The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Imo to host Igbo Music Award

    Imo to host Igbo Music Award

    The Imo State government will host this year’s edition of the Igbo Music Award, an event seeking to preserve and promote the Igbo culture through its music.

    It is through Igbo music as produced by the practitioners that its language is documented and stored for generations to come.

    Again, Igbo contribution to world culture is a product of Igbo music and musicians. It is in tandem with this obvious position that the annual Igbo Music Award otherwise, called Ekwe Award has become an important event in the cultural calendar of the Igbo nation. Inaugurated in 2013 by the Ogbakoro Theater Company, Ekwe Award is the promotion and the recognition of the finest in Igbo music, with Igbo language as a vehicle of such rendition and composition.

    The 2014 Ekwe Award, which is the last big item in the Igbo Cultural Calendar, is on. The process for selection and award ceremony has commenced. Billed for the last quarter of the year, it is expected that the 2014 Ekwe Award will be hosted by Imo State. The 2013 Award Ceremony hosted by Ebonyi State took place at the prestigious Women Development Center, Abakaliki. Many multinational conglomerates have shown interest in partnering the organizers in show casing the best in Igbo music and culture since, the award is geared not only in bringing out the best in Igbo music regardless of genre, it is also meant to tell the world that the Igbo peoples language which many fear is going into extinction, is a major contributor to world culture and civilization.

    Meanwhile, call for entries have commenced and voting for winners in the various categories will be announced soon. The organizers have promised to stage a once in a lifetime event, which will not only be promoted in the South-East but will register in the cultural timetable of all lovers of music and culture.

    While we welcome the 2014 Ekwe Award, it is worthy to note the pathetic attitude of South-East government and Igbo leaders towards the advancement and propagation of Igbo Culture, Language and music.

    In 2013, after several promises and pledges it was the far seeing Governor and Government of Ebonyi State that supported Ekwe Award.

    Even Corporate Institutions like the GSM Providers, MTN showed little commitment to this worthy course. It was as if while we lament the onslaught and battering the Igbo language is facing today, the Igbo nation as a people has failed to recognize the very unique role music plays and will continue to play in the sustenance of the language, as one of the body of world languages.

    In 2013 the organisers had to through dint of ruggedness of spirit and vision carried out the epochal arrival of All Igbo music award. It is therefore, hoped that the governments and people of the South East should do the needful in promoting this laudable project which not only chronicles the different genres of Igbo music in their uniqueness but helps in recognizing Igbo music stars and ambassadors with the aim of giving them their rightful place in the Pantheon of stars and legends.

    As Imo state is billed to host the 2014 Ekwe Award, it is gratifying to note the interest shown by the people towards the awards but this enthusiasm can be better complimented if the Imo state government should take interest and contribute towards its success.

    Also, we call on the governments of Southeast states to rally resources in culture promotion and support great and iconic ideas like Igbo music award when they do this, the Igbo language and culture will not only be enriched but archived for posterity.

     

     

  • Enugu residents embrace alternative medicine

    Enugu residents embrace alternative medicine

    No fewer than 100 ailing residents of Enugu were treated by alternative medical practitioners at the Luminar International Centre for Energy Health International. The body specialises in application of alternative medicine and energy health.

    The President of the body and a specialist in alternative medicine, Prof. Joseph Okoro Akpa said it was high time the Federal Government and Nigerians embraced alternative medicine and energy health, revealing that the energy drawn from various planets can be used to cure sicknesses as well as prevent them.

    Akpa, while presenting what he termed the latest research development in alternative medicine and energy health, disclosed that the method of application involves what he called Homoeopathic Medical practice, Acupuncture Energy Health, Magnet Health, Pyramid Energy, and Medical Astrology, among others.

    He disclosed that in Homoeopathic Alternative Medical Science the practitioner uses the cause of aliment to cure the ailment, while Acupuncture which he said originated from China, the practitioner uses golden or silver long needles which he inserts into certain points in the body of the patient to balance energy flow and thereby effecting the healing.

    He further said that magnets can also be placed at certain points on the body to cure certain ailments too.

    In Healing Touch Energy Health, he said the practitioner draws energy from the planets and channels the energy to the patient while either touching him or not touching him in case of Non-healing touch.

    He however posited that this whole process does not in any way connote occultism or mysticism stating that it is nature that reveals this information to humans.

    Akpa also said that some people always feel reluctant to accept new innovations for fears that the new information may compete with their professions or even overshadow it. While he urged everybody to open heartedly accept all good innovations, try them and see whether they are real or not and even do further research on them.

    During the workshop the taught with demonstrations ways through which some ailments can be easily cured and as people tried them some of them claimed it worked for them.

    He demonstrated with examples how a magnet can be used to cure ailments and how a simple massage at certain points in the body can cure ailments like headache, heart pain, diabetes and also how energy is tapped from the planets to heal a person or oneself.

    He further urged the government to develop alternative medicine and energy health healing processes so as to compliment the orthodox medical practice.

    He said: “Looking at the great importance of this programme, we invited a cross section of our people from the presidency down to the common man on the street. This is one of my callings and I wish to fulfil my mission by sharing this pure knowledge with you, my brothers and sisters, here in Nigeria. I dare say that those present today for this programme are people chosen by God, people who are matured to experience the knowledge.

    “As a result, I shall make sure that all of you present here will go from here with some satisfaction and joy and will be glad that you have attended.”

    Akpa further said that people are always reluctant to and new truth at times for fears that the new information may complete their professions or may even over shadow what they have been propagating before the emergence of the new one.

    “To me, I think it is important for the human beings to open heartedly accept all good things, try and see whether the tidings are real or not, if they are real and truthful, people should follow them. If on the other hand they are false, people should discard them,” Akpa admonished.

  • Man regains freedom

    A man identified as Mr. Ezebunwa, a native of Ekeakpara community in Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area of Abia State has reportedly regained his freedom after three days in his abductors’ hands.

    Unconfirmed report has it that Ezebunwa was released on the third day of his abduction after he had paid an undisclosed amount of money to his captors.

    Sources who spoke on anonymity told disclosed that the victim was trailed by gunmen who after rounded him up along New Umuahia drove away with him in his Toyota Camry to an unknown destination from where they opened communication with the victim’s family, demanding for a ransom for his release.

    It was gathered that after the family and the captors had reached agreement and the money delivered at unnamed location, the victim who had since been reunited with his family was dropped along Abayi Ohanze village in Obingwa Local Government Area by the hoodlums.

    Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) could not be reached and was yet to respond to a text message sent to his mobile phone.

    However, a senior police officer who preferred anonymity said they were unaware about the ransom and attributed the Ezebunwa’s release to the heat mounted on the captors by police team after the case was officially reported to them.

    “We swung into action after the case was officially reported to us. Police doesn’t involve in negotiations with hoodlums. What I can tell you is that the man was released by those that allegedly kidnapped him when the heat was too much on them. It is our duty to protect lives and property in the state and to also reduce crime to the barest minimum and that we shall continue to do,” the source stated

    The immediate family of the victim could not yet been reached for comments on whether they paid any ransom to the abductors or not.

     

  • Bianca alters Ojukwu memorial date

    Bianca alters Ojukwu memorial date

    The memorial activities in honour of the late Ikemba Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu earlier scheduled for November 26 have been shifted to December 10, the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has said.

    Addressing newsmen in Aba, Abia State, MASSOB acting Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor said the change became inevitable so that Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, the late Biafra warlord’s widow will be able to attend the event.

    Okereafor said the earlier date was inconvenient for Mrs Ojukwu who is in Spain as Nigeria’s Ambassador.

    “We are shifting the memorial event from the original date of November 26 to December 10,” said the MASSOB spokesman. “This is so because the wife of our revered late leader would not be in the country by November 26.

    “As you all know, it will out of place to hold such an event for the memory of the man who gave his all for the struggle to emancipate his people without his widow who stood by him still that last day, being around,” Okereafor said.

    Okereafor informed that MASSOB has lined up many events for the celebration of the third anniversary of the death of the Eze Igbo Gburugburu which he stated would be held at the Ojukwu Library at New Owerri.

    He said MASSOB was doing these things to show the world that Ndigbo would never forget Ojukwu who he said used his father’s wealth to fight in defence of the Igbo man.

    “We are doing these things to immortalize Ojukwu’s name because we see him as the Moses of Biafra who led the people out of the wilderness before handing over power to Chief Ralph Uwazuruike who is the Joshua of our time.

    Okereafor assured that from next year, MASSOB would revert to the November 26 date which he said would be declared a public holiday in future.

  • Poly students hail end of dispute

    Poly students hail end of dispute

    They are happy to be back, after a protracted industrial dispute kept them away from the classroom for over two weeks.

    Upon their return, students of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba  immediately registered their pleasure by thanking the institution’s management and the three industrial unions in the institution for resolving the dispute.

    Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, and non-academic Staff Union of Polytechnics in the polytechnic had downed tools over non-payment of wage bills and arrears of salary which resulted in industrial action by various unions to demand their pay.

    It was gathered that the staff of the institution took the decision to withdraw their services after efforts to get the attention of the state government over their plight failed to yield any fruit.

    While the strike lasted, the students suffered, especially whose second semester exams were shifted indefinitely until the internal bickering was resolved.

    Some students who spoke to our reporter during the strike described it as a blessing in disguise because it gave them the opportunity to revise their books and, for some, to make some money with which to complete payment for their school fees to enable them write exams with other students.

    Our reporter who visited the school discovered that except for some of the administrative offices that were attending to prospective Corps members who were in the school for their call-up letter, the school was deserted.

    Drivers plying the Aba-Owerri Road also had low patronage during the strike period as the popular and busy Abia Poly Bus Stop, opposite the school was uncharacteristically scanty.

    An announcement on one of the local stations informed the students and the general public of  the resumption of academic activities of the school.

    That heartened the students as well as business owners around  the school. They had recorded very low patronage while the dispute lasted.

    When our reporter visited the school on Monday, students were seen in clusters discussing the strike while some others were in their classrooms having lectures. Some others spotted at some of the business centres in and around the school were making frantic efforts to print out and submit their assignments.

    Some of the students who spoke to our reporter on the strike, including Chigozie Okoro, said that they were happy over the decisions of the three industrial union chapters in the school decided to call off the strike.

    They also called on the acting rector, Prof. Uche Ikonne and the state government to urgently address some of the issues that led to the lecturers’ strike, stressing that another industrial action in the school would mean a total collapse of academic activities in the school.

    An ND II student who spoke anonymously, while lamenting on the negative impact of the strike on her, expressed hope that the scheduled exam which starts on Monday next week (Nov.17) would not be interrupted for any reason.

    The acting chairman of ASUP, Abia Polytechnic branch, Mr. Godswill Uma could not be reached, but a senior member of the union who spoke confidentially told our reporter that they still owed four months’ (July, August, September and October) salary arrears.

    On why the unions suspended the strike, the source said, “Well, we all are aware of what happened before now. Giving that the problem was inherited by the acting rector that he was able to pay us June Salary, while some of our members arrears up to May has been cleared, within the few weeks he (Ikonne) resumed office as the rector, we decided to give him the benefit of the doubt to call off the strike because he equally promised us that he is going to gradually offset the outstanding salary arrears.

    “I am sure that if he fails to fulfill his promises, we won’t have any option than to embark on another strike. It is the only option that we have to press home our demand. I learnt that before the strike, the Precious Nwakodo’s administration had written several letters to the state government, but no attention was given to them not until we decided to down tool. Yes, it is not in the interest of the students, but even the Bible that you and I read tells us that every good and faithful worker deserves his or her wages. We have worked and we deserved to be paid. We have families to cater for; we pay house rents. Some of us are breadwinners in our families and so, you don’t expect us to teach on empty stomach. Nobody is happy going on strike and if salaries were paid, I assure you that none of us would contemplate going on strike.

    “They just paid me my June salary and we are in November. December is fast approaching and we don’t know what providence has for us yet. We are not talking of increment in salary. What we are asking for is to pay us the salary of the number of months we have worked.”

    A release signed by the Secretary to the state government, Mkpa Agu Mkpa had suspended the then Abia Poly rector Sir Allwell Onukaogu and his Arochukwu College of Education Technology counterpart Christian Nwanmuo.

  • Agony on Arochukwu Road

    Agony on Arochukwu Road

    A failed major road in Abia State remains a pain to residents as well as Akwa Ibom and Cross River commuters since its contract was awarded to Beks Kimse, a local construction firm. After series of fruitless appeals, the community’s monarch has petitioned the Works minister, writes CHRIS OJI

    Few issues hurt Arochukwu and Ohafia residents more than their failed road. It links both communities in Abia State and also connects Akwa Ibom and Cross River. For years, it has been impassable. Owners of small vehicles learned many years ago not to put them on the road; truck drivers who dared had themselves to blame, for their vehicles often got stuck, their journeys terminated. The road has claimed many casualties, including wasted vehicles and goods.

    Arochukwu has a rich history. Many once came from distant lands to consult its Long Juju, whose site has become a tourist attraction. But the community’s tourism profile has suffered, no thanks to the poor road. Residents have made futile appeals to the Federal Government. Last year, they told President Goodluck Jonathan not to count on their votes for his second term bid if he failed to fix the road, regarded as probably the worst in the country. Then, the president had not declared any intention to run. Now he has, but the road has worsened.

    Now, the paramount and spiritual leader of the Arochukwu Kingdom, His Majesty, Mazi Ogbonnaya Okoro has petitioned the Minister of Works, Mike Onolememen to reconsider the contract awarded to Beks Kimse Nigeria Ltd to fix the road.

    Since 2012, the construction company could not build up to 2km of the 27km stretch from Ohafia to Arochukwu. Beks Kimse has a former special adviser to the president as its chief executive.

    The contract, flagged with much fanfare, was estimated at N4.8 billion with only 10 months completion time. The situation today is that the ancient town of Arochukwu with its neighbours of Ihechiowa, Ututu, Isu and some Cross River and Akwa Ibom communities habe been completely cut off from the rest of the country. The present condition of the road was was the result of the heavy downpour this rainy season. Arochukwu is in the same rain belt zone as Calabar.

    The Eze Aro, who rarely make public comments could no longer bear it anymore as his subjects both at home and in Diaspora cannot access their ancestral home. Thus the letter to the minister which was copied to the Senate President, David Mark, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Ayogu Eze. Also copied were all the senators of Abia State extraction, Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, Chairman, Works Committee, Hon. Ozomgbachi and the representative of Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency, Arua Arunsi. It reads:

    Dear Hon. Minister,

    “I write you this letter in the overriding public interest as a traditional ruler of Arochukwu Kingdom, on behalf of fellow citizens, my subjects and members of Nzuko Arochukwu. Honourable Minister, may I painfully inform you that Arochukwu, an ancient kingdom in Abia State, is presently cut-off from the rest of the country. The only major Federal road that connects Aro with the rest of the country is in a deplorable state. The 27 kilometer road from the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan military barracks in Ohafia to Arochukwu has been neglected for over 30 years. It has no major obstacles like bridges or difficult terrain. The only problem of the road over these years can easily be traced to promises made and promises broken!

    “Sir, for us, it is a sad commentary that a well-known community like Arochukwu reputed in history as the cradle of Igbo civilisation has found itself in such a sorry state in terms of bad roads.”

     

    Pains and frustration

     The petition reads further: In “its present terrible state, a journey from Ohafia to Arochuwku that should not last more than 20 minutes, now drags for over three hours. There is no doubt that Arochukwu-Ohafia road in its current condition is perhaps the worst Federal road in Nigeria, and this is not an exaggeration. A trip on this road is a terrible experience that no one is prepared to recommend even to one’s worst enemy. This is why for some time now many of us from Arochukwu neither travel home nor risk the shame of inviting friends and well-wishers to visit our community.

    “Our people hibernate in major cities across the world in regret while our kith and kin at home especially commuters who must use the road on a daily basis groan in fury and penury. In recent times, the residents of Arochukwu have been cut off from supply of essential goods and services from parts of Abia State and beyond because of access road.

    “In the same vein, transportation of farm produce which are in abundance in commercial quantity from Aro, Ihechiowa, Ututu, Ohafia in Abia State and the neighbouring communities in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states is jeopardised. Other implications include access to medical care and help on similar emergencies in Aro and the affected communities with far reaching consequences on women and children, the old and the aged.”

     

    Fed. Govt’s response

     “In November 2012, our joy knew no bounds when the Jonathan administration awarded a contract for reconstruction of the road to one indigenous company BEKS KIMSE Nigeria Ltd at the cost of about N4.8 billion. The project was expected to be completed within a period of 24 months from the date the contract was signed between the Federal Ministry of Works and the company. We in Arochukwu, Ihechiowa, Ututu, Isu, Abam, Ohafia and our neighbours in Akwa Ibom and Cross River State went into jubilation believing that a “Daniel had finally come to judgment”. We thought that our pains, frustration and anguish on the road were over. While publicly appreciating the Federal government’s gesture, Arochukwu in particular offered to provide any required assistance and support to the contractor to avoid excuses in getting the important job done.

     

    Contractor failure

    “Unfortunately, Honourable Minister, it is sad, a big shame and disappointment that this company, Beks Kimse Nigeria Ltd, has failed itself, Arochukwu community and the Federal Government that gave it the opportunity to make an important contribution to national development in this part of the country. We are utterly disappointed over the performance of Beks Kimse Nigeria Ltd. The firm has shown neither skill, competence, commitment nor sensitivity to our plight. We are shocked that this contractor has only two dilapidated bulldozers and one roller on site. As a result of poor experience and ill equipped infrastructure, they have done so much havoc on the road by scrapping the surface of about eight kilometers and abandoned same.

    With the rains, the unprotected areas has been washed off, creating deep gullies which have cut off the community from the rest of the country. The scrapping of the road by the contractor without overlaying is the worst thing that has ever happened to the road and our community. All we have seen so far after the havoc by Beks Kimse Nigeria Ltd, are the two archaic caterpillars, a few shovels, some wheel barrows and diggers which the company abandoned near the Arochukwu local government headquarters since the past 18 months.

    In the circumstance, less than a quarter of a kilometer of the job has been done after nearly two years. There is every reason to believe that Beks Kimse Nigeria Ltd lacks the capacity and competence to handle this project with the kind of analogue equipment they parade on site in a construction industry that has gone completely digital. While we have no information on what their specific problem may be, we have also seen no signs, equipment, skilled manpower or any form of commitment on the part of this company to execute the project. The character and performance of this company has eroded our confidence on the campaign to give equal opportunities to indigenous contractors. We are deeply concerned that this contract that we all hoped on has been rendered a failed project.

    Indeed no one, not even the contractor, has offered any explanation for this shoddy performance. To worsen our situation, there appears to be some conspiracy of silence around this project. The suspicion of our community is high, as all those who should speak out have chosen to keep quiet while the benefitting communities die slowly in silence. I wish to add that the road is currently impassable following the shoddy activities of the company. The condition of the road at the moment is worse than the way the company met it. We lack words to explain the damage which this ill-equipped company has done to the road.

     

     

  • Philanthropist saves neglected community

    Philanthropist saves neglected community

    With the large network of urban and rural roads constructed by the Imo State government, it is hard to imagine that some villages have been cut off from the rest parts of the state due to inaccessible roads.

    The story of Amaimo Umukabi in Iheme Ibano Local Government Area of the state is that of despair, anguish and neglect. Totally abandoned by successive administrations, the community has suffered untold hardship as the only road  linking it with the rest of the state was washed away by flood.

    There is no electricity, nor are there any healthcare facilities, good schools, pipe-borne water or any other basic amenity in the sleepy community.

    The Nation’s visit to this ancient town reputed to have produced some of the most successful Imo professionals, was a tortuous journey through a snaky patch of narrow road in the middle of dense rain forest. The muddy road, worsened by a recent downpour, made any form of movement extremely difficult.

    At the end of the over six hours ordeal, which would have ordinarily taken less that 40 minutes, the famous agrarian community, wore a forlorn and dejected look.

    The dusty market square, though, was a sharp contrast from the feeling of despair which pervaded the community. Gaily-dressed old men and women and a handful of youths waited patiently for the arrival of the only indigene of the community, Mr. Desmond Agu, who had hearkened to the cry of his people.

    It was the occasion of the flag-off ceremony of the grading and opening up of the roads that connect the community to other neighbouring villages, which was solely facilitated by Agu to mitigate the suffering of the people, especially during the yuletide.

    Speaking at the event, Agu who is also the Bayelsa State Commandant of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), said that the initiative was the result of his unflinching love for his people and his birthplace, adding that the community has been totally abandoned by government, despite its contribution to the food security of the state.

    He said most of the indigenes of the community have not visited home for a long time as a result of the deplorable state of the road, which he said has crippled all forms of economic activities in the village.

    Agu pointed out: “My people have been marginalised and forgotten by the government. We have about seven roads connecting the community with other neighbouring villages but none of them are working. We have been appealing to the government to come to our aid to no avail. I have decided to grade the roads so that the people can now travel out of the community to do their businesses and those coming home for the Christmas can have a smooth journey”.

    He added further that, “the challenges facing our community are enormous and cannot be tackled by an individual or government alone, all hands must be on deck to ensure that we provide succor for our people.

    “I want to also commend Governor Rochas Okorocha for the much that he has done and to appeal to him to provide basic amenities in the community to mitigate the sufferings of our people and improve their living condition. On my own part I will continue to do my best for my people and the community where I was born”.

    Earlier in his speech, Hon Cosmos Oduma, a leader in the community, commended Agu for taking up the responsibility of constructing the road, even though he was not a politician, lamenting that the community has been cut off from the rest of the state.

    He said, “we have waited for the government in vain but today our own son has saved us further agony. The collapse of the road has brought untold hardship on the community, especially women and the old people who can no longer move out because of the road. We equally find it difficult to export or farm produce to the major markets where the demands are high”.

    Another speaker, Ike .C. Ike, said that the gesture was a clear challenge to other illustrious sons of the community to come out and assist in developing the community since we have been forgotten by the government.

    According to him, “our son has vowed that even when the government has forgotten us he continue to remember his people. He is not a businessman or a moneybag but he has denied himself the luxury of life to assist the community, especially now that the Christmas is approaching. This should serve as a wakeup call to our sons and daughters who are yet to see the need to work for the community”.

    He maintained further that, “the claim before now was that the road has been done by government, but you have seen for yourselves today that it was a mere propaganda to deceive the people. We are appealing to the State and Federal Government to come to our aid, because we cannot solve our problems through self help alone. We are predominantly farmers and the lack of good roads has affected our productivity as we cannot access any market for our farm produce”.

    The traditional ruler of the community, Eze Azubuike Onuoha, confirmed that the Commandant has done a lot for the community and will be rewarded by God for addressing the pains and wiping away the tears of his people.

    He stated further that, “we have been marginalized for a very long time, if you go through will bear witness that Amaimo community has not been in the scheme of things. It is obvious that we have been abandoned by successive administrations. We appeal to our listening Governor to rescue our community so that we can enjoy the dividends of democracy like every other community in the state”.

    The monarch also lamented that, “the politicians only remember us during the elections when they come to canvass for votes and make empty promises but this time we are wiser and will only vote for those who will listening to us and alleviate our suffering.

    “We had been managing to cope with the road until it was totally washed away by the rain and we find it extremely difficult to travel out of the community. Nobody has recognised my community and my people are suffering but with what our son, Agu has done today, it will now be possible for our children to return home for Christmas”.

     

  • Abia police prepare for 2015 elections

    Abia police prepare for 2015 elections

    The Abia State police command has organised a workshop for all the political parties, security agencies and traders in the state to orientate them on the need for a violence-free and fair general elections in 2015.

    Speaking in Umuahia while declaring the workshop open, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji said that the workshop could not have come at a better time as the general elections are around the corner, adding that there is need to educate the electorate.

    Orji said that the Inspector-General of Police Abba Suleman should be commended for ordering his men in different states to hold the workshop to ensure a hitch-free general election.

    The governor who was represented by his deputy, Sir Emeka Ananaba regretted the absence of several political parties, stressing that only the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) turned up at the workshop.

    He maintained that the workshop will lecture the police and other security agencies in the state on the need to ensure that there will be free and fair elections in the coming year and ensure that the electorates know their voting rights.

    Orji said that security is very important in the forthcoming general elections and that the state government is not ready to compromise.

    Said he, “We are not ready to trade the peace and security of this state and its people under any guise”.

    He noted that the government of the state is aware of the troubles and crisis the police command in the state faces during general elections, adding that government is prepared to curb any excesses of the violent politicians should it arise.

    Orji praised the political stakeholders in the state for attending the stakeholders workshop, adding that he believes that the participants will fashion out ways that will ensure peace during and after the elections, urging the participants to open their minds to learn and proffer useful solutions to curb election violence.

    Earlier the state commissioner of police, Adamu Ibrahim said that the workshop is necessary because elections are near and want politicians to ensure that there will be credible elections, adding that the workshop is the brain child of the Inspector General of Police.

    Ibrahim said that it is expected that all the stakeholders would come together to deliberate and come up with a violence-free and fair general election. No one knows it all, “which is the reason we convened this workshop as all have roles to play for us to have a free and fair election”.

    However in a lecture titled violent free elections, delivered by Prof Etannibi Alemika of the University of Jos, blamed the electorate for the woes of the country by allowing themselves to be bought over by politicians, as they do not know their political value.

    Alemika said that until the electorates realise their importance they will be ready to elect responsible people into public offices during elections through utilising their votes which makes them equal to anyone including the President on any election day in the country.

    He said, “Since the electorates do not know their value they are willing to sell their votes in exchange for cigarettes, rice and in most cases money and at the end make it possible for violent people to take over the system”.

    The university don insisted that political violence could be triggered by politicians playing the role of godfathers whose stuck in trade is to impose unpopular candidates on the people, “This imposition leads to political violence during and after elections and should be avoided”.

    Alemika said that anyone caught causing election violence despite his level in the society should be sentenced to jail, instead of being allowed to enter into government house as a governor or the state house as a President.

    In his contribution, the state APC chairman Fabian Nwankwo  called on the conveners of the one day workshop to extend it to all the 17 local government areas of the state including the political ward, stressing that most of the people who are supposed to be at the workshop were not there.

     

  • Igbo traders troop out for civic education

    The main auditorium of the Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway was packed full of Igbo residents in Lagos. The gathering was not the usual Igbo gathering for the new yam feast nor was it the usual Igbo-Day celebration. It was a day that traders across the state left their businesses to receive civic education. It was a gathering to bring about the revitalisation of Igbo participation in the politics of the state and the country at large.

    The event was organised by Ndigboamaka, a coalition of 58 traders’ associations in the state.

    Speaking to journalists, the group’s National Coordinator, Nze Basil Osunkwo, said the reason for the sensitisation was to remind the traders of their civic responsibility, which includes, obtaining voters cards and voting on Election Day.

    Nze Osunkwo noted that the exercise, which will be carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) leads to the issuance of permanent voters cards to eligible voters. He said, “This sensitisation programme became very necessary considering the fact that in the past, some of the traders were so engrossed in their businesses that they were not concerned with their basic civic responsibility as citizens, more so, they have never appreciated the enormous powers they wield with their voters cards, especially when they put the card to action by voting for their preferred candidates at elections.”

    He noted that there was no reason for any one to complain about bad governance if he or she remains aloof over election matters, noting that the time has come for these traders to take their destinies in to their hands by deciding who rules over them with their votes.

    He said: “What we are doing is a sacrifice and that is why we have abandoned or businesses and works to organise this sensitization programme to remind the people of the revalidation of voters card exercise that begins today and ends on Sunday.

    “ Our group, which comprises 58 markets associations in Lagos, has observed that many traders don’t take the issue of election very seriously and so do not even make out time to register and obtain voters cards. This we think will not help the political development of the country.

    “ Election begins with getting voters card and then casting your votes for your preferred candidate at election. We are sensitizing and educating these market men, women and other professionals on the need for them to realize the powers they have with the cards in deciding who rules over them at various levels.”

    Nze Osuokwu said in the past that traders usually registered at units close to their market places and on election day, markets are not opened and there is restriction of movements and in the end such traders disenfranchised themselves. “ We are appealing to them and to equally make them see reason why they should make the necessary sacrifice for them to register at the units close to their residence so that on election days they would go out to vote and not staying at home because they could go to the polling units at their market places.”

  • ‘My kids shouldn’t take to newspaper distributorship’

    ‘My kids shouldn’t take to newspaper distributorship’

    An ex-insurance worker and widow, Mrs Ezinne Olovoeze, reveals how she ended up a newspaper distributor. In this interview with SUNNY NWANKWO, she admits, though, that she will not encourage any of her six children to take to the business in which she has invested her resources and 30 years of her life. Excerpts:

    How did your newspaper business start?

    It was my in-law who started it and I used to assist him when I was still going to school. While schooling, I worked under him. So he taught me the business, and I’ve spent 30 years in it. After my schooling, I joined an insurance company (Amicable Assurance Company), where I worked for 24 years before retiring and joined the newspaper business fully. Though I was working with the insurance company then, I was still coming around to help my in-law, so I didn’t leave the business entirely even when I was still with the insurance company.

    Do you subscribe to the notion that newspaper distributorship is for the uneducated?

    No, I don’t subscribe to that. My reason is that, it is just like every other business that one might wish to do to put food on his or her family’. The literate ones are in the business and the illiterate ones are also in the business. So, it is just like every other business.

    How have you coped with your colleagues who seem to dominate the business?

    We have no problem. The business is meant for everybody regardless of one’s sex. You know I am a distributor. So, the challenges I do encounter is that when I give supply to some of the vendors, they don’t pay and when they want to pay, they will be paying in such a way that the money would not even be useful to the person. Some will even run away with your money and change to other businesses and hardly will you see them to recover your debt, meaning that the money has gone into thin air.

    Compare your business now to what it used to be

    In fact, the business is almost dead now because in those days, you would sell and make out something from it, but it is not so now. Like I have about six children, it is from here that I made money to train them up to the university level. But these days, we are no longer selling anything; people don’t buy again. In the past, we had branches in all the big towns in the federation: Jos, Kano, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Aba and Umuahia. But now, we can only boast of two (Aba and Umuahia). We closed other branches because vendors owed us huge debts.

    What is the relationship between distributors and newspaper publishers?

    The relationship has been very cordial but we are complaining is that there are no incentives from them to motivate some of us that are trying to sell their papers year in year out under rain and in the sun. From their records, they should be able to know those that are performing very and just like other companies do, these persons should be motivated so that they can do more.

    Some say that they even read the paper on the internet before the paper comes out on the newspaper stand and therefore they don’t have any need to buy the hard copy again since they have read it online. You can see, it has drastically affected the level of patronage and also affects the number of unsold that some of the agents return to the company.

    So, it is affecting us negatively and the company negatively as well. I am sure that the level of unsold copies today and in the past is not the same. It is higher today than in the past.

    Given its apparent low profit margin, will you still stay on in the business?

    Since I don’t have anything doing now, I will still continue to do it until my God says that it is okay.

    Would you encourage any of your children to succeed you in this business?

    As it is now, I won’t encourage any of my children to take up this newspaper business because there is nothing in it again; they won’t make money in it as it was in the past.

    Do you think that the business will grow in future?

    I can’t predict and I don’t pray that it will crash. I pray that it will grow better than what it is now.