The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Orji’s wife empowers 3,000 less-privileged

    Orji’s wife empowers 3,000 less-privileged

    The wife of Abia State governor, Lady Mercy Orji, has empowered about 3000 indigent people through her pet project, HannahMay Foundation.

    The effort received commendations from the state government, saying  that  the collaborative  initiative of the foundation has created wealth, employment  and  has sustained security  in the state. The indigent people are, therefore, in a better position to contribute to the economic well-being of the state.

    Speaking at the foundation’s recent distribution of empowerment items, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, praised the foundation for its partnering with  his administration to help the needy, thereby helping the reduce the work load on him.

    Orji, who was represented by the secretary to the state government, Mkpa Agu Mkpa, noted that the empowerment programme will be handing out various items to over 3000 Abia men, women, youths and the physically challenged selected from the 17 local government councils of the state is one of the legacy projects of his government.

    The governor said that the foundation has through its activities brought succour to families and reduced  crime in the state.

    He, therefore, called on public spirited individuals and organisations as well as non-governmental organisations (NGO) to use their wealth to positively touch the lives of the downtrodden t as the  HannahMay Foundation was doing.

    In her address of welcome, Mrs. Orji said that through the humanitarian strides of the foundation, HannahMay has been able to save lives, rescued women who would have been involved in human trafficking.

    Mrs Orji also said that her foundation has served mankind in epidemic and other humanitarian endeavours,stating that the its vision and mission was to show love by making life meaningful.

    She said that her aim is to reduce the burden of indigent persons, widows, widowers, motherless babies, Network of People living with HIV/AIDS [NEPHWAN] and prison inmates  in the state as part of her good governance complementing role.

    The wife of the governor, however, appealed to the beneficiaries to make effective use of the items to assist government tackle crime and unemployment, create wealth through stimulating economic activities in the state.

    She praised  the  governor for creating a favourable environment for the foundation to carry out its humanitarian programmes.

    Mrs Orji used the opportunity to appeal to well-to-do individuals  to assist and support the humanitarian efforts of the foundation in touching the lives of the downtrodden in the society.

    One of the beneficiaries who gave her name simply as Ijeoma, was full of gratitude to  Mrs Orji for her care and love forthe less privileged in the state and pray that God would continue to bless and protect her.

    Some of the items distributed include 1000 sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dressing equipments, barbing kits, vulcanizing machines, computer and its accessories among others.

  • Why insecurity persists, by ex-Speaker

    The former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Kelechi Nwagwu has blamed the mounting insecurity and other criminal activities like armed robbery and kidnapping in the country on poverty and unemployment.

    Chief Nwagwu argued that if the youth were meaningfully engaged, they would no longer be used to perpetrate insurgency or political crisis in any part of the country, adding that the high rate of crime in the society is driven by hunger and frustration.

    The former Speaker, who stated this at his private residence in Owerri, the Imo state capital, during an interactive section with journalists, disclosed that he had decided to join the Senatorial race to influence legislations that will address poverty, unemployment and hunger, stressing that “if hunger and poverty are squarely addressed, only the greedy ones will be involved in crime.”

    Blaming members of the National Assembly from Southeast for the marginalisation and under-development of the zone, the former Speaker assured that if elected to represent Owerri Senatorial zone, he would attract adequate attention to the challenges of infrastructure and youth unemployment in the zone.

    Making reference to the ecological problems in Imo State, Nwagwu, who is aspiring on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), promised that if elected, he would go beyond the legislative circle to explore other means of tackling the menace.

    Chief Nwagwu also assured that if elected a Senator, he would deploy all the contacts and connections he has even beyond the legislative circles such as non- governmental organisations (NGOs) and relevant national and international organisations to tackle ecological degradation which is ravaging some communities.

    “I have been in and out of government, so I can appreciate and appraise situations and act accordingly with humility and human face. My status as a former Speaker will give me an edge over others because  I will be a ranking member of the Senate if elected by the people and that will be a plus to my Senatorial zone,” he said.

  • Imo police crack down on ‘cultists’

    The Imo State Police Command have continued their clampdown on cultists and other criminal elements across the state with the recent arrest of 23 suspected cultists, who were rounded up during a nocturnal ceremony of various cult groups to initiate new members in a forest beside the dreaded “Okatangwu” River in Emii autonomous community, Owerri North Council Area of the state.

    The state in recent times has become the hotbed of cultist activities in the Southeast and South-South zone. This may not be unconnected to the number of Tertiary institutions within the state. For instance, Owerri, the state capital has about five higher institutions namely; the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Imo State University (IMSU), Federal Polytechnic Nekede and Imo State Polytechnic among others.

    Few weeks before the raid, over 18 people were hacked to death in broad daylight during a cult war. The rampaging cultists, who were heavily armed according to eye witness account, trailed the victims to different parts of the city where they were gunned down and decapitated with battle axe.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, thereafter declared a full scale war against cultism and all related criminal activities, with a clear order to shoot on sight against suspected cultists.

    Barely one month after the declaration, had the Police recorded a major breakthrough in with the successful raid of an initiation ceremony where large numbers of suspected cultists were arrested and various items recovered from them.

    The suspects aged between 19 to 32, were arrested after the Police stormed their hideout in the middle of the night following a tipoff.

    Parading the suspects who also confessed to be responsible for series of violent crimes, including armed robbery and kidnapping across the state, the Commissioner of Police, said they were arrested while carrying out initiation into the “Aye” fraternity.

    He said that the suspected cultists were arrested by the Operation of the Command’s Department of Criminal Investigation, who ambushed them in the middle of the initiation ceremony.

    The Commissioner of Police stated further that, items recovered from the cultists include three masquerade heads, one musical drum, 2 iron gongs, 2 local belts, charms, packets of candle and other initiation materials, adding that most of the suspects are students of institutions of higher learning from different states of the federation.

    He appealed to members of the public to always provide his men with useful information to fight criminals in the state, assuring that his Command would not relent in its efforts to rid the state of all criminal elements.

    The names of the suspects were given as Eto Uche, 26, Chinedu Azu, 26, Felix Ikenna 30, Uchenna Dike, 26, Chimaobi Uzoanya, 25, Udoyibo Innocent, 24, Omesurum Innocent, 24 and Nwadigo Henry 24.

    Others are Umunne Daniel, 26, Nwabuko Chigozie 22 and Igweoku Frank among others.

  • Ekwueme salutes ‘woman who has remained true’

    Ekwueme salutes ‘woman who has remained true’

    Former Vice-President Dr Alex Ekwueme narrated how he met his wife and how, after 13 years of courtship, he still found her a virgin. That was at the 80th birthday of his wife, Beatrice, which took place last Saturday. CHRIS ORJI reports

    Mrs. Beatrice Chigozili Ekwueme, wife of Nigeria’s Second Rep-ublic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme,   exhibited all the virtues of the feminine gender; a woman, a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, all rolled into one.

    The celebrator is 80 years old but she seems 60. She was even walking briskly as someone in her 50s. She looked radiant, splendid and was all smiles during her 80th  birthday celebration in Enugu.

    The elaborate ceremony was held at the Golden Royale Multi-purpose Hall after a church service conducted by the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma at Cathedral of Good Shepherd.

    Interestingly, the choir was conducted by Igwe (Prof.) Laz Ekwueme, brother to the former Vice-President and traditional ruler of Oko, their hometown.

    In attendance were former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji; President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, former governors of Anambra State, Messrs Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Chris Ngige and Peter Obi.

    Former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Dr Kingsley Muoghalu, Igwe Chukwuemeka Ike, Dame Virgy Etiaba, Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu and a host of others were also present.

    The occasion was a showcase for the former Dr Ekwueme to share with the world his lifetime with his wife whom he fondly calls B.

    Earlier in his homily, Archbishop Chukwuma had poured encomiums on the couple whom he described as most wonderful husband and wife and parents. The clergyman said Beatrice was an epitome of homeliness, chastity as well as a virtuous woman who knows what it takes to be a loyal and faithful wife.

    Dr. Ekwueme, who said the journey started in Port Harcourt in 1946 while he was on vacation has this to say of his wife.

    “The Port Harcourt sector of my long vacation was shared between staying with my uncle, Mr. Justus A. Ekwueme, (later Chief J.A. Ekwueme III, Igwe Oko) and my aunt, Mrs. Ursula Okeke (nee Ekwueme) whose husband, Mr. Isaiah N. Okeke worked for the Nigeria Railways Corporation.

    “I was leaning over the lower half of the horizontally-split front door of my aunt’s house, looking onto the street. I was 13 going to 14 years. I saw a young girl in front of the house opposite,  occupied by the Onwunyi family of Ogidi who had three young girls namely Winnie, Ada and Uche. But this particular girl was not one of them; she was probably a friend of theirs. I beckoned on her to “advance and be recognised.” She came forward. She was not shy. She was, in fact, quite confident, certainly more so than many of the other girls in the neighbourhood.

    “I found out that she too was on holidays. She was schooling at Methodist Girls’ School, Ovim; a primary boarding school. Her name was Beatrice Nwajagu. Her parents were from Ndiowu, a neighbouring town to Oko, my hometown.

    “Her mother and my aunt were good friends. Her father and my uncle-in-law both worked for the railways and were also good friends. Both were very active in the Awka Divisional Union (ADU) Port Harcourt branch. What a happy coincidence! “Why did her parents send her, at great expense, to a boarding school in Ovim for primary education when most of the children in the neighbourhood, including her siblings (both older and younger) were at St. Cyprian’s School less than 10 minutes’ walk away? They must have seen something special about her and that was probably the source of her confidence and sure-footedness.

    “We talked for a few minutes during which I introduced myself. I asked her to take the entrance examination to Queen’s College Lagos, which she did eventually and passed. Her father thought that Lagos was too far away and, from all accounts, was not the best place to bring up young girls.

    “In any case, since she had also passed the entrance examination to Elelenwa Girls’ School, a few minutes train ride away from Port Harcourt; it was to Elelenwa she was sent to. I was naturally disappointed, but we continued our relationship by correspondence on “Capri blue” writing paper and “Capri blue” envelope.

    “In our 13 years of “courtship” (1946 to 1959), if it may be so called, we did only a little better than Francis and Eudora Ibiam, who, in 15 years of “courtship” (1924 to 1939), met face-to-face only about three or four times, the rest of the courtship being carried out through correspondence.

    “The following year, 1947, I spent part of my holidays at Elelenwa with a family friend who was a teacher there. I had the opportunity of going with the teachers and the girls to morning service in town on Sunday morning and to afternoon service in the school chapel. I saw Beatrice there. The following year, 1948, because of a strike by King’s College boarders, the school was closed in December and I was at Oko for Christmas.

    “With my aunt, Mrs. Patience Okafor (nee Ekwueme), arranging a rendezvous, I met Beatrice at Ndiowu in December. So, it was more or less a once-a-year meeting filled in-between with correspondence until I traveled overseas for further studies in 1952.

    “While I was abroad, she taught at Elelenwa from January 1954 to December 1958, after her training at United Missionary College, Ibadan. Following her very good result in her Cambridge School Certificate from Elelenwa in December 1951, there were many suitors seeking her hand in marriage. They were mostly well educated and successful young men from the Aro-diaspora in Awka Division.

    “She did not encourage any of the suitors and it came to a point when one prominent Aro leader from Aguata County Council Area challenged her uncle to suggest that she was rejecting all the Aro suitors because she was waiting for one Ekwueme who was studying overseas. How could she prefer “Ndi-Mba-Akameshi” to an Aro man?

    “Incidentally, two of the man’s daughters were eventually married  to “Ndi-Mba-Akameshi” from towns much further away than Oko which is just next door to Ndiowu and Ndikelionwu.

    “I returned to Nigeria in June 1957 after my studies. B was still teaching at Elelenwa, and waiting. She continued teaching there until December 1958. In mid-1958, she was awarded an Eastern Nigeria Government’s scholarship to study overseas, but as it was then too late to obtain admission for that year’s session, the scholarship was deferred to 1959 and was tenable at Portsmouth College of Education in England.

    “In January, she was posted to St. Catherine’s Secondary School, Nkwerre; a new CMS institution for girls.

    “In view of her imminent departure to the United Kingdom, my family made a formal approach for her hand in marriage in April, 1959. The final approach was to be made in August just prior to her departure. I was; of course, ready to wait for her to complete her proposed three-year sojourn in the United Kingdom and to return to Nigeria before our formal church wedding.

    “Then, tragically, my elder brother who was studying Law in the United Kingdom died in July. My family then thought that it was not necessary, under the circumstances, to marry a girl and allow her to travel abroad for a three-year course. It was a very delicate and difficult point to present to B’s family, after they had given her a “send-off’ with all the attendant celebration.

    “In the end, the lot fell on B to make the choice and take the decision either to go for further studies overseas or to marry her “Ndi-Mba-Akameshi” suitor. She confided her decision to a favourite uncle, who carefully presented the unpalatable decision to the family.

    “And so, on December 19, 1959, we were wedded by the late Rt. Reverend C.J. Patterson, Bishop on the Niger, later Archbishop of West Africa at the All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha.

    “Until then, in spite of my escapades abroad and experience with white, black, brown and yellow, I had B located in a compartment marked with a “notice” “Noli tangere” “Do not touch”.

    “After our wedding, we traveled to Calabar for our honeymoon and on Christmas Eve in 1959, I discovered that what I thought was a private “notice” placed by me was, in fact, a bold poster to the whole world; “Noli tangere”. She had been untouched.

    “We returned to Lagos in January 1960 and started our married life in a humble way in a two-bedroom ground floor flat at Simpson Street, Ebute-Metta, which was effectively reduced to a one-bedroom flat, the lounge/dining area having been converted to the first office of Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners.

    “The main raison d’etre for our rushed marriage did not immediately materialise, which is a lesson in waiting for God’s time and not playing God. For six years, we had no issue. There was no shortage of advisers to both B and me as to what she or I had to do to change the situation. Then, in 1966, we had our first child, a boy, “John”, still-born; and in 1967 our second child, another boy, “Gains”, premature; and finally in 1968, in the thick of the civil war, our third child, a beautiful baby girl, Chidi, (born in England) was born. She stayed and opened the door to many more beautiful children.

    “Under the circumstances of the raging civil war, and B’s absence, my nuclear family structure became complicated. This structure thenceforth continued to grow in complexity and intricacy as the years wore on. But thanks to B; we have not had an explosion as I have seen happen in many similar situations. During the political days, 1979 to 1983, she played the role of de facto First Lady. In NPN circles, I was known as a “technocrat” and B was known as the “politician”.

    “About five years ago, in December 2009, we celebrated 50 years of our marriage in a Thanksgiving Service at The Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherd, Enugu the venue of this 80th birthday celebration. Almost two years ago, I celebrated my own 80th birthday and today as we celebrate B’s 80th birthday, I offer my salute, congratulations and best wishes to a woman who has remained true since I met her as a small 12-year-old girl in Port Harcourt 68 years ago and who, over a period of 55 years of our marriage, has managed to keep the ship of our household afloat on an even-keel in spite of sometimes scandalously turbulent waters.

    “We pray that God may grant B good health, continuing good humour and good devotion to her God for another 10, 20 or 30 years. Many happy returns of this day!”

  • ICPC prosecutes Abia chief of staff

    ICPC prosecutes Abia chief of staff

    Chief of Staff, Government House, Umuahia, Abia State, Dr. Cosmas Chukwudi Ndukwe, is facing trial for alleged contract inflation. The alleged offence, according to the eight-count charge, was committed when he was the managing director of Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA).

    The charges were brought against Ndukwe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The charges ranged from contract price inflation to accepting gratification through an agent.

    The case, which has suffered many adjournments, came up on Thursday, July 3 before Justice K. O. Wosu of Umuahia High Court. It was called up and adjourned to July 17 this year. The reason for the adjournment was defence counsel, Livy Uzoukwu’s (SAN) absence due to bereavement.

    A little drama played out just before the resumption of the court. Some men attacked and manhandled a camera crew brought by the ICPC to cover the case. No one could tell the mission of the attackers or who was behind them. But ostensibly, they were there to stall press coverage of the proceedings.

    The Chief of Staff had made strenuous efforts to exonerate himself from the charges but his efforts could not impress the ICPC operatives. He had, in a written statement to the ICPC, blamed his travails on the contractor of ASEPA, Messrs Ancold Nigeria Limited.

    He said: “The allegation and petition against me by Ancoold Nigeria Limited and his proxies are made in bad faith just to tarnish my image and settle traditional scores by the petition. Ancoold Nigeria Limited to collect waste as an agent was consummated at my back as the ministry annexure, Ancold letter of proposal and governor’s approval suggest.”

    He said in the statement that he did not use his position to subject Ancoold into monetary extortion. Rather he said: “An in-law to owner of Ancold Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kelvin Okpoka named one Uche Eze, a brother from my village is behind the accusations to settle scores. And as a result of non-performance his (Ancoold) job which was consummated by the governor of the state was also terminated.”

    The prosecuting counsel, Adenekan Shogunle, Chief Legal Officer, ICPC in the first count charge which is inflation of contract price, said it is punishable under Section 22(3) of the Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act of 2000. Ndukwe was alleged to have, between November and December, 2008 or thereabout at Umuahia “while being a public officer and in the course of his official duties as the managing director/chief executive of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA), inflated the price of the contract for the provision of environmental sanitation services awarded to Ancoold Nigeria Limited from N13 million to N15 million per month.”

    The second count charge of gratification by an official punishable under section 8(1) (b) of the ICPC Offences Act 2000 accused Ndukwe of having “corruptly received benefit in the sum of N5, 850, 000 purportedly as a loan for himself out of the monthly payment of N13 million contract sum due to Messrs Ancoold Nigeria Limited on account of contract for provision of environmental services in Aba.”

    Count three alleged that Ndukwe as “ used his position as managing director of ASEPA to confer corrupt advantage upon himself by accepting the sum of N5,850,000 purportedly as loan from Messrs Ancoold Nigeria Limited. Count four which borders on acquiring private interest in public contract runs also as in count three.

    The fifth count alleged that between January and December, 2009 or there about, Ndukwe allegedly “did receive the total sum of N42,750,000 or its approximate in various monthly instalments by means of an act constituting a felony, to wit, when he tried to disguise the source of the money by using proxies to receive the sum of N4 million monthly from Ancoold Nigeria Limited and depositing same in the account of Conk Productions Limited to which he is sole signatory.”

    Counts six, seven and eight are related to count five. The accused had earlier pleaded not guilty in all the charges.

  • Police warn against provocative sermons

    Aba Area Commander of Nigeria Police Peter Wagbara has warned both Islamic and Christian preachers to guard against  using words that would incite  members of the public against one  another.

    Wagbara, in a joint meeting with some Muslim leaders and Apostle Jubril David, a Muslim-Christian convert reminded Islamic and Christian preachers that the essence of their calling was to preach and teach their adherents how to live a good moral life.Besides, they are to ensure they live in peace and harmony with their neighbours.

    While urging various religious bodies to continue living in peace with their neighbours, the Area Commander warned that his command would not tolerate any person or group of persons that would incite a religion against the other or cause breach of peace especially at a time when tension is high within the commercial city.

    According to the Aba Command Police Chief, Christianity and Islam are the two major religions whose teachings centered on peace, forgiveness and repentance which he said is expected to be the fulcrum of every teaching of any cleric.

    He, however, assured the Muslim and Christian communities including other Aba residents that police had beefed up security within the commercial city and its environs to ensure that lives and property  were protected.

    It was gathered that the meeting between the Muslim community and the pastor was called by the Area Commander after it was alleged that Apostle Jubril in a recent preaching  had used words that could incite the public against the Hausa/Fulani community in Aba.

  • Succour for police officers’ widows in Anambra

    Succour for police officers’ widows in Anambra

    There was enough relief materials meant for their well-being. Naturally, the mood of the recipients should be aglow. However, the environment was quiet as a grave yard.

    Instead of being happy for the gesture they were to receive, the wives of the police men, who died in active service in Awka, Anambra State were weeping profusely.

    The event was the show of goodwill to the widows of the police men who lost their lives while serving their fatherland by the wife of Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mrs. Asabe Gwary.

    Mrs. Gwary, who could not also control her emotions, said “only God knows why anything happens.”

    Some of the widows came with their children, while some of them who lost their husbands recently, wore all white to the event.

    The event took place at the Awka Area Command premises where items like wrappers, bags of beans, bags of rice and cartons of tomatoes, among others were distributed to them.

    Most of them who could not cry, especially those their husbands died long ago, wore long faces and intermittently, put up smiles on their faces.

    The gesture by Mrs. Gwary was done under the auspices of Police Officer’s Wives Association (POWA) in the state.

    Few of the beneficiaries who spoke with The Nation expressed happiness that such a thing was happening to them after a long wait.

    One of them who spoke to The Nation but did not want her name in print said, such items had been coming to them but those at the helm had been keeping them for their households until Mrs. Gwary came.

    But, for Mrs. Joy Alloysius, who lost the husband about five years ago, commended the wife of the police commissioner for remembering the widows of the police men.

    She said that it was the first time there were being recommended by the association and commended Mrs. Gwary for being what she called a through mother.

    Also, Mrs. Jane Ogbonna, said “this our mummy’s gesture has shown us that individuals are different in this world, we have children and since our husbands died, we have been living from hand to mouth.”

    “I was surprised when I was told that our CP’s wife wanted to see us, initially, I thought whether I have offended anybody to deserve any form of punishment until I summoned courage to come.”

    “This is too much and I have no mouth to thank the wife of our commissioner, all I have to tell her is that she will never encounter any form of problem.”

    “For her to still remember that there are some people like us who are suffering some where, means that human milk flows in her veins and she will not leave to regret her action,“ she said.

    Speaking with The Nation, “Mrs. Asabe Gwary, who was accompanied on the journey by the wife of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, in charge of operations, Mrs. Nkiraharami Yakadi, said the action has not concluded.

    According to her, “they should see their plight as not the worst, God giveth and God taketh, as far as we are in this command, they will never lack.”

    She said the fact that they lost their husbands while serving the country was not the end of their lives and that of their children.

    “Some of them have their young families to take care of, while some had lost their husbands long ago, but as far as God continues to give us life, they will not have much to regret.”

    “Yes, it is sad to lose one’s loved one, but only God knows why such things happened when they did, but my assurance to the widows is that God will not forsake them,” she said.

    Furthermore, Mrs. Gwary said it was done to tell the widows that all hopes were not lost despite the fact that their husbands were no longer alive.

    The Nation gathered that some of the widows lost their husbands either in the hands of kidnappers, armed robbers or hired assassins in the state in their cause of crime fighting.

  • Healthcare providers hold workshop

    Healthcare providers hold workshop

    Healthcare providers in Enugu State have called for a ceasefire in all disagreements among them in order to form a strong force to enhance greater understanding and service delivery to patients.

    The health professionals comprised medical doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and practitioners in other related fields converged on the Enugu Campus of the University of Nigeria (UNEC) for a one-day seminar on Inter-professional Relationships in Medical Practice and Restoration of Professional Dignity. They were drawn from government and private health institutions in Enugu State.

    Chairman of the Enugu State branch of Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Mr. Obinna Onodugo, the organisers of the event, warned of the grave dangers of conflict among health professionals, even as he reminded his colleagues of the need to always place the welfare of patients first.

    Onodugo also emphasised the need for collaboration among stakeholders in order to move the industry forward, adding that team work remained the key to effective and durable healthcare.

    He said: “Let us understand our roles and stick to them to avoid friction among us. The function of every health professional is as important as the other. Let this new dawn of marriage begin from Enugu State, so that others can learn of the good news, and then join the vanguard of change.”

    He, however, denied any suppression of other health professionals by medical doctors working in government and private hospitals in the country, explaining that so many things that were tenable abroad could not work in Nigerian health institutions.

    Also speaking, former chairman of the West African College of Physicians, Prof. Bede Ibe, identified indiscipline among some healthcare personnel as one of the major problems facing the health sector. He urged members to accord priority to the interest of patients while maintaining high ethical standards in the discharge of their duty.

    He commended Dr. Obinna Onodugo for organising the seminar, stressing that such dialogue was necessary in order to improve healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

    Delivering a lecture entitled “Inter-Professional Relationship in Medical Practice, the Public Perspective, the Provost of College of Medicine, Anambra State University Uli, Prof. Frank Akpuaka, observed that the objectives of national healthcare system and areas of inter-professional conflict were mainly to provide effective, efficient, quality, accessible and affordable healthcare services that would improve health status of Nigerians.

    The Provost, whose paper was presented on the occasion by an independent consultant in Accident and Emergency Medicine, Dr. Philip Ume-Ezeoke, stated that the main target of the national healthcare system was to reduce child mortality and maternal mortality rates, halt HIV and AIDS, malaria, leprosy and other major diseases like tuberculosis, measles, polio and others through extensive immunisation programmes.

    Continuing, he said: “There should be a collaborative and cohesive inter-professional relationship among doctors and other medical professionals, the old world view of doctors as “healers” next to God, reigning supreme and looking down on other medical professionals is an “old school mentality”, this concept is no longer accepted in modern medical practice.”

    Speaking on “Role of the Medical Laboratory Scientists, the Evolving Nature of Healthcare Delivery,” Chairman of Enugu State branch of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, Mr. Chinenye Nwaekpe, said that today’s patients had varied needs and required more discipline to effectively address, pointing out that before now, the clinician was viewed as the sole gateway to the medical services within the healthcare system of a country, even as times were changing due to increasing knowledge of the use of other healthcare professionals as their first port of call.

    Nwaekpe, fondly addressed by his colleagues as the doyen of Laboratory Science in Africa, further explained that medical laboratory science was not only a regulated profession practised by trained and licensed professionals, but also as the diagnostic searchlight of both traditional and modern medicine.

    The State Chairman maintained that laboratory services are essential component of healthcare delivery and could be utilised effectively at every level of healthcare. He noted that in the African region, many commonly presenting diseases might be diagnosed, using basic essential laboratory tests, a major reason that the services must be regarded as an integral part of an effective and quality healthcare system.

    Also in her lecture on “Inter-professional Relationships in Medical Practice, the Role of the Nurse, former Principal of the School of Nursing, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu, Dr Chika Ugochukwu, was of the view that modern healthcare practice involved a team of health professions, namely medicine, pharmacy, nursing, medical laboratory science, medical rehabilitation medicine and other professional health groups.

    Dr Ugochukwu said team work succeeds and thrives only in an atmosphere of respect and reciprocity among team members, performing their different roles.

    The nursing legend, however, noted that the major group around who healthcare relationships resolves are doctors and nurses as the doctor is in charge of the patient and head of the team, while the nurse is in charge of the ward and care setting.

    She also said relationship in health is not forced, but is an obligation and necessity. Mr. Dennis Ikeyi and a renowned pharmacist, Cyril Aninwike, also presented papers at the occasion.

    The seminar attracted several healthcare professionals and managers of government and private hospitals. They included the Medical Director of National Orthopedic Hospital Enugu, Dr Cajetan Nwadinigwe, Dean of Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, Chairman of Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, Prof. Jonathan Azubike and former Chief Medical Director UNTH Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, Dr Anthony Mba.

  • ‘Why we invest in ICT’

    The Rector, Abia State Polytechnic, Aba Sir Allwell Onukaogu has stated that the reason why the management of the institution is investing in the teaching and learning of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the institution is to produce human capacities that will be relevant to the economy of the state and the country.

    Onukaogu, speaking at the 7th Nigerian Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS) South East Zonal Conference held in the polytechnic, thanked Abia State government and the Federal Government for providing them with computer and other educational facilities through TETFUND, PTDF and the National Communication Agency, Abuja which he said, has made the institution one of the schools with the best computer facilities in the country.

    According to him, “There are reasons why my administration has invested in computer studies. It is our duty as educators to produce human capacities that will be relevant to the economy. Nobody can excel in today’s world in any field of human endeavour if the person doesn’t possess a reasonable level of computer proficiency and anybody who distances himself from acquiring knowledge beyond the ordinary level in computer application may be in this world but would not be of this world. Such a person would be no more in the community of his birth.”

    Mr. Godfrey Chukwuemeka, Head of Department, Computer Science in the institution in his address, described the theme for the conference “Developing Internationally Acceptable Software (DEVINTAS) -Youths’ Role in ICT Towards Government and Cyber Security” as a square peg in a square hole.

    Chukwuemeka, describing cyber security as one of the great challenges facing the present world, observed that a high percentage of youths are now involved in various internet scams because of their desire to make quicker money through fraudulent means and as such putting the entire society at great risk.

    He was optimistic that only internationally acceptable software would end the activities of fraudsters who he said “keep sleepless nights working on diversified ideas and hacking systems to achieve their criminal objectives.”

    Contributing, the Dean School of Science and Industrial Technology in the polytechnic, Engr. David Dimoji, stated that developing a software that was going to be generally accepted across the globe calls for more commitment, hard work, skill and desire for excellence on the part of the students, adding “if we get the theme of this conference right, our youths will no longer roam around the streets in search of what to do both here and outside the country in order to survive.

    “The future of Nigeria belongs to the youth who are leaders of tomorrow. The youth have tremendous roles to play towards the national development of international acceptable software. The experience of India shows that if we invest rightly and adequately on IT skills, job will be created, and the economy will pick up. These will only happen if the young people and government show serious commitment to the development of the ICT infrastructure.

    He advised that  higher institutions and research centres should be motivated through annual grant, encouragement of the study of VB, C++ Java, Cobra Oracle and other new generation rapid application development tools.

    He further said: “The federal and state Ministry of Youths must be proactive in its responsibility. The menace of cyber crime and other crimes will reduce drastically when  youths are gainfully employed. The increase in crime can be traced to youth unemployment and frustration. When the youth are empowered and engaged with skills, the rate of poverty and crime in our nation would be greatly reduced.”

    In an address, Comrade Anene John Okwudiri, the South East Zonal Coordinator, NACOSS believed that developing software generally acceptable would help in no small measure to resolve economic, agricultural, social, voting and security challenges that has bedeviled the country.

    According to the coordinator, “Over the past 12 months, since the baton of leadership was passed to us  , we have remained resolute to rebrand, reshape and repackage NACOSS South East in order to maintain the record of the best geopolitical zone at the national level with creativity and one voice, adding “DEVINTAS was reformed from three days convention to one week conference to enable us have a standard practical hands on training sessions with practicing IT (Information Technology) entrepreneurs on Mobile Development, Desktop Application Development, Networking/Hardware Web Development and also a better room for investors, NGO’s etc to connect with us. We sincerely assure all NACOSSITE present that after this conference, you will nurture provoking ideas to develop international acceptable software towards the enhancement of government and cyber security in our nation,” he assured

     

  • Anambra rallies at culture feast

    Anambra rallies at culture feast

    The conferment of a chieftaincy title on a former commissioner in Anambra State, Dubem Obaze, was all it took to pool the state’s leaders and traditional rulers together and bring out the best of their traditions, reports NWANOSIKE ONU

    The event will endure in the memory not merely because Anambra State leaders were honoured with titles. It would be rather because it was at the investiture that the very best of the state’s culture and traditions was in bold relief.

    Monarchs honoured former governor of the state, Peter Obi with a traditional title. So was Dubem Obaze, who was Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters in the state.

    But it was an event where culture and tradition came to fore with Ndigbo turning up in full traditional gear.

    Former Senate President, Ken Nnamani led other dignitaries to Umuodu, Ochuche in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State to honour Chief Dubem Obaze.

    Others who witnessed the installation of the title of “Ifeakachi”(nothing is bigger than God) on Dubem Obaze by the traditional rulers in Anambra North, led by the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, were the former governor of the state, Chief Peter Obi.

    Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke represented  Governor Willie Obiano, who had, before then, travelled out of the country with the state lawmakers.

    Business mogul, Sir Emeka Offor was the chairman on the occasion, while Akwa-Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio deployed crowd to Ochuche to grace the chieftaincy installation, led by Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umana.

    Cultural displays from all the seven local government areas in Anambra North Senatorial zone were on hand to entertain their guests.

    Guests sat glued to their seats with smiles and clappings, when the biggest masquerades in the state in every local government area called “Ijele” mesmerised the audience.

    Obi Achebe of Onitsha Kingdom, who led other traditional rulers in the zone,  told the crowd that such honour was being given to Obaze because of what he described as his sterling qualities and contributions to the development of the state.

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh also lavished praises on the recipient.

    He said that Obaze should see the honour as a motivation to continue to do more for the overall good of the state and its people.

    Former Governor, Peter Obi said Obaze had never been found wanting in any job given to him both in the state and outside, describing the recipient as a strong willed individual.

    The traditional ruler of Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, who is the chairman of Anambra North Traditional Rulers’ Council, said Obaze had rejected the offer three times before now.

    His Royal Majesties, Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi and Igwe Peter Ezenwa of Okpoko, told The Nation that they lacked words to describe Obaze because of his contributions to the development of Anambra State.

    The member, representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Hon. Uche Ekwunife said Obaze’s influence and humility would not be rivaled.

    She stated that it was a good thing that the people had come together to give honour to who it is due, adding that she wished him success in his future endeavours.

    Hon. Victor Afam Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, told The Nation that the recognition by the monarchs on Obaze, had affirmed his tested and trusted leadership qualities, which, according to him, true believers of progress and development in Anambra North currently yearn for.

    Before now, the chieftaincy recipient had served as chairman, state and local government joint account, chairman, park management committee, member, Anambra State Elders’ Forum and member, MDG Implementation Committee, among others.

    Furthermore, it was said that he was instrumental to the construction of 178 new primary school blocks through Private, Public Partnership (PPP) programme and also, oversaw the construction of more than 100 primary healthcare centres across the three senatorial zones in the state.

    Chairman on the occasion, Sir Emeka Offor, described Obaze as a dogged fighter, who is always ready to serve his people which have distinguished him from others.

    However, The Nation gathered that Obaze is nursing the ambition of representing Anambra North senatorial zone at the Senate in 2015 on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    It would be recalled that few weeks ago, former Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah was equally given a chieftaincy title by the traditional rulers of Ogbaru and not Anambra North which attracted a large crowd and not prominent personalities in the state.

    The only heavy weight that attended her chieftaincy installation was the chairman of the event, senator Ben Ndi Obi and perhaps, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Prof. Godwin Onu.

    All the political bigwigs penciled down to grace the event including Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, Peter Obi among others were absent.

    Again, it was gathered that the people of the area had chosen the APGA strongman to replace Senator Maggery Okadigbo of the People’s Democratic Party in 2015.