The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Abia residents defy cash squeeze

    Abia residents defy cash squeeze

    Sunny Nwankwo, Rejoice Iwuala and Cynthia Ndulue scoured Aba and other parts of Abia State and report that the people kept their spirits up despite the economic crunch

    THE cold, dry winds of harmattan swept through Abia State on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. But it could not temper the zest of traders to make some Yuletide cash. Nor could it halt the outward flow of the state’s residents from the cities and towns.

    Prices of foodstuff shot up, as did transport fares. Still, the business community kept ticking and village-bound travellers hit the road.

    Traders complained of increased petrol pump price, selling for between N112 and N115, a situation which, they said, affected patronage. Yet, there they were, displaying, on trays and in baskets, their fresh, red tomatoes and peppers and waiting for buyers. A basket of tomatoes sold for N7000, pepper for N5,000. They knew it was their season, a time for more stews and soups. They knew it was the Yuletide, a time to make more money.

    They were not the only ones. Though Christmas Day and Boxing Day were  declared public holidays and big markets in Aba closed for business, traders still maximised the opportunity to display their wares such as live chickens, clothing, gift items and other consumables on the main road to woo customers.

    The only concern was that the volume of buyers was uncharacteristically low but it was for obvious reasons. Apart from the increased petrol cost, the naira devaluation also played a crucial part, affecting not just local goods but also imported articles.

    There was better news, though. The police and other security agencies said they stepped up surveillance to ensure that Abia residents and visitors would not worry about their safety.

    In an exclusive chat with The Nation, the state Commissioner of Police (CP) Ibrahim Adamu promised a crime-free festivity, adding that the police had strengthened their crime-fighting operations through the establishment various units.

    Adamu said, “We are fully back to fight crime. For now, we are advising Abians to keep in touch with the police or other security agencies in whatever they are suspecting or not sure of. But for the criminals, we are warning them to leave the command, otherwise, we flush them out; any criminal who is thinking of coming into Abia should rethink.

    “You are aware that we made so many arrests last week and some rifles were recovered. We are all out to ensure that we rid Abia State and Aba of criminals.

    “We warn hoodlums to stay out of Abia State otherwise we will flush them out or cause them to face the wrath of the law.

    “We have a lot of programmes that we would not want to go to the press for security reasons because we don’t want them to plan ahead of us. But we have programmes that we are adopting and the reigning peace in the state is a clear indication that police and other security agencies are working to make sure that Abians and Aba residents sleep with their two eyes closed.

    “Last week, the Rapid Response Squad made some progress, recovering nine rifles which we displayed during the press conference. We are working hard to make sure the people of the state and visitors alike enjoy their stay in the state during this festive period.”

    Most churches visited in the Enyimba City, recorded a sharp drop in the number of parishioners as they were said to have travelled.  Drinking bars were agog as early as noon.

    At the Recreation Park and Children’s Amusement Park parents and their kids had fun while other couples were seen relaxing  over their favourite drinks.

    Until the 26th night many ladies were seen at some of the available hairstylists waiting patiently to be braided or manicured by their beauticians. Some of shop owners, though, lamented low patronage compared to what obtained in 2013.

    One of them, simply called Ogechi said, “I will not say that business is that bad. It depends on luck and how God wants to favour someone. For the past five days, I was like, are we really sure that people are going to braid their hair this year? But I thank God that today I have been the busiest of all and my friends have to come to my assistance. I am sure that my response today would not have been my response if you were here in the past five or three days. But in all, this year is very dull.”

    At Aba Central Motor Park, many people were seen boarding vehicles out of the city. Mr. Okoronkwo  who said he was at the park to see off his family travelling to Okigwe, thanked the federal government for making petroleum products despite the sharp increase of petrol from N97 to N110 and above.

    A government worker who would not want his name in print, said he was sending his people to Ohafia ahead of the Igboto mma (retirement from community service ceremony) of his mother. He regretted that the inability of the state government to pay their arrears of salaries affected his budget.

    He said, “I had to borrow money to make this trip. You journalists and any other concerned citizen should be aware that the state government is owing workers arrears of salaries and you can imagine what life is for the families of government workers. If not for the event in my compound, I wouldn’t have contemplated travelling at all. We have house rent and school fees to pay by January. One of my daughters is at Federal Girls, Umuahia. They will be resuming in the first week of January and I have to stay to see how I can raise money from friends to pay her school fees and gradually offset that of her siblings. We thank God for the life but when there is no money one can hardly find a place to say that he or she is having fun during this time when in the real sense we should be joyful that Christ, the Saviour of the world, is born”.

    Checks within the Aba Central Park revealed that transport fare from Aba to Port Harcourt remained at N500, though it was not the same for people travelling from Aba to Ohafia or Onitsha as fares on those routes shot up to between N1300 and N1000, far above what used to be.

    The highly patronised Ochendo Youth Empowerment Transport Scheme bus from Aba to Umuahia maintained the N200 fee, while other commercial buses covering the same distance charged N300.

    A dealer on onions, Mustapha, said that a bag of the articles sold for N45,000, rather than its old price of N35,000.

    Canned malt drinks sold for between N2,300 and N2,400. Canned beer sold for N3000 or  N3,600.

    A trader at New Market urged buyers to use “this opportunity when prices of goods and services are still affordable to come and buy from us because very soon some companies will start taking stock and supply of goods to dealers and distributors will stop which will in turn cause scarcity and high cost in price.”

    There was a note of optimism. Things will be better next year, some residents said.

  • Memorable words at The Nation Isiguzo’s funeral

    Memorable words at The Nation Isiguzo’s funeral

    Some unforgettable words attended the passing and burial of Jude Uche Isiguzo, our crime correspondent, reports Sunny Nwankwo

    His widow, Gwen, wrote: “In Jude, I have lost a personal friend and a brother across the Niger. J’Gwen, my No.1, my best friend, my heart…you never told me you were leaving, you promised we’ll renew our wedding vows, instead you left without saying goodbye. You were gone before I knew it and only God knows why. My heart breaks desperately, a million times I cried, I feel totally lost without you. Nkem, in life I loved you…In death I love you still, you hold a place in my heart that no one can ever fill. Alubam, just so you know that you didn’t go alone but you took a part of me with you. We shall meet again to part no more. Rest in the bosom of the Lord. Adieu my love and best friend.”

    More tributes poured in from his bosses and colleagues.

    Mr Victor Ifijeh (MD)

    His death is a great loss to the profession. I pray that this does not happen here again and in other media establishments…As NUJ chairman, he always sought advice before taking any major step. We had a cordial relationship.

    Gbenga Omotoso (Editor)

    It is so sad that we lost him; a nice guy is gone. We got a letter from his doctor last week seeking extension of his leave for two weeks and the request was granted automatically. We never envisaged it was that serious, otherwise we would have raised a team to visit him and see if he was well attended to. What people said about Jude was amazing. He was dutiful, well-behaved, considerate and ever willing to help. I’m so proud that he was one of us. The question remains why this man? We seek solace in the scripture that admonishes us that in all things, we should give thanks to God.

    Adeniyi Adesina (Deputy Editor, News)

    Jude was a  professional who did his work diligently. He applied himself to crime reporting as if his life depended on it. He was jovial and easy-going and made friends easily…I got a letter from his doctor last Thursday that he was on admission and would need at least two weeks to get treated and get well to return to work. I never knew he would never return. He will be sorely missed.

    Deji Elumoye (Lagos NUJ Chairman)

    He was passionate about his job and union activities. The Nation chapel, as a result of his activities is one of the chapels the council relies on always. We never had issues with The Nation management. He always said positive things about the management at our congresses. It is sad to lose him at this time.

    Tajudeen Adebanjo  (The Nation)

    We were so close being both signatories to the Union’s account. People always wanted to cash in on Jude’s generosity as a person and one who would give you freedom, even in money matters. Jude would approve every proposal brought to him. He had so many great programmes in line for NUJ members which he had mapped out plans to accomplish. But God had another plan for him. All the glory to God.

    Adegunle Olagbamila (The Nation)

    Hello Jude! Are you there? Can you please hear me? I was actually looking forward to your resumption on Monday to reunite with you as we relive the memory of everyday’s work while we go home together, but that is never to be again. Adieu great friend. RIP.”

    Isiguzo was also mourned by a school he helped. A tribute titled ‘Don’t Let Him Die” presented by pupils from Umuokegwu Primary School, Omoba, read: “On November 5, 2014, we wrote you, the president and the entire members of Umuokegwu Progressive Union, Lagos, appreciating the exercise books that you donated to our school.

    “The donation made children from our neighbouring villages who attend our school to benefit from your your large hearts. It also elevated our school as a place where school materials are distributed to pupils.

    “Again we wrote requesting for a set of computers to help beef up our ICT room in the school. And as we were waiting for 2015 when we hoped our request would have been realised, the news of your death came to us.

    “We know the path you chose; to write, educate, inform and tell the truth as is the wont of journalists. All these only make your death a mere farewell to mortality and welcome to eternity.

    “You have gone to receive the sweet scenes of rest. We shall not let you die.

    “And we urge all here today, the family, friends, Umuokegwu Progressive Union, the mass media for which he lived and worked, never to let him die.

    “Let all you stood for, the ideals, the truth be vigorously pursued”.

    Chika Isiguzo, his sister-in-law, said: “I have been crying all through but God has taken him and we know that it is for the best. We will miss him. We never knew he was going to leave us so soon. I believe that God will always strengthen Gwen.

    Mr. Mba Anthony, his father in-law, said, “When we needed him most, he departed. We have seen him as a star, someone that would bring up his family and a model to his generation. But it is unfortunate that God wanted him and He has taken him.  The four years relationship as my in-law was quite wonderful. My daughter and my in-laws should take heart.”

     

  • Another ‘Aba’ on the way

    Everything going well, another commercial hub will soon spring up to rival Aba, the Abia State’s commercial nerve.

    This information came from Chief Arisa Solomon Ikwuagwu, President of Abia North Industrial Development Initiative (ANIDI), who confirmed that arrangements had been concluded on the development.

    Speaking at the inauguration of ANIDI executive members in Aba, Ikwuagwu said that the essence of creating another economic city in the state was to help decongest Aba and help other economic potential city(ies) grow and as such spread development across the state using Lagos as an example.

    He said that the organisation was set up to enable businessmen and women to come to Abia North and establish their businesses and also develop the infrastructure in the zone.

    The ANIDI president said for government to stop the massive drift of people from rural to urban areas like Aba and other parts of the country, it was high time attention was diverted from Aba to Abia North where the residents have good business and entrepreneurial skills, as is obtainable in Aba.

    Said he, “Our people are good entrepreneurs. Give an Abia North man a chance and he will do wonders out of the little you gave him. Aba is over-populated and something must urgently be done to develop other parts of the state that have the potentials which Aba has and there is no any other place good enough for such but Abia North even as the government of the day is talking about developing other towns”.

    Ikwuagwu, who stated that membership was open to all Nigerians mainly those resident in Abia State, said the viability of ANIDI lies in the fact that over 60 per cent of the businesses in Abia State were owned by people from Abia North.

    “The idea is to bring investors to Abia North. What it takes to become a member is to pick our interest declaration form, from that, we will know who you are and if are accepted as a member, you then pay a membership dues that is determined by the executive committee from time to time.”

    Ikwuagwu disclosed that ANIDI was not a Chamber of Commerce in the strictest sense of it, but a Non Governmental Organization which aim was to assist members in the areas of developing and expanding their businesses and source funds through donor agencies.

    “We assist our members in the areas of developing and expanding their businesses, source funds through donor agencies because the issue of funding has become a big reoccurring decimal such that funds are difficult to access and when you don’t have funds to execute your business, you see over a period you will go comatose so what we are trying to do is to bring our members, come together and see how we can internalize and initiate means and ways of raising funds to assist members in order to expand their businesses

    “We are not Chamber of Commerce, but more of an NGO with different departments that take care of all the facets of our members businesses because if we limit our organization to becoming a Chamber of commerce, we only find ourselves doing what Chamber of Commerce will do.

    “But we do not want to do that, we want to broaden the space and create jobs thereby stopping the influx of people into Aba that has led to infrastructural collapse and decay which is the most important thing to us.

    ANIDI President further stated concerns itself with trade and commerce including manufacturing and urged people to embrace the organisation.

    While inaugurating the executives, the Abia State Director, Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises, Chris Nwoko who represented the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, pledged government’s readiness to partner with ANIDI for the overall achievement of her objectives.

    Describing Abia State as the home of commerce and industry, Nwoko said with the birth of ANIDI, the industrialisation of Abia North would be a matter of time.

  • Cash crunch mars celebrations in Enugu

    Cash crunch mars celebrations in Enugu

    On Monday, two days before New Year’s Day, the streets of the Coal City were deserted. Informal football teams could have played on them without any hindrance. On Tuesday, the footballers could have extended play-time. Why? More and more residents of the Enugu State capital were moving to their hometowns.

    Why did they not travel earlier as they were wont to? It had to do with cash. Civil servants in the state got their salaries a bit late, on Christmas Eve, and could not make their yuletide arrangements until Christmas Day. Traders were just as disenchanted because of low patronage. So, as soon as some cash came in, Enugu residents made their purchases, packed their bags and headed for their hometowns, leaving behind essentially indigenous people.

    This was unusual. Before now, salaries were paid much earlier and the outflow of residents to the villages began as early as the 22nd. Travelling out of the city during the Yuletide is a tradition and many head out to be available for such commitments as weddings, traditional marriages, and memorial services, among others.

    By Tuesday, many residents had travelled out of Enugu, as Mr. Mike Anyim put it, “to usher in the New Year in my ancestral home”.

    Mr. Uche Nwosu, who deals in cosmetics, said this period was one in which families who lived apart gathered in their hometowns to relish one another’s company and sometimes thrash out issues.

    But this year, the residents had some challenges.

    Nwosu said, “Although [travelling out of the city] has taken root in our lives and every family strives to make it home during this period, but you can see that there was delay by people travelling home this year. It was due to difficult times. Besides, the civil servants could not receive their salaries in time and we the traders could not dispense our goods”, posited Mr. Nwosu.

    Nwosu, however, was optimistic that it would be better next year, having blamed the trend on politicians “who reserve their money for the February elections.” He may not be far from the truth by blaming the crunch on politicians.

    As investigations by the Southeast Report revealed, the politicians are capitalising on the yuletide period to shift their campaigns to the villages. Although here have not been open campaigns, undercurrent maneuvers were on among the politicians who dish out some hand outs of food to the rural dwellers. Also meetings after meetings as alignments and re-alignments were being negotiated this period.

    A post-primary school teacher, Ofoegbu Aneke who tried to explain the cash crunch this Yuletide, said, “It is true that there is cash crunch which made this year’s Christmas low-key. But remember we are on the eve of an election year. It is so every four years. Once the election is approaching, about two months away, there will not be much cash in circulation. The politicians hoard the money. The government will give excuses. So it is not new. The cause is election-year”.

    Aneke, however, praised the governors of Enugu, Imo and Anambra states who ensured that the workers were paid while calling on other governors to emulate them even as they were about completing their tenures.

    One noticeable thing in this year’s yuletide period is the stability in prices of commodities. Rather than the usual increase that follows the yuletide, prices of commodities were stable and in some cases, there were reductions. Items like a 50kg bag of rice sold below N9000, four litres of vegetable oil sold for as low as N900.

    Chickens, goats and turkeys were within reach. So also were clothing and shoes. The only concern was lack of cash.

  • Anglican Bishop condemns corruption

    The Anglican Bishop of Enugu North Diocese, Rt. Rev. Sosthenes Eze has urged Nigerian leaders to shun corruption.

    He stressed the need for leaders to stop diverting Nigeria’s resources into their private pockets.

    This he stated at the second session of the second synod of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu North with the theme “The challenges of living in a corrupt generation” which took place at the Cathedral Church of St. Mary Ngwo Enugu North.

    Bishop Eze averred that corruption was a colossal problem, urging religious leaders to sit up and stand firm for the truth.

    The cleric further stated that in this synod the church preaches against corruption. “The church must preach against corruption and at the same time avoid being corrupt too. The church should also desist from honouring corrupt people and also refuse their gifts.

    The cleric stressed the need for all hands to be on deck in order to transform our nation, adding that God cannot come down to do it by himself.

    His words “corruption is a colossal problem and the church is preaching against it because the people in government also attend church. We need to sacrifice so as to transform our nation; God cannot come down to do it by himself. We must shun corruption at all levels, it has prevailed and nobody is asking about infrastructures, economy etc. It is redeemable if we are collectively willing. We cannot keep blaming the government”.

    He further urged the people to disseminate the news that corruption is bad and has devastating effects on our society. He went further to call on the EFCC and other bodies that deal with corruption to perform their duties to the later without fear or favour.

    Also speaking at the synod, the Anglican Bishop of Enugu Diocese and Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma kicked against the zoning of the governorship position by the Enugu state Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

    The Cleric further stated that no person or group of people can sit somewhere and restrict another person from contesting an election under the guise of zoning, stating that a political party should give all aspirants equal opportunity and conduct a transparent primaries, even as he added that only the citizens of the state can elect who they deem fit.

    “The governorship position is left for the people of Enugu State to decide and not zoning. Let the parties give level playing ground and transparent primaries to all its aspirants whoever wins, we vote for him. Politics should be open, people’s mandate should be respected. No preference to a certain zone”.

    The cleric insisted that the decision taken by the ruling party was not a step in the right direction, advising that the governorship race should be thrown open so that everybody would have an opportunity to contest.

    The synod was attended by numerous dignitaries including the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Anthony Ani.

  • TAN inaugurates youth coordinators

    Youth coordinators of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) in Imo State have held their inaugural meeting in the capital Owerri.

    They are to coordinate the organisation’s activities in the state’s local government areas.

    The inaugural meeting attracted a crowd of enthusiastic supporters and admirers of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    While speaking, TAN’s Youth Co-ordinator in the state, Uche Ogbuagu explained that the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), is a non-governmental organisation designed to promote good governance.

    ”It is different from most political organisations you know, most of which have ended up in political parties. TAN is much more than a political party. It is a movement of people with one mission and one goal in mind. That one mission and goal is to see Nigeria transformed into a model modern African nation, comparable to any other nation in the civilised world, which we as its citizens can be proud of.”

  • Imo Deputy Governor visits historic spring

    The Imo State Governor Prince Eze Madumere has visited a spring not only steeped in history but also believed to have life-enhancing properties.

    It is located in Amuzi community, itself famous for its lush vegetation.

    Iyi in Igbo means a stream while Ehi means a cow.

    Madumere the Amuzi  Spring or Ishi Ehi stream to savour its awe and make a personal enquiry into its rich history and weigh its value to the people and the state.

    According to a legend, a wealthy member of the community built a house on a rock, where the spring has its source. The man had plenty cattle, one of which one day broke off the water source cap. The water came rushing out and has continued to flow ever since.

    Many believe that the legendary Amuzi spring water is then reason for the longevity of the residents.

    The oldest man in the community died at the age of 135, while it is said that the average age of the people is 80 or 90 years.

    This angle of the community’s history was made available to the deputy governor and his entourage by a renowned leader of the community, Hon. Chief Innocent Okporo whose father’s house, Late Chief Lawrence Okpokoro, sits at about 200 feet above the water source.

    Hon. Okporo is the Government Liason Officer of Amuzi and former Special Adviser, Security to Gover nor Rochas Okorocha. He is the current chairman of Board of Directors, Imo Development Finance and Investment Company Limited.

    Responding to Deputy Governor’s question on the longevity legend, Mrs. Ngozi Ihekworo, 60, said she has drunk the spring water from her childhood.

    She said she also her laundry at the stream.

    She said she married into Amuzi from a neighbouring village.

    The water source which flows from below spectacular layers of rock, is described as the purest water source within the environs, even purer that any borehole water or table water. This was confirmed by Mr. Joseph Umoru, a natural water enthusiast, and a beverages and soft drink specialist. It was Mr. Umoru who brought the information on the spring to the desk of the deputy governor.

    According to the Technical Assistant to the Deputy Governor, the water source sits at an estimated 65 meters or over 200 feet below ground level. It has about four water sources flowing from same basin under a huge high rock.

    In what looked like a typical sci-fi movie in the Discovery Channel or the famous Nigerian Gulder Ultimate Search expedition, the deputy governor descended into the steep valley with his entourage. The descent into the valley is a breathtaking long journey that requires a proper firm grip of your foot on the slippery steep stairs. A little slip of feet will send you crashing down to 200 feet below ground level. Climbing up was even more tricky than ever, and it required high exhaustion of energy to make it out.  Hon. Okporo who led the expedition told the deputy governor that he last dared tried going to the water mouth to fetch decades ago when he was still much younger.

    At the foot of the water source, the deputy governor met members of the community fetching water and doing their laundry. Children also played around, but the valley was quiet and has the serenity of the “Valley of Life”, the types found in places like Israel and Palestine.

    Speaking to his audience at the foot of the rock and Ishi Eyi spring water, the number two citizen of Imo State said he was fascinated by the report brought to his desk by Mr. Joseph Umoru.

    Prince Madumere informed his audience that the purpose of his mission to the spring with his technical team is to see how government can improve the welfare of the people by helping them have access the water in large volume without having to climb the steep valley, and while developing the water mouth into a source of tourism.

    Continuing, the deputy governor’s assistant on technical matters, Mr. Alba said to achieve the feat will require the installation of a boaster to increase hydro pressure powerful enough to take the water to the high level surface. It will also require the installation of water treatment unit and other facilities that will make life easy for the people who drink from the water source.

    In their appreciation message to the deputy governor, the community represented by the expedition leader, Hon. Innocent Okpokoro and the CLO of the community, Mr. Emma Okpokoro thanked the Rescue Mission Government led by Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha for its grassroot-oriented development programme. They described Gov. Okorocha’s deputy, Prince Eze Madumere as a thorough  leader who cashes  in any opportunity to improve the welfare of the rural people. They asked God to give the governor another opportunity come the 2015 elections to consolidate on the development strides the governor has embarked on in the state, especially in Okigwe zone while promising their support in totality.

  • Peace campaign takes off in Ebonyi

    Peace campaign takes off in Ebonyi

    The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has flagged off a statewide peace advocacy programme in Ebonyi to hammer home the imperatives of tolerance and harmonious coexistence among the people in the run-up to a momentous election next year.

    At the flag-off which took place at Ndiulo Ngbo Development Centre in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, the National Orientation Agency Director-General, Mr Mike Omeri enjoined all traditional, religious, community and political leaders to champion the cause of peace within their spheres of influence.

    Mr Omeri, who was represented at the event by the state Director of the NOA, explained that the programme became very necessary because of the need for the country to triumph over insurgency and to conduct a violence-free, fair and credible election next year.

    He also explained that the programme was aimed at sensitising Ebonyi residents on the need to build alliances and dialogue in order to consolidate peace and security in the society.

    The NOA Director-General called on Nigerians to be mindful of the  need to maintain peace and security by preventing conflicts and violence in the society, adding, “Peace is one of humanity’s most precious needs. Our societal peace and security ought to be consciously sustained through development of good strategies for managing early warning signs and defining of early response for conflict prevention.

    He enumerated the signs of conflicts and violence to include sudden demographic changes and population displacement; rising unemployment rates; economic shocks or financial crises; destruction or desecration of religious sites; discrimination or injustice; destabilising of referenda or elections; rise in “societal” intolerance and prejudice; increase in numbers of demonstrations or rallies; foreign intervention; influx of refugees; drought, famine; erosion; flooding; fire disaster; earth quake, among others, and urged Ebonyi residents to beware of these signs.

    In their goodwill messages, officials of some security agencies at the occasion- DPO Ngbo Division (Simon Njoku), Nigeria Immigration Service (IgweIkechukwu) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (OgbatuUchechukwu) – appreciated NOA for the information which they said will boost up their efforts to work assiduously before, during and after the elections to ensure that peace and tranquility regain their normal place in the society.

    In his speech, the Coordinator of Ngbo Central Development Centre, Hon Uche Ubochi, allayed people’s fears that the elections in his domain will be violent and promised to deploy all strategies to see that the revise becomes the case.

    Honourable Ubochi, who was represented by Mr Chijioke Onwe appreciated NOA for her efforts at making the people cohabit peacefully and pledged to work with Ward Executives to further cascade the message of peaceful coexistence of one another to the hinterlands.

    Earlier, the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Sunday Onwe, extolled NOA for the programme saying that it was apt and encouraged them to continue to discharge their constitutional mandate dutifully.

    The NOA Assistant Director, Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, Mr Anthony Uguru regretted that absence of peace and insecurity in Nigeria is jeopardizing her goodwill and made a clarion call on all Nigerians to desist from all acts watering-down the efforts of the nations past and present heroes. He also thanked the people for honoring his invitation.

    Some of the participants at the event- Mrs Monica Okabe and Jacinta Chibuzo- promised to contribute their quota to the success of the peaceful move.

     

  • Institution tackles corruption

    An anti-graft unit has been set up at Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State to tackle corruption in the institution.

    Dishonest conduct in its various forms is said to have become quite an issue at the federal institution located in Anambra North Local Government Area of the state.

    As a result, the institution in collaboration with Independent Corrupt practices and other Offences Commission (ICPC) has set up what they called Anti- Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to fight the monster.

    Oko Federal Polytechnic has survived many turbulent periods and stood the test of the time, growing from strength to strength.

    The institution is one of the fastest developing tertiary institutions in the country, drawing strength from the synergy and cooperation with various universities within and outside the country including Sharda University, Greater Noida, India.

    The flag-off of the anti-graft unit at the school attracted the institution’s management staff, an ICPC team, Federal Character Commission personnel and the Chairman, Aguata Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Col. O. O Muoghalu of Isuofia.

    Before the inauguration, Rev. Victor Uzuakpunwa of the Chapel of Light Church had committed the school and its management in the hands of God.

    The nine-member (ACTU) led by Mrs. Nnenna Nwobi, who were taught the ICPC slogan by the leader of the graft agency Ezeh Nwafor “shun corruption, it is evil”

    Addressing the people, the Rector of the institution, Prof Godwin Onu, said that since the inception of the current administration of the school, the institution has been put on a turnaround plane with the introduction of digitization.

    According to Onu, “we are digitalizing every process in the Polytechnic so as to eliminate bottlenecks experienced in the discharge of official business”.

    “In the course of doing this, we realized that if we must succeed we must tackle the issue of corruption headlong as it has become endemic in the system”.

    “Virtualy all aspects of public life have an element of corruption entrenched in it and that gave rise to the establishment of an anti-corruption and transparency unit in this polytechnic headed by a seasoned hand and backed by ICPC”.

    “Corruption is at the very core of the survival of the nation’s tertiary institutions. There is no doubt that our ivory towers are supposed to be repositories of knowledge that has the capacity to uplift knowledge and chastise vice and offers authority to virtue”.

    The Rector said there were quite plethora of unethical behaviours brazenly manifested in the polytechnic at inception which, according to him, included extortion of students by staff.

    Others were undeserved award of scores after examination, gratification, indecent dressing, godfather syndrome, political interference in management of institution and channeling greed towards public office among others.

    However, he said that ACTU has come to stay, adding that the institution would do everything within its power to support the activities of the office to fight corruption.

    For the ICPC helmsman Ezeh Nwafor, who represented the head Enugu zone, Udonsi U. Arua, commended the institution for being cult free unlike what happens in some other institutions.

    He said the coming of ACTU would equally bring to an end all other vices that exist in the institution, but warned that the members should not use it to intimidate or harass innocent persons.

     

  • Journalists trained in Imo

    Journalists trained in Imo

    No fewer than 80 journalists have been trained for enhanced performance in Owerri, the Imo State capital. The trainees were drawn from various media houses in the state, including members of the council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ). The workshop whose theme was “Re-engineering Imo journalists towards sustainable media and democracy growth in Nigeria”, held at Mayfair Suites and Conference Centre. It lasted three days. The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha facilitated it in collaboration with the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

    The journalists were trained in election reportage, effective media performance and the challenges and prospects of the media industry.

    The resource persons drilled the journalists on the application of modern technologies as relevant tools for effective media practice, the rights, privileges and limitations of journalists and the roadmap for effective performance.

    Dr. Saleh Dauda of the University of Abuja, in his paper titled the “Nexus Between Media and Democracy: Nigeria’s Example”, noted that the role of the media in the consolidation of every democracy cannot be over emphasised, adding that “the media being the watchdog of the society has a critical role to play”.

    He said, “Democracy and journalism are soul mates. You cannot have one without the other. It is only a democratic environment that can foster the best journalism.

    “Mass media and democracy have been established to be inter-twined. They cannot be divorced from each other. To govern therefore is to communicate. To democratise is to ensure free, unhindered flow of communication. In any democratic polity there must be a two-way communication flow, that is, from the government to the citizens and from the citizens to government. This is a time tested postulation, without which democracy cannot be established let alone consolidated”.

    The university teacher also stated that “the leadership role of the media is seen in the fight by the media to draw attention to bad policies of government and also to drum support for the positive initiatives of government. The watchdog role played by the media can be seen in thwarting former President Obasanjo’s attempt at a third term in office. The media mobilised support against the third term agenda”.

    Dauda affirmed that, “the media has performed well in respect to elections. They have provided the platform for Nigerians to have insight in the personalities of political office seekers. In Nigeria the media has played a significant role in the sustenance of democracy in several areas”.

    He concluded that for the media to continue to play its role in the growth and sustenance of democratic polity, “journalists should be trained and retrained; this will equip them to face the challenges of the 21st century which is knowledge driven. The freedom of information act should be implemented to the fullest and journalists should be motivated through welfare packages”.

    Dr Austin Uganwa in his paper titled “Roadmap for effective media performance in democratic Nigeria”, observed that social responsibility is the cornerstone of media practice in democracy, adding that “the greatest demand of social responsibility is that media should not only be participants in the political environment they operate but serve as social crusaders, political reformers and watchdog of public welfare”.

    He stressed that the media are expected to checkmate the perceived excesses of those in government and expose prevalent political and social ills in the society.

    Uganwa also posited that it is the role of the media under a democratic setting to among other things, expose corruption in high places, pursue the restoration and sustenance of the social, political and democratic values of the nation, advance the cause of democracy and good governance and strengthen all sectors of the economy.

    In his speech at the closing ceremony of the tree day event, Ihedioha disclosed that the workshop was designed to enhance the professional competence of Journalists in Imo State, adding that “considering the crucial place of the media in democracy, a workshop of this nature is symbolic and germane”.

    He noted that the training will have a far reaching effect in reinforcing media practitioners’ capacity towards driving the growth and development of democracy in the country.

    According to him, “evidently two fundamental objectives informed my desire to facilitate this training workshop. One was to re-empower Imo journalists towards consolidating their critical role in democracy. The other was to prepare them for the efficient coverage of the 2015 general elections.

    ”The significant nature of the enumerated goals informed the expansive participation base of the workshop by ensuring that all media organizations operating in the state have an opportunity to take part”.

    He added further that, “the critical role of the media in democracy, politics and policy making makes any workshop geared towards scaling up journalists to enable them report democratic institutions and structures much better, a development imperative”.

    Ihedioha charged the media to be alive to their responsibilities to the people and the nation, adding that, “the media not only inform, educate and entertain the people but serve as a veritable tool for social change, economic reform and democracy consolidation.

    ”In democracy therefore, the media serves essentially as one dynamic institution that builds bridges between the leaders and the led. The media essentially constitutes a genuine vehicle for democratic change, swaying rulers and the governed towards synthesised political orientation. Essentially the media operate to advance the cause of democracy and good governance; strengthening the polity, economy and ensuring the overall mechanisms of national development”.

    Commending the organisers and the Deputy Speaker for training journalists in the state, the state Chairman of NUJ, Sir Innocent Igwe, assured that the knowledge imparted in the cause of the workshop will assist the media in effectively covering the 2015 general elections.

    He however appealed for continued training and retraining of journalists in the state and the expansion of the programme to accommodate more participants.

    The Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Atan Agbakuru, described the timing of the training as apt, adding that the correspondents have benefited a great deal of the teachings of the renowned mass communication lecturers.

    He called on the state government and other political office holders to learn from the gesture of the Deputy Speaker and assist in alleviating the challenges of journalists in the state.