The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Boycott Anambra poll, risk years of bad governance – Cleric

    Boycott Anambra poll, risk years of bad governance – Cleric

    Founder and Leader of Living Christ Mission Worldwide, Owelle Ebo Onitsha, Anambra State, Most Rev. Prof. Daddy Hezekiah has cautioned against boycott of the November 6 governorship election in the state as being canvassed in some quarters.

    He said any attempt to boycott the poll would negatively affect the development of the state as well as create opportunity for wrong candidates to be hoisted on the people.

    Speaking during the celebration of his 54th anniversary at the church headquarters, the cleric advised citizens to vote according to their consciences and avoid gratifications from politicians.

    Read Also; Anambra 2021: Churches at war over governorship candidates

    He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to resist any attempt to compromise the process to ensure free, fair and credible election.

    He said: “I am urging every eligible Anambra voter to go out en mass and vote peacefully to elect a credible candidate they like. Let no one boycott this election or cause anything that will generate trouble in the state.

    “I also urge INEC to conduct a free and fair election. The officials should not compromise with any candidate, but should realize that posterity will judge them.”

    While decrying growing insecurity across the country, including wanton killings of innocent persons, Hezekiah urged President Buhari and state governors to join forces towards stopping the unnecessary carnages.

  • Direct primaries will end godfatherism – Osifo

    A former presidential aspirant and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Stanley Osifo has expressed optimism that adoption of direct primaries to choose candidates for all elective positions will check the practice of godfatherism in Nigeria politics.

    Speaking with The Nation in Benin-City, Edo State capital yesterday, the politician said the system would also bring politicians closer to the grassroots and enhance people’s participation in the process of choosing their leaders.

    The Nigerian Senate included direct primaries in the Electoral Reform Bill 2021 passed by the Red Chamber on Tuesday that political parties in Nigeria should adopt the system to choose candidates for all elective positions and should be monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

    Read Also; Allow political parties decide mode of primaries – Ortom

    Osifo said with the experimentation of direct primaries in the last convention of the APC and the emergence of Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu as flag bearer of the party in the last year gubernatorial election, the system remains the best practice of choosing candidates for elections.

    Taking swipe on the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, over the statement that direct primaries is an attempt of rolling back democracy in Nigeria, the Edo born politician said anybody kicking against direct primaries needs to get back to school to study and understand the true meaning of democracy that it is not government by the few and for the few.

    He described indirect primaries as a backward and corrupt system of government, saying the Nigeria opposition party should accept the current reality which is the best for the people and democracy development.

    “Just imagine in the past, as a card carrying member of a political party, you don’t know how candidates of your party emerged and yet you’re a party member.

    “For those saying it’s expensive I don’t see what’s expensive in it because the one that was conducted in Edo State did not involve the kind expenses some people carried out when they had indirect primaries when millions of naira was being spent to bring delegates in and to procure so many other things,” he submitted.

  • Sundry Foods’ presence in 26 states boosts economy

    Sundry Foods’ presence in 26 states boosts economy

    One of Nigeria’s most public food figures, Sundry Foods Group says it has contributed immensely in growing the economy of the country, by creating several outlets in 26 states, leading to creation of job opportunities for Nigerians.

    Head, Marketing, of the Group, Nduka Mokwunye, disclosed this during the official opening of Stand Alone Pizza Jungle in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    According to him, the Group has established pizza jungles in 26 states in the country and has a significant number of workers, who were trained to contribute to the growth of the economy.

    He stated that the organization has a large business concentration in Port Harcourt, and other parts of the country, adding that the state capital is the flagship of Pizza Jungle.

    Read Also: High interest rates ‘ll kill Nigeria’s economy, ACF warns

    Mokwunye said: “We have 26 pizzas Jungle stores and each store has a significant number of employees. I can say that we have contributed immensely to the economy of the nation. By creating outlets and experience centres, we are also employing people and training them.

    “We have a huge concentration of our businesses in Port Harcourt, as well as other regions of the country. Since our business started here, we want to start the standalone here. We are doing the test-run here to make sure everything works well.

    The reason we have also chosen this area of Port Harcourt is that it is a high traffic area.”

    The Head, Marketing, further disclosed that the firm wants to carve a niche in industry by ensuring that customers get services commensurable to their money.

    He explained: “What sells us out is the quality of our products. We are particular about experience, especially around consumption of our products. We want to create a lifestyle out of our brand. We see pizza as something people consume as part of their lifestyle. We are not just selling pizza, we are selling our lifestyle through pizza.

    “We have 26 pizza jungle stores across Nigeria; but, this (Port Harcourt outlet) is the first stand flashes store in Port Harcourt. Twenty-five of the Pizza stores are inside the Kilimanjaro in Delta, Aba, Abuja, Lagos, Asaba, Benin City, etc.

    “We are not just an option for consumers, we are creating experiences around consumption of pizza. Our contribution is to make customers aware that they can get more beyond consumption because to a large extent, consumers tend to focus on only the value they get from the products.

  • Ex-DIG, Ekpoudom emerges 21st President Uyo Lions Club

    Ex-DIG, Ekpoudom emerges 21st President Uyo Lions Club

    The Former Deputy Inspector General of police, DIG Udom Ekpoudom, has emerged as the 21st President of the Lions Club to pilot its affairs within two years.

    Ekpoudom, who was sworn into office yesterday in Uyo, took over from Arch. Lawrence Bryce with commitment to boost the strength of the group.

    Addressing the group, the ex-DIG commended the organization for finding him worthy to pilot the affairs of the organization, assuring that his wealth of experiences and passion to help the poor would be articulated.

    He stressed that Lions Club was neither a cult nor clandestine group, but a service organization with full dedication to uplifting particularly vulnerable poor in the rural areas.

    “I am very much exacted today on the level of trust Lions Club International has on me by electing me and subsequently swearing me into office to lead the organization.

    “A lot of people have a wrong notion of what Lions Club is about or stands for. Many believe that this group is a cult group or one of such clandestine groups and it is very wrong to think about Lions Club in such a dark dimension.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Lions Club is an international organization which was founded in 1917. It is a service-oriented organization with passion and commitment to help the vulnerable poor. They have saved millions of lives across the globe including Nigeria,” he added.

    Meanwhile, the District Governor of Lions Club, Mrs Lynda Odu-Okpeseyi lauded the efforts of the organization by constantly pooling resources together to assist the poor.

    According to her, the group has erected structures like libraries, clinics and residents, adding that they have fed over 25 million Nigerians, cleared hospital bills of so many people in the country and even provided life enhancing  equipment to people with disabilities.

    However, Odu-,Okpeseyi called on well-to-do and highly placed Nigerians to join the club, to ensure the sustainability of the vulnerable poor who occupy a good part of the country’s population.

  • Two held for alleged public show of porn videos in Rivers

    Two held for alleged public show of porn videos in Rivers

    Two members of a suspected entertainment company in Port Harcourt Rivers State, ‘E-Motion and SHAEZ NG Ltd’  allegedly allowed blue film to be shown on their billboard at strategic Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt, the state capital, have been arrested by the state police command.

    The suspects, Segun Emmanuel and Kingsley Benjamin are an engineer and a security man respectively in the company.

    A statement by the spokesman of the command, Nnamdi Omoni, yesterday said, the arrests followed their roles in the showing of such content in the open, to the embarrassment of unsuspecting people of the state.

    Omoni noted that the duo would be charged to court as soon as investigations into the matter were concluded.

    He said, “the Rivers State Police Command has arrested the duo of  of E-Motion and SHAEZ NG Ltd whose acts and omissions led to the display of a pornographic video on (LED) screen Billboard at Garrison Port Harcourt on October 14, 2021 at about 6 o’clock in the evening.

    “The suspects who have confessed their complicity in the crime, are currently cooling their heels and helping the Police in Investigation and will be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.”

    The Superintendent of Police(SP) reassured Nigerians of the safety of the state. “So far, the state is peaceful and everybody goes about their lawful activities uninterrupted.”

  • Imuse leads Edo APC

    Imuse leads Edo APC

    Edo chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Col. David Imuse (rtd.) as chairman through consensus.

    The Edo Central Senatorial District’s vice-chairman of APC, Chief Francis Inegbeneki, who indicated interest to challenge Imuse, eventually stepped down at the eleventh hour.

    Lawrence Okah also returned as secretary while Tony Adun, aka Kabaka, whose multi-million naira hotel in Benin was demolished by Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged as the youth leader.

    The Congress was attended by a former National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; another former Governor Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor; Edo governorship candidate of APC in September 19, 2020 election Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his running mate, Alhaji Gani Audu as well as the representative of Edo North Senatorial District, Senator Francis Alimikhena.

    Read Also; Three factional chairmen emerge in A’Ibom APC

    The chairman of Edo Organising Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Ramalan, said 1,080 delegates from 18 local government areas were accredited for the congress but consensus option was agreed upon by the stakeholders.

    Inegbeneki said after series of meetings, he decided to drop his ambition, stressing that unity was needed in Edo APC to produce the Governor in 2024.

    Oshiomhole appreciated Inegbeneki for stepping down while stating that Edo youths were excited with the election of Adun as the youth leader.

    The former national chairman of APC also expressed optimism Imuse’s team would lead the party to victory in 2023 and 2024.

    Osunbor hailed the harmonious congress while assuring that APC would continue to wax stronger.

  • Female politician succeeds late Rivers Council Chairman

    Female politician succeeds late Rivers Council Chairman

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a female politician, Dame Anengi Barasua, as the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area of the state.

    Barasua, who was the Vice-Chairman of the council,  was sworn in at the Government House, Port Harcourt following the death of the former council Chairman, Mr. David Irimagha in September.

    Wike said he was shocked when he learnt about the sudden death of Irimagha, who he described as one of his staunchest supporters in Bonny and the State.

    He urged the new chairman to continue with the laudable projects initiated by her predecessor aimed at improving the wellbeing of the people of  Bonny.

    He said: “Go ahead, continue with the projects he started and even initiate new ones. It is an opportunity for you to showcase your leadership. There is nothing stopping a woman from ascending to the highest position. You never can tell what other opportunities will come if you perform better.”

    Wike advised the council chairman to work in unison with critical stakeholders in Bonny led by  the Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Mr. Rodaford Long-John.

    “I have never heard of political crisis in Bonny in terms of leadership, I don’t want to also hear of  it. Keep the place together. Work with the leadership.”

    “I don’t want you to go there and divide Bonny or create new structure for yourself. It will not work. The leadership must be there. Keep Bonny united. Make sure that you work for the development of Bonny.”

    The governor charged the council chairman to work assiduously for the growth and  development of  Bonny Local government area.

    He disclosed that the state  government would play active part in the burial ceremony of late Irimagha.

    Dame Barasua promised to adhere to the vision of her predecessor and to offer the council good governance.

    “I will look up to God for wisdom and strength to carry Bonny forward . I will uphold the vision of my late boss and add mine. And by the grace of God, I am going to give Bonny people good governance”, she said.

  • Army dispels fears as explosion rocks Eburutu barracks in Calabar

    Army dispels fears as explosion rocks Eburutu barracks in Calabar

    An explosion has occurred in Eburutu Barrack in Calabar Cross River State where some nearby buildings were rattled amidst fear of a possible terror attack and some residents seeking medical attention..

    But the Army authorities at the 13th Brigade, covering the Eburutu Barracks issued a statement after the explosion on Friday saying they were carrying out a disposal of expired explosives in the Barracks.

    A statement issued by the Information Department of the 13th Brigade headed by Captain Aluko Tope read in part:: “The 13 Brigade Nigerian Army would be conducting a disposal of expired explosives at  the Shooting Range Calabar from 14 to 17 October 2021.”

    The statement further explained that the exercise was a routine military exercised aimed to detonate expired explosives.

    It urged residential members around the Eburutu Barrack, particularly, those in Ikot Effangha, Ikot Ansa,and Lemina communities. advising those in the said areas “to stay off range area during the exercise.”

    It then urged the general public not to panic from sound of explosives but go about their lawful daily activities.

    Reacting, residents of the area described the Army’s statement as belated.

    A resident identified simply as Edet, who lives at the Lemina community lamented that the explosion affected his building, saying: “Why are (Army) they bring the statement today 15th to announce that the started on the 14th. they should be more honest.’’

     

  • Bayelsa govt allays tax fears as enumeration of property, lands begins

    Bayelsa govt allays tax fears as enumeration of property, lands begins

    Bayelsa State Government has clarified that the enumeration of lands and property it has embarked upon is not a means to collect taxes from indigenes and residents of the state.

    The government had commenced the property and lands enumeration in Yenagoa, the state capital and its environs during the week.

    The state government declared that the exercise was for the purpose of proper planning and economic growth in the state and not for tax purposes as being insinuated in some quarters.

    The state government, through the Bayelsa State Geographic Information System (BGIS), however, denied that the exercise was designed for tax collection.

    The government insisted that the exercise was to further promote the urban renewal project of the present administration in the state and that it would last for three months.

    Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo, while speaking during the kick-off of the exercise at the BGIS headquarters, said the property enumeration was long overdue in the state to assist in accurate planning and growth.

    Ewhrudjakpo, who was represented by the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Esau Andrew, noted that the exercise would be the first attempt by the state to get the accurate data of properties in the state capital

    “For Bayelsa to achieve greatness, it must get the accurate data needed for growth,” the Deputy Governor said.

    Also speaking, the Managing Director of the BGIS, Igo Assembly Goin, said the land and property enumeration was the answer to years of yearnings for accurate data for planning, socio-economic activities and development.

    He stated: “The exercise is to correct the shortfalls noticed in the needed accurate data of the state.

    “The property and land enumeration exercise is meant to create data base for lands and property, break old records and create new ones. The exercise is basically a property and land assessment project which seeks to provide accurate and up-to-date information on lands and properties in the urban towns across the state for planning and development.

    “It will further facilitate the urban renewal programme of the present administration.”

  • NDDC Board: Stop politicising fortunes of N-Deltans, Ex-militant leader warns Akpabio

    NDDC Board: Stop politicising fortunes of N-Deltans, Ex-militant leader warns Akpabio

    Former militant leader, Chief Kingsley Muturu, has warned the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to stop playing politics and facilitate the inauguration of the substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

    Muturu, a peace ambassador and Delta state chairman, Phase 2 of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, gave the warning, yesterday at Bomadi, Delta state, saying that Akpabio was playing on the intelligence and strength of Niger Delta youths.

    He said: “Our critical examination of Akpabio and his politics shows that he’s playing on the strength and intelligence of Niger Delta youths in his tactical delay in inaugurating NDDC’s substantive board, despite the series of calls.

    “We have given him enough time according to his earlier plea to allow him put things in order, but that time has already elapsed without Akpabio showing any sign of compliance with his promise.

    “This deliberate act of Akpabio is certainly politicking with fortunes of Niger Deltans for personal gains, and we have decided that it will not be condoned by ex-agitators whose agitations facilitated birth of the Commission.

    “The under-development of Niger Delta is not a generational curse, it’s the handiwork of bad leaders and I advised Akpabio to stop politicking with NDDC, he should face his job at the ministry.

    “I urge President Muhammadu Buhari to end the nightmare by ordering Akpabio to do the needful for the inauguration of the board without further delay, else all blames should be heaped on Akpabio if the situation gets out of hand”.