The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • FMC Owerri savours return of peace

    Patients and stakeholders at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri have commended the Interim Medical Committee set up by the Federal Ministry of Health to take over the management of the hospital following leadership crisis that almost crippled activities at the centre for restoring peace and reviving the hospital.

    Some of the union leaders, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that the Committee had delivered on its mandate, while stressing that the future of the hospital depends on the recommendations of the committee and its implementation.

    Family members of some of the patients who corroborated the position of the union leaders, noted that since the Committee assumed duty five months ago, services in the hospital have improved tremendously, adding that the attitude of the doctors and other staff have also improved significantly within the period.

    Meanwhile speaking during a press conference, the Medical Director and Chairman of the Committee, Prof.Ndu Eke, said that though the Committee inherited a lot of challenges ranging from infrastructure decay and lack of critical equipment, it has delivered on its mandate of bringing the hospital back to work.

    He also disclosed that the committee had also addressed the issues that led to the sacking of the previous management of the hospital, noting that it has restored cordial working relationship with the Staff and various unions in the hospital.

    According to Ndu, a renowned surgeon said that contrary to media publications the hospital is currently peaceful and rendering optimal service to the people of the state.

    He said, “our major task is to restore peace and to get the medical facility functional again which we have achieved as the issues that had led to crisis between the workers’ union and the former management is being addressed and right now the workers are back to their duty post and are happy”.

    He however observed that the Committee was met with serious challenges in the discharge of their duties, “the major problems we faced when we came on board include lack of regular power supply, oxygen especially because you cannot carry out an operation without an oxygen and power. But we have repaired the seven generating set that we met and also we have made solid arrangement to ensure that the medical centre has a constant supply of oxygen.”

  • Cement production to resume in Ebonyi

    Cement production will soon come alive in Ebonyi State, it has been said.

    A deed of understanding and terms of settlement between NIGERCEM and representatives of the four host communities – Nkalagu, Nkalaha, Umuhuali, Amaezu and the Ebonyi State Government has been signed.

    With the signing of the pact in Abakaliki, the legal battles that had in the past affected the reopening of the once foremost indigenous cement production firm have been put to rest.

    The immediate past administration led by Chief Martin Elechi, had consistently closed the door for an out of court settlement, against Dr. Cletus Ibeto, who re-acquired the firm from Eastern Bulkcem and  tried to revamp the cement factory which was popularly known as NIGERCEM.

    In 2012, for instance, the Elechi administration warned IBETO GROUP against what it called illegal entry into the premises of NigerCem premises, saying its ownership was a subject of dispute in the courts.

    But an elated Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi; Ibeto and the SSA to the Governor on Cement Production, Prince Sunday Ugwuocha, at the event described the signing of the MoU as a milestone towards the revitalisation of the company.

    Governor Umahi, who said he had in line with the popular demand of the host communities promised to allow Ibeto revamp the firm, noted that the journey to its realisation was not an easy one.

    He said, “When we were campaigning under divine mandate platform, the only request that the communities  made was that Ibeto  should be allowed to come and revamp NIGERCEM and we did promise  them that  that was going to be done.”

    Umahi, who thanked the Cement Production Implementation Committee, set up by his administration, for doing a good job, assured Ebonyi people that their 10% equity ownership of NIGERCEM was still intact.

    “Let me announce to Ebonyi people that our 10% equity with NIGERCEM is still alive,” he assured as he described the land of Ebonyi as a land made up of limestone, gold, frankincense, silver, lead, zink, etc.

    He added, “My prayers all the time is for the land of Ebonyi to vomit all the limestone, the gold, the frankincense, silver, the bauxite, lead, zink that the land has swallowed, and it has to started with Ibeto.

    The core investor, Dr. Ibeto, praised Umahi’s ruggedness, saying Ebonyians owed him (governor) for ensuring that the journey to revamp NigerCem started on a good footing.

    He thanked governor Umahi for creating the enabling environment for the takeoff of NIGERCEM.

    The chairman, Cement Implementation Committee, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, in his opening remarks, had said the signing of the deeds marked the realisation of an age long struggle by the IBETO GROUP to revamp NigerCem.

     

  • Nigerian in Sweden builds eye centre, provides water

    Nigerian in Sweden builds eye centre, provides water

    A Sweden-based businessman, Chief Daniel Ogbonnaya has built an eye treatment centre and donated five water boreholes for his people of Lodu and Lohum Imenyi communities in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

    The medical facility named GOK Eye Centre was completed and equipped with modern facilities and qualified eye experts drawn from different hospitals in Nigeria, including the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia.

    Chief Ogbonnaya built and donated five water boreholes for his people of Lodu Imenyi to end their search for clean water.

    Conducting newsmen round the projects, the younger brother of the philanthropist Mr Tony Ogbonnaya revealed that his brother was determined to transform the condition of his people, which made him to attract those facilities to them.

    The younger Ogbonnaya stated that the eye clinic where he is a staff, now attracts patients from different towns Ohafia, Igbere, Item, Isukwuato, Ozu Abam, Alayi, Nkporo, Nkpa, Akara and even Umuahia, the state capital, pointing out that the efficient and affordable treatment offered to patients was responsible for the large turnout of patrons to the clinic.

    Tony went ahead to disclose that even the elderly people that suffered from arthritis were equally treated at the centre and given some drugs, stressing that many of the patients either had their bills subsidized or written off completely by the centre.

    Apart from the Eye clinic and water boreholes projects, Chief Ogbonnaya has also been sponsoring some brilliant students from his area to educational institutes of repute to realise their academic potentials.

    He is also, presently building a sprawling housing estate at Lohum Junction along the busy Umuahia-Uzuakoli-Akara Road, off Colony Road, to provide affordable housing units for his people and in helping to boost commercial activities in his area, including re-roof St Paul’s Catholic Church where he worships when he is in the country.

    In appreciation of Chief Ogbonnaya’s numerous contributions to the development of his community, the traditional ruler of Lodu Imenyi autonomous community, Eze Jeremiah Nworisara honored him with a title of Aku Ruo Ulor 1 [meaning: someone who attracts  wealth and other good things to his people] and this has further spurred him to do more for them.

  • A lift for widows, youths

    Residents of Amagu community in Ebonyi State have a lot to thank a businessman and philanthropist Chinedu Ogah for. He lifted the spirits of the poor such as widows as well as needy youths by giving them foodstuff and such other items as fertilisers, salt, even cash.

    Ogah, who prefers to be called comrade, gave out the items to mark his birthday.

    In a speech, he noted that his foundation, the Chinedu Ogah Foundation, is committed to making life better for the less-privileged.

    Ogah who is also the National Coordinator of Buhari and Osinbajo Initiative for Demonstrating Change, disclosed that his foundation has secured over 520 jobs for indigent Ebonyi residents in federal agencies and establishments, and trained more than 600 Ebonyi people in various skills.

    He appealed to the people and all Nigerians to continue to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the president is poised to reorganise the country.

    Ogah also used the occasion to present certificates, tools and equipment to some youths his foundation trained in various skills.

    The celebrant alongside friends and family members and associates visited over 30 hospitals and health centres across the state to donate some hospital equipment as well as useful items to nursing mothers.

    Ogah also gave out cash gifts to patients totalling over N10m during the tour.

    Some of the hospitals visited included Mile 4 Hospital Abakaliki, Echialike Health Centre, Ikwo, Primary Health Centre, Odomowo Inyimagu, Ikwo,Primary Health Care Centre Effegbagu Inyimagu, Ikwo among others.

    This year’s event was special because it had in attendance the immediate past governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Martin Elechi.

    The former governor said he first met Comrade Ogah in the heat of his campaign for the governorship of Ebonyi State in January 2007 when Ogah approached him and offered to help in his campaigns.

    He said, “From that point Chinedu accompanied me to campaign in all the three senatorial zones of the state. Without my knowledge, he went ahead to open campaign offices in all the zones of the state and followed it up till we won the election.”

    The former governor noted that Ogah’s skills in youth mobilisation and leadership as well as his interest in security and intelligence matters helped his government to have a peaceful and impactful administration.

    He noted that the impact Ogah’s foundation, Chinedu Ogah Foundation, made in his government using the platform of Ebonyi Youth Assembly will remain indelible in the annals of the state.

    Chief Elechi said that he was not surprised when the Federal Government spotted him and honoured him with the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).

    He said that the fact that Comrade Ogah did not go to expensive hotels in major cities in company of his wealthy friends to waste millions of naira but chose to celebrate with the downtrodden in the society spoke volumes of his love for the less- privileged and passion to help them.

    He urged Comrade Ogah to continue in his good works to the society, assuring him that greater future awaits him, saying that his 40th birthday is just a stepping stone for greater exploits.

  • 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.

  • ‘Police should monitor herbal medicine dealers’

    ‘Police should monitor herbal medicine dealers’

    The Abia State Commissioner for Health, Dr John Ahukanna has urged the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to monitor herbal drug makers in order to check their excesses and ensure the people’s health safety.

    Speaking during the United Nation’s Day Against Drug Abuse in Umuahia, Ahukanna said that if the NDLEA are serious about fighting drug abuse they must have a say on the constant trade fairs organised in the state capital by herbal medicine dealers.

    Ahukanna said that the herbal medicine trade fairs are a form of drug abuse which the state police command and the NDLEA should look into to save the people from health problems.

    The Abia Health commissioner noted that the country through NDLEA and other law enforcement agencies is winning the war against sale and use of illicit drugs, “with the high number of syndicates that are being smashed almost on a daily basis.”

    He said, “Trafficking syndicates are being incapacitated by the seizure and destruction of many kilograms of narcotics recovered from them and conviction of many of them in law courts, while addicts are being rehabilitated in many rehabilitation homes across the country.”

    He said that NDLEA and the federal government still needs to do more in the fight against hard and illicit drugs, to ensure that youths who are the greatest assets of the country are well protected at all times.

    Ahukanna said that the state government under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is not relenting in the war against hard and illicit drugs, stressing that the present administration has been promoting awareness of the dangers associated with drug abuse.

    The health commissioner explained that the governor has also set up the Abia State Drug Abuse Control Committee which has been complimenting the efforts of the NDLEA and other agencies through enlightenment campaigns in schools, motor parks and other places, on the dangers of drug abuse.

    He advised parents to be close to their children and educate them about the risks in drug abuse, peer pressure and dangers in keeping bad companies, stressing that it is only when parents are close their children that the issue of drug abuse could be reduced.

    Earlier the Abia state assistant state commander, operations and intelligence of NDLEA, Mansel Kupi in his speech said that for decades, drug abuse and trafficking has constituted a major global menace and has also strained relationships among countries in the world.

    Kupi also said that the issue of drug abuse and trafficking has caused a serious economic problems to both source and consuming countries, while regretting that Nigeria for a years now has been given the unfortunate tag of a transit country.

    He said that this year’s theme is ‘Listen First’, stressing that the emphasis of the theme in on the need for parents to listen to their children and the youths as the first step to help them grow healthy and safe.

    The assistant NDLEA boss in the state explained that the idea behind parents listening to their children, “Is that it will enable them [parents] know what is on their children’s mind to avoid certain acts by taking premptive measures”.

    He explained that young people and adolescents have been identified as the high risk group prone to drug abuse, adding that any drug education which does not include the need for the youths to develop skills to withstand the pressure not to use drugs is not complete.

    Kupi said, “Any preventive drug education programme targeted at this group [youths] is not complete without highlighting the need for them and others to develop coping skills to withstand any negative pressure to use drugs”.

    Coping skills are ability required to resist illicit drug use or abstain from drug abuse and these skills include, decision making skills, inter-personal relation skills, communication skills, refusal

    skills and others. These copping skills may take time to develop and can only be achieved by constant ‘Listening’ and communication with the youths.

    The highlight of the awareness campaign was a play-let performed by members of the NYSC of Umuahia North local government area, which depicted the way drug abuse destroy youths and families.

     

  • 30 entrepreneurs win N7.5m in Enugu

    Thirty persons have won the Life Continental Beer Progress Booster show held in Enugu.

    It was its second edition.

    The winners collectively took home with N7.5 million.

    The show is an entrepreneurial talent hunt and mentoring radio programme targeted at innovative businessmen and women in the Southeast.

    It took place at the New Berries Park, Enugu, with 20 winners selected for their business ideas during the monthly radio show.

    Life Continental Beer gave 10 more entrepreneurs who brought their business ideas to the event the opportunity to win N250,000 each through a live interview session by a panel of judges, making a total of 30 winners.

    “We started this because we know what is in the heart of the Igbo man. Most of the time, they have good business ideas but do not have money to fund them. We are running the Progress Booster show for Igbos living and doing business in the East, this is because we want them to benefit from Life Continental Lager Beer,” said Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, NB Plc, while addressing guests at the event.

    “In 2015, we empowered 50 people with N250,000 each, we hope that the show will inspire more young entrepreneurs to present creative business ideas because Life Beer wants to keep the enterprising culture of the Igbo man alive,” he concluded.

    He urged aspiring entrepreneurs to submit their entries for the Progress Booster show as more winners will be selected in the coming months.

    Past winners, Felicia Emeh and Henry Nwafor shared inspiring experiences of how they utilised their cash prizes in expanding their businesses.

    Guests were also given the opportunity to win exciting gifts through a raffle draw competition.

    The night ended with winners and guests celebrating with free bottles of Life Continental Beer and a live band.

  • Abia community laments poor roads

    Members of the Nzuko Arochukwu town in Abia State have decried the state of the Okobo Arochukwu -Abam Road that connects the area with other parts of the state.

    Worried by the huge economic, social and other losses the community has suffered because of the  deplorable state of  the road, the Lagos branch of the group gathered last week at NENIV Events and Conference Centre, Airport Road, Lagos, to proffer solution to the state of the road which they said has turned  them to outcasts in their fatherland.

    They moved to raise N5million to give a face lift to the road to alleviate the sufferings of their kinsmen.

    Bemoaning the plight of their people, the Second Vice President, Mazi Nwosu Nwaka said: “Anybody who knows our location knows very well that it is an abandoned community. The government of today, the government of yesterday have actually abandoned us. Since after the war, Arochukwu has not had any road constructed into that town. As we speak right now, the town has been totally cut off  and that is why we have decided to take the bulls by the horn.  Since the government cannot help us we want to help ourselves. We believe that maybe when the government sees what we are doing they may probably know that they have actually failed us in terms of infrastructure and come to our aid. We are endangered species when it comes to infrastructure in Abia State.

    The First Vice President General, Sir Dozie Udensi said: “What we are trying to do is is to save our people from being cut off entirely from the rest of Abia state and Nigeria. We are not trying to build government road but we trying to put some palliative measures so that our people  can have access to our ancestral home. The government of the day, both at the state and federal level has made us to understand that the economy has dwindled and the implementation of budget very slow. We cannot wait indefinitely for them especially now that the rains are coming heavily. As the newly elected executives, we think it incumbent on us to give palliative measures to the road.

    “We are only trying to cover those bad sides of the road with laterite to make it motor able so that people can pass easily. People have already been cut off entirely from umuahia ohafia and so on. We are looking at completing the project by the end of June or July we will be ready. By June ending the people should to be able to pass through the road. We are setting September deadline because it is when our people will be massively going home to celebrate the new yam festival. We are already making plans to reach out to all our people both at home and in diaspora for their support. One thing that is certain is that we are going to make judicious use of every money we get.”

    He added: “We are also trying to create avenue for our youths to have employment. We are putting in place various skills acquisition programmes for them to remove their mind from unproductive ventures. We are creating a database to be able to know those that who are qualified for one thing or the other. Those who have not gone to school we will be able to provide some skill acquisition so that they can be gainfully employed.”

  • Ekwueme, Anyaoku rally Anambra community

    Ekwueme, Anyaoku rally Anambra community

    Obosi, hometown of former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku, came alive as the veteran diplomat, and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme led other dignitaries to honour former Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Marshal Osita Chidota’s grandmother, the late Madam Juliana Obumnwe Chidoka. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    The sheer number of dignitaries was enough statement: it was not just another day in Obosi, Anambra State. Former Vice President Alex Ekwueme was there, as was son of the soil, veteran diplomat and former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Emeka Anyaoku. So also were Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi, traditional rulers and priests.

    They were in town to honour Madam Juliana Obumnwe Chidoka, grandmother of former Corps Marshal of the FRSC Mr. Osita Chidoka.

    Some 91 years ago, Madam Chidoka wedded at the Saint Andrew’s Church, Obosi, and went on to deliver and nurture other Chidokas, one of whom would become the FRSC chief as well as a federal minister. In her memory and to honour the church to which they all stuck, Madam Chidoka’s grandchildren built a hall at Saint Andrew’s.

    There was more to the occasion. The celebrities used it to rally Obosi residents, urging them to give back to their community. Anyaoku made that point clear.

    Obosi is in Idemili North local government of Anambra State.

    It was an event that stood out in the community. It coincided with the closing ceremony of the Anglican synod that took place at the church premises.

    For Osita Chidoka, it was a monument to the memory of their matriarch and more importantly, as a generational reminder of their incalculable debt to their Anglican roots planted and nurtured by Juliana Chidoka.

    “Mama wedded in this church founded in 1882 in 1925 and gave birth to my father in 1926,” he said. “My father’s joy knows no bounds as he turns 90 years in November.”

    The traditional ruler of the kingdom, Igwe Chidubem Iweka was not short of appreciation for the Chidoka family for donating a storey building hall to the church in Obosi.

    The monarch said the family had made the people of Obosi proud by remembering the matriarch of the family 91 years after.

    Also, another son of Obosi, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, who was all smiles on the day, told The Nation that it was important to always give back to the society.

    He said he equally built a school opposite the church for the community, describing the action of the Chidokas as a wonderful gesture to the church and community.

    The gesture, according to the former commonwealth secretary general, brought important people from all walks of life to the community.

    Again, he said it was good because it coincided with the Anglican synod hosted at St. Andrews in the community, adding that the community had written its name in gold.

    One of the women in the community, Agnes Ibesi told The Nation that the philanthropy of the Chidoka family was unrivaled in Obosi, adding that the former minister also built homes for the less privileged in the area.

    “We are not going to forget the family in a hurry because they have helped and lifted some down trodden individuals in the society”

    The speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Dogara was represented by the member, representing Ideato North and south federal constituency in Imo state, Hon. Austine Chukwukere, who praised the Chidokas’ for the gigantic building for the church.

    He said the family led by example, while calling on others to emulate them.

    The synod and the dedication of the church hall were equally attended by the former governor of the state, Mr. Peter Obi, the deputy governor of the state, Dr. Nkem Okeke, among others.

     

  • 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.