The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Govt to empower 120,000 farmers

    the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS) programme of the Federal Government is expected to empower 120, 000 farmers in Ebonyi State.

    This represents a 50 percent increase from last year which reached over 60, 000 farmers in the state.

    The state director of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Anselm Opara, said this in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    He said poultry and fishing activities would be included in this year’s programme

    “This would be a deviation from the normal practice of providing farm inputs such as fertilisers and seedlings to farmers, as it is aimed at boosting agriculture generally in the state.

    “The farmers who would be involved in this programme have been captured in our data base, as we would ensure that all network problems associated with the Electronic Wallet (GSM) system, are

    solved”.

    He said the programme would avail farmers the opportunity of using the ‘offline redemption system’ which will enable them redeem their inputs without the GSM method.

    The state director noted that farmers who have identity cards which are captured in the database would be allowed to access farm inputs to ensure that the programme achieves its goals.

    “I commend local government areas in the state that provided warehouses and security for farm inputs”, he said,noting that the programmme was a collaborative one between the Federal and state governments.

    He noted that 1, 100 farmers in the state who are presently participating in the dry season farming, have been provided with irrigation pumps and farm inputs.

    The director said that not all the farmers are involved in the practice but only those who have farms along the Ebonyi River which transverse the whole local government areas of the state.

    Opara advised the people to be genuinely involved in agriculturebecause of its benefits to the people and economy.

  • NAFDAC holds workshop for food vendors

    NAFDAC holds workshop for food vendors

    The Director-General of National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhii has enlightened food vendors in Enugu on the importance of food safety.

    Dr Orhii spoke at a two-day workshop on National Food Safety workshop organised for all categories of food vendors ranging from primary producers, small and medium-scale food processors, state and local government and public inspectors, agricultural extension officers, state agricultural development programmes (ADP) officers, regulators, household food handlers and catering services providers, among  others in Enugu.

    He stated that the agency has developed guidelines for food hygienic practices (NGFHP) which addresses the whole spectrum of national food chain, adding that the scientific concept of rational and systematic approach of identification, assessment and control of hazards during production, processing, manufacturing, preparation and use of food must be applied.

    He maintained that the aim of the workshop was primarily to ensure that food safety is integrated into the design of the process rather than the end product testing participants would be exposed to safe practice in primary food production and storage, traceability of food labelling and other guides on exportation of food products, consumers and household safe handling of food, extant regulatory control for safe food, financial transactions with NAFDAC, among others.

    Represented by Dr. Samson Adebayo Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, he said after the workshop, participants would apply NAFDAC’s guidelines for food hygienic practices throughout the food chain from the primary producer to final consumer.

    He urged the participants to apply the knowledge they gained at the workshop in their everyday routine.

    Present at the workshop were non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations, public-based organisations, airlines caterers, warehouse operators, fast food operators, street vendors and food operators among others.

  • Buhari storms Abia for Emenike’s father-in-law’s funeral

    Buhari storms Abia for Emenike’s father-in-law’s funeral

    All Progressives Congress (APC)  and former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari led other dignitaries to bid farewell to the father-in-law of an APC chieftain and publisher Chief Ikechi Emenike in Umule, a village in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State reports UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE

    All eyes were on him. Not a few, perhaps, were surprised that he was in a church. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, a major promoter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Head of State, did not only attend the church service for the funeral of Sir Martin Ohadiugha, he also participated in all the Christian rites. He stood when the presiding priest requested all to stand. There was simply no airs around him. He just flowed with the tide.

    And Chief Ikechi Emenike, a chieftain of the APC and publisher, who is son-in-law of the deceased, played the perfect host.

    The funeral service at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Umule attracted Christians of all denominations. Muslims were also not left out of the funeral for this man, who was said to have led exemplary life.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, his deputy, Eze Madumere, ace columnist Mohammed Haruna and many other dignitaries also witnessed the service.

    Speaking while delivering his homily at Umule Ohuhu in Umuahia North

    Local Government Area of Abia State on Monday, the Catholic Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Lucius Ugorji described the funeral service as the way Nigerians are supposed to live together in harmony.

    Bishop Ugorji said the funeral service, which attracted many Methodist

    Church Bishops, Assemblies of God Church ministers, and Muslims, including Gen. Buhari, depicted how peaceful co-existence should be.

    He said: “This burial is a unifying factor for all the people of the country to learn that there is no problem living together, as we can see ministers of God of different denominations coming together to worship and pray for the repose of the sole of the dead, including a Muslim like Gen. Buhari.”

    The Catholic cleric said if people would come together, the country would be one united family irrespective of tribe, religion and culture.

    Bishop Ugorji said the life of every Christian should revolve around sacrifice, adding that there were four cardinal points in life, including death, judgment, heaven and hell.

    It was indeed a fitting funeral for a man many described as epitome of virtues, a good father and a fantastic leader.

  • Paint firm gets SON award

    Paint firm gets SON award

    Intercolor Industries Limited, Emene in Enugu State has been awarded The Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme (MANCAP) certificate by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    At an occasion which attracted government officials, chiefs of security agencies in the state, traditional rulers and captains in the building industry, the head of SON Enugu state office, Mr. O. O. Awobote who represented the Director-General of the organisation, Dr. Joseph Odumodu said the products of Intercolor Industries Limited had conformed to the requirements of SON.

    According to him, the journey to the award had not been easy, saying that “it involved series of factory inspection visits to the company to ascertain that the quality of the products meets specifications of Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS).”

    He commended the firm for perseverance and tenacity towards achieving its set goal without compromising quality of its products.

    “It is our wish that your company will not compromise quality even after this award ceremony. Remember, quality is a journey without a bus stop,” he said.

    Awobote explained that MANCAP was put in place by SON to ensure that all locally-manufactured products conform to the relevant Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) before such products were presented for sale in Nigerian markets or exported.

    He told the audience that it was the earnest desires of the SON Director-General to give support to industries through the dictates of standardisation to enable them to attain a world-class status where applicable.

    He, however, warned: “Please, note that there is no short cut to the award of MANCAP certificate. The process for the award involves performance tests before conformance certificate is issued. The certificate is renewable on three yearly basis subject to maintenance of specified quality requirements and continual existence of the product in the Nigerian system.

    “The programme (MANCAP) is mandatory for all manufacturing companies in the country and all intending manufacturers are expected to comply before marketing their products to consumers.”

    Responding, the Managing Director of the company, Mrs. Juliet Okeke expressed delight at the award and promised that the company would not lower its standards. Rather, she said, we would improve on the quality of the products.

    She said: “Our manufacturing processes are in full compliance with the Nigerian Industrial Standards (NIS) as evidenced by the award of MANCAP certificate to us by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria for which we celebrate with you all today.”

    She said Intercolor Industries set up the manufacturing facility in Emene, Enugu in order to bring quality products and services closer to Nigerian consumers and it commenced full production in January, 2011 with an initial capacity of six million litres per annum with functional sales outlets in major cities across Nigeria.

  • Obi’s wife fetes January 1 babies

    Obi’s wife fetes January 1 babies

    Child delivery and care remain a great responsibility. Many who have could not cater for them just as many still search earnestly for the fruit of the womb.

    In her tradition, the wife of Anambra State Governor , Mrs Margaret Peter-Obi, recently feted babies delivered on the first day of the year. Fifteen families from the three Senatorial zones in the state were the lucky ones. The beneficiaries later showered encomiums on the governor’s wife for her kindness and constant support.

    They were referred to as the first babies of year 2014 and that attracted bounties such as cash donations worth several thousands of Naira at different public hospitals in the state.

    Obi’s wife was just able to visit only 15 babies delivered in public hospitals though investigation reveals that about 200 babies were delivered in Anambra State in both public,private and missionary hospitals in the three senatorial zones of the state.

    The first baby in the year was Chinemerem Ezinwanne, a female. She was delivered at Primary Health Centre, Aguata inside the local government headquarters. She came at 12:00am and weighed 3.2kg.

    Her parents, Mr Oliver Ezinwanne and Mrs Ebele Ezinwanne from Okpo village, Ekwulobia, were excited over the cash and huge bounties from the the governor’s wife.

    The 42-year-old mother deals in engine oil while the husband is a trader at Okigwe. The baby is the fourth in the family.

    The Chief Nursing Officer in the hospital , Mrs Ezeoffor Ifeoma, said the PHC needed a borehole and a stand- by generator , upgrading of the staff quarters while the medical doctor in charge , Dr Ugochukwu Okwuba, thanked Obi’s wife for the visit as it was her first time to visit the place. The council chairman was represented by Chief Ezeobi Eugene.

    Obi’s wife represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Henrietta Agbata and the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Nkiru Okeke also gave bounties to the second baby and the third baby at Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital and Maternity, Waterside , Onitsha and Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital respectively.

    The second baby, Chinualumogu, male, weighed 3.5kg and was delivered at 1.58am while the third baby, Favour, a female weighed 3.7kg and was delivered at 2;05am.

    The parents of the second and third babies Okpala Chukwu from Nibo in Awka South and Ijeoma Ezeani from Abagana in Njikoka Local Government Area, thanked the governor’s wife for the gesture.

    Mrs Okpala, 32, is a teacher at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha while her 41- year- old husband is a trader. She said she had got three girls before the arrival of the baby boy.

    For Permanent Secretary Okeke who sang in all the places visited, breast feeding is the best bet for the babies to avoid communicable diseases.

    The Priest in charge of the Holy Rosary Specialist Hospital , Rev Fr Ozigbo Stanley represented by a hospital supervisor , Ononuju Grace, commended the largesse from Obi’s wife to the first and other babies.

    However the Chief Nursing Officer in charge of Enugu-Ukwu General Hospital , Mrs Okeke Lois, appealed for a borehole in the hospital, provision of electricity , tackling the flood menace and putting the toilet facilities in order.

    The Director of Child Development, Mr Emeka Ejide, described the visit as an annual one in which the state celebrates children as a means of creating awareness on the need for mother to ensure adequate care for their children from delivery to maturity.

    Ejide said: “ This has been in existence but Governor Peter Obi has given it prominence since he came into office. Before Obi became governor, it was just one baby that was recognised but Obi came and expanded the scope to three babies , one each from the three senatorial zones. The wife brought in the finesse of the office of the governor into the event and everybody is enjoying both the first babies’ families and the other babies delivered in any hospital she visited. Obi’s wife donates nutrition, financial support and every baby in the three zones has enough support for survival beyond the first six months.

    ‘’We pray that the coming administration not only emulates the governor’s wife on her approach for the first baby but sustain the tempo of support which Obi’s administration has given that over the years’’.

    He informed that over N1.5 million was spent on the children as every child below five years received one item or the other as well as the officials of the hospital. He, however, said the visit was limited to government and mission hospitals because only the common man or the down trodden go to such hospitals. He said that the middle class and high brow in the society take the services patronise private hospitals..

    He further praised Obi’s wife for all her support for the programmes of the ministry.

     

  • Imo to build Free Trade Zone soon

    Imo to build Free Trade Zone soon

    Imo State government is to build a prototype of the Calabar Free Trade Zone, to boost commerce and tourism in the state.

    This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Planning, Hon Uche Nwosu, while handing over the cheque for the payment of compensation for the over 2000 acres of land acquired for the project to the host community Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area.

    The commissioner, who assured that serious work will soon begin on the site, gave assurance that when completed, the Free Trade Zone will open up the state to international business community with its attendant benefits.

    According to him, the development partners are already waiting with required funds and other logistics and would soon mobilise to site, adding that, “once the state government has concluded discussions with the development partners, they will mobilise to site and deliver the project on schedule”.

    Enumerating the benefits of the project to the state and especially the host communities, Nwosu charged the consortium that received the payment on behalf of the land owners to ensure that proper claim survey was conducted to ensure that no one was short changed.

    He said: “This government has been diligent in the payment of compensations to communities for acquired lands and we urge you to ensure that the people get what is accrued to them depending on the size of their land that was acquired by government for the project which will also benefit the people immensely. I also plead with you to advise and educate the youth to support the project by allowing the developers unhindered access to the land as proper work commences”.

  • Breast cancer awareness training for Imo women

    Breast cancer awareness training for Imo women

    Mindful of the health dangers posed by breast cancer, Imo State women have been reminded of the importance of early detection of the dreaded disease to ensure proper care and cure.

    The women converged on the Ahiajoku Convention Centre under the auspices of the Nneoma Women, another project of the wife of the Imo State governor Lady Nneoma Okorocha.

    The one-day conference tagged “Woman Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow” was attended by a large number of women from the 27 local government areas of the state, where issues bothering on health, economy, position and freedom of the womenfolk were extensively deliberated on.

    Declaring the conference open, wife of Governor Okorocha said the essence was to assist women to deliberate on salient issues that will help them build a better society where women are no longer incapacitated due to ignorance, lack of collaboration and unity of purpose.

    She described the Nneoma Women as an association of good-spirited women who came together to enhance the spiritual growth of their families and to create a medium for discovering and harnessing hidden talents among women as well as an appropriate channel of empowerment of Imo women, among other objectives.

    In her lecture entitled “Breast Cancer: Early Detection Surely Saves Life,” Dr. (Mrs). Nzeribe Emily Akuabia noted that breast cancer is truly a deadly disease once it attacks any woman, even as she urged women to ensure a daily check of their breasts and constant screening for early detection for a cure.

    Noting that the disease is more prevalent among the white people than the black ones, she said it kills the black people more than the white people who do not shy away from screening and early detection.

    Speaking on the topic “The Woman: Salt of the Family, Prof. (Mrs.) G. G. Agulanna described good women as salt of the family who must refine and help their family members to achieve their potential as well as prevent the family or society from decay.

    Another lecturer, Rev. Carol Ochemba who spoke on, “Change: A Necessity for Development,” stated that change is inevitable in man’s life. She called on women as leaders to help people to realise their identity and achieve their goals in life.

    Dr. (Mrs.) Perpetua Chinwe Ifegbo, another guest lecturer who spoke on “Strengthening and Fostering Collaboration among Women: Roles, Challenges and Strategies” urged women to be united as a body in order to face the challenges of womanhood.

    Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Anugom in her paper entitled “Nneoma: A Veritable Tool for Family Sustainability and Viable Generation Next” enjoined women to work towards being good mothers as that would help them to raise good children who will be the leaders of tomorrow.

  • Igbo hold colloquium on national confab

    Igbo hold colloquium on national confab

    Ndigbo are preparing for the forthcoming National Conference. To this end, a pre-national conference colloquium on the Igbo Question in Nigeria is being put in place. The three-day event would hold between March 11 and March 14 in Enugu. The International Colloquium on The Igbo Question in Nigeria is conceived by a body of Igbo intelligentsia, clergy, elders and patriots in the light of the current socio-political situation in the Nigerian Federation and the debate over her future; and in the light of the enormous challenges facing the Igbo nation both in Nigeria and in the contemporary world.

    Given the absence of internal cohesion within the Igbo nation and the lack of national focus, the call for an International Colloquium to address the issues of the future and survival of the Igbo, according to the organisers, is considered both timely and urgent.

    The colloquium, sponsored by the Ime Obi of the umbrella of Pan-Igbo organisations, the Ohaneze Ndigbo will feature over 80 speakers who will examine various aspects of the Igbo nation. These include Chinweizu, Eddie Iroh, Prof. Mark Odu, Dr. Dozie Ikedife; Prof. Kalu Idika Kalu, Prof. Uma Eleazu, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Prof. Uzodinma Nwala and Prof. Elo Amucheazi.

    Also to speak include Prof. Amaechi Onyia, Chief Ralph Obioha, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Prof. Dennis Odionyefe Balogu, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Prof. Onyi Nwagbara, Prof. Vin Anigbogu and Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie.

    Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Prof. Chinyere Ohiri-Aniche, Prof. Chinweyite Ajike, Prof. Martin Aghaji, Prof. Ebere Onwudiwe, Prof. Ngozi Ugo and many others will also deliver papers.

    The colloquium will be co-chaired by the Obi of Ogwashiukwu, Agu Prof. Chukwuka Okonjo and former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo; Dr. Dozie Ikedife while former Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Prof. Michael Echeruo will be the keynote speaker.

    Chairman of the Colloquium Committee, Prof. T. Uzodinma Nwala has unfolded the idea behind the colloquium which will also hold at a later date in the United States.

    Nwala said: “The Igbo nation is one of the three largest ethnic nationalities that make up the Federal Republic of Nigeria which was created by the British Colonial Administration in 1914. The Igbo nation has an estimated population of about 150 million people worldwide. Her citizens are highly cosmopolitan and are found in every nook and cranny of the world. Outside Igbo land and within the Nigerian Federation, the Igbo are second in population after the native population in other parts of Nigeria. They occupy all of the Southeast, most of the South-south and occupy a significant part of the Middle Belt region.

    Nwala stated that Ndigbo are basically democratic and egalitarian in their socio-cultural worldview; with a highly intellectual, religious, industrious and entrepreneurial spirit. There is more Igbo investment in the rest of Nigeria than inside Igbo land. They are among the few, if not the only African society, that worshipped the Supreme God before the coming of Christianity. At the present, she has over 90 per cent Christian population.

    Igbo citizens, Nwala said, were in the forefront of African nationalism and led the struggle for Nigeria’s independence. She has produced world-renowned citizens in various fields of human endeavour. Some of these include Olaudah Equiano, the great ex-slave writer; Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, historically regarded as the doyen of African nationalism; Chinua Achebe, the author of the epic novel, Things Fall Apart, the father of African literature and one of the greatest writers in the contemporary world; Philip Emeagwali, the world-acclaimed father of the internet; Sir Akanu Ibiam, the one-time President of the World Council of Churches and Cardinal Arinze, one of the leading Catholic Cardinals in contemporary times.

    The federation which resulted from the British amalgamation in 1914 produced a highly crisis and corruption-ridden country, endemic absence of basic human rights, with the Igbo being the major victims in the series of political, religious and ethnic riots that have bedevilled the Nigerian Federation since its formation.

    According to Nwala, the high point of the instability of the Nigerian Federation came in the wake of the military coup of 1966 and the series of massacre of civilians and military officers of Eastern Nigeria extraction and particularly Igbo origins in different parts of Nigeria. The initial coup was staged by young army officers with the aim of installing Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a Yoruba chieftain, as Prime Minister of Nigeria.

    What followed after the failure of that coup was one of the worst cases of holocaust in human history. Finding themselves unsafe in other parts of Nigeria, the Igbo returned to their territory to build a home of their own only to face further annihilation/holocaust during the Nigeria civil war which lasted between 1967 and 1970.

    He said the Nigerian civil war claimed over three million Igbo lives in an unprecedented genocide in human history; the destruction of enormous material resources belonging to the Igbo in different parts of Nigeria, great devastation of Igbo land and the rest of the former Eastern Nigeria. Apart from the genocide experience, there was deliberate dismembering of the Igbo territory, with the core sector of Igbo land land-locked and made economically prostrate.

    Nwalal posited: “There is an obvious conspiracy among the leaders of the other major ethnic groups in Nigeria to continue to repress and hold down the Igbo and keep them politically irrelevant in the affairs of the Nigerian State. At the same time antagonise them with their kith and kin as well as neighbours in other parts of Nigeria.

    “There has been problem of Igbo integration in Nigeria particularly since the end of the civil war. With the emergence of Islamic insurgencies in Nigeria and the campaign to Islamise Nigeria, the Igbo have been the major victims in the Boko Haram attacks on churches, markets, motor parks and other public institutions.

    “The economic deprivations of Igbo citizens and region have given rise to kidnappings and other social vices which compound the economic and social problems in the region.

    “What is referred to as The Igbo Question in Nigeria is about the cumulative horrendous experiences of the Igbo nation and the present second-class status of her membership of the Nigerian Federation since the amalgamation of 1914. “The Igbo nation incurred the wrath of the British colonial authorities because her citizens led the struggle for the emancipation of Nigeria from colonial rule. As further punishment of her citizens for their role in the anti-colonial struggle, the British made sure that the Igbo were crippled politically and incited the other nationalities against them.”

  • ‘Why we are building airport in Abia’

    ‘Why we are building airport in Abia’

    Mr James Kwubiri Okpara is the Abia State Commissioner for Special Services. He is in charge of Legal and Due Process.  In this interview with EDOZIE UDEZE and UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE, Okpara sheds more light on what the new portfolio entails and why the government is building an airport.

    What does this new ministry entail? Is it different from the Ministry of Special Duties?

    It is not really a ministry. It is a department attached to the governor’s office. My thinking is this; in the evolution of governance, it became apparent to the governor of the state, Chief Theodore A. Orji that there was a need for an office like this.

    If you look at the nomenclature, it is more or less a specialised office. I am aware that we don’t have a Commissioner for Legal Matters in the state. Even at the Federal level we do not have such. And so basically, it deals with issues concerning private businesses, private companies, and so on.

    The need to do business with these people, that is at the level where they have contacts with government, falls within my purview. In fact, we deal with government contract agreements, memorandum of understanding (MoU), all legal instruments relating to Abia State. When it comes to due process, it entails doing the right thing at the right time. We also ensure that there is fairness in dealing with these issues. We also ensure that there is efficiency and honesty in the way things are done in the state.

    Concerning special services, wherever the need arises and where we are needed, we promptly go there to look at these issues. The issues the governor considered before he established this office are what we deal with from day-to-day to also lessen the burden on the office of the governor. This is why it is placed directly under him. I work in his office, taking total charge of all the issues and matters I have already enumerated here.

    Is your office directly involved in signing, approving and evaluating contracts?

    Yes, my office is involved. But we have not gotten to a level where a contract is either abandoned or uncompleted. This office is just about three months old and so far, there are no cases of that nature. In fact, in Abia State, we do not have cases of abandoned projects. It appears you are jumping the gun by judging us on this issue. This is an office that has just been created. That kind of situation has not arisen and when it does, we’ll sort it out.

    But you need to explain these issues well for people to really understand what you do.

    These agreements are relative. If you enter into a contractual agreement, for each one there is a different agreement. It depends on the issues involved in that particular agreement and so on. Each agreement is therefore relative, for it depends on what you agree with and the level of contract given to you. What applies to you may not apply to the other person. It all depends on the agreement of the parties concerned. If you go round Abia, we do not, as yet, have incidents of abandoned contracts.

    Why?

    In Abia, we award contracts and we pay contractors to do their jobs and do them well. We do not therefore have issues like that. When we get to that bridge we’ll cross it or we’ll know what to do. Or let me put it this way, when we have problems of abandoned contracts, we’ll sort it out.

    Due Process in the state is working. If it is not working why am I here? It is for government to do certain things well. You have to understand these things. It is not only for government to award contracts, but for us to do things within the fulcrum of whatever government is doing for the good of the people. It has to do with how we relate with the people, how we advice them, whether what we do appeals to them and so on and so forth.

    For us, due process is not only for the award of contracts or monetary issue. We also look at other pressing issues relevant to the welfare of the people. In it, you give everybody a fair chance before taking a decision. It is total package that goes beyond mere contracts. When we have done all these and you feel aggrieved, you will send petition and we look at it. This is why it is due process and this is why I said it entails doing the right thing at the right time.

    If there is a breach of contract between you and a contractor, how do you resolve it?

    If it cannot be settled amicably, we go to court. Every agreement has its own rules and regulations that guide it. And if per chance such issues arise, the courts are there to settle the matter. If they do not want to go to court, they can go to the arbitration panel to settle the matter. In our own case, when people come and see that we are different, they fall in line. Abia State is different. It is real. Our due process is real.

    How do you deal with the airport project being executed by the state government?

    By the grace of God I am the secretary of the airport committee and we have said it several times that we are committed to giving an airport to the people of Abia State.

    The avalanche of expression of interest by the people of Abia shows that this is a project they all need and yearn for. In this matter too, contractors have been given a fair chance to bid for the work. We have both Nigerian and Chinese companies bidding for it. We also have an Irish company who wants to partner with the Abia State government to ensure that this becomes a reality. It is unusual because they come to approach you and not you going to approach them.

    This tells you that people outside realise what government is doing to better the lot of the people. If, for instance, they do not have confidence in government, they will not come forward to be involved in this airport project.

    If you look at the old Umuahia Market which is under construction, you will notice it is under private investors. If investors have no reasons to be here, they won’t come.

    Is building an airport for Abia people necessary and viable?

    The people of Abia State have asked for an airport and we are bent on providing one for them. The request made by Abia people for an airport is indeed overwhelming. The volume of passenger traffic from Owerri Airport to Abuja and Lagos shows that the people of Abia constitute the majority. The people of Abia State travelling from here to outside the country on a daily basis are overwhelming.

    Closest to us here is the Owerri Airport and nearly 80 per cent of people who use it are from Abia State. It is verifiable. So, the pressure is on us to build our own airport to solve this problem.

    The same applies to Enugu Airport and the same with Port Harcourt Airport. Don’t forget that Aba is in Abia State and it is one of the most memorable commercial cities in Nigeria.

    So, the request by Abia people for an airport is a momentum that has built over the years. And now the government says this is the right time to give Abia people an airport.

    This is why we are building a modern airport. It is for cargo and will also be of international standard. It will be ready as soon as practicable and it will ease some of these traffic pressures on our people. The project has started and it is located between Umuahia and Aba.

    The projection of the governor is that before he leaves office, the airport should be functional. That is the expectation but if by any means it is not functional, majority of the jobs would have been done. It is a priority project for the government and we are totally committed to it.

    In terms of infrastructural development, would you say this government has done well to satisfy the yearnings of the people?

    Based on the projects we have executed so far, if possible, we can ask the governor to go for a third term (laughs). If you knew how this state was before, you’ll see how far we have gone in terms of infrastructural development. Before now, we didn’t have a proper Government House. What we have now is a three-bedroom duplex that is called Government House. There is no state in Nigeria that its Government House is only three bedrooms duplex. This state was created in 1991 and therefore we are now building a new Government House that is big enough to serve as one.

    If you go round Umuahia, you will see dilapidated structures scattered here and there as government departments. Abia State is probably the only state without the presence of federal ministries or secretariat. Now, the governor has built one. He also built an international conference centre of about 7,000 capacities. Ours is next to that of Abuja. What we had before could only contain 200 people. Today, that headache is gone, for we have a big conference centre of international standard for our programmes. Towards Ikot-Ekpene, you will also see a new computerised centre. You have an e-library and about 200 new health centres which have been built by the administration of Governor Orji. They are well-equipped, functional and provided with boreholes and other modern facilities.

    These places are provided with modern generating sets in case there is no electricity. These are scattered in the 17 local government areas of the state. You have all the modern hospitals working everyday of the week. These are not stories and we didn’t have them before. When you go round the state, these structures and facilities are visible for you to see. If you go to our cancer diagnosis centre, it is the best in the whole of Southeast of Nigeria. The equipment are of the best quality in the whole area and we intend to maintain the standard.

    All the tests you go to do in India, in America and all over the places, we have them in Aba and Umuahia and they are affordable.

    In terms of security, when last did you hear of kidnapping in the state? We have secured the state and our people come home now and sleep with their eyes closed. Armed robbery has also reduced. I can assure you that Abia State is the most secured state in Nigeria today.

    You also talk about youth empowerment. Have you seen any government in Nigeria that purchased brand new cars for the youth to use as taxis free? Government has done it to help the youth and provide jobs for them.

    We also give out tricycles, buses and more to help the youth. Of course, this has helped to stem the crime rate and keep the people busy in meaningful ways.

    We also pay stipends to some jobless Abia youths. Many new roads are being constructed. What we remember is the bad aspect but ignore those that are good.

    The Federal Government has awarded contract for the construction of Enugu–Port Harcourt Road. I also understand there was plan sometime ago to do Umuahia–Ikot-Ekpene Road.

    All I know is that in terms of movement, Abia roads are much better now than before. The state government, from time to time, rehabilitates federal roads to make life easier for the people.

  • Birthday anniversary for Lady Okeke

    Birthday anniversary for Lady Okeke

    Lady Dorothy Okeke, the mother of the Anambra State deputy governor- elect, Dr Nkem Okeke, has marked her 80th birthday. It was preceded with an elaborate planning.It was witnessed by crème –de-la –creme of the society.

    Guests started arriving as early as 9.00 am for an event slated for noon .

    Sleek and posh cars were everywhere to show class.

    Gorgeously dressed women and ladies were there to rejoice with the celebrator. Girls were not left out in their tight- fitting outfits.

    Men were there too in their smarting attires as their brocades , suits and safari, all speak of class.

    The event took place at Immanuel Anglican Church, Enugwu-Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State was attended by high profile dignitaries including the state governor, Mr Peter Obi, his wife Margret, the National Chairman of All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh and his wife, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Oseloka Obaze and other members of the State Executive Council.

    Others in attendance include the first female Governor in Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Dame Virgy Etiaba, the traditional ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu and Igwe Umunri, HRM. Igwe Ralph Obumneme  Ekpe and his wife, among other outstanding personalities.

    The thanksgiving service was presided over by the Archdeacon of Enugwu-Ukwu Archdeaconry and Vicar Immanuel Church Parish Enugwu-Ukwu, Ven. David Muonagu.

    Encomiums were showered on Lady Dorothy with many describing her as a true mother and a practical Christian.

    Ven. Muonagu in a sermon, enjoined Christians to use every opportunity they have on earth to serve God in truth and in spirit as Lady Dorothy did. He emphasised that Lady Dorothy and her husband, Chief (Sir) R.N. Okeke used her 80 years to work for God and humanity by helping in various ways in the church.

    “They are members of the choir and sponsors of the choir in this parish till date. They cook and fete all the beggars and less privileged in Njikoka Council Area and its environs on every first Sunday of the month. At her age, Lady Dorothy is still a member of the sanitary inspectors in this church. She is a good mother and a practical Christian. She trained all her children in the way of God and they are all responsible. Today, she is a mother of a deputy governor. So, let us be role models to the people we lead and leave a legacy in anywhere we find ourselves” he said.

    The deputy governor- elect, Dr Nkem Okeke, described his mother as a role model. The lecturer- turned- politician threw emotion to the winds and wept for over 10 minutes while thanking God and her mother for the role she played during his electioneering campaign.

    According to him, “My mother’s role during the campaign gave meaning to me and I am so happy that my parents are alive to see their children manifest”

    Dr. Nken also extended his appreciation to the Governor- elect, Chief Willie Obiano, for accepting him as the running mate, the governor, Mr. Peter Obi and Chief Victor Umeh for considering him fit to be the Anambra State Deputy Governor, and all APGA members in the state.

    In their separate speeches, Governor Peter Obi and Chief Victor Umeh while wishing Madam Dorothy happy birthday, also eulogised the sterling qualities of  Dr. Nkem Okeke, soliciting for the fervent prayers of Ndi Anambra on the new administration which will be enthroned in March this year.

    According to Governor Obi, “Everybody chose Dr. Nkem Okeke as the Deputy Governor because he is a good man. In Anambra State, we celebrate the good people”

    The chief celebrator, Lady Dorothy Okeke,  fondly called Osodieme, described the day as the happiest day in her life and a day she will never forget until she departs the world.