From Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

The leadership of the Nigerian Army has distributed food palliatives to four communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.

The exercise which was supervised by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai also saw over 500 persons with different health challenges undergoing free medical checks within the two days the free medical outreach lasted.

Buratai who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu; Major-General Lasisi Adegboye, lauded the Brigade Commander, 14Brigade, Ohafia,  Brigadier-General Solomon Kumapayi and his men for their professionalism and gallantry.

According to Lasisi, Buratai would have personally loved to handover the items because of the importance he attached to the event, but however regretted that exigency of duties couldn’t allow him to be at the event.

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Lasisi who recalled the incident that led to death of a soldier and carting away of rifles of the two soldiers that were attacked by yet-to-be-known gunmen in the Owaza community on September 20, feared that the continued disappearance of the weapons put the lives of everybody in the community at risk, as those who are in possession of the guns can unleash mayhem on members of the community and the general public as long as the weapon is still in the wrong hands.

Speaking at the event, members representing the people of Ukwa East West Federal Representative, Hon. Uzoma Abonta and his counterpart at  Ukwa West State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Godwin Adiele, lawmaker representing thanked the Chief of Army Staff and the leadership of 82 Division for the palliative and medical outreach to the people of the area.

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Ughelli

The Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Uvwie local government area of Delta State, Prof. (Chief) Akpofure Rim-Rukeh, has assured Jatropha Growers, Processors and Exporters Association of Nigeria (JAGPEAN), of its partnership and supports through research to achieve the biogas production.

Rim-Rukeh who is also the Southsouth Vice Chairman of the group, gave the assurance at his office when the group led by its National  Chairman, Maj. Gen. J.A Omosebi (Retrd.), National Secretary, Hon. Chief Lawrence Madaki and the Chairman, Delta State Chapter of the group, Mr. Roman Otite and other members paid him a courtesy visit.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Rim-Rukeh emphasised on the importance of Jathropha plant, pointing out that the Jatropha seed is not only medicinal but also, contributes about 40% of oil reserve.

He revealed that since the issues of climate change as a result of different chemical releases into the environment, the Jatropha oil has become the best option, noting that if properly processed, can burn smoothly without releasing carbon-monoxide into the environment.

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Responding, the National President, Retired Major General J.A Omosebi felicitated with the Vice Chancellor on his appointment.  He said with him as a member of JAGPEAN and also a head of a science oriented University, there is a hope for science research into biogas.

On his part, the Consultant to the group, Paul Ugboro recounted the level already attained with some notable Universities in Nigeria, including Federal University of Technology Akure FUTA, Landmark University, Covenant University, and Redeemed University.

On his part, the Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the group, Mr. Roman Otite and the National Auditor, Pa Moses Towanshe, stressed on the importance of a pilot plant in the state and appealed to the Vice Chancellor to help the group to achieve this from the government sector and that they will be glad if they are remembered for attaining such a great height.

From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Scores of youths in Ogbunike community in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State have protested alleged abysmal representation by the immediate past member representing Oyi constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mrs Vivian Okadigbo.

The protesters under the aegies of Oyi Youth Initiative demanded proper accountability from the ex-lawmaker for the eight years of her two terms at the House of Assembly.

The angry youths who marched from Awkuzu junction to the Local Government Secretariat, Nteje, carrying placards with different inscriptions, also demanded refund of the constituency funds to enable the constituents execute the projects themselves.

They threatened to take up the matter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Crimes (ICPC) if she failed to make the refunds within 30 days.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Comrade Mbamalu Uchenna said they were saddened that the former lawmaker had nothing to show her constituents between 2011 to 2019 she represented them.

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He alleged that Okadigbo had not been accountable to her constituents through constituency projects and town hall meetings for the period she held sway.

He said, “It’s appalling and embarrassing that such a woman, who is supposed to be a mother came and wasted our time, took all our constituency allocations, and abandoned the people she is supposed to represent.

“This is unacceptable because the expectations of our people were completely dashed. In all of these, the good people of Oyi Constituency gave Mrs Okadigbo two complete tenures and there is nothing to show for it.”

Reacting, Mrs Vivian Okadigbo said the protest was sponsored by her political opponents, wondering why such protest could not take place earlier in her tenure.

She attributed her two terms tenure in the house to the quality representation she offered to her constituency.

She said, “They should have done their protest earlier. I’m now based in Lagos. I was the only lawmaker that worked so well in Oyi than any other representative and had given them account on several occasions.”

From Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Ohaneze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as a Commissioner in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President General of the group, Barr Basil Onuorah in a statement on Saturday described those against the nomination as insincere and ignorant of the history and the provisions of the law.

He attributed Onochie’s nomination as a result of dedicated hard work and sincerity, urging Nigerian Senate to confirm her appointment without delay.

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In the statement which reads in part, it said, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide is pleased with the nomination of Lauretta Onochie as an INEC Commissioner.

“We commend President Muhammadu Buhari for considering one of our illustrious Igbo daughters of Anioma extraction of Delta State for the noble job. Those criticising the nomination of Onochie, where were they in 2011 when President Jonathan appointed Ambassador Lawrence Nwuruku as an INEC Commissioner? Nwuruku contested governorship election under the platform of PDP, a card carrying member of PDP and Jonathan’s campaign coordinator in Ebonyi State.”