The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Old market gets restroom

    Relief has come for patrons of Eke Market in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, one of the oldest trading posts in Nigeria.

    The market, the biggest in Ebonyi South, and serving the entire state and beyond, now has a befitting restroom where patrons can relieve themselves amid their transactions.

    The facility was built by Mrs Maria Nwachi.

    Despite the fact that thousands of people flock to the market, it has never had a convenience room for customers and traders to relieve themselves.

    Nwachi representing Afikpo North East Constituency set about building a modern restroom for the market to prevent infections and contamination as a result of defecating in bushes.

    The restroom was officially commissioned and handed over to the market for use last weekend amidst fanfare and pomp.

    Speaking at an event to mark the event, Mrs Nwachi said, “I embarked on this all important project; which is very dear to the heart of my people to end this lack. I built a gate/security house in the place to ensure security of the facility. Maintenance is everything so there will be workers making sure the place is well maintained always; hence the offices in both the male and female section”.

    “Basically every penny I have made in the last three years via my various endeavours went into working for my people. I spared nothing to make sure this this restroom is tops, by any standard. It left me insolvent.

    “This is just one of the many projects I have done, with my personal money since my election. My greatest achievement on earth is the honour they bestowed on my person, by defying all odds, and electing me from outside the system, under a non-existent party in my state, PPA, a party with zero structure in my state”.

    “A person that has never been near a political gathering in Nigeria beforehand, I can’t thank them enough for always lifting me higher than I deserve, for always taking my matter personal”.

    At the event, the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN), made overtures to Mrs Nwachi to join the party.

    The party said it would be glad if Nwachi joins the party in few weeks to come and that whatever position she decides to contest under the party in 2019, she will be given the ticket.

    A presidential aspirant of the party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim who led National officers of the party to Afikpo, Afikpo North local government area of the state  to inaugurate the  multi-million naira toilet facility constructed by Nwachi for traders in Eke Market, said the party has seen Afikpo as one of its strongholds and that it was only the lawmaker that can win election for the party in the area.

    He therefore urged Nwachi to join the party assuring her of total support to enable her actualize her ambition in next year’s general election.

    “The people that we are looking for now in Ebonyi state are the people like Maria. I am here because she is doing a very great work. What we want politicians do is talk and do.

    “I know she is not in ANN where we are but I know that one of these days, she is going to join the ANN. We also like people who have something doing with their hands.

    “We are happy to identify with this lady that is remembering her people through this type of project that has direct impact on the lives of the people.

    “We are new generation politicians. By the grace of God, in the coming election, the story of Nigeria will change. It will change from poverty to prosperity, it will change from joblessness to employment, it will change from illiteracy to good education”.

    Former Deputy Speaker commissions power project, boreholes

    A former Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Valentine Okike also handed over a power project and borehole he built for some communities of his Onicha West State constituency.

    The projects were commissioned by the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, Obasi Odefa. Mr Okiek also briefed his constitutents at Isu, headquarters of Onicha Local Government Area headquarters on his activities in the house for the past three years.

    The people at the event also adopted him for a third tenure as all the town union Executives and stakeholders who spoke eulpogised him for his people oriented representation at the event

    In his opening remarks, Okike, who thanked the people for adopting him for third tenure and assured that he has made himself available to represent them as long as they want.

    “As an obedient servant, I would also come whenever they desire as this call is to continue with the governor and complete our tenures and subsequently quit the stage in 2023,” he said.

    He thanked other aspirants for their understanding particularly those who have withdrawn from the race and those still dialoguing with him.

    “I have constructed an electricity project with 300 KVA transformer including the construction of several boreholes, distribution of over 70 motorcycles, 40 generating-sets among others, to my constituents”.

    Mr Okike at the event distributed about 500 bags of fertilizers to farmers in the constituency to aid them in this year’s planting season.

    He noted that he also attracted the Oshiri-Onicha road, Isu—Akanu Uburu road, the renovation of the Onicha general hospital, all which were executed by the executive arm of government.

    The state Commissioner for Environment, Chief Donatus Njoku, commended

    the lawmaker for remembering his people and assured him of their maximum support.

    Chief Obasi Odefa, the Deputy Speaker of the Ebonyi state House of Assembly urged the people to always elect aspirants into the assembly who possess experience in the art of law making.

    The deputy speaker who is also seeking a fourth tenure in the assembly, said that legislation needed experience to effectively make laws to attract democratic dividends to the people.

    “A new person at any assembly will spend much time learning and understanding the rudiments of the assembly and by the time he finishes learning, his tenure would have ended.

    He thanked the people for adopting Okike for re-election, noting that they do not deserve to be represented by a learner but an experienced person.

    “The electrification projects constructed by Okike which I commissioned among other projects, shows that the lawmaker understands his people’s needs.

  • Ugwuanyi inaugurates school built by lawmaker

    The people of Igugu community in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State were in joyous mood as Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi commissioned a secondary school, Igugu Technical College, built by a member of the House of Representatives Hon Dennis Agbo representing Udenu/Igboeze North Federal Constituency.

    The school which is the first school ever (primary/secondary) to be built in the community contains 10 large classrooms, a staff room, a library, one staff convenience and two staff conveniences for students has enough facilities for admission of students from JS1 to SS3.

    While commissioning the school, Governor Ugwuanyi commended Hon Agbo for executing such a laudable project, stating that it will be of great importance to the people.

    The governor also commissioned a fully furnished three classroom block the lawmaker built at Aji community in Igboeze North Local Government Area.

    In his speech, Hon Dennis Agbo said that: “From the onset, I set out to undress the the mystery of political office and reduce it to straight business of delivering good and the dividends of democracy to our highly enterprising people of Udenu/Igboeze Federal Constituency.

    “We have offered scholarships to 14 needy constituents as listed. Our scholarship are total package, covering tuition fees, accommodation, books and monthly living allowance of N25,000 per student.

    “We have deliberately used our scholarships to assist the indigent and also encourage the students of medicine. Currently, 4 of our scholarship students are medical students at various academic levels.

    “I have highlighted other concerns of our people in personal and co-sponsored bills at various stages of processing. Major is my initiative to employ legislative and budgetary intervention to transform our system of animal husbandry in Nigeria, and so to terminate the mobility of herdsmen and bring an end to the security challenges from the clashes between farmers and herdsmen,” he said.

    In an address, the President General of Igugu Town Union, Mr Ugwu Casmir, thanked Hon Agbo for coming to the rescue of the community by building the school which will be of great benefit to the community.

    “We are really grateful. We appreciate all you have done for us, and hereby categorically wish to assure you that Igugu Community and entire Udenu Local government are solidly behind you come 2019.

    “Please we still count on you to further assist us towards the completion of the uncompleted structure in the school and equipping the School. We, Igugu people, shall remain grateful to you,” he said.

  • Ethnic harmony as Abia honours Ganduje

    Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II and other dignitaries were in Abia State where Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was honoured for protecting the Igbo amid ethnic tensions last year. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    It was reward for a great gesture. But when Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was honoured in Abia State with the title Agu ne che mba I Igbo land or protector of the people in Abia State, it was more than one good turn deserves another.

    Ganduje brought his influence to bear last year in Kano when some youths ordered the Igbo in the state to leave or be forced out. He protected the threatened Igbo people in the state, and because of that, much havoc was averted. Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II was also in Abia for the event, as were several dignitaries. Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was represented at event.

    The title was conferred on the Kano governor by a coalition of Igbo traditional rulers led by their chairman, His Eminence Eze Eberechi Dick.

    Ganduje’s intervention in those tense days as well as Ikpeazu’s efforts prevented what many believed would have been a tragic outcome, given the fact that a secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the extremist Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) were poised for a showdown.

    Ganduje’s new title helps to foster unity between the Southeast and the North.

    The chairman, Southeast Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Eberechi Dick, the Eze Udo 1 of Mgboko Ngwa Amaise Autonomous Community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State bestowed the honour on Ganduje at his palace, an event that attracted Sanusi II, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other celebrities.

    Dick used the opportunity of the event to call for unity and harmonious co-existence of the Southeasterners and their northern counterparts.

    Two days before the conferment of the title, members of pro-Biafra agitation group, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) warned Ganduje not to step into the Southeast..

    Ganduje accompanied by his wife Hafsat and her Abia counterpart, Nkechi Ikpeazu. At the event also were Kano State information commissioner, Garba Mohammed and several Igbo leaders in Kano State.

    Speaking with journalists, the Southeast traditional rulers’ chairman denied that the title had any kind of political undertone, adding that the unity of the country was nonnegotiable. He stressed that the country would function better when there is peace and harmony among members of various ethnic groups.

    Speaking on the title given to Governor Ganduje, Eze Dick said, “We, the traditional rulers in the East decided based on the report and plea of our people residing in Kano, to honour the governor of Kano, Umaru Ganduje with chieftaincy title for the way in which he has been making sure that their lives and property are protected.

    “The title is significant because it will go a long way to show that we the Igbos are united with our brothers in the North. Our wealth in Kano is too much and since the governor brought out his strength to secure our wealth, we appreciate it.

    “Whatever MASSOB is saying, we the fathers know that this governor has done us no bad. He is a good man. I advise MASSOB to look onto us the royal fathers, we can never mislead them. Our brothers in the North love us. We shall always protect them here and I know they’ll reciprocate it over there.”

    Eze Dick also used the opportunity to call on the federal government to pay attention to the deplorable roads in the Southeast which he had promised to attend to in one of the traditional ruler’s visit to Aso Rock.

    “I’ve gone for a lot of mission on behalf of Ndi-Igbo. I’ve gone with notable traditional rulers in Igbo Land to see Buhari to present some of our needs to him and he assured us that he will take care of them. We have asked him to touch our roads, rail and also appoint our people where necessary. Azikiwe said he wanted one Nigeria so that our people will continue to do their businesses anywhere freely and we stand on that one Nigeria. It has no political undertone at all. We are not politicians. It’s done to foster peace.”

    In his speech, Ganduje said, “I cherished events like this that seeks to bring us together and strengthen our unity despite our diverse rich cultures. It has always been my firm belief that diversity should not be used as an instrument to divide. We cannot subscribe to the Machiavellian principle that differences in language, customs and laws divide people, making them difficult to hold together.

    “On several occasion, I turned down offers by many different organizations and traditional institutions to give award or confer on me traditional title. However, I gave it a second thought after critical examination considering the excellent working relationship we have with His Highness, Igwe (Dr.) Boniface Ibekwe, Eze Ndigbo Kano towards promoting the cause for peaceful co-existence not only with the Ndigbo but other ethnic groups resident in Kano.

    “Our brave, collective pursuit in uniting this nation, underscores the fact that for as long as we have a common purpose, will find no obstacle big enough to stop us from marching on. I personally commit, in my capacity as the governor to support all effort in ensuring that this country continue to remain one.

    “It has been my personal conviction that anyone who chose to come to stay in Kano should never be addressed as non-indigenes. And in ensuring that my conviction is real, we appointed senior aides into the government from major ethnic groups living in Kano.

    “In fact during the heights of the quit notice served by Coalition of Arewa Youth, I had to personally intervene by summoning series of meetings at the Government House, Kano to not only douse the simmering tension, but harmoniously resolved the crisis.

    “We have also introduced an Annual Inter-Religious and Community Conference towards strengthening Inter-Faith and Community Relations for Harmony, Peace and Sustainable Development in Kano State.

    “Your Excellency, His Eminence, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me say here that the decision by His Eminence to confer on me a traditional title has no political undertone whatsoever. I am not aspiring to be the President of this country.

    “My willingness to accept it is merely based on need to wax stronger, the longstanding relationship between the people of Kano, the Ndigbo and other ethnic nationalities.”

    The host governor, Okezie Ikpeazu represented at the event by the Secretary to the State government; Dr. Eme Okoro said “we promise to abide by this move made by our traditional rulers in keeping this nation peaceful and united.

    “What has happened today will go a long way in making things better for us all as Nigerians. From this move, it’s obvious that from now henceforth, Kano is the home of Abia people while Abia will always be a home for the Kano people.”

  • Imo eats new yam

    Eating the new yam or iri ji, is usually a thrill in Mbaise comprising three local government areas in Imo State. This year’s edition was all the more spectacular because a prized son of the soil, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu was honoured. OKODILI NDIDI reports

    The annual Iri-iji Mbaise festival celebrated by the three Local Government Areas of Ezinihitte, Ahiazu and Aboh-Mbaise council areas of Imo State, otherwise known as the Mbaise nation, is usually attended by a colourful display of culture, fanfare, affluence, brotherhood and communal spirit.

    It is one of the few festivals that have attained global acclaim in Igboland. It is a time the people of Mbaise from home and abroad converges to celebrate the yam as the ‘chief crop’.

    Visitors and tourists that grace the festival are never disappointed as they are treated to rare cultural display and uncommon hospitality.

    This year’s edition was no exemption; it took a more colourful and intriguing dimension as the traditional rulers of the ‘Mbaise nation’ took the opportunity to confer one of the highest titles in the land on the youthful Chief of Staff to the Imo State Governor, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu.

    Nwosu was crowned the ‘Ugwumba Oha Nile Mbaise’ by the monarchs who further brightened the occasion with their glittering royal apparels.

    The attendance was unprecedented in the history of the Iri Iji Mbaise festival. As early as 6am that fateful day, all the roads leading to Mbaise was jam-packed with vehicles conveying supporters and associates of Nwosu including government functionaries.

    The atmosphere was charged as thousands of youths waited eagerly for the Chieftaincy coronation to commence. Hundreds of traditional rulers from within and outside Mbaise nation, filed out in large number at the Central School Itu in Ezinihhite Council Area where this year’s iri iji festival was held.

    At last the arrival of Nwosu and his delectable wife, Uloma, in a convoy of exotic vehicles threw the waiting crowd into frenzy. The youths danced, the women broke into singing and the monarchs watched with admiration as their August visitor drove into the arena. Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the ecstatic crowd.

    The presentation of the kola nut, which was accompanied by rich tradition that depicts love and hospitality, held the visitors bound. It was followed by oration laced with proverbs and innuendos which the Igbo are reputed.

    Also the traditional cutting of yam was no less entertaining. A gigantic roasted tuber of yam was cut by the Chairman of the Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Leo Nwokocha.

    Thereafter, the monarchs filed out in order of seniority and take a piece of yam soaked in red palm oil and chew reflectively. With that action, every Mbaise ‘man’ can now eat the new yam.

    That done, the conferment of the Chieftaincy title on Nwosu who was described as a special friend and son of Mbaise nation commenced in earnest.

    Presenting the recipient to the crowd shortly before performing the coronation proper, Eze Nwokocha, said that Nwosu was chosen for the rare honour because of his contributions to the development of the state and empowerment of youths.

    He added that the monarchs and Mbaise nation had also observed his character of respect for the traditional institution and the customs of the people.

    He said that the title, Ugwumba Oha Nile Mbaise, was conferred on Nwosu with the hope that it will further spur him to continue with the service to humanity, which he has been dutifully committed to.

    Conferring the revered title, Eze Nwokocha noted further that Nwosu has become “both a friend and a son to Mbaise people”.

    He charged him never to forget Mbaise people at any given time.

    He also explained that they had considered a lot of factors before they decided to honour Nwosu with such a befitting Chieftaincy title, adding that “it was done in the interest of Imo State and Mbaise people in particular”.

    The monarch expressed delight that Nwosu accepted the offer.

    In his response, Nwosu said he lacked the appropriate words to describe the honour done him by the Mbaise people with the Chieftaincy title.

    According to Nwosu who was flanked by his wife, “for the people of Mbaise to honour me with such a wonderful title of ”Ugwumba Oha Nile” shows how Mbaise people take me”.

    He said, he has accepted to be both friend and son to Mbaise people and assured that he would never forget them either now or in the future.

    Commenting of the title, Chief Chidi Ibe, an engineer and indigene of Mbaise, described it as befitting and a departure from the culture of honouring people with questionable characters with titles.

    He commended the traditional rulers for their thoughtfulness, adding that the choice of Nwosu for the revered title has further given credence to Chieftaincy title conferment in Mbaise nation.

    According to him, “Nwosu is eminently qualified for such honour considering his contributions to the development and empowerment of youths across the state and beyond. I think this will encourage him and others to do more in that regards”.

    Another Mbaise indigene, Mathew Dike, stated that, “we are happy with the monarchs because they have done Mbaise proud unlike in many other places where the traditional rulers collect money from criminal elements and confer them with Chieftaincy titles. They have proved that Mbaise nation is different. It is impossible to buy our titles with money. You must be deserving of it by your antecedents”.

    The state Governor Rochas Okorocha who also attended the ‘Iri Iji’ festival, thanked the monarchs and people of Mbaise, for finding Nwosu worthy of the honour.

    He stated that recognizing the efforts by individuals to develop the society will encourage others to do same.

    The governor recalled that the people of Mbaise love him and voted for him in 2011 and 2015 elections respectively.

    He however regretted that the few political cabal in the area sat somewhere and manipulated the results of the elections.

    The governor whose arrival elicited thunderous ovation, added that he loves Mbaise people particularly for their unity and love for education.

    In his words “the name you hear about Imo State today in America, Canada, Uk, Abuja and all over the world, fifty percent of them are contributions of Mbaise people wherever they are found.

    “Imo State is proud of Mbaise people and that is the reason my administration has done much to develop Mbaise including citing the Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala University of Agriculture and Veternary Medicine, the Ahiara Mbaise Polytechnic, the Resin Paint Industry which my government repurchased and handed over to a Foreign Company, the Sky Run, among other projects”.

  • UNN alumni award scholarship, build N20m facility for alma mater

    Determined to give back to the society and their alma mater, the 1997 class of medical doctors of the college of medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, have reunited after 20 years of graduation.

    The reunion, which took place inside the Dentistry hall of the college of medicine, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, UNTH, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, was not all about fun and celebration.

    This is because members of the 1997 class used the occasion to inaugurate a modern students’ refectory worth N20m and awarded scholarship to 3 brilliant medical students of the University of Nigeria.

    Each of the 3 students, Onyishi Uchenna, Enebeli Gratus and John Steven, would collect N100,000 for every semester for their school fees and upkeep. The students were officially presented by the scholarship committee, comprising Dr. Chima Oti, Dr. Obinna Anikwe and Dr. Esther Okafor.

    Addressing the gathering, spokesman of the group and Dean Student Affairs, at the college of medicine, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Dr. George Ugwu, said the 1997 class had set out to not only to make history but to impact positively on society, adding that the construction of a modern students refectory and the award of scholarship to three medical students were just the beginning of many things to come.

    Ugwu, explained that the group embarked on the two projects as their contribution to join the vice chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba in expanding the University of Nigeria.

    He expressed joy that the University has been ranked first in the South East while the medical school has now gone international, following the recent endorsement of collaboration with the famous Gallily Medical College in Israel.

    In a joint statement presented at the occasion, the chairman of the Re-Union Committee, Dr. Kelechi Okoli and chairman of the local organising committee, Dr. Anazo Madu, commended the University administration for the  progress recorded so far, adding that the institution was better now than it was 20 years ago. They, however, noted that the University could still be better than it is at the moment.

    Responding, the vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, said that the institution had witnessed massive improvement in infrastructure, staff training and research since his appointment more than four years ago.

    Ozumba stated that since the University was founded by Dr. Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe, he, who is also Benjamin, must follow his dream and ensure that the citadel of learning becomes the best on the continent.

    While praising the 1997 class of medical doctors for being the first to build a structure in the University, the vice chancellor described the dean of Student Affairs, Dr. George Ugwu, as a brilliant and enterprising young man endowed with incredible leadership qualities.

    The provost of the college of medicine, Prof. Uchenna Nwagha, his deputy, Prof. Bond Anyaehie and the dean, Faculty of Dentistry, Prof. Felix Chukwuneke, were among the personalities who attended the historic event.

    Highlight of the occasion was the inauguration of the multi-million naira students Refectory by the vice chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba.

  • One week, two GOCs in Abia command

    About one week after the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu, Maj.-Gen Adamu Abubakar paid a farewell visit to 14 Brigade Ohafia, Abia State, his successor Emmanuel Kabuk stops by to familiarise with the brigade. SUNNY NWANKWO reports

    The 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Abia State has been busy playing the host. In just about a week the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major-General Adamu Abubakar was around to say his goodbyes. Now his successor General Emmanuel Kabuk has called to meet officers and men of the brigade.

    Kabuk now oversees army commands in the five southeastern states including 13 Brigade, Cross River State. During the tour he assured states under his command of adequate security throughout his stay in office.

    Kabuk stated this while addressing newsmen at the Umuahia Forward Operation Base (FOB) of 145 Battalion, using the opportunity to call for professionalism among the soldiers. He warned the troops against violation of citizen’s rights.

    The 82 Div GOC while reminding the troops of the need to be disciplined and respectful of constituted authorities, also urged them to guard their arms jealously so as not to lose their weapons to hoodlums who he said always wait for such an opportunity.

    He warned the troops against extortion, stressing that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) frowns at such bad behaviour of soldiers which he stated that his administration would also not tolerate.

    Announcing that Egwueke III would be holding this year, Kabuk used the opportunity to disclose that preparations have commenced towards ensuring a successful Operation Python Dance (Egwu Eke III) in the Southeastern states.

    He urged the soldiers to be ever prepared for the exercise which he said should be carried out in line with the vision of the COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

    “Egwu Eke is not just an operation; it is a training activity for the Nigerian Army on how to handle internal security challenges. If in conducting those training there are situations that need to be addressed in order for the Southeast to have the best security and peace that we are talking about, the troops will embark on that. The issue of preparation is common because training in the Nigerian Army is continuous.

    “But this time around, it is a focused training because it is an exercise that is at army level and we are the host. So we have to be prepared to make sure that we perform our responsibility consistent with the vision of the chief of army staff in other to achieve the set objectives for that exercise.”

    Kabuk who took over the command on August 6, said that the vision of the Chief of Army Staff is to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional role where troops are expected to be professional in all they are doing, responsive and must ensure that whatever they are doing must be consistence with the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He said, “As the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, I have to bring the troops to focus on what the vision of the Chief of Army staff. In line with that vision, we shall give the Southeast the best security. It is only in a secure environment that economic activities can thrive. It is the only condition to ensure that law abiding Nigerians go about their activities undisturbed. Without security a society is nothing. So, the desire of the chief of army staff is for all parts of Nigeria to be secure, peaceful and suitable for law abiding Nigerians and we shall ensure that here.

  • Joy of training youths

    A job creation programme started in Anambra State three years ago by Hero’s Foundation Kickstart, owned by International Breweries Plc, is making quite a difference.

    The exercise has been extended to nine states, providing jobs to 64 youths in the Southeast alone. Some of the youths trained in the programme have gone on to train and employ other youths.

    The foundation said it has already spent N132m on the scheme in the Southeast.

    The Executive Director, Legal and Corporate Affairs of International Breweries Otunba Michael Daramola said the foundation was helping to reduce the number of the unemployed in the country

    Some beneficiaries of the programme gathered to share their experience. Some said they had employed between four and 10 workers in their different companies which included poultry, waste recycling, and ICT, among others.

    Apart from the five initial states in the south east, the foundation had added another four states like Delta, Edo, Benue and Rivers to participate in the entries.

    Daramola told The Nation that the foundation receives over 5,000 entries from youths between 18 to 35 each year and after the one week training, the lucky ones would be empowered with amounts ranging from N1.5m to N3m.

    He said it was part of the resolve of the foundation to alleviate poverty among the teeming youths in the society.

    Speaking with The Nation, the company secretary and general counsel of International Breweries, Mr Muyiwa Ayojimi said it was a way inspiring budding entrepreneurs in Nigeria.

    He said, “We launched the programme in 2016 to touch lives and inspire young people, especially in the face of economic challenges in the country.

    “Despite the fact that our economy is slowly pulling out of a recession, the International Breweries Hero’s foundation has been able to keep to its promise of making this program an annual event.

    “We initially kicked off the programme with youths residing in the core south eastern states of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, in 2017, we expanded our horizon to include Benue, Delta and Edo states.

    “I am proud to announce that this year, we will be expanding further to include Rivers State to the list of participating states.”

    Daramola said the foundation was taking things step by step in making sure it diversifies to other areas.

    One of the Board members of the foundation and first female professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria, Chinyere Stella Okunna, explained it was a little way of helping the government at all levels in reducing unemplyment in the society.

    David Ekwueme, one of the awardees, who received three million naira from the foundation, told the Nation he had already employed 10 persons in his recycling waste business, while thanking Hero’s kick-start foundation for the gesture.

    Also, other awardees who spoke in the same direction included, Omata Chukwuma, who is into ICT business, Eze Ifeoma , who is into poultry and Ndulue Sandra (poultry).

  • ‘We’re satisfied with Senator Orji’

    A group of youths in Abia State has said a former governor of the state Theodore Orji who has been representing them at the Senate, has done very well and deserves a second term.

    The youths under the aegis of Good Governance Initiative (GGI) said they endorsed the member representing Abia Central Senatorial district for a second term because of the way he has been taking care of the youths in the state.

    The youths who were overwhelmed over the uncommon gesture of the Abia Central senator, said that since he entered the senate several good things have been coming their way.

    They said that what the senator has been doing goes beyond his senatorial district as he has moved motions, sponsored bills that will affect people that are outside his constituency such as moving and sponsoring the bill that will turn Abiapoly into federal government polytechnic which is outside his senatorial area.

    Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia, the president of GGI, Comrade Maureen Kelechi Onwukwe said that their group is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which has the aim of promoting good governance in Abia State and beyond.

    Onwukwe listed some of the achievements of the former governor to include scholarship schemes from which over 180 indigent but brilliant youths from the zone including a blind student have benefitted.

    The GGI president said, “There are skill acquisition schemes across all levels of the society, renovation of schools under his area of representation, provision of boreholes with overhead tanks, electricity transformers, tricycles, vehicles among others which have gone a long way to alleviate poverty in the society.

    “Senator Orji has sponsored over 10 people-oriented bills which are at various stages of being passed into law and also several motions even as first time senator of the country which is unprecedented.

    “This is a man who has seen it all, a man who has been and is still the voice of the masses, articulate distinguished gentleman, a man who always show vibrancy, consistency in discharging his legislative functions since he entered the senate chambers.

    “This man in question has delivered the dividends of democracy to the good people of Abia central senatorial district and beyond, these and many more have made us the youths of the state to lend our support to enable him to return to the senate”.

    In his contribution, a former Umuahia North council chairman, Bar Suleman Ukandu thanked the youths of the state for bringing out the good works of the senator which has been visible in the senatorial district and beyond even as some of the projects are ongoing.

    Ukandu said that the senator has taken it upon himself in not only making laws but also providing dividends of democracy for his constituents, “Though the legislative arm of government is mainly to make laws, but Senator Orji has gone ahead to increase human development to enable his people to be self-dependent”.

    Reacting a former Chief Press Secretary (CPS) of the former governor, Ugochukwu Emezue said that Senator Orji as a governor left indelible marks in the political spheres of the state such as ensuring that the seat of governor touches all corners of the state.

    Emezue said that equity is one of the greatest legacies his former boss has bequeathed to the people of the state which will stand the test of time, stressing that the wonderful move by Orji has given the state peace and stability which generations on born will always appreciate.

    He explained that those who are fighting Orji are not doing it because he has not done well, “They are fighting him because he did not allow the old politicians to take power rather allowed equity to take place, if what he did is a sin then we are all sinners”.

    The former CPS revealed that the Orji has made it clear that he wants to return to the senate after four years that he wants to retire and become and an elder statesman where he intend to serve the people better.

  • Imo goes after kidnappers’ properties

    Before his arrest and parade by the police for the kidnap and murder of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ikenna Nwosu lived a flamboyant life in his community in Mgbidi, Oru East Council Area of Imo State. To the unsuspecting neighbourhood, Nwosu and two of his accomplices, Eze Chukwu and Chidi Anyiam are successful businessmen who conduct their businesses outside the state.

    Nwosu, the ringleader of the notorious kidnap gang, is so well known in the community for his magnanimity that churches scramble to have him in their midst. Such is his penchant for extravagant spending that he earned the appellation ‘Ezego’, meaning cash man.

    The three were celebrated in their villages by their people as illustrious sons who brought succour to them with their wealth. Little did they know that behind that façade of magnanimity, may lie a heart seething with unimaginable evil.

    Residents of Mgbidi probably started to review their impressions of the trio when in broad daylight government officials and heavily armed security men stormed the community and promptly demolished a hotel and five other buildings belonging to the suspected kidnappers.

    The story of Nwosu and his alleged gang members is not different from that of many youths who flaunt their questionable wealth and worm their ways into the hearts of gullible villagers including traditional rulers and clergymen who reward them with chieftaincy titles and other honours.

     

    The menace of kidnapping

    By 2011, Imo State had an unenviable record of the kidnappers’ haven which forced investors and fun seekers away from the state. But the state government, apparently disturbed by the brazen manner people were kidnapped and sometimes murdered, swung into action and adopted stringent measures to curb the menace.

    The prevalence of kidnapping is higher in Ohaji-Egbema, Oguta, Oru East, Oru West and Ngor-Okpala council areas.

    According to police records, nearly all the major kidnap cases have been planned and executed from criminal hideouts located in aforementioned councils.

    A police source attributed the high rate of kidnapping and other criminal activities in the area to the difficult terrain.

    “Ohaji-Egbema, for instance, is surrounded by thick and impregnable forests, and criminal elements, especially kidnappers, take advantage of this, keeping their victims in the forests”.

    The source added further that, “In most of the communities, the villagers aid and abet kidnapping by hiding information about kidnap suspects from security agents and also help them in keeping the victims until the ransom is paid”.

    Within the last two years over 30 people have been reportedly kidnapped and either rescued or released after ransoms were paid. A few victims were murdered by the abductors, while a sizeable number of the suspected kidnappers were also arrested within the time under review.

     

    Efforts to curb the menace

    One of the major steps taken was to have the House of Assembly enact a law that empowers the government to demolish properties of established kidnappers or any other property used for the purpose of holding kidnap victims. Since the introduction of the demolition law, no fewer than 16 houses of confirmed kidnappers have been demolished by the state government.

    According to a government official who didn’t want his name mentioned for obvious security reasons, “the idea of demolishing properties linked to suspected kidnappers is to ensure that nobody benefits from the proceeds of crime and more importantly to ensure that the suspected kidnappers are exposed and shamed before their kinsmen; this we hope will serve as a deterrent to others”.

    The government source added further that, “our people value good name and will do everything to protect that, so if a kidnapper is arrested and his house is demolished, it will bring stigma on the name of the family and nobody wants that. This fact will force parents to be proactive in ensuring that they monitor the activities of their children, instead of gloating over their wealth without ascertaining the source”.

    The government also in the bid to flush out kidnappers and other criminal elements from the villages, entered into collaboration with traditional rulers and created what was called the Black Book, which contains the names of suspected criminals in all the villages and their locations.

    This was subsequently handed over to the security agents who acted on the credible intelligence and rid the communities of undesirable elements, even though there were fears that the Black Book may be turned into a tool of blackmail and witch hunt.

    Another remarkable measure taken by the state government to check kidnapping and other heinous crimes is the prohibition of sales and consumption of illicit drugs in the state, including smoking of Indian hemp, cocaine, tramadol and other dangerous narcotics.

    Consequently, a Taskforce on Illicit Drugs was inaugurated and headed by a female Lawyer, Ijeoma Igboanusi with a mandate to fish out and prosecute drug peddlers and users, as well as to demolish any house where drugs are sold.

    The taskforce is also mandated to rehabilitate drug users who are yet to graduate into full blown criminal activity.

    While inaugurating the taskforce, the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, assured, saying, “we will fund this taskforce very well to be sure they lack nothing in the course of executing their job. We shall convert the Cultural Centre in Orlu as a rehabilitation Centre and the one in Okigwe shall be called the Drug Rehabilitation Centre”.

    At the occasion, he lamented that, “the society is finished. One of the decisions we have taken is that once we discover a place they are selling the drug, we must bring down the house, no matter who owns the house. Once the landlord cannot control what people do in his house, that place must come down. If marijuana smoking stops, kidnapping, armed robbery will stop. Our traditional rulers know them and they are afraid of them in the villages. So they have become too powerful. And we must as a matter of urgency, address this issue of illicit drugs”.

    Speaking on the activities of the Taskforce, the Commander noted that, “we have been working very hard to ensure that our youths keep away from drugs like Indian hemp, cocaine, tramadol and others and this in turn has led to a drastic reduction in criminal activities across the state because drugs addiction is the bedrock of all criminal activities”.

    Meanwhile the state police command, noted that it has been able to drastically reduce the rate of kidnapping and armed robbery in the state by stirring  the awareness of the members of the society through community policing initiated by the Police high command.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Andrew Enwerem, a Superintendent of Police, stated further that, “through the Police strategy, members of the public have become aware that they have a role to play in the fight against kidnapping and other heinous crimes. We have been receiving credible intelligence from members of the public about those who are involved in kidnapping. So presently in Imo state Police Command, we are witnessing a downward trend in cases of kidnapping”.

    Enwerem noted that the slow pace of prosecution of criminal cases by the judiciary has posed a major challenge to the fight against kidnapping and armed robbery, “if you go to Owerri prisons you will discover that majority of the kidnap and armed robbery cases charged to court are only awaiting trial for some over two to three years and this constitute over 70 percent of the inmates are awaiting trial, there is need for quick dispensation of justice. This was what led to the escape of Vampire after two years of awaiting trial.”

  • Abia plants two million palms

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has flagged off the distribution of two million oil palm seedlings (Tenera) to residents and farmers across the 17 local government areas of the state. The state is targeting being a major exporter of oil palm in the near future.

    Ikpeazu, while performing the distribution exercise at the Ministry of Agriculture’s Nursery site at Ayaba Umueze in Osisioma Local Government Area of the state, disclosed that the state government was targeting planting of 7.5 million oil palm seedlings in the state by 2019.

    According to the governor, the distribution exercise was part of the state government’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce overdependence on the federal monthly allocation.

    “We were bordered and worried by the fact that so many years after the era of Michael I. Okpara who was best known in Nigeria as the foremost leader in the agric sector, the state has been unable to add one more palm tree, cashew, cocoa or rubber to the estate already acquired by M.I Okpara which we inherited.

    “The greatest source of worry is that if M.I. Opkara could establish University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Golden Guinea (Breweries) and other major industries in the Eastern Region in those days using only agro products, why has it taken so long for us realise what we have missed or lost in the area of agriculture?

    “It was in response to this question or gap that our administration decided to embark on oil palm revolution. In initiating the five pillars of development for this administration for which agriculture is one of them.

    “We decided not to take on every crop despite the fact that Abia is so fertile; that any crop can grow and flourish in Abia. We decided to be jack of a few trade and master them.

    “We chose for ourselves oil palm, cassava, cashew and cocoa. So what we have come here to do today is to demonstrate a manifestation of our tenacity and desire to make sure that oil palm replaces crude oil in the economy of Abia State.

    “We are aware of the fact that you cannot talk about agriculture in the 24th century unless you can boast of improved seedlings and I have been briefed and made to understand that the current specie which is the most exotic and profitable specie of oil palms was taken from Abia, Southeast and Nigeria to Malaysia at the cost of N10 and they have improved on it genetically and returned it to us with another name called Tenera.

    “So what we have done is to repatriate what was stolen from us and I am proud to say that there is no other state that has proliferated the Tenera seedling of oil palm to the extent of 2million seedlings apart from Abia State.”

    He urged those that got the oil palm seedling to ensure that they planted it in the state to achieve the desired aims and objectives of the administration

    “I am appealing to youths, traditional institution. We will go back to planting of oil palm tree. I am happy with what I am seeing. It shows that the people of the state are buying into the project. My hope is that the oil palm seedlings will be planted in the state. Our target is 7.5million. We will now rest until we meet our target. Since we have been able to know how to breed them, we will ensure that it goes round the state.”

    Earlier in his speech, the commissioner of Agriculture in the state, Rt. Hon. Uzo Azubuike said that overall objective of the ministry was to position the state to be able to feed its population as well as produce for export and provide new materials for Agro-based industries which would ultimately lead to generation of wealth and job creation.

    “By the time these plants are in full production, Abia would have been placed squarely on the economic map as the highest oil palm producer in the West African Sub-Region.

    “The multiple effect of creating over ten thousand jobs (more than half the current Public-sector workforce), the quantum leap in oil palm processing plants and the industrialisation of the State through the provision of industrial raw materials and the fabrication or processing and storage facilities by Abians will obviously transform Abia into the economic giant of the founding father’s dreams,” Azubuike stated.