The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • DESOPADEC contractors give two-week protest notice

    DESOPADEC contractors give two-week protest notice

    Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) Indigenous Contractors Forum has vowed to go on mass protest in two weeks if the board fails to speed up payment for executed jobs.

    The group spoke after an emergency meeting in Warri, Delta State.

    It called for the intervention of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

    Expressing disappointment about the delayed payment by the new DESOPADEC board, they said it had failed to look into their plight.

    The forum Chairman, Samson Ogie, an engineer; said the new DESOPADEC board had not responded positively to the payment request made by the contractors, despite the subtle approach.

    Read Also: Obi resisted pressure to lead mass protest against presidential poll – LP

    He said attempts to reach the Managing Director of DESOPADEC,  Festus Ochornogho and the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Okome, on how payment could be carried out to avoid conflict between both parties had been unsuccessful.

    The chairman said lack of payment of outstanding money and maltreatment of the indigenous contractors had become worrisome.

    He said they had been patient with the board, adding that they demanded that it should accelerate payment before the end of this month.

    The Secretary of the forum, Prince Charles Ebigbagha, accused the board of reneging on its promise to pay them monthly.

    He said the decision to embark on mass protest should not be taken for granted.

  • Five Delta communities flooded

    Five Delta communities flooded

    • Occupants rendered homeless   

    Flood has rendered occupants of five riverine communities in Warri North Local Government of Delta State homeless, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports.

    Mr. KeAnren Pere, the councillor representing Ogbinbiri ward 18 in Asigborodo community disclosed this to reporters yesterday in Warri.

    He said the affected communities were Torukubuagbene, Awanba, Koropigbene, Itagbene and Asigborodo, as well as adjoining communities.

    He said the incident began more than a week ago and the situation became worse last Friday.

    Appealing for an urgent intervention by the state government, the councillor said the lives of his people were at stake.

    Pere said: “Rain has been falling before, but we have never had it this bad.

    Read Also: INEC to conduct mock accreditation in Kogi, Imo, Bayelsa

    “Valuables including boats, clothes, food items and other means of livelihood have been destroyed by the unfortunate occurrence.

    “Lives are at stake, people can no longer go about their normal daily activities to feed, so there is hunger in the affected communities.

    “The overflow started more than a week ago, but the situation became worse three days ago, leaving my people in fear.”

    He appealed to the state government to send relief materials including food items to the people to alleviate their suffering.

    Mr. Smart Asekutu, chairman, Warri North Local Government, neither picked calls put across to his phone nor responded to WhatsApp messages sent to his phone.

    The Director, Administration and Finance, Delta Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Daniel Okpor, said the agency was not aware of the development.

    He, however, requested for video clips of the incident to aid the agency’s findings and response.

    “Was the incident a result of flood or rainfall? We believe more in video clips than in photographs. In the absence of video, you can send me photographs,” he said.

  • Southeast APC youths to Tinubu: we need more ministers

    Southeast APC youths to Tinubu: we need more ministers

    A group, Southeast APC Young Progressives Forum, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider appointing additional ministers from the Southeast.

    It implored the President to give the zone at least two additional ministers.

    Addressing a news conference yesterday in Awka, the National Convener of the body, Pascal Candle, said the call was necessary to correct the imbalance on the ministerial list.

    He said: “Following the latest ministerial nominations from other zones, we wish to cry unto Mr. President to find a way to remedy this glaring anomaly.

    “We appeal that at least two additional ministers need to be appointed from the Southeast.”

    Read Also: Obi resisted pressure to lead mass protest against presidential poll – LP

    Appreciating President Tinubu for incorporating youths into his government, the group said the zone had a pool of highly qualified young professionals with capacity to occupy the position of a minister for the sake of balance and equity.

    “With the nomination of ministers of Youth Development from Kwara and Ondo states, Southeast with five states remain the only zone among the six zones without an additional minister. In fact, we have only five ministers without any zonal representation.

    “We are therefore hopeful and praying that Mr. President will listen to our plea of nominating an extra minister for the Southeast, to give the progressives in the zone more sense of belonging and most importantly to bring vitality to the Ministry of Youths,” the group said.

  • Shettima to declare open retreat for National Assembly leadership

    Shettima to declare open retreat for National Assembly leadership

    • Uyo hosts lawmakers

    Vice-President Kashim Shettima is expected to declare open a two-day leadership retreat for principal officers of the National Assembly in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

    The retreat will be attended by the principal officers of the Senate and House of Representatives, as well as some former Senate presidents and House of Representatives speakers.

    The Senate and the House of Representatives have 10 principal officers each that form the management of each chamber.

    They are Majority Leader, Deputy Majority Leader, Chief Whip, Deputy Chief Whip, Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip in addition to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker as well as the Senate President and Deputy Senate President.

    The Nation gathered that during the retreat, the principal officers are expected to brainstorm on ways of moving the legislature forward without working at cross purpose.

    Read Also: UNGA78: Tinubu, Adeboye lead African First Ladies in peace moves

    During the 9th Assembly, members of the House of Representatives complained about their bills not receiving the required concurrence from the Senate, even though they always gave Senate bills accelerated consideration.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, his deputy, Benjamin Kalu and other principal officers of the House are already in Uyo for the retreat.

    In a post on his Facebook page, the Speaker said: “I arrived Uyo for a two-day retreat for the leadership of both the Senate and the House organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (MILES).

    “We are ready to share ideas with a view to having a better 10th Assembly as the House gets ready to reconvene from annual recess next week.”

  • 17,834 jostle for vacant 1,454 Ebonyi civil service jobs

    17,834 jostle for vacant 1,454 Ebonyi civil service jobs

    Over 17,000 people have applied for the 1,454 vacancies in the Ebonyi State civil service.

    Governor Francis Nwifuru had directed that the recruitment be carried out to fill vacancies that came up as a result of retirement and resignation.

    Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Jude Okpor, said yesterday that the Civil Service Commission had received 17,834 applications from job seekers.

    He said this while briefing reporters in Abakaliki on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting held on Wednesday

    He said of the 17,834 applicants who submitted applications for employment, only 5,352 met the requirement of submitting original certificates with their applications, while the rest submitted their statements of results.

    Read Also: Tinubu mandates training of talents in digital skills

    Okpor said the Council resolved to uphold the submission of original certificate criterion for eligibility for shortlisting with a provision that opportunities should be given to those who did not attach their certificates, but were able to provide theirs before the screening date.

    He said Governor Nwifuru, the chairman of the Executive Council, emphasised that the recruitment should be merit-based, to give applicants equal opportunity to compete for the job.

    Okpor said the Council urged the Civil Service Commission to fast track the recruitment process, to ensure the exercise was concluded as soon as possible.

    On payment of gratuity to retired civil servants, the commissioner said the Council approved commencement of payment.

    He said the payment would begin from September 21, with a release of N3,851,763,617.65.

  • Delta Ijaw communities oppose annexation to Ondo

    Delta Ijaw communities oppose annexation to Ondo

    Opuama and Polubobo (Tsekelewu) communities in Egbema Kingdom, Warri North Local Government of Delta State, have raised the alarm over a plot to annex them into Ilaje and Ese-Odo councils of Ondo State.

    They described the move as a “security threat” to the communities.

    A statement signed by Chief David Ugedi (Boundary committee chairman, Opuama), Dr. Bright Abulu (president-general of Polobubo community) and others said Ondo State Government Performance and Implementation Monitoring Unit (ODSGPPIMU) had produced a map annexing Opuama (Atilabo), Tsekelewu and Okirigbo communities to Ilaje East Local Development Area (LCDA), under Ugbo Ward 5.

    The statement said an earlier move to counter the development was stalled by reactions by Donald Ojogo, member, House of Representatives, Ilaje-Ese-Odo Federal Constituency, as well as Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs. Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, dated August 12, 2023.

    Ojogo had “…affirmed that there were obvious flaws in the said map, but that they were not intentional, and he was already interfacing with relevant officials of Ondo State Government with a view to clearing all grey areas”.

    Part of statements credited to the commissioner in one of the national dailies described the development as an unintended error, saying, “in the map of Ondo State distributed, there were juxtapositions in names and some names were put where they should not be.

    “This act of inadvertence has no link with the current process on the creation of new LCDAs in the state and should be disregarded completely.”

    Read Also: UNGA78: Tinubu, Adeboye lead African First Ladies in peace moves

    However, in a fresh publication of Ondo State LCDAs Administrative Map covering 33 newly-created LCDAs and 18 LGAs “our communities that were earlier found in the first erroneous maps are captured in Ilaje East LCDA, under Ugbo Ward 5, of Ilaje LGA. Could this be further error, or a daring affront and invitation for war?

    “This unhealthy political development has been a concern to Opuama, Polobubo (Tsekelewu) and Egbema at large, as this is not the first time, the government of Ondo State has attempted merger of the towns (Opuama and Tsekelewu) with Ondo State,” parts of the statement read.

    It also disclosed that in 1977 and 1978, there were attempts by the Ondo State Government to claim the said towns which led to a protest by the communities.

    Accusing the government of Ondo State of several other “instances of imperialistic tendencies” towards them, the statement added, “we are having strong feelings of insecurity of our towns and lands due to our past experiences and it is upon this background, we are categorically saying the government of Ondo State, the Ilaje/Ese-Odo Local Council Authorities and any other group of persons or individuals, should desist from incorporating Opuama and Tsekelewu into any political arrangement/creation in their state, since the two towns are ‘integral component of Delta State’; this status of the towns has been variously proved beyond reasonable doubt, in high quarters”.

    It should be noted that Opuama and Polobubo are Ijaw (Izon) communities which had been in the defunct Mid-Western Region, Bendel State and now in Delta State.

  • Otti gives five SUVs to judges

    Otti gives five SUVs to judges

    Abia State Governor Alex Otti has given Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to five judges of the High Court.

    Speaking at a brief ceremony held at the High Court Complex, Umuahia, Dr. Otti said whatever was necessary to ensure the judiciary was given its pride of place would receive priority of his administration.

    The governor, represented by the Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, said he was committed to ensuring the dispensation of justice and the rule of law, adding that those who undertook the task should have conducive atmosphere to perform their duties.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly names standing committees, chairmen

    He noted that he had not hidden his respect for the judiciary and rule of law and praised the cordial relationship between the executive and the judicial arms of government.

    Receiving the papers and keys of the vehicles, the Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, said Dr. Otti had shown that he was a judiciary-friendly governor since taking over the reins of power.

    She thanked the governor for providing the vehicles for the judges, saying she looked forward to a better working relationship with the executive.

    One of the beneficiaries, Justice Okezie Enyinnaya, thanked the governor for the gesture extended to him and his brother judges.

  • ‘Senate to legislate on more power for monarchs’

    ‘Senate to legislate on more power for monarchs’

    The Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Ekong Sampson, has said the 10th Senate would come up with a legislation granting power to traditional rulers in the area of security.

    Sampson, who represents Akwa Ibom South, made the disclosure at the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Mkpat Enin,  Edidem Akpan Akpan Ekpene.

    He said the legislation would encourage respect and support for traditional rulers, to enable them play roles in strengthening democracy at the grassroots.

    Read Also: UNGA78: Tinubu, Adeboye lead African First Ladies in peace moves

    Sampson added: “The 10th Senate will support workable autonomy for monarchs, which will help strengthen democracy and security in Nigeria, especially at the grassroots.

    “Strengthening the role of traditional rulers is one of the key ways to tackle insecurity.”

    The senator recalled that he had been one of the major advocates for greater constitutional role for the traditional institution.

    He said: “As council chairman in the early 2000s, I lived in Mkpat Enin throughout the duration of my tenure. I was abreast of the issues at the grassroots.

    “I presented cars to clan heads in the local government and also increased their monthly stipends, as well as those of the town criers.”

  • Soludo declares free, compulsory education in schools

    Soludo declares free, compulsory education in schools

    Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo yesterday announced free and compulsory education in public schools.

    He said the move was in line with his vision of an all-inclusive education for the state.

    Making the pronouncement at Premier Primary School, Obosi, the governor said education from Early Childhood Care and Development Education (ECCDE) to Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) was free and compulsory for school-age children.

    He said: “Henceforth, no child within that education range will be charged school fees or any other fees to acquire education.

    “Children of school age will no longer be deprived of access to quality education; core community schools will be upgraded to smart schools in line with our vision of imparting skillful and sustainable education.”

    Saying machinery would be put in place to ensure effective step down of the directive in the state, Soludo noted that his administration would not look kindly at anyone who failed to comply with the pronouncement.

    Top three pupils in the last term examinations were given cash prizes.

    Anambra State Government has assured the people of Isuaniocha in Awka North Local Government of solution to the eight years crisis rocking the community. 

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly names standing committees, chairmen

    Chief of Staff to Governor Soludo, Ernest Ezeajuyi, gave the assurance during a peaceful protest by over 1,000 indigenes of the town, at the Government House, over leadership and land issues causing disunity and insecurity in the town.

    The protesters, comprising youths and adults, including the oldest man in the community, bore placards, chanting solidarity songs. They demanded attention from Governor Soludo.

    Addressing the protesters, Ezeajuyi, flanked by Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Tony Nwabunwanne, said the current administration would not relent in ensuring peace in communities across the state.

    He hailed them for the courage of speaking with one voice, assuring them of meeting with representatives of eight villages of the community, including their acting president general, to address the issues of leadership and land affecting the town.

    Ezeajuyi said: “Soludo’s government has recovered several land belonging to secondary schools across the state and will look into that of Isuaniocha Secondary School land, which is one of the contending issues causing problem in the area.

    “On the issue of certificate of recognition issued to Mkpuora Ngini as the traditional ruler of the community, the governor will look into the demand of the people and give them feedback as soon as possible.”

    The leader of the protesters and Acting President General of Isuaniocha, Frederik Egwunwa, lamented government’s failure to keep its promise of constituting a committee to look into the matter during their last protest.

    He said: “It was this failure that informed our decision to block the entrance gate to the Government House so that proper attention will be given to us.”

    Police Commissioner Aderemi Adeoye advised the protesters to embrace peace, noting that leadership and land matters could be resolved through dialogue.

  • Imo NNPP candidate stands with Kano Gov over tribunal ruling

    Imo NNPP candidate stands with Kano Gov over tribunal ruling

    The Imo governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) Hon. Uche Ben Odunzeh has supported Kano Governor Abba Yusuf over the judgement of the governorship election tribunal that invalidated his victory.

    Odunzeh described the verdict as a temporary distraction, expressing confidence the Appeal Court will upturn the verdict

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    He charged the Governor to be strong and positive In midst of the distraction, stressing that the will of majority of Kano people expressed through the ballot cannot be thwarted .

    He also called on members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the country not to be worried by the judgement stating the party has come to stay

    The governorship hopeful expressed optimism the wrongs will be corrected in the Appeal Court because he has fate in the judiciary as the last hope of a common man and the beacon of the country’s democracy