Category: Southeast report

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has urged federal agencies such as the Tertiary Education Tax Fund (TETFUND) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to support the state in the funding of research projects by its tertiary institutions.

Governor Diri, who made the call yesterday at the second public lecture of the University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT), also charged the state-owned institutions of higher learning to redouble their efforts to tap research funds lying idle at the NCDMB and other public-spirited corporate bodies.

Represented at the event by the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor emphasised the importance of research in tertiary education and the overall development of society.

He noted that what makes an educational institution to stand out is the quality of its research works.

He said contrary to some misgivings that the state-owned universities in Bayelsa were too many, the state still needs more to effectively fight against ignorance as well as promote aggressive educational development.

According to Diri, some states which appreciate the development-oriented role of education such as Ogun State has not less than12 universities.

In his lecture titled, ‘Utilising Untapped Research Funding Opportunities: An Imperative for Innovative Research in University System’, Ambassador Godknows Igali, explained that the progressive march of knowledge in all fields of learning had been made possible by research.

Elders in Oil-rich Odidi Federated Community (OML 42), Warri South-West local government area of Delta state, yesterday resolved the leadership crises with Prince Preye Okrikpa as the new chairman to pilot the affairs of the community.

The reconciliation and inauguration was held yesterday in Odidi, a host community to major oil-producing multinational oil companies including the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) Neconde and others.

The outgone chairman, High Chief Johnny Arigbogha who handed over the leadership of the community to Okrikpa after several years of legal battles, petitions, charged the new exco led by Okrikpa to ensure that there is develop­ment in the area.

The new executive constitutes Chief Solomon Lokiri as vice-chairman Clement Numah as secretary and Michael K. as PRO alongside 20-man executive members, as Okrigba promised to work with his team to attract sustainable peace and development to the area.

Four persons have been arrested for allegedly vandalising electrical installations belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC) at various locations in Southeast.

The suspects, Wisdom Onu, Ogbonnia Otu, Tochukwu Onumaegbulam and Ndubuisi Okuogba were arrested by police and other security agencies.

Confirming the arrests, Head of Corporate Communications, EEDC, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, said the suspects, together with the vandalised materials have been handed over to the Police for investigation and possible prosecution.

He restated the company’s continued collaboration with critical stakeholders to ensure the elements perpetrating the dastardly act were apprehended and brought to book.

He said, “There is no day that passes without the company receiving a report of electrical installation that has been attacked.

“The situation is disheartening. It has gone so bad that the vandals now go as far as draining transformer oil, even after carting away with the armoured cables.

“Over twenty transformers have been attacked by vandals across the company’s network in the past three weeks, with four of the vandals apprehended.

“A young man identified as Wisdom Kalu Onu, an indigene of Abia State was apprehended yesterday by the security personnel of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, for vandalizing electrical installations located within the campus premises, belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC).”

Residents of Ebenebe Community in Awka North local government area of Anambra State are living in fears, following attacks by hoodlums suspected to be cult members.

As a result, some of the residents have moved out of the community, for fear of being harmed.

It was same community that suspected cult members stormed some five months ago, during burial of one of the youths, killing about 20 persons on the burial arena.

The Nation gathered that the hoodlums invaded the community at night between 11-12pm about a week ago.

The palace of the traditional ruler of the community, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune and some of his subjects, were vandalised,while property   worth about 25 million naira destroyed

Though, no life was lost, but a source said, “Hoodlums numbering about 100 invaded the palace of the traditional ruler of Ebenebe, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune around midnight on Monday.

“The Igwe had gone to sleep. They came prepared for war; some were beating Ogene (metal gongs), while others shot sporadically in the air.

“When no one could open the gate for them, they forced it open, using their clubs and other dangerous weapons.

“However, they met no one outside the premises. After making noise, they left,” the source stated.

It was also gathered that the hoodlums same night, first visited the compound of late Chief Okoye family at Obuno village, Ebenebe in search of a youth leader, Mr Chukwujekwu Okoye, during which they vandalised Almaco doors, windows, chairs, generating set and other properties in the two buildings in the compound.

An eyewitness and member of the family, Mr Festus Okoye, said he narrowly escaped death on the day of the incident, as the hoodlums, on discovering that he was inside one of the rooms with his family, ordered them to come out.

Collaborating this, Mr Chukwujekwu Okoye, who had gone hiding since the incident, said he had reported the matter to the police

The traditional ruler of Ebenebe, Igwe Christopher Nnaegbune, admitted that there was an attack on his palace by hoodlums on the said date, but promised to provide details later.

Contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, said the matter had not reached his desk, adding that he would enquire about it.

ANAMBRA State government has said it would raise no fewer than 100 young millionaires in fisheries and aquaculture business in the state annually.

Managing Director, Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA), Emeka Iloghalu disclosed this in Awka, assuring the state would attain self-sufficiency in the business with right tools and robust management information system.

He further revealed that the Agency has trained 60 youths in the state in Table Fish Production Business tagged, “Creating Fish Millionaires Through The CBN AADS Project”, with a N1.2million empowerment package to grow their businesses.

According to him, the exercise was strategic advancement of the Fish Production Village Business Franchise project in line with the manifesto of the state Governor, Prof. Ch

MOVEMENT for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday lampooned Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Jim Nwobodo over what it terms unguarded and provocative utterances against the former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.

Ekweremadu and Nwobodo had reportedly said that Ndigbo will never vote for Mr Peter Obi in 2023 general election.

MASSOB said such statement could only come from political slaves of Hausa/Fulani oligarchy and cannot represent the general view of Ndigbo.

“We viewed their statements as that of political slaves to Hausa Fulani of Northern oligarchy,” the statement signed by MASSOB National Secretary, Comrade Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke said.

The statement reads in parts: “It’s very unfortunate that learned men like Ike Ekweremadu and Jim Nwobodo will be used against their own people to say that South East will not vote for Mr Peter Obi. Who even made them the spokespersons for Ndigbo?a

THE Enugu Catholic Diocese has banned all priests and Catholic faithful from attending the Adoration Ministry, Enugu led by controversial priest, Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka.

The church said the ban will remain in force until the due canonical process initiated by the diocese is concluded.

The ban followed the recent scathing remarks by the cleric, who described former governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi as being stingy.

Mbaka had on Wednesday at his adoration ground described the former Anambra State governor as a stingy man, insisting that he would never become president for being stingy.

The cleric declared that Obi could only become the president if God ceases to exist, adding that the former governor was cursed.

According to the priest, it was better to have an old man as president than a ‘stingy young man’.

However, Mbaka’s remarks drew flaks from various quarters, prompting the under fire priest to backtrack and apologize for maligning Obi and injuring his supporters.

But in a letter he personally signed and addressed to all clergy, religious and lay faithful, the Bishop of Enugu Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga banned all Catholic faithful and clergy in the diocese from having anything to do with the Mbaka’s Adoration Ministry.

The letter read, “In the light of the happenings in the Catholic Adoration Ministry Chaplaincy Enugu: capable of undermining the Catholic faith and teachings; and after several fraternal corrections and admonitions to Fr. Camillus Ejike Mbaka, the Chaplain of the Ministry.

“And after having given him pastoral directives and guidelines for the Ministry Chaplaincy, which he persistently violated; and in fulfilment of my pastoral duties as the Chief Shepherd with the obligation to promote and safeguard the Catholic faith and morals in Enugu Diocese, I hereby prohibit all Catholics (clergy, religious and lay faithful) henceforth from attending all religious and liturgical activities of the Adoration Ministry until the due canonical process initiated by the Diocese is concluded.

“My decision is based on the fact that some of the teachings and utterances of Fr Camillus Ejike Mbaka at the Catholic Adoration Ministry are not consistent with the teachings and faith of the Catholic Church,” he stressed, even as he enjoined all Christian faithful to keep praying for Fr. Mbaka.ax

AN 80-year-old man, Vincent Okoye has been arrested for allegedly defiling a 10-year-old girl in Obinetiti, Umueri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The suspect, a contractor and member of Igwe Benneth Emeka of Umueri’s royal cabinet, reportedly had carnal knowledge of the girl in one of the buildings at the site he was supervising.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, President of All Nations Arise and Manifest Initiative (ANAM), Mrs Tessy Aniesi said the case was brought to the organisation by Chairperson of Umuada Umueri, Mrs Chinasa Madisife, after it was reported at the Police Area Command, Otuocha Division.

She said the suspect, said to be a friend of the victim’s mother, a trader was arrested on April 26, while the victim was taken to New life Hospital, Umueri where her alleged defilement was confirmed.

According to her, the victim, during interrogation, said the suspect had been abusing her but she could not report the crime to her mother or anyone because the man threatened to kill her.

She said, “The workers at the site the suspect is supervising said they noticed that each time the girl comes to run errands for him, he takes her to one of the buildings and lock the door.

“On April 26, they saw her come out of the building crying. When she was queried, she narrated that the suspect always have sex with her whenever her mother ask her to come and run errands for him.

“The workers confronted the man and called the attention of the vigilante group, the Igwe and the Umuada of Umueri community, and eventually ANAM took up the matter.”

Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the arrest, saying the suspect has been charged to court after investigations.

Also speaking, traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Benneth Emeka said the suspect had been suspended from his cabinet, describing the act as a taboo and embarrassment to the community.ax

Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has described as “malicious and unprofessional” media onslaught aimed at discrediting his legacies.

He said since assuming office seven years ago, he has justified the confidence reposed on him by people of Delta State, vowing that such attacks would not dampen his spirit.

Delta Information Commissioner, Mr Charles Aniagwu said that Okowa had performed credibly, stressing that no amount of propaganda and malicious media onslaught would dampen his spirit or blur the vision.

He stated that the governor would continue to deliver on the mandate freely given to him by the people of the state.

Aniagwu who took a swipe on Felix Akugha’s ‘Inside The Niger Delta’ said the coordinated media onslaught against Governor Okowa through ‘Inside the Niger Delta’, a broadcast programme anchored by one Felix Akugha, was malicious and unprofessional.

Aniagwu urged Akugha to stop using his programme to settle scores, adding that Delta alone did not make up the Niger Delta.

“Yesterday in the evening, there was a continuation of a coordinated attack by somebody who happens to be my colleague and a senior one at that, when I was active in DAAR Communications.

“I am talking specifically about the person of Mr Felix Akugha. He has a programme called ‘Inside the Niger Delta’ which is aired across several performs.

“You recall that in 2015, he was the first person to be nominated to be deputy governorship candidate to Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, but due to the workings of their party that didn’t sail through. I am not aware that he has left APC to PDP.”

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South Local Government Areas of the state, between the hours of 6pm to 6am.

According to a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, the dusk-to-dawn curfew took effect from yesterday.

The statement disclosed that the curfew was “Pursuant to Executive Order No. 3, 2022 and consequent upon security challenges in Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South Local Government Areas of Enugu State.”

Prof. Ortuanya added that Gov. Ugwuanyi imposed the curfew in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 215 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The statement directed the Chairmen of Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South LGAs as well as Forest Guard and Neighbourhood Watch Officers of the affected two council areas to ensure strict compliance with the Executive Order.