The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Industrialists accuse Customs of underhand activities

    Industrialists in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, under the aegis of Aba Industrialists Association (AIA), have appealed to the Comptroller General (CG) of the Nigeria Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd), urging him to call the agency’s officials in the Southeast to order.

    The industrialists accused Customs in the Southeast of extracting double duty charges from importers at the ports in Onne and Port Harcourt. The industrialists also said that after importers have cleared their goods, they are stopped on the way by Customs personnel who say whatever they paid at the ports are insufficient and should be made up there.

    Chairman of AIA, Chief Emma Obi told newsmen in Aba:

    “If one goes to these ports to clear goods, the Customs issues the person a document called PAAR which stipulates the duty payable on the goods. After paying the duty, the officers that would release the goods will now tell the person that the duty you paid, which you have the certificate, will be rejected and raises an additional huge sum of money to your normal duty, claiming that the PAAR raised by the office was insufficient. When the goods eventually leave the port, you must pass Customs checkpoints at Iriebe, Akpojo and Isiokpo, these three places are another war zones for importers of goods in the East. At these places, Customs men who operate under the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) will demand for clearance papers and release notes from the wharf. After receiving all these things, they will now tell you that you underpaid again despite the fact you paid import duty twice at the port.

    “You will think they are joking, the next thing they will do is to push down the driver from the truck and employ a driver…to take it to their headquarters in Owerri, Imo State where they will begin to raise another import duty for the same goods cleared at the port.”

    The spokesperson of the FOU zone C, Owerri, Chioma Onuoha debunked the allegations, saying her office, which is independent of states and ports commands, only seizes goods whose importers underpaid duty. She said that such underpayment arises mostly when the importer under-declares the cost and or quantity of goods imported and when such anomalies are discovered the importer would be made to pay the correct duty.

  • Enugu council, firm equip youths for business

    The Enugu State Youth Council (ESYC) and a firm Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Ltd have provided 20 youths in the state with grants and soft loans so they can start off their businesses.

    The gesture was an aftermath of the promise made by the CEO of Softran Systems Enterprise Nig. Limited, Chief Chris Onyekachi, at a youth empowerment summit organised by the Enugu State Youth Council in February. Onyekachi at the summit asked the youths to submit any business proposal of their choice, from which the best 20 proposals would be given a start-up capital.

    After screening the entries, 20 proposals were approved. Five of them were given grants of N200,000 each, while the other 15 youths received cheques for interest-free loans of N500,000 to start up or expand their businesses.

    Onyekachi admonished the beneficiaries to stick to their business proposals. He pledged his continued support to the development of youths and admonished those who could not benefit from the grants to be hopeful.

    He said, “I will continue giving my support for the youths, to make them better persons and Enugu a better state. And if you do not get anything today, have it in mind that something big is coming your way. I still have a plan underway with the Special Adviser to the state government on youth matters.”

    He said that the soft loan when repaid will be kept in the purse of the Enugu State Youth Council and used to empower other youths.

    He added, “I advise the recipient is to be serious, focused and determined and above all pray to Almighty God, who blesses every human being.” He encouraged the youths to be inspired by great achievers and to work hard toward achieving their own greatness.

    In his welcome address, the Vice President of the Enugu State Youth Council, Barr. Samuel Udenta, on behalf of the President of the council, Comrade Nnaemeka Agada, said that one of the key objectives of the group is initiating youth development projects and activities with the aim of encouraging the active participation of the youth in the processes of their own empowerment. He thanked the state governor for his efforts toward empowering the youths of the state. He then applauded Chief Chris Onyekachi for his giant strides towards empowering the youths of Enugu and described him as “One of the strong sponsors and supporters of this association.” He however called for more supports, “we appeal on the governor, other stakeholders, private individuals and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with ESYC towards the empowerment of Enugu youths.”

    One of the N200,000 grant beneficiaries, Chika Nwamu, a 200L Geography student of University of Nigeria, Nsukka, thanked the philanthropist as she expressed her joy. She looks forward to becoming the best fresh fruit juice producer in Enugu. She said, “I really appreciate Chief Chris for this grant, I am surprised and overwhelmed. What I have in mind is to be the best fresh juice producer in Enugu state and to employ other youths.” She has been in the business on a smaller scale and will expand it with this grant.

    Another grant beneficiary, who proposed a phone accessories marketing business, thanked the benefactor for the wonderful gesture. “I wish to thank the benefactor for putting smiles on our faces and making our lives colorful. With this kind of gestures, the youth will no longer be wasting away.  With this grant, I will start up my phone accessories business. And I wish to make it to make it different from what other people do.”

    Tony Eneje, one of the beneficiaries of the five hundred thousand naira worth of soft loans, also expressed his gratitude. His proposal is on expanding his fish processing business. He said, “Honestly it’s so amazing. We are so happy. And I commend the benefactor. I am into fish processing business. My expectation with this grant is a boom in the business, more production. It will enable us process more fishes to satisfy the demands of our customers and of course more profits.”

    Another high point of the event was when the philanthropist also awarded an additional Two hundred thousand naira grant to a visually impaired man who attended the event with his products. The grant was to help him expand his laundry soap production business.

    Chief Chris Onyekachi was later presented with the Philanthropist of the Year award by the Enugu state youth council. The programme was attended by dignitaries, including the Special Adviser to the Governor on youth affairs and some other state government officials.

  • In Abia, crackdown on criminals continues

    Criminals have continued to keep the security community in Abia State busy, but the outlaws, themselves, have not quite been having fun either. Kidnappers, armed robbers and human traffickers, among other hoodlums, have not given up their thirst for criminality. A  lawmaker even called for a state of emergency on violent crimes in the state. But the police, sometimes working in concert with the military and other security agencies, have been battling them, busting their gangs, destroying their camps and tools, and arresting a number of them.

    As the onslaught continues, the state police command under the leadership of Mr Adeleye Oyebade has reiterated its commitment to making the state safe for business and economic activities. Oyebade, during a visit to some of the police divisions under his command, promised that his command would tackle kidnapping, armed robbery, child theft, human trafficking and other criminal activities in the state.

    The command’s spokesman, Geoffrey Ogbonna said the command has made some arrests and have recovered some stolen items.

    He reeled out the police efforts and results: “On 06/06/2017 at about 2100hrs, operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad attached to Area Command Umuahia on a tip-off, raided the houses of Ugochukwu Okereke ‘m’ of Umeremeze Village Nkwoegwu and Obilor Icha of Umueze Road Umuahia, where they recovered one locally made pistol and a pump action rifle buried in the ground.

    “On 08/06/2017 at about 1300hrs, patrol team attached to Central Police Station Aba while on patrol along Aba Main Park, accosted the duo of Chibuike Nwoke 20yrs ‘m’ of Umuduruji Obohia Ahiazu Mbaise Imo State and Chukwuebuka Okafor 29yrs ‘m’ of Umuezechi Bende L.G.A Abia State, with a big Sumec Generating Set, which account they were not able to give. On interrogation, the suspects confessed to have burgled the house of one Emeka Ikeafuama (alias Tuma Wowowo) ‘m’ of Ahiazu Mbaise based in USA and have brought the generator to Aba for sale.

    “On 09/06/2017 at about 0215hrs, men of Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) on patrol responding to a radio message from the control room, recovered one Toyota Lexus Jeep with reg. no. FST 202 ER, black in Colour which occupants abandoned during a hot chase by the CTU patrol team and ran into the bush at Agalaba Road in Osisioma. Effort is intensified toward the arrest of the fleeing hoodlums.

    “On 09/06/2017 at about 1220hrs, one Nissan Pathfinder Jeep with reg. no. ABM 297 FK, Navy Blue in colour, snatched from Pastor Chinonso James ‘m’ of Omoba by four armed men within the early hours of date was recovered by a patrol team attached to Omoba Division along with one Toyota Highlander Jeep with reg. no. WWR 275 SV suspected to be the operational vehicle of the hoodlums.

    “On 10/06/2017 at about 0530hrs, operatives attached to Ndiegoro Division arrested one Chidera Nwachukwu ‘m’ for stealing a Laptop belonging to one Jolly Ledesi of the Nigerian Army whose Military uniform, the suspect had sometime stolen and used in robbery incidents. It is apposite to state that the suspect had earlier escaped in a reported case of armed robbery, murder and personating sometime in March, 2017.

    “On 10/06/2017 at about 0900hrs, following a report at Area Command Aba, that from 2300hrs of 09/06/2017 to 0300hrs of 10/06/2017, cultists numbering up to 14 besieged a compound in Egbelu Street Aba with arms and axe. Consequent upon the report, operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Section attached to Area Command, Aba swung into action and arrested five (5) boys and two (2) girls, two locally made pistols and weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered in the process. Suspects will be arraigned in Court as soon as investigation is concluded.

    “On 12/06/2017, one Stephen ’m’ reported that he was robbed of his Gionee M2 phone valued N28,000, along Uzuakoli Road, Umuahia on 11/06/2017 by three men and a lady, one of whom was dressed in military uniform. Based on the report, one Nwadi Paul was arrested by combined efforts of patrol teams of 28PMF and Central Police Station Umuahia. Subsequently, on 13/06/2017, the fake soldier identified as Okezie Chukwuebuka was arrested with one Gift Johnson, a female member of the gang and the following items were recovered from them: Two pairs of Army camouflage uniform, Two Itel phones, Cash sum of N23,000.00, UBA cheque leaves belonging to Uwajumogu Ikechukwu, Fidelity Bank and Skye Bank cheque leaves belonging to Eni Virginia Enyinnaya, One Peace Corps ID card for Nwadi Paul, One UBA ATM card belonging to John Oluchi, One Diamond Bank ATM card belonging to Paul Nwadi, Two wraps of weed suspected to be Indian hemp, Four passport photographs of Paul Nwadi, One voter’s card of Paul Nwadi. The suspects confessed being members of a gang terrorizing Umuahia residents and dispossessing them of their valuables. Suspects will soon be arraigned in court.

    “On 13/06/2017 at about 1540hrs, Operatives attached to Ugwunagbo Division recovered one white Toyota Hilux van with reg. no. FKJ 853 BH in a bush at Umugwu Umuodo village, Ugwunagbo. Documents found inside the vehicle indicated that the Hilux van belong to one Colonel Orire Nikiro (rtd) and his phone number was also seen on the documents. The Officer was contacted through the phone number and he disclosed that the vehicle was removed from where it was parked on Sunday, 11th June, 2017 in Elimbi Rivers State. Investigation conducted so far has confirmed that the incident took place in Rivers State Command.

    There were several other inroads the police made in keeping criminals at bay in the state, according to the police spokesman, but enjoined members of the public to provide information about the activities of suspected hoodlums within their neighbourhoods.

    With more work from the police and cooperation from the public, crime would be unattractive in the state.

     

  • Ugwuanyi’s wife lifts Enugu rural folks

    Ugwuanyi’s wife lifts Enugu rural folks

    A major criticism of non-governmental organis-ations is the fact their operations are mostly sited in urban areas, and less so in rural areas where the critical intervention they offer is more expedient. But there is also another compelling reason why NGOs ought to train their attention on rural areas – a large majority of the country’s population resides there.

    A sense of just how severe the development deficit could be for rural dwellers emerged in the last few weeks as the Enugu State first lady, Mrs. Monica Ugwuanyi, crisscrossed the state’s 17 local government areas to bring the social welfare programmes offered by the Ugo Touch of Life Foundation (U-TOLF) to residents of various rural communities.

    At each stop, an overwhelming number of locals thronged venues of the humanitarian outreach to access items donated by the foundation and services that often comprise screenings and treatment for medical ailments, entrepreneurship training with the accompanying seed capital, scholarship awards to indigent students and several other vital socio-economic undertakings. From the outset, the goal of the foundation established by Mrs Ugwuanyi was unmistaken. “It is our commitment to touch the lives of the vulnerable in 17 local government areas of the state. This pursuit is a care-giving job designed to touch the lives of the downtrodden,” she explained during her visit to Ohodo, a community in Igbo-Etiti council area.

    The convictions that underline her humanitarian endeavour is a fairly straightforward philosophy. “Learn to be compassionate to one another to attract the blessings of the Lord. The time is never ever insufficient for us to touch somebody’s life. Touch people’s lives to enable them to always remember you, love one another, don’t hate your fellow human being and endeavour to assist the vulnerable,” said the governor’s wife.

    And it’s just as well that such altruistic outlook syncs perfectly with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s move to often reach out to disadvantaged groups, the least developed zones and the vision to create more urban centres via extensive infrastructure upgrade in rural communities. It was this commitment that inspired the administration’s “every community, one project” initiative and simultaneous flag-off of 35 major projects across all the local government areas, late last year.

    Like her self-effacing husband, she is demure and unassuming, traits that are at odds with life in the spotlight. But she has nonetheless been inexorably thrust into public glare by fate. And how well she has acquitted herself, earning wide acclaim through her infectious grace, simplicity, generosity and remarkable work ethic! She has so far traversed numerous communities in councils such as Igbo-Etiti, Nkanu West, Isi-Uzo, Udenu as well as Oji River, and despite the physical strain that such busy schedule exerts, remains unrelenting in her resolve.

    For instance, just a few months after her visit to Nkanu West for a mass deworming of pupils, she was back last week at the council. This time she implemented projects which somewhat eclipsed the equally spectacular deeds undertaken at her last visit. This includes the award of scholarship to six pupils of Community Central School, Obe, where she cut the ribbons to inaugurate lavatories and blocks of classroom built and renovated by her foundation and also distributed uniforms to the pupils, gestures which the member representing Nkanu West at the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board, Mrs. Nkiru Ogbodo, described as the “first of its kind in the state”.

    A common refrain during such visits is how complementary her welfare-themed interventions has proved in relation to the government’s own programmes, and how supportive she has been of the governor’s objectives. The paramount ruler of Ngwo, Igwe Innocent Ayalogu, alluded to these in exultant terms when the first lady visited Udi Local Government Area in continuation of her socio-economic outreach. “The monumental development in Enugu State piloted by our dynamic and amiable governor leaves no one in doubt. We believe in the axiom that behind every successful man is the wife, the people’s governor is a grassroots,” he said at the medical outreach that featured screenings to detect medical ailments like eye defects, diabetes, cervical and breast cancer.

    Mrs. Nwanneka Agbo, wife of the Igbo-Etiti council chairman paid the governor’s wife a similar compliment during her visit. “This is an era where over 30 states of the federation are struggling to pay or simply cannot pay salaries. Enugu State is gradually but steadily reclaiming its past glory as a pacesetter in development, in peace, and in security. You deserve as much encomiums having proved beyond any shade of doubt to be a pillar of strength,” she noted, commending the first lady for her medical outreach which she said has helped in alleviating several health challenges that residents in their communities typically experience.

    But beyond the resounding applause the Enugu State first lady is earning for her selfless efforts to bridge social gaps, there is a gradual imbibing of the virtues she has tirelessly espoused among the populace. Wife of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area chairman, Mrs. Roseline Edeoga, hinted at this during the graduation ceremony of Sure Hope Empowerment Scheme, a foundation she fashioned after Mrs. Ugwuanyi’s U-TOLF.

     

    • Ani, a former editor of ThisDay, The Saturday Newspaper, and Saturday Telegraph, is a senior research and communications aide to the governor of Enugu State

     

  • ‘Quit order good for Biafra, bad for business’

    A Kano-based Igbo businessman who asked to be simply identified as Maduagwu has said while the quit notice to Ndigbo in the North may help Biafra agitators’ cause, it hurts business investments in the North.

    In a chat with our reporter, the businessman said that the relocation order could fast-track the agitation for the state of Biafra, but a setback for Igbo businessmen who have investments across the northern states.

    The businessman, who recalled events that led to the brutal civil war in 1967, said that the quit order by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) would further promote acrimony among the Igbos and their Northern brothers.

    He said, “I have lived in the North for over 30 years where I have invested all my fortunes and have equally trained my children who rarely speak even their dialect except Hausa language. I have landed properties and other investments in the North too, even when I had the choice of establishing such in the East, all in the spirit of one Nigeria.

    “Just recently, such unscrupulous individuals, who never moulded a block in their father’s compound and apparently would not point to any investment in any part of the country including their state of origin, emerge from the blue to tell [the Igbo] to leave the North simply because some people are agitating for a sovereign state of Biafra.

    “If I may ask, what is wrong for people to agitate for self-determination? Does it mean that because our brothers are agitating for a country of their own that every other person leaving in the North should go back to their states? Does it equally mean that when a state is created that people leaving in the old state should pack back to their new state? Are they equally saying that if a state of Biafra is created that no Igbo man should come to the North and invest? Remember that Czechoslovakia and the current Czech Republic and Slovakia were once together. Now that they are separate, does it mean that all Czech citizens in Slovakia left their old residences? The North should count themselves lucky to have already had on ground huge investments by Igbos scattered across the North by Igbos that will make them grow economically not to drive people away.

    “For me as a businessman residing in the North, I hope that this threat and other issues will be addressed urgently by stakeholders. We will keep our ears to the ground to monitor events, but when the situation becomes unbearable, I will have no other option but to relocate to the East with my family members alive than dying helplessly in a strange land.”

  • Orji donates to motherless kids

    Orji donates to motherless kids

    The immediate past governor of Abia State, who now represents Abia Central at the Senate, Theodore Orji has celebrated his two years as a lawmaker by donating food and other items to various motherless baby’s homes.

    Speaking at his campaign office in Umuahia, Orji who was represented by his state capital liaison officer, Ifeanyi Umere said that he decided to celebrate with the less privileged in the society instead of drinking wine and eating with his friends to enable them have a sense of belonging.

    Orji who gave out empowerment items to some people in his senatorial district said that he intends to ensure that people who are within his reach have something to enable them feed their families.

    He said that one of the beneficiaries, Evans Ihesiaba a blind man wrote to him to help him get back on his feet instead of begging and was given a grinding machine urging him to make proper use of the machine to enable him take care of his family.

    The senator also gave out six grinding machines to the six women leaders of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the six local government areas that make up his senatorial district.

    Orji said that the visit to all the motherless baby’s homes in all the six local government areas that make up the senatorial district will be visited and gift items extended to them to ensure that the children are well taken care of.

    The other recipient of the senator’s gesture was James Idika whose house was gutted by fire and who thanked Orji for coming to his aid and prayed God to always protect him and members of his family.

    Responding after receiving the grinding machine, Ihesiaba said that words are not enough for him to thank the senator, stressing that he had earlier written to him asking a for assistance, “His response was alarming”.

    Ihesiaba said that he had been blind for the past two years as a result of glaucoma which affected his sight, adding that he would like to personally visit the senator at his campaign office to thank him for making him a man again.

    At the Agape Charity Home at Ubakala in Umuahia South, Orji gave them food items such as noodles, salt,a pack of toilet rolls, a bag of cloths, grinding machine and a sewing machine.

    Orji said that they should use the food items to feed the children, while the grinding machine should be used to grind their food items instead of doing so outside their home, while the sewing machine should be used to mend their torn cloths.

    Receiving the items the proprietor of the home, Roselyn Okonkwo-Oyibo thanked the senator for the gifts, adding that he has never neglected them, “This is not the first time he is sending gifts to us, he has always done that in many occasions”.

    Okonkwo-Oyibo said that members of the senator’s family have been doing same at different occasions, stressing that his wife and only daughter have been coming on their own to give them gift items and prayed God to replenish their pockets.

    She said, “Despite the economic recession this wonderful family of Senator Orji still remembers us and one of the materials we are receiving which is the grinding machine is one of the items we desire so much to own, is like they read our minds”.

    The same items were also given to the Daughters of Mary motherless baby’s home at Ahiaeke which were received by Rev mother Angeline Umezurike who noted that the senator has always supported them in all ways.

    Rev mother Umezurike said, “I thank Orji for always remembering us, my wish is to see him personally, please tell him that the babies and all of us here wish to see him in person, he should make out time to come and see us so that we will see him as well”.

     

  • VON chief hails Emir of Katsina as APC praises Northern governors

    Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) Osita Okechukwu has commended the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir for his uncommon patriotism in the face of unfortunate crisis being simulated by fringe groups and politicians whose objective is personal and imimical to our collective existence.

    The Emir, had, while addressing leaders of the Igbo community and other Nigerians residing in Katsina said, “Nigeria will continue to remain one and that am ready to sacrifice my last drop of blood to ensure peace and protection of all Nigerians residing in the state. I am ready to protect Igbos with my last blood.”

    Okechukwu said: “I salute the Emir of Katsina and all those patriots in both south and north, who preach peace and recognise the truism that the hardship and misery in the land today is temporary and cannot truncate our corporate existence. For history tells us that many decades after the American civil war frictions between north and south more serious than as we currently have dominated discussions. America is strong and united today, ours cannot be different.”

    “We cannot fall victim to minority and fringe groups in the south east who call for secession and their ilk in the north who gave the quit notice. Civil war is not a panacea to the misery and hardship in the land, which is temporary and transient, given the infrastructural renewal going on in our dear country.” Okechukwu quipped.

    On the rumour that some unscrupulous politicians are fanning the embers of Igbos Must Return, and indeed raising money for that, Okechukwu in a rage said, “I don’t respond to rumour, but if there is any truth in that, it becomes the business of the security agency to track them down.”

    Similarly, South- East chapter of the All progressive Congress (APC), has condemned in its entirety, the recent three months quit notice given to Igbos residing in parts of Northern Nigeria by the Coalition of Arewa Youths.

    It described it as “a joke taken too far”, just as it applauded governors of the Northern region for condemning the statement.

    A press statement by the zonal chairman of the party, Chief Emma Enukwu, said: “The attention of the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) in South East has been drawn to recent outbursts by some youths in Northern Nigeria under the name “Coalition of Arewa Youths” urging the Igbos to vacate their habitats in the North on, or before 1st October 2017.

    “In our opinion, this call is a joke taken too far, it is an ill wind that blows no good to anyone. And we hereby, call on all well-meaning Nigerians to rise and condemn this and other outbursts by some people from other sections of this great country, Nigeria.”ý

    The statement which was released by the Zonal publicity secretary, Hon. Hycienth Ngwu stressed said:  “It is high time we all stood in one accord to put a stop to the growing hate speeches and bickering going on now in our dear country from all quarters.

    The party said, “Let us love all and hate none, as love is the panacea to peaceful co-existence, economic and social growth. We have faith in the ability of the APC led Federal Government to safeguard lives and property of all Nigerians living within Nigeria.

    “Consequently, we urge all Igbos living in any part of Nigeria to go about their normal businesses without fear, but in loving disposition toward their neighbor and environment.

    “We hereby thank the Governors of the Northern States of Nigeria for their quick condemnation of this act by the Coalition of Arewa Youths. We particularly, thank the Governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal for his love to the Igbos in this trying period.”

  • ICT varsity campus set to take off in Enugu

    ICT varsity campus set to take off in Enugu

    Ahead of the take-off of the Federal Government’s proposed University of Information and Communication Technology, members of its implementation committee have visited the Digital Bridge Institute Enugu designated as one of the campuses of the university.

    The proposed ICT University will be a multi-campus institution of the present Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) located in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Asaba and Yola.

    The President Muhammadu Buhari administration had mandated the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu to set up a university of ICT in recognition of the rapid pace of Information Communications Technology (ICT) and the huge impact on the economy which country that harvests the technical talents and specialists it can engender,

    In fulfillment of Mr. President’s objective to set up University of ICT, so as to enhance learning environment and create millions of jobs through skilled ICT workforce, the Ministry of Communications set up an implementation committee, chaired by erudite Professor Julius Okojie, former Secretary of National University Commission (NUC) and Dr Amina Sambo Magaji as Secretary.

    Some members of the Implementation Committee for the Proposed ICT University conducted a physical assessment of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in Enugu, one of the six ICT learning centers built by NCC in the country.

    Members of the Committee in the assessment team were Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Matthew A. Olaniyan and Mr Osita Okechuwu, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON).

    Speaking with journalists at the site, Okechukwu said the committee is expected to make a physical assessment of the facilities on site, including buildings, road infrastructure, and equipment.

    According to the VON DG, the committee will also determine the additional requirements for the University to meet with international best practices.

    The university is expected to take off from the next academic year.

  • Quit notice: Okorocha, Uwazurike cool tensions

    Quit notice: Okorocha, Uwazurike cool tensions

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and pro-Biafra leader Ralph Uwazurike have been trying to douse tensions since some Arewa youths ordered that the Igbo vacate the North. OKODILI NDIDI reports

    There has been a good measure of apprehension in the Southeast since June 6 when a coalition of Arewa youths gave the Igbo in the North until October 1 to leave or be forced out. There is a feeling of being threatened. There is also anger, and that eerie feeling that another civil war just might be in the offing. Will the Igbo lose their property should the Arewa youths make good their threat?

    While the Federal Government, security agencies and Igbo elders, as well as Southeast state governors are trying frantically to reassure the Igbo, pro-Biafra groups including the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are urging the Igbo to quickly return home before the expiration of the order. According to the pro-Biafra groups, the planned ejection of the Igbo from the North is a confirmation of the fact that they are no longer wanted in Nigeria and should therefore return to ‘Biafra’, where they belong.

    A small number of Igbo traders in the North have already started returning to the East.

    The leadership of the foremost Igbo group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, was quoted to have directed the Igbo living in the North to rise up and defend themselves and their property against any attack from the Arewa group or any other group in any part of the country.

    Factional leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, in a recent interview with The Nation, warned Igbo traders in the North to take the threat by Arewa youths seriously and vacate the region before the expiration of the quit notice in their best interest.

    He alleged that the Arewa youths have concluded plans to unleash mayhem against the Igbo in the North, stressing that if they may avoid the impending ‘pogrom’, “they should pack and return home”.

    Madu said, “MASSOB will not defend the lives and property of Ndigbo living in the North if they ignore the quit notice. They should take the recent quit notice by Arewa youths seriously by vacating the North.

    ”MASSOB is hereby advising the people of Biafra mostly the Igbo living in Northern Nigeria (Arewa land) to take this quit notice serious as the plan to violently kill their children, wives and demolish their investments are already perfected.“

    “MASSOB urges our people to start returning home now. Don’t wait till the 3 months of quit notice to expire. MASSOB is begging our people to bring their investments back to Biafra land”.

    Such rhetoric grates as far as another MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazuruike is concerned. Uwazurike led a delegation to Kaduna to sue for peace. He said  said his group had pursued its cause without violence in the last 18 years.

    He said, “MASSOB had existed for 18 years without violence. In 2009, I went to London and opened the Radio Biafra and handed it over to Nnamdi Kanu as Director. Soon afterwards politicians hijacked him and he started working for them.

    “The Radio which was meant to educate our people was turned into the source of hate messages, blackmail, intimidation and others. The result is that the Northern youths came up to challenge us to say that they were not happy with the insults they are receiving from the radio”.

    He added further that, “I am here to assure the Northerners that those living in the Southeast are safe and nobody will harass them”.

    Former Chief Security to late Head of State, Sani Abacha and convener of the meeting, Hamza Al Mustapha, assured of the safety of the lives of the property of the Igbo living in the North, irrespective of the quit order.

    He said, “Youths must wear their thinking caps, use their brains and refuse to be used to foment crisis in the country”.

    In a similar vein, Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha cautioned Arewa youths and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for spreading hate and inciting speeches that is capable of causing disaffection among the various ethnic groups in the country.

    The Imo State governor also warned those hoping to benefit from the current agitations by the different separatist groups across the country to jettison such ambitions and work for the unity of the country instead, adding that the secessionist calls “is an ill wind that will blow no one any good”.

    Governor Okorocha also observed that the “so-called sit-at-home order by IPOB, which may have triggered the controversial quit notice, was not observed by the Igbo as generally believed”.

    He said, “We never supported the sit-at-home as believed. What happened was that the sit-at-home order came a day after the May 29 public holiday and knowing our people who also love to extend their holiday over any slightest opportunity decided to stay at home for one extra day. Then most of the traders closed their shops for fear of hoodlums who may want to take advantage of the situation to loot their goods”.

    He continued, saying, “These secessionist agitations are sponsored for personal aggrandisement. At a point, it was believed that the Yoruba got the presidency because of the agitations of the Oduduwa youths, while it was also believed that former President Goodluck Jonathan became President as a result of the agitations of the Niger Delta militants. So, people think that the Igbo presidency can be achieved through IPOB and MASSOB agitations.

    “These agitations are nonsensical and I condemn it in its entirety. We should not be talking about another state within a sovereign state, all we need to do instead of talking about Biafra and MASSOB is to push for the economic emancipation of the Southeast. I know what they will expect me to do as a Governor, is to encourage the Biafra agitation and ask our people to prepare for war. But I will never do such thing. I will never support any call to divide Nigeria.

    “What we should not forget is that the Igbo paid the greatest sacrifice for the unity of this country. The Igbo has the highest investments across the country. The Igbo developed Lagos and other parts of the country and that makes them the highest investors in the Nigeria project”.

    The visibly agitated governor blamed Nigerian leaders for the growing spread of hatred among youths across the country, “we have failed as leaders to instil love in our children. It is about time we took responsibility as leaders to end this threat to our unity. We should not transfer this hatred to the next generation”.

    He also appealed to Ndigbo to have a rethink about the agitation to secede.

    However, another Igbo socio-cultural organization, the Igboezue called for immediate prosecution of all those behind the “embarrassing Quit Notice”.

    National President of the group Elder Pius Uchenna Okoye, in a statement recently, stated: “We are saying enough of the persistent threat of Igbos by the Northerners. Igbo are the pillars of the unity of Nigeria, yet they are not wanted in the country they have invested so much to build and unify the country.

    “But because the Igbo have remained law abiding in the face of all provocations, intimidations and marginalisation by the Northern elements does not represent cowardice. Henceforth, we will not tolerate further insult from any ethnic group.

    “All these other ethnic nationalities thinking about abandoned properties by the Igbos should start to have a re-think, because Ndigbo have the capacity to defend their lives and properties in Nigeria and any part of the world”.

    Okoye called on the security agencies, the Acting President, National Assembly, South East Governors Forum and the National Security Adviser to immediately arrest and prosecute those behind the statement threatening the unity of the nation.

     

  • ICT varsity campus set to take off in Enugu

    Ahead of the take-off of the Federal Government’s proposed University of Information and Communication Technology, members of its implementation committee have visited the Digital Bridge Institute Enugu designated as one of the campuses of the university.

    The proposed ICT University will be a multi-campus institution of the present Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) located in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Asaba and Yola.

    The President Muhammadu Buhari administration had mandated the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu to set up a university of ICT in recognition of the rapid pace of Information Communications Technology (ICT) and the huge impact on the economy which country that harvests the technical talents and specialists it can engender,

    In fulfillment of Mr. President’s objective to set up University of ICT, so as to enhance learning environment and create millions of jobs through skilled ICT workforce, the Ministry of Communications set up an implementation committee, chaired by erudite Professor Julius Okojie, former Secretary of National University Commission (NUC) and Dr Amina Sambo Magaji as Secretary.

    Some members of the Implementation Committee for the Proposed ICT University conducted a physical assessment of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in Enugu, one of the six ICT learning centers built by NCC in the country.

    Members of the Committee in the assessment team were Dr. Henry Nkemadu, Matthew A. Olaniyan and Mr Osita Okechuwu, the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON).

    Speaking with journalists at the site, Okechukwu said the committee is expected to make a physical assessment of the facilities on site, including buildings, road infrastructure, and equipment.

    According to the VON DG, the committee will also determine the additional requirements for the University to meet with international best practices.

    The university is expected to take off from the next academic year.