The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

Expectant mothers get free treated nets in Anambra

Expectant mothers in Isuofia community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, were in a joyous mood as they got treated mosquito nets to help them avoid malaria.

The Victor Oguagu Foundation (VOF) provided the nets in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health.

The event also featured a lecture by a pharmacist Kingsley Ojukwu on the prevention and management of age-related non-communicable diseases.

Delivering his lecture, Ojukwu stressed the need for a healthy lifestyle as a way of keeping diseases at bay.

He mentioned having enough rest, sufficient night sleep as some ways to maintain a healthy life.

The nonprofit organisation is said to be committed to complementing government in accomplishing the sustainable development goals (SDGs), through its Stay Fine Initiative (SFI) tour to promote healthy living among beneficiaries.

The medical outreach was held at the St Patrick’s catholic Parish Isuofia.

Ojukwu also highlighted the importance of exercise including jogging, rope-skipping, brisk walk and joining sports clubs in addition to eating enough fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and drinking lots of water.

The insecticide-treated nets were distributed to the expectant mothers and the aged, who also got multivitamins from the foundation.

Speaking at the event, the founder of Victor Oguagu Foundation, Victor Oguagu commended the commissioner for health in the state, Dr Joe Akabuike for the support of his ministry.

He reiterated the foundation’s commitment to championing multifaceted projects towards national development.

Oguagu said, “WHO regional director of Africa Dr. Matshoiso Moeti said that most communicable diseases related deaths are attributed to behavioral and Physiological risk factor” hence the need for the outreach”.

He told The Nation that the programme focused on women, who according to him were the pivot of the society.

For Mrs Judith Okafor, the programme was beneficial to the mothers and not only expectant mothers, while commending the state ministry of health for partnering the foundation.

September 15, 2017
Ebonyi lawmaker offsets SSCE fees for 110 pupils

It was a day of joy for pupils of Umunaga Secondary School, Enu-Faith Uburu in Ohozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as a lawmaker at the State House of Assembly, Deacon Onu Nwonye paid off the 2018 Senior Secondary School Examination fee for 110 candidates in the school.

Each beneficiary was presented with N16,000 cash with the charge to study hard and become successful in life so that they will empower others in future.

The lawmaker who represents Ohaozara West Constituency said the gesture will, next year, be extended to 25 best students selected from each secondary School in Uburu.

Hon Nwonye urged the students to avoid bad friends that could lure them into cultism, which could destroy their future.

He said he did not pay the SSCE fees because he is rich but having lived in poverty in the past, he understood the pain and suffering parents undergo to meet up with the welfare of their wards especially in the area of education.

Deacon Nwonye who also distributed fertilizer to farmers in the area, advised the students to always respect and support their parents in farming so that they could produce more pointing out that it is by the grace of God that we are succeeding in life

He said ‘’ You must understand that the world is like a battle field. You are regarded as a great soldier when you understand and obey the rules of engagement. You cannot make the best out of any situation if you refuse to listen to your parents and when you throw away their good advice in your life.

“Even as I address all of you today, I am very sure that you are all aware of the consequences of being a cultist. You must not bring your parents and your community to shame and disgrace by getting involved in any of these things. Believe it or not, the price you will pay come with either your death or the death of your loved ones”. he said.

Mr Roy Umahi who was the founder of the Secondary School and the Chairman of the occasion in his remarks expressed joy that the school he founded for his community in 2008 is progressing and commended Hon. Nwonye for extending his goodwill to every house hold in the community as the students all came from the 14 villages in Uburu.

He challenged other political leaders to emulate Nwonye pointing out that youths are empowered there will be reduction of poverty and social vices in the land.

One of the beneficiaries, Onu David thanked Nwonye for taking away their burden by paying for their SSCE fees and assured that they will never let the community down.

September 15, 2017
Aba waits after floods

Over one month after Aba, Abia State’s city of commerce and industry, was submerged, residents hope their pleas will be answered. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

The downpour on July 23 was devastating. Two children were said to be swept off. Homes were wrecked, and many residents forced outdoors. Aba, Abia State’s commercial capital, had a sudden tragedy in hand. Those affected, mostly in Aba North and South local government areas, appealed for help, wherever they could get it, from the local government to Abuja, the nation’s capital. Six weeks after, some residents wondered if no one heard their pleas. Nothing of substance was forthcoming from any of the tiers of government.

Some of the distraught residents took to abandoned petrol stations for refuge not minding the danger of being exposed to dangerous animals that may be occupying the makeshift shelter before their arrival.

The lawmaker representing Aba North and South Federal constituency, Hon. Ossy Prestige visited them alongside the head of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Owerri Operations Office, Hon. Ugo Evans. Prestige was moved to tears seeing the damage and horrible conditions under which dislodged families lived after the floods.

Aba’s flood problems are multiple. There is a federal road project under the supervision of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that could drain off Aba floodwaters to the Aba River. But the concern is that for years the project has not made any appreciable progress. That is why the residents often resort to self-help to prevent their houses from being submerged after several failed attempts to attract the attention of government to their plight.

They dread the rainy season during which they go through much stress finding a way to their homes and then out again every day to look for daily bread.

The Nation gathered that a trip to Ihieorji to Umunkama down to Ukwa which usually took a stop now takes up to three or four stops depending on where you are going. A trip to Umunkama which once cost between N30 and N50 now costs as much as N100 and even N200.

A resident described their ordeal as hell on earth, adding that this year’s rain took them by surprise.

A resident of Amucha, Mrs. Uchechukwu Nnadiugwu said, “To be frank, what we usually see here during rain is unbelievable. We are happy to see you guys here today. During rainy season, we hardly see food to eat because of several expenses we are expecting to make on flood disaster. We just pray God gives you people the strength to help us out totally from this predicament. On Sunday we didn’t go to church because we were using pumping machines to take water off our buildings. Seeing Prestige Ossy here, I’m so happy.”

Another respondent, Ikechukwu Onyiba corroborated Mrs. Nnadiugwu, adding, “Almost all our tenants here have been driven away by the downpour. It got to a point where we had to use refuse to build local fence and today, the rain has totally destroyed the local fence and destroyed our homes and every property we had in our houses.

“The reason why we are still here is because here is my hometown. I’m from here and have no place to run to. Our house here occupied over 15 plots of land, but as I speak to you now, there’s not a single tenant there. The flood comes from Ibadan Street, Ohanku and some other areas to us here to cause damage.

“As I speak to you, two children died and their bodies were discovered the next day. Their mother carried their things to somewhere, but before she could return, the flood carried her two children. Where we are standing now used to be a house over 30 years ago, but flood has destroyed everything here.”

In an interview with newsmen, Ugo Evans of NEMA said, “From what I’ve seen, it’s obvious that this area is a flood-prone area. And from what I also heard, it has been like this for the past 8-10 years. Many administrations have come and gone with zero remedy and no help is being given to residents of this area. What I’m seeing and hearing here is unbelievable.

“According to what we’ve seen here today, it’s obvious that bad road networks and lack of drainage and plane area for flood control are the main problems. We shall come in and give them some relief materials to enable them replace their lost properties with the aid of state emergency management to sensitise people in this area on how to leave here. As soon as possible, this will be done. We are here as a fact-finding team, so when we are doing our recommendations, we’ll include medical aid because the possibility of an outbreak of disease abounds.”

Also speaking, Prestige said, “My impression still remains the same. Federal Government needs to order its agencies to come to the rescue of Aba people. In my motion, I expressly said that Aba has been submerged by flood and that the flood menace in Aba need the urgent intervention of the federal government right now. Having come here with some officers of NEMA, I’m sure that the report they will give back to their office wouldn’t be different from what I’ve said in my motion.

“Federal government as a matter of urgency should come to the rescue of Aba people because half of Aba is now almost having an IDP camp. I’m sure you saw some people sleeping in filling stations. Their bedroom and parlours are now in the filling stations.

“NEMA has done so much in the Northeast, providing them with food items, houses and so on. Aba is also in need of such help because my people are suffering too. There is a serious problem in Aba. As I heard from one of the landlords saying that if not for the fact that he’s from there, that he would have run away because all his tenants have all moved away. People now sleep in churches and public places. This is exactly what is obtainable in the Northeast.

“I know that in the last three months, over 13 billion naira has been spent in providing facilities and some of these relief materials in the Northeast. Even if it’s half or one quarter of what’s spent in the Northeast to Aba, I’m sure it will go a long way in making Aba people know that they are a part of this country.

“It will not stop here. It will continue till NEMA does something. I assure Aba that they will be remembered. Let me inform us that prior to now I’ve written to the ecological office in the SG office about Aba.

“I’m sure that apart from NEMA, FG through ecological office in SFG office will do something. The ministry of works and housing has sent their staff to measure the remaining part of the road with a view to continue after the rains. And the roads under construction must be done with the knowledge that here is flood prone area.

“When dry season sets in, I’m sure the construction will continue. Raising alarm about flood disaster is not the issue. The execution part of the alarm is what matters.”

September 8, 2017
‘How to control sickle cell deaths’

The Medical Director of Pfizer, Dr Kodjo Soroh has said that the high death rate of sickle cell patients across the county can be prevented through proper management and increased disease awareness programmes in rural areas.

Dr Soroh said this at the three-day conference organised by the Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria (SCSSN), supported by Pfizer held in Enugu.

The theme of the conference: ‘Reducing the burden of Sickle Cell disease in our communities’ was anchored on raising awareness for sickle cell disease (SCD); increasing the understanding of the disease among the communities health workers, to review the activities of the society since the last one held was two years ago, with a view to hearing from SCSSN members who were sponsored on scholarship to pursue their post-graduate degrees in Brazil.

And to also outline research and training priorities, update knowledge about the different aspects of the pathophysiology and management of sickle cell and to hold a meeting of the West African Sickle Cell Network.

Dr Soroh said Pfizer will continue to support activities on how policies can be improved to adequately impact on sickle cell patients.

He said, “There is no way Government can better manage the situation without making policies that will guarantee treatment for people with the disease. This is why Pfizer as a major sponsor for the 2017 SCSSN conference has expressed their commitment to partner with Government and stakeholders that are willing to make feasible policies towards reducing the burden of sickle cell in the country.”

The keynote speaker, Professor of Haematology at the Muhumbili University of Tanzania Lucio Luzzatto was in agreement with the call by stakeholders for the government to pass a bill on sickle cell control and management to better ensure the life of the people living with the sickle cell disorder.

A professor of Paediatric Haematology and Chairman, Sickle Cell Support Society of Nigeria, Professor Adekunle Adekile also called on the Government to support the Sickle Cell Society in order to reduce the burden of the disease in the communities. He identified poor leadership on the part of the Government as being responsible for the snail paced action on Sickle Cell in the country and called on the National Assembly to revisit the Sickle Cell Act brought before the house four years ago with a view to passing it.

“The chunk of the problem lies with the Government because, over the years, they have paid lip service to Sickle Cell Disease control and management. The Government should make policies on SCD a serious one so that life of patients can be ensured. The National Assembly should revisit and possibly pass the Sickle Cell Act to ensure that people with the disease are covered”, he said.

Adekile said sickle cell is a disease that is common all over the world, particularly in Nigeria which has the largest burden with a total number of 1,500 children born every year with the disease. Adekile said that the problem of a Sickle cell is pervasive and many of the patients live in the rural areas, pointing out that the care in the tertiary or secondary centres is not enough. He regretted that the Government has not paid adequate attention to tackling Sickle Cell Disease noting that the disease cannot be controlled until a comprehensive National Policy for the Control and management of the patients is introduced

On her part, the Director, Corporate Affairs Pfizer for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mrs Maggie Olele said the community networking is critical to achieving the aim of reducing the burden of Sickle Cell in our communities. She noted that Sickle Cell is not a death sentence even as she advised parents to always identify with organisations that are committed to tackling the scourge.

Director, Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centre in Ghana, Professor Kwaku Frempong said that most people who are born with Sickle Cell disease in Africa are not diagnosed and many of them die as children. He observed that Government are not aware of the impact of SCD on childhood mortality while noting that there is no country in the whole of Africa that has programmes for new born screening.

“Our Government must step up measures and provide some supplements so that people can be treated as the medical cost is usually beyond what people can manage,” he said.

The Marketing Officer of Assene-Laborex Limited, a subsidiary of Biomedomics, Pharm Santos Onuigbo, charged young people to know their genotype early enough before going into marriage.

September 8, 2017
Dry port a priority to Abia, says Ikpeazu

Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has said how much the proposed dry port to be established in the state means to his administration.

He described the facility as a priority, adding that his administration would support and ensure that it becomes a reality, alongside the Inland Container Depot (ICD) to be situated at Ntigha in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state.

Ikpeazu, who was represented by the chairman Implementation Committee of the ICD, Mr Dan Nwankwo in a meeting with the concessionaires, East Gate Ltd, members of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and other stakeholders at the state capital, Umuahia, said the project “is a priority to the state”, which the government would not want to toy with it.

Nwankwo stated that the importance of the dry port to the state cannot be overemphasised, adding that the government was aware that more than 50 percent of goods imported into the country comes to Aba.

He assured the investor and other stakeholders that the money they were going to invest wouldn’t be a waste as the state government would do all it could to ensure that the project succeeds.

The chairman of East Gate Ltd, Mr. Bill Nkemdirim said they were in the state capital to present some of the partners to the state government.

Nkemdirim said East Gate Ltd would ensure that the dry port came to reality, adding that the project when completed would create jobs for the unemployed youths and increase business and commerce in the state.

The Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, a lawyer, represented by John Choji of Lagos Council stated that the project when completed would enhance movement of goods from the ports to the southeast and south-south regions of the country, adding that the movement of goods from the ports to the dry port through railway would reduce the pressure of moving goods from various parts of the country using the highways and will also reduce the cost of transporting containers from one place to another.

Other speakers including the Isiala Ngwa North Local Government chair, Ginger Onwusibe, member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Darlington Nwokocha, HRH Eze Robert Nwaigwe; chairman of Land Donors said they were happy that the project was sited in their community and local government.

They pledged to work with the concessionaire and the state government to ensure the project was realised.

September 8, 2017
Abia Poly marks culture day

On September 1, students, staff and the entire Abia State Polytechnic community, clad in their traditional outfits, took advantage of the public holiday declared by the federal government to gather on the grounds of the polytechnic to mark the 2017 edition of the institution’s culture day.

The event lasted about five hours, with spectators glued to their seats as they were entertained with various dance steps. Students from different ethnic groups paraded their cultural troupes and masquerades to the admiration of the crowd. A representative of the Minister of Information and Culture and members of the institution’s management team were in the audience.

The event owed a lot to the initiative of a former rector of the institution Elder Allwell Abalaogu Onukaogu, who is determined to fight the decline of the Igbo culture and language.

The President of Abia Poly Student Union Government (SUG), Comrade Igwe Samuel described Nigeria’s cultural heritage as important and must be protected by all, stressing that the day presented the students the message that they need to have spirit of unity, love and tolerance among themselves in order to live and work together to make Nigeria a better place to live.

Samuel, who admitted that Nigeria’s culture was gradually fading away, noted that it was important that as students, they needed to combine education with culture to support the efforts of government and other stakeholders in ensuring that the cultural heritages and values of the people won’t fade away going by the way the youths were embracing foreign cultures.

He said, “As we celebrate our culture today, it reminds us of ourselves and takes us away from the western lifestyle we have come to embrace; neo-colonialism and want from things outside the shores of Nigeria had gone deep in us…Let us ensure that we promote unity amongst students and fight to preserve Nigeria’s culture against the rampaging Western culture. We must also encourage our children to speak our various mother tongues fluently.

“You might not know the value of something until it is taken away from you. It might interest you to know that a lot of Westerners come over to (Nigeria) celebrate our culture. Nigeria’s culture is worth celebrating, but it is unfortunate that, we Nigerians don’t celebrate our own culture,” lamented Samuel.

The minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed while addressing the audience, urged students and parents to embrace their respective indigenous languages and cultures.

Mohammed who was represented at the event by Mr. Uche Idika Kalu, the curator of National Museum of Colonial History, Aba lamented the way people were abandoning their cultural heritage.

The information minister who also expressed worries over the way people were running against their customs and traditions said that events like the cultural day celebration reminds people of the importance and the need to promote the people’s cultures and traditions.

Describing Igbos as people who are highly industrious and hospitable, the information minister used the opportunity to condemn the rate of quest for materialism especially among the youths.

He, however, called for patience and hard work, stressing that anyone who tries to be faster than his creator in life or tried to acquire wealth through ill-gotten means will end up in regret.

The rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Friday Ezionye Eboh described the event as important and one that rekindles in the mind of the students and adults as well the spirit of promoting their cultures and traditions regardless of any environment that they found themselves.

Eboh who was optimistic that the Igbo culture will not die in the near future stated that the school decided to mark the annual cultural festival to help promote different Nigerian cultural heritages and traditions of various Nigerian ethnic groups.

He urged parents to join hands with the school and other stakeholders in the campaign to ensure that customs and traditions of various ethnicities in the country continue to exist despite the challenges posed by westernization to our cultural values and heritages.

September 8, 2017
Succour for nine-year-old-girl with tumour

For nine-year-old Blessing Emeh, the other name of life is cruelty. Unlike other children her age, her everyday life is characterised by excruciating pains, no thanks to a massive tumour that has not only changed her once beautiful looks but has also made her life miserable.

The parents, Mr and Mrs. Jonathan Emeh, have exhausted their meagre resources trying to no avail to find cure for their daughter’s ailment, which was diagnosed as lymphoma.

According to the distressed mother Mrs. Chidinma Emeh, the unusual growth was discovered two years ago and had continued to spread to other parts of her face.

She lamented that they could do little to ameliorate the suffering of their little Blessing due to lack of finance, adding that they had lost hope on her, having ran out of ideas on what to do.

“Our daughter has really suffered. We have been living in fear looking at the condition of our daughter deteriorate. I wake everyday not knowing what to do. Our case is even worse, sleeping and waking up each day to see our lovely being ravished by a strange sickness.

She also revealed that they had gone round, pleading for help “but because the treatment of the condition is quite expensive, nobody seemed to sacrifice such amount”.

But just at the point of resigning to fate, help came from nowhere. Little Blessing is on the way to smiling again. A Good Samaritan, Mr. Everest Okpara saw her plight and decided to foot the bill for her operation.

Okpara, the Chief Executive of Everight Diagnostics and Laboratory Services Limited, said he only saw the little girl in one of the days he visited home in Isiekenesi, in Ideato South Council Area of Imo State and felt for the girl.

He said, “This was about six months ago when I was coming back from the village that I saw this little girl with a big lump around her face. I called her, examined her and requested to meet her parents. After our meeting, I realised the family is struggling and doesn’t have the wherewithal to help. I also realised nothing has been done. For me, the essence of life is to help one another. Who knows what the future holds for that innocent little girl?

“I decided to work with medical consultants to see how we can help out. We are done with the diagnosis to ensure we get it right. This is only the best way to give back to the society.”

Mr. Okpara who is also Imo State Coordinator of National Association of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture Youth Group (NYG) called on good spirited Nigerians to always sacrifice to save the future of tomorrow’s leaders.

He particularly called on those in medical practice not to relent in their periodic free community health services especially as it concerns diagnosis, which he said is most important.

Reacting to the dangers of wrong diagnosis, which has led some notable Nigerians to their early grave, the American trained epistemologist said it was the same reason that propelled him into investing in the Medical Diagnosis with the state-of-the-art Medical Equipment with world best practices.

Blessing is expected to undergo surgery this week. Her mother while thanking Mr. Okpara, enjoined Nigerians to join the family to pray for her successful surgery.

September 8, 2017
Abia police decorate officers with new ranks

The Abia State police command has decorated officers who were recently promoted by the Police Service Commission (PSC) with their new ranks.

The decoration was performed by the state Commissioner of Police Adeleye Oyebade with other senior officers of the command in Umuahia, the state capital.

The Nation gathered that the newly promoted officers included a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) and six Superintendents, totaling seven.

The state Police Commissioner in a chat with our reporter said that the promotion of the personnel was done according to seniority and with the approval of the Police Service Commission.

He disclosed that the command was still sorting out the names of other officers due for promotion at the state headquarters especially within the ranks of Inspector who would be elevated to Assistant Superintendent of Police.

The state police chief however charged the promoted officers not to abuse their ranks, but to see it as reward for hard work and call to be more committed to their duties and added that the promotion of the officers would encourage and inspire others to work harder.

He used the opportunity to reiterate that the police command frowns at indiscipline amongst its officers, stating that the command would not hesitate to discipline any officer who tarnishes the image of the force.

This is even as he stated that he would not equally hesitate to recognize any officer that has shown professionalism, diligence and commitment to duty.

Oyebade further called for the cooperation of all and sundry in providing police with useful information on the activities of hoodlums in their neighbourhood, stressing that the police were ready to ensuring that Abia was safe for business and economic activities to thrive.

September 8, 2017
Abandoned health centres: Imo communities battle needless diseases, pains
For residents of Ikpeze and Ndianiche Uno communities in the Ideato federal constituency of Imo State, their anticipated dividends of democracy has been turned into a forlorn hope.

Two primary health care centres which ought to alleviate the health crisis in both communities by providing a basic, affordable and accessible health care are in a state of disrepair.

The development has led to anguish for members of the community, who often have to go as far as Orlu and Owerri to access medical care. The trip is a burden to the less privileged and pregnant women in both communities. Many people have died from travelling long distances for medical care, The Nation learnt.

“The situation is hard for pregnant women. Many deliver babies on the road and they end up with complications. We have recorded cases of pregnant women who died while trying to birth babies because they didn’t get medical attention on time. We have a serious problem here, our people are suffering”, Mrs. Alice Okafor, the woman leader of the community lamented.

Overtaken by weeds and thistles

In Ndianiche Uno, weeds and thistles have taken over the bungalow supposedly commissioned to be the site of a model primary health centre. Conceived as a constituency project attracted by Bar Patricia Udogu, a former house of rep member who represented the Ideato federal constituency from 2003 to 2007, the building is in a colossal state of abandonment. Giant grasses have overgrown the site so much that one would need to stand on a pedestal to peep into the shattered state of the bungalow.

Abandoned since 2008, the modest structure has faded into an unpleasant sight of taxpayers money put to waste. The wood used to support the roofing of the house is already falling apart. The abandoned Ndianiche Uno health centre in its present state has been turned into a habitation for rodents and reptiles.

The sponsor of the project, Hon Patricia Ndogu who spoke with The Nation from London, where she is now based, said the project, which she started, was expected to have been completed by her successor.

“As at 2008 when I was out of the national assembly, I made efforts and got it to the point it was but since the person that came after me was from another local government, he was not interested in following it up until the project was stopped by the national assembly.”

Dismissing the claim that the project was not completed because the contractor handling the construction was not paid, she held that the contractors were not supposed to be paid up front.

“If I was there, I would have moved for it to be finished but if you are not there (in power), your interest is no longer protected. By the time we are talking about, I was in England doing my masters project,” the ex-PDP lawmaker intoned.

Asked for the amount which completed the project, Udogu, who also represented Nigeria in the Pan African Parliament in South Africa, added that it was not in her jurisdiction to follow up with the contractor.

“I just got it as my constituency project and that was the way to go about it then. You don’t know what the budget is; you don’t even follow up with who the contractor is. The most important thing is to have it in the budget and the appropriate ministry would take care of it. All the projects I attracted, I didn’t know the contractor that handled them, I only went for the commissioning,” she said.

Ikpeze: Completed but not functional

In Ikpeze, another community in Ideato, a N20 million constituency project is about to go down the drain.

The project, a primary health centre completed in 2016, has not been open to access by residents of the community. The contractor who handled the execution of the projected was alleged to have locked the facility up due to outstanding accumulated debts. The modest size building painted in cream and green stands solitary in an expanse of land surrounded by weeds and bushes. The signage showed the project was constructed in 2010. As at the time of going to press, the structure has not been functional, thereby depriving members of the community access to a needed lifeline.

When reached by phone about the non-functional state of the health centre, Hon Mbadiwe Dr Eddie Mbadiwe, the former law maker who attracted the project heaped the blame of the non-functional state of the health centre on the Primary Health Care Development Agency.

“When I was in the National Assembly, I tried to get them to furnish the building but they did not come. I am trying to get MTN Foundation to take it as one of their projects. I even wrote a letter to the chairman of the senate committee on health asking him to put it as one of his projects because it so sad when you finish a project and people are not using it. The most unfortunate part is that the current rep member is not interested.”

Asked if he had reached out to the present house rep member, he said: “He knows the project is there. People should put pressure on him; I don’t want to appear to be forcing him. Many people never did their projects but at least we got this one finished. All it requires now is furnishing.”

On the actual amount the project gulped, Mbadiwe feigned ignorance, saying the contract for the health centre was awarded by the Primary Health Board Development Agency. However, BudgIT, a civic organization, under its Tracka project, an initiative which enables people to track and give feedback on public projects in their communities, stated in a tweet that the construction of the health centre in Ikpeze in Ideato North federal constituency cost tax payers N20 million. The Tracka team also visited the site on the 27 June this year to examine the health facility but observed that it was under lock and key.

Citizens react…

The traditional ruler of the community, HRH Dr Eze Kanu, also bemoaned the state of the uncompleted health centres, blaming government for not failing to alleviate the plight of his people.

“The one at Ikpeze has been completed but it is not functional. Functional in the sense that it is just the building and then the contractor locked the place up and has gone away with the keys. That of Ndianiche is completely abandoned. It has grown with bush. Incidentally, those that attracted the projects have served their terms. The present person has not been of any help. He has not done anything as far as the community he represents is concerned”, the monarch intoned bitterly.

Reacting to how the non- implementation of the project has affected the health of people in the community, the monarch explained; “We have recorded deaths of many people who died in the course of travelling many miles for health care. Most times, when they travel far for health care, they pay through their nose. If these two health centres are functional, then we would be relieved”.

Also, the chairman of the ward development committee for Ideato north local government area, Mr Nwakanma Azubuike, told The Nation that both projects may have been suspended owing to non-completion of payment to the contractors. He also spoke of the effort made to reach the Primary Health Care Development Agency which has not yielded fruit.

“When I called the agency, I was told the model health centre in Ikpeze was in the making. When I called at another time, they said the minister of health was changed so they are looking at the new minister to know what they can do. As for the one at Ndianiche Uno, I cannot say specifically, the reason why the project has been abandoned. We go as far as Orlu and Owerri to access healthcare. There is no health facility here and our people are suffering,” Azubuike explained.

On a yearly basis, law makers carry out interventionist projects in their respective communities. These constituency projects are often smeared in allegations of corruption. Many of these projects across the country lie in despair even after billions of naira have been appropriated for their completion. In the 2016 budget, N100 billion was voted for constituency projects for the 360 members of the House of Representatives and 109 senators. As is the case with the health centres at Ikpeze and Ndianiche Uno, many often do not see the light of the day.

Earlier this year, President Muhammadu Buhari flagged off the revitalization of 10, 000 Primary Health Care (PHC) Centres nationwide. The president emphasized that the programme would focus on the poor, especially women and children under 5 years in the rural areas of the country. For children and women in Ikpeze and Ndianiche Uno, a revitalised health care system in their communities is a miracle waiting to happen. It will no doubt be of great relief to their aching hearts and empty pockets.
- Reporting done as part of the 2017 BudgIT Media Fellowship
September 2, 2017
Traders make brisk sales as Aba hosts IPOB leader Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State on Sunday August 27 to further push the course of his group. Sunny Nwankwo, who was at the event, writes on how many traders made fortune from the visit.

Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, gained its popularity through the ingenuity of its residents and their huge interest in trade and investment in economic activities. This accounts for why the city would be bubbling with human and vehicular movement in many parts of the city within the week days except Sundays when major markets of Ariaria, Cemetery/Eziukwu, Ahia Ohuru (New market), Shopping Center among others remain closed.

But the long held belief that Sundays, usually provide residents of Aba the opportunity to commune with their maker (God for Christians) and also provides them the space to attend social functions and to meet family and friends who they may have not being able to see for a very long time was set aside at the weekend.

While the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was in Aba at the weekend to further preach the message of emancipation he has for his supporters who thronged the premises of Boys Technical College (BTC), Aba located along Faulks road, many SME owners took the advantage to display their wares to make brisk cash at the event.

From Biafra insigma to food items and amongst others were all on display for people to buy.

Some of the traders who spoke to our reporter said that they couldn’t afford to miss an event that would help them make some sales in order to put food on their family tables.

They however told our reporter that they reduced the price of their items at the rally ground to ensure that as many that would want to buy the items can buy such.

One of the traders, Ikechukwu Goodluck said that he has been preparing for the event since last two weeks when he got wind of Kanu’s imminent visit to Aba as he stated that he knew that many people would be in attendance.

A food vendor, Mrs. Ifeoma Uzoma said that she has not recorded the kind of patronage she recorded since she started selling food and prayed that a day like that would continue to be witnessed.

While these people were having a field day, Kanu had a message for his supporters and to the federal government of the country.

The IPOB leader, who described Aba as the “Spiritual Land of Biafra”, said that he was not going to go on exile, urging his supporters and those who believed in the Biafra course to be strong and resolute.

He also used the opportunity to reiterate that there won’t be election in Anambra in November or any part of “Biafra Land” even in 2019 unless there was a date for referendum which the group has been clamouring for.

Kanu who paid tribute to those reportedly killed at National High School Aba by security agencies in his words said “Here we are, is Biafra Land. Aba is the spiritual capital of Biafra land. We started in Aba in 2015 at CKC (Christ the King Catholic Cathedral). That day, heaven authenticated our move that IPOB will restore Biafra and that’s what we’ve come to do. We died in Aba; At National High School.

“They shot and killed us in other places in Biafra land when they were protesting for my release. As our people rest in the grave, we’ll never rest until Biafra is restored. I don’t care what they say in Abuja. I don’t give a damn what they say in Lagos. “I’m a Biafran and we are going to crumble the zoo. Some idiots who are not educated said that they’ll arrest me, and I ask them to come. I’m in Biafra land. If any of them leaves Biafra land alive know that this is not IPOB. Tell them that’s what I said.

“Tell buhari that I’m in Aba and any person who comes to arrest Nnamdi Kanu in Biafra land will die here. I’ll never go on exile I assure you.

“Some people talk about restructuring, are we doing restructuring of Nigeria now? Are we doing fiscal federalism? Are we doing devolution? What we want is Biafra!

“Forget all the nonsense they write about us. We are not slowing down and no man born of a woman can stop us. They thought we are joking and God gave us a simple message that no one can stop us. The movement to restore Biafra is unstoppable.

“God sent me to you, Aba people and I am giving you His message. Our veterans here, your own message is that you’ll see Biafra alive not in death.

“The message of heaven is what I bring to you. Don’t be afraid. The plans of our enemies are not going to be actualized. The enemies are planning, but we are formidable.

“We are going to boycott Anambra State election. After Anambra 2017, in 2019, there’ll be no elections in Biafra land. Signed and sealed. My message is that there’ll not be election in Biafra land ever again until they give us date for referendum.”

September 1, 2017