely, recent resignation and declaration of support by a councillor representing the ward of the former governor and Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike.

    The councillor, Mr Achor Nna, had publicly pledged loyalty to Gov. Fubara.

    According to him, more of such declarations for the governor are envisaged in coming days, not just from councillors but across political stratas including members of the State House of Assembly.

    On the conduct of local government elections, Gbara said that the governor was the leader of the party (PDP) in the state.

  • Abia Poly rector lauds Otti for appointing women into strategic positions

    Abia Poly rector lauds Otti for appointing women into strategic positions

    The Acting Rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Engr. Mrs. Chidinma Ndukwe has commended the governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti for appointing women to serve in different strategic positions in his administration.

    Mrs. Ndukwe, who led Women In Technical Education Development (WITED), Abia State Polytechnic Chapter on a Road Show to mark 2024 International Women’s Day celebration, used the opportunity of the event to call for more opportunities to be given to women, noting that women who have been given the opportunities to serve in both public and private sectors of the Nigeria’s economy were able to distinguished themselves.

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    Ndukwe who broke the jinx of becoming the first acting female rector of the state owned polytechnic, lamented the increasing abuse the girl-child suffers in the hands of the people who were supposed to protect her.

    This even as she further called for more attention to be given to the training of the girl-child by the government, parents and guardians, which she noted would ultimately rub off positively on the society.

    On what WITED had been doing to protect the girl-child from reported dehumanization and among other forms of abuse, the acting rector said,

    “We have been championing girl-child education. We organize seminars, scholarships to indigent students and among others.”

  • Suspected kidnappers engage police, vigilantes in gun duel

    Suspected kidnappers engage police, vigilantes in gun duel

    • Four victims rescued in Anambra, vehicles, gun recovered

    Four persons abducted in Anambra State have been rescued by a combined team of the police and Vigilance group in the state.

    They were rescued when the suspects engaged the security operatives in a shootout on Friday, along Amagu Awgbu Road in Orumba North Local Government Area, as they were heading towards an exit route from the state.

    This was contained in a statement Saturday, by the police spokesperson in the state, Ikenga Tochukwu, and made available to reporters.

    The gang, according to the PPRO, opened fire on sighting the patrol team, but bowed to police-vigilante superior firepower.

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    Two of the three vehicles the gang operated with were demobilised, while many of the suspects escaped with injuries.

    The command further said that one pump action gun was recovered during the encounter.

    “Also recovered were two SUVs – One 2017 edition of Toyota Highlander with Reg No. Abuja GWA 141 KZ, and one Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic with Registration Number Anambra AGU 242 NQ.

    “Preliminary enquiry revealed that the number plates on the Mercedes Benz SUV were issued to a Toyota Sienna Space Wagon vehicle.

    “Four abducted victims were rescued unhurt from the gang. Preliminary debriefing to ascertain circumstances of their abduction are ongoing.”

    He said the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, described the rescue of the victims as heroic.

  • Ex-River Basin Executive Director Adoyi is dead

    Ex-River Basin Executive Director Adoyi is dead

    A former River Basin Development Authority Executive Director (Lower Benue) Engr. Mayas Adoyi, FNSE, PhD has passed on.

    Announcing his death on behalf of the family, his brother, Mr. Kenneth Adoyi, said the former Director died at the Garki hospital Abuja after a protracted illness.

    According to Kenneth, until his death, Mayas was the only Director of Engineer at the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

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    Adoyi was renowned for his selfless service to humanity and his immediate community.

    He survived by his wife, children, brother, sisters and other relatives.

    The family said other burial details will be announced later.

  • Nigeria’s democracy, governance is for all – Youths

    Nigeria’s democracy, governance is for all – Youths

    Southern Nigerian youths have reckoned with the choice of meaningful youth participation in Nigeria’s democracy and governance.

    They spoke at a recent regional town hall meeting, championed by the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) through its YouthGovTracka project, with the theme as “Engaging Youth in Democracy: A Caution for Good Governance”.

    The event had in attendance youths from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Rivers aimed at raising youths to become active citizens, bridge the government-youth divide and drive public accountability.

    Leading the charge were Burabari Nleera for Rivers State, God’sLove-Divine Ngbechukwuyem for Cross River State, Abigail Agwuegbo for Delta State and Blessing Nnabugwu for Bayelsa State.

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    The convener and the Akwa Ibom State focal person for YouthGovTracka, Menyene Ekong in his welcome remarks lauded the efforts of BBYD. He stressed the importance of active citizenship and shared interest in regional and national development.

    “Today’s discourse is consultative. Therefore, I implore everyone to be open-minded, constructive and welcoming in charting ways for meaningful youth participation and government accountability,” he remarked.

    In another segment, Mr Udeme Okono, who led a keynote, said: “Youths must note that they will keep getting sidelined and kept out of governance if we do not take action and make meaningful contributions.

    “No one is going to invite you to the table with open arms, especially when you have nothing to offer. This is the part where self-development comes in; building yourself so intentionally that you become a voice,” he added.

    Miss Unyime Bush Alias JayBush, a YouTuber and technology enthusiast, who spoke on ‘Civic Technology as a Tool for Meaningful Youth Participation’ endorsed that “the YouthGovTracka platform solves the issue of equity; gathering information that is accessible to youths of both genders to drive meaningful participation in governance.”

    Presenting on ‘Youth Engagement in the Budget Process,’ Faith Paulinus, the Governance Reforms and Anti-Corruption Lead at Policy Alert stressed that “as youths and active citizens, we can only hold our leaders accountable when we know the budget, what to expect and track how revenue is spent.”

    The convening proceeded with remarkable contributions from the panellists. They were Ndueso Young – Executive Director of TeenGirls’ Development Initiative, Peace Edem – Executive Director of Youth for Change Initiative and Praise Ebitu – Vice President of the University of Uyo Student Union Government. Others who attended and contributed to the meeting include the Program Manager of BBYDI, Mr Habeeb Adewale and the Director of Youth at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Mr Emmanuel Akpabio.

    The South-South Regional Town Hall Meeting also exposed participants to actionable steps such as engaging with the YouthGovTracka and other resources and tools including the Office of the Citizen Accountability Toolkit and Menu of Possible Commitment as launched and circulated for civic engagement and government accountability, among other highlights.

  • ‘Poor procurement major cause of underdevelopment’

    ‘Poor procurement major cause of underdevelopment’

    A don, Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe, has said poor sustainable procurement practice is one of the major reasons for poor infrastructure development in the country.

    She said this has led to poor quality of life for the people and massive underdevelopment in all sectors.

    Chukwudebe, the director of Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CE-SPESS), Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, said this in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

    She spoke during a Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) training organised by the Centre for Professionals, Academics and Public Servants.

    She said a recent study by World Bank and National Universities Commission (NUC) showed that there was lack of professionals in procurement management, hence the project.

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    Chukwudebe said the project would boost the capacity of public servants in procurement process.

    She said: “It is a project designed to integrate Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards’ professionalisation within the public and private sectors, to enhance sustainable development and value for money in public expenditure.

    “One of the key benefits will be capacity building of public servants, who will become knowledgeable in Procurement Management according to the law.”

    The five-day workshop was held simultaneously at Ebonyi State University and David Umahi University of Medical Sciences, Uburu.