The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Abia partners USAID on health delivery

    Abia State has joined the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Health Policy Plus (HP+) with the aim of making the state’s health care sector better.

    Speaking during a seminar by the HP+ in Umuahia, the state Commissioner for Health Dr John Ahukannna said that the state government is happy to welcome them to the state and to assist them in improving the health sector.

    Ahukannna thanked them for coming to the state to help them especially in the area of health financing and health insurance and assured them of the full cooperation of the state government to ensure they succeed.

    The commissioner said that the group has been to other states where they succeeded, adding that they are going to adopt their template which they have produced for the state as it will benefit all Abians.

    Ahukannna noted that they are coming to the state at the right time, pointing out that the two state agencies will need their support to attain their potentials which will also go a long way to ensure that people have good health system.

    The country director of HP+ Onoriode Ezire who was represented by Peter Osagie said that they are happy to see what is going on in the state and the way the health financing is taking place in Abia State.

    Ezire said that the Abia State has positioned itself a USAID is happy with what they have seen since coming into the state, stressing that the government has also been able to provide them with an office space.

    The HP+ country director described their agency as a consortium of partners led by Palladium, “The work of the project is to strengthen and advance health policy to improve the enabling environment for equitable and sustainable health services”.

    He said, “The key tenet of HP+ is to maximise resources for health by increasing sustainable, predictable and adequate financing for health programs and health policy implementation”.

    “We are also in the area of supplies and delivery system in the areas of family planning and reproduction health, HIV and maternal health among other health related sectors”.

    “In Abia State we are working to strengthen its health financing structures and its capacity to capitalise on key health financing reforms and this efforts build on past successes by HP+.”

    “The work also includes its predecessor projects to develop the capacity of national and state-level advocacy working groups to conduct evidence based advocacy to increase funding for family planning at the federal and state levels”.

    Ezire said that Nigeria is currently undergoing significant health financing reforms that if fully implemented would substantially increase resources for health and extended primary health care to all Nigerians.

    He added that Abia being a phase 1 pilot state for BHCPF rollout, participants at the HP+ work planning consultation recognized that the state has demonstrated political commitment through its initial budget allocation of N100m to meet the required state-level counterpart funding.

    The HP+ country director said, “Through World Bank support baseline facility assessments have been conducted in Abia state as the BHCPF will direct funds through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) gateway”.

    “We are working with key stakeholders in Abia State to advance three key objectives which include strengthen governance in the state, coordination and synchronisation to sustain stewardship and ownership of health financing reforms”.

    “Identify mad mobilise predictable and sustainable financial resources for health within Abia State and improve transparency, accountability and efficiency of mobilised resource”.

  • Boat mishap: Firm makes case for life jackets

    Total Upstream Nigeria Limited has advocated that boat passengers compulsorily use life jackets to ensure safety on the nation’s waterways.

    The firm regretted the incessant cases of boat mishaps.

    The Executive General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, Total Upstream companies in Nigeria, Mr. Vincent Nnadi stated this in Onitsha at the 2018 Marine Safety Awareness Campaign for River Niger waterway users in the commercial city.

    He attributed most accidents on the waterways to ignorance and unsafe behaviours of boat drivers and passengers, expressing optimism that the partnership with “co-ventures” would minimise boat mishaps.

    “It is the desire of Total that after today, wearing a life jacket is made mandatory before boarding a boat.

    “Each boat operator and passenger must take the checklist provided seriously as well as implement all other safety precautions,” he said.

    Nnadi said the campaign was part of the firm’s corporate social responsibility, as well as a sustained commitment and enduring culture of responsiveness to stakeholders needs

    He said, “The programme is an initiative of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and her partners is aimed at empowering boat operators, passengers and jetty managers with requisite safety skills required to navigate waterways without accident.

    He cautioned against removal of the life jackets from the jetties, insisting that they must be kept safe for passengers to wear before boarding and removal on arrival at the other jetty.

    Also speaking, the Area manager, National Inland Waterways Authority, Onitsha Area Office, Mrs Uche Amadi, blamed most boat mishaps on operators without valid license and permit, overloading among other shortcomings.

    She commended the management of ANPEZ centre and Total E & P for their intervention and sponsorship of the programme which she described as lifesaving.

    Amadi was optimistic that the programme would provide the missing link between operators, passengers, regulators and other relevant stakeholders.

    Responding, Chairman, Engine Boat Operators Association, Onitsha, Chukwudi Ekwenze, was full of thanks to the benefactors for the provision of the items.

    “I’ve been in the boat business since 1975 but I’ve not witnessed this kind of gesture. I am sure it must have cost much to provide these life jackets,” he said.

    While praying that the over twelve jetties in the commercial city benefited from the jackets, Ekwenze pledged judicious use of the items to ensure their durability.

    No fewer than five hundred life jackets, comprising of 300 adults and 200 children were distributed among the participating jetties.

  • Lifeline for ailing music icon, Ejeagha

    His illustrious music career spanned decades in which he lifted the culture of the Igbo, making his name a household property. But in his twilight Mike Ejeagha has become the opposite of what he and millions of his fans hoped for. He has found himself in desperate need of cash, and is afflicted by an ailment.

    In his home state Enugu his governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has thrown him a lifeline, picking up his hospital bills and offering him a shoulder to lean on.

    Ejeagha contributed over 300 recordings to the national archives of Nigeria. He tells stories with Igbo proverbs in a distinct manner and has a way with his guitar. He is popularly known as Gentleman Mike Ejeagha.

    He and his wife were gravely ill, and were unable to pay their medical bills. His condition was highlighted in the social media. Moved, Governor Ugwuanyi, a fan of the legend, broke away from his tight official duties to pay an unscheduled visit to the Ejeagha family at their Abakpa Nike home.

    That visit has led to the transformation of Ejeagha, giving him a new lease of life.

    Ugwuanyi at the visit told the ailing and aged musician that he had planned the visit earlier but was drawn back by pressing state functions.

    The governor said that he came to know how he was faring and see how the state government could assist him in his health and other needs as a revered indigene of the state.

    The governor therefore, promised to be paying his medical bills and asked the family to refer his medical details to the state’s teaching hospital, Parklane Enugu for adequate attention.

    He thanked members of his family, especially the wife and daughter for taking care of him, and offered automatic employment to the daughter to enable her take care of her father, accordingly.

    Ejeagha who expressed delight at the governor’s unscheduled visit to ascertain how he was faring, said he was highly impressed that the governor has transformed Enugu State for the better and also entrenched peace and security in the state, assuring him of his support for his re-election in 2019.

    “Your Excellency, I was very happy the day I went to hospital at Ogwuagor, Ugwuoye by First Bus Stop, I saw that the roads have been tarred. Thank you very much for the security in Enugu State. We can now go out at night and come back anytime without any fear of attack by men of the underworld. You have our support and God will continue to lead you”, the lengendary musican said.

    Ejeagha, while thanking the governor for his intervention in his poverty condition, gave his blessing to the governor for his second term in office.

    He prayed that God will continue to bless the governor for his gesture and as well see him through in the coming elections without much hassles.

  • Enugu rural dwellers sensitised on project monitoring

    Some 100 rural dwellers in Enugu State have been trained on open contracting governance and project monitoring with a view to facilitating rural development and accountability.

    Programme Director of Public Private Development Centre (PPDC), Miss Ifeoma Onyebuchi, who declared the workshop open in Enugu, stated that the training was meant to orientate rural dwellers on the need to show concern, ask questions and follow projects earmarked in their communities.

    She noted that each state should be keying into open contracting governance in order to make their fiscal policies and its implementation open and transparent for Civil Society Organisations

    (CSOs) and rural dwellers to monitor as well as track fiscal budget implementation in their communities.

    “Nigerians quest for improved service delivery cannot come true until the people, you (rural dwellers) must participate in fiscal policies and its implementation especially being able to monitor and ask questions about projects been executed in your various communities.

    “Rural dwellers should be able to know more about the purpose, cost, specification, time of completion and contractor handling on each project been executed for their benefit so that they will not be short-changed,’’ she said.

    Onyebuchi added that PPDC was also exploring various information and educational platforms to get rural communities in the country to know about projects meant for them even from the Federal level (ministries, agencies and government partners).

    “We in PPDC are highly concerned with projects that covers health and education of the people at the rural level to stem the rate of disease and ignorance, which will ultimately lead to checking poverty,” she said.

    Delivering a paper entitled “Why You Should Get Involved,” a youth activist, Mr Collins Nebo, averred that the open contracting governance had come to open the eyes and minds of rural dwellers to take ownership of projects meant for them.

    “As it is today, you are duty bound to ask question and if not getting satisfactory answers on the project meant for you communities; you start to mobilise for protest and confront your people or people in government with your agitations and seek for answers.

    “Everybody should wake up and check corruption and unaccountability in project execution by contractors and their agents,” Nebo advised.

    Chief Josephat Okechukwu, the Regent of Awhum Community in Udi Council Area, lauded the PPDC for organising the workshop; adding that they had been enlightened on the need to ask important questions and what to ask from the contract executing any project within his domain.

    “We have learnt that keeping quiet and not asking relevant questions leaves the community short-changes at the end of the day; while the contractor and his pay masters live in affluence via gains from shoddy executed projects,” Okechukwu said.

  • Applicant wins weight loss competition

    An applicant, Chidera Nwobodo has won the Lose to Win competition of Edmark Expo held in Enugu.

    Chidera was able to shed within 90 days 27kg from 81kg. She went home with N50,000 cash and several products of Edmark.

    The runner-up, Roseline Nwaenugu smiled home with the second prize of N35,000 and several products of Edmark.

    The company said it organised the event in its commitment to drive positive change through fighting obesity in Nigeria.

    It said it was marching on with weight loss campaign over the course of 9 years and continued to reach in and touch the lives of all Nigerians that help regain and reclaim their health through weight loss.

    According to Edmark, Chidera stood out as the contestant who lost the most amount of weight in 90 days.

    “The one-day event is an epitome of the saying ‘seeing is believing’. From presenting the macro view of the company to the crowning of the weight loss challenge winners, the event carry answers to questions that Nigerians would have regarding the business, the products, and the company as a whole.

    “The Edmark Expo is a concept of exhibiting the opportunity that the company offers to all Nigerians – a way to reclaim and maintain their health, a path towards financial freedom, and a means to better their lives.”

  • Abia launches Umuahia transport scheme

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has flagged off a poverty alleviation scheme: the Abia State Transport Loan & Artisan Support Scheme known as ‘Abia State Easy Taxi Programme’.

    Launching the scheme at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, the state capital, Ikpeazu charged the beneficiaries and drivers to be worthy ambassadors of the state, stressing that the vehicles were strictly for commercial drivers and not for politicians or civil servants.

    The governor added that the taxi scheme was introduced for ease of doing business and to improve the transportation system in state capital and its environs.

    He said that with the taxi scheme, visiting investors would find it easy to move around the capital for business.

    Ikpeazu urged the Commissioner for Transport Chief Kingsley Imaga, and the General Manager of the transport loan scheme Chief Nnamdi Balogu to organise special training for the drivers to enable them become efficient in their duties.

    Imaga said the scheme is an indication that Governor Ikpeazu has good plans for his people.

    Balogu said the vehicles could reach anyone who needs it within 10 minutes of a phone call, adding that that the drivers would pay back the money by installments.

     

  • Igbo group seeks more inclusion

    The lgbo National Stakeholders Assembly (lNSA) has made a case for the inclusion of more Igbo people in the political process of wherever they are domiciled outside their homeland.

    In a statement released in Lagos by the group’s president-general Chief John Uche, and publicity secretary Prince Erondu Uche, INSA said Ndigbo have enough numerical strength in the Southwest, including Lagos, to have better representation there.

    A few Igbo persons have won elective positions in Lagos and in the House of Representatives, but considering that they make up about 55 per cent of the Lagos population, Uche said, they should be more visible in the governance of the state.

    The group also advised Ndigbo to collect their permanent voter cards or PVCs.

    “Those who registered in different place other than their current place of abode should visit INEC offices in their local government areas and do the transfer to the new address,” they said.

     

  • Jubilation at NAUTH as group pays patients’ bills

    It was an atmosphere of excitement at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Anambra State, when the medical bills of financially incapacitated patients were offset by a Lagos-based association, Elite Fitness Club.

    The Nation gathered that many patients in the hospital had spent extra time at their various wards even after recovery following their inability to pay their bills.

    The group, during the visit to the hospital, was taken round the different wards in the hospital by the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, Prof. Anthony Igwuegbe, where they interacted with the patients.

    Speaking with The Nation, leader of the team, Chief Amobi Ike, said the visit was part of their annual rituals of visiting hospitals or destitute homes to offer succour to the needy.

    He said no fewer than 100 patients were targeted to benefit from the philanthropy, adding that his organisation would spend over N5 million on the “redemption mission.”

    The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Anthony Igwuegbe, expressed appreciation to the group for their magnanimity in picking the bills of the “very poor patients” in the hospital.

    He said the inability of the patients to offset their bills after treatment had been one of the major challenges of the

    hospital, which he said had adversely affected the hospital’s finances.

    He said, “Many patients remained in their various wards for too long after recovery because of their inability to pay their bills.

    “Some of them hardly feed well, while some, for lack of spaces, are no more on hospital beds; so you see the reason why such people should go to their various homes.

    “This hospital has been facing challenges of patients not being able to offset their bills after treatment, and it has been affecting the hospital’s purse negatively.

    “This is why we are grateful to Elite Fitness Club, for their intervention. We also look forward to receiving such magnanimity from other spirited individuals and groups.”

    One of the patients who benefited from the offer, Anthony Ilozo, was full of appreciation to the group, just as he thanked God for relieving him of the burden of heavy hospital bill.

    The visibly excited Ilozo, who had recovered from a major operation, confessed that he was in the hospital for additional two months after he was discharged.

    “I’ve been here for over two months patiently waiting for when my family will raise fund to offset my bills,” he explained.

  • Yuletide crime: police battle-ready in Imo

    The yuletide is here again with its attendant social and security challenges. From markets to motor parks, open streets to the neighbourhoods, there is apprehension and uncertainty as the yuletide beckons. Crime rate has scaled up considerably. Criminals of all kinds are up, from the regular conmen to the notorious kidnappers and daredevil robbers, have all crawled out of their dens in the mad rush for whatever they can grab and flee before the year runs out.

    On a daily basis there are reports of criminal activities, especially minor offences ranging from bag snatching to shoplifting and pocket-picking. This is largely responsible for the atmosphere of fear that is hanging thickly over the sky like the harmattan haze.

    But not to worry, the Imo State police command is already taking proactive measures to check these men of the underworld and ensure a peaceful yuletide.

    So far, from across the state, 38 suspects involved in kidnapping, armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms as well as child trafficking have been arrested thereby depleting the population of the hoodlums that would made the yuletide season a nightmare.

    Among the suspects were under-aged boys and girls.

    Parading the suspects and the recovered exhibits, the state commissioner of police, Dasuki Galadanchi stated that as the yuletide and electioneering period approach, the police and other security agencies need to re-strategise for effective policing.

    Addressing journalists, Galadanchi said, “It is my pleasure to address you once again as we parade some of the modest achievements in crime management and control in Imo State. Our strategic offensive against criminals through collaborative efforts with members of the community, credible intelligence and forensic digital analysis has once again yielded tremendous result.

    “I am glad to inform you that the police command under my watch has continued to sustain the momentum in the arrest and prosecution of suspected kidnappers, armed robbers, cultists, child stealing/traffickers and other criminal elements disturbing the peace of the State. We shall continue to sustain our efforts in community policing through high visibility policing, convoy patrols, community engagement, constant raid and prompt dispensation of justice as proactive measures in modern policing.

    “It is important to mention that as we gradually move closer to the Yuletide as well as approach serious political activities in the electoral process, the need for the police and other security agencies to re-strategise becomes most imperative”.

    Speaking further, he said, “In our philosophy of community policing strategy in the state, we urge members of the public to always partner and empower us by giving us useful and timely information that will help in the fight against crime and criminality in the state. I therefore implore you to See Something, Say Something”.

    Among the suspects paraded were Anthony Etuk Matthew from Esit Eket in Eket LGA of Akwa Ibom State, who allegedly kidnapped a 52-year-old Mrs Atigoku Beatrice from Achara Umuaka Njaba LGA of Imo State.

    The suspect was arrested by the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Command in his hideout at Esit Eket in Eket LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

    Another suspect was a 34-year-old lady, Chidimma Odoemena from Amato Amuzi in Aboh Mbaise Council Area of the state, who specializes in luring her female victims to where they will be abducted. Items recovered from her include two locally made pistols, 16 live cartridges and one ash coloured Siena Car Reg. No. SMK 202 DH.

    Odoemena is the leader of a notorious kidnap syndicate who specialise in terrorising residents of Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA and its environs.

    Their latest victim and wife of Anglican Priest, Chimma Uchegbu, was rescued unhurt in an isolated building at Amato Amauzi, Aboh Mbaise Council Area.

    The Commissioner of Police stated that “the suspects led operatives to a grave where the aforementioned arms and ammunition were recovered.

    The suspects have made useful statements to the police confessing to the crime and the whereabouts of other fleeing members of the gang.”

    Also apprehended in the clampdown on criminal activities ahead of the yuletide were members of child trafficking gang, who invaded a primary school and abducted one of the pupils, Nwaigwe Victor Chidera before they were apprehended.

    The Police also paraded six suspects in connection with the kidnap of six National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.

    The Youth Corps members who were travelling from Ibadan Oyo State to their orientation camp in Port Harcourt, Rivers State and Uyo in Akwa Ibom State respectively, were waylaid and robbed and taken into the nearby forest, where their abductors opened negotiation with the families and demanded a ransom of five million naira.

    Galadanchi said, “On receipt of the information, operatives of anti-kidnapping unit in synergy with police operatives attached to Counter Terrorist Unit of the Command swung into action, combed the Nkaragha forest and rescued the Corps members unhurt and some of their properties recovered”.

    He gave a breakdown of the arrests as “kidnapping (14), armed robbery (19), unlawful possession of firearm (5), child stealing/trafficking (2). Rescued kidnap victims (16), stolen babies recovered (2).

    Firearms and ammunition recovered include one (1) AK 47 rifle one (1) Pump Action gun, fourteen (14) locally made guns three (3) live ammunition twenty-three (23) live cartridges, three (3) unexpended live cartridges”.

     

  • Ojukwu’s wife, others honoured as Awka Rotary installs president

    Pepresentatives of Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and his deputy Dr Nkem Okeke were on hand as a journalist Joy Ngozi Mbachi was installed as the eighth president of Rotary Club of Awka Metropolis District 9142. Other dignitaries also turned up for the event.

    Mbachi works with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    The people of Umuagwu Amaokwe Amurri in Nkanu Local Government Area of Enugu, her hometown and those of her husbands’ in Adagbe Avomimi in Enugwu Ukwu were dressed in flashy attires to grace the occasion that took place at Western Meloch Hotels in Awka.

    Past Presidents of the Rotary Club were not left out including the wife of the Deputy Governor, Oby and the traditional ruler of Amurri, Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye.

    Obiano was represented by Dr Emma Ude-Akpeh Permanent Secretary to the Secretary to the State Government, while the monarch was represented by his Traditional Prime minister Chief Igweshi, Oba Okechukwu Emoka.

    But the most significant thing was the honour bestowed by the Rotary Club on the wife of the late Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Bianca, and the 85-year-old mother of the Deputy Governor of the state, Chief Dorothy Okeke.

    Others honoured by Rotary were some philanthropists including, Sir Godwin Ezeemo, Mr Obini Onuchukwu, Princess Nkeiruka Nwode of the police in the state and former Ohaneze Ndigbo leader, Elder Chris Eluemunoh.

    Lady Chief Dorothy N Okeke was honored with Award of Pillar of Peace; Mr Godwin Ezeemo was honored with the Award of Excellence in Philanthropy; Prof Raphael N. Okigbo was honored with Club Builder Award.

    Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu was honored with the Awka Metropolis Polio Ambassador award.

    Also, Six new members were inducted namely, Mrs Gloria Ezeogo, Okwudili Aganekwu, Nkeiruka Nwode, Godwin Ezeemo, Chiamaka Okpeze and Ifeanyi Nnagbo.

    Mbachi said, “What a privilege it is to be linked with over one million people across the globe, differing in languages, customs, and historical background; and yet alike in one respect – people of different vocations, held together by a common destiny, the ideal which is popularly known as the ideal of service.

    “Rotary Club of Awka Metropolis is propelled by the mission of Rotary International ’to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business. Professionals and community leaders have used the Rotarian 4-way test as an effective measuring stick for conduct.”

    The 50-year-old new President, a mother of two and devout Christian, holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and is married to Mr Chiadikobi Mbachi.