The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Halt killings, destruction by bandits, terrorists, INC boss tells FG

    Halt killings, destruction by bandits, terrorists, INC boss tells FG

    The President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, has called on the Federal Government to halt the incessant killing and destruction of public infrastructure and communities by bandits and terrorists across the country.

    Okaba expressed worry that the heightening challenge of insecurity had assumed a more frightening proportion with gory tales of violence, killing, abductions, every day and armed-ransacking of villages by dare-devil gunmen recorded everyday in many parts of the country.

    The INC boss spoke on Friday in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, as chairman on the occasion of the inaugural edition of the Boyloaf Annual Lecture, the formal launch of the Boyloaf Foundation, and the 50th birthday celebration of Ebikabowei Victor-Ben also known as ‘General’ Boyloaf.

    He condemned the dastardly acts, saying: “On a daily basis, Nigerians are hit by reports of killing, kidnapping, and violent attacks by bandits and insurgents who invade communities and slaughter hapless people without any form of resistance by security agencies.

    “The madness is taking a more frightening dimension as these hoodlums have taken over our roads, airports, waterways, and railways, making life unbearable for the average Nigerian and movement difficult in most parts of the nation.

    “The government must, as a matter of urgency, halt the wanton killing and destruction of property and save citizens from agony and misery.”

    He reiterated that restructuring remained the panacea for rescuing the country from imminent collapse, urging the Federal Government to listen to the clamour from various quarters for restructuring.

    Okaba also decried the magnitude of oil and gas pollution in the Niger Delta which had destroyed the marine environment and the livelihood of the people.

    He noted that sustainable peace and development in the region could only be achieved through justice, equity, and fairness.

    Okaba, while congratulating Victor-Ben on his 50th birthday celebration and the formal launch of a foundation, commended him for the active role he played in the Niger Delta struggle for self-determination which resulted in the proclamation of the Presidential Amnesty Programme for the agitators.

    In his keynote speech on ‘Peace, a Priceless Asset for Niger Delta Growth and Development, the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dikio (retd), said that with peace, the Niger Delta would be best placed to live and do business in the country.

    Dikio noted that the marine environment and oil and gas resources were the greatest assets of the region, stressing the need for the people to embrace peace and allow development to take place unhindered.

    He said: “We do not discount the past, the past for which Victor-Ben Ebikabowei and his colleagues represented. As glorious as the past is, the future is better and that future lies open before us to mould and shape.

    “We, the PAP have chosen to advance a vision which is that the Niger Delta will be the best place to live and do business in Nigeria. We need peace and development but we also have to network, collaborate and build bridges of the alliance.”

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kombowei Benson, described Victor-Ben as a dogged fighter and a firm believer in his convictions.

    He also felicitated with him on his 50th birthday celebration and the official launch of his foundation to promote the welfare and wellbeing of the Niger Delta boy-child.

  • Police kill one, repel attack by gunmen in Ebonyi

    Police kill one, repel attack by gunmen in Ebonyi

    Police officers in Ikwo have repelled an attack by gunmen in ?kw? Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The gunmen were said to have attacked the Policemen who were attached to a construction company working in the area.

    Details of the incident were still sketchy at the time of filing this report but a source said the incident happened at Omege Noyo. The gunmen were said to have attacked the policemen on Friday but the policemen engaged them in a shootout.

    The source said one of the gunmen was killed during the shootout while a police officer was injured and in critical condition at a hospital.

    Police spokesperson, Loveth Odah confirmed the incident but noted thay she was yet to get full details of what happened.

    She reiterated that the police are however on the trail of the attackers and expressed hope that they will soon be apprehended. The attack happened the same day that unknown gunmen attacked and killed a member of Ebubeagu security outfit in the state.

    The security situation in the southeast has deteriorated of recent as security agencies, facilities and high-profile personalities have come under regular attacks.

    The separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is suspected to be behind the attacks in the region.

    IPOB is a group seeking the creation of an independent state of Biafra to be carved out of the five states of Southeast and parts of Southsouth region of the country. IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is detained in Abuja. He is standing trial for treasonable felony and terrorism.

  • 2023: Traders assure 100 percent votes for Ugwuanyi’s preferred candidates

    2023: Traders assure 100 percent votes for Ugwuanyi’s preferred candidates

    Jubilant traders at the General Building Materials Market in Nsukka Local Government Area and the leadership of Nsukka Zonal Amalgamated Traders Association (NZATA) have assured Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State of their unflinching loyalty and support for him and all his preferred candidates who will be contesting elections in 2023.

    The traders maintained that they would give the governor maximum support in recognition of his unprecedented achievements in Enugu State, especially in the rural areas and the University town of Nsukka as well as his administration’s commitment to their welfare.

    The traders gave the assurance, yesterday when Ugwuanyi visited the General Building Materials Market, Nsukka, to inaugurate a hall built by the market leader and named after the governor as ‘Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Hall’.

    Ugwuanyi while inaugurating the hall approved a water project for the traders in the market, amid jubilation.

    Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the General Building Materials Market, Nsukka, Mr. George Okonkwo, on behalf of the traders, commended the governor for his good works in spite of the state’s lean resources occasioned by the nation’s economic challenges.

    Mr. Okonkwo, who pointed out that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s unprecedented infrastructural transformation in the area was glaring, reassured the governor that they will give him and all his preferred candidates for 2023 general elections 100 percent votes and support.

    The market leader disclosed that the governor is “a good product that sells itself”, stressing that “you have given us what (achievements) to use to talk to our people. We have seen different ongoing projects across the state and we know they are not being executed with sand but money which is even limited at your disposal”.

    Also speaking, the President of Nsukka Zonal Amalgamated Traders Association (NZATA), Hon. Dominic Nnaemeka Ezema (Decency) joined the traders of the building materials in appreciating Gov. Ugwuanyi for his peace and good governance initiatives.

  • Suspended Imo lawmaker cries out over seized salary, allowances

    Suspended Imo lawmaker cries out over seized salary, allowances

    The member representing Isu State Constituency in Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Ngozi Obiefule, has appealed to the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to intervene in the indefinite suspension placed on her by the leadership of state Assembly.

    She cried out for help saying her salary and allowances had been seized since she was sent on suspension last year.

    Obiefule, elected under the platform of APC, was placed on suspension for what the leadership described as dereliction of duty.

    Speaking to The Nation in Owerri, Obiefule, a ranking member of the House said she and two ranking members of the House were suspended since December 2021 by the leadership of the house for not attending the budget defence.

    She debunked the accusation saying that she attended the defence, but later left the sitting to attend a burial ceremony of Uche Nwosu’s mother when she discovered that there was nothing much to debate during the budget defence because the budget presentation had moved to the Appropriation Committee.

    “On that day I attended that budget defence, submitted my report and left for the burial ceremony of Uche Nwosu’s mother.  We are not members of the Appropriation Committee who are in charge of that exercise.

    “I have been in this house for the past six years and I am aware that with my years in the office no governor has agreed to any adjustment to any budget that is before the House. So, what we do normally is a veto show and go through the normal rudiment. That’s why sometimes, people don’t really take it seriously because you cannot adjust and readjust the budget that had been done by the executive.”

    She blamed the former Speaker of the House, Paul Emeziem for her predicament.

    She said when the former Speaker first came in, he started suspending members, saying it was unfortunate that in the whole of the Southeast, it is only in the Imo Assembly that such a thing is happening.

    She explained ” in the last house, we adopted a 14-day punishment, which was a standing rule for the whole Southeast, the Imo State was the last House that adopted the unified House rule of the five states. It was Paul Emeziem that went to remove the 14-day and changed it to an indefinite suspension.”

    She appealed to party leaders to wade into the matter to rescue her as the party has less than two months to begin its primaries.

    Speaking on the issue, the Majority Leader and Adhoc Investigation Committee Chairman on suspended lawmakers, Kanayo Onyemaechi, revealed that none of the lawmakers who were suspended for dereliction of duty and dishonourable behaviour during the 2022 Budget Presentation, had approached his committee.

    The state assembly member representing Owerri West State Constituency made the revelation on Wednesday during Plenary, when the Speaker, Chidozie Ibeh, sought to know if the suspended lawmakers had interfaced with the committee.

    The Speaker expressed surprise that despite the opportunity for the members to state their cases, none of them had utilized the opportunity. He therefore called on the Chairman of the Committee to further extend a formal letter of invitation to them.

  • 2023 guber: My vision is to make Delta envy of other states – Speaker

    2023 guber: My vision is to make Delta envy of other states – Speaker

    Delta State House of Assembly, Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, said his vision for the state if elected the governor come 2023 is to develop and make Delta state the envy of other states across the country.

    Oborevwori made this statement while addressing PDP leaders and delegates at the Event Centre in Ogwashi-Uku, Agbor, and Owa- Oyibo, headquarters of Aniocha South, Ika South and Ika North East local government areas, assuring them of all-inclusive government as being done by Governor Okowa.

    He said, “My vision if elected the Governor of Delta state will keep our state ahead of other states. We will emulate our amiable Governor, Sen. Okowa in running an inclusive government if voted into power as governor. There will be fairness and equity and we will build on what our governor is doing at the moment. We need a government that will continue from where our governor will stop in 2023”.

    “In making your choice of candidate, please consider me and do your best for me at the primaries of our party on May 21st, 2022. Governor Okowa is very responsible and has tried very well as a governor and with the support of our people, I can manage the state effectively as being done by Governor Okowa, hence l will develop Delta to the envy of other states.”

    “I’m here to consult you on my intention to contest the 2023 governorship election. I have learnt a lot from our governor who is leaving behind very big shoes and it is good for somebody that has passed through him to step into his big shoes.

    “We are going to be on the same page for the development of our state. The people of Ika nation are wonderful people and they are educated people, together we will develop our state together because we are all stakeholders. Am coming to consolidate on what our governor has done.

    Speaking at the Ika North East Secretariat, Owa-Oyibo, the governorship aspirant posited “I have the intention to serve this state in 2023 as the Governor. Your son, our dynamic governor, has done very well and I want to take over from him to continue the good things he is doing in the State. I want to keep Delta State ahead of other states in all aspects if elected Governor next year.”

  • 2023: My fears for Ndigbo, by ex-Anambra Deputy governor

    2023: My fears for Ndigbo, by ex-Anambra Deputy governor

    Former Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke, says his fear for Ndigbo as it concerns the 2023 Presidency, is lack of unity.

    Okeke, who was Governor Willie Obiano’s deputy for eight years, but joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) towards the end of their tenure, said  APC had not been zoned its presidency.

    Addressing reporters on Friday at his country home in Enugwu -Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, Okeke said Ndigbo were not united, adding that it had been the problem facing their quest for the 2023 Presidency

    “You can’t get it when you have 20 names. To rule Nigeria is not easy. It’s a collective effort to make Nigeria work, a lot of people go there to steal the country blind. Insecurity has continued because a hungry man is an angry man. ”

    For his party to get it right in 2023, he  advocated a consensus option  to select the party’s  candidate, adding that  it would save money and reduce  rancour in the  Party

    “Soludo should get the security of the State right. Listen to where the problem is all about. He has gone into agriculture and industrial parks and gotten power to the people of the State

    “There have been lapses in governance but whoever emerges is key to APC success in 2023. We need to get the right person, the way other parties are trying to do.”

    Okeke, however, thanked ndi Anambra for serving two terms, which according to him, was a record in the State.

    He hailed former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA, Senator Victor Umeh for nominating him in his first tenure and his former principal, Chief Willie Obiano for giving him the opportunity to serve.

    Speaking on his experience while in office, he said It had come and gone with mixed feelings.

    “I always believe in giving my best. It was not easy. It had always been my plan to join APC because I wanted national politics.

    ” I know many people were not happy but I looked at what the party has done in our State. I’ve no regrets joining APC and I’ve equally gained a lot within a short time.

    “I knew there would be problems at the end, but I didn’t expect it the way it went . But I thank God for the way my boss came out without staying for more days. ”

    Though, he said he sent a message to the new governor, Prof Charles Soludo, Congratulating him, he  hailed his list of Commissioners, adding that he had picked the right persons.

    Whether he was planning to contest Senatorial election in the Anambra Central Zone under the APC, he said, “I don’t have the liver and money to contest election for Senate in Central.

    ” And  I’m not willing to go borrowing for something like that. I’m not happy with what is going on in the State now about our administration because I was part of the system,” Okeke said

  • Abia deputy joins guber race, promises good governance

    Abia deputy joins guber race, promises good governance

    The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu on Friday declared his intention to aspire for the position of the Abia State Governorship in 2023.

    Chukwu who was speaking at the State Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Finbarrs Road, the state capital stated that the decision to contest for the governorship position was borne out of the personal conviction that he can lead the state to take Abia to the next level, leveraging on his years of experience in governance to attract democratic dividend to the people of the state.

    Speaking on a five-point agenda; security, economy, care, urban renewal, roads and education (Secure), Oko Chukwu said if he becomes the governor of the state, he would leverage the successes already made, to make the state become the safest in the country.

    On his economic agenda for the state if elected governor, the deputy governor said this would be anchored on harnessing the abundant economic, human and material potential in Abia for growth and development.

    “The huge investments we have made on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) cannot be sustained without a steady power supply. We cannot afford to lose out on the SMEs because that is what is the foundation of collective wealth creation.”

    Oko Chukwu stated that his Care programme would be a robust healthcare plan that will cover the three levels of healthcare, primary, secondary and tertiary.

    On urban renewal and roads, the deputy governor said if he becomes the governor of the state, he would put everything in place to rebuild the old cities of Aba and Umuahia, including their roads infrastructure.

    “The roads agenda will focus on the provision of good roads to interconnect the rural and urban centres for easy movement of people and goods.

    “The best legacy a leader can give his people is the legacy of education. Our education agenda aims at providing Abia youths with functional 21st century education that would make them self-employed as well as employable at any level of Industrial need”.

    Oko Chukwu assured that with the experience he has garnered in government over the years, he would lift Abia to the next level if he becomes the next governor.

    “I have been in government and have learned good lessons for success and in areas we succeeded, I have the knowledge and opportunity to make things better for Ndi Abia”.

    The deputy governor promised to use his professional background as a chartered accountant to foster and entrench good governance in the state.

    He assured in doing so, he will apply the systems of transparency and accountability in the conduct of government business.

    “Our cardinal objectives are based on a SECURE Abia agenda which stands for Security, Economy, Care, Urban Renewal, Roads and Education.

    “As governor, I will mobilise our state’s resources and our people to rapidly confront our challenges, secure our future and remake our state to be the leader it used to be.

    “Our challenges are enormous and keep assuming new dimensions with alarming urgency for immediate attention.

    “Aba, the cash cow of Abia presents a special challenge and I’m certainly not deterred and would build on what the present administration has done”.

    Chairman of PDP in the state, Asiforo Okere commended the deputy governor for his humility.

    He promised a level playing field for all the aspirants during the primaries.

  • Partisan politics: Traditional rulers’ council to sanction erring members

    Partisan politics: Traditional rulers’ council to sanction erring members

    The Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers has cautioned its recognized members who indulge in partisan politics or take sides with individuals or groups in political contests, to henceforth desist from such activities which contravene Section 10 of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Law, or be ready to face the consequences.

    In a statement by the Chairman, Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, the Council viewed “with very grave concern the conduct and activities of some royal fathers who have failed to adhere to our primary role and responsibility for peace, order, security and welfare of our dear Enugu State.”

    The monarch disclosed that the re-affirmation of the traditional rulers’ position as “apolitical royal fathers who are not expected to involve ourselves in partisan politics or to take side with individuals or groups of our subjects in political contestations” was one of the resolutions passed by the General Assembly of the State recognized traditional rulers at their meeting in Enugu, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.

    The Chairman, who pointed out that the caution became necessary to ensure that a few traditional rulers among them do not tarnish the image of the entire revered royal fathers of Enugu State, stated that “the State Council of Traditional Rulers will compile and forward to our State Government, for scrutiny and sanction where appropriate, the names of traditional rulers who choose to contravene Section 10 of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Law.”

  • NUJ, RATTAWU hail Soludo

    NUJ, RATTAWU hail Soludo

    Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), in Anambra State have praised Governor Charles Soludo for appointing two employees of the state-owned radio station, Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), as commissioners in his government.

    The bodies described the appointments as demonstration of governor’s confidence of quality manpower in the station.

    Speaking during a visit to the acting Managing Director of the station, Mr. Gab Okpalaeze, NUJ Chairman Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, however, appealed to the governor to confirm Okpalaeze as the substantive head of the outfit.

    It was gathered that Okpalaeze had intermittently acted as the station’s MD for 10 years, after which an outsider would be appointed as the substantive MD.

    Describing the situation as absurd and counterproductive, Odogwu said: “Gab Is the engine room of ABS. He has been very supportive to the management of this outfit.”

     

  • Bishops urge Soludo to shun distractions

    Bishops urge Soludo to shun distractions

    The Pentecostal Bishops’ Association, Anambra State (PBAAS), yesterday advised Governor Charles Soludo to shun distractions and be focused on development projects of Anambra and accomplishment of his laudable vision.

    It also urged the governor to ensure equity and fairness in the distribution of political appointments.

    PBAAS Vice Chairman Bishop Timothy Obidike, who gave the advice in Awka while reading a communiqué after a two-day annual retreat, pledged continual prayers and support for the new administration.

    He said it was necessary to draw the governor’s attention to ensure he corrected previous imbalances against the Pentecostal sect.

    Obidike said: “The Pentecostal Bishops Association is full of gratitude to God for a successful retreat and for a smooth transition to a new government headed by Prof. Soludo.

    “We advise the new governor to shun distractions and be focused on the development projects of Anambra and accomplishment of his laudable vision.

    “We also call on him to be fair in the distribution of political appointments and to correct the imbalance against the Pentecostal.

    “We pledge our continual prayers and support for the new government.”

    Expressing worry about the lingering insecurity in the state and the country at large, he called for urgent attention to address the ugly trend.

    “We will like to see a secure Nigeria and Anambra, a befitting state capital and an improved public infrastructure in the entire state.”

    “We encourage the Church, especially the Pentecostals, who are more than 50 per cent of Anambra population, to work for the advancement of the body of Christ, be law-abiding and contribute to the progress of the state,” Obidike said.