Category: South East

A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, has backed the quest by stakeholders in Enugu East Senatorial District for the 2023 governorship ticket of the PDP.

Nwodo said his position is hinged on a subsisting rotation agreement among the three senatorial districts.

The ex-party chair was reported to have declared his support for Enugu East when a former Power Minister, Prof. Barth Nnaji, led a delegation of political leaders in the zone to his home at the weekend.

The Enugu East leaders had gone to solicit Nwodo’s support in the quest by Enugu East for the governorship ticket of the PDP.

“There was an agreement for the rotation of governorship position among the three senatorial zones in Enugu State, which happened during Sullivan Chime’s administration”, Dr. Nwodo was quoted to have said.

Nwodo, who was also a former governor in the old Enugu State, hailed the political leaders for standing firm for their senatorial district.

“I will be happier if Enugu East zone, which is Nkanu East, is considered for the governorship position”, Nwodo said, adding that the rotation agreement was sealed during the administration of Governor Sullivan Chime.

Abia House of Assembly Chief Whip Munachim Alozie has expressed sadness about lack of access roads in his constituency

Alozie, who represents Ugwunagbo Constituency, said it was sad that there were no access roads in his constituency.

He told reporters that the major problem facing his constituency was bad road, which he noted had negatively affected the economic well-being of the agrarian community.

Speaking about his intention to run for the Obingwa/Osisioma/Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency seat of Abia State, Alozie attributed the bad roads to lack of quality representation at the federal level.

He said if elected, he would turn things around for good for his people

The Coalition of Civil Society Forum (CCSF) has described the attack on the reform in the Federal Civil Service by some Nigerians as malicious and non-conforming to accountability in the country’s bureaucracy.

The Forum said the ongoing reforms in the service have saved Nigeria huge resources and promoted accountability in the process.

Convener of the Coalition of 10 civil society groups and spokesman of the Coalition, Taiwo Adeniran said the introduction of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information Systems (IPPIS), has exposed ghost workers in the system and saved the country billions of resources that have been deployed to other areas of need for national benefit against individual self-serving interests that undermined public development.

He said all Nigerians of goodwill and aspiration for national development should support the initiative and rally around the system and its implementers to succeed and boost the service.

“We also acknowledge the work done by the administration on the upward review of Duty Tour Allowances which is benefiting all civil servants and, by extension, their families and Nigerians.

“This is in addition to the implementation of insurance cover for public servants through the Federal Government Group Life Assurance Scheme for the years 2021 and 2022 and also the introduction of Performance Management System in the civil service.

“The administration has also taken bold steps in ensuring that it is not business as usual for ghost workers because a lot of work has been done to sanitise the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System and to flush them out of the system because of their activities which have eaten deep into the national treasury.”

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has urged vigilante groups in communities in Southeast not to surrender their weapons to security agencies.

It warned that such submission would not only render the various communities vulnerable, but render security and vigilante men impotent, paving way for criminal gangs to penetrate the communities.

In a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said it has uncovered secret meeting Miyetti Allah held with hierarchy of various security agencies to disarm vigilante groups in the zone.

It alleged it was agreed at the meeting that all vigilante groups in the region would be directed to surrender their weapons to security agencies.

The statement reads, “Their intention is to weaken our people and pave the way for the invasion of our communities by Fulani bandits masquerading as herdsmen. We want to place the world on notice about this wicked plot.

“We also raise alarm over the influx of rapists and terrorists called Fulani hunters in our land.

“Our people must be careful because Fulani and Miyetti Allah have devised another means of killing our people in the bushes and forests in Biafraland.

“The recent plan by Nigeria government and its security agencies to collect guns from vigilante groups in every community in Biafraland was designed to make our security and vigilante men impotent and clear the way for their criminal gangs to penetrate our communities.

“We, therefore, urge vigilante groups in various communities never to surrender their weapons to security agencies that cannot guarantee the security of our people. Doing so amounts to rendering our communities vulnerable.

“We also want to caution all communities in Biafraland to be on red alert over the plot by the enemies of Biafra to use their agents of death to inflict pain and sorrow on our people.

“Security should be beefed up around all Biafran communities because our enemies are not sleeping.

“However, ESN operatives are ready to defend our ancestral land against any invaders but they need the cooperation of every community and its vigilante groups. They should assist ESN operatives, and IPOB volunteers to protect our land.

“Again, every community must be mindful of these men Fulani posted to our forests and farmlands calling them Fulani hunters. They are dangerous people on evil agenda. They came to rape our mothers, sisters and wives and we cannot afford to give them a breeding ground.

“Regrettably, our treacherous politicians in collusion with the government of Nigeria created Ebubeagu security outfit to over run our communities but ESN operatives and IPOB volunteers will not allow them to succeed. We are ready for them!

“They have already infiltrated some weak-willed vigilante group leaders like Mazi Elthelbert Ohari the Nnewi North former vigilante Commander who is now working with Ebubeagu Security militia to cause panic in Nnewi North because he was relieved as Nnewi North vigilante commander.

“He is now collaborating with all criminals in Nnewi North and South. He is behind the tragedies in these two LGAs. We hereby, declare him wanted. He took over Imo State Ebubeagu bringing them into Nnewi North and South and also working for Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.”

The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) has urged Nigerian women to contact their representatives to reconsider all the provisions of the gender bill.

The group said politicians who pledged to support the gender bill while it was being drafted and prepared have gone back on their words.

It said the men who pledged to stand with the women have let the womenfolk down.

National President, NCWS, Dr. Laraba Shoda, made this statement in Abuja while addressing members of the press on the five rejected constitution alteration bills for women.

She said its members, in collaboration with others, worked hard to ensure that the bills that were rejected took into consideration the religious and cultural sensitivities prevalent in the country.

She said, “Many of us in coalitions worked assiduously to ensure that the bills were carefully drafted and took into consideration our religious and cultural sensitivities. Despite it all, our men, some of whom pledged to stand with us, have let the womenfolk down.

“The passage of the bills would have signified the end to bias and discrimination for Nigerian women. The political process would be fairer and more representative.

“Thus, we call on the Ninth Assembly to stand tall and be on the right side of history; to immediately look into how they can redress this gross imbalance that has seized a country of an estimated 200 million people, where women do not have a voice.

“Let our men in the National Assembly, do the needful to reverse this unfortunate situation, so history will look favourably upon them. The world is watching and history is being written as we speak.

“We urge all women: to contact their representatives in both Chambers, and urge them to have a rethink on what can at best be described as unfair and unjust. Let us reject bias and discrimination. And let us do what we know are the right measures for the progress of our country.”

The people of Nenwe in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Saturday, passed a vote of confidence in Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his uncommon leadership style, development strides in the state, peaceful disposition, interventions in security, political empowerments and educational facilities in the community as well as his approach to governance anchored on fear of God, vision, love, peace, humility and generosity.

The Nenwe people gave the endorsement when they paid a thank-you visit to Governor Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, on Saturday.

Presenting a communiqué issued by Nenwe stakeholders after a crucial meeting at Aninri West Development Centre, Nenwe, Air-Vice Marshal Christian Chukwu (Rtd.) informed  Ugwuanyi that the people of Nenwe are happy with him and “are completely loyal to you Your Excellency.”

“We sincerely appreciate you for seeing that Nenwe produced her first House of Assembly member in the history of Nenwe town. We are happy with your relationship with our House of Assembly representative, Hon. Okwu Chinedu and all your appointees from Nenwe town. And we hereby hand them over to you as your sons and daughters”.

Appreciating the governor’s interventions in provision of educational facilities in schools in the community, the Nenwe stakeholders comprising Royal Fathers, all the Presidents General of the four autonomous communities, all village Chairmen and their executives, academicians, Business Moguls, Artisans, Civil Servants, public office holders, Diasporas, among others, said: “We are witnesses to your numerous developmental projects across all parts of Enugu State, especially some forgotten rural communities.

In his speech, the member representing Aninri Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Okwu (Otaka), eulogised Ugwuanyi’s leadership qualities describing him as “the most peaceful governor in Nigeria.”

The lawmaker pointed out that this was the first time his people interfaced with a governor in a large number, adding that “it was made possible because we have an accessible governor.”

Stakeholders of southern senatorial district in Cross River State have said that Governor Ben Ayade as the leader of All Progressives Congress in the State has the right and authority to give direction to the party in the state.

The Southern stakeholders including Chief Asuquo Ekpeyong, Princess Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Etubom Bassey Eyo Ndem, Chief Sam Bassey, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, Hon. Joseph Bassey the State deputy Speaker and a host of others on Saturday met at the Transport Hotels in Calabar to state their position following agitations from some persons over the pronouncement governor Ayade made, declaring that his successor will come from the Southern senatorial district.

In a press conference text titled, “Cross River State Governorship 2023: Our Unwavering Commitment to the Back to South Agenda”, read by Princess Florence Ita-Giwa they said, “The governor remains the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and indeed the Southsouth region and has the right and authority to give direction to the party in the state. We thank the governor for this direction which he has provided and we stand with him firmly on this.”

The text continued, thus: “We thus, express our solidarity with the governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade for his total and unwavering commitment to the return of power to the Southern Senatorial District come 2023.”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the leaders and people of the southern senatorial district are aware that no senatorial district can on its own make a governor, that is why we are committed to ensuring that we work harmoniously with the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts in achieving our desire for power to return to the southern senatorial district come 2023.

“We further wish to state that all the three (3) senatorial districts know that our demand for power to return to the southern senatorial district is equitable, justiciable, fair and is the proper thing to happen at this time.

Furthermore, we will like to use this opportunity to call on all well-meaning Cross Riverians to rise in support of power rotation and return of power to the southern senatorial district come May 29th, 2023.

“We are convinced that every well-meaning Cross Riverian in our state is aware that our state has witnessed continuous peace and stability as a result of power rotation from one senatorial district to another since 1999 till date.

“We wish to reassure Cross Riverians and residents of Cross River State that the southern senatorial district made up of seven Local Government Areas has men and women with impeccable character, institutional memory and requisite experience to govern Cross River State and provide purposeful leadership that will take our state to enviable height.

“We wish to issue a clarion call to all Cross Riverians and people of goodwill and friends of Cross River State to join hands with the Southern Senatorial District to achieve the return of power to the district as one good turn they say deserves another.”

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has expressed his administration’s commitment to collaborate with the National Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) to harness the investment potential in the state.

Diri stated this when he received a six-man delegation led by the NIPC Executive Secretary, Mr. Emeka Offor, in Government House, Yenagoa, at the weekend.

The Governor identified some key projects the state could partner the NIPC to promote and attract investments.

He said with Bayelsa having the longest coastline in the country, there are tourism benefits accruable from it and lamented the inaccessibility of the Brass Local Government Area, which hosts the Nigeria Agip Oil Company and other strategic federal projects.

Diri stated: “We have the longest coastline in the country. However, how have we been using that advantage? In what way has the federal government assisted us in maximizing that opportunity?

“A loan facility has just been approved by the state assembly for us to kick-start the construction of the Nembe-Brass road, a federal project, which has been on the drawing board for over 50 years.

“One area we also need your collaboration is in development of the Agge deep seaport, which would decongest the Lagos and other ports in the country.

“We also have a five-star hotel started by the immediate past president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, when he was governor of the state. My predecessor tried to do something on the project. We would like to partner with you to get investors to complete it and make it functional.”

Diri said Bayelsa remained one of the most peaceful states in the country with a functional airport and highlighted other efforts in infrastructure provision to make the state an investor-friendly one.

He urged the commission to set up its south zonal office in Bayelsa to liaise with the Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA).

In his remarks, the NIPC Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Emeka Offor, said the commission had identified Bayelsa as one of the states to achieve quick-win results in its investment promotion drive.

Offor said in view of the proposed Brass fertiliser plant and other strategic projects to be sited in Bayelsa, the NIPC intends to initiate moves toward actualising such projects for job and wealth creation.

He said the commission planned to host an investment summit this year and urged him to participate in order to showcase Bayelsa’s investment potential.

Igbo intellectual group, the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), has launched a book in honour of the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, describing him as the best governor produced in the Southeast since the return of democracy in 1999.

The ADF also described Obi as the most visionary administrator in the region only after the former premiers of the former Eastern Region, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dr. Michael Okpara, former governor of old Anambra State Jim Nwobodo and his old Imo State counterpart, Sam Mbakwe.

The President of the Foundation, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, made this known at the unveiling of a book in Enugu titled “The Challenge of Good Governance and Leadership in Nigeria: Eight Years of Peter Obi in Anambra State.”

Nwala said the book was essentially not about the former governor as a person but about the exemplary and purposeful leadership he provided that remained a beacon of good governance.

According to him, the ADF was founded to rebuild and develop Igboland and restore the spirit of her culture and civilisation by encouraging research, documentation and social actions on various issues that affect the region.

He added that it was in view of the objectives that the group set out to write the book.

Nwala stated that the book was in view of the massive transformation Obi’s administration brought to bear in Anambra State through hard work, integrity, transparency, diligence, courage, commitment to duty and patriotism which the foundation is proud to identify with and to celebrate.

The ADF president said using the former governor as a role model is borne out of the testimony they garnered when the group undertook the industrial tour of Alaigbo, starting with Anambra State.

“This visit convinced us to research into Mr. Obi’s era as a model for leadership. The Great Zik and M. I Okpara had great initiative before and after independence. This led to the creation of Trans-Amadi, Emene, Aba Industrial hubs amongst other great achievements we are enjoying today.”

“Even after the war, leaders like former old Imo State governor, Sam Mbakwe and former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo followed their footsteps.”