The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Abia varsity on national grid, 36 years after

    Abia varsity on national grid, 36 years after

    Abia State University, Uturu community headed by vice-chancellor Prof. Uche Ikonne was happy that Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu graced its 25th convocation ceremony.

    It was a day that Ikpeazu commissioned an electrification project that ended 36 years of darkness in the institution.

    For over 30 years the institution was powered by generating sets at a huge cost, it was said.

    The university community also expressed the hope that the connection of the school to the national grid will help to save the school the cost of powering their equipments and offices using generating sets.

    Speaking while commissioning the project, Governor Ikpeazu who was flanked by the former senate president and pro-chancellor of the school, Senator Adolphus Wabara and Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof. Ikonne commended the management of the institution on its growth.

    “Nobody would believe that this institution has existed for this number of years running on generators. I must commend the management for this wonderful project. I am happy this has happened in our time; we will continue to ensure that our institutions of higher learning, not just ABSU alone, get the needed attention of the state government to run their programme.”

    Pro-Chancellor of the University, Senator Adolphus Wabara thanked the governor on behalf of the senate for assembling great leaders who have the interest of the university at heart.

    He stressed the efforts of the Vice Chancellor of the Institution Prof. Ikonne in growing the institution.

    Prof. Ikonne assured that the project will be put to proper use to the well-being of students and the university community.

  • Abia police smash kidnap syndicate

    Abia police smash kidnap syndicate

    The Abia State police command has smashed three kidnap gangs. The success resulted from quickly following up on tip-offs from members of the public.

    According to the police, two of the suspects, who were among 30 paraded, were nabbed in a hotel room as they were sharing the ransom paid by a victim’s family on July 27.

    A military rifle and loads of ammunition used by another fleeing kidnapper were recovered after officers were led to a hospital where a suspect had died while being treated of bullet wounds he sustained during gun battle with the police. After the gun duel, a kidnap victim identified as Onyemaechi Mbamaonyeukwu Ijeoma was rescued.

    Three members of a gang had earlier been killed on July 18 at Osisioma Ngwa, where they had abducted the Managing Director of Mba Hotels, Aba, and held him hostage at an uncompleted building in Umuajuju Ovungwu, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area while negotiating for ransom.

    Abia State Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Adeleye Oyebade attributed the increasing success story of his men to the growing support from members of the public.

    He said: “Operatives attached to the Command’s Dragon Squad in Aba, while acting on a tip off, arrested two men, Samuel Akoma and Kenneth Ananaba in a hotel room in Aba where the hoodlums lodged after collecting ransom to release their hostage. Two vehicles including that of the released hostage were recovered.”

    A victim identified as Ijeoma Okereke was also rescued by the police from another gang of kidnappers at 1:00 p.m. on July 22.

    Oyebade said: “The victim was rescued when PMF 55 men on nipping point duty, at Owerrinta acting on a tip-off, intercepted a 14-seater Mitsubishi L300 bus with registration number SB 639 WER painted white and green. They arrested the duo of Chinemere Amamba aged 39 and Nnamdi Monday, both from Nmelele Isiala Ngwa South.”

    The victim identified as a student at Imo State University (IMSU) was abducted at 12 noon along Emekuku Junction, on Douglas Road Owerri.

    On the suspected kidnapper found dead at a hospital, Oyebade said: “The deceased suspect identified as Charles Ndubuisi Nwaichi of Eziudo, Ezinihitte Mbaise in Imo State was, on information, traced to Abia State Teaching Hospital in Aba where he was taken to by his brother, one Obioma Monday Nwaichi for treatment. He eventually gave up the ghost on July 22. Prior to this development, one Military-type AK 47 rifle with bayonet, double magazine and 10 rounds of live ammunition were recovered on July 24, during further combing of a bush in search of wounded suspects.”

    Other suspects at the parade included burglars, cultists, motorcycle snatchers and members of various robbery gangs.

    Oyebade said, “There was a robbery incident at Akwette in which a motorcyclist was shot by one of his Fulani passengers as he resisted attempt to snatch the motorcycle from him on June 20. The next day, one of the suspects was arrested following the combined efforts of the police and vigilance group in the area and one locally-made gun recovered.

    “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime. He said the gun belonged to his cohort, one Suleiman, who had used it to shoot the victim. Following the lead from the first suspect, Adamu Abubakar, the said Suleiman Muhammed from Zamfara State was arrested on July 14 at DE-DORIS Hotel, Omuma Igurita in Rivers State by operatives attached to Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) Obehie. The suspect has also confessed to the crime and both will be arraigned in court soon.”

    It was gathered that two suspects identified as Ugochukwu Ugwumba, 22, and Goodnews Uwem, 18 were arrested after their gang allegedly snatched a N500, 000 handset, at gunpoint, from a lady who was receiving a call on the road.

    Two others named as Onyekaozuru Emenike and Chibuzo Okoroafor were identified as members of a four-man gang that used machetes and daggers to snatch cash and GSM phones from three victims.

    The police also revealed how a brave passenger had assisted them in smashing a gang of robbers when he grabbed one of them as they were escaping after raiding a commercial bus marked ETU 66 XA. The victims were said to be travelling to Arochukwu for a traditional wedding.

    The suspect, identified as Maduabuchi Ekeleme, led detectives to a hide-out at Ubakala area in Umuahia South Local Government Area where a man identified as Bright Iroakazi, and two women, Chizoba Ede and Adaugo Onuoha were arrested at a hideout in possession of substance suspected to be Cocaine.

    The police also paraded three suspected cultists accused of killing a man simply identified as Prince.

    The suspects arrested by the Divisional Crime Officer, Isuochi, were identified as Samuel Chukwuemeka, Abdulazeez Mukaila and Obisike Ekezie, all members of ‘Red Barger’ confraternity.

    Oyebade said: “The suspects have confessed to the crime; search was conducted in their houses during which the following items were recovered: three red caps, four bangles, two daggers, one Samsung TV with its remote.”

  • Honour for ex-Abia Deputy Gov.

    Honour for ex-Abia Deputy Gov.

    He may have left office but Abia State former deputy governor Chris Akomas has a warm place in some hearts. The Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), Southeast chapter, has given him the “Distinguished Manager” award.

    The award ceremony which took place in Umuahia, the state capital, attracted Emeritus Prof. Munzali Jibril, President and Chairman of Council of NIM, Prof. Ogochukwu Tabugbo, BoT member of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Sam Nkire, APC Abia Chapter chair, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa, Hon. Acho Obioma, former Abia State SSG, Ralph Egbu, Senator Chris Adighije, and former Abia Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chair, Tony Ukasoanya, among other dignitaries, including traditional rulers.

    Speaking to newsmen after receiving the award, Akomas noted that Abia has the needed human and natural resources to manage the state efficiently, adding that there is need to prioritise resources at “our disposal in order to grow the economy of the state.”

    Akomas called for an end to hate speech in the country, stressing that Nigeria can only grow in an atmosphere that is devoid of rancour and intolerance.

    He added that the APC was working to ensure that it captured power in Abia in 2019.

    He said the award is a challenge for him to do more for the institute and the society at large, stressing that it was his desire that the youths would get exposed to leadership programmes if they must do well in their areas of endeavors.

    The APC State chairman, Donatus Nwankpa described the award as one that was well deserved, stating that Akomas was a man that has distinguished himself in both public and private positions where he used such portfolios to touch lives of people around regardless of the persons’ ethnic, religious, political or social background.

    Nwankpa who stated that the APC family came to rejoice with “our own who deserved to be honoured and the honour having come from a group that do not collect bribe before bestowing any honour on individuals shows that Akomas is a man that has truly distinguished himself in places and positions that he had served before now. For me, Akomas is a leader that has the interest of the people under him at heart.”

    Prof. Munzali Jibril in his speech charged business owners in the southeast to imbibe the act of social corporate responsibility which he said was aimed at aiding an organization attain its missions and as well serve as a guide to what such company represents for its consumers.

    “This means having the best interest of the region at heart at all times by delivering only projects best suited for the people without losing sight of the impact of such efforts on the people, economy and the environment…”

    In his welcome address, Prof. Tabugbo, the Southeast zonal chairman thanked members and gussets for finding out time to come.

    Tabugbo said it was regrettable that despite the abundance natural and human resources available in the country, crimes amongst other social ills were on the increase and attributed high rate of crime in the country to unemployment.

    He said, “We are a people blessed by God with natural and human resources that are of high values. The happenings in the states of southeast are worrisome to any sound mind. The natural endowment of the states are mismanaged and many people, especially youths, are unemployed and many have resorted to kidnapping, armed robbery, prostitution etc.”

    Others honoured at the event were member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Hon. Sam Onuigbo and Navy Captain Abdulahi Aminu, Commandant Nigerian Navy Finance and Logistics College, Owerrinta.

  • Building collapse shakes Imo

    Building collapse shakes Imo

    When a two-storey building crumbled in Owerri, the Imo State capital, killing eight persons, it was not only relatives of the dead and injured that agonised; the entire state was jolted. OKODILI NDIDI reports 

    Residents of the weather-beaten two-storey building adjacent to the Owerri Area Police Command Headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, went to bed on Saturday night without any premonition of danger. They hoped to wake up to prepare for church and other social events, but that was not to be as the gigantic building caved in before dawn, trapping the entire occupants in a mass of debris and twisted metals.

    No fewer than eight persons including two babies lost their lives in the ugly incident.

    The sight and shrill cry for help coming from under the wreckage evoked emotions. Bystanders cried uncontrollably as rescue workers battled to pull out the trapped victims. Some of them were pulled out dead, while others, including two National Youth Service Corps members were exhumed from the debris unconscious.

    Officials of the Red Cross Society and the State Emergency Management Agency had a herculean task combing the dusty debris searching for occupants of the building.

    The building is the fifth to collapse in the state capital in the last one month.

    The victims were taken to hospital for treatment, while efforts were on by aid workers to rescue other trapped occupants.

    The edifice, which is owned by GOVONS Veterinary Centre, a retail outlet for animal feeds and other agricultural products, according to sources, was originally designed to be a one-storey building before the owner added an additional floor.

    The state governor, Rochas Okorocha, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Kingsley Uju, were at the scene for an assessment. The visibly agitated governor warned against the use of non-professionals and substandard materials in the construction of buildings in the state. He lamented that the non-engagement of engineers and other related professionals and the use of inferior materials remain the major causes of building collapse. The governor assured that his government would look into the cause of incessant building collapse in the state, regretting that before now a few other houses had also collapsed. He advised those who want to build to engage the services of professionals and ensure the use of quality materials, stressing, “People should stop building on dredges, gutters and even soak-aways”.

    He said, “I was shocked to hear of this building collapse around this area of the city, precisely along Stadium and Egbu Road. In this disaster, six people were rescued while four persons were confirmed dead. I learnt that Owerri Capital Development Authority has initially sealed this structure against further work but the landlord stubbornly carried on with the construction, adding an additional floor to the existing storey-building.

    “The next building which is also owned by the same landlord, suffers the same fate. So, I have ordered that the two buildings go down without delay to safeguard against further occurrence and also to serve as a deterrent to overzealous landlords and contractors who are involved in this type of mess”.

    Speaking further, he said, “The state government henceforth will set up building departments separate from OCDA for standards and regulation. Qualified engineers are henceforth to sample, test and supervise every structure and their construction in the city and suburbs. We as a government can no longer fold our hands and watch landlords and unqualified engineers waste or endanger the lives of our people. All buildings must be inspected and given certification.

    “Owerri being the fastest growing city in Nigeria is a good development but that is no reason for our people to build anyhow or anywhere for safety reasons. One of the survivors lost a child and I commend the commissioner of police and the Red Cross for their early intervention. Government will strive to see avenues to find the survivors a means of livelihood while we pray that God grants the dead victims a sweet repose”.

    A woman and her husband, who were rescued, said three of their children were trapped.

    Narrating their ordeal, the couple, who didn’t give their names, said, “We were still sleeping around 4.30 am when we were woken up by a loud sound like something was breaking and that was followed by another sound which was louder than the first one. It was then that I tried to check what was happening and before I could get to the door, the floor of our living room caved in and we fell into the other floor and the whole place was covered by dust and we could not see again.

    “It was so dark that after the building went down completely, we could not see anyone, I was trying to move to look for my children and wife before I heard her crying when I tried to move over to where her cry was coming from, I discovered I could not move. That was how I squatted there until I was rescued. At last my children were dug out, the youngest one died on the spot, while the other two were taken to the hospital”.

    Another lucky survivor, Uche Muruakor, a civil servant, said he was awake the time the building collapsed.

    He said he was supposed to catch an early morning bus to Kaduna to see his elder sister, I was not sleeping when the building collapsed, I was awake about to begin my morning devotion when I heard the big sound and the blocks started collapsing before the building finally caved in.

    “We were trapped in the debris for over five hours before the rescue workers came I was almost choking before I was pulled out. It was a horrible experience, I never knew I was coming to out alive. The luck I had was that my wife and kids travelled two days ago so were not around when the building collapsed. The only thing I lost is my property I thank God I am alive”.

    Decrying the increase in building collapse in the state, the Nigerian Society of Engineers and Nigerian Institute of Architects have urged the governor to enforce standard in the building industry.

    The professionals also called for integrity test to be conducted in all the building in the state suspected to be substandard in other to avoid future reoccurrence.

    The State Chairman of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Mr Emeka Ugoanyawu blamed the growing cases of building collapse on use of quacks.

    He also blamed state regulatory agencies and Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) for failing to supervise contractors.

    It will be recalled that a three-storey building still under construction collapsed in Obinze Owerri West LGA in July 7, while another three-storey building collapsed in Umuguma Owerri West LGA on July 8 respectively.

    Also on July 9, one-storey building collapsed in Oforola Owerri West and killing three people, while a hotel still u-der construction collapsed in Airport road Owerri North a day after that.

    But the NSE boss urged the governor to summon emergency meeting of building professionals and proposed adequate sanctions for failed contractors.

    Also speaking, State Chairman of Nigerian Institute of Architects Mrs Ndidi Okoro, said government has not lived up to its expectations by monitoring standard of building being erected in the state.

    Okoro also a Fellow of NIA said a preliminary investigation showed that the building collapsed due to substandard materials used for the building and engagement of non-professionals.

    “We have lost so many lives in less than three months because contractors have continued to compromise standard and government has failed to supervise them.

    “We will soon come out with a stand to this whole problem as a group and we hope that government will implement our recommendations,” she said.

    Secretary Nigerian Institute of Builders in Imo Mr Andy Osuagwu, blamed regulatory agencies and urged government to employ more professional builders to enable regulatory agencies perform the duty effectively.

    “OCDA does not have enough professionals, how can they do the job well. What we are suffering in the building industry today is quackery and until the problem is addressed, we will still be where we are”.

    Meanwhile, a Corps member who was among the victims rescued unconscious has finally died after a successful surgery.

    The deceased Corps member simply identified as Chinedu died in an undisclosed hospital in Owerri.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Okey Ezike, who confirmed the incident, said the corps member, died about 4am, after he had successfully undergone surgery of the spinal cord /hip injury.

    Ezike said, ‘’I can confirm that to you that he has died. He had. He had a successful surgery, but I think he died as a result of heart attack. The girl with him had fracture. They had internal bleeding.’’

  • Hope in Enyimba City

    Hope in Enyimba City

    A Federal Government’s electrification plan could put business people who generate most of Abia State’s revenue out of years of anguish, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    The Federal Government has a plan to provide 24-hour power supply for Ariaria International Market, where most of Abia State’s internal revenue is generated. The plan will clean up the market, speed up the traders’ business and generate more cash for the state.

    It will be historic if the plan works out. Aba, where the market is situated, has had its fair share of electricity agony. Power supply through the public grid is woeful. It is irregular; when it is available, it does not last, and when the bills come they are so inflated that the frustrated consumers call them crazy. This has had untold effect on the products which Ariaria traders and fabricators push out: they are overpriced because they are produced with privately generated power. Some otherwise talented workers have taken to violent crime because they were unable to cope with the power challenges. Other residents take to demonstrations. A House of Representatives member who represents Aba North and South Ossy Prestige favours dialogue rather than protests. That was why he set up a town hall meeting with the traders and others stakeholders to talk things over, suggest what to do and leave the rest to him and other others.

    “Many persons are not here today because they said this was not the initial plan,” Prestige said at the town hall. “They preferred demonstration which they believed that after it, they would be called and addressed, but I said no. If there is an opportunity for us to discuss, it is better than any demonstration. There is nothing better than dialogue in conflict resolution. All groups and representatives are free to tell these people our problems here today so that we can reach a conclusion that will be binding. If this dialogue fails, then we will do the obvious of which you know I’m ready to lead.”

    While Hon Prestige is working out things from his own perspective, the federal government has a plan of its own: to light up the nest where the golden egg is laid.

    The Managing Director Rural Electrification Agency and Special Assistance to the Office of the Vice President on Power, Mrs. Damilola Ogunbiyi in an interactive session with leaders of various unions in Ariaria International Market held at the secretariat of Aba Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), said that the power project will be executed by Total Support Energy; an Independent Power Project agency commissioned by the federal government to provide 24 hours power supply to traders of Ariaria International Market.

    Ogunbiyi described Ariaria International market traders as key to the economic growth of the country especially now that the federal government is committed to promoting the local manufacturing sector. She expressed the hope that the project, on completion, would reduce the cost of power supply to the traders.

    She said that the essence of the meeting was to interact with leaders of various market unions and to get accurate data; number of traders, shops and an estimate of power regularly consumed on a daily basis to enable them estimate what amount of power to be provided.

    Ogunbiyi said the power plant project would specifically be for Ariaria traders, artisans and fabricators, adding that Geometrics would be providing power to homes and offices in the commercial city and its environs. She also used the opportunity to urge the market leaders to sensitise their members on the need to provide accurate information to the team to avoid underestimation.

    In an interview, the Managing Director of Total Support Energy, Mr. Ubani Nkagineme stated that if his team would get the needed cooperation from the market leaders and their members, the power project would be ready for use by December.

    “If Ariaria market cooperates with us, we will use two to three weeks to gather data that we need. We will be able to advise government on how much power that is required to give steady power supply to the traders in Ariaria International Market. We can also be able to project the amount of power that they would require in years to come so that the infrastructure would be planned properly.

    “Government is not promising to solve all their problems at once, but it is good to start somewhere. The reason Ariaria was picked is because it is a key market to the economic growth of the state and the country at large. If Ariaria is working and everybody knows that Ariaria is working, it becomes easier to get others. Once we finish the study, like I said, if Ariaria market cooperates with us well, before Christmas, you will have 24 hours power supply in Ariaria.”

    Elder Emeka Igara, chairman Ariaria International Market in his speech disclosed that the market has over 200,000 shops with average of 10,000 customers patronising the market on a daily basis and expressed hope that the number would increase as soon as the project comes to fruition.

    The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Youth Empowerment, Mr. Chinenye Nwogu said the state was to ensure that the project worked, stressing that the importance of Ariaria International Market to the incumbent administration in the state cannot be overemphasised.

    Nwogu also expressed hope that the power project would boost trade and investment, create employment and job opportunities to teeming unemployed Abia youths as well as reduce crime rate in the state.

     

  • Navy assures community on security

    The new Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC) Rear Admiral Obi Ofodile has lifted the spirits of residents of an Abia State community in which the navy’s training school is located.

    Admiral Ofodile told people of Owerrinta in Isialangwa South Local Government Area of the state that apart from its regular duties, the navy will also provide security for the community and its environs. Before the training school was established in the community, criminals terrorised residents. The ordeal abated when the school took off.

    Ofodile assured navy personnel and host community within and around the Navy School of Finance and Logistics Owerrinta of the total support of the naval headquarters.

    The FOC who just took office is on tour of the facilities under his command to ascertain where they have challenges.

    Speaking while touring the Navy school Owerrinta, Admiral Ofodile told the students, officers, men and members of the host community including their traditional ruler that the navy apart from the normal duties are bound to do security duties.

    Admiral Ofodile said that naval headquarters has equipped all commands so that they could always go beyond their normal duty of policing the waterways to include security duties and urged them not to relent in ensuring security of live and property of their host community and state.

    He said, “All naval establishments across the country have always been given whatever they require to join forces with other sister security agencies in any place they find themselves to combat heinous crimes”.

    The FOC commended the school and its officers and men for the wonderful way they have been helping the state government and their host community to ensure that crime rate in the state is brought to the lowest level.

    Admiral Ofodile also commended the host community for being good host to the school and its people, saying, “I have been told of the wonderful working relationship between you people and the school and I want to urge all parties to continue in that direction”.

    He told the students that he was on a tour of facilities under his command which he said is normal for a man in a new position, “I have already read the handover note, now on tour to see things for myself after which I will compare notes with what I have read”.

    The FOC said, “I want to commend the commandant and instructors in the school as it is not easy to be a teacher at any level even as the atmosphere may not be the best, yet am happy that everyone is coping very well”.

    Admiral Ofodile urged the students to make good use of the opportunity they are being offered at the school to improve themselves as it will benefit them and the navy in general, adding that whatever they are being taught will come in handy one day.

    He thanked the commandant of the school, Navy Captain Abdulahi Aminu for the wonderful work he has been doing in the navy school which has gone a long way to improve the standard of the students posted to learn there.

    Earlier in his welcome address, the commandant of the school, Capt Aminu told his new boss that the school apart from learning and teaching, “We have been doing our best in the area of security in both Abia and Imo states”,

    Capt Aminu said that their security work in the two sister states Abia the host state and Imo their neighboring state has gone a long way in ensuring that live and property in the two states are secured as well as reduce heinous crimes.

    He said that the school is operating national diploma in various financial and accounting disciplines, adding that they have been partnering with professional bodies like ICAN and others to improve the standard of the students.

    The commandant who briefed the FOC on the achievements of the college said that facilities have been improved upon with the aim of bringing them up to the standard of such world known colleges and also to the taste of the naval authorities.

    He said, “Some of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) projects which have been abandoned in the school for up to five years have been revived as the contractors are now back to site as some of them have been completed and will be inaugurated soon”.

    Capt Aminu said that they have been having a cordial relationship with their host community as they have always extended free medical care to them and those communities in Imo state which are close by.

    He said, “The school has extended potable water across the road for the members of the immediate host community to enable them have water as well as help in reducing water-borne diseases from getting to the people. “

    The commandant said that their challenges include lack of adequate accommodation for their staff, shortage of vehicles, construction of ring road within the school, erratic power supply among many others and called on the naval headquarters to come to their aide.

  • Ikpeazu’s wife challenges women on home-building

    Ikpeazu’s wife challenges women on home-building

    Abia State Governor’s wife Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has urged women to see their place in the home and the society as a divine call leading to a better home and a better society.

    She challenged them to build their homes as well as the church by complementing their husbands, adding that the only way they may succeed in executing this responsibility is seeing it as a divine call.

    Mrs Ikpeazu told The Nation in Umuahia, the state capital, that she gave the charge at Babcock University, Ilesan-Remo, Ogun State during the Seventh Day Adventist Church Women’s Ministries National Convention 2017.

    The Abia governor’s wife who spoke with The Nation on her return from the Seventh Day Adventist women conference said that women must always complement their husbands for them to have a solid home that would produce quality and well-trained children.

    She said that the theme of the convention for this year was ‘Revived for Service’, which she described as apt as well as an avenue for women to renew their strength and services in the vineyard of God.

    The governor’s wife said that she told the participants at the convention that they need to learn skills in addition to whatever professional career they have chosen in order for them to be economically empowered.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said, “I told them that when they are economically empowered that they could contribute in the growth and provision of employment opportunities in the society as well as help in increasing revenue base of the homes”.

    She said that a society where women are economically empowered is always in an advantage as they are not only good managers but also good employers of labour and urged women to always partner their husbands in whatever they are doing.

    In his sermon the Western Nigeria Union conference president, Pastor Oyeleke Alabi Owolabi said that God always gives His people testimonies whenever they gather to seek his face, stressing that nothing is impossible with God.

    Pastor Owolabi charged the women at the convention to always seek the face of God in whatever they are doing as doing such will always give them the courage to overcome any challenge that may come their way.

    Welcoming the participants, the director of women ministries, western Nigeria Union conference, Mrs Heather-Dawn Small, thanked them for assembling at the convention which she said had about 5000 women from across the country.

    Mrs Small said that God is aware of their presence at the convention, “As we spend time with each other let us also spend time praying for each other, since we face many challenges and storms in our lives, as God will always be with us”.

    In his address at the convention the Vice Chancellor of Babcock University Prof Ademola Tayo said that the convention will provide them a platform for spiritual and social networking for the work in God’s vineyard.

    Prof Tayo said, “I encourage you as women of faith and value to remain steadfast in your unique roles as mothers, faith builders, meaning maker and co-laborers in the Lord’s vineyard”.

  • Firm donates six vans to Anambra police, FRSC

    Firm donates six vans to Anambra police, FRSC

    The Anambra State police command and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in the state have taken delivery of six patrol vans donated to them by Anheuser-Bush InBev (AB-INBEV).

    The keys to the L-200 Mitsubishi vehicles were handed over to the state police commissioner, Mr. Garba Baba Umar and the state sector commander of the FRSC, Mr. Sunday Ajayi by the group’s managing director in Nigeria and Ghana, Mr. Andries du Plessis.

    The pick-up patrol vehicles, according to AB-InBev, are powered by Mitsubishi’s 4N15 turbocharged and intercooled diesel engines. Also, The Nation gathered that the vehicles detect moisture on the windscreen and activate the wipers automatically.

    Plessis noted that the donation of vehicles was in keeping with AB InBev’s commitment to creating a better world.

    The Legal and Corporate Affairs Director for AB InBev, Nigeria and Ghana, Otunba Michael Daramola said that a responsible organisation will always strive to create a better world in line with its corporate belief.

    He said that their better world policy was hinged on a growing, cleaner and healthier world.

    He said, “This principle has guided us as a company in deciding how to be an active participant in our immediate community, as this policy has seen us meaningfully engage the young people so they would grow and stay out of crime, while growing the economy.”

    Speaking with The Nation, the FRSC sector commander, Mr. Sunday Ajayi, said the donation would help his command in carrying out their duties such as preventing and minimising accidents on the highways.

    Umar, while receiving the vehicles, commended AB InBev for its kind gesture, recognising that the policing community is important and needs help. He said that the command would maintain its collaborative efforts with corporate bodies, government, and citizens just like the company had displayed, as he put it.

    Umar further said that the vehicles would go a long way in ensuring that the communities were safe, especially as Anambra governorship election approaches.

    He lamented that funding had always been a major setback to the police, while enjoining the private sector to always partner with the government so as to have a safe community.

  • 500 Abia PDP women defect to APGA

    Women numbering over 500 in Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Abia State have defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The PDP women under the aegis of Amalgamated Abia Women led by their leader Madam Peace Uwalaka said they decided to dump the ruling party in the state because of what she described as the inability of the incumbent administration in the state to fulfil its promises to the people of the state.

    Uwalaka who recalled how past elected representatives of Aba North and South federal constituency had failed the electorate, hailed House of Representatives lawmaker, Hon. Ossy Prestige for quality representation in less than three years of being in the House.

    The group members who vowed to assist and support the lawmaker in any way that they can to improve the lives of the constituents, urged the lawmaker to continue in his good works.

    In his response, Prestige thanked the women for identifying with his service to the people and promised not to rest on his oars until Aba is fixed.

    He also told the women that their solidarity would encourage him to do more.

  • Whistleblowing takes off in Abia

    Whistleblowing takes off in Abia

    A handsome reward awaits you if your whistleblowing leads to the apprehension of a violent criminal in Abia State, SUNNY NWANKWO reports 

    Elsewhere in the country, whistleblowing is a growing industry. It has produced instant millionaires while exposing piles of potentially ill-gotten cash. In Abia State it is also taking root, but the target is different. Rather than squeal on people who hide stolen money at home, bury it at the cemetery or in the farms or stow it away in overhead water reservoirs, Abia whistleblowers will be exposing violent criminals such as kidnappers and armed robbers. And for their efforts, they get a tidy sum. Not a bad deal, provided their effort leads to the apprehension of outlaws in the state. The state governor Okezie Ikpeazu promised them that much.

    Whistleblowing has taken a life of its own since President Muhammadu Buhari took office. This followed the discovery that corrupt individuals who were being busted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had devised another strategy to hide their stolen cash. Huge sums were quickly withdrawn from banks and kept anywhere they deemed fit: wardrobes, septic tanks, cemeteries and farm pits, among other locations.

    In order to beat the plans of these corrupt leaders, the federal government introduced the whistleblowing policy where the persons who give tips that lead to the arrest of corrupt leaders will get a certain percent of the monies recovered.

    The whistleblowing policy of the federal government has yielded fruit since it was introduced. One state which recently took a cue from the federal government is Abia where whistleblowers have joined in fighting insecurity as the state government promised about N1m for anyone who exposes criminals in their community. Any policeman who kills a kidnapper also gets N1m.

    Ikpeazu, who was a guest of an Aba-based radio programme, said his government would start demolishing kidnappers’ dens identified by whistleblowers. Ikpeazu stated that the demolition would begin soon geared towards discouraging people from using their facilities for keeping kidnap victims.

    The governor who commended Abia State Command of Nigeria Police Force, whose men at Omoba in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government of the state recently busted a kidnapping gang and rescued a victim they held in captivity, also disclosed that he would be visiting a police officer who sustained bullet wounds during a shootout with the kidnappers.

    He also disclosed that the state government would be rewarding whistleblowers in the state that assisted the police and other security agencies to expose the whereabouts and activities of kidnappers and hoodlums in their neighbourhood.

    The governor further stated that his administration would continue to support the police and other security agencies in fighting crime in Aba and other parts of the state to promote business activities and to ensure that the resident sleep with their eyes closed.