The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Abia State

  • How I brought RUGA to Abia, by Orji Kalu

    THE controversy trailing the aborted establishment of RUGA settlements for Fulani herders in parts of the country may be far from over.

    Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Friday said that the apprehension being expressed over the plan by the Federal Government to create Fulani settlements for herders under the acronym name of RUGA was misplaced.

    He told reporters in Abuja that he established a successful RUGA settlement in Abia State when he was governor of the state in 2001.

    The controversial cattle market, he said, is located in Lokpanta, Umunneochi Local Government Area, along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

    The Abia North senator noted that necessity pushed him to pioneer the establishment of RUGA in the state.

    He insisted that the establishment of RUGA in parts of the country was not what anybody should be worried about.

    Kalu said that it was wrong for some people to see cow business as exclusively for the Fulani.

    He said that the settlement he created for Fulani herders has become the biggest cow market in the South east and the South south.

    Cattle business, which he described as profitable, he said, has become the trade of the elite in the country.

    The boisterous senator said the Federal Government should do necessary consultations and engagements with the people before implementing any policy to avoid misunderstanding.

    Kalu said, “When you talk about RUGA, it is not anything that people should be worried about. In 2001 I established RUGA in Abia.

    “In Lokpanta,( Umunneochi LGA Abia North) I built a place where the whole cattle is sold in Umuahia and Aba, in 2001, when I became governor.

    “I built it and they called me I said Umuahia and Aba, we need to de-congest.

    “What they call Shoprite today, used to be cattle settlement if anybody knows that. The same thing with Aba I had an honest meeting with them where I said I was going to provide electricity and water but this is where you are going to be.

    “I procured five Coaster buses and said bring your RUGA, I will join with some of your executives, let us go and see this land. If it is agreeable by all of us, I will call the communities and talk to them.

    “We had meetings and the communities said yes, they took off in Lokpanta.  That is the biggest cow market in both Southsouth and Southeast. It is the biggest cattle market today.

    “This is the issue, the Federal government should always do a wide consultation because if you just go back and put a deliberate policy, I want to do RUGA, people in my village in Igbere do not understand what RUGA is.

    “They will fear and say that they want to kill all of us. Some of us are the largest sellers of cattle. I started selling cows as far back as when I was in the university (of Maidugiri Borno State.)

    “I am still selling cow till tomorrow, because it is profitable. Most of the cattle you see are also not owned by the Hausa-Fulani in our area. Uzuakoli people and the surrounding areas also trade in cattle.

    Read Also: The Ruga conundrum

    “People should have information. Information is power and power is information.

    “They have kept at being critical of everybody, government, tribe, there is too much hatred by politicians. Everything is politics in Nigeria. When a Nigerian cannot pick food to eat, politicians are politicizing everything.

    “Nobody talks about the interest of Nigeria, everybody talks about the interest of his village. It is high time our politicians started being Nigerian politician not the Igbere politician, not ethnic politicians but they should see themselves as Nigerian politicians working for Nigeria.”

    On African Continental Free Trade Area, he said “If we must be in competition on ACFTA, the Federal government must designate Kano, Kaduna, Onitsha, Nnewi, Aba, Lagos, Ibadan, Port Harcourt and make this places special cases that the Federal Government will pump in money.

    ‘It is like what I have said before, the Tradermoni is very good, but it is not the best of options because it is not sustainable. It is a very good programme but it is not sustainable.

    “For me, Tradermoni could have been money that would go into agriculture. You pick four business men in each zone if it is in Kano you tell them to go and get groundnut and cotton, same directive in the respective zones and their crops of comparative advantage.

    “Give them N10billion directly not through the banks. If you give them through the banks, the banks will keep the money.  Give them this money at one per cent interest rate.

    “They will develop agriculture and employ people. Each of them may employ about five to six thousand persons directly in the agricultural sector. This will be a big boost to the economy.”

    “It was very good to have the Tradermoni scheme but if I had the opportunity, I will have the tradermoni but spend half of the money on tradermoni and use the other half to invest in agriculture.”

    On appointments by the Federal Government, Kalu said that it does not bother him who is appointed.

    His interest, he said, is what the appointees have to offer the country and its citizens.

    He added that “for me the Eastern part of this country has been neglected for quite a long but now we have started redressing it. The Second Niger Bridge is coming. President Buhari is doing it.

    Kalu however noted that there might be the need to spread the appointment of Service Chiefs.

    On the alleged jumbo pay for National Assembly members, Kalu said that there was nothing like jumbo pay for them.

    The Abia senator said that had received his June salary to discover that the talk about jumbo pay was false.

  • Gunmen kidnap bureau de change operator

    GUNMEN in Aba, Abia State, have kidnapped a yet-to-be identified bureau de change operator.

    The incident, our reporter learnt, occurred at Okpu-Umuobo in Osisioma Local Government.

    The victim, said to be a newly wedded man, was reportedly taking his expectant wife home after she had gone for a medical check-up when the incident occurred.

    A source told our reporter that the kidnappers had contacted the family.

    “They are demanding N5million ransom,” the source said.

  • Police kill one, injured two in shootout with robbers

    Operatives of the Abia State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) have killed a member of a robbery gang terrorising Obingwa Local Government Area and its environs.

    The Nation learnt that the robbers stormed a neighboring village, where they robbed several shops and houses before storming Mgboko Obingwa.

    It was learnt that while they were carrying out another operation at Mgboko, the SARS operatives, acting on intelligence stormed the area.

    Read Also: No herdsmen gun cache in Anambra – Police

    The three-man gang exchanged gunfire with the policemen.

    One of them died, two others escaped with wounds.

    Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna couldn’t be reached for comments.

  • Poverty alleviation: Over 3000 Abia youths to participate in World Bank assisted programme

    Over 3000 youths drawn from six local government areas of Abia State have been selected to be trained in a World Bank assisted youth empowerment programme.

    This is even as the state government has formally keyed into the YESSO; a World Bank-assisted programme, designed to provide jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.

    Mrs. Rita Okengwu, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education in the state, said this during the launch of the first phase of the orientation training for the stakeholders and beneficiaries of the programme.

    Speaking at the event, which took place at Amapu Ntigha in Isiala-Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state, Okengwu said the 3,863 beneficiaries were drawn from six pilot LGAs representing the three senatorial districts in the state.

    She listed the LGAs to include Isialangwa north and Isialangwa south (Abia central), Ohafia and Umunneochi (Abia north) as well as Ugwunagbo and Ukwa East (Abia south).

    She commended Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu for mustering the political will to provide the multi-million naira counterpart fund to qualify Abia for the programme.

    Read Also: UNDP partners Elumelu Foundation to empower 100,000 young entrepreneurs

    In a speech, the YESSO Focal Person, Mr. Endi Ezengwa, said arrangements were being worked out to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.

    Ezengwa said government would work with the leadership of town unions and traditional institutions to monitor the implementation process.

    Dignitaries at the launch included the traditional rulers of Amapu Ntigha and Ohambele Autonomous Communities, Eze Nelson Asonye, and Eze Anthony Wabara, as well as Chief Ginger Onwusibe, representing Isialangwa North Constituency in the Abia House of Assembly.

    Others were the Peramnent Secretary, Ministry of Poverty Reduction and Rural Development, Rev. Ernest Onyeukwu, and Executive Secretary/Permanent Secretary, State Planning Commission, Mrs. Adanma Iheuwa, among others.

    In their separate goodwill messages, they commended the World Bank and Abia government for the programme meant to alleviate the plight of the poor and vulnerable in society through job creation.

     

  • NAFDAC raids Aba market of illicit beverages

    The Abia State Command of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) on Tuesday raided the popular Eziukwu Market, otherwise known as Cemetery Market.

    It was gathered that the operation lasted for about three hours, and products worth millions of naira were seized.

    Market sources said the NAFDAC officials raided several shops suspected to be used for the production of illicit and relabeling of expired drinks.

    According to the sources, the area raided is notorious for the production and relabeling of expired products, with an automated machine for corking.

    The traders regretted the criminal actions, saying it has given genuine drinks and beverage sellers a bad name. They called for more powers to be given to NAFDAC and SON to rid the market, especially in Aba, of fake and adulterated products.

    Read Also: NAFDAC suspends implementation of new tariffs

    “I can’t say how much the seized products are worth, but I can say it was huge. At the end of the raid, they left here with about three buses loaded with products, and we learnt that they couldn’t go with the entire items because they were enormous and may not enter the cars that they came with.”

    A police source confirmed the raid but said the presence of police and Army while the raid lasted was to ensure that NAFDAC officials did their jobs without molestation from the traders.

    He added that the seized products were handed over to NAFDAC officials for continuous actions.

  • Cleric to fathers: be committed to God

    A clergyman Rt. Rev. Nathan Umeh has challenged men to actively propagate the gospel of Jesus Christ without waiting to be reminded or cajoled.

    Rev Umeh, who is Bishop of Province III of Christ Holy Church, Aba, Abia State was addressing men of the church on the occasion of Father’s Day.

    Bishop Umeh, while urging fathers and other parishioners to emulate early missionaries, admonished them not to be compelled but rather volunteer for the spread the gospel of Christ.

    Read Also: Cleric seeks more prayers to curb insecurity

    According to him, people who volunteered to be witnesses shouldn’t slumber, but should stand firm in their faith, stressing that there is a reward for those that serve God.

    In an address of welcome, the chairman Men’s Fellowship, Ibo Station, Emeka Enemor described men as “real life heroes”.

    Enemor used the opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Men’s Fellowship to bolster their welfare scheme for active and diligent members and also to assist the church in executing some capital projects as part of their commitment in the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

    High point of the occasion was song ministration from the Men’s Choir among other presentations that added glamour to the event.

  • Fanfare as army ends operations in Abia

    With family and friends, army personnel celebrate the end of 2018 operations in Abia State, reports SUNNY NWANKWO

    One of the gigantic structures conspicuously located on the Ohafia-Arochukwu Road is the 14 Brigade Headquarters of the Nigerian Army. Despite its visibility, it is one of the facilities that even residents of the host community, Ohafia, would not go near if they don’t have anything genuine business there. Stern-faced soldiers mount guard at the gate.

    Last week, the brigade threw its gates open to the host community and other security agencies to mark the end of operational engagements of the brigade in the state.

    The event, which was originally meant to be marked in the first quarter of 2019, was rescheduled because of the Egwueke III militarily exercise in the Southeast and other parts of the country ahead of the 2019 General Elections.

    The event provided an opportunity for the military to socialise with members of the public to foster a harmonious relationship with the civilian population.

    In attendance were the GOC 82 Division, Major-General Abubakar Sadiq Maikobi, Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and other dignitaries.

    Some of the activities that thrilled the audience were tug of war, drama, dancing competition, award presentation to officers and soldiers who distinguished themselves in various areas of the just concluded military operations.

    Speaking at the occasion, Governor Ikpeazu represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Ude Okochukwu lauded the Army for maintaining the old military tradition of bringing its officers and men to socialise with their children, friends and well-wishers. He also thanked the leadershio of the brigade for using the event to showcase Nigerian culture.

    He said, “I am proud to say with all humility that officers and soldiers of the 14 Brigade and their families have given a good account of themselves in the true spirit of WASA going by what I saw. Therefore, I say well done to all the groups and teams that participated in this event.

    “The 14 Brigade has done well within the year in ensuring that Abia State remains peaceful in spite of their enormous responsibilities. Let me seize this to congratulate and commend the officers and men of 14 brigade for the professional conducted that they exhibited during the just concluded Egwueke III and Operation Safe Conduct during the 2019 General Elections.

    “Let me emphasise here that I will say that 2019 general elections went well and in this Abia State, it went well without any rancor and we will attribute this to the efforts of the Nigerian army in Abia State alongside with other security agencies in the state.

    “So, we say a very big thank you to all of you. We can also not forget in a hurry what the Nigerian Army have done in Abia State in the last couple of years when we were terribly traumatized and almost humiliated as a state by hoodlums in the name of kidnappings, the Nigerian Army came to the rescue. I want to also request that you shouldn’t relax, but to continue to ensure that you continue doing those things that you know how to do well so that Abia State will continue to remain one of the most peaceful states in the federation.

    “I want to conclude the commander 14 Brigade and his team for organizing this fantastic WASA despite their busy schedules. I want to also appreciate the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu and heads of other security agencies and paramilitary agencies for the synergy and cooperation extended to 14 Brigade in order to ensure that Abia State continue to remain peaceful and safe.”

    The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Major-General Abubakar Maikobi, represented by his Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Clement A. Apere, said, “The event provided the people with the opportunity of showcasing the rich Nigerian heterogeneous culture and tradition in the army through the medium of West African Social Activity which is an age-long military tradition from the founding fathers of the Nigerian army.

    “West African Social Activities and other get-together organized in the Nigerian Army are aimed at reducing tension and stress to enable the soldiers forge ahead and face future challenges.

    “I recognise that all officers and men of 14 Brigade has worked assiduously throughout the year 2018 in support of the Chief of Army Staff’s vision and the attainment of 2018 training objectives. Some of you will be honoured today for distinguishing yourself in various areas within the past one year, I congratulate you for such feat and I advise that you keep it up.

    “I wish to thank the governor for his unflinching support for the Brigade amidst other state commitments. I want to thank members of the host community for your warm hospitality which has in so many ways provided the enabling environment for the Brigade in the discharge of its duties. I know that this event will further promote the already existing cordial relationship.

    “I will not forget to express our appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai under whose leadership the Nigerian Army has made a giant stride towards professionalism.

    “It is pertinent to remind officers and soldiers to always remain apolitical and be conscious of your conduct within and outside the barracks as worthy ambassadors because whatever attitude that you exhibit affects the image of the Nigerian Army.

    “I also wish to state that it is our duty to guide and protect our democracy jealously because as a soldier, one hundred percent loyalty is what is expected of us.

    The 14 Brigade Commander, Solomon Kumapayi I thank the almighty God for making it possible for us to gather here today. Nigerian Army Social Activity is an accepted age-long military tradition that is aimed at creating a social an conducive atmosphere for relaxation for officers, soldiers and their families to socialize with their host community at the end of the training year.

    “The origin of the Nigerian Army Social Activity could be traced to as far back as the Second World War when the Nigerian Army fought as part of the larger West African Frontier Force; during this period, indigenous West African Armies came together to celebrate their cultural heritage with their kinsmen at the end of every training year.

    “In the past, delegates were usually sent to obtain permission from the colonial masters by village heads to seek the release of their soldiers for this yearly event. However, instead of releasing the soldiers yearly to attend the occasion at their country homes, the colonial military masters then incorporated this tradition to the armies and named it West African Social Activity known as WASA which we have adopted the name, Nigerian Army Social Activity.

    “The tradition included dancing and singing among others. This age-long tradition introduced by the colonial masters is still being held in most of British Colonies in the West African Sub-Region including Nigeria. This legacy has helped to command the confidence of soldiers, foster esprit de corps and share in the spirit of the existing cultural diversities of personnel and families within the barracks. Since the end of colonialism in 1960, this tradition was sustained by the indigenous army and has always been an annual recurring feature in the present Nigerian army forecast of events.

    “Additionally, Nigerian army social activity plays a vital role of reminding older generations of the barracks community of the good time in Nigerian villages and at the same time, connecting the younger generation who were probably born outside their traditional communities to their roots.

    “In contemporary time, the Nigerian Army social activity has also become an avenue where the formation units showcase its achievements during the training year.

    “On this note, I wish to state with all sense of humility that we have been able to achieve the brigade’s training objectives for the year 2018 which is to improve professionalism and sustain regimentation among others. This was made possible by the zeal and determination of officers and soldiers supported by their families in 14 Brigade. To this end, the Brigade participated in several competitions to include corporal and below quarter guard competition, combat efficiency, just to mention but a few.

    “May I urge you to continue to maintain your responsibilities to your families and I urge you to do more as you can see that we are going to honour those who distinguished themselves in various skills held within the year. There is also a reward for hard work.

    “I wish to thank the GOC and staff officers of 82 Division of Nigerian Army for their guidance and support in achieving the feat earned in the year 2018 by the brigade. The brigade will continue to do its best in the fight against kidnapping, oil theft, robbery and other vices bedeviling the brigade’s Area of Responsibility within Abia State.

    “I want to assure you that the 14 Brigade 2018 Nigerian Army Social Activity promised to be very exciting, featuring colorful and entertaining cultural dances, tug of war and inspection of local dishes as would be presented by the various units and sub-unit stands.”

    Highpoint of the event was award presentation to the Governor and Deputy Governor of the state, the GOC 82 Division and other officers that distinguished themselves in various areas within the year in review.

  • Ikpeazu: leaders should work harder

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has called on leaders at all levels of governance to redouble their efforts in ensuring that the people get the real value of democracy.

    Ikpeazu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, to mark Democracy Day, praised Nigerians for showing “unprecedented commitment and faith in the country’s democratic process in the last 20 years”.

    The governor restated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Abians felt the presence of governance in their locality.

    Ikpeazu, who praised the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chinedum Orji, and his deputy Ifeanyi Uchendu for their victory, reminded them that Abians have high expectations from political leaders.

    The governor promised that in the coming weeks and months, the people will witness renewed vigour and single mindedness in the running of the state through the strengthening of democratic institutions, in addition to the deliberate pursuit of those policies that will make the state safer, economy stronger and people happier.

    Read Also: Ikpeazu promises 1million jobs in Abia

    The statement reads: “This year’s celebration is special, being the first to be held on June 12, in commemoration of the day Nigerians expressed their democratic choice, devoid of tribal and ethno-religious sentiments in 1993. “That election and the subsequent chain of events that followed it set the tone for the birth of the current democracy we have enjoyed uninterruptedly as a nation since 1999.

    “Governor Ikpeazu salutes President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate Ahmad Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, and all Nigerians, on this auspicious occasion coming soon after the start of this current democratic dispensation.

    “Nigerians have shown unprecedented commitment and faith in our democracy, and have demonstrated in the clearest of terms that a government of the people, by the people and for the people remains the best form of government.”

  • Ikpeazu releases N6b for roads

    Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has released about N6 billion for the completion of ongoing and newly-awarded roads in the state.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, said N1 billion was released to the contractor handling the Osisioma Flyover where work is expected to begin soon.

    Other projects that got a share of the fund include the Umueze/ABSUTH/Udeagbala Road, which will see the immediate completion and asphalting of 2 kilometres of the road from the Aba-Owerri Road Junction.

    Another road to be covered by the fund is the Aba-Owerri Road from the Osisioma junction, as well as the entire stretch of Osusu Road which will be completed within the next 100 days.

    The statement added that N1 billion was released to the contractor handling the Obikabia Road.

    Read Also: Ikpeazu sacks political appointees

    Others include Emelogu Road with dualization of the road starting from Opobo Junction, terminating at Emelogu Junction, with asphalt to be done on the entire stretch of Emelogu down to the Waterside Second Bridge, popularly known as Orji Uzor Bridge.

    In Umuahia, the government released money to Arab Contractors to finish the Aba road.

    It was gathered that the first phase, which covers the distance from the Railway Crossing down to the Golden Guinea Breweries area, will be done first, while the Phase Two which, starting from the Railway Crossing through Afo Ibeji to the Express Junction will be inaugurated thereafter.

    In addition to these, three new road projects will also be inaugurated – Ohanku Road, Aba; Umuopara Ring Road, Umuahia South and Ohafia Township Roads.

  • Abia police command declares killer-cop wanted

    The Abia State Police Command on Monday declared one of its officers, Sergeant Collins Akpugo, wanted for his alleged involvement in the killing of one Chibuike Onuoha.

    Akpugo, reportedly killed a man identified simply as Onuoha at Isiama Afara-Ukwu community in Umuahia North Local Government Area, following an argument.

    This led to protests and the burning of a police patrol vehicle in the area by angry residents.

    A statement in Umuahia, the state capital, by the command’s spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said Police Commissioner Okon Ene placed a reward of N500,000 bounty on the suspect.

    He urged anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of the killer cop to contact the command to get the financial reward.

    Read Also: Police parade 202 suspected cultists in Ikorodu

    Ogbonna said the command took the decision after the expiration of a five-day grace given the erring police officer to submit himself for disciplinary procedure.

    The police spokesman said the gun the sergeant used to commit the act had been recovered by the investigating team.

    The arm was reportedly abandoned at his hometown in Uturu.

    It was gathered that though the police commissioner had visited and condoled the family, they demanded that justice be done on the matter.

    Ene assured the family that the command would make sure that justice is served.