The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Delta Exco okays N714.4b budget proposal for 2024

    Delta Exco okays N714.4b budget proposal for 2024

    Delta State Executive Council (Exco) meeting, presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday approved a proposed budget of N714.4billion for the 2024 fiscal year.

    Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, who disclosed this at news briefing at the Government House, Asaba, said the proposed budget comprised N397 billion, representing 56 per cent for Capital Expenditure, while N316 billion, representing 44 per cent, is for recurrent expenditure.

    He said the 2024 proposed budget was premised on an exchange rate of N750 per dollar.

    According to him, “we just finished the state Exco meeting presided over by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. The major discussion was on the 2024 proposed budget.

    “The budget size is N714.4 billion, broken down into capital and recurrent components of N397 billion capital, representing 56 per cent, while the recurrent component is N316 billion, representing 44 per cent.

    “The budget was premised on the vision of the current administration and encompassing largely on the activities and programmes that will drive the M.O.R.E agenda.

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    “It is still a proposition because the House of Assembly will still have to look at it and approve at a later date. However, broadly speaking, it’s a budget that the people will be happy and proud of because a lot of impactful and developmental projects will be embarked upon.”

    “The people should expect new townships and massive road infrastructures, with emphasis on quality; people should also expect some new expansions in the health care institutions we have in the state.”

    He said the state government would continue to fund small businesses across the state in 2024, adding: “We should expect the government to support the small and medium scale enterprises in the state with some kind of funds to support their businesses, which will be given at single digit interest rate.

    “Looking at other things, agriculture will get a boost, such as rice and food crops production. We are hoping that one of the ways to fight the ravaging inflation is to make food available. So, the Agric Ministry will be on its feet. As I said, it’s a people’s budget.”

  • Ikwerre Congress warns against call to cancel Tompolo’s contract

    Ikwerre Congress warns against call to cancel Tompolo’s contract

    The Ikwerre Peoples Congress (IPC) Worldwide has cautioned against what it described as a perceived self-serving advocacy to cancel the pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tantita Security, owned by a famous ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a. Tompolo.

    The Chairman, IPC, Livingstone Wechie, said yesterday in Port Harcourt that instead of some aggrieved stakeholders calling for the cancellation, they should rather demand their integration into the contract.

    He said: “We have observed this unwarranted trend and advised that what is of most importance is the needed integration of stakeholders across the region, instead of the destructive campaign anchored on a pull-down syndrome. We should be asking for more opportunities than pushing for cancellation.”

    Wechie recalled that the idea of pipeline surveillance contract was first muted by Annkio Briggs under the late President Umaru Yar ‘Adua’s administration during the pre-negotiation stages for the amnesty programme, but was opposed by certain Niger Delta stakeholders, who felt it was not deserving for armed agitators to handle it.

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    He said: “To be fair, during the armed struggle for Niger Delta emancipation and resource ownership, lives were lost and our Ijaw compatriots played a leading role while acknowledging the intellectual contributions of some respected Ikwerre players being a leading stakeholder ethnic block in oil and gas infrastructure as well as other ethnic groups, which made their contributions.

    “It is noteworthy that Tantita Security is not the only company awarded the pipeline surveillance contract in the region. The call for its cancellation smacks of personal vendetta.

    “There are others or another pipeline surveillance contract allegedly linked to the Olu of Warri and all must be properly engaged and come to the table with a view to harmonise and resolve the outstanding issues to avoid giving a dog a bad name without justification by calling out only Tompolo’s contract.

    “Finally, Niger Delta must avoid the plot to use this pipeline surveillance contract awarded to Tompolo through his company to cause disaffection among stakeholders. It is public knowledge that some known stakeholders are already accommodated by Tompolo within the contract and this virtue must be commended while we demand the decentralisation of the contract to accommodate others.

    “Therefore what is mostly needed now is not infighting, but the galvanisation of relationships across the region to engineer a sense of ownership by the people. It is highly recommended that the issues should be resolved on a roundtable in the interest of peace and development.”

  • NDDC deploys 370 collation officers, supervisors for Project HOPE

    NDDC deploys 370 collation officers, supervisors for Project HOPE

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has deployed 370 collation officers and supervisors from the 185 local governments in the nine Niger Delta states for the registration of youths to benefit from its Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement (HOPE) project.

    Speaking during the deployment at the Rivers State Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Centre in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, urged the collation officers and supervisors to register the youth, adopting the transparent process already established by the commission.

    Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said the development and empowerment scheme was designed to create a comprehensive resource database of the youth population of the Niger Delta.

    He said it would provide a platform for the NDDC to empower youths of the region on sustainable basis.

    Ogbuku said the Project HOPE initiative, coming after many years of unplanned and mismanaged projects execution in the region, would focus on the needs of the youth, their qualifications, skills, passion, interests and employment status.

    He said: “Project HOPE has come to stay. When it was launched on July 12, 2023, some sceptics thought it was not going to be feasible. The initial rush by youths to register on the platform crashed the system, but it was quickly restored.”

    He described the collation officers and supervisors as the real hope of the Niger Delta, saying the trainees came from all the local governments in the region through a transparent online selection process.

    He said: “I assure you that the HOPE initiative is real and will be sustained. The database that we are building will not only help us to select the right persons, but it will also help us to monitor their progress. We are using technology to ensure that you do not need to know anybody to be enlisted into the programme.”

    Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said  the HOPE project represented a true capacity building.

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    He said: “We must commend the NDDC for the initiative. The process of selection was very transparent, and this gives credibility to the programme.”

    He advised the collation officers and supervisors to train others, saying Rivers Government was very passionate about the programme.

    Gbali congratulated the NDDC and the Rivers State Government on achieving what he called a significant milestone.

    He said: “The NDDC has indeed, changed the narrative. The selection process is excellent and transparent. We want Niger Delta youths to excel and we want to train people and equip them with useful skill sets. This is a big milestone. For once, we are getting it right.”

    The consultant for NDDC Project HOPE, Ambassador Blessing Fubara, thanked the NDDC for initiating the novel project in youth empowerment and pledged to cooperate with the commission to ensure the success and sustainability of the programme.

    Responding on behalf of the Collation Officers and Supervisors, the Ogbia Local Government trainee, Mr. Azibator Azimo, thanked the NDDC for giving them the opportunity to contribute in building a comprehensive database for youth development.

  • Enugu begins fight to prevent cervical cancer

    Enugu begins fight to prevent cervical cancer

    Enugu State Government has rolled out efforts to prevent cervical cancer among women with the launch

    of Human Pappilloma Virus (HPV) routine vaccination against the disease.

    Speaking at an event held in Enugu, Governor Peter Mbah said the vaccine was free and available to young girls between nine and 14 years at health care centres across the state.

    Mbah, represented by Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, promised to deal with individuals or groups found dissuading residents from accepting and receiving the vaccination.

    He said the state must take advantage of the vaccine in fighting cervical cancer.

    “I urge our women in the churches and other places of worship, in homes and schools, to embrace the vaccine. I implore you to dismiss the false claims against the vaccine because it has been certified by the world health authorities as safe,” the governor said.

    He noted that health care professionals were facing the challenge of the spread of false information in their efforts to deliver the vaccine to those that needed it.

    Mbah called for collaboration of health care authorities and professionals with women organisations in places of worship, to re-educate the people that the vaccine was safe.

    “We need to explain to them the investment the state government has continued to make in preventing diseases that are preventable,” he said.

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    He expressed dismay against those who, though not trained health professionals, used the social and mainstream media to spread false information to the public, warning that the government would go after them in line with the laws.

    The Executive Secretary of the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku, who lamented the rising scourge of cervical cancer among women, said investing in prevention was not only the right thing, but the smart thing to do.

    Ani-Osheku said Enugu was joining 15 other states for the first phase of the roll-out of the vaccination programme, adding that it would run simultaneously in all the 17 local governments and would be administered at primary health care centres, schools, centres of worship and communities.

    Health Commissioner Prof. Emmanuel Obi hailed the action of the vaccination programme, saying prevention would save young girls from suffering cervical cancer in future.

    Goodwill messages were delivered by the representatives of National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organisation (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and a non-governmental organisation, FHI360, who declared the vaccine safe for the prevention of cervical cancer.

  • APC gets first woman political leader in Akwa Ibom

    APC gets first woman political leader in Akwa Ibom

    Obongawan Okure has emerged as the first All Progressives Congress (APC) female political leader of Asang Court Area in Nsit Ibom Local Government of Akwa Ibom State.

    Nsit Ibom is the local government of the party’s governorship candidate in the last election, Obong Akanimo Udofia.

    The APC Chapter Chairman of Asang Court Area, Mr. Emmanuel Jimmy, said  Okure was elected due to her leadership qualities and commitment to the growth of the party.

    He said her appointment as a political leader was a call for service to better the welfare of party members in Asang Court Area as well as the fortunes of the party.

    “Her passion for service, her exceptional leadership qualities and her unrelenting commitment to the welfare of the people have earned her this esteemed position.

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    “Throughout her political career, she has worked towards the betterment of our community, striving to uplift the lives of the people and ensure their voices are heard.

    “Under her guidance, we can expect a renewed focus on grassroots empowerment, improved health care facilities, quality education, infrastructural development, job creation and enhanced security measures,” Jimmy said.

    Okure promised to chart a new course for the APC in the area and the state in general.

    Party chieftains at the event included Godwin Akpan (Uyo Senatorial District Chairman), Patience Anako (Uyo Senatorial District woman leader) and Mr. Cosmos Inyang (APC stakeholder).

    Others were Emmanuel Jimmy Akpan (APC Chapter Chairman, Nsit Ibom),  Udo Okoh (Deputy APC Chapter Chairman), Godswil Inyang and (APC Chapter Secretary, Nsit Ibom) among others.

  • Days of touting in Anambra over, says Soludo

    Days of touting in Anambra over, says Soludo

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has declared war against touting, saying the days of touts were numbered.

    He urged chairmen of markets to take responsibility of their domains, warning that any market where touts operated would be disbanded and chairmen removed.

    Speaking yesterday in Onitsha during the launch of the Anambra Special Anti-Touting Squad, Prof. Soludo said restoring law and order would be difficult in an environment where lawlessness had become a culture.

    He congratulated members of the squad, who had been found worthy and offered to serve, calling for commitment, passion and diligence.

    He advised them to adhere to laid down standard and code of conduct guiding their operation.

    The governor said members of the squad would collaborate with the armed forces, who had the primary responsibility to keep the state safe.

    He said: “The launch of the squad is an acceleration on the key promise I made to the people living in the greater Onitsha area, which consists of Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru, Oyi and Idemili to restore Anambra State known for law and order to its full glory as the light of the nation.

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    “When we assumed office, eight local governments were taken over. Thanks to the combined efforts of our security agencies and the vigilance service. With the support, these local governments have been liberated and normalcy restored.

    “We have told the youth to come out from their hideouts and bush. We shall help to rehabilitate and integrate them into the society to be useful to their families, communities, states and the country.

    “While dealing with hoodlums on a larger scale, we will be dealing with touts in Onitsha greater area and Anambra State as a whole.

    “We are fighting a war to bring back the soul of our society governed by law and order, not a society anyone does what he or she likes without recourse to law and order.

    “Touts disturb customers who come from every nook and cranny of the country. But this journey is to rescue Onitsha as a commercial hub and Anambra State in general.

    “Phone numbers shall be made available to Ndi Anambra to inform the government of any touting activity they notice in their areas.”

    Soludo called on citizens to remember the campaign of “if you see something, you say something”

    Homeland Affairs Commissioner Chief Chikodiri Anara described the launch of the Special Anti-Touting Squad as the beginning of the journey.

    He assured the governor that positive changes would be noticed by December, as the men of the squad were well trained.

    He warned hoodlums causing trouble in the state to leave, “as they will not find it comfortable to operate in the state, moving forward.”

  • ‘We will not withdraw our support for Eno’s administration’

    ‘We will not withdraw our support for Eno’s administration’

    Elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State have promised not to withdraw their support for the Governor Umo Eno administration.

    The elders under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State PDP Elders Council reiterated their resolve to help the governor actualise his programmes and projects under the A.R.I.S.E Agenda.

    Chairman Board of Trustees of the council, Amb. Assam Assam, SAN, made the pledge yesterday during the formal inauguration of PDP Elders Council.

    Assam, who mandated the state officers to constitute Elders Council in the federal constituencies and local governments, said the body would remain united for the development of the state.

    He expressed satisfaction in the administration of Governor Eno, saying it had set out a good template for the development of the state within his few months in office.

    Speaking on behalf of the Elders from Ekpene Senatorial District, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien said elders of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District would continue to work for the success of Pastor Eno and would continue to support PDP.

    He said the governor had done well in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, which would earn him more supporters in 2027 election.

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    “We will do better in 2027 than what we did in 2023. Let us work in unity and support the government. We should not run from the government, we should encourage the governor to do more in the state.

    Speaking on behalf of Eket Senatorial District, Bishop Samuel Akpan said Eket Senatorial District elders were upstanding to support Akwa Ibom Elders Council and to work towards the success of Eno’s administration.

    For Uyo Senatorial District, Elder T. O. Akpan said: “This is the first time elders of Akwa Ibom State come out together to create a forum for elders. I am indeed very excited to be part of this elders’ council. I trust the capacity of the leadership of the council. Let elders of Akwa Ibom State be maintained. Governor Eno has started very well; let us give him our maximum support for the development of Akwa Ibom State.

    On behalf of the women, Obonganwan Grace Ekong assured of women’s support for PDP and Governor Eno and encouraged elders to work with the people at the grassroots to gather more support for the PDP.

  • ECOWAS spends N60m for table-fish production

    ECOWAS spends N60m for table-fish production

    Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has spent over 58,876 dollars (around N60 million) for table-fish production in Anambra State.

    As a result, the commission has begun training of 150 youths for the project.

    The Managing Director, Anambra State Fisheries and Aquaculture Business Development Agency (FABDA) and the Programme Coordinator in the state, Mr. Emeka Iloghalu, said this yesterday in Awka.

    He spoke at the training launch, noting that it was expected to last for about eight weeks.

    Iloghalu said the training cut across ethnic, political and religious affiliations, as trainees from Kaduna, Enugu, Imo and Cross River states were in attendance.

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    He said: “The beneficiaries are between the ages of 15 and 35. It is based on business and entrepreneurship.

    “The programme is sponsored by ECOWAS and it is ongoing across 15 member-countries.

    “I call on unemployed youths in the state and country to key into the programme for self-reliance.”

    Iloghalu said at the end of the training, the trainees were expected to emerge as business-leaders.

  • ‘Why I sponsored Imo pilgrims to holy land’

    ‘Why I sponsored Imo pilgrims to holy land’

    Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has said he did not have any political intention in sponsoring the 1,200 Christian and Muslim pilgrims, who visited Jerusalem, Jordan, Mecca and Medina this year on pilgrimage. He said he was rather interested in the spiritual uplift of the beneficiaries, coupled with moral benefits and their relationship with God.

    The governor spoke at Eze Imo Palace in Mbari, Owerri in his remarks during the interdenominational thanksgiving service organised by the pilgrims to appreciate him for the opportunity given to them to visit holy land at no cost to them.

    He had paid for the airlift, feeding, accommodation and other expenses of 1,000 Christian pilgrims to Jordan and Jerusalem, as well as for 200 Muslims, who went to Mecca and Medina from Imo State.

    The service turned out to be a moment of emotional outpour, as Uzodimma was treated with tales of how, through the exercise and his magnanimity, many beneficiaries, Christian and Muslim pilgrims, had the opportunity of either travelling by air for the first time in their lives as well as travelling outside the shores of Nigeria, also for the first time.

    The pilgrims, most of who clamoured to see the sponsor, were excited to behold the governor in their midst and also happy over the opportunity to lavish prayers on him as the governorship election draws closer.

    Although they reminded Uzodimma that they prayed for him, his family, his government, Imo State, among others at the holy land, the pilgrims also told him that the payback time, which is November 11, has come.

    They were therefore happy to enter into a prayer of agreement, after which they endorsed the governor for re-election and resolved to vote massively for him.

    The service was organised by the Imo State Christian Pilgrims Welfare.

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    Appreciating their prayers, Uzodimma told the congregation that he was not only humbled by their experience, but also that it gave him satisfaction having a better relationship with his creator. He urged them to do the same.

    He said pilgrimage means a lot to the Christian and Muslim faiths, and appealed to Imo people to “first live together as a people irrespective of religious differences because all of us are of one God.”

    Deputy Governor Placid Njoku thanked the governor for his Godly dispositions that made it possible for him to sponsor people from the state to the holy land.

    The Chairman, Imo State Pilgrim Welfare Board, Rev Fr. Dr. Gilbert Alaribe, thanked the governor and God Almighty for a seamless exercise and journey mercies.

    The Chairman, Imo State Muslim Council, Baba Sule, expressed gratitude to the governor for the gesture, saying it was the first time Imo State Government sponsored Muslims to the holy land.

    Sule, the Sarikin Hausawa Imo State, prayed God to continue to “put the governor on the front seat and always put him above all his enemies.”

    Other speakers included the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chikeka; the Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State, Dr. Macdonald Ebere and HRH Eze Mathew Nwokoma.

    Bishop Henry Mbamaonyeukwu and Bishop Akanabu, representing the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, CCN, ECWA an Anglican Church said the governor had sown bountifully, hence he would reap bountifully.

  • ‘Governor developing state through ISOPADEC’

    ‘Governor developing state through ISOPADEC’

    A Commissioner in Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC), Mr. Nkenna Nzeruo, says Governor Hope Uzodimma is developing Imo beyond expectations, especially in the oil producing areas.

    He said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri yesterday.

    He said Uzodimma’s developmental strides manifested in the three hospitals he built in Ohaji Egbema, Oguta and Oru East local governments equipped with the state of the art facilities.

    “Governor Uzodimma has shown that there is money in Imo State because most of the projects he is embarking on, especially these three hospitals were part of the 13 per cent oil derivation from the Federal Government to ISOPADEC.

    “Working in ISOPADEC as a commissioner under Sen. Hope Uzodimma has shown that things can change under a good administration.

    “For many years that ISOPADEC had been in Imo, there had never been any monumental project that could be named after ISOPADEC, done and completed.

    “But today, the governor has proved that ISOPADEC can make proper use of the funds for the good of the people.

    “These hospitals have been completed and inaugurated. There are several rehabilitation projects the governor has done in oil producing communities or local governments,” Nzeruo said.

    He added that the governor had completed 61 other projects in different sectors in the 27 councils of the state, especially in oil communities.

    Nzeruo said Uzodimma’s administration also renovated and equipped 305 primary health care facilities across the 305 electoral wards of the state; supported by ambulances and mobile clinics.

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    He said the governor reconstructed and equipped Dan Anyiam Stadium.

    “It is remarkable that Governor Uzodimma is able to achieve this level of infrastructural revolution in Imo within a short time despite the challenges of insecurity and dwindling financial resources.

    “There are some primary school projects on the way in the three oil producing local governments of Ohaji Egbema, Oguta and Oru East,” Nzeruo said.

    The ISOPADEC commissioner said Uzodimma encouraged youths to embrace agriculture and empowered them to recognise the benefits of agriculture.

    He noted that about 15,000 youths have been trained in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

    He, therefore, called on all Imo residents to come out en masse and support the governor to get his second term bid.