Category: South East

Cross River State Government has pledged her commitment to see through the domestication of the Freedom of Information Act for proper use and application in the state.

Cross River State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Tanko Ashang, who was represented by Kanu Ubio, Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Justice made the commitment in his remark at the two day capacity building training workshop for select stakeholders in Cross River State and beyond.

At the workshop organised by a civil society, Connected Development (CODE) and OXFAM, the state government representative said “By this workshop today, we will meet with the necessary body which is the House of Assembly in order to fast track the passage of the law so that we’ll have a working document in the state.”

He said the law will be concurrent to the federal law but it will have peculiarities as it concerns the state because it must be in tandem with what is prevalent in the state.

The capacity building workshop is a collaboration of the civil society, Connected Development (CODE) and OXFAM in the implementation of the projects namely; Power of Voices Partnership (PVP) and Fiscal Accountability for Inequality Reduction (FAIR).

The organisers explained that project which commence in 2021, has been carrying out the sensitization workshop in six states which include, Delta, Imo, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers and FCT.

The capacity workshop tagged “Effective advocacy and mainstreaming of FOIA”, had participants cutting across different sectors from the six states.

Deputy Leader of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aniefiok Denis who participated, noted that the workshop is quite insightful and interactive, even as he also pledged to fast track the domestication of FOI Act in his state.

Again, the Senior Special Assistance to Governor of Delta State on Civic engagement and Civil society, Activist Rex Anighoro, added that the workshop is to create a synergy to help government serve the people better and the people understand the government better and that becomes equilibrium for the greater good of the citizens.

Programs Manager, Connected Development, CODE, Kinsley Agu maintained that transparency and accountability are critical for the efficient functioning of government, and for fostering social well-being.

Eminent Nigerians in the Littoral-Cameroon will be honoured in the coronation and chieftaincy conferment of HRH Oba Bachirou Aweda (Ilufemiloye 1) Oba of Yoruba Community and Dr. Azeez Mustapha as Otunba as well as other distinguished Nigerians in Cameroon.

The event, scheduled for tomorrow at Banquet hall, Lycee Technique de Koumassi, Bali, Douala, will attracts the presence of Nigerian Consul General for the Littoral and West Regions of Cameroon, Hon. (HRM) Queen EFE A. Clark-Omeru as well as top Nigerian personalities.

The Yoruba community group in Cameroon is an extension of the tribe across the world. In Cameroon, it is a council of Yoruba Nigeria community in the Douala established since 1964 to bring together Yoruba tribes living in Cameroon to foster collaboration, love, and unity that brings development to themselves and people back home.

Since the inception of the Yoruba Community, the group has been able to install its king (Obas) in collaboration of the host country in agenda to live in peace and harmony.

Contrary to the belief, the position of Oba and Otunba in Littoral-Cameroon is not hereditary.

According to their constitution, in the case of death or abdication of the Oba, the Otunba shall automatically become the Oba elect pending his installation while the Yoruba Community Union shall embark on the search and election of a new Otunba who shall be installed with the new Oba elect.

In a statement by the organisers, among the personages to be honoured at the event also include some worthy non-Yoruba natives living Cameroon namely: Chief BIC Okwujiaku as Asiwaju (someone who is first among many, a leader); Sir Lovinus Ezeh as Akorede (Bringer of everything good to his people); Chief Nwoye Chukwudi Alex as Fiwajoye (one who was honored because of his good attitude); Chief Uche Obiekwe as Atunluse (one who restores/repairs the land); Eze Thomas Jonathan Onyengubo as Atobaase (one who is competent enough to be a king); High Chief Paulinus Emeka as Babalaje (someone who contributes to the economy and social development of the land) and a host of others.

THE member representing Eket federal constituency, Patrick Ifon, has provided free medical care and surgery for over 1,000 constituents.

The medical care and surgery were carried out yesterday in conjunction with the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy, Enugu.

Beneficiaries were drawn from Onna, Eket, Esit Eket and Ibeno local governments, which make up the constituency.

The Clinical Consultant for the programme, Dr. Aniekan Michael, said ailments ranging from malaria to typhoid, cataract, appendicitis, hernia and other health challenges were addressed.

He said the ailments treated were arrived at after a thorough need assessment of the health issues faced by the people.

“The programme is a zonal intervention exercise aimed at reaching out to the end of our community and this is courtesy of the benevolence of Patrick Ifon, the member representing Eket federal constituency.”

Wife of the federal lawmaker, Dr. Elsie Ifon, an optometrist, said the programme was an annual one organised by her husband in line with Governor Udom Emmanuel’s passion for the health of Akwa Ibom indigenes.

Financial experts have identified character and integrity as tools to fight corruption in the public sector.

They spoke at a two-day audit reporting training workshop in Awka, organised by FrontFoot Media Initiative, for journalists in Anambra and Enugu states.

The experts said state governments must empower the Office of the Auditor-General as part of measures to enhance the fight against financial misconduct.

One of the experts, the Special Adviser, Financial Matters, Enugu State Public Finance, Prof. Paschal Okolie, said corruption had remained the bane despite changes in law and IT-driven applications for financial management in the country since 2010.

He said many states were yet to implement policies such as International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) and Open Government Partnership Agenda aimed at promoting accountability in public financial management.

Okolie said: “Evidence abounds that unless the issues of character and integrity are addressed, Nigeria will continue to be challenged by corruption arising from deficient application of the principles and practice of auditing and prudent, transparent and accountable financial management in the public sector.

“Challenges of public sector financial management in Nigeria include poor institutional governance, manpower development issues, weak oversight, corruption, and character and integrity.”

The Director, UNIZIK Business School, Prof Emma Okoye, said the motive of government budgeting was to secure the welfare of the people.

“A good government budgeting practice cannot thrive in a system devoid of respect for the rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance,” he said.

Other speakers, who presented papers, included the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Finance, Dr. Emenike Ezinando; FrontFoot Media Initiative Chairman, Sully Abu; Managing Director, Emeka Izeze; as well as Training Coordinator, Chido Nwakanma.

Senate Deputy President and Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Senator Ovie Omo-Agege has said APC is the only party in the state with capacity to end 24 years reign of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in next year’s election.

He described APC as the government-in-waiting and urged members to work to defeat PDP in the Delta State governorship election with high margin.

Omo-Agege spoke during the inauguration in Asaba of Delta 2023 Governorship Campaign Council of the APC, with former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Elder Godsday Orubebe as director general.

He said the movement to form a new government in the state was not a task for APC members alone, but also for all ‘Deltans’.

“I call on all ‘Deltans’, irrespective of party platform, who love this state, to join hands with us to liberate, rebuild and reinvigorate our state. This is a responsibility we owe the old and young generations and generations yet unborn. We must not fail in making Delta State a better place than we met it,” Omo-Agege said.

He advised members of the campaign council to ensure victory during the general election, saying to dislodge PDP might appear intimidating.

Omo-Agege slammed Sheriff Oborevwori for being a stooge, stressing that “for five years of Sheriff’s speakership, Delta State House of Assembly has been a rubber stamp, giving everything Governor Ifeanyi Okowa asks for without effective oversight, thereby undermining the idea of the separation of powers enshrined in our constitution, as well as weakening our democracy.”

Omo-Agege accused Okowa of embarking on a reckless borrowing spree that had mortgaged the future of ‘Deltans’ and unborn children.

He said despite the state being the highest receiver of federal allocation and 13 per cent derivation, it was also the second most indebted state in the country.

Omo-Agege said his administration would focus on human capital development, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, housing and other labour-intensive interventions.

Imo State Water Supply and Sewerege Corporation (ISWSC) has raised the alarm over the high rate of human activities and defecation around the source of its water treatment plant at Otammiri River, Owerri.

The Managing Director, Celestine Ugoanyanwu, who made this known yesterday while conducting reporters round the water plant, lamented that the facility, which cost the state government billions of naira to serve the residents, is now surrounded by houses, whose inhabitants are polluting its water source.

He identified the dumping of refuse and chemicals by people living near Otammiri river as the major cause of the pollution.

Ugoanyanwu said the activities of the residents was slowing down the progress achieved by Governor Hope Uzodimma in reviving the treatment plant, which he noted had remained moribund since 2013 before its revival recently.

Urging the governor to evacuate those living near the water plant to curb the damage done by the pollution, the managing director warned against consuming water, especially from boreholes, explaining that “it is the cause of water borne diseases affecting some people.”

He hailed the modern equipment put in place by the government in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which he said would distribute treated water to 80 per cent of the population of the state soon, including those in the rural areas.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Networking, Chantel Adanna, reiterated Governor Uzodimma’s promise to build a dam with the river, to pave the way for its power project.

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has promised to do everything to avert a repeat of what happened in 2019 when a judgment prevented the party from contesting the general election.

It said it would not be discouraged by Tuesday’s Federal High Court ruling nullifying its primary election and sacking its candidates in the 2023 general election.

Justice Emmanuel Obile delivered the recent judgment in a suit filed by George Orlu and four others, who claimed that they were unlawfully excluded from taking part in the process of electing the party’s delegates.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, the APC Chairman in the state, Chief Emeka Beke, urged members not to lose hope in their quest to take over leadership.

He said the party was ready to pursue the matter to logical conclusion and hoped that the Appeal Court would correct the injustice.

Beke said: “We are calling on our supporters to remain calm and focused. This judgment naturally will not hold water. We urge our members to remain focused because we are ready to pursue it to logical conclusion. Nobody will deny us victory in this 2023 election.

“Every common man expects that you get justice at the lower court, but in Rivers State it is different. It was shocking to us yesterday (Tuesday) when the judgment came. We saw it coming because the judgment was written three weeks ago. By the grace of God, we will get justice.”

He wondered why the court would give judgment to the plaintiffs, who, according to him, were not part of the process, insisting that the judgment was a mere distraction.

The APC chairman said: “You must be part of the process before you can go to court. As a party, we are working very hard to be on the ballot. We are working to ensure that what happened the last time will not be repeated.

“They are only trying to distract our people, then begin to buy them over to their party with the claim that APC does not have candidates.

“As a party we are supposed to launch our campaign team on Friday and role out our master plan for Rivers people. We have to postpone it till next week. We need to start a process to boost the morale of our followers and we will come out very strong.”

About N2.8 trillion of Federal Government allocation, including 13 per cent oil derivation fund, has been squandered in the past seven years by the Delta State Government, Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege has said.

This was contained in a statement by the Director, Communications and Media Strategy of the Delta APC Campaign Council, Olorogun Ima Niboro, made available to reporters yesterday in Warri.

Omo-Agege, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, who was accompanied by his running mate, Friday Osanebi, spoke at the palace of the Odiologbo of Otor-Owhe, Okpuzo Romanus Inana, in Isoko North Local Government, during a consultative visit, accompanied by traditional rulers of the 19 clans across Isokoland.

He said: “I’m determined, if given the opportunity, to change this narrative. We are determined to create an enabling environment for jobs and empowerment.”

Addressing the monarchs, including the Odio-Ologbo of Oleh Kingdom and Chairman, Isoko Traditional Council of Traditional Rulers, Anthony Ovrawah, Omogha I, Sen. Omo-Agege promised to complete Ughelli/Asaba Road if elected.

Members of the campaign council present at the event were the state party Chairman and Co-Chairman of the campaign organisation, Elder Omeni Sobotie; Director General and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Elder Godsday Orubebe; Deputy DG and Chief of Staff to the DSP, Dr. Otive Igbuzor; APC Leader, Chief Lucky Isigie, among others.

The Odiologbo of Otor-Owhe Kingdom, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, hailed the lawmaker for his contribution to nation building.

During a similar visit to the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwaste lll, Omo-Agege said the moribund seaports, as well as dilapidated infrastructure in the Niger Delta would be revamped.

The monarch prayed that God would grant Omo-Agege’s heart desire.

The leadership of Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended former House of Representatives member representing Aba North and South federal constituency, Uzo Azubuike, from the party.

Also suspended was ex-Commissioner for Finance Mr. Obinna Oriaku.

Azubuike, also a former commissioner for Agriculture in the state under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu administration before defecting to the APC and his Finance counterpart, who equally joined the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were suspended by the APC for anti-party activities.

A statement the party issued for their expulsion said it wielded the big stick against the two members, “following reports of acts of disobedience and negligence in carrying out lawful directives of the party, unrepentant as well as their un-remorseful attitude despite warnings for them to abide by the party’s constitution.”

The party’s leadership explained further that the expulsions were “as a result of thorough investigations and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee set up by the party leadership at the ward, local government and state levels”, which were in consonant with Article 21B (i-v) of the party constitution.

tegrity”, and that the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, “will not tolerate members who promote rival parties and engage in other forms of anti-party activities.”

The party warned other people engaging in such act to desist or face the full wrath of its constitution.

Responding to the suspension, Oriaku in a chat with our correspondent said: “APC has a process of disciplining members, who engage in anti-party activities.

“From the letter or mail, Oriaku was not accused of any tangible thing, just as he was not invited or written on any matter at all.

“His only crime is that he is in court over the authentic governorship candidate of the party in Abia State.

“Some people are jittery about the imminent decision at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja and they want to act before time.

“Let them know that APC does not belong to an individual. This illegality cannot hold water and will not stand any legal furnace.

“Oriaku is still a member of the APC. He came second in the primaries conducted by Ikechi Emenike and cannot be forced out of the party.”

•’Allegation untrue’

Former Niger Delta Affairs Minister Senator Godswill Akpabio has been accused of bribing student leaders from Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District to secure endorsement for his senatorial aspiration in 2023.

Some student leaders, who preferred anonymity, alleged that Akpabio, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Akwa Ibom Northwest Senatorial District, approached them to endorse him for the Senate.

They said they would not go against the collective decision of stakeholders to zone the Senate seat to Aba federal constituency.

One of the student leaders said Akpabio contacted them after the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Enoidem, was endorsed by the Akwa Ibom Students Community led by Friday Offongekpe.

The Chief Press Secretary to Senator Godswill Akpabio, Jackson Udom, in a statement yesterday denied the allegation.