The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Kokori decriesabandonment by NUPENG

    Kokori decriesabandonment by NUPENG

    Elder statesman and former Secretary General of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori, has alleged that the union has abandoned  him as he lies critically ill at a hospital in Warri, Delta State. 

    In a distress call at about 12:40am yesterday, the former labour leader said he was receiving treatment for a kidney related ailment.

    Kokori, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, in a pain-filled voice, said “he is dead and risen.”

    He said it was lamentable “that NUPENG had abandoned their own to fate in a hospital where the air conditioner was not working.”

    Said he: “Tell the world that Kokori is dead and risen. The only man in Warri that can handle kidney problems is at Horeb Hospital, Warri. 

    “But I’m facing other challenges. The air conditioner is not working. And AC can keep alive till morning. What a country! 

    “Mobilise yourselves. I have something to tell this country, please. Please do your best. 

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    “Tell them that I can pay any amount, but let them switch on the AC for me because I’m dying. 

    “The AC went off. Please do your best. Flash it. I can come alive again, but I just want the world to know that if I survive, I’ll shame the leaders of this country. 

    “Shame to them. How can Kokori be in a third class hospital? The people are trying their best because I know it’s diesel issue. 

    “The AC is off. Two of my foster children are here with me. I’ve sent one to meet the hospital management that they should do everything to make sure the AC is switched on, that when I’m out, I’ll pay. That I’m dying. 

    “I’ve called on NUPENG that this is what they’ve done to their leader. That NUPENG cannot even take care of me. It’s sad.  God bless everybody.” 

  • Otu recognises Abasi as Obong of Calabar

    Otu recognises Abasi as Obong of Calabar

    • Ends 16-year battle

    Tross River State Governor Bassey Otu has made a final pronouncement on the 16-year-old battle for the rightful occupant of the throne of Obong of Calabar, with a declaration yesterday that Edidem Abasi remained the duly elected king.

    The declaration became necessary after a legal battle over the throne ran a full course from the state High Court up to the Supreme Court.

    The apex court judgment had directed a fresh nomination that must include Abasi, who was enthroned since 2008 as the Obong of Calabar, but challenged by Etubom Ani, who claimed similar rights.

    Ani, former finance minister, had argued that he was granted waiver to stand election for the stool, but short-changed.

    In a government statement titled: ‘Official Position of the Cross River State Government on the Traditional Stool of the Obong of Calabar’, the governor decried the intractable dispute over the kingship of the Efik Nation and the contention for the stool of the Obong of Calabar since 2008.

    The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, said: ”Governor Otu notes that the stool of the Obong of Calabar is about six centuries old, steeped in the ethos of the Efik and revered among the few first class kings in Nigeria; hence the need to protect the throne from judicial, social and political scorn.

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    “The governor stated that having undertaken a judicial review of the state High Court and Supreme Court rulings as well as the Constitution of the Obong’s Palace and interfaced with royal fathers, resolves as follows:

    “That the issue of waiver for qualification of a candidate to contest the Obong stool is untenable.

    “That the stipulations of the Constitution of the Obong’s Palace in respect of the procedure for the enthronement of any Etubom as the Obong of Calabar remain sacrosanct;

    “That in all the subsequent judgments of the appellate courts, the letter and spirit of the state High Court judgment of September 25, 2022 has not been set aside nor its binding effect on all parties diminished

    “That all parties must ensure the implementation of the judgment cited in (iii) above to the later;

    “That Abasi V remains the validly selected and elected Obong of Calabar and the Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom.

    “That this official pronouncement by the state government has granted explicit recognition to His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V as the Obong of Calabar; and brings to final closure the speculation, acrimony and disaffection that may have risen in the course of the tussle for this revered royal stool of the Efik Kingdom” 

  • Truth commission uncovers mass grave site in Anambra, says Bianca Ojukwu

    Truth commission uncovers mass grave site in Anambra, says Bianca Ojukwu

    Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, has disclosed the existence of a mass grave site in Anambra State.

    She said this in a statement she posted on her Facebook page titled: ‘A mass grave site discovered in Anambra sealed off for forensic investigation.’

    Although the former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain did not disclose the location of the grave site, she said the discovery of the mass grave was brought through testimonies, to the attention of the Commission of Inquiry.

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    She added that about 322 people were verified as killed or dead as a result of violence as testified by the witnesses, who appeared before the Anambra Truth, Justice and Peace Commission.

    The commission was constituted by Governor Chukwuma Soludo in June 2022 to inquire into the violent agitations and restiveness in the state and the Southeast.

    When contacted to know if the state government was aware of the development, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, said a formal report had not been presented on it.

    Police spokesman DSP Tochukwu Ikenga did not respond to inquiries when contacted on the development.

  • Mass exodus hits Ebonyi PDP as ex-speaker, others resign

    Mass exodus hits Ebonyi PDP as ex-speaker, others resign

    People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Ebonyi State chapter has continued to experience massive defection of major stakeholders, with the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Odefa Obasi Odefa, becoming the latest to jump ship.

    Odefa, alongside other stakeholders from his Onicha East Constituency have resigned their membership of the party.

    He tendered his resignation letter to the Chairman of his Ogudu Okwor ward, Oshiri community, in the local government.

    Odefa confirmed his defection to reporters yesterday in Abakaliki. 

    He was flanked by other bigwigs of the PDP and Labour Party (LP)

    in the local government, who all announced their resignation from the two parties.

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    They include PDP Chairman, Ugwu Oshiri Ward; PDP Chairman,  Okpuzor/Ukawu Ward; PDP Chairman, Ebyia Oshiri Ward; PDP Chairman, Abaomege Ward; PDP Chairman, Ishinkwo/Ukawu Ward; and PDP Chairman, Ogudu Okwor Ward.

    Odefa and other PDP/LP bigwigs did not disclose the party they would be joining, but it was gathered that they would likely defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Odefa, whose younger brother is the National Vice Chairman of PDP in the Southeast, said he (the National Vice Chairman) was free to remain in the PDP.

    He said: “Yes, my younger brother is a major stakeholder, not just a major stakeholder, he is also the National Vice Chairman of PDP in the Southeast. In our family, we are very mature. We may have different opinions, but we respect each other’s opinions and feelings.”

  • Otti reads riot act to 24 perm secs

    Otti reads riot act to 24 perm secs

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has urged the 24 newly sworn in permanent secretaries to be firm and live above board.

    Speaking at the Government House, Umuahia, yesterday after the oath of office and allegiance were administered on the permanent secretaries by the Director-in-charge, Ministry of Justice, Emenike Okoro, the governor advised the permanent secretaries to improve themselves in knowledge, to add value to the system.

    He said: “In the new Abia we are progressively building, we are more interested in what you can bring to the table. 

    “Competence and character for us will always take precedence over place of origin or the religion you profess.”

    Responding on behalf of the permanent secretaries, Mrs. Ngozi Obioma thanked Governor Otti for appointing them as his fist set of permanent secretaries. 

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    She said they would work in line with the civil service reform agenda of the current administration and promised to justify the confidence reposed in them.

    The permanent secretaries include Lady Joy Maduka, Ngozi Obioma, Paul Ogwubunka, Uche Ukeje, Okezie Chukwudike, Justine Ebo, Ogechukwu Maduka, Izuchukwu Onwughara, Obi-Chianakwalam Elechi and Ifenyinwa  Uma-Kalu.

    Others are Ogechi Oguama, Ijeoma Dim, Nwanyieze Otum, Ugonma Jimonu, Benson Ojeikere, Uchechukwu Kalu, Ikechukwu Oriuwa, Ijeoma Aguwa, Florence Nwogu, Magdalene Onwu, Ezinne Ngwakwe, Cyril Nwaigwe, Ugochukwu Kingston and Onwuegbu  Nlewedim.

  • Fed Govt upgrades Alvan Ikoku College to varsity

    Fed Govt upgrades Alvan Ikoku College to varsity

    Federal Government has upgraded Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education  (AIFCE) to a university. 

    The former provost of the college, who is now the acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Dr. Stella Lemchi, disclosed this to reporters. 

    She said: “This is to inform you of the current reality and status of our institution, formerly known as Alvan Ikoku College of Education, and now Alvan Ikoku University of Education, Owerri.”  

    The DVC thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the policy of his administration to ensure that the journey started 60 years ago came to reality.

    She expressed the institution’s gratitude to Governor Hope Uzodimma.

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    On the history of the institution, Lemchi said: “The journey that recently culminated in the upgrade of our institution started in 1963, when, on the recommendation of the Ashby Commission, the institution was established as Advanced Teacher Training College, Owerri  under the auspices of UNESCO on behalf of the United Nations (Special Funds), and Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “The college was established as one of the four projects aimed at expanding facilities for the training of secondary school teachers in Nigeria, which envisaged one federal training college at the national level in Lagos, and three colleges to serve the Eastern, Western and Northern regions. 

    “The Government of East Central State of Nigeria, by Edict No. 11 of May 31, 1973 upgraded the Advanced Teacher Training College Owerri to the status of a full-fledged College of Education named in honour of the great educationist, Alvan Ikoku, a former leader of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and proprietor of the first indigenous privately-owned secondary school in Nigeria. 

  • Uzodimma launches project for 40,000 youths

    Uzodimma launches project for 40,000 youths

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has launched Cohort 3 Skill-Up Imo Project for 40 000 youths, who will be trained in digital skills that will make them either employable or self-reliant, depending on their choice.

    Launching the exercise at Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the governor told the youth that “the overall objective of the skill-up is to make youths self-reliant, job employers, creative thinkers and future world billionaires in US dollars.”

    He informed them that his administration had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with foreign companies, who would employ successful ones among them after their graduation.

    Uzodimma said it was the responsibility of the government to prepare youths for future, equip and train them in how to fish and not to give them fish.

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    He said: “When youths are trained, equipped and empowered, crime in communities will be reduced and peace will be restored.”

    The governor urged them to be “attentive, serious and useful to Imo State and Nigeria.” 

    He said Imo people were happy that despite the challenges facing the government, his administration graduated 20,000 youths from the programme “and is now admitting another 40,000 in the same project.”

    Uzodimma thanked the Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi and Imo youths for accepting the programme.

    Amadi said Imo people have fully accepted the programme, noting that “Imo mothers now say their children must be skilled up.”

  • Appeal Court reinstates Ugochinyere as Ideato Reps member

    Appeal Court reinstates Ugochinyere as Ideato Reps member

    The Court of Appeal, sitting in Lagos has unanimously affirmed the election of the member representing Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, as the validly elected member of the House of Representatives.

    The judicial triumph has brought to an end the political battle of almost two years, which has been as intriguing as it has been bloody, claiming lives of his family members and supporters who lost their lives following a deadly attack on his residence on January 7, 2023 shortly before the February 25 National Assembly elections.

    In a unanimous judgment, the panel headed by Justice Abubakar Babandi Gumel overruled the judgment of the Imo State National/State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which had disqualified Ikenga and nullified his election on a pre-election matter of the primary election of the PDP despite plethora of authorities by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal to the effect that Election Tribunals do not have jurisdiction over pre-election matters.

    As news of the judgment reached Ideato, there was instant jubilation, with markets and streets instantly turning into carnivals for the celebration of the legal victory. 

    Speaking after the judgment, counsel to Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Emeka Ozoani, SAN, described the judgement as victory for democracy and an end to political rascality. 

    He said the travesty of the Tribunal judgement led to the filing of nine appeals before the Appeal Court, the highest number of appeals ever against a singular judgement in the nation’s election petition jurisprudence.

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    While commending the President of the Court of Appeal and the three members of the Panel, Barr Tochukwu Ohazuruike said: “The President of the Court of Appeal and the three Panel members deserve all the commendation for resisting the attempts of Hope Uzodimma to undermine them like he did to Justice Akpovi who has lost all his respect for such strange judgment he delivered after the Tribunal hearing. It is only those who that Hope Uzodimma stops at nothing when he wants to desecrate the judiciary that will understand why this commendation is necessary and apt.”

    An excited Hon. Ugochinyere said God always vindicates the innocent while reacting to the judgement. 

    He said this was not the opportunity cost for those that were killed in the battle, but it will, at least, show they did not die in vain. 

    “We can now start the burial arrangements for my uncle who was murdered in cold blood on 7th January so he can now rest in peace having been here till this final victory.” 

  • Abia seeks prosecution of deputy speaker, LP state chairman

    Abia seeks prosecution of deputy speaker, LP state chairman

    The leadership of Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Police Commissioner Kenechukwu Onwuemelie to prosecute the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Austin Nmeregini, for allegedly leading protest against the judgment of the Court of Appeal.

    It also demanded the prosecution of the state Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Ceekay Igara, for also allegedly mobilising members of the party to lead the protest, which the PDP said was capable of causing breach of peace.

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    The Court of Appeal last weekend removed Darlington Nwokocha of the LP and restored the mandate of Col. Austin Akobundu of the PDP as the winner of the February 25 National Assembly election.

    Speaking at the state secretariat of the party in Umuahia, the Vice Chairman of the party in Abia North and acting Publicity Secretary of the party, Abraham Amah, accused LP of trying to cause commotion in the state.

  • Mbah’s certificate: Enugu PDP demands apology from NYSC

    Mbah’s certificate: Enugu PDP demands apology from NYSC

    From Damian Duruiheoma, Enugu

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State has demanded an open and unreserved apology from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for what it tagged conspiracy, deceit and wilful misrepresentation of facts to destroy Governor Peter Mbah and dislodge the party from the state.

    The party also accused NYSC of dabbling in the politics of Enugu State and rendering itself a willing tool in the hands of the opposition.

    The position of the party was made known in a statement issued by the Chairman of the Enugu State chapter of the PDP, Augustine Nnamani, in Enugu yesterday.

    The party was reacting to the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which cleared Mbah of certificate forgery and awarded N5 million damages in favour of the governor.

    The PDP accused the Director-General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed, and Director of Corps Certification, Muhammad Ibrahim, of dragging the reputation of the institution in the mud by dabbling in partisan politics.

    “The judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, not only exposed the underbelly of the profiteering, conspiracy, ineptness, political partisanship and duplicity in the Governor Mbah NYSC discharge certificate controversy, it also exposed the same factors that have rendered our public institutions weak and ineffectual.

    Read Also: Court fines NYSC N5m for tagging Mbah’s discharge certificate as fake

    “For instance, in discountenancing NYSC’s claim that a purported certificate number A673517 that could have been issued to Mbah was among the outdated, uncollected, unused and cancelled discharge certificates covering 1999 to 2004 that were allegedly burnt in 2022 on management’s directive, the court rightly wondered how the NYSC obtained the certificates dated 6th January 2003, which they certified and tendered before the court.

    “In the court’s words, ‘To make matters worse, the certification by the stamp thereon was done on 19th August, 2023, long after this case was initiated on 4th May, 2023; a person can only certify a document which original he is in his possession.

    “It is also a shame that in order to perfect their paid job, cover their tracks and fool the court, the NYSC resorted to withholding Mbah’s initial file with reference number LA/01/1532 or the temporary file with reference number LA/01/1532/T that contain his records of national service and certificate from the court.

    “The Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo therefore unmasked the shameful conspiracy when he held that ‘non-production of files with Ref. No. LA/01/1532 or File with Ref. No. LA/01/1532/T means the contents thereof would have gone against the defendants (NYSC’s) in this case and I so hold’”, Nnamani said.

    Nnamani said it should worry Nigerians that it was only in 2022 when the politics of 2023 was already underway that the NYSC found it most convenient and auspicious to burn purported unclaimed and unused discharge certificates from 1999 to 2004, if indeed it did so.

    Concluding, Nnamani said: “Now that the court has finally established the truth, which is that Mbah diligently served his fatherland and was honourably discharged; that the NYSC was merely playing dirty politics and tried to fool Nigerians and the court, we demand an immediate, open and unreserved apology from the NYSC to both Governor Peter Mbah and the PDP as an institution, and indeed the entire good people of Enugu State”.