The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Anambra community reviews security architecture

    Anambra community reviews security architecture

    • •Plans to establish fire brigade centre

    Oba community in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State has disclosed plans to review its security strategies and strengthen security architecture, to address security challenges in the area.

    Newly elected President General of the community, Uzochukwu Ejiofor, an engineer; who dropped the hint shortly after his victory, following election of Oba Patriotic Union (OPU), said restoration of peace and unity among members of the community would be top priority in his administration.

    He disclosed plans to establish a standard fire brigade centre to curb incessant fire outbreaks in the community.

    He said: “The expectations of the great people of Oba will be met because our tenure will be as transparent and focused as possible.

    “We have had serious security challenges in the past, but we are going to review our security strategies and strengthen the security architecture to forestall future occurrences.

    “We look forward to restore peace, unity and dignity of our people, as key agenda of our administration. I will soon present a detailed development agenda for the community.”

    Declaring Ejiofor winner in a keenly contested election, Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Liberty Maduekwe, said Ejiofor polled 370 votes to defeat his only opponent, Ogechukwu Obasoanya, who secured 179 votes.

    Transition Committee Chairman of Idemili South Local Government, Amaka Obi, described the election as critical in view of the community’s strategic position to the council and the state, stressing that government presence was to ensure peace and orderliness of the exercise.

    She advised the newly-elected town union executives to work in accordance with the community’s constitution as they carry everybody along in their developmental efforts.

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    Congratulating the new executives, Regent of the town, Prince Noel Ezenwa, urged them to ensure Oba remained united while bond of brotherliness among them be nurtured at all times.

    He said the community had through the election, demonstrated their preparedness to begin journey of rebuilding their homeland.

    Chairman of the outgone interim government of the community, Sir Osita Ubadi, described the election as one of the most transparent conducted in the history of the community.

    He urged the new leadership to work towards giving the community a befitting traditional ruler.

    A stakeholder in the community, Prof Austen Azubogu, praised the advisory role of Idemili South Transition Committee Chairman, Hon. Obi, in ensuring that the elections were successful and concluded in a transparent manner.

    The Nation gathered that absence of executives had contributed to delay in electing a new traditional ruler, as all forms of crime, including youth restiveness, sale and encroachment of communally-owned land held sway in the community occasioned by lack of leadership.

  • We can make Edo Switzerland of Nigeria, says PDP aspirant

    We can make Edo Switzerland of Nigeria, says PDP aspirant

    Governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Prof. Martin Uhomoibhi, has said with good governance and sincere leadership, Edo could become  the Switzerland of Nigeria.

    Uhomoibhi spoke when he met with traditional rulers of Esanland, who converged on the palace of Onojie of Ewatto, Esan Southeast Local Government Area.

    He said in Esan language: “I wish to apologise for speaking with our eminent monarchs in Esan language, because I do not have fund to pay an interpreter, if I decide to speak in English language.

    “I was the Undersecretary-General of the United Nations, who oversaw the stabilisation of the political crisis in Dafur, Sudan. While in Sudan, I saw a lot of Nigerians crossing the desert, some on foot, en-route Italy, to prostitute. I heard of many Nigerians that were auctioned like common commodities, and I saw many Nigerians that lost their lives. Sadly, a number of these Nigerians were from Edo State.

    Read Also; Fire guts Enugu market

    “Why Nigerians leave the country, by whatever means, in droves, is mainly as a result of bad leadership. Our flawed leadership selection process brought our dear state and country to this pitiable level that we find ourselves today. If I am given the opportunity to serve as governor, together we can make Edo the Switzerland of Nigeria, through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) that will be complemented by our local efforts.

     “Under my leadership as Edo governor, God willing, at least two industries will be facilitated in each of the three senatorial districts with the sole aim of creating employment opportunities for our qualified youths, thereby curtailing unemployment and crime.” 

    The Ambassador also promised to resuscitate, through the World Bank’s intervention, the water pump house at Ibore-Irrua that supplied water to the entire Esanland and part of Edo North.

    He noted that with Esanland and other parts of Edo State blessed with fertile soil for agriculture, he would use his connections to attract international investors, who would give agriculture a boost, using modern technologies.

     Onojie of Igueben, Ehizojie Eluojieror II, who responded on behalf of other monarchs, prayed God to grant Uhomoibhi the opportunity to use his achievements in academics and governance to assist the Edo people.

  • ‘Tourism is new economic window in Rivers’

    ‘Tourism is new economic window in Rivers’

    Nollywood veteran Columbus Irosanga says tourism is one of the available economic windows in Andoni Local Government of Rivers State.

    Irosanga made this known at Asarama, a community in the area council, during a ‘Boat Regatta’ which formed part of programme indicating the third edition of the ‘Andoni Unity Festival’.

    “Security is indeed key to harnessing inherent tourism potential in Andoni, that is why I want to greatly commend the local government Chairman, Erastus Awortu, for keeping the peace.

    “Tourism can thrive in Andoni, seeing that for more than two years since inception of Awortu’s administration, there has been relative peace in the area.

    “If this pronounced peace is sustained, tourists will definitely begin to come here to seek entertainment and business which are embedded in our culture.

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    “Culture is actually the image of the people and canoe regatta is one of the things that distinguish the Riverine folk, so, celebrating it shows that they appreciate their environment.

    “The displays by 11 wards of the local government is exciting and I pray that it gets better and also gives room for more displays from the locality and beyond,” he said.

    According to the film actor, when investors and tourists begin to visit the area, the people’s crafts, local artefacts and delicacies will begin to earn economic values that will create employment revenue for the council.

    An indigene of the area, Mr Agustus Nte, also recounted inherent economic as well as long term benefits of the festival, while also urging the council to adopt it as a yearly ritual, irrespective of administrative transience.

    Nte, a former director of Academic Planning, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, described the annual ‘Andoni Unity Festival’ as a worthy investment so far initiated by the council.

    He called on the government and private enterpreneurs to tap into the hidden investment opportunity that had just been uncovered by the festival.

    Erastus Awortu, chairman of the council, hailed guests and participants, saying this year’s edition was greeted by lots of creativity and innovation, which displayed the culture and artistry of the people.

    Describing Andoni boat regatta as most unique, the chairman promised to continue to showcase its potential with a view of attracting investors and economic growth to the area.

  • Udi kingdom gets monarch

    Udi kingdom gets monarch

    The ancient Kingdom of Udi, in Enugu State, on December 31, got a traditional ruler, known as Igwe.

    He is Igwe Samuel Aneke, a retired Deputy Controller of Customs, who was the traditional prime minister of the community until his installation.

    Aneke succeeded Igwe Chris Ogakwu, who died in 2020.

    The secretary to the Igwe’s cabinet, Chief Simeon Eze, administered the oath of office on Igwe Aneke yesterday.

    At a church service at St. Mary’s Pro-cathedral, the auxiliary bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, asked the traditional ruler to see his ascension to the throne as a call to service, urging him to discharge his new responsibility without fear or favour and to see all indigenes of Udi as his subjects.

    “You are, therefore, lucky to have been chosen as a man to sit on the exalted traditional throne of the Udi,” Obodo said, adding: “Your educational qualification, operational exploits and social connection have placed the people of Udi in your care.”

    Read Also; Fire guts Enugu market

    Responding, Igwe Anene appealed to the indigenes of the town to join hands with him to restore the lost glory of Udi ancient kingdom.

    He also appealed to politicians from the town to be united, irrespective of political party affiliation, in order to attract government attention and infrastructural projects to the town.

    Installed as the fourth Okwuluoha (spokesperson) for Udi ancient kingdom, Igwe Aneke expressed deep gratitude to the people for finding him worthy of sitting on the traditional throne and promised to work towards uniting them as an indivisible entity.

    According to him, the community will not witness much development and progress if it does not speak with one strong voice.

    Igwe Aneke pledged to collaborate with the state government and wealthy individuals from Udi town to ensure youths were empowered economically through job creation.

    The traditional ruler lamented that many youths and able-bodied men in the community were unemployed, saying he was worried about the development.

    “I see the election that brought me as the voice of the people.

    “I will ensure that the peace existing in the town is sustained by all means. There should be equity and fair play; I will make sure everybody enjoys his or her right in this town.

    “One of my priorities as the traditional ruler of Udi town is to ensure security of lives and property, which I consider very important,’’ Aneke said.

    The retired Customs officer vowed to serve the town by maintaining peaceful co-existence among the people.

    In an interview, a prominent son of the community and Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, Mr Ugochukwu Agballah, described the coronation as a dream come true for the town.

    Noting that Igwe Aneke was the people’s choice, Agballah revealed that the traditional ruler was the first, in the history of Udi, to emerge unopposed as its traditional ruler.

    He promised to galvanise support of other indigenes of the town to enable the traditional ruler succeed as the Okwuluoha IV of Udi ancient kingdom.

    The high point of the event was the oath of office taken by Igwe Aneke, the presentation of the certificate to the Igwe’s cabinet members, and the conferment of chieftaincy titles on selected individuals. 

  • ‘Why I’m running for Ebonyi South Senatorial District poll’

    ‘Why I’m running for Ebonyi South Senatorial District poll’

    An aspirant for Ebonyi South in next month’s by-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Silas Onu, has said his motivation for vying for the position is to provide quality representation for the people.

    He alleged that some opponents are plotting to rig the election, using security agencies to compromise electoral officials.

    Onu said this in an interview with reporters in Abakaliki.

    He lamented that the zone had been badly represented and he had come to offer a better alternative to the people.

    Said he: “The motivation for running is service to the people. Our people have been badly represented for many years and I think our people deserve better. Representation is not about Christmas largesse. 

    “Every Christmas you come and give people motorcycles and bags of rice and people come and dance for you. It is beyond this. Representation is a whole package. 

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    “The people’s interest must be advanced at the centre. There are a lot of things you can attract from the centre to your people, both from government and other interests that exist in your zone. 

    “There are lots of ways you can promote your people, artisans can get good promotions from the senator and even civil servants, their interests can be better protected if they have a good senator. 

    “Apart from all of this, there is a passion to serve my people that is deep within my heart.  I am very passionate about it.” 

    On zoning, Onu, a former state chairman of the PDP, said his party had never given the ticket to anybody from his Ohaozara Local Government.

    He, however, noted that although zoning favoured him, he was running based on competence and not on zoning.

    He hoped he would emerge victorious in the senatorial election, no matter the pedigree of candidates other parties would field.

    “I am running based on competence, not based on zoning, even though Ohaozara has never had a senatorial ticket before in my party, PDP. I see the whole of Ebonyi South as my zone. I want to represent all the people of Ebonyi South.

    “I am not bragging, but I will beat any candidate they bring whether from Onicha or Ohaozara. I know the work I am putting into this project. I am connecting with the people, the voters. I am not planning rigging, I am not planning to write results. 

     “So those thoughts should be perished, there will be real election. People will vote and vote will count in this senatorial election. This election will not be about party, it will be about competence, it will be about persons. 

    “I am contesting to win. It is not about money, it is about the trust I have in Ebonyi south people, they know what is good and will stand for what is good. I am not stepping down for anybody. If you know my history, you will know that once I make up my mind to do something, it is only if it is not the will of God then I will not get it. 

    “I don’t have political godfathers, I have always been independent and that was what created problem for me when I ran for chairman. Because those that should have been godfathers felt they can’t control me. So they came and scattered things in the congress,” Onu said.

    He said his party had mapped out measures to thwart every attempt at rigging next month’s by-election.

    “There will be no window for any manipulation in this election. We know what they know. We will make sure we stamp all windows of cheating out. 

    “That is the only hope they have, to use security to undermine INEC. And we will make sure INEC is not compromised. We will make sure the security agencies also do their work. Let the people’s will be the determining factor in the election,” he said.

  • Kalu urges youths to shun violence

    Kalu urges youths to shun violence

    Former Senate Chief Whip Orji Uzor Kalu has urged youths to shun violence and embrace peace for the economic development and progress of the country.

    According to a statement by his media office in Abuja yesterday, Kalu made the call on Sunday in Igbere, Bende Local Government of Abia State, while speaking with reporters on the need for enduring peace in the senatorial district, Abia State and Nigeria at large.

    The lawmaker, an ex-governor of Abia State, while inspecting a multi-billion naira cashew processing plant he is building in the community, enjoined youths to embrace dialogue, tolerance, compromise and accommodation for the economic development of the area.

    He said there was need for youths to realise that there was no alternative to peace if the senatorial district, state and Nigeria must grow economically.

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    Kalu appealed to youths in Abia State to work with the government and security operatives in the state to restore peace and stability for businesses to thrive.

    He said: “Our message to the youth in Abia State is to stop acts that will demoralise investors. They should allow us to come home and invest. It is my hope that by the time we finish this factory—which is purely agro-allied, all cashew nuts produced in Nigeria will be exported raw. I want to produce cashew nuts that can be exported and help the country earn foreign money in order to reduce the rising rate of dollar.

    “Young people should learn to stop fighting security agencies, but be friends with them. As governor, I worked closely with them and they should cooperate with the new government so that we can have peace in the state and other parts of the country.

    “It is only when we have peace, social growth that we can have a conducive atmosphere to live in. Let the youth give us peace so that we can employ them.”

    Kalu, the lawmaker representing Abia North Senatorial District, noted that the establishment of the factory was to mitigate the ravaging effects of youth restiveness, unemployment and insecurity in the state.

  • 2024 year to change gears of development in Anambra, says Soludo

    2024 year to change gears of development in Anambra, says Soludo

    • Speaker: we’ll enact laws to raise standard of living

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo says 2024 is a year to change gears of development in the state and country.

    In his message to the residents yesterday, the governor reflected on the challenges that faced the state and the country at large in 2023, while seeking peace and unity.

    In a statement from Soludo, signed by his Press Secretary, Chris Aburime, the governor highlighted the resilience of ndË Anambra, acknowledging the sacrifices made by everyone, while expressing gratitude to God for His abiding grace.

    He noted the state’s efforts in implementing measures to address challenges in the past year. 

    He described 2024 as critical and pivotal in accelerating change by government at all levels.

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    Soludo stressed the need for unity and collaboration among Ndi Anambra and Nigerians alike. 

    He urged the people to work together towards the shared vision of a prosperous and productive Anambra State.

    House of Assembly Speaker Dr. Somtochukwu Udeze has said the legislature would continue to enact laws and resolutions to uplift the standard of living of residents.

    Udeze, in his New Year message yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Emma Madu, said the legislature would make laws that would drive development.

    “The legislative agenda of the 8th Assembly coincided with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s agenda, which revolves round infrastructure development, economic transformation, security and human capital development, among others.

    “As we march into the New Year, we will continue to enact laws that will drive development and impact on the lives of residents.

    “I urge residents to support the government in making the state a liveable and prosperous homeland,” he said.

    The Speaker said the growth and development of the state was a collective responsibility, urging religious bodies to intensify prayers for peace and progress of the state.

    He urged Nigerians to be confident and remain steadfast even in the midst of challenges as well as aspire for the realisation of the dream of a prosperous nation this year.

  • Leadership crisis in Oleh not political, community leader tells Oborevwori

    Leadership crisis in Oleh not political, community leader tells Oborevwori

    A community leader, Chief Jubilant Igelige, has urged Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to discountenance the narrative that the leadership crisis in Oleh town has political colouration.

    Igelige, the Udueni of Oleh in Isoko South Local Government, made this known in a statement issued and made available to reporters yesterday.

    He recalled that to prevent breach of peace in the town, a Delta State Chief Magistrates’ Court halted the conduct of election into the leadership of Oleh Community Development Association (OCDA) scheduled for December 28.

    Chief Magistrate B. O. Williams had granted the interim order stopping the election following a motion ex-parte filed by aggrieved members of the association led by Chief Israel Onokurefe.

    Igelige said the crisis was not as a result of party politics, but alleged manipulation, violation of the association’s constitution and state guidelines, levelled against the former President of the OCDA, Chief Believe Alakri.

    “It is sad to note that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had been made to believe that the intra leadership issue in Oleh is a fight between Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) or Grace Mission.

    “It is worrisome and abysmal for a few PDP leaders, who could not win their units, to go to the governor and twist issues that the fight in Oleh is between PDP and SDP or Grace Mission in order to whip up sentiments and get support from the governor

    “The grounds upon which the court order was granted are salient and legally impeccable, having breached Oleh Community Constitution and Delta State Community Development Law 2021.

    “The tenure of the man behind the veil, Chief Believe Alakri, expired on December 28, 2023, and his insistence to plant a surrogate as President General of Oleh Community, who will cover his misappropriation, is unacceptable.

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    “We appeal to the governor to be wary of such people who are initiators of disunity and crisis, so as not to mortgage his image,” he said.

    According to Igelige, if the immediate past leadership of OCDA had taken cue from the leadership qualities of the governor, the ongoing rancour in the community would have been averted.

    “Your Excellency, it is in the public domain that when you were Speaker of Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), you severally and voluntarily rendered account of stewardship to the Hallowed Chambers.

    “You returned a huge N532 million to the state treasury, and left hundreds of millions of Naira in the Assembly’s coffers for the incoming Speaker and members to hit the ground running.

    “Your Excellency, I do not think Oleh people are asking for too much by requesting that transparency and accountability should be the hallmark of the immediate past leadership of OCDA,” he said.

    Igelige, a former Special Assistant on Youth Development to an ex-Delta governor stressed that the failure of the outgoing leadership of OCDA violated the constitution of the association.

    ‘The constitution of OCDA stipulates rendering account of stewardship which the outgoing leadership fails to do.”

    He said the unfounded blackmail, politicising the issues were deliberate tactics to shy away from rendering the account of five years stewardship of the outgone leadership.

    He admonished the former leadership of the community association to render the account of hundreds of millions of Naira they allegedly spent in five years

    The lawyer also called on Governor Oborevwori, to discountenance the blackmail and deceit of party colouration of the crisis and keep to his transparent mantra.

  • Fubara promises rural communities access to quality health care 

    Fubara promises rural communities access to quality health care 

    Rivers State Governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give rural communities sustained access to quality healthcare.

    The governor said issues of primary health care delivery would remain a priority to his administration. 

    Fubara spoke when he visited the Model Primary Health Care Centre in Akpajo community of Eleme Local Government yesterday to assess the performance of the Primary HealthCare Board. 

    The governor described his observation as the commitment of the board to work in synergy with his administration to offer optimal health care services to the people.

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    He said: “We are going to support you in every way that we can to reflect on quality of services that you offer. This is because primary health care is a very serious area that our administration is taking seriously.”

    Speaking on the issue of promotion, Fubara said the Primary Healthcare Management Board was saddled with the responsibility of handling such matter within the subsector because the exercise in the main stream civil service was still ongoing.  The Medical Officer of Health in Eleme Local Government , Dr. Alex Woke  said that the centre offered immunisation services to about 200 persons monthly.

    He said the centre also conducted about 50 delivery cases, in addition to other services like anti-natal cases, family planning and disease preventions counsels.

  • Rivers APC: Okocha vows to carry along ex-council chairmen 

    Rivers APC: Okocha vows to carry along ex-council chairmen 

     

    The Caretaker Committee (CTC) Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has said his administration would involve  the Forum of Former APC Council Chairmen in the activities of the party.

    He spoke when members of the forum paid him a solidarity/loyalty visit in Port Harcourt at the weekend. 

    He reiterated his commitment to run an all-inclusive leadership style for members and supporters in the state, to ensure APC takes over the government of the state in 2027.

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    The Coordinator of the forum, Frank Aribodor, said members were on the visit to express their support to Okocha and pledge their solidarity and loyalty to him. He assured the party chairman of the forum’s readiness to work with him to reposition APC ahead of the coming elections.

    He hailed Okocha’s exceptional leadership prowess, which, according to him, was yielding huge results in the party.