The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Court has dismissed Igwe’s appeal, Abia PDP claims

    Court has dismissed Igwe’s appeal, Abia PDP claims

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the appeal filed by Mr. Okey Igwe challenging the candidacy of Dr. Jasper Uche as the running mate of Sir Okey Ahiwe in the March 2023 governorship election in Abia State.

    The Abia PDP stated this yesterday in a statement by its Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary, Abraham Amah.

    Igwe was running mate to the former PDP candidate for the election, the late Prof. Uchenna Ikonne, but lost his candidacy following Ikonne’s death on January 25, 2023.

    Ahiwe, who emerged as the PDP’s guber candidate after a fresh party primary on February 4, nominated Uche as his running mate, rather than Igwe.

    But, aggrieved, Igwe approached the courts seeking to be reinstated as running mate for the poll.

    In the statement, Abia PDP described the appellate court’s decision as a “victory for Abia PDP, Okey Ahiwe and Jasper Uche”.

    It said: “In dismissing the case, the Appeal Court asked Igwe to pay the Abia PDP, Sir Okey Ahiwe and Dr. Jasper Uche, the sum of N500,000 as cost of litigation.

    “The appeal by Okey Igwe followed the judgment of an Abuja High Court which had earlier dismissed Okey Igwe’s suit against the PDP, Ahiwe and Dr. Uche on his substitution as the running mate to the new PDP candidate.”

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    “The victory at the Appeal Court is not only a victory for the parties involved but a victory for the entire Abia PDP, the good people of Abia and for democracy because it shows that the judiciary is still the absolute defender of our democracy.”

    According to Amah, Abia PDP “knows those behind this case in their desperate effort to undermine the value of the Abia PDP petition before the Abia Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

    “We know that their plans would fail because we have confidence in the ability of the Tribunal to deliver justice.

    “We congratulate the Abia PDP, Sir Okey Ahiwe, Dr. Jasper Uche and all men of goodwill on this important victory at the Court of Appeal.

    “We call on the good people of Abia and the members of the PDP to remain resolute, steadfast and eternally vigilant in our pursuit of justice and democracy.”

  • Don to journalists: take back your agenda setting role 

    Don to journalists: take back your agenda setting role 

    Foremost Professor of Mass Communication, Prof. Stella Okunna, has urged journalists to remain the hope and mouthpiece of the people.

    She advised them to take back from politicians, their role as agenda setters.

    Okunna spoke in Awka, Anambra State while delivering a paper tilted: ‘Fundamentals of news investigative reporting/fact checking’, at a training by Ikenga Media and Cultural Awareness Initiative (IMCAI) Training for Journalists in Southeast.

    The workshop with the theme: ‘Reporting in a treacherous and incurred environment’, was supported by MacArthur Foundation and facilitated by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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    Describing fact checking of reports as critical element to practice of journalism in the country, Okunna, former dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka said any journalist engaged in investigative reporting without fact checking had no business in the profession.

    “It’s not for nothing that the press has continued to be known as the fourth estate of the realm. Practitioners must take back from politicians their role as agenda setters,” she said.

    The coordinator of the group and co-publisher of Ikengaonline media, Mr. Chido Onumah, said the training was targeted at bringing journalists up to speed about ways to hold authorities accountable through their reports.

    Editor-in-Chief of Ikenga online, Mr. Uche Ugboajah, said the medium was established in 2022 to give voice to the Southeast, following its under-reportage.

    “The training is also part of our plans to build the capacity of journalists in the zone, as well as help in promoting good governance, gender equality, inclusion of people living with disabilities, among others,” he added.

    Other resource persons at the training were a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Dr. Henry Duru, and veteran journalist, Uzo Maxim Uzoatu, who spoke about ethical issues in news reporting.

  • ‘Accept defeat, withdraw petition against Nwifuru’

    ‘Accept defeat, withdraw petition against Nwifuru’

    Youths of Ezza North Local Government of Ebonyi State, under the aegis of Ezza North Youth General Assembly (ENYGA), yesterday called on the governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Bernard Odo, to withdraw his petition against Governor Francis Nwifuru.

    Odo contested the governorship election on March 18 with Nwifuru, who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Odo is from Ezza clan in Ezza North Council, while Nwifuru is from Izzi clan in Izzi Local Government.

    Read Also: Guber poll: Bayelsa voters vow to stop rigging, ensure credibility

    The youth urged him, to as a matter of patriotism, retrace his steps by accepting the result of the governorship election.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of their general meeting in Achiegu, the headquarters of the local government, the youth noted that Odo fought gallantly during the election and failed.

    They urged him to accept the outcome of the election because of the bond between Ezza and Izzi people, instead of challenging the outcome in court.

    The communiqué was signed by Emeka Nwokporo, president of the youth, Titus Eze, Secretary and over 20 others.

  • 100 artists storm Onitsha for Ofala festival

    100 artists storm Onitsha for Ofala festival

    One hundred artists are expected to participate in an art exhibition as part of activities to mark the 2023 Ofala festival of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe.

    The Chairman of Ofala Strategic Marketing and Communication sub-Committee, Chief Nnaemeka Maduegbunam, made this known yesterday at a news conference to herald the festival with the theme: ‘Better, Stronger, Together.”

    He said the artists, drawn from the five states of the Southeast, would present artworks showing rich cultural heritage of Igbo land and Onitsha in particular.

    He said the carnival slated for October at Ime Obi Onitsha would also witness celebration of 21-year reign of the royal father.

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    He said the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rt. Rev. Felix Ajakaye, would deliver the maiden edition of the lecture series on ‘Traditional Institutions, Public Relations, and Good Governance in Contemporary Nigeria’ during the celebration.

    Maduegbunam assured people of provision of security, to ensure crowd management and control during the event.

    Globacom Retail Chief Southeast/ Southsouth Office, Offor Augutus Ndu, said the firm was committed to preserving the nation’s rich cultural heritage.

    He said: “Our support for the celebration of festivals is driven by our belief in the potential of Ofala festival and other important festivals in the country in boosting the potential of the tourism industry as a top revenue earner for the people and for our country.”

  • Niger Delta stakeholders hail Tinubu over NDDC appointments

    Niger Delta stakeholders hail Tinubu over NDDC appointments

    South-south stakeholders have hailed President Bola Tinubu over the appointment of members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.

    They lauded the appointment of an experienced technocrat, Chiedu Ebie, as chairman and retained Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director.

    In their views, merit overruled sentiments in the appointments, adding that the new board would defend the interests of oil-producing states and communities.

    The chairman of Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Bubaraye Dakolo praised President Tinubu for appointing a substantive board on time, unlike previous governments who put in place interim administrations.

    The monarch said: “I want to particularly thank His Excellency, the President of Nigeria for appointing this board on time. In the past, we have suffered situations where we have had interim administrations forever. So, I want to thank him so much for retaining Dr. Sam Ogbuku whom I know personally. I believe that the same quality of personalities is appointed in all the states.

    “So, we look forward to the success of the board and a major deviation from the past because NDDC has been a show of shame in the past with countless failed projects and phantom projects. I think so far, in the few months the MD has been in charge, there have been major innovations and changes towards effectiveness. So, we are hoping for the best outcome this season.”

     Also, a group, Niger Delta Youths Initiative for Peace, said President Tinubu could not have made a better choice for a new chairman of the NDDC than Ebie owing to his wealth of experience, administrative acumen, and track record.

    The group said: “As youths who are passionate about the progress and development of the Niger Delta region, we received the announcement of Chiedu Ebie’s appointment as NDDC chairman with great joy. With this, the president has really demonstrated that he is passionate about giving our region a fresh breath of air.

    “In the past, the appointment of NDDC chairman has always been based on sentiments and political affiliation. Even in the last administration, the person appointed as the chairman of NDDC was initially sent to INEC by President Buhari. When the Senate refused to confirm her, the president then sent her to NDDC as chairman.

    “However, this time, President Tinubu has appointed someone with deep knowledge of the intricate issues surrounding the Niger Delta region as the NDDC chairman. We believe that Ebie would bring his wealth of experience to bear on the job. This team will realise the rapid development of the Niger Delta region, which is the core mandate of the Commission. We are delighted with this appointment and we will give him and his team our full support to succeed.”

    In his reaction, Maxwell Asiriuwa, a public affairs analyst and rights activist, described the appointment as the best thing to happen to the Niger Delta, saying Ebie as chairman of the commission, has a rich political and administrative profile to deliver on the set mandate of the NDDC.

    “The NDDC, no doubt is the biggest intervention agency in Nigeria. However, since its creation, it has not achieved its mandate due to sectional interests and politicking. I must commend the president for the constitution of this team, led by Hon. Ebie. The new chairman is a man I know very well and the MD who was retained has done a yeoman’s job since his assumption in January this year.”

    A community leader in Bayelsa, Chief Johnson Igobasi, said given the sterling career profile, and wealth of experience of Ebie and his commitment to the Niger Delta region, it is certain that his appointment will be immensely beneficial to the entire South-South in particular, and the country, in general.

    He noted: “On this appointment, I must say the president got it right. I see a president who is passionate about the vision of the NDDC, which is to create an enabling environment for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

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    “I have known both the new Chairman and the MD for years and I can testify that they are seasoned technocrats who succeed in anything they lay their hands on. I strongly believe that with God and the cooperation of the Niger Deltans, we will see appreciable changes in the coming days”.

    Presidential spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, in a statement, announced Ebie, a former Secretary to the Delta State Government as the chairman of the commission Ebie while Samuel Ogbuku from Bayelsa state is the Managing Director/CEO.

    Others are Boma Iyaye – Executive Director (Finance and Admin) – Rivers; Victor Antai – Executive Director (Projects) – Akwa-Ibom; Ifedayo Abegunde – Executive Director (Corporate Services) – Ondo; Dimaro Denyanbofa – State Representative – Bayelsa; Abasi Ndikan Nkono – State Representative – Akwa Ibom and Monday Igbuya – State Representative – Delta.

    Also on the list are Tony Okocha (Rivers); Patrick Aisowieren (Edo); Kyrian Uchegbu (Imo), Victor Kolade Akinjo (Ondo); Dimgba Eruba (Abia); Asu Oku Okang (Cross River); Nick Wende (North Central); Namdas Abdulrazak (North East) and Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir (North West).

  • Imo Gov: Okorocha, Araraume collapse support structures for Anyanwu

    Imo Gov: Okorocha, Araraume collapse support structures for Anyanwu

    The Imo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated its campaign council for the Nov. 11 governorship election with a boost from two All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwarts, Rochas Okorocha and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.

    Their endorsement of the PDP candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu was announced at the event in Owerri on Tuesday.

    Several members of Okorocha’s Rescue Mission Group and Araraume’s Destiny Group announced their endorsement of Anyanwu adding that he was the only candidate who could wrest power from Gov Hope Uzodinma.

    The council was inaugurated by the party’s Chairman, Charles Ugwu. Speaking on the development, Ugwu said the campaign will have Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, as Director-General, and Prince Marshal Okoroaforanyanwu as Secretary.

    He charged all members to work towards ensuring the party’s victory in the election.

    PDP’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Samuel Anyanwu said he is in the race to end killings and insecurity, revamp the health system and restore the dignity of the workforce and pensioners.

    He said that he would return tourism to the State and get the local governments working again. 

    He charged the council not to be afraid but carry out its lawful duties and not be intimidated by any person or group.

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    “I will lead and I fear nobody. I want to stop the bloodletting and suffering in the land. Do not be afraid, I know where I’m coming from.

    “I am your messenger and I will lead you right. My name is Samuel, God has spoken and I have heard”, he said.

    Okoroaforanyanwu, secretary of the council, said the PDP’s choice of Anyanwu, who is from the Imo East senatorial district , favored the principle of equity.

    He said the district had ruled the State for only seven months since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

  • Appoint Yerima into your cabinet, Ohanaeze Youths beg Tinubu

    Appoint Yerima into your cabinet, Ohanaeze Youths beg Tinubu

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has called for the inclusion of the national president, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF), Alhaji Yerima Shettima into President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet. 

    The group described Shettima as a unifying figure for all the youth organisations in the country,  saying that he would represent all shades of interests. 

    The Igbo youths made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday, signed by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike.

    Okwu said for several years now, Shettima has used his wealth of experience and great interpersonal relationship skill to douse tension across the country by always reaching out to the various youths during periods of crisis. 

    He said: “He has overtime devoted his life to the service of the country by championing peace and unity at all times. 

    “Alhaji Shettima, as the Board of Trustees, BoT, Chairman, Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Organisations, is one person who has effectively galvanised the various ethnic nationalities youth organisation, through which he always quells tension and disagreements among the various Nigerian societies. 

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    “His undying passion for the unity and development of the country has been quite visible and dates back to the days of the Military era,” Okwu stated.

    Ohanaeze youths, while urging President Tinubu to consider the Arewa Youth leader, noted that his inclusion into the federal cabinet would accommodate the interest of the various youth groups in the country.

    Okwu stated: “He is a mobilizer, a leader par excellence, and has the wherewithal to rally round all the restive youths in the country and make sure their feelings are assuaged. 

    “We have no doubt about his capacity; we assure Mr President that this is one decision he will not regret.”

  • Otti: I will be prudent with available resources

    Otti: I will be prudent with available resources

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti yesterday promised prudent management of the available resources, for the benefit of the people and development of the state.

    He made the promise in a statewide broadcast to begin the 32nd anniversary of the creation of the state.

    He urged residents to support his administration’s “Rebuilding Agenda”, to further drive socio-economic development in the state, by diligently paying their taxes and other statutory fees.

    “I pledge to remain prudent in the management of your resources and do hereby assure you that accountability and responsibility shall remain central to my administration.

    “Your resources shall be used to work for you and I pledge to continue to play my part.

    Read Also: Otti lauds Abia women’s roles in nation building

    “May I also invite you to do your own part because getting it right is a collective obligation.

    “We have set up series of systems that support smooth and seamless payments across digital platforms for formal and informal sector payments,” he said.

    The governor appealed to the civil servants to “recommit themselves to being diligent in their duties and support the reform initiatives of the government.”

    He also reaffirmed government’s commitment to prompt and regular payment of salaries.

    He said his administration remained committed to securing the lives and property of the people.

    According to him, relevant resources have been committed to building a robust system, called “Operation Crush”, to tackle crime.

    Otti said the government was determined to make the state safe and secure in order to improve its rating on the ease of doing business for accelerated socio-economic growth.

    He urged the people to support government’s security initiatives by reporting suspicious movements or persons within their neighbourhood to security agencies.

    “Security is everyone’s business,” he said.

    He hailed the legislative and judicial arms for the support and cooperation they had shown to the executive arm.

    He said the executive would continue to work hard to deepen its relationship with the other arms of government.

    Otti said the government had engaged multilateral organisations and agencies to strengthen the primary health care services in the state with a view to improving health care delivery in rural communities.

    He also said government was determined to improve health indices in Abia by reducing maternal and infant mortality, prevalence of common diseases, cancer, cardiovascular and renal conditions, through prevention and early detection.

    He said the government had approved appropriate funding to match its commitment to improve the standard of education.

    “Education for us is the future and it is our goal to see that every child gets the opportunity to be taught and mentored.

    “This is so as to take advantage of the opportunities that abound in the 21st Century economy, which favours mostly the skilled and properly educated,” he said.

    The governor said the state government had started rehabilitation of roads in Aba to improve vehicular movement within the city.

    He said strategic plans and programmes had been evolved for the transformation of Aba, considering the importance of the city in the development of the state.

    “The current administration is unwavering in its commitment to refine governance processes as well as systems for efficiency and transparency in the state.

    “We are working on a raft of reforms that will streamline procurement processes in the public sector, to cut out abuses.

    “The new framework will give genuine businesses operating in Abia a pathway to enjoy patronages from the government, as part of government’s initiative to support and grow local businesses,” he said.

    He further said the government would introduce major reform initiatives to strengthen institutions and enhance their capacities to meet his administration’s development agenda.

    He said measures and mechanisms had been put in place to coordinate as well as interface with global and regional institutions, to enable Abia make the most of intervention funding opportunities for critical projects in the state.

    The governor said through collaborative efforts between the government and citizens, the ideals of the founding fathers would be actualised, to enable Abia take its pride of place in the comity of states.

    “Actualising this potential has become a sacred obligation, a duty we owe the next generation and we cannot afford to fail for that will be the ultimate betrayal,” Otti said.

  • PDP will remain strong in Akwa Ibom, says Eno 

    PDP will remain strong in Akwa Ibom, says Eno 

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has said Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will remain strong and in control of the state.

    He spoke at the party’s statewide meetings at the weekend, at his Ibiakpan – Obotim Ward 2, Nsit Ubium Local Government, to strengthen and re-energise it’s grassroots structures.

    The governor urged leaders and members of the party to work towards ensuring that the party was not displaced.

    He restated his commitment to entrench stability and inclusion in the polity, with focus on building community-based cohesion and people-oriented governance.

    Read Also: Eno launches building of 4.2km internal roads

    “The ward meetings are aimed at further deepening the roots of PDP in all communities in the state and to curry support for my administration’s vision encapsulated in the ARISE Agenda,” Eno said. 

    He said the ARISE Agenda was on course and soon, full implementation of his blueprint would be seen, which he noted was directed at uplifting the people and meeting their needs and aspirations.

    House of Assembly Speaker Udeme Otong, enumerating gains of the current administration, thanked his people for staying true to the party and enjoined them to do more at repositioning the area, to draw massive benefits from the ARISE Agenda.

    At Ukanafun Ward 4, the state Chairman of PDP, Aniekan Akpan, thanked his people and the entire Ukanafun for the support to the party, urging them to consolidate on the party’s dominance to gain more democratic dividend.

    Akpan hailed Governor Eno for intervening to recommence construction of the Cottage Hospital and appointment of indigenes of Ukanafun into sensitive positions in government.

    Listing the recently launched Spring Road, upgrade of School of Nursing to College of Health Technology, among other benefits of the ARISE Agenda, stakeholders of Ikot Ekpene Ward 1 said they have been given more reasons to keep supporting PDP.

    At PDP Ward 7 in Uyo, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, appreciated party faithful for their steadfastness in choosing the PDP, while also thanking them for their massive support for the Pastor Eno administration.

    Uwah said: “For us in Ward 7 and the entire Uyo Local Government, our direction has always been PDP. Today I stand here to assure you that Governor Eno will bring bountiful dividends of democracy to us as Uyo people and ‘Akwa Ibomites’. Let us therefore increase the bandwidth of our support for this administration”

    At Eastern Nsit Ward 1, Nsit Atai Local Government, Deputy State Chairman of the party, Lawrence Udosen, described Eno as “the governor of the people, who has come to governance with a different style.”

    He said the governor had simplified governance and as a true party man, he had encouraged the strengthening of the party at the ward level and would be true to his promise of rural development.

  • ‘Alagoa’s impact on Ijaw nation, Nigeria remarkable’

    ‘Alagoa’s impact on Ijaw nation, Nigeria remarkable’

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said through his literary works and exemplary lifestyle, foremost historian, Emeritus Professor Ebiegberi Alagoa, has brought honour to the Ijaw nation and Nigeria.

    Speaking in Yenagoa at the weekend during the 90th birthday celebration of the iconic historian, Governor Diri said his contributions to the development of the Ijaw nation, Bayelsa and Nigeria were remarkable, adding that his name had been written in the sands of time.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that at 90, Alagoa is an accomplished scholar not because of his literary works, but also because of the success in raising his children.

    Diri thanked God for not only keeping the nonagenarian celebrator, but for also granting him good health and prayed for more fruitful years ahead.

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    Describing his Nembe-Ijaw ancestry as a land blessed with intellectuals that have distinguished themselves in fields, Diri, however, expressed concern that Nembe had in recent times been in the news for the wrong reasons and urged the leaders to do more to restore peace to their area.

    He said: “We heard about Prof as children. Fortunately, I also passed through the University of Port Harcourt Faculty of Social Sciences, while Prof was a lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities.

    “So, this is a man who has projected the image of Bayelsa and Ijaw nation to the world and today, we are celebrating a giant. Not only are you 90 years, you are hale and healthy. You have equally brought up your children well.

    “Sir, on behalf of the good people of Bayelsa State, we celebrate you on attaining this age. God has blessed you and we pray for more years in good health.

    “Nembe, your ancestral home, should be one of the leading lights in Bayelsa State for producing great and exceptional intellectuals and academics. But, unfortunately, Nembe has been in the spotlight nationally for negative reasons in recent times. I therefore appeal to the leaders of Nembe to do more to restore peace to the area.”

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, represented by King Amalate Turner, described Alagoa as an example of success and thanked God for keeping him in good health at 90.

    Prof. Alagoa thanked the governments of Bayelsa and Rivers states for their support and those who made the birthday celebration a success.