The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

Abia PFN condemns Chibok girls’ forced conversion

The Abia State chapter of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has condemned the reported forceful conversion to Islam of the Chibok schoolgirl abducted by Boko Haram on April 14.

The body described it as a barbaric act and gross violation of the girls’ fundamental human rights.

A recent video clip released by the insurgents who claimed responsibility for the abduction, showed the girls mostly Christians prior to their kidnapping, dressed in hijab and reciting Islamic incantations apparently being teleguided.

In a press statement signed by the chairman of the state chapter of the PFN, Rev. Dr. Theophilus Anyimson, and made available to the press, the Christian body renewed its earlier call for a global action against the Islamic fundamentalists and their sponsors.

The Abia PFN said that the conversion by coercion is a sin both against humanity and “God who has always given man the right to make choices in any matter especially as they concern the issue of religion”.

The PFN group said, “Kidnapping and converting Christians to Islam by force is an affront to Christianity which cannot be accepted ,” and called on the international community to stand up against the evil tide which they said is capable of plunging Nigeria into religious crisis if not checked .

The Christian group also called on the international community to see the heinous act of forceful conversion of the schoolgirls to Islam against their wishes as war crime, and ensure the perpetrators are brought to book.

The statement read in parts, “The abduction of the innocent schoolgirls is a crime condemnable by all but more criminal is their forceful conversion to a strange religion contrary to their faith.

“Even God does not compel anyone to repent, repentance has always been by choice, and anyone who claims God has commanded him to make converts by force is suffering from religious malady”.

Abia PFN however expressed faith in the on- going efforts by the Federal Government in partnership with some foreign assistance to rescue the girls, however, called on Christians all over the country not to relent in prayers until the girls are released.

The Christian body vowed to persist in prayers until the abducted girls are rescued and returned to their families.

It also assured Christians in the northern parts of the country who are often targets of Boko Haram of the continued prayers of the church to bring their ordeal to an end.

May 29, 2014
Day of reckoning for fakers

As part of its commitment to sanitize markets and ensure that consumers of various consumables were protected from adulterated products, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Aba Zone recently embarked on product inspection at Eziukwu Market, Aba Abia State where they uncovered a parking store used by an unidentified person(s) as a production and packaging factory for assorted kinds of fake beverage drinks.

They also uncovered and sealed off other stores in the market that were used to store some of the adulterated products by perpetrators who were currently at large.

NAFDAC officials who came in company of police officers also arrested two persons suspected to be part of the unlawful business in the market.

Though some of the traders around the said location of the lockup shops denied knowledge of such act being carried out in the area, it was gathered that the raid was carried by NAFDAC officials after a tip off revealed that such an illicit activity has been going on in the market for a long time and as a result, putting the lives of beverage consumers to risk owing to the health hazards associated with the consumption of adulterated drinks by unsuspecting members of the public.

Nation learnt that two male suspects arrested in the raid were later handed over to the police for continued investigation and explanation over their role in the business.

A NAFDAC official who spoke anonymously said that the suspects would be released or charged to court depending on police investigation into the matter.

According to the food agency staff, “Before the raid, a trader which I will not tell you her name for security reasons was arrested in Akwa Ibom State for dealing on a particular adulterated drink. The dealer denied that she didn’t know that the drink was adulterated, but however disclosed that they were supplied to them in Akwa Ibom by another dealer from Aba.

Based on that arrest and revelation, we dispatched our intelligent officers into the market who did well by spotting out some of the shops were that particular drink was sold. It was after they concluded their investigation and the outcome corroborating the woman’s claim that we now decided to raid the market.

I would say the operation was more than successful as we in the process, discovered a parking store used by this unscrupulous element to brew, cock and push the adulterated products into the market for unsuspecting members of the public to buy.

We equally discovered and sealed off some other parking stores where other brands of alcoholic drinks were parked with the intent to sell to the public”, adding that NAFDAC “is committed to ensure that packaged foods and drinks in our markets are safe for consumption by the general public and will not fold its hands to watch few individuals endangering the lives of millions Nigerians because of their selfish interest”.

The source said that the agency will make sure that the owners of shops where the drinks were found would be punished accordingly through the provisions of the law prohibiting storing and selling of fake and adulterated products.

May 29, 2014
Okorocha inspires peace in Imo communities

The dark cloud of strife has blown over in Imo State communities, thanks to the efforts of Governor Rochas Okorocha. No fewer than 632 communities are relishing a new era of harmony, many residents happy to have a king reign over them.

Before the governor’s intervention, such a peaceful atmosphere was unheard-of for decades. Several communities were locked in endless rancour and even outright hostilities, monarchs against claimants or subjects against their kings. In some cases, lives and properties were lost when feuding factions took up arms against one another.

Such tussles and communal crises have now been resolved by the state government through the alternative crisis resolution mechanism initiated by Governor Okorocha. New kings have been crowned; pending court cases have been settled at no cost to the litigants and once again communal peace and genuine kinship have returned.

One of the communities now enjoying its reprieve, after 28 years of a kingship tussle which polarised the community and stagnated its development, is the Amaimo Ancient Kingdom in Ikeduru Local Government Area of the state.

Tracing the history of the communiy’s crisis, Chief Japheth Duru said the last traditional ruler of Amaimo Ancient Kingdom, Eze Jude Ohiri Alaribe, died in 1986, adding that since then the community had not known peace as the battle of succession tore the people apart.

He said that immediately after the death of the monarch, his eldest son, Prince Macilinus Obinna Alaribe, hijacked the throne, even though it was not hereditary. Duru said the younger Alaribe was crowned by ‘foreigners’ as the traditional ruler of Amaimo Kingdom.

According to him, “after the mourning of the king, Eze Godwin Ehirim was selected in line with the customs and traditions of Amaimo and subsequently presented as the traditional ruler to the local government authorities for onward presentation to the state government but the son to the late king who had already usurped the throne went to court and that was how the legal battle started.

“The matter lingered until Governor Okorocha set up a committee to reconcile all kingship tussles in the communities that the will of the people prevailed and Eze Ehirim was recognised and presented with a Staff of Office, which no doubt has put to an end all litigations and crisis that had stagnated Amaimo for close to three decades”.

Other communities also began to experience peace; in many of them, new kings were installed.

Presenting the Staff of Office to over 103 traditional rulers in the first phase, the governor commended the leaders of the various communities for supporting the initiative of the government to restore peace and order which had eluded them for long.

Okorocha stated that the crisis which had bedeviled the communities, which he said made most of the communities ungovernable, had impeded development and prosperity and hindered government’s plan of massive rural development.

He added further that, “when we came into power, most of the communities were eaten up by crisis and hatred, some have been in Court for over 30 years over kingship tussle and such situation impedes development because nothing good can thrive under the atmosphere of rancor and acrimony.

“So the first thing we did was to move in and summon the whole communities and enlighten them on the need for peaceful coexistence. And we adopted alternative crisis resolution and resolved the entire kingship crisis. At first the people were skeptic but we were confident that it will be possible and today peace has returned.

“Now government is working with the new monarchs to fast-track development in the rural areas. Most of what we achieved in the rural communities would not have been possible without the cooperation of the people”.

The Imo governor however urged the new monarchs to see their power as a trust that can only be justified when used for the good of the people and improvement on their wellbeing by attracting developmental projects and improved agriculture in the localities.

He regretted that most communities in the state depend on farm produce cultivated in northern states, adding that with the return of peace and unity to the communities, every household should cue into the palm to palm programme of the government by investing the N300,000 given to each community to plant at least one hectare of palm seedling and other crops for their sustenance.

The governor insisted that, “any society that cannot feed itself is a faulty society”.

Okorocha expressed his happiness that most communities which were ungovernable due to kingship tussles will now experience peace, calling on the new traditional rulers to be honest, hard-working and treat their subjects with fairness and equity irrespective of past misunderstandings.

He prayed thus; ”may the name of the Lord be glorified and may your ruler-ship bring peace, may you live long”.

The governor informed royal fathers who still have disputes in their communities to resolve their differences before they will be recognised by government pointing out that “no Eze should be imposed on anyone.”

The Commissioner for Community Government Council, Chief Val Mbamara said the presentation of the staff of office registers the prestige of Ezeship stool in the State and charged the new traditional rulers to live above reproach.

Mbamara urged the monarchs to work without bias against any person or group of persons, stressing that government is for everybody; “handle your job with care so that the stable of justice will not collapse.”

The Commissioner also charged the royal fathers to work in synergy with his Ministry and the CGC Officials to propagate the message of the Community Government Council (CGC) to the people at the grassroots.

May 29, 2014
Jobs hopes for Imo youths

Over 400 youths from Imo State gathered at the Links Hotel, Owerri, on May 17 for a workshop on entrepreneurship. The workshop was part of the activities lined up for the formal inauguration of the Chuka Odom Foundation, a non-governmental organisation established by Chief Chuka Julius Odom, former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE reports.

The presence of several prominent personalities from Imo State, among them the erudite scholar and social communicator, Professor Anya O. Anya, who led two other scholars, Professor Placid Njoku, former Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State and now President, the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science as well as Mr. Ugochukwu Omeogu, Principal Partner of Lagos-based Joseph Consulting and Marketing Limited, added colour to an event meant to give Imo youths a new sense of direction.

Coming against the backdrop of the clamour for the teeming unemployed Nigerian youths to drop their search for white collar jobs, and be job creators, the workshop presented the participants with a guideline for developing the right attitude towards self employment.

The workshop had a single mandate- to bridge the “skills gap,” which experts say, is principally responsible for the mass unemployment in the country and it succeeded in priming the youths to fill this gap. The former Minister, Chief Odom, who was one of the facilitators, gave a simple definition of “skills gap” to mean “the difference between skills required for a job or venture versus skills possessed by a prospective worker.” He said one of the major causes of the massive unemployment is that majority do not possess the skills needed for the jobs that are available.

Participants located the initial problem to be some youths considering the available jobs as “menial” and far below their academic attainments. The workshop agreed that whereas young university undergraduates in the Southeast find it difficult to learn skills for trades like auto mechanics and electrical, building and construction technology, electronic and electrical installations, barbing and hair salons, farming etc, these vocations remain quite popular in the area and skills on them in great demand.

One of the resource persons, Professor Njoku, put the matter in proper perspective when he posed some rhetorical questions before the youths: “What did you read in school? What are doing now? What would you like to do? What skills other than formal college certificate training do you have?” Professor Njoku pointed out that this mismatch of “possessed skills” and “required skills” has led to what he described as “wasting energy” among young people as a result of which there now exist pervasive social vices, human capital loss and economic losses.

Njoku then brought in the experiences of other countries on this matter and what they did to tackle the problem. In countries like Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, India and China, he told the audience,

the problem was tackled in three major ways: retuning the capacity of unemployed youths and under-employed adults; changing of school curricula from single academic model to dual academic model (academic and vocational models); guided enrolment in favour of the Dual Model. In Germany and Brazil, for example, the guided Dual Model was as follows: 30 per cent academic; 70 percent vocational and in Brazil 32 percent academic, 68 percent vocational.

Njoku pointed out that the result of the dual model was that while the Academic Mode led to 4 – 8 per cent unemployment, the vocational model led to as low as 0 – 1 per cent unemployment.

He said it may take governments in Nigeria some time to effect the necessary changes in the school curricula for these models to be in place.

In the meantime, the problem will continue to mount. This is where organisations like the Chuka Odom Foundation come in. According to the former Minister of State, the foundation intends to approach its programme for fighting mass unemployment through two major prongs, namely, graduate up-skilling and technical and vocational apprenticeship. Here, the organisation, according to Chief Odom, “shall adopt world class competency modelling” among which are the following steps: competency mapping, skills gap analysis, skills development and competency monitoring.

The ultimate objective of the intervention, Odom says, will be to prepare the youths for entrepreneurship and wealth creation. “We believe that entrepreneurship in itself can drive employment through innovation and creation of ventures that provide avenues for further

employment and birth of new industries…”, Odom told the participants.

Njoku agrees. “Skills training, entrepreneur development and management training for capacity re-tuning gives young people an alternative life sustaining career,” he told the audience. Njoku, who

supervised the Federal Governments’ “Out-of-School Boy Child Project,” in the Southeast and Southsouth a few years ago, then put it more succinctly before the youths who listened with rapt attention: “…It’s important for each of us to map out a personal survival strategy. The most viable and respectful survival strategy is to embrace entrepreneurship,” Njoku told the youths.

Management whizkid and motivational speaker, Ugochukwu Omeogu, himself a youth, gladdened the hearts of the participants a great deal with his presentation which, while harping on the imperatives of retuning, gave practical examples with his personal experiences.

He gave the rather hilarious story of his having to learn American phonetics, when he newly arrived in the U.S, in order to enhance his skill for job searching. In a rather touchy account, Ugochukwu who walks on crutches, told his fellow youths that with a degree from a Nigerian University, nobody gave him any chance of getting a job in the U.S, when there were hundreds of American-trained graduates competing with him. But by the time he brushed up his skills which included improving his diction, he bagged a job with one of the biggest banking groups in the U.S, J.P Morgan. He now told his fellow youths. “There is nothing impossible for you once you are determined”.

But, all that would not have sank into the minds of the youth if the main resource person and chairman of the occasion, Prof. Anya O. Anya had not first embarked on a brief orientation talk for the youth. The thrust of Anya’s talk was for the Imo youths to first situate the cultural context in which they seek to improve their lot.

Anya told the youths that they are first and foremost Igbo who are known for enterprise and indeed entrepreneurship.

He went down the memory lane to tell the youths that their parents were among the best in the country and that they should not allow the present economic and social conditions to detract them from living up to the ideals (of independence and enterprise) for which the Igbo are known.

It was not a one-sided affair, however. The young men and women, apart from paying great attention to the speakers, participated actively especially during the question and answer session. Perhaps to the surprise of their teachers, the youths exhibited a good grasp of the issues at hand. Though some also showed the usual traces of impatience that are known among young people, the general comportment was that of a crop of young men and women who are ready to be shown the way for bettering their lives. They were both eager and anxious. Naturally, some made reservations over government’s attitude to the issue of unemployment and general social decadence.

To this, Chief Odom advices that, “…this is no time to apportion blames or point accusing fingers. We have been doing that for a long time and nothing has changed…” It is easy to view Odom’s advice as one coming from an establishment man. But he has shown a difference. His initiative with the Chuka Odom Foundation, which focuses on eradicating unemployment among the youths in Imo state, may well be blazing a trail.

May 29, 2014
Ebonyi steps up mother-child healthcare

The wife of Ebonyi State governor, Mrs Josephine Elechi set the tone. Determined to scale back infant and maternal mortality rate in the state, she established the Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI).

Since the inception of the programme a few years ago, the state has witnessed a great reduction in the death of mothers and their children.

The downward trend can be attributed to various interventions of government through the MCCI in collaboration with development partners such as UNICEF, WHO, UNFPA, USAID etc.

Taking a cue from Mrs Elechi, Ohaozara Local Government Area has also flagged off its maternal and child health week.

The event was hosted by Okposi Development Centre led by a veteran journalist and public relations expert, Mr Magnus Eze.

In his remarks at the occassion, Mr Eze, advised expectant mothers not to patronise quack child-delivery centres.

Eze noted that such patronage has inherent dangers that could lead to death of women and children.

“They should instead use the various health facilities provided in the area, as we have embarked on aggressive enlightenment campaign to sensitise expectant mothers on the benefits of using the health facilities for childbirth.”

He urged them not be deceived because most of the child-delivery centres are owned by nurses, as they do not have the necessary facilities needed for safe child-birth.

He continued, “The common childhood killer diseases include Diarrhea Disease, Malaria, Pneumonia, Malnutrition and Measles”.

“All these conditions are preventable and treatable and we must not allow them to claim the lives of our children in Ohaozara Local Government Area”.

“There is a whole lot to be done. No woman deserves to die in the process of giving life. That is where we commend and celebrate the efforts of the wife of our dear Governor, Chief Mrs. Josephine Elechi”.

“Her giant strides in the area of maternal and child health through the Mother and Child Care Initiative (MCCI) is second to none in Nigeria”.

“More than ever before, Okposi Development Centre is going to strengthen the primary health care system to provide more effective and satisfactory maternal and child health services including antenatal care, immunization etc”.

“We are going to carry out massive and aggressive sensitization campaigns, through community education and public enlightenment in all the healthcare facilities, markets, churches and other public institutions across the twelve villages that make up the Development Centre.

Every mother and child counts!”

Chairman of Ohaozara local government area Hon Ogbuefi Enekwachi Akpa, called on expectant mothers in the area to bring out their children for immunization in order to make the programme successful.

“The council has paid for all services to be provided during this period because we want to compliment the efforts of the Wife of the

State Governor, Mrs Josephine Elechi in uplifting women and children.

“Today, we have assembled to further the frontiers of the fight against infant and maternal mortality and morbidity”.

May 29, 2014
‘Traditional rulers should be recognised by Constitution’

The Senator representing Abia Central Senatorial District in the Senate, Nkechi Nwaogu has advocated that traditional rulers’ functions should be entrenched in the constitution.

Senator Nwaogu, speaking at Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State during the 40th anniversary of the ascendance of Eze G.I Ezekwesiri (Ochi I of Isuochi) as the traditional ruler of the community, said that traditional rulers in the country should be constitutionally empowered to discharge their functions, which she said were paramount.

The Senator who extolled the contributions of traditional rulers in the sustenance of peace, security and stability in the country, said their roles should be entrenched in the constitution, adding that the Senate was already considering entrenching the roles of traditional monarchs in the constitution to give their functions and activities legal backing.

Nwaogu who is also the chairman, Senate Committee on Oil and Gas was honoured with the title of” “Ihe Abia I of Isuochi” (the first Light of Abia in Isuochi).

She stated that given the role of the traditional a place in the constitution would not only make people and even government agencies to respect and adopt logical decisions made by traditional rulers.

“I believe that the role of the traditional rulers should be entrenched in the Nigerian constitution so that the decisions they take as they settle disputes in their domains should be recognised.”

She used the opportunity to eulogise the place and role of traditional rulers in Abia State, she said have been playing collaboratively with the state government in the maintenance of peace and security in the state.

She further said that she was humbled by the recognition by such a revered monarch outside her senatorial district.

“My joy knows no bounds. This title given to me by the Ochi of Isuochi is unique and explanatory and will continue to shine for the people,” she said, adding “my representation as well as democratic dividends are spread across Abia State. I have spread scholarships and employments across the three senatorial zones by the grace of God because I believe that Abia is one. Appealing to all Abians to put their resources and efforts together to help further develop the state, she said I will continue to offer my services not only to my Ngwa people but the whole of Igbo race.

In his remarks the President General of Isuochi Development Union, Dr G U Mgborukwe said the 40 years reign of HRM Ezekwesi has witnessed peace and prosperity in the community and maintained peace with border communities in Imo, Anambra and Enugu that share boundaries with Isuochi.

Other prominent individuals conferred with chieftancy titles are Chiefs Ude Oko Chukwu, Speaker, Abia House of Assembly and Acho Ihim, Deputy Majority Leader, Imo State House of Assembly.

The event also marked the 40th anniversary of the ascendance of Eze G.I. Ezekwesiri (Ochi 1 of Isuochi) as the traditional ruler of the community.

In his address, the President- General of Isuochi Development Union (IDU), Chief G.U Mgborukwe remarked that the traditional ruler in his 40 years reign has never had any disagreement with any President-General of the union.

He requested a national award for the traditional ruler to encourage other Nigerians to pursue peace wherever they are located.

May 29, 2014
Alumni celebrate Enugu Queens School anniversary

It was indeed a gathering of queens. They had poise, grace and many are achievers in their own right.When they assembled to celebrate the coming of age of their school, their good breeding and excellence were in bold relief. And they were there to celebrate their alma mater, Queens School, Enugu’s Diamond Jubilee. .

Among the prominent names that passed from the school are the former Chief Judge of the Fedral High Court, Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), president of Customary Court of Appeal, Enugu, Justice Victoria Nebo, Minister of Finance, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, deputy vice chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Ifeoma Enemuo and renowned pediatrician, Prof. Ifeoma Egbuonu.

There were also Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Justina Offia, renowned United States-based physician, Dr. Henrietta Ukwu, Prof. Gloria Chukwukere, and so many others.

The occasion was ushered in by lectures from tthree distinguished academics and professionals who are also old students of the school. The first speaker, Dr. Ann Okigbo-Fisher, a seasoned professional in human capital development sectors spoke on the topic: “Inspiring a Girl Child to Success”, the second speaker, Prof. Janet Ajuluchukwu, a professor of medicine, spoke on the topic: “Health a Key to Success” while the third speaker, Justice Ije Onwuamegbu presented the topic “Environment an Instrument to Success”. The keynote speaker was Prof. Henrietta Ukwu, an expert in infectious diseases who presented the paper, “Knowledge a Vehicle to Power.”

Queens School, Enugu was founded on October 4, 1954 by the defunct Government of Eastern Nigeria. Its firstPrincipal, Mrs. Evelyn Doris Mather who was a seasoned administrator and educator and a rare combination of strict discipline and sweet motherliness. It was the only Girl’s Government Secondary School in the then Eastern Nigeria. As a result, it had the best things among which were an all graduate teaching staff, large infrastructural facilities, dormitory blocks, administrative blocks, classrooms, well-equipped science laboratories, a school library, school hall, home economics block and very good catering services

The school started with a student population of thirty, who were all boarders. These days, the student’s population is a staggering figure ranging between three thousand to four thousand.

In those early years of its existence when admission into the school was gained only through a very competitive examination and an interview, the school attracted a high concentration of brains. As a result, excellence persisted as a tradition throughout the pre-civil war years. Queen’s School, Enugu distinguished itself in sports both at the regional and international levels. It maintained a hundred percent tradition at the West African School Certificate Examinations. It excelled in dance and drama, especially during the Regional Festival of Arts.

The second Principal was Mrs. Kirik Patrick whose tenure lasted from 1957-1967. Her benevolence and motherliness earned her the nickname “Mater” (Latin for “Mother”). She continued the tradition of excellence, elegance and unity.

Queen’s School, Enugu was closed during the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 – 1970. After the civil war, Queen’s School’s tradition of excellence was maintained by its post-war principals, who are seasoned Educational Administrators.

Right from its inception, Queen’s School has remained a veritable agent of national integration. The student population was drawn from all over the country. The composition of the student body therefore lent itself easily to national integration. Queen’s School culture of tolerance, and co-operation symbolized in the school motto LABORARE UNO ANIMO (working with one mind) is a guiding principle for unity among the staff and students. The creation of states will definitely not confine the student population to the school’s geographical area. Queen’s School Enugu is indeed one of the pioneers of “Unity School”.

In its 60 years of existence, Queen’s School Enugu has turned out sets of high achievers in various fields of learning, including Architecture, Engineering, Accountancy, Banking and Financing, Computer Science, Medicine, Agriculture and Education. Queen’s School instills in its students a remarkable sense of dignity and self-confidence in whatever they are doing.

Queen’s School’s achievements over the years are too many to be enumerated here. Queen’s School, Enugu is treasured by its Old Girls’ Association, the Parent-Teacher Association, Friends of the School, the Staff, Students and the State Government who collectively contribute· towards making it a centre of excellence for women education.

May 29, 2014
‘Obiano ‘ll win security battle’

A prime member of the Peter Obi administration, Chief Dubem Obaze, in this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, speaks on various issues in Anambra State, including Governor Willie Obiano’s crackdown on criminals and the proposal at the National Conference to scrap the local government councils. Excerpts:

Since the end of the Peter Obi administration in which you served as a commissioner, some of your former colleagues returned to the farm. What are you doing now? Do you have a farm?

I do, (laughs), I am from Ogbaru; we all have farmlands, as a matter of fact, but I am also still helping out politically whenever I can.

Considering the crises in communities, what should town union Presidents-General do to ensure peace?

Well, as you know, I just came back from giving a public lecture to the presidents-general of our communities. Among the things I discussed were peace and security because without peace there will be no progress. I am not the serving commissioner for local government or Special Adviser on town union matters who will be in a better position to know what the issues are on ground. However, my advice, like I told them up there is that, were there is no peace, there can’t be progress, is the same thing for the state, if there is problem in communities in Anambra state, if there is problem in some states in Nigeria, there is problem in Nigeria.

On the security that Obiano is tackling headlong, what would be done to sustain it?

I believe he is going to sustain it. I believe so, because if you know Chief Willie Obiano, you will know that he is somebody that can remain focused for a very long time. He is an accountant, also an auditor. You know auditors have the capacity to look at papers for months and audit them. So, I believe he can sustain that and it is also very important that he does, because that’s the only way he will work.

During your tenure as commissioner, there was this arrangement with communities to act as an informal fourth tier of government. What informed that idea?

Well, it was to get development to the grassroots. Everything is local, every development is local but unfortunately our local government areas are not functioning the way they should. When I said that, I mean national and not just in Anambra state, I think we have some of the best ones that are functioning. The whole idea is to take development to the people directly and the local government is the people that have the capacity and capability to do that, because you can’t sit in Awka and know what is happening in all the communities in Anambra state. So, you better be in a deal with the presidents general of these communities who will tell you what is happening there. If you use them to impact that development, it will be more sustainable and the people will have that sense of belonging, especially if they generate projects that government will do for them.

There appears to be this unhealthy rivalry between town union Presidents-General and traditional rulers. What should be done about this?

It is urging the presidents-general especially to as much as possible carry the traditional rulers along. If you see most communities where there is peace, there is respect for the traditional rulers there. Then, the traditional rulers will also respect the presidents-general and they will find it very easy to work, for peace and harmony. But the important thing is for both of them to realize that it is for the good of the community; once they don’t personalise it, even if both quarrel, as far as they are working for the progress of the community, there is nothing to worry about. But in most cases, if you look deeply, you will found out that somebody is trying to corner the community’s money or cheat them.

Why did you choose to partner with the community leaders rather than councilors and local government chairmen?

We were also working with them through the local governments. But, you will found out that the councilors were not the most experience persons in the community. When you go to Anambra communities, you have retired Architects, Engineers, teachers and journalists, we have all kinds of quality people that are living in the villages and if you can tape into those people, most times they are ten times more experienced than those councilors. So, if you get all of them to work together and get the result then it will bring back the success of Anambra local government system.

Does the present administration intend to adopt that approach?

I think with the continuation of the same government, I don’t think Chief Willie Obiano will do any other thing totally different from what Mr. Peter Obi was doing, apart from adding the ones he intends to add, like oil and gas and again in agriculture which is the major thing, but you know agriculture will be very successful because Mr. Peter Obi had done an elaborate network of roads and this is the second stage of it. Also, on security where Obi did the groundwork, Chief Obiano is taking off from where Obi stopped.

On the proposals at the National Conference that the local government councils be scrapped, what is your take?

I don’t agree that the local government should be scrapped. It needs strengthening, not scrapping. If you can get quality people to become local government chairmen, there must be some kind of control, supervision and oversight functions. If you take Anambra State, for example, most of the success of Obi’s administration is in our communities: light, water, roads, etc, so if you say you are scraping the local government it does not in any way make any sense.

Another day, they will be talking about scraping the state and we will have a unitary government. We are talking of bringing government closer to the people here in Anambra. There is a law we are trying to create, a fourth tier of government and if the town unions will actually serve as a fourth tir of government. So, when we are talking of brining government to the people, some people are talking of scraping the ones that are there? Will it be somebody that is Awka that will make decisions about Anambra west? It doesn’t go well or you will be here and know what is happening in Anaocha or Ogbaru? You can’t possibly do it. The man in Anaocha or Ihiala is better equipped to discuss and know what the problems in those areas are and we promptly handle them. If what they need is more funding and if there is need for them to be funded, we will look into it and monitor the project.

Any regrets as a commissioner?

I regret nothing. I am only thankful to God for giving me a great opportunity to serve. I have absolutely nothing to regret.

How were you able to manage town union issues?

I asked a lot of questions, I listened attentively and calmed down people. Like I said during the lectures, I gave to ASATU members. Most of these problems can be solved with a phone call. It can be solved with a visit, can be solved with my brother, I am sorry. It can also be solved with my son don’t do this again. I told them that they are powerful but it takes a very powerful person to know that you are powerful and not use that power. Peter Obi did a lot of that, that’s why we have peace in Anambra today. He used to get out of the way for other people to pass and I would ask him, Your Excellency why would you do this? And he said, No, I am still the governor, the fact that I left the road for somebody to cross does not stop me from being the governor. It is when they now come to my seat to sit down, that’s when you will know I can fight. But other than that, there is peace is Anambra, he didn’t quarrel with anybody. He left successfully. So, managing those communities then was the matter of listening to them, making phone calls when it is necessary and ensuring that some problems do not escalate into violence.

You wanted to succeed Obi and all of a sudden, the whole thing changed. What actually transpired?

(Laughs) Well, you know power belongs to God and He also chooses whoever He wants. That is my take on that. Our party chose Chief Willie Obiano, after all the series of issues and problems and we are thankful to God that He allowed us to have an APGA candidate as governor of Anambra State as a successor of His Excellency Governor Peter Obi. I can assure you that if it wasn’t managed well in the last minute, it would have been another story.

Victor Umeh or Maxi Okwu, which way do we go?

I am not competent to comment on that but let me tell you that APGA is one united family, we cannot be separated. You know one time in Imo state they said they had APGA- PDD, APGA – APGA, they have APGA –LABOUR but the unifying factor is that, there was an APGA in all of them. What I see in Anambra state is that, there are some of us, that are APGA at heart and APGA is bigger than any one person, we will stand one united and indivisible party.

The state governor, Secretary to the State Government and Speaker of the House are from Anambra North; are you comfortable with that?

Let me tell you that our governor is of course duly elected. The speaker has been the speaker for two years before the current governor was elected and it was not coincidence. Obi was governor for four years (central), Rtd Hon. Anayo Nnebe my good friend was speaker for four years and he is also from central. So, the speaker does not have any problem because she was elected before we knew that governor will come from Anambra north. So, you won’t say because the governor came from North that you are going to throw her away. The SSG who happens to be my elder brother, he was the number three man in the United Nations. He is the most competent administrator we can afford. He took a cut off his 60% to 70% of his salary to serve in Anambra state and if you can get that kind of person, I don’t care where that person comes from, at some point, we must choose competent, integrity and choose quality over quantity. If there is a better person to serve as SSG, is not necessary to start checking if the person is from West, North, South and East. He is the best person for now.

Has Anambra North senatorial zone been represented very well in the Senate?

Yes, we have our sister there, Senator Margery Okadigbo. She has done well. However, I believe APGA producing a senator will do a whole lot better. Look at our people in the National Assembly, they are doing fantastically well: Hon. Uche Ekwunife, Hon. Afam Ogene and Chris Azubogu. All of them are doing well, they are serving very well. You can’t say that of other parties that are representing Anambra State. We have fantastic senators in other places like the Senate president, David mark; we thank God we have him at this time. He is helping Mr. President to stabilise things. We have Aminu Tambuwal, a young man doing very well.

Are you going to contest for the Senate in 2015?

Am I contesting for senate 2015? (Laughs) You see, such things require a lot of consultation. They require talking to your leaders, the people. The only thing I will tell you is that my party has zoned the senatorial seat to my zone, which is Onitsha and Ogbaru axis.

Are you under pressure to context?

I am not under any pressure but I will consult my people first (laughs).

May 29, 2014
Chime tackles water scarcity

There is a good road network in the state, but that is not all the Sullivan Chime administration has done. One other giant stride in the state is the provision of water.

The problem of water supply to Enugu metropolis was old as the city itself. Sources of water abound in the state. But the problem has been distribution. There are the World Bank assisted water project at Oji-River and the Ajalli water reservoir. But the question is distribution.

The water pipes laid by the colonial masters in the 1920s have all rusted and weakened. Successive administrations were not interested in replacing them. And every now and then the old pipes burst. And this constituted a herculean task for the workers at the water corporation. Instead of replacing the pipes, they rather patched them up, and the water problem persisted.

Governor Chime came with a different view. To him water is unarguably one of the most important basic needs of man. All through history, the success or otherwise of governments in all climes have been measured and predicated on how well they have been able to provide basic needs of the people more especially water.

Before the advent of his administration, water supply in Enugu State was the worst problem long declared to be intractable by preceding administrations.

But that era has since become history with the breakthroughs recorded by the Chime administration in the areas of regular water generation and distribution in both the urban and rural areas of the state.

The most significant and conspicuous of these achievements however, is the government’s successes in the area of urban water supply more especially with the restoration of public taps that were last seen in Enugu more than three decades ago.

Needless to say that Enugu residents and visitors alike, have welcomed this development with such jubilation and excitement that they have promptly nicknamed the taps Mmiri Sullivan (Sullivan’s Water).

The government had started this remarkable process of restoration with the complete removal of old steel and asbestos pipes in the urban areas – some of them which dated as far back as 1929- and replacing them with the safer and more durable PVC pipes. This not only helped to broaden the water supply channels and networks but ensured that it reached all nooks and crannies of the cities.

Regular supply of potable water has since ceased to be the exclusive perquisite of the rich living in the high-brow areas of the coal city. Residents of such less regarded areas of Obiagu, Abakpa, Achara Layout, Idaw River and Emene are now happy and proud beneficiaries of the taps that sit sedately in front of their respective houses.

Gone are the long treks to water boreholes or wells as well as the queues and the frequent fights that Enugu residents have endured all these years. It is of record that a full of generation of Enugu residents especially those in the low profile habitats never had the opportunity available today to enjoy this all important social service.

It is not yet uhuru though as the service is yet to get to all the areas but the affected residents are confident that with the enormity and the pace of work still being done by the state Water Corporation on the project, it would be a matter of time before the service reach their quarters.

A petty trader at Enugu’s slum area, Obiagu said that if anyone had told her that she would ever see a tap running freely in front of her ‘face me I face you’ residence in her lifetime, she would laughed the fellow away. “I grew up to believe that tap water was for the rich people living in GRA (Government Reserved Area and such places. I have lived here for twenty five years and I never saw any running tap until now”, she said.

Another citizen, residing in a part of Gariki, said that even though the service was still to reach his residence, he was optimistic that it would soon get there given the administration’s track record in keeping its promises to the people.

He said, “In Sullivan Chime, we have seen a governor who has always kept his promises, who has always completed his projects, even though our own tap is yet to be activated, we know and we see that work is going on and we are confident that in no time at all, we will join our fellow residents to enjoy this wonderful present”

Indeed, on inception, the administration set out to increase the state’s water supply capacity from under 20,000 cubic meters to 77,000 cubic metres. That objective has all but been realised.

The issue of water supply has even been tackled with greater zeal and vigour in the rural areas of the state. The Enugu State Rural Water Supply and sanitation Agency (EN-RUWASSA), is the agency charged with the responsibility of providing safe drinking water to the rural communities.

Records show that it has so far lived up to its billings under the Chime administration which has the provision of potable water and environmental sanitation as a cardinal component of its widely acclaimed 4-point agenda.

The governor’s major land marks in the provision of potable water supply in the rural areas include:

Construction of eight motorised boreholes in Nsukka, Igboeze-South, Ezeagu, Oji-River and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas, as well as N36 Million for 42 shallow boreholes in Aninri, Agwu, Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Isi-Uzo and Enugu South Local Government Area, Ogui-Agu Eke in Udi, Amankwo-Oghe in Ezeagu and Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Councils.

With the support from some Local Government Councils, the Enugu State Government also rehabilitated water schemes at Umuaga and Obinagu (Udi), Ede Oballa (Nsukka), Amuri and Ojiagu Agbani (Nkanu West) while Government is doing work on the water schemes of Edem, Obukpa in Nsukka Local Government Area and in Ugbawka, Amechi Idodo and Owo in Nkanu East Local Government Area.

Rehabilitation of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) water scheme which includes the construction of four new boreholes, new water reservoir and water. reticulation on the campus at the cost of N329 million were also completed by the administration Governor Chime

Construction work has also started on the over N2.5billion Adada River Dam project in Igbo-Etiti and Uzo-Uwani Local Council of the State to boost water supply in Enugu North Area of the State.

May 15, 2014
25,000 jobs for Imo graduates, others

The plan could well be the answer to a variety of societal ills: youth unemployment, restiveness, crime and economic instability, among others.

The “Youths Must Work’ programme is catching on in Imo State. It is providing jobs for graduates and other youths in the state. Some reckon it will also help to contain agitation among youths and boost the state economy.

Already, the plan is said to have created about 25,000 jobs for various cadres of youths, including graduates of tertiary institutions in its first phase. Some other segments of the state population have also been employed.

The initiative, according to Governor Rochas Okorocha, was conceived to ensure that every youth in the state is gainfully employed. More and more of the target segment are abandoning the streets to become employees of the state government.

Its impact on the social and economic sector of the state is also invaluable as youth-related vices like armed robbery, prostitution, kidnapping, thuggish behaviour and youth restiveness have dropped drastically.

Inaugurating the first phase of the programme at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the state capital, Okorocha observed that the recruitment of graduates is not a political gambit but a fulfillment of his campaign promise to the teeming youths of the state.

He assured that the plan will provide a job for every youth in the state ministries, agencies, parastatals and departments. The governor added that it will soon become a crime for any youth in the state to be idle.

Okorocha noted further that the initiative is unprecedented in the state and will be sustained by his administration contrary to the opinion of critics.

“The ‘Youths Must Work’ programme is so dear to the rescue Mission Agenda,” he said. “This administration will continue to create meaningful employment for our teeming youths so that they too will continue to contribute their quota to the building of the Imo State of our dream”.

Speaking further, he said, “We have recruited 25,000 youths in the first phase into the Imo State Civil Guard, the Imo State security Network, the Community watch, while others have been recruited as teachers in primary and secondary schools, Ministries, Parastatal and departments and the programme will be sustained until every Imo youth is gainfully employed.

“The benefits of this programme are obvious; Imo State is one of the safest states in the federation today, because the youths have found something meaningful to do to earn a living there are no more cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, political assassinations and other heinous crimes.

“This administration is working very hard to revive all ailing state owned industries and create new ones to increase job opportunities for our youths and more youths will be recruited during the next phase”.

Deploring the level of unemployment in the country, the governor urged the federal and state governments to initiate policies and programmes that will create jobs for youths.

He added, saying, “It pains me so much that our youths roam the streets everyday in search of non-existing jobs. The extent of this menace was brought to the fore recently when youths lost their lives scrambling for immigration job. This calls for emergency in area of job creation.

“That is why in Imo State today, we have taken the lead in massive job creation for the youths. No more will our youths die searching for jobs, no more will the youths lose their dignity running after politicians as thugs, and no more will our girls go into prostitution to earn a living. This programme must be sustained until every Imo youth has something to do.

“We have decided to rationalise and socialise labour so that all youths may work. We are not engaging the youths to provide jobs for them alone but to serve their fatherland and carve a niche for themselves.”

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon Kenneth Emelu, commended the state Governor, for giving the youths the opportunity to serve and become responsible citizens of the state.

He noted that the recruitment of the youths in fulfillment of the Governor’s promise three years ago will go a long way to curb crime in the state, stating that the Okorocha’s administration has made another remarkable achievement in the Rescue Mission Agenda.

The Commissioner disclosed that the 25,000 youths were drawn from the 27 Local Government Areas of the state, irrespective of political or religious inclinations.

“This is the first of its kind where employment is done without recourse to political party or religious group; every youth on the state had equal opportunity unlike in the past where job opportunities were the exclusive reserve of those that have godfathers in power”.

Giving a breakdown of the recruitment, Emelu revealed that 5000 youths were recruited into the Imo Security Network, 2000 recruited into the Imo Palm Plantation, 5000 employed as teachers in public primary and secondary schools, 2700 was recruited into the Local Government Service, 2000 employed in the Ministries and Departments and 7000 was recruited into the Imo Community Watch, among others.

Also lauding the programme, the State Commissioner for Information, Dr Theodore Ekechi stated that it was the first time in the history of the state when such a number of youths were given employment at a go.

“Governor Okorocha has done what no previous governor had ever thought of in the creation of jobs for the youths and he is doing this simultaneously with the massive developmental projects going on in all parts of the state,” he said.

He added further that, “the process of the recruitment was open and free and every youth in the state had the opportunity of getting employed unlike the previous administration that hurriedly employed 10,000 youths at the twilight of its term.”

In his remarks, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Sir Mathias Uguru, thanked the governor for tackling the menace of youths’ unemployment.

He said the state government has done well in combating crime through the creation of jobs for unemployed youths.

For the 25,000 youths, their joy knew no bounds as they filed out in their colorful uniforms to bid farewell to unemployment and poverty. As early as 7.30 am, thousands of youths and their relatives had converged on the main bowl of the Dan Anyiam Stadium where their journey into career civil service was to begin.

The sudden change from job seeker to civil servant sounded so good to be true. Miss Nkechi Okoroafor, one of the beneficiaries from Owerri West Council Area of the state, it was a dream come true, “I never believed that this day was going to come. When the Governor announced the ‘Youths Must Work’ programme, I was sceptic, I thought it was one of those political statements so when they asked the youths to collect forms from the Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, I was skeptical because I thought that it was just for those who has people in government that can recommend them but today I am employed as a teacher in one of the primary schools and I thank my Governor for it”.

Mr. Stanley Ibecheodo, a graduate of English Language from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was until his recruitment, a teacher in a private school where he was hardly able to make ends meet.

Reacting to his new job, he said, “I was frustrated looking for job all over the country; I was lucky during the last Immigration recruitment exercise because I was among those who took the test at the stadium in Abuja where many applicants died. But today what I have been searching for in far away states for the last seven years I have found in my state without bribing anybody.

“I want to urge other youths who were not so lucky in this first batch to keep praying and supporting this administration to sustain the Youth Must Work programme because it could be their turn in the next batch”.

May 15, 2014