The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra State

  • 120,000 Anambra pupils enjoy school feeding

    About 120,000 pupils in Anambra State have benefited from the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Investment, Mrs. Chinwe Iwuchukwu, has said.

    Iwuchukwu, who spoke yesterday in Awka at a one-day Linkage and Reorientation Workshop for cooks and farmers, hinted that about 1,062 cooks, serving in 1,060 government primary schools, were involved in the programme.

    She explained that the programme, which had been on since December 2016, was aimed at increasing school enrolment, improve nutrition, increase agricultural production as well as create jobs.

    Read also: FG spends N49 billion on school feeding programme

    The aide hailed Governor Willie Obiano for ensuring that Anambra started the school feeding first.

    Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanisation, Processing and Export Afam Mbanefo, who opened the workshop, said the programme had created 1,062 and 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.

    He said: “The workshop is to establish link between the farmers and the cooks, so that the farmers will supply products to the cooks at a reduced price to ensure that the program continues to achieve its desired objectives.”

  • Gunmen kill Pastor in Onitsha church

    A 26-year old man, on Wednesday, was reportedly killed by unknown gunmen in Christ Holy church at No 30 Orumba Street Okpoko, Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The deceased, Justice Njigbo, the assistant pastor of the church, was said to have been shot dead by the suspects after inflicting severe injury on him.

    The Nation gathered that the gunmen, numbering three, had gained entrance to the cleric’s apartment, around 4am after scaling through the fence of the church premises.

    A source close to the church, said the suspects carted away valuables, including phones from the apartment.

    Read Also: Dumpsite fire destroys power facility in Onitsha

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed confirmed the incident.

    He said the corpse had been deposited at the mortuary after the body was confirmed dead by the doctor.

    He said, “Three unknown men, at about 4am, scaled the fence of Christ Holy church located at No 30 Orumba Street Okpoko and forcefully entered the room of the Assistant Pastor one Justice Nonso Njigbo ‘m’ aged 26 years.

    “They inflicted a deep matchete cut on his fore head, shot and injure him on the left thigh and made away with phones of the occupants.

    “Police detectives attached to Okpoko Division visited the scene and rushed the victim to St. Charles Boromeo hospital where he was confirmed dead on arrival.

    “Corpse deposited in the same hospital morgue for autopsy while effort is being intensified to apprehend the assailants and bring them to Justice.”

     

  • Two kill woman after sex in Anambra hotel

    Suspects, manager, others arrested

    A 35-year old woman has been allegedly murdered by two men after having carnal knowledge of her in a hotel in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The suspects, Okoronji Emeka,  24, and Umezinwa, 24, were said to have lured the deceased to the hotel where the acts were committed.

    The Nation learnt that the body of the deceased was later found at a roundabout in the commercial city, suspected to have been dumped by one of the staff of the hotel.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, said five persons have been arrested in connection with the incident.

    Read Also: Kidnapped father of three found dead in Anambra

    He said, “Following intelligence report, Police detectives attached to Central Police Station Onitsha arrested Okoronji Emeka ‘m’ aged 24 years of No 16 Park Lane blood and Umezinwa Val ‘m’ aged 24 years of No 110 Agulu Avenue Nkpor Agu respectively.

    “Suspects had on the 5/12/2018 lured one Gold Gift ‘F’ aged 35 years into a hotel and killed her after having unlawful carnal knowledge with the victim.

    “Meanwhile, preliminary investigation further revealed that the victim was later taken by the hotel staff and dumped at BSMG roundabout Onitsha without informing the Police.

    “Consequently, three of the hotel staff including the manager, one Mr Ekene Gabriel ‘m’ aged  30 years of Onitsha, the Bar man one Tom Bishop Emmanuel ‘m’ aged 25 years and the gate man one Arume Ifeanyi Godwin ‘m’ aged 27 years were also arrested.

    He however said the case was being investigated after which suspects would be charged to court for prosecution.

  • Auto crash claims Anambra FRSC boss

    The Anambra State sector commander, Federal Road Safety Corps Mr Sunday Ajayi is dead.

    Ajayi was said to have died in an auto crash Saturday morning around Agbor, Delta State.

    According to sources, the Sector commander was on his way from Kwara state, where he attended a relation’s wedding.

    “He died on the highway leading to Agbor approaching Asaba the Delta state capital.

    A message from the Corps Whatsaap group in South East, said, “His driver, a senior marshal, Raji survived and is in the hospital but Sunday couldn’t make it. May his soul rest in peace.

    Read Also: FRSC, group hold campaign

    “Ajayi who participated in the FRSC football competition yesterday and handed over prizes was full of life before his untimely death.”

    The FRSC flag at the command headquarters in Awka, was seen lowered possibly as symbol of respect for his death.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, Ufiem Egim confirmed the report, but said the command was yet to come up with a formal report detailing the cause of his death.

    It would be recalled that Ajayi had noted that speed was responsible for more than 50% crashes on Nigeria roads.

    His words, “This is more noticeable during ‘Ember Months’ when there are higher commuter movements across the nation (before, during and after the end of year festivities).”

  • Group slam Peter Obi, over “cooked up” figures

    The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) has described the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Obi as a politician with a penchant for cooking up figures and twisting facts

    The organization described as half truth figure reeled out by former Anambra state governor  during the Vice Presidential candidates’ debate organised by the Nigeria Elections Debate Group (NEDG) and the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) in Abuja

    It said in a statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary Cassidy Madueke the organisation said that Obi did not disappoint Nigerians who have been following his political trajectory since he left the Government House in Awka.

    “From the outset, it was clear that Obi was out to impress his gullible political base but he did not reckon with the fact that majority of Nigerians cannot be easily be fooled at a time information can easily be cross checked

    “Perhaps his biggest lie on the night that was easily debunked by knowledgeable Nigerians was his claim of 2 million vehicles on Nigerian roads. Even without the benefit of data from the  National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), an average car part dealer in Gudu, Abuja or Idumota,Lagos knew he was lying.

    “An NBS fact sheet that has for sometime been in the public domain shows that the country has a total vehicle population of about 11.5 million as at the third quarter of 2017 so where did Obi gets his own data”, it said.

    The group said it was gratifying to note that one of Nigeria’s influential online publications, The Cable did a quick fact check of what Obi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said at the debate

    Read Also: I didn’t nominate Peter Obi, says Wike

    “Some of the lies couched as facts by the PDP chieftain  according to the online newspaper include his claim that Nigeria has fallen on the global competitive index from 124 to 127. The true position from the 2018 World Economic Forum (WEF) report is that the country rose on the index by 10 places

    “Peter Obi also argued that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for 2015 was $21 billion while it fell to $12 billion in 2017.Again, he lied just as he did with his claim that African trade is less than 9 percent

    “Data from Afriexim Bank indicate that intra-Africa trade is around 15 percent while Brooking Institution puts it at 18 percent

    “These are just some of the lies that the man PDP elements dressed up as an economic expert attempted to force down the throats of Nigerians as facts and figures”

    The group however hailed Professor Osinbajo for sticking with facts on issues including how the President Muhammadu Buhari administration crashed the price of a bag of fertilisers to between N5,500 and N6,500 from a figure ranging from N10,000 to N13,000in the past

  • Roadside hawker reportedly kills 27-year-old man in Aba

    A roadside hawker has reportedly killed a 27-year-old man whose identity was identified as Emeka Anadi in Aba, Abia State.

    Anadi, hailed from Ebenato in Nnewi South LGA of Anambra State until the time of his death was a Mechanical Engineer based in Aba.

    Eyewitnesses who didn’t want their names mentioned said that Emeka who finished repairing someone’s generator in his workshop located at the popular Jubilee Road by Asa Road mechanic zone was heading to Azikiwe to deliver the generator to the owner before the incident.

    One of the witnesses however said he didn’t know the cause of the quarrel, but noticed that Emeka’s hand and one side of his abdomen was affected by tiny wounds which may have been from a stab that somehow resulted to his death.

    Another eyewitness who gave his name as Kelvin and neighbour to the deceased said the death of his friend was not ordinary.

    According to Kelvin: “Emeka was killed with a charm. There was nothing like stabbing. There was no blood in his blood even as we rushed him to the hospital before bringing him to Aba Central Police Station.

    “What happened was that there was a quarrel between him and that Hausa man and people there separated them only for the Hausa man to use something he brought out from his pocket and touched Emeka who suddenly went cold immediately. He killed him with juju.

    “When Emeka fell down people went and started beating the Hausa man, but some people suggested he should be left to reverse what he did which he never did up till this moment.

    Read Also: Man kills girlfriend, dumps corpse by roadside

    “It was at the process of trying to make him reverse what he did that the police came and rescued him and brought him to this station.

    “The doctor in a hospital we took him to confirmed him dead, but when I touched my friend his body was still hot. This is very painful. I just pray the police will not just let that man go free without due punishment melted to him.”

    Also speaking, another witness who simply gave his name as Bobby said the death of Emeka has element of evil charms written all over it.

    In his words: “I suggested to them at the station to call their Imam or leaders of the Hausa Community to talk to that man to reverse what he did, but nobody listened to me. If their leaders talked to him in their language he would have reversed what he did.

    “That issue is not a hospital issue. It’s a serious charm that they use in fighting and the essence is for them to use it to humiliate even someone who is far more stronger than they’re.

    “May be this one just got the charm newly and doesn’t know how to use it for its real purpose. He misused it. They usually make use of it to scare people as though they are physically strong.”

    Emeka’s aged father, Mr. Anadi who was looking pale with a leg swollen, he wept bitterly that his hardworking son who left the home today vibrant has had his youthful life cut very short by someone who doesn’t value life.

    In his word: “As you can see I’m very sick. I just left the hospital and was approaching Christ the King Cathedral (CKC) when I got a call that my son is gone.

    “I came to see him and behold it is true. I’m pleading with you people to please tell that man to remove the evil charm he placed on my son to see if he will be revived. I cannot be the pain of losing this boy.

    “He is the one that is managing my line of business. I sell generator, but my son learnt how to fix and repair them. I cannot bear this lose and God knows it is too painful for my sick head.”

    Meanwhile, report reaching us from a police source who pleaded not to be mentioned while filling this has it that the remains of Emeka has been taken to the mortuary.

  • Say no to another war – 82-yr-old monarch tell students

    The traditional ruler of Awka, Anambra State, Obi Gibson Nwosu has charged Nigerian students to resist every temptation of being coarced into any action capable of plunging the nation into another civil war.

    He said no one who witnessed the 3-year old civil war would pray for another experience.

    The 82-year old monarch made the call on Thursday in his Awka palace while playing host to representatives of secondary schools students from nine states of the country who were in the state for the 2018 President’s Inter-SUBEB Debate Championship.

    The traditional ruler said although he was not against the agitation by some groups for the actualization of Biafra, he however said the approach must be fine-tuned to ensure peaceful resolution.

    He said, “I don’t blame those agitating for Biafra because they don’t appreciate what is involved. If they do, they would find better ways of pursuing the course.

    “If I narrate my ordeal during the three years civil war, you will resist every attempt to go into any other war.

    “I believe in freedom and justice. All the same, we must remember that we’re all Nigerians and must treat others as brothers.”

    Read Also: Biafra Zionists leader arraigned, remanded in prison

    While recalling the impact he made as the principal of Aviation School, Zambia, Obi Nwosu challenged the students to take their studies seriously in order to make excellent grades, assuring them of a brighter future.

    “I’ll like to encourage those who may want to venture into the military as a career, like airforce, navy or army.

    “The world is developing and things are changing. You must be ready to change with the changing times and carry Nigeria along.

    “I was determined to make a mark during my time. We’ve played our own part. The rest is left for you. And I’m sure you will succeed if you continue in this spirit,” the monarch assured.

  • Police arrest 124 suspects for various offences

    The Anambra State Police command has arrested 124 suspects in their different hide-outs for various crimes ranging from cultism  and other offences in the state.

    The command has  equally dismissed 28 of it’s personnel for various disciplinary offences ranging from reduction in ranks among others.

    The harvest of arrests followed raids carried out by the command on alleged criminal hideouts in the state.

    Some of the items recovered from the suspects included four locally made pistols, over 1000 wraps of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp

    The suspects were paraded at the police headquarters at Amawbia, near Awka by the command.

    According to the state police public relations officer PPRO, Haruna Mohammed, the command had zero tolerance for crimes and criminality.

    He said “In order to further stem the tide of crime and ensure that all Ndi Anambra, both at home and in diaspora celebrate Christmas and new year without hindrance or molestation, the Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command CP Garba Baba Umar has directed for an aggressive Raids on Criminal hideouts and blackspots in the State and the directives has started yielding positive results as during the period under review the Command has recorded the following achievement”

    Read Also: Anambra school raises alarm over refuse dump

    “The State Command through its Special  Anti Cultism Squad/FSARS and Divisional Police headquarters  have arrested total number of One hundred and twenty four (124) Suspected cultists/hoodlums from various parts of the State as follows.Oyi/Nsugbe 10 suspected cultists were arrested, Ihiala LGA 5 Suspects arrested, Eziagulu Aguleri 6 Suspects arrested,Abata Nsugbe 7 Suspects arrested,Amikwo Awka 5 Suspects arrested, Okpuno Awka,22 Suspects arrested,3-3 Area 11 Suspects arrested, Amansea Awka axis 8 suspects arrested,Nibo/Nise 22 Suspects arrested, Nkpor Area 11 Suspects arrested, Onitsha Area 15 Suspects and Ekwulobia 2 Suspects arrested respectively”

    “Consequently, the Command has equally recovered the following exhibits from the raids, Four locally made Pistols,Six Cutlasses,Two Axes ,Over one thousand wraps of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp,

    Two Regalias for Aye and Junior Vickings Confraternity (JVC) respectively”

    “Meanwhile, out of the 124 suspects arrested so far, Thirty seven (37) have confessed and charged to Court ,53 were screened and released while thirty four (34)others are under investigation”

    “Finally, the Command assures the Public that it is determined as usual to ensure that criminals have no hiding place in the State especially during this yuletide period and would deal decisively with anyone apprehended in accordance with the Law”

  • Group empowers 200 youths, picks medical bills of 14 patients

    No fewer than 200 youths from Anambra State have been presented with cash sum and tools by the West African Youth Support and Development Forum (WAYSDF).

    The youth group also visited selected government hospitals in Onitsha and environs where they offset medical bills of 14 youths.

    Presenting cheques and other items to the beneficiaries in Ogidi on Saturday, the President of the group, Mr. Afam Akonanya, said the gesture was in line with the aims and objectives of the organization.

    He said the forum was formed to empower West African youths through education, engagement in community development and sports.

    He said, “West African Youth Support and Development Forum is an NGO established to support and empower youths as a way of affecting their lives positively.

    Read Also: 2019: Group advises Atiku

    “African youths travel overseas in search of greener pastures because of dearth of opportunities in Africa.

    “What we’re striving to achieve is to support the African youth, empower him and help him to love Africa, live Africa and contribute to the development of Africa.

    “The vision is to ensure that West African youths become empowered leaders with skills and confidence to actively develop themselves and their families.”

    One of the beneficiaries Abubakar Rashidi, who received a cheque of N150,000, promised to convert the gifts to tools that would transform his life and place him on the part of greatness.

  • Reps member defects as Dogara swears in three

    A member of the House of Representatives, Rep. Gabriel Onyieawife, has defected from All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The defection announcement was contained in a letter read at the floor of the hallow chambers by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, at the plenary on Wednesday.

    Onyieawife, who represents Ayamelum/Oyi Federal Constituency of Anambra State, attributed his defection to the factions in APGA.

    Meanwhile, Dogara has administered oath of office on three new members.

    Read Also: 2019: Dogara urges youths to shun thuggery

    Rep. Yusuf Nuhu (Bauchi), Rep. Tunji Olawuyi (Kwara) and Rep. Abubakar Kusada (Katsina) are all of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    While Rep. Nuhu represents Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Rep. Kusada would represent Kankia/Kusada Federal Constituency of Katsina State and Rep. Olawuyi would represent Irepodun/Isin/Oke Ero/Ekiti federal constituency of Ekiti State.

    The new legislators were recently elected to represent their constituencies to fill vacancies in the green chambers as a result of death and decisions to run for the Senate by former occupants.

     

    NAN