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Tag: Abia State

  • Former Abia Speaker declares interest to run for Gov in 2019

    Former Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly and member representing Isiala Ngwa North State constituency, Rt.Hon. Martins Azubuike has formally declared his intention to contest for the Governorship seat of the state come 2019 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Azubuike made the disclosure while addressing APC ward and LGA Executives, stakeholders and party faithful at Mbawsi, Umuomainta Isiala Ngwa North at the weekend.

    Stating why he was gunning for the seat, Azubuike said that his legislative experience as a third term law maker, a former Speaker, one time Chairman, House Committee on Appropriate, Deputy National Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Nigeria  and his academic background has exposed him to the myriad of problems confronting the State and assured that he has all it takes to restore the dignity of the state.

    He added that he has all it takes to return Abia to the part of growth and create the enabling environment that will be beneficial to all.

    Speaking on why they joined the APC, Azubuike said “What prompted my moves into APC is predicated on the fact that Abia needs a positive change and to bring about that change, we need a vehicle to engender the change and the PDP as presently constituted today cannot guarantee that positive change. That is why we now need another platform to leverage on to bring about the desired positive change for Abia.

    “I am bringing in solidarity, support and massive followership and am also bringing in experience we have garnered in the system. We know where we are bleeding as a state and we will bring our experience to bear in APC to correct those anomalies.

    “We feel that we need to begin to lay the necessary foundation for the building of the new Abia so that successively we can build on them for Abia to make progress. I don’t know how long you have been here and I don’t know other places that you have been to, if you are well exposed maybe in the southeast and south-south or the nation state.

    “I want to believe that if you make an objective comparism of where we are and where others are, you will come to the conclusion that something different needs to be done in Abia and that’s what we want to do.

    “The penetration of APC into Abia and other southeast states means that there is high level of disappointment of expectations of Ndi Abia. You are correct when you say that APC is a non-starter here but today, you can see what is happening. That is a pointer to the fact that there must be something that PDP hasn’t done that Abians are looking for to do those things right and that is the good news for APC.

    In their various contributions, the State Legal Adviser of APC; Barr. Menyechi Onuoha, a former Commissioner in the State Barri. Obilor Nwatu, Hon. Denis Chuks Amanaha, Hon. Azubuike Enweremadu, Hon. Endy Ogalabu, Hon. Mrs. Rose Ukanwoko all supported the aspiration of Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike, describing him as a man of impeccable character, emphasising that with his intellectual acumen, cognate experience as a quintessential Law maker and a man of integrity, moral clarity and humble.

    According to the speakers, Azubuike is indeed the kind of leader Abia deserves at this critical period in the life of the state that seriously needed a new direction, for growth and rebirth.

    The high point was the moving of a motion by the State Legal Adviser, Barr. Menyechi Onuoha for APC in Isiala Ngwa North to adopt Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike as their sole candidate for 2019 Governorship election and was seconded by Barr. Obilor Nwatu.

    After the adoption, the APC ward Chairman, Umuomainta ward, Chief Chima Nwambuko formerly presented Rt. Hon. Martins Azubuike to the APC Local Government Chairman, Hon. Endy Ogalabu and the adoption was confirmed with a voice vote.

  • Motorist kill University student in Umuahia

    It was a black weekend for students and Umudike in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State as a 400 level student of the department of Agricultural Economics in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State as commercial motorist reportedly killed one of their students identified as Obinna Chiaha.

    It was gathered the student was killed by the driver of a commercial bus with the inscription; “Uwak Mfon Awka Ibom Motors NIG. LTD” heading to Umuahia, the state capital.

    Sources who claimed to have witnessed the incident alleged that the driver of the commercial SUV said to be on a high speed was said to have hit Chiaha while he was trying to overtake a trailer.

    It was learnt that the incident happened close to the University gate on the Umuahia/ Ikot Ekpene road caused pandemonium in the area as students took to the road which serves as a major exit and entrance into Akwa Ibom from Umuahia to protest the killing of their colleague

    The student was said to have arrested the driver of the car and handed him over to the security officials of the university.

    Unconfirmed reports have it that the students became violent when they were told that their colleague was confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Center Umuahia (FMC) where he was rushed to for medical treatment.

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     The body of the student was said to have been taken to a morgue in Umuahia, along Aba road where it was deposited.

    “Many students on hearing the sad news of the demise of their colleague took to the street to protest his death.

    “The Vice Chancellor Professor Francis Otunta later addressed the students through a telephone conversation through the President of Students Union Government Mr. Ononiwu Precious.

    “He told the students to remain calm as the University will ensure that deceased student gets justice.

    “The VC also declared Saturday April 28, 2018 as BLACK SATURDAY in honor of the deceased,” a source from the school stated.

  • Police recover over 1000 illegal fire arms, parade suspected criminals

    The Abia State Police Command says it has recovered over 1000 illegal fire arms in different parts of the state in compliance to the recent orders of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Idris Kpotun.

    Recall that Kpotun had directed all the commands and Police divisions to ensure that they mop up illegal arms in their area of operation.

    The Commissioner of police in Abia State Mr. Anthony Ogbizi stated this at the Umuahia Central Police Station, the state capital while parading a former Police Sgt. Emenike Godson for allegedly robbing and dispossessing unsuspecting passenger of their valuables using a commercial tricycle in Aba.

    Ogbizi while displaying the arms ranging from locally made double barrel guns cut-to-size, English double barrel guns, locally made short guns, pump action guns, AK47 riffles, General Purpose Machine Guns, among others before journalists said over one thousand guns have so far been recovered, adding that the exercise would continue until the state became safe for everyone.

    He said, “To prove the seriousness and importance we attached to the IGP directive we will continue to mop up arms”. This is even as he called on the public to continue provide information that would lead to the recovery of more illegal arms.

    On the arrest of the dismissed police sergeant, Ogbizi said the suspect who was dismissed from the force about two years ago, was arrested after he and three accomplices, robbed some people, while in Police uniform.

    He said the Police had begun manhunt for the other suspects now at large.

    In an interview, Godsons admitted that he was arrested in police uniform, but denied robbing people of the valuables.

    Also paraded by Police boss were four kidnappers who reportedly sold a four year old boy for N500, 000 to a yet to be identified buyer.

  • Couple die 72hrs to daughter’s wedding

    …others seriously injured in a tragic motor accident

     

    A yet to be identified couple have been reported dead after their motorcycle collided with a commercial bus in Ugwunagbo Local government Area of Abia State 72hrs to their daughter’s wedding.

    Our correspondent gathered that the incidence occurred near a village called Umuaja in Ugwunagbo left many passengers of the commercial bus wounded as many of them were said to be in critical conditions.

    It was learnt that while the husband and wife died on the spot, some of the injured were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and the critically injured were reportedly referred to Abia State Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba for issues beyond their capacity to handle.

    Reports have it that one of the tyres of the vehicle busted while the driver was said to have lose control of the car and in the process, ramming into the couple.

    A source who pleaded anonymity said that the daughter of the couple would be having her traditional wedding this weekend in their village.

    “We learnt that the bus was conveying traders from Aba to Umuaja in Ugwunagbo area through Ohanku when the ugly incident happened. They were said to be going to a popular market in the area known as Ahia Ohanku.

    “The incident caused pandemonium in the area as youths of the area went berserk as they reportedly attacked both commercial buses and commercial tricycle operators.

    “We learnt that peace has gradually returned, but one of the affected victim’s daughter who will be having her traditional marriage this weekend couldn’t hold it, that her parents who were on their way home were crushed to death.”

    Another source who confirmed the incident said that it was not clear whether they have been able to recover the head of the man that was said to be missing.

    “What I can tell you is that, it was an ugly sight as many were seriously injured and in critical conditions. We learnt that one of the victims at the time we got news about them has taken three pints of blood and possibly to have more due to the volume of blood that she lost,” the source added.

  • Senate endorses three higher institutions for establishment

    The Senate has technically endorsed the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Adikpo, Benue State, Federal Polytechnic Item, Abia State and Federal College of Education, Omuo Ekiti, Ekiti State.

    The endorsement followed the consideration of the Bills which proposed the establishment of the institutions at a widely attended public hearing held by the upper chamber in Abuja.

    Senators Barnabas Gemade sponsored the Bill for the establishment Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo while Senator Mao Ohuabunwa proposed the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Item.

    Senator Biodun Olujimi sponsored the establishment of Federal Collage of Education, Omuo Ekiti.

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Olusola Adeyeye who represented Senate President at the public hearing underscored the importance of education in the country.

    He also stressed the need to spread the establishment of educational institutions in parts of the country for the benefit of education hungry Nigerians,

    Adeyeye assured that the Senate will continue to support the establishment of vital higher institutions in the country.

    The Osun Central lawmaker noted that there was no doubt polytechnics have continued to play vital role in the provision of middle level manpower and young professionals who help in no small measure in the development of the country.

    Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, Senator Jibrin Barau noted that the public hearing became necessary in order to enable Nigerians make input before the Bills are passed.

    Barau said the input of the public will, no doubt, will enrich the Bills before their passage into law.

    Senator Gemade who gave the synopsis of why Federal Polytechnic Adikpo should be established noted that Benue State is one of the few states in the north that are known to have made education an industry.

    Gemade also said that the establishment of the polytechnic will help to balance the establishment institutions of higher learning in the state.

    He noted that the only federal presence in his entire constituency is a unity school which is not significant enough to give the people a sense of belonging.

    He said that the people of Adikpo area were not only industrious in education but have produced five vice chancellors that served in the state and at national level.

    The lawmaker added that he is convinced that the establishment of the institution will go a long way to enhance the education fortunes of Benue State people.

    On his own Senator Ohuabunwa, noted that apart from University of Agriculture Umudike, there is no other federal institution in the state.

    He said that the Senate came up with the resolution that there should be federal presence in every constituency in the interest of Nigerians.

    He said that the Federal Polytechnic Item is well cut out as the best location to site the institution because of the abundance of technical know-how in the area.

    The Abia North lawmaker said that there were many schools in the area to feed the polytechnic for the benefit of the country.

    Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Olujimi said that each constituency wanted federal presence to give the people sense of belonging.

    She noted that Ekiti State is known for one industry ‘and that industry is education.”

    Olujimi said that Ekiti South should be given a right of place through the establishment of the Federal College of Education.

    She said that the people were ready to give whatever it takes to facilitate establishment of the institution.

    At the end of the public hearing nobody spoke against the establishment of the three institutions in the three states.

    Barau promised to submit the report of his committee to the Senate in plenary as soon as possible.

    Read Also: http://staging.thenationonlineng.net/no-date-yet-budget-passage-senate/

  • NAFDAC arrests man with 16 cartons of fake food seasoning product

    The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control ( NAFDAC ), Abia State Office, has arrested one Samuel Akin Chukwu for faking a food seasoning product owned by another importer.

    The Abia State Coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Olisa Okeke, disclosed this in an interview with our reporter on Monday in Aba.

    Okeke said that Chukwu claimed in his preliminary statement that he was not the importer but only an agent to an importer in Onitsha, Anambra, who brought in the fake products.

    He said that the original product was imported from South Africa by a Nigerian, who had been the sole distributor until the fakers went to China to produce the adulterated version.

    He said that the importer of the spice registered it with NAFDAC and had been renewing the registration with a record of good business until the fakers went to reproduce it in China.

    “After surveillance, we were able to isolate the warehouse and with the support of the Nigerian army, the warehouse was stormed and we arrested Samuel Akin Chukwu and confiscated about 16 cartoons of the product.

    “We were also able to retrieve some cartons from two persons who had bought the fake products and were leaving the shop on our arrival,” he said.

    According to the NAFDAC Coordinator, the agency confiscated a total of 26 cartons of the fake product from Chukwu and his customers.

    Okeke descried the Eziukwu Market in Aba as the centre for high volume of trade in food items, adding that some dubious persons used the opportunity to manufacture fake food products.

    “Eziukwu is a market that NAFDAC Abia office has its eyes on because of the activities of nefarious individuals in from time to time.”

    He said that NAFDAC would continue to raid the market until producers of fake products were thrown out of business to eradicate the menace of poisoning of citizens for the sake of monetary gains.

    Okeke thanked the residents who gave NAFDAC the tip-off and urged them to always inform the agency of suspicious activities around them.

    The product is named “Benny Powdered Chicken Stock” with the image of the head of a cockerel in front of the pack.

    The original product has a set of three sachets joined horizontally with the expiry date written on a black patch but the fake version has a set of five joined vertically and without a black patch.

    NAN

  • Updated: NJC sacks suspended Abia Chief Judge Uzokwe, one other

    *Set up committees to Supreme Court Justice, 2 state Chief Judges

    *Issues warning to Justice Aladetoyinbo, Williams

    *Dismisses petitions against 31 judges

    *Appoints 60 judges for 24 states

     

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State the compulsory retirement of the state’s suspended Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe and Justice Obisike Oji, who was picked in her place.

    This formed part of the decisions taken at the NJC’s 85th meeting held on March 14.

    The NJC had earlier suspended Justice Uzokwe, and issued a query to Justice Oji (of of Abia State High Court) for allowing himself to be sworn-in as Acting Chief Judge when the Abia State House of Assembly purportedly sacked Justice Uzokwe.

    According to the NJC, Justices Uzokwe and Oji were found guilty of misconduct.

    NJC’s Director, Information, Soji Oye, said in a statement that the council also set up committees to Supreme Court Justice, 2 state Chief Judges.

    The statement was silent on the identity of the judicial officers involved.

    The NJC issued warning to Justice S. E. Aladetoyinbo (of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Justice Olusola Ajibike Williams of the Lagos State High Court.

    It referred a petition against Justice Mwada Balami of the FCT High Court to the Police to investigate the allegation of N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira) bribe to the Judge for granting bail to an accused person.

    The NJC dismissed petitions against 31 judges for being without substance and approved the appointment of 60 judges for 24 states.

    In relation to Justice Uzokwe, the NJC said she was recommended for compulsory retirement following the findings of two investigative committees set up to examine the petitions against her by Abia State’s  Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice,  Umeh Kalu (SAN).

    NJC said Kalu, in the petitions, accused Uzokwe of  illegal constitution and working with a parallel Judicial Service Commission (JSC) instead of the one constituted by the State Governor and confirmed by the House of Assembly.

    It added: “Hon. Mr Justice Uzokwe was also found to have misconducted himself in Suit No. HU/131/2005, wherein he delivered judgement in the sum of N825, 000 (eight hundred and twenty-five thousand naira) only in favour of a litigant, but subsequently signed a garnishee order of N109, 612, 500 (one hundred and nine million, six hundred and twelve thousand, five hundred naira) only.”

    As it relates to Justice Oji, the NJC noted that it had earlier queried him “for allowing himself to be sworn-in as acting Chief Judge, and thereby colluding in, and aiding an unconstitutional process.

    “His (Justice Oji’s) reply was unsatisfactory and the Council recommended his compulsory retirement.

    “The NJC reprimanded, seriously warned and placed on the Watch List Hon Justice S. E. Aladetoyinbo of the FCT High Court for impropriety in a case between U.L.O. Consultants Ltd v BIL Construction Nigeria Ltd, sequel to a petition by one Uche Luke Okpuno.

    “Council would have sanctioned the judge more severely, but had to take into account the fact that aspects of the case are appealable.

    “Council also seriously warned Hon Justice Olusola Ajibike Williams of the Lagos State High Court for grave errors of judgment in her level of involvement in a family business. “Council found that the judge, as a judicial officer, should have been more circumspect and conscious of her office.

    “Council’s sanction was as a result of a petition by Chief Ladi Rotimi-Williams, SAN.

    “Council at the meeting also considered various petitions written against thirty-one (31) judicial officers and resolved to empanel three investigative committees against one Justice of Supreme Court and two state Chief Judges.

    “Petitions against various Justices were dismissed either for lack of merit, lack of evidence of misconduct, being sub judice or that the subject of such petitions were matters for appeal.”

    The dismissed petitions were those written against Justices Abdu Aboki, Theresa Abadua and Ahmed Belgore (all of the Court of Appeal); Justices J. T. Tsoho, Ayo Emmanuel, Sabiu Yahusa, Zainab B. Abubakar and B. O. Quadri (of the Federal High Court).

    Others are Justices A. N. Ubaka and B. B. Kanyip (of the National Industrial Court); Justices Bello Kawu, S. C. Orji, A. N. Talba (of the FCT High Court); Justice K. C. Nwankpa (High Court Abia State); Justice D. A. Onyefulu (High Court Anambra State); Justice W. I. A. Effiong (High Court Akwa-Ibom State), and Justice A. M. Ikpambese (High Court Benue State).

    Equally affected are Justice G. E. Gbemre (High Court Delta State); Justice A. O. Onovo (High Court Enugu State); Justice Idi Apollos (High Court Gombe State); Justice G. O. Ogunsanya (High Court Ogun State); Justice A. B. Abdulkarim, (High Court Osun State); Justice K. A. Ojiako (High Court Imo State); Justices A. M. Lawal;  L. A. Okunnu and L. B. Lawal Akapo (all of High Court  Lagos State).

    The statement also said the NJC “decided to advise Hon. Mr. Justice J. E. Ikede of Delta State High Court and Hon. Mr. Justice Yusuf Halilu of FCT High Court to be more careful in the course of their judicial duties.

    “Council decided to refer a petition by Prince Adesina Okuneye against Hon. Mr. Justice Mwada Balami of the FCT High Court to the Police to investigate the allegation of N5, 000,000 (five million naira) bribe to the judge for granting bail to an accused person.

    “Council decided that the petition should be put in abeyance until the outcome of the investigation by the Police.

    “Council at the meeting also recommended 60 judicial officers to Governors of twenty-four (24) for appointment as High Court Judges, Sharia Court Kadis and Customary Court of Appeal Judges.”

  • Groans in Enyimba City

    Groans in Enyimba City

    A midnight fire has razed a clothing market in Aba, Abia State, leaving traders in tears and deepening the country’s textile woes.

    The shop owners could only weep as a four-hour inferno reduced their shops to rubble in Aba, Abia State’s commercial hub. But it was not just the traders that were rattled by the midnight fire; it also deepened the woes of a country whose textile industry is comatose.

    For decades now since the collapse of the local textile industry, Nigerians have largely relied on imports to clothe themselves. Local textile dealers, many selling fabrics made in Aba, ensured that Nigerians were not completely at the mercy of foreigners. With the fire at the famous Kent Textile cluster market in Aba South Local Government Area of Abia State, this is a gloomy time for the country.

    The traders have been counting their losses after their goods worth millions of naira went up in smoke.

    The fire raged for over four hours, it was gathered, though its cause was not immediately known. Sources, however, said they suspected the fire started from a tailor’s pressing room.

    Investigation revealed that three brothers, Emenike, Ndubuisi and Emenike Okorie who also deal in textile materials were mostly affected by the fire. Not even a single pin could be salvaged from their shops.

    A source who gave his name as Precious said personnel of the Abia State Fire Service tried all they could to stop fire from spreading to other shops and adjoining buildings, but such was the intensity of the inferno that the officials could not achieve much. Some shop owners could not   salvage anything from their shops.

    One of the three brothers, Emenike while speaking with newsmen, said that he and two of his brothers lost goods worth millions of naira. He said that they were devastated when they arrived at the scene to see that their goods and shops were completely razed by the fire.

    He said, “The loss incurred is unquantifiable; mine runs into millions of naira. So you can imagine how much my other brothers may have lost to the fire.”

    While appealing to the state government and public-spirited individuals to come to their aid, Emenike stated, “It is a huge loss too much to bear for us. Who among three of us is going to support the other? I just pray that God will touch the heart of the governor or well-meaning individuals to come to our aides. The country is hard at this time and there is nothing as heartbreaking as one being hit with this kind of economic loss when the economic recession is biting hard on Nigerians.”

    An official of the Abia State Fire Service, who pleaded not to be mentioned after efforts to speak with the leader of the service in Aba failed, said that the damage was too much.

    The source said that investigation was on to ascertain the cause of the inferno, but warned residents to always turn off their electrical appliances when not in use and to unplug them when leaving their homes, offices and shops as power surge could also cause a fire.

    He also used the opportunity to warn people against keeping or storing inflammable materials like fuel in their shops as they could also enhance the intensity of fire during outbreaks.

  • Abia Secondary school student dies after taking enhancement drug

    Abia Secondary school student dies after taking enhancement drug

    A Junior Secondary School student in Ohafia, Arochukwu Local Government Area of Abia State whose identity is yet to be known, has reportedly died after he allegedly took ten tablets of Tramadol tablets.

    This was disclosed by the State Commandant of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Akindele Akingbade on Wednesday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital while delivering lecture at a seminar his agency and Office of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on Narcotics and Abia State Drug Abuse Control Committee (ADCC) for patent drug dealers in Abia Central.

    According to Akingbade, the student was said to have taken the tablets to enhance his performance during an inter-house sports competition being organized in his school that he was billed to participate in, but however could not live to see the event as he was said to have died shortly after taking the drugs.

    The NDLEA Boss, who disclosed that Abia was among top ranked states in the country with high level of drug/substance abuse stated that the Governor of the state has been informed about the incident, said that efforts were being made to apprehend the seller as being directed by the Governor.

    Akingbade who warned patent drug dealers against selling drugs without prescription from medical doctors or pharmacists to desist from such action and attributed high rate of criminal activities including armed robbery, rape, kidnapping etc as the negative effects of allowing illicit drugs or its substitute to get into the wrong hands.

    He stated that apart from the agency’s resolve to take the awareness campaign against selling of harmful drugs to the abusers, they (NDLEA) had begun encouraging schools to establish Drug Free Clubs in their schools in order to discourage students from abusing drugs or taking illicit drugs. This is even as he noted that the dangerous effects of abusing drugs or consumption of illicit drugs on human health are better prevented than treated.

    In his speech, the Director Pharmaceutical Services, Ministry of Health and chairman ADCC, Chief Chimezie Uzuegbu, and Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Ikpeazu, David Anyanwu commended the NDLEA over their “tireless” efforts in ensuring that the activities of drug dealers and users were brought to its lowest ebb.

    Anyanwu while calling for proper funding of NDLEA by the federal government said that he was sure that the agency would do more if they should have the necessary logistics and manpower needed to do their jobs effectively.

    Read Also: Drug Abuse: Senate unveils framework to tackle menace in Nigeria

  • Ikpeazu vows to fight measles, other preventable diseases

    Ikpeazu vows to fight measles, other preventable diseases

    Abia State government says it is committed to providing all that is required to reach every Abia child with vaccines for the control of measles and other preventable diseases.

    Governor Okezie Ikpeazu stated this at the flag off ceremony of the measles vaccination campaign at Itungwa primary school field, Obingwa LGA.

    Ikpeazu said that measles is preventable, adding that the measles vaccination campaign calls for cooperation of parents especially mothers  as well as the deep commitment of care givers.
    This according to him, is to ensure that no child looses his life on account of measles.

    The Governor pointed out that vaccination against measles and other preventable diseases will enhance life expectancy, noting that many children are deformed as a result of non-vaccination against child killer diseases and not due to attacks by ghosts as is erroneously believed.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr. John Ahukanna disclosed that the measles campaign is targeted at children from 9 months to 5 years, adding that measles is vaccine preventable.

    He disclosed that 197, 000 deaths were attributable to measles globally in 2017 and appealed to stakeholders to assist the government by mobilizing parents to take advantage of the measles vaccination campaign.

    The chairman, Obingwa LGA, Sunday Amechi said mass vaccination is a proactive strategy in the management of measles and promised to partner with the state Ministry of Health on the fight against preventable diseases.

    Development partners including WHO delivered goodwill messages at the event.