The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Fed Govt grant for vulnerable to be launched today in Calabar

    Fed Govt grant for vulnerable to be launched today in Calabar

    • •Minister pays homage to monarch 

    Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, has said Federal Government’s grant for groups will be launched today in Calabar under a joint supervision of herself and Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu.

    She spoke in Calabar at the weekend.

    Edu, who graced the 15th coronation of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, spoke on the sidelines of the annual Utomo Obong event.

    She described the Utomo Obong festival as a classy celebration of the rich Efik cultural heritage and congratulated the Obong on his 15th coronation.

    She hailed the success of the festival.

    “I’m happy to be here in Calabar to attend the Utomo Obong for 2023. Our king, the Obong of Calabar, is an A-class king. He is father to all his subjects and brings together his people, the different clans, and indeed every well-wisher who wishes Cross River State well and who wishes his kingdom well too. 

    “We’re here to share culture. We’re here to share a good time and we’re here to share Renewed Hope for the people of Cross River State and the kingdom of Calabar.”

    She reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s determination to stamp out poverty in the country and usher in a refreshing dawn for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

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    The minister said: “The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with Cross River State Government, on Christmas day, will launch grants for vulnerable groups. We’ve put together names of vulnerable groups in Cross River and we are beginning with those in Cross River South Senatorial District.

    “The idea is to reach the poorest of the poor at the grassroots, especially during this Christmas.”

    She added that the little funds put into their pockets would help them start micro businesses that could help sustain their families and bring them out of poverty.

    “So we have a full package for Cross River and we believe ‘Cross Riverians’ are ready.”

    Edu said the ministry has “a criterion, which is the poverty index and we have a checklist. We reached out to all the communities in the southern part of the state, the wards, the villages, and the people who matched these criteria were selected out of the many. So this is the first phase. We’ll continue to do this as we move to the next phase, but for now we are handling just 5,000 persons.”

  • Community to police: we’re ready to die defending our inheritance’ 

    Community to police: we’re ready to die defending our inheritance’ 

    The people of Ezinano community in Awka South Local Government of Anambra State have vowed not to cede their land to anybody or group.

    They said they were ready to stake their lives defending the land, which they noted they inherited from their forefathers.

    The land, they alleged, was being claimed by the people of Enugwu -Agidi community in Njikoka Local Government, in connivance with the police.

    The indigenes, who attempted at the weekend to inspect the land, were, however, stopped by armed police, who insisted they had orders not to let anyone into the disputed land. 

    The policemen stationed on the land opened fire and shot teargas at the indigenes, resulting in pandemonium, as some of the indigenes, including reporters who were to cover the protest, scampered for safety.

    Although no casualty was recorded, no fewer than 14 journalists narrowly escaped death, while four others sustained injuries.

    Addressing reporters after the incident, a prominent member of the community, Chief Kanayo Obidigbo, said police deployment in the area had stalled development of property.

    Obidigbo, who accused the police authority of complexity, said they had demonstrated apparent interest in the land, especially a Deputy Commissioner of Police.

    He called on Inspector General of Police Egbetokun Olukayode to investigate the matter and order withdrawal of the operatives from the land.

    He said: “We are here to inspect Agu Nawgu. This is a land our forefathers won in conquest. It is a vast land of about 60 kilometres radius. We grew up to know this land and it has a 1949 survey plan by our fathers, who were illiterate.”

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    “They gave out the land to Enugwu-Agidi people on rent to be cultivating, but later our forefathers sent them packing when they stopped paying rent.

    “The land belongs to Ezinano community of Awka, which has about 20 villages. Even the estates you see here belong to Awka people.

    “The police presence on our land is unacceptable. The men were sent here by a Deputy Commissioner of Police, whose interest we do not know.

    “They have stalled development in this site. I have a building here, but I can’t continue work because of police presence.

    “You are all witnesses today how police were shooting at us, defenceless  Awka indigenes. Yet they told the IGP they did not post operatives to our land.”

    Commissioner of Police Aderemi Adeoye denied sending police operatives to the land.

    He, however, failed to say who deployed the operatives in the land as alleged by the protesters.

  • Niger Delta youths hail Tinubu for resolving Rivers crisis

    Niger Delta youths hail Tinubu for resolving Rivers crisis

    Niger Delta youths have hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for resolving the political crisis that engulfed Rivers State.

    The youth, under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM), said Tinubu’s role in brokering peace in Rivers State was an indication that he was indeed a ‘father’ to all.

    In a statement signed by the NDYM National President, Prince Boboye Peretu, at the weekend, the group noted that peace was a necessity for the development of the region.

    “We appreciate Mr President, HE Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for creating and midwifing the necessary peace in Rivers State, the headquarters of our region.

    “The youth of the region under my watch shall strive to reciprocate your fatherly disposition towards us. We pledge our unalloyed loyalty to your administration,” the group said.

    Pledging to mobilise the support and loyalty of youths of the region for the current administration, NDYM said it would work for the success of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC.

    It also promised to work with government agencies, including security organisations, to ensure that the programmes and policies of the government were implemented.

    “The board and management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are appreciated for their continuous support and encouragement.

    “The movement shall reciprocate by resuming our traditional role as the mouthpiece of the commission in all their projects, programmes and policies as it concerns the region,” it said.

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     NDYM thanked Senate President Godswill Akpabio and governors of Niger Delta states for engaging youths in governance, as well as spreading democracy dividends to their people.

    “NDYM appreciates the uncommon Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio – the story of your rise from grass to grace and from grace to grace is a study in perseverance, tenacity and steadfastness and it is an inspiration to us in the region. More so, we thank members of the National Assembly for their solidarity.

    “We sincerely thank Honourable (Prince) Eugene Dibiagwu, our national patron and member representing the people of Ohaji/Egbema, Ogwuta and Oru West Federal Constituency of Imo State for the regular support and encouragement.

    “We thank our Royal National Patron, the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, Okirika, HRM King Ateke Michael Tom (The Ambassador of Peace), for his fatherly support.

    “We thank our pillar, Oba Nanka Ifeanyi (our National BOT), for his steadfast support.

    “We thank the Elders Forum Chairman, Comrade Moses Omo-Ikirodah and Comrade Stephen Youyah, Comrade Felix Ogbonna, Allen Okiakpe and others,” the group said.

  • Ekid people seek federal appointments for Ibibio

    Ekid people seek federal appointments for Ibibio

    The people of Eket and Esit local governments of Akwa Ibom State have asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give Ibibio people federal appointments.

    Under the aegis of Ekid Peoples Union (EPU), they appealed to President Tinubu to apply the federal character principle in selecting federal appointees from the states into its MDAs. 

    The call was made over the weekend by the National President of EPU, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, during the 2023 Annual National Congress of Ekid Nation. 

    In his address to Ekid people, Dr Udonsak drew the attention of the Federal Government to a glaring disparity in the appointment of the Ibibio by the Tinubu administration. 

    “It is necessary and timely to draw the attention of the Federal Government to the fact that so far, in Akwa Ibom State, the Ibibio in general, including Ekid in particular, with a population of about five million and 65 per cent of Akwa Ibom’s voting strength have not been carried along in its appointment,” he said.

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    Udonsak added that the non-appointment of any Ibibio by the current administration in its federal appointments, negates the principle of federal character. 

    He urged the National Government to mitigate the suffering of the people as a result of the harsh economic environment. 

    “Government policies should be tailored towards alleviating the suffering of the masses partly caused by the removal of fuel subsidy and forex uncertainties,” he said. 

    He called on the Federal Government to complete section four of the East West Road and the execution of the Lagos-Calabar Rail Line crisscrossing the Niger Delta, for ease of transportation of goods and economic development.

  • ‘We won’t tolerate protest to disrupt Aiteo’s oil production’

    ‘We won’t tolerate protest to disrupt Aiteo’s oil production’

    Bayelsa State Government says it will not allow a protest planned for tomorrow to disrupt oil production at Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29, operated by Aiteo Eastern Exploration.

    The government in a statement yesterday by the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Chief Ayiba Duba, warned the masterminds of the planned protest in Nembe Basambiri that youths and chiefs’ council activities remained suspended in the area.

    According to the state government, the security agencies have been alerted to the plot calculated to halt oil production at the OML 29 oil fields and deprive the state of the much needed oil derivation revenue.

    The government said it would not want anyone under any guise to breach the prevailing peace in Nembe Basambiri and across Bayelsa.

    “The attention of the Bayelsa government has been drawn to a planned protest on December 26 by some individuals at Nembe Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government, who have constituted themselves into youth and chiefs councils.

    “The public should note that activities of these individuals are in violation of the subsisting suspension placed on all youths’ and chiefs’ councils’ activities in Bassambiri at the wake of a violent crisis traceable to the unwholesome conduct of the youth body and chiefs’ council in the area in August.

    “The protest being planned by these individuals against Aiteo Eastern Exploration and Production Company will not only disrupt activities of the company, but also breach the peace, undermine public order and safety as well as possible destruction of oil and gas infrastructure in the state,” it said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that oil production at OML 29 had remained comatose for two years due to unsustainable levels of oil theft and vandalism on the 97 kilometre Nembe Creek Trunk Line (NCTL).

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    Aiteo, the indigenous oil firm that acquired the asset for 2.4 billion dollars, following divestment by Shell recently discarded the NCTL and resorted to direct export using a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel.

    The Bayelsa government explained that the planned protest was not only an affront on the authority of the state, but also a sabotage of the Nigerian economy.

    “Therefore, government wishes to warn those involved in this attempt to undermine the public peace in Nembe under the guise of protest against oil companies, to abort it immediately as there will be consequence for any unruly conduct.

    “Meanwhile, all security agencies in the state have been put on red alert and will not hesitate to do everything within their means to prevent infraction in Nembe and indeed the entire state.

    “To be forewarned is to be forearmed,” it added. 

    The management of the oil firm is yet to respond to request for response on the development.

  • Diri faults report on Bayelsa’s viability

    Diri faults report on Bayelsa’s viability

    • Swears in two judges

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has again made a case for the practice of true federalism and restructuring of Nigeria in order to determine the real viability of states.

    He spoke yesterday during the 124th state executive council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, against the backdrop of a recent report on the economic and financial viability of states.

    Recall that the Economic Confidential, in its 2022 Annual States Viability Index (ASVI) report, listed Bayelsa among six states that were allegedly financially insolvent. 

    In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the governor faulted the report, saying it focused on only federal allocation and internally generated revenue to determine a state’s viability without considering how their resources were being expropriated by the Federal Government.

    He insisted that Bayelsa was not financially insolvent and that such reports came from “prophets of doom.”

    Diri said Bayelsa, with its huge oil resources, is one of the richest states, but that the lopsided federalism in practice in the country had deprived it from controlling its resources and natural wealth.

    He described as unacceptable the situation where states’ resources were being taken by the government at the centre, leaving the sub-nationals to depend on monthly allocation. 

    He said: “The prophets of doom will always make predictions that Bayelsa State is insolvent and I think they need to stop those predictions.

    “We have called for a true and structured federalism. One of the richest states in Nigeria in terms of resources is Bayelsa. By no means will anybody convince me that our state is insolvent. 

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    “We have been saying return our resources to us and let us compare what Bayelsa has with other states and see if we are one of those that cannot generate internal revenue. 

    “Now we depend on federal allocation where our resources have been expropriated, taken to Abuja and shared to other states. And you call us a poor state. This has to stop.”

    Before the meeting, Diri swore in two judges to enhance the administration of justice in the state.

    They are Amaebi Orukari, who was sworn in as a state High Court judge and his counterpart, David Opokuma, as a judge of the Customary Court of Appeal.

    The newly judges were formerly chief registrars in their courts before the elevation.

    Delivering his charge to the jurists, Diri said his administration had made modest strides in providing an enabling environment for the state judiciary to be independent.

  • Delta monarch frowns on illegal mining

    Delta monarch frowns on illegal mining

    • Warns of imminent collapse of high tension lines 
    • ’Mining not illegal’

    The Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, has warned of danger to the lives of residents, following the activities of miners excavating laterite under high tension power lines at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Asaba and its environs.

    He said the activities had degraded the environment and exposed residents to danger.

    The monarch, who spoke through an aide on land matters, Ogbueshi Ofili Mordi, yesterday in a statement, described the mining as illegal and capable of endangering residents’ lives.

    He alleged that the Provost, Prof. Josephine Anene-Okeakwa, supported the miners.

    The traditional ruler said the activities of the miners, carried out near pylons of the national power grid, “is a big threat to the nation’s power sector and its economic development.”

    He said the mining might lead to erosion, loss of arable land, loss of lives and property.

    He challenged the management of the tertiary institution to produce documents which empowered it to give out the land for mining.

    The institution’s management said the mining was not illegal.

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    It added that the institution was aware of the excavation.

    Prof. Anene-Okeakwa in a statement said the monarch or his representatives had never contacted the school authorities regarding the true state of affairs.

    She said she was taken aback by baseless allegations on some social media platforms. 

    Anene-Okeakwa said: “To set the record straight, the college authority gave approval for excavation for the construction of Koka Road and a road behind the college with a view to reclaiming the land thereafter. I wonder how a genuine approval will amount to illegal mining.” 

    She added: “They are not miners. Federal College of Education is aware. We gave them the place to excavate for the construction of Koka Road and the road behind the college to reclaim thereafter. Did they try to find out from us? Mr. Ofili Mordi, who just came back from where he went to, jumped into selling our land, and claimed that Asagba of Asaba is aware.

    “Does Asagba of Asaba have the mandate to sell Federal Government land that has a master plan and is lodged with the town planning office? Their article and posting are to scare us and confuse people because they know we are aware. The Federal Government is aware of our activities, as I cannot embark on any illegal act.”

    The provost warned land grabbers against selling the institution’s land, saying anyone colluding with unscrupulous elements in Asaba community to encroach on the college land does so at his or her peril. 

  • House of Reps: PDP loses again to APC in Imo

    House of Reps: PDP loses again to APC in Imo

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos State yesterday upturned the tribunal victory of the member representing Nkwerre/Nwangele/Isu/Njaba federal constituency, Ugonna Ozuruigbo.

    The court declared Harrison Nwadike, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the February 25 House of Representatives election, as the winner of the exercise.

    Ozuruigbo, a second-timer at the National Assembly and a former deputy speaker of Imo State House of Assembly, won at the lower court (tribunal), but unfortunately faced a reversal of his victory with the ruling of the appellate court yesterday.

    This decision by the court brings to an end the prolonged legal battle surrounding the representation of the federal constituency, adjudged as the biggest in the country, comprising four local governments.

    Ozuruigbo, a former APC member under ex-Governor Rochas Okorocha had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he secured ticket and won at the polls.

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    It will be recalled that his declaration as the winner of the election came 63 days after the exercise due to some irregularities witnessed in the election as claimed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He had served a successful one year tenure at the lower chamber of the National Assembly and a two-term Imo State House of Assembly member, who represented Nwangele State Constituency.

    With the sack of Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Imo State PDP has again lost another at the National Assembly, after losing Jonas Okeke of Okigwe South Federal Constituency, who was earlier sacked by the Appeal Court to usher in a three-term member, Chike Okafor of the APC extraction.

  • Assembly passes Akwa Ibom N849.97b 2024 budget

    Assembly passes Akwa Ibom N849.97b 2024 budget

    Akwa Ibom House of Assembly yesterday passed the state N849.97 billion 2024 budget.

    This followed the adoption of the report of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation at plenary.

    Presenting the report, Mrs Itorobong Etim, the chairman of the committee, said that the budget was made up of N359.07 billion recurrent expenditure and N490.91 billion capital expenditure.

    Etim said the budget was raised from the original N845.62 billion presented by Governor Umo Eno to N849.97 billion, representing an increase of N4.34 billion.

    She said the committee adopted participatory approach in the budgeting process where MDAs, Non-Governmental Organisations and other relevant publics were invited to attend public hearing on the budget.

    After a Clause-by-Clause deliberation at the Committee of Supply, the lawmakers unanimously adopted

    the report and the budget was subsequently passed.

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    The Speaker, Mr Udeme Otong, in his remarks, commended the Committee on for the speedy passage of the budget.

    Otong commended government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that appeared before the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation during budget defense, adding that the overall objective was to give priority to areas of immediate importance to the people.

    He directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Nsikak-abasi Orok, to communicate the House decision Eno for assent.

    Meanwhile, the House adjourned plenary until Thursday, Jan. 18.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Governor Umo  Eno had on November  21 presented a budget of N845.62 billion for 2024 to the House for consideration.

  • Fire razes market, traders count losses

    Fire razes market, traders count losses

    Traders in Anambra State are gnashing their teeth, as fire has destroyed their goods worth over 300 million naira.

    The popular Nkpor Main market in Idemili North Local Government, near Onitsha, has been gutted by fire.

    The inferno, which occurred on Wednesday night, reportedly affected a section of the market.

    The Nation gathered that the fire had already razed about 30 shops before the traders mobilised and managed to extinguish it before the arrival of men of the state fire service.

    Confirming the incident, Chairman of the market, Chief Paul Okafor, said over N300million worth of goods were damaged in the inferno.

    He said the fire started from a cold room and spread to nearby shops.

    Okafor, whose wine shop was also gutted, said the fire affected shops loaded with paints, curtains, gum, shoe leathers and polish, wines, hot drinks, thinners, among others.

    He lamented that phone calls put across to the state fire service did not yield positive results, as firefighters did not show up until the traders mobilised and put the fire out.

    Okafor called on the government to station firefighting vehicles under the flyover bridge at Nkpor main market, to serve the three major markets in the vicinity.

    He said: “Goods worth over N300 million were damaged in the inferno. Traders are now counting their losses. This is not good for this Yuletide.

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    “We call on the state, local governments and public-spirited individuals and groups to come to the aid of the affected traders, to enable them bounce back to business as soon as possible.

    A patron of Anambra Markets Amalgamated Traders Association and President of Building Materials Traders Association, Chief Jude Nwankwo, sympathised with the victims.

    He called on the government, individuals and groups to assist them. He advised market leaders to provide fire extinguishers at markets, to mitigate the effects of fire, particularly at night.

    The state Fire Chief, Martin Agbili, did not pick his calls for confirmation.