The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Foundation to begin education championship

    Foundation to begin education championship

    A foundation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Peace, Social Justice and Good Governance Advocacy Group, otherwise called Unity House Foundation (UHF), says it is set to begin Education Champions League (ECL).

    ECL is all about quiz and debate competitions for secondary schools.  It is part of the August meeting series organised by the UHF.

    The programme of activities for the event is slated to begin on March 22 in Port Harcourt.

    Read Also: Prioritise education for nation building, NewGlobe Boss tells policymakers

    Activities that will feature during the meeting include quiz, debate, book reading and review competitions, conversations that will help the intellectual well-being of the state and communities at large, among others.

    The Convener of August meeting, Kingsley Wali, who is also the founder of UHF, said: “ECL is meant to bridge the gaps in quality interpersonal communication and nation building by promoting the culture of reading and writing among our young ones and all generations.

    “One of the biggest problems we have in Nigeria is that people don’t read, people don’t write. People putting down what happened when they were in office so that others can learn from them.

    “Following this gap, people tend to dwell on whatever conversation flying around, even when they will not benefit their life and well-being.

    For us here in Rivers State, it is always the issues about APC and PDP, politics.

  • ‘Fubara will continue to promote’ ‘peace

    ‘Fubara will continue to promote’ ‘peace

    The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured that despite provocation and distractions, the state governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, will continue to promote peace in Rivers.

    The PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary Sydney Tambari Gbara congratulated Fubara for winning the maiden edition of the 2023 Silverbird Peace Advocate Award.

    Read Also: Fubara elevates Ateke Tom’s stool, says Rivers people liberated

    The party said the governor’s nomination for the award instituted for the first time by  the Silverbird Group showed that the governor’s peaceful disposition had been recognised and appreciated not only in the state but also nationally and internationally.

    “What this means is that making sacrifice for peace to reign at anytime is not a sign of weakness but a source of strength because peace is not a virtue available to everyone. We urge the governor to continue to walk tall in his pursuit of peace in the state”, the party said.

  • Enugu shuts ShopRite, SPAR, others over alleged tax evasion

    Enugu shuts ShopRite, SPAR, others over alleged tax evasion

    Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) has sealed off Enugu outlets of ShopRite, Spar and other supermarkets over alleged failure to remit purchase tax at their malls to the government after being served warning notices.

    The ESIRS officials, who embarked on the enforcement drive yesterday morning, said other malls, including Roban, Mama Onyinye Restaurant among others had also been warned.

    ESIRS Head Department of Eateries, Bars, Hotels, and Shopping Malls, Egwuonwu Perpetual, said the agency had visited the shut malls on several occasions to ask for evidence of payment of the purchase tax, but they failed to remit such.

    She said the purchase tax on the goods the buyers pay whenever they patronise their outlets is the only thing they are enforcing.

    Egwuonwu added that they had also pleaded with the concerned individuals to remit their taxes when due, “but they have been recalcitrant and till now they have not done anything concerning these instructions.”

    Read Also: Enugu seals ShopRite, SPAR, others over alleged tax evasion

    “It is worthy to note that after we met with Roban Stores, they displayed our sticker and have complied with remitting their purchase tax to the IRS.

    “On the other hand, ShopRite has frustrated our efforts to get them to do the needful. It is always one story or another. Eventually they promised us that before the end of February, they would do something, but we are in March and ESIRS has not heard from them,” she said.

    Egwuonwu stressed that the malls would remain closed until the issues at hand were resolved.

    The PRO of ESIRS, Nnamdi Eneh, explained that the agency had gone on air to enlighten and educate the people on the need to remit their taxes.

    “Our public enlightenment programme has been ongoing for a while. We have been sensitising the people and pleading with them to pay their taxes so as not to fall victim during enforcement, but most of them remain adamant.

    “The objective is not to disrupt anybody’s business, but since pleading did not work, this is the only way to compel them to do what they are supposed to do,” he said.

  • Ubah explains vision for Anambra

    Ubah explains vision for Anambra

    Ahead of 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, one of the aspirants for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, says he knows the expectations of the people and plans to lead by example.

    He said in everything he did, he looked up to God for direction and wisdom, adding that Anambra was lucky to have men and women with excess capacities in fields.

    Ubah, who represents Anambra South, has declared his willingness to take over from Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2025.

    He aspires to achieve this on the platform of APC, noting that “Anambra has to be at the centre and not at the region.”

    The senator, who spoke with The Nation yesterday, said Anambra State, created in 1991, had reached a point where business acumen and strategic leadership skills must be brought to the table to transform her current position to a formidable economic powerhouse.

    Read Also: My vision for Anambra, by Ubah

    “I have no doubt anymore of my commitment to Anambra and I’m persuaded that despite the challenging times, the trials and tribulations we have collectively gone through as Anambra people, brighter days lie ahead of us, for God is with us .

    “I pledge to lead an economic revolution that will harness the innate capacity and entrepreneurial spirit of our people. This will reposition Anambra State as the gateway to Eastern Nigeria and also a formidable economic hub for West Africa.

    The APC governorship hopeful has assembled a team of distinguished Anambra men and women with the capacity to brainstorm on the way forward to get it right, including those from the United Kingdom, China, Canada, etc.

    Ubah has set up three gigantic health facilities in Anambra North, Anambra Central and Anambra South.

    He believed Governor Soludo had done his best, noting that his best was, however, not good enough for ndi Anambra.

  • ‘Recuse yourself from Sylva/Diri’s case’

    ‘Recuse yourself from Sylva/Diri’s case’

    An advocacy group, Bayelsa Professionals Forum (BPF), has urged Justice Adekunle Adeleye, the chairman of Election Petitions Tribunal in the legal battle between Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, to recuse himself from the case.

    BFP’s Secretary Philip Erepa said in a statement yesterday that Adeleye’s recusal would allow for independent investigations into some of the claims concerning his bias towards Sylva and the circumstances surrounding his appointment.

    Read Also: Waiting for Governor Diri’s inclusive cabinet

    Erepa said such a probe had become necessary, following a viral petition written to the Office of the Appeal Court’s President by Sylva’s legal team requesting the disbandment of the Election Petition panel chaired by Adeleye.

    He said: “We are calling on the President of the Court of Appeal to ask Justice Adeleye to recuse himself from the case, to allow independent investigations into these claims, which border on the essence of justice.

    “The essence of the court is justice and for any case to have merit, justice should be seen as served and not manipulated. What we are asking is that justice must prevail in this case.”

  • Thank you for opposing my aspiration, Eno tells YPP defectors

    Thank you for opposing my aspiration, Eno tells YPP defectors

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has thanked members of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for opposing his aspiration during last year’s election.

    He said this while receiving YPP returnees,a represented by a delegation of 46 champions, led by Mr. Ubong Edem, at the Government House, Uyo.

    He said their opposition helped him to be more focused and better during his campaigns.

    Read Also: Music streams revenue not enough for artists – Bad Boy Timz

    The governor directed an unconditional reintegration of the YPP returnees into the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across wards and chapters.

    According to him, in politics, it is normal for people to toe different paths and create a healthy opposition, based on long-standing relationships and convictions.

    He said a healthy opposition helped to challenge the government to gear up for greater performance, especially, if it is done, devoid of bitterness or enmity.

    Eno said: “Thank you for the fight you put up. May be we wouldn’t have been where we are today, but for your resistance. Power is not supposed to be a walkover. There must be some level of resistance and it is that fight that made us prepare better and stay more focused. So, you did the right thing. And where there is no opposition, the government can take the people for granted. So I thank you.”

  • Students protest accident involving NYSC-bound student

    Students protest accident involving NYSC-bound student

    • Business, vehicular movement paralysed

    Students of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, yesterday obstructed vehicular movement on Aba-Owerri road in Aba North Local Government.

    They protested the accident involving a female student, identified as Ogechi Mary Ezekiel, near the school gate.

    While sources said she was dead, another account had it that she was not dead, but lying critically at hospital.

    The students, who carried placards, said they had urged past and present governments to erect bumps on the road, near the school, to prevent reckless driving.

    They said reckless drivers had on several occasions knocked down their colleagues and polytechnic workers.

    Our correspondent, who visited the accident scene, reports that fact available had it that the female student had lost a lot of blood before those who identified her as a student of the school took her to a private hospital.

    The Nation learnt that the Aba-Owerri road and adjoining streets were barricaded by the students for over three hours, causing gridlock on some of the alternative routes, including Okigwe, Eziukwu and Osusu roads, forcing commuters to trek long distances to their destinations.

    Read Also: In defence of NYSC skills acquisition programme

    Business and academic activities at the time of our reporter’s visit were grounded by the student’s peaceful protest.

    A source, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that the students took to the streets, demanding to be addressed by Governor Alex Otti with a promise to erect speed breaker on the road, to prevent recurrence.

    “The documents she had with her showed that she was a student of Accounts Department and was in the school ahead of their mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.”

    The gateman at the hospital did not allow our correspondent entry into the premises.

    The President, Student Union Government (SUG), Edwin Chijioke, said “this is the second time the school will be losing its own to reckless driving.”

    He lamented that the hospital had remained mum over the true condition of the accident victim, “as the management of the hospital are yet to give us the true position of the health of the student.”

    Aba Police Area Commander, the management of the school and the student leadership were at a crucial meeting at press time.

  • Uzodimma commiserates with three Imo traditional rulers over wives’ death

    Uzodimma commiserates with three Imo traditional rulers over wives’ death

    Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed his condolences to three traditional rulers in the state—HRH Eze Henry Madumere, HRH Eze Sabinus Nwaneche, and HRH Eze Reginald Amadi—following the passing of their wives.

    He described the occurrences as significant losses to both the state and the traditional institution.

    The deceased wives of the monarchs – Ugoeze Marlinda Chikanele Ulunma Madumere, Ugoeze Patience Nkechinyere Nwaneche, and Ugoeze Ogechi Amadi, passed on recently after brief illnesses.

    Eze Henry Madumere is the traditional ruler of Achi Mbieri in Mbaitoli, Eze Sabinus Nwaneche is of the Ogwuama Ancient kingdom in Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise while Eze Reginald Amadi is of the Obetiti-Nguru in Aboh Mbaise.

    Read Also; BREAKING: Binance leaves Nigeria, suspends all naira services

    A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, the chief press secretary and media adviser to the governor, said that Uzodinma was seriously pained on hearing about the death of the three mothers whom he held in very high esteem based on their outstanding personalities and motherly roles in their domains.

    The statement said that the governor regretted that the Ugoezes would no longer be available to continue to assist their husbands in the good works they are doing in their different communities in the interest of our society.

    Governor Uzodimma, according to the statement, maintained that the deceased would be sorely missed by all, adding that those mourning them should be consoled by the fact that they left behind legacies of service to God and humanity which are there for everyone to see.

    He also commiserated with the Imo state traditional institution and urged all and sundry in the institution to join him in committing the families of the deceased in the hands of God during this trying moment as well as to pray for the souls of the deceased.

    The statement added that Governor Uzodimma prayed to God on behalf of his family, the government, and the people of the state, to grant the souls of the Ugoezes a peaceful repose, and to their husbands and all that they have left behind to mourn their unfortunate death, the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Abia workers to get N35,000 wage award, says Otti

    Abia workers to get N35,000 wage award, says Otti

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti says his administration is looking at the issue of N35,000 wage award approved by the Federal Government for workers, with a view to implementing it.

    He spoke yesterday when he received executive members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abia State Council, who were on a working visit.

    He said a committee had been set up to that effect and it had submitted its first report.

    Dr. Otti, however, said he had directed the committee to deepen its work and report to him, adding that he had instructed the Finance commissioner to look at the discriminatory salary structure for health workers, as it concerned Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHES).

    The governor said his administration would look into salary owed workers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and parastatals, including ABSUTH, ASUBEB, ASCETA, Abiapoly, primary school teachers, among others, by the previous administration.

    He said a team is working with the Nigerian Union of Pensioners to reach a resolution on how to defray pension arrears of pensioners.

    Otti said there are still bad eggs in the system, who engage in padding of salaries and other criminal activities.

    Read Also: Dangote names Lagos refinery road after Wigwe

    He implored NLC to identify such people stealing from the government.

    “There are lots of people collecting salaries but are not coming to office.

    “My challenge to NLC is to help us. What they (ghost workers) are doing, they are stealing from you. It is very important you take it as responsibility.”

    State Chairman of NLC, Ogbonnaya Okoro, appealed to the governor to consider implementing the N35,000 wage bill approved for workers by the Federal Government, address the high-handedness of some government appointees against civil servants, offset salary arrears ranging from three to 30 months owed workers by the previous administration.

  • Hand over to new caretaker, Mba directs 17 council chairmen

    Hand over to new caretaker, Mba directs 17 council chairmen

    Enugu State Government yesterday ordered local government chairmen in the 17 councils to hand over administration to heads of personnel management.

    It was gathered that the tenure of the council chairmen ended yesterday.

    The handover directive was issued by the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo.

    He said the directive was in line with the extant laws guiding the tenure of elected chairmen and councillors.

    Ogbodo said: “The tenure of the chairmen and councillors of the 17 local governments in Enugu State formally came to an end on March 4.

    Read Also: FG organises National Minimum Wage Review public hearings

    “Consequently, the council chairmen are expected to hand over to the heads of personnel management (HPM) in the local governments, with effect from March 4.

    “This is in line with the extant laws guiding the tenure-ship of elected chairmen and councillors in our local governments.”