The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • ‘Reposition APC to guarantee victory’

    ‘Reposition APC to guarantee victory’

    By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State has urged members of the caretaker committee to reposition the party ahead of the 2021 governorship election.

    Chairman Sir Basil Ejidike spoke on Thursday when he inaugurated members of the committee.

    He said: “As new leaders of the party, our duty is to ensure successful running of the party at the grassroots to maintain its strength in the state. We must take the party to the grassroots, make the people feel its impact, and assume its ownership.

    “I hail all leaders for your continued support for the party, and pray for cooperation of all to get APC into the Government House in 2021.”

  • Ikpeazu seeks victory for party

    Ikpeazu seeks victory for party

    By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has admonished stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bende Local Government Area to take advantage of their numerical strength to win the council election.

    Read Also: Ikpeazu preaches reconciliation

    Ikpeazu spoke when he kicked off campaigns at the Practicing School, Uzuakoli. He described Bende as important and strategic in the political history of Abia North and the state.

    The governor, who was represented by Deputy Governor Sir Ude Oko-Chukwu, said with PDP at the helm of affairs, wonderful transformations will continue to happen in the state.

  • Philanthropists pay hospital bills of 12 indigent mothers

    Philanthropists pay hospital bills of 12 indigent mothers

    By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    Despite came the way of about 12 nursing mothers in Nnewi, Anambra State, when a group of Nnewi indigenes resident in Atlanta, United States of America (USA), paid their hospital bills.

    The benefactors stormed the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) and paid the bills of eight indigent mothers.

    Their representatives – Mrs. Grace Okeke (a retired Assistant Director of Nursing at NAUTH); Mrs. Chioma Egbonu and Mrs Tawa Anigbogu, said the benefactors were more interested in nursing mothers.

    “We are here on behalf of Nnewi indigenes resident in Atlanta, USA. It has been an annual event because they do send some help to alleviate the sufferings of indigent patients, especially nursing mothers,” said Mrs. Okeke.

    The team also visited Immaculata Hospital, Okwuani, where four patients benefited from the gesturre.

    This mission was the third in the series.

  • Wike: sack incompetent, unqualified lecturers 

    Wike: sack incompetent, unqualified lecturers 

    By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has urged universities to sack unqualified, incompetent lecturers to improve the quality of graduates.

    The governor said there was no need retaining teachers without the right qualification and problem-solving capabilities.

    He suggested that universities’ curriculum must address skills, linkages to industries and relevant competencies for job creation or self-employment.

    A statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, said Wike spoke yesterday at the 32nd convocation and 40th anniversary of the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt.

    He said for the universities to have international standards, stakeholders must address the declining quality of graduates.

    Read Also: PDP greets Wike at 53

    Wike said while government would continue to address faculty shortage, the universities must do something about their curriculum, quality of teaching staff and research outputs, to be at par with international standards.

    He said: “There is no use employing or keeping teachers who do not possess the right qualification, competence, character and commitment to quality teaching and problem-solving research, if our universities must improve on the quality of graduates they turn out.”

    According to him, the zeal to expand access to tertiary education informed the investments he has made to upgrade and expand educational facilities in the university.

    “Our responsibility therefore is to ensure that this university develops into becoming one of the best tertiary institutions in the country to serve our people, nation and mankind,” he added.

  • NDDC: Court should void Akwa’s appointment

    NDDC: Court should void Akwa’s appointment

    By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

    The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to set aside the appointment of Effiong Okon Akwa as the new interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The suit, filed by the Patriotic Youths Organisation of Nigeria (PYON), also wants the court to declare Akwa’s appointment as a nullity for allegedly violating sections 2, 3, 4, and 12 of the NDDC (Establishment) Act.

    President Muhamadu Buhari recently sacked the Prof. Daniel Pondei led-Interim Management (IMC) and appointed Akwa as the commission’s interim administrator.

    Read Also: Buhari appoints Akwa as NDDC’s interim administrator

    Defendants in the suit are the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice; the Senate, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and Akwa.

    The plaintiff wants the court to declare that by a holistic consideration of all sections of NDDC (Establishment) Act, Akwa’s appointment as sole Interim Administrator or any other appellation ascribed to his appointment is in clear violation of the NDDC (Establishment) Act specifically Sections 2, 3, 4, and 12 of the Act.

    It equally wants the court to declare that by the provision of sections 2, 3, 4 and 12 of NDDC (Establishment) Act, the appointment of Akwa as a sole interim Administrator of NDDC is illegal, void and null and of no effect.

    The case is yet to be assigned to any judge for hearing.

  • APC, Ize-Iyamu remain respondents in petition

    APC, Ize-Iyamu remain respondents in petition

     Bisi Olaniyi, Benin

     

    THE Justice Yunusa Musa-led Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Edo State has refused to strike out the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate in the September 19 election, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, as respondents in a petition.

    Obaseki and the PDP are asking the tribunal to strike out APC and Ize-Iyamu from the petition by the Action Democratic Party (ADP) and its candidate, Iboi Emmanuel.

    Read Also: I won’t contest Edo election outcome, says Ize-Iyamu

    ADP and Emmanuel prayed the tribunal to disqualify Obaseki for his controversial first degree certificate from the University of Ibadan (UI), nullify votes cast for him, and order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election involving other qualified candidates, excluding PDP and Obaseki.

    But Justice Musa refused to dismiss ADP’s petition and also declined to strike out APC and Ize-Iyamu as respondents, thereby reserving rulings in the matters until the final judgment.

    The tribunal opted to hear ADP’s petition on its merit.

  • Umahi presents N123b budget for 2021

    Umahi presents N123b budget for 2021

    By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has presented a N122.85 billion Appropriation Bill for the 2021 fiscal year to the House of Assembly.

    Umahi said the ‘Budget of Stabilisation and Consolidation in a Recession’ will be funded from the federal allocation while other revenue heads are expected to come from sales of international market stores, land proceeds, sales of malls and other receipts.

    The governor also projected 10.47 per cent increase in the Internally Generated Eevenue from N10 million in 2020 to N12 million.

    Umahi said: “Our major revenue is expected to come from Federation Allocation, estimated at about N52 billion or 42.33 per cent of the budget. Other revenue heads like IGR, sales of international market stores, land proceeds, sales of malls, other receipts etc, will account for the balance of N57.994 billion or 47.53 per cent of total budget.

    Read Also: Umahi vs Anyim, Egwu: Is peace in sight?

    “We are projecting to increase our IGR from N10 million in 2020 to N12 million. Our projected actual revenue receipts by December 31 this year is N122 million (92.53 per cent performance). We are therefore staying on the side of what is possible by our 2021 budget of N122.85 million, which is just 0.6 per cent higher than our projected 2020 budget performance.”

    Human capital Development and Empowerment takes N3 million (2.65 per cent) of the budget. Ministry of Health and Health Related Programs takes N18.7 million (15.23 per cent); Education (N23.9 million); Works and Transport (N9 million.)

  • ‘No traveller will sleep on Niger Bridge this Yuletide’

    ‘No traveller will sleep on Niger Bridge this Yuletide’

    Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

     

    THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra State has restated its commitment to ensuring that no commuter spends the night on the Niger Bridge in Onitsha during the Yuletide.

    Sector Commander  Andrew Kumapayi gave the assurance on Tuesday during the opening of Ember Month Safety Campaign at Head Bridge, Onitsha.

    Read Also: 2nd Niger Bridge 46% completed – Buhari

    Kumapayi said over 1,390 officers, comprising 720 staff and 670 special marshals, have been deployed to ensure free flow of traffic on major highways during and after the season.

    He said: “We’re here to kick off the campaign. All relevant agencies are collaborating with the FRSC to ensure a safe motoring environment this season.

    “We’re deploying about 720 staff and 670 special marshals for the special exercise. There will also be other personnel at designated locations for robust traffic control…”

     

     

     

  • Tipper drivers block Onitsha-Enugu Expressway

    Tipper drivers block Onitsha-Enugu Expressway

    By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    Tipper drivers on Monday blocked the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway in Onitsha, Anambra State, to protest the alleged imposition of Anambra State Tippers Association (ASTA) on them.

    The drivers, under the umbrella of Great Tipper Drivers Association of Nigeria, Anambra State branch, accused the Ministry of Transport of imposition the association of them.

    The protest started about 8.30am and disrupted vehicular and human movement.

    Motorists entering and exiting the state from Delta, Imo, Abia, Cross River and Akwa Ibom state were trapped in the traffic for several hours.

    Efforts of security agencies to force the protesters to vacate the road were unsuccessful as most of the drivers were nowhere to be seen.

    Read Also: NULGE, ALGON, call for scrapping of multiple taxes, illegal roadblocks

    Vice Chairman of the association Boniface Udenwa said the protest was against the imposition and inauguration of strangers on them by the Commissioner of Transport, Afam Mbanefo. He insisted they would only vacate the roads if Mbanefo addressed them.

    He said: “When we visited Awka, we explained to the commissioner the implication of his actions, but he turned deaf ears to our appeal. Today, you have seen what is happening.

    “How can you impose strangers as an umbrella body to control activities of tipper unions, let them come out and address us. If they are accepted, why are they on the run? ASTA is a group owned by a contractor, they are not tipper owners or drivers. On Friday some of their members came with a ticket called ASTA Welfare Ticket of N500, forcing our members to buy it on every trip of sand they carry.

    “This means that if you carry sand 20 times a day, you will pay N500 20 times, when we pay N700 and other levies daily to the state. Some of our members are now hospitalised due to the beating they received from those collecting money for the ticket. They even invaded sand pits and beat our members.

    “Even members of Sand Miners Association who have no business with them were beaten in an attempt to collect the money, to show how desperate they want us to accept the illegal body. What business do they have coming to harass us at sand beaches or pits, beating the beach or pit owners and harassing them not to protest their illegal fee?”

    President-General of Sand Miners Association Sir Chris Mbaezue said: “ASTA sealed our sand beaches or pits to intimidate us. Since last Friday, sand beach owners have not done their business because of ASTA’s harassment.”

  • ‘No primaries but selection in Delta PDP’

    ‘No primaries but selection in Delta PDP’

    By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

    Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State Kingsley Esiso has said candidates will be selected for the local government polls instead of the usual primaries.

    Esiso, who addressed party executives in Sapele Local Government at the weekend, said: “Tenure of the present chairman and councillors will soon end and some aspirants are already planning to contest for the positions. But we have decided to guide the system.

    “The chairmanship form is N2 million; councillor N350,000, and form will be sold to only one aspirant. We have one form for chairman and one form for one councillor.

    “It’s your right to aspire and nobody can fault you for aspiring, everybody has a right to aspire, but we cannot have two chairmen or councillors at the same time. If you are aspiring, check yourself, do what I call political analysis of the environment. If you know you scored less than 50 per cent, don’t waste your money.”