The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Abia to get modular refinery soon

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has said the government would soon build modular refinery in the state.

    The refinery, which is expected to be cited around the Ukwa axis, would ensure adequate supply of petroleum products.

    Ikpeazu, who spoke when the management of ESKOM PLC visited him at the Government House in Umuahia, described job creation as a direct link to security and sustainable economy for those in the Southeast and South South. He added that the only way forward is to create jobs for Abians.

    The governor, who stressed that Agriculture and Industrialisation are fundamental to the economic vision of his administration, hinted that the modular refinery is the philosophy behind the flagship project of the Enyimba Economic City and the proposed Agro-Industrial City.

    Read Also: I’m hale and hearty, Ikpeazu tells Abians

    The governor noted that his administration will not spare any effort in providing necessary institutional support needed to get the projects working. He reinstated that the state is the SME capital of the country, saying the state was number three in Foreign Direct Investment by the close of business in 2018 due to the prospect of the Enyimba Economic City Project.

    Chief Executive Officer of David Twin Oil West Africa Chief Emmanuel Obiora, and his counterpart at ESKOM, Orjiakor said the visit was to explore and cement the possibility of establishing a modular refinery in Abia.

    According to them, the governor has demonstrated a huge passion for investments, to the point that no serious business that seeks expansion and growth can afford to ignore Abia state.

    The delegation was led by front line businessman Chief Jerry Kalu.

     

     

  • Senator-elect demands release of Certificate of Return

    THE Senator-elect for Imo North Benjamin Uwajumogu on Monday protested at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) demanding the release of his Certificate of Return.

    Uwajumogu had secured an order of a Abuja Federal High Court, directing INEC to release the Certificate of Return, but three weeks after the judgment, INEC is yet to comply.

    INEC had refused to give the Senator his Certificate of Return on the excuse that he was wrongly declared winner of the election. It said it has set up a committee to investigate the veracity or otherwise of claims of misconduct during the election, a decision he challenged in court.

    Read Also: El-Rufai vs Ashiru: INEC closes case at tribunal

    Director-General of Benjamin Uwajumogu Campaign Organisation Matthew Omegara said INEC should be held responsible for any break down of law and order. He gave the commission 24 hours to release the certificate.

    Uwajumogu said he approached the Federal High Court as a law abiding citizen, and got a judgment instructing INEC to release his Certificate of Return, adding that till date, INEC is yet to obey the judgment.

    “I am here today to collect my Certificate of Return, but INEC has refused to issue me the certificate. I am asking it to do that to forestall a breakdown of law and order. I am prepared to do whatever it will take to get my Certificate of Return,” he added.

     

  • Father of six cries for help after wife’s death

    FATHER of six – Mr. Okezie Friday – has cried for help following the death of his wife after she was delivered of triplets.

    Friday, an indigene of Umuokenyi in Ndiolumbe Nvosi Autonomous Community, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, described his wife’s death as a surprise.

    Sources close to the bereaved said the expectant mother knew she would be delivered through Caesarean Section.

    According to them, the couple left their home on July 12 for a private hospital – Shalom Hospital Umuafor – where the wife was operated on.

    Read Also: Senator Makarfi loses father

    The woman was allegedly wheeled into the theatre about 1pm on July 13, and was successfully operated upon, with the babies – two boys and a girl – and the mother in good health.

    “But about 8pm same day, the Doctor called the husband and on getting to the hospital, he was told  his wife has died,” the source added.

    Friday said he is soliciting for government’s intervention and the help Nigerians to take care of the children. The couple have three other kids apart from the new triplets. His account name is Okezie Friday (2052667844), with the United Bank of Africa (UBA). He can be reached on 07052334146 or 08102535831.

  • Abia deputy gov charges mothers on polio vaccination

    ABIA STATE deputy governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, has urged mothers in the state to ensure that their children were adequately administered with poliomyelitis vaccines to guard against the disabilities arising from polio.

    He restated the state government’s commitment to the total eradication of poliomyelitis in the state by meeting up its commitment to relevant bodies as well in mounting consistent awareness campaign to enlighten the citizenry.

    Read Also: I’m hale and hearty, Ikpeazu tells Abians

    Speaking to journalists shortly on arrival from his short vacation in the United Kingdom, Chukwu stressed the need for mothers to observe the various rounds of immunisation programmes by presenting their children for immunisation to avoid infection or re-infection from poliomyelitis.

    The deputy governor disclosed that his trip abroad which was part of his annual leave was used to consolidate his interactions on behalf of the state government with foreign investors in the property and agric sectors as well visit the Vatican City for continued prayers of peace and progress of the state under the leadership of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

     

  • IPMAN prohibition order: Ugwuanyi constitutes committee

    Following an Executive Order recently issued by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State prohibiting the activities of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in the state, the governor yesterday approved the constitution of a committee on maintenance of public order to ensure supply and distribution of petroleum products in the state during the pendency of the order.

    A statement by the Permanent Secretary (General Administration), Mrs. Josephine U. Onyia, the committee comprises representatives of the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police, SP Pius Eziubochi Ugwuala, who will serve as the Chairman; Directorate of State Services, Uche Oko; Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Collins Akalawu; the Department of Petroleum Resources, Enugu Zonal Office, Alhaji Gwaram L. Ahmed; the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Permanent Secretary, Inter-Ministerial and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Enugu State, Mrs. Mabel Agbo.

    The committee, according to a statement, will be inaugurated on Monday, July 22, 2019 at the Government House, Enugu at 2pm.

    It would be recalled that Ugwuanyi issued the order pursuant to section 48 (1) and (2) of the Public Order Law Cap 130 Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, section 215(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), as a result of the protracted crisis between warring factions of the IPMAN that has within the recent past given rise to cult activities, gun battles, banditry, continuing threat to public order and human lives and properties.

    According to the order, “the foregoing has created a general state of insecurity in Enugu State (the “State”), presenting grave danger to lives and property of members of the public in the State.”

    Prohibiting the activities of the association, the order further stated that “without prejudice to the issues in contention between the parties and the rights and obligations of the parties, and without prejudice to any judicial decisions in that regard: The activities of IPMAN in Enugu State are hereby prohibited till further notice.”

     

  • Foundation empowers 45,000 young Cross Riverians

    NO fewer than 45,000 Cross River State youths have benefited from the capacity building and technological innovation training of the Bridge Leadership Foundation, a project of former Governor Liyel Imoke, from 2011 till date.

    Imoke, who disclosed this in his address during the 9th Career Day of the Foundation yesterday in Calabar, said they had empowered young Cross Riverians with leadership and community development programme, teachers support programme, transformational mentoring programme and grooming enterprise leaders.

    According to him, the theme of the 9th Career Day ‘Technology and Innovation: Opportunities, Challenges and the Future’ was selected to deepen the knowledge on technology and its radical life-changing innovations.

    He explained that the mission of the foundation was to raise a community of inspired, equipped and influential young leaders, who lead themselves and others.

    The former governor stressed the need for governments at all levels to increase funding in technology and its relevant infrastructure to enhance youth productivity.

    Read Also: Cross River community denies beheading two

    “Today, we have over 5,000 young participants in this hall who are ready to share the thought of a new generation. We are happy that we are raising a generation of transformational leaders.”

    Governor Emeka Ihedioha of Imo State commended Imoke for sustaining the programme for 11 years running and even after leaving office since 2015.

    Ihedioha said that the country was in dire need of honest leaders with new ideas that can move the nation forward.

  • A’Ibom govt expresses worry over erosion, flood threats

    Commissioner of Environment and Natural Resources, Ekong Sampson, over the weekend lamented that despite government’s remedial measures to tackle erosion and flood, large portions of the state were threatened by the disasters.

    Sampson said this while speaking with newsmen at one of the sites shortly after he led officials of the ministry and journalists on inspection tour of erosion and flooded sites in Uyo, the state capital.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill two soldiers, abduct expatriate in A’Ibom

    The commissioner visited erosion sites at the Uyo prison, Udo Inwang community and the flood site at Ubara community in Use Offot in Uyo Local Government Area of the state.

    He said: “we have gone round on inspection even in the rain. I am here with officials from the ministry and officials of Nigerpet who have been working on a number of locations in the state.

    “The state government is passionate about this matter, so we are here to see things for ourselves for prompt intervention. The governor, Udom Emmanuel, has directed that remedial measures be put in place to salvage the situation.”

  • Residents, Enugu Disco square up over 10-month blackout

    Residents of Federal Housing Estate, Ogbor Hill, Aba, Abia State, have blasted the management of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) over 10 months of power outage experienced in the area.

    A spokesman of the residents, Navy Lt. Faraday Richardson (retd), said for the past 10 months, residents of the area have not had power supply despite repeated assurances given to them by the management of the electricity company.

    Richardson who was visibly angry said in September last year, the electric transformer, which residents contributed money and bought, packed up as a result of the impact of a wind storm.

    He said after waiting in vain for over three months for EEDC to replace the transformer, residents decided to contribute money to purchase another transformer as they were tired of staying in darkness.

    He alleged that they had already contributed over N2m when officials of EEDC in Aba told them to hand over the money to them to enable the company to mount another transformer in the area.

    Read Also: Police parade 33 suspected criminals in Enugu

    The retired military officer said two months after the receipt of the money, EEDC mounted a moribund electric transformer in the area, adding that after about 36 hours, the said transformer blew up.

    “We have been the ones buying electric transformers in the area each time the one we are using gets bad, even the one that packed up last year, we bought it and we had not complained.

    “Why we are pained this time around is that we had already contributed over N2m and made arrangements to purchase a new transformer before the EEDC people told us to give them the money, assuring that they would mount another transformer for us.”

    The worst of it all, according to the retired military officer, is that residents including widows who contributed the money for the electric transformer are accusing officials of the FHE landlords association of conniving with the EEDC personnel to dupe them.

  • Man, 46, arrested for defiling teenage girls in Anambra

    46-year-old man, Charles Igwedibia, has been arrested for allegedly defiling a 12-year-old girl in Nkwelle village, Awkuzu in Oyi local government area of Anambra State.

    The suspect, popularly called Alagbon of Dusogu village in Awkuzu, reportedly had series of unlawful carnal knowledge of the victim between June and July this year.

    The Nation learnt that the suspect had also defiled another 12-year-old girl of same address within the same period.

    When contacted, the police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the arrest.

    Read Also: Fake beggars arrested in Anambra

    He said all the victims were taken to Chira Hospital Awkuzu, where the medical doctor confirmed laceration of their hymens.

    He said, “Following intelligence report, police detectives attached to Oyi Division arrested one Charles Igwedibia, aka Alagbon, aged 46 years of Dusogu village, Awkuzu in Oyi LGA of Anambra State.

    “Suspect allegedly had series of unlawful carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl at Nkwelle village between June and July 2019.

    “Preliminary investigation also revealed that same suspect defiled another 12 years’ old girl of same address within that period.”

    He said the suspect would be charged to court after investigations were concluded.

     

     

  • Obi of Onitsha inaugurates committee for Ofala festival

    The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe has approved the Committees of Experts set to manage the 2019 Ofala.

    The festival, which is the celebration of the annual emergence of the monarch from seclusion as well mark the homecoming of Onitsha indigenes will hold from October 11 to 12, 2019.

    An international art exhibition, a youths’ carnival and a marathon endorsed by the relevant national and international athletics bodies, will be part of the event.

    The Committees will focus finance, marketing strategy and communications, culture and tourism matters and government relations.

    Others areas of focus are protocol, logistics, and security. The committees have been established to place the festival on a higher pedestal.

    According to His Majesty, ‘’despite the grandeur and spectacle of the Ofala, there is a need to build upon this and ensure that the Ofala continues to grow and remains relevant.

    “This is imperative particularly within the context of moving Onitsha Ado N’Idu forward. The 21st century is a millennium of rapid change, driven by digital technology that is transforming the world into a global village.’’

    The Ofala popularity has grown in terms of its social glamour, attracting national and international attention, in addition to enjoying the benefit of partnerships with major corporate bodies, which have helped enormously in projecting Onitsha to the entire world.