The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Anambra intervenes in Ogunka kingship tussle

    Anambra intervenes in Ogunka kingship tussle

    By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    Anambra State has called for calm over the crisis occasioned by the emergence of two traditional rulers in Ogbunka, Orumba South Local Government Area.

    Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs Greg Obi called on factions in the Igweship tussle to remain calm while government works out modalities to resolve the crisis.

    Ogbunka was thrown into crisis after Forster Ihejiofor was allegedly crowned king by the community while Chief Johnmark Anyaoha was allegedly crowned monarch by some individuals.

    Read Also; Five ‘die’ in Ogun community kingship tussle

    But Obi refuted claims of the government’s recognition of any of the candidates. He, however, promised that the government was working on modalities to decide who becomes king.

    He said: “It is communities that select their king after which there is a procedure for recognition. From your complaints, it looked as if the government enthroned one person as king. We don’t do such things. Government has not recognised anybody as the traditional ruler.

    “You must not listen to rumours. We will take time to study everything that came from Ogbunka after which we decide who to recognise as king.”

  • Mentally-challenged teenager rescued in Anambra

    Mentally-challenged teenager rescued in Anambra

    By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

    A mentally-challenged nursing teenage girl has been rescued by the Anambra State Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in Onitsha.

    The victim, who lived in a gangway under the Niger Bridge, was reportedly rescued with her baby. A large amount of money was also recovered from her.

    A statement from the ministry reads: “The rescue was effected following a call to the Commissioner, Lady Ndidi Mezue, by an Asaba resident who plies the bridge to work.

    Read Also; Mentally-ill man kills security guard in Delta

    “She was rescued by a team of social workers. During interrogations by Lady Mezue, the victim gave her name as Ngozi, an indigene of Abia State, and a former resident of Onitsha Army Barracks.”

    The statement also quoted the commissioner as saying: “I am relieved that this difficult rescue operation was successful. We also recovered a large amount of money from her.

    “I am glad that mother and child are being taken care of in a government facility until the girl’s family comes forward to identify her.”

  • Ikpeazu: I am committed to prompt salary payment

    Ikpeazu: I am committed to prompt salary payment

    By Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has assured the people that his administration will always prioritise salary payment in the interest of industrial harmony.

    The governor spoke when the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and Assembly of Health Professionals, Abia State Council, visited him at the Government House in Umuahia.

    Ikpeazu however reminded the workers that they must also appreciate the genuine challenges the government was experiencing, especially in the face of dwindling revenues, and called for their understanding and cooperation.

    Read Also; Ikpeazu to security agencies: arrest killer-herders

    He appreciated the leadership of JOHESU for their warm acknowledgements of his administration’s efforts in managing challenges in the health sector, but frowned at the attitude of some other unions who, despite receiving three months salary arrears last December, still went on strike in January.

    Ikpeazu promised to take a second look at the recent circular for the implementation of CONHESS to correct the perceived anomaly.

    Chairman of the union Comrade Okoro Ogbonnaya said their visit was to appreciate the governor’s efforts in addressing workers’ welfare, especially as regards JOHESU.

    He highlighted the implementation of CONHESS to health workers, release of running costs to the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Agency and Local Government Health Secretaries in the State, the release of salary arrears to various health workers, among others, as some of the governor’s gestures to the union, and assured him of their support.

    Ogbonnaya, however, implored the governor to take a second at the implementation of CONHESS as his directive was wrongly implemented by the civil service through the current circular.

  • Okowa swears in Clark, Obidi as advisers

    Okowa swears in Clark, Obidi as advisers

    Our Reporter

    Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Monday swore in Ebikeme Clark and Augustine Obidi as special advisers.

    Ebikeme is son of Ijaw national leader, Edwin Clark.

    The governor said his administration would achieve its set goals before the end of his tenure. He promised that his government would continue to give responsibilities and portfolios to people with experience in governance to attain a ‘stronger Delta’ as conceived.

    He said: “We are looking for men to enrich the course of governance, and I believe they have their contributions to make in the improvement of governance.

    Read Also: We’ll achieve set targets – Okowa

    “We are about closing in on the second year of the second tenure of our administration, and we definitely require a lot of efforts and contributions to achieve the things we set out to.

    “I urge you to face your appointments with hard work and dedication, and I hope the zeal I noticed in you will be far better with this appointment. It is my prayer that the confidence reposed in you will not be lost.”

    Obidi, who spoke for the appointees, thanked Okowa for considering them worthy to be part of the ‘Stronger Delta’ team.

    He said they identified with the governor’s vision for a greater Delta and pledged to partner the SMART Team to enhance governance.

  • Edo trains 1,200 enumerators on data collection

    Edo trains 1,200 enumerators on data collection

    Our Reporter

    Edo State, in collaboration with the National Census Bureau, and National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has trained about 1,200 youths on data collection for development planning.

    Obaseki, at the launch of ‘Data to make Edo Great again’, said his government remains committed to ensuring a shared prosperity for all Edo citizens.

    He said: “We have trained the first batch of 1,200 persons to go door-to-door to obtain data from the people, and find out their living conditions and security situation. This will enable our government plan for the people and make the state great.

    Read Also; BUK trains 120 youths on leadership skills

    “The data will help us plan for our people. This event today has enabled us to produce an army of young men and women who will help us gather data on what we need to make Edo great again.

    “We are working with the local governments and the Ministry of Planning on the project. The data will enable us to have the information needed to develop the state; Edo will not fail but move further…”

    Senior Surveyor EDOGIS/State Project Manager Eromosei Ezekiel said 20 persons with GIS background trained the enumerators on the use of cutting-edge mapping softwares, such as Quantum-GIS and ArcGIS, which involves the vectorisation and digitising of building footprints from High Resolution Imagery (HRI).

  • Ayade swears in Ikpeme as Cross River Chief Judge

    Ayade swears in Ikpeme as Cross River Chief Judge

    By Nsa Gill, Calabar

    • Governor to CJ: God fought your battle

    • ‘NBA glad the right thing has been done’

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has described Justice Akon Ikpeme as a covenant child destined to be the state’s Chief Judge.

    He spoke on Monday when he swore in Ikpeme as the state’s chief judge.

    The governor said: “As God has touched my heart, so did God touch the heart of every person in the position of taking decision in your favour. That has resulted in your swearing in today. To God is the glory. You are a covenant child.

    “This brings to close the people’s worries about stability in the judiciary. We definitely do not need any distraction; be it in the judiciary, legislature or the executive. We need consistency and harmony of the three arms of government, while also keeping the constitutional provisions for the separation of powers.”

    Read Also: PHOTOS: Justice Ikpeme sworn-in as Cross River Chief Judge

    Justice Ikpeme, after taking the oath of office, said: “The judiciary under my watch will cooperate with the executive and legislature so that we can move Cross River State forward.”

    Justice Ikpeme is the second female Chief Judge in the state. She is 62 years, and became a judge on November 16, 1998.

    Her nomination was initially rejected on grounds that she could be a ‘security risk’ to the state, being originally from Akwa Ibom State but married to a Cross River man. She waited 10 months to be promoted after the governor swore in Maurice Eneji, her junior, as acting Chief Judge.

    Justice Ikpeme succeeds Justice Micheal Edem who retired in November 2019.

    National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Olumide Akpata, who attended the swearing in, said: “The NBA is happy that the right thing has been done. We are delighted. It is a fitting climax to a long struggle. The ability to resolve huge challenges is the hallmark of leadership. The outcome reflects the internment of our constitution.”

    He urged Justice Ikpeme to work assiduously; knowing that she is inheriting a judiciary with a lot of issues. “I pray God to give her the strength and wisdom to navigate the stormy waters. We expect her to work and cooperate with the other arms of government, but at the same time uphold the independence of the judiciary,” he added.

  • ‘DESOPADEC hijacked by cabals’

    ‘DESOPADEC hijacked by cabals’

    By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

    Traditional ruler of Siembiri in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State Charles Botu has said the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) has been hijacked by cabals.

    He alleged corruption in the interventionist agency, and called on well meaning Deltans, particularly those in oil bearing communities, to speak out against the situation.

    Botu also said the management of 13 per cent derivation fund for both DESOPADEC and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was unacceptable.

    He said: “The law passed by the House of Assembly made the derivation fund 50/50. The government has 50 per cent and the oil producing communities 50 per cent. Despite this legal document, contractors are not paid for jobs executed, ongoing jobs abandoned since 2018 and no new jobs awarded. I even learnt workers are owed their salaries. This calls for concern as Delta is the highest in oil production.

    “DESOPADEC is to alleviate and provide food and shelter for the marginalised people of oil bearing communities, including my kingdom, but a few persons have now taken the commission as their private property, using their political might to control it, and deciding who to pay and who not to pay for executed jobs.”

    The monarch lamented that greed, self centeredness and unhealthy politics had enveloped DESOPADEC, and warned that the situation could lead to protests.

    He urged those concerned to retrace their steps for the good of the state and its people.

  • Delta rebuilds burnt High Court complex

    Delta rebuilds burnt High Court complex

    Agency Reporter

    Delta Government on Tuesday unveiled the rebuilt High Court Complex in Asaba burnt down during the ENDSARS protests in 2020.

    The State’s Chief Judge, Justice Marshall Umukoro, who unveiled the complex, announced that court processes would resume at the complex along Ibusa Road, on Monday.

    Conducting journalists round the rebuilt court, Umukoro commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for his commitment to speedy dispensation of justice.

    He said that the governor’s intervention was timely because after the destruction of the complex, dispensation of justice was delayed for some months.

    “You will recall that on October 22, 2020, some hoodlums invaded the High Court Complex in Asaba and razed it down.

    “We thank God for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who within 48 hours visited the court complex to see things for himself. He supported us morally and financially to rebuild this complex.

    Read Also; Wike rebuilds police station destroyed by late criminal Bobosky

    “The contract was awarded on November 20, 2020. We thank God that we are here today; this is true restoration as you can see for yourself.

    “We are happy and we thank the governor for this milestone and we appreciate the media that gave us the full coverage.

    “After the vandalism, we were constrained to relocate our four Judges to our buildings in Ibusa. But on the 15th of February, Courts 2, 3, 4 and 5 will relocate back here,” Umukoro stated.

    The Chief Judge cautioned youths to refrain from destroying public buildings as monies spent in rebuilding the court complex could have been used to develop other infrastructure.

    The Administrative Judge, Asaba Judicial Division, Justice Tessy Diai, thanked the State Government for the prompt response in rebuilding the complex.

    “I am happy that we are seeing this new building now after it was razed down during the ENDSARS protests and I thank God that the governor came to our rescue,” she stated.

    In his remarks, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said that the destruction of the high  court complex was one of the dark sides of the ENDSARS demonstration.

    He said the Okowa’s administration was committed to speedy dispensation of justice, adding that the administration believed in some of the demands made by the ENDSARS protesters.

    “The Okowa administration believed that some of the demands made by the ENDSARS protesters were some of the things that needed to be done for our country to move forward.

    “Unfortunately, in the course of that protest, we were quite convinced that hoodlums who were not on the same page with the ENDSARS protesters came in and destroyed a number of things in our capital city and this our high court complex is one of the things that were destroyed.

    “What you have seen today is also another virtue that we have demonstrated as a government to be able to respond to challenges and we must appreciate the Chief Judge and his team for being able to operationalise the intentions of the Governor in less than three months.

    “The contract for the renovation of this court was awarded barely two and half months ago and today you are seeing the beauty of what Delta represents – ability to respond and respond in good time.

    “The Governor is committed to bringing back the courts because it is the responsibility of the executive to enforce the law but you can’t enforce the law without having the judiciary properly adjudicating and letting you understand the roles and the rules that governs the enforcement,” Aniagwu stated.

  • Ayade keen on protecting SMEs in Cross River

    Ayade keen on protecting SMEs in Cross River

    Agency Reporter

    The Chairman of the Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency, Bishop Emmah Isong, says the state governor, Prof Ben Ayade, is keen on protecting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the state.

    Bishop Emmah Isong said SMEs in the state have experienced growth in business and employment opportunities since the advent of the agency.

    He said when a system is not organized, a few individuals take advantage of the situation and prey on others economically through the instrumentality of illegal taxation.

    This, he said, is what the state government identified, and established the Cross River State Anti-Tax Agency to fight it.

    Bishop Isong said the agency which is aimed at protecting small and medium scale businesses has been persistently working on organizing people and getting them to their rights.

    Read Also: Fidelity Bank hosts capacity building for SMEs

    He said the government has strategic and tactical policies and programs, which is focused on improving the livelihood of individuals to better the economy.

    The cleric said the removal of illegal taxes has drastically reduced the cost of food items, transportation.

    “The prices of goods and services were high because of these unwarranted taxes. For instance, bringing food stuff from Ogoja to Calabar, you have to pass through 17 checkpoints and we all know the implication. Now, those checkpoints are knocked off, and the resultant effect was the crashing of prices of goods and services. Overloading too has stopped and yet the cost of transport and foodstuffs at its minimal,” he said.

    Isong stated that different arms have been put in place for smooth operations of the agency.

    He pointed out various arms of the agency have been put in place to ensure smooth operations. They include like the agency arm, local government arm (with representatives across the 18 local government areas in the state), the enforcement arm (which includes the anti-tax brigade) and the legal arm (those in charge of arraigning and prosecuting the illegal tax companies).

    Narrating an experience before the setting up of the Anti-Tax Agency, he said, “a woman who hawks cooked maize was once arrested by those hooligans and was asked to pay N2,000. All she had on her which was from the proceeds of the sales was N1,800. This woman rolled on the ground pleading for help. This is a woman who has children to feed, send to school from every day’s sales. But today all such are no more with the help of the agency”.

    The state government had created an opportunity for the illegal tax collectors to be involved in agriculture through loans and grants, in order to prevent a high rate of hooliganism in the state.

    Nigerians have commended the effort of the Governor of Cross River State and urged the Federal Government to emulate the move in order to eradicate poverty in the country at large.

  • Mbang: no room for cultists in Akwa Ibom Govt House

    Mbang: no room for cultists in Akwa Ibom Govt House

    By Bassey Anthony, Uyo

     

    Former Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria (MCN) Sunday Mbang has said no cultist would lead Akwa Ibom State in 2023. He vowed to lead a campaign against having a cultist as governor.

    Mbang, after the COVID-19 exclusive prayer summit organised for National Assembly members from the state, said ‘diabolic’ politicians will never have a place in governance.

    The cleric is a former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN).

    He said: “God will not allow any unclean politician, who is fetish, occultic and into cultism become governor, senator or win any position in the state.

    “I warn those who seek political posts in 2023 to distance themselves from cultism and diabolism, or God will not allow them succeed.

    “The Christian community will not allow any occultic person become governor; we will not even allow them become senators or win any political position.

    “We want people who are clean to rule us so that our children will know that since their fathers are not there, they should not be there too.”

    Mbang said the prayer summit was to dedicate the lawmakers to God against the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic.

    Senator Bassey Akpan (Uyo), on behalf of the 10 lawmakers, praised God for sparing their lives while discharging their duties.

    “We are highly favoured, we know what befell this country in the last 12 months, but in the next two months, all 10 of us will be celebrating our one year anniversary of God’s intervention.”

    The Senator thanked clerics for their prayers, and appealed to all Akwa Ibomites to adhere to the non-pharmaceutical measures of COVID-19 to help flatten the curve.

    Other senators at the prayer summit were Onofiok Luke (Etinan); Christoper Ekpeyoung (Ikot Ekpene); Mrs. Akon Ayakeyi (Eket), and others.