The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Eha Amufu massacre: IPOB accuses Army of protecting herdsmen

    Eha Amufu massacre: IPOB accuses Army of protecting herdsmen

    As emotions and tears flowed on Thursday in Abuja as over 200 indigenes of Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo Local Government of Enugu State protested against the incessant killings of their people by suspected Fulani militia, the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB has blamed the military for the massacre.

    The protesters including men and women said hundreds of people living in Eha-Amufu have been killed in different attacks since 2021.

    IPOB on Saturday said the clandestine cover given by the military to herdsmen led to the killings.

    “We the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) want to inform the world that Nigeria Military masterminded the Fulani herdsmen terrorist genocidal attacks against the innocent people in Eha Amufu community in Enugu State, they said in a statement by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful.”

  • 2023: Enugu communities endorse Ugwuanyi for Senate

    2023: Enugu communities endorse Ugwuanyi for Senate

    It was wild jubilation in Ukehe, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area and in Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area, yesterday, when the Governor of Enugu State and candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for Enugu North Senatorial District, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi visited the two communities.

    Ugwuanyi was in the communities to witness the presentation of Christmas gifts to widows and the less privileged by his commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh and a member of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Technology, Abeokuta, Barr. Patrick Onyema Omeke, respectively.

    Ugwuanyi who received loud ovation from the people of the communities on arrival, got their endorsements to represent Enugu North Senatorial District in the National Assembly in 2023 in recognition of his commitment to peace and good governance as well as his passion for charity, almsgiving and the wellbeing of the less privileged in the society.

    In Ukehe, the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Aroh, disclosed that Governor Ugwuanyi has been supporting the widows’ empowerment programme even before he became governor, adding that the event was in line with the governor’s long-held policy of sharing with the needy and the less privileged.

    Aroh revealed that the provision of Christmas gift items comprising 2,000 bags of 50kg rice, 2,000 bags of 25kg rice, 2000 bags of 10kg rice, 1,400 pieces of wrappers, 200 cartons of tomatoes, and 200 bags of salt, for the widows, was made possible because of the support that Governor Ugwuanyi has been giving him and his entire family.

  • Fedpoly Nekede accesses N400m TETFund for research development in four years

    Fedpoly Nekede accesses N400m TETFund for research development in four years

    The Rector of Federal Poly Nekede, Owerri Dr. Michael Chidiebere Arimanwa has disclosed that the institution has accessed N400 million from TETFund to carry out research and innovation development at various levels in the last four years.

    He said such researches had helped the institution to develop electric car, gas fire crucible burners, rice distoning machine, coconut dishusting machine, canal cracking and separation machine, palm fruit digesting machine, press-up machine, and cassava grading machine.

    Arimanwa made his achievements known during the 2022 end of the year solemn assembly held at the campus 1000 capacity.

    Addressing the management, staff and students of the institution, Arimanwa said that the school had also in the last four years of his administration developed surveillance aircraft that can be programmed to send messages to security authorities about a development around the school community.

  • Stakeholders drag Bayelsa PDP candidate to CCB for receiving double salaries

    Stakeholders drag Bayelsa PDP candidate to CCB for receiving double salaries

    Some stakeholders have dragged the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate for Ekeremor Constituency 2, Mitin Living Ebikebena, to the Code of Conduct Bureau for allegedly receiving double salaries.

    Messrs. Akporhona Noah and Seiyefa Captain in a petition written to the CCB through their legal firm, A.O. Ishokare Esq, called on the CCB to investigate their allegations that Ebikebena, an employee of the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe breached the provisions of the code of conduct for public servants.

    The firm in the petition dated December 9, 2022 and received by the CCB on December 19, 2022 claimed that the PDP candidate violated paragraph two part one of the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).

    It was gathered that Ebikebena had been in the employ of the polytechnic as an Accountant since July 10, 2014 and currently on a salary grade GL 09 CONTEDISS step five.

    But Ishokare said: “Our clients further informed us that while still in the employ of the Federal Polytechnic Ekowe and without resigning same, the said Mitin Living Ebikebena accepted another salaried employment and was employed by the Bayelsa State Petroleum Task Force from 2016 to 2019, as well as Bayelsa State Governor’s Special Representative, Ekeremor between 2019 and 2020.

    “Mitin Ebikebena was also employed by the Bayelsa State Government as the Ekeremor Constituency 2 Director, Bayelsa State Centre for Youth Development from November 2020 to April 2022. He received salaries and emoluments for each of the employment from the Government of Bayelsa State.

  • Ikpeazu sacks Abia council chairmen, deputies, councilors

    Ikpeazu sacks Abia council chairmen, deputies, councilors

    The governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has dissolved all the elected officers serving across the 17 local government ares of the state.

    Those affected were the 17 local government chairmen, their deputies and councilors.

    Our correspondent reports that the dissolution of the serving officers came on the heels of the two years expiration of their term in office.

    They were asked to hand over local government properties in their custody.

    “Following the expiration of the tenure of the Executive Chairmen of the 17 Local Government Council, the governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has approved their dissolution. The governor thanked them for their services and wish them well in their future endeavors.

    “The governor further directs that they hand over to the Head of Service of their various Local Government Council. The dissolution takes immediate effect.”

  • Roaring Lion for stage on Boxing Day

    Roaring Lion for stage on Boxing Day

    A classic Christmas stage play by Christmas Free Gift International Film and Theater Ministry focusing on the lessons of Christmas entitled “Roaring Lion” will be performed at the Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos, Monday and Tuesday concurrently.

    Written and directed by Ayotunde Yoloye, the play features veteran actress Banke Amole-Adams, Elijah Edet, Osei Matthew Okoduwa, Eric Amole-Adams and a guest appearance by Modupe Adeniran.

    Roaring Lion tells the story of how Bamidele Lawson meets a girl online and seeks to take their relationship to the next level by arranging a physical meeting with her at Christmas.

    With an ongoing epidemic in the land that threatens to degenerate into a global pandemic, his mother is opposed to any such meeting and so Bamidele seeks the help of a friend to make it happen. However his perfect plan to meet Tonia slowly begins to unravel in a high stakes saga of lies, deceit and blackmail that threatens to consume him.

    Free GIFT Ministry has emerged over the years as a model for high impact, well performed Christian plays and films that minister the profound truth of God’s word effectively.

  • Boat mishap: Delta APGA commiserates with Omo-Agege, APC family over loss of party members

    Boat mishap: Delta APGA commiserates with Omo-Agege, APC family over loss of party members

    By Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

    The Delta State All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, commiserates with the Delta state All Progressives Congress, APC, and its gubernatorial candidate and Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, over the Okerenkoko boat mishap that claimed two lives, leaving some injured and others reported missing while some are receiving treatment in the hospital.

    The condolence message issued by the Director, Publicity and Communications, Ogboru Campaign Organisation, Mr. Zik Zulu Okafor, on behalf of the governorship candidate of APGA, Chief Great Ovedje Ogboru and the Director General, Ogboru Campaign Organization, Chief Wilson Okpubigho, said the incident is no doubt a huge loss not only to APC family but to the entire people of Delta state.

    Speaking further, Mr. Zulu Okafor said, “The object of our letter, therefore, is to express our very deep condolences over this debilitating loss of your committed members, who left their homes with the minds of returning back to meet their parents and families.

    “APGA deeply commiserate with the Delta APC gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the entire APC family in the state and families of those who lost their children during the mishap that occurred while returning from APC rally in Okerenkoko, Warri South-West local government area of Delta state.

    “We pray God to grant these gallant departed souls eternal peace and give APC, Delta state, the strength and stoic to bear the loss, as the life and blood of every Deltan matters to us irrespective of party affiliations.. Once again, accept our hearty condolences.”

  • Bayelsans excited as govt links Yenagoa to rural communities by road

    Bayelsans excited as govt links Yenagoa to rural communities by road

    Bayelsa State government says it has spent over N174bn to complete the ongoing major road projects on the three senatorial zones aimed at linking all rural communities with Yenagoa, the state capital.

    The Director-General, New Media to Governor Douye Diri, Dr. Kola Oredipe, made the revelation during the week while conducting journalists through an assessment tour of ongoing road projects.

    Among the road projects inspected were the Bayelsa West and Bayelsa Central Senatorial roads aimed at linking communities in Sagbama and Ekeremor as well as Southern Ijaw local government areas with the state capital.

    During the assessment tour, there were indications that construction works were in progress on the Bayelsa Central Senatorial Road which is the 22.2 kilometre Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie road due to gulp N31.4b.

    The road is to link Yenagoa with Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw LGA and many other adjoining communities located deep in the creeks which are only accessible by river at the moment.

    Addressing journalists at Angiama where a 620-metre long bridge is being constructed to cross the River Nun to Oporoma, Dr. Oredipe said the project, which the Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo performed the groundbreaking ceremony earlier this year is expected to be completed in two years’ time.

    He said the pillars for the bridge were being mounted just as the Governor Douye Diri had directed the award of contracts for road projects to neighbouring communities such as Eniwari, Ondewari and Otuan.

    He said: “While other states have their priorities, for us in Bayelsa, our aim is to open up several communities that are locked up in the rivers and creeks. The Yenagoa-Oporoma-Ukubie Road is the one that is opening up the entire Southern Ijaw LGA.

    “This is headquarters of the Council area but for such a long time, Oporoma is not connected by road and it is this government that is taking this road there across the River Nun. It is about 22km. This administration took it over from Ikebiri community and it has gone up to Aguobiri, where we have a bridge that is standing.

    “From that bridge over the Silver River, we have been able to access Angiama community. People here have been waiting for this road for over 40 years. They are very excited that finally the road has reached Angiama, and we are taking it further.”

  • IPOB disowns commander arrested by DSS

    IPOB disowns commander arrested by DSS

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has said that the suspected gang leader, Okechukwu Nlebedum alias Ejima arrested by Directorate of State Service (DSS) last Wednesday is not a commander of its armed militia, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

    Rather, the group said that Ejima is among Orlu youths in Imo State using the name of ESN to carry out some intimidation and harassment of their own people.

    In a statement on Friday by IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the group disclosed that the suspect (Ejima) had earlier been warned several times by IPOB to undergo ESN training and stop using the name of ESN to carry out illegal activities but he refused.

    The statement reads: “Ejima is never an ESN  commander  rather  he is among those Orlu youths using the name of ESN to  carry out some intimidation  and harassment of their own people  and he was  warmed  several times and was asked to undergo ESN training  and stop working in the name of ESN , also he was  asked that he must undertake an oath to be discipline and law abiding volunteers  and  he must not  engage in criminality , kidnapping  or other illegal activities in the name of ESN which he refused to take the oath till his present ordeal.”

    He recalled that IPOB leadership through one Mazi Chinasa Nworu in one of his broadcast earlier this year mentioned the names of these criminals on Radio Biafra as those terrorising the Oru East and Oru West LGAs of Imo State.

    “Chinasa Nworu specifically said that they are criminals and not working for IPOB nor ESN.  Also IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful in one of his previous press releases warned these criminals to stop their atrocities and refrain from impersonating IPOB and ESN.” 

    He maintained that IPOB does not support criminal activities like kidnapping, killing and snatching of cars.

    “IPOB don’t work with criminals.

    IPOB don’t support evil activities like kidnapping, killing and snatching of cars. IPOB is here to protect our people not to make life difficult for them.”

    He said the suspect and his gang should be made to face the consequences of the crime they had committed against the people.

    “Ejima and his gang will face the consequences of the crime they committed against innocent citizens (if Government will prosecute him because he is working with them against ESN as revenge). Let it be on record that IPOB and ESN are innocent. The so called Ejima and his gang are neither ESN Operatives nor IPOB volunteers.”

  • Training, empowerment key to diverting youths from crimes, says Diri

    Training, empowerment key to diverting youths from crimes, says Diri

    Bayelsa State Governor Douyi Diri has declared that training and empowerment programmes are panacea for diverting agitated youths from crimes and criminality.

    Diri made the declaration in Yenagoa, the state capital, during the graduation of the first set of 80 beneficiaries of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) training organised by the Office of the National Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide for the youths of the Niger Delta region.

    The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, Patrick Erasmus, reiterated that training and empowerment by individuals, organisations and the state government had been yielding the desired results in the region by focusing the youth on the part of development and peace.

    Diri also frowned on the attitude of some beneficiaries of government trainings who failed to put the knowledge acquired to use and allegedly sold their starter packs after empowerment programmes.

    He charged the beneficiaries of the various training programmes across the country to put to use the skills acquired in order to better society.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, noted that the only way the Ijaws could take their rightful place in the oil and gas sector was through acquiring the needed education and training.

    Speaking during the graduation, the Initiator of the programme and spokesman for IYC, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, expressed delight that despite the challenges, the journey of intellectual exchange and training of youths from Ijaw communities in ICT had yielded the desired results.

    He said the best 12 of the graduands were handed starter packs including brand new computers while others would receive their starter packs before the commencement of the second batch of the programme in February next year.

    He pointed out that the training programme covered skills on Computer Appreciation, Office Production Tools, Internet Utility and Web Development (HTML, CSS & Bootstrap) among others.