The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Transporter pledges to support youths in agric

    Chairman, Board of Directors, GU Okeke and Sons Limited, Chief Godwin Okeke has urged Nigerian youths to embrace agriculture.

    Okeke made the call in Onitsha, Anambra State while hosting some youths in his home.

    He revealed that he was a major supplier of eggs to University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus in 1971, despite having a flourishing transportation company.

    He described agriculture as a lucrative business which should not be left in the hands of the old and illiterate people.

    Okeke who is also the Chairman, Board of Directors, VARAMAN Industries limited, expressed willingness to support any youth ready to fully go into the business of feeding the nation.

    He said, “I was the major supplier of eggs to University of Nigeria, Enugu campus in 1971 not minding the fact that I already have a flourishing transportation company.

    “The beautiful thing about going into agriculture is that it can be combined with some other endeavours.”

    The transport mogul urged government at all levels to create the enabling environment for youths to venture into agriculture by providing social amenities particularly in the rural areas.

    Read Also: Industrialist urges youths to embrace agriculture

    “Government should provide social amenities in the rural areas so the youthful and energetic individuals can stay back instead of the mad rush to urban centers where many of them eventually become carried away and may not be useful to the society as should,” he added.

    He also stressed the need to have good road network between the cities and urban centers to ensure easy evacuation of farm produce.

    Meanwhile, no fewer than 100 indigent students were empowered under the scholarship scheme of the transport mogul.

    Okeke said he derived joy from seeing people shedding tears of joy after getting them empowered.

    The GUO boss who declined revealing what it cost him to keep the indigent beneficiaries in school, said he floated the scholarship scheme as a way of appreciating God who has been so good to him.

    He said, “It is a thing of joy for me to see students who would have dropped out of school becoming successful professionals.

    “It is for this singular reason that I decided to construct the English language department building which was converted to Chinese language development center at Nnamdi Azikiwe University and a three-storey building accommodating 400 students at Paul’s University Awka.”

    Okeke who is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Godwin & Patricia Okeke Foundation, urged the affluent to always remember the less privileged individuals in the society.

    A beneficiary, a law student in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Juliet Okafor thanked the benefactor for his intervention, noting that she would have discontinued with her studies after the demise of her parents.

  • Enugu set to become Nigeria’s cleanest city

    The coordinator and chief executive officer of the Enugu Clean Team Project (ECTP), Rev. Fr. Michael Ogbu said the organisation has put machinery in motion to ensure that the coal city becomes the cleanest in the country within the shortest possible time.

    Ogbu disclosed that apart from the procurement of new equipment to cover Enugu, Nsukka, 9th Mile Corner, Awgu and Oji River Local Government, the recent employment of additional 1000 staff would enhance their operational capacity.

    He said, “I believe the governor and the state executive council are impressed with our performance, and that is why we were graciously granted request to increase our staff strength with one thousand.”

    Describing the concept of the Enugu Clean Team Project as a great innovation and brain child of the state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Ogbu re-affirmed his commitment to meet the mandate given to him by the governor to make Enugu the cleanest city in Nigeria, a dream come true.

    While appealing to motorists to drive slowly in the early hours of the day to avoid hurting his workers who are on duty, the Enugu Clean Team Project coordinator advised residents of Enugu and other parts of the state to stop littering the streets with refuse, pure water sachets and other particles to enable the streets look beautiful and drainages flowing freely.

    He explained that part of the main reasons why the governor established the organisation was to provide employment to young people and discourage them from going into crime in addition to keeping the environment clean.

    Ogbu revealed that when they started, young people were reluctant to come for employment but now, “after our announcement for recruitment of additional one thousand staff, more than 20,000 persons applied.”

  • Delay in road repair puts Anambra poly students, FRCN staff at risk

    Students of Anambra State Polytechnic, as well as staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in the state might need to suffer longer than expected following delay in the ongoing reconstruction of Isuaniocha-Mgbakwu Road.

    Residents of Isuaniocha and Mgbakwu in Awka North local government area of the state are not also left out in the agony as the same road stands as the only major access road leading to the area.

    The road also connects several communities and institutions in the Area Council, including the Broadcasting House of the FRCN, Purity FM and the State owned Polytechnic.

    The Nation investigations revealed that the road reconstruction which commenced over two years ago, have suffered several setbacks occasioned by continued rainfall in the area.

    The hampering pace of work on the ongoing work may also not be unconnected to unavailability or delay in release of mobilization funds.

    Residents and visitors to the area had longed to have heaved a sigh of relief in view of increased speed in the construction work, having suffered untold hardship over the deplorable condition of the road.

    Read Also: Fed Govt rebuilds abandoned road in Anambra

    Unfortunately, their hopes appears to be dashed following recent developments on the project.

    Speaking with the Nation, Director of the firm handling the project, Mr Luke Aniakor said efforts were on to ensure speedy completion of the road in record time despite challenges.

    He appealed to residents of the area and other road users to exercise more patience, assuring that work would continue immediately the rains subsided to have way for speedy completion of the road.

    He noted that about two out of the over 3kilometers road project expected to terminate at the State Polytechnic had already been completed.

    He said, “The state government through the ministry of works, is fully monitoring and inspecting the level and quality of work being done on the road.

    “There will not be any reason to compromise standards.”

    Aniakor expressed confidence that the road, when completed, would not only stand the test of time but would also open up the agrarian communities in line with Governor Willie Obiano’s mandate of attracting development to the grassroots. tudents of Anambra State Polytechnic, as well as staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) in the state might need to suffer longer than expected following delay in the ongoing reconstruction of Isuaniocha-Mgbakwu Road.

    Residents of Isuaniocha and Mgbakwu in Awka North local government area of the state are not also left out in the agony as the same road stands as the only major access road leading to the area.

    The road also connects several communities and institutions in the Area Council, including the Broadcasting House of the FRCN, Purity FM and the State owned Polytechnic.

    The Nation investigations revealed that the road reconstruction which commenced over two years ago, have suffered several setbacks occasioned by continued rainfall in the area.

    The hampering pace of work on the ongoing work may also not be unconnected to unavailability or delay in release of mobilization funds.

    Residents and visitors to the area had longed to have heaved a sigh of relief in view of increased speed in the construction work, having suffered untold hardship over the deplorable condition of the road.

    Unfortunately, their hopes appears to be dashed following recent developments on the project.

    Speaking with the Nation, Director of the firm handling the project, Mr Luke Aniakor said efforts were on to ensure speedy completion of the road in record time despite challenges.

    He appealed to residents of the area and other road users to exercise more patience, assuring that work would continue immediately the rains subsided to have way for speedy completion of the road.

    He noted that about two out of the over 3kilometers road project expected to terminate at the State Polytechnic had already been completed.

    He said, “The state government through the ministry of works, is fully monitoring and inspecting the level and quality of work being done on the road.

    “There will not be any reason to compromise standards.”

    Aniakor expressed confidence that the road, when completed, would not only stand the test of time but would also open up the agrarian communities in line with Governor Willie Obiano’s mandate of attracting development to the grassroots.

  • Floods hit Anambra again

    Farmers in Achalla, Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State are still counting their losses following the devastating flood that ravaged their farmlands in the area.

    Over 50 hectares of rice farms in the council area were said to have been destroyed by flood after a heavy rainfall that lasted several hours in the area.

    Newly planted rice seedlings as well as other food crops worth millions of naira were reportedly submerged in the flood.

    Speaking with the Nation, a victim whose rice farm was submerged, Chief Charles Okadigbo, said they had resorted to early cultivation in order to avert the ugly incident at the nursery stage.

    He however regretted that flood suddenly submerged over 50 out of the 90 hectares of rice farm cultivated despite the time, money and energy committed to the project.

    Read also: Anambra LG boss berates late arrival of seedlings to flood victims

    He described the farm proceeds lost to the flood as unqualifiable, wondering what would become of their fate in the next farming season.

    Okadigbo appealed for the assistance of both the federal and state governments to the farmers in the area with improved seedlings including high capacity yielding rice seeds to cushion the effect of the disaster.

    He said, “We are so shocked and dumbfounded at the calamity the flood has brought on us. Even when we decided to commence early in cultivation, yet we’re cut up with this.

    “Worse still, there’s no access roads to our farms which makes it extremely difficult for us to bring out our farm proceeds during harvest time.”

    Another victim, Mr. Pat Dilibe from Udezu Achalla decried the huge loss incurred at such early stage of farming season, calling on government to assist the rural farmers.

    “We need farm inputs like fertilizer, loan, tractors as well as construction of some feeder roads to assist us in accessing our farmlands,” he appealed.

    According to him, the farmers had resorted to the use of pumping machine to suck out the flood water which covered the already cultivated farmlands.

    The Nation gathered that the ravaging flood in the area might not be unconnected to the rivers including Omanbala, Ezu, River Niger and others surrounding the local government area of the state.

  • 90 military widows trained in Enugu

    Succour has come the way of women whose soldier husbands died in service.

    Ninety of such women who were jobless and unskilled were recently trained in various trades in Enugu.

    Through the facilitators of the skill acquisition, African Global Development for Positive Change Initiative (ADI), the widows underwent an intensive 2 weeks training in cosmetology, tailoring, bread baking and modern catering skills.

    The training was supervised and anchored by the Enugu branch of the Nigerian Legion and the Military Widows Association.

    Speaking during the graduation and presentation of certificates ceremony, the chairman of Enugu Legion, Barr. Emeka Igwesi said skills acquired by the military widows during the training would go a long way in empowering them.

    He stressed that the military widows were not actually looking for anybody to pity them but for the authorities to “equip them to be able to fish on their own.”

    Igwesi remarked that the military widows have dependants and were not ready to fend for them through begging and would also not allow their children suffer any deprivation.

    The Legion chairman was full of praises for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state for his interest, understanding and interventions in the plight of the widows.

    The international president of ADI, Prince Dan Mbachi explained the the training was a continuous exercise and assured that more of the widows who could not benefit in this training would be captured in subsequent ones.

    He advised the beneficiaries not to waste the skill and knowledge they acquired during the training and urged them to ensure that hardworking and success are their goals.

    The National President of Military Widows Association, Mrs. Vera Aloko expressed joy that the tears of widows of “our departed fallen heroes are gradually being wiped away through your tremendous support and unending contributions.”

    She said: “And as the Chinese say ‘give a man fish, you feed him for a day but teach a man how to fish and you feed him for life’ which is the foundation for which this programme is laid.”

    She admonished the widows to maximise the use of the skills learnt and be good ambassadors of the programme.

    To the Enugu state governor, Aloko thanked him for being “a husband indeed to our widows.”

    She also thanked the legion chairman for his ”awesome support” and prayed God to openly reward for all his efforts.

    The widows president finally appealed to government agencies, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to be part the noble gesture of empowering the widows of “our fallen heroes.”

    The Enugu State Commissioner for Gender Affairs, Mrs Peace Nnaji chaired the occasion.

  • Hope for environmental upgrade in Imo

    Owerri, the Imo State capital, was known as the cleanest state capital in the country. How things turned awry was surprising to the residents who want a reverse of the situation. Fortunately, things seem to be looking up as Governor Emeka Ihedioha promises environmental upgrade in Imo. OKODILI NDIDI reports that the governor, who said the government is deeply committed to a safe environment for the people, made the promise during this year’s World Environmental Day celebration.

    Owerri, the Imo State capital is said to be an eyesore. This is because of the garbage heaps which litter almost every street in the city. To many residents, Owerri now appears to be the home of refuse dumps, with an outbreak of an epidemic seriously looming if nothing is done to address the situation.

    Close to three years after the city was adjudged as one of the dirtiest cities in Nigeria, the environmental state of Owerri is yet to improve for the better. Rather, it is attracting the tag as the dirtiest state capital in the country. The city is still grappling with indiscriminate dumping of refuse and lack of sanitation exercises. But there is hope in the horizon as the state has a new governor who may remedy the situation.

    There are strong indications that environmental challenges in Imo State will get the required attention this time around.

    This much came to the fore during the 45th World Environmental Day, where the state governor, Emeka Ihedioha, who performed the tree planting ‘ritual’ to mark the global event, revealed that environmental protection will be one of the major policy thrusts of his administration.

    Speaking during the event that held at the Government House, Owerri the governor noted that the celebration was a day set aside to create awareness on the dangers posed by human activities on the environment.

    He said: “This is a day set aside for creating awareness and outreach on the dangers of today’s human activities on the environment and the urgent need to protect it for future generations. Environmental protection is a major trust of my administration”.

    Continuing, he said: “We are deeply committed to a safe environment for our people. I hope that the significance of this event will not be lost on our citizens.

    The United Nations, aware that the protection and improvement of the human environment is a major issue which affects the well-being and economic development of peoples throughout the world, designated June 5 as World Environment Day. This year’s celebration provides us with

    an opportunity as a new administration to broaden the basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, businesses and communities in preserving and enhancing our environment.

    “This responsibility is binding and serious. Since 1974, the World Environment Day has grown to become a global platform for public outreach, widely celebrated in over 100 countries. What we do or fail to do with regard to our environment these days, favourably or adversely affects our future. Our children and their children will berate us if we permit the reckless abuse of our ecosystem. The world over, countries have set environmental protection agendas and milestones.

    “Responsible governments are working assiduously to actualise them. Our legislature has, over time, enacted laudable protective environmental safety laws in concert with global best practices but past administrations have failed to implement them. This government shall act differently.

    “To this end, our administration shall diligently strive to do the following, going forward, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as required by law shall become imperative for developmental projects in Imo State. All dredging activities on Nworie River and around the confluence of Nworie/Otamiri Rivers are hereby suspended until requisite EIA Reports by the dredgers are recertified.

    “The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources shall resume its regular duty of regulating

    mining activities in the state.”

    The governor also cautioned against the indiscriminate cutting down of trees, adding that, “all remaining forest reserves are to be protected, including, but not limited to the 9.68sq kilometer Ohaji Egbema Forest Reserve, Forest Reserves in Okigwe, Forest Reserves in Oguta, all

    forest reserves in Mgbidi, all forest reserves in Orlu and all other forest reserves in other parts of the state.

    “Our government shall take steps to preserve all forest reserves that have been devastated by

    past political actors and shall be recovered and preserved to their intended and original purposes.”

    The governor also promised that the ”botanical and zoological gardens shall be upgraded to Department of Wildlife and Nature Reserves in line with conventional national practices. This is to further enhance conservation of our wildlife and natural resources.

    “Imo is hereby declared an environment-friendly state. All agencies responsible for waste management must be alive to their responsibilities. All ministries, departments and agencies saddled with requisite duties and responsibilities shall henceforth initiate damage-control measures on roads and communities threatened by gully erosion and irresponsible excavations. Our administration shall undertake aggressive erosion control measures.

    “All encroachment into protected Watersheds and Green Belt Areas shall be recovered and restored in accordance with relevant laws protecting such facilities.

    “We shall embark on an aggressive waste-to-wealth programme. We shall take appropriate steps to preserve and upgrade the Nekede Zoological Garden. Our administration is determined to return Imo State to its glory as the cleanest and most environment-friendly state in Nigeria.

    This is in line with making Imo State the preferred tourist destination in Nigeria.

    “Our geo-location confers upon us an advantage which we must take and enhance, not destroy and devastate. During my time in the National Assembly, I facilitated the building of a multi-million Waste Recycling Plant at Ilile, in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area.”

  • Lecturer lights up community, 37 years after

    It was celebration galore in Isiokwe community of Akama-Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State following the commissioning of an electricity project in the area.

    The joy of the residents of the community who had lived for 37 years without experiencing electricity amidst several appeals to the government knew no bound.

    It however took proactive measures of Prof. Stan Udedi, a professor of Bio-Chemistry from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and member of the community to put an end to the 37-year old blackout.

    Commissioning the project, the outgoing Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku described the gesture as worthy of emulation.

    He described Udedi as a goal-getter who had completed the 3 basic ideals the University system stands for which include, “Lecturing, Research and Community service”.

    Expressing optimism that the electricity project would birth more goodies for the community, Ahaneku called on well-meaning individuals to embrace community service in their various communities.

    He further urged the locals to guard the project with all sense of ownership to forestall vandalism.

    In his remark, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Imo state, Prof. Emeka Ezeonu noted that the capital project was worthy of commendation.

    Describing the benefactor as a mobilizer, Ezeonu commended all who partnered with him to put smiles on the faces of the locals.

    On his part, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremmadu who was represented by his SA Political, Ozo Okey Ozoani extolled the selfless service of the sponsor of the project, wishing him success in his endeavors.

    The benefactor and Dean, Students Affairs in UNIZIK, Prof. Udedi regretted that the challenge of darkness had brought untold hardship to the community for over 37 years.

    In his words, “Ugwu Isiokwe community situates on hills and in valleys and this negatively affect the living conditions of the people. The lack of power until now made matters worse.

    “The event of today renews hope for greater output and productivity by the people. We are committed to continued community development and we will effectively put our resources for greater exploit in the future.”

    He expressed deep gratitude to his partners for their prompt financial and technical support towards achieving the project.

    “I am highly indebted to Sen. Ike Ekweremmadu, the Deputy Senate President, Hon. Fred Chukwudi Ezinwa, Executive Chairman Ezeagu LGA, Prof. Ahaneku and Prof. Ezeonu.

    “I equally appreciate the contributions of Engr. Nkedilim Chigbata, Dr. E.C Okoli, Engr. Geoffery Okongwu, the Onowu of Akama-Oghe & his cabinet, Rev Fr. Jacob Ugwuoke, among numerous others.”

    Highpoints of the occasion included conferment of Chieftaincy title to the Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University for his great contribution to the project, presentation of gift items by various groups to the sponsor.

  • IPOD sit-at-home order: Aba residents count losses

    To commemorate the death of soldiers who died fighting for Biafra during the Nigeria Civil War, the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOD), a group that agitates self-determination ordered a sit-at-home action on May 30 in order to remember Biafra’s fallen heroes. SUNNY NWANKWO reports that residents of Aba have been brooding over economic losses incurred while observing the order.

    Apart from Lagos State, Abia is one of the states in the country where many analysts believe can run its economy through the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) it raked from markets and other commercial and economic transactions without necessarily depending on the monthly allocations from the Federal Government for the running of the state.

    Recall that since the inception of the Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration, there has been massive campaign on Aba-made leather and garment wears. The government has equally gone ahead to woo international investors to and invest in the state, a step that even spurred the Federal Government to endorse the proposed Enyimba Economic City to be sited in three local government areas of Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

    However, while these and other efforts were being made by both the federal and state governments, the economy of the commercial town was, on May 30, shutdown following the sit-at-home order by the IPOB. The day was used to observe and remember those who died during the Nigeria Civil War.

    Heads of various security agencies, including Abia State Commissioner of Police, Eneh Okon had promised watertight security in Aba and other major towns. They urged people to go about their legitimate businesses as security agencies would treat anyone threatening the existing peace as terrorists. Despite this assurance, residents, including operators of various educational and commercial institutions stayed away from their business premises. Government workers also didn’t go to work that day.

    The usual hustling and bustling that Aba is known for suddenly disappeared on May 30. The usual gridlock on major roads, including Aba-Owerri Expressway, Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway, Okigwe, Faulks and Azikiwe, among other roads that host various articulated vehicles were devoid of deafening honking from cars.

    For the security agents, they did all they could to ensure that the state was peaceful and lives and properties were not destroyed. They were happy that they were able to put IPOB and their adherents in check.

    But far from the thinking of the police and other security agencies, the agitators were happy that despite the efforts of the security agencies to prevent the day’s event, it eventually held.

    Our reporter, who monitored the compliance of Abians to the IPOB sit-at-home order in Aba and Umuahia, the state capital observed that while residents of Umuahia observed the orders of the IPOB partially, there was total compliance to the order in Aba.

    While gates of major entrances to Ariaria International Market, Aba was open for traders and their prospective customers, shop owners and their customers ignored the assurances by security agencies in Abia State. They stayed away from the market.

    Further checks, however, show that gates of other markets, including Cemetery, Ahia Ohuru, Shopping Centre, among others were locked.

    Operatives of various security agencies were spotted at strategic locations, including Azikiwe Road by Asa, Bata Junction, Umuele by Faulks Road in the two cities to forestall any breach of peace by any person or group of people who may wish to cash in on the situation to cause breakdown of law and order.

    Some eateries, financial institutions, including public and private along Aba-Owerri Road, Ikot Ekpene Expressway, Okigwe Road, among others were carrying out skeletal services, while the roads known for their bustling and hustling were devoid of human and vehicular traffic.

    A student of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba who identified himself as Godwin told our reporter that the institution had to shift their examinations which they were supposed to begin penultimate Thursday to a future date.

    Speaking on the sit-at-home order and compliance by Abians, a member of IPOB who identified himself as Bright said: “The compliance to the sit-at-home by residents of Aba was a clear indication that the people of the commercial city were behind the struggle towards the emancipation of the people of the Old Eastern Region.

    “By June 12, there is going to be a public holiday for one man and nothing is being done to remember and immortalise over one million lives that died while struggling for their emancipation.

    “Look at Rwanda today; they have come to a roundtable to discuss. They have put their past behind and have resolved to move ahead. Why does the Federal Government refuse the call for referendum where we will discuss issues bordering on unity and oneness of Nigeria and how to move forward as a people?

    “We must agree to stay together or go our separate ways. No man should stay in his house to detect for us what we should do. What are they afraid of and why are they afraid of it? It simply means that they have something that they don’t want people to know about. Why did they stop teaching of history in schools? It is a means that they used to stop the younger ones from knowing their history.

    “The realisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra is a struggle that only God can stop. No amount of propaganda by the Federal Government or its agents would dissuade our struggle for the emancipation of our people.”

    A security agent who spoke to our reporter said they were all out to ensure that there was peace and that no one capitalises on the sit-at-home directive to make the state uncomfortable and unconducive to residents and visitors.

    However, beyond the statement from the leadership of IPOB and security agents, analysts have expressed worries over the economic loss the state recorded as a result of the sit-at-home action.

    According to Sam Offor, an economist, the economic loss suffered by government and private organisation is unquantifiable, stressing that the worst hit is the Small and Medium Scale industry.

    Some of the traders equally lamented the huge loss they suffered as a result of their compliance to the sit-at-home directive.

    Speaking to our reporter, Josiah Umekwe, a businessman, who said he makes an average of N500, 000 daily said the economic loss suffered by the state government and private individuals amounts to millions of naira.

    He said: “I would have gone to open my shop that morning but for the fear of the unknown. When I later sent my boys to attend to a customer who came from Cameroun without the knowledge of the sit-at-home order, they came back with about N300, 000.

    “By and large, the IPOB sit-at-home was a big loss to the Aba business community.”

    For a member of staff of a commercial bank in Aba that spoke in confidence for security reasons, the sit-at-home order is something that government at federal and state levels should do everything to stop because it does more harm than good to their businesses.

    “Umuahia, the state capital, is more of civil servant-dominated area. But Aba is the economic base of the state. Our economic loss on that particular action of the IPOB cannot be recovered.

    “Even though we asked some customers to go to Umuahia where there was full scale operation, yet, our branch in Umuahia couldn’t make one-quarter of what we made. So, the economic loss is huge.”

  • Excitement in Anambra as lawmaker inaugurates hospital, computer centre

    The joy and excitement of the people of Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State knew no bounds following the construction of an ultra-modern Primary Health Centre in the area.

    The locals in the area, particularly the sick and expectant mothers, had faced enormous challenges in accessing quality and affordable medical services.

    Apart from the distance they usually covered in assessing the ones in the neighbouring communities, the quality of services rendered in such health centers often left much to be desired.

    But all those are now history with the emergence of the ultramodern primary health centre situated at Amaihe village, Umuchu which has been handed over to Anambra Primary Health Care Development Agency.

    Speaking after the commissioning of the health centre, the benefactor and member representing Aguata 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Dr. Ikechukwu Umeh was full of gratitude to God for using him to put smiles on the faces of the residents.

    He emphasized that the health centre would put to rest the health challenges bedeviling the community and as well attract affordable quality medi-care for the people of the community.

    He said, “Now a gigantic health centre has been provided for the community, pregnant women and other patients would no longer encounter difficulties accessing medicare in the area.”

    On his part, the Executive Secretary, Anambra Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Kanayo Analu observed that the health centre was of high standard.

    He was optimistic that the center would meet the health needs of the people.

    Read Also: FG rebuilds abandoned road in Anambra

    In their separate remarks, the traditional ruler of Umuchu, Igwe Godson Ezechukwu and the Chairman, Amaihe Development Union, Dr. Chidozie Obiora described the centre as the first of its kind in the history of the community.

    They commended the benefactor for utilizing his constituency project funds by properly channeling it for the benefit of his people.

    The day also witnessed the handing over of a compter centre constructed by the lawmaker for the people of Akpo, in the same constituency.

    The Vice President of Akpo Development Union, Mr. Felix Ike described the lawmaker as a man of his words, thanking him for fulfilling his promise to them.

    He expressed confidence that the computer centre would make their people computer literate and at the same time improve literacy of those already literate.

    It was also a celebration day for the people of Ameshi, another community under Umeh’s constituency where he commissioned and handed over 20 market stores to the President General of Ameshi, Mr. Leo Morah.

    The lawmaker disclosed that the stores sighted at Afor market, Ameshi was in fulfilment of his promise to the people.

    Speaking on behalf of the people of the community, President General of the town, Mr. Morah expressed their gratitude to the lawmaker, noting that the gesture would enhance their socio-economic activities.

    Photo: Hon. Ikechukwu Umeh (in red cap) with the member elect for Aguata 2 constituency, Mr. Okechukwu Okoye, by his left and P. G. Ameshi Community, Mr. Leo Morah, by his right during the commissioning of the 20 market stores

  • 90 military widows trained in Enugu

    Succour has come the way of women whose soldier husbands died in service.

    Ninety of such women who were jobless and unskilled were recently trained in various trades in Enugu.

    Through the facilitators of the skill acquisition, African Global Development for Positive Change Initiative (ADI), the widows underwent an intensive 2 weeks training in cosmetology, tailoring, bread baking and modern catering skills.

    The training was supervised and anchored by the Enugu branch of the Nigerian Legion and the Military Widows Association.

    Speaking during the graduation and presentation of certificates ceremony, the chairman of Enugu Legion, Barr. Emeka Igwesi said skills acquired by the military widows during the training would go a long way in empowering them.

    He stressed that the military widows were not actually looking for anybody to pity them but for the authorities to “equip them to be able to fish on their own.”

    Igwesi remarked that the military widows have dependants and were not ready to fend for them through begging and would also not allow their children suffer any deprivation.

    The Legion chairman was full of praises for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state for his interest, understanding and interventions in the plight of the widows.

    The international president of ADI, Prince Dan Mbachi explained the the training was a continuous exercise and assured that more of the widows who could not benefit in this training would be captured in subsequent ones.

    Read Also: 90 military widows trained in Enugu

    He advised the beneficiaries not to waste the skill and knowledge they acquired during the training and urged them to ensure that hardworking and success are their goals.

    The National President of Military Widows Association, Mrs. Vera Aloko expressed joy that the tears of widows of “our departed fallen heroes are gradually being wiped away through your tremendous support and unending contributions.”

    She said: “And as the Chinese say ‘give a man fish, you feed him for a day but teach a man how to fish and you feed him for life’ which is the foundation for which this programme is laid.”

    She admonished the widows to maximise the use of the skills learnt and be good ambassadors of the programme.

    To the Enugu state governor, Aloko thanked him for being “a husband indeed to our widows.”

    She also thanked the legion chairman for his ”awesome support” and prayed God to openly reward for all his efforts.

    The widows president finally appealed to government agencies, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to be part the noble gesture of empowering the widows of “our fallen heroes.”

    The Enugu State Commissioner for Gender Affairs, Mrs Peace Nnaji chaired the occasion.