The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Forty cheers at the Heartland

    Forty cheers at the Heartland

    As Imo State marks four decades of existence, residents celebrate the revival of moribund projects, writes OKODILI NDIDI

    There is a cheery atmosphere in the Eastern Heartland, as Imo State is also called, but it much more than the state’s 40th anniversary. New life is being breathed into its once-famous but moribund firms. Governor Rochas Okorocha and his team are happy about that, and so are the rest of the residents.

    Created in 1976 alongside 18 others, the state was carved out of the defunct East Central State, and later split in two by former Head of State Gen Ibrahim Babangida.

    Of all the state’s past governors, the late Dr Sam Mbakwe stood out, guiding Imo to a major breakthrough in social and economic development between 1979 and 1983. It was during this period that the famous Concorde Hotel, Resin Paints, Avutu Poultry, Imo Clay Industry, Imo Power Plant, among other laudable projects, which marked the growth of the young state.

    Painfully, successive administrations especially military ones either sold these projects off or allowed them to die and rot away.

    Now, under Okorocha’s watch, the state has started the journey of recovery. Slowly but steadily Imo has recovered the companies that were either sold or abandoned. Education has been made free to fill for the years the state has lost. Decayed infrastructures have been revived and new ones springing up. The twin evil of kidnapping and armed robbery has become a thing of the past. Investors are coming in their droves and economic activities are at their all-time high.

    According to some of the residents, the achievements recorded by the Okorocha administration have revived the people’s confidence in the government.

    Chief Anayo Temple, an elder statesman from Mbaitoli Council Area of the state noted, “We had almost lost whatever success we achieved under the PDP-led administration but today we are back on track and there is every reason to thank God. Our state is 40 today and compared with other states created at this same time, we have not done badly and it calls for celebration”.

    Some of the achievements recorded by the Okorocha’s administration that has given him an enviable place in the success story of the last forty years include the free Education Programme from primary school to University, which is unprecedented in the history of the state, the construction of rural roads and  27 General Hospitals in the 27 Council Areas of the State.

    The resuscitation of ailing industries such as the Imo Concorde Hotel, Concorde Annex, Heroes Square, Ikemba Ojukwu Convention Centre, Ochiedike Diagnosis  Centre, Bongo Square, Freedom Square, Imo International Convention Centre (IICC) Ahiajoku Convention Centre, Imo College of Advanced Professional Studies (ICAPS) as well as Children’s Recreation parks.

    Others include the regular payment of salaries, allowance, gratuities and pensions to both serving and retired civil servants in the state.

    It is therefore based on this new lease of life and sense of direction that the people gathered to mark the 40th Anniversary of the state with a prayer session, which was attended by a large number of clergymen from within and outside the state, at the Imo International Convention Centre, to thank God for his blessings in the last forty years and to pray for the peace and prosperity of the state.

    At the well attended prayer session, the Christian faithful, politicians, the state Governor, other leaders and stakeholders in the state prayed for the sustenance of the success recorded in the last forty years and sued for peaceful coexistence among the people of the state.

    The Deputy Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Imo State chapter, Bishop Chuka Ekemam, urged political and religious leaders to be more responsive and responsible to the masses.

    Governor Okorocha said, “There is a popular saying that a fool at 40 is a fool forever, but to the glory of God, Imo state is not foolish at 40 but wise at 40 because of the giant strides of the Rescue Mission Government.  Imo security is at its best four years and eight months down the line.  Imo was known as a kidnapping haven but now, Imo is considered as one of the safest states in the country, courtesy of the Rescue Mission Government.

    “All hands must be on deck to sustain the gains made in education, security, infrastructure and other facets of the administration too numerous to mention.  The appointees should improve on the gains so far recorded by the Rescue Mission Government.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • A philanthropist’s campaign to save Igbo language

    A philanthropist’s campaign to save Igbo language

    There are attempts to keep the Igbo language from dying. In 2012 UNESCO predicted that language might become extinct in the next 50 years. The organisation noted the general apathy by the youths to speak the language, preferring instead to speak English or pidgin.

    A businessman and philanthropist Dr Maduka Onyishi wants to prevent that from happening. He wants the youth to be comfortable speaking their native tongue. He demonstrated his plan by staging a student debate in Igbo, with collaboration from the National Association of Southeast Nigerian Students (NASENS).

    The competition spanned over a  month, with the theme ‘Asusu Igbo, Ejiri Mara M’, (Igbo language, my identity).

    It took place across the five states of the Southeast where the language is spoken. Participants came from all the tertiary institutions in the zone with the grand finale taking place at the Enugu State College of Education and Technical (ESCET) Auditorium.

    •Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi taking a long walk on the dilapidated Uzam- Mechi-Idodo-Inyaba-Umunevo-Magunze inter-community wooden bridge in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state during an inspection tour of the bridge.
    •Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi taking a long walk on the dilapidated Uzam- Mechi-Idodo-Inyaba-Umunevo-Magunze inter-community wooden bridge in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state during an inspection tour of the bridge.

    Former Anambra State governor Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife chaired  the grand finale while the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Enwo Igariwey was the Father of the Day.

    In his welcome address NASENS President Comrade Nweli Ifeanyichukwu Hillary said the association staged the debate to save the language from extinction.

    He said: “Of late, Igbo language has suffered a lot of setbacks. It is hardly spoken by the people who own it. It is rejected by the young, not used in Igbo homes and families and even not spoken at Igbo cultural programmes.

    “Suffice it to say that language is a part of a people’s culture and culture is an important of human existence that depicts the way of life of a particular people. It expresses their norms and beliefs and it serves as their identity. Therefore, the Igbo language is an integral part of the Igbo man’s life.”

    The sponsor of the event and CEO of Peace Mass Transit Limited said the Igbo debate is coming at the right time when the Igbo culture is being hampered by foreign cultures which are speedily taking the place of our original culture especially among the younger general.

    He said, “They have embraced and imbibed these foreign cultures so much that they have infiltrated into the society as a cankerworm and it is negatively affecting the Igbo people as a nation. Language is a unifying force that binds any given people together. It stand as a bond to such people. Therefore, the Igbo will be made to understand through these debates, the relevancy in imbibing their mother tongue”.

    He canvassed that Igbo should be accepted and spoken compulsorily and frequently in churches, schools, media houses and religious places and employed as a general means of communication among the Igbo nation.

    “This is because there is no place in the world where one can find an Igbo nation except in Nigeria, therefore, there is need to be proud of where we are coming from”

    ‘The essence of this programme will be to strengthen our culture, language and create enabling environment for the younger generation to demonstrate virtue and value for their culture”.

    Chairman of the occasion, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife praised the event sponsor, Dr Sam Maduka Onyishi for the initiative and urged him to sustain the event.

    Ohaneze Ndigbo President, Chief Garry Enwo Igariwey urged the executives of NASENS to do more in sustaining and improving on the programme and making it more impactful.

    “There is still hope for the survival of Igbo language if the youths especially our undergraduates can stage a programme like this since they are the future of the Igbo nation”.

    At the end of the debate part of the event, Miss Nzubgo oluchi from Ebonyi State University was the overall winner. She and other top nine participants of the event were awarded full university scholarship while other ten participants went home with various consolation prizes.

    There were also other competitions and activities during the event such as Igbo essay Competition, Igbo drama competition, Igbo news broadcast competition, dancing competition, Igbo proverbs and Idioms exposition among others.

    Imo State University won the best participating institution.

  • Orji unfolds plans for constituents

    Orji unfolds plans for constituents

    Senator Theodore Orji representing Abia Central in the Senate has concluded plans to lift the profile of youths, the less privileged and students in his constituency, his media adviser Don Norman Obinna has said.

    Obinna told airport correspondents at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA 2) Ikeja the former governor Senator was also planning to ensure federal presence in Abia State through road network construction.

    Obinna explained that Senator Orji has about seven programmes to be unveiled for the youths especially in scholarships while, the down trodden in the society will equally be touched.

    According to him, in order to give back to the society, Senator Orji has mapped out plans to ensure that electorates were not disappointed. “From now till December this year these programs will be manifested and we cannot afford to disappoint the people”.

    Obinna described Senator Orji as an institution in Abia State and urged all Abians to embrace Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State now that the Supreme Court has affirmed his election in order to build Abia State.

    While commending Governor Ikpeazu for commencing on road construction to Aba, Obinna said the governor has started well and advised him to re-engineer the civil service for a better performance.

    According to him, there was no problem in Abia state but manipulated by a section of the media to create confusion in the state.

    Describing the Supreme Court judgment as well deserved, the media Adviser to Senator Orji stressed that before the judgement that APGA candidate had already manipulated the people making Abians believe that he has won the election.

    He said what was paraded as APGA in Abia state was never APGA adding that APGA had done it’s primaries before Alex Oti came in as a candidate. “It was some section of the PDP who felt they can easily cash in the situation at hand and become governor. But with this Supreme Court judgment APGA has died a natural death”

    Obinna urged them to apologize to the PDP in Abia State and come back to the fold as one family to work together. “They never left PDP, they were opportunist, they tried to see if they can actually realize whatever ambition they have through another party”

    He expressed hope that the state will be transformed with the pace of development set by Governor Ikpeazu and urged Asians to lend supporting hands.

     

  • Ikpeazu appeals for calm

    Ikpeazu appeals for calm

    With the Supreme Court verdict safely tucked away and opposition attacks still fresh, Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has appealed for calm so that the task of governance can proceed without any further hindrance.

    The governor quoted the scriptures: “From henceforth, let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the mark of our lord Jesus Christ,” Galatians 6:17.

    With these words, Dr. Ikpeazu advised the opposition and other detractors not to distract him in his mission to render services to the people of the state.

    The governor said the protracted legal battle that ended at the Supreme Court was a huge distraction and having come out of it, he needs all the time and energy to focus on the task of rebuilding the state.

    He spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Godwin Adindu, saying  the era of acrimonious politics in the state is over with the verdict of the Supreme Court.

    Noting that opposition groups hardly give up on their antics, he stated that the era of hurling stones should be over and the opposition  shield their swords and join him in developing the state.

    He disclosed that his infrastructural renewal drive will receive an impetus with the flag-off of the construction of three roads in Bende Local Council, bringing to 50 the number of active roads being built by his government in the last eight months,  over 20 of which commissioned.

    Ikpeazu said he will focus more on roads because of their deplorable condition especially in Aba, adding that his administration is determined to change the unflattering Aba narrative to a city of promise and hope.

    The governor said the state has just launched the Traffic and Indiscipline Management Agency with 500 youths in its employ and also launched the Infrastructure Management Agency, adding that apart from providing jobs, the two agencies are designed to be self-sustaining.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • 14 magistrates’ courts coming in Anambra

    14 magistrates’ courts coming in Anambra

    The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi has said the state governor Chief Willie Obiano has approved the building of 14 magistrate court halls in the state. He said this at Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, while commissioning court halls in the community.

    Umeadi said the development will bring justice closer to the grassroots, adding that the areas approved for the construction of the magistrate court halls are Awka, Eziowelle, Nnobi, Ukpo, Anaku and Mmiata-Anam. Others were Ozomagala, Fegge, Amesi, Ihiala, Ugbenu, Ajalli, Umunze, adding that the construction of new court halls would give Anambra a new lease of life.

    He said the issue of low productivity would have been arrested with the new development.

    Already, he said the judiciary had commissioned three in communities like Achalla, Eziowelle and Nteje, adding that they wanted to make judiciary conducive for the populace.

    The Ukpo Magistrate court according to Umeadi, would serve communities in Dunukofia local government area such as Ukwulu, Abba, Umunnachi, Nawgu, Ukpo and Ifite Dunu.

    However, he reminded the administrative magistrate of the new court, Mrs. Loretta Okoye that she was representing the judiciary, adding that she would keep the flag flying without fear or favour.

    Virtually all the judges in the state and magistrates were present at the weekend with some of the traditional rulers.

    The state Chief Judge, commended the state Governor Chief Willie Obiano for his assistance to the judiciary and oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze for his support also.

    He said the judiciary with the support of Obiano, had supplied vehicles to the magistrates, while the court halls had been provided with befitting chairs, tables, air conditions among others things.

    The local government chairman of Dunukofia, Chukwudi Onuorah said the commissioning of the project meant that the judiciary had good plans for the Anambra communities.

    He, however, praised Governor Willie Obiano and Justice Peter Umeadi for their foresight in bringing justice to the grass root.

    The administrative judge Mrs. Loretta Okoye, said that she would discharge her functions in the office without fear or favour.

     

  • Epileptic power over in Anambra community

    Epileptic power over in Anambra community

    The days of darkness or unpredictable are over in Umuchigbonu, a community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State where the villagers trooped out to witness the inauguration of a multi-million naira rural electrification project. It was executed by the Ihekamba Foundation.

    High-tension cables were also run through the community and some other communities in Ubahuekwem.

    For many years, the community had grappled with perennial epileptic power supply. Now, the residents can heave a sigh of relief.

    They sang in victory over power outage while expressing gratitude to God.

    Other things are changing too. The residents no longer drink from a stream because pipe-born water is all over the place in the community.

    Also, the community which had been involved in communal crisis over land is now peaceful.

    During the 2016 edition of Chigbonu Day Celebration, the occasion witnessed the commissioning of several other projects that are likely to impact positively on the lives of the people in the area.

    Other projects commissioned included a box-culvert constructed by the Ezenwafor family and road signs at strategic locations of the community installed by the oldest man in the area.

    At the commissioning, donors explained why they executed the projects for the community.

    Founder of Ihekamba Foundation, Mr. Donatus Ihekamba Onuchukwu who spoke with The Nation, said he was grateful to God for the gift of Kevin Ihekamba Onuchukwu his younger brother whom he noted has accomplished what he started many years ago.

    Prof. Emeka Desmond Ezenwafor, an illustrious son of Umuchigbonu, described the Ihekamba Foundation’s gesture as unprecedented.

    He said that the donation of an electricity transformer to Umuchigbonu by Ihekamba foundation, naming of Chigbonu Road by the oldest surviving son of Chigbonu, donation of the portion of land where the transformer was installed by Obunadike family as well as the construction of a box-culvert for the community by Ezenwafor family were important landmarks in the history of the community.

    On the issue of internal squabbles in the community, Prof. Ezenwafor, stated that no community thrives without crisis but expressed optimism that the crisis will come to an end and make Umuchigbonu community much stronger.

    Ezenwafor disclosed that plans were afoot to maintain the two kilometre road named after Ezenwafor Ozoji his late father, to make it passable.

    He added that the road would be widened so that people could move into Umuchigbonu community and add to economic growth and social development in the area.

     

  • Enugwu-Ukwu aglow at feast

    Enugwu-Ukwu aglow at feast

    The Obu Umunri Palace venue at Nkwo Enugwu-Ukwu glowed with dazzling colours as the crème de la crème of the society mingled. The about 3000-capacity Umunri Palace was filled to capacity.

    The occasion was the 58th Igu Aro of Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State and the fifth of their monarch, His Majesty, Igwe Sir Ralph Obumnemeh Ekpeh; the Okpalanakana-Ukabia Nri IV.

    The annual event affords the people of the community the opportunity to assess the past year and bless the New Year, even as their prominent sons who have contributed to the growth and development of the town and the society at large are honoured with chieftaincy titles. The planning of the event was coordinated by some members of the Igwe’s cabinet including Chief Dennis Anekwe, Omenyi, the Traditional Prime Minister, Chief Clem Nwafor, Odu, the Deputy Traditional Prime Minister, Chief Frank Nwokike, Ugogbuzuo, the Cabinet Secretary, Chief Tony Okeke, Akalanri, the Defence Minister, Senator Chief I.G. Abana, Ochikota, the Special Adviser on International Affairs, Chief Mike Nkwoji, Okpataozuora, the Special Adviser on Culture and Traditional Matters and Chief Hero Okoye, Udonri, the Treasurer.

    First was the Mmanwu Festival which was the display of the various masquerades from the 18 villages of Enugwu-Ukwu, and others from the visiting communities, succeeded by visit of the monarch to the town’s historical sites, namely: Obu Okpalanakana located at Uruekwo village, believed to be the ancestral home of Nri, the founder of Enugwu-Ukwu; and Mkpume Onyilienyi which is Nri’s shrine. This was followed by the 2nd Umunri Colloquium lecture series. At the occasion chaired by the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, His Excellency, Dr Nkem Okeke, former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji spoke on the theme: Anyukoo Nwamili Onu: Sustainable Development of Ndi-Igbo in the 21st Century as the keynote speaker. The 2016 Igu Aro which was organised in partnership with MTN Nigeria, saw many people winning fantastic prizes including microwave oven, standing fans and others from the telecommunication giant at the venue.

    The Iguaro event started with presentation of kolanuts to the Igwe by the Otu Odueze, wives of cabinet members led by Ocheze Lady Dorothy Ekpeh, the Igwe’s wife. The Igwe then poured libation and called on the spirit of Nri the father of Umunri Clan-Enugwu Ukwu, Nawfia, Enugwu Agidi and Agu Ukwu  and many other towns with Umunri traits to bless his people and provide for them in the New Year. He distributed Kolanuts to each of the 18 constituent villages in Enugwu Ukwu, he predicted that contrary to the economic hardship that many people expect the country will go through in the New Year the nation will rather experience hardship, abundance and prosperity, for after the rain comes sunshine. He traced the history of Nri people to Eri the son of Gad one of the twelve tribes of Israel who was said to have travelled from Egypt and settled at the confluence of Ezu/Omambala River.

    The Igwe thanked God for blessing the community in the past year and prayed for bigger packages in the New Year. He also thanked his subjects for their support and contributions to the growth of the community while urging them to keep maintaining the peace of the town. He specially appreciated the efforts of a prominent indigene of the town Sir Chris Okoye, Obunakueze, a former President General of the town Union in attracting MTN Nigeria to co-sponsor the event. He also expressed deep gratitude to the communications giant for encouraging the cultural and traditional activities of its host country.

    The first class monarch also cautioned the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo to put its house in order and stop the “cacophony of disgrace they heap on us by their constant disagreements and altercations,” insisting that “A national leader for the Igbo is overdue. Igbo should install or recognize someone as our national leader who is to speak for us. The scenario where every Igbo sees himself as the mouthpiece of the Igbo should stop. It breeds indiscipline and in the end, nothing is achieved.”

    He expressed sadness over the continued subjugation of the Igbo by successive Federal Governments; cautioning that “the marginalization of Igbo people at the Federal level must seize so that the nation under Buhari will know peace and enjoy more peace. If some states are not treated at par with others for the single reason that they did not vote for him, the way forward is to treat them well to enable them vote for him in the next election.”

    Apparently referring to the appointment of the former Lagos governor, Babatunde Fashola who heads three “biggest” ministries, the monarch regretted that “In Nigeria where there is overflow of manpower, we cannot manufacture overnight a superhuman to handle three biggest Ministries of Power, Works and Housing. Inefficiency will set in. Nepotism will surface and corrode whatever might be the intention. Let the president not kill this good man with too much work when Nigeria has a surfeit of manpower.”

    He requested the Anambra State Government to start work on the Enugwu Ukwu Bye-pass, to ease traffic on the old road.

     

  • Lawmaker cares for the needy in Abia

    Lawmaker cares for the needy in Abia

    The lawmaker representing Aba North and South at the House of Representatives has brought relief to the poor and ailing members of his constituency. On his 51st birthday, Hon. Ossy Prestige funded a medical outreach programme which involved blood pressure checks, eye and dental exams, among other procedures. Some were treated or given eyeglasses, some drugs, some referred to better equipped facilities.

    The outreach took place in Aba while the beneficiaries were drawn from communities in Aba North and South Federal constituency, though some from neighbouring Obingwa, Osisioma, Ugwunagbo also turned up.

    At the end of the event, about 100 persons were scheduled for eye surgery in Aba while those with complicated or serious cases were referred to various hospitals where they will be attended to.

    The beneficiaries said that it was the first time a lawmaker would celebrate with the poor in their constituency.

    They also called on other elected representatives and well-to-do to emulate Prestige.

    The lawmaker also announced his plan to sponsor eight members of the constituency for this year’s pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

    He said, “I felt that I should have my birthday with this category of people who are bedridden; those who are sick in Aba North and South Federal Constituency where I represent at the Federal House of Representatives, so as to give them hope and sense of belonging, that they have not been forgotten. These are the calibre of people that I want to celebrate my birthday with, because I felt that they would not have the best of life if they were on their various sick beds. I know that when they are healthy, they will thank God and that is part of the way I want to return the glory to God who has kept me alive and healthy until this period. My expectations are that a lot of people will go home healthier than they came.”

     

  • Enugu prepares for trade fair

    Enugu prepares for trade fair

    Every stakeholder is looking forward to what has tagged  the biggest Enugu International Trade Fair expected to hold next month from March 25 to April  4.

    The theme of the fair is “Diversification of the Nation’s Economy: From Rhetorics to Coordinated Action”. President Muhammadu Buhari s expected to declare it open.

    A good number of corporate bodies and businesses as well as government agencies have indicated their interest to participate in the fair. No fewer than 600 firms both foreign and local are expected too.

    Countries like Vietnam, Japan, Ghana, China, Canada, etc, have indicated their interest in the fair.

    The president of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Rev. Ugochukwu Chime told reporters  that the 27th Enugu International Trade Fair would be a success as the following indices and factors portray.

    The fair has been strategically re-engineered in such a way that it will have meaningful and positive effects and outcome for all stakeholders, particularly for exhibitors and participants.

    Part of the value addition and enhancement to the fair is the availability of over 1000sqm Marquee Air-conditioned dome for corporate and international exhibitors. “This is in addition to other existing facilities that will enable the successful hosting of the Fair. As I speak, the tent is already installed and the complex is presently receiving attention through rehabilitation and remedial works,” Chime said.

    “We shall consolidate efforts towards enhancing the special designated areas in the Fair complex for the exhibition of new products, prototypes, innovations and research findings for commercialisation. Recall, that the idea is to boost technological advancement by bringing researchers, business people and industrialists together. This remains one of the core focal points and cutting edge of the Enugu International Trade Fair. We hope to discuss extensively on this, with the Hon. Minister of Science & Technology during our visit to Abuja as well as other related agencies.

    The agriculture sector will receive extra attention in our specially designated area during the Fair towards boosting indulgence in agricultural production and commercial farming, more so as it remains a critical sector towards our diversification efforts, so also for the mining and solid mineral sector.

    “We are hopeful that we are going to receive the support of the Enugu State government towards the rehabilitation of internal roads within the Fair complex for a more amenable atmosphere and environment for vehicular and human traffic. Already we have put in place mechanism for the realization of this as it very key to our hosting the fair successfully.”

    As part of our efforts to boost the success of the Fair, as it is strategically traditional, the ECCIMA president said they would embark on  sensitization tours and consolidating their marketing with visits to stakeholders both in public and private sector in Lagos, Abuja and across the Southeast and Southsouth states.

    He said they have equally put in place measures to ensure stable and quality supply of electricity and water.

    “In as much as we acknowledge the fact that power supply has improved relatively from the Enugu Electricity Power Distribution Company, we have commenced the overhaul and maintenance of the stand-by generator sets in the Fair Complex, in event of public power failure,” Chime explained.

    Relatedly, the chamber commissioned the reinforcement of the distribution network of electricity lines inside the Fair complex including the changing of a good number of wooden electric poles to concrete poles. “This has become necessary as the weak wooden electric poles used in the initial networking had to be replaced to enhance stable electricity supply. We shall continue to gradually replace the wooden poles with concrete poles, particularly those that are weak,” Chime explained.

    On security, the ECCIMA boss noted, that “we have not had any security breach/problem since we started hosting our Fairs in the Trade Fair Complex within the Golf Estate area about 6years ago.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Anambra battles common enemy: illicit drugs

    Anambra battles common enemy: illicit drugs

    Of the 235 Nigerians jailed in Thailand for illicit drugs, 200 hail from Anambra State. That is why the state, in conjunction with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is fighting to reverse the trend. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    Banned drugs are wreaking havoc in Anambra State. The government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are battling to tackle the problem. There may be some success in the war against Indian hemp but harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin seem to be proving tougher to contain. Two hundred of the 235 Nigerians in Thailand’s jails hail from the state, said Governor Willie Obiano at a forum organised to fashion out new ways to stop the illicit business.

    Obiano was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government Prof Solo Chukwu-lobelu, who noted that some communities in the state had become havens for drug addicts.

    This is frightening, he said, and must stop.

    At the forum, stakeholders agreed that the fight against doing trafficking and abuse should be continuous adding that all hands must be on deck.

    They spoke at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital. They regretted the agency’s lack of resources to effectively to crush the illicit drug business.

    The theme of the lecture was “Curbing Abuse and Trafficking in Illicit Drug in Nigeria, how far, how well”. Dr. Kabir Mato of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja was the guest lecturer.

    In a paper, he advocated that states and local governments should provide more money for the NDLEA in order to effectively tackle the menace.

    He said, “This support could come in form of logistics and monetary support in a coordinated manner, that would assist in confronting drug cartels, because such cartels are often financially very strong and willing to deploy huge resources to deal with any opposition as may come from the agency.”

    He also said state and local governments should maintain and enforce drinking age limits and constantly monitor retailers for compliance as well as stop selling alcohol to drunks.

    “State and local governments should enforce legal requirement for installation of ignition interlocks in the vehicles of those convicted of drug use and abuse-impaired driving,” he said. “State and local governments should strengthen and monitor prescription drug programmes and facilitate controlled drug disposal programmes, including policies allowing pharmacies to accept unwanted drugs.”

    The state commander of NDLEA Mr. Sule Momodu said the aim of the lecture was to partner with communities and local government areas to see how to end the menace in the state.

    He said in 2015 the command convicted 30 suspects, adding that the huge challenge was for the agency and the government to re-strategise.

    Momodu asked, “If cannabis sativa challenge is reducing, why are heroin and cocaine on the increase in the state?” He said there was need to address the situation.

    He thanked Governor Obiano for helping the agency in the state, adding that the governor had been in the forefront of NDLEA activities in the state.

    It was suggested that building rehab centers might be necessary given the prevalence of the use and effects of prohibited drugs in the state, but Obiano said the state would want to be the first in the zone to do so. He would rather get Anambra residents off such drugs than herd them into rehab institutions.