The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Shettima to declare open retreat for National Assembly leadership

    Shettima to declare open retreat for National Assembly leadership

    • Uyo hosts lawmakers

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima is expected to declare open a two-day leadership retreat for principal officers of the National Assembly in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    The retreat will be attended by the principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as some former Senate presidents and House of Representatives speakers.

    The Senate and the House of Representatives have 10 principal officers each that form the management of each chamber.

    They are Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip in addition to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker as well as the Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

    The Nation gathered that during the retreat, the principal officers are expected to brainstorm on ways of moving the legislature forward without working at cross purpose.

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    During the 9th Assembly, members of the House of Representatives complained about their bills not receiving the required concurrence from the Senate, even though they always gave Senate bills accelerated consideration.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, his deputy, Benjamin Kalu and other principal officers of the House are already in Uyo for the retreat.

    In a post on his Facebook page, the Speaker said: “I arrived Uyo for a two-day retreat for the leadership of both the Senate and the House organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (MILES).

    “We are ready to share ideas with a view to having a better 10th Assembly as the House gets ready to reconvene from annual recess next week.”

  • 17,834 jostle for vacant 1,454 Ebonyi civil service jobs

    17,834 jostle for vacant 1,454 Ebonyi civil service jobs

    Over 17,000 people have applied for the 1,454 vacancies in the Ebonyi State civil service.

    Governor Francis Nwifuru had directed that the recruitment be carried out to fill vacancies that came up as a result of retirement and resignation.

    Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, said yesterday that the Civil Service Commission had received 17,834 applications from job seekers.

    He said this while briefing reporters in Abakaliki on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday

    He said of the 17,834 applicants who submitted applications for employment, only 5,352 met the requirement of submitting original certificates with their applications, while the rest submitted their statements of results.

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    Okpor said the Council resolved to uphold the submission of original certificate criterion for eligibility for shortlisting with a provision that opportunities should be given to those who did not attach their certificates, but were able to provide theirs before the screening date.

    He said Governor Nwifuru, the chairman of the Executive Council, emphasised that the recruitment should be merit-based, to give applicants equal opportunity to compete for the job.

    Okpor said the Council urged the Civil Service Commission to fast track the recruitment process, to ensure the exercise was concluded as soon as possible.

    On payment of gratuity to retired civil servants, the commissioner said the Council approved commencement of payment.

    He said the payment would begin from September 21, with a release of N3,851,763,617.65.

  • Delta Ijaw communities oppose annexation to Ondo

    Delta Ijaw communities oppose annexation to Ondo

    Opuama and Polubobo (Tsekelewu) communities in Egbema Kingdom, Warri North Local Government of Delta State, have raised the alarm over a plot to annex them into Ilaje and Ese-Odo councils of Ondo State.

    They described the move as a “security threat” to the communities.

    A statement signed by Chief David Ugedi (Boundary committee chairman, Opuama), Dr. Bright Abulu (president-general of Polobubo community) and others said Ondo State Government Performance and Implementation Monitoring Unit (ODSGPPIMU) had produced a map annexing Opuama (Atilabo), Tsekelewu and Okirigbo communities to Ilaje East Local Development Area (LCDA), under Ugbo Ward 5.

    The statement said an earlier move to counter the development was stalled by reactions by Donald Ojogo, member, House of Representatives, Ilaje-Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, as well as Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, dated August 12, 2023.

    Ojogo had “…affirmed that there were obvious flaws in the said map, but that they were not intentional, and he was already interfacing with relevant officials of Ondo State Government with a view to clearing all grey areas”.

    Part of statements credited to the commissioner in one of the national dailies described the development as an unintended error, saying, “in the map of Ondo State distributed, there were juxtapositions in names and some names were put where they should not be.

    “This act of inadvertence has no link with the current process on the creation of new LCDAs in the state and should be disregarded completely.”

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    However, in a fresh publication of Ondo State LCDAs Administrative Map covering 33 newly-created LCDAs and 18 LGAs “our communities that were earlier found in the first erroneous maps are captured in Ilaje East LCDA, under Ugbo Ward 5, of Ilaje LGA. Could this be further error, or a daring affront and invitation for war?

    “This unhealthy political development has been a concern to Opuama, Polobubo (Tsekelewu) and Egbema at large, as this is not the first time, the government of Ondo State has attempted merger of the towns (Opuama and Tsekelewu) with Ondo State,” parts of the statement read.

    It also disclosed that in 1977 and 1978, there were attempts by the Ondo State Government to claim the said towns which led to a protest by the communities.

    Accusing the government of Ondo State of several other “instances of imperialistic tendencies” towards them, the statement added, “we are having strong feelings of insecurity of our towns and lands due to our past experiences and it is upon this background, we are categorically saying the government of Ondo State, the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Local Council Authorities and any other group of persons or individuals, should desist from incorporating Opuama and Tsekelewu into any political arrangement/creation in their state, since the two towns are ‘integral component of Delta State’; this status of the towns has been variously proved beyond reasonable doubt, in high quarters”.

    It should be noted that Opuama and Polobubo are Ijaw (Izon) communities which had been in the defunct Mid-Western Region, Bendel State and now in Delta State.

  • Otti gives five SUVs to judges

    Otti gives five SUVs to judges

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has given Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to five judges of the High Court.

    Speaking at a brief ceremony held at the High Court Complex, Umuahia, Dr. Otti said whatever was necessary to ensure the judiciary was given its pride of place would receive priority of his administration.

    The governor, represented by the Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said he was committed to ensuring the dispensation of justice and the rule of law, adding that those who undertook the task should have conducive atmosphere to perform their duties.

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    He noted that he had not hidden his respect for the judiciary and rule of law and praised the cordial relationship between the executive and the judicial arms of government.

    Receiving the papers and keys of the vehicles, the Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, said Dr. Otti had shown that he was a judiciary-friendly governor since taking over the reins of power.

    She thanked the governor for providing the vehicles for the judges, saying she looked forward to a better working relationship with the executive.

    One of the beneficiaries, Justice Okezie Enyinnaya, thanked the governor for the gesture extended to him and his brother judges.

  • ‘Senate to legislate on more power for monarchs’

    ‘Senate to legislate on more power for monarchs’

    The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Ekong Sampson, has said the 10th Senate would come up with a legislation granting power to traditional rulers in the area of security.

    Sampson, who represents Akwa Ibom South, made the disclosure at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Mkpat Enin,  Edidem Akpan Akpan Ekpene.

    He said the legislation would encourage respect and support for traditional rulers, to enable them play roles in strengthening democracy at the grassroots.

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    Sampson added: “The 10th Senate will support workable autonomy for monarchs, which will help strengthen democracy and security in Nigeria, especially at the grassroots.

    “Strengthening the role of traditional rulers is one of the key ways to tackle insecurity.”

    The senator recalled that he had been one of the major advocates for greater constitutional role for the traditional institution.

    He said: “As council chairman in the early 2000s, I lived in Mkpat Enin throughout the duration of my tenure. I was abreast of the issues at the grassroots.

    “I presented cars to clan heads in the local government and also increased their monthly stipends, as well as those of the town criers.”

  • Soludo declares free, compulsory education in schools

    Soludo declares free, compulsory education in schools

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo yesterday announced free and compulsory education in public schools.

    He said the move was in line with his vision of an all-inclusive education for the state.

    Making the pronouncement at Premier Primary School, Obosi, the governor said education from Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE) to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) was free and compulsory for school-age children.

    He said: “Henceforth, no child within that education range will be charged school fees or any other fees to acquire education.

    “Children of school age will no longer be deprived of access to quality education; core community schools will be upgraded to smart schools in line with our vision of imparting skillful and sustainable education.”

    Saying machinery would be put in place to ensure effective step down of the directive in the state, Soludo noted that his administration would not look kindly at anyone who failed to comply with the pronouncement.

    Top three pupils in the last term examinations were given cash prizes.

    Anambra State Government has assured the people of Isuaniocha in Awka North Local Government of solution to the eight years crisis rocking the community. 

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    Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo, Ernest Ezeajuyi, gave the assurance during a peaceful protest by over 1,000 indigenes of the town, at the Government House, over leadership and land issues causing disunity and insecurity in the town.

    The protesters, comprising youths and adults, including the oldest man in the community, bore placards, chanting solidarity songs. They demanded attention from Governor Soludo.

    Addressing the protesters, Ezeajuyi, flanked by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Tony Nwabunwanne, said the current administration would not relent in ensuring peace in communities across the state.

    He hailed them for the courage of speaking with one voice, assuring them of meeting with representatives of eight villages of the community, including their acting president general, to address the issues of leadership and land affecting the town.

    Ezeajuyi said: “Soludo’s government has recovered several land belonging to secondary schools across the state and will look into that of Isuaniocha Secondary School land, which is one of the contending issues causing problem in the area.

    “On the issue of certificate of recognition issued to Mkpuora Ngini as the traditional ruler of the community, the governor will look into the demand of the people and give them feedback as soon as possible.”

    The leader of the protesters and Acting President General of Isuaniocha, Frederik Egwunwa, lamented government’s failure to keep its promise of constituting a committee to look into the matter during their last protest.

    He said: “It was this failure that informed our decision to block the entrance gate to the Government House so that proper attention will be given to us.”

    Police Commissioner Aderemi Adeoye advised the protesters to embrace peace, noting that leadership and land matters could be resolved through dialogue.

  • Imo NNPP candidate stands with Kano Gov over tribunal ruling

    Imo NNPP candidate stands with Kano Gov over tribunal ruling

    The Imo governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Hon. Uche Ben Odunzeh has supported Kano Governor Abba Yusuf over the judgement of the governorship election tribunal that invalidated his victory.

    Odunzeh described the verdict as a temporary distraction, expressing confidence the Appeal Court will upturn the verdict

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    He charged the Governor to be strong and positive In midst of the distraction, stressing that the will of majority of Kano people expressed through the ballot cannot be thwarted .

    He also called on members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the country not to be worried by the judgement stating the party has come to stay

    The governorship hopeful expressed optimism the wrongs will be corrected in the Appeal Court because he has fate in the judiciary as the last hope of a common man and the beacon of the country’s democracy

  • Abia to partner private sector to rebuild state

    Abia to partner private sector to rebuild state

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has reiterated his administration’s desire to partner the private sector in the government’s quest to rebuild the state.

    He restated government’s position to work with the private sector when he received the Group Managing Director of Fidelity Bank, Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, who led a team of the bank’s management team on a business visit to the governor.

    He welcomed the bank’s request to partner the state government in delivering gains of democracy to the people, while enumerating some of the things his administration had done in road and health infrastructure, as well as ensuring that workers received their salary promptly since it assumed office less than four months ago.

    Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe thanked the governor for the warm reception accorded her and her team, which included Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, Executive Director, South; Mr. Mike Nnaji, Regional Head, Abia and Mrs. Evi Kanu, Regional Head, Rivers-Bayelsa.

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    She said the Fidelity team was in Abia to, first, congratulate Governor Otti on his electoral victory and subsequent assumption of office, adding that she had heard some of the good news coming out of Abia since Dr. Otti began to steer the ship of the state.

    Onyeali-Ikpe, however, said the work of rebuilding Abia required a concerted effort and all hands must be on deck to deliver and that Fidelity was willing to be part of the Abia success story under Governor Otti.

    “We realise there is need for support in the area of infrastructural development and industrialisation of the state. That’s why we came, to see how we can partner him with a view to moving Abia State forward.

    “For the level of infrastructural development Abia needs, there is need for heavy lifting.

    “As you well know, there’s a lot of work to be done in the area of roads, schools, hospitals; and you can’t do all of that from what the state generates on its own.

    “You definitely need heavy lifting support from the banks,” Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe said.

  • Court stops PDP from dissolving Rivers chapter exco

    Court stops PDP from dissolving Rivers chapter exco

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday restrained the national body of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from dissolving the Rivers State chapter of the State Executive Committee (SEC), over alleged anti-party activities.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Inyang Ekwo said he found that the case of the plaintiff, Mr. Desmond Akawo, succeeded on merit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akawo, the Rivers’ PDP chairman, had sued the party and Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the former national chairman representing himself and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC)) as 1st and 2nd defendants.

    The plaintiff also joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 3rd defendant in the amended originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/112/2023 and filed on March 9 by his counsel, Dr. Joshua Musa, SAN.

    Akawo sought the court’s determination whether having regard to Section 223 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 47(1) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017), they were not entitled to serve out their term.

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    He said he and other members of the SEC, the LGA executive committees and the ward executive committee were elected and sworn-in pursuant to the state’s congress held on March 21, 2020 and were entitled to complete their four-year term, which expires on or about May 22, 2024.

    Akawo, in the affidavit which he personally deposed to, averred that the PDP and its national chairman on January 4, prior to the general election, threatened to unilaterally dissolve the Rivers’ chapter of SEC and replace the same with an Interim Caretaker Committee.

    He, however, said prior to the threat, neither any member of the state committee nor himself had ever been queried by them.

    He, therefore, sought an order of injunction restraining the party and the national chairman from dissolving, suspending or truncating the tenure of the Rivers’ SEC, the LGA executive committees and the ward executive committees until May 22, 2024, when their four-year term would expire, among other reliefs.

    Justice Ekwo held that the PDP and its national chairman did not deny Akawo’s averments.

    “Essentially, the 1st and 2nd defendants have admitted the case of the plaintiff on this issue.

    “The law is that facts admitted need no further proof;” he said.

    The judge, who granted Akawo’s reliefs, declared that the party and its national chairman cannot unilaterally and without reasonable cause, dissolve the state’s EXCOs who were democratically elected for a four-year period.

     He also gave an order of injunction, restraining them from appointing any person or group of persons as interim caretaker committee in the state until May 22, 2024.

    Justice Ekwo further gave an injunction order restraining INEC from according recognition or accepting any name as caretaker committee of the PDP in the state except those democratically elected and represented by Akawo in the suit.

  • Firm apologises to Soludo, promises timely delivery

    Firm apologises to Soludo, promises timely delivery

    TEC Engineering Company Nigeria Ltd, the firm handling reconstruction of Niger Bridge Head to Sokoto Road Junction, as well as the channelisation of Nwangene Stream to River Nigeria, has assured citizens of completion of the road and channel sections before the end of the year.

    It acknowledged its responsibility to pay fines as stipulated in Article 28 of the contract, or to have the contract terminated in the event of failure to meet the deadline.

    In July, Governor Chukwuma Soludo terminated the firm’s contract after unscheduled inspection, following slow pace of work.

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    The company has since been meeting with the Ministry of Works to synergise with the government on possible amendments and the way forward.

    But speaking after a closed door meeting with the Commissioner for Works, Ifeanyi Okoma, an engineer: Marketing Manager of the company, Engr. Xiao, pleaded with the state government to return to site for the road project.

    TEC Engineering Ltd in a letter addressed to Governor Soludo, assured the government and people of the state that it would deploy the best and certified technical manpower to undertake all aspects of the construction work and to ensure standard and professionalism were maintained.

    Okoma said they had looked at the firm’s programme of work, methodology, manpower and equipment disposals, noting that his conviction was that if they kept to the agreement, they would deliver.

    Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Mrs. Stephanie