The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Thank you for opposing my aspiration, Eno tells YPP defectors

    Thank you for opposing my aspiration, Eno tells YPP defectors

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has thanked members of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for opposing his aspiration during last year’s election.

    He said this while receiving YPP returnees,a represented by a delegation of 46 champions, led by Mr. Ubong Edem, at the Government House, Uyo.

    He said their opposition helped him to be more focused and better during his campaigns.

    Read Also: Music streams revenue not enough for artists – Bad Boy Timz

    The governor directed an unconditional reintegration of the YPP returnees into the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across wards and chapters.

    According to him, in politics, it is normal for people to toe different paths and create a healthy opposition, based on long-standing relationships and convictions.

    He said a healthy opposition helped to challenge the government to gear up for greater performance, especially, if it is done, devoid of bitterness or enmity.

    Eno said: “Thank you for the fight you put up. May be we wouldn’t have been where we are today, but for your resistance. Power is not supposed to be a walkover. There must be some level of resistance and it is that fight that made us prepare better and stay more focused. So, you did the right thing. And where there is no opposition, the government can take the people for granted. So I thank you.”

  • Students protest accident involving NYSC-bound student

    Students protest accident involving NYSC-bound student

    • Business, vehicular movement paralysed

    Students of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, yesterday obstructed vehicular movement on Aba-Owerri road in Aba North Local Government.

    They protested the accident involving a female student, identified as Ogechi Mary Ezekiel, near the school gate.

    While sources said she was dead, another account had it that she was not dead, but lying critically at hospital.

    The students, who carried placards, said they had urged past and present governments to erect bumps on the road, near the school, to prevent reckless driving.

    They said reckless drivers had on several occasions knocked down their colleagues and polytechnic workers.

    Our correspondent, who visited the accident scene, reports that fact available had it that the female student had lost a lot of blood before those who identified her as a student of the school took her to a private hospital.

    The Nation learnt that the Aba-Owerri road and adjoining streets were barricaded by the students for over three hours, causing gridlock on some of the alternative routes, including Okigwe, Eziukwu and Osusu roads, forcing commuters to trek long distances to their destinations.

    Read Also: In defence of NYSC skills acquisition programme

    Business and academic activities at the time of our reporter’s visit were grounded by the student’s peaceful protest.

    A source, who preferred anonymity, told our correspondent that the students took to the streets, demanding to be addressed by Governor Alex Otti with a promise to erect speed breaker on the road, to prevent recurrence.

    “The documents she had with her showed that she was a student of Accounts Department and was in the school ahead of their mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.”

    The gateman at the hospital did not allow our correspondent entry into the premises.

    The President, Student Union Government (SUG), Edwin Chijioke, said “this is the second time the school will be losing its own to reckless driving.”

    He lamented that the hospital had remained mum over the true condition of the accident victim, “as the management of the hospital are yet to give us the true position of the health of the student.”

    Aba Police Area Commander, the management of the school and the student leadership were at a crucial meeting at press time.

  • Uzodimma commiserates with three Imo traditional rulers over wives’ death

    Uzodimma commiserates with three Imo traditional rulers over wives’ death

    Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has expressed his condolences to three traditional rulers in the state—HRH Eze Henry Madumere, HRH Eze Sabinus Nwaneche, and HRH Eze Reginald Amadi—following the passing of their wives.

    He described the occurrences as significant losses to both the state and the traditional institution.

    The deceased wives of the monarchs – Ugoeze Marlinda Chikanele Ulunma Madumere, Ugoeze Patience Nkechinyere Nwaneche, and Ugoeze Ogechi Amadi, passed on recently after brief illnesses.

    Eze Henry Madumere is the traditional ruler of Achi Mbieri in Mbaitoli, Eze Sabinus Nwaneche is of the Ogwuama Ancient kingdom in Ahiara, Ahiazu Mbaise while Eze Reginald Amadi is of the Obetiti-Nguru in Aboh Mbaise.

    Read Also; BREAKING: Binance leaves Nigeria, suspends all naira services

    A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, the chief press secretary and media adviser to the governor, said that Uzodinma was seriously pained on hearing about the death of the three mothers whom he held in very high esteem based on their outstanding personalities and motherly roles in their domains.

    The statement said that the governor regretted that the Ugoezes would no longer be available to continue to assist their husbands in the good works they are doing in their different communities in the interest of our society.

    Governor Uzodimma, according to the statement, maintained that the deceased would be sorely missed by all, adding that those mourning them should be consoled by the fact that they left behind legacies of service to God and humanity which are there for everyone to see.

    He also commiserated with the Imo state traditional institution and urged all and sundry in the institution to join him in committing the families of the deceased in the hands of God during this trying moment as well as to pray for the souls of the deceased.

    The statement added that Governor Uzodimma prayed to God on behalf of his family, the government, and the people of the state, to grant the souls of the Ugoezes a peaceful repose, and to their husbands and all that they have left behind to mourn their unfortunate death, the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • Abia workers to get N35,000 wage award, says Otti

    Abia workers to get N35,000 wage award, says Otti

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti says his administration is looking at the issue of N35,000 wage award approved by the Federal Government for workers, with a view to implementing it.

    He spoke yesterday when he received executive members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abia State Council, who were on a working visit.

    He said a committee had been set up to that effect and it had submitted its first report.

    Dr. Otti, however, said he had directed the committee to deepen its work and report to him, adding that he had instructed the Finance commissioner to look at the discriminatory salary structure for health workers, as it concerned Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHES).

    The governor said his administration would look into salary owed workers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and parastatals, including ABSUTH, ASUBEB, ASCETA, Abiapoly, primary school teachers, among others, by the previous administration.

    He said a team is working with the Nigerian Union of Pensioners to reach a resolution on how to defray pension arrears of pensioners.

    Otti said there are still bad eggs in the system, who engage in padding of salaries and other criminal activities.

    Read Also: Dangote names Lagos refinery road after Wigwe

    He implored NLC to identify such people stealing from the government.

    “There are lots of people collecting salaries but are not coming to office.

    “My challenge to NLC is to help us. What they (ghost workers) are doing, they are stealing from you. It is very important you take it as responsibility.”

    State Chairman of NLC, Ogbonnaya Okoro, appealed to the governor to consider implementing the N35,000 wage bill approved for workers by the Federal Government, address the high-handedness of some government appointees against civil servants, offset salary arrears ranging from three to 30 months owed workers by the previous administration.

  • Hand over to new caretaker, Mba directs 17 council chairmen

    Hand over to new caretaker, Mba directs 17 council chairmen

    Enugu State Government yesterday ordered local government chairmen in the 17 councils to hand over administration to heads of personnel management.

    It was gathered that the tenure of the council chairmen ended yesterday.

    The handover directive was issued by the Commissioner for Local Government, Rural Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo.

    He said the directive was in line with the extant laws guiding the tenure of elected chairmen and councillors.

    Ogbodo said: “The tenure of the chairmen and councillors of the 17 local governments in Enugu State formally came to an end on March 4.

    Read Also: FG organises National Minimum Wage Review public hearings

    “Consequently, the council chairmen are expected to hand over to the heads of personnel management (HPM) in the local governments, with effect from March 4.

    “This is in line with the extant laws guiding the tenure-ship of elected chairmen and councillors in our local governments.”

  • Sylva seeks dissolution of Bayelsa governorship tribunal

    Sylva seeks dissolution of Bayelsa governorship tribunal

    Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the last governorship election in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has accused members of the tribunal hearing his petition against the outcome of election of being bias.

    In a March 4 petition by his lawyer, S. E. Elema (SAN), to the President of the Court of Appeal, Sylva urged the President of the Court of Appeal to reconstitute a fresh panel to take his petition.

    He accused members of the tribunal of allegedly engaging in inaccurate recording of proceedings and being unduly harsh towards the petitioners.

    Sylva and the APC are petitioners in the petition marked:  EPT/BY/Gov/04/2023, while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Douye Diri, Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrujakpo and their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are listed as respondents.

    Sylva accused the tribunal members of allegedly imposing unrealistic time limit, during which he could only call 49 witnesses out of the 234 he had planned to call.

    Read Also: Dangote names Lagos refinery road after Wigwe

    He claimed that even when the tribunal still has about three months to sit, it limited the petitioners to only eight days to conduct their case.

    Sylva had closed his case on February 27 after calling 49 witnesses, following which the tribunal led by Justice A. A. Adeleye (with Justices I. S.  Galadima and Abdu Maiwada Abubakar as members), adjourned till yesterday for defence.

    When parties got to court yesterday, the tribunal Chairman, Justice Adeleye, told counsel for the parties that the petitioners had filed a petition, questioning the neutrality and integrity of members of the tribunal.

  • Militant leader Okah opposes Shell’s renaissance consortium arrangements

    Militant leader Okah opposes Shell’s renaissance consortium arrangements

    A Niger Delta group, Forum Against Niger Delta Exploitation (FANDE), has described the plan by Shell to sell its onshore assets in Nigeria and Niger Delta to renaissance consortium as disturbing.

    Shell on its official website announced that the assets are valued at $2.8billion and are to be sold to renaissance, a consortium of four Nigerian firms and one foreign company, namely ND Western, Aradel Energy, First E&P, Waltersmith and Petrolin.

    The group led by a renowned militant leader, Henry Okah, like other groups in the region, has rejected the proposal and urged Shell to drop the plan and consider divesting the investments to indigenous oil firms owned by Niger Delta indigenes, in the interest of peace and return in investment.

    The group, in a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, signed by its spokesman, General Gboloko, threatened fire and brimstone to oil installations in the region, owners and families members of the consortium among others, if Shell insists on carrying on with the proposal.

    They noted that they had been silent on happenings in the region for long because of the current incarceration of their supreme leader Okah, but explained that they had his mandate to speak and “act on this issue.”

    They said they wanted Shell to sell the assets to indigenous oil firms owned by indigenes of the region, who had the interests of the region at heart.

    FANDE said the Anglo Dutch multinational should give first right of refusal to the group’s preferred companies, adding that if they insisted on renaissance consortium, they should consider that as bad investment.

    Read Also: FG organises National Minimum Wage Review public hearings

    The people recalled decades of neglect and environmental degradation the region had suffered under Shell, noting that if allowed to hand over the business to the planned consortium, it would be  tantamount to handing over template of continuous marginalisation, neglect and suffering for the region and her people.

    They vowed to resist the decision with the last blood of their lives.

    The people regretted that Shell was yet to learn a lesson from the nasty experience they had with people from OML-25 in Kula Kingdom, Asari-Toru Local Government of Rivers Stste where their facility was occupied by women for attempting to sell the assets to a different company from the community preferred firm.

  • Sit-at-home: Imo residents dread Mondays

    Sit-at-home: Imo residents dread Mondays

    • Police boss assures people of safety

    Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has told residents to go about their activities on Mondays without fear of molestation by sit-at-home enforcers.

    The exercise has continued to restrict residents’ movements, including access to health care facilities, in some parts of Imo State.

    Danjuma, addressing officers of the command yesterday during a confidence building patrol, told residents to go about their activities on Mondays without fear of molestation by Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    He said the command had put machinery in place to checkmate the activities of the separatist group, particularly during Monday’s sit-at-home.

    Read Also: Dangote names Lagos refinery road after Wigwe

    He said the illegal activities of the IPOB and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN), had affected the economy of the state and Southeast.

    “This is a confidence building patrol and operation show of force exercise across the length and breadth of the state. This continuous operation is targeted at preventing crime and putting an end to the deleterious and illegal sit-at-home order by the IPOB/ESN, which has grievously affected the economy of the state and Southeast.

  • Lawmaker urges NDDC to revive rice mill

    Lawmaker urges NDDC to revive rice mill

    A lawmaker representing Ini Constituency in Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Lawrence Udoide, has urged Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to revive the rice mill it initiated at Mbiabet Ikpe in Ini Local Government.

    He made the request in a motion during plenary. It was titled: ‘An Urgent Call on the Niger Delta Development Commission to Revive the Rice Mill at Mbiabet Ikpe in Ini Local Government of Akwa Ibom State’.

    Read Also: FG organises National Minimum Wage Review public hearings

    The legislator said the mill became a dashed hope when NDDC abandoned it in 2009 soon after it was test run.

    He lamented that the premises is now a dwelling place for reptiles and wild animals.

    The motion, pursuant to Order 111, Rule 1 of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Seventh Edition, noted that Mbiabet Ikpe is blessed with fertile land, which supports rice farming.

    Udoide noted in the motion that Mbiabet people are predominantly rice farmers-the reason NDDC captured the group of villages as rice cultivating area.

  • Manager assures passengers of comfort

    Manager assures passengers of comfort

    The Manager of Osubi Airport, Osubi in Okpe Local Government of Delta State, Mr. Winston Egwuatu, has assured passengers of continued comfort, safety and security.

    He gave the assurance during his acceptance speech shortly after receiving the Best Airport Manager Award at the 13th Nigeria Aviation Award (NIGAV) ceremony.

    The award was presented to him by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Management. Mr. Festus Keyamo (SAN).

    The manager said the award was a proof of his passion, professionalism and leadership skills garnered over the years in the aviation industry.

    He said under his leadership, with the support of workers, Osubi Airport also won the 12th edition of the NIGAV award as the Most Improved Airport in Nigeria.

    He noted that the feat came just after a year that he took over the affairs of the moribund airport that was grounded for about 17 months.

    “Osubi Airport under my leadership also won the 12th NIGAV award as the Most Improved Airport in Nigeria.

    Read Also: Dangote names Lagos refinery road after Wigwe

    “Osubi Airport has achieved transformation in all areas of its operation under my leadership. The airport remains one of the best maintained aerodrome facilities in Nigeria.

    “The progress made by the airport management under my watch has been achieved fully from the funds generated from the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the airport,” Egwuatu said.

    Responding to the win, Mr. Ofulue Kasiemobi, head of Human Resources, Osubi Airport, congratulated Egwuatu on the milestone.

    He said with the manager’s kind of drive and passion, it was right to say Osubi Airport was in safe hands, adding that it could only get better.