Category: South East

In continuation of the traditional and spiritual activities, Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba Ewuare II, has performed Ugie-Otue (Oba’s rite) in his palace.

Ugie Otue (Oba ceremony) is a rite, which offers opportunities for categories of palace chiefs, functionaries and guilds to pay homage and declare allegiance to the Oba.

The rite also allows palace chiefs and functionaries, according to their endowments or hierarchical order to get kolanuts gifts from the Oba in recognition of their commitment and loyalty over the years.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those in attendance adhered to the COVID-19 safety protocols

Police and other security agencies have been urged to withdraw checkpoints at the Onitsha end of the River Niger Bridge to ease the gridlock caused to the motoring public.

Mr. Chima Christian, a public affairs analyst, made the call in Awka yesterday while reacting to the complaints of traffic congestion on the bridge.

He said this has become imperative, given the increase in vehicular traffic into the Southeast as a result of people returning home for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Good Governance advocate called on the governments of Anambra and Delta states to prevail on the security agencies to temporarily withdraw the services of their operatives deployed on “stop and search” operations at both ends of the Niger Bridge.

According to him, “complaints of the traffic situation at the Niger Bridge is so deafening. Somebody said he spent six hours driving from Lagos to Delta State, and then five hours from Asaba to Onitsha.”

Christian said the already messy traffic situation was compounded by the presence of security operatives deployed in “stop and search operations” at the two ends of the Niger Bridge.

“As more people pour into the Southeast for Christmas and new year celebrations, I implore the governments of Anambra and Delta states to work with relevant authorities to temporarily withdraw the services of those uniformed men and women on the Niger Bridge.

“If the multiple security checkpoints between road users’ different points of origin to the Southeast did not flag them as criminals or offenders of any known law, I’m not exactly sure what miracles those security deployments at the Niger Bridge are expected to perform.

“Except if the idea is to cause nuisance and increase the sufferings of road users.

“I hereby respectfully call on Governors Okowa and Obiano to rise to the occasion, temporarily withdraw “stop and search” security operatives deployed at both ends of the Niger Bridge, and make access to the bridge free this festive season,” he said.

Mr. Adeyemo Ajani, the Federal Controller of Works in Anambra, had also called on the police to relax checkpoints on federal roads to enable motorists have smooth movement on some of the fixed roads.

He said: “They don’t seem to understand the importance of free flow of traffic, the road blocks mounted on that road constitute nuisance, sometimes the traffic stretch from Oba to that bridge and others in Awkuzu and other places.

“They should relax these checkpoints and allow free flow of traffic around the state, especially during this Yuletide,” he said.

The Federal House had, on December 16, called on the Inspector General of Police to dismantle checkpoints on roads leading to the Southeast from Lagos and Abuja.

The Green Chambers made the call following a resolution on the motion moved Mr. Obinna Chidoka, PDP, member representing Idemili North and Idemili, titled: “Motion for the Disbandment on Multiple Security Checkpoints on Roads Leading to the Southeast Region”.

A group of youths has urged the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, to join the 2023 presidential race.

The group, Chibuike Amaechi Crusaders 2023, said at the weekend that the former Rivers State governor was qualified to seek the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The National Coordinator of the body, Zerubbabel Daniel, said Amaechi had the right political clout and pedigree to take Nigeria to an enviable height.

“A leader is the person who knows the way and leads the way. Therefore, Amaechi has over the years demonstrated the capacity of a leader, who knows the way and can also lead the way”, Zerubbabel said.

He said as the race for the 2023 presidential election gathered momentum, the country was in need of a leader like Amaechi.

Zerubbabel said the country required a leader that would advance the gains and achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari in the fight against insurgency, poverty, child and human trafficking and ethno religious rivalry and political concern of sections of the country.

He said a one-million man march had been scheduled by his group to further mount pressure on Amaechi to join the presidential race.

Zerubbabel said the march was scheduled for the first quarter of next year across the six geo-political zones of the country, to demonstrate their support for the minister.

The National Secretary of the organisation, Mohammed Isiaku, urged youths to prepare themselves for the Amaechi one million march, beginning from Kaduna State.

A middle-aged woman was yesterday crushed to death, while two others were seriously injured in a lone crash along Igboukwu-Oraifite road in Anambra State.

The crash, which occurred in front of St John Catholic Church around 9:15 am, involved an ash Toyota Camry with registration number ENU63AR.

An eyewitness said the speeding driver lost control and rammed into three pedestrians in front of the church, killing the woman on the spot.

Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Adeoye Irelewuyi, attributed the crash to excessive speed and loss of control.

He sympathised with the bereaved family, warning the motoring public to desist from speeding. He said they should maintain a safe speed limit.

Said he: “A fatal road traffic crash occurred at St John Catholic Church, by Igboukwu-Oraifite road, yesterday at about 09:15hrs.

“The lone crash involved an Ash Toyota Camry (private) with registration number ENU63AR.

“Ten people comprising three men and seven women were involved in the crash. One woman was killed, while two women were injured.

“The injured victims were conveyed to Nnewi Teaching Hospital where one woman was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.

“The FRSC rescue team on ground managed traffic and ensured that the obstruction caused was cleared.”

Bayelsa State Government has read the Riot Act against perpetrators of cult activities, drug peddling and other crimes in the state.

To this end, the government had indicated its readiness to handsomely reward youth leaders who play outstanding role in collaborating with security agencies to get rid of cultists and drug peddlers in their communities.

Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo disclosed this at separate meetings with youth leaders from Southern Ijaw and Sagbama Local Government Areas in Yenagoa over the weekend.

Underscoring the relationship between substance abuse, cultism and criminality, he said the present administration would leave no stone unturned in its determination to reduce crime to the barest minimum in the state.

Ewhrudjakpo called on the youth and community leaders to emulate the leadership of Imiringi Town in Ogbia Local Government Area who recently invited and supported security agencies to flush out drug dealers and criminals terrorising their community.

Ewhrudjakpo, who charged the youths to cooperate with government in the fight against kidnapping and other criminal activities urged them not to allow illegal crude oil refining popularly known as “kpo fire” in their areas.

He stated: “I told the youths of Ekeremor and Kolokuma/Opokuma the other day, and I’m repeating it today, that any youth president that makes his community free from crime of cultism and drug abuse will have an award from my office.

“This is one way we can use to encourage you to be part of the fight against crime. We have to fight to protect the future of our state.

“Those who are into criminal activities are few in any society. So why must we allow them to hold all of us to ransom. This government will not allow that. We are determined to do everything within our reach to flush them out from our communities.”

In their contributions, the Governor’s Special Representative of Southern Ijaw, Hon Ogili Temple, and his Sagbama counterpart, Hon Tamarabere Oguoh, commended the present administration for making the Yenagoa-Oporoma and Sagbama-Ekeremor road projects a priority.

On his part, the Chairman of Southern Ijaw LGA, Chief Nigeria Kia, represented by his vice, Mr Parkinson Ogede, pledged to work harder to curb security challenges in the area.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC Central Zone, Comrade Clever Inodu, called on the youths of Bayelsa to take a decisive stand against electoral violence, vandalism of government property and other crimes in their communities.

On their part, the service Commanders including the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ben Okolo, the Area Commandant of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), ACM Bashir Oladosu and the State Director, Department of State Security, Mr Femi Akin, appealed to the youths to cooperate with security agencies in the interest of peace and development.

The Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has urged Abians to celebrate Christmas with a full understanding of its significance in the life of the average Christian.

The birth of Christ, according to the governor, is about the most important event in Christianity, since it was the beginning of the redemption of mankind.

Governor Ikpeazu assures the people of Abia State that his administration has taken critical steps to ensure that our people are able to take part in the celebrations through the release of about N3.5billion to deal with the issue of salaries of some ailing parastatals and pensioners, maintain that the mainstream civil servants have continued to be up to date in receiving their salaries.

The governor assured the State work force of the determination of his administration to continue to mainstream the issue of welfare of workers in the State.

The governor further assured that contractors have been mobilised to resume work on major road projects, especially in Aba, promising Abians that the current dry season window will be fully utilised for massive rehabilitation of key roads.

According to the governor, the first quarter of 2022 will witness a massive turn around in roads and other critical infrastructure, and thanked the people for their patience so far.

He also announced that his administration has set aside funds which will go to the affected traders directly to the tune of N150million as a form of assistance to those traders whose businesses have been affected by the reconstruction of the markets.

The governor prays the Almighty God to grant the people of Abia State a peaceful celebration this yuletide season.

Dr. Alex Otri in his special Christmas message captioned “Alive to Celebrate the Birth of Christ”, Otti expressed joy and gratitude to God for protecting millions of Abians and preserving them throughout the year in spite of the numerous socio-political and economic challenges that confronted the nation and humanity as a whole.

Dr. Otti specifically recalled the security and health challenges which gravely threatened and continue to threaten Nigerians and expressed immense appreciation to God for not allowing the Covid-19 pandemic to wreak the kind of havoc that was experienced in the year 2020.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has cautioned security agents against intimidating motorists and passengers traveling from different parts of the country to the Southeast for the festive season.

In a statement by the Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group alleged there were attempts by a particular “security agents to deliberately, molest, and delay motorists of Igbo origin with evil intention of falsely accusing them of being members of IPOB/ ESN, or label them sponsors of ESN so that they will be maimed or get slaughtered in the process.

“We urge all security agents to put human face while carrying out their operations in the southeast, as there are mechanisms put in place to checkmate all manner of recklessness and unprofessional conduct from any erring security agents as those caught will be made to face the consequences of their actions.”

Ndigbo returning home for the Christmas and New Year holidays should be aware of the perilous time and insecurity challenges facing Igbo in the Southeast. With the situation on the ground, it’s advisable for all Igbos to desist from flamboyant and opulent lifestyles that might attract unnecessary attention from criminals and security agents. Any Biafra insignias, flags, and uniforms are highly prohibited and forbidden right now in the Southeast. We wish to remind Ndigbo that Military Operation Golden Dawn is still on to quell the rebellion against criminals and agitators. All must carry identity cards for means of identification and should be calm whenever being confronted by security agents.”

Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel has warned political aspirants against riding to power on the wings of violence, saying such persons will experience violence throughout their tenure in office.

The governor who stated this in his Christmas Day broadcast to the people of the state, urged Akwa Ibom indigenes and residents to resist and reject trouble mongers in 2023.

The governor stressed that Christmas symbolises peace which his administration has always promoted and maintained and would love his successor to holistically embrace m

“Anyone and I repeat anyone, who, for selfish political purposes, wants to reverse this peace, must, and will be rejected, anyone who aims to grab power through the instrument of violence must be stopped and rejected.

“And let me even add, anyone who aims at getting power by using violence against his or her people, will end up ruling with violence. May the season of peace which Christmas represents, never see our State go through such politically-motivated years of violence again,” he said.

He noted that his administration has achieved a lot in virtually all the sectors of governance because of his focused and result-oriented leadership style.

“I continue to ensure that issues concerning education, agriculture, health care or the social infrastructure are given the prime attention they deserve.

“We owe our children the responsibility of preparing them to be competitive in an information technology-driven world; we owe them the right education to make them future employers of labour, as opposed to being job seekers.

“The new world that is unfolding  before us, is one where students  learn and imbibe entrepreneurial spirit and skills, aimed at freeing them to explore the world and take a slice of it, through the marketable skills they have acquired.

“We remain committed to ensuring that we produce, and at an affordable price, the staple food items for our people, through the robust investments we have made in agriculture.

“Our healthcare delivery service remains top in our agenda. We promised to remodel, construct and equip with modern amenities General Hospitals in all the Ten Federal Constituencies. We have successfully done nine; the last in Ikot Abasi is currently on-going”, he said.

On electricity, Emmanuel said he remained committed to provide Power for All by December 2021, which actually means the provision of electricity to the 2,274 gazetted villages that make up this State.

“As I speak, out of the 2,274 gazetted villages, only 265 villages yet to be connected to the national grid, that’s about 92 percent score in this regard.  We hope to connect the remaining 265 villages to the national grid as soon as possible, thus meeting our target in this regard.

“This is a huge achievement that no State and I repeat no State can match. This is absolutely the best in the nation and I stand to be corrected. We came to serve; to work diligently and quietly to improve the material and living standards of our people and nothing will distract us from achieving those set goals,” the governor promised.

There was wild jubilation in Imo State Secretariat Friday, December 24, as workers received their 13th month salary as promised by Governor Hope Uzodimma.

As alert of the payment started hitting their phones from Wednesday and continued till Friday, hundreds of the excited workers congratulated one another with hugs even with many of them describing Governor Uzodimma as a miracle worker.

Governor Uzodimma had Tuesday, December 21 during a meeting with workers in the State promised to pay them 100 per cent of their basic salary as 13th pay, the first of such intervention in the history of Imo State.

Although Friday was supposed to be a half day work for the civil servants, out of excitement, many of them stayed beyond that to continue to discuss the positive development.

For example, Mrs Olivia Ejirimka who works with Owerri Municipal Area council said it was the first time she was witnessing the payment of 13th month since she started work many years ago.

“My brother, when the Governor made that promise, my attitude was like let’s wait and see. Now that he has fulfilled it, help me thank him, “she said.

Similarly, Mr Ezekiel Chukwuka of the Ministry of Finance described the 13th month salary payment as “the greatest miracle of 2021.”

According to Chukwuka, “what the workers were praying for was to get our December salaries, not knowing that our action Governor had another surprise for us.”

While commending Governor Uzodimma for the gesture, Mr. Chukwuka pleaded that it should be a regular feature every year.

Also, Mrs Oby Amadi-Obi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma for being a caring father to workers in the state.

She had recalled that on assumption of office the governor embarked on renovation of the Imo State Secretariat and without wasting time, proceeded to provide the junior workers with free transportation.

Mrs. Amadi-Obi described the payment of the 13th month salary “an icing on the cake of good package for the staff by the Governor.”

On Thursday when the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) paid a thank you visit to Governor Uzodimma in his office, they expressed gratitude to him for redeeming his promise to pay 13th month salary to the workers.

Chairman of NLC in the State, Comrade Philips Nwansi, had told the governor during the visit that the 13th month payment was the first in the history of Imo State.

In furtherance of its efforts to ensure adequate security of lives and property in Enugu State during this festive period, the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday, directed the 1,700-Brigade Personnel of the Forest Guards and the entire Neighbourhood Watch Associations in the state to continue to collaborate with the security agencies in providing adequate security in all the communities.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information, Steve Oruruo, the Enugu State Government made “a clarion call to the people of the state and all road users to appreciate the tremendous sacrifice and concerted efforts of the security agencies towards curbing the menace of heightening insecurity within the South East geopolitical zone.”