The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Community celebrates Army captain

    Community celebrates Army captain

    The newly promoted Major Chris Nwaogu and family wanted a quiet ceremony.

    That wish was not granted by the community residents who felt the decoration of their kinsman was too significant to be marked in whispers.

    That was why the Conference Room of 144 Battalion in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State was filled to capacity when Nwaogu was decorated with his new rank.

    Other junior officers and men of the Nigerian army serving under the command were also not left out in the celebration as they were on hand to cheer up their boss.

    Speaking after decorating Nwaogu with the new rank of Major, Lt. Col. Rasheed Omolori, the Commanding Officer (CO) 144 battalion congratulated him for being among five soldiers under him that got promoted since he was posted to Aba as the head of the battalion.

    Omolori who could not hide his joy on the progress the command have witnessed since he assumed office in 2014 disclosed that the former second in command of the battalion Abdulsalam was recently promoted and decorated with the rank of a Lt. Col and had since being decorated at the 14 Brigade, Ohafia by the brigade commander among others that were promoted.

    “Major Nwaogu is the fifth officer that is getting promotion since I arrived here five months ago. In other words, it is five months, five promotions; I am a lucky man. Generally, we are happy that all these are happening in our battalion.”

    He admonished the newly promoted officer to make hard work, loyalty and commitment his watch words, reminding him that as a senior army officer, much responsibility was expected from him.

    Omolori welcomed him into the fold of the senior officers and reminded him that the new rank was not for pleasure but a challenge to show more commitment to duty as there was strict competition in the army now and as such only very brave and committed officers would make career in it.

    A former member of the House of Representatives and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia Central Senatorial District, Hon. Iheanacho Obioma who were among friends and personalities that graced the event said he was at the event to rejoice with the family of Chris Nwaogu and expressed delight in Major Nwogu’s promotion which he said was as a result of his dedication, loyalty, commitment and hard work to his service to the nation.

    He said he was proud of the officer who he described as a friend and brother and thanked the commanding officer of the battalion for his quality leadership which he stated was responsible for the promotions that had come their way in such a short period.

    Another guest at the event and MD of Crunches Fries Mazi Jude Nwosu corroborated Hon. Ihenancho’s position and added that he wouldn’t have been there to see Nwaogu decorated if he (Nwaogu) weren’t committed to his work and prayed that God would take the officer he described as his friend to a greater height in life.

    Responding, Major Nwogu thanked all that came to rejoice with him and promised that he would not let anybody including the army authority down.

    According to the Ubakala, Umuahia South born military officer, “I want to say that I came from a military background, my father having served in the Nigerian Army and my elder brother is serving in the Nigerian Air Force. We have never disappointed and I will never disappoint this time around,” he assured.

     

  • Abia police step up violence-free campaign

    The police in Abia State are not taking any chances in the run-up to the elections. They have been touring the state, speaking with just about anyone they think can help ensure a credible ballot. The state Police Commissioner, Adamu Ibrahim told our reporter on the phone that his personnel were not relenting in the effort to ensure a peaceful poll in the over 184 wards in the 17 local governments in the state, saying, they have started interfacing with various political groups to that effect.

    Ibrahim said, “We have been planning and preparing for the election for a very long time and not now. The preparation is ongoing.  Even this week, I am going to meet with party officials to still enlighten them on the need for violent free elections in the state.”

    He warned politicians to desist from making and issuing inflammatory statements and the youths avoid being used and dumped by politicians, saying that police and other sister agencies would not take it lightly with any person or group that would want to foment trouble before, on the day or after the elections.

    “Youths should desist from being used as thugs by politicians or otherwise they will be flushed out. During the Christmas period, I asked the parents to warn their children to stay clear from thuggish acts, otherwise, we will not spare anybody arrested.

    “That is why I asked parents to warn their children to avoid being used by politicians as thugs. I want citizens of Abia State to keep on cooperating with police and other security agencies in the state to ensure that 2015 election will be hitch-free.

    “We are synergizing with other security agencies to ensure that the elections will come and go without any hitches and to deal with all political violators in the process.

    “We are calling on all abiding citizens of Abia State to assist us. A peaceful atmosphere is the best atmosphere for elections so that each vote of the electorate will count”.

    Continuing, the Abia Police boss said “I am using this opportunity to warn politicians against inflammatory statements in their political rallies or any other gatherings. “We are going to call all the candidates for a meeting where we will make our positions known.” adding “We are not relenting in ensuring that property and life of residents were secured.

    “Our primary concern is to make sure that security of Abians and that whoever that is residing in Abia would be properly protected during and after coming election. All our plans are marshaled towards ensuring that 2015 election is conducted in a free, violent free and secured atmosphere”.

    On what his office is doing to address logistic issues in the command Ibrahim said “Logistics are daily issues. We are not relenting in all spheres. The ability to manage what you have on ground to achieve what you want is what matters. I assure you that with what we have, we will work to achieve optimum use to achieve the expected result”, he assured.

     

  • Is Ohanaeze falling apart?

    Is Ohanaeze falling apart?

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is embroiled once again in a major crisis which has split it in two.

    On Monday, a caretaker committee set up by the Imeobi or elders’ council of the organisation inaugurated a probe panel headed by the retired Col. Ben Gbulie to investigate alleged cases of financial misappropriation against the leadership.

    The Imeobi led by the elder statesman, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi had earlier this year allegedly sacked the Chief Enwo Igariwey-led executive for “overstaying” their tenure.

    The caretaker committee put in place has Chief Ralph Obioha as chairman.

    During the inauguration of the caretaker committee which held on January 15, Chief Amaechi stated clearly the reason behind the action thus:

    “Their term of office expired on the 7th of January 2015 and right now Ohanaeze has no elected team of leaders. Nature, they say, abhors vacuum and it is in order to make for continuity ad interim, that your committee is constituted.

    “Article 11 of Ohanaeze Constitution clearly states: “There shall be a President-Ceneral of Ohanaeze elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years.

    “Chief Igariwey and Dr. Joe Nwaorgu who are co-captains of the ship that they wish to wreck…have been spreading the blatant falsehood that the Constitution was amended to be for four years.

    “I hear that they issued a press release to say that I am not even the Chairman of the Elders Council of Ohanaeze. I hold no grudges against them because both of them are JJCs (Johnnie Just Come) in Ohanaeze. Both of them came into office by the defective policy of zoning and rotation which invariably produce mediocrity in leadership. For the benefit of all, I had been the Chairman of the Elders Council even before Ohanaeze started having elected officers. In that capacity I had resolved the misunderstanding between Eze Ozobu and Prof. Nwabueze when they were President and Secretary-General of Ohanaeze respectively. In that capacity, I constituted and headed the Committee that resolved the dispute between Ndi Eze Igbo and Eze Ilomuanya Group of Traditional Rulers during the tenure of Uwechue. In that capacity I traveled to Warri and Asaba to resolve the misunderstanding in the Delta Branch of Ohanaeze.”

    The executive would not accept such a decision taken by the Elders Council. They headed to court to stop the Imeobi from conducting fresh elections to replace them on the tacit grounds that their tenure was yet to expire. The court actually granted them an injunction.

    This same scenario played out in 2011 during the tenure of the late Ambassador Ralph Uwechue. Uwechue’s tenure was extended then due to the pending general elections.

    The Imeobi allowed the exco then to continue in office for another two years with a view to guiding Ndigbo through the elections.

    Based on that concession given to Uwechue’s exco the Igariwey team argued that the constitution was amended for tenure extension to four years.

    Their argument was based on the extension of the Uwechue’s tenure which was a gentleman’s agreement. Moreover, there was no document to back it.

    However, the probe panel set up on Monday is  to investigate alleged financial deals involving the sums of N350m and 150,000 dollars said to have been donated to the organisation by “friends” of President Goodluck Jonathan for two specific projects earmarked for execution to better the lot of Ndigbo.

    Also listed for probe is the disbursement of the N25m donated to the organisation by the Anambra State government for the hosting of the 2014 Igbo Day Celebration held in Awka, capital of the state, which has allegedly disappeared.

    As at press time the Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey-led national executive of Ohanaeze Ndigbo said to have been replaced by the caretaker committee has not handed over to the committee appointed by the Elders’ Council  (Imeobi) of the organisation.

    Docuemts made available to the panel included the bank statement of the Ohanaeze Foundation at Diamond Bank, former President-General’s report on Ohanaeze Foundation and Ohanaeze Centre for Effective Leadership and the issue of a N25m donated by Anambra state government and how it was disbursed .

    It was learnt that the said N350m scam was not unconnected with the alleged ill-fated Ikenga Transport outfit meant to ease transportation problems in the Southeast and make the organisation earn revenue for other projects but which fizzled out after its first set of fleet of vehicles were procured and launched.

    On the 150,000 dollars, it was gathered that the money would have gone for the execution of a noble plan of Ohanaeze to begin a leadership training platform for the middle age people of the area selected specifically for grooming for future Igbo presidency.

    Chief Obioha, disclosed that it was allegedly misappropriated since it was shared by certain leaders of the apex body.

    A document signed by Uwechue seemed to clarify how the 150,000 dollars was shared by persons including the principal officers at that time as well as the women and youth wings of the organisation with the highest individual recipient getting 15,000 dollars and the least member of the National Executive Committee getting 5,000 dollars.

    It was also noted that attempts to endorse  President Goodluck Jonathan for next month’s general elections did not go down well with many members of the organisation. There were counter moves by many who argue that Ndigbo did not benefit much from Jonathan administration given their support for the president.

    Chief Obioha said: “The development has created a huge crisis of confidence for Ohanaeze and the effect of the government interference creating confusion in the normal running of the machinery of Ohanaeze.

    “Let us insulate Ohanaeze Ndigbo from outright partisan politics. It is a purely socio-economic and cultural organisation and not a socio-political one,” he said, pointing out,  that any of the candidates of the parties contesting for presidency who wants the support of Ndigbo should come forward now and discuss details of his plans, with specific reference to time frame, on how to realise Igbo presidency after his own time.

    He maintained that it was risky and dangerous for the leadership of the Igbo nation to endorse any candidate at this point in time without extracting such a solid assurance from such a candidate, especially now that the electioneering so far has thrown up two leading candidates in President Jonathan of the People’s Democratic Party and Gen. Muhammad Buhari (rtd) of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Since its inauguration, the caretaker committee was yet to conduct its business in the national headquarters of the organisation.

  • Four rainy days in the bush with kidnappers

    November 16 last year was a normal Sunday for my family. We woke up to face the challenges of the day such as writing my story for Southeast Report which is published every Tuesday. After that I went out to buy some things for the family and pick up some materials for a story I was working on.

    On my way back to the house at about 7.15 pm I stopped in front of my house to call my wife to open the gate so I could drive in. Just then, men numbering about four started banging on my car door and trying to force it open. One of them was pointing an AK 47 at me.

    When I opened the door of the car they quickly took away my wedding ring and my wristwatch before snatching my two phones that were in the space between the two front seats, while others were busy searching my pockets for the little cash that I was carrying then which was about N2,450. Therafter, they dragged me into their car.

    Inside their car they forced me to lie down while they sat on me forcing a face cap on my head to cover my face and warned me not to try to look at their faces before driving off to an unknown destination. On the way they were making calls to some people to meet them at a coded point.

    When we got to their coded point, I was dragged out of the car and forced to lie on the grass, while my slip-on shoes were taken away.

    One of them placed the gun at my cheek and said, “Feel it, if you mess up I will waste you and what is your wife’s phone number?”

    I told them that I still had another phone with me in case they searched me and found it on me. I am sure they would have shot me thinking that I intended to make calls with the phone. Then I gave them my wife’s phone number and they placed a call to her and placed the phone on my right ear and said, “Tell her that you have been kidnapped”.

    When the call went through I told my wife, “My dear I am being held, she said by whom, the police? I said no, some gentle men are holding me.” Then they took the phone from my ear and told my wife, “Madam we have kidnapped your husband, don’t call the police or the army else, we will kill him. Just cooperate with us”, and they switched off the phone.

    One of them said, “Please call her and let her know that their car is in front of their house as she may not be aware.”

    A call was once again placed to my wife and when she picked the call, they said, “Madam open your gate and take your car and your child’s material in the car, we have gone with your husband”.

    At this point I was handed over to another set of people who quickly blindfolded me and tied my two hands at my back and dragged off to God-knew-where. According to the two men who took me into the bush we started walking from 8pm till 1am when we stopped where they wanted us to spend the night.

    There I was told to sit down after they had gathered some leaves; meanwhile my hands had swollen beyond a standard boxer’s boxing gloves. When I sat down my two hands were tied to two different trees, while my legs were tied together. I laid down there and shortly after it started raining.

    It rained for the four nights I spent in the bush with black ants having a feast on my body and was only given bread and sachet water twice on Monday night by 11pm and Thursday morning by 4 am.

    Meanwhile they were calling my wife and demanding for the sum of N20 million while the two with me were demanding for N5 million. I kept telling them that I had no such money and that as a journalist that it will take me working for the rest of my life without spending a kobo from my salary to earn such amount of money.

    We kept haggling for price to the extent that they asked me to sell something to raise money, “I told them that I had nothing to sell except my two cars which when sold will not produce such amount of money. One of them said, “Is there nothing else you can sell, I said, Ok tell my wife to take our house documents and go to a money lender for the sum of money [huge sum] which she did”.

    When they got the money I was released at about 9.30 and I got to my house an hour later on Thursday 20th November. I came out to hear that my case had been the talk of the town and country, on the radio,

    television newspapers, CNN and the social media.

    I cannot thank my professional colleagues enough especially the Abia NUJ, The Nation family, especially the MD Mr Victor Ifijeh who kept calling my wife to know what was going on, the AGM Port Harcourt plant, Shola O’Neal, Southsouth Editor, who visited me after my release and the state governor Chief Theodore Orji who mobilised the security men in the state to ensure that I was released, and the security agencies in Abia state.

    My special thanks goes also to my wife, Patience who never slept all through that harrowing period and my children who missed me, my good cousin, Chief Okoji Nmaju, Chief Ogba Nwokoro President General of my town union, Dr Onyii Ogelle and his brother Uche and others too numerous to mention. May God bless you all.

     

  • Once upon an illustrious town

    It is still a puzzle that the community, from which came some of the country’s brightest minds, lies in ruins, forgotten by almost every government.

    That is the story of  Arondizuogu in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State, one of the few communities that are yet to reap the dividends of democracy.

    The collapsed roads and dilapidated infrastructure tell tales of long years of neglect and abandonment by successive administrations at the state and federal level.

    The community is reputed to have produced some of the eminent Nigerians who fought for the nation’s independence including the late Mbonu Ojike, Dr. K.O. Mbadiwe and W. C. Onwenu, among others.

    Many expected brighter fortunes, not the sorry picture before the eyes, considering the number of its successful people in strategic positions in government.

    From one end of the community to the other, one can hardly point to any project either completed or ongoing. The Federal Government road that passed through the community linking Onitsha the commercial hub of Anambra State and Enugu State, has been abandoned and in a terrible state of disrepair.

    To tackle these challenges, eminent sons and daughters of Arondizuogu, led by Chief Osita Okereke, the Director General of the National Taskforce on Illegal Importation of Small Arms and Light Weapons formed the Arondizuogu Political Forum, as a platform to promote the interest of the community.

    Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the Forum, Okereke, who is also the pioneer President General of the group, said that, “after a brainstorming session and reappraisal of our town we unanimously concluded that our Arondizuogu which produced illustrious sons that assisted other patriotic Nigerians to fight for independence, has remained static and politically demobilised without any meaningful progress”.

    He said, “When you look around the whole of Arondizuogu you will hardly find any state or Federal Government presence. The only Federal Government road that connects Arondizuogu with Onitsha and Okigwe has been allowed to decay without any attempt from government to repair the road.

    “Arondizuogu is one of the very few towns in Nigeria that is balkanized into three Local Government Areas of Ideato North, Okigwe and Onuimo without any of the headquarters in Arondizuogu, resulting in total marginalization of the community”.

    He continued that, “after the meeting, we concluded that Arondizuogu lacks the political leadership and the only way forward is to rediscover ourselves and come together under one united platform to aggressively tackle the underdevelopment confronting our people.

    “Politics in Arondizuogu will no longer be business as usual and whoever thinks that he can undermine the power and influence of the of the APF does so at his own peril”.

    He disclosed that the Forum was founded “to provide political leadership to our people with a view to ensuring that we claim our rights and attract meaningful considerations from government. To liaise with the Federal Government if need be in order to protect the interest of our town and attract Federal projects and infrastructure to our communities.

    “To fight and promote the interest of any Arondizuogu person anywhere in the world provided the course we are fighting is a legal course. To identify Arondizuogu sons and daughters seeking elective positions and support them with our resources and extract commitment that would protect the interest of Arondizuogu”.Also speaking the Vice President, Arc Chidi Okoli, described the current state of the community as totally unacceptable, and adding that, “despite the community decides who governs the state, it has not been given its fair share of the dividends of democracy. Arondizuogu has been neglected and this cannot continue. We are going to be partisan and support any candidate that will develop the community”.

     

  • Anambra celebrates community peace

    Anambra celebrates community peace

    It was clear that the relief was felt even beyond the remote community. The Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke was there on behalf of his boss, Chief Willie Obiano. So were various dignitaries including traditional rulers and community leaders.

    It was a special day for Nibo and its people in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. For seven years the community boiled over, kinsmen rising against one another. For that long, the town had no traditional Prime Minister or Onowu, in local parlance.

    Even the traditional ruler, Eze Ugonwanne Ngene, who still managed to retain his throne, could not celebrate it. The Ofala, the grand feast marking such ceremonies, simply could not hold.

    Why? Nibo was in turbulence.

    Thankfully, all that is in the past now. A new Onowu, Prof. Simon Nnama, has been inaugurated. Peace has returned and everyone, including the Obiano administration, was happy.

    At inception, one of the first things the governor did was to mount a campaign for community peace and cohesion. It looks as if his efforts are paying off.

    The internal squabble halted any form of development in the area. This put off some indigenous people who wanted to help those in need especially the physically challenged and widows.

    In those horrible days, things stood still except the Eke Market  which was functional, while the presence of government was equally minimal.

    The Nation gathered that the conflict was essentially about leadership. Some aggrieved members of the community, it was said, were opposed to the monarch and made their opposition known. While that lasted, a few others helped themselves to community’s till.

    The conflict is over. The community is united under its king. The Ofala feast has returned and everyone made merry and did their best to forget the past.

    Ezike Nibo, as the monarch is addressed, also took time to recognise some sons of the land, while the community equally chose and installed its traditional prime minister.

    The wind of change has finally reconciled all and sundry with monarch and some of the community’s sons and daughters promising development.

    Special recognition was given to the community’s new traditional Prime Minister, Prof. Simon Nnama and Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe in an event that took place at Nibo Civic Centre and witnessed by the Aanmbra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke.

    Traditional rulers from the 177 communities in Anambra state were led by the Igwe of Nnewi, Kenneth Orizu and Igwe Peter Anugwu of Mbaukwu.

    For members of the community, the honor given to one of their own Chief Kodilichukwu Okelekwe by their monarch was a well deserved one.

    He was given the traditional title of Ebubechukwu–Uzo (meaning the one who puts God first).

    The political scientist and business man has been a source of hope and motivation to the less privileged and the needy in the society not only in the community but beyond.

    Okelekwe before his education and rise to stardom was being ridiculed in the area in those days as epitome of poverty which he also attests to.

    The area was jam packed and the event wore a majestic look with decorations and different uniforms by groups that ran riot.

    The mention of Okelekwe’s name by the monarch elicited jubilation. Singers praised the man they described as the messiah of the poor.

    Mr. Chigozie Nwankwo, 67, said: “We are excited because this young man can starve his family to make sure that others do not suffer because he saw and experienced poverty.”

    The traditional ruler of Isuanaoma in Awka North Local Government Area, Igwe Uchenna Okpalaunegbu, who described himself as the recipient’s friend, told The Nation that the title on Okelekwe was a confirmation of his life

    “He is somebody that has touched lives, he believes strongly in living for others and this is the testimony”

    Dr. Harry Obi-Nwosu, a community leader in Umudioka, who came to witness the event, told the Nation that Okelekwe’s recognition by the community was well deserved as a man of integrity and honour.

    “I have known him as a gentleman that loves to help the poor; if not for the crisis in Nibo community, the people would have recognised him many years ago before other communities could do that.”

    Before now, in 2009, Okelekwe had been recognised as Ezechimelu (God’s anointed king) of Oko kingdom in Orumba North Council Area. In 2011, the monarch of Awka, Obi Gibson Nwosu gave him the title of Ochendo (the people’s shield).

    Chief Victor Umeh, who is the National Chairman of all Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was equally among the recipients of traditional title from the sleepy community.

    The Deputy Governor, Dr. Okeke, who stood in for Governor Obiano, commended the people for the return of peace in the area and the orderly conduct of the event.

    However, he assured that the state government remained committed in ensuring the security and welfare of its citizens as evidenced in the crime-free Yuletide period.

    Ezike Nibo, Ugonwanne Ngene, before conferring the titles on the recipients, said they were chosen as special people to play special roles in the community because of what he described and their impeccable characters.

    Despite the crisis that nearly brought enmity to the people and their leaders, the monarch described Nibo as a blessed community where all the basic amenities of life were endowed in abundance.

    While he was called up to step forward for his title, tears rolled down his cheeks but he managed to acknowledge the huge chants of his name by the people.

    He told The Nation that he cried because of what the community had gone through in the past and when he remembered his past when poverty reigned supreme in his life.

    “And that is what motivated me to be doing whatever I am doing today in the society and I have been in this charity job for the past 20 years and if I have the means, I will do more”.

    “This is very emotional to me and I cherish it because I never lobbied or made any discreet moves to be recognised by my people, I was only communicated 72 hours to the event and one of the greatest things that can happen to any man is to be recognised by his people.”

    The President General of the town Union, Dr. Innocent Akuvue described the day as a turning point in the lives of the people of the community.

  • ‘Jonathan has failed Ndigbo’

    A socio-cultural organisation, Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), has expressed its disenchantment with the Jonathan administration, saying it has failed to live up to the promises made to the Southeast.

    The forum in a communiqué signed by its president Augustine Chukwudum and Secretary-General Chinedu Onyebuchi, said the development amounted to neglect and marginalisation, a clear proof that the administration did “not appreciate the unalloyed support of the Southeast.”

    “We unanimously agreed that having failed to fulfill most of his electoral promises to the Southeast region when compared to other geopolitical regions in the country, that it is now obvious that the President Jonathan-led government does not appreciate the unalloyed support of the region.”

    The group said Dr Goodluck Jonathan has failed to “deliver on the Second Niger Bridge as he promised in 2011, and rehabilitate about eighty per cent of death traps of federal roads in the Southeast.”

    The NUF also accused the government of reluctance to upgrade the Akanu Ibiam and Sam Mbakwe airports to international standard.

    The group, which said it was helping to unite Ndigbo through seminars and orientation sessions, among others, so that they can speak with one voice on issues that affect them, added that its members were disillusioned because the federal government had not built any  industrial estate in Anambra and Abia states and that the Jonathan administration had been unable to harness the agric potentials of Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo state, “thereby denying the youths from Southeast employment in these sectors.”

    The NUF also dismissed the claim the president made a little over two weeks ago while on a campaign tour in the region that he has rehabilitated 2,000km of roads in the Southeast within the past four years. The group said Dr Jonathan “promised to upgrade Enugu Airport to International standard within 18 months in office if he is re-elected for second term,” but “this is another plot to hoodwink Ndigbo so that we continue to be their political slaves who we are today unless we wake from our slumber and reject this PDP president candidate because he has nothing to offer Ndigbo.

    “The Onitsha seaport was commissioned on August 30, 2012 amidst fanfare by President Jonathan; it is three years now, but we have yet to see a canoe not to talk of a big ship there.”

    The NUF said its members resolved to ensure that only candidates who have the interest of the Igbo at heart will have their votes.

    “Ndigbo Unity Forum is calling on all eligible voters to vote for credible candidates notwithstanding party affiliation.” [We also] want to inform the various candidates vying for elective posts, from governorship candidates to State House of Assembly candidates, to start enlightening us on their manifestos or risk rejection at the polls.”

    The NUF assessed the performance of the region’s governors, saying that “notwithstanding the abysmal performances of Governor Theodore Orji and Governor Martin Elechi of Abia and Ebonyi states, I can say without fear or favour that the other governors in the region have done fairly well. For instance, Governor Obiano has done well in the security sector and also Governor Rochas Okorocha has also impacted the live of our people positively through his free education scheme.

    Mr Chukwudum expressed his disappointment with the nation’s agric plan.

    “It is shameful that a country that arguably has about fifteen to twenty per cent of the world’s natural resources still has people who live on below one dollar a day. Personally I believe that federal and state governments can do a lot by investing in the agricultural sector; it is shameful that a country like Nigeria that has the capacity to feed the whole of Africa still imports agricultural products…I also believe that the federal and state governments can show that they are sensitive to the plight of the common man through building of industrial estates and also encouraging young entrepreneurs with loans and also providing a conducive environment for them to flourish.

    On te controversial Rev Fr. Ejike Mbaka, who lampooned President Goodluck Jonathan, the NUF president said, “Rev. Mbaka…is in order; he did what was expected of a good citizen. When a government is not doing well it is the duty of every well-meaning citizen to call the government to order. We all know that President Goodluck Jonathan has not delivered on his numerous promises.”

     

  • Group urges Jonathan to order PDP youths freed

    Group, Abia Youths for Enthronement of True Democracy (AYETD), has appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to order the Department of Security Service (DSS), Abia State to release three Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) youths arrested by the security outfit.

    The three persons were said to be among some PDP faithful who demonstrated Umuahia against the choice of the party’s Abia governorship candidate when President Goodluck Jonathan visited the state last week as part of his nationwide re-election campaign tour.

    In a statement, the group’s co-ordinator, comrade Israel Mba Ekenta in appealing to President Jonathan for the release of the arrested persons said under the 1999 constitution as amended, individuals have the right to protest when they felt they were not fairly treated.

    AYETD said it was wrong for men of the DSS, Umuahia to have arrested the placard carrying members who it stated were only trying to draw the president’s attention to what had been happening in the state chapter of the PDP.

    The group said it was no offence for the people to have used a legal and civilized manner to draw the attention of the president and other national leaders of the PDP to an issue if left unnoticed and unattended to could cost the party fortunes.

    According to AYETD, “It was wrong for the men of DSS in Umuahia to have arrested party members who were protesting against the highhandedness and injustice meted out to some people by the PDP in the state”.

    The group threatened to take legal action if the arrested persons were not released without further delay.

     

  • Monarch alleges attack over Buhari’s title

    One of the oldest traditional rulers in Ngwa, Abia State, His Majesty Eze Isaac Ikonne may sue the chairman of the state traditional rulers’ council, His Majesty Eze Eberechi Dick for alleged defamation of character.

    The Ngwa king claimed that the monarch’s council chair maligned his character in a purported text message and radio announcement over the conferment of a chieftaincy title on the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen Muhammadu Buhari.

    As part of his nationwide campaign tour, Gen Buhari, accompanied by Imo Senator Chris Ngige and other stalwarts of the APC, visited Ikonne on January 10 at his Aba palace where the monarch conferred the title of Ogbuagu 1 on the General.

    Eze Dick has denied smearing Eze Ikonne’s character. He also told the reporter on the phone that the state traditional council was not against honouring Buhari with a title, only that Aba where the Ogbuagu 1 was conferred was not a recognised kingdom.

    The chieftaincy title which was given to the APC presidential candidate by the monarch and other members of his cabinet, according to the Ngwa monarch, was bestowed on the APC presidential candidate as a sign of love and to strengthen ties between the two ethnic groups.

    Eze Ikonne has come under heavy criticism from different quarters especially the opposition party over his action.

    The Enyi 1 of Aba has threatened legal action against the chairman of the state traditional rulers’ council.

    In a letter to Eze Eberechi Dick by counsel to Ikonne, K.C. Nwufo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, copies of which were sent to the state governor Theodore Orji, the AIG Zone 9, Umuahia, Abia Commissioner of Police, the Area Commander, Aba Area Command of the Nigeria Police, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate and others, the revered monarch alleged among many things that Eze Dick in an announcement on the state-owned radio station, purportedly signed by him, described him (Ikonne) as a non-native of Osusu Aba.

    The traditional ruler said he has been on the throne of his community for over 40 years, adding that for Eze Dick to allege that he was not from Osusu village was defamatory.

    According to him the Abia State traditional rulers’ council chairman would soon be summoned at the appropriate place to prove and justify his claims.

    The letter titled, “Your defamatory text messages to various traditional rulers in Abia State against attending meetings summoned by HRM I.A Ikonne”, reads in part:

    “That you sent text messages to some traditional rulers of Abia State origin directing them to desist from further attending meetings in the palace of HRM (Eze) I.A Ikonne because such meetings are allegedly political, otherwise they will face the ugly consequence of such attendance.

    “That you have no legal and moral right to send text messages to traditional rulers not to attend meeting in our client’s palace on the allegation that such meetings are political.

    “That no traditional ruler, including our client is a politician. HRM (Eze) I.A  Ikonne is not a card carrying member of any political party and as such, he does not belong to any political party.

    “That as a traditional ruler, our client is a father of all persons in Nigeria and thus is duty bound to receive any person, including a politician who visits his palace to pay him a courtesy call. This does not make him a politician.

    “That it is on record that you received politicians who paid you courtesy visits in your palace. This we believe did not make you a politician or your receiving them a political meeting, unless you say otherwise.

    “It is this unfounded propaganda of yours that you have contrived and used to deceive and manipulate the Abia PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu into believing that our client is against his candidacy. That you are not doing him any good by such wicked contrivance because you are depriving him of the votes of the natives of our client’s community who would love to meet him one-on-one when he visits our client’s palace.

    “That our client has been on the throne as a traditional ruler of his community for about 43 years now and so it is absolutely false and petty for your Highness to allege that he is not from Osusu village. This is defamatory and which you will soon be summoned at the appropriate venue to prove.”

    Justifying that the traditional title given to General Muhammadu Buhari doesn’t have any political undertone, Eze Ikonne in a telephone interview said he had in the past given chieftaincy titles to notable Nigerians such former president Olusegun Obasanjo, wife of the president, Dame Patience Jonathan, former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, former Anambra State governor, Dr. Chris Ngige, former senate president, Adolph Wabara, former deputy senate president Ibrahim Mantu among others and wondered why the one he gave to Gen. Buhari should be causing ripples in the state.

    Reacting to the development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) party chairman in the state, Hon. Donatus Nwankpa described the purported suspension of Eze Ikonne by the Abia State traditional rulers’ council and null and void, adding that the monarch has the right to give traditional title to whomever he deemed fit for such an honour.

    Nwankpa argued that the traditional rulers’ council doesn’t have the right to suspend Ikonne as he stressed that Enyi 1 of Aba didn’t commit any crime honouring a man who according to custom went to acclimatize with the traditional ruler that overseas where he had come to draw its peoples support.

    While maintaining that APC would not want to drag itself into insulting the traditional rulers said “APC is a party that respects the traditional institution and traditional rulers, but we will not fold our arms to watch the image of the traditional institutions dragged into mud.”

    When contacted on his phone, Eze Eberechi Dick said as the chairman of Abia State Traditional Council, that he was not aware of any announcement on Eze Ikonne’s suspension.

    On the purported message sent to traditional rulers asking them not to attend any meeting in Ikonne’s palace, the chairman Abia State traditional rulers’ council replied, “he has the right to summon his cabinet members for a meeting but not to summon other traditional rulers elsewhere, he doesn’t have any locus.

  • No Yuletide accident in Aba, says FRSC

    No Yuletide accident in Aba, says FRSC

    The Aba Sector command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that there was no recorded case of road crash in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State, during the festivities.

    The Sector Commander, Akachukwu Chika-ero also said 36 persons were arraigned before a mobile traffic court set up by the agency during the period for various traffic offences.

    Chika-ero, in an interview with our reporter, attributed the success his command recorded to the continued road safety awareness campaign at various motor parks in Aba and its environs mounted by the corps before and in the run-up to the Yuletide as more people and motorists came into Aba.

    He disclosed that out of the 36 persons that were arraigned before the mobile court for reckless driving in December, 35 were convicted of various offences while one person was discharged and acquitted.

    The Aba sector chief of the FRSC said the commission was not ignorant of the fact that Aba, being an economic and trade centre, usually hosts traders and individuals from neighbouring states of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Imo states, including their counterparts from such West African nations as Ivory Coast, Benin, Niger, among others, who come to buy one product or the other during festive periods.

    Lauding his officers on their dedication, commitment and display of high level of professionalism while discharging their duties even when they had cause to be angry, he admitted that such feat wouldn’t have come without some challenges.

    Speaking on the command’s readiness to sustain their  efforts, he further called on motorists using the Aba Ikot-Ekpene, Aba-Port Harcourt, Aba-Umuahia expressways to obey and maintain traffic regulations guiding driving on the highway, reminding them that his men will always be on the highway to check and penalize any driver that flouts driving code.

    He also disclosed that as part its routine measures to stem drivers’ excesses, the agency through the use of a mobile court would prosecute and sanction drivers that flout traffic regulations on the Highway, adding that the public awareness campaign would be a continuous one.

    “As part of measures to curb to the barest minimum the rate of accident on our highways and checking excesses of drivers, we are planning in 2015 to introduce a speed limit device for motorists to install in their vehicles and it is our belief that it will be warmly embraced by all motorists because it is for their safety and that of their passengers,” the FRSC Aba sector boss disclosed.

    Chika-ero thanked the media for supporting and partnering with the agency in educating and enlightening the public on the need to be safety conscious while making use of the roads, advising drivers to desist from alcohol intake, making and answering calls while on steering and any other act capable of putting their lives or that of their passengers at risk.

    It could be recalled that the Commanding Officer RS9, Corps Marshal Samuel Obayemi, presented by the Zonal Head of Operations at the end a sensitization exercise in Aba ahead of the Yuletide with the theme “Road Safety, a Shared Responsibility, it Depends on You” said that the essence of the exercise was to remind all road users in the southeast and the country at large that they have a responsibility to play in ensuring safety on the roads within the festive period and beyond and promised that by the end of the exercise, FRSC personnel that would be deployed on the roads would work optimally to ensure that road users in Aba and within the RS9 zone drove to their destinations safely.