The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • FRSC cracks down on licence racketeers in Abia

    FRSC cracks down on licence racketeers in Abia

    The Federal Road Safety Corps, Aba Unit has stepped up surveillance to keep driver’s licence fakers out of business.

    The Unit Commander, FRSC Okowa Awassam told our correspondent that the scrutiny became necessary after intelligence showed that racketeers were capitalising on people’s ignorance and desperation to obtain their licence.

    Awassam, who before her appointment, had worked in the operations unit of the corps, warned drivers going for renewal of or new drivers’ licence against patronising touts who would issue them with fake permits.

    The Aba Unit Commander said, “Once you are suspected to be iný possession of a fake driver’s license, the officer that stopped you will collect the licence and input the data on the licence on the system, every information about the person which was taken during capturing will appear on the system if it were genuine, but if it is the one done by fakers, those information will not appear.

    “We have had cases where my officers will stop someone on the road and after checking the licence will discover that it was fake and when the personnel will ask to know how it was obtained, you will discover that it was obtained through the wrong process.

    “Some drivers will try to be confrontational, but when they eventually noticed that what they were having is truly a fake, they will calm down and even ask us how to go about getting a genuine one.

    Awassam while warning that the agency would deal decisively with anyone caught in the act of procuring fake drivers’ license for people also disclosed that they (FRSC) had charged it’s surveillance team to go after the fakers.

    “We are really making progress in our fight against drivers’ license racketeers. Recently, through a driver that took us to the woman that helped him get a drivers’ license which turned out to be fake, ýwe arrested her and took her to the police for proper action. It is just that we were unable to arrest the main culprits, but we are not relenting”, said Aba FRSC unit commander.

    She urged members of the public and Aba residents who wish to have drivers’ license to FRSC and licensing offices in their respective locations to obtain a genuine one and warned those behind the production and issuance of fake license to desist from such unscrupulous and unpatriotic acts or be ready to face the legal consequences of their actions.

    It could be recalled that many unsuspecting drivers and those that wants to cut corners had become victims of drivers license racketeers as reports have it that those who patronised touts at the Aba South drivers’ licensing office end up losing their monies or being issued with fake one, that’s if they were lucky to have their’s produced.

  • Enugu becomes Free Trade zone

    President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the establishment of the Enugu Free Trade Zone.

    The state governor Sullivan Chime who disclosed this during the commissioning ceremony of Sunrise Flour Mills Enugu said that the President was expected to commission the project on the 21st.

    He noted that the project when fully operational would go a long way in alleviating poverty and enhancing the economy of the state and that of its residents.

    The governor, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Jude Akubuilo, stated that Sunrise Flour Mills which stopped production more than two decades ago was revived in partnership with a Vietnamese concern, DAO -VTV International Trading and Investment Company LTD (DVI).

    He described the development as “a very pleasant outcome” of his administration’s initiatives towards enhancing production and the creation of employment opportunities for the people. He assured that the government would continue to maintain an enabling atmosphere for both local and foreign investors to thrive.

    The Chief Executive Officer of Dao-VTV  Huyen Tuyet Phuonh commended the state government for its commitment to the reactivation of the company assuring that it would produce products that will meet international quality standards.

    She noted that company will not only ensure employment opportunities to youths in the State but will also provide qualitative training for its staff and distributors while boosting the economy of the State.

     

  • Ndigbo mourn leader

    Ndigbo mourn leader

    The Igbo have marked the passing of politician and educationist, Ozo Dokwe Chukwunwike Okam of Enugwu-Agidi, Njikoka Local Government Area, Anambra State. He was aged 83.

    In Enugwu-Ukwu, his country home, Awka, the state capital, Onitsha, the commercial nerve of the state, posters and banners bore tributes to the late leader.

    In some of the tributes, the people wrote “Ozo Okam, we will miss you,” “Dokwe Chukwunwike Okam, the father of politics is gone,” “APGA grand patron, farewell,” and “Ozo Oswald Dokwe Okam, rest in peace”.

    Ozo Dokwe Chukwunwike Okam was born to the family of the late Paramount ruler of Enugwu-Agidi, Chief Ezeugborimiri Okam, on 20th July, 1931.

    He attended St. Barnabas Primary School Enugu and Hope Waddel College, Calabar between 1937 and 1947 before proceeding to the Kings College, University of London in 1957 to study Medicine, after working briefly with the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Enugu.

    Apart from serving as political adviser to the governor of the old Anambra State, the late Chief Christian Onoh and his deputy, Chief Austin Ezenwa, the Agbalanze of Abagana, Dokwe Okam, the APGA grand patron was leader of the controversial Ikemba  Front of Nigeria, a political pressure group that was formed by the late Biafran Warlord, the Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, with the primary purpose  of checking the excesses of the former governor of old Anambra State, Chief Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo.

    During his political career which spanned over sixty years, Chief Okam, who held three Ozo titles in Enugwu-Agidi, also served at various times as the treasurer of PRP in the defunct East Central State of Nigeria, PTA chairman Bishop Crowther Junior Seminary Awka and went further to represent the Parents Teachers Association Anambra State branch at the Federal Government conference on primary and secondary schools under the era of Prof. Ben Nwabueze as minister for education.

    He will also be remembered for founding the first textile company in the old Anambra State, the defunct NERIDOC Textile and Knitting Industry Limited and Neridoc Transport Company both based at Enugwu-Agidi, Anambra State.

    At critical condition, however, the political heavy weight was taken to the Neo International Hospital Enugu, where he died of protracted terminal medical condition.

    A burial programme jointly released by Dr. Chukwuemeka Okam and Dr. Izuchukwu Okam on behalf of the family, said there would be service of songs on May 21st while a funeral mass would be held in his honour at St. Marks Anglican Church Enugwu-Agidi, before being committed to mother earth the next day, even as condolence visits by sympathizers continued.

    A tribute by his children read: “Wonderful dad, your death came to us as a shock, we love you, but God loves you more. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

    Ozo Dokwe Okam was survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.

  • Ohanaeze division deepens

    Ohanaeze division deepens

    The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo, is split down the middle, with two factions hacking at each other, CHRIS OJI reports

    The crisis in Ohanaeze Ndigbo is worsening as two groups are fighting over which is the authentic leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

    One group led by Chief Enwo Igariwey has dismissed the notion that its tenure has expired, saying that it was still in charge.

    Another faction led by Chief Ralph Obioha, who heads the caretaker committee, equally claims that his group is the authentic decision-making body of the organisation.

    During the electioneering campaigns, the two factions expressed different positions as to whom Ndigbo should vote for in the Presidential election, whether Jonathan or Buhari. While the Igariwey group emphatically endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan, the Obioha-led faction was discreet, urging the Igbo to vote according to their conscience.

    During the outcry that followed the statement of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu that the Igbo would drown in the lagoon if the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Akinwunmi Ambode lost the governorship election, Obioha led his group to the Oba’s palace to discuss the issue. Ambode has since won the polls.

    Also recently, Obioha led his group to visit President-elect Muhammadu Buhari to extract from him a promise that the Igbo would not be left out of the scheme of things by his administration. That visit was widely publicised.

    The visit and the subsequent publicity, however, did not go down well with the Igariwey faction which is in firm control of the national secretariat of the Ohanaeze. They disowned the Ralph Obioha-led “so-called Ohaneze Caretaker Committee,” ýdescribing it as a bunch of rascals.

    The organisation condemned in strong terms the group for “deceiving” the President-elect, Muham-madu Buhari into believing they were the authentic officers of the pan-Igbo organisation. In a statement, the Deputy National President of the organisation, Sir OAU Ogochukwu Onyema said the use of Ohanaeze’s name by Obioha’s group to pay a visit to the president-elect was exhibition of rascality and recklessness.

    Onyema stated: “The recent visit of Chief Ralph Obioha and his cohorts, to the President-elect General Muhammadu Buhari in the name of Ohanaeze Caretaker Committee is the height of rascality, recklessness and disrespect to the laws of this nation. I am very sure that the President-elect, who is a constitutional man, that believes in discipline and rule of law, who is preaching against indecency and crooked behaviours, will not be happy, having been tricked or dragged into the murky waters of  Chief Ralph Obioha’s irresponsible conduct of impersonating the representative/leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo.

    “While, I sincerely and personally congratulate the President-elect for his doggedness and perseverance in contesting election, and finally emerging the President-elect of our country, Nigeria, I am optimistic that the last in his agenda will be to condone or insulate rascals, who flout the laws of our country.

    “Chief Ralph Obioha who is parading himself as the purported Chairman of a nonexistent care-taker committee, has indeed dragged our respected President-elect General Buhari (rtd), into a very unfortunate dirty and polluted waters of his surreptitious agenda, to disrupt the leadership of Ndi Igbo. Obioha is quite aware that there is a subsisting Court Order in Suit No:  E /513/ 2014 issued by His Lordship Justice R.O. Odugu of Enugu State High Court,  barring him from parading himself as such, and creating any 3rd party interest in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, yet, he decides to flout the law,  boasting that his visit to the President–elect will insulate him from justice. “

    The apex Igbo body asked “why Chief Raph Obioha, who is currently facing a contempt charge and Committal Proceedings on the same issue of impersonating the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, who personally attended the court seating on 2nd day of April, 2014 at High Court 6 Enugu with his lawyer (Enechi Onyia SAN) for his Committal Proceedings, to see if he can explain himself out of the impending imprisonment, will be emboldened to commit further disobedience of court Order, to the extent of dragging–in a highly revered personality in the person of our no-nonsense President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Honestly, Ndi Igbo will surely expect open apologies from this man and his cohorts, especially to our President-Elect whom they have deceived to receive them as the leadership of Ndi Igbo.

    “I am aware that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo is still undergoing the necessary procedure, preparatory to paying a courtesy call to the President-elect, which is usually be preceded by a NEC resolution, followed by an IMEOBI Approval. However, Chief Raph Obioha, burying himself in gluttony, flowing from his usual, controversial and treacherous antecedents, has rushed to misrepresent and impersonate a respected tribe, like Ndi Igbo.

    “Soonest, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo will visit the President-elect, and felicitate with him on his God-given success; but will surely leave Chief Ralph Obioha to suffer his faith before the Courts of our Nation. Nothing will insulate Ralph Obioha from justice; as upholding justice, and respect for the law, is one of the first steps we need to take in fighting corruption in this country.

    The umbrella Igbo organisation assured: “Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo has already expressed her felicitation in writing to the President-elect, and equally to President Goodluck Jonathan for his spirit of sportsmanship in accepting the result of the presidential election wherein he lost- an act that saved our nation from a lot of imminent violence, skirmishes and probable disintegration.

    “Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo further, commend Mr President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the recent appointments he has made so far, wherein our kiths and kin where adequately represented. The appointment of His Excellency, Peter Obi as Chairman SEC is appreciated. More so, we consider the appointment of His Royal Majesty, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya CON (the Chairman Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers) and a host of others across the zones of our country, as Pro-Chancellors, as a welcomed development.

    “I therefore seize this opportunity, to advise our brothers from Imo State who have one personal score or the other to settle with Eze Cletus Ilomuanya to stop attacking his person and this glorious/meritorious appointment given to him.

    “Ohanaeze is aware that His Majesty Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, is currently in possession of a favourable Supreme Court Judgment declaring him fit in all ramifications to occupy the position he is occupying. As Chairman of South East Council of Traditional Rulers and as a revered member of Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, the Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo,  holds Eze Ilomuanya in very high esteem, and any attack on him is considered as an attack on Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Worldwide. I therefore appeal to those not comfortable with Ilomuanya’s appointment to note that their personal interests and opinion shall not override the collective interest of Ndi Igbo, hence, they should all join hands in congratulating the Pro–Chancellor, as well as commend the President of Federal republic of Nigeria, who found him worthy to occupy such exalted position like his peers, in other zones of the country.”

    But the Obioha led faction seemed unperturbed. For them, as far as they were concerned, the tenure of “Igariwey and co has expired since December 2014.”

    “They are their running an illegal administration. They caretaker committee was put in place by the highest authority and body of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Imeobi, which is council of elders and highly placed individuals’,” insisted the Obioha faction which has the backing of First Republic minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi.

     

  • A unique fish feast in Imo

    A unique fish feast in Imo

    Everyone else just sinks their teeth in its tasty flesh but residents of Obazu Mbeiri in Mbaitoli Council of Imo State, believe there is much more to fish. OKODILI NDIDI reports on a rare celebration

    The fish festival or Emume Azu, in local parlance, sits prominently on the calendar of the residents. Once in three years, the people of Obazu Mbeiri in Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State gather to celebrate, dressed up as though it were Christmas. The traditional ruler and the elderly come out in their colourful reach-down attires topped off with hats. The women are no less gaily clad. For it is the Fish Day.

    The Emume Azu is a unique event among the Obazu. The people, at home and in the Diaspora, attend in their numbers, with quite a sizeable number of tourists joining them, some from far beyond the borders.

    Why will a land-locked community without any river or pond choose to honour an aquatic animal?

    The answer is not farfetched. The community derived its name Obazu or calabash of fish, from the huge fish trade that flourished there during the pre-colonial era.

    Obazu was a fish port and the founders were great fish merchants, making great wealth from the trade.  Such was prominence the business brought that they dedicated a particular day to fish. That day is one to be merry, eat giant fish and savour not just its nourishment but also the fame that has come with it.

    In the latest edition, a mammoth fish lay on a dressed table and no less than son-of-the-soil Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere, was on hand to relish the feast.

    The festival is a seven-day event that is characterized by visitations, kindred meetings, cultural dances and masquerade display. During the period, issues bordering on the security, welfare and development of the community are discussed and possible solutions proffered.

    On the day of the festival climaxes, people from the seven families that make up the Obazu Mbieri assemble at the village square various delicacies made of fish are served. Different sizes and species of fish are prepared and one’s affluence and generosity is measured by the size of fish he presents.

    The fish is served in diverse forms; some are simply smoked, while others are grilled, fried or cooked and there is always enough of it that the visitors will eat to their satisfaction and still have enough to take home.

    Every three years, the people look forward to this festival with great expectations, not just for the joy of eating assorted fish but it affords them the opportunity to reunite with other family members and friends. There are also the side attractions, sharing a drink being one of them.

    •Some dancers at the festival
    •Some dancers at the festival

    Speaking about the festival, Chief Obioma Nzemere said that it is a culture inherited from their forebears, who were reputed fish merchants.

    He said, the Emume Azu is a rich cultural event that tells the history of the people, with focus on the adventures of their predecessors, their occupation, way of life and leisure.

    He said, “The emume azu is a significant festival in Obazu Mbieri. It reminds the young ones of the life time of our forebears and it affords us the opportunity as one large family to come together every three years and eat and reason together to move the community forward.

    “The emume azu has continued to attract wide attention from within and outside the country over the years and it has great tourism potentials that can put Imo State in the global map”.

    Nzemere however pointed that that, “emume azu is not associated to any form of idol worship as erroneously believed by many. It is just a day to remember how our forefathers built the community from the proceeds of the fish trade. And being a community without any kind of river it is remarkable that the community was the hub of fish trade in the pre-colonial era”.

    Another community leader, Chief Samuel Ibezim disclosed that the festival has remained a unifying factor among the people over the years, adding that, “the emume azu is a constant reminder of the genealogy of our people. It reminds us also that we are one family with one ancestral lineage and it has assisted us to form a common front at all times, especially in dealing with challenges and other issues bothering on communal development”.

    He added further that, “today religious belief is beginning to affect the scope and acceptability of the festival. Most people, especially Christians stay away from the event because they have been made to believe that it is associated with idol worship. But the truth is that there is nothing fetish about the emume azu festival”.

    A tourist, Mr. Tunde Kuteyi, who witnessed the last edition of the festival in December 2014, described it as one of the most colourful events he had ever witnessed.

    He said: “It was a wonderful event. I have never seen such a large quantity of fish; there were different kinds of fish delicacies and we had enough to eat and the people were quite generous.

    “Varieties of dishes made from fish were set on long tables and the people served themselves according to the measure they could take.

    “Another aspect of the festival that held me and other spectators spellbound was the colourful display of the various masquerades and dancing groups that were on hand to entertain the people while they enjoy the fish delicacy”.

    A prominent son of the community and Deputy Governor of the state, Prince Eze Madumere, who was one of the distinguished guests at the 2014 edition, affirmed that the ‘emume azu’ festival is a rallying point of the Obazu people.

    He said that the festival is a reminder of the enterprising spirit of the forebears of the Obazu people, while challenging the people to continue in the spirit of their forefathers.

    Madumere advised further that “we should continue to rekindle the spirit of enterprise that our forefathers were known for. We should also continue to uphold the communal spirit that our people are identified with. Obazu has always approached its development challenges through self help instead of waiting for the government and we should continue in this vein to move our community forward”.

    He however promised that the government will partner the possible on the possible ways of harnessing the full potentials of the ‘emume azu’ festival and other rich cultural heritage of the people”.

     

  • Pardoned Biafra soldiers plead for pension

    Former soldiers of the Biafra Army who were pardoned in 2011 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo are yet to receive their pensions, The Nation learnt.

    The ex-soldiers said that they were yet to receive the retirement fund said to be over N1 billion.

    The National Commander of Pardoned War Veterans Social Association, Col Emmanuel Osita Ossai (rtd), alongside his commanders from various commands in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Abia, Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, and Akwa Ibom states, said the war veterans were granted presidential pardon in 2011 and that N1,584,992,100 was approved for their pensions.

    He added that since then, not one kobo has been released to them.

    “I, Col. Emmanuel Ossai, a veteran commander, am hereby telling you that since we were pardoned in May 2011 till today, we have not been paid the approved amount. The Federal Government scheduled to be paying us the amount yearly but 2011 passed, 2012, 2013, 2014 and this 2015, five years now, Federal Government is still owing us the money,” Col. Ossai lamented.

    He called on President Jonathan to see that they get the money before he hands over power to the incoming administration.

    “Now, I and my members are appealing to Jonathan that we be paid our money before he hands over,” he said.

    Ossai also lamented that since the money was approved for them, many

    of their members have died without getting the money. He also regretted that their members wounded during the Nigeria-Biafran Civil War were still languishing at Okwe, Imo State.

    The National Commander pointed out that they had submitted their nominal role to the Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF) and that they promised to gazette it, “so that we will be receiving our monthly pensions. We are appealing to the Federal Government to make sure that we are given the money which has accumulated for five years before we start waiting for pension.”

    Ossai said that some groups are claiming to be the authentic group the Federal Government should pay the money. But he also said that such claimants were causing confusion because before Ojukwu died, it was he (Ossai) that he anointed to lead the veterans.

    He said there were other groups formed by Nwobosi, Okonkwo and Njokanma at Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State, but pointed out that all of them were trying to throw the spanner into the work because it was his group that got the blessing of Ojukwu before he died. He showed evidence that his organisation has been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission hence it is the authentic group.

    Ossai intimated that Ojukwu that actually blessed and authorized him to lead the pardoned war veterans.

    He said: “Many people have been struggling to claim the money but God did not allow them, knowing full well that we are the right people. As my Chief of Staff earlier said, I am the General Officer Commanding.  Ojukwu handed over the staff of office to me to lead others.  After the handover, he embraced me and advised me that I should ensure that my men always obey the Federal Government.  That we should not do anything that will provoke the Federal Government. Since then, we kept to this advice.

    “The organisation was the only one recognised by Ojukwu.  Let others show evidence that they were given powers by Ojukwu,” Ossai said.

    The National Commander however congratulated President Jonathan on behalf of his members for the bold stand he took by conceding defeat with honour.  “We congratulate the president-elect, Gen. Buhari and we promise to work sincerely with the government of the day.”

    Chief of Staff of the veterans, Lt. Col. Mbina- Mbina confirmed that Ojukwu did authorise Ossai to lead them.

    “Obasanjo in 2011 went on air and granted ex-Biafran soldiers presidential pardon. Sequel to this, in September 2009, the veterans asked Ojukwu who would lead them after his passing and Ojukwu said it was Col. Emmanuel Ossai. Ojukwu said, this is your commander and he gave him the staff of office. That was how we continued the struggle and in May 2011, Federal Government in conjunction with the Senate approved N1,584,992,1000 for the monthly pension of all ex-Biafra soldiers,” Mbina said.

  • Evolution of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki

    Evolution of Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki

    From catering to the health of WWII soldiers to serving the Eastern Regional Government, the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki has weathered every storm to become a leading health institution. OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE reports

    It has come of age. First, colonial authorities once shipped wounded soldiers in the Second World War to the hospital. In time, the Eastern Regional Government took it over before passing it to the East Central State Government. Ebonyi State authorities have since taken over but even though the hospital occasionally came under rough weather, it has earned its prime position in the health sector.

    As wounded soldiers on the Cameroon flank of the WWII have lain on its beds, so have ailing residents of the Eastern Regional Government, and health workers of the hospital have catered to them all.

    Established in the l930s under the British colonial administration, its name has changed from Casualty Control Centre to Abakaliki General Hospital and then to Federal Medical Centre.

    By 1973, the hospital had the full complement of consultant staff and was approved for training of House Officers. It later went into limbo. Facilities deteriorated and consultant staff fell short as the East Central State was split into many states. It almost became moribund.

    The hospital became a Federal Medical Centre in March, 1991 following the agreement between the Federal Government and Enugu State Government.

    With the takeover, the Hospital made modest progress. But the best was yet to come.

    Things continued to look up from 2007 when Associate Prof. Paul Olisaemeka Ezeonu, then Head of Clinical Services in the Medical Centre, became  Chief Medical Director. Since then, there has been remarkable growth in virtually every department of the hospital.

    Outpatient patronage has risen to about 5,000 monthly. Accreditation for training of House officers has been restored. During his election campaign tour to Ebonyi State in 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan promised to upgrade the Federal Medical Centre to a Teaching Hospital. On December 7 of that year, the President fulfilled his election promise by proclaiming the Centre a Federal Teaching Hospital. He further directed that Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital be absorbed into the new mega Teaching Hospital comprising FETHA I (former FMC) and FETHA II (former EBSUTH).

    The handover process was completed the same month including the absorption of the staff of the defunct State University Teaching Hospital.

    The mega teaching hospital concept fitted in exactly with the vision of the CMD, Associate Prof. Paul Ezeonu. German-trained and imbued with a passion for excellence and hard work, Dr. Ezeonu has laboured long to take FETHA to the top among teaching hospitals not only in Nigeria but indeed across the world.

    On assumption of office as CMD, he had created a lofty vision to make the hospital a global player. He went on to initiate what have aptly been described as “transformational projects” that have indeed catapulted the hospital to the global league in the industry.

    The new Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki FETHA, under Prof. Ezeonu has indeed become mega and world class with a retinue of over 4,000 staff comprising over 200 Consultants in various specialties, 602 beds ward complex distributed in various departments, 500 doctors undergoing residency training and a capacity for training of over 250 House Officers every year.

    Furthermore, the hospital is now relocating to its new multipurpose building complex designed as a one-stop shop complex to accommodate the various units and departments such as children’s emergency units and wards, Obstetrics and Gynecology (O&G) wards and units, Accounts department, administration department, consulting rooms and wards among others.

    These projects were commissioned recently by President Goodluck Jonathan.

    •Quarters for Resident Doctors and House officers
    •Quarters for Resident Doctors and House officers

    Also completed and commissioned by the President who was represented by the Minister of State for Health, Mr Fidelis Nwankwo are buildings for Resident Doctors’ and House Officers’ quarters comprising several units of self contained accommodation, medical records blocks, laboratories, dental clinics among others.

    At the occasion, Prof Ezeonu said the “new multi-purpose hospital complex is designed as a one-stop complex to accommodate various units in the departments of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology; administration department comprising consulting rooms and wards among others”.

    “The Medical Records and Medical Laboratory Complexes have also been completed; all interwoven as one complex to reduce distance, waiting time and stress on patients and staff”.

    “Construction of ongoing projects include an ultra modern auditorium with five hundred sifting capacity, a lecture hall with a two-hundred desk sitting capacity, an E-library and a conventional library as well as an ultra modern theatre and several other facilities with modern ancillary amenities located within the new site and FETHA II”.

    School of basic nursing and school of basic midwifery hostels.

    Perhaps, the icing on the cake of both the histry of FETHA and the transformational achievements of Assoc Prof Ezeonu is the establishment of the school of Basic Nursing and School of Midwifery. Conceived in 2011 following the upgrade of the hospital to a teaching hospital, the school constitute a story of hope as well as a child of circumstance.

    The story is told of how it came to the notice of the Chief Medical Director, Assoc. Prof. Ezeonu, that minor illnesses were being referred to the federal teaching hospital because there were insufficient health personnel to manage the various primary health care centers in the state.

    •A fuel station at the facility
    •A fuel station at the facility

    Acting in concert with other members of the management the CMD took up the challenge of selling up the school. The school was thus conceived to fill a critical gap, namely, the lack of trained and qualified basic nursing and midwifery personnel in primary health care institutions in Ebonyl State and environs.

    According to Ezeonu, the school is the first Government-owned nursing training facility in Ebonyi State since inception.

    “The schools have commenced having obtained accreditation from the Nursing Council of Nigeria in 2014. The schools are fully operational with state-of-the-arts accommodation; transport and educational facilities. We are currently seeking collaboration with Canadian Universities in the areas of exchange programmes and manpower training”.

    Speaking at the occasion, the Minister of State for Health, said the commissioning is a land mark event in line with the president’s determination to ensure access to quality and affordable health care for the citizens.

    He said, “I see much more than the physical structures. What I see is the satisfaction on the faces of patients who would access services from this one-stop shop, the clinical complex and the high morale of the young doctors in their new quarters”.

    “I want to reiterate this administration’s commitment to providing world class health care services to Nigerians through adequate Funding, provision of modern facilities and well trained personnel ensuring an enabling environment for healthcare workers as well as institution of people-oriented policies”.

    “Providing modern health care infrastructure such as the New Compact Hospital Complex. School of Nursing and Midwifery ostels. House Officers’ Quarters, Resident Doctors Quarters, cological Drainage and Roads are among the card inal objectives of Mr. President’s Transformation Agenda as prioritized under the National Strategic Health Development Plan.

    “Under this plan, government is motivating existing local health manpower and encouraging Nigerian health experts based abroad to return to ensure that Nigerians get easy access to high quality health care and more importantly, minimise medical tourism”.

    “I am particularly impressed with the establishment at the Schools of Basic Nursing and Midwifery in the Hospital, which will go a long way in providing well qualified nurses and midwives not just for this hospital but for other hospitals in the state and its environs.

    In the past four years, Nigerian health care system has witnessed remarkable improvement as Government has invested heavily in strengthening human resources by scaling up the Midwifes Service Scheme (MSS) providing health facilities and instituting the maternal and Child health (MCI-I) component of SURE-P”.

    “The government is modernising medical diagnostics and upgrading several tertiary health care facilities to meet the standard existing in those countries where Nigerians seek foreign medical treatment”.

    “As such, it has so far modernized and reequipped to international standard in phases, 14 Federal Tertiary Hospitals across the country to deliver quality health care. The Government is in the process of modernizing the remaining Teaching Hospitals, FETHA inclusive, and the revamping of the 14 already modernized Teaching hospitals through Public Private Partnership with VAMED Nig Ltd”.

    “I must commend the Chief Medical Director (CMD) and the Board of Management of FETHA for their vision of re-engineering and restructuring the hospital. The Management of the hospital has been the driving force behind the building projects that I am about to commission today.”

    The chairman, Board of Management of the Hospital, Alhaji Suleiman Abdulahi Dawaki Kudu expressed hope that the laudable projects will, in no small measure, spur the Federal Government towards the replication of the projects in other states and localities of the Federation for the provision of excellence in our healthcare delivery services.

    With the unfolding success story of the teaching Hospital, it is little wonder that it is fast becoming the destination of choice for local, national and international scientific and medical conferences, Annual General Meeting of medical associations, medical and health related workshops as well as the celebrations to mark United Nations Special Days connected with health issues.

    Hardly a month passes without one of such event. Fifteen of such events actually held in the Hospital last year including the Scientific Conference & Annual General Meeting of National Health Reform Foundation of Nigeria, Medical Women Association of Nigeria Dialogue etc.

    This is in line with Ezeonu’s vision for the institution. In his words: “Our plan is to move to an international standard teaching hospital so that Nigerians can stop going to India, England and other places for treatment because these people in India are not better than us, and they do not come to Nigeria for medical treatment That is our target in FETHA. We have all it environment”

    ”Our motto is Excellence in Health Care Delivery. I want people in this state and the entire Nigerians to know that FETHA has come to stay, to serve and deliver world class medical services to the people. And apart from delivering medical services as a teaching hospital, we shall continue to train younger ones for better performance, we shall also be offering practical and theoretical teaching to both the Federal University at Ndufu Alike Ikwo, the Ebonyi State University and our own School of Nursing and Midwifery. People should know that we are here to work and give in the best we can to better the society.”

    With such reassuring pledge from the CMD, it can be said that things can only get better at FETHA as the Management seeks to break new grounds in climbing to the top of the league of global players among the teaching hospital world community.

  • Why House wanted me impeached, by Chime

    Why House wanted me impeached, by Chime

    Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has explained that some members of the state House of Assembly wanted him impeached because he refused to yield to their financial demands.

    He said the allegation of impropriety against him was false, as the issue for which they moved against him was a loan for the development of the state.

    He said: “They felt the administration was coming to an end and it is time for them to make money. They came shamelessly and said that I should give them money. They thought I was asking for the loan as a parting gift. This nonsense started when they could not get me to give them money outside their allowances.”

    He was reacting to the impeachment notice he was allegedly served by the House. Just less than three weeks to its last sitting, some members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, to the chagrin of residents woke up as early as 4:00 a.m. on Monday and marched to the Assembly Complex located at the Independence Layout for the day’s legislative business. What surprised the entire people of the state was the timing of the sitting–the wee hours when the first cock crows.

    The legislators who were led by the Speaker of the House, Hon. Eugene Odoh (who was later impeached) included the suspended House Leader, S.K.E. Ude Okoye, Okechukwu Nwoke, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, Elochukwu Ugwueze, Iloabuchi Aniagu, Nze Michael, Onyeze Anichukwu, John Nwankwo, Theresa Egbo, Nkechi Omeje Ogbu, Chika Eneh, Mathias Ekweremadu, Paul Okechukwu Ogbe, Anthony Ogidi and Nelson Uduji.

    The reason for sitting at an unusual hour of the day was principally to pre-empt another group of the legislators, said to be loyal to the governor that planned to sit and use the platform to dissociate themselves from the N11 billion loan saga between the House and the governor.

    Governor Chime had, last year, requested the House to approve for the executive a loan of N11billion for the execution of some ongoing and new projects. The House, in November last year, approved the loan which was put to use.

    Governor Chime explained that the bank which granted the loan requested some further additional endorsement from the House.

    The leadership of the House capitalised on the bank’s request to get a “parting gift” from the governor. They insisted that they must be given some amount of money before they would give their approval. But the governor stood his ground, insisting that he was not going to tamper with public funds because he could not account for any money taken from it.

    Angered by the governor’s refusal to yield ground, some of the members, led by the then Speaker, started some manoeuvers to arm-twist the governor into yielding to their demand. They started investigating the various ministries and parastatals of the state, particularly those that have much to do with finance.

    The commissioners were summoned one after the other to be “interrogated” by members of the House.

    Among those summoned was the Accountant-General of the state, Paschal Okorie who was asked to explain why the executive has refused to release monthly subventions to the House and other ministries since March. After his appearance, he was asked to submit to the House records of funds received and disbursed from April this year.

    The House, during the period, also alleged a contract scam at the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ESUBEB) and asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe activities of the board. But the EFCC did not see any merit in that direction.

    All these were part of the arm-twisting tactics that the governor refused to yield to which led to the build-up of Monday’s action which claimed Speaker Odo’s position.

    At their early morning sitting on Monday in the absence of the Clerk of the House, they commenced the process of impeaching Governor Sullivan Chime. After forcing their way into the Assembly premises by overpowering security men, they made for the office of the Clerk of the House and broke into it and took the Mace.

    Among the allegations leveled against the governor was the issue of allegedly forging the N12 billion 2012 Supplementary Budget.

    They also accused the governor of allocating reserved government lands to members of his family and some individuals for erection of private houses, especially within the three-arm zone and seriously condemned the act.

    The impeachment notice was signed by 14 members of the House, including the Speaker. The Clerk of the House; Christopher Chukwurah was directed to serve the notice on the governor immediately.

    At the sitting, the anti-Chime legislators suspended the Deputy Speaker, Chime Oji, nephew of the governor, who was recently elected to represent Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, Hon. Emeka Ogbuabor and Deputy House Leader, John Kevin Ukwuta for alleged anti-House activities.

    The Speaker and the 13 members arrived at the House at 4:00 a.m. but were able to enter the legislative chamber at 6:28 a.m. and held the sitting after fierce altercation with the police.

    The lawmakers had complained that the governor was using some members of the House to disrupt its activities because they refused to approve the N11 billion loan requested by the governor.

    Immediately after their sitting which lasted for 30 minutes, another group of eight legislators; led by the Deputy Speaker, Chime Oji, including the Deputy Governor-elect, Hon. Cecilia Ezeilo walked into the chamber with another mace and conducted another sitting. Another member, Joseph Agbo Ugwumba who represents Enugu East Rural, later joined them.

    After a short prayer, Hon. John Kevin Ukwuta moved a motion to the effect that Hon. Johnbull Nwagu who was suspended by the House be recalled. The motion was seconded by Hon. Chinedu Nwamba.

    The pro-Chime lawmakers, however, lifted the suspension slammed on Nwagu for misconduct and invited him to join the group bringing their number to nine.

    Ukwuta, thereafter, moved another motion calling for the suspension of the Speaker, Eugene Odoh and seven other members in his group, who included Anichukwu Nwankwo, Okechukwu Nwoke, Paul Ogbe, Nze Michael Onyeze, Theresa Egbo, Chika Eneh and S.K.E. Udo-Okoye. The motion was approved by the nine members.

    The principal officers among the suspended members were also stripped of their positions and benefits.

    Ukwuta further moved for the nomination of other colleagues to fill the vacancies created by the suspension. He nominated Chinedu Nwamba, representing Nsukka East State Constituency to be sworn in as Speaker of the House.

    The motion was approved by other members and Chinedu Nwamba was sworn in as Speaker by the Clerk of the House, Dr. Chukwurah, who was present throughout the nearly one hour sitting.

    Nwamba thanked his colleagues for the confidence reposed in him to preside over the affairs of the House as Speaker. He directed the Clerk of the House to inform the governor of the decision of the House.

    The group also elected Donatus Uzoagbado, Oji River Constituency as Leader of the House and Hon. Emeka Ogbuabo as Chief Whip of the House to replace the suspended principal officers.

    Ukwuta informed the lawmakers of the letter written by the State Attorney-General, Anthony Ani, informing the lawmakers that they had no powers to investigate the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ESUBEB), saying the freezing of the account of the board was a legislative recklessness.

    He said the members of the House should be seen as lawmakers and not law-breakers. He therefore moved a motion that the freezing of the account of the ESUBEB was erroneously done and should be lifted immediately.

    Hon. Emeka Ogbuabo seconded the motion, saying the House erred by freezing the account of the board, stressing that the petition against the chairman of the board was not properly handled.

    They subsequently lifted the order freezing the account of the board and directed that the account be immediately de-frozen, while the board was asked to continue dealing with the chairman of ESUBEB.

    At 7:50 a.m., the House adjourned sine die and the factional Speaker, Hon. Nwamba directed the police officer in charge of the House security to ensure that nobody was allowed into the Assembly till further notice.

    Reacting to the said impeachment notice by the suspended Speaker’s group Governor Chime said: “These are just people, characters who are frustrated for not getting what they bargained for. I know what they are doing will not see the light of the day but I want my defence to see the light of the day.”

    The governor, who appeared unruffled by the unfortunate development said in the first place they are not up to two thirds majority and the timing was not in their favour.

    He asked: “Please who are they investigating? Is it me or Gburugburu who is coming in as the governor in a few days time?”

    Chime dismissed the N12 billion supplementary budgets alleged to have been forged by him in 2012 and displayed the signed and published document.

    “All they want to create is the impression that I have been milking this state dry,” he said, adding, “and the issue of the said forged supplementary budget happened when I was ‘dead’. When you people (press) reported that I was dead. I am hearing this allegation of forgery for the first time today.”

    On the issue of the N11billion loan, Chime explained that the loan was already in use based on the approval by the House in November last year. Displaying the resolution of the House dated November 18, 2014, the governor said: “This is the resolution approving the loan by the House of Assembly.”

    The governor further said: “They felt the administration was coming to an end and it is time for them to make money. They came shamelessly and said that I should give them money. They thought I was asking for the loan as a parting gift. This nonsense started when they could not get me to give them money outside their allowances.

    “I won’t give them any money. It is public money. I can’t account for it. And I have no regrets for what I am doing.”

  • Communities groan over abandoned road

    Communities groan over abandoned road

    When the contract for the Amansea-Ndikpa-Ndiukwuenu-Awa-Ufuma road was awarded by the administration of former Governor Peter Obi to Stanutti–stocks Construction firm about two years ago, there was jubilation by members of the communities through which the road passed.

    The contract was over N8 billion. The completion date was 18 months.

    Moved by what the communities perceived as government’s care for their well-being, the communities vowed to give total allegiance and support to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) during the 2015 general elections.

    However, their joy was short-lived as they noticed that the road which has suffered over 150 years of neglect is about to be abandoned after contract for its construction was awarded.

    The road traverses six communities namely, Amansea, Ndikpa, Ozu, Forest Reserve, Ndiukwuenu, Awa and Ufuma all of which are food baskets of Anambra State.

    The fascination and dream of having good road like other communities in the state have given way for lamentations, agony and pains.

    When The Nation visited some of the communities, there were mixed reactions over the project. The lamentation was more as a result of probable dashed hope on the two bridges; one at Ndi-ubani that connects Awa community and others and the other at Amansea end which they say may hinder free and smooth movement among them. This is because the two bridges are in bad condition.

    Commenting on the issue, Mr. Okezie Awa Nwike, from Awa community in Orumba North Local Government Area, told our correspondent that no single person from their area is happy with the situation.

    “That contract is not ongoing. We are not sure whether the problem is from the contractor or the state government. The situation of the road has worsened.

    “We voted for APGA during the just-concluded elections with the hope of being repaid through the construction of this road. But that dream is dead.

    “We have been gnashing our teeth because the road has been abandoned and we are neglected again. This is unfortunate,” Awa Nwike said.

    However, the President-General of Ndiukwuenu community in Orumba North Local Government Area, Hon. Chidozie Okoli expressed divergent view from Nwike’s, adding that the project is ongoing.

    He told The Nation that the duration to complete the road was 18 months, lamenting that already, 24 months had elapsed without its completion.

    However, he said if the road is completed, it would be a new horizon in the communities as there was no easy means of evacuating their agricultural produce as a result of the dilapidated road.

    He said: “We feel happy because we had been going through lots of difficulties for lack of access road in these areas, but the intervention of the state government has given us a glimmer of hope.

    “But the pace is slow. The expectation of its completion is not being realized. The South African company should be serious on the construction of the road for the communities to heave a sigh of relief.”

    Some of the community leaders such as 78-year-old Chief Michael Nwafor, 75-year-old Andrew Nwankwo and Pa Christopher Okeke were of the same view.

    For the elders in the Ndiukwuenu community, they rolled out their drums to celebrate the award of the contract, but the government is trying to make them regret their actions.

    “All we want our Governor Willie Obiano to do is to look towards the direction of our people because he will lift our spirits with the completion of the road.

    “Nobody had remembered us in this area before now, but since we have entered the book of the government, all we are saying is that the sense of belonging that has been extended to us should be seen to be real,” he said.

    Pa Andrew Nwankwo said: “It will not be good if our governor allows us again to rot in jail, because staying in this area without movement is akin to imprisonment. Therefore, we plead with him to assist us. Let him not abandon us the more.”

    •The cattle market along the road
    •The cattle market along the road

    Though, members of Hausa community who do their cattle business along the Amansea end of the road in Awka North Local Government Area, claim the road is still good, they also believe that the state government should hasten up the project.

    The road traverses the cattle market at Amansea where over 1,000 members of Hausa community live and transact their businesses.

    For the former chairman of cattle sellers in the area, Hayatou Kojeli, the place they occupy now was not carved out by the state government. Rather, by the community.

    He believes that if the road is put in good condition, it would help them explore other areas in the state like Orumba North and South respectively.

    However, he believes that if the state government could relocate the cattle market while the road stays like this, it would not help them in their business.

    Kojeli said: “What we want is a modern market where all the food stuffs such as tomatoes, onions and carrots from the North will be assembled, while people will come to the place to buy them in quantities instead of allowing them to go to the town and spoil the roads the more.”

    Also, the Vice-Chairman of the cattle sellers, Alhaji Ali Hamadama, told our correspondents that the condition of the road is not affecting their businesses.

    He, however, called on the government to fast-track the construction work on the road to help the rural men and women from different communities, adding that the road is not all that bad.

  • Community threatens power project over compensation

    The National Integrated Power Project (NIPP) power line project from Enugu to Akwa Ibom states which is expected to provide constant power in almost three states is under threat by the protest of the Nnono Oboro community where the line is expected to pass.

    Nnono Oboro community in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State is claiming that the contractor handling the project has not paid them adequate compensation to those whose houses are on the right of way of the project and marked for demolition.

    The members of the community, including men, women and youths who carried  placards to protest the situation by the NIPP contractor, called on the Federal Government to intervene to forestall possible breakdown of law and order.

    The spokesman of the community who doubles as the youth leader, Anthony Chinedu, told our correspondent at Nnono that: “Our protest was not against the project, which he said was borne out of government’s good intention and for development.

    Chinedu said though the project is expected to bring even development, “which we are not against but against the nonchalant attitude of the NIPP contractor who has ordered the helpless villagers to vacate their homes within two weeks”.

    He said the contractor created fear among the people by intimidating them with army personnel who they alleged patrol the community every day to ensure that the people do not ask for their rights.

    In his speech, the chairman of Oboro Clan Council of Traditional Rulers, King Larry Ogbonnaya Agwu, corroborated Chinedu’s views; that they were not against the project, noting that if the contractor did not have enough money to pay compensation, he should have diverted the transmission line away from people’s homes.

    King Agwu lamented that rather than direct the power transmission line through the forest, he decided to run it through the community where he would collect money for compensation and not pay same to the affected families.

    The traditional rulers said: “What do they want these old people to do, to go and live in the bush? Are we going to enjoy the light in our graves, and instead they are using army to intimidate us.”

    However, the traditional ruler called on the Federal Government to come to their rescue by reviewing the contract so that adequate compensation would be paid to members of the community to enable them to get alternative accommodation.

    Some of the people, whose houses are affected by the project said the funds they are being given are not enough to buy a piece of land, let alone build a house. Others said they are being given two weeks to vacate from their ancestral homes.

    A 76-year-old Madam Nwegeruo Chimbuo said they were given two weeks to vacate their homes even when compensation had not been paid. Elder Ukanna Ogbonna and Peter Ekpemiro said the money they were paid as compensation was too small to buy a piece of land let alone build a house.

    At the work camp of the NIPP, some military personnel said they were there on official duty to provide security for the workers. But the workers refused to talk to the press, saying they do not have the authority to speak to the press on the matter.

    Some of the placards the protesting community members carried read: “We are homeless, settle us”, “Stop using the military to intimidate us”, and “Demolition without compensation”.