Category: SouthEast

Imo State Government yesterday warned property developers to stop building houses on Otamiri watershed, especially around the treatment plant.

It said it would soon begin demolition of the structures built on the watershed, as the authority would not give further notice before beginning the exercise.

Disclosing this to The Nation, the Managing Director/CEO of Imo State Water & Sewerage Corporation (ISWSC), Emeka Ugoanyanwu, an engineer; warned the developers to stop further development on Otamiri watershed, as the property would be demolished soon.

“The owners of those developed already should initiate discussion with the government on relocation plan,” he said.

According to him, “these developers have been warned since 2019,” lamenting that “the Igbo rarely obey rules when it comes to land issues and they are suffering it across the country.”

Ugoanyanwu attributed “this ugly behaviour to pure ignorance,” adding: “Their reason is pure ignorance because eventually the properties will be demolished sometime in future if not now. Common good will always take precedence over personal comfort.

“It’s happening in Lagos now and will soon happen in Owerri.”

He said compensation can only be given if the developers or residents initiate discussions with the government now before it is late.

“This is why they should initiate discussions with the government now before it’s late. Governor Hope Uzodimma has twice visited and directed demolition of illegal structures.”

Niger Delta Rights Advocates (NDRA) has advocated the zoning of the House of Representatives speaker to the Southeast, in the interest of equity and inclusivity.

It said it would continue to campaign against the age-long debate of religion, class or age, describing such yardsticks as sentiments and gimmicks packaged by politicians to  hold the people down.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, Bright Ngolo, who represented NDRA, said the body was formed to champion merit, service, patriotic zeal, transparency and loyalty to the Nigerian project.

He said a competent leader, who would be widely accepted, should be given the opportunity to become the speaker.

Ngolo said a qualified member from the Southeast, particularly Abia State, should be allowed to occupy the sensitive position, adding that Benjamin Kalu, the member representing Bende federal constituency and spokesperson for the House of Representatives should be made the speaker.

He said: “Our interest is project Nigeria with priority for setting a legislative framework that will banish poverty in our region by reducing gas flaring, crude oil stealing, increasing entrepreneurship by deliberately encouraging artisanal refiners, licensing more modular refineries and promoting a green environment in the interest of our unborn generations as Niger Delta people.”

“The NDRA is minded therefore to support someone, who brings what we call generational balance in the current leadership equation of the country and also a brilliant fellow, Kalu, the lawmaker representing Bende federal constituency and spokesman for the House.

“He is a second term member of the Green Chamber and sole survivor in the All Progressives Congress (APC) of the electoral dynamics that swept away many strong and mighty, including the sitting governor of Abia State in the February 25 elections.

“This man survived the popular test of his people, who returned him through the ballot as the only member of the House of Representatives on the APC platform from Abia State.

“Politically speaking, no candidate vying on the platform of the ruling APC can win the speaker position through the votes of APC House of Representatives members alone.

“Since voting will be across party lines and members of the APC, PDP, NNPP, LP, ADC, APGA and SDP will vote to decide who gets the job, it therefore requires that a candidate with multi-party acceptability be put forward. Benjamin Kalu fits the bill.”

Bayelsa State Government has urged the state Education Development Trust Fund Board (EDTFB) to step up its revenue drive, to augment the monthly statutory funds it is drawing from the government.

Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo gave the advice yesterday during a meeting with the management of the board, led by the Acting Chairman, Prof. Francis Sikoki, who represented the substantive Chairman, Prof Turner Isoun.

The meeting was held at the Government House in Yenagoa.

The deputy governor, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, described education as a critical social need that required much financial investment for its impact to be felt in the society.

Acknowledging the role the board was playing in advancing the educational fortunes of the state, he stressed the need for them not to depend on government’s funding alone, considering the capital intensiveness of education.

Sen. Ewhrudjakpo, however, assured the board that the Governor Douye Diri administration would continue to show commitment to its monthly statutory obligations to it because of the high premium it attached to education.

Underscoring the importance of education, the deputy governor noted that “those with thorough education are those who are easy to lead because they know their rights, therefore, investing in the sector cannot be overemphasised.”

He hailed the former governor and the lawmaker representing Bayelsa West, Senator Seriake Dickson, for his doggedness, astuteness and foresight in initiating the EDTF, noting that “even the greatest critics of the idea are now singing his praises.”

He said: “I want to encourage you to spread your tentacles, because until a seed is buried, it cannot become a tree. So, we need to expand what we have in order not to limit ourselves to this statutory line of funding.

“We believe the first priority of every reasonable government after security is education. This is why the ‘Prosperity Administration’ has made it its top cardinal point for development. We believe the more educated people we have, the better for our society.

“I’m very sure most of us at the initial stage would quip, why Education Trust Fund? But today we all, including his critics, will agree that but for the novel ideas and initiatives he (Senator Dickson) took, we will not be making the progress we are making today as a state.”

Prof. Francis Sikoki, who represented Prof. Isoun, praised Governor Diri for sustaining the trust fund policy he inherited from his predecessor.

He said in pursuance of its mandate, the board had formulated a number of policies and programmes as well as set up some standing committees to enable it carry out its duties effectively.

According to the acting chairman, the board is also developing a strategic plan for intervention in some key areas, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT), infrastructure, functional science laboratories, school feeding and capacity building, especially for teachers.

Mrs. Nonye Soludo, wife of Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has called for a broader review of National Gender Policy and supporting bills, to ensure greater involvement of women in political representation.

She spoke in Awka while assessing the performances of female candidates that contested positions in the 2023 general election.

Mrs. Soludo’s reaction followed a recent review conducted by a leading national daily, which revealed that 96 per cent of women who participated in the poll lost to their male counterparts.

The review further disclosed that 1,553 women were on the ballot for the presidential, governorship, national and state assemblies elections held on February 25 and March 18.

However, out of 15,307 candidates who contested under the 18 registered parties, men constituted 13,754, which represented 89.8 per cent, while 1,553 female candidates represented 10.1 per cent.

It further revealed that analysis of the results declared by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) showed that only 72 women got elected at federal and state levels, while 1,487 lost.

Describing the results as unsatisfactory in view of immense role of women in socio-political development of Nigeria, Mrs. Soludo said it has become expedient to make the nation’s overall political framework friendly to women.

She said: “It is time to review the National Gender Policy and similar initiatives, with the aim of giving them strong legal backing to give women better support and encouragement to take part in politics.”

“It will be impractical to talk about women involvement in politics if obvious political and social impediments are not removed.”

Soludo’s wife urged INEC to come up with incentives to encourage women to take part in elections, including cutting down cost of purchasing forms for them.

Congratulating women who were victorious at the polls, she enjoined them to serve with humaneness, compassion and vision women were known for, as well as remember to use their positions to impact on the lives of other women.

•Elder statesman warns against use of group by unauthorised persons

Pan-Igbo socio-political pressure group, the South East Revival Group (SERG), has congratulated elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, on his ratification as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide by the highest decision-making organ of the apex Igbo organisation, the Imeobi.

SERG, in a statement issued by its President and National Coordinator, Chief Willy Ezugwu, said:  “The affirmation of the emergence of the Chairman of the Elders’ Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo as the new President-General of the socio-cultural organisation by the Imeobi is a testimony of his general acceptance, unifying ability and rare leadership qualities.”

Iwuanyanwu has cautioned Igbo youths against the use of the name of the group for financial gains.

He spoke at a news conference at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of Ohanaeze.

He also warned media houses to refrain from publishing unauthorised individuals who used the name of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group for their selfish end, or be ready for litigation.

Members of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers hoped the emergence of Iwuanyanwu would stabilise Igbo land and bring about peace and political inclusiveness currently lacking in Igbo land.

Iwuanyanwu emerged following the death of the former President-General, Prof. George Obiozor.

Read Also: Southeast governors, Clark, Iwuanyanwu, Sultan, Ooni for Enugu unity summit

The business mogul was nominated to complete the tenure of the late Igbo leader by Ohanaeze elders in Imo State where Obiozor hailed from.

According to the SERG, Chief Iwuanyanwu “is a leader who has distinguished himself and an elder statesman who has on many occasions stood for Ndigbo as a result of his love for the Igbo at home and in the diaspora.

“We join all Igbo speaking communities globally to congratulate this exceptional leader and lover of the culture and tradition of Ndigbo.

“We’re confident in his leadership qualities and love for the Igbo.

“We believe he will defend Ndigbo amid the incitements and embers of hatred being fanned in certain quarters against the Igbo in the country.

“We urge the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to deploy his experience, goodwill and contacts to reintegrate Ndigbo in the national affairs despite deliberate exclusion of Igbo speaking citizens of Nigeria.”

Teachers in public primary and secondary schools in Akwa lbom state have called off their strike, which lasted for four days.

Teachers under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) last week began an industrial action over unpaid entitlements.

Public schools remained shut after the resumption for third term.

But the NUT called off the strike after reaching resolutions during a closed-door meeting with the state government at the weekend.

The meeting was presided over by Governor Udom Emmanuel at the Government House, Uyo.

Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Development, Mr. Aniefiok Nkom, said government and labour leaders had dialogued to a compromise on the issues that gave rise to the industrial action and described the resolution as a win-win outcome.

“It was a very peaceful meeting.  The governor saw what needed to be done and the NLC also saw what was delaying the process. So it was a win-win situation and the matters enumerated by the NUT chairman have been resolved,” Nkom said.

Education Commissioner Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet thanked Governor Emmanuel for taking prompt action to ensure schools resumed.

Read Also: Consolidate your good works, Oyo NUT urges Makinde

This, she said, was indicative of the premium the governor placed on education.

Confirming the resolution, the state Chairman of NUT, Comrade Edet Emenyi, hailed the governor’s disposition towards the teachers.

He said teachers would return to classrooms for commencement of academic activities.

Emenyi said: “Issues bothering on teachers’ welfare and non-payment of allowances have been resolved.

“On that note, teachers in Akwa Ibom State are ready to call off the strike.”

The state Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),  Comrade Sunny James, who was also present at the meeting, expressed the solidarity of Akwa Ibom workers with the teachers, saying the teachers’ demand for unpaid entitlements, including leave grant, refund of 7.5 per cent deductions for contributory pension and other issues were deliberated upon and resolved.

He expressed appreciation to the governor for his prompt response to the teachers’ demands, saying the resolution would pave the way for NUT to join other sectors of the workforce in the celebration of the 2023 Workers Day.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will today inaugurate 23.4km Eket-Etinan dual carriage road built by Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel.

The road traverses four local governments, namely Etinan, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium and Eket.

Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso, made this known when he led reporters on an inspection tour, preparatory to the inauguration by Obasanjo.

He said everything was in place for the inauguration of Eket-Etinan dual carriageway constructed by the Emmanuel administration and handled by a Chinese firm, CCECC.

He said the new road is the fulfilment of Governor Emmanuel’s promise to ensure a dual carriageway from the state capital to the Atlantic Ocean, adding that the new road is a continuation of the 20km Uyo- Etinan Road that is almost ready for inauguration.

“Before the construction of Eket- Etinan Road, motorists were compelled to pass through the long and arduous route before reaching Uyo.

Read Also: AbdulRazaq inaugurates 11-kilometre Osi-Obbo-Aiyegunle road

“Many had to go through Ikot Ubo in Nsit Ubium, down to Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government, or even pass through interior villages in Nsit Ubium and Nsit Ibom before reaching their destination,” Ndueso said.

The Project Manager, Samuel Ukata, said the road was executed to specifications to stand a test of time.

He said: “The road is designed with road furniture like side drainage, pedestrian walkway, traffic markings with pavement and centre lines as well as concrete stone walls for enhanced movements.”

Commuters plying Eket/Etinan dual carriageway are filled with joy seeing the state government complete the road in preparation for inauguration today.

Some of them expressed delight about the new road, saying it would enhance their movement.

A driver, Mr. Bassey Ime, said before the construction of the dual carriageway, movement from Eket to Uyo used to be difficult, as they took pains to navigate village roads in Nsit Ubium and such trip lasted for an hour, but with the newly constructed road, their trip to Uyo from Eket had shortened to just 30 minutes.