The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Joy as old students donate N4m water pumps to alma mater

    There was jubilation at the Government College, Ughelli, Delta State at the weekend as its Old Boys donated eight pneumatic manual water pumps worth over N4 million to the college.

    The group also donated over 100 copies of the books ‘Innovative Leadership’ and ‘How to Become a Millionaire” written by Mr. Jude Kakpobvia and Utoh Ohworieha, two members of the Class of 1978 to the college, and sister schools, Anglican Girls Grammar School and St. Theresa’s Grammar School, Ughelli.

    Speaking during the commissioning ceremony,  the Delta State  Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Chiedu Ebie commended the old boys of the college for their various contributions to the development of the school.

    Ebie, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Pius Omubaye stressed need for old students of schools to contribute towards the growth of their alma manta, saying government alone cannot do it all.

    Also speaking, Chairman of the Class of 1978 of the school, Dr. Akpor Mudiaga-Odje said the project was embarked upon in the spirit of giving back from what they had to the school which he said had given so much to them.

    He said: “This was where our educational umbilical cords were buried and in retrospect, our fathers and mothers at that time, saw the light of Government College, Ughelli and they knew it was a school of unmatched and impeccable educational standard.

    “While here, there were some things we were indoctrinated about, regarding the issues of culture, self discipline, education, integrity, honesty and steadfastness and having built all these things in us, we were pushed into the world and we saw how these virtues enabled us to soar and tower above our challenges.

    “Having done that, we now said, we must not forget where we came from; this is the foundation of our educational excellence. This is the first project we are commissioning in the midst of harvest of projects coming soon.”

    He explained that the reason to embark on the manually operated water pumping system was as a result of the epileptic power supply.

    The President of the Warri Branch of the Government College, Ughelli Old Boys Association, Dr. Richard Obiuwebvi, reiterated the determination of the old boys to bring the school back to the standard it was during its golden era.

    “It is in this spirit that apart from the old boys associations, classes of various years are now organising themselves to give one for of assistance or the other to the school, “he said.

    A prominent member of the association, Mr. Stephen Dieseruvwe,  said: “When you look at the importance of clean drinking water, if a set in the school now decided to provide eight pneumatic manual water pumps to the school, it is a wonderful.”

    The Principal of the school, Mr. Godspower Odenema, said: “Government College, Ughelli depicts excellence,” thanking the old boys for all they had been doing towards the development of the school.

     

  • Community buries diplomat

    Community buries diplomat

    The sleepy town of  Ovu-Ojima, Umuojima, Isiala  Ngwa in Abia State knows what the late former Nigerian Ambassador  to China Victor N. Chibundu meant to it. From yesterday to today, the residents planned a befitting set of activities for the diplomat’s final passage. His remains were scheduled to be buried today at St. Mary Catholic Church, Umuojima, Isala Ngwa.

    Aside a book launch in his memory, the Council of Traditional Chiefs to the Eze was billed to pay homage to Chibundu at the palace of Eze Iheukwunmere.

    The Chinese Community in Nigeria in recognition of his contributions to the strengthening of closer ties with Nigeria-China bilateral relations and his initiatives for founding Nigeria Friendship Association (NICAF), on July 15 at the China town , Ojota, Lagos celebrated his life and times.

    In a beautiful but emotionally laden atmosphere, the Chinese Community in Nigeria led by the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Deputy Consul General Mr. Lin Yong, trooped in to pay tribute.

    “On behalf of the Chinese community in Nigeria, we feel the pain and vacuum, but we want to openly commend his selfless efforts. We will never forget him as a link to the good friendship between China and Nigeria which both countries are enjoying today,” Mr. Lin Yong said.

    The President of the Chinese Aids Center, Mr. Sun Guoping contributed to the event.

    Also contributing were the Chairman of China Industrial & Commercial Enterprises association; Confucius Institute at the University of Lagos; Chinese Associations in Nigeria; Wood Association; Wig Association; Women’s Federation’ China Fujian Association; the Secretary of West Africa –Chinese and Chinese Overseas Federation, Mr. Xue Xiaoming, Mr. Liu Chang, Head of the Chinese Community in Nigeria, Mr. Sun Ping, Mr. Lu Lu Jackson and a host of other Chinese nationals across Nigeria.

    Chibundu’s large family both at home and abroad were fully in attendance at the event that was well attended by many Nigerians and other Nationals who have felt the impact of Ambassador Chibundu, especially in the areas of promotion of Peace, Community and international relations and Education.

    Ambassador Oluwole Coker who was also a former Ambassador to China  and Ivory Coast said,  Chibundu “excelled both at home and abroad. After retiring from the Nigerian Foreign Service in 1990, He still went ahead to improve the ties between Nigeria and China and founded the NICAF in 1994, which is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries. He also wrote four books on the development of Nigeria- China ties.

    The books he wrote have become important reference books for researchers on the Nigerian-China ties,” Coker revealed.

    Kate, his widow, said, ”I appreciate the kind gesture of the China community in organising this event, but I am yet to believe that he is truly dead. He was truly a bridge builder and a man of honour. As he wished good for his own family, same good he extended to anyone that came across him. We will sorely miss him.”

    His younger brother and a close confidant, M.A.E Chibundu  who was still in shock, said that it is good to be good.

    “Coming here today is not just to celebrate the contributions of my brother to the Chinese Community both at home and abroad, but for all to know that whatever we do in life has a result. When my brother diligently served the Nigeria and became a good Ambassador in his official abode, he never knew he will be rewarded like this one day. May be he was just being a good Nigerian, a truly son of his father and a worthy representative of the Nigerian government; What honour is more than this ? For a man to be honoured at home and at abroad in his own land by the Foreigners? This is rare. I feel great and I am proud to be a Nigerian and I am proud to share same umbilical cord with Amb. Victor Chibundu”.

    Mrs. Edith Udeagu, his eldest child who was a retired Central bank Deputy Director and currently the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Nigeria Internet Registrant Association, NIRA, the impact of what his father did was what many are enjoying today. “My father was a detribaliased man. He didn’t believe that people are different. His major concern is how to add positive value to life and to individual’s that ever come across him. I could remember many good things he has done, and he will always stressed the fact that we need to do our best and make positive impact no matter how small.”

    Mrs. Dorothy Johnson, his second child who is a multi-linguist and Head of Human Resources at Huawei-Nigeria office, the need to be a total Nigerian was one of her father’s attributes.

    “He never believed in division. I could remember even when we were still very small, whatever countries he was posted to, he will make sure we remember home. He will tell us to draw Nigerian map and put at least key major capitals and states in it. He was a meticulous man. Rather than building houses all over Nigeria or amassing wealth, he has only one house in Lagos and one in our village.”

     

  • Priests hail Obi on return of schools

    Former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi was singled out for praise at an event meant for priests.

    During the ordination of six new priests at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, the commercial capital of the state, Catholic Bishop of Kano Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. John Niyiring said handing over schools to their church owners was the most courageous thing a person in government had done in Nigeria.

    He noted that since that exercise the trajectory of education changed in the state.

    While thanking the the Anambra State government for the gesture, he called on others to emulate it.

    In his own remarks, the Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha,  Most Rev. Dr. Denis Isizor, who encouraged the newly ordained priests to strive at all times to attend to the spiritual needs of the people, agreed with Bishop Niyiring. He went on to say that many countries in the world, using Ghana where he had personal experience, are eager to know by what arrangement the partnership between Anambra government and the churches worked seamlessly for the good of the people, especially in the area of education and healthcare delivery.

    Corroborating the submissions of the bishops, Dr. Alex Obiogbolu said that the continued reference to education underscored its importance in development. He recalled the gains of return of schools to the Church and how the former Governor, Mr. Peter Obi offered real support to the Churches.

    “Beyond the return of schools and the grant of over N6 billion for the rehabilitation of those schools, former Governor Peter Obi also provided buses, Internet connectivity, generators, sick bays, libraries, sporting facilities, computers and learning  aids to these schools,” Obiogbolu submitted.

     

  • First Lady feeds the needy in Abia

    First Lady feeds the needy in Abia

    The First Lady Aisha Buhari has donated rice, cooking oil, tomatoes and other food items to 1,000 needy residents of Abia State.

    The gesture came through her foundation under her “Future Assured” programme.

    Speaking at the event in Umuahia, Mrs Buhari said she chose Abia State for the programme not because there are more indigent persons in the state but because of the special love she has for the people of the state.

    Mrs Buhari expressed the desire to bring more goodies to the state  through her office.

    The First Lady was represented by the wife of the state governor Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu.

    She urged the people to get involved and seek ways of helping members of their communities.

    She said those who are blessed by God should see it as a duty to help others who are not so fortunate, adding, “it is the only way we can make our world a better place for ourselves, and especially for our children and assure them a brighter future.”

    Mrs. Buhari thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for standing by his wife and supporting all that she is doing, adding that she is aware that Mrs. Ikpeazu’s foundation is also contributing immensely towards the empowerment and uplift of indigent and vulnerable persons in Abia and beyond.

    She revealed that was the reason she gave Mrs. Ikpeazu a special award at a colourful ceremony at the Presidential Villa Abuja about a month ago.

    In his speech Governor Ikpeazu   thanked Mrs. Buhari for her generosity and kindness to Abians,   promising to always support the programmes of the President’s wife.

    The 1000 beneficiaries were drawn from the 17 local government areas of the state.

    They included indigent men and women, widows and the disabled.

    The items were presented to the beneficiaries by Governor Ikpeazu, assisted by his wife.

     

  • Boundary commission to end Ebonyi, Benue disputes

    Incessant and sometimes fatal boundary clashes between Ebonyi and Benue states may soon come to an end as the National Boundary Commission (NBC) has waded in.

    The commission said it would soon delineate the boundaries of both states in such a way as to prevent any more disputes.

    It also expressed concerns over the wanton destruction of life and property in communities along the disputed border.

    The Director-General of the Commission, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed stated this during a joint enlightenment campaign of communities along the Benue/Ebonyi interstate boundary in Ohaukwu and Ebonyi Local Government Areas of the state.

    The DG who thanked representatives of both Ebonyi/Benue state governments for accepting to follow the path of peace towards the resolution of the boundary disputes existing between them, observed that the lingering disputes were consequent upon the inordinate ambition of some members of the affected communities to amass lands without recourse to instituted laws and authorities.

    According to him, after the necessary stages of the joint enlightenment campaigns by the affected states and setting up of Peace Committees by the local government areas, the affected lands would be demarcated by the Commission for a permanent resolution of crisis in the areas.

    He further appealed to politicians, government appointees, clerics, traditional rulers, youths and indigenes of both states to preach and live in peace even as he emphasised the sacredness of the human life.

    In their separate remarks, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eric Igwe represented by the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Rt. Hon. Augustine Nwankwegu and his counterpart from Benue state, Engr. Benson Abounu represented by the Special Adviser, SA on Lands, Prof Jonathan Uever expressed optimism in the peace process led by the NBC and urged the affected communities to maintain peace and order for the interest of all and sundry.

    They expressed hope that the demarcation of the affected boundary line would foster and restore bilateral relations, trade and marriages and goodwill that had once existed between both states.

    All those who spoke during the exercise including traditional rulers, LG chairmen, youth leaders of both sides among others sued for peace and peaceful resolution of the intricacies involved in the disputed lands.

    The affected local councils in Ebonyi State are Ebonyi and Ohaukwu while that of Benue State are Ado and Oju local government areas.

  • Foundation donates to Abia Poly

    Foundation donates to Abia Poly

    Abia State Polytechnic Aba, Abia State has received about 843 books and two laptops worth several thousands of naira from a non-governmental organisation, the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation.

    The Nation gathered that this was the second time that the donor would be donating books to the polytechnic after it donated about 901 volumes and a laptop to the polytechnic’s library in 2012.

    Professor Martin Ikechukwu Ifeanacho, the Rector, Abia State Polytechnic, speaking after receiving the items, described the donation as one that will promote teaching and learning and allow the students of the institution to have access to wide range of books for research and amongst others.

    The elated rector thanked the donor and his foundation for their magnanimity and their keen interest in the development of youths in the country and the polytechnic in particular.

    He appealed to private and corporate bodies, including individuals and philanthropists in Aba, the state and the southeast to emulate the gestures of the book donor by coming to the aid of the institution, stressing that with the lean resources made available to the institution by the government the assistance of these bodies would be highly appreciated.

    He used the opportunity to reiterate the desire of the school to produce graduates that would not only be employable but can compete favourably in the global market.

    “Building human capacity is the greatest gift a country will have and that is what Sir Emeka Offor foundation is doing. The laptops will me more useful especially at this time that e-library is the order of the day. The books will help the students in their research. The donations are very vital considering that many institutions in the country today are finding it very difficult to have reading materials because of paucity of funds. Emeka Offor foundation has shown big example and that the books and laptops will help to facilitate teaching and learning in the institution. It is a great step that should be emulated by other people.

    “There has never been a case of students rioting and destroying things in the institution. The fear of misusing or lifting the books from the library is out it. The students are going to make judicious use of the materials and efforts were already in place to digitize the books to enable them have the materials in soft and hard copies.

    Deaconess Glory Onuoha, the school Librarian, Dr. Chizaram Ogbuji, Dean Student Affairs and comrade Chigbu Godswill Uchechukwu, the SUG President of the polytechnics thanked Sir Emeka Offor for his concern in shaping the future of Nigerian youths through his investment in education and promised that they were going to make judicious use of the books and other educational materials at their disposal.

  • Communities relish electricity

    Three communities, Ekka, Umuezeoka and Umuezeoha in Ezza North local government areas of Ebonyi State have been lit up following the restoration of electricity.

    The development threw the residents into a joyous mood with everyone chanting songs and dancing.

    The restoration of power was courtesy of a member of the House of Representatives representing Ezza North/Ishielu federal constituency, Hon. Anayo Edwin Nwonu

    The Nation gathered that the power outage was as a result of vandalism of electricity transformers in the area.

    The lawmaker provided new transformers and other power accessories and also paid the installation cost.

    Speaking with The Nation, Hon Nwonu stressed the need for community members to feel the impact of the present democratic dispensation, adding that his administration was bent on uplifting the living standard of his people.

    He urged the people to protect the transformers and other public amenities being put in place in the area. Hon Nwonu promised more dividends to the people even as he solicited for their support and cooperation at all times.

    According to him, while the Governor David Umahi-led state government is determined and is indeed delivering democracy dividends to the people of the state, it would not be favorably disposed to cite projects where it was not sure that they will be properly utilised and maintained.

    The traditional ruler of Ekka community in Ezza North Local Government Area, Ezeogo Fidelis Ekechi recalled that before the installation of transformers in the area, his community could best be described as one that still exists in the Dark Age.

  • Transport firm retrains drivers to stop crashes

    Transport firm retrains drivers to stop crashes

    The crashes have been too frequent. But it was not just the frequency: there were series of complaints and criticisms.

    This left Peace Mass Transit Ltd (PMT), a road transport firm, with no choice but to re-train its drivers.

    The firm, which has been in business for over 20 years, decided to retrain its over 3000 drivers plying 26 states of the country. The company has in its fleet 3000 buses and 4000 employees and ferries no fewer than 30,000 passengers to various destinations.

    The company came under severe criticism after two fatal accidents that involved its buses recently at Umuahia along Enugu/Port-Harcourt express road  and  Bayelsa road, which claimed the lives of many innocent passengers and driver. The public outcry that followed those two accidents involving the company’s buses made the board and management of Peace Mass Transit to launch a campaign tagged, “Defensive Driving” for her 3000 drivers.

    Said the Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of the company, Chief Sam Onyishi: “This has become necessary as there is a great outcry and negative press against the company, as a result of these accidents that is trying to relegate to the background all safety records and achievements of PMT for over 20 years on Nigerian roads.”

    According to Onyishi, the police and eye witness reports have exonerated PMT drivers from the cause of these accidents, but, as a matter of duty, the company in other to retain the full confidence of the general public, who patronise her services, decided to retrain her drivers on defensive driving in conjunction with the Federal Road Safety Corps, and some consultant psychologists.

    Onyishi hinted that one of the safety measures undertaken by the company and which is being revisited is the selection of its drivers. He explained: “At the point of employment of drivers, PMT follows a set standards. Her prospective drivers must have valid drivers’ license, medical certificate of fitness from a government hospital, visual certification report, and drug test report; must be 31 years of age but not more than 40 years. And such person must have driven commercial vehicle for at least 5 years; amidst all these, priority is on married men. Furthermore, prospective drivers bring guarantors among who must be his immediate family member, religious head and community leader. A local government ID letter is also a prerequisite.  We take time to verify all submissions before short listing anyone for interview. After our oral test, a practical test is conducted by a committee made up of a Retired FRSC officer, 2 retired drivers, a psychologist, a retired traffic officer, and a Mechanical engineer. Successful drivers emerge from the above exercise”.

    He said of the training: “At consummation of the above exercise, orientation course is organised for the successful drivers by our safety team, customer service team, maintenance team and operations for 4 days. At this juncture, vehicles are assigned to each driver to ply the shortest distance for 2 years. Performance drives promotions from this point. Key performance indicators here include customer satisfaction, accident free driving and good maintenance culture,” adding,” Every PMT driver must attend training four times in a year; first quarter, second quarter, third quarter and the last quarter and in each of these quarters it is packaged in its peculiarity. We have resource persons coming from training unit of the Federal Road Safety being the supervisory body of road transport sector. Industrial Training Fund also partner with PMT on training, just as Automotive companies who manufacture the vehicles also send resource persons from China, Dubai, South Africa and Japan. They train our people on the use of their vehicle and how to operate it safely on the road. All the bodies mentioned do this in conjunction with our internal training team. A proficient team saddled with the responsibility of having 50 drivers on daily training from 9am to 12pm. It is headed by the HoD of HSE department, a retired State traffic officer; in their team are retired Federal Road Safety officers, retired State Traffic Officers, a Psychologist, retired drivers and a mechanical engineer. We don’t just bring ordinary persons to come and do it. In doing these things, drivers are certified by the different bodies mentioned above.”

  • Minister intervenes in Abia erosion

    The minister of Niger Delta Affairs Usani Uguru Usani has decried the erosions ravaging Nkwoagu Isuochi community in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.

    Usani blamed the erosion on the inability of the agency that awarded the contract to follow up the contract after awarding it, to know the extent and quality of work done.

    Speaking at the erosion site in Nkwoagu Isuochi, Usani regretted that the contract which was awarded six years ago has nothing to show for the work that should have impacted positively on the lives of the people of the area.

    Usani said that he is saddened with the devastation done by erosion which has taken part of the road linking Abia state to Umueze in Anambra state, saying that his ministry through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will find a solution to the problem.

    He regretted that the current bombings of the oil installations in the Niger Delta by some militants has caused economic hardship on the finances of the country, “The situation we have found ourselves now has made it hard for us to work at the speed we would have worked”.

    The Niger Delta minister said that he will liaise with the management of the NDDC to ensure that palliative measures are done urgently to enable the people use the road and also stop any hazard that may occur on the road.

    Earlier the member representing Umunneochi state constituency at the state house of assembly, Ikedi Ezekwesiri called for urgent attention on the road which is being eroded to save the council headquarters and other federal agencies.

    Ezekwesiri blamed the erosion on poor supervision by schedule officers and improper termination of drainage, “Which has put the entire community in dire straits, we need urgent attention to save our people and their properties”.

    He pleaded with the minister to mobilise resources to save lives and property “that are in danger occasioned by the marauding devastation of the erosion menace and achieving results will mean by-passing bureaucratic processes”.

    The Abia State House member said that if the erosion is not checked on time that it will consume the main road, village secondary school built over five decades ago, the police station among other places.

    In her speech the member representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejiocha said that in the 2008 fiscal year that the place was not in the budget, which she did added for the contract to be awarded.

    Onyejioch regretted the attitude of the contractor whom she alleged is not qualified to handle the magnitude of job they met on site and pleaded with the minister to come to their aid urgently to save them from further damage of their environment.

  • Rare treat for orphans in Owerri

    Rare treat for orphans in Owerri

    The despair of orphanage gave way as Imo State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere celebrated with inmates, reports OKODILI NDIDI

    The gloom of orphanage gave way as Imo State Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere visited. The young inmates aged between one and three years broke into a dance, and then sat down to dine with their august visitor.

    Such a moment is rare at orphanages. But at the Red Cross Orphanage in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Madumere’s call changed almost everything. Most of the children drew sympathy from the visitors, some of whom hugged the young inmates amid tears. But for the children, it was one of those rare occasions when they were treated to uncommon meals and extraordinary love. They were indeed lost in the aura of the moment.

    The feeble dance steps of the youngsters kept the visitors rolling in laughter.

    It was all happening on Prince Eze Madumere’s 52nd birthday anniversary.

    In the last 12 years, long before he became the Deputy Governor, this birthday celebration with the orphans had become a sort of annual ritual which Madumere religiously observed.

    Unlike birthday anniversaries of highly placed and well-to-do Nigerians, the occasion was devoid of expensive wines, exotic gifts and loud political wishes but laced with love and care for the needy.

    To observe the sanctity of the occasion, the crowd that accompanied the Deputy Governor to the event was a select few made up of his personal aides and immediate family members.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Governor stated that the ‘special children’ who are found in various homes and other public social homes are not there on choice but as victims of circumstances they have no control over.

    While thanking God for his mercies, grace and protection, Madumere called on Nigerians to cultivate the idea of donating to the less privileged and other Nigerians who cannot help themselves.

    He also urged Nigerians to make periodic visits to motherless babies’ homes or displaced persons camps to save them from untold hardship.

    He said, “I have been doing this in the last 12 years even before I became the Deputy Governor. And as a result of this covenant God has always seen me through every challenge that comes my way.”

    He said that he chose to celebrate with the orphans and spare a thought for the IDPs on this year’s anniversary because it is a way of showing gratitude to God and giving back to the society.

    The state Vice Chairman of the Red Cross, Prince Keke Chima, commended the Deputy Governor for choosing to celebrate with the downtrodden.

    “For you to have chosen to celebrate the greatest moment of your life with inmates of this orphanage you should be commended,” he said.

    “And not just coming here today, you have kept faith with this annual ritual since the past 12 years. We want to thank you and pray God to continue to keep you and reward you”.