Category: South East

BAYELSA State Police Command has arrested one Esther Otoniye for allegedly using a hot knife to burn the buttocks of her 10-year-old stepdaughter.

Otoniye, who was apprehended at their residence in the Akenfa suburb of Yenagoa, in the state capital, claimed that the minor lied against her.

The little girl’s body was also said to be dotted with scars suspected to have been inflicted on her by severe and repeated flogging.

The Commissioner of Police, Ben Okolo, reportedly ordered Otoniye’s arrest yesterday following a spate of complaints against her by some women and child rights groups.

She, however, denied burning the primary three pupil’s buttocks with a hot knife, claiming that hot water accidentally poured on her bum.

But the victim admitted to lying against her stepmother and she punished her by burning her buttocks with a hot knife.

The gender desk at the state police command in charge of the case had taken the little girl to the police clinic for examination.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa Command, SP Asinim Butswat, confirmed the arrest of Esther Otoniye for the alleged crime, saying the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID).

“It is a case where the stepmother used a hot knife to inflict bodily injuries on a 10 years old stepdaughter. The investigation is ongoing,” Butswat said.

A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to pay a female journalist based in Umuahia, Norah Okafor the sum of N3.5m.

The court slammed the judgment against the anti-graft agency for illegally invading the privacy of the plaintiff in the late hours of September 23, 2021.

Presided over by Justice Thomas Johnson, the court also ordered the EFCC to tender an apology in two national dailies to the victim.

It would be recalled that operatives of the anti-graft agency had on September 23, 2021 invaded the journalist’s home in Umuahia, after allegedly destroying the perimeter fencing, her doors and other personal belongings.

The EFCC officials were said to be on a sting operation in search of suspected internet fraudsters.

Okafor in the originating summons of her suit, claimed she was traumatised and humiliated by the incident and prayed the court to award exemplary and aggregated costs to her against the EFCC.

THE Elebele Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has appreciated Governor Douye Diri over the construction of a bridge in its community.

Access into the community was cut off in 2019 when the steel bridge linking it was damaged by flood.

The Governor Douye Diri administration, however, commenced the building of a new concrete bridge in 2021 and it was one of the projects inaugurated during its second anniversary in February by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

The community at the weekend, led by its paramount ruler, His Royal Highness David Osene Osene, paid a thank-you visit to Government House, Yenagoa, during which it announced the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Ogimemema I (Builder) of Elebele community and Ogimemema II on his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

While applauding Diri for his commitment to development of the state, Osene noted that the governor has restored peace in the community and other parts of the state, and pledged their support for his Prosperity Administration.

In his response, Governor Diri appreciated the community and said the honour will spur him to embark on more development projects for the community and the state.

RIVERS State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has appealed to the new Oba of Ogbaland His Eminence, Nwachukwu Obuoha Nnam-Obi, III, to toe the path of his predecessor and late father.

The governor, who spoke when the Ogba traditional council and stakeholders formally introduced their new monarch to him in Government House at the weekend, recalled that the late Oba consulted with government regularly, carried his traditional office with dignity and was respected across the country.

Wike also asked him to be a man of peace, exude intelligence like his late father and ensure the peaceful coexistence of Ogba people.

He said: “I hope you will continue that way. Your business is the interest of your people and make sure that your communities are in peace.”

The governor directed the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaus Adangor and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Soni Ejekwu to issue certificates of recognition and staff of office to the new Oba as a first class traditional ruler.

Wike warned communities across the state to stop disrupting the operations of oil companies within their domains.

He said: “It is not when you go and blow up oil pipelines or gas pipelines that you get what you want to get. No community can do it alone.

“There is nothing wrong with you liaising with the government to make sure companies fulfil their promises and whatever is provided in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). You need the government to give you support.

“Because if you recognise the government, the first thing you will do is to let the government know that these are your grievances against the companies operating in your domain.”

THREE persons have been reportedly killed in a deadly cult clash in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State.

Our correspondent gathered that the clash was between two dominant cult groups; Aro and Bobo, in Aba South and some parts of Ugwunagbo local government area of the state respectively.

The killing of an Aro member who was simply identified as “Wonder Boy” in Aba South LGA, The Nation gathered, spiked the recent clash between the two cult groups, leading to the reported killing of about three persons in reprisal attacks.

It was gathered that the recent killing between the two cult groups is causing panic in the area.

A resident of the area who confirmed the killing of “Wonder Boy” by the rival cult said “we learnt that the recent spike in cult related killing in our area in Aba South and some parts of Ugwunagbo LGA was because of the killing of Wonder Boy.

“After the killing (of Wonder Boy), we learnt that the Aro cult members have been carrying reprisal attacks on the members of another cult group’ “Bobo.”

“On Sunday, while we were resting in front of our yard, we noticed that some boys who passed in front of our yard with machetes and guns were going on a revenge mission.

“Shortly after they passed, we learnt that the group killed someone believed to be a member of a rival cult group.

“We have been living with fear. Even though what is happening is not new to us, as it is not the first time a thing of such a manner is happening, we are however not too sure of what would happen next.

“The latest killing was at Agu road by Onyemaechi Street off Ohanku in Aba South LGA,” said the source.

Delta Government said it has secured a $40 million for the upgrade of Songhai Delta Agricultural Training facility in Amukpe under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Delta Information Commissioner, Mr. Charles Aniagwu who spoke with reporters in Asaba said Songhai Delta would be upgraded in a joint venture between the state government and a consortium of firms to achieve set goals.

He said the State Exco approved the upgrade of facilities at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, for effective hosting of the 2021 National Sports Festival to be hosted in the state in November, this year.

According to him, athletes for the Sports Festival will be quartered in 700 bed space hostel at the NYSC permanent orientation camp at Issele-Uku in Aniocha North LGA.

He added that approval was given for the furnishing and equipping of the Advanced Diagnostic Medical Centre as well as Mother and Child Centre, Owa-Alero in Ika North-East Local Government Area of the state.

Aniagwu disclosed that the State Executive Council approved the construction of access road to the Model Technical College, Obiaruku in Ukwuani Local Government Area as well as the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Onicha-Ugbo/Udumuje-Ugboko Road in Aniocha North.

According to him, Exco also approved the rehabilitation of internal roads in Oghara and Ofagbe, James Ezechi Road, Okpai in Ndokwa East, Achalla Ibusa Road in Oshimili North and Ilabor Road, Igbodo in Ika North-East among others.

The Commissioner added that Exco approved the furnishing and equipping of the leisure park and film village, Asaba.

In the area of empowerment and skills acquisition, he said approval was given for the third cycle of the Rural Youth Skills Acquisition Programme (RYSA) for 2022 to accommodate 810 youths in the state.

Under Delta Cares Scheme, Aniagwu said Exco approved areas one and two to take care of vulnerable groups and FADAMA project to meaningfully engage youths in partnership with the World Bank.

He said it was agreed at the Exco that members of the State Executive Council should redouble their efforts in the finishing strong agenda of the state government.

“At today’s Exco, a number of road projects cutting across the three senatorial districts were considered.

“For some, we have to embark on total reconstruction, for others they are entirely new projects and yet for some, they are for rehabilitation in addition to the upward review of some of the projects on account of fluctuations in prices and off course in some other areas, extension of the work that needed to be done.

“But that is not all. Beyond the roads, we also considered some other programmes aimed at alleviating poverty and indeed, improving the living conditions of our people.

“I will start with the issue of roads. At today’s Exco, we approved the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Onicha-Ugbo/Idumuje Ugboko Road in Aniocha North Local Government Area and we believe that that will add to the urban renewal drive of the state government in that area.

“We also approved the construction of more hostels in the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Issele-Uku. It is a 700 bed space hostel in addition to the ones we had built in the camp before.

“We are also hopeful that this will be carried out on time so that that facility would likely be available for us to deplore in the course of the National Sports Festival which is coming up in the state in November, this year.

“We are hopeful that the contractor that will handle that project will be fast enough so that we can take advantage of that hostel.

“We also approved the furnishing and equipping of the Advanced Diagnostic Medical Centre and Mother and Child Centre in Owa-Alero,” the Information Commissioner said.

“Also 178 out of the 251 premises visited were sealed off for offences such as operating without registration with PCN, incomplete registration, selling ethical medicines without the supervision of a pharmacist among others.”

Elated members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) chapter have expressed gratitude to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State for his positive intervention in the issues surrounding the land they had acquired from Ugwuaji community since 2011, stressing that “no governor has done what he (Ugwuanyi) has done for us today.”

Speaking to newsmen after a closed-door meeting with Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, the Chairman of ASUU, UNN chapter, Prof. Dan Nwachukwu, disclosed that the governor in his magnanimity, peaceful disposition and commitment to the development of Enugu State and wellbeing of the residents, including the academic community, “approved our request.”

Prof. Nwachukwu revealed that the meeting, which was at the instance of Ugwuanyi, was successful adding that “we are going home very happy and satisfied that our mission is victorious.”

The ASUU chairman said that the governor listened to their plea and “approved what we asked of him concerning the land”, saying: “We appreciate the magnanimity of the governor and what he has done for ASUU UNN.”

According to him, “At a point our hope of getting land was almost being dashed. But coming to him has given us hope today. He has approved our request for us. In fact there is no governor that has done what he has done for us today.

“But today we have met with him (Ugwuanyi) face to face. We interacted with him and he listened to us. So we appreciate him. We pray that God will continue to bless and flourish him in whatever he lays his hands on.”

 

The Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council has given its royal blessings to Pastor Umo Eno ahead of the 2023 governorship elections.

Eno, Governor Udom Emmanuel’s preferred successor, received the blessings of  royal fathers during his consultative visit to the TRC in Uyo on Friday.

The TRC Chairman, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, in his remarks, urged traditional rulers to pray for all aspirants in the state.

Etuk said they were non-partisan, stressing the need for aspirants to embrace peace before, during and even after the 2023 elections.

He noted that their role is primarily to advise, and therefore charged all the aspirants in the state to exhibit the attitude of sportsmanship as they go about campaigning.

The Oku Ibom Ibibio who also spoke on behalf of traditional rulers in Uyo Senatorial District asserted that power belongs to God and He gives it to whosoever He chooses, adding that no one can stop a man whose time has come.

Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers from Eket Senatorial District, the Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko L.G.A, HRM, Ovong (Hon.) Bassey Etim Edet, noted that the traditional institution was present, as observers, at the presentation of Pastor Umo Eno as the preferred aspirant of Governor Udom Emmanuel with some stakeholders, adding that they will join hands to ensure that Umo Eno emerges the next governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2023.

Similarly, the Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo, HRM, Obong (Prof) Amanam A. Udo while commending Pastor Eno and his team for consulting the monarchs also prayed God’s blessings upon Pastor Eno for recognising his fathers.

Earlier in his speech, the frontline governorship aspirant, Pastor Umo Eno said he was in the regal chambers to officially notify them of his aspiration to serve as governor of the state and appealed for their blessings and support.

While acknowledging that power is given by God, he stated that it is proper to consult, seek and receive the blessings of the royal fathers as custodians of our culture and those closest to the people.

Pastor Eno who is a seasoned entrepreneur, said he would further the peace in the State, create jobs and enhance rural development.

He noted that Governor Udom Emmanuel has raised the status of the traditional rulers, and gave the assurance of improved welfare for them when elected into office.

The entrepreneur, who said that he had learnt from the Yorubas in the South West how to respect elders, maintained that when elected into office, the royal fathers would have their pride of place in his administration, promising to consult them and run an all-inclusive government devoid of segregation, and discrimination.

While introducing the aspirant, the Director General of Campaigns, Amb. Assam Assam (SAN) said he was on a mission to present the preferred aspirant to critical stakeholders, reiterating that consulting the traditional rulers was important.

He noted that Pastor Eno is from Nsit Ubium in Uyo Senatorial District, which, according to him is currently favoured by the zoning arrangement and appealed to them for their blessings to enable him emerge victorious at the elections.

The political leader of Uyo Senatorial District, Senator Effiong Bob said he was familiar with the political terrain of Akwa Ibom State, and knows the calibre of persons best suited for the state, appealing to the monarchs to support Pastor Eno to succeed Governor Udom in 2023.

The Pharmacist Council of Nigeria (PCN) has clamped down on quack medicine dealers in Rivers State sealing off 178 illegal stores and arresting 16 suspects.

The PCN said on Friday that it took the action during an operation in conjunction with the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in line with its mandate of regulating and controlling the education, training, and practice of pharmacy.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, the Director Enforcement, PCN, Stephen Esumobi, said the joint team visited 251 premises in Port Harcourt City and Obio-Akpor local government areas during the exercise.

He said the affected premises were indicted for offences like operating without valid registrations with the PCN.

Esumobi said despite the sensitisation platform created by PCN for stakeholders in the pharmaceutical sector, many medicine dealers in Rivers were still adamantly operating at variance the law.

Esumobi said besides not having valid proofs of registrations, many dealers were operating without appropriate storage facilities exposing medicines to adverse environmental factors.

He lamented that such exposure degraded drugs or transformed them into other biologically active substances, whose actions were at variance with the manufacturers’ indications making them unsuitable for human consumption.

He said: “These illegal outlets do not have pharmacists to supervise the dispensing of medicines to the public. This has contributed to the irrational dispensing of medicines resulting in treatment failures and untoward effects on patients and other unsuspecting members of the public, who patronise activities of these illegal outlets tend to them.

“Similarly, they encourage the abuse and misuse of controlled medicines with the attendant negative social and security implications.

“To address this challenge, the PCN stepped up enforcement activities across the state. As a result of this intervention, some premises upgraded their facilities to meet conditions for storage of medicines while others have employed pharmacists to supervise pharmaceutical activities.

“Some of the owners of the premises in the state who refused to comply with guidelines broke the PCN seals and continued with their illegal activities. This prompted this follow-up enforcement visit which was jointly carried out with the officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

“16 illegal medicine dealers have been arrested so far for breaking PCN seals and efforts are ongoing to apprehend and prosecute other suspects who are currently at large.”

The Executive Chairman of Imo Internal Revenue Services (IIRS), Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, has expressed his resolve to drive the state’s revenue from N900 million to N2.5 billion in three months.

Okeke, a banker and a chartered accountant, said he would use the experience he garnered over the years in tax system to raise the revenue bar.

Speaking to reporters yesterday in Owerri, he said with the mandate from Governor Hope Uzodimma, he would transform IIRS and make it one of the most enviable tax agencies in Nigeria.

Okeke said he would leave no stone unturned to bring the desired change and leave a lasting legacy, especially in conviviality between the taxpayers and the tax authority.

He promised to shift from “the old ways where taxpayers see taxmen as bogeymen and move into the era of voluntary tax compliance.”

Okeke said his vision for the short term would be to build a system that would ensure that tax and non-tax revenues were collected and leakages blocked, adding that the medium-term vision was to establish a system that would encourage voluntary tax compliance and ensure taxpayers in Imo State were brought into the tax net.

On how he would improve the revenue profile of the state in future, the IIRS chairman said he would enforce collection of taxes due for payments and issuance of assessment notices to taxpayers for the current year.

He expressed his determination to bring more businesses, especially in the unorganised informal sector, into the tax nets through enumeration, quick resolution of pending issues between the IIRS and unions/ associations and encourage their members to begin payment of taxes.

Okeke promised to ensure payment of tax revenues into the state Treasury Single Account.

He vowed to turn things around within the shortest period, to meet up with the mandate of the governor by leveraging on the existing revenue laws and developing the right technology to improve revenue collections.