The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Otti seeks US economic support for Abia

    Otti seeks US economic support for Abia

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has called for support from the United States Consulate in promoting trade, investment and other areas of interest.

    He spoke when he received the Political and Economic Section Chief of the US Consulate, Lagos, Mike Ervin, who was in the state on a working visit with his team.

    Dr. Otti listed a number of challenges confronting the state, especially the business sector, to include access to finance, power and logistics support in the area of digital economy, among others.

    He, however, said the issue of power supply in Aba would soon be over, following the inauguration of Geometric Power Plant.

    Read Also: Security beefed up in Abia ahead Tinubu’s visit

    Ervin, who explained that the Consulate covers the 17 southern states of Nigeria, said their mission was to seek ways to expand bilateral trade and investment and ensure prosperity between the United States and Nigeria.

    He thanked Governor Otti for opening the doors of Abia State to them to talk about ways they could find opportunities to build shared prosperity for their people, adding, “this is one message Secretary Blinkin has been taking around the world.”

    Commissioner for Trade,

    Commerce and Industry, Dr. Chimezie Ukegbu; Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Digital Economy, Chibuzor Elisabeth Chijioke and Technical Assistant to the Governor, Charles Egeonu, were present during the visit.

  • Court sets March 18 for hearing in CSOs’ case against Rivers lawmakers

    Court sets March 18 for hearing in CSOs’ case against Rivers lawmakers

    The Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has set March 18 to hear a case filed by the Rivers State Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) against the 27 lawmakers led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.

    The CSOs in the suit are seeking judicial interpretation of Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    The presiding judge, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam, adjourned the matter following the ongoing Judges Conference.

    CSOs argued in their suit that the 27 lawmakers should vacate their seats for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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    Also, the Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt yesterday granted a request by some Rivers elders led by Chief Arabs Sara-Igbe and nine others to serve the Martin Amaewhule-led lawmakers through substituted service.

    The elders are among others asking the court to declare the peace agreement signed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other stakeholders in Abuja as unconstitutional.

    The three-man panel of justices led by Justice Oluwayemisi Daudu, also granted accelerated hearing in the matter and adjourned the case to April 8.

    On January 23, a similar suit was struck out in the state High Court presided over by Justice Chiwendu Nworgu for lack of jurisdiction.

  • Nothing like N30b windfall from Fed Govt, says Alia

    Nothing like N30b windfall from Fed Govt, says Alia

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has dismissed rumors making the round that he got the N30 billion windfall from the Federal Government.

    Speaking during the reception organised in his honor by All Progressives Congress (APC) MINDA Youths at Benue Hotel in Makurdi, the governor advised the youths to disregard such misinformation.

    He called for unity and sacrifice among Benue people irrespective of political affiliation to attract greater development in the state.

    Read Also: Alia ends 46 years land dispute with Air Force

    Alia congratulated the MINDA youths for putting the event together.

    “We are putting everything in place day and night to ensure that the hell we met is made into heaven. I urged you to adopt a positive attitude and make sacrifices for the advancement of Benue state,” he said.

    He said his administration would soon transform the Benue Links Park into a Modern City Park, a move aimed at enhancing transportation, security, and public amenities.

    “My administration is very much committed to the enforcement the Anti-Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law. I assured you that security is on top of the situation as regards armed herdsmen attacks on farmers,” he said.

    MINDA Youth Leader, Terver Gbenda, said the dinner was put together in appreciation of the governor for the good things he has done for the people.

  • We’re prioritising human capital development, says Diri

    We’re prioritising human capital development, says Diri

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said his second term administration will focus more on human capacity building, to provide quality leaders for public and private organisations within and outside the state.

    He said this yesterday while declaring open a three-day Leadership and Entrepreneurship Skills Development Summit in Yenagoa.

    The summit with the theme: ‘Building the Bayelsa Youth for Leadership’, was organised by the state government, in collaboration with the Prosperity Youth Coalition and Gotni Leadership Centre.

    The governor, represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said efforts would be made to create a critical mass of responsible and competent youths, who could fit into leadership roles anywhere in the world.

    Stressing the importance of human capital as a factor of production, Diri said the greatness of a society is better measured by the number of resourceful, quality and knowledgeable people that make up the society.

    Read Also: Diri dissolves exco, holds valedictory session for members

    Drawing parallel between Singapore, Ghana, Rwanda and Nigeria, he noted that “only proactive and effective leadership can salvage the country from its backwardness and socio-economic challenges.”

    Diri noted that although his administration was determined to sustain its drive for infrastructural development, efforts would be made to build human beings to man the critical infrastructures being built by the government.

    He advised the trainees to take the programme, which centres on effective leadership, entrepreneurial skills and resource mobilisation, seriously, adding that the best 24 of them would be sent elsewhere for further training.

    The governor’s wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, announced her plans to give attention to developing youths, particularly the boy- child, in the second term of the Prosperity Government.

    Mrs. Diri, who enjoined the participants to make use of the opportunity to improve themselves, said she will soon roll out what she calls The Boy Child Agenda.

    Director General of Prosperity Youth Coalition (PYC), Comrade Doubara Kumouko, thanked the state government for investing in the development of youths.

  • EEDC announces cut over toits new vending system

    EEDC announces cut over toits new vending system

    Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) has announced cut over to its new vending system, SuperEdge, following successful rollover last Saturday, in readiness for the STS prepaid meter upgrade.

    EEDC customers, who were unable to recharge their meters during the rollover period because of the vending platform, which was shut down, can now purchase tokens and upgrade their meters.

    This development was contained in a statement by the Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh.

    He said with the completion of the rollover, the first token purchase by customers will come with the Key Change Tokens (KCTs) needed to upgrade the meters. These are three sets of 20-digit tokens, which the customers are expected to punch into their meters.

    Read Also: IPOB urges EEDC to provide electricity or pull out of Southeast

    According to him, the first 20 digits will be punched into the meter after which the customer should press the “enter” button; the same should be done for the second 20 digits and the third 20 digits, to have the meter upgraded.

    He urged customers, who might have earlier purchased tokens yet to be loaded onto their meters, to endeavour to load them before administering the three sets of 20-digit tokens, as once the meter is upgraded, such tokens will no longer be accepted by the meter.

    Ezeh said prepaid meter upgrade is compulsory for customers using STS compliant prepaid meters and the meters are expected to have been upgraded by November 24, 2024.

     He said the exercise is free, adding that it does not affect postpaid and standalone customers.

  • Anambra tricycle operators hail Soludo

    Anambra tricycle operators hail Soludo

    • ’He’s saving money for us through roads

    No fewer than 300 tricycle operators in Anambra State yesterday embarked on a road show in solidarity with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s road infrastructure across the state.

    The operators, under the aegis of Anambra Keke Drivers Forum (AKDF), said they were satisfied with the ongoing road construction across the state, describing it as proof of accountability of their tax payment.

    Speaking to reporters, the group’s spokesman, Amos Nweke, said although they had not received any physical cash from the governor, they had saved so much by not frequently visiting mechanic workshops.

    He said: “We want to move round Awka and see for ourselves massive road construction being carried out by Soludo across the state.

    “During his campaign, the governor promised us he would transform Anambra to African Dubai. We’re very happy he’s keeping to his promise. We call on him to continue.

    “With this massive road building across the state, we believe other promises, including eradication of touts, is a sure bet.

    “Although Governor Soludo did not give us any money to carry out this rally, if I say he has given us money, I won’t be lying, because of the money he has saved for us.

    “Before he became the governor, we paid through our nose in the hands of touts and union members. We also visited mechanics regularly because of bad roads.

    “But as soon as he became governor, he stopped payment of the money. Before now, I used to visit mechanic every week. But the story has changed. The last time I visited mechanic was in January. I only visited to change oil.

    “Although some mechanics are ignorantly boasting that the reason we’ve not been frequenting their workshops is because of their expertise, we know it’s because of the good roads.

    “I ply St. Faith to Agulu Awka. Before now, especially during the rainy season, we usually struggled with flood. But now, the road is passable.”

    Another member, Peter Umemadufo, described Governor Soludo as a man of his words, saying he is different from his predecessors.

    Said he: “Honestly, the governor has done well. During his campaign, he promised to declare state of emergency on Anambra roads. That promise he’s keeping.

    Read Also: Soludo: unbundle gas from Exclusive List to fix electricity

    “I’m happy with him. Soludo has no competitor as far as 2025 election in the state is concerned. We’re telling our people to get their permanent voter cards (PVCs) ready.

    “The devil you know is better than the angel you don’t know. What he’s done in less than two years, I don’t think any other governor before him has done that. He has done over 400km roads across local governments in the state.”

    Coordinator of the group, Comrade Osita Obi, said the rally had no political colouration.

    He said: “The essence of the road show being carried out by over 300 ‘Keke’ drivers is to see what the governor is doing, what the tax they’re paying is used for.

    “We praise the governor where he’s doing well and ask him to continue. We also want more ‘Keke’ drivers to come into government tax rate so government will have more money to embark on more roads.

    “This exercise is not politically motivated. I’m not swayed by any political party, but totally dependent. I praise what is good and criticise what is bad.

    “This is my brain child. I’m the sponsor, originator, financier and facilitator. Go and check my pedigree. I started this project over 40 years ago.”

  • Court voids indefinite suspension of FADAMA coordinator

    Court voids indefinite suspension of FADAMA coordinator

    The National Industrial Court has voided the indefinite suspension slammed on the Ebonyi State Coordinator of the World Bank Assisted FADAMA III Project, Cletus Nwakpu, by the state government.

    Nwakpu, an experienced civil servant, had overseen the implementation of the world bank sponsored FADAMA projects in the state.

    But on July 14, 2020 the state government under former governor David Umahi suspended him indefinitely on unproven allegations of funds misappropriation and embezzlement.

    Read Also: Supreme Court gets full complement of 21 justices

    Nwakpu denied the allegations and in January 2022, sued Ebonyi State Government and six others.

    He prayed the court to grant him 14 reliefs, including lifting of the indefinite suspension illegally imposed on him, reinstating him to his job as Fadama coordinator, payment of his salary arrears from July 2020 to July 2023.

    He also prayed for payment to him by the defendants the sum of N500 million being damages in aggravated terms for the flagrant violation of his rights as a senior and confirmed public/civil servant, who was subjected to malicious and unlawful suspension.

    He said the sack and report of same in the media caused him psychological and financial torture, character defamation, loss of employment opportunities, harassment and public embarrassment.

    Ruling on the matter, Justice Oluwakayode Arowosegbe said the state government violated the rights of fair hearing of the claimant.

  • NDDC under Ogbuku’s watch on track to lift Niger Delta, says Dickson 

    NDDC under Ogbuku’s watch on track to lift Niger Delta, says Dickson 

    Former Bayelsa State governor, now the senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has urged Niger Delta states to partner Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to fast-track the developmental processes of the region.

    He gave the advice at the weekend at Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State, hometown of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, during the 2024 edition of the community’s annual cultural celebration, ‘Eyal Obein’.

    Dickson hailed the community for the preservation of their cultural heritage, saying people without culture were likened to one without history.

    The ex-governor, who also lauded the NDDC MD on the achievements of the commission under his stewardship, said he was impressed with the performance of the intervention agency under the leadership of Ogbuku.

    He noted that the NDDC MD and his team had demonstrated capacity and love for the region in terms of projects execution and policies implementation.

    The Ayakoro community’s ‘Eyal Obein’ is an age-long cultural festival held annually to commemorate the relocation of the community from their old settlement to their current abode due to devastating erosion.

    The 2024 edition makes it 66 years since the community began the commemoration of the event.

    Dickson said: “The NDDC under the stewardship of Dr. Ogbuku is doing well. Ogbuku and his team are carrying out the mandate of the NDDC well.

    “I want to thank Ogbuku for remembering that he came from a place. The projects I’ve seen in this community and other parts of the Niger Delta, including my home town, especially the solar powered lights and others, show that Ogbuku knows where he came from. It shows that he’s linked with his people at home.”

    Speaking to reporters after the event, Ogbuku said the commission under his stewardship was re-committed to ensuring that projects awarded and executed by the commission had impact on their benefiting communities.

    He said the era of stalled projects was over in the NDDC, noting, however, that the commission would no longer condone a habit whereby some communities acted as encumbrances to contractors handling NDDC projects in their domain.

    He said contracts awarded to communities, which impeded their peaceful execution, might be relocated, adding that no place could develop in the absence of peace and cooperation.

    Ogbuku stated: “Ayakoro is a very peaceful community. Here, projects are flourishing. There’s never been any encumbrance to any project awarded here. My advice to communities is that they should be peaceful and cooperate with contractors executing projects in their domain.

    Read Also: 65 CSOs pull out from planned Labour’s nationwide protest

    “A situation where communities impose all sort of conditions on contractors executing projects in their communities will no longer be accepted. However, we’ll also not allow contractors to exploit communities when executing their projects. In the event that there are unnecessary encumbrances from communities on the execution of projects in their domain, then it’s clear that such a community does not want the project, and so the NDDC may be forced to relocate projects like that.”

    Guest of Honour and Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Koroye Enebimere, promised government’s continuous support for cultural celebration to grow the tourism and hospitality sectors of the state.

    The paramount ruler of the community, HRH Righteous Inegbagha, gave a brief history of the cultural festival.

    He commended the founding fathers and the present generation of the community for their resilience and dedication to the growth and development of the community.

  • Commission begins distribution of palliatives in Delta

    Commission begins distribution of palliatives in Delta

    Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has begun the distribution of palliatives for victims of the 2022 flood disaster in communities across the 25 local governments of Delta State.

    Speaking during the presentation of the palliatives at Sapele Athletic Club in Sapele, Delta State, representative of Delta State on the NDDC Governing Board, Monday Igbuya, said although the flood occurred in 2022, the victims were still suffering the aftermath of the disaster.

    Igbuya in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, noted that the NDDC Governing Board, led by Mr. Chiedu Ebie, found it necessary to implement the decision to distribute previously approved palliative items to communities across the state.

    He said the distribution was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to cushion the effects of the 2022 flood disaster in the state, especially in view of the current economic difficulties in the country.

    He said: “You remember the flood happened in 2022 and as you know President Tinubu was not in office then, so were the NDDC board and management. But, when the issue came up, he graciously approved this relief operation.”

    Igbuya said NDDC was committed to programmes that would affect the people positively, stressing that the board was engaging in activities that truly reflected the people’s needs and mandate of the board.

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    The statement said the truckload of items distrib¬uted included bags of rice, bags of beans, mattresses, vegetable oil, noodles, toiletries, tomato paste, boats, cassava milling machines, sewing and grinding machines, salt, among other relief materi-als.

    The community leaders across the 25 local governments of the state, including women and youth groups, reportedly received the items on behalf of their people.

    Onoriode Ogodo of Sapele-Okpe community thanked the NDDC for the palliatives.

    He said: “The items will go a long way in supporting those who lost homes and means of livelihoods during the flood.”

    The President-General of Elume community, Mr. Felix Emuobo, said: “With the materials in the right hands, we can rebuild and support our people during these difficult times. I commend the NDDC for their effort towards bringing relief to us.”

  • Institute begins needs assessment for teachers’ development

    Institute begins needs assessment for teachers’ development

    Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI), Biase in Cross River State, has begun a statewide needs assessment of professional teachers.

    The purpose of the exercise involving schools in the 18 local governments is to get inputs from about 300 targeted sample participants on their current and future needs.

    The Director General of TCTI, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, said the institute’s “curriculum is dynamic and covers teachers from primary and secondary schools, vocational and technical colleges as well as Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in integrated settings.”

    Addressing reporters at the weekend, the TCTI DG says the institute being a world-class institution adopts training programmes that are best suited to the local needs of schools, as well as meeting global standard practices.

    He added: “With the rapid changes taking place in the 21st century schooling system, curriculum, technology, knowledge and skills, needs assessment is able to point out areas of interest.

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    “After a thorough needs assessment exercise, 100 primary school head teachers across the state will be selected to attend a three-day intensive residential workshop on the ‘Application of Smart Skills to Teaching and Learning in Primary Schools’.

    Adedoja said TCTI, which before now had carried out career trainings for teachers, was owned by the Cross River State Government and was conceived to boost manpower development and guarantee quality education that met global learning.

    He said: “The institute is seeking collaborators for its training programmes.”