Category: SouthEast

A legal practitioner, Barr. Richard Agu has called on Ohaneze Ndigbo to insist on positive, impactful and all-inclusive leadership on affairs concerning people of the Southeast.

He said the body was expected to be the supreme organ of the Igbo nations which should act as catalyst for enhancement of development in the entire region.

Agu spoke at the Tornado Club annual convention in Abacha, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State while delivering a lecture titled, “Akuruoulo, Ohaneze and Igbo governors, time for paradigm shift.”

He further challenged the leadership of the Igbo apex body to strive to be selfless, independent and ward-off political class in order to win the trust of the average Igbo man or woman.

He said, “It’s high time Ohaneze shifted their attention and dependence only on the “Eze” which is Igbo leadership and focused on the “Oha” which is the general masses.

“There is a need for a paradigm shift for Ohaneze to take up leading roles in all Igbos’ interests in the Nigerian nation.

“Beyond advocacy, the organisation should be made to be intentional, deliberate and focused in the process of fashioning fresh methods of engagements for the people.

“The organisation should work to be independent and selfless which every Igbo man can trust to be able to take up this leadership role.

“Ohaneze must be weaned off the Igbo political class especially the governors for them to thrive. They should draw its power from the people, the trinity of Igbo industriousness.”

Agu further accused the five Southeast governors of not doing enough to develop the area, especially in view of the quantum of resources at their disposal.

“You can’t compare Southeast governors’ performances with those of former governor of old Imo State, late Chief Sam Mbakwe and his Anambra State counterpart, Chief Jim Nwobodo.”

“Those two ex-governors, despite lean resources, were able to make their mark in establishment of landmark achievements in the area of industrialisation, infrastructures, healthcare, sports which are non-existent now,” he said.

The police in Delta state have arrested a two man gang who specialises in robbing residents who make huge withdrawals from commercial banks in Asaba and other parts of the state.

Delta Police Command image maker, DSP Bright Edafe, in a statement, yesterday, said a police crack team, acting on a tip off, arrested the two man gang in the premises of Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN) while attempting to break into his house after they trailed a man from a new generation bank.

Edafe identified the suspects as Izuchukwu Aniebue, 42 year old and Kingsley Nduka, 32 years old.

According to Edafe, the gang trailed the unsuspecting victim after he left a new generation bank along Nnebisi road but luck ran out on them while attempting to break into the victim’s car in his house.

Part of the statement reads, “Sequel to a series of complaints by residents in Asaba and other parts of the State about a criminal syndicate that monitors customers who withdraw huge sum of money from banks, trail them, break into their vehicles at the slightest opportunity and cart away their money and other valuables.

“The Command’s crack squad acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Izuchukwu Aniebue ‘m’ age 42yrs and Kingsley Nduka ‘m’ age 32yrs, in the premises of Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria (ASCSN) along Mariam Babangida road Asaba.”

Edafe said the suspects confessed to being members of a syndicate that specializes in trailing customers after making withdrawals from banks around Asaba to their destinations and thereafter breaking into their vehicles, carting away their money and other valuables.

The statement further adds, “The suspects trailed the unsuspecting victim from one of the new generation banks at Nnebisi road, Asaba, where he went to withdraw some money, they followed him to his house but before they could break into the vehicle, the police operatives rounded them up and arrested the suspects.”

He said the duo confessed to being members of the gang in the past one year.

In a related development, police operatives of Delta Police Command have arrested three suspects allegedly terrorising Issele-Uku, in Aniocha North LGA, after storming their hideout.

Edafe identified three-man as Samuel Nimven, Ponfa Dandi, and John Tanko.

He added that the suspects hailed from Plateau State but were residents of Aniocha-North LGA, Delta state.

According to him, items recovered from the suspects include one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle with three live ammunition.

The governor of Abia State has sworn-in Honorable Justice Lilian Abai as the substantive Chief Judge of Abia State.

She has been serving as Acting Chief Judge for a few months.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony held at the Government House Umuahia, Governor Ikpeazu congratulated her on her new appointment and for the tenacity to rise to the zenith of her judicial career.

He expressed the hope that her tenure will be successful and add greater value to the State judiciary.

According to the governor, her stint as the acting Chief Judge of the State witnessed tremendous positive changes which he described as a sign of greater things to come and wished her well.

The governor challenged her to ensure that the Judiciary continues to play its role as the last hope of the common man by dispensing justice without fear or favour.

In her acceptance speech the new Chief Judge, Honorable Justice Abai thanked the governor for abiding by the provisions of the constitution and ensuring that the processes leading to her appointment were without rancor.

She pledged to abide by her oath of office as well as to work to uplift the judiciary through quick dispensation of justice.

Justice Abai also pledged to work in harmony with the state government for the betterment of the state.

The oaths of office and allegiance were administered on the new Chief Judge by the alternate Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General of the State, Barr.  Mrs Ugochimdi Ejiogu.

The governor later presented to the new Chief Judge, keys to her official vehicle.

The Marist Polytechnic, Enugu, a private and faith-based institution in Enugu State on Saturday matriculated new intakes for the National Diploma programmes in the institution.

At a fourth matriculation ceremony at the polytechnic’s campus at Emene, Enugu, the polytechnic administered oath of loyalty to the newly matriculated students.

Addressing the students at the event, the rector of the institution, Rev. Prof. Gregory Ekene Osuji, charged the new intakes to apply themselves committed to their studies and ensure that at the end of their stay in the institution, they must have acquired all necessary technical skills that will enable them to contribute to the country’s technological advancement.

The rector, who drew from the theme of the event: ‘transformative education for the 4th industrial revolution’ noted that the mission of Marist Polytechnic is the holistic formation of students to be graduates of science and technology who are anchored on skill acquired, moral excellence and discipline for the transformation of the society.

He therefore urged them to have as their catchphrase transformative education for the 4th industrial revolution as they run their ND programme in the institution.

“The core values of this polytechnic will always help you to achieve your goals in this institution. These values include love of God, family spirit, hard work, innovative and creative services, integrity, work ethics, self-discipline, respect for human life, respect for the environment and effective leadership.

“Dear students, the main goal of this academic exercise – matriculation is to acquaint you with the culture of the polytechnic. The core values are guiding principles that will help you live a holistic life here on campus,” the rector said.

Osuji also cautioned the students against missing class lectures, warning that any student who failed to make 75 percent attendance to classes per semester would not be allowed to write the polytechnic examination in the affected course.

“If the student writes the examination, it will be declared null and void but an F grade shall be awarded”, the rector declared.

The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Mustapha Mohammed Bala has ordered a manhunt on an armed gang that beheaded an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) serving under the Abia State Police Command, identified as “Agbalagba”.

Until his death, the ASP was attached to the Ndiegoro Police Divisional Headquarters in Aba South local government area of the state.

The deceased police officer who reportedly would be retiring from service in September this year was serving his second stint at the division was said to have been posted to the division from Isuikwuato police division in a recent transfer within the command.

The Nation had reported that “Agbalagba” was killed and beheaded by a suspected armed gang who equally made away with his uniform and AK-47 rifle.

Colleagues of the deceased police officer have reportedly been arrested and detained at the instance of the State Commissioner of Police.

Our correspondent reports that the police command in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Geoffrey Ogbonna described the killing of the ASP as a dastard act.

According to Ogbonna “The dastardly act is highly condemned and the public is enjoined to help with credible information on the perpetrators or anyone found with firearms suspected to have been unlawfully obtained.”

He assured that protection of the identity of those that would be providing credible information was assured.

Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State branch, has begun one week warning strike.

The doctors started the industrial action on Wednesday, over alleged failure of the hospital management to provide basic facilities in the Federal Government-owned hospital.

A decision for the strike was taken during an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of the Congress.

A communique to that effect made available to reporters in Enugu was signed by Dr. Chinazom Ekwueme and Dr. Santos Ezeh, president and secretary of the association.

The communique said several ultimatums had been extended to the management in the past, but no positive action was taken. 

It also said there had been “growing agitation of our members on the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS) Platform (locum doctors). At that EGM, our demands for payment of January salary, hazard allowance arrears and migration to IPPIS for these our members were made and the initial ultimatum for strike was pegged at 21st of February, 2023.”

According to the group, “the Congress noted that amid the non-resolution of our demands, the working environment has become poor.”

The doctors identified other issues to include: “Non-functional Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with certain departments unable to do procedures because of this. Hence, affecting quality patient care and our residency training.”

“Inconsistent and epileptic supply of call food with no call food for several weeks in the past four months with no plan for sustainable supply of call food such that our members can do 24 hours call and even above on an empty stomach.

“Leaking and dilapidated call rooms such that some resident doctors on call sleep in their cars while on call.

“Staff burnout with some residents being on call every other day despite the above conditions.

“Epileptic power and water supply with several blackout in the past months. This also impacts on our ability as doctors to provide quality health care and also affects the patients who need these amenities.

“The Congress observed with dismay the casualisation of our members who have been on locum status for over two years, which has denied them several benefits.

“The Congress noted that these our members are yet to be migrated to the IPPIS platform. They have not received January salary, nine and half months hazard allowance arrears as well as Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF) despite being in residents who also partake fully in update courses and examinations.”

While demanding the resolution of the above issues, the ARD said members shall “proceed on a one-week warning strike beginning from 8 am, Wednesday, 3rd May 2023 with only provision of skeletal services at the Accident and Emergency unit of the hospital.

“To reconvene by 8am, Wednesday, 10th May 2023 with an EGM where review of progress made as regards our demands will be done and resolve for fresh action taken.”

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Southeast Zone, said it has suspended some top members of the party in Abia and Enugu states over alleged anti-party activities.

A publication in a national daily said the party’s executives in the zone took the decision after its meeting in Owerri, Imo State following agreement on the need to enforce discipline among members to strengthen the party in the zone.

The report noted that the alleged suspension of the members by their ward executives was approved by the state executives.

Members mentioned in the alleged suspension in the Abia APC were Sen. Orji Kalu; Uche Ogah; Sen. Nkechi Nworgu; Paul Ikonne; Sam Onuigbo; Chris Akoma; Anyim Nyerere; Sam Nkeire; Chief Offor Okorie; Chief Nze Esiaga; Dr Onye di Brightman; Azubuike Udah; Stanley Ohajuruka and Solomon Okogbuo.

According to the publication, those allegedly suspended in Enugu State were Sen. Ken Nnamani; Geoffrey Onyeama; Sullivan Chime; Eugene Odo; Osita Okechukwu; Joe Mamelu; Flavour Eze; Been Nwoye; A.C. Udeh; Obodoeze Ocho; Chukwudi Igwe; Kingsley Udeji; Joe Orji and Chidera Obed.

Anambra State Fire Service yesterday said it had recorded near-zero deaths of officers and men in service delivery since its establishment.

The Fire Chief, Martin Agbili, an engineer, made this known during a news briefing as part of activities to mark 2023 International Fire Fighters Day with the theme: “Act Together to Build a Positive Fire Safety Culture.”

He said the agency had lost only two of its men since its establishment, attributing the feat to regular training of fire fighters and synergy with the military during operations, especially in remote areas prone to attacks.

Agbili said: “We use today to commemorate fallen heroes in fire service. It’s also a day the public appreciate fire fighters for their dedication to duty, especially the risks they take while fighting fire.”

“Besides the military, fire fighters are the next operatives exposed to risks.

“In Anambra, we have two of such fallen heroes. One died under a collapsed building at Ochanja market, while the other was shot dead by robbers while fighting midnight fire.

“Others sustained injuries while fighting fire and could no longer carry on as a result. We also appreciate them during the week.”

“We have undergone lots of training in how to navigate fire. We also have a course in building construction, which each officer must undergo. I doubt if we can lose any of our men again to building collapse because we’ve identified the cause.” 

Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide has declared its support for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with the United States-based Atlanta Global Resources Inc. (AGRI), to build a railway network to connect states in the region.

IYC President Peter Timothy Igbifa, in a statement in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said stakeholders in the region were excited over such move by the NDDC board and were waiting for the realisation of the project.

Igbifa, who described the development as a paradigm shift from the past focus of the NDDC on quick-win projects, said sustainable and enduring projects like the proposed railway network would stimulate such economic activities required to place the Niger Delta on the fast lane of development.

He said such railway network, if realised, would be the first project for regional integration, a big ticket developmental initiative, which he noted was in tandem with the core mandate of the NDDC.

Igbifa said Niger Delta stakeholders were praying for the NDDC to pursue the proposed project to a logical conclusion, noting that traditional rulers, youth groups, women, among others were united and had queued behind the commission to see the project come on stream.

He assured the local and international partners for the project that the Niger Delta people were united in their quest to see such project of regional dimension take place in the Niger Delta.

Igbifa appealed to the partners not to allow any lone voice discourage them from working with the management of the NDDC to achieve the proposed feat, saying “Niger Delta is bigger than any individual.”

He, however, said youths and other stakeholders from the region would not allow a few envious and negative-minded individuals scuttle the proposed project.

Said he: “When reports emerged from the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Summit organised by the NDDC that the commission had signed an MoU with a globally-rated US-based company to harness technical, materials and financial resources for a railway network to connect all the states in the Niger Delta, the region erupted in jubilation.

“We saw it as an answered prayer because we have been advocating a regional project of such magnitude to ensure developmental integration required to catalyse the economic growth of the Niger Delta.

“We have said the core mandate of the NDDC is birthing big ticket projects that will link the entire Niger Delta State for sustainable development. NDDC was not created only to construct street roads and build houses. It was established to galvanise the rapid development of the region, which can only be achieved with projects of regional integration.

“Stakeholders in the Niger Delta are united to actualise this rail project. We are asking the board of the NDDC not to allow the project die at the conception stage. We will hold the management of this commission responsible if it chickens out and develops cold feet towards the project.”

“We want to assure all the partners to the signed MoU, local and international, especially the US-based company, which is expected to bring capacity partners needed to drive the project that we are excited about it and will provide the necessary support to actualise it.

“We have surveyed the region and discovered that the stakeholders are united towards the realisation of this project. Therefore, there is nothing any lone voice can do to frustrate or scuttle it. We commend the board of the NDDC for conceiving this lofty project and assembling machinery to actualise it.”

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience, one-time Senate President and Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Equitorial Guinea, Steve Akpana, were among personalities at the service of songs for the late Pa Abraham Diri, father of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.

The event, held yesterday at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, marked the commencement of week-long funeral rites of Pa Diri.

Inspector General of Police, Alkali Ahmed Baba, represented by the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, Romokere Ibani, President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, elder statesman and Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark, represented by Amb. Boladei Igali, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police, Michael Zuokumor, retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Francis Tabai, former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Timi Alaibe, were also in attendance.

Pa Diri, who died on February 12, 2023, aged 88, was a devout Christian and a Lay Reader in the Anglican Church of Nigeria. He was a retired headmaster.

Senator Wabara noted that Pa Diri’s first three names – Abraham, Joseph and Michael – reflected his true Christian background.

He said: “Pa Diri believed in education and groomed his children well, which was why he was referred to as a no-nonsense headmaster.”

Wabara said one of the late octogenarian’s dreams was to become a councillor, which he could not achieve, but must have been fulfilled seeing his son emerge as Bayelsa governor.

The Chairman of Bayelsa Elders Council and former deputy governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), described Pa Diri as a disciplinarian.

He said the late Diri’s sterling qualities reflected in the governance style of his son, Senator Diri, who exuded humility and forthrightness.

“We have all lost a great father. My prayer for the family is that they should continue to cherish his loving and fond memories,” Jonah said.

In a sermon titled: ‘The Undisputable Fate of Man’, Rt. Rev Victor Ebipadei Okporu praised Pa Diri’s selfless services to his community, particularly in the Anglican Church where he served as a Lay Reader.

“Pa Diri was humble and committed to the things of God. He was not paid but only given an honorarium,” he noted.

Okporu, who urged the congregation to prepare for life in eternity, said man had only a few days on earth filled with trials and tribulations.

Quoting John 16:33, the guest minister encouraged people to turn to God, saying those that were heavy-laden would have peace of mind.