The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • NNPP crisis: Southeast stakeholders disown Kwankwaso

    NNPP crisis: Southeast stakeholders disown Kwankwaso

    The leadership crisis in the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) has deepened, following the stand of the Southeast stakeholders that their presidential candidate during the February 25, 2023 election, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, is no longer a member of the party.

    The stakeholders from Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Imo and Ebonyi states met yesterday in Awka, Anambra State, where the decision was taken.

    They reaffirmed the dissolution of Kawu Ali’s led-National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

    They alleged that Kwankwaso and some of his Kwankwasiya movement expired immediately after the conclusion of the February 25 presidential election.

    The Southeast leaders, therefore, called on the public not to have any political dealings with Kwankwaso and his group on the platform of NNPP again.

    The Southeast leaders said the founder of the party 21 years ago, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, remained the national leader of the party under the chairmanship of Dr. Agbo Major.

    The resolution was moved by Chief Ozeogu Stephen, acting Ebonyi State chairman of NNPP, and seconded by Nnani Emmanuel, acting publicity secretary in Imo State.

    The leaders accused the current NWC and Kwankwaso of hijacking the party structure from the original owners and for not involving the founder, Aniebonam, in the party’s scheme of things.

    Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Felix Chukwurah, said: “We are aware that NNPP as the number four out of 18 parties after the last general election has encountered encumbrances capable of destabilising its pursuits in many fronts towards claiming God’s mandate of producing number one citizen (the president) in Nigeria and other political offices in the three arms of government in the next political dispensation in 2027.

    “APC, PDP, LP and the rest of the political parties in Nigeria, including ours, are burdened with colours of quagmire internally and externally to the extent that some candidates who came out victorious in the last elections are already defecting to other parties for one reason or the other.

    “Our party, NNPP, is not immune to party quagmires, but the peculiarities in our circumstances are worth dealing with decisively to resist the obvious. 

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    “We have a situation where the party constitution was grossly violated and abandoned for a new fresh one under the guise of amendment by some recent entrants in the party to enable them perfect a hijack of the party, founded and nurtured for 22 years by Dr. Aniebonam, supported by some other pioneer members.

    “We have a situation where the NWC was swallowed and manipulated by a few new entrants. They marshalled the NWC members to meetings in their private houses for easy access and control for selfish and unpopular decisions.

    “They frame anybody they set their eyes on, especially some state chairmen, who are not likely to support their hijack agenda and suspend or expel them all together. 

    “They conspired and replaced their imaginary enemies in many states with some Kwankwasiya members as the caretaker chairmen.”

    He, however, said NNPP was ready to take over Imo State Government House in the November 11 governorship election.

  • Supreme Court verdict, vindication of Tinubu’s popularity, says Sylva

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

    Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State and its governorship candidate in the November 11 election, Chief Timipre Sylva, has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his victory in the presidential election litigations at the Supreme Court.

    He welcomed the Supreme Court judgment as a crucial opportunity to vindicate Tinubu and his wide acceptance among Nigerians.

    He saluted Tinubu for remaining steadfast and focused on governance throughout the election litigation period.

    Sylva hailed APC for its commitment to the progress and prosperity of Nigeria.

    He said the party’s ability to rally Nigerians towards common national objectives was unmatched and remained at the core of the presidential election victory.

    The Supreme Court on October 26 dismissed the appeals brought by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate at the February 25 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, seeking to overturn Tinubu’s victory at the polls and the Presidential Election Petition Court.

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    In his congratulatory message, Sylva said: “I send my warm congratulations to you, Mr. President, on your victory at the Supreme Court, which is actually a vindication of your national acceptance.

    “The presidential election litigation was an opportunity well utilised by our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the opposition alike to fully confirm your popularity among Nigerians. It was also a critical chance to prove the people’s good reason for choosing APC.

    “With the presidential election legal process now over, I wish you a most successful tenure as you face the responsibilities and challenges of your high office with even greater vigour.

    “I call upon the opposition and, indeed, all Nigerians to rally round the president and support him every step of the way as he steers the ship of this country towards the El Dorado we all crave.

    “Here in Bayelsa State, we look forward to working with you before and after our governorship election next month, and developing deeper relationships for the good of the state and country.”

  • ‘Soludo’s N2b to 5000 youths will curb crime’  

    ‘Soludo’s N2b to 5000 youths will curb crime’  

    Acting National Youth Leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, has described distribution of N2billion grants to 5,000 graduates of the One Youth Two Skills initiative of Governor Chukwuma Soludo as a giant step towards fighting crime and insecurity in Anambra State.

    Soludo had during the graduation, certification and start-up grants ceremony at the weekend, presented sums of grants, ranging from N500,000 to N1,000,000 to the graduates trained across skills under the entrepreneurship and apprenticeship systems.

    Okpalaezeukwu in a statement yesterday, said engagement of the youth in gainful ventures had made them unavailable for crime and vices.

    He said: “Anambra State under Governor Soludo has again recorded a major milestone by this initiative. Recall that he had in his manifesto, promised to raise 1,000 youth millionaires annually. 

    “These graduates, with the grants given to them will go ahead to become wealth creators and employers of labour,

    which will in turn, translate many of them to millionaires, billionaires and even so much more.”

    “For me, the governor did not just teach these youths how to fish, he also gave them the nets, the hooks and other equipment to fish. They will have no reason whatsoever, to look in the direction of crime. 

    “This is what Ohaneze Ndigbo under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has been preaching and it is such a delight to see Governor Soludo thinking in this direction.

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    “This is consistent with the apex Igbo socio-cultural group’s vision to build the Igbo land of everybody’s dream.”

    While commending the form the program was designed to first empower the youths with skills before providing them with seed capital, the youth leader argued that the arrangement would ensure the grants were not wasted.

    He also applauded the mentorship and business development support which the government has negotiated with some partners, to enable the beneficiaries grow their businesses.

    “I wish to remind the beneficiaries that they have a huge responsibility to take up the challenge of building other youths who were not fortunate enough to benefit from the process.

    “With the grants they can become creators of wealth and labour, moving other unemployed youths out of the unemployment net.

    “The governor has set the ball rolling, it is now the duty of the beneficiaries to see to it that this initiative blossoms, by appropriately deploying the start-up capital to grow their businesses.

    “We are looking forward to a spike in the number of start-ups in the state, as well as Small and Medium Scale enterprises, who are the actual drivers of any economy.

    “The challenge is now theirs and we are hopeful that they will not betray the trust reposed in them by Mr Governor,” he added.

  • Akwa Ibom to host musical fiesta

    Akwa Ibom to host musical fiesta

    Troupes from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja will converge on Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, for a four-day pan-Nigeria cultural and musical fiesta.

    The fiesta named Nigerian Cultural and Musical Fiesta (NICUMFEST) has as its theme: ‘Mobilising Nigeria’s Cultural Diversity for National Economic Prosperity’.  

    A statement at the weekend signed by Akarandot  Kokobassey and Idorenyin  Aquaisua, the event’s national  coordinator and director of administration, said the fiesta would hold at Ibom Hall, Uyo between November 22 and 25.

    The statement said NICUMFEST was a private-sector-government-driven initiative promoted by Arts Impacts Productions.

    It said the fiesta was also a prime cultural and musical feast structured for live performances, competition and exhibition by troupes from the 36 states, FCT and privately-owned cultural and musical troupes.  

    The statement said: “Unlike similar national events that basically gather performers for fun and festivities, NICUMFEST is conceptualised with an innovative vision to amass distinctive arts, cultural and creative resources in states for value-addition and functional investment drives. 

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    “This will be done through clinical documentation of the defining cultural potential and artistic assets across states of the federation and deployment of a broad range of targets-specific post-event promotional and marketing services for intentional year-round promotion of these resources on national and international media platforms and investment markets to attract the needed partnerships for meaningful development and foreign direct investments in the sectors. 

    “The fiesta is a unique national platform to: harness and showcase creative talents; promote the defining artistic assets in Nigerian cultural, choral and Afro beats brands; upscale creative capacity and competences; and practically evolve strategic national synergy to deploy Nigeria’s vast cultural potential and assets to generate employment, promote and export Nigerian creative resources worldwide and enrich the lives of people with our exclusive musical styles and rich culture.  

     ”Therefore, ‘NICUMFEST UYO, 2023’ is a national, cultural and musical feast and melting-pot for the global arts community”. 

  • The Delborough’ Board strongest in quality I’ve ever chair – Obi of Onitsha

    The Delborough’ Board strongest in quality I’ve ever chair – Obi of Onitsha

    One of Africa’s most respected traditional rulers, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (CFR) has said that the Board membership of The Delborough Lagos is one of the most strongest and illustrious he has ever chaired given the quality of its board members.

    The revered monarch was recently appointed as the Chairman of the Board of what is being positioned as one of Africa’s most iconic luxury brands ahead of its upcoming commissioning in Lagos.

    Igwe Alfred, who has served in over 50 prestigious organisations in the public and private sectors as either Chairman or Board Member, made the remarks while addressing newsmen after the official inauguration of the nine-member Board in The Delborough Lagos.

    The traditional ruler said: “I am grateful for the honour to serve on this Board. I must say that this is the biggest Board I have served as Chairman.

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    “The Delborough Lagos has been planned and executed today to the highest levels of excellence. It is a top hotel in Nigeria that beats all international standards.”

    The Obi of Onitsha added: “This first-class hotel though taking off from Lagos Nigeria, will be replicated across continents. And with the calibre of people appointed into this Board, I can assure the public that the laid down standard of this luxury facility is going to be sustained.”

    The nine-member Board headed by His Royal Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe CFR, mni Obi of Onitsha (Agbogidi), consists of: His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal (Abisogun II, Oniru of Iruland); Prof. Chief Mike A.A. Ozekhome SAN,OFR, FCIArb, PhD; Usman Alkali Baba CFR; Arc. Dns. Yemisi Suswam PhD, FNIA; Mrs Olajumoke Benson; H.E Dr. Valentine Ozigbo; Matt Aikhionbare, OON and Dr. Linus Idahosa.

  • Academy mourns ace broadcaster Jika Attoh

    Academy mourns ace broadcaster Jika Attoh

    The West Africa broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) has mourned the death of its executive director and ace broadcaster, Nkemjika Attoh, who passed away on Wednesday in Enugu, capital of Enugu State. 

    A statement signed yesterday by WABMA Registrar, Joseph Obari, described the death of Attoh as a colossal loss.

    The statement quoted the Chairman of the academy, Kevin Ejiofor, as saying: ”This is a huge loss to us at WABMA where Jika spent the last years of his life deepening media professionalism.

    “It is a loss we share with the entire media landscape in Nigeria where this news has sent shockwaves. Our prayers accompany our dear friend and colleague as he journeys on to the great beyond.”

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    It added: “Attoh’s failing health in the past one year did not deter him from pursuing his passion of enhancing development journalism in Nigeria until the very last weeks of his life. 

    “He was the firebrand professional anchor of Africa Independent Television’s flagship breakfast, KAAKAKI and news anchor at CHANNELS Television, Lagos.”

    “Attoh later became a journalism trainer for the BBC World Service Trust (BBC Media Action) and a consultant media trainer for ENABLE in Nigeria.

    “His media leadership included his roles as the managing director of Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS; broadcast manager and trainer at Lagoni Media, member of board of directors of West Africa Democracy Radio, Dakar, Senegal and the genius behind the establishment of BLAZE FM, Awka and COSMOS FM, Enugu”.

  • Appeal Court affirms Rep’s election

    Appeal Court affirms Rep’s election

    The Court of Appeal has affirmed the election of Martins Esin (PDP), as winner of the election for Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State.

    The lawmaker’s electoral victory had been challenged by his closest rival in the February 2023 election, Robinson Edumoh of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal.  

    The tribunal chaired by Justice Kudirat Jose had on September 1  thrown out Edumoh’s petition, ruling that the petitioner could not prove any of his allegations bordering on over-voting, non-transmission of results electronically, widespread irregularities and non-compliance with visions of the Electoral Act.

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    Dissatisfied by the ruling, the APC candidate approached the appellate court, asking it to set aside the verdict of the tribunal.

    Delivering its judgment yesterday at the National Industrial Court Complex in Lagos State, the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices, dismissed the appeal brought before it.

    The court held that it found no reason to set aside the judgment of the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, which affirmed the PDP candidate, Esin, as the valid winner of the election.

    The appellate court panel awarded a cost of N500,000 in favour of each respondent, including Esin, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), against the appellant.

  • Effium crisis: Nwifuru reads riot act as soldier goes missing

    Effium crisis: Nwifuru reads riot act as soldier goes missing

    One of the soldiers on peace keeping mission in the crisis-prone Effium community in Ebonyi State has been declared missing.

    Governor Francis Nwifuru had earlier threatened to deal with anyone responsible for his disappearance if he was not found alive before noon yesterday.

    The governor said this in a statement by his spokesperson, Monday Uzor, on Wednesday night.

    The people Efium and Ezza Effium in Effium town have been enmeshed in communal crisis, which has decimated the town.

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    Hundreds of lives have been lost, with thousands rendered homeless in the crisis which started in 2020.

    Efforts to restore peace to the area have not been successful.

    Governor Nwifuru also threatened to dissolve the peace committee mediating in the crisis if the soldier is not found.

  • Anambra community to CP: tell your men to leave our land alone

    Anambra community to CP: tell your men to leave our land alone

    No fewer than 1,000 indigenes of 20 villages in Awka community, Awka South Local Government of Anambra State, yesterday stormed streets in the capital city, protesting land grabbing by another community with the alleged help of the police command.

    Carrying placards with inscriptions such as: ‘Ezinano land doesn’t need police post’, ‘Police have taken bribe’, ‘Police face security, not our land’, among others, the indigenes, including the young and the old, took their protest to the police, blocking the police headquarters at Amawbia.

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    Police Commissioner Aderemi Adeoye hailed the protesters for their peaceful disposition.

    He said: “Police are not interested in your land and no attempt is being made to take over any community land. We’re here to serve the public and we won’t support any party. My doors are always open to listen to you.”

  • Otu presents N250b 2024 budget to assembly

    Otu presents N250b 2024 budget to assembly

    Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has presented the 2024 budget sum of N250 billion to the House of Assembly, christened “People’s First Budget”.

    At the presentation yesterday before the 25-member legislature, the governor said capital expenditure would gulp N154,000,000,000 (One Hundred and Fifty-four Billion Naira) only, while N96,000,000,000 (Ninety-six Billion Naira) only is proposed for recurrent expenditure, representing a ratio of 61.6% – 38.4%.

    The 2024 proposed budget, being his administration’s first presentation, places priority on the people first, among other contending variables. He said: “The budget aligns with some Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, such as Goal 2: Zero Hunger, Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, Goal 4: Quality Education, Goal 5: Gender Equality, Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong institution, We are, however, not unmindful of the world’s economic downturn, which Cross River State is not spared either.

     “We shall therefore remain focused on expenditure prudence and prioritising resource allocation to meet the aforementioned goals.”

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    Otu said the state Internal Revenue Service has been repositioned to ensure that every taxable adult is brought into the tax net.

    He said for the 2024 fiscal year, the government was expecting One Hundred and Thirty Three Billion Three Hundred Million Naira (N133,300,000,000) from the Federation Account (FAAC), while independent revenue is estimated at Thirty Five Billion Three Hundred and Twenty Two Million Seven Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand Five Hundred and Ninety Four Naira (N35,322,747,594).

    The governor said the budget was expected to prioritise agriculture, education, environment, infrastructure, youths, sports, security and tourism.

    House of Assembly Speaker Elvert Ayambem, who presided over the budget presentation session, thanked the governor for the cordial relationship between the executive and the legislature.