The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Agency warns against fake empowerment scheme’s website 

    Agency warns against fake empowerment scheme’s website 

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has warned the public against a fake social media account claiming that NDDC is registering people for an empowerment scheme in the nine states under its mandate.

    Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, identified the website as  https://ndjobsskillsdb.ng/dataregistry saying it would usually lead unsuspecting members of the public to a fake “Niger Delta Youth HOPE” site and would claim to be a platform for “Register Youth Data Registration” and “Niger Delta Skills Data Base.”

    Ughakpoteni said: “The fraudulent social media account directs prospective applicants to fill an online form, as well as submit copies of their educational certificates along with  passport photographs.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that the NDDC is not behind this fake registration platform, which is clearly aimed at deceiving the people of the Niger Delta region. The public should note that the fraudsters are impersonating the NDDC-sponsored Project HOPE website.

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    “It is obvious that the scammers are using the name and logo of the NDDC, as well as that of Project HOPE to defraud the public. Clearly, the Online Account was created for the purpose of duping unsuspecting members of the public and in the process, bringing the NDDC and its Management to disrepute. The security agencies have been alerted to investigate and bring the criminals to justice.

    “We advise those who have genuine businesses with NDDC to always cross check facts at the commission’s official website: (www.nddc.gov.ng) and the authentic Project HOPE website: https//jobsskillsdb.nddc.gov.ng

    Anyone claiming to represent the NDDC or its Project HOPE in fraudulent empowerment announcements must be treated as a criminal and reported to security agencies for appropriate sanctions”.

  • Diri decries oil majors for flouting Local Content Act

    Diri decries oil majors for flouting Local Content Act

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has urged the Federal Government to stop paying lip service towards implementing the Nigerian Local Content Act, to give a sense of belonging to oil and gas producing areas.

    He spoke at a dinner organised by the government for participants at the 12th Practical Nigerian Content Annual Conference in Yenagoa.

    Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor decried the refusal of the multinational oil companies prospecting for oil and gas in Bayelsa to open their corporate offices in the state.

    A statement yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, quoted the governor as describing the attitude of the oil majors as a flagrant disregard for the Local Content Act enacted in 2010.

    He likened Bayelsa to a cow that is being milked without being fed, describing a situation where oil companies operate in the state, but pay taxes to other states merely hosting their headquarters, particularly Lagos State, as most unfair and inequitable. 

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    The governor said over 60 per cent of the feedstock of natural gas being processed and exported from the LNG Terminal at Bonny in Rivers State was supplied from the gas fields in Bayelsa, whereas, the firms pay taxes to the Rivers State Government.

    This, he noted, did not only negate the natural principle of equity and fairness, but also deprived the state of billions of naira as revenue from taxes every year.

    Diri hailed the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote, for his astuteness that had brought about far-reaching strategic changes at the NCDMB.

    He, however, urged the board to prevail on oil companies to open subsidiary corporate offices and pay statutory taxes to the state.

    He said: “I must say that the Local Content Board under you has done very well in several aspects. We congratulate you on your achievements.

    “But Bayelsa State Government is not totally happy about where we are. We believe that the Local Content without the oil companies operating from Bayelsa is not local content enough for us.

    “Multinational oil companies have their head offices outside Bayelsa State. They have their headquarters in Lagos State. So, all the PAYE tax is being collected by the Lagos State Government.

    “The only thing we collect in Bayelsa is the noise of the helicopter and the fumes coming from the oil and gas industry. For me, that is revenue colonialism or imperialism.

    “We must all gather as part of Local Content to stop this inequity and anomaly. If our land is not good enough for the companies to stay, the money from our land should also not be good enough for them to collect.”

    The Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Ekeuwei, drew a parallel between Nigeria and Singapore, noting that Nigeria is where she is because of poor leadership, 63 years after political independence.

    He said Singapore had since moved into the rank of developed nations through patriotic leadership and efficient use of resources, yet Nigeria with all her abundant resources still remains a Third World nation.

    Ekeuwei praised the NCDMB for taking the bold initiative to develop human capacity locally in the oil and gas sector of the economy through its annual Practical Nigerian Content Forum.

    The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, expressed gratitude to the state government for providing support to ensure the success of the 12th Practical Nigerian Content Summit.

  • Nursing council suspends exams

    Nursing council suspends exams

    Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has suspended indefinitely, the controversial Preliminary Test Session (PTS) examination taken by nursing students in Abia State.

    The suspension was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, while briefing reporters on the protest that marred the rescheduled examination yesterday.

    She said the problem was over bloated admission of nursing students conducted by the former administration. 

    “This admission was done in April, so they were already in school when we came in. 

    “The schools were supposed to have taken at least 75 students only for the institutions, but what we met on ground was 420 students.  “This is what we are trying to manage. We didn’t create it, but we have to find solution.”

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    The commissioner said after the protest,  Nursing Council stepped in, sent a director from Abuja. “We held a meeting with them and they said, for the students to take the exams, they must be sure.”

    “We have to follow strictly the guidelines, that the first thing first, will be to verify that they have correct WAEC result.” 

    She said: “We started the process immediately. We requested the names from the principals of the two schools; Nursing School, Amachara and Nursing School, Umuahia and they provided the names, provided the documents. And have cleared about 500 students out of 700 and something of them.”

    Following protest by some nursing students a few weeks ago over alleged result and admission racketeering, the state government cancelled the PTS exam and rescheduled it.

  • Assembly gives Eno nod to set up council caretaker committees

    Assembly gives Eno nod to set up council caretaker committees

    Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a resolution authorising Governor Umo Eno to establish caretaker committees in the 31 local governments. 

    The motion for the resolution was moved yesterday during plenary by Deputy Leader Bob Otobong, and seconded by Chief Whip Effiong Johnson.  The tenure of the current council chairmen expired yesterday. 

    Former governor Udom Emmanuel swore the chairmen into office on December 7, 2020. 

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    Eno, in his message read at plenary, said due to the lack of budgetary provision for local government elections in the 2023 budget, caretaker committees are necessary to prevent leadership vacuum. 

    He said Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) was working towards organising elections at the local government level.

  • Teachers, economists laud Mbah’s attention on education, infrastructure

    Teachers, economists laud Mbah’s attention on education, infrastructure

    Teachers in Enugu State, under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have hailed Governor Peter Mbah for allocating a whopping 33 per cent of the total 2024 budget sum to the education sector.

    Civil society groups and economists have also lauded the governor for approving people-focused infrastructural projects and programmes capable of turning the fortunes of the state around.

    Mbah had on Tuesday laid a N521.5billion 2024 Appropriation Bill at the House of Assembly. The budget tagged: “Budget of Disruptive Economic Growth”, comprises N414.3billion Capital Expenditure, representing about 79 per cent of the budget and N107.2billion Recurrent Expenditure, representing about 21 per cent of the budget. 

    Whereas the economic sector and infrastructure came tops on sectorial allocation basis with N207.8billion and N182.9billion in the Capital Expenditure distribution, education got 73.6 per cent of the social sector provision, and 33 per cent of the entire budget.

    Reacting to the budget estimates, Chairman of the Enugu State Wing of the NUT, Comrade Theophilus Odo, said: “The governor has shown in every way that he has great interest in education. 

    “Honestly, when he said during the last convocation at Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) that education would get over 30 per cent of the budget, we hardly believed him because it had never been like that anywhere in Nigeria, including at the federal level. But with this, we are very happy and relieved that a leader is giving this all-important sector the deserved attention.

    “As the governor rightly pointed out in his budget speech, education is one of the surest ways of ensuring sustainable eradication of poverty. By implication, this budget is for the benefit of our children, the teachers and the entire society.

    “So, on behalf of the entire teachers of Enugu State, I say a big ‘thank you’ to the governor for his great vision for education in the state.”

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    A development economist, Chibuzo Aniekwe, described the budget as a testimony to the overarching vision of the Mbah administration. 

    “The budget estimates for the 2024 fiscal year tilts heavily to inclusive growth, as it is inclined toward 78 to 79 per cent Capital Expenditure and 21 per cent Recurrent Expenditure. The Capital Expenditure shows massive growth in infrastructure in sectors such as Smart Early Education and functional Tier One Health Services. 

    “It is instructive to highlight the underpinning far left reduction in Recurrent Cost, which explains disruptive innovation, as most government transactions shall move from Labour Intensive method to Technology Intensive deliveries. 

    “The huge infrastructure shall accentuate circular flow of cash and income redistribution, which puts the government back to its fundamental duty as agent of economic distributive justice. 

    “This budget will reduce inflation as it shall cause efficiency of resource use and resource optimization,” Aniekwe said.

    The Director of Communications and Public Enlightenment, Centre for Humanity, Peter Ugwu, said the “enormous allocations to the social sector and economy show a good intention to lift the people out of poverty and avail them of quality social services.

    “The intended investment in education, infrastructure, health, water, among others, is a signpost of a government that is people-oriented. On our own, we will monitor implementation and hold the government accountable when it is eventually passed and signed into law.”

  • Don advocates establishment of adult day care

    Don advocates establishment of adult day care

    Professor of Social Work at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Prof Uzoma Okoye, has advocated the need to establish adult day care, to give old people the required care and attention they needed to live longer.

    Okoye, who gave the advice in Nsukka while delivering the university’s 195th Inaugural Lecture titled: “Ageing PLC:A business where everyone is a shareholder but not aware. Can Social Work Help?” said there was need to establish Adult Day Care just as Children Day Care, to give old people the required care and attention they needed to live longer.

    “Some people may say Adult Day Care or Old People’s Homes is not part of our culture in this part of the world, but we must adapt with the changing world realities,” she said.

    The lecturer, who is the first professor in the Social Work department to present an inaugural lecture in the university, advised Nigerians to support ageing business “since everybody is a shareholder”.

    She said: “Ageing PLC is a limited liability company where every Nigerian and those yet unborn are shareholders, but not aware.

    “Unfortunately, this ageing PLC is not a business where you have option to be shareholders or not, as everybody is a shareholder.

    “Why it’s imperative to support ageing people is because whether you like it or not, you start ageing right from the day you were born.

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    “Unlike other companies where there are board members giving the authority to run the company, in ageing PLC, everyone is a board member.”

    Okoye said findings from her PhD research work showed that attitude, stigma and assumption about ageing were embedded within social cognition.

    “It’s generally believed by Nigerians that age comes with inevitable physical and cognitive decay.

    “With this attitude to the aged, some consider themselves as social burden and have strong sense of waiting for death.

    “We should all put smiles on the faces of old people as a way of giving them sense of belonging, as well as to enable them live longer,” she said.

    The Professor of Social Work enjoined her department to take the responsibility of sensitising and educating Nigerians on the need to have use of adult day care for older people, to enable them live longer for their families and the society.

    “Students in Social Work department should take this as part of their responsibility in their service to humanity,” she said.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Igwe, said the university’s inaugural lecture remained an important lecture for professors.

    He said the topic of Okoye’s lecture was unique and important, as it made everyone to know that he or she was a shareholder in ageing business.

    Igwe hailed her for presenting a lecture that would promote care, love and longevity of old people in the society.

  • Agbarha-Warri gets new king

    Agbarha-Warri gets new king

    Agbarha-Warri Kingdom in Warri South Local Government of Delta State has installed Kingsley Orereh as its Ovie.

    The emergence of the new Ovie came after an election conducted by the kingmakers of the Urhobo Kingdom held at Agbarha Warri Regency Hall at Igbudu community, Warri, on Tuesday.

    Orereh, who was overwhelmingly voted for, scored five of the six votes of the kingmakers, as one abstained from the exercise.

    The kingmakers, who voted, include the Okpako R’ Ovwodo (the eldest man) of Agbarha Warri kingdom, Chief Jonathan Ashimo Ayiwe; the Okpako R’ Ovwodo of Ogunu community, Chief Johnson Edjenavwo; the Okpako R’ Ovwodo of Ukpokiti Community, High Chief William Igben and the Okpako R’ Ovwodo of Okurode Urhobo community, Chief Stephen Okandeji.

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    Other contestants for the kingship are Chief Israel Abido, High Chief Michael Cahier Ikpuri, Odafe Kpesu, an engineer; and Chief Pius Omasanuwa, who was absent.

    The crowning was performed by the eldest man of Agbarha Warri kingdom, Ayiwe.

    Thereafter, the new monarch was escorted to Edion Hall, Otovwodo (traditional headquarters) for prayers by the eldest man.

    Speaking on the sidelines, Chairman and Secretary of Agbarha Warri Regency Council, Chief Willie Digbori and Chief Peter Okpeh, expressed gratitude to God that the installation went smoothly.  The crowning of the new royal father followed the transition of HRM London Aforkerhi Itu, Ememoh II, on December 12, 2022.

  • IYC fumes over ‘political attack’ on Fubara

    IYC fumes over ‘political attack’ on Fubara

    Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide has expressed displeasure about perceived “political attacks” on Rivers State Governor Siminalaye Fubara.

    In a statement circulated to reporters in Warri, Delta State, yesterday, its spokesman, Amb. Binebai Yerin Princewill, noting that Fubara is an Ijaw son, warned that the IYC would no longer tolerate moves to undermine the governor.

    The group urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to order over his alleged involvement in the matter.

    The statement also called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to “jettison whatever plot it is hatching against Fubara,” advising the lawmakers to rather work with the governor to bring peace and development to the state.

    Asserting that Governor Fubara is “doing everything possible to reposition Rivers State on the global map of development, but has been attacked politically by his predecessor and some undemocratic elements in the state in recent times,” IYC stressed that the Ijaw in Rivers State are not “second-class citizens,” and would not “joke with Fubara’s governorship”, having waited 24 years, while supporting others, to lead the state.

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    “IYC will always stand to defend and support Governor Fubara, who has within six months into his administration as governor demonstrated a high level of productivity in the governance of Rivers State. He is handling the state better than he met it. 

    “We are particularly addressing the press today by calling on His Excellency, the former Governor of Rivers State and now Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Nyesom Wike, to steer clear from Fubara and his administration. 

    “The entire world knows how Wike administered Rivers State; he cannot claim God over Fubara. He should concentrate on his new office as Minister of FCT. He has done his best in Rivers State, hence he should allow others to do their best in the development of the state. 

    “It has become imperative we sound this note of warning to Wike because the Ijaw are tired of tolerating his continuous abusive and undermining shenanigans towards the Ijaw people of Nigeria, who have benevolently offered him nothing other than the name and fame he is enjoying politically today. 

    “He (Wike) started his onslaught on our traditional rulers in Rivers State by referring to them as ‘small boys’, ‘living fake lives’ and moved forward to abuse our revered Ijaw National Congress (INC) and Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) by asking thunder to fire them. 

    “We as a people will no longer tolerate his unprovoked display of hate and anger toward the Ijaw. It is our advice that Mr. Wike should jettison whatever plans he has to disrupt Fubara’s tenure as governor of Rivers State. Just the way others governed their tenures without any issue, Fubara should be allowed to rule his people peacefully.”

    “It is not in the character of council to respond to everyone, but the misguided remarks of Wike against the Ijaw over time have reached a boiling point, hence our response. We are using this medium to caution Wike to respect the Ijaw anywhere in the world. Going forward, we will not accept such disrespectful comments from him,” the statement said. 

    It urged Governor Fubara to without delay “take full charge of the state.”

  • Soludo’s wife celebrates quadruplets’, triplets’ mums

    Soludo’s wife celebrates quadruplets’, triplets’ mums

    Wife of Anambra State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has celebrated two women, who were recently delivered of quadruplets and triplets at Referral Health Centre, Awgbu, and Enugwuabo Health Centre, Ufuma, both in Orumba North Local Government. 

    Mrs. Amuche Anoliefo, from Agulu in Anaocha Local Government, gave birth to a set of four babies. Mrs. Ujunwa Edeh, an indigene of New Ehamufu, Enugu State, living at Ufuma with her family, gave birth to triplets at the community health centre.

    Both women are beneficiaries of the recently-introduced free antenatal care and delivery services. 

    The governor’s wife, after receiving the news, visited to celebrate with the two mothers and present gifts to the babies. 

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    She said the ongoing free antenatal care and delivery services in the state would continue to attend to most primary health needs of women and save low income families from financial burden.

    Said she: “The current administration will continue to unveil smart health policies that have direct positive impact on the poor.”

     Mrs. Soludo praised health care givers, who attended to the women during the successful childbirth. 

    Expressing joy that both women were saved from heavy financial burden running into millions of Naira, occasioned by the free antenatal care and delivery initiative, she urged expectant mothers to take advantage of the programme.

    The Chief of Staff to  Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi,  commended Mrs. Soludo for the visit and for bringing joy to the families of both women. 

    He drew government’s attention to the need to upgrade Referral Health Centre, Awgbu, to a general hospital, “as it boasts of enough manpower, bed space and basic equipment.” 

    The beneficiaries, Mrs. Anoliefo and Mrs. Edeh said the visits meant so much for both families, as the governor’s wife had brought another light of joy to complete their celebrations.

    Commissioners for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike; Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo; Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Chisom Uchem, among others, were also in the governor’s wife’s entourage.

  • PDP suspends Ugwu as Imo chair 

    PDP suspends Ugwu as Imo chair 

    • Dike is interim chairman

    The Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Charles Ugwu, has been suspended over alleged gross misconduct.

    His suspension followed a motion moved by the PDP Chairman of Ohaji Egbema Local Government and Chairman of all PDP chairmen in the state, Emeka Alihe, seconded by the PDP Chairman of Owerri Municipal,  Godspower Apollos and adopted by no fewer than 18 other local government chairmen, as well as members of the State Executive Committee (SEC).

    The Chairman of the party in Okigwe Zone, Chief Chidi Dike, has been appointed as the interim state chairman.

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    In a letter titled: “Majority Resolution of Members of the State Executive Committee of Peoples Democratic Party, Imo State chapter, at its meeting held on October 24, 2023, the members passed a vote of no confidence suspending Ugwu immediately as the PDP chairman, Imo State chapter. 

    The resolution was signed by the state Secretary of the party, Njaba Duruiheoma. 

    The party publicity secretary in the state, Emenike Nmeregini, told The Nation yesterday that the state executive council and other stakeholders would meet to take a final decision on it before he could speak.