The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Mbah launches building of 81 roads

    Mbah launches building of 81 roads

    Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah yesterday launched the building of 81 roads covering 71 urban and 10 rural roads.

    Performing the ceremony for the projects at the two-kilometre Premier Layout, Enugu City Road, in the Enugu metropolis, and Owo Road in Nkanu East Local Government, the governor described the projects as monumental.

    He said they were consistent with the pledge he made to the people as well as the social contract he executed on his first day in office to deliver people-focused governance.

    Mbah, who promised to deliver the roads before the end of December, said his administration would give the people the highest standard and highest quality of roads.

    Read Also: Peter Mbah’s awkward start

    He said he had since ensured that the roads that were built in urban and rural areas were properly funded.

    The governor said: “The launching today is significant, as it symbolises the commencement of the construction and reconstruction of 71 roads in Enugu urban areas.

    “As you know, we may not be able to go to all the 71 roads one by one to launch them for construction.

    “But this is consistent with the pledge we made to the people of Enugu State and also consistent with the social contract we executed on our first day in office to deliver people-focused governance.

    “For us, this is essentially what government is designed to do; to bring governance closer to the people.”

  • Rivers HOSCOM seeks inclusion in NDDC board

    Rivers HOSCOM seeks inclusion in NDDC board

    Oil and gas host communities of Ogba/Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) in Rivers State have called on the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to revisit the newly- constituted board of directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to accommodate indigenes of the area.

    The people, who spoke under the aegis of ONELGA Host Communities Stakeholders Forum (OHCSF), said the call was in line with the provision of the Act that established the NDDC.

    In a statement in Omoku, the council headquarters, yesterday, the Chairman of the group, Dr. Nelson Ekperi, also called on the Federal Government and the NDDC to collaborate and find solution to the flood ravaging the area every year.

    Read Also:Reps screen, confirm Tinubu’s nominees for NDDC

    The people are aggrieved that despite the huge contributions of the local government to the country’s economy, there was little or nothing to show for it in the area, either in terms of federal appointments or in infrastructural project development.

    They issued eight points demand to the Federal Government, NDDC and the state government to react to within 21 days of the publication of the statement of face their own reactions.

    The people said the appointments into the board of directors of the NDDC should be revisited to accommodate an indigene of the area, as provided by the Act that established the Federal Government interventionist agency.

    “We advise that the recent appointment of the Board of Directors of the commission should be revisited to accommodate an indigene of our local government, as provided by the Act 2000 and in number 6 Law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which established the commission.”

  • ‘Why we killed security guard, three others in Awka’

    ‘Why we killed security guard, three others in Awka’

    From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    A suspected cultist has confessed that his cult was responsible for the killing of four persons out of several individuals that lost their lives in cult-related killings in the last six months in Awka, Anambra State.

    The suspect, who identified himself as Udenta Odozie, made the confession while being paraded with over 128 suspects at the Police Command in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government.

    He said only two cults existed in Awka, with each gang after each member’s life, adding that they were not under instructions from anyone to do so.

    He said: “We’re in different cartels and we’re five in mine. We have different ways of identifying our members and those of our rival group, especially by the way we greet.

    “We have only two cults in Awka, Black Axe and Vikings. We’re after each other. We don’t get orders or instructions from anyone. Once we identify member of rival gang, we eliminate him.

    “Sometimes, we’re mobilised for election jobs, some of us are not even from Anambra State.”

    Police Commissioner Aderemi Adeoye said no individual had been indicted as sponsors of the cultists, but vowed not to spare anyone bankrolling the cult activities.

    Read Also: Enugu-Awka-Onitsha Highway to death

    He said: “We had thought someone is bankrolling their activities, but from our investigations, no sponsor has been indicted, otherwise, we would have gone after them because there are no sacred cows in this battle.

    “But I’m happy to note that since after we launched operations on cult activities, spate of killings have reduced in the state capital.

    “Within a week of launching the operation, 34 cultists were arrested, interrogated, charged and remanded in prison custody.

    “We also tracked one of the most dangerous killers in Enugu and arrested him at his hideouts.

    “During his mindboggling confessions, he said his own gang had killed four persons in Awka in the last six months, including a private security guard. 

    “He said they killed the guard not because he’s a security guard, but because he belonged to a rival gang. 

    “He also confessed being responsible for the abduction of someone who his gang killed after extorting N2.4million from him.”

  • Agency boss assures workers of salary

    Agency boss assures workers of salary

    The General Manager of Abia State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ASOPADEC), Ven. Joshua Onyeike, has assured workers that the commission would pay their outstanding salaries.

    Onyeike said yesterday that the commission should be given more time to attend to the issue, noting that paying salaries was a critical function of any government. 

    In an interview, the ASOPADEC general manager said it was the focus of the Governor Alex Otti administration to ensure that ‘Abians’ would experience a new lease of life.

    He appealed to the workers to show more understanding by giving the government more time to clear the backlog of salaries, saying it was important to ascertain the actual staff strength of the commission, to avoid a situation whereby government money would get into the wrong hands.

    Read Also: Afe Babalola varsity raises workers’ salary by 35%

    The GM said on assumption of office, he discovered that the commission had too many people who were not coming to work, and he decided to initiate a physical verification to ascertain the actual and genuine number of workers in the commission.

    Onyeike, who disclosed that he had reduced the number of months of outstanding salaries, noted that it was in the interest of the state that resources were managed in a prudent manner.

  • Fed Govt begins rehabilitation of East-West road

    Fed Govt begins rehabilitation of East-West road

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has fulfilled the promise he made to the Rivers State stakeholders to rehabilitate the deplorable section of the Eleme axis of the East-West road.

    Stakeholders from the state led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, had during their September 14 visit to President Tinubu at Aso Rock, demanded among other things the rehabilitation of the road.

    Sir Fubara had argued that fixing the road would enable easy lifting of petroleum products after the completion of the ongoing turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery, which is located along the road corridor.

    Read Also: Tinubu fulfills promise as rehabilitation begins at East-West road

    The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, also assessed the section of the road, which had become a death trap to commuters and motorists and promised to fix it.

    It was gathered that the contactors were already mobilised to the site and had begun massive construction work along the road.

    Earth-moving equipment such as cranes, excavators and others had been moved to the area with clearing and excavation already done on both sides of the road.

    Security was reportedly beefed up to guard the workers and equipment, while diversions were created for drivers.

    Residents and other road users, particularly truck drivers, expressed happiness about the ongoing rehabilitation, saying they had suffered a lot on the road.

  • NLC awaits Abia govt’s decision on salary awards

    NLC awaits Abia govt’s decision on salary awards

    The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said they were awaiting the decision of state governments over the wage award as recently announced by the Federal Government.

    Abia State chairman of the workers union, Comrade Paschal Nweke, in a phone interview with our correspondent, said the union was awaiting the response of state governments following a letter that they submitted on the implementation of the outcome of the meeting between the national leadership of the union, the federal and members of the Nigeria Governor’s Forum, which was the reason the union and affiliate associations suspended their planned October 3 nationwide strike.

    Information gathered by our correspondent has it that Abia State Government had already set up a committee to look into the matter and come up with plans on how to ensure the implementation of the decision in the state.

    A source in the government who pleaded not to be mentioned disclosed that the state government was going to make its decision public as soon as the committee finished its assignment.

    Governor Alex Otti yesterday revealed how his administration was making life bearable for the citizens, who have had to contend with economic difficulties arising from the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government.

    Governor Otti said his administration had supported businesses and economically vulnerable persons to weather the harsh effects of petrol subsidy removal.

    Speaking on the topic, “Petrol Subsidy Removal: Dealing with the Challenges, Harnessing the Opportunities,” Governor Otti said his administration met a very difficult situation on ground upon assuming office.

    “The day I was sworn in as governor was also the day the removal of subsidy on petrol was announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So, we met a very difficult situation that needed to be carefully managed,” the governor, a first-class economist, said in his 32-page lecture paper.

    He continued: “We began by offering a message of hope to the people, assuring the civil servants that the era of owing salaries was gone and that by the 28th of every month, legitimate workers of the state civil service would receive their full entitlements. We soon followed up by paying part of the accumulated arrears from the previous government. 

    “We are progressively supporting our civil servants by keeping to our commitment to prompt and regular payment of salaries and also clearing up arrears in order to increase the amount of disposable cash available to those in our employ.

    “We have also put in mechanisms that will make for smooth and seamless payment of pensions to all retirees as soon as they sign out from the state civil service. So far, appreciable progress has been made and I can tell you that while a few teething problems remain, our pensioners are beginning to see clear signals that in the New Abia we are building, owing senior citizens their entitlements will be an anathema.

    “Beyond just paying them, we have also directed the Ministry of Health to enrol a certain category of pensioners in the state into a health insurance scheme that guarantees steady access to quality health care for our retirees. So far, 4,700 pensioners have been enrolled and we shall add to this number in the months ahead.”

    Read Also: NLCC launches innovative programme to enhance children cancer treatment

    Governor Otti said his government had stopped the collection of all forms of levies and taxes from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and given them tax holiday as a way of supporting their businesses.

    “We are continuing to streamline the revenue collection process to enable efficiency, cut out double taxation and make the system independent in ways that limit the activities of middle men. Through the appropriate agencies and boards, we have also harmonised the revenue collection process, working with local governments to adopt a single collection framework for ease of tax administration and convenience for all parties,” he said.

    According to the governor, the current government in Abia is very business-friendly and plans to make the state the leading MSME hub in all of Africa.

    He urged students who intend to go into entrepreneurship on graduation to look no farther than Abia State, saying: “It is our conviction that when MSMEs are well funded and supported, the problems of unemployment and poverty, critical metrics for measuring economic development, will be curtailed and people can live in dignity.”

    Speaking about the palliatives sent to the states by the Federal Government, Governor Otti announced that about 19,000 bags (50kg) of rice were received from the Federal Government and have been distributed to the “poorest of the poor” in communities across the state.

    Similarly, the governor said the State Palliatives Management Committee had been directed to study how the state government could invest the N2 billion palliative fund it got from the Federal Government into mass transit schemes with a view to reducing the cost of transportation for commuters plying intra and intercity routes.

    He spoke about plans to pay transport-support allowance to civil servants and to raise salaries by a certain percentage, depending on grade levels. 

    “The aim is to cushion the harsh impact of the rising inflationary trend on their earnings and support them to provide the basic things for their families,” he said.

    Other critical areas where the governor said his administration had been working hard to mitigate the biting effect of petrol subsidy removal and general economic downturn in the country were health, road and manufacturing.

    He said the state government had launched free medical service programmes in all public hospitals “so that in this period of economic difficulties, lack of cash will not stop people from attending to their health needs”. 

    According to him, so far, thousands of individuals including pregnant women, nursing mothers, and others with various ailments have been attended to. The on-going free medical services, the governor said, cover surgeries, including eye operations, drugs, laboratory, scans and related diagnostic services.

    On road infrastructure, Governor Otti said that the ongoing renovation and reconstruction works are aimed at increasing investments in the state which ultimately would lead to higher employment opportunities for “our young people” and expansion of businesses.

    “The ultimate agenda is to systematically improve the investment climate in Abia so that the environment does not sabotage the efforts of our entrepreneurs, who pass through severe difficulties to remain in business.

    “While we do these for the small business, we are not closing our eyes to the big ones. It is in this light that a few days ago, we flagged off what promises to be one of the largest industrial parks in West Africa, the Abia Industrial and Innovation Park, in Owaza, Ukwa West. 

    “When completed, the park would boast of a modular refinery, a petrochemical and fertiliser plant, a technology hub, a gas processing facility, agricultural processing zone, a sea port, amongst other facilities. 

    “Major International Oil and Gas companies have indicated interest to locate at the prospective Export Processing Zone as it would have a 24-hour uninterruptible gas powered electricity,” he affirmed.

  • Soludo’s wife launches pad banks in schools

    Soludo’s wife launches pad banks in schools

    Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, yesterday unveiled menstrual pad banks in 400 secondary schools, to enable girls have access to pads when they suddenly experience monthly flow.

    She launched the pad banks in Awka to mark the International Day of the Girl-Child observed every October 11, to address the challenges girls face, promote girls’ empowerment and fulfilment of their human rights.

    The theme of this year’s event is: ‘Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being’.

    She said: “One of the significant goals of our crusade in Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative is to teach our girls the rules of hygiene, nutrition and self-development.

    “In the area of hygiene, we are also looking at menstrual hygiene and the overall health education of women and girls, especially those in the low income class.

    “We have concluded arrangements to provide sanitary pad banks in over 400 secondary schools across Anambra State where healthy living clubs are domiciled.

    “Accessibility to sanitary pads remains a major concern in rural homes. It gets even worse when menstrual emergencies break out in schools. Therefore, we want to intervene where it matters the most.”

    Soludo said over 1,000 sanitary pad packs would be distributed to schools to kick off the campaign, while subsequent distributions would be done at the beginning of each academic term to last throughout a particular academic calendar.

    Read Also: Guber poll: APGA ready to reclaim Imo, says Soludo

    She said the gesture would help to restore the girl-child’s confidence, beat down stigmas arising from menstrual emergencies and help them manage their menstrual cycle with dignity.

    Anambra State HIV/AIDS Coordinator, Dr Tonia Mbagwu, said there was the need to recognise the potential of the adolescent girl by advocating for increased opportunities for them.

    The governor’s daughter, Miss Adaora Soludo, urged girls to pick up life skills early in life to become problem solvers and self-reliant.

    “Learn communication skills, problem solving skills, critical thinking, be confident and creative to adapt and survive life challenges,” she said.

    An ICT expert, Ms Chinwe Okolie, urged the girls to take advantage of the state government’s Solution Innovation District to become empowered with information and communication technology skills.

    “The world today is about technology and our girls need to learn digital skills to become tech-gurus, impact their future and earn a living.

    “I advise our girls to empower themselves with digital skills such as the use of devices like a computer, tablet or mobile phone for task. An empowered girl is intelligent, a goal-getter and an achiever,” she said.

  • Ebonyi lawmaker pays patients’ bills

    Ebonyi lawmaker pays patients’ bills

    From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

    The Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Kingsley Ikoro, has paid the bills of some patients at Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Afikpo, running into millions of naira.

    The lawmaker’s action is part of activities marking his birthday celebration, which has become an annual event.

    Represented at the event by Comr. Ransom Eze, the legislator, who represents Afikpo North West Constituency, said the gesture was part of his little way of ameliorating the suffering of the poor in his constituency.

    Read Also: Ebonyi lawmaker visits hospital, offsets patients’ bills to mark birthday

    At the hospital, the team from the lawmaker paid the bills of a woman who was delivered of a baby through caesarean section.

    The family, who hailed from Ozizza, had remained at the hospital because they couldn’t afford the bills.

    He also offset the bills of a baby born a few minutes after the team arrived at the hospital, as well as others.

    The team gave out gifts to newborn babies and other patients at the hospital.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ifeanyichikwu Cynthia, thanked the lawmaker for assisting them by paying hospital bills.

  • NOGAPS industrial park will be a game changer, says Lokpobiri

    NOGAPS industrial park will be a game changer, says Lokpobiri

    From Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed satisfaction about the level of work done at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGAPS), by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

    He said this yesterday during a tour of the project facilities in company with the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Simbi Wabote, at Emeyal 1 in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State.

    The minister added that the industrial park would be a game changer.

    Lokpobiri noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government made a promise to Nigerians that “we are going to create an opportunity for businesses to thrive.”

    He said the Petroleum Ministry is going to support the board in anyway it can to ensure the facility is completed in time.

    Read Also: I’m committed to APC’s victory in Bayelsa – Lokpobiri

    He said: “I am impressed with what I have seen here. I have earlier seen the presentation by the Executive Secretary on the scene when they came to Abuja. I felt am going to come here to come and see things for myself. Sometimes, what you see on paper or on the screen presented to you may not be a true reflection of what is on ground.

    “So, I choose to come here today and I have seen what is here and I want to say this is a world-class. The APC government made a promise to Nigeria that we are going to create an opportunity for businesses to thrive. When this is completed, this industrial park will be a game changer.

    “I was talking with the ES and he said he already has excess applicants, application of those who want to come and take spaces here to manufacture one thing or the other and we are going to support the board in any way that we can to ensure this is completed within time, so that we will be able to make this facility available to those who want to manufacture different things or products not only for the oil industry, but also for the entire economy, create jobs for our teeming youths.

    “So I am highly impressed with what I am seeing here and I can’t wait for this to be completed for the benefit of Nigerians.”

    The NCDMB Executive Secretary, Simbi Wabote, said the project, which was scheduled to be completed by last quarter of 2023, had to slow down because of the impact of flood, adding that he is very optimistic that the industrial park will be opened by the first quarter of 2024.

    He said: “You can see the construction work, as you know building things in Bayelsa State is not a piece of cake, it takes time. We were impacted by the flood, we had to slow down, but we are optimistic that in the first quarter of 2024, we will get this facility inaugurated.

    “Substantial interest, we are screening. Like you know, when you put out something like this, a lot of people indicate interest, but you have to really screen them to know those who are serious. Currently, we have similar project in Odukpani, Cross River State. We have trucks of those who have applied and we are screening them. At the appropriate time, we will allocate to those who indeed will come and set up manufacturing here.”

  • Aloysius lkegwuonu (Bishop Ozubulu) for Christly Humanitarian of the Year Award

    Aloysius lkegwuonu (Bishop Ozubulu) for Christly Humanitarian of the Year Award

    Renowned philanthropist and oil magnate, High Chief Aloysius Nnamdi Ikegwuonu, popularly known as Bishop Ozubulu, is set to be bestowed with the prestigious ‘Christly Humanitarian of The Year’ Award at the upcoming 2023 Leadership Excellence Awards in November.

    High Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu, often referred to as the ‘Youngest Silent Billionaire,’ has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes. His latest endeavor involves the construction of over 120 free houses for widows and the less privileged, exemplifying his dedication to uplifting the underprivileged in society.

    Within his Ozubulu community, he has undertaken remarkable initiatives by establishing five international standard Catholic churches, alongside a parish house and a sister’s lodge. Additionally, he has erected a rehabilitation center, complete with its own church, providing essential care for patients, and even constructed spacious halls within the center.

    A true symbol of christly compassion, High Chief Aloysius Ikegwuonu generously covers the hospital expenses of discharged patients and those with severe cases in major hospitals in Anambra State whenever he visits. Furthermore, he extends his benevolence to the elderly population, ensuring that all individuals aged 60 and above receive a monthly salary, in addition to having their medical bills fully covered.

    High Chief Aloysius Nnamdi Ikegwuonu, the CEO of Aloy’s Oil and Gas, is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a renowned philanthropist. His selfless contributions to society have earned him the well-deserved ‘Christly Humanitarian Of The Year’ Award, which will be presented at the #LEEX Awards.

    Read Also: Ozubulu massacre: Overcome evil with love – Catholic Bishop urges Christians

    Recently, his humanitarian foundation, the Ebubechukwuzo Foundation, took a monumental step by granting scholarships to over 1000 underprivileged students, ranging from nursery school to university level, within Anambra State and beyond.

    The Leadership Excellence Awards (LEEX Awards), now in its fifth consecutive year, is an annual event organized by IgbereTV. It serves as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievements of leaders in both the public and private sectors of Nigeria. The awards ceremony also shines a spotlight on individuals whose profound impact has reverberated throughout Nigeria’s political, social, and economic landscape.

    The much-anticipated award presentation to Bishop Ozubulu will take place on Saturday, the 11th of November 2023, at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, marking a significant moment in the recognition of his extraordinary humanitarian efforts.