Category: Southeast report

Twenty-seven young entrepreneurs from Imo State have been selected to attend the 4th edition of Jamie Pajeol Int’l (JPI) Annual Leadership Conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

The conference, which has been described as one of the biggest human capital investments in Imo State and the entire Southeast, will hold from August 17 to 20. 

A statement signed by the JPI founder and Executive Director, Jamie Pajeol, said: “The conference is part of the JPI Global Exchange Programme, which aims to foster leadership skill, entrepreneurship and nation building.” 

He added: “It is a unique opportunity for these Imo youths to learn from some of the most successful leaders in the world, engage in meaningful discussions and participate in workshop and training to develop their skills.

“The conference will also provide the participants with the opportunity to network with like-minded individuals, share their experience and ideas, and learn from the experience of others.

“Jamie Pajoel International is confident that the knowledge and skills acquired at the conference will enable the selected youths to make a significant impact in their communities, country and the world at large. JPI encourages them to take advantage of this opportunity and return to their communities with new ideas, fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of purpose.”

On the selection of the participants, Pajoel said it was based on merit, “with the aim of identifying youths with a high sense of purpose and great leadership skills. The selection process also acknowledges the participants’ desire for leadership, entrepreneurship and nation building.

“The selection is a testament to their outstanding leadership skills and commitment to purpose-driven living. JPI recognises the desire of these participants to make a positive impact in the world. The conference provides participants with the necessary tools, resources and networks to turn their dreams into reality. JPI congratulates each and everyone of the selected youths on their emergence for the JPI Annual Leadership Conference.” 

“Jamie Pajoel is proud to support the youth on their journey to greatness and is committed to helping them achieve their goals.”

Bayelsa State Government has urged the Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Maj.-Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd), to partner state governments in the Niger Delta, especially Bayelsa State, to stimulate regional integration and cooperation in the Niger Delta. 

Alaowei Jonah, the focal person of the PAP to Governor Douye Diri, gave the advice in Yenagoa.

He said as willing partners, the state government would support the laudable initiatives of the PAP.

He appealed to the interim administrator to include more youths from the state to benefit from the agricultural and cooperative schemes he is planning to establish. 

Jonah hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for reappointing Ndiomu, noting that the extension of his tenure was a reward for his excellent service during his first appointment. 

He said: “Ndiomu at different events had hinted that the proposed schemes to be sponsored by the Amnesty Office would help to address unemployment in the Niger Delta and reduce overdependence on the monthly N65,000 stipends by ex-agitators. 

“We think it is laudable and we commend him for that. Our request that he should include more of our youths in the proposed schemes so they can benefit from it. We also call for more partnership with the PAP in different areas. 

“While we congratulate Ndiomu on his reappointment, we commend President Buhari, who made it possible through his belief in this great Ijaw son. We know that the interim administrator will continue to make us proud by discharging the functions of his office for the collective interest of the Niger Delta and the country. 

“Ndiomu is a square peg in a square hole. We commend him for supporting ICT-driven skill acquisition programmes organised by the national spokesman for the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide. The interim administrator provided laptops and accessories for beneficiaries.”  

Jonah urged Ndiomu to prioritise the rehabilitation of the PAP training centre at Boro Town in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government, to enable ex-agitators have a standard and safe environment for training. 

Diri’s aide also restated the commitment of the state government to work with institutions of the Federal Government to bring development to the state, especially in employment generation and skills acquisition. 

According to him, Governor Diri has provided an enabling environment for such partnership to thrive through his open-door policy and peaceful disposition.

Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment has slammed Akwa Ibom State Government for not prioritising the acquisition of trade test certificates for artisans.

Chief Skills Development and Certification Officer in the ministry, Mr. Uko Frank, disclosed yesterday in Uyo that unemployed youths in the state did not possess trade test certificates.

He blamed the state government for not creating awareness among artisans on the need to get the required trade test certificates to authenticate their skills.

Noting that people trained in skills were given testimonials instead of trade test certificates, Frank urged the state Ministry of Education to create awareness on trade certification to add value to skills acquired by artisans in the state.

He said: “I have moved around Nigeria and discovered that some people have benefitted more than us.  We have been issuing trade test certificates to artisans. Anything you don’t know is because you don’t have awareness. 

“This is the only opportunity I have in my place to issue these certificates to my people who are artisans. But I discovered that my people don’t even know the importance of trade test certificates. They are supposed to scramble for the certificate because we have the oil, the parastatals and other things happening in Akwa Ibom State.”

Education Commissioner Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet did not pick her calls and did not respond to the text messages sent to her phone.

Southeast governors will on Friday lead eminent Nigerian patriots and champions for a greater Nigeria to attend the second edition of ‘Handshake Across Nigeria” summit in Enugu, Enugu State capital.

The five Southeast governors will be led by their Chairman, David Umahi of Ebonyi State.

The event, which was organised by a leading Igbo Think Tank, Nzuko Umunna, will be co-chaired by elder statesman and Chairman, Elders Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv.

Other personalities expected at the event include leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief Edwin Clark, his Afenifere counterpart, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, President, Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Pogu Bitrus and Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Amb. Okey Emuchay.

A statement by the Chairman, Nzuko Umunna Handshake Across Nigeria Planning Committee, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, said a legal luminary, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, will deliver a keynote address on the theme: “Building bridges for a new Nigeria,” while the guest speakers are Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, spokesman for Northern Elders Forum, Dr. Regina Amadi Njoku, Sen. Shehu Sani and Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba Nation.

The statement said the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ adu Abubakar; Amb. Igwe Lawrence Agubuzu, Chairman South East Council of Traditional Rulers; Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife; and Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha are royal fathers of the day.

The organisers said the “Handshake Across Nigeria” project is dedicated to expanding friendship and cementing bond between Ndigbo and other nationalities in Nigeria.

Abia State Governor-elect Dr. Alex Otti has played host to the Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria, Dr. Lars Richter.

Richter was at Otti’s country home in Nvosi, Isialangwa South Local Government, on a courtesy visit.

Details of the visit could not be ascertained at press time. Efforts to speak with Otti’s close allies and media team were not successful.

Teachers in public primary and secondary schools in Akwa Ibom State have embarked on strike because of the failure of the government to clear their debts.

The development led to the closure of public schools all over the state.

The strike was declared in a circular dated April 20, 2023, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary- General of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Sam Umo-Inyang.

A copy of the circular was sent to the Commissioner for Education, Commissioner for Labour & Manpower Planning and a few other stakeholders.

According to the circular titled: ‘Resumption of Strike action’ and obtained yesterday in Uyo, the strike took effect on April 25.

The statement said: “I am directed to inform you and you are hereby informed that the state wing, Executive Council of Nigeria Union of Teachers, which comprises representatives of teachers from the 31 local governments, has approved the resumption of strike, which was started in March 2022, but suspended due to the intervention by Governor Udom Emmanuel.

“The strike takes effect from April 25, 2023.

“The resumption of the industrial action is consequent upon government’s refusal to implement the agreements reached with the Nigeria Union of Teachers on the outstanding indebtedness in the state, despite appeals from the NUT and Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).”

“For the avoidance of doubt, the grievances are as follows: Non-refund of 75 per cent contributory pension to primary and some secondary school teachers in the state, non-release of years 2021 and 2022 promotion letters to deserving secondary school teachers.

“Non-payment of years 2013, 2014, 2020 and 2022 leave grants to primary school teachers. Non-payment of years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 promotion arrears to primary school teachers. 

“Non-promotion of deserving primary school teachers from salary Grade levels 14 to 15 and from Grade levels 15 to 16 for over nine years. 

“In view of the above , you are further informed that teachers will not resume work on April 25, 2023 as they will remain in their homes until the above mentioned indebtedness are cleared by the government.”

The Programme Manager for Tuberculosis (TB) and Leprosy Control, Imo State, Dr. Charles Okafor, has expressed worry over rise in tuberculosis cases in the state, which is ranked as 8th among the 36 states of Nigeria with the highest number of TB cases.

Okafor, in his keynote address during a sensitisation training organised by Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, for journalists held in Owerri, Imo State capital, noted that in 2022, Imo recorded 4,367 TB cases, “and the majority of the patients are still on treatment.”

Out of this, he said Mbaitoli Local Government recorded the highest number of 800 TB cases, followed by Isiala Mbano and Aboh Mbaise with 602 and 600 cases, while Nkewerre, Owerri West and Onuimo recorded 200 cases each. 

Okafor said a projected number of 117,330 Nigerians would be infected by the end of the year if no conscientious effort was made towards creating awareness on tuberculosis and eradicating the deadly disease.

He expressed dismay about the low TB awareness creation in Imo State, stressing that most people in rural communities were still not aware of tuberculosis, thereby spreading the disease among unsuspecting rural populace.

Okafor said low awareness impacted negatively on acceptance of diagnosis, uptake of treatment and adherence to treatment of the infectious disease caused by a germ (bacteria) Bycobacterium Tuberculosis.

“It affects mostly the lungs, but other organs such as the brain, kidneys, joints, bones, skin and abdomen can also be affected if left untreated,” he added. 

The programme manager stressed the need for the media and religious leaders to partner National Tuberculosis Buruli Ulcer and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), to create healthful messages around tuberculosis.

He hoped the programme would resolve issues around treatment refusal, increasing TB cases findings, and reduce the wrong misconception about tuberculosis.

The Focal Person, Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation, Imo TB Programme, Amaka Chizoma, highlighted the symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TB to the participants.

She said the four symptoms used to screen patients included cough for two weeks’ duration or more, fever, night sweats and unexplained weight loss.

She said untreated case could infect an average of 10-15 people in a year.

She listed the risk factors for tuberculosis to include malnutrition, HIV, diabetes and close contact with a person with undiagnosed TB.

“Tuberculosis is treated with oral medications for minimum of six months”, the focal person said, noting that a person on consistent TB medications for at least three weeks is no longer infectious.

To prevent TB, Chizoma said, there is need to avoid overcrowded areas and maintain good cough etiquette.

The Programme Officer, Social and Behaviour Change, USAID-Breakthrough Action Nigeria, Nkoyo Umoh, urged journalists to delve more into human angle stories, particularly those of TB cases, to present people and their problems, concerns or achievements in such a way that brings about interest, sympathy or motivation in the audience.

“A good human interest story will spark anger, empathy, compassion, sympathy, motivation, laugher, fear and love. Not in equal measure, but if you can tick all these boxes in some way, the story is bound to be a success and likely be shared and highly engaged with,” Umoh said.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has said there will be no vacuum in the presidency as President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office on May 29.

He said Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be sworn in as the next President, adding that anyone dreaming of interim government would be disappointed.

Okocha, the leader of the Rivers State APC Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) for Tinubu/Shettima joint ticket, spoke yesterday during a visit by Orashi APC members to him in Port Harcourt.

He said: “Even nature abhors vacuum. There can be no vacuum in governance; “more so when election has been conducted and a President-elect has emerged. The person that was declared winner in the election shall be sworn in on May 29.”

Although Tinubu’s victory is being contested by the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s (LP’s) standard-bearer, Peter Obi, at the election tribunal, Okocha said he was optimistic that Tinubu would be inaugurated on May 29 to take over from outgoing President Buhari.

Speaking about Rivers APC crisis, he identified totalitarianism as the leadership style that had run the party in the state aground.

“I was a founding member of APC in Rivers State. I was one of those in the mainstream of the founding of APC in Rivers State. I have said this on many occasions, I have told many broadcast stations within and outside this state.

“If you talk about those in the mainstream, the kitchen to the founding of APC in Rivers State, I am number two after Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi. He was the Governor, while I was the Chief of Staff.

“As the Chief of Staff of the Government House, I was in charge of the political desk. I was the decision maker to the governor, particularly when it came to issues of politics. I was the engine room; I did all the overt and covert assignments,” Okocha said. 

He described former governor Dr. Peter Odili and Governor Nyesom Wike as the fathers of modern politics in Rivers State.