Category: SouthEast

By Daniel Adeleye

A former presidential aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Stanley Osifo has renewed campaign for the return of the remaining artefacts looted over a century ago.

Speaking in Benin City, the Edo state capital on Friday, Osifo said the returned artefacts in December last year are a good means of constructing some aspects of the history and cultural heritage of the Great Benin Kingdom that was stolen.

The Benin born politician noted that the imaginary thoughts about the Benin artefacts by the current generation of the Great Benin Kingdom is turned to reality for practical vision and live capturing by the generations of the owners of the highly priced works.

He said when the artefacts are added to cultural, economic and political paradigmatic use, it will bring about revival, prosperity and strength in governance not to Benin Kingdom alone but the whole of Africa.

“The looting of the artefacts centuries ago validates claims by Non-Africans and Africans that Africa is the centerpiece of world civilisation. The educational and research advantages associated with the artefacts cannot be overemphasised,” he noted.

The Horniman Museum, which houses a collection of about 72 treasured items that were looted from Benin City in 1897, had officially handed over ownership of the artefacts to the Nigerian government in November last year.

Gunmen have abducted the transition chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, Chris Ohizu and two other friends with him during the attack.

The incident, it was gathered, happened early hours of Friday at the chairman’s home at Imoko community in Arondizuogu of the Council area.

The gunmen, who shot the Council chairman first on the leg, bundled him into a waiting car before setting his house ablaze.

A source close to the family said “the Sole Administrator of Ideato North was kidnapped last night together with two others after burning his house at Imoko community in Arondizuogu. They shot him on his leg before taking him away. This is a man who came back from a hospital recently. I am devastated now.”

Another source who confirmed the development decried the spate of insecurity going on in the area.

He said “the house of Ideato North SOLAD was burnt down and he was kidnapped with a bullet wound on his leg as I heard.

“I have been making reports on killings in the area since last year and early this year till now no single presence of the police anywhere in Arondizuogu and no single arrest. We are now at the mercy of God. “

The Nation reports that the incident happened less than a week the spokesperson of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Ugochinyere Imo, was attacked at his home in Akokwa community in the Ideato North LGA, killing his uncle, three persons and several vehicles razed.

Also, a man who was about to wed was killed last along with his fiance and brother at a junction at Arondizuogu in the Ideato North LGA.

When contacted, the new spokesperson for the police in the state, Henry Okoye, said he would verify and get back. “I am on it,” he said.

The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), His Eminence, Most Reverend Dr. Daniel Okoh has charged Christians to submit their lives to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Dr. Okoh who is also the General Superintendent of Christ Holy Church (CHC) International while speaking at the 2023 Prayer Summit of the church said that it was important that Christians allow the Spirit of God to lead them, adding that the Holy Spirit not only enables one to conquer all trials and temptations, but helps one to be victorious.

The CAN President while lamenting that some Christians have abandoned the leading of God in their lives and allow the flesh to control them, said that the part of the reasons many people have not received the spirit of God was because they have not sincerely asked for the Holy Spirit of God to come and take control of their life.

The cleric who took his text from Romans Chapter 8 vs 13 and 14 warned against Christians who sell their conscience because of ‘hunger.’

Reminding the Christian faithful of the gains of a Spirit-filled individual, Okoh who is also the International President of the Organization of African Instituted Churches (OIAC) noted that when one receives the Holy Spirit of God, it helps to put to death the evil desires of the flesh and as well, forces the sinful nature and the sinful flesh to submit to the Holy Spirit.

Speaking on the fruits of the Holy Spirit the CAN President said “When you allow the Holy Spirit of God to lead you, it empowers you, it empowers and gives you the gift of the Holy Spirit and makes you useful member of the household of God so that you will be able to do the work of service; rebuilding the household of God.

“When you are led by the Holy Spirit of God, you are led to be patient, you are to persevere, you are led to ensure. You are led to have self-control.

“By the time you begin to tell the father, it is your will, not my will, you are now being led by the Holy Spirit of God.”

The National Population Commission (NPC) in Anambra State on Friday said it has so far screened a total of 1,175 facilitators and special workforce ahead of the April Population and Housing Census.

The Federal Commissioner in the state, Mr. Chidi Ezeoke disclosed this during the closing ceremony of 10-day state level training of Data Quality Managers (DQMs) in the state.

He said the Commission had insisted on thorough and transparent screening process of ad-hoc staff to ensure applications with certain errors, including impersonations were dictated and dropped.

“The screening process has been thorough and transparent. We’ve so far screened 728 facilitators and 431 special works in the state.

“These officers are going to train enumerators, supervisors, data quality assistants and others in the various local government areas of the state,” he added.

Describing the Data Quality Managers (DQMs) as the most important Information and Communication Technology personnel in the digital Census, Ezeoke urged them to take the assignment seriously to ensure credible, reliable and verifiable census.

In furtherance of his administration’s proactive measures of fighting fire outbreaks, fire prevention, control and suppression in Enugu State especially during this dry season, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, yesterday, donated Fire Ball Extinguishers worth millions of naira to all major markets in the state.

Speaking during the handing over of the firefighting equipment to leaders of the markets at the head office of the Enugu State Fire Service Station in Enugu, the State Chief Fire Officer, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa explained that the Fire Ball Extinguishers will act as palliative in case of any fire outbreak in the markets.

Ohaa recalled that Governor Ugwuanyi in 2019 approved the installation of different types and sizes of fire extinguishers in over 27 markets in Enugu State, adding that the governor is his proactiveness and commitment to safety of life and property extended the equipment to all major markets in the state.

Stressing the importance of the Fire Ball Extinguishers in the market, the State Chief Fire Officer pointed out that “if fire occurs in our markets without necessary palliative measures in place, it could lead to a high disastrous situation.”

The Chief Fire Officer also disclosed that Governor Ugwuanyi further approved the establishment of Fire Unit in Orba International Market, deployment of one firefighting truck and one Rapid Respond Vehicle to Ogige Market, Nsukka, one Rapid Respond Vehicle to Orba International Market, and one Firefighting Truck each to Ogbete Main Market Enugu and Timber Shed, Maryland, Enugu.

As part of its vision to continuously celebrate the best of black Africa, and highlight the black African experience through global conversations, Gisthouse has announced iconic music superstar Micheal Collins Ajereh also known as Don Jazzy as its Black African Icon Of The Month for January 2023. 

“Don Jazzy was unveiled by the audio platform which now boasts a video feature at a press conference held recently at Gisthouse’s headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.“Speaking on the choice of Don Jazzy as its Black African ICON-OF-THE-MONTH for January 2023, Dr. Ope Banwo, the Founder and Gistmaster at Gisthouse, the first Afrocentric audio and video conversation platform noted that the music executive was selected after a selection voting exercise by Gisthouse platform users and management, with consideration for the most outstanding black Africans. 

“Also, he opined that Don Jazzy was chosen out of dozens of other worthy African icons, adding he was picked for his lifetime body of work and contributions to elevating the music industry globally in the context of the Afrocentric experience.

“He said; “We are most excited and privileged to announce Michael Collins Ajereh also known as Don Jazzy, a colossus of music in Africa as the Afrocentric Icon for January 2023.““Don Jazzy has not only excelled as a record producer, performer, and music executive, he pioneered a whole new genre of music and style of music performance with his iconic MoHits and Marvin Records music labels. 

“”While Don Jazzy didn’t start international cross-over music in Africa, he brought a delightful new swagger, panache, and an amazing financially rewarding dimension into African music with his unforgettable partnership with the inimitable D’banj in MoHits Records, among others. After Mohits, he took his pioneering talent to a higher level with Marvin Records and gave us instant superstars like the sultry Tiwa Savage, super crooner Wande Coal, Dr. Sid, and Korede Bello among others.

““Beyond establishing himself as a superstar music producer/performer, Don Jazzy has also mentored and helped a whole generation of Africans to turn their talents as musicians into a full-time occupation and impactful vocation.”

“On the line of programs set aside to celebrate Don Jazzy, Dr. Banwo said “Gisthouse will be celebrating Don Jazzy as its January icon of the month in several ways during January.“

““Gisthouse Platform will be honouring Don Jazzy as our platform icon throughout January 2023 and beyond.“”In addition, we shall be declaring Friday 20th of January as the ICON CELEBRATION DAY with Don Jazzy on the Gisthouse platform with different special rooms dedicated to celebrating him and his body of work, and also hosting him to a special conversation on the Gisthouse platform.“

“To this end, Gisthouse management calls on all lovers of Afrocentric achievements to help them congratulate and celebrate Don Jazzy this month, and beyond, for his immeasurable contribution to uplifting the Black African identity and talents globally through his body of work in music and entertainment,” Dr. Banwo concluded.“