The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Araraume hails Ndi Imo at 50

    Araraume hails Ndi Imo at 50

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, has congratulated Idi-Imo on the occasion of the State’s 50th anniversary.

    He also lauded present past administrators of Imo State, including Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Sam Mbakwe and Governor Hope Uzodimma for their efforts in building a virile state.

    In a statement titled: “An open congratulatory letter To Ndi Imo as we celebrate our State at 50 and a call to recommit to unity”, Araraume congratulated every son and daughter of Imo State on the golden milestone.

    Araraume emphasised that all those who have administered the State at different times have contributed their quota to the development of the State. 

    He also congratulated past and present leaders of the State for laying a solid foundation for the immeasurable progress the state is making.

    He described the Golden Jubilee celebration as a remarkable milestone, reflecting five decades of resilience, growth and developmental progress recorded by the state since its creation.

    Araraume urged the people to embrace unity, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence to enhance national security and development.

    The statement reads: “My dear people of Imo State, On this historic occasion, my heart overflows with gratitude as I join you to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of our beloved state. Fifty years is more than a milestone. It is a moment of reckoning, an invitation to reflect, to take stock, and to look ahead with renewed purpose.

    “Since that defining Third of February 1976, Imo State has travelled a long, instructive, and often inspiring road. Our story has been shaped by courage, industry, resilience, and an unshakable belief in possibility. We have experienced seasons of great promise and seasons of profound trial. Yet through every challenge, the spirit of Ndị Imo has endured. Our presence here today is no accident; it is the result of God’s grace and the quiet, persistent labour of generations who refused to abandon hope in this land.

    “It is only just that we honour the pioneers who laid the foundations upon which we stand. The early architects of our statehood bore a responsibility they embraced with seriousness and sacrifice. Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu provided discipline and order at a formative moment, while the legendary Sam Mbakwe infused governance with vision, compassion, and moral clarity. Their contributions and those of countless others who served Imo State with devotion, remain etched in our collective memory. History is always kinder to those who build than to those who merely occupy, and our builders deserve our deepest respect.

    “As we celebrate this golden jubilee, we also acknowledge the present. Imo State marks its fiftieth year under the stewardship of Governor Hope Uzodinma. It is fitting to recognise the efforts of his administration in sustaining the machinery of governance and ensuring continuity. Every era is judged by how it responds to the demands of its time, and this moment calls for steadiness, resolve, and foresight.

    “We have every reason to be proud of how far we have come. Yet pride must never give way to complacency. As a son of the soil and a stakeholder in our shared destiny, I remain convinced that Imo State’s most remarkable chapters lie ahead. There is vast room for growth, innovation, and broadly shared prosperity. The Imo of our highest aspirations, secure, productive, creative, and just, is not a distant dream. It is an attainable future, but only if we choose collective effort over division and long-term vision over short term comfort.”

    It added: “This anniversary must therefore be more than a celebration. It must be a recommitment. A recommitment to unity across political, communal, and generational lines. A recommitment to service, integrity, and shared responsibility. The task of building Imo State does not rest on government alone. It rests on all of us, at home and in the diaspora, bound together by memory, duty, and hope.

    “As we mark fifty years, let us renew our covenant with the future. Let us resolve to hand over a state better than we met it, one that offers opportunity to its young people, dignity to its elders, and peace to its communities.

    “I congratulate every son and daughter of Imo on this golden milestone. This is our story. This is our moment. And by God’s grace and the labour of our hands, the years ahead will shine even brighter.”

  • SEDC to unveil vision 2050 agenda, seeks unified economic bloc for southeast

    SEDC to unveil vision 2050 agenda, seeks unified economic bloc for southeast

    The Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) will on Tuesday February 3rd unveil an ambitious long-term development blueprint for the region as it prepares to host the Southeast Vision 2050 Regional Stakeholders Forum  in Enugu.

    Speaking at a press conference in Enugu on Monday ahead of the forum, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Hon. Mark Okoye, said the initiative is aimed at addressing decades-long infrastructure deficits, ecological challenges, and economic fragmentation in the Southeast.

    Okoye explained that the SEDC, a federal government agency established to fast-track regional development, has spent the past 11 months laying a solid institutional and strategic foundation following its inauguration on February 10, 2025.

    “By law, the Commission was created to address infrastructure challenges in the Southeast dating back to the civil war era, as well as ecological issues, while also developing a long-term regional master plan in partnership with state and non-state actors,” he said.

    According to him, the Vision 2050 forum, themed “Charting a Shared Path to Sustainable Prosperity for the Southeast,” is the outcome of extensive engagements with Southeast governors and over 250 federal government agencies since the Commission became operational.

    He disclosed that although the Commission is yet to receive funding for project execution, it has developed robust ideas and frameworks to drive development and is determined not to rely solely on government funding.

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    Okoye expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Commission decades after the end of the civil war, describing it as a critical step toward addressing historical development gaps in the region.

    He noted that the forum would bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including state governments, the organized private sector, youth groups, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, development partners, commissioners for budget and planning, and the Ministry of Regional Development.

    The MD revealed that at least 73 Southeast indigenes from the diaspora would participate in the forum, while technical sessions would focus on agriculture, food security, energy, industrialization, and youth employment.

    Among key proposals to be discussed is a regional gas pipeline project aimed at ensuring energy security, boosting industrial growth, and creating jobs for young people.

    Okoye also announced plans to establish the Southeast Investment Company, the investment arm of the Commission, which will include a venture capital initiative to support tech startups and innovative enterprises in the region.

    He said a comprehensive policy document would be produced within six weeks after the forum, stressing that the SEDC’s interventions would complement—not replace—existing state-level development efforts.

    “We have clear designs and plans for the Southeast. What we need now is sustained collaboration and funding support to move from planning to execution,” he added.

  • Emoh leads Offor Global Network on visit to Onitsha Correctional Centre

    Emoh leads Offor Global Network on visit to Onitsha Correctional Centre

    Offor Global Network, led by its Principal, Dr. Stan Chinedu Emoh, on 28 December 2025, paid a humanitarian visit to the Onitsha Medium Security Correctional Centre, formerly known as Onitsha Prison, as part of efforts to identify and support Nsugbe indigenes in custody.

    The visit focused on inmates who are convicted, those awaiting trial, and those who have been granted bail but remain incarcerated due to financial constraints affecting their ability to meet bail conditions and pursue their court cases.

    The Onitsha Medium Correctional Centre, established in 1916, houses 778 inmates, comprising 10 inmates on death row, 147 convicted inmates, and 619 inmates awaiting trial. 

    The facility operates rehabilitation programmes that expose inmates, both male and female, to formal education, vocational training, and other reformation activities aimed at preparing them for reintegration into society.

    The Offor Global Network delegates was received by the Controller of the facility, Mr. Ike Anselem, who welcomed the team and guided them through the centre. 

    The delegates interacted with inmates, particularly those from Nsugbe, giving them counsel and assurances of legal followup, especially for inmates whose continued detention is linked to financial hardship.

    Eight Nsugbe indigenes are in custody at the facility for various offences, including two murder-related cases, three cases of stealing and three cases of obtaining by trick (OBT). Offor Global Network indicated plans to initiate legal engagement and appeals in appropriate cases.

    Offor Global Network donated relief materials to inmates. Items donated include bags of rice, slippers, tissues, tomatoes, groundnut oil, and cash, aimed at easing conditions within the facility and supporting inmates during this festive period.

    This outreach is part of Offor Global Network annual humanitarian and social intervention initiatives, with emphasis on justice advocacy and Societal rehabilitation.

  • Lawmaker gets kudos

    Lawmaker gets kudos

    For many Nigerians, empowerment programmes have become synonymous with empty promises and political favouritism.

    But for Mr. Eloho Idoro of Emevor, Delta State, a recent intervention facilitated by Jonathan Ukodhiko, the member representing Isoko North/South Federal Constituency, has rewritten that familiar story.

    In a deeply personal testimony shared via Facebook, Idoro recounted how scepticism initially clouded his perception of the business expansion empowerment scheme carried out last year by the federal lawmaker. Like many citizens who have watched similar initiatives come and go, he assumed the programme would ultimately benefit only a privileged few with political connections.

    “I honestly did not believe it would be different,” Idoro admitted. “I thought it was another programme that would end on paper or be shared among party loyalists.”

    Yet, driven by a mix of curiosity and quiet hope, he said he reluctantly prepared a business plan and submitted it for consideration. What followed, according to him, was a process that surprised and impressed him.

    Idoro said his application was shortlisted strictly on merit, without influence or backdoor arrangement. He was subsequently invited for a physical interview, where he defended his proposal before a selection panel — a step he described as rare in grassroots empowerment initiatives.

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    “For the first time, I felt like my idea mattered more than who I knew,” he wrote.

    The beneficiary described the interview process as transparent, professional and fair, noting that applicants were assessed based on the viability of their businesses and their capacity for growth. When he was eventually selected, Idoro said the experience restored his confidence in public service and governance.

    Beyond the financial support, Idoro said the programme sent a powerful message to ordinary citizens — that integrity, hard work and preparation could still open doors.

    He lauded Ukodhiko for what he termed a “people-centred approach” to leadership, noting that the lawmaker’s empowerment model demonstrated that public office could still be used as a platform for genuine development, rather than political patronage.

    “At a time when many have lost faith in leadership, this programme reminded me that hope is not completely lost,” Idoro said.

    His testimony has since sparked conversations online, with many residents of the constituency hailing the lawmaker’s transparent process and calling for similar initiatives across the state and country.

    For Idoro and others like him, the empowerment scheme was more than an intervention — it was a proof that responsive leadership, when practised with sincerity, can still touch lives and restore belief in governance.

    “To the glory of God, I emerged as one of the 18 beneficiaries of the N500,000 empowerment grant, without any form of political influence,” he said.

    Idoro noted that the experience fundamentally changed his perception of governance and leadership, stressing that the process demonstrated that integrity and fairness were still possible in public office.

    “That singular act made me understand that there is still hope for the common man in the corridors of power,” he wrote.

    He described Ukodhiko as a leader who listens to the cries of his people and responds decisively without compromise, commending the lawmaker and his foundation for prioritising genuine empowerment over patronage.

    Expressing his gratitude, Idoro pledged continued support for Ukodhiko’s principles, programmes and vision for the Isoko nation, affirming confidence in his leadership and endorsing his aspiration for re-election in 2027.

    Since assuming office, the lawmaker has been widely acknowledged for initiating empowerment schemes, interventions and constituency projects aimed at improving livelihoods and expanding economic opportunities across Isoko North and South.

  • Traders storm streets over Onitsha market closure

    Traders storm streets over Onitsha market closure

    • Security operatives deployed in city
    • From Nwanosike Onu, Awka and Elekwachi Chinedum, Onitsha

    Protesters, mainly traders, yesterday stormed the streets of Onitsha, Anambra State, chanting war songs over the shutdown of Onitsha Main Market by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, over illegal sit-at-home.

    The governor had warned that if the traders failed to end the trend, he would shut down the market for another one month.

    As a result, the state police command has deployed no fewer than 300 armed men to forestall breakdown of law and order in the commercial city.

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    The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had insisted that traders would resume trading on Tuesday (yesterday), saying the governor had no right to shut down the market.

    IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, in a statement warned that there would be clash if Governor Soludo attempted to stop the traders.

    He challenged the governor to go for the release of their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, if he was desperate to see the traders resume Monday trading.

    The protesters occupied most of the streets leading to Onitsha Main Market, singing songs.

    The women, youths and the aged, especially, those sympathetic to the IPOB leader, joined in the protest.

    Reacting yesterday over the deployment of legion of security operatives in the market, the police command said they were working in liaison with the governor’s directives.

    Spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said adequate security had been deployed in and around the market, as well as other strategic locations within Onitsha, by the police, in collaboration with other security agencies, to maintain law and order and prevent breach of public peace.

  • ‘Workers to forfeit pay over absenteeism’

    ‘Workers to forfeit pay over absenteeism’

    • From Elekwachi Chinedum, Onitsha

    Anambra State Government has announced that salaries of civil servants will henceforth be paid on a pro-rata basis, depending on attendance.

    Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, who disclosed this to reporters, said the decision, reached during end-of-tenure retreat of Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC), would take effect next month.

    He said the council had frowned at persistent absenteeism of public and civil servants on Mondays across the state, saying it had resolved to end the “anomaly.”

    Mefor said the retreat reviewed the activities of the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo over the past four years and outlined priorities for the new tenure scheduled to begin on March 17.

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    He said: “The retreat observed that for the past four years, many Anambra public and civil servants have consistently failed to report for work on Mondays, citing insecurity and lack of transportation as reasons for their absence.

    “The retreat acknowledged that while these concerns may have existed in the past, they no longer apply, making continued absenteeism unjustifiable.

    “Workers are simply enjoying the sit-at-home because they know whether they come to work or not, salaries will still be paid.

    “Ordinarily, this should be treated as a clear case of absenteeism, which under the civil service rules can attract sanctions, including dismissal.

    “But the government has decided not to go that route. Instead, the government will begin paying salaries on a pro-rata basis. If you don’t want to lose your pay for Monday, then you must come to office.

    “The mechanism is already in place. Attendance forms are being designed to enable workers clock in on Monday mornings and clock out at the close of work.”

    The commissioner said continued absence of civil servants on Mondays had a significant negative impact on government productivity and the state’s economy.

    “Any day civil servants fail to come to work, government business stagnates, and by implication, the state’s economy stagnates.

    “Revenue that should accrue to the government is lost, and there is no assurance that such losses can be recovered,” he said.

    Citing the state Internal Revenue Service (AIRS) and other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as examples, the commissioner says when such offices are shut on Mondays, the state loses substantial revenue and critical projects are delayed.

    Mefor said the pro-rata payment policy was aimed at ensuring fairness, efficiency and sustainability in public spending.

    “We cannot say we should abandon Mondays and adopt Saturdays as working days. This will mean Anambra State has surrendered to whoever imposed the sit-at-home.

    “It will also make us the only state in Nigeria working on Saturdays, which will be absurd. Government cannot continue to urge markets and the informal sector to open on Mondays, while its own workforce remains absent.

    “It’s only reasonable to start with pro-rata payment as a way of compelling workers to resume on Mondays,” he said.

    The commissioner said the government was engaging market leaders to encourage traders to reopen their shops on Mondays.

    “Security is also being strengthened across the state to boost traders’ confidence and ensure they can conduct their legitimate businesses without fear,” he said.

    On how the pro-rata salary system would be calculated, Mefor explained that monthly salaries would be divided by the 24 official working days in a month to determine the daily wage of each worker, which would then be applied accordingly.

    “The decision has to be taken. Four years is enough. According to an international firm, the economic losses resulting from the sit-at-home run into trillions of naira.

    “It is a firm decision of the government, and implementation has already begun,” he said.

  • Imo agency launches grassroots drive

    Imo agency launches grassroots drive

    Imo State Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) has launched a grassroots mobilisation drive to promote government policies and programmes, with the inauguration of local government area coordinators.

    Addressing a news conference in Owerri, RHA Coordinator in the state, and former House of Representatives member, Goodluck Opiah, said the coordinators would engage community leaders, youth groups, women associations, market unions and professional bodies to organise town hall meetings and support party activities.

    “Our task is simple but vital: communicate government policies, defend reform programmes, mobilise support for development initiatives, and ensure the voices of the people are heard,” Opiah said.

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    He urged the coordinators to see their role as a call to service, engaging respectfully with citizens and promoting unity across party lines.

    “Politics and governance are ultimately local,” Opiah said. “Development must be felt in villages, wards and polling units, not just capital cities.”

    He said Renewed Hope Ambassadors was not an opposition to any structure within the APC. “We are partners in progress. We complement the party’s mobilisation efforts and work within the broader framework of party unity, discipline and loyalty to leadership.”

    Opiah advised the newly inaugurated coordinators to see this assignment as a call to service. “You must be accessible to your people. You must listen to their concerns. You must engage respectfully, even with those who disagree with us politically. Democracy thrives on persuasion, not intimidation.

    “We must also guard against complacency. Elections are not won by past victories. They are won by continuous engagement, performance-based campaigns and consistent presence among the people. Our political opponents are active, and we must be more active, more organised and more responsive.”

    He noted that Imo recorded significant progress under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma in restoring peace and confidence.

    “Under the leadership of Governor Uzodimma, significant progress has been made in restoring peace and confidence. It is important to note that we celebrated a peaceful Christmas and New Year in all the communities in Imo State.

     “Imo people from far and near travelled to their communities and celebrated with kith and kin. We must support security agencies with information, encourage lawful conduct and promote unity across party and ethnic lines.”

    He urged the media to continue to hold leaders accountable, and also to report facts accurately and responsibly.

    “Democracy functions best when citizens are well informed and when public debate is based on truth, not speculation.”

    He reaffirmed loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “whose courage and reform-driven leadership are repositioning Nigeria for long-term growth, and to Governor Uzodimma, whose development-focused governance continues to transform Imo State.”

  • Ebonyi school gets chairs, others

    Ebonyi school gets chairs, others

    A senior police officer and a public relations expert, Nwode Nkeiruka, has donated chairs, sandals, bags and other educational materials to a public primary school in Ishimkpuma Ndiezi Okpoto community, Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    The donation by Nkeiruka, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), is said to have brought relief and hope to pupils, teachers and the host community.

    The donation, which included 51 classroom chairs, 98 pairs of school sandals, 40 school bags and other learning materials, was described by community members as a long-awaited intervention that had improved the learning environment of the school.

    The items were distributed across classrooms, with eight chairs allocated to each class.

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    Speaking on the gesture, Nkeiruka said the initiative was part of her commitment to giving back to the society and supporting the education of children, especially in underserved communities.

    She said: “I saw the pictures of the pupils learning while seated on the bare floor, still hopeful.

    “So a few days ago, I decided to make a small change in the school not because chairs, the school bags and shoes I got for them would solve everything, but because every child deserves comfort, dignity and the chance to learn without unnecessary hardship.

    “May this be a reminder that sometimes, kindness begins with noticing. And impact doesn’t have to be loud to be life-changing.”

    Nkeiruka noted that while the donation might appear small, access to basic learning materials played a critical role in shaping the future of children

    “It may seem small, but access to basic learning needs makes a real difference in the lives of our children. I am grateful to the school for allowing me to contribute in this small but meaningful way,” she said.

    She acknowledged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for what she described as the opportunity and institutional support to serve communities beyond her official duties.

    She reaffirmed Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to community partnership, describing the police as friends of the people.

    The donation attracted commendation from community leaders, teachers and parents, who expressed deep appreciation for the intervention after years of unsuccessful appeals for government assistance.

    Many described the visit as historic, noting it restored dignity and confidence to the pupils and created a more conducive learning environment.

    In a goodwill message, Nteoma Chimaobi, who witnessed the presentation, praised CSP Nkeiruka’s compassion and humanitarian efforts, describing her as a woman whose actions speak louder than words.

    He said the joy and excitement displayed by the pupils and teachers reflected the impact of the gesture on the community.

    “For years, the community sought help to improve the school, but their cries were met with silence. Today, hope has returned, and joy fills the hearts of the people,” he said.

  • Anambra safe for business, says commissioner

    Anambra safe for business, says commissioner

    Anambra State Government has said the state is safe for business, insisting that there is no longer any fear associated with the sit-at-home order observed on Mondays.

    Information Commissioner Law Mefoh said this yesterday during an interview on a national television programme, following the decision of Governor Chukwuma Soludo to shut down Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders failed to open their shops on Monday.

    Mefoh said adequate security measures had been put in place across the state, stressing that the sit-at-home order was no longer a threat to commercial activities. “Anambra is safe for business. The fear factor is no longer there. Maybe in the past when this sit-at-home started, but now it is no longer an issue,” he said.

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    He added that there was no justification for the continued closure of markets, particularly Onitsha Main Market, which he described as arguably the largest market in West Africa.

    According to him, the persistent shutdown of markets is negatively impacting on the state’s economy.

    Commenting on the governor’s action, the commissioner said the state government had the responsibility to ensure the smooth running of Anambra’s socio-economic activities.

    He noted that while fear initially forced traders and workers to stay indoors on Mondays, the situation had since changed.

    “Over time, traders converted Monday into an extension of the weekend, and this is seriously affecting the socio-economic life of the state,” Mefoh said, adding that Anambra reportedly lost an average of N8 billion every Monday markets remained closed.

  • Legal expert seeks stronger protection of children’s rights

    Legal expert seeks stronger protection of children’s rights

    A child rights advocate and legal practitioner, Awele Ideal, has called on parents, communities, institutions, and authorities to take urgent responsibility for the protection and welfare of children, stressing that child rights are fundamental human rights that must be actively upheld.

    In a statement on child rights, Ideal, a legal expert, explained that the concept of children’s rights dates back to the 18th century and has since evolved through major international instruments.

    These include the Geneva Declaration of the Rights of the Child, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC).

    These frameworks, she noted, guarantee children’s rights to survival, development, protection, and participation.

    She highlighted that Nigeria’s Child Rights Act of 2003, enacted in line with international obligations, defines a child as any person under the age of 18 and places the best interest of the child as the paramount consideration in all actions concerning them.

    The law, according to her, “prohibits child marriage, child labour, trafficking, exploitation, abuse, female genital mutilation, and all forms of inhuman treatment of children.”

    She said: “Children are entitled to basic rights such as life, identity, education, healthcare, freedom from discrimination, protection from violence, and participation in matters affecting them.”

    She also stressed that discipline must never involve physical or emotional harm, warning against corporal punishment and other abusive practices.

    Speaking on child abuse, she outlined its various forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, trafficking, and exploitation.

    She noted that such violations have long-term physical, psychological, and social consequences on children.

    Ideal identified vulnerable groups such as street children, children with disabilities, orphans, child brides, trafficked children, and children in conflict with the law as being at higher risk.

    The legal expert further explained that child protection is a shared responsibility involving families, communities, institutions, government, and international bodies, adding that failure at any level weakens the child protection system.

    She called for effective case management, proper investigation, reporting, and referral systems to ensure justice and rehabilitation for affected children.

    The legal practitioner urged society to show compassion and commitment to safeguarding children, describing them as the future of the nation whose rights and dignity must never be compromised.