The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • APC opposes jam-packed activities for planned Enugu council poll

    APC opposes jam-packed activities for planned Enugu council poll

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has objected to what it called “the jam-packed activities” of the proposed local government election scheduled for February 24, 2024.

    The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) had released the 2024 Local Government election timetable, stating that while the election would hold on February 24, parties interested in the poll were expected to obtain forms ENSIEC 7 and 7A for chairmanship and councillorship elections from January 2 to 8, 2024.

    The electoral body said political parties are to organise a primary election to determine candidates for the main election between December 11 and 22, 2023; “dates, times and venue for the primaries should be prepared and submitted to ENSIEC unfailingly.”

    But, reacting to the timetable in a communiqué issued at the end of the party’s stakeholders meeting yesterday, at the APC secretariat in Enugu, the party expressed objection to the jam-packed activities, saying it was intended to wear down the opposition parties.

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    The communiqué was signed by the State Chairman, Ugochukwu Agballah; Deputy State Chairman, Chief Austin Alumona; Acting State secretary, Evang Walter Madu and APC deputy governorship candidate,  George Ogara, for himself and on behalf of Chief Uche Nnaji, the Leader and Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

    The communiqué said besides the party’s objection, APC is still in court to challenge the disenfranchisement of its candidates in the last council poll held in February last year.

    “But above all, APC in Enugu State is still in court with ENSIEC for disenfranchising APC candidates and the shoddy conduct of the last local government election, which in all intents and purposes was a charade. “The court matter is still subsisting even as the state authorities have been employing all manner of delay tactic to thwart justice. ENSIEC is not and has never pretended to be a transparent electoral umpire and Enugu State citizens don’t have any iota of confidence in the body.

    “It is a historical fact that ENSIEC has never conducted any local government election since its inception in Enugu State. In due course, therefore, the party will in no distant time address the public on her final position on the proposed local government elections in the state and the duplicitous pretensions of EINSEC to give the false impression to the unwary that it is an electoral body,” the communiqué said.

    The party, however, expressed excitement about the indications it is receiving from a good number of prominent politicians in the state intending to join APC.

    “We are excited by this development and the party will unveil our new converts in a massive rally which will be organised to welcome them into the biggest political party in Africa. We call on the leadership of the party at the wards and local government levels to be ready to welcome new members who will help in the growth of the party,” it said.

    The party, which also expressed confidence in the bold policy initiatives and programmes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in addressing the inherited socio-economic and security challenges facing the nation currently, appealed to Nigerians to exercise patience and cooperate with the administration to turn around the situation for the betterment of the country.

  • Soludo to firm: our hearts beat together for development in Anambra

    Soludo to firm: our hearts beat together for development in Anambra

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo says the way his heart beats for development for the state is the way that of a firm, Dotland Property Development Company, also beats.

    He hailed the firm for acquiring and developing paradise estate at Enugu-Agidi, which, according to him, would help develop Awka Capital Territory.

    Prof. Soludo spoke while performing the groundbreaking ceremony of Paradise City Estate.

    The former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor said the property would equally help to make Anambra State livable and prosperous as envisaged by his administration.

    He was represented by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), Chido Obidiegwu.

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    Soludo stressed that his administration was committed to providing an enabling environment for the citizenry with genuine businesses and intentions to thrive.

    He said: “We gathered here because of the importance attached to housing and shelter. We’re already providing food, water, education, youth and women empowerment, and others.

    “Our people living within and outside Anambra should bring their wealth home by providing shelter, industries and others.

    “We have about 440 plots or two hectares of land here. You can purchase as many plots as possible because they are genuine and unencumbered property.

    “You won’t have issue with anyone. Enugwu-Agidi are in support of it. Whatever investment you make here are in good hands and you will reap the benefits later.”

    The Managing Director, Anambra State Housing Corporation, Mr Chike Anyaonu, represented by Mr Eric Onwumere, said the government would assist the property owner to access resources from trusted sources to complete the estate.

    Mr Chidozie Igweonwu, the publicity secretary of Enugu-Agidi Brotherly Union (EBU), who represented the community, assured people of their support, praying for potential inhabitants of the property to be fruitful and prosperous in all endeavours.

    The Managing Director, Dotland Property Development Company, Chief Emeka Anyadubalu, said relevant documents related to the estate were available and issuable to those willing to invest in the property.

    He added that it was very close to Awka and Chin?a Achebe International Cargo and Passenger Airport.

  • Youths threaten to shut down oil operations

    Youths threaten to shut down oil operations

    Youths of Mbo in Akwa Ibom State have threatened to shut down oil operations over alleged flouting of local content guideline of the Nigerian Content Act.

    They made the threat at the weekend during a meeting held at Enwang.

    The National Youth President of Mbo Local Government, Mr Edward Abia Moses, alleged that Oriental Energy Resources had refused to implement the Local Content Act relating to employment, contract award, among others.

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    He said the company had not lived up to its responsibility despite reaching some resolutions to implement the demands of youths within two weeks.

    He called on the company to honour the resolution by complying with all that was contained therein, warning that failure to do so would leave the youths with no other option but to disrupt oil operations of the company in the area.

    He said the resolution was signed in the office of the Nigerian Content and Monitoring Board, adding that the Ministry of Environment and the paramount ruler of the area were aware of the arrangement.

    Youths of Mbo staged a peaceful protest against failure of the company to comply with the guideline, which led to the meeting with the company.

  • Oba of Benin suspends Duke, appoints elder to act as village head

    Oba of Benin suspends Duke, appoints elder to act as village head

    The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, has suspended the Enogie (Duke) of Uhogua village in Ovia Northeast Local Government of Edo State,  Osagumwenro Eki Eresoyen.

    The first-class monarch, yesterday in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary,  Osaigbovo Iguobaro, passed a vote of no confidence in Eresoyen, thereby shoving him aside, after reviewing allegations of misconduct and dereliction of duties against him.

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    The traditional ruler  directed Ozukpogieva (the second most elderly man) in the village, Omonuwa Moses, with the support of other elders, including Ohen-Ovia (priest), Festus Omorefe; the Ozukpogieha (third most elderly man), Isaac Osayande and the Ozukpogiene (fourth most elderly man), Samuel Imaruagheru; as well as the Okaighele of Uhogua, John Ohiegbomwan, to administer the village on his behalf, pending the appointment of Odionwere (village head), in due course.

    Oba of Benin also enjoined the village elders, who had sought his intervention to deliver them from the jaws of their oppressors, to make peace and be law-abiding in discharging their duties, for the development of the area, in line with Benin custom and tradition.

  • Ohanaeze seeks posthumoushonours for Nwabueze, Ebigwei

    Ohanaeze seeks posthumoushonours for Nwabueze, Ebigwei

    Apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has appealed to the Federal Government to consider giving posthumous honours to the late constitutional lawyer and elder statesman, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, as well as foremost dentist, Dr. Sylvanus Ebigwei.

    The Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Amb. Okey Emuchay, made the appeal at the group’s national secretariat in Enugu, where he opened condolence registers for the two eminent Igbo sons, who died recently.

    Nwabueze died after an illness on October 29, 2023 at 94, while Ebigwei, a former vice president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for Delta State, died at 80 on November 3, 2023.

    Emuchay, said both men served Ndigbo and Nigeria meritoriously in professional, political and social capacities and deserved honours.

    He said Ohanaeze would during next year’s Igbo Day celebrations slated for Owerri, Imo State, give the duo awards in the Igbo Hall of Fame.

    He described the opening of condolence registers as one of those very solemn occasions Ohanaeze had had in the last few months.

    “As you are aware, we lost the deputy president general of Ohanaeze; we lost the president general of Ohanaeze, Prof. Obiozor and we lost Dara Mbazulike Amaechi. We also lost a former president general of Ohanaeze, Prof Joe Irukwu.

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    “In the last few weeks, we lost a former vice president general (Delta), Dr. Sylvanus Ebigwei and the longest serving secretary general of Ohanaeze and former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Ben Nwabueze. These were former members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and eminent Igbo sons. They played very critical roles in what we have today as Ohanaeze.

    “So, it’s incumbent on us that are currently in the NEC of Ohanaeze to open and sign the two condolence books today in their honour.

    “The families have not decided on the dates of their funerals, but Ohanaeze will remain in touch with their families and once those dates are announced, Ohanaeze will make them public.

    “But we think it is important at this time to have the condolence books signed and opened so that the public will take the opportunity to sign the two condolence books.

    “At the Igbo Day, September 29, next year, these two great sons of Igbo nation will also be honoured by Ohanaeze. And our prayer is that the Federal Government in its wisdom, at some point, will find it important to give them proper recognition, posthumously, because of the roles they played in nation building,” Emuchay said.

  • Fed Govt to lift medical institutions, others in Enugu with funds

    Fed Govt to lift medical institutions, others in Enugu with funds

    Federal Government has reiterated its readiness to lift its medical institutions in Enugu State with funding and health workers’ capacity development.

    Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the commitment when he visited Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah at the Government House on Wednesday.

    He stressed the importance of health care delivery as one of the key pillars of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration for the benefit of citizens.

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    In a statement yesterday by Patricia Deworitshe, director of Information, Federal Ministry of Health, the minister highlighted Federal Government’s preparedness to support federal medical institutions in the state in terms of funding and human developmental capacity, to yield a positive result.

    The statement said: “The minister later solicited Governor Mbah’s support to the Federal Government in its yearning to revitalise the health sector for the benefit of the general populace as a dividend of democracy.

    “Governor Mbah congratulated the minister on his well-deserved appointment, and he believes he will deliver successfully based on his pedigree and professional background.

    “The governor assured the minister of the willingness and commitment of Enugu State to collaborate and foster in the area of rebuilding the health care delivery system in the state and provide comprehensive care for citizens.”

  • Traditional stool crisis: Akwa Ibom govt, monarchs opt for out-of-court settlement

    Traditional stool crisis: Akwa Ibom govt, monarchs opt for out-of-court settlement

    The crisis over the amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap 155, Laws of the Akwa Ibom State, 2022 may soon be settled.

    The new law, which made Oku Ibom Ibibio the lifetime President-General of the Traditional Rulers Council, raised opposition from Annang, Oro and Oro traditional rulers.

    The aggrieved monarchs had taken the state government to court seeking reversal of the law.

    But yesterday all the parties in the suit expressed desire to settle their differences out of court.

    The parties include the defendants: the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Akwa Ibom State Government, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Speaker, House of Assembly, the Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State and Ntennyin Solomon Etuk, the paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government.

    The plaintiffs are: all paramount rulers of Annang extraction, paramount rulers of Urueffong Oruko; Okobo; Mbo; Eastern Obolo, Ibeno and those of Oron and Udung Uko local governments, who were joined in the suit at yesterday’s proceedings.

    At the hearing of the case, counsel for the plaintiffs, Ekpenyong Ntekim, a former Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State leading Jumbo Udom and five others made an oral application to the court for leave to explore settlement out of court and for a short adjournment for parties to report settlement.

    Ntekim said his application was premised on the desire of parties to restore and maintain peace in the state.

    But the Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, represented by the Director of Civil Litigation, Bassey Ekanem, was not satisfied with the oral application.

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    Although he confirmed that the state Attorney General and the former Attorney General, Ntekim, met with Governor Umo Eno to broker a way forward for a peaceful resolution of the dispute, he, however, argued that the plaintiffs ought to have made a written application in line with the terms of settlement.

    The objection of the Attorney General’s representative was overruled by the court, citing the case of Habib Bank PLC and Lodigiani Nigeria Ltd reported in 2010, where the Court of Appeal said trial courts have a duty to encourage parties to settle disputes out of court.

    The trial judge, Justice Archibong, said one thing that stood out from counsel arguments was their desire for peace and settlement of the dispute and that the form or manner of application should not be a stumbling block.

    Counsel for the plaintiffs, Ekpenyong Ntekim and Uyobong Jumbo Udom, speaking with reporters, expressed optimism that given the positive disposition of the state government, the dispute would be resolved soon. 

    They expressed their gratitude to the court for granting the parties leave to explore settlement out of court.

  • Chevron reaffirms commitment to lawful operations

    Chevron reaffirms commitment to lawful operations

    Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) has reaffirmed its commitment to operating in strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations of the country.

    CNL, operator of the joint venture between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and CNL (NNPCL/CNL JV), in a statement by its General Manager, Policy, Government and Public Affairs, Esimaje Brikinn, was reacting to the ongoing protest at its Escravos facility by indigenes of Ugborodo community in Warri Southwest Local Government of Delta State.

    The statement which confirmed the protest, said: “At about 7am on November 21, 2023, boats conveying some protesters started patrolling along CNL’s Terminal and Escravos Gas-To-Liquids (EGTL) jetties and subsequently blocked access to Escravos Terminal (including EGTL jetty) in CNL’s Western area of operations.

    “The protesters are demanding the renaming of the Warri Kingdom Onshore Host Community Development Trust (‘HCDT’) and involvement in the nomination of additional persons for inclusion on the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the HCDT.

    “In addition, they are requesting for mobilisation of their community workers for the EGTL Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) activities.

    “CNL is committed to the operationalisation of the HCDT in compliance with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 (PIA).

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    “CNL continues to collaborate with the relevant stakeholders, including Ugborodo community leaders and traditional rulers towards the operationalisation of the HCDT. “

    “Also, CNL is committed to ensuring the participation of community workers for the EGTL TAM in line with the manpower mobilisation plan.”

    Brikinn said CNL continued to engage with relevant stakeholders, including the protesters, community leaders, traditional rulers, the BoT of the HCDT, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Delta State Government and other critical stakeholders to ensure the peaceful vacation of the protesters from CNL’s Terminal and EGTL jetties.

    “CNL places the highest priority on and remains committed to the safety of people, the environment and its assets,” Brikinn noted.

    However, the statement was silent on the reported missing three indigenes in the alleged attack early yesterday.

  • PIA: Three Ugborodo indigenes feared missing in alleged attack on protesters

    PIA: Three Ugborodo indigenes feared missing in alleged attack on protesters

    Three indigenes of Ugborodo community among scores of others protesting the perceived non-implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), are feared missing on the Escravos River in Warri Southwest Local Government of Delta State.

    It was gathered that the trio went missing following alleged attacks on them on Wednesday night.

    A leader of the community, Mr. Alex Eyengho, who raised the alarm via a terse WhatsApp message syndicated around 2am yesterday, said the indigenes were missing, due to alleged “vicious attacks on the peaceful protesters at about midnight.”

    “As we speak, three of the protesters are still missing somewhere at the bottom of the Escravos river, due to the vicious attacks,” the message read.

    In some videos of the midnight confrontation made available to reporters, the indigenes, while on the Escravos River, could be heard speaking to persons to allow their peaceful protest go on.

    “We do not have any issue with you. We are fighting for our rights. You are also from communities…,” one of the voices said.

    “Apart from the lingering issue of the deliberate non-implementation by Chevron of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), in accordance with extant laws and regulations, the peaceful protesters have other existential issues with Chevron.

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    “We refuse to be intimidated in our homeland by an international oil company and its security agents. Chevron must meet the demands of Ugborodo community and other host communities on the implementation of the PIA and other existential matters.

    “This is one protest that will not come like a flash in the pan. We are determined. We are resolute. It is no retreat, no surrender. We shall not be intimidated by Chevron or the security agencies on this matter. They should be ready to shoot and kill everybody in Ugborodo community and other host communities who are part of this protest.”

    The protesters listed 41 demands from Chevron, which include: implementation of the Ikpere HCDT as agreed with Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), employment of indigenes in the Turn Around Maintenance of the company, provision of social amenities, conversion of qualified community workers to direct workers.

    They also called on CNL to stop marginalisation of Ugborodo community, its divide and rule tactics as well as interference by company officials, among others.

    It would be recalled that the protest started on Monday with protesters carrying placards barricading the Chevron dock, which had been closed by the protesters with “Cotonou” boats.

  • Appeal Court reaffirms Otu’s victory

    Appeal Court reaffirms Otu’s victory

    The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, yesterday reaffirmed the victory of Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu as the winner of the governorship election held on March 18.

    It dismissed the appeal petition filed by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Sandy Onor, for lack of merit.

    Onor suffered the same fate on September 26 in Calabar.

    The tribunal’s verdict has now been reaffirmed by the Appeal Court.

    Governor Otu in a swift reaction to his latest victory, through his Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, expressed happiness and hoped that the Appeal Court verdict would bring to a close, election litigation against his victory, “which is an indication of the people’s mandate overwhelmingly given to me.”

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    He said: “This ruling should bring an end to litigation on the outcome of the governorship election. For those in the opposition, especially my brother, Prof. Sandy Onor, I once again offer you a hand of friendship. Come and join my administration so that together we can move our state forward and bring about the dividends of democracy.

    “My administration is fully reenergised to deliver on the people’s first mandate, which is on track to reposition our state for effective and responsive governance. I solicit the support and patience of all ‘Cross Riverians’ as we navigate the challenging times towards the Cross River of our dream.”

    Otu was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), having polled 258,619 votes, winning in 15 of the 18 local governments to defeat his closest rival, Onor, who garnered 179,636 votes.