The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra State

  • Tipper crushes two to death

    TWO persons were on Wednesday night crushed to death by an articulated vehicle in Mbanakwa Okpuno,  Nnewichi in Nnewi North local government area of Anambra State.

    The accident which occurred around 8:20pm along Ukwukpaka junction, involved the truck and a motorcycle.

    The Nation gathered that the driver of the truck was ascending a hill when it suddenly rolled backwards and collided with the motorcycle which was trailing behind it.

    Eye witnesses who attributed the accident to brake failure,  said the victims sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.

    Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed said the body of the deceased had been deposited at the hospital mutuary for postmortem  examination.

    He said, “On the 18/09/2019 at about 8:20pm, there was a fatal motor/motorcycle accident along Ukwukpaka junction, Mbanakwa Okpuno  Nnewichi in Nnewi North LGA involving a Tipper with Reg No XA 206 KPP and a Mate 50 motorcycle with Reg No QL 500 UWN ridden by one Clement Odo ‘m’ aged 50yrs conveying a Pillion one Anayo Elinye ‘m’ aged 38yrs.

    “Preliminary investigation revealed that the tipper had a brake failure while on motion, rolled backward and collided with the said motorcycle.

    “As a result, both the Rider and the Pillion sustained injuries and were rushed by police patrol team to Diocesan hospital where they were confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

    He said the tipper driver absconded immediately, but said efforts were on to apprehend and bring him to justice.

  • Three shot as police, vigilante clash in Onitsha

    A member of a vigilante and two others on Wednesday sustained gunshot injuries in an altercation between Policemen and some members of the Vigilante group in main market, Onitsha, Anambra state.

    The police were said to have gone to a plaza in the market named “Our lord plaza” to arrest a trader who allegedly bought a phone from a suspect who came with the police to point the trader he sold the phone to.

    The Nation gathered that the traders, angry over what they suspected to be conspiracy with the police, tried to prevent the police from arresting their colleague, insisting they must report to their leadership before he would be taken away.

    The traders action was said to have provoked the police who reportedly shot sporadically into the air which resulted in the gun shots injury by the victims.

    Confirming the incident, the Police spokesperson, Haruna Mohammed said the victims were taken to the hospital and were responding to treatment.

    He said, “There was an altercation between Policemen who went on inquiry at “our lord plaza” in Onitsha Main Market and some Vigilante group today at about 1:30pm.

    “As a result, a Vigilante member was shot on the leg and two other persons also sustained injuries.

    Read Also: Nine rescued in Anambra accident

    “Situation was brought under control through the concerted efforts of the Police led by the Area Commander Onitsha and market leaders.

    “Normalcy has been restored and people are going about their lawful business.

    “Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police CP John B. Abang has ordered for a discreet investigation to ascertain circumstances surrounding the incident after which perpetrators will be brought to book.”

  • Youths tackle Obiano on roads

    SOME youths in Anambra State have expressed anger over the deplorable state of roads in the state.

    The group insisted that the deplorable roads and increasing number of potholes across the state affected their businesses and daily activities.

    The youths under the eages of Anambra Youth Empowerment Initiative (AYEI), also frowned at “poor representation” of senator representing Anambra North in the National Assembly, Senator Stella Odua and other lawmakers for their inability to call for town hall meeting.

    Addressing reporters after their meeting in Onitsha, the chairman of the group, Hon Nduka Alor, called on Governor Willie Obiano to urgently fix the roads and save the state of eminent erosion menace.

    He sued for calm and beckoned on the irate youths to trade with caution.

    “As proactive citizens, we must be the vanguard of the society but my appeal to the youths was to take it easy and direct their grievances through the proper channel.

    Read Also: Obiano, Ortom, workers hail Ngige’s re-appointment

    “It is obvious that roads are not built during the rainy season because of the nature of the soil texture in this part of the world.

    “You must always have a lot of potholes during the rainy season, especially when the rains are very heavy and daily as we witnessed this year.

    “Anambra State government, recently acquired three state of the art road machines known as Dura Patcher from the United States to fix the potholes once the rain subsides. I was also meant to understand that the operators are undergoing training right now.”

    Alor also challenged the lawmakers representing the constituency at various levels to brace up to their responsibilities of providing quality representation as promised during electioneering.

    “It is expected that they call for town hall meeting at least quarterly but they seem to be doing nothing.

    ” They need to dialogue with the people on what they have done or what they intend to do for the constituents. Such meeting oils democracy and gives to purposeful representation” he said.

    The State Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke had during a visit to the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Awka, assured that all potholes would be patched up as soon as the rains stop.

     

     

  • ‘Anambra locals dying for lack of quality health care’

    A CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Johnbosco Onunkwo, an engineer, has decried the lack of quality and affordable healthcare delivery services in most rural communities in Anambra State.

    He regretted that the near absence of quality health facilities had led to periodic deaths among rural dwellers in various communities of the state.

    Speaking during a free medical outreach programme by his foundation, Johnbosco Onunkwo Foundation in Uga, Aguata local government council area, Onunkwo described health as wealth, stressing that one can only think of what to do to earn a living only when one was healthy.

    He said, “My foundation deemed it necessary to bring this most important sector to the door steps of these dwellers after being deeply touched by the travails of rural dwellers in accessing quality health care services.

    Read Also: Landlord, son ‘beat female tenant to coma’ in Anambra

    “Our people die on daily basis over health issues that can ordinarily be solved if there are quality and affordable healthcare delivery services in our rural areas.”

    He said the gesture was borne out of love and service to humanity, expressing joy at the turn out of people in the community visited.

    Onunkwo revealed that the foundation would in few months make in roads into communities in Orumba North and South to complete the old Aguata Union before taking it round the state.

    “We commenced this in my community, Umuchu many years ago but the positive impact on the people as well as the clamour from neighbouring towns led us to take it to all the towns in the council area,” he noted.

    Earlier, Consultant physician and Director of the Foundation, Dr. Ejike Ibeanusi said over 600 locals were attended to from each of the communities during the exercise.

    He said the outreach featured health education, donation of home kits for blood pressure and blood sugar test, free laboratory test and free out-patient consultation and drugs.

  • Anambra lawmaker to community: Let’s give peace a chance

    THE crisis ridden Nando community in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra State has been charged to close ranks to attract projects from the state government.

    The lawmaker, representing Anambra East, Hon Obinna Emenaka, told the warring factions at the weekend to sheathe their swords and give peace a chance.

    Recently, the community had not known peace, following the leadership crisis that erupted, which led to the state government of Chief Willie Obiano dissolving the executive of Nando Development Union, to install a Caretaker Committee in the area.

    As a result, the youths in the community have endorsed the caretaker committee in the area led by Sir Anthony-Mary Amali, urging various factions to team up with them to move the community forward.

    The new leadership in the community with Chief Donatus Ajanma as the president, would lead youths of Nando, who had declared ‘no more war ‘in the next three years.

    Read Also: Nine rescued in Anambra accident

    Ajanma, in his speech, said his administration stood for peace, unity and progress of the community.

    “Our mandate is to move Nando forward. We are determined to ensure that Nando is peaceful. We will support the caretaker committee and the state government to engender development in our community.

    “I will attract government to help our youths with skills on agriculture and other fields. This is a call for more works. I cannot do it alone. Everyone must join hand with me to get things fixed,” he stated.

    The Chairman, Nando Caretaker Committee, Sir Anthony-Mary Amali, charged the new leadership to  mobilise the young people to key into projects capable of developing themselves individually and the community at large.

    For Hon Obinna Emenaka, he charged them to collaborate with the town’s leadership with a view to accessing various opportunities from the government.

    According to Emenaka, Governor Willie Obiano was youth friendly whose administration had empowered and still empowering youths in all sectors of the economy, including political appointments.

     

  • Anambra PDP, APC are dreamers, says Obi

    Sir Norbert Obi is the Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Anambra State. In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, he gives reasons why the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) may not be able to displace APGA during the 2021 governorship election.

    How prepared is APGA for future elections in Anambra State?

    Things are gradually working out towards 2021 and there is an adage that says “ empty vessels make the most noise.” In APGA, we admit that we have some short falls during the last primaries, but we have taken care of that. We are gradually coming back to our normal self.

    We have just held our congresses and new executives were elected at all levels, ward,  local government, state and national, and we have been to work.

    Some days back,  we had a retreat for all the state officers and all the local government politicians, chairmen and secretaries.

    We also had a seminar at Royale Garden Hotel in Nibo. These things are geared  towards 2021. In those functions, we had  all  our elected House of Assembly members, 24 of them, and the House of Representatives 5 of them in attendance. We have invited scholars and politicians to deliver papers to them again . That’s much I can tell you about our operations towards 2021. We are working very hard.

    But, the PDP and APC are saying that your administration has failed?

    Definitely, we shall retain power. Since   2006 till date in Anambra,  we have performed very well. Watch all the states. We do not owe anybody. Salaries are paid promptly, pensions are paid promptly and not minding the tight financial schedule that we have in the country. Thing are gradually moving on fine. Don’t mind them. I said initially that ”empty vessels make the loudest wise”.

    Our governments had performed, but we are now looking for somebody who will further come in and galvanise the party more. My party has no candidate in mind. I have continued to say that this time around, we will not bring in someone from outside. He must be a home grown politician that knows the territory very well. That’s what people like us are looking out for, who will come in here galvanize the party, make things work out, know where it pinches people, then make amends. That’s the candidate we are looking for.

    If you go to other states controlled by the PDP or APC, things are not working the way they are talking. Go to Kogi, salaries are not paid. In Bayelsa, it’s the same story.  Don’t mind the propaganda on ground that  things are not working in this place, Anambra is where the action is.

    Other states, including Abia, things are not working. So, we are proud of our leader Akpokuedike (Obiano). He’s trying his best, but as I said earlier, we are looking for somebody who is a home grown politician, who will come in and help us to galvanise the party, consolidate on what the present administration has done and move it forward.

    Your party is looking towards the South Senatorial Zone?

    It is the turn of the South Senatorial Zone. After, it will to come back to central and after central, it will go back to North again. We don’t want acrimony and 8years, central and north again and south, the bit goes on and on.

    But, the PDP chairman said there is nothing like zoning. That any candidate of any political party can come from anywhere. That they cannot follow APGA. Rather, APGA is supposed to follow them as a small party.

    Don’t mind them. They can pick from anywhere. If they want to pick outside the state, they are free to do it. But the consequences will be hash on them They are free to pick from Imo anywhere. But, we are APGA, we know that we are zoning the governorship to Anambra South Senatorial Zone for equity and fair play. So it’s better for them, if they feel, let them go to any place and pick, they will face the consequences.

    How do you react to the statement of the Vice President that APC will take Anambra to the Next level in 2021?

    They are day dreamers. Somebody from South west coming to tell us what will happen in Anambra State. It is not possible. We the Anambra know ourselves and they know who they are following.

    Vice president is a highly placed man and we will don’t have issues with him. But, our people know where the power lies and we know what to do to tighten up things. It is not for public consumption.

    But, what about the PDP’s threat as former Governor Peter Obi on the prowl?

    PDP is nothing without  rigging. Look at 2003 when the Uba brothers were in control, they rigged all through in 2003 after APGA won all the Federal seats and everything, but they were all rigged out and the governorship came also.

    Peter Obi won and eventually after 2 years, he regained his mandate. So Anambra State, Imo and Enugu belong to APGA, but PDP rigging has not allowed us to stand our feet. These three states that I mentioned, they are real APGA states and they won their election in 2003 and subsequent elections neatly, but because of external influences, we lost. Forget about Anambrans  being PDP State without rigging. They are no where. It is just mago mago, Peter Obi knows it. Forget that he is hungry for power and left APGA, he wants a higher platform which has been elusive. But, look at what is happening now after his vow to take out APGA. He’s an ambitious human being and just left APGA for PDP because he believes that moving to PDP, he would grab power. Lets sit and watch.

    Obi  has become like an oracle in Anambra politics like Ngige was before now. Do you still think your party has what it takes to dislodge  them?

    We will beat him, beat the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige, in their own domains when the time comes. My party is not in the same class with APC and PDP in Anambra State. Just watch out. We don’t believe in noise making.

    APGA is a “one room party.” You can’t compare APGA to PDP or APC. If they are strong, why haven’t they gone to other Southeast states?

    Both PDP and APC are relying on rigging, they are using such tool  and using the influence of power at Abuja there. The Obasanjo and so on style. Just of rigging, apart from that APGA would have won about five states in the South east states before now, if things were to be normal for two tenures. We would have cleared all the seats in Anambra and everybody knows it. APGA won in Enugu state, won in Imo and even Abia not to talk of Anambra. But, the powers that be muscled everybody with the influence of their fellow brothers. They wrote results, did everything. That was how APGA lost eventually until they recovered Anambra from the tribunal in 2006. So, forget about that arm chair theoreticians. APGA is real Southeastern party for the Southeasterners before Obasanjo and all the past presidents spoiled the whole thing. That was what killed APGA until we regained APGA in 2006. Now, 16 years down the line, nothing will happen to APGA.

    How have you resolved the crisis in your party?

    We are gradually coming to it. We are gradually achieving results. We are dealing with powers that be. People that made the difference  are gradually getting back. We need the confidence of the people and before  the end of this year, we will get to  a new position in this country, God willing.

  • Tribunal upholds Ekwunife’s, Ubah’s victories

    THE Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Monday upheld the victories of Senator Uche Ekwunife and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah for Anambra South and Anambra Central Senatorial Districts in the election held on February 23.

    Senator Victor Umeh of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had approached the tribunal, challenging the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Senator Ekwunife of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) won the election.

    Also, Senator Andy Uba of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Chief Chris Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had approached the tribunal, challenging the declaration by the INEC that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) won the election.

    Read Also: When Fed Govt’s roads fail, Anambra people suffer

    The petitioners prayed the tribunal to set aside the declaration of the electoral body on grounds of irregularities and over-writing of the election results.

    Delivering its judgment on the candidacy of Ekwunife, the tribunal ruled that the case was a pre-election matter and did not fall within the jurisdiction of the tribunal.

    It ruled that the petitioner had no locus standi to question the candidacy of Ekwunife at the tribunal, adding that Umeh should have approached the Federal High Court on the matter.

  • Erosion: We’re afraid of sending our kids to school

    Achina, Onneh, Agbudu, Umuomaku, Ogboji and Enugwu-Umuonyia are communities under Amaiyi of Old Aguata Region of Anambra State, with serious gully erosion threats. Like many other communities in the state, the erosion menace in the area gradually assumed a frightening dimension rendering most roads in the area impassable. The affected communities, regrettably are mainly agrarian, producing majorly cassava, yam, rice and other food items.

    Predominantly peasant farmers, the locals lamented the difficulty they face exporting proceeds from the farms following the deplorable condition of the road. Some of the markets in the area are now ghost zones as gully erosion has sacked traders from their shops.

    Schools and churches are not left out of the scourge as roads leading to the schools have become death traps with pupils finding it difficult attending schools. Church attendance has also drastically dropped. Locals construct makeshift bridges to navigate the roads, including the ones leading to Ekwuluobia through Peter University, Achina and other adjoining communities, which have been torn by deep gully at different portions.

    The drainage constructed by past governments has been washed off, rendering some buildings along the road under serious threat, even as sand bags were used to protect the remaining portions of the road. Apparently fed up with the menace, members of the six communities, led by their youth leadership, took to the streets with placards to register their unpleasant experiences and displeasure with the government. They made a passionate appeal to the state government to come to their rescue, with particular reference to completing the construction of Achina-Onneh-Ogboji Road.

    According to them, the 7.3 km Achina-Onneh-Ogboji Road was awarded in 2014 by the present government. Those who spoke with The Nation, blamed the ugly development to the abandonment and uncompletion of road projects in the area. One of the residents, Mrs Christiana Okparanyim expressed disappointment over government’s neglect to the area despite the massive votes it got from the community.

    She said parents were always apprehensive that something unpleasant would happen to their children anytime it rained. She said, “Once it rains, we’re afraid allowing our children to go to school. Even those of us courageous enough to release theirs will be anxious until they return.

    ”You see some parents wait patiently at the erosion spots to ensure they cross their children over the gully with the assistance of the makeshift bridges.”

    According to the woman, residents have lost their property to the ravaging flood on several occasions, adding that it nearly swept away a little boy if not for intervention of passerby.”Once it’s election time, politians will start flooding this place, with bogus promises, asking for our votes. Once the elections are over, you won’t see them again.”

    A trader at Nkwo Ogbeh market Nkwelle Otu, Mrs Helen Ezechukwu, regretted that sales have drastically dropped, as people from neighboring communities no longer patronize them. Traders from Oye market used to come to Nkwo market to trade with us and we returned the gesture on Oye day. But since this road became bad,  the market has turned to ghost area as they have stopped coming,” she added.

    Another resident, Mrs. Chinelo Igwe, whose residence was along the eroding road, lamented the difficulty her children experienced in driving in and out of their residence ocassioned by the road’s deplorable condition.

  • NEMA: Anambra communities reluctant to heed flood warnings

    National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has expressed worry over adamant disposition of victims of flood disaster in Anambra State to relocate to safe and higher ground to avert impending disaster.

    The agency attributed most erosion flood cases in Nigeria to refusal of people living in riverine communities to heed warnings from relevant agencies in disaster management.

    Speaking after assessing the level of flood at Odekpe and Atani communities in Ogbaru council area, Acting Director General of the Agency, Air Commodore Akugbe Iyamu wondered why flood victims would insist on safeguarding their homes rather than fleeing for their lives.

    He maintained that it was only the living that could claim possession of abode.

    He said, “How will someone say it’s my ancestral home and wants to die there? This is not a time to defend whether the area is your ancestral home or not. To be able to push the narrative, you need to come out first and get saved before defending whether it’s your ancestral home or not.”

    According to Iyamu, the visit to the area was at the instance of the state government following predictions by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

    “The agency has been following and closely monitoring the NIHSA predictions and having seen the level of the flood disaster, will take immediate actions,” he added.

    The acting DG described flood as a highly unpredictable natural phenomenon which is not peculiar to Nigeria, assuring victims of quick deployment of food and non-food items.

    “The US, since 1926, through its army engineers, have been managing flood and I don’t think it has gotten solution. The Mississippi is still a challenge to them.

    “The federal government is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that those affected by flood are given adequate attention,” Iyamu posited.

    Also speaking, Chairman of the Red Cross Society in the state, Prof. Peter Katchy, lauded the collaboration of the body with NEMA and other relevant agencies in times of emergency.

    Katchy, who presented an award of Commander of Humanity to the NEMA boss, commended the agency for supporting the body during emergencies.

    He pledged the organisation preparedness to work hard to combat situations that could lead to loss of lives, expressing hope of soon reception of relief materials.

    Earlier, Transition Committee Chairman for Ogbaru Council Area, Mr. Arinze Awogu, went down memory lane on challenges they faced annually during rainy seasons.

    He described the area as the worst hit by the disaster, regretting that twelve lives were lost last year to the flood.

    He said, “Last year, we recorded 12 deaths with over 11,280 IDPs in the flood that lasted more than two months.

    “We are always excited when we see government presence because we are sure of succour.”

    Awogu disclosed that the three holding centers created in the 16 communities in the area were all ravaged by the flood, appealing for additional centers.

    He commended Governor Willie Obiano for his prompt response to emergencies but requested for more holding centers in the area to accommodate the number of people affected.

    He also stressed the need to prepare the centres for human habitation, just as he appealed for medics as several children were suffering from various health challenges.

  • ‘Face governance or risk humiliation by irate Nigerians’

    THE Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Awka in Anambra State, Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, has advised politicians to give the people quality governance or face the wrath of hungry and angry Nigerians.

    The cleric said what happened in Nuremberg, Germany (the attack on former Senate Deputy President Ike Ekweremadu) was a pointer to the fact that Nigerians were fed up with bad governance from politicians.

    Delivering a homily on Tuesday during his maiden pastoral visit to St. James Catholic Church, Neni, Aniocha Local Government Area of the state, Ezeokafor said Nigerians had the right to protest against perceived injustice.

    He said: “Germany’s experience will be a child’s play compared to what is to come in the nearest future, if the current crop of political leaders fail to sit up and work for the collective interest of all Nigerians.

    “Nigerians have the right to protest against injustice, maladministration, misappropriation of public funds, poor representation, embezzlement and inhuman treatment, provided they were not armed.”

    Read Also: Cattle ranches spring up in Anambra

    Ezeokafor, who noted that the humiliation of bad leaders was long overdue, predicted a revolution and manhandling of greedy and insensitive politicians, if urgent steps are not taken to turn things around for the populace.

    He added: “Nigerians are hungry and angry. You cannot beat a child and stop him from crying. It is unacceptable. It is done all over the world. Once something is not going on well, you reserve the right to speak up. People have the right to voice out their grievances.”

    “I think what the political class should do to douse the tension is to face governance and law-making squarely and work for the common good of the masses.

    “I see more and more greedy politicians being manhandled. Nigerians are dying daily because of bad governance. There are no good roads, no healthcare, no electricity. The cost of living is so high. Yet, these people are busy siphoning our common patrimony.”