The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Tinubu to inaugurate Geometric Power Plant Feb 24

    Tinubu to inaugurate Geometric Power Plant Feb 24

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to be in Abia State on February 24 for the inauguration of Geometric Power Generation Plant in Osisioma Local Government.

    The inauguration is expected to boost power generation and make business thrive in Aba, its environs and other areas.

    Commissioner for Information and Culture, Prince Okey Kanu, made this known at the Government House in Umuahia while briefing reporters in company with his Land & Housing and Education counterparts after this week’s Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.

    He said the President is expected to be in the state to inaugurate the project.

    Kanu said inaugurating the power plant was a dream come true for Geometrics and Abia State Government.

    “The state government has worked assiduously behind the scenes to ensure that the project is realised because when the plant comes on stream, it will benefit our people.”

    The power project, the information commissioner said, underscored the commitment of the state government to boost economic fortunes of the state through encouragement of private sector investment in infrastructure.

    “Governor Otti as the former Managing Director and CEO of the defunct Diamond Bank PLC was involved in the Geometric Power Project right from its conception.”

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    Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eme Uche, said she took the opportunity to emphasise that no school had a right to charge extra fees outside of the fees duly authorised by the state government.

    She advised parents to report cases to the Ministry of Education.

    Speaking about the proposed Arungwa Trailer Park, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, said the project was meant to decongest traffic around Osisioma roundabout, Umuika junction and Owerinta bridge areas as well as generate revenue for the state.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Sir Chris Onwuegbu and the state Director of Information, Mrs. Ugochi Ihediwa, were present at the briefing.

  • Diri hails elders for stand against threats

    Diri hails elders for stand against threats

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has hailed the elders and people of the state for their stand against threats and intimidations during the November 11, 2023 governorship election.

    He said there were threats to lives of the people that refused to look the other way of the opposition, but noted that the people stood their ground to defend their mandate.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the Douye Diri Peace Prize and Leadership Lecture/Book Presentation in Yenagoa.

    He said former President Goodluck Jonathan, elders and the people of the state stood by him.

    He said: “All leaders did what was expected both at home and abroad. This victory was not only because the governor worked hard, but also because the people knew what they wanted.

    “Peace and unity have eluded this state for some time; lives were being threatened because of those who failed to do the bidding of the other party. Now that we have come to enjoy some level of peace and unity, we will not want to lose it.

    “We could not achieve anything because we were so factionalised, hence a committee headed by the late Inatimi Rufus Spiff was set up and they went a long way to reconcile all the leaders and political stakeholders. We have no other home to go to apart from Bayelsa.

    “Once again Niger Delta has to sit up, it is not yet Uhuru. We will give our support to the development of the state.”

    Diri said it is unfair for Bayelsa to have eight local governments “when all the resources come from here.”

    “Is that the country we want to continue to run?”

    Speaking further, he alleged that the Federal Government had carried away the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), claiming that most of the communities had gone into extinction and more were still being threatened because of the activities of the multi-national companies.

     Sunday Katung, said the people of the Niger Delta should reject being described as militants when they are fighting for what belongs to them.

    Katung decried the ecological problems in Bayelsa State and called for more attention both from the Federal Government and the international communities.

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    He said: “To change this tide and put the Ijaw nation in its rightful place, there is need to take advantage that the global community offers in harnessing our human resources and addressing challenges.

    “This can be achieved by the networks of the relevant stakeholders, organised private sector, civil society organisation, mass media and other stakeholders towards raising the banner of advocacy and social responsibilities.”

    The Director General, ‘Yes Diri’, who is also the host, Gentle Emelah, said there is no better time than now to start the noble process of projecting the Ijaw Nation for Global Representation, even as the country is passing through its most turbulent times in history.

    Emelah, who is also the state commissioner for Education, said the essence was to truly and urgently challenge themselves to strengthen the building blocks that project the Ijaw nation for global representation.

    Speaking further, he said the theme of the lecture was purposely and painstakingly crafted to awaken, galvanise and harmonise the expertise, passion, entrepreneurial orientation and professional capacities of the Ijaw.

  • Residents, business owners decry epileptic power supply in Enugu

    Residents, business owners decry epileptic power supply in Enugu

    • Situation beyond us, says EEDC

    Residents and business owners in Enugu metropolis have lamented power outage in the city, saying their businesses are fast crumbling.

    The capital city and its environs have been witnessing unusually prolonged power outage that has thrown the metropolis into darkness, with a few places having epileptic supply.

    While residents cry out over the continuous outage at a critical season of excessive heat, some business owners, especially hoteliers, printers, beer parlour operators, among others, who spoke about the development yesterday, bemoaned the power outage, noting that businesses were folding up over the development.

    They said they were losing customers over their inability to buy diesel at the current pump price of N1,300 per litre to provide power for their businesses and offices.

    A printing press owner on Edinburgh Road, Ogui New Layout, Enugu, who identified himself as Anayo Okenna, said he had consistently run at losses due to overspending on diesel.

    Okenna said: “All the printing jobs I collected since January have been stalled because what I charged my clients is far less compared to what I’m spending to produce the books.”

    Reacting to the development, EEDC Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, said the poor power supply experienced by its customers across the Southeast is beyond the organisation.

    The company attributed the situation to low energy generation, which had resulted in a drop in power supply availability.

    “The worst is in the past two weeks where you can hardly find power within the day. Within the period, I was spending about N45,000 daily on 40 litres of diesel just to work.

    “The situation is quite frustrating. I must tell you. I don’t know what the matter is with Nigeria. Nothing seems to be working again.”

    A manager in one of the hotels operating in the city, Sandra Isife, lamented that her hotel spends an average of N250,000 daily to purchase diesel to provide electricity for customers.

    She said after managing to pay workers their January salary, the hotel owners can no longer continue with such spending, as it is no longer sustainable.

    “You can’t imagine that any night you have only three guests, you will also run your generator as if you have 50 guests. That’s where our problem lies,” she added.

    She expressed fears that if Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) does not immediately restore constant power supply to the city, hotels and other business owners may be forced to lay off workers due to the high cost of keeping their business afloat.

    A welder, Ugochukwu Nwobodo, said he had not worked for almost two weeks since the EEDC began epileptic power supply, adding that the situation was compounding economic woes of the people.

    A resident of Ikirike in Idaw River Layout, Ijeoma Nebe, said since harmattan season stopped, she and many others had hardly enjoyed sound sleep because of the extreme heat.

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    “You can imagine that we didn’t watch this past AFCON tournament. Even on the day Nigeria was playing finals with Ivory Coast, there was no electricity. What is even infuriating enough is the fact that we no longer sleep because of heat,” she said.

    Reacting to the development, EEDC Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, said the poor power supply experienced by its customers across the Southeast is beyond the organisation.

    The company attributed the situation to low energy generation, which had resulted in a drop in power supply availability.

    The Head, Corporate Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, who made this known to reporters, appealed to customers to bear with them.

    He said the development had resulted in low generation, leading to reduction in the quantum of daily megawatt hour (MWH) of energy allocated to distribution companies nationwide, thereby impacting the quality of service to its customers.

    “We understand the inconveniences this situation has caused our esteemed customers and appeal for their understanding, as it is beyond us,” Ezeh said.

    “We can only distribute what is allocated to us. Effort is being made by the stakeholders in the power sector to address this issue, and we hope this yields positive result so that normal distribution will return,” he added.

  • Ex-PDP spokesperson remanded for alleged defamation

    Ex-PDP spokesperson remanded for alleged defamation

    A social media critic and member of the Interim Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State chapter, Chika Nwoba, has been remanded in prison custody by an Abakaliki Magistrates’ Court.

    Nwoba, a former spokesperson for the party, was arraigned by the police yesterday on a three-count charge following his arrest on Sunday.

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    His arrest followed a petition by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oguzor Offia-Nwali.

    Nwali had in a petition alleged that Nwoba in a series of posts he made on social media, defamed him, threatened his life and falsely accused him of fraud and diversion of state government funds meant for empowerment of hawkers.

  • Anambra community excited as peace, unity return after many years

    Anambra community excited as peace, unity return after many years

    Indigenes of Ogwuari, Nsugbe, Anambra East local government area of Anambra  State are in frenzy after peace and unity returned to the ancient kingdom after many years of acrimony. 

    The followed the inauguration of new executive members in the area led by the national Chairman, Pastor Lawrence Ifejika, a lawyer, in the presence of government officials and security personnel at the Ogwuari square in Nsugbe. 

    The event was chaired by Chike Maduekwe, a renowned lawyer and the  Chairman of thé Anambra physical and Town  Planning.

    Addressing the crowd of Ogwuari, Nsugbe and dignitaries from across Anambra State, he said with the new development, peace, unity and dévelopment which had eluded the area for years, have been restored. 

    Ifejika described it as  a spécial day in their  land, adding, “the joy of our people today as a result of years of crisis and agony, knows no bound 

    “What you are witnessing today did not côme so easy until the stakeholders in this area and beyond  came together to say ‘enough is enough’.

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    “Seven of our youths will travel abroad for studies in the next six months. Seven others, their WAEC  fees had been already paid by our body. 

    “By God’s grace, we will deliver and Ogwuari will rise again.”

    Anambra Commissioner for youth dévelopment Mr Patrick Aghamba congratulated thé new excos and land management committee, adding that it was a new dawn in thé community. 

    “Ogwuari Nsugbe will never witness crisis again and plans have been marshalled to take the community to a greater height,” he said. 

    For Chibuzor Obalum, the Chairman, Land committee in the community, “We are going to support the national chairman to achieve all his plans. All hand must be on deck to move this area forward”. 

    Lady Chito Etuke Osili, a Director in the Ministry of Youth Development, who was the Chairman of the organising Committee,  commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s government for supporting and bringing peace in the community. 

    She said: “We will fight any one that tries to bring shame, disunity and acrimony  to the community again”. 

    Mrs Etuke Osili said the major focus in the area was to make insecurity a thing of the past in the area.

  • Diri confident of victory at tribunal

    Diri confident of victory at tribunal

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has said efforts by some persons to stop his second term at the Election Petitions Tribunal failed before and will fail again.

    He spoke yesterday at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government at a memorial service for his father, Abraham Diri, who died last year.

    The governor will be sworn in tomorrow. He defeated Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who came second in the November 11, 2023 governorship election.

    Diri said: “A tribunal that you wanted to rig and you were stopped from rigging, and we even accepted some of your fake results from Nembe-Bassambiri, and you are the one going to tribunal.

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    “You know what he is doing now? You know when people are fake they do fake things. They want to go and bring police results as it happened sometime somewhere. They are bringing police report. They are subpoenaing police commissioner to come and testify at the tribunal.

    “Is it police that give result or INEC? Fake people. We have crossed that bridge long time ago and everything they are doing we know and we keep quiet. All we do is to stop them and we will stop them again.”

    He attributed his election victory to God, saying: “We have a master strategist who is Master Jesus. We will stop them from rigging at the tribunal again.

    “If you want to subpoena anybody, subpoena the Independent National Electoral Commission because they are the ones who prepare the results, the police are there for security.”

    Vowing to be serious and follow up on all issues at the Election Petitions Tribunal, Diri said: “I will follow them ‘bumper to bumper’.”

  • NDDC to begin work on Ibeno road second phase

    NDDC to begin work on Ibeno road second phase

    Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has assured the people of Ibeno Local Government of Akwa Ibom State that work on the second phase of Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-Iwuoachang Road, an extension from the 600-metre Ibeno Bridge, will be accelerated to ensure its completion.

    Speaking during the inspection of the road and bridge project, Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, accompanied by the Executive Director (Projects), Sir Victor Antai and other directors said it was necessary to assess the status of the project, which he noted, had suffered setback.

    Ogbuku said the first phase, a 6km road and 600-metre bridge across Qua Iboe River, had been completed and would be inaugurated soon.

    He assured Ibeno people that the NDDC would give them the special attention they deserved as a major contributor to the oil wealth of the country.

    He said: “This project is strategic and important to NDDC, considering that Ibeno is the operational base of ExxonMobil, which is the second largest producer of crude oil in Nigeria after Shell.

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    “We recognise the importance of Eket and Ibeno local governments to the Federal Government, especially as they constitute the major oil-producing hub of the state.”

    Ogbuku appealed to the youth in Ibeno to be peaceful and cooperate with the contractor handling the project, to ensure the job was completed without delay.

    The MD, in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said: We have to support one another to ensure successful completion of the project”

    He said the completed Ibeno Bridge was not inaugurated because NDDC wanted to see that the road connected the intended inland communities.

    The paramount ruler of Ibeno, Dr. Effiong Achianga, appealed to the NDDC to complete its projects in the area for the benefit of the oil-producing communities.

    The traditional ruler, represented by the village head of Iwuoachang Community, Chief Daniel Abia, praised NDDC for completing Ibeno Bridge and called for more efforts to complete the second phase of the project.

    He said: “NDDC has made it possible for us to interact with our kith and kin in the adjoining communities. That was not possible in the past because the river stood between us.”

    The former Chairman of Ibeno Local Government, Chief Williams Mkpa, said the people were delighted that work would resume on the second phase of the Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-Iwuoachang Road.

    He said the aim would be to connect communities in two local governments in Akwa Ibom State that had been separated by Qua Iboe River.

    “Our hope is that the road and the bridge will connect Iko, Rikang, Akata, Opolom, Ikot-Enwang, Okoroutip and Iwoachang communities with about 24 others. If this happens, it would have linked all the communities to modernity, while enhancing our socio-economic fortunes,” he said.

  • Soludo: monthly birth rate has risen from 200 to 1,600

    Soludo: monthly birth rate has risen from 200 to 1,600

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has said birth rate in the state has increased from 200 to 1,600 per month in less than two years.

    He attributed the development to huge investments his administration had made in the health sector, including introduction of free ante-natal and child delivery.

    Speaking at the 65th birthday ceremony of Sir Emeka Offor at Oraifite in Ekwusigo Local Government, the governor said 52 per cent of the free ante-natal beneficiaries were non-indigenes.

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    He said: “We have made a lot of progress in health care. When I assumed office, the state was recording birth rate of 200 monthly, but now, it has increased to 1,600 with zero mortality.

    “This is because of the free ante-natal and child delivery we have instituted.

    “Out of these beneficiaries, 48 per cent are Anambra indigenes, while the rest are from outside the state.”

    Soludo hailed Offor for living an impactful life and reaching out to the poor and widows, describing him as an example of the “Anambra spirit” of philanthropy and community service.

    Offor thanked friends and well-wishers for celebrating with him on his birthday, promising to spend the rest of his life in the service of God and humanity.

  • LP national chair vows to conduct congresses in Imo

    LP national chair vows to conduct congresses in Imo

    The National Chairman of Labour Party (LP), Julius Abure, has endorsed a proposal to conduct state congresses of the party at the ward, local government and state levels in Imo State.

    Abure, who was in Imo to attend the LP stakeholders’ meeting held in Owerri, hailed the state Chairman, Callistus Ihejiagwa, for his wisdom and innovative spirit in the running of the party affairs in the state.

    He said he was proud that LP, which was very insignificant in the past, is now a household name in the state and is being feared by opponents.

    Abure endorsed the proposals made by Ihejiagwa for the growth of the party, which included conducting state congresses at the ward, local government and state levels.

    He promised that as soon as the state was ready, he would approve and invite INEC to come and supervise the congresses.

    The party’s governorship candidate in the November 11, 2023 election, Senator Athan Achonu, said he was proud of the state exco led by Ihejiagwa, who stood firm and resolute in ensuring that “our party’s position was made clear at INEC, notwithstanding that he was beaten by the enemies of democracy who do not believe in doing the right thing during elections, but only believe in ballot box snatching and other anti-democratic activities.”

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    He promised to support the party at the ward, local government and state levels, especially in the soon-to-be-announced revalidation exercise and payment for party offices.

    Ihejiagwa thanked stakeholders for turning out en masse to attend the meeting, which was on a short notice.

    The epoch-making event attracted a galaxy of members from all walks of life, prominent among who were Abure; the National Youth Leader, Comrade Ahanotu; the Vice Chairman, Southeast, Chief Innocent Okeke.

    Others included a representative of the senator representing Imo East in the National Assembly, Chief Ezenwa Onyewuchi; two members representing Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala and Owerri federal constituencies, Matthew Nwogu and Tochukwu Okere (Toska). The rest are Clinton Amadi; Deputy Minority Leader and member representing Owerri Municipal in the House of Assembly, Dr. Geff Ojinika; candidate for Orlu/Orsu/Oru East Federal Constituency and other candidates as well as LP diaspora members represented by Chief C.N.C. Awobue from Oru West Local Government, who lives in New Jersey, USA.

  • IPOB warns Southeast governors against establishing cattle ranches

    IPOB warns Southeast governors against establishing cattle ranches

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned Southeast governors, particularly Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, not to establish Fulani cattle ranches in any part of the region.

    It said any attempt to establish ranches at Nimbo in Uzowani community of Enugu State or any part of the Southeast would be resisted.

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    IPOB urged the governors to shun establishment of cattle ranches in any state in the Southeast.

    The group said yesterday in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful: “IPOB and ESN operatives won’t allow establishment of Fulani camps in the name of cattle ranches in any state in the Southeast.

    “IPOB is monitoring the governors, especially Peter Mbah of Enugu State. They should know IPOB will not allow the establishment of any murderous camps in the name of cattle ranches in Enugu or anywhere in the Southeast.”