The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Abia donates vehicles to police

    As part of the efforts of the state government to assist various security agencies in the state, Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has donated over 20 vehicles fitted with modern communication gadgets to the police.

    It was gathered that the vehicles, which were supplied by Nigeria’s indigenous industrialist Innoson Motors, is in support of Abia State and President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign for the patronage of local content.

    At a brief ceremony, which held at the Government House, Umuahia, the vehicles were received by the state Commissioner of Police (CP) Ene Okon from Governor Ikpeazu on behalf of heads of other security agencies for dispatch to their various areas of operation.

    According to Ene, the gesture from the state government was to assist the police and other security agencies to effectively combat crime in the state.

    He called on the security agencies to deploy the vehicles for use across the state to ensure the security of lives and property of Abians.

    The governor, who maintained that his administration takes the security of lives and properties of Abians and visitors alike seriously, disclosed that the state government is committed to ensuring that business hours of major cities in the state were extended.

    “We take the security of lives and property of Abians very serious as it is a sacred assignment. I urge you to quickly deploy these vehicles to the streets to improve patrol as well as ensure that we maintain our position as the safest state in Nigeria.

    “Our administration is desirous of extending business hours in the state, especially Aba and Umuahia. There is therefore the need for you to map out strategies to secure the people during the day and at night. As further support, we will provide additional vehicles as well as ensure that functional street lights are deployed in the major cities of the state.”

    The State Commissioner of Police; Okon, while thanking the governor, promised that they will make good use of the vehicles and stated the commitment of the police and other security agencies in the state to rid the state of criminal elements.

    The Nation recalled that Governor Ikpeazu had donated over 40 patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state during his first term, a move that many said helped in boosting security in the state.

  • Job tools for Enugu lawmakers’ constituents

    A weeklong empowerment activity in Enugu North senatorial district ended with the distribution of 212 grinding machines, 51 tricycles, over 200 motorcycles and five transformers.

    The items were given out to individuals from the six local councils of the senatorial zone viz Nsukka, Udenu, Igboeze North, Igboeze South, Igbo Etiti and Uzo Uwani.

    The distribution took place at Nkpologwu, Uzo Uwani at the country home of the senator representing the district, Senator Chuka Utazi.

    The selection of the beneficiaries was done through the churches, which according to Utazi, know the actual people who needed the poverty alleviation intervention.

    Many clergymen were present at the occasion which was also witnessed by stakeholders of Nsukka cultural zone.

    Senator Utazi said at the occasion that the beneficiaries were given the items for them to become productive and be useful citizens of Nigeria.

    “This is just a segment of what we are doing in the Federal Government zonal intervention. These are just items for poverty alleviation we are giving to them.

    “Beyond that there are infrastructure intervention in the area of roads maintenance. There are also building of police stations and residents with a view to checking the menace of kidnappers, schools and books to pupils.

    “The Federal Government gets to the people through us and through us the Federal Government makes sure that the grassroots gets what they want. We want the people to earn income and generate revenue for themselves,” Utazi stated.

    According to the senator the presentations were not enough as “this is a drop in the ocean considering the fact that Enugu North senatorial district is the biggest in Enugu having over 51 percent of the population of the state.”

    He said the exercise would be continuous until majority of the indigent citizens are captured in the programme.

  • Ebonyi tackles illiteracy

    Worried by the high rate of out-of-school children in Ebonyi State, Governor David Umahi flagged off the Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) with a target to end illiteracy in the state by 2022.

    The programme is in partnership with the World Bank.

    Speaking at the launch which took place at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre Abakaliki, Chairman of Universal Basic Education Board, Ebonyi State, Hyacinth Ikpor, in his welcome address, noted that the state has provided free uniform, food, text books and other relevant educational materials for out of school children.

    He urged all parents to utilise this opportunity by bringing back their children to school because such children are sources of insecurity to the state.

    “Education for all is a responsibility for all,” he added.

    Professor Gidado Tahir, the National Coordinator of BESDA commended Governor Umahi for his giant steps to end Nigeria’s worst education nightmare.

    He further urged the governor to ensure that a proper measure is put in place to bring the targeted number of children, ensuring that they remain in school and providing an enabling learning environment with effective teachers.

    Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission(UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi also appreciated the governor for making education the business of the state with much seriousness.

    He also commended the governor for the timely payment of teachers’ salaries which is part of the programme.

    According to him, the issue of out of school children have been a major problem in Nigeria, stating that in 2015, the number of children out of school were 500,000 and in 2017, it was 10.8 million children but has now come down to 10.1 million.

    He described the situation as worrisome and urged all stakeholders to ensure that no child is left behind in this programme for a better and stronger future for the country.

    He further stated that one of the measures required to address this issue is the ability of states to show proof of their previous achievements before getting more money to further the program which Ebonyi State had achieved already.

    He divulged that each boy is entitled to $80 while a girl is entitled to $100. This he said is to encourage the education of female children because girls are mostly left behind in most of the participating states.

    Dr. Tunde Adefoke, the representative of the World Bank stated that the project is Ebonyi project but only assissted by the World Bank and as such, all Ebonyians should show commitment to this program.

    He mentioned that Ebonyi is the only state in the Southeast benefiting from the programme due to the large number of children out of school.

    He further stated that it is not enough to have well equipped school buildings but the major thing is ensuring that the children are in school.

    Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr Stephen Odo, in his remarks, noted that all efforts by the state government to bequeath qualitative education to all Ebonyi children have not received the desired response.

    He blamed this on parents, guardians and care-givers who for one reason or the other still keep their children/wards at home or give them out for one reason or the other still keep their children/wards at home or give them out as maids or house-helps, or even allow them to hawk in the cities.

    He said, “This scenario has led to an unacceptable level of out of school children in the state especially when compared to other states in the Southeast.

    “For instance, while Southeast recorded 11.3% out of school in 2016/2017, Ebonyi State recorded 21.4 out of school children. This figure is 90% higher than the zonal average.

    He said the problem of out-of-school is both a national and a global concern. In Nigeria, about 10.5 million children of school age are out of school, about the highest in the world while UNICEF report of 2018 shows that one child out of every five out-of-school children globally is from Nigeria.

    He also noted that one of the main reasons for the problem is lack of political will by government to tackle the issue.

    “Other reason why the problem persists is financial constraints, ignorance on the part of parents/guardians, socio-cultural complexities, access to schools, physically challenged children, child labour and migration and orphanage.

    “Fortunately for us in Ebonyi State, we have the political will in excess supply, so all other barriers to children being in school will be completely taken care of. For the saying goes that where there is a will, there is a way”, Odo said.

    He promised that the state will be committed and dedicated to the program and urged all Ebonyians to cooperate with the ministry of education.

    Governor of Ebonyi State Engineer David Umahi identified illiteracy as one of the major causes of insecurity and violence in the country.

    He said all children should go to school because that is the only way to safeguard the future and to have a peaceful coexistence.

    According to him, the state had maintained 10th position in both NECO and WAEC for the past five years wbut is not satisfied because they are aiming for the first position.

    He assured them that the state government is working hard to rewrite the education of the state by creating three centres which will commence September this year for intelligent primary school graduates.

    He stated that the parents’ duty is dropping them off at the school gate because their feeding, clothing, medical, etc will be taken care of by government.

    The aim according to him is to have students making a minimum of 9As in WAEC and NECO.

    He also said the state government had also established the vocational training center at the international market to help children who are the breadwinners of their families.

    “We are creating three centers, we want to start with primary one and we want after the common entrance, all the people that pass the exam will re-sit a special exam and those who will make 95% and above will be taken to those three centers and all the parents need to do is to drop them in front of the school.

    “Their feeding, school fees, medicals and clothings are totally taken care of by government. We are starting this September. Some of these children are out of school because they are the breadwinners of their families so we are building a vocational center at the International m5arket for some of the children that are trading, to enable them to school and trade at the same time,” Umahi said.

    He further promised that by 2022 when the programme is to end there will be no out of school children in Ebonyi State.

  • Mixed feelings for parents of quadruplets

    It was mixed feelings for the family of Evangelist Ibe, following his wife’s delivery of a set of quadruplets at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State.

    While many visit prayer houses and traditional medicine practitioners in search of fruits of the womb, Ibe’s family was blessed with four kids at a go, a blessing he described as ‘overdose.’

    The cleric, a native of Mbaitoli, Imo State, attached to St. Barth’s Anglican Church, Umuezeagu Uruagu, Nnewi, said the news of the quadruplets threw him off balance as he was not expecting four at a time.

    He expressed concerns over how to settle the hospital bills, feed the babies and take care of some other challenges in view of the economic hardship in the country.

    Ibe said, “Immediately after the delivery, somebody came where I was waiting and said to me, congratulations father of four.

    “I shouted, Jesus! I was not expecting four at a go. Actually, we were told from the scan conducted in one of the hospitals in Nnewi that the babies were three but, to my greatest surprise, they turned out to be four and that threw me off balance.”

    He appealed to the state government and public-spirited individuals to come to his aid to enable him cope with the situation.

    Fortunately, intervention came through one of the persons he extended the distress call to:   Chief Louis Carter Onwugbenu, an Nnewi-born industrialist.

    Onwugbenu, who requested for the bills on arrival at the NAUTH, could not hold back his generosity as he ended up offsetting bills of over 12 indigent mothers at the maternity ward who were unable to foot their bills.

    He also offered scholarship to the quadruplets to study up to tertiary level in any higher institution of their choice, anywhere, under the Louis Carter Foundation, where other indigent students were beneficiaries over the years.

    According to him, the gesture, which amounted to over N1.5m, was part of the activities marking his 66th birthday celebrations.

    He said, “I didn’t carry out this act of kindness because I’m the richest within my environment but I see it as a responsibility and as a way of appreciating God for his numerous blessings.”

    Onwugbenu called on government and other philanthropists to always respond to the cry of the indigent, stressing that, “no one knows who will be what tomorrow.”

    Chief Medical Director, NAUTH, Prof. Anthony Igwegbe, expressed appreciation to the philanthropist for his magnanimity, saying he had always been known for such at the hospital.

    “You have always reflected your chieftaincy title of “Okpata Ozue Ora Nnewi” (He who utilises his wealth to help others) in your actions,” he added.

    Igwegbe prayed for God’s blessing upon his life.

    Responding, the Ibes and other beneficiaries of the largesse were full of praise to God and the benefactor, being the instrument used to rescue them from financial embarrassment.

  • Gains of ‘Operation Puff Adder’ in Abia

    A police offensive against violent crime is helping to dislodge kidnappers and armed robbers in Abia State, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    Aba, the commercial capital of Abia State, has always held an attraction for all shades of criminals. The regular pickpocket, burglar, armed robber, kidnapper, and child trafficker, among others, target the city’s buzzing population and business proceeds. This is what keeps the police and other security agents on their toes, necessitating constant clampdowns.

    On April 5, in Abuja, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar launched a bold offensive tagged ‘Operation Puff Adder’ meant to smoke out criminals from their dens and keep them out of business.

    On April 24, Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Ene Okon accompanied by senior police officer in the command launched the Puff Adder operation in the state.

    Investigation by our reporter has it that the centrality of the state to other states in the Southeast and Southsouth coupled with the high volume of economic activities in the state, particularly Aba, make the commercial city vulnerable to the activities of hoodlums and other criminally-minded elements.

    “Operation Puff Adder” has helped to dislodge criminal elements from their hideouts.

    Through intelligence gathering, some of the hoodlums were arrested in the act, while others were caught attempting to launch their evil mission.

    According to sources in the state police command, some of the suspects arrested by police operatives are either still being investigated or already standing trial in various courts across the state.

    After the launch of Puff Adder in the state and its successes especially in the urban areas, the State Commissioner of Police in the company of other members of his team returned to Aba to dialogue with stakeholders in security business including traditional rulers of various communities in the state, Civil Liberty Organisations, NGOs, and market union eladers, among others, especially in Aba Area.

    Okon was seeking ways the police can work with security agencies and stakeholders in security business in the state to ensure that perpetrators of heinous crimes who have relocated to the hinterlands were not only fished out, but to appear before court of competent jurisdiction to face the consequences of their actions.

    In his remarks, the Abia State Police Boss who noted that the hoodlums have relocated to the rural areas where they feel comfortable and more relaxed to continue with their illicit businesses after they were confronted by the police and other security agencies within the metropolis, said that indications have it that kidnappers who operate in the state come and retreat to the villages to keep their victims while negotiating with their families as armed robbers hide their loots and stolen properties in the village.

    Okon who said that the importance of community policing cannot be overemphasized, disclosed that kidnappers and armed robbers’ intention of relocating to the hinterlands, was to keep kidnap victims and stolen properties away from the prying eyes of security agents.

    According to him, the meeting with the stakeholders is to rub minds with them on how best they think that security agencies could tackle crime in the state in partnership with leaders of various markets, business owners, religious organizations and security experts.

    Assuring that the state police command would work cooperatively with the traditional institution in the state, members of various vigilante groups to ensure that the state and the entire local governments were safe for people to live and do business, assured that they will do their best in ensuring that the interest of credible sources were protected.

    Speaking at the occasion, a traditional ruler, Eze Asonye among other speakers commended the police and its sister agencies and demanded that they do more in information sharing and intelligence gathering.

    Chibuike Akwara, Basil Uka and others who spoke as well, called for the protection of informants who may be at risk after volunteering to provide security agencies information about the activities of hoodlums in their areas.

    The state governor Okezie Ikpeazu represented by his former adviser on security matters, Capt. Awa Udensi (Retd) reinstated the commitment of the present administration to make the state safer and conducive for people to carry on with their business and economic activities in Aba and any other parts of the state without any fear of molestation by any group of persons.

  • Tourists, celebrities hit Mbaise for new yam

    This year’s edition of the Iri Iji Mbaise festival witnessed tremendous and remarkable improvements by all measurements. The culture, glamour and blitz that attended the festival proved that it has the potential to take the centre stage in the tourism industry in the country.

    This much was confirmed by the dignitaries that attended the festival from across the country and beyond.

    The Iri Iji Mbaise has gradually evolved from a mere gathering of indigenes of the three Local Government Areas of Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte, otherwise known as the ‘Mbaise Nation’, to an annual event that commands global attention.

    Visitors were as usual treated to rich cultural display and served the traditional roasted yam eaten with red oil as farmers display prize yams. The occasion has served as a rallying point for the people of Imo State, where people from diverse political and religious backgrounds converge to forge ways of addressing the socio-cultural challenges confronting the people.

    One significant aspect of the Iri Iji festival is that it has served as a clarion call on the people to continue to embrace agriculture as a viable means of ensuring food security in the state.

    Meanwhile, the enthusiasm that heralded this year’s festival was unprecedented, the people were ecstatic, the preparations were elaborate as Mbaise natives from home and in the Diaspora came in their numbers to be part of the event and the reason for this surge of interest is not far-fetched, one of their own, Emeka Ihedioha, is now the governor of the state.

    Expectedly, the occasion was graced by governors of various states and other highly placed Nigerians. Leading the pack were governors of Sokoto and Enugu states, Aminu Tambuwal and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    Also in attendance were the famous King Jaja of Opobo,  Obong of Calabar,  Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi,  the Amayanabor of Okirika, the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers,HRM Agunwa Samuel Ohiri, the Obi of Obinugwu, Eze Cletus Ilomuanaya, among other first class traditional rulers.

    Speaking at the occasion, Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, who was the Special Guest of Honour,  said that if the cultural potentials in the Iri Iji festival is properly harnessed, it will make Imo State a destination for tourists from within and outside the country.

    Tambuwal, urged the government and people of the state to improve of the festival and ensure that emphasis are paid on agriculture as advocated by the Iri Iji Festival.

    He solicited supported for the state governor, Emeka Ihedioha, who he said will reposition the state by engaging the people and encouraging their culture and customs.

    Meanwhile, the Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi described Mbaise nation’ as a peace-loving and hospitable people who have been consistent in sustaining the age-long Iri Ji tradition.

    The Enugu governor, noted that the Mbaise nation “had shown great desire in hosting the cultural flag of the Igbo tribe with regularity and passion”.

    Addressing the ecstatic crowd, at the government secondary school, venue of this year’s event, Governor Ihedioha, assured that “the Iri Ji festival will be sustained, not only in Mbaise nation but other parts of the state”.

    He noted that the growing acceptability of the festival within and outside the state can attract huge socio-economic gains for the state.

    Ihedioha revealed that the festival triggers bountiful harvest for farmers and general prosperity for the people. Governor Ihedioha noted that the celebration often serves as a bond for the Mbaise nation.

  • Family of man ‘killed by soldier’ in Abia seeks justice

    On August 7th, economic and commercial activities in Aba, especially at Ogbor Hill and Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway were abruptly halted as youths from Amaise-Umuokereke Ngwa in Obingwa Local Government Area took to the streets to protest the killing of a member of the community, Chimaobi Nwaogu allegedly by a soldier; Lance Corporal Ajayi attached to the Ohanze Forward Operation Base.

    The sight of Nwaogu’s body wheeled on the street by the protesters accompanied by his mother and widow attracted sympathisers.

    It was learnt that the protesters, after destroying the military outpost at Ohanze where Corporal Ajayi is serving, also set ablaze a stationary patrol van belonging to the Mobile Police Unit 55. They equally made bonfires on the road to register their anger over the killing of their kinsman.

    The atmosphere at Ogbor Hill and its neighbourhood was charged. Road users especially people going and coming into Aba from Cameroon, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states were trapped on the road for several hours. Some of them ran away, abandoning their vehicles and wares on the road, though normalcy was later restored thanks to security operatives.

    Some of the residents who spoke to our reporter described the incident as horrific.

    A trader at the Ogbor Hill axis of the city said she was yet to get over the shock after she sighted the body of Nwaogu being wheeled by his kith and kin.

    Read Also: Abia State Gov declares curfew in Aba

    The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army in a statement by its spokesman, Colonel Aliyu denied that Ajayi was a soldier attached to the 14 Brigade Command. But youths from the area vowed that they were going to keep protesting on the streets until the army authority produced the fleeing killer who they said is serving at the Ohanze FOB.

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s visit to the bereaved family prevented the situation from getting worse. He revealed that the soldier who committed the crime was already in police custody.

    It was learnt that the offence of Nwaogu is that he refused to pay the usual N100 daily toll.

    Sources at the area told our reporter that they gathered that all efforts by the late Nwaogu to convince the killer soldier that he was not on duty on that fateful day fell on deaf ears.

    “The man (Nwaogu) we understand made several efforts to explain to the soldier at the Ohanze checkpoint that he was not on duty for that day fell on deaf ears. The money they pay is N100. When you pay N100, you will no longer pay for the day. So, but after waiting for a long time, Nwaogu rode off with his bike.

    “Felt insulted, the soldier went after him and shot him through the head in his father’s compound. My brother, you need to see what the soldiers are doing us on this road. It is better that you come there, place your invisible camera and leave. If you see what we pass through here, you will know that the soldiers are just taking us as nothing and that was why the guy had the audacity to chase after Chima and killed him in his father’s compound. I am sure that that soldier hasn’t been able to arrest a kidnapper or armed robber since he started staying on the checking point.

    “It is because they don’t respect us, that is why he came after him and killed him. Ask him, what offence Chima commit against him, there is none, but simply because he couldn’t give him N100.

    “We are eagerly waiting to see what the outcome of this will be. The governor has come and made promises, we are all watching. The late brother is from the same Agalaba that the governor comes from, so let us watch and see if the governor will abide by his words or not.”

    Apart from the state governor who visited the family, two lawmakers, Hon. Solomon Adaelu, and Enyinnaya Abaribe have also paid condolence visits to the bereaved family.

    They pledged to ensure that the family of the deceased gets justice over the killing of their son.

    Describing the incident as barbaric and painful, Hon. Okoro who represented Dr. Alex Otti, APGA 2019 governorship candidate, expressed displeasure with rate of extra-judicial killing by the security agents who are saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property in Abia State.

    He said, “It is unfortunate that those who are constitutionally armed with guns to protect us are turning around to kill innocent citizens. It is barbaric and painful given the manner this innocent young man was murdered by a trigger-happy soldier just because of N100”.

    “Our leader, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, is very sad over this incident and will support every step taken by this community to ensure that justice prevails. The party chieftain also enjoined the state government to rise to the occasion by ensuring that security agents in the state operate within the rules of engagement”.

    “The illegal extortion of motorists by the security agents must stop henceforth in Abia. The governor and government of Abia State must act to protect life and property. It is saddening to hear that the life of this young man who incidentally is from the governor’s local government was terminated under this sad circumstance. It is really painful.”

    During the visit, Hon. Adaelu in an emotionally laden voice decried the incessant killing of innocent Nigerians by our security operatives and described the young Chimaobi Nwogu as another victim of extortion, intimidation and continuous killing of Nigerian citizens by the Nigeria security agencies.

    Adaelu who recently sponsored a motion against police brutality on defenseless citizens while praying for the soul of the departed, consoled the family and condemned the extra judicial killing of the innocent Chimaobi by a soldier, he assured them that he will use his position to ensure that the slain Chimaobi gets justice.

    Our reporter who visited the area on Wednesday reports that calm has returned to the area, but reported that the people of Umuokereke and the entire Agalaba and Obingwa were still to get over the trauma of the incident.

    This is even as they demanded that justice should be served on the soldier for such a heartless act against a defenseless citizen.

    The community also wants the military to take responsibility for the welfare of the family of the bereaved.

    Nwaogu who was survived of his aged mother, wife and children, until the unfortunate incident, was a commercial motorcyclist in Obingwa council area of the state.

     

  • FUTO, communities trade blames over collapsed bridge

    A critical bridge, the Otammiri-Ihiagwa Bridge has collapsed at last after hanging on for years. The colonial bridge linking most communities in Owerri West Council Area of Imo caved in after withstanding pressure and countless palliative repairs for decades.

    Consequently, the communities, which also host the famous Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) are cut off from the rest parts of the state.

    This unfortunate incident has further strained the relationship between the host communities and the university.

    It happened at a time the institution and host communities were engaged in a fresh controversy over ownership of the university land with the Federal Ministry of Education threatening to relocate the university.

    The host communities and the university have been trading blames over the collapse of the bridge.

    The university has come under severe attack for contributing to the collapse of the bridge.

    The communities alleged that the university has been mining sand in the Otammiri River, against the advice of the host communities, which they said culminated in the eventual collapse of the bridge.

    A President General one of the communities, Emeka Nkwoada, alleged that the current Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Francis Eze, chased away the locals who were mining sand along the river with canoes as their means of livelihood and brought in dredgers to mine sand in the river.

    According to him, the practice, which was endorsed by the host communities, eventually weakened the bridge and resulted in its collapse.

    He lamented that, “now the communities are cut off from the rest part of the state and we are stranded. When the University started commercial sand dredging in the Otammiri River, we warned against the implications.  We are holding the University responsible”.

    The Attorney of the communities, Sam Anokam, also blamed the university for the unfortunate incident, adding that the management refused to heed the warning of the communities.

    Read Also: We’re not intimidated by threat to relocate FUTO- Host communities

    He said, “The university is not established to mine sand; it is established to teach and carry out researches”.

    But the university described the allegation as an attempt to rope in the university in the collapse of the bridge.

    The institution’s public relations officer, Uche Nwaelue, said the university did not at any time bring dredgers to mine sand in the Otammiri River.

    She said, “The Vice Chancellor did not at any time bring dredgers to the Otammiri River, the allegation is an attempt to rope in the university “.

    Meanwhile, the communities have accused the university of flouting the laid-down procedures of land acquisition in line with the Land Use Act.

    Addressing journalists on behalf of the eight communities, Anokam disclosed that the university has not paid full compensation for the land 37 years after it was acquired.

    He said, “The allegation of hostility and encroachment intends to make the host communities look wicked or that they want to eat their cake and have it, but land acquisition has a procedure as set out in the Land Use Act and due compliance of the procedure obviously will not create any problem with any acquiring authority or institution of government that has been given the land in any way but in the case of FUTO, there was no compliance with procedure of land acquisition and that has been the crux of the matter.

    “At a point in 1982, the University Council agreed that for the area the University has not paid for, the host communities are free to farm on it until they are ready but it will surprise you to hear that about one year ago, the FUTO VC bulldozed the cassava farm of the women and surprisingly replanted cassava on the plot of land, they went further and chased the youths dredging sand on Ottammiri river and brought in their dredgers, after chasing the villagers, while I called this press conference is to put things in clear perspective, to make the entire public understand that FUTO is the cause of whatever problem they have.

    “If you acquire land through the due process, it requires that you should pay compensation and promptly too but 37 years ago they only took about 1000 hectares out of the entire area and paid part compensation and now you claim you have paid for all, thank God we have the records.

    “We have given a bill and the proper thing they will pay for the whole land is now is N5.4 billion for Unexhausted Improvement alone, not including structures, we sent it to the Federal Government, they should bring the money and pay, the law is clear, we cannot panic because you are threatening to relocate the university and you go out to tell the people that we are not cooperating, what have you given us to make us bulge. If there is a law that says that compensations are not paid on lands where universities are sited, they should quote it let us know. The Federal Government has always paid compensation for lands acquired for Federal Universities, so why must our own be an exception.

    “On the other hand, we have said, those areas you have not paid for, which our people may have somehow had scattered development within, return them to us that we are prepared to give them back1300 hectares of land in lure of compensation for the encroachment so are we not fair? Here we are, our indigenous population is increasing, settlers are coming in droves within the area so if we don’t have legitimate right over our land we cannot put into proper use.

    “When you now deny us the use of our land then it means you want to impoverish us deliberately but we refused to be impoverished for whatever reason, so their hue and cry and probably threat to remove the University does not move us in any way, we are dealing with people in citadel of learning and we expect them to come with facts, not with propaganda, they are not politicians.

    “It is important the entire public understand that FUTO does not want to face facts and that is why they are coming up with this propaganda. The Federal Ministry of Education does not have the capacity to solve the problem; the Ministry that has the capacity to solve the problem is handling it”.

  • Ikpeazu lays foundation stone for destitute home

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu spared some time to join other parishioners of Seventh Day Adventist Church, Hilltop, Ogbor Hill, Aba to observe the Samaritan Sabbath.

    The Samaritan Sabbath in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, according to findings, is a day set aside for members of the church to show love to the less privileged in the society.

    Ikpeazu while participating in the exercise made a pledge to God to build a home for the destitute and homeless persons in the commercial city.

    The governor said he has had the burden in his heart to affect the lives of the destitute living in the remand home.

    Speaking further, he said that each time he drives past and sees the inmates of the home sleeping on the streets at night, his heart bleeds.

    He said that resources available to the government have never been enough in the face of competing demands and so he decided to embark on the project in his personal capacity.

    He said that it was his desire to ensure that the inmates have a roof over their heads that engineered the foundation laying stone for the project, with volunteers mainly members of the SDA Church, Hilltop Aba joining in clearing the grass.

    Ikpeazu said the building on completion will have two hostels for males and females, a clinic and a skills acquisition centre where the inmates can live and learn some skills that can help them find their feet and get reintegrated into society, instead of begging.

    “Because of the number of people we expect here when we kick off in the next few months, we will rehabilitate another building at the Remand Home to complement what we will build.

    “My vision in this project,” Ikpeazu continues, “is a place where we have  a pool of willing artisans who have been schooled in some basic skills like carpentry, masonry, tiling, etc. We will also look out for those with some entrepreneurial acumen who we can assist to start up a small trade.

    “I will get my friend, Dr. Wehibe, an American-based expert in social rehabilitation of destitute persons to run the center. It is my prayer that the target persons take advantage of this small contribution to find a life for themselves,” Ikpeazu said.

    The governor later laid the ceremonial foundation stone in the presence of Elders and some members of the church, in addition to other people.

  • Anambra: Agony of eroded, flooded community

    Eroded, flooded and raided by criminals, residents of Okpoko community in Anambra State feel abandoned by the state, report NWANOSIKE ONU and EMMA ELEKWA

    It is no earthquake, but it continues  to bring earthshaking misery upon its helpless victims. In the Southeast, erosion is a common nightmare. In Anambra State alone, there is said to be over 1000 eroded sites. As the state’s red, loose soil moves, it breaks up well-built roads, buries shops and sends households crashing down very deep craters and gullies. Communities have been cut off, farmlands swept away as though by powerful currents. Many have died. The agony endures.

    Tears and appeals have hardly brought any relief. Despair has since set in among the people.

    That sums up the plight of residents of Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state. They have continued to lament what they call infrastructural neglect by successive governments in the state.

    The people of the area comprising three quarters – East-Niger, Nkpikpa and Central Okpoko – wonder whether they are truly part of the state.

    Those who spoke with The Nation said the area had been devastated by gully erosion, making most roads in the area impassable.

    Mrs. Benedict Ibeazor who lives along Aririonwu Street in Central Okpoko, said they have been subjected to perpetual suffering due to ecological problems.

    She said, “Whenever it rains, the street is like River Niger itself because nobody comes out for fear of being carried away by flood.

    “Most times people flee their homes to avoid being submerged by flood and no government delegations have ever visited the area to undertake environmental impact assessment on the level of degradable and deplorable conditions of the area.

    “By this time last year, we lost about five lives to the menace of flood as a result of poor drainage system in Okpoko.

    “We have a working governor; maybe he has not been told about the conditions of the people of Okpoko.

    “We are suffering and we are beckoning on him to please do at least two or three kilometers road for us; we will appreciate it.

    “The only good road we used to enjoy before was Obodo-Ukwu Road but come now, if you pass through Obodo-Ukwu Road it will take you about one hour to cover just less than two kilometers of road .

    “The entire place is in a total mess. The governor, as a matter of urgency, should come and do a total reconstruction of Obodo-Ukwu Road and Ede Road and also help us dredge the Sacamori drainage.

    “Once that is done, our people will be happy and they will continue to support him and the government of Anambra State.

    Another local, Chief Samuel Okorienta lamented several lives lost to flood in the community.

    He said, “It has been like a recurring decimal for our people to lose their lives during rainy seasons in this place.

    “We have been alienated from the development plans of successive governments in the state.

    “No government has ever remembered us including the incumbent state government.

    “Thank God for the bravery of one wheel barrow-pusher who saved the life of a small child who nearly got drowned as a result of flooding in Okpoko area this year.

    “When you get to Okpoko, you will have mercy on us because there is nothing like erosion or drainage control there and once it rains everywhere becomes flooded and people begin to scamper for safety.

    “Last year, we lost so many people including four bank staff who were drowned in the flood. They lost their lives just like that and many other people in the community.

    “Anytime it rains here, everybody will be in fear. It is either a building collapse or peoples’ property got damaged or they lose their lives to flood.

    “Obiano should have mercy on his constituents and direct the commissioners for works and environment to come and see how streets are destroyed and environment is nothing to write home about.”

    The lawmaker representing the area in the state House of Assembly, Noble Igwe regretted that his constituency had been in the dark for too long.

    He said, “I don’t know whether my constituency is part of Anambra State because if it is, government wouldn’t allow us  to suffer in perpetuity.

    “Our people do not feel anything like government presence in my area. You will cry for Okpoko community if you visit the area.

    “The whole place is in a very sordid condition. We do not have any single good road.

    “The absence of good roads in Okpoko has led to the increase in crime because the security operatives do not have access to the nooks and crannies of the area to apprehend criminals.”

    The lawmaker added, “We have a very big challenge when it comes to flooding. The only drainage system which is the sacamori in Okpoko is silted.

    “The drainage is supposed to collect water from some parts of Awada, Fegge and the entire Okpoko down to Idemili River  to the River Niger but for now, the Sacamori is filled up making flood to destroy people’s lives and property.”

    Igwe said the community lost no fewer than five lives to  flood in the area last year, expressing fear that it could be worse this year if nothing was done to mitigate the situation.

    He implored the state governor, Willie Obiano to intervene and save them from the predicament.

    “We are suffering and beckoning on our working governor to please do at least two or three kilometer roads for us, we will appreciate it,” he said.

    Apart from the area being in perpetual darkness thanks to the Enugu Electricity Development Company (EEDC), one other problem facing the community is insecurity.

    Hon Igwe said his constituents do not sleep for fear of criminals.

    Igwe said virtually everything in his constituency was non-functional.

    He mentioned that Okpoko Boys Secondary School, Okpoko Girls Secondary School and some others were all in very bad conditions such that students struggle through floodwaters to find their way home whenever it rained.

    Another issue that called for concern, according to the lawmaker, was insecurity in Okpoko community.

    He said there should be watertight security to reduce the crime rate in the area, pointing out that Ogbaru 1constituency had been in the dark for too long.

    He added that it was time government remembered the constituency and included it in its development plans.

    “Ogbaru 1 constituency is being ravaged by erosion, flood, poor housing facilities, absence of roads and other amenities as a result of neglect by past and present governments in the state.

    Some of the streets The Nation visited in the area namely, Ogbudike, Nwokedi, Nicholas, Aririonwu and a host of others revealed no government presence in the area since the creation of the state.

    Speaking with The Nation, Mrs.Benedict Ibeazor, who lives along Aririonwu Street in Central Okpoko said they had been subjected to perpetual suffering due to ecological problems.

    She said whenever it rained, the street was like River Niger and nobody dared come out for fear of being carried away by flood.

    Sometimes according to her,   people fled from their houses to avoid being submerged by flood, adding that no government delegations had ever visited the area to undertake an environmental impact assessment on the level of deplorable conditions of the area.

    For Samuel Okorienta, who narrated the ordeals people go through at Nkpikpa axis of Ogbaru 1 constituency, noted that it had been a recurrent factor for people to lose their lives during rainy seasons in the area.

    He bemoaned the absence of drainage facilities as well as the menace of flood and erosion, stressing that they had been allegedly alienated from urbanisation.

    Igwe said, “The absence of good roads in Okpoko has led to the increase in crime because the security personnel do not have access to the nooks and crannies; they can’t move about to apprehend criminals because of bad roads.”

    “Also, we have a very big challenge when it comes to flooding .The only drainage system which is the Sacamori in Okpoko is filled up with sand and that drainage is supposed to collect water from some parts of Awada, Fegge and the entire Okpoko down to Idemili River and finally to the river Niger”

    “But for now, the Sacamori is filled up making flood to destroy peoples’ property and lives. By this time last year, we lost about five lives to the menace of flood as a result of poor drainage system in Okpoko”