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Tag: Abakaliki

  • INEC seeks NURTW’s collaboration in Ebonyi

    INEC seeks NURTW’s collaboration in Ebonyi

    Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Ebonyi, on Wednesday sought  collaboration of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), for easy movement of personnel and electoral materials.

    Prof. Godswill Obioma, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Ebonyi, who spoke at a meeting in Abakaliki with NURTW members, said the collaboration was necessary in order to ensure successful elections.

    Obioma, who described NURTW as critical stakeholder, said effective collaboration with the union was needed to ensure successful movement of men and materials.

    According to him, the meeting is convened to map out strategies and actions necessary for effective engagement of members of the union.

    “The INEC in Abuja has directed states to carry out preparatory inventory of what the commission needs for smooth and successful conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    Read Also: …. Ngige threatens to sue INEC

    “This meeting with the union aimed at boosting our partnership and collaboration is part of the preparatory inventory.

    “The meeting will foster greater cooperation and commitment which will ensure that only those people who are trustworthy and credible will be engaged in the transportation services during the elections.

    “There are 1782 poling units in Ebonyi, and the implication is that not fewer than 1782 sound vehicles will be needed to convey our men and materials to these voting areas.

    “You can see why the union is very important and indeed a critical stakeholder in the electoral process.

    “The commission must count on you to enhance timely and effective distribution of the electoral materials to the various poling units,” Obioma said.

    He said that the commission would engage the officials of the 29 branches of the union operating in Ebonyi in similar interactive meeting.

    The NURTW’s State Chairman, Mr Ewa Oko, who led other officials of the union to the meeting, commended the REC for the timely initiative.

    He said that the meeting would assist both organisations to work out areas of common collaboration and cooperation as well as strengthen grey areas.

    Oko said that the union has been supportive of the commission in previous elections and had always mobilised its members during elections.

    “We are going to cooperate and collaborate with the commission to ensure that 2019 general elections become a huge success in Ebonyi in terms of transportation of materials and men to various polling units.

    “If NURTW says yes; then you know that our yes is our yes. We have assured our support and cooperation to the commission for the success of the elections in Ebonyi and we hold on to it,” Ewa said.

    He said that the union had launched operation ‘show your voter card’ explaining that members who were yet to register and obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were not allowed to attend the union’s meetings.

    “We in NURTW are taking the 2019 elections very seriously. We launched operation show your PVC which makes it compulsory for members to show their voter cards before they are allowed to sit in our meetings.

    “If you don’ t have your voter card we send you out of our meeting ,because you are not a good citizen,” he added.

    The meeting inaugurated a seven – man INEC / NURTW transport joint sub-committee to work out modalities for effective engagement of the transporters.

    NAN

  • Update: Lassa Fever kills two Doctors, Nurse in Ebonyi

    Update: Lassa Fever kills two Doctors, Nurse in Ebonyi

    Ebonyi State government on Monday confirmed the death of three Medical Personnel in the state from suspected Lassa Fever infection.
    Commissioner for Health in Ebonyi State, Daniel Umezuruike confirmed this at a briefing in Abakaliki, the state capital.
    According to him, two of the dead patients were Medical Doctors while the third person is a Nurse.
    He revealed that the index patient who was treated by one of the Doctors and Nurse survived and has been discharged.

    “Early last week there was suspected cases of Lassa and yesterday my attention was drawn to it that a doctor died of suspected Lassa Fever. We sent twelve samples and four came out positive”.

     

    Read here: Lassa Fever kills three in Ebonyi

    Mr Umwzuruike said the cause of the death of one of the Doctors has not been confirmed to be Lassa Fever as he had Mobidity of Diabetes.

    The Commissioner further said the victims presented late because they were self medicating when the symptoms started showing.
    “One was self medicating, he went to Mater Hospital in Afikpo. Two doctors he saw later advised him to go back to FETHA he refused until it was advanced before he came to the hospital’.
    For the second Doctor, Mr Umezuruike said because he has Mobidity of Diabetes his death has not yet been confirmed to be caused by Lassa Fever.
    Mr Umezuruike debunked reports that the victims were taken to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo state for treatment instead of the Virology Centre built by the state government in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
    “He was treated at FETHA. We built and donated the Virology Centre to FETHA. The second case treated a woman who was bleeding after undergoing local ovuloctomy and he was treated by the doctor to arrest the bleeding on 29th December. They didn’t present to the hospital on time”, he added
    He said the Ministry has commenced contact tracing in other to monitor anyone who came in contact with the patients to ensure that no further deaths are recorded.
    He said this will help in tracing the source of the disease.
  • Ebonyi to commence registration of herdsmen

    Ebonyi to commence registration of herdsmen

    In a bid to forestall herdsmen attacks which have claimed hundreds of lives across the country in recent times, Ebonyi state government on Wednesday said it will soon start registration of all herdsmen operating in the State from next week so as identify genuine cattle rearers from the violent ones.

    This is even as the State Executive Council has approved the sum of N29 million worth of relief materials for victims of herdsmen attack in Benue and Taraba States.

    The state governor, David Umahi made the stated this on Wednesday during the first State Executive Council meeting held at the Executive Council Chambers Government House Abakaliki the capital city.

    According to him, Government would convoke a meeting with Herdsmen, Traditional Rulers, Security Agencies among others to brainstorm on ways to avert any crisis that may erupt between farmers and Fulani herdsmen operating in the State.

    The governor said, “On Monday we would hold a meeting with herdsmen, traditional Rulers and the Security Agencies, we have to register all the herdsmen in the State to fish out genuine ones, our people are not happy with the level of destruction of our farmlands.

    “During the meeting, we will agree on why the State Government would provide boreholes to the herdsmen for their cattle, they abandon it and resort to destruction of farmlands at Ezillo and Izzi communities of the State”

    “The cattle ate up the rice farms, we would not take laws into our hands, trouble herdsmen would be registered, we would do a serious meeting with herdsmen in the State,” the Governor reiterated.

    Umahi frowned at a situation where herdsmen blocked his convoy on his way to the village stating “imagine where a Governor is travelling to his village and is being stopped by cattle, this is unacceptable,” he said

    “We condemn the killings in Benue and Taraba States, we urge the Federal Government to fish out the Killers of innocent lives, we commend President Buhari for tracking the militants that massacred the people in River State,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Mr Umahi has warned that any Executive Council member that has not added to the economy of the State would not continue with the administration.

    “By March 2018, any Executive Council member that has not added to the economy of the State will not continue with us, if you know that you wake up in the morning and you think of nothing, you have to start thinking of another Political Party to join,” he said.

    “Leadership is about courage, not every member of the State Executive Council believes in the mission of this administration, some people are making a Political calculation on our Executive Council Members,” he reiterated.

    The Governor announced that by August 2018, the administration would be able to complete all on-going projects embarked upon since the Government since assuming the mantle of leadership,”

    He opined: “It is only when that is done, we come out to tell the people that we are ready for politics, we are looking at the National Level, nobody will be making political calculations without Ebonyi State,” he reiterated.

  • Umahi presents N208.332b budget to State Assembly

    Umahi presents N208.332b budget to State Assembly

    *Governor Umahi also commissioned the reconstructed House of Assembly complex

     

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi on Friday presented an appropriation bill of N208, 332, 100 to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly for their consideration and passage into law as the state budget for 2018 fiscal year.

    This is over N81bn increase from the 2017 budget which is about N127,233,074,419.

    Presenting the bill at the chamber’s of the State House of Assembly Nkaliki road Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital, Chief Umahi stated that in the Recurrent Revenue, the expected sources of Revenue for 2018 Fiscal Year would include bank opening, statutory allocation and internally generates revenue.

    The budget, according to the State Governor is tagged budget “Divine Manifestation”.

    According to him, Banks Opening Balances brought forward stands at 18.889 9.07, statutory Allocation from Federal Government 72.916 35.00, internally Generated Revenue stands at 13.965 6.70
    Others 2.00 0.96, while loan (Internal and External) 100.562 48.26, total Expected Receipts for 2018 budget 208.332 100

    Governor Umahi stated that in the above revenue sources, the inflow from Federation Account amounts to N72.916bn or 35% of the State’s 2018 Budget Estimates.

    “This includes statutory allocation and the component of the capital receipt, which includes: Value Added Tax share of Exchange Rate Gain; non oil Revenue Reimbursement from the Federal Government of Nigeria.Other sources include: N18.889bn unutilized dedicated funds that will be carried forward as the opening bank balance for the financial year; N100.562bn internal loan and N13.965bn from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)”, he said.

    The State Governor insisted that the State Government intends to increase her tax revenue in the 2018 Fiscal Year by aggressively diversifying into numerous untapped tax revenue sources.

    He stated that the plan became imperative consequent upon the Federal Government’s de-emphasis on oil revenue and the impending austerity measures aimed at cutting the cost of public sector governance. “The revenue source to be strategized includes landed property documentation, fines and fees, among others.

    Governor Umahi stated that in the 2018 Fiscal Year, the Expenditure ratio between Recurrent Expenditure and the Capital Expenditure stands at 20.8% to 79.20% adding that Recurrent Expenditure will gulp N43.326bn (including inbuilt contingency fund of N3bn that will be mainly expended in unforeseen areas of recurrent needs), while the Capital Expenditure will gulp N165.004bn inclusive of contingency provision of N5.5bn for capital projects.

    Governor Umahi said that the Economic Sector in the 2017 budget has a provision of N124.064, thus taking the largest-chunk of the Capital provision. “This is justified on the basis of Government’s serious commitment to commence the construction of flyovers, rehabilitation of urban roads, construction of rural roads, water reticulation in our urban centers among other commitments.

    He stated that wiithin the Economic Sub-sector, works and transport has the highest allocation of N96.567bn followed by Ministry of Power with the sum of N4.626bn and the sum of N63.811bn. is shared among other sub-sectors.

    The State Governor who expeessed happiness with the budget expenditure of 2017 noted that the state is rising adding that the journey thus far has been extremely tough; “yes, we have had to do extraordinary things in unusual ways; yes, we have been tossed by economic exigencies but we have remained unsinkable. “We have done a great work but there is still a greater work to be done”.

    He pointed out that in keeping with the promise of making Abakaliki the best state capital in the country, the State is on course and are almost there within the first 2 years of the administration but added that “We still have more to do”.

    “In keeping with our promise of making Ebonyi State the number one economy through agricultural revolution, we are almost there. At this time last year, Ebonyians paid between N10,000 and N12,000 for a bushel of rice. But because we have kept faith with our promise, Ebonyians today are paying just N5,000 for a bushel of rice – reduction of more than 50%. And yet we still have plenty more to do in this area – the price of chicken most come down to N1,500”, te governor said

    “In keeping with our promise of securing the life and property of our citizens, we have made giant progress in the resolution of internal conflicts, the crown of which is the final settlement of the Ezillo-Ezza Ezillo conflict. We still have a lot more to do, especially in persuading our neighbouring states to accept our hands of friendly relations”, he said.

    The Governor also used the period to commission the reconstructed House of Assembly complex.

    Earlier, The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Francis Nwaifuru commended the state government for the prompt and judicious implementation of the 2017 budget adding that the House of Assembly would ensure steady passage of the 2018 budget.

    Rt. Hon Nwifuru urged the Governor to assist the House in the reconstruction of the Speaker’s residence adding that the residence is no longer befitting and needs urgent attention.

    The budget passed first reading and second reading of the house and was also accepted immediately as a working document by the house.

  • Robbers attack NLC Chairman’s house, abduct wife

    Robbers attack NLC Chairman’s house, abduct wife

    Armed robbers on Sunday attacked the residence of Nigerian Union of Labour, Ebonyi state chapter Chairma, Mr Leonard Nkah at Mile 50 Abakaliki.

    The robbers, five in number stormed the residence of the Chairman in the evening of Saturday and ransacked the house and took away some valuables including some undisclosed amount of cash.

    Mr Nkah in a chat with The Nation confirmed the incident but noted that he was not around when the robbers struck.

    “I was called by my wife around 9pm that robbers came to our house and demanded for my whereabouts. They said they got information that there was money that was brought in and that they need the money. They forced her to lie down despite the fact that she was pregnant. They ransacked the house and took whatever they could find but they were disappointed that there was no such huge amount of money in my house”

    He lamented that the robbers physically attacked and abducted his wife and later dumped her in a bush.

    “They assaulted my house help who opened the door when they came in, they also assaulted my wife and later abducted her. They beat her up while forcing her to lie down with her pregnancy which was difficult for her. They took her to other residents in the area where they also robbed before dumping her in the bush”

    “I thank God I wasn’t there, if I was there maybe it may have been a different story. They had information that I had huge sum of money. I was gathering resources to organise this reception for the Governor today, maybe some people told them I have money”.

    Mr Nkah urged the police to beef up security in the state during the Christmas to checkmate the activities of the criminals.

    Also, a journalist, Mr Moses Erogu of Ebonyi State Broadcasting Corporation, EBBC, had his house bugged on Sunday Morning by unknown criminals.

    Speaking to our Reporter, Mr Erogu, who is the Government House Abakaliki Correspondent of EBBC said the incident happened when he and the family were in the Church.

    “I took my family to 6am mass and from there I went to work. Later my wife called me to come home and when I got there I saw that they broke into the house and ransacked the house, took away some valuables including a phone belonging to my sister and some cash in the house”.

    Mr Erogu, whose building is located behind the state House of Assembly at Nkaliki lamented the increasing rate of criminal activities in the area and called on the police to do more to secure the area.

    Police spokesman in the area, Loveth Odah could not be reached for comments for comments.

    But Special Assistant to Governor David Umahi on Internal security, Kenneth Ugbala confirmed the incident to our Reporter.

  • Buhari: My appointments based on merit, track record

    Buhari: My appointments based on merit, track record

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday night in Abakaliki explained that many appointments in his administration were done purely on merit and proven track records.

    Speaking at a State dinner organised in his honour, Buhari said that he always considered what was best for the country in taking such decisions.

    ‘‘Some of the people holding high positions in the government, like my ministers, will tell you that I didn’t know them from Adam.

    Read Also: Buhari: more development for Southeast

    ‘‘I just came across their names from the records and I worked with the records. I thank God that I have a very good team,’’ he said.

    The President commended Gov. David Umahi for his development strides in the State, saying ‘‘the absolute commitment of the Governor to his position is very remarkable and I am very impressed.’’

    He expressed gratitude to God and the people of Ebonyi for recognising his modest contribution to the country.

    Buhari described Nigeria as a great country with incredible resources and highly talented people.

    ‘‘We should continue to pray to God that the elites that will be in charge of the country in the future fear God,’’ he said.

  • Buhari harps on Unity, promises more projects to South East

    Buhari harps on Unity, promises more projects to South East

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday reiterated his believe in the unity of the country.

    He spoke in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital when he paid a one day working visit to the state.

    Buhari, who is visiting the region for the first time since he became President, said the diversity of the country makes it unique in the committee of nations.

    “My presence here today is a demonstration of my strong believe in the unity of Nigeria. As a most populous country in Africa with over 300 ethnic groups our diversity is almost unique among the nations,” he said.

    He assured the people of the South East of his administration’s commitment to carry out projects that will lead to the fast tracking of development in the region.

    According to him, in keeping with his promise to South East leaders, the 2018 budget which he recently presented to the National Assembly captured many projects in the zone in accordance with his promise to South East leaders.

    “When I met with leaders of the south east last month in Abuja they raised several issues of concern including the state of roads in the region. I want to assure you that we will deliver on our promise. Our 2018 budget include many strategic projects for the region in roads, power, agriculture and social sector,” the President said.

    Earlier, the State Governor, David Umahi said the state is appreciative of the President’s support to the state especially in the area of Agriculture.

    He, however, appealed to the President for refund of funds expended by the state government on some Federal Roads in the state.

    Former Governor of the state, Sam Egwu commended the President for the recent decision to pay former Biafra Police officers pensions.

    “Such an act of accommodation is what translates a mere leader to a great father of the Nation”.

    He pleaded with the president to give the state assistance in the area of agriculture; roads and education to enable the state catch up with other states.

  • APC holds rally for Buhari, drums support for second term

    APC holds rally for Buhari, drums support for second term

    All Progressive Congress (APC) Ebonyi chapter, on Monday in Abakaliki held a rally to celebrate President Muhammadu Buhari’s return from medical vacation, as well as drum support for his second term in 2019.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rally created heavy human and vehicular traffic long Afikpo and old Enugu roads, among others.

    Acting state APC Chairman, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, who addressed the rally, commended party faithful and other teeming supporters of APC for turning out in their large numbers for the rally.

    “We thank God for the recovery of Mr President from his sickness and successful return from the medical vacation in London to resume his normal duty as president.

    “The overwhelming crow that attended the rally is a clear indication that Ebonyi is indeed an APC state and by massively attending this solidarity rally is another indication of the love Ebonyi people have for our president and his populist government.

    “This is the third time APC in Ebonyi is organising this type of rally to demonstrate its love, support and loyalty for Buhari and APC led central government,” Nwachukwu said.

    He said that the rally was also to drum support for the people – oriented programmes and policies of the present administration, stressing that the anti- graft war of the administration had redeemed the battered image of the country at the international community.

    “We have witnessed tremendous live-transforming programmes and policies which are impacting positively on the lives of the ordinary citizens, including job creation, economic repositioning, infrastructure, anti-graft and fight against insecurity, among others.

    “We are calling for more support for Mr President while urging him to avail himself for 2019 to enable him consolidate on the many achievements so far recorded by his administration.

    “We want to reiterate that Ebonyi is an APC state and that we pledge our unalloyed and unflinching support and loyalty to the President and Commander – in – Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ” Nwachukwu added.

    The rally was attended by the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, former Governor of Ebonyi, Chief Martin Elections, among other top party members.

  • Man commits suicide after killing mother in Ebonyi

    Man commits suicide after killing mother in Ebonyi

    A 28-year-old man, Ekene Ezeogo, has committed suicide in Ebonyi, after he allegedly beat his mother, Mary, to death.

    Eye witnesses told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Ekene killed his mother in cold blood at the family house at No. 24, Agbaja Road, Abakaliki.

    Ekene’s elder brother, Chidi, who confirmed the incident, told NAN that Ekene killed their mother when she was trying to settle a fight between Ekene and his younger sister.

    “Ekene drank three bottles of rat poison in an uncompleted building at Onuebo area of Abakaliki after the dastardly act.

    “After killing our mother, he drove his motorcycle to the central police station, Abakaliki and reported the matter.

    “He, however, fled the station when the police wanted to arrest him and ran to the uncompleted building where he drank the poison,” he said.

    Chidi said that Ekene was rushed to the emergency unit of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where he eventually died.

    Mr Sunday Chinedu, a tenant in the Ezeogo’s family house, collaborated the story, saying that occupants in the house helped rush Ekene to the hospital.

    Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in Ebonyi, DSP Jude Madu,said:“I have not been in the state for some time and I did not receive such report before I traveled.”

    But Chief Silas Aliede, a community leader in the area, said, “the whole community is still in shock over the incident.

    “I will not say much for now except that the elders and community leaders would meet to review the situation and know the next step to take.”

     

     

  • Ebonyi CJ frees 38 awaiting-trial inmates

    Ebonyi CJ frees 38 awaiting-trial inmates

    The Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Justice Alloy Nwankwo has freed 38 inmates serving in Abakaliki and Afikpo federal prisons  during a jail delivery exercise.

    Nwankwo, while addressing journalists, said that the jail delivery exercise was in exercise of the constitutional rights conferred on the Chief Justice of the Federation and the Chief Judges of states by the Nigerian Constitution.

    Giving a breakdown, the Chief Judge said nine inmates were released from Abakaliki prisons while nine others were released from Afikpo prisons.

    He said the exercise was to decongest the prison yard by releasing awaiting trial inmates who have been in custody without trial over a period of time.

    According to him, 11 inmates awaiting trial were discharged, nine were granted bail on self-recognition while the other nine were admitted to conditional bail in Abakaliki prisons.

    Also, in Afikpo prisons, 5 inmates were discharged without condition, 3 released on bail condition and 1 freed on self-recognition.

    He said that the facility was built to accommodate 387 inmates but lamented that no fewer than 1000 both awaiting trial and convicted inmates were presently housed in the facility.

    “There are over 1000 inmates in the prison yard built to accommodate 387 inmates hence the need for us to regularly visit the prisons to treat deserving cases in order to decongest the prisons in line with  the  prisons reform policy.

    “Our work as I said earlier does not include coming here to release all awaiting inmates, there are procedures otherwise we will be disobeying the law and that is not our intention”, Nwankwo said.

    Justice Nwankwo commended the prisons authority for compiling the case files in proper order, saying by October, there would be a repeat of the exercise to further decongest the prison.

    He urged the freed inmates to be of good conduct and to avoid engaging in further criminal activities that could throw them back to prison.

    “You must be of good conduct, shun further criminal activities and work to contribute meaningfully to the society.

    “Those on bail we are charging to be of good behaviour and to stick to the bail conditions to avoid revocation of the bail,” he added.

    Those released include; 66-year-old Patrick Orji accused of alleged murder incarcerated for nine years without trial, Ikechukwu Okoro and Chibueze Nweke.

    Others discharged are: Chinonso Nwibo who is deaf and dumb, Chibuike Agbo, Ndubuisi Ogbonna, Ndubuisi Nworie and 12-year-old Chibuike Omuka charged with alleged burglary among others.

    Also, the Prisons Boss, Comptroller Emelia Adaobi Oputa, has handed over barbing saloon equipment to one of the freed prisons inmates  Chinonso Nwibo, as part of efforts to rehabilitate prisoners serving various jails terms within the facility.

    Handing over the equipment to Chinonso Nwibo, she advised him to be of good behaviour and make use of the equipment to start his trade.