The Nation Newspaper

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  • ‘Ex-lawmaker Okonkwo inspired us’

    ‘Ex-lawmaker Okonkwo inspired us’

    A youth group, Agune-chemba Youth Scheme (AYS), has mobilised resources to visit motherless babies and destitute homes in Anambra State, saying it drew inspiration from ex-lawmaker Senator Annie Okonkwo.

    The youths said they are set to visit motherless children as well as homes for the destitute in the state, hoping to cheer them up with gifts.

    Led by Charles Ifejika, the group said they would be happy to make a difference in people’s lives, just as the lawmaker who represented Anambra Central has done.

    Ifejika said: “Senator Annie Okonkwo is a patriotic Anambra politician and see how he has been politically stable till now. He is in APGA [All People’s Grand Alliance] and is supporting our Governor, Mr Peter Obi to take the state to the next level. He has given thousands of youths scholarship and empowered youths, women and men in the state without discrimination. In October he will be the Chairman of NUJ Zik Lecture Series at Emmaus House, Awka.”

    The youths announced that they would support Okonkwo, now a member of APGA, in any capacity he chooses to present himself for service to Anambra people.

    They also set up a 22-member committee drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state to coordiante their activities in the state.

    He said the youth scheme is committed in mobilising youths in the state to support Senator Okonkwo in 2014 judging from his investment in youth education and business and economic empowerment.

    The leader of the group insisted that the senator has empowered more people in Anambra than all the senators and members of Representatives put together, adding that only Governor Peter Obi as governor of the state, has done more than Okonkwo.

    He said that any position the senator deems fit to contest in 2014, including the governorship, will receive the backing of not only the coordinators and youths of the Agunechemba Youth Scheme but youths across the state.

    He said the visitation they would embark on to destitute homes and orphanages has the blessing of Senator Okonkwo.

     

  • Cross River urged to connect renovated schools to national grid

    Cross River urged to connect renovated schools to national grid

    The Cross River State government has been called upon to connect all  newly renovated secondary schools spread across the 18 local government areas to the national  electricity grid to enable the schools utilise  the newly equipped science laboratories and computer science centres.

    A community leader and Principal of Community Secondary School, Akpet Central in Biase Local Government Area, Elder Emmanuel Eko who stated this during a crucial meeting with parents and   elders of the community held at Akpet Central, also charged the community members to see what government has provided in the school as their own and, therefore, protect the facilities jealously against vandalism and theft.

    Elder Eko lauded Governor Liyel Imoke for the pragmatic changes in the educational sector of the state, saying that the comprehensive renovation of schools was the best project in the sector so far in a long while.

    He urged contractors handling ongoing installations of science laboratory equipment to do so swiftly in order for government to realise the objective  of the entire project.

    The Principal pointed out that the national electricity grid will make alternative power available at all times for  Teachers and Students to undergo practical training in core science subjects to prepare them for a brighter future.

    Eko also commended the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Offiong E. Offiong for midwifing the transformation in the sector, adding that the on-going sinking of   borehole in the school will provide safe-drinking water for the students and people around the vicinity.

    In a remark, the PTA Chairman of the school, Deacon Egbai Ojah Egbai assured of the readiness of the parents to partner the school authority in making the school remain Clean and Green as well as provide security coverage for the school property.  Deacon Egbai sued for the inclusion of the School’s Staff Quarters on the renovation list in order to make the work complete.

    The Clan Head and Atte Obhort of Akpet Community, Obhort Sunday Evong, pledged on behalf  of  the traditional Institution  in the Community  to co-operate with the Government in protecting the equipment in the school for the overall  benefits of their children.

  • Enugu hands over secretariat to contractor

    Enugu hands over secretariat to contractor

    Enugu State government has handed over the total reconstruction of the state secretariat to a foreign firm, the Arab Contractors.

    The N13 billion project which is expected to be completed within 24 months would consist of 13 complexes with lifts, pipe-borne water and new roads within the secretariat.

    The state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Godwin Madueke, an engineer, who handed over the structures, said the project was aimed at transforming the state secretariat.

    Madueke said some of the buildings at the secretariat were built many years ago and have dilapidated over the years.

    “Anyone who goes into the buildings would agree with the state government on total reconstruction,” hew said.

    The commissioner advised civil servants in the state to exercise patience, explaining that they would be happy when they come back to work in the new secretariat.

    Madueke assured that some of the historic buildings that have not been altered would remain preserved as monuments while most would be demolished to pave way for new ones.

    He said, however, that the structure housing the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, formerly known as Public Works Department and Establishment, which was constructed in 1928 would be preserved as a monument.

    The consultant architect to the project, Nnabuike Ofordile of Nnabuike Ofordile and Associates who designed the new secretariat said at the occasion that Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State has been identified with lots of infrastructural development and thanked God that his company was commissioned to participate in the project.

    The contractor handling the project, Mr. Elderos Mohammed of Arab Contractors, thanked the Enugu State government for awarding the contract to his company and promised to abide by the specifications and standard as well as deliver the project as scheduled.

    The ceremony was witnessed by the director architectural department, Job Ugwueke; project architect, Emma Ngene; project quantity surveyor. Innocent Obiakulusi;  Benjamin Aluma and Ngozi Ngene, the spokesperson of the ministry.

  • UNICEF to tackle malnutrition

    UNICEF to tackle malnutrition

    Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for International Development (DFID) to further strengthen the state’s Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS).

    The event took place in the Government House, Awka, with the Head of DFID in Nigeria, Mr Richard Montgomery signing for the agency while Obi signed on behalf of Anambra State government.

    Obi said the partnership was to strengthen development in the state that had been on through Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS).

    Obi said: “Our goal for achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015 cannot wane. We have clearly designed a vision to achieving that and that is the essence of signing this (MoU) with DFID.

    “We have been the first state in the country in many things and we are continuing with that spirit. We have many institutions coming to Anambra State and we are going to create more and that is a good way of fighting poverty.

    “There are some local government areas in the state like Ogbaru, Anambra West, Anambra East, Awka North and Orumba North that are stricken with poverty. In collaboration with all these institutions, this administration will fight it head-on.

    “When I assumed duty as the governor of this state, all development partners had left. I have brought them back. Signing this MOU will help in our commitment to turning this state around.

    ”Our commitment is to take this state from bad to good and whoever that comes after me will take it from good to better and that is the vision.

    “We thank DFID for their support and it will help us in the works we are doing here and also help us to build Anambra State. Just tell us those things we are doing wrong and we will do them right,”

    The Head of DFID in Nigeria, Richard Montgomery had praised Obi for his initiatives in taking Anambra State to the Promised Land, adding that it would be a collective responsibility in doing that with the agency.

    He said Obi was a kind of person who tries to take up challenges, even as he said that DFID was ready to partner with the administration in all things.

    Montgomery further said that the programme already started in Anambra State by (SUN-MAP); an off shoot of the agency, had been a huge success, adding that DFID had a good working relationship with Anambra State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

    Earlier the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Prof. Stella Okunna said that Obi has been doing his best with the meager resources available to the state, adding that with the partnership with DFID, it would be a new dawn in the state.

    She said that more partners had been coming to the state because of the good working relationship other partners like World Bank, UNICEF among others had with Obi’s administration.

    The South-East, South-South zonal coordinator of DFID, Mrs Olachi Chuks Onah, said that DFID would start with five programmes, adding that very soon; additional ones would start in the state.

    The programmes, according to her, included governance, justice sector otherwise known as justice for all, accountability which had to partner with the state House of Assembly, civil societies, and cross sector coordination.

  • Low-cost estate to get cheap foodstuff

    As prices of foodstuff increase in the markets, relief is coming the way of residents of Low-cost Housing Estate, Isolo, Lagos.

    The landlords association in the estate has announced plans to establish a market in the estate which will sell foodstuff at cheap prices.

    The landlords said the plan is in fulfilment of promises made last year.

    The market will be in session twice a week.

    Speaking to Newsextra, President of the association, Mr Abdulganiyu Abiodun Taiwo, said their aim is to provide food for the people at affordable prices, a plan he said is timely as food is becoming very expensive.

    He said: “I went to Ogbomoso, Ilorin, Igbesi, Kewo, Ibadan and Ijebu to meet with the farmers that will be bringing the foodstuff and I promise it will be very affordable.”

    Some of the items expected at the market include garri, yam, yam flour, tomatoes, pepper, vegetable, snail, palm oil, groundnut oil, potatoes.

    There will also be adequate security for buyers and sellers.

     

  • Imoke advises councils on expenditure

    Imoke advises councils on expenditure

    The State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, has urged Local Government Councils in the state to wholeheartedly adopt the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) given its numerous benefits.Imoke who was represented by his Deputy, Mr. Efiok Cobham, stated this in Calabar at a Budget Consultative Forum for the Cross River South Senatorial District.

    He noted that the adoption of MTEF Budgeting method had enabled countries worldwide with huge and material resource base to achieve significant strides in their economic development.

    The governor described MTEF as a method of budgeting which places premium on careful ordering of priorities and implementation of policies and programmes through accountable and transparent financial management.

    He further observed that the adoption of MTEF would improve relationship with the states development partners, as well as portray the State’s methods of accounting in good light to meet international standards.

    Senator Imoke assured chairmen of councils that the Consultative Forum would afford them the opportunity to address issues related to budgeting and revenue streams for the benefit of all their constituencies.

    He informed that the consultative process has been decentralized to enable the senatorial districts with peculiar resources and needs to make their inputs into the 2013 budget estimates.

    The State Governor, opined that the forum would generate ideas which would not only help in planning but enrich the implementation of the budgetary framework.

    In his address, the Special Adviser, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ntufam Peter Oti noted that the interface was in furtherance of the reformed agenda of this administration which has consistently placed premium on wide- spectrum consultations for the evolution of people- centered policies and infrastructural development.

    He noted that the Government of Senator Liyel Imoke made Due Process, Transparency and Accountability its focal points for which procurement processes and budgeting were tailored to ensure prudence and achieve value for every kobo spent by Government.

    In his address, the Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, Chief Peter Ojie disclosed that MTEF was introduced in 2007 with three pilot government agencies; Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education and Forestry Commission, participating,  was scaled up in 2008 to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and was replicated in all the eighteen Local Government of the State.

    He maintained that since then, there had been collaboration between the Local Government and the Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation Department to build the capacity of functionaries at the third tier to ensure efficient budgeting and implementation process.

    The event featured the presentation of a paper titled “Participatory Budgeting as a tool for Democratisation of the Budgeting Process in Cross River State, Nigeria” by a visiting Professor of Accounting, From Madona University, Okija, Professor Austin Nweze.

     

  • Ajimobi’s wife provides food for women

    Ajimobi’s wife provides food for women

    The wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, has distributed foodstuff to over 500 women selected from different local government areas in the state.

    Food items, which included tubers of yam, maize, yam flour, rice and others, were given out to the beneficiaries through Mrs Ajimobi’s poverty alleviation scheme known as the Ajumose Food Bank, at the Government House Arcade.

    In her speech at the event,  Ajimobi’s wife explained that the initiative was a fulfillment of the electioneering campaign of food sufficiency and women welfare made by Governor Abiola Ajimobi to the people of the state in 2011.

    The gesture was also in commemoration of this year’s World Food Day.

    She remarked that the governor has approved that the programme be held once every month throughout the remaining years of his administration.

    Mrs Ajimobi assured the women in the state that the governor would increase the number in the subsequent editions of the programme, out of his passion for the well-being of women and the people of the state in general.

    She urged women and the people of the state to continue to pray for the governor to succeed in his vision to transform the state to the glorious heights envisaged, adding that the state would witness more progressive development under the governor.

    Two of the beneficiaries who received the items, Mrs Rafatu Oladejo and Bintu Owoiya from Ibadan South-East Local Government Area, who said the gesture was  not the first from Mrs Ajimobi, expressed happiness and appreciation to her and the governor for the donation as well as prayed to God for continuous protection over the state’s first family.

    They noted that the Ajimobi-led administration has changed their lives and the fortunes of the state since May 2011.

    The beneficiaries pledged continued support for the state government.

  • Customs clamps down on smugglers

    This is certainly a bad time for smugglers in the Southeast and Southsouth zones as the Federal Operating Unit (FOU) Zone C of the Nigerian Customs Service has declared war against smugglers in the zone.

    The command has been making unprecedented seizures of outlawed goods valued at about N550m.

    The Comptroller of the zone, Mohammed Biu, pledged that it would not be business as usual for importers and smugglers who bring in contraband goods into the country through the zone, adding that his command will not allow smugglers to sabotage the country’s economy.

    Attributing the huge success recorded within his first two weeks as the helmsman of the zone to intensive border patrol, he said that concerted efforts must be made to save the country from being contaminated with contraband goods.

    He explained that the seized contraband goods which include a 1X40 container load of fairly-used clothes, loads of imported soaps and toiletries, second-hand tyres and vehicles, were intercepted along the Obollo-Afor-Ummuna Ninth Mile and Aba/Port Harcourt axis.

    A statement from the command noted that the Comptroller, since assumption of office, has shown proven commitment to the fight against smuggling, adding that his strategies to check the influx of contraband into the country through the zone were already yielding results.

    Warning transporters to desist from using their vehicles to convey contraband items, Biu said that vehicles used for the illicit deals will be impounded alongside the goods.

    He said: “If we make Nigeria a dumping ground, our economy will break down, and once that happens, it is going to affect both you and me. In the first place, there will be crisis; people will be laid off their jobs and there will be high competition between locally made goods and the imported ones.”

  • Rivers communities tackle challenges

    Rivers communities tackle challenges

    Lawmaker convenes summit for Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro

    The people of coastal Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas have held a conference, seeking to find a solution to their enduring challenges.

    The two councils, near Ogoniland lack basic amenities and infrastructure in spite of the presence of several multinational oil firms. They are yet to be linked to the national grid. They have no link road and no bank or financial institution. There is no Federal Government presence.

    The national grid linkage project is currently being undertaken by Andoni Local Government Council, while the Unity Road from Ogoniland, to link communities in Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas, started by the Peter Odili administration, is yet to be completed.

    Touched by the plight of the people, the representative of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dakuku Peterside, initiated a two-day economic summit.

    The summit whose theme was “Shared Responsibility, Shared Prosperity,” took place at the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, with eminent personalities and resource persons from across the globe in attendance.

    Peterside, convener of the summit, expressed optimism that all the area’s development challenges would be addressed, through the efforts and collaboration of all the stakeholders, stating that the summit was the first of its kind by any federal constituency in Nigeria.

    Peterside, who is also Rivers state’s immediate past Commissioner for Works, noted that the conference was to expose the potential of the two councils to the world, thereby encouraging investors to move to the area.

    The summit was declared open by the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who was represented by his deputy, Tele Ikuru, an engineer, who hails from riverine Ikuru Town in Andoni Local Government Area. Also in attendance was Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha, who chaired the event and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa.

    The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Christian Oboh; a former Deputy Governor of Rivers state, Sir Gabriel Toby; the Amanyanabo of ancient Opobo kingdom, King Dandeson Jaja and the Chairman of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Economic Zone Development Foundation, Sir Emiyarei Ikuru, an engineer; commissioners and lawmakers, among other important dignitaries, were also in attendance.

    Ihedioha stated that Amaechi was not only transforming Rivers, but projecting the state positively, but that there could be no worse economic sabotage than insecurity and that there would be no development without peace.

    He also pointed out that the summit was a landmark and a step in the right direction.

    He said: “Investors will move to Nigeria and our communities, when we have peace and security. We cannot develop without peace and security. Sabotage, unrest and breaking of crude oil or petroleum products pipelines should be discouraged. We should keep up with the prevailing peace and security in Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs.

    “The National Assembly members attach so much importance to the development of the host communities in the Niger Delta. We will ensure that the host communities benefit from resources in their areas. The section on host communities in the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) will remain sacrosanct.

    “The host communities are not being given the pride of place in Nigeria. It is a shame that Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro LGAs are yet to be connected to the national grid and without access roads. We will support every effort by law, to develop the area.

    “Dakuku Peterside is one of our brightest in the House of Representatives. I commend him for the vision and foresight of the event. I am impressed that he could find time to put together the event and discuss the well-being and future of his people. The Speaker of the House of Representatives (Aminu Tambuwal) is also appreciative of Peterside’s efforts.

    “Next year, the summit should hold in Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency, in order to appreciate the swampy terrain and the difficulties being faced by the people. The summit is showcasing the potential of the Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro economic zone and a forum for cross-fertilisation of ideas, thereby eradicating poverty in the two LGAs.

    Ihedioha added that Amaechi, who is the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), had been supportive in providing infrastructure across the 23 LGAs of Rivers state, especially the Unity Road, sandfilling in Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro councils, health centres and model primary and secondary schools, among other people-oriented projects.

    Amaechi, while declaring the summit open, said the people outside were jealous of the initiative of the people of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro through the summit, especially for being able to organise themselves well, declaring that Peterside was ensuring quality representation.

    The Rivers governor stated that the timely summit was well thought-out, stressing that infrastructure must be provided to attract investors, but pointed out that the people should not wait for the government to do all things for them.

    Amaechi said for economic prosperity, the people must be united and focused, while calling on other elected representatives to borrow a leaf from Peterside and organise similar events in their constituencies, to showcase their potential, in order to attract investors, thereby taking prosperity to all parts of Rivers state.

    Amaechi also assured of the firm commitment of his government to hand over a vibrant and prosperous economy, for the benefit of the present and generations yet unborn, adding that to get there, all hands must be on deck.

    The lead guest speaker, Dr. Carlos Lopes, who is also the Under Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in his paper, said the second UN hub in Nigeria is Port Harcourt, after Abuja.

    Lopes, who was represented by the Head of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Port Harcourt, Dr. Larry Boms, said there must be concerted efforts to ensure economic development.

    The executive secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Ernest Nwapa, disclosed that all the oil companies in Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could not employ more than 50,000 people.

    Nwapa noted that small businesses had been employing more people, without depending on oil firms for employment, considering Nigeria’s over 150 million population.

    The representative of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, lauded Peterside for his ingenuity, especially for starting development from the bottom, which was described as a novel idea and quite commendable.

    Abe, who was represented by the representative of Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Maurice Pronen, said the initiative must continue after Peterside’s tenure in the National Assembly.

    The Chairman of the Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Economic Zone Development Foundation, Sir Emiyarei Ikuru, in his welcome address, noted the journey had just started and would not end with the summit, describing it as a journey in progress.

    Sir Ikuru said the economic zone would be turned into investors’ destination and that the people were charting a way forward with the summit and on the right path.

    Peterside, who is also the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), in his address earlier, expressed optimism that after the summit, the area would not be the same, with the people determined to bring about a change.

    “Enough of politics of divide and rule. No difference between Andoni and Opobo/Nkoro people. God has brought us together for a reason. With the summit, we want to tell the world that our economic zone is rich in natural resources and we want investors to come. We are the most peaceful part of Rivers state. Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro is the next destination for investments and development in Niger Delta. We are putting together our master-plan. You cannot treat us with levity. Nobody can take us for granted any longer. Enough is enough. We are more united than ever. Change has come.”

  • 233 micro-projects for Oyo communities

    233 micro-projects for Oyo communities

    Rural communities in Oyo State are witnessing infrastructural renewal, thanks to the state’s Community and Social Development Agency (OYCSDA).

    Working in partnership with the local governments and host communities, OYCSDA has initiated a total of 233 micro-projects spanning provision of electricity, water, health centres and road repairs to rehabilitation of schools and rehabilitation of markets.

    Speaking to Newsextra, the chairman of OYCSDA, Mr Busari Jelili, disclosed that 45 of the projects have already been completed, pointing out that the projects would cut across 39 communities in various locations in the state.

    He said:” Quite a large number of schools, health centres, roads and electricity generation have been constructed to ease the suffering of the people, while other projects are on-going. We are still planning to do more in the state, that other people will benefit from our projects”.

    While the projects are the idea of the various communities, they are being funded by OYCSDA and local governments and monitored by the communities.

    In Ogbomosho North Local Government, over N8 million was used to support several communities by the agency.

    In Katangua, also in the local government, an ultra-modern health centre was constructed in addition to the provision of 55 concrete electricity poles. The agency also undertook rehabilitation of roads and drilling of two boreholes

    The secretary of the Project Monitoring Committee in the community, Mr Muraina Kilani, disclosed that the community had been in total darkness for over 15 years until 2011 when OYSCDA came to its rescue when leaders of the community approached them to help. Kilani said that they received help in the areas of construction of a school, primary health care centre, and provision of electricity transformer with poles.

    For the projects, Kilani explained that the agency supported them with N3.5 million while the local government and the community contributed N500,000 and the N5.5 Million respectively. The huge sum was used to accomplish the projects. They consist of a primary health centre, a transformer , 55 electricity poles and rehabilitation of a 2 kilometer road in the community.

    Also, in Iwagba community, the agency is working on a number of projects which include provision of electricity, drilling of boreholes and road rehabilitation.

    The Chairman of the Project Committee, Mr Oyetunde Oyeleke, said that the communities had been battling with numerous challenges before OYSCSDA came to their rescue.

    Oyeleke said their letter was approved in 2011, adding that the agency assisted them with a sum of N3.9 million for the installation and procurement of a transformer while the council supported them with N500, 000 and the community provided N21,000.

    His words:” We thought that was over until we were called again to collect another N684,000 for the drilling of boreholes and was supported with the N177,000 the community contributed. We are very grateful to them and the local council. We are appealing to the state government and local government to tar our road instead of grading it because it is just a waste of money because it gets washed away by flood”

    Several other projects are being undertaken by the agency in other local governments across the state.