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Tag: Anambra State

  • Expectant mothers get free treated nets in Anambra 

    Expectant mothers get free treated nets in Anambra 

    Expectant mothers in Isuofia community, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, were in a joyous mood as they got treated mosquito nets to help them avoid malaria.

    The Victor Oguagu Foundation (VOF) provided the nets in collaboration with the state Ministry of Health.

    The event also featured a lecture by a pharmacist Kingsley Ojukwu on the prevention and management of age-related non-communicable diseases.

    Delivering his lecture, Ojukwu stressed the need for a healthy lifestyle as a way of keeping diseases at bay.

    He mentioned having enough rest, sufficient night sleep as some ways to maintain a healthy life.

    The nonprofit organisation is said to be committed to complementing government in accomplishing the sustainable development goals (SDGs), through its Stay Fine Initiative (SFI) tour to promote healthy living among beneficiaries.

    The medical outreach was held at the St Patrick’s catholic Parish Isuofia.

    Ojukwu also highlighted the importance of exercise including jogging, rope-skipping, brisk walk and joining sports clubs in addition to eating enough fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods and drinking lots of water.

    The insecticide-treated nets were distributed to the expectant mothers and the aged, who also got multivitamins from the foundation.

    Speaking at the event, the founder of Victor Oguagu Foundation, Victor Oguagu commended the commissioner for health in the state, Dr Joe Akabuike for the support of his ministry.

    He reiterated the foundation’s commitment to championing multifaceted projects towards national development.

    Oguagu said, “WHO regional director of Africa Dr. Matshoiso Moeti said that most communicable diseases related deaths are attributed to behavioral and Physiological risk factor” hence the need for the outreach”.

    He told The Nation that the programme focused on women, who according to him were the pivot of the society.

    For Mrs Judith Okafor, the programme was beneficial to the mothers and not only expectant mothers, while commending the state ministry of health for partnering the foundation.

  • 64 students bag Chinese govt scholarship

    64 students bag Chinese govt scholarship

    The dream of 64 students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, studying Mandarin at the Confucius Institute, has been fulfilled with their winning a scholarship to advance their study in various universities in China.

    Speaking at the send-off zin their honour, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Joseph Ahaneku, said the scholarship was part of the opportunities inherent in the partnership between the Chinese government and the university, which started in 2008.

    He said: “Today, we are celebrating excellence. We are no longer in the stage of advocacy; we have made a statement with our partnership with China. UNIZIK has become a school where you can learn Chinese language to qualify for higher level of scholarship to achieve the dream you have set for yourselves.”

    To make the school the centre for learning foreign languages, the VC noted that efforts were being made to introduce Spanish and German in addition to French and Chinese being taught in the school.

    According to Prof Ahaneku, the school’s aim is to use languages as a  tool to solve unemployment, adding that there was the need to explore foreign languages to give students opportunities.

    He advised the beneficiaries to be disciplined and portray good examples of the institution during their stay in China.

    The Deputy VC (Administration), who is the Country Director of the Confucius Institute, Prof Carol Arinze-Umeobi, hailed the VC for supporting the goals of the institute as a world-class school to learn Mandarin. She urged the beneficiaries to be of good conduct.

    UNIZIK Confucius Institute Director Prof Wang Bo said he was elated by the number of enrolment and induction at the institute yearly, since the partnership was signed. He noted that there was an increase in the number of scholarship beneficiaries compared to previous years.

    Bo disclosed that three of the beneficiaries were offered full scholarship by the Chinese government to study for their Master’s degree in a Chinese university, while the rest were offered scholarship by the Confucius Institute to obtain their Master’s degree in Mandarin.

    He praised the VC for providing the institute’s basic needs to ensure more students are offered scholarship to China.

    One of the beneficiaries, Joy Illodibe, said her decision to study Chinese language caused a disagreement with her parents, who regarded it as a waste of time. She said her joy knew no bound when her parents decided to support her choice of career.

    Another beneficiary, Joshua Emenike,  a graduate of History and International Relations, said he was privileged to be among the recipients. He recalled the challenges  he faced while studying at the Confucius Institute, noting that he almost gave up because of clashes of lectures.

    The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentations by the beneficiaries in Chinese.

    Guests at the event included Deputy VC (Academics), Prof Charles Esimone, the Bursar, Mrs. Joy Ojukwu, and the Director of Information and Public Relations.

     

  • Anambra: Nwoye defeats Uba, ten others to emerge APC governorship candidate

    Anambra: Nwoye defeats Uba, ten others to emerge APC governorship candidate

    The member  of the House of Representatives for  Anambra East/West Constituency, Tony Nwoye has emerged the flag-bearer of the All Progressive Congress, APC, for the Anambra Governorship election slated to hold on November 18.
    Nwoye defeated his closest contestant, Andy Uba who is the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District and the National Auditor of the party, George Moghalu who placed third.
    Announcing the results, Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima who doubles as the Primary Election committee Chairman, said Nwoye got a total of 2146 votes out a total 4333 votes cast. Senator Uba got 931 votes, while Mr Moghalu got 525 votes.
    Votes for other contestants are : Bath Nwibe-414, Johnbosco Onunkwo-85,  Patrick Nwike-20, Paul Chukwuma-110, and Chike Obidogbo-22.
    Others are: Nonso Madu-21, Okonkwo Donatus- 10, Uzor Obinna-17 and Adaobi Uchegbu the only woman in the race got just one vote.
    Thirty one votes were declared invalid while the total valid votes were 4302
    With the result,  Governor Willie Obiano who has since clinched the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, ticket and Mr Nwoye will slug it out in a rematch of the 2013 election which saw Mr Obiano beating Nwoye, then the flagbearer of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
    Incidentally, both are kinmen as they hail from the same Anambra East local government area of the state.
    Governor Shettima thanked the security agencies, party officials, INEC, members of the party everyone who assisted the committee to conduct a smooth primary election.
    He said the election was free and fair as the committee was neutral and impartial to all the contestants.
    Mr Nwoye thanked the Committee for the free and fair conduct of the election and called on his fellow aspirants to rally round him to ensure that the party is victorious at the polls
  • Firm donates six vans to Anambra police, FRSC

    Firm donates six vans to Anambra police, FRSC

    The Anambra State police command and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in the state have taken delivery of six patrol vans donated to them by Anheuser-Bush InBev (AB-INBEV).

    The keys to the L-200 Mitsubishi vehicles were handed over to the state police commissioner, Mr. Garba Baba Umar and the state sector commander of the FRSC, Mr. Sunday Ajayi by the group’s managing director in Nigeria and Ghana, Mr. Andries du Plessis.

    The pick-up patrol vehicles, according to AB-InBev, are powered by Mitsubishi’s 4N15 turbocharged and intercooled diesel engines. Also, The Nation gathered that the vehicles detect moisture on the windscreen and activate the wipers automatically.

    Plessis noted that the donation of vehicles was in keeping with AB InBev’s commitment to creating a better world.

    The Legal and Corporate Affairs Director for AB InBev, Nigeria and Ghana, Otunba Michael Daramola said that a responsible organisation will always strive to create a better world in line with its corporate belief.

    He said that their better world policy was hinged on a growing, cleaner and healthier world.

    He said, “This principle has guided us as a company in deciding how to be an active participant in our immediate community, as this policy has seen us meaningfully engage the young people so they would grow and stay out of crime, while growing the economy.”

    Speaking with The Nation, the FRSC sector commander, Mr. Sunday Ajayi, said the donation would help his command in carrying out their duties such as preventing and minimising accidents on the highways.

    Umar, while receiving the vehicles, commended AB InBev for its kind gesture, recognising that the policing community is important and needs help. He said that the command would maintain its collaborative efforts with corporate bodies, government, and citizens just like the company had displayed, as he put it.

    Umar further said that the vehicles would go a long way in ensuring that the communities were safe, especially as Anambra governorship election approaches.

    He lamented that funding had always been a major setback to the police, while enjoining the private sector to always partner with the government so as to have a safe community.

  • Honour for UNIZIK’s former VC

    Honour for UNIZIK’s former VC

    Members of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State capital, rolled out the drums to celebrate the school’s second Vice-Chancellor (VC), Emeritus Professor Pita Ejiofor. The event was part of the activities marking the silver jubilee of the Faculty of Management Sciences.

    The event, which was held at the auditorium and chaired by former Minister of Health, Dr Tim Menakaya, was graced by Chief Willie Obiano, represented by his deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke; former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh; former Secretary to the State Government and 2017 Governorship aspirant, Mr Oseloka Obaze; chairmen of Anambra and Enugu Council of Traditional Rulers, Igwe Alfred Achebe and Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo; and the VC of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Prof Fidelis Okafor, among other guests.

    Prof Ejiofor was the pioneer dean of the faculty in whose tenure the foundation for the faculty building was laid. The faculty was named after him. As the VC, he completed and moved members of the university administration into the first high-rise building in the school. He also secured the repeal of the non-residential status of the university after completing two hostel complexes.

    Welcoming the guests to the occasion, the VC, Prof Joseph Ahaneku, said he was excited that his predecessor was being honoured during his administration. He described the honour as “well-deserved and befitting”, saying the contribution of Prof Ejiofor to the physical and academic development of the school was immeasurable.

    Prof Ahaneku pointed out that the honoree also contributed to the evolution of the Management Sciences discipline in tertiary education system.

    Guest lecturer and president of Academy of Management Nigeria, Prof Barnabas Agbonifoh, who spoke on Management yesterday, today and the Nigerian management question, noted that the nation’s potential for irreversible development was being dragged back by poor managerial practices in public and private offices.

    The lecturer faulted the Federal Government on key appointment, saying qualification needed to be the guide of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in appointing ministers and heads of government’s agencies.

    Prof Agbonifoh advised managers to be dedicated to duties and take responsibility for the outcome of their decisions.

    In his remarks, Dr Okeke described Prof Ejiofor as “an enigma”, stressing that the former VC was gifted and determined to achieve success in any task he accepted. The Deputy Governor hailed the honoree for his doggedness in ensuring the Igbo language survives as the Igbo are having identity crisis.

    According to Dr Okeke, the Igbo must create unique identity, adding that the Igbo-speaking people must employ education to propagate their culture and heritage.

    Dr Menakaya eulogised Prof Ejiofor, describing him as a “thoroughbred Igbo man”, saying he was born a teacher and role model.

    The dean of the faculty, Prof Anayo Nkannebe, disclosed that the event was timely, noting that Prof Ejiofor deserved the honour for his contribution to the heights the faculty attained in the past 25 years.

    Chief Umeh described Prof Ejiofor as a man of many parts, who showed good judgment in his effort to propagate the truth.

    The high point of the event was the unveiling and launching of a festschrift in honour of Prof Ejiofor.

    Responding, the honoree appreciated members of the school for considering it worthwhile to celebrate him in his lifetime. He said his objective as the pioneer dean of the faculty was to leave an enduring legacy for generations of students that would study in the school.

    He said: “I am highly humbled at the outpouring of love and honour. If I had another opportunity to come back as a dean, I would do more.”

  • Anambra monarch takes office, 22 years after

    Anambra monarch takes office, 22 years after

    Umueri community in Anambra State has a traditional ruler 22 years after the seat became vacant. Eminent personalities converged on Umueri for Igwe Ben Emeka’s thanksgiving as the Okebo II of Umueri. The event, which held at the Cathedral Church of St. Gabriel, Umueri, was presided over by the Rt. Rev. Johnson N. Ekwe, Bishop Diocese of Niger West.

    A statement said: “The emergence of His Royal Majesty Igwe Sir Ben Emeka as the 2nd traditional ruler of the community is a good news to the people of Umueri and other neighboring communities within Omambala axis. They are of the firm belief that his emergence will foster peace and unity in Umueri and Omambala region. His Royal Majesty Igwe Ben Emeka is an accomplished business tycoon and a philanthropist whose philanthropic gestures do not segregate. Before emerging the traditional ruler of Umueri his philanthropy touched many lives.

    Governor Willie Obiano showered encomiums on Igwe Emeka, describing his emergence as the traditional ruler of Umueri as a thing of great joy.

    According to Governor Obiano, the faithfulness of God as demonstrated in the successful celebration and coronation of HRM Igwe Sir. Ben Emeka shall deepen the foundation for a new age of peace and prosperity in Umueri community, as well as ensure longevity of his reign. His Excellency Dr. Nkem Okeke, Anambra State Deputy Governor in his goodwill message described the emergence of Igwe Sir. Ben Emeka as the traditional ruler of Umueri as a clear testimony to a life of exemplary distinction, one in which you have served and continue to serve your community in a highly dedicated and dignified manner. He thanked the Almighty God for his blessings and for granting His Royal Majesty Igwe Sir, Ben. Emeka the opportunity to lead/serve his community as their traditional ruler and wished him God’s guidance, good health, grace and wisdom in his service to God, Umueri community and humanity at large.

    On her own part, Rt Hon. Rita Maduagwu, speaker Anambra State House of Assembly thanked God for the philanthropic and charitable lifestyle Igwe Sir. Ben Emeka has been living which made the people of Umueri to elect him as their king. She acknowledged the monarch’s contributions to peace and progress of Umueri community and Anambra State at large. She further prayed for God to continue to strengthen him and give him the wisdom to be able to pilot the affairs of Umueri people creditably. His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe the traditional ruler of Onitsha and the chairman of Anambra State traditional rulers council in his felicitation message expressed his trust that the emergence of Sir. Ben Emeka on the throne of Umueri as traditional ruler will further strengthen the long standing good relationship between the two communities of Umueri and Aguleri and with all the neigbouring communities within Omambala. He congratulated and welcomed him to the esteemed fold of the traditional institution of Anambra State. Hon. Law Chinwuba, Anambra State Commissioner for Works, in his own goodwill message, said Igwe Ben Emeka hard work and dedication to duty for the sake of God and humanity manifested itself with his emergence as traditional ruler of Umueri.

    He also prayed that the almighty God will continue to bless and prosper igwe Sir Ben Emeka endeavours to guide and protect Umueri community. Hon. Greg Obi, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters described His Royal Majesty’s emergence as the traditional ruler of Umueri as the manifestation of God’s love for him. He also expressed his belief that his reign will be indelible in the heart of Umueri people.

    Rt. Rev Johnson N. Ekwe, Bishop, Dioceses of Niger West Anglican Communion said the choice of Sir Ben Emeka as traditional ruler of Umueri like this is a choice well made because he has been outstanding in his other endeavors for many years.

    He said that his kindness and generosity to the less privileged and his philanthropic contribution to Umueri community and church, especially his unflinching support to the Cathedral Church of St. Gabriel Umueri and the diocese of Niger West is quite remarkable.

    Igwe Emeka was filled with joy and excitement for the solidarity shown to him by Umueri people, clergies, his friends and well-wishers. He thanked Governor Obiano, Dr Nkem Okeke, the Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Rt. Hon Barr (Mrs.) Rita Mabuagwu, Speaker Anambra state house of assembly, Ozo Victor Oye, APGA national chairman, Felix Obuah, River State PDP chairman, Dr Alex Okafor, Chairman Chicason group of companies, His Royal Majesty Igwe Alfred Achebe, Chairman Anambra state traditional rulers council, his Lordship Rt. Revd Johnson Ekwe, bishop, Diocese of Niger West, other clergies, numerous friends and well-wishers that identified with him for the successful coronation thanksgiving service. He further promised to use his reign to justify the confidence reposed on him by the good people of Umueri and to usher in peace, love and unity in Umueri and neighboring communities.

  • Anambra killing, barbaric, shocking –  Bayelsa govt

    Anambra killing, barbaric, shocking –  Bayelsa govt

    The Bayelsa State Government, on Tuesday, condemned the shooting incident at St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu, in Anambra State, describing it as barbaric and shocking.

    In a condolence message signed by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite, the government said the incident was most disheartening.

    The statement said: “We condemn in very strong terms the killing of innocent worshippers last Sunday morning at the St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State”.

    “We condole with Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, the families of the dead, the entire Christian community as well as the Government and people of the state.

    “While, commending the Anambra State Government and Police for the steps so far taken to bring the perpetrators to book, we call for greater vigilance on the part of the law enforcement agencies to check future occurrences”.

  • Anambra Guber: Ohaneze, Moghalu, Ezeemo Disagree Over Zoning

    Anambra Guber: Ohaneze, Moghalu, Ezeemo Disagree Over Zoning

    All is not well now between the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo and some aspirants of some political parties in Anambra state, over the issue of zoning ahead of the governorship election.

    While Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state, led by Chief Damian Okeke Ogene, has declared that the proposed zoning formular should start with the November 18 governorship election in the state with Anambra North, some of the aspirants say it is balderdash.

    The new zoning arrangement in Anambra state as listed by Ohaneze and the stakeholders were as follows, Anambra North 2013-2021, Anambra south 2021 – 2029.

    Others were Anambra central 2029 – 2037, Anambra north again, 2037-2045 and Anambra south 2045-2053 and so on.

    He said the zoning formular had already been adopted by the Anambra state Association of Town Unions (ASATU) made up of 179 communities in the state.

    The Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) candidate in Anambra Mr. Godwin Ezeemo, has kicked against such arrangement with his colleague from the All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief George Moghalu.

    Ezeemo, said Anambra had never had such arrangement in politics, adding that if such arrangement should come up, it had to start with the South in the state and not North.

    His argument stems from the fact that the former governor, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju from the south did only one term in the state before central took over, adding that such injustice against the south had not been corrected till date.

    The PPA strong man, who many people in the state had endorsed as the next governor in Anambra, said ceding the position to the North because of the incumbent was unacceptable to him and the people of South.

    Ezeemo, while speaking with The Nation Friday in Awka, said this was not the right time for anybody to start talking about zoning arrangement which had never existed in the political lexicon of the state.

    The PPA candidate, who emerged the candidate of his party last week during the party’s primary in Awka, said such arrangement was faulty by Ohaneze or whoever even muted the idea in the first place.

    “If we want zoning, there must be a forum to talk about it but the present arrangement is to scheme people out unnecessarily from the race which is not good for the state” Ezeemo said.

    For Chief George Moghalu of the APC, such arrangement was messed up when Senator Chris Ngige from Central took over in 2003 after Mbadinuju.

    He said it was further destroyed when Peter Obi from the same Central zone took over from Ngige after three years and stayed for more eight years without considering other zones making them eleven years on the saddle.

    The APC National Auditor equally used the forum yesterday while speaking with The Nation to declare that he had not stepped down from the governorship race as being speculated in the social media.

    He told The Nation that it was the handiwork of his opponents who were afraid of his presence, adding that nobody should be afraid as APC was a family.

    He further said that anybody who claimed to be more popular in the race should go to the poll when the party would hold its state primary, instead of trying to get it through shut-cut.

     

  • ‘Anambra begins contributory pension scheme in 2018’

    ‘Anambra begins contributory pension scheme in 2018’

    The Anambra State Head of Service (HoS), Mr Harry Udu, has said that the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) will commence in the state in 2018.

    Udu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday  that efforts were being made to put the prerequisite conditions in place for effective take-off of the scheme to ensure that no retiree was stranded in the process.

    He said the composition of Contributory Pension Scheme Board (CPSB) was awaiting the nomination and confirmation of the private sector representatives.

    Udu explained that while the employee deduction for local government workers was up to date, that of the state government had not been fully implemented.

    He said only a government with the interest of people at heart could embark on the programme, considering the huge capital involved.

    “The position of CPS in the state is that the scheme commenced in 2014, the deductions started that time but there are a few things that need to be done, including composition of the board.

    “The composition of the board is prescribed in the law but there are individuals that should come from the private sector who will be confirmed by the House of Assembly upon appointment by the governor.

    “When that is done, we will have the full composition of the board.

    “The deduction from the local government system is being done religiously.

    “No problem with that but there is a gap in the state which the government is making serious effort to rectify.

    “The effective take-off will not be later than next year, and you know under the scheme, there is a three-year moratorium for those about to retire but because of the hitch, the governor decided to extend it to avoid some people being trapped,” he said.

    The HoS lauded the state workforce for justifying the government’s gesture of prompt payment of salaries, adding that all was being done to make them happy.

    He reiterated the zero tolerance of government to truancy and absenteeism, noting that the clock-in machine mechanism had helped to ensure that workers were regular at their duty post.

    “Workers get their salaries 24th of every month, just as pensioners get their pensions.

    “That is why our governor acquired the sobriquet of ‘alert governor’.

    “Labour has contributed immensely to shore up the Internally Generated Revenue of the state.

    “We have a clock-in machine which is used to check absenteeism and truancy; for areas that are not yet covered by these machines, we have occasional raids.

    “According to the civil service rule, absence without leave renders you liable for dismissal without formality,” he said.

    On the circular that no worker in Anambra will receive salary without possession of Voter’s Card, Udu said it was not meant to witch-hunt anybody but to fight voter apathy.

    He said it was a decision of the State Executive Council targeted at ensuring that those who attained 18 years recently or had not registered should register to vote.

    “Voter apathy is a serious issue here; stakeholders including civil society groups, have expressed concern with this pattern, so it is a decision of the state executive council.

    “The directive does not affect everybody but those who have attained 18 years and those who for any reason have not registered.

    “You can register and choose not to vote on the Election Day; after-all, to vote is a civic duty, but it is not meant to witch-hunt anybody.

  • Anambra ADP to train 10 women at NIHORT

    Anambra ADP to train 10 women at NIHORT

    The Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) of Anambra says 10 women have been selected to undergo advanced training in different economic ventures at Nigeria Institute for Horticulture Research Training (NIHORT), Ibadan.

    Mrs Patricia Uba, the Coordinator of Department of Women in Agriculture in the ADP, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday that the 10 women were selected from different cooperative societies.

    She said that the women, who would be sponsored by the Anambra Government, would be taught how to turn waste into wealth, adding that the women would, in turn, teach others in their respective cooperatives.

    “When we visited NIHORT, there were a lot of good innovations we saw there, these innovations can give succour to the people, particularly in these hard times..

    “The state government deemed it fit to sponsor some women from different cooperative societies to learn the skills at NIHORT and later transfer the knowledge to others.

    “Some of the things they will learn include the process of making soap using plantain peelings, the extraction of perfume from flowers and the production of shampoo.

    “This will enable the women to become self-reliant; they will also be able to generate income, create employment and ultimately contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),’’ she said