The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra State

  • Goods destroyed as fire guts Anambra plaza

    Goods worth millions of naira were on Friday destroyed by fire when a story building went into flames in Woliwo layout, Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The building, located along Okagbue Agba street in the area, was reportedly razed around 8pm.

    The Nation gathered that although no life was lost in the incident, almost all the shops located at the upstairs of the building were razed down.

    The State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the incident, saying no casualties were recorded in the inferno.

    He however said the fire was put off by men of the Fire Service department with the assistance of local volunteers.

    He said, “At about 8pm, there was a fire outbreak at one storey building (Ogbo Akwukwo plaza) along Okagbue Agba street Woliwo layout, Onitsha in Anambra State.

    “Police Patrol team led by DPO CPS Onitsha SP Iburu Ifeanyi rushed to the scene and cordoned off the area to prevent looters from taking advantage of the situation to loot.”

    Mohammed further revealed that the cause of the fire and value of property destroyed were yet unknown, assuring that investigation were on to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.

     

  • Anambra monarch donates campaign vehicle to Buhari

    His Royal Highness, Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo, an Anambra monarch on Saturday in Abuja donated a Toyota Hilux vehicle to President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign.

    Ezebuilo said that he made the donation in appreciation of the sterling performance of Buhari since he assumed office.

    The paramount ruler of Amanuke kingdom, Awka-North, Anambra State, said that the re-election of President Buhari would consolidate his achievements.

    According to the monarch, the president has done well in the areas of infrastructure, anti-corruption, transport and economy.

    He said the donation was to help facilitate movements during campaign for Buhari, who he said, deserved a second term in office.

    Ezebuilo said that the president’s determination to ensure transparency in governance was commendable, and a path to securing a better future for the country.

    The Igwe called for massive support for the President’s anti-corruption drive, stressing that alleged corrupt public officers had been prosecuted and billions of naira in stolen funds, recovered.

    Read Also: Nigeria on path to development, says Buhari

    He said that the success of the whistle blower policy was laudable, stressing that a continuity in this direction would restore sanity in Nigeria.

    Mr Mahmoud Mohammed, the Director of the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign office, who received the donation at the office in Abuja, commended the monarch and promised to ensure that the vehicle was used for its purpose.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Igwe then handed the keys to the vehicle to Mohammed. (NAN)

    His Royal Highness, Igwe Dennis Ezebuilo, an Anambra monarch on Saturday in Abuja donated a Toyota Hilux vehicle to President Muhammadu Buhari for his campaign.

    Ezebuilo said that he made the donation in appreciation of the sterling performance of Buhari since he assumed office.

    The paramount ruler of Amanuke kingdom, Awka-North, Anambra State, said that the re-election of President Buhari would consolidate his achievements.

    According to the monarch, the president has done well in the areas of infrastructure, anti-corruption, transport and economy.

    He said the donation was to help facilitate movements during campaign for Buhari, who he said, deserved a second term in office.

    Ezebuilo said that the president’s determination to ensure transparency in governance was commendable, and a path to securing a better future for the country.

    The Igwe called for massive support for the President’s anti-corruption drive, stressing that alleged corrupt public officers had been prosecuted and billions of naira in stolen funds, recovered.

    He said that the success of the whistle blower policy was laudable, stressing that a continuity in this direction would restore sanity in Nigeria.

    Mr Mahmoud Mohammed, the Director of the Buhari/Osinbajo campaign office, who received the donation at the office in Abuja, commended the monarch and promised to ensure that the vehicle was used for its purpose.

    The Igwe then handed the keys to the vehicle to Mohammed.

    NAN

     

  • Suspected ritualist nabbed with female pant

    A 19-year- old man has been arrested for allegedly stealing a pair of female underwear in Odoakpu, Onitsha in Anambra State.

    The suspect, Chinonye Okorie of Mbaitolu, Imo State was apprehended with the pant by the police in the area.

    Parading the suspect on Thursday at the police headquarters in Amawbia, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, said the suspect stole the pant for alleged ritual purpose.

    He said: “At about 6:48am, Police detectives attached to Central Police Station (CPS) Onitsha arrested one Chinonye Okorie ‘m’ aged 19 years of Ogbaku in Mbaitolu LGA of Imo State.

    “The suspect allegedly stole a female pant washed and spread on a rope at No. 21 Umuna Street Odoakpu, Onitsha in Anambra State.

    “He intended to sell the pant to yet to be identified persons at the rate of N80, 000 for alleged ritual purpose.”

    Mohammed added the pant was recovered from the suspect as exhibit, assuring that efforts were on to apprehend other fleeing accomplices.

    “The Command implores the general public to be vigilant and report to the nearest Police Station any suspicious person or persons roaming around their vicinity for prompt action in order to avert this new trend of crime in the Society,” he added.

     

  • Truck driver kills two in Anambra

    Two persons on Tuesday lost their lives, while no fewer than seven shops were reduced to rubbles after a trailer veered off the road and rammed into some shops along old Enugu-Onitsha road, Anambra State.

    The incident was said to have occurred directly opposite the National Open University of Nigeria, Abagana.

    The Nation gathered that the driver who was carrying his wife and two children was severely cautioned by the wife over his reckless driving before the incident happened.

    By-standers who witnessed the incident alleged high speed and possible intoxication on the part of the driver, who is currently in police custody.

    One of the victims whose three shops were destroyed in the calamity, said the wife confessed to have warned her husband over his reckless driving.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill man in Anambra

    “The woman was so angry with her husband for refusing to heed her constant complaints about his recklessness and high speed,” he said.

    Reacting, Member representing Njikoka Two Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Pete Ibida, described the incident as unfortunate.

    He called for caution and concentration among motorists, just as he enjoined them to be considerate to other road users.

    A sympathizer, Mr. Elijah Onyeagba, attributed the cause of the incident to the proximity of the shops to the highway, calling for proactive measures that would eliminate trading on the highways.

    Men of the Anambra Traffic Management Agency, ATMA were on ground to clear the debris and towed the articulated vehicle away.

  • Gunmen kill man in Anambra

    A middle-aged man was at the weekend shot dead by armed robbers in Ire village, Ogidi, Idemili North local government area of Anambra State.

    The deceased, Ifeanyi Nwanga was reportedly shot with a gun in Ifite dunu after he was robbed around 4:30 pm.

    The State Police public relations Officer, haruna mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects have been arrested.

    He said they were nabbed following intelligence report.

    He gave their names as Chimezie Aronu (22) Uchenna Obiora (18) and Chibuike Omankwu (20).

    He said, “At about 4 am, following intelligence report, Police Operatives attached to Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad (FSARS) Akwuzu arrested the syndicate at Ire village, Ogidi in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State.”

    Read Also: Gunmen kill man, wife, son over land

    Mohammed said one cut-to-size single barrel gun and one cartridge were recovered from the suspects.

    “The suspects have confessed to the crime and have also led the Police to the place where they hide the weapon used in perpetrating the dastardly act,” he added.

    Similarly, a 22-year-old man has been arrested by the police for allegedly stealing a motorbike in Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka local government area of the state.

    The suspect, Chidioke Chinedu was said to have robbed the victim together with his gang members.

    The State Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed also confirmed the arrest.

    He said both cases were under investigation, assuring that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing accomplices.

  • Make Peter Obi your friend, Adefarasin tells church members

    The Senior Pastor and founder of House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin has advised his Church Members to make Peter Obi their friend, saying that he, himself is Peter’s friend.

    He said this during the just concluded Communion service at the Rock Cathedral, Lagos.

    On the reasons that informed his position, Pastor Adefarasin said that having followed Mr. Obi over the years, that he saw in him the embodiment of those virtues House on the Rock continues to preach which those in public service required to uplift the society in accordance to the ethics of Christ.

    The pastor charged all those aspiring to leadership to be humble in full realization that serving the people well and faithfully is also a way of serving God.

    A member of the Church who introduced himself as  Gbenga Oloye also said that he had followed Mr. Peter Obi and was in total agreement with what the Pastor said.

    Read Also: Group slam Peter Obi, over “cooked up” figures

    In his words, “for people like me, the pastor was  only preaching to the converted.”, He said he was sure that If Obi would remain the Obi of Anambra State in terms of the work he did in the State as Governor and his conduct in public service that Nigeria would become a changed place.

    Speaking at the event, Mr. Peter Obi  called on Nigerians to remain prayerful for the country and her leaders so that the leaders would realize that using the resources of the state to work for the state is a win-win for everybody.

  • Anambra hotel loses over N5m to fire

    Property worth millions of naira was on Saturday destroyed by fire at the bush bar section of the King David Hotel, Awka, Anambra State.

    The fire which started around 11.30 pm was said to have completely razed down the bar.

    The Nation gathered that the fire was caused by electric spark that touched the roof of the hotel’s thatched bush bar.

    The Senior Supervisor of the Hotel, Mr. Peter Uga, described the incident as unfortunate.

    He said the hotel lost over N5million to the inferno.

    Read Also: Woman ‘killed’ after sex in hotel

    Reacting, Director and Chief Fire Officer of the State, Engr. Martin Agbilli said he quickly mobilized his men to the scene following a distress call.

    He said, “I received a distress call from a spirited Nigerian who is not a staff of the hotel that the hotel was on fire.

    “I immediately mobilized and rushed to the place and we were able to put off the fire.”

    He advised residents to always cut off bushes 10meters away from their buildings, while the thatched roof in hotels or houses should be kept wet regularly to avoid cases of fire outbreak.

  • Our relationship with Buhari has paid off – Obiano

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State is happy over what he calls the cordial relationship between him and President Mohammadu Buhari.

    The governor says he has no regret relating well with the President.

    Obiano who was elected on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said yesterday that the good relationship has “contributed in no small measure to the unrivalled social harmony in the state which has made Anambra one of the most competitive states in the country.”

    “Not only do we have excellent relations with all state governments in Nigeria, we also enjoy warm relations with all political parties and their members, including candidates in the 2019 general elections,” the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, quoted him as saying in a statement in Awka.

    Read Also: Buhari, El Rufai ‘ll return to office – Kaduna deputy gov

    He added: “We don’t discriminate in the state, as can be testified by the presence in our administration of members of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress and a number of non-Anambra indigenes.

    “We are proud that Anambra is today the most peaceful, the most cohesive and the most inclusive state throughout the country.”

    Obiano linked the level of cooperation among federal and state agencies in the state to his strategy to make Anambra the first choice investment destination in Nigeria, saying:“I have consistently stated that investments go first and foremost to peaceful and stable places.

    “Frankly, I think other parts of the country should come to Anambra State and see how not only how key federal agencies work together but also how national and sub-national organizations cooperate fully with one another for the benefit of the people.

    “The unprecedented investment flow of over four billion dollars in just four years in Anambra State is not fortuitous or a mere happenstance but a part of a well planned, deliberate strategy which took into consideration environmental factors affecting investment decisions everywhere in the world.”

    He commended intelligence and security agencies in the state for providing impressive security in the state, especially during the Christmas and New Year Fiesta.

  • Man escapes lynching over theft of female pants

    A middle-aged man was nearly lynched by angry mob for allegedly selling ladies’ pants in Mgbakwu, Awka North local council area of Anambra State.

    The suspect, simply identified as Ifeanyi, a native of Enugu state, was reportedly caught in a students’ residential quarters while attempting to steal the undies.

    The Nation gathered that the suspect had confessed stealing over 58 female pants before he was caught by a lady in the early hours of the fateful day.

    A resident of the area who pleaded anonymity said the suspect gained entrance to the apartment around 2am.

    He said, “He headed to the rope where the pants were hung and was collecting them when a woman who came out to ease herself raised alarm.

    Read Also: Masked policemen whisk away Senator Dino Melaye

    “The neighbours quickly rushed to the scene and pounced on him, stripping him of his clothes.”

    The Nation further learnt that the suspect who was later abandoned by the angry mob after pleading for mercy confessed to have been into the act for years.

    “I usually sell them to one Emeka Ofor in Enugu at the rate of N500 per piece,” he said.

    The suspect who claimed to have dropped out of school as a result of mental illness blamed his traival on the devil.

    The State Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said he was yet to be briefed on the matter.

  • Kennedy Okonkwo takes Unity Carnival to Anambra

    In the spirit of the yuletide, real estate entrepreneur, Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, recently took his hometown, Ojoto in Anambra State by storm with a Unity Carnival and a football competition.

    Powered by Victoria Crest Homes, his real estate company which provides affordable luxury living to Nigerians, the carnival, tagged ‘Ojoto Unity Carnival’ was organized to thrill the indigenes who returned home to celebrate the season from far and near.

    The all-star concert featured top superstar musical artistes and comedians like Phyno, Kcee, Humblesmith, Ruffcoin, Bracket, Funnybone, Frank De Don, Jimmy Jatt and a host of others. All invited artistes showed up at the carnival during the week to usher in the new year celebration by lighting up the town, leaving the fans, guests, indigenes and those who have come to celebrate at the community clamoring for more excitement.

    The football competition, tagged ‘Igwe Unity Cup, Ojoto’ is a football competition played by teams in Ojoto community and hosted by Victoria Crest Football Club.

    The competition, which kicked off on Tuesday, December 25th, 2018 at Ojoto Boys Secondary School pitch witnessed a display of sportsmanship characterized by love and harmony amongst the players. The host, Victoria Crest FC defeated Ofunwa FC at the grand finale to lift the trophy and went away with the grand prize of Three Hundred Thousand Naira, while Ofunwa FC got Two Hundred Thousand Naira.  Prizes were also awarded to the highest goal scorer and most valuable player in the competition.

    Initiator of the event, Dr. Okonkwo stated that both initiatives were borne out of the joy of the season and giving back to his community.

    “These initiatives are borne out of the spirit of love and giving back to my community during this festive season so as to help the indigenes and visitors who have come to the town to unwind and have fun this season in an entertainment like atmosphere. This is a season of love and we want to create excitement for our people,” he said.

    He further thanked the indigenes, fans, visitors and invited guests for their support by seizing the moment to bask in the excitement of the yuletide.

    His Royal Highness, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu of Ojoto was at both events and he congratulated the competing teams of the competition and urged everyone who have come to witness the carnival to have fun and enjoy the season. The Igwe further thanked Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo, convener of the initiatives for lighting up the town of Ojoto during this festive season when everyone has come to celebrate.

    Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo has been greatly involved in giving back to his community in recent times as he has recently constructed roads in his village and bought transformers to light up his community. The indigenes are giving him credit for impacting positively in the lives of his people in Anambra.