The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

Battle to end genital mutilation in Ebonyi

Residents of Ishielu Local Government Area have declared the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) a taboo, saying that it has created enormous problems in the lives of their young girls and women.

Therefore, any person who engages in it in the area will be severely punished, they pledged.

The agreement was reached during the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) statewide awareness campaign on “Abandonment Of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting” practice in all the communities of the state held at Ntezi Town Hall in Ishielu council.

The open community dialogue on FGM/C, a UNICEF sponsored project,was organised by National Orientation Agency, Ebonyi state, in collaboration with critical stakeholders/partners from the state.

These include Ebonyi State Ministry of Information and state orientation, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Child Protection Network, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), Local Government social welfare officers,as well as health officers of each Local Government Council.

Disclosing the essence of the programme, the State Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Ebonyi State, Dr. Emma Abah stated that it is a strategy of UNICEF towards discouraging the practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in the world by dialoguing with people on the adverse effects of the practice, not just on children and women but on the entire society and the need for them to completely abandon it for a better and healthier lifestyle.

Dr Abah noted that to further promote and intensify the campaign against FGM/C in Ebonyi State, UNICEF empowered NOA and other relevant stakeholders to collaboratively and systematically engage the affected communities on societal dialogue and as well empower same to act collectively to end the bad practice.

The NOA boss disclosed that they intend to dialogue with the people on why the FGM/C practice was still prevalent in the community, despite previous campaigns against the evil practice and implored the participants to be open and sincere during the discussion as that will enable them achieve success.

A UNICEF resource person, Elder Ude Agwu, enlightened the people on the dangers of the practice and defined Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting as “the partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons”.

While revealing that an estimated number of over 130 million girls and women alive in Africa today have undergone FGM/C, Elder Agwu regretted that the act has been deeply entrenched as a social and cultural norm in many places and advised Ishielu people to put an end to the menace, irrespective of where it came from.

Another resource person, Mrs. Nnenna Elekwa, a lawyer, described Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting as a dangerous and potentially life-threatening procedure that causes unspeakable pain and suffering on victims and recounted the short- and long-term effects to include chronic pain, infections, increased risk of HIV transmission, anxiety and depression, birth complications, infertility and, in worst cases, death.

She therefore called for a collective decision by the people to abandon the practice, insisting that suchwill ensure that no single girl or family will be disadvantaged.

The representative of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Barrister Mrs. Chidiebere Otu-odo enlightened the participants on the legal implications of the act thus, “FGM/C is a fundamental violation of women’s and girls’ rights

It violates the rights to health and to physical integrity, to be protected from harmful traditional practices, to be free from injury, abuse and degrading treatment.

Furthermore, girls usually undergo the practice without their informed consent, thus depriving them of the opportunity to make independent decisions about their bodies.”

She further warned that, henceforth, no form of alteration should be made on the genitalia of any female child in Ishielu LGA, insisting that any alteration whatsoever amounts to mutilation or cutting.

In her contribution, the Director, Social Welfare Department, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Ebonyi State, Mrs Christiana Ogbu encouraged the people to ensure that they put into use every information brought to themby the UNICEF team while Mrs Azu Udu Chinenye reminded them that the concerted efforts by UNICEF to put an end to the evil practice is for their good, especially as they are the people to suffer the effects accruing from the act.

The participants brainstormed on various issues raised during the dialogue on why the earlier messages against FGM in Ishielu LGA did not yield expected fruits, the effects of the practice on the people, factors that pose as barriers to the abandonment of the practice, way forward and possible individual/collective contributions to the stoppage of the acts.

A communique issued at the end of the dialogue and presented by Chairman of the communique drafting committee, Mrs Anyim Veronica shows that the reason FGM/C has persisted in the area included; ignorance, non-challant attitudes of the government towards the issue, strong belief in cultural heritage, initiation into womanhood, belief that an uncircumcised females are highly promiscuous and low publicity on the issue.

They appealed that government and NGOs should intensify health education and resolved as follows: that the practice is bad and has negative effects on the girl child and should be stopped, that traditional rulers should make pronouncements against FGM/C and that everybody in the local government must join the crusade to end the practice.

The programme was largely attended by Traditional Rulers, Head Teachers of mapped primary schools, women groups, Religious Leaders, Community Based Organisations, Community Social Organisations, the Press and youths from the different communities in the Local Government Area.

A monarch, Chief Walter Ebe and Pastor Ali Daniel in their separate reactions, thanked UNICEF and NOA for bringing the laudable programme to the community and promised to cascade the message to all nooks and crannies of the LGA.

July 31, 2015
Ikpeazu urged to extend road upgrade beyond Aba

While road rehabilitation in Aba, the commercial nerve of the Abia State, has impressed many, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has been urged to extend the upgrade to other neighbouring towns.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Elder Goodluck Njoku made the appeal, even as he hailed the governor for his efforts.

Njoku described the de-silting of drainage and rehabilitation of roads as a boost to trade and mark of good governance.

“You can see that the governor has lived up to his words to change the face of the city. Road rehabilitation is going simultaneously in every part of the city including Umuahia, Umunneochi and Arochukwu. Aba has become a huge construction site. You can see the dredging of the Aba River which is a very laudable step because it will check the problem of flooding in Aba. There have been lots of improvements in these areas. The issue of multiple taxation has been a hydra -headed problem and waste management has received a great attention. I commend his Gov. Ikpeazu’s efforts; he started on a good and should keep the flag flying.”

The PDP chief also enjoined residents of the state to support the ongoing rehabilitation efforts by disposing their waste at designated points.

Said he “Residents of the state, particularly Aba, must play their part to enable the governor actualize his vision for the state. I know that expectations are too high, but people must be patient. Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu is a man of remarkable experience. He has been very outstanding in all his endeavours in life. I am sure he will put up a team capable of achieving his good intentions and be able to work out something for the good of the state. Though there are great challenges but Gov. Ikepazu has the capacity to overcome them.”

He advised the governor to ensure that Aba town is decongested through embarking on development of satellite towns which would open up areas and opportunities for the residents of the state.

“I believe Aba town is over populated, there is a great need to open up and develop other areas close to Aba to decongest the town. Adjoining towns like Owerri-Nta, Obehie, Osisioma Ngwa, Umuoba would perfectly fill the gap. It is not good that development has been concentrated in Aba urban since the town was founded. Gov. Ikpeazu, being the man I know, has a great vision for the state. I am not speaking for him but I know that he has a burning desire to transform Abia state to the next level.”

July 31, 2015
Abia transporters shun park

Residents of Umuahia, the Abia State capital, continue to grapple with traffic gridlock, thanks to transporters who prefer to load passengers on the roadside, rather than the park provided for them. But are the uncooperative drivers alone to blame or is the state government also at fault for not enforcing its own directive?

The Umuahia Motor Park, otherwise known as Aba Park, has been in existence since the creation of the city. Travellers to any part of the country always patronised the park, even though it remains as ugly as ever, without any facelift.

One-time governor of the state, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu promised to touch up the park. He never did. Neither did his successor Chief Theodore Orji. Towards the end of the latter’s administration, he directed that commercial vehicles especially those on inter-state routes should be moved to Umuahia Modern City Motor Park just outside the city, while operating in the capital should do so from Aba Park.

This directive was strictly adhered to by the intra-city commercial vehicle operators until the exit of the government of Governor Orji. As he departed, the transporters simply kept away from the park.

This has been causing traffic gridlock in Umuahia, as they have started loading passengers along the road instead of the motor park, while the park is left without any activity. The residents of the city have been complaining about the behaviour of touts who direct drivers to park and load on the road, rather than the park.

One of the traders at the motor park, who gave his name as simply Okorie, said that he wondered why the former administration failed to compel the transporters to move to the motor park as it directed before, which made luxury buses and other inter-state transporters to start loading at the motor park along the expressway.

Okorie said that where the motor park is located is not wide enough and that transporters loading their passengers along the road have narrowed down the road, thereby causing traffic jam on a daily basis.

He called on the administration of Dr Okezie Ikpeazu to decongest the Aba Road which has been choked up by the commercial transporters who should have been using the motor park to operate.

Another stall owner at the motor park, Mrs Ibe complained that the use of the road as loading bay by transporters has been helping to increase the quantity of refuse generation in the city of Umuahia and called the present government to do something if they want the city to be clean.

Mrs Ibe said that passengers who are supposed to enter the transport vehicles come to the road to enter the vehicles and any refuse they generate which are normally dumped into the refuse bins located inside the parks, are now being dumped along the road or into the drains along the road.

July 31, 2015
Imo intensifies battle against kidnappers

The arrest of a dreaded kidnap suspect and his accomplices underscores increased efforts to root out outlaws in the state, reports OKODILI NDIDI

Kidnapping, a major challenge in the region, especially Imo and Anambra states, will soon be a thing of the past, pledged security chiefs in Imo after a meeting with the state governor Rochas Okorocha.

It was not the usual rhetoric of security agencies, which were often not backed with commensurate action. Already the Department of Security Service (DSS) has recorded a major breakthrough in the war against kidnapping with the arrest of a most wanted cross-border kidnap kingpin, 29-year-old Henry Chibueze, known in the underworld as Vampire.

His name, according to security sources, instills fear in the heart of families of victims who have heard stories of his vicious operations and often part with huge sums of money without informing security agents.

•The Hilux vans presented to the police to boost operations

The efforts of the security agents to rid the state of the kidnappers and other undesirable elements has also been boosted by the state government with the donation of ten brand new Hilux Vans to aid their operations.

Governor Okorocha who described the arrest of the notorious kidnapper and members of his gang as a huge relief, stated that, “Imo has been under the siege of kidnappers, especially this dreaded Vampire, but today he is in security custody and we have to commend and encourage our security agents for the good job of ridding the state of all criminals. This criminal has been terrorising Imo State, where he has killed several people including a Commissioner with the Service Commission and many others.

“We have set up a combined task force that will henceforth track and apprehend kidnappers anywhere they are hiding in the state. The task force will also tackle the issue of cult activities in some parts of the state, especially in Ohaji-Egbema where cultists are killing innocent citizens. And we have warned hotel owners to verify the identity of the people they accommodate because any from now any hotel or building where a kidnapper is arrested will be pulled down”.

The DSS Director, Francis Ejiofor, confirmed that ‘Vampire” was responsible for series of kidnappings in neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Niger and Ivory Coast, where he resides.

According to Ejiofor, who paraded the suspect alongside other alleged members of his gang, before the state governor and journalists, disclosed that the suspect was arrested after an operation in the state.

He said that the victim of the last operation was released after the family paid N15 million as ransom.

In his words, “This suspect Mr. Henry Chibueze, known as Vampire, engages in kidnapping from Nigeria to Cotonou, Niger and Ivory Coast. He is a vicious kidnapper and kills his victim at the slightest suspicion that security operatives are on his trail. When he learnt that he was in the state and had kidnapped a woman we waited until he has collected the ransom and released the woman and we went after him.

“We traced him to a hotel close to Owerri where he was planning to kidnap the Tribunal Judges who were lodged there but our men stormed the place and he escaped with gunshot wounds to the home of his native doctor in Abia State where he was picked up. Another member of the gang who provides security cover for the gang is an Army deserter, Akeem Bello, who still uses his Identity Card to navigate security checkpoints.”

The DSS boss attributed the successful smashing of the notorious gang to the support of the state government, assuring that the Department will end incidents of kidnapping in the state in no distant time.

•The suspected chief kidnapper, Vampire

The suspect, while providing gory details of his criminal activities in his five years of operation, said that he has lost count of how many victims he has killed because the family failed to pay up the ransom or delayed the payment.

He particularly recounted how he wiped out the entire family of his girl friend, who he said absconded with his N45 million.

In his words, “yes I killed my girlfriend and her parents because she stole my N45m I kept in my house. I went to her family house in Lagos and when she saw me coming she ran into the house I went in and shot her and other people in the house. She died instantly but I don’t know how others died.

”I started kidnapping business five years ago and I joined the business because my people did not train me. I am from Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo State. I have killed many people but I don’t want to be released now. I want to stay in custody for many years so that my brain will cool down. I live in Abidjan with my wife and only daughter. I don’t know if she is aware that I have been arrested because she does not know the kind of business that I do.”

But another member of the gang, Bello, who deserted the Army, in his confession, denied knowing that Vampire was a kidnapper.

“Yes, I am a soldier and I have not been dismissed. I ran away from Boko Haram in Borno State and I was using my car to do town service when I carried him one night; I didn’t know that he was a kidnapper until I was arrested.”

July 31, 2015
Battle against child cultists

Police in Ebonyi State have prevented scores of secondary school pupils from joining a cult group, OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports

Law enforcement agents in Ebonyi State have something to show for their hectic duties lately. In May, they halted the activities of a sophisticated robbery gang in Abakiliki, whose members were bold enough to walk their victims to the automatic teller machine or ATM and have them withdraw as much cash as possible. The police have also been hard on the heels of cult groups.

Still, the prevention of secondary school pupils from being initiated into a cult group must be one of their biggest successes.

Why?

Child cultists are a frightening perspective in the nation’s vice profile. More common is much older young men in tertiary institutions wielding dangerous weapons and causing all manner of trouble on campuses and beyond.

The police swoop on a hotel in the state capital halted the bid of some 46 secondary school pupils from being initiated into a higher cadre of a cult group identified as Vikings. The prospect of child cultists is frightening not just for their age but also what they could grow up to become, to say nothing of their parents’ shock upon discovery.

In any case, the state police are making headway. They have also arrested some other suspected cultists and armed robbers.

Those arrested were Ogbule Justice (aka Stone cold), Emmanuel Oyota and Abuchi Mbuta Joshua accused of murdering one Sunday Igwe (aka Kawawa) following a leadership tussle for the control of their cult group identified as Supreme Vikings Fraternity.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Chris Anyanwu, the command’s spokesman, who stood in for the Commissioner of Police, Maigarri Dikko, when the suspected were presented, said Sunday Igwe was murdered at Umuoghara, Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.

He said, Through a well-coordinated and intelligence-led operation, the said Ogbule Justice was nabbed at Timaya Bush Bar, Nkaliki with Emmanuel Oyota and Abuchi Mbuta.

“The trio was rounded up while conducting newly conscripted members at Timaya Bush Bar. On sighting the police, they opened fire and scampered for safety. After a hot chase, the trio was arrested, while a few others escaped.”

He said Abuchi Mbuta who sustained bullet wounds during exchange of fire with the police, died on the way to hospital.

The spokesman listed the items recovered from the suspects to include a potable shoulder bag, one English double-barrel gun, a locally-fabricated six-round revolver pistol, one locally made double-barrel pistol and seven live cartridges, among others.

Anyanwu disclosed that the command also swooped on a gang of armed robbers who were in operation in the metropolis which led to exchange of fire between the police and the hoodlums, leading to the death of one of the criminals, Obinnna Ukpai.

DSP Anyanwu said the 46 pupils were graduating students of a popular mission secondary school (name withheld) in Izzi Local Government Area of the state. The school boys who were said to have just concluded their National Examination Council (NECO) were also reckoned to be members of a cult group identified as Junior Vikings.

They had gathered at a hotel in the metropolis located along old Enugu Road to be initiated into the Senior Vikings when police swooped on them following a tip-off.

As the initiation lasted, the police stormed the venue leading to the arrest of over fifteen of the students while the initiators flee.

Police spokesman, DSP Chris Anyanwu said the initiators had dangerous items which he said were arranged for the initiation, adding that the police have mounted a manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

He explained that the initiators who are members of the Senior Vikings mandated the graduating students who dressed in white hats, red shirts and black trousers to be initiated into the senior team or be ready to face difficult conditions in their lives.

Anyanwu who regretted that cult activities have increased in the state in the last few months, announced that the command will embark on a sensitisation campaign in schools in the state to enlighten the pupils on the need to shun cultism.

He noted that if not checked, cultism could lead to violent crimes like armed robbery and kidnapping, among others. He described it as a societal problem.

The spokesman revealed that the command has arrested a kingpin of a popular cult group in Ikwo Local Government Area of the state.

July 24, 2015
Contest for mind, medals in Imo

To build young minds and healthy competition, Imo State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere co-sponsored a contest in the state schools. OKODILI NDIDI reports

As they sprinted, loud cheers erupted from the crowd. It was not just their mates applauding. Their parents and teachers were hailing too.

It was the Prince Eze Madumere Athletics Championship staged at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, the state capital. The goal is to develop young minds and help the youth to aspire to the greatest heights.

The young athletes proved their mettle as they competed for the medals to the amazement of the fans, who were shocked at their speed and level of fitness. The school teachers were also caught in the frenzy as they shouted, jumped and hugged their victorious students.

The competing athletes tested their skills in ten track and field events ranging from 100 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 4×400 meters, 800 meters, long jump and high jump for both male and female.

In the keenly contested men’s 100 meters race, Nwachukwu Ekene of Nguru Secondary Commercial School in Aboh Mbaise Council Area of the State set an enviable record of 11:9 seconds to emerge winner, the first runner up, Amadi Clinton of Methodist High School, Egbu, Owerri, finished up at 11:59 seconds and the second runner up, Master Osuchukwu Chukwuebuka of Government secondary School, Owerri, finished up at exactly 12:00 seconds.

In the female category of the 100 meters, Agu Chidinma of Holy Rosary Model Secondary school, Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area, finished up at 13:00 seconds to emerge first, while Osuagwu Chinecherem of Nguru Secondary Commercial School, Aboh Mbaise, came second at 13: 09 seconds and Uzoagba Lilian of Umuroha High School, Mbaitoli Council Area, finished at 13:11 to place third.

•The Deputy Governor shakes hands with one of the athletes

In his remarks, the Deputy Governor who assured that subsequent editions will be better organised and bigger in terms of the number of participating schools and prizes to be won, described the event as the beginning of the realisation of his aspiration to drive sports development in the state.

He said that his love for sports is hinged on its proven unifying factor.

According to him, the dearth of interest in track and field events among other sporting activities motivated his choice of the event.

He reminded the students of famous athletes from the state who have made the country proud, including Chioma Ajunwa, Charity Opara, Chidi Imo and a host of others.

He urged the school management board to ensure that the students engage in sporting activities to discover talents and promote healthy living.

Madumere further commended co-sponsors of the event, Monarch and Company and their Managing Director in West Africa, Mr. Gerald Uche Lebechi for giving back to the society.

The state governor Rochas Okorocha, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Sir Jude Ejiogu, commended the Deputy Governor for re-invigorating sporting activities, noting that sports once placed the state in an enviable position.

July 24, 2015
Fed Govt urged to release N800b owed NDDC

The Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has pleaded with the Federal Government to release the N800 billion it owes the organisation.

The NDDC said that failure to release the funds has hampered the Commission’s progress in pursuing ongoing projects as well as embarking on fresh infrastructural development.

Speaking in Umuahia during a courtesy call on Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the chairman of NDDC Governing Board, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw said that there is need for the funds to be released for the board to work effectively.

Ewa-Hemshaw solicited the assistance of Governors of NDDC states, in ensuring that Federal Ministry of Finance complies with the NDDC acts as it relates to funding, adding that his Board inherited over 7,000 projects at inception.

He said this is in addition to liabilities the Commission inherited, which is in excess of N1trillion, including approved but unpaid IPCS of over N300b and still growing.

Ewa-Henshaw said that it was for this reason that they spent their first year in office pursuing the completion of ongoing projects like the students hostel, which was later commissioned by the state governor at Umudike.

He said, “In spite of this, funding remain an intractable challenge, and between 2001 and now more than N800 billion of funding due to NDDC has been withheld by the Federal Government”.

The NDDC board chairman cited Section 14, 2A and C of the NDDC Act, which has to do with funding of the Commissioned which he said have not been complied with.

He stated further that at the best of times, the Federal Government contribution to NDDC amounts to a mere 20% of her annual budget, adding that in this circumstances, progress with ongoing projects and programmes have been difficult .

The NDDC boss said, “And starting new major infrastructural development, which should be the focus of this commission, has been impossible. We solicit your help in ensuring that the Federal Ministry of Finance complies with the NDDC Act as it relates to funding.

“It would also be very helpful to work out a programme for the release of funds so far withheld. These releases can be tied to specific projects on roads, rail, power and even oil refining”.

He said that the commission is already in discussion with some major multinationals to form partnerships that can bring substantial benefits to NDDC states, adding that Aba-Ikot-Ekpene-Calabar roads, can be one of the first projects that can benefit from the discussions.

Ewa-Henshaw said, “With more than three hundred quarries, two cement plants and a host of oil tank farms, all in Cross River, and the heavy commercial activities flowing from Aba southwards, there are about an estimated 7,000 or more vehicular traffic daily along that road, and about three or four thousand of these are trucks.

It is easy to see that reconstruction and dualizing this road will be of enormous economic benefit. I believe that this type of venture will key into your vision and complement your developmental aspirations for Abia state. This is what NDDC is set up to do and this is what we will like to be doing”.

Responding Ikpeazu promised to associate himself with NDDC boss lofty ideas, especially where it concerns road infrastructure around two major states.

Ikpeazu said that he would liaise with governors of NDDC states to assess the authorities for the release of funds that is due to the Commission, adding that if it is well with NDDC, it will also be well with the states that are stakeholders in this project.

July 24, 2015
Ex-NOA boss makes case for restructuring

The call for restructuring the country is gathering steam, with a former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Prof Elo Amaucheazi taking the same position.

He said there is need for an acceptable and balanced federation in order to enhance national integration.

Presenting the third Chris Efobi Memorial Foundation Lecture, titled “Leadership and Nigerian Political Development”, in Enugu, Amaucheazi submitted that under a restructured federation, Nigerians would no longer have dictators at the centre, while the constituent states would have enough inherent powers to checkmate the central government.

The professor emeritus of the Abia State University, Uturu, said the need for restructuring the country has been there for a long time and was partly the cause of the civil war in 1967.

“The military dictators rather than facing the problem squarely, distorted the existing structure the more by creating minuscule and insolvent 36 states, [resulting] in a total of 774 local governments [being] created as part of federating units of the country. This is most unusual for there is nowhere in the world a local government is a federating unit.

“The imposition of the new structure is rightly interpreted as manipulation by the Northern military leaders to ultimately hold on to power perpetually and appropriate a disproportionate share of the federal funds,” he said. “At present, the structure has meant in effect an institution of a unitary system of government to the advantage of Northerners.”

On Sir Chris Efobi, Prof Elo Amaucheazi, said that due to his leadership qualities, he was at one time appointed chairman of the management board of Good Shepherd Secondary School, Enugu and chairman of the state health management board, pointing out that the renowned pharmacist was also involved in settling chieftaincy conflicts at his village Oraifite, Anambra State, especially those that had denominational coloration, just as he threw his weight in the reconstruction of the war-battered school blocks in his alma mater, Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha.

While describing Sir Chris Efobi as a celebrated African leader, pride of Ndi Igbo, philanthropist and great Dengramite, the guest lecturer praised the organisers for honouring the late founder of popular Chris Chemist, Enugu, saying such efforts would inspire the younger ones to do good for society.

The chairman of the Dennis Memorial Grammar School Old Boys Association, Enugu Branch, Mr. Emma Atu explained that the lecture was organized in every July as a mark of honour to reward Sir Chris Efobi for his numerous contributions to DMGS, churches, schools and humanity and appealed to corporate Nigeria to support the Chris Efobi scholarship foundation.

July 24, 2015
Ohaneze restates values at philanthropist’s award

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo reiterated its core values in Anambra State where it honoured a businessman and philanthropist Godwin Ezeemo for his contributions to the development of the state.

Ezeemo was given the State Service Award for his gestures to the church, media and schoolchildren, among others.

It was recalled at the ceremony which took place at Umuchu, Aguata Local Government Area, that the businessman built a befitting church at Umuchu, a secretariat for the state Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as well instituted an annual football tournament for primary schools in the Aguata council.

Ohaneze seized the opportunity to re-echo its beliefs, saying it is customary for the organisation to celebrate and encourage those who help the people grow.

The state president of the organisation, Elder Chris Eluemunoh, a former chief press secretary in the 70s to then Head of State Gen Olusegun Obasanjo, led the group to the sleepy community.

Ohaneze mentioned Ezeemo’s visit to the tanker fire victims in Onitsha and his generous contribution to the well-being of the victims.

Eluemunoh said, “It is the tradition of Ohaneze to identify with, and encourage our illustrious sons and daughters who distinguish themselves in their various fields of endeavour, especially, those who have contributed to the development of Anambra State.

Others who were at the community to support the Ohaneze leadership included its Deputy President, Chief Obiorah Chris and the secretary, Dr Gabby Nwankwo, among others.

The apex Igbo socio Cultural organization was formed to re-establish those core values that made Igbo man proud, including hard work, excellence, patriotism, integrity, being your brother’s keeper and faith in each other.

It was also to develop a sustainable system in which the government, the private sector and the communities will work on an agreed agenda for massive re-education of the people.

Again, to create institutions for the sustenance of democracy in the communities, thus ensuring that only men and women of tested character, persons who are worthy of trust, are chosen to contest for political offices.

But all these, have vanished into thin air in Ohaneze, the only language the members understand is money, while those aims and objectives have been thrown into the dust bin leaving Ohaneze to rot in the hands of selfish, greedy and self centred individuals.

The group told Ezeemo that the concern of Ohaneze today is that only few Igbo leaders show concern for the upkeep of the body, because according to them, only few appreciate its important role as the Igbo voice on national issues.

Speaking with the Nation, the traditional ruler of Umuchu community, Igwe Godson Ezechukwu, said that Ezeemo has made Umuchu a tourist centre for investors and various groups because of development he has brought in the area.

However, the monarch called on the governments at all levels to encourage local investors by granting assistance to them through good roads to access the establishments, provision of power to make businesses grow in those hinter lands.

The award recipient, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, said the reason he established all his businesses in rural area like, Umuchu is to encourage the youth and give job opportunities to those in such areas to reduce crime in the society.

But he regretted that governments are not encouraging them by not providing access roads to such facilities, which according to him, has hindered marketing of such products.

Ezeemo said there were lots of jobs in the rural areas for the unemployed youths but lamented that the taste of life in the cities of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Enugu among others had prevented them, adding that there was need to develop the rural areas to make them to be towns, the need for establishing businesses in them.

July 24, 2015
Health workers: why isn’t local gin ban enforced?

Health experts and other stakeholders have expr-essed worry over the non-enforcement of the ban on locally made gin, otherwise known as ‘ogogoro or kai-kai’, which was reported to have killed scores of consumers in Ondo and Rivers states.

According to a group of nutritionists and Public Health Safety Practitioners, the incident in Rivers State has not served as a deterrent to the production or consumption of ‘ogogoro’ because of the inability of the relevant authorities to enforce the ban on the killer drinks.

In a statement issued by the leader of the group, Chief Simeon Adahni, “the inability of relevant authorities in Rivers and Ondo states to enforce the ban on these locally made gins is a serious threat to the lives and health of Nigerians. For instance the “ogogoro” as it is popularly known has infiltrated Anambra, Imo, Enugu and other states close to Rivers and if nothing is done to check this trend, many innocent Nigerians will die.

“It is still unimaginable that you can still find these killer substances being sold openly in Rivers State after the tragedy despite the ban of the sale and consumption by government. Another place of major concern is the commercial city of Onitsha in Anambra State, where ‘ogogoro is consumed in very high quantity. The Rivers state government particularly seems to lack the political will to enforce the ban”.

He disclosed that ogogoro contains high volume of methanol which he said is “very harmful to the body especially the liver”.

In his words, “the nationwide ban on the consumption of this locally made gin will remain a wild goose chase, except if there is proper enforcement. We still wonder how these banned substances still find their ways to the market, where they are sold and consumed in public. Our advise is that all relevant government authorities should step up action on the ban to forestall a repeat of the Rivers and Ondo tragedy.

“Apart from the recent deaths caused by the consumption of ‘ogogoro’ in Rivers, Ondo, as well as Cross River states, these killer gins have been in the markets and all parts of the country for decades and enjoy high rate of consumption among ignorant Nigerians who risk premature death as a result.

“We are also worried that regulatory bodies like NAFDAC is not doing much to rid the country of these locally made gins, which have continued to cause the death of Nigerians. We are not talking about the registered companies that distil gins in line with global best practices but we are concerned with those who go to the market and buy gallons of ethanol or methanol and go to their backyard and prepare the concoction they call ‘ogogoro or kai kai’.

“The worst part of it is that this the people keep consuming these killer drinks, despite the obvious health hazards, while the government is doing nothing about it”.

July 24, 2015