The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • TETFUND’s N180m to check restiveness in Anambra

    TETFUND’s N180m to check restiveness in Anambra

    The Tertiary Education Trust Fund or TETFUND has announced the donation of N180m to the Oko Federal Polytechnic, Anambra State for the purpose of developing skill acquisition centre where youths will learn trades and keep of restiveness.

    The announcement was made by a member of the Board of Trustees, Chinedu Onu, who was part of the Fund’s team visiting the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof Godwin Onu.

    The announcement of investing the money in the institution on boy-child education is to check youth restiveness in the school, and also the entire state, by implication.

    He said the money had already been allocated to the school to develop skill acquisition centres in the polytechnic, and that the team came to inspect the site of the project.

    The programme, according to TETFUND’s Onu, was aimed at creating opportunities for male children who unable to further their education because of rigorous process of gaining admission.

    Under the arrangement, the programme will ensure the assemblage of all interested skilled youths, who are carpenters, mechanics, masons, bricklayers or hair-dressers.

    Also, those who are into such other businesses as trading will benefit to sharpen their skills and knowledge on their careers and at the end, they earn certificates from the institution.

    The programme is not only meant to thrive in Oko federal Polytechnic, as other four institutions, had been chosen by TETFUND in the south east.

    Onu said that the pilot scheme is starting in Federal Polytechnic Oko in Orumba North local government Area of Anambra state, which is expected to be run by the private sector and will be free from official bureaucracy of the school.

    He said, “Federal Polytechnic Oko is a child of TETFUND because of its financial discipline and hard work. Virtually all our programmes are implemented in full capacity here.”

    “So, the Rector, who is in a hurry to develop this place, Prof Godwin Onu, has always made our work easier”

    “This institution should serve as an example to other institutions whose funds are trapped due to their inability to execute previous jobs; we are impressed with the speed of development here”

    “We must also commend the council, students and management as it creates conducive atmosphere for speedy development.”

    Responding, Prof Onu, who has gone through series of battles in the community, told them that they were overwhelmed by the choice of the institution as the pilot scheme of the programme.

    This, according to him keep the students busy and take their minds away from every vice including armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping among others.

    Furthermore, he said that the programme will also ensure lasting peace in the society as the youth will be gainfully employed or be the employers of labour upon finishing the programme.

    Before now, the institution had introduced such programme in the area to help students not to flood the labour market upon graduation.

    The Rector described TETFUND as the best thing that has happened to tertiary education in the country.

    He commended TETFUND for their other initiatives aimed at improving academic standard in the country, while assuring that the institution will continue to utilize every fund it received judiciously.

    “In the next few months, the polytechnic you see today will be transformed beyond recognition in addition to over 21 buildings springing up in different locations at the polytechnic”

  • Probe oil depot, Buhari urged

    Members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), plying their trade at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Osisioma on the outskirts of Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State has called on the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to beam its searchlight on the depot as the campaign to reform and bring sanity in the oil sector gathers momentum.

    The group in a press release issued on Tuesday by its chairman, Levi Amah noted that reform would not only restore sanity in the system, but would also bring fresh breath into the depot that services Southeastern zone.

    Amah while urging President Buhari to use his office to unravel the mystery behind scarcity of petroleum products in the depot and the entire southeast at the moment said it was worrisome that despite the assurances by of Pipelines and Petroleum Marketing Company (PPMC) officials to make petroleum products available for purchase, their members still suffer untold hardship to get the products which makes them source it from outside the zone.

    IPMAN while describing as untrue and so flimsy the excuse making rounds in some quarters that the scarcity of petroleum products in the zone was as a result of the old and rustic nature of pipelines use in conveying products from Port Harcourt to Aba depot, recalled that petroleum engineers had assured that such pipes last for more than 150 years before they could become rustic and out of use.

    “We are sending this ‘SOS’ because for the umpteenth time, officials of the PPMC have assured us of availability of products, but we do not see any and this has made us to travel as far as Lagos to buy products that ordinarily we could have gotten at Aba, with its attendant risks.

    “Again, blaming the scarcity on pipelines vandalism amounts to buck passing because the pipelines are being guarded by a combined team of security men. Pipeline vandalism in this wise could only be possible with the connivance of security agencies unless they are indicting personnel of these agencies”.

    The Nation check in most petroleum stations on Tuesday reveal that pump price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) sells between N110-N120 while black marketers sells N130-N140 a liter, though there were no queues as a result of the products availability in most of the filling stations as at the time of filing this report.

    Some Petroleum product consumers who spoke to our correspondent while recalling how horrific it was for Nigerians especially travelers during the last strike action by members of the petroleum dealers urged the major players in the industry to resolve their issues amicably and added that the citizenry and the country were yet to recover from the impact of the last industrial set back it had from the past industrial action by the union.

  • Clerics preach faith

    The General Overseer, Deeper Life Christian Ministry (DLCM), Pastor William Kumuyi and the Bishop of Christ Holy Church aka Nation Builders, 7b Ibo Road, Aba Province III Headquarters, His Eminence Rt. Rev. Nathan Umeh have asked their parishioners to increase their faith in God.

    Kumuyi in a message at the DLCM camp ground at Flyover, on the outskirts of Aba to conclude his 5days spiritual tour in Abia State preached on the topic “God’s Miracle Working Power in your Life”.

    The cleric taking his scriptures from Mark 2 : 3-10, narrated how the faith of the man with paralysis earned him his healing and told the congregation to hold on to their faith at all times.

    “When the sick man saw that the crowd could not allow him access to Jesus, he looked up and told his friends to look up and open the roof to let him down from there.

    “His friends did as he told them and let him down through the roof and when Jesus saw his faith, Jesus said to him “Son, thy sins are forgiven you, rise up, take your bed and go home” and urged them to have the right attitude in the worship of God if they must obtain God’s blessings.

    The event featured special prayers for parishioners, DLCM and the country in general.

    In a related development, Bishop Umeh in his first homily as the Bishop of CHC Aba Superintendency and Province III after the retirement of His Eminence Rt. Rev. Aaron Eziuzor described Christians who lacked hope in God as people that are being guided by the flesh.

    The preacher who took his text from Luke chapter 5 vs 1-6 urged his parishioners not to say that “you are tired in worshipping God or doing His work(s) or maybe that you are confused because of the challenges that may come your way”, but to be patient and wait for Gods promises which shall come to pass even if it tarries.

    “God doesn’t want to hear any complaint but obedience to His word which will bring challenges in all the spheres of your lives. The reason why you see people suffering is because they lack faith in God” and added that if they (parishioners) abide my Gods words which he said was going to bring salvation and would strengthen their faith and commitment in God”.

  • Community relishes health centre

    Community relishes health centre

    Things are looking up for residents of Item Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi. They have a brand new health centre right in their midst, and they have the Chinedu Ogah Foundation to thank for it.

    Financier of the foundation, Comrade Chinedu Ogah, also lifted the spirits of the poor and less privileged as the community savoured the new facility.

    •Ogah distributing wrappers to women
    •Ogah distributing wrappers to women

    Ogah, a philanthropist, distributed wrappers and cash to over 1000 women who graced the occasion the community’s playground.

    It ws his birthday which he chose to share with his townsfolk, especially the needy among them. The celebrant also distributed bags of fertilizers to the people to help them in this year’s farming season.

    Addressing the people, Comrade Ogah urged them to love one another and come together as one for the growth of the community.

    He said: “Everyone irrespective of party or religious affiliation should leave together in peace and harmony it the community. Support the government in power both at the state and federal level to deliver dividends to us”.

    “If there is no peace in the community, no government will come in to build schools, roads, hospitals and other amenities for you. Also if you are not united you cannot present a common front to government when agitating for these things meaning that you may not get them. So it is important you live one another.”

    He promised to continue giving scholarships and other support to the youths and widows in the community.

    Meanwhile, worried by the non-availability of a functional health centre close to the people of Item Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi , a non-governmental organisation, The Chinedu Ogah Foundation has donated a one story building worth over N30m to the Health Care Centre located in the community to help alleviate the plight of the people in accessing quality health care.

    The building was commissioned recently as part of activities to mark the birthday of Comrade Chinedu Ogah, who is an indigene of the community.

    The edifice was named after the South East Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC) and former governor of Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

    Speaking at the occasion, Comrade Ogah said the edifice was named after the former National Chairman of the All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) who he noted is one of the leaders of the All Progressive Congress who are fighting for the less privileged in the society by championing the change crusade of the party”.

    “This change is all about good health to the people, it is all about uplifting the standard of leaving of the people in all its ramifications and we deem it fit to name this edifice after Dr Ogbonnaya Onu in recognition of his years of service to the people of the state and Nigeria in general.”

    He praised the government of President Muhamadu Buhari for starting on a strong footing and urged for support by Nigerians to enable the President succeed in his vision and mission to bring about positive change to the country.

    “Buhari is a man of reputable character, he is a man with vision. That is why we erected this building. Every leadership irrespective of party we pray for them.  We are very happy with what APC government is doing, we are appealling to Nigerians to be patient with Buhari. He is trying to take his time so as not to make mistakes. If you do things in a hurry you may not achieve success but if you have strategic planning, you will achieve success. And that is what I believe he is doing. In a short period of time, he will start unveiling his programmers for Nigeria”.

    He urged other well to do individuals to always help the poor and less privileged around them.

    “The best way to leave life is to help the poor. They elect leaders and pray for them. We are in positions of leadership not be use we are better than them, but because they gave us that opputprtunity, so every effort should be made by leaders to enhance their living standards”

    Comrade Ogah also urged the people in the community to protect the health facility which he said cost the foundation about N35m to build and furnish.

    Commissioning the project, the Parish Priest of Holy Cross Parish Okpoitumo Ikwo, Rev Fr John Okoro urged the people to utilize the facilities at the Hospital judiviously.

    He also commended Comrade Ogah for his magnanimity in providing succor to the poor and less privileged in the society.

    The Clergyman also enjoined privileged individuals in the society to emulate the actions of Comrade Ogah.

  • Community gets monarch six years after

    Community gets monarch six years after

    The kingship tussle that rocked Ishiagu community in Ivo local government area of Ebonyi State for over six years has been resolved, resulting in the acceptance of His Royal Majesty Eze Moses Okafor Ngele as the Agu III of Ishiagu kingdom.

    The royal conflict which outlived the administration of former Governor Martin Elechi had torn the community apart, with an aggrieved section going to court. At a point violence broke out in the area leading to the hospitalisation of the wounded. Even His Royal Majesty Agu III was almost kidnapped and assassinated.

    Those days are over, which was why there was a huge turnout of Ishiagu people at Ivo Local Government Area of the state where the new king was widely accepted by the people. Women groups, chiefs, members and executives of Ishiagu Community Development Union, ICDU, the council boss, politicians, among others, endorsed Eze Moses Okafor Ngele as the king of the Ishiagu.

    Recall that the Agu II of Ishiagu kingdom, HRM Basil Onu died in 2008 and since his demise, the community had stayed about 7 years before a new king was unanimously endorsed by the people and elders of the community.

    At the occasion which is the official presentation of the Agu III by the President of ICDU, Chief Stanley Uchenna Anyim to the Council boss of Ivo LGA, Mr. Joseph Obasi, marked the fulfillment of the process leading to the Agu III getting his Staff of office from the state government.

    As it is customary, the Council boss will in turn take the new king to Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi state who will at a time appointed give the staff of office to the king of Ishiagu kingdom.

    In a chat with South East Voice, the Agu III of Ishiagu kingdom, HRM Eze Moses Okafor Ngele who noted that the delay behind his presentation to the Council was due to political interference reiterated that his reign would foster economic prosperity of the people, checkmate incidences of violence and crime and establish togetherness and peace in the whole of Ishiagu community.

    “The support and endorsement I got today was very overwhelming; the entire chiefs of both Agu I and II are with me including women groups, youths, ICDU, Ishiagu Elders traditional Council and people of Ishiagu are solidly behind me as their king”.

    Also, both the ICDU President, Chief Anyim and Ivo Council boss, Mr. Obasi confirmed that appropriate steps put in place for the selection of the Agu III were followed by the Committee set up to handle the exercise adding that the general acceptance of HRM Eze Moses Okafor Ngele by the people of the area as the king of Ishiagu would go a long way towards forestalling peace and unity in the community.

  • Buhari, Okiro, governors for Anambra summit

    Buhari, Okiro, governors for Anambra summit

    President Muhammadu Buhari is billed to lead the chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC), Mike Okiro as well as state governors to Anambra State next week for a summit on moral education.

    The summit is scheduled to hold at the Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital.

    The event is organised by the Association of Moral Education in Nigeria and Africa, led by its coordinator, Rev. Sis. Maryjude Therese – Nwodo.

    Briefing reporters at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, Nwodo said President Buhari was chosen for the summit because of his “demonstrable commitment in moral re-armament.”

    She said, “President Buhari is chosen because of his change mantra. We sent an invitation to the President and we got a message that he has shown interest to attend.”

    The Revd. Sister maintained that moral education has become a burden in the society, while blaming the government for not creating jobs for the teeming youths in the society.

    She said in Anambra State, for instance, former governors Chris Ngige and Peter Obi tried their best in teaching morals in the society, adding that Obiano has also not been quiet on the topic.

    She further said the association decided to organise the conference to keep a legacy for the next generation, adding that it is creating awareness on how to build a better society.

    The event, which would start on 14 July and ends on 18 July, 2015 at Finotel Hotels, would have Prof. Godswill Obioma, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Education Research Development Council deliver a paper on the day.

    The association, according to Therese Nwodo, was formed in 1976 and had Nigeria as its 36th member nation.

    She said the Parent American Association on Moral Education became interested in making Nigeria its member after her presentation the last time she visited the organiSation.

    She said the task of imparting virtues in the young was a job for everybody, adding that was why the association is non-religious and inter-disciplinary.

  • Honour for Imo Deputy Governor

    Honour for Imo Deputy Governor

    The Council of Traditional Rulers of Imo State has conferred the title of Ohamadike or the brave man of the state on the state Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere. The conferment took place in Owerri, the state capital.

    Madumere was deemed to have merited the honour through his contribution to human and community development.

    The Ohamadike is only given to a person who has made remarkable impact in education, business, politics and philanthropy, among other vocations.

    Chieftaincy title conferment in Igbo land is an important and ageless tradition. It is a means of showing appreciation and reward for hard work and accomplishments. By so doing, others are spurred to work hard and contribute to community development so as to be honoured.

    Madumere was once a notable figure in philanthropy before his foray into politics.

    Unassuming, although from a royal family in Achi in Ezi-Mbieri autonomous community, in Mbaitoli Council Area of the state, the Deputy Governor has mentored several youths from the state, who are currently doing well in their various fields of endeavor.

    As the President of the Prince Eze Foundation, Madumere has touched the lives of several indigent people through free healthcare services, women and youth empowerment and educational support for students across the state, which includes direct scholarships, payment of WAEC, SSCE and UMTE fees for students from less privileged backgrounds.

    In a speech delivered during the occasion on behalf of ‘Ndi Owere’, the chairman of the organising committee, Mr Kingsley Ononuju, a lawyer, said the people of Owerri, decided to honour the Deputy Governor for making the zone proud with his conduct and sterling performance in office, which has earned the zone respect.

    He pointed out that Madumere has used his position as the Deputy Governor of the state, to bring unity, peace and harmony in the state and showcase the people of Owerri zone in good light.

    Ononuju noted further that, “Ndi Owerri are indeed proud to have one of our own as the Deputy Governor of the state and decided to organize this reception which also coincides with his birthday anniversary and Chieftaincy title conferment in appreciation of his humility and wisdom in aligning with the state Governor”.

    He continued that, “Madumere is the symbol of the aspiration of the people of Owerri zone, who he noted can provide good leadership after his boss, Okorocha.”

    The Chairman of the Owerri Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chidume Okoro, who performed the chieftaincy installation in the company of other traditional rulers, including the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri, said,

    “There is no title higher than being a prince but this title of Ohamadike is our own way of appreciating the Deputy Governor for his contributions to the development of the state, especially his supporting roles to the Governor.

    “He is the symbol of a new Owerri. We are proud of his humility and commitment to the course of the development of the zone and the state”.

    The Deputy Governor responded, saying, “What we observe today is no longer only the celebration of your son and your Deputy Governor but a celebration of a new Owerri zone spirit; a new song of unity, symbolising the beginning of a new era for the future.

    “We can also observe that this gathering has gone beyond Owerri Zone affair but Imo State and beyond. I remember the first time this idea of reception ever filtered into my ear. I also remember the day I put in appearance in appreciation after it was mooted to me that my people have been meeting on this idea.

    “On getting into the venue, I was overwhelmed by a great number of people putting heads together for this new spirit. At that point I realized I could not stop these determined minds.

    “Today, I have seen that it was indeed the decision and mind of Imo people that this historic day shall come. Umunne I am flabbergasted. I am overjoyed for this huge honour.

    Great Owerri people let me use this forum to say a big thank you for coming out en mass to support me and our Governor, Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha during our second term bid. That victory is your victory and victory for the future of Ndi Owerri. The support was massive. Let me say to you, it was a right step in the right direction.”

  • Abia cracks down on illegal tax collectors, ghost workers

    Abia cracks down on illegal tax collectors, ghost workers

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has warned illegal tax collectors to desist from the act or face the wrath of government.

    Ikpeazu said that the era of multiple taxations in the state is over in the state, as those who are authorized to collect government taxes are only workers of the state Board of Internal Revenue which must be paid into state bank accounts.

    Speaking with newsmen during his maiden media chat in Umuahia, Ikpeazu said that dirty habits are difficult to leave which is the reason people who are not tax collectors are still collecting taxes illegally for their own use.

    Ikpeazu noted that the state government is ready to partner with any group that wants to generate ideas on how to improve the internally generated revenue, “But they will not be expected to touch our money.”

    He said, “Such group will be expected to only give us ideas on how to increase our IGR and not to lay their hands on our money, as doing so will mean trying to do another thing, which we will not accept”.

    Ikpeazu said that the fight against ghost workers has commenced in the state, adding that he expect workers to help government to identify such people so that the infrastructure they are providing will go round.

    He said that any worker found to be involved in ghost worker syndicate, staff racketeering and padding of staff salary will be declared an economic saboteur, “And made to face the full wrath of the law”.

    The governor explained that the revenue generation of state government is within the range of N300-600 million monthly, stressing that he intends to increase it to N1.5 billion monthly.

    Ikpeazu said that the revenue will only be increased when the massive road rehabilitation that is going on across the state, especially in Aba is completed, “Only then will people willingly pay their taxes and increase revenue generation”.

    He said that he is determined to pay outstanding staff salaries, staring from the ones under his administration and gradually picking up the ones he inherited, assuring that “the issue of

    salary arrears will be cleared in no distant time”.

    On the issue of subvention to institutions and parastatals, Ikpeazu said, “I expect the bosses of such institutions to tell us how much they generate, so that we can know how much to give as subvention”.

    He said, “If I am giving out subvention to the university, I expect the boss of the university to tell me how much they generate and if there is an increase in fees by 30%, I am expected to reduce my subvention by 30% as well.”

  • Waiting for Enugu coal revival

    Waiting for Enugu coal revival

    During his campaign, President Muhammadu Buhari lifted the hopes of Enugu State residents on the return of the coal industry if he won. Now, the people are waiting on him, reports CHRIS OJI

    It was once the biggest thing, powering the national and regional economies. Suddenly, like almost everything Nigerian, the coal industry went cold and out, replaced by crude oil. Is a bounce-back in the offing? That question is worth asking considering the fact that candidate Muhammadu Buhari running for presidency told Enugu residents that the coal industry would be revived if he won the election.

    Enugu people are expectant. Why? Coal is still a money-spinner and keeps the world running. Its power stations reportedly generate about 40 per cent of the world’s electricity. Much of the material used in making steel, coke, is derived from coal. The beauty industry also finds coal extremely useful in producing such items as shampoo and dandruff-fighting creams or powders. Fertilisers are byproducts as well. Even concrete is derived from coal.

    There are so many other uses of coal. That was why Enugu residents were excited during the electioneering campaigns when the then All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate announced through the spokesman of the party in the Southeast, Osita Okechukwu that the Nigerian Coal Corporation (NCC) would be revived if Buhari won the election. The party also added that when revamped, it would create jobs for no fewer than 10,000 people. The moribund NCC, its workers and retirees welcomed Buhari’s promise.

    The black solid mineral was once the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy until the advent of liquid gold in the early sixties.

    Enugu State government had strenuously called for the resuscitation of the industry which held sway before the discovery of crude oil.

    Coal was discovered in Enugu in 1908 by a team of British geological explorers led by Sir Albert Kitson but actual mining did not start until 1915, a year after the then British colonial government and a number of Udi warrant chiefs led by the legendary Onyeama of Eke signed an agreement for its exploitation.

    The discovery of coal in Enugu endeared it to the Europeans who chose it as the administrative headquarters of Eastern Nigeria. Soon after the opening of the coal mine in 1915, the colliery management embarked on massive recruitment of labourers to work the mines. The then colonial governor, Lord Fredrick Lugard had as early as 1912 decided that the coal field in Enugu should be operated as a state industry in contrast to tin being mined in Jos as private enterprise. This, he reasoned, was because of the importance of coal in the development of the Nigerian economy.

    By 1917, over 3000 men were working in the Enugu Colliery and in the same year Enugu was declared a second class township and divided into four zones: The European Reservation Area, the Neutral Zone, the residential and business area as well as the native locations.

    No doubt the changes in the status of Enugu were brought about by the coal mining activities with the influx of immigrants to the town at the early stage of development.

    In the same way as coal has brought Enugu into reckoning, so also has it helped to chart the course of Nigeria’s independence.  Enugu colliery in spite of its importance to the economy of the country, was however, bedeviled with series of internal crises occasioned by autocratic management. Because of the physical exertion coupled with low wages and poor conditions of service, work in the mines was usually uninteresting, resulting in desertion by local labourers.  Series of strikes interrupted work at the mines. The first colliery strike was in 1917. Other strikes followed in 1920, 1925, 1932, 1945, and thereafter. The most devastating occurred in 1949, leading to killing of 21 miners.

    That tragedy triggered violent reactions from Port-Harcourt, Onitsha, Aba and Calabar. Some have said that the protests over the killings eventually paved the way for the agitation for self-government.

    The colonial government tried to salvage the disorder by establishing the Nigerian Coal Corporation (NCC) by an Ordinance in 1950 and charged it with the responsibility to prospect, mine, treat and market coal products in Nigeria.

    Coal effectively dropped out of reckoning in 1970 shortly after the discovery of crude oil in 1959.

    There are coal deposits across a large section of the country, just as there is a wide market for coal.

    Once, the Oji-River power station was driven by coal. It has since been abandoned. Enugu residents will benefit from its revival, but not only them. Unemployment will be scaled back. More people will breathe easier from work and supporting their families. That will be a national victory.

     

  • Baby factory: A monster that won’t go away

    Baby factory: A monster that won’t go away

    Condemned and resisted, baby factories are proving difficult to stamp out, reports OKODILI NDIDI in Owerri, Imo State, where another one has just been discovered

    Breeding children for cash and who knows what else, has been spreading. Residents of Lagos State have been horrified that the practitioners found space in their midst. So have residents of Ogun State, but there seems to be no doubt that the criminal trade has its headquarters in the east of the country.

    In virtually every state in the region, young women, some in their teens, have been herded into some seedy enclosures in someone’s compound where a few male characters are commissioned to put them in the family way.

    What the operators of such ‘factories’ do with the newborns is unclear, though many suspect that they are sold, their mothers given some ridiculously small sums of money. What happens to the sold kids is a subject of conjecture.

    The state governments have condemned the traffic and vigorously fought it. For a good length of time, no one heard anything about baby factories. In Imo State, and even in the entire region, things were quiet on that front following a massive clampdown on the perpetrators of the crime by security operatives and the state governments.

    •The ones rescued in the past
    •The ones rescued in the past

    At least that was the thought of the security operatives and the people of the zone, until recently when the Imo State police command uncovered a booming baby  sales network that had evaded police scrutiny.

    Unlike previous ones, this new syndicate is made up of highly placed individuals and civil servants, who could easily pass for respected and law-abiding citizens. Their modus operandi is equally more effective and difficult to detect.

    With well connected links that spread across the Southeast, this group recruits hapless teenagers from Imo state and takes them to Enugu or Ebonyi states, where they are impregnated and allowed to return to their parents from where they will be monitored until the pregnancy had gotten to an advanced stage before they will abscond to fake maternal home where they will be delivered of the baby and paid off.

    This operation has been running for over one year undetected. According to a security source, over 3000 babies have been sold within the time by the syndicate, headed by a senior civil servant from Abia State, Chief Emmanuel Eke, who confessed to be running the business on behalf of his late wife.

    The prices of the babies sold, according to one of the teenagers who was a victim, ranged between N300, 000 to N500,000, depending on the sex of the baby.

    The group according to the confessions of the suspects, when they were paraded at the Imo State Police Command, recruited the teenagers through their numerous scouts, who lure them with promises of huge sums of money.

    The bubble however busted on the group when one of the teenagers, Miss Ibuchi Okafor, 20 year old from Ihioma in Orlu Local Government Area of the state absconded from her home with a nine-month old pregnancy only to be found in the premises of the suspect at Isiala Ngwa South, Abia state after she had delivered and sold the baby at N500 000 to a yet to be identified buyer.

    According to the State Commissioner of Police, Austin Evbakavbokun, the Police swung into investigation after a report about the missing teenager and found other pregnant girls, including a deaf and dumb waiting for delivery at the home of the suspect.

    The police boss advised parents to strictly monitor the movement of their female children, especially when they are pregnant to ensure that they do not fall into the dragnet of child traffickers.

    Meanwhile, the suspect who told journalists that he made the confession under duress, said the business belonged to his late wife, who he said passed on seven weeks ago.

    According to him, “I am not a child trafficker; I am a Civil servant in Abia State. It was my late wife that was running the home where the pregnant women were found by the Police. I confessed to the crime because of the torture I went through”.

    However a source close to the suspect, who spoke in confidence, said that, “I have queried him severally over the number of pregnant teenagers in his home but he always told me that they were patients in his late wife’s maternal home but when I got a call that he was arrested by the

    Police, I knew that he lied to me. This has been going on for some time but he kept it away from us his close friends”.

    Meanwhile, in a report published by the Campaign for Democracy (CD), 2500 teenagers were rescued from ‘baby factories’ across the Southeast states in 2013.

    According to the report signed by the group’s Chairman in the Southeast, Uzor A. Uzor, most of the girls were enticed into the trade with monetary offers by the baby factory operators, while others were forced into the infamous trade by poverty and illiteracy.

    The CD noted that within the time under review, Abia and Imo states had the highest number of teenagers involved in the infamous trade.

    The group attributed the increase in ‘baby factory’ operations in the zone to high rate of youth unemployment and poverty, occasioned by the failure of successive governments in the zone to put adequate measures in place to empower the youths by creating meaningful employment.

    The report read, “the rising cases of baby factory in the Southeast are a result of the failure of the state governments in the Southeast to create job for the teeming youths especially the helpless girls who are easily lured into the trade.