The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Gynaecologists, obstetricians learn new skills in Enugu

    Gynaecologists, obstetricians learn new skills in Enugu

    The venue was Golden Royal Hotel, Enugu. The participants were gynaecologists, obstetricians and other health practitioners. Some passed on new skills, others imbibed hem.

    It was the one-week Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) training workshop entitled “Essential Gynaecology Skills Nigeria Pilot”. It was a programme meant to imbue all the invited health practitioners with the fundamentals of obstetrics and gynaecology in order to help them stave off the scourge of maternal mortality.

    The spate of maternal mortality all over the world has gained global attention and efforts are seriously being made to stem the prevalence of this scourge. Nigeria lost an estimated 2,300 children under the age of five and 145 women of child-bearing age every day, making it the country with the second largest number of maternal and child deaths in the world.

    So, in line with its mission of developing the education and training programme for doctors willing to specialise in obstetrics and gynaecology, the RCOG kick-started a pilot programme in three different centres all over the globe with the training in Enugu covering  the whole of Africa.

    Thanks in no small measure to the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria and fellow of RCOG, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, the University of Nigeria’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology were able to jointly run the training which the training with the RCOG.

    The RCOG works to improve women’s health care across the world. Founded in 929, it has over 14,000 members worldwide and works with a range of partners both in the UK and globally to improve the standard of care delivered to women. It also encourages the study of obstetrics and gynaecology and advances the science and practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.

    Speaking on the training, Prof. Ozumba said: “The very essence of this programme is to impact knowledge to physicians who are specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology which is the art and science of looking after mothers and their unborn babies. This is the first time it is coming to Africa.”

    The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria added that the training would increase access to many Nigerian physicians who want to acquire up-to-date training and gain knowledge but are constrained by transport, money and time.

    He said that the workshop would help to expose Nigeria to the world in terms of attracting international recognition to the positive things being successfully carried out in the country.

    Ozumba went further to advice the participating physicians: “Whatever new skill you may have acquired should not be allowed to dissipate. You should build up on it, improve it, use it to offer care to mothers and their children.”

    Also speaking at the training, the Vice President-Elect of RCOG and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Newcastle, United Kingdom, Mr. Hani Fawzi said the organisation remains “very proud of our relationship with Nigeria.” He said Nigerians in Diaspora formed a liaison group and together they collaborated to bring the workshop down to Enugu.

    Fawzi pointed out that the training is a pilot course that is about to be launched next year.

    Dr. Suzy El-Neil, a consultant gynaecologist at the University College Hospital, London and Chair Global Health Project Development Committee, was also in Enugu to train the participants. Dr. El-Neil said she was working with Mr. Fawzi to develop the course on the essential skills in gynaecology.

    “The way forward for all of us is to improve our knowledge and training of our entire medical and para-medical cartel to sort of improve our knowledge in this area,” Dr. El-Neil said.

    Asked about the essence of the pilot course, she added: “Essentially, it is really to try to help all of us upscale, have better knowledge in the basics of gynaecology and how to prevent major trauma and impact on our female population.

    “The training is something that is very much wanted by people working in the field of global women’s health particularly just to improve the environmental conditions and the medical conditions and medical care processes for women in different settings.”

    The Course Director and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist in the United Kingdom, Prof. Samson Agwu said the RCOG has enough confidence in Nigeria and that was why Enugu was selected to host the African version of the pilot programme.

    On the aim of the training, he said: “The whole aim is to contribute to the reduction of maternal death from gynaecological causes. We have run a similar programme with the emergency obstetrics and over four year we noticed a drop of death from obstetric child birth problems all over the world especially in under-resourced countries like Nigeria.ý”

    The course director was optimistic that the training would “help us to make an inroad into the reduction of maternal death.”

  • Millions needed to fight Abia erosions

    Millions needed to fight Abia erosions

    Environmental disaster looms large in the Southeast, but in Abia State it is a daily tragedy. It has been said that tackling the erosion sites will require several millions of naira.

    Acute erosion runs  right across the state’s  three senatorial zones, especially in the north and central axis like Isuikwuato Local Government Area, among others.

    According to our investigation, the state is the worst hit in the country, with records showing that it has about 1,200 erosion sites out of which about 1,000 have matured into actual gullies, while another 200 are still in their various stages of development.

    Indeed, the state sits on an erosion time bomb, which is why all administrations in the state since its creation has continuously cried out to the federal government to declare the state an ecological disaster zone.

    Ijeoma Ukpabi, a student of Abia state University, Uturu said that erosion has become a serious problem in the area to the extent that road users are in danger of falling into any of the numerous gullies.

    Ukpabi said, “It is really a problem in this state.  Just between Isuikwuato and Abia State University in Uturu there are over seven erosion sites.  The road is disjointed at some points and the daredevils are making very good use of the problem created by the several gullies along this road to waylay road users plying the road.”

    The university is on the verge of losing the block housing its  library as well as that of the schools of humanities and social sciences to the gully erosion that has started eating up portions of the institution.  If this is allowed to happen, the school will be cut off from itself.

    “It is very sad that this is happening,” Ukpabi told the reporter. “It is not like the university authorities are not doing anything. They have tried so hard to check the spread of the gully but to no avail.  They have spent so much money but look at where we are today.”

    Recently also, the rail line between Umuahia and Aba was destroyed when a gully erosion started eating up the land between Omoba and Aba main station.  This has temporarily affected rail transportation in the eastern part of the country.

    There is no doubt that the problem is very enormous and yet funds to effectively check them are not forthcoming because it is very capital intensive to control and conquer erosion menace anywhere they show presence in the world.

    This informed the coming into existence of the Ecological Funds by the federal government of Nigeria wherein states seriously ravaged by this cankerworm are supposed to be taken care of by the federal government.

    But unfortunately, the funds seem not to be reaching the state government.  According to a source in the Ministry of Environment and Solid Minerals in Umuahia, the Federal Government is yet to release funds for project of reclaiming the lands eaten up by erosion.

    It is on record that committees on environment from the national assembly have visited many of these sites with the promise to give authorities concerned, a vivid picture of the time bomb in Abia.  Just recently also, members of the Flood and Erosion Unit of the Federal Ministry of Environment was in the state to see things for themselves.

    “You see, the problem is not all these visits.  Abia is in real dead trouble and if nothing is done urgently, it would be disastrous, more than words can say.  It is good that they are here to see things themselves and now that they have seen the enormity of the menace they are in the right position to represent us well.  They are fine gentlemen they won’t fail us”.

    Meanwhile an erosion control expert, Chukwu Roland Onyekwe has identified devastation by erosion and the cases of many road collapses in the South East geo-political zone to poor road design by contractors in the area.

    Speaking with this reporter at the site of erosion control project in Amaokwe Amiyi, in the Isiukwuato local government area of Abia state, Onyekwe, said many road designs in the zone do not take into consideration the drainage pattern necessary for the topography and durability of the roads.

    Onyekwe said the soil is easily washed away in the absence of drainage system causing erosion devastation as characterised by many bad roads in the area, particularly in Aba and argued that the soil texture of the Southeast area should not be an excuse for the frequent road collapse and erosion menace, saying proper road design; channelisation of water and maintenance can effectively solve the problems.

     

  • Boost for revived centre for physically challenged

    Boost for revived centre for physically challenged

    Acomatose facility used to train physically challenged youths in Anambra State has got a new lease of life.

    Basden Memorial Special Education Centre, Isulo in Orumba South

    Local Government Area of the state, was founded in 1996 during the military era to train the deaf, blind, dumb and other physically challenged persons.

    The school located started with about 10 students; now it about 100 pupils.

    The school was abandoned by successive administrations; its buildings were dilapidated, and there were no materials.

    But since the present administration led by Governor Willie Obiano, the place has been rehabilitated with the governor’s wife Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano leading the charge.

    The once abandoned school has become a tourist haven for the rich and poor in the society with most of them celebrating even their birthdays in the place with the pupils.

    Such events, it was gathered, give the pupils joy and lift their morals, some having a reason to say there is ability in disability.

    But despite the assistance from the state government in providing a conducive atmosphere for the physically challenged in the area, the administrative secretary of the school, Mrs. Ebele Ichoke, told The Nation that they still need more.

    Some of the incentives lacking in the school, according to the woman, include a health centre, instructional materials, generating set, more brails, teaching boards, uniforms, information communication technology (ICT), equipment and storage house among others.

    She said, “We need wealthy Nigerians to use their God-given wealth to compliment the efforts of the state government in making life meaningful to them”

    Following her appeal, one of the philanthropists in the state, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, while marking his 60th birthday, with the blind, deaf and dumb in the state, gave a helping hand.

    Ezeemo told The Nation that he was just keying into the standard set by Jesus Christ and practicalised by the late pugilist and world champion, Mohammad Ali by helping the needy.

    Speaking further, Ezeemo described the opportunity of celebrating his birthday with the needy as priceless.

    He said, “Looking at these special children’s faces, I can see that they are dazzling, evidence that they are being well taken care of.”

    He applauded the people of Isulo community for their hospitality to the school.

    Ezeemo also reminded the citizenry of the inevitable momentary nature of everybody’s existence, inferring that, as enough reason why everyone should be kind to one another.

    He appreciated the state government for offering such educational facility for the deaf, dumb and blind at no cost, while enjoining it to also set up skill acquisition centres for such persons too as another way of empowering them.

    Responding to the appeal by Mrs. Ichoke, he pledged a musical band set, donated two bush cutters for the bushes around the school.

    Furthermore, he dished out cartons of exercise books to the students, toiletries, some bags of rice, assuring that he would be visiting the school anytime he came around with another cash support.

    Speaking further with The South East Nation, the administrative secretary, Mrs. Ichoke said she was short of words in describing what Mrs. Obiano had done for them.

    Some of the things the governor’s wife had done apart from the rehabilitation of the school included, sinking of borehole for the students, provision of food items, equipping the dormitories and provision of assorted foams and beds.

    “More are coming since the centre received attention from the government, organisations such as MTN, ASA-USA that is Anambra people based in United States of America, good spirited individuals like Ezeemo among others.”

    The lady further appealed to parents and guardians with special children to bring them to Basden for adequate care, adding “there is ability in disability, some of our students had passed out to become teachers, lawyers in various establishments”

    The Nation gathered that the school which was established on March 15, 1996 offers free primary and junior secondary education to the pupils as well as trainings in Braille reading and writing to individuals who lost their sights later in life.

    The president general of Isulo development Union (IDU), Ikokwu Felix Nworji, told The Nation that the citing of the school in their community had lifted the area to a certain height.

    He said corporate bodies, rich individuals with milk of human kindness like Ezeemo always visit the community.

    For the headmistress of the school, Mrs. Grace Nworah, the deaf, blind and dumb pupils were responding well to their lessons, adding that the school choir formed by the blind and deaf was one of the best in the state.

    She said the Willie Obiano government through Mrs. Obiano, had fenced the school to guard the students from external intrusion, while the structure had been renovated also.

    “The present administration has continued to be responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the school and its needs,” she said.

  • Imo’s bulldozers move against kidnappers

    Imo’s bulldozers move against kidnappers

    Imo State continues crackdown on kidnap suspects by demolishing their houses, reports OKODILI NDIDI

    The Imo State government is throwing everything at suspected kidnappers. Many of them have been smoked out of their dens and arrested, while the hunt for others is on. But the government will not slow down on the crackdown. Buildings owned by on-the-run suspects are being pulled down. The word is out that there is no room for criminals in the state.

    The bulldozer action codenamed ‘Operation Oshebee’ is headed by the state Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere. It is one of the measures adopted by the State Security Council against suspected criminals.

    Since the operation started, over 100 buildings owned by suspected kidnappers have been demolished in different parts of the state, especially in Ohaji-Egbema Council Area, where kidnappers had majority of their dens where victims were kept allegedly in connivance with the villagers and village heads who are forced to take oath of secrecy.

    In the latest operation at Mgirishi and Umuagwu communities in Ohaji-Egbema council, perhaps the state’s most ambitious effort, over 15 buildings belonging to suspected kidnappers were reduced to heaps of ruins.

    Intent on keeping criminals out of the  state, the government is collaborating with the police and other security agencies in this operation.

    Madumere who supervised the demolition alongside the state Commissioner of Police Taiwo Lakanu, said, “The owners of the buildings that were demolished were caught in the act of kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities including those belonging to their collaborators. Prince Madumere stressed the need to shun the wrong attitude of abetting crime as there are punishments for collaborators and those whose facilities are used for criminal activities.

    He warned the youth to shun crime, adding that the state government will not spare anyone who will engage in any act that will undermine the security of the state.

    The Deputy Governor challenged the youths to take advantage of the state government’s youth empowerment programme like free education and several skill acquisition programmes to adequately prepare themselves for the challenges of the future, instead of taking to criminality.

    He commended the Commissioner of Police, the Army, Civil Defence and other security agencies for their collaborative efforts in ensuring that kidnappers and other criminal elements are kept out of business in the state.

    Speaking further to the mammoth crow of villagers who gathered to witness the demolition, Madumere restated the commitment of the Rescue Mission Administration to stamp out crime from the state and make it comfortable for investors.

    The Commissioner of Police in his brief speech said that “the resolve to take the battle to the criminals has become necessary so as to stop them from operating at all.

    He revealed that a lot of intelligence has gone into the new approach to combating crime.

    Lakanu who expressed joy with the crime-free status of the state, advised that the status should be sustained to avert possible security challenges that may hinder development policies of the state government, especially now that every state of the federation is yearning for investment.

    He assured that the measure will also serve as a deterrent to others.

    The Commissioner of Police further commended the State Governor for improving the security infrastructures in the State and for rapid response in managing some situations.

    Meanwhile, some of the villagers who spoke with newsmen commended the Deputy Governor and the security operatives, while promising to always give vital information that will further help rid the communities of all undesirable elements.

     

  • Group hails IPMAN’s refinery plan

    The South East Renaissance Group has praised the plan by members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to build new refineries, describing it as a visionary step towards ending the perennial scarcity of petroleum products in the country.

    President of the group and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Imo State, Nze Elvis Agukwe, assured that the new leadership of IPMAN under Chief Lawson Obasi will surely stabilize the distribution of products and end scarcity.

    Agukwe who regretted that endless crisis prevented IPMAN from playing its expected role, expressed confidence that the new leadership under Chief Obasi will take charge of the situation.

    According to him, “with Chief Lawson Obasi as the new IPMAN President, the much needed stability in the downstream sector is now here and Nigerians will no longer groan under any form of fuel scarcity”.

    He also expressed optimism that the plan by IPMAN to build refineries will go a long way to stop the import of the products, thereby saving the nation the much needed foreign exchange.

    “This is a master-stroke of walking the talk. I am not surprised at all because Chief Lawson Obasi is not only a key player in that sector but he commands the respect of his members. His presidency of IPMAN will surely benefit the nation”, Agukwe said.

    He further urged the Federal Government, especially the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPC, to work in concert with IPMAN to realize its dreams for Nigeria.

    “The Petroleum Ministry and NNPC should pay more attention to the needs of IPMAN rather than the undue favour it grants the oil majors majority of whom are not Nigerians”, he stated.

    The former commissioner noted that IPMAN was employing millions of Nigerians and contributing to the growth of the economy and hence should be supported through favourable government’s policies.

    Agukwe described the new IPMAN President, Chief Lawson Obasi as a man of ideas with proven leadership qualities who will assist the government achieve its goals to stabilize the oil sector.

    “For us as the South East Renaissance Group, the emergence of Chief Lawson Obasi as IPMAN President could not have come at a better time. With him in the saddle, the era of long queues in petrol stations will be over. We congratulate him and wish IPMAN well for this wise choice”, he submitted.

  • Optometrists honour Okorocha’s aide

    Optometrists honour Okorocha’s aide

    For optometrists, the vision is clear: the Principal Secretary to the Imo State Governor, Dr. Paschal Obi, who is also an optometrist, deserves honour.

    Noting Obi’s philanthropy and contributions to the profession, the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) presented him with a commendation award. The event attracted the crème de la crème of the society.

    The venue of the event, the Hum Event Centre in Rivers State was filled to capacity, as well wishers travelled from far and near to share the moment with the obviously elated Obi, who was flanked by immediate family members.

    Presenting the award which coincided with the NOA’s 40th Conference and Expo 2016, the National President of the professional body, Dr. Demian Echendu said that Dr. Obi, former Acting Director of Public/Primary Health Care, Ministry of Health, Imo State, has distinguished himself as a man with genuine love and commitment to the well-being of the association in the country.

    Echendu added that the award is only a token of the appreciation of his contributions in stabilising the body, adding that Dr Obi has distinguished himself as a worthy ambassador of NOA.

    He said, “Today is our award night and we use it to recognise those who have contributed immensely to the growth of our profession which Dr. Paschal Obi happens to be one of them.

    “It is on record that Dr. Obi was the first Optometrist to be recruited into Imo State civil service and equally spare-headed the struggle to bring in his colleagues into the civil service. So today we felt, it is most worthy for us to recognize him for his immense contributions to the association. Therefore, this award is an appreciation award in recognition of the immense work he has done for the association and the humanity”.

    In his response, Dr. Obi expressed gratitude to the association for finding him worthy for such honour and reiterated his commitment to continuously contribute his quota to the overall growth and development of the Association in Nigeria.

    The elated recipient assured that the award will motivate him in no small measure to remain undaunted as a role model to his fellow professional colleagues, civil servants, and young Nigerians as well as to continually render selfless services to the betterment of mankind.

    He said, “I can say that this award is a very unique one. Unique in the sense that it came from the association I cherish so much. My professional body, the Nigerian Optometric Association.

    “I will not say that I am surprised to be honoured by this unique association because I do know that at any point in time, all that occupy my mind is what I will do to uplift the Optometric Association and I have not relented in doing that”.

    Obi who is also the founder and financier of Equity Foundation finally admonished the Optometric students and young Nigerians to remain focused on their studies and goals in life, adding that there is no easy way to success in life if not through personal determination and commitment”.

    Commenting on the Award, Mr. Kennedy Amanze, commended the Association for their diligence in noting the contributions of the recipient towards the development of the body and humanity at large.

    He further described the Award as well deserved and inspiring, adding that Dr Obi is a renowned community leader whose propensity for service to God and humanity is unequalled.

    Amanze who is a Director of Information at the Imo Government House, added further that with the award, “Dr Obi will no doubt re-dedicate himself to greater service to humanity”.

    Commenting on the Award also, Uchenna A. Mgbenani, Director, Administration and Finance, Government House, described the recipient as ”a man of quintessential excellence” who has excelled in driving the administrative machinery of the Rescue Mission administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha.

    The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ideato North Council Area, Nze Luke Ekweme , described Dr. Obi as a man of many parts, adding that “the Award is a testimony of his outstanding leadership qualities.

    Also, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area, Mrs. Ijeoma Oriezuo, confirmed that “Dr Obi has been steadfast in upholding the tenets of his profession and as such merited the award”.

  • Abia Brigade hosts army contest

    the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State has announced that it will host this year’s sporting competition among commands in the 82 Division, Enugu.

    A statement by the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations Officer, Major Sydney Mbaneme on behalf of the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Lawrence Fejokwu said the event will be staged at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, Ohafia from August 7 to 12.

    The event, according to the release, will serve as a platform for the scouting of officers and men who will represent the Division in the Nigerian Army Sports Festival which comes up later in the yea. The statement added, “It is also directed at encouraging comradeship among officers and men of the Division.

    Sydney further added that the five-day event would see brigades under the 82 Division competing in various sporting activities; marathon race, tug of war, obstacle crossing, scrabble and cross country.

    The 14 Brigade spokesman who stated that designated routes have been marked for the marathon and cross country races, appealed to the residents and visitors of Ohafia within the period of the competition not to panic on sighting mass movement of soldiers in the area.

    He urged people to go about their  business.

  • Health minister hails UNTH

    Health minister hails UNTH

    Impressed by the peaceful atmosphere at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, visiting Health Minister, Prof. Isaac Adewole, said administrators of other health facilities in the country should emulate the leadership style of Dr. Chris Amah, the chief medical director of the hospital.

    Adewole stated that no organisation could achieve progress without peace and unity, stressing that the crowd that welcomed him to UNTH was a practical demonstration that the management team is united, even as he noted that patients who receive treatment under a peaceful atmosphere would heal faster.

    He said, “This is my third time of visiting UNTH in the past 15 years as union leader, but this time, the warmth the current CMD is radiating since my arrival has not been seen anywhere in my visits to other hospitals in the country, and to reward him, funds to enable him to complete some critical projects would be captured in our 2017 budget.”

    He, however, told medical directors of National Orthopaedic Hospital Enugu and Neuropsychiatric hospital Enugu, not to lose hope, as their hospitals would be captured in due course. He also disclosed that UNTH has been selected among seven hospitals in the country to be designated as specialist centers for the treatment of cancer, while government would continue to encourage its cardiothoracic centre of excellence for open heart surgery adding that 200 cancer machines would soon be delivered to hospitals.

    The minster continued, “why do we go to India and other countries for treatment, the best place one can receive treatment and recover fast, is within your country where the medical personnel can speak the same language with you, in fact, the present administration has vowed to improve the health sector so as to discourage medical tourism among our people.”

    Adewole called on state governments not to focus only on primary healthcare, but to address general health matters, especially as it concerns maternal mortality which was high at the moment.

    Earlier while receiving the minister, the chief medical director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Dr. Chris Amah, attributed the progress recorded since his appointment in 2011 to the combined efforts of his management team.

    Amah, said that although, UNTH pioneered open heart surgery in South Saharan Africa in 1974, under late renowned surgeon Prof. Febian Udekwu, and recorded Africa’s first separation of Siamese twins in 1976 under Prof. Nene Obianyo, he restored open heart surgery services in march 2013, after over ten years of inactivity.

    The pediatric surgeon stated that after reactivating the cardiothoracic centre of excellence with support from outside the country and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, it has performed over 175 open heart surgeries on adults and children since 2013, which according to him, was higher than the total number performed since the inception of UNTH more than 46 years ago.

    He praised the health minister for visiting the hospital despite his busy schedules, saying the gesture showed his commitment to duty and love for UNTH. The minister later visited some departments and wards, including the cardiothoracic centre, where he interacted with some patients and wished them quick recovery.

    The chairman of the medical advisory committee, Dr. Obinna Onodugo, the director of finance, Mr. Chukwudi Onuchukwu Chocho, the director of the Post graduate studies, Dr. Linda Oge Okoye, the director of administration, Barr. Simon Nkume, head of Nursing services, Mrs. Chinwe Achukwu, the coordinator post Basic Peri-Operative, Nursing school, Dr. Nkiru Azike and head, Public Relations, Mr. Cyril Keleze were on law to receive the minister during the visit.

    Also present on the occasion were professors Basden Onwubere, Martin Aghaji and Benedict Anisiuba, all of the cardiothoracic centre, the medical directors of National Orthopaedic hospital Enugu, Dr. Cajetan Nwadinigwe and Dr. Jojo Onwukwe of the Nueropsychiatric hospital, Enugu as well as the Enugu State Commissioner for health, Dr. Sam Ngwu.

  • Ndigbo close ranks

    Ndigbo close ranks

    The camaraderie was reminiscent of the February gathering. Then, two feuding camps of Igbo leadership came together. The factional leaders, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and Dr Ralph Obioha shook hands, eliciting a huge sigh of relief from the crowd.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha played a huge part in the reconciliation.

    That kindred spirit has been rekindled, and in the same place as the February peace meeting: Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    The Igbo have their umbrella organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo to thank for that. The body organised  its maiden Igbo Unity Forum where the ethnic group closed ranks.

    The gathering provoked emotions and genuine kindred spirit that had stimulated and guided the communal lifestyle of the Igbo. Political and religious sentiments were jettisoned and brothers had a heart-to-heart chat on the way forward.

    The Imo International Convention Centre (IICC), venue of the meeting, was filled to capacity as early as 8am.

    Different emotions swept through the electrified crowd as they waited for the arrival of the Igbo leaders. While some were optimistic that peace has been found at last, others nursed the fear that the effort may fail like previous attempts.

    But at last, judging from the quality of those in attendance and the goodwill messages of those who could not make it, coupled with the sincerity of the speeches made, it was obvious that a new Igbo, founded on unity and kindred spirit was born.

    One of the cardinal decisions reached at the end of the meeting that lasted into the night, was that Ndigbo should stop bemoaning their fate but should rise up as co-owners of Nigeria and one of the three largest ethnic groups and take their rightful position.

    They equally resolved to start thinking home by investing more in Igbo land than outside the region to develop Igbo land and create employment for their people.

    Apart from speeches and words of inspiration, the people also savoured the rich Igbo culture that many may have forgotten, especially the presentation of kola nut. From a distance, the flute sounded, tearing through the silence of the night and not a few of the ageing leaders bowed their heads in deep thought as the familiar sound reminded them of the good old days.

    Opening the stage for the historic speeches that characterized the night, the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey, reminded the people that the meeting was critical towards finding new ways of meeting challenges confronting Ndigbo.

    He said, “We have come here today in a rare situation. For a very long time Ohaneze has been doing its best to be the mouth piece of the Igbo nation. Today is a special day because as a people we have decided to close ranks and address our problems by ourselves. For a long time we have never had this kind of meeting. We have had meetings of Governors coming together, traditional rulers coming together and Igbo groups coming together, to try to proffer solution to Igbo problems. Today I am excited to welcome all of you here.

    “Firstly, you may have noticed that for some time now, Ohaneze and Igbo people have been speaking with one voice. This is because peace has been midwifed and that was done in this very state, Imo State. The Governor of Imo state midwifed that peace. So today Ohaneze speaks with one voice.

    “Some people have been complaining rightly, but that is not why we are here today. I will tell you a simple story that reflects why we are here today. When the civil war ended nearly forty years ago, it was not a magic that we recovered with the pace with which we did, when the Red Cross was sending relief materials to our people again in the Refugee Camp because our people by their adventurous nature had gone to fetch for themselves, that is the Igbo spirit, that is the can do it spirit.

    “Gentlemen & ladies, I want us to emphasis our story. As a people you will agree with me that we are very adventurous people, we are achievers, look round you, we have made more gains than loses. Our strength is in the fact that as individuals we are great achievers and we hope that when we redirect this strength of ours we will be able to address the problems of our people”.

    He continued that, “today will mark the beginning of a new Ohaneze, a new Ohaneze that has the full support of our Governors, of our traditional rulers so that when we make a statement or speech the world will know we have come. We are going to bring hope to our people; our people will no longer cry because as a people we can solve our problems. There is nothing we put our minds to that we cannot solve, when you see Lagos the way it is, highly developed environment, the Igbo contributed about 30% of that development, the same in Abuja that means that if we redirect our energies we can build another Abuja in Igboland. That means we can build another Lagos in Igboland, and that is our new direction now.

    “What we want is that our people should not see any person as being responsible for any situation we find ourselves in. We will only be there if we accept it. We will put our feet down and put our heads up; we will rise to the occasion to solve our problems. Hope has come, that is the message we are bringing. Today, Ohaneze is having an ultra-modern complex courtesy of the Governor of Imo State and we thank him for that. We call on other Governors to follow suit so as to equip Ohaneze to be a formidable voice in the nation.

    ”Why is it that our people are investing in everywhere but home? Wealth is not wealth until it gets home says an Igbo adage. The governments in Igboland must come together to create that environment to attract our people. Those things they do out there let them come and do it here so that our young people will have employment and we won’t be begging anybody for employment, we can do it for ourselves”.

    In his speech, Chairman of the event and former Governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwaobodo, described the meeting as a process of self-discovery.

    According to him, “What we are doing today is very important, it is operation rediscover yourself because he that is rejected cannot reject himself. We have to rediscover ourselves. We have come to make a statement that we are major stakeholders in this country. If you go to Lagos, Alaba for instance is being occupied by the Igbos, anywhere you go to in Nigeria you have Igbo dwelling and occupying the place. Even in America the Presidential candidate of the Republican party, Donald Trump said that the Igbo should go because we have enough in our land.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Six Imo undergrads get Onwuliri scholarship

    Six university undergraduates who hail from Mbaise, Imo State have been awarded this year’s Prof C.O.E Onwuliri International Liaison of Mbaise Indigenes (ILMI) memorial scholarship award.

    The beneficiaries included two each from the three Mbaise local government areas: Ahiazu, Aboh and Ezinihitte.

    They are Chikwendu Anicetus U, Anyanwu Innocentia T., Ugochukwu Ifeoma A., Oguh Emmanuel E., Chikwe Gloria N. and Ododo Chinecherem U.

    The scholarship award was instituted in 2013, following the June 3, 2012 Dana Air crash in Lagos, which claimed the life of the late Prof. Celestine Onyemaobi Elihe Onwuliri.

    It is awarded yearly to deserving sons and daughters of Mbaise, who came tops among those that passed the scholarship examination.

    This year’s event – the four-year memorial Mass for the late former FUTO Vice-Chancellor – was held at St. Jude Catholic Parish Amuzi, Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area under the chairmanship of the President-General of Ezuruezu Mbaise, Chief Cyril Anyanwu.

    Anyanwu paid glowing tribute to the late Onwuliri, whom he called “a great man, a living legend who remains perpetually a pride to Mbaise nation, Imo State, Nigeria and the international community”.

    The co-ordinator of the awards, Dr. Damian Dike, on behalf of Prof. Joe Onyeocha of South Carolina, USA, who is the president of ILMI, said the award is only for Mbaise undergraduates in year one in any tertiary institution in Nigeria.

    He said over 200 undergraduates applied and the six that were chosen were those that came tops in written and oral examination set.

    Onyeocha congratulated the recipients on their success.

    In a memorial lecture at DRACC, Emene, Enugu State, titled: “Prof. COE Onwuliri’s Four-point Agenda for Knights; A blueprint for peace and progress in Nigeria”, Dr. George Ikioumoton was of the opinion that the agenda, which focuses on spirituality, discipline, charity and fraternity, could be a blueprint for peace, progress and stability of Nigeria.

    The agenda, Ikioumoton said, is a crystallisation of the objects of the Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and itself synthesis from the teachings of Jesus Christ in the scripture, which have helped to redirect their focus on evangelisation of the universal church.

    He described the late Onwuliri as a man of any season, who left indelible footprint in all facets of life.

    The lecturer noted that that the KSJI has followed through the path he charted and tremendous benefits have been reaped in growth and stability.

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was special guest of honour at the lecture, said, Onwuliri “was a colossus in his own field, a teacher and mentor to many other accomplished scholars.”

    Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, who chaired the memorial lecture, said the late professor was “a fine gentleman, a thorough academician, dedicated, robust man of faith, who carried the weight of the Catholic Church so proudly…”

    Prof. Viola Adaku Onwuliri described her late husband as a wonderful family man, whose legacies have continued to impact positively on the lives of members of his family and beyond.