The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • ‘Akwa Ibom APC should boycott council polls’

    ‘Akwa Ibom APC should boycott council polls’

     Bassey Anthony, Uyo

     

    A FORMER Deputy Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Uwem Udoma, has urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) to boycott the local government elections.

    Udoma spoke yesterday following the creation of additional electoral wards by the Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC). He argued that the electoral body lacks the powers to create wards, and described AKISIEC’s action as ‘illegal’ after it had earlier released its Notice of Election.

    According to Udoma, the law only empowers the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to delineate state and federal constituencies, senatorial districts, organise and supervise voters’ registration, be in custody of the voters’ register and delineate Registration Areas (Wards) under the 1999 Constitution as amended and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    Read Also: Ekiti APC sets up peace committee

    He said: “Now that AKISIEC says it wants to conduct local government elections, it has to go to INEC to get the voters’ register. But how will it adjust the register with the 39 new wards it has purportedly created which is not known to law or INEC?

    “AKISIEC cannot create voting units or even register voters; the situation is confusing and chaotic. AKISIEC is biased, lacks credibility and is dominated by card carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Such a body cannot be trusted to be fair and do what is right and honourable.”

     

  • Community seeks Fed Govt’s intervention for growth

    Community seeks Fed Govt’s intervention for growth

     Elo Edremoda, Warri

     

    RESIDENTS of Ogulagha Kingdom in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to address the lack of development projects in their community.

    In an open letter to the president, leaders of the kingdom, who decried the poor state of affairs, lamented the ‘deliberate and continued marginalisation’ of their area.

    They also called on the President to consider their indigenes for appointment into federal agencies and parastatals, saying it will ‘give them a sense of belonging’.

    The July 24 letter, signed by Chief Igere Williams and 12 others, said the kingdom, under the rule of Joseph Timiyan, is one of the highest producers of crude oil in Nigeria, and so should benefit from the Federal Government’s development initiatives.

    They, however, lamented that despite huge contributions to the country’s growth, communities across the kingdom have nothing to show as benefits.

    The leaders also asked for ‘right of first refusal’ for oil fields bidding; execution of shore protection in areas where the lands are being washed away, as well as construction of a bridge that will connect the kingdom to Warri’.

  • Freemasons of Calabar donate to FRSC

    Freemasons of Calabar donate to FRSC

     Nsa Gill, Calabar

     

    FREEMASONS of Calabar Lodge No.3434 EC have donated face masks and sanitisers to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Cross River State as part of measures to fight Coronavirus.

    The donation, according to the Worshipful Master of the Lodge, Wbro Godwin Egbe (jnr), came from the District Grand Lodge of Nigeria, under the leadership of Right Worshipful Brother Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu- the District Grand Master of Nigeria.

    He said: “the United Grand Lodge of England, with the District Grand Lodge of Nigeria derives her authority, places a strong emphasis on charity as shown in her charitable activities over her more than 300 years of existence. Charity is part of the DNA of Freemasonry all over the world.”

    The donation held at the FRSC command in Calabar.

    FRSC Head of Operation, Cross River Command Benedict Akune thanked the Calabar Lodge 3434EC for the gesture.

     

  • Imo warns against sponsored protests

    Imo warns against sponsored protests

    Chris Njoku, Owerri

     

    THE Imo State government has said it would deal decisively with those sponsoring illegal protests in the state.

    The government warned such persons, particularly those claiming to be protesters ‘when actually they are mercenaries hired by politicians to disrupt government activities’, to desist from such action.

    Commissioner for Information and Strategy Declan Emelumba said: “Many people claiming to be protesters for one cause or the other are mercenaries hired by politicians to achieve their selfish purposes.

    “The July 28 protest in front of the Government was done by mercenaries working for their paymasters. That protest was led by Ohaneze Collins and M.C Ameche, who both hail from Mbaise. They are not pensioners and anyone who cares can call them to find out. What will they be doing leading a group of people to protest when they are not pensioners themselves?

    Read Also: Police, IPOB, MASSOB in bloody clash in Imo

    “There is no doubt that these sponsored protests are part of the narrative of making the state ungovernable by agents of the Emeka Ihedioha administration.

    “However, there is always a limit to the patience of even the most patient and most accommodating mortal. The government hereby insists that any group wishing to exercise its legitimate right to protest must do so through the recognised leadership of such group, particularly on labour and labour related matters.

    “Any group of persons who embark on protest without being led by the recognised leadership of the relevant union will be deemed to be on illegal and subversive activity.”

  • Host towns seek more cash from Shell

    Host towns seek more cash from Shell

    From Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

    Communities hosting Shell Petroleum Development Company’s oilfields in the Estuaries Area (EA) of Bayelsa State have given the firm 21 days to pay its debt and meet other obligations or face a shutdown of the oil fields.

    The communities – Iduwini, Mein, Kou, and Bassan, making up four Cluster Development Boards (CDBs), are funded by Shell.

    Shell, they said, must raise its annual development funding to them from $1 million to $10 million and meet other social obligations.

    They demanded the payment of outstanding $14 million for sea anchorage for the company’s vessels.

    According to the communities, the amount, which accrued from 2006 till date, must be paid in 21 days or they would protest at Shell’s EA oilfields in Bayelsa.

    The communities, at a news conference in Yenagoa, said the oil firm was marginalising them.

    Read Also: Shell takes $22b hit over low oil prices

    Wuka Brisibe, who chairs the Community Development Committee (CDC) in Ekeni, speaking for  the hosts, regretted that development had eluded the coastal settlements their Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) with Shell.

    He said ‘’one million dollars irregularly paid to the four CDBs, covering 12 host communities… as GMOU funds, is inadequate.  Each host receives approximately $83,333, which upon conversion at…N450 per dollar is N37.4 million…’’

    “Our people cannot bear the brunt of years of oil and gas exploration and exploitation and not benefit from contracts, supplies and services provided for the operations of the said facilities. We are displeased with the disposition of the SPDC in awarding vessels, services and supplies contracts envisaged within the local community content to non-natives and their companies who are members of staff of SPDC or their cronies.

    “This is done in disregard for the capacity and capability of indigenes of host communities to provide the said services or execute such contracts. We condemn SPDC’s attitude of non-compliance with the local community content policy and practice against its hosts at EA oil fields in Bayelsa.

    “We call for a review of the GMOU to limit interference by Shell officials in determining the pace of the GMOU, especially concerning remuneration of contractors upon completion of contracts or milestones.”

    But SPDC said its official contribution to the development of host communities in Bayelsa was over N23 billion.

    General Manager of External Relations Igo Weli said Shell’s GMoU allowed the people to choose projects, while the company provided funding and mentoring.

    On the review of the $1 million, SPDC’s Media Relations Manager Bamidele Odugbesan said he would look at the issues before responding.

  • Imo APC seeks end to division in party

    Imo APC seeks end to division in party

    From Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

    Some chieftains of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State have called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership to stop factionalisation of the party.

    The party had been divided into two major camps – one loyal to Governor Hope Uzodimma and the other to former Governor Rochas Okorocha, who represents Imo West in the Senate.

    Read Also: Ex-APC members rejoin party

    At a meeting in Owerri, the members warned that the ugly trend might deal a devastating blow to the party in future.

    Convener of the meeting Prince Clems Onyeali said: “We say no to factionalisation of Imo APC. We do not want factions because our strength lies in unity of purpose. Those fanning the embers of discord are merely acting out the script of the opposition, but they will not succeed.”

  • Ikpeazu mourns Onuigbo

    Ikpeazu mourns Onuigbo

    From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed shock at the death of Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sir Johnson Onuigbo.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, recalled the hard work and passion shown by the deceased in PDP.

    Read Also: Ikpeazu back to office, says I am fit

    The statement reads: “Onuigbo had a peculiar pattern of administration which was a direct consequence of the warm personal relationships he built over the years with the people, and which rubbed off on how he ran the party, producing solid victories and stability within the party.

    “In all areas he was privileged to serve our people, Onuigbo exhibited uncommon passion and dedication. My family and I join the people to mourn the passage of this great man and iconic politician; we pray God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Ex-APC members rejoin party

    Ex-APC members rejoin party

    From Chris Njoku, Owerri

    Members of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, who defected to All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the build up to the 2019 elections, have returned to APC.

    APGA Chairman Henry Okafor, who led a visit to Governor Hope Uzodimma at the Government House in Owerri, said they returned to support him.

    Read Also: ‘Idimogu is Lagos APC Igbo leader’

    Okafor said although they left the party in 2019 to pursue their political interests, they ‘decided to return to where they belonged to support the prosperity government of APC’.

    Deputy Governor Placid Njoku, who received them on behalf of Uzodimma, hailed their decision to return.

    He enjoined them to feel free as ‘Imo belongs to all of us, especially those ‘genuine in their thoughts about the state’.

  • CAN distributes palliatives to Anambra disability community

    CAN distributes palliatives to Anambra disability community

    Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Anambra State chapter on Friday distributed palliatives to the disability community in continued efforts to cushion effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The community, which comprises Associations of the deaf, Persons with disabilities, blind, mental disabilities and God’s Care Special school, received 100 bags of 10kg rice and 10cartons of indomie.

    Speaking during the presentation, the CAN Chairman in the state, Rev. Ndubisi John, said the gesture was a demonstration of God’s goodness to the beneficiaries.

    He said the body had earlier extended same benevolence to other institutions, including the Red Cross Orphanage and the psychiatric hospital in Awka.

    READ ALSO: Buhari appoints Pam Christian Pilgrims Commission boss

    He said: “The Executive of CAN came to demonstrate God’s goodness and to keep to the biblical injunction of being our brother’s keepers.

    “We came to show our little gesture to our disabled brothers. It’s our desire that God provided more so we could do more than we’ve done.”

    Responding, Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Disability Matters, Barr. Chukwuka Ezewuzie, appreciatedthe gesture, promising the items would reach the targeted individuals.

    “We deeply appreciate this extension of hands of friendship to better the lots of the disability community, especially this COVID-19 period. We pray this continues,” he said.

  • Abia’s scorecards on National Diaspora Day

    Abia’s scorecards on National Diaspora Day

    By Dr Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu

    The Federal Government has set aside every ‪July 25 as National Diaspora Day in recognition of the contributions of Nigerians living outside the country towards the development of the homeland.

    In addition, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) was established under the dynamic leadership of Honorable Abike Dabiri-Erewa. The commission has been able to galvanise Diasporans from all over the world coordinated many projects including the provision of PPEs worth over N49 million donated recently by Diasporans.

    Abia Governor Dr Okezie Ikpeazu understands and appreciates the potential of Diasporans to make important and critical contributions to the development and growth of Abia state. He has provided unwavering and unparalleled support to Diasporans via Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Ogbonna-Erondu, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Diaspora Matters and Special Duties.

    Today, Diasporans can boast of a modernised office space with a conference room in the Government House courtesy of the Governor. It is worth noting that following the evacuation of Nigerians from South Africa last year, Ikpeazu personally ensured that the returnees of Abia state origin were provided job and training opportunities, cash payments and relief materials to help with their resettlement. He has consistently made himself available to respond to questions, issues or concerns raised by Diasporans.

    Thus, it is not surprising that Abia Diasporans have responded in various significant ways to the needs of their communities and the state. Over the past few years, Diasporans have donated medical equipment and supplies worth over N180m distributed across the 17 LGAs of the state including primary and secondary healthcare facilities.

    They have conducted multiple medical outreach missions during which they have performed surgeries, provided medications and supplies in various local government areas. There have also been donations of thousands of pairs of shoes, school bags, sanitary materials, note books and other educational materials to school children.

    Diasporans have also provided scholarship to students at the tertiary level, engaged and supported students with online teaching and presentation. During the pandemic, they have complemented the efforts of the state government in providing educational services through social media and radio broadcasts as well as in donating cash, bags of rice, indomie and other relief items to their communities. They have also made several donations of PPEs to the state isolation centers directly and through NIDCOM.

    Finally, I would like to commend our Executive Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu for his willingness and readiness to support the Diasporans as they strive to play their part in the betterment of our communities, state and nation. Let us continue to support the state government, because together we can help Abia State grow.

    Happy Diaspora Day!

    Ogbonna-Erondu is Special Adviser to Governor Ikpeazu on Diaspora Matters and Special Duties