The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Ohanaeze youths endorse APGA chairman for Senate

    Ohanaeze youths endorse APGA chairman for Senate

    The Anambra State chapter of the Ohanaeze Youths Council (OYC) has endorsed the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh to represent Anambra South Senatorial zone come 2015.

    The OYC also asked the APGA chairman not to retire from politics as his retirement would do no good to the Igbo people, more so as he was still young.

    The youth, led by the chairman of the Anambra State chapter, Hon. Tony Uche Ezekwelu were at Umeh’s residence in Enugu to honour him as their grand patron.

    Ezekwelu told Umeh at the occasion that they cannot afford to have him as a retired politician now “because he has a lot to do for Ndigbo.”

    He recalled that it was Ohanaeze Ndigbo that gave birth to APGA and the Anambra State chapter of the Youth Council, adding that the youth council would continue to partner with the party for the good of the Igbo nation.

    The youth leader announced a yearly sports festival in honour of the late Biafran leader; Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu would start from November 4 to December 5 this year.

    The sports festival, he said, would be preceded by annual lecture series on the life and times of the late Ojukwu.

    Ezekwelu also announced the institution of the youth re-orientation and empowerment programme in addition to the establishment of an Igbo language newspaper known as Igbo Amaka. He presented copies of the paper to Umeh.

    Responding, Umeh said he accepted the endorsement to run for the Senate to represent Anambra Central Senatorial zone. He told the youth that the campaign or his journey to the Senate shall be done by them.

    He said: “Based on calls from several quarters for him to contest election to represent Anambra Central zone at the Senate, and the call by the youth today, I have accepted to contest and I am sure to win.

    He thanked them for the honour they have bestowed on him and particularly that of the sports festival in honour of Ojukwu.

    Umeh recalled that Ojukwu, until his death, was thinking of the future of Ndigbo in Nigeria and the world.

    “The idea of honouring Ojukwu with an annual sports festival is a great one. I will throw all my weight behind it,” he promised.

    The APGA chairman also advised the youth to give Governor Willie Obiano all the necessary support he needed to move Anambra State forward.

    Umeh used the occasion to praise the leader of the Southeast delegates to the National Conference, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), whom he described as a dogged fighter and true son of Igbo land.

    “General Ike Nwachukwu led us well and performed extra-ordinarily in the conference. Thanks to the governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji and the people Abia State for giving us Ike Nwachukwu to lead us at the conference,” said Umeh.

    He made a donation of a Hummer bus to the youth council.

  • Philanthropist lifts prison inmates

    Philanthropist lifts prison inmates

    It was a day of immense joy for the inmates of Abia Prison Command as Chief David Ogba Onuoha the Chief Executive Officer of Bourdex Group and a Senatorial aspirant for Abia North Senatorial zone on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) visited the Controller of Prisons Abia State Command, Mrs. Ukwuori Ndukwo Kalu to donate mattresses to prison inmates.

    While presenting the 200 mattresses to the prison inmates in Umuahia, Onuoha said he is performing his civic duties as a responsible citizen of the state to complement the efforts of both the state and Federal Governments in alleviating the sufferings of the masses.

    Onuoha further said prison facilities are not places for punishment but where

    correction and reformation are carried out, saying both the state government

    under the leadership of Governor Theodore Orji and the Federal Government with Goodluck Jonathan as President, have done a lot for the less-privileged people in the country.

    He said the prison inmates should be reformed to serve the society when they finish serving their prison terms, stressing that when they are reformed, they will be of good service to the people of the state and the country.

    The businessman said the Controller of Prisons Abia State Command Mrs. Kalu, has done well in the maintenance of the prisons in the state, even as he thanked the Federal Government for her appointment.

    He urged the Controller of Prisons to distribute the mattresses to all the prisons in the state to enable the inmates to have quality rest while they sleep, stressing that when a man rests well, he or she will think well and will not have the time to think about committing crimes.

    Onuoha also said the 200 mattresses worth N2 million will help in alleviating the sufferings of the members of the Abia prisons.

    “The next step for me and my organisations will be to move to the motherless

    Babies’ Homes in continuation of my empowerment programmes for the youth and the indigent women in the state.”

    He warned that people should not associate what he has done for the prison inmates with his political ambition, adding that let those who have political ambition not start scampering to overdo each other because he has done it.

    “If they must donate to the less-privileged in the state, they must do it from their hearts and not to curry cheap political favour.”

    Receiving the mattresses, Mrs. Kalu thanked the donor for his kind gesture to the inmates.

    While commending his efforts, she said not many people in the state could remember the people in the prisons.

    Mrs. Kalu used the opportunity to thank the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji and his wife Mercy for their support to the prison inmates and for ensuring that peace and unity reign in the state. This, she said, has given people like Onuoha the opportunity to be in the state and remember the prison inmates without any fear of losing their lives.

    She noted that the issue of reformation and rehabilitation of prison inmates in the state should not be left in the hands of prison officers alone, but should be a collective responsibility.

    “This is so because if they are released without proper reformation, there is the likelihood that they could go back to crimes and the residents of the state will be the victims,” she said.

  • Stakeholders adopt community policing in Ebonyi

    Stakeholders adopt community policing in Ebonyi

    Stakeholders comprising labour/town union executives, traditional/religious leaders, civil servants, politicians, law makers, human right activists, opinion leaders and indeed the general public in Ebonyi North Senatorial zone have unanimously adopted community policing as the best strategy towards curbing the recent security menace bedeviling the country.

    The adoption followed an intensive campaign on community policing flagged off by the National Orientation Agency, Ebonyi State recently at headquarters of Abakaliki Local Government Area.

    Speaking during the campaign, the State Director of the agency, Dr Emma Abah explained to the people that the programme was a vital national exercise that calls for the attention of patriotic Nigerians, who are to fashion out pragmatic and people-centred approach to strengthen the pillars of peace and security in our society.

    Dr Abah reminded the stakeholders, especially the traditional rulers of their roles in the society prior to the coming of white men. He regretted that the leaders in the society, instead of collaborating with the police, after its creation to oversee that work, left the entire work of policing in the hands of the instituted force. He insisted that such was wrong and detrimental to the peace, security and development of any society.

    In his words: “Before the coming of the colonialists, traditional rulers and other leaders in the community were involved in ensuring security of citizens and their properties. This they achieved by maintaining law and order through their native authority system as well as their vast network of intelligence-gathering system.

    “With the institution of police force during the colonial rule, the community leaders relinquished their responsibilities to the police instead of collaborating with them to ensure a more perfect security system.”

    The director advised the community leaders to go back to the old system where policing was the responsibility of all adults in a community.

    He said: “It is not because the instituted police have failed us completely. No! But because we need all members of the community to become allies in the effort to enhance their safety and the quality of their neighbourhood.”

    Also addressing the people, the chairman on the occasion and member representing Abakaliki/Izzi Constituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Sylvester Ogbaga said the gathering was essential since it sensitises the people on the need to give a zone-to-zone intervention to the issue of security.

    Regretting, he said: “Before now, we have had people display reluctant attitudes towards the police, especially in the area of providing them with adequate information to work with, but today, all Ebonyi North stakeholders are here to correct that attitude by calling on all to rise and respect our security agencies.

    “The message is that you and I have roles to play in the security of our lives and property.  We must be responsive to the happenings around our environs since we can see that nobody is escaping the situation. There is danger everywhere and everybody must be aware of it.”

    Hon. Ogbaga urged all participants at the forum to assist in the proper dissemination of the campaign message to the people in the hinterlands, insisting that they must be involved if the enforcement must take place.

    In a goodwill message, the officer in charge of Servicom, Francis Onyedindu, an ASP who represented the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, CP Maigari Dikko FDC, reiterated that security is paramount to the survival and sustenance of any democratic policy in any given society, stressing that “community policing is a philosophy that promotes organisational strategies, which supports the systematic use of partnership and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.”

    He advised the people to adopt community policing as a means of building a close tie between the police and the people, insisting that the police remains everybody’s friend.

    Also speaking, representatives of other security agencies namely Nigerian Immigration Service, State Security Service, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, present at the forum, noted that the philosophy of community policing rested on the belief that the security agencies and the community must work together as partners to solve the contemporary challenges faced in today’s society.

    ”The focus of community-oriented policing is not necessarily on response, but on preventing crime and resolving community problems,” he added.

    Continuing, he said: “Effective community policing has a positive impact on reducing crime, helping to reduce fear of crime and enhancing the quality of life of people within the community. It accomplishes these things by combining the efforts and resources of security agencies, community government and members in search for solutions to communal problems.”

    They also agreed that there was need for security agencies to share information among themselves to facilitate adequate provision of security for the people

    While appreciating that government and community leaders are beginning to recognise the importance of involving themselves in the protection of their areas, the Ebonyi North Zonal Assistant Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Anthony Uguru, maintained that the communities must take a unified stand against crime, violence and disregard for law and must also make a commitment to increasing crime prevention and intervention activities.

    He advised the community leaders to immediately identify critical areas in their communities that need local intervention, institute a community policing committee, as well as a standard operating procedure in conducting community policing in their areas.

    He called on the participants to rise to the challenge of nipping insecurity in the bud.

    He said: “No single agency can solve this complex social problem alone. A combined community cum police effort will definitely restore the safety of our neighbourhood. Let us join hands to make our society safe.”

    The chairman of the Abakaliki Local Government Area, Hon. Batholomew Ottah,, expressed satisfaction that his council was the flag-off point of such an important issue. He urged the residents to adopt the good messages preached by National Orientation Agency, Ebonyi State.

    Hon. Elizabeth Oshianu, Emmanuel Nwuzor, Solomon Ochopa, Simon Edezie and Nwobashi Cornelius who also were at the summit, condemned some security agents, who, on retirement, become threats to their societies instead of continuing with protecting the people. They advised them to desist from such act.

    They further urged the security agencies to ensure that they keep to their promise of keeping them from harm, especially when they disclose vital information to them.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Abakaliki Central Police Station, SP Josephat Okoye, thanked NOA for the programme, even as he appreciated the participants for turning out en masse to adopt a strategy for solving this contemporary challenge.

  • New deal for the aged in Anambra

    New deal for the aged in Anambra

    The Women Development Centre, Awka, Anambra State, was filled to capacity. Old women numbering more than 10,000 gathered at the centre. They were not briefed on what the event was about neither had they any inkling of the benefit of attending the event.  They were merely invited to witness the Mothers’ Summit which was initiated by the wife of former Governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Margret Obi, to ease boredom among the aged.

    Some of them were guided into the hall by their daughters or close relations, while others ambled in on their own aided by their walking sticks.

    Eager to witness how young women were going to discuss issues bordering on community development, the senior citizens were surprised by the largesse showered on them by the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano.

    Mrs. Obiano invited the aged and the less-privileged, who seemingly have lost hope in the society, to have a sense of belonging.

    The event was the eighth edition of Mothers’ Summit in the state.

    The event also served as this year’s August Meeting, where women of the state, from Nigeria and the Diaspora, deliberated on how to move their communities forward.

    The theme of this year’s summit was “Women and Progress in Anambra State: A Priority Agenda.” It was held in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

    The Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, attended the summit.

    Various groups, including the Police Officers’ Wives’ Association (POWA), Department of Security Services (DSS), Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives’ Association (NAOWA) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were in attendance.

    At the event, Mrs. Obiano announced incentives for the aged to enhance their well-being. She donated some items to the aged and other less-privileged. They included 50 television sets, 50 standing fans and indoor games such as Ludo, Draught and Poker, among others.

    Aside these items, Mrs. Obiano promised to build a day care centre for them which, according to her, would serve as a recreation centre for the aged. The centre, she said, would be provided with such recreational items as television sets and radio sets, among others, to keep them happy.

    Above all, she empowered 30 indigent women from each of the 189 communities in Anambra State to enable them start petty businesses. This, according to her, would enhance the welfare of their families.

    Also, 15 children and eight physically-challenged from each of the communities also benefited from Mrs. Obiano’s largesse.

    She said the provision of such incentives would increase in subsequent years, since everybody knows that only the vulnerable groups keep increasing in number rather than reducing because of the risk factors in all spheres of life.

    It was not only discussions on community development at the summit which was interactive in nature.  It featured paper presentations by Dr. Ebere Ugochukwu, professor of Pediatrics; Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi entitled “Nutrition and Cancer in Women” and Prof. P. Ibekwe, a consultant gynaecologist and Provost, College of Health Sciences, Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki in Ebonyi State. He spoke on “Prevention and Management of Common Cancer in Women.”

    In a chat with our correspondent, Mrs. Obiano said the aim was to make the aged people happy, adding that denying them movement out of ignorance was sending them to their early graves.

    She also said she had acquired garri processing mills and corn mills for the indigent in the state, adding that she has other plans towards enhancing their well-being in the future.

    Mrs. Obiano said: “My first 100 days in office was splendid and I equally unfolded my plans to transform the fortunes of women, widows, people living with disability and less-privileged children in the state.

    “My next 100 days will witness the unfolding of my pet project Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) in every community.

    “I will improve the status of old people by re-activating the old people’s homes through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Awka.

    “Again, I will liaise with the Anambra State House of Assembly to enact a law that will protect widows from family harassment and ill-treatment which are rampant in the society.

    “All these plans will involve a lot of money and that is where our sons and daughters who have the means should come in to help in procuring some of the equipment, especially on cervical and breast cancers.

    She went on: “My pet project CAFÉ will definitely play a significant role in ensuring the welfare and progress of women.

    “I have already started with life-saving kits to address the needs of expectant mothers and the distribution of cancer-testing kits to the entire local government areas in the state for early detection of cancer in our women,”she added.

    Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Chinwe Nwaebili, informed our correspondent that they never knew what breast or cervical cancer meant until the ailments became rampant due to ignorance.

    She advised women to notify a specialist anytime they noticed any abnormality on their bodies, even as she commended Mrs. Obiano for taking the lead.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Victoria Chikwelu, said 1.7 million women will be diagnosed of breast cancer in 2020 which, according to her, would be 26 per cent increase from its current level.

    She added that women’s health should be a priority agenda at all levels.

    Dr. Chikwelu further said health systems in many communities were not responsive to the needs of women, adding that in many places, cultural taboos make it impossible for women to seek medical care from male health care providers.

    Earlier in his address, Chief Obiano said his administration had a high regard for women, promising to be committed to health-related issues concerning them.

    He said: “I still hear the voice of my mother in my head to date whenever I find myself drifting below the standards I have set for myself.

    “This is why we need you to plant the values that will return the lost glory of our people. On our part as the government, we shall not relent in our efforts to open new doors of hope to Anambra women.”

    One of the widows, Mrs. Ebele Okafor, who spoke with our correspondent,described Mrs. Obiano as a caring mother. She prayed God to guard, guide and protect her for the people of Anambra.

    Taking care of the aged, she said, would prolong their lives, adding that widows and the less-privileged  had not been at peace because of hardship.

    Also speaking, 84-year-old Pa Simon Nwafor said Mrs. Obiano was another messiah sent by God to ameliorate the sufferings of the downtrodden.

    He said wives of Anambra State Governors were always sources of blessing to the people, adding that it became more pronounced with Mrs. Margret Obi.

    He noted that with what Mrs. Obiano is doing, she meant well for the aged and the needy.

    The Chairperson, Anambra State House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Rebecca Udorji, representing Awka North State Constituency, said some of the health issues arose as a result of people abandoning their roots.

    She said Ndigbo; especially women, should go back to the old practice thought them by their forefathers by using herbs.

  • Lawmaker donates scientific equipment to Imo schools

    Lawmaker donates scientific equipment to Imo schools

    Things are looking up for students of Science in secondary schools in Imo State. The Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha in collaboration with the Scientific Equipment Development Institute (SEDI) Enugu distributed Scientific Equipment to secondary schools in Imo State.

    The students, who were, before now grappling with studying science subjects without equipment for practical studies can now heave a sigh of relief with the arrival of the modern science equipment.

    Beneficiaries of the project were not just government-owned schools as has always been the practice. Privately-owned and missionary schools equally benefitted from the gesture. In all, 141 schools were given equipment to boost the study of science in their various schools.

    Speaking during the official distribution of the equipment at the Holy Ghost College Owerri, Imo State capital, Ihedioha, disclosed that the programme was designed to support the educational needs of the students in Imo State and to complement the efforts of government and the private sector to reposition education.

    According to him, the quality of education in the state has become a primary concern to stakeholders, stressing that no society can make meaningful progress without an educated population.

    “We are talking of not just education for its sake but education that will lead to self-reliance. We are talking about education that will lead to industrial and technological progress of our state,” he said.

    He further stated: “For educational progress to be made, we need to appraise where we are coming from, where we are and where we are going to. Sometime ago, a group of experts were commissioned to study and determine the level of preparedness by secondary schools in Imo State, in terms of equipment, re-agents, materials and qualified teachers, in teaching both basic and advanced sciences. The findings showed that funding for science education in Imo is low.”

    Hon. Ihedioha lamented that the implication of the low funding of science education in the state was that students in the secondary school system could complete their education without exposure to the basic experiments required of them in sciences.

    The Deputy Speaker also attributed the massive failure of Imo State students in science subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Technical Drawing, Basic Technology and Mathematics in public examinations to lack of basic scientific equipment to aid learning, regretting that “data from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), The National Examinations Council (NECO) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) demonstrates that in 2013, WAEC Examination, Imo State scored an average 46 per cent, whereas our neighbouring states of Anambra and Abia scored 67 per cent and 65 per cent respectively. This is unacceptable and must be reversed for the sake of the future of our children.”

    He equally blamed the massive failure on dearth of qualified science teachers in the state’s secondary school system, noting that, “the ratio of science teachers to students in Imo State is one of the poorest in the country today. There was a time in this state when science teachers were paid incentives that made them earn higher than other teachers. This motivated them to give their best. This is no more the case today. It was in the realisation of this deficit in our schools that I decided to make my own contributions towards solving the problem.”

    Earlier in his address, the Director-General of SEDI, Prof. Christian Okechukwu Nwajagu, represented by the Deputy Director, Mrs Ifeyinwa Okeke, noted that the country’s economic survival and ability to compete maximally in the global market is subject to sustainable scientific breakthroughs and technological development; hence the need for effective and result-oriented science learning at the fundamental levels.

    He further stated that science education is jeopardised as a result of lack or inadequate science materials and equipment for learning and teaching, adding that “several students shy away from science subjects, claiming that they are abstract and difficult. This has largely been attributed to lack of scientific equipment in our schools.”

    He said: “Science and its application called technology are the duo movers of any country’s economy and hence any investment in the field is a worthy and commendable one. More so, in a time like this when the country’s slogan is vision 20-20-20. In order to achieve this slogan of joining the formidable league of industrialised countries of the world in 2020, this event is a welcome development.”

    He also explained that, “the JSS kit contains several scientific materials, charts and accessories which were carefully developed in line with Basic Science curriculum approved by the Federal Ministry of Education. It is aimed at actualising in practical terms the objectives of Basic Science education.

    The kit emphasises hands-on-minds-on practical activity and can be used to perform over 50 experiments in line with Basic Science curriculum. The use of the kit in learning science has the capacity to elicit interest and increase achievement in the subject.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the Committee for the Distribution of the Scientific Equipment, Prof. Obioma Iheduru, the Deputy Speaker, through the initiative, has inspired confidence in the electorate in the state that leaders are alive to their responsibilities of providing for the needs of the people.

    Decrying the declining standard of education in the state, Iheduru, stated: “I enjoin you to ask the question, how qualitative is our educational system in Imo State today?

    Whither the once famed epithet; education is our industry. We ask why is Imo at the bottom of the ladder in performance at public examinations by WAEC, NECO and JAMB. When was the last time that an Imo State student obtained first position in any of these examinations?

    Praising the initiative, a retired school teacher, Mr. Paul Uzoukwu said the gesture will go a long way to revive in the students the desire to learn, adding that no science teacher can produce Grade A students without an equipped and functional laboratory.

    He opined that with the proper application of the equipment, the state will soon regain its top position in science education.

    “I am optimistic that with time and right use of these modern equipment, the students will excel in the science subjects, which has been a source of worry to parents, teachers and other major stakeholders. The Initiative is apt and should be emulated by other public office holders.”

    Some of the students, who were joyful over the gesture, assured that with the provision of the equipment, they would work hard to justify the huge investment.

    Miss Njoku Rose, a student from one of the benefitting schools said: “I am so grateful to the Deputy Speaker for his kindness. Before now, we only read about this equipment, but now we can see and use them for our practical”

  • I don’t want to die now, says FUTO student

    I don’t want to die now, says FUTO student

    Unless assistance comes and quickly,  the life of Chisom Duruokpo, a final year Agriculture Economics student of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, is in dange. No thanks to the ongoing nationwide doctors’ strike.

    Twenty-one-year-old Chisom is grappling with abdominal inflammation. Looking frail and tired, she said her predicament started late last year after successfully undergoing an appendicitis operation at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

    Curiously, a few months later, her stomach began to protrude, with an unusual sensation within her.

    Looking at Chisom, one could be temptated to believe that the once-vivacious young woman was due to put to bed. But that is far from the truth. She is suffering from an ailment which doctors assured could be corrected through surgery.

    Chisom, who hails from Orlu, Imo State, despite her troubles, is optimistic that she would bounce back to her former self with the help of kind-hearted Nigerians.

    She manifested her determination to live when, with her excruciating health challenges, she  finished her first semester examination. She had before the doctors’ strike, gone to LUTH for diagnosis.

    But, sadly, while her result was being processed in a private laboratory, the doctors embarked on an indefinite industrial action. When she returned to LUTH, the hospital was as silent as a graveyard. She was advised to visit any of the private hospitals that has the capacity to handle her case.

    It was at that point that the family knew that a danger was looming – lack of finance. The family members traversed many private hospitals. Unfortunately, the medical bills of those hospitals were way beyond their reach.

    Her abdominal ultrasound’s report, made available to The Niche, and signed by a Consultant Radiologist, Dr Igwilo J. U. reveals that there is a large central complex mass in her stomach. The ultrasound, however, shows that her liver, both kidneys and gall bladder are normal.

    “ My condition,” she managed to mutter in considerable pain, “is giving me restless nights,” describing it as a burden too heavy for her.

    The medical report reads: “There is a large central complex mass displacing the viscera postero-laterally. The mass measures 380.18cm, comprising multiple nodules, cystic and necrotic tissue. There is also a gross enlargement of the ovaries by a soft tissue mass. The liver is of normal span and shows a normal homogenous echogenicity. No focal lesion is seen within it.

    “The porta hepatis, veins are all normal. Both kidneys are of normal size, shape, colour and contour. No calyceal dilatation or calculus is seen in either kidney. The gall bladder, pancreas and spleen are also normal.”

    Her fear and anxiety over the gradual deterioration of her health could be felt as she beseeched doctors to urgently call off the strike. Having just one semester examination to write for her to become a graduate, she also begged Nigerians to quickly come to her assistance in seeking medical treatment at a private hospital.

    Except help comes quickly, she may not partake in her last examination which is already around the corner.

    It is indeed a gloomy and dicey situation for Chisom as she worries over her health as well as her education at the same time.

    She recounted feebly, “Some months ago, I noticed that my stomach began to swell up gradually. I told my parents and we went to LUTH for a scan. By the time the result was ready, the doctors were already on strike. We went to LUTH but there was no doctor to assess the result. I am feeling great pain at the moment, but it gets worse at night. My last exam for me to become a graduate is very close. There is no way I can concentrate on reading my books. My legs are also swollen and I only manage to walk. I am pleading with the governor of my home state of Imo, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and President Goodluck Jonathan to help me out of this painful situation. My plea also goes to all spirited Nigerians to help put smile on my face again.”

    Her father, Mr. Duruokpo Ebere Paul, said the family has been to several private hospitals in search of  lasting solution to his child’s ailment but is currently hampered by its financial limitations. According to him, about N2 million is being demanded to save the life of his first of

    two children. He grieved that the doctors’ strike was adding to the family’s sorrow, explaining that the financial requirement wouldn’t have been that huge if clinical services were available at public hospitals.

    He said N2 million was out of the family’s reach. “I was previously dealing on tailoring materials but for now, I operate a commercial tricycle, otherwise known as keke Marwa for survival. There is no way we can raise such amount of money. That is why we are using this medium to beg Nigerians to come and assist us so that my daughter can successfully finish her education and become more useful to herself and the society. She has just one semester to complete her education,” he pleaded.

    For any financial or otherwise assistance, the family can be reached on 08161184471 or 08055811404. Interested individuals and groups may also send money to the Fidelity Bank account no 6016918387. The name is Duruokpo Ebere Paul.

     

  • Chime’s Chief of Staff and the opposition

    Chime’s Chief of Staff and the opposition

    Since 2007 when Governor Sullivan Chime assumed duty as the governor of Enugu State, the level of transformation has been unprecedented. This is despite the state receiving meager amount as allocation from the Federation Account; Chime has been shrewd in utilising the much he gets to provide benefits of democracy to the people.

    In terms of road network, Enugu ranks among the states with the best road network in Nigeria. In the area of crime-free society which has eluded the state for almost a decade now, Chime has done a lot in tackling crime wave in the state.

    Hardly does one walk more than 200 meters without meeting a flashy police car stationed in the vicinity. He supplied the police with many patrol vans with a view to ensuring that Enugu residents go about their businesses unmolested.

    The endemic water problem in Enugu became a thing of the past. In front every house, there is a water pump installed as it used to be in the 60s and 70s. Schools have been renovated and the over 400 secondary schools in the state were given a bus each.

    These are just few among the numerous democracy dividends achieved by the Chime administration. But the governor’s achievement is attributed to his choice of his Chief of Staff, Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, a Chartered Accountant. The governor once said of her amid the flurry of attacks on her: “I have no regrets appointing her. If I am given another opportunity, I will appoint her a hundred times over.”

    The prudent spending of the state’s resources guided by Mrs. Nwobodo made the governor to have absolute trust in her and would not take any final decision on an issue without considering her input.

    Her refusal for the government to open the state treasury for political hawks to loot became a source of worry to many people. And for her stance, she had incurred the wrath of politicians, especially the opposition. The opposition and those not “favoured” by the government hold Mrs. Nwobodo responsible for their misfortunes. She is always blamed for any “wrongful” or “distasteful” position taken by the government.

    She is even being blamed for the current travails of the embattled Deputy Governor, Sunday Onyebuchi who is facing accusations of wrong doing that could lead to his removal by the state House of Assembly.

    They speculate that the Deputy Governor is being put on trial to make way for Nwobodo to become the Deputy Governor in order to have immunity to contest the senatorial seat of Enugu East. They alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is after her for financial crimes. But sources say the EFCC has not gone after her now that she has no immunity.

    However, enquiries at the EFCC, Enugu office showed no evidence of such allegation. She was even accused of being responsible for the governor giving the governorship slot to Enugu North Senatorial zone which was announced by the governor last year.

    As the general elections draws closer, those in the National Assembly who are afraid that they might lose the ticket for re-election also blamed their woes on Mrs. Nwobodo.

    For having performed creditably as the Chief of Staff and for having uplifted so many people from her zone, the Enugu East Senatorial zone, the elders, professionals, intellectuals and who is who from the zone unanimously adopted her as their representative in the Senate come 2015.

    Before this development, there was a policy by the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that all those in the National Assembly who have served up to two terms would not get another dropped to enable them to make way for others.

    All of them, including the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who is in his third tenure, were affected by this policy.

    “The policy was introduced to pave way for Ifeoma Nwobodo to replace Gilbert Nnaji as the Senator representing Enugu East,” an aide to Nnaji alleged. But one thing that goes in her favour is the goodwill being showered on her by people of Nkanu.

    Recently, an advertorial in a national newspaper which was signed by “Save Enugu Movement” castigated the Chief of Staff, accusing her of being responsible for the removal of the former chairman of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ESUBEB), Mrs. Ethel Nebo-Ezeabasili.

    That advertorial was, however, consigned to the “dustbin” as one of the aides of the Chief of Staff put it “the faceless writers are at it again. If they know what they are alleging is true, let them come out and be identified. Afterall, this is democracy. There is no group known as Save Enugu Movement. There is Save Enugu Group; that we can identify.”

    Nonetheless, an activist and national coordinator of a group known as Southeast Revival Group (SERG), Igwe Willy Ezeugwu said he was out to defend the Chief of Staff because “if allowed to continue, these faceless writers would give the impression that Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo is a tyrant and corrupt person.

    “The attention of the Southeast Revival Group (SERG) has been drawn to a rambling, badly written and illogical hatchet job by faceless hired guns that go by the name “Save Enugu Movement” on page 11 of the Daily Sun edition of Tuesday, July 15, 2014 in which they attacked the person and office of Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Enugu State, and indirectly maligned the hard working and ever-performing Governor Sullivan Chime. Ordinarily, we of the Southeast Revival Group (SERG) wouldn’t have dignified this piece of junk writing with a modicum of response except that if such garbage piece of fiction is not replied, the reading public will swallow their lies, falsehood and meaningless diatribe hook, line and sinker,” the activist said.

    Making reference to the SUBEB issue raised in the advertorial, Ezeugwu said: “For the avoidance of doubt, and for the interest of the reading public, the matter that the so- called “Save Enugu Movement” labored in vain to promote to the status of a current issue has been thoroughly investigated by both the Nigeria police force and the EFCC and the verdict of these two institutions are clearly well known to the parties involved. The matter under reference is a long settled case at the level of criminal investigation; what is baffling is that rather than avail oneself of the services of the courts and the nation’s judicial system if the matter means such and as the constitution provides, someone (and several unseen hands) are using the pages of a newspaper for mock trial. This latest attempt to pull wool over the eyes of the people has already failed.

    “Let me point this out; the issue of SUBEB is a red herring, a decoy by a few failed politicians from Enugu State to sow the seed of discord among the people and distract the Governor and his able team from completing the laudable state-round renovation projects they embarked upon since 2007.

    “The governor’s achievements are as sterling and glaring as to blind these failed politicians into thinking clearly and correctly. These failed politicians know who they are, not minding their rigorous newspaper propaganda and ever growing list of fictitious names deployed to achieve their nefarious ends.”

    Blaming the advertorial on Enugu politicians at the National Assembly he said: “Let the truth be told, plainly and simply, there is no group, entity or individual called ‘Save Enugu movement’. The piece of garbage put out in that name is the handiwork of a few Enugu State politicians who are (1) opposed to the governorship of the state rotating to Enugu North [Nsukka Senatorial Zone] in 2015 and (2) who are opposed to the collective decision of Enugu State stakeholders that those who have served in the Senate and the House of Representatives for three terms (2003-2015) should make way for a new set of representatives to serve their people.

    “To fish out the faceless characters behind this campaign of calumny against Governor Chime and his team is to identify, in utterances and deeds, the politicians who want to sit tight in the Senate and the House of Representatives as their permanent life ambition; indeed, as their birthright.

    “Let me sound a note of warning, Enugu State is our collective inheritance under the leadership of Governor Sullivan Chime. Enugu State political destiny will be decided by the collective will of people of Enugu State, and not by the whims and caprices of those who want to remain Senators for life and who, without any shadow of doubt, sponsored the drivel I am currently rebutting.

    “One million faceless advertisements will not change this situation. After their Abuja political grandstanding and throwing of untested weight around, we await them at home, and we will defeat and disgrace them.”

  • Community decries proliferation of arms, ammunition

    The President of Okposi Community Development Union in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eze Anoke, has cried out over insecurity, which he said has caused proliferation of arms and ammunition among youths.

    He decried the menace, saying it posed danger to the corporate existence of the community.

    Anoke said the indigenes are still mourning the abduction and murder of the former coordinator of the development centre, Ihebunndu Okorie.

    He spoke after the union’s extraordinary emergency meeting held on the premises of Enechi Ekuma.

    The union president hailed the community members for their maturity and peaceful disposition during and after the Ezeship election, which produced Eze Cosmos Agwu as the Enechi Ekuma IV of Okposi autonomous community. The poll was held 10 years after the death of the former monarch.

    Anoke identified mistrust, rumour mongering, jealousy, envy, pull-him-down syndrome, back-biting, lack of mutual respect and unhealthy rivalry as the causes of Okposi problems.

    Said he: “This avoidable ugly situation has given the Okposi community the nickname of Ovuruivuateweru, meaning ‘Big for nothing’, by the  neighbouring communities.”

    The president urged the traditional ruler to constitute his cabinet after 12 months of his coronation.

    He enjoined stakeholders, youths and good-spirited personalities to salvage Okposi.

  • PPA to parties: throw governorship contest open

    As the political heat of who succeeds Governor Theodore Ahamefule Orji, the incumbent governor of Abia State, in 2015 from Ngwa extraction intensifies, the Progressive Peoples’ Alliance (PPA), Abia State chapter has urged political parties in throw open the contest to all aspiring candidates from the Ukwa/Ngwa area and other parts of the state.

    The party’s leadership stated that throwing open the governorship contest to all Abia sons and daughters, who wish to aspire for the position was going to ensure that credible candidates among the lots jostling for the office of the governor in 2015 would emerge.

    Prince Emeka Okafor, state chairman and Chief Uche Enyioko, state secretary in a communiqué they endorsed on behalf of the party after an emergency state executive meeting of the party held at Umuahia, said it was both unjust and unconstitutional to exclude a section of the state that everybody believed it was their turn to produce the governor of the state in 2015.

    PPA leadership, while admitting that the governorship position had eluded people from the Ukwa/Ngwa, stated that it would be undemocratic for political parties to cede or limit the contest for the governorship slot to a particular area.

    According to the release, it was a subtle way of disenfranchising tested politicians from the affected Local Government areas (Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South and Osisioma Ngwa) from contesting the governorship election, thereby denying the state of her best hands.

    Part of the communiqué reads; “This is the time for Ukwa/Ngwa to produce the governor of the state come 2015 and it should be about people and bloc and not about zone.

    “PPA without any reservation, supports the Ukwa/Ngwa bloc to produce the next governor of the state in 2015 for equity and fairness, but what we are against is an attempt by some political parties in the state to disenfranchise some people from Ukwa/Ngwa through the so called zoning which on its own was capable of creating division among the people of the area.

    The release further stated that PPA as a political party would not be party to such brazen flouting of the constitution by disenfranchising qualified people from contesting next year’s governorship election, adding that the party would as far as the election was concerned, throw her doors open to all qualified Abians and Ngwa sons and daughters.

  • ‘National Conference platform for Nigeria’s future’

    ‘National Conference platform for Nigeria’s future’

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Chief Victor Umeh has described national conference as a veritable platform for deciding the future of Nigeria.

    Umeh said the conference would afforded Nigerians the opportunity to interact and chart the way forward for the nation, even as he described the membership of the conference as a good thing for the Igbo nation.

    Speaking in Umuahia while commissioning the party secretariat Umeh said that though the conference did not agree on all the issues raised but that some fundamental issues of national importance were discussed which would help the country navigate through it turbulent and challenging period if implemented.

    Umeh said that the issue of special fund for rebuilding the North  East was rejected because it did not consider the fact that the civil war victims in the South east were not compensated, adding that the fair and just thing to do will be to accommodate victims of the war and other conflicts across Nigeria.

    He maintained that the conference could not agree on derivation but believes that whatever would be decided eventually would be based on equity and justice.

    The APGA national boss called on the Igbo nation to remain united in order to make impact in national discourse saying that APGA slogan is unity.

    He said the party was poised to take over Abia State government House in 2015 and transform the state as it did in Anambra state.

    Umeh said that the legacies of the late Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr Michael Okpara were still unparalleled in the annals of the state noting that it was the former Premier’s UPGA that transformed to APGA. He described the party as the Igbo identity and the symbol of Igbo unity.

    He said, “Next year, 2015, APGA is the party that will take the lead and we will do more than we have been doing now; Abia State will be like Anambra state.”

    The national chairman of APGA reminded the supporters that Ojukwu’s dream for the Igbo was for unity “because he believed that when we are united nothing shall be impossible for Ndigbo.”

    The APGA chairman said the transformation the party was promoting would be total touching every aspect of life including infrastructure development, employment and qualitative education.