The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda transforming Nigeria, says Igbo leader

    Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda transforming Nigeria, says Igbo leader

    The Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State, Christian Nwachukwu (JP), has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is transforming Nigeria to ensure that the economy works again for the benefit of all Nigerians.

    Eze Nwachukwu made this statement recently during a visit by a delegation from the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos State to the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre in Okota.

    The visit, according to him, was part of NOA’s commitment to raising awareness at the grassroots level about the efforts and progress of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to reposition Nigeria and restore economic stability.

    Nwachukwu said: “The NOA is a critical organ of the government that carries out its core mandates of mobilising favourable public opinion and support for the government’s policies, activities and programmes and educating Nigerians on their rights, privileges, responsibilities, and obligations as citizens as well as propagate the need to avoid all vices in public life, which includes corruption, dishonesty, and electoral and census malpractices.”

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    He thanked the delegation for its visit to ensure that Nigerians are sensitised to Mr President’s efforts to make Nigeria great again.

    Nwachukwu further said: “I have never doubted the ability of President Tinubu in transforming Nigeria through his Renewed Hope Agenda,” adding that “honest Nigerians will attest to the fact that President Tinubu has and is evolving critical economic policies and programmes that were aimed at making Nigeria great again.”

    The leader of the delegation, Mrs Chukwuorji Helen, an Assistant Director and Chief Orientation Mobilisation Officer (COMO) of Oshodi/Isolo Local Government Area said: “The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu has made tremendous progress in a bid to make Nigeria a livable place for all Nigerians, adding that he has taken critical decisions that may not be pleasant at the moment but will take the country to an enviable height.

    “I plead with you as a leader of Ndigbo in Lagos State to pass this message to Ndigbo in Lagos State so that they will be aware of the efforts of the Tinubu-led Federal Government to make life better for Nigerians.”

    Another member of the delegation, Olisa Ichafilat Adeyinka who is the Chief Mobilisation Officer for Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) pleaded with Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of President Tinubu in getting the economy out of the woods.

    Other members of the delegation are Mrs Ukeh Ogochukwu the Chief Orientation Mobilisation Officer for the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area and Mrs Hannatu Akande who is the Assistant Chief Orientation Mobilisation Officer for Ejigbo LCDA.

    Contributing, the President-General of the Igbo Speaking Community Lagos State, High Chief Sunday Eze appreciated the current efforts of NOA in making the general public aware of the achievements of Mr President through his Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Also, the former two-time Executive Vice-Chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, Hon. Obinna Nwabueze urged the Agency to put more efforts into letting Nigerians appreciate the huge efforts of President Tinubu toward making Nigeria great again.

  • Be magnanimous in victory, Ex-LP candidate Eradiri tells Diri

    Be magnanimous in victory, Ex-LP candidate Eradiri tells Diri

    A former Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, has congratulated the state Governor, Douye Diri, on his victory at the Supreme Court.

    Eradiri in a statement he sent from London, United Kingdom, asked Diri to be magnanimous in victory and avoid the temptation of sidelining his perceived enemies in distributing dividends of democracy in the state.

    The former president of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide, said with the pronouncement of the Supreme Court on the outcome of Bayelsa’s election, all litigations had ended and called on all stakeholders to work with the governor to move the state forward.

    Eradiri, who contested Diri’s victory up to the Appeal Court but decided against taking his matter to the Supreme Court assured the people of the state that he would only engage the governor and his government on constructive criticism.

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    He tasked the governor to approach the issues of development of the state with all seriousness and to formulate policies and programmes that would address the problems of the state.

    He said: “All involved in the last election have fought a fine fight. All the litigations are now rested with the final judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the election of Governor Douye Diri. My team and I congratulate the governor of our state on his victory.

    “It is now time for all the stakeholders in the state to come together and work with the governor to move the state forward. There should be no room for politics of bitterness as we also ask the governor to be magnanimous in victory.

    “We call on Governor Douye Diri to unite the state and avoid the temptation of sidelining perceived enemies in the governance of the state. The governor must approach the issues of governance with the seriousness it requires.

    “Bayelsa remains grossly underdeveloped despite our huge resources and we are asking the governor to judiciously utilize the enormous Commonwealth to address the elementary developmental challenges of Bayelsa.

    “We will continue to engage the governor on his policies and programmes, actions and inactions and constructively criticise issues of development, growth, and progress of Bayelsa State. This is the only state we have and all of us must contribute our quotas to develop it.”

  • Clergy preaches unity among Nigerians, names Adeboye as ESBAASC patron

    Clergy preaches unity among Nigerians, names Adeboye as ESBAASC patron

    Bodies of clergy under the umbrella of the Ecumenical Synod of Bishops, Archbishops and Senior Clergy Inc. (ESBAASC) have impressed on Nigerians the need to live in peace and harmony amongst themselves in order to foster unity in the country.

    The group spoke at a three-day conference in RCCG Camp, Mowe, Ogun State under the theme, ‘Religious Tolerance in Nigeria and Across the Nations of the World.’

    While delivering the keynote address on the topic, ‘Promoting Religious Tolerance in Nigeria and Across the Nations of the World’, the General Overseer of RCCG, Pastor Enoch A Adeboye shared interesting insights about growing up as a young adult who experienced the benefits of living in a multi-religious settings with mutual understanding as the core. 

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    Adeboye, who was represented by the National/Continental Overseer Emeritus, Pastor Joseph Obayemi, while lamenting the sordid situation of things in Nigeria today, reminisced on how he would fast during Ramadan and ate Moslem foods and visit them while growing up as a youth amidst Christian, Moslem and traditional religions and other faiths.

    “It is also a practice that helps to promote mutual understanding, peaceful co-existence, unity and peace among people of divert society like Nigeria and the world,” noting however that the religious diversity of Nigeria had always given it a unique identity and commendation in the past.

  • Firm gets NMDPRA nod to operate Edo Refinery

    Firm gets NMDPRA nod to operate Edo Refinery

    The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has given operational licence to Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company Limited (ERPCL), located at Ologbo in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

    The issuance of the operational licence by NMDPRA, the technical and commercial regulator of midstream and downstream operations in the petroleum industry was the final stage of approval from the regulatory authority, implying that the plant could now fully operate as a refinery.

    NMDPRA’s Chief Executive Officer, Ahmed Farouk, who handed the certificate to AIPCC Energy, the parent company of ERPCL, was accompanied by NMDPRA’s Executive Director, Hydrocarbon Processing Plant Installation and Transport Infrastructure (HPPITI), Mr. Francis Ogaree, with the operational licence released to Edo refinery’s Head, Technical Operations, Segun Okeni.

    Farouk hailed ERPCL for attaining the feat, and enjoined the company to do more.

    Ogaree, while also speaking, assured the management of ERPCL that the regulatory authority was a business enabler, and would be ready to give AIPCC Energy/Edo refinery all the necessary support in all its projects.

    Okeni, in his response, on behalf of AIPCC Energy, stated that the company was out to make its contributions to the petroleum refining and gas processing sub-sector.

    He disclosed that AIPCC was developing three other projects, while one of them would be completed in the next one year.

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    Edo refinery’s head, technical operations said: “The processes started with Licence to Establish (LTE), then Licence to Construct (LTC), approval to introduce hydrocarbon, pre-commissioning and commissioning, operate the refinery for some time to ensure it has the capacity to do so, and finally the Licence to Operate LTO.”

    Okeni, while commenting on the non-allocation of crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), revealed that Edo refinery was finalising arrangements with an indigenous oil company to access crude oil for optimal production.

    Edo refinery’s head, technical operations also revealed that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and NMDPRA had been supportive, while stressing that once Edo refinery was able to find a source of crude oil, NUPRC and NMDPRA would give the company urgent approval.

    Okeni added that with the licensing of Edo refinery, NUPRC ought to consider existing local refineries in the bidding round for marginal fields.

  • S’Court ruling: Ex-Bayelsa lawmaker, others hail Diri, deputy

    S’Court ruling: Ex-Bayelsa lawmaker, others hail Diri, deputy

    • Say victory, reflection of deep-rooted trust of Bayelsans

    Former Chief Whip of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Dr. Jonathan Obuebite, and the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, have congratulated Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on their victory at the Supreme Court.

    Specifically, Obuebite in a statement issued via electronic mail yesterday described the judgment by the apex court as a reflection of the deep-rooted support, steadfast commitment, and unwavering trust that Bayelsa people have placed in the governor and his deputy.

    The former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said: “I want to express my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, and His Excellency Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on your decisive and well-deserved victory at the Supreme Court.”

    Obuebite noted that the historic triumph underscored the profound confidence and genuine belief that the citizens of Bayelsa State have in your leadership.

    He noted: “The victory also serves as a remarkable testament to your exceptional dedication, resilience, and unwavering drive to serve the people wholeheartedly.

    “I am confident that this victory will serve as a springboard for even greater accomplishments as you continue to steer the state towards progress and prosperity with your remarkable wisdom, compassion, and forward-thinking vision.”

    In his congratulatory message, Prof. Beke Sese, on behalf of the entire management and staff of the Bayelsa State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Wisdom Ebiye Sawyer, heartily congratulate the duo of Diri and Ewhrudjakpo on the victory at the Supreme Court on Friday.

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    He said the victory had once again affirmed Diri’s rightful position as the Governor of Bayelsa State.

    Prof Sese, former Zonal Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Port Harcourt Division, stated: “This Supreme Court verdict is not just a legal win; it’s a triumph for the good people of Bayelsa State and entire humanity and also a testament to your unwavering commitment to the prosperity of our people.

    “The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold your election is a powerful affirmation that justice prevails and that the voice of the people really matters. Driven by your calm and focused disposition for the collective prosperity of our people, you have faced every challenge with commitment, grace and resilience, proving that you are not only a leader chosen by the people but one who demonstrates the presence of the Hand of God in the affairs of men.”

  • Rumbling in Ijaw over calls for Lokpobiri’s redeployment

    Rumbling in Ijaw over calls for Lokpobiri’s redeployment

    • MOSIEND defends Minister

    The call by the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to redeploy the Minister of Petroleum, Oil, Heineken Lokpobiri, following the crisis rocking his sector has unsettled the Ijaw nation.

    In the statement, the IYC, which is led by Jonathan Lokpobiri, the younger brother to the minister, reviewed the chaos in the oil subsector and concluded that the minister lacked the knowledge to run the office.

    The council said the minister’s lack of knowledge of the workings of the oil sector was eroding the gains of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda lamenting that fuel was selling as much as N2000 per litre in some Ijaw communities.

    The statement was signed by Maobuye Nangi Obu, the IYC Secretary-General; Comrade Miracle Iyaye, National Women Leader; Tamunotonye David Altraide, National Legal Adviser and Comrade  Abiye Bob-Manuel, National Deputy Director of Mobilisation.

    The IYC particularly reacted to the latest resumption date of the Port Harcourt Refinery as announced by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

    Chief Financial Officer of the NNPCL, Umar Ajiya, at a media briefing in Abuja, said the refinery would now commence operations in September, 2024.

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    The council said the new date, which they noted might not also be feasible, had confirmed their position that under Lokpobiri, nothing good could come out of the oil sector.

    The council therefore called on President Tinubu to reshuffle his cabinet and send Lokpobiri to a ministry that “he can hide his incompetence, else he will continue to derail the Renewed Hope Agenda for the petroleum sector.”

    Meanwhile, the leadership of the Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) urged the IYC to tender an unreserved apology to Lokpobiri for what it described as an unwarranted attack on his personality.

    MOSIEND, who frowned on the stance of IYC, urged the council to immediately withdraw the statement and beg the minister for forgiveness.

    The National President, MOSIEND, Dr. Kennedy Tonjo West in a statement described the position of the IYC as false.

    West, in the statement, asked those behind the publication to take a deep moment to ask themselves if those things they said about Lokpobiri were actually true adding that it was unbelievable that  Ijaw people could say such things about their own brother.

    West said Lokpobiri was not responsible for the delay in the immediate commencement of operations of the Port Harcourt refinery.

  • 26,330 applicants begin exams for Enugu smart school teaching jobs

    26,330 applicants begin exams for Enugu smart school teaching jobs

    No fewer than 26,330 applicants are currently jostling to take up 6000 teaching jobs in the Enugu State Smart Green Schools.

    Our correspondent who monitored the examination yesterday in some of the designated centres for the examination, observed that applicants turned out in large numbers for the computer-based tests.

    Speaking with reporters at one of the examination centres at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, said the state was targeting to employ 6,000 teachers in the first phase of the recruitment for the Smart Green Schools, with a view to recruiting another 6000 teachers in January, to capture at least 12,000 teachers

    This, he added, was in realization of the statement of purpose of Governor Peter Mbah to deliver the best quality education that will place Enugu as one of the three top states in Nigeria.

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    His words: “We’ve been conducting this examination for the past three days. Today is the fourth day. We’ve been conducting computer-based assessments of applicants who have applied to teach in Enugu State Smart Green Schools.

    “We received applications from 26,330 candidates and we had to come up with a bias-free process of evaluating their subject area competency and basic digital literacy proficiency.

    “To be able to do that, we came up with the computer-based test. The exam is running simultaneously at the Enugu State College of Education (Technical) and the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT).

    Everyday, we take on about 6,000 candidates to ensure that everyone is given the opportunity to participate.”

  • Enugu debunks emergence of Yoruba community Oba

    Enugu debunks emergence of Yoruba community Oba

    • Says nobody has been adopted for the seat

    The Enugu State government has debunked the reports that Mr. Abdulazeez Adebayo has been adopted as the Oba of the Yoruba Community in the state.

    The disclaimer followed viral news reports that the Yoruba community in Enugu State had unanimously selected Alhaji Abdulazeez Adebayo as its new traditional ruler.

    Adebayo, who hails from Osun, had said he became the first ever Oba of the community since the history of Yoruba people living in Enugu, adding that seven states of Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Kogi, and Kwara, made up the Yoruba community in Enugu.

    But, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Enugu, the state government explained that it only held a conflict resolution meeting with the stakeholders on the Obaship issue and no person was adopted during the meeting as Oba.

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    Signed by the HOD Public Relations Unit, Ogbu Ifeoma, the statement read: “The Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs of Enugu State wishes to issue a disclaimer about a viral news item and a purported interview granted by Mr. Abdulazeez Adebayo Olateju claiming that he was adopted as the Oba of Yoruba Community in Enugu State.

    “The Ministry held a conflict resolution meeting with the Yoruba community stakeholders in Enugu State yesterday being 20th of August, 2024 on the Obaship issue and no person was adopted during the meeting but a peace-building process was initiated by the Ministry.

    “The Hon. Commissioner, Deacon Okey Ogbodo who chaired the meeting stated that the resolution includes further consultations and meetings to ensure a peaceful resolution of their crisis.”

    The statement added that the commissioner warned that anybody parading himself as the Oba of the Yoruba Community in Enugu State should desist from doing so or face the wrath of the Law.

  • Anambra bans use of school premises for social gathering

    Anambra bans use of school premises for social gathering

    The Anambra Government has banned all social events, weddings, shows, and entertainment on public school premises.

    According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, the state’s Commissioner for Education made this known in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Ifeoma Agbaizu,  in Awka  yesterday.

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    Chuma-Udeh said the move was to protect school premises and infrastructure from being messed up. “This is a warning to all principals and head teachers to desist from using school premises as commercial ventures.

    “Henceforth, any principal or primary school head teacher who indulges in such an act will be severely dealt with,” she said.

    The commissioner directed the Chairmen of the Post Primary Schools Services Commission (PPSSC) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) to disseminate the information to all principals and head teachers in the state.

    She also directed school heads to keep to the policy.

  • Land allocation: Company, community clash over 150 plots in Imo

    Land allocation: Company, community clash over 150 plots in Imo

    Residents of Agbala Community in Owerri-North Local Government Area of Imo State are locked in a bitter dispute with Eastern Waste Management Company Ltd over 150 plots of land.

    The controversy began when the state government, under Governor Hope Uzodimma’s administration, allocated the land to the waste management company for a waste recycling factory.

    However, it emerged that the same land was previously allocated to the police authorities by former Governor Emeka Ihedioha for a Police Housing Scheme.

    According to sources, the land had remained idle until Governor Uzodimma redirected it to Eastern Waste Management Company Ltd for waste recycling purposes.

    This sudden change has sparked tensions between the community residents and the waste management company, with both parties claiming ownership rights to the disputed land.

    The company’s Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Isi Agbi, insisted they have authorization from the Imo State Ministry of Lands to convert the place into a waste factory.

     Agbi said Eastern Waste Management Company Ltd had authorization papers from the Imo State Ministry of Lands to construct a waste recycling factory.

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    He said that if his company didn’t have authorization, they wouldn’t have taken over the said land, measuring over 150 plots, for the purpose of setting up the Waste Recycling Factory.

    “I do not own the land. The Imo State Government allocated us this land, with approval from the Ministry of Lands. If the government didn’t show us the place, we would not have come in the first place. Our duty is to follow instruction and directive from the State government.”

     He, therefore, appealed to the protesting youths of Agbala and Ulakwu (Obokwe) to approach the appropriate authority for information. “We are not here on our own.”

    However, the youth and indigenes of Agbala and Ulakwo protested the takeover of the land which they claimed was not adequately compensated.

    “We cannot sacrifice all our land of over 150 plots for just compensation,” one protesting youth said.

    The President General of Agbala Autonomous Community, Dr. Emma Nosike, said there had been a long-standing dispute over the land, adding the police authorities even came to lay claim on the disputed land without documents to back their claims.

    The President- General explained that the said land, Okohia Agbala, had been in contention for years, with one Mr Obadiah of Emii (Emohoe) on one hand, and the people of Agbala and Ulakwu (Obokwe) on the other hand.

     He said, “We have been contesting for years over this same land. The police even came and informed us that they were given the land, but on further inquiry, we discovered that they didn’t have any documents as proof.

    “This has been the situation before the sudden encroachment by the Eastern Waste Management Company Ltd, claiming that the State Government has given them the land. We are not making trouble. We are only here for a peaceful protest.”

    He disclosed that the Imo State Commissioner of Police,  Aboki Danjuma, intervened, inviting both parties for a meeting to resolve the issue.

    Police presence has been increased at the disputed site to maintain peace and order.

    Speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodimma on Land Matters, Bar Enyinnaya Onuegbu told The Nation that the government allocated the land to Eastern Waste Management Company Ltd for waste Recycling and to generate employment for youths.

    According to him “The land in question was initially acquired during the administration of former Governor Rochas Okorocha.

     “However, during the tenure of Governor Emeka Ihedioha, the land was earmarked for a Police Housing Scheme. Nevertheless, upon assuming office, Governor Hope Uzodimma redirected the use of the land for a waste management project, aimed at generating employment opportunities.”