Category: Southeast report

A fresh legal battle has begun in the Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), following a court order stopping the party from holding its congress.

Some members of the party, believed to be loyal to Sen. Magnus Abe, secured the injunction at the state High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

The aggrieved members got the order last Friday evening before the ward congress held on Saturday.

Stephen Wonah, Uzorchi Amadi, Chidi Wegbuom, Banwo Ndubuisi, Endwell Omenke, Emenike Edward Adile and Worlu Wali were named as claimants in the suit filed against the APC, and the Chairman of the State Caretaker Committee of the party, Mr. Isaac Abbot Ogbogbula.

The main suit, which was sealed and served on August 2, was scheduled for hearing on August 5.

The trial Judge, Justice O. Ben Whyte, ordered the APC and its Caretaker Chairman in Rivers APC, Isaac Ogbogbula, to maintain the status quo.

He gave the APC and Ogbogbula 24 hours to respond to the motion for Interlocutory Injunction upon receipt.

The court also gave the claimants 24 hours from the date of the receipt of the defendants’ response to react to their counter affidavit.

The court ordered that the respondents be served by substituted means, at the new APC Secretariat in GRA.

Ben-Whyte said: “The defendants/respondents are given 24 hours from the date of the service of the motion on notice on them to react to the said motion for Interlocutory Injunction.

“The applicants are likewise given 24 hours from the date of the receipt of the defendants/respondents counter affidavit to react to the said counter affidavit.

“However, parties are ordered to maintain the status quo as at today pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for Interlocutory Injunction”.

The seven applicants were said to be aggrieved members of the APC, who paid money to the party’s dedicated account, but were not allowed to obtain forms to partake in the congress.

A similar suit filed prior to the last general election became so problematic that it denied Rivers APC participation at the polls.

Abe recently described the ward congress in the state as a sham, saying APC had continued to bleed following failures of the national leadership of the party to ensure equity and justice to all members.

He said:  “The greatest challenge facing the party today is not the threat of litigation, but the inability of the party to stand up to its godfathers and protect the rights of its members across the country, who are daily being openly oppressed and denied their rights and privileges, while the party appears helpless.

“In Rivers State, the party in response to the report of its own membership registration and revalidation committee report publicly directed that membership registration and revalidation to resume in Rivers State.

“Two separate committees and directives were given, both were publicly disobeyed and yet the party did nothing, rather sham ward congresses proceeded as if there are two separate political parties saying different things.”

 

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

A group, the Progressive Movement for Peace (PMP), has dismissed alleged defection of 12 aspirants in the recent primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, ahead of the November 6 governorship election, to other parties.

The National Coordinator, Emeka Nnebedum, said in a statement that only three aspirants defected, adding that the rest remained in the party, as reconciliations continued.

He, however, described the defectors as politicians with little or no political influence, saying they would not be missed.

The statement said: “The Progressive Movement for Peace’s (PMP’s) attention has been drawn to a fake news making the rounds in some online platforms, purporting that 12 aspirants that participated in the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) Anambra State’s primary election for the coming governorship election in November have defected and were on the verge of joining other parties.

“According to the fake report, the said defection happened after marathon meetings in the efforts to resolve disagreements between the party and aggrieved aspirants, who were not successful at the primary election held on June 26.

“We, members of the PMP, wish to state that only three aspirants of very little or no political influence have made such decision. They are: Chidozie Nwankwo, Ben Etiaba and Geff Onyejegbu. Other aspirants have chosen to remain in the party, as reconciliations are still being worked out.

“We may also add that these aspirants, rather than being assets to the party, are baggage, which a serious-minded party shouldn’t take into an election.”

 

 

 

By Chris Njoku, Owerri

Association of Master Bakers and Caterers (AMCN) of Nigeria Incorporated, Imo State chapter, has sacked 15,306 of the workers, following the high cost of production.

Briefing reporters yesterday in Owerri, the state Chairman of the association, Chief Osmond Nkeoma, said the action became necessary following increase in the prices of items, especially for bread production.

He said the retrenchment would affect 102 bread factories.

Nkeoma said to worsen the situation, two major producers of flour in the country have suspended operation because of high exchange rate.

He said more factories may shut down soon.

Nkeoma said if after the measures taken by the association to enhance the production of bread, there was no result, bread factories would shut down indefinitely.

He appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma to assist them by stopping the impending loss of job and scarcity of bread.

 

By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Executive Council has approved the shutdown of the popular ‘Oginiba Slaughter’ market located at Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout in Obio-Akpor Local Government.

The council yesterday at its meeting, presided over by Governor Nyesom Wike, ordered trading activities to stop at the abattoir.

Agric Commissioner Dr.  Fred Kpakol said after the meeting that the land had been designated for a government project.

He directed occupants and persons doing business at the facility to vacate the place in the next one month.

The commissioner said: “The abattoir  at Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt has been permanently closed. Trading activities have been directed to cease forthwith.

“A new project of the government will be built at Trans-Amadi (slaughter) soon. Occupants and those doing business at the abattoir at Trans-Amadi are advised to leave the place on or before one month, as the government intends to do a new project in that area.”

Kpakol recalled that at its previous meeting, the council approved the building of an abattoir at Mgbuosimini, Rumueme.

He said the abattoir, which would replace the ‘slaughter’ at Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, would be an automated facility.

The commissioner said the abattoir would have the capacity for slaughtering 400 cattle as well as 1,500 goats and sheep in a day.

He said the abattoir would be of world-standard and would be built in a hygienic environment.

“The abattoir to be built at Mgbuosimini in Rumueme is a modern abattoir, fully automated with the state-of-the-art facilities.

“It has a meat mart, an administrative building, internal roads,  shore protection, veterinary clinics and laboratories that will check the animals before, and the tissues when being slaughtered”, Kpakol said.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor (SAN), said

the users of the market would be moved to the new abattoir to be built by the government.

He said: “The entire land lying and situate at ‘Slaughter’ market at Oginiba, Trans –Amadi, is a state land.  Rivers State Government reserves the right to decide on the use and otherwise of that land.

“In exercise of its right under law, Governor Wike has decided to ban trading activities at the ‘Slaughter market. The users will be moved to the new abattoir to be built by the Rivers State Government.”

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, said the decision to shut Oginiba slaughter and build a modern abattoir at Mgbuosimini, Rumueme was in line with the new Rivers’ vision , engineered by Governor Wike.

 

 

 

By Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

A bill seeking to outlaw open grazing of livestock has been read for the first time on the floor of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The bill with the title, ‘Enactment of Rivers State Public Prohibition of Open Rearing and Grazing of Livestock and Ranching Administration Bill 2021’,

was sponsored by Governor Nyesom Wike.

The Speaker, Ikwuinyi Owaji-Ibani, yesterday read Governor Wike’s letter introducing the bill at plenary.

According to the document, the decision to pass the anti-grazing bill followed the agreement of Southsouth Governors’ Forum in May and June to end open grazing all states in the zone.

 

 

By Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

A US-based Nigerian, Mr. James Akpofure, has urged the Federal Government, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and other Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to build a pedestrian bridge across the busy Nigeria Port Authority (NPA) expressway, Effurun, in Uvwie Local Government of Delta State.

This followed an accident that claimed the lives of several pupils of Army Day Command School, Effurun. A petroleum tanker three weeks ago killed over 20 pupils of David Ejoor Barracks Army Day Command School while crossing the busy expressway.

Others, who sustained injuries, are being treated in hospitals at Effurun and Warri.

Akpofure, who said there is need to construct a pedestrian bridge at a strategic point of the NPA expressway, to avoid recurrence of the accident, said it was sad to witness the death of over 20 pupils.

 

 

By Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

The Bishop of Anglican Diocese of Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Rev. Paul Udogu, yesterday implored federal and state governments to be sensitive to the suffering of the masses.

He said the bad economy was biting hard on people and organisations, adding that the government was not doing anything to address the problem.

Udogu noted that the rate of inflation was high.

The bishop spoke at the 5th synod of the church held at the cathedral at Afikpo in Afikpo North Local Government.

He said: “The price of essential commodities changes per minute. The price of foodstuff, cement, other building materials and petrol are on the increase. This has made life difficult and unbearable. Many Nigerians have lost their businesses. Their investment and plans have been rendered useless.”

“Naira has continued to lose value at the international market, as the government continues to borrow money from foreign countries and agencies.

“Civil servants’ salaries cannot take them till the middle of the month, following the rising prices of commodities. Many Nigerians cannot eat three times daily, let alone afford good medical treatment. The cases of people slumping and dying are common in our society.”

Udogu described as worrisome, the rise in insecurity.

He said if nothing was done to address it, Nigeria would become a failed state like Somalia.

According to him, virtually no part in the country is safe.

He condemned the high rate of unemployment, saying yearly, tertiary institutions produce thousands of graduates without the government making any plan to employ them.

“Many of our brilliant youths are unemployed. This has led to many of them engaging in crimes such as 419, ‘yahoo  business’, kidnapping, banditry and terrorism, because an idle hand is the devil’s workshop. We are yet to see the millions of job this current government promised Nigerians during the electioneering campaign.”

 

 

 

By Tony Akowe, Abuja, and Elo Edremoda, Warri

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, has described the death of veteran Nollywood actress, Rachel Oniga, as a national tragedy and a great loss to the people of Delta State.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday, Elumelu said her death was also a personal loss to him as well as those whose lives she impacted.

He said: “I have been grief-stricken since I received the news of the death of ace actress, prolific producer; a leading light in the Nigerian movie industry and accomplished daughter of Delta State, Rachel Oniga.

“Her death is a national tragedy and a huge loss not only to our dear state, Delta, but also to me personally as well as to millions of her fans, whose lives she had imparted in many positive ways with her talent and skills.

“Alas, our nation has lost a brilliant star. Rachel Oniga was an amazing actress and producer. She brought in professionalism and played key roles in growing and repositioning our movie industry not only to positively project our nation, but also impart and reinforce our rich values as a people.

“Indeed, her exit at this point in our national life has left a yawning gap in the industry, which will be difficult to fill.

“She used her expertise to bring succour, hope and encouragement to the hurting, while instilling the virtues of patience, compassion, faith, hard work, honesty and undying optimism, for which her memory will remain evergreen as she now rests in the bosom of our Saviour.

“On behalf of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives as well as the good people of Onicha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, I deeply commiserate with the Oniga family, the government and people of Delta State and the Nollywood family as I pray God, in His mercies, to grant us the fortitude to bear this painful and irreparable loss.”

The Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) Worldwide has expressed sadness about the death of veteran Nollywood actress Rachael Oniga.

The apex Urhobo umbrella body, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Abel Oshevire, said the Urhobo were gripped with shock as news of the actress’ demise filled the media space at the weekend.

UPU described the deceased as an “icon”, who showcased the rich cultural heritage of the Urhobo people to the world, noting that she would be missed by the people.

Oniga, a traditional chief of Agbon kingdom in Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State, died last Friday. She was 64.

“The Urhobo Progress Union is so sad to hear of the death of a prominent daughter of the Urhobo nation and a veteran actress, Rachael Oniga, on the evening of Friday, July 30, 2021, at the age of 64.

“The news has left the National Executive Council of UPU, led by Dr. Moses Taiga, in deep shock, for Oniga was an icon, a great cultural ambassador and a heroine of the Urhobo nation.

“A traditional chief of Agbon Kingdom, she was one of the biggest stars of all time. She was a brilliant actress and a professional to the core.

“Rachael Oniga brought joy, happiness and fun to millions of lives across the globe with her legendary artistry and sense of emotion and perfection that she brought to whatever character she was cast to play in a movie or a soap opera.

“As our daughter, we are proud of her achievements during her life. Despite her celebrity status, she proudly identified with her heritage and passionately projected and propagated the Urhobo ideals and philosophies.

“She was a cultural activist and a role model, who carried herself with respect and dignity. She was a great pride to the Urhobo nation. We thank her for sharing her unforgettable talent with all of us.

“On behalf of the UPU and Urhobo nation, Olorogun Moses Taiga expresses his deepest condolences to the Oniga family, her Eku community of Agbon kingdom, the Nollywood community and millions of her fans worldwide,” the statement said.

 

 

 

 

 

By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

Ex-First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan has urged women to use their God-given talents to promote peace.

She advised world leaders to support efforts to engender peace at the Korean peninsula.

Mrs. Jonathan spoke at the weekend at a virtual International Leadership Conference (ILC) organised by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF), tagged:  ‘Toward a Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula’.

She said: “Women are home builders. They constitute the majority of caregivers around the world. As critical stakeholders in the peace building process, we must, therefore, discharge this role with grace, so that together, we can break new grounds and enthrone the world of our dreams.

“Women are natural peace-builders who play key roles in maintaining peace in our society. We, the women, brought our skills in conflict management and reconciliation to bear on the peace processes that resolved the long-drawn crises in Liberia and Northern Ireland.

“This natural capacity of women is recognised by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the United States’ Women, Peace and Security Act of 2017, which give women a crucial role in conflict management.

“I, therefore, call on women organisations to intensify their efforts by deploying our God-given talents in the leadership of North and South Korea to see the need to embrace peace.”

Dame Jonathan said peace is critical to achieving sustainable development.

She enjoined North and South Korea leaders to commit themselves to peace at the Korean peninsula.

Said she: “We call on leaders of North and South Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan to support peace efforts.

“Peace is the fertile ground upon which we can nurture development and progress and build hope for our citizens. North and South Korea should set aside their political differences and come together in the interest of global peace and harmony.

“They should remember that they once lived together in unity, love and happiness. I know that peace at the Korean peninsula will be a bonus to global development and a boost to world peace.”

 

By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

The Federal Government has trained 58 independent monitors across the eight local governments of Bayelsa State for its National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

The training was coordinated by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Addressing the independent monitors after the training in Yenagoa at the weekend, the Minister, Mrs. Sadiya Umar Farouq, urged the beneficiaries to be diligent and transparent in discharging their duties.

Farouq, represented by the Special Adviser, Administration, Ngene Bash Kingsley, said Bayelsa had four clusters through which they could report whatever data they collated in the state.

The minister said the programme, which was created in 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari, was aimed at eradicating poverty from Nigeria.

She said 5,000 monitors had been trained, noting that their duties were to detect areas where there were challenges and provide solution for the activities of programme beneficiaries in the field.

Farouq said: “The independent monitors are to monitor designated members of the national programme and they will be paid a stipend of N30,000 monthly.

“The programme, which will run for one year, beginning from May 2021 to June 2022, is part of President Buhari’s scheme to remove people from poverty.

“We urge the monitors not to assign their responsibility to a third party. They are expected to detect the challenges those in the field are having and proffer solution to them.

“Over 5,000 independent monitors, including those in Bayelsa, have been trained to help the government drive the National Social Investment Programme. Therefore, we demand that the monitors should carry out their responsibility with every sense of diligence and transparency.”

The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of gadgets (tablets) and employment letters to the successful trainees.