Category: South East

The Abia State chapter of the Tinubu Shettima Independent Campaign Council has unveiled its State, Senatorial, Federal Constituency and Local Government Area officers.

Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike who spoke at the event said the focus of the Council was to engage on a door-to-door campaign to gain votes for the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He added that its activities would complement the efforts of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, PCC.

He stressed the need for the officers to work very hard to ensure victory for Tinubu, who he described as a man that knows how to reward loyalty.

He directed the Local Government Area Coordinators to set up chapters of the Tinubu Shettima Grassroots Independent Campaign Council at both Ward and Polling Unit levels.

•As Engineering College graduates 245 officers, ratings

Newly graduating personnel of the Nigerian Naval Engineering College (NNEC), Sapele, have been cautioned against engaging in practices outside the Nigerian Navy’s scope of conduct in the coming general elections.

The Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Nigerian Naval Training Command, Rear Admiral Monday Unurhiere, gave the warning at the graduation ceremony of 245 NN personnel, Friday.

The FOC who was represented by the Chief Staff Officer, Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Baratuaipri. Iyalla, said “you must recall that as we enter the election season, you must all be seen to be abiding by the ethics that guide our involvement.

“We must not involve ourselves outside the scope of the regulation that you have been given. Ensure that you abide always by the code of conduct that has been handed and repeatedly drummed into your head.”

Stressing on the high premium placed on training of technical manpower for the NNS, the FOC commended the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, for constantly approving trainings, both local and foreign, for personnel, as well as facilitating collaborations with relevant stakeholders.

Unurhiere noted that the commitment of the CNS to training of personnel “has helped the NNEC contribute more to the technological advancement of the NN and the nation at large, as well as the technical manpower development of the Nigerian Content actualisation.”

On his part, the Commandant of the college, Commodore Aminu Abdullahi, assured that in order to discharge the onerous task of securing Nigeria’s backwaters as directed by the CNS, the graduands have been duly equipped with the “skilled technical manpower that will ensure that the NN platforms are well maintained and made available for operations.”

Earlier, the Deputy Commandant of the college, Captain Emeka Chinaka, explained that the Under Training Personnel comprised 28 officers and 217 ratings of the NN.

Anambra State government has announced that its Social Protection Policy would be ready for implementation in January, 2023.

Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Ms. Chiamaka Nnake disclosed this during a one-day stakeholders’ validation of draft Anambra State Social Protection Policy document in partnership with Africa Network For Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ).

Social Protection Policy is government programme intended to assist individuals and societies manage risk and volatility, protect them from poverty and inequality, as well as help them access economic opportunity.

According to Nnake, “We expect that the policy will be a true reflection of all stakeholders in the state. As soon as we’re done, we’ll transmit it to the executive for approval, expecting it to be ready by second week of January.

“We still have windows after today to take as much feedbacks as possible because we want it to be holistic and true reflection of the minds of the people to social protection issues in the state.”

Chairman, Civil Society Organisations in the state, Prince Chris Azor described the policy as milestone in good governance, revealing that Anambra is the first state in Southeast to domesticate the policy.

Earlier, Deputy Executive Director, Africa Network For Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Mr. Leo Atakpu said the project was his organization’s contribution to support government efforts in five states in tackling poverty in Nigeria.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Friday announced that heavy duty trucks and trailers would not be allowed to ply the second Niger Bridge within the one month period it would be opened to traffic.

The Sector Commander, FRSC, Adeoye Irelewuyi in a statement on Friday, said the directive followed announcement of temporary opening of the bridge from December 15, 2022 to January 15, 2023 by the Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola.

He said the bridge would be opened only to motorists and other road users coming from the West to the East through Asaba from December 15 through January 1, 2023, while only vehicles coming from the East to the West would be allowed to ply the bridge from January 2 to 15, 2023.

Irelewuyi urged the motoring public to corporate with traffic managers to ensure free flow of traffic during the period.

“FRSC Anambra is collaborating with relevant agencies to ensure that the gridlock usually experienced at the bridge around this time of the year is completely eradicated.

“We also appeal to road users to avoid over-speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs,” he added.

•PVC collections to begin Monday, Dec 12

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Bayelsa State, Dr. Emmanuel Alex Hart, has said that the total number of registered voters in Bayelsa State is now 1,250,102 (1.25million).

Hart made this known yesterday in Yenagoa, the state capital, during a stakeholders’ meeting on the procedure for the collection of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

Representatives of various political parties, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, National Orientation Agency and the media were present at the event which offered relevant stakeholders opportunities to seek clarifications on grey areas ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Represented by the State Administrative Secretary, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Ubok Ubong, the REC said the deliberations were to bring stakeholders up to speed on the modalities for the collection of PVCs.

Hart stated: “As we concluded the display of the Voter Register for claims and objections, as required by law, we received at the state level batches of PVCs produced for all registrants which include new registrants, transfers, replacements and updates/corrections.

“The total number of registered voters in Bayelsa State is now 1,250,102.

“The PVCs have been sorted and counted by our Local Government Area Staff and and they will be taken to the various INEC electoral offices in readiness for collection by the owners.

“The Commission has fixed Monday 12th December, 2022 to Sunday 22nd January, 2023 for the collection of PVCs.

“The collection will be at the INEC Electoral Offices in the LGAs. However, we shall devolve to the Registration Areas (Wards) from Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January, 2023. We shall revert to the LGA offices from January 16th to 22nd January, 2023.

“The collection will be every day from 9.00am to 3.00pm including Saturdays and Sundays.”

He said the commission’s staff had been briefed and trained on the procedures for the exercise to ensure it is seamless and hitch-free.

He also said that Help Desk officers would be in each of the eight (8) LGA offices to assist individuals with challenges.

Hart said with just about 79 days to the first sets of elections, the Commission was diligently implementing activities as scheduled in the Election Timetable, stressing that the training of ad-hoc personnel would commence from December 14, 2022.

He added: “The Commission is vigorously engaging various groups and stakeholders that play key roles in the process.

“I wish to remind political parties of the submission of their party agent list in accordance with the timeline, on or before 30th December, 2022 for Presidential and National Assembly Elections and 6th January, 2023 for State Assembly Elections.

“We call on all political parties to adhere strictly to the guidelines on campaign activities and  eschew violence and hate speeches. Our staff are in the field monitoring the campaigns and tracking expenditure. Political parties are expected to provide records of their expenses to the Commission. Forms will be distributed at this meeting to all political parties.”

The senator representing Anambra South, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has urged media experts to work harder to improve their use of social media and cover lapses in Twitter and Instagram, especially as the 2023 general election approaches.

Speaking in Nnewi during the training of over 120 journalists, including media experts from public sectors and the academic, Ubah said media structure was being groomed as a veritable platform to help in information dissemination.

The lawmaker, who gave 12 WhatsApp handlers cash and material gifts for their dedication to duty, said his political move was not about himself, but for the interest of the masses.

He said democracy dividend for his constituents was his greatest preoccupation.

Ubah said: “We should be able to use Twitter and Instagram to propagate our agenda. We must have a Twitter group so that we will not be lacking in reporting our activities.

“Our presence is felt in every ward of the senatorial district. We are rich in content and these things should be reported,” he added.

One of the resource persons, Dr. Justin Nwankwo, who spoke about the theme: “Social Media Influencing as a Veritable Career Option”, described social media as a new way of interaction, which had assisted Nigerians to express their opinions.

Nwankwo, a senior lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, told the participants that social media would enable the influencers to create and share ideas without being censored, as done in the traditional media.

As campaigns for the 2023 general election intensify, a top security aide of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has resigned.

The aide, Alaowei Lawuru aka Master Black, who hails from Ogbinbiri, Egbema kingdom in Warri North Local Government, made his decision known in a letter he addressed to the governor.

According to the letter, which he read to his supporters at Egbema yesterday, his decision to resign was personal, “it is to enable me further my career.”

Lawuru, a Niger Delta ex-agitator, said: “I write to resign my appointment as Special Assistant (Security) to the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

“My decision is taken out of personal conviction to further my career. I thank Governor Okowa for the opportunity given me to serve our state as Special Assistant (Security).

“This opportunity no doubt has widened my horizon in the affairs of government.

“I also thank my political associates and friends for their support while on this special assignment.”

He told his supporters in Delta State and beyond not to see his resignation as quitting politics.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has said the awards extended to the governorship candidates of other parties by Governor Nyesom Wike is a demonstration of the willingness of the governor to create a level playing field for candidates for the 2023 general election.

Spokesman for the Consolidation of the New Rivers Vision Campaign Council Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, in a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the kind gesture was a proof that Wike had a large and accommodating heart.

Nwuke, the former Commissioner for Information and Communications, said the honour given to Senator Magnus Abe, the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs of the Accord Party had silenced critics.

He said: “Last week, Governor Wike extended awards of honour to candidates of rival political parties, who are pitched in a battle against the PDP.

“We are certain that cynics and many watchers of the political scene, who are determined to understand the philosophy of the New Rivers Vision, would have been surprised by the quality of leadership and

magnanimity demonstrated by the Rivers State Government and our award-winning governor.

“We are not shocked in the least by the action of the people-oriented government led by a resourceful, fair-minded, focused and determined Rivers gentleman, who is rapidly delivering development projects at a level that has never been witnessed in our history as a state.”

Nwuke said the Rivers governor had shown himself at the national level as a fearless fighter for equal rights and justice; a quality leader, who understood the meaning of a social contract entered into between government and the people; and a defender of truth, fairness and equity.

He said: “Our amiable governor, who has initiated the New Rivers Vision, has shown by the steps he is taking that we have a vision in Rivers State that works for all.

“While we applaud the governor for his spirit of inclusion, his love for Rivers State and his sense of patriotism have combined to draw members of other opposing parties in the state to the PDP. We are grateful to God that blatant lies that Wike is trying to stifle opposing political views have been demystified.

“A man, who has only contempt for political opponents as some people are trying to insinuate, cannot contemplate the thought of honouring perceived enemies.

“The governor has proved that he is the leader of Rivers people; proved that taking Rivers State higher is a task that can be accomplished; proved that the welfare and unity of the people are critical to the future and advancement of our dear state.

“The legacy projects he is delivering are part of the much needed infrastructures that are serving the benefit of Rivers people.

Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas (CDC), the umbrella body of oil bearing communities in the Niger Delta, has advised the Federal Government against indiscriminate dissolution of constituted boards of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) without completing its four years tenure, as contained in the Act establishing the commission.

It noted that previous NDDC boards were never allowed to complete their tenure since the creation of the commission.

It said incessant dissolution of the board “has become counterproductive to the region’s development and a drawback on human capital development as well.”

The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the CDC, Joseph Ambakederimo, in a statement made available to reporters in Abuja, noted that “it is expected that this board will be allowed to complete its four years tenure to at least show some sense of responsibility from the government that is expected to emerge further down the road. We can recall that no board has completed its tenure since the establishment of the NDDC.

“We are urging that boards appointed must be allowed to complete their tenure so we can hold people to account for their stewardship. The incessant dissolving of the board overtime has become counterproductive to the region’s development and a drawback on human capital development as well.”