Category: South East

A group, Anambra Youth Volunteers, has warned youths engaging in touting and other unlawful activities in Anambra State to desist.

It promised not to spare hoodlums terrorising the state, to ensure peace and sanity were restored.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in Onitsha, the leader of the group, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, said the days of touting and other criminal activities were over.

He said the group was determined to rehabilitate, rebrand and reintegrate youths, who resorted to touting and other vices as a means of survival.

Okpalaezeukwu said: “We the Anambra Youth Volunteers hereby declare our resolve to assist the state government and security agencies in checking these youths-prone excesses.

“Our resolve is in response to Governor Charles Soludo’s inaugural pronouncement on touting and other criminal activities and in solidarity with the enforcement order of the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng.

“We will end criminal activities. No more snatching of handbags, phones and belongings of innocent citizens.

“We are going to assist and ensure that peace, law and order are restored to the state. We will specialise in traffic, surveillance and monitoring activities.

“We will not fail to use the full weight of the mobile courts, established by the new administration; to deal ruthlessly with any hoodlum caught terrorising the state in any form.

“We’re determined to rehabilitate, rebrand and reintegrate youths, who have resorted to touting, criminal activities and vices as a means of survival.”

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has approved the dissolution of former Senate President Adolphus Wabara-led Governing Council of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu.

The dissolution, according to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, is with immediate effect.

The statement did not give reasons for the dissolution, but The Nation gathered that his sack was not unconnected to a statement credited to Wabara, warning Ikpeazu of the danger the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might face if the governor decided to hand over power to another Ngwa man in 2023.

The statement said Ikpeazu, the visitor to the university, had approved the reconstitution of an eight-man Governing Council, with Chief Mba Okoronkwo Ukariwo as the chairman.

Other members include Chief Obinna Njoku, Senator Emma Nwaka, Chief Chinwe Nwanganga, Chief Ndukwe U. Ndukwe, Dr. Jonas Ibeaja, Mr. C. Nwokeukwu (SAN) and the permanent secretary, Ministry of Education.

The governor has told those selling vehicle spare parts and mechanics operating in Aba metropolis, especially around Clifford Road, School Road, Azikiwe Road, etc to prepare to relocate to the new Mechanic Village at Ovom, on Opobo Road, in Obingwa Local Government.

He gave the eviction notice yesterday at the new Ovom Mechanic Village when he met the traders and mechanics.

Ikpeazu said the movement was non-negotiable, adding that the days of allowing mechanic workshops and their activities to deface Aba had ended.

He told the traders and mechanics that the reason his administration allowed them to continue to do business inside Aba town was because of his philosophy that he would not push out any business person “from where he does business without finding a good alternative for him, as this is capable of distorting the economic base of families.”

The governor said: “Now that the new market is ready, the government will enforce their relocation to the new market and will use every legitimate means, including the use of force and arrest, to do the needful.”

He said he invited them to see the new market and appreciate the seriousness and sincerity of his administration towards their welfare and growth of their businesses, adding that “our businessmen must key into the modern style of doing business in established clusters.”

Industries Commissioner Mrs. Uwaoma Olewengwa said the market, a Public Private Partnership (PPP), was ready for occupation by the traders.

She urged them to take advantage of the efforts by the government to relocate them.

The Chief Executive of Total Value Ltd, the government partners in the development of the market, thanked the Ikpeazu administration for its initiative in bringing investors to the state.

He said the traders would become stakeholders in the ownership and running of the market.

The Chairman of Aba Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Chief Onyekachukwu Udeaja, thanked the Ikpeazu administration for the new market, which he described as standard for their business, but implored the governor to intervene in the reduction of the unit cost of the shops, to encourage the traders to become owners of the shops.

Rivers State Government has hailed the Founder and President of Omega Power Ministry (OPM) Foundation, Apostle Chibuzo Chinyere, for giving hope of a better future to the poor and downtrodden.

The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kanienye Ebeku, who spoke yesterday at an event by the church to mark the 2022 World Down Syndrome  Day Celebration, said the ministry, through its expanded scholarship scheme, school for special kids, is reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

The event was held at OPM Down Syndrome and Autism School, Eneka Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government.

THE Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has given meritorious service awards to 126 employees.

The Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, said 35 of the recipients had served the commission for 25 years.

Ibitoye, in a statement, quoted the NDDC Interim Administrator, Dr. Efiong Akwa, as commending the recipients, saying the awards were as a result of hard work and commitment to duty.

Akwa, represented by the Director of Administration, Dr. Charles Akpan, said the management was committed to workers’ welfare, adding that outstanding allowances due to employees would be settled.

He said: “I want to commend the workers of this commission, particularly the awardees, for their efforts and resilience, regardless of the storm the commission has faced this past year.”

He said the ongoing redeployment of the commission’s employees was part of the commission’s career building processes.

“You are not learning anything if you have been in a particular directorate for 18 years”, he said.

Akwa said the management would not compromise on staff development and growth, adding that great strides had been made, despite the challenges experienced in recent years to sustain the annual meritorious service award to deserving workers.

The Director, Human Resources, Silas Anyanwu, praised Akwa for his passion and commitment towards workers’ welfare.

He said the award was designed to motivate employees, noting that the redeployment was not a witch-hunt but part of measures to help workers improve their knowledge and skills.

Anyanwu told workers who were due for promotion to be patient, as the Interim Administrator had approved the promotion for 2021 and 2022.

Responding on behalf of the awardees, a Deputy Director in Administration, Mrs. Chinyere Umeh, thanked the management for the award.

She said: “I thank NDDC for recognising our contributions and dedication to service. We will continue to pass on the value of hard work to the young ones, because hard work pays.”

THE Maria Assumpta Cathedral Catholic Archdiocese, Owerri, Imo State, on Sunday night went up in flames.

An eyewitness said the fire started around 11:48 pm and affected only a section of the main church building, destroying equipment.

A priest, who pleaded anonymity, said it was caused by an electrical fault.

“The fire was not that much. It was as a result an electrical fault. It started from a room in the church where most of the wire connection was done. It damaged many things. You know there is no way a fire will not damage something.”

“Thank God, the fire did not spread. With the efforts of other people in the church and passersby, it was put out.“

The Director of Communications for Owerri Archdiocese and the Director of Ozisa Radio, Father Ray Nzereogu,  confirmed the incident.

He said the organisation would issue an official statement on it.

Students of the Igbariam campus of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, have raised the alarm over what they termed double payment of school fees.

They alleged they were ordered to pay their fees into three banks, which were later discovered to be wrong account details, after payment.

The students lamented that the development had led to some of them missing their exams.

They implored the visitor, Governor Charles Soludo, to intervene by setting up a panel of enquiry into the matter.

One of the students, who preferred anonymity, said: “We have been paying into the accounts since 2018. Suddenly the management turned around to say the accounts are wrong.

“Many students have written for refund of their money. Instead, they were asked to pay the same fee again through a remittal account number.

“Some of us suggested to the management to direct the funds to the right accounts since they are operating the accounts and withdrawing from the accounts. Instead, students are compelled to pay twice of their fees.

“The management went further to issue a memo to deans of faculties and heads of departments, asking them not to process any refund of fees paid into the supposedly wrong accounts. This is fraud.”

The students said the situation had left many of them stranded, following difficulties in sourcing money to pay the same school.

The university spokesman, Dr. Harison Madubueze, dismissed the allegations, saying none of the payments students were demanding for refunds reflected in the university account.

He said: “The university has only one account for school fees payment. Sometime last year, management observed increase in the rate students were asking for refund they claimed were paid into wrong account.”

“Management investigated the claims, which showed that none of those payments reflected in the university account. It wrote to persons involved for clarification.

“Payments are only made via remittal, which is a proof of payment in case of refund. Sadly, those payments did not pass through that digital process; hence it was difficult for management to rectify. “

Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo yesterday announced three political appointments.

This makes it six appointments he has so far announced.

The three appointees are Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Richard Nwora Madiebo, Chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) and AVM Ben Chiobi (rtd.), Special Adviser on Security to the Governor.

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Senator Victor Umeh has hailed the strategy of dialogue adopted in tackling insecurity in Anambra State by Governor Soludo.

Umeh, answering questions from reporters in Enugu on the agenda of the new government in Anambra State, expressed happiness that the new governor had seen dialogue as a means of resolving conflicts; a development, he hoped, would tackle insecurity in the state.

He said: “Soludo has loaded manifesto. As a professor of economics, who has worked around the globe before coming to Nigeria, he knows what to do. So, we leave the work for him to do it. We’re not going to set agenda for him. He has his own agenda. We can only trust his abilities to do the things he has promised to do.

“However, at this time, we have to talk about security as the area of primary concern. Without security, he will be able to do little in Anambra State. He understands that. We expect that he will address the issue of security strategically.

“In his inaugural address, he has seen dialogue as a means of resolving conflicts and containing violence occasioned by agitations for one thing or the other. So, he is calling everybody to a round-table talk. When you talk, you achieve peace.”

Umeh urged the Federal Government to enter into dialogue with agitators, to restore peace across the country.

He said: “I have told the government to enter into dialogue with groups such as Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and others agitating for anything in Nigeria.

“Across the country, if you don’t have the mechanism to resolve conflicts, what you harvest is disorder and insecurity. You cannot ignore people who are not happy. This is what I’ve been saying for a long time.

“The government must deploy conflict resolution mechanism hinged on dialogue. You must meet people. You cannot continue to ignore people who are angry. They will continue to do things until they get attention. So, it is cheaper to enter into dialogue than to play ostrich to the problem facing the country.”

Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has said there was no cause for alarm over the striking out of the stay of execution motion he filed against his removal, by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday.

He gave the assurance while addressing the All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful in the state during its stakeholders’ meeting.

The meeting, held at the New Government House, Abakaliki, was attended by many APC stakeholders across the state.

The governor, during the meeting, inaugurated the Zoning Committee of the party.

He said: “All these issues are distractions. The constitution is clear and I don’t want to waste much time on them.”

Umahi said he saw reports on the social media over the issue, “but everything about the matter has been sent to the appeal courts in Enugu and Abuja.”

He noted that projects executed by his administration would go on and he would conclude his tenure on May 29, 2023.

A Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday struck out an application by Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, and his deputy, Kelechi Igwe, seeking to stop the execution of the judgment of the court that removed them from office because of their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, struck out the suit following confirmation that a valid appeal had been entered at the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, challenging the verdict that sacked them.

After arguments by Umahi’s and Igwe’s lawyer, Chukwuma Machukwu Umeh SAN, as well as the PDP lawyer, Chief James Ogwu Onoja SAN, the attention of the court was drawn to the substantive appeal pending at the Court of Appeal.

Umeh, thereafter, applied for withdrawal of the application to enable his clients focus and concentrate on the substantive appeal.

The request was not opposed by the PDP counsel, prompting Justice Ekwo in a brief ruling to strike out the suit.

Ekwo ordered Umahi and his deputy to shift their legal battle against the judgment that sacked them to the appellate court.

A similar decision was invoked in another application for judgment stay by the sacked 16 lawmakers of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly

Umahi and his deputy had two weeks ago asked the Federal High Court for an order staying the execution of its judgment that ordered their removal from office as governor and deputy governor.

In a motion on notice filed by their counsel, the governor and his deputy prayed the court for an order staying the execution of the orders made in the judgment delivered on March 8, 2022, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to receive from PDP the names of its candidates to replace them.

The court was also prayed to stay the execution of its order directing INEC to hold a governorship election in accordance with Section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution.

The motion on notice dated March 9, 2022, equally sought an order staying the execution of the order of the court directing INEC to declare the persons nominated by the PDP as governor and deputy governor of Ebonyi State.

The Alumni Association of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State has honoured former Governor Peter Obi, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly called Obi Cubana, ex-Information Minister Prof. Jerry Gana and 55 others.

The National President of the body, Kingsley Nwafor, an engineer, said the awards were in recognition of the recipients’ contributions to the socio-economic development and enhancement of education in the country.

He said the event with the theme: ‘Survival Strategy in a Devastated Economy’, was aimed at giving members the opportunity to reunite, interact and bond together as well as to honour illustrious members and support their alma mater.

Speaking at the weekend at the event, Obi blamed high cost of governance as the cause of Nigeria’s poor economy.

He said the running cost of governance needed to be reduced, for the economy to make headway.

Obi, the keynote speaker, accused leaders of squandering money on frivolities, instead of investing in ventures or human capital with positive effects on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and living standard of the people.

He said: “Leaders have failed the country by refusing to cut down unnecessary expenditures. Instead they mortgage the country’s future by relying on incessant borrowing and accumulation of debts.”

Gana said the economy was in comatose.

He said: “The economy needs to be rescued and redirected, while the security situation needs to be addressed if there should be hope of reviving the failing economy.”

Former Nigeria Ambassador to Mali Kenneth Nwachukwu lamented the travails and sufferings of youths in their bid to escape challenges and difficulties of the Nigerian economy.

UNIZIK Vice Chancellor Prof Charles Esimone underscored the importance of alumni to institutions.

He encouraged members to contribute their quota to the growth and development of the institution and the society at large.