The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • That Enugu Town Clock may tick again

    That Enugu Town Clock may tick again

    All through the decades, the Old Big Ben did its duty. It ticked and tolled for everyone. It announced the time for everybody. It remains a landmark.

    However, the famous towering timepiece located at the Old Eastern Region House of Assembly has stopped telling the time.

    Not for the first time. The Old Big Ben worked for ages, then stopped until the administration of Sullivan Chime revived it in 2010 after over 40 years of disuse. The rehabilitation of the clock by Enugu State Government marked a clear departure from the common practice where successive administrations failed to identify with projects initiated by their predecessors.

    The “Old Big Ben” was a colonial contraption. It remained there during the post-independence. Subsequently, the administration of the then Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Okpara abandoned it. The clock became obsolete, especially as the Nigerian civil war was raging.

    It remained so until the inauguration of the current administration in the state when Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) was established. The authority showed commitment to reactivation of “Old Big Ben” and it did.

    The former Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory, John Egbo, should be commended for working assiduously to get Messrs Smith of Derby to rework the clock.

    Governor Sullivan Chime also deserves some praise for this feat. The upgrade of the Town Clock by the government proves the Governor’s foresight in creating the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority.

    Those who know Enugu or must have lived in the Coal City, would understand why the rehabilitation of the former Eastern House of Assembly and more importantly the Town Clock erected in 1948 generated much excitement in the city in particular and the state in general.

    The clock was originally built to be manually manipulated. But the Chime administration upgraded it to an electronic quartz system. In a clime where maintenance culture is sadly lacking, the gusto with which Chime ordered the rejuvenation of the clock was worthy of commendation.

    The governor seems to have recognised the historical burden which Enugu bears, but also puts life into a line of our country’s national anthem demanding that “the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain”.

    It could be a divine will that Chime would be Governor of Enugu State when the state celebrated its centenary as a city.

    In tune with history as a Coal City boy, Chime also recognised the essence of marking Enugu’s Centennial with events primed at celebrating the city’s chequered history. Just like the creation of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) to supervise public amenities and infrastructure, a committee headed by one of the prominent sons of the state was set up by the governor to organise the Centenary celebrations.

    Today, and sadly, four years after its reactivation, the “Old Big Ben” has relapsed to its former condition.

    What may be wrong? Could it be the usual lack of maintenance culture on the part of Nigerians? The answer may be a matter of gesticulation as the officials at the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority which has now been upgraded to a ministry not given any explanation.

    Efforts made to get the Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Ugwuegede were futile as he did not pick several phone calls our correspondent put across to him.

    Residents of Enugu, particularly workers want to know what actually went wrong with the “Old Big Ben.” They acknowledged that in re-activating the clock, the governor went back in time to recapture the vision of the great political forebears who deemed it necessary to erect such a monument believing that whenever it tolls, the people would not only be roused to activity but will also share the spirit of unity and enterprise it conveys.

    It is pertinent to state that the twin challenges facing humanity remains time and space. And all through history, especially in the great march of industrial revolution, men have devised ways of tackling those problems.

    Of all instruments, the chronometer is a reminder that time waits for no man. It is also a mechanical representation of the demand on humanity to make hay while the sun shines. But apart from the above technical verities of the time piece, the renewal of Enugu Town Clock was symbolic in many ways.

    Enugu Town Clock represents the common destiny of the people of Old Eastern Nigeria; the shared qualities of hard work, enterprise and social cohesion.

    It reminds us of our common history and challenges us in the journey to the future. Whenever it tolled, it called to mind the ingenuity and thoughtfulness of our great leaders of yesteryear thereby urging present leaders and the led to strive to leave behind worthy legacies.

    The spiritual significance of the bell woke in the residents, creativity endowed in them as well as reminding them to have hope of a better tomorrow. The founding fathers of Eastern Nigeria must have discovered that proper planning was the key to success. Therefore, the clock challenges residents to plan ahead and avoid all manner of desperation and needless haste.

    Whenever the clock tolled, it prods the emotions by reminding residents of how yesterday is connected to today and that the march to tomorrow is on. The Enugu Town Clock also woke up myriad of images in our mind, including the coal miners who toiled to ensure Enugu exists, the colonial overlords who lashed the backs of our forefathers as they worked on street roads for vehicles and pedestrians with their whips.

    More importantly, the great clock wakes us up to the realisation that whatever our individual callings are, we should endeavour to work for common good.

    The old Eastern House of Parliament is another very important historical monument in the Coal City. It was thoughtful of Governor Chime to have renovated this edifice to serve its purpose of exposing great men and women who served as parliamentarians in the city.

    Elevated from its former state of disuse, the building has retained its ancient architectural design with a blend of new ideas, thereby providing a historical and didactic tool for the younger generation.

    Having revitalised these historical monuments, it could rightly be said that Governor Sullivan Chime, has effectively made Enugu State to live  up to its status as the administrative capital of Old Eastern Nigeria as well as playing the role of a unifying ground for the people of the area despite the fault lines of new states.

    Residents of Enugu State, particularly, workers want the “Old Big Ben” revived again. Its reactivation would not only serve as their time-keeper but will also give the new multi-billion Naira secretariat just opposite the “Old Big Ben” an aesthetic blend.

  • Fed Govt hailed on confab

    The National Forum of Enugu Peoples Association (NAFEPA) has praised the Federal Government for convening the ongoing National Conference.

    NAFEPA noted that the power of goverment at the centre does not allow for effective development of the constituent parts of the federation, adding that delegates should advocate for devolution of powers with a weak centre and strong regions.

    In a communique issued at the end of NAFEPA’s quarterly meeting in Enugu, the group urged delegates to enforce constitutional provisions on indigeneship and residency status, adding that quota system in educational institutions should be deemphasised in favour of merit.

    The communique which was signed by its chairman, Chief Pius Ike and secretary, Mr Sunday Odio, the forum demanded that coal in Enugu State should be revived in order to create jobs for the people. The group also commanded the state government for sending youths to Songhai farm to train on practical agriculture.

    The group which is an umbrella body of Enugu elite clubs and association commended the state government for putting in place the neigbourhood watch and vigilance groups to aid security and also condemned the bombing and killings in most parts of the north, adding that people should be security conscious at all times.

  • ‘Make ethics and values constitutional matters’

    The leadership of the ongoing National Conference has been advised to set up a committee on ethics and values with the intention of making it part of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This, she said, will help to improve the developmental values of the country.

    Speaking with reporters in Umuahia, the Special Adviser to the President

    on Ethics and Values, Dr. Jubril said with the introduction of the ethics and values in the constitution of the country, the country will be on the march to greatness.

    “The ethics and values if added in the constitution will help to entrench a system in the country’s constitution that will effectively tackle anti-social behaviours militating against the attainment of the country’s developmental goals.

    Dr. Jubril said a national ethics bill had been forwarded to the National Assembly, even as she described ethics and values as indispensable core in any country’s existence, growth and transformation. She added that it will also help in the transformation agenda of the present administration.

    She attributed corruption, insecurity and other forms of vices being witnessed in the country to eroding societal values, pointing out that her office was working with various agencies, youth and women volunteers at the national, zones, state and local government levels to reposition ethics in the scheme of things.

    The Presidential Adviser commended the Abia State government for the steps taken so far for the restoration of ethics and values in the state and urged all Nigerians to be actively involved in the campaign.

    Dr Jubril called for the replication of the 35 per cent affirmative action at the federal level, in states and local government areas, stressing that women were indispensable in the polity and should not be marginalised.

  • School of Nursing graduates 567

    School of Nursing graduates 567

    Five hundred and Sixty-Seven  nurses have graduated at the School of Nursing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi , Anambra state.

    The Principal of the school of Nursing,  Mrs Nnoye N, Onyejiaka who announced this in her address during the maiden convocation ceremony held at the Gilbert  Metu Uzodike Auditorium, NAUTH, Nnewi , commended the nurses for excellent in their  performance.

    Onyejiaka issued them with certificates as nurses and announced that the nurses had in the past 14 years performed very well at the terminal qualifying examination for nurses, and counseled the graduands to always show love and care to patients in the course of doing their work.

    She said: “Since the then Minister of health, Dr Tim Menakaya commissioned the school in July 200,   the school of nursing, NAUTH, Nnewi had maintained record of 100 percent in the examination conducted by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria.

    “The school received an award for outstanding performance in the final qualifying examination in 2008, 2009. In the year 2012 the school had 100 per cent with 12 credits, and last year November, it equally had 100 percent with seven credits “.

    She also announced the list of eleven students who received awards for excellent performances from 2003 to 2013, including Anedu Chioma C, who was over all graduating student .

    Onyejiaka further said: “We  advise you (nurses)   to remain good ambassadors of your Alma mater and to come forward with useful suggestions that will move the school and hospital forward’’.

    She appealed to Anambra  state government and well meaning Nigerians to assist in providing utility vehicles, generator sets, accommodation etc, to enable staff and student nurses to perform their duties, especially for transportation, office/lecture rooms  and hostel facilities.

    Earlier, the Chairman, NAUTH management Board, Prof Ivara Esu in his speech, reminded students and staff that the focus of his administration is to offer prompt services  to patients and build cordial relationship with the host community and the catchment areas.

    Prof Esu cautioned graduands that the mark of service must be their watch word wherever they find themselves, even as he warned staff, particularly nurses that the  era of treating patients carelessly and exhibiting intolerance is over.

    Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director(CMD), Prof Anthony o, Igwegbe related the academic success to the quality of staff paraded by the school of Nursing , assuring that management would continue to maintain the tempo , and urged the graduands to keep the flame instituted by  Florence Nightingale flying in Nigeria.

  • Abia people ‘ll decide who governs them

    Abia people ‘ll decide who governs them

    One-time Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, and ex-member, House of Representatives, Sir Stanley Ugochukwu Ohajuruka, is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress  (APC) in Abia State. In this interview with SUNNY NWANKWO, he speaks, among other issues, on his eight years as Speaker, his ambition to run for the state’s Central Senatorial seat as well as who determines who governs the state in 2015. Excerpts:

    What is your assessment of your administration as Abia State Speaker?

    I think we did our best during our time when I was Speaker of the state and that was why I was re-elected to serve as the Speaker in the State House of Assembly and thereafter, it was also as a result of my sterling performance that I was elevated to serve as a member of the Federal House of Representatives, where I also excelled by attracting not less than 65 constituency projects to my Ikwuano/Umuahia federal constituency; the rehabilitation of the Umuahia/Ikwuano Road by Arab Contractors; Solar-powered Streetlights, Umunwawa solar-powered borehole, skill acquisition centre at Ogbodi Umuopara in Umuahia South, schools built and many more, all as a result of my legislative intervention in the National Assembly.

    There is rarely a community in Ikwuano/Umuahia that you cannot find one project that I attracted. I think my performance has been unpararelled by any other person. I think that the judgment is yours to make.

    Would you like to compare what obtained in your time and the present?

    It is not for me to make comparism. Everyone has his own style. I had my own style. The comparisms are for you to make. It’s for the members of the public to know whether our performance is better than the performance of those who are occupying the position now or whether the performance of those that are there now is better than ours. But I think everyone is contributing, even the ones that are now there are making their own contribution positively too. Everybody has his contribution to make too. Legislature is not like the Executive, it is just law making and persuading the Executive and also to ensure that through legislative intervention to ensure you use your leverage on your opposition as a member of the legislature to attract some projects to your constituency.

    Coming from 1999, how would you describe the level of political awareness in Abia State?

    I would say that the level of political awareness has not being very encouraging because we are still playing ethnic considerations. Ethnicity tends to influence what we do and I think that ethnic politics is something we have to address if we must move forward. People tend to give preference to their ethnic cleavages and I think that the earlier we dissipated  less energy playing the ethnic card when we take decisions, the better for us. That is the only sore area from my assessment, if you ask me to make an assessment of people towards politics in Abia State.

    After the 2011, general election in which you contested for the governorship under Labour Party, are you still in politics or have you retired?

    (Laughs) I am very much alive. I am still a very young man. The reason why we have not being visible is because we do not want to run foul of the electoral laws of Nigeria. There are times stipulated for people to play politics and that is what we are waiting for. Of course you may be aware that I am under pressure by my community and political associates to run for the senate in my senatorial zone, which I am still considering. However, I do not want to jump the gun yet because the electoral act clearly stipulates the time for politicking and as a lawmaker, I do not want to run foul of the law and when it is decision time, you will hear from me.

    You have being in three political parties before now, PDP, PPA and Labour Party, as a lawmaker and gubernatorial aspirant. Now that you are in APC, would you say that you have found your heartthrob in terms of politics?

    Yes! In Nigerian politics, it is such that there are reasons that propel people into moving from one political party to the other. Where there is no transparency in the mode of choosing candidates to run for an election. Where you see imposition, it does not augur well for proper political engineering.

    And if it happens in APC, what will happen?

    I do hope it will not happen. We have assurances and for now, there is no semblance of that happening in the party, I can assure you. If it happens in APC, I will condemn it. But I can assure you that APC is built to address some of these anomalies that are prevalent in other political parties and I do hope that transparency should be our watchword as it were. It is not about me as an individual, I think it is about the people.

    There is this insinuation particularly from the opposition that APC is not a national party and that the interest of the Igbos will not be protected in APC. What is your position on this?

    Am I not an Igbo man? Is Rochas Okorocha not an Igbo man? Is Ogbonnaya Onu not an Igbo man? I can assure you that APC is a national party. It is also built on this tripod of nationalism; the three major national groups are fully represented including the south south zone. Of course, you have Governors Oshiomhole and Rotimi Amaechi there; these are very credible Southsoutherners who are also driving events in APC. Let me also say that in APC, we talk about religious tolerance. Wives to our national party chairman and Governor Babatunde Fashola are Christians and his children are also Christians, is that not religious tolerance? It is only those who are politically myopic who resort to religion when they want to score political points. Let me assure you that APC is a national party. We are all equal stakeholders in the party. APC is the only party where people are free and proud to be members of the political party.

    The governor has said that his administration has performed more than any other in the state. What’s your response to that?

    Well, I am not actually given to making political assessments and judgments of governments of the day. When you make such assessment, people will say that you are biased. The only time people can make that assessment is when it is time to vote. That is when people can now decide whether the way they were governed is appreciated by them or not.

    When I tell you that the governor did well or that they didn’t do well, they will also come on air or come to the media to say we did this and we did that. So, I am not in the habit of discussing persons or personalities. But if our people feel that what they are getting now is the kind of governance that suits them or they appreciate as a people, so be it.

    What difference would you make if you had the opportunity to serve the people again?

    I will do a lot differently. Like I said, I will de-ethnicize governance. I will also ensure that merit should take a centre-stage. I will also digitalise governance and will go out of my way to ensure that the people determine what I do, and will not also allow anybody under the sun to sing my praises, but to sing the praises of the Almighty God because I cannot take the position of God. I will also make sure that no one wears any dress or insigma where you have the face of Stanley Ohajuruka. Instead of wearing any cloth with my picture, let them wear the one with the face of Christ.

    I will also give education priority. Agriculture will also be given priority. Employment of our teeming number of youths; practical employment will also take center stage. I would make sure that Abians witness modern infrastructural development here; well tarred and paved roads. I will also create industrial centers and other things that will make my administration different from other administration.

    Don’t you think that the governor’s incumbency factor, who is also from your senatorial zone, may work against you?

    Well, as far as I am concerned, it is a matter of choice. It doesn’t matter to me. It is the people who decide. We are not afraid of incumbency. A lot of people talk about this incumbency thing but as far as I am concerned, it is the people that will decide who will represent them.

    Do you think that building an airport by the present administration is a priority to the state?

    Well, airport is an infrastructure that anybody would not shy away from. Of course, as an Abian, I would want to see an airport built here. So, if that can be achieved by the government, it will be a step in the right direction.

    How would you assess the present administration both at the state and federal level?

    I would say that the government of the day has done their best and I will assure that an APC government will do better than what they have done. The signs are there and our people are craving for change. That is the slogan of our party. Part of our problem was accessibility to the media. During the registration exercise that took place in the state recently, we were prevented from using public places for that exercise and what our people did was to go to the homes of people to now canvass for membership. You might be surprised that at the end of that exercise, we had over 120, 000 card carrying members of the APC. That should give you a signal.

    APC bigwigs visited Orji Kalu, your former boss and former governor of Abia State to woo him into the party, would you say that visit was desirable?

    APC is open to everyone. It is not a party that prevents people from coming in, so it can accommodate everyone. And I can assure you that as long as you are in APC, you will conform to the rules and code of ethics of the party. APC is a political party. Political parties are not meant to prevent people from coming in; you choose the kind of person that will come and then you leave out the next person.

    I do not have anything against former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu. He is a good man, I can tell you. I make bold to say it, that I don’t have anything against him. I don’t also have anything against the present governor of Abia State as a person. He is my senior brother. I disagreed with my former boss Orji Uzor Kalu and the present governor on matter of principle and that principle, I will always uphold. That is Stanley Ohajuruka for you.

    People have criticized the presidential election coming before the governorship and other elections. What is your view?

    My own opinion is that the presidential election should have come last because that is the climax of the elections. Once a presidential election is conducted, it is assumed that every other has ended and you know this bandwagon effect on our society? We don’t want anything that will influence the outcome of any other elections. However, it is not to say that our party is afraid of that presidential election coming first. Ordinarily, I would have preferred a situation whereby the presidential election would have come last after other elections must have been conducted so that nobody would be influenced in anyway as to whether he or she would be allowed to retain his or her job or not.

    on at the tribunal, I would have been the governor today. So, wherein lays the regret? I presented myself to be considered for the position and Abians made their decision. The decision is for the people to make and at the end of the day, I went to the tribunal, the tribunal gave their judgment and I had to abide by the decision of the judgment. As a law abiding citizen, I had to…….You will recall that I went as far as the Supreme Court, the highest judicial organ of the land and after that, I accepted my fate and moved on, that is who I am. As I am here today, my accomplishments are there for everyone to see. One thing that is going for me is my integrity and that cannot be taken away from me. I still hold my integrity very close and dearly to my chest and I intend to keep it.

     

    APC said that they could have done something differently on the ongoing insurgency in the northeast, particularly, Borno State if they could have been in power. What do you think that should have been done to curb this menace? I think that issues of security is something that we need to criticize so much about, I think this is a time for sober reflection, a time to encourage our troops; our men and women in uniform who are out there facing this insurgents. I think this is the time for Nigerians to rally round those military men and women, our security personnel. Our hearts and mind should be with them, encourage them to fight this menace. It is the responsibility of every government to protect the lives and property of every citizen, so wherever the threat is coming from the government should take the responsibility as a constitutional responsibility to protect the lives and property of the citizens. This is not a time for politics or apportioning blames on anybody, it calls for sober reflection. It really hurts when you see government officials coming out to start accusing the opposition of one thing or the other. I think, it does not call for such criticism. Let me also say this, there is no way the government of the day should expect praises from the opposition. When they are not doing things right, they should not expect the opposition to praise them… cuts in. what would APC have done if they were there to curb the menace? Of course I cannot tell you what we would have done because we are not there. But I can assure you that we have a better strategy. In Ghana, America, Sierra Lone, Gambia, Senegal amongst other countries, their people having tried the ruling party tried the opposition. If we have one party ruling and you have not had the opportunity of knowing whether the alternative party can do better, how can you access? Wherein lies your assessment? That is the point I am making. For the sake of change, let us now access the opposition party, the APC. Let us try and see. By 2015, PDP would have governed Nigeria for 16years which is four terms and we are still complaining. How can anybody now accuse the opposition of not going to do better than the ruling party if you have not tried them? So, what we are saying is that, now we have seen the performance of PDP from 1999 till 2015. Give us a chance and you can now compare. You cannot compare what does not exist. Give APC the opportunity so that Nigerians can now compare whether the way they had been ruled from 1999 till date was what they bargained for. So, what I am saying is that APC has a better plan for Nigeria. The APC has a better strategy. Our industrial, security, educational, agricultural amongst other policies of APC are all imbedded in our manifesto and they are all better than what you have now. So, what we are still saying is that, let Nigerians give APC the opportunity of trying them. You cannot access something that you have not tried. If you are wearing a wrist watch on your right hand and it is not good there, you wear it on your right hand. Just like you can’t be doing the same thing overtime and expect the same result, the same way, you cannot be voting for a particular political party and expect a different result. If PDP would agree with me that they have served Nigeria for 16years without anything to show for, then the people deserved a change. If you have a political party ruling all the time, then there is no democracy. It is no longer democracy, what you now have is Totalitarianism. Let Nigerians try the alternate party and see what the outcome will be and after sometime, if the alternate party does not suit them, then they can also reverse to another political party. We should not see this sit tight approach as the best for our nation because you do not know the stomach that will give birth to the King. It is very important that we realize that.

     

     

  • Obiano cracks down on criminals

    Obiano cracks down on criminals

    Since Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano announced his resolve to fight armed robbers and other criminals such as drug addicts, everybody has been waiting for him to walk the talk. But he has been matching his talk with his walk. For instance, he set up a joint military task force comprising all the security agencies in the state.

    And the result? Criminals have started fleeing the state.

    But just before their flight, there was a large haul of felons picked up by the task force. Residents are also coming up with information.

    Last week, over 25 armed robbery and kidnap suspects were arrested and paraded, even as not less than four were shot dead in exchange of gunfire.

    Obiano has demonstrated uncommon resolve to stamp out violent crimes in the state, launching an all-out offensive against kidnappers and armed robbers.

    For one week, the joint military task force ransacked the three senatorial zones of the state making arrests. The state police command on its own despite being members of the joint military task force, went on its own through Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) making arrests.

    The police at the weekend paraded 20 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers at the headquarters of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS), Awkuzu.

    Commissioner of Police Gwary Usman who paraded the suspects said five AK 47 rifles, one Barrette Pistol; six pump action guns, 9,000 live cartridges; eight magazines; 1 locally made pistol and two and a half bags of Indian hemp were recovered from them.

    Gwary commended the efforts of the SARS leader, James Nwafor for leading the his men in apprehending the kidnappers of former Federal Director of Finance, Chief Robinson Ezeife and Chief Felix Obiefuna from Agulu.

    He assured the state citizens that with their collaboration and volunteering of information to the police, they would send packing all armed robbers and kidnappers as well as other criminal elements in the state. He thanked Governor Obiano for his support to the police and other security agencies in fighting crime especially with the formation of Joint Military Task Force.

    The Commissioner for Police regretted that many people are providing information to kidnappers and armed robbers on who to kidnap and rob, describing those people as worse than the robbers and kidnapers.

    Usman said further: “These men were arrested this week with all these arsenals. By special grace of God and the support we are getting from the Governor of Anambra State Chief Willie Obiano, we have the courage and zeal to fight crime and we are going to achieve the desired results. Anybody who is a criminal or a kidnapper should surrender his or her arms now unless he wants to be arrested. We are not relenting until we get rid of all criminal elements in the state’’.

    On the   joint task force constituted by Governor Obiano , Gwary said: ‘’ the formation is marvelous. We are still working on Onitsha by the time we finish with Onitsha , we would move to other senatorial zones. The Governor said he wants the state to be cleaned of all bad elements and we in security decided to come together and fight crime collectively because we have realized that one arm of the security agency could not reach everywhere it supposed to get to.

    ‘’But these operation is by the police led by OC SARS James Nwafor, we arrested some in Lagos, others in Asaba , others in Imo and anywhere a kidnapper runs to we would be there to arrest the kidnapper or armed robber……..’’ .

    But in a swift reaction some of the 20 suspects paraded admitted the allegations leveled against them and appealed for public forgiveness as they were led into the crime by frustration.

    A kidnap suspect, Ogochukwu Ngwuche from Eziagu, Enugu state admitted he is a kidnapper this way: ‘’I am a kidnapper. I kidnapped PC Emerah brother. My gang is here and the person that gave us information is here. He paid ransom of N5 Million’’. He said he was arrested in Asaba.

    On how he got the guns he used, Ogochukwu said: ‘’We bought one AK47 for N450,000 and the man I bought the gun from is here.

    For another suspect Philip Amia from Nkanu Enugu state :’’ I am a kidnapper . I don’t know the man we kidnapped but the person who gave us information is here. The police arrested me in Asaba. Look at the information manager here. ……..This is the third time I am kidnapping since I came back from Malaysia. I  was in Malaysia for 8 years , doing very well and had so many property until I ran into problem. I lost everything in my house …. And I was looking for money or what to do to survive until I was lured into this.

    He admitted that he had raised N2 Million since he started the kidnapping business and he used it to send somebody to Malaysia to get goods for him but the person ran into problem too and has not returned. He said he regretted all his actions now.

    Again, Echezona Akpulu from Nkitaku village Agulu admitted giving information the kidnappers used to kidnap his kinsman Felix Obiefuna and his proceeds from the crime was N300,000  which he used to send some money to his brother at South Africa and used the remainder to buy drinks for the memorial service of his late father.

    On Monday, the joint military patrol team arrested four suspected criminals, recovering some bags and wraps of  substance suspected to be Cannabis Sativa (Indian Hemp) estimated to weigh 100 kilograms.

    The team comprising the Army, Navy, Police, Department of Security Services, DSS and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA among others.

    On a tip-off, they stormed a hideout near the Old Motor Car Spare Parts (Mgbuka) Market, Obosi, near Onitsha at about 12 noon but the suspects sighted the team, took to their heels but in a concerted effort, five of them were tracked down.

    Many others escaped into a nearby bush even as all efforts to arrest more suspects proved abortive as the team left the area after thorough combing and firing tear gas canisters into the area to smoke them out.

    The team took off from the 302 Military cantonment, Onitsha,  and when they returned with the suspects and their Indian hemp, they interrogated them briefly and discovered that one of them was just a passerby and released him unconditionally with apology.

    A principal suspect who identified himself as Chibuzor Echendu, a native of Imo State, confessed to newsmen that he was a major distributor of Indian hemp in the area, adding that Samuel Nonso who was also among the four suspects in the team’s net, was once his apprentice in the hemp business.

    Some of the residents of Mgbuka Obosi market who witnessed the joint operation, including   Pastor Kingsley Ezeoke of the Jesus Transformation Ministry, Diaku Ifesinachi, Mrs, Uche Okeke, Victor Ezechi and Chibuzor Nnabuchi, commended Governor Obiano for setting up the joint team and urged him to sustain the tempo until all the criminal elements are flushed out and adequate security maintained in the state.

    They regretted that some hoodlums had attacked unsuspecting residents of the area within that same spot by way of snatching their motorcycles and dispossessing them of their valuables but urged the joint team not to harass and intimidate law-abiding citizens while carrying out their duties.

    The grand commander of the joint team and state deputy commissioner of police, Agyole Abeh told newsmen shortly after the exercise that the operation started about 10 days ago, adding that a considerable arrests and recoveries have been recorded by the team since its inception.

    The leader of Army team, Captain Tukuru and his NDLEA counterpart, Ameh Inalegwu who is also the Assistant State Commander in charge of Operations/Intelligence, said the operation would continue until all the criminals in the state are flushed out of existence.

    On Tuesday there was tension in Onitsha yesterday following the killing of two suspected armed robbers by policemen attached to one new generation banks at Limca road, in the commercial city of Onitsha.

    Eye witnesses said the two suspected robbers operating in Okada met their waterloo when they had successfully robbed a lady who had gone to the bank to withdraw an undisclosed sum of money and wanted to zoom off before policemen attached to the bank opened fire.

     

    The witness said the robbers were killed in the ensuing gunfire adding that residents of the commercial city and passersby stopped to catch a glimpse of the lifeless bodies of the shot armed robbers as they were kept in front of the bank shortly after they were shot.

    The items recovered from them included brand new Motorcycle with which they operated, English and locally made pistols and undisclosed sum of money as well as number of mobile phones.

    The Nation was told that the suspected armed robbers were members of the gang of armed robbers specialized in robbing unsuspecting members of the public after bank transactions.

    Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), DSP Emeka Chukwuemeka confirmed the robbery incident but said there was no casualty on the side of the police and innocent passersby.

     

    Chukwuemeka admitted people scampered for safety when the men of the underworld attacked the lady. He said the robbers were members of the gang of armed robbers specialized in terrorizing the residents of the area on motorcycles, popularly known as Okada. He added that the incident had further reduced the menace of the men of the underworld

    He appealed to the people of the community to continue to volunteer information that could lead to the hideout of the armed robbers on the ground that the Police command, under CP Usaman Gwary is committed to fighting crime and criminality in the state.

    Anambra state joint Military security operation team yesterday set ablaze the camps of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) Nnewi, Nnewi North .

     

    At Nnewi the Joint Taskforce raided some criminal hideouts in Nnewi North Local Government Area arresting five suspected criminals and Indian hemp dealers including a woman.

     

    Leader of the team ,Anambra State DCP Operations, Agyole Abeh who was represented  said the exercise was in line with Governor Willie Obiano’s resolve to rid the major cities in Anambra State of criminals and all forms of anti-social activities .

     

    Some of the flashpoints raided included Mbuze (an erosion site) which is said to be the den of men of the underworld in Uruagu quarter, Oduda Nnewichi and Obiofia.

     

    At Oduda Nnewichi, the MASSOB’s camp was raided and allegedly set ablaze and items said to be recovered there were Biafran flags, attendance register, military wears, caps and items suspected to be charms even as a suspect was arrested there.

     

    The team also recovered seven polythene bags of Indian hemp at Obiofia and other incriminating items.

     

    MASSOB National Deputy Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha said it was unfortunate and saw no reason or justification for the raid. He said that the military wears allegedly recovered from the MASSOB’s camp were the properties of the organization.

     

    “It is very unfortunate that our camp was raided and there was no reason for that even though we support the effort of the security Joint Task Force to rid state but particularly Onitsha of criminals, which should not be extended to us because we are not criminals.

     

    “There is no reason for that raid. Those uniforms they said they recovered from us were not Nigerian army or any of the force’s uniforms. They are Biafran security uniforms. They are neither arms nor ammunition. So nothing justifies that military action against us. We have committed no offense,” Mocha explained.

     

    The team equally arrested an Onitsha based park agent, Chukwudi Ogah.

    The suspect was arrested along upper Iweka axis while molesting a driver for not paying his daily revenue even as an undisclosed sum and charms were discovered from the suspect.

     

    The joint team later launched operation traffic flow and chased the touts loading along the roads inside the Onitsha central park even as most of the touts and pick pockets went into hiding.

     

    The team mounted surveillance along Upper Iweka to bridge head and Aba park to electrical market, attracting commendation from traders and passers-by who hailed the exercise.

     

    Some of them, Osondu Igbokwe, Agatha Nwanne and Ambrose Eze commended the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano in his avowed resolve to rid the state off criminalities but urged that the tempo be sustained so that traders can heave a sigh of relieve.

     

    Addressing journalists, the leader of the team and Anambra State DCP Operations, Agyole Abeh said the exercise is to sanitize the state and to ensure that there is free flow of traffic in the commercial nerve centre of the state. He added that armed robbers and kidnappers will not have peace until they leave the state.

     

     

    The suspect fingered one Chijioke Onwe from Imo State as their boss and disclosed that they make more than N10, 000 daily but were being paid N1, 000 on daily basis adding that the charm is for protection against driver’s curses.

     

    But, Chijioke Onwe when contacted denied that his name is not Chijioke Onwe but Nnamdi Anaekwe. He disclosed that he is a certified pack agent managing Onitsha-Asaba Township buses motor park saying that he was duly commissioned by the State Government as a park agent.

     

    When this reporter insisted on evidence as an agent, the said agent flanked an appointment letter duly signed by the Anambra State Commissioners for Transport and Finance, Dr. Chike Ohamobi and Ngozika Okoye respectively as well as that of S.A. on Internally Generated Revenue, Lady V.A. Obinwa.

     

    The letter reads in part, “Approval has been given to you (Anambra Solid Cooperative Society Ltd) as park agent for the management of Onitsha-Asaba Township Buses Motor Parks…”

    When contacted, the State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chike Ohamobi denied knowing any such name as Chukwudi Oga, Chijioke Onwe and Nnamdi Anakwe but admitted signing an appointment letter of Anambra Solid Cooperative Society Ltd, which is being managed by one Mr. Nelson.

     

    His words: “Anambra Solid Cooperative  Society is a legal agent of the State Government. We empowered the agent and we group them as Asaba Township Bus, an urban bus that stops at various bus stops. It is a genuine revenue window and they pay close to N1 million in government coffers every month.

     

    “So, it could be that those names you are calling are the people helping the man in collecting the revenue and if he is a genuine agent and was arrested, then, it will amount to disruption of the chain of revenue collection in the state”.

     

    Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and the world famous Israeli security expert, Moshe Keinan lauded Obiano’s ingenuity for the security summit and pledged their support.

     

    Moshe Keinan is the founder and owner of MKGroup Consultancy, Security & Instruction LTD, a Tel-Aviv based company that teems with experts on diverse fields of security with specialization in intelligence, police, prisons, ports and airports security among others.

     

    Moshe Kienan , an academic director in National Security Studies at Galilee College, has his main interests mostly in the areas of security knowledge, planning and execution, operations and intelligence, national defence, strategy and human simulations and instruction.

     

     

  • FRSC fights drunk-driving in Anambra

    FRSC fights drunk-driving in Anambra

    For three days Anambra State was abuzz with the campaign to end drunk-driving. Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) stormed the state with motorbikes and a road-show motorcade, freely handing out leaflets to road users. As the leaflets literally flew around, the officers, using the public address system, consistently appealed to motorists not drive drunk. There was a lot of dance too.

    The mega campaign was sponsored by Guinness Nigeria Limited, while the Anambra Sector Command was chosen to kick-start the event. The target was the Easter celebrations, a time when road crashes tend to increase apparently because of festivity fever.

    Since then, the only phrase that hits motorists’ ears is “Don’t drive drunk”.

    That event was so important that the Corps Commander, Hyginus Omeje, the state sector commander, invited the Zonal Commanding Officer, RS5HQ, Benin, ACM Nseobong C. Akpabio to witness the campaign.

    The mega-campaign which started about 1pm from Aroma Roundabout with Akpabio and Omeje leading over 200 participants, including the sponsors, staff, special marshals, NYSC members and the media.

    They did a 15-kilometer walk from Aroma Roundabout through Amaku General Hospital Gate 1 and 2, Eke Awka Market, Ukwu Orji junction, Nigeria Prisons junction, Amawbia Roundabout (Old Awka-Onitsha road), Nwalusi junction and back to the Sector Command.

    Safety tips fliers, branded T-shirts, branded bottled water cans were distributed to the public.

    At Amawbia Roundabout, the Zonal Commanding Officer ACM Akpabio spoke to Okada riders and drivers of fleet operators on the dangers of drunk driving and equally conducted a breath test for alcohol with the aid of an Aqualizer.

    Addressing the participants at the end of the walk, the Sector Head PE and PROT, ACC Chinelo Ezekwesili appreciated the Zonal Commanding Officer and the sector commander Omeje as well as other participants for the time and effort put to make the Mega Rally a huge success.

    Omeje thanked the Zonal Commanding Officer for initiating the event and bringing sponsors down to hold the first phase in Anambra State. He reiterated the Command’s commitment to duty which has resulted in the Command consistently leading other commands in the Zone for three years running.

    Akpabio appreciated all that participated in the event, adding that the essence of the road show was to enlighten the public on road safety before and during the Easter period. He said the event was timely and a success, judging from the response and turnout.

    He thanked the management of Guinness Nigeria Limited for sponsoring the programme and urged other stakeholders to live up to their civic responsibility of partnering with the Corps to actualise its mandate of eradicating crashes on our roads.

    The Unit Commander RS5.31 Onitsha, ACC Anthony C Metta in his vote of thanks appreciated the Zonal Commander for initiating the project and thanked all that participated but thanked God for the success recorded and prayed for journey mercies to all as they go back to their respective place of abode.

    The FRSC said it would digitalise all its records in 2014 in order to improve its operational and statistical competence.

    Chidoka, FRSC Corps Marshal, who disclosed this to newsmen in Onitsha after delivering road safety leaflets to motorists at the Niger Bridge, noted that very soon record of motorists would follow them anywhere they go in the country since access of each motorist particulars would be a click away through an online data base.

    Chidoka said: “This is an important year for us in FRSC; it is a year of education and enforcement. We are moving our operations from the manual form to the digital form and people’s records would follow them anywhere in the country. I would advise road users to respect road rules and know that whatever offence or offences they commit; it would go along with them.

    “And FRSC is poised to protect the people who obey the rules on the road and punish those who disobey them,” he said.

    The corps marshal also noted that “Peace Ambassadors numbers” were fake, adding, “We have made series of announcement for those who have it to return them and then register their vehicles with the right numbers’’.

    “They are not produced by us and we do not know where they come from,” he stressed.

    Chidoka also said that there had been reduction in road crashes as well as people injured and death resulting from the crashes in the country in 2013 compared with the previous three years.

    “However, we are yet to compile our statistics for the year; but from the day-to-day records; there had been a reduction,” he said.

    He revealed that with the on-going issuance of convoy drivers with the new convey drivers’ licence; the commission would be able to track-down each individual convey driver.

    “And with this, we would be able to punish any of them that goes contrary to the traffic rules and put them in effective check,” he added.

    The leaflets are with the flowing inscriptions: “Mother/Child Safer Awareness”; “Safer Roads, Fuller Lives” and “Avoid Over-loading and Over-Speeding”.

    However, the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Anambra State Command, Hyginus Uche Omeje has lauded the former Anambra State Governor, Mr Peter Obi for his positive relationship and assistance to federal agencies in the state.

    Omeje made this commendation after the former governor presented a Ford Ranger Truck and Chevrolet Life Ambulance vehicles to the FRSC in Awka at the twilight of his administration and called on the incumbent to do more for the FRSC as they are set to give their best to the state.

    The Sector Commander noted that all other federal agencies domiciled in Anambra State like the Army, Police, Civil Defence Corps and the State Security Service   have all received enormous assistance from the Obi administration in the past which have made their operations less cumbersome.

    He noted that the donation to the road safety command will help them in rescuing accident victims in line with latest international standards while they can easily access the nooks and crannies of the state with the vehicles owing to the good network of roads already created in the state by the Obi administration.

    Omeje thanked Obi and Obiano for fulfilling his promises to the command while assuring his continued commitment for the reduction of road crashes in the state.

    Omeje lamented that about 107 people reportedly died in road crashes between December 19 and 23 last year in the country, adding that the World Bank has rated the FRSC, under the leadership of Chidoka, the best in the world.

    He commended the helicopter surveillance of major roads in the country, and his patriotism, dedication and commitment in discharging his duties which all other staff of the corps is emulating.

    Chidoka himself had at one of his visits commended the Head of Department, Special Marshal and Partnership, Victor Nwokolo, Zonal Commanding Officer, Zone 5 Benin, Nseobong Akpabio and Anambra State Sector Commander, Hyginus Omeje among others for their support to him to make his job easier hence available records so far obtained shows that there is a reduction in number of deaths and crashes in 2013 compared to year 2012, hoping there would be greater improvement in 2014.

    The Corps Marshall had attributed the corps success recorded during the yuletide from the heavy duty trucks they received from the world bank , commitment of the officers and synergy between other law  enforcement agents which has ensured the achievement of  President Jonathan’s directive to the command to ensure that road travelers were not unduly delayed.

    Chidoka said no fewer than 1.3 million people die annually through road traffic crashes worldwide.

    He said that unless immediate and effective action is taken, road traffic injuries are to become the fifth leading cause of death in the world resulting in an estimated 2.4 million deaths each year.

    The Corps Marshal called on churches to include Road Safety Enlightenment programmes as part of their worship activities.

    “Road traffic crashes are caused by certain actions we take on our highways and while the church remains prayerful, there is also the need for us to obey traffic rules and regulations.

    “Praying and driving on used tyres (tokunbo) at 130km per hour is like tempting God.

    “We should keep to the speed limit, fasten our seat belt and maintain our vehicles regularly.

    “Let us avoid wrongful and dangerous overtaking, overloading and use of phones while driving” he said.

    In that spirit, the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) Club under Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), distributed fifty (50) helmets free to Okada riders for their safety recently.

    Cadet in Chief FRSC/ NYSC Club Onitsha Unit Command, Corper Ayomide said the aim of the sensitization was to protect the riders head in preventing and reducing head injury in order to save the rider’s life.

     

  • Customs intensifies clampdown on smugglers

    Customs intensifies clampdown on smugglers

    The Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone C of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified onslaught against the smuggling syndicates in the Southeast and South-South. They are believed to be behind the smuggling of contraband and counterfeit products into the country, especially rice and fairly used vehicles popularly known as tokunbo.

    In the last two years, it had recorded unprecedented breakthroughs in the war against saboteurs of the country’s economy.

    First was the bursting of a powerful syndicate that specialised in importation of banned poultry products that are injurious to consumers’ health. Currently, they had been neutralised due to the proactive and effective tactics employed by the officers in the zone under the leadership of the Controller of FOU Zone C, Victor David Dimka.

    After they had been dislodged in the business of smuggling contraband poultry products, the smugglers began smuggling unapproved variety of rice which they cleverly mix with bags of approved ones.

    Once again, the FOU Zone C has lived up to its constitutional responsibility of protecting the country’s economy from the activities of smugglers.

    At the last count, the zone had made seizure of smuggled rice with total duty paid value (DPV) of over N375, 634 million at two different occasions.

    Displaying the seized smuggled lorry loads of rice which included fake Mama Africa brand of rice valued at N160, 440 and other brands of rice, with a total DPV of N235, 634,000 assured that the synergy currently existing between the NCS and other security agencies, especially the Police, Army, the State Security Services (SSS) and NAFDAC, would be strengthened to reduce the menace of smuggling in the country.

    He expressed optimism that despite the upsurge in smuggling in recent times, the scourge could be effectively tackled with the support and co-operation of all patriotic Nigerians with security agencies, stating that the Nigeria Customs Service would sustain its public enlightenment/sensitisation campaign on the dangers inherent in the illegal business of smuggling, patronage and consumption of contraband goods.

    “The items were brought in with every amount of ingenuity and if we are not able to check them, those who criminally brought them in would eventually have their way to the market,” said Dimka who expressed shock over the resilience of the smugglers after losing so much money as a result of the clampdown on their illegal trade. He warned transporters to always be careful and mindful of the purpose for which their vehicles are being used at any point in time since ignorance of the use of any vehicle for a criminal act can never be tolerated as an excuse.

    Continuing, he said: “The story behind our success is the co-operation and support we receive from the Comptroller-General of Customs Abdullahi Dikko Inde, the management. We have also embarked on training and re-training, even as our intelligence unit is at its best to meet our challenges.

    “The Nigeria Customs Service, more than ever before, is adequately trained and motivated to confront the smuggling racket. This is a warning to smugglers and would-be-smugglers that it is no longer business as usual.

    “No matter the tactics they employ to deceive security agents, they cannot escape the eagle eyes of the officers of FOU Zone C and they will be arrested, prosecuted and punished. But we will continue to partner with the public on the area of intelligence gathering to help in curbing the menace.”

    Disclosing the method of operation of the rice smugglers, Dimka said. “The syndicate, after buying large quantities of the banned rice, discharge them in neighbouring countries, where they are re-bagged with the bags of the ones that are approved for importation and then smuggle them into the country in small quantities.

    “Despite their tricks, we are able to identify the fake products and pick them up when they have entered into the country. What we normally do is to keep tracking them until they enter into safe zone when we can move in and round them up.”

    He said the consignments were intercepted along the Agbor-Okpanam Road, Onitsha/Asaba Road and Benin/Onitsha Road by his men who acted on a tip-off.

    Dimka further stated that five suspects arrested in connection with the crime are currently detained in Benin, Enugu and Calabar and are helping Customs officials in their investigations, adding that those already granted bail would soon appear in court.

    He warned that although officers of Nigeria Customs Service are to shoot to maim, they can shoot to kill whenever it becomes inevitable in the discharge of their duties, especially when a smuggler is armed and their lives are in danger. “They are now better trained, equipped, motivated and informed to meet their challenges in the interest of the country’s economy,” he said.

    Dimka attributed the upsurge in smuggling to unbridled quest to make quick money by desperate Nigerians. He assured that his men would always support the government and implement its policies and programme geared towards the elimination of smuggling.

    Seizure made in the zone which covers Edo, Bayelsa, Delta, Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers, Cross River, Imo and Akwa Ibom states in the last one month included lorry loads of smuggled rice with Duty Paid Value of N235, 634 million, 31 assorted types of vehicles valued at N18 million.

     

    This is in addition to 14 cartons of contraband Tramadol with 300 pieces of 100mg capsules suspected to have been illegally imported from England without NAFDAC’s officially approved registration numbers.

    The Controller explained that the Tramadol capsules were deceitfully packed and concealed in a luxury bus along with many other contraband goods before it was intercepted by officers attached to the zone.

    Despite the upsurge of smuggling in the country, Dimka expressed optimism that the scourge could be effectively tackled with the support and co-operation of all patriotic Nigerians, stating that the NCS would sustain its public enlightenment/sensitisation campaign on the dangers inherent in the illegal business of smuggling, patronage and consumption of imported contraband goods.

    Receiving the drugs impounded on behalf of the Director-General of National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhii, the Chief Regulatory Officer of NAFDAC Mrs. Esther Itua commended the NCS for its spirited effort to contain the problem of smuggling, even as he assured that the agency will stop at nothing to apprehend those behind the importation.

    However, businessmen in the Southeast have decried the incessant seizure of their goods by the Customs officers in the zone who they accused of systematically clamping down on their trade because of their alleged refusal to pay exorbitant and illegal levies imposed by the Customs.

    In a swift reaction, the Controller dismissed their claims as frivolous and unfounded, challenging anyone with genuine complaint to come up and report any case of extortion as claimed to any anti-graft agency in the country, stating that no amount of cheap blackmail will deter the officers from carrying out their legitimate duties.

     

     

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  • NGO helps students, four tertiary institutions

    A non-governmental organisation, the Samuel Maduka Onyishi African Entrepreneurship Foundation (SAMOAEF) has awarded scholarship to 125 students from various tertiary institutions.

    The scholarship scheme was instituted since 2008 and has awarded scholarships to 725 undergraduate students across the country.

    Speaking at the event which took place at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium of University of Nigeria Nsukka, Thursday, the Chairman, Peace Group of companies, Dr. Sam Onyishi said, “the reason for the award is to better the lot of humanity and touch the lives of the poorest physically challenged in tertiary institutions in the country.

    “The idea of the scheme is to establish a unique institutional partnership with the University of Nigeria to engage in multidimensional educational, social and entrepreneurial programs aimed at enhancing the educational and scholarship potential, opportunities for Nigerian undergraduates in tertiary institutions in the country.”

    The businessman disclosed that the next edition of the scholarship scheme will integrate primary and secondary pupils across the country.

    Four brand new units of 18-seater Hiace Buses were presented to the management of Institute of Management and technology (IMT), Enugu, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Akanu-Ibiam Federal Polytechnic Uwana, Ebonyi State and Ehamufu College of Education, Enugu, respectively.

    Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Anglican Diocese of Nsukka and Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Nsukka Chapter equally received one brand new 18-seater Hiace buses each.

  • Experts worry over poor healthcare system

    Experts worry over poor healthcare system

    Participants at a health summit in Enugu have raised the alarm on the deplorable state of health service in the country and called for quick intervention of the Federal Government.

    The experts, drawn from the national body of the Nigeria Health Economics Association, (NIHEA) expressed the view that Nigerians were yet to enjoy good healthcare services, despite the country’s huge economic disposition as one of the leading oil-producing countries of the world.

    In a keynote lecture entitled “From Nowhere to Somewhere–Improving the Nigerian Health System with Evidence for Universal Health Coverage (UHC)”, the National President of the Nigerian Health Economics Association Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, regretted most health facilities in the country take the posture of mere consulting clinics with total absence of health personnel and essential drugs in many of them. This he attributed to poor funding.

    Onwujekwe, who is the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), stated that a durable health system must have good oversight of resources and power, improvement of health of its population, efficiency, equity and quality with respect to service provision, financial risk protection and universal health, among others.

    He said: “Judged on these expectations and other factors, it was discovered that Nigerian health system is weak and was ranked 187th out of 191 health systems globally. This was attributed to plethora of factors, including weak governance structure, weak information system; inefficient use of critical resources, sub-optimal financing system and non-responsiveness to the needs of the people, among others.”

    He also observed that the current national health policy was outdated, leaving so much responsibility to the primary healthcare level, adding that there was a disconnect between plans and implementation and planning, as policy-making was not based on evidence.

    “On a more practical term, the health system was viewed from different perspectives. From the maternal and child health perspective, there is high maternal mortality ratio and under–five mortality rate of 153 per 1,000 live births (the figure is higher in rural areas) owing partly to the low proportion of births attended to by skilled health personnel and low coverage of other  interventions, and from the perspective of health financing, less than five per cent of the population is currently covered by financial risk protection mechanism (health insurance) and payment for healthcare are mostly out of pocket, which are often catastrophic to households.”

    Onwujekwe disclosed that there were, however, some positive achievements in immunisation coverage, increased use of insecticide-treated nets, through massive distribution campaigns nation-wide and some decline in infant and maternal mortality.

    While calling for the development of a health system backbone, which would usher in the introduction of new cadre of health workers with management skills, strengthening health system activities required for achieving universal health coverage, the medical expert noted that improvement of work efficiency, equity and comprehensive sector – wide delivery of essential primary health care services in the 36 states and Abuja, were imperative for the country’s healthcare sector to move forward.

    The don further explained that the Nigerian Health Economics Association was a body that constitutes health economics, policy analysts and policymakers, who are experts in their various fields either by their official training or practical experience in the field of health economics and policy. He added that the target of the association was to promote and sustain the development, knowledge and application of health economics in Nigeria.

    Also speaking, another scholar, Dr. Tarry Asoka from Rivers State, maintained that for the health sector reform to yield any dividend, there was need for a systematic change around the three drivers of change namely–agents, institutions and structures.

    Asoka, who spoke on “Innovative Imperatives for Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria”, stressed the need for alternative thinking that could bring about a systematic change and various models which the health sector could borrow from, even as he named the Nollywood paradigm and satchet water, as few products that had achieved universal coverage.

    “The health sector can study these to understand how they were able to achieve success, one of such reasons; especially in the case of the Nigerian movie industry was the determination of a group of people to think differently on how to do things in order to make things happen, notwithstanding existing limitations arising from lack of funds,”  Asoka added.

    He therefore warned that unless things were done differently, progress could be difficult while the task of achieving universal coverage and better health for all would remain a mirage.

    Papers were also presented by Dr. Emeka Udeh, Charles Ezenduka, Chijioke Okoli, Dr. Chima Onoka, Dr. Mrs. Enyi Etiaba and Dr. Ogoamaka Chukwuogo who represented the Executive Director of the Africa Health Economics Association, Dr. Chris Atim.

    Meanwhile, in a 16–point communiqué issued after the third Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Health Economics Association, held in Enugu, the organisation called for the development of a new national health policy, which would be context–specific and one that would address current and future institutional challenges.

    The experts observed that the weak Nigerian health system was in dire need of innovative reforms as most health interventions in the country do not provide satisfactory value for money, even as they maintained that efficiency is a major issue that should be promoted within the Nigerian health system.

    According to the communiqué, many components of health policies and strategies are developed without using evidence, although such policies and strategies could have been motivated or catalysed by evidence.

    “Nigeria is not making satisfactory progress towards achieving universal health coverage, as universal financial coverage is less than five per cent in Nigeria due to poverty,” he noted.

    The brain–storming workshop attracted more than 100 participants from within and outside the country, including those from the academia and private sector engaged in health service.