Category: Southeast report

An Enugu State High Court sitting in Enugu has ordered Enugu State Government and Umuchigbo Iji Nike community of Enugu East Local Government to maintain status quo over a large expanse of land called Equity Layout Phase 111.

The court, which gave the ruling yesterday, said the order would subsist, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

Justice Paul Ugwueze, who presided over the vacation court, ordered the state government and the community to refrain from entering into the land, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

In the suit between Chief John Agboanike and six others (suing as indigenes of Umuchigbo Iji Nike community, Enugu East Local Government of Enugu State) versus the government of Enugu State, Attorney General of Enugu State and the commissioner, Ministry of Lands and Urban Development, the plaintiffs sought the court to grant their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The suit was adjourned till September 20.

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has confirmed the flood disaster that has affected at least five local governments in Cross River.

SEMA Director General Mr.  Princewill Ayim confirmed the disaster and listed the councils as Obubra,  Abi, Ikom,  Etung and Ogoja.

He said officials of the agency are out for assessment, adding that the affected communities and individuals have been advised to group themselves and have record of the impact on them and possible estimate of cost.

The Nation learnt that over 22 communities in Obubra Local Government were the most affected by what the SEMA DG described as coastal flood and flash flood.

Eyewitnesses said multi-million naira worth of property at Obubra were submerged, including houses and farmlands.

Some of the communities identified include Ijeghe, Orangha and Igo villages in Osopong community. Others are Araragha, Okokoma and Fumbongha /Yala axis as well as riverine communities of Obubra urban such as Ofatura, Ahaha Adun beach, among others.

A community leader of Ogurude in Osopong area of Obubra, Mr.  Cornelius Okpa, told The Nation that the loss and damage of crops had rendered farmers and residents bankrupt.

Okpa, a farmer in the value chains of rice, yam and cassava, urged relevant agencies of the federal and state governments to assist the victims.

Another leader in the area, Moses Onoh, a former majority leader in the House of Assembly, expressed worry about the consequences of the disaster.

Forty buildings undergoing construction at Building Materials Market (Timber shade), Umuokpu, Awka, in Anambra State have been marked for demolition.

Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, who made this known yesterday while visiting the market in company with the Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Amaechi Okwuosa, said the buildings and other structures had no master plans and were erected without approval from relevant authorities.

He said: “I received reports from residents on the happenings around them, especially as it concerns illegal structures in their markets, which is in line with the governor’s statement, ‘if you see something, say something’.

“Based on the information, we visited the timber market. The buildings have no minimum standard requirements that are supposed to be in any market, as well as no consideration for toilet facilities.

“Some traders said the market executives conspired with politicians to sell off some portions of the market spaces to developers at the rate of 30, 40, or 50 million naira each.”

Ngonadi said it was regrettable that the market leadership, who were expected to work in partnership with the government to modernise the market, had proved to be a big disappointment.

Okwuosa, who ordered the buildings to be marked for demolition, gave owners seven days to provide the master plan and approval for other structures.

“The master plans will inform the decision on the areas that are in violation, and the extent of demolition to be carried out.

“Failure to comply with the directives, we are going to remove whatever structure that has been marked,” he said.

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Rivers State, Securing Individual Means (SIM), has said it has begun online registration for unemployed youths of the state origin.

SIM, also called ‘What Rivers Youths Need’, is a project meant to meet the basic needs of the youth, particularly in economic empowerment, job creation, among others.

The Project Consultant, Blessing Fubara, told reporters in Port Harcourt that the project was targeting to delist at least 2,300 youths from the list of 1.7 million jobless population of the state before the 2023 general election campaigns would start.

He observed disconnect between youths and government, attributing it to lack of purpose.

Fubara said successive governments did not implement their campaign promises to youths each political period, ”but SIM is determined to change the narrative, beginning with the sitting government.”

He said the registration portal was meant to collate the data of unemployed youths, including their academic qualifications, skills learnt, interests, among others, to guide the NGO on how to engage the government on behalf of the youth.

“This is political era. People are being distracted by politicians, political mandates and promises. There is need to get the sitting political leaders to implement their previous electioneering campaign promises before the beginning of another round against 2023.

“The recent unemployment survey report on Rivers State has it that a whopping 1.7 million people are jobless.

“There is high level of hardship, hunger and poverty in the state.

“We want to do proper potential analysis of Rivers youths. What is your academic qualification? What is your interest? What is your passion? What are you doing at the moment?  We want to see how we can take away at least 2,300 people out of the unemployment list before the election is held next year.

“We are reaching out to them with loans and grant offers. The loan will come without any collateral and it will be an interest-free loan,” Fubara said.

He added: “There is a plan to organise the youth into 10 cooperatives, with 10 members in each unit of the cooperative to operate each of the farms in the local governments. Each cooperative group will operate on one acre of land.

“The youth will be handed over farming implements and seeds to farm. We will also recommend them to our bank partners for loans under the out-grower chain.

“Already the registration portal www.simrivdb.ng at the last check has over 1000 registrations.

“This is a proof that the youth have been expecting a project like this. It shows that they are tired of roaming about without no means of livelihood. It is a proof that the rate of unemployment is high in the state.”

Eko Akete (Mainland) Co-operative Multipurpose Society Limited has held its 60th Annual General Meeting.

The meeting was a carnival of some sort for executives, delegates and members of the society at the Sir Gabriel Orororo Hall, Ikotun, Lagos.
The President of the society, Mobolaji Zacchaeus said: “Six decades of our existence as a Cooperative institution has provided the opportunity for us to evaluate how well we have fared in the sustenance of the hope, vision and mission of our founding fathers.”
He said the society recorded modest achievements in the last fiscal year but lamented that the society has lost many members as a result of their statutory retirement from service and relocation of some health workers abroad.

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The Financial Secretary, Alli Taofeek Adisa, announced that the financial needs of members were well met despite the delay experienced in remittances of monthly returns. He said a total of N3,612,814,049.39 was granted in loan in 2021 against the total of N3,219.030,867.00 granted in 2020, representing 12 per cent increase.

He stated that a total income of N538,456,311.56 was realised, while N221,875,214.40 was recorded as expenditure during the year 2021, leaving a net surplus of N316,581,097.16.

Giving further analysis, Adisa said, a total income of N538,456,322.56 was realised as at the end of financial year, 31st December, 2021 as against N470,571,326.35 realised in 2020, representing 14 per cent increase.

The Ataoja of Osogbo land Oba Jimoh Olanipekun has commended Goldberg, the premium lager beer from the stables of Nigerian Breweries for being at the vanguard of the preservation of the Yoruba culture.

He made this assertion when a delegation of the brand recently paid a courtesy visit to the paramount ruler’s residence ahead of this year’s Osun Osogbo Festival.

The team led by Oluwaseyi Oyedeji, Regional Trade Marketing Manager, Goldberg said they were at the palace to celebrate with the monarch on the occasion of Osun Osogbo Festival and restate the brand’s commitment to keeping the Yoruba culture fresh and alive.

Addressing the delegation, the Ataoja thanked Nigerian Breweries for its consistent support of the Osun Osogbo Festival which he said has contributed to the growth and economic development of Osogbo land. He went a step further to commend the brand for its role in keeping Yoruba tradition and values alive in modern times.

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“Goldberg has over the years been known for celebrating our heritage. This is a noble course as we strive to preserve our traditional values in the face of modernity. I am aware of the tremendous support Goldberg has given our long standing Osun Osogbo Festival over the years and the socio-economic impact this has driven over the years on Osogbo land. Do keep up the good work. I hereby bless this drink and wish you the best,” Oba Olalekan prayed.

The Osun Osogbo festival has been celebrated annually for over 600 years consistently. Goldberg has been a lead sponsor of cultural festivals in the Southwest, which is the brand’s way of identifying with the people and celebrating with them.
Across the different cities of the Southwest where festivals hold, Goldberg’s sponsorship positively impacts economic activities, apart from the colour, grandeur and enjoyment it adds to the festivals.

Guinness Nigeria Plc has empowered over 50 women from Umuebie in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State with a mobile bar to assist cushion the effect of unemployment among women.

This was carried our during a colourful celebration marking the end of the annual August women meeting.

Marketing and Innovation Director of the company, Mark Mugisha, noted that
as a brand, it was a way of promoting the culture of the people while reciprocating their patronage to the company.

On the role of Guinness in facilitating the August meeting across South East, Mugisha said: “The August meeting is beyond an event, it’s an experience that Guinness feels strongly
and passionate about.

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“It allowed us to be part of long lasting celebration of women who are committed to standing out and making a lasting impact for the betterment of their community. As a brand, we are committed to supporting, empowering, and celebrating women in ways most natural to them,” Mugisha.

The women also received free medical care from Guinness. Highlights of the ceremony were a cultural display, dance, and a colourful match past competition by the women from
the villages that make up the community.

The President, Mrs. Gertrude Onuoha lauded Guinness for sustaining the event as she appealed for more assistance from the company, especially renovation and equipping of their community health centre.

The heavy downpour did not prevent the legendary musician, Ms Onyema Onwenu from thrilling the crowd with her song “You and I.”
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All is set for the second edition of Legacy Conference, an event aiming to teach people how to build legacy through leadership.

According to a statement by the Convener and Australia-based NeuroLeadership Expert, Dr Niyi Borire, the Conference is free and billed to take place from August 25 to 27 and will be streamed live on YouTube and Mixlr for audio streaming.

Borire said the Legacy Conference is unique because it is designed to teach global participants how to build their legacy through leadership. He noted that leading a life of legacy is as practical and as real as our day-to-day activities.

“We believe that the world needs more leaders, and by teaching people the values of leadership, we can help them make a difference in the world.

Participants are expected from across different nations of the world. Our mandate is to help to stir up visionary leaders, who feel the weight of their calling and are willing to leave lasting footprints not just for today, but for the future.” He noted.

At the end of the event, the transformational leader said he expects attendees to be equipped with the tools, skills, and resources needed to build formidable, timeless, and proven brands that make a remarkable impact, not just in their generation but also for future generations.

“We will provide the tools and resources necessary for learning to be effective leaders. We will also strive to create an environment where diverse people from all over the world can come together, share their knowledge and learn from renowned leaders. ”

The NeuroLeadership Expert revealed that the event would have renowned speakers from different parts of the world. Among them are John C. Maxwell (America), Jumoke Adenowo(Nigeria), Fela Durotoye(Nigeria), Niyi Borire (Australia), Wendy Burns(Australia ), Debola Deji-Kurunmi (Nigeria), Samuel Ekundayo (New Zealand).

Residents have decried the deplorable condition of Orchid Road, Lekki in Eti-Osa Local Government Area.

They also lamented the unending menace caused by commercial motorcyclists popularly known as ‘okada riders’ in the area.

The residents under the aegis of Lekki Conservation Estates Community Development Association (LECECODA) complained the recent downpour completely cut the community off the major highway.

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A statement jointly signed by the association’s executives Osas Airen, Bode Akinwande and Ovie Daniels, noted that it had written the immediate-past government under Akinwunmi Ambode but nothing was done, “not even a palliative or rehabilitation work took place.”

The community appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently rehabilitate the road to alleviate the suffering of the residents of the area.

It added that the urgent rehabilitation of the roads would save lives and reduce the untold hardship being experienced by people in the area and further create an enabling environment for commercial activities to boom.