Category: Southeast report

Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano has commissioned a 50-bed isolation centre at the General hospital, Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said the facility, powered by Fidelity Bank Plc, was to ensure adequate attention were given to Covid-19 patients.

He said although the state prayed not to record more Covid-19 cases it was necessary the facility was put in place in readiness for any eventuality.

“We pray no more cases of Covid-19 will be recorded in the state. But we need to be ready for any eventuality so we won’t be stranded.

“If you observe, we now have such facility in all the zones in the state, we have in Onitsha, Nnewi, Amaku, Mbaukwu and now in Ekwulobia. We’re ready because of the capacity we’ve built.”

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Vincent Okpala thanked the benefactor for the gesture, describing it as demonstration of the bank’s brotherliness and corporate neighbor to the state.

READ ALSO: Obiano signs COVID-19 Prevention Bill into law

“Having personnel and infrastructure is key, but people must keep maintaining the COVID-19 protocols, including wearing of face masks, washing of hands and social distancing to ensure our facilities are not overstretched,” he said.

On the deplorable condition of the road to the hospital, Okpala assured that the challenge would soon be history as the road had been awarded, promising soon commencement of work.

Regional Head, Fidelity Bank, Awka, Henry Asiegbu said the donation was part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility of giving back to the society.

“Fidelity has always partnered with the state government as the major bank in the state, we give back to the society as part of our corporate social responsibility,” he noted.
Doctor in charge of the Hospital, Dr. Arinze Ugochukwu, blamed the low patronage being experienced in the facility to the deplorable condition of the road leading to the hospital.

He said: “Patronage has not been encouraging, partly because the access road has been very bad for the past three to four years, as well as the community’s ignorance of the existence of the hospital in the area.

“We hope to increase awareness so members of the community will know that such facility exist and functioning with qualified personnel, not just for Covid-19, but for other health related cases.”

By Sunny Nwankwo, Umuahia

The Abia State Government on Friday issued conditions that must be fulfilled to ensure the reopening of markets and churches as the State eases lockdown from Monday.

It said it will allow markets to open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9am and 3pm, stating traders must provide washing buckets and hand-sanitisers.

Chairman of the State COVID-19 committee, Barr. Chris Ezem, in a statement, announced religious activities are allowed to take place in mosques and churches on Fridays and Sundays.
The statement signed by the SSG reads: “All markets in the state shall open only 3 times a week viz: Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, from 9am to 3pm daily. Relevant markets leadership have constituted a 17-man Enforcement Team that shall ensure provision of a minimum of 20 litres bucket with tap for running water, in addition to soap and sanitizers by each trader, and the wearing of face masks by both sellers and buyers in the market.

“The enforcement teams are charged with the full responsibility of ensuring full compliance to social distancing in the markets at all times. They are also vested with powers to justifiably seal up any shop that circumvents any or all of these directives.

“Let it be noted that should there be any lapse on the part of the enforcement team of any market leading to a breach of these directives, such a market will be closed down by relevant local or state government authorities without any further recourse to the traders.

“Commercial tricycle (Keke) operators and all other intra-state commercial transporters will now operate from 8am to 4pm daily. While keke operators can only carry 2 passengers at every point in time, mini buses (oke bekee) and other buses must not seat more than 2 persons per row with all passengers including the driver wearing face masks.

Read Also: Wike impounds two trailer loads of cows for violating lockdown

“Burial ceremonies in the State are now allowed to hold only on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of the 1st and 3rd week of every month.

“For burials to be conducted by churches whether on a field or church premises, attendance to such events must not be more than 30 persons while only 10 persons are allowed for the ones to hold at private residences. The same protocol applies to burials to be conducted according to native rites.

“In all cases, the church leader or traditional ruler concerned is expected to apply to the office of the Secretary to State Government (SSG) through the Transition Council Chairman of the relevant Local Government Area for burial permit. It is an offence to conduct or attend burial ceremonies without wearing face masks.

“All Eateries/Restaurants must operate only on a take-away basis and close latest by 7pm daily. Management, staff and customers of such eateries/restaurants must always have their face masks on and provide hand sanitizers and/or soap and running water for customers at the entry points.

“All our borders shall remain closed and all inter-state movements into Abia remain prohibited except for vehicles transporting essential items such as food, drugs and others duly authorized by the federal or state government. Drivers and passengers (not exceeding 2) of such authorised vehicles must wear face masks and be ready to subject themselves to search and medical tests as necessary.

“It is worth emphasising that wearing of face masks is compulsory in Abia State and law enforcement agents are authorised to apprehend offenders and present them before the Mobile Court for prosecution.

“Religious activities/worships will hold only on Fridays for the Muslim communities, Saturdays for Sabbatarians and Sundays for others. Congregation of such worships must not exceed 50 persons per stream and they must all wear face masks while every worship centre must provide running water, soap and hand sanitizers at designated places in their premises. All worship activities must end on or before 2pm on the days designated for worship.

“Civil servants are to resume work on Monday 11th May, 2020 beginning with schedule officers on Grade Level 13 and above along with their immediate subordinates. They are to resume at 8am on alternate days of Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and close at 3pm.

“All Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are to function with not more than 20 persons and must provide buckets with taps for running water, soap and hand sanitizers at their offices.”

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

A community in Abia State, Amaba in Isuikwuato, has taken delivery of large number of bags of rice for indigenes to cushion effects of COVID-19.

The 25 bags of rice, 1,000 nose masks and cash were donated by daughters of the community at home and Diaspora under the aegis of ‘Amaba Daughters Forum’.

Presenting the items to President General of the Community, Dr. Nonyerem Uwadinjo and the Palace Secretary, Chief Obiora Ogonsiegbe, president of the association, Mrs. Obiageri Ikpechukwu-Onu, said it was a gesture for the community that nurtured them from the cradle.

She said: “The government alone cannot provide the needs of every citizen more so with this pandemic that is ravaging lives and wreaking havoc on economies of nations globally.

“We see our intervention as a call to duty to minimise the impact of the pandemic,” Mrs. Ikpechukwu-Onu, who was represented by Ndubuisi Chukwueke, said

She pledged the association’s readiness to continuously lookout for the community by stepping in to help in any means at any given time.

Read Also: We’ve traced 262 contacts, actively following 212, says Abia govt

Speaking on their yearly empowerment programme, she said it had come to stay and promised that the association will double beneficiaries from 10 last year to 20.

Ikpechukwu-Onu revealed the association was also intervening in the educational sector by providing sports uniform for primary school pupils in the community to have a balanced upbringing.

By Mbakara Akaniyene

One of the major socio-economic consequences of the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic is the drastic drop in the price of crude oil in the global market. For a mono-product national economy such as Nigeria’s, these dwindling fortunes of crude oil become much more devastating to budgets (recurrent and capital expenditures) of states. With the fast falling price of petroleum, currently at less than US$20/barrel, the 2020 budget, premised on US$53 per barrel, is not implementable. In truth, even   the pre-Covid-19 wages and recurrent expenditure will be difficult to sustain. Lives and livelihoods are about to be threatened if leaders do not take proactive economic steps with speed and zeal.

Fortunately, His Excellency the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, had already begun to live the future (the post-covid-19 realities of today) in his giant (gigantic) economic development strides in Akwa Ibom State. The Governor’s performance in  rapid  industrialization of the State, agribusiness-targeted agricultural revolution, problem-solving with innovation and entrepreneurship-centric overhaul of educational curricula and system, remodeling of hospitals and furnishing of same with state-of-the-art healthcare equipment, provisioning of  transportation infrastructure ( roads, aviation and seaport ) are a wake-up call for action and to duty. They are a call to rise to an economic aspect of our collective “faith of greatness”: Akwa Ibom State beyond and without oil.

Read Also: Akwa Ibom to get post-COVID 19 economic recovery committee

Since “Necessity is the mother of invention” the current economic challenges, occasioned by COVID-19, have thrown an inexorable necessity on us as a people. The Akwa Ibom State Governor has risen to this challenge with the setting up of a POST-COVID-19 ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE.

While a new world order is emerging with new behavioral standards, new lexicon and new economic realities, the big question is how will governments cope with the mangling effects of prolonged lockdown, economic mode dive and the emerging health hazards on the domestic and global economies. It will require proactive and creative thinking as well as decision making.

This is where Governor Emmanuel’s unparalleled economic vision and foresight sets him apart as critical thinker with a clear vision to steer the ship of leadership at a time like this.

Citizens and residents also have a duty to Help Themselves By Researching on Ways to reinvent themselves and brace up for the impending new world order.

The reality is that We Have To Change Our Way Of Life. Alter Our Culture and Be More health conscious . Its not going to be business as usual it will take some getting used to.

Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

An oil and gas servicing firm in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, Evomec Global Services Limited, has donated food items worth millions to its host communities.

The communities are Rumuigbo and Oromeruezimgbu in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the state.

Managing Director of the firm, Peter Esievo, said the gesture was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to cushion the effect of the sit -at- home order against coronavirus.

The items donated were bags of rice, beans and cartons of indomie noodles.

The items are meant specifically for widow and elderly in the communities.

Represented at the ceremony by the Public and Community Relations Manager of the firm, Boma Brown, Esievo said the gesture was also to support efforts of Governor Nyesom Wike to stop spread of the killer virus in the state.

He applauded the doggedness of the State Government in fighting the diseases and pledged to always stand by them.

According to him: “We are doing this to support government’s efforts in fighting against the spread of deadly Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

READ ALSO: Oil firms give ambulance to Akwa Ibom

“We feel as a company that has its administrative headquarters in these communities we need to impact on them during this tough period of economic shut down.”

The CEO expressed belief that the food items would go a long way in reducing the hardship faced by the vulnerable in the community following the lockdown, especially the aged and widows.

He appealed to representatives of the communities, especially the liason officers to ensure the gifts get to those they were meant for, assuring them of the company’s continued support in difficult times.

Responding to the kindness of the firm, the Laison Officer of Oromeruezimgbu community, Maxwell Omunakwe who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked Evocmec for the show of love and promised them of friendly and conducive environment for the busines to thrive.

“This is the time we know companies and individuals who love the people and for us a community we promise to reciprocate this milk of human kidness that has flown out of this company by ensuring they do their business peacefully and safely,” he stressed.

Also, the CLO of Rumuigbo Community Michael Worluwodo, urged other companies operating in the area to replicate the gesture of Evomec by reducing plight of their host communities.

Nwanosike Onu, Awka

Residents of Oraifite in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State have expressed gratittude to Eze Ndigbo in Benin Republic, Dr Ebuka Onunkwo for empowering them during the coronavirus pandemic period.

They declare he is the only person who remembered the less privileged, physically challenged, widows and widowers and other indigent persons in the local government.

The Seahorse Chairman, according to them, released hundreds of millions to a committee to get relief materials to cushion the effect of COVID -19 on them.

The items distributed include bags of rice, beans, indomie noodles, cartons of sanitizers among others.

The distribution of the relief materials attracted the presence of traditional rulers of Ozubulu, Ichi, Oraifite and the Ajie of Ihembosi, Chairman of the Council Area among other dignitaries.

The Seahorse boss said the palliative was a Corporate Social Responsibility, which would help to cushion the harsh effects of the nationwide lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic.

“These are tough times and as many people, especially the indigents and the vulnerable are going through unforseen economic hardship because of the nationwide lockdown,this is our own little way of rendering help, ” he said.

He tasked the Presidents- General of the town unions in the Council and representatives of the clergy to ensure that the items got to the people, especially, the primary targets.

Mrs. Lucy Nwafor, could not hold back tears, as she knelt down to call upon God to bless the Eze Ndigbo in Benin Republic for his kind gesture to the needy and poor

On behalf of the palliative team, member representing Ekwusigo in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Onyebuchi Offor, described the gesture as unique .

He enjoined the PGs and members of the clergy to ensure that the palliative items got to the right people, in order not to attract ‘curses ‘ to themselves.

The monarch of Ozubulu, Igwe Nnamdi Oruche, said Onunkwo was a gift to not Ndi Anambra but the entire Igbo race

The Parish Priest of St. Michael Catholic Church, Amakwa, Ozubulu, Very Rev. Fr. Donald Chidolue, said that Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo’s palliative for Ndi EKWUSIGO at this time of hardship was a confirmation of excellent humanity.

Speaking on behalf of the Presidents – General, Engr. Edmund Ugwuezumba, said the Seahorse Company boss, had been in the forefront of helping the less privileged in the society

For Amb. Emeka Odidika , Dr. Ebuka Onunkwo had a fundamental culture of philanthropy and had only by this palliative continued his long tradition of philanthropy.

He recalled that since 2009, Dr. Onunkwo had been paying the school fees, WAEC and NECO fees of all the senior students of Ihembosi Community Secondary School, irrespective of town or state of origin

By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio have been commended for efforts to reform the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for effective performance.

The commendation was handed out by a group, the Niger Delta Change Ambassadors (NDCA).

The group, in a statement, hailed the minister for his proactive efforts at curbing corruption in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

NDCA urged President Buhari to remove the East West Road Budget from Sovereign Wealth Fund and return it to Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to enable sections 1 to 4 to be completed to ease the suffering of the people of the region.

In the statement signed by the National Coordinator, Goodlive Elee and National Secretary, Derefaka Ajubo, the group pledged its allegiance to Akpabio, describing him as a transparent leader whose quest to stop corruption had brought him undue criticism.

Read Also: Intimidation can’t stop NDDC forensic audit, says MD

It stated that some of the act of corruption identified by Akpabio include payment of N300 million annually as rent for the past 23 years for the NDDC temporal headquarters building.

Others are payment of N500bn a year on water Hyacinth which was always awarded to their cronies, refusal of NDDC directors to go on leave so as to cover up their fraudulent tracks.

The group also commended the minister for capturing youths empowerment and other jobs meant for the youth in the budget since 2019 when he was the senate minority leader.

“That Godswill Akpabio is the 1st Minister to visit NDDC Headquaters to address the staff to refrain from misconduct and fraud, he is the first Minister to carry out verification before payment and stop upfront payment on fictitious contract without verification where contracts are not inflated.

“Mr. President should applaud the Minister for revealing that certain power brokers in NDDC are contracting their cronies to display dead fishes along the shores of Niger Delta all to discredit the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“We applaud the MD for his co-operation with the Minister since the forensic audit,” the group said.