Category: South East

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma yesterday swore in 17 commissioners.

He performed the ceremony at the new Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri.

Uzodimma in March dissolved his 28-member executive council (exco), retaining nine commissioners in the first major exco reshuffle since assuming duty on January 15.

He said the dissolution became necessary to rejig and re-energise the system for maximum productivity.

Swearing in the commissioners, the governor urged them to salvage the economy.

He enjoined them to refrain from acts capable of maligning the image of the state, saying they should rather consolidate on its already achieved shared prosperity.

Uzodimma said his administration had impacted positively on the people in terms of education, security and infrastructural development.

He took the opportunity to announce the creation of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, which, according to him, is aimed at bringing development nearer to the grassroots.

The commissioners and their portfolios are: Prof. E.J.C. Duru – Environment, Dr. Prosper Ohayagha Success Obinna- Health, Prof. Sylverster Ifunanya Okorondu- Education, Dr. Anthony Christian Mgbeahuruike- Livestock,  Kezie Ogaziechi- Survey, Rex Anunobi- Transport, Dr. Love Ineh- Housing, Mrs. Ruby Emele- Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Simon Ebegbulem-Commerce & Industry, Dr. Okey Anukwuem- Special Duties.

Others are Chief Ford Ozumba- Labour /Productivity, Lady Ann Dozie- Power/Water Resources, Goodluck Opiah- Petroluem, Stanley C. Obidiegwu- Special Projects, Dr. Ugorji Okechukwu Ugorji- Homeland Security / Vigilante Affairs, Dr. Elias Emedom- Mines/Solid Minerals, Dr. Berth Okorochukwu- Agriculture and Hajia Rabbi Ibrahim- Humanitarian Affairs.

Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel has signed the 2022 Appropriation Bill into law, with a total outlay of N586.9 billion.

The budget, christened: ‘Redefining Standards’, was passed by the House of Assembly on December 2.

It has an increase of N4.766 billion, representing 0.8%, from the initial estimate of N582.115 billion presented by the governor on October 25.

The Appropriation Act’s size covers N261.963 billion of recurrent and N324.918 billion of capital expenditures.

Emmanuel, while expressing hope that funds will be available for optimum implementation, said: “We are believing that with God on our side, 2022 will be better than 2021.”

The governor said it became expedient to sign the bill early enough in the week to allow for smooth winding down of 2021 and take-off of 2022, considering nearness to Christmas, the accompanying holidays and envisaged reduced productivity of the state’s predominantly Christian workforce.

He directed that the Accountant-General, Pastor Andrew Essien, should ensure payment of salaries and pensions of public servants and retirees on or before Thursday, to support their Yuletide celebration.

Lagos-based philanthropist, who preferred anonymity, has donated mobility aids worth over N30million to the physically-challenged in Anambra State.

The aids, including 75 wheelchairs, five walking frames, 20 armpits and about 20 elbow crutches, were distributed to the beneficiaries under the aegis of Association for Comprehensive Empowerment of Nigerians with Disability (ASCEND).

The donor chose to celebrate the Yuletide for the physically-challenged in the state.

Making the presentation, ASCEND National President Chief Cosmas Okoli, who conveyed the items from Lagos to Awka, praised the donor for “moving by his appeals for assistance to vulnerable citizens nationwide.”

Okoli, a Lagos-based entrepreneur, advised his members to take their destinies in their hands, stressing that they had mental and creative abilities like others.

He urged the government and wealthy Nigerians, especially those from the state, to emulate the benefactor, in order to ameliorate the conditions of those living with disabilities.

He said: “Anambra State Government has never looked in our direction, either in form of welfare, employment for our members or for our children, training, scholarship, or assistance in any form.

“Our biggest problem is lack of government support. Many of us have creative and entrepreneurial talents waiting to be tapped. If you empower a disabled person, you are building the nation.”

Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Anambra State has elected an interim Chairman, Humphrey Nwafor.

Nwafor, the state Chairman, Non Academic Staff Union (NASU), was returned unopposed in a by-election conducted at the council’s secretariat in Awka.

Addressing reporters yesterday after the election, the returning officer, Igwebuike Jude, said that the by-election, which was a constitutional duty, followed unanimous declaration of the seat of the chairman vacant.

Igwebuike, who is also the state Chairman of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, said the former NLC boss, Jerry Nnubia, who had retired as a civil servant, seized to hold any position in the union, following the end of his tenure on September 16, 2021.

He said: “The State Executive Council met and declared the seat of the former chairman, Nnubia, vacant following his retirement from the civil service.

“It is a constitutional provision and it states that after retirement, you cease to hold any position in the union.

“Nwafor will, however, complete Nnubia’s tenure, which is not less than 13 months.”

Delivering his acceptance speech, Nwafor pledged to run an all-inclusive administration and ensure implementation of the minimum wage.

Reacting, the outgoing chairman, Nnubia, described the election as illegal and unconstitutional.

Major markets, government and privately-owned offices were yesterday in Aba, Abia State, shut, as residents continue to observe the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast.

It was, however, not the same situation in Umuahia, the capital, as economic activities went unhindered.

Our correspondent, who went round Aba, reports that major markets, including Ariaria International Market, Cemetery Market, Shopping Centre, among other markets, remained closed.

Investigation showed that while traders stayed away from their shops, roadside traders took advantage of the situation to make sales.

There was, however, improvement in intra-city and inter-city transportation, as commercial transport companies recorded huge patronage.

Banks and other financial institutions did not open for customers, who were forced to perform other transactions, using their Automated Teller Machines (ATM) cards.

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has renewed his call on youths to embrace skill acquisition programmes, in order to be self-reliant, rather than depending on handouts from politicians.

Speaking in Yenagoa yesterday at the graduation of 814 students of Diri Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme, the governor said the programme was in line with the prosperity agenda of his administration.

Also yesterday, he launched the training and empowerment of 317 others under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) scheme.

Diri said true progress comes from hard work.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as restating the desire of his administration to support similar empowerment programmes, to improve the economic fortunes of youths and the state.

The governor advised youths to shun crimes and take advantage of government’s programmes to give their lives a meaning.

He hailed the initiator of the scheme, Mrs. Charity Godwin, for changing the narrative about Constituency 4 in Southern Ijaw from being an area known for crimes to an entrepreneurial one.

The Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Mr. Federal Otokito, described the event as remarkable in the life of the administration, saying it is in line with the governor’s determination to end political praise singing and raise entrepreneurs.