The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Lawmaker empowers youths

    Lawmaker empowers youths

    Twenty-five youths from Aguata communities in Anambra State have received digital skills as well as one new laptop each from the member representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Dom Okafor, an engineer.

    The two-day training for the youth drawn from 20 wards in the constituency, centred on Computer Programming and Data Processing, was organised by the lawmaker in collaboration with Industrial Arbitration Panel, Abuja.

    Presenting the laptops to the beneficiaries, Okafor said the training was targeted at empowering youths in the area of technology, to enable them fulfil their life ambition.

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    He said: “The youth were selected across fields after being adjudged proactive and capable of escalating the knowledge garnered to their communities.

    “The world is a global village and ICT is the next big thing. Across spheres of human endeavour, ICT knowledge is very important because of how it can help youths to be creative.

    “I have been a member of the Rotary Club for over 20 years where I learnt impactful living. As the President of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt in 2012, I was adjudged the best because of the things I did then.

    “This is what I want to replicate in the representation of the people of Aguata this time at the Green Chamber.”

    Congratulating the beneficiaries for successful completion of the programme, Okafor encouraged them to make utmost use of the opportunity and take the knowledge to their constituencies.

    “I’m impressed with what I saw during the training and I’m optimistic the youth have what it takes to lead the digital revolution in the constituency,” he said.

    Some of the beneficiaries thanked the benefactor for the opportunity to be empowered with digital skills, promising to use the knowledge for self-actualisation.

  • Ebonyi communities sign peace pact

    Ebonyi communities sign peace pact

    The people of Effium and Ezza-Effium both in Effium community, Ohaukwu Local Government of Ebonyi State, have agreed to cease fire and end the war between them.

    The crisis started on January 21, 2021 and had claimed hundreds of lives, with properties worth billions of naira destroyed.

    The two warring parties had been living together for many decades before the war in which both recorded high casualties.

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    However, at the weekend, the peace and reconciliation committee set up by Governor Francis Nwifuru to find a lasting solution to the war brokered a truce between the two parties.

    The two parties signed the ceasefire agreement before the Bishop Nnachi Okoro-led peace and reconciliation committee in Abakaliki, the capital.

    The meeting was also attended by security chiefs.

    The Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Donatus Ilang, read the ceasefire agreement before the warring parties, after which their stakeholders signed the agreement.

    The agreement reads: “A ceasefire agreement is made this day of 2023 between Effium and Ezza Effium.

    “Whereas there was a crisis between Effium and Ezza Effium, Effium community in Ohaukwu Local Government of Ebonyi State, which started on 21st January 2021 and has lingered to date.

    “Not comfortable with the war, the state government constituted a peace and reconciliation committee to resolve the crisis.

    “The reconciliation committee has commenced mediation, arbitration with the parties who have mutually agreed to halt all forms of attack against one another.

    “The parties have agreed as follows: that the state government through the committee should use all available at its disposal, oral and handwritten, to resolve the crisis.

    “That both parties have agreed to prevail on their warriors to lay down their arms by the ceasefire, to enable the committee fully intervene in the crisis and amicably resolve same.

    “Both parties have also agreed to stop all forms of hostilities and to cooperate with the state government and the committee in their efforts to bring lasting peace to the trouble-ridden community.

    “Consequently, any party or group of persons or individuals that violate this ceasefire agreement will be answerable to the laws of Ebonyi State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    A member of the committee, Rev. Fr. Charles Otu, hailed security chiefs for their presence and support in ensuring a lasting solution to the intractable war between the two communities.

    He warned against breach of the ceasefire agreement, saying it was binding on the parties.

    Chairman of the peace and reconciliation committee, Most Rev. Nnachi Okoro, retired Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, urged the parties to embrace peace and continue to live as brothers.

  • Otu plans improved welfare for workers

    Otu plans improved welfare for workers

    Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has met with organised Labour where issues of welfare of workers, following fuel subsidy removal, and other issues were discussed.

    This will be the second time the governor will be meeting the organised Labour at the Government House, Calabar in less than two months.

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    The meeting was held behind closed doors and was attended by the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Gregory Ulayi, his counterpart from the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Monday Ogbodum as well as the Chairman of the state Joint Negotiating Council, Raymond Afo.

    Briefing Government House correspondents after the meeting, Ulayi said: “We met with the governor as organised Labour and discussed the way forward on a plethora of issues, and the discussions were fruitful.

    “We have discussed and we all agreed and the governor gave us five days to call us back to see what he can do to reduce the sufferings of workers.”

    The Labour leaders said workers in Cross River State were very hopeful, adding that from their interactions with the governor, they would smile soon.

    They said: “The governor also spoke about palliative because of the removal of fuel subsidy. He assured us that he would do the needful.

    “We discussed the implementation of promotion, and he regretted the suffering of workers, promising he would attend to it.

    Governor Otu on June 20 met the leadership of the organised Labour and he promised to meet the union leaders periodically to discuss issues affecting workers, in a bid to reposition the civil service.

  • Group creates 4,923 jobs in Niger Delta

    Group creates 4,923 jobs in Niger Delta

    A group, Niger Delta Youth Professionals (NDYP), says it has created more than 4,922 direct and indirect jobs through grants to 1,600 micro, small and medium scale businesses in the region.

    Convener of Niger Delta Micro Small and Enterprises Summit, Mr. Moses Siasia, disclosed this at the weekend during the 3rd edition of the summit in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

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    He said the gesture was with support from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    He mentioned 0.5M grant each to support and increase the capacities of businesses, saying the organisation trained more than 2,304 business owners in entrepreneurship skills.

    Siasia said NDYP had empowered more than 200 business owners.

    He said Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), a larger body incorporating NDYP, had through its advocacy increased its membership to over two million spread around 15 countries, while the summit was held to communicate the International Youth Day.

    “We want our young people, who are entrepreneurs, to understand that the future is theirs, and that the future is entrepreneurship. The world today is diverting from hydrocarbon.

    We are talking about Energy Transition, Climate Change. These are where the world interests are driving to. So we must conform to modern realities. This is why we are doing this to reshape the entrepreneurial culture in the region.”

    Siasia regretted that youths in the region had been marginalised, while the region had nothing to show after decades of contributing marginally to the growth of the economy.

    He cautioned young people to consider exploring the social media to promote their brands and businesses, rather than jumping on it as a tool to abuse political office holders.

    Siasia said in his quest to develop and expand his business, he had been to over 60 countries, while his staff strength had risen to over 480. He urged youths in the region with business dreams not to be deterred by initial challenges associated with new and growing enterprises.

    Calling for a change of business mindset for youths, the convener enjoined governments in the region to develop a framework that would guide and support aspiring and intelligent business minds.

    Guest speaker, Ebimoboere Enyiekpemi, whose lecture was anchored on Entrepreneur Beyond Oil, restated the need for a return to agriculture due to increasing problems and change in climatic conditions.

    Enyiekpemi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afritropic Farming and Agro Services Ltd, sharing her story, advised youths to consider venturing into agriculture and tapping from the benefits.

    She said although farming resources remained available in Nigeria, agro business would require passion, self- investment, consistency, resilience, focus and intellectual knowledge to thrive.

    The Interim Administrator of Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Brig.-Gen Barry Ndiomu, urged youths to “rise above the entitlement mentality”, to set the stage for success.

     “If you rise above entitlement mentality, the sky will be too small to be your starting point. Everybody stands a chance,” he said, adding that youths must begin to think out of the box and come up with innovative ideas.

    The interim administrator who was represented by Musa Wilfred, PAP’s head of Reintegration, advised youths to heighten awareness and take advantage of the current situation.

    The chief executives of NDDC, NCDMB and Providus Bank harped on the need for increased engagement and redirection of focus from government handouts to entreprenuership development among youths in the region.

  • Delta North APC writes Tinubu, asks for second ministerial slot

    Delta North APC writes Tinubu, asks for second ministerial slot

    The Delta North Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has written to President Bola Tinubu, asking to be given the second ministerial slot allotted to Delta State.

    It will be recalled that President Tinubu had picked two ministerial nominees from Delta State – Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN) and Stella Okotete.

    But while the Senate confirmed Keyamo for the job, the lawmakers have put Okotete’s confirmation in abeyance, leaving the slot vacant.

    In a letter addressed to President Tinubu, dated August 10, 2023, the Delta North APC leaders pointed out that Keyamo and Okotete are both from the Delta Central senatorial district.

    The letter, jointly signed by Chief Aliekwue Simon Onyeka, Engr. Tom Onah and Hon Emeka Ikenyen urged the President to replace Okotete with a new nominee from Delta North.

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    The three APC leaders complained about what they described as the age-long preferential treatment of Delta Central at the expense of Delta North and Delta South districts.

    The letter stated in part: “We would like to bring to your attention the painful position of our great Party the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State and the lopsided appointment of Ministers of the Federal Republic.

    “Delta North and South have had to struggle to get anything. It might interest you to know that Delta Central (Urhobo) has produced the Ministerial nominees in the person of Festus Keyamo and Stella Okotete who are currently not cleared by the Senate.

    “Also, the APC governorship candidate in the last election, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, and the State APC  Chairman, Omeni Sobotie are both from Delta Central. Delta North and Delta South are left bare.

    “We would like to inform you, Your Excellency, that we expended every resource both human and material within our capacity to ensure that we scored above 25% in favour of our party. However, due to certain circumstances inherent in the administration of the party in the state, we weren’t able to.

    “With the current political dispensation, the forthcoming elections in 2027 present yet another bright opportunity for our party to not only take over the leadership of the state but to also produce maximum votes for your reelection.”

    The letter, which was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, urged the President to address the glaring imbalance in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.

  • Ebonyi Assembly passes bill into law

    Ebonyi Assembly passes bill into law

    Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed into law, a bill to establish Ebonyi State Rural Roads Authority (EBRARA), for the development, rehabilitation and reconstruction of rural roads.

    The law, which is deemed to have come into force on August 8, 2023, will be cited as Ebonyi State Rural Access Road Authority Law and Other Mathers Connected Therewith 2023.

    The purpose of the law is to establish Ebonyi Rural Access Road Authority for the management, design, development, rehabilitation, reconstruction and maintenance of rural roads.

    The bill, which was exhaustively deliberated in the committee of the whole, was read page by page and errors of syntax and morphology were corrected.

    Speaking about the bill earlier, the Leader of the House, Kingsley Ikoro representing Afikpo North West, said the bill was important due to the ugly situation of rural roads across the 13 local governments.

    He said the establishment of the State Rural Access Roads Authority was highly needed; pointing out that the development of any state was measured by the level of development in rural areas.

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    Ikoro added that the passage of the bill into law would give the leaders of the board power to ensure proper maintenance and reconstruction of rural roads, for the betterment of its dwellers and transportation of agro produce.

    The member representing Ebonyi North West, Aloysius Nwodo, advised his colleagues to support the passage of the bill, which he said would ensure speedy development of rural areas.

    He lamented that many people had been victims of bad roads and called for reconstruction of Egwudinagu- Ogbala road, to reduce the suffering of his constituents.

    The member representing Ezza South, Friday Ogbuewu and the lawmaker representing Onicha East, Celestine Ogba, stressed that the bill, if passed into law, would address the high rate of rural to urban migration, abate high cost of living and strengthen the economic prosperity of Ebonyi people.

    The member representing Ebonyi North East, Mrs. Chinyere Nwogbaga, highlighting the importance of the bill, noted that the board, when established, would promote sustainable development and operation of the rural road sector, as well as attract investors to the state.

    Ikoro moved a motion for the passage of the bill and it was seconded by the Deputy Chief Whip, Lucas Chukwu.

  • ERA decries burning of crude oil vessels   

    ERA decries burning of crude oil vessels   

    The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) has condemned the burning and destruction of vessels laden with stolen crude oil.

    It described it as a worrisome and environmentally unfriendly way of curbing oil theft.

    The group urged the military and other security operatives to end the practice of burning vessels laden with crude oil, saying it is against the tenet of environmental protection and environmental health.

    Executive Director (ED) of ERA/FoEN, Chima Williams, a lawyer; was commenting on the conduct of the security operatives trying to stop oil theft in the Niger Delta.

    He called on the government to move away from such hazardous way of curbing oil theft, saying it should rather fashion out environmentally friendly and effective action plans to engage in the fight. 

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    He insisted on the need to protect the livelihood of the people in their pursuit of justice and also create an economic value from seized crude oil and the conveying vessels.

    Williams said: “The burning of crude oil laden vessels disposes a high level of chemical content into the water bodies that destroys the eco lives and aquatic organisms that humans need to survive.  

    “Destroying such vessels with their crude contents produces high level chemical debris that follows tidal movement to other parts of the country. This kind of devastation destroys the aquatic organisms needed to satisfy man’s nutritional and survival needs.”

    He advised the government to move away from such hazardous means of curbing oil theft and map out effective action plans that would protect the environment, protect the livelihood of the people in their pursuit of justice and also create an economic value from seized crude oil and the conveying vessels.

  • Rivers communities back PINL’s war

    Rivers communities back PINL’s war

    Rumuekpe communities in Emohua Local Government of Rivers State have supported the efforts of Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Ltd (PINL), to stamp out oil thieves in their domains.

    The seven communities, which host Trans Niger Pipelines, Shell and LNG facilities, said PINL had demonstrated commitment through partnership with them to address economic challenges posed by oil thieves.

    The Chairman of the communities’ Council of Chiefs and the Youth President, Chief Onyeagwala Okwudu and Gaius S. Ajuru, said they were happy with the pipeline contractor covering the area.

    They said: “We are happy with PINL and commend the excellent performance of PINL in carrying the host communities along by awarding surveillance contracts to indigenous companies, which was achieved through demonstrated commitments, compassion, transparency and integrity in partnering the host communities in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

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    “We condemn illegal oil bunkering in our communities due to its negative impact and resolve to fully commit to the fight against the menace in collaboration with PINL.”

    The leaders urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) leadership to identify persons they described as desperate oil thieves, who were back through campaigns of calumny.

    They said such persons had resorted to name-calling and violence and appealed to PINL to intensify efforts in eradicating pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

    The host communities thanked PINL for engaging youths, monarchs and other stakeholders from Rumuekpe in the pipeline surveillance job.

  • Cleric places ex-Ohanaeze boss, 300 elders on monthly stipend

    Cleric places ex-Ohanaeze boss, 300 elders on monthly stipend

    A Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma, has placed over 300 elderly people, including Elder Chris Eluemuno, ex-chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Anambra State; on N5,000 monthly stipend.

    The cleric, founder and Spiritual Director of Holy Ghost Adoration Ministry, Uke, popularly called Ebube Muonso, said the stipend, which takes immediate effect, will be given to those from 75 years and above.

    He said it was targeted at improving the welfare of the elderly in his community, Nkwelle-Ezunaka, in Oyi Local Government of Anambra State.

    He said: “In John 10:10, Christ said He came so that people may have life and have it in abundance. I am taking part in the Christ Ministry because Jesus Christ preached the good news and gave food to the poor people.

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    “It is always good to take care of elderly ones. I have soft spot for them as well as special package for their hospital bills, though secretly. I thank my parents for sending me to school. Education is indeed an enabler.

    “I will open an account for them and will continue to pay the stipend until I die. I will write it as a will. I will also open an investment that will be yielding money for the apostolate to the elderly and generation yet unborn.”

    Obimma advised youths in the community to be hardworking by engaging in legitimate activities, instead of living a reckless life.

    President General of the community, Chief Willie Okafor and Chairlady of Iyom Society, Mrs. Iyom Irene, expressed satisfaction about the cleric’s benevolence, praying God to keep him for them.

    “God gave the cleric to the community to assist in human capital and infrastructural development. We urge youths to emulate him,” Okafor said.

    Elder Eluemuno thanked the benefactor for the gesture, saying: “Ebube Muonso is about forty something years old and remembers those that are 75 years old and above.

    “It was former Governor Peter Obi that first introduced this package for elders in the state, but the scheme fizzled out when he left.

    “It is a remarkable venture, which shows that our Nkwelle-Ezunaka community has produced a son. I am one of the beneficiaries because I’m 75 years old.”

    The Manager of Elders Salary Scheme, Ubaka Onwuanyi, hailed the priest for coming to the rescue of the elderly and prayed God to continue to guide and protect him.

  • Head-teacher hails Soludo over teachers’ recruitment

    Head-teacher hails Soludo over teachers’ recruitment

    The Head-Teacher of Union School, Amawbia in Awka South Local Government of Anambra State, Mrs. Celine Ozomma, has praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo for employing 5,000 teachers, which led to the posting of nine teachers to her school.

    She also hailed the governor for the roads being rehabilitated in Awka and Amawbia.

    Speaking to reporters yesterday, Ozomma, however, lamented deteriorating access road to the school, caused by erosion, which she said had made it difficult for teachers to live within the school vicinity.

    She appealed for rehabilitation of the roads, saying it would open up the areas, provide access to residents and those building houses in the areas.

    “We call on the governor to assist us in tarring the road from Umuokpu junction to Awka, at Kabe Secondary School to Nise, en route to Agulu, to Ekwulobia.

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    “Rehabilitation of the road will not only open up the areas and provide access to the people, but will also address the difficulty staff and students encounter while plying the dilapidated road,” she said.

    Describing Soludo as a solution governor and an educationist, Ozomma demanded additional teachers to teach other relevant subjects.

    The Proprietor of Casrondo Hospital, Dr. Casmir Onyia, commended Soludo for remembering Awka and Amawbia in road rehabilitation.

    He, however, asked for the rehabilitation of Kabe road to Nise, which he said would reduce traffic snarls at Amawbia-cum-Government House junction, especially during festive periods.

    “God has used Governor Soludo to recognise the need to rehabilitate roads in Awka and Amawbia within the capital territory.

    “The rehabilitation of the road will ease the suffocating traffic congestion at the ever busy Amawbia-cum-Government House junction, down to Agulu,” he said.