The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Anambra emerges first in polio vaccination in Southeast

    Anambra emerges first in polio vaccination in Southeast

    • 2.3m children vaccinated

    Anambra State Government yesterday said 2.3 million children under the age of 0-59 months received polio vaccine in the first phase of the Outbreak Response Exercise (OBR-I) in September.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Afam Obidike made this known in Awka while launching the second phase of the polio immunisation campaign (OBR-II), being implemented by Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), in partnership with World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners.

    He said the first phase of the campaign, held from September 16 to 19, targeted over 1.5 million children, but it recorded 140 per cent coverage, as over 2.3million children got vaccinated.

    Obidike added that the second phase vaccination was still in response to the outbreak of polio virus in a neighbouring town in Nkanu West, Enugu State.

    He said: “We encourage parents and caregivers to present their children to be immunised, to strengthen their immunity against the virus.

    “We are also integrating routine immunisation during this four-day exercise as well as birth registration for children to help the state government with data to plan for their health care.

    “So, it is an all-encompassing campaign. The vaccines are safe and free of charge. We are hopeful that the campaign will be successful like we had in the first phase.

    “We urge the media to take the news out there so that people can understand the need to vaccinate their children against the disease. Vaccinated children live healthy and longer.”

    Appreciating WHO and other partners for their support, Obidike urged residents to report any health worker who demands money to administer the vaccines.

    Read Also:Polio vaccination: Anambra emerges first in southeast, vaccinates 2.3m children

    The state Coordinator, WHO, Dr. Adamu Abdul-Nasir, congratulated the state for exceeding the target and recording top in the Southeast in the first phase of the vaccination exercise (OBR-1)

    He said: “We want to commend the state government for its political will and proactive measures in preventing the polio virus from spreading to the state.

    “In this second phase, WHO is supporting the state with logistics and allowances for over 9,000 personnel who will be going to homes, churches, markets, streets and schools to administer the vaccines.

    “We are also supporting hard-to-reach communities to ensure eligible children get vaccinated”.

    Executive Secretary, ASPHCDA, Mrs. Chisom Uchem, said the state had taken delivery of over two million doses of the polio vaccine for the OBR-II campaign.

    She said the vaccination would start tomorrow and end on November 14 in the 21 local governments.

    “These few days, we will go all out to the nooks and crannies of the state to strengthen and surpass what we recorded in the first phase of the vaccination,” she said.

  • NDIC trains 200 students in savings, budget culture

    NDIC trains 200 students in savings, budget culture

    Two hundred students from Government Technical College, Enugu have benefited from savings and budget training organised by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC).

    The corporation trained the students while commemorating the “2023 World Saving Day” in Enugu with the theme: “Conquer Your Tomorrow through Savings”.

    The NDIC Coordinator of the programme, Mr. Abdullahi Ubam,  addressing the students, said the programme was part of government’s initiatives towards encouraging financial savings among students.

    He said the World Savings Day is observed annually across the globe on October 31 to inform people about the idea of saving their money in a bank.

    He added that the day was also set aside to increase public awareness of the importance of savings for modern economies and for individuals.

    Ubam said the programme was targeted at educating students on the need to imbibe the culture of saving, adding that it was meant to catch them young.

    Ubam said the initiative would encourage financial prudence and resource management among students as well as inculcate the knowledge of savings in them so that they would grow up with it.

    The Director, Schools Department, Enugu State Ministry of Education, Mrs. Francisca Nwokolo, hailing NDIC for organising the training, said it would help them to be focused in life, especially in financial related matters.

    Read Also: Supreme Court verdict, vindication of Tinubu’s popularity, says Sylva

    She appealed to the Federal Government to extend the training to all secondary schools in the country, stressing that it would help to catch them young.

    “The students need the experience regarding saving and the difference between needs and wants, so that it can reflect in their lives,” she said.

    The Principal of the college, Mr. Christopher Isiefe, welcoming the NDIC team, described the training as wonderful, stressing that every human needed to save for future.

    Commending NDIC, Isiefe advised the students not to be wasteful in life, but to save little they had.

    One of the students, Chijoke Nwodu from Electrical department, said he was impressed with the training, adding that he now understands the importance of savings. 

  • ‘Soludo has done well in two years’’

    ‘Soludo has done well in two years’’

    Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State, Ifeatu Obi-Okoli, has described the achievements of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration as credible and unprecedented. 

    He said Soludo, in less than two years, had done as much as what his predecessors did in eight years. 

    Speaking exclusively with The Nation, Obi-Okoli, a lawyer and former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, said Soludo had built over 400 kilometres of roads in less than 16 months.

    He also scored Soludo high in human capital development, youth empowerment, education and health care, which he noted had been a threat to the opposition.

    Said he: “When you talk about road construction, how many kilometres of good roads in less than two years. Mr Governor’s profile has been incredible. 

    “I’ve been through the system right from the Ngige administration and one can say by fair comparison, the performances of previous administrations, including the last, have been credible. 

    “In fairness, Governor Soludo, in less than two years, has done as much as what his predecessors did in eight years. 

    “When you talk about road construction, how many kilometres of good roads that have been built in 16 months, the governor has been able to construct 400 kilometres of roads. 

    Read Also: Soludo weeps as school reveals names of three pupils killed by lightning

    “Ngige’s government of three and a half years, which I was part of, built 685 kilometres of roads within three and a half years. Peter Obi’s administration capped it all.

    “If you come to initiatives of the current government, talk about human capital development, you know before now, it has always been make me SA, SSA. But Soludo came with a new brand.

    “We’ll rather ensure people are gainfully employed. Teach them trades with take- off grants. With this, you have a permanent means of livelihood than depending on stipends that come from appointments. 

    “This we demonstrated a few days ago at the International Convention Centre (ICC). The first batch of graduates was empowered with N2billion as take-off grants. 

    “So people are going into backgrounds, depending on the area of training, photography, animal husbandry, tailor

  • 100 drivers, technicians, others begin training in Anambra

    100 drivers, technicians, others begin training in Anambra

    Over 100 drivers, plant operators and technicians in the state civil service, under the umbrella of Anambra State Co-ordinating Council of Technical Workers Association (ANSCCTWA), have begun free mandatory conversion course.

    Declaring the workshop open in Awka, Head of Service (HoS), Theodora Igwegbe, said the six-month Batch 15 mandatory conversion course for drivers and technicians on grade level 7, was to improve service delivery.

    She urged the workers to imbibe discipline and professionalism in the discharge of their duties. 

    Igwegbe said: “We have gathered because we want to embark on a programme to improve your skills. We want you to realise that there are best practices to embrace to do your work well.

    “This course is aimed at improving service delivery. Without the training, none of you will be able to progress in your career or perform your duty very well.

    “The training has been held 14 times under previous administrations, but the current administration has considered the present economic hardship in the country to deliver it free of charge to the workers.”

    Describing the training as part of the welfare package of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to civil servants to advance in their career, the HoS enjoined the participants to take it seriously, warning culprits of chances of losing opportunity of being converted. 

    Read Also: Polio vaccination: Anambra emerges first in southeast, vaccinates 2.3m children

    A director in the ministry, Mr. Bayo Ojeyinka, urged the participants to use the training to change the narrative about drivers by demonstrating professionalism and devotion to their job.

    He said: “Most of us are interested in what we are supposed to get. These things must change. We have to change our attitude to our work. There is nothing like a chief driver in the civil service. You’re given this work to elevate you and not to depreciate you.” A director in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Bennett Aniekwe, an engineer; advised participants to shun truancy, but should take the programme seriously. to excel at the end of the exercise. 

    ANSCCTWA Chairman, Egbuonu Daniel, described the exercise as a relief to his members whom he lamented had stagnated on the job.

    He hoped that the exercise would not only assist in changing drivers narratives, but would also help to better their lots.

    “The training is not solely for drivers, but also for tailors and caterers, as it is a prerequisite for advancement in the service,” Egbuonu said.

  • Niger Delta happy with Ogbuku’s leadership style, says ex-INC boss

    Niger Delta happy with Ogbuku’s leadership style, says ex-INC boss

    Former President of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Atuboyedia Obianime, has hailed the leadership style of the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.

    He said the region is satisfied with his approach.

    Obianime spoke in Port Harcourt yesterday while highlighting the outcome of a recent strategic meeting between Ogbuku and Niger Delta leaders.

    He said the vision of the NDDC boss, especially the ongoing ‘Operation HOPE’ and the proposed Niger Delta stakeholders conference, showed that Ogbuku was committed to a stable region. 

    He said: “It is true that the chiefs, elders and leaders of the region met with the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Ogbuku. It is also true that we ventilated about the problems bedevilling the region. 

    Read Also: Amnesty programme trains 20 ex-Niger Delta agitators in aircraft maintenance

    “At that meeting, leaders expressed their opinions about the underdevelopment of the area, despite the large amount of money that has been pumped into the interventionist agency known as the Niger Delta Development Commission. 

    “From the response of the managing director, it was very clear that we are in a new era. He told us that hope is not lost and what we will gain at the moment with Operation HOPE. 

    “He also told us about his vision of having a Niger Delta Stakeholders Conference. Not just a conference, but a representative conference where leaders will look at the aspects of the mission and vision of the NDDC, it’s performance and to proffer solution to areas where they think things were not going well. 

    “By the time we finished the meeting with him, we were satisfied that he is the man meant for the job and he knew exactly what he was doing. We believe that with such a leadership who knows their mission and how to go about it, we are guaranteed a stable Niger Delta.”

  • Council chairmen, principal officers must live in their domains, says Eno

    Council chairmen, principal officers must live in their domains, says Eno

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has reiterated his resolve to ensure local government chairmen and other principal officers live in their domains.

    The governor yesterday directed the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs to enforce the Extant Law of the House of Assembly, to compel the council helmsmen to live in their territories.

    This was part of the resolutions reached during the enlarged State Executive Council meeting presided over by Eno yesterday.

    Read Also: Gov Eno dismisses policy alert’s budget padding allegations

    He directed the reactivation of water works within the Uyo metropolis and select rural areas in the state.

    The governor decried the illegal reopening of a Chinese company, Golden Tripod Company, accused of undertaking operations hazardous to human health and inimical to the environment. 

    It was resolved that the facility should be closed down and an alternative land allocated to them on the industrial estate at Itam.

    Eno said additional one month basic salary would be paid to civil servants in December for their Christmas break.

  • Governor promises paymentof bursary to Akwa Ibom students

    Governor promises paymentof bursary to Akwa Ibom students

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has promised to pay bursary to students of the state origin studying in tertiary institutions in the country.

    Eno, who made the pledge in Uyo yesterday during a round-table meeting with student leaders from clusters in the students’ community, urged them to shun anti-social behaviours.

    Represented by his Personal Assistant on Students Affairs, Wisdom Offong, the governor said as future leaders, they must strive to live above board in readiness to impact positively on the society.

    According to him, “the software applications to be deployed in the execution of Geographic Information Systems (AKWAGIS) payment of bursary awards to undergraduates are ready and the process of ensuring that every student is carried along is ongoing. This is done to ensure transparency and accountability in the process”.

    He advised students to live exemplary lives and serve as role models for their much younger ones, while being conscious of their environment, stressing that any suspicious movement should be reported to security agencies.

    The President, National Association of Akwa Ibom State students (NAAKISS) Worldwide Ubong Ekwere, had on behalf of members passed a vote of confidence in the governor for his fatherly disposition towards students in the state. 

    He assured the governor of the determination of the students to support his administration and appealed for quick payment of bursary to students from the state in higher institutions.

    Read Also: Akwa Ibom to host musical fiesta

    Ekwere said: “We are passing a vote of confidence in Governor Eno for the bursary payment, N100million educational intervention funds for students living with disabilities, being the first of its kind, the building of model primary schools across the state, timely payment of WAEC fees for secondary school pupils and many more, just in a few months in office.” 

    Addressing reporters after the meeting, Offong said the meeting was a strategic engagement with the aim of discussing pressing issues bothering the student community and possible ways to chart a better course for the community.

    He added: “The processes and progress so far made as regards the payment of bursary as approved by Governor Eno were explained; the contributions, suggestions and observations of the leaders in attendance were noted. Students were assured of a speedy response to the yearnings of the community.”

    The meeting, which ended with a dialogue with students expressing their views on issues relating to their activities, was attended by student leaders like the National Financial Secretary of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Ibiangake Asuquo and others.

  • Kokori decriesabandonment by NUPENG

    Kokori decriesabandonment by NUPENG

    Elder statesman and former Secretary General of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Chief Frank Kokori, has alleged that the union has abandoned  him as he lies critically ill at a hospital in Warri, Delta State. 

    In a distress call at about 12:40am yesterday, the former labour leader said he was receiving treatment for a kidney related ailment.

    Kokori, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State, in a pain-filled voice, said “he is dead and risen.”

    He said it was lamentable “that NUPENG had abandoned their own to fate in a hospital where the air conditioner was not working.”

    Said he: “Tell the world that Kokori is dead and risen. The only man in Warri that can handle kidney problems is at Horeb Hospital, Warri. 

    “But I’m facing other challenges. The air conditioner is not working. And AC can keep alive till morning. What a country! 

    “Mobilise yourselves. I have something to tell this country, please. Please do your best. 

    Read Also: NUPENG, ASSBIFI mobilise members for action

    “Tell them that I can pay any amount, but let them switch on the AC for me because I’m dying. 

    “The AC went off. Please do your best. Flash it. I can come alive again, but I just want the world to know that if I survive, I’ll shame the leaders of this country. 

    “Shame to them. How can Kokori be in a third class hospital? The people are trying their best because I know it’s diesel issue. 

    “The AC is off. Two of my foster children are here with me. I’ve sent one to meet the hospital management that they should do everything to make sure the AC is switched on, that when I’m out, I’ll pay. That I’m dying. 

    “I’ve called on NUPENG that this is what they’ve done to their leader. That NUPENG cannot even take care of me. It’s sad.  God bless everybody.” 

  • Otu recognises Abasi as Obong of Calabar

    Otu recognises Abasi as Obong of Calabar

    • Ends 16-year battle

    Tross River State Governor Bassey Otu has made a final pronouncement on the 16-year-old battle for the rightful occupant of the throne of Obong of Calabar, with a declaration yesterday that Edidem Abasi remained the duly elected king.

    The declaration became necessary after a legal battle over the throne ran a full course from the state High Court up to the Supreme Court.

    The apex court judgment had directed a fresh nomination that must include Abasi, who was enthroned since 2008 as the Obong of Calabar, but challenged by Etubom Ani, who claimed similar rights.

    Ani, former finance minister, had argued that he was granted waiver to stand election for the stool, but short-changed.

    In a government statement titled: ‘Official Position of the Cross River State Government on the Traditional Stool of the Obong of Calabar’, the governor decried the intractable dispute over the kingship of the Efik Nation and the contention for the stool of the Obong of Calabar since 2008.

    The statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, said: ”Governor Otu notes that the stool of the Obong of Calabar is about six centuries old, steeped in the ethos of the Efik and revered among the few first class kings in Nigeria; hence the need to protect the throne from judicial, social and political scorn.

    Read Also: Certificate racketeering: LASU dismisses Dean of Student Affairs

    “The governor stated that having undertaken a judicial review of the state High Court and Supreme Court rulings as well as the Constitution of the Obong’s Palace and interfaced with royal fathers, resolves as follows:

    “That the issue of waiver for qualification of a candidate to contest the Obong stool is untenable.

    “That the stipulations of the Constitution of the Obong’s Palace in respect of the procedure for the enthronement of any Etubom as the Obong of Calabar remain sacrosanct;

    “That in all the subsequent judgments of the appellate courts, the letter and spirit of the state High Court judgment of September 25, 2022 has not been set aside nor its binding effect on all parties diminished

    “That all parties must ensure the implementation of the judgment cited in (iii) above to the later;

    “That Abasi V remains the validly selected and elected Obong of Calabar and the Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom.

    “That this official pronouncement by the state government has granted explicit recognition to His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V as the Obong of Calabar; and brings to final closure the speculation, acrimony and disaffection that may have risen in the course of the tussle for this revered royal stool of the Efik Kingdom” 

  • Truth commission uncovers mass grave site in Anambra, says Bianca Ojukwu

    Truth commission uncovers mass grave site in Anambra, says Bianca Ojukwu

    Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Biafran leader, Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, has disclosed the existence of a mass grave site in Anambra State.

    She said this in a statement she posted on her Facebook page titled: ‘A mass grave site discovered in Anambra sealed off for forensic investigation.’

    Although the former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain did not disclose the location of the grave site, she said the discovery of the mass grave was brought through testimonies, to the attention of the Commission of Inquiry.

    Read Also: Tinubu departs Abuja for Saudi-Africa summit Thursday

    She added that about 322 people were verified as killed or dead as a result of violence as testified by the witnesses, who appeared before the Anambra Truth, Justice and Peace Commission.

    The commission was constituted by Governor Chukwuma Soludo in June 2022 to inquire into the violent agitations and restiveness in the state and the Southeast.

    When contacted to know if the state government was aware of the development, the Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, said a formal report had not been presented on it.

    Police spokesman DSP Tochukwu Ikenga did not respond to inquiries when contacted on the development.