The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Abia honours Buhari with another chieftaincy title

    In 2014, in Aba, Abia State, then Candidate Muhammadu Buhari was conferred with the Ogbuagu 1 of Igbo land title. Four years later, the President gets another: Ikeogu Ndi Igbo. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    Four years ago a bold monarch in Abia State, the Enyi of Aba, His Imperial Majesty Eze Isaac Ikonne, honoured then Candidate Muhammadu Buhari with a chieftaincy title: Ogbuagu 1 of Igboland. The title literally means the lion killer, a metaphor for a champion, but the gesture was not popular. It was thought that some traditional rulers were opposed to it. The Enyi begged to disagree. Four years down the road, the president has picked up another title in the state, this time in Bende Local Government Area of the state. Over 60 traditional rulers in Isiukwuato/Umunneochi constituency conferred the president with the Ikeogu 1 of Igboland (fighter for Ndi Igbo). Many dignitaries graced the occasion.

    Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Logo I of Amuda Isuochi, Eze Okechukwu Chukwuji who was at the event to mark the flag-off campaign for the reelection of the All Progressives Congress lawmaker representing Umunneochi/Isiukwuato, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha stated that the traditional rulers’ decision to honour Buhar with a chieftaincy title was based on the good work that the President has done since assuming office in 2015.

    He said, “Our presence here is to show the APC family that we are supporting her. We are going to give you our support. Based on the good job of Mr. President; Muhammadu Buhari, we the committee of traditional rulers in Isiukwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency decided that we should honour him because of the great job that he has been doing.

    “In every society, everyone must not agree with you. We honoured him with the traditional title of Ikeogu Ndi Igbo because Mr. President is a brand and we are supporting him.”

    Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje who received the chieftaincy title on behalf of the President thanked the traditional ruler for such an honour

    Ganduje said, “President Buhari loves Nigeria…There is no doubt about it. The president of Nigeria is always telling us that we should take advantage of our diversity. Every ethnic group has its comparative advantages in terms of nature, achievements.

    “Everybody knows that the people of the southeast geopolitical zone are very hardworking people. That is why they are succeeding in cohabiting peacefully with other members of the country. Your people have gone high in terms of entrepreneurship. We should take advantage of that. So, President Buhari is happy with the chieftaincy title and I will convey it to him and we appreciate what you have done.

    “I want to seize this opportunity to thank the paramount ruler and chairman council of chiefs Abia State for giving me the Agu n’eche mba I of Igboland. I was at his palace and I received the title which was in appreciation of the role that I played especially during the quit notice given to Igbos living in Northern Nigeria by the Arewa Youths. There is nothing like non-indigene in Kano State. Everybody is an indigene.

    “We have seen a number of infrastructures created and implemented by the federal government. I think that this is a good development. Mr. President is concerned about your roads, in the southeastern geopolitical zone. That is why he has committed a lot of funds [for them in the budget].

    “And on our way here, we see the road construction that is going on. So we are not surprised, all the states that we have visited, there is political revolution. People are coming into APC. So we believe that this time around, you will be integrated into the national politics. The issue of being onlookers will be a thing of the past.

    “I think that the strong politicians from this zone who are now in APC will make you proud. We know that it is already done. Mr. Buhari is not only looking for 25 percent, he is looking for more than 50 percent of your votes.”

    The Kano governor came in the company of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Southeast National Vice Chairman, Emma Enukwu, former National vice chairman southeast and APC 2015 governorship flag bearer, Chief Nyerere Anyim, APC national woman leader and among other members of the party.

  • NEMA donates relief materials to Enugu windstorm affected community

    The joy of victims of windstorm disaster in Agbogugu community, Awgu council Area of Enugu State, knew no bounds as the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) presented them with a lorry-load of relief materials valued at millions of naira.

    The disaster, on April 23, 2018, ravaged residential and commercial buildings in parts of the community.

    Speaking during the presentation and flag-off of the direct distribution to the affected persons held in the community, Director General of NEMA, Mr. Mustapha Maihaja, an engineer, who sympathised with them, said the federal government’s gesture was aimed at cushioning the effect of the natural disaster on them.

    He said, “The violent windstorm that ravaged Agbogugu community, Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State on the 23rd of April, 2018 was brought to the attention of NEMA through widespread media reports , Enugu state Emergency management Agency (ESEMA) and phone calls from other well-meaning sons of the land.”

    Maihaja, who was represented at the event by the South- East zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr. Walson Brandon, disclosed that the agency had earlier carried out a joint assessment to ascertain the level of the disaster in the affected area, on April 25, 2018.

    He added that the team that went for the assessment assignment were made up of its staff from the Southeast zonal office, SEMA, alongside a  member of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, who represents the affected community in the lower chamber of the nation’s National Assembly.

    The NEMA boss said, “The assessment conducted revealed that several buildings both residential and commercial had their roofs blown off, economic trees were pulled down, leading to displacement of residents and dislocation of means of livelihood.”

    He said the assessment, equally revealed that most of the affected persons do not have the capacity to rebuild their houses or restart their businesses” thus the submission made to our headquarters for assistance to the affected persons is the course for our gathering here today.

    “The responsiveness of the federal government on the plight of disaster victims has been quite prompt and encouraging, we received approval of relief items in accordance with our mandate and have thus delivered them to the affected communities.”

    The DG, stressed thus” please, note that the relief materials brought to you today is not to replace what you lost during the violent windstorm, but to cushion the effect of the unfortunate incident.”

    He advised people of the community to embrace tree planting around their homes and commercial buildings that would act as wind breakers, just as he asked them to cut down huge tress near residential buildings that have become risks to the people.

    In their separate remarks, president general of the community, Simon Chijioke Udeh, and traditional rulers from the four autonomous communities of the locality, had expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the intervention, saying the gesture has wiped away the tears of the victims.

    Items donated to the victims included 250 bags of rice, 250 bags of garri, beans, maize, cement, roofing sheets, detergents, nylon mats, mosquitoes nets, bathing soaps, clothes, foams, mattresses  blankets, zinc, and nails, among others.

  • 2019: Cleric warns against violence

    The Cathedral Administ-rator of Mater Dei Catholic Church, Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Rev. Fr. David Aguleri has warned politicians in the state against playing bloody politics as the 2019 general election approaches.

    The Nation gathered that following the lifting of the ban on campaigns by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the political atmosphere is gradually charging up as political parties begin to woo voters.

    Fr. Aguleri, who is worried about the way the polity is being heated up by politicians, urged every candidate in 2019 to let fair play and the will of God prevail.

    In his homily with the theme “He brings honesty and integrity”, the priest lamented the level of dishonesty among the leaders and the led in the society. He also warned that people who collect money before voting any politician to power do not have the moral right to demand for good governance.

    Speaking to journalists at the end of the service the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate Dr. Alex Otti said the theme of his campaign is “Enough is Enough”, noting that the state has gone through a lot of rot over the years especially in the last 16 years.

    Otti said, “It is coincidental that the campaign is being flagged off on a Sunday. As a Christian I can worship anywhere. Today, I have chosen to worship in Catholic Church. My wife is a Catholic, so it is in keeping with the tradition of listening to our wives and that is why I am here at the Catholic Church to worship with them.

    “We are telling Abia people that it is time we end all manner of ills that is going on in the state. We have gone through a lot of rot in this state and this time to bring the change and liberate our people from the bondage the bad leadership.

    “We must do it this time around. Every hand must be on deck because we cannot continue like this. We are the worst state in Nigeria. There is nothing to show for the noise the present government in the state is making on the so-called projects that they have embarked on.

    “Go through Abia, the roads are not [passable] and we have money. So, it is not about money, but because the monies that come to that state are not being used for the purpose that it was intended.

    “My message to Abia people is that we must all rise up and break this chain and say that enough is enough. If you have followed what happened in the last elections, you will know that the process of writing results cannot happen anymore. The issue of securing votes is also a collective responsibility. People are wiser now. What happened in 2015 cannot happen again.

    “They (PDP) used impunity at that time to rig the election because they were at the centre. Thank God that they are not at the centre today, so I believe that it will not happen and people’s votes will be protected. We will do everything possible to ensure that the results that come from the polling units are the results that are declared.

    “I was never afraid and will never be afraid. Our party not being at the centre doesn’t matter. Our party wasn’t at the center when we won in Anambra. Our party wasn’t at the center when a couple of other parties won. What I believe is that with the process that has improved and with everybody’s eyes shining now, I believe that the things that happened in 2015 will not happen again.

    “Abians should be vigilant, they shouldn’t be docile. They all come out and vote and stand there to ensure that votes are counted and results announced because at the end of the day, they will be the ultimate beneficiaries of our government.

    “The government that we have had in the past was for godfathers and godsons. We are coming with a government that will be for the people. So, people should come out and vote massively for us and ensure that voting process in their various polling units is concluded.”Empowered Workshop in Enugu recently.

  • Abia NMA bemoans poor funding of health sector

    The members of the Abia State chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) have frowned at the poor state of health facilities in the state and poor funding of secondary and tertiary health sector in the state.

    The association made their observations known after their general meeting held in Umuahia, the state capital, saying that there is need for the state government to take urgent steps to improve on the sector.

    The association, in a communique signed by its chairman Dr. Mrs Iwuoha E. C, and secretary Dr. Umenwa Joachin, noted that the state has abundant quality and dedicated manpower to turn around the situation in the health sector.

    They observed with dismay the precarious state of members of the association working at the Hospital Management Board (HMB), and Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH).

    The communique said, “We note with dismay that doctors in ABSUTH are owed arrears of salaries for ten months i.e. February to November, 2018, while doctors in HMB are owed arrears of salaries for eight months and experienced arbitrary slash in their salaries for over 3 months”.

    They disagreed with the Commissioner for Finance, Obinna Oriaku for boldly saying that the state government is not owing workers of ABSUTH workers ten months’ salary.

    The association recalled with pains that the Oriaku had claimed that the government only gives ABSUTH subvention, “Whereas he is aware that the subvention is based on the salary wage-bill of the hospital and has not been paid for 10 months”.

    They noted that ABSUTH has been in existence for over 20 years and has been maintained by successive governments recognizing its indispensability in multi-disciplinary healthcare, health research, undergraduate and postgraduate medical manpower development.

    The association after making their observation advised that Abia State government should as a matter of urgency clear all outstanding salary arrears owed to workers in these institutions before the end of December, 2018.

    They called on the Commissioner of Finance to withdraw his false statement and desist from this deliberate act of misinforming the public thereby adding more pain to the aggrieved workers.

    Their observation reads, “That the association may not be able to guarantee industrial harmony in the health sector in the state if this untold hardship being inflicted on our members persists”.

    “That all candidates for the various political offices in the state should endeavor to maintain the calm political atmosphere presently existing and make public their agenda for the Health Sector in preparation for the 2019 elections”.

    They used the forum to appreciate all her members especially those whom despite being owed arrears of salaries have continued to give healthcare to the people of Abia State.

    The Abia NMA also recalled that the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu in one of his meetings with some aggrieved workers promised to offset the arrears of salary of state workers before December and called on him to keep to his promise.

    They said that December is now with them and they and other workers in the state who are suffering the same fate with them have not seen any alert on their phones, stressing that they should be paid before their die.

  • Church rewards 97-yr-old, ordains 140 pastors

    The Grace of God Mission International has rewarded a 97-year old member in recognition of his immense contributions to the establishment, growth and development of the church.

    A total of 140 pastors who have been in the ministry for over 10 years were also ordained by the church during its convention held in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State.

    The nonagenarian, Elder Osita Nwokeabia, who served the church meritoriously, was presented with cash and other gift items during the convention.

    The Presiding Bishop, Dr Paul Nwachukwu said Nwokeabia was instrumental to the establishment of the church in almost every community in Oji River, Enugu State as well as parts of Ufuma in Anambra State.

    He said the nonagenarian served as an executive council member, Trustee and first auditor of the church for 45 years, deploying his resources for the growth of the church.

    The bishop regretted the activities of fake pastors who entertain audience in the place of preaching message of repentance, warning that the era of occult men occupying leadership positions was over.

    “The time of wickedness is over. God has a special plan and purpose for Nigeria. Christians will soon take centre stage and will be the ones to reshape the nations,” he said.

    Acknowledging the varying degrees of crises prevalent in the nation, which he partly blamed on the leaders, the clergy however expressed optimism that things would not remain the same in the country.

    He said, “That’s why we need to pray to God so that those at the helm of affairs in the state and country will make good decisions for the interest of the citizens.

    “Countries move forward and at some points backward all because of good or bad leadership.”

    Nwachukwu further explained that the convention was to awaken the consciousness of christians of God’s glory and the urgent need to preach the gospel of God’s kingdom.

    Earlier, the church administrator, Elder G.N. Afah, while administering the oath of canonical obedience to the ordained priests, said they were found worthy in learning and character for higher responsibilities in the ministry.

    He described them as dedicated, committed and devoted persons with impeccable records.

    In his remarks, Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, urged the newly ordained priests to preach repentance, which he noted was key to bringing the country out of its present challenging state.

    Represented by the Secretary to the state Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Obiano praised Bishop Nwachukwu for insisting on undiluted word of God targeted at repentance, contrary to what was obtainable in some churches that emphasize prosperity.

    Pa Nwokeabia whose wife, Mrs Monica, 85 years old was beaming with smiles for the unexpected glory of God to them, was full of thanks to the church for the honour.

  • Owerri-PH Road: A kidnappers’ corridor

    It is bad enough that the Owerri-Port-Harcourt Road, which once took about 45 minutes to drive from one end to another, now takes four tortuous hours. Worse, hapless commuters are often robbed, raped and kidnapped few kilometers from an army facility. OKODILI NDIDI reports

    It was once a smooth stretch. Heading Port Harcourt from Owerri, you arrived in the oil city in 45 minutes or one hour, at worst. Those were days of bliss. There was hardly a robbery incident, and certainly no kidnappers waiting to pull you into the thick bush and ask for ransom.

    Not anymore.

    Despite the feat celebrated in the fight against kidnapping in the Southeast by security agencies, the menace is far from over these days. In fact it has taken a disturbing dimension in the last few months.

    Daredevil kidnappers have devised new tactics of abducting their victims. Now they operate a notorious den located in one of the thick forests along the Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, turning it into one of the most dangerous routes in the entire Southeast.

    A journey to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on the Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, which of course is supposed to be the shortest route, is now a nightmare. Commuters that ply that road often end up in the den of the kidnappers.

    The modus operandi of these men of the underworld is to divert vehicles and the occupants into the bush where they are robbed, raped and kidnapped for ransom.

    Investigations by The Nation revealed that the kidnappers who are often armed with sophisticated weapons often lay ambush at a particular failed portion of the road around Nkaraha in Ohaji-Egbema Council Area of Imo State, a border community from where they pounce of vehicles that slow down to navigate through the bad spot.

    The route is not only prone to criminal attacks but has also become a vicious death trap for travellers as a result of condition of the road, which has been abandoned by successive contractors.

    In the last three months, no fewer than 40 travellers were kidnapped along that stretch of road including five members of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) who were travelling to Rivers State from Ondo State for their orientation.

    Other victims were a serving local government chairman in Anambra State and his son (names withheld), a female Magistrate in Imo State (name withheld), church choristers who were travelling to Port Harcourt for a programme, a lecturer in the Imo State Polytechnic and his wife, among other victims.

    The high rate of kidnapping and armed robbery on the route may not be unconnected to the spillover of criminal activities perpetrated by militants who were operation in the creeks of Imo and Rivers state before they were dislodged. Majority of the unrepentant militants have found a safe haven in the forest around the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road.

    Another factor that may have contributed to the rise in criminal activities along the road is the deplorable condition of the 80km road.

    Before the road collapsed, it took between 45 minutes to one hour to drive from Owerri to Port Harcourt but now it takes an average of four hours to make the trip. At various points along the road, articulated vehicles that have broken down are abandoned, increasing the risk factors.

    Several lives have been lost in ghastly motor accidents on that route as a result of the poor condition of the road.

    The Commandant of the Imo State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Kayode Aremu said that the Command has locally improvised means to control traffic and reduce speed on the route to ensure that accidents are avoided.

    He said, “We have done road audit and identified possible crash points and we have posted our officials permanently on those identified points to ensure that road users do not infringe on the places. We have also reported the result of the road audit to the authorities to ensure that palliative repairs are carried out on the failed portions. We have also flagged off the ember months’ campaign where motorists were enlightened to take caution at this particular time.”

    The risk is even higher at night. It is a near suicide mission to embark on a journey through that road any time from 7pm. These criminals usually dressed in military camouflage often mount roadblocks to deceive travellers who mistake them for security men.

    Most confusing is the fact that the 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigeria Army Obinze is just few kilometers from the ambush point, in addition to various police checkpoints that are scattered along the road.

    When contacted, the acting public relations officer of the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Lieutenant I. M. Bawa said that the Army is on top of the situation.

    He said, “The Army is on top of the issue, action has been taken, soldiers have been deployed. If you travel through the road now, you will discover that we have up to six Army checkpoints on that road alone. The soldiers have been directed to thoroughly check every suspicious vehicle and to act fast when they discover anything”.

    Assuring that the situation will soon be arrested, Bawa said, “The hoodlums will be dislodged very soon but the major challenge is that the people don’t inform us on time when the kidnappings happen so that we can act quickly. There is no way we can know what is happening between the checkpoints unless we are told. We have commenced the enlightenment of the people on the need to come forward with credible information that will the Army arrest the hoodlums but very soon it will be over, even before the yuletide”.

  • Succour for wives of fallen heroes

    No fewer than 200 widows of fallen heroes of the Nigerian Legion from Anambra State would be empowered by the state chapter as part of activities marking its year’s end celebrations.

    The Anambra State Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Major Elder Nwankwo Joseph Ifeanyichukwu, who dropped the hint, said the empowerment was targeted at ameliorating the plight of the widows and to take care of their immediate families.

    Members of the Legion comprise ex-servicemen, some of whom still render security services to the country in various ways. Many of them help in the fight against Boko Haram, some even killed in the course.

    Ifeanyichukwu said widows of Legion members would be given grinding and sewing machines, farming tools and other inputs, consumables and cash, among other items.

    He requested the women in the state to register with them so they would be captured in the exercise.

    He solicited for concerted effort and financial assistant from both the government and public spirited individuals to carry out the lofty project, which he said, would be held annually.

    According to Ifeanyichukwu, the celebration which would take place at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Center, Awka, would be declared open by the state governor, Willie Obiano.

    Lamenting lack of an administrative office for the legion in the state, the chairman further appealed to the governor to approve a land anywhere in the state capital to enable them start building the state secretariat of the Legion.

    He said, “Non-utilisation of the previous parcel of land allocated to the legion opposite the government house by Group Captain Garba Rufai (Rtd) for the previous administrations of the legion made the state, the only state in the south east that exists without a secretariat.

    “We need financial support from both the government and public spirited individuals. We want government to improve on their welfare package for us.

    “We will also want the governor to provide an SUV car for the chairman or replace the Legion’s bus that is now in bad shape and as well, enlist us as one of the beneficiaries of the community project initiatives organised by his administration.

    “We have given much to the world and nothing should be looked on as too big to be given back to us in return,” he appealed.

  • New Abia police chief parades 57 suspects

    No fewer than 57 persons suspected to have perpetrated various crimes have been arrested and paraded by the Abia State police command. The new Commissioner of Police in the state, Chris Okey Ezike presented the suspects before reporters, saying that the command also rescued one kidnapped victim.

    Mr Ezike promised that the command will do everything possible to enhance safety and security of life and property in the state.

    Speaking in Umuahia, the state capital, during his maiden media chat, Ezike said that the Christmas period is around the corner when crime seems to be on the increase, but he reassured that the officers and men of the command are determined to fight crime with renewed vigour.

    Ezike who assumed office in the state just three weeks ago, said that he has held several meetings with all relevant security agencies in the state. He has also held talks with the state governor Okezie Ikpeazu on the way forward in combating crime in the state.

    The new Abia CP noted that the command under him will review personnel deployment profile, “In order to recover wastage from unauthorised deployment and areas of over deployment for better policing”.

    He said, “I have established the command monitoring unit and the unit will ensure that police activities are done in conformity with rules, regulations, the law and best practices, with the aim of resolving all cases of excessive use of force, abuse of human rights and corruption reported against police officers”.

    “I have also established Abia State Command Anti-kidnapping Squad with the jurisdiction to cover all parts of the state, in the coming days their impacts will be felt in mitigating the challenges of kidnappings in the state”.

    Ezike who used the forum to parade some suspects said that his men at Ndiegoro police division arrested the trio of Gabriel Ofordozie, Lucky Nwoye, Chukwudinma Mezeh and Abuchi Ezekwe all of Port Harcourt road Aba, while a six caliber rounds revolver pistol was recovered from them.

    He also paraded three suspected armed robbery suspects and gave their names as Ukeje Chigozie from Amokwe Isuikwuato, Desmond Nwakama of Umunwoke Okigwe and Chukwuebuka Desmond of Umugakwu Avutu Obowo.

    The CP said that his men received a call that some hoodlums had blocked the Umunze Ofeme axis of the port Harcourt-Enugu expressway, “my men raced to the place only to see the hoodlums running into the bush, a combined team of police men and vigilante group gave them a chase and arrested the three suspects”.

    Ezike said that his men also rescued one Dr Ngwaziem Chiemela of Uratta Aba who was held hostage behind Sweet Home in Umuode Aba by suspected kidnappers, “Policemen from Osisioma division stormed the hide-out and engaged the hoodlums in a shoutout”.

    He said, “Dr Chiemela was rescued unhurt while the hoodlums escaped but abandoned some of their weapons, the victim said that he was abducted at Greenland Hospital, Abayi, Aba and taken away in his Lexus 330 SUV with the registration number ABA 275 TG”.

    “We later arrested two suspects at different locations in Osisioma who gave their names as Friday Kalu and Okafor Okechi Ogbaa Ogbonna, while one AK47 rifle with 4 rounds of live ammunition, three locally made pistols, three different vehicle number plates and one Honda Accord with registration number BX 585 PHC were recovered from them”.

    Ezike who described the parading of the suspects as harvest of criminal suspects said that a team of the Inspector General of Police intelligence response team in collaboration of Aba police station arrested five suspected armed robbers at various locations in Aba.

    He said that the suspects through their confession made it clear that they have been unleashing mayhem to law abiding citizens in Aba area and their names are Ekeoma Kingsley aka Shilo from Alayi in Bende council area, Ama Agha from Afikpo, Uchenna Egbuta aka Awusa from Ohafia, Ikenna Ndukwe aka Obstacle from Obinikita and Ukachukwu Franklin aka Uzor from Nnewi.

    The CP equally paraded 18 suspected operators of illegal cooperative societies, financial institutions and fraud, the suspects are 16 female and 2 males and their arrest came as a reports from members of the public especially around Aba area.

    He said that the victims complained about unscrupulous activities of some groups and individuals who masquerade as empowerment companies, church cooperative groups, poverty alleviation units, wonder financial institutions.

    Ezike said that he set up an investigation panel to aggregate the complaints, investigate same and determine the scale of the suspected fraud and unmask those behind them.

    He said, “The panel noticed that there were 22 groups with 6,728 complaints with N91.182 million have been taken from the victims, but we have recovered the sum of N7.933 million from the suspects”.

    The CP promised to bring crime to its lowest point in the state and assured the people that will be coming home for Christmas of their safety and those of their belongings.

  • Alunmi to rebuild Aggrey Memorial College

    Old students of Aggrey Memorial College, Arochukwu, Abia State, have set aside December 28 and 29 as special days for the redemption of their alma mater.

    There are strong indications that the two days promise to be remarkable in the history of the foremost post-primary school founded 86 years ago.

    The days have been set aside by the alumni association of the college for activities geared towards raising funds to rebuild the college, and restore its lost glory.

    Already, elaborate arrangements are in top gear to accomplish the activities lined up for what the leadership of the association described as a grand re-union of its old boys and girls, from all over the world.

    Part of it is a novelty football match slated for December 28 between the male and female old students of the college, road show, lecture, awards presentation and gala nite, which will culminate in fund raising. All facets of the event, it was learnt, are being tidied up.

    President of the alumni association, Mazi Emma Okoro Egbukwu, said: “The homecoming of old students of Aggrey Memorial College promises to be colourful, the planning of which had been entrusted to diligent old students who understand the enormity of the task. So far, I am impressed with the planning, as well as the feelers we are getting. In fact, the event will be both colourful and successful.

    “The committees have been working hard in the last six months planning the event. We are all involved because we have challenged ourselves to raise funds to rebuild the college that built us up.”

    Indeed while it is expected that several of the old students of the college would  fly in from around the world for the occasion, Egbukwu said important personalities in Nigeria who value quality education are being invited to join hands to resuscitate the decrepit infrastructure of the college.

    Aggrey Memorial College, Arochukwu is the first post-primary educational institution in Nigeria established by an individual. It was founded by the late Dr Alvan Ikoku in 1932, and named after a renowned Ghanaian educator, Dr James Kwegair Aggrey. It ranked along with Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha; Hope Waddell Training Institute, Calabar, and Kings College, Lagos.

    In its heydays, the college also admitted students from Ghana, Sierra Leone and Cameroon.

    But following the takeover of schools by the government, the college suffered neglect, resulting in systemic deterioration of its infrastructure.

    Today the college is a shadow of its former self, a large swathe of its space having been acquired by the Abia State College of Education, Arochukwu (ASCETA), leaving Aggrey Memorial College without good classrooms; boarding facilities for its students and, least of all offices for the teachers.

    Yet the institution has trained a host of prominent personalities including the late Mazi S. G. Ikoku, Dr K. O. Mbadiwe, and sports prodigy, John Onyeador, the first post-independence  captain of  the national football team, the then Green Eagles, among others who have distinguished themselves in different spheres of life.

    Egbukwu is nonetheless optimistic that the institution will bounce back, given the overall agenda of the alumni association, which is to first re-build the institution before liaising with the appropriate government agencies to re-tool the teaching staff.

  • Enugu community to Senate: we’ve not had electricity for one year

    Residents of Owerre Umabor community, Eha-Alumonah, in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State have sought the urgent intervention of the Senate over a one-year power outage in the area.

    They presented the matter during an engagement between the Senate Committee on power, steel development and metallurgy and the power consumers as part of their 2018 oversight visit.

    Comrade Emmanuel Ugwueze, who spoke on behalf of the community, said despite entreaties and presentations to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) for over one year, there was no hope in sight.

    “The transformer servicing our community had issues. After about six months of power outage, they came and removed it for repairs. Four months have also elapsed since then, but nothing has been heard from them.

    “We are appealing to the Senate to prevail on the EEDC to do the needful because businesses have been crippled in our community for this past one year,” he lamented.

    Chairman of the committee, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who led other Senators to the event, had told the power consumers that they were in Enugu to have the pulse of the people on the activities of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC.

    He said whereas there were some opinion that the licenses of the discos should be reviewed, the Senate was of the opinion that there areas of challenges should be identified and recommendations made for a way out.

    He, was, however, quick to add that the Senate was not comfortable with estimated billing system.

    “We want to bring an end to estimated billing. We believe that Nigerians deserve a better deal. If you are doing estimated billing, there is also a scientific way worked out by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.

    “So, in all, we need to know how the discos are doing after buying the 60 percent and leaving all of us with 40 percent. Those of us who own the 40 percent need to know what they have done so far,” he stressed.

    Responding to further complaints by different communities, which bordered on over-billing, the Senate urged the EEDC to engage community leader into working out an acceptable modality before installing the bulk-metering system.

    Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Donatus Uzogbado said the House had issues with the EEDC last year, but that there were presently impressed with the progress being made by the company in addressing the nagging issues.

    Meanwhile, Mr. Paul Okeke, Deputy Managing Director, of the EEDC, who led the EEDC team at the event, said the company was making steady progress, assuring it would address all the issues raised.