The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Nwifuru presents N202b budget estimate to Assembly

    Nwifuru presents N202b budget estimate to Assembly

    Ebonyi State Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has submitted a budget proposal of Two Hundred and Two Billion, One Hundred and Twenty Seven Million, 

    Nine Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Nine Hundred 

    and Seven Naira to the House of Assembly for consideration and passage for the 2024 fiscal year.

    He said the People’s Charter of Need serves as the guiding principle of his administration in addressing diverse opinions in the areas of education, health, agriculture, ease of doing business, water resources, affordable housing, critical infrastructure and in the developmental strides of embracing information and communication technology.

    Read Also: Nwifuru’s Appeal Court victory excites Works Minister

    The governor said the budget is tagged: ‘Budget of innovation and progress.’

    He said the Ministry of Works would get the highest chunk of the budget- N21billion.”

    Nwifuru, noting that Health would get the second highest attention, said this becomes necessary to create access to health care services for the average citizens, in line with his People’s Charter of Needs blueprint.

  • Abakaliki residents worried as bank notes scarcity re-emerges

    Abakaliki residents worried as bank notes scarcity re-emerges

    A cross section of Abakaliki residents yesterday expressed worry about the re-emergence of scarcity of bank notes at commercial banks and among Point of Sales (PoS) operators.

    The residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), believed the shortage of cash could disrupt their financial and social lives.

    Visits to some various banks and PoS outlets by NAN in Abakaliki showed that some bank customers were worried the development was coming close to a festive period.

    NAN recalls that Nigeria faced fund scarcity between January and March following the redesigning of 200, 500 and 1000 naira notes.

    Mr. Henry Okpor, a civil servant and bank customer, told NAN that the scarcity of the notes had persisted at the commercial banks for some time, with PoS outlets now becoming part of it.

    He said in spite of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) earlier directive to banks to continue to issue both new and old notes simultaneously there was still a shortfall in the supply of the notes.

    “I think the development began because citizens thought banking regulators may ban some old denominations by end of 2023,” Okpor said.

    Read Also: Tribunal dismisses LP’s suit challenging Uguru’s victory in Abakaliki/Izzi election

    Another civil servant, Mr Jude Ekete, was also worried that the development could cause more hardship and disruption to businesses if not checked.

    “It is worrisome that it is even more disturbing that it is coming at this period when people are going through hard times to survive’’, he said.

    He called on the Federal Government to address the situation before it got worst.

    Mrs Judith Eze, a trader, told NAN that it was unfortunate that some banks were rationing the notes at the counter, while ATMs of some banks were programmed to dispense limited cash.

    “We faced cash scarcity between February and March this year, which resulted in the collapse of some small businesses.

    “Authorities should stop this trend before it gets worse again,” Eze said.

    Mrs Regina Mbam, a bank customer, said if this was part of plans to implement a cashless policy, it would not work unless adequate plans were put in place.

    She said some customers were paid with lower denomination for huge withdrawals.

    Mr Benjamin Essong, a PoS operator, called on the authorities to take concrete steps to address the situation.

    Some bank officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the scarcity was due to hoarding of the bank notes, instead of returning them into the economy after the earlier cash scarcity addressed.

  • Community spends N100m on facilities for corps members

    Community spends N100m on facilities for corps members

    National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) yesterday inaugurated N100 million facilities built for corps members by the community in Awgu Local Government of Enugu State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the facilities are meant to boost the corps members’ contributions towards improving the standard of education in the area.

    The facilities include a ‘Corpers‘ Lodge, which is located inside Community Secondary School, as well as the renovated secondary school.

    They also include eight modern toilets, two boreholes with electrical and solar power supply, DSTV installation, solar light to complement electricity and a big generator.

    They were provided in collaboration with the Old Boys of the school, as part of the community development project.

    The chairman of the event, Prof. Martin Anikwe, said the lodge was also part of the efforts by the community to achieve parts of sustainable education component of UN Sustainable Development Goals.

    He said members of the community decided to construct to ensure that corps member posted to the community did not reject their posting.

    “Some people from the community and the old boys came together to renovate and build the lodge to make sure we get quality education.

    “We discovered that engaging corps members will be an instrument in improving the standard of education in our community.

    “With the projects, students from our community whether rich or poor, can attain their goals in life,” Anikwe said.

    The NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Christiana Salmwang, lauded the community for its magnanimity in building a befitting lodge for corps members serving in the secondary school and the nearby communities.

    Read Also: FG set to redesign scope of NYSC – Minister

    “I am delighted to be here today, to show my most sincere appreciation to the leaders of thought, the Igwe and good people of the community.

    “As we know, accommodation for corps members is very vital to their settling down and giving their very best in their places of primary assignment,” she said.

    The Chairman, Committee Project Development Fund of the secondary school, Emmanuel Nweke, said the lodge was one of the numerous projects the group built in the school.

    He hailed Dr. Madueke Ekoh, a member of the community, for donating more than 70 per cent of the money used in the project.

    “We spent over N100 million to actualise the entire project in the school.”

    A corps member, John Issuma, described the lodge as “an unexpected gift.”

    “I regretted when I was posted to this village, but seeing this lodge, I am happy because some of my colleagues out there have no accommodation,” he said.

  • FIDA, Canadian agency urge Bayelsa govt on gender-based violence

    FIDA, Canadian agency urge Bayelsa govt on gender-based violence

    International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), with support from the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), yesterday held a workshop in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on policy influencing and advocacy for women-led organisations/women rights groups. 

    The National Programme Officer of FIDA, Mr. Fikih Obaro, said the programme was to enhance the capacity of women-led organisations/women right groups on how to influence policies and advocate gender response policy.

    He said since the election was over and it was time for governance, it was imperative to equip women with the right skills to start the interactions and start setting the agenda for the new government and new administration towards including gender issues in the policy direction of the government from 2024, when the new administration begins.

    Obaro said it was expected that the women would develop an advocacy plan after the programme to influence government policies and programmes.

    He said: ‘’We believe that by the time we have enhanced women participation and representation in governance, issues of gender will be more prioritised and have appropriate budgetary allocations that can tackle gender issues.

    Read Also: Atiku: signing affidavit on Sat didn’t violate any law

    ‘’We believe we have the right audience. We believe we have the right people. These persons are people that have worked on issues for quite some time in the state. However, we believe there is need to shape the ideas and directions, which we believe will influence policy direction of gender issues in the state.

     ‘’One of the fallouts of this programme is for them to have an advocacy plan they will need to implement in conjunction with the state government in ensuring its implementation. Since we have representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs, we believe state and non-state actors will be able to set agenda for the state government.’’

    Mrs. Siya Daniels of the FIDA said the purpose of the programme was to enlighten women groups on the need to ensure effective policies were made by the government to empower women in general.

    ‘’This type of programme is effective because once you have the targeted group and they are trained, the belief is that they will after the training educate others and rally support to drive the women’s cause on the need to empower them in the society. This will also include making policies and addressing gender-based violence and girl child issues.’’

  • Kanu: IPOB calls for peace in Southeast

    Kanu: IPOB calls for peace in Southeast

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),   led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has called for peace in the Southeast, as they await Supreme Court’s judgment on December 15.

    Making the call yesterday in a statement by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, the pro-separatist group advised people who believed in Kanu to remain calm, prayerful and law-abiding.

    “Every IPOB member should resist enemies of peace.  We encourage them to remain calm and prayerful as we wait for our leader, Mazi Kanu, to rejoin us on December 15 after the Supreme Court judgement,” he said.

    Read Also: One killed, others injured in Police, IPOB/ESN clash

    He noted that IPOB and Kanu had always been peaceful in their demands.

    He said IPOB had disassociated itself from any armed group while calling for the release of Kanu, who he said had not committed any crime locally or internationally.

    The IPOB spokesman appealed to the apex court justices to uphold the rule of law and free Kanu unconditionally for the sake of peace in the Southeast and Nigeria in general.

  • NNS Delta embarks on free medical outreach

    NNS Delta embarks on free medical outreach

    Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS), Delta, yesterday began a free medical outreach at Jakpa community in Uvwie Local Government of Delta State, to enhance its civil-military relations with its host communities.

    The Commander, NNS Delta, Commodore Chindo Yahaya, said the exercise was in line with the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Igalla, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    The commander, represented by the Executive Officer NNS Delta, Navy Captain Solomon Paul, said the exercise was also part of activities marking the end of year activities for Warri area.

    “Over the years, Nigerian Navy has embarked on medical rhapsody in several places within Warri. This year, the CNS, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Igalla, through the Flag officer Commanding Central Naval Command, approved the conduct of the medical rhapsody at Jakpa community. 

    “The choice of the free medical activities at the community is purely humanitarian. It is expected that this gesture will bring a bond between this community and Nigerian Navy.

    “The Nigerian Navy is known for its leading role in protection of Nigerian maritime environment, joint operations with other sister services. Apart from these statutory roles, Nigerian Navy takes its Corporate and Social Responsibility seriously; which is why we are here, to let the community know that the Nigerian Navy is your friend and a navy of the Nigerian populace,” Yahaya said.

    Read Also: Nigerian Navy and national development

    He urged the community to continue in the sustenance of peace and see the Nigerian Navy as “partners in the peace process,” saying: “Whenever  there are issues, we are ever ready to assist and respond to their security needs.” 

    Representative of the council Chairman, Ransom Onoyake, who is the supervisory councillor for health in the community, Peter Odiobara, thanked the Navy for coming to the community. 

    A community leader, High Chief Armstrong Omoku, said the gesture was the first of its kind in the community.

    Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke with reporters, expressed gratitude to the Navy for the outreach.

    The naval team also visited Little Saints Orphanage on Bunkery Road, Effurun, where they presented food items and toiletries to take care of the children.

  • Obong of Calabar: Ex-C J heads seven-man reconciliation committee

    Obong of Calabar: Ex-C J heads seven-man reconciliation committee

    An independent Truth and Reconciliation Seven-Man Committee headed by a former Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Michael Edem (Rtd), has been appointed to ensure reconciliation among the contending parties in the disputes that have trailed the Obong of Calabar throne for over 15 years.

    A statement announcing the committee was signed by the Secretary of the Etubom Traditional Council at the palace of the Obong of Calabar, HRH Etinyin Ekpo O. Archibong and made available to reporters yesterday.

    Other members of the committee are the former deputy governor of the state, Mr. Effiok Cobham; High Chief Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong; Mrs. Rosemary Effiom Archibong Esq.; former AIG Ene Okon; Reverend Ubong E. Eyo (a serving Reverend of the Presbyterian Church) and Reverend  Father Emmanuel Orok Duke, a serving Reverend Father of the Catholic Church.

    The statement said the focus of the committee is to establish truth and facilitate reconciliation between the parties involved in the Obong of Calabar succession dispute.

    It said the committee would operate independently, impartially and with utmost integrity, respecting the culture and tradition of the Efik.

    Speaking after accepting the assignment, Justice Edem said they are out to restore peace and brotherhood.

    Read Also: Police to strenghten security for crime-free Calabar carnival

    He said he accepted the task because never in the history of the throne had so much strife been recorded.

    “Considering the calibre of members of the committee, there is no doubt that we can easily carry out the task. We are determined to do it because history is beckoning,” Edem added.

    On the time frame of the committee, he said they would work that out because they had the leverage to do so independently.

    Following the judgment of the Supreme Court in January 2023 on the 15-year-old dispute, Cross River State Government in a statement released on November 7, gave formal recognition to His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, as the Obong of Calabar.

    The disputing parties in the crisis led by the former Minister of Finance, Etubom Anthony Ani, rejected the government position and cited the same Supreme Court judgment the government relied on in taking their position.

    The reconciliation committee is, however, expected to begin work in a confidential and unbiased manner.

  • PDP heads for Supreme Court to challenge Otti’s Appeal Court victory

    PDP heads for Supreme Court to challenge Otti’s Appeal Court victory

    Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has headed for the Supreme Court to challenge the judgment of the three-man panel of Appeal Court that validated the election Governor Alex Otti.

    The Nation had reported that the three judges of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos last weekend dismissed appeals brought before it by candidates of the PDP, Okey Ahiwe and All Progressives Congress (APC), High Chief Ikechi Emenike, for lack of merit.

    In a unanimous decision, the three-man panel upheld the victory of Otti at the polls, saying it conformed to the Electoral Act.

    The appellate court ruled that the petitions brought by the appellants lacked merit, “as they are like a comedy skit brought to a democratic setting.”

    Read Also: Abia guber poll: PDP heads to Supreme to challenge Otti’s Appeal Court’s victory

    The court said issues of political party membership was a pre-election matter, which also fell within the jurisdiction of the political party.

    It further said since Otti joined the Labour Party, won its primary election and submitted his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), he was qualified to contest.

    On the issues of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), brought by the PDP and its candidate, the Appeal Court said the appellants failed to demonstrate or link their documentary evidence to the specific parts of the case.

    PDP after reviewing the judgment, said through their Spokesman and Vice Chairman, Abia North, Abraham Amah, that it didn’t agree with the Lagos Appeal Court ruling.

    It insisted that its matter had merit, hoping that it would get favourable judgment at the Supreme Court.

  • We’ll bring development to Edo, says aspirant

    We’ll bring development to Edo, says aspirant

    A governorship aspirant in Edo, Victor Eboigbe, has vowed to bring development to the state if is he elected as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and eventually wins.

    He made this known at Ward 1, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government.

     Eboigbe said: “We are gathered here today because I want to tell you, my people, that I have taken the decision to vie for the position of governor of our dear state.

    “There is no way I can ever make the final formal decision without first informing you.

    “You have to be the first to know because charity, the saying goes, begins at home.”

     The aspirant, a federal commissioner with Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), recalled his political journey from the Action Congress (AC), through the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to the APC.

    He urged the people to rally round him as they have always done over the years.

     He said the time has come for the people to be involved in governance.

    Read Also: Wanted: A consensus Edo APC candidate

     Eboigbe thanked the people for their support, which, according to him, is the pivot on which his success stands.

    “I am glad we have walked roads together. I am happier today that we are still together, knowing that we have many more memorable journeys to go together. Your ever ready support made past journeys possible. With it I have contended with and conquered numerous challenges. With it, I will be able to conquer more, including this one.

     “With your support, I am certain that I will be able to make our dear state the envy of other states in the provision of people-oriented development. This is the reason I am stepping forward to take the challenge. This is the reason I am putting it before you,” he said.

  • NDDC seeks partnership on green innovation

    NDDC seeks partnership on green innovation

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed determination to embrace clean energy sources through practical approaches, nature-based solutions and green innovations.

    Speaking during a side event at the Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission was leveraging on the key sectors of the energy transition plan, to develop new green skills and create new jobs. 

    Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said significant investments, partnerships and collaboration were required to succeed in such direction.

    He said: “Our gathering at COP28 is a reminder of the urgent need for several and collective actions to address the issues of climate change.

    “Sustainable development for the Niger Delta is underscored by the high vulnerability of the region to impacts of climate change and environmental pollution. 

    “The high exposure of the region to sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion and river flooding, compounded by increasing human-induced pressures on coastal areas, made the region one of the most impacted by climate change in Africa.”

    Ogbuku said the vulnerability of the region was further aggravated by oil spillages, gas flaring and environmental degradation.

    Read Also: COP28: NNPCL seals LNG, CNG deals for domestic, international market

    He said: “While Niger Delta is a critical ecosystem, rich in natural resource, and a significant contributor to the global economy, this vast resource is intricately interwoven with compounding climate change and environmental issues. These resources have the leveraging-capacity for the transition to a low carbon, climate-resilient development pathway.” 

    The NDDC boss said the commission would explore the four major themes of COP28, namely technology and innovation, inclusion, frontline communities and finance.

    He explained that NDDC was participating at the climate change conference to leverage the spirit of the themes to seek partnerships in green innovations and finance to fast-track green initiatives aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degree centigrade by 2030.

    Ogbuku said: “NDDC is determined to mainstream climate considerations in our operations and in our development planning and implementation. Our theme at this Side Event, ‘Green Innovation for Climate-Resilient Development in the Niger Delta Region: A Credible Approach for Net-Zero Target’, shows our commitment to national and international direction for carbon neutrality.”