The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Anambra documents its history

    Determined to preserve its rich history for posterity, the Anambra State government will in the coming days present a comprehensive photo-history book of the state showcasing its glory, writes WALE AJETUNMOBI

    The book is entitled “Anambra Light of the Nation: A Compendium”. It was sanctioned by the Anambra State government as part of its 25th Anniversary, which was marked in the last quarter of last year. It is designed to celebrate the state’s rich history, cultural heritage, enterprising spirit and exploits of it’s people, arts and craft, food and lifestyle, as well as its iconic personalities, past and present leaders and traditional institutions.

    Deputy Governor Nkem Okeke, who chairs the anniversary committee, said: “Twenty five years in the life of a people or state is a remarkable milestone. As a people, Ndi Anambra have overtime, proven to be special breeds who have excelled in whatever field they find themselves.

    “We are particularly known to be industrious, resilient, creative, courageous and hardworking. All these are evident in the ingenuity of our people and the outstanding successes they have recorded both at home and in the diaspora.

    “So, we thought that documenting these great exploits of our people and Anambra’s history in a book form, would invoke a sense of pride in Ndi Anambra for generations to come, because a people without history will most likely face a blurry future.

    “So, as part of our 25 years anniversary , we thought it wise to take a bold step in recording these success stories of our state, as an entity , as well as the glorious impacts of our people in shaping the history and socio-political economy of Nigeria.

    “We also intend to use the Compendium to showcase our rich cultural heritage, God-given natural endowments and unique tourism potentials, as you know, tourism everywhere in the world is a big revenue earner, therefore, highlighting our numerous tourism potentials

    in this manner would help in drawing the attention  of the world, especially, potential investors to this sector in our state. In essence, the Anambra state compendium will tell you all you need to know about Anambra and Ndi Anambra.”

    Speaking on the reasons behind the compendium, Chief Emeka Okonkwo, the Coordinator, Anambra@25, said: “Our dear state Anambra is the land of several firsts in different fields and its people have contributed in many ways in shaping the history of Nigeria, but one of the greatest problems we have is that the history of Anambra and the numerous great exploits of our people  are not well documented for people, especially the future generation, to appreciate.”

    Okonkwo stated, “Take for instance the great strides of pioneer transporters such as Ekenedilichukwu or the unequalled business acumen  of the late billionaire, Sir. Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu and several others whose lives were tales of integrity, hard work, enterprise  and unblemished characters that are worthy of emulation.”

    Throwing more light on the project, he  went further to state that the compendium would be  an “authentic referral material on Anambra that is devoid of partisan politics as it seeks to give a factual and accurate information of Anambra’s 179 communities, early civilisation, government structures, past and present leaders, traditional festivals and religions”. He added, saying, “the book would also highlight our beacons, who have placed Anambra on the global map as well as our icons that have made Anambra proud at the national stage.”

    A synopsis of a section of the book, ‘Our Enterprises’, made public by the publishers, read in part: “Anambra State is easily the state with the highest number of billionaires in Nigeria…this is not surprising considering the well-known commercial, industrial and enterprising nature of Ndi Anambra. And it is marketed by Great Source Investment, run by an indigene of Anambra state, who also played a key role in the anniversary events last year.

    “Right from the colonial era, Ndi Anambra have continued to excel in Industries, trade and commerce. The achievements and exploits of Ndi Anambra’s forebears such as Sir Louis Philip Odimegwu Ojukwu are legendary.”, the synopsis stated.  Profiles of notable industries and their promoters will form part of this business section, it also revealed.

    Dr. Njideka Duru, of the Centre For Preservation of Indigenous History, speaking  on why Anambra deserves a documented comprehensive history, stated: “among the Igbo there is a strong attachment to Anambra… In the build up to the Nigeria’s independence in 1960 for example, apart from a handful of individuals from other neighboring states, most of the personalities that called the shots from the eastern flank were from the present day Anambra. There were, for instance, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Akwaeke Nwafor Orizu, both at different times, President of the country and Senate President, respectively.

    “They also had younger contemporaries such as late M.C.K Ajuluchukwu, Mbazuilike Amaechi, Igwe Osita Agwuna and Dr.Okechukwu Ikejiani. These people at the time, helped to sustain the fire of Nigeria’s nationalism,” she noted.

    “Even after independence, when the ship of the Nigerian state left no room for the Igbo,” Dr. Duru, continued, “the task of charting the path for self-actualisation of the people through the instrumentality of the Peoples Republic of the Biafra, fell on General Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu, again from, Nnewi, Anambra state. Also at the height of the civil war, when the federal authorities were looking for an administrator for the East Central state, they settled for late Ukpabi Asika, from Onitsha, Anambra state, too.”

  • Church group lifts needy women in Abia

    A group known as the Worldwide Association of Small Churches from the United States of America has visited Abia State aiming to help needy women in the state. Bishop Ebony Kirkland led the group, with two other women ministers playing prominent roles.

    Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia, the state capital, Bishop Kirkland said that they are also going to partner with the communities where they will identify their areas of interest and help them improve in those areas.

    Kirkland said that they have visited Ikwuano council area of the state and that the people of the area have identified education as the area they would want the group to help them develop to make their people and place better.

    She said that they are equally partnering with the state government to ensure that all identified projects get to the people irrespective of the distance of the community involved in the project so identified.

    The woman of God said that what they are doing is beyond religion or ethnic inclination, “We are a Christian group that is determined to up lift the living standard of people irrespective of their religious believes and without any ethnic coloration”.

    In her own speech Rev Bernadette Logar of the Union United Methodist church said that they are going to teach the women of the state how to start businesses with little capital and grow them to big businesses,

    Rev Logar said that she started business with a day in a small place in America and later went into group family day care, “The ideas that I have gathered over the years in taking care of children has made me to teach people of family care”.

    She said, “At these austere times in Nigeria people would be taught on how to do certain things by themselves such as painting and repairing of small appliances in their homes without waiting for others to come do them for their families to be paid”.

    “People do not know that Jesus Christ is the first chief executive officer in the world when he took men of different professions and made them his disciples, therefore we can comfortably combine religion with business to a great height”.

    “We are going to start an entrepreneur school which product can help to change the face of the country, Nigeria is the biggest Black Country in the world with the potential to rise up and challenge the entire world”.

    “The time has come for the country to start by waking up and doing things better for the black race, itself, the continent and the world at large, what they need is the right and proper direction to go”.

    The woman who brought them to the state and a professor of mathematics in America, Prof Nkechi Agwu from Alayi in Bende council area of the state said that the women of God are in the state to empower the women through entrepreneurial training.

  • Governors’ wives lift 100 women

    Governors’ wives lift 100 women

    Abia State was agog as members of the Southern Governor’s Wives Forum (SGWF) visited Abia State for their quarterly meeting to deliberate on the welfare of women and also empower the indigent ones among them. They were hosted by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu.

    The women on arrival first called on the state governor Okezie Ikpeazu  who commended them for touching the lives of the indigent, downtrodden  and voiceless people in the society.

    Ikpeazu pleaded with them to use their time during the meeting to pray for the health of President Mohammadu Buhari, stressing that God hears the prayers of women.

    He said that it is wrong for people to wish their leader ill health, adding that health related issues of leaders should not be politicised as every leader requires the full support of those he is leading at all times.

    The governor assured the members of the SGWF that the state will support them in their programmes and that of the wife of Mr President.

    In her response, the wife of Imo State governor and chairperson of the forum, Mrs Nkechi Okorocha said that they were in the state for their quarterly meeting where they hope to empower some women of the state to enable them improve on their lives.

    Mrs Okorocha appreciated the efforts of Governor Ikpeazu in turning the eyes of the people of the country towards the state through his made in Aba project, “Which has become a beautiful song that everyone is now singing”.

    At the meeting the forum which is made up of 17 wives of the governors from the southern part of the country which had 11 members attending where about 100 indigent women of the state were empowered with various empowerment items.

    The empowerment items given out included grinding machines, hair dressing materials, bean-cake or akara frying materials, locally fabricated ovens, roadside food vendors materials and sewing machines.

    Declaring the meeting open the wife of Imo State and chairman of the forum Mrs Nkechi Okorocha said that they are in the state to ensure that the girl child and women are well taken care off.

    Mrs Okorocha recalled that the forum was initiated by the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari which has gone a long way to break the barriers of tongue, tribe, religion and political affiliation.

    The wife of the Imo state governor said that the forum is determined to give the girl-child and women pride of place in the country, adding that the country is waiting for the women who are key to fast-tracking the development of the country.

    Mrs Okorocha said that the women in the zone are ready to champion the cause of Abia women and also empower them to enable them to become partners in progress with their husbands.

    Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu described Abia State as the home of industry, ingenuity and hard work of its people.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said, “We are here today for the purpose of empowering our people and those who are benefiting were meticulously selected in such a way to ensure that they are capable of using the items to eke out a living for themselves”.

    “The women who will be empowering will thereafter become self-reliant and train others.”

  • New worship centre for Imo police

    It has been inaugurated and blessed by no less a personality than His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony J. V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese. But the new St Michael the Archangel Catholic Police Chaplaincy, Shell Camp Police Barracks, Owerri Imo State has not always been this graceful. It was once a little better than a makeshift structure sitting on a temporary site. The state Commissioner of Police Taiwo Lakanu has changed all that.

    Lakanu, the 31st Commissioner of Police of the state, who is a devout Catholic, ensured the chaplaincy was completed and at its permanent site.

    He rallied his friends who pooled resources together. In eight months of vigorous efforts, the CP and his friends completed the about 1000-capacity edifice which was inaugurated on February 25.

    The CP who believes in the efficacy of prayers, said he did not only come to Imo State to salvage the security situation but also for the spiritual revival of the personnel of the command.

    The wife of the state governor, Mrs Nneoma Okorocha attended the inauguration. Chairman, Imo State Council of traditional rulers, HRH Eze Sam A. Ohiri, the Chief of Staff, Imo Government House, Hon. Chief Ugwumba Uche Nwosu, heads of security agencies in the state and a host of other distinguished personalities also graced the occasion.

  • NGO fine-tunes anti-poverty plan in Anambra

    NGO fine-tunes anti-poverty plan in Anambra

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO) Network of Civil Societies Stakeholders for Development Programmes is concluding a strategy to tackle poverty in Anambra State communities.

    Already, the organisation has an arrangement with a skill centre at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) known as the Centre for Technical, Education Training and Research (CETVERTAR), led by Prof Emmanuel Osinem for training.

    The group, coordinated by former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Anambra State, Dr. Chinwe Anowai, has marshaled out 17 sustainable growth programmes in the state.

    No fewer than 30 leaders of group gathered at Agu-Awka to brainstorm the way forward on the issue.

    Speaking with The Nation, Dr. Anowai, said the suffering and other challenges of the less-privileged and youths are becoming unbearable.

    She said they were taking the bull by the horn in order to alleviate such in communities in the state, adding that government will not do it alone.

    She said, “It behooves on us to take the lead in what we know how to do best, before inviting the government into it”

    “We have started discussing with CETVERTAR at Nsukka, led by Prof Emmanuel Osinem on how to teach the youth in many skills and the discussion has reached advanced stage,” Anowai said.

    Anowai said the centre would present the resource persons, while the NGOs would nominate the participants during the training exercise.

    Rev. Dr. Sabastine Alumona, one of the participants, said it was a way of helping the society through the NGO, through this coalition.

    The goals have been shared to the participants and members on how to develop them and to check their commitments.

    Another member of the group, Egbuna Chuka, told The Nation that the idea of zero hunger is to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.

    Also, Nwafor Gloria, another member of the group, said the programme will equally draw them closer to the people in rural areas.

  • Imo oil communities: Exploited, abandoned

    Imo oil communities: Exploited, abandoned

    The agony of oil-bearing communities in Imo State is double-fold. Their natural resources are wasted, while Federal Government projects are abandoned. OKODILI NDIDI reports

    ould they have been better off if the crude oil in their area lay still and untouched where nature kept it? Some residents of Ohaji-Egbema and Oguta council areas in Imo State have been forced to ask that question since the exploration of petroleum in their communities has left them in agony.  For decades, they endured the ravaging of their land by oil explorers. Their farmlands have been eroded and their rivers poisoned by oil spillage. From Ejemekwuru to Izombe, Umuofor, Obidiagwa, Oguta and Awara, among others in both councils, the story is the same.

    The indigenous people of these riverside, oil-rich communities are among the most socially and economically deprived in the state. Several of their children and loved ones have met with tragic death in the frequent incidents of pipeline explosions and other health hazards that attend oil exploration. Their youths are jobless, the aged racked by poverty and sickness.

    The little efforts made by the Federal Government to alleviate their sufferings were sabotaged, most painfully, by their own. The politicians, who ought to have argued their case before the appropriate authorities, took advantage of their plight to line their pockets.

    That is not all. Today several Federal Government projects awarded to impact the lives of the people have been abandoned by the contractors after collecting huge sums of money. Most painfully are the Egbema Gas Plant and the Skill Acquisition Centre in Ohaji-Egbema, which have been abandoned and overgrown with weeds.

    The depth of the marginalisation of these oil-producing communities was recently captured by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo during his tour of the Niger Delta.

    Prof Osinbajo confirmed that the oil-producing communities in the state have been treated unfairly by the Federal Government, compared to other oil-producing communities in the region. He was particularly touched by the dearth of infrastructure and number of abandoned Federal Government projects in the two oil-bearing council areas of the state.

    Osinbajo regretted that the oil producing communities in Imo State have largely been neglected by the Federal Government, noting that the time has come for the affected communities to receive adequate attention like their counterparts in other States.

    The Acting President after assessing the abandoned facilities assured that the facilities will be completed and put to use to serve the purpose for which it was installed, stressing that Power is key to the development of the area.

    He said, “The oil-producing communities in Imo have a lot of vibrant young men and women who must be carried along in the scheme of things. My interaction today with those concerned has given the government the opportunity to discuss with the people directly involved with a view of making sure that there is justice and even development across the Niger Delta Communities.

    “We are going to ask the contractors to return to site, while we probe all the abandoned contracts and all erring contractors will be brought to book. A situation where contracts are abandoned after they were awarded is not acceptable to this government”.

    He assured that Imo State would get its fair share of federal projects.

    Similarly, the state governor, Rochas Okorocha bemoaned the fate of the communities.

    He said, “The theory and songs of marginalisation cannot be sung better by any other ethnic group than the Igbo in this present dispensation. We have nothing absolutely to show, neither do we have any serious sense of belonging in the present government at the National level”.

    Continuing, the governor said, “I know you are the Acting President and has the ears of the President. Sometimes we Christians don’t go to God directly, we go through His son Jesus Christ. So there is no better person to tell our painful story than you. You need to take a second look at what is happening in the Southeast. No serious political appointments, no visible federal infrastructure so far, to show the presence of Federal Government in Imo State and Southeast in general. I beg that as the government gives subsequent appointments, let the qualified sons and daughters of the state be considered. Those in business should be considered for federal patronage.

    “Imo State played a major role in bringing APC to power because if what had taken place in other states was allowed to happen in Imo State and other states in the Southeast, probably we wouldn’t have had the APC government today”.

    He pleaded that “the dilapidated skill acquisition Centre be changed to University of Niger Delta to help bring about lasting peace in the area, while the gas plant at Egbema should be made to work to help in industrialising the area”.

    “Given the role that I played as a sacrificial lamb in the Southeast during the elections, my state deserves more. There is no Federal Government presence in the oil producing area and none benefitted from the Federal Government Amnesty Programme. I also ask for the quick refund of the money spent by the state on Imo International Cargo Airport and federal roads in the state”.

    Also angered by the neglect of the communities, the Minister of Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, frowned at the deliberate sabotage of Federal Government’s efforts by fraudulent contractors.

    He asserted that with the quantity of mineral deposit in the state, it should be accorded required attention, while promising to assist the state recover their lost oil wells.

  • Anambra hails FADAMA

    The Anambra State government has hailed the World Bank-assisted FADAMA project, saying it will lift agriculture to higher heights.

    The state FADAMA III coordinating office organised a workshop for media practitioners to sensitise them on the importance of informing the public about the advantages of the project.

    The Anambra State Commissioner of Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export, Afam Mbanefo explained that FADAMA III which is a World Bank, federal government programme runs in partnership with the state government.

    He said the programme has executed numerous projects including construction of feeder roads, irrigation, training and empowerment of farmers to adapt to mechanised agriculture.

    Mbanefo, was represented by a permanent secretary in the ministry, Lady Ngozi Onu, who lamented that these projects were often underreported, while appealing for media support to make them known.

    This, according to her, would help the rural dwellers to invest at home, thereby reducing rural to urban migration.

    On his part, the Anambra State Fadama III Additional Financing (AF) Project Coordinator, Egbue Chukwuka Patrick, while presenting the project overview, successes and challenges, revealed that their targets have been eight local government areas.

    These council areas as he mentioned are Anambra East and West, Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Ihiala, Orumba North and South, and Awka North.

    Egbue said the World Bank had sent them appreciation letters for fulfilling their projects.

    The partnership with state government he said, had blossomed on rice, cassava and tomatoes productions, improvement of farmers’ livelihood and incomes, provision of irrigation, training and empowerment of farmers on agronomical practices.

    He said that these FADAMA III focus had metamorphosed to improved food security, food sufficiency and exportation, which were in tandem to Governor Willie Obiano’s four pillars of economic development.

    “We have over 78 youths and numerous organizations registered. We have trained people on business plan, capacity building and technology transfer”

    “This brings out streamlined sales in food produce like Anambra rice. We are also constructing 13 feeder roads across 4 local government areas at cost of N351, 968, 329.80”

    “We are working on irrigation at the cost of N97, 553, 835.18. In the year that ended, we hired agricultural equipment at N10, 431, 950.00.  This year, the state government FADAMA III estimate is N56, 355, 296.00” he said.

  • Governors’ wives lift 100 women

    Governors’ wives lift 100 women

    Abia State was agog as members of the Southern Governor’s Wives Forum (SGWF) visited Abia State for their quarterly meeting to deliberate on the welfare of women and also empower the indigent ones among them. They were hosted by the wife of the state governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu.

    The women on arrival first called on the state governor Okezie Ikpeazu  who commended them for touching the lives of the indigent, downtrodden  and voiceless people in the society.

    Ikpeazu pleaded with them to use their time during the meeting to pray for the health of President Mohammadu Buhari, stressing that God hears the prayers of women.

    He said that it is wrong for people to wish their leader ill health, adding that health related issues of leaders should not be politicised as every leader requires the full support of those he is leading at all times.

    The governor assured the members of the SGWF that the state will support them in their programmes and that of the wife of Mr President.

    In her response, the wife of Imo State governor and chairperson of the forum, Mrs Nkechi Okorocha said that they were in the state for their quarterly meeting where they hope to empower some women of the state to enable them improve on their lives.

    Mrs Okorocha appreciated the efforts of Governor Ikpeazu in turning the eyes of the people of the country towards the state through his made in Aba project, “Which has become a beautiful song that everyone is now singing”.

    At the meeting the forum which is made up of 17 wives of the governors from the southern part of the country which had 11 members attending where about 100 indigent women of the state were empowered with various empowerment items.

    The empowerment items given out included grinding machines, hair dressing materials, bean-cake or akara frying materials, locally fabricated ovens, roadside food vendors materials and sewing machines.

    Declaring the meeting open the wife of Imo State and chairman of the forum Mrs Nkechi Okorocha said that they are in the state to ensure that the girl child and women are well taken care off.

    Mrs Okorocha recalled that the forum was initiated by the wife of President Muhammadu Buhari which has gone a long way to break the barriers of tongue, tribe, religion and political affiliation.

    The wife of the Imo state governor said that the forum is determined to give the girl-child and women pride of place in the country, adding that the country is waiting for the women who are key to fast-tracking the development of the country.

    Mrs Okorocha said that the women in the zone are ready to champion the cause of Abia women and also empower them to enable them to become partners in progress with their husbands.

    Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu described Abia State as the home of industry, ingenuity and hard work of its people.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said, “We are here today for the purpose of empowering our people and those who are benefiting were meticulously selected in such a way to ensure that they are capable of using the items to eke out a living for themselves”.

    “The women who will be empowering will thereafter become self-reliant and train others.”

  • Onyejeocha: A heart for service

    Onyejeocha: A heart for service

    Notwithstanding the death of her mother at a very tender age, which exposed her early to the vicissitudes of life, Honourable Nkeiruka Chidubem Onyejeocha has continued to soldier on with dogged determination.

    In 2002, she was assigned the portfolio of Resources Management & Manpower Development as a Commissioner in Abia State Governor’s Office, her pioneering bona fides  stood out.

    She championed the establishment of skill acquisition centres to tame the scourge of poverty, and arrest the ugly trend of lack of economic self-actualisation. The direct impact of the novel intervention, especially on the women folk, is remembered today.

    Her appointment, a few months later, as the Council Chairman of Umunneochi Local Government Area signposted her inexhaustible repertoire of service.

    Despite the challenges of underfunding of the LGAs, she embarked on erosion control projects, rehabilitation of feeder roads, promotion of peace & security within the LGA bordered by four states in the Southeast and took the welfare of the traditional rulers as a priority.

    As a measure of reciprocity and for the first time in history, the Traditional Rulers Council conferred a chieftaincy title of Adaejiagamba- (ambassadorial daughter) on her.

    The legal fireworks that trailed her election were enough to weaken a feeble mind, vis-à-vis the boastings of connections and stupendous wealth of her traducers. But the arms of flesh could not subvert the people’s mandate. Between 2007 and 2011, she chaired the newly created Committee on Women in Parliament, and galvanised the female parliamentarians as a bloc to deal with issues of gender, children and the underprivileged.

    At the other committees where she served, like INEC and Police Affairs, her inputs were outstanding. Her patriotic fervor became manifest nationally, when she emerged the Chairman of the Committee on Aviation in 2011.

    The effective oversight functions of the Committee were indicative of the upgrading of our domestic and international airports to meet international standards, just as the issues of safety in a sector that hitherto witnessed scandalous air crashes came to the front burner.

    In fact, the Committee’s uncompromising resolve to clean up the Augean stables and the rot in the aviation sector became a benchmark for other Committees in the House of Representatives.

    Her courageous call for the prosecution of those who compromised rules, which predicated the 2013 Dana Air disaster is exemplary, especially, in our clime where a significant number of public officers are losing their voices on account of fear of witch-hunt and or deal making.

    Honourable Onyejeocha stood out  during the probe of a former Minister of Aviation that bordered on financial infractions and extra-budgetary expenditure.

    She shrugged off ethnic solidarity and mouth-watering largesse of the powers-that-be, and insisted on doing the right thing. Adaejiagamba, as she is fondly called, does not shy away from defending any cause she believes in.

    At the height of the face-off between the former Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and the presidency, and irrespective of her closeness to the first family, she did not sacrifice the independence of the legislature at the altar of friendship. She struck a balance and discreetly intervened between them.

    At the end, she earned the confidence of both parties. In the business of legislation, Honourable Nkeiruka has acquitted herself well. To her credit, five private-member bills are at various stages of legislative work.

    Her bill for an act for a compulsory treatment of gunshot victims by hospitals, is awaiting presidential assent.

    The prevailing situation had been that a police report must be issued before administering medical treatment, and unfortunately many had lost their lives in the process.

    Another bill that seeks to codify punishments for perpetrators of torture, cruel and inhumane treatment on fellow citizens has passed third reading. On social welfare, she sponsored a bill for the establishment of senior citizens centres to cater for the needs of the aged and retired public servants. The bill, which has passed second reading is intended to provide social safety net and ameliorate the sufferings of pensioners that has become a national embarrassment.

    The fourth bill, which has also passed second reading will help in the administration of justice in Nigeria. It seeks to establish a programme to facilitate the protection of witnesses during investigations, inquiries and prosecutions of suspects especially, in matters of public interest.

    Perhaps, based on her experience and the increased emasculation of the local government system by successive Governors, pressured her to sponsor a bill for alteration of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution. The bill intends to restore local government autonomy and expunge the operation of State/Local Government Joint Accounts in order to free up development at the grass-root.

    Her contributions at the floor of the House have remained incisive, lucid persuasive and populist. She always stood on the part of majority of Nigerians- the good, the bad and the ugly.

    The vibrant legislator sponsored and co-sponsored motions that brought federal attention to ecological challenges in Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency; the menace of herdsmen; the Abia- Ebonyi boundary dispute that almost degenerated to armed conflict.

     

    • Nna writes from Obi Ngwa council, Abia State

  • Relief for Ebonyi communal clash

    The Ebonyi State government has distributed relief materials to persons forced from their homes after a clash with a Cross River State community.

    Residents of Azuoffia-Edda community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Abia State were reportedly attacked on January 10 by persons from Ovuruokpon community in Obubura Local Government Area of Cross River State.

    The relief materials were mattresses, cartons of noodles, bags of rice, wrappers, mosquito-treated nets including N100,000 each to the 148 families displaced following the crisis.

    Handing over the materials to the displaced persons at the Government House, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi who has visited the troubled area in company of his cabinet members, said the gesture was a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to the people’s welfare.

    Represented by his Deputy, Mr Kelechi Igwe, a lawyer, the governor admonished the people to be grateful to God for keeping them alive despite their travails in the hands of their assailants, noting that the prompt action of the state government in securing the lives of the people was what led to the low number of casualties in the area.

    “The little we have will be given to each family to open an account. We cannot give enough that will assuage your pains; it is a symbol of identifying with you in your moment of pain. Enough is enough. Ebonyi will no longer fold its arms and watch Ebonyi people go through such dastardly act”.

    Earlier, the caretaker committee chairman of Abakaliki council Mr. Peter Nwogbaga who expressed joy for the gestures of the state government assured that the community would be calm and law abiding.

    The elated victims burst in chants in praise of the governor for his magnanimity.

    Officials of Zenith Bank were also on hand to open accounts for all the representatives of the 148 families for smooth and easy access to the money.