The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • 10th senate : APC Woman Leader makes case for Akpabio’s

    10th senate : APC Woman Leader makes case for Akpabio’s

    The leadership of All Progressives’ Congress (APC) has been urged to endorse and support the former Senate Minority Leader and Governor of Akwa Ibom State , Sen. Godswill Akpabio, as the leader of the 10th Senate, with the claim that he is a quintessential leader with track records for excellence and an astounding performer whose emergence would soothe the South South region and as well signal the beginning of a superlative legislative contribution towards ensuring good governance and the renewal of hope.

    Obongawan Geraldine Etuk who is the First Vice President of the National Council for Women Societies and ,an APC chieftain and grassroot politician from Akwa Ibom, made the call in a statement outlining the stunning credentials of Sen. Akpabio as governor, senate Minority Leader, minister, party loyalist, and a firm believer of the Renewed Hope mandate of the President-Elect.

    “Senator Godswill Akpabio stood up for the party and continuously protected the interest of every single candidate flying the flag of the party at all levels and was dedicated to seeing the birth of Renewed Hope in Nigeria,” she said.

    Read Also: High-level talks begin over Senate President, Speaker

    ” The facts are available for everyone who’s sincere enough to take a look, and it is clear that the South South region has been on the proverbial ‘back seat’ of manning the affairs of the senate.

    She added that Senator Akpabio does not only represent excellence as it relates to the execution of his duties but also the answer to the prayers of average Nigerians for a people-centred governance,”

    The party chieftain appealed to Senators-elect while acknowledging their role towards fulfilling GODSWILL, to opt for a leader who understands the unique nature of the Red Chambers and believes in running an all-inclusive system sans mishaps.

    “The emergence of senator Akpabio is widely perceived by many as the best bet for the smooth sail of the incoming administration and is assuredly envisaged to support, facilitate as well as canvass for policies and programmes that would guarantee the Nigeria we hope for” she maintained.

  • APC chieftain to Nigerians: back Tinubu’s  quest for unity

    APC chieftain to Nigerians: back Tinubu’s  quest for unity

    Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mr. John Mayaki, has urged Nigerians to support President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and shun actions capable of undermining the country’s democracy and stability, noting Sudan’s slide into violence  as a timely warning about the dangers of empowering anti-democratic forces riding a populist wave to power.

     Mayaki, in a statement, said the nation must heed Tinubu’s call for post-election healing and reconciliation, with every citizen playing their part to contribute to the emergence of a peaceful and positive atmosphere conducive to progress and renewal as the country experiences another transition of power.

    Sudan, a country in Northeast Africa, has been roiled by escalating violence for days after forces loyal to two military warlords who came together to execute a coup in 2019 clashed in the streets over disagreements about integration and power sharing.

     Several Nigerians residing in the country are reportedly trapped in the chaos, even as foreign countries, including the United States, scramble to evacuate citizens and their diplomatic corps.

     Mayaki said: “The tragic events playing out in Sudan should end the delusion of those who either because of their youth or forgetfulness are flirting with the dangerous idea of the interruption of our democracy just because they remain dissatisfied that their preferred candidate lost.”

     “Hopefully, the misguided Obidient youths who stormed military headquarters to plead for a coup can now see the errors of their ways and repent by supporting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his quest to unite the country, and bring about greater prosperity and development through the implementation of his Renewed Hope manifesto.”

     “It is hoped that their naivety is cured by the realization that the United States of America and Britain that they are quick to call to breach our sovereignty and meddle in our internal affairs were the first to close shop and flee Sudan, leaving the citizens to their fate. Those who remained, particularly Russia, are allegedly stealing the country’s gold and other resources, continuing the shameful trend of foreign powers destabilizing a country to gain cheap access to its resources.”

     “Nigeria is the only country we can all truly call home and as such, we must always strive to protect her peace, democracy, and stability. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has won the election and will now preside over the country for the next four years. The duty of all patriots, opposition and supporters alike, should be to help his administration succeed.”

     “It is in our collective interest if Bola Tinubu’s agenda to expand gainful opportunities to young people, provide sustainable social safety net to the aged and underprivileged, defend the country against insurgents, and grow our economy by double-digit is actualized.”

  • Why we’re building emergency communication centres in 36 states – NCC

    Why we’re building emergency communication centres in 36 states – NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it has commenced building and equipping of emergency communication centres in the 36 states of federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to bridge the gap between distressed and emergency response agencies in the country.

    Executive Chairman of the commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, made the explanation during the NCC’s special day at the Enugu International Trade Fair organised by the Enugu Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA).

    Danbatta, who was represented by the Director, Public Affairs of the NCC, Mr Reuben Muoka, disclosed that all telecom operators had been mandated to route emergency calls through the dedicated three digit toll free number 112 from each state to the emergency centres within the state.

    The NCC boss said: “In the Commission’s effort to bridge the communication gap between the distressed and emergency response agencies in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission has undertaken the task of facilitating the building and equipping Emergency Communications Centres in all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

    “All telecom operators are mandated to route emergency calls through the dedicated three-digit toll free number, 112, from each state to the emergency centre within that state. The operators, who are resident in the ECC, will then process the distress call.”

    President of ECCIMA, Barr Jasper Nduagwuike, tasked the NCC to do more to fully tap the potentials in the telecommunications sector.

    Nduagwuike, who was represented by the first deputy president of ECCIMA, Mr Odega Jideonwu, explained that customers of the various GSM network operators would fully maximise the inherent benefits of optimal service delivery by operators if the NCC fully tapped the potentials in the sector.

    He commended the commission’s commitment to providing better service delivery by telecommunication operators in the country and described it as one of the sectors that had contributed to the enhanced growth of the Nigerian economy.

    Nduagwuike also explained that the commission needs to do more, especially in having the courage to regulate operators in the sector to do what is right and protect vulnerable customers in the country

    He pointed out that the role of the commission as a regulatory agency in the development of the telecommunication sector, is to ensure best practices, efficient and effective service delivery by operators in the sector.

  • FG/Delta/ IFAD set to train 1000 Delta youths/women in agribusiness

    FG/Delta/ IFAD set to train 1000 Delta youths/women in agribusiness

    No fewer than 1000 Delta youths, including persons living with disabilities (PwD) from 10 local government areas, have been selected for entrepreneurship training in Cassava, Fishery, Poultry and Palm Oil value chains.

    The programme, a federal government initiative with International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and state government, is focused on developing the Agricultural sector of the economy to reduce youth unemployment.

    Delta Project Coordinator, Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project For The Niger-Delta (LIFE-ND), Mr Collins Ashero, in an address, weekend, at an induction workshop for fourth batch incubators/ incubates in Agbor, Ika South LGA, said the workshop was to acquaint participants with their roles, responsibilities and expectations of various stakeholders.

    He said the goal of the project was to transform the rural economy and enhance income, food security and job creation of rural youth and women through sustainable Agribusiness in the Niger-Delta region.

    Ashoro said LIFE-ND project scheduled to be implemented in nine Niger-Delta states, is effective only in 6 IFAD funded states of Abia, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Delta, Edo and Ondo states.

    He said Akwa-Ibom, Imo and Rivers states are not participating because Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not released funding.

    He said Delta State is implementing the project along four commodity value chains of Cassava, Fishery, Poultry and Palm Oil.

    He said the project uses an implementation approach called Agribusiness Incubation model not unlike the traditional business strategy of Master-Apprenticeship model used in training and empowering youths in certain parts of the country.

    According to Ashoro, the Delta LIFE-ND has “empowerment 1220 youths and women in 98 incubation centres located in 98 communities across 10 participating local government areas…..; another set of 1000 youths and women and People Living With Disabilities (PwD) are being prepared to be trained as Agri-Entrepreneurs”.

    He added that significant impact has been made in the area of infrastructural development, input distribution and capacity building through IFAD investments.

    Permanent Secretary, Delta Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ben Agamah, reminded incubates that entrepreneurship development/ job creation is at the core of Gov Ifeanyi Okowa’s SMART agenda, adding that the LIFE-ND programme is to “unlock and unleash youth entrepreneurship through adoption of incubation model in value chain of the four priority commodities.”

  • Catholic priest announces free education for indigent pupils in Imo

    Catholic priest announces free education for indigent pupils in Imo

    A Catholic priest and founder of the Great Grace Juniorate Secondary School, Rev.Fr Magnus Ebere, has announced free boarding school education for indigent students in Imo.

    Ebere, who is also the Spiritual Director of Canaanland and Adoration Counselling Centre at Onicha, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State, disclosed this while addressing followers at the centre on Saturday.

    The cleric said issuance of entrance admission forms for both intending male and female students had begun at the school.

    He said the admission was for all categories of intending students who wanted to have quality, sound, and all round spiritual and moral formation. 

    The priest further disclosed that the entrance examination would hold on Saturday, April 20, at the school’s compound.

    “I want to train a generation of special and highly disciplined students who will turn around, not only Nigeria but the society at large for the good of mankind. 

    “The free education, which will kick off from September this year, covers both old and new students.

    “The free education tagged, “Feed Your Child and I Train Your Child Education” is set up to alleviate the increasing and unbeatable hardship parents are facing in the country today,” Ebere stressed.

     According to him, the way things are moving in the country presently, there will be massive out of school pupils and students very soon, if not adequately taken care of.

    The Catholic priest, who stated that things are hard in the present day Nigeria, maintained that with the free education, parents would heave a sigh of relief in the proper upbringing of their children in a serene environment. 

    Ebere further announced the setting up of free medical outreach that would soon take off in Mbaise, which he said,  would take care of Imo people and Nigerians in general.

    He said the hospital he set up at Nnobi in Anambra State had fully commenced free medical treatment for all and sundry.

  • Foundation doles out N3.6m for WAEC, NECO registration in Enugu

    Foundation doles out N3.6m for WAEC, NECO registration in Enugu

    A foundation, Omenife N’ Oduma Charity Foundation, has doled out N3.6million to Senior Secondary School (SS3) students for WAEC and NECO registration for 2023/2024 academic session from different schools in Oduma community in  Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.

    Sixty beneficiaries of the maiden edition of the scholarship from eight secondary schools in the area were given the sum of N60,000 each totalling N3.6m for their WAEC and NECO registration.

    The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Chief Lawrence Ikechukwu Ani (Omenife N’ Oduma) during the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries at the Community Primary School, Oduma Achara, said the scholarship will be an annual ceremony borne out of his quest to help the poor and less privileged in the society that defined him.

    “The foundation is born out of my passion to help the poor and less privileged ones in the society. It is not that I have much to give but, because I appreciate God’s continuous grace upon my life. Helping the needy has been my earnest prayer to God Almighty to provide me with the resources that I will use to actualise my dreams for society.

    “Omenife N’ Oduma Charity Foundation is poised to altruistically embark on human resource development, and youth educational empowerment by providing financial assistance to the less privileged, creating platforms that will make the youths great entrepreneurs and provision of scholarships to the hardworking and indigent indigenes of Oduma with a view to helping the youth become useful to themselves and the society at large.”

    While stating that the students were selected from the 19 villages that made up Oduma, Chief Ani said, “What motivated me to embark on this scholarship was that my late father was a teacher and a counsellor but hadn’t enough money to train the children to higher education. So, I could not go further because of money and I see it as an opportunity to help those children who want to further their education but have no money.”

    The Enugu State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uchenna Eze, who presented the symbolic cheque to the students, urged them to shun examination malpractice but study hard and be focused to come out with flying colours.

    He commended Chief Ani for the scholarship for the school children, saying that there is no investment and legacy that surpasses that of human capital development.

  • Illegal detention: Court frowns at Agip Oil’s refusal to appear in N9bn suit

    Illegal detention: Court frowns at Agip Oil’s refusal to appear in N9bn suit

    The Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa has frowned at the absence of the counsel for the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) in the suit filed by an Ijaw rights activist, Collins Opumie, over his alleged two years illegal detention in the Department of the State Services (DSS).

    The plaintiff, Opumie, had alleged that the security department of the NAOC falsely accused him of being a threat to the company, causing him to be illegally arrested and detained in an underground detention facility in Abuja for two years without access to medical facilities and family.

    Opumie, in the suit No: YC/324/2022, demanded the sum of N9bn in damages and prayed the court to declare that his arrest, torture and subsequent detention without proper food and medical attention and access to family members for two years, was a gross violation of his fundamental rights.

    Justice Iniekinimi Abraham Uzaka, at the hearing of the substantive suit, was informed by the lawyers of the Nigeria Police Force and the plaintiff, Ebipreye Sese, that the DSS lawyers and that of the NAOC were absent.

    While the counsel for the DSS informed the court that their absence was due to urgent national engagement in Abuja, the counsel for the NAOC did not tender any explanation.

    Justice Uzaka, however, adjourned the suit until May 4 for hearing.

    Speaking at the end of the court’s sitting, counsel for the claimant, Ebipreye Sese, noted that despite the adjournment, justice would be dispensed by the court.

    He stated: “Ordinarily, today was for mention and this is the very first time the matter has come before the court for proceedings to commence.

    “But it was quite unfortunate that the DSS advanced a letter for adjournment, saying that its lawyer had a national assignment and by virtue of that, proceedings could not commence. So the matter has been adjourned to May 4 in order to commence proceedings.

    “As a matter of fact, the 1st defendant is Agip and they have not made any attempt to respond and have not even appeared in court. They have been duly served and I believe in the next adjourned date, they would be in court for justice to be done.”

    Also speaking to newsmen after the court’s proceedings, the National Spokesman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, expressed dismay at how oil companies deliberately undermined the people of the Niger Delta in carrying out their activities.

    Ekerefe further said the IYC would continue to fight against injustice meted out to any Ijaw sons and daughters, adding that Opumie’s case was one among so many cases of Ijaw youths that had been illegally arrested and detained and in which nothing had been done.

    He expressed dissatisfaction that Agip was handling the matter with levity, stressing that they have been served with the court’s proceedings and expressed the hope that by the next adjourned date, Agip would appear in court.

  • Soludo to clerics, monarchs: Take census campaign to churches, markets, others

    Soludo to clerics, monarchs: Take census campaign to churches, markets, others

    Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has urged religious and traditional institutions, Civil Society Organisations and other stakeholders to assist the state in aggressive mobilisation and publicity ahead of the forthcoming 2023 Population and Housing Census.

    Soludo, who made the appeal while inaugurating Security, Logistics and Publicity Committees for the exercise, reiterated the importance of the census for national planning and development.

    The governor, represented by Secretary to State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, regretted the ugly experience recorded across the Southeast during the last census, cautioning against recurrence in the forthcoming exercise.

    He said, “We all know the importance of security, logistics and publicity in such an exercise. There is quite a lot to do, though the committees’ responsibilities are quite spelt out.

    “During the last census, we in the Southeast shot ourselves in the foot. This time around we can’t do that. Everyone needs to be counted. Besides, the notion that children are not counted has been overtaken.

    “Due to the uncertainty of the date, the publicity has not been widespread and effective as it ought to be. But we have up to two weeks to ratchet it up.

    “We’re appealing to the churches to help us with the publicity at every Sunday worship. The same goes with traditional rulers, Civil Societies and Town Unions. You have lots of work to do, including carrying the awareness to the nooks and crannies of the State.

    Federal Commissioner representing the state in the Commission, Mr Chidi Ezeoke, reassured residents of the State of the commission’s irrevocable commitment to ensuring that everything about the census was done rightly and professionally.

    He said, “The mobilization of critical stakeholders to support and take ownership of the process to achieve desired outcome is imperative and hinges absolutely on our ability to speak to the people in the language that will galvanise and mobilise them to participate in the census.”

    Also speaking, Commissioner for information, Paul Nwosu, maintained that the media has a major role to play ahead of the exercise, including disabusing certain cultural hang-ups and indoctrination among people of the area.

    Earlier, State Director, NPC, Dr Joachim Ulasi commended the state government for its support for seamless preparation for the exercise.

  • CSO mulls private funds to sponsor Diri’s re-election

    CSO mulls private funds to sponsor Diri’s re-election

    A non-governmental organisation, the Diaspora 4 Diri (D4D), has thrown its weight behind the re-election of Bayelsa State governor, Douye Diri, saying he is the best man for the job.

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of African Tide Association (ATA), Dr Rosalyn Dressman, said the cardinal focus of the D4D was to campaign massively for Diri’s second tenure through raising fund privately to touch the rural areas and other places by providing some  social amenities to the people.

    Dressman spoke yesterday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, when the group paid a courtesy visit to the Political Adviser to the governor, Mr Collins Cocodia, in his office.

    She explained that government alone could not do everything for the people, adding that the group would engage in the “provision of sanitary towels, free medical care, provision of toilet facilities and empowerment of small scale businesses.”

    Read Also: Douye Diri: Two years of shining testimony

    The Bayelsa State Diaspora Focal Point Officer said the courtesy visit was also in recognition of the responsibilities of the Political Adviser’s Office as the engine room of the governor’s political matters.

    Dressman said that D4D was an offshoot of African Tide Association (ATA), created for the sole objective of campaigning for the second tenure of Senator Douye Diri through strategic grassroots mobilisation.

    Responding, the Special Adviser (SA) on Political Matters to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon Collins Cocodia, lauded the ideals of the D4D and urged it to be focused and not allow themselves to be manipulated or compromised.

    He acknowledged as alien, the style of campaign the group had chosen to embark for Diri’s second tenure bid, pointing out that expansion of the group membership would get things easier for it.

    He hinted that a synergy with some relevant ministries such as Information and Works and Infrastructure and other sister NGOs would go a long way to actualising the group’s objectives.

    He called for accurate and factual campaign strategies, stressing that “giving the public wrong information about Governor’s performance would not be tantamount to the objective of the group.”

    Cocodia urged the group’s International Coordinator to bring her wealth of experience to bear on the group’s stated objectives.

  • CSAAE, Coca-Cola, Imo govt flag off digital skills for youths

    CSAAE, Coca-Cola, Imo govt flag off digital skills for youths

    The Centre for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics (CSAAE) has flagged-off its Digital Skilling and Employment Project (DSEP) aimed at equipping 200,000 Nigerian youth with the skills and tools for digital jobs.

    The project sponsored through a grant by  the Coca-Cola Foundation, will equip the Nigerian youth with the skills and tools for digital jobs, which are in increasing demand in the country, but too expensive to acquire.

    Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Owerri, the Imo State capital, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, Saadia Madsbjerg, said the free training programme in partnership with Corporate Imo Impact Partners and the Ministry of Digital Economy, Imo State-Nigeria, would bring renewed hope to local communities within the state and by extension, Nigeria, through the intensive training of youths to help them harness opportunities and subsequently generate income for themselves and their families.

    “The 24-month programme is expected to train youths in cyber security, web development, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, etc. Beneficiaries of this project will be selected from urban, sub-urban and rural areas in Imo State and across Nigeria. 

    He said: “We are thrilled to contribute to youth development initiatives such as this, as digital entrepreneurship rapidly gains momentum in Africa. By offering skills and training in this field, we aim to boost socio-economic growth throughout this resource-abundant continent. Our commitment extends beyond Africa to the global stage, as we actively seek collaborations with suitable partners to drive the essential progress needed for Africa’s advancement.”

    In his contribution, the Imo State Commissioner for Digital Economy and E-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi noted that digital skills enable people to create and share digital content, communicate and collaborate, and solve problems for effective and creative self-fulfillment in life.

    While commending the sponsors, the commissioner said: “Digital skills are key to digital transformation and a significant enabler of each country’s digitization. Instilling the necessary skills has become a key part of national digital transformation strategies, as strengthening digital skills will narrow the global digital divide.”

    Rev. Fr. Dr. Godswill Agbagwa, Founder and Executive Director of CSAAE, emphasised that the programme would inspire youth to launch and grow digital ideas in areas of global market demand. The project will also provide access to subsidised laptops and workstations to enable the trained youths play effectively in the global digital economy.