The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Anambra cancels election into football bodies

    Anambra cancels election into football bodies

    Our Reporter

    Anambra Government has cancelled elections into the Board of the State Football Association slated for Monday.

    In a statement on Saturday, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said the cancellation was based on the needs to prevent further spread of COVID-19 in the state.

    Adinuba described the decision to schedule an election at a time the state was battling with escalating infection as “reckless and in flagrant violation of the directive by the Anambra State Government prohibiting elections in the state until further notice.”

    He said the exercise could wait because “elections into the Board of the Anambra State Football Association and Anambra State Local Football Councils are by no means an emergency. In fact, there is absolutely nothing urgent about them.”

    READ ALSO: Anambra students organise memorial essay contest

    He further stated Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area, which was slated to host the election had been the “epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic in the state, even though the LGA is not the most populous in the state and does not have the highest level of human activity in the state.”

    The Commissioner informed security agencies have been directed to stop the purported election, emphasising the “directives on COVID-19 must be obeyed to the letter by each individual and group throughout our state. There are no sacred cows.”

  • IPOB condemns attack on female members in Anambra community, threatens reprisal

    IPOB condemns attack on female members in Anambra community, threatens reprisal

    Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has described as distasteful the recent attack against its defenseless women by hired thugs who claimed to be Oba youths in Oba Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The group alleged the attack was sponsored by inconsequential politicians working with the Federal Government.

    In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB regretted that since the attack by Aborji village youths in Oba, elders of the community have kept sealed lips,
    vowed not to let the sponsors of the criminals go free unless they atone for their atrocities

    The statement partly read, “We the great family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) worldwide ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, find distasteful, the recent attack by hired thugs who claimed to be Oba youths in Oba Idemili South LGA of Anambra State against our defenseless women.

    “The attack was sponsored by inconsequential politicians working with the Federal Government. They rented some brainwashed Oba youths just to prove to their slave matters in Abuja and Lagos that they are still loyal to them. Those self centered and treacherous Igbo politicians who think IPOB is a weakling will be surprised in no distant future.

    “One thing is certain: any Oba youth who was involved in this act will regret being part of this evil act and must pay dearly. It’s imperative we assure those sponsoring these criminals that IPOB will not let them go free unless they atone for their atrocities.

    “You cannot commit crime against IPOB women and members who were peacefully celebrating and showcasing African dishes in Oba on Sunday 12th of July 2020 and go free. IPOB operates everywhere in Biafraland and the world at large.

    READ ALSO: Ohaneze, IPOB reconcile as Kanu retracts threat

    “It is unbelievable that since the attack on these unarmed women in Oba, nobody in Oba or Igbo land has ever come out to condemn this barbaric action of unscrupulous elements among Oba youths against IPOB. Therefore, nobody should blame IPOB when we reciprocate or pay them back in their own coin. The attackers and their sponsors should get ready to reap the fruits of their labour.

    “Aborji village youths in Oba that allowed themselves to be used by the enemies against our peaceful mothers and wives should know that they can’t escape justice. Before it gets too late, Oba community leaders should ask them to come now and pay for the their atrocities and the damages the inflicted on innocent and peaceful movement. The earlier they do this the better for them because the day of reckoning is fast approaching.

    “All those who participated in this atrocity should realise that we know their identities. There is no hiding place for them. We are calling on Oba elders, leaders and those acclaimed politicians including those who sponsored them to make sure that they release those arrested by Fulani terrorists police. They must also take responsibility for those vehicles and properties destroyed during the attack on IPOB members.

    “We are in the know of the plans by the Fulani terrorists government in Nigeria to use some of our Igbo people to set Igbo land on fire but it is quite unfortunate and clear to us that Oba youths and their facilitators are ignorant of this grand plot by their pay masters. Oba youths were deceived and lured into this mess but they must make atonement for their sins or brace up for the consequences of their evil action.”

  • Group faults Onyeike ‘apology’ to Ebonyi Govt

    Group faults Onyeike ‘apology’ to Ebonyi Govt

    Agency Reporter

    A group, Edda Professionals’ League (Pro-Edda),  has asked the public to disregard an announcement on the Ebonyi State radio in Abakaliki that Abia Onyeike has retracted his criticism of the state government and apologised for an offence he didn’t commit.

    “We had it on good authority and from reliable sources that some political interests in Edda (Afikpo South council) banded themselves together to come up with a statement that would purport to coerce, compel, cajole and stampede Onyeike to tender public apology to the government of Ebonyi State and denounce whatever he had at any time said to the media about the government as lie.

    “Eventually, after we had alerted the public through several publications, the statement was announced on the Ebonyi State radio asking Onyeike to recant his criticisms of the governor or face traditional sanction.

    ” We also make it clear that the persons that signed the statement have no powers in our tradition to traditionally sanction who committed no offence as criticism of government or any leadership is not an offence in our land.

    “Moreover, if any son of the land commits an offence, there is a procedure for meting out punishment and that process was never followed by the signatories because they know he didn’t do any wrong.

    “What they did is just cheap politics for their stomach and a way of cheapening the traditional institutions and political office.”

  • Employee commits suicide in Bayelsa after losing boss’ N150,000 to gambling

    Employee commits suicide in Bayelsa after losing boss’ N150,000 to gambling

    By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

    A 28-year-old man, identified simply as Suga, has committed suicide in Bayelsa State.

    Suga, who hailed from Nembe Local Government Area of the state, allegedly poisoned himself with a substance suspected to be Sniper (insecticide) after using his boss’ money worth N150,000 to play bet9ja virtual games.

    It was learnt that he killed himself on Wednesday after staking a variant of bet9ja popularly called ‘Ogbu ngwa ngwa’, which literally translates as ‘it kills quicker than normal football matches’.

    This virtual game is said to last less than two minutes and one either wins or loses and it is controlled by computers as programmed.

    A community source, who craved anonymity, said Suga used to run a Bet9ja shop for his unnamed boss in Bassambiri Nembe area of the state.

    Read Also: Malami, NHRC boss seek stronger laws against rape, SGBV

    The source said the money the deceased used to play the virtual bets was meant for the day’s work.

    The source stated: “Suga, not knowing how to explain the situation to his boss, made him to take his own life.”

    Suga’s death is said to have increased the number of people who have died from betting and gambling since last year in the state to three.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Bayelsa State Command, Mr Asinim Butswat, said though the police were aware of the incident, the matter was not officially reported.

    “The Divisional Police Officer of Bassambri Nembe said the incident was not reported officially to the police. He, however, said they heard about the incident,” the spokesman stated.

  • Strange deaths: Delta monarch approves two-day fasting/prayer

    Strange deaths: Delta monarch approves two-day fasting/prayer

    By Okungbowa Aiwerie Asaba

    The Okpe monarch, HRH Orodje of Okpe, Orhue 1, Maj-General Felix Mujakperuo (rtd) has approved a two-day fasting and prayer session for all Okpe indigenes.

    The event begins from Friday June 26th to Saturday June 27, 2020, according to the community’s President General, Iboyi Godday.

    According to Godday, the monarch urged all subjects to pray for the peace, unity and progress of the kingdom.

    The kingdom has recently witnessed untimely deaths of some prominent sons including the death of a former commissioner representing Delta State on the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Tom Amioku, DESOPADEC Commissioner, Hon. Joyce Overah and renowned pastor, Bishop Diamond Emuobo.

    Read Also: Mother beats seven-year-old to death in Delta

    The royal father urged the people of Okpe to use the occasion to pray against untimely deaths in the land.

    In the statement cited by Godday, he said, “The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Delta State calls for a 2 days fasting and prayer programme. Therefore, I am directed by His Royal Majesty, Orhue 1, The Orodje of Okpe Kingdom to invite and inform all Okpe Sons and Daughter worldwide to a special Fasting and Prayers for 2 days spanning through Fridays 26th – Saturday 27th of June, 2020.

    “Day 1, Friday 26th June, 2020. All Okpe sons and daughters to fast and pray with their families from 6:00am-2:00pm in their respective homes, churches and business places.

    “Day 2, Saturday 27th June, 2020. All Government Functionaries, Speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Okpe Local Government Chairman, Sapele Local Government Chairman, All Civil Servants that are Okpe sons and daughters in Government, All Political Appointees, All Udogu (Okpe Supreme Council). All the 13 District Heads, Community leaders, all leaders of Churches in Okpe Kingdom are to be at the King’s Palace, Orerokpe by 11:00am prompt for the last day Fasting and Prayer Programme.”

     

  • Kidnappers, cultists abandon Rivers notorious roads, council 

    Kidnappers, cultists abandon Rivers notorious roads, council 

    Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt 

     

    PEACE has returned to roads in Rivers State especially communities in Ikwere Local Government Area known for kidnapping, cultism, rape, murder and other criminal activities.

    Hitherto, travelers and commercial drivers plying Elele Road to Owerri in Imo State and Bayelsa State painted gory pictures of criminal operations carried out by armed youths from Ikwere communities bordering the road.

    Investigations revealed that most people lost their lives, sustained gunshot injuries while others were kidnapped by the hoodlums and kept in bushes until ransom was paid by the victims’ families.

    The Executive Chairman of Ikwere Local Government Area, Samuel Nwanosike, at the weekend said the situation was horrible when he took over the mantle of leadership of the council.

    He said roads linking some communities such as Isiokpo, Elele, Ubima, Omarelu, Aluu, Omagwa and others were impassible because of the activities of criminals, who he said made life horrible for commuters and drivers.

    Read Also: Kidnappers, cultists abandon Rivers notorious roads, council

    He said most communities were ghost towns as cultists sacked residents, who had to run to Port Harcourt and other peaceful communities. He said: “Insecurity was part of our major problem in this local government area. There was a time Isiokpo was a ghost town. Young men took to drugs and serious crimes.

    “They were holding light weapons. They were lurking around the local government. It is now a thing of the past. Kidnapping in Elele, Owerri Road, Ubima, Omarelu, Aluu and Omagwa, some days we had five cases.” But Nwanosike expressed happiness that after two years of his administration, he and his team worked with the state government and other stakeholders to flush out the criminals terrorising the council.

    He said: “When we came in, we got a clear and direct mandate from the governor to work with security agencies and ensure the protection of lives and property throughout the local government area.

     

  • Rights group gives Obiano 14 days to fix deplorable roads

    Rights group gives Obiano 14 days to fix deplorable roads

    Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

     

    A RIGHTS group, Human Rights Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE) has lamented deplorable state of roads in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Chairman of the group, Dede Uzor Uzor regretted that some of the roads have claimed no fewer than nine lives, including a pregnant woman and a 70-year old man when the tricycle they boarded was submerged by flood.

    Speaking  at the weekend when he led members of the group to perform a “mock commissioning” of Obodo-Ukwu and Ede roads in the area, Uzor said the decision to organise the exercise was informed by the governor’s negligence to fixing the road.

    Read Also: Obiano inuagurates isolation centre

    He described the road as strategic to the economic prosperity of the state, warning that the group would not hesitate to mobilise human rights community and other progressive minds to occupy the road if nothing was done after 14days.

    Uzor said, “Governor Obiano whose primary duty is to construct the road has forgotten it or was too busy to pay attention to the rehabilitation of the road and others in the state.

    On his part, chairman, Campaign for Democracy (CD) in the State, Comrade Ekene Nnadi called on the House of Assembly to initiate impeachment process against the governor for failing in his constitutional duties, lamenting that the House was mere rubber stamp.

  • ‘Uwazuruike never collapsed MASSOB structure into IPOB’

    ‘Uwazuruike never collapsed MASSOB structure into IPOB’

     Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

     

    BIAFRA Internal Government (BIG) has refuted report alleging that the founder and leader of Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) otherwise called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike had collapsed MASSOB structure into Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    Chief Minister of the group, Anambra North zone, Elder Dennis Nworah who stated this yesterday in Onitsha, Anambra State, in company of Justice Minister, Damian Nzekwe and other executives, described the report as false, unfounded and figment of the imagination of enemies of MASSOB-BIM.

    He said IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu was Uwazuruike’s boy who was sacked alongside others over their violent disposition in the struggle to actualise a sovereign state of Biafra.

    He said, “Recall that Nnamdi Kanu and others were trained by Uwazuruike and because they were anti MASSOB they were sacked and Nnamdi Kanu went and founded IPOB.

    “Therefore it is IPOB that will collapse its structure to join the main stream, its master, and not master joining apprentice/servant.”

    Nworah maintained that MASSOB-BIM remained a non-violence organisation struggling to actualise a Biafran state following marginalisation of the Igbo nation in a country they were part and parcel of.

    The group further denied knowledge of receipt/ticket with the inscription, ‘Freedom Fighters’ being issued to transporters, including tricycle operators on behalf of MASSOB-BIM, warning that peddlers of such fake documents would be made to face the wrath of the law if caught.

    It also urged the public to ignore such documents and report perpetrators to them or any nearest police station for necessary action.

  • Community alleges illegal encroachment by Anambra Housing Development

    Community alleges illegal encroachment by Anambra Housing Development

    Our Reporter

     

    SOME elders of Umuneri Village, Isu-Aniocha, Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State, have condemned the alleged forceful takeover of their lands by the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation Awka, led by a certain Willie Okafor.

    The elders, all within the age-brackets of 80 to 100, were led by Chief Lawrence Ofulume, Chief Sylvester Aniefuna and Chief Augustine Nwankwo Okafor.

    Okafor queried why the estate in their land should be named Green Valley Housing Estate Awka, instead of Green Valley Housing Estate, Isu-Aniocha, Awka North.

    Okafor, who was Umuneri village Chairman for 19 years before handing over 6 months ago, said Isu-Aniocha had boundaries with Okpuno Community at the Obibia Stream and with Enugu-Agidi, adding that it was strange to them for Awka to be claiming their land and Housing Development Corporation was giving them attention.

    Aniefuna therefore urged Governor Willie Obiano, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, and the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP John Abang, to intervene to forestall the impending mayhem by directing the Corporation’s MD to initiate peaceful resolution with rightful owners of the land.

    “We have placed a caveat emptor on the land for buyers to beware of the danger signals to avoid regrets. All intending buyers of the 54.27 hectares of land Green Valley Housing Estate should shun doing business with Anambra State Housing Development Corporation Awka with regards to the land until all matters are resolved,” Aniefuna added.

     

  • NDPDA, others seek Pondei’s confirmation as MD of NDDC

    NDPDA, others seek Pondei’s confirmation as MD of NDDC

    Shola O’Neil, Regional Editor, Port Harcourt

     

    THE Niger Delta Peace and Development Advocates (NDPDA), Frontliners for the Advocacy of Peace and Development in the Niger Delta Region and other stakeholders in the region have called on President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the Interim Management Committee Chairman, Prof Pondeil Kemebradikumo as substantive Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The stakeholders, who made the call after a joint meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, also appealed to the President to intervene for the approval of NDDC 2020 by the National Assembly.

    NDPDA described Pondei, a Niger Delta University Professor of Medicine, as a man that “has come to stop the continued plundering of the Commission, deliver her from the grip of “die-hard looters” to enable the NDDC  deliver on its mandate.

    The resolution of the meeting was signed by Comr Kelvin Ebi Thomas (Convener) and Amb Jude Taunu (Secretary), as well as  Uzor Raymond Okafor, Dappa Somina, and Mrs Revival Ogbuagha, of the Youth for Positive Change, NEPD-ND and Women for Positive Change in Niger Delta, among others.

    They lamented that the commission has been bedevilled by a high level of corruption from the time of its inception, state, “it was orchestrated by fellow kinsmen who were opportune to manage the affairs of NDDC. Rather than develop the region, they opted for massive looting to the detriment of the supposed beneficiaries of NDDC.”

    Read Also: NDDC resumes, relocates to new office

    “Today, Prof Pondei-led IMC, despite its short time has made a remarkable achievement, with payment of contractors that falls under the category of N1-50 million. The IMC kicked off the distribution of medical supplies, relief materials, and public enlightenment campaign to contain the spread of Covid-19, across the Niger Delta Region and as well cushion the effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic.”

    They noted that the ability of the IMC to actualise the relocation of NDDC from its rented headquarters to its own new and ultra-modern headquarters in Port Harcourt as a testimony of the prudence and hard work of the IMC.

    The groups fingered perceived beneficiaries of the old order in the NDDC for the campaign of calumny against the IMC, noting, “They have too much money to fight back and this is a typical example of “we are fighting corruption and corruption is fighting back.”

    “The desperation on the part of those alleged to have plundered the resources of NDDC has reached an unimaginable crescendo as they daily churn out spurious lies through various media channels.”