Category: SouthEast

Lawmaker representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo in the House of Representatives Cornelius Nnaji has denied selling land belonging to Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to J.J Emejulu.

The land is at Umuenwene Iji Nike Community in Enugu East Local Government, and located at Airport Road Extension Layout.

Nnaji was reacting to allegations by Emejulu he  and the government had interest in the land.

He insisted ‘no land was sold to Emejulu by the community’.

Nnaji said the land was originally sold to the late Chief Elias Chime, the late Chief Edward Nnaji (his father), Chief C. C Onoh, and Justice Philip Nnaemeka Agu in 1976, by community representatives, ‘by virtue of a Deed of Lease dated July 27, 1976, and registered as No. 95, Page 95 in Volume 914 at the Lands Registry, Enugu’.

The lawmaker said Emejulu was misleading the public over ownership of the land.

He said Emejulu destroyed the perimeter fence of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, and property of those living in the layout.

Nnaji asked Emejulu to produce evidence of payment of N30 million to the host community and other title documents.

The lawmaker said he had ‘a document where Emejulu admitted to not paying a dime in respect of the land’.

“Why is Emejulu deceiving the public when there are agreements signed between him and his cohorts, dated March 2, 2008, and January 22, 2014, to the effect that he did not buy the land from Umuenwene Iji Nike Community?” he saids.

Nnaji described allegations that he requested half of the land as ‘baseless, mischievous and unfounded’, and challenged Emejulu to prove the allegation without delay.

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State Prince Marcellius Nlemigbo has debunked reports the party picked Frank Ibezim as its consensus candidate for Imo North Senatorial by-election.

Nlemigbo said no such decision was taken by the nine-man panel, led by Secretary to the State Government, Cosmas Iwu.

He noted that the panel did not submit any report to Governor Hope Uzodimma.

The report said Ibezim scored four votes to beat 11 aspirants, who were at the Iwu-led panel set up to pick a consensus candidate.

But Nlemigbo said: “The party has not picked a consensus candidate, but thinking towards that. What is uppermost in our minds is for people to buy the form first.

“When we know all the aspirants, we will look at the possibility of knowing which one is best. I am yet to get the result of the panel’s report.”

The candidates Matthew Omegara; Senator Athan Achonu; John Onyegbule; Bright Nwachukwu; Senator Ifeanyi Ararume and Chikwem Onuoha.

Others are Acho Ihim; Mark Uchendu; Eze Okoro; Prof. Osy Nwebo; Adanne Chidinma Uwajumogu and Chiemela Joe-Obi.

An aspirant said: “There is no consensus on anybody, forget people who are desperate to sell news.

‘’How can you have a consensus when about 11 people bought the form?

“They didn’t even wait for the panel’s report before talking of a consensus.

‘’Anyone saying consensus must have a letter written to him from the panel. There must be an official position on the matter.”

The National Obstetric Fistula Centre (NOFIC) in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Monday began a free fistula repair campaign.

Medical Director Prof. Johnson Obuna said the ‘Pool-effort fistula repair campaign’ was to treat and rehabilitate 50 to 100 obstetric fistula patients free.

According to him, patients expected for the repair cut across 17 southern states and Benue. He added that the campaign was co-sponsored by the Office of Wife of the Governor Mrs. Rachael Umahi, Gender Unit, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Fistula Foundation and NOFIC, Abakaliki.

Obuna said: “This pool-effort campaign will last for the week; patients are already in the wards and more are coming. The patients are from 17 southern states and Benue. Their admission, surgeries and feeding are free.”

READ ALSO: Ebonyi releases N1.04b to boost economy

The medical director added that a team from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs was in the state to contribute to the campaign.

Mrs. Umahi expressed satisfaction with the collaboration among the partners in the management of the patients.

The governor’s wife, represented by Mrs. Patience Offorokorie, her Special Assistant (SA) on Welfare Matters, said some cultural beliefs were also responsible for the health challenge. She appealed to the patients to adhere to instructions, and urged them to take advantage of the skills acquisition trainings for self-reliance.

She called on traditional rulers, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other stakeholders to assist in identifying women with fistula challenge for treatment at the centre.

By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has got an automatic ticket to contest the Bayelsa West senatorial by-election in October 31.

Bayelsa Central had five aspirants, but Dickson was the only candidate from West.

Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Solomon Agwanana said the people endorsed Dickson’s capacity, pedigree and tested voice.

He urged other parties to accept Dickson’s choice as the next senator for Bayelsa West.

Governor Douye Diri yesterday inaugurated the election campaign council. The council is chaired by Fyneman Wilson.

The governor said Dickson became the people’s choice as a reward for his sacrifice and service.

He said: “I believe the former governor has served his heart out and, for that, everybody that matters in Bayelsa West decided to say this is where we will remain, come sun come rain.

READ ALSO: Bayelsa West: PDP gives automatic ticket to ex-Governor Dickson

“It is also a period of reflection in that Dickson has done well to serve our state and his senatorial district. If he has not done well, these elders and leaders will not gather here to be part of the team to send our former governor to the National Assembly.

Diri will swear in 24 commissioners today.

The swearing in, according to a statement by his Acting Chief Press, Daniel Alabrah, would hold at the  Government House in Yenagoa, about noon.

By Nsa Gill, Calabar

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has launched the AYADEEMPOWER’ initiative to empower 500 youths and women to access N10 million to grow or start their businesses.

The initiative is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) intervention scheme aimed at increasing access to finance by non-interest institutions.

Director-General of the Migration Control Services Agency Prince Michael Abuo stated this at the launch of the initiative yesterday at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar.

The Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, who launched the initiative, said the Migration Control Services Agency was formed following the government’s interest in curbing illegal migration.

He urged youths to grab the opportunity and stop looking for white-collar jobs.

Esu encouraged them to engage themselves in entrepreneurial development.

READ ALSO: ‘Govt should support Cross River’s projects’

Abuo said the CBN created the Agri-Business/Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Scheme (AGSMEIS) to support the Federal Government’s efforts in promoting agricultural businesses and small/medium enterprises (SMEs).

He added that the state was the only one leveraging on that platform to provide opportunity for its people.

“The initiative is to empower up to 3,000 persons from 2020 to 2023. For the first batch of our training, we are empowering 200 persons who will be trained in entrepreneurial development by CBN-accredited entrepreneurial institute – the Nigerian Youth Chamber of Commerce (NYCC).

“Participants will be trained for a week and afterwards get assistance and guidance to submit their business proposals to access N10 million each to expand their business or start up new ones.”

By Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

Imo State has promised to complete inherited Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) projects.

Governor Hope Uzodimma’s special adviser on SDGs and Humanitarian Services  Christina Udeh said as part of Uzodimma’s policy, projects initiated by past administrations under the SDGs would be completed.

She said: “As a government that is responsive and accountable, we will … complete all abandoned SDGs projects.

“Our auditors physically inspected all projects that were done here before we came on board…”

Udeh decried the level of poverty among rural dwellers, saying the government was doing a lot to mitigate the situation and give the people a new lease of life.

“I’m worried about the high level of poverty in the state. In fact, every government official, and even those not in government, are worried because it puts pressure on everyone. Poverty of the mind and financial poverty affects every aspect of the economy.

READ ALSO: Okorocha: I’ve no problem with Uzodinma

“But we have tried to use the social investment programmes of the Federal Government to reduce this by enlightening the people on the need to be part of N-Power and other social investment programmes, such as Trader Money or Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT)… .

“We also have programmes for youth empowerment…  We are taking the message of youths in agriculture to every nook and cranny because agriculture is the new oil. Our enlightenment campaign will get them ready to embrace the future,” she added.

By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia 

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has said the Ishmael Ikpeazu library in memory of his father will assist the younger generation to excel academically.

Ikpeazu spoke at the unveiling of the library and presentation of a book, Thoughts of a Scholar in Governance: A Compilation of the Speeches, Lectures and Broadcast of the Governor of Abia State, May 29, 2015 – May 28, 2019′, at Enitona Hotel in Aba.

The governor, who is the first son, said the project was to bequeath a lasting legacy for Abia children.

He regretted that mentorship for the younger generation was eroding, but said the library would provide mentorship for young ones.

READ ALSO: COVID-19: I’ve forgiven those who wished me dead – Ikpeazu

The governor noed that his father’s dream was to build a library where the younger generation would invest their time. I feel fulfilled realising the dream, he added.

Ikpeazu said the library would host about 30,000 volumes of book and his family would support the project with N25 million.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development Dr. Uche Ogah hailed Ikpeazu for immortalising his father.

They promised to support the dream to make the project a reality.

By Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

Community leaders in Ukwa, the only oil producing area in Abia State, have decried what they described as the continued sidelining of the people of the area in making inputs in the appointment of persons into the Board of the Niger Development Commission, (NDDC) by the federal government.

This is even as they have attributed the same as the major reason for the lack-luster performance of the Commission in the Niger-Delta area.

They said it was evident that the major factor responsible for the abysmal performance of the interventionist agency was because individuals from outside the oil- producing area had always impressed it on the authorities to appoint their candidates into the board of the NDDC.

Speaking in an interview with our correspondent, Chief Chukwumeka Nwamuo, said it was unfortunate that various governments had not made proper and diligent consultations with the people, whose land have been degraded as a result of oil exploration and exploitation, whenever appointments into the body were made.