Category: SouthEast

Governor Hope Uzodimma on Friday hinted that his government is set to recruit 10000 teachers for the primary and secondary schools in Imo State.

Also, three brand new General Hospitals located in the oil producing area of Imo State – Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru East- will be commissioned next week while 19 others across the State have been slated for upgrade.

Governor Uzodimma dropped the hint during an Interactive Session with Imo State Elders Council at the Rockview Hotel Owerri.

While informing the elders of his modest achievements in the past 40 months in office, sector by sector, the governor recalled the strides he made in civil service, in road infrastructure, health, education, maritime and other critical areas.

To this end, Governor Uzodimma said: “Already three brand new General hospitals fully equipped with modern hospital equipment have been built and completed in the three Local Governments of Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru East that make up the oil producing Local Governments in Imo State.”

In their separate reactions, Members of the Elders Council commended the efforts of the Governor towards the development of Imo State which they acknowledged have surpassed their expectations.

Prof. Maurice Iwu advised that a new Imo should be all embracing and acknowledged that the massive road infrastructure has moved Imo State away from heterogenous society to homogenous society.

A former governor of Imo State, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim and an elder statesman, Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu said Governor Uzodimma has courage and intellect and that they are proud of him.

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has directed the immediate payment of outstanding two months arrears of salaries of workers in the state.

It may be recalled that the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Nweke Iheme and Emma Alozie, State Secretary had last Tuesday directed its members to proceed on an indefinite industrial action following the inability of the state government to pay its members their outstanding arrears of salaries, gratuities and pension backlogs which has led to the shutting down of government institutions in the state for over 72hrs.

However, in the statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barr. Chris Ezem directed the Accountant General of the State to commence payment of salaries to ministries and parastatals with immediate effect.

He further directed all affected staff to resume work at their offices immediately and ensure resumption of activities in all ministries and the office of the Accountant General for implementation of this directive. Any breach of these directives will frustrate the ongoing transition process and other activities.

He also directed Local Government authorities to commence immediate payment of salaries of health workers across the 17 LGA’s, adding that it was important that all staff of the Local Government remain at their duty post as that will ensure completion and commissioning of all ongoing projects for the benefit of our people and a smooth transition process.

“The attention of the government has been drawn to the ongoing strike by Nigeria Labour Congress, Abia state chapter which commenced midnight of Monday 8th May and has paralysed government activities across the ministries, parastatals, cabinet office and office of the Accountant General which is responsible for payment of salary.

“It is public knowledge the recent protracted court order freezing various government accounts which action affected payment of salaries to ministries and parastatals for the month of March and April 2023.

“Despite the current challenge of the state government with its bankers, the Governor Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has directed the office of the Accountant General to commence payment of salaries to ministries and parastatals from today Friday 12th May 2023 accordingly.

“Government hereby directs all affected staff to resume work at their offices immediately and ensure resumption of activities in all ministries and the office of the Accountant General for implementation of this directive.

“Any breach of these directives will frustrate the ongoing transition process and other activities.

“Government wishes to place on record that no core civil servant and or ministry are owed salaries before now.”

The governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party SDP, in Delta State, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, the March 18, 2023 governorship election at the state has given reasons for challenging the declaration of the candidate Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Mr. Sheriff Oborevwori, as winner of the poll at the governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

In his 76-page petition filed by his counsel, Chris Uche, SAN, Gbagi stated that “We are maintaining three basic grounds; one is that all the other parties and their candidates are not qualified.

“Secondly, the election itself was not conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2022 as amended and other statutory provisions.

“Thirdly, it was marred with massive rigging and other electoral malpractices.

Gbagi alleged that those who attempted to contest the election with him were not qualified for the race, saying that his prayer was to “remove persons who have no business contesting governorship election in the state. Delta State needs a renewed atmosphere of honesty, and purposeful character.”

“In the election, there was lots of malpractice, vote-buying, food being cooked for people, wrappers being bought for them, all of these are part of what the Electoral Act spelt out to be a crime. My petition has encompassed all of that and I believe strongly that the judiciary would do what they ought to do.

“If you declare a result that has nothing to do with the Bimodal Voters Verification System, BVAS, the result stands cancelled. The fact will speak for itself. Maybe people thought that it is business as usual, we did not go into the election for a joke, we meant what we wanted to do, and we planned for it.”

In the petition, Gbagi is contending that as at the time of the election, Oborevwori was not qualified to run for the office of governor and also did not meet the requirement to be elected and returned by majority of lawful votes.

Joined in the suit as co-defendants were INEC, PDP, All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate, Ovie Omo-Agege, and other governorship candidates in the state and their parties.

Gbagi is contending that aside Oborevwori, other candidates, including Omo-Agege and Great Ogboru of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and Ken Pela of the Labour Party, LP, were also not qualified to run for the office of governor in the state.

In his argument against Oborevwori declaration as governor-elect by INEC, Gbagi contended that Oborebwori in an attempt to meet the constitutional requirements of eligibility for the 2023 governorship election, presented a fake Declaration of Age/Affidavit in support of personal particulars in Form C.F.001.

The Bayelsa State Executive Council, on Friday, held a special valedictory session in honour of late Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff, who served the state and Rivers State in different capacities.

The late technocrat and politician, who died at 68 years, was one-time Secretary to State Government in the old Rivers State during the Rufus Ada-George administration, Commissioner for Education during late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha government and a Senator representing Bayelsa East from 2003-2007.

Until his demise on December 24, 2022, the astute administrator was chairman of the Brass Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as chairman of the party’s reconciliation committee in the state

Speaking inside the Executive Council Chambers in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Diri said the deceased was a pillar of support to his government and an inspiration to many Bayelsans.

Speaking on behalf of past Secretaries to State Government, Amb. Boladei Igali described the special valedictory session as a great consolation to the wife and family, saying the services, commitment and loyalty of the deceased to the state and Ijaw nation was second to none.

The late Rufus-Spiff will be interred today in his hometown, Cameroon-ama in Twon-Brass, headquarters of Brass Local Government Area.

Exactly one year after the political maestro, Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe joined his ancestors, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Imo State, Engr. Gerald Irona, has honoured the late lawmaker, describing him as a hero and mentor.

Irona, in a three-page tribute made available to newsmen, weekend, poured encomiums on late Senator Nzeribe, describing him as instrumental to his political rise and successes.

Mourning Nzeribe, Irona said by his death, Oguta Ameshi has lost one of her finest sons; Imo State lost a great man, and Nigeria lost a great Nigerian who served for four terms in the Senate.

The former Deputy Governor for him personally, he lost a father, mentor and dear friend.

“Senator Nzeribe was among the pioneer representatives of Nigeria’s golden age, who introduced the Nigerian dream to millions of Nigerians, and inspired many by his personal example, because his own life was an embodiment of that dream and a testimonial that it is possible to transgress all impediments and express the true definition of selfhood.

“Senator Nzeribe showed us what was possible for our world and what capacities we carried within each of us. Before the age of thirty, Senator Nzeribe had built thriving businesses in the United Kingdom. He met the famous Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana; and through Nkrumah, formed friendships and acted as adviser and business associate to several African Leaders. He was officially a multi-millionaire in British Pounds Sterling before he clocked 30 years.

“Senator Nzeribe always looked forward, not inward. Politically, it wasn’t just what Senator Nzeribe did that was remarkable – it was also how he did it. He was a pragmatic practitioner of power. His statements were circumspect, his language unambiguous and qualified.

“I am in tears and in intense grief. My tears bear witness to my debt of gratitude to Senator Nzeribe. It was Senator Nzeribe who made me and shaped me into the person I am today. I don’t think I would be exaggerating to say that the essence of who I am today is a result of the “adoption” by Senator Nzeribe and the training I received from him, and it goes way back to 1996 when Senator Nzeribe started me on a path of public life and politics.

“Through Senator Nzeribe’s instrumentality, guidance and positioning, I was twice a Local Government Ward Councillor; the youngest ever State Secretary of a political party, the All Peoples Party (APP) that later became the All Nigeria Peoples Party; a member of Imo State House of Assembly; a caretaker Local Government Chairman and thereafter an elected Local Government Chairman; a member of the Federal House of Representatives; a national officer of our great party, The People’s Democratic Party; and finally a Deputy Governor of Imo State.

“Senator Nzeribe provided everything that I needed to succeed. He blessed my life with a selfless devotion and generosity of spirit that was unparalleled. He certainly enhanced my life.

“Ogbuagu! You made your life a gift to us all. I promise you that I will continue in your footstep to serve our community and all humanity with the same selfless devotion and generosity of spirit.”

The former Deputy Governor further eulogized late Senator Nzeribe, describing him as a mentor to many.

“Oshiji, you were my hero, a father and leader per excellence. You were a friend, teacher, and mentor to many.

“The Igbo race is still lamenting your exit. They still say, if you were around………A compassionate soul; a champion of supporting the weak and vulnerable; a courageous leader, we miss you.

“Today, as always, you are remembered for your life and legacy of inspirational leadership and service to humanity. You were a great man; our Strong Pillar and father-figure.”

In another development, the different chapters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), friends and well-wishers of the Nzeribe political dynasty have poured encomiums on the departed lawmaker, reiterating that he is being missed.

Among the chapters of the PDP that took steps to honour the late Senator are his home local government area- Oguta, Oru West, both in Imo State, among others.

Ekid people in Eket and Esit Eket local governments of Akwa Ibom State have reclaimed the disputed Akoiyak territory, also called Stubbs Creek Forest, 105 years after it lost it to Ibeno.

The development was made possible by the passage of a bill by the House of Assembly and subsequent signing into law by Governor Udom Emmanuel for the provision of an official map for the state.

Ekid Peoples Union (EPU) President Dr. Samuel Udonsak made this known yesterday during the expanded general meeting of the body in Eket.

He said history would vindicate Governor Emmanuel for doing the proper thing and standing by justice.

He said: “The union has taken a detailed appraisal of Emmanuel’s administration, now in its twilight.

“It is our submission that no administration has ever touched the lives of Ekid people like the current government, especially by addressing permanently, the Akoiyak issue. He fits in the mould of General Esuene and Abongisong Edohoeket.”

Anambra State Government yesterday said no fewer than 100 babies were delivered at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps during the 2022 flood disaster.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, disclosed this in Awka while taking delivery of about 1,212 mama kits, donated by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

He said wife of the governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, had donated kits to expectant mothers, as many of them fled their homes during the flood without packing their delivery kits.

He said government was intensifying efforts to improve maternal health and encourant mothers to go for antenatal care.

“This is why UNICEF is donating these delivery kits to the state. We will distribute them in flood prone and hard-to-reach areas as incentives to encourage expectant mothers to register and go for antenatal care.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Host Communities and lawmaker representing Bayelsa East, Senator Degi Eremienyo, has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi, for rescuing Ogoni clean-up project from implementation setback.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Senator Eremienyo praised the termination of the appointment of Dr. Ferdinand Giadom as the coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) and the appointment of Prof. Nanibarini Zabbey as the coordinator of the project.

He described the appointment of Prof Zabbey as a square peg in a square hole.

He acknowledged what he called the sincere and outstanding commitment of the current minister of environment to the Ogoni clean-up project.

A group, the Riverine Peace Initiative in Niger Delta (RPIND), has said members endorsed the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, to bring back the state’s lost glory.

RPIND, through its National President, Toluwa Mulade, yesterday said the group was working for Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, to move Bayelsa forward.

It said: “Bayelsa State needs a proactive leader, whose track record of outstanding performance is in the public glare, and will not disappoint ‘Bayelsans’ if elected as governor.”

Responding, Slyva assured the group that if elected as governor, he would restore the lost glory of Bayelsa State.

He said it was not his ambition to again contest for governorship, after serving for one term, but in view of the call by his people, who needed him to recover the lost glory of the state, he made up his mind to contest in this year’s governorship poll.

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abia State yesterday paralysed government activities, as it shut down offices at the state and local government levels, with the commencement of indefinite strike.

Among the offices picketed was the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), State Accountant General Office, among others.

The leadership of the union went round Umuahia, the capital and Aba, the commercial nerve centre, to ensure compliance with the union’s directives.

NLC had in a statement signed by its state Chairman, Nweke Iheme and  Secretary, Emma Alozie, directed  affiliates to begin indefinite strike yesterday over unresolved issues surrounding unpaid salaries and benefits of workers and gratuities of pensioners.

The statement, which disclosed that the decision of the NLC came at the end of council’s meeting in Umuahia, said the union frowned at the refusal of Abia State Government to implement the agreement signed with NLC leadership.