Category: SouthEast

  • ‘Stop linking TB to spiritual attack’

    ‘Stop linking TB to spiritual attack’

    Executive Director, Grassroots Development and Empowerment (GRADE) Foundation, Dr. Patrick Amah, has advised the citizenry to always seek medical attention over symptoms of Tuberculosis.

    He gave the advice in Enugu during media training in Gender and Human Rights for Tuberculosis Programmes, organised by GRADE Foundation and Centre for Development and Reproductive Health (CDRH), with the support of Stop TB Partnership Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS).

    The one-day training with the theme: ‘Empowering Women Drives Change, Project for the Promotion of Gender for Transformative and Right based TB Programme’, involved journalists, on-air personalities, bloggers and content creators from Anambra and Ebonyi states.

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    The medical expert regretted that rather than seek medical help when infected by TB, some patients would spiritualise the matter, jumping from one church to another for solution.

    He said the training was targeted at equipping the media to assist in disseminating information about TB for those yet to be informed so they could start early to prevent the scourge.

    Executive Director, Centre for Development and Reproductive Health (CDRH), Dr Alobu Isaac, decried lack of infection control mechanisms at health facilities across the country.

    He said several health workers have lost their lives as a result of lack of control measures and negligence at hospitals.

  • Abia govt denies interest in controversial ancient monarch stool

    Abia govt denies interest in controversial ancient monarch stool

    Abia State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu, has dismissed insinuation that Governor Alex Otti has a preferred candidate in the Eze Aro enthronement tussle in Arochukwu Local Government.

    He made the clarification while addressing reporters at the Government House, Umuahia in company with the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu and other members of the Executive Council, who rose from the New Year Executive Council meeting chaired by Dr. Otti.

    Said he: “Governor Otti does not have interest in who emerges as Eze Aro. He  has no interest in who becomes the Eze Aro, he has no interest in the process. 

    “He is only trying to ensure the people obey the laws they instituted by themselves.”

    Nwachukwu said the interest of the governor was to ensure peace and tranquility in communities. 

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    He said: “What the government is trying to do is to ensure peaceful and harmonious existence in every community, according to the laid down rules and laws. 

    “These rules and the procedures of who emerges as Eze Aro, they were enacted by the people, not the government and they submitted them as part of their laws that these are the laws that govern our community.” 

    The commissioner added that the government was not trying to mandate them to do something different from their own rules.

    He said if the governor had any interest, he would have told his preferred candidate to go ahead and hold coronation. 

    Nwachukwu said he wrote a letter to the police and the two individuals involved were forced to reconsider their positions, regretting that even at that, one of them still went ahead and had his coronation done in secret.

    He narrated the scenario in the Eze Aro tussle and said for an Eze Aro to emerge, he must emerge from any of the families that could produce a king. 

    He said: “There are two families in contention in this instance, and once the kingmakers screen those who have presented themselves, whoever they choose, they now present to the Eze Ibom Isii, whose duty is to do the crowning. 

    “The duty of the Eze Ibom Isii is to do the crowning; his duty is not to choose. Now the committee, whose duty is to do the selection, finished with their selection. 

    “They had a candidate, but the candidate they produced was not the one the Eze Ibom Isii chose to crown. 

    “So at the time the Eze Ibom Isii chose the candidate as against the people, whose traditional authority was to produce a candidate, they raised the alarm and wrote a petition to the government.”

    Nwachukwu said it was at that point that a petition was written that the government told Eze Ibom Isii to suspend what he was doing, go back to the process and follow the procedure as established by the tradition of his people, which he flouted. 

    He said when Eze Ibom Isii failed to rescind his decision, he was suspended by the government according to law, adding that based on his refusal to rescind his decision and settle allegations that were being created in Arochukwu, the government established an administrative panel of inquiry to look into the matter. 

    He said the panel had concluded its assignment and had submitted its report to the government, who would study it and come up with a White Paper.

  • Otti’s, Ahiwe’s supporters hopeful ahead Supreme Court judgment

    Otti’s, Ahiwe’s supporters hopeful ahead Supreme Court judgment

    Supporters of the Labour Party (LP) and Abia State Governor Alex Otti have expressed optimism that he will emerge victorious at the Supreme Court, following the decision of the apex court to defer ruling on the 2023 governorship election petition to a yet-to-be disclosed date.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters have equally expressed hope that the Supreme Court judges will rule in their favour.

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    The Nation had reported that the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), High Chief Ikechi Emenike and PDP, Chief Okey Ahiwe, had gone to the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling of the Court of Appeal that sat in Lagos State, which validated the election of Otti as the winner of the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

    The supporters, who spoke to our correspondent after the Supreme Court yesterday listened to the lawyers of the three candidates, said they were not perturbed, but optimistic that the ruling of the court would go in favour of Otti.

    Ex-Commissioner for Trade and Commerce under former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu , Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, disagreeing with the position of Otti’s supporters, urged the Supreme Court judges to allow the will of justice to prevail.

  • NDDC urges monarchs to join Fed Govt’s anti-oil theft crusade

    NDDC urges monarchs to join Fed Govt’s anti-oil theft crusade

    • ’ National Assembly has okayed commission’s N300b 2024 budget’ 

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has urged monarchs in the region to assist the Federal Government and security agencies in curbing oil theft and pipeline vandalism.

    Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, made the appeal during an interactive session with members of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, at their headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    Iyaye, in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, urged the traditional rulers to play a key role in checking the activities of oil thieves in their domains.

    He said: ”We need the traditional institution to assist the government and security agencies to protect our oil assets. Your majesties, you have big roles to play to protect our oil assets and projects.

    “If there is no oil theft, there will be more allocation for the Niger Delta. I urge you all to try as much as you can to protect our resources and stop economic sabotage in our region.

    “We recognise the importance of the traditional rulers. Addressing this council today is a great privilege. It is like

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    addressing the entire Rivers State through traditional rulers, representing the 23 local governments of the state.

    “Rivers State is one of the major oil producers in Nigeria, contributing about 33 per cent of the oil revenue of the country. No government can afford to disregard the state.”

    Iyaye said the National Assembly had approved the commission’s N300billion budget, adding that the money would be deployed in the states in the region.

     He said: “I want to assure you that 2024 will be a better year for all of us. The NDDC board will meet with you again at the appropriate time to exchange ideas. 

    “The National Assembly has approved over N300 billion in the budget for the Niger Delta and the NDDC board will deploy the money for development projects in the states.”

    Rivers State representative on the board of NDDC, Chief Tony Okocha, said the current board would bring positive change in the region.

    He said: “NDDC has had a negative trajectory over the years, but we assure you that this new NDDC, through the initiatives of the current board will bring positive change. 

    “We have started the process of change, which conforms to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This interactive session is an indication that we have set the ball rolling.”

    Okocha lamented that Rivers State had about 953 uncompleted projects, noting that the interaction would help to find out what happened.

  • Obaseki launches construction of 9.7km Uwelu road, others

    Obaseki launches construction of 9.7km Uwelu road, others

    Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki yesterday launched the construction of 9.7km Uwelu Market Road with adjoining streets. The governor at the event said the project would benefit over 20 communities.

    He reassured the citizens of sustained efforts to open up more communities for economic activities and development.

    The governor, represented by the  Commissioner for Road and Bridges, Ethan Uzamere, an engineer; said the government, as part of the project, was developing a mini water storm project to address erosion in the area.

    He said: “This road is called Uwelu Spare Parts Road. We are doing a lot of adjoining roads around here. This is an old bypass road reducing traffic around here. We started working around one week ago immediately after the holidays to ensure this road is done well.

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    “The total lots apart from Uwelu Spare parts market road include nine adjoining streets, which amount to about 9.7km. We are using new technology; some of the roads are done with concrete technology with rigid pavement and we are doing some major mini storm water projects as well.”

    According to him, “the road will connect more than 20 communities, boosting economic activities in these areas. We have a major storm water project in the state and need to take water away from our roads as we have issues with water on our roads. We are focused on erosion control and also focusing on the mini water storm project around this area.

    “This Uwelu Spare Parts Road has been bad for a long time and over the years, palliative works have been done without great success. There is a major erosion issue with this road. That is what we are moving to solve immediately and when it’s solved the road will last for a long time.”

    The Chairman of Egor Local Government, Eghe Ogiemudia, commended the Edo State governor for prioritising the development of the area, noting: “The road is like a bypass connecting several communities.”

    She said: “We thank the governor for keeping to his promise of fixing this road. The people of Egor will work with the Obaseki-led administration to ensure he finishes strong.”

    The Chairman of Uwelu Spare Parts Market, Osa Collins, said: “For over 20 years, this road has not been motorable and we have lost customers and traders alike who have all moved to other markets in the state. The governor has done something great by launching this road as our unborn children will appreciate the governor for what he has done.

    “The governor made a promise last year when he came visiting and today he has kept to his promise as construction of the road has begun.”

    Others present at the event include the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Edo State Chapter, Comr. Odion Olaiye, youths and elders of Uwelu and Ogida communities, serving commissioners, permanent secretaries and traditional leaders, among others.

  • Media guru Lawal turns 72 today

    Media guru Lawal turns 72 today

    A stylist and an accomplished media-cum-public relations expert, Abdul-Lateef Olumide Lawal, turns 72 today.

    He was born into the family of Baba Abdul-Wahab Iyanda and Mama Rafatu Ayoka Lawal, both of blessed memory from Ede.

    However, Abdul-Lateef was raised from infancy by his late paternal grandmother, Alhaja Sinatu Abegbe, who was so fond of him that she was referred to as Iya Lati. 

    At 72, charismatic Lawal remains as fresh as a lily, despite the little health challenges he went through in the last quarter of 2023. He walked through the valleys of shadow of death, but Olumide trusts God. His faith in God was unshaken.

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    He is using this medium to thank God and people of goodwill for standing by him.

    Lawal served meritoriously in different capacities. He worked at Radio Nigeria, Ibadan; Nigeria Sugar Company in Bacita, Kwara State; Post and Telegraphs in Akure, Ondo State.

    He was at various times media consultant to the late Senator Isiaka Adeleke, whom he served as Executive Chairman, Directorate of Information Public Relations and Think Tank under the Governor’s Office. 

    He was also a consultant to Senator Yarima Sanni of Zamfara State, Cocoa Industry, Ede among other notable clients.

    He is reputed for his great skills in feature writing and documentary production.

    He is married and blessed with God-fearing children.

  • Edo 2024: Yakubu steps down for Ighodalo

    Edo 2024: Yakubu steps down for Ighodalo

    A two-time Esan North-East Local Government Council Chairman and governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), John Yakubu, has stepped down from the governorship race, declaring his total support for Dr. Asue Ighodalo, former Chairman of Sterling Bank Plc.

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    With the development, being the latest of endorsements for Asue Ighodalo, the frontline PDP aspirant is on the verge of becoming the party’s consensus candidate from Esan land.

  • NDDC commiserates with Aiyedatiwa on Akeredolu’s death

    NDDC commiserates with Aiyedatiwa on Akeredolu’s death

    The Chairman of the Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has led other members of the board on a visit to the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over the death of former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    A statement signed by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said Ebie spoke at the presidential lodge of the Government House, Alagbaka.

    Ebie recalled the invaluable contributions of the late governor to the development of the legal profession and his principled stand on national issues.

    “Ondo State is a vital part of the commission. We have come to offer our deepest condolences to the government and people of Ondo State on the loss of Aketi, a man of deep integrity, who made significant contributions, not only to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria, but also to the well-being of Ondo State,” he said.

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    Aiyedatiwa welcomed the chairman and his entourage and reflected on the great memories of his late boss.

    He hailed Akeredolu, describing him as a visionary leader with an unwavering commitment to truth and integrity.

    Said he: “It is a time of mourning, but we trust in God’s plan. Our late governor was a man of great honour. A visionary leader. A leader of integrity. He stood by his words, fearlessly speaking truth to power.”

    Announcing the state’s preparations for a befitting burial next month, Aiyedatiwa said Akeredolu’s death marked the transition of a remarkable figure, urging everyone to celebrate the achievements of his late boss. 

    He named some of them as the building of the first-ever overhead bridge in the state’s history, the overcoming of the impassable rocky Alaboojuto hill, the historic appointments of the first-ever female Secretary to the State Government (SSG), the first Ilaje Deputy Governor and subsequently, the first Ilaje Governor, even in death.

    The meeting was attended by a delegation of the Ondo State exco members, led by the SSG, Princess Oladunni Odu, who joined the governor in receiving the NDDC team.

    Those who accompanied the NDDC chairman on the visit were the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde, representatives of Ondo, Edo and Delta states on the NDDC board, Prince Otito Atikase, Patrick Aisowieren and Monday Igbuya.

     The NDDC delegation also paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Akeredolu in Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • Edo PDP Central to screen aspirants

    Edo PDP Central to screen aspirants

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo Central District is set for the screening of governorship aspirants in the zone for the off-season poll.

    Although the exercise was meant to be held last week, it was postponed,  following a meeting at the Igueben home of the party elder, Chief Tom Ikimi, who chairs the screening committee.

    Aspirants include Anselm Ojiezua, a lawyer, Senator Clifford Ordia, John Yakubu, Amb. Martins Uhomoibhi and Asue Ighodalo, a lawyer. 

    Ikimi thanked the aspirants for their commitments to the interest of the party and Esan people.

    He read a letter addressed to the committee by one of the aspirants,  Marcus Onobun that he had stepped down for Ighodalo. 

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    An aspirant, Felix Akhabue, was absent at the meeting.

    He asked the aspirants to address the committee on the outcomes of their further consultations.

    Ojiezua said he was still consulting and waiting for the outcome of the decision of the committee.

    Ordia said in the interest of the party, personal sacrifices must be made. 

    He said he had decided to support the ambition of Ighodalo

    Yakubu said he needed time to consult before communicating his decision to the committee.

    Uhomoibhi also asked for more time for consultation before making his position known. 

    He expressed confidence in the committee to make the right decision.

    Ighodalo thanked the committee for the personal sacrifices and pledged his continuous alignment with the committee.

  • Mohbad: Activist denies defamation allegation

    Mohbad: Activist denies defamation allegation

    A Turkey-based Nigerian activist and blogger, Tenny Omo Ologo, has denied involvement in the alleged death threats by some persons against Omowunmi and Liam, widow and son of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba (Mohbad).

    Omo Ologo reacted following a petition to the Lagos State Police Command in December, by activist lawyer, Femi Falana, alleging death threats against Omowunmi.

    Though Ologo’s name was not mentioned in the petition, she was listed among those who allegedly threatened to kidnap Omowunmi and her son.

    She said: “This plot against me didn’t start now. It started when I made a video about the Canada visa controversy. People can go back to see that video which I did last year. The Mohbad’s issue was just starting then and it was so hot. But nobody knew where it headed because even the police were not helping matters at the time. So, when the family went to court during the inquest, the issue was all over the media.

    “It was Mohbad’s DJ that spoke first. And based on the viral news, I did my own analysis and asked questions. When Mohbad’s father and Wunmi spoke to the media, I also did an analysis to cast light on dark areas. Before the inquest started, I got information that Mohbad was planning a musical tour to Canada between September 21 and 25.

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    “When I got the information, I asked someone who is based in Canada how many days it would take to travel from Nigeria to Canada and the person said it will take two days. Now, if Mohbad had a show in Canada from 21 to 25, he needed to leave Nigeria from 17 or 18.’’

    At least, he had to cover two days for the trip and spend the 20th to rest since he had his first show on the 21st. So, the question I asked was how Mohbad died on the 12th. That was where the plot against me started.

    “Gistlover also published a story that Mohbad’s hand was swollen following a fight after a show he had the previous night. The news said they could not get Mohbad’s personal physician to attend to him. Eventually, Mohbad died. In the same Gistlover story, it was said that an unknown person requested to have Mohbad’s phone number. The person was quoted to have said there is a contact in Mohbad’s phone which he saved with ‘Doctor’.

    “The person said Mohbad used to interact with this ‘Doctor’ on Snapchat, and that the ‘Doctor’ knows many things about Mohbad; and he knew what actually killed Mohbad. About the same time, Gistlover interviewed Wunmi and asked her about Mohbad’s phone. Wunmi told Gistlover that the phone was with Mohbad’s family. The second day, Mohbad’s father denied being with the phone in an interview. He said Mohbad’s phone was with his wife, Wunmi. So, I did a post about the confusion over the phone issue. I did an analysis and asked why the confusion over Mohbad’s phone; why can’t we have the phone and lay the matter to rest if that will help us to resolve the mystery behind Mohbad’s death?

    “In the process of analysing the Gistlover story, a woman called me from Canada. It was that woman who revealed to me that the ‘Doctor’ in Mohbad’s phone contact was not a doctor but a show promoter who was behind Mohbad’s planned Canada trip. She said the promoter’s name is Mr George. The woman begged me not to reveal her identity because the said promoter is her brother. She said the promoter is also close to Naira Marley who signed Mohbad on his record label. So, because the promoter knew how Naira Marley could react, he planned to make the Canada tour a secret until Mohbad got to Canada.

    “The woman said the promoter also kept Mohbad’s plan a secret because he wanted to make it a surprise to Bella Shmurda who was in Canada at that time. According to the woman, before Mohbad’s Canada visa was ready, the promoter had called him on Saturday, September 9, 2023, to inform him that the visa would be ready the next day. On Monday, September 11, 2023, the woman said the promoter expected Mohbad to have replied to him but he did not. And when they called all his numbers from Sunday till Monday, they were all switched off. Until Tuesday when news came out that Mohbad had died.

    “I was sent screenshots of the promoter’s chats with the woman and video of Bella Shmurda with the promoter in Canada to back my reports. I don’t accept information that has no proof on my platform.

    “Some people didn’t believe the woman’s story when I narrated it on my show. They came on my show attacking me and claiming that Mohbad was not going to Canada alone, he was going with Wunmi. They said I was just cooking up stories, that Mohbad’s death should not be linked to the Canada visa issue. Someone even called in during my live show and said Mohbad had no show in Canada but the US. That person tried to distract me, saying the Canada information I got was wrong. But I was not bothered because the information I got was valid.

    “As I ended my show that night, a woman also sent me the Canada show flier printed by the promoter and claimed that Mohbad was actually travelling to Canada with Wunmi. But I ignored it. I later discovered many things on Instagram that convinced me that, indeed, Mohbad’s death had something to do with the planned Canada tour. My conclusion was that Mohbad’s killers seized the opportunity of the secret travel plans to kill him. All of these I analysed in my post.

    “Recently, Wunmi made an update which was published by an online newspaper that some people were bullying and threatening her life, vowing to kidnap her and they were also cursing her baby, Liam. The people mentioned were placed in two categories. The first category was listed in a petition filed by the Falana Chambers. The second persons were mentioned in a news conference. In this category, my name was mentioned. They said I was among those threatening Wunmi with death and kidnap via phone calls.

    “And my response to that claim was that anyone who has any of my video shows where I posted Wunmi and her son and threatened them should produce it. Then, the number which they said was used to call and threaten Wunmi, why have they not produced it, including the voice notes they claimed was used to threaten her? At least, they will be able to identify the callers’ voices from the notes. Meanwhile, I have video proof of how Wunmi’s people were placing curses on my person and others.”