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Tag: abia

  • VC seeks partnership with Abia govt

    No position the University of Nigeria, Nsukka for partnership, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, has led the body of principal officers on a courtesy visit on the governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji.

    Speaking in the Government House, Prof Ozumba said the visit was meant to develop partnership between the institution and the Abia State in different areas, including agriculture and staff development.

    The VC praised the governor for what he called “quality leadership” displayed as both the Chief Executive Officer of the state and as chairman of Southeast Governors’ Forum.

    He said: “The university is very proud of your achievements in the areas of construction of necessary infrastructure and development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).”

    While praising the governor for his efforts in securing the state from the activities of armed robbers and kidnappers, Prof Ozumba said the health policy of the Orji administration had reduced high infant and maternal mortality rate in the state.

    The Vice-Chancellor urged Orji to partner with the university, saying the institution had shown interest in the development of states in the Southeast.

    Governor Orji described the UNN management staff’s visit as timely, saying the VC knew how to get what he wanted.

    He said: “I want to place it on record that you (Prof Ozumba) are the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria that has paid me a courtesy visit. With this, I want to assure you that you will do well in your tenure.”

    He expressed the readiness of the State to partner with the university in any discipline, stressing that the government had the human and material resources needed to enter into partnership.

    He said that his administration placed priority on education, which is why the state had, in the past two consecutive years, maintained second position in the general performance of students sitting for the West African School Certificate Examination (WAEC).

  • 2015: Abia group calls for equity in power sharing

    As 2015 approaches and the dust of the just concluded PDP congresses yet to settle in Abia State, an organisation, Movement for Justice and Equity, has called on the leadership of the PDP across board to ensure that the governorship and senatorial slots of the party zoned to Abia South senatorial zone rotatesý between the people of Ukwa and Ngwa to avoid chaos and protests that may cost the party victory in next year’s general Elections.

    In a statement made available to journalists, in Umuahia, signed by Barrister Alozie Nwakamma and comrade Sylvester Nwamuo, state coordinator and secretary general of the organization respectively, the group commended the Abia State Governor Chief T.A. orji and the state PDP for zoning the Governorship slot to Abia south senatorial zone.

    They said “since Abia South senatorial zone of the state comprises of the people of Ukwa and Ngwa, it is morally and political wrong and defeats all forms of Equity, justice and fairness for either the Ukwaý or Ngwa people to assume both the governorship and senatorialý positions of the zone in next year’s general election”.

    “We shall vehemently reject and oppose it and we urge the PDP not to allude to a ploy in whatsoever guise to take a selfish decision that would affect negatively the electoral fortunes of the PDP in the 2015 elections “they said.

    The group explained that between 1999 – 2007, the senatorial seat of Abia South senatorial zone was occupied by an Ukwa son, and former senate president, Chief Adolphus Wabara after which an Ngwa man, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe assumed the position from 2007 and will exit in 2015 after two tenures served by both of them.

    “It will be practically, politically and morally unacceptable for the senatorial slot to remain in Ngwa land while the Governor also emerges from there and vise-versa.

    “We hereby warn leaders of Abia South senatorial zone to eschew selfish political motives, personal contraptions, absurdity and ensure that the right thing is done in order not to cost the PDP victory next year “they said.

    “The people of Abia south senatorial zone should know that if it was by struggle that it would have been difficult for them to produce the governor of state in the next 22 years but only for Equity and justice that the PDP did that “they said.

    The group called on the leaders of the zone to know that “he that goes for equity should go with clean hands and should act right in order not to sabotage the golden opportunity the present government have provided the zone”.

    The group maintained that any contrary arrangement of any party on this position will be counter-productive.

    Leaders of the PDP in Abia South Senatorial zone last Saturday adopted former Senate President Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu from Obingwa Local Government Area of the state as their sole candidate for the governorship election next year.

    The outgoing senator of the zone, Chief Enyinnaya Abaribe is also from Obingwa Local Government Area while the member representing Ugwunnagbo, Obingwa and Osisioma in the House of Representatives, Hon. Eziuche Ubani also hails from the same council.

    There has been rumours that the outgoing senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe has been given automatic ticket back to the senate but political watchers of the state say this will cause doom for the PDP should the party allow such political blunders.

     

  • Abia petro-chemical firm to create 7000 jobs

    The people cheered as Abia State Governor Theodore Orji flagged off the Etugo Integrated oil and Petro-Chemical Industries Ltd in Umuahia. But the joy was not just that a new firm has taken off; it was that the petro-chemical outfit is reckoned to provide no fewer than 7,000 jobs for the state’s teeming youths.

    Flagging-off the building of the industry located at Mgbarakuma Ubakala, Umuahia South council, Governor Orji encouraged indigenous entrepreneurs to come home and invest, assuring them of the protection of their investment.

    Orji said that the security network put in place by his administration has made those who had earlier left the state to come back and urged Abia indigenes who want to invest to come home and invest as they are assured of their safety and those of their investments.

    The Governor commended Etugo oil for remembering home and assured him that the investment will be fruitful, adding that the state government will provide all the enabling environment needed to ensure that the project is a success to the benefit of the state and its people.

    He also urged the investor to carry the land owners along while applauding Mgbarakuma people for making their land available to the government for projects, adding that they should feel free to extend the same gesture to any meaningful investors coming to invest.

    The governor promised that his government will pay compensation to the community for releasing their land and urged them to allow those who have purchased land from them to invest and also help to provide security as they (land owners) will surely benefit through employments opportunities.

    Earlier in his speech, the commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Duke Ihekwereme Okorie appreciated the Governor for creating the right environment for the rapid development of the state and appreciated Etugo oil for citing the project in the state.

    The Chairman of the firm, Chief Etugo- Ndubuisi Ogah, said that about 3000 direct and 4000 indirect jobs would be created when the $6 million plant finally comes on board and assured all those who will be employed of equal opportunity to grow in any area of their choice.

    Speaking with The Nation after the ceremony Ogah said that part of the fund for the gigantic project had been acquired through the Bank of Industry under the Automobile fund scheme, stressing that the industry apart from petro-chemical that other automobile accessories will equally be produced.

    Ogah said that already, an Indian technical partner, the Onella Group, had already arrived, the country to help in realizing the project expected to be delivered in 36 months time, adding that it is part of his contribution to the development of the state and its people.

    According to him, other products apart from petro- chemicals to be produced in the plant include: motorcycle and tricycle tyres, tubes, motor batteries, and detergents among others, “These products are expected to be marketed both locally and internationally, as there are ready market for the products”.

    He said the state government had already provided land as part of its contribution to the actualization of the project, assuring that the project would be delivered on schedule and thanked the state governor, Chief Orji for the land and assured him that it will be utilised for the purposed it was meant for.

    Ogah hinted that arrangements had also been concluded to locate a 5000 KVA power plant on the premises of the firm for constant power supply, adding that when the entire project is finally realized,  Abia State will consolidate its position as the industrial cum commercial hub of the South East geopolitical zone.

  • Abia students’ day of culture

    Students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) were thrilled by an uncommon display of Igbo culture when the National Association of Abia State Students held its Cultural Day. Despite the approaching semester examination, the students rolled out the drums to mark the day.

    The event, which took place at Hall 1 Car Park, attracted dignitaries, including Clement Nwajiobi, who chaired the event; Superintendent David Amanahu and Prof Nnanna Ibeh, among others.

    In his lecture titled: The role of culture in nation building, Prof Ibeh advised the Abia students to be law-abiding, praising members of executive of the association for giving Igbo culture a lift on the campus.

    “The objectives of the Igbo are towards development and entrepreneurship. Hence, we should all try to make our views and decisions toward positive development and not on frivolities,” she said.

    The association’s troupe entertained the guests and audience with cultural dance. Other activities that marked the ceremony included traditional wrestling, award presentation, breaking of kolanuts and drama.

    Giving the vote of thanks, the president of the association, Vincent Nwajiobi, thanked the guests for supporting the programmes of the association. He said: “This is the first cultural day organised by this association. I encourage the people coming after us to make it better because cultural values are what keep us together as a nation.”

  • Abia police prepare for 2015 elections

    Abia police prepare for 2015 elections

    The Abia State police command has organised a workshop for all the political parties, security agencies and traders in the state to orientate them on the need for a violence-free and fair general elections in 2015.

    Speaking in Umuahia while declaring the workshop open, the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji said that the workshop could not have come at a better time as the general elections are around the corner, adding that there is need to educate the electorate.

    Orji said that the Inspector-General of Police Abba Suleman should be commended for ordering his men in different states to hold the workshop to ensure a hitch-free general election.

    The governor who was represented by his deputy, Sir Emeka Ananaba regretted the absence of several political parties, stressing that only the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) turned up at the workshop.

    He maintained that the workshop will lecture the police and other security agencies in the state on the need to ensure that there will be free and fair elections in the coming year and ensure that the electorates know their voting rights.

    Orji said that security is very important in the forthcoming general elections and that the state government is not ready to compromise.

    Said he, “We are not ready to trade the peace and security of this state and its people under any guise”.

    He noted that the government of the state is aware of the troubles and crisis the police command in the state faces during general elections, adding that government is prepared to curb any excesses of the violent politicians should it arise.

    Orji praised the political stakeholders in the state for attending the stakeholders workshop, adding that he believes that the participants will fashion out ways that will ensure peace during and after the elections, urging the participants to open their minds to learn and proffer useful solutions to curb election violence.

    Earlier the state commissioner of police, Adamu Ibrahim said that the workshop is necessary because elections are near and want politicians to ensure that there will be credible elections, adding that the workshop is the brain child of the Inspector General of Police.

    Ibrahim said that it is expected that all the stakeholders would come together to deliberate and come up with a violence-free and fair general election. No one knows it all, “which is the reason we convened this workshop as all have roles to play for us to have a free and fair election”.

    However in a lecture titled violent free elections, delivered by Prof Etannibi Alemika of the University of Jos, blamed the electorate for the woes of the country by allowing themselves to be bought over by politicians, as they do not know their political value.

    Alemika said that until the electorates realise their importance they will be ready to elect responsible people into public offices during elections through utilising their votes which makes them equal to anyone including the President on any election day in the country.

    He said, “Since the electorates do not know their value they are willing to sell their votes in exchange for cigarettes, rice and in most cases money and at the end make it possible for violent people to take over the system”.

    The university don insisted that political violence could be triggered by politicians playing the role of godfathers whose stuck in trade is to impose unpopular candidates on the people, “This imposition leads to political violence during and after elections and should be avoided”.

    Alemika said that anyone caught causing election violence despite his level in the society should be sentenced to jail, instead of being allowed to enter into government house as a governor or the state house as a President.

    In his contribution, the state APC chairman Fabian Nwankwo  called on the conveners of the one day workshop to extend it to all the 17 local government areas of the state including the political ward, stressing that most of the people who are supposed to be at the workshop were not there.

     

  • Pipeline Vandalism: NSCDC Arrests 6

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), in an operation at Patrick Waterside of River State, intercepted a wooden Boat loaded with Crude-Oil.

    The Corps, in a statement through its spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, disclosed that it collaborated with the 146 Battalion of the Nigeria Army in the State to carry out the operation.

    According to Okeh, the combined team swung into action after receiving an intelligence report on the activities of vandals at the creek.

    He further recounted that on sighting security operatives, the vandals dove into the river, abandoning the wooden boat and the stolen product.

    In addition, the statement also mentioned a brilliant interception of NSCDC’s Anti-vandal team from Abia state command, which foiled the attempt of pipeline vandals at Isiala Ngwa area of the state.

    The team reportedly arrested six persons who were mounting valves on pipelines with the intention to vandalise and siphon Petroleum Products.

    Okeh added that for prosecution, the suspects would be charged to court of competent jurisdiction after investigation is completed.

     

  • Abia assures business owners

    Abia assures business owners

    Investors and business owners in Abia State have been assured of the state government’s commitment to promoting trade and investment in the state and Aba in particular.

    Governor Theodore Orji who was a special guest of honour at the second edition of a business summit organised by a group of business professionals, Abia Think Tank Association (ATTA), said that as part of his administration’s efforts to ensure that business activities continue to thrive in the state and the once troubled commercial city, the state government invested heavily in security.

    Orji, represented by the state Petroleum Commissioner, Honourable Don Ubani, underscoring the importance of Aba to the economy of the state, said that as part of his administration’s efforts to further promote trading activities, his government is also working hard to ensure that power generation and distribution in Aba are stable.

    This, he said, will enable manufacturers to save cost of production and also maximize profit.

    According to Ubani, “the state government is not relenting in making the state and Aba the envy of all”, and urged participants of the summit to queue into the developmental programmes of Governor T.A Orji’s led administration.

    The Petroleum Commissioner used the opportunity to promise Aba residents that work would commence immediately on some of the roads that were already bad in the city as soon as the rainy season ends and dry season sets in.

    He expressed hope that the business summit would provide the businessmen in Aba to rub minds together and proffer solutions on how to restore the “lost glory” of the business community.

    President of ATTA, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, in a key note address captioned “A Fresh Wave of Thinking on Aba,” said that the passion for the summit was borne out of the association’s concern for a robust socio-economic and political development of the Abia State, Southeast and the entire nation.

    Ohuabunwa disclosed that this year’s business summit was the second in the series of what has become an annual intellectual discussion programme by his group (ATTA) to appraise what he described as “critical challenges of development in Abia State with Aba being at the heart of it”, adding “based on distillation and articulation of intelligent ideas and solutions proffered by key speakers, resource persons and participants of this business summit, it has become a veritable platform for unlocking the hidden treasures to unleash creative energies for the sustainable socio-economic development of our people.”

    ATTA President who is also President Nigerian-American Chamber of Commerce said that the vision of the annual Aba Business Summit is to pursue sustainable people oriented programmes which would boost economy of the state and the country, create job opportunities for the teeming unemployed Abia and Nigerian youths, promote productivity and also exposing businessmen to international best practices of doing business.

    Ohuabunwa while lauding the state government’s efforts in tackling developmental challenges in the state, said the T. A Orji administration has made tremendous efforts to leave behind concrete developmental structures through the governor’s  legacy projects across the state and expressed hope that his successor in 2015 will ould continue on the same developmental pace.

    He urged stakeholders and participants at the business summit to redouble their efforts and pull resources together “to create a new model city of Aba with world-class infrastructure to drive the economy of Abia, southeast and Nigeria forward.”

    Some of the participants thanked the organisers of the summit for engaging their minds in a such manner.

    They also requested that more groups be involved in order to ensure a wider participation and consensus.

  • Orji’s son vies for Abia Assembly

    The first son of Abia State Governor Theodore Orji, Chinedu, has expressed his interest in the state House of Assembly by obtaining his nomination form. If elected, he will be representing Umuahia Central constituency.

    Speaking with The Nation in Umuahia, the state capital, Chinedu said that he has been under immense pressure from his friends for over four years now to run for the state house of assembly seat to consolidate on all his good works for the youths of the state.

    Chinedu stressed that he is not going to the State Assembly to be its Speaker but to give quality representation to the people of his constituency and consolidate on the gains of those who were there before him.

    He said that he has no ambition to be a speaker, “I have been under immense pressure to run and if I have the ambition to be a speaker it will not be to the best interest of my constituency and other interest groups”.

    Chinedu said, “If I have an inordinate ambition, I would have sneaked myself into the House of Representatives or the state house of assembly and I would have been a high ranking member to enable me be the speaker, that is if ranking is the criterion to be a speaker”.

    The man who is popularly known as Ikuku by his admirers said since he did not sneak into either the federal House of Representatives or the state house of assembly, “It shows that I do not have any interest to be the speaker of Abia House of Assembly”.

    He however made it clear that despite the fact that he has no interest to be speaker, “It does not mean that anyone can intimidate me out of my democratic right to contest election into any elective position in the state now or in the future because I know that I am competent”.

    Chinedu said that he is one man who cannot easily be controlled when he knows that he is standing on the right part, stressing that this part of his life may lead to his being impeached easily as the speaker at the slightest opportunity.

    On the question that stakeholders from the central zone of the state may force him to be the speaker of the house of assembly, he said, “I will never accept to be the speaker because of the reasons I had earlier stated”.

    He explained that none of the house members from Abia Central senatorial district have been told not to return, saying that only those who have spent twelve years in the legislative arm of government have been told by their people to allow others to go and represent them.

    Chinedu dismissed the insinuations at the figments of the imaginations of the enemies of the state, stressing that the state has been known to be peaceful and save for a long time since the era of kidnappings and violent killings were stopped, “Since they have nothing doing they decided to cause trouble through spreading false rumours”.

  • Wabara: I ‘ll make difference in Abia

    Wabara: I ‘ll make difference in Abia

    Abia State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship Sir Marc Wabara has promised to take the state to a greater height, if elected as the governor.

    The aspirant, who has obtained the ‘Expression of Interest’ and ‘Governorship Nomination’ forms from the party secretariat, Abuja.

    Accompanied by youths, women and other party faithful, Wabara was received by party leaders, including the Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Chief Okey Nnaedozie, the Political Adviser to the National Organising Secretary, Hon. Chris Iroegbu, and the Deputy National Legal Adviser, Alhaji Bashir Maidugu.

    Nnaedozie congratulated Wabara for his decision to vie for the governorship and assured him of a level-playing ground at the primaries. He said the party will organise a transparent and acceptable shadow poll.

    Wabara described himself as a founding member of the party, saying that his loyalty has not been in doubt. He said he is conversant  with the manifesto of the party and the Transformation Agenda of the  Jonathan Administration.”

    He said: “Having consulted widely, I have come to the conclusion that there is no better time than now to place my exposure and experience to the benefit of Abians, to serve my people with humility, transparency and with the fear of God. I am firmly resolved to replicate the Transformation Agenda in Abia State for the benefit of Abians.”

    Wabara said that he had been favoured by God in his banking career and the private sector, where he had reached the peak.

    He said: “This is the time to give back to my people in appreciation of God’s infinite mercies.”

    On his policy thrust, the management expert promised a transparent leadership, the judicious utilisation of funds and the proper co-ordination between the state and local councils for optimal development.

    He said: “Considering the need for us to sustain the efforts of past and present leaders particularly in our state, I felt that the time has come for me to contribute my own quota in the public sector. Consequently, I will use my private sector exposure and experience to ensure that our people continue to enjoy the best that democratic governance can offer. I believe I have the requisite credentials, competence, experience, maturity and integrity. I have also been a manager of men and materials.”

    Wabara added: “While I was the chief executive of the bank, I used my position to create jobs. We also financed many projects that positively impacted the lives of our people. I believe that my emergence will sustain the peace and tranquility that we enjoy in Abia State today.

    “I see myself as a bridge builder. Though I am from Abia South by birth, I am linked to Abia North by marriage. Also, the people of Abia Central Senatorial District were extremely kind to me during the civil disturbances when they accorded me excellent hospitality. If elected, I will be a governor for all Abians irrespective of where they come from. My mission as governor is to use the talents that God has blessed me with to uplift the quality of life of our people.

    “Specifically, Abia is a state that has one of the most important factors of production – human capital. The state has a very vibrant youth population that is highly educated and with capacity for hard work. We will work with highly educated individuals and seasoned technocrats in delivering democracy dividends to our people.

  • ‘Abia APC chiefs won’t defect to other parties’

    ‘Abia APC chiefs won’t defect to other parties’

    Is it true that some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State are defecting to other parties to be relevant?

    No, said Rt. Hon Stanley Ohajuruka, a former Speaker in the state House of Assembly, and a chieftain of the APC. In fact, he added, APC chiefs in the state do not need to leave the party in order to be in reckoning.

    Such rumours were rife in the state last week but the ex-Speaker has waved them away.

    Ohajuruka who spoke with our reporter in Aba, the commercial nerve of the state, said, “I am not aware of any move by anyone in APC to defect from the party to any other party, but if somebody is moving, where will the person be going to? You want to go to another party where you will go and stay on the queue or what?

    “I am not aware of any such move, unless it is being arranged for tomorrow. Though people are free to make their personal decisions, I don’t think there is any action like that by any of the APC chieftains or party members.

    “The problem which APC like every other party is having is internal and at the moment as I am speaking with you, it is being resolved amicably among the warring members at the national level.”

    Ohajuruka who intends to contest for the Abia Central Senatorial District under APC said, “I don’t belong to any faction as a person. My own duty is to encourage or promote understanding and peace amongst all the members of the party and whoever gets what, everybody should support the person so that we can form a formidable opposition to the ruling party because the absence of unity will bring about discord among us which will be to the advantage of the ruling party.

    “That is why we are encouraging our members to come so that we can work together. We (APC) members should shun hatred and put rancour aside to fight for a common goal”.

    He added “We don’t have one political party in Abia State like the ruling party will always boast. Every state has its dynamics and the dynamics of Abia State politics will soon play out itself very well, I can assure you.

    “Nobody should rule out any party. Every political party has its own internal problems, but the most important thing is to how to resolve it. I am assuring my supporters and the party’s supporters across the state that APC will live up to its expectations.

    “It is not even easy in the political parties where they are decamping to, if the rumours were anything to go by. Who are they going to pitch their tents with? Are they going to dislodge people or contest for a position or be a delegate there (defected party)? I will urge every APC supporter wherever that they might be to hold on to the APC ideologies and disregard such insinuations.

    “I am assuring them that everybody will be carried along as soon as things were harmonized and we hit the ground running. APC is the political party that will provide for Abians the true dividends of democracy which they truly deserve.”