The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • A lawmaker’s outreach for constituents

    A lawmaker’s outreach for constituents

    A House of Representatives member Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha teams up with medical personnel to bring succour to her constituency in Abia State. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    Over 10,000 residents of Umunneochi/Isiukwuato constituency in Abia State have benefitted from Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejiocha’s medical outreach.

    For five days, patients were treated for various conditions, some undergoing eye surgeries.

    The lawmaker told The Nation that she would always prioritise her people’s health.

    Some of the medical personnel came from the United States of America, while others were locally based.

    Though the event was meant for Umunneochi and Isiukwuato constituents, patients from neighbouring Imo, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states also turned up and some were treated.

    The event was a big relief for families especially, the less privileged ones as their wards, children, parents and relatives consulted well-trained and experienced doctors, collected drugs, reading glasses and also underwent various surgeries at no cost.

    Why such an outreach at a time of financial difficulties?

    Hon. Onyejiocha replied, “Health is wealth; if you are talking about infrastructure and people who are to benefit from the exercise are not healthy, it will be worthless and a wasted vision. Basically it is my intention to bring good health to our people so as to enable them respond well in any activity that will be going on within the constituency. And also because of the present economic situation not everybody will be able to afford the money for health care services and I believe the best I can do is to partner with some people to bring health care facilities down here.

    “I don’t play politics with people’s lives. 90% of people with hernia, lumps amongst others have been operated upon while those with malaria have also been attended to and drugs given to them. The eye problems were given lenses. I have been doing it over the years and have partnered with Living Hope Ministries’ medical team headed by Dr. Sony Acho for six years, though I had been partnering with other Nigeria doctors to carry out this particular exercise even before I become a politician. Everybody have access to it as far as you have any ailment, we attend to hernia, lumps, cataract, appendectomy and others but if there are some major ailments we get referrals and sought for doctors that will attend to them while I also handle the bill.

  • Army chief drives hygiene in Aba

    Army chief drives hygiene in Aba

    The Commanding Officer, 144 Battalion Lt. Col. Umar Kasim Sidi has urged residents of Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State, and its environs to imbibe the culture of cleanliness and healthy living in their homes, offices and business premises.

    Sidi stated this in an interview with our correspondent at the end of a sanitation exercise which covered Milverton, Asa, Pound, Azikiwe roads and other places in the commercial city.

    The army chief stressed the importance of living and doing business in a hygienic and clean environment, adding that people can reduce the frequency of their visit to hospitals if they keep their environments clean at all times.

    The community service was part of activities marking this year’s Army Day celebrations.

    Col. Sidi said, “You see, there is this apathy that Abians, especially Aba residents, have about soldiers. So, we try as much as possible to do things that will make them have confidence in us especially in partnering against crime. Some of the things that we choose to do are to bring about confidence in the civil populace to enable them come close to the military and see that we are their friends and brothers. People should not be scared of the army.

    “We are part of the society and community where we operate. In the past, we did medical outreach and this time we decided to embark on this exercise to help educate people and to also create awareness on the importance of people living and doing business in a clean, hygienic environment. It will save people from taking ill frequently and as such enable them use the money that they would use to treat malaria, typhoid and others to solve other issues.

    “But the essence of the exercise is part of contribution to the business community which is in line with the activities to mark this year’s army celebration. I don’t have the money for now to hold medical outreaches like we did in the past, but as soon I have money from the high command, we will do medical outreach.”

    During the exercise some shop owners along Park Road joined in  but it was a different scenario at Milverton as transporters were busy loading passengers at their various loading bays while others watched the soldiers as they perform the community service.

    Some said they were astonished seeing soldiers cleaning up the community, describing it as the first of its kind in the city.

    Others made the point that such exercise will help to correct the impression people have about soldiers.

     

  • Succour for 90 widows in Enugu

    Succour for 90 widows in Enugu

    The Battle Axe Women Fellowship International, (BAWFI), Enugu has extended a hand of support to widows, giving them food items, clothing and a sense of belonging.

    The event took place at the Living Praise Worship Centre For All Nations in the state capital, and had guests from over five countries, including England and South Africa.

    The major attraction at the ceremony was the presence of over 90 widows from the five southeastern states of the country.

    The president of BAWFI Dr. Mrs. Linda Oge Okoye said the organisation thought it best to celebrate motherhood with needy women who lost their husbands.

    She said, “We decided to be remembering them every year, and we not only present food items and clothing materials to them, we also empower some of them with cash to improve on their business.”

    The president stated that by their little support, they believed that the gesture would alleviate their sufferings, put a smile on their faces and reduce their burden.

    Okoye, a former dean, Faculty of Dentistry, College of Medicine of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, explained that the main purpose for their celebration was to find a platform to empower some widows, give them a sense of belonging and cause them to forget their worries.

    She said that the organisation could do more for Nigerian women but is handicapped financially, and called on the government, the wealthy, corporate Nigeria and those with like minds to assist them in reducing poverty which is ravaging Nigerian widows.

    Responding on behalf of the widows, Mrs. Ruth Iwundu said that their hearts were filled with joy with that singular display of love for several years.

    Iwundu, full of gratitude for their kind gesture, remarked that “our prayer is that you will never be a widow, you live and live with your husband, you have shown us genuine love and God will bless you abundantly and members of your family and replenish your expenses at this period of poor economy which has resulted to hard times.

    Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of food items and cash to the over 90 widows, drawn from five south eastern states of the country by Dr. Oge Okoye.

    The spiritual director of Living Praise Worship Center, Pastor Emeka Okoye, the women leader of Battle Axe Women, Evangelist Uzoamaka Cosmas, the PRO, Mrs. Chika Chukwuemeka and Deaconess Charity Otuu, also graced the occasion.

  • Health boost for newborns in Enugu

    Health boost for newborns in Enugu

    The Minister for Health, Prof. Isaac Adewale has re-affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to continue to partner with relevant organisations with a view to improving the welfare of newborn babies.

    The dropped the hint in Enugu while declaring open the 9th annual and scientific meeting of the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine at the Nondon Hotel.

    The minister who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Dr. Chris Amah said that apart from partnership which was inevitable for effective coverage of the large Nigerian population, government was taking the issues of primary healthcare very seriously.

    While expressing government’s readiness to work with NISONM to ensure better welfare for newborns and reduce maternal mortality in the country because of its abilities, the minister promised Nigerians a better and functional healthcare programme that would address all issues of maternal health

    He expressed: “I note with interest the theme for your 2016 meeting, “Newborn health in the context of the sustainable development goals” and sub theme: “establishing partnerships for maternal and newborn health, how far, so far?” and observed that the choice is apt for a country like Nigeria against the backdrop of our health challenges.

    In her opening remarks, the president of the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine (NISONM), Prof. Chinyere Veronica Ezeaka, said that the organisation had committed technical skills, promoted quality newborn care and facilitated national and international collaborations to strengthen the implementation process of reducing Neonatal morbidity and mortality in Nigeria.

    Ezeaka, who is of the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), stated that those momentous strides were supported by their strategic objectives and operational plan which hinged on massive advocacy, capacity building, social mobilisation, dissemination of best practices approach, development and strengthening of partnerships, operational research, monitoring and evaluation.

    According to her NISONM’s vision is “a Nigeria in which there are no preventable newborn deaths or still births, where every pregnancy is wanted, every birth celebrated and women, babies, children survive and reach their full potentials.”

    The renowned paediatrician explained that the theme of the conference “newborn health in the context of the sustainable development goals”, and the sub theme, “establishing partnerships for maternal and newborn health: how far? So far” were quite apt to address our current challenges, especially asphyxia, newborn sepsis, prematurity and neonatal jaundice.

    “Our activities span through community mobilisation and health talks at Ndiabor, in Aninri Local government area of Enugu State , on prevention of newborn infections, use of 4% chlorhezidine gel for cord care; pre-conference workshops with skills practice sessions on-helping babies breathe/essential newborn care for community respiratory support-C bubble CPAP, Pumani CPAP and mechanical ventilation; venous access with central venous catheters (PICC) and C) Didactic scholarly presentations on newborn survival, prematurity,  neonatal jaundice and newborn nutrition!”

     

     

  • Abia police inaugurate vigilance group

    Abia police inaugurate vigilance group

    The Aba Area Command of the police has inaugurated a vigilance group in Abala autonomous Community in Obingwa council area of the state.

    The measure is to help the police better deal with crime in the area.

    While inaugurating the team, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Eastern Ngwa Division, Superintendent of Police Saleh Musa said residents of the communities know each other and are better placed to fight crime by volunteering information about criminal activities to the police.

    He enjoined the vigilance group  to work in one accord and abstain from taking the law into their hands or using their position to intimidate innocent residents of the community and environs.

    The DPO recalled that community policing remains the best way to combat crime, stressing that the vigilance men have an enormous task in assisting the police in securing their community.

    He said, “When the community people came to my office, I insisted that vigilante men must be people of integrity. You have enormous task in helping the police fight crime. Don’t engage in jungle justice; you must hand over every suspect to the police. Again, ensure that you don’t connive with criminals. The name of Abala community has been ringing a bell. All the bad things they talked about your community should be in the past. Do not hesitate to call the police at every opportunity.”

    Speaking at the occasion, the traditional ruler of Abala community, Eze Paul Ekwenye noted that the community which shares borders with Akwa Ibom State, had been peaceful since he ascended the throne after the death of his predecessor who was murdered with his wife by hoodlums.

    The monarch appealed for the regular visit of the police to the rural communities under its jurisdiction.

    Chairman, Council of Village Heads in the community, Mr. Ndubuisi Sampson hailed the police for supporting community policing, stressing that the community would not hesitate to hand over any member who misbehaves to the police.

    The vigilance team members were given identity cards.

  • Army cleans up community, provides health services

    Army cleans up community, provides health services

    The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu has endeared itself to its host community by ridding it of garbage and treating ailing residents, reports CHRIS OJI

    Things are looking much better in army-host community relationship. In Enugu, the 82 Division of the army has not only cleared garbage at a market and the railway corporation premises but also its medical corps treated ailing residents for free. The people loved it and expressed their gratitude. This helps to foster a cosy relationship between professional combatants and their civilian hosts.

    The medical exercise was tagged ‘Know your Blood Pressure: Avoid Silent Killers’. The beneficiaries were communities around the Enugu metropolis, and it was to mark this year’s Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru said the exercise was for all categories of people.

    He said, “The exercise is in line with the Nigerian Army compassion for offering humanitarian services in the health sector to communities around its barracks and its environ. The main event which is scheduled to hold on 6th July 2016 motivated the sanitation exercise, free medical outreach among series of other activities earmarked for the occasion.”

    General Attahiru explained that the activities would provide the usual platform to further strengthen the longstanding civil military relations between 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and its host communities.

    The sanitation exercise took place at the Old Artisan Market and the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Enugu North local Government Area while the medical outreach was held at Umuatugbuoma Akegbe Ugwu Awkunanaw in Nkanu West Local Government Area.

    The beneficiaries described the gesture as most outstanding.

    General Attahiru who moved around the Old Artisan Market, encouraged the shop owners to always keep their environment clean to avoid infectious diseases and as well ensure total neatness of their environment to maintain and improve on healthy living.

    The free medical outreach was also accepted by all as it witnessed a massive turnout of the residents who seized the opportunity to get free medical care.

    The traditional ruler, Umuatugbuoma Autonomous Community, Igwe Okechukwu Nwobodo told journalists he was happy that the army came to his community with the free medical outreach.

    A community resident, Mr. Nnamchi John Ogbodo who came with Igwe Ifeakandu to witness the exercise and also to take part in the free medical care described the exercise as a marvelous one, saying, “It is what the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be doing to the rural areas like ours. Sometimes, we don’t have access to medications because of some certain limitations of life but this army team brought it to us, to our door step. It is a marvelous thing. We appreciate. It’s worthy of emulation by other organizations and we appreciate the move without reservations”.

    The leader, Medical Team, 82 Division Medical Services and Hospital, Colonel Olufunke Omoyemi Kayode told journalists that their choice of selecting the community by the team was based on the fact that no medical center is very close to them. In her words, “by the grace of God, we’ve really achieved a lot. So far, we have identified a lot of cases both medical and surgical cases and we have treated a lot of them”.

    She added that the team is divided into sections like dental care, eye care, general medical care as well as HIV testing and counseling unit.

    In her words, “we are really making progress. We have seen cases that have stayed for a very long period which ought to have been reported to the hospital but maybe because of health centre not being closer to them and we have identified some of them.

    “We have also identified about two cases we cannot handle here and we’ve given them appointment to come to the hospital on Monday,” she added.

    She used the medium to appeal to other agencies and NGOs to come to communities like this because many people who do not have access to medical care maybe because of financial constraints are suffering.

    She asked NGOs and agencies to go round communities to solve their health problems.

  • Enugu power firm donates books, computers to schools

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), in partnership with Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), a non-governmental organisation, has donated books and computers worth millions of dollars to 15 tertiary institutions and 30 secondary schools across the Southeast states.

    The power distribution firm made the donation at Oraifite, Anambra State.

    The benefiting schools were made up of 3 tertiary institutions and 6 secondary schools from each of the states, and were nominated by their respective state governments.

    In his welcome address, the Coordinator, SEOF, Hon. Tony Obi, commended the effort of EEDC in partnering the Foundation to drive its objective towards the development of the education sector, which the Foundation has been involved in across the country over the years.

    He said that the gesture by EEDC is worthwhile to the society and for posterity.

    Obi stressed that the books and other educational materials that were donated must be used for the purpose it was meant for.

    He went on to charge the benefiting schools to ensure that their libraries are functional, as their monitoring team would be paying unscheduled visit to the schools to monitor and ascertain how well the books are being used.

    The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, EEDC, Mr. Robert Dickerman while delivering his address said that the gesture is in line with EEDC’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy of contributing towards the development of its host community.

    “We know the importance of education, we have an obligation and responsibility to our communities, our business is not just to provide electricity, our job is to help and support the communities which we are a part of”, he explained.

    He went on to say that, “education is a part of the core of the development of any society; we are very honoured to be part of this donation and we committed to take active role in the education development of the 5 states in which we are community member”.

    Dickerman said that besides lighting up homes, companies and industries, we can also light up minds; “this, the company is doing through partnering Sir Emeka Offor Foundation. “

    “We believe that the things we are trying to do and the thoughts we have towards supporting social programmes under our CSR initiatives will be best served by partnering with such a foundation. They have international partners like Book For Africa (BFA) and many others; and we are comfortable partnering with them”.

    The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Mrs. Beatrice Okonkwo applauded EEDC and SEOF for the gesture which is a shining example of a CSR act, and welcomed by the state government.

    He said, “Government alone cannot accomplish all that is needed in the education sector, and it is usually a great relief when corporate establishments like EEDC come out to boil up the effort of the state government.”

    The governor stressed that the use of books cannot be over stressed, and that the donation of the books will go a long way in educating the students, as the more they read, the more they get education.

    He said that the books will form the stock in the different libraries of the different beneficiary institutions; and will encourage them to maintain functional libraries.

    Obiano also called on teachers and principals to endeavour to get the students develop the habit of reading as a lot of education which they need in life is locked up in these books.

    Speaking further, he said, “This is indeed a partnership for sustainable development between the private sector, our government and the education institutions”.

    He pledged the state government’s support, and encouraged EEDCnot to relent, because it is towards the development of the people, children and the country at large.

    Both students and teachers of the benefiting schools expressed their appreciation to EEDC and SEOF for this wonderful initiative and promised to make proper use of the books.

    EEDC committed that this is not going to be a one-time event, as this effort is part of the organisation’s ongoing responsibility, and hope to continue partnering Sir Emeka Offor Foundation towards the development of the Southeast.

     

  • Energy health workshop held in Enugu

    A workshop on energy health, perhaps the latest form of alternative medicine, has been held in Enugu. Its aim was to train professionals in the field.

    The two-day workshop organised by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in collaboration with the Foundation for Energy Health International, Nigeria witnessed a large turnout of alternative medical practitioners.

    The president of the Foundation for Energy Health International Nigeria, Professor Joseph Okoro Akpa, in his opening remarks, told participants that the workshop would inculcate the knowledge of Energy Health to all Nigerians as to what they can do for themselves to achieve health without spending too much money on drugs.

    Akpa also disclosed that the workshop aimed at establishing institutions of research and Energy Health Education “not only in Nigeria but in other countries of the world as well as to affiliate with any International organisations that have some identical ideas with us.”

    He posited: “It is to make Nigeria the land of Energy Health where people from other countries of the world will be trooping in for treatment and knowledge, hence this is the first time that there is a comprehensive programme for the study and research on Energy Health that is not available even in advanced countries.”

    While defining Energy Health as “the most natural scientific method applied in the treatment of human diseases, solution of other health problems and social maladies in the human race, Akpa explained that the concept was that man is living because man absorbs universal energy usually called Cosmic Energy into the system through energy centres in various points in human body.

    The Enugu state commissioner for Health, Dr. Samuel Ngwu who was represented by Dr. Christian Ochi said he was impressed by the gathering and commended the efforts and approach of Professor Akpa in establishing the Energy Health as an alternative medicine in Nigeria.

    He said the ministry would explore ways to partner with the foundation.

    The executive secretary of NBTE, Dr. M. A. Kazaure who was represented by A.D.K. Mohammed expressed delight at what he witnessed in the Energy Health programme.

    He hoped that the outcome of the workshop would lead to the accreditation of Energy Health Education in Nigeria.

    The deputy director in NBTE, Dr. Abdul Isa Kofarmata insisted that the workshop should endeavor to establish a minimum standard programme in order to ensure accreditation.

  • Old Boys reward pupils in Owerri

    Old Boys reward pupils in Owerri

    To the Old Boys, it simply is not enough to be fond of your alma mater, or to rehabilitate some of its failing infrastructure; you also should motivate and inspire younger pupils to excel.

    That is exactly what the 1996 set of  the Government College Owerri is doing. Their association has invested their time, energy and resources in  their alma mater, helping it to keep abreast of the times. But they have also instituted an annual competition in Mathematics, with winners taking home handsome rewards.

    This year’s edition of the completion which is the fifth in the series, according to the President, Mr Uche Nwogu, an engineer, was divided into two segments of junior and senior categories.

    He said that the initiative, supported by all the members of the 1996 set, especially those in the Diaspora, USA and UK, was a way of giving back to the very school that moulded them into responsible citizens and also to encourage learning among the students and reward hard work.

    The president who was accompanied to the presentation of award to winners of this year’s edition by the Secretary, Emeka Udeogu and other members of the group including Mr. Nnadozie Njoku, Amara Njemanze, an architect, among others, advised the students to keep faith and work hard and become successful Nigerians, adding that “there is no short cut to hard work.”

    He said, “We chose to organise the mathematics competition to encourage the students to work hard. They should avoid paying to pass exams but take their studies seriously. Apart from that, this is one of the ways we are giving back to our alma mater”.

    The president advised that entrepreneurial studies should be included in secondary school curriculum to give the students skill acquisitions that will make them self-reliant.

    Corroborating the president’s statement, Njemanze added that the group is also involved in career mentoring.

    “We also mentor the students on how to choose their careers and also carry out social outreach where we assist the teachers in several ways,” he said.

    He particularly commended members of the group in UK and USA for their contributions towards the success of this year’s edition of the Mathematics completion.

    Meanwhile, winners of the both category, got N50, 000.00 cash reward, while the first and second runner up got N30, 000.00 and N20, 000.00 respectively.

    Addressing the students at the Assembly ground, where the prizes were presented to the winners, the Principal of the College, Mr. Obiyo Richard, admonished the students that greatness comes from hard work mere wishes.

  • Judicial commission to Obiano: scrap Customary Appeal Court

    The Anambra State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has called for the scrapping of the customary court of appeal.

    The reason the commission gave was lack of cases in those courts.

    The JSC wants the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Peter Umeadi to mandate Governor Willie Obiano to send an Executive Bill to the state House of Assembly for the closure.

    Also, to prevail on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to transfer the judges of the Customary Court of Appeal therein to remain and serve out their terms in the High Courts  in the state.

    The decisions by the JSC were contained in its communiqué made available to reporters in Awka, the state capital, during its press conference addressed by the executive secretary of the body, Christian Nnabuihe.

    Nnabuihe was flanked during the conference by the Chief Registrar of the state High Court, Doris Nkechinyere Ezeani and the Chief Registrar of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state, Ken Nwoye.

    The communiqué read, in part,  “Whereas  the fact that as at June 2016 the number of cases before the Customary Court of Appeal stand at [three], more so when those cases are almost ready for judgment, with possibility that there would be no further work to be done at the customary court of appeal, Anambra state thereafter…”

    “The commission here resolved to communicate to His Excellency, Chief Willie M. Obiano, Governor of Anambra State, to cause an Executive Bill, to be presented to the House of Assembly of Anambra State to authorise the closure of the Customary Court of Appeal Anambra State and thereafter prevail on the National Judicial Council to transfer the Hon. Judge therein to remain and serve out their terms in the High Court of Justice of Anambra State.”