The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra State

  • Obiano lauds FG over pace of work on 2nd Niger Bridge

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, has expressed satisfaction with the standard and pace of work on the Second Niger Bridge in the state.

    Obiano made his feelings known when he embarked on an inspection visit to the site in Onitsha on Tuesday.

    The governor, who was visibly happy with the extent of work done so far, said he was confident that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari would deliver on the job as scheduled.

    He noted that the bridge, when completed, would not only boost the economic activities of the South-East and South-South but that of the whole country.

    “I have no choice than to praise president Muhammadu Buhari for his determination in the implementation of other federal government projects in the state and other states in the region,” he said.

    Read Also: Obiano rewards outstanding NYSC members

    The Project Director, Julius Berger Construction Company, Mr Fredrick Wieser, explained that the construction would be in three phases.

    Wieser noted that the federal government has already made advance payment of 15 per cent which amounted to N30 billion as mobilisation fee.

    According to him, the bridge will be 1.6 km, while the access road from Asaba axis will be 3.3 km and 7km from Anambra respectively.

    “Right now, we are doing foundation work in the river which will be 50 metres deep.

    “The pilling work in the river will be 15 metres above water level to allow free flow of ships,’’ he said.

    He, however, pointed out that with the determination of the present administration, the project would be delivered on or before February 28, 2022.

     

    NAN

  • A boost for tourism as hotel opens in Anambra

    Barely three months into operation, Golden Tulip Hotel and Resort, Agulu Lake, is a new hotel located in the serene community of Agulu near Awka, the Anambra State capital, fast changing the hospitality landscape.

    General Manager, Golden Tulip Hotel and Resort, Agulu Lake, Mr. James Ochei said that the coming of Golden Tulip to Agulu Lake has opened a new vista of hospital business in the state, especially for the classic customers with taste and love for nature.

    He stated that offering professional service and creating relationship that people cannot do without are part of the uniqueness of Golden Tulip. He noted that since the hotel opened last October, business has been on the rise, adding that the 81 rooms in the hotel have been fully booked till January ending.

    “When you talk of Golden Tulip, you talk of professionalism. Again, the local cuisine will offer is backed by flexibility and that makes us unique. Golden Tulip provides serenity for its clients who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city.

    This hotel is a big money venture. But, so far business is not a challenge but the sustenance of it that matters.  Already we are in talk with major corporate bodies in telecommunication, oil and gas and manufacturing as part of our marketing strategies,” he said.

    Mr. Ochei who has worked at other major hotels in Port Harcourt and Abuja, noted that hospitality business is about relationship, which at times can be spiritual. To him, position holds by a staff does not matter but his readiness to offer personalised service to clients, which creates bond between the hotel and its customers.

    The Human Resources Manager of the hotel, Mr. Oha Ernest Uchenna, allayed fears of Anambra State government interfering in operation of the hotel saying that ‘the Memorandum of Understanding between the state and Golden Tulip (operators of the hotel) is well spelt out and every party will follow its path. He added that government will not interfere in the operation of the hotel, instead it is the return on investment that they will be interested in.

    Mr. Uchenna disclosed that apart from the state of the art facilities in the 81 rooms, one presidential suite, 16 executive suites, the gym, 19 holes golf course and the swimming pool, the hotel has experienced manpower. Of these workers, he said a greater percentage is drawn from the local government area as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the host community.  ”Golden Tulip spent first one month on retraining of the staff to conform to its global standard. And it is a continuous exercise,” Uchenna added.

    Golden Tulip Hotel and Resort Agulu Lake is owned by Anambra State government and managed by Golden Tulip. Its formal opening will hold in January 2019.

  • Mysterious fire guts corpses in Anambra mortuary

    Scores of corpses were gutted by a mysterious fire at the mortuary section of the General Hospital Enugwu -Ukwu in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra.

    The incident occurred at about 5:40 p.m. on Saturday.

    The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Haruna Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said the police command had launched investigation to unravel the cause of the fire.

    “Police patrol team, led by the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Nimo Police Division, CSP Benjamin Egu on arrival at the scene, contacted fire Service department, which later put out the fire with the help of local volunteers.

    “However, the fire caused extensive damage in the building as almost all the corpses at the mortuary were burnt beyond recognition.

    “The cause of the fire incident is still unknown but the case is under investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident,” Mohammed said. (NAN)

  • Anambra doctors to offer free services to rural dwellers

    Over 120 consultants in teaching hospitals in Anambra State have expressed their willingness to offer free medical services to rural dwellers in various communities of the state.

    They said their closeness to the rural communities would reduce the difficulties locals encounter accessing them at the teaching hospitals.

    The Chairman, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Dr. Eric Ihekwoaba, in a chat with the Nation, regretted heavy concentration of specialists doctors at the teaching hospitals as against the remote areas of the state.

    He solicited for state government’s partnership and support to ensure the body extended qualitative health care services to many, especially in the rural areas.

    ‘We have high concentration of specialists doctors at the teaching hospitals but in the rural areas, we don’t.

    “We want the government to help us so we give our services at no cost. So far, the cost of the treatment we gave were fully borne by the doctors.

    “It is purely humanitarian and non-governmental. It has no political undertone. We want to give back to society where we are working.

    He said, “Part of the AGM was free medical outreach to remote areas of the state, targeted at reaching out to indigent patients, and those at difficult terrains who cannot reach us at the teaching hospitals.

    “Our target populations are those who have conditions that can be managed. So we have requested that the state government partner with us to ensure sustainability.

    “After treating the patients for the first time, the government can carry on with them through monitoring and follow up.

    “Apart from that, this facility we are using to treat people need to be provided by the government so we can consolidate that with our services.

    “The partnership will also involve structural facilities including provision of accommodation for doctors in such areas to ease their work.

    “As federal workers working in the state, we have to give back to them because they have accommodated us, and if the environment is hostile, we cannot work here.

    Revealing that 2016 edition of the outreach gulped a whopping sum of N5milllion, Ihekwoaba said the association was already spending over N6million in the current edition.

    His words, “What this means is that it will be difficult to carry out the outreach at a regular intervals because of funds.

    “But if government can come in to ameliorate the cost, we can give free medical services at a more regular intervals may be six months or annually.

    “We have more than 120 consultants in the teaching hospitals willing to work than the places we visited.

    “More importantly, some of our resident doctors who are in training also need this avenue to perform surgery unlike when they are in teaching hospitals.

    “It will help our younger doctors to also work in rural area because it is not everyone that will work in town.

    “We need these people more in the rural areas where there are more diseases and people cannot access health care.

    “Everyone has right to receive qualitative health care and that’s what we are doing.”

  • Diarrhea claims 17 in Anambra

    About seventeen persons reportedly lost their lives following latest outbreak of diarrhea in the Anambra West local government area of Anambra State.

    The Nation gathered that the affected communities included Igbedor, Nzam, Umuenwenum Anam and Ode.

    Nine persons were said to have died in Igbedor community, three in Nzam, while three and two others lost their lives in Umuenwelum and Ode communities respectively.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Akabuike, who led top officials of the Ministry on the spot assessment to the council area, however said the death recorded in the area was not that of cholera outbreak as being speculated.

    He however noted that the disease was occasioned by the recent flood disaster that submerged most buildings and farmlands in the area.

    Read Also: Kano confirms 28 Deaths, 400 cases of Diarrhea

    The commissioner blamed the residents for seeking solution through traditional means and herbalists rather than accessing health facilities in the area.

    He said, “What we have in Anambra West is not cholera outbreak as being speculated. What we have is diarrhea disease that usually occur after flooding, characterized by vomiting and other signs but what is important to us is not necessarily the name but worried that people are dying.

    “We are here to tell them that this is a pure environmental challenge. I am here with a complete team and lots of drug and the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has really approved money to make sure we arrest any further death on this.

    “They should maintain personal hygiene, wash their hands regularly. They die because they seek solution where it will never come from.”

    He however assured that arrangements were being made to ensure more drugs were sent to them as well as immediate construction of borehole to solve their water needs.

  • Police recover weapons from robbers in Onitsha traffic

    Two persons have been arrested by the police for allegedly robbing motorists in a traffic gridlock in Nkpor, Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.

    The suspects, Sunday Eze, 22 and Gabriel Ogadi, 20, were reportedly arrested at separate locations of the area.

    Confirming the arrests, the State Police public relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed said an axe and a locally made single barrel pistol with two live cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

    Read Also: Police arraign car dealer for ‘theft’

    “At about 10pm, following a distress call that some hoodlums were robbing motorists in a traffic gridlock at Central School road Umusiome Nkpor in Idemili South LGA of Anambra State.

    “Police detectives attached to Ogidi Division responded swiftly and arrested one Sunday Eze ‘m’ aged 22 years of Adaba village, Uzor-uwani LGA of Enugu State with one battle axe while others fled.

    “Similarly, at about 2am, following day, Police Patrol team responded and arrested one Gabriel Ogadi ‘m’ aged 20 years of Umusiome Nkpor following another distress call of a robbery incident at the same location.

    Mohammed assured that Patrol was being intensified in the area, adding that the suspects would be charged to court after investigations were concluded.

  • Yuletide: Anambra CP warns officers against use of firearms

    The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Garba Umar has warned personnel attached to VIPS to adhere strictly on rules guiding use of firearms and refrain from unauthorized sporadic shootings on air during the festival season.

    He noted that any officer found violating such order would be dealt with in accordance with the laid down procedure.

    In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, the CP directed all Area Commanders, DPOS /Unit heads to intensify raids of black spots and sustain ongoing stop and search operations.

    “In order to enhance safe and secure environment for all Ndi Anambra to ensure a peaceful state especially during the

    Christmas and new year celebrations, the CP has directed all Area Commanders, DPOS, PMF and other striking units in the State to intensify raids of black spots and criminal hideouts.

    Read Also: Fed Govt trains 5000 in Anambra

    “The Commissioner warns Police personnel including PMF/SPU attached to VIPs visiting the State during the yuletide period to adhere strictly to the rules guiding use of firearms as contained in Force order 237 and also refrain from unauthorized sporadic shootings on air,” he said.

    The statement stressed sustenance of the ongoing stop and search/ tactical operation duties and night patrols in order to deny miscreants and criminal elements the opportunity to operate within the State throughout the festive season.

    “The CP further directed the Department of Operations to embark on Statewide visiting rounds to observe levels of compliance to his directives as well as strategies emplaced by Area Commanders, DPOs and Unit heads in their areas of responsibilities.

    According to the statement, all officers in the Command were also placed on red alert at their respective duty posts and directed to respond promptly to any situation or distress from members of the public.

    Appreciating the cooperation of residents including availing the Command with useful information towards promoting safety and Security in the State, Umar assured of adequate protection, imploring them to report any suspicious person or movements to the nearest Police Station or call police emergency number 07039194332 for prompt response.

  • INEC set for last batch distribution of PVC in Anambra

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State said it was ready to distribute the last batch of Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to the electorate ahead of 2019 general elections.

    The Commission’s Electoral Officer of Nnewi North, Mr Emmanuel Owetta disclosed this in Nnewi at a one day public enlightenment on voter education organized by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).

    He said the PVCs were those registered in June and July, 2018.

    Owetta stressed the place of voter education for active participation in the elections, advising the electorate to assist INEC towards ensuring free, fair and credible polls next year.

    One of the resource persons, Mr Hubert Oragui who spoke on, “Enhancing Robust Voter, Participation in the Electoral Process and Promoting a Clean Political Culture in Anambra state”, urged the electorate not to mortgage their future through sale of votes.

    Read Also: INEC says all PVCs ready for collection

    He described as wickedness the act of taking advantage of the voters’ economic conditions to induce them to voting against their consciences.

    Earlier, the state Director of NOA, Charles Nwoji said the event was targeted at ensuring voters make informed choices during the election, urging them to shun any form of violence at the polls.

     

  • Anambra restates commitment to ensuring security

    The Anambra State Government has said that it remains committed to sustaining its security architecture to safeguard the lives of the residents and their property.

    The state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, that Gov. Willie Obiano had prioritised security in the state.

    He said this was aimed at improving the political and socio-economic development of the state.

    He said that the government had attracted lots of local and international investors to the state and would not toy with the security of the investors and their investments.

    The commissioner said that the state government had recorded an impressive achievement in security and would not backslide, assuring the people of their safety during and after the yuletide.

    NAN

  • OUR LIVES IN DANGER!

    • Residents of Anambra community cry out after invasion by hoodlums
    • Send SOS to Buhari, Obiano

    For the people of Ubaru, Igbariam community, Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State, their bond of unity has broken and things have fallen apart. The situation is such that the residents have petitioned President Mohammadu Buhari and the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to save them from the hoodlums in the area.

    Their cry to the federal and state governments came as a result of the mayhem unleashed in the community by some hoodlums on Friday last week when no fewer than eight buildings were destroyed in a midnight attack.

    The arrest of 84-year-old Michael Ezike and 18 others by security agents has also heightened tension in the community.

    Following the destruction that took place in the village, more than 100 residents have relocated to neighbouring communities and other states in the country for fear of being harmed.

    The buildings destroyed included that of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture in Anambra State, Dr. Edwin Ezinando.

    Since the crisis erupted, the area has become a ghost town, while the residents now live in fear of the unknown.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, Haruna Mohammed, said the arrests made in the community were not carried out by the state command

    He also said the police command was not aware of the matter and, therefore, would not speak on it.

    The Nation gathered that the police command had deployed enough security in the community to avoid further break down of law and order, despite the command’s claim that it is not aware of the crisis.

    One of the victims of the mayhem, Nnalue Iloegbune, whose building was destroyed by those who invaded the community, said they were living in fear.

    He called on both the state and federal governments to come to the aid of the community before things could get out of hand.

    Iloegbune recalled that trouble began when one of the leaders in the community wanted to intimidate the people by converting a communal land to his own.

    He said it was agreed that the said land would be shared to the seven villages while the remaining portion would be used for the development of the community. The leader was, however, said not to be favourably disposed to the idea, hence he allegedly connived with another top shot in the community to harass and intimidate the people.

    The land in question covers about 360.085 hectares. While each village was allotted 900 plots, the said leader was said to have maintained that he would take the remaining 407 plots. The idea was resisted by the people, culminating in the mayhem.

    Read also: Three suspected cultists nabbed for murder in Anambra

    An 81-year-old widow, Madam Agnes Atomba, said the hoodlums had stormed her house at 2: 00 am that Friday and allegedly made away with the sum of N200,000 her children had sent to her for medication.

    She said the hoodlums had introduced themselves as policemen and ‘Bakassi boys’, beating up the entire household and destroying the building.

    She said: “They came in commando style, broke into my house at 2: 00 am and ordered the entire household to get out. They kept asking about Gilbert, my son, who lives in Lagos.

    “I have been sick. The entire money my children sent to me, totalling N200,000, they took everything, destroyed our property and took away other items in the house, not minding my health status and my age.

    “I will not curse them because I know that they are from this community, but God will do so for a poor aged widow like me.”

    Another hapless resident, Mrs Catherine Ogini, said that church money kept with her totalling more than N200,000 was taken away by the hoodlums, while their building was also destroyed.

    She said most of the people in the area are now forced to sleep outside their homes, while the youth, who she said were the main targets, had all run away from the community.

    Narrating his ordeal, Christian Iloegbune said the youth were being hunted by the hoodlums, but the former, according to her,  had all relocated to unknown places.

    Some red-eyed young men seen inside the palace of the monarch of the community, Igwe Nzekwe Kelly, told our reporter that the traditional ruler had travelled out of town, when we attempted to seek his reaction to the crisis in his domain.