The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • UK visa centre will boost economic partnership, says Enugu govt

    UK visa centre will boost economic partnership, says Enugu govt

    The United Kingdom has set up a visa centre in Enugu, Enugu State capital, to facilitate visa applications in the state, Southeast and the country at large.

    Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Chidiebere Onyia, made this known in a statement issued yesterday in Enugu.

    He hailed the United Kingdom government for the development, recalling that the visa centre was part of Governor Peter Mbah’s requests during the visit to the Government House, Enugu, by the UK High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, in June.

    The statement said the government received the news of the visa centre with delight and satisfaction, adding that it would further enhance economic partnership and cultural exchange between Enugu State and the United Kingdom.

    “Enugu State Government therefore looks forward to a strong, mutually- beneficial relationship with the UK, as the visa centre will help cement the relationship”, the statement added.

    Read Also: Plateau South Senatorial: Tribunal declares Lalong winner, dismisses LP’s candidate

    The government called on the people, especially those living in the Southeast, to avail themselves of the opportunity provided to file their visa applications in the state, saying the government would ensure improved security for residents and visitors carrying out businesses in the state.

    It stressed that the state was open for business and investment more than ever before.

    The Nation reports that the apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in June in Enugu received the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr. Montgomery, at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, at that event appealed for the setting up of British visa office in the Southeast.

    Iwuanyanwu said the Southeast accounted for over 60 per cent of Nigerians travelling to the United Kingdom, adding that it was unfair that they were subjected to travelling to Abuja and Lagos to procure visa.

  • Join hands to salvage Igbo land Ohanaeze urges youths

    Join hands to salvage Igbo land Ohanaeze urges youths

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has restated its commitment to building a virile, united and visionary youth wing with integrity and humility.

    National Vice President, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, said this yesterday while hosting the youth wing of the body led by its Acting National Youth Leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, at Nanka in Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State.

    He said youths should reciprocate by joining hands to salvage the Southeast, and appealed to the aggrieved ones to resolve their differences for the sake of peace in the zone.

    Okeke-Ogene said: “Our youths must be humble before they can serve. It’s greed that drags them to pecuniary gains than delivering selfless service. You can’t afford to be using the name of Ohanaeze for politics because we’re not a political party. 

    “Your actions should not contradict those of your fathers. It should rather be true reflection of what they stood and fought for and still fighting for.

    “You can’t have someone like Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, past president generals, Obi of Onitsha and other elders in Ohanaeze and your characters are not reflecting theirs. It’s only in Ohanaeze that you see youths insulting their elders. You can’t see such among other tribes.”

    He said the current leadership under Chief Iwuanyanwu was making efforts to ensure Ndigbo across the country were carried along in the scheme of things.

    Read Also: Akintola Williams’ demise marks end of an era, Gov. Abiodun says

    “Ohanaeze is virtually in all states in Nigeria. Iwuanyanwu has established three zones, one to take care of the Igbo living in the 19 northern states and FCT, another for those in the West, with head office in Lagos, while those in the Southeast and Southsouth have their head office in Enugu. 

    “We’ll now be having three zonal meetings with the NEC at the centre. This arrangement is to ensure our activities get to the grassroots. We’ll embrace as many as are willing to join us.”

    Okpalaezeukwu thanked Okeke-Ogene for his advice borne out of love for the youth. He assured him of his members’ readiness to contribute their quota towards a united Ohanaeze.

    The Grand Patron of Ohanaeze youths, Johnbosco Onunkwo, an engineer; described Okeke-Ogene as the engine room and encyclopaedia of Igbo culture and tradition, who had contributed to developmental strides in Nigeria. 

    He announced donation of N5million to Ohanaeze youths in Anambra State by his foundation for environmental friendly research aimed at protecting the state from natural disaster.

    He said 500 youths were to benefit from skill acquisition scheme of the foundation targeted at pulling youths in the area out of crime.

    He vowed to do everything to ensure youths were positioned to contribute to national development.

  • Bayelsa poll: Ijaw drum up support for Diri

    Bayelsa poll: Ijaw drum up support for Diri

    • ‘He deserves re-election’

    The Ijaw under the auspices of Pan Ijaw Political Action Group (PIPAG) have drummed up support for the re-election of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.

    They said he deserved second term based on his sterling performances.

    PIPAG in a news conference yesterday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Yenagoa, said the group’s endorsement of Diri for re-election was anchored on the achievements recorded by his administration since inception in 2020.

    Reading the group’s position, a one-time House of Representatives member representing Yenagoa/ Kolokuma/Opokuma, Bolous Indiamaowei, said the peaceful disposition of Diri had been acknowledged by the opposition.

    Read Also: Plateau South Senatorial: Tribunal declares Lalong winner, dismisses LP’s candidate

    He said: “Senator Diri is an exemplary political leader with strong commitment to service delivery and infrastructural development. He has exceeded expectations of the good people of Bayelsa State and Ijaw nation as a whole.

    “As you know, Bayelsa State was once characterised by politically- motivated killings, insecurity, cult-related violence, massive infrastructural deficit and poverty.

    “However, upon assumption of office, he embraced all political divides in the state as one big family with a disposition to peace, humility, good governance and capacity for development.”

    PIPAG, which reeled out the projects being executed by Diri across the three senatorial districts, recalled the killings in the build-up to the 2019 election and cautioned opposition elements against violence.

    It warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against any attempt to compromise the electoral process.

    The group said: “Barely two months to the November 11 off-cycle governorship election, the opposition merchants of violence in their usual characteristic have been fanning the embers of political instability, thuggery, ballot snatching and voter intimidation. We condemn these premeditated political hostilities from the opposition and warn that election is not do-or-die, as it has been in Bayelsa State.

    “We wish to warn INEC and its collaborators not to indulge in actions and activities that will undermine the credibility, peace and security during and after the election.”

    PIPAG said in demonstration of its support for the re-election of Senator Diri, it would organise a mega Ijaw rally in October to drum up support for Governor Diri, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the coming election.

  • NGO partners Anambra to battle witchcraft stigma

    NGO partners Anambra to battle witchcraft stigma

    Anon-governmental organisation (NGO), First Best Domiciliary Home Care World, has said it would partner Anambra State Government to address inhuman treatment against aged persons, including witchcraft stigmatisation.

    It said this in Awka at the inauguration of a programme designed to take care of the elderly in the state abandoned by their children.

    A United States of America-based clinical psychologist, Prof Kanayo Ofodile, said it was regrettable that old age was treated as a death sentence in Nigeria.

    He called for re-orientation of the younger generation on the need to see the care of the elderly as an obligation.

    He said: “I reside in a civilised country, U.S to be precise, and we see and learn how they care so much for old people who are vulnerable and cannot cater for themselves.

    “But it is a sad situation in our country. It looks like old age is a death sentence in our society. Children abandon their aged parents and relatives without care.

    “Many aged persons are homeless, abandoned, lonely, unhealthy and unkempt. Hence, there is need to start prioritising care for the elderly.”

    Read Also: Plateau South Senatorial: Tribunal declares Lalong winner, dismisses LP’s candidate

    “We will be going round the state to pick up and cater to abandoned aged persons. Our trained social officers will be going round to give home care to those who crave for such services.

    “We will be applying spirituality, clinical formulation and reasoning to improve the lives of the aged. Our society should not abandon the elderly, they are still very relevant.”

    Chairman of the event, Ikemefuna Nwafor, said the programme was targeted at setting a template on what should happen to the aged segment of the population.

    He added: “It is sad that the elderly in civilised countries age gracefully and successfully, while their counterparts in Nigeria are ageing in abandonment and frustration.

    “Old age is a stage of life that we will all get to. It does not take a century to get there; it is just a matter of time. So, we need to plan and prepare to do better in taking care of the elderly in our society.”

    The Director, Care Services Nigeria, Mr. Ekene Mbah, said over 80 per cent of the elderly in the society lacked good domestic care and spent their old age through pains due to negligence and lack of caregivers.

  • Delta confirms receipt of 13,800 bags of grains

    Delta confirms receipt of 13,800 bags of grains

    Delta State Government says it is in possession of 13,800 out of the 17,400 bags of grains expected from the Federal Government, as palliatives to cushion the impact of oil subsidy removal.

    Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, made this known in Asaba, the capital, during a meeting with state Steering Committee for Palliative Programme.

    He said the state government was taking full responsibility for the palliatives, adding that the Federal Government only acted as the facilitator by extending loan to the state, which would be repaid in 20 months.

    He said the 16,500 bags of maize and fertilisers, which were expected, would be allocated to poultry and fish farmers, noting that the rice was in 50kg bags.

    Emu said: “The distribution of the palliatives will be through the DSIEC wards structure, i.e. 500 distribution points, as each of the 25 local governments has 20 wards.

    Read Also: Akintola Williams’ demise marks end of an era, Gov. Abiodun says

    “This is to ensure the vulnerable population in every nook and cranny of the state is reached. Distribution sub-committees have been set up for each ward and local government for effective distribution. In addition, all House of Assembly members and commissioners will monitor the activities in their domains.”

    He outlined the distribution mode, explaining that 40 per cent is for general distribution (ward level), 20 per cent for poor and vulnerable households, 25 per cent as direct intervention by the state to the highly impacted, including persons living with disabilities and widows, 10 per cent as reserve to shore up urban wards and five per cent as contingency to local governments.

    He said Delta State had begun distribution of palliatives by “embarking on the payment of N5.522billion promotion arrears, which started in August for four months.

    “N10,000 for over 50,000 public servants, which commenced in August for three months, recruitment of 2,000 primary school teachers and non-teaching workers across the state, commencement of three working days rotational scheme for civil servants on SGL 1-14, while workers on SGL 15 and above are to work out what is convenient for them in their MDAs. However, essential duty workers must man their duty posts uninterrupted. 

    “Guaranteed N40billion pensions payment for local government workers, which will start this September.

    “In advanced stage of discussion on the purchase of tricycles (keke) bi-fuel engine (petrol & gas), which will be distributed across the three senatorial districts; and in discussion with several organisations to provide inter and intra city commuter buses, exploring a Public Private Partnership (PPP) option.”

  • Foundation donates N5m to Ohanaeze youths

    Foundation donates N5m to Ohanaeze youths

    • Targets 500 for empowerment

    Ohanaeze youths in Anambra State have received N5million from John Bosco Onunkwo Foundation for environmental friendly research aimed at protecting the state from natural disaster.

    Chairman of the foundation and National Grand Patron of Ohanaeze Youth Wing, Chief John Bosco Onunkwo, made this known after receiving award of excellence from the youth.

    He said 500 youths were to benefit from skills acquisition scheme of the foundation, adding that the gesture was targeted at pulling youths in the state out of crime.

    He vowed to ensure youths were positioned to contribute to nation building.

    He said: “We’ve instituted lots of programmes, including aquatic building training, agro-allied training and scholarships for youths to eradicate poverty among them.

    Read Also: Plateau South Senatorial: Tribunal declares Lalong winner, dismisses LP’s candidate

    “We plan starting the training with 500 youths. We have also empowered 100 and we will continue to empower them through entrepreneurial skills acquisition because they are pillar of the society.

    “We’re also planning a seminar for the youth to discover their talents, to eradicate mental poverty among them.

    “The seminar is targeted at identifying youths’ talents and to empower them to be better citizens.

    “I want to unite and bring factions of Ohanaeze youths together under one leader for a meaningful development in the region.”

    Handing over the award to Onunkwo, the Acting National Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, said the award was in recognition of his philanthropic services to humanity in the state and Nigeria.

  • Otti reassures citizens of commitment to health care services

    Otti reassures citizens of commitment to health care services

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has reassured citizens of the commitment of his administration to provide health care services in the 17 local governments.

    He spoke during the reception of the survival thanksgiving service for the Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Mike Akpara, held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Umuahia.

    He said he would ensure equipment of primary health care centres to promote accessible and affordable health care services.

    Read Also: Akintola Williams’ demise marks end of an era, Gov. Abiodun says

    The governor, who said he was determined to fulfil his campaign promises, including health care delivery and care for the elderly and vulnerable people, added that his administration would lift the people from poverty.

    He thanked God for sparing the life of Akpara and congratulated him on his survival.

    The commissioner thanked God for His mercies, which led to his survival from a motor accident.

    He narrated his ordeal and how God used Keke operators and his driver to save his life.

    Akpara described those Keke operators as heroes of the survival thanksgiving service and thanked Governor Alex Otti and all who came to identify with him.

  • LP senatorial candidate faults Umahi on right to choose replacement

    LP senatorial candidate faults Umahi on right to choose replacement

    The Labour Party (LP) candidate in the February 25 election in Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Chief Linus Okorie, has faulted Chief David Umahi’s declaration on his right to choose a replacement for his Senate seat.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seat became vacant after Umahi, the former governor of the state, was appointed Minister of Works by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja on September 8 ruled that Umahi was the district’s validly elected senator and dismissed petitions from the LP and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Umahi, however, on September 9 during a visit to Governor Francis Nwifuru, said he had the right to choose his replacement at the Senate being a prominent stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Plateau South Senatorial: Tribunal declares Lalong winner, dismisses LP’s candidate

    Okorie, reacting to the development in a statement made available to NAN yesterday, urged the minister to instead focus more on delivering good roads to Nigerians.

    “I may not delve into issues concerning the APC, but I advise that he leaves matters concerning the seat, having resigned from it.

    “He should realise that the matter is still a subject of litigation,” he said.

    Okorie noted that he and the Labour party would appeal the tribunal’s judgment, which dismissed their petitions.

    “No fresh elections are in view unless the Court of Appeal decides,” he said.

    He urged stakeholders of the district to focus on what was best for them in the people’s interest.

    “The ultimate decision rests with the stakeholders in case the Court of Appeal orders a rerun,” the statement said.  

  • We won’t disappoint Tinubu, says Ogbuku

    We won’t disappoint Tinubu, says Ogbuku

    The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has vowed to work hard with the support of members of staff to meet the expectations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    Speaking during an interactive session with the employees of NDDC at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Ogbuku hailed President Tinubu for reposing confidence in him by reappointing him.

    He said: “The President has high expectations of us, especially to change the narrative of the NDDC and the Niger Delta. I assure him that we will not fail. This reappointment gives me a renewed vigour to revamp the NDDC and develop the Niger Delta.

    “I may have the ideas, but I also need the input of directors and workers to bring these ideas to fruition. We will work together to make Mr. President proud.”

    Read Also; Wike faults Ushafa-Bwari road contract variation

    The NDDC boss in a statement signed by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said he was ready to take on new challenges.

    He said:  “We need to record more successes in this new dispensation. I believe working together, we can get better results.”

    “I want to be a servant-leader and I need the feathers of NDDC staff to fly to greater heights. I, therefore, urge the officials to support my vision for the Niger Delta.”

     Ogbuku paid tribute to members of the dissolved NDDC board for “sacrificing their time and resources for the good of the Niger Delta.”

    He hoped that members of the reconstituted board would be committed to serving the people of the region, appealing to NDDC workers to receive the incoming board and ensure there were no hiccups.

    Reacting to a question on what he would like to be remembered for, he said: “I want to be remembered as a good brother, father and husband in the NDDC family. Transparency and accountability are very important to me.”

    Speaking on behalf of the workers, the Chairman of NDDC Staff Union, Mr. Anthony Gbendo, lauded the managing director for facilitating the approval of the staff conditions of service.

    He urged him not to relent in his good work.

  • Soludo to honour predecessors, industrialists

    Soludo to honour predecessors, industrialists

    • Names Int’l Convention Centre after Obiano

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo yesterday announced plans by his administration to name major institutions after former governors of the state.

    He said the International Convention Centre (ICC) would be named after his predecessor, Chief Willie Obiano, being one his legacy projects, besides the international cargo airport.

    Soludo spoke during the maiden Anambra Investment Summit 2023, powered by Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), with the theme: “Role of Corporate Governance in Building Sustainable Businesses.”

    He said the move was in recognition of Obiano’s contributions to the development of the state.

    Soludo, who noted that hard work and entrepreneurship were celebrated in the state and not criminality, said other citizens of the state who had contributed to the development of the state would also be honoured.

    Read Also; Wike faults Ushafa-Bwari road contract variation

    Describing the summit as extraordinary, Soludo said it was in line with his quest to transform the state, noting that the summit promised to be an eye-opener for the business community in Nigeria and beyond.

    He said: “Our politics in Anambra is different. We play politics of statesmanship. We’ll celebrate our former governors by finding institutions to name after them.

    “I appreciate my predecessor, Chief Obiano. We can’t acknowledge him enough. This ICC we’re using was built by him, as well as the International Cargo airport. We’ll name ICC after him if he accepts.

    “Time has come to honour every Anambra leader who had made meaningful contributions to the development of the state. We will also find other institutions to name after other past governors like Chief Emeka Ezeife, Dr. Chunwoke Mbadinuju, Dr. Chris Ngige, Peter Obi.

    “We’ll also celebrate those putting in their money, creating jobs and wealth in the state. In Anambra, we don’t celebrate criminality, but hard work and entrepreneurship.”

    According to Soludo, one of his visions included converting the state from departure land to destination point, stressing that the summit would offer the state opportunity to seal deals and sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

    “Turning Anambra from departure land to destination point remains one of our key visions. It will come to a point if you’ve not been to Anambra; you’ve not been to Nigeria.

    “We’re very deliberate and intentional about it. We’ll have plans to reward investors making impact in the state. We’ll de-risk your investment. We’re not just here to talk, but sealing deals and signing MOUs.”

    Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Christian Udechukwu, listed part of his ministry’s mandate to include bringing back dead industries, building weak ones as well as transiting small industries to micro and large enterprise.

    “We’ll help strong industries to become stronger, and stronger ones become champions; we’ll support the industries through government policies.

    “We’ll encourage made-in-Anambra products to grow their businesses, import to export policies, and to engage importers to manufacture products for export,” he said.