The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Obiano orders rebranding of agency

    Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano has ordered the rebranding of Anambra State Traffic Agency (ASTA), even as he suspended the activities of the agency in Ihiala, Nnewi, Onitsha and its environs, except Awka.

    The agency will now bear Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency (ATMA).

    This was revealed in Awka by the Commissioner for Transport, Chuma Mbonu, while he led the traffic decongestion team at Aroma during the gridlock.

    According to him, the bad eggs in the old agency, which had been identified, would be sacked after what he described as rescreening of the workers.

    Mbonu said: “We are re-organising and re-branding the agency. It will come in a new form and new shape for greater efficiency as ordered by Governor Willie Obiano.

    “Those of them who are good will be retained after the re-screening exercise while the bad eggs will go. We have the data of all of them.

    “Already, we have suspended their activities in areas such as Ihiala, Nnewi, Onistha, Ekwulobia. We have retained their services in Awka for close supervision.

    “The new agency will be made up of men and women of integrity. You know their reputation before now had not been wonderful. Obiano has a passion for road transport matter,” Mbonu said.

    Again, he said the state government would rely on additional information from the public to act accordingly, adding that Anambra State was no longer for miscreants.

     

  • Patient needs N600,000 for surgery

    Patient needs N600,000 for surgery

    Mrs. Oluchi Victor, a pool agent, is experiencing severe pains on her hospital bed because of injuries she sustained from the beating her neighbour gave her. She needs N600,000 for plastic surgery. She spoke to our Aba correspondent, SUNNY NWANKWO reports on how her neighbour’s brutality has kept her in hospital for six months.

    Papa Chiamaka (a name she called her neighbour) is a very shy man who hardly looks at someone’s face. We have not had any quarrel for nearly one year when we moved into our compound. His wife and I used to exchange home movies. Honestly, I am yet to know why he attempted to strangle me to death. When that attempt failed, he hit me with his car. That has kept me in the hospital for the past six months.”

    These are the words of Mrs. Blessing Victor while narrating the incident involving her neighbour, Mr. Ibezim Michael, a driver with Geometrics Power Company Limited, Aba, who, after luring her with a coupon business, allegedly attempted to strangle her to death. When his attempt failed, she said, he hit her with his company’s car which has left her bedridden since February 12, this year.

    Having spent six months at the hospital, the family resources have been drained.

    Though the first phase of her treatment is almost completed, Oluchi, a patient at a hospital in Aba (name withheld for security reasons), will need to undergo plastic surgery to live a normal life again.

    She is begging the government, religious organisations, non-governmental organisations and public-spirited individuals to come to her aid to enable her foot the bill of N600,000, which she said her family could not afford.

    Oluchi, who is an indigene of Ohafia in Abia State and married to an Akwa Ibom man, said: ”I work as a pool agent. I have two kids. My first daughter is three years while the last one is one year old. We live at Obuzor, Ekeakpara in Osisioma Local Government Area of Abia State.

    “On February 12, this year, a man living in the same yard with me by name Ibezim Michael called me on phone to inquire if I had opened for business. He said he was on his way to the pool office.

    “In a short while, Mr. Ibezim arrived at my office.

    “He said he called to tell me that one of their staff was waiting for me at home. According to him, the person plays heavy stake and usually does not go to pool offices. He rather prefers playing privately because of his position.

    “He further told me that the man always sends him to play pool for him at a pool office somewhere on Okigwe Road.

    “He said since we are living in the same yard and having observed that I do neat business; paying my customers as at and when due, that he cannot continue going to Okigwe Road, even as he begged me to follow him to our yard to see the man.

    “He said he had told the man to patronise me as not only his neighbour, but someone that does not indulge in dubious or shoddy deals.

    “He said if the man is satisfied with the way I will treat him that he (Ibezim’s Oga) will become one of my regular customers.

    “I was happy that my neighbour could be so concerned to have thought it wise to bring such a customer to me. I was reluctant to go back to our compound because it was not long I left our yard for the office. He told me not to worry because he came with a car, assuring me that he would take me back to my office. Reluctantly, I agreed to follow him to the house.

    “On our way, he suggested that we take the alternative road to avoid traffic jam which is usually associated with the road.

    “At a point, he pulled the car over. While I was inside the car waiting, he quietly came over to the door where I was sitting, opened it and grabbed me on the throat. He asked me to say my last prayer because, he said, I was going to die. He kept pressing me hard on the neck as he tried to strangle me to death.

    “There was nobody on the road to come to my rescue. He pressed me so hard that my two eyes were bulging out. I could barely talk or cry out as a result of what he did to me.

    “On hearing the sound of a motorcycle driving towards our direction, he stopped pressing me so as to avoid being suspected by the motorcycle rider. Immediately the person passed by. As luck would have, he stopped pressing me after he heard two women trekking and approaching towards our direction.

    “Suspecting that the women have seen us and could raise the alarm, he pulled me out of the car and while he was trying to reverse and escape, he hit me with the car and I sustained severe injury on my legs.

    “It was at that point that the women raised the alarm which attracted other people to the scene. It was a woman, one of the early callers at the scene of the incident, who recognised me and went to inform my husband.

    “Before my husband could come, some public-spirited individuals had arranged for a tricycle that took me to a private hospital, at least to save. At that point, my seven-month-old baby was nowhere to be found.”

    On the relationship between both families before the incident, Oluchi explained: “We had not had issues. We have been living peacefully. I used to exchange home movies with the wife (Mama Mimi as we fondly called her). Since the incident happened, I learnt she visited but was sent back by my relations. She has not called or sent text message(s),” she said.   On what life has been since the accident, Oluchi added that because of the harsh situation we find ourselves in, to eat is even a problem. We don’t even have the money to offset the medical bill. I have started walking gradually with a walking stick.

    “I am appealing to public-spirited individuals and the government to please come to my aid because it has not been easy for my family.

    “The doctor has been so good to us because there are things he will decide to do freely. Police from Osisioma has equally visited me here to take my statement. My husband told me that the case has been transferred from Osisioma to the Aba Area Command.

    Mr. Archibong Victor, who corroborated his wife’s account, said it was the Geometric Company that brought his wife to the hospital, adding that after taking care of some of their medical bills, they abandoned the couple to their fate. The company’s vehicle has been in the custody of Osisioma Police Station.

    “Though they paid about N200,000, they said they will not help us again. That is why we are still here. There is nobody to help us.

    “To pay the bill at this orthopedic hospital is difficult because I cannot afford it. Sometimes, I borrow to pay but there is no money to pay for the hospital bill again. We are appealing to the government and public-spirited individuals to come to our aid to save the life of my wife. We are really facing a critical time at the hospital now.”

    He said though Mr. Ibezim is facing a murder case in the law court, his priority is seeing his wife’s condition better and improved.

    You can save the life of mother of two by offering financial assistance through First Bank account number; Kalu Oluchi 3029875848. For more information, you can contact her on 08069242807.

  • Assembly wades into herdsmen, farmers clash

    The Enugu State House of Assembly has initiated moves to end frequent violent clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    The bill, entitled “A law to make provisions for the control of nomadic cattle rearing in Enugu State and other matters related thereto” is being sponsored by Hon. Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East Constituency.

    The lawmaker, in an interview with reporters, said the bill, when passed into law, would promote symbiotic relationship between the farmers and the herdsmen.

    Nwamba, who lamented several lives and properties that have been lost in different parts of the country owing to the clashes, urged other states to replicate the law.

    “The main reason for this bill is to ensure adequate peace between the two parties- farmers and herdsmen. Nobody in this country is ignorant of some violent clashes which have occurred as a result of disagreement between the farmers and the herdsmen.

    “We have cases where the herdsmen will allow their cattle to graze on farmlands, and when the farmers kill the cows in retaliation, the herdsmen will challenge the farmers.

    “So, it is my belief that when this bill is passed into law, it will end conflict and promote peace between these parties that need the services of each other.”

    The bill provides for the establishment of grazing areas in each of the three senatorial zones of Enugu State and the nomadic cattle rearers shall ensure that the cattle are confined within the grazing areas as provided.

    It further provided that “any person who permits cattle to graze in an area not designated as grazing area, shall be guilty of an offence and shall, on conviction, be liable to six months imprisonment or a fine of N100,000 or both.

    “As from the commencement of this law, the commissioner shall appoint pound masters in all the local government areas whose functions shall include the impounding of cattle found grazing in non-designated grazing areas.

    “Cattle found grazing in an area not designated a grazing area shall be impounded by the pound master or any other person duly authorized by the commissioner.

    “Any cattle impounded under this law, which is not claimed within one week of the impounding, shall be sold in accordance with auction law; the proceeds of the sale shall be deposited in government coffers.”

    The bill, which was mentioned at the House Plenary Session, is expected to be debated later.

  • Anambra shines at Arts Expo

    Anambra shines at Arts Expo

    With the theme: African Arts and Crafts: tools for economic empowerment, the seventh edition of the African Arts and Craft Expo came to a close penultimate weekend with all its artistic and cultural thrills and frills.

    The exhibition, which was organised by the National Council For Arts and Culture, Abuja, featured exhibitors from the 36 states and other African and Asian countries. On display were rich and diverse African crafts, fashion and cultural designs, interior decorations, raffia works, leather designs, classical ceramics and pottery works, coral beads, textiles and fascinating jewelries. The fair provided great opportunities for effective and focused promotional marketing incentives for would be sponsors.

    Anambra State was one of those that shone during the week-long exhibition, winning three awards in Best Product and Brand Designs in Brass and Metal Works; Most Enterprising Exhibitor categories, and a third position as the Best in Pavilion Preparation category. The state’s pavilion had on display rich various African crafts, fashion and cultural designs, interior decorations, raffia works, among others.

    The fair was organised primarily to showcase some aspects of Nigeria’s rich culture, promote export and import business of arts and crafts to buyers worldwide, impact requisite knowledge of import and export guidelines to arts and crafts producers and marketers as well as sensitise investors on the need to invest in arts and crafts sector as a way of encouraging enterprise development and export-oriented production.

     

  • Father’s will tears apart doctor, High Court Judge

    Children of the late monarch of Umuoji community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Michael Nweze, are fighting over his property.

    It was gathered that since three years after their father’s death, there have been accusations and counter accusations between the two brothers, who are highly placed in the society, over the content of their father’s will.

    Operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Alagbon, Lagos, who are investigating the matter, are disturbed as it appears that one of the sons of the late monarch is allegedly frustrating investigation using the judiciary.

    The late Igwe Nweze’s eldest son, Dr. Michael Chukwuemeka Nweze, a United States-based paediatrician, alleged that his younger brother, Justice Joseph Ifeanyi Nweze of Anambra State Judiciary and his sister, Mrs. B.O. Mbamalu (Nee Nweze), have doctored their father’s will to deny him of his entitlement.

    Dr. Nweze also alleged that his siblings forged his signature in order to pass a board resolution removing him as a director in their late father’s two companies, stating that his name was substituted with that of his brother’s wife.

    The alleged fake documents were served to the Onitsha branch of a new generation bank, which changed the signatories.

    Investigation also revealed that the companies’ original certificate of incorporation with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) still has the name of Dr M.C. Nweze as a member of the board.

    It was gathered that detectives from the PSFU invited Justice Nweze for interrogation. The documents that manifested through the purported board resolutions were said to have been investigated forensically and were discovered not to be original copies.

    A source said: “The doctor was away in the U.S. when all these documents were forged with the aim of taking over everything their father left. The same documents were used by the Judge to take over the companies’ accounts and to open and operate new ones.”

    Police investigation revealed that when all efforts by the investigating officers to amicably settle the matter between the brothers failed, a retired Supreme Court Justice and a prominent Onitsha physician, who are friends of the family decided to intervene.

    A peace meeting was held at the Onitsha GRA residence of the Justice. However, after hearing from the two parties, they directed that a new manager be appointed to administer the companies, pending when the letters of administration of the estate would be ready.

    It is instructive to state that our correspondent had obtained a letter of indemnity from Dr. Michael Chukwuemeka Nweze on the matter.

    It was gathered that the estate management firm of J. Okoro and Associates were appointed to manage the companies, even as documents were signed to this effect.

    However, two months after taking up the job of managing the estate, Okoro demanded an up-to-date account of all funds received, but he was not obliged. Rather, it was alleged that the firm was accused of fraudulently taking over the estate.

    A lawsuit against the firm at the behest of Justice Nweze was dismissed. But prior to its dismissal, Justice Nweze allegedly took back the management of the estate.

    Police sources said: “Arrest warrant was executed three years ago on Justice Nweze and his sister. They were questioned and released on their personal recognition. At that time, the parties agreed to a forensic audit of the companies. A letter to that effect was said to have been written to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) which assigned the case to the accounting firm of Sola Oyetayo.

    “It commenced work but stopped when Justice Nweze allegedly refused to agree to use the estate fund to pay him. Justice Nweze allegedly complained about digging up evidence against him and dared the anti-fraud unit to meet him in court.

    Since then, several frivolous lawsuits have been initiated to intimidate his elder brother, Dr. Nweze, who is the head of the family and to distract the police.”

    When Justice Nweze did not pick calls from our correspondent for comments on the matter, a text message was sent to him.

    Reacting to the allegations, Justice Nweze, through his lawyer, A.O. Emodi Esq. in a text message entitled “False and sponsored allegations by Michael Chukwuemeka Nweze”, said: “We have seen your SMS which suggests an intention to further libel and interfere with court proceedings. We assume that Dr M.C. Nweze also brought to your notice the fact that there is a claim for one billion Naira damages against him for libel and false allegation in a suit no 0/306/2013 at the High Court, Onitsha.

    “There is an application in suit No 0/493M/2011 against him for instigating the police by the same false allegations. There is also a suit No FHC/AWK/CS/48/2014 at the Federal High Court Awka, to direct the police to charge him for giving them information which they found to be false.

    “We must not fail to observe that we do not understand your interest or that of your public in any private disagreement between brothers. It may easily be understood as part of a sponsored campaign against our client which you want to capitalise on to increase the sale and circulation of your newspaper for which our client may seek legal redress.

    “You are advised before proceeding on that course to demand a letter of indemnity from Dr Michael Chukwuemeka Nweze. That is if you are not already aware of the above facts, but decide to proceed because of the financial benefits to you no matter whose ox is gored.”

    Spokesperson for the PSFU Friday Archibong, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed they are investigating the matter.

    One of the investigating officers said Justice Nweze was using lawsuit to try to stop and intimidate police investigators to hands-off the case. But “we are not deterred by these,” he said, adding that even the Chief Judge of Anambra State had been notified of the matter through an official letter.

  • Okorocha urges women to plant palm trees

    Okorocha urges women to plant palm trees

    The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has called on Imo women to embark on aggressive palm-to-palm programme to revamp and sustain the state’s economy.

    Okorocha spoke this during a one-day sensitisation workshop with the theme: “Kuo Nu Nkwu, Umunwanyi” (plant palm trees, women) organised by the Imo Women Development Centre for the Community Government Council (CGC) Women Leaders in the 637 communities.

    Governor Okorocha, who identified palm-to-palm programme and the CGC as among the major legacies of the Rescue Mission administration, revealed that the palm-to-palm initiative was a awake up call for rural communities to revive and redirect their attention to aggressive palm plantation as a viable economic project which, when fully realized, would transform the economy of the communities, state and the country.

    He said: “The sudden neglect of palm plantation and over-dependence on crude oil has been the  bane of Nigerian’s economy.”  He also revealed that palm fruit is a gift from God to the Igbo which must not be abandoned.

    He maintained that the economy of the old Southeastern Nigeria was sustained by oil palm even before the discovery of the crude oil.

    Governor Okorocha, who extolled the women for their great support to his government, said his administration had placed women at the main stream, considering their role, adding that he would always carry them along.

    He urged the women to use their God-given gift and potential to make the palm-to-palm programme a huge success.

    Governor Okorocha used the occasion to educate the women on the deadly Ebola virus and the need for precautionary measures to be taken to avert the spread of the virus.

    Earlier in a keynote address, the Director-General,Women Development Centre, Imo State, Hon. Ndidi Noel Iheme, said the centre was to rank with the National Women Centre, Abuja with the objective to develop and empower women of the state, especially rural women, through impartation of skills that would enable them to engage meaningfully in small and medium-scale businesses with little funding.

    Mrs. Iheme urged the women to embrace and propagate the programme to improve the economic and social well-being of women.  She further said that the sensitisation workshop would have empowered and drilled the women leaders to be part of the driving force that would propel the economic emancipation of the rural communities, families and the state.

    Present at the occasion were the representative of the wife of the governor, Her Excellency, Nkechi Okorocha, the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere and other government functionaries.

  • Ohanaeze inspects N16b international market

    The Lagos State chapter of the apex Igbo social-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has visited the proposed site of the Heartland Gateway International Market located at Mgbidi in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The visit, according to the group, was part of efforts initiated by the leadership of the organisation to encourage Ndigbo to invest at home and boost the economies of their respective states.

    Addressing the members of the organisation numbering over 200 at the residence of the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Donatus Ozoemena, the CEO of Graceland Channels Limited, Pastor Nat Omoruyi, revealed that plans are underway to acquire more parcels of land to complement the already 28,097 hectres already acquired for the market.

    Omoruyi further said that the Mgbidi community has already expressed their readiness to donate more of their lands in order to accommodate the 50,000 shops planned for construction on the site, which, he added, will cost N16 billion. The market is expected to yield a daily N500 million trade transaction.

    He also revealed that the Federal Government had already awarded the contract for the dredging of the Oguta Lake which is very close to the market from Imo State axis to Rivers State axis of the lake.

    Expressing gratitude to the people of the community for donating their lands for the project, Chairman Market Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Vitus Chukwudebem Uzoh, said the market, when completed, will afford Ndigbo the opportunity to invest in their respective states without fear of molestation.

    Uzoh described Ndigbo as industrious people who contribute to the development of any area wherever they find themselves. He cited the Tejuosho and ASPAMDA markets in Lagos as examples.

    He said: “Ndigbo are blessed in trade and business. We have contributed significantly in building all the major markets across the country and beyond. Now we are going to invest in own land, where we will not be harassed or intimidated by any other tribe.”

  • Southeast happy with Confab’s decisions says Uwazurike

    Southeast happy with Confab’s decisions says Uwazurike

    Chief Goody Uwazurike is the President of Aka Ikenga and a delegate at the ongoing National Conference. In this interview with Precious Igbonwelundu, the lawyer says the Igbo are satisfied with confab’s decisions. Excerpts:

    The conference has been an eye-opener. Delegates from the various zones came with bottled up grievances and we were ready to explode. But down the line, we have been able to make friends, hear each other out and analyse one other’s problems.

    Delegates had to vote repeatedly on the various issues. And to the glory of God, we have reached decisions on all issues and there was not one issue left inconclusive.

    We concluded on all outstanding and all recommendations were made at the floor. Those that the conference felt required changes were made and those we felt were good enough were also allowed.

    As a Southeast delegate, do you think the aspiration of the zone has been met?

    The entire Southeast wanted from the beginning was fairness and equity. We have always demanded that what is fair to other parts of the country should be fair to the Southeast. I remember moving a motion that one more state be created for the Southeast so that it can be at par with other zones which have six states each.

    Some delegates, including Chief Olu Falae supported my motion that the South-east deserves a state. At the end, the conference voted overwhelmingly for an additional state for the Southeast.

    We also stated that we want power to go round the zones in all elective offices. We want local government to be state affairs. We supported 21 per cent derivation and freedom of religion. With the support of other zones, we got what we wanted.

    Most people do not know that, currently there are no zonal headquarters of federal establishments in any of the Igbo-speaking states.

    So, when the conference talked about quality development going round, we from the Southeast were happy because we know that if the region is developed, most of our people will settle back home and earn decent living.

    What other recommendations were made by the conference?

    We made far-reaching recommendations including true federalism. The conference also decided that power must go round among the six zones of the country. It was a clear-cut decision and we also looked at distribution of offices and reducing the cost of governance.

    We decided that local government creation should be an affair of the states, which should not bother the Federal Government. If a state wants a thousand local governments, it should be entirely its business provided such a state does not come to the central government to ask for funds.

    Then, we looked at devolution of powers, which was the last committee report. We considered how to reduce the burden of the Federal Government.

    What is the business of the Federal Government drilling a borehole at my backyard when there are state and local governments?

    We concluded that the state governments should take over most of those responsibilities while the Federal Government should handle mainly defence, external affairs, monetary policy and anything that involves the different states.

    Because we reduced the burden of the Federal Government, we also reduced the funding and agreed that it should be tilted in favour of states. In order words, the more a state has, the more its responsibilities.

    We agreed that the local government system should be guaranteed and state revenue sharing commission put in place to adequately share funds among the local governments within a state. It was also agreed that when there is no election or where there is a transition committee chairman, not a kobo should be given to such a local government until an elected chairman takes office.

    We moved into public finance and this is where we really dealt with the issue of cost of governance.

    What of the issue of state police?

    The conference decided that states who desire it should be allowed to have it provided the state police does not go beyond the confines of that particular state. Also, the state police can only handle matters in which the state house of assembly has powers to legislate on, while federal matters would be left for federal police.

    When a federal police commissioner is to be deployed to a state, it must be done in consultation with the state government to avoid conflicts.

    On revenue allocation

    The issue was knotty and almost brought the conference to a halt but for the wisdom of the leadership of the confab. We made the mistake of allowing a committee to go and discuss on our behalf because that committee was enmeshed in politics and nearly tour us apart.

    All other decisions were taken on the floor of the house but the moment the then chairman of the committee read a report that was not agreed upon, it threw the house into the wrong direction.

    The decision the conference took on the issue was that we have recognised the need for increase and the current constitution says not less than 13 per cent. Thus, the President was advised in his wisdom to set up a technical committee to work on the increment.

    Do you see the government accepting the confab’s recommendations?

    I know that during the committee stages, the 20 committees at one point or the other invited ministers, security chiefs, heads of departments and agencies and they all turned up.

    Questions were asked and they sincerely answered them. Even the issue of Boko Haram, we did an executive session on it just before the suicide bombings started again. We invited military chiefs and we were briefed.

    So, I think the Federal Government is taking the confab very seriously and recommendations made would not be treated with levity.

    I believe they would ensure that whatever we place on the table at the end of the day is used.

    Away from the confab, how do you think Nigeria can surmount its security challenges?

    The problem is for us all. The mistake most people, especially some governors, have been making is to call it a Federal Government problem. That is why I will always commend Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State, who has gone the extra mile to put measures in place to ensure that Lagos is safe.

    If you move around Lagos, you will notice that there are groups of security personnel or vehicles stationed at strategic locations. They are not there to control traffic nor search people. They are just on stand-by.

    Book Haram is not Jonathan’s problem. Don’t forget he has enough security to take care of himself. Before he passes anywhere, they would have done massive screening. So, the problem really is for you and I.

    So, I think every governor should take it as a problem of his state and take time to educate his people on necessary security measures.

    Security involves everybody. If you are in a compound and there are new neighbours or even domestic staff who look suspicious and you do not report, remember you and your family will be the first sufferers of any misfortune that results from your silence.

    For those who harbour people in rural areas, knowing they have committed some offences, they should also know that they will be first victims should any evil befall their community.

    Secondly, I have observed that some people now derive joy in lampooning our military. It is very painful. I know of a number of soldiers who have died trying to safe you and me. Their family members are watching you talk nonsense about their loved ones who trained and devoted their lives in safeguarding you and me. The least respect we owe our military is encouragement.

    Now, the latest game in town is computer generated imaging (CGI), where people generate all kinds of images claiming Nigerian soldiers are committing genocide. I just wonder what the masterminds stand to gain. Is seeing people on army camouflages now justification they are soldiers?

    Nigerian soldiers are doing their best and need our respect and support. Have you asked why Boko Haram wants to relocate from their present camps? We were briefed at the conference and the people of Borno also know it.

  • Don advises dental surgeons at graduation

    Don advises dental surgeons at graduation

    When former Nigerian President, the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe founded the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1960, his dream was to establish a citadel of learning and research in a bid to halt the exodus of Nigerians to foreign countries in search of the Golden Fleece.

    To achieve that desire of excellence, he recruited the best of academic and non- academic staff from parts of Europe to lay a solid foundation for a university that could compare favourably with any around the globe.

    It was in pursuance of this noble objective that the Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry of the institution, Dr. Linda Oge Okoye, restated her determination to make the faculty the best dental training centre in the world.

    Speaking during the third induction ceremony of dental surgeons of the University of Nigeria Nsukka at the faculty’s main hall of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Dr. Linda Okoye said in order to keep the dreams of the founding fathers alive, management had not only increased their training capacity but has also provided an atmosphere conducive enough to teaching and learning.

    She noted that since the accreditation of the faculty programme in 2004, efforts had been made to equip it with the state-of-the-art facilities, while experienced academic and non-academic staff had been recruited to elevate the status of the school to international standard.

    She also added that their collaborative linkage educational programme with the University of British Columbia had yielded great dividends, with more than five dental surgeons from UNN benefiting from the scheme.

    Despite the feat achieved by the faculty, the Dean, fondly addressed as the doyen of Dentistry in Africa by professional colleagues of hers, stated that more was still needed to truly place UNN as a centre of excellence for dental training on the continent.

    “Since dentistry is an expensive profession, we therefore enjoin all stakeholders, government and corporate bodies in Nigeria to support the dream of the only Faculty of Dentistry in the entire Eastern Nigeria with more funding. Just as an adage says if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. To the alumni, there is strength in unity.

    We have capacity to make this school the best in the world, if we can come together,” she said.

    To the graduating young dental surgeons, the Dean challenged them to exhibit those rare qualities that distinguish them from other surgeons, adding that “it takes a lot of hard work, discipline and patience to earn a Bachelor of Dental Surgery Degree of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. These are the same virtues you need to succeed in life”.

    She said:  “I have no doubt therefore, that you have what it takes to excel and succeed in life. You are today licensed to practice your profession with dignity to the service of God and humanity. My personal expectation and wish for you all is that the licenses you receive today should enable you to stand out in the dental profession, both in Nigeria and elsewhere.”

    Administering the oath of allegiance on behalf of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the outgoing Provost of the College of Medicine of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Basden Onwubere, under whose tenure the Faculty of Dentistry blossomed, urged the graduates to shun the get-rich-quick syndrome of society and aim for excellence and discharge their duties creditably, even as he reminded them of the need to be of great assistance to their alma mater at all times.

    Onwubere, who won the Africa’s best provost award by African Medical Students last year, observed that following the impressive performance of graduates of dentistry from UNN in the field at the local and international scenes since 2004, the Faculty of Dentistry of the university had come to stay.

    He said the university Senate had recently praised the College of Medicine team for the performance of dental surgeons from UNN and also praised the efforts of the Dean, the academic and non-academic staff of the faculty for this feat. He expressed his hope that the effort would be sustained.

    The Provost, who also represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, on the occasion, announced that the college had concluded arrangement to build a shopping mall, bank and a centre of excellence for staff and students within the college premises, while the ultra-modern medical library under construction would be completed within the next one year to boost learning and research.

    In a valedictory speech, the best graduating student of the class of 2013, Faculty of Dentistry, Dr. Obinna Franklin Eboh, called for the establishment of the Department of Dentistry at health centres in all rural communities of the country. He regretted that despite the importance of oral healthcare, government was not doing enough, as most Nigerians know little or nothing about oral health.

    Dr. Eboh expressed joy that a journey that started seven years ago, had been blessed with success, even as he thanked the lecturers and their parents for their support.

    Earlier in a lecture to mark the occasion, chairman of the Nigerian Dental Association, Enugu State branch, Dr. Felix Chukwuneke, emphasised the need for the graduating students to maintain ethics in the discharge of their medical practice, stressing that the duty of care should be paramount in the relationship between the clinician and patients.

    Dr. Chukwuneke, a union leader and one of the pioneers of the faculty, enjoined the graduates to make a difference in a positive way in the medical profession, as that is what they owe the present and future generations of Nigerians.

    He admonished them: “As you go into the world of dental practice, you should always remember the “Hippocratic oath” which you took before all the dignitaries, your senior colleagues and your parents here today.”

    Two of the eight graduates, Dr. Obinna Eboh and Dr. Martins Chibuike received all the four prizes available in child dental health, preventive dentistry, restorative dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

    Two former Deputy Vice-Chancellors of the Enugu Campus of the university, Prof. Bede Ibe and Prof. Sam Ohaegbulam as well as the former Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Etisiobi Ndiokwelu, were among top academics that attended the event.

  • Unknown men destroy church building

    It was a sad day for the Anglican Church in Anambra State, when unknown persons pulled down the Ebenezer Anglican Church, Oyolu-Oze, 3-3, Nkwelle Ezunanka in Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

    Though the Nkwelle Ezunanka community denied knowledge of the action, the Anglican Church authority accused the community of masterminding the demolition of their church.

    The church cited some lingering crises between the church and the community which, according to them, has lasted for over a decade.

    Our correspondent gathered that the destroyed building was an ongoing project embarked upon by the worshipers at Ebenezer’s Anglican Church in Nkwelle Ezunaka community.

    The multi-million Naira building project which was at its completion stage, having been roofed, was allegedly pulled down at midnight on Monday by unknown persons suspected to be leaders of the community.

    The crisis had erupted between the community and the worshippers about two months ago when the school premises, housing the compound, was de-roofed by a contractor suspected to have been engaged by the state government, in collaboration with the community following an ongoing crisis between the church and the community over the ownership of the school.

    Following a protest by the worshippers over the de-roofing of the school building, the community, through its President-General, Elder Chris Eluemuno, announced the ejection of the worshippers from the school premises.

    He also announced the suspension of all religious activities in the premises in the community.

    Reacting to the development, the Anglican Archdeacon in charge of the Church Building project, Venerable Frank Obi, accused Elder Eluemuno of being responsible for the demolition exercise.

    He recalled a meeting between the community, the police and leaders of the church at the Police Area Command Headquarters, Onitsha. The meeting aimed at brokering peace between the two parties.

    The meeting, according to the cleric, took place on Monday, barley 12 hours before the church was demolished.

    Describing the incident as ungodly, he called on the Anambra State Government to intervene in the matter.

    The church, according to him, as the conscience of the society, shall remain calm and await the response of the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano. He also urged the members of the church to remain calm as God is in control.

    But Elder Eluemuno denied any involvement of the community in the demolition of the church building.

    He added that the church had written the community through the Headmaster of the Oyolu Primary School sometime in 1990 requesting to make use of the school building on temporarily as service centre which was granted to them only for the church to start laying claims to the school which, according to him, they were not part of.