The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Flood: ‘Why we don’t want to relocate to IDP camps’

    As flood continues to ravage many communities in Anambra State following steady downpour, many affected communities have refused to heed to the call by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to relocate to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

    As a result of the natural disaster, socio-economic activities have been completely shut down in the affected communities, while those residing in areas yet to be affected were sleeping with one eye closed.

    No fewer than 10 communities in Anambra West Local Government Area alone have been submerged by the flood.

    Even when few simply relocated to neighbouring towns yet to be affected, and some to upland within the community, majority are still trapped in their locations.

    Southeast Report reliably gathered that the refusal of the residents to heed to the call by the SEMA may not be unconnected with the cost implications of relocation.

    Those who spoke to our correspondent lamented the distance of the camps from the communities as well as the condition of the camps.

    They said some of the IDP camps were under construction, appealing to government to set up emergency response unit in the area.

    The President-General of Innoma Community, Mr Patrick Ugboja, said his community was in dire need of emergency intervention to avoid loss of lives.

    He said many residents of the area could not afford the cost of relocation to various IDP camps set up by state government as the camps were far from the communities.

    “We appeal to NEMA/SEMA and the state government to assist in relocating us to IDP camps, which are far from us as most of us cannot afford the cost of transporting ourselves there,’’ Ugboja said.

    Also speaking, President-General of Nzam Communnity, Prince Uche Okolo, lamented that about 40 per cent of the community’s landmass had been taken over by flood.

    “Most of our people affected have been relocated to dry lands not yet affected. Our farms and crops have been completely destroyed,’’ he said.

    According to him, their IDP camp was undergoing construction, even as he called for an emergency response unit to rescue people who might be trapped.

    In Olumbanasa Community, which is made up of Odeh, Odekpe, Igbokenyi, and Egbede villages, schools, churches and farmlands were adversely affected.

    President-General of the community, Mr Lawrence Nnachor, revealed that farm produce and economic trees worth millions of naira had been destroyed by the disaster.

    He noted that Odeh village was the most affected by the ravaging flood, appealing to government to assist in relocating inhabitants of the community.

    At Umueze Anam, virtually 60 per cent of households and farm lands have been affected.

    A community leader in the area, Mr Chinwuba Muoba said: “The flood is coming with high current and about 60 per cent of houses in our community are completely submerged.

    “Most of the people affected have relocated to neighbouring towns yet to be affected, while some have relocated to upland within the community.

    He explained that they were not ignorant of the holding centres within the locality, but said they were yet to move because the volume of flood had not reached alarming proportions.

    On his part, a counsellor in Mmiata Anam, Mr Osita Uduaka, Ifite-Anam, Mmata, Umuoba-Abegu and Iyioraa, described the flood as serious threat to their lives as appreciable percentage of inhabitants had already been affected.

    “We appeal to government to evacuate our people in case of emergency,’’ Uduaka said.

    Southeast Report further gathered that five communities-Ezi-Anam, Umuikwu, Umudora, Umuewelum-Anam and Oroma-Etiti-Anam have been completely submerged by the flood as the inhabitants were spotted vacating the areas.

    The story was not different in Igala-speaking communities of the council area where not less than 80 per cent of Innoma residents had their farmlands and household items destroyed by the raging flood.

  • Anambra community bemoans lack of infrastructure  

    For the rustic Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, nothing seems to be a source of joy . Residents have been brooding over lack of infrastructural development that will contribute to their socio-economic well-being.

    Besides, the community’s only bridge has been abandoned after government awarded the contract.

    The roads are poor. There is no potable water.

    The Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbenu-Ugbene-Awba Ofemili Road is in a deplorable condition.

    Despite the ugly situation, the residents have promised to continue to carry out the monthly sanitation exercise.

    The abandoned Ezu River Bridge and the road, links10 communities in the Awka North Local Government Area and also links other 12 neighbouring communities of Eziagu in Enugu State.

    All the affected communities had cried to Governor Willie Obiano for quick intervention.

    They stressed that the situation has made them suffer economic retardation and socio-economic backwardness.

    Southeast Report reliably gathered that the about 12.30 kilometre road project with a bridge across Ezu River was billed to be completed in 15 months when it was awarded to Breco Construction Nigeria Limited on April 11, 2007 at a contract sum of N650 million.

    It was also gathered that there was an upward review of the contract to the sum of N7, 816,193,590.63 during the regime of former Governor Peter Obi.

    When Southeast Report visited the site recently, neither the contractor nor working facilities were found.

    The bridge and the one kilometre part of the road constructed have become death trap sequel to potholes necessitated by flooding.

    The Traditional Prime Minister of Ebenebe community, Chief Joe Nwegwu lamented the deplorable condition of the road, wondering why other projects such as Agulu Lake and Odo Bridge inaugurated in the same year had been completed in other communities.

    He said: “As you can see one kilometre part of the road from Amansea to the bridge was tarred, but now it is full of potholes.

    “The bridge itself is yet to be completed; not tarred, wings side not fixed. Recall that some experts were reportedly sent to Egypt to design the bridge before it would be installed. I don’t know whether to call that a jamboree.

    “The other part leading through Ebenebe stopped at Obuno Village Ebenebe. When is it going to reach Ugbenu, Ugbene and Awba-Ofemili?

    “We are appealing to Governor Obiano to rescue us from the menace. It scares travellers, marketers and visitors away from the agrarian communities.

    “The cost of transportation here is too high. We were happy when our governor promised to construct and link the road to Omor. Therefore, we are pleading to him to compel the contractor to return to site or to even revoke the contract and re-award it to another contractor”

    For Rev. Phil Nwokolo, an indigene of Ebenebe and the Resident Pastor of Grace of God Mission, Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area, the situation is becoming unbearable.

    He said the affected communities were capable of feeding the whole country with their abundant agricultural produce, but reverse has become the case as poor road network has crippled all their activities.

    He said: “My heart skips whenever I remember home. This is because there is no road; for one to ride in one’s car home, one must be ready to spend huge amount of money on servicing it thereafter.

    “If you choose to travel by public transportation; you would spend more than expected. Governor Obiano should help us out of this trauma.”

    Mathias Arinze from Ugbenu also said: “It is too devastating. Our people recount their ordeals on the road on daily basis.

    “Whenever rain falls, floods wash travellers away. Our agricultural resources that would have helped in revamping the economy and increase IGR are always destroyed by flood.

    “Is it because we are from Ofemili or Adogbe? We are begging our governor to assist us by fixing the road.

    “Ugbenu and the entire Awka North are suffering because of the deplorable condition of the road. Obiano help us. You know we are mostly farmers; we need the road to transport our produce to the cities.”

    Two of the farmers, Mr. Eze Ozoemena and Mrs. Dorathy Afujue implored Anambra State government to assist them by rehabilitating the bridge and the road.

    This, they said, will help them to evacuate their farm produce to the cities instead of allowing them to waste. Traders and visitors no longer visit their major markets, which results in hunger and poverty.”

    Ezu River, however, came into the limelight following the collapse of its bridge at Ebenebe around 2006, as well as the discovery of floating corpses whose identity and those of their killers remain unknown till date.

    Again, following the election of new President-General of Ebenebe Town Union (ETU) and it’s executive at the weekend, the community had renewed its call for urgent attention to the bridge.

    Hon. Paul Nnatuanya, the new President-General told Southeast Report that they would not relent in carrying out their monthly sanitation exercises despite the deplorable condition of their community.

     

  • 34-year-old bridge collapses in Abia

    The people of Amamba, Abiriba in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State have cried out to the Federal and state governments to come to save them from suffering which results from the sorry state of the 34-year-old Usumani Bridge. They are unhappy that they could not have access to their farms as a result of the circumstances.

    It was gathered that the bridge which was built in 1984, brought relief to the community when one of their benevolent sons, Chief Kalu M. Okoronkwo, singlehandedly constructed the bridge.

    Members of the community reminded President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration of an attempt by the last administration of Ex-president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to acquire 500 hectares of land in the Southeast for cassava production project; even as they said the project was abandoned.

    According to a member of the community, Mr. Orji, part of the bridge collapsed after a torrential rain on August 18.

    According to Orji, the community, through self-help efforts have been carrying out remedial work on the bridge in order to ensure that farmers have access to their farmlands, but they expressed the fear that the bridge would collapse totally if nothing concrete was done before another torrential rain falls.

    Orji, who said the lives of members of the community, would be at risk if they continue to use the bridge at its present condition.

    He, however, called on the local, state and Federal Government to come to the aid of the community.

    “In the yesteryear, the fast-flowing Usumani River was a great obstacle to Amanna farmers until 1984 when a son of the community, Chief Okoronkwo Maurine built the bridge to the great relief of the people.

    “The Amamba Farm Road is the site of the vast Akpaka farmland which the Federal Government acquired and cleared 500 hectares for Southeast zonal cassava production project which was abandoned.

    “The same road has historically been the starting point of business in Abiriba as it was the road through which our pioneer entrepreneurs launched out on foot to Uzuakoli thence to Umuahia, Aba and Port Harcourt on business concerns. It is still very likely to be the site of an alternative Abiriba regional market and industrial cluster.

    “Kamalu Ozuaelu (the god of thunder deity), the Isimokoto static green lake and our own uncompleted version of the Parisian Arch of Triumph, three monuments that have potential value for tourism are all located on this farm road.

    “These days when cattle have invaded almost all farm lands in Abiriba, the entire Abiriba people have shifted their farming activities to the Amamba Farm Road because it is fertile and a bit hidden from the highways. So, the collapsed bridge does not affect only Amamba indigenes, but also the entire Abiriba community.

    “We, therefore, call on government at all levels and public-spirited individuals to join hands in ensuring that a standard bridge is built over the river to enable our people to evacuate their farm produce to other parts of the state and beyond.

    “The third tier of government where our natural resources are derived from is deliberately incapacitated as if rural dwellers are not Nigerians.

    “As both the Federal and state governments can ill-afford to neglect a road of economic importance as that of Amamba Farm Road, we call on the relevant authorities to come to our aid by constructing the 25-kilometer Amamba community Road.

    “Amamba people are presently in great distress as they have lost their Usumani Bridge to torrential rainfall of August 18. This bridge is the only link between the community and their farmlands,” Orji said.

  • ‘Erosion threatens Abia food supply’

    Residents of Isiukwuato, a major food-producing community in Abia State, are worried that soil erosion is wiping away their farmlands and may soon trigger food shortage in the state. They need urgent help from the state and federal government, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    The people of Isiukwuato, Abia State, have called on the state and federal governments to come to their rescue as the impact of erosion menace in their local government is threatening everything.

    They fear that if nothing urgent is done to ameliorate the suffering of the people, the erosion which they said has done a lot of damage to their farmlands, costing them unquantifiable amounts of cash crops, would not only bring famine in the community, but the state at large. This is because many people from other parts of the state come to their community to buy agro produce which they take to the urban areas in the state.

    According to findings by our correspondent, the Isiukwuato erosion menace has lingered for a very long time as successive administrations did not address it.

    It was gathered that though the administration of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu tried to draw the attention of the federal government to the erosion menace, the seeming disagreement between Kalu and then President Olusegun Obasanjo hindered the effort. It was alleged that the federal government “intentionally” kept mum over the plight of the people of Isiukwuato.

    Some respondents interviewed by our reporter including Mr. Fidelis Ogbonna and Mrs. Charity Gilbert said that the situation wouldn’t have been what it is today if the federal government had come to the aid of the local government when the situation had not gone out of hand.

    According to them, the people rejoiced sometime during President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s regime when they sighted the presence of a construction company on the erosion site, but their joy was short-lived as the construction company suddenly went into oblivion.

    In a chat, information commissioner, Chief John Okiyi said, “This administration and others before it have repeatedly drawn the attention of the federal government to the bad state of the road and the threat posed to commuters, farmers and others by the ever expanding gully erosion, in the hope that the relevant agencies of the federal government will intervene to save our people from the trauma they face daily while using the road.

    “It is important to note that the scope of work required to fix that key stretch of road that connects our people to neighboring Imo and Ebonyi States, requires resources far above what the state government can muster currently.

    “We therefore call on relevant agencies of the federal government, including NDDC, Ministries of Environment and Works to immediately come to our rescue by performing their constitutional duty of care to the hardworking and peace loving people of Isuikwuato and Abia State through the declaration of the area and others in the state similarly threatened as ecological disaster zones requiring urgent critical intervention.

    “As a responsible government, we have made interventions to arrest the negative effects of rampaging gully erosions at Imenyi in Bende LGA, Abiriba roundabout in Ohafia LGA and Umuda Isingwu in Umuahia North LGA.

    “We are willing to work with the federal government and contribute in whatever way possible to tackle the challenge of gully erosion at Isuikwuato as well as other threats at Agu Eze Amaogudu Abiriba etc.

    “The state ministry of works is currently executing 3 road projects at Isuikwuato; Eluama Amilo Acha and Amino Otamkpa, Ovim-Acha and Ogboro-Amibo Acha roads, which are at various stages of completion.

    “Governor Ikpeazu has directed that an inter-ministerial committee, including works and environment, visit the area to assess what can be done by the state to ameliorate the problem posed by the rampaging gully.

    “We wish to call on other well-meaning Abians with cords to the federal government to consider the dangers posed to the common people of the area by this natural disaster and lend their voices to the call for an immediate intervention rather than the political point some desperately seek to make.

    “While we continue to work hard to fix as many key roads as possible within the state, we have never laid claims to fixing all the roads requiring attention in the state within the past 3 years. Yet it is undeniable that we have completed work on 67 roads and are working at more than 94 other road project sites across the state.

    “As our resource base expectedly improve, we will certainly do much more while also ensuring that we meet other needs of our people who have continued to support the Ikpeazu administration through various means.”

    However, following the directive of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu dispatching an inter-ministerial team to urgently visit the site of the gully erosion along Isuikwuato-Okigwe federal road, the state Ministry of Environment is set to commence remediation work at the site this weekend.

    This was revealed by the State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Aham Uko, in an interview with newsmen this evening in Umuahia.

    He said, “Our team of engineers has conducted a thorough evaluation of the Isuikwuato site today and we hope to commence the remediation this weekend”.

    Confirming the governor’s directives, when contacted, Okiyi expressed appreciation to the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for his prompt response to the situation along the federal road that links Abia State to Imo and Ebonyi States.

    In his words: “This administration is demonstrably focused on responding to the needs of the people of the state who graciously elected Dr Ikpeazu as their Governor and have supported him strongly. While we recognise that the primary responsibility of arresting the gully erosion is constitutionally that of the federal government, the state is ready to intervene to ensure that our people find safe passage way pending when help will come from relevant federal agencies.

    “During the last Niger Delta Council held in the State, we took officials of the federal ministry of Niger Delta to that site and pleaded for urgent intervention to save the road from total collapse. Sadly, the gully has progressed very fast and we now have a situation where vehicles cannot pass through that road.

    “As a responsible government, we cannot fold our hands and watch our people suffer while waiting for help from Abuja. We are set to undertake palliative work to remedy the situation while still pleading with the federal government to come to our aid by declaring that area and others threatened by rampaging gully erosion as ecological disaster zones with a view to deploying the resources of the country to deliver a permanent solution to the erosion menace at Isuikwuato and other locations in the state,” he concluded.

  • Horrors of kerosene explosion

    Four months after a kerosene explosion in Onitsha, Anambra State’s commercial hub, two sisters badly burnt in the incident are still in hospital. But that is just one of several horrors of the incidence, reports EMMA ELEKWA

    Many have put the explosion behind them, but the family of Eze Godwin Ikechukwu cannot afford to do that. Their two daughters, Chinenye, 16, and Kamsi, 8, both badly burnt in the resulting fire, are still in hospital under medication amid mounting medical bills.

    It happened in May in the couple’s home in Ogbunike, hometown of former Senate President Dr. Chuba Okadigbo, in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Eze and his wife were said to be away from home when the incident happened, he in his native Imezi Owa in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, while his wife who sells roasted maize, was still at her duty post.

    Eze said his younger daughter, Kamsi, had gone to buy kerosene for their lantern following a power outage in the area. Upon her return, she handed the fluid to Chinenye to fill the lantern. Neglecting to first put out the lantern light, the older girl simply poured the flammable liquid into the lamp. The resulting explosion caught both sisters, leaving them with life-threatening burns.

    Eze recalled, “While she was pouring the kerosene into the lantern, she did not first put out the lantern light. Suddenly the lantern exploded leaving them with life-threatening burns.

    “The elder sister quickly ran out of the house and alerted the neighbours who immediately rushed to assist in rescuing both of them as well as putting out the fire.”

    Ezeh further said that they were taken to First Foundation Hospital and Maternity, Umunnachi, where they have been receiving treatment since then.

    The middle-aged man, who said he was recently laid off by his former employer, described their plight as tragic, adding that it had been challenging taking care of both children.

    “Since my daughters were admitted, we’ve been spending through our nose. We’ve spent over N200,000. We’ve bought about five pints of blood, including the one I donated.

    “We’ve been buying drugs and we still have not less than N450,000 bills to offset. Where the money will come from is what I don’t know.

    “The elder sister is supposed to be sitting for her NECO exams now, but nobody is talking about that. Our major concern now is how their lives will be saved,” he said.

    Expressing appreciation to God for saving them from untimely death, he called on both Anambra and Enugu state governments and members of the public to come to their aid to pay the hospital bills.

    He said, “These children are girls; I won’t want them to be disfigured by this accident. I need help to give them proper and adequate treatment.”

    Kerosene explosions are a national tragedy, not an exclusive disaster for Eze Ikechukwu and his family. In several other parts of the country, kerosene-powered light sources have been exploding and causing various degrees of injuries, including death.

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has mounted campaigns warning people about the dangers of mishandling kerosene. The DPR has also highlighted the dangers of adulterated kerosene, which is the major cause of the explosions.

    That lays bare the crime of mixing kerosene with other substances which makes otherwise safe kerosene a deadly liquid in the home. To apprehend and punish the unscrupulous dealers will help curtail the disaster.

    So will improving electricity supply across the country. That will bring down patronage of lantern and the horrors of adulterated kerosene.

  • Arochukwu agog as feast climaxes

    Ikeji Arochukwu 2018 will climax on September 23. The yearly event which attracts tourists from all over the world has become a traditional pilgrimage to the Aro people of Abia State.

    The spiritual and traditional ruler of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro, CFR, the traditional rulers of the 19 villages, the President-General, Nzuko Arochukwu Worldwide, Mazi George Okoronkwo Ezumah, and his executive commitee and several prominent sons and daughters of the ancient kingdom, including kit and kin from Arochukwu diaspora, shall lead the entire community in a solemn procession into Amaikpe, the ancestral square where Aros gather for major events, to celebrate ekekpe, the highest activity of its three-week long new yam festival.

    Ikeji festival is celebrated annually to mark the end of the year. It started about 912 AD in Arochukwu, the ancestral abode of Arochukwu people. It is observed in over 350 Arochukwu outpost communities, including those residing overseas, culminating in the grand finale in the ancestral home, Arochukwu, Abia State, Nigeria.

    The Aro monarch releases the calendar following the indigenous lunar calendar that often coincides with the month of September, but at times spills over to October.

    This year’s festival started on Wednesday September 5 to end on Thursday September 27. Ekekpe is the climax of the festival and it shall see all the villages, Aro diaspora, Aro allies displaying masquerades and dances.

    It is a season dedicated to showcasing Aro’s rich cultural heritage, renewing of ancient covenant that unite Arochukwu kingdom and thanksgiving to God for a successful year.

    Prominent personalities from all walks of life, including local and foreign tourists, shall participate in this year’s festival. The current leadership of Nzuko Arochukwu that came into office two years ago rebranded the Ikeji festival to a very enviable status, including attracting MTN Nigeria and Nigerian Breweries, amongst many other corporate and individual sponsors to brand it. This third edition shall build on the successes achieved in the last two years, and especially serve as a home-coming event amongst umuaro in various places.

    The annual cultural festival presents a unique opportunity to celebrate Arochukwu tradition and culture in its pure and original form. It is also a platform for infinite entertainment, commerce and tourism as it features huge home coming, rare masquerades, traditional dances, cultural displays and so much more.

    Arochukwu indigenes who may not make it home, especially those overseas, watch the events online.

    According to the Chairman , 2018 Ikeji Organising Committee, Dr Azubike Okoro, the activities shall start at 10.00am prompt and diverse cultural troupes who shall compete for honors are expected.

    “The ekpe Arochukwu would , as usual, grace the occasion and usher in the royalty to the arena. Consistent with the resolve to use culture to cement good neighborliness, we expect appearances by troupes from some of our immediate communities at the arena. Amaikpe square shall be closed to vehicular traffic from 8am to 7pm, so we implore all citizens, including VIPs, to use the alternate routes created for the purpose. Tourists shall have opportunity to see historic sites and ancient artifacts that will give them idea about the roles played by the town in commerce, trade and leadership across the entire eastern and middle belt regions of Nigeria,” Okoro explained.

    He said, “This year’s event, aside from expanding the commercial frontiers which presents bigger opportunities for businesses will also feature other significant innovations. For example, there is a new theme, “Ikeji Arochukwu: Culture for Development”, which shall provide focus for all activities thereby direct the community’s thoughts and energies towards what shall propel or trigger collective survival and growth.

    “Moreover, given the significant role of the youths as agents of development, we shall work in concert with the umbrella youth body, NASS, to ensure the attainment of the goals of active participation of their members by providing a platform to showcase their talents and creative energies aimed at the advancement and growth of the kingdom. Tagged “Arochukwu Got Talent”, it shall take place on ikeji eve to herald the grand finale the next day.

    “Finally, the 2018 Ikeji Organizing Committee recognizes the fact that politics is in the air this season, and that political gladiators may wish to seize the opportunity of the mammoth crowd at the arena to fraternize with their supporters. We therefore, wish to emphasize that the ikeji brochure is available for such political communication while the ekepke, being purely a traditional and cultural event, be spared of politics in any form. In this wise, political party outfits and groups are banned from the arena and politicians are requested to ensure that their supporters be in compliance. Let’s celebrate 2018 Ikeji Arochukwu and jointly renew the friendliness and brotherhood of the ancient kingdom! Ako bu Ije.”

  • Enugu power firm launches substation

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) has inaugurated a 7.5 MVA injection substation meant to serve 13,000 customers living in the outskirt of Enugu metropolis.

    At the inauguration at Amorji Nike near Enugu, Sen. Victor Umeh, the Senator representing Anambra South, disclosed that Nigeria needed power supply for economic development.

    Umeh represented the Chief executive officer of EEDC, Chief Emeka Offor.

    Umeh lamented the poor amount of electricity being generated in the country, adding that the problem of Nigerian was the generation of power, while distribution of power comes next.

    “Nigerian is a very large country and demands much energy to supply light and boost economic development. Nigeria has battled for this so many years but needs to improve in power generation,” he said.

    He disclosed that for industries to function well that sufficient power supply is needed, adding that money is not the problem.

    Umeh urged the Federal government to invest more on energy supply to boost the economy of the country, adding “what you give is what you will get’’.

    He promised that EEDC would do everything to maximise the supply of power to its customers to improve their lives and enhance economic development.

    Sen. Gilbert Nnaji, representing Enugu East, commended EEDC for its intervention to ensure quality power supply in the community.

    Nnaji said that his constituency would pay their bills as at when due, adding that when a service is rendered, you pay for the service.

    He commended governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for providing an enabling ground and support to ensure that Enugu State benefits from EEDC.

    The Managing Director of EEDC, Mr Okechukwu Nwosu, disclosed that company is committed to deliver quality power supply to its customer.

    Nwosu, who disclosed that Nike substation would serve over 13,000 EEDC customers, said that the company has significantly improved the quality of power supply in the South-East.

    He also added that the company had done several number of sub-stations projects across THE Southeast, deployed over 1000 transformers to replace old ones, while metering over 190,000 customers with pre-paid meters.

    Nwosu who lamented the alarming rate of theft, vandalism and non-payment of bills, said that it has become a hindrance to quality power delivery to customers.

    He said that the company had reduced the number of estimated bill to its customers by installing smart prepaid meters to over 190,000 customers.

     

     

     

  • ‘I’ll hand over to Abia North in 2023’

    Should he pick the ticket and win next year’s governorship election in Abia State, former deputy governor of the state, and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Comrade Chris Akomas has promised to hand over power to any candidate of the party from Abia North, after a single term in office.

    Akomas was speaking to journalists at his country home, Nenu in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state.

    He said he was an apostle of a five-year single term in office for elective offices, especially those of governor and president, in order to give room for others in the spirit seamless rotation of power and good governance.

    The former deputy governor who is also a BoT member of the APC used the opportunity to reecho his commitment to a single term in office if elected to govern the state in 2019, stressing that he would use his four years in office to accomplish all that he wanted to achieve.

    He said he had already mapped out plans of turning Aba and Umuahia into mega cities through infrastructural and developmental plans for the two cities and others in the state.

    Akomas, who maintained that he has the leadership and administrative experience to lead the state in 2019 after serving in various governmental positions in the state, said that the incumbent has done his best, but is not good enough. He said he would do better if given the opportunity.

    The aspirant, who also contested for the state’s exalted seat against his then boss and incumbent senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District in the Red Chambers, also refuted the insinuations making the rounds that he is being paid by the Okezie Ikpeazu administration, and that he plans to clear the way for the smooth return of the incumbent governor.

    Akomas said he considers such rumours insulting and baseless.

    He assured the party faithful and his people of Obingwa that he is contesting for governor to win and change Abia and not to pave way for anybody.

    He added that the people peddling the rumours only continued from where they stopped in 2010-2011, vowing that this time around, their propaganda will fail.

    “I have heard a lot of things since I declared to run. Some persons have said that I am on Abia government payroll. They said that government is paying me to contest and I see it as very insulting. Have these propagandists forgotten that I was a former Deputy Governor and as a result of that, I am entitled to some payment due to me.

    “Today, I am in court with the state government because they are not even paying me my entitlement as former Deputy Governor, yet people are making fake stories.

    “I am not running for Okezie Ikpeazu or anybody. I am not looking for name now because I already have that. I am contesting to win and to be sworn in on the 29th of May 2019. This happened in 2010-2011, people spread rumours that because I was close to Orji Uzor Kalu that if I become governor that I will be a stooge to Orji Uzor Kalu.

    “People forgot that T.A Orji and those who were saying that was also a Chief of Staff to Orji Uzor Kalu for eight years. The rest is history that I don’t want to dwell on. Our people have short memories. I want to sound it clear; I am not on anybody’s payroll. I am running as Chris Akomas. I am running to win and this time around, I am going to win.”

    The former Deputy Governor continued and said, “They did such propaganda then, but it will never work for them this time around. They are also saying that an Abia South man cannot handover after getting four years from APC, but that’s not true. Abia Charter of equity must be respected and I stand by it. As our primaries come, be it Direct or Indirect; tell those who want a better Abia to vote Akomas.

    “Yes, Ikpeazu is my brother. Eziuche and Erondu Junior are my brothers. They are all my brothers. I can’t cast my brothers away because of politics. But I remain committed to my party APC and that is where my loyalty lies. I don’t play politics of bickering and enmity. I don’t want enmity and nobody should bring it to my doorstep.

    “From the beginning, God used our leader, Orji Uzor Kalu to give most of us the opportunities to serve this state. I have served this state in various capacities. I came to serve Abia from International background because I was working on World Bank Projects.  I am into this contest because I have a lot to offer and I know what to do to change Abia for good that even if I tell others to do, they may not be able to deliver it properly.

    “I want to be governor so that I can help prioritise things well and have the opportunity of using executive powers to open channels of revenues that are abound here that we have ignored over the years. To make Aba the commercial city it ought to be in Africa. I have done the needed research about Aba.

    “I want to grow our economy properly. Experience and knowledge come to play when issues like this come up. My desire and purpose for contesting is to deliver all I can for public good. I want to be remembered for good so that people will talk about me after several years just as they do for Michael Okpara.

  • UNN relishes lecture series

    Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba has said that the institution has gained abundantly from the introduction of the inaugural lecture series since 1976.

    He stated that since its inception, the lecture had not only stimulated research and academic excellence among the academic staff, but has led to the discovery of a new breed of scholars with the burning desire to change the face of the earth through modern science.

    Speaking at the 141st inaugural lecture of the University titled “Surrogate father, prospects in a constrained scientific environment” presented by Prof. Bond Anyaehie, at the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, the deputy vice chancellor, Academic, Prof. James Ogbonna, who represented the Vice Chancellor, re-affirmed the commitment of the present administration of the university to continue to invest in training, reseach and other programmes that would improve the quality of teaching and learning.

    Describing Prof. Bond Anyaehie as a great teacher and motivator, the DVC said the lecture was rich in content and was well delivered, adding that he would have loved to be in his class if he was still a student.

    The lecture, attracted the cream of the academia and captains of industry from within and outside the country, including Africa’s longest serving Provost of College of Medicine, Prof. Frank Akpuaka, Provost College of Medicine, UNN, Prof. Uchenna Nwagha, former Provost College of Medicine, UNN, Prof. Ernest Onwasigwe and wife, Prof. Chika Onwasigwe and wife of late Provost College of Medicine, Prof. Margaret Aghaji.

    Arch Bishop of Enugu Anglican Diocese, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Medical Director, National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu, Dr. Cajetan Nwadinigwe, Air Commodore Dr. Abdullahi Kassimu of the Nigerian Air Force, Emene Enugu, Prof. Nnamdi Obi, younger brother of the UNN VC, Prof. Uchenna Ozumba, the mother of the lecturer, Pretty Lady Grace Anyaehie, former Vice Chairman, Nigerian Football Association, NFA, Barr. Nwabufo Obienu and former Provost College of Medicine, Enugu state University of Science and Technology, (ESUT), Prof. Nene Obianyo were among dignitaries who graced the occasion.

    In the lecture titled “Surrogate father, prospects in a constrained scientific environment”, Prof. Anyaehie, recommended constant update of Medical Education in the country in line with the global trend.

    Anyaehie noted that the ultimate goal of medical education was to enable the graduate to transfer sets of what has been learnt to solving health problems, stressing that basic medical sciences support sound clinical reasoning and are indispensable for both understanding of pathological mechanisms and planning the management of disease conditions.

    According to the scholar, students should be able to associate the concepts learned to previous knowledge or experiences on which the teacher can build upon, it should be clear that training physicians is different from training undergraduate students to be researchers, so teaching and learning at the basic sciences level poses significant challenges of correlation, imagination and transfer of learned experiences.

    He said, “As teachers, we seem to do the things we do because this is the way we have been raised ourselves and that is the way it has been done for many years. We hardly read the literature on education, because as teachers we are highly convinced that what we do is appropriate without remembering the absence of peer-review, quality control and follow-up training which promote meaningful learning for our students.

    Anyaehie, who is the deputy Provost College of Medicine, UNN, however, explained that society expects a minimum degree of proficiency on medical graduates and basic medical sciences provide the foundation for such, adding that many people agree that it is incumbent that policy makers and educators move beyond rhetoric and prepare future teachers with the skills for teaching diverse and young classes.

    Continuing, the 141st inaugural lecturer said, “however, I feel that the challenge to us as teachers is to explore possibilities and develop ways to cultivate students’ curiosity and interest in learning, this was the challenge I took up early in my career to explore ways to make learning fun and meaningful.” ý

    Expatiating on the topic, “Who is a surrogate father?” Prof. Anyaehie, submitted that it is neither the biological nor adoptive father and went ahead to declare that physiology is the surrogate father of medical sciences.

  • Help for the needy in Anambra 

    The Unshakeable Christ the King Church at Umunnoke community in Awka, the Anambra State capital, has fed no fewer than 500 people in need.

    The beneficiaries included widows and orphans and such other people in need.

    The church donated food items, wrappers, cartons of noodles, biscuits, toothpastes, and yoghurts.

    They thanked the head of the church Onyekachi Igali for his gesture, saying it was the first time they would be so cared for in the state

    Pastor Igali said the gesture was done in praise of God.

    The church does not have more than 80 members.

    The attention of passers-by was drawn to the event. One of the recipients of some food items  from Gombe State, Yaya Garba Idris, a physically challenged person, told The Nation that God would bless the pastor and his congregation for remembering the less privileged.

    He said he had been in Anambra State for the past 10 years without such a gesture from any church.

    One of the widows, Nnenna Elia from Ebonyi State, in tears, said she had been in pains without any help since her husband died in 2017, adding that the tears were those of joy.

    She said things had been tough for her and her six children since she lost her husband last year, adding that only God could reward Pastor Igali and his congregation for remembering the needy and the poor.

    A blind man, Augustine Odu, also from Ebonyi, prayed God to shower His blessings on members of the church for their gesture to the needy.

    They were not alone in such prayers, also, Uju Nwalinze, told The Nation that they saw the posters of the church pasted everywhere in the streets and she decided to come and see whether it is real.

    The blind, the deaf and dumb, the lame, widows, orphans and other destitutes were in their numbers during the church service which started at 9am and were all happy

    Majority of such people that trooped to the church to receive such gifts were from Gombe, Kogi, Katsina, Ebonyi, and Bauchi, among other states.

    Some of them beg alms along the dilapidated Onitsha-Enugu Expressway.