The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Youth’s body denounce renewed cult clashes in Delta

    Youth’s body denounce renewed cult clashes in Delta

    By Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

    A youths’ group, Anioma Youth Forum, Worldwide (AYF-W) in Delta North Senatorial District, has condemned renewed cult clashes in Asaba metropolis, in Delta State capital.

    The youths lamented violent cult clashes which have claimed several lives in the last few days within Asaba leading to heightened tension among residents.

    The group said it is at a loss as to how cult related violence in the metropolis has deteriorated despite presence of security outfits within the neighbourhood.

    READ ALSO: Vigilante member shot dead in Delta

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Elvis Ekwukwo, the group therefore called on the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration and security agencies to redouble their efforts in curbing the rate of insecurity across the state.

    It called on the state government “to redouble its efforts in the areas of security, youth empowerment and employment,” saying that the latest killings have only amplified the need for the government to make improvement to whatever efforts aimed at tackling insecurity and violent crimes in the state.”

  • OML 30 surveillance job: Call your attorney general to order, youths urge Okowa

    OML 30 surveillance job: Call your attorney general to order, youths urge Okowa

    By Elo Edremoda, Warri

    Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has been urged to call the Delta State Attorney General, Peter Mrakpor “to order,” following a letter from his office, claiming that non-indigenes are recruited for surveillance jobs of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 30.

    Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri and Urhobo youths across OML 30 host communities gave the call in a statement made available to The Nation, accusing the Commissioner of Justice of trying to serve the interest of some “failed contractors.”

    The youths, under the aegis of Host Communities Youth Coalition, gave 14 days ultimatum to Mrakpor to withdraw the said letter, allegedly sent to Heritage Energy Operational Services Limited (HEOSL), operator of OML 30, warning that there will be mass protest against him if he calls their bluff.

    READ ALSO: Okowa: let’s pray for Nigeria

    According to the statement, the Attorney General had in the said letter, signed on his behalf by one Mr. Omamuzo Erebo on August 13, stated that the surveillance and asset security contract on the facility, is being done by a non-indigenous contractor, contrary to the Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) between the communities and HEOSL.

    The statement which was signed by Prince Brakemi (Ijaw), Gbubemi Toriseju (Itsekiri), Zino Oke (Isoko) and Dennis Okpako (Urhobo), further commended the State Government for its efforts in protecting the rights of host communities with respect to non-payment of GMOU project funds, manpower services, staff audit and payment of contractors.

    In the statement which reads in part, the youths said, “It is important to note that the entire OMS operations is controlled and managed by Ijaw, Itsekiri, Isoko and Urhobo people from the OML 30 host communities in Delta State and not non-indigenous, as the Attorney General’s office would want the public to believe.

    “As youths and beneficiaries of the OML 30 Heritage Surveillance and Asset Security job, we are hereby giving the Attorney General of Delta State 14 days ultimatum to withdraw his letter to HEOSL with respect to the surveillance and asset security contract or we shall embark on mass protest against him for promoting the interest of his business partners at the expense of the state,” the statement read.

  • Ex -Customs boss, Ikeoha Gburugburu, set for Imo by-election

    Ex -Customs boss, Ikeoha Gburugburu, set for Imo by-election

    By Gboyega Alaka

    As the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] finally releases the guidelines and date for the by-elections in the states and parties expected to nominate their candidates between August 24 and September 8, the People’s Democratic Party [PDP] in Imo State may not find selecting an acceptable candidate difficult.

    This is because the party already has a near-consensus candidate in Chief Emmanuel Okewulonu [Ikeoha Gburugburu], a retired Nigeria Customs Service official, the man everybody seems to be tipping to clinch the ticket for obvious reasons.

    The Imo North [Okigwe] Constituency election is for the replacement of the late Benjamin Uwajumogu, who died some months back and feelers are that everybody is rooting for the Ikeoha Gburugburu, based on his personality and philanthropy.

    The general impression is that the people of Okigwe senatorial zone have not been so lucky in terms of representation in the Senate and dividends of democracy in the past eight years and therefore see the emergence of a man of the Ikeoha Gburugburu’s standing as a timely one.

    “We only know that people had been sworn in as legislators, but the people of Okigwe who voted them have never felt their presence. This time we have decided to appeal to someone who uses his personal wealth for the upkeep of the youths, the elderly and the widows to represent us,’’ Remigius Okorie, an influential son of the community said.

    It was also gathered that the elites, traditional rulers as well the entire people of the constituency appealed to the retired customs officer, who is now into private business to accept the people’s request to stand in for them at the senate.

  • Royal family seeks end to 10-year community crisis

    Royal family seeks end to 10-year community crisis

    By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

    The Ezeokweghi/Ezeofor Royal Family of Enugwu-Nanka, Orumba North Local Government of Anambra State, have called on the government to intervene in the crisis ravaging their community.

    Concerned members begged the government to intervene so youths would not go on the rampage.

    According to the family, the crisis had been on since 10 years.

    It said some people forged the community’s constitution, which recognised seven villages, to one endorsing only five villages

    A petition by the family’s Chairman Chief Ben Okeke and Assistant Secretary Wilfred Okafor reads: “Approval for the forged constitution was given based on misrepresentation and suppression of facts. The state was not present when the constitution was written; the group altered the original constitution and presented it to the government.

    “We, therefore, call on Governor Willie Obiano, chief judge; attorney-general; director of Public Prosecution; Ministry of Justice and the administrative judge of Aguata High Court in Ekwulobia to quicken delivery of justice in this matter.”

     

     

  • Imo pensioners get part payment

    Imo pensioners get part payment

    Factional leader of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in Imo State Iyke Ohaneje has confirmed some pensioners have got their money.

    Ohaneje, who chairs the Pension Intervention Committee (PIC), addressed members at the Freedom Square in Owerri yesterday.

    He assured those who had not got theirs that the government would pay.

    He said: “Some of us have not been paid because the state is going by automation and not biometric. Automation is fluctuating and it is slow, while in biometric everybody would be captured at the same time.

    “Some of our members have been paid four months, three months and some have not been paid, but we would continue to pressure the government…”

    Ohaneje insisted his faction would not accept the automation system of payment because ‘it is not capturing all of us at the same time’.

    A pensioner, Charles Amadi, said he only got one month pay.

     

     

     

     

  • 29 monarchs get staff of office in Abia

    29 monarchs get staff of office in Abia

    From Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

    Twenty-Nine traditional rulers in Abia State have got their staff of office.

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu urged the monarchs to refrain from acts that would be inimical to the growth and interest of their communities, local governments and state.

    The presentation was held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium of the Government House in Umuahia.

    Ikpeazu, who said the royal stool represents the fourth tier of government, urged the royal fathers to serve as custodians of culture and traditions, and take responsibility for the security and economic development of their domains.

    “It is your duty to bring to government’s knowledge anything that will improve the people’s lives,” he said.

    The governor encouraged the monarchs to join the government in sensitising the people to comply with COVID-19 protocols to break the chain of community transmission.

    He warned against subversive acts that could tarnish the traditional institution and create clogs in the state’s wheel of progress.

    Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers Joseph Nwabekee urged the monarchs to ensure peace in their communities while maintaining the customs and traditions.

    The monarch of Ahiaban’ubi Autonomous Community, Okezie Amalaha, who spoke for his colleagues, thanked Ikpeazu for the honour to bear their leadership prowess.

    He promised they would ensure peace in their domains and do the needful to support and take government policies to the grassroots level.

     

  • Bayelsa Assembly clears 24 nominees

    Bayelsa Assembly clears 24 nominees

    Bayelsa State House of Assembly yesterday cleared the  24 nominees sent to it by Governor Douye Diri.

    Diri sent the names last Thursday six months after assuming office.

    There were fears the screening might not hold after the tribunal cancelled the November 2019 governorship election and ordered a fresh one. But Diri told the lawmakers not to suspend the screening.

    Those screened are Promise Ekio; David Alagoa; Miss Preye Brodrick; Esau Andrew; Ibiere Jones; Thompson Amule; Miss Grace Ekiotene; Stanley Braboke; Moses Teibowei and Iselema Gbaranbiri.

    Others are Dambo Birigha (SAN); Iti Orugbani; Otokito Federal; Miss Faith Opuene; Obosi Churson; Seikumo Ekisah; Akpoebidei Alamieyesigha;  Rex George; Ebitein Tonyon; Igwele Newton and Ayebaina Duba.

    The Speaker, Abraham Ngobere, urged the nominees to use their offices and relationship with the governor to better the state and their ministries.

     

     

     

  • Anambra 2021 zoning formula tears PDP apart

    Anambra 2021 zoning formula tears PDP apart

    By Nwanosike Onu, Awka

    A purported zoning arrangement for the 2021 governorship election in Anambra State is dividing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, it was learnt.

    Ten aspirants are calling for a candidate from the south, but the party denied a zoning arrangement.

    Former Governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife is leading another party heavyweight, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, to champion zoning.

    PDP Chairman Ndubuisi Nwobu said every aspirant would get equal opportunity at the primaries. He maintained that PDP had no zoning arrangement, saying the party was looking for someone with capacity to win the governorship.

    One of the aspirants, Obiora Okonkwo, said the party had no zoning arrangement.

    He said he was ready for primaries, but would support whoever won a credible contest.

    READ ALSO: PDP fuelling religious tension in Edo, alleges APC

    During a weekend meeting called by Ezeife and Ukachukwu at Osumenyi, Nnewi South Local Government, other aspirants from the south insisted it was their turn.

    Chris Azubuogu; Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu; Uche Ekwunife; Chuma Nzeribe; Ugochukwu Okeke and Emeka Etiaba; Obunike Ohaegbu; Ifedi Okwenna; Valentine Ozigbo and Godwin Ezeemo argued for the south.

    A communiqué signed by the 10 aspirants and Ezeife reads: “We reiterate our support for the existing zoning arrangement for the governorship position. We re-affirm that the next governor shall emerge from Anambra South in line with the zoning arrangement.

    “Whoever wins the primaries and is from Anambra South shall be supported. We appreciate the leaders, stakeholders, National and State Assembly members for their goodwill messages. We also appreciate the National Working Committee (NWC) for correcting the erroneous statement ascribed to it that portrayed the party as anti-zoning in Anambra.”

     

  • Why we are pursuing agro-industrialisation, by Ayade

    Why we are pursuing agro-industrialisation, by Ayade

    Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade has said he is harnessing the state’s rich agricultural potential to create jobs.

    This, he said, necessitated his one industry per local government policy.

    Ayade spoke in Calabar when he welcomed officials of an agricultural servicing firm, CRO-PIT, to a presentation.

    He said: “… Apart from the opportunity we present in the agro sector, we also present a state that has the right environment and industrial harmony for industrialisation to thrive.

    “We have nearly one industry per local government. If you speak with the commissioner for Agriculture, he will tell you of the glucose syrup factory in Obubra, coming up to take full beneficiation of the cassava production.

    “There is a sesame seed processing plant in Obudu. We are tying every local government to its area of priority and that is where your mapping capability comes in because we need to do a proper soil profiling of the entire state…”

    Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CRO-PIT Kenneth Ahaneku said his firm manages over 600,000 farmers in the country, and would partner Cross River in agricultural management.

    He said: “CRO-PIT is involved in the management, financing and production of crops for farmers in partnership with the Central Bank. We are managing over 600,000 farmers and our target is to hit five million. We will be seeking partnership with Cross River State in storage, bagging and distribution of rice produced at the Ogoja rice mill.”

  • ASUP reports Ikpeazu to rights commission

    ASUP reports Ikpeazu to rights commission

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over 20 months’ unpaid salary by Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

    National President Anderson Ezeibe, in a letter to NHRC’s Executive Secretary, said Ikpeazu refused to pay its members in the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.

    He said: “Our members in this institution, covering all teaching staff of the polytechnic, are owed salary from July 2018 to October 2019 and from March to July 2020.

    “This is despite several entreaties to the polytechnic administration, Governing Council and state. Since the escalation of COVID-19, our members have not received any salary, and have been living in discomfort.

    READ ALSO: Abia Assembly rejects confirmation of Ikpeazu’s aide as committee chair

    “This development is a violation of the fundamental rights of our members, particularly as it affects their rights to just and favourable conditions of work.

    “It also undermines their rights to life and dignity of the human person, and by extension their dependents access to same rights.

    “We pray the intervention of the commission by compelling Ikpeazu to release the 20 months’ arrears. The government should also ensure forthwith regular payment of salary of these workers in line with the terms of their engagement.”