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Tag: Anambra State

  • ‘Nigerians survive by faith, not on government planning’

    Anglican bishop of Lagos West diocese, Rt. Rev Olusola Odedeji has expressed worry over the incompetent and clueless disposition of some leaders in the country.

    He was however optimistic of the ability of Nigerians to survive by faith in God and not necessarily on government’s planning.

    Odedeji spoke at St Jude’s Anglican Church, Adazi Ani, Anambra State during the ongoing 3rd session of the 11th Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Awka diocese.

    The cleric asked Nigerians, especially Christians not to compromise their faith in God despite the prevailing harsh economic realities.

    He said, “Some leaders in the country are clueless on issues of good governance and true essence of democracy. But thank God for still being God in the affairs of Nigerians.

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    “Without faith in him, it will be difficult to survive tribulations. As long as one’s faith in God is unwavering, the person is sure of victory, no matter what.”

    Describing the synod theme, “The victory that has overcome the world, even our faith”, as apt, the Bishop urged the citizens not to give up hope.

    Earlier, the host bishop of Awka Anglican diocese, Rt. Rev Alexander Ibezim pledged his diocese’s readiness to go into partnership with the diocese of Lagos West in many areas.

    He praised Odedeji for appointing a man from Awka diocese his Chaplain from among over 400 priests of the diocese, describing him as a true ecumenical and detribalized Nigerian.

     

  • One chance syndicates nabbed for robbing woman in Anambra

    A three-man robbery syndicate have been arrested by the police for allegedly robbing a woman in Nkpor, Idemili North local government area of Anambra State.

    The suspects were said to have conspired and snatched the victim’s bag inside a commercial tricycle along Limca road in the area.

    Confirming the arrest, the police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said the suspects were apprehended by Police detectives attached to Isiuwulu Division.

    He gave their names as Chukwuebuka Okafor (23) of Nkpor, Friday Okpe (24) of Ijubam in Ado LGA of Benue State and Peter Ochai (21) all of Benue State.

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    He said, “Suspects conspired and snatched a bag belonging to one Mercy Anekwe ‘f’ containing sum of fifteen thousand Naira (15000).

    “Also in the bag are camon Xpro valued at N75,000, TECNO 66I valued at N7,800 and Power bank valued N3,500.

    “Exhibit recovered from the suspects includes the complainant’s SIM card.”

    Mohammad added that the case was being investigated after which suspects would be charged to court.

     

  • Court orders CP, others to pay N15m over lawyer’s illegal detention

    Anambra State High Court sitting at Otuocha has ordered the state Commissioner of Police and two others to pay the sum of N15m to Mr. Emmanuel Chinenye Arinze as damages for infringing on his fundamental rights.

    The order followed an application for Fundamental Rights Enforcement made to the court by Arinze through his team of lawyers led by Prof Ilochi Okafor SAN and seven others.

    Arinze, in his statement on oath in support of the application, alleged that the officer in charge of Aguleri Police Area Command, Mr Abdu Osu, and another police officer, Sgt. Oviaede Mamode had on December 3, 2018, arrested, tortured, humiliated and detained him in a police cell at Aguleri Area Command till the following day.

    He said, “This action by the two officers working as agents of the state commissioner of Police was unconstitutional and a gross violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of human person, personal liberty and freedom of movement, as guaranteed under sections 34,35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.”

    He prayed the court to declare the action of the officers who are the 1st and 2nd Respondents in the case, as a violation of his fundamental human rights.

    The victim further asked the court for an award of damages in the sum of N100million for the breach of his rights.

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    After due consideration of the Applicant’s claims and counter-affidavit of the respondents, the presiding judge, Justice Dilibe Amaechina affirmed that the officers actually used force to torture and intimidate the applicant, “who was a young lawyer that went to the Area Command to facilitate an amicable settlement of a land transaction involving his clients” .

    Justice Dilibe Amaechina, said the officers in a naked show of power tried to bludgeon the Applicant into submission, by intimidating, torturing, humiliating, assaulting, beating and pushing him inside the police cell.

    According to him, the show of power being exhibited by policemen in the country was becoming too frequent and must be discouraged.

    “The police authorities must do something about this, as it has the undesirable effect of denigrating the police force in the eyes of the public and eroding the confidence of the people in the ability of the police to protect lives and property”.

    The Court therefore ordered the three Respondents, Abdu Osu, Oviaede Mamode, and the commissioner of Police, to pay the Applicant the sum of fifteen million naira as damages for the breach of his fundamental rights.

    Counsel to the Applicant, Mr. Pere Oseme expressed satisfaction over the judgement and urged authorities of the Nigeria Police to comply with the court order.

    He also charged them to deploy their internal mechanism of discipline to punish those erring officers which would serve as a deterrent to others.

    Another legal practitioner, Mr. Greg Ofodile described the judgement as “an exemplary act of judicial activism that would go a long way in checking the excesses of policemen in Nigeria”.

    He explained that police authorities could pay the judgement sum and later deduct the amount from retirement benefits of those officers involved.

    On his part, a law teacher at Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Dr A.U Abonyi urged members of the public whose rights have been infringed or likely to be infringed, to approach the courts for redress as the judiciary remained the last hope of the common man.

  • Insecurity: No sacred cows in Anambra – Obiano

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state on Thursday restated his commitment to fighting crime and criminality in the state.

    He warned criminal elements to stay away from the state or face retribution, insisting that there were no sacred cows.

    Obiano spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu during the launching of Operation Puff Adder in Okpoko Divisional Office, Ogbaru local government area of the state.

    He regretted what he termed “recycling” of suspects, calling on the commissioner of Police to order his men never to release any suspect without proper investigations regardless of pressure from high profile citizens.

    The governor recalled his administration declaration of war on crime from the first day he assumed office to ensure people of the state slept with their two eyes closed.

    He said, “Before my administration, Anambra State was running a 6-hour economy but now, with our successes in security, our state now runs a 24-hour economy.

    Read Also: Obiano back on the road again

    “Our people now come back home to the state to settle and participate in social activities without spending so much in security.”

    Appreciating the Inspector General of Police for the initiative, Obiano called on the various security agencies to continue to work in synergy.

    Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura said the exercise was an intensification of operations in and around the state to smoke out criminals.

    He said, “The operation is in compliance with the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to replicate the launch done at the Abuja Police Headquarters earlier in February, 2019 at the various divisions and commands across the country.

    “The launching of the operation in Okpoko division was significant given the intense economic activities and dense population of the area which makes the area susceptible to high criminal activities.

    “Operation Puff Adder is simply the intensification of police operations in and around the state with the sole objective of smoking out and getting rid of miscreants and criminals wherever they may be hiding.

    “It will consolidate our achievements in recent times. With Operation Puff Adder, law abiding citizens and residents have a lot to gain.”

    Dandaura appreciated the state governor for supporting the police in her operations and sister agencies for synergising with the police.

  • Police parade another suspected killer of ex-lawmaker

    Another suspected killer of the former Anambra State House of Assembly member and President General of Nimo Community in Njikoka local government area, Chief Frank Anthony Igboka were on Monday paraded by the police in the state.

    The Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura made disclosure while addressing press on the progress made so far in respect of the murder which took place on April 16, 2019.

    He said the suspect, Okoye Ernest Chinwe, aka IBB was arrested following discreet investigation.

    He said, “The Command Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Friday 03/5/2019 at about 7:30pm arrested the second principal suspect, one Okoye Ernest Chinwe, aka IBB from Obosi in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State.

    “The suspect was initially concealed and later mentioned by the first suspect following discreet investigation.”

    According to the CP, the suspect was traced and arrested at his hideout at old Independent National Electoral Commission road, Awka.

    “Upon interrogation, he confessed of being among the gang members that shot and killed the President General.

    “He is assisting the Police with useful information that could lead to unveiling the circumstances surrounding the incident and arrest other fleeing accomplices,” he stated.

    Read Also: Police arrest suspected armed robber, cultist in Enugu

    Dandaura assured that the Command under his watch would not relent in its efforts in unmasking the remaining suspects, calling for citizens’ cooperation with the Command.

    “One of the major factors for the success operations was support of Willie Obiano and the good people of Anambra State who were observed to have been very cooperative with the Law enforcement agencies,” he added.

    “We are indeed in an era where Community Policing remains the vogue and the people we are serving continue to demand for excellent service,” he added.

    The commissioner had last week, paraded one of the kingpin Chigbo Aneigbu who actively participated in the dastardly act and declared three others wanted.

  • Anambra offers automatic employment to physically challenged couple

    Anambra state government has offered automatic employment to a physically challenged couple, Mr. Ndubueze Ezemba and Mrs. Comfort Ezemba.

    The couple, who wedded on April 27, 2019, challenged by hearing, were offered the employment together with visually impaired groom Mr. Agbanu Kelechi.

    Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Disability Matters Bar. Chuks Ezewuzie, said the offers were part of the automatic employment scheme the Obiano-led administration has for persons with disabilities in the state.

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    Ezewuzie spoke at the weekend when the beneficiaries visited his office to collect their wedding gifts from the Governor.

    Responding, the couple expressed appreciation to the governor for honouring their wedding invitation.

    They applauded his magnanimity towards persons with disabilities in the state.

  • Over 20,000 benefit from TraderMoni in Anambra – Osinbajo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said over 20,000 traders have so far benefited from the TraderMoni and MarketMoni scheme in Anambra state.

    Osinbajo spoke at the palace of the Traditional Ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, during his visit to the state to promote the TraderMoni and MarketMoni at Eke-Awka Market in Awka and Ochanja Market in Onitsha.

    He noted that the scheme had practically gone round the country, with some receiving the MarketMoni.

    He explained that it was a Federal Government project where micro credits were provided to the lowest in the rank of the trading value chain.

    According to him: “Many of them are not given such facility or loan because nobody is sure that they will pay back or not.

    “Only the Government can guarantee that kind of facility and it is the Bank of Industry (BOI) that actually administers the loan.”

    The Vice President also expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the Federal Government’s Home-Grown-School-Feeding programme in the state.

    “As a matter of fact, we visited a lady in Awka, one of the cooks, who happened to be best cook of the programme in the community,” he added.

    He commended Achebe for his leadership style not just as the Chairman of the South-East Traditional Rulers Council but also an individual, whose statements were conciliatory rather than divisive.

    He reaffirmed Federal Government commitment to ensure that the country remain united and that all citizens, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation regard themselves as one.

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    While inspecting the Second Niger Bridge, he reassured on Federal Government commitment to completing the project and the access roads.

    He said the government insisted on completing the project in view of its economic benefit to the zone and the entire country.

    Osinbajo explained: “The Second Niger Bridge is among the five projects where money has actually been set aside under a Presidential funding initiative to ensure completion.

    “So, we have no fears that it will be completed as promised and scheduled.

    “We are all brothers regardless of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation.

    “We want to make sure that even in terms of execution of projects, we are fair and just, which is the commitment that the president has made.

    “The President is committed to ensuring that he brings this to fulfillment.”

    Gov. Willie Obiano, lauded the Federal Government’s TraderMoni and MarketMoni initiatives, saying they would encourage the culture of repayment of loans and ensure prosperity of traders.

    He further commended the Federal Government’s zeal towards the ongoing Second Niger Bridge and the completed Zik Mausoleum.

    The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe, stressed the need for the federal government to set up a Board of Trustees to manage the affairs of Zik Mausoleum.

    The monarch said the Federal Government’s TraderMoni and MarketMoni initiatives should also be extended to local markets in Onitsha, noting that they contribute to the economy.

    “Ochanja Market has become a kind of international market of sort, but then we have our own local market women, who also need to benefit from these initiatives,” he said.

    The VP was accompanied on the visit by the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, Sen. Andy Uba (APC-Anambra South) and Chief George Muoghalu, the National Auditor of APC, among others.

  • Anglican Church bombs Obiano for insulting Ohaneze boss

    Anglican Diocese of Aguata, Anambra State on Friday asked Anambra Governor Willie Obiano to tender unreserved apology to Ndigbo over alleged insult on President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo during the last general elections.

    The church also demanded an apology from the governor over what it termed open support for President Muhammadu Buhari’s reelection during the electioneering campaign.

    These were contained in the Bishops Charge presented by Rt. Rev. Samuel Ezeofor at the 2nd Session of the Fifth Synod of Diocese of Aguata holding at St James Anglican Church Uga Aguata Local Government Area of the State.

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    The cleric described the act as betrayal of the Igbos which, according to him, inflicted a deep wound on the people of the region.

    “The insult Chief Willie Obiano laid on President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo was a betrayal of the highest order, a betrayal of the whole Igbo people, a betrayal of his own people.

    “It was an insult on the whole of Igbo race and we call on him, His Excellency Chief Willie Obiano to apologize to Ndigbo.

    “We do not know how Governor Obiano can explain the stance he took but may it please him to know that he wounded us so deep in his bid to stop his benefactor Sir Peter Obi.

    “We also need to let the Governor know that we are not unaware of his moves against the Anglican faithful in Anambra State.”

    Chancellor of the Diocese, Justice Pete Obiora commended the Bishop for his analysis of the society and courage to say things the way they were.

  • Obiano bags senior civil servant’ excellence in governance award

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has won the excellence in governance award of the Association of Senior Civil Servant of Nigeria.

    State chairman of the Association, Comrade Ifeanyi Okechukwu, said the award was presented to the governor for his uncommon transformation of the State.

    Okechukwu who noted that the award was part of the 2019 worker’s day celebration, said Obiano deserved the numerous accolades being showered on him.

    He said, “Organized labour in and outside the state have variously appreciated the Governor for prompt payment of workers’ salaries and pensions in a country where other states are owing months and years of backlog of salaries.

    “His firm promise to be the first to pay the new National minimum wage of 30,000 naira is also worth commending.”

    Okechukwu who doubles as the state chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), recalled that the State had also been rated highly by the World Bank as the best performing state in the South East and South South in the implementation of World Bank projects.

    He noted that the security, education, agriculture and other sectors continue to do very well in the state and stressing that on many indices, Anambra State stands tall among equals.

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    “Some of the achievements so far recorded by the association under governor Obiano administration include, payment of the three years arrears of salaries owed water corporation staff and the payment of 1.8billion Local government pension arrears.

    Receiving the award, governor Willie Obiano, thanked the association for the award, assuring his commitment to doing more including his promise to pay the new minimum wage.

  • Breaking: Sickle cell anemia law: Priests, Parents risk imprisonment in Anambra

    Anambra State House of Assembly, has enacted a law to control and eradicate Sickle cell anemia in the state.

    The bill was sponsored by the member representing Anaocha 11 constituency, Hon Charles Ezeani, the same lawmaker behind the bill for expensive burials and funerals in the state.

    The sickle cell disease control and eradicate repeal bill seeks to eradicate sickle cell anaemia in the state and sets those living with it free from all kinds of oppression, abuse and exploitation.

    According to the bill, “It stipulates that no parent, guardian or group of persons shall give out a maiden in marriage without verification of a qualified sickle cell disease prevention certificate”

    “It also provides that no religious body or registry shall wed any person without verification as anybody who contravenes the provision of this section shall be guilty of an offence and is liable on conviction to the fine of 200,000 naira or imprisonment to the term of three years or both”

    Not only that, it bill puts in place a state monitoring committee to ensure strict compliance.

    The 6th Anambra state House of Assembly passed the bill after scaling the last reading, during plenary on Tuesday.

    The sponsor of the bill, Hon Ezeani, while addressing reporters on Wednesday, on the merits of the bill, explained that the bill was a life-saving one.

    He said it would put a final stop to the notion that ‘love is blind’, by ensuring that intending couples must present their genotype test before marriage consummation.

    Read Also: Over 150,000 infants die of sickle cell

    However, he commended the Speaker, Hon Rita Maduagwu and his colleagues for being the first to pass such a health enhancement bill in the country.

    Speaking with The Nation, the National Coordinator of people living with sickle cell anaemia, Mrs Aisha Edwards, thanked the lawmakers for the feat.

    She said the law would protect the sickle cell patients from all forms of discrimination and marginalization in the state.