The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Agency warns against fake empowerment scheme’s website 

    Agency warns against fake empowerment scheme’s website 

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has warned the public against a fake social media account claiming that NDDC is registering people for an empowerment scheme in the nine states under its mandate.

    Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, identified the website as  https://ndjobsskillsdb.ng/dataregistry saying it would usually lead unsuspecting members of the public to a fake “Niger Delta Youth HOPE” site and would claim to be a platform for “Register Youth Data Registration” and “Niger Delta Skills Data Base.”

    Ughakpoteni said: “The fraudulent social media account directs prospective applicants to fill an online form, as well as submit copies of their educational certificates along with  passport photographs.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that the NDDC is not behind this fake registration platform, which is clearly aimed at deceiving the people of the Niger Delta region. The public should note that the fraudsters are impersonating the NDDC-sponsored Project HOPE website.

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    “It is obvious that the scammers are using the name and logo of the NDDC, as well as that of Project HOPE to defraud the public. Clearly, the Online Account was created for the purpose of duping unsuspecting members of the public and in the process, bringing the NDDC and its Management to disrepute. The security agencies have been alerted to investigate and bring the criminals to justice.

    “We advise those who have genuine businesses with NDDC to always cross check facts at the commission’s official website: (www.nddc.gov.ng) and the authentic Project HOPE website: https//jobsskillsdb.nddc.gov.ng

    Anyone claiming to represent the NDDC or its Project HOPE in fraudulent empowerment announcements must be treated as a criminal and reported to security agencies for appropriate sanctions”.

  • Diri decries oil majors for flouting Local Content Act

    Diri decries oil majors for flouting Local Content Act

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has urged the Federal Government to stop paying lip service towards implementing the Nigerian Local Content Act, to give a sense of belonging to oil and gas producing areas.

    He spoke at a dinner organised by the government for participants at the 12th Practical Nigerian Content Annual Conference in Yenagoa.

    Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor decried the refusal of the multinational oil companies prospecting for oil and gas in Bayelsa to open their corporate offices in the state.

    A statement yesterday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, quoted the governor as describing the attitude of the oil majors as a flagrant disregard for the Local Content Act enacted in 2010.

    He likened Bayelsa to a cow that is being milked without being fed, describing a situation where oil companies operate in the state, but pay taxes to other states merely hosting their headquarters, particularly Lagos State, as most unfair and inequitable. 

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    The governor said over 60 per cent of the feedstock of natural gas being processed and exported from the LNG Terminal at Bonny in Rivers State was supplied from the gas fields in Bayelsa, whereas, the firms pay taxes to the Rivers State Government.

    This, he noted, did not only negate the natural principle of equity and fairness, but also deprived the state of billions of naira as revenue from taxes every year.

    Diri hailed the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote, for his astuteness that had brought about far-reaching strategic changes at the NCDMB.

    He, however, urged the board to prevail on oil companies to open subsidiary corporate offices and pay statutory taxes to the state.

    He said: “I must say that the Local Content Board under you has done very well in several aspects. We congratulate you on your achievements.

    “But Bayelsa State Government is not totally happy about where we are. We believe that the Local Content without the oil companies operating from Bayelsa is not local content enough for us.

    “Multinational oil companies have their head offices outside Bayelsa State. They have their headquarters in Lagos State. So, all the PAYE tax is being collected by the Lagos State Government.

    “The only thing we collect in Bayelsa is the noise of the helicopter and the fumes coming from the oil and gas industry. For me, that is revenue colonialism or imperialism.

    “We must all gather as part of Local Content to stop this inequity and anomaly. If our land is not good enough for the companies to stay, the money from our land should also not be good enough for them to collect.”

    The Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Ekeuwei, drew a parallel between Nigeria and Singapore, noting that Nigeria is where she is because of poor leadership, 63 years after political independence.

    He said Singapore had since moved into the rank of developed nations through patriotic leadership and efficient use of resources, yet Nigeria with all her abundant resources still remains a Third World nation.

    Ekeuwei praised the NCDMB for taking the bold initiative to develop human capacity locally in the oil and gas sector of the economy through its annual Practical Nigerian Content Forum.

    The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Simbi Wabote, expressed gratitude to the state government for providing support to ensure the success of the 12th Practical Nigerian Content Summit.

  • Nursing council suspends exams

    Nursing council suspends exams

    Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria has suspended indefinitely, the controversial Preliminary Test Session (PTS) examination taken by nursing students in Abia State.

    The suspension was disclosed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ngozi Okoronkwo, while briefing reporters on the protest that marred the rescheduled examination yesterday.

    She said the problem was over bloated admission of nursing students conducted by the former administration. 

    “This admission was done in April, so they were already in school when we came in. 

    “The schools were supposed to have taken at least 75 students only for the institutions, but what we met on ground was 420 students.  “This is what we are trying to manage. We didn’t create it, but we have to find solution.”

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    The commissioner said after the protest,  Nursing Council stepped in, sent a director from Abuja. “We held a meeting with them and they said, for the students to take the exams, they must be sure.”

    “We have to follow strictly the guidelines, that the first thing first, will be to verify that they have correct WAEC result.” 

    She said: “We started the process immediately. We requested the names from the principals of the two schools; Nursing School, Amachara and Nursing School, Umuahia and they provided the names, provided the documents. And have cleared about 500 students out of 700 and something of them.”

    Following protest by some nursing students a few weeks ago over alleged result and admission racketeering, the state government cancelled the PTS exam and rescheduled it.

  • Assembly gives Eno nod to set up council caretaker committees

    Assembly gives Eno nod to set up council caretaker committees

    Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a resolution authorising Governor Umo Eno to establish caretaker committees in the 31 local governments. 

    The motion for the resolution was moved yesterday during plenary by Deputy Leader Bob Otobong, and seconded by Chief Whip Effiong Johnson.  The tenure of the current council chairmen expired yesterday. 

    Former governor Udom Emmanuel swore the chairmen into office on December 7, 2020. 

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    Eno, in his message read at plenary, said due to the lack of budgetary provision for local government elections in the 2023 budget, caretaker committees are necessary to prevent leadership vacuum. 

    He said Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission (AKISIEC) was working towards organising elections at the local government level.

  • Teachers, economists laud Mbah’s attention on education, infrastructure

    Teachers, economists laud Mbah’s attention on education, infrastructure

    Teachers in Enugu State, under the auspices of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), have hailed Governor Peter Mbah for allocating a whopping 33 per cent of the total 2024 budget sum to the education sector.

    Civil society groups and economists have also lauded the governor for approving people-focused infrastructural projects and programmes capable of turning the fortunes of the state around.

    Mbah had on Tuesday laid a N521.5billion 2024 Appropriation Bill at the House of Assembly. The budget tagged: “Budget of Disruptive Economic Growth”, comprises N414.3billion Capital Expenditure, representing about 79 per cent of the budget and N107.2billion Recurrent Expenditure, representing about 21 per cent of the budget. 

    Whereas the economic sector and infrastructure came tops on sectorial allocation basis with N207.8billion and N182.9billion in the Capital Expenditure distribution, education got 73.6 per cent of the social sector provision, and 33 per cent of the entire budget.

    Reacting to the budget estimates, Chairman of the Enugu State Wing of the NUT, Comrade Theophilus Odo, said: “The governor has shown in every way that he has great interest in education. 

    “Honestly, when he said during the last convocation at Enugu State University of Technology (ESUT) that education would get over 30 per cent of the budget, we hardly believed him because it had never been like that anywhere in Nigeria, including at the federal level. But with this, we are very happy and relieved that a leader is giving this all-important sector the deserved attention.

    “As the governor rightly pointed out in his budget speech, education is one of the surest ways of ensuring sustainable eradication of poverty. By implication, this budget is for the benefit of our children, the teachers and the entire society.

    “So, on behalf of the entire teachers of Enugu State, I say a big ‘thank you’ to the governor for his great vision for education in the state.”

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    A development economist, Chibuzo Aniekwe, described the budget as a testimony to the overarching vision of the Mbah administration. 

    “The budget estimates for the 2024 fiscal year tilts heavily to inclusive growth, as it is inclined toward 78 to 79 per cent Capital Expenditure and 21 per cent Recurrent Expenditure. The Capital Expenditure shows massive growth in infrastructure in sectors such as Smart Early Education and functional Tier One Health Services. 

    “It is instructive to highlight the underpinning far left reduction in Recurrent Cost, which explains disruptive innovation, as most government transactions shall move from Labour Intensive method to Technology Intensive deliveries. 

    “The huge infrastructure shall accentuate circular flow of cash and income redistribution, which puts the government back to its fundamental duty as agent of economic distributive justice. 

    “This budget will reduce inflation as it shall cause efficiency of resource use and resource optimization,” Aniekwe said.

    The Director of Communications and Public Enlightenment, Centre for Humanity, Peter Ugwu, said the “enormous allocations to the social sector and economy show a good intention to lift the people out of poverty and avail them of quality social services.

    “The intended investment in education, infrastructure, health, water, among others, is a signpost of a government that is people-oriented. On our own, we will monitor implementation and hold the government accountable when it is eventually passed and signed into law.”

  • Don advocates establishment of adult day care

    Don advocates establishment of adult day care

    Professor of Social Work at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Prof Uzoma Okoye, has advocated the need to establish adult day care, to give old people the required care and attention they needed to live longer.

    Okoye, who gave the advice in Nsukka while delivering the university’s 195th Inaugural Lecture titled: “Ageing PLC:A business where everyone is a shareholder but not aware. Can Social Work Help?” said there was need to establish Adult Day Care just as Children Day Care, to give old people the required care and attention they needed to live longer.

    “Some people may say Adult Day Care or Old People’s Homes is not part of our culture in this part of the world, but we must adapt with the changing world realities,” she said.

    The lecturer, who is the first professor in the Social Work department to present an inaugural lecture in the university, advised Nigerians to support ageing business “since everybody is a shareholder”.

    She said: “Ageing PLC is a limited liability company where every Nigerian and those yet unborn are shareholders, but not aware.

    “Unfortunately, this ageing PLC is not a business where you have option to be shareholders or not, as everybody is a shareholder.

    “Why it’s imperative to support ageing people is because whether you like it or not, you start ageing right from the day you were born.

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    “Unlike other companies where there are board members giving the authority to run the company, in ageing PLC, everyone is a board member.”

    Okoye said findings from her PhD research work showed that attitude, stigma and assumption about ageing were embedded within social cognition.

    “It’s generally believed by Nigerians that age comes with inevitable physical and cognitive decay.

    “With this attitude to the aged, some consider themselves as social burden and have strong sense of waiting for death.

    “We should all put smiles on the faces of old people as a way of giving them sense of belonging, as well as to enable them live longer,” she said.

    The Professor of Social Work enjoined her department to take the responsibility of sensitising and educating Nigerians on the need to have use of adult day care for older people, to enable them live longer for their families and the society.

    “Students in Social Work department should take this as part of their responsibility in their service to humanity,” she said.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Igwe, said the university’s inaugural lecture remained an important lecture for professors.

    He said the topic of Okoye’s lecture was unique and important, as it made everyone to know that he or she was a shareholder in ageing business.

    Igwe hailed her for presenting a lecture that would promote care, love and longevity of old people in the society.

  • Agbarha-Warri gets new king

    Agbarha-Warri gets new king

    Agbarha-Warri Kingdom in Warri South Local Government of Delta State has installed Kingsley Orereh as its Ovie.

    The emergence of the new Ovie came after an election conducted by the kingmakers of the Urhobo Kingdom held at Agbarha Warri Regency Hall at Igbudu community, Warri, on Tuesday.

    Orereh, who was overwhelmingly voted for, scored five of the six votes of the kingmakers, as one abstained from the exercise.

    The kingmakers, who voted, include the Okpako R’ Ovwodo (the eldest man) of Agbarha Warri kingdom, Chief Jonathan Ashimo Ayiwe; the Okpako R’ Ovwodo of Ogunu community, Chief Johnson Edjenavwo; the Okpako R’ Ovwodo of Ukpokiti Community, High Chief William Igben and the Okpako R’ Ovwodo of Okurode Urhobo community, Chief Stephen Okandeji.

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    Other contestants for the kingship are Chief Israel Abido, High Chief Michael Cahier Ikpuri, Odafe Kpesu, an engineer; and Chief Pius Omasanuwa, who was absent.

    The crowning was performed by the eldest man of Agbarha Warri kingdom, Ayiwe.

    Thereafter, the new monarch was escorted to Edion Hall, Otovwodo (traditional headquarters) for prayers by the eldest man.

    Speaking on the sidelines, Chairman and Secretary of Agbarha Warri Regency Council, Chief Willie Digbori and Chief Peter Okpeh, expressed gratitude to God that the installation went smoothly.  The crowning of the new royal father followed the transition of HRM London Aforkerhi Itu, Ememoh II, on December 12, 2022.

  • Diri urges Ijaw leaders to promote education, culture

    Diri urges Ijaw leaders to promote education, culture

    Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has restated the need for Ijaw leaders to promote education and cultural heritage of their ethnic nationality.

    He spoke at the weekend during a funeral programme in honour of Amananaowei of Ebedebiri community, Dr. Anderson John Eseimokunoh, at Ebedebiri in Sagbama Local Government.

    Represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the governor said education remained the most dependable means of developing any society and its cultural values.

    A statement yesterday by the deputy governor’s media aide, Mr. Doubara Atasi, quoted the governor as saying that no well-educated person would abandon his or her culture, adding that such a person would rather contribute towards cultural advancement.

    He described the late Eseimokumoh as a traditional family man who portrayed the rich cultural heritage of the Ijaw, despite the enviable height he attained in Western education and learning in general.

    Diri said as an accomplished scholar, the late royal father became a chartered accountant at a time it was considered an impossible feat for an Ijaw man to achieve.

    He said as a politician, Eseimokumoh was a man loved by many across party lines due to his benevolent disposition to all, and his non-discriminatory way of handling issues.

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    Calling on monarchs to live in their domains, to provide leadership for their people, the governor commended the Eseimokumoh family and the Ebedebiri community for giving a befitting burial to their departed father and paramount ruler.

    In his sermon titled: ‘Whither Thou Goest?’, the General Overseer of Liberation Power Ministry, Odede Stephen, admonished Christians to be mindful of their eternal destination in their daily choices and actions.

    Anchoring his message from Luke Chapter 16, verses 19 to 22, Odede said man is a spirit, who has a soul and life in a body, adding that man’s only guarantee for peace after this material life is to make Jesus Christ his Lord and Saviour and serve God till the end.

    Dignitaries at the event included former Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd.), House of Assembly Speaker Abraham Ngobere, members of the assembly, Secretary to State Government Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, commissioners, other top government functionaries and traditional rulers, including the Pere of Tarakiri Kingdom, His Royal Majesty King Seiyifa Koroye.

  • Mbah inaugurates investors’ network

    Mbah inaugurates investors’ network

    • Igbo captains of industry embrace economic plans

    Captains of industry and prospective investors of Southeast extraction have expressed their readiness to key into the investment and economic growth plans of the Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.

    They expressed satisfaction about the administration’s effort at rallying local domestic business leaders and de-risking the state’s business environment, stressing that investors go to where the risks are less and return on investment (ROI) is high.

    Mbah stressed on synergic regional cooperation for development, saying people could only get respect outside their land proportionate to the socio-economic growth in their own homeland.

    The business moguls spoke in Enugu at the weekend during the inauguration of the Enugu Investors Network, an initiative of Enugu State Government for mobilising domestic investment. 

    One of the business leaders at the event, which also served as the inaugural roundtable of the network, Dr. Sam Onyishi, CEO of Peace Group of Companies, hailed the governor for improved security.

    He urged Ndigbo to think home, emphasising that the long-term security of Igbo investment could only be guaranteed in their homeland.

    Onyishi said: “The government is thinking what I was thinking. The first thing this government did was to work on the Monday sit-at-home. Two years ago, we did not go to work for 62 days. Last year, we did not go to work for 67 days. This year was going to be worse than that.

    “Why I said the government is thinking what I was thinking is because on the 23rd of November 2013, I told my family that I was not going to make any investment that is worth more than N1 billion outside the Southeast.  

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    “I am happy with this government. This is the first time anybody is inviting me in Enugu State to come and have this kind of heart-to-heart discussion with the governor seated too. The other ones were a kind of ‘come, talk and go home.’ But this one is action. The governor says, ‘this is what we have and what we are going to do together’. It is straight to the point. 

    “We must be plain and frank with ourselves. So, I do not want to talk about what Nigeria is and what Nigeria is not. As far as I am concerned, I am made for where I come from. Charity begins at home.”

    The Chairman of Coscharis Group, Sir Cosmas Maduka, said the firm had since turned homeward, investing in agriculture, among others, in Anambra State and would be eager to explore any of the outlined investment opportunities in Enugu State.

    Governor Mbah, who recalled how the Premier of the defunct Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara, turned the region economy around by assembling personalities, said the narratives of insecurity, economic underdevelopment, laxity and lack of ambitious development initiatives could be changed, as they did not represent Southeast people.

  • We need peace in Rivers for development, says Fubara

    We need peace in Rivers for development, says Fubara

    Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has said only peace can guarantee sustainable development of the state.

    Fubara, who urged the citizens to maintain peace, said his administration would not take their love and support for granted.

    He said he would continue to take cognisance of the efforts of stakeholders to achieve the dream of a prosperous state.

    A statement signed by Fubara’s Special Assistant, Media, Boniface Onyedi, said the governor spoke at Koniju town in Okrika at the weekend during the burial of Amanyanabo of Koniju town, His Majesty, King Nelson Atubo Oputibeya XI.

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    The governor expressed gratitude over the reception given him and his entourage by the people of Koniju town.

    He said: “I thank you all for your support. I urge you to maintain peace, for it is only when there is peace that the promises we made can be fulfilled.”

    Fubara hailed the people of Wakrike kingdom, particularly the traditional rulers, for the prevailing peace in the area and their support for his administration.

    He said the process of the formal gazetting of Koniju traditional stool for proper recognition would be made public next week.

    The Chairman of Koniju Town Council of Chiefs, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, described the governor as a son of Koniju town and thanked him for attending the burial of the monarch.