The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Abia Poly rector lauds Otti for appointing women into strategic positions

    Abia Poly rector lauds Otti for appointing women into strategic positions

    The Acting Rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, Engr. Mrs. Chidinma Ndukwe has commended the governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti for appointing women to serve in different strategic positions in his administration.

    Mrs. Ndukwe, who led Women In Technical Education Development (WITED), Abia State Polytechnic Chapter on a Road Show to mark 2024 International Women’s Day celebration, used the opportunity of the event to call for more opportunities to be given to women, noting that women who have been given the opportunities to serve in both public and private sectors of the Nigeria’s economy were able to distinguished themselves.

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    Ndukwe who broke the jinx of becoming the first acting female rector of the state owned polytechnic, lamented the increasing abuse the girl-child suffers in the hands of the people who were supposed to protect her.

    This even as she further called for more attention to be given to the training of the girl-child by the government, parents and guardians, which she noted would ultimately rub off positively on the society.

    On what WITED had been doing to protect the girl-child from reported dehumanization and among other forms of abuse, the acting rector said,

    “We have been championing girl-child education. We organize seminars, scholarships to indigent students and among others.”

  • Suspected kidnappers engage police, vigilantes in gun duel

    Suspected kidnappers engage police, vigilantes in gun duel

    • Four victims rescued in Anambra, vehicles, gun recovered

    Four persons abducted in Anambra State have been rescued by a combined team of the police and Vigilance group in the state.

    They were rescued when the suspects engaged the security operatives in a shootout on Friday, along Amagu Awgbu Road in Orumba North Local Government Area, as they were heading towards an exit route from the state.

    This was contained in a statement Saturday, by the police spokesperson in the state, Ikenga Tochukwu, and made available to reporters.

    The gang, according to the PPRO, opened fire on sighting the patrol team, but bowed to police-vigilante superior firepower.

    Read Also: Until kidnappers get their just deserts

    Two of the three vehicles the gang operated with were demobilised, while many of the suspects escaped with injuries.

    The command further said that one pump action gun was recovered during the encounter.

    “Also recovered were two SUVs – One 2017 edition of Toyota Highlander with Reg No. Abuja GWA 141 KZ, and one Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic with Registration Number Anambra AGU 242 NQ.

    “Preliminary enquiry revealed that the number plates on the Mercedes Benz SUV were issued to a Toyota Sienna Space Wagon vehicle.

    “Four abducted victims were rescued unhurt from the gang. Preliminary debriefing to ascertain circumstances of their abduction are ongoing.”

    He said the Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, described the rescue of the victims as heroic.

  • Ex-River Basin Executive Director Adoyi is dead

    Ex-River Basin Executive Director Adoyi is dead

    A former River Basin Development Authority Executive Director (Lower Benue) Engr. Mayas Adoyi, FNSE, PhD has passed on.

    Announcing his death on behalf of the family, his brother, Mr. Kenneth Adoyi, said the former Director died at the Garki hospital Abuja after a protracted illness.

    According to Kenneth, until his death, Mayas was the only Director of Engineer at the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).

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    Adoyi was renowned for his selfless service to humanity and his immediate community.

    He survived by his wife, children, brother, sisters and other relatives.

    The family said other burial details will be announced later.

  • Nigeria’s democracy, governance is for all – Youths

    Nigeria’s democracy, governance is for all – Youths

    Southern Nigerian youths have reckoned with the choice of meaningful youth participation in Nigeria’s democracy and governance.

    They spoke at a recent regional town hall meeting, championed by the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) through its YouthGovTracka project, with the theme as “Engaging Youth in Democracy: A Caution for Good Governance”.

    The event had in attendance youths from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Rivers aimed at raising youths to become active citizens, bridge the government-youth divide and drive public accountability.

    Leading the charge were Burabari Nleera for Rivers State, God’sLove-Divine Ngbechukwuyem for Cross River State, Abigail Agwuegbo for Delta State and Blessing Nnabugwu for Bayelsa State.

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    The convener and the Akwa Ibom State focal person for YouthGovTracka, Menyene Ekong in his welcome remarks lauded the efforts of BBYD. He stressed the importance of active citizenship and shared interest in regional and national development.

    “Today’s discourse is consultative. Therefore, I implore everyone to be open-minded, constructive and welcoming in charting ways for meaningful youth participation and government accountability,” he remarked.

    In another segment, Mr Udeme Okono, who led a keynote, said: “Youths must note that they will keep getting sidelined and kept out of governance if we do not take action and make meaningful contributions.

    “No one is going to invite you to the table with open arms, especially when you have nothing to offer. This is the part where self-development comes in; building yourself so intentionally that you become a voice,” he added.

    Miss Unyime Bush Alias JayBush, a YouTuber and technology enthusiast, who spoke on ‘Civic Technology as a Tool for Meaningful Youth Participation’ endorsed that “the YouthGovTracka platform solves the issue of equity; gathering information that is accessible to youths of both genders to drive meaningful participation in governance.”

    Presenting on ‘Youth Engagement in the Budget Process,’ Faith Paulinus, the Governance Reforms and Anti-Corruption Lead at Policy Alert stressed that “as youths and active citizens, we can only hold our leaders accountable when we know the budget, what to expect and track how revenue is spent.”

    The convening proceeded with remarkable contributions from the panellists. They were Ndueso Young – Executive Director of TeenGirls’ Development Initiative, Peace Edem – Executive Director of Youth for Change Initiative and Praise Ebitu – Vice President of the University of Uyo Student Union Government. Others who attended and contributed to the meeting include the Program Manager of BBYDI, Mr Habeeb Adewale and the Director of Youth at the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, Mr Emmanuel Akpabio.

    The South-South Regional Town Hall Meeting also exposed participants to actionable steps such as engaging with the YouthGovTracka and other resources and tools including the Office of the Citizen Accountability Toolkit and Menu of Possible Commitment as launched and circulated for civic engagement and government accountability, among other highlights.

  • ‘Poor procurement major cause of underdevelopment’

    ‘Poor procurement major cause of underdevelopment’

    A don, Prof. Gloria Chukwudebe, has said poor sustainable procurement practice is one of the major reasons for poor infrastructure development in the country.

    She said this has led to poor quality of life for the people and massive underdevelopment in all sectors.

    Chukwudebe, the director of Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards (CE-SPESS), Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, said this in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital.

    She spoke during a Sustainable Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement (SPESSE) training organised by the Centre for Professionals, Academics and Public Servants.

    She said a recent study by World Bank and National Universities Commission (NUC) showed that there was lack of professionals in procurement management, hence the project.

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    Chukwudebe said the project would boost the capacity of public servants in procurement process.

    She said: “It is a project designed to integrate Procurement, Environmental and Social Standards’ professionalisation within the public and private sectors, to enhance sustainable development and value for money in public expenditure.

    “One of the key benefits will be capacity building of public servants, who will become knowledgeable in Procurement Management according to the law.”

    The five-day workshop was held simultaneously at Ebonyi State University and David Umahi University of Medical Sciences, Uburu.

  • Foundation to begin education championship

    Foundation to begin education championship

    A foundation in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Peace, Social Justice and Good Governance Advocacy Group, otherwise called Unity House Foundation (UHF), says it is set to begin Education Champions League (ECL).

    ECL is all about quiz and debate competitions for secondary schools.  It is part of the August meeting series organised by the UHF.

    The programme of activities for the event is slated to begin on March 22 in Port Harcourt.

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    Activities that will feature during the meeting include quiz, debate, book reading and review competitions, conversations that will help the intellectual well-being of the state and communities at large, among others.

    The Convener of August meeting, Kingsley Wali, who is also the founder of UHF, said: “ECL is meant to bridge the gaps in quality interpersonal communication and nation building by promoting the culture of reading and writing among our young ones and all generations.

    “One of the biggest problems we have in Nigeria is that people don’t read, people don’t write. People putting down what happened when they were in office so that others can learn from them.

    “Following this gap, people tend to dwell on whatever conversation flying around, even when they will not benefit their life and well-being.

    For us here in Rivers State, it is always the issues about APC and PDP, politics.

  • ‘Fubara will continue to promote’ ‘peace

    ‘Fubara will continue to promote’ ‘peace

    The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured that despite provocation and distractions, the state governor, Sir. Siminalayi Fubara, will continue to promote peace in Rivers.

    The PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary Sydney Tambari Gbara congratulated Fubara for winning the maiden edition of the 2023 Silverbird Peace Advocate Award.

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    The party said the governor’s nomination for the award instituted for the first time by  the Silverbird Group showed that the governor’s peaceful disposition had been recognised and appreciated not only in the state but also nationally and internationally.

    “What this means is that making sacrifice for peace to reign at anytime is not a sign of weakness but a source of strength because peace is not a virtue available to everyone. We urge the governor to continue to walk tall in his pursuit of peace in the state”, the party said.

  • Enugu shuts ShopRite, SPAR, others over alleged tax evasion

    Enugu shuts ShopRite, SPAR, others over alleged tax evasion

    Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) has sealed off Enugu outlets of ShopRite, Spar and other supermarkets over alleged failure to remit purchase tax at their malls to the government after being served warning notices.

    The ESIRS officials, who embarked on the enforcement drive yesterday morning, said other malls, including Roban, Mama Onyinye Restaurant among others had also been warned.

    ESIRS Head Department of Eateries, Bars, Hotels, and Shopping Malls, Egwuonwu Perpetual, said the agency had visited the shut malls on several occasions to ask for evidence of payment of the purchase tax, but they failed to remit such.

    She said the purchase tax on the goods the buyers pay whenever they patronise their outlets is the only thing they are enforcing.

    Egwuonwu added that they had also pleaded with the concerned individuals to remit their taxes when due, “but they have been recalcitrant and till now they have not done anything concerning these instructions.”

    Read Also: Enugu seals ShopRite, SPAR, others over alleged tax evasion

    “It is worthy to note that after we met with Roban Stores, they displayed our sticker and have complied with remitting their purchase tax to the IRS.

    “On the other hand, ShopRite has frustrated our efforts to get them to do the needful. It is always one story or another. Eventually they promised us that before the end of February, they would do something, but we are in March and ESIRS has not heard from them,” she said.

    Egwuonwu stressed that the malls would remain closed until the issues at hand were resolved.

    The PRO of ESIRS, Nnamdi Eneh, explained that the agency had gone on air to enlighten and educate the people on the need to remit their taxes.

    “Our public enlightenment programme has been ongoing for a while. We have been sensitising the people and pleading with them to pay their taxes so as not to fall victim during enforcement, but most of them remain adamant.

    “The objective is not to disrupt anybody’s business, but since pleading did not work, this is the only way to compel them to do what they are supposed to do,” he said.

  • Ubah explains vision for Anambra

    Ubah explains vision for Anambra

    Ahead of 2025 governorship election in Anambra State, one of the aspirants for the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah, says he knows the expectations of the people and plans to lead by example.

    He said in everything he did, he looked up to God for direction and wisdom, adding that Anambra was lucky to have men and women with excess capacities in fields.

    Ubah, who represents Anambra South, has declared his willingness to take over from Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2025.

    He aspires to achieve this on the platform of APC, noting that “Anambra has to be at the centre and not at the region.”

    The senator, who spoke with The Nation yesterday, said Anambra State, created in 1991, had reached a point where business acumen and strategic leadership skills must be brought to the table to transform her current position to a formidable economic powerhouse.

    Read Also: My vision for Anambra, by Ubah

    “I have no doubt anymore of my commitment to Anambra and I’m persuaded that despite the challenging times, the trials and tribulations we have collectively gone through as Anambra people, brighter days lie ahead of us, for God is with us .

    “I pledge to lead an economic revolution that will harness the innate capacity and entrepreneurial spirit of our people. This will reposition Anambra State as the gateway to Eastern Nigeria and also a formidable economic hub for West Africa.

    The APC governorship hopeful has assembled a team of distinguished Anambra men and women with the capacity to brainstorm on the way forward to get it right, including those from the United Kingdom, China, Canada, etc.

    Ubah has set up three gigantic health facilities in Anambra North, Anambra Central and Anambra South.

    He believed Governor Soludo had done his best, noting that his best was, however, not good enough for ndi Anambra.

  • ‘Recuse yourself from Sylva/Diri’s case’

    ‘Recuse yourself from Sylva/Diri’s case’

    An advocacy group, Bayelsa Professionals Forum (BPF), has urged Justice Adekunle Adeleye, the chairman of Election Petitions Tribunal in the legal battle between Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva, to recuse himself from the case.

    BFP’s Secretary Philip Erepa said in a statement yesterday that Adeleye’s recusal would allow for independent investigations into some of the claims concerning his bias towards Sylva and the circumstances surrounding his appointment.

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    Erepa said such a probe had become necessary, following a viral petition written to the Office of the Appeal Court’s President by Sylva’s legal team requesting the disbandment of the Election Petition panel chaired by Adeleye.

    He said: “We are calling on the President of the Court of Appeal to ask Justice Adeleye to recuse himself from the case, to allow independent investigations into these claims, which border on the essence of justice.

    “The essence of the court is justice and for any case to have merit, justice should be seen as served and not manipulated. What we are asking is that justice must prevail in this case.”