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Tag: Anambra State

  • Buhari’s commitment to human rights unparalleled – Minister

    The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Malami, has described President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to respect to human rights and entrenching rule of law in Nigeria as unparalleled.

    Malami stated this in Awka, Anambra State during a visit of members of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy to the Nigeria Prisons Service, Amawbia.

    The Attorney General, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. William Alo, said the visit was primarily to identify and subsequently recommend inmates who were deserving of presidential pardon.

    He said, “The committee was inaugurated on August 28, 2018, to help President Buhari in the discharge of his responsibility of granting pardon to deserving convicts and ex-convicts as provided under Section one seven five of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He further explained that the committee was expected to be guided by rigorous criteria in ensuring that only deserving persons were considered for pardon.

    “The committee may also recommend a less severe form of punishment imposed on a convict for an offence among other mitigating measures as provided under the constitution,” Malami added.

    Read Also: How we plan to win 2019 election, by Buhari, Atiku

    On her part, Attorney General of the State and Commissioner for Justice Barrister Uju Nwogu, lauded the compassionate disposition of the Buhari-led government, particularly in the periodic pardon of prisoners across the country.

    She disclosed that the state governor, Willie Obiano, had at the last Independence Day, granted pardon to seven prisoners, adding that such gesture were carried out four times in a year.

    “What you came here to do is in tandem with what the present administration in the state was doing. Governor Obiano exercises his power of prerogative of mercy four times yearly,” she added.

    Nwogu further praised the commitment of prison officers towards the cleaniness of the prison environment which had reflected on the neatness and healthy appearances of the inmates.

  • ‘Atiku is on a mission to succeed with Peter Obi as running mate’

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been described as a man on a mission to succeed going by his choice of Peter Obi as his running mate.
    This view was expressed by Senator Theodore Orji, who insisted that there was no need for the hullabaloo currently been experienced, especially within the South East geo-political zone, saying Peter Obi is one of the best to come from the zone.
    Sen. Orji, who represents Abia Central senatorial district at the senate maintained that the erstwhile governor of Anambra state had carved a niche for himself in the Nigerian political landscape and had made himself popular across the polity.
    The senator said, “What you discover in this young man is that whether within the fold of the aged or the young even the young at heart, they all have something positive to say about him”.
    “He has endeared himself, sold himself to the populace and it would have been an aberration if the presidential candidate of our great party had overlooked him for someone else”.
    “He has seen it all at the highest level within and outside the state and is therefore eminently qualified to hold the position of Vice President, even the President of this nation”.

    Read Also: Why Atiku picked Peter Obi as running mate

    “I don’t think the brouhaha over his nomination should have generated such controversy especially because Peter Obi is one person that is vehemently interested in good governance and making the people to smile again, just like our candidate Atiku Abubakar”.
    Sen. Orji said that it was not sure the Southeast governors were against Obi’s nomination, saying that at the governors will queue behind Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, adding that the emergence of the Presidential candidate was the handiwork of all PDP members.
    He said, “I’m confident that the Southeast caucus in the National Assembly are solidly behind Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi and together they will make all Nigerians to be proud. I think that is the most important thing for everyone”.
    The former Abia governor advice the people of the Southeast to rally round one of their own and ensure his success in the election because, “Peter Obi is one of our own and one of the many first eleven we have from Southeast”.

  • ‘Obi represents what Nigeria truly needs in 2019’

    Pan-Igbo socio cultural group, Association of South East Town Unions, ASETU, has described the choice of Mr. Peter Obi as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, vice presidential candidate, as good for the nation.

    The group explained that Obi’s maturity, level headedness, integrity and experience, represents what Nigeria truly needs in this time of economic crisis given his sterling performance during his tenure as governor of Anambra State

    In a statement signed by National President of ASETU, Chief Emeka Diwe, the group disclosed that the entire town unions in the South East are in agreement that Obi would add great value to the PDP presidential ticket.

    Read Also: Nigeria population to hit 350 million by 2050

    “We are not also in doubt, and so we make bold to say, that in choosing Peter Obi, a new dawn of national rebirth has commenced, and we will lend our support to it, whole and entire. We recall Peter Obi’s sterling performance as Anambra governor where he turned around the fortunes of the state. We have no doubt as a man of excellence; he will bring the midas touch to the office of the Vice President.”

    “Peter Obi brings something refreshingly different to bear in governance. He is of the stock of uncompromisingly credible Nigerians, dedicated to refined values, and his understanding of and commitment to the economic development of Nigeria will greatly usher in a prosperous Nigeria,” the statement read.

    The South East town unions urged some Igbo political leaders opposed to Obi’s choice to sheath their sword in the overriding interest of the country.

     

  • Influx of fake products in cable market worries industrialists

    An indigenous cable company, Cutix Plc has called on the federal government to address the influx of substandard products in the cable manufacturing industry in the country.

    The in-coming Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mrs. Ijeoma Oduonye stated this on Friday in Nnewi, Anambra State during a press briefing ahead of its Annual General Meeting.

    She regretted the over saturation of fake materials in the cable market, wondering how the peddlers were able to beat the regulatory agencies at the boarders.

    Oduonye who hinted that the company scarcely enjoy any incentives from the government, described the increase in fake products as the firm’s biggest challenge, insisting that tackling the scourge would be of great relief to the company.

    “It is surprising how these substandard products find their way into the cable market when there are people charged with the responsibility of guarding against it.

    “It will be the biggest incentive from the government if the market is weeded from substandard products so the innocent buyer will be left with the only option of quality products,” she said.

    She also explained that the erratic power supply in the state was another major challenge facing the company.

    Oduonye said, “We basically run our two plants on diesel. We consume two tankers of diesel every month.

    “Provision of these essential incentives will go a long way to reducing cost of production which will invariably affect the prices of our products.”

    Read Also: ‘Fake products still come into Nigeria’

    While noting that she had no intention of introducing any drastic change to the company, the new CEO pledged to solidify on the firm’s tripod stand of quality, which she described as the firm’s success driver.

    On his part, the out-going CEO, Mr. Ifeanyi Uzodike revealed that the company’s revenue grew from N1.32 billion to N5.1 billion within a decade he held sway, attributing it to the uncompromising stand of the organization to quality.

    Uzodike who said he had nothing to regret throughout his 10-year tenure, however noted that his greatest challenge was keeping the company afloat, including managing the workforce and other company resources.

    “Our company has a 100 percent indigenous workforce with 250 members of staff. We don’t have expatriate workers here. That is one major reason we don’t play with human capacity development,” he said.

    Appreciating the stakeholders for the cooperation and support given to him in course of his administration, Uzodike
    urged them to extend same to his successor for greater productivity.

  • Ohanaeze, Igbo youths laud Atiku’s decision

    People of South-East geopolitical zone have been celebrating the announcement of two-term Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in next year’s general election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as his running mate.
    Obi was announced on Friday by the former Vice President as his running mate for 2019 presidential election.
    The people of the South-East went into jubilation immediately Atiku pronounced Obi his running mate.
    National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prince Uche Achi-Okpagha in his reaction said Obi would bring his expertise to bear by assisting Atiku to revitalize the nation’s economy.
    “We the Ohanaeze Ndigbo have already made it clear that we are not interested in the Presidency or Vice-Presidency of Nigeria unless you restructure Nigeria.
    “If you put an Igbo man as a President, there is little or nothing he can do in developing the south east because his wings are clipped by the wages of confusion in his side.
    “But be that as it may, Atiku is the one who has been hammering on restructuring. So, we have absolute faith in him that he is going to restructure Nigeria and if he does that and with people like Peter Obi on his side, that is where the expertise comes in”.
    “Peter Obi is a technocrat; he will help to revitalize the economy of this country. This is all we want because if you are not an expert and you are into politics, you bring the expert close to you not base on ethnic or religious sentiments.
    “You already know that Obi was former Governor of Anambra State for two terms, and that is not a no mean experience and he has been a financial guru before he came into politics. So, he will help Atiku revitalize the economy.

    Read Also: Why Atiku picked Peter Obi as running mate

    “The way the economy of the country is, we need people like Obi otherwise the economy will collapse irretrievably.
    “Obi is a Christian and he is from the South-East and Atiku has brought him close to help him to fix the economy. This is what we want. What else do we want if not to move the nation forward because the masses will not continue to suffer”, Mr Okpagha said.
    Also, the Youth wing of the Ohaneze in a statement applauded Mr Atiku’s decision.
    The statement by it’s President, Okechukwu Isiguzoro said the group will work with youth groups from other zone to deliver the duo.
    The statement reads:”We applaud the gesture of PDP and Atiku Abubakar on the nomination of our son and mentor, Peter Obi as the running mate in the 2019 Presidential election, this nomination is the respect accorded to aspirations of millions of Igbos scattered across length and breadth of the country” .
    “The jubilation that erupted with the news of Peter Obi as Atiku’s running mate across the South East shows that both Youths and agitators accept that  it is the Best pair for PDP to win 2019 Presidential election.
    “We will ensure that this respect accorded to aspirations will yield better dividends for PDP because the whole Igbo youths”
    “We call on Igbo Youths to remained law abiding and prepare to ensure that the duo of Atiku and Peter Obi are returned to Aso rock in 2019,as President and Vice President.
    “We will reach out to the Arewa, Ijaw, Middle Belt, Ibibio and Yoruba Youths under the Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth organizations for the success of Atiku and Peter Obi Project 2019”.

  • Lawmaker donates medical facilities to Anambra community

    Residents of Okpoko, Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State have expressed appreciation to a lawmaker from the area, Chukwuka Onyema, for donating medical facilities to the community.

    Onyema, member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, had renovated some primary health Centre in the area, one of which he handed over to the Anglican church in the area, as well as a brand new ambulance.

    Speaking at the commissioning of the center, at St Luke’s Anglican Church, Okpoko, the Bishop of Ogbaru Diocese, Rt. Rev. Prosper Amah, said the facilities would reduce the health challenges bedeviling residents of the area.

    He said pregnant women and other patients would no longer encounter difficulties accessing medicare in the area, promising to make available a mobile phone number in the event of emergencies.

    He however cautioned against the abuse of the ambulance, stressing that it should be strictly used for the purpose it was purchased.

    “The ambulance shall remain standby for responses to emergency health cases and there won’t be any payment for its use,” the bishop said.

    Earlier, the lawmaker, Onyema, disclosed that the gesture was targeted at attracting affordable medical health for the people of the community.

    “Okpoko is a rural area that comprises more of middle income and low income earners. We need a health centre where the sick would not be asked to pay any fee before they can be attended to,” he said.

    Read Also: Reps may summon IGP over detained lawmaker

    He also explained that the decision to hand over renovated and equipped health centres to the church, was to ensure they were managed effectively and efficiently.

    Onyema however regretted that most of the institutions given to local governments became moribund with time due to mismanagement.

    He said, “It was the immediate past governor of the State that initiated the practice of handing over schools and hospitals to churches and one can attest to the fact that these institutions have experienced a radical improvement.

    “I realized that when Mr Peter Obi partnered with the church in schools and hospitals, they picked up. So I decided to toe that line.

    “Normally, health centres are handed over to local governments and most times you find out that when those hospitals are handed over to the local government, the hospital facilities and vehicles end up being run down.”

    Expressing optimism of the churches’ ability to take care of the facilities without government’s supervision, the lawmaker maintained that the ambulance was purely for emergency cases within the community.

    On his part, the Chief Medical Director of the Primary Health Centre, Dr Ejikeme Okonkwo, hinted that the centre was in a deplorable state before the lawmaker’s intervention.

    He assured that the centre would provide 24 hours emergency services, including ultra sound scan machine, HIV clinic, maternal child healthcare, among others.

    “The people will now be happy as they will be coming to a cleaner, cheaper and better equipped healthcare centre,” he stated.

  • Why Atiku picked Peter Obi as running mate – Daniel

    The Director General of the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has given reasons why Mr. Peter Obi was picked as the running mate to the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar.

    The 57-year-old Obi was a former governor of Anambra State and a former Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc.

    In a statement on Friday, Daniel said Mr. Obi’s choice was largely influenced by his youthfulness, vast knowledge of global and local economics as well as being a financial expert, all experience which Nigeria is in great need at this point in time.

    “This ticket will be able to steer our nation back on the path of progress, economic prosperity and unity”, Daniel said.

    Born 19th July, 1961, Obi attended the Christ the King College, Onitsha and later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

    The statement continued, “He is also a graduate of several international and national institutions such as the Lagos Business School, Harvard Business School, London School of Economics, Columbia Business School, Institute of Management, Switzerland, Kellogg Graduate School, Oxford University and Cambridge University.

    “In public service, he has led various divisions some of which includes: Member, Presidential Economic Management Team; Vice-Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum; Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, and the Governor of Anambra State.

    Read Also: Education is key, says Peter Obi

    “Peter Obi is an astute professional who has laid his footprints across the corporate world. He was the Chairman, Board of Security and Exchange Commission (SEC); former Chairman, Fidelity Bank PLC; former Chairman, Guardian Express Mortgage Bank; former Chairman, Future Views Securities; former Chairman, Paymaster Nigeria; former Chairman, Next International Nigeria; former Director, Guardian Express Bank PLC; former Director, Chams Nigeria PLC; former Director, Emerging Capital: former Director, Card Centre PLC.

    “He is a member of the British Institute of Directors (IOD), Nigerian Chartered Institute of Bankers and Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG).

  • Sickle cell patients protest members’ detention in hospitals

    *issue 2-month immediate release ultimatum

    People Living with Sickle Cell Disorder (PLSD) in Anambra state, on Friday protested detention of their members in hospitals across the State over outrageous bills incurred in course of their admission.

    The group also issued a two- month ultimatum to the concerned hospitals to immediately discharge the patients or risk their names being published.

    Addressing newsmen in Nanka, Orumba North local government area of Anambra State, National Coordinator of the group, Mrs Aisha Edward, described the actions as illegal, inhuman and callous.

    She disclosed that no fewer than seven of its members were currently being detained in various hospitals in the state over inability to pay their bills.

    “We are giving them from now till December 1 to immediately discharge the patients or we will be forced to publish their names and take up a legal action against them,” she said.

    Read Also: Abandoned baby found opposite Anambra church

    Edward wondered why a trained medical doctor would not discharge a patient after managing him and wait for payment later.

    She said, “I visited a hospital here in Aguata to check on one of our members who was on admission and found out that three of them were being detained against their will due to huge hospital bills they incurred.

    “The visit prompted me to probe further and in the process, I discovered that another hospital in Onitsha which has over four of our members who are being detained.

    “This are just the few ones we know. But I’m sure there will be many others still being held in other hospitals.

    “People have taken undue advantage of people living with sickle cell anaemia for too long, and we will not tolerate this latest discovery.”

    Edward revealed that one of the patients (names withheld) who was abandoned by her family, was given a bill to the tune of N1.2million for her treatment.

    “The patient told me in confidence that she was told by the hospital management that she was being detained ahead of Christmas period when philanthropists throng the hospitals to clear their debts,” she decried.

    The National Coordinator, who refused to disclose the names of the hospitals, regretted that most of the affected hospitals were those owned by the church.

    “It is more painful that the hospitals are mission hospitals. The church has been infiltrated by corrupt minded people who now use people’s health condition to defraud other people, and we will not let this happen because the church, not judiciary is the last hope of the common man,” she added.

    She further alleged that some of the patients, including orphans, have spent over six months, while the longest serving of them, has been kept in detention for one year and four months, with a strict warning not to escape or face the consequences.

  • Three nabbed with weapons in Anambra

    Three persons have been arrested by the police in Anambra State for allegedly engaging in cult activities with offensive weapons in Nkpor, near Onitsha.

    The suspects, Oyigbo Chigbo (18), Chimobi Egbubue (18) years and Chidalu Egwebue (19), all of Anambra State, were said to be members of two rival cult groups, Aiye and JVC confraternities.

    The Nation learnt that the suspects clashed over supremacy with cutlasses and axes among themselves under the overhead bridge along Nkpor road in the commercial city.

    Read Also: Truck kills 4-year old baby in Anambra

    “On the process, one of the suspects, Oyigbo Chigbo sustained several matchet cuts and was taken to the hospital for treatment,” the source said.

    The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, confirmed the arrest.

    He said the suspects were arrested by the Police Patrol team attached to Ogidi Division following a distress call.

    Mohammed added that the case was under investigation, while efforts were being intensified to apprehend other fleeing suspects.

  • INEC embarks on special intervention in Anambra

    Independent National electoral commission (INEC) in Anambra State on Friday, said it would on Monday, commence distribution and collection of permanent voters cards in all local government areas of the state.

    The Head, Voter Education/Publicity, Nkedife Leo, who disclosed this in a statement, said the special intervention exercise which would end on Friday, October 19, was aimed at distributing the PVCs at the ward levels.

    Read Also: SANs back INEC on inconclusive election declaration

    He asked those who registered from 2010 to April 2018 to take advantage of the opportunity to collect their voters cards.

    “Kindly visit INEC local government offices for a schedule of the visit to the wards,” he added.