The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

‘Nigeria heading from recession to depression’

A professor of Economics, Innocent Eleazu has warned that the current economic recession could turn into depression if the Federal Government fails to find and apply the right solution to the problem.

Eleazu speaking to newsmen in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, urged state governors to pay their workers’ salaries, look inwards to develop the mineral and agricultural resources in their states to encourage spending among civil servants and increase local production as a means of improving their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

According to him, the economic solution many people are proffering in solving the problem of recession is not what should be done in order to come out of the economic quagmire.

He warned that further borrowing could further deepen the situation.

The professor who was due to deliver a lecture in Aba titled, “Recession in a Mono Economy: Challenges, Consequences” on November 15, said he feared that Nigeria does not have the foreign reserve to fall back to should the economy go into depression.

Eleazu debunked the notion that the current recession was caused by the Buhari administration, saying that the economy started depleting about four years ago.

He said that the only solution was the diversification of the economy, as did the United States of America (USA) when they faced a similar situation between 2007 and 2009.

“Since the end of the Second World War, USA has had 12 recessions, the hardest and most severe was the one in 2011 which ended in 2012. In all, they learned from the recessions and came out better.

“In our own case, we have to truly go back to land, get the grassroots farmers well mobilised, not the political or civil servants farmers. Government should not be involved beyond this level because no government agricultural policy has worked over the years”.

He also urged government to assist entrepreneurs and artisans in order to increase productivity.

The economist said he was sceptical about Nigeria’s borrowing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to solve the present economic problem, stressing that such steps would increase the debt profile of the country.

He said, “Since some people in the country are richer than Nigeria, the Federal Government should raise the needed funds internally instead of external borrowing with its attendant high interest rates”.

Prof Eleazu who claimed that he was one of the economists in USA the Democrat party used their input to evaluate their economic policies, however regretted that policy makers in Nigeria have not made use of reports experts submitted during the ousted President Jonathan’s regime which he said if implemented, would help to turn the economy around.

“In 2007, the past administration in the country invited me to Abuja and gave me the task of exploring the talents in the youth. After a thorough research, I submitted my report on May 29, 2007, but nothing was done on that till this moment,” he said.

November 4, 2016
Governors, others honour Imo Speaker

State governors, parliamentarians and other leaders were among dignitaries who honoured the Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Acho Ihim as he became president of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, African Region.

The state governor Rochas Okorocha was there at the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) where the reception was held for the new IICC president. So were governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Aminu Bello Masari (Kastina) and former Senate President Ken Nnamani and other political and religious leaders.

The Speaker, who had not been in the limelight of the state politics, was showered with encomiums, some describing his cordial relationship with the Executive as exemplary.

He was praised for supporting and creating harmonious working relationship between the state governor and the legislators, which was cited as the reason for the monumental achievements recorded by the Okorocha’s administration.

Another cause for joy for the Speaker, according to feelers, was that the highly successful reception may have added impetus to his alleged ambition of succeeding Okorocha as the state governor.

Meanwhile, in their separate speeches, the three governors who graced the occasion submitted that a healthy collaboration between governors and legislators will speed up the growth of democracy in the country.

They advised state governors to always work in harmony with the legislators, enjoining the executive the legislative arms of government to eschew undue suspicions.

Governor Okorocha said, “Things are working well in the state because my government is working with a strong and patriotic parliamentarians, hence, the four-year rolling plan which the legislators in the state had okayed, which has helped the us to record monumental achievements to its credit”.

Okorocha said, “My administration would not have recorded the volume of monumental achievements on ground to its credit without the cooperation and understanding of the members of the State House of Assembly”.

He stated that the working relationship would continue to be strengthened.

Governor Tambuwal stated that the parliament gives democracy the needed teeth.

He noted that the success recorded in Imo state shows the cordial working relationship between the executive and the legislature.

The Sokoto State governor advised the Speaker to sustain the virtues that brought him this far.

He urged the governors to work closely with the legislature for the good of the people, adding that “the legislature is not all about making bills or being in fight or being in competition with the Executive but for checks and balances for a good democracy.”

Governor Masari, who was the chairman of the event, in his speech, advised that governors should not see legislators as rivals, but as partners in progress.

Nnamani while highlighting the roles of the legislature, said that the bridge between autocracy and democracy is the budget, adding that speedy passage of the budget by the Imo legislature helped the government in delivering dividends of democracy and called for such relationship between other governors and their legislators.

In his speech, the Speaker, expressed gratitude to Governor Okorocha and assured that he won’t fail in his new assignment.

He noted that the continued support for the Governor by the lawmakers was in the best interest of the people of the state, adding that the existing cordial relationship between the Governor and the lawmakers will continue to be improved upon and sustained.

Ihim insisted that a vibrant House is not the one that is endlessly engaged in a battle of supremacy with the Executive but the one that is focused on the responsibility of making legislations that will impact the lives of the people and the overall development of the state.

November 4, 2016
Enugu flags off rural projects
No fewer than 35 projects have been launched across the 17 local government areas of Enugu State.

At one of the events at Ndeaboh in Aninri Local Government Area, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s representative, Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure Mazi Patrick Ikpenwa said the projects included roads, boreholes, electricity and school buildings.

According to him, the bottom-top approach was adopted as the beneficiaries were fully involved in the nomination of the projects as they affected them while due process was followed in choosing contractors to execute them.

The projects flagged off include:
- Design and construction of Ihuogiri-Nenwe/Oduma Road (Phase 1) by China Zhonghao Nig. Ltd.
- Design and construction of Amaegwu Amumkpa-Ogbombara- Etitiama Onuihialla Road (phase1) by Filez.
- Design and construction of Dam Ukey (phase 1) by Phinotech & Co. Ltd.
- Design and construction of Amachalla Onovo-Nzerem Road (Phase 1) by Phinotech & Co. Ltd.
- Construction of five(5) classrooms building at Community Primary School, Amachalla Mpu, Aninri Local Government Area by Gluffy Engineering Construction Ltd.
- Construction of five (5) classroom building at Community Primary School, Obeagu Oduma, Aninri L.G.A. by Winonez Investment Ltd.
- Construction of five (5) classroom building at Agboechara High School, Agboechara by Stilt Technies Ltd.
- Construction of Five (5) classroom building at Community Primary School, Amaeze Okpanku by Sly-Mich Engineering Constructor Ltd.
- Construction of Five (5) classroom building at St. Theresa Primary School, Uhueze, Nenwe.
Ikpenwa explained that the projects regarded as a pilot were all captured in 2016 budget while the next phase would be taken care of in next year’s expenditure estimates.

The commissioner said that the 8.71km Uhuogiri Road would open up five communities, thereby enhancing economic and social activities in the area. He told the people that it was the first time stakeholders were involved in the process of project selection based on their needs and urged them to own the projects, protect them, and monitor their execution to ensure that the desired goals were met.

Ikpenwa stated that his Ministry had deployed resident engineers to monitor and supervise the projects in line with global best practices and standard specification in the construction industry.

He called for maximum cooperation between the contractors, supervisors, members of the communities where the projects were sited and other stakeholders to make the projects a reality.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, who witnessed the flag-off expressed joy that the present administration in the State had remembered the people of Aninri Local Government Area who were neglected in the past eight years.

He stated that this was an indication that Enugu State now had a governor who was committed to working for the people and maintained that as the people continue to feel the impact of the state government.

The Chief Whip, Enugu State House of Assembly and member representing Aninri State Constituency, Chief Matthias Ekweremadu warned contractors handling the projects to live up to expectation or face the wrath of the people and the government.

The chairman Aninri Local Government Caretaker Committee, Chief Chidi Ekwe commended Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for all the projects located in the area despite economic recession.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Hon. Uche Ogbonna thanked God for the Uhuogiri road which connects Nenwe and Oduma village. He commended Ugwuanyi for thinking about this aspect as it would boost agriculture in Aninri and make life better for them.

Mr. Tony Ikem Chukwuemeka of Phinotech and Company Limited, a representative of the contractors pledged to execute the project according to specification and called for support and encouragement of the government and the people.
November 4, 2016
Abia responds to recession with palm plantation

The Abia State government has kicked off its revenue base diversification plan with an agriculture initiative involving 10,000 hectares of oil palm plantation.

The plan is seen as a return to the vibrant days of the defunct Eastern Nigeria under the leadership of the late Dr Michael Okpara before the discovery of oil.

To this end, the state government, under the leadership of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is embarking on oil palm revolution, as the way to economic sustainability.

Other agricultural produce like ginger, pineapple plantation and cassava farming are not left out as the state Ministry of Agriculture under headship of Hon. Uzo Azubuike as commissioner is also piloting in high-yielding varieties.

The state government says its plans at developing oil palm value chain is to make the state the number one in palm oil production.

To achieve this, the state government has set a target of developing 7.5 million seedlings between 2016 and 2019, targeting 10,000 hectares of oil palm plantation across the state and this would be achieved in phases.

The governor during an inspection of the nursery at Ahiaba Umueze in Osisioma council area of the state said the future of the economy of the state depends on agriculture hence the renewed attention on farming especially oil palm production.

According to him, Abia state has comparative advantage over other states in oil palm, as the state stands in an advanced position to enhance her revenue earnings through massive oil palm production.

He called on Abia youths to engage in farming as his administration is willing to assist them, while calling on farmers to also intensify their efforts in their various farms to enable them have more and improved yields.

Speaking at the occasion, Hon Azubuike said the state is targeting 2 million seedlings in the first phrase of the oil palm seedlings, the second will produce 3 million, while the third will deal with 2.5 million seedlings.

At Ahiaba Umueze oil palm nursery, visited by newsmen, it was discovered that over 1.5 million nuts have already been planted and are being awaited for buying by prospective farmers.

Azubuike while fielding questions from newsmen at the location said the Ikpeazu led administration had through the project employed over a thousand people especially youths and women in the communities and created wealth for families.

He said the seedlings were got at N350 each and would replicate over 700 million naira in the next one year, thereby increasing the revenue generation of the state.

The ministry of agriculture boss revealed that the state is establishing a Community Based Oil Palm Project which intends to inject the seedlings into the communities, achieve this.

The seedlings, according to him, would be sold to farmers at subsidised rates, which would be tested with the selected pilot communities and the essence he said, is to ensure that every farm land has two to three stands of high yielding oil palm growing in it.

He said that this is also geared towards tactically phasing out the low yielding varieties by the state government, stressing that government is determined to phase out the old palm trees which has served the state for several years.

Azubike said that under the arrangement, each community would have an anchor that would buy off Fresh Fruit Bunches, for processing; thereby making it possible for every community to have a mini palm processing mill, while the state builds an oil palm refinery.

The Commissioner further revealed that following the zero tolerance to land waste of the state government policy, it has also embarked on ginger and pineapple production at Ohambele, Ukwa East Local Government.

Also, at Omuma Uzo, Ukwa West Local Government, the state government has began the multiplication of high yielding cassava varieties.

Azubuike, explained that the varieties which were gotten from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, are TME 419 and Pro Vitamin A.

He said the interest of the state government is on the stem which would be distributed to farmers because of its disease resistant, high yielding and more nutritious qualities.

According to the Commissioner for Agriculture, the state is recruiting extension agents to be sent to communities to educate the people on modern ways of farming in a bid to sustain the project.

Some residents of the host communities who spoke to newsmen commended the state government for such a giant stride and pledged total support for the project.

November 4, 2016
‘Come and develop your homeland

The Igbo have often been accused of developing everywhere but their region. That may be about to change as they launch a think-home campaign, writes CHRIS OJI, with additional reporting by OGOCHUKWU IKEJE

Time was when the rhetoric was marginalisation. That language may not have died out, but there seems to be a more realistic line of thinking among the Igbo. It is the argument that Ndigbo owe their progress to themselves, not outsiders, and that if they do not develop their region, nobody else will.

A little over a week ago, elder statesman and former vice president Alex Ekwueme made that point in Anambra State, urging Ndigbo to unite and speak with one voice. Dr Ekwueme went down memory lane, recalling when everyone was their brother’s keeper. Others such as the state governor Willie Obiano spoke in the same vein.

Now a similar call has rung out from Enugu, the region’s political capital. A think-home campaign is building up and a former governor of Anambra State Chukwuemeka Ezeife is driving it. Dr Ezeife, chair of South East Leadership and Development Initiative (SELDI), a non-governmental organisation, has sent out an appeal to every Igbo citizen living outside the region to invest in the homeland. Dr Ezeife said Ndigbo must now plough their resources into evolving the Southeast they want to see, one that is built by them. SELDI, he said, is committed to transforming the fortunes of the region.

It is not a solo effort. On November 30, SELDI will host its first edition of South East Leadership and Development Summit. The event, planned to hold at the Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Enugu, will feature many speakers who will proffer solutions to the Igbo question.

The Chairman of SELDI, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife former Governor of Anambra State at a media briefing said it was time for the people of the Southeast to think home and build home. He added that it has become imperative for the people to reflect more deeply about their future and strategic essence in the larger Nigeria Community.

Ezeife decried the deplorable infrastructural state of the region.

He added that there are huge gaps in infrastructure development, economic growth, political and social transformation in the region compared to other regions. These he attributed to zero federal attention in the region and above all the abject docility of the people in managing their own affairs saying that charity of the people does not begin at home but abroad.

According to him under development, poverty, unemployment, lack of federal attention can all be ameliorated with focused, strategic leadership.

“Regrettably these challenges have continued to engender forced migration of the youth and labour force to invest their energies and resources elsewhere to the detriment of their home land.”

Speaking also at the media briefing, the lead promoter of SELDI, Ikenna Modebelu noted that the implications of this neglect include social unrest, economic decay, political imbalances and general impoverishment of the region with attendant youth restiveness and agitation, insecurity, moral decadence and the like.

“These anti-social vices if not promptly addressed, will be catastrophic for the region,” he warned.

Modebelu emphasised that the South East Leadership and development Summit 2016 is one of the strategies designed by SELDI to bring awareness and attention to these problems that have continued to hold down the progress of the region as it aims to raise consciousness and generate enthusiasm on the need to integrate the economies of the South East and explore opportunities and potentials that will aid in shoring up the resources and capacity development of the region.

He posited that a sustained and integrated effort by the five South East States would yield a better result in positioning the region for economic growth, leadership and prosperity.

The summit is expected to drive the Southeast economic goals which include; integration of the Southeast economies, ensure good effective leadership, promote development and industrialisation, support the think home, build home philosophy, promote enabling environment for investment, empowerment and institutional mentorship programmes for the youth, and rebranding South East. Substantial investment across the transport sector of railways, waterways, airways and land is needed to drive the efforts.

The summit will present various stakeholders, the platform to contribute to building a stronger economy for the region, create attraction and positive perception of the Igbo Nation and her economy, open up opportunities for Igbo diaspora to lend their voices and present an integrated approach to solving the problems of the region with the states benefiting directly from such commonness of purpose.

The deputy senate president, Senator Ike Eweremmadu is expected to chair the summit while other notable speakers and stakeholders invited include Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Prof. Elochukwu Amaucheazi, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Mr. Tony Elumelu, Mr. Oscar Onyema, Kalu Idika Kalu, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), Sir. Victor Umeh, Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Rear Admiral Ebitu Ukiwe (rtd), Ndubusiji Kanu, Professor Pita Ejiofor, Oby Eziekwesili, Prof. Philip Emeagwali, Mr. Peter Obi, Prof. Pat Utomi, Chimamanda Adichie, Ndidi Nwaneli and a host of other achievers from the region.

Other groups expected at the Summit include the Southeast professionals, Industrialists, corporate organisations, chambers of commerce, Southeast groups and associations, local government chairmen of the Southeast, Southeast senators, market leaders and associations, trade unions, transport unions, youth leaders, economic and investment agencies, international organisations and embassies, among others.

October 28, 2016
Obi woos Build Africa to Nigeria

Former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi has urged Build Africa, one of the world’s biggest non-governmental organisations on education, to include Nigeria in its scheme of operations.

The organisation is currently in many African countries, including Uganda and Kenya.

At a meeting with the NGO in London, a follow-up to an earlier conference in 2015, between Obi and the organisation, the ex-governor explained to them the efforts of the government at all levels in Nigeria in the education, stressing that the country needed adequate support considering its importance to mankind.

Obi who said he was devoting the rest of his life to supporting the growth of education in Nigeria, enumerated areas requiring intervention. Some of the areas he listed are low male enrolment in some states in the Southeast; low female enrolment in the North; drop-out syndrome and absence of facilities in some schools.

Responding, the CEO of Build Africa, Linda Edwards, who said they invited Obi due to his contributions to education in Nigeria both as a governor and after he left government, said they were studying the possibility of including Nigeria in countries of their intervention following the meeting of 2015.

October 28, 2016
‘Position yourselves for leadership’

Former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi has inspired Kogi State pupils, telling them they need proper education in addition to intellectual and moral grooming to become leaders of tomorrow.

The ex-governor was speaking at LGEA Primary School, Olamaboro Local Government Area, Kogi State, urging the pupils to be steadfast with their education.

A the visit, Obi interacted with the schoolchildren, allowing them to ask questions, and assured them that though education might seem difficult to acquire, it has lasting value and influence.

Obi presented a cheque of N1m to help in the rehabilitation of the school.

The people of the community came out in large numbers to receive him prayed for him.

Speaking, the leader of the community, Oche Agbo Okpabi Linus said that words and actions were not enough to thank Mr. Obi for the visit, saying that it was the first time the community is hosting a high-ranking personality.

The community leader said they were humbled by Obi’s mission, which, according to him, was entirely humanitarian.

October 28, 2016
Seven-year-old crowned monarch

It was a day of the monarchy, filled with royal head gear, beads and much drama. All of that and more were on display at Aquinas Catholic Church in Awka, the Anambra State capital, as Chinechereme Umeogu was introduced as the traditional ruler of Aquinas Model Primary School.

What did the young king do next? He promptly named his cabinet, which included his prime minister Chinemeze Uzoezie, another seven-year-old. Their queens were also introduced in the same breath.

The people at the event included members of the Parent Teachers Association (PTA) and an industrialist Godwin Ezeemo. Everyone seemed to enjoy every moment, especially as the new royal team performed their rituals.

With his staff, the monarch blessed dignitaries at the event.

Rev. Dr. Anthony Akabogu and leader of Progressives People’s Alliance (PPA) Ezeemo urged parents to give their children a good foundation for the society to be free of crime.

The PPA leader donated a school bus, 85 textbooks and 320 exercise books to the school.

Ezeemo urged the pupils to be obedient to their parents, elders and always study their books, describing them as the leaders of tomorrow.

He pleaded with the states and federal government to bring back history in the country’s education curriculum to help the present generation.

Rev Akabogu said if the children were not given the basic foundation, it would spell doom in the society.

October 28, 2016
Judiciary workers give Obiano one week ultimatum

Anambra State branch of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has given the state government one week ultimatum to address its issues or face industrial action.

Following the meeting by the union held in Awka, The Nation gathered that tension has gripped the administration of Chief Willie Obiano.

Though the chairman of JUSUN in the state, Comrade Mark Ifezue did not confirm this, The Nation scooped that the ultimatum was scheduled to begin on Wednesday.

However, JUSUN chairman confirmed to The Nation that the union had prepared a letter for the state government, which, according to him, had been equally distributed to their members.

Before now, Obiano had announced to the public that allowance of the judiciary had been cleared 100%, adding that his administration was no longer owing judiciary workers.

But he admitted that the only thing being owed judiciary workers in the state was their arrears, which he said would be cleared before the end of December.

But the JUSUN said in a recent interview with The Nation, “The only capital vote release was made in the first quarter of 2015, which was made to get (JUSUN) suspend its strike. Aside that, no penny has been released to the judiciary High Court”.

He said a letter had been written to the state government before now, reminding it of the development and the issue of (CONJUSS).

October 28, 2016
N18m grant for Ebonyi cooperatives

The Ebonyi State government has handed out cheques of N18 million as microcredit grants to 18 agro-based cooperative societies in the state. The cheques were given out through the office of the Focal Person, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the state, Dr Ngozi Obichukwu.

Speaking at the event in Abakaliki, the state capital, Governor David Umahi said women are very vital in fulfilling cardinal objectives of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Represented by the Secretary to the state Government (SSG), Prof Bernard Odoh, Umahi said though Ebonyi state was ranking least in many sectors compared to other older states of the federation, his administration was committed to advancing the status of the state through human oriented programmes like SDG.

Handing out the cheques to representatives of the cooperatives, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs Rachel Umahi expressed delight that most of the beneficiaries were women.

She said whenever women are empowered, the impact is always felt by the society.

Mrs Umahi who said that women were endowed with wisdom enjoined the beneficiaries of the grant to use such endowment in the nurturing of the business which the grant was made for.

She identified family distrust and other domestic crisis as a hindrance to business success and advised beneficiaries especially women to ensure peace in their homes so as to guarantee proper use of the money.

Chairman of the occasion and former governor of the state, Dr Sam Egwu commended the state government and the SDG Focal Person, Dr Ngozi Obichukwu for the effective management of the programme in the state.

Egwu, who represents Ebonyi North Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, enjoined the beneficiaries to utilise the funds properly.

The Focal Person, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Dr Ngozi Obichukwu while noting that agriculture was the main stay of the country’s economy insisted that the one million naira grant given to the cooperative societies must be channelled into agro based activities.

She applauded the state governor David Umahi for showing commitment in sustaining SDG in the state but warned that her office would monitor the use of the funds across the six benefiting local government areas.

Apart from the distribution of the cheques to the cooperatives, Mrs Umahi also distributed bags of rice, wrappers and other goodies to over thirty selected widows in the state.

October 28, 2016