The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Rivers kinsmen write Tinubu over Fubara’s CoS Ehie, others

    Rivers kinsmen write Tinubu over Fubara’s CoS Ehie, others

    The people of Ekpeye in Rivers State have defended their kinsman, Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara; and five others, against the allegations brought against him by the police.

    Despite conflicting court orders, the police had declared Ehie wanted after accusing him of masterminding the bombing of the hallowed chambers of the House of Assembly and linking him to the brutal murder of the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP. Bako Angbasim.

    The kinsmen in open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu raised the alarm that there was an effort to kill their sons and Ehie, using the instruments of government and called for the President’s intervention.

    Reeling out the antecedent of Ehie, his kinsmen said the Chief of Staff was first elected into the House of Assembly in 2015, re-elected in 2019, emerged as the Deputy Speaker and in 2023, re-elected and became the Leader of the House.

    The kinsmen said Ehie played great roles in the election and re-election of Chief Nyesom Wike as the governor of Rivers and that Wike gave him an award of excellence as the Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State (DSSRS), because of his integrity.

    They recalled that Wike was so pleased with Ehie that during the kick-off of the Ozochi Road project, he declared to the entire world that he would hand over power to youths like Ehie.

    “Our son, Ehie, has no criminal records of murder, terrorism, attempted murder, conspiracy and arson,” they said.

    The kinsmen alleged that Ehie only became a villain for disagreeing with Wike on the impeachment of Governor Fubara.

    They said: “This disagreement marked the beginning of the travails of Ehie. Ehie did not commit any crime or persons arrested, charged and remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja; not even the persons declared wanted by the police with him against a subsisting court order.”

    The kinsmen insisted that Ehie, who represented Ahoada East Constituency 2, could not be held responsible for the murder of the DPO, which occurred at Ahoada Constituency 1.

    They alleged: “The murder of the DPO was carried out by a group, Icelander Cult, but the police authority is yet to arrest his killers. Several arrests have been made and the police have concluded their investigations and submitted their report.

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    “Seventy-five people are facing prosecution. It is worthy of note that in the final police report and the charge sheet before the court, Ehie and the persons declared wanted with him were not mentioned in any way.

    “Thus, to link Ehie to the murder is a misjudgment; it amounts to trivialising the death of a brilliant police officer that has given all his best to the society.”

    The kinsmen urged President Tinubu to prevail on Wike and the Inspector-General of Police to drop “all the trump up charges” against Ehie, describing the matter as a pure case of victimisation and oppression.

    The Ekpeye people thanked President Tinubu for his fatherly intervention in the crisis.

    hat engulfed the state and lauded Governor Fubara for obeying the President by implementing the Peace Accord.

    Addressing the President, they said: “We are confident that as someone who has suffered prosecution for standing up for democracy, you are in a position to appreciate more adequately what our sons are going through.

    “Ehie, Chime Ezebalike, Izu Kpasa, Happy Bennett, Adokiye Oyagiri and Progress Joseph are innocent of the crimes they are being accused of. Holding political views not similar to those in power should not be a crime.”

    Over 33 leaders of Ekpeye Kingdom comprising former lawmakers, representatives of many communities, various groups, community leaders and traditional rulers signed the letter.

  • Mbah reverses sack of 20 workers

    Mbah reverses sack of 20 workers

    Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has reversed last week’s sack of 20 workers of the State Water Corporation.

    The workers were disengaged by the Governor’s Special Personal Assistant on Water and Waste Management, Mr. Andreas Gebauer, an Austrian.

    The reversal followed public outcry that greeted the sack and the death of one of the affected workers.

    The workers were sacked following their alleged inability to meet the minimum N50 million monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for water supply.

    Two days after the reported sack, one of the victims, a director at the corporation, Mr. Christopher Abonyi, was reported to have died from shock, a development that led to public outcry and protests from workers.

    Addressing the protesting workers, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Fabian Nwigbo, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Ben Asogwa, told the workers that Governor Mbah had ordered the reinstatement of the workers.

    He said: “On interaction with the governor, we found out that the sack was not his directive. He was not even aware of the sack and he directed that everybody should go back to work. The governor said everybody should maintain peace and tranquility and improve productivity.”

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    Reacting to the development, Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani, said Gebauer’s action was not officially communicated to him, adding that he only heard about it in the media.

    He said: “There are civil service regulations. There is the Head of Service, who is the administration head of the civil servants. If any civil servant is found wanting, there are procedures that should be taken before extreme measures; so the unilateral sack of the workers is unknown to the ethics of civil service.”

    “I urge workers to remain calm. It’s regrettable that one of them died two days after he was dismissed and I express condolence to his family. But I’m confident that the governor will do the needful because he is here to build people and not to destroy. He detests injustice.”

    The corporation’s spokesman, Mr. Romanus Ugwu, said the protesting workers have gone back to their offices, while awaiting a formal letter withdrawing the purported sack of the 20 workers.

  • Otti debunks plan to spend N1.5b on vehicles

    Otti debunks plan to spend N1.5b on vehicles

    • Governor vows to remodel market gutted by fire

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has denied that it planned to spend N1.5billion on the purchase of two units of Hilux vehicles in the 2024 budget.

    He said government at all levels must be held to account by the people if they are to succeed, adding that such is the true definition of democracy.

    The governor attributed the controversial figure to a software glitch generated by the Excel package used in preparing the budget document.

    “When I saw that report, I knew something was wrong. I knew it could either be the units or the price.

    “So, I called the Commissioner for Budget and Planning and asked him to check it out and call me back.

    “He did and reported that it was neither the units nor the price that was wrong, but the Excel.

    “If you use Excel and the formula is not very right on a particular line, you’re bound to have a problem like that.

    “It’s a mistake that has been corrected,” he said.

    Dr. Otti said as soon as the news of the bloated figure got to him, he cross-checked the budget numbers on his hand held device and found that the N1.5 billion was not translated to the total budget figure and he was reassured.

    The governor has said Eziukwu market in Aba South Local Government would be remodelled and retrofitted to a status befitting of a modern market.

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    He spoke when he visited the market to ascertain the extent of damage caused by the midnight fire at the market.

    Otti said many of the shops were in deplorable state and needed renovation, as the integrity of most of the shops was questionable.

    He added: “If you look at these shops, you’ll agree with me that a lot of them need renovation. Some of them need to be pulled down and rebuilt. Just as I promised to do on Ngwa road, I also will do here.

    “So, I want to direct relevant authorities, including the GM, Greater Aba Development Agency (GADA), to start work, to modernise this market.”

    The governor sympathised with victims of the fire and promised to assist them.

    He was accompanied by the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu;  Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, and Director General, Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), Mr. Uche Ukaeje, among other government functionaries.

  • Fed Govt donates agric inputs to 250 farmers

    Fed Govt donates agric inputs to 250 farmers

    Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), in collaboration with Bayelsa State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has begun the training and empowerment of verified 250 beneficiaries of the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS) in the state.

    The Permanent Secretary, FMAFS, Mr. Temitope Fadeshemi, made this known yesterday during the launch of the programme held at the state’s office of FMAFS in Yenagoa.

    Fadeshemi, represented by the state Coordinator, FMAFS, Laureta Obioha, said the programme was taking place across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    The items given to the beneficiaries were birds feeding, plants, fertilisers and other farming inputs.

    He said the level of poverty in the country had reached a source for concern, noting that the number of people living on less than $1.90 a day in Nigeria had increased.

    Fadeshemi said 12.9 per cent of the global population in extreme poverty was found in Nigeria as at 2022.

    He added: “This is why the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning is collaborating with FMAFS to reduce poverty across the country.

    “It is with great pleasure and pride that I stand before you as the Permanent Secretary of the FMAFS on this auspicious occasion; a crucial initiative under the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (NPRGS).

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    “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective commitment to uplift the lives of our smallholder farmers and foster sustainable agricultural practices.”

    Fadeshemi said the programme was not merely an investment in agriculture, but also an investment in the future of the nation.

    Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. David Alagoa, hailed FMAFS for the training and items donated to the 250 farmers to lift them out of poverty.

    Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Souya Ebiye, Alagoa urged them to take the training seriously, saying in no distant time, they would begin to reap bountifully from the initiative.

    Alagoa said Governor Douye Diri is doing all it takes to lift the people out of poverty through agricultural empowerment programmes that had taken place before now.

    The Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Prof. Prince Ebiowei, advised the beneficiaries to keep record of their stocks, to know when they are running at loss or gain.

  • Otu okays payment of WAEC fees for indigenes

    Otu okays payment of WAEC fees for indigenes

    Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has approved payment of WAEC fees for indigenes in public schools.

    He urged members of the State Executive Council (SEC) to brace up for optimal performance, to justify their appointments.

    The governor spoke yesterday at the first Executive Council meeting this year held at the Council of Chiefs Chamber, Calabar.

    Commissioner for Information Mr. Erasmus Ekpang led his Education counterpart, Sen. Steven Odey, to brief the media on the specific approval by the council for the payment by the state government, of N440million for WAEC fees of 16,301 indigenes in the state public schools.

    The commissioner explained that the figure of the prospective number of students was reached by his ministry after input from public schools on the number of indigenes that took the mock exams.

    He said the exam fee per a child is N27,000, adding that no additional and fresh entry would be captured from any school.

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    He said: “Ten sectoral clusters have been identified through which all MDAs shall be grouped, to collaborate in developing their action plans for speedy and impactful results.

    In the clusters, he said, “every MDA is expected to draw up a proper action plan indicating goals, activities and timelines through series of periodic meetings with its management. At cluster meetings, comprising MDAs, these will be strengthened through collaborative scrutiny until perfection is attained.

    “Thereafter, clusters will be meeting periodically as well, where every MDA will be expected to report on its achievements to the hearing of all. At the end of every quarter, performance evaluation will be carried out and a ranking order made public.”

    He said the system would keep the government machinery in full and guided activity as well as enable him wherever and whenever to have a full grasp of exco members and MDAs’ performance.

  • BoI lifts businesses in Akwa Ibom with N1.92b loan

    BoI lifts businesses in Akwa Ibom with N1.92b loan

    Bank of Industry (BoI) Ltd says it has given loans amounting to N1.92billion in support of businesses in Akwa Ibom State.

    Its Managing Director in Nigeria, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, said the loans were given to businesses under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

    Olusi, who made this known while speaking during the opening of BoI’s office in Akwa Ibom State, said the bank was ready to turn around the economic fortunes of the state.

    He said the opening of the bank’s 32nd office in the state was aimed at deepening its penetration across the country, to foster economic growth, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship development nationwide, by supporting investment in critical growth sectors.

    Olusi reiterated the bank’s continued commitment to supporting private investments in key sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas, power, aviation, tourism and health care, thus catalysing industrialisation and economic sustainability.

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    “Looking ahead, we look forward to the successful implementation of a dedicated matching fund partnership with the state government, “to support indigenous enterprises and unlock the entrepreneurial capacity of youths in this great state.”

    Inaugurating the BoI branch office, Governor Umo Eno described the occasion as a foremost businesslike event undertaken by him since the inception of his administration.

    He said it lends credence to his resolve to fulfil his campaign promise of supporting Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), as a sure economic booster.

  • Fire averted at Awka gas plant, Nnewi timber market

    Fire averted at Awka gas plant, Nnewi timber market

    Men of Anambra State Fire Service on Tuesday had a six-hour battle in an attempt to put out fire at timber market in Nnewi.

    The firefighters, same day, also averted explosion at a gas plant after controlling another fire from burning the bush behind the plant.

    The Nation gathered that the Nnewi inferno, which started around 11am from a gully heap of sawdust at the market, raised thick smoke that covered the market.

    Eyewitness said the fire nearly spread to the entire market, but for quick response of the fire men.

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    Similarly, the inferno behind the gas plant, which occurred around 9pm, was reportedly controlled by firefighters, who arrived the scene quickly.

    Confirming both incidents, State Fire Chief, Martin Agbili, an engineer; said nobody died, “although there was panic in the areas.”

    While he linked the Awka fire to bush burning by yet-to-be identified persons, Agbili said the cause of Nnewi inferno was yet to be ascertained.

    Thanking those who alerted his men in time, he told residents that the time of distress call would always determine the time of response.

  • Delta Police Command gets commissioner

    Delta Police Command gets commissioner

    A new Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr. Abaniwonda Olufemi, has assumed duty as the 22nd CP of Delta State Police Command.

    He succeeds AIG Wale Abass, who has been transferred to the Police Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    A statement by spokesman Bright Edafe, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said the new police boss was born on February 22, 1966.

    The statement said Abaniwonda, who hails from Epe Local Government of Lagos State, holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History (1987) and a Master of Arts in Economics History (1990), both from the University of Lagos.

    He was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a member of Cadet ASP Course 17 on March 18, 1992. He attended Police Academy, Kaduna, and upon completion of training, he was posted to Kogi State Police Command as a young Assistant Superintendent of Police in November 1995.

    He has served in capacities in the Police Force.

    As a trained officer of international standard, he was deployed in Peace Keeping Mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2000, and was in 2008 seconded as the Training Adviser at the United Nations’ Integrated Office in Sierra Leone.(UNIOSIL)

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    In 2015, he was posted to the Gwagwalada Area Command as the Area Commander, and in 2017, he was transferred to Oyo State Command as the Area Commander, Oyo Area Command.

    Upon his promotion to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police, he was tasked with administrative duty at the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

    He served at Kogi State Command as the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.

    He was the Deputy Force Secretary at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. He was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police in January 2024 and posted to Delta State as the 22nd Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command.

    Abaniwonda promised to build on the existing security mechanisms in place towards enthroning the reign of peace and safety in Delta State.

  • Constitution Review: We’ve confidence in Kalu-led committee – Agbese

    Constitution Review: We’ve confidence in Kalu-led committee – Agbese

    The House of Representatives has expressed confidence in Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu to deliver as the Chairman, House Committee on Constitution Review.

    Recently, the House constituted a Committee to look into various proposals and agitations for the alterations and amendment of the 1999 constitution, headed by Kalu, with experienced Lawmakers as Members.

    The Committee, which is about the sixth that would be constituted since 1999 to review the existing law book, is expected to be inaugurated February 26, 2024.

    Speaking to newsmen in Kano Sunday evening, the House Deputy spokesperson, Hon. Philip Agbese, said the lawmakers have great confidence in the Deputy Speaker, Kalu, saying, his Committee would get it right this time.

    According to him:  “Overtime, the National Assembly had made attempts to review the 1999 constitution, with the aim of amending some clauses and give it the 21st century life it deserves. Some of the times, the Parliament succeeded; and some other times, the Committee failed.

    “Even in the dispensations that the committee succeeded, some amendments suffered rejections at the various Houses of Assembly in states, while some of the few clauses that managed to scale through are fast calling for a repeal or total overhauling.

    “But with the Deputy Speaker, His Excellency, RT. Hon. Benjamin Kalu on the driver seat of the Constitution Review Committee of the 10th House of Representatives, Nigerians should go to bed and rest, with the assurance of waking up the next day to the realization of their yearnings and aspirations.

    “The Hon. Benjamin Kalu-led Committee would collate opinions and liaise with various stakeholders, Civil Society Organizations, government agencies, multilateral and supranational agencies, as well as traditional rulers, women groups and private business minds who jointly drive the nation’s economy, to ensure a wholesome amendment to the Nigeria’s law book”.

    Agbese also charged various groups and agencies, seeking one amendment or the other and alterations in some parts of the 1999 constitution, to work closely with their representatives, as the Committee would hit the ground running, as soon as it is officially inaugurated this month.

    “Already, there are about 40 bills at various stages in the National Assembly, seeking for the amendment of the 1999 constitution. Some seek to address issues of gender inequality, traditional institution, local government autonomy, fiscal federation and others.

    “With the determination of Kalu-led Committee and the assurance that the Committee would round up by December, 2025; I urge stakeholders and proponents of those Bills to work closely with their representatives and the Committee, to enable it deliver on mandate and time,” he stressed. 

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    He described Kalu as a Pan-Nigerian Parliamentarian who treats everyone that comes to him with utmost dignity, saying, he is a man reputable for Integrity and all-inclusiveness and would definitely attend to the agitations of those seeking amendments to the nation’s law book.

    The Deputy Speaker and Chairman, House Committee on Constitution Review, Kalu, had met with other Members of the Committee at the House of Representatives on Wednesday, where he promised to complete the Committee assignment by December, 2025.

    Kalu also urged “the Committee to prepare to work very hard and timeously to deliver on citizens’ expectations of concrete amendments in the shortest possible time”.

  • Ex-APC national auditor joins Anambra governorship race

    Ex-APC national auditor joins Anambra governorship race

    Former National Auditor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sir Paul Chukwuma, has joined the governorship race in Anambra State, ahead of the 2025 election.

    Chukwuma, the Pro-Chancellor of Olivia University, Burundi, said the state was tired of playing regional politics, adding that time had come for Anambra to join the centre.

    Addressing reporters at the weekend in Umueri, Anambra East Local Government, he said time to fix the state by the APC had come.

    He said he had identified the challenges facing the state, which the past administrations of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) did not do.

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    Chukwuma said he had marshalled plans to resolve the challenges facing Anambra APC, stressing the need for unity in the party.

    He said the erosion problems bedevelling the state could not be handled without the Federal Government intervention, emphasising the need for the APC to control Anambra from 2025.

    He said he would support any person that emerged victorious during the primaries if he failed to win the ticket, but noted that the primary election must be free and fair.

    He said the party needed an intellectual candidate, who could appeal to the elite, the grassroots, entrepreneurs and the academia, a quality, he stated, he possessed.

    One of the chieftains of the party in the state, C. J. Chinwuba, described Chukwuma as one of the pillars of APC in country, saying with someone like him, the party was good to go in 2025.