The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Ex-agitators hail Dikio for repositioning Amnesty programme

    Ex-agitators hail Dikio for repositioning Amnesty programme

    Former Niger Delta agitators, under the auspices of Third Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), have hailed the Interim Administrator of PAP, Col. Milland Dikio (rtd.), for demonstrating enough capacity and courage in the reformation of policies and programmes of the scheme.

    The National Chairman, Third Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, Tonye Bobo, gave the commendation yesterday at a news conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    He said Dikio’s ‘train, employ and mentor model’, which he introduced to the programme by deploying over 400 delegates in Bradama International, Agadaba, Ondo State, had transformed the lives of many ex-agitators.

    The former militant leader praised Dikio’s efforts in deploying students in reputable institutions of higher learning across the country and abroad.

    He said: “We therefore urge Dikio to remain focused on his fundamental objectives of repositioning the programme and making lives meaningful for the delegates.

    “We equally eulogise Dikio in the area of entrepreneurship development, which enables beneficiaries to access loans from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in partnership with NIRSAL/AGSMEIS.”

    Bobo noted that it was indeed not a mere coincidence that Dikio had been blazing the trail since his assumption of office by repositioning PAP and the action had impacted on the delegates in many positive ways.

    He, therefore, called on youths in the region to take advantage of the opportunities provided by PAP and shun acts inimical to growth and development of the region

  • PDP, APC, 15 others vie for Enugu council poll

    PDP, APC, 15 others vie for Enugu council poll

    Seventeen parties will participate in the February 23 local government election in Enugu State, the Chairman of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), Dr. Michael Ajogwu, has said.

    He spoke yesterday in Enugu at a media round-table programme organised by the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), ahead of the poll.

    Ajogwu, represented by a commissioner in ENSIEC, Mr. Solomon Udeh, said the parties, which included the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), among others, would contest the election, which would hold in the 17 councils and 260 wards.

    Responding to a question on the use of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), Ajogwu said the commission had no plan to deploy the machines due to logistics and finance.

    Promising to organise a transparent, free and fair election, the ENSIEC boss said one of the logistics of poll was finance, “and the usage of the device was not captured in the commission’s budget.”

    He, however, assured stakeholders that BVAS would be used in subsequent local government elections.

    On which of the APC factions the commission was working with ahead of the election, Ajogwu said it was awaiting the resolution of the crisis in the party.

    He, however, disclosed that for now, the commission was working with the three factions, hoping that they would resolve their crisis within a reasonable time.

    “We are handling their files and if they resolve the crisis among themselves, we will know what to do.

    “We are in constant communication with the national leadership of the APC. If we get their response, we will get the appropriate faction informed,” Ajogwu said.

    He said the electoral umpire had between February 2 and 10 to conclude the compilation of names and data of candidates.

    Ajogwu said ENSIEC would ensure that result sheets were made available at all the polling units across the state during the election.

  • Abe: I’m consulting to get stakeholders’ input for 2023

    Abe: I’m consulting to get stakeholders’ input for 2023

    A former federal lawmaker who represented Rivers Southeast, Sen. Magnus Abe, has said he wanted to ensure that stakeholders were on one page before he would declare his intention to run for the governor in 2023.

    He spoke yesterday after a consultative meeting with his kinsmen at his Bera hometown in Gokana Local Government.

    It was attended by elders and members of the Bera Council of Chiefs.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain said he took the step to avoid mistakes that could stall his ambition.

    He said: “I have come here today, in continuation of my consultations with stakeholders, to chart a way forward for our political journey.

    “I have consulted with the Bera community and members of the Council of Chiefs and they have encouraged me to go forward without fear and contest the governorship seat of Rivers State in the 2023 general election.

    “The consultation will continue until we get inputs from stakeholders.

    “At the appropriate time, after due consultation, we shall make the outcome of the processes known.”

  • ‘Engage governor-elect in inclusive governance’

    ‘Engage governor-elect in inclusive governance’

    A group, the Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Onitsha, Anambra State, has urged stakeholders in the state to engage the governor-elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, in inclusive participatory governance.

    JDPC, in conjunction with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), United Kingdom, said such engagements would generate developmental issues capable of transforming the state.

    Speaking yesterday during visits to the Anambra State Association of Town Union (ASATU) and Girls’ Voice in Governance (GVIG), Onitsha, the Project Manager, Alphonsus Nwoye, said promotion of good governance remained one of the group’s primary responsibilities.

    He listed areas of engaging government to include sustaining campaign against drug abuse, encouraging women participation in politics, early/forced marriage, girl-child-out-of-school and gender-based violence.

    Nwoye said: “We also advocate policy education, government facility ownership, patronage, monitoring and reporting in communities for follow-up with relevant government authorities.”

  • Wike urged to join presidential race

    Wike urged to join presidential race

    People following Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike on his Facebook page have urged him to join the 2023 presidential race.

    The over one million commentators appreciated the progress of work at the site of the Nabo Graham-Douglas campus of the Nigerian Law School. They said the governor had lived up to his nickname as Mr. Project.

    Pictures showed advanced stages of skyscrapers under construction at the Law School campus, which Wike had said would be the best in the country.

    The governor wrote: “I went on an inspection of the Nabo Graham-Douglas campus of the Nigerian Law School, Port Harcourt.

    “The structures are coming up beautifully and we expect the campus to be completed by the middle of the year.

    “The facilities under construction comprise 14 structures, which include 1,500 capacity classroom blocks, hostel blocks, students’ multipurpose hall, 16 units 3-bedroom flat staff quarters with a swimming pool, gymnasium and lawn tennis court.”

    “Other facilities on the campus are library, moot court/law clinic building, sick bay, administrative block, cafeteria and sporting facilities for students.”

    Most commentators were surprised that a project that began last July had reached such an advanced stage.

    Rowland Ilenre, who described Wike as talk-and-do governor, advised him to declare his intention to run for the president

    He said: “You have been tested and we trust you. Declare your intention. 2023 is your turn to pilot Nigeria safe and blessed.”

    Blessed Peters asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to do the needful by handing over its presidential ticket to Wike.

  • Obaseki inaugurates eight commissioners today

    Obaseki inaugurates eight commissioners today

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki will today inaugurate eight commissioners, confirmed on Monday by the House of Assembly.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Osarodion Ogie said yesterday in a statement that the inauguration would be held at the New Festival Hall of the Government House, Benin.

    He said: “It is hereby announced for the information of the public that the commissioner-nominees confirmed by the Assembly on Monday will be sworn in by the governor on Wednesday.”

    The commissioner-nominees are Chris Nehikhare, Omololu Ojehomon, Afishetu Braimoh and Stephen Idehenre.

    Others are Osasere Evbuomwan, Donald Ojemeh, Okojie Newton and Jonathan Lawani.

  • Edo warns against indiscriminate waste disposal

    Edo warns against indiscriminate waste disposal

    Edo State Government has warned residents to desist from indiscriminate refuse disposal.

    It said improper waste disposal in drainages and water channels might render the huge investment made by the government in flood alleviation ineffective.

    The Project Coordinator, Edo State Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (Edo NEWMAP), Dr. Tom Obaseki, during an inspection of the Ogiso-Osunde flood control site in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government, expressed displeasure about the huge pile of waste scattered along the newly- provided drainage.

    He urged citizens to support government’s efforts in tackling flood and erosion and improving the living standard.

    Obaseki said it was unbelievable that residents, who had suffered consequences of yearly flood, would fail to recognise the importance of the drainage system provided by the government by disposing waste in the drainage.

    Said he “For years, the people of this community suffered the ravage of yearly flooding before the government under the leadership of Governor Godwin Obaseki heard your cries for help and responded through Edo NEWMAP intervention.

    “But look at what you are doing now to the flood alleviation infrastructure newly-provided for your community. This is not acceptable.”

    The project coordinator enjoined community leaders as well as landlords and landladies hosting NEWMAP infrastructure and other government projects to assist in the maintenance and protection of the facilities.

  • ‘Lifting Twitter ban has boosted Nigerian businesses’

    ‘Lifting Twitter ban has boosted Nigerian businesses’

    The lifting of the ban on social media platform, Twitter has boosted many businesses in Nigeria, an aviation industry entrepreneur, Ifeanyi Onukwubiri has said.

    In a chat with reporters in Warri, Delta state, he noted that the seven-month ban in Nigeria affected “businesses globally”.

    Onukwubiri who is the chairman of a local and international flight firm, lauded President Mohammadu Buhari for lifting the ban.

    He also called on the federal government to create policies that will make the aviation industry more attractive for young people to delve into.

    “A report on the cost of internet shutdowns in 2021 estimates that Nigeria lost $1.45 billion as a result of the seven-month Twitter ban, making it the second worst hit country by an internet shutdown.

    ”Out of this $1.45 billion, we in TMT, a company that deals on travels, had our fair share as our clients on Twitter were shutdown completely.

    “But I thank Mr. President for his wisdom in listening to the voice of reasoning. The good news is that after lifting the ban, businesses at all sectors are bouncing back. Better days are ahead,” the young entrepreneur said.

    He further advised young Nigerian entrepreneurs to be patient and diligent in their businesses, pointing out that “no legitimate business takes a sudden flight to success”.

  • Anambra traders protest non-conduct of election

    Anambra traders protest non-conduct of election

    About 200 traders from Ogbogwu Bridge-Head, Onitsha, Anambra State yesterday stormed Awka to protest non- conduct of election in their union.

    They gave Governor Willie Obiano one week ultimatum to conduct election or face their wrath.

    Before invading the Ministry of Trade and Commerce office in Awka, the protesters had marched on Onitsha streets to register their grievances over continuous use of a caretaker committee to run their affairs.

    They assured Obiano that they would support whoever emerged as winner of the election.

    The protesters’ leader, Mr. Leo Ezevuo, presenting the group’s position to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Ike Chinedu, recalled that the election had been scheduled about six times in 2020, 2021 and February 2022, but was cancelled for no reason.

    He said: “The atmosphere in Onitsha is tense. But we have been appealing to our members to remain law-abiding. Traders at Ogbogwu are very peaceful. All we want is a credible election.

    “We will support whoever emerges at the end of the day. For the past five years, our elections have been rescheduled.”

    “We are imploring our governor to intervene. We don’t want a caretaker committee again.”

    Chinedu urged the traders to be law- abiding.

    He assured them that their grievances would be looked into and acted on after being presented to the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Chief Uche Okafor.

  • IYC, youth groups hail Diri on infrastructure development

    IYC, youth groups hail Diri on infrastructure development

    Members of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) and other youth groups in Bayelsa State have hailed Governor Douye Diri for his impressive and silent achievements in infrastructure and youth empowerment.

    The groups, under the auspices of the Bayelsa Eminent Youth Leaders Forum (BEYLEF), gave the commendation yesterday after a tour of some of the road projects executed by the current administration.

    BEYLEF said some of the project sites toured were the popular Elebele bridge, the 4.58km Igbedi road project, the Nembe Unity bridge, ultra-modern transport terminal, Onopa bridge, the ongoing Gloryland drive, the AIT link road and the 21st Century Media complex.

    The coalition said that the projects were commendable and beneficial to the people.

    BEYLEF Chief Convener Ebilade Ekerefe said during a media interactive session at the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, Yenagoa that the groups comprised patriotic and people-centred mass movement.

    He said the decision to undertake an independent, self-funded and assessment of developmental projects was based on the need to have first-hand information about the projects executed and those still under construction by the current administration.

    Ekerefe noted that despite paucity of funds facing states, Bayelsa under the administration of Diri had become a huge construction site and with the inauguration of projects, which the state would witness in the next few days, the people would experience harvests of life transforming projects.

    He said the coalition also passed a vote of confidence in the governor and his deputy, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, after the assessment of the silent infrastructural revolution taking place in the state despite the dwindling finances.

    Ekerefe said the charismatic disposition and glowing leadership attributes had endeared them to the youth community, and were ready to continue to partner the government for prosperity and development.

    He described the last two years of Diri as one that had brought peace and harmony among stakeholders despite political infractions, saying the state had witnessed an unprecedented cooperation and political harmony.

    The governor yesterday declared the Education Summit for 2022 open at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) Conference Centre, Ox-bow Lake, Yenagoa.

    It is part of activities to mark the two years anniversary of the administration, organised by the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Wilder Perspectives Ltd.

    The summit theme is: ‘Optimising the Delivery, Performance and Sustainability of Outcomes in the Education Sector.’

    Diri said the 15-year educational development plan would fashion the educational needs of the state from the primary to tertiary levels.

    He said: “We are gathered here because we are aligned to believe in one significant thing, which is the power of education as a force for the good of all in our private lives and even the world over.

    “Our focus is on science and technical education. So, this summit is expected to provide a policy direction for us.

    “Your government has in one of its executive councils, adopted Kolokuma as the popularised language that we will all learn and speak, not undermining the other dialects.”

    In attendance also was former President Goodluck Jonathan, who delivered the keynote address and emphasised on the education policy that would make huge investments on the students from the primary level.