The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • INEC: Over 300,000 PVCs uncollected in Imo

    INEC: Over 300,000 PVCs uncollected in Imo

    Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Imo State has said over 300,000 permanent voter cards (PVCs) are yet to be uncollected in the 27 local governments of the state.

    The Public Relations Officer, Dr. Chinenye Chijioke-Osuji, made this known yesterday in a statement she issued in Owerri.

    She urged people to pick their PVCs, to enable them vote in the coming general election.

    Read Also: INEC insists on use of technology for credible polls, 100 days to general election

    The commission appealed to the citizens to take advantage of the ongoing display of the preliminary register of voters to cross check the register and put in their claims and objections where necessary, saying this would enable INEC to come up with a clean register for the elections.

    “INEC in Imo State craves the indulgence of the citizens, please, as this is a civic responsibility we owe ourselves,” the statement said.

  • East-West road communities hail NDDC for repairing damaged portions

    East-West road communities hail NDDC for repairing damaged portions

    Indigenes of Umeh community in Isoko South Local Government of Delta State and Okobe in Ahoada West Local Government of Rivers State have hailed Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), for repairing the damaged sections of the East West road.

    Speaking at the Umeh section of the East West road, near Patani, an indigene of the community, Mr. Alex Ifure, said the quick intervention of the NDDC was the saving grace for his people and commuters, who had suffered for many weeks on account of the devastation caused by the flood.

    A statement signed yesterday by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, said Ifure expressed satisfaction about the restoration work being done by the construction company engaged by the NDDC to carry out emergency repairs on the road, which he noted was their only link to Bayelsa and other Niger Delta states.

    He said besides the road, the flood also destroyed their farms, leaving the farmers with nothing to take to the markets to sell and feed themselves.

    “Look at our market, it is scanty because our people have lost their crops to the flood,” he said.

    Read Also: NDDC releases list of 2,506 projects completed under Buhari

    The Umeh Market Master, Emmanuel Ogberiegbe, said if NDDC had not rescued them, many people would have died of hunger because they were predominantly farmers.

    At Okobe community in Ahoada East Local Government of Rivers State, the monarch of Igbuduya Kingdom, Eze Ikaki Ikaki, said his people were happy that the NDDC intervened to ease their pains from the devastation caused by the flood.

    He said: “This is what we expected. I say kudos to NDDC and the Federal Government. We also expect the commission and the various levels of government to engage us in discussions to work out a lasting solution to the perennial flood.”

    The traditional ruler advised the contractor to deliver quality job, regardless of the urgent nature of the emergency repairs.

    He said: “This section of the road needs a bridge, not culverts. It is obvious that the small culverts cannot take the volume of water on the road whenever flood hits.”

    A motorist, Inyang Victor, appealed to the Federal Government to look for a solution to the flood problem, which he said was taking a huge toll on the lives of the people in the affected communities.

    A commuter from Bayelsa State, Mrs. Esther Austin, said she was surprised at the quick intervention of the NDDC in the wake of the collapse of the East-West road at several points.

    The Project Manager of SETRACO, Michel Issa, said the company had worked round the clock to ensure the road was passable.

    He said: “We mobilised our equipment to the bad sections as soon as NDDC engaged us. We have successfully fixed the bad sections of the road.”

  • Petrol price hits N250 per litre in Awka

    Petrol price hits N250 per litre in Awka

    Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, now sells for between N240 and N250 per litre in Awka, Anambra State capital, and its environs.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who monitored the situation in Awka yesterday, reports that the NNPC mega station in the town was closed to customers for lack of products.

    NAN also reports that most private outlets had products, but were selling above the regulated price of between N180 and N190.

    Mr. Jones Ani, a motorist, said the arbitrary increase in the pump price of petrol was an additional burden on citizens, which should be addressed.

    He said it was no longer pleasurable to use private cars due to the huge cost of maintenance.

    Read Also: ‘Petrol pricing template not addressing current realities’

    He urged the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to protect customers.

    A commuter bus operator, who simply identified himself as Emeka, said the increase had been built into fares, with additional N50 on former fares for every intra-city drop.

    He said increase in the price of petrol was affecting their business and also affecting prices of other goods and services.

    Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said the prevailing pump price was a reflection of what was going on at the private depots where they procured products.

    Efforts to get reaction from NMDPRA were not successful, as Mr. Victor Orjiakor, operations controller in Anambra office, did not take his call or respond to text message sent to him.

  • Moles responsible for our misfortunes, says Akwa Ibom APC

    Moles responsible for our misfortunes, says Akwa Ibom APC

    All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has said its political misfortunes are caused by moles allegedly planted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to prevent the party from taking over power in 2023.

    The party was reacting to the Federal High Court and Appeal Court judgments, which sacked Akan Udofia as its governorship candidate and Senator Godswill Akpabio as its candidate for Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District.

    In a statement issued yesterday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. OtoAbasi Udo, APC said those who instituted actions against Udofia and Akpabio were moles and were acting the scripts of their paymasters.

    Read Also: Tinubu will be president, says APC national youth leader

    “Aggrieved aspirants, who went to court to challenge the outcome of the primary election, are free to pursue the line of their action, but at the same time, they have the burden of conscience to discharge whether their actions are in the overall interest of the party.

    “Judgments are to be respected even when they appear to be merchandised. As is the instant case, we must respect same even with its odious nature.

    “In the circumstance, we appeal to our members and supporters to remain calm and jettison the machinations and shenanigans of the planted moles in our party doing the biddings of our opposition,” the statement said.

    The party said Udofia was nominated as the governorship candidate, having polled 1,237 votes.

  • ‘How school’s establishment is reducing migration from riverine community’

    ‘How school’s establishment is reducing migration from riverine community’

    The establishment of a secondary school at Oboghoro in Warri North Council Area of Delta State will reduce migration from the riverine community to urban areas, a former chairman, Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Godwin Ebosa, has said.

    Ebosa, also ex-chairman of Warri North Local Government, spoke on the sidelines of the festivities marking the second anniversary of the establishment of Odokun Secondary School, Oboghoro.

    He said the establishment of the school was part of efforts to develop the community, which was an island on the Benin River.

    According to him, with a topography like Mayou in Louisiana, the community has a lot to offer in terms of tourism not only to Nigeria, but also the rest of the world.

    Read Also; Flooding: Fate of pupils hangs in the balance

    Ebosa said: “Due to the high number of rural/urban migration affecting Itsekiri communities, we decided to establish a school in our community that will make youths remember where they are from.

    “Some of my friends and I attended primary and secondary schools in the community.

    “We decided to replicate the experience so that when the children from the community spend their first 15 years here, doing their primary and secondary education, they will remember their home town.”

    He said initiatives were made to attract prospective students.

    Pioneer Commissioner for Oil and Gas Mr. Omamofe Pirah said with the devastating effects of Warri crisis on the riverine communities, the development was a welcomed one.

    The Oboghoro Community Trust Chairman, Charles Edema, hailed Ebosa for his philanthropic gesture, saying “he has touched the lives of many people.”

    The Principal, Mr. Mattu Mogbejuleoritse, noting that Odokun Secondary School was the best in the last Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in the local government, said there were about 300 students in the school, which also had a boarding facility.

  • Ikpeazu vows justice for attacked PDP campaign DG

    Ikpeazu vows justice for attacked PDP campaign DG

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has promised to ensure that operative of the Department of State Security (DSS), who reportedly attacked and attempted to kill the Director General of Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council, Chinedum Elechi, in Umuahia, is brought to book.

    Addressing reporters after visiting the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Umuahia, where Elechi is on admission, Dr. Ikpeazu thanked God for sparing the life of the former Abia Deputy Speaker, despite the degree of injury he sustained in the attack.

    He said it was unfortunate that someone, whose duties it was to protect, could use a machete to slash the head and skin of his fellow human being, as well as destroy his car for no justifiable reason.

    Read Also: 2023: Ikpeazu assures Abians of Fed Govt. presence

    The governor said he would make sure the assailant and people of such character were not allowed to stay among sane people.

    Ikpeazu, who thanked the management and workers of the Federal Government facility that were on ground to provide medical care for the former lawmaker, expressed happiness that the victim was in a stable condition, hoping that he would recover quickly.

    Elechi thanked God and the people who saved his life.

    He appreciated Governor Ikpeazu for coming to identify with him and thanked the management of FMC for their assistance in saving his life.

    The Chief Medical Director of the FMC, Prof. Azubuike Onyebuchi, who was on ground during the visit of the governor, informed him that surgery had successfully been performed on the victim.

  • ‘We’ll deliver most credible census in Anambra history’

    ‘We’ll deliver most credible census in Anambra history’

    The National Population Commission (NPC) in Anambra State has assured people of its preparedness to deliver the most credible and acceptable population and housing census in the state next year.

    Federal Commissioner representing the state in the commission Chidi Ezeoke said this yesterday at a capacity building workshop on the 2023 population and housing census, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

    He described as reassuring, outcome of preparatory activities for the exercise.

    Ezeoke said the strategic partnership with relevant agencies, including NOA, would form a platform for census architecture to stand to reach out to the people.

    Read Also; Ikpeazu committed to 2023 census

    He said: “The purpose of the NPC/NOA collaboration is to enhance the sensitisation and mobilisation of people and residents of the state for the successful conduct of the exercise.

    “The partnership will focus on two main areas, namely to build the NOA functionary capacity towards a deeper understanding of the census methodology, as well as field sensitisation activities, including street campaign and community advocacy.

    “The collaboration with the NOA is also designed to complement the advocacy and publicity activities being carried out by the commission at the national and state levels towards implementation of the census.”

    The state Director, NOA, Mr. Charles Nwogu, said his agency had always collaborated with the NPC towards delivering on its mandate, promising increased aggressive advocacy ahead of the coming census.

    State Director NPC Dr. Joachim Ulasi said the commission decided to synergise with the NOA as experts in mass mobilisation and advocacy, hoping that the synergy would yield results.

    “We’re going to strategise on how to reach out to the 21 local governments, instead of the initial planned road show. I believe the former will yield more fruits in view of its wider reach,” he added.

  • Govt knocks Udofia over Ibom Air ownership claims

    Govt knocks Udofia over Ibom Air ownership claims

    Akwa Ibom State Government has come hard on Obong Akan Udofia for allegedly claiming that he conceived the idea of setting up Ibom Air.

    The government, through a statement yesterday signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, said Udofia did not own an aircraft in the Ibom Air fleet.

    He said the government was surprised at a viral online video in some WhatsApp groups in which Udofia, the sacked governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, claimed Ibom Air was his brainchild.

    He said Ibom Air was conceived by Governor Udom Emmanuel, who worked with consultants to make it a reality, adding that the airline was owned by Akwa Ibom State Government.

    The statement said: “It has been brought to the notice of the office of the Attorney General that Udofia claims in a short video, circulated on WhatsApp groups and social media platforms that the idea of setting up of Ibom Air was his. “

    “The said Udofia, we are told, had in the past claimed that some of the aircraft in the fleet of Ibom Air belonged to him.

    “It is necessary to notify the public and Akwa Ibom State indigenes in particular that Udofia has no proprietary interest whatsoever in any of the aircraft in the fleet of Ibom Air. The aircraft in the fleet were acquired directly by the airline.

    “The idea of Ibom Air was conceived and executed by Governor Emmanuel, who worked with aviation consultants led by Capt. Mfon Udom to birth and sustain the operations of the airline to this day. The airline is owned 100 per cent by Akwa Ibom State.

    “The government threatened to apply sanctions against any person or group of persons laying claim to Ibom Air.

    “Any claim contrary to the above is false and fraudulent and this office will not hesitate to file sanctions against the perpetrators.”

  • PDP suspends activities over ex-chair’s death

    PDP suspends activities over ex-chair’s death

    Leadership of Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday announced the indefinite suspension of activities in its offices in the 17 local governments, including the secretariat of the party in Umuahia.

    The party also directed immediate suspension of the already planned public presentation of the manifesto of its 2023 governorship candidate, Prof. Uche Ikonne, which was to be held at Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia.

    The PDP in a statement signed by its Vice Chairman and acting Publicity Secretary, Abraham Amah, said the suspension was in honour of a former Vice Chairman, Chief Ndidi Okereke, who was also the Chairman of the Contact and Mobilisation sub-Committee of the 2023 Abia PDP Campaign Council and the state Reconciliation Committee.

    Amah, in the statement, said Okereke died on Monday, barely 24 hours to the planned public presentation of the manifesto of the governorship candidate.

    Describing the late Okereke as an accomplished pharmacist, who was considered as a bridge between the old and new breed politicians, the statement said the late politician was a strong ally and a strategic partner of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

    The governor has paid glowing tributes to the deceased.

    He described his death as heartbreaking.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary of the Governor, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the deceased was active in the affairs of the government in the last couple of weeks, adding that he was a political leader of note.

  • PDP to Abe: count us out of your alleged attack

    PDP to Abe: count us out of your alleged attack

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has distanced itself from allegations by the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Magnus Abe that he was attacked by some PDP members.

    Abe, on Monday, alleged that he was attacked in Oyigbo Local Government by suspected thugs belonging to the PDP.

    But the party in a statement by the Director of Publicity, PDP Campaign Council, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke, dismissed the claims, saying its members had no hand in Abe’s travails.

    He said: “The PDP has a great following in Oyigbo Local Government. We have strong presence everywhere, even in Abe’s backyard.

    “It is strange that the senator will accuse us of something heinous. How can Abe accuse us of thuggery? Did Abe have a discussion with the said thugs?

    “So, how did he come to the conclusion that the attack he suffered, if it is indeed true, came from the PDP? The SDP candidate is claiming that the aide of the state Chairman of the PDP, Desmond Akawor, led the group.

    “It is absolutely impossible to imagine that a top aide of the chairman of our great party could have led such an operation. The assertion by the SDP is obviously illogical. We can only conclude that Abe’s claims are unfounded. They are claims that are rather founded on falsehood.”

    Nwuke said Abe had over the years made many enemies for himself in the state, recalling that in 2019, he (Abe) stopped APC from contesting elections in Rivers.

    He said: “In doing so, Abe killed so many dreams, frustrated the aspirations of several people, including candidates raised on the platform of his former party.

    “Abe or people around him have gone ahead in 2022 to win a major victory in court, which has shut out APC once again. Abe should not pretend that he does not have serious enemies, who will like to get even. Any of those persons can attack him, and pretend while doing so, to belong to some other parties, including PDP.

    “We urge the SDP candidate to leave the PDP alone. We have no hand in what has allegedly happened to him.

    “While we admit that the lesser political parties are working hard to tarnish the image of our great party, we urge the senator to think deeply about the kind of thing he says. We condemn thuggery in the strongest terms. In fact, we consider it an insult that Abe is trying to call out the PDP in this manner.

    “It has become commonplace for people who cannot afford to print decent posters, let alone paste such posters on street corners, to blame their inabilities on the PDP.

    “We are a great party; we are offering quality and sustainable infrastructure, which are impacting positively on the growth of our state and the well-being of the people through the unrelenting effort and able leadership of Governor Nyesom Wike.

    “The PDP pledges this day it will not sponsor thuggery. We will continue to focus on issues. We urge our opponents to focus on issues like we are doing in the field.”