The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra State

  • Anambra APC adopts Buhari for second term

    …as shouts of “Baba”, “Baba” take over state 

     

     

    The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Anambra State, at the weekend, unanimously voted for President Muhammad Buhari as consensus candidate of the party for  2019 presidential poll.

    Buhari emerged unopposed in a direct primary held by the party across 21 Local Government Areas of Ananbra state.

    From Aguata to Ogbunike to Igboukwu to idemili north and South to Ogbaru and ihiala, the response was the same with each crowd shouting baba, baba.

    The Anambra State chapter of APC, it would be recalled, was among the state that adopted direct primary in line with the party’s constitution.

    The APC direct primary was inform of option A4 with the party faithful cueing in long lines in all the centres visited by the Nation at the weekend.

    It was conducted and monitored by the Anambra State executive members of the party and other stakeholders led by the Chairman, Emeka Ibeh, publicity secretary, Okelo Madukife, the state secretary, Hon Chukwuma Agufugo among other stakeholders.

    Read Also: 2019: Buhari will be easy to defeat – Bafarawa

    Speaking at Uga ward I in Aguata Local Government Area after queuing in support of the President, the Senator representing Anambra South, Dr Andy Uba, assured Buhari of stock votes in the Southeast.

    According to the APC Senator, the President would compensate the Igbo  with more infrastructural developments, key positions in his cabinet and others if retained.

    Also, at Igboukwu in Aguata council area, Engr. Barth Nwibe, the former governorship aspirant of the APC, described the outcome of the party primary as a show of love  Igbo had for Buhari  due to his good policies and good governance.

    One of the voters at Ogbunike in Oyi Local government area, Mrs Rita Echedon, commended President Buhari over what she described as his various laudable projects and policies, which required him to return.

    For the APC state Chairman, Emeka Ibeh, he lacked words to describe the atmosphere, but to thank the party members for coming out in their numbers to support the return of the president unopposed.

  • Man, 36 lynched over burglary in Anambra

    A 36-year old man was on Tuesday reportedly lynched by an angry mob in Amansea, Awka North local government area of Anambra State.

    The victim, whose identity was yet to be ascertained, was said to have severally burgled into people’s apartments at Amawarri area of the community.

    The Nation gathered that he was already dead before the arrival of the police who stormed the area following a tip-off.

    Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said the Police Patrol team attached to ‘B’ Division, Awka, met the victim in an unconscious state on arrival to the scene.

    “He was rushed to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital where he was certified dead by the doctor on duty,” he said.

    Read Also: Man arraiged for ‘stealing’ at eatery

    Mohammed added that the corpse had been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy while efforts were being intensified to tracing and apprehending the perpetrators.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Garba Umar, enjoins members of the public to refrain from taking laws into their hands as the Command will not fold its arms and allow miscreants to disrupt public peace in the state,” he stated.

  • Widow nabbed for biting house-help in Onitsha

    A middle aged woman has been arrested by the police for allegedly biting her 8-year old minor (names withheld), at Housing Estate, Fegge Onitsha, Anambra state.

    The suspect, a widow, has been severely accused of battering the minor, who hawked sachet water after school anytime she disobeyed her instructions.

    The Nation gathered that trouble started when the victim, a native of Osumogho, Ihiala Local Government Area, forgot to switch off the gas cooker after cooking.

    “She held her closely and bite deep into her body for wasting her gas.” a neighbor said.

    Read Also: Expectant mother, others in Onitsha accident

    Reacting, a Human Rights activist, Dede Uzor Uzor, said the minor has been undergoing series of human rights abuses, including biting from their findings.

    He said he reported the matter to the Fegge Police station which led to the suspect’s arrest.

    Efforts to contact the Fegge Divisional Police Officer, Mr Rabiu Garba were unsuccessful, but a senior police officer who pleaded anonymity said, “the woman is in our custody”.

  • ‘Obi, Obiano, two greatest leaders in Nigeria’

    …says country needs leaders with vision, compassion

    The incumbent governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano and his predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi, have been described as two of the greatest leaders in Nigeria.

    This was the opinion of specialist in pain management in Las Vegas, United States of America, Prof Godwin Maduka.

    He said what the country needs now are leaders with vision, compassion, drive discipline and confidence.

    Maduka, who was the chairman during the recent retreat and book launch, organized by the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA at Finotel hotel resort in Awka, Anambra state.

    He said the party had been able to thrive in the state and indeed Nigeria because of the leadership qualities of former national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh, the current national chairman, Dr Victor Oye and Governor Obiano.

    According to him, “Political office seekers who promote mischief, violence or brigandage as instruments of political competition must be held accountable for their actions”

    “What Nigeria needs now more than ever is high quality leadership intuned with vision, drive, discipline, confidence, and most of all, compassion”

    “I have absolutely no doubt that you the aspirants in this hall, distinguished and respected personalities are poised and prepared to rise up and embrace the challenge”

    “It only requires seriousness and sincerity as well as a strong commitment and revolutionary mindset”

    “All full blooded and convinced citizens of Nigeria, we must strive towards inventing a meaningful Nigerian nation that fulfils the promise that Nigeria holds out for all of us here, for all Nigerians in the Diaspora as well as the rest of the world”

    Read Also: Obiano doles out N.3billion to mission schools

    “You the potential representatives of our people are the human treasurers of this dream. You are now presented with a magnificent opportunity to challenge and correct malgovernance across all sectors”

    “For Nigeria to be great, those whom aspire to lead must bear in mind the fact that they are servants and as such cannot ever be greater than the people, their masters”

    ” A leader must never allow his high office to separate him from the people. He should symbolize good government. He must have physical and moral courage and most importantly, he must possess the ability to inspire the people out of despondency”

    “A leader who serves his people will be enshrined in the hearts and minds of his people. This is his only reward in his lifetime”

    “I commend the Governor of Anambra State Chief (Dr) Willie Obiano, for living up to these ideals and for making Anambra State an international showpiece of good governance”

    “APGA is a party that can boast of some of the most visionary Governors Nigeria has ever produced in the persons of Mr. Obi and Chief Willie Obiano,” Maduka said.

  • Anambra flood victims receive relief materials from FG

    The federal government has sent relief materials worth millions of naira to the flood victims in Anambra State through the National Emergency Management Agency NEMA.

    This is coming just three days the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo  SAN visited the state to ascertain the magnitude of damage caused by the monster in the state.

    Some of the  materials sent by the FG include 600 bags of rice, 300 bags of cement, 200 bags of Milo, 300 bags of beans, 1,000 cartons of omo and 300 cartons of tin tomatoes .

    The South East Coordinator of the Agency, Mr Walson Ibarakuno-Barandon, handed over the materials to the Anambra state Executive Secretary of state Emergency Management Agency SEMA, Mr Paul Odenigbo, on Saturday in Awka, Anambra state.

    Other items were;2,000 pieces of treated mosquito nets, 1,000 pieces of toilet soap, 1, 500 pieces of printed wax, 150 kegs of vegetable oil, 150 bags of salts, 150 bags of sugar and 150 kegs of red oil among others.

    Read Also: Anambra community bemoans lack of infrastructure

    Ibarakuno-Barandon, said the materials were meant to alleviate the sufferings of victims of the flood disaster in parts of Anamabra State.

    Nine out of 21 local government areas in Anambra located close to the River Niger were named among places that would possibly witness flood disaster this year by weather experts.

    The NEMA official explained that the agency brought the items to cushion the effects of the disaster, adding that NEMA emergency assessment team would commence on-the-spot assessment of the areas hit by flood Sept.22.

    He urged the state to see the relief materials as symbolic showing that the federal government under President Mohammadu Buhari shares the pains of the flood victims in Anambra.

    According to him, “No amount of relief materials given to victims of disaster that would be enough to take care of their losses, the federal government is trying to give succor to the victims through this donation’’

    In his remarks, Odenigbo, Executive Secretary SEMA, expressed gratitude to the federal government for their prompt intervention.

    “What they have brought, it would go a long way in assisting the flood victims in the various camps.

    “We have made a case to the federal government  and what NEMA brought today if we add it to donations from other organisations people in the various IDP camps would not go hungry ’’

    Odenigbo said apart from the provision of food and non food materials ,that state ministries of Environment, Health and Public Utilities were working tirelessly to ensure proper hygienic environment in the camps to avoid outbreak of diseases.

  • Family of six burnt in Anambra gas explosion

    A couple and their four children, Tuesday night, were reportedly burnt in a gas explosion in their residence at No 30 Izundu road, Abubo Nnewichi in Nnewi North LGA of Anambra State.

    The incident which occurred at about 6.15pm, was said to have emanated from a cooking gas cylinder which ignited fire in their 3-bed room flat residence.

    The victims, Mr Ebube Okeke, 40, his wife, Chioma, 32, together with their four kids, between the ages of three and nine, were at the first floor apartment of the two-storey building when the explosion occurred.

    A resident, who simply gave her name as Justina, said the sound of the explosion reverberated across the premises, which sent everybody scampering for safety.

    “There was a gas leakage from the cylinder at the apartment, but when it was noticed by the father who tried to stop it, it was already at an exploding point and immediately went off.

    “The explosion pulled down the walls of the apartment and extended to other sections of the building with some other occupants sustaining degrees of burns,” she added.

    She however said men of fire service arrived much later when the situation had already been brought under control by neighbors.

    The Nation gathered that the victims were initially rushed to Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, but were later referred to Enugu Orthopedic Hospital following high degree of burns.

    Confirming the incident, the State Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed, said Police patrol team led by DPO Otolo Division, Uro Justin, had since visited the scene.

    He said the area was cordoned off to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation, adding that investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident had commenced.

    “The Command enjoins members of the public to always apply safety precautions when using cooking gas cylinders to avoid recurrence of similar ugly incident,” he added.

  • Undergraduate hangs self in Anambra

    A 29-year old student of College of Education Nsugbe, Anambra East local council area of Anambra State, reportedly committed suicide in his off campus hostel.

    The deceased, Philips Chinedu, a native of Eziowelle in Idemili North LGA of the state, was said to have been found hung dead on the ceiling fan in his room around 8.40pm.

    The news of the incident, The Nation learnt, had sent panic to both students and teachers of the school who were yet to come to terms with the incident.

    Confirming the report, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, in a statement, said the corpse was deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.

    “On the 18/9/2018 at about 8:40pm, one Obinna Joseph, Student of College of Education Nsugbe, reported at 3.3 Division that on same date at about 8:pm, he returned to his hostel which is off Campus at Nsugbe and found his roommate hanged dead on the ceiling fan inside the room.

    Read Also: UNN student dies in auto crash

    “Upon receipt of the complaint, scene was visited by Police detectives attached to 3.3 Division led by the DPO CSP Sunday Irek, photograph obtained and victim was taken to Apex hospital 3.3 where he was confirmed dead by the medical doctor,” he said.

    Mohammed added that the case was being investigated to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident.

  • Anambra PDP wants another caretaker ahead of 2019

    …wants VP slot for Southeast

    The People’s Democratic Party PDP in Anambra State, has called on the party’s National leadership to give the state another caretaker committee by dissolving the current one for peace to reign.

    It has also, advised the party to allocate the vice presidential slot to the southeast region for balance.

    And those to be selected for the VP slot should be either the former Governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi or the deputy Senate president, Ike Ekweremadu .

    The call came on Saturday from a group in the party, Fresh Congress Group in Anambra State led by Rev.  Pastor, Emma Obiora.

    The statement which was made available to reporters, declared on Saturday that the method of extorting money from the aspirants had started again, where the party’s hierarchy imposed unpopular candidates on the masses.

    Read Also:  Delta PDP major financier defects to APC

    The group which consisted of all the grass roots politicians in the state , said they  were capable of spilling the milk, if the right things were not done again

    They therefore, hailed some of the lawmakers in the state, who they claimed had done enough to deserve another chance from the electorate irrespective of party affiliation

    Such people included Hon. Onyebuchi Offor, Hon. Chris Azubuogu, Hon. Chukwuma Onyema,Senator Uche Ekwunife, Hon Obinna Emenaka and  Hon Ben Nwankwo, adding that the group was still investigating others

  • Firm empowers 19 Anambra entrepreneurs with N5.7m

    A total of 19 young entrepreneurs have been empowered by Life Lager Continental Beer with the sum of N5.7 million at Ekwulobia,  Anambra State.

    The beneficiaries, who received N300,000 each, emerged from over 700 entrepreneurs who submitted business proposals across the South East region.

    Speaking during the award presentation, Assistant Brand Manager, Life Lager Continental beer, Rex-Anthony Anieke, said Life Progress Booster was one of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility targeted at supporting upcoming young businesses.

    He said winners were selected after a thorough consideration of their business proposals and interviews.

    According to Anieke, no fewer than 800 businessmen and women had benefited from the gesture since the company launched the project for the region in 2015.

    Read Also: Police seal Anambra PDP secretariat

    He said: “The Life Progress Booster is a platform targeted at support upcoming businesses, especially in the South East, where the core value is to make progress from trade.

    “The small boost of N300, 000 per beneficiary is to help them make more progress in their trade.”

    Expressing satisfaction with the successes the project has recorded since its commencement, Anieke hinted that other editions would hold in Asaba, Port-Harcourt and Aba within the year.

    One of the beneficiaries, Miss Gift Samuel, a proprietor of a restaurant in the area, was full of appreciation to the benefactor, saying the money would assist her equip her restaurant with chairs, tables, refrigerator, generator set and other necessary items.

  • Police, youths clash: Catholic bishop flays assault on journalists

    The Catholic bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, on Friday, condemned the alleged attack on journalists by protesters during the recent clash between the police and youths in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The news crew of the Anambra Broadcasting Service was reportedly lynched and the station’s official bus vandalized during the protest.

    Read Also:Driver gets one-month jail for stealing policeman’s wallet

    According to reports, the cameraman, Nicolas Johnson, was physically assaulted and the sums of N8, 000 stolen from him, while the reporter, Chibuzo Okoye and driver, Jossy Ugochukwu, sustained injuries in the mob attack.

    Reacting to the development, Ezeokafor described the incident as absurd, wondering what could warrant such actions on persons carrying out their lawful duties.
    “Why attack these harmless and hapless individuals? These people are out there hunting for news. Why lynch them? Why go after their station’s official vehicle even to the point of vandalizing it?” he queried.

    The cleric explained that media practitioners in the state and Nigeria in general deserved to be encouraged, protected and cared for by all, stressing that “without the media, the world would had been in darkness.”

    He enjoined the community leaders to call their youths to order to forestall future recurrence.