The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Kalu distributes palm seedlings to farmers

    In line with the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration’s economy diversification policy, former Governor of Abia State and senator-elect for Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu has flagged off the distribution of 450,000 free oil palm seedlings to farmers.

    The aim of the gesture, The Nation gathered, was to revive, boost and reinvigorate the agricultural sector in the state and Nigeria as a whole.

    The palm seedlings distribution is one of the empowerment programmes introduced by the Orji Kalu Foundation to bring back the glorious days of high palm oil production and to boost the economies of families in the state.

    Announcing the flag-off of the programme at his Igbere country home in Bende Local Government Area of the state, Kalu, founder and facilitator of the foundation, said that the programme is aimed at refocusing the communities and families back to what will yield income for them.

    Kalu disclosed that the programme is centred on empowering families and not any single individual.

    He said that the process of selecting beneficiaries would not be based on political affiliation.

    Read Also: Kalu calls for sanctions against S’East APC leaders

    “It has always been in our minds to get our communities back [back on track] with agricultural programmes that will yield income for them. There’s this push among people to migrate from rural areas to Abuja and Lagos and knowing how resourceful Palm is, we decided to refocus their minds on it as a way of deriving revenue.

    “We have been planning this since the past one year. I’m sure you saw that we have about 450,000 palm seedlings open for distribution in Abia.

    “This is the easiest way of bringing back this rich economic tree that has made much economic impact in the past.

    “I’m sure many people will be satisfied with the direction we are heading towards which I believe is the right direction. Many lands are laying fallow and used for nothing.

    “That’s why we noticed that most reasonable thing to do is to educate our people that we can put them into use. The Federal government and President Buhari himself has being saying it that we should do this,” he said.

    Speaking of the benefits of the programme, Kalu said, “This programme will benefit families because we are going to share the seedlings among all families.

    “We want to make our people to create family plantations. The plan is huge. It’s not going to be an individual affair. This project is aimed at reinvigorating what used to be our major source of income.

    “And we will be able to put back families to be busy positively and make money. Nigeria is currently importing $900,000.000 of palm every year from Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia.

    “The earlier we remind our people of people that it’s high time we did something not only for ourselves, but for the industries is very important.”

    On the criteria needed to be qualified for selection as beneficiary for the programme, the Senator elect for Abia North said, “Let me state it clearly that the selection for beneficiaries of this programme is not going to have anything to do with political party.

    “This is not a partisan programme. It’s just like the free loan scheme. All Abians are Abians. Elections have come and gone. We are into governance now and in governance, we don’t count party.

    “What is important is to reduce crime, unemployment and make people self-sufficient through this programme.

    “The sharing among families will depend on the availability of lands. It must be a family land. We don’t want to give palm to one individual who will in turn go and sell it. The asset must be family land. We must inspect it.

    “If they have up to 5 hectares, 1 acre or whatever, we’ll measure it and give them according to the sizes of their lands.

    “The family elders must satisfy that this is a family land before we give out. So, the number you’ll get, will depend on the capacity of your land.”

  • ESUT med students treat 1000 in outreach

    No fewer than 1052 indigenes of Opi community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have received free medical care from final year medical students of Enugu State University College of Medicine (ESUCOM).

    The students also gave out welfare packages to the indigenes of the community, which included clothes, shoes, bags and toiletries.

    The medical outreach featured one-on-one medical consultation and medical test such as blood sugar and pressure levels, malaria check, HIV/AIDS screening, eye check as well as health talk on prevention of hypertension and diabetes.

    Flagging off the medical outreach, former Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dan Shere, applauded the students for their great milk of human kindness and sacrifice to locate a remote community in Nsukka for the exercise.

    Shere said that the medical outreach would go a long way to improve the health status of the people, as well as prevent illness-induced poverty in the community.

    “For the final year students and their lecturers that had backed them up to carry out this wonderful and life sustaining medical outreach, we say a big thank you and the good Lord will surely reward you people.

    “I am overwhelmed with the number of specialists’ doctors in various fields of medicine I see here today as well as the quantum of drug and other welfare package to be given free to our people.

    “The community had not received such favour before at any time in history. Our joy knows no bound as we are even going to mobilize more people seeing your great level of preparedness for this medical outreach,” he said.

    Prof. Frank Ezugwu, Dean of ESUCOM (Faculty of Clinical Medicine), noted that it was the first time in the history of the College that students would organize a medical outreach.

    Ezugwu said: “They are doing it in a big way. Unimaginable array of medical experts in various areas of specialties, large quantity of drugs and medical commodities, to render this much needed health services to our people.

    “I am overwhelmed with what I am seeing here today. I sincerely thank God for making it possible that through my students, my people in Opi, could get such free welfare packages and comprehensive health treatment  up to referral level’’.

    The Students Coordinating Officer for the College, Dr Eddy Ndibuagu, revealed that the students were able to pull 16 specialists’ doctors from various fields of medicine and drag them down to Opi community to address the health needs of the people directly.

    “Among the specialists’ doctors here, we have internal medicine, community medicine, pediatricians, obstetricians, gynecology, mental health and optometric; and they have agreed to follow cases up at the referral level,” Ndibuagu, who is the Head of Department, Community Medicine in ESUT College,” he said.

    He noted that the doctors were surprised at the number of communicable and non-communicable diseases attended to.

    Dr Mike Abonyi, who gave a talk on “Abetting the Scourge of Diabetes Mellitus and Hypertension in our Society’’, advised residents to cut their starchy food intake and more of fruit and vegetables as well as exercise to reduce weight.

    “We must learn to take issues one at a time and have a good rest; while ensuring eating balance diet. For those on medication, you should continue to follow doctor’s advice by taking your drugs regularly,’’ Abonyi said.

    Mr Michael Ozoemena, Class Representative for ESUCOM Graduating Set 2012, said that the medical outreach was a way of giving back to the society and also providing succour to the downtrodden, who might not be able to afford comprehensive healthcare.

    “We also want to use the medical outreach to thank our Dean, Prof. Frank Ezeugwu, for his fatherly care and love towards us while our study lasted. This is why we selected his community, Opi, for this outreach.

    “We are overwhelmed by the show of appreciation from the community members and their leaders today; which has boosted our spirits to let us (students) know that the efforts and sacrifice for this programme is worth it,” Ozoemena said.

    Igwe Pius Agbo, Traditional Ruler of Opi-Agu Autonomous Community in Opi community, thanked the students for their uncommon show of love and humanitarian service to the people.

    “We are grateful to the final year medical students of ESUTH. We must confess that we appreciate the health and longer life this outreach has added to our people,” Agbo, who spoke on behalf of three autonomous traditional rulers in the community, said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Ma Nneka Ugwu, thanked the students for the free hypertension and malaria drugs given to her as well as opportunity to meet a doctor for consultation and to explain how she had been feeling to him.

    “I thank my children, the medical students who have come from far Enugu to come and see that I am alive and health. I pray God will continue to be with them and provide good jobs for them,’’ Ugwu prayed.

    Another beneficiary, Mr Friday Eze, thanked the students for the free eye drops and eye check he underwent in during the exercise.

    The medical outreach, which lasted for over eight hours, also recorded eight referral cases of glaucoma and some cases of cataract to the optometric Unit of ESUCOM, Parklane, Enugu.

  • CD hails FRSC’s Onitsha traffic plan

    Campaign for Democracy (CD) has commended the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Onitsha, Anambra State, for its commitment towards ensuring free flow of traffic in the commercial city.

    Anambra State chairman of the body, Comrade Nnadi Ekene, stated this in Onitsha, during a seminar on cybercrimes, award presentations and launch of the organisation’s calendar.

    He applauded the Onitsha Unit commander, Paulinus Akpotobo for tackling the traffic gridlock usually experienced on the Niger Bridge especially during festive seasons.

    He said the choice of the FRSC boss for the award was informed by his proactive disposition in managing the menace which posed challenge to the motoring public.

    He said, “We’ve been monitoring the activities of the Corps and discovered that the traffic at the Niger bridge has gradually reduced.

    ”Before the Unit Commander came to Onitsha, people usually sleep at the bridge during festive period because of the traffic jam.

    ”But for the past two years now, there was free flow of traffic along the bridge. His prompt response and pro-activeness is unparalleled. That is why we selected him to encourage and boost his morale.”

    Ekene regretted the inability of residents of the area to confide in the organisation on issues of human rights violations.

    He said the fear of the victims in exposing their suspects had severally hindered the efforts of the body in fighting for them.

    He said, “Some of them are afraid to open up to us what they are passing through, mostly in the hands of security agents.

    ”Out of fear of what will happen to them, they try to conceal their predicaments, while others find it difficult to come to our office to complain. I wonder how we can defend them in such circumstances. Meanwhile, that’s the essence of our existence.”

    According to Ekene, the seminar topic, “Imperatives of Digital Rights in the Enforcement of Cybercrime Act 2015”, was carefully chosen to educate the masses on dangers of cybercrimes.

    ”You know we are in computer age where everything is going digital. Residents need to be enlightened so they won’t fall victims of the Yahoo boys who devise many strategies to defraud people,” he added.

    Delivering a seminar, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, restated the commitment of the force to checkmate cybercrime offences in the state.

    He said the force have a department called Intelligence Response Team responsible for investigating intellectual and cybercrime offenses.

    ”This department works day and night, including advising the CP as well as educating the public on the need to apply caution against crimes,” he added.

    Responding to the award, the FRSC commander, Akpotobo commended the level of relationship existing between the Rights group and the uniform agencies in the State.

    He urged them not to relent in the good work they were doing, just as he enjoined the motoring public to be law abiding as well as to ensure their vehicles were in good condition before hitting the road.

    Other awardees at the event were Navy Commandant, Onitsha Naval outpost, A ABDU, Commanding Officer 14 FER Onitsha Military Cantonment Army Barracks Onitsha, Lt. Col. Ben Ugbuji and CEO, Royal Priesthood international Ltd, Chief Cos-Ukwuoma Damian.

  • Okorocha reiterates commitment to water provision

    Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha has pledged to provide potable water to the people.

    In a statement, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ministry of Public Utilities, Okere Bibian Oluchi, said the governor made the promise during the inauguration of the WASH Steering Committee in Owerri, the state capital.

    Okorocha, represented by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Hon. Mark Uchendu, praised the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) for partnering the state in water provision.

    He urged the members of the Committee to ensure that they achieve their mandate. He noted that though the administration was winding up soon, the in-coming administration would ensure the continuity of the project.

    Commissioner for Public Utilities Hon. Emeka Benjamin expressed his appreciation to Okorocha for supporting Imo, noting that it has emerged as one of the six states selected by USAID to be its partners in potable water provision.

    He thanked the members of the committee who were drawn from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and civil society groups for making themselves available to serve.

    Imo State Water Corporation General Manager, Mrs. Hope Anyiam noted that the corporation, the driver of USAID E-WASH programme in the state, will give maximum co-operation to the MDAs in the WASH business to ensure the success of the programme.

    One of the Highlights of the event was the inauguration of the four task groups focus on Water Supply Systems Sustainability; Sanitation Services, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting and Communication and Public Relations.

    Dignitaries at the event included a former Commissioner in the state, Hon. Chimee Nzeribe;former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Utilities, Chinedu Ajoku; and Commissioner for Talent and Youth Development, Hon, Iheanyichukwu Onwuenyiagba.

     

  • Cattle dealers appoint Ugwuanyi patron

    The Amalgamated Cattle Dealers Association of Nigeria, Enugu State branch, has appointed Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as patron of the Association.

    The association said Ugwuanyi, who was recently sworn in for a second term as governor of Enugu, has identified with the association under trying moments more than any previous governor of the state.

    It said for instance, not so long ago, the Enugu livestock market went up in flames causing millions of naira damages to the traders most of whom were members of the association.

    Read also: Second Term: Ugwuanyi set to build on laid foundation

    In a statement by the PRO of the group, Awwal Yusuf, the group recalled that the governor not only rebuilt the market, he also rehabilitated the traders thus enabling them to promptly return to business putting their losses behind them.

    “The governor often joined us to do this even though he is not a Muslim. Besides these, the governor so endeared himself to us that we even see him as one of us.  So in the recent meetings trustees and members of the association’s executive committee, the governor was unanimously chosen as Patron-In-Chief of the state branch of the association,” the statement stressed.

  • Oil tanker fire averted in Imo

    Thousands of Imo State residents scooping petrol from a fallen tanker were saved from a possible explosion, reports OKODILI NDIDI

    It was like a movie scene. Hundreds of Owerri residents threw caution to the wind as they swooped on a fallen petrol tanker, scooping fuel from the immobilised vehicle. They were not discouraged nor checked by the danger that often attends such foolhardy ventures. It was time for brisk business.

    The young and old were busy scooping the fuel in the scorching sun and selling to motorists. Within a twinkle of an eye the scene of the accident along the ever busy Port Harcourt Road was crowded.

    Unmindful of the danger that was lurking, the mob continued fetching fuel that had formed a big pool on the ground, while some discerning motorists abandoned their vehicles on the road and ran for their lives as the atmosphere charged to explosion point.

    According to some of the women who own shops close to the scene of the accident, it was “manna from heaven”. They did not consider the gory tales and pictures of charred remains of people who were unfortunate enough to be involved in petrol explosions.

    Many of them could have ended up roasted beyond recognition if there had been a fire outbreak but what could have been a major tragedy was averted, thanks to the prompt response of the Imo State Police Command, which carefully dispersed the frenzy crowd and cordoned off the area.

    Before then, the tanker with registration number XK 748 AGL which was coming from Port Harcourt to one of the outlets in Owerri, had spilled its content of 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit on the road.

    Read Also: Senate rejects oil producing status for Kogi

    The tanker was said to have run into a deep gully at Umuguma Hospital Junction in Owerri West when the tank side of the lorry slid sideways and overturned, pouring the entire content on the busy road.

    Residents, not deterred by the looming danger of possible fire outbreak, trooped out in large numbers to scoop the glittering liquid.

    One of the motorists who avoided the scene, Mr. Kingsley Udeke, said, “At first when I saw the gridlock, I thought it was an accident but when I started perceiving a strong smell of fuel, I knew something was wrong. At a point I could no longer breathe because the smell had become very strong. I was afraid that it could explode at any moment. I had to pull off my car and run away as far as I could.

    “We thank God nothing happened at the end of the day because it could have been very disastrous, our people were playing with fire, it was very unfortunate that people don’t learn from others mistakes”.

    Another motorist, who didn’t want his name in print, blamed the economic situation in the country for the actions of the women and children who came out to scoop the fuel.

    He said, “The speed with which the people came out to scoop the fuel, showed the level of suffering in the land, it doesn’t matter to them what the risk could be, so long as they get something to eat and take care of their children”.

    He urged the Federal Government to repair the failed portions on the Owerri-Port-Harcourt to avert such accidents.

  • Anambra NYSC gains: members propose marriage, some quit cultism

    It is not all bad news. In Anambra State, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) find love in camp, some rethink fleeing the country and some quit the cults. EMMA ELEKWA reports

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sometimes fallen into bad weather but those clamouring for its scrapping should consider its gains in Anambra State.

    At the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Umunya, Oyi local council area of the state, over 2,048 corps members demonstrated the whole essence of the scheme, including the spirit of selfless service, unity, integration and patriotism.

    In the just concluded three weeks orientation exercise of 2019 Batch ‘A’ corps members, a marriage contract was initiated among two of the corps members.

    The corps members, Ojodomo Aneh and Victoria Ayodele, both from Kogi State and graduates of Accountancy from Kogi State University, made proposals of love with rings in the presence of their colleagues during the orientation exercise.

    Besides, eight corps members publicly denounced their membership of cult groups.

    Again, no fewer than 15 of them also publicly gave up irregular migration, while others publicly embraced the Nigerian culture for the first time.

    Speaking to The Nation, NYSC State Coordinator, Kehinde Aremu, attributed the landmark achievements to trust and team spirit existing among camp officials.

    He said, “I want to thank God for all the peculiar achievements we’ve been able to record in this camp. God helped us in such a way that we were able to mentor and in the process get two corps members to renounce publicly and we have every confidence that they have finally renounced cultism.

    “We also have about six corps members who gave up publicly and we have every good reason to believe they have finally given up to hard drugs, particularly marijuana.

    “Again, we have about 15 corps members who publicly gave up to irregular migration. That desire to leave the shores of Nigeria has diminished after being exposed to the enormous opportunities and potentials in the country and Anambra State in particular. They have jettisoned the idea of migrating out of the country.

    “More importantly, two of our corps members, even though they have met before they came to camp, posterity brought them together in Anambra State. There was a public declaration of love and proposal with rings witnessed by their colleagues.

    “Yes I know that lots of relationships got established in camp. I’m also aware that some of them are flippant relationships.

    “But I have every good reason to believe that that particular one between Ojodoma will stand the test of time and we’ll all be witnesses to the wedding that the relationship will culminate to.”

    According to him, the corps members also exhibitted certain level of patriotism, commitment and creativity as they contributed their talents and expertise in making the camp more conducive and habitable.

    He continued, “We also saw corps members rising. When we arrived for this camp, we were discouraged as a result of windstorm that wreaked havoc on some of the camp facilities.

    “But we saw corps members coming to join us to rectify some of those facilities that were destroyed. That singular gesture gave us hope.

    “For me as the Coordinator and as a youth worker, it gladdens my heart when I see corps members willingly responding to our call. It gives me joy.”

    Asked how he was able to record such huge strides in less than three weeks, Aremu attributed it to trust and team spirit.

    He said, “One of the things I learnt early in life is to mobilize people and to build trust in them. Building trust is very fundamental in leadership.

    “One of the things we’ve done is to set agenda. We insisted everyone knows the role each person needs to play in a project.

    “Assign responsibilities looking at individual capabilities and training capacities. Trust and support them to bring out the best in them. I have a team and we try to build team spirit. For me, my main achievement since I resumed duty in Anambra is not the facilities I put up, but building a team.

    “I tell you, the team we have in Anambra can’t be beaten by any secretariat in the country. We can accomplish virtually anything we set our eyes and heart to do. For us, noting is impossible. We work as a team, no rancor, bickering and acrimony.

    “Besides, one other thing that has worked for me which I recommend to anyone in leadership position is to live kind of life you preach. Don’t say something and do something contrary.

    “The reason why young Nigerians don’t want to participate in politics or deviant to leadership is because of lack of trust. Leaders will say something and do another thing.

    “Until we get leaders that say what they mean and mean what they say, we’ll discover that it’s not difficult to rally young people. They hate people that lie to them.

    “For example, the moment they arrived camp, I took time to explain to them the inadequacies of the camp. There’s no adequate water, electricity, rain destroyed some of our roofs.

    “I didn’t tell them this is Hilton. I didn’t promise them heaven on earth. That was why they didn’t complain. Besides, those that have expertise, how to fix roof, wire electricity, offered their services. That helped us to achieve all we were able to achieve.

    Read Also: NYSC Co-ordinator eyes new camp

    “When we caught the cultists among them, I took time to explain to them about the ills of cultism, drug abuse and they were excited. Their parents are calling to thank me.

    “One of them came with his entire family all the way from Delta to express gratitude. The father confessed they had battled over their child for years without success. But God helped us.”

    On how they were able to identify the suspected cultists among other corps members, the Coordinator said the feat was achieved in collaboration with the security agencies.

    “In this place, we have the police, the DSS and other security personnel. We also have a surveillance movement. There’s a place for everyone to be at every point in time.

    “If you’re not there, like we say in NYSC, you’re wrong. So if any of is not where he/she is supposed to be at that time, that means something is fishy.

    “Our survilance team, DSS are always working underground. They go with the corps members to parade, eat together, discuss in the hostel together, etc. With that, they can easily provide information on where and how to get them,” he posited.

    Asked how measured being taken ensure the repentant corps members did not return to their old lives, Aremu revealed that they would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA) for proper follow-up.

    He said, ”It’s not all about me. We work with NDLEA. We’ve uploaded them to the NDLEA for follow up. The Agency used to have facility in Onitsha. Now they have one in Awka.

    “We already have a programme for them. They are now the vanguards to be preaching to younger people. In other words, we’ve upscaled them from being drug users to drug educators and influencers.

    “They will be working with NDLEA to visiting schools, including higher institutions in the state to educate young people. You know, when young people hear from their colleagues tell them their experiences, they appreciate it more.”

  • Respite as Ugwuanyi steps up urban renewal

    Nothing tells the story of a city’s wellbeing better than the condition of its major roads, many development experts say. While this may be true, they rarely ever offer the entire picture. To get the true face of a city, it sometimes helps to head for the inner city roads. Being mostly out of sight to visitors and journalists and, so, less prone to scrutiny, it is at such places that the chasm between rhetoric and action is most evident, with many such roads bearing ugly vestiges of decades-old neglect.

    Indeed, the deplorable state of inner city roads seen in many states usually begs the question how such could have been allowed to fester over the years and not nipped in the bud as it should. It has to be conceded, however, that the sheer scale of projects needed to create any tangible impact might make social interventions in these places barely noticeable. But sometimes it’s simply a question of a failure to find the sufficient political will – the kind mustered by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State – to show that development standard doesn’t have to be lower for inner city dwellers and higher for posh areas that many states would normally project as poster images of their cities.

    The governor understands that although fixing inner city roads may not attract as much plaudits and publicity as an upgrade of highways and major urban arteries would, residents of those areas are no less entitled to substantial infrastructural overhaul. From Ngenevu, a once barely accessible high-density suburb which had been all but cut off from the national electric grid to Abakpa-Nike, an urban sprawl that had invariably become a byword for squalid living, the message always mirrored that inclusive development philosophy.

    And one could sense a huge relief on the faces of residents as they line the streets in frenzied anticipation of the message from their unannounced august visitor. “Did anyone ask me to fix this road?” the governor inquired as residents and shop owners at the old UNTH Road sang his praise. “No,” they chorused. “We’re here because we believe that infrastructural development should not be limited to any area to the exclusion of others,” he said, urging them to cooperate with workers of the construction company whose contractual mandate includes linking up the old UNTH road to Ngenevu. “We’ll continue to serve you with the fear of God,” he added.

    Similar enthusiasm greeted Governor Ugwuanyi’s visit to Carter, Ogidi, Onyeama and other adjoining streets in the Asata neighbourhood, an old settlement created in the 1940s/’50s. It was a case of respite after years of desolation. Some of the streets, in fact, hardly bore any trace of asphalt, necessitating outright resurfacing as being done at Carter Street. A comment by a resident of Carter Street summed up the feelings of residents: “We live in the state capital and yet felt so far away and disconnected from it due to the horrible state of our roads. But the rehabilitation currently ongoing in our neighborhood has given us a sense of belonging,” said the middle-aged resident who has lived in Asata since the 1980s.

    These interventions offer a glimpse of the sort of incremental turnaround that would have occurred in blighted communities had they been over the past years given the kind of attention the Ugwuanyi administration is devoting to their upgrade. Had that been the case, the roads would not have collapsed to such deplorable extent and the gully threatening Okwuosa bridge in the Ogui neighbourhood will have been curbed.

    Like most cities, Enugu is bearing the effects of years of migration by rural dwellers in search of better economic opportunities and living conditions. This influx led to crowded tenements which, naturally, resulted in overstretched utilities built for an initially smaller population. The situation is particularly worse in Enugu which had served as capital of Nigeria’s Eastern Region, East Central State, old Anambra, and old Enugu State successively in the last century. In addition to committing substantial resources to upgrade suburban communities that bear the heaviest brunt of rural-urban migration, the Ugwuanyi administration has gone beyond treating the symptoms of this modern day socio-economic reality by addressing the problem at its roots.

    That paradigm shift can be seen in the huge funds the administration has so far spent on projects in rural areas, a good number of which had never hosted one in their history. The resolve to give rural dwellers a practical taste of inclusive governance is also at the heart of this statement made by Governor Ugwuanyi in his inaugural speech, and voiced repeatedly to emphasize his commitment to its actualization: “We will continue to direct our policies and projects towards these locations (rural areas) because that is where most of our people reside.”

    Seeing once inaccessible communities receiving impressive makeover has been dampening cynicism and giving residents of similar communities a strong sense of optimism and belief that it’s only a matter of time before the earth-movers roll into their streets. The excitement is indeed palpable. As one resident of Independence Layout gushed, “Enugu is now looking like a true metropolis.”

    You would be smiling too if you were in his shoes. Despite its highbrow status as a preferred elite neighbourhood, the condition of internal roads in Independence Layout was once a nightmare. Today, thanks to the intensive urban renewal drive of the Ugwuanyi administration those roads are a joy to ride on as they have become well-paved, with the streets seamlessly linking one another. And with the zeal so far demonstrated by the governor, the momentum of the recent urban renewal drive is not in the least on the wane. That is good news for residents of Enugu city.

    • Ani, formerly editor of ThisDay, The Saturday Newspaper, and Saturday Telegraph, is senior communications aide to the governor of Enugu State

  • UNN joins youth platform NextU

    Pensions Alliance Limited (PAL) has added the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to its youth-focused platform, NextU.

    The development, the company said, was in line with its position of creating value for Nigerians.

    UNN would join other universities viz:  University of Lagos, University of Benin, University of Port Harcourt, Obafemi Awolowo University and Ahmadu Bello University admitted last year.

    ‘NextU’ is the CSR initiative of PAL Pensions focused on providing knowledge and guidance

    for ‘Unleashing the Potential’ of young people on career, finances, entrepreneurship, new media, entertainment and life choices.

    Olushola Amusan, Laura Ikeji-Kanu, Tunji Andrews and Gossy Uwanwoke were the frontline speakers that mentored the students at the event.

    The panelists who came from various backgrounds representing; Financial Literacy, Investment, Employability, Career growth, Entrepreneurship and Art/Creativity and New Media; gave the students’ tips on how to be successful in their career and business, manage funds and invest wisely with small funds.

    The students were also thrilled by award winning musician Ice Prince Zamani, who has consistently proven himself through sheer determination and hardwork, a quality that brings the ‘NextU’ idea to life.

    Managing Director, PAL Pensions, Morohunke Bammeke said at the occasion: “The vision of PAL Pensions is to be the best PFA by creating value. PAL Pensions is that company that will always add value to you.”

    She encouraged the students to commit to lifelong learning to create sustainable success and charged them to go out and unleash their potentials.

    The event, targeted at young, social media savvy, forward-thinking students interested in not just career after graduation but also entrepreneurship was well attended by the institution’s students.

    They not only got the chance to learn from the experiences of the panellists, but they also got an opportunity to win fantastic prizes by taking part in the #SellYourself competition.

    “PAL Pensions is always interested in ways to impact the society positively,” said Sunmisola Mark-Okoma, Head, Brand Management and Corporate Communications”, adding, “this is

    why we started the NextU project: a project that aims at guiding young people through

    career choices and financial literacy. Basically, we are telling them that PAL Pensions would

    provide them with the support they need to become whom they want to become.

    University of Nigeria Nsukka is the first of three schools we would be adding to the Network this year.

    “This year, we are expanding the NextU platform to include ‘The NEXTU Academy’. The

    Academy would combine theoretical business & graduate school training with Practical workplace skills to raise workforce ready graduates.”

    She also added that an online programme tagged #Sellyourself would also run later in the year where young people can win various prizes worth over a million naira.

    Pensions Alliance Limited (PAL Pensions) is a licensed Pension Fund Administrator with over 12 years of professional experience in Pension Funds Administration, incorporated on April 14, 2005, to manage and administer retirement savings contributions of employees in Nigeria as a result of the Pension Reform Act of 2004.

    With a client base of over 400,000, the company’s vision is ‘to be the leading PFA, creating value.’

  • Easter succour for Ebonyi constituents

    While the Easter celebrations lasted, a member of the House of Representatives Anayo Nwonu representing Ebonyi State Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency visited with the sick at Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki.

    During the visit, Mr Nwonu paid the hospital bills of some pf the patients especially nursing mothers and their babies at the hospital to enable them join their families for the Easter celebrations.

    At the announcement of the offsetting of the bills by the lawmaker, the patients broke into a dance as they praised the lawmaker for coming to their aid.

    The lawmaker also gave the patients some cash to enable them transport themselves back to their various villages.

    In reaction, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Chinyere Aleke from Okposi Umuoghara, Ezza North Local Government Area commended the lawmaker for bailing them out of the difficult situation they found themselves.

    She said, “I am very happy today because we have been set free by our representative at the National Assembly. The hospital discharged us but held us and insisted we must pay all bills before they allow us to go home. On Wednesday, we examined our condition here in the hospital and discovered that it is getting worse and we went into serious prayer asking God to come to our rescue. On that Wednesday, I led the prayer session and I told them that it is not only our Governor and Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Religion and Welfare that we have who always assist the needy, that we have some other public spirited individuals that can assist us and we must pray God to touch their hearts to come and rescue us.

    “At about 4pm on that day, Hon Anayo Edwin Nwonu sent his brother and one of his aides to come and ascertain patients from Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency. They compiled our names and left. Today, he has visited us himself to clear our bills and we are grateful to him and pray God to replenish him. I have stayed in this hospital for two months and my bill is N150,000.

    “The hospital management chased us out of the hospital bed and took us to where they call ABS where we are staying without light and other amenities because of our inability to pay our hospital bills. We sleep there on bare floor with our belongings.

    Mrs. Nwosu Princess who hails from Ikwuato Idembia Ezza south local government area of the state said “we have been discharged since by the hospital management  but we cannot afford  our hospital bills. We removed from our hospital beds because we cannot pay the bills and the hospital management said we must pay the bills before they will release us. We sleep on bare floors, we have suffered in the hospital.

    While addressing the patients at the hospital before handing over the sum of N1,583, 000(one million five hundred and eighty three  thousand naira) to the hospital management as total bill of the 15 indigent patients, Hon. Anayo Edwin Nwonu said he was touched by the conditions of the women at the hospital.

    He noted that he cannot be happy celebrating Easter while his constituents were languishing in the ABS ward.

    Nwonu said, “I said let me visit you people to share the joy of Easter celebration with  you people who are my constituents who have been discharged but cannot afford their medical bills. We cannot leave everything to our Governor to attend and that is why we said let us you also voted into power compliment his efforts by helping you the much we can.

    “I did this type of thing last year when we flagged it off as our every ceremony activity and it is necessary that those who are in positions of authority to remember the needy like you people. So, we decided to come and visit you before Christ resurrects to enable you leave the hospital and go home and celebrate his resurrection.

    “I don’t know how I will go home, buy foods, drinks and start celebrating without you people being happy. This to me is not good and I have decided to come and celebrate with you. So, your happiness is your own happy and I am fulfilled that you are going home to celebrate the Easter after my visit.

    “It is God that brings out somebody to save the poor and we believe that he has done that to you by bringing us to come and visit you in this hospital.  So, we thank God for the opportunity to share with you what we have and he is the one that gives power and wealth.

    “All your bills have been brought to my office and I am going to pay all of them to enable you go home and celebrate the Easter. The beneficiaries are; Chukwuma Peace N98, 520, Aleke Chinyere N150,000, Nwosu Princess N170,380, Orji Salome N58,040, Ugochukwu  Rachel N156, 730, Onyeazi Onyekachi N107,490,  Uche Nneka N95,910, Eze Udochukwu N119,280, Okwor Annastecia N135, 040, Izzi Chineme N168,660, Elom Miracle N26,650, Ogodo Maria N90,590, Nweke Grace N64,370, Igwe Ugochukwu 97,905, Adaeze Ugoeze N43,690. Total of everything is N1,583, 000(one million five hundred and eight three naira). We will clear all of them so that you can regain your freedom and go home and celebrate Easter with your people.

    “I know that you people have stayed long in this hospital and money for transportation and feeding will be an issue. So on that note, we are giving N5,000 each to all of you.

    Mr Nwonu said he took the action to support the State Governor, David Umahi who regularly does similar humanitarian gesture through the Department of Religion and Welfare Matters.

    The Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Dr. Emeka Onwe Ogah commended the lawmaker for the gesture and called on public spirited individuals to emulate him.

    He disclosed that the hospital has rendered selfless services to indigent patients.

    “It is a very good thing. Whatever thing you need to do to touch the lives of your people, I think that is the greatest thing God like and want us to do which is what the lawmaker has done. You can see the jubilation among the patients, it is so marvelous. It pains a  woman to come out of labour having the child and sleeping outside the comfort of her home. Today, Hon. Edwin Anayo Nwonu has given them comfort which is a great thing and we are calling on people, the rich and public-spirited individuals, to emulate this kind gesture. Our governor who is the first citizen of this state started this, he has been doing this and I know he will continue to do this and that is why some of his political associates are adopting that.”