Category: SouthEast

Embattled chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Friday Agbom, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Agbom announced his defection yesterday when he led some party stakeholders on a visit to the lawmaker representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency, Chinedu Ogah, in Abakaliki.

He cited the good governance of Governor Francis Nwifuru as reason for his defection.

Agbom congratulated Ogah on his re-election, and said they decided to align with the APC having witnessed the massive development in the state by Governor Nwifuru and President Bola Tinubu.

Ogah thanked the people for joining the APC, which he described as ‘a moving train and largest party in Africa’.

He said: “This is just the internal reception for these new members; we shall be welcoming them officially to the party at the Onueke Office. You have taken the right decision because this is your party and the right party that has contributed in no small measure to the development of the state and Nigeria.”

But according to sources, Agbom’s defection followed his suspension by the PDP ward executives who passed a vote of no confidence in him for alleged anti-party activities.

A March 28 suspension letter, signed by PDP Chairman Chibueze Nwakpa, and Secretary Roseline Nwokah, of Ikwuator Idembia Ward, accused Agbom, Nwoye Samuel and Ifeanyi Nworie of supporting the APC.

The letter reads: “A vote of no confidence is hereby passed in Friday Agbom, Nwoye Samuel and Ifeanyi Nwore, and they are hereby suspended indefinitely as members of the PDP for anti-party activities and such other conducts breaching public peace and unity of the PDP in Ikwuator Idembia ward and across the council. Their suspension is with immediate effect.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has confirmed the death of its former President-General, Prof. Joseph Irukwu. He was 89.

Irukwu was elected President-General in 2003 and he served till 2007.

Ohanaeze described his demise as shocking, saying Irukwu was one of its brightest leaders.

A statement yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Chiedozie Ogbonnia, noted that Irukwu added colour, glamour, zest, robust intellect and panache to the organisation.

The statement reads: “President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, could not withhold his emotions on hearing the sad news. Ndigbo has lost a well fulfilled man with a large heart, unassailable friendly finesse and amazing public relations.

“Prof. Irukwu was a quintessence of courage and character, and his legacies in Ohanaeze Ndigbo would always be remembered with deep emotional attachments. We pray the Almighty grants his soul eternal rest in his bosom, and the family fortitude and serenity to bear the irreparable loss.”

The deceased was called to the English Bar in 1962 and enrolled as a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria same year.

He held many top positions in both private and public sectors.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, in a statement by his media aide, Oguwike Nwachuku, said Ndigbo and Nigeria ‘have lost a great statesman who did his best to promote love, unity, equity and justice, not just in Igbo land, but in Nigeria as a whole’.

“Prof. Irukwu’s legacy in the legal profession and insurance industry, where he distinguished himself, will not be forgotten in a hurry,” he added.

Former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu described the late Irukwu as an ‘authentic academic Iroko tree’.

A statement by Ikpeazu’s spokesman, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said the deceased was ‘Africa’s first Professor of Insurance who developed insurance as an academic field in Nigeria, writing several textbooks in the field. A great lawyer whose academic contributions, especially in Insurance Law, led to his elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)’.

The statement reads: “A great son of Abia State, Prof. Irukwu did not limit his greatness to law and insurance. He was a proud Abian whose doors were constantly open to me as governor. He was a passionate Igbo patriot and a great Nigerian who rose to serve as the President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

“Death has robbed us of one of our most prized human assets, and this signals a further depletion in the ranks of our notable elder statesmen whose passionate and dedicated services helped shape our people.

“However, I am comforted because Prof. lived a good and long life complete with solid achievements in every aspect of human endeavour.”

Former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim has slammed a N1 billion lawsuit against former political adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma, Chikezie Nwadike, for defamation and libel.

Ohakim sued Nwadike at the High Court in Owerri because the former accused him of being a conduit to channel $1 million to one Chief Athan Achonu during the Labour Party (LP) governorship primary.

Nwadike had allegedly accused Ohakim of being used to influence outcome of the LP primary election, which Achonu won.

But Ohakim described the allegation as false, malicious, wicked, and reckless.

Ohakim, in the suit filed on July 4 by his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, said ‘on or about April 23, 2023, Nwadike recorded in his own voice, an audio, which he put in the stream of viral circulation through WhatsApp social media platforms. The audio was widely listened to by many worldwide, particularly in Nigeria and Imo State.”

In summarising to the court what was contained in the viral audio, Ohakim said ‘the defendant made and published the audio allegations, purporting that the plaintiff was complicit in and a participant in the conduit used to corruptly channel $1 million bribe which was used to influence the outcome of the Labour Party governorship primary conducted in Imo State recently.

“The defendant’s utterances are false, malicious, wicked and reckless, and they were heard worldwide, including particularly in Nigeria and Imo State. The publication and circulation of said audio has seriously injured his fine character, credit, reputation and integrity.”

Ohakim prayed the court to order Nwadike to pay him N1 billion as exemplary damages for the defamation of his character. He also urged the court to declare that the allegations are ‘slanderous, libellous and defamatory’.

The former governor also seeks an order of the court ‘directing the defendant to retract the allegations made on the said audio through another audio of his own making and voice, and publish/circulate same in the stream of same WhatsApp Messenger social media platforms.

He is also seeking an order of the court directing Nwadike ‘to write and deliver to the plaintiff, an unreserved letter of apology’, and an order of ‘perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further and forever uttering and publishing the said slanderous and libellous words about or concerning the plaintiff’.

Ohakim’s aide on politics, Chukwu Emmanuel, confirmed his principal filed the suit.

The Isuaniocha community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State has embraced peace after a five-year crisis that led to destruction of lives and property.

Residents and indigenes, during a general meeting at the weekend, dissolved all youth activities in the town, as well as collection of levies in various forests in the area.

A Peace Committee, comprising chairmen and secretaries of villages, women leaders and other notable persons nominated by elders and Ozor-in-Council, was also inaugurated. The committee is to engage with parties involved in the crisis and make recommendations to ensure lasting peace.

Chairman of Umelem village, Chief Danatus Anyaegbunem, who addressed reporters after the meeting, said there was no reason for such crisis that would force people to flee the community ‘whose people are from same parents’.

He said: “Those erecting stalls at the Eke Agba market square were directed to stop henceforth as the land belonged to Isuaniocha community, and not any individual. Those already paying rent and levies to private individuals were directed to stop forthwith and pay same to the community until all issues are resolved.”

Comrade Innocent Okeke from Adama village praised those behind the peace meeting, and enjoined others to embrace the spirit of forgiveness.

“For the first time since the crisis broke out in 2018, our people sat together to discuss. Central School field Isuaniocha where we met was filled to capacity with almost every indigene present. All aggrieved and concerned persons were given opportunity to proffer way forward having agreed that peace was the best option for the overall interest of the entire community,” he said.

Chief Obuka Okoye from Otoko village appealed to those whose houses and means of livelihood were destroyed to forgive in the interest of peace and development. “It is also an opportunity to warn those from neighbouring communities, intruding and fanning the embers of crisis in Isuaniocha, to desist as the town is capable of resolving its matters amicably,” he said.

One of the victims of the crisis, Madiegbuna Igboanyia, while recounting his trauma in the last five years, called on elders to shun sentiment and ensure honestly at all times, describing it as only tool for lasting peace.

Another victim, Paulinus Onyeagolu, whose family houses were destroyed and property looted, said the decision to initiate the peace process was to end issues that instigated the crisis.

• Group accuses Finland of complicity

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has accused the self-styled separatist, Simon Ekpa, of playing the script of enemies of Igboland, having allegedly collected money to destabilise the region and undermine its progress.

Ohanaeze accused Finland-based Ekpa of using the pro-Biafra struggle and Nnamdi Kanu’s name to enrich himself at the expense of the lives, property, and wellbeing of Ndigbo.

It wondered why Finland has continued to harbour and allow Ekpa use it as a launch pad for ‘deadly sit-at-home campaigns and destructive incitements’.

A statement yesterday by the National President, Okwu Nnabuike, described Ekpa’s sit-at-home orders as part of a deal to destroy the economy and social life of the Southeast.

It reads: “We want to make it clear to Ndigbo, Nigerians, and the international community that Simon Ekpa is not fighting the cause of Biafra or leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. On the contrary, he has since sold all of us to our enemies, who are bent on destroying us economically, politically, and socially.

“He is also actively working against Kanu’s release in order to continue making money. He knows that the Federal Government will likely continue to detain Kanu so long as Igboland is restive.

“Also, because the Southeast’s loss is the gain of other parts of the country, it is obvious that Ekpa is being sponsored and encouraged by forces within and outside to destroy and hold the region down. We are already witnessing a high loss of investments and the migration of existing businesses to other parts of Nigeria.”

Ohanaeze also accused the government of Finland of alleged complicity in the bloodletting and havoc in the Southeast.

“We put it to the Government of Finland that it cannot count itself innocent of all the atrocities and the killings by enforcers of Ekpa’s insane sit-at-homes in our otherwise peaceful region.

“We should a society renowned for its value for human life continue to harbour Ekpa, and allow him to freely incite disaster and direct wanton destruction of lives and property in Igboland from their country. Will Finland also treat him with kid gloves should his utterance or action lead to the death of a single Finnish?

“We stand with the Enugu State government’s position that nobody should be allowed to enjoy life and educate his children in another country, while causing deaths and destruction in another part of the world.”

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 12 Local Government Areas of Orlu Zone, Imo State, have agreed to work together for Governor Hope Uzodimma’s re-election on November 11.

The resolution was reached at the weekend during a meeting at the Orlu Local Government Council headquarters.

The lawmaker representing Ideato South in the House of Assembly, Eze Okechukwu, moved a motion endorsing Uzodimma for a second term, and it was unanimously supported by all. The motion was anchored on Governor Uzodimma’s achievements in infrastructure, youth development and security.

The stakeholders reaffirmed their support for the governor’s second term bid, and also aligned themselves with implementation of the Imo Charter of Equity as proposed by the Imo State Council of Elders.

Chief of Staff to the governor, Nnamdi Anyaehie, said they gathered to affirm their ‘unflinching support for the re-election of the Governor Uzodimma on November 11, in addition to upholding the Charter of Equity as adopted by Imo elders’.

Anyaehie added that the 12 council of Orlu are united and ready for the project, noting that ‘the orchestrated insecurity will in no way be an impediment’.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Amara Chyna Iwuanyanwu said ‘come November 11 election, Orlu will deliver 100 per cent to return the Governor because he has performed’.

APC Chairman in Orlu, Kelvin Ugwu, Commissioner for Transport Chief Rex Anunobi, and lawmaker representing Orlu in the House of Assembly, Ikenna Ihezuo, all spoke in affirmation, describing the governor as ‘dynamic and reliable’.

According to them, “Hope is God-sent to Orlu people because if Hope did not come to power, it would have been concluded that Orlu people do not know anything about administration and can’t lead well.”

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has signed the N200 billion supplementary budget passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly.

He also promised to continue the good projects and ideas of former Governor Nyesom Wike.

Fubara hinted that contract for the proposed 50.5km Port Harcourt Ring Road will soon be awarded, and it will be his legacy project.

A statement by Fubara’s media aide, Boniface Onyedi, noted that the supplementary N200 billion will raise the 2023 budget to N750 billion from the initial N550 billion.

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has kicked off skills training and financial empowerment programme for 100 vulnerable Akwa Ibom women.

This is in fulfilment of the government’s psycho-social support and economic empowerment programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

The beneficiaries are IDPs drawn from the 31 local government areas currently at the IDP camp in Oron Local Government Area.

They will be trained in soup making, fish farming, vaseline making, tailoring, tye and dye, and other marketable skills. They will also get financial support to start their businesses.

Read Also : Akwa Ibom APC reinstates suspended chairman, deputy

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, who kicked off the programme in Uyo yesterday, explained that the gesture was aimed at returning the displaced persons to their normal lives.

Gwarzo, represented by Peter Audu, a director in the ministry, said Akwa Ibom is one of the states badly affected by disasters.

“Therefore, the aim of this programme is to return the affected persons to their normal lives and familiar routines that engage their mental abilities to the understanding that life is gradually normalising. We hope when they are empowered economically, they can help in meeting their family needs as they exit the camp.”

Permanent Secretary in the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs. Margaret Edem, thanked the Federal Government for gesture. She urged beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity to better their lives and that of their families and communities

• We obtained injunction on the subject matter’

Most communities of the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Right of Way (ROW) in Rivers State have given the firm 30 days to pay them the N18.3 billion compensation approved by the Senate or pull out of their communities.

The NLNG ROW cuts across over 74 communities in seven local government areas -Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Abua/Odual, Emohua, Akuku-Toru, Degema and Okrika.

The communities, during a peaceful protest at Ahoada area yesterday, accused the firm of occupying their farm lands in the last 25 years without compensation.

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The protesters, under the United Pipeline Host Families and Communities Association of Rivers State, called on President Bola Tinubu to compel the NLNG to obey the Senate’s order and pay them their due compensation for forcefully acquiring their arable farmlands, denying them the use of their property.

They gave the firm 30 days to pay the sum or remove their pipes from their lands.

The Ninth Senate, on October 4, 2022, upheld the peoples’ claims and authorised NLNG to pay N18.3 billion as adequate compensation to the host communities/families. They also ordered the NLNG to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with their Hosts for losing their lands to pipeline Right of Way (ROW).

This decision allegedly followed NLNG’s failure to show proof of payment for acquiring the 210km of land.

The General Manager (External Relations and Sustainable Development) of NLNG, Andy Odeh, however said NLNG asserted its legal rights before the Federal High Court in Abuja, and secured an order of interim injunction from an Abuja High Court, on November 4, 2022. “The interim injunction restrains all parties and/or any other person or authority acting or purporting to act for or through the parties, from enforcing the resolution pending hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

“NLNG cannot comment further on this matter as it is subjudice,” Odey said.

Five weeks after kick-off, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) is yet to begin operation in Bayelsa State.

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar-Farouq, on May 25, performed a symbolic kick-off of the programme, with a pledge to feed 59,000 pupils in 599 primary schools. 

Umar-Farouq said the NHGSFP, a component of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP), is to provide one free nutritious meal a day to pupils of Primary 1 to Primary 3 in public primary schools across the country.

Investigations however revealed the programme was is yet to take off in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

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Pupils who witnessed the May 25 inauguration said they are eagerly waiting for the promised food.

A primary 3 pupil of St Mathias Primary School, Yenagoa, Sinivie John, said he expected to have a taste of the food, but his hopes have been dashed since he would no longer be eligible when he is promoted to primary 4 after the third term examinations.

Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) Richman Otobo said: “The school feeding programme which began in 2016 came late to Bayelsa, and we thought it was better late than never. But after more than one month of launch, nothing is happening.

“The NUT was part of the launch, and we had hoped the feeding would enhance learning and bring relief to parents. But now the pupils are disappointed. Perhaps the fund has been diverted, because nothing is happening here.”

Though Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, whose ministry oversees the programme, declined comment on the delay, it was learnt that funds for the programme were yet to be released by the Federal Government.

State Focal Person for NSIP in the state, Emmanuel Benson, said other components were currently running smoothly.

“The other social investment programmes are doing well in Bayelsa State. Our appeal is to for the Federal Government to release the funds for our children to join their peers across the country in the nearest future. We also want the state government to sustain its support to the NSIP Secretariat to enable us overcome the teething problems of the feeding programme.”

Benson also dismissed insinuations that the funds had been diverted. He said the funds are supposed to go directly to selected service providers. He reiterated that the process for NSIP is transparent and beneficiaries get funds through e-payment without any intermediary.