The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Monarchs reject suit withdrawal against Akwa Ibom govt 

    Monarchs reject suit withdrawal against Akwa Ibom govt 

    Thirteen paramount rulers have rejected withdrawal of the suit they instituted against Akwa Ibom State Government over the controversial Traditional Rulers Law.

    On October 17, Governor Umo Eno met royal fathers and asked them to withdraw the matter from court for settlement.

    Addressing a news conference in Uyo yesterday, one of the lead counsel for the plaintiffs (paramount rulers), Jumbo Udom, said the plaintiffs would not accept full withdrawal of the case from court.

    He said the defendants (Akwa Ibom Government) sought outright withdrawal of the case from the court and the motion did not go down well with the plaintiffs.

    He said the motion of leave of the court sought by his clients to explore peaceful settlement was enough for the defendants to accept.

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    The plaintiff’s counsel accused the counsel for the defendant, the state Attorney General, Uko Udom (SAN), “of vehemently opposing plaintiffs’ application for leave to settle the matter and for adjournment sine die.”

    “Udom insisted that the only condition for settlement is outright withdrawal of the case; otherwise, the defendants are prepared for the case to proceed.”

    According to him, the defendants’ counsel insisted that ‘‘if plaintiffs do not accept the condition to withdraw, the matter should proceed for further hearing.”

    He stressed that the matter would be statute-barred after three months if the governor employed delaying tactics in resolving the thorny issue.

  • Attorney-General accused of stalling peace efforts 

    Attorney-General accused of stalling peace efforts 

    Despite the push for an out-of-court settlement by Governor Eno, legal fireworks over the amended Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Law began yesterday.

    Monarchs from Annang, Oro and Obolo ethnic groups had proceeded to court to challenge the amended law, cap 155.

    They are against the aspect of the law that confers in perpetuity the position of President-General of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers on the Ibibio, the majority ethnic group in the state.

    The monarchs through their counsel, Jumbo Uyo-Obong Udom, accused the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, of stalling the peace process.

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    Addressing reporters in Abak Local Government yesterday, Udom, who spoke on behalf of other lawyers, said out of respect for the governor, and in view of the limitations period to the case in court, the traditional rulers sought a middle ground and filed a motion asking for leave to explore settlement and for adjournment sine die to enable parties meet and explore settlement with the governor.

    He lamented that despite their efforts, the Attorney General opposed the plaintiffs’ application for leave and instead insisted that the only condition for settlement was to withdraw the case, otherwise the defendants were prepared for the case to proceed.

    Efforts to speak with Udom were not successful, as he did not pick his calls at press time.

  • Communities seek N10b from firm over destruction of property

    Communities seek N10b from firm over destruction of property

    • Company: we will address their grievances

    Some oil-bearing communities in Akwa Ibom State have protested the destruction of their buildings, farmland and economic trees by Geoseimic Survey Ltd.

    The communities, namely Ikot Oyoro and Ibiote in Mkpat Enin and Ikot Akan in Ikot Abasi local governments are demanding N10billion as compensation from the firm.

    Geoseimic Survey Ltd is seeking oil deposits in the affected communities for Sterling Global Petrochemical Company situated in Eastern Obolo Local Government.

    Youths and women of the communities stormed the premises of the company last weekend, alleging that the activities of Geoseimic Survey Ltd had destroyed their buildings, farmland and economic trees and polluted their rivers.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Geo Seismic Survey lack respect for local content’, ‘We seek government, civil rights society intervention’, ‘We prefer mutual dialogue to violence’.

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    Others are ‘We solicit the assistance of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly’, ‘Farmers lament over crops and economic trees destroyed during your seismic activities’, ‘We plead for compensation’, among others.

    Former Youth Leader of Ikot Akan community in Ikot Abasi, Imo Usen, said the peaceful protest was to draw the attention of the company and the state government to their plight.

    He added: “We have through our lawyers written to the management of Geoseimic Survey Ltd to address the havoc caused by their activities in our community, but they paid deaf ears.

    “Our buildings, farmland and even our rivers have been destroyed and polluted. An evaluation team was despatched to assess the damage done, but the company has refused to take responsibility.

    that the community would go to the extreme if the company did not pay the compensation for the destruction it had caused.

    Akwa Ibom State Local Content Monitoring and Compliance Committee has given the company three days ultimatum to address the concerns of the affected communities.

    The Community Affairs Manager of Geo Seismic Survey Ltd, Philip Aguda, an engineer; promised to address the grievances of the affected communities.

  • Youths pledge support for Tinubu

    Youths pledge support for Tinubu

    Youths of Rivers State under the aegis of Rumuhechiorlu Youth Forum (RYF), a socio-cultural organisation, have congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his Supreme Court victory.

    In a statement by RYF Coordinator, Innocent Okocha, made available to The Nation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the youth described the apex court victory and affirmation of President Tinubu’s victory at the polls as well deserving; and pledged their support to ensure his administration succeeds.

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    They pledged their continued support to President Tinubu through the representative of the state on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Tony Okocha.

    The youth lauded President Tinubu for appointing Okocha into the NDDC board, saying he made the right choice.

  • ‘Soludo breaking poverty cycle through youths empowerment’

    ‘Soludo breaking poverty cycle through youths empowerment’

    Bigly Oil & Gas Services, one of the authorised revenue collectors and partners of Anambra Internal Revenue Services (AIRS), has praised Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on his quest to break poverty cycle with the 1Youth 2Skills Initiative. 

    Soludo recently empowered 5,000 youths with N2billion and in the process, churned out 5,000 job creators in a massive human capital development drive. 

    Addressing reporters, Bigly Oil & Gas Services, through its spokesman, Dr. Harris Chuma-Odili, hailed Soludo for ensuring youths were not only being taught how to fish, but also given fishes. 

    He said: “It is certainly an unprecedented feat that over 5,000 Anambra youths, who were trained across life transforming skill sets, were equally empowered with N2billion as start-up grant with huge opportunity to access another N2billion loan from the Bank of Industry at single digit interest rate.

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    “At Bigly Oil & Gas, we are proud to identify with the ‘Solution Government’. With this initiative, Mr. Governor has not affected just 5,000 families when you analytically look at the ripple effect of this unprecedented empowerment. 

    “Governor Soludo, within a short period of time, has shown strong focus on addressing core issues of development. With this 1Youth 2Skills Initiative, the governor’s promise to create 1,000 youth millionaires annually is certainly realisable. 

    “Anambra is on the right track to become a major player in the MSMEs in Nigeria.

    “As one of the strong believers in the capacity of the Prof. Soludo-led administration, we enjoin Ndi Anambra to continue to support Governor Soludo and key into the policies being marshalled out to take the Light of the Nation to greater heights.”

  • Wife of Army Chief, others distribute palliatives to 620 widows, children in Rivers

    Wife of Army Chief, others distribute palliatives to 620 widows, children in Rivers

    Wife of the Chief of Army Staff (COA), Mariya Lagbaja, and other women under the auspices of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) have distributed palliatives to 620 widows, students and teachers in Rivers State.

    Mrs. Lagbaja, who is also the president of NAOWA was in the 6th Division, Nigeria Army to lay the foundation for NAOWA College, inaugurated the nursery and primary schools built by the division’s NAOWA chapter among other activities.

    About 80 widows of slain soldiers received bags of rice, cartons of noodles, buckets of vegetable oil, and an undisclosed amount of money.

    The association extended similar gestures to 40 teachers drawn from schools within the barracks and 500 students, who got school bags and writing materials.

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    Mrs. Lagbaja further inaugurated the NAOWA car park, 6 Division Creche and Nursery school and planted trees to fight pollution.

    While inaugurating the remodelled NAOWA nursery and primary school, she commended the wife of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Mrs Maryam Abdulssalam, for advancing quality education in her domain.

    She said: “I must say, that the total overhaul of the school structures and equipment in this wonderful, adorable and promising facility, as well as the establishment of the NAOWA Park in the school by Mrs. Maryam Abdulssalam, within this short period as the Chairperson, NAOWA 6 Division Chapter is a testament that she is an elegant mother with a heart of gold, who is devoted to adding value to NAOWA assets and advancing the educational pursuit of our children in the barrack community.

    “Her commendable action of executing these laudable projects is also a pointer to the fact that the Chairperson NAOWA 6 Division Chapter, is a keen supporter of my vision of ‘sustaining legacies through an unwavering commitment to unity and service for the betterment of humanity.”

    Lagbaja urged all NAOWA presiding members at all levels to emulate the action of Mrs Abdulsalam by formulating good initiatives that would impact positively the barrack community and society.

    In her remarks, the chairperson of the NAOWA 6 Division Chapter, Mrs. Abdussalam, explained that the decrepit condition of the schools propelled her intervention.

    Explaining that she could not allow an asset such as the 25-year-old school to rot away.

    She said: “25 years ago, NAOWA Nursery and Primary School was established in Port Harcourt Barracks for the provision of quality education to the children and wards of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army as well as the general public.

    “On my assumption of office on 25th April 2023, during my tour and inspection of assets belonging to NAOWA 6 Division Chapter, the Primary School was inspected and I observed that it was in a terrible state and not conducive for learning.”

    “A school that was originally meant to be an incentive for the barracks community was left to deteriorate to the level that the majority of wards were attending school outside the barracks thereby defeating the purpose for which the school was established.

    “The level of deterioration created a burning desire for an improvement to be made. Therefore, fixing the school to an acceptable standard became imperative.

    “The intention was to create a serene environment where pupils can thrive and their sound minds can flourish, curiosity can be nurtured and learning can be in a very happy environment.”

  • Ubah: why APC must produce Soludo’s successor

    Ubah: why APC must produce Soludo’s successor

    The senator representing Anambra South, Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would produce the next Anambra State governor.

    He said Nnewi community was long overdue for a governor being the home of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Nwafor Orizu, among others, who suffered for Ndigbo.

    Speaking yesterday during a visit to party zonal leaders at the home of the APC Southeast Organising Secretary, Mr. Dozie Ikedife (jnr), Uba, who recently dumped the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the APC, urged the Igbo to drop the mentality that APC belonged to a particular ethnic group.

    He said: “I came to see the leadership of the APC in the zone for formal introduction and familiarisation, following my recent defection from the YPP to the APC.

    “I didn’t come for leadership positions in the party that are already distributed, but to ask for support to ensure APC produces the next governor of Anambra State after Soludo.

    “All I’m appealing for is, if it is possible, for us to work together to achieve our political aim. Ndigbo need to embrace a national party, which is their best bet.”

    Read Also: Ifeanyi Ubah’s chess move

    “Anambra owes Nnewi North the opportunity to produce a governor. Nnewi is the home of the late Nwafor Orizu, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, an Igbo leader; among others. 

    “These people, who suffered for the Igbo, deserve to be considered to allow the community that produced them to also produce Anambra State governor.”

    “Ikedife (jnr) has taken me round to see the leaders of the party in the state. I’m in consultation. I’m a consolidator and a unifier. I said I must come to see you through our leader.

    “Some Igbo had been deceived to believe that the APC is a Hausa or Fulani party. Unfortunately, the majority of those with such mentality are from Anambra. This is a wrong impression I’ve come to correct.”

    Lamenting obvious marginalisation of the people of the region, especially in terms of geopolitical zoning, the lawmaker said it would only be wise for Ndigbo to identify with the moving train.

    “A good footballer knows how to score a goal. I saw the benefit of belonging to a national party, and I had to join them for our overall benefit.

    “I left YPP to join APC. Are they not all progressives? The young shall grow and of course the young has grown. One thing is remaining for us to achieve, that is governorship,” he added.

    Welcoming Uba to the party, Ikedife (jnr) described him as a big fish, assuring him of support.

    “Before your entrance into our great party, we had resolved that Anambra APC must produce the next governor of the state. 

    “It appears we have bought a big player, who will bring the cup home. We know you are a big fish. We will be out to canvass for support,” he said.

  • Ohanaeze decries Igbo youths’ nonchalant attitude to police recruitment

    Ohanaeze decries Igbo youths’ nonchalant attitude to police recruitment

    Apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has decried the ‘disturbing’ lack of interest in joining Nigeria Police Force by Igbo youths.

    The President-General of the group, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who expressed disappointment about the nonchalant attitude shown by Igbo youths towards joining the police and other security agencies, urged Southeast governors, religious traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders to intervene and halt the trend.

    In a statement he signed yesterday, Iwuanyanwu said: “I have observed with dismay the nonchalant attitude shown by youths of the Southeast towards the ongoing recruitment exercise for general duty constables of the Nigeria Police Force.

    “The available information shows that Kaduna State is leading in the online application into the Police Force with 20, 259, while Anambra State trails last with a mere 541 applications. Others include Ebonyi State with 737, Abia State, 966, Imo State, 999 and Enugu, 1036.

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    “The lack of interest by Igbo youths towards the Nigeria Police Force is disturbing because, it is only by enlisting in the Police Force that offers the unique possibility of becoming a senior police officer in future.”

    “I hereby call on the Southeast governors led by Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers led by HRH, Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu; the States President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; the Chairman, Association of South-East Town Unions led by Chief Emeka Diwe; the Clergy and Igbo groups and social movements to use their structures to sensitise Igbo youths to embrace the opportunity provided by the ongoing recruitment exercise.”

  • Ebonyi senator, rep, others resign from PDP

    Ebonyi senator, rep, others resign from PDP

    The implosion of the Ebonyi chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued at the weekend, as Senator Obinna Ogba, ex-House of Representatives member Livinus Makwe and other top stakeholders resigned from the party. 

    The two former National Assembly members announced their resignation in a letter dated October 27, 2023 to their ward chairmen.

    Ogba represented Ebonyi Central District between 2015 and 2023, while Makwe represented Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo federal constituency from 2019 to 2023.

    Also, six local government chairmen of the party announced their resignation.

    They include Agbom Friday (Ezza South), Nwofe Philip Don (Izzi ), Nwobasi Ude Chizoba (Ohaozara), Chukwu Micheal (Ivo), Ifere Sunday Bright (lkwo), Ndukwe Orji Okam (Afikpo South).

    Others who announced their resignation include James Alaka (State Organising Secretary), Ebeh Kingsley (Zonal Youth Leader), Uchenna Nwafor (former Zonal Auditor Southeast) and Samuel Onyeleke (Zonal Youth Leader, Ebonyi North).

    Ogba in his letter said the decision to quit the PDP was personal.

    “As an individual, I have made my modest contribution by working for the growth and development of PDP from ward to national level since its creation in August 1998,” he said. 

    The senator said the party had contributed towards the growth of his political fortunes.

    “I will remain grateful to the party and its leaders from the ward, local government, state, zonal to the national level. But it is time to quit,” he added. 

    On his future political plans, the senator said he would make this known in future after consultation with his immediate family, political followers and associates.

    Makwe said he resigned from the 

    party after consultation with his followers, supporters and well-wishers.

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    “Accordingly, I hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, October 27, 2023.” 

    “The National Chairman of PDP, National Vice Chairman PDP (South East), Ebonyi State PDP 

    Chairman and Ivo Local Government PDP Chairman are by copies of this letter hereby accordingly notified of 

    this decision. 

    “I wish to thank the party for the platform and opportunity given me in the past to serve our nation, especially as a member of the 9th House of Representatives.

    “That is something I will always cherish. I do hope that this my resignation will be accepted in good faith by you and other members of 

    the party,” he said.

    The six PDP chairmen and other officers in their own signed letters said the reason for their resignation was personal. 

    A factional deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Nwabueze Ajah, has also resigned from the party.

    He said it would serve no meaningful political interest for him, political associates and supporters to hold further the membership of the Labour Party. 

    “The development will enable me explore other options that may accommodate my political aspirations, that of my associates as well as supporters,” he said.

    But the Caretaker Chairman of Ebonyi chapter of the PDP, Augustine Nwazunku, said the party was not aware of the resignation of the heavyweights.

    He alleged that they did not follow due process for resignation as enshrined in the party’s constitution. 

  • Ex-agitators warn against PAP termination

    Ex-agitators warn against PAP termination

    Ex-agitators of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) have warned against scrapping of the scheme, noting that those calling for the termination of the programme do not mean well for the people of Niger Delta.

    The ex-militants under the Second Phase Amnesty Ex-Agitators Forum, reacting to calls for the programme to be scrapped by a group, said findings showed that those calling for the liquidation of the programme were not from the region.

    The National Spokesman for the Second Phase Amnesty Ex- Agitatators Forum, ‘General’ Salvation Ibena Rufus, said in a statement yesterday that no true son of the Niger Delta or beneficiaries of PAP would seek or call for the termination of the programme or sack of the Interim Administrator of the programme, Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (rtd.

    He said under Ndiomu’s watch at PAP, beneficiaries had had it so good in recent times, adding that a breath of fresh air had been injected into the scheme. 

    Rufus said what critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta were clamouring for since the inauguration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the confirmation of Ndiomu as the substantive coordinator of the PAP, noting that the listed beneficiaries were appreciative of the superlative performance of the interim administrator.

    He said: “We are in harmony with genuine stakeholders from the region on the call for President Tinubu to confirm Major-General Ndiomu (rtd.) as the substantive boss of PAP.

    “We are urging these faceless characters and desperate political jobbers to leave the Presidential Amnesty helmsman alone to concentrate on his task of taking the Presidential Amnesty scheme to greater heights.” 

    “We have it on good authority that the authors and sponsors of the calls for scrapping of the PAP are not from the Niger Delta. Our intelligence gathering suggested that the motive behind the blistering media war is to compel the government of President Tinubu to terminate and liquidate the Presidential Amnesty Scheme. “

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    “No true son or daughter of Niger Delta and a beneficiary of the PAP will seek or call for the sack of Ndiomu. He has done well since his assumption of office at PAP. He should be encouraged instead of being bullied by unscrupulous elements.”

    Rufus said it was laughable, preposterous and ludicrous as some faceless characters claimed that N2.5 billion in the coffers of the Presidential Amnesty Corporative Loan Scheme had vanished into thin air. 

    Dismissing the allegations as a farce, the national spokesman said: “There is no iota of truth in this unfounded allegation. 

    “What these uninformed and faceless characters failed to understand is that the alleged N2.5 billion was a seed money to kick start the laudable initiative and so far more than 1,000 delegates have benefited from the soft loan depending on what you intend to do with the money. 

    “The wisdom behind the Presidential Amnesty Scheme (beneficiaries), Cooperative Society Ltd (PAPCOSOL), is to ensure that delegates and beneficiaries of the PAP initiative do not rely on N65,000 monthly stipend paid to ex-agitators till eternity.”