The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Imo NNPP Gov candidate to flag off campaign

    Imo NNPP Gov candidate to flag off campaign

    Ahead of the governorship election in Imo State, the candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Hon. Uche Ben Odunzeh has announced date for his campaign flag off

    Kano Governor Abba Yusuf will be the chairman of the flag off slated for September 30. 

    The National leader of the party and 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is the special guest of honour while the National chairman of the NNPP, Alhaji  Abba Kawu-Ali will serve as the chief host.

    Read Also: NNPP writes INEC, Kwankwaso over logo, MoU

    Other special guest of honour expected in the event is the Vice presidential candidate, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, members of the National Assembly caucus of the NNPP; Kano Speaker; All elected members of State Assembly of NNPP; All members of the National working committee (NWC) 2023 gubernatorial Candidate’s of the party and members of zonal cum state leadership of the party.

    The campaign flag off will also have in attendance socialites to entertain guest.

  • Foundation partners NDLEA to battle drug abuse, other vices in Anambra

    Foundation partners NDLEA to battle drug abuse, other vices in Anambra

    A non-governmental organization, Adorable Foundation International (AFI) has expressed its commitment to battling drug abuse and other social vices, especially among young people in Anambra State.

    The founder, Mayor Chigozie Nwizu-Attueyi, who stated this during the flag-off of the AFI branch office in the state said the organization is also committed to promoting human welfare through various programs and initiatives.

    He said AFI would work directly with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state, including organizing World Drug Abuse Day every June 26.

    He said: “We are the proud owners of the ASACADA (A Social Awareness Campaign Against Drug Abuse programme, designed to help rehabilitate people with different vices and make available human and material resources for their recovery.

    Read Also: NDLEA intercepts 399 Kaduna-bound explosives, arrests grandma over drug ‘trafficking’

    “AFI is committed to providing the necessary resources and support to enable people to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to society.

    “We work with a team of dedicated professionals who have years of experience in addiction recovery and counseling. Our team is passionate about what they do, and they are always ready to offer their expertise to those in need.”

    Nwizu-Attueyi, a real estate expert, said his decision to set up AFI in Anambra was not for financial gain, but purely for charity, adding that assisting people overcome challenges and live fulfilled lives was part of the organization’s mandate.

    “We do this by providing resources, support, and education to those in need. We are more or less into empowerment and with our connections, we’ve been able to empower as many as we can within the circumstances of what we can afford.

    “We’ll work directly with NDLEA in Anambra State, and every June 26, we organize World Drug Abuse Day. I’m a practical person and not so much into media. I always do this purely as philanthropy. Recently, a lot of people have declared interest in what we do.

    “Unfortunately, we had no office in Anambra; which informed our decision to erect our office in the state so that other people could come in and help.”

  • LP candidate to Diri: your jobs, appointments for votes won’t save you

    LP candidate to Diri: your jobs, appointments for votes won’t save you

    Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, an engineer; has described the alleged ongoing employment process initiated by Governor Douye Diri and hiring of more political appointees ahead of the November 11 election as a grand deception that will not save him from defeat.

    Eradiri claimed that Diri, sensing his impending defeat at the coming poll, had resorted to underhand tactics to hoodwink people by engaging them in an endless job recruitment process in exchange for their votes.

    Speaking in a sarcastic tone yesterday during his campaign, the LP candidate thanked the governor for signing some political players from the Labour Party in his desperate attempt to boost his chances at the polls.

    Eradiri said he was also aware of the ongoing plan by the governor to sign some willing LP executive members in the state to create false impression that the party had collapsed into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Said he: “What is coming on November 11 is beyond party. It is a mass movement and a revolution against bad, incompetent and clueless government. 

    Read Also: Lagos West: APC’s Adebule floors Aeroland at Appeal Court

     “I am happy that LP has become a force to reckon with ahead of this election and that my participation in the poll as the candidate of the party is giving Governor Diri a nightmare.”

    “My involvement in the election has provided jobs for people, who ordinarily were not considered fit to work in the government of Diri. In the last three years, the governor did not consider rolling out jobs for people and engaging more political appointees.

    “But today, a few weeks to the election, Governor Diri is hawking appointment letters as a strategy to boost his chances. Unknown to him, Bayelsa people are wiser now. They understand his game. Besides, he is not doing them any favour because the money is not owned by the governor. It belongs to the people. 

    “So, if he invites you, go and take your money. If he gives you a job, accept it and enjoy it while it lasts. But the truth is that this great state deserves a better alternative and should be rescued from the incompetence of this administration.”

    Describing the motive as vote-buying, Eradiri advised persons accepting the jobs to be wary of the governor’s antics, saying the offers were fake and would be terminated immediately after the election.

    He recalled that such deceptive campaign method was deployed in the past, but that those who thought they had secured jobs as appointees of the government were laid off after the election.

    He said: “Common sense will tell everybody that this is just a campaign strategy, which will fall like a pack of cards. Governor Diri has occupied the office for over three years, but did not deem it fit to employ anybody. But suddenly he woke up from his slumber a few weeks to another election and started hawking appointments.

    “Tell Governor Diri that ‘Bayelsans’ are wiser now and cannot be deceived by his method of vote-buying ahead of the election. It is clear that the process is already tainted by deception. 

    “It is only a bait to give the people false hope and subject them to making a decision against their will. The truth is that the process is designed to fail immediately after the election. We are calling on our people to be vigilant and not to be deceived by Governor Diri’s job and appointment scam.”

  • Oborevwori swears in nine special advisers

    Oborevwori swears in nine special advisers

    Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has reiterated his administration’s commitment to break new grounds in sustainable infrastructure and economic growth.

    Oborevwori, who spoke yesterday during the swearing-in of nine special advisers, advised the appointees to put in their best to actualise his administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda.

    Read Also: Tinubu felicitates with the Alake of Egbaland at 80

    Those sworn in include: Mr. Charles Oniyere, Mr. Michael Ogboru, Mr. Ebikeme Clark, Mr. Sylvester Oromoni, Mr. Shadrach Rapu, Dr. Donald Peterson, Dr. Goodnews Agbi, Mr. Peter Uviejitobor and Mr. Nathaniel Igbani.

    Oniyere, on behalf of the appointees, thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve.

    He said they would remain committed to the success of the administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda.

  • NCC urges traders to avoid being defrauded

    NCC urges traders to avoid being defrauded

    Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged traders and people of Ebonyi State to be on the alert, in order not to become victims of fraudsters.

    It advised them to be wary of any offer that sounds too good to be true, as it may be an attempt to defraud them of their hard-earned money.

    The Director of Consumer Affairs Bureau of the commission, Umar Alkassin, gave the advice yesterday in Abakaliki. 

    He was speaking at an advocacy and sensitisation programme organised by the NCC with the theme: ‘Shine Your Eyes-No Fall Mugu’.

    Read Also: Lagos West: APC’s Adebule floors Aeroland at Appeal Court

    Represented by Clem Omeife, head of Consumer Protection and Advocacy Unit, Alkassin said the development and deployment of robust infrastructure to support innovative technologies and services had transformed the country’s socio-economic space.

    Mr. Chinedu Kama of the Consumer Protection Unit of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) enjoined customers not to release goods to customers paying with cheques until the cheque clears.

    Commissioner for Markets Development and Parks, Prof. Nwogo Obasi, said the government would work with industry stakeholders to develop and enforce stricter regulations and guidelines to protect businesses against financial fraud.

    He advised the traders to report suspicious transactions or unauthorised access to their service providers.

  • Jonathan’s kinsmen hail Diri on purposeful leadership

    Jonathan’s kinsmen hail Diri on purposeful leadership

    Kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan from Ogbia Kingdom have lauded Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri for his purposeful leadership.

    The Ogbia people led by their paramount ruler, the Obanobhan III, King Dumaro Charles Owaba, gave the commendation during a Thank-You-Visit to the Government House, Yenagoa.

    In an address presented by his legal adviser, Mr. Ernest Omiloli, the monarch said they were impressed by the governor for promoting good governance.

    He noted that the Ogbia people were pleased with Senator Diri and his team for their passion in tackling issues of development, as evident in infrastructure provision and other projects across the state.

    He listed the achievements of the current administration in Ogbia kingdom to include construction and inauguration of the bridge and an adjoining road at Imiringi, construction of three important bridges and rehabilitation of Elebele community access road and building of a psychiatric hospital at Ogbia town.

    Other projects include rehabilitation of the Otuoke-Onuebum road and construction of a pavilion at Ogbia town.

    They also expressed gratitude to the governor for participating in the 15th memorial celebration of the late sage, Chief Melford Okilo, the first civilian governor of old Rivers State, as well as appointment of their sons and daughters into his government.

    Read Also: Tinubu felicitates with the Alake of Egbaland at 80

    They, however, requested that when re-elected, the ‘Prosperity Government’ should consider the construction of some roads in Ogbia Local Government. They include Akaba-Ogu road in Yenagoa Local Government to Okodi in Ogbia Local Government, Otuabagi-Idema-Emaguo-Okoroba-Akani road, Otakeme-Otakpein-Otuogidi road, as well as Ewoi-Otuabula 2 and Abobiri roads.

    Governor Diri thanked Ogbia people for supporting his administration.

    He said Akaba-Okodi road, which is one out of the roads on their request list, is already being constructed by his administration.

    He said the government was committed to spreading development to every nook and cranny of the state.

    The governor stressed the need for the leadership of the area to focus on security and not condone acts of lawlessness.

    He said: “We cannot continue to have criminals taking over our communities or using our communities to perpetrate crime.

    “The moment you see your son or daughter drifting towards crime, it is your duty to check them. If they refuse, it is also your duty to report to the appropriate authorities. If you condone them with the belief that they are your children, one day you will be held responsible.

    “When the Elebele bridge totally collapsed, that route was no longer in use. Today that bridge has been constructed, completed and inaugurated. And I’m always happy whenever l drive on it. 

    “For us as a state, our needs are different from that of others. What we spend here to construct a bridge is different from what is spent in other places to build a similar bridge. But we are happy that by doing these projects, we are touching the lives of our people and changing the narrative about our state.”

  • Women threaten nude protest over alleged land grabbing

    Women threaten nude protest over alleged land grabbing

    • Soludo intervenes

    Women from Nimo community, Njikoka Local Government of Anambra State, have threatened to go nude, following alleged land grabbing and high handedness by their monarch, Igwe Max Oliobi.

    As a prelude to their threat, no fewer than 1,000 of them protested at the Government House, Awka, to make their intentions known to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

    They stormed the place with placards to drive home their point. The women said Soludo should address their challenges.

    Read Also: Lagos West: APC’s Adebule floors Aeroland at Appeal Court

    They said if he failed to do so, they would have no other option but to embark on nude protest against the community leadership.

    The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, appealed to the women to remain calm.

    He praised them for taking the route of peace, instead of violence, assuring them that the government under Prof. Soludo would address their demands.

  • Akwa Ibom Assembly throws out Eno’s bill

    Akwa Ibom Assembly throws out Eno’s bill

    Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has thrown out a bill from Governor Umo Eno, seeking to compel local government chairmen to live in their domains.

    The Executive Bill was on cue for second reading before its withdrawal at Tuesday’s plenary.

    Speaker Udeme Otong ordered the withdrawal of the bill following motion to that effect by the Deputy Leader of the Assembly, Otobong Bob and seconded by the Chief Whip, Effiong Johnson, during plenary in Uyo.

    Although the lead sponsor of the withdrawal of the bill, Bob, did not give reasons for the withdrawal; three other executive bills scaled second reading on the floor of the House.

    They include: ‘A bill for a law to make Special Provisions for Statutory Boards in Akwa Ibom State; and for connected purposes; ‘HAB 310 that has to do with a bill for a law to establish Akwa Ibom State Bureau of Statistics and Akwa Ibom State Statistical System and for Other Matters connected therewith, as well as the HAB 312’ bill for a law to establish Ibom Peace Corps and for connected purposes’.

    Read Also: Tinubu felicitates with the Alake of Egbaland at 80

    The bill on the statutory boards seeks to enact a law that will convey corporate status on the boards of commission, agencies, corporations, other bodies established by laws of the state, among others, while the Bureau of Statistics Bill seeks to establish a bureau that will serve as the main state agency responsible for the development and management of official statistics.

    The Peace Corps Bill seeks to establish a body that will complement job security agencies in the state.

    The speaker referred the bills to relevant House committees for further legislative action.

  • Otti orders restoration of power supply to govt offices

    Otti orders restoration of power supply to govt offices

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has directed restoration of power supply to government offices and facilities. 

    Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, said 4,700 pensioners have been enrolled to receive free medical treatment in primary and secondary health care facilities across the 17 local governments under the health insurance scheme.

    She said those so far enrolled were pensioners, who, prior to retirement from the civil service, were not above the level of deputy director.

    Read Also: Lagos West: APC’s Adebule floors Aeroland at Appeal Court

    Governor Otti, who was briefed by the commissioner on the activities of her ministry in the past week, decried a situation where government offices and facilities were left without electricity. 

    “If there are bills to be paid, we’ll pay them and get the facilities reconnected. We cannot afford to have government offices and facilities without electricity,” he said.

    Okoronkwo was speaking about the efforts her ministry had made in revamping some health facilities in the state, especially general hospitals at Amachara, Okpuala Ngwa, Umunnato and a cottage hospital in Aba.

  • ‘MTN controls over 50% subscribers’

    ‘MTN controls over 50% subscribers’

    MTN Nigeria Communication PLC has reassured customers of its commitment to providing quality and efficient service delivery across the country.

    General Manager, Regional Operations, East, Callima Inino, gave the reassurance at the just concluded Anambra Investment Summit 2023, powered by State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA).

    He said the organisation could boast of over 50 per cent subscriber base in Anambra, with over 7,000 agents and 300 merchants, with increasing penetration and adoption. 

    He, however, regretted certain challenges confronting the organisation, including

    vandalism of its sites, infrastructure and national assets, as well as destruction of laid fibres during construction. 

    Describing Anambra population as good market for the organisation to invest, especially ahead of the proposed smart mega city, Inino stressed the need for partnership and support of government and other stakeholders to meet up with vision 2025.

    He said: “As an organisation that renders best and excellent services, with different digital platforms and technologies, there are lots to benefit from our various platforms, including 15 to 50 per cent of recharge. 

    Read Also: Tinubu felicitates with the Alake of Egbaland at 80

    “In terms of subscriber base in Anambra, we control over 50 per cent of the market share. I can authoritatively tell you that Anambra is one of the locations we are thriving more, especially in penetration and adoption. 

    “We have over 7,000 agents and over 300 merchants where you accept money as a means of payment. Yet, we won’t relent in driving our services, penetration and adoption in the state.

    “However, we face the challenge of booster within the market space, which intercepts negatively with the network quality.

    “These are part of the uncontrollable variables which we keep addressing so our esteemed customers are not denied of their services, especially during emergencies, as they get value for their money.

    “This is one of the reasons we’re here to leverage on government partnership to ensure protection of our infrastructure as well as guarantee quality and efficient service delivery to the people.

    “We believe that through continued aggressive awareness and advocacy, we’ll continue to ensure improved availability and wide coverage for our numerous customers to enjoy at its peak.”