The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Ebonyi Commissioner urges youths to embrace estate management

    Ebonyi Commissioner urges youths to embrace estate management

    Ebonyi State Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mathew Nwaobashi, has advised youths to go into estate management to earn a living. 

    He said such business would enhance their living condition. 

     Nwaobashi spoke in Abakaliki at the opening of an estate management firm, Success City Realty.

     It aims to become the most competent real estate product and service pro- vider in the state.

     The firm is also training young men and women in estate management. 

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     This, according to Kenneth Mbadiwe, the Chief Executive Officer, is to enable them become self-reliant and employers of labour after gaining knowledge from the firm.

     Nwaobashi said the Governor Francis Nwifuru administration, which is anchored on people’s charter of needs, will give Success City Realty and other firms an enabling environment to contribute to the development of Ebonyi State through estate business. 

    Mbadiwe said his mission was to build houses that would last, adding that his company would build the first solar-powered city estate in the state.

  • Ohanaeze Youths back Ajaokuta’ investigation

    Ohanaeze Youths back Ajaokuta’ investigation

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide have faulted the Ebira Area Traditional Rulers Council’s kick against the Senate investigative panel on Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe.

    National President of the Council, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike in a statement said the kick is in response to a letter written to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio by the Ebira Area Traditional Rulers Council.

    He said it would be recalled that the Senate had consequent upon a motion sponsored by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP Kogi Central), set up a committee to probe alleged shoddy dealings in the steel company and the Iron Ore mining company.

    Senator Adeniyi Ayodele Adegbonmire SAN (APC Ondo Central) is to be the chairman of the investigative panel, while Senator Kawu Suleiman (NNPP Kano South) is to be the deputy chairman.

    Nnabuike added, “Presenting the motion, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, said the companies were established in the late 70s by the Federal Government with a potential to put Nigeria on the path of technological and industrial advancement, and establish the country as one of the leading exporters of steel products in the world.

    “She noted that decades after their establishment, the Ajaokuta Steel Mill and NIOMCO have remained inoperative and unable to produce steel despite seeming efforts by several administrations due to lack of earnest political will and bureaucratic corruption.

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    “However, the Ebira monarchs, who appear to be on a different page, have written a protest letter to the Senate expressing their stand against the resolutions of the Red Chamber.

    “They said the two companies should not be dragged into controversies, adding that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s motion called for caution.”

    He also stated, “Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was right on her motion over the state of affairs in Ajaokuta Steel Company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, both in Ebira land.

    “I wonder whether the steel company and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, now belonged to Ebira people, and by extension Kogi State, We must state clearly that the investigative panel as constituted by the Senate is very apt and long overdue.

    “It is curious that for years now, Ajaokuta Steel and the National Iron Ore Mining Company, Itakpe, which are national assets, have been left moribund, despite interventions by the federal government.

    “One cannot take one’s eyes away from the fact that it is a collective asset belonging to the Nigerian people, just like the oil industry and every other national economic asset. It does not belong to Ebira land and by extension Kogi State, so the traditional rulers erred by their opposition to the decision taken by the Senate.

    “The motion, sponsored by Akpoti-Uduaghan, which informed the Senate’s decision needs to be applauded and not vilified.

    “It is a step in the right direction to salvage what is left of those invaluable assets,” he said.

    He also stated, “It is clear that the enemies of the country have held the company down for years; they don’t want their age-long fraud to be exposed.

    “We are afraid that they could be deceiving the traditional rulers, who may have issued that protest letter out of mistake and for not having the right information.

    “What Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has actually done is in the best interest of not just the host community but the entire country and we are soli​dly behind her and the Senate.

    “The probe should be total and thorough; nobody should be spared; anyone standing on the way against the revitalising of that national asset should be exposed and those who may have committed any heist against the country via those companies should be made to pay back.

    “There is no doubt that if the companies resume operation, they would guarantee jobs to teeming Nigerian youths and contribute to the nation’s GDP.

    “This is why we are solidly behind Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the entire Senate on this,” Okwu declared.”

  • Traders lose millions as midnight fire guts timber market

    Traders lose millions as midnight fire guts timber market

    Traders of the popular timber line of Ehere Market located along the Aba-Ikot Ekpene road have been thrown into sadness as they count their losses in a midnight fire that gutted their shops, Monday night.

    Abia state governor, Alex Otti, who was in the market on Tuesday, March 12, for the on-spot assessment of the damage caused by the inferno stressed the need for markets in the state to be built in such a way as to make for ease of movement in the event of fire outbreaks.

    The governor who regretted that the way the market was built made it susceptible to fire outbreaks, directed the Mayor of Obingwa LGA, Dr. Eric Egwuibe, to immediately commence processes towards rebuilding the market.

    “What we will do is to assess the level of damage. We will also through the Mayor begin the process of rebuilding this place.

    “I think the way the market is, makes it susceptible to fire incident. We need to ensure there are fire extinguishers in all the shops around here.

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    “I am giving an instruction to the Mayor to assess the level of damage and begin the process of rebuilding, bring down all those ramshackle buildings and build proper shops for all of you.

    “We also want the shops to be properly built because the way it is, it is easy to conduct fire leading to other shops.

    “Even the way the entire place looks, it is not very decent and very inviting. So I will like you to trade in an environment that is conducive.”

    The governor who noted that on getting information about the disaster, he quickly mobilized men of the homeland security and fire service to put out the fire, thanked God that no life was lost in the inferno.

    He assured that fire extinguishers will be procured and placed strategically in the market to enable traders to tackle such outbreaks in the future.

    Governor Otti said his vision is to ensure that traders operate in a conducive environment fit for trading and assured that the government will assess the level of damage to support them to replace their lost goods.

    “The details of how it would be done would be worked out. One thing I can assure you is that if you do have a shop here, you will not lose your shop.

    “We also know that this damage would have cost a lot of loss to the owners, by the time we do the assessment, we see how we can support them.”

    Governor Otti also inspected an accident scene, on the same Ikot Ekpene Road, a short distance away from the market, towards the Aba Waterside, involving a trailer loaded with bags of cement.

    The accident which happened Monday night saw the trailer skidding off the main road and slamming into a business building.

    “No life was lost in the accident as the driver of the trailer and his conductor were pulled out of the wrecked vehicle.”

    The governor directed the Director General of Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Arch Uche Ukeje, who accompanied him on the visits to liaise with the police to ensure immediate evacuation of the damaged trailer.

  • NISafetyE applauds growth of female engineers in leadership positions 

    NISafetyE applauds growth of female engineers in leadership positions 

    The National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers (NISafetyE), Oluseun Faluyi, has described the growth of female engineers in the organisation’s leadership positions as a reflection of gender equality.

    Faluyi spoke in Port Harcourt at the weekend during the  Investiture of Dr. Uloaku Okeke as the first female and third Rivers State chairperson of NISAFETYE.

    He said the presence of more women in leadership was to ensure that safety measures were inclusive and effective for all members of the society.

    He observed that out of the 11 chapters of the institution, Lagos, Delta, Imo, Enugu and Rivers were under the leadership of capable women engineers.

    He said: “The investiture of the new chairperson for our Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers, Engr. Uloaku Okeke, holds particular significance, especially given the celebration of the International Women’s Day, where the world acknowledged the invaluable contributions of women across various spheres of life. 

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    “It is, indeed, fitting that our new chairperson is a woman, adding to the growing representation of women in leadership roles within our institution.I am proud to highlight that among the eleven chapters of the Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers, five are now led by women.

    “This is a testament to the diversity and inclusivity that characterises the NISafetyE, the safety division of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. The presence of women in leadership positions not only reflects our commitment to gender equality but also underscores the importance of having diverse perspectives in addressing safety challenges”.

    He said it was fitting that the group had  many women leaders because of the natural intersection of safety and gender inclusivity. 

    He said: “Safety and gender inclusivity share a significant intersection because, historically, women have often been more vulnerable when safety issues arise. Solutions to personal safety issues have tended to be seen more from the perspectives of men. 

    “Therefore, the presence and leadership of women in our organization is not only welcome but also essential in ensuring that safety measures are inclusive and effective for all members of society.”

    Faluyi said the organisation under his watch had a mission of fostering the growth of state chapters and enhancing engagement with safety stakeholders nationwide.

    He said his road map identified as IGNITE 2028 would create awareness on compliance with safety procedures across sectors.

    He said: “I also want to assure the Rivers State chapter of the full support of the national executive. Our institution has embarked on a strategic development plan we call IGNITE2028. 

    He said IGNITE stood for increasing Financial Resilience, Galvanizing Organizational Development, Nurturing Learning and Growth, Inspiring Stakeholder Engagement and Teamwork and Collaboration with Safety industry Stakeholders. 

    in her inaugural speech, the State Chairperson, Uloaku Okeke, noted that her executive members would align with the vision at the national level.

    She noted that her team would focus on developing engineers, who were concerned about safety in the design processes by asking the right questions.

    She said they would start creating  awareness within the institutions of higher learning around the state.

    She said: “In this regard we have takensteps by informing the Dean of the faculty of Engineering of both the University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State University.

    “It is our hope that in the second quarter of 2024 we shall have an audience with the universities. As we are all fully aware Safety is the bedrock of engineering and in other to create this awareness with a clear visibility of purpose, we plan to be present during the engineering week of the above mentioned institutions”.

    The  Keynote Speaker, Mr. Kingsley Chukwujindu, in a lecture titled Competency Development: a Tool for Preventing Technological Incidents, said by investing in the continuous learning and development of personnel, organisations could mitigate risk, improve safety performance and safeguard their operations and the environment. 

    In his remarks, the Commissioner for Petroleum Resources in Abia State, Prof. Joel Ogbonna, who was  the Distinguished Guest of Honour at the event, charged the institution to be strategic keying into to the divestment process of multinationals to ensure observation of safety during the  decommissioning.

  • Anambra ICT Agency Active 8HUB equips 50 journalists on AI

    Anambra ICT Agency Active 8HUB equips 50 journalists on AI

    No fewer than 50 media practitioners in Anambra State have undergone training on use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in carrying out their media engagements by the State ICT Agency in collaboration with Active8 HUB.

    The training, tagged, ‘AI in journalism workshop’ took the participants through emerging AI models, such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Bing AI, Microsoft Copilot, among others.

    Speaking during the training, Managing Director/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Agbata, said the training was targeted at revolutionising the digital landscape through enhancing the skills of journalists across the state.

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    He underscored the importance of exposing media practitioners to immersive exploration into the dynamics of artificial intelligence capable of empowering them with the latest tools and insights, essential for thriving in the evolving media industry.

    He said, “The importance of this workshop highlights the pivotal role in realising the visionary agenda of Governor Chukwuma Soludo for widespread technology integration.

    “With a focus on equipping journalists with AI-driven solutions, this training stands as a beacon of progress and opportunity in the digital age.

    “This training aims to revolutionise the digital landscape by enhancing the skills of journalists across Anambra State. The workshop is an immersive exploration into the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and journalism.

  • Edo Speaker at Owan summit: Avoid pull-him-down syndrome

    Edo Speaker at Owan summit: Avoid pull-him-down syndrome

    The Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Mr. Blessing Agbebaku, has called on Nigerians, especially politicians, to always avoid pull-him-down syndrome, in order to move forward and ensure peace.

    He also urged Owan indigenes to be united, so as to attract more development projects to the area.

    Agbebaku, who represents Owan West constituency, spoke yesterday at Afuze, the headquarters of Owan East Local Government Area in Edo North Senatorial District of Edo State, at the maiden Owan Summit, powered by Owan Conscience, with the theme: “Transcending the Miasma of Ethnic Chauvinism: Towards a People-Centred Development in Edo North.”

    Fourteen illustrious Owan indigenes, consisting of four posthumous, were honoured at the summit, for their contributions towards the development of the area, including a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, and the representative of Owan constituency in the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the leader of the House.

    The Edo speaker said: “The Owan summit is long overdue, but it is never too late. The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago, while the second best time is now.  Owan will no longer be an appendage to other ethnic groups.

    “Let us avoid pull-him-down syndrome. If an Owan man is excelling, an Owan man will want to pull him down. Equity and fair sharing are also very important, for progress, development and peaceful co-existence. Owan Nation has been marginalised for a very long time. Now, we need to take the bull by the horns. Rest assured, I will stand for Owan people anyday, anytime.

    “I want to thank you, as the Speaker representing you in the Edo State House of Assembly. You cannot sit inside the house to see the moon. If you must see the moon, you must come outside. That is why as Owan people, we must fight for what belongs to us, since power is not served a la carte. We want to pursue it, wrestle it, and take it, and that is what the vibrant Owan people must continually do.

    “I am your very vibrant, restless, and hyperactive son that will always stand for Owan people, to make sure that things that belong to Owan people are given to us. Owan is not too small to have a university, as we have all it takes to have a higher institution. We will soon start driving the vital university project. I want to assure you that as the Speaker,  I will do everything possible to make sure the Owan nation is great.”

    Agbebaku also thanked Obaseki for various development projects in the two Owan LGAs, while urging him to do more, and added that very soon, Owan would be a great place that everybody would want to come to.

    The Chairman of the occasion, Justice Rowland Amaize, a retired judge of Edo High Court, in his opening remarks, insisted that Owan ethnic nationality could not be undermined in any circumstance in Nigeria.

    Amaize also described Owan as a viable land that must be reckoned with in Nigeria, while stating that the ethnic nationality could not afford to lag behind, but the people must eschew primordial considerations and never to undermine the youths.

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    The Chairman of the Planning Committee of Owan summit, Richard Ofen-Imu, a lawyer, in his welcome address, disclosed that Owan conscience was a response initiative, focused at identifying basic anti-development obstacles confronting the Owan people, and resolving the contradictions in the best interest of the senatorial district.

    Ofen-Imu said: “Critical to the present challenges of the Owan people is a process of denigration integrated into a philosophy of alienation. It is about a deliberate design to enthrone an inferiority complex in the psyche of the Owan personality. It is a response to the compass of derogation, inferiority, subjugation, and alienation foisted on our people and community.

    “As patriots and objects of holistic development, we will be undermining the development of our country, when we permit or tolerate ethnic chauvinism that eliminates the best brains and hands of our own small geographical compass in harnessing the potential of our country.”

    The planning committee chairman also stated that beyond the provocation rendered by ideological contraption, Owan conscience was focused at making responsible and responsive leadership the hub of the cultural nexus.

    The keynote speaker, Prof. Monday Igbafen, of Edo state government-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, noted that the theme of the summit was apt, in view of the renewed awareness and agitation for fairness and equity in the sharing of political power among three sub-ethnic groups of Edo North senatorial district: Etsako, Owan and Akoko-Edo.

  • Soludo orders remand of suspected rapist

    Soludo orders remand of suspected rapist

    Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered immediate remand of a suspected rapist, Onuora Innoma.

    The remand, according to him, should be at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Awka, while investigation continues on the alleged rape.

    Soludo, who spoke through the Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, requested for the remand of the rapist.

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    Meanwhile, the suspect arrested at the Ado Girls Secondary School, Onitsha had been detained at the Inland Town Police Division Onitsha.

    The governor frowned at such a terrible and nefarious act of preying on the innocent persons.

    He vowed to take every available legal means to bring the perpetrator to book, hoping it would serve as a deterrent to others.

    He enjoined people of the state to speak up in the face of such despicable acts.

  • NSCDC rescues wandering Anambra teenage boy in Ebonyi

    NSCDC rescues wandering Anambra teenage boy in Ebonyi

    A 13- year old boy, Goodluck Onwe has been rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Enugu State.

    NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, Okadigbo Edwin who disclosed this in a statement said the victim was rescued while wandering the streets of Abakaliki.

    He said the victim had since been reunited with his family in Anambra State.

    He said, “The little boy was seen wandering the streets of Abakaliki before he was rescued on the 4th of February, 2024 at about 1300hrs by operatives of NSCDC Ebonyi State Command.

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    “Investigation revealed that the said boy stayed with a relative in Abakaliki but ran away from home with an intent to return to his parents who resides at Peter Okonkwo Street Aguleri, Anambra East LGA, Anambra State.

    “Subsequently, NSCDC Anambra State Command was contacted by Ebonyi State Command to trace the origin and parents of the Child.

    “In response, the Command made a frantic effort to locate his parents for identification and collection. After a detailed verification process, the boy has been handed over to Mr. Onwe Sabastine, his father.”

  • Gunmen in military uniform kill four in Imo

    Gunmen in military uniform kill four in Imo

    Gunmen have killed four men at Abacheke in Egbema clan of Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The gunmen who were dressed in army camouflage stormed the community in the late hours of Friday and shot the young men dead in their home.

    The victims were seen covered in pools of their blood. The recent development signifies the return of killing in once troubled oil producing communities.

    Reacting to the killing on Saturday, the Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki condemned the attack describing it as senseless.

    Danjuma condemned in totality the gruesome murder of the four young men at Abacheke Community in Ohaji Egbema by gunmen who were dressed in military camouflage.

    He deployed the Command Special Tactical Squad to go all out in synergy with other security agencies and clamp down on the hoodlums responsible for the senseless act of violence.

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    He disclosed that the hoodlums swiftly attacked Abacheke Community in their numbers, on Friday at about 8.30pm riding motorcycles and firing sporadically during which five residents were seriously hit.

    “In a swift response, the Area Commander in charge of Ohaji Egbema and other tactical teams mobilized to the scene, the victims were immediately rushed to the hospital where four were confirmed dead on arrival while one is currently receiving medical treatment at the Hospital. Intense operation is ongoing in the area,” Aboki said.

    He said normalcy had been restored in the area, adding that “a comprehensive investigation is ongoing to fish out the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly act and make them face the full wrath of the law.”

    While commiserating with the deceased’s families, he called on the general public, particularly the residents of Ohaji/Egbema who may have any useful information that will assist the Police in the investigation to kindly report at the nearest Police Station or via 08034773600.

    “Let us collaboratively work towards stamping out violent crimes in the State,” he appealed.

  • Rivers political crises ‘ll soon be over, says Rivers PDP Publicity Secretary

    Rivers political crises ‘ll soon be over, says Rivers PDP Publicity Secretary

    Rivers State Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sydney Gbara, has said that peace will soon come the way of  the party in the state.

    Speaking in Port Harcourt, Saturday,  Gbara said the Rivers people were tired of political drama in the state.

    He said Rivers people sought peace in the state in order for Gov. Siminialaye Fubara to concentrate on good governance.

    Gbara commended the governor for demonstrating self-comportation by not allowing room for distractions in the midst of heightened political disagreements.

    “The governor even in the midst of pockets of disagreements with his predecessor and some organs of the government had remained focused, delivering back-to-back life touching policies, programmes and projects for the people.

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    “His policy is directly touching lives and building capacity.

    “We shouldn’t be surprised when we see that people are beginning to rethink and throw-in support for him because as they say, if you can’t beat them, join them,” he said.

    He also described as timely, recent resignation and declaration of support by a councillor representing the ward of the former governor and Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike.

    The councillor, Mr Achor Nna, had publicly pledged loyalty to Gov. Fubara.

    According to him, more of such declarations for the governor are envisaged in coming days, not just from councillors but across political stratas including members of the State House of Assembly.

    On the conduct of local government elections, Gbara said that the governor was the leader of the party (PDP) in the state.