The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • ‘Why Enugu is safest state’

    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Danmallam has revealed that proactive and cooperative policing approach made Enugu the safest state in the country.

    Danmallam disclosed this in Enugu while addressing student participants from the National Defence College (NDC), Course 26 on a study tour in the state on a courtesy call to the state police command headquarters.

    He noted that since he took over the command in February this year, he had motivated and led various operations, units and squads on the field to ensure that “officers and men were on top of their game as they see their commissioner with them.”

    “So, we have been highly pro-active, while my commanders and team leaders had been up and doing; that is why we have reduced crime and incidents of criminality in the state to zero level.

    “For, the issue of car snatching it had since been reported last over a month ago; kidnapping had disappeared while we have battled cultism and gangsterism as well.

    “The command also received tremendous co-operation from other security agencies especially the Nigerian Army, Air Force, NSCDC, NDLEA, Prison Service and neighbourhood vigilante groups in various communities in the state.

    “We have conduct joint internal security patrols, joint show of force sessions, seminars and monthly meetings to ensure that collectively we are ahead of criminals and other emerging security threats,’’ he said.

    According to him, the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has been highly supportive and given the command all necessary encouragement needed for continuous success.

    On youth employment in the state, Danmallam said that the governor had done a lot to see to the engagement of youths through various senatorial skill empowerment programmes.

    “The governor has ensured that workers get their salaries on or before 25th of each month; he also inaugurated neighbourhood watch in every community in the state and engage youths in the watch groups.

    “Just of recent, he engaged over 200 youths in the state traffic control unit as well as various sporting activities and competitions, where youths are gainful engaged by the sports clubs and association,” he said.

    According to him, youths in the state had been highly engaged resulting that during the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) clashes with security agencies in the zone; Enugu State had never been a ground for IPOB rallies since February.

    The Team Leader of the NDC, Commodore Olumuyiwa Olotu, thanked the commissioner for keeping Enugu very safe and peaceful; adding: “We can see that peace and calm even from the ordinary people we have interacted with so far’’.

    “We have seen and met with a very happy, approachable and hospitable people in the state since our stay. This is a laudable testimony to the peaceful atmosphere that exist here,” Olotu said.

    He noted that the students of participants of National Defence College (NDC), Course 26 on a study tour on the topic: “Youth Empowerment’’.

    “Sir, we urge you to give us all necessary co-operation as well as answers to questions which would assist us carry our assignment in the state,” he appealed.

     

  • ASUP urges Abia to pay poly staff

    ASUP urges Abia to pay poly staff

    ABIA State Polytechnic Aba, has hosted delegates of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) for its 89th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

    Though the attendees discussed the affairs of the union, the occasion was also an opportunity for  the national body to call on the state government to clear the salary arrears owed their members in the state polytechnic.

    The Nation learnt that majority of the workers were yet to receive salaries in the past seven months, a situation many of the workers said has made life excruciatingly difficult for them.

    The National Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics in Nigeria, Comrade Usman Yusuf Dutse, in a speech, called on Abia State government and management of the Abia State Polytechnic to pay workers of the polytechnic their arrears of salaries.

    Dutse who was on the visit with other members of Council of National Officers of ASUP, noted that staff of the institution could be more productive if they were paid promptly.

    He said that the choice of Abia Poly as the venue for the NEC meeting was deliberate and timely as they wanted to use the opportunity to show solidarity with the institution chapter who were being owed for about nine months arrears of salaries.

    He stressed that regular payment of workers’ salaries motivates them to work hard.

    ASUP national chairman, who said that he was visiting the school 10 after his initial visit, noted that the school was ripe for expansion and called for the release of 2014 promotion lists of staff which he said was long overdue.

    He used the opportunity to laud the cordial relationship existing between the management and staff of the school and called for the confirmation of members of the management who have been on acting capacity since February they were appointed by the state governor.

    Responding, the acting rector, Abia State Polytechnic, Prof. Eboh assured that efforts were on by the management of the instruction and the state government to ensure that staff members of the polytechnic were paid their arrears of salaries.

    Abia Poly rector who described the polytechnic as one of the best in the country said that the management on assumption of office in February 2017 met backlog of salary arrears from July 2016 till January this year which they were gradually paying off, adding that as part of the commitment of the management to offset the huge backlog, stated that between the month of April and June, they (management) were able to pay their workers five months arrears of salaries.

    According him, the institution have been able to receive from the state government N680m subvention since he assumed office, but regretted that the effect of the present economic crunch being faced by the country became a setback to the inflow of funds to the polytechnic.

    The rector who thanked the staff of the institution especially the leadership of the ASUP AbiaPoly chapter for showing understanding with the management promised that the 2014 promotion lists of staff would soon be out, stating that the management has been running transparent and open door policy since they assumed leadership.

    He also disclosed that work had already commenced at the permanent site of the campus located off Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway where more facilities including student hostels and among educational and recreational facilities would be introduced for a better academic growth of the students.

    He added that to save the institution from wastages, the management had plugged some of the identified areas through which individuals siphon the institution’s funds in the past, adding that internal mechanism have been put in place to ensure that anyone that engages in fraudulent would be fished out.

  • Ikpeazu gives contractor November deadline

    Ikpeazu gives contractor November deadline

    Abia State Governor Oke-zie Ikpeazu has directed the contractor handling the reconstruction of Aba-Owerri Road in Aba to ensure the job is completed before November 30, 2017.

    A release by Ikpeazu’s Chief Press Secretary Mr. Enyinnaya Apollos stated that the governor also directed the state Ministry of Works to ensure full compliance with the instruction without compromising the scope and quality of the project.

    Meanwhile road users of Osisioma, Faulks leading to Ariaria International market have called for speedy completion of ongoing projects in the state especially Aba. This is even as residents of Ayaba Umueze and Um-uimo called on the state government to end the suffering of road users in the area.

    They lamented the hardship they face due to the impassable nature of their roads and wondered why roads which also lead to the state-owned teaching hospital should be in such disrepair.

    They also appealed to the lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal constituency whose house is located in the area to come to their aid.

    “We understand that here is not under Aba North or South, but Hon. Prestige should help us beg the chairman of Osisioma Local government to come to our rescue.

    “This road serves as an alternative route to entrance and exit of Aba especially when the gridlock is much at Osisioma end of Aba-Owerri Expressway whose road is in bad shape. The hard stone here, I learnt, was done by an individual as a palliative measure while we await government.

    “Please help us to beg government to come and see how they can help us out of this ugly situation that we have found ourselves in. The expenses incurred in visiting mechanics almost on a weekly basis for one repair or the other is biting us hard in the pocket. They should try and see what they can do about it, we are really suffering.”

    Another resident of Port Harcourt road also appealed to Ikpeazu to come to their aid and lamented that since Ikpeazu came in the company of Governor Dave Umahi to flag off construction of Port Harcourt Road recently, work was yet to commence on the road contrary to the assurances and promise made by Ikpeazu during the flag off exercise in Aba.

  • IGP assesses Abia after unrest

    IGP assesses Abia after unrest

    After members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) clashed with military personnel in Abia State, Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Kpotun visits the state to evaluate the damage and smoothen relations among communities, SUNNY NWANKWO writes

    Since the clash two weeks ago, prominent figures have been visiting Abia State with peace on their minds. Northern state governors were the first to show up, thanking Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his Southeast governors for their role in quelling the crisis with members of Indigenous People of Biafra or IPOB, and appealing to northern residents to follow the path of peace.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ogbizi and Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Operations, Police Force Headquarters, Taiwo Lakanu also played a huge role in curtailing the crisis. Lakanu led about 500 mobile policemen to the state in the heat of the crisis.

    Heads of security agencies in the country have visited too, all playing a part in saving the country an unnecessary catastrophe.

    The Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Kpotun was the latest to take his turn. He was scheduled to visit the burnt Ariaria Police Station and Onions market along Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway. The IGP was also billed to meet with Yoruba and Hausa communities in Aba, the commercial and enterprise hub of the state.

    Though the IGP failed to come to Aba which, The Nation gathered, was as a result of delayed flight owing to bad weather, he posthumously promoted Cyril Nwosu, the station officer of Ariaria police station who later died from wounds sustained when suspected IPOB members invaded the station. The late Nwosu is now Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

    The IGP also held a town-hall meeting with traditional rulers and major stakeholders in the state at the Michael Okpara Auditorium where he stated that Nigeria would function better when united, adding that it was the responsibility of every Nigerian to ensure that there was tolerance and unity among the ethnic groups in the country.

    The police chief assured that the force through its personnel would do everything possible to ensure that peace was sustained in the state and across the country at all times.

    He said, “We have seen a lot of changes, the happiness on the faces of people. I believe that Nigeria will grow stronger and I have faith in the unity of this country. We see the police force as enablers that can help us drive growth in all aspects of our economic growth in Nigeria. We believe firmly that unless there is security we cannot grow or prosper.

    “History is replete with countries that try to break away and come back also. So I want you to continue with your work. Beyond the recession, Nigeria is trying to create a foothold by attracting direct foreign investment, so we need to have security.”

    Also speaking at the interactive session with Abia traditional rulers and members of Hausa and Yoruba communities at the Michael Okpara Auditorium later, Governor Ikpeazu assured that Abia is a very peaceful state and would remain so despite the ugly incidents that broke out in the state.

    “We reaffirm our faith in one Nigeria,” he said.

    Ikpeazu who commended the IGP for visiting the state, also used the opportunity as the chief marketer of made in Aba goods, to presented the IGP with some home-made products at the Government House.

    The IGP was accompanied on the visit by the Assistant inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 9 Umuahia, Hosea Karma, the state Commissioner of Police, Anthony Ogbizi and his Imo State counterpart, Chris Ezike, among other senior police officers.

  • Feast, philanthropy at Okorocha’s birthday

    Beyond the feast and eye-catching cakes, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha’s 55th birthday anniversary was equally memorable for his philanthropy and vision, writes OKODILI NDIDI

    With the huge crowd surging and humming, security agents and officials of Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had no time to fall asleep at a corner. For two weeks, Imo State was agog, caught up in festivity. From the city centres to the village squares, celebration was in the air. While it lasted, people seemed to forget their differences, daily struggles and even secessionist tendencies elsewhere; all that mattered was the 55th birthday anniversary of their governor Rochas Okorocha.

    Various enthusiastic groups competed to outdo each other to impress their gratitude and felicitation. They looked happy with their governor. Dancing groups and artistes were on hand to entertain at the carnival-like event, which some hoped would go on a little longer.

    It was a harvest of tributes and praises as people from all tribes and tongues, and from all walks of life converged on Imo to celebrate the governor.

    The event attracted a mammoth crowd from the first day, among whom were women and students especially beneficiaries of the state’s free education programme. Traders, civil servants and politicians held a colourful procession, adding to its grandeur.

    Leaders from the 27 local government areas of the state, as well as various political camps and opinion groups took turns to felicitate with the governor, presenting him with gifts in addition to goodwill orations.

    Most remarkable about the birthday anniversary was the magnanimity of the governor and founder of the Rochas Foundation College, which offers free tuition in its schools across the country.

    During the birthday anniversary celebrations, Okorocha announced a scholarship award for no fewer than five children from each 55 African countries.

    Codenamed 55. 5. 55, an acronym for fifty five years, scholarship for five children each from fifty five African countries, the birthday celebration afforded politicians, business associates, family, friends and the common people the opportunity to extol the virtues of  the governor.

    Leading the flurry of activities was the solidarity rally by Imo women which grounded vehicular and human movement in Owerri, the state capital.

    Thousands of colourfully adorned women from across the state took on a procession across major streets displaying placards with various inscriptions such as, ‘we thank God for the gift of Owelle’, ‘Owelle is a gift to humanity’, ‘Imo women celebrate the people’s Governor’, ‘Hurray our icon is 55’, ‘Imo women celebrate a selfless leader’ and ‘join us celebrate the architect of the new Imo’, among other beautiful appellations.

    Most prominent among the different women groups that participated were the market women, beneficiaries of the state’s free education programme and female professionals from various disciplines who lauded the Imo governor for initiating projects and policies that have impacted positively on socio-economic status of women in the state.

    Coordinator of the women and former Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Getrude Oduka said the women decided to celebrate the governor for running a gender-friendly administration that has improved the lot of women and children in the state.

    According to her, the massive turnout of women for the procession was a confirmation that the women of the state are happy and grateful to the governor, adding that none of them were induced or coerced to attend.

    She said, “We are here to celebrate a man that need to be celebrated, we are to celebrate an icon. For instance, he has given the entire children of Imo state an access to education, knowing full well that education is the key to life. To celebrate the architect of the new Imo, a man that has brought a lot of transformation to Imo State both in the areas of infrastructure and social development.

    Speaking further, she said, “We are also celebrating a man that has the fear of God. So what Imo women are doing today is a triumphant entry into the birthday of the governor”.

    Receiving the women at the Government House, wife of the governor, Nkechi Okorocha, commended the women for appreciating the governor’s efforts, adding that he has always prioritised issues that affect women and children.

    She further thanked them for “being the pillar behind the success” of the Rescue Mission government and asked them to sustain it as the state “government will continue to better their lives and that of their children”.

    She also thanked them for wishing her husband well as he celebrates his 55 birthday anniversary, adding that the huge show of goodwill and solidarity by Imo women will certainly spur the governor to do more in his service to not only the women of the state but to the entire humanity.

    Governor Okorocha said he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love by the women of the state, pledging to continue strive to build a better society for the people of the state.

    He said the occasion of his 55 birthday anniversary has given him the opportunity to reflect on God’s blessings, which he said propelled him to the height he has attained today.

    He said, “I will continue with helping the less privileged, there is no slowing down. The free education programme of the Rochas Foundation has just been expanded to cover the whole Africa, where we are giving scholarship to five children each in fifty five African countries.

    “In my 55 years on earth I have no regrets. I don’t regret any of my actions or decisions even though that people tend to misunderstand me sometimes. I am only grateful to God, there is nothing to regret in my 55 years on earth.

    “I am so happy because the strength of this government lies on the massive support it enjoys from the women. That this government is been talked about positively in the world is because of women.

    “One thing I tell anybody that cares to listen is that I am a special breed made by God for humility. I have never thought evil of anybody and so anybody that wants progress beyond limits must not think evil of me because I am specially made by God. People that love me, prosper beyond their expectations. This is the way God has made it to be”.

    At the end, the women group made history by presenting the Governor with twenty seven birthday cakes representing the 27 council areas of the state, unarguably the highest to be received by a single individual in the state.

    In one of such visits by stakeholders from Mbaitoli Council Area led by the state Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, the governor was lauded for given equal attention to all the zones in the state, irrespective of political interests and affiliations.

    Madumere during the visit described Governor Okorocha as an “all-time giver who is ready to display generosity at all time when it bothers on human capital development”.

    According to the Deputy Governor, the visit was to thank the governor for “the dividends of democracy on behalf the good people of Mbaitoli, Imo State at large and to celebrate with him as he turns 55”.

    He said, “Your Excellency, I am here with my people to felicitate with you as you turn 55. You are like a spirit that possesses whosever that come across you because of what you are. Today, you have over thirteen thousand children. The one that is trending at the moment is the acronym 55-5-55. This time around, as you turn 55, you have raised your bar of philanthropy by adopting 5 children each from the 55 countries of Africa. This is another creation of Your Excellency in African leadership.”

    Also speaking during the solidarity visit, the Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri showered encomiums on the governor for blazing the trail in providing basic amenities to every part of Imo State.

    He said, “Owerri zone where Mbaitoli LGA is situated is the chief beneficiary of the governor’s astute leadership and uncommon magnanimity”.

    Responding, Governor Okorocha thanked the people of Mbaitoli for their support and for coming en mass to celebrate with him.

    Responding, Governor Okorocha said, “Madumere is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased. My relationship with my deputy, Prince Eze Madumere for over twenty years is like that of Christ and His disciples. I saw him in the United States of America fishing. I said to him, follow me and I will make you a fisher of men. Madumere followed without argument.  In our journey in politics, we kept failing even when I ran for president. In all these, Madumere has remained steadfast and calm.”

    Mbaitoli women sang moving songs to celebrate the governor.

    Also in another grand rally organized by the Rochas People’s Movement at the Heroes Square, mammoth crowd gathered to witness colourful display of culture, music and artistry.

    Elder statesman and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, described the governor as a good man and a visionary leader who has put the overall interest of the state above ephemeral gains.

    He observed that the free education programme has distinguished Governor Okorocha from other people that had governed the state in the past.

    Iwuanyanwu who spoke at one of the forum organized for the governor’s birthday at the Imo International Conference Centre (IICC), stated that the Imo governor had broken all records, adding that “anyone aspiring to govern the state must promise to sustain the free education programme”.

    He added further that “the success of the free education programme had made it become a tradition to the extent that stopping it would mean dragging the state backwards. The governor had been on the right path even before he emerged winner of the 2011 governorship election in the state by helping others and investing in human beings”.

    The PDP stalwart also stressed that “despite the governor’s humble background, he had shown by his style of leadership that people from poor homes can make good leaders.

    That is why I see his free education as being more significant because it affects mainly the poor who ordinarily could have been out of school”.

    Family members and other beneficiaries of the governor’s magnanimity also celebrated what they described as the governor’s uncommon style of leadership.

    Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Acho Ihim, described the governor as a father who interested in the success of people working with him.

    He said, “We have all learnt from his uncommon kindness and love for the ordinary people and this has changed the ways we think and relate with others, especially those who are not so privileged. He has also redefined politics and governance in the state and the results are there as testimony of his astute leadership”.

    The Chief of State to the governor, Chief Uche Nwosu had this to say, “we all are grateful to this selfless icon for given us opportunity to rise to where we are today. So we have come to celebrate him as he turns 55 and to wish many more years of continued service to humanity.”

     

  • UNN, ESUT teaching hospitals treat 250 intestinal cases

    UNN, ESUT teaching hospitals treat 250 intestinal cases

    The University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) have so far handled more than 250 patients with gastrointestinal complications within the past six months.

    Of this number, the UNTH recorded about 160 while ESUTH received 90 cases within the period.

    Dr. Uche Ijoma, of the Gastroenterology unit of UNTH, disclosed this while receiving the president of the Endoscopy Futures Nigeria, an NGO, Dr. Alanna Ebigbo and his team at the hospital. She had welcomed their August visitors with her colleague, Dr. Emeka Osuagwu.

    Ijoma, who thanked Dr. Alanna Ebigbo, for donating the Endoscopy machine to them early this year, described the donation as a lifetime medical intervention.

    Osuagwu stressed that it had made diagnosis of patients with gastrointestinal challenges easier. Dr. Ijoma spoke on behalf of the Chief Medical Director of UNTH, Dr. Chris Amah on the occasion.

    Ebigbo expressed satisfaction with the performance of UNTH medical staff in the handling of the Endoscopy machine, adding that the large number of patients who receive care at the hospital had given him joy.

    He said, “With the number of patients you have attended to so far since I donated this machine early this year, my purpose of embarking on the project has been achieved, am happy our people with intestinal problems can now access care in hospitals very close to them instead of travelling overseas”. He was accompanied on the visit by Nurse Annette Buehler, a German and Dr. Ugo Ezeyirioha, his Nigerian technical partner.

    Alanna had explained that his visit was not only to access the progress on ground, but also to continue his retraining programme for the medical staff of both UNTH and ESUTH.

    However, as part of effort to further improve their technical capacity, the medical practitioner announced that his NGO, the Endoscopy Futures Nigeria, had concluded arrangement to sponsor some medical staff of UNTH and ESUTH Teaching to attend a 3 – day international Endoscopy Summit billed for Ausburg, Germany in November this year.

    He state that the international conference entitled “Endo Update”, was designed to offer opportunity to the Nigerians to exchange ideas with their German counterparts on issues of gastroenterology management, adding that the beneficiaries would not remain the same after the health summit.

    And at the ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu, Dr. Alanna Ebigbo and his team were received by Dr. Evaristus Offiah, of the department of medicine.

    Offiah, who showered praises on Dr. Alanna for donating the Endoscopy machine to the hospital, said previously, patients with gastro intestinal cases had been referred overseas to access care.

  • ESUT inducts 29 doctors

    ESUT inducts 29 doctors

    Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof Luke Anike, has charged their newly graduated medical doctors not to cut corners but to stick to the ethics of the medical profession in the discharge of their duties.

    Anike, who cautioned the young doctors on greed for quick money, noted that the sky would be the limit of any professional who chose the path of hard work and excellence.

    He was speaking yesterday in Enugu at the induction ceremony of 29 Young Medical Doctors of the college of medicine, ESUT.

    The Vice Chancellor stated that due to the critical role of doctors in health care delivery, the institution would continue to invest in research, capacity building and modern medical education to ensure that only the best come out from the medical school.

    He disclosed that out of 49 students that went through the final assessment exercise supervised and approved by external examiners from other universities in the country, only 29 of them were found worthy to practice medicine.

    In his remarks, the provost, college of medicine, ESUT, Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu, said that their academic programmes had been extensively revised and streamlined such that a student coming into the college knows exactly when he or she would graduate, all things being equal.

    Ugochukwu, disclosed that the new academic regulations designed in line with the National Universities Commission, NUC and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, now awaiting ratification of the university senate, had been designed to plug all loop holes in the

    previous regulations which allowed medical students to beat the system and overstay.

    While congratulating the medical doctors, the provost quickly told them that the journey had just begun in their pursuit of attaining greater heights in their medical career, adding that “the journey of climbing to higher levels in the medical profession is tough, demanding and tortuous, it requires absolute dedication and persistent handwork after a first degree, you must strive to train and specialize in any branch of medicine”.

    Presenting the 29 medical graduands to the registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, (MDCN), Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, for induction into the medical profession, the dean, faculty of clinical medicine, Prof. Frank Ezugwu, expressed satisfaction with the academic performance of the graduands throughout the duration of their studies and assessed them as worthy in character and learning.

    Ezugwu, enjoined the medical graduands to work hard and show high level discipline in their medical practice, even as he challenged them to always ensure that the health of their patients was paramount in their medical practice. He, however, cautioned that any act of negligence of their patients’ care could cause the withdrawal of their professional license, stressing that one way of appreciating their alma mater was to show excellence and commitment to their duty as good ambassadors.

    The chairman of the occasion and former provost, college of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra state, Emeritus Prof. Frank Akpuaka, urged the medical and dental council of Nigeria, MDCN, to increase the number of students allocated to the college for admission, adding that his call had become necessary in view of the

    rapid progress recorded by the institution in staff, facilities and improved infrastructure.

    Akpuaka, who is the Nzenabo of Ndigbo, maintained that ESUT College of medicine had better facilities than those in some African countries that enjoy higher quota of students intake and described ESUT medical School as unique, following the location of all class rooms, hostels

    and hospital in one compound for the convenience of lecturers and students, He also prayed God to grant the young medical graduates their heart desires even as he urged them to remain focused.

    Apart from Dr, Chinasa Peace Ngene, who won the Best Graduating Doctor Award, of the 2017 6th Batch, the university , also announced prizes for 7 Best Graduating Doctors.

    Enugu State governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was represented on the occasion by his health commissioner, Dr. Fintan Ekochin. The event attracted the cream of the medical profession and the academia, including the pioneer provost, college of medicine, ESUT, Prof. Simon

    Asogwa, the dean faculty of Basic Medical sciences, Prof. Chike Anibeze, Chief Medical Director , ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane, Dr. Gabriel Njeze, medical director, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Cajetan Nwadinigwe  and the head of department of community medicine, Dr. Eddy Ndibuagu, as well as the provost, college of Medicine,

    Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Prof. Walter Nwafia

     

     

  • Obiano: Anambra not taking bailout

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has said that under his watch the state has not taken any bailout funds from the federal government .

    He also declared that the state has maintained a stable economic base through his strategic partnership with the private sector.

    The governor spoke when he met with the presidents-general and town criers of communities in the state in Awka, the state capital.

    He maintained that his administration had not collected any single kobo as loan from any commercial bank.

    Obiano also said his N20 million per community “choose-your-project initiative” had brought about uncommon transformation at the grassroots.

    “The state has under my watch maintained a stable economic base through strategic partnership with the private sector, even though we did not take bailout from the Federal Government,” he said.

    “By the time my eight-year tenure must have elapsed, every community in the state would have had at least six massive projects completed by my administration.”

    He said it was important that the presidents-General and town criers who, according to him, were the nucleus of information dissemination system in the communities, were aware of what government was doing in their localities to enable them effectively key in.

  • ‘Nwoye’ll erase Obiano’s embarrassing performance’

    Governor Willie Obiano’s performance in office is an embarrassment laced in propaganda which can neither deceive the blind nor confuse the deaf, the Tony Nwoye Campaign has said.

    Noting what it bemoaned as the woeful performance of the incumbent governor, the Nwoye campaign said that the performance of the governor has become a conspicuous blight in the face of the legacy of his predecessors which Nwoye as governor will erase with worthy deeds.

    The Nwoye Campaign in the statement issued by Paschal Otimkpu said:

    “Every follower of Nigerian politics knows that performance is a key determinant in elections. But here in Anambra performance of the outgoing governor will speak heavily against him.

    “Even the blind, deaf and dumb can see, hear and talk about the abysmal performance of Governor Willie Obiano. It is a common knowledge that preceding governors in their own different styles built legacies that one could see.

    However, for the Obiano government, the legacy that one can see is only corruption insensitivity to the plight of Ndi Anambra and crass nepotism as has never been seen before in the history of our state.

    “Before he came, governors addressed a number of issues affecting the people. Roads were attended, schools were constructed and old ones were rehabilitated. The health sector was given enormous attention as a large number of hospitals in the state were adequately equipped and staffed to meet health outcomes of a modern society.

    “The urban renewal programme which cuts across the three senatorial zones with much focus on Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi and even some remote areas did have a meaningful impact on the people of the state as it opened these areas and facilitated the ease of transporting items, particularly food produce from rural to urban areas.

    “Ndi Anambra have realized their mistake and the question is who will we trust again and here is where Dr. Nwoye stands out as the answer.

    Dr. Nwoye has earned the respect of his people through his dutiful representation of Anambra East/West Federal Constituency and he would by God’s grace use the governorship platform to positively impact on the whole of Anambra State

  • Call for law review as Abia town planners elect leaders

    Call for law review as Abia town planners elect leaders

    Members of Abia State branch of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) have a new chair.

    Nelson Nwaosu was installed as the ninth chairman of the state branch at a colourful ceremony in Aba featuring political leaders and traditional rulers, among others.

    The event which was supposed to be for merriment took another shape when the hall went solemn as participants listened to a thought-provoking lecture delivered by a town planner Steve I. Onu. Onu’s paper entitled “Repositioning Urban and Regional Planning for Good Governance”, was presented at a time when Aba and other major cities across the country were submerged in floodwaters.

    It has been said that the flooding  results from the activities of some government officials a well as unscrupulous individuals who turned cities into modern slums despite the huge resources the incumbent and past administrations have put in place to address challenges of flooding and distortion of master plans.

    In his paper, Onu said he believes that the current institutional arrangement for urban planning practice especially in the public service is not yielding the desired result because the political class has neglected the importance of proper planning and development of cities.

    Onu said town planning laws which the British bequeathed to Nigeria can no longer cope with the pace of infrastructural development in the country.

    He called on states that were yet to embrace the implementation 1992 “second generation act” to do so.

    He also maintained that the effectiveness of urban and regional planning in any local government and state largely depends on the administrative structure within which it was operated.

    The lead paper presenter in his submission called for the establishment of “Metropolitan Planning Board” to address infrastructural planning and execution issues, strengthening the local government administration to embrace planning as a viable revenue generation tool, review of the Town Planners Act, revision of current Urban and Regional law to remove the ambiguity linking the Commission, Board and the Urban Planning Department at the Federal and State levels, ensuring that a constitutional amendment was pursued to ensure the incorporation of urban and regional planning in the concurrent list to limit the role of the federal government in urban and regional.

    Onu favours an administrative framework that addresses “metropolitan wide planning issues instead of leaving such matters to the fragmented and uncoordinated local government system especially in large cities.”

    In his inaugural speech, Nelson Nwaosu promised to reposition the status of town planners in Abia State through effective capacity building, promising to be a servant-leader, build synergy between the group and government, ensure unity among members amongst other promises that he made while campaigning for the position.

    Nwaosu, who noted that the task ahead of him was enormous, called for support of members and major stakeholders, stating that he was optimistic that his administration would succeed and leave the office better than they met it.

    Among the dignitaries at the event were captains of industry, former deputy governor of Abia State, Hon. Eric Acho Nwakanma and top government functionaries in the state including traditional rulers led by the State and Southeast traditional rulers’ council chairman, Eze Eberechi Dick.

    A highlight of the event was the swearing-in of the elected members of the NITP Abia State chapter.