The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • FG rebuilds abandoned road in Anambra

    Once a nightmare, a long-abandoned road in Anambra State comes to life, thanks to the Federal Government. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    Such was the impact of the gesture that traditional rulers left their palaces to express their joy. And as the royals stepped out, so did their subjects.

    The people of Nteje, Umunya, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Awkuzu and Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State were simply happy as the Federal Government continued work on the abandoned Umunya-Awkuzu portion of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway in the state.

    For many years, that portion of the expressway claimed lives because of the extent of dilapidation.

    The Onitsha axis of the expressway was reconstructed by the former governor of the state, Peter Obi.

    The money amounting to over N40 billion which the state government spent on the reconstruction has not been repaid by the Federal Government.

    The jubilant mood of the communities was displayed during the visit of the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola to the state to inspect work on the road.

    The 18km road has been a nightmare to motorists over the years, but four kilometres of it has already been completed.

    The Minister declared that the entire project would be completed on or before 2021.

    Drums were rolled out by the affected communities with different dancing troops to entertain the crowed and visitors.

    The traditional rulers of the communities led by Igwe Roland Odegbo of Nteje were on hand to receive the federal government delegation with pomp.

    The youths were not left out with placards singing praises of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government for coming to alleviate their suffering.

    Fashola, who was represented by the Director, Highways in the Federal Ministry of works, Engr. Yemi Oguntomiyi said he was satisfied with the progress and quality of work on the road.

    He said during the last visit by the Minister on the road, the contractor promised that one lane of the road would be completed to lessen the hardship of the people, knowing the importance of the road not only to the region, but the entire country.

    Read Also: Man on Anambra police wanted list nabbed

    Also speaking, the Anambra State Controller of Works, Engr. Adeyemo Ajani, said the contract was awarded in 2015, while the contractor moved to site in 2018.

    He said work had progressed well, adding that since the contractors were not lacking anything, it was possible that the work would be completed in record time.

    Not only that, the Minister used the moment  to flag off the construction of  a housing scheme embarked upon by the Federal Government at Umunya.

    The 236 hectares of land situated  at the Umunya -Awkuzu communities was donated to the government in 1987.

    According to Oguntomiyi, the target of the federal government was to provide accommodation for 21,000 persons when completed.

    The traditional ruler of Umunya, Igwe Chris Onyekwuluje, said Awkuzu and Umunya were happy, as the government’s presence was being felt in their areas.

    For the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Roland Odegbo, the reconstruction of the expressway and the Housing scheme, had shown that president Buhari has good plans for Igbo.

    He commended Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for being apostle of truth, adding that he continue showing the light for others to follow in the Southeast.

  • Delta community protests bad road

    Asaba-Ase community in Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta State has cried out to the Federal Government to fix the road linking it to the rest of the state. Members of the community maintain that the only access road that links it to the rest of the country has been washed off by flood.

    The President-General of the community, Nosike Anagbogu, said the only road linking the entire community to people of other communities has been washed off by flood, saying his people have no other means of transacting their businesses, nor are they able to take their farm produce to neighbouring markets.

    Anagbogu said: “If you observe carefully, you will perceive that my people are not happy. There’s no smile on their faces. I am the President-General of the Asaba-Ase community which is the gateway to many of these other coastal communities in Rivers, Bayelsa, Anambra and Delta states.

    “Unfortunately, we are in a fix. The flood that ravaged many communities in the country in 2012 destroyed this road and by the special God’s grace, the Federal Government, through Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and the intervention of our represents us in the House of Representatives, Hon. Osai Eno Osai, the job was done.

    “There was a face-lift, but last year’s flood caused greater havoc on the road. We had expected that the Federal Government would come to our aid and assist us on this road after we had made several entreaties to the authorities, cried for help and our remedial effort that we’ve been able to made. Unfortunately, nothing has happened till date.

    My people are sad. Anagbogu said the response of his people to the President’s call to turn to farming, is being defeated since the produce from the farms cannot be sold as there is no means to transport them to the markets.

    “Mr. President said we should go back to agriculture. The Governor preached that, members of Delta State House of Assembly preached that too. But the state of the road has rendered us helpless,” he said.

    He called on President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, members of the National Assembly, members of the state House of Assembly and local government chairmen to come to their aid by fixing the road.

    “We are appealing to FERMA or any agency of government to come to our rescue. It is either this road or our lives. Right now, we are going to take this matter to anywhere. This is a federal route. There is Ecological Fund with which you people can intervene,” he said.

  • Imo’s new court complex thrills CJN, judges

    If what it takes the judiciary to rise up to the onerous task of dispensing justice and other everyday tasks of this distinguished arm of government is a conducive environment, then the judiciary has been adequately equipped to excel in Imo State.

    With an ultramodern court complex furnished with state-of-the-art equipment both in the offices and courtrooms, the business of the judiciary has been given a new lease of life by the outgoing state governor, Rochas Okorocha, who conceived and built the Justice Oputa Court complex in memory of one of Nigeria’s finest jurists, Hon Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

    The edifice built in a sprawling area of Owerri, according to the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Tanko, represented at the commissioning by Hon Justice Amina Augie, is the best in the country.

    Before now the State High Court and other lower courts were housed in a colonial apartment that added to make the business of the judiciary more cumbersome and frustrating.

    Speaking during the commissioning handing over of the complex, which was attended by eminent jurists and state Chief Judges, the CJN, charged Judges in the country to write Judgements because of the monetary benefits but for posterity.

    Tanko who was represented by a Judge of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Amina Augie,  said, “We thank God for the vision given to His Excellency, Governor Rochas Okorocha that came to fruition in the realisation of this wonderful court complex. I doubt if there is any state in this country that has a High Court Complex as magnificent as this one. For this, we thank God for His Excellency, the governor of Imo State, we thank God for the Judges of Imo State and we thank God for the people of Imo State who are going to benefit from this complex after the commissioning.

    “The complex is so comfortable that it will enable judges to relax and do their jobs well and give justice without fear, favour or ill will. At the same time, when you walk in and see the name of the complex, Hon. Justice Oputa Complex, he is one of the greatest Jurists this country ever had. Till today, if I am writing any judgement, I still rely on him because he was a great jurist. He was able to capture the law, he was able to explain it and was able to put it into clear words.

    “Justice Oputa was an example of what a Judge should be. He never knew that one day a complex like this will be named after him. This is a message to all living judges that we must all have posterity in mind. It tells us that whatever we are writing, we should remember that one day, hundred years’ time one of your grand-children will be reading whatever rubbish you have written or reading something sublime you have written and they will proudly say, my grandfather or mother has done well by the kind of judgement he or she has written.”

    He continued that,  “posterity beckons on us not to write bad judgements today because somebody paid us money, tomorrow that person is gone, your reputation down the drain, your children will never want to accept that they were your children. When they are confronted with your name, they will deny it because the association comes with something shameful. Is this what we want as Judges? Or do we want, when long we are gone, our works will teach, motivate and inspire people even those who don’t know the law.”

    Earlier in his speech, Governor Rochas Okorocha, stated that he would be remembered for all the works he has done as the governor of the state after he must left as governor, saying, “I stand here today to present to you this wonderful edifice which is tripartite in arrangement. The first building standing by the left is called the Justice Building and the one in the middle is Building of Equity and the last one is Building of Fairness.”

    In his words, “when I came in as the governor, I was not lucky like those packaged by the elites of Imo State. I hadn’t any support of the big masquerade politician in the State. I came in as the governor of Imo State through the window of the masses and not through the door of the elites. I didn’t have the co-operation of who is who because I bend protocols for the good of the masses. I have never broken any protocol or law, I only bend it a bit and make sure it doesn’t break, and at the stage of breaking, I strengthen it to the destination I am going to.”

    He continued, “One thing you cannot take away from me is that I came here with a passion and vision to make Imo better. But if I have followed your way, this structure standing here wouldn’t have been standing because there were many governors and leaders before me. If I had followed your style and system, the International Cargo airport which is the biggest in this country won’t be standing tall at the airport and so many other projects of note. Only few days ago, we collected the licence of four new Universities, all established in Imo State but yet you don’t understand.

    “Today, we have the best police headquarters in Nigeria after the one in Abuja and we have the best prison headquarters in Imo State all built by this government and our Justice Oputa Court Complex stands tall in Nigeria today. Let my work speak for me even after I leave office. This is the only message I have for my political opponents and definitely my work will speak for me.”

    The governor said, “By 29th May, I will no longer be governor and never in the history of mankind will I be your governor again. But one thing I am sure is that I have done what I will be remembered for. I have opened up Owerri, I have given Owerri a new life and today our city is functioning, our roads are expanded, real estate is growing in geometrical progression. I have turned land to a capital as wealth set aside for production of further wealth. “Imo people will remember as the person who expanded and developed Imo, Imo people will remember me for the free education.”

    The Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Pascal Nnadi in his speech said, “The event of today, which is the official and ceremonial commissioning of the new Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa High Court Complex marks a major milestone in the annals of the history of the Judiciary of Imo State Nigeria. This edifice and world class Master Architecture was solely conceived, designed and erected by the Rescue Mission Administration of His Excellency, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, the governor of Imo State of Nigeria.”

    Justice Nnadi added “This is coming at a time when the Judiciary in the State is in dire need of such accommodation and facility for the execution of their legal duties. The Commissioning of this Complex today will go a long way to reduce the threatening suffocating situation of insufficient court facilities which for many gave rise to the uncomfortable situation which we have found ourselves in where Court Judges store one Court Hall”.

  • Fed Govt rebuilds abandoned road in Anambra

    The joy of the people of Nteje, Umunya, Nkwelle Ezunaka, Awkuzu and Ogbunike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State knew no bounds as the Federal Government continues work on the abandoned Umunya-Awkuzu portion of the Onitsha-Enugu Expressway in the state.

    For many years, that portion of the expressway claimed lives because of the extent of dilapidation.

    The Onitsha axis of the expressway was reconstructed by the former governor of the state, Peter Obi.

    The money amounting to over N40 billion which the state government spent on the reconstruction has not been repaid by the Federal Government.

    The jubilant mood of the communities was displayed during the visit of the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola to the state to inspect work on the road.

    The 18km road has been a nightmare to motorists over the years, but four kilometrest of it has already been completed.

    The Minister declared that the entire project would be completed on or before 2021.

    Drums were rolled out by the affected communities with different dancing troops to entertain the crowed and visitors.

    The traditional rulers of the communities led by Igwe Roland Odegbo of Nteje were on hand to receive the federal government delegation with pomp.

    The youth were not left out with placards singing praises of President Muhammadu Buhari and his government for coming to alleviate their sufferings

    Fashola, who was represented by the Director, Highways in the Federal Ministry of works, Engr. Yemi Oguntomiyi said he was satisfied with the progress and quality of work on the road.

    He said during the last visit by the Minister on the road, the contractor promised that one lane of the road would be completed to lessen the hardships of the people, knowing the importance of the road not only to the region, but the entire country.

    Also speaking, the Anambra State Controller of Works, Engr. Adeyemo Ajani, said the contract was awarded in 2015, while the contractor moved to site in 2018.

    He said work had progressed well, adding that since the contractors were not lacking anything, it was possible that the work would be completed in record time.

    Not only that, the Minister used the moment  to flag off the construction of  Housing scheme embarked upon by the federal government at Umunya.

    The 236 hectares of land situated  at the Umunya -Awkuzu communities was donated to the government in 1987.

    According to Oguntomiyi, the target of the federal government was to provide accommodation for 21,000 persons when completed.

    The traditional ruler of Umunya, Igwe Chris Onyekwuluje, said Awkuzu and Umunya were happy,as the government’s presence was being felt in their areas.

    For the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Roland Odegbo, the reconstruction of the expressway and the Housing scheme, had shown that president Buhari has good plans for Igbo.

    He commended Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for being apostle of truth, adding that he continue showing the light for others to follow in the Southeast.

     

  • Varsity don lights up community after 37 years of darkness

    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.

  • Our Lassa fever ordeal, by Ebonyi doctors

    Lassa fever has ravaged Ebonyi State, claiming patients and medical personnel alike. Still, some survived to recount their ordeal. ANIOKE OGOCHUKWU reports

    Some doctors working at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki have recounted how they survived the deadly Lassa fever virus which claimed the lives of some of their colleagues.

    The virus has over the years ravaged both the institution and the people of the state with several patients and health workers succumbing to the deadly disease.

    In a bid to prevent the incessant loss of life from the disease, Governor David Umahi’s administration in 2016 embarked on the construction of an ultramodern Lassa fever virology centre in the hospital.

    The hospital was completed and handed over to its management. Despite this, many health workers and patients still died from exposure to the virus in 2018 as about five vibrant young medical doctors lost their lives.

    They include Dr. Felix Ali of Department of Community Medicine in the hospital and Dr. Abel Sunday Udoh  of the Department  of Otorhinolaryngology. Both doctors were in their 30s. The hospital also lost a nurse Innocent Iwe, that year.

    However, some of their colleagues who were infected managed to survive the rampaging disease.

    They narrated their harrowing experience in Abakaliki to The Nation.

    One of them, Dr Ngozi Ugwu, said she did not believe she would be alive to tell the story when the disease struck  in the hospital with 22 health workers of the institution affected.

    Ugwu explained that she almost died as she kept developing new symptoms despite several treatments she was receiving.

    She said, “In May 2014, I was rounding off my ward round in FETHA II, main ward there, and then the HOD Paediatrics called me, saying that they have a baby that was bleeding there.

    “I quickly rounded off my ward round and went to FETHA 1 with some of my resident doctors for us to see the child. We went there and saw the child bleeding into muscles; the whole muscle compartments, joints, bleeding from the mouth.

    “So, I started asking questions as to what happened. And I then realised that the mother presented to the Ophthalmology and Gynaecology Department with bleeding and O and G Department conducted diagnosis of abruptio placentae and they started managing; took the woman to theatre.

    “They did surgery and carried the baby straight from the theatre to the newborn. And then, the paediatrician decided to observe because they were like there is possibility of sepsis because of the history of the abruptio placentae. So, they took the child to the newborn to observe.

    “So, when we came, they said that the mother had passed on because of bleeding. We said OK let’s concentrate on the child first; later we will know what happened; that whatever happened to the mother may be related to what is happening to the child.

    “So, we finished our review that day. When we came back two days later, they said that the child has passed on. But we continued to investigate the case. We didn’t even think of Lassa fever because of the way the child presented.

    “There was no fever. You know in Lassa fever, fever is somehow constant but in this case, there was no fever. And then the type of bleeding is not the type of bleeding we usually have in PHF.

    The child was bleeding into muscles and joints which was the kind of bleeding that we usually have in haemophilia.

    “So, my first diagnosis was haemophilia. He was a male child and you know haemophilia is also common in males. He was just taken from theatre to the newborn. So, he was not a child that was brought from outside for me to suspect that there was exposure somewhere.

    “So, the child died. About a week later, I started having bitterness of the mouth, malaria, and weakness. I thought it was malaria. So, I went and bought anti-malaria drug and took.

    “Instead of getting better, I kept getting worse. If it was malaria, once I take anti-malaria drug, within four or five days later, I will get better. But this time around, instead of getting better, I kept getting worse.

    “Every day I kept developing new symptoms. I kept going down. Tomorrow I will have nymph node, tomorrow sore throat will develop, next tomorrow diarrhoea and vomiting, the next day another one will come up.

    “You know the way they usually show it on the television; all those symptoms you usually see there. When I took anti-malaria drug it wasn’t better; I took ACT but I wasn’t getting better.

    “At a stage we said OK probably there is an awkward infection somewhere; let’s start antibiotics. I started antibiotics like today in the evening; the following morning I started bleeding.

    “I was having watery diarrhoea. I was not able to eat. So, when I started bleeding, they said that I would die of hypoglycaemia. Let them just put glucose in the water so I can drink because I was not able to eat anything.

    “I was having sore throat. So, even the glucose in water was difficult for me to take. It was so bad. I kept going down. My colleagues would call to ask how I was doing but I would respond that I was going oh! That I don’t know what was happening to me.

    “During that period, I was not able to go to work. I didn’t know that my residents that also went to review that child with me were also sick. And they were also not coming to work. And then, the paediatricians that also managed the child were also sick including the nurses that were working in the newborn.

    “What exposed everything before everybody started walking up and down was that the person that was supposed to be on call in the paediatrics was sick. He was also one of the persons that managed the child.

    “He now called their chief resident to make arrangement for somebody to take his call because he was sick. But the chief resident was also sick because she was the person that took me to the child.

    “She said that she managed to call another person begging him to take this person’s call that he was sick and would not be able to take his call. Unfortunately, that person he called was also sick.

    “She called the next person that one was also sick; she called yet another person and that one was also sick. She called another person and that one was also sick. It was at this point that she started thinking on why everybody was sick at the same time; that malaria does not present in that way.

    “She reviewed the past activities and it dawned on her that all these people had contacts with the suspected case. That was when she now raised the alarm; called her HOD to inform the chief of the situation; that the general sickness also affected the haematology team.

    “The CMD then, Dr Ezeonu, mobilised all the ambulances that same day. It was a rapid response. It was 22 doctors and nurses that were involved. It was the highest number so far and yet it was zero morbidity.

    “So, the following morning, they mobilized all the drivers that have the courage to be in the same vehicle with us. He called the CMD of Irua Specialist Hospital; that they should get ready that 22 doctors and nurses were coming.

    “So, the following morning, all the ambulances lined up and they started arranging us in them. People were crying as if the world was coming to an end here. After the arrangement, we all moved in convoy. Some person joined us with their private vehicles.

    “By the time we got to Irua, they were ready. The CMD and his team were running around to ensure that we were properly attended to. They admitted all of us and took our sample.

    “When they analysed our samples, they said that my own was negative. But, because of the signs and symptoms: very high stubborn fever that refused to respond to anything, diarrhoea, vomiting, sore throat, abdominal pains, everything from A to Z..”

    Chief Medical Director of Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki (FETHA), Emeka Onwe Ogah explained that the Lassa fever virology centre constructed by the state government for the hospital for diagnosis and treatment was still facing challenges.

    He said those challenges included lack of space, inadequate electricity supply, inadequate human resources, steady supply of reagents for diagnosis, labour ward and theatre despite the feat it has recorded.

    Governor Dave Umahi who was represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Daniel Umezurike disclosed that two persons have died of Lassa fever in the hospital this year.

    “One is coming from Enugu State. Due to late presentation, in fact, by the time the child came, he was already very bad, bleeding from different orifices which are the terminal stage.”

  • Imo’s new court complex thrills CJN, judges

    If what it takes the judiciary to rise up to the onerous task of dispensing justice and other everyday tasks of this distinguished arm of government is a conducive environment, then the judiciary has been adequately equipped to excel in Imo State.

    With an ultramodern court complex furnished with state-of-the-art equipment both in the offices and courtrooms, the business of the judiciary has been given a new lease of life by the outgoing state governor, Rochas Okorocha, who conceived and built the Justice Oputa Court complex in memory of one of Nigeria’s finest jurists, Hon Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.

    The edifice built in a sprawling area of Owerri, according to the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Tanko, represented at the commissioning by Hon Justice Amina Augie, is the best in the country.

    Before now the State High Court and other lower courts were housed in a colonial apartment that added to make the business of the judiciary more cumbersome and frustrating.

    Speaking during the commissioning handing over of the complex, which was attended by eminent jurists and state Chief Judges, the CJN, charged Judges in the country to write Judgements because of the monetary benefits but for posterity.

    Tanko who was represented by a Judge of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Amina Augie,  said, “We thank God for the vision given to His Excellency, Governor Rochas Okorocha that came to fruition in the realisation of this wonderful court complex. I doubt if there is any state in this country that has a High Court Complex as magnificent as this one. For this, we thank God for His Excellency, the governor of Imo State, we thank God for the Judges of Imo State and we thank God for the people of Imo State who are going to benefit from this complex after the commissioning.

    “The complex is so comfortable that it will enable judges to relax and do their jobs well and give justice without fear, favour or ill will. At the same time, when you walk in and see the name of the complex, Hon. Justice Oputa Complex, he is one of the greatest Jurists this country ever had. Till today, if I am writing any judgement, I still rely on him because he was a great jurist. He was able to capture the law, he was able to explain it and was able to put it into clear words.

    “Justice Oputa was an example of what a Judge should be. He never knew that one day a complex like this will be named after him. This is a message to all living judges that we must all have posterity in mind. It tells us that whatever we are writing, we should remember that one day, hundred years’ time one of your grand-children will be reading whatever rubbish you have written or reading something sublime you have written and they will proudly say, my grandfather or mother has done well by the kind of judgement he or she has written.”

    He continued that,  “posterity beckons on us not to write bad judgements today because somebody paid us money, tomorrow that person is gone, your reputation down the drain, your children will never want to accept that they were your children. When they are confronted with your name, they will deny it because the association comes with something shameful. Is this what we want as Judges? Or do we want, when long we are gone, our works will teach, motivate and inspire people even those who don’t know the law.”

    Earlier in his speech, Governor Rochas Okorocha, stated that he would be remembered for all the works he has done as the governor of the state after he must left as governor, saying, “I stand here today to present to you this wonderful edifice which is tripartite in arrangement. The first building standing by the left is called the Justice Building and the one in the middle is Building of Equity and the last one is Building of Fairness.”

    In his words, “when I came in as the governor, I was not lucky like those packaged by the elites of Imo State. I hadn’t any support of the big masquerade politician in the State. I came in as the governor of Imo State through the window of the masses and not through the door of the elites. I didn’t have the co-operation of who is who because I bend protocols for the good of the masses. I have never broken any protocol or law, I only bend it a bit and make sure it doesn’t break, and at the stage of breaking, I strengthen it to the destination I am going to.”

    He continued, “One thing you cannot take away from me is that I came here with a passion and vision to make Imo better. But if I have followed your way, this structure standing here wouldn’t have been standing because there were many governors and leaders before me. If I had followed your style and system, the International Cargo airport which is the biggest in this country won’t be standing tall at the airport and so many other projects of note. Only few days ago, we collected the licence of four new Universities, all established in Imo State but yet you don’t understand.

    “Today, we have the best police headquarters in Nigeria after the one in Abuja and we have the best prison headquarters in Imo State all built by this government and our Justice Oputa Court Complex stands tall in Nigeria today. Let my work speak for me even after I leave office. This is the only message I have for my political opponents and definitely my work will speak for me.”

    The governor said, “By 29th May, I will no longer be governor and never in the history of mankind will I be your governor again. But one thing I am sure is that I have done and what I will be remembered for. I have opened up Owerri, I have given Owerri a new life and today our city is functioning, our roads are expanded, real estate is growing in geometrical progression. I have turned land to a capital as wealth set aside for production of further wealth. “Imo people will remember as the person who expanded and developed Imo, Imo people will remember me for the free education.”

    The Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Pascal Nnadi in his speech said, “The event of today, which is the official and ceremonial commissioning of the new Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa High Court Complex marks a major milestone in the annals of the history of the Judiciary of Imo State Nigeria. This edifice and world class Master Architecture was solely conceived, designed and erected by the Rescue Mission Administration of His Excellency, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha, the governor of Imo State of Nigeria.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Oil tanker fire averted in Imo

    Thousands of Imo State residents scooping petrol from a fallen tanker were saved from a possible explosion, reports OKODILI NDIDI

    It was like a movie scene. Hundreds of Owerri residents threw caution to the wind as they swooped on a fallen petrol tanker, scooping fuel from the immobilised vehicle. They were not discouraged nor checked by the danger that often attends such foolhardy ventures. It was time for brisk business.

    The young and old were busy scooping the fuel in the scorching sun and selling to motorists. Within a twinkle of an eye the scene of the accident along the ever busy Port Harcourt Road was crowded.

    Unmindful of the danger that was lurking, the mob continued fetching fuel that had formed a big pool on the ground, while some discerning motorists abandoned their vehicles on the road and ran for their lives as the atmosphere charged to explosion point.

    According to some of the women who own shops close to the scene of the accident, it was “manna from heaven”. They did not consider the gory tales and pictures of charred remains of people who were unfortunate enough to be involved in petrol explosions.

    Many of them could have ended up roasted beyond recognition if there had been a fire outbreak but what could have been a major tragedy was averted, thanks to the prompt response of the Imo State Police Command, which carefully dispersed the frenzy crowd and cordoned off the area.

    Before then, the tanker with registration number XK 748 AGL which was coming from Port Harcourt to one of the outlets in Owerri, had spilled its content of 33,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit on the road.

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    The tanker was said to have run into a deep gully at Umuguma Hospital Junction in Owerri West when the tank side of the lorry slid sideways and overturned, pouring the entire content on the busy road.

    Residents, not deterred by the looming danger of possible fire outbreak, trooped out in large numbers to scoop the glittering liquid.

    One of the motorists who avoided the scene, Mr. Kingsley Udeke, said, “At first when I saw the gridlock, I thought it was an accident but when I started perceiving a strong smell of fuel, I knew something was wrong. At a point I could no longer breathe because the smell had become very strong. I was afraid that it could explode at any moment. I had to pull off my car and run away as far as I could.

    “We thank God nothing happened at the end of the day because it could have been very disastrous, our people were playing with fire, it was very unfortunate that people don’t learn from others mistakes”.

    Another motorist, who didn’t want his name in print, blamed the economic situation in the country for the actions of the women and children who came out to scoop the fuel.

    He said, “The speed with which the people came out to scoop the fuel, showed the level of suffering in the land, it doesn’t matter to them what the risk could be, so long as they get something to eat and take care of their children”.

    He urged the Federal Government to repair the failed portions on the Owerri-Port-Harcourt to avert such accidents.

  • Anambra NYSC gains: members propose marriage, some quit cultism

    It is not all bad news. In Anambra State, members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) find love in camp, some rethink fleeing the country and some quit the cults. EMMA ELEKWA reports

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has sometimes fallen into bad weather but those clamouring for its scrapping should consider its gains in Anambra State.

    At the NYSC temporary orientation camp in Umunya, Oyi local council area of the state, over 2,048 corps members demonstrated the whole essence of the scheme, including the spirit of selfless service, unity, integration and patriotism.

    In the just concluded three weeks orientation exercise of 2019 Batch ‘A’ corps members, a marriage contract was initiated among two of the corps members.

    The corps members, Ojodomo Aneh and Victoria Ayodele, both from Kogi State and graduates of Accountancy from Kogi State University, made proposals of love with rings in the presence of their colleagues during the orientation exercise.

    Besides, eight corps members publicly denounced their membership of cult groups.

    Again, no fewer than 15 of them also publicly gave up irregular migration, while others publicly embraced the Nigerian culture for the first time.

    Speaking to The Nation, NYSC State Coordinator, Kehinde Aremu, attributed the landmark achievements to trust and team spirit existing among camp officials.

    He said, “I want to thank God for all the peculiar achievements we’ve been able to record in this camp. God helped us in such a way that we were able to mentor and in the process get two corps members to renounce publicly and we have every confidence that they have finally renounced cultism.

    “We also have about six corps members who gave up publicly and we have every good reason to believe they have finally given up to hard drugs, particularly marijuana.

    “Again, we have about 15 corps members who publicly gave up to irregular migration. That desire to leave the shores of Nigeria has diminished after being exposed to the enormous opportunities and potentials in the country and Anambra State in particular. They have jettisoned the idea of migrating out of the country.

    “More importantly, two of our corps members, even though they have met before they came to camp, posterity brought them together in Anambra State. There was a public declaration of love and proposal with rings witnessed by their colleagues.

    “Yes I know that lots of relationships got established in camp. I’m also aware that some of them are flippant relationships.

    “But I have every good reason to believe that that particular one between Ojodoma will stand the test of time and we’ll all be witnesses to the wedding that the relationship will culminate to.”

    According to him, the corps members also exhibitted certain level of patriotism, commitment and creativity as they contributed their talents and expertise in making the camp more conducive and habitable.

    He continued, “We also saw corps members rising. When we arrived for this camp, we were discouraged as a result of windstorm that wreaked havoc on some of the camp facilities.

    “But we saw corps members coming to join us to rectify some of those facilities that were destroyed. That singular gesture gave us hope.

    “For me as the Coordinator and as a youth worker, it gladdens my heart when I see corps members willingly responding to our call. It gives me joy.”

    Asked how he was able to record such huge strides in less than three weeks, Aremu attributed it to trust and team spirit.

    He said, “One of the things I learnt early in life is to mobilize people and to build trust in them. Building trust is very fundamental in leadership.

    “One of the things we’ve done is to set agenda. We insisted everyone knows the role each person needs to play in a project.

    “Assign responsibilities looking at individual capabilities and training capacities. Trust and support them to bring out the best in them. I have a team and we try to build team spirit. For me, my main achievement since I resumed duty in Anambra is not the facilities I put up, but building a team.

    “I tell you, the team we have in Anambra can’t be beaten by any secretariat in the country. We can accomplish virtually anything we set our eyes and heart to do. For us, noting is impossible. We work as a team, no rancor, bickering and acrimony.

    “Besides, one other thing that has worked for me which I recommend to anyone in leadership position is to live kind of life you preach. Don’t say something and do something contrary.

    “The reason why young Nigerians don’t want to participate in politics or deviant to leadership is because of lack of trust. Leaders will say something and do another thing.

    “Until we get leaders that say what they mean and mean what they say, we’ll discover that it’s not difficult to rally young people. They hate people that lie to them.

    “For example, the moment they arrived camp, I took time to explain to them the inadequacies of the camp. There’s no adequate water, electricity, rain destroyed some of our roofs.

    “I didn’t tell them this is Hilton. I didn’t promise them heaven on earth. That was why they didn’t complain. Besides, those that have expertise, how to fix roof, wire electricity, offered their services. That helped us to achieve all we were able to achieve.

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    “When we caught the cultists among them, I took time to explain to them about the ills of cultism, drug abuse and they were excited. Their parents are calling to thank me.

    “One of them came with his entire family all the way from Delta to express gratitude. The father confessed they had battled over their child for years without success. But God helped us.”

    On how they were able to identify the suspected cultists among other corps members, the Coordinator said the feat was achieved in collaboration with the security agencies.

    “In this place, we have the police, the DSS and other security personnel. We also have a surveillance movement. There’s a place for everyone to be at every point in time.

    “If you’re not there, like we say in NYSC, you’re wrong. So if any of is not where he/she is supposed to be at that time, that means something is fishy.

    “Our survilance team, DSS are always working underground. They go with the corps members to parade, eat together, discuss in the hostel together, etc. With that, they can easily provide information on where and how to get them,” he posited.

    Asked how measured being taken ensure the repentant corps members did not return to their old lives, Aremu revealed that they would be handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA) for proper follow-up.

    He said, ”It’s not all about me. We work with NDLEA. We’ve uploaded them to the NDLEA for follow up. The Agency used to have facility in Onitsha. Now they have one in Awka.

    “We already have a programme for them. They are now the vanguards to be preaching to younger people. In other words, we’ve upscaled them from being drug users to drug educators and influencers.

    “They will be working with NDLEA to visiting schools, including higher institutions in the state to educate young people. You know, when young people hear from their colleagues tell them their experiences, they appreciate it more.”

  • Respite as Ugwuanyi steps up urban renewal

    Nothing tells the story of a city’s wellbeing better than the condition of its major roads, many development experts say. While this may be true, they rarely ever offer the entire picture. To get the true face of a city, it sometimes helps to head for the inner city roads. Being mostly out of sight to visitors and journalists and, so, less prone to scrutiny, it is at such places that the chasm between rhetoric and action is most evident, with many such roads bearing ugly vestiges of decades-old neglect.

    Indeed, the deplorable state of inner city roads seen in many states usually begs the question how such could have been allowed to fester over the years and not nipped in the bud as it should. It has to be conceded, however, that the sheer scale of projects needed to create any tangible impact might make social interventions in these places barely noticeable. But sometimes it’s simply a question of a failure to find the sufficient political will – the kind mustered by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Enugu State – to show that development standard doesn’t have to be lower for inner city dwellers and higher for posh areas that many states would normally project as poster images of their cities.

    The governor understands that although fixing inner city roads may not attract as much plaudits and publicity as an upgrade of highways and major urban arteries would, residents of those areas are no less entitled to substantial infrastructural overhaul. From Ngenevu, a once barely accessible high-density suburb which had been all but cut off from the national electric grid to Abakpa-Nike, an urban sprawl that had invariably become a byword for squalid living, the message always mirrored that inclusive development philosophy.

    And one could sense a huge relief on the faces of residents as they line the streets in frenzied anticipation of the message from their unannounced august visitor. “Did anyone ask me to fix this road?” the governor inquired as residents and shop owners at the old UNTH Road sang his praise. “No,” they chorused. “We’re here because we believe that infrastructural development should not be limited to any area to the exclusion of others,” he said, urging them to cooperate with workers of the construction company whose contractual mandate includes linking up the old UNTH road to Ngenevu. “We’ll continue to serve you with the fear of God,” he added.

    Similar enthusiasm greeted Governor Ugwuanyi’s visit to Carter, Ogidi, Onyeama and other adjoining streets in the Asata neighbourhood, an old settlement created in the 1940s/’50s. It was a case of respite after years of desolation. Some of the streets, in fact, hardly bore any trace of asphalt, necessitating outright resurfacing as being done at Carter Street. A comment by a resident of Carter Street summed up the feelings of residents: “We live in the state capital and yet felt so far away and disconnected from it due to the horrible state of our roads. But the rehabilitation currently ongoing in our neighborhood has given us a sense of belonging,” said the middle-aged resident who has lived in Asata since the 1980s.

    These interventions offer a glimpse of the sort of incremental turnaround that would have occurred in blighted communities had they been over the past years given the kind of attention the Ugwuanyi administration is devoting to their upgrade. Had that been the case, the roads would not have collapsed to such deplorable extent and the gully threatening Okwuosa bridge in the Ogui neighbourhood will have been curbed.

    Like most cities, Enugu is bearing the effects of years of migration by rural dwellers in search of better economic opportunities and living conditions. This influx led to crowded tenements which, naturally, resulted in overstretched utilities built for an initially smaller population. The situation is particularly worse in Enugu which had served as capital of Nigeria’s Eastern Region, East Central State, old Anambra, and old Enugu State successively in the last century. In addition to committing substantial resources to upgrade suburban communities that bear the heaviest brunt of rural-urban migration, the Ugwuanyi administration has gone beyond treating the symptoms of this modern day socio-economic reality by addressing the problem at its roots.

    That paradigm shift can be seen in the huge funds the administration has so far spent on projects in rural areas, a good number of which had never hosted one in their history. The resolve to give rural dwellers a practical taste of inclusive governance is also at the heart of this statement made by Governor Ugwuanyi in his inaugural speech, and voiced repeatedly to emphasize his commitment to its actualization: “We will continue to direct our policies and projects towards these locations (rural areas) because that is where most of our people reside.”

    Seeing once inaccessible communities receiving impressive makeover has been dampening cynicism and giving residents of similar communities a strong sense of optimism and belief that it’s only a matter of time before the earth-movers roll into their streets. The excitement is indeed palpable. As one resident of Independence Layout gushed, “Enugu is now looking like a true metropolis.”

    You would be smiling too if you were in his shoes. Despite its highbrow status as a preferred elite neighbourhood, the condition of internal roads in Independence Layout was once a nightmare. Today, thanks to the intensive urban renewal drive of the Ugwuanyi administration those roads are a joy to ride on as they have become well-paved, with the streets seamlessly linking one another. And with the zeal so far demonstrated by the governor, the momentum of the recent urban renewal drive is not in the least on the wane. That is good news for residents of Enugu city.

    • Ani, formerly editor of ThisDay, The Saturday Newspaper, and Saturday Telegraph, is senior communications aide to the governor of Enugu State