The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Anambra GDP has grown by 40 per cent, says minister

    Anambra GDP has grown by 40 per cent, says minister

    The Supervisory Minister of National Planning Commission and Minister of State for Works,Ambassador Bashir Yuguda has said that Anambra State’s Gross Domestic Product – GDP has grown from N735.80 billion in 2009 to N1.005 trillion in 2011, representing about 40 percent growth.

    Yuguda praised Anambra State for what he called the impressive rise in her Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and noted that Anambra’s GDP was growing better than those of some African and Caribbean countries.

    Speaking while presenting the pilot survey findings on the State GDP to the members of the State Executive Council at the Governor’s Lodge, Yuguda attributed the phenomenal rise to purposeful leadership of Governor Peter Obi and efficient implementation of the Anambra State Integrated Development Strategy – ANIDS.

    The Nation reports that the Pilot Survey Scheme was conducted by the National Planning Commission in collaboration with the National Bureau of Statistics in seven states selected from the six geo-political zones. The project is being implemented in two phases and would be completed in December.

    Ambassador Yuguda said data were generated from agriculture, industry and other services using production and income approaches, with agriculture recording 30 percent, industry four percent and service sector 66 percent.

    The minister assured that they would begin immediate updating of the State GDP to capture the numerous achievements recorded since 2010 when the last study was conducted and would be presented before the end of the governor’s tenure.

    The Statistician General of the Federation, Mr. Yemi Kale, said the state was one of the top most developed and advanced states in education in the country. Kale enjoined the state to take advantage of the huge opportunity in small and medium enterprises potential to improve internally generated revenue.

    Responding, Governor Obi said the state had moved a lot higher from the period of study in 2010 as it had achieved a lot in various sectors. He explained that a lot of direct foreign investments by multi-national cooperations had been recorded in the state since 2012 while industrial growth had witnessed a lip. The governor noted that the state has the highest number of bank branches after Lagos and Abuja which he said was an indication of viable economic growth while Anamrba remained the only state that has not borrowed in the country. He observed that the rating of the state of the state in the pilot survey was a strong statement of the status of the state in the country.

    Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Oseloka Obaze, said the state ranked very high in direct foreign investment.

    The Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof. Chinyere Okunna, said the result of the pilot study would among other things, enhance future planning and deployment of resources as the state was data based. Prof. Okunna stressed the need for updating of the study to capture the remarkable comprehensive development of all sectors since 2011.

  • Obi tackles infrastructural deficiency

    Obi tackles infrastructural deficiency

    •Governor  splashes N6b on varsities

    Dearth of infrastructure has been the major problem of most higher institutions across the country.But the story is changing in Anambra State.Reason: The governor ,Mr Peter Obi, has donated N6 billion to the institutions to address their infrastructural challenges..

    There are about 20 tertiary institutions in the state including colleges of education, polytechnics and universities.They all benefitted from the governor’s largesse penultimate Friday as he made handsome donations to them. Obi made history as the first governor to address the problem of these institutions whether private or government-owned.

    Such institutions as Paul University, Awka (missionary), Madonna University Okija,Tansian University(private) and federal university like Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, all smiled the banks.

    Governor Obi began with the state university, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli. He presented a cheque of N5 billion and six vehicles to the university; two buses to students’ union in the two campuses of the university at Uli and Igbariam and four patrol vehicles for security matters.

    He moved to Paul University where he donated N100m and two vehicles and then went to Madonna University, Okija and donated also another N100m and two buses. He later presented two vehicles and N100 million to Tansian University, Umunya.

    At the Nnamdi Azikiwe University , (UNIZIK) Awka, Governor Obi  presented a cheque of N100 million for developmental projects including construction of internal roads in and the road to Beautiful Gate.

    Obi also presented  four new vehicles  including two Hilux security vans and buses for Students Union Government tothe institution. Ekwueme Multi Disciplinary Centre also benefitted got a 50 KVA  generator, among others . He promised to provide the school with a life saver ambulance.

    He said the monies are for infrastructural upgrade and development with the promise that the assistance would get to all the higher institutions in the state. So far, he has spent over N6 billion in cash and vehicular donations to the institutions he visited.

    The governor said the support his government was offering to higher institutions in the state was in  line with the policy of his administration to offer support to all organisations and institutions in the state, whether  private, public or government-owned, provided their services were  for the good of the residents.

    He assured that all higher institutions in the state will benefit from the initiative. He expressed optimism that the support would impact positively on the institutions. He stated that the N100 million that was released to the institution and other institutions were part of the state government’s effort to create a better learning environment and uplift the level of infrastructure in the university.

    Obi said that the policy of his government to support all institutions in the state was borne out of the fact that those institutions not owned by the government also assist the government, sometimes even better in the training of residents of the state.

    The governor, who disclosed that his administration was able to save the sum of about N20 billion in its savings account with the banks, also gave the sum of N1million to Anambra State Indigenes Association studying in the university.

    Responding, the Vice chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka , Prof Boniface Egboka, thanked Governor Obi for his sustained favourable disposition towards the university, its staff and students.

    ‘’Your unquantifiable broadmindedness towards the university has manifested in your various donations to the university , with a Toyota Coaster bus ; a Nissan bus ; a bus for the Faculty of Law;  the rehabilitation on the request  of the university administration, of the Ifite –Amansea road used mostly by staff and students .

    ‘’Your Excellency’s personal intervention in the PAYE tax imbroglio between the university and the Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue. Though this issue has not been completely resolved , Your Excellency’s personal intervention helped to mitigate the matter , and was a giant step forward in the pending resolution of the matter, and your promised financial assistance towards the rehabilitation of the road leading to the beautiful gate of the university.

    Egboka, represented by Acting Vice Chancellor/Deputy Vice Chancellor( Administration), Prof Greg Nwakoby , a Professor of Law noted that ,’’ indeed , never before in the university’s 34 years of history , first as a state university and later as a Federal University has it been the beneficiary of such highly commendable level of attention from any chief executive of Anambra State . We can never be grateful enough to Your Excellency.

    ‘’Your Excellency, if your positive attention to Nnamdi Azikiwe University is described as astonishing , then your relentless drive towards the transformation of Anambra State , even in the twilight of your administration , could be said to be both captivating and mesmerizing. Through the Anambra State Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS), articulated by your administration which for the first time in the history of the state is bringing an integrated and holistic approach to the development of the state , every nook and cranny in the state, every segment of the society is experiencing positive changes.

    ‘’The constraints of time do not permit us the privilege of going into specifics , but we must not fail to mention your empowering of community policing which has brought with it relative security of life and property. We cannot overlook Your Excellency’s return of mission schools to their original missionary proprietors. The policy decision is going a long way in character formation of our children for the betterment of the society. …we therefore , seize this opportunity to congratulate you for your most outstanding good governance of Anambra State .

    “You have done exceedingly well for the state and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, we wish you success in all your future endeavours, praying that the rest of Nigeria would one day have the blessing of experiencing the wonders of Obimetrics , a term we have coined to describe your dazzling performance in office as Executive Governor of Anambra state.  At the Anambra State University, Obi explained that the philosophy behind direct disbursement of funds, the Governor said it was not, and could not be interpreted as abdication of responsibility of governance.  He said that the state government built a lot of structures in the university, including the perimeter fencing of the permanent site at Igbariam, the Faculties of Law, Social Sciences, Mass communication, Agric and Management buildings, the Administrative Block, classrooms, among others, but insisted that direct disbursement achieve more, especially through the Churches. “With the Churches doing the projects directly, you hardly hear of variation and related terms”, Obi said.

    The governor said that the presentation of cheques to schools and hospitals had not made him turn blind eye to other needs of the state. “For instance, in investment alone, since I became the governor, we have invested over N20b for the state, which which was different from the culture I met. Before I came it was debt all the way. In INTAFACT (SABmiller), government invested 10 per cent, which is above N2 billion. A few days ago, I laid the foundation for the expansion of their facility in Anambra State. As part of our contribution, the state will pay another N2 billion and we shall pay it this February,” the Governor said.

    Governor Obi used the visit to inspect various structures, equipment and facilities at the university.  He said the support to the institutions, which will get to others, was in line with the comprehensive education programme of his administration geared towards turning around all schools and institutions, irrespective of ownership  for functional and qualitative knowledge.

    He charged the students to aspire to be good and worthy ambassadors by working hard to equip themselves properly to attain full potential in life, assuring that the government would continue to assist the universities to tackle their various challenges.

    Speaking at St Paul’s University and Madonna University at Awka and Okija respectively, the governor said the intervention was necessary because those institutions were in Anambra State and they train children from the state.

    At both universities, Governor Peter Obi presented cheques of N100  million each to both of  them. He also gave one bus and one security vehicle each to them.

    At St Paul’s University, the Archbishop, Province on the  Niger and Bishop of Aguata Diocese, Most Reverend Christian Efobi while thanking the governor for the gesture, assured that the church would continue to pray for his administration to complete its vision for the state. The Awka Anglican Bishop, Dr Alex Ibezim, expressed gratitude that Governor Obi is investing in human infrastructure rather than in frivolities.

    Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Gaius Igboeli who presented the governor with a plaque, disclosed that the institution was grappling with challenges of accreditation.He thanked him for his intervention.

    At Madonna University, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chuks Ezedum, who thanked the governor for his numerous achievements that marked him out from other governors, commended him for the visit and sought the reconstruction of the access road to the university.

    At Tansian University, Most Rev Prof (Msgn) John Bosco Akam while receiving the cheque and key to the vehicles, thanked God for the gift from Governor Obi to the state and said it was marvelous that for the first time since the state was created God gave Anambra State a leader that understood that governance must be according to the dictates of God and for the benefit of all.

    Disagreeing with the idea of retiring from politics by the governor, he prayed to God to continue to give him the strength to serve Nigeria in higher capacity.

    The governor also performed the foundation laying ceremony of the St Peter Hostel the school is building .

    The Acting Vice Chancellor of Tansian University, Rev, Fr. Prof. Pantaleon  Umechukwu assured that the money would be judiciously used for the progress of the students.

    Governor Obi also visited Tansi International College, Okpuno, where he thanked the teachers for the great job they are doing. He promised them computer machines, money to upgrade their library, sick bay and other facilities.

     

  • Suspected killers of monarch arrested

    Suspected killers of monarch arrested

    The suspected killers of late Igwe Moses Ugwu, the traditional ruler of Umuode in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, have been arrested. The gang leader was arrested last week by the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police after a 16-month manhunt.The monarch was assassinated on October 9, 2012 in front of his shop at Akpuoga Nike.

    The cheery news of the arrest came in police bulletin signed by the spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu. It states: “The operatives of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (S.A.R.S) have arrested one  Ejike Mba of Oruku in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State over his involvement in the alleged killing of Umuode monarch late His Royal Highness Moses Ugwu Ode 1 of Umuode.

    “Suspect alongside with others at large but now on the wanted list of the operatives had on 9/10/12 at Akpuoga Nike allegedly murdered the monarch in his provision store  at about 7.40pm and took to their heels.

    “Suspect who is about 26 years of age is a kingpin of the alleged murder of the monarch. He has been at large with his gang after the commission of the alleged murder and following a manhunt for him and his gang by the eagle- eyed operatives of the special Anti-Robbery Squad(S.A.R.S) Enugu,

    “It was further gathered that information emerged about where he attended a function and allegedly concealed his presence in Oruku also in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State and the operatives acting swiftly, nabbed him. He is now helping the operatives in their investigations and will be charged to court after police investigations just as manhunt on the fleeing members of the gang are intensified.”

    The felled monarch’s community, Umuode and the suspect’s community, Oruku have been locked in a protracted tussle over land.

    The two communities in Nkanu East Local Government Areas of Enugu State  have been involved in skirmishes that have refused to abate. A visit to the communities reveales sad memories of communal war fought with bitterness. Although there was calm in the communities as at the time of this report, the police and the army were seen at strategic points striving to ensure that miscreants did not cause more havoc in the areas.

    The former Minister of Power and world renowned scientist, Professor Barth Nnaji hails from the area specifically, Umuode. In September 1995, Nnaji addressed a special session of the United Nations in New York . His topic bothered on Robotic Engineering and it is on record that he is the first black man to address such a special summit. Nnaji kept the audience spell bound. He was cheered by all and sundry in attendance and accolades poured in from different parts of the world.

    But back home in his native home of Oruku/Umuode, some of his kindred in recognition of his achievements, decided to honour him by organising a rousing reception for him. But the reception turned out to be a sad experience for Nnaji. It was disrupted by a section of the community. They saw it as an opportunity  to unleash vendetta on opponents associated with the root cause of the problem  ravaging the communities. That reception, till this day never took place.

    Both communities were under one traditional ruler and as one town before the military administration in 1995 divided them into two autonomous communities.The division followed disagreement on which community produces the traditional ruler after the death of the one who ruled from 1976 to 1983. The Umuode clan insisted that it was their turn based on the rotation clause in the communities constitution. The Umuchiani clan produced the first Igwe and also insisted that it will retain the position. The third clan Onogowo seemed to be neutral on the issue and the hostilities raged between Umuode and Umuchiani. Umuode clan was forced out of the union. Since then, the communities have been at loggerheads over their border demarcation.The Umuode on their own acquired an expansion of land from a neighbouring community of Akpugo at N30million. But the clashes that followed since their resettlement have resulted in loss of lives and property. As a result, the Umuode people fled their new homeland in 1999.

    The Umuode people have been in and out of their community. They have been refugees several times. They have appealed to the government to come to their aid to enable them return to their homes permanently. In their words, “we are tired of all these problems, we cannot continue to suffer like this in our father’s land”. The people of Umuode pleaded for government’s assistance to bring the feud to an end.

    On their own part, the people of Oruku are pointing accusing fingers at the Umuode clan for being the mastermind of the crisis. They condemned the activities of “unscrupulous elements who had worsened the matter through their evil plans and actions instead of seeking ways of ensuring peace.” In their words, “We know those who are solidly behind this problem and their secret plans. All we want now is peace because violence could hardly pave way for progress. We have equally endured a lot from Umuode” The people of Oruku lamented that the crisis had claimed a lot of lives and drastically reduced their population, urging the government to help bring the conflict to an end so that peace could prevail in the area.

    The administration of  Governor Sullivan Chime waded into the crisis. The governor visited the warring communities. And with that visit, the people heaved a sigh of relief. They saw the visit as commencement of government peace process. Chime during the visit admonished that both communities should be ready to make sacrifice to enhance the resolution of the crisis. The governor maintained that the government would leave no stone unturned in bringing to an end the communal clashes that have lingered for so many years. He pledged that no amount of blackmail would thwart his effort at ensuring a lasting peace and uniting both communities.

    In his words, “Government on its own part would help to resolve the crisis and resettle both communities but one thing is that you people should be ready to make sacrifices.” Governor Chime promised to beef up security there, rehabilitate all the roads linking their neighbouring towns and resettle them. But the promise ended with the visit. The climax of the crisis was the killing of the traditional ruler of Umuode. The Oruku people washed their hands off denying any involvement in his death. But the recent arrest of Ejike Mbah of Oruku may open the pandora box against them.

    During the burial of the monarch on December 14, 2012, the troubled community of Umuode came to life. Umuode kingdom wore a complete new look in sharp contrast to the look of a town at war with its neigbhour. The major road linking the community with its neighbours was graded; pathways and walkways were carefully paved to ensure free movement of visitors.

    The only church in the community, the Catholic church, could not contain the large crowd that attended the funeral mass. The mass was said at a cleared expanse of land just 100 metres from the church. And that land where the funeral mass took place would remain the resting place of the fallen Igwe and others to come behind him.

    He was buried there immediately after the mass.

    The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Callistus Onaga, conducted the funeral mass and assisted by a battery of other priests. The bishop emeritus of Enugu Diocese, Bishop Okonkwo Gbuji was also in attendance.

    In his homily, Bishop Onaga, short of cursing the killers of Igwe Ugwu, declared that no matter the amount of money made by the assassins, it will never be useful for them. He warned those that are paid to kill and those that hire people to kill that God’s judgment was near. “Do not think it is far. His judgment is just by the corner,” the bishop sermonised.

    Bishop Onaga gave hope that all the wasted blood as the Umuode and Oruku crises lasted, including that of Igwe Ugwu would not be in vain. He recalled that Igwe Ugwu was before his death mediating in another crisis between two communities.

    Said the bishop: “His blood will not be in vain. It is going to bring positive things to Umuode people. May his death be a lesson to us. He died for us to get peace.”

    While hoping that one day God would resolve the crisis between Umuode and Oruku and the two brother communities eat on the same table, the bishop charged the royal fathers of Nkanuland  to rise up and live up to their responsibility and ensure that everlasting peace returns to the warring communities.

     

  • Food manufacturers warned against improper storage

    The National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned food manufacturers and vendors against improper storage and packaging, saying it is detrimental to health.

    The Director General of agency, Dr Paul Orhii, gave the warning in Enugu on Tuesday at a two-day workshop on national food safety organised for food manufacturers in the South East.

    Orhii, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the agency, Dr Sampson Adebayo, said that improper food storage and packaging negated the mandate of the agency.

    The DG said that observing scientific and systematic approach as well as the control of hazards during food manufacturing, processing and storage would improve food safety.

    He said that any operator found wanting would be punished according to the provisions of the law.

    The director general expressed optimism that the workshop would expose participants to safe practices in primary food production and storage, food labelling and other guides on exportation of food products.

    “In view of the serious and negative public health effect and the economic impact of unsafe food which is more in sub-Sahara Africa, NAFDAC in fulfilling its mandate must play a role in assuring food safety.

    “One of such role is educating relevant stakeholders, especially primary producers, small and medium food processors, state and local government food inspectors and others,’’ he said.

    In a lecture, the Director of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition in the agency, Mrs Ogochukwu Mainasara, urged manufacturers to maintain the World Health Organisation (WHO) keys to safer food.

    She listed the keys to include clean hands, safe raw materials, safe food temperature and cooking thoroughly.

    Mainasara advised food vendors to always in-print manufacture and expiry dates on their products to ensure effective security.

    Some of the participants commended NAFDAC for the workshop, saying that it would help them to maintain clean environment during food production.

    Mr Michael Eze of Sunchi Integrated Farms Ltd, Enugu, said the workshop had also enlightened them on food storage temperature.

    “We have learnt how to handle food, the safety and the precautions. We will apply this in our poultry, on how we handle our chicks and finished products better,’’ he said.

    A producer of local gin in Ebonyi, Mrs Josephine Ogenyi, called on the government to look into cases of overlapping responsibilities between NAFDAC, Consumer Protection Council (CPC) and Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

    Ogenyi expressed dismay over the development, adding that payments and registrations with these agencies were hindering progress in the business.

    “We want the government to help us look into the matter of clash in responsibilities of food regulatory agencies,’’ she said.

    Participants from Chitis Bakery in Enugu and Banquet Table Water in Ebonyi called for more workshops to improve hygiene in food production, processing and storage.

    The workshop featured participants from bakeries, poultry farms, food manufacturers and vendors, as well as hoteliers.

  • Death of undergraduates: Family alleges foul play

    Families of Mr. Joseph O. Azih and Theophilus Nwakanma of 9B and 14 Ahunanya Street, Umungasi, Aba, Abia State, have petitioned Governor Theodore Orji over the fate of their missing children, Martin Azih and Temple Nwakanma.

    In a petition signed by their lawyer, David Ifedilinwoke Esq and addressed to Governor Orji, Martin and Temple who are undergraduates of the Imo State University and Federal Polytechnic, Nekede were arrested on Friday August 30, 2013 at Redeemed Street, World Bank Housing Estate, Abayi, Aba by members of the Scorpion Squad of the Abia State Vigilante Services. The families lamented that since the said arrest; nobody has seen or heard from the two undergraduates.

    According to the petition, the parents of the duo lodged a report at the World Bank Police station and have searched other security formations across the state without success.

    “They, thereafter ,went to the said Vigilante Group (Bakassi) Scorpion Squad at Ekeakpara where the Head of the unit, Ugochukwu Amaugo, admitted that they actually arrested them at the World Bank Estate close to World Bank Police station but claimed they handed the boys over to men of the Nigerian Army at Umuahia.

    “Our clients immediately hurried to the Nigerian Army unit stationed at the Tower, Umuahia where the Vigilante men claimed they took the boys to but the soldiers denied ever seeing them. The parents have also visited the Vigilante Headquarters in Umuahia, but the boys were not seen,” the petition read in part.

    The petition further recalled that the Area Command of the Nigerian Police at Aba invited the men of the Vigilante Group on September 9, 2013 where they admitted arresting the two undergraduates but could not explain their whereabouts.

    Sources close to the families hinted that unscrupulous persons have used the incident to dupe them of substantial amounts of money under the guise of helping to locate the whereabouts of the undergraduates and appealed to Governor Orji to use his good office to ensure that the missing children are returned to their parents.

    Efforts to reach army and police authorities failed as they could not be reached for comments as at the time of this report.

     

  • Poll predicts purchase of more goods, services

    Nigeria’s leading public opinion polling and research organisation, NOIPolls Ltd, has said that consumers in the country are positive about their personal state and the stability of the nation’s economy.

    The NOIPolls made the observation in its monthly polling for consumer confidence index (CCI) for January which was released on Tuesday.

    The poll said the optimism was expected to result in the purchase of more goods and services and ultimately stimulate economic growth.

    According to the poll, the score for January was 83.9 points and the CCI comprises two independent variables, the Present Situation Index (PSI) and Expectation Index (EI).

    The NOIPolls said the CCI provided consumer assessments of the economic situation as well as the intentions and expectations of Nigerians for the future.

    It noted that the PSI of 64.7 showed that many Nigerians were satisfied with their present personal and economic situation.

    The poll also showed that the EI score of 96.9 revealed that consumers were highly optimistic about the future.

    NOIPolls said that a total of randomly selected 4,000 adult Nigerians were polled monthly through telephone interviews.

    “Since this is our first reading, we clearly cannot identify trends. Once we have a track record of several months, we will be able to draw some conclusions on the patterns observed’’ it said.

    Meanwhile, the organisation has introduced two new indices for its polling.

    A statement from its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Managing Director, Ms Oge Modie gave the names of the indices as the Personal Well-Being Index (PWBI) and the Eagle 30 Business Confidence Index (EBCI).

    According to Modie, the NOIPolls PWBI measures factors impacting on the everyday lives of Nigerians and producing a complete view of the individual’s personal well-being.

    She added that the Eagle 30 Business Confidence Index measured business leaders’ perceptions and expectations about the Nigerian business environment using the top 30 companies in the country.

    On the benefits of the indices, Modie said the different indices could be used as key indicators to measure economic growth, consumer behaviour, the prevailing business environment and impact of policies on the population.

    “The introduction of our portfolio of indices encourages enabling stakeholders in all major sectors of the Nigerian economy and across the globe to make informed decisions.

    “They also serve as key pointers to would-be investors in the Nigerian economy to enable strategic entry into the country,’’ she said.

    The CEO said it would also assist journalists, the academia and other experts in their reports and research.

     

  • Imo NDDC commissioner warns against project duplication

    The Imo State Commissioner in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Kyrian Uchegbu, has warned against the waste of resources through project duplication.

    The warning was contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Commission, Mr Tony Omah, and released in Owerri on Tuesday.

    It noted that avoiding such waste would fast track the achievement of sustainable development in the Niger Delta area.

    According to the statement, Imo residents should take advantage of some of the programmes of the commission to improve on their living standards.

    It listed such programmes to include women and youth empowerment and the free healthcare delivery services.

    The statement warned contractors handling NDDC’s projects against doing substandard jobs as the commission was determined to encourage international best practices.

    It called on the youth in the Niger Delta to shun violence and refrain from negative activities to embrace peace for quicker development.

     

  • Kudos, knocks for road contracts

    Kudos, knocks for road contracts

    Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has followed the footsteps of former Governor, Sen Chris Ngige in making sure that the state has the best network of roads in the entire country.

    Before now, some people were of the opinion that Obi was adamant on the dilapidated roads both in the capital city of Awka and elsewhere in the state.

    In the last lap of his administration in what he has tagged as the last  push, Obi has awarded more road contracts as if he is just beginning afresh.

    Most of those road contracts cut across all the 177 communities in Anambra including the Enugu-Onitsha Federal expressway.

    All the roads combined would cost the state government over 30 billion naira, while the state is spending close to seven billion naira on the federal road.

    But some of those roads are not being done without any controversy as some of them had either been neglected or abandoned for the incoming administration to complete.

    In the capital city of Awka , one of such roads is the Ezeudu-Akaraogholi road that traversed Arthur-Eze Avenue down to the express road close to Christ the King Hospital .

    It has been close to eight months since the joy of the people was cut short because of the inability of the government to continue work on it.

    There are others across the state that are in the same state, yet more contracts are still being awarded almost on daily basis by the out-going Obi administration.

    However, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Chief Joe Martins Uzodike told The Nation in Awka that no road has been either neglected or abandoned by the administration.

    Uzodike himself had been accused of being the de-facto Governor by some of his colleagues, alleging that he had cornered about five roads to his native Awka-Etite alone, leaving other communities with either one or nothing.

    But in his reaction, Uzodike explained how he got a “text message” on his phone where he was accused of employing all his people in the state- owned Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS).

    According to him, “I have not employed any single person in that establishment and if anybody finds out that what I have said is a lie, I will resign this position, I have never employed any single person  “On the road contracts, the only road  this government is doing for my people is the Awka-Etiti – Nnewi which is the only inter link which this area is known for

    “Also, in my local government, the other one is Umuoji, forget the way people talk, you do not pay attention to gossips, all I know is that Obi does not  favour any person or area in distribution of amenities in this state”

    “The only thing that makes people believe that I have cornered all the roads in my area is that we have about 12 tarred roads in Awka-etiti done through self help projects by our illustrous sons

    “If not that those people who constructed those roads are now old, you will be seeing more, we need more roads in this area, and that is where the state government comes in and really, this Obi administration has done well for the people of the state

    “Awka-etiti was known for how many people did you train or make, there was competition in this community, people like Chief IKB Igboanugo, Jeo-Best, Ebele Ezeanya, Patrick Ezeli, Inter-Bau among others, all built roads in this area

    “Not only those influential persons in the area, there were age grade groups that did roads in the community, may be that was the reason that influenced the speculation  that Obi has done many roads for Joe-martins in the community

    “People know how to bring my name into controversy and that is what they are doing on the road issue

    “I ruled Awka-etiti for six years as the President General PG of the town and I had to quit for peace to reign in the area which was done in 1991 under the Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife  administration”

    “My decision to resign my position is the fruit of the peace that has existed in the community till date and also, I ran Rangers for 17 years and when I backed out on July19, 1984 till date, the team has not won any laurel

    “People calling me names has been part of me, from 1980 till date, I’m still the National President of Uthman Dan Fodio Alumni (Sokoto) which they have refused to take from me” Uzodike said.

    He said that his only failure in life would be to leave office without persuading Governor Obi to pay gratuity to the ABS and National Light Staff (government-owned establishments) pensions.

    “We want to make them feel they are part of government, but I do not blame Obi because his predecessors abandoned the offices”

    History, according to Uzodike, would have it that no former Commissioner for Information , Culture and Tourism surpassed his achievements  in the state.

    “Let me tell you, those people talking about awarding more contracts in the twilight of his administration and asking which one will he leave for Chief Willie Obiano. Is it not the same government of the All Progressives Grand Alliance?

    “This is APGA government, we are talking of continuity, Obi and Obiano are the same, people who are nursing the impression that Obi will not leave money for Obiano are making a big mistake

    “There are lots of money for the contracts and payment of workers engaged  by the state. Moreover, Governor Obi will leave good money for the incoming administration” Uzodike said.

     

  • Imo tills the land again

    Imo tills the land again

    IT made a big splash when it tilled the soil. Its people were well-fed. There were jobs and a lot of cash from the export of some of its produce.

    That was the profile of Imo State’s agriculture programme of which AdaPalm was the flagship. But, then, all was lost.

    Thankfully, the state is finding its way back to the farm, and the people have the Rochas Okorocha administration to thank for that.

    In the last two and half years, the administration has breathed life into the state’s abandoned agro-based industries. Palms are coming alive and you can now see large expanse of land devoted to comprehensive farming. Again, AdaPalm leads in the revival plan.

    The palm plantation, unarguably one of the largest in Africa, was established by the then Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr Michael Okpara.

    A sprawling 4,310 hectares of fully grown palms, it started as a farm settlement in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, but was later incorporated in 1976 into the Agricultural Development Authority (ADA). It was run by the Europeans until 1987 when it was indigenised.

    The plantation, apart from having the capacity of milling and processing very large quantities of palm oil for sale, also engaged in soap making and production of all kinds of industrial oil and animal feed, among others.

    During the Sam Mbakwe administration, the industry witnessed a massive transformation and enhanced productivity as it adequately created employment for the teeming population of the state and gave a boost to its economy.

    But thereafter, successive administrations abandoned the industry and relied heavily on the derivations from oil, which resulted in the comatose state of the only agro-based industry in the state. This resulted in thousands of workers losing their means of livelihood.

    The industry was totally grounded, while the management took the advantage of government’s seeming lack of interest to enrich themselves.

    Piqued by this awful state of the industry, Governor Okorocha declared his determination to revive it. To actualise the dream, he leased it out to Roche, an Irish investor for 15 years at the sum of N3.2 billion.

    The decision of the governor to re-engineer the industry was part of his promises to the people of the state during his electioneering campaigns.

    The Okorocha administration is targeted 4,000 jobs upon full rehabilitation of the company. Although this is yet to be achieved, available indices indicate that the company has gradually bounced back to full capacity.

    The Managing Director of the company, Neil Andrew Danby regretted that such huge investments were abandoned for the past 20 years, even as he assured that with the new management on board, the company will soon regain its past glory.

    He said the production level has dropped drastically as a result of poor state of the mill which resulted from years of neglect. He added that the palm trees are at the end of their lifespan and would continue to reduce in volume and quality in the next five years.

    He further revealed that the company has commenced an aggressive replanting programme which must be completed within a three-year period. He added that the company has six years from now to replace the aged trees, noting that over 84,000 improved seedlings have been imported from Costa Rica.

    On the area of employment, he said over 600 youths from the host community have been employed, assuring that more jobs through the micro-economic programmes would be initiated by the company.

    The chairman of State House Committee on Agriculture, Hon. Luke Chukwu confirmed that serious transformation has taken place within the short period of take-over of the industry by the foreign firm.

    He said the establishment of basket and broom making departments and other small- scale industries, has opened up more employment opportunities for the people of the state.

    The Corporate Affairs Manager of the Industry, Mr. Asobieni Benjamin said despite the tremendous changes that have been experienced since the take-over of the plantation by the foreign firm, one major challenge facing the industry is the 18 months salary arrears owed workers by the previous management.

    In a bid to encourage oil palm cultivation in the state, the governor recently flagged off the ikuana nkwu programme (meaning have you planted a palm). The programme which was conceived to ensure that every family in the state owns a palm plantation, according to the state government is to alleviate poverty in the state.

    The Governor, while disbursing a take-off grant of N3.3 million to traditional rulers in each of the 637 communities of Imo State for cultivation of the new palm seedlings provided by government, urged all communities to cultivate at least 150 seedlings in every hectare of land and to establish oil mills in their localities to aid the harnessing of the palm fruits.

  • A midday covenant with God 

    A midday covenant with God 

    On appointment with a Commissioner in Imo State, Chief Tony Ezedunor, a contractor, drove all the way from Warri in Delta State to Owerri, the Imo State capital. He left early to meet his appointment at the state secretariat in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    Although his driver did his best to arrive before the scheduled time of 11:00 in the morning, he was late for the appointment, no thanks to the traffic gridlock in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    They finally arrived at noon. Apparently aware of his lateness, the anxious contractor ransacked the thick pile of files by his side and grabbed the relevant documents he needed for the transaction.

    No sooner had his driver pulled up than he jumped out of the car clutching the documents. He went straight to the office of the commissioner.

    But to his amazement, on getting to the door of the Commissioner’s office, the whole place was agog with the commissioner and the entire staff of the ministry singing songs of praise to God.

    Still shocked, he looked behind him for a possible answer and to his utter disbelief, the policemen attached to the commissioner were also dancing and singing at the top of their voices. Confused and about to leave, one of the staff who noticed his seeming confusion, told him that they were observing 15 minutes compulsory daily prayer that starts by 12 noon every day.

    It was at that point that his mind flashed back to the huge billboard he read while he was coming. Although he did not pay much attention to it, the wordings were still bold in his mind. The writing in bold neon sign read: ”Have you prayed for Imo State today? Join the 15 minutes prayer and commit Imo State to God.”

    At 12 noon every day, all official duties in government offices in Imo State, including that of the governor and his deputy are stopped to allow all staff to observe the 15 minutes prayer.

    Governor Rochas Okorocha, who initiated the programme, said the initiative was to commit the state to God, to seek His face and grace for peace and prosperity of the state.

    All offices and other establishments of government across the state erupt in praise simultaneously with clergymen in attendance to minister and supervise the sessions.

    The Office of the Deputy Governor, Prince Eze Madumere, is virtually turned into a church every 12 noon as both staff and non-staff converge on his office front desk to observe the prayer.

    Commenting on the programme, Pastor Paul Chibuike said the benefits of praising God cannot be over-emphasised.

    He said: ”The Bible tells us that if the people that are called by my name shall forsake their sins and seek my face, I will hear from heaven and heal their land. So, the midday prayer is a time the entire state seeks the face of God to heal our land and prosper the state.”

    He further said: ”Since the governor introduced the midday prayer, God has taken over the battles of the state and the benefits are visible and enormous. We are enjoying peace and security because it is God who guards a city. I encourage other states to copy from Imo State and make out time to cry to God.”

    Mr. Ucheakolam Onyejiuwa, a Director in one of the ministries, described the midday prayer as a covenant between God and the state, noting that, ”in Imo State, we are dependent on God to solve our everyday challenges and He has never failed us. Imo State has become a sought-after state among other states of the country.”

    He further said: ”Before now, we were battling with high rate of insecurity including kidnapping, armed robbery and other heinous crimes. But these days, Imo State is one of the safest states in the country and we thank God for the kind of man He has given us as governor; a man that has the fear of God because the Bible said when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.”

    At the office of wife of the state governor, women gathered to observe the daily prayers and the sessions are characterised by thunderous singing and dancing.

    At first, the Imo prayer  programme was greeted by widespread criticism. But the people have come to appreciate and identify with the programme. At the headquarters of the local government areas as well as schools in the state, all official and non-official activities are paused by 12 noon for the prayers.

    The state governor, who presides over most of the prayer sessions at the Government House, attributed the success of his administration to God.

    “We have designed the Imo midday prayer as a time to spend quality and robust time with God, to seek His face concerning our state. And He has not disappointed us,” he said.

    Apart from being observed in government offices, government sources disclosed that the midday prayer would soon be observed in markets and other open places across the state.

    A clergyman, Reverend Ukachukwu Izu said: ”We are prayerfully looking forward to a time when the whole state will stop at midday to praise God. It should not be an affair for government offices alone. All Imo citizens within the state or outside the state should observe the midday prayer as a covenant with God.”

    Emphasising the benefits of the programme, a civil servant, Mrs. Grace Uzoaru, said it had promoted unity and love among the civil servants.

    “The midday prayer has brought us closer to God. The benefits are numerous. We look forward to the prayer session everyday and this has promoted Godly virtues in the people. We are grateful to the governor for initiating the programme.

    A first time visitor to Imo State should not be scared when he walks into any office by midday and see the entire staff singing and dancing instead of working on incoming and outgoing files. He should simply join and complete his transactions after the session.