The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Kalu not responsible for establishment of S/East Devt Commission – Onoh

    Kalu not responsible for establishment of S/East Devt Commission – Onoh

    President Bola Tinubu’s former campaign spokesman in the South East, Dr. Josef Onoh, has faulted ascribing the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu.  

    Onoh said that the credit should rather go to President Tinubu under whose administration the SEDC and similar commissions such as the North West Development Commission (NWDC) were made possible.

    He said that it was ridiculous for unknown persons to continue to mount the rostrum to dish out blatant lies in their bids to become praise-singers, noting that whereas the pursuit for the establishment of SEDC was holistic, major tribute should rest on Tinubu who exhibited the political will to sign the bill into law.

    He traced the establishment of SEDC to the 2023 presidential campaign when Tinubu made a courtesy visit to former Enugu Governor and a brief meeting was held at the Government House.

    “I recall former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi mentioned lack of federal government presence in the south east and our presidential candidate of the APC, now President Bola Tinubu, promised to enhance the development of the south east by creating a commission that will ensure strong federal presence in the region and fast track development. 

    “He further asked Governor Hope Uzodinma to coordinate with all the south east Governors for a meeting in Lagos to discuss issues affecting the south east to enable him understand the challenges of the region and how he can confront it if he wins the election. 

    “In attendance was the President, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Governor Engr. Dave Umahi, Dr. Josef Onoh (myself) and Chief Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, “Onoh recalled.

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    Onoh said that he was aware in the 8th Assembly, Senator Samuel Anyanwu on June 22, 2016 introduced the SEDC bill for first reading and passed through second reading one year after in June 2017, recalling Senator Stella Odua reintroduced the bill back in November 2019 and was passed by the National Assembly but was not assented into law by former President Mohammadu Buhari.

    He however said that he acknowledged the roles people such as Kalu and other members of the National Assembly played in bringing back the bill in the present 10th Assembly, but that the credit is not only for members from the south east extraction but for the entire parliamentarians in affirming the SEDC and NWDC Acts.

    According to Onoh: “The South East Development Commission Bill was not an achievement of Hon Benjamin Kalu as he has been touting it to be, it was through the cooperation of the entire members of the National Assembly. It was not just members of the South East caucus, but more appreciation should go to the president and not the credit for Benjamin Kalu.

    “It was President Tinubu’s plan to develop other regions, it’s so disappointing that it is only the SEDC act that they have been trying to attribute its success to only one person, whereas the North West Development Commission Act is not being ascribed to one person. The same manner, the Nigeria Delta Development Commission (NDDC) act and the North East Development Acts (NEDC) were passed and nobody made noise about them or tried to take the glory because they were collective efforts in national development.

    “I find it pathetic that individuals in some quarters are now trying to personalize the SEDC as their achievement whereas it was a collective effort and before then there was an engagement with the president and he assented to it, therefore it’s not an individual story. Members of the National Assembly of all regions contributed to it, but in particular is the Chief Executive, President Bola Tinubu who assented it into law.

    “It is therefore absurd for one person in the lower chamber of the National Assembly to assume glory. At this time all hands should be on deck to revitalize the economy of Nigeria rather than playing unnecessary politics. I’m shocked at the cheap politics, some characters are attempting to credit the success of the commission to the Deputy Speaker, not even to the then south east governors who have not come to claim credit for it.

    “Currently, the main focus of every elected politician is to join hands and support the president in tackling the current economic challenges facing the country and not personal glorification of any politician in particular aimed at next election.”

  • Host communities laud Dangote group for CSR, support to families

    Host communities laud Dangote group for CSR, support to families

    Dangote Group of Companies has been commended for its commitment to corporate social responsibility and support to host communities, particularly during this period of economic hardship.

    Three community groups – Obajana Development and Peace Club, Benue Youth Alliance for Good Governance and Lekki Development Initiative – in a joint statement expressed profound appreciation and commendation to the company.

    The groups praised the Dangote Group for its dedication to enhancing the lives of Nigerians through its various subsidiaries and philanthropic efforts.

    In the statement by Omeiza Adeiza, Jimi Odusote and Terser Tiza, they noted that the company’s contributions to the well-being of Nigerians are truly commendable and urged other organizations to emulate its example.

    “We are pleased to issue this joint press statement to express our profound appreciation and commendation to the Dangote Group of Companies for its unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility and support to host communities, particularly during this period of economic hardship.

    “As the largest conglomerate in West Africa and one of the largest on the African continent, the Dangote Group has demonstrated an unrelenting dedication to enhancing the lives of Nigerians through its various subsidiaries and philanthropic efforts. The company’s contributions to the well-being of our people are truly commendable, and we urge other organizations to emulate their example.

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    “The Dangote Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the Dangote Group, has been instrumental in contributing over $100 million in charitable funds to several causes in Nigeria and Africa over the past four years. This is a testament to the company’s commitment to giving back to society which has enabled its growth and success.

    “Recently, the Aliko Dangote Foundation distributed over 1 million bags of rice across host communities and beyond, providing succor to many families affected by the current economic hardship. This gesture is a clear demonstration of the company’s empathy and concern for the welfare of Nigerians.

    “Furthermore, the Dangote Group has launched a novel Internship Scheme for students of tertiary institutions in the country, providing them with a one-year internship fully funded by the company. This initiative will not only provide practical and hands-on job experience but also equip the students with the necessary skills to excel in their chosen careers.

    “In addition, the company unveiled various empowerment programs, including skill acquisition, scholarship, farming techniques training, and empowerment of vulnerable women in its host communities. This is a clear indication of the company’s commitment to enhancing opportunities for social change and promoting quality education and economic empowerment.

    “We are particularly impressed with the company’s ‘Host Community Day’ initiative, which has brought joy and succour to many families in its host communities. The initiative has provided a platform for the company to interact with its host communities and understand their needs, thereby enabling it to tailor its corporate social responsibility initiatives to meet those needs.”

    The groups pledged support to the Dangote Group in its quest to make Nigeria a better place for all and called on other corporate organizations to follow in its footsteps.

    The statement further described the company as a shining example of corporate responsibility and philanthropy in Nigeria and looked forward to continued collaboration and partnership with the company in their quest for a better Nigeria.

    “We believe that the Dangote Group’s commitment to corporate social responsibility is a model that other organizations should emulate. We call on other corporate organizations to follow in the footsteps of the Dangote Group and invest in the well-being of their host communities,” the groups added. 

    “We pledge our support to the Dangote Group in its quest to make Nigeria a better place for all. We will continue to partner with the company in its corporate social responsibility initiatives and provide a platform for the company to reach out to its host communities.”

  • APC vs LP: Rhodes-Vivour’s comment has vindicated Kalu, says group

    APC vs LP: Rhodes-Vivour’s comment has vindicated Kalu, says group

    The Democratic Vanguard of Nigeria has stated that the recent declaration by Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the 2023 Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, that the party will “take over” the State in 2027, has vindicated Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

    In a statement by its President, Dr. Usman Haruna Gambo, the group flayed Obi Aguocha, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia-North/Umuahia-South Federal Constituency of Abia State and other Labour Party leaders and their supporters for attacking Kalu who they criticised after he called on Abia Governor Alex Otti to rejoin the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in a viral video. 

    Gambo stated that Aguocha and other LP members, who attempted to defame Kalu for urging his Governor to rejoin APC should now reconsider their actions, given that their party member has publicly boasted about taking over Lagos in 2027 without considering the will of the people.

    He urged Aguocha and the other LP leaders to apologise to Kalu, emphasizing that political marketing should not be used as a means to tarnish the reputation of others.

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    “The Democratic Vanguard of Nigeria, an umbrella organization of apolitical groups dedicated to upholding democratic principles in Nigeria, wishes to categorically state that the recent boastful comments by the 2023 Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, that his party will ‘take over’ the state in 2027 has vindicated the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu,” the statement began.

    “Ironically, Rhodes-Vivour made these remarks in Abia State, where Kalu had called for Governor Dr. Alex Otti to rejoin the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that was criticized by the Labour Party.

    “The hypocrisy surrounding Rhodes-Vivour’s comments demonstrates the biased and sentimental approach of the Labour Party. It is concerning that the party criticized Kalu for suggesting Governor Otti rejoin the APC, while applauding Rhodes-Vivour for his vow to take over power in Lagos in 2027. This highlights a lack of regard for the people, who ultimately hold the power to choose their leaders.

    “Furthermore, we call on Obi Aguocha, the Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia-North/Umuahia-South Federal Constituency of Abia State, as well as other Labour Party leaders and supporters, to reflect on their unjust criticism of Kalu and issue an apology to the Deputy Speaker if they have any integrity.

    “The same people who sponsored e-rats to attack Kalu over his comment have suddenly gone dumb now that Rhodes-Vivour has said worse. Labour can say they will take over Lagos Government House in 2027 but APC cannot say they will take over government house in Abia in 2027; what’s different from what Rt. Hon. Kalu said? The wailers should be seen now attacking attacking Labour Party. Their failure to do that means they were all paid e-eats. Rhodes-Vivour came to Abia and boasted that the Labour Party will chase APC away in 2027, and we are watching to see if the self-acclaimed ‘defenders of democracy’ will drag each other for sounding ‘undemocratic’ like they accused Hon Benjamin Kalu.

    “We wish to commend the Deputy Speaker and his supporters for the maturity they demonstrated during the unjust attacks from LP leaders and their supporters.”

  • APGA chair knocks Okorie over threat to Anambra governor

    APGA chair knocks Okorie over threat to Anambra governor

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Sly Ezeokenwa has cautioned the founding chairman of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie, against accusing Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo of plans to destroy APGA.

    Okorie’s fallout with the governor according to him is as a result of Soludo’s refusal to align with the party’s factional chairman Edozie Njoku.

    Briefing reporters in Abuja, Ezeokenwa explained that Okorie and his members had long ceased to be members of APGA since 2007.

    He said: “As far as we are concerned, we are aware of the antics of these individuals. They believe that because APGA is in power in Anambra, they can blackmail Governor Professor Charles Soludo into immediately parting with state funds. It is on record that Soludo is an economist, not someone who will succumb to unnecessary shenanigans or gimmicks.

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    “He is not someone who will divert anything into private pockets. And that is their only issue. It is important that we begin to inform Nigerians about the real motives of these enemies of APGA. Their interest is simply to bury the party.

    “It is on record that Chekwas Okorie was expelled from APGA around 2004/2005 when he tried to frustrate the case of the then-governorship candidate of the party, Peter Obi, who later, by God’s grace, went on to become governor elected on the APGA platform. He tried to challenge his expulsion up to the Supreme Court, but the apex court affirmed it. So, at what point did he return to the party?

    “Furthermore, it is on record that, after that, he (Okorie) went on to form another political party, which he ultimately liquidated. Today, the same political party has been deregistered, and he feels that the only way to gain relevance is to start laying claim once again to the leadership of APGA.”

    Ezeokenwa also raised concerns that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) might have taken sides with the Njoku-led faction to undermine the party ahead of the state’s next election.

  • Lawyer accused of murdering 36-year-old man disrupts arraignment in Abakaliki

    Lawyer accused of murdering 36-year-old man disrupts arraignment in Abakaliki

    Alawyer, Sunday Ununu accused of murdering an orphan 36 years old man, Nnamdi Nwoke on Friday disrupted his arraignment proceedings at the Magistrate Court 1 in the State Judiciary Headquarters Abakaliki, calutak of Ebonyi State.

     Ununu who is the Principal of Bigbird chambers, a popular legal firm in Abakaliki.

    He was arrested two weeks ago and has been in police custody at the police headquarters Abakaliki after the bullets he fired from a pistol in his possession hit the late Nwite.

    The incident happened when a group, Izzi Unuphu Land Power of Attorney was celebrating their election for the new executives of the group.

    The Friday incident at the court was the third attempt to arraign Ununu this week in the Magistrate court 1 presided by Ojemba Isu Oko which all failed.

    In the Friday afternoon 6th September, 2024 incident, Ununu was docked and he walked out of the dock protesting that the charges against him were not properly entered.

    The drama which lasted for about two hours disrupted court proceedings in other magistrate courts within the Magistrate court 1 where he was arraigned.

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    After the drama, Ununu was taken out of the court in a branded black police operational vehicle to the police headquarters by armed policemen who brought him to the court while the Magistrate court one couldn’t sit on the matter.

    Ununu also granted interview with some journalists after walking out of the duck but the policemen came to the two journalists; Wilson Okereke of Daily Sun and Enyinnaya Omoke of the New Nigeria, seized their phones and deleted the interview as recorded in the phones.

    Meanwhile, a right group, Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) has petitioned Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun seeking transfer of the case file to force headquarters, Abuja.

    The CLO in a statement signed by Kindness Jonah of the Enugu unit of the organisation alleged that some disgruntled members of the extended family of the deceased were demanding clandestine settlement.

    They also alleged that some officers of the state police command are in the know of the notorious plot to cover up the matter and are now actively trying to circumvent justice by liaising for a quantifiable settlement without due process.

    “Barrister Sunday Ununu should be made to face the full weight of the law for callously cutting short the enterprising life of Mr. Nnamdi Ugo Nwite, and for even trying ”settling” with distant relatives of the victim without any modicum of regard for the nuclear family with aged mother, certainly due to their excruciating poverty level,” the petition read in parts.

    The petition was copied to Governor Francis Nwifuru, the state Commissioner of Police, family of Nnamdi Nwite, National Human Rights Commission among others.

    Spokesperson of the Police in Ebonyi, Joshua Ukandu dismissed the insinuations that the command was planning to cover the matter.

    “How can we cover the matter, is he not in our custody. On this issue of his arraignment, I don’t have the details. For now, I don’t know anything about that but I know he has been in our custody,” said.

  • Otti issues ultimatum to property owners to pave way for master plan

    Otti issues ultimatum to property owners to pave way for master plan

    The governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has issued a 90-day ultimatum to property owners in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state and its environs to regularise the registration of their properties.

    Otti said that the mandatory regularisation exercise was part of his administration’s resolve to develop a master plan for Aba and its environs.

    Otti, who spoke to journalists in Aba, listed Aba North, Aba South, Osisioma, Obingwa and Ugwunagbo local government areas of the state as areas that would be covered by the planned master plan project.

    He said that the designing of a master plan for Aba and among other nearby local government areas of the state has become long overdue, lamenting that many property owners erected their building without government’s approval.

    Otti, represented by Uche Ukaeje, the Director General of Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), said that the exercise would help the state to take stock of properties in the city and enable her to plan well.

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    Ukeje revealed that the exercise is basically about collection of data and not for internally generated revenue drives.

    He said, “In the modern world it is difficult to plan without data. If you want to site schools, hospitals, markets and social centres the first question they will ask you is what is your market and who are the people you want to serve.

    “As it stands today we don’t have the answer because most of the things happened outside the system.

    “We don’t have information of the number of houses we have and number of people we are serving, so if want to build hospitals we cannot say that this part of Aba requires more than the other part of Aba, that information does not exist, so what we are doing basically is to provide the government with information we need to serve the people better.

    “Ordinarily when residents built houses without approval, there are penalties that should be paid when we want to regularise, but the governor in his wisdom and magnanimity has done Christmas early for the city of Aba.

    “He is offering a 90 days moratorium to the city of Aba for people to come and get approval for any kind of building they have done without approval.”

    Speaking of the fees to be charged for registration of a building, Ukaje explained that the local governments involved were divided into sections, adding the cost of registration will depend on the value of a property in a particular section of the town.

  • Akwa Ibom records five cases of Mpox

    Akwa Ibom records five cases of Mpox

    Akwa Ibom government says it has recorded five cases of Monkeypox across the state from a total of 30 samples collected for diagnosis.

    From the samples four cases were confirmed initially including three males and a female, ranging from  two, four, 12 and 41 years of age.

    Samuel Etuk, a disease surveillance and notification officer who is with the state ministry of health had earlier announced the confirmation of the four cases but has confirmed additional one case.

    Etuk, confirmed the first four cases during the Media Review Meeting organised by the Breakthrough Action Nigeria (BA-N) in collaboration with the State Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme (STBLCP), held in Uyo, the state capital.

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    On a WhatsApp group, he announced the confirmation of the additional new case. “Good morning everyone. We have another positive case of Mpox bringing the tally to five confirmed cases in the State,” he said.

    He had reported that contact tracing for any transmission was conducted while the affected persons had been placed in isolation.

    He said 10 community informants had been engaged per ward to work in catchment areas, reporting to the health facility focal person who in turn would forward the same to the local government disease surveillance and notification officers for an onward report to the Ministry of Health.

  • Abia’s First Lady pays N3m hospital bills of patients

    Abia’s First Lady pays N3m hospital bills of patients

    As part of activities to commemorate the 2024 International Day of Charity, Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti has paid the hospital bills of six indigent persons totalling over N3million at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

    She has equally assisted above 50 traders at Orie-Ugba market in Umuahia with cash to improve their businesses.

    Speaking after handling over the proof of payment to the management of Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia First Lady said the gesture is in line with the agenda of Governor Ale Otti led administration towards improving the welfare of the people.

    The Abia Governor’s wife appreciated the dedication of the management and staff of FMC and urged them to continue their service of saving lives.

    At Orie-Ugba market, where fifty traders benefitted from cash gifts, Mrs Priscilla Otti hinted that the market would be rebuilt to enable them trade in a conducive environment.

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    Also speaking, the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Blessing Ngozi Felix, explained that the beneficiaries of the hospital bills had since been discharged but could not afford the bills until the intervention of the governor’s wife.

    In their responses, some beneficiaries of the largesse of the wife of the governor including Michael Udoh, Odiwonma Finest and Odiwonma and Caroline Akachukwu among others  thanked the wife of the governor for the kind gesture extended to them and prayed God to bless her.

  • IPOB vows to avenge murder of unarmed coordinator

    IPOB vows to avenge murder of unarmed coordinator

    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the killing of its unarmed coordinator, Mazi Emeka Akubuo, by the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG) in Osumenyi, Nnewi South LGA.

    The IPOB Directorate of State on Friday in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful described the murder as “dastardly” and vowed to avenge the death.

    “The late Mazi Emeka Akubuo was murdered in cold blood by a soulless and notorious Anambra Ebube Agu group called AVG. What was his crime? His only crime is being a member of a non-violent freedom movement fighting for the freedom of Biafrans.”

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    The IPOB has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to fish out the perpetrators and prosecute them for murder, failing which the group will take action.

    The IPOB emphasised that its members are peaceful and unarmed civilians fighting for the freedom of Biafrans.

    “We cannot be working to set our people free while some people are killing their saviours to please our collective enemies. Biafrans must hold this Igbo saying dear at this critical time, Igwe bu ike,” Comrade Emma Powerful said.

  • Imo Govt launches Operation Zero Potholes in Owerri

    Imo Govt launches Operation Zero Potholes in Owerri

    Potholes have long plagued major roads in Imo State, including Ihiagwa-Nekede Road, Aba-Owerri Road, and World Bank Road, causing frustrating traffic jams and rough rides for commuters.

    But relief is finally in sight.

    The Imo State Government has launched “Operation Zero Potholes,” a comprehensive road rehabilitation project aimed at eradicating potholes and ensuring a seamless driving experience in Owerri, the state capital.

    The government said on Friday that the project, which is currently underway, aims to rehabilitate roads in the Owerri metropolis, ensuring a smooth and seamless driving experience for commuters.

    “We are committed to creating a better environment for our people, and the rehabilitation of roads is a critical step in achieving this goal,” said Prince Eze Ugochukwu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment.

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    He said that the project has already shown significant progress in the New Owerri area, where many roads are now motorable and providing drivers with a smooth ride.

    Residents have expressed their gratitude for the initiative, praising the government’s efforts to address the issue of potholes in some areas of the city.