The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Agony of eroded community

    The people of Ngodo community in Umuahia South council area of Abia State have cried to both the state and federal governments to come to their aid before they are wiped out by threatening erosion that has been ravaging them for years.

    They said over 10 houses have been swept off by erosion and many rendered homeless in three villages in their community, while many other buildings in the villages are currently on the verge of collapse.

    It could be observed that with the heavy rainfall this year, many parts of Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State are already seriously threatened by erosion.

    The affected communities are Umuekwea, Umuokwasa and Umunwanwa villages under Ngodo autonomous community, and some of the affected structures include commercial buildings, ancestral homes and residential buildings, farmlands are not spared so long as they in the way of the rampaging erosions.

    It is a common sight to behold families within the area in question abandoning their homes whenever it rained because their homes lay within gully erosion sites that were up to 100 feet deep, while children and domestic animals are always missing after any heavy down pour in the area.

    The Nation investigations gathered that in many communities, the floods were constantly creating gully erosion sites in areas that hitherto did not have such problems and sometimes pulled down structures and this had left fear in the lives of those residing close to the sites.

    The residents revealed that the large number of erosion sites seen in many communities started as small holes and later developed into big ones, simply because no one took care when they complained, stressing that it would not have been this bad if those in authority had come to their aid on time.

    Ngodo is one of the communities in Umuahia South that sits in the midst of age-long gully that threatens its existence every rainy season and there are other such erosion ravaged communities across the state neglected by successive administrations.

    It is a well-known fact that the magnitude of the erosion sites across the state are beyond the scope of the state government and they are calling on federal government and donor agencies to come to their aid before their homes and farm lands are eaten away by erosion.

    The community’s efforts in the past at checking the menace did not address the problem.

    Speaking with The Nation, the pioneer Catholic priest from the area, Rev. Fr. Christian Uche Anokwuru has identified the soil texture and traced the history of the gully erosion sites to the abandoned NDDC Umuwanwa road which was awarded over a decade ago.

    Fr. Anokwuru explained that because of the abandoning of the road project the erosion expanded through gully erosion coming from the road gave birth to the various gullies created within Ngodo autonomous community.

    The cleric said, “We are farmers in Ngodo autonomous community, and today we can’t access the road to sell our produce, we have also lost our streams, we no longer have access to potable water again because the erosion have taken the streams away”.

    “Our sources of water supply are no longer there, we go to far communities to get water, you can also see the distance this place is from the town, people die out of emergency situations because they are sick and before they could find a vehicle that can take them to the hospital in the town, they run into complications and people die on the way”.

    “We are calling on NDDC, Ecological Fund Office to help us, this problem can be salvaged; people have run to their maternal homes, Ngodo is no longer a safe place, we have no government presence here.

    “Our people were happy when the Bishop of Umuahia diocese approved the establishment of a monastery, unfortunately those in the monastery have left to a place known as Ugwueke in Bende Local Government Area because they can’t access their homes”

    “The Bishop of Umuahia diocese approved the building to be used as a clinic to help the people, but incidentally, there is no road to access the place, though the gully erosion did not take us by surprise as we have been doing a lot to take care of the erosion to no avail”.

    Despite all our efforts, the gullys are just beyond what my community can handle. We have been doing community fund raising program to help ourselves but the situation at hand now is beyond the capacity of the community”.

    In his own reaction, the traditional ruler of Ngodo autonomous community, His Royal Highness Eze Stephen Ihuoma said the gully erosion sites have brought untold hardship on his community as farm lands are being destroyed.

    Eze Ihuoma noted that most of their roads have been cut off especially the only one leading to Ngodo, stressing that his people have been cut off from their kindred from other communities, He said, “We are no longer aware of what is happening within and around us, which is not good for any community in this modern time”.

    He pointed out that though there were some palliative measure the member representing Umuahia/Ikwuano Federal Constituency Hon. Sam Onuigbo did on the sites which could not withstand the pressure from the gully erosion and the money injected into the palliative carried out on the sites was a waste.

    The monarch said the gullies are beyond the capacity of the community and the state government and called on the federal government through ecological fund office to come to their aids.

    A community leader who identified himself as Chief Francis Achilefu who also serves as the works Chairman Ngodo autonomous community said community members have fled to their maternal homes to take refuge as there are no access roads to their farms, churches as the gully erosion sites have made rural dwellers to desert their homes.

  • Clerics back restructuring

    Clerics of the Methodist Church, Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the call for restructuring the country.

    The resolution was taken at the end of the biennial conference of the church in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State, under the leadership of the Prelate of the church in Nigeria, His Eminence Dr. Samuel Uche.

    The clerics while addressing journalists in Aba through the Secretary of the Conference, Rt. Rev Michael Akinwale, said that they were happy that God has kept Nigeria one, but however stated that it has become necessary that true federalism was practiced in the country with each state being allowed to manage available resources within its area of jurisdiction while they make an agreed contribution to the federal government as it was after the country’s independence.

    Akinwale said the church was sad over the killings and wanton destruction of properties in different parts of the country.

    He also bemoaned the continued detention of Miss Leah Sharibu by the Boko Haram insurgents.

    Akinwale used the opportunity to call for the rejigging of the nation’s security apparatus and workforce.

    The clerics equally advocated for state police that would be under the control of state governors who are constitutionally the chief security officer of their states.

    The clerics who said that they were happy with the establishment of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, also called for proper handling of the welfare and security of persons in the camps.

    While commending the federal government for granting local governments in the country financial autonomy, the church also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Not Too Young to Run Bill.

    “Methodist Church Nigeria upholds the principle of dignity of labour on the part of the workers; at the same time on the need for the Government to pay living wages to her workers.

    “A situation whereby workers and pensioners are being owed for months is uncalled for. This has led to untimely death of many hard working servants and pensioners.

    “We therefore appeal to the state and federal governments to handle the welfare of workers with utmost care. This is one of the ways to discourage financial corruption in both public private sectors of the economy.

    “Methodist Church Nigeria upholds the principle of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 constitution and consequently condemns the invasion of the premises of the National Assembly by the Directorate of the State Service. We commend the federal government in acting promptly for holding accountable those officers responsible for the invasion.

    “Methodist Church Nigeria has noticed that politics with bitterness is becoming rampant in Nigeria. This has also brought about unnecessary overheating of the polity. The Church therefore appeals to all politicians to call self to order and play the game according to the rules,” Akinwale stated.

     

  • Relief as Igbo community ends osu caste

    An age-old discriminatory caste system, which labels some people slaves and others freeborn, has been abolished in a community in Imo State, writes OKODILI NDIDI

    Centuries after the abolition of the Slave Trade, the osu caste system is alive and well among the Igbo. It segregates between the so-called freeborn and osu or slaves dedicated to deities.

    This practice has been curiously sustained despite the incursion of civilisation and Christianity in Igbo land. Descendants of an osu are regarded as outcasts. They are forbidden to participate in certain traditional functions, and cannot intermarry with the freeborn.

    They are also not allowed to take chieftaincy titles or become traditional rulers, no matter how successful they may be.

    The discrimination between the osu and the freeborn is also upheld in most of the churches. In some churches, for instance, a freeborn will not sit closely to an osu and if by any chance an osu becomes head of such church, most of the members will openly protest and in some cases withdraw their membership.

    Most marriages have had to be called off on the realisation that any of the partners is an osu. The osu are regarded in Igbo and as an abomination and the property of a deity.

    Over several decades, there have been concerted efforts to abolish the archaic custom but it has been resisted fiercely, especially by custodians of the culture.

    In some communities where the practice is more visible, it is believed that any freeborn who marries an osu will either die or suffer terrible misfortunes including barrenness, poverty and other curses.

    Origin of the osu system dates back to when some slaves were dedicated to ‘Alusi’ (deity) in Igbo parlance. These slaves were considered as inferior beings and usually separated from the freeborns otherwise known as Nwadiala.

    The origin of the osu caste system, according to myths and oral tradition, dates back to the period of prevailing idol worship when deities asked for human sacrifice during festivals in order to cleanse the land from an abomination. This led led to the purchase of a slave by the community and dedicated to the deity.

    The offspring of such person dedicated to the deity or Alusi are regarded as osu or outcast.

    The practice is believed to have its origin in ancient Nri Kingdom in Anambra State.

    But in Irete, a kingdom in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, the outmoded custom has come to an end, thanks to the traditional ruler of the community Eze E. Ekwelibe Agubiam. The king summoned his subjects and openly abolished the tradition to the relief of the community.

    The news sent a wave of excitement across the state and beyond. The veil has been lifted and young people are free to intermarry and mix up without any fear of repercussions.

    The historic occasion was preceded by a liberation mass presided over by the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri, Anthony Obinna represented by Reverend father Patrick Igbeole at the St. Emmanuel Catholic Church, Irete.

    In his speech, the cleric revealed that after baptism every Christians become one like Jesus Christ. He noted that the practice was a result of the ignorance of ”our forefathers”.

    The cleric urged both osu and freeborn to henceforth see each other as one, adding that, “don’t be afraid of the outcome of marrying an Osu, only be afraid of Christ, when you come to the alter, I administer the sacrament of Holy Communion with the same cup with everybody, if that is the case, then all of you are now Osu after eating from the same cup”

    Highlight of the occasion was a feast where every member of the community eat and drank together and the first ever conferment of a Chieftaincy title on a victim of the Osu Caste System’.

    A victim of the system, Isaac Ugorji, who narrated his ordeal, expressed happiness that at last he has been accepted by his people.

    He said, “This is the right thing to do, it is long overdue, you can’t imagine the pains I have gone through, when I wanted to get married girls refused to marry me, they said I am an Osu. Back in school those days my friends could not associate with me, they said I am an Osu, but thank God today, Irete has stood against and we are all Freeborn”.

    Corroborating his speech, a non-victim and a cabinet chief, Chief Cyprian Amankwu, described the abolishment as a new dawn in the community, “this is the greatest legacy that can be ever handed to us, we cannot continue to tolerate this, we thank our monarch for his wisdom”.

    The monarch while narrating how he conceived the idea of abolishing the Osu caste, said that it all began in 2009 before he was enthroned as the monarch of the community, when he publicly stopped an Osu man from the community from breaking a kola nut and pouring libation among freeborn of the community at a certain gathering.

    He said, “the man felt pain and said to me, we are supposed to be the Christians.  His few words are direct and understandable; I was never myself after then”.

    He continued that, “I prayed to God to give me the opportunity to stop this practice, and when I was chosen by my people in 2013 to be their monarch, I wrote to the 18 villages in the community about my proposal and nobody was against it, so I quickly initiated it and today there are no more Osu or Freeborn, we are now the same, there is no more discrimination of any kind”.

     

  • Colonial road rehabilitated in Enugu

    It used to be the only link road from Enugu to the western and northern parts of the country before the construction of the Enugu-Onitsha express road during the military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo.

    Miliken Hill Road, with 25 serpentine curves stretching 3km, was abandoned by successive administrations ever since the completion and use of the Enugu-Onitsha Express Road. Lying several metres atop a narrow ledge overlooking a deep and scary valley, the road became a haven for criminal elements. There were no safety wedges to block vehicles from fallen into the scary valley said to be home to mighty pythons. There were no also street lights to illuminate the curves against the dangers and perils of night.

    At the receiving end of all this were the people of Ngwo who use it as the only access road to their community. They had made representations to successive governments for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the road, but all to no avail.

    But their sorrow and lamentation recently came to an end. Tears of joy flowed thanks to the intervention of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

    The Miliken Hill Road or Ngwo-Enugu Road, was constructed in 1909 during the colonial period by countless labourers drawn from neighbouring villages, using pick and axe to cut through the thick bush of the hill’s stony base.

    Miliken Hill is a famous tourist attraction in the beautiful city of Enugu. Indeed a visitor to Enugu who had not gone to Miliken Hill is said not to have visited Enugu. History has it that in 1908, a British expedition on its way to the Middle Belt from Awka sighted the hill at Enugu Ngwo, one of the ten villages that comprise Ngwo community, and reported back to Lagos.

    Interest in the mineral potential of the hill compelled the colonial government to send a team of mining engineers to the place in 1909 to prospect for silver, but the team struck coal instead. The Europeans decided to settle at Enugu Ngwo on the top of the hill now called Hilltop (Enugu), from where Enugu derived its name up till this day.

    The 3km-long meandering Miliken Hill Road was constructed because of coal discovery under the hill and was named after the head engineer who designed the road.

    Due to years of neglect, the narrow and undulating Miliken Hills Road gradually became a death trap before Ugwuanyi came to the rescue.

    There was wild jubilation among the residents of Enugu particularly the Ngwo people during the commissioning of the newly reconstructed and modernised road with street lights for the first time since it was constructed in 1909. It will now also provide an alternative route for travelers plying the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

    Inaugurating the road amid excitement from residents of the state and road users, Governor Ugwuanyi stated that the project is a “great infrastructural asset and rich heritage of our coal city state”.

    Ugwuanyi also inaugurated other legacy projects in the rural areas such as the Ebonyi River Bridge in Ikem, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area and Obollo Eke-Agala-Okpaligbo road in Udenu Local Government Area in keeping with his dministration’s grassroots development initiatives.

    Describing the road as “our natural roller coaster”, Ugwuanyi disclosed that “no road in our environment affords tourists and motorists the beautiful view of Enugu that this road offers.”

    He said, “I stand here today with joy in my heart, buoyed by the happy faces of Ndi Enugu, to inaugurate this reconstructed historic and legacy Miliken Hill road; a renowned tourist attraction hose history is consistent with coal discovery in our state in the early 20th century.

    “The great excitement that greeted the reconstruction of this legacy road is therefore consequential and our gratitude, most profound, goes to God Almighty for affording us the means and commitment to deliver this project”.

    Ugwuanyi urged motorists to drive safely and with care.

    While inaugurating the other projects, Governor Ugwuanyi noted that they were “in keeping with our policy to open up the rural areas and encourage the all-round economic growth of the state.

    “We were also motivated by our resolve to alleviate the sufferings of our people and give them a new lease of life wherever they may be in the state,” the governor added.

    A leader of Ngwo community and former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Chief Dubem Onyia expressed gratitude to Ugwuanyi for keeping faith with his promise to reconstruct and modernise the road with street lighting and other safety measures.

    Onyia stated that the road was symbolic and very significant to the people of Ngwo, Enugu State and the entire Igbos”, saying that the governor has wiped out their tears for good.

    He maintained that no government had reconstructed the road after it was built, appreciating the governor for his prompt intervention on the road. He equally reassured the governor of the people’s unflinching support for his re-election in 2019.

  • NDLEA raids illicit drug base in Aba

    The Abia State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) led by its commander, Bamidele Akingbade has raided a notorious base used by illegal drug peddlers and users in Aba at Orji Uzor Kalu Bridge near the popular Good Morning Market.

    Akingbade and his team also demolished shanties where the hoodlums engaged in their illicit indulgences.

    The NDLEA commander said that despite several efforts to raid the place, the hoodlums often escaped arrest, regrouped and continued their business.

    Though no arrest was made this time, the agency recovered hard drugs such as cocaine, cannabis and heroine in the process of destroying the shanties.

    The NDLEA boss appealed to members of the public to provide the command with credible information about activities of drug peddlers in their neighbourhoods, adding that the war against sale and consumption of illicit drugs in Aba and other parts of the state remains in force.

    He said, “With the demolition of the structures, drug traffickers and armed robbers will have no place to hide to commit any crime. We are equally going to establish an outpost there like we did at York Street to ensure that they didn’t come back.

    “I want to use this opportunity to thank the authorities of Nigerian Army and other sister agencies in the state for the assistance that they have been able to give us so far which resulted in the successes we have been able to record so far. We are equally appealing to the state government to help provide us with logistics to enable us function well and effectively. For us, the war against sale and consumption of illicit drugs in the state is total.”

     

  • Okorocha’s wife hosts last August Meeting

    In the last seven years, the Imo Women August Meeting has evolved from an offhand annual gathering into a dynamic platform for the empowerment, reorientation and mobilisation of women for community building and political participation. The association has Governor Rochas Okorocha’s wife Mrs Nneoma Okorocha to thank for that. Since she became host of the Meeting, each edition of the yearly event has identified challenges facing women in the state and taken pains to offer solution.

    In 2011 when it started, the theme was ‘Women: the Home Builders’, in 2012, it was ‘Women: The Vessels for Transformation’, in 2013, it was ‘Managing Stress and Unity of Purpose’, in 2014, the theme was ‘Imo Women: Making a Difference through Involvement and Commitment’ and in 2015, the theme was ‘Women: Dare to Dream’, with an accompanying slogan, ‘it is possible’.

    In 2016 there was a visible paradigm shift in the theme and focus of the August Meeting. The title was ‘Looking at the Next Generation of Mothers’ and the accompanying slogan was ‘we cannot afford to fail’. This peculiar edition was a wakeup call on the women to inculcate the right values in their children who are to be the next generation and mothers and fathers.

    In 2017 the theme was ‘Women: Building Bridges of Friendship Across the Niger’, it was a clarion call on women to deploy their inherent talents to promote unity, peace, friendship, justice, equity and love not only in the Igbo nation but in Nigeria at large.

    Then the current edition has as theme, ‘Sharing our Common Cultural Values’ which is intended to turn the country’s diverse culture into a tool of national integration and society development.

    Apart from this, the 2018 edition of the August Meeting is profoundly special because among other things, it was the valedictory edition for the wife of the current governor.

    The organisation, attendance, performances and emotions that were showcased proved beyond doubt that the Imo August Meeting has bonded the women, irrespective of status, class, creed, politics and religion.

    It was also an opportunity for the wife of the governor to give parting gifts to Imo women for their “love and support” in the last seven years”.

    The crowd at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, venue of this year’s August Meeting was filled to capacity, most of the women from across the state slept over at the stadium preparing for the D-Day.

    The host and governor’s wife in an uncommon display of charity, which has sustained in the last seven years through her pet project and non-governmental organisation, the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), gave out three two-bedroom fully furnished bungalows to three indigent widows and another mini-bus and a fully stocked fabric shop, as well as thousands of expensive gift items including refrigerators, gas cookers, motorcycles, generators, household items, thousands of bags of rice and other food items, kitchen wares, clothing and cash.

    In fact the over twenty thousand women that attended the August Meeting went home with a gift item.

    True to the theme, there was a colorful, rich and intriguing display of culture from across the country including dances, food, agriculture and other attributes that underscore the country’s cultural identity.

    Dancing troupes from various states including Delta, Enugu, Abia, Cross River, Edo and Oyo performed to the admiration of the surging crowd. It was indeed the mother of all August Meeting.

    The other various side attractions like the match past by women from the 27 Local Government Areas of the state, comic competitions like the ‘osu mmiri’, dancing completion by senior citizens, beauty parade and raffle draws added colour to the event that was aired live in major television stations.

    In attendance were the wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo, wife of the Delta State governor, Edith Okowa, wife of the Oyo State governor, Florence Ajimobi, wife of the Cross River state governor, Linda Ayade, Enugu State governor’s wife, Monica Ugwuanyi and Abia State governor’s wife, Nkechi Ikpeazu, among other dignitaries across the country and beyond.

    Speaking during the buildup to the August Meeting, Okorocha’s wife said the choice of the theme was influenced by the need to harness the country’s rich cultural values in enhancing national integration and peaceful coexistence.

    According to her, “our culture is our way of life and we should hold tenaciously to it and must not let it go into extinction”.

    She noted that “the achievements of the August Meeting in the last seven years has shown that when mobilised, women can be consistent in piloting and championing developmental projects in communities.

    “I, on assumption of office as wife of the governor of Imo State and having realised the potentials embedded in Imo August Meeting, especially from the angle of women empowerment, family consolidation and unity, as well as the community development have really revolutionised August Meeting into a historic event, effectively packaged to actualise its potentials”.

    She continued that “we have introduced events like arts and culture, agricultural products and food exhibition, thereby enhancing the discovery of talents and potentials in women in view of their roles as home builders and agents of positive change, strengthening their collaboration and participation in meaningful societal development”.

    Mrs. Okorocha also hinted that, “permit me to mention that some women in the politics of Imo State were discovered during August Meetings as a result of how they participated and carried out their activities”.

    Meanwhile this year’s August Meeting was a turning point for three homeless and indigent widows who won a two-bedroom fully furnished bungalow each in a Raffle draw during the Imo Women August Meeting held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    The lucky widows, Nkechinyere Adiziogu (Obowo LGA), Ruth Njoku (Mbaitoli LGA), Sabina Onyeocha (Oguta LGA), were among the indigent persons drawn from the 632 communities in the state.

    The governor’s wife had built over 200 houses for indigent widows across the state, under her pet project, She Needs A Roof Project (SNARP).

    Other lucky persons, Daberechi and Ebo (orphans) from Orlu Council Area of the State and Chinyere Okafor from Obowo Council Area who were earlier beneficiaries of the SNARP Project, also got a mini-bus and a fully stocked fabric shop.

    Speaking in an emotion-laden voice, Okorocha’s wife stated that in the last seven years, the August Meeting, an annual gathering of women, has evolved into massive platform for the empowerment and reorientation of the women.

    She noted that through the August Meeting and other avenues like her pet project, the Women of Divine Destiny Initiative (WODDI), Imo women have abandoned unproductive attitudes and assumed the roles of home and society building.

    She said, “With determination, God’s Grace and unity of purpose we closed routes that diminished our collective conscience and goals. Dangerous routes like laziness, gossip, insubordination, antagonism and rancour and with wisdom we widened many parts that lead to development, bearing in mind that success of one Imo woman is the success of all Imo women”.

    She continued that, “indeed we have rekindled the light of positivism and togetherness and by so doing have removed the primordial barriers of zonal sentimentalism, creed, social status and others that do no one any good”.

    She expressed satisfaction that she has impacted the lives of women in the state through her pet projects, especially the SNARP.

    Speaking about her SNARP project, Mrs. Okorocha stated that, “I look back and recall how devastated I was after my encounter with women and orphans without shelter in the rural communities.

    “I wept profusely and could not sleep, but today I can take a deep breath because more than 250 of these vulnerable individuals can no longer be said to be living without roofs over their heads, I say this because we did it”.

     

  • SON, stakeholders explore metrology

    Stakeholders across the country and beyond gathering in Enugu State for the 12th Africa Metrology System (AFRIMETS) General Assembly have sought to explore the benefits of metrology, a science of measurement, in order to boost trade in the continent.

    Over 25 African countries attended the event, which was hosted by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), and targeted at ensuring a significant increase in the low level of trade between African countries through the deployment of metrological infrastructure, a vision also shared by SON.

    The gathering was in tandem with the plans by the SON to boost trade within the region through metrology. The agency used the occasion to stress the imperatives of developing, strengthening and upgrading the national metrological infrastructure to facilitate trade, enhance export, accelerate economic development and protect the environment.

    At the forum, Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi disclosed that his administration is in full support of the SON to deliver on its core mandate, especially the agency’s huge investment in the establishment of a National Metrological Institute (NMI) in Enugu, the state capital.

    The governor, while admitting that the importance of metrology cannot be overemphasised, as it helps to bring about uniformity in trade and serves as a mechanism to ensure that the unsuspecting Nigerian consumers and Africans at large are not shortchanged.

    ”As a government, we will continue to pledge our necessary support and assistance towards the attainment of SON’s quest to rid Nigeria of sub-standard products. We have seen that the road leading to the institute is bad and we will definitely do something about the road, because we believe in this project to bring about the much needed development in the State,” he said.

    The Director General (DG), SON, Osita Aboloma, while thanking the federal government for committing huge resources to human capacity development in metrology and instrumentation, disclosed that the agency, in the last couple of years, has made concerted efforts aimed at creating awareness on metrology services and its benefits to the nation’s economy, including to the welfare of her citizens. The hosting of the AFRIMETS forum, he added, serves as a further boost to stakeholders’ awareness of the benefits of metrology to Nigeria and the African continent as a whole.

    Nigeria’s membership of AFRIMETS and other continental and global standardisation bodies, Aboloma said, has been a deliberate effort in ensuring that the nation participates actively in inter-laboratory comparisons amongst National Institutes of Metrology (NMIs).

    The DG revealed that in the last three decades, SON, with support from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) and encouragement from its development partners like United Nations Development Organisation (UNIDO), have made huge investments in developing human capacities in the field of metrology.

    In similar vein, a former DG of the agency, Joseph Odumodu, said that standardisation must co-habit with metrology, accreditation and conformity assessment. “This project is a dream come true, and I can tell you that Africa will benefit immensely from this project because Nigeria is a very large economy. This National Metrology Institute will provide services even beyond Nigeria. This project, as soon as it takes off, will actually begin to show that Nigeria has come of age as an industrialised economy.”

    The Chairman, AFRIMETS, Mr. Denis Maturi, said the thrust of the forum was to create awareness on the impact of metrology in intra-African trade. “This project is in line with the African Union’s effort to facilitate trade within the continent,” he said.

    The Regional Director, UNIDO, Jean Bakole, lauded the agency’s efforts. As the first metrology institute in the country, he is convinced that the institute would add value to goods manufactured by Nigerian companies to gain acceptability in Africa and world over.

     

  • Ikpeazu’s wife bankrolls small businesses for Abia women

    The wife of Abia State governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has given out cash in millions of naira, as well as gift items, including clothing and equipment, to indigent women in the state to help them start small businesses of their own.

    The items were given away at an empowerment event for women in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

    Mrs. Ikpeazu also inaugurated a newly constructed local market built through her NGO, Vicar Hope Foundation.

    Speaking at the event, Mrs. Ikpeazu said that the programmes carried out by her NGO benefit all classes of people and that the organisation does not discriminate who benefits so long as benefits are captured during their enumeration.

    Mrs Ikpeazu revealed that the newly inaugurated market brings to 10 the number of markets so far built all over the stately her foundation and promised to build more for those communities that require local markets.

    She explained that the local markets being built by her foundation were all designed to provide a commercial hub for rural farmers and traders to do business in conducive and rewarding environments.

    The governor’s wife maintained that building of local markets has enhanced economic activities within the communities where these markets are sited and urged them to ensure that the markets are well maintained for their own benefit.

    She recalled that only a few days back the NGO had inaugurated and equipped 50 trainees who had graduated from its Springboard Skill Acquisition programme being run in collaboration with the NDE, bringing the total of persons so far trained to 400 people in rural communities in the state.

    Mrs. Ikpeazu said that the entire project is aimed at enhancing the income of rural families and the economy of the state, and used the forum to thank stakeholders for being part of the success story.

    In their separate comments, chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Obinna Oriaku and chairman of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area Ifeanyi Isikaku, both eulogised wife of the Governor Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu and her Vicar Hope Foundation for building the market and empowering hundreds of women.

    They assured her of the support of the people of the area towards her programmes and that they will help in ensuring that the markets are well maintained so that both indigenes and visitors alike will make good use of the markets.

    In her speech, a representative of the women, Mrs. Gold Agu thanked the wife of the Governor for her magnanimity towards women folk, which has gone a long way in ensuring that rural women work hard and that they are not forgotten by government of the day.

  • Anambra remembers Ozubulu massacre

    One year after gunmen attacked a Catholic church in Ozubulu, Anambra State, killing 13 persons, residents gather at the church to pray that such tragedy never befall them again. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    Anambra State residents have a good memory of what happened at an Ozubulu cathedral one year ago. They remember how, without any warning, gunmen stormed the Catholic Church in the community and started shooting. No fewer than 13 worshippers were killed in the attack while many more were injured. They recall the rumour back then that the attack was connected to a drug war fought by indigenous Ozubulu persons living in South Africa.

    One year after, a huge crowd gathered at St Philp’s Catholic Church Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of the state praying and hoping that such a thing never happened again. It was not an ordinary Sunday. The atmosphere was electric.

    The church was filled to capacity as the community remembered the August 6, 2017 massacre. The atmosphere was carnival-like, with about five live bands playing outside the church premises.

    That day in August last year was one some unknown gunmen invaded the church during service, and killed 13 persons, young and old including women, and injuring over 30 others.

    The unforgettable incident has continued to haunt the Ozubulu community. Some said it was a drug war among the indigenes of the area living in South Africa.

    The remembrance service was attended by two Catholic Bishops of Minna, Niger State, Martin Uzoukwu and Hilary Odili Okeke of Nnewi Diocese.

    Also, it attracted Nollywood actors and actresses like Pete Edochie, Chinyere Wilfred, Bob Manuel Udokwu and Rita Edochie, among others.

    The Ozubulu massacre generated tension in the entire Anambra State, with adequate security provided by the governments at all levels to ward off any attack on the citizens like the one that happened last year. The mayhem triggered turmoil in the community which lasted for over one month. Fear gripped the residents.

    In his homily the parish priest, Rev Dr Jude Onwuaso recounted the ugly experience of that day, adding that God had shown the people love since the incident.

    He said as human beings, we should love one another, noting that what happened a year ago should not repeat itself, adding that the people of the community had been in mourning mood.

    Recounting what happened on the day, Onwuaso said, “We recited ‘I believe in one God’, which the congregation chorused amen”

    “As soon as I began the introduction prayer of the faithful, some huge sounds like volcanic eruption echoed and filled the church; there was total silence and confusion.

    “At first I thought it was a dream. But it was real and there were sporadic shootings throughout the church at the first instance, it was the satanic agent and enemy of Christ that entered the church for the purpose of killing innocent children of God. At the end, people were wailing from every corner of the church and community as the church was covered in a pool of blood.”

    He thanked the parishioners, police and voluntary bodies that came to the aid of the wounded, the dead and conveyed them to hospital and the morgue.

    He parish priest further thanked the church, government and society at large for sympathising with them.

    “I am deeply touched by God’s care and love this one year, as He has shown them love through the diocese and beyond the shores of Nigeria.”

    He condoled with the families that lost their loved ones and the injured, asking them to bear the loss with fortitude.

    Also at the service was the benefactor of the church, Chief Aloy Ikegwuonwu whose father was killed during the mayhem at Ozubulu and a top politician in the state, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu

    Speaking with The Nation, Joel Obunadike, who lost his uncle, his brother’s wife and a baby, said it was an unforgettable experience.

    He said he would not want to remember that episode again, adding that God had taken control of their families.

    Samuel Ndulue and Chinasa Chukwueloka, who were injured during the incident, told The Nation, they were giving God the glory and honour for saving their lives on that day.

    Anambra mourns, but the state is also looking to the future with prayers and hope.

     

  • Rotary honours Ugwuanyi

    The Rotary International District 9142, Nigeria, has honoured Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State with a “Distinguished Service Award of Excellence in Governance” for his outstanding performance in office.

    The prestigious award was presented to the governor at a colourful dinner in his honour, after the installation ceremony of the 2nd District Governor of the Club,  Rotarian Dr. Dan Ajawara, held at The Base Event Centre, Enugu.

    Presenting the award, the newly installed District Governor, Dr. Ajawara, described Gov. Ugwuanyi as “a humble, humane, unassuming and visionary leader, who leads by example”, adding that it was based on his sterling performance and leadership qualities that “we are honouring him today”.

    Ajawara noted that it was rare for Rotarians to come together to honour a sitting governor, disclosing that they are apolitical.

    He stressed that Ugwuanyi as a Rotarian and governor has kept faith with the ideals of the Rotary Club through his people-centered programmes that “touch people’s lives in so many ways”, saying: “The people have unanimously agreed he will continue leading them”.

    According to him, “Rotary is not into politics. We take note of the people’s feelings and that is why we are honouring him today with this Distinguished Service Award of Excellence in Governance. The Coal City experience is really imparting positively on the people. We hope that this honour will spur you to do more”.

    Ugwuanyi, who appreciated the District for finding him worthy of conferment with its highest award, described the gesture as a great honour.

    He paid special respect to the chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, who was represented by Chief Emeka Eze and other dignitaries at the event and “heartily congratulated” Dr. Ajawara on his installation as the 2nd District Governor.

    Ugwuanyi pointed out that as a Rotarian and former President of the club in Emene, he was “very much conversant with the aims, objectives and the ideals of the Rotary Club as well as the excitement and joy that accompany the installation of a new District Governor”.

    He, therefore, expressed optimism that Dr. Ajawara would succeed as he “has all it takes to lift the District to greater heights in the service of humanity”.

    The governor used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to continue to promote the ideals of the 4-Way Test of the noble club and bring them to bear on his personal life and discharge of his duties “as the Chief Servant of the people of Enugu State”.

    “We remain grateful to the Rotary Club for its many years of partnership and assistance to the Enugu State government in helping to spread the message of hope, comradeship and solidarity among all classes of people especially through the provision of communal facilities and attending to the needs of the poor.

    “While also thankful for the decision to host this historic occasion in Enugu, we wish to pledge our continued support and cooperation towards the attainment of our common objectives and the noble ideals of the club,” he added.