The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • House to investigate failed N6.4b shoreline protection contract

    House to investigate failed N6.4b shoreline protection contract

    House of Representatives is to investigate the failure of the performance of the N6.5 billion shoreline protection contract awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in 2006.

    Adopting a motion on notice sponsored by Donald Ojogo (APC, Ondo), the House urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide temporary relief materials, to cushion the impact of the ravaging sea incursion on the latest victims at Ayetoro community in llaje Local Government of Ondo State. 

    Leading a debate on the motion, Ojogo told the House that the oil-producing Ayetoro community was not just a major revenue source of the nation, but also a phenomenal historical and cultural settlement along the coastal stretch of llaje Local Government. 

    He said Ayetoro community and its environs accounted for 5.4 per cent of the 60,000 Barrel Per Day (BPD) of Ondo State’s crude oil production output, amounting to about 3.7 per cent of Nigeria’s total oil production, ranking Ondo State 5th among Nigeria’s oil-producing states, as captured by the NDDC law. 

    He said the devastating sea incursions and ocean surges had been the albatross of Ayetoro community for over two decades, destroying properties and displacing indigenes, thus disrupting the oil-exploration activities owing to varied reactions by indigenes of the area. 

    Ojogo said the surge had become an annual occurrence and an alarming rate that successive administrations in Ondo State appeared overwhelmed, thus helpless. 

    He said NDDC in 2004 attempted to stem the slide by awarding contract for the construction of a shoreline protective wall designed with a tube technology at Ayetoro to Gallet Nigeria Ltd at an original contract sum of N6.4 billion, of which 25 per cent was reportedly paid.

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    He said the contract was revoked in 2009 for alleged lack of capacity and re-awarded to Dredging Atlantic Ltd at an undisclosed cost and 16 years after the contract was first awarded, there was nothing to show any intervention by the government. 

    Ojogo said owing “to this pitiable level of no action by the mobilised contractor(s), a particular surge that happened towards the end of 2022 reportedly caused the displacement of nearly 2,000 people, 13 deaths and the destruction of over 200 homes.” 

    He said the situation had generated tension in the oil-producing communities, as restive youths had reportedly begun mobilising themselves to disrupt the lawful activities of oil producing companies, thereby creating a state of unease and seeming insecurity. 

  • Tribunal declares Abia PDP candidate winner

    Tribunal declares Abia PDP candidate winner

    • Awards N200,000 cost against LP standard-bearer  

    The National and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia, Abia State capital, yesterday dismissed a petition filed by the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), for Obingwa East State Constituency, Mr. Peter Azubuike, against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Solomon Akpulonu.

    The LP candidate had petitioned the tribunal, alleging over voting and called for the cancellation and rerun in 28 polling units. He insisted that the election that produced Akpulonu as Obingwa East Constituency representative didn’t comply with the Electoral Act.

    However, the tribunal headed by Justice Abubakar Kutigi, held that the LP petition lacked merit and could not prove the allegation of over voting and non-compliance of the election with the Electoral Act.

    Read Also: Tinubu’s certificate in order, CSU deposes in court

    The tribunal declared Akpulonu as validly elected and awarded N200,000 cost to be paid to the PDP candidate.

    In an interview with reporters in Umuahia after the judgment, Akpulonu, a former majority leader of the Assembly, praised the tribunal for what he described as an erudite and well-considered judgment. 

    He urged Azubuike, whom he described as his cousin, to join hands with him to develop the constituency.

    Counsel for the PDP candidate, Chidozie Ogunji, said the petition lacked merit and commended the tribunal for dismissing it.

  • Abia Governor Otti denies sponsoring IPOB

    Abia Governor Otti denies sponsoring IPOB

    • ’We’re not using state’s money to fund Obi’s case’ 

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has denied that his government was using the state’s money to fund the tribunal litigation of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi.

    The governor also debunked using the state’s or his personal money to fund the activities of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    He called on the heads of the security agencies to throw more light on their allegations, to enable law enforcement agents carry out thorough investigations that could lead to the arrest of the culprits.

    Read Also: Senate bars new members from top posts

    Otti was reacting to reports alleging that he was using the state money to fund the LP presidential candidate’s case against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and IPOB, ahead of the delivery of the governorship election petition tribunal verdict on October 6.

    The governor, who reacted in Umuahia through his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, yesterday, called on President Tinubu, the Chief of Army Staff, the National Security Adviser and the Inspector General of Police to conduct investigation into the allegations levelled against the governor by the said groups.

    Our correspondent reports that in two viral interviews, some groups accused Governor Otti and the accusations prompted a reply from the government yesterday, demanding a thorough investigation. 

  • UNN: we’ve produced over 200,000 graduates since 1960

    UNN: we’ve produced over 200,000 graduates since 1960

    The University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has said it has produced over 200,000 graduates since the inception of the university in 1960.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Charles Igwe, made this known in Enugu yesterday while briefing reporters on the activities lined up for the university’s 63rd Founders’ Day celebration to be held at the main hall of the Enugu campus of the university.

    He said: “As you all know, our Founders’ Day celebration is an annual event held in commemoration of the founding of our university-Nigeria’s first indigenous university. 

    “Thus, we should be celebrating not only the birth of UNN, but also the historical milestone of the birth of university education as a whole. 

    “It is on record that the University of Nigeria has now produced close to 60 generations of alumni and from our matriculation number, the exact number of graduates produced so far by the university is over 200,000.

    “It is for this reason, that our Founders’ Day celebration is marked as an elaborate and weeklong activity during which members of staff, students and alumni come together to honour our founders and forebears.”

    The VC expressed happiness that numerous graduates of the university “are now doing Nigeria and the institution proud in fields of endeavour globally.”

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    He noted that over the years, UNN had continued to re-invent itself, retaining and improving her place in the league of universities in Nigeria, Africa and the world. 

    “We have remained competitive in spite of some very peculiar challenges which we face. In terms of academic output, our workers have been quite productive not only in the form of conference attendance, research publications, but also in inventions and patents. 

    “This year alone, the university has hosted many national and international conferences. It is currently publishing a growing number of academic journals and some of these have been listed or indexed by international agencies. 

    “A good example is the Nigerian Journal of Technology, which is published by our Faculty of Engineering and which was recently indexed by SCOPUS -the globally-recognised abstract and citation database owned by Elsevier,” Igwe said.

  • Bayelsa govt explains cause of prolonged darkness in Yenagoa

    Bayelsa govt explains cause of prolonged darkness in Yenagoa

    Bayelsa State Government has said the current blackout in parts of Yenagoa and its environs is as a result of a vehicle that crashed into and damaged electric poles in Opolo area of the capital.

    It made this known yesterday through a statement by the Managing Director, Bayelsa Electricity Company Limited (BECL), Olice Kemenanabo, an engineer.

    Kemenanabo, who is also the chairman, Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Board of Directors, said two persons died due to the crash, which occurred a few weeks ago.

    He said: “The accident was caused by a fault that cascaded into the 132/33kV transmission substation at Gbarain, with a heavy bang that caused an inferno and gutted the 33kV feeder switchgears, the protection and control systems and other sensitive electrical equipment. 

    “This huge damage has thrown the state into darkness, which is regrettable.

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    “Although the incident at the transmission substation is not within the purview of the state, Governor Douye Diri has directed that the Ministry of Power and Bayelsa Electricity Company interface with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), owners of the asset and other related agencies, to evaluate the situation with a view to restoring supply as soon as possible.

    “Accordingly, we urge the good people of Bayelsa to keep calm as we continue to work in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Power, TCN and other relevant agencies to ensure the restoration of power supply to the affected areas.”

    Kemenanabo urged the public to be vigilant and report any unscrupulous activity, as vandals could take advantage of the situation.

    He said the government would update the state on the progress of the situation until power was fully restored.

  • Lecturer declares interest in election

    Lecturer declares interest in election

    A lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike, Ikwo (AEFUNAI), Ebonyi State, Dr. Casimir Ifeanyi, has declared interest in the president of Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.

    The leadership of Nigeria Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), Southeast zone, has unanimously endorsed Ifeanyi as their sole candidate in the election scheduled for next month.

    Ifeanyi, who had served the association at the national level as the publicity secretary, made this known in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State capital. 

    He said the myriad of malevolence against medical laboratory scientists at the federal and state health facilities, and the deficit in the employment ratio would be addressed under his administration if elected.

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    He assured his colleagues in the 36 states, including Abuja, of his resilience and plans as the 16th president to create opportunities for the unemployed laboratory scientists to get employment at the federal and state health facilities.

    Ifeanyi said regular accreditation of health laboratories at the federal and state-owned institutions would be initiated, to ensure adequate laboratory services for Nigerians.

    He said the failure to have round pegs in a round hole in the leadership of medical laboratory scientists was a curse on the association, adding that “it needs a paradigm shift to succeed.”

    Alo Clement, leader of MLS, Ebonyi State chapel, who expressed confidence in Dr. Ifeanyi, described him as a fearless colleague, who would lead the association to the promised land.

  • ‘Explore Nigeria’s opportunities’

    ‘Explore Nigeria’s opportunities’

    Special Adviser to Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Security, Ben Chiobi, has advised youths to resist the ‘japa syndrome’ and explore opportunities in the country.

    He said opportunities of making money in Nigeria, particularly in the Southeast, were more than what obtained in Western countries.

    Chiobi spoke in Awka, Anambra State capital, at the 2023 edition of The Pivot Conference, with the theme: ‘From Challenges to Opportunities: Unveiling the Potentials in Southeast Nigeria through Social Innovation.’

    He advised youths to avail themselves of opportunities for mentoring, saying the only way to succeed in the ICT generation was to be creative and not be a copycat. 

    One of the resource persons and the Chief Executive Officer, Selecom Ltd, Precious Obimdi, lamented that Nigerian system was designed to frustrate younger entrepreneurs from thriving in businesses. 

    He identified partnerships with governments, agencies and bigger establishments as ways of staying afloat and making impact on human lives.

    Read Also: Senate bars new members from top posts

    A banking expert, Tochukwu Nwokediuko, said over 65 per cent of businesses scarcely survived first three years in Nigeria due to lack of access to funding and credit facilities, planning and poor financial literacy among business owners.

    A technology expert and Managing Director of Anambra State ICT Agency, Fred Agbata, said opportunities abound in the ICT sector, but noted that without innovative spirit, teamwork and partnership, success in business would be difficult.

    Speaking about ‘Fostering Youth-led Impact Entrepreneurship as a Catalyst for Growth,’ the Regional Coordinator, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mrs. Chito Onuzulike, an engineer; said SMEs were crucial component of the economy. 

    Pivot Executive Director, Ifedi Eze, a lawyer; said the past half-decade had been bedevilled by socio-economic problems, with negative impact on economic indices.

  • Foundation gives scholarship to over 50 indigent students in Cross River

    Foundation gives scholarship to over 50 indigent students in Cross River

    To cushion the negative effect of petrol subsidy removal, a charity organisation, Florence Agogo Foundation, has given bursary to over 50 indigent students across the 18 local governments of Cross River State.

    Speaking at a dinner night and the scholarship award ceremony

    at the weekend in Calabar, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organisation, Mrs. Florence Agogo,

    said the gesture was an opportunity to positively affect the lives of

    fellow Nigerians.

    The event was organised in collaboration with the National Association Cross River State Students (NACRISS) worldwide.

    She said the award, which was an annual event, was the

    foundation’s modest way of oundation gives scholarship to over 50 indigent students in Cross Rivers

    improving the academic pursuit of indigent students of Cross River State origin, “especially at a time like this when Nigerians are going through difficulties occasioned by the petrol subsidy removal by the Federal Government.”

    best to see how we can help to improve the academic sojourn of the indigents in our midst.

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    “So, when the president of NACRISS reached out to me, I felt in this

    kind of event we needed to have the presence of all the benefiting

    students so that we can assist them in the payment of their school

    fees, faculty fees, transportation, house rent, feeding and so on.”

    The Special Adviser on General Duties to Cross River State governor, Mr. Ekpenyong Akiba, hailed the organisers and sponsors of the award ceremony for complementing the government’s efforts in the educational subsector.

    Akiba, who was the chairman of the occasion as well as one of the honorary awardees, said the foundation’s bursary award to indigent students was in line with the policy trust of the Governor Bassey Otu administration.

    Presenting an honorary award to the chairman of the event and other awardees, the NACRISS President, Worldwide, Akpeke Peter, said the award was to recognise ‘Cross Riverians’ that had impacted positively in the lives of students.

    One of the beneficiaries, Precious Asuquo, thanked Florence Agogo Foundation and NACRISS for providing a platform where students were offered scholarship to support their upkeep in school.

  • Leader hails Soludo for immortalising Achebe

    Leader hails Soludo for immortalising Achebe

    President-General, Umueri General Assembly, Dr. John Metchie, has hailed Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo for renaming Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri after literary giant, the late Prof. Chinua Achebe. 

    He described Achebe’s immortalisation as a good decision.

    He said the legends of Anambra origin, who had left indelible footprints in the sand of time, should be remembered for their immense contributions to human development.  

    He noted that the late Achebe was not just an ambassador of the Igbo nation, but also attained global recognition with his literary works.

    Metchie described Achebe as not just an Anambra hero or a Nigerian hero, but also an African and global hero yet largely unsung at home.

    He said the late Nigerian novelist, poet and critic gave African literature an identity and voice, and at the same time reconstructed and refined people’s identity in his literary works. 

    Read Also: Soludo prays for Tinubu’s success, honours Achebe in Anambra

    Metchie said: “Our governor is visionary. He is very meticulous with decision making and as a matter of public policy; he ensures that every decision taken by his administration is in tandem with the wishes and aspirations of the citizenry.

    “One of Chinua Achebe’s works, Things Fall Apart, has been translated into many local and international languages all over the world. The renaming of Anambra airport after him is a well-deserved honour.

    “An indigene of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government, Achebe died at the age of 82. Prof. Achebe as a prophet is not celebrated among his people. That’s why I’m extolling the governor’s decision in renaming Anambra airport after the late sage.

    “I express my gratitude to the governor for finding the late literary oracle worthy of such an honour and announcing same at an auspicious occasion as the 63rd Independence Anniversary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

  • Ex-MOSOP president petitions Fed Govt, UN over Ogoni massacre

    Ex-MOSOP president petitions Fed Govt, UN over Ogoni massacre

    A former president of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara, has petitioned the Federal Government and the United Nations’ General Assembly over alleged failure to investigate the Ogoni massacre of the 1990s.

    Pyagbara, the executive director of the African Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development (AIFES), reportedly submitted the petition at the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Read Also: Monarch laments exclusion of Ogoni from Fubara’s exco

    In a statement in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, by AIFES Director of Communications, Sunny Zorvah, the ex-president expressed regrets that succeeding Nigerian governments had ignored the need to launch investigations into the killing of hundreds of indigenes of Ogoni communities by the military allegedly deployed by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), and refused to pay reparations for the lives lost because of the militarisation of Ogoniland.