The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Community considers female players for tournament

    Female players have been assured of being part of the annual youth football tournament in Lilu community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The sponsor of the competition and the Deputy National Vice-President of Eze Ndigbo in the Diaspora, Dr Peter Olikenyi, gave the assurance during the final match of the competition at the St Charles Catholic Church field, Lilu.

    He said the tournament is his own contribution in checking youth restiveness and anti-social behaviours besides other employment opportunities in his factories.

    He said: “The month-long competition which comes up annually also stimulates joy, happiness and relaxation for people on holidays in Lilu community at the end of the year.”

    Expressing satisfaction that some of the nation’s big time international professional football players were discovered from the competition, Olikenyi called for support from other public-spirited individuals.

    “I’ve been sponsoring this tournament since 1990. I provide the balls, jerseys, the cups and refreshments,” he added.

    The traditional ruler of Lilu, Igwe Godson Onyediri, who took the kick-off, commended Olikenyi for initiating and sustaining the competition.

    He said: “The community is now rising from the ashes of the past needs for steady electricity, health care, roads, security to stem the series of burglaries and vandalism of transformers.”

    He revealed that plans have been concluded to establish a water processing plant in the community as part of measures to create jobs for the citizens.

  • Glamour as Southeast women, youths mobilise for Buhari

    The Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the Imo State capital was filled to capacity as women, youths and other stakeholders in President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid gathered to show solidarity. OKODILI NDIDI reports that if huge crowd could be a criterion for victory in any election, then the APC is the party to beat in Imo and in the Southeast

    Saturday, January 12 will remain evergreen in the minds of Imo electorate, especially lovers of President Muhammadu Buhari who believe he deserves a second term.

    That day, the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, the Imo State capital, was filled to its capacity as women, youths and other stakeholders in President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid gathered to show solidarity.

    As early as 12 noon that day, the expansive arena had begun to witness massive influx of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    So, for several hours party enthusiasts sang and danced to beautiful music provided by some artistes. In their chants, party faithful extolled the sterling qualities of President Buhari, even as they encouraged others to support the APC presidential candidate based on their conviction that he has achieved much within very short time.

    Nature, as if in total agreement with the frame of mind of proponents of Buhari’s second term bid, played very rewarding role. The hot scotching sun became humane. The harsh atmosphere suddenly turned out to be friendly as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky.

    Expectedly, Igbo women known for their panache were a marvel to behold. Even in political gatherings, you can’t take away the shine from them.

    It was glamour and frills as thousands of women across the Southeast geo-political zone gathered in solidarity for the re-election bid of President Buhari.

    Their beautiful regalia were as distinct as the ode, so much so that one may be tempted to conclude that the gathering was for a colourful festival. This much was as a result of the fact that the rally was not as hostile and electric as some typical political events.

    Gaily dressed women from across the five states of the Southeast namely Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu, took turns to flaunt their costumes and beautiful songs, before settling down for the business of the day.

    The massive turnout at the rally organised to mobilise the Southeast women and youths in the All Progressives Congress (APC), was enough to cheer the hearts of the proponents of President Buhari’s second term agenda.

    Apparently impressed with the massive support, leader of the Presidential Campaign team for women and youths and wife of the President, Aisha Buhari advised the women and youths to protect their votes.

    She urged the APC supporters not to leave the polling units after voting on the Election Day but should wait until the votes were counted and recorded.

    The President’s wife assured that the APC will take Nigerians to the next level and they should therefore vote for President Buhari for second term.

    According to Buhari’s wife who was represented by the wife of the Vice-President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, the APC is taking us to the next level. The government of President Buhari is working for men, women, youths and children. The government cares for all. Everybody should vote for the APC. Nobody should be at home on the day of elections, but should vote for President Buhari and all APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections.

    Continuing, she said: “Again, do not vote and go home. Wait until the votes are counted. Nobody should fight on the day of election. The government of President Buhari is interested in the youths. I am proud to be a Nigerian woman because our women are hardworking, beautiful and successful.”

    In his speech, the Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha said: “In Imo State and, by extension, southeast, need Buhari more than any other zone in Nigeria because we know what President Buhari’s victory in the 2019 general elections will be beneficial for Ndigbo. It is for this reason that we therefore urge all of you, the campaigners for Buhari, not to waste your time in Imo State. Imo victory for President Buhari has been signed, sealed and delivered.”

    Continuing, the governor said: “Standing here today, is that lonely voice in 2015 that stood for President Buhari when no one believed in him. It was still on this same place that I renamed Mr. President in order to woo the votes of Ndigbo. I renamed him Okechukwu Buhari.

    “Then, most of the gladiators or those who seek interest now were never there. I provided victory when it was very difficult.”

    The governor maintained that: “We have equally consulted with other political parties, especially those with weak presidential candidates or those with no presidential candidates at all. In Imo State, we have about 47 political parties supporting the re-election bid of President Buhari.

    “The leading party in this regard with strong support for Buhari is the Action Alliance (AA) led by Ugwumba Uche Nwosu. Let me inform all of you that Ugwumba Uche Nwosu is APC in spirit and AA in dressing. He is still one of you and only using the platform to correct an injustice done to Imo people.

    “The APC leadership owes Imo people an apology. They treated Imo people poorly. There is no point bothering yourself, Buhari will win this election not because APC has supported us but because of our love for Buhari. Let me inform those from Abuja, don’t be deceived by what they tell you, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu will win the governorship election in Imo State.”

    In his speech, the Chairman of the Central Working Committee of the Presidential Campaign Council for women and youths, General Buba Marwa, said with the mammoth crowd that attended the rally; it was obvious that APC is the party to beat in Imo and in the Southeast.

    Earlier in her speech, the Southeast Director of the Women and Youths of the Presidential Campaign team, Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha stated that the women and youths have agreed to vote massively for President Buhari to enable him to take Nigerians to the Promised Land, adding that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock.

    Some of the APC stalwarts at the rally included the Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, General Buba Marwa, wives of three governors namely Mrs. Obaseki (Edo), Nana Shettima (Borno), Zainaba Shinkafi Baguda (Kebbi) and Mrs. Chibuike Amaechi,

    Others were, Chief Uche Ogah, Senator Andy Ubah, Senator Majiri Okadigbo, Mrs. Uloma Akpabio, Chief Hope Uzodinma and the National Women Leader of the APC, Hajia Salamatu Eluma.

  • Umahi donates operational vehicles to security agencies

    In a bid to sustain the high security performance of security agencies in the state which has made the state the most secured in the Southeast, the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has donated Hillux vans to various security agencies.

    The event took place at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township Stadium Abakaliki and has in attendance, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division Enugu, Abubakar Maikobi.

    Recall that the Army had chosen Ebonyi as its headquarters for the operation Python Dance III in the Southeast which commenced on January 1.

    The GOC had earlier said, during the flag-off of the exercise, assured that the army would remain neutral, professional and totally apolitical during the Operation Python Dance III in the Southeast zone.

    “I have been mandated by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to inform you as the state’s security officer, that the exercise would commence from January 1 and last till February 28,” Mr Miakobi said.

    On why Ebonyi is headquarters, Mr Maikobi said: “We have selected Ebonyi under your purposeful leadership as the location for the step-up headquarters for the exercise.”

    Speaking during the distribution of the vans, Governor Umahi said those criticising Operation Python Dance III in the Southeast are against Nigeria’s progress, stressing that the nation must move forward.

    Mr Umahi commended security agencies for their effort in sustaining the security challenges in the state and the country.

    A breakdown of the vehicles showed that the police received 30 vans, Army four, AIG Calabar two, State Security Services three, GOC Enugu 12, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps four, Immigration one, Prisons one, Federal Road Safety Corps 2 and Neighbourhood Watch 15.

    Umahi further explained that the 15 vehicles for Neighbourhood Watch would be shared among the 13 local government areas, stressing that the vans would be used for joint patrols by the security agencies.

    He added that the Herdsmen Committee would also benefit from the gesture.

    Umahi commended the GOC 82 Division Enugu, Cantonment Commandant, Commissioner of Police and other security agencies, adding: “The Operation Python Dance III, which was widely misunderstood, has turned out to be a blessing, contrary to predictions.

    He said the exercise which was misconstrued by some people, has recorded no incidences of infractions, quarrel or torture, among others.

    “I believe that with the pedigree of the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, his commandant and officers, we would continue to shame our enemies.

    “We are brothers and sisters across the Niger and no level of enmity wished by the enemies will help the country.

    “Let us embrace love to engender oneness as this is the only way Nigeria would continue to remain as a nation,” he said.

    The governor berated groups in the Southeast zone which declared that they would participate in the general elections to vote against him.

    “I ask of the need to conduct governorship elections in the state considering what God has done but I will not fold my hands and watch uninformed Ebonyi people continue being killed.

    “When the military was confronted at Umuahia, 90 per cent of those that died were Ebonyians and one person was busy talking about his dog that died.

    “Ebonyi people would never experience a second colonisation and no other group exists in the state but our people who are determined to re-write their history.

    “We would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government and security agencies to rid our state of criminals to sustain its rating as the safest state in the zone,” he said.

    He said the vehicles were distributed to appreciate and complement the efforts of security agencies in the state and particularly praised the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    “The NSCDC has formed the backbone of intelligence-gathering and collaborates effectively with the police by demobilising and handing over criminals.

    “The police would be allotted 30 vehicles, the army 4, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 6, 2 vehicles, GOC 82 Division, 2, State Security Service 3, NSCDC 4 and the Neighbourhood Security Watch, 15.

    “The Nigerian Immigration Service would receive one vehicle, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) 1, Governor’s Convoy 1, Nigerian Legion 1, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 2 and Nigerian Prisons Service 1,” he said.

    Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Muhammad Mustapha, thanked the governor on behalf of other security agencies and pledged that the vehicles would be judiciously utilised.

    “Ebonyi remains the safest state in the Southeast zone and we would ensure that the rate of criminality in the state is reduced to zero per cent.

    “We have been adequately motivated to perform optimally and we assure the people of the protection of their lives and properties,” he said.

    Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Commissioner for Internal Security and Boarder Peace, pledged that the neighbourhood Security Watch would continue to assist security agencies to rid the state of criminals.

  • Aspirant pledges to revamp ailing industries

    The Senatorial candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for Abia South, Chief Chris Nkwonta said his party has concluded plans to revive the Abia Palm plantation, Ohambele and Ogwe Poultry Farm, to create jobs for the people, if it wins next month’s election.

    Nkwonta lamented that the objectives of establishing the poultry farm and palm plantation in Ukwa West and Ukwa East council areas, respectively,  are yet to be fully realised as they have been allowed to waste while the people suffer unemployment.

    The APGA chieftain, who stated this at Obehie, Ukwa West council, explained that when revived, the palm plantation and the poultry farm can employ over 7,000 youths to put food on the table of most families in the areas.

    He revealed that he has acquired land at Obehie to build an oil mill where products from the Abia Palm would be processed to create more employment and generate income for the state.

    Nkwonta insisted that Ukwa land has not benefitted from government policies despite being an oil-producing area. He assured that APGA  will make the people feel the positive impact of producing oil through the provision of good roads, electricity, modern health facilities and potable water.

    “We have concluded plans to revive the Abia Palm Plantation at Ohambele and the Ogwe Poultry Farm, Ogwe. The two establishments which can create over 7,000 jobs have been lying waste while our people suffer from unemployment and hunger. If APGA wins the election, we will revive them to create jobs for the people and generate income for the state.

    “We have acquired land at former TAP Company to build a palm oil processing mill to develop Ukwa land. Ukwa is an oil-producing zone, Abia is an oil-producing state because of Ukwa land, yet Ukwa people have nothing to show for it. When we win, we will make the people feel the positive impact of producing oil. APGA will provide modern health facilities, good roads, electricity and jobs,” he said.

  • Youths parley with aspirants

    For too long, the electorate have been short-changed by their leaders who renege on promises made to them during electioneering campaigns. The politicians would always cut the picture of honest people while canvassing votes from the electorate. However, when they are voted into power, they turn their backs on members of their constituencies. Any wonder they are described as people who do not think about the next generation but about the next election.

    Concerned about the unsavoury phenomenon, the electorate have decided to hold their representatives accountable to them.

    In the circumstances, therefore, youths of Ohaji/Egbema Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency converged on Crystal Lake Resort, Oguta to inaugurate the Inspired Young Elite of Oguta (IYEO). The main objective the socio-political organisation is to ensure that their representatives make the welfare of members of their constituency a priority.

    It will also enable the youth to have one-on-one dialogue with any Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West political.

    In his welcome speech, President IYEO, Mr Olisa Maduagwu stated that the forum was established in order to have dialogue with the Federal House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the Action Alliance (AA), Hon Uju Kingsley Chima on issues related to community development. He also said it will help in charting a new path towards actualising the dream of having quality representation at the National Assembly and other elective positions come May, 2019.

    Responding, Hon. Walter Uzonwanne who represented Chima explained that in 2011, Chima and others broke the chain that kept them down politically.

    “When aspired to run for political positions, we didn’t have any godfather. The powers that be tried to suppress us but we did not succumb. Thus we managed to change the narrative of what seemed like the norm. I am happy that youths can now run for political positions without having to rely on a godfather,” he said.

    Uzonwanne, who commended the youth for the initiative also encouraged them to always participate in the affairs of the state, constituency or local government.

    On lack of electricity in Oguta community over the past six years, he stated that the problem would be resolved soon.

    “Over N200 million was made available to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) as part of payment toward restoring light to Oguta communities, even though the Imo State Oil-producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC) has taken over the payment of electricity for the oil-producing communities in Imo State.

    “Unfortunately, the N200 million was not properly utilised. Today, it is still under probed. That created a lot of bad blood. But we as political operators in this local government, I’m proud to say I belong to one of them. We have summited an all-time proposal that will help in ameliorating the light situation in Oguta.

    “Oguta, as oil-producing area, need a dedicated sub-station and that is the only way we can have light. If Imo State is given 20 per cent light, we will get 20 per cent. We have completed the design.  The route is from Ogbaku to Ejemekuru, from Ejemekuru to Izombe, from Izombe to Osu-Obodo, from Osu-Obodo to Nnebukwu.

    “I am assuring you that good things take time to achieve. I appeal that you be patient. We are going to have permanent light supply in no distant time. I am not promising you today, but it must definitely come. The design is ready and it’s a technical thing,” he said.

    On security which has raised serious concerns due to frequent outburst of miscreants in the community, Uzonwanne stated that to curb incessant disturbance from miscreants is to begin from the root cause of the problem.

    He further said parents have huge role to play in the lives of their children as they are the children’s first teacher.

    “Parents should give birth to the number of children they can train because when children are brought to the world without receiving proper training, most often than not such children may turn out to be miscreants in the society,” he said.

    The forum’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Christian Okororie said: “We need to change our destiny; we need to change our perspective. Nobody is going to do it for us.

    He also added that they should never sell their votes for any amount of money, even as he urged them to engage in asking questions without abusing leaders.

  • Group urges youths to collect their PVCs

    A youth group, #YouthDecide2019, has appealed to youths nation-wide to ensure that they use the remaining weeks before the general elections to collect their Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs).

    National Coordinator of #YouthDecide2019, Mr Chukwuma Okenwa, made the appeal while speaking with reporters in Enugu.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently said over 51 per cent of the total 84.2 million registered voters fall into the active youth age bracket of between 20 and 40 years.

    The commission also said over 15 million of the PVCs were still uncollected nation-wide.

    Okenwa called for reduction in millions of uncollected PVCs in various offices of the INEC nation-wide.

    He urged Nigerian youths to be part of the current political process and ensure election of those who would better their living conditions.

    He said no youth should sit on the fence to watch; and thereafter complain about ineptitude and bad governance.

    “This is our opportunity to make the impact we desire since currently youths out-number any other strata of the society participating in the election even in our neighbourhoods and communities.

    “This time, we must demand youth-oriented leaders, who have spelt out viable youth programmes that will shape our future for the better.

    “There is still time from now to the last week to the election for youths to collect our PVCs and make the difference in our lives and national socio-political polity,’’ he said.

    The co-coordinator also urged youths to get ready to vote and stay close to protect their votes on the election day.

    “Youths should also join various youthful electronic election platforms to get enlightened on how best to get clear commitment and agreement from youth-oriented candidates of any elective position.

    “They will also learn from others and other experienced people in these electronic platforms the act of result-oriented political engagement; so that we have accountable leaders at each level of governance in the country,’’ he added.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on May 31, 2018, signed the Not-Too-Young-To-Run Bill into law, to further pave the way for Nigerian youths to be actively involved in the nation’s political leadership.

  • Bee keepers seek govt’s assistance

    The Enugu Bee Keepers’ Association (EBKA) has urged the Federal and Enugu State governments to assist the association with funds and modern equipment to produce large quantity of honey for export.

    The President of the association, Igwe Uchenna Anikwe, made the appeal while speaking with reporters in Enugu.

    Igwe Anikwe is the Traditional Ruler of Diogbe Community in Igbo Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    Nutrition experts have, over time, recommended the use of honey instead of sugar or sweeteners for daily meal.

    Honey has also been prescribed by modern and traditional medical practitioners for cure of some diseases such as cough, sore throat, burns and vision problem, among others.

    Anikwe said the 3,000 members of EBKA needed interest-free or soft loans to acquire more bee hives to produce enough quantity for the quantum of honey needed internationally.

    “Our members, who are mostly youths, need to be engaged in more local and foreign training, where they will acquire modern techniques and processes that will help to enhance the quality and quantity of honey for export,’’ he said.

    He said there was a need to create more sensitisation on beekeeping in the state and the Southeast for more people to take to bee farming as a means of livelihood.

    Igwe Anikwe noted that with more productive beekeepers or farmers coming into the business, the large quantity for export would be met.

    “From September 25 to 29, last year when EBI-Expo Africa 2018 was organised in Abuja, among 36 countries in Africa and 36 states in the country, including the FCT, Enugu State emerged the overall best.

    “The state, through EBKA, was awarded ‘Best Exhibitor/Producer Organisation’.

    “That singular Expo placed Enugu State in the global map of honey producers.

    “EBKA, as an association, is calling on government at the state and federal levels to help us sustain and surpass the present tempo of honey production,’’ he said.

    A 75 cl bottle of pure honey, especially the popular ‘Nsukka Grade -1’, is sold for between N2, 000 and N2, 500 in markets within Enugu metropolis.

  • 71-year-old widow, ex-governor battle over property

    A 71-year-old widow and a lecturer at Abia State University Uturu, Mrs. Katherine Chinyere Onwughara, has urged a former governor of the state to desist from making moves to forcefully acquire her property.

    The property was built for her and her children by her late husband, Chief Doris Onwughara over 30 years ago.

    Onwughara, who spoke through her daughter Shalom, said the building is located at Umuagu Ibeku. The house named after her is known as Kate’s Whitehouse. It is beside a five- storey building known as Cika Hilton Hotels.

    She explained that the two buildings were built on two different lands with two different Certificate of Occupancy (CofO), adding that the former governor through one of his companies has been trying to forcefully take over the two buildings.

    The widow said trouble started when the former governor claimed that he had acquired Cika Hilton Hotels through an auction by the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) after her husband’s death.

    Onwughara said: “After a legal battle that lasted for many years, my family decided to let go of the hotel. However not satisfied with that, the former governor and his agents started making moves to forcefully acquire my private building which was never part of the auction.

    “I woke up one day and saw a notice pasted on my property claiming that NDIC is trying to recover Cika Hilton Hotels and a second property at Ugwu Nchara in Umuahia.

    ”I want to state that Kate’s White House does not have the same certificate of occupancy with Cika Hilton Hotels, and I have a letter that I got when we were in Court from the lands registry stating that the two properties were not the same.

    “My house is not situated in Ugwunchara as they claimed rather it is situated in Umuagu Ibeku, so there is a lot of difference between Ugwunchara and Umuagu Ibeku.

    “I had also gotten an injunction from Justice Sunday Imo that no police and company or their agents should go to that property because Kate’s White House is not Cika Hilton Hotel. I have an evidence of that; the police were aware of it because it was a popular case.”

    Onwuhara alleged that some agents of the former governor and his company had resumed moves to eject her forcefully from her residence on November 14, last year, while she was not in the house.

    She said: “I was not at home on the said date but my neighbors noticed that some men jumped the fence into my compound, they called and told me not to come back because they thought the people were kidnappers.

    “But I later found out an acclaimed Court bailiff came with them without the knowledge of the nearest police station around and they vandalised my properties, threw things out and stole money.

    ”I have gone round all the police stations in Umuahia asking if there was a court order against the property, but they said there was none. I know personally that when a bailiff wants to execute a court order he/she must make a report at the Police station.

    “Again on   December 31, 2018, over 15 policemen came and asked me to come for questioning for one petition against me. I obeyed and went to the police station with a petition… that I opened a sealed property. The truth is that I never saw any court order sealing the property.

    “It was when I was at the police station that some people called and informed me that they were removing my roof, but the police kept me from morning till the evening.

    “When I informed them that they were removing my roof, they said that their hands were tied and they can’t do anything until they finished removing the roof, they also broke down the dividing fence between my house and the hotel. They equally removed my gate and sealed the entrance with blocks.”

    However, the matter took another turn when the Abia State Police command arraigned the widow before a Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge of felony and malicious damage, unlawful destruction and damage of one padlock, behaving in a manner likely to cause breach of peace and forceful entry into a land known as Kate White House land.

    The charge said the land, “which is in actual and peaceable possession of one Chukwuemeka Adiele (m) and obstructing and resisting one John Onuoha (m) of the High Court of Justice, Umuahia from executing court order punishable under sections 516, 451, 145 of the criminal lcode3 cap 80, and the criminal lcode3 cap 81, volume 3, Laws of Abia State of Nigeria (2005)”.

    According to the suit no. U/04C/2019, the accused, along with others now at large had on the 13th of November, 2018 at Umuagu Ibeku Umuahia in the Umuahia North Magisterial District, conspired to commit the felony by destroying the padlock placed upon the property by court bailiff, illegally entering into the property and obstructing the court bailiff from doing his duties.

    The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to all the charges leveled against her.

    Her counsel, Adizua C Okoroafor, prayed for her bail based on the fact that the defendant is a senior citizen by age, has health challenges, is a senior member of the bar and a lecturer at ABSU, assuming her to be innocent until proved guilty.

    Opposing the bail, the police prosecuting counsel, Igwe Isaac of the State Criminal Investigation Department, said his position was based on the rate at which people disobeyed court orders and called for accelerated hearing.

    The Presiding Magistrate, U. U. Egwu, granted her bail on self-recognition, with two sureties in the sum of N1 million each, and the matter was adjourned till February 6, 2019.

    All efforts to speak with the former governor or any officer of his company proved abortive as calls placed through his phone and text messages were not returned.

  • Fire victims beg Ikpeazu for assistance

    Traders of F-line, Asa Nnentu Motor Spare Parts Market, whose shops were gutted by a midnight fire, are urging the state and federal government to assist them financially.

    They are also appealing for assistance from the National State Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

    The Nation learnt that the traders lost goods worth over N400 million to the inferno.

    It was gathered that efforts to draw the attention of the men of the Abia State Fire Service to the ugly situation proved abortive. Some traders and some sympathisers rushed  to the market during the incident and stopped the fire from spreading into other nearby shops in the area.

    Some of the affected victims, who spoke to our reporter, said that life has become unbearable for them.

    They are worried about how to settle their  loans.

    They are also afraid that the education of their children will be in jeopardy if they fail to pay their school fees. Some of them said their landlords were already on their necks demanding their house rents.

    A trader, Comrade Ajaegbu Morrison, who is also the Secretary of Patrons of Asa Nnentu Motor Spare Parts Market, described the incident as devastating.

    He appealed to the authorities to come to their assistance.

    Ajaegbu said: “I sell Japanese body spare parts and some suspensions. That is what I specialised on. I was about to pray to go to bed when my phone rang. I checked my phone to see who was calling and it was one of my neighbors that was calling.

    “My neighbor told me that he learnt that our market was on fire and that it was mainly on F-Line where my shop is located. After some minutes, I got another call from a neighbor too, telling me that my shop was among the shops that were razed down by the inferno.

    “It was at that time that I decided to come and see things for myself and by the time I arrived, it was flame and dust that engulfed the whole area.

    “About twelve shops were affected by the inferno. We don’t use electricity here and so, we can’t say that it was caused by power surge. We don’t have any petrol in our shops. So, there is no way it could be fuel or electricity.

    “However, when we came back in the morning, we noticed that there was fire in the borrow pit at the back of our shops where the contractors rehabilitating the Aba-Enugu-Port Harcourt road comes to excavate red mud from. How it got to my shops and my neighbours, I can’t really tell.

    “We are appealing to the federal, state and Ugwunagbo local government authorities to come to our aide.

    “Since the fire incident occurred, we are doing practically nothing. We have been sitting here, praying to God to send helpers to our way.

    “We have reached out to the local government chairman and have been making efforts to reach the state government. They are yet to come and we are not giving up yet. We will continue to make efforts to see that even the lawmakers representing us; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Hon. Uzoma Abonta and well-meaning Abians to come to our aid.

    “We lost over N400m. One of the car engines that got burnt here is over N1million. If you calculate the buildings and the motor spare parts in the shops, it will even be more than that. That is why we are calling on the state governor to come to our aide.

    “We are not happy that such a thing happened to us. It is not our plans to disturb him, but in this case, we are only appealing to the governor and other well-meaning Abians and Nigerians to come to our aide. It is too much on us to bear.

    “The federal government through NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency) should please come to our rescue. We have our house rents and children’s school fees to pay this January and yet, fire engulfed where we had hoped to raise money from. The impact of this on us is huge.”

    Another victim, Chukwudi Alexander Anucha, a native of Isiala Ngwa South, while fighting hard to hold back tears, corroborated Morrison’s account of the inferno.

    According to him, when he got to the scene, all his goods had been engulfed.

    Read also: Ikpeazu urges INEC, security agencies to ensure free, fair, credible elections

    “Before the fire incident, I went to the bank to withdraw all the money that I have to buy and stock goods in my shop.

    “There is an engine that I bought for over a million. Some people have already indicated interest in buying the engine. They were supposed to come and pay for the engine in the morning of the unfortunate inferno.

    “There are other engines that people have a substantial amount of money which they were planning to finish payment this January.

    “We are now surviving through the assistance of some friends and relatives. We are asking for the assistance of government. There is absolutely nothing that was saved from our shops. We are pained by the loss and hope that the appropriate authorities, including our dear Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, will come to our aid. We can barely afford a square meal for our family, but with their assistance, we are confident that we are going to come out of this stronger.”

  • More roads, bridges for Ebonyi communities

    Ebonyi  State Governor Dave Umahi is opening up more communities with roads and bridges.

    He said his achievements were enough to give him a second term. He spoke on a recent tour to various communities and local government areas of the state.

    Accompanied by engineers and some top government officials, the governor’s visit heralded the commencement of the construction of roads and three bridges. He also inspected the construction of a new flyover.

    The people chanted various songs in praise of the governor.

    In Afikpo North Local Government Area, he directed that the construction of Egbeberi bridge in Amuro community, which is of immense economic benefit to Afikpo people, should commence without delay.

    The communities of Ebia Unuhu in Abakaliki Local Government Area and Abaoffia village, Nkaleke Echara autonomous community of Ebonyi Local Government Area also expressed joy and satisfaction over Ebonyi State government’s decision to redesign and reconstruct the Akpara and Ebya bridges in their respective communities.

    The Akpara bridge, which links the community with neighbouring communities in the state, had been abandoned by previous administrations and it has over the years, led to loss of lives and property.

    Also the Akpara bridge in Ebyia Unuhu in Abakaliki Local Government Area, which was on the verge of collapse after decades of abandonment, received the attention of the governor.

    Also, during a tour of Ebyia river in Abofia, Ebonyi Local Government Area, the governor, who observed for himself the dilapidated bridge, stated that work would commence second week in January on the new Abofia bridge.

    The governor, who noted that the bridge is a link to different villages in the council and beyond, declared that construction work would be completed in record time.

    He promised that supervision of the work would be thorough to ensure quality and timely completion of the project.

    The Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Mrs Chinyere Nwaogbaga, appreciated the governor for his giant strides in the state, particularly in Ebonyi Local Government Area and promised that the council would help in facilitating the completion of the project.

    She assured the governor that the local government would give him 100 per cent votes in the election.

    The bridge also links the state capital to Ogbaga, the headquarters of Echi-Aba Development Centre.

    At Onicha LGA, the governor inspected the ongoing construction of a brand new flyover in Abaomege community. Abaomege flyover is the fifth flyover in Ebonyi State.

    Already, there is the Dr Offia Nwali flyover situated at Presco Junction, the Spera-in-Deo flyover standing side by side the President Muhammadu Buhari Glass Tunnel and the flyover opposite Margaret Umahi International Market, Abakaliki.

    The flyover in the ever-hectic Abaomege junction is projected to reduce traffic congestion.

    The Union Bank Roundabout, Nkalagu and Ezzangbo junctions will also get flyover bridges.

    “This is aimed at ensuring thorough road connectivity and safety of the lives of commuters and passersby,” the governor said.

    Those in the entourage of the governor include Speaker Francis Nwifuru and Commissioner for Works and Transport Fidelis Nweze Kings.