The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Amnesty programme trains 20 ex-Niger Delta agitators in aircraft maintenance

    Amnesty programme trains 20 ex-Niger Delta agitators in aircraft maintenance

    No fewer than twenty ex-agitators from the Niger Delta have officially begun a five-week mandatory training as engineers in aircraft maintenance.

    The training is under Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP). Its Interim Administrator, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd.), made this known in a statement yesterday.

    He said the beneficiaries were part of the 75 pilots under the PAP Aviation Resuscitation Programme for ex-agitators of Niger Delta.

    The first set of 20 aircraft maintenance engineers graduated on October 31, 2023.

    Addressing the beneficiaries, the PAP boss said the launch of training for the second batch was another promise kept by his administration.

    He said the global aviation industry is expanding at a rapid pace and manpower development is being emphasised by the industry operators and regulators.

    Ndiomu said through the specialised programme, PAP had become a critical supplier of strategic manpower to the global aviation industry.

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    “You represent not just the future of the Niger Delta, but also the future of Nigeria and the global aviation industry

    “The PAP has provided you with all you require to succeed in this journey. What you owe us in return is excellence.”

    He further underscored the programme’s relevance in providing essential manpower to meet industry demands, while reaffirming PAP’s dedication to consistently create advanced opportunities for the career development of individuals from the Niger Delta, creating advanced opportunities for the career development of individuals from the Niger Delta, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

    He, however, urged the beneficiaries to excel in their endeavours and shape the future of the Niger Delta, contributing to Nigeria and the global aviation sector.

  • Eno begins one project per local govt

    Eno begins one project per local govt

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has begun one project per local government initiative in Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District.

    The initiative, aimed at massive rural development in the 31 local governments, began with the launch of the building of Model Government Primary School, Idung Offiong in Eket.

    Eno said the projects were based on specific needs as requested by stakeholders in each local government, adding that each project would be completed within six months for a new round to start.

    He said the model school would be equipped with solar power, security gate, perimeter fence, staff quarters and modern learning facilities, adding that there would be provision of school uniforms, books and sandals for pupils.

    “This is the first of the projects that will be delivered in the 31 councils of this state. As part of our rural development drive, we have given the opportunity for communities and local governments to do a need assessment, align it with what we have and deliver to the people.

    “This project was chosen by Eket Local Government stakeholders. They want a school built here. We are here today to use this as our point of contact to launch projects that will be under the initiative in Eket Senatorial District. When we leave here, we will replicate it in Uyo Senatorial District and later go to Ikot Ekpene.

    “We will do 31 projects across the state, and the projects, I believe, should be ready in six months. Then we will take on another 31.

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    “So, if you have a school this time, you may have a hospital next time and if you have a hospital next, you may have markets later. That way, we will touch every part of the state with quality projects.

    “We have a budget, and we will stay within that budget. Our father, the paramount ruler, has talked about a school established in 1905. I think we will look at that school and make sure we make the school a model one. 1905 is a long time ago, we will not like such a legacy school to die,” the governor added.

    He said one of the main reasons he was keen on education was his determination to curb out-of-school children and ensure that education was made attractive to them through the provision of basic needs and a conducive learning environment.

    Eno disclosed plans to select some students in the rural areas for an exchange programme in the United Kingdom as part of efforts to expose them and build capacity that would enable them compete with their counterparts across the globe.

    He used the occasion to call on International Oil companies (IOCs) operating in the state to support government’s rural development efforts by adopting any of the model projects and replicating same in their host communities, as part of their corporate social responsibility. 

    Giving details of the model school, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Ibom Deep Seaport, Dr. Bassey Okon, thanked the governor for approving the project, noting that the new school project would include classrooms, clinic, assembly hall, toilets, water facilities, among others.

    Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, Paramount Ruler of Eket Local Government, HRM Edidem E. C. D. Abia and Chairman of Eket Local Government, Akaninyene Tommey, thanked the governor for his commitment to the development of Eket and assured him of their support.

  • Otti appoints transition chairmen, deputies

    Otti appoints transition chairmen, deputies

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti yesterday announced the appointment of transition committee chairmen and deputies for the 17 local governments.

    Our correspondent reports that Dr. Otti had come under criticism by the opposition parties for reportedly withholding the seal of local governments and his inability to organise council election or appoint transition committee chairmen for the 17 local governments since he assumed office, which the opposition noted was not just contrary to Otti’s campaign promises, but also against democratic principles.

    While the governor had at different times assured his supporters and ‘Abians’ generally that he would organise local government election, he also said he would appoint transition committee chairmen to supervise the affairs of the councils before election would be organised.

    Otti said in a statement that he had submitted their names for screening and confirmation by the House of Assembly.

    Those appointed include IsialaNgwa South LGA: Chairman- Dr. Elelenta Nwambuisi Elele. Deputy- Mr. Eberechukwu Ahuruonye.

    Ukwa West LGA: Chairman- Mr. Newman Azu.

    Deputy- Mr. Anele Michael.

    Arochukwu LGA: Chairman- Chief Joe Ezearu. Deputy- Mr. Okezie Azuma.

    Others include Umuahia South LGA:

    Chairman- Mr. Obike Ejike Nnochiri, Deputy- Mr. Olendingwa Nwabueze. IsialaNgwa North LGA: Chairman- Mr. C. Y. Nwankwo. Deputy- Mr. Uchenna Nwanbuko.

    Umunneochi LGA: Chairman- Mr. Ndubuisi Ike. Deputy- Mr. Njoku Augustine C.

    The statement further said: Isuikwuato LGA. Chairman- Air Vice Marshal Chinwendu Onyike (Rtd).

    Deputy- Harrison Onuke

    Ikwuano LGA: Chairman- Mr. Osinachi Hycinth Nwaka, Deputy- Chief Charles Ugbuajah.

    Others include: Bende LGA.

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    Chairman- Chijioke Nwankwo, Deputy- Mr. Onyedikachi Iroegbu.

    Ohafia LGA: Chairman- Chief David Ogba, Deputy-  Mkpa Oju Uka.

    Obingwa LGA: Chairman- Dr. Eric Egwuibe, Deputy- Mr. Chiemela Ekpemu.

    Ugwunagbo LGA: Chairman- Nosike Ihesiaba, Deputy- Mr. Nnamdi Kelvin Chijioke.

    Ukwa East LGA: Chairman- Dr. Ngozi Nwagbara, Deputy- Chief Onyebuchi Nnah.

    Umuahia North LGA: Chairman- Chief Victor Ikeji, Deputy- Mr. Okechukwu Anthony Amah.

    Aba South LGA: Chairman- Mr. Uchechukwu A. C. Wogu, Deputy- Mrs. Nkiru Ugwu.

    Aba North LGA: Chairman- Ide John Udeagbala, Deputy- Prince Nnaemeka Ogbonna and Osisioma Ngwa LGA: Chairman- Israel Nweke, Deputy-  Young Ngwaziem.

  • Chairman De Palms Hotel Don Okonkwo hosts CDS

    Chairman De Palms Hotel Don Okonkwo hosts CDS

    The Chief Executive Officer of De Palms Hotels Ltd, Port Harcourt Chief Prince Donatus Okonkwo has played host to the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa in the garden city. 

    The Defence chief and his team were in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for an official engagement, from where he paid a visit to his long time friend, Chief Okonkwo at his hotel and spent two nights at the world class hotel. 

    Chief Okonkwo, a former governorship and chieftain of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), was full of thanks for the visit. 

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    His business interests have been at the forefront in advancing their corporate social responsibilities in the areas of supporting the security of lives and property. 

    Those who accompanied the CDS include Major Gen Jamal Abdussalam GOC 6Th Division;  OPDS Naval command Balysa Rear admiral Olusegun and the Flag officer commanding Eastern Naval Command Gen Solo O. 

  • ‘We adopted Tinubu’s stakeholders’ approach’

    ‘We adopted Tinubu’s stakeholders’ approach’

    The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission adopted the stakeholders’ engagement approach to develop the region in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administrative style.

    He said the commission would remain steadfast in executing its mandate of fast-tracking development for the benefit of ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta.

    Ogbuku spoke when he hosted a delegation from the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, led by Chief Ayiri Emami, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    The NDDC boss  said President Tinubu’s administration was putting emphasis on stakeholders’ engagement, and that the commission had adopted that approach.

    He said the commission would soon organise a stakeholder’s summit to give  groups in the region the opportunity to be part of the development process.

    Ogbuku said besides NDDC’s engagement with stakeholders, the commission also visited the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, to get his buy-in on the completion of the Omadino-Escravos Road, in Warri North Local Government of Delta State.

     Ogbuku in a statement signed by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, noted that the project, when completed, would link Warri to Escravos, the hub of oil and gas activities in Warri Kingdom.

    He stressed the importance of Warri in the economy of Delta and the country, saying NDDC also met Chevron officials to discuss collaboration on the Omadino-Escravos. 

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    He said: “We are working out the details of the partnership with them because we are committed to seeing to the completion of the project.”

    He said the commission was open to  ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta in line with its mandate to serve the people and ensure sustainable development of communities in the region.

    Ogbuku said: “We all face the same challenges. Therefore, we must work together to address our challenges, regardless of our ethnicity. These challenges, like underdevelopment and ecological problems, bring us all together.”

    The Secretary, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Sir. Sunny Mene, described Ogbuku as “a detribilised Niger Deltan with conscientious tendencies, clear vision for the region, and a committed mission to turn our communities around in a way never before seen in the history of the commission”.

  • LP members protest  Whip’s sack

    LP members protest  Whip’s sack

    Members of the Abia State chapter of the Labour Party (LP) yesterday marched on the streets of Umuahia, to protest the sacking of Senate Minority Whip Darlington Nwokocha by the Appeal Court last weekend.

    The court, sitting in Lagos, declared the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), the winner of the February 25 Abia Central Senatorial District election.

    LP members, who wore black clothes, carried placards, describing the judgment as pervasive.

    The protesters, led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Augustine Meregini, marched from the party secretariat on Ikot Ekpene Road to Aba Road.

    Some of the inscriptions on their placards read: “Judicial impunity must stop”; _we voted for Darlington Nwokocha and not Col. Austin Akobundu”, “Darlington’s mandate must be recovered.”

    Read Also: Appeal Court upholds Orji Kalu’s election

    Addressing the protesters, the state party Chairman, Chief Ceekay Igara, said he wondered why the panel of the appeal that sacked Nwokocha also upheld the election of the member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, who had a similar case with him.

    He said: “We are in shock about the judgment because Section 77 of the Electoral Act, which the panel relied on to deliver the judgment that dealt with the membership of a party, has been decided by the Supreme Court as an internal affair of the political party.

    “We are demanding details of the judgment to enable our lawyers study and decide on the next line of action”.

    Reacting, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) through its Vice Chairman, Abia North and acting Publicity Secretary of the party, Amah Abraham, said in a statement: “It is unbecoming of a party to make a public declaration to reject the judgment of a court of competent and final jurisdiction and ask it to review its judgment because that is nothing but a call to anarchy.”

  • Military dissociates self from raid on Uwazuruike

    Military dissociates self from raid on Uwazuruike

    Leader of Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, yesterday alleged that uniformed men suspected to be soldiers stormed his Okwe country home in Onuimo Local Government of Imo State and kidnapped four of his security guards.

    A statement quoted Uwazuruike as saying that the abduction occurred on Sunday night.

    “Some Nigerian soldiers stormed my Okwe country home and abducted four of my security details guarding MASSOB Freedom House in Onuimo Local Government.

    “No provocation led to the abduction and no explanation was offered by the soldiers,” Uwazuruike said in a statement signed on his behalf by the Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, yesterday.

    Uwazuruike, who is also the founder of Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), urged the Commander of 32 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, near Owerri, to ensure release of his security men.

    He said members of BIM-MASSOB had never been indicted or found wanton by security reports, “because of the peaceful approach to our agitation for Biafra.”

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    Uwazuruike added: “The soldiers arrived at Freedom House in a Navy blue Sienna car sighted the MASSOB security men in front of the gate to the MASSOB Freedom House. The five soldiers walked straight to my security men and started flogging them without any explanation or provocation.

    “The soldiers, after beating my members, blindfolded them with clothes and whisked them away to an unknown destination.”

    The BIM leader, who demanded their immediate release or be handed over to any police station nearest to them, gave their names as Comrades. Enoch Chukwuemeka, Joseph Ekpeyong, Sunday Osulor and Goodluck Chukwuemeka.

    Contacted, Army spokesman Joseph Akubo said soldiers don’t abduct, but only arrest people who have questions to answer.

    He, however, said other sister security agencies such as Navy and Air Force wear Army uniform.

    Said he: “You should also know that Navy and Air Force wear the same uniform like that of the Army. I will, however, verify and get back to you later.”

  • President backing indigenous production of arms, ammunition, says DG DICON

    From Bassey Anthony, Uyo

    The Director General, Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Maj.-Gen. Aniedi Edet, has said Nigeria would soon be self-reliant in the production of arms and ammunition.

    Speaking with The Nation yesterday in Uyo, Maj.-Gen. Edet said the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration had provided funds for DICON to manufacture arms and ammunition for the military and other security agencies.

    He said the intervention of the current administration had helped in the fight against insurgency, banditry and other security threats facing Nigeria.

    “We know that insurgency has been the bane of security and one of the challenges of the Nigerian nation over the years.

    “You will also recall that our forces are doing so much in that regard. What DICON does is to provide the materials that sustain the effort of the armed forces and to this extent; we are producing arms and ammunition.

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    “As I speak to you, I have orders to produce for the Nigerian Army, even State Security Services. We can’t just put on papers what we do. But across the nation, I can tell you that no fewer than four states have already placed orders for what we produce and this is just going to go into fighting insurgency”

    Maj.-Gen. Edet, who last weekend was conferred with the award of Knight of Saint Wesley by the Methodist Church of Nigeria, said: “The government of President Tinubu is already having a focused intervention to put DICON where it is supposed to be.

    “In the past we used to have problem of funding. The work of DICON and what it does is strategic intervention. I want to put it on note with all appreciation that the President in less than the few months he has been in the office has already done that.

    ‘We have programmes intervention under the direction of the two ministers of Defence. Just two days ago, I was in China to discuss with our partner in this regard.

    “About two weeks ago I was in Turkey for the same regard. So, my challenges are things that should be discussed in the past, not in the present.”

  • Women protest husbands’ abduction, killing of sons

    Women protest husbands’ abduction, killing of sons

    Women of Ogwuaniocha community in Ogbaru Local Government of Anambra State have protested alleged abduction of their husbands and killing of their sons by a militant group.

    They accused the group of daily invasion and attack on them at the camps they were taking refuge in, calling for Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s intervention.

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    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Stop attacking us with Naval personnel’, ‘Gov. Soludo come to our rescue’, ‘Release our abducted husbands, stop killing our sons, enough of these destruction of lives and property’, among others.

  • Eno urges court to dismiss Akpan’s appeal

    Eno urges court to dismiss Akpan’s appeal

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has urged the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos to dismiss the appeal brought before it by the governorship candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Senator Bassey Akpan.

    He also asked the appellate court to uphold the decision of the lower court, which declared him winner of the governorship election held on March 18, 2023. 

    In appeal filed by the candidate of the YPP, Senator Akpan, and his party, against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Eno and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor held that the Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal in Uyo was right in upholding his victory in the 2023 governorship election after Akpan failed to establish his claims of forgery and electoral malpractices. 

    When the appeal came up at the Appeal Court, Lagos Division yesterday, the governor through his lead counsel, Paul Usoro, SAN, faulted the arguments by the appellants that the judgment of the Supreme Court in the matter of certificate forgery against the 2nd respondent, by Mr. Akan Okon, was different from the certificate forgery case brought before the tribunal. 

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    Usoro averred that “the appellant’s submissions amount to mere sophistry and are entirely erroneous and misconceived”, adding: “That judgment in rem is a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction determining the status of a person or things distinct from the particular interest of a party to the litigation.”

    “My lord, when the court gave the judgment, it clearly decided that the said document is not forged but belongs to the 2nd respondent. It implies that the judgment is applicable to PDP, INEC, the court, or any establishment for that matter”, said the counsel for the 2nd defendant. 

    The appellants, represented by Tunde Falola, held that they were dissatisfied by the ruling and judgment of the tribunal upholding the preliminary objections of the respondents and dismissing the petition, hence the appeal.

    Counsel for INEC, Kolapo Kolade,SAN, said the petitioners never produced either a true owner of the certificate, which they claimed did not truly belong to Pastor Eno, and that they never produced any document to buttress their claims of forgery. 

    “My lord, for any case of forgery to be established, the petitioners have to produce the original document and place it side by side with the alleged forged document. This was never done by the appellants at the lower court”, the INEC counsel said.