The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • NSCDC promotes spokesperson, 200 others

    NSCDC promotes spokesperson, 200 others

    Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has promoted its spokesperson, DSC Okadigbo Edwin, to the next rank of Superintendent of Corps (SC).

    Okadigbo was decorated with his new rank alongside 200 other newly- promoted officers of the command, who benefitted from the 2023 promotion recently released by the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB). 

    Performing the decorating ceremony at the state Command Headquarters, Awka, on behalf of the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, State Commandant, Mr Edwin Osuala, described their promotion as well deserved and reward for dedication and commitment to duties.

    Osuala congratulated the newly promoted officers, urging them to consider their new status as a challenge to do more, with a call to remain loyal, dedicated and committed to the service of protecting people’s lives and property.  

    He said: “I want to congratulate you on your deserving elevation to the next rank. This is a testimony to your dedication, hard work, sacrifice and commitment to duty. 

    “It is said that to whom much  is given, much is expected, therefore this promotion is a challenge to continue with your good work and even perform better. Please do not betray the trust and confidence reposed in you.” 

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    The command second in charge, DCC Steve Ikeorah, praying for more career success for the promoted officers, admonished them to be good ambassadors of the Corps, be honest, straightforward and loyal to constituted authority to deserve more promotions while in service. 

    Responding on behalf of the promoted officers, DCC Ukaobi Prominence appreciated God in their lives to witness the memorable day. 

    He thanked Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) and the management of Civil Defence Corps for finding them worthy of the new ranks. 

     He appreciated family members and well-wishers who honoured them with their presence, stating the avowed commitment of the ‘promotees’ to justify the responsibilities conferred on them by their new ranks optimally.

  • Governor’s wife pays medical bills

    Governor’s wife pays medical bills

    Wife of Ebonyi Governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, yesterday paid the hospital bills, totalling N471,570, for four indigent persons at Vincent Hospital, Ndubia, Izzi Local Government.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the intervention was also extended to a number of women, comprising the aged, widows, men and other indigent young persons and daily labourers who received bags of rice and cash gifts each.

    The distribution of the items was made when Mrs Nwifuru visited their spots in Abakaliki.

    The governor’s wife said the gesture was to support indigent persons who couldn’t afford to buy food items due to the high cost of commodities.

    The governor’s wife, who had a wonderful time with the groups in their spots and the patients, said it would also enable them to celebrate Christmas with ease.

    The hospital Administrator, Rev Fr Paul Elom, appreciated the wife of the governor for the exercise, saying the women had been detained in the hospital for the past three months because they could not pay their hospital bills.

    “But you came today and released them to go and celebrate Christmas with their families.

    “In January, we engaged the services of some obstetrics and gynecology consultants, and they have helped us achieve our goal of zero mortality rate of mother and child,

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    “Thank you for doing the work of Christ that God sent to liberate those in captivity,” Elom said to Mrs. Nwifuru.

    Mr Nwaoye Oshiri, a recipient and bricklayer, thanked the governor’s wife for providing for indigent persons in the society.

    Mrs Agnes Uguru, also a recipient, who said her source of livelihood was mixing building concretes and engaging in other menial jobs, expressed satisfaction over the gesture.

    Uguru described the gesture as renewed hope for the people, which has helped in reducing poverty in the state.

    Another recipient, Mrs Felicia Egede, lauded Mrs Nwifuru for the gesture, saying it should be sustained to reduce hardship among indigent persons.

  • Insecurity: Obi of Onitsha endorses PISE-P

    Insecurity: Obi of Onitsha endorses PISE-P

    The Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has endorsed the non kinetic approach of resolving the violence in the south east region of the country.

    The approach is being canvassed by the Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) initiated by the members of the National Assemby from the region led by the Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.

    The initiative has also received massive support and endorsement from the Presidency, the National Assemby leadership, the business and corporate worlds as well as the entertainment industry among others.

    Speaking on Wednesday night when Kalu led a delegation of the PISE-P members to pay him a courtesy call in Abuja, Achebe commended the initiative, saying it was time restore peace in the south east.

    He said: “Your spirit is in the right direction. We are looking for the same thing. We just have to join forces and make things happen. We want peace and reconciliation in Igboland. Our strength is in what we can do for ourselves”, he said.

    Kalu said that PISE-P was conceived to address the sociological challenges in the south east, stressing kinetic means had not solved the issues of the region.

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    According to him: “That’s why we came up with this concept to use the non kinetic approach, using these pillars that will include integration through infrastructures, skills acquisition, education, etc, to appeal to our people to calm down not to depending on the government alone. Time will not allow me to go through all of them but this is something that has been welcomed massively.”

    PISE-P is expected to be formally unveiled in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State on December 29, 2023.

  • Uzodimma’s daughter set to offer law scholarship to Imo indigenes

    Uzodimma’s daughter set to offer law scholarship to Imo indigenes

    Barr. Prada Uzodimma, daughter of  Gov. Hope Uzodimma, has announced plans are underway to launch  the Prada Uzodimma Imo Indigenes Law Scholarship Grant (PUIISG), a scholarship grant  to sponsor  Imo indigenes to study law at any state or federal university. 

    She stated this at  the award ceremony for the 2023 beneficiaries of the annual  Prada Uzodimma Law School Scholarship Grant (PUSG), an  educational and philanthropic project that seeks to provide financial support to selected indigent law school aspirants across Nigeria.

    According to the UK-trained lawyer, the PUSG and PUIISG schemes were born out of passion to ease the difficulties for indigent but aspiring young lawyers across Nigeria to enable them realize their dreams of becoming legal luminaries.

    She however explained that while the PUSG covers the cost of going to law school for indigent students across Nigeria, the PUIISG was tailored for indigent Imo indigenes to study law at any state or federal university.

    “Both the Prada Uzodimma  Law School Scholarship Grant and the Prada Uzodimma Imo Indigenes Law Scholarship Grant (PUIISG) are our initiatives to help the less-privileged young people realize their dreams of becoming lawyers.

    “However, the PUIISG is for Imo Indigenes, to help them begin the journey of becoming lawyers by sponsoring their undergraduate programme in any state or federal university in Nigeria,” she explained. 

    She added: “ A lot  of people often ask why I decided to launch these initiatives and my answers remains that we are investing in the future of young aspiring lawyers, we are giving them the opportunity they deserve.

    “The focus is not on the smartest student but on the indigent students, we are giving indigent students the opportunity of becoming lawyers.”

    Uzodimma explained that the annual PUSG was launched in partnership with Principle Legal Consult in 2021 with five successful beneficiaries.

    “In 2022, we decided to increase the number of beneficiaries to 10 ,and  they have just concluded the bar exam and we  are looking forward to all being called  to bar  next year and this year the numbers of beneficiaries have increase to 15, and  we do not  prioritize any particular person, religion or tribe.”

    She urged  well-to-do Nigerians of good will to support the initiative in order to ensure that aspiring law school students across the countries realize their dreams of been called to the Nigerian bar.

    According to her: “Your sponsorship will infuse life into the vulnerable dreams of indigent students and contribute to the journeys of aspiring lawyers in Nigeria. We are seeking your kind support today. Join us on this path, sponsor a law student today!”

    Read Also: Uzodimma signs N592.2b 2024 budget

    Barr. Prada Uzodimma, Imo-born legal icon, is a humanitarian, who frequents various television programmez to educate the masses on their Human & Legal rights.

    She is also the Co- founder of The Ability Life Initiative, a foundation engineered to breach the gap for persons living with disabilities,and as  a seasoned legal practitioner who has garnished a wealth of legal knowledge and experience over the years, she has dedicated herself to shaping young people.

    In 2021, she launched the PUSG  in partnership with Principle Legal Consult, with five  successful beneficiaries of the PUSG who had their Nigerian Law School tuition fees covered.

    The PUSG’s application portal opens up simultaneously with the Nigerian Law School Application portal and all applications must be submitted through the website.

  • Uzodimma signs N592.2b 2024 budget

    Uzodimma signs N592.2b 2024 budget

    • Vows prudent implementation

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has signed into law the 2024 Appropriation Bill.

    He said the success of the budget would depend on the prudent implementation of the items contained in the document.

    He said the budget would act as a stimulus and catalyst for the growth and development of the state, in line with its theme: “Budget of Renewed Economic Growth.”

    Speaking at a brief ceremony after assenting the N592.2 billion budget into law at the New Exco Chambers, Government House, Owerri, yesterday, the governor noted that the budget was unique in the sense that “in the history of Imo State, there has not been an annual budget with a capital expenditure of over 82 per cent, meaning when implemented, the result will make Imo the envy of other states.”

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    He hailed the Speaker and members of the House of Assembly for the uncommon synergy and for conceding to his request to give the Bill accelerated hearing, culminating in its passage.

    He promised prudent implementation of the budget.

    Speaker Chike Olemgbe said the Appropriation Bill brought to them was “carefully crafted”, which made their job “easy and seamless,” noting that “the proposal shows that the governor is determined to give Imo people a renewed overall growth and development.”

  • Traders lose millions as fire guts Aba spare parts market

    Traders lose millions as fire guts Aba spare parts market

    Traders of B line at the popular Asa Nnentu Spare Parts Market, located in Ugwunagbo Local Government of Abia State are counting their losses, following a fire which gutted the market on Sunday afternoon.

    The market, located at Alaoji area of  Enugu-Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, our correspondent reports, is one of the biggest spare parts markets in the Southeast.

    The cause of the fire could not be ascertained at press time.

    It was gathered that it affected about 30 shops.

    Fire servicemen from Umuahia reportedly put out the fire, preventing it from spreading to other buildings in the market.

    The Nation learnt that one of the affected traders offloaded a 40 feet container filled with goods 48 hours before the fire incident.

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    Some of the traders lamented the huge losses they had incurred.

    Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, visited the traders in company with the Director-General, Greater Aba Developmental Authority, Uche Ukeje. The Mayor of Ugwunagbo Council and his Aba North counterpart, Ide John Udeagbala, also paid a condolence visit to the market.

    The commissioner, sympathising with the traders, said he was at the market at the instance of Governor Alex Otti, to assess the level of damage caused by the inferno.

    He promised to convey his findings to the governor.

    He advised the traders to be careful, to prevent fire incidents, “especially during this harmattan.”

  • Soludo’s wife weeps during visits to orphanages in Anambra

    Soludo’s wife weeps during visits to orphanages in Anambra

    • Promises surgery for child with cerebral palsy
    • Promises surgery for child with cerebral palsy

    Wife of Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, was in tears yesterday as she visited orphanages in Onitsha and its environs 

    As a result, she has promised to undertake surgery for a child with cerebral palsy in one of the children’s homes in Onitsha.

    She visited three registered homes where she discussed with the management of the homes on the need to take up the treatment of one of the inmates.

    The governor’s wife, who had visited five of the 39 registered homes, promised to visit all community homes in the state before Christmas.

    She said the visit was to extend love and kindness to the children’s homes, as a way of reassuring them that they are not alone in their plight.

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    She described Christmas as period of showing love, compassion and support to one another. 

    Mrs. Soludo urged well-meaning individuals, corporation organisations and groups to reach out to the needy and make the Christmas celebration a special one for them.

    The Manager, Onitsha North Children’s Home, Mrs. Rita Anekwe, expressed appreciation to the governor’s wife, saying the gesture would put smiles on the faces of the children. 

    Mrs. Soludo distributed items such as bags of rice and beans, tubers of yam, toiletries, beverages, as well as cash to the homes. They are Onitsha North Community Children’s Home, In-land Town; Onitsha South Motherless Babies Home, Odoakpu and Missionaries of Charity/Gift of Mercy Community Children and Compassionate Home/ Orphanage, Fegge-Onitsha.

  • With N1.5b, Warri varsity will take off, says Omatseye

    With N1.5b, Warri varsity will take off, says Omatseye

    • Foundation visits Olu of Warri

    Chairman of the Concerned Iwere People for Higher Education (CIPHE) Foundation, Prof. Jim Omatseye, has said with N1.5 billion, the doors of the proposed University of Warri in Koko, Warri North Local Government of Delta State, would be opened for academic activities.

    He disclosed this during a visit to the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III.

    Omatseye, briefing the monarch on how far CIPHE had gone with preparations for the beginning of academic operations, said the money would ensure the completion of infrastructure at the takeoff of the campus and payment of workers.

    He further revealed high expectations of getting the approval of the National Universities Commission (NUC), and starting academic activities by next June.

    “We are hoping that before the end of January, we will have this visit (from the NUC) and we will move on from there. We are saying, barring complications from NUC, if we have this money, we are going to open our doors by next June or thereabout,” the professor said.

    The traditional ruler expressed sadness about the attitude of modern-day Itsekiri towards education, stressing his value for it.

    Speaking about a merger between the establishment of the university and the Itsekiri Education Trust, he said it would make it easier for people to invest. 

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    “If we are able to successfully merge and prioritise the university to get the Itsekiri home and abroad to invest, I think it will be wonderful if we are able to do that.

    Speaking about the outcome of the visit, Prof Omatseye told The Nation that from interactions with the traditional ruler, there was likelihood of merging the university plan with the Itsekiri Education Trust, which is a scholarship programme.

    Breaking down the planned use of the fund, he said: “N500million will be used to finish the infrastructure – classrooms, furnishings, laboratories, clinic, cafeteria and those things that are needed. Then N1billion will be used to pay workers, professors, lecturers and administrators.”

    Other members of the foundation present at the meeting were Prof. Festus Ogisi, Dr. Paul Ireyefoju, Mr. Joseph Edema Sillo, Pastor Tony Mejebi, Mr. Omagbemi Eyinsan and Mr. Eruwa Nelson.

  • BIM-MASSOB chieftain digs own grave in Imo 

    BIM-MASSOB chieftain digs own grave in Imo 

    The rising insecurity in the Southeast has forced the Senior Special Assistant to Biafra Independence Movement (BIM) on Media and Publicity, Mazi Chris Mocha, to dig his grave at Okwe community in Imo State.

    He said in a statement  yesterday that the tomb  was  a place he wished that after his death following active service, he would like to be buried there.

    The BIM/MASSOB chieftain, who decried the incessant arrests and secret killings of members of his organisation by security agencies, said nobody knew when death would come calling.

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    Mocha said: “The repeated onslaughts by the security agencies have, on many occasions, resulted in casualties on the part of members of our group, not knowing who will be the next victim of death.”

    He said he had consequently dug his grave in advance at a cemetery at Umunamu village, Okwe, in Onuimo Local Government of Imo State.

  • Governor to UNICEF, UNDP: we’re determined to eradicate poverty in Anambra

    Governor to UNICEF, UNDP: we’re determined to eradicate poverty in Anambra

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has given a rundown of the programmes his administration is implementing and other efforts being made to stamp out poverty.

    Prof. Soludo, at a two-day Partnership Roundtable Meeting attended by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), said his government was making efforts to uproot poverty.

    Launching the event organised by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with UNICEF at Best Western Meloch Hotel, Awka, Soludo said through the massive employment of teachers, health care workers, promotion of industrialisation and others, his administration had reduced poverty.

    The governor, represented by his Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, assured UNICEF, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other social development organisations of more partnership next year and beyond; saying their working relationship so far had been cordial.

    He said the government would continue to partner the international organisations on programmes that would help his administration to end poverty and improve the well-being of ‘NdË Anambra’ and other residents of the state.

    “The current administration is making efforts towards industrialising the state.

    “Anambra State has taken steps towards promoting inclusive growth, equality, security and a life of dignity for all. Over the past 20 months, the state government has reformed social sectors in the state,” he said.

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    The governor said he was working to improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state through the expansion of economic activities, attraction of more investments and exploitation of the abundant resource deposits across the state.

    “Our administration is clear about its governance philosophy of transparency, traceability and holding public office holders to account,” he said.

    Soludo hailed UNICEF, UNDP and others for their support, saying they had added value to the state through their programmes.

    UNICEF Enugu Chief of Field Office, Juliet Chiluwe, praised Soludo for his efforts to develop the state for the benefit of the people, especially the children.

    She said the social protection policy of the government would improve key aspects of human capital development in the state, including social assistance, social care, social insurance, labour market interventions, micro and small enterprises development and complementary measures for social protection in the state.