The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Arochukwu death trap: Community seeks autonomy

    Arochukwu death trap: Community seeks autonomy

    Ensuing from the glaring neglect of the Arochukwu-Ohafia Road, there are emerging facts that the people of the area have threatened to declare a republic independent of Abuja administration.

    The road, described as the worst in Nigeria, has been a subject of contention. They maintain that since the end of the civil war in 1970, nothing has been done to upgrade or rehabilitate the road.

    Latest information which is unknown to the people of the area is that the contract for the rehabilitation of the road has been allegedly terminated. The contract was said to have been awarded to an unknown contractor said to be a relation of President Goodluck Jonathan. It was alleged that the contractor had received an upfront fee of N4.8 billion for the execution of the project.

    The less-than-40-kilometre stretch of road was expected to be completed in June this year. But the contractor had not done up to two kilometres of the road two years after the contract was awarded. He had been using the period of rainy season as a subterfuge.

    In the circumstances therefore, the people of the area are asking that President Jonathan and the National Assembly should avail them the opportunity to take their destiny into their own hands.

    Hon. Jude Nwokoro, who was the immediate past Special Adviser to Governor Theodore Orji on Works was of the view that the demand of the professionals of the area that they be given a Republican status “for them to take their destiny into their hands may be credible.”

    According to him, if that would solve the problem, let it be. The road has remained neglected and unattended to since after the civil war.

    “I am not advocating the split of the country but if it is possible that the people of Arochukwu could address their problem regarding their road by giving them autonomy, I will not oppose it. This is because the people have suffered extremely because of that road,” Nwokoro said.

    The professionals of the area had, during a town hall meeting, given two options on how to end their plight. The first is to be granted an autonomous status independent of Abuja’s control while the second is to merge the area with Akwa Ibom State where the people are enjoying the benefits of democracy unhindered.

    They had, at a previous meeting, told President Jonathan and members of the National Assembly representing the area, Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Hon. Arua Arunsi to forget coming to the area for political campaigns until the road is fixed.

    At the latest meeting, they stopped short of declaring a no confidence vote on Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State who they accused of being nonchalant to the suffering of the people of the area. They expressed their disbelief over the explanation advanced by the governor that he was prevented from rehabilitating the road by the Federal Ministry of Works, Abuja.

    “If this is true, the governor should come to Arochukwu and publicly tell us his own side of the story,” a prominent member of the Arochukwu professionals, Mazi Henry Ekelem Okoronkwo stated.

    Chief Onwuka Ukwa who is indigenous to Ohafia described the road as an example “of a trip to hell because there is nothing there that could be described as a road. It is an embarrassment for inhabitants of Arochukwu to be regarded as part of Nigerians.”

    Ukwa, who is a chieftain of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said: “The only way I can describe Ohafia-Arochukwu Road is that it is a trip to hell because there is nothing that gives it a semblance of a road. I have personally made trips to Arochukwu and swore that unless something is done, I will not visit Arochukwu again.

    “And it is a shame that inhabitants of Arochukwu will call themselves Nigerians. I am calling on the Vice-President Namadi Sambo to visit Arochukwu.

    “On his return, let him make a personal report to our dear President Goodluck Jonathan. That is the only way I can describe the experience of the people during a trip to Arochukwu.

    “Sambo should visit the area by road and not by air. And also depart Arochukwu by road to Ohafia.”

  • Scholarships for indigent students

    Scholarships for indigent students

    Hope has come the way of 12 indigent but brilliant students through the benevolence of the African Indigenous Education Advancement Foundation (AIEAF), in collaboration with the Study without Borders (SWB). Their bleak future turned to optimism as they received letters of scholarships and cheques covering their tuition fees at an event held in Enugu.

    Tears of joy rolled down their cheeks when the group which also sponsors indigent students to universities abroad gave out the scholarships to them.

    In all, nine of the beneficiaries are undergraduates while three were post-primary school students.

    One of the beneficiaries, Oni Opeyemi Motunrayo from Osun State came from Lagos to complete her papers to travel to China. Opeyemi, who leaves for China this weekend, is to study Medicine.

    Reacting to the gesture, Opeyemi said: “I am happy. I have never seen something like this before. The scholarship has helped me to discover myself. When I was filling the forms, my parents thought it was one of the antics of fraudsters. They believed it was real when the admission letter, flight tickets and other necessary papers were handed to me.”

    Mrs. Agatha Anieze could not withhold the tears as she wept uncontrollably. Her daughter Cynthia Chinwenwa Anieze will, at last, get university education. Cynthia had spent two years at home. She could not pay for the fees despite passing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME JAMB).

    Her father, according to Mrs Anieze, had allegedly abandoned them to marry a Calabar woman. He refused to show interest in the education of Cynthia who is brilliant. Cynthia, a first year student of Mass Communication at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka smiled home with her cheque covering her tuition fees for the academic year.

    Mrs Anieze said: “What you saw me shedding were tears of Joy. I don’t know how to thank God. My daughter has been at home for two years. She is supposed to have been in the university studying as at last two years. She scored 276 points in her first attempt in JAMB, but she could not get the admission as her father refused to sponsor her.

    She went to Lagos to stay with my sister. It was there she learnt about this organisation. She sat for the aptitude test and passed. Here we are today with her full session tuition fees.”

    Other beneficiaries that received their cheques were Elochukwu Christian from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Ezeah Harold Obinna from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Chukwuemeka Godwin Okonkwo from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Esther Ogechi Nwachukwu from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and Peace Nneoma Umejiburu from Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

    Others were Ibuodinma Joy Chigozie from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Peace Chiamaka Eze from Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Nweze Christian Chineme from UNN.

    Those in the secondary school category included Chukwuma Daniel Igwe, Ikechukwu Collins Nweke and Somtochukwu Kayode Ani.

    The cheques for the tuition fees ranged from N52, 000 to N124, 000, depending on the course the recipient is studying.

    The chairman of the organisation, Ambassador Prince Marshal advised the beneficiaries not to abuse the opportunity and ensure that they study hard to make the required grades. He disclosed that the target of the organisation for this year is 1,200 scholarships for the indigent and the brilliant students.

    He advised those who are not successful this time round not to despair as the next batch will be picked in two weeks’ time. He said he looks at the future of the organisation with great optimism.

    While explaining that the organisation’s activities were divine, he said it had given out more than 3,000 scholarships both in Nigeria and abroad, stating that “it is the first of its kind and will remain the first of such for a very long time.”

    He noted with delight that some of the beneficiaries of the scheme since its inception have graduated, adding that “some of the beneficiaries are lawyers, doctors, engineers and journalists. Some have even naturalised in the various countries they went to study, though I advise against that. Once you graduate, come home and contribute to the development of Nigeria.”

  • Jonathan gives March date for Second Niger Bridge

    Jonathan gives March date for Second Niger Bridge

    The construction of the Second Niger Bridge has been on the cards for years. To politicians, it is more of a campaign tool than a development project. Successive administrations promised to build the bridge but never did. Last Saturday, President Goodluck Jonathan, who visited the Obi of Onitsha, Prof. Alfred Achebe, promised that construction of the bridge will be flagged off on March 17. EMEKA ODOGWU EMEKA reports 

    Although, his visit was not announced, by the time President Goodluck Jonathan arrived at the Palace of the Obi of Onitsha, Prof. Alfred Obi Achebe, a crowd had gathered to welcome him.

    On learning that he would visit the Obi Achebe on his way back to Abuja from Imo State where he attended a rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the people hurriedly prepared to be part of the reception.

    For the security agents, it was extra work controlling the crowd and heavy traffic, which is characteristic of Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Anambra State.

    With the aid of other security agents, Divisional Police Officers in Onitsha and its environs rose to battle the traffic gridlock. Mr Emeka Ugwu in charge of Okpoko Police Division, Benjamin Wordu the Onitsha Area Commander and Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Mr Hyginus Omeje and his men were everywhere to ensure ease of traffic. The Chairman of Onitsha North, Osita Egbuna and other agencies of the government were on ground to guarantee a hitch-free presidential visit.

    It turned out to be a rally of sorts as many prominent citizens of Anambra State came to receive the President.

    The state government officials, state and federal legislators, traditional rulers, the elders’ council, religious leaders, Presidents-General of community development organisations, local government chiefs and members of traders’ associations, among others gathered for the spontaneous reception.

    The President’s visit was rewarding to Anambra State, the Southeast geo-political zone and country. He announced government’s commitment to flag off of the construction of the Second Niger Bridge before March 17.

    He said he would be present at the groundbreaking ceremony before Governor Peter Obi leaves office, adding “Governor Obi has disturbed me much concerning the Second Niger Bridge.”

    Obi said the visit was unexpected but highly appreciated. He said: “I want to thank you for the encouraging and extremely helpful suggestions you gave me on our self-help palace project during your visit in November last year. You can see that the first phase of the project is nearing completion. I want to use this opportunity to invite you to Onitsha to perform the formal opening of the “new” palace during our next annual Ofala festival in October.

    “The new Ime-Obi Onitsha presents a 21st Century concept of a palace for the people, not for the monarch alone. Thus, the palace already has an IT Centre and will also incorporate a library/archival/resource centre, a museum/art gallery, conference and meeting facilities and offices for our constituent groups, without diminishing or distorting the traditional roles and functions of the palace.

    “There are many more things to be grateful to your government for, but let me single out the construction of Zik’s Mausoleum, which is now nearing completion after some 16 years of delays, dilly-dallying and cat-and-mouse games between successive governments at both state and federal levels. It will go down in history that it was your administration that had the determination and zeal to finally give our beloved Right Hon Chief Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the Owelle-Osowa of Onitsha a befitting resting place. Mr. President, we cannot thank you enough for this gesture.

    “Your Excellency, the country is experiencing some social turmoil like armed insurgency by the Boko Haram in the Northeast, social imbalance among various segments of our society, general insecurity and corruption in public life. “In this regard, we urge you to remain focused on your transformation agenda, paying particular attention to national security, the 2015 general elections which must be peaceful, free and fair, and the issue of fuel subsidy which has become so contentious.”

    Continuing, the monarch said: “It takes courage and foresight to convene the National Conference in the manner you did. No right thinking Nigerian would want a dismemberment of our dear country. There is urgent need to re-arrange the country to give sense of belonging to all the constituent groups, including the minorities. We pray that your government and the National Assembly will create the enabling environment for the success of the Dialogue.”

    On the Second Niger Bridge, the monarch said it will be of great economic value to the Southeast geo-political zone in particular and the country in general, even as he added that the project will be a legacy for the administration of President Jonathan in the history of this country. We pray that you will give this very essential national project the attention it deserves.

    Jonathan was overwhelmed by the turn up of dignitaries. He restated his promise to build the Second Niger Bridge, saying since the first Nigerian President Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe built the first Niger Bridge it will be a delight if the second Azikiwe builds the Second Niger Bridge.

    He assured work on the Second Niger Bridge would commence on the March 17 before Governor Obi leaves office.

    The President said the people of Anambra State are lucky to have Peter Obi as their Governor. He added that in an era some governors owe banks and are raising bonds, Governor Obi is not indebted to any financial institution despite his immense achievements in the state.

    Governor Obi expressed gratitude to President Jonathan for his tremendous support for the state.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Government had announced it is mobilising about N300 billion from private investors under public-private-partnership for the construction and rehabilitation of three major roads in Nigeria.

    The Minister of Works, Mr. Mike Onolememen reeled off the projects to include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Second Niger Bridge and rehabilitation of the approach route of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road.

    Onolememen spoke when members of management and board of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission visited him in his office.

    He said: “Today we have successfully launched one of our projects and two others will be launched very shortly, perhaps in the first quarter of 2014. I’m talking about the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on which construction has commenced the Second Niger Bridge and the approach route of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

    “Among these three projects, we are bringing vast resources from the private sector to the tune of about N300 billion for these infrastructure development projects.”

  • Saving Anambra children from snake bites

    The governorship candidate of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in the November 16 election in Anambra State, Mr. Godwin Ezeemo has donated brush cutters worth N1.2m to Government Primary School, Ajalli in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State in fulfilment of his campaign promises to the school.

    Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of the pupils. They clapped and danced to the admiration of the audience.

    Their teachers equally expressed their appreciation to Mr Ezeemo. They were surprised that there were still good politicians who could still do something good for their people without any political undertone.

    Teachers and pupils were happy that the gesture would lessen their burden. While presenting the items to the school, Mr Ezeemo told the pupils and teachers that he was touched by the deplorable condition of the school environment and the dilapidation of the school buildings, adding that the first time he visited the school he saw under-aged children cutting grasses with ordinary knives. This, he said, touched him, hence the promise.

    This, according to him, was to stop the children from being bitten by snakes in such a bushy environment.

    Ezeemo said: “I will not run away from my people simply because I did not win an election. I believe it was not God’s wish for me to win. So, whatever promise I made was not political.”

    The Headmistress of the school, Mrs Ezeohaka Felicia, thanked God for using Ezeemo to prevent the pupils from sufferings further.

    The Headmistress did not discuss in details anything about the school, but she praised Governor Peter Obi’s administration for rehabilitating schools in the state. However, our correspondent gathered that the school lacks much that could make teaching and learning easier.

    Apart from two new bungalows erected by the Education Trust Fund (ETF), other buildings in the school are in very bad condition.

    In addition to this, there are no chairs in the classrooms for the pupils to sit on, even as the pupils receive their lessons under trees in the school premises.

    One of the pupils who spoke to our correspondent in confidence said: “At times we stand up to learn and at times we study without our teachers writing on the blackboard for lack of chalks.”

    Another pupil said: “Sir, this school has been neglected. We need people outside government to help us. The state government will announce on radio and television that students and teachers are now smiling, what they are doing is smiling and suffering.

    “Those who are benefiting from government’s largesse are secondary schools and not primary schools except those primary schools in towns but not the village schools.”

    However, Mrs. Alice Orji-Obasi, the President-General women wing in Ajalli community and the Chairman of Education Committee for Orumba South Local Government Area, praised Ezeemo for the gesture.

    She said Ezeemo did not win the governorship election last year because he was just new in Anambra politics, adding that every one regards him as a sincere and honest person and a man of his words.

    “With people like you in politics, Anambra State will not be what it used to be and that is what exactly the state needs, people like you”

    The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ajalli Welfare Union (AWU), Mazi Paul-Mary Onyejeli said the scenario was as if God sent one of his angels to visit the community.

    He said Ezeemo had done a lot of things for both the young and aged in society, adding that nobody would rival his philanthropic gesture in Anambra State.

    Onyejeli said Nigeria needs to develop like America or the United Kingdom to enlighten the people on how to identify who the cap fits for any position; otherwise our society would remain the same.

    A community leader in the area, Mrs. Agnes Okoro-Obasi commended the donor for the gesture which she said would prevent the children from being bitten by snakes in the school.

    She prayed God to guide and protect Ezeemo for remembering the village school which she said government had abandoned for many years.

    Ezeemo was received at the palace of the traditional ruler of the community Eze C.O. Nwosu by Prince Patrick Nwosu.

    While welcoming the donor to the palace, Chief Amara Nwosu, a retired Director-General of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), praised Ezeemo for what he did for the community.

    He prayed that God would guard and guide him to achieve his heart’s desires in life.

  • Anambra community to build fire station

    Anambra community to build fire station

    Nigeria Immigration Office, Anambra State office, is to be located at Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area.

    President General of Agulu Peoples Union , Chief Paulinus Aniagboso who announced this in his address to the community, said the community donated three plots to them for their building.

    ‘’The survey plan of the land is ready and we have alread sent same to the state Immigration Headquarters at Awka. We are waiting for their reply.

    “We solicit for individuals that will help us erect some structures on the site because we need to secure this project in our town.

    ‘’Through the goodwill of Governor Peter Obi, we gave the state fire service  three plots of land for the building of a fire service station project at Oye Agulu-Umuowelle village. The survey plan has been completed and we are waiting for work to start. The site of the proposed tire station is a hilly area with deposits of sands and stones. So we had an agreement with I.D.C Construction Company to dig a burrow pit and excavate the sands for their bridge construction. The I.U.C Company has paid the sum of N1.4 million into our account. This shows dire shrewdness, transparency and accountability of our administration’’.

    Aniagboso announced that the drainage at Okechinyere junction and Uhume village has been reconstructed with the assistance of the state government for easy flow of flood water.

    He revealed plans to erect  a skill acquisition centre for their youths as a means to curb their propensity to criminal tendencies.

    Aniagboso said the hospital has been upgraded to a specialist unit attached to Anambra State University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka and that the construction work on new buildings have already begun.The contract is being handled by Vivid Construction Company.

    He said further: ‘’Governor Peter Obi and Mr. Leo Imoka’s made Agulu to be chosen as location for the construction of Agro Processing and training centre for livestock feed production in Anambra State . This is a Federal Government project under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. We are very privileged that our town was chosen from-Anambra State for the siting of dye project. The FMARD has given us the size of the land required for the project. We have approved the land and final documentation and drawing of survey plan is in progress. They promised to start work on the site soonest’’.

    He further informed that a maternity ward will be constructed in Agulu by the state government under a UNICEF programme sponsored by   Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He said three plots of land were mapped out for the project. The survey plan has been handed over to them and work on the site will start soonest.

    The Agulu President General added that chairman of ASWAMA, Mrs. Njideka Oraedum, has been briefed on the benefits of including Agulu (Nwagu area in particular) under the State Capital coverage area on daily sanitation. He said Obi had spent over N40 million in schools in Agulu.

    On fencing of Agulu Town Hall , he said ,’’ they have commenced work on the fencing of Agulu Town Hall . The fencing work included provisions for the new gates to be installed and a security house also be constructed. We are also installing protectors in windows and doors on both sides of the hall. Our target, all things being equal, is to relocate the workers in the pencil house back to the Town Hall before the end of this year.

    Agulu community will have its website by March, barring any unforeseen circumstance.

    He said one of their major challenges is security but thanked Obi for donating three security vans for the community which he said has assisted ,’’our security men record success in their fight against crime. They have caught some armed robbers and kidnappers within Agulu and its boundaries. We are still making efforts to improve on our success’’.

    He said: “Roads in Agulu including Nneogidi-Nise road is completed.  Obeagu-Agulu Aguiyi road is completed. Obeagu/Nkitaku-Ronasco road is equally completed.Work has finished on Madonna-UgwuUgolo road. Through our diplomatic efforts, the governor approved a spur to Nkwo Agulu which was not included before in the design of the road. Work is currently in progress. Nwancbi-Obeledu road work is in progress. Contract for General Hospital road (passing through Nkitaku/Obe/Amoji/ Odidama and Nneolia has been awarded and work has started. The construction of the Agulu lake bridge with two walkways is in top gear. The plan has provision for the installation of street lights on the bridge’’.

    ‘’Civil work is currently on course at the site and it is expected to be completed and handed over to the Anambra Stale Government by the contractor, a Chinese company, at the end of February 2014.”

  • Traders endorse Orji for Senate

    Traders endorse Orji for Senate

    Traders in Abia State have endorsed the governor, Chief Theodore Orji, for the Senate seat of Abia Central Senatorial zone and urged other intending contestants in the state to shelve their ambition for another period.

    The traders, who came in their numbers to Government House in Umuahia and were received by the governor, said that the governor has done well and deserve to go to the Senate to represent the interest of the people of his area.

    Speaking during the endorsement, the president of Abia State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association [ASMATA], Christian Nwaubani, said that the record of the governor speaks volume and therefore deserves

    all the support he could get to get to the Senate.

    Nwaubani enumerated the achievements of the governor for the traders to include building of new markets and rehabilitation of the existing ones, adding that no one can forget the wonderful way he tackled the security challenges in the state.

    He thanked the governor for reducing taxes for traders in all markets from N6000 to N3600 per annum.

    “This wonderful gesture from you will allow traders the opportunity do better and we assure you that we are going to pay all the approved taxes without any delay”.

    Receiving the traders, Governor Orji challenged them to invest in him and his party, the PDP, saying that from the much he has been able to do for the traders and the state that it shows that his party and him are their best bet to invest in.

    Orji, who was overwhelmed by the mammoth crowd, said that it is not easy for traders to appreciate anyone  and, “For traders in the state to appreciate me and endorse me shows that I have done well and I assure you people of the state that I will keep doing well till I leave office”.

    He said further : “What I am doing for traders in the state is what I would have done for my dear mother who was a big time trader, but unfortunately she is not alive for me to appreciate her.

    “Therefore what I am doing to both female and male traders in the state is what I should have done for her as they are now my mothers and fathers”.

    The governor said that he had built three new markets in the state capital to give the traders the opportunity to express themselves, stressing that two new markets are coming up in Aba, the commercial city of the state.

    Orji used the occasion to charge the traders in Aba and its environs to ignore the rumour making the rounds that the state government wants to demolish markets in that city, saying that instead of demolishing that he is busy building more because of the commercial nature of the city.

    He said that the greatest legacy he will be leaving for residents of the state is security of life and property through stopping of kidnappings and other violent crimes in the state, saying “My intention is to combat crimes until it is totally wiped out from our state”.

  • Imo’s magnificent roundabouts, city gates

    Imo’s magnificent roundabouts, city gates

    Owerri, the Imo State capital in recent times, is undergoing massive reconstruction and renovation. It is currently wearing a new look with magnificent and unique roundabouts that have distinguished it as one of the most beautiful state capitals in the country.

    The Imo State capital, a rather small city with heavy population density has over five higher institutions with its attendant challenges. As a result of this, the available infrastructures were strained and gradually the city lost its spark, grandeur, beauty and allure due to years of reckless abandon by successive administrations.

    The few existing roads were dilapidated and vehicular and human movements within the capital city became a nightmare as a result of traffic gridlock. The situation was further worsened by the activities of touts and street traders who defied all established laws to carry out their illegal activities.

    But today, a visitor to Owerri will confirm that the famous Eastern Heartland has fully bounced back and regained its lost glory, thanks to the Rochas Okorocha-led administration which immediately on assumption of office initiated the Rescue Mission Agenda.

    Now Imo State can boast of being one of the safest and cleanest capital cities. The dilapidated roads have been fixed and strategic new ones constructed to decongest traffic gridlock and ease movement and commerce in the city.

    Touting and street trading have also been stamped out and the abandoned green parks have received adequate attention and now add to the beauty and serenity of Owerri.

    But some unique features that have given the Imo State capital entire new look and edge are the beautifully-constructed roundabouts that have sprouted all over the metropolis. The most conspicuous ones are the Okigwe Roundabout, Control Roundabout, IMSU Roundabout, Fire Service Roundabout and Wethedral Roundabout.

    Other dazzling features are the street lights that illuminate the entire city at night making it impossible for one to believe that such a beautiful city exists in the Southeast states.

    The state government has also, through the Owerri City Development Authority (OCDA) recaptured and implemented the Master Plan of the capital city.

    In so doing, however, a lot of illegal and unauthorized structures were demolished resulting in temporary hardship and challenges. But, the pains had given way to gains and unimagined beauty that is cherished by residents of the capital city and visitors alike.

    Describing the beauty of the city, a resident, Mr. Ugo Okemiri, said Owerri is now entirely a new city. “Although I am not from Imo State, I have lived and worked in Owerri for the past 29 years and I can tell you today that in the last 12 years, no one thought that the city could be what it is today.”

    He added further that, “when the state government was constructing the roundabouts and opening up the city, most people termed it a waste of time and resources but today everyone is happy to live in Owerri. The roundabouts and the city gates are quite beautiful and at night one cannot believe that you are in anywhere in Nigeria, its beauty is better imagined, especially at night.”

    Mr. Declan Uzoaru, a Lagos-based legal practitioner who was in Owerri during the last Yuletide with his family, had this to say: “You know having spent most of my life in Lagos, I have always seen Owerri my state capital as a glorified village but when I came home for the Christmas break with my family, I was dumbfounded by the beauty that greeted us immediately we drove into the city.

    “The whole streets were tarred, there were functional street lights everywhere and the roundabouts were sort of tourist sites. I drove my children round the city and it was just amazing. I returned to Lagos after the holiday with a promise to return soon to savour the beauty of my great state.”

    Miss Kelechi Ejerenwa, an undergraduate of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), commended the state government for the efforts to transform the city. “We are happy because we can now stay in Owerri and feel like we are in any great city anywhere in the world. And when we snap pictures especially at the roundabouts, people think we took the pictures abroad.”

    Apart from beautifying the capital city, efforts of the state government have also given a boost to commerce and tourism. Today, Owerri plays host to over 70 per cent of local and international seminars in the Southeast and South-South states.

    However, the state government has been fiercely criticised by the opposition for constructing the roundabouts and parks in the capital city, which they insisted had worsened the traffic situation in the city.

    Chief Temple Onyejiuwa, a retired civil servant said: “What we expect from this administration is far more than window dressing the state capital. We need industries and other infrastructures that will create employment and buoy the economy of the state. If the people are unemployed and hungry, how can they appreciate the beauty of the city? So, even though you build the streets with gold and the people are hungry, you have done nothing.”

     

  • Association petitions Speaker over alleged N6m fraud

    •Lawyer: it’s not true

    Members of the banned Aba Tricycle Riders’ Integrated Welfare Association (ATRIWA) have petitioned the Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Ude Okochukwu, against an Aba-based lawyer, Moses Ogbonna for allegedly embezzling their N6m.

    In a petition endorsed by six members of the association, including its chairman, Anthony Egwim and secretary, Kingsley Ogbonnaya, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent, the group said it contracted the lawyer to register the association for them.

    They alleged that after the registration process, the lawyer refused to release neither the certificate of incorporation nor the seal of the association to them. Instead, he forced them to use his office for operation and issued his chamber’s receipt to intending members.

    They also alleged that when they persisted in their demand, the lawyer who they had paid  for the services he  rendered to them, he prepared a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) whereby the lawyer’s NGO (Easylife Initiative for Rural Youths) would have 60 per cent rights and ATRIWA 40 per cent for which they refused to sign.

    The defunct ATRIWA members said as a result of non-release of the certificate of incorporation to them, the association was unable to open an account with a bank, even as they said all the monies realised was paid into the lawyer’s personal account with a commercial bank on Eziukwu Road.

    In the petition, members of the association also accused Ogbonna of not only using distorted ATRIWA receipts to issue to members of his newly formed Tricycle Commuters Co-operative Union Limited (TRICOOP), but also forcefully occupied their office at No. 1, Industry Road, Aba.

    The petitioners therefore urged the Speaker to compel the lawyer to reimburse the said N6m to the association and to vacate their office without further delay.

    When contacted, Barrister Ogbonna accepted helping the association to process its incorporation, but he denied the allegation of fraud, challenging anyone who claims to have paid money into his account to provide evidence of such payment.

    According to Moses, the allegation does not have any substance as the petitioners cannot provide any tangible evidence to prove he defrauded them of N6 million as contained in the petition.

     

  • Confab: Group frowns at few slots for youths

    A youth group, Grand Visionary Youth Empowerment Movement (GVYEM), has frowned at the limited number of slot reserved for youths in the proposed national conference, even as they commended President Goodluck Jonathan for convening the conference.

    In a communiqué signed by its President Chukwuemeka Gabriel; secretary, Bibo Agbade and Legal Adviser, Samuel Uwaeme after its quarterly meeting in Aba, Abia State, the group frowned at the number of slots reserved for youths in the country, stating that youths as leaders of tomorrow were supposed to be given more slots at the conference.

    The communiqué read in part: “We commend President Goodluck Jonathan’s decision to convene an all-inclusive National Conference. But we express dissatisfaction with the list of conference delegates from youth organisations.

    “We believe it may be an oversight and that the Federal Government will have no difficulty in revisiting the issue and adding more slots for the teeming Nigerian youths who are leaders of tomorrow.”

    They scored the President high for his decision to bring Nigerians from different ethnic nationalities together to deliberate on how best the country could be governed and moved forward.

    The group also praised President Jonathan for signing the anti-gay bill into law despite pressures mounted by the Western world, stressing that homosexuality is un-Nigerian and therefore not part of her culture.

    “Our members across the country are solidly behind President Jonathan for signing the anti-gay bill into law despite Western pressure over gay rights and provoking criticism from the United States of America. Homosexuality is un-Nigerian and hence not part of our culture,” the group stated.

  • NAFDAC holds workshop for food vendors

    NAFDAC holds workshop for food vendors

    The Director-General of National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) Dr. Paul Orhii has enlightened food vendors in Enugu on the importance of food safety.

    Dr Orhii spoke at a two-day workshop on National Food Safety workshop organised for all categories of food vendors ranging from primary producers, small and medium-scale food processors, state and local government and public inspectors, agricultural extension officers, state agricultural development programmes (ADP) officers, regulators, household food handlers and catering services providers, among  others in Enugu.

    He stated that the agency has developed guidelines for food hygienic practices (NGFHP) which addresses the whole spectrum of national food chain, adding that the scientific concept of rational and systematic approach of identification, assessment and control of hazards during production, processing, manufacturing, preparation and use of food must be applied.

    He maintained that the aim of the workshop was primarily to ensure that food safety is integrated into the design of the process rather than the end product testing participants would be exposed to safe practice in primary food production and storage, traceability of food labelling and other guides on exportation of food products, consumers and household safe handling of food, extant regulatory control for safe food, financial transactions with NAFDAC, among others.