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Tag: Anambra State

  • 90-year-old woman gets lifetime award in Anambra

    A 90-year-old woman, Mrs Elizabeth Okafor has been honoured with a lifetime service award in Aboatulu, Abomimi village in Enugwu Ukwu community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Rotary International, District 9412, Awka Metropolis amplified the celebrations by giving soft loans to widows and indigent women to improve their businesses.

    There were 13 recipients of the award.

    Ngozi White Agu was given the excellent leadership award while Salome Emoka got the humanitarian service award.

    Rotary International said it was part of its social responsibility with the women wing of Aboatulu kindred.

    Apart from the widows, other beneficiaries of the soft loans were farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs.

    They were empowered during the Aboatulu kindred meeting and they were all drawn from the kindred.

    Presenting the cash gifts, the President, Rotary Awka metropolis District 9412, Mrs Ngozi Mbachi said both her member and the women group presented different economic empowerments apart from the loans.

    She told The Nation that the aim was to encourage the women to thrive in their petty businesses.

    Mbachi said, “This will also discourage them from engaging on social ills. One of the core areas of Rotary Club International is economic development. We want them to remain the salt of the world. We want them to make a difference wherever they find themselves. Women are agents of change and should always be ready to bless people around them.”

    Mbachi chairs the Aboatulu kindred meeting (Women Wing).

    She said, “Watch and pray as we are heading to the middle of 2019. We should be weary of what we do today because in due course,  we shall reap what we sow. We are special people. We should hold unto God by standing by what we do. God will see us through in all we do. We are to bring peace, love and unity where we are married.”

    Speaking with The Nation, one of the women leaders, Lady Seraphine Okafor, charged women to be steadfast.

    Two of the  awardeess, Ngozi Anagor and Mrs Azuka Okafor thanked God and the organisers, stressing that they would not relent in their quest to better the society through skills and humanitarian services.

    Ninety-year old Mama Okafor, told The Nation that it is good to do good in one’s life, adding, ‘People believe I’ve done enough in my lifetime. My prayer is for the young ones to continue in that direction without relenting and by that, the society will be a better place for everyone.

    “I thank the young president of Rotary for recognising hard work, honesty, sincerity and humanitarian service in rural areas and God will continue to direct her in her endeavours.”

  • Umeadi is visiting Professor of law

    Chief Judge Emeritus of Anambra State Justice Peter Umeadi has been appointed visiting Professor of law at the University of Nigeria (UNN), Enugu campus.

    His appointment letter, signed by the Registrar of the University, Dr. Chris Igbokwe, reads: “The Vice Chancellor has approved that you be offered appointment as a Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, for one year. With effect from the day you assume duty, the appointment is hereby so offered.

    “The appointment is subject to the provisions of the University of Nigeria Act and any Statutes made thereunto, and to the Regulations Governing Conditions of Service of Senior Staff (CONUASS 1-7) as approved by the Governing Council from time to time.

    “The appointment lapses if you fail to assume duty within three months from the date of acceptance of offer.”

    Justice Umeadi, who voluntarily retired from the Judicial Service of Anambra State on February 28, was appointed and sworn in as a Judge of the High Court of Anambra State on January 17, 1997, and later elevated as the Acting Chief Judge of Anambra State.

    He retired from the service of Anambra State Judiciary on February 28, 2019 as the Chief Judge of the State.

    He, however, retains his position on the Global Council of World Jurists Association (WJA) as President for another term of two years (2019-2021).

     

  • No nation can grow with election rigging – Peter Obi

    The vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the February 23, 2019 presidential election, Mr. Peter Obi has said that no nation can grow nation can grow with election rigging.

    In a statement Sunday by his media office, Obi described election rigging as the worst form of vices, as he decried the “rigging” recorded in the 2019 general elections.

    The former Anambra State Governor said that the process through which people come into office is far more important than what they do thereafter, adding that the process forms the basis of their integrity.

    According to him, election rigging is the root of corruption, as it goes to impact negatively on the political and economic growth of the country.

    The PDP vice presidential candidate noted that the “fraud” that characterised the 2019 elections has greatly undermined the country’s democracy.

    He added that it has significantly damaged the future of the country, ridiculed the fight against vices and tainted the integrity of those responsible.

    Obi further observed that the enormity of damage done to the collective psyche of the nation by electoral fraud cannot be quantified.

    The opposition chieftain submitted that negative acts like election manipulation were part of the reasons the country is not growing and or tackle the existing myriads of problems like unemployment and its attendant vices.

    “The only thing rigging does to a country is that it continues to keep incompetent people in office, and as a result, rather than put energy in creating jobs to engage its teeming youths, it instead channels it trying to contain all sorts of vices and brigandage”, Obi said.

    Read Also: Peter Obi rejects presidential results in Anambra

    He blamed the sustenance of incompetent persons in political offices on election rigging, saying that the trend has continued to cause harm to the society.

    Mr. Obi charged leaders at all levels to be more concerned and strive to create jobs and engage millions of Nigerian youths roaming the streets doing nothing at their prime productive ages.

     

  • Obiano inaugurates farmers support initiative in Anambra

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on Friday, inaugurated a Farmers Support (FS) Initiative, to eradicate extreme poverty among rural farmers in the state.

    Speaking at the occasion at Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area, Obiano said his administration had earmarked N300 million as loans for farmers in the coming farming season.

    Obiano, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Afam Mbanefo, expressed commitment to eradicating poverty through agriculture.

    He, however, urged farmers, yet to repay their previous loans to do so.

    He said participation of youths in agriculture had risen from eight per cent to 25 per cent since he became governor in March 2014.

    According to him, women currently occupy over 60 per cent of the farming population, with men coming below 40 per cent, pledging 100 per cent support for the project in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative is a UK-based International Development Organisation that promotes farming in Africa and Asia.

    It is in collaboration with the State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture and the State Ministry of Agriculture.

    In his remarks, the International Director of FS Initiative, Mr Ikenna Offor, explained that the five-year multi-million naira project was designed to address subsistence and peasant level of farming.

    “The focus is on advocacy, information, training and logistical assistance where necessary.

    “We promote farming as a viable means of livelihood and an avenue of sustainable socio-economic development in developing economies.

    “We plan to commence the project among farmers from Anambra East and Anambra West Local Government Areas after which other local government areas will follow,” he said.

    According to him, the organisation also plans to assist farmers with grants, farm seedlings and inputs on a path to sustainable development.

    “With as a little as N400, 000, I can tell you that most of these peasant farmers can be put on sustainable development and upgraded from the extreme poverty level ,” Offor said.

    Read Also: Obiano satisfied with elections

    In his speech, the Director-General of the State Chamber of Commerce, Mr Ikechukwu Chukwumaije, expressed confidence that the project would benefit the people of the state.

    He urged stakeholders to key into the project by being supportive at the various stages as part of measures to help farmers out of poverty.

    Other speakers, including Chief Chika Okpala (Zebrudaya) and Prof. Chukwuemeka Omaliko, said if properly implemented, the initiative would impact positively on the security programme of the state.

    NAN

     

     

  • Anger in Anambra’s forgotten community

    Residents of Ozzu-Ndiukwuenu, a community in Anambra State, are angry about a number of things, one them lack of basic amenities. They even recruit and pay teachers in their community primary school, but the most annoying development, they say, is the sale of their land by the state government. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    The Ozzu, Ndiukwuenu community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State needs attention. The community is neglected, and without necessary amenities from the state government, even the road awarded by the state government over five years had been abandoned

    Not only that; the people recruit and pay salaries of teachers in the community secondary school Ndiukwuenu from their meagre resources.

    Some people in the state believe that Ndiukwuenu is the most educationally disadvantaged community in the entire state.

    This time around, some people believed to be government agents, have ventured into Mamu forest reserve and started selling the community’s land with impunity.

    As a result, the community is protesting what they refer to as impunity, when they blocked the government house gate on Monday with placards.

    The young and old in the community, women, widows numbering over 200 are saying with one voice that ‘enough is enough’.

    A woman leader in the community, Ezinne Dorothy Onyebara, while speaking with The Nation, said they are like people without hope. She said the state government has decided to make Ndiukwuenu an outcast and sheep without a shepherd.

    The leader of the protesters and a community leader, Mr Ezechukwu Nwankwo, told The Nation that they would not allow anyone to take possession of Mamu forest reserve.

    In her reaction to the recruitment of teachers by the community, the state Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof Kate Omenugha, told The Nation that it was nothing new or earthshaking in it

    She said education should not be left for government alone, adding it was the reason why the church, parent teacher associations and others are involved.

    Chief Peter Nwafor, another community leader in Ndiukwuenu, said, “We are protesting the grave injustice done to us, our ancestors and unborn generations by agents of this  government who have forcefully taken over our land and bestowed the rights to same in the hands of known criminals from within and outside our community.

    “This single action of empowering and rewarding criminality has led to the deterioration of the security situation in Ozzu-Ndiukwuenu such that the community has become inaccessible beyond 8.00pm.

    “Your Excellency, may I call your attention to the fact that while our neighbouring communities sold their land to the colonial government for the purpose of Forestry.

    “Ozzu-Ndiukwuenu community donated theirs after reaching some terms of agreement with the colonial government. It is unacceptable to us that your government has given approval to the de-reservation of some portions of this land, and shared it among some powerful agents of your government and known troublemakers in Anambra State in total disregard of these terms of agreement reached by your predecessor government.

    “The leadership of the community was neither consulted nor informed of this grave decision that will affect the life of the community in many ways.

    “Attached herewith are the copies of forged and fraudulent documents they used in selling the Mamu River Forest Reserve lands. We hereby plead for their investigation and immediate prosecution.

    “We remind Your Excellency that the ownership of Mamu River Forest Reserve is still in dispute between Anambra and Enugu states, a matter in consideration at the National Boundary Commission. The present action of your government has opened us to attack from agents of Enugu State Government.

    “In the light or the above, we plead with Your Excellency to REVOKE the approval given for the de-reservation of any portion of Mamu River forest Reserve pending the resolution of the substantive case before the National Boundary Commission.

    “We also seize the opportunity to beckon on His Excellency to remobilize to site the Contractors working on the abandoned Ndiukwuenu Road.

    “His Excellency should also send teachers to Community Secondary School, Ndiukwuenu. It is an irony that while government pays teachers in Secondary Schools in rich communities across the State, poor Ndiukwuenu is made to recruit and pay teachers from its meager resources if its children must go to school.

    “This is despite the fact that Ndiukwuenu is the most educationally disadvantaged community in Anambra State. These are the things that matter to us,” Nwafor said.

  • Buhari commiserates with families, victims of Onitsha tanker accident

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday sent condolences to families of those who lost their lives in a tanker accident in Onitsha, Anambra State, on Wednesday.

    The President in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina commiserated with the government and people of Anambra State over the sad incident.

    READ ALSO: Buhari commiserates with victims of Makurdi fire incident

    He urged hospitals to give the survivors effective medical attention.

    President Buhari prayed that the almighty God will grant families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss and grant quick recovery to the injured.

  • Executive, legislature on same page with APGA victory, says Obiano

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano state has commended the people of the state for voting overwhelmingly for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the State House of Assembly elections.

    He was particularly happy for their peaceful, orderly and law-abiding disposition throughout the exercise.

    Obiano, who spoke through the Commissioner for information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuba, described the overwhelming support for APGA as a referendum on the performance of the party.

    He said the party’s victory has further bridged the gap between the executive and legislative arms of government, saying it would guarantee accelerated development and enhanced living standards.

    He said: “The elections confirm Anambra’s reputation as Nigeria’s safest and most peaceful state, despite one or two incidents.

    “Our people inspire the world with their love of democracy and the rapid development which comes with it.

    “APGA won 24 of the 30 seats, leaving the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with only six seats.

    Read Also: NJC, Obiano hail Umeadi on retirement

    “Their support is as inspiring as it is challenging because it makes all of us in government constantly to seek to attain greater heights for the benefit of our people.

    “With both the executive and legislative arms of government on the same page, our people are guaranteed accelerated development and enhanced living standards.

    “APGA is Nigeria’s foremost development-oriented party, and the people of Anambra State have embraced our philosophy and development strategy without reservations, making us arguably the most competitive state in Nigeria right now.’’

  • Two die, presiding officer abducted in Anambra

    Two persons lost their lives in a cult clash involving two rival factions in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The clash involved Black Axe and Vickings Confraternity took place during the House of Assembly elections in Anambra state.

    The police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident in a statement, also said a female presiding officer, one Meniri Njideka, of Nawfia, was allegedly abducted at Afor market square unit Mbaukwu in Awka South LGA.

    He said the officer was later rescued and treated at the Police Clinic, Awka and discharged.

    He further disclosed that three suspects were arrested and a locally made Pistol with four live ammunition recovered in the shooting in Agulu township polling unit.

    Mohammed said: “There are isolated cases recorded in some areas such as shooting incidents and disruption of voting at Agulu township polling unit where three suspects were arrested and a locally made Pistol with four live ammunition recovered.

    “There was another shooting incident also at Nwanebo Primary School 1 and 2 inside Immaculate Catholic Berth Church premises Ula in Ekwulobia involving two private security guards of the church following a scuffle.

    “One of the security guard namely Ngozi Goodwill short his colleague one MO Justses Anyadike ‘m’aged 26 years on his leg.”

    “The pallets of the expanded cartridges also brushed five other persons who came to vote at the polling booth and sustained minor injuries and were treated.

    “The Principal suspects were arrested and two Pump Action, seven live cartridges and one expanded cartridge were recovered.

    “There was also an isolated incident of cult clash of two rival factions Black Axe and Vickings Confraternity leading to the death of two yet to be identified persons at Obosi.

    “Case under investigation and efforts being intensified to apprehend fleeing suspects.”

    The PPRO listed other offences recorded during the election to include thuggery at Nri in Anaocha LGA, Umouji ward in Ogidi and Ntege where the Command responded promptly and effected arrest at the above-mentioned scenes.

    “Meanwhile, a total number of 47 persons were arrested for various offences ranging from disruption of elections, malicious damage, thuggery, assault, and unlawful possession of Firearm.

    “Exhibits recovered includes 2 double barrel guns, 1 locally made pistol, 4 life ammunition, 3 expanded ammunition, 1 Toyota Hilux, 1 L300 Bus, 291 Ballot papers, 1 motorcycle, dry leave suspected to be Indian hemp, Cash Sum of #173,420

    “All suspects have been transferred to CIID Awka for discreet investigation after which they would be charged to Court for prosecution,” he added.

  • Ngige, APC petition INEC over alleged stolen materials

    The Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged stolen electoral materials meant for two constituencies.

    The petition was addressed to the Resident Electoral commissioner REC in Anambra state, Dr. Nkwachukwu Orji.

    Addressing reporters on Saturday, Ngige said the two constituencies were Ihiala I and Awka South I, stressing electoral materials kept in the custody of the local government chairmen were stolen.

    According to him:  “So far, there are reported cases of pilfering of INEC materials at Ihiala I and Awka South I, where our party agents have reported that materials kept in custody of the Local Government Chairmen were no longer complete on the morning of the election at the RAC.

    “We have petitioned the INEC through the REC, bringing his attention to that situation otherwise the elections in those two places would have been compromised ab initio”

    Read Also: Obiano, Ngige fail to deliver Buhari in Anambra

    “So we are on standby, we are waiting for the votes to be counted in many places and for elections to come in.”

    On the election, the Minister said: “Anambra is not doing governorship, we are doing legislative House and it has somehow affected the turnout of voters”

    “But be that as it may, it’s a very important election as it affords the Anambra people the opportunity to form one arm of the government, State Assembly which is for making state laws and which is the ambit of governance that is nearer to the people.”

    However, he said Card reader was not much of a problem this time, adding INEC should look into it very seriously as majority were still rejecting peoples thumbs.

     

     

  • Four sustain bullet injury in Anambra

    Four persons were allegedly shot by a yet- to- be identified vigilante at the Immaculate Heart Primary School polling unit, Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area of Anambra state.

    The Nation gathered one of the victims, Moses Anyadike, said to be supporters of the All progressives Congress (APC) was fatally wounded on the leg by the bullet.

    Read Also: Why Buhari lost in Anambra, by Senator Uba

    According to the APC candidate for Aguata 2 House of Assembly, Afam Ezenwafor, Anyadike was plucking oranges when he was attacked.

    “He was plucking oranges in the premises when a gun wielding vigilante got into a squabble with him and shot him on the leg,” he said.

    Ezenwafor added the other three victims also sustained varying degrees of injury from the bullet spree.

    He said Anyadike, an executive member of Ekwulobia Students Union, was rushed to St Mary’s Hospital Ekwulobia, while the other three were taken to nearby chemist shops for first aid treatment.