Category: Southeast report

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has trained 60 people in Child Protection Case Management and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) in Anambra State.

The training, involving participants drawn from teachers, social welfare and health officers, vigilante, religious and youth leaders, was in partnership with Women and Social Welfare.

A Child Protection Specialist, Victor Atuchukwu, said the three-day capacity building workshop was informed by last year’s ravaging flood in seven local governments.

He said the training was targeted at empowering and providing trainees with mental health and psychosocial interventions to survivors, to ensure they were mentally stable to continue with their lives.

Atuchukwu said: “During last year’s flood, lives were lost, while many children are still battling with emotional trauma occasioned by separation from parents and caregivers, disruption of academic activities, among other challenges.”

“UNICEF is out to cater for the needs of the children and women, to ensure they bounce back to life in the affected councils.

“We’re building human capacity and structures of the communities and state actors to sustain interventions so that beneficiaries can own the projects and run with them.

“We’re leveraging on the platform provided by the Ministries of Women Affairs, Health and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) to provide the interventions.”

Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, expressed satisfaction about the commitment and dedication of the participants towards the exercise.

She urged them to step down the knowledge acquired during the training in their communities, to ensure the goal of the project was achieved.

Fifteen youths from oil-bearing communities in Mbo Local Government of Akwa Ibom State have graduated from a one year skill training programme in oil and gas related areas.

The training was sponsored by Oriental Energy Resources Ltd, an indigenous oil firm, in line with its Technical Skill Acquisition Training Programme (TSAP).

The youth were trained and certified in areas such as structural and pipeline welding, pipe fittings, as well as sand blasting and painting.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Uyo yesterday, the Managing Director of Oriental Energy Resources Ltd, Mr. Mustafa Indimi, said the company was committed to human capital and enterprise development.

Indimi, represented by the Director of Operations, Mr. Augustine Ikideh, said: “To demonstrate our commitment to human capital and enterprise development in Mbo Local Government, we have paid for the full cost of the training.”

“I’m pleased to inform you that in December 2022, the youth completed the training in three main areas of specialisation. These are structural and pipeline fitting as well as sand blasting and painting.”

He said the company was set to establish Host Community Development Trust Fund for the benefit of its host communities.

Indimi said the establishment of the fund was part of its social investments obligations based on the Petroleum Industry Act of 2021.

The Managing Director of Azimarin and General Services Ltd, Michael Abakam, an engineer; said it was a privilege to be engaged by Oriental Energy Resources Ltd to handle the training of the youth.

“This programme was 100 per cent funded by Oriental Energy Resources Ltd from its training calendar of January 2022 to December 2022,” he said.

From Chris Njoku, Owerri

Imo State former governor Emeka Ihedioha has written to the police command demanding that his summon by the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) be shifted to next Tuesday after the House of Assembly election.

The police in the state had on Monday invited Ihedioha, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reps-elect Ikenga Imo and former deputy governor Gerald Irona to the SIB over kidnap, murder and arson case on Thursday (yesterday).

Police spokesman Henry Okoye said the suspects wrote to the command demanding that the police invitation be shifted till next Tuesday.

He said: “They wrote to us requesting that the invitation be differed till Tuesday after the elections. The new date is now Tuesday.”

However, Irona is still being remanded at Owerri prison custody, following his arraignment by the police at an Owerri Magistrates’ Court on a three-count charge bordering on treason.

An advocacy group, Peace for Free, has harped on the imperatives of sustained peace advocacy to douse tension with Governorship and House of Assembly polls scheduled across the country on 18 March.

It said the anxiety in the polity over the outcome of the February 25 presidential election  could be mitigated through sustained advocacy, and urged politicians to remain faithful in the democratic processes to deepen democracy.

Convener of Peace for Free, Mr. Chris Oge Kalu, during a lecture series tagged: ‘Sustainable Peace Beyond Elections” in Asaba, Delta Capital, said attacks on national institutions if not contained could lead to the truncation of the democratic process.

He said: “It’s therefore our duty as law-abiding and progressive citizens to remain faithful and committed to the democratic process as it develops so the gains of democracy can be realised. But this cannot be without an atmosphere of peace and unity in the country.

“In every situation of conflict, there are always a few people working for peace and the Peace for Free initiative is committed to the ideal of fostering peace across Nigeria.

“This is why we are spreading the gospel of peace through this new national advocacy project.”

According to him, the lecture series which would subsequently hold across the six geo-political zones, is designed for all Nigerians, adding that it will strengthen “our faith in democracy and it’s promises at this point in our democratic journey.”

Delivering the lecture, Prof. Anthony Igyuve,  Department of Mass Communication at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, said the February 25 elections threw up issues which must be highlighted.

Igyuve said the elections generated a lot of public attention, particularly from the youths who have become increasingly more politically conscious.

According to Prof Igyuve, the main indicators of violence in a society are a lack of accountability, fake news, marginalization, dishonesty, religious belief system, political affiliation, tribal sentiments and perspectives.

He said it takes brotherhood, patriotism, inclusiveness, integrity, justice, Rule of Law, good governance and moral probity for peace to reign in the country.

He said:”For the first time, 2023 elections threw up a lot of issues that we need to interrogate. In a mass movement, a lot of young people took active part in the democratic process. For peace, unity and progress of this country, winners, losers and their supporters must relegate their political, tribal and religious inclinations to the background.”

• Lifts embargo on promotion

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade yesterday during a courtesy visit by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), extended teachers’ retirement age by five years.

At the event, held at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, Ayade announced lift on embargo on promotion, saying teachers deserved premium welfare as moulders of leaders of tomorrow.

He said: “Teachers are the conscience of the nation, they are the moulders of leaders of tomorrow. So, for us in Cross River, teachers deserve premium welfare.

“Teachers’ retirement age is hereby extended by five years. Embargo has been lifted on promotion. All promoted teachers will henceforth start earning salaries commensurate with their positions.”

The governor said in the last eight years of his administration, he had made teachers’ welfare, including prompt payment of their salaries, a priority, pledging to clear outstanding issues affecting them before leaving office.

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has inaugurated a governing board for Justice Mary Odili Judicial Institute, with N500million take-off grant.

He said he set up the institute in Port Harcourt to complement the efforts of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), in the provision of regular training of judicial officers.

Inaugurating the board yesterday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, Wike said the board should perform, as he had provided everything, including the N500million he promised the institute when it was inaugurated.

He said: “It is important now that you can kick-start and please, give the required support of the governing board to the institute to be able to effectively discharge their responsibilities. 

“At least, before the year runs out, you must have carried out not less than three workshops. It is very important. Of course, there must be regular publications.”

The board has as its Chairman, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, with the President of Rivers State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Ihemnacho Wilfred Obuzor and Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, as members.

Other members are Justice Essor Teetito, Justice Frank Onyiri, Justice Florence Fiberesima, Justice Ericonda Amadi, Justice Daketima Kio, Collins Ali and Betty Sunny-Hart.

Wike stressed the importance of continuous training of judicial officers and support workers through workshops 

He said the institute should begin to carry out its responsibilities and conduct at least three training sessions yearly for judicial officers.

He said: “I think the institute will start off in earnest now. As I said, this is not usurping the functions of the National Judicial Institute. 

“This is just to complement the efforts of the National Judicial Institute, because I find out that yearly, you have about three to four judges that go for training or workshops at the NJI.”

Edo State Government and the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday disagreed on plans to deploy armed thugs with military and police uniforms to rig and unleash mayhem during Saturday’s House of Assembly election.

The state Chairman of APC, Col. David Imuse (rtd.), at a news conference in Benin, alleged that Governor Godwin Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacked democratic credentials, adding that he was planning to use members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to unleash mayhem during the election, thereby massively rigging.

Imuse, who was flanked by a former Edo Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu; ex-governorship candidate of the party during the September 19, 2020 election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; former Chief of Staff to Obaseki, Taiwo Akerele and some of the 14 Edo lawmakers-elect, who were not inaugurated; described Obaseki as an enemy of democracy, who was planning to disrupt the election in APC’s stronghold.

Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Chris Nehikhare, however, dismissed the allegations levelled against Obaseki and the state government.

•Edo varsity sacks 22

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has extended retirement age for teachers to 65 years, or 40 years of service.

Head of Service Anthony Okungbowa, who disclosed this yesterday in an online statement, said Governor Obaseki’s approval reinforced his commitment to building a solid foundation for repositioning the education sector.

He said: “Mr. Governor has approved a new retirement age for teachers in Edo State. They will now retire when they turn 65 years or have put in 40 years of service. 

“This is in demonstration of his (Obaseki’s) commitment to ensuring that teachers are the best motivated in Nigeria. It is important to remind Edo people that Edo teachers are the best-paid teachers, and Edo workers are the best-paid workers in any public service in Nigeria.”

Okungbowa said the development would ensure teachers with decades of experience were retained, to contribute their quota in providing quality education for the pupils.

He said: “This is another big win for Edo workers. The governor has continued to show that he will always place the interest of workers above all.”

The authorities of Edo State Government-owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma have sacked 22 workers, as part of efforts to reposition the institution.

The Northern Community in Rivers State has pledged its support for the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Arch. Tonye Cole.

The Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Haliru Imam disclosed this when they hosted the former Minister of Transportation and former governor, Rotimi Amaechi as part of his campaign tour for the APC governorship candidate in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Addressing Amaechi, the Imam said: “We know Tonye Cole being a pastor will be good like you. I remember when you were in power, people were shouting about northerners, but you told us, ‘feel free, this is your home.

“During your tenure, the Christian Muslim Board existed, but today there is nothing like pilgrim board even to Christians, because of one man.”

This is contained in a statement by Amaechi’s media office.

The northerners also complained about the current administration’s handling of slaughter in Trans-Amadi and taskforce issues.

They expressed hope that Cole will do better when elected as governor of the state.

Speaking, the Northern Youth Leader in Rivers State, Alhaji Shehu Ahmed, expressed delight over Amaechi’s visit, stating that Rivers people and party faithful would be better off with his presence and emboldened to reclaim the state.

“Sir, your coming has emboldened us. We beg you to leave Abuja for now and stay with us in Rivers state.”

Responding, Amaechi encouraged them to go all out and vote for Tonye Cole and protect their votes on election day.

“Me as governor, you people can’t deny me. I made sure that as governor, 1200 Christians went on pilgrimage, 500 Muslims also went on pilgrimage every year for eight years and we appointed a Muslim pilgrims board, the same way we appointed a Christian welfare pilgrims board.”

The APC governorship candidate, Tonye Cole, assured the northern community of change, urging them to come out en masse and vote.

Amaechi also campaigned with Tonye Cole at Computer Village and other parts of Garrison axis, as well as at Oroworoko community.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has said his administration is on track in its determination to deliver good and quality governance to Anambra people in spite the economic challenges.

Soludo said his administration had not despised anybody but is only taking policy decisions that were hard headed but in the overall public interest.

The governor spoke through Dr Alex Obiogbolu, his Senior Special Adviser who spoke to journalists in Awka on Friday.

Soludo said he had not taken the people of Anambra or their support for his government for granted but was doing the best a responsive government could do in terms of delivering dividends of democracy within the limits of available resources.

According to him, nobody is despising anybody, there is a need for us to separate public interest from personal interest. We have a state with a population of about six million or seven million.

“This administration came in and decided to treat road as an emergency and in 10 months, 267 kilometres of roads have been awarded, guaranteed to last 20 years. All will be delivered in 24 months and 35 per cent of these roads are near completion

“We have an approved loan request of N100 million but it has not been accessed, yet we have paid about 30 per cent mobilisation for all the road contracts.

“It is true that the good people of Anambra rooted for this administration but they did it in the first place because they believed we will do a good job,” he said.

On the accusation of heavy taxes and not appointing many people as Special Advisers, Soludo said the prevailing economic situation of the state could not shoulder the burden at the moment.

He said, rather, his administration had decided to fill the manpower gap identified in some critical sectors, including education, health and addressing the challenges of insecurity.

He said he was evolving a progressive tax regime where the poor would no longer fund the rich as well as expanding the tax base to shore up the revenue profile of the state.

“The salary of a Special Adviser is about the salary of six teachers a month, when we came in we met schools without teachers, and hospitals without doctors.

“We appreciate the support we got from our people, about people who supported the government to assume office, there is nothing bad in having 1,500 Special Assistants but the resources available cannot take care of this for now.

“That is the public interest decisions we are talking about, how is the government despising anybody,” he said.

On the March 18 House of Assembly election in Anambra, Soludo expressed optimism that people of the state would vote for candidates of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as he was doing enough to enjoy their continued support.

He said the question for an APGA-dominated House of Assembly was not to create a rubber stamp legislature but to sustain the current robust executive-legislature relationship for seamless development.