The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Moghalu demands credible APC register ahead Anambra 2021 poll

    Moghalu demands credible APC register ahead Anambra 2021 poll

     Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

     

    A GOVERNORSHIP aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, Chief George Moghalu has called on the leadership of the party to ensure credibility of the membership register ahead of next year’s governorship election in the state.

    Moghalu who gave the advice in Nnewi during a meeting with party faithful, expressed concern over what he described as ghost names in the register, wondering what those behind the inclusion of such names  stood to gain.

    He stressed the negative consequences of such actions to the party, especially in securing victory in any election, warning those responsible to desist forthwith.

    He said, “We must ensure the credibility of our membership register. You see thousands of names in the register, yet it doesn’t reflect in the number of votes cast during elections.

    Read Also: Why Nigeria’s economy is bankrupt, by Moghalu

    “You gain nothing by injecting ghost names on the register. It’s either those names don’t exist, or they don’t believe in our party. Its better we have few existing names that we are sure to vote for us at every elections.”

    Moghalu who is the Managing Director, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) said the meeting, called on his instance, was not for campaign, but to appreciate God for his numerous blessings upon him and the party.

    He added, “We’re not here today for politics but to express gratitude to God for keeping all of us alive. At the appropriate time we’ll place our track records and accomplishments.

    Responding, State Executive Chairman, Chief Sir Basil Ejidike assured that the credibility of the membership register remained a major responsibility of the party leadership.

    “It’s not going to be business as usual because of the crop of leaders we have. We’re more determined to work in unity to deliver on our mandate. If we can get the governor, all other things will follow.

    “We only need to work on our vehicle to enable it take us to government house. Let’s play down on aspirants and work as one.”

     

  • Communities, Transcorp at war over sale of Afam Power Station

    Communities, Transcorp at war over sale of Afam Power Station

     Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

     

    HOST communities of Afam Power Station in Oyibo Local government Area of Rivers State, have vowed to resist every attempt by Transcorp Plc to assume operation of the multibillion naira plant until the Federal Government complies with their demands.

    The communities spoke during a peaceful protest at the gates of the facility yesterday to express their grievances over the failure of the government to carry out its supposed corporate social responsibility to the host communities, local councils after 60 years of operation in the area.

    The people who barricaded the three gates leading to the premises of the power generation company with heap of sand, fresh palm fronts and pasted placards, with inscriptions of their messages equally alleged exclusion in the privatisation deal of the station, insisting that neither the management of the new company nor its workers would be allowed access to the plant until the major road leading to the plant which is currently in a deplorable state is fixed, dualised and a comprehensive global memorandum of understanding (GMOU), drawn between the company and the communities.

    They protesters accused the government of being insensitive to the hardship the “exceptionally bad Afam Power Station road” has caused both workers around there, including staffers of the Station, host community members, who according to them are predominantly farmers, residents of the LGA and other road commuters that ply the road, especially as the Port Harcourt/Enugu road is still being constructed and causing a lot of difficulty to motorists from Enugu, Aba and other parts of the region.

    Speaking to newsmen at the scene of the event, the Chairman of the group,  Ejike Dike disclosed that already the government has since reached an agreement in a meeting with the hosts to dualise the LGA road from the express road junction to the power station, give them 40 employment opportunities, build classroom blocks in their community schools, cottage hospital and ensure provision of 24 hour free power supply to the communities,  adding that until the five point demand are implemented, Transcorp will never be allowed to commence operation in the property.

    Corroborating Dike, the spokesman of the group, Light Nwankwo expressed regrets that the host community was neither notified about the plan to sale the facility to another operator, nor were they involved in such a serious deal.

  • Mother, son regain freedom after N400, 000 ransom

    Mother, son regain freedom after N400, 000 ransom

     Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

     

    A WOMAN simply identified as Mrs. Chinagorom Frank and her son whose names could not be immediately ascertained have reportedly regained their freedom.

    Mrs. Frank and her seven month’s old son were last week kidnapped by gunmen operating on a motorbike at Ozata in Etiti Asa community in Ukwa West Local government Area of Abia State, after an attempt to kidnap the husband, Mr. Chinagorom Frank failed.

    Information has it that the gunmen, who started negotiation for the release of their victims with the family members barely 24hrs after kidnapping them, demanded N10m ransom and later released the victims after agreeing to collect the sum of N400, 000.

    Read Also: How we paid ransom to rescue ABU students, by parents

    A source in the community who spoke under condition of anonymity told our correspondent that the kidnappers warned Frank that he stands the chance of losing both his wife and son if he involves police or any of the security agencies during the negotiation process.

    A security agent who spoke anonymously confirmed the release of the victims, but denied knowledge of payment of ransom.

    The victims have reportedly rejoined their family members, The Nation gathered.

  • A’Ibom Gov commissions tissue paper production factory

    A’Ibom Gov commissions tissue paper production factory

    Agency Reporter

    20 indigenes of Akwa Ibom State will be sponsored for training in engineering studies at Israel to man the Vehicle Assembly Plant which will be commissioned in 2021, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has declared.

    The Governor stated this while speaking at the commissioning of Dried Bamboo to Tissue Paper Production Factory, on Saturday at Dakkada Cottage Industries Ekid Itam in Itu Local Government Area of the State.

    He noted with delight that 33 indigenes of the state have been trained to operate the tissue factory, while 22 that will be trained on the Motor Assembly Plant will contribute towards the locally made vehicles in the country.

    Hear him, “We try to make sure that we train a lot of our youths, a lot of our indigenes to be able to take care of this particularly tissue factory. We have trained about 33 indigenes of the state who adapted easily to the technology immediately and it will make this factory easily maintained by our own indigenes”.

    “I want to reassure the people of Itu that we need to send 20 people to Israel immediately for training, minimum of 10% persons will be from Itu for the company being sited in Itu Local Government Area. The Israeli Ambassador is working seriously to give us visas for them to go for the training so that when they come back those 20 engineers will be the ones to run the Vehicle Assembly Plant that is along the express way, I am sure we should be able to commission that next year”.

    Read Also; Buhari commissions NTA station, ecological projects in Adamawa

    Continuing, he said, “The Motor Assembly Plant if you go there, work is ongoing we got some delay because of COVID our target is that as the federal government will be launching out the new scheme of locally assemble vehicles, Akwa Ibom state should be able to supply a whole into the Nigerian market especially for those luxury buses”.

    The Governor explained that the factories with the limited employment needs of the people will create direct and indirect economic impact that will drive the economy, appealing to Akwa Ibom people to be involved in the supply of the raw materials which is mainly Bamboo used in the production of tissue where they will make a lot of profit.

    He assured that his administration is working tirelessly to resuscitate moribund factories in the state.

    In his words, “but I can assure you that like the Quality Ceramics we are working seriously to see how we can bring it back to life, we are at the last stage now, once we fire and it response by the second quarter of next year we should be able to reactivate that factory we are working seriously to reactivate that factory but we are working seriously to see how that could come back to life”.

    Governor Emmanuel however commended the host community, of the Tissue Factory at Ekid Itam for their cooperation and solicited for a sustained community relations of peace so as to make the factory succeed. “Let me appreciate the host community for their cooperation so far, I just want to believe they will continue to cooperate with us as we do a lot more”, he implored.

    In his remarks the Commissioner, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Prince Ukpong Akpabio, thanked God for keeping the state through the recession with the state achieving its projects. Prince Akpabio, lauded the vision of Governor Udom Emmanuel for initiating the tissue paper production factory which he affirmed remains very significant to the people of Itu, stating that with the capacity to produce 5 tons of tissue daily from Bamboo and about 2000 tons annually, the prospect the factory holds will stimulate the economy in the area.

    In a goodwill message, the member representing Itu State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Kufre Edidem, thanked Governor Udom Emmanuel for siting the factory in Itu noting that it will provide more than 25 direct jobs and more than 2000 indirect jobs, adding that it will take the youths off the streets and provide them with a means of livelihood.

    Similarly, the paramount ruler of Itu His Royal Majesty, Edidem Dr. Edet Akpainyang, expressed in-depth joy to the governor for making history through the siting of the tissue paper factory, describing it as compensation to the people of Itu who earlier lost Oku Iboku which hitherto engaged the people in the area. He prayed God for diligence to the governor to succeed in his vision for the state.

  • ‘Release Tompolo’s assets’ 

    ‘Release Tompolo’s assets’ 

    By Elo Edremoda, Warri

    Ex-agitators under the aegis of Movement for the Actualisation of the Dreams of Niger Delta (MADND) have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the continued seizure of assets of ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, aka Tompolo.

    The ex-agitators spoke at a meeting in Oporoza, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.

    The group enjoined acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Muhammed Abba, to facilitate the process, unconditionally, saying it is illegal for the properties to remain confiscated.

    Chairman of the group Josiah Oyakonghan (aka Commander Oyimi) said the economy stands to gain, particularly in employment, once the assets are released.

    Read Also: Open our work place, Tompolo’s workers tell EFCC

    A Federal High Court in Lagos quashed all fraud allegations against the former warlord in July.

    Oyakonghan said: “Now that there is a loud outcry of unemployment in the country, it is pertinent and wise of the government to allow Tompolo’s companies to be functional. It is a fact that Tompolo’s company, Mieka Dive Ltd, and others, have over 400 to 600 workers.

    “If a private firm can absorb up to this figure, it is a big relief to the government that is struggling to tame the surging unemployment rate. Again, if the companies are operational, the government will benefit because Tompolo will pay tax to the federal government, thereby boosting the internal revenue base.

    “We appeal to Mr. President to direct all security personnel to vacate Tompolo’s company yard to enable him operate and grow the economy.”

     

  • Enugu APC expels four members

    Enugu APC expels four members

    By Chris Oji Enugu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has expelled Okey Ogbodo and four others.

    Chairman Ben Nwoye announced their expulsion at the swearing in of the caretaker committee.

    Nwoye, who was returned as the caretaker chairman, said their expulsion followed their failure to withdraw their lawsuit against the party as directed by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

    He said: “Acting on the directive of the party’s National Legal Adviser, we set up a disciplinary committee to investigate members found wanting.

    “Deacon Okey Ogbodo and his cohorts – Chike Omeje, Rufus Nwagu, Rev. Onuorah Ani and Chinedu Okosisi – in disregard to NEC resolutions failed to withdraw their cases at the appellate court.”

  • Appeal Court orders substituted service on Dickson

    Appeal Court orders substituted service on Dickson

    By Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

    The Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has granted an application to serve Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) the Notice of Appeal and Appellant’s Brief of Argument by substituted means.

    The application, which was moved by the applicant’s lawyer, E. A. Aluzu, prayed the court to order substituted service on Dickson (third respondent) by pasting same at his last known address after attempts to serve him failed.

    Read Also: Appeal Court orders retrial of Metuh, firm

    The suit, which was instituted by Owoupele Eneoriekumoh, was dismissed for want of jurisdiction.

    Owoupele challenged Dickson’s eligibility to contest the senatorial by-election after allegedly submitting false information and documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

  • 557 repentant cultists surrender weapons in Rivers

    557 repentant cultists surrender weapons in Rivers

    By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

    About 557 repentant cultists in Bodo and other communities in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State have surrendered their weapons to the police.

    It was gathered the weapon surrender marked the end of a disarmament programme that began on December 3.

    Commissioner of Police Joseph Mukan said the arms mop up was done in partnership with other security agencies.

    According to him, a system had been set up to monitor the repentant cultists despite their decisions to submit their weapons.

    Read Also: Police arrest seven ‘cultists’ in Ikorodu

    He said: “It was a collective retrieval of arms and ammunition comprising the police and the Army. We are trying to see if they are genuinely repentant so they can be rehabilitated and pardoned. But we have to monitor them to be sure they have truly repented.

    “We urge the youths to resist any temptation of returning to their old ways or face the law.”

    Facilitator of the programme Rev. Abel Abulu harped on the need to take repentant youths through spiritual exercise as a post-disarmament programme.

    He regretted that Bodo community was a flashpoint of violence, saying the youths were exposed to non-violence programmes to help reshape their minds and thinking.

  • Wike redeems N171m scholarship pledge to legionnaires’ children

    Wike redeems N171m scholarship pledge to legionnaires’ children

    By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt

    Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has redeemed his N171 million scholarship pledge for children of war veterans in the state.

    A statement by his media aide, Kelvin Ebiri, said the governor fulfilled his promise yesterday after the Emblem Appeal Fund Launch to mark the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

    The governor also donated N20 million to launch the emblem, and urged the 23 councils to donate N1 million each towards the cause.

    Wike restated the need for government to institute an enduring reward system for war veterans to justify their ultimate sacrifice to keep Nigeria safe and united. According to him, this would motivate officers to quality service.

    Read Also: PDP greets Wike at 53

    The statement reads: “Many soldiers return with injuries while many die in battle. You don’t understand what it takes for someone to volunteer to protect the country’s territorial integrity.

    “Government must find something to put permanently on ground to assure them it’s indeed worthy to died for the country.”

    Governor Wike promised that his administration would continue to offer members of the Nigerian Legion necessary support to cushion economic hardship.

    Chairman of Nigeria Legion ACG Justice Chichi said security agencies were ready and committed to confront the Boko Haram insurgents, bandits and other forms of insurgency.

     

  • ‘Include us in Abia council polls’

    ‘Include us in Abia council polls’

    Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia 

     

    PERSONS living with disabilities in Abia State have vowed to sue the State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) if any of its members is disenfranchised in tomorrow’s local government election.

    Chairman of the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) David Anyaele, at a news conference in Umuahia, lamented that despite efforts to ensure that people with disability are factored into ABSIEC’s programmes and preparations for the election, the electoral body was bent on denying them their rights.

    Anyaele said members of the group would be sent across the 17 councils to monitor the election and report the level of participation of members. He vowed that the association would call for a cancellation of the election if reports say its members were disenfranchised.

    The chairman said the group would challenge the credibility of the election if it failed to meet expectations.

    He said: “We are worried that the system will not recognise us during the local government election. This is because despite our letters to ABSIEC to share with us its plans, we have not gotten any response, be it positive or negative.

    “We are worried because we requested for partnership with the commission, which it approved, and we highlighted joint activities to promote proper voting access for people with disabilities. Other correspondents that should elicit cooperation in removing the barriers around us have not been attended to.

    Read Also: Police assure quick release of kidnapped Abia Catholic priest

    “We don’t know the materials to be used. The last time I checked, it seems ABSIEC is clueless about the participation of persons with disability and it is worrisome.

    “Where we discover the deliberate exclusion of the group, we will not hesitate to ask the court to cancel the election, even if it has been conducted, because you cannot conduct elections and exclude more than 15 per cent of Abians which make up the disabled community…”

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to play by the rule in tomorrow’s council elections or face the courts.

    Chairman Donatus Nwankpa addressed party faithful yesterday at the secretariat in Umuahia. He inaugurated and swore in members of the State Working Committee (SWC), Non-Working Committee and council chairmen.

    Nwankpa added that the APC is more grounded that the ruling party which is giving the PDP jitters.

    He said: “If they want to rig, let them do it at the polls. We don’t want them to write the results. The only thing is for them to play to the rules or we will sue them to court.”

    The chairman promised that APC will not undermine security as it was priority, not minding political differences.