Category: South East

The Governors of Cross River and Plateau States, Prof. Ben Ayade and Simon Lalong as well as former governor Donald Duke and the Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi were among the dignitaries who attended the a valedictory session at the Cross River State House of Assembly in honour of Late Hon. Mike Ogar, a former speaker of the that legislature.

Speaker of Cross River Legislature, Hon. Eteng Williams presided over the session which also had representatives of the Conference of former Speakers of States Assemblies across the country.

Tributes where given by different persons such as the two governors in attendance, the Minister for Transport, former governor Donald Duke, Minister Rotimi Amaechi, Senator Sandy Onor and representatives of former speakers  from various zones of the country.

Ayade described late Ogar as a detribalised and highly committed son of Cross River State who bestrode the political scene like a colossus. He said he is particularly pained like the family is because when he learnt that Mike was sick, he intervened for him to get the best medical treatment. And just when it seems he was recovering, news came of his death.

Plateau State governor Simon Lalong said he came to pay respect as the Chairman of former Speakers of State Assemblies even though he is presently a governor.

He acknowledged that during late Mike’s term in office as Speaker of Cross River Legislature, he was a very strong member of the Nigerian Speakers’ Forum and after office; he remained an active member of the Conference of Former Speakers of Houses of Assembly.

Former governor Duke who late Mike served at the same time as Speaker of the legislature had kind words to describe the relationship between the legislature and the Executive at the time.

“Our memories of Mike will always be that of joy and laughter; an infectious laughter that came from his heart.”

Minister for Transport, Rotimi Amaechi joined many others to pay tribute and console the wife and children who were also in attendance for the special legislative valedictory session.

Unemployment and political gang-up have been identified as two key elements fueling insecurity in the country.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State said both factors which are also linked to poverty can be dealt with if concerted efforts are made at providing employment for the teeming unemployed youth and if the politicians accept defeat in good faith after election.

The governor spoke when members of the Course 30 of the National Defence College, Abuja on study tour of Imo State led by Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies, Major-Gen. Emeka Victor Onumajuru paid him a working visit at the Government House, Owerri on Thursday.

Addressing the team at the new Executive Chamber Government House, Owerri, Governor Uzodimma thanked the participants for their choice of Imo for the study as well as for deeming it fit to show solidarity with his government despite insinuations of large scale insecurity in the State.

The governor assured his guests that Imo State is now peaceful and lauded the role and resilience of the security agencies in dealing with insecurity, especially those who paid the supreme price in the process of securing the state.

Governor Uzodimma explained that the fight against insecurity requires joint and concerted efforts by all the states in the country and the Federal Government, emphasizing that “insecurity in one State or Zone will no doubt snowball into insecurity in other States and Zones.”

Giving a brief history of the creation of Imo State in 1976, the landmarks, population and resource base, the Governor noted that palm oil has remained a major source of livelihood as “it is produced in virtually all communities in Imo State.”

He said it is in recognition of the value the people attach to education that his administration has, within a short period, established two Universities – University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Umuagwo and Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University in Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State.

“The University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences is established to harness the several agricultural potentials of the State into industrial hub that will employ the youths of Imo State and at the same time provide them with skills and technical knowhow in agriculture.”

On the issues that led to insecurity in Imo, the governor said that “the causes are a combination of activities of bandits and political gang ups masterminded by politicians who ruled the state in the past and refused to accept defeat from 2019 election.” He regretted that politicians have learnt to take advantage of the vulnerability of unemployed young men and women, most of who are impoverished, to cause diverse problems of which lately, insecurity is one, not just in Imo State but the society at large. For Imo State in particular, he said the climax of insecurity was the recent infiltration of Owerri Correctional Centre by bandits who forcefully set free over 1,800 inmates that found their way into the street to continue with their nefarious criminal activities.

Governor Uzodimma is however unrelenting in tackling the problem of unemployment and by extension, that of insecurity.

He assured that when all the businesses, industries and firms are put together, the youths will be assisted to start their own businesses and even employ others while issues of insecurity would be a thing of the past.

Earlier in his speech, Major-Gen. Onumajuru said the visit was part of the Participants’ Study Tour and that the essence is for the participants to “understand the socio-political conditions and environment of the entire country- Nigeria.”

He said from what they had heard, Governor Uzodimma has committed a lot to secure the state and is still not relenting in ensuring adequate security of lives and property of the people of Imo State.

The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff to the Govewrnor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and other members of the Executive Council joined Governor Uzodimma to receive the guests.

Residents of Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State on Friday stayed away from their shops and business premises despite the calling off of the planned sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Our correspondent reports that Aba was near a ghost town as majority of residents stayed indoors even at the time of filing the report.

Visit to various parts of the bustling commercial town reveals that gates tp major markets including the Ariaria International Market, Cemetery, Shopping Center and among other markets were open but the traders chose to stay away from their shops.

Government offices, banks and other offices couldn’t open for administrative and economic activities as they joined residents to stay away from work and offices.

The usual hustling and bustling that characterises Aba especially on Friday’s could not be felt as the usual traffic witnessed on major roads disappeared.

The popular Aba motor park, abattoir and other major locations including Ojigwe road, Faulks road, School road etc were not with their usual human and vehicular activities.

A few security operatives were spotted at some locations including the popular St. Michael’s road in an apparent move to guard against individuals or group of people taking advantage of the state of the city to cause breach of peace.

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, have been nominated for the Bayelsa State Media Network Awards.

Diri and Gbajabiamila are among about 70 persons nominated for the award slated for December 26, 2021.

Other nominees are Hon. Tonye Isenah, member, representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency I, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Gentle Emelah, Commissioner for Education, Bayelsa State, Bright Ayebakari C.E.O Brikari Limited, H.R.M King Mala Sasime (JP) – The Obenibe XI Epie Kingdom, H.R.M Dr. Josephine Diete-Spiff, Prof. Brisibe Seiyefa, Prof. Benedict Binebai, among others.

Retirees in Cross River state on Friday marched across few major streets in Calabar and ended up at the Governor’s office where they blocked the office gate to protest their unpaid Pension and gratuity which has been outstanding for up to eight years.

The pensioners who prevented vehicular movement into the governor’s office said they were tired of hearing stories every time they asked for their entitlement.

They carried placards with inscriptions such as “Gov. Ayade Pay us our Pensions and Gratuity from 2013 till date.”  “Pensioners are dying every day because of nonpayment of pensions and gratuity.”

Chairman of Nigerian Union of Pensioners,NUP,  Calabar branch ,Dr Eyo Eyo said it was quite unfortunate the way retirees were being treated since July 2013 .

His words:” It will interest you to know that many of us have not received our gratuity as far back as July 2013.

“Many of us were last paid pension in 2020, while some 99 percent of us are being owed since September, we don’t understand the logic behind selective payment of pension and gratuity.

“Interestingly, many of the pensioners collect as low as 4,000, some get 7,500 while others get a little above 15,000 to 20000 which is amongst the highest, why are they still being owed.

“We are in a sorry situation, look at one of us in the floor ,he just collapsed , because he last had a good meal on Thursday morning , we have written countless letters to the governor through organised labour, we decided to come on our own ,to make our position known today.”

Meanwhile, Ayade has promised to establish what he described as a sinking fund to address the issue of gratuity to retiring civil servants in the state.

Ayade made the disclosure during the presentation of the 2022 fiscal appropriation bill before the State House of Assembly.

“We are going to present in the next Executive Council meeting, a request seeking the authorisation of the Executive Council to provide a sinking fund for the payment of gratuity,” Ayade declared.

Contained in the budget tagged “Budget of Conjugated Agglutination”, Governor Ayade hinted that “a minimum of N30 to N50 million from the budget will be set aside monthly and committed to the sinking fund so that in every two to three months, we will be able to make a payment out for gratuity.”

A teenage girl (name withheld) has narrowly escaped been stabbed on her private part by the wife of a traditional chief of Uvwie kingdom, for reportedly sleeping with her husband in a dream.

The suspect, simply identified as Tabuko, inflicted the wounds with a pair of scissors at her family home in Ugboroke community, Uvwie council area of Delta state, Tuesday night.

According to reports, the woman tricked the teenager into her home to perpetuate the crime.

It was gathered that on reporting the matter to the community authority, the youth president directed that the victim be rushed to a general hospital for treatment.

A relative, who clarified the issue on telephone with The Nation, Friday evening, said the victim was stabbed very close to her private region, on her behind and also injured with on her head.

He confirmed that she has been discharged from the hospital, but still have stitches on the body parts she was stabbed.

He also denied claims that the girl was having an amorous affair with the suspect’s husband, confirming the woman’s reported claim that she saw them (husband and girl) together in a dream.

An activist, Comrade Israel Joe, who spoke on the incident, said the matter was reported at the police Division in Ugborikoko and the woman was arrested, but later released.

When contacted, police spokesman, DSP Bright Edafe said “from the report I have, I know they fought and injured each other, but no stabbing.”

As part of measures to chart a way forward for Nigerian youths, the Federal Government has been charged to have an in-depth discuss on the EndSARS protest of October 2020.

Comrade Israel Joe, an activist and one of Delta State delegates at the National Youth Conference 2021 in Abuja, gave the charge while speaking at the three-day conference, which was declared open by Vice President Yemi Osibanjo.

The Minister of Youths and Sports, Sunday Dare was a key panellist, while his Labour and Employment, as well as Information and Culture counterparts, Dr. Chris Ngige and Alhaji Lai Mohammed; a delegation of the European Union (EU), among others were present.

Joe, while expressing concerns over the “action plan” of the conference which is to be presented to President Muhammadu Buhari, proposed that October 20 be declared National Youth Day and a public holiday, instead of November 1.

He insisted that the October 20 date will be more symbolic to the youths, as some sacrificed their lives in protest against police brutality and bad governance.

He added that this will save the government the burden of drafting security agents to the Lekki Tollgate and other areas of the country every October 20.

According to him, “if we do not discuss the difference that will make the difference in the conference, there is no difference with other conferences of the past.”

A truck driver on Thursday evening lost his life in a lone fatal accident along Ihialla-Onitsha expressway in Anambra state.

The crash which occurred at the entrance to Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Command in the area involved a Mark Trailer with two persons on board

An eye witness said the driver was crushed to death by his own trailer after jumping out from the vehicle on sighting a traffic jam occasioned by Police stop-and-search.

He said, “When the brake of the vehicle failed, the driver sighting hold up in front because of a police checkpoint, turned the vehicle to the bush.

“He jumped out but was unfortunately crushed by the vehicle he was driving. But the other passenger came out unhurt.”

Confirming the incident, FRSC Sector Commander, Adeoye Irelewuyi attributed the cause of the crash to brake failure.

He said the corpse of the deceased was deposited at the hospital morgue by FRSC rescue team.

While sympathising with the deceased family, Irelewuyi urged motoring public to ensure their vehicles were in good condition before plying the road.

He said, “A fatal Crash occurred at the entrance to FRSC Command Ihialla by Ihialla-Onitsha Express way today 4th November, 2021 at about 15:50hours.

“The crash involved one vehicle, a Mark Trailer Commercial, with no registration number. The cause of the fatal crash was attributed to brake failure. Two male adults were involved in the crash.

“The victim was rushed to Our Lady’s hospital Ihialla and was confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. His corpse was deposited at the hospital morgue by FRSC rescue team.

“FRSC personnel on ground managed traffic and ensured obstruction caused was cleared.”

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on receiving news of the unfortunate accident yesterday at Nza Street, Independence Layout, Enugu, involving a truck vehicle and Tricycles (KEKE), immediately visited the scene of the incident for needful intervention.

Ugwuanyi, who was accompanied by his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, thereafter proceeded to Posh Hospital, New Haven, Enugu, to empathise with the survivors and ensure that they receive adequate medical attention.

He therefore pledged to pay all medical bills of the accident victims and consequently made sufficient funds available with the hospital management to ensure the patients were properly treated without any hindrance.

He condoled with the families of victims who lost their lives in the accident and thanked those who rescued the survivors and brought them to the hospital for being Good Samaritans.

A police Sergeant, identified as Governor Akpos, has stabbed his colleague and cousin, Yerins Sapele, to death.

The deceased, who was also a police sergeant, was allegedly killed over a minor disagreement in Edepie area of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Sources close to the two policemen said both cousins attended a marriage ceremony at a popular hotel on INEC road in Yenagoa metropolis, where they had a minor joke that turned into quarrels.

It was learnt that Akpos who was said to be highly temperamental didn’t feel happy about the joke and reacted violently to it.

According to sources, they were almost engaged in fisticuffs, when friends stepped in and settled the two policemen.

It was further gathered that after peace between the two policemen was reached, the two brothers left the venue with belief that they were going to their separate homes.

It was gathered that despite the settlement, Akpos still harboured animosity toward his cousin.

He was said to have instead of going home, trailed Yerins to a secluded place and stabbed him with a dagger on the left part of the rib.

Yerins was said to have died instantly after the stabbing.

Investigation revealed that both Akpos and Yerins are cousins from Torugbene community, Delta State, but serving in Bayelsa State.

Spokesman for Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident.

He said the incident occurred on November 4 2021, at about 1900 hours at Edepie, Yenagoa.

Butswat stated: “It was reported that Sergeant  Akpoboloukeme ‘m’ stabbed his colleague, Sgt Sapele Eyerindideke ‘m’  over a minor misunderstanding. The corpse of the deceased has been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

“The accused suspect immediately fled the scene and attempted to flee to a nearby state before he was arrested at the Glory Land gate, Yenagoa.”

Butswat said the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Ben Okolo, had ordered the detention of the officer and a thorough investigation was underway.