The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Abia Governor Otti denies sponsoring IPOB

    Abia Governor Otti denies sponsoring IPOB

    • ’We’re not using state’s money to fund Obi’s case’ 

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has denied that his government was using the state’s money to fund the tribunal litigation of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi.

    The governor also debunked using the state’s or his personal money to fund the activities of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    He called on the heads of the security agencies to throw more light on their allegations, to enable law enforcement agents carry out thorough investigations that could lead to the arrest of the culprits.

    Read Also: Senate bars new members from top posts

    Otti was reacting to reports alleging that he was using the state money to fund the LP presidential candidate’s case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and IPOB, ahead of the delivery of the governorship election petition tribunal verdict on October 6.

    The governor, who reacted in Umuahia through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, yesterday, called on President Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff, the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police to conduct investigation into the allegations levelled against the governor by the said groups.

    Our correspondent reports that in two viral interviews, some groups accused Governor Otti and the accusations prompted a reply from the government yesterday, demanding a thorough investigation. 

  • UNN: we’ve produced over 200,000 graduates since 1960

    UNN: we’ve produced over 200,000 graduates since 1960

    The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has said it has produced over 200,000 graduates since the inception of the university in 1960.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Igwe, made this known in Enugu yesterday while briefing reporters on the activities lined up for the university’s 63rd Founders’ Day celebration to be held at the main hall of the Enugu campus of the university.

    He said: “As you all know, our Founders’ Day celebration is an annual event held in commemoration of the founding of our university-Nigeria’s first indigenous university. 

    “Thus, we should be celebrating not only the birth of UNN, but also the historical milestone of the birth of university education as a whole. 

    “It is on record that the University of Nigeria has now produced close to 60 generations of alumni and from our matriculation number, the exact number of graduates produced so far by the university is over 200,000.

    “It is for this reason, that our Founders’ Day celebration is marked as an elaborate and weeklong activity during which members of staff, students and alumni come together to honour our founders and forebears.”

    The VC expressed happiness that numerous graduates of the university “are now doing Nigeria and the institution proud in fields of endeavour globally.”

    Read Also: Tinubu’s certificate in order, CSU deposes in court

    He noted that over the years, UNN had continued to re-invent itself, retaining and improving her place in the league of universities in Nigeria, Africa and the world. 

    “We have remained competitive in spite of some very peculiar challenges which we face. In terms of academic output, our workers have been quite productive not only in the form of conference attendance, research publications, but also in inventions and patents. 

    “This year alone, the university has hosted many national and international conferences. It is currently publishing a growing number of academic journals and some of these have been listed or indexed by international agencies. 

    “A good example is the Nigerian Journal of Technology, which is published by our Faculty of Engineering and which was recently indexed by SCOPUS -the globally-recognised abstract and citation database owned by Elsevier,” Igwe said.

  • Bayelsa govt explains cause of prolonged darkness in Yenagoa

    Bayelsa govt explains cause of prolonged darkness in Yenagoa

    Bayelsa State Government has said the current blackout in parts of Yenagoa and its environs is as a result of a vehicle that crashed into and damaged electric poles in Opolo area of the capital.

    It made this known yesterday through a statement by the Managing Director, Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL), Olice Kemenanabo, an engineer.

    Kemenanabo, who is also the chairman, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Board of Directors, said two persons died due to the crash, which occurred a few weeks ago.

    He said: “The accident was caused by a fault that cascaded into the 132/33kV transmission substation at Gbarain, with a heavy bang that caused an inferno and gutted the 33kV feeder switchgears, the protection and control systems and other sensitive electrical equipment. 

    “This huge damage has thrown the state into darkness, which is regrettable.

    Read Also: Senate bars new members from top posts

    “Although the incident at the transmission substation is not within the purview of the state, Governor Douye Diri has directed that the Ministry of Power and Bayelsa Electricity Company interface with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), owners of the asset and other related agencies, to evaluate the situation with a view to restoring supply as soon as possible.

    “Accordingly, we urge the good people of Bayelsa to keep calm as we continue to work in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, TCN and other relevant agencies to ensure the restoration of power supply to the affected areas.”

    Kemenanabo urged the public to be vigilant and report any unscrupulous activity, as vandals could take advantage of the situation.

    He said the government would update the state on the progress of the situation until power was fully restored.

  • Lecturer declares interest in election

    Lecturer declares interest in election

    A lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ikwo (AEFUNAI), Ebonyi State, Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, has declared interest in the president of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.

    The leadership of Nigeria Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), Southeast zone, has unanimously endorsed Ifeanyi as their sole candidate in the election scheduled for next month.

    Ifeanyi, who had served the association at the national level as the publicity secretary, made this known in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State capital. 

    He said the myriad of malevolence against medical laboratory scientists at the federal and state health facilities, and the deficit in the employment ratio would be addressed under his administration if elected.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s certificate in order, CSU deposes in court

    He assured his colleagues in the 36 states, including Abuja, of his resilience and plans as the 16th president to create opportunities for the unemployed laboratory scientists to get employment at the federal and state health facilities.

    Ifeanyi said regular accreditation of health laboratories at the federal and state-owned institutions would be initiated, to ensure adequate laboratory services for Nigerians.

    He said the failure to have round pegs in a round hole in the leadership of medical laboratory scientists was a curse on the association, adding that “it needs a paradigm shift to succeed.”

    Alo Clement, leader of MLS, Ebonyi State chapel, who expressed confidence in Dr. Ifeanyi, described him as a fearless colleague, who would lead the association to the promised land.

  • ‘Explore Nigeria’s opportunities’

    ‘Explore Nigeria’s opportunities’

    Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Security, Ben Chiobi, has advised youths to resist the ‘japa syndrome’ and explore opportunities in the country.

    He said opportunities of making money in Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast, were more than what obtained in Western countries.

    Chiobi spoke in Awka, Anambra State capital, at the 2023 edition of The Pivot Conference, with the theme: ‘From Challenges to Opportunities: Unveiling the Potentials in Southeast Nigeria through Social Innovation.’

    He advised youths to avail themselves of opportunities for mentoring, saying the only way to succeed in the ICT generation was to be creative and not be a copycat. 

    One of the resource persons and the Chief Executive Officer, Selecom Ltd, Precious Obimdi, lamented that Nigerian system was designed to frustrate younger entrepreneurs from thriving in businesses. 

    He identified partnerships with governments, agencies and bigger establishments as ways of staying afloat and making impact on human lives.

    Read Also: Senate bars new members from top posts

    A banking expert, Tochukwu Nwokediuko, said over 65 per cent of businesses scarcely survived first three years in Nigeria due to lack of access to funding and credit facilities, planning and poor financial literacy among business owners.

    A technology expert and Managing Director of Anambra State ICT Agency, Fred Agbata, said opportunities abound in the ICT sector, but noted that without innovative spirit, teamwork and partnership, success in business would be difficult.

    Speaking about ‘Fostering Youth-led Impact Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Growth,’ the Regional Coordinator, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mrs. Chito Onuzulike, an engineer; said SMEs were crucial component of the economy. 

    Pivot Executive Director, Ifedi Eze, a lawyer; said the past half-decade had been bedevilled by socio-economic problems, with negative impact on economic indices.

  • Foundation gives scholarship to over 50 indigent students in Cross River

    Foundation gives scholarship to over 50 indigent students in Cross River

    To cushion the negative effect of petrol subsidy removal, a charity organisation, Florence Agogo Foundation, has given bursary to over 50 indigent students across the 18 local governments of Cross River State.

    Speaking at a dinner night and the scholarship award ceremony

    at the weekend in Calabar, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organisation, Mrs. Florence Agogo,

    said the gesture was an opportunity to positively affect the lives of

    fellow Nigerians.

    The event was organised in collaboration with the National Association Cross River State Students (NACRISS) worldwide.

    She said the award, which was an annual event, was the

    foundation’s modest way of oundation gives scholarship to over 50 indigent students in Cross Rivers

    improving the academic pursuit of indigent students of Cross River State origin, “especially at a time like this when Nigerians are going through difficulties occasioned by the petrol subsidy removal by the Federal Government.”

    best to see how we can help to improve the academic sojourn of the indigents in our midst.

    Read Also: Gov Otu’s proposed 3.5million free seedlings excite oil palm growers in Cross River

    “So, when the president of NACRISS reached out to me, I felt in this

    kind of event we needed to have the presence of all the benefiting

    students so that we can assist them in the payment of their school

    fees, faculty fees, transportation, house rent, feeding and so on.”

    The Special Adviser on General Duties to Cross River State governor, Mr. Ekpenyong Akiba, hailed the organisers and sponsors of the award ceremony for complementing the government’s efforts in the educational subsector.

    Akiba, who was the chairman of the occasion as well as one of the honorary awardees, said the foundation’s bursary award to indigent students was in line with the policy trust of the Governor Bassey Otu administration.

    Presenting an honorary award to the chairman of the event and other awardees, the NACRISS President, Worldwide, Akpeke Peter, said the award was to recognise ‘Cross Riverians’ that had impacted positively in the lives of students.

    One of the beneficiaries, Precious Asuquo, thanked Florence Agogo Foundation and NACRISS for providing a platform where students were offered scholarship to support their upkeep in school.

  • Leader hails Soludo for immortalising Achebe

    Leader hails Soludo for immortalising Achebe

    President-General, Umueri General Assembly, Dr. John Metchie, has hailed Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo for renaming Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri after literary giant, the late Prof. Chinua Achebe. 

    He described Achebe’s immortalisation as a good decision.

    He said the legends of Anambra origin, who had left indelible footprints in the sand of time, should be remembered for their immense contributions to human development.  

    He noted that the late Achebe was not just an ambassador of the Igbo nation, but also attained global recognition with his literary works.

    Metchie described Achebe as not just an Anambra hero or a Nigerian hero, but also an African and global hero yet largely unsung at home.

    He said the late Nigerian novelist, poet and critic gave African literature an identity and voice, and at the same time reconstructed and refined people’s identity in his literary works. 

    Read Also: Soludo prays for Tinubu’s success, honours Achebe in Anambra

    Metchie said: “Our governor is visionary. He is very meticulous with decision making and as a matter of public policy; he ensures that every decision taken by his administration is in tandem with the wishes and aspirations of the citizenry.

    “One of Chinua Achebe’s works, Things Fall Apart, has been translated into many local and international languages all over the world. The renaming of Anambra airport after him is a well-deserved honour.

    “An indigene of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government, Achebe died at the age of 82. Prof. Achebe as a prophet is not celebrated among his people. That’s why I’m extolling the governor’s decision in renaming Anambra airport after the late sage.

    “I express my gratitude to the governor for finding the late literary oracle worthy of such an honour and announcing same at an auspicious occasion as the 63rd Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  • Ex-MOSOP president petitions Fed Govt, UN over Ogoni massacre

    Ex-MOSOP president petitions Fed Govt, UN over Ogoni massacre

    A former president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara, has petitioned the Federal Government and the United Nations’ General Assembly over alleged failure to investigate the Ogoni massacre of the 1990s.

    Pyagbara, the executive director of the African Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development (AIFES), reportedly submitted the petition at the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Read Also: Monarch laments exclusion of Ogoni from Fubara’s exco

    In a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by AIFES Director of Communications, Sunny Zorvah, the ex-president expressed regrets that succeeding Nigerian governments had ignored the need to launch investigations into the killing of hundreds of indigenes of Ogoni communities by the military allegedly deployed by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and refused to pay reparations for the lives lost because of the militarisation of Ogoniland.

  • Agency appoints energy expert peace ambassador

    Agency appoints energy expert peace ambassador

    The United Nations Positive Livelihood and Awards Centre (UN-POLAC Foundation) has honoured and appointed Nigerian Oil Wells Control Expert, Dr. Victor Ekpenyong, as its Peace Ambassador.

    UN-POLAC is an international group founded in 2001 and dedicated to the ideals of the United Nations General Assembly on global peace advocacy.

    Ekpenyong, chief executive of Kenyon International, an oil services firm specialising in securing oil wells from vandalism, announced the development in a statement.

    According to the statement, the award ceremony, which took place recently in Lagos, was part of activities to commemorate the 2023 International Day of Peace.

    Ekpenyong said: “Over the weekend, I had the honour of receiving two appointments from the United Nations POLAC Foundation in consonance with the UN General Assembly’s declaration for peace and non-violence.

    Read Also: Why I apologised to AY Makun, Basketmouth reveals

    “These appointments are quite dear to me, as they carry the titles of Youth Peace Ambassador (YPA) and Mayor of Peace (MyrP).

    “They represent a commitment to fostering harmony, understanding and unity, not only in my community, but also on a global scale.

    “The event was motivating and inspiring, as it centred around the theme: ‘Actions for Peace: Our Ambition for the Global Goals.”

    lence.”

    The statement also quoted workers and management of the firm as applauding the pacifist orientation of Ekpenyong at the Nigerian oilfields, which had attracted global laurels

    The statement read in part: “We are absolutely thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to our esteemed CEO, Dr. Victor Ekpenyong, on receiving not one but two remarkable appointments from the United Nations POLAC Foundation.

    “Dr. Ekpenyong, your dedication to the cause of peace and non-violence is truly commendable, and we are immensely proud of your accomplishments.

    “As you embark on this journey as a Youth Peace Ambassador and Mayor of Peace, please know that you have our full support and admiration.

    “Together, we can make a lasting impact and work towards a brighter, more peaceful future locally and globally.”

  • Niger Delta youths warn against insult on Akpabio

    Niger Delta youths warn against insult on Akpabio

    Youths under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders Forum (NDYSF) have warned against leveraging on the controversies surrounding the amended Traditional Rulers Council Law in Akwa Ibom State to rub insult on Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

    The NDYSF National President, Mr. Cyril Essien, in a statement while reacting to a publication against Akpabio in one of the national dailies in Uyo yesterday, wondered how individuals would rely on half-baked information to concoct stories, in order to insult a man with no mean repute.

    He described the publication with the headline: ‘Focus on NASS, not Akwa Ibom, Group tells Akpabio’, credited to a group, Alliance for Peace in Niger Delta (APND), as ill-conceived, awkward, spurious and preposterous.

    Essien, referring to APND group as merchants of misinformation, paid blackmailers and attention-seekers, noted that “it is public knowledge that the amended Traditional Rulers Law recently passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and assented to by the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has generated serious uproar in the state.”

    and non-discriminatory option for consideration in the interest of the state.

    Read Also: It’s fake, malicious, Eyiboh reacts over alleged Senate office for Akpabio’s wife

    “Since the Senate President suggestion does and cannot translate to meddling with Pastor Eno in administering the affairs of the state as shamelessly alleged by this disgruntled group, we therefore view this onslaught on Sen. Akpabio as despicable antics of twisted minds, infamously seeking attention by throwing unwarranted darts at a man of no mean repute – one whose uncommon leadership style resonates with the people.

    “We wish to remind these faceless detractors that Godswill Akpabio is first of all a senator representing Akwa Ibom North West/Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, before his office of the Senate Presidency.

    “Being a respectable leader in the state, as former governor, and a representative of the people of his senatorial district confers on him not just the right to contribute to critical issues affecting the state and the people, but one whose opinion should be sought.

    “So, it is insulting, not just to Sen. Akpabio, but also to the people he represents for a rag-tag group to suggest that he should have no say in the affairs of Akwa Ibom State. What an impudence,” Essien said.