Category: South East

Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has listed Onitsha, Lagos, Ibadan, and Edo and cities in Nigeria as major dumping grounds for substandard tyres imported into the country by dubious foreign nationals through the aid of Nigerians.

Igwe John Ezeoma, Chief of Staff to National President of IMAN, Hon. Kinsley Chikezie, disclosed this in Onitsha, Anambra State while reacting to growing substandard tyres in the country and its effects to lives and property.

He regretted that the substandard tyres contributed mostly to the accidents on nation’s roads, warning that the body would soon raid the Onitsha Kamange warehouse.

He said, “these substandard tyres that you call tukumbo are stuffed in bigger tyres and imported into Nigeria from China, India, Pakistan, labanon and Thailand by dubious foreign nationals and dumped in Lagos, Onitsha, Ibadan, Oyo and Edo warehouses.

“About 95 per cent of the Importers are foreigners and IMAN special taskforce jointly with the police raided two of the warehouses, (Kamange) in Lagos and Edo, where over 4,500 substandard tyres owned by a Chinese national, were dumped and they have been sealed by Standard Organisation of Nigeria, SON.

“We will soon raid the Onitsha Kamange warehouse located along Borromeo Onitsha/Enugu Old road and others because these substandard tyres contribute mostly to the accidents on our roads”.

While exonerating IMAN from bribery allegations by dubious foreign nationals who dump the substandard tyres, Ezeoma warned that members found culpable would not be spared as lives were being wasted unnecessarily.

He added “It is greedy people like these foreign nationals that damage Nigerian economy. If it were in their own country that they commit this kind of thing, it is death sentence.

“These foreign nationals make a lot of money from Nigerians by bringing expired and substandard tyres into Nigeria because they think they are smart but now that we are going after them, some have gone underground but that will not determination us because they have their agents.”

The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, the member representing Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Hon. Engr. Simon Atigwe, former Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Prof. Hilary OdoEdeoga, the Chairman of Ferotex Construction Company Limited, Chief Festus Onu, and the Chairman of Anbeez Services Limited, Sir Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu, were among the dignitaries honoured with Chieftaincy titles by the traditional ruler of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s community, Ohom Orba, in Udenu Local Government Area, HRH Igwe Everestus Onah, the Uchenna 1 of Ohom Orba Ancient Kingdom.

Other awardees at the Igwe Onah’s first Ofala festival, which was attended by Ugwuanyi, include the Task Team Leader (TTL), Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project, World Bank, Asiwaju (Dr) Adetunji Adeleke and the Head of Procurement Fraud Section at Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Chief Ambrose Ngwu.

The chieftaincy titles, according to Igwe Onah, were conferred on “deserving men and women, who have not just impacted on humanity but still have the zeal to do good for men in general and for Ohom as a community.”

Ugwuanyi congratulated his Deputy, Lolo Ezeilo, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ubosi, and other awardees for the honour done them by his community in recognition of their meritorous service to the state, the country and humanity.

The apex Ijaw socio-cultural group, the Ijaw National Congress (INC), and other civil society organisations have called on the Federal Government to site the Southsouth slot of the proposed Federal Medical University (FMU) in Bayelsa State.

The call followed the passage of a bill by the Senate to establish a Federal University of Medical Sciences and Biomedical Technology across the six geo-political zones in the country.

Other CSOs that joined the INC to make the call are the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) and the Association of Rural Chiefs for Peace and Development (ARCPD).

The groups made the call recently during an advocacy visit to the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU), Yenagoa, the state capital.

They urged the Federal Government to take over the BMU facilities already on the ground for the proposed institution, rather than starting the building of the institution from the scratch.

The groups, led by the 2nd National Vice President of INC, Chief Nengi James, and the Head of Bayelsa State Office of ERA/FoEN, Comrade Alagoa Morris, appealed to the state government, state House of Assembly, and members of the National Assembly from the state to fast track the process of getting the federal institution sited in the state.

Addressing reporters after the tour of the facilities in the school, Chief Nengi James said: “We are on an advocacy visit based on the recently passed bill for every geopolitical zone to have a Federal University of Medical Sciences and Biomedical Technology and we felt that Bayelsa State already has a befitting place to be used for that of the SouthSouth which is the Bayelsa Medical University (BMU).

Also speaking, Morris of ERA/FoEN, said: “I think that Bayelsa State is already set for such a project to take off because we have the infrastructure and qualified personnel. And I think the Federal Government will stand to gain if they take over the BMU instead of going to acquire a fresh land and develop from the scratch.”

SPEAKER, Delta state House of Assembly and foremost governorship hopeful 2023, had assured the people of Patani and Bomadi local government areas of fulfilling all his electioneering campaign promises if elected as the next governor of Delta state.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori who made this statement during his continuation of his consultation visits ahead of the forthcoming primaries of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and to solicit votes from delegates in the areas, declaring that he is fully in the race.

Speaking at the Patani local government area Secretariat, Headquarters of Patani local government area, said he is in the local government to consult with the people on his intention to contest for the governorship position in 2023 and to solicit for your votes on May 21st, 2022.

He said, “I am so happy with the mobilisation here and please let us do the needful on that day of the primaries. You are aware that the Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has done very well and it is good to consolidate on his achievements.”

Responding, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, Chief Godspower Omafuvwe Asiuwhu assured the governorship aspirant of the votes of Patani delegates.

Oborevwori said he must thank all of you for this wonderful reception. I know that your illustrious son, distinguished Senator James Ebiowou Manager is in the race too, but I am appealing that you give me your votes at the primaries.

Ex-agitators from Akwa Ibom State have lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for sustaining the funding of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

They observed that the President’s funding of the programme despite the current economic challenges, had largely contributed to the sustained peace in the region.

The ex-agitators, however, appealed to the President to confirm Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd), as the substantive head of the PAP.

They said since his appointment, Dikio had displayed commitment and the highest level of capacity to their admiration and that of all stakeholders.

The former warlords in a statement on Friday signed by the State Chairman, Ex-Agitators Forum in Akwa Ibom, Amb. Alban Paulinus after a stakeholders and leadership strategic meeting and circulated in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, described Dikio as a round peg in a round hole.

The statement said: “The entire ex-agitators in Akwa-Ibom will agree and acknowledge the fact that from the inception of the programme, this is the first time the ex-agitators in the state have been given full attention. We have never had it this good with PAP.

“Dikio, in his quest to redirect and reposition the region through PAP has engaged the ex-agitators in an effective and strategic communication model in order to bridge the gap between the real owners of the programme and the office.

“He has enhanced the Presidential Amnesty Liaison Offices in various parts of the region, like Bayelsa, Rivers and Delta states to be more effective.

“Furthermore, non-payment and delay of the ex-agitators’ monthly stipends are now a thing of the past, due to the new improved payment structure.”

The ex-agitators said a more sustainable method had been initiated by the administration of Dikio to curb social vices that had contributed to the under-development of the Niger Delta region.

They said: “We applaud his approach to transform and transmit a more youth and women inclusive programme in the Niger Delta under the new Niger Delta Stability Programme. It will form a new phase in achieving the exit plan of the amnesty programme, sustaining the peace and development of the region and bringing in new investors.

“We appeal to Mr. President as a father who has shown so much love to Niger Delta people, to please use his good office to confirm Dikio as substantive head to enable him run the programme more effectively in achieving a sustainable goal.”

The Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) says it aligns with the position of the Southern Governors and the Middle Belt Forum for the country’s Presidency to shift to Southern Nigeria.

The group said a Southern president in 2023 was the surest guarantee for peace, equity and harmonious coexistence in the country.

The NDYM stated its position in a communiqué issued at the end of its national executive council meeting, a copy which was obtained by The Nation in Uyo on Friday.

The communiqué signed the National President, Comrade Amutadi Uba Tega and national secretary Comrade Ediagbonya Joshua respectively also urged the federal government to checkmate the proliferation of firearms ahead of next year’s elections.

It asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to work towards ensuring a free, fair and credible poll.

The communiqué reads in part, “For the purpose of peace in Nigeria, NDYM is in total support of Southern Governors and the Middle Belt Forum for the country’s presidency to shift to southern Nigeria.

“NEC calls on all security agencies and indeed the entire citizenry to be very vigilant and proactive against proliferation of firearms in the region as a prelude to the forth coming 2023 general elections.

“In the light of controversies surrounding Permanent Voters Card, NDYM calls on INEC to intensify local sensitisation of the youths of the region/country on electoral processes such as electronic voting, etal.

“While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC for her diligent prosecution of some returning officers in Akwa Ibom State, we urge them to expend the same energy in prosecuting election rigging agents/staff in their midst.”

The group in the communiqué also condemned the recent bombing of the ill-fated Kaduna/Abuja train by suspected bandits as well as the invasion of the Kaduna International Airport by terrorists.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has called on political leaders and Abians in general to throw away anything that would divide the state in the quest for his successor.

The governor stated this while receiving in audience a delegation of Ohuhu Council of Traditional Rulers, Umuahia North LGA at Government House, Umuahia.

He said Abia State is blessed with human and material resources but requires unity, love, stability and security for Ndi Abia to flourish.

Governor Ikpeazu distanced himself from those who preach ethnic divide, stressing that nobody can ride on ethnicity to become governor.

He said that his prayer is that God gives the State a humane leader in 2023, who would continue to unite Abia.

He thanked the royal fathers for encouraging him and assured that at the fullness of time, the PDP would take the appropriate decision on the issue.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chairman, Ohuhu Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu commended the governor for his quality leadership in the State and assured him that they were determined to ensure that justice and peace reign supreme in the State.

Eze Ofoegbu said Ohuhu Traditional Rulers were of the opinion that since Old Bende Division has produced the governor for 16 years; it was natural that the Ukwa/Ngwa block be allowed to produce the governor in 2023 to ensure equity and balance in the state.

Concerned chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State have urged the national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, to intervene in the protracted leadership crisis rocking the chapter.

They said the Zamfara disaster can still be repeated in the South South State if no serious effort is made to forge unity.

The stakeholders under the aegis of ‘Defenders of Akwa Ibom APC (DAIA)’ cautioned the National Working Committee (NWC) against making the mistakes that led to the loss of Zamfara and Rivers States in the 2019 general elections.

They said the inauguration of the Obong Stephen Ntukekpo as the chairman of the Akwa Ibom APC  when the congresses that led to his emergence were still under judicial review could herald disaster.

The coordinator of the group, Ibok Essein, said in a statement that no injustice will stand in the chapter.

He said: “What happened in Zamfara and Rivers states are still very fresh in our memory and it would be catastrophic for us as a party if we do not learn any lesson from the issues.”

Essein said there is the need to uphold the constitution of the party and the Electoral Act to avoid electoral tragedy.

He added: “The fact is that a significant proportion of the party membership, including those at the grassroots and leaders, have issues with the emergence of Obong Stephen Ntukekpo as chairman of the party.

“These members have in adherence to the rule of law taken up their case to the courts and it is  shocking that even before their right to fair hearing is adjudicated, their rights have been abridged.

“Our warning is that the party must take heed so that the disaster of Zamfara and Rivers do not befall us in Akwa Ibom.”

Essein urged caution, especially now that the party is embarking on mobilisation at the grassroots ahead of 2023 polls.

He said: “Our grassroots in Akwa Ibom have more than ever been energised for victory in the forthcoming 2023 general election. What they are asking is for things to be done properly for them to deliver Akwa Ibom from the yoke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

THE Chief of Staff (CoS) to Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Mr. Anthony Agbazuere, has resigned.

Agbazuere’s reason for resignation is yet to be known, but many have rumoured that he may be contesting a position in 2023 general election.

The Nation learnt that Agbazuere’s resignation, which has long been rumoured, was confirmed on Wednesday night.

It was gathered that the governor had appointed Chief Okey Ahiwe, from Isiala Ngwa North Local Government, to replace Agbazuere.

A statement from the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, which confirmed Ahiwe’s appointment, said: “Following formal resignation of appointment by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prof. A.C.B. Agbazuere, Governor Ikpeazu has approved the appointment of Chief Ahiwe as the new Chief of Staff to the governor.

“This appointment is effective from April 11.”