The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Why there’s consensus on Gov Mbah’s second term in Enugu – Obeagu

    Why there’s consensus on Gov Mbah’s second term in Enugu – Obeagu

    The Chairman of Isi-Uzo local government council, Hon. Obiora Obeagu has said that there is uniformity of opinion for Enugu Governor Peter Mbah to go for a second term in office because of the unprecedented social, infrastructural and political harmony his administration has bequeathed the state.

    Obeagu stated that the Governor’s political realignment to the national ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has further bridged divides for the state to benefit fully in the nation’s democratic dividends.

    The council chairman made the remarks at the council headquarters in Ikem, on Thursday, during the inauguration of the Isi-Uzo local government and ward executives of Enugu State Unity Forum, EUF, a support group advocating for Governor Mbah’s  second term in office.

    Obeagu noted that Governor Mbah’s developmental strides in the state, particularly in the council area has made the clamour for the Governor’s second term more attractive and less cumbersome for the advocates.

    The Chairman listed Governor Mbah’s achievements in Isi-Uzo local government area to include but not limited to 11 Smart Schools, 12 Type-2 Health Centres,

    21.7km Agape–Ogbette Farm Settlement Road, upgrades on Eha-Amufu roads from the park to Umuogiri Bridge, ongoing development of a Farm Estate and the 40 kilometers Owo- Umualor-Ikem dual carriage road project, among others.

    The Chairman advised the newly inaugurated support executives to take their responsibilities seriously, assuring them of his massive support; while he commended the leadership structure of the EUF as a platform that promotes peace, unity, and progressive collaboration.

    Inaugurating the Executives, the Zonal Coordinator of EUF in Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwatu, emphasized that the Forum has five priority responsibilities tied directly to the administration of Governor Mbah, with a sixth responsibility concerning the council Chairman.

    Nwatu reminded the executives that they were selected through a collaborative stakeholder decision and charged them to return to their wards to spread awareness about the achievements of the Mbah administration. 

    Other stakeholders who made complementary remarks for the support group included the Coordinators of EUF in Enugu West and Enugu North Senatorial districts, Arc Jake Udeh and Prof. Ikpe Ibenekwu, respectively.

    The zonal coordinators noted the remarkable infrastructural transformation occurring across the state, adding that the Federal Government’s recent appointment of Governor Mbah as Chairman, Committee on the Overhaul of Security Training Institutions, is a testament to his outstanding leadership.

    They urged the newly inaugurated officials to intensify grassroots sensitization on the achievements of Governor Mbah, describing the inauguration as the planting of a “taproot” that will grow into widespread support for Governor Mbah across the LGA. 

    The EUF zonal woman leader, Barr. Kate Nnamani, encouraged the people to continue supporting the Governor’s developmental vision, while Mbah’s Senior Special Assistant on Strategic Communication, Dr. Collins Ogbu urged the people to prioritize obtaining their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

    The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu, commended the council chairman, Obeagu, for aligning with the Governor’s objectives of improving lives through road construction, bridges, empowerment initiatives, healthcare development, and scholarship programs. 

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Isi-Uzo LGA, Hon Jacob Abonyi expressed the party’s full support for the activities of the Enugu State Unity Forum within the LGA, while the coordinator of the EUF in Isi-Uzo LGA, Prof Ifeanyi Odoziobodo charged the executives to redeem the trust placed on them.

  • Mbah, Chime, others push for youth skills, cultural revival

    Mbah, Chime, others push for youth skills, cultural revival

    The 2025 Agbaja Summit continued in Enugu on Thursday with a strong call for a new model of education that equips youths with skills to take charge of their future and contribute meaningfully to society. 

    The two-day summit brought together prominent Agbaja leaders, including, former Governor Sullivan Chime, former Minister of Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Senator Osita Ngwu, Rep. Sunday Umeha, and Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, Chief Lorita Aniagolu, Surveyor Ugochukwu Chime, among others.

    Agbaja comprises culturally linked communities in Udi, Ezeagu, and parts of Enugu North, Enugu South and Igboetiti LGAs. 

    With the theme “Empowerment for the Future,” the summit emphasised shared identity, cultural revival and youth-driven advancement across the region.

    Declaring the summit open, Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Sam Ugwu, highlighted the tourism potential of Agbaja communities and commended their sustained efforts to strengthen their collective heritage. He described the summit as “a movement in pursuit of excellence, identity and collective progress.”

    Mbah reiterated his administration’s commitment to building a knowledge-driven state economy anchored on human capital, technology and innovation. 

    He said the government’s investments in 260 smart schools, curriculum reform and skill acceleration centres were designed to position Enugu as Nigeria’s “skills capital.”

    “Knowledge has become the new currency of power. Skills have become the new economic passport,” he said, urging Agbaja youths to seize modern opportunities and build on the foundation laid by their elders.

    Former Governor Sullivan Chime, who is the patron of the Agbaja Leaders of Thought, said the summit’s focus on education and empowerment aligns with the core values that have historically defined the Agbaja people. 

    He noted that investing in human capacity, not rivalry or sectionalism, remains the group’s contribution to the wider development of Enugu State.

    “It is in our DNA to create, produce, reform and advance society,” Chime said, adding that renewed attention to education and skills development is essential for Agbaja’s long-term progress.

    National Assembly members from the area, Senator Osita Ngwu (Enugu West) and Rep. Sunday Umeha (Udi/Ezeagu), both of whom addressed the gathering, praised Agbaja communities for reviving their culture and building stronger pathways for youth development. 

    Ngwu said the collective effort reflects the right direction for the people.

    “This is what we are supposed to be doing. Reviving our culture means we are on the right path,” he said, pledging continuous support for the initiative. 

    He recalled that over 3,000 youths benefitted from his six-month free training programme last year and assured that his scholarship scheme for Agbaja students remains active.

    Ngwu, who chairs the Senate Committee on Air Force, also urged the people to take advantage of what he described as a major milestone, the appointment of an Agbaja son as Chief of Air Staff, by encouraging more youths to enlist in the military.

    Hon. Umeha lauded the summit organisers and reaffirmed his commitment to the developmental aspirations of the Agbaja bloc, which he represents in the National Assembly.

    “What we are doing here today is completely within my jurisdiction as the voice of the Agbaja people,” he said.

    He urged the people to harness their political and economic strengths to foster unity and progress. “If every youth in Udi and Ezeagu is given the opportunity through education and skills acquisition, he will excel,” he said, calling for an end to using academic attainment as a tool for division.

    Chairman of the summit’s planning committee, Prof. Chike Anibeze, said the summit rekindled the vibrancy of the Coal City as Agbaja people celebrated their identity and reaffirmed their collective aspirations. 

    He recalled that the maiden summit in 2022, conceived by the Agbaja Leaders of Thought under Prof. Chinedu Nebo, delivered the 12-point Agbaja Development Blueprint covering education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.

    Anibeze said the 2023 Agbaja Declaration, which ensured that no Agbaja child attends school without sandals and a bag, was among the initiatives inspired by the blueprint. 

    These efforts, he noted, reflect growing communal responsibility and a renewed culture of giving back.

    The colloquium concluded with donations toward the proposed Agbaja Centre of Excellence, a skills acquisition hub aimed at accelerating youth talent development across the region. 

    Awards were also presented to distinguished sons and daughters who have contributed to Agbaja’s growth.

  • Committee hails Anambra people

    Committee hails Anambra people

    The National Peace Committee (NPC) has commended people of Anambra state for their commitment towards ensuring peaceful and violent-free poll during the just concluded governorship election in the state.

    The body said the huge turnout recorded at the peace accord signing ceremony it organized few days before the exercise was a demonstration of a people willing and ready for a peaceful exercise.

    Speaking in Awka during a Pause and Reflect Meeting session with project stakeholders in the state, Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer at the Kukah Center, Obafemi Deborah said the event recorded twice the number of what obtained in some other states.

  • Group decries workers’ shortages

    Group decries workers’ shortages

    Civil Society Organisations in Malaria, Immunisation and Nutrition (ACOMIN) in Anambra state has called for urgent and coordinated action to addressing persistent challenges of staff shortages, commodities stock-outs and infrastructural decay affecting Primary Healthcare facilities in the state.

    Executive Director, Malaria Eradication and Safe Health Initiative under the Community-Led Monitoring (MESHI), Prof. Dennis Aribodor who made the call on Monday in a press conference, regretted that many health facilities in Nigerian communities remain under severe strain.

    He identified inadequate human resources for health, empty drug shelves, leaking roofs and other infrastructural deficiencies as factors undermining access to quality HIV, TB and malaria services.

  • Otti presents N1.016 trillion Appropriation Bill to Abia Assembly

    Otti presents N1.016 trillion Appropriation Bill to Abia Assembly

    Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, yesterday proposed N1.016 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year tagged “Budget of Acceleration and New Possibilities”.

    The appropriation bill which  earmarked 80 percent for capital projects, was presented on the floor of the State House of Assembly in Umuahia.

    Governor Otti said the proposal reflected his administration’s determination to “drive rapid socioeconomic growth and unlock new opportunities” across the state.

    Giving a breakdown of the proposed sum, Otti said “N811.8 billion (80%) is dedicated to capital expenditure, a 32% increase from 2025. N204.4 billion (20%) is for recurrent spending, reflecting expanded personnel obligations and administrative needs.”

    Education retained the highest priority with 20% of the budget (N203.2 billion).

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    The funds, according to Gov Otti will cover salaries for 15,000 teachers, construction of 17 model primary/secondary schools, three technical colleges, and ICT labs and staff quarters in over 100 schools.

    Tertiary institutions like Abia State University, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, and Arochukwu College of Education, will share N52.8 billion for salaries, hostels, lecture theatres, and upgrades, the governor said.

    “Health receives N149.7 billion (15%), targeting renovation of 7 general hospitals, provision of critical equipment for ABSUTH and 23 other health centres, and manpower development.

    “The government also reserved N169.3 billion (16.7%) for aggressive road infrastructure. Key road projects include: Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road;

    Ahiaeke-Okwuta-Bende Road; Nkata-Amaeke Road; Agbo-Umueze-Mbom Road; Umuoji, Mgboko, and Amauzukwu-Mbom roads, among others,” he added.

    According to the governor, his  administration will invest N11.1 billion in public transport, with N6 billion set aside for 80 additional electric buses and completion of modular transport terminals.

    On energy, the governor announced that Abia has acquired electricity distribution assets outside the Aba ring-fenced zone, adding that it was advancing its push for energy independence through ASERA and the new State Electricity Law.

    “The state is projecting a total revenue of N607.2 billion from both internal and external sources, including N223.4 billion IGR; N83.2 billion FAAC; N67.1 billion VAT;

    N26.5 billion grants, and  N168 billion other federal inflows.

    “This leaves a N409 billion deficit, to be financed through concessional loans exclusively for capital projects.

    “Not a penny shall be borrowed to fund recurrent expenditure,” Otti assured lawmakers, reaffirming his administration’s strict fiscal discipline.

    On the achievements of his administration, Otti said over 600km of roads have been built or rehabilitated since 2023, adding that key hospitals were restored with about 200 primary health centres refurbished.

    He also listed the recruitment of 771 health workers and over 5,000 teachers, saying there were plans to engage 4,000 more.

    “A doubling of school enrolment following free and compulsory basic education; 120,000 residents enrolled in state health insurance since April.

    “Abia ranked the most prepared state for health emergency response in Nigeria; a significant rise in internally generated revenue (IGR), projected to hit N100 billion by year-end…

    The governor thanked the 8th Assembly for its cooperation and pledged continued transparency and accountability.

    “We remain committed to building an Abia where dreams are revived, institutions work, and every community feels the impact of governance,” he said.

  • Uche Igwe congratulates Uzodimma on his presidential appointment

    Uche Igwe congratulates Uzodimma on his presidential appointment

    …pledges to provide evidence-based communication support

    An eminent scholar, political economy analyst and Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), Dr. Uche Igwe has congratulated the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, on his recent appointment as the Renewed Hope Ambassador by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

    In a statement released this evening, Dr. Igwe praised Governor Uzodimma and described his appointment as an eloquent recognition of his unimpechable loyalty and unwavering commitment to mobilizing support for the Tinubu administration.  

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    According to the statement, “On behalf of my family, I wish to applaud our Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma for his recent Presidential appointment as Renewed Hope Ambassador.

    “For me, this is a validation of your resolute commitment towards ensuring the propagation of the dividends of the Tinubu administration across the country and beyond.

    “My belief is that your appointment will further motivate you to work harder in support. Mr. President. I wish to assure you that I will volunteer to work with you to promote the objectives of your new office to ensure that the impact is felt among relevant stakeholders across the country.”

    Dr. Igwe further stated he would use his office to provide relevant evidence to support a data-driven communication support to the Renewed Hope Agenda.

  • Court stops police from further arrests in Mburubu Igweship dispute

    Court stops police from further arrests in Mburubu Igweship dispute

    The High Court of Enugu State on Monday, November 24, 2025, issued a restraining order against the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, the Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactical Squad (SWAT), CSP Anosike Nduwuisi, and other security operatives over alleged unlawful arrests and intimidation of youths from Mburubu community in Nkanu East Local Government Area.

    Justice C. O. Ajah, presiding over the matter, granted the application filed by ten youths of the community: Eze Cletus Elija, Joseph Ani Ezeoha, Evaristus Okonkwo, Friday Ani, Ani Monday, Orji Emmanuel, Ozo Emmanuel Aniobi, Patrick Okonkwo, Aniobi Ambrose and Imeka Godswill Chukwuemeka, who appeared in court representing themselves and other Mburubu youths.

    None of the respondents, including the Commissioner of Police; the SWAT Commander, CSP Nduwuisi; IPO Emmanuel Uchenna Ogazi; and community member Ozo Jerry Patrick Onuokaibe, was present in court.

    In the Suit No E/1093m/25, ounsel to the applicants, Barr. Ike Ozor, told the court that the youths were being persecuted for resisting what he described as an unlawful attempt by Onuokaibe to impose himself as the Igwe of Mburubu in violation of existing court orders.

    Ozor explained that an earlier court judgment in Suit No. HAMA/1/2024, delivered on January 12, 2025, had disqualified Onuokaibe from contesting the Igweship stool based on the rotational provisions of the community’s constitution.

    A subsequent order in Suit No. HAMA/24/2025 also restrained him from holding a new yam festival scheduled for November 1, 2025.

    “Despite these clear court orders, he went ahead to hold the festival and has continued to parade himself as Igwe-elect,” Ozor told the court.

    He added, “My worry is that he connived with the police, particularly the SWAT Commander, to arrest ten youths of the community on November 3. They were tortured, brutalised and detained for weeks simply because they opposed his unlawful claim to the stool.”

    The counsel alleged further that the police, acting on Onuokaibe’s influence, compiled a list of about 70 community leaders and ordered them to report at the SWAT office, raising fear of more arrests.

    He added that after detaining the ten youths for nearly three weeks, Onuokaibe allegedly took them from the SWAT office to his house and forced them to address him as Igwe before they were released without conditions.

    “This shows the police knew they committed no offence,” he said, adding that the complainant himself stood as surety for their release.

    Ozor said the situation had become life-threatening for the applicants and warranted urgent judicial intervention.

    After listening to the submissions, Justice Ajah held that the applicants had provided “sufficient and compelling facts” showing that their lives and liberties were at risk.

    He thereafter granted the motion, restraining the police and other respondents from further arresting, detaining, harassing or intimidating the applicants or any other member of Mburubu community pending the determination of the substantive suit.

    The judge thereafter announced that he would return the case file back to the Chief Judge to reassign same to any judge of his choice for continuation.

  • Ex-Rep aspirant Agba seeks justice for 5-year-old rape victim

    Ex-Rep aspirant Agba seeks justice for 5-year-old rape victim

    A former House of Representatives aspirant, Dr. Martha Agba, has expressed displeasure over the controversial punishment handed to a suspected rapist by community elders in Bekwarra Local Government in a case involving a minor.

    The incident involves a 60-year-old man from the Atibulum clan in Gakem Bekwarra, who was accused of raping a five-year-old girl.

    Instead of being handed over to the police, the matter was adjudicated by community elders, who reportedly settled the case by ordering the man to provide three goats and a crate of beer as punishment.

    This resolution has been met with widespread condemnation, with prominent voices like activist Dr. Agba labelling it a gross miscarriage of justice and an insult to the victim.

    “The punishment handed down to the suspect is not just mild; it is barbaric and tantamount to endorsing violence against children,” Agba stated in a press release.

    “To equate the lifelong trauma of a five-year-old girl to farm animals and alcohol is deeply dehumanising and sets a dangerous precedent.”

    Agba is now leading the charge for what she calls “stricter persecution,” insisting that the case must be transferred from the traditional justice system to the Nigerian courts.

    “This man must be made to face the full cause of the law. The Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VPP) Act and the Child Rights Law exist for a reason.

    “We cannot allow archaic and insensitive traditional practices to override the statutory laws of Nigeria, especially for a crime as grievous as rape.

    “The message this sends to other potential offenders is that they can violate our children and buy their way out with a few commodities. This is unacceptable,” Agba continued.

    “We are calling on the Cross River State Police Command to immediately arrest the man, investigate the crime, and prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.

    “We also demand that the young victim receive immediate psychosocial support and medical care.”

    As of the time of this report, it remains unclear if the police have initiated an investigation into the matter.

    Public pressure is mounting, with many on social media echoing Martha Agba’s demands for state-sanctioned justice for the victim.

    The case has highlighted the ongoing tension between traditional justice systems and statutory law in many parts of Nigeria.

    While community elders often seek to resolve disputes internally, activists and legal experts argue that serious criminal offences, particularly those of a sexual and violent nature, fall outside their jurisdiction.

  • Environmental degradation: Abia govt plans to rehabilitate FUTO dilapidated roads

    Environmental degradation: Abia govt plans to rehabilitate FUTO dilapidated roads

    The Abia State Government has promised Governor Alex Otto’s intervention in deploying resources to repair the dilapidated road infrastructure at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).

    This was disclosed by the Abia State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and Africa Representative of the National Registry of Environmental Professionals (NREP), USA, Professor Joel Ogbonna, in a keynote address presented at the International Conference on Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (ICPES 2025), held at FUTO.

    Prof. Ogbonna was concerned about the deplorable roads and assured that urgent action would be taken to address the issue promptly.

    “When I arrived at FUTO, I was excited, but I was shocked to see the state of the roads in the university. Today we are here to discuss sustainable development and climate change, we must do all we can to protect our environment and I can assure you that something urgent will be done to address the deployable roads.”

    He emphasized that achieving sustainable and resilient livelihoods requires a multidisciplinary approach, involving stakeholders from academia, government, industry, and civil society collaborating to innovate and implement procurement policies that prioritize environmental stewardship and social justice.

    Prof. Ogbonna urged, “Let us use the lessons learned from this Conference to reaffirm our commitment to embedding equity, justice, and sustainability into procurement processes, advancing environmental and social standards that protect human health and the planet, and building resilient livelihoods that withstand the growing threats of climate change.”

    The Vice Chancellor of FUTO, Prof. Nnenna Oti, noted that universities are the beating heart of global knowledge, where scholars gather to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and shape the future.

    Prof. Oti stated that the conference themed “Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards: Achieving Sustainable and Resilient Livelihoods in the Face of Climate Change,” “is a call to action, to rethink how we procure, protect, and uphold social standards in a rapidly changing world.”

    In their separate addresses, the CE-sPESS Director, Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe and Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Prof. C.O Nwoko noted that climate change was no longer a distant threat, but a present reality shaping economies, communities and ecosystems , adding that the conference was designed to promote and foster research, development and innovation that would drive economic growth.

    “We need to replicate standard compliance for procurement, environmental and social development practices. We need to build roads and guarantee 10 years before maintenance, we need to guarantee the air quality, water quality in all our towns, we need to guarantee the health, well being and social livelihood of all communities. That is what distinguishes Nigeria from advanced world,” they said.

  • Onyejeocha chooses reflection over celebration on birthday, emphasises unity

    Onyejeocha chooses reflection over celebration on birthday, emphasises unity

    Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Barr. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, marked her birthday on Sunday, with a message to Nigerians, having visited orphanages on Saturday to share in compassionate service rather than hosting lavish celebrations.

    “As I mark another year today, my heart is with every Nigerian facing the uncertainty and pain that these challenging times bring,” the Minister said.

    On Saturday, she visited City of Refuge Orphanage Home in Durumi and Destined Children’s Orphanage at Kado Estate, Abuja, donating food items and welfare materials to vulnerable children.

    Onyejeocha spoke directly to the nation’s challenges, acknowledging attempts to undermine collective unity and progress, while issuing a strong call for resilience and hope.

    “While we are confronted by despair and deliberate sabotage of our collective will for unity and progress, we must choose hope over despair, unity over designed fragmentation of our people,” she stated.

    Drawing on Nigeria’s history of overcoming adversity, the Minister expressed confidence in the nation’s future.

    “Nigeria has weathered horrendous storms in times past, we will together do it again and emerge victorious as one nation under God,” she declared, adding: “Peace will indeed return to our land.”

    The Minister’s decision to visit orphanages rather than celebrate lavishly has been praised as compassionate leadership that prioritizes service above self.

    At both City of Refuge Orphanage Home, Durumi and Destined Children’s Orphanage, Kado Estate, Onyejeocha spent time with the children, distributing food items and welfare materials while offering words of encouragement.

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    The visits reflected her belief that leadership must be demonstrated through service, especially during challenging times.

    Onyejeocha’s message comes as Nigeria continues to address security challenges in various parts of the country.

    The Minister urged Nigerians to retain hope in the sincerity and capacity of the Tinubu administration to address and overcome these challenges. She emphasized that the government remains firmly committed to the safety and protection of all citizens.

    Her message appears aimed at rallying Nigerians around shared values of unity and resilience, expressing confidence in the administration’s efforts to strengthen peace and security across the country.