The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Otti hopeful of eastern railway track return

    Otti hopeful of eastern railway track return

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti says it is his wish that train services return to the eastern tracks after a long time.

    He said this at his residence when he met officials of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Eastern District, who were on a business visit to him.

    Dr. Otti noted that rail transportation used to be the most viable means of transportation in the country, but suddenly disappeared in the last three decades.

    He promised to support the corporation with all they required to function in the state and requested them to update him with developments regarding the ongoing rehabilitation of the rail line.

    Otti promised to address the request for security and further engage the people on the need to protect and safeguard railway installations in their localities.

    He said anyone caught engaging in vandalism would be dealt with.

    The Railway District Manager, Mr. Modibbo Mohammed, said their visit was to brief the governor on the ongoing rehabilitation of the railway track from Port Harcourt.

    He said the first phase of the laying of new rail covering 63 km from Port Harcourt to Aba would be completed by the end of the year, while the 2nd phase from Aba to Umuahia would be delivered in the first quarter of next year.

    Read Also: Alex Otti flags off reconstruction of 6.7km Port Harcourt Road in Aba

    He solicited the support of the governor in tackling vandalism of the rail tracks stacked in some locations in the state and appealed for a patrol vehicle to assist them in security.

    Modibbo said the railway services, when fully operational, would create jobs for youths and provide alternative means of transportation.

    He hailed the governor for the massive infrastructural development witnessed in the state within his short time in office.

    The Principal Secretary and Chief Strategist to the governor, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu; Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday; Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu; Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu; Commissioner for Transport, Sunny Onwuma; Special Adviser to the governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem; Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Due Process, Dr. Oluebube Chukwu; Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Homeland Security, Mr. Chukwunenye Alajemba, among others, were present during the meeting.

  • Flood, water pollution hindrance to food security

    Flood, water pollution hindrance to food security

    Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has urged the Federal Government and the United Nations to tackle the menace of flood and water pollution, to ensure food sufficiency in the country.

    He made the call in his remarks at the 2023 World Food Day Celebration with the theme: “Water is life, water is food, leave no one behind”, in Asaba.

    Oborevwori, represented by his deputy, Monday Onyeme, said the objective was to promote global awareness and action for those who suffered from hunger, and to highlight the need to ensure healthy diets for all.

    He said: “Although water makes up over 50 per cent of our bodies and covers about?71 per cent?of the earth’s surface, only 2.5 per cent of water is fresh, suitable for drinking, agriculture, and for most industrial uses.?

    “It is important to emphasise that water is a driving force for people, economies and nature and the foundation of our food.

    “Data from FAO further shows that the global food system relies heavily on water resources, with agriculture consuming 72 per cent of the world’s fresh water. 

    “In addition, 95 per cent of our food is produced on land (soil and water) and 600 million people rely on aquatic food system for livelihood.

    “The increasing stress on our planet’s water resources due to increasing population growth, urbanisation, economic development and climate change makes effective water management essential for sustainable food production.”

    He said Delta State was blessed with an environment suitable for agriculture, fish production and its value chain.  

    Read Also: Declining water resources threat to food security, says Agric minister

    “With land that is suitable for the cultivation of virtually every crop, the state has 17, 698 square kilometres of land mass with 1,770 square kilometres that is made up of fresh water swamp and 5,840 square kilometres of mangrove swamp.

    “However, pollution is a major challenge that is hampering full utilisation of water resources in our state and the country in general. 

    “Due to pollution as a result of oil exploration activities, we cannot fully harness the abundant economic potentials of our rivers and rivulets. It is common to see waste dumped in rivers and streams.

    “Poor water quality is affecting our people, the economy and the environment. This is an area that the Federal Government and the United Nations should tackle if we are to have full benefits of our water resources today and in future.”

    Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Perez Omoun, said the state government placed great premium on the agricultural sector by embarking on programmes aimed at improving the agricultural value chain in line with the MORE Agenda of the governor, to ensure all ‘Deltans’ had access to adequate quality and quantity of food and water.

  • TRC law: Aggrieved monarchs to boycott meetings under Oku Ibom Ibibio

    TRC law: Aggrieved monarchs to boycott meetings under Oku Ibom Ibibio

    The controversy arising from the amended Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council law has continued to generate disaffection among the Ibibio, Annang, Obolo and Oro ethnic groups.

    The amended law grants perpetual headship of the new Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers on the Ibibio, the majority ethnic group in Akwa Ibom State.

    But aggrieved traditional rulers of Annang, Oro and Obolo rejected the law, insisting that the office of the President-General of Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers must rotate among the ethnic groups.

    In a communique issued after an enlarged meeting yesterday in Ikot Ekpene, they threatened to boycott events, meetings and activities presided over by the Oku Ibom Ibibio, HRM Nteyin Solomon Etuk.

    The communique was signed by Chief Okon Udofia for the Obolo, Ovong Efiong Unanaowo for Oro and Okuku Prof. Amanam Udo for Annang, among others.

    The statement said: “The Converge directs that no member of the Traditional Rulers Council from the Annang, Oron, and Obolo nationalities shall attend any meeting, event, function of any sort presided over by the Oku Ibom Ibibio as the President General of the Supreme Council of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Ruler.

    Read Also:Court declares monarchs owners of community land

    “Whoever that flouts this resolution shall be traditionally sanctioned in accordance with our customs and traditions.

    “The Converge gladly accept the authorisation and instructions of our people from Annang, Oron and Obolo ethnic nationalities in Akwa Ibom State to take all necessary legal and constitutional actions against what we all consider a deliberate effort at the obliteration of our ethnic groups as intended by the recently amended Traditional Laws of Akwa Ibom State.

    “The law has suddenly turned a once very peaceful state into a fragmented society built on ethnic blocs with capacity for breakdown of law and order”.

    They urged the governor to reverse the law in the interest of the peace and unity of all ethnic groups in the state.

  • Withdraw appeals against Nwifuru, Ebonyi youths tell APGA, PDP candidates

    Withdraw appeals against Nwifuru, Ebonyi youths tell APGA, PDP candidates

    The youth of Ezza North Local Government of Ebonyi State, under the aegis of Ezza North Youth General Assembly (ENYGA), yesterday called on the governorship candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Bernard Odo and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ifeanyi Odii, to halt further legal actions against Governor Francis Nwifuru.

    Odoh and Odii contested the governorship election in the state on March 20 with Nwifuru, who was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    They rejected the result and challenged it at the Election Petitions Tribunal, which last month upheld Nwifuru as the winner. They have reportedly appealed the judgment.

    Read Also: Tribunal affirms Nwifuru’s victory

    Odo is from Ezza clan in Ezza North Local Government, Nwifuru is from Izzi clan in Izzi Local Government, while Odii is from Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone.

    However, the youth urged the duo to as a matter of patriotism, retrace their steps by accepting the result of the governorship election and the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal.

    They made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of their general meeting at Onu Nwode Prinary School, Umuoghara. The youth noted that Odo and Odii fought gallantly during the election and failed.

    They, however, urged them to accept the outcome of the election in the interest of the state, as Nwifuru has demonstrated capacity in leadership by achieving so much in just a few months in office.

    The communiqué was signed by Emeka Nwokporo, president of the youth, Titus Eze, Secretary, Chika Igboke, Legal Adviser and over 20 others.

  • IPOB threat: Banks, govt offices open for business in Umuahia

    IPOB threat: Banks, govt offices open for business in Umuahia

    • Markets, churches suspend activities

    Commercial banks in Umuahia, Abia State capital, yesterday opened for business at their branches.

    Government workers living in Umuahia also reported for work, apart from their colleagues living outside the state capital, who stayed at home as a precautionary measure, to avoid being caught up in the web of an anticipated fallout from the sit-at-home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    In a video that circulated across social media platforms last weekend, a faceless man believed to be a member of the splinter IPOB group, issued threats to Aba residents for failing to adhere to the IPOB sit-at-home order over some period of time.

    The man, who in the video warned that the group would be passing through Aba today (Monday) after they got reports that Aba people no longer complied with IPOB order, warned that anyone caught by his group would have himself or herself to blame.

    Our correspondent reports that the video, which formed most of the discussions in Aba, the state at large and Southeast, forced so many churches who now use Mondays for their religious programmes to cancel the programmes.

    A member of a popular church in Aba, Mrs. Charity Emeruwa, told our correspondent that their pastor, to the disappointment of the church, suspended their Monday and Tuesday services indefinitely, following the tension generated by the video that trended at the weekend.

    Read Also: IPOB: Banks, govt offices resume business operations in Umuahia

    Apart from churches, other sections of the state’s economy, including markets, major and roadsides, schools and banks closed for businesses.

    While some transport companies shut down operation, others were seen running skeletal services, as the Aba Central Motor Park was closed for business.

    Some visitors to the commercial city that missed travelling on Sunday and could not afford paying for hotel accommodation were seen hanging around some of the motor parks, waiting to board vehicles to their locations.

    Sources from Obohia, Overrail and a few other places told our correspondent that some persons, who claimed to be IPOB enforcers, went after those that opened their shops and businesses yesterday morning, as they took advantage of the deplorable nature of the road to the area.

    Police spokesperson Maureen Chinaka could not be reached at press time, but sources within the circles of security agencies in the state said they were aware of the video.

  • Tinubu fair to all regions over appointments, says Arthur Eze 

    Tinubu fair to all regions over appointments, says Arthur Eze 

    Foremost Nigerian philanthropist and businessman, Prince Arthur Eze has commended President Bola Tinubu on appointments of cabinet members and heads of agencies made so far since his assumption of office in may this year, noting that he has been fair to all regions.

    Prince Eze, who made this known on Sunday, October 15, at the Holy Mass to mark the 65th Birthday of Reverend Father Patrick Alumuku at St Louis Catholic Church, Abuja, has shown he is a detribilised man with good intentions for Nigerians.

    While commending the President for appointing Sen George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, he said his appointments has shown that he is the ideal President for Nigeria. 

    He said: ”Through Tinubu, Igbos got their own share, Hausa got their own share, Yorubas got their own share, other regions got their own share of appointments.”

    Read Also: Ohanaeze plans to meet Tinubu over Nnamdi Kanu – Iwuanyanwu

    Commenting on the celebrant  Father Alumuku, Prince Eze described him as a good man, who deserves all the good things of life.

    Father Alumuku while speaking with journalists, said God has shown him mercy in his 65 years on earth and it was important for him to show gratitude to God for his love and kindness.

     “I realise that every day we live in God’s presence and we need to thank him, especially at a moment like this, we give thanks to God. I want to use this opportunity to say to everyone that every birthday is a major event in our life to thank God.”

  • Palliatives: Cross River govt begins 2nd batch distribution

    Palliatives: Cross River govt begins 2nd batch distribution

    Cross River State Government has reached out to over 9,000 households in the ongoing exercise to distribute food items as palliatives, to cushion the hardship many are facing after petrol subsidy removal.

    It has promised to increase the N10,000 added to the salary of civil servants across board.

    Speaking yesterday at the launching of the second batch of distribution of palliatives, Governor Bassey Otu, represented by Deputy Governor Peter Odey, said the palliatives were not meant for only All Progressives Congress (APC) members, but for all ‘Cross Riverians’.

    Read Also:Ogun, Cross River, Zamfara, Adamawa highest in cholera cases, says NCDC

    He urged the citizens to be rest assured of the commitment of the governor and the government to reach out to as many as possible, particularly the ones in the hinterland. “We want the food items to get to the needy in the remotest area.”

    The Chairman of Palliative Distribution Committee and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Enoh, said the governor in his magnanimity had added five hundred million naira to buy more food items in addition to the Federal Government palliatives, to ensure the majority were reached.

  • Ex-Abia commissioner queries award of contract

    Ex-Abia commissioner queries award of contract

    Former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in Abia State, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, has queried the award of the contract for the reconstruction of Port Harcourt Road, Aba by Governor Alex Otti, at the rate of N30 billion.

    He said he was shocked when his attention was drawn to a statement released by Governor Otti, through his spokesman, wherein he attacked him for revealing to the public that his using N30 billion to complete the Port Harcourt Road, Aba project is suspicious.

    The former commissioner said the Okezie Ikpeazu administration which he served under, awarded the same road in 2017 for N9 billion with 40 per cent of the work already done, including the establishment of drainages end to end, along with proper channels for storm water.

    He said while he is unfazed by the tissue of lies and inaccuracies contained in the statement from Otti, it is instructive to note that during a radio programme he monitored in Umuahia, Otti confirmed that he is actually using N30 billion to do the job and that there was neither a budgetary provision nor due process competitive bidding for the work.

    “Furthermore, if Otti believes that property owners along Port Harcourt Road, Aba should be given compensation, he has my personal support to do so now because the government is a continuum and he is about to work on the same road as started by the former administration.

    Read Also: NLC awaits Abia govt’s decision on salary awards

    “Let me remind Alex Otti for the purposes of his records that as of May 9, 2017, the Port Harcourt Rd, Aba project was commenced, I was not a commissioner then and could not have harassed, nor been in any position to harass anyone on that road because of the project as he told ‘Abians’ on radio through his spokesman. I only became a commissioner in Abia State on October 17, 2017.”

    “I also find no real issue with associating me with the successes and shortcomings of the Ikpeazu administration because as expected of any government, we met many challenges, and solved many but couldn’t solve all the problems of Abia before we left office after eight years. By the time Otti leaves office, too, he will also not have been able to solve all the state’s problems.”

    Okiyi-Kalu said his position remains that he promised the people of Abia State transparency in governance, and he will continue to hold Otti accountable regardless of any threat to him or his family members.

    “In his inaugural address to the people of the state, Otti had said: “The time for the rebuilding process has begun. Transparency, accountability and public trust shall be at the centre of everything we do.

    “Based on the above statement, one then wonders why Otti is angry that a citizen is holding him to his words.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the federal government does not currently publish monthly FAAC and IGR receipts by individual states. What they publish is the total amount of FAAC receipts available for sharing among federal, state and local governments.

    “If Otti has a web address where we can get monthly FAAC and IGR receipts for Abia State, he should share it, please. If his problem is that I asked for transparent sharing of relevant information with citizens, as he promised, then he will continue to have issues with me.”

    He said Governor Otti would never be able to intimidate opposition voices in Abia State, especially himself, stressing that the governor wanted to do so that he could run the finances of the state as his personal funds.

  • Anambra to evacuate flood victims to IDP camps

    Anambra to evacuate flood victims to IDP camps

    • Flood displaces 10 councils

    Anambra State Government has disclosed readiness to evacuate flood victims to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, following the impact of flood.

    According to the state government, no fewer than 10 local governments out of the 21 councils have been affected.

    This was disclosed in Abuja yesterday by Anambra State Deputy Governor Dr. Gilbert Ibezim during a visit to the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Ahmed.

    Read Also:Bossladylaw Business Challenge empowers Anambra students

    Ibezim, describing Anambra State as the epicentre of erosion in the country, said several communities have been cut off due to the impact of flood.

    The NEMA DG assured Anambra State that support would be provided for flood victims to minimise the impact of the disaster.

  • ‘Don’t turn church to centre’

    ‘Don’t turn church to centre’

    The Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger, Most Rev Dr. Alexander Ibezim, has cautioned priests and parishioners against turning church building into commercial centre.

    He said this during the dedication of the New Jerusalem Church, (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Awka, Anambra State, as well as turning of sod for the church vicarage.

    The church, located at Ngozika Housing Estate Phase 2, Awka, started from a makeshift batcher before being upgraded to an air-conditioned church within four months, courtesy of Dr. Victor and Mrs. Chinenye Agumadu.

    Read Also: Two dead, four injured as church collapses in Osun

    otherwise would not go unrewarded, urging them not to relent as more work was yet to be done.

    The financier of the project, Dr. Victor Agumadu, described his commitment to the church as a call to duty, appreciating God for the grace to respond accordingly.

    The Resident Priest, Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Ogbuefi, described the feat as answered prayers, thanking God for raising the financier who made himself available for the work.