Category: SouthEast

Traders at Ekiosa Market, Benin, Edo State have urged the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, to prevail on the Governor Godwin Obaseki administration to halt the planned demolition of the market and that of Oba market, also in Benin.

The protesting traders, armed with placards bearing inscriptions, yesterday stormed the palace of Oba of Benin.

Edo State government gave the  traders at Ekiosa and Oba markets two-week ultimatum to take shelter in other markets, for the two burnt markets to be rebuilt.

The ultimatum was issued through the leader of Edo State Market Women Association, Madam Omoregie Ogiamien.

Spokesperson for the protesting traders, Blessing Owie, said the planned demolition would send them into indebtedness and penury, having obtained huge loans to reconstruct their shops, when the state government’s promised intervention was not forthcoming, after the fire disaster of December 19, 2019.

She pleaded with the first-class monarch to urge Obaseki’s administration to provide perimeter fencing, gate and standby fire service station at the market, instead of the planned demolition.

Owie urged Oba of Benin to send a delegation of chiefs to the market, for on-the-spot assessment, in order not to leave anyone in doubt.

She disclosed that the traders were excluded from Edo government’s N100 million livelihood support loan, meant for traders who incurred losses in the fire disaster.

The Ogua of Benin, Chief Uyi Okungbowa, responding on behalf of Benin palace chiefs, who received the peacefully-protesting traders, said their grievances had been duly acknowledged and would be communicated to concerned authorities.

He admonished the traders to shun violence and continue to be peaceful.

Bayelsa State residents, drawn from the three senatorial districts, have bared their minds on the qualities those aspiring to become the governor should possess before getting their votes during the November 11 governorship election. 

While many listed continuity, security and infrastructural development as basic needs of the people, others said they would vote for credibility and progress in the state.

Most residents, who spoke to our correspondent in Yenagoa, said despite the noticeable challenges witnessed during the last general election, the introduction of Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had redefined the electoral system.

Elder Ebiye Accra, who hails from Ekeremor Local Government, said most ‘Bayelsans’, including business owners and civil servants, had resolved to vote for sustenance of peace and development being championed by Governor Douye Diri.

He said: “We have not witnessed a situation like this in Bayelsa State where in a major election, not a life was lost. No security threats, kudos to the incumbent government.

“Governor Diri has won the hearts of civil servants. That’s for a fact. I get to hear testimonies from neighbours and other citizens.”

Another citizen, Mrs. Tari Sesei, from Nembe Council, said the peaceful nature of the incumbent governor had endeared him to a lot of people.

Said she: “That’s the only way we can achieve progress. We must allow this peaceful situation to continue. The other candidates we also know. Today, Diri is the best for us. We will not make that mistake of bringing people known for violence to power. We will defend our votes.

“We heard some candidates are bringing money to buy us. Where were they in the past three years? We want development and not brigandage. We know all the candidates. Diri is the best for us today. See the new infrastructure, empowerment, skills acquisition and sports sector that are engaging our young ones.”

A resident of Yenagoa, Mr. Obinna Izuchukwu, said most non-indigenes who lived and did business in the state, spoke well of the current administration in many aspects.

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called for the postponement of the 2023 census.

The youth wing of the organisation made the call after a meeting of its leadership yesterday in Enugu.

It said its investigations showed that the National Population Commission (NPC) was not prepared for the exercise.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo said the postponement would enable the commission put the necessary factors required to conduct the exercise in place.

The group said: “We have noted the unpreparedness of the National Population Commission (NPC) towards the scheduled 2023 National Census; and we hereby add our voice to the widely recommended postponement of the National Census that is meant to start in May.

“This is to ensure necessary factors that shall determine the success and uphold the purpose of the exercise are put in place.

“These factors involve and not limited to the status of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), insecurity and other technical matters bedevilling the commission.

“This call for the postponement shall also ensure judicious use of the N88billion budgeted for the nationwide exercise, in order to maximise impact and serve the purpose.

“We call on Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic divide, religion and party affiliations, to join hands in building lasting peace, unity and stability in our dear country.”

“To achieve this, we all must collectively eschew and condemn injustice, ethnic profiling and religious preferences. In the interest of peace and progress as a nation, we must promote and protect equity and fairness.”

The group warned those impersonating the national leadership of Ohanaeze to desist.

Anambra State Government has raised the alarm, following rising cases of tuberculosis.

The Programme Manager, Anambra State Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Management, Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, made this known yesterday during the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Programme, organised by the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Break-Through Action Nigeria.

He said there was no local government in the state that didn’t have tuberculosis cases, adding that it was a huge problem for the state.

Chukwulobelu, however, said there had been a lot of changes since the advent of Prof Chukwuma Soludo administration, adding that Health Commissioner Dr. Afam Obidike had been wonderful.

He said Anambra ranked first in TB cases in the Southeast and indeed, Nigeria.

“Anambra is a transit state, but we must continue in our advocacy. If the global contributors and other donors decide to pull off resources, the state will be doomed,” he said.

Chukwulobelu blamed health workers for not doing their work properly, noting that Anambra had 14 testing centres for TB.

“It takes only two hours to receive results.”

Chukwulobelu said over 2,600 tuberculosis cases were recorded in the last quarter in Anambra State, adding that there was need for everyone to battle the menace.

Abia State Government has said it would not hesitate to seal off any commercial bank that refuses to unfreeze its account.

The government was barred from accessing its accounts with major commercial banks after Mr. Uche Eni, in an exparte motion at an Abuja court, sought the freezing of accounts of the state government in most commercial banks.

The motion, government sources said, had since been vacated, but according to them, the state government was yet to have access to its accounts, as they claimed the banks were yet to comply with the order of the court.

Apparently irked by the action of the commercial banks, which sources claimed was putting spanner to the wheel of progress and economic development in the state, the government yesterday directed commercial banks that had transactions with the state government to resume normal transactions.

The government warned that any bank that failed to obey the vacation order of the court risked being sealed off.

A statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chris Ezem, said: “Government has observed with dismay, the unpatriotic and mischievous activities of some people, who are bent on undermining the laudable legacies and achievements of the current administration.

“It will be recalled that last month,  an FCT High Court granted ex parte order freezing accounts of the state government despite its lack of jurisdiction and which order has since been vacated.

“Government hereby warns those mischief makers who are bent on stalling smooth and peaceful transition through unnecessary litigations to stop forthwith, as the current administration has invested so much in peace and security and will not be drawn into the unfortunate plan to foist anarchy on the citizens.

“Government therefore directs banks that have transactions with Abia State Government to resume normal transactions without further delay. Any bank that fails to obey the vacation order risks being sealed off by the state government.”