Category: South East

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has inaugurated a comprehensive cancer diagnostic and treatment centre in Calabar.

Ayade, represented by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, praised the idea of Asi-Ukpo Comprehensive Cancer Centre, a private indigenous concern, saying the investment was a legacy of the late General Anthony Ukpo, who died last year.

He commended the standard and quality of the equipment at the centre and pledged the support of the government to ensure its operations.

The Chief Medical Director of the centre, Dr. Gbenga Kajogbola, said it could compete with the best in Europe.

He said the centre was utilising equipment from top manufacturers to deliver precise and conformal therapy

“We diagnose and treat a wide range of cancer, using the latest techniques and technologies for radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery in one location,” Kajogbola said.

He identified some of the services to include external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, chemotherapy, palliative care and super specialty surgical procedures.

Even his most trenchant critic knows this as gospel truth: Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC’s presidential candidate in next year’s election is the main issue and the candidate to beat in that exercise.

However, naysayers who would rather deny the evidence of their eyes than accept the reality of Asiwaju’s unstoppable victory in the polls, like slave riders of the old, are on the prowl, warring against the truth and trying to take it captive.

But theirs is a futile attempt at stifling a sure pregnancy that will inevitably be birthed for in the words of Miguel de Cervantes,

“the truth will rise above falsehood as oil above water”

Like oil rises above water, all the lies told against the person of Asiwaju cannot stand against the tide of truth.

This piece is directed against such falsehoods.

Clinically demolishing such a mountain of mendacity as peddled by reactionary elements and hired goons has become very imperative in the face of the burning need to enthrone as president next year, a progressive, people-oriented person as exemplified by Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.

One of the time-worn, puerile and twisted narratives by traducers against Asiwaju’s presidency is age. But come to think of it, what has age got to do with quality leadership?

Absolutely nothing! For the records, Asiwaju is younger than many current world leaders.

Many former Presidents

around the world were equally much older than him at the time they mounted the leadership saddles of their respective countries.

Examples abound. United States President, Joe Biden, for example, was 78 years and 61 days old when he was sworn in on January 20, 2021

He is America’s oldest president ever to have been elected.

In Malaysia, age did not diminish the ability of that country’s 95-year-old Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad to skillfully steer the ship of his country to infrastructural and economic growth.

President Michel Aoun of Lebanon is 85 and Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian National Authority, is nearly 85.

Note that President Aoun took office at 81 while Abbas succeeded the late Yasser Arafat at 70.

It is also worth noting that Congo-Brazzaville’s President is 77 and that Beji Caid Essebsi served as the President of Tunisia from 2014 until his death in 2019 at the age of 92.

In the same vein, Shimon Peres was the ninth president of Israel from 2007 to 2014. Before his time as Israel’s President, he served two terms as a Prime Minister and three terms as Foreign Minister of Israel. At the time of his retirement, Peres was the world’s oldest head of state at 90 years old.

Let us also recall that Karolos Papoulias was the President of Greece for 10 years, from 2005 – 2015. When Papoulias retired, he was over 85 years old and is one of the oldest European presidents to ever serve.

Urbane, cerebral, cosmopolitan and detribalised, such primordial cleavage as entho-centrism,Igbophobia and religious bigotry are completely alien to Asiwaju’s character- trait, yet political jobbers are fruitlessly tarring him with an inelegant brush.

Asiwaju is a Muslim who married not just a Christian but an ordained Pastor of one of the world’s largest Christian denominations, the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Besides, Asiwaju who is not a stranger to Christian events have children who are Christians. How then can any sane person say that a liberal Muslim like him is a religious bigot simply because he picked a Muslim running mate for the strategic reason of winning an election?

And those who allege Igbo hate are perhaps not in this country when Asiwaju as Lagos state Governor appointed Igbo sons into his cabinet.

Divisive elements who shamelessly trumpet Igbo hate need to be reminded that Asiwaju as governor ran an inclusive government, a somewhat Government of National Unity which saw him appointing Nigerians irrespective of tribe or religion into his cabinet.

He is talent hunter, one who hunts and mentors bright minds irrespective of tribe and religion.

This was why and how Ben Akabueze from Anambra state, under Governor Tinubu, become Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, one of the strategic ministries in the state.

Akabueze was Tinubu’s Commissioner for eight years,1999-2007 and would also be nominated by the same man for his current position in the Buhari administration, Director-General of the Budget Office.

Tinubu equally brought another Igbo son, Joe Igbokwe into government, appointing him in 2006 as the pioneer General Manager of Lagos State Infrastructure Maintenance & Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA), a position Joe combined with a strategic party position, the Publicity Secretary of the then the ruling party in Lagos, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN.

Tinubu is phenomenal. His persona is an asset to Nigeria. A brilliant administrator and a knowledgeable political leader who understands the deep complexities of a difficult country like Nigeria.

He is what the country urgently needs now to fix that which has broken.

His eyes are set on the tasks ahead and no amount of naysayers’ toxic campaign can distract him.

Mazi Kanu writes from Arochukwu, Abia State.

A Labour Party (LP) governorship aspirant Dr Tobechukwu Ehirim has said that he will turnaround the economy of Imo State within 12 months if elected.

Ehirim, who met with the presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi in Atlanta Georgia,USA recently said he would revamp ailing industries, create employment opportunities, raise the internally generated revenue and make the state attractive for investment within shortest period of election.

The business mogul who spoke to the Nation from Georgia where chieftains of the party met to deliberate on the presidential campaign, which will kick off soon across the country, promised to stop kidnapping and youth agitations in Imo State .

“It is possible to empower the youths genuinely; it is possible to increase our level of employment and it is possible to reduce insecurity and restive agitations not only in the state but across the country,” he said.

He added: “We were in Atlanta Georgia, USA to meet with the most popular Presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, Mr Peter Obi. It was a meeting of like-minds

“The meeting was attended by Prof. Anonobi, Chief Valentine Ozoigbo, Dr Kings Nwachukwu, Dr Ifeanyi Ikedimba, Prof.Pat Utomi, Chief Tony Okpara, Dr.Chris Chima Nwachukwu,Mrs Ijeoma Nwachukwu, Chief Obi Osuala( in charge of Peter Obi Support Network in Imo), Sir Victor Okotex Amuzie,Dr.David Solomon,Dr. Samuel Cornelius and many others across Nigeria who came to grace the occasion.

“We discussed strategies how to pull Nigerians out of poverty; we must change the Nigerian way of doing things and do them more properly; it is possible to fix our country and economy so that the insecurity that oppresses our people will reduce; it is possible to empower the youths genuinely; to increase our level of employment and thereby reduce insecurity and restiveness agitations in the country.”

Ehirim, who said he shares similar ideology of performance, service delivery, integrity, prudence, vision towards the new Nigeria, with the LP presidential candidate, promised to replicate this ideology in Imo.

“Imo State must be freed and handed over to the people, we must support the best of us to lead the rest of us”.

He also pledged to galvanise support of whole local government areas and 305 electoral wards of Imo state to support the Obi initiative.

In another development, the Akah National Union Convention, ANA and Umuaka National Convention Union presided over by Sir Eddy Nwokedi moved a motion which unanimously adopted Dr. Ehirim candidate for the Imo State 2023 governorship election because of his antecedents.

The endorsement came from a motion moved on the floor of the House by Chief Okey Amuzie and seconded by Chief Nnamdi Okoro.

Ehirim promised to run an open door policy if elected as he commended the good people of Umuaka for the honour and adopting him as the right person to take over from Senator Hope Uzodimma.

Ehirim also promised to run a free medical care for pregnant mothers and children under the ages of 16 year old as he plans to build a health centres across the state and equip the already existing hospitals with modern facilities that would alleviate the difficulties in people go through to get medical attention in the state.

He graced the occasion chaired by Chief Tony Okpala,Co-chaired by Dr. Kingsley Chima Nwachukwu, Attorney Emeka Odueze, Tony Agwumezie and Chief Okotex Amuzie, Dr. Santus Ogazie ably supported by Chief Dr. Ugo Iwuofor Ugwobuzuo who was ably represented at the function.

Others were: Chief Bernard Nwaiwu, Chief Nkeonye Ahamefule (California), Dr. Marshall Mmadu,Chief Lion Agwumezie, Chief Jude Ugwuala, Ikenna Fortune Duru (Aku na Ume, Enyi Oha Njaba) and Chief Innocent Okems Okemezie.

The Ijaw Interest Advocates (IIA) otherwise called Izanzan Intellectual Camp has vowed to resist any threat that will truncate the relative peace across the Niger Delta.

Izanzan was reacting to threats by a “faceless” pro-Ijaw group against Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, Tompolo and other Niger Delta stakeholders over pipelines surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo.

In a statement yesterday, by its National Coordinator, Amb. Arerebo Salaco Yerinmene SNR, the body described their action as “a display of greediness,” lamenting how disheartening it was to see purported Ijaws antagonize their kinsmen.

Noting that the surveillance contract was a far cry from what was due the oil-rich region, the statement charged the “gun gang” to direct their efforts towards engaging the Federal Government on other projects that will benefit Niger Delta people.

OVER 5000 residents of Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State have benefitted from a three-day medical and surgical care outreach.

The outreach organised by Gregory Iyke Foundation, the brainchild of Professor Gregory Iyke Ibe, Chancellor Gregory University, Uturu (GUU) was aimed at reaching out to those with health challenges and other medical issues, but lack the money to meet their medical bills.

Some of the medical personnel present at the outreach include physiotherapists, optometrist, ophthalmologists, surgeons and among other medicare professionals.

The leader of the medical team, Dr Ekeoma Ojum-Ogwo said that the outreach has so far covered over seven thousand persons from Abia Central, Abia North and so far in Abia South Senatorial Zones.

He said, “The outreach covered medical and surgical. However, people come with multiple problems and the best we do is to carry out diagnoses. After the test, we’ll now know whatever is wrong with the person.

“If it’s something we can handle here, we can give the drugs. If it’s something that requires surgery, we book them for surgery.

“I’ve seen some people with hernia and I’ve booked them for surgery. I’ve seen people with typhoid, malaria and hepatitis. We’re treating all.

“Almost everybody here above 40 years complains that their sights are poor and we have ophthalmologists here to see them and know the way forward.

“From Abia Central and Abia North, we’ve crossed the limit of seven thousand and we’re now in Abia South but after the outreach here, we’ll know the accurate number. We’ll be here for some days.

“We’re ready as many as are coming. The major problem we’re seeing in the outreach in Abia South so far is malaria and typhoid because they’re endemic in this area.”

Speaking at the event, Prof Gregory Iyke Ibe said that said that free medical and surgical outreach became necessary because people are suffering so much as many health facilities in the state are comatose.

Ibe who is also the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was represented at the event by his running mate, Hon. Obinna Ichita said that the medical system in Abia is already comatose and if nothing is done to intervene, people will die in their numbers.

“Hospitals are on strike, nothing is working. Roads are not constructed. Those of us who are speaking are tagged as bad people.

“I want you to be patient. Very soon all these sufferings will be over. Good things are in the way.

“Doctors in the state are owed for many months and the total collapse of the health system in Abia is the motive behind this scheme.

THE group under the aegis of Oil and Gas Local Refinery Association in Niger Delta has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari over the award of the pipeline surveillance contract Chief Government Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo.

The National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Frank Egbe aka Awani Don-d made this commendation while addressing newsmen during its national meeting held at Omuku River State.

Egbe, who lamented that the Federal Government stopped the contracts two years ago, said it was heartening to note that the decision has been reversed.

“When this contract was done by someone else the government lost over 1,500,000 barrel crude per day as such it was a huge loss to Nigeria. Hopefully, this time around no crude oil will be lost again.”

According to Egbe, “With this contract awarded and approved to Tompolo so many pipeline vandalism attacks in our oil facilities in the Niger Delta region will reduce to the barest minimum in the Niger Delta region.”

While urging ex-militants leaders in Rivers to shun divisive tackles aimed at poisoning the minds of Niger Delta youths against Tompolo, Egbe assured that nobody will be left out as other tribes including the Ijaws, Urhobos, Ikweres and Ibos across the Niger Delta will be involved in the process.

THE fortunes of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State ahead of next year’s governorship election swelled on Friday evening in Yakurr local government area of the central senatorial district of the state as many defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the APC.A serving member of the State Assembly, representing Yakurr 1 state constituency, Hon. Nelson Ofem, said they decided to join APC because the party has a candidate that is acceptable to his people and more popular.

The defection was one of the highlight of the event in Yukurr local government area on Friday evening when the governorship candidate of the APC, Senator Prince Bassey Otu touched down in the area as part of his consultation and thank you tour to delegates of the party who practically voted for him in the party primaries with financial inducement.

Ofem is among the six members in the 24 members’ legislature that remained in the PDP when 18 others followed the governor to decamp to the APC.

Speaking further of the APC governorship candidate and his reasons to defect at this time, Ofem said “Anybody that has a good conscience must support Sen Prince Bassey Otu. We have discovered that APC has a candidate that is dynamic and humble, that’s why we decided to switch.”

Receiving the defectors in Ugep, Yakurr Local government, the State APC Chairman, Barr Alphonsus Eba Ogar, assured them of fairness and equity in their new party, adding that APC remained an indivisible and united party in the state.

Meanwhile, the governorship candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in next year’s general elections in Cross River State, Sen Prince Bassey Otu, has completed his thank you and consultative tour in the central senatorial district with traditional council institutions and party stalwarts in all six local government areas that made up the central senatorial district.

THE people of Akama community in Ezeagu Local government Area of Enugu State have appealed to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to come to their aid by helping fight erosion in the community.

The president general of the community, Comrade Celestine Ukwuani made the appeal at the 2022 New Yam festival of the community, at the community civic center.

He disclosed that the community had been financing various projects such as school building and checking erosion in the area without any support from outside.

According to him, the community had in the past couple of months spent the sum of N15 million to battle erosion menace.

“We have built a storey building for Government Technical College here and spent over N15 million to checkmate the invading erosion”, Ukwuani said.

Speaking before the traditional prime minister, Chief Umeh led the cabinet chiefs to perform the Iwaji ceremony, the president general of the community, Ukwuani, described the new yam festival as a moment of thanking God, for his mercies, adding that it was an annual event in the community.

He explained that the new yam festival equally affords the people the opportunity to come together to showcase their rich cultural heritage and thanked the people of the community for the huge turnout for the event.

THE Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated a special police unit to check activities of landgrabbers in the state.

He stated yesterday in Benin that the squad would work with Edo government and the state’s police command.

Obaseki said: “We have lingering issue of land-grabbing in Edo State. I informed you a few months ago that the state government is taking action to end the menace.

“I appreciate the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) for deploying a detachment to strengthen the special force.

“These are well-trained men of the Nigeria Police Force, drafted into the squad that will work closely with Edo State Police Command and Edo State Government over the next few months to check the incident of illegal sale of lands and the activities of landgrabbers in Edo State.

“The committee that we have set up already has a lot of cases before it. There are many cases under investigation and we have declared some of the landgrabbers wanted. With this special force, we will go to the communities to recover all government’s lands, including lands belonging to government’s schools.”

ENUGU State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his counterpart in Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu were both in celebrative mood yesterday as the duo marked the 31st anniversary of the creation of their states.

Speaking at the venue of the anniversary lecture by Prof. Dan O. Chukwu of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Governor Ugwuanyi expressed profound gratitude to the founding fathers of Enugu State for their vision, doggedness and tenacity towards the creation of the state.

Describing the founding fathers as “the true heroes”, the governor assured them that their sacrifices will not be in vain.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, Ugwuanyi congratulated the people of Enugu State on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of the creation of the state.

Governor Ikpeazu who impressed on Abians the need to eschew bitterness and live in peace amongst one another during his state-wide broadcast, further noted that despite the challenges the state has faced over the years, the state under his watch has been able to record significant changes in all the sectors of the economy of the state.

This is even as he added that he has been able to lay the solid foundation upon which his successor in 2023 and other successive administrations in the state will build to make greater impacts in the lives of residents and Indigenes of the state.

“My beloved Abians, I call on you to ensure that even as we all participate in the ongoing electioneering process, we remember that we have no other place to call home than Abia State.

“We will not set our own home ablaze to spite our brethren. I therefore call on all political actors to have this at the back of their mind as they go about their political activities.

“Nobody’s ambition is worth the disruption of the peace of Abia State and we will work with security agencies to enforce that.

“While mentioning some of the modest achievements we have recorded in the course of our administration, I must not fail to acknowledge some of the challenges we have faced especially in the area of security and management of our payroll, wage-bill, pensions and other emoluments.

“I would like to assure Ndi Abia and all those affected by these challenges that we are working with all concerned to resolve the associated issues expeditiously.