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Tag: Anambra

  • We’re losing great men difficult to replace – Obiano

    Anambra state governor Chief Willie Obiano has expressed worry over steady loss of irreplaceable great men in the country and the state in particular.

    Obiano made the observation on Friday in Nnewi, Anambra state, at the occasion of the day of tribute for the former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife.

    The governor, who spoke through his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, said people of the state should be more concerned with legacies they bequeath to the younger generation.

    He said: “My concern, especially for our dear state is that we keep on losing men of stature, men of integrity, character. Yet nobody is replacing them.

    “Who are the young men that will take over from these great men? I’m yet to see them. This is a wake -up call for all of us.

    “Life is not all about making money, getting married and raising children. We must stand up for something.

    “Let’s all begin to think of how to better our society through our characters and daily dealings with people. Let’s begin to live by example.

    “Legacy of a man is not his wealth, but what he contributed to humanity.”

    He described the late elder statesman as one who stood for something, little wonder the large number of great men and women that graced the occasion.

    While praying for God’s consolation for the family, Obiano challenged his son, Ikedife Jnr to be courageous to step into the late father’s shoes by upholding truth and peace which he represented.

    Wife of former Biafra warlord, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu canvassed for immortalisation of the late elder statesman.

    She said it has always been an issue on how to immortalise great men, especially of Igbo nation.

    “I think individuals themselves, organisations, institutions should sit down and think of enduring monument for such great men.

    READ ALSO: Obiano inaugurates farmers support initiative in Anambra

    “Such monument should not just be in making statutes to remember the dead, but to set up projects that show his philosophies, ideologies and all the things he believed in life where they are discussed, expoused, promoted and investigated,” she said.

    Ojukwu, former Ambassador to Spain, described him as extraordinary man who she spent time with in the company of her late husband.

    “He’s a true Igbo man who advanced warfare the course of igbo nation. He was always there to fight for their rights,’” she added.

    Minister for Science and technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, described late Ikedife as a special gift to the Igbos who knew the power of love.

    He said it was the understanding of the virtue as the strongest force that made him offer selfless service, which made him see goodness in others.

    Other dignitaries that graced the occasion included, first republic Aviation Minister, Mbazuruike Amechi; Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Peter Obi; President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Sen. Andy Uba, among others.

  • I-FEST competition: Obiano hails students for winning bronze

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has commended students of St. John’s Secondary School, Alor for their outstanding performance at the International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology (I-FEST) competition in Tunisia.

    The students, Meshach Ugwuishi, Anthony Chuka- Umeora, Daniel Nwachukwu and Dominic Machi, came third out of thirty-one countries that participated in the exercise.

    Their work titled, “Adaptable Alternative Power Supply for Sub-Saharan Africa”, involved two innovations – an inverter which traps energy from the sun and a single fully backed solar technology panel.

    Receiving the students at Government House, Awka, Obiano pledged his administration continued investment in the education sector to assist students realize their potentials.

    The governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, lauded the students’ quality innovations, underscoring the place of focus and determination towards winning more academic laurels.

    Appreciating the students and their teachers for the honour brought to the state, Obiano called for more devotion from both teachers and students to realize his vision for the sector.

    Read Also: Obiano canvasses flag carrier status for Air Peace

    Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof. Kate Omenugha attributed the victory of the students to doggedness and proactiveness.

    She observed that the efforts of the present administration on qualitative and functional education in the state were already yielding results.

    The Manager of the school, Rev. Fr. Francis Unegbu noted that the students’ devotion to the project was instrumental to the success story.

    He said the school competed in Electricity and Energy under Physics and attended with a manually made electric Inverter and solar panel.

    On his part, Principal of the College, Mr Samuel Otubah, noted that the encouragement provided by the school management contributed to the students’ feat.

    One of the students, Meshack Ugwuishi said they were poised to make the nation proud through their innovations amidst financial challenges.

  • Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos, Abia, Anambra top reformed states in 2018

    Five states of the Federation on Wednesday night received awards for been top five reformed states in the year 2018.

    The states in descending order included Kaduna, Enugu, Lagos, Abia, and Anambra.

    They received their awards from Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Awards 2019 held at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Anambra State improved its score from 47 to 53.50 by making it easier to start a business and to register property in the State.  –  Abia State improved its score from 46 to 53.90 by making it easier to start a business and to register property in the State.  –  Lagos State improved its score from 48 to 54.90 by making it easier to start a business, register property and obtain construction permits in the State.  –  Enugu State improved its score from 47 to 56.82 by making it easier to start a business, register property as well as enforce contracts in the State.   –  Kaduna State improved its score from 55 to 65.97 by making it easier to start a business.

    Other companies and individuals that got awards at the ceremony included Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Corporate Affairs Commission, National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion.

    Others are the Senate and the House of Representatives, Court of Appeal, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Economic Summit Group, National Assembly Environment Round Table, DFiD, World Bank, Oando Energy Resources, First Bank of Nigeria,

    Omotayo Omoniyi, who returned large sum of money found to the authorities also received award at the ceremony.

    Other awardees are FIRS, Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Port’s Authority, Nigeria Shippers Council, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, Lagos State Judiciary.

    Banwo and Ighodalo, KPMG Nigeria, Procter and Gamble Nigeria, Deloitte Nigeria and Aluko and Oyebode also got awards at the ceremony.

    Osinbajo said “It really is a pleasure to be here this evening to celebrate the phenomenal successes of the PEBEC reforms but more importantly to recognize specially some of those who made it all possible. Our incredibly selfless and committed private sector partners and the sterling performance of many in the public sector.I n the past three years, Nigeria has implemented more than 140 reforms to make doing business in Nigeria easier.

    “Some of the  successful reforms include the ability to: Reserve a business name within 4-hours, Complete the registration of a company within 24 hours online, Apply for and receive approval of a visa-on-arrival electronically within 48hrs, File and pay taxes online; and, Access specialised small claims commercial courts in Lagos and Kano, The World Bank also reported in 2018 that 32 states of Nigeria improved their Ease of doing business environment led by Kaduna, Enugu, Abia, Lagos and Anambra

    “In 2019, PEBEC set a goal to move Nigeria into the top-100 on the 2020 World Bank Doing Business Index (DBI). To achieve this, we will be pursuing the continued implementation reforms across all indicators, including

    “implementation of legislative reforms, specifically the  passage of the new Companies and Allied Matters Act  and the  Omnibus Bills, the expansion of the regulatory reform program started with NAFDAC and NAICOM to include other regulators, the establishment of a National Trading Platform for ports; and the concession of our major international airports.”

    Stressing that PEBEC has now commenced the fourth 60-day National Action Plan (NAP 4.0) on Ease of Doing Business, he said, NAP 4.0 is running from the 1st of March to the 29th of April, 2019.

    Read also: No controversy over status of Nigeria SEZ Investment Company – Presidency

    “It aims to deepen the reforms delivered over the past 3 years and drive institutionalization.

    “We have highlighted key action items in all of the focus areas to ensure they do not unravel, and to ensure we drive sustainability

    “Some of the targets achieved in the last NAP 3.0 include driving registration for utilization of the National Collateral Registry to facilitate access to credit for SMEs; Clearance of all pending NAFDAC registration applications to improve efficiency; and Creation of a strengthened single joint cargo examination interface in all airports & seaports for import and export to reduce the time spent at the ports.”

    He added “NAP 4.0 will focus on initiatives such as enforcing compliance with SLAs across all indicators/focus areas, driving the passage of the CAM Bill 2018 for improved effectiveness of company law in Nigeria, enhancing efficiency in the small claims court, and enhancing the application and approval system for visas on arrival, to mention a few.”

    The Council, he said, will continue to work extensively with all MDAs, the National Assembly and other key stakeholders.

    He said “All of us who have been involved in this incredible journey will agree that it has been both exciting and fulfilling even if admittedly sometimes frustrating. But that is the way of progress. I congratulate you all for the great successes and thank you all for keeping faith with our joint vision. In particular we must commend our private sector partners who have contributed immensely to the technical output of the EBES through the secondment of professional staff to the secretariat. Let me specially mention the KPMG Professional Services, Deloitte, Procter and Gamble, Banwo&Ighodalo, Aluko and Oyebode.

    “The NBA-SBL was also particularly instrumental in the drafting of the omnibus bill. About 40 law firms worked pro-bono towards this effort. Our nation is truly grateful to you.

    “We must also commend the Hon. Minister of Industry Trade and Investment Dr OkeyEnelamah for his focused and forthright leadership, and the incomparable and tireless Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry Trade and Investment Dr JumokeOduwole and her team.

    “To the rest of us I think we have demonstrated that the work of creating a world-class environment for commerce will be done by like minds in the Nigerian private and public sectors, and these are the  exceptional ladies and gentleman such as yourselves who form the PEBEC family, well-done everyone God bless you.” he stated.

  • 22-year-old commits suicide in Anambra

    A 22-year-old Chika Alex-Chukwuezie has committed suicide in Ubaekwem community in Ihiala Local government area of Anambra state.

    The deceased of Umuanasa clan, reportedly hung on a family mango tree for yet- to- be ascertained reason.

    The Nation gathered the deceased until his death was an active youth in the Umuezekwe political ward of Ihiala LGA.

    A family member, who preferred anonymity, said the act might not be unconnected to spiritual liberation defect due to the reoccurring suicide incidents that plague the family.

    He said: “He was a single unemployed young man who had completed his SSS exams, with the hope to excel in business after schooling.

    “One of his uncles also committed suicide at youthful age decades ago.

    Read Also: Our members never burnt police station in Anambra – IPOB

    “The family had to subject itself to spiritual cleansing to avert recurrence of the unfortunate incident.”

    The Nation further learnt the body of the deceased has been thrown into the thick forest in accordance with Igbo traditional rites.

    “Efforts are ongoing to bring in traditionalists who will cutoff the orange tree and sanctify the compound,” a source added.

    Police Public Relation officer in the state, Harunna Muhammed, confirmed the incident.

    He said investigation was on to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

  • Our members never burnt police station in Anambra – IPOB

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Wednesday, said the suspects recently arrested and paraded by Anambra police command for allegedly attacking a police station in the state were not their members.

    The group wondered why police always linked IPOB which had remained a non-violent organisation, with criminal matters.

    The police had on Monday, paraded five suspected members of the pro-Biafran group over the burning of one of its police stations in Ajali, Orumba, Anambra State.

    A statement by the group’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, insisted that no member of the group was criminal and had never bore arms since it started the movement for the restoration of Biafran state.

    “IPOB members never carted way AK-47 rifles, burnt police patrol van or police station at Ajali, in Orumba, Anambra State, and will never do so until Biafra’s freedom is restored,” it said.

    READ ALSO: Five IPOB members nabbed for burning Anambra police station

    The group asked governors of Anambra and Abia States to release those arrested in their respective states, insisting that they remained responsible for the ongoing manhunt and illegal arrests as the chief security officers of the states.

    The statement partly read, “Our people are in serious danger over the recent and latest version of manhunt and illegal arrest going on in Abia and Anambra states, instructed by Ikpeazu and Obiano.

    “We are worried over the deployment and posting of Nigerian police and army officers in Biafraland.

    “The commissioner of police in Anambra and Abia states including other states in Biafraland are Fulani officers, their spokespersons, area commanders and DPOs. Our people are seriously under cage.

    “It is important we remind Nigerians and stakeholders in Abia and Anambra states to warn Ikpeazu and Obiano to release those arrested in their respective states or wait to see IPOB’s new strategy to restore Biafra sovereignty in the shortest possible time.”

  • Four cheat death in Onitsha auto crash

    Four persons, on Wednesday, escaped death in a lone accident along the Enugu-Onitsha express road, Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The accident, involving an articulated vehicle with the registration number Enugu XX 971 ENU, occurred around the MCC axis of the road, where no fewer than twenty lives were recently lost in another ghastly crash.

    An eye witness, Okechukwu Nwankwo, who attributed the accident to brake failure, said the victims were in the lorry when it skidded off the road and emptied its contents on the road.

    READ ALSO: Three pupils die, five injured in Anambra auto crash

    He said, “The conductor of the lorry loaded with empty crates of beer from Ogbo tomato axis of the road started signaling other vehicles to make way for it due to faulty brake failure before it finally crashed into the drainage.”

    While thanking God that no life was lost in the incident, Nwankwo said all the occupants sustained various degrees of injuries.

    He called for ban on heavy duty vehicles from operating during the day to minimize number of casualties recorded during such incidents.

    The Nation gathered that the victims, three men and a young lady were taken to St. Charles Borromew hospital for treatment.

  • Anambra partners China to build cultural centre

    Governor Willie Obiano has tasked the  Chinese government to help facilitate the completion of some projects being handled by Chinese companies in the state, especially the international airport.

    He said due to the slow pace of work at the airport, the Anambra State government had undertaken the construction of one of the runways until the company is ready to commence work in full.

    The governor, who spoke while receiving the delegation of Chinese officials, led by China Ambassador to Nigeria Dr Zhou Pingjians, in Awka, stated that Anambra has many beautiful cultural sites, which his administration has painstakingly upgraded in the past one year in order to qualify either Owere Ezukala or Ogbunike Cave as UNESCO world heritage site.

    The visit was the fallout of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artwork, Culture and Tourism existing cultural exchange programmes with the Chinese in the past one year.

    “We have cultural artefacts which represent different periods in our development like the Igbo-Ukwu culture, all these are interesting things to be explored in Anambra,” he said.

    The governor reiterated Anambra State government’s readiness to partner the Chinese to build a cultural exchange centre as conceived by the ministry, and a consulate office in the state, as well as speedy completion of the  airport.

    Anambra State Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artwork, Culture and Tourism Mrs Sally Mbanefo thanked the Chinese ambassador for inviting Anambra Cultural Troupe as the only cultural troupe to perform in the Chinese New Year celebrations in Abuja last January.

    She disclosed that Anambra State and China have agreed to partner in building a cultural centre in Awka, noting that ‘our universities are already offering in Mandarin as a course.’

    According to Mbanefo, over 70 percent of the visa applications in Nigeria are from Anambra State, and so “we have agreed on the need to establish a consulate in Awka. We are also building an airport in Anambra State and we are collaborating with Chinese on this.”

    Read also: NEPAD trains 500 Anambra youths

    She assured the delegation that Anambra is the safest state in Nigeria while commending the Chinese government for offering to train Anambra State cultural troupe in calisthenics in China. She noted that the Chinese have earlier lavished Anambratroupe with gifts and have invited the troupe to Chinese New Year next year.

    China Ambassador to Nigeria Dr Zhou Pingjian said that the aim of the visit was to explore cooperation opportunities at sub-national level, noting that China-Nigeria relations has been cordial and very productive and as such should cut across board at all levels.

    He praised the vision of Anambra State government, stating that China is working in sync with the vision of Anambra State.

    “In China, the Congress has passed a law on foreign investment, which is in line with the vision of Anambra State. China is creating more enabling environment for foreign investors,” he said.

    He stressed that Nigeria and China have so much in common in terms of economic and population size that there is no limit to their cooperation.

    The Ambassador thanked Governor Obiano for sending the state cultural troupe to their New Year celebration while commending the troupe for the spectacular performance. He also assured the state of their readiness to help facilitate all projects being handled by the Chinese companies in the state.

  • Five suspected IPOB members nabbed for burning Anambra police station

    Five persons suspected to be members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) have been arrested for allegedly burning a police station and injuring an officer in Ajali, Orumba North local government area of Anambra state.

    Commissioner of Police in the state, Mustapha Dandaura, made the disclosure on Monday while parading the suspects at the Command headquarters in Amawbia.

    He said the suspects were apprehended following an aggressive manhunt by the Command’s Special Anti Robbery Squad.

    He gave the names of the suspects as Abuchi Nwogwu (21) Okwudili Nwanne (42) Maduabuchi Obia (22) Chukwuedozie Orah (30) and Ekechi Chukwuemeka (30), all of Ndikelionwu in Orumba North local government area of the state.

    Dandaura recalled how the suspects, on February 15, at about 2am, attacked the division, burning down the station, three police patrol vehicles and other exhibits.

    He said the suspects also carted away 3 AK 47 rifles from the Division armoury and injured the DCO who was on visit to the area.

    “Upon interrogation, the suspects took operatives to their criminal hideout and one of the AK 47 rifle with breech number KO 358792 carted away was recovered,” he said.

    Also paraded was a 25-year man, Chimaobi Amauwa, arrested for allegedly terrorizing Onitsha and environs.

    The commissioner said the suspect, of Ihechiowa in Abia State, was arrested at Upper Iweka area of the commercial city of the state.

    He said, “Preliminary investigation revealed that suspect belonged to a one chance robbery syndicate terrorizing Onitsha and environs using a commercial bus in order to deceive their victims.

    “Exhibits recovered from the suspect include one recovered one locally made pistol and the operational vehicle L300 bus with REG. No. DRK 85 XA.”

    The commissioner assured that effort were on to apprehend other accomplices.

    “The suspects would be charged to Court after investigations were concluded,” he added.

  • Updated: Anambra police arrest most wanted murder suspect

    The Anambra State police command has arrested one of the alleged most dreaded murder suspects identified as Ikechukwu Udensi, otherwise known as IKANDA in the state.

    The notorious suspect was arrested in connection with the murder of late Ndubuisi Nwokolo on 29-6-2018 in 21 Otumoye , Odoakpu, Onitsha, Anambra state.

    Parading the suspect on Monday at the state police headquarters Amawbia, the police Commissioner, Mustapha Dandaura, said the suspect was declared wanted but had been on the run since then.

    He said ‘Ikanda’ and his accomplices used offensive weapons such as machetes and cutlasses on the victim.

    According to him, “following the incident, the Command launched aggressive manhunt for the fleeing perpetrators and declared the ring leader one Ikechukwu Udensi alias IKANDA male aged 27 years of Azia town in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State wanted”

    ” Consequently, on the 31/3/2019 at about 12:50 pm, following painstaking intelligence and strategic planning, Police operatives attached to the Command Operation Udoka and Special Anti-robbery Squad SARS raided a Criminal hideout at Menax near down flyover in Onitsha and arrested the notorious Suspect Ikechukwu Udensi AKA IKANDA ”

    Dandaura, said Suspect was assisting the Police with useful information that could help in arresting his accomplices in order to bring them to Justice.

    Meanwhile, the suspect while speaking with The Nation on Monday, said he was not a murderer as being alleged, rather that he worked for the state government.

    He said he did not kill or send anybody to kill the victim.

    However, Anambra state government, while reacting on the issue, through the state Commissioner for information and public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, said working for government does not give anyone licence to commit crimes.

    He said the suspect could be an agent working for government through a contractor, adding that even at that, if he committed crime, he would face the full weight of the law.

    Adinuba, said the Chief Willie Obiano administration detested such because Anambra had become the most crime-free state in the country.

    He said, “anybody that commits any form of crime, using the name of the state government must face the consequences “the Commissioner said

  • ‘Anambra NYSC camp going on despite devastating rainstorm’

    Anambra State Coordinator, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Kehinde Aremu, on Friday, expressed joy that the 3-weeks orientation exercise could go on in the state despite the rainstorm that affected some of its facilities.

    He said the temporary orientation camp in Umunya, Oyi local government area of the state was devastated by the storm last week Friday, appreciating the state government for its intervention.

    Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of 2019 Batch A corps members, Aremu was
    particularly grateful to the governor, Willie Obiano for his benevolent disposition to the affairs of the corps members, assuring him of God’s blessings.

    “This camp was devastated by rainstorm last week Friday, but it took the grace of God and the benevolence of the governor to get this camping programme going.

    “I wish to assure you that your personal and state investment in these young Nigerians is not unnoticed and would be soon rewarded.”

    He congratulated the 2048 corps members deployed to the state, urging them to take advantage of the programme to equip themselves towards impacting positively on the communities they would be posted to.

    “The NYSC is a training ground for leaders and a unique opportunity for young people in Nigeria to actively participate in national development.

    “You’re expected to fit into the scheme’s agenda as school teachers, agriculture extension workers, rural health care givers as well as foot soldiers in the emerging economies,” he added.

    Declaring the exercise open, the state governor, Willie Obiano, reminded the corps members that the success of each service year was dependent on the foundation laid during the orientation exercise.

    “This foundation is crucial in providing the requisite platform for your physical, mental, emotional and psychological preparation for the challenge ahead,” he said.

    Obiano, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, assured them of enabling environment for the maximization of their potentials of self realization and fulfilment.