The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Agency decries scarcity of digital infrastructure

    Agency decries scarcity of digital infrastructure

    Anambra State ICT Agency has identified dearth of digital infrastructure as the biggest challenge to adoption of effective technology in the Southeast.

    It stressed the need for governments of five Southeast states to begin investment in digital infrastructure to boost the chances of effective digital adoption and open up myriads of tech opportunities in the region.

    Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata, spoke while delivering a keynote address at the Conference of the International Igbo Professionals for Development (IIPD).

    The conference with the theme: ‘Aku Ruo Ulo, Ala Igbo Arise,’ was aimed at reawakening sense of urgency among Ala-Igbo to work together to rebuild the Igbo land in governance, economic development, politics, infrastructure, tourism, education, health care, among others.

    Agbata said absence of hi-speed fibre internet in major cities across the Southeast had mitigated opportunities in the technology industry that Igbo youths could take advantage to unleash their potential.

    He said: “Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has taken initiatives to encourage broadband companies to come into the state, which include removal of Right of Way (RoW) for them as well as laying of fibre ducts across the state.

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    “The Southeast governors need to begin to explore the capabilities of technology to advance the region’s economy, to liberalise innovation by making hi-speed fibre internet available.

    “Igbo governors must begin to exemplify excellence to inspire the younger generation in the tech area.

    “The region must begin to push the right awareness and advocacy about the region to discourage the dominant negative stories about the region in the digital space.

    “The thing about tech is that when you start, you can’t hold, but when it materialises, the dividends are huge and massive.

    “If all states can emulate and replicate what Anambra has been doing, there would have been a lot of activities going on in the tech area in the region, which will set Igbo land on a fast lane towards effective tech adoption.”

  • Abia govt demolishes two-storey building with structural defect

    Abia govt demolishes two-storey building with structural defect

    The Abia state government at the weekend demolished a two-storey building in Umuahia, the state capital, in a proactive move to save lives and property.

    A rapid response team, comprising the Ministries of Lands and Housing; Power & Public Utilities; Works; and the Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), the Nigerian Police Force, the Abia State Fire Service, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and the Nigerian Society of Engineers, were on the ground to ensure that the structurally defective building was safely brought down.

    The demolition of the building located at No.5 Akanu Street (opposite FCMB, near Government House) Umuahia, followed the alarm raised by occupants, who hurriedly evacuated the building of their own accord after visible defects were noticed on the structure, sandwiched between two other buildings.

    Read Also: NSCDC arrest three suspected vandals, cable thieves

    Addressing newsmen shortly after the demolition exercise, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chaka Chukwumerije, pointed out that the primary objective of the exercise was to save lives.

    Chukwumerije saidsaid: “The site was quickly cordoned off by UCDA, the road blocked by the fire service, and everyone in the surrounding area evacuated, by the Nigerian Police, in order to preserve public safety and ensure no casualties were recorded.

    “The initial efforts to strip the building block by block, in order to preserve the surrounding structures, was deemed unsafe, and quickly replaced by a swift demolishment of the building, while minimising the damage to surrounding structures.”

    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, who affirmed that the present administration in the state believes in due process, thanked God that no life was lost, even as he enjoined builders to always engage the services of professionals.

    The General Manager Umuahia Capital Development Authority (UCDA), Town Planner Kenneth Agomoh, reiterated the Governor Alex Otti administration’s commitment to restore the integrity and sanity of buildings, in the state; and encouraged the public to come forward with any information relating to defective structures.

    He said that going forward, the UCDA will be proactive in checkmating illegal structures.

  • Bayelsa threatens prosecution of residents, ministries building without permits

    Bayelsa threatens prosecution of residents, ministries building without permits

    The Bayelsa State Government has advised residents of Yenagoa, the state capital, and its environs, ministries and agencies to obtain planning permits before embarking on physical development and construction activities.

    The Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board (BSPPDB), Hon Kuroakegha Dorgu, also warned that those that failed to comply and obtain genuine permits would be dragged before the physical Planning and Development tribunal for prosecution.

    Dorgu gave this advice yesterday during a visit by the members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Physical Planning and Development as part of their oversight functions led by Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown.

    Read Also:Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging

    He emphasised the need for government’s ministries and agencies to always obtain building permits from the Board before embarking on any project in the state.

    He stated that other agencies of the Federal Government always complied whenever they wanted to carry out any building projects in the state, noting that they would first approach the Board to obtain building permits.

    Dorgu pointed out that the same procedure should be applicable to the state-owned ministries and agencies.

    He noted that the law establishing the Board did not exempt anyone, adding that any ministry or agency that did not comply, would be taken to the Physical Planning and Development Tribunal for prosecution.

    The Executive Chairman also hinted that plans were underway to carry out urban renewal in some areas of Yenagoa metropolis, stressing that the Board was the only agency of government saddled with the responsibility of planning the state aside controlling development.

    He further said that with the proclamation of new planning areas by Governor Douye Diri, plans would soon be designed for those areas for development.

  • Community protests imposition of leader

    Community protests imposition of leader

    Protesters from Ewu Kingdom in Ughelli South local government area of Delta state, yesterday, condemned in its entirety the decision of the Delta State Government Executive Council meeting approving Mr. Clement Ikolo as the king of Ewu Kingdom.

    This pronouncement of Mr. Ikolo as the Ewu king has thrown the entire Ewu kingdom into crisis with mass protest and barricades in all access roads to Ewu community, saying that Ewu king remains His Royal Majesty Bernard Awarieta, that other announcement by the state government is mere political exercise.

    The protesters comprises women, youths and men expressed their grievances towards the government decision against the tradition of the community with display of placards carrying several inscriptions; such as, “Government don’t throw Ewu Kingdom into crisis, Clement Ikolo is from Olomu and not Ewu.”

    The spokesman of Ahanwa kingmaker’s family ruling house, Chief Anthony Okagbare (JP), said Ewu is a peaceful kingdom and Delta government should not use Mr. Clement Ikolo imposed king to truncate peace and the tradition of the Ewu kingdom.

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    Okagbare said, “Governor Oborevwori’s friends in Olomu whom are bent on imposing Chief Ikolo on Ewu kingdom should tell the governor the truth. Why is Mr. Ikolo not come direct to Ewu community after his being confirmed instead, he went to Olomu with his former commissioner cousin who is also from Olomu.

    “Why did Ikolo not come straight to Ewu kingdom with his Olomu friends close to the governor and see who would have received them, every provess was followed to the satisfaction of all the communities and clans that makes up the kingdom before His Royal Majesty, Bernard Awarieta emerged and crowned on the 20th of May, 2021.

    “The kingdom has only one king and he is His Royal Majesty, Bernand Awarieta who has been attending several committee set up by the state government and waiting to be given Staff of Office, and only to be told that government has approved Okolo as king of where? It will not be accepted.”

  • First Lady backs reelection of Uzodimma

    First Lady backs reelection of Uzodimma

    Wife of the President Oluremi Tinubu has said that the current administration is strongly backing the reelection of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma for a second term. 

    Speaking at this year’s grand finale of annual Imo Women August meeting held at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Heroes Square, Owerri, Mrs.  Tinubu said the current administration of President Bola Tinubu is strongly backing Governor Uzodimma’s reelection. 

    She called on Imo women to come out en mass and vote overwhelmingly for the governor for a well deserved second term and in other for him to complete the good work he has started. 

    “As we navigate the path towards the governorship election in Imo State,  let’s not loose the sight of the transformative power that women hold. 

    “I call on you great women of Imo State to come out en mass and vote overwhelmingly for the governor,  Hope Uzodimma for a well deserved second term and in other to complete the good work he has started and I believe you know be has the backing of this present administration,”she said. 

    The First Lady who was visiting the state for the first time since she assumed office, assured the people that the President Tinubu’s administration is doing everything possible to ensure a better life for every Nigeria. 

    “This is one of the the reasons we are here today to to assure you of the Federal Government commitment to making Nigeria a more prosperous nation where all of us and generations yet unborn will be proud to belong. 

    Read Also: Okorocha endorses Uzodimma for second term

    “Today as we gather to commemorate and celebrate the achievements and progress of women at this annual Imo women August meeting,  we are reminded of the remarkable strength,  resilience and contributions that women bring to our society while we note the accomplishments of the younger generations which are undoubtedly inspiring, let us not forget the invaluable role that the elderly women play in shaping our communities and indeed our future,  the elderly have been the backbone of our families,  communities and our states. 

    At this year celebration which has the theme “Women Supporting each other make things happen”, we must take cognisance of the experiences,  struggles and triumphs of the older women which have paved the way for the progress we enjoy today. 

    “It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the voices of women are heard,  their needs are addressed and their legacies are preserved,  the wisdom  they possess,  the stories they tell and the guidance they provide are essential pillars of our society. 

    The support we are advocating is what we have come to present today through the Renewed Hope Initiative,  social investment agenda by celebrating the elderly and widows at this event. 

    We join our voices with the governor and his wife against every form of sexual and domestic violence,  fight against trafficking of persons,  drug abuse and other gender base vices in the society.”

    According to her,  empowering women is not first a slogan in the Renewed Hope initiative,  but a commitment towards a better life for families in every state of the federation.

    ” When we support women and uplift their status,  we uplift the entire society and this empowerment extends to women of all ages from the young girls who dream of their future to the elderly who have shaped our past. 

    “These are the hallmark of the Renewed Hope Initiative.  It is an initiative which is focused on women and families with it’s scope on agriculture,  education,  health,  economic empowerment and social investment.”

    She assured that the initiative will soon be back in Imo State to give modest contribution in the areas of agriculture. “We are going to kick off with agriculture in the six zones of the federation.”

    Earlier, the wife of the governor,  Chioma Uzodimma,  thanked Mrs. Tinubu for her support and her considerable interest in the upliftment of women. 

    On his part, Governor Uzodimma thanked all the women, and more importantly, “my adorable wife, Her Excellency Chief Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, for well-thought-out theme for this year’s Meeting: Women Supporting Each Other Makes Things Happen.”

    The Governor said: “I have always known that women are strong believers in the maxim, “United we stand and divided we fall.” Therefore, I am not under any illusion that the strength of our women lies more in their ability to work together to achieve results, the reason they make a lot of differences where the men folk flounder….As you round off your activities for the 2023 August meeting, be rest assured that my 3R government which most of you are key players, and which has shown considerable interest in the welfare of the entire womenfolk in our State will stop at nothing to promote the positive ideals that you as our wives, mothers, sisters, aunties and daughters represent.”

    The ceremony ended with the presentation of different gifts to women including cash donations and business equipment.

    In attendance were Senator, Patrick Ndubueze, Senator Osita Izunnaso,  Sen Ezenwa Onyewuchi,  Sen.  Chris Anyanwu,  Sen Uche Ekwueife,  House Reps members,  Akarachi Amadi,  Eugene Dibiagwu,  Canice Nwachukwu,  Mariam Onuoha, members of FEC,  Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment,  Dr. Anita Doris, Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kenedy, Minister of State Labour and Employment,  Nkeruka Onyejeoche,  Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alliaviation, Dr. Betty Edu. 

    Others include,  wives of Ekiti state, Dr.  Olayemi Oyebanji, Nasarawa State, Hajiya Selifat Sule, Eboyin State, Uzoamaka Ogbonna,  Pricilia Oti,  wife of APC National Chairman, Prof.  Hanmsat Ganduje,  wife of former Oyo State,  Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi

  • Imo guber poll: I will raise minimum wage to N80,000, says APGA candidate

    Imo guber poll: I will raise minimum wage to N80,000, says APGA candidate

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate in Imo State, Tony Ejiogu, has promised to raise the minimum wage of the workers to N80,000 if elected the governor on November 11.

    Ejiogu, who disclosed this during the flag off his campaign in Owerri, Imo state capital, said the current N30,000 minimum wage is not realistic in today’s Nigeria, adding that he would raise the internally generated revenue (IGR) and harness other sources of revenue to increase the quality of lives in the state.

    He also promised to restore security in the state as part of his priorities when he assumes office as the governor.

    Ejiogu said: “My priority is to restore security to our dear state so that we may once again enjoy the simple pleasures of life and feel safe.”

    He equally expressed sadness with the level of poverty in the state and country in general and vowed to harness the agricultural potential of the state to make food abundant to the people.

    He added: “Imo State has the highest literacy rate at 97% in Nigeria, according to the NBS. The secret to this is that we feed our children well. Let me remind you that we cannot disconnect the intellectual capacity of a child from how well he is fed. Yet, today, we face one of the worst food insecurities in our lands.

    Read Also: Imo Gov: Okorocha, Araraume collapse support structures for Anyanwu

    “Sadly, even Ohaji Egbema, Ngor Okpala, Mbaise, Oguta and Ikeduru, all areas known as our food baskets for generations can no longer produce enough for themselves because of insecurity. Therefore, we shall set out to make food abundant again, by making it safe for farmers to return to their farmlands, harnessing our agricultural potential fully and making the right investments so that our people can have more than enough to eat.”

    He said he would tackle the issue of unemployment and ensure that graduates roaming the streets are able to find meaningful employment.

    The governorship hopeful noted: “The root of poverty, which is widespread in our state today, is unemployment. Shall we ever complain too much about the lack of jobs today? Who among you here today does not have a brother, sister, son, daughter or cousin who finished university several years ago but has no job to wake up to every morning? Our dear State churns out one of the largest number of graduates yearly, but nearly 6 out of 10 are not able to find any meaningful employment.”

    “These problems are surmountable, but because we have voted individuals into political offices who lack the necessary capabilities to tackle these, we find ourselves grappling with them for so long, while the solution to these problems lies within our reach.My dear people, freedom beckons.

    “A breeze that will change everything about us and our beloved state. Shall we not embrace this wind of redemption?”

    Speaking also, the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibeziem, who represented Governor Chukwuma Soludo, urged the members of the party to speak with one voice and take back the state.

    He said: “We did it in Anambra State, we must do it in Imo. Vote and guard your votes.”

    Also, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said: “We are going to take over Imo just like the way we took over Abia. We are noted for chasing away unperforming governors from office. Join hands with us to vote Hope Uzodimma out of Douglas House come November 11.”

    APGA National Chairman, Sly Eze Okenwa noted that the party had been winning elections until former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha threw away the mandate given to him by the party.

    “Okorocha took our mandate and threw it into the bush, through the mercy of God, He has appointed for us another leader, another librator, Tony Ejiogu. We are advised to come out and vote and after voting protect the votes.”

    The highlight of the event was the handing over of the party flag to the standard bearer,Tony Ejiogu and his deputy, Chris Ejike Uche.

  • Court orders tribunal to hear LP’s petition in Delta governorship dispute

    Court orders tribunal to hear LP’s petition in Delta governorship dispute

    The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered Delta State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal to hear, on merit, a petition filed by the Labour Party (LP) and its candidate in the last election, Ken Pela, challenging the election of Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    A three-member panel of the appellate court held, in a judgment yesterday, that, as against the finding of the tribunal, Pela and his party did not abandon their petition.

    The court then remitted the petition back to the tribunal for hearing within the time stipulated in the Electoral Act.

    The judgment was on the appeal filed by Pela and his party against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six others.

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    LP’s Pela, who came third behind Oborevwori and Senator Ovie Omo-Agege of the All Progressives Congress (APC), had challenged the outcome of the election and prayed the tribunal to, among others, void Oborevwori ‘s return as the winner.

    In a judgment on July 6, the tribunal, with Justice C. H. Achuchaogu as the chairman, held that the petition was deemed abandoned on the grounds that the petitioners’ application for pre-hearing session was not properly filed.

    The tribunal proceeded to dismiss it, holding among others that “the petition was incompetent and a flagrant violation of Paragraph 18(1) of the 4th Schedule of the Electoral Act 2023.”

  • Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging

    Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging

    Voters from the 105 wards of Bayelsa State have declared their readiness to stand together against the alleged plot by some chieftains of the opposition to instigate violence and rig the November 11 governorship election.

    According to a cross section of voters, despite their desire to encourage massive turnout of voters and fair electoral processes for the poll, the alleged plot by loyalists of the opposition to cause violence and use parallel security agents during the poll would be resisted, as they would not allow a situation that would threaten the peace and security of the state.

    A voter from Southern Ijaw, Mr. Bolou Israel, expressed regrets that persons in the opposition had devised strategies to orchestrate violence and insecurity to rig the poll, which they would fight against.

    Israel, said to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said: “We have resolved to ensure that a proper democratic process is followed and that the opposition parties cannot force themselves on the people if they are rejected.

    “All we hear from their people is that ‘we know Douye Diri is doing well, he has done a lot of projects to deserve re-election’. However, they sing it everywhere that they will write the results, as if we are in a zoo country. How do you achieve that in this modern age?”

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    Mr. Sinivie Akenge from Yenagoa said the forthcoming governorship election was critical to the development of Bayelsa State, noting that the state was making steady progress and that anyone plotting violence to divide and cause problem was an enemy to the people.

    Akenge said: “We are calling on the international community to beam its searchlight on Bayelsa. The opposition candidate is allegedly drumming songs of war.

    “All they are telling their supporters is that they want to win by any possible unconventional means. The security agencies must be on red alert and the people must stand strong to allow proper voting. We will defend our votes.”

    Mrs. Janet Tonworio frowned at certain statements credited to candidate of the opposition that the state owed him a second term and so, this election was a revenge.

    She said the opposition should simply present its candidate to the electorate and that the people would assess his previous outing as a governor almost 12 years ago and the recent public service experience as a minister on how those offices impacted lives of the people.

    “This election is between the incumbent governor and Chief Sylva of the APC.  One thing is sure; you can only rig where you are popular. ‘Bayelsans’ have long rejected the opposition candidate. We hear he is coming for a revenge mission against those who allegedly stopped him in 2011. This is 12 years after, he is still bitter. Bayelsa must stand strong.

    “They want to preload BVAS and compromise INEC. The federal might won’t work; the President is a known democrat of many years standing. Our former President recently said that if you want to govern us, present yourself and if the people like you, they vote for you and if they reject you, you go back to your house or you go and do business.”

  • Anambra residents lament power outage

    Anambra residents lament power outage

    • EEDC explains reasons

    Residents of Awka, Anambra State capital, have decried two-day blackout following power outage by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC).

    The people, particularly those into business activities, counted the losses they had incurred within the few days of the development.

    A cyber cafe owner, who identified himself as Ejikeme Okafor, said his business had suffered decline since the fuel subsidy removal, adding that  power outage had aggravated the situation.

    “If I tell you how much I spend on fuel daily since the fuel subsidy removal, you’ll pity me. Now, EEDC has come with theirs. I don’t know what these people want us to do,” he lamented.

    EEDC said the outage followed loss of supply from its source of power at the TCN Station, Onitsha on Wednesday evening.

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    The power company, through its Head, Corporate Communications, Emeka Ezeh, said power would be restored soon, as engineers were patrolling the lines to ascertain the cause of power outage.

    He said: “We wish to inform our esteemed customers in Awka, Anambra State that the power outage currently being experienced is due to the loss of supply from its source of power at TCN Station, Onitsha, at about 6:53pm, yesterday (Wednesday).

    “As a result of this development, all feeders under EEDC Awka district are out of power supply.”

    “TCN engineers are already patrolling the lines to ascertain the cause of power outage.

    “We therefore apologise to our esteemed customers in Awka and appeal for their patience and understanding as we are on standby, hoping that the issue is resolved and power is restored within the shortest time possible.”

  • Relief for Warri residents as Oborevwrori okays roads reconstruction

    Relief for Warri residents as Oborevwrori okays roads reconstruction

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s approval of reconstruction of some roads in Warri has brought relief to road users across the metropolis.

    The approval, made at the inaugural State Executive Council meeting in Asaba, has been welcomed by residents, including the Chairman of Warri South Local Government, Dr. Michael Tidi.

    Lauding the move, Tidi said the roads were strategic to the socio-economic revival of the oil city, adding that Governor Oborevwori was keeping the promise to bring back the lost glory of Warri.

    The roads approved for reconstruction are Upper-Lower Erejuwa, Esisi, from Warri-Sapele Road to Estate Roundabout with spur to Nana College, linking Ajamimogha, all in Warri City centre. 

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    The Warri South boss recalled several remedial works done by his administration with limited resources, through direct labour, to make Esisi Road and Estate Roundabout passable. 

    He said Upper-Lower Erejuwa Road built decades ago by the late Samuel Ogbemudia administration in the defunct Bendel State, Esisi and Ajamimogha roads connect major markets and other vital commercial investments in Warri, “which is the economic nerve centre of Delta State.” 

    Tidi urged Warri residents, particularly people of the area where the roads would be reconstructed, to support the projects, hoping that Warri “will witness the M.O.R.E. agenda of this administration.” Residents had bemoaned poor conditions of roads, worsened by the rains and called on the governor to intervene.