The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Makeover in Enyimba City

    Makeover in Enyimba City

    After years of neglect, Aba, the commercial heart of Abia State, is changing for the better, reports UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE

    The efforts of Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to change the face of Aba, the state’s commercial hub, are yielding fruit. The forgotten city is enjoying some infrastructural makeover.

    The renewal of the city started immediately the governor took office, as he commissioned the building of 25 roads with the promise that they will be completed within the first quarter of his administration, despite the fact that the work started during the rainy season.

    The reconstruction of roads is not only in Aba. Many parts of the state also have their own share of road construction including Ohafia, Abam and Umuahia. The Item Ring Road in Bende Local Government Area of the state will soon be commissioned.

    Much of the work on Aba’s poor roads in the past has been palliative. Ikpeazu’s efforts are more enduring. His administration introduced the cement technology, which involves using cement as base with iron rods before laying tar.

    The beauty of the roads being done by the present administration is that they come with stone bases and standard drainage system, bearing in mind the unique topography of the city of Aba which is virtually flat and also accompanied with streetlights to illuminate the streets and help to reduce the activities of night marauders.

    The governor, whose country home is just about five minutes’ drive from the heart of the city, has not spared anyone whose house stands in the way. He has demolished the fence of his maternal uncle which was obstructing the expansion of Old Umuahia/Aba Road.

    Speaking while flagging off the road construction, Ikpeazu said that his administration was in a hurry to return the city to what the colonial masters and its founding fathers planned, so that the lost glory of the city would be redeemed.

    Ikpeazu said if the old Imo State under the government of the late Sam Mbakwe could rebuild Aba and get all the taxes it needed to run the state, there is nothing stopping the present government from doing same especially now that the state is smaller and the people willing to cooperate.

    The governor noted that once you get Aba right, it is a small job to run the affairs of the state, as the people of the city are willing to pay their taxes so long as government is willing to provide them with the necessary amenities that are required for a place to be called a township.

    One of the houses that was demolished was a church building along Ngwa Road by Emelogu which was standing in the way and when the governor got there he said that he was not seeing a building but an obstruction which must give way for a standard road to be constructed and free flow of waste water from both Emelogu and Ngwa roads into the Aba River.

    Since the governor started his road construction in Aba, Kamalu, Ommne, ENUC, Umuola, Ukaegbu, Umule roads have been built and completed while Ube, East, Georges, Weeks, Park, Pound, Ochefu among others have been resurfaced completely, while it is expected that in no distant time more roads will be completed.

    One of the roads that was newly constructed with cement technology, Umuola Road at Ogbor Hill part of the city was commissioned by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo during his first visit to the state under the present government. The former president described the road as not only standard but a thing of beauty which should be copied by other state governors if they want their roads to last.

    Obasanjo, during the commissioning of the road, stressed the need for the government to pay attention to infrastructure, health, agriculture, transportation and power as major elements that will drive development and reduce poverty among the people.

    The former president described Aba as the focal point of economic development in the South East was of the view that if the people are empowered and provided with skills in Aba it will augur well for the entire South East and South-South zones and their people.

    He commended Governor Ikpeazu for his dream to transform Aba and thus enhance the socio political and economic in the state and described him as an achiever, and used the forum to appeal to Aba people to desist from blocking the drains with refuse if they want the roads being built by their governor to last long.

    Since the governor started his road construction and rehabilitation across the state, Abians are happy with the development and have scored him high on his zeal and passion to provide motor able and durable road network for the people especially those in Aba.

    The fear of many people in Aba and other parts of the state was that most of the roads flagged off by the governor were done during the rains and people were wondering if such roads done then could stand the test of time and it has been proved that road construction could be done during the rainy seasons and done well.

    During the commissioning of Owerri Road by Okigwe Road and Udeagbala Road in Aba built by his administration, Governor Ikpeazu said that all the 25 roads being constructed in Aba will be completed this year.

    Ikpeazu said that a total of 47 roads are being handled simultaneously by his government in various parts of the state and assured that more roads will be done, stressing that for the roads to be delivered on time that they will be handled by different contractors for government to beat the rains.

    Speaking on the new road technology the man who brought it to the state and the contractor handling one the projects, Engr Enyinnaya Mba thanked the governor for the opportunity given his company to display the cement technology which is now widely used in road construction in Aba and assured that roads done using the technology will stand the test of time.

    One of the beneficiaries of the road construction in Aba, a hotelier and traditional ruler, Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe said, “Governor Ikpeazu  has started very well and he knows the importance of roads in the commercial city.”

     

  • Finally, Ndigbo unite

    Finally, Ndigbo unite

    The two factions of Ohaneze, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, have united ending what seemed like an interminable feud between their leaders, writes OKODILI NDIDI

    They hacked and pecked at each other so long that few believed the two leaders could ever iron out their difference. But indeed they did. Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and Dr. Ralph Obioha, factional leaders of Ohaneze, have embraced each other, pledging to work together for the progress of their people.

    In the last few years, it was almost unthinkable for these two Igbo leaders to cross paths, talk less of sitting in one room to deliberate on matters of Igbo interest. As the gulf between them widened, so was the disunity among the people they led.

    The two factional leaders of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation have laid their differences to rest in the overall interest of the Igbo.

    It was indeed an emotional reunion as they hugged and patted each other fondly with tears of joy and relief rolling down their cheeks, while their equally relieved followers reached out to each other in the newfound spirit of unity and brotherhood.

    The journey to the reconciliation of the bitter crisis that had bedevilled the Igbo frontline group, which was a fallout of the general election of the body, was not a sudden flight but the product of the consistent efforts of the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who waded into the crisis to save the Igbo further embarrassment caused by the well-publicised leadership tussle.

    After the Ohaneze election, Igariwey and Obioha laid claim to the position of the President-General. All entreaties by concerned Igbo leaders and groups who felt that the crisis was an embarrassment to Ndigbo. But the two Generals stuck to their guns and rebuffed all entreaties for peace.

    They both set up their respective executives and worked at cross purposes with each other but after the reconciliation, Obioha accepted to drop his claim to the President-General of Ohaneze and accepted to work with and support Igariwey to succeed as the only President-General of the organisation.

    The reconciliation of the two factions had come at the end of a marathon meeting between the two leaders and members of their executive, as well as delegates from the states that make up Ohaneze, at the Government House Owerri which was presided over by the Imo governor.

    It was agreed that the tenure of Chief Igariwey be extended by one year, after which a fresh election would be conducted to elect new leaders for the body.

    All those suspended from the organisation in the course of the crisis between the two factions were also recalled, while it was also resolved that all the court cases occasioned by the dispute would be withdrawn.

    Thereafter, a 17-member committee that would see to the implementation of all that was agreed including the issue of election was set up, with Obioha as Chairman, while the five Governors of the Southeast will produce one member each.

    In his speech at the historic event, Governor Okorocha expressed joy that the Ohaneze family is back as one, ”there is peace now in Ohaneze.  The Ohaneze with Chief Igariwey as President-General is the umbrella body to champion the course of the Igbo.  Today, we have proven to the world that Ndigbo are their brothers’ keepers.”

    Okorocha continued that, “the President-General of Ohaneze will soon address the Igbo nation.  All Igbo must join hands with the Ohaneze leadership to move Igbo nation forward.  With this peace, we are going to see a new kind of support for Ohaneze.  The rest of the world will hear about the Igbo nation.  The jinx has been broken.

    “With this peace we are going to emphasize on the economy of the South-East rather than politics.  We shall make it, with God on our side.  The old things have passed away and behold new things are taking place.  And I want to commend all my brothers and sisters here for this peace in Ohaneze.  This is a new Ohaneze that will move the Igbo nation forward.

    “The governors will be behind the leadership and the entire NEC, so that a new song will be sung in the Igbo nation.  I commend the President-General for keeping the Ohaneze spirit on, despite the lack of support from the stakeholders.”

    Chief Igariwey and Obioha in their respective speeches noted that achieving peace in the leadership of Ohaneze and reconciling the two factions should be celebrated by all Igbo because according to them, the division had never augured well with the body and the interest of the Igbo in general”.

    They commended Governor Okorocha for ensuring that peace and unity return to Ohaneze, and assured that they would not let the Igbos down.  They said Ohaneze would now be occupied with issues that would boost the economy of Igbo land.

    The two Igbo leaders, while addressing journalists, assured that “the world would now know the Igbos better that they disagree to agree in the overall interest of the Igbo nation and her people”.

    Commenting on the development, Nze Ubani Ikwuruku, described it as a healthy development that will position Ndigbo at a vantage position in the current polity.

    He stated further that, “every Igbo man but at home and in the Diaspora will be gladdened by this news. It will galvanise other Igbo groups in finding solutions to the current challenges in the zone. Now we can now speak with one voice and we will be heard and respected”.

     

  • ‘Ikpeazu, lawmaker can help me’

    ‘Ikpeazu, lawmaker can help me’

    Knowing there is dignity in labour, Mr Sunday Ezema, who is paralysed in one leg, rides a tricycle to earn his keep. In this chat with SUNNY NWANKWO, he says he can do with some help from the Abia State government or a lawmaker cum philanthropist. 

    He lost the use of his right leg after an injection and cannot walk except with crutches.  Still, Mr Sunday Ezema, who hails from Opi, Nsukka, Enugu State, will not sit and moan or beg. He learnt to ride a tricycle and soon acquired one with which he ferries passengers round Aba, the commercial heart of Abia State.

    His parents, he said, are peasant farmers back “in the village,” as he put it.

    He also spoke about his deformity, saying, “This condition happened  when I was small; that was at the age of 10. I took ill and was taken to a clinic to be given injection and after that, the deformation set in. the injection was given to me in my village.”

    He said he could not afford to go to school “because my parents are poor; they didn’t have the money to train me. I stopped at Primary Five…I came to [Aba to] hustle like others, at least to see how I could make both ends meet and be useful to myself. I came to Aba in 2010. I was leaving with one of my brothers who encouraged me to learn how to repair phones. I was doing that until I met someone that wants to sell his keke and indicated my interest, at least to gradually be paying him and he accepted. I started driving this keke in 2013.”

    How much does he make in a day?

    “Due to my condition, I don’t work in the morning. You see that I have to cross my leg to enable me apply the brake, so I usually find it strenuous to start working from morning hours. What I do is that, I start working between 3pm and 4pm and close for the day as soon as my leg start paining me. So, sometimes, I make between N1,500 and N3,000  that depends on the level of patronage for the day and the much my strength can carry me.”

    Would he stop riding the keke if he got any help?

    “Yes,” he replied, “because it gives me great pain and stress driving this keke. I am using this opportunity to thank the Governor of the state, Dr. Victor Okezie Ikpeazu for  what he is doing to transform Aba. I want the governor of the state and the member representing Aba North and South Federal Constituency, Hon.  Ossy Prestige who I have been hearing all the good things he has been doing for the people he is representing to please come to my help and assist me. Prestige has been touching the lives of people in Aba North and South and I want to also be part of the lives that he will touch.”

    What would he do if government or individuals came to his aid?

    “If I get help from the governor, Prestige or any other individual, I will like to open up a shop. I will like to open up a boutique or provision store. All I want is to get a shop where I can stay and be doing business to be getting small money.

    “I am the first male child of my family. We are five in number; three girls and two boys. And you know that as the first son, I need to take care of them and others. One of my sisters is married, but unfortunately, she and her husband are not that financially buoyant. It is putting more pressure on me and my health condition has not being helpful for me to fend for myself and other members of the family.

    “So, I will be very glad if the governor, Prestige and others will look my way and I promise to make judicious use of whatever they would give or provide for me.”

     

  • Obi cheers up college pupils

    Former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi has lifted the spirits of pupils of Crowther Memorial College, Umuikwu Anam, in Anambra West Local Government Area of the state. On a visit to the school, Mr Obi presented the authorities with N1m cheque, a gesture which excited the pupils and the school authorities.

    The former governor did more than that. He also provided mentorship and leadership, asking the pupils to pray not just for themselves and their teachers, but also the state and the country.

    Presenting the cheque to the school after inspecting their facilities, including a computer classroom and library, Obi  said that the visit was in fulfillment of the promise to the proprietor of the school, Bishop Benry Okeke of the Anglican Diocese of Mbamili, that he would remain part of the progress of the school.

    Obi commended the bishop for the positive ways through which he touches the lives of the people in that rural community and called on men of goodwill to assist him in any way possible.

    “The last time I visited the school as governor, the building was just started. I am delighted that the school is completed. I urge Nigerians to assist you because you are indeed working for God through serving His people.

    The Bishop who described Mr. Obi as a lover of the Diocese, called on other leaders to emulate his love for education and the manner he tirelessly work for the advancement of humanity.

  • Palm wine tapper offers free training

    Palm wine tapper offers free training

    A palm wine tapper, Mr Okilo Ozoemenam, has offered to train youths in his trade for free. Why? He said he wanted them to earn a decent living, thereby shunning violent crime and idleness or wasting their time in betting houses.

    Ozoemenam said he was pained each time he saw youths idling away at newsstands or engaging in kidnapping, robbery or any other violent crime.

    Speaking with reporters at his Umuokehi farm residence, the tapper said he has about 100 raffia trees from which he taps wine and that the youths should come for tapping lessons.

    Ozoemenam called on the youths of the state to swallow their pride and learn the trade rather than “going everyday to bet to make quick money, engaging in kidnappings and armed robbery”.

    He said that it pained him to see the state’s youths on a daily basis arguing at newspaper stands and “wasting the time they would have used to learn one trade or another only to turn around later in life to blame the government for not providing jobs for them”.

    The palm wine tapper said that his wine business has helped him to improve himself financially, pointing out that he started life with a bicycle and now owns a tricycle and a piggery which brings in good money for him.

    Ozoemenam said, “I want the youths to engage in meaningful ventures and I am willing to teach them how to tap palm wine free of charge for their financial benefits and help them in sustaining their families. Our youths should feel free to engage themselves in agricultural; production either through conventional farming or through poultry or piggery farms or anything other type of farming that would not only keep them busy but also help in the financial output for them and the state.”

     

  • Coalition against genital mutilation

    Coalition against genital mutilation

    UNICEF and an NGO are leading a campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM). They are seeking stiffer penalties for offenders, OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports

    The United Nations Chil-dren’s Fund (UNICEF) and a non-governmental organisation, Inter-African Committee on Female Genital Mutilation have called for the end of female genital mutilation or FGM.

    The age-old practice is said to be prevalent in Ebonyi and other Southeast and Southsouth states.

    UNICEF and the NGO also wooed the media to help in speeding up the end of what has been described as a scourge.

    Both organisations addressed journalists at a workshop co-sponsored by Federal Ministry of Information in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

    The theme of the workshop was “Female genital mutilation/cutting abandonment in Nigeria”.

    National President of the NGO, Prof Modupe Onadeko expressed shock that every year three million girls and women undergo the painful and life-threatening crude operation.

    Onadeko, a retired professor of Medicine, said that Ebonyi, Imo, Osun, Nasarawa, among other states in the country have high prevalence rate and called for the total abandonment of the practice.

    She stated that apart from the pain the girls and women go through during mutilation other dangers associated with the Female Genital Mutilation includes, risk of contracting HIV/AIDS, urinary tract infections, fracture and death and called for the support of faith-based organisations in the campaign to end it.

    Prof Onadeko debunked insinuations and traditional beliefs that uncircumcised girls are usually promiscuous and do not get married. She also condemned the use of the finger by mothers and mothers-in-law especially in Ebonyi and Imo states in pricking, piercing or cutting the clitoris, adding that such practices amount to circumcision.

    Prof Onadeko urged the state governments to domesticate the law prohibiting female genital mutilation and rights of newborns and women, adding that there should be stiffer penalties for offenders.

    She said the various types of female gentile mutilation or circumcision account for the increasing number of prostitutes and mortality of women during child delivery.

    Onadeko, a retired professor of medicine from University of Ibadan said that research had revealed that 95 percent of prostitutes in Nigeria had their female organs mutilated by circumcisers.

    “No Anastasia, no analgesics, some could bleed to death. Their belief is that if the clitoris is allowed to grow it could grow longer than the male organ, and then there would be two masters in one boat. They also believe that cutting the woman would drive away evil spirit from the girl child or woman. Some say it is to make her not to be promiscuous, so would remain a virgin for the husband or her would-be husband. Any of them who failed to do it is mutilated in the seventh month of pregnancy”.

    She explained that any cutting of the female genitalia is harmful, and violation of her rights, and called for implementation of any existing laws against the practice while the state that had not enacted such laws should do so.

    Onadeko said that the prevalence of the mutilation is more in Osun state with 77% prevalence, followed by Ebonyi state 74 %, Ekiti 72%, Imo 68%,  and Oyo 42%.

    She noted that the worst of the mutilation is the infibulations type where the girl-child or woman has her genitalia stitched up leaving  only a small hole for her urination and menstruation.

    The professor explained that the cutting accounts for the series of protracted labor and ultimate complications in child delivery including VVF, and had in many cases resulted to deaths.

    “There is no need for cutting any parts of the body of any person except for medical reasons. In the cases of these mutilations they are done in respect or obedience to culture and traditions. In some cases these children are held down by able bodied men or women for them to be cut, their bodies/face are cut with unhygienic implements to give marks so that no other family can claim them.”

    The medical expert said that leaving the female organ as created does not make her promiscuous rather makes for pleasurable marriage and normal child delivery.

    Many other experts drawn from various disciplines delivered talks at the workshop.

    In an opening remark, the Chief of Communication UNICEF Nigeria, Doune Porter said the agency decided to put up the programme to partner the media in combating the act and commended the Wife of the President for the proposed flag off of the campaign against FGM/C scheduled to hold in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The Chief of Communication said that the agency has recorded greater success in the advocacy pointing out that the agency would not relent until the country records total abandonment of the practice.

    Porter further said that some practitioners in Ile Ife, Osun State have abandoned the act and joined in the advocacy and called other practitioners in areas where there is prevalent cases to abandon the

    practice and join in the advocacy.

    She also commended the Federal Ministry of Information and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities, UNFPA for collaborating with the agency in the media dialogue.

    Journalists across the Southeast, Southsouth and Abuja participated in the dialogue and resolved to champion the campaign in their different state.

  • Union gets new leaders

    The Ebonyi state Development Association (ESDA), Lagos Branch, has elected new officers. The election held at Ebonyi House in Lagos. Mr. Paul Ikele was elected president of the union and will serve a term of four years.

    Others elected were Mr Joseph Egbo (1st Vice President); Mr Francis Akan (2rd Vice President); Mr. Joseph Okon (Gen. Secretary); Mr Idam Onyekwere (Assistant Secretary); Ide Nwonu Sunday (Treasurer); Chief Lazarus Nwafor (Financial Secretary); Comrade Joseph Igboji (Public Relations Officer); Mr Obosi Job Obasi (Assistant Public Relations Officer).

    The officials were inaugurated by Mr. Augustine Ogbodo, a lawyer.

    Responding on behalf of the newly elected officers, the president thanked members of the union for their confidence in the leaders, adding that his administration would focus on innovation.

    He said, “Our administration will bring good transformation, reliability and progress and assiduously follow the tenets and ensure the association attains the highest point with humility and respect more especially the safety our members. We shall ensure financial strength, self-sustenance, empowered and support to all our brother and sister and liaising with both Ebonyi and Lagos state Government in tacking the street trading issues.”

  • ‘Review tricycle ban in Abia’

    ‘Review tricycle ban in Abia’

    Commuters and commercial tricycle operators in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, have urged the state government to review the restriction of commercial tricycle operation in parts of the state.

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state government, Mr. Godwin Adindu said, inter alia, “Following the resurgence of sundry crimes in the two metropolises of Aba and Umuahia, the governor of the state, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has reinforced the ban on the operation of Okada riders within the metropolis of Aba and Umuahia. All Keke operators should limit their operations to 7pm daily till further notice…The governor also warns all criminals in the state to run away from the state or face extermination.”

    Some commercial tricycle operators described the ban as a welcome development since it is geared towards checking crime, but added that it was negatively affecting their businesses. Commuters equally complained about difficulty in movement since the enforcement of the ban.

    The tricycle operators said, “We welcome the decision of the state government to tackle insecurity in the state. But we wonder why they should moved it from the 9pm it was before to 7pm. For us it is too early and on the allegation that most of the crimes committed by kidnappers and armed robbers were done using Keke, we want to say that in a twelve, there must be a Judas. But don’t they use cars to commit crimes? We have heard of “one chance” where some people pretending to be commercial bus drivers use their cars to dupe unsuspecting members of the public. Most of us, like most commercial bus drivers, load in one loading bay or the other. Nobody will use his keke registered with ASATOA or government recognised union for any illegal business. I am not saying that we (tricycle operators) are saints, but the basic thing is that the state government should properly equip the police and other security agencies in the state like Lagos recently did. Police on their own should build on intelligence gathering like their counterpart and also should learn to protect their source.

    “I live around Obohia, I must tell you that the level of crime around my area is very high and the response time or police and other security agencies whenever we are under attack is very slow. If you call police that robbers are in our area, they will either come and arrest innocent people or shoot into the air when the robbers must have completed their assignment.”

    A commuter who identified herself as Chinwe said she had to sleep in a hotel after a trip from Abuja before she could get to her residence the next day, as according to her, the road to her place is impassable except with a tricycle.

    She however, called on the state government to adopt a more proactive measures in combating crimes in the state and to see how they can partner with the police to make logistics available to the security agencies, stressing that the 7pm ban on the operations of commercial tricycle operators will do little to tackle insecurity in the state, but would cause more hardship on the people.

    “Life in Lagos is 24 hours. Go to Owerri, Akwa Ibom, Awka, Enugu State to mention but a few, you will agree with me that the state government has done enough to improve security situation in these towns. Why can’t such a thing be replicated in our state? We are talking a time when states are doing everything possible to encourage night life; a time for people to relax with friends including investors who may have spent more time during the daytime in one business meeting or the other. I am just coming back from Abuja after visiting Onitsha, Awka, amongst other cities, but I must tell you that business operators make more money at night than in the day time because government has it so. ASba is a commercial city that is being visited by people from other African countries and other parts of the world. We want to see business being on in Aba anytime of the day. People should be allowed free movement. Government should guarantee people adequate security. That is what we want and not banning of keke riders operational hours.”

    Some traders and shop owners who sell food and provisions, decrying the ban said that it is affecting their business negatively.

    A food vendor who sells noodles, fried eggs, beans and pap near Milverton said, “I and others that do the same business don’t have shops. We only sale in the night when owners of the shops we mounted canopy in front of might have gone home. That is to say that we do our business at night. Because of the ban,  we have recorded low turnout of customers. Some of our customers especially the male folk are bachelors. You know that they don’t normally cook; they from us before going home. But since the new directives came from the state government, our market has not been going well, no thanks to the state of the nation’s economy. So many of our customers now hurry to go home. Thereby negatively affecting our businesses. So, we want government of the state to look into the order and see how they can help us. If it continues, it is going to kill night life in Aba. “

    In a telephone chat with the Chief Press Secretary to the Abia State Government, Mr. Godwin Adindu said it was part of proactive measures by the state government decided to nip rising cases of insecurity in the bud, stressing that security reports have it that most of the crimes committed in the state were done using tricycles. Adindu who said that the ban was a “contingency option”, however stated that the state government could reverse the ban as soon as security situation in the state improves and regretted the inconveniences the ban may have caused the residents.

     

  • NOUN graduates bemoan inability to attend law school

    NOUN graduates bemoan inability to attend law school

    In Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Law graduates of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) seem stuck between the joys of study and graduation on the one hand and agony of not proceeding to law school.

    The graduates held their law dinner which is one of the requirements before going to law school, but are uncomfortable because they are barred from making the transition. Some said they wondered why the authorities are keeping them from topping off their study with the required law school programme.

    The president of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAW SAN) Umuahia chapter of the Open University, Joel Chima Alilionwu who spoke at the dinner, said that by joining other study centres, they have met the requirement for the final tutelage before practising  their profession.

    Alilionwu said that they have been graduating law students since 2014 and that being a member of the LAWSAN which is the umbrella body has made them to be more united, while the Umuahia study centre has become a pacesetter in the area of the national body of the law student union.

    He urged the people who are in position of authority to ensure that Open University graduates should be allowed to attend law school like their counterparts from other universities so that their education as lawyers will be complete.

    In his own speech, the Secretary of the LAWSAN Umuahia chapter Agomuo Chidozie said that the problem of their non-attendance of the law schools is made more complicated by the stand of Nigerian University Commission (NUC) which is not clear on the situation.

    Agomuo said that the course outline of NOUN is the same as approved by the NUC for all other universities in the country and wondered why there should be a discrimination against them in the area allowing them to attend law schools at the end of their law education at the Open University.

    He noted that, “80 per cent of law students in NOUN are degree and post-degree graduates in various disciplines, but due to their passion to serve in the temple of justice, they are studying here in NOUN school of law and Nigeria will be at a great loss if these experienced hands are denied the opportunity of taking our legal platform to an enviable height.

    In our first and only participation in the National moot court competition in 2013, NOUN school of law emerged as winners in the competition where all other Nigerian universities either state, federal and private owned participated.

    NOUN maintains high standards in their tests and examinations, there is no cutting of corners, no sorting or sexual harassment for female students and no greasing of palms for any of the student to be awarded a high marks”.

    Agomuo said that in the recent time that results in Nigeria law schools calls for a total overhaul of the system and provision of a level playing ground for the students from a conventional universities

    and graduates of NOUN school of law, adding that 60% of the Nigerian law school students fail and none of them is from NOUN, “So please allow us to prove our mental capability with the students from the conventional universities”.

    He said that it will be wrong to punish the students of NOUN by denying them admission into the Nigerian law school, “Just because we accepted an offer then applied and was given admission in an

    institution that was established by the act of National Assembly for good citizen of Nigeria which we are part of it”.

     

  • New palace for Ikere-Ekiti monarch

    New palace for Ikere-Ekiti monarch

    Residents of Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State were full of joy when a new palace for the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado was inaugurated. The event was historic because the monarch built the palace for the community less than one year after he was enthroned. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    When the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado, Agirilala Ogbenuote-soro II, ascended the throne of his ancestors in July last year, he promised to give the town a new face by initiating policies and programmes that would attract development to the town.

    Before ascending the throne, the royal father had been involved in community development projects and investments which had generated employment for the indigenes thereby making them be self-reliant.

    But the first-class monarch went a step further in giving his community a palace which befits the status of the town believed to be the second largest in Ekiti State after Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The new palace, which was the first phase of work to be done in the arena was inaugurated exactly 201 days after the he ascended the throne.

    Oba Alagbado was following the footsteps of his progenitors whose reigns were marked with historic milestones. It was during the reign of Oba Agirilala I that Ikere had an expansion with many settlements streaming into the town for protection.

    Oba Alagbado was fulfilled that Ikere had grown in leaps and bounds as it currently has nine quarters from the original three-Uro, Odo Oja and Oke’kere. It was one of his progenitors that rebuilt the old palace that gave way to the new one in the early 20th Century.

    Ironically, the new palace was constructed single-handedly by another Agirilala (the Agirilala II). Since the palace was inaugurated, it has become tourists’ attraction to indigenes and visitors alike.

    What made the construction of the new Ogoga’s palace unique was that construction of such palace in Ekiti is usually taxing as it takes many communities years to build palaces.

    Many communities celebrate their annual days during which they raise money for construction of palaces while others seek government’s support before such projects could be executed.

    Oba Alagbado did not wait for any assistance before building a palace for his community as the Ikere community is feeling the impact of this oil magnate and maritime investor-turned monarch.

    Despite that the new palace was self-financed by him, Oba Adu exuded modesty by ascribing the feat to the Almighty God.

    He said: “The feat is historical because Ikere as a community, is having a palace that befits its status among the comity of prominent cities in Yoruba land since the days of our gallant and heroic fathers.

    “I would not ascribe this feat to my affluence as a king as some people would say. No! This is a sheer demonstration of God’s love and mercy for Ikere people. I am just an instrument in His hands.”

    On hand to share the joy of the people over the new palace was Governor Ayodele Fayose who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kolapo Olusola who is also an Ikere indigene.

    Other dignitaries who attended the event included former Governor of Old Ondo State, Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua; Chairman, Ikere Local Government Area, Mr. Sola Alonge; member House of Assembly representing Ikere 2 Constituncy, Mr. Sunday Akinniyi;  Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye; retired Anglican Bishop of Akure Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Michael Ipinmoye; Provost, College of Education, Ikere, Dr. Mojisola Oyarekua; traditional rulers, Christian and Muslim clerics and community leaders.

    Members of Ikere Development Forum (IDF), market women association, community development associations, ethnic nationalities resident in the town, youth bodies, students and other interest groups turned out en masse to witness the day.

    As part of activities to mark the day, a book entitled Triumph of a Royal Fate written by a journalist, Mr. Tope Ariyo, was launched. The eleven-chapter book which chronicled Oba Adu’s tortuous journey to the throne was reviewed by the Chairman Ikere Local Government Area, Mr. Alonge. A Compact Disc on the panegyrics of Ikere was also launched at the event.

    Governor Fayose congratulated the people of Ikere on the opening of a new palace which he described as a harbinger of many good things to come.

    He said his government would continue to accord Ikere its pride of place among the communities in Ekiti, expressing gratitude for the support given to him before, during and after the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

    He recalled that during his first stint in power, he made two Ikere indigenes deputy governors and also repeated the gesture during his second coming to office.

    Fayose said less than two years in office, his administration has executed many projects in the community which include the Afao/Kajola Water Project, the Elegberun Market while work has reached advanced stage in making Ikere-Ado Road a dual carriage way.

    The governor pledged that his administration would do more for Ikere in years ahead, even as he called for more support from the people.

    He affirmed the supremacy of the Ogoga as the paramount ruler and consenting authority in Ikere land. He said: ”Ikere has one monarch and the Ogoga is the head of the kingdom.”

    We recognise you as the only king in Ikere, we recognise you as the only paramount ruler in Ikere and there is no other king in Ikere.

    “This government will continue to recognise you as such.”

    In his speech, the Ogoga  said God used him to build the edifice that befits the status of Ikere as a big town in Ekiti.

    Oba Adu called on Ikere indigenes both at home and abroad to join hands in the development of their hometown. According to him, he bears no grudge against those who were opposed to his emergence as king when the race was hot.

    The Ogoga praised former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Wole Olanipekun and other prominent indigenes for their efforts in various community development.

    He urged them to use their influence to provide gainful employment for the youth of the town to enable them to contribute to the economic enhancement of the town.

    He also praised Otunba of Ikere-Ekiti, Chief Sola Adewumi for sponsoring the construction of an administrative building at the palace premises.

    The royal father also praised Olanipekun for donating an Amenity Centre to the State Specialist Hospital in Ikere, retired Colonel Sunday Akinola for empowering 67 Ikere women with N50,000 each and Mr. Abiodun Omoyeni “whose ultra-modern filling station has turned around activities around the Araromi axis of the town.”

    Oba Adu called on prominent sons and daughters of the town to emulate Adewumi’s gesture so that Ikere would experience rapid growth and development.

    The Ogoga expressed satisfaction over various ongoing projects executed by the state government, including making Ikere-Akure Road a dual carriage way and the completion of the Elegberun Market.

    He said: “I must say that this new palace as well as other programmes emanating from us are aimed at complementing government’s efforts in developing the state. Therefore, any unwarranted distractions from any quarter are anti-government and anti-people.