The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Saraki praises Ekweremadu

    Saraki praises Ekweremadu

    The Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki has described his Deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, as a man who has the interest of the country at heart, even as Senator Ekweremadu described his re-emergence as Senator and Deputy President of the Senate as an act of God.

    Saraki stated this at a civic reception in Mpu, the country home of Senator Ekweremadu shortly after a special thanksgiving service where Ekweremadu had rededicated himself to service to Nigeria and mankind.

    Speaking on behalf of the Senate, Senator Saraki described Senator Ekweremadu as a man who every Nigerian politician should look forward to working with.

    He said: “For us politicians, it is always better for us to get close to know somebody because in our meets in the 7th Senate, he and I were far apart. But in this current Senate, I am the first person to tell a few people that Senator Ekweremadu is a perfect gentleman. You are a perfect gentleman and I repeat that many times. You are a good example for us politicians.

    “He is the type of Nigerian that we will want to continue to serve because he only sees things for the good of Nigeria. I am grateful enough to be working with you and I will continue to assure you that we will continue to work closely for the interest of this great country.”

    At the special thanksgiving service by his family, held at Mpu, in Aninri Local Government Area, Ekweremadu, while recalling his journey back to the Senate, said: “About two years ago, nobody would have believed that we will be here talking about Ike Ekweremadu being a Senator again, let alone being the Deputy President of the Senate. But, by the grace of God, I am today not only the Senator representing Enugu West, but also the Deputy President of the Senate.

    “We went through very tumultuous primaries that almost divided our state along the line, but we thank God that today, Enugu State is united and peaceful.

    “After the elections, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost control of the National Assembly and many people thought we were finished. But we went into political engineering and I want to thank my colleagues for that long night. We decided that when we got to the chamber in the morning, we were going to perform wonders and when the time came for the inauguration of the Senate, I was re-elected Deputy President of the Senate. It was the will of God.”

    ýSenator Ekweremadu particularly thanked God for sparing his life during the assassination attempt on him, assuring that he remained unperturbed, nevertheless.

    “In November, there was an attempt on my life, but God saved me. I am not scared and I want to re-assure Nigerians that we will continue to serve; we want to continue to deliver services without fear or favour,” he said.

    While thanking his constituents and Nigerians for the outpouring of love and solidarity, he enjoined them to sustain their faith in democracy as the best route to socio-economic transformation.

    He added: “I will like to thank all of you that gave me the opportunity and privilege to serve. For the first time in this part of Nigeria, a Senator has been elected four times consecutively and that Senator is Ike Ekweremadu.

    “I grew up in this sleepy village. But today, by the grace of God, it is a community to be reckoned with. That is the power of democracy. The only way we can show gratitude to God is to continue to serve Him and to serve humankind and I will continue to do so with the fear of God.”

     

  • Towards better health care delivery in Anambra

    The Divine Hope Health Care Association under the auspices of the Federal Government’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been launched in Iyi-Enu General Hospital in Ogidi Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Many dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony.

    Speaking at the event, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Most Rev. Owen Nwokolo, who was represented by Venerable Obi Ubaka, said it was the wish of the people that they must have good health.

    He thanked God for the vision, the will and the people who had made Iyi-Enu Hospital thick.

    “People have to spend in order to get good health; NHIS brought health care closer to the people in communities in Nigeria.

    “While the Federal Government is performing its responsibility, Iyi-Enu Hospital is also performing its own responsibilities to guarantee the spiritually and physically health of the people.

    “The NHIS is our own and all hands must be on deck to make it work. The diocese of Onitsha has been behind the success in the hospital,” he said.

    During the inauguration, five-year-old Onyinyechi Ibe and 29-year-old expectant Molokwu Ijeoma received their identity cards for NHIS.

    The Acting Executive Secretary, Chief Executive NHIS, Mr. Femi Akingbade, said the partnership between the body and Anambra State government was yielding positive results under the informal sector as Divine Hope Health Care Association.

    He said the association is the 3rd Community-based Health Insurance Programme to be inaugurated after that of Igbo-Ukwu in 2012, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Anaocha Mutual Health Association in May, this year.

    “As you know, the NHIS, as an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria was established to improve on our health by significantly reducing financial barriers to access to health care services through pre-payment mechanisms.

    “Towards achieving this, a number of programmes were designed and developed, targeting the different socio-economic groupings in our diverse country.

    “We are aware that the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has expressed interest to log on to the state’s Socio-Health Insurance Scheme (SHIS) for all citizens of Anambra State.

    “One of our key driving forces as an organisation is the presidential mandate to ensure universal coverage for Nigerians by the year 2015,” he said.

    Akingbade further said their major challenge as they strive towards achieving their target, remained extending the benefits of health insurance to the formal sector.

    “We are aware that Nigeria has a very huge informal sector (80 per cent of the total population) and we recognise the fact that the achievement of our targets and goals are only possible if we are able to provide health insurance cover for this sub-sector,” he stated.

    He further said the Community-based Health Insurance Program-me (CBHIP) and the State Social Health Insurance Scheme (SSHIS) were their strategy to reach out to the informal and formal sectors.

    Also, the state coordinator of NHIS, Mrs. Ossi Gertrude Ihekerenma, told Southeast Report that the state had been working hard in the area of mobilisation in Anambra State.

    She said the people had been yearning for such opportunity, adding that it was the 3rd time it had been carried out in the state.

    “It has not been long we began the Divine Hope here as a result of the commitment of the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Most Rev. Nwokolo. This is a programme the people want here.

    “We are bringing quality health care to the rural people with a token contribution. They will be attended to by trained personnel and the programme will reduce mortality and morbidity in rural areas. It is health care at your door steps,” Ihekerenma said.

    For Venerable Emma Mbanugo, many people die in silence because of the high cost of health care in Nigeria.

    However, he thanked the Federal Government and the NHIS for introducing such programme. He, however, warned that it should not be a reason for people to start rearing children like pigs.

     

  • Senators’ road ordeal in Abia

    Senators’ road ordeal in Abia

    A fact-finding mission of members of a Senate ad hoc committee to Abia State reveals how deep and frightening the erosion and poor federal roads are, reports UGOCHUKWU UGOJI-EKE

    At some locations, they could peer into the abyss created by erosion. At other points it was practically impossible to continue their journey. The roads are unspeakably bad, the erosion sites frightening.

    The trip by members of a Senate ad hoc Committee on Works to assess federal roads and erosion sites in Abia State was revealing. The mission shaped up following a motion by Senator Mao Ohuabunwa drawing attention to the horrors of poor federal roads and dangerous erosion locations in the state. The committee members’ trip to Abia was therefore to see things for themselves and bring back a report to the chamber in Abuja. Perhaps, if things were as bad as Ohuabunwa claimed, the Senate could initiate efforts to tackle the disasters once and for all.

    So, off they went, led by Senator Barnabas Gemade. Senators Uche Ekwunife, Bassey Albert, Matthew Urohido and Clifford Odia, Mao Ohuabunwa and Theodore Orji were on the trip.

    Abia residents have been complaining about broken federal roads and the hazards of erosion for years.  The ever-worsening gully erosions have swept off farmlands and even some houses and other structures.

    The senate committee members were prevented from continuing the inspection of Ohafia-Arochukwu Road because a truck was stuck at a gully erosion point, blocking the road.

    The truck was stuck at Ania Ohafia in Arochukwu Local Government Area of the state and forced the committee members to stop further inspection of the bad situation of the roads including environmental degradation to enable them make proper assessment of the roads and erosion sites they came to see.

    They made a U-turn to inspect the serious erosion site on Elu Amuke Ohafia before proceeding to Oruruala Isiukwuato, a major erosion menace that has devastated the area over years and defied all governments from President Olusegun Obasanjo till date.

    Before the ad hoc committee set out from Umuahia, the state capital, the Senator for Abia Central and immediate past governor of the state Senator Theodore Orji took the members to the Ahia Orie Ette erosion site that has posed serious threat to Umuahia.

    Speaking after the inspection visits, Senator Gemade observed the magnitude of the problem and the reactions of the people, saying that their visit was sequel to the motion moved on the floor of the Senate by Senator Ohuabunwa for Abia North which compelled the senate to direct the inspection visits to some states beginning with Abia.

    Gemade said “Truly I have seen with my eyes the deplorable condition of the Arochukwu Road which is a federal road; the committee will do all in its power by taking the problem to the ecological office and we are sure that something will be done.

    “It will no longer be business as usual as change has come, we pray that the economy of the country will be able to carry the project, the people should not be allowed to continue to suffer, even as bad roads are not peculiar to Abia alone.”

    He remarked that the problem was not new, only that this time the federal government under President Muhammadu Buhari was resolved to effect change through physical action and not pledges and promised the people that his committee will make its recommendations to the senate and assured the people that succor is on the way.

    He urged the people to continue to have some patience pledging that his committee will make strong recommendation to the senate to cause due attention to be paid on the sites and praised Senator Ohuabunwa for drawing the senate attention to the problem very shortly after his inauguration as senator from the state.

    Senator Ohuabunwa in his remarks appreciated the senate for its quick reaction to his motion by constituting an ad hoc committee to undertake the visit and urged the senate and the federal government to immediately act on the report of the inspection and the committee

    recommendations towards addressing the problem permanently.

    In a memo addressed to the chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, the state Ministry of Works pleaded with the chairman to prevail on the relevant authority to appropriate adequately to rehabilitate federal roads in the state.

    The memo signed by the Permanent Secretary Richard Nwala said, “The level of dilapidation of the federal roads in the state has caused the Abia government to write the Federal Government severally, including requests for permission to take up the construction of some of them

    using State fund, despite the state’s lean resources.

    The requests for permission were made on rehabilitation of Port-Harcourt  Road Aba, Aba-Owerri road and Aba-Ikot Ekpene road which are  no longer passable”, and went ahead to listed 16 other Federal Road Projects  whose rehabilitation contracts , were awarded and abandoned at different points.

    It would be recalled that the collapsed state of federal roads and serious erosion sites in Abia North especially at Isuikwuato, Ohafia, Bende and other local government areas in the state had become challenges to succeeding senators and Reps Members of the area including the Presidents of the country.

    Less than two months after he became the member for Arochukwu/Ohafia Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Uko Nkole raised similar motion in the  house drawing the members’ attention to the Ohafia-Arochukwu Road which he said had prevented sons and daughters of the area from coming home for their 2015 New Yam cultural feasts.

    Hon Nkole had in several occasions tried to draw the attention of the federal government to the deplorable condition of the federal roads in Abia North zone where his constituency is situated, and the suffering of his constituents and their inability to evacuate their farm

    produce.

    He noted that his constituents have been suffering for years and pleaded with the federal government to come to the aid of his people and save them from further devastation from both erosion and deplorable condition of federal roads in his area, stressing that both the state and federal governments have a lot to benefit when the roads and erosion sites are worked upon.

  • Nsukka residents seek exploration of gas, crude deposits

    Nsukka residents seek exploration of gas, crude deposits

    A natural gas and oil well discovered about 50 years ago at Ehalumona in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State has remained untapped since its discovery.

    The residents have expressed the desire to see exploration activities at the site.

    The natural gas and oil deposit in the area is said to be in large commercial quantity and estimated to last for over 50 years.

    An indigenous oil and gas company, Seveen Energy was said to have acquired the site for exploration but abandoned it for what insiders called political interference.

    The vast gas site was first discovered by CGG Company prior to the Nigerian Civil War in 1966. It has been overgrown with weeds and left in a deplorable state.

    The untapped crude deposit found in abundance in the area has traces of the same deposits in other communities in Nsukka and also cut across local governments in the area.

    The areas that have traces of the crude deposits include Obollo Ekeh, Ezebinagu, Isi Uzo, amomg others.

    The major base of the oil is in Ehalumona and it has about 30% petrol and 70% natural gas deposits.

    The residents of the oil rich communities   have expressed worry over the inability of the indigenous company, Seveen Energy to carry on further explorative activities since the Federal Government awarded it since 2013.

    The residents dislosed that the Seveen Energy company had carried out a siesmic operation they termed environmental impact assessment in February 2014 at the abandoned oil zone.

    In  2008 the huge natural gas deposit attracted Geokinetic Gas and Oil Plc, for further exploration of the site but failed to continue.

    A community leader, Cletus Akor disclosed that prior to the Nigerian civil war in 1966, the oil and gas deposits had earlier attracted CGG company where they carried it’s first seismic exploration but couldn’t continue as a result of the severity of the civil war.

    The community youth leader, Oji Uzo expressed his dissatisfaction over the abandoned oil-rich zone, describing it as a waste of both human and capital resources.

    He said: “This type of thing should not be joked with. Look at an endowment being overlooked, something that would have been a source of employment opportunities for jobless Nigerian youths is overgrown by grasses. When this company first came here, our youth were employed as labourers and some worked in other lucrative positions, but look at how delapidated it is, a treasure of a nation.

    “They told us that they would test the natural gas which they did and carried a half tanker of the crude gas for test, but we have not heard from them again.”

    Also, Mr. Jonathan Ugwuanyi disclosed that apart from the Natural gas located in the area that there are untapped natural resources like Gold, Coal, among other resources located in the area.

    The traditional ruler of Ezebinagu /Ehandiagu communities,  Igwe Daniel Ugwuanyi expressed his belief that the company may begin exploration of the natural gas soon.

    He said: “If this gas deposit is explored, it will create job opportunities for the people as well as a source of revenue for the Federal and State government.”

    He said that the gas deposit would likely foster the construction of the much neglected Nsukka, Ehalumona, Ehandiagu, Mbu-Ikem road,” he said.

    He therefore apealed to the State and Federal government to react positively to the abandoned huge gas deposit located in Ezebinagu/ Ehandiagu communities.

     

  • Commuters groan amid fuel scarcity in Aba

    Commuters groan amid fuel scarcity in Aba

    Fuel scarcity is taking its toll on commuters in Aba, the commercial hub of Aia State and the Southeast.

    Capitalising on the difficulties of finding the golden liquid, transporters have jerked up fares to the discomfort of their passengers.

    One of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s depots at Osisioma on the outskirts of the business city is yet to receive product, causing majority of the filling stations in the city to be closed. A few where the products are available sell at exorbitant prices.

    The Nation investigation reveals that most of the filling stations dispensed petrol at a pump price of between N110 and N120 while in the black market it sold for between N120 and N150, a situation that has affected cost of transportation in  most parts of Enyimba City.

    From Park to Osisioma which usually cost N70 now costs between N100 and N150. Park to No 1 Port Harcourt road rose from N30 to N50. Park to Ariaria initially was N50, but can take up to N150 or less; depending on the flow of traffic on the busy Faulks Road etc even as a trip from Aba to Umuahia the state capital also witnessed a sharp increase as transporters attribute the increase to high cost diesel and PMS.

    Some of the petroleum marketers who spoke anonymously debunked the insinuations that they were hoarding petroleum products, adding that they were selling the products above the official pump price to cover their expenses as they went out of their ways to source the products outside the southeast which they equally got higher than the usual official price.

    A cross section of respondents who spoke to our reporter over the issue in Aba said that the situation was becoming excruciating on them that the federal government needs to do all it can to address the situation and to also get the country’s refineries working to upmost capacity.

    They also expressed the fears that if nothing was done to ameliorate the situation, the prices of petroleum products could further rise beyond the current price which further ruin the mood of the festive period and also affect the price of commodities in the market beyond the affordability of the common man.

    The residents further called for the prompt supply of petroleum products to the Osisioma Depot as soon as possible in order to salvage the situation and feared that if the situation continues, it could further lead to having adverse effect on business and economic activities in the city and therefore plead federal government and the responsible bodies to put heads together and see how the situation can be nip in the bud and save the people from further agony.

     

  • Community hosts Anambra Speaker

    Community hosts Anambra Speaker

    Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu has been busy lately. She is not just leading the state lawmakers but also presenting herself to be honoured by people who are proud of her achievements and by those who directly benefitted from her.

    Not long ago, some women in the state organised a reception for her for occupying the Speaker’s position. Now Ukpor community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state has hosted her at a church, thanking her for the amenities she brought to their town.

    Ukpor has paved roads, water because of her. Also, the needy have recived all kinds of assistance from the lawmaker.

    The event which held at Saint Mary Mother of Christ Parish, Ukpor attracted the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke and former governor of the state, Dame Virgy Etiaba and former Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon. Anayo Nebe, among others.

    In his homily, Most Rev Valerian Okeke urged the Speaker to continue to serve the state with the fear of God.

    The cleric also prayed God to give her the strength and wisdom to discharge her duties, adding that what had happened in her political career showed that God was an awesome one.

    Former female governor and Peter Obi’s Deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba, described the Speaker as a virtuous woman and an experienced politician who has done well for the community and the state.

    Etiaba expressed satisfaction with the level of cordiality existing among the three arms of government in the state.

    She added that the tenure of the speaker would bring more positive development to the state, even as she prayed God to give the state more women who would be willing to serve the state creditably.

    Maduagwu who was beaming with smiles throughout the event, promised to use her position to serve both God and humanity creditably.

    Speaking with The Nation, she reaffirmed her determination to ensure that the House of Assembly under her watch would touch the lives of the citizenry positively through enactment of people oriented laws.

    Her husband, Hyacinth Maduagwu, told THE NATION that power comes from God, adding that his wife had been a dutiful one, noting that it was not surprising that God would elevate her to such height.

    One of the widows in the community Esther Udogu, prayed God to give the speaker the wisdom to lead her colleagues in the state Assembly, describing her as an asset to Ukpor community.

    According to her, “this woman is a down to earth, humble person, who used her position to elevate many people in this community and that is why you are seeing this crowd today”

    Before she went into politics, she had been in the habit of helping the poor and less privilege in the society including some of us who are widows, and that is why we pray for her always.”

     

  • Will Abia, Imo help this baby?

    Will Abia, Imo help this baby?

    If the three children of the Onumaraekwus, the youngest has an abnormally swollen and aching head. Chibuike Miracle Onumaraekwu, nearing two years old, needs N5m for an urgent surgery. His father, Iheanyichukwu Onumaraekwu, a small-time trader at Ariaria Market, Aba, Abia State, cannot raise the money, nor can his wife. All the cash they had has been used up in the search for their boy’s cure. They have moved from one hospital to another and from one church to the other. Their effort has yet to yield any fruit.

    Imo State-born Onumaraekwu has appealed to the Abia State government as well as that of Imo to help save his son who was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus, a condition responsible for the swollen head.

    Miracle is almost always lying down because he can hardly sit. This has worsened his condition as bed-sores often break out of his head.

    “I live at Owerre Aba for now,” the trader to The Nation at a Deeper Life service at Abia State Polytechnic, Aba where he and his wife took Miracle for prayers.

    “I am from Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State. I am a petty trader at Ariaria International Market, Aba Abia State.

    “Miracle was born on September 2, 2014. I wasn’t living with them because things became hard for us and my family left for the village while I stayed back in Aba to be doing my business.

    Three months after his birth, I got to the village and saw his condition, but I never knew it would be this serious, though my wife after his birth noticed that his head was big, but didn’t know it was a serious problem.

    One week later, my junior sister called to inform me that my baby’s head was developing in an unusual manner. I went home and took him to FMC (Federal Medical Centre Owerri), but they were on strike. We couldn’t go to Enugu since February to see one of the Pediatrics we were referred to go and see in Enugu because of lack of money and as such have been going from one place to another for treatment and that is why we are here today to see if God can use the Man of God (Kumuyi) to heal our son.

    “As at the time we were referred to Enugu, we learnt that doctors at UNTH, Enugu were equally on strike. Fortunately for us, we met a doctor who saw us and told us that the baby will be operated upon on his head to enable him live his normal life. We noticed it since December 2014. He is my second son and third child. The child is healthy. He doesn’t have fever, he eats normally and feels discomfort because of the weight of his head.

    “The truth is that we don’t have anyone and the little money that I had has gone into his treatment because we had taken Miracle to herbal doctors but yet, there was no improvement before we finally met the doctor that suggested that the baby will be operated upon.

    “I am appealing to the Imo State governor and the father of the needy in Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to come to our assistance. The life of this baby is under threat and it will take good-hearted Nigerians like the governor of Imo State and concerned Nigerians to come to our rescue. The name of our baby is Miracle and I hope that through kind Nigerians, the significance of the baby’s name will be made manifest,” Miracle’s father pleaded.

    His wife, Mrs. Chidinma Iheanyichukwu Onumaraekwu, an indigene of Abia State who spoke in tears, corroborated her husband’s account of the incident.

    According to her, “I took in for my third child while in the village because we left Aba due to condition of things for us. I went for scan but it was not detected. It was about two months after his birth that we noticed that his head was growing big. We initially took it for granted, but when we noticed that it was becoming abnormal for a child of his age, we took him to hospitals including FMC Owerri, Imo State. It was after medical examinations that we were told that he will be operated upon. This condition has made me and his elder one to be staying at home. They no longer go to school because we don’t have money to carter for their educational and academic needs.

    “We have visited many homes; both hospitals and traditional homes seeking for cure. The life of this baby is precious and we don’t want to lose him. I know he has a great future and I want the meaning of his name to manifest in his life.

    “I am appealing to the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, charity and Non-Governmental Organizations to come to our assistance and help to give this child back his life. We don’t have gold or silver, but I know that God who maketh man to be rich will always replenish their purses and wherever they will bring money to assist us”, Mrs. Blessing Iheanyichukwu prayed.

    Financial assistance may be sent to Onumaraekwu Iheanyichukwu Joseph on his Ecobank account number 4083019392.

     

  • Enugu road projects take off

    Enugu road projects take off

    Heavy-duty vehicles and other construction equipment have been deployed to various road project sites in Enugu State, marking the take-off of contracts recently awarded by the Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration. This has raised the hopes of residents of communities where the roads are.

    Yet, not everyone is happy. Some communities have expressed their displeasure that the 5km Ebeano By-pass commissioned in 2006 has been abandoned. Members of the Ezinato Nsude in Udi council protested the take-off of a new by-pass, saying the old one has been left unattended to.

    The community staged a peaceful march insisting that work should continue on the old one as the 6 culverts and bridges on the road have been completed.

    The by-pass was flagged off by former President Olusegun Obasanjo during a working visit to Enugu in October 2006.

    The project was abandoned by the last administration of Sullivan Chime as a result gully erosion devastated the road.

    •The abandoned by-pass 
    •The abandoned by-pass

    But the state Commissioner for Works, Patrick Ikpenwa said the government went for the wiser option of embarking on an entirely new by-pass because the old one has been badly eaten by gully erosion.

    He said for government to return to the old one would mean emptying the state revenue into a bottomless pit.

    “We weighed the two options and decided to go for a new one. We met with the communities affected and explained the situation to them. It was a meeting the governor spoke to the traditional rulers of the communities and they reasoned along the same line with government and approve,” the commissioner explained.

    And the Enugu Urban Renewal Committee led by its chairman, Chris Offor, visited some of the roads including the 9th mile by-pass being undertaken by government to ascertain the level of commitment of the contractors in mobilising to sites to commence work.

    Addressing the residents of the area who were happy to experience the development, the committee Chairman told them that their visit was in line with the directive of the sate governor to ensure that contractors handling the roads mobilize to site to commence work immediately.

    He disclosed that the governor was in a hurry to commence action on the roads and is equally committed to develop the entire state through aggressive urban and rural development programmes that will open up economic opportunities in the state as well alleviate the sufferings of the people.

    Committee chairman noted that the early commencement of construction works at the eight awarded roads was a welcome development which goes a long way to showcase the seriousness of the present administration to bring meaningful development to the doorsteps of the electorate.

    Residents, who were on ground when the committee visited, expressed delight over the determination of the Governor to fulfill his campaign promises to the people of the state in spite of the economic challenges in the country, saying he is “a man of his words”.

    They said that the commencement of the reconstruction of Abakpa-Nike and Nike lake roads, the Opi-Nsukka dual carriage road, the 9th mile corner bypass, among others, was a good omen for the state and an indication that governor Ugwuanyi means business and is sensitive to the plight of the people.

    They assured the governor of their readiness to make sacrifices and collaborate with government to ensure the success of the projects, to ease traffic congestion in the area.

  • Beauty queen fights malaria in Anambra schools

    Beauty queen fights malaria in Anambra schools

    The reckoned that it was not enough to be a queen and have everybody dote on her. That informed the decision by Miss Goodluck 2015, Southeast Zone Jennifer Okorie to take her anti-malaria campaign to schools in Anambra State.

    The institutions she visited were Demonstration Nursery and Primary School, Ifite Awka and Be Good Academy, Agu-Awka.

    Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reforms Programme (WSSSRP), the beauty queen’s initiative, was represented by Mrs. Chioma Samuel who talked on the importance of hand-washing.

    •Miss Goodluck 2015, Southeast Zone Jennifer Okorie with pupils during her campaign against malaria in Anambra State
    •Miss Goodluck 2015, Southeast Zone Jennifer Okorie with pupils during her campaign against malaria in Anambra State

    Okorie told the pupils what malaria is all about, how it spreads, signs and symptoms and the prevention.

    Some of the symptoms, according to the beauty queen, included profuse sweating, malaise, constant headache, confusion, loss of appetite, diarrhea, cough, anemia among others.

    She said, “The parasite is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected female Anopheles species mosquitoes. The parasites multiply in the liver and the bloodstream of the infected person.”

    “The parasite may be taken up by another mosquito when it bites an infected person. The mosquito is then infected for the duration of its life and can infect other humans when it bites them”

    “Occasionally malaria is transmitted by blood transfusion”

    “For this reason, people who have travelled to countries where malaria occurs may be deferred from giving blood for a short period. Malaria can also be transmitted from a mother to her foetus,” she said.

    Mrs. Chioma said, “Kids don’t always listen when parents tell them to wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, or when they come inside from playing. But it’s a message worth repeating— hand washing is by far the best way to prevent germs from spreading and to keep kids from getting sick. Germs can spread in many ways, including: touching dirty hands, changing dirty diapers, through contaminated water and food, through droplets in the air released during a cough or sneeze, on contaminated surfaces, through contact with a sick person’s body fluids”

    “When kids come into contact with germs, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they’re infected, it’s usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness”

    “Good hand-washing is the first line of defence against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious infections, such as meningitis, bronchiolitis, the flu, hepatitis A, and most types of infectious diarrhoea.

    “Although people around the world clean their hands with water, very few use soap to wash their hands because soap and water for hand-washing might be less accessible in developing countries. Even when soap is available, it might be reserved primarily for laundry and bathing instead of for hand-washing. Washing hands with ‘soap removes germs much more effectively.

    “Millions of children under the age of 5 years die from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the world. Hand-washing is not only simple and inexpensive, but remarkably, hand-washing with soap can dramatically cut the number of young children who get sick. Hand-washing with soap could prevent about 1 out of every 3 episodes of diarrheal illnesses and almost 1 out of 6 episodes of respiratory infection like pneumonia.”

    The principal of Be Good Academy, Mrs. Philo Enemuoh appreciated the queen and her crew on their efforts in reaching out to the children on what she described as killing disease.

    One of the students Kenechukwu Okafor, told The Nation that some of the things they did not know about malaria were taught them by the people.

    She said they were grateful to the beauty queen for the lecture and closeness she had with them, adding that some of them had learnt a lot during the exercise.

     

  • A time to dance in Imo

    A time to dance in Imo

    The Supreme Court ruling validating Governor Chekwas Okorocha’s election was not only his to savour. Residents also took to the streets to celebrate. OKODILI NDIDI reports

    The entire state erupted into jubilation shortly after the news of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s Supreme Court victory filtered in. Women, youths, politicians and clergymen alike, took to the street, singing and dancing.

    The reason for the wild jubilation may not be unconnected to the suspense that had trailed the suit brought against the state Governor’s victory by the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Chief Emeka Ihedioha.

    Right from the moment the petition was filed at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, PDP supporters had openly told whoever cared to listen that the governor’s victory will only last for as long as it takes the Tribunal to give its ruling.

    But after the Tribunal and the Appeal Court threw out the petition on technical grounds, the battle ground was shifted to the Supreme Court, where it was to be decided if the petition will be returned to the Tribunal for hearing, thus the Governor’s supporters waited with berthed breath for the judgment.

    Leading the jubilant women on the victory dance, Mrs. Gertrude Oduka said that the Supreme Court judgment has affirmed the people’s mandate and put to rest the distractions the PDP’s petition had caused the state government and the entire people of the state.

    She noted that the people voted massively for the governor in the last election because of his unprecedented achievements, adding that the women are now relaxed and optimistic that with the “petition now laid to rest,” the governor will concentrate on his Rescue Mission Agenda for the state.

    Mrs. Oduka who is also the Chairman of the Imo State Universal Basic Education Board (IMSUBEB), said that the large turnout of women and youths who gathered to celebrate the Supreme Court judgment was an indication that it affirmed the people’s mandate.

    Meanwhile the governor acknowledged Court judgement with gladness.

    A statement signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary Sam Onwuemeodo said, “With this remarkable judgment of the Supreme Court, Chief Ihedioha had exhausted all his legal entitlements with regard to the 2015 gubernatorial election. And since he was the only governorship candidate who challenged Governor Okorocha’s victory at the Court, and with the Supreme Court judgment, the legal chapter of the 2015 governorship poll in the state has been finally closed and for better too.

    “The Rescue Mission government in the state has highly commended the Supreme Court for respecting and endorsing the electoral and civic rights of Imo people to choose who would govern them. We have always held the judiciary in high esteem and shall continue to do so because that arm of government has continued to earn the confidence of Imo people.

    “And for Chief Ihedioha, we would only advise him and his PDP supporters to now give peace a chance in the state. Time has come for them to drop the toga of war which they had put on since the 2015 election and all through the time they were in court against Governor Okorocha.

    “It is on record that when the election petition tribunal that sat in Owerri gave its judgment dismissing the petition of Chief Ihedioha against the victory of governor Okorocha, we pleaded with him with every sense of responsibility to allow the matter end at that level and to join hands with Governor Okorocha to work for the progress of the state and her people. But that passionate appeal was neither acknowledged nor heeded to.”

    The statement continued: “Again when Chief Ihedioha proceeded to the Court of Appeal in absolute disregard of our earlier entreaty to allow the sleeping dog lie and at the end of the day, the Court of Appeal also threw away his case by upholding the judgment of the election petition tribunal, we equally pleaded with him again to stop the matter at that stage in the interest of the state and her people. He also did not consider that candid appeal, and went to the Supreme Court.

    “Now, having lost at the Supreme Court, we would only call on him to give peace a chance and advise his PDP supporters who have continued to threaten the peace of the state with their actions and utterances to also know that the matter is over, and they should now decide to be partners in progress.

    “The governor thanks Imo people for all their support and prayers that had seen him victorious from the tribunal to the Supreme Court. The governor, as a matter of fact, would remain thankful to God almighty and to Imo people in general”.

    Reacting to the judgment, Ihedioha, said, “Today the apex Court of our nation’s judicial system, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered judgement striking out my legal challenge of the declaration of His Excellency, Chief Ethelbert Anayo Okorocha OON, as Governor elect by the INEC following the 2015 Governorship election in our dear Imo State.

    “Having been privileged to preside over an arm of our national legislature and being a firm believer in the trinity of the arms of our democratic governance and constitutionalism, I accept the outcome of the matter and restate that the contest which was never personal is now over.

    “I must reiterate that although the factual complaints we made over the irregularities that bedevilled the governorship election were never heard or determined on the merits by any level of the Court’s hierarchy, our matter was struck out on technical grounds, I hold no grudges”.

    He continued that, “I consequently express my heartfelt appreciation to the teeming Imo citizens who supported our project and desire to “rebuild Imo together” Let us all be reassured that by the grace of Almighty God in whichever circumstance or capacity, I remain committed to putting our dear Imo State first and contributing my quota to achieving the hope of an Imo State of our collective dream.

    “I wish therefore to thank the leadership, membership of our great party, the PDP and her teeming supporters in the state for their continued support and prayers especially those unsung heroes of our team who toiled day and night while promoting our vision and candidacy.

    “Finally, I wish Governor Okorocha well, while urging him to take into account the apparently dwindling fortunes of Imo State and the avoidable economic hardship confronting our people under his watch.”