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Tag: Anambra

  • Anambra Govt. not part of communiqué endorsing Atiku – SSG

    The Anambra Government has disassociated itself from a purported communiqué by Ohaneze Ndigbo endorsing the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the Feb. 16 presidential election.

    Abubakar is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential candidate in the February 16 election.

    Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, the Secretary to Anambra Government (SSG), made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu.

    Chukwulobelu declared that the contents of the communiqué did not reflect the Anambra Government’s position.

    It will be recalled that an arm of the Ohaneze Ndigbo ‘Ime Obi’ arising from a meeting on Thursday in Enugu declared support for Abubakar.

    Ime Obi is like a rapid response arm of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, comprising delegations from the seven states that make up the organisation including state governors.

    However, Chukwulobelu expressed dismay that the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation had decided to be partisan, in spite of the fact that members of the organisation belong to different political parties.

    Chukwulobelu said: “We have read bits of the communiqué purportedly issued by the Ohaneze leadership. We regret that they do not reflect the position of the people and Government of Anambra State.

    “The position of the Anambra State Government is that Ohaneze should remain a united umbrella for all Ndigbo, and should not take sides with any party.

    “There are major leaders in all political parties, including the three major ones in Nigeria, namely, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress ( APC) and PDP.

    “It is deeply regrettable that the Ohaneze leadership has chosen to go down a divisive trajectory capable of setting back Igbo unity for several years,” he said.

    The SSG said that Gov. Willie Obiano had sent a delegation to attend the Ime Obi meeting summoned by the organisation in Enugu.

    “Our delegation arrived early enough to participate in the meeting of Ime Obi scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

    “We were surprised to learn that the meeting had been held earlier and lasted for a mere 30 minutes.

    “The representative of the Ebonyi State Government, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, who arrived at the venue before the time the meeting was scheduled to start was also surprised that it had already taken place.

    “The same goes for others like the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige,” he said.

    Read Also: Atiku’s endorsement splits Ohaneze Ndigbo

    Chukwulobelu said that they were shocked that the meeting was even slated for a day President Muhammadu Buhari was campaigning in Anambra and Enugu States.

    He said that Buhari’s visit to Anambra was to honour Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, First Republic President of Nigeria, and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo was expected to participate actively.

    “We were, indeed, surprised that the Ime Obi meeting could hold today (on Thursday) of all days.

    ‘‘We had expected Ohaneze leaders to participate actively in the inauguration of the Zik Mausoleum, Onitsha, Anambra State,” he said.

    Chukwulobelu said that the Mausoleum which had been under construction for the past 23 years was completed by the Buhari’s Administration which was a big honour to Azikiwe, an Igbo man.

  • Ohaneze’s endorsement of Atiku courageous – PDP

    The Peoples’ Democratic Party ( PDP ) has lauded the decision of Ohaneze Ndigbo to endorse the Atiku-Obi presidential ticket.

    Mr Oseloka Obaze, Chairman of the Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign Council, Anambra chapter made the commendation in Awka on Friday.

    Ohaneze, the Igbo Socio-Cultural organisation announced its endorsement of the PDP presidential flag bearers after a meeting held in Enugu on Thursday.

    Obaze described the position as `most profound, constructive and courageous decision’.

    “The endorsement is historical and seminal gesture will serve Nigeria well,” he said.

    Read Also: Atiku’s endorsement splits Ohaneze Ndigbo

    Ohaneze had in a communiqué said its decision to adopt Atiku/Obi followed a critical and dispassionate appraisal of the issues.

    It said the body analysed the election manifestos of the various contesting parties, especially with regards to the restructuring of the federation and continued relevance of Ndigbo in the Nigerian geopolitical space.

    “That the presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has made an avowed commitment to restructuring of the federation and reconfirmed same during his recent visit to the United States in his meetings with high-level US officials,” it said.

  • Protest rocks Anambra over bad roads

    The Recover Nigeria Project (RNP), in conjunction with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and National Union of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday shut the Enugu/Onitsha expressway to protest the incessant deaths due to bad road.

    The group leader, Comrade Osita Obi, who addressed reporters, said the group decided on the protest to let the government know the rate of deaths on the road.

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    He said: “This is just a small portion, which will not take 50 bags of cement, some stones and workers to fix, but it has remained like this for years, and many people have died on this spot. The governor uses this road, senators and top politicians from Anambra and beyond all use this road, yet they pretend not to see the rot on this spot.

    “Just yesterday, I was almost hit by an articulated vehicle here, and several accidents had happened here within the week. We cannot continue to fold our hands.”

    Obi called on the state and Federal governments to start work on the failed portion, saying failure to heed the plea would lead him and his group to return for a bigger protest.

  • Protest rocks Anambra over bad roads

    The Recover Nigeria Project (RNP), in conjunction with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and National Union of Nigerian Students (NANS) yesterday shut the Enugu/Onitsha expressway to protest the incessant deaths due to bad road.

    The group leader, Comrade Osita Obi, who addressed reporters, said the group decided on the protest to let the government know the rate of deaths on the road.

    He said: “This is just a small portion, which will not take 50 bags of cement, some stones and workers to fix, but it has remained like this for years, and many people have died on this spot. The governor uses this road, senators and top politicians from Anambra and beyond all use this road, yet they pretend not to see the rot on this spot.

    Read also: Anambra CJ frees 13 inmates

    “Just yesterday, I was almost hit by an articulated vehicle here, and several accidents had happened here within the week. We cannot continue to fold our hands.”

    Obi called on the state and Federal governments to start work on the failed portion, saying failure to heed the plea would lead him and his group to return for a bigger protest.

    Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities(ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University chapter, Steve Ubaro, who also mobilised his members for the protest, said a professor was in an accident on the road while returning from work.

  • Anambra CJ frees 13 inmates

    Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, has granted 13 inmates at the Onitsha Prisons bail.

    The inmates, who had spent between five to six years awaiting trial, were granted pardon by the Chief Judge in exercise of his constitutional powers of jail delivery.

    Umeadi had embarked on the first quarter of his jail delivery Court Session for the year at St. Maximilian Kolbe Chaplaincy, in company of other twelve judges.

    He said the quarterly visit was targeted at considering cases of those who have spent long time behind bars with a view of granting them bail to enable them become useful to the society.

    Read Also: NDLEA nabs 20 drug dealers in Anambra

    The CJ, who expressed joy over the number of bail grant cases, attributed it to the relationship among the lawyers, magistrates, the Police, Directorate of Public Prosecution and Prison officials.

    “The cordial relationship between the legal practitioners, security agencies and prison officials, many of who were present at the court session, has closed the past existing gaps,” he said.

    The State Comptroller of Prisons, Bar. Emmanuel Nwakeze, thanked the Chief Justice for the visit, saying it would go a long way in decongesting the prison.

    Other cases treated were that of juvenile as well as those of 60 years of age and above and were asked to approach the regular court for bail.

  • Houses destroyed, farms razed as youths clash over land tussle

    Houses have been destroyed while farmlands were razed by angry youths in a communal clash following ownership of farmland between Nzam and Anam communities in Anambra West LGA of Anambra State.

    Youths of Anam community were said to have stormed the community through a bush path and allegedly set ablaze thatched houses and yam seedlings of the farm camp of the farmers.

    The Nation gathered that Youths of Nzam community, in a reprisal attack, set ablaze houses and properties in the farm camp of Umuemu community.

    A resident of the area who did not want to be named said although no life was recorded in the incident, some persons sustained injuries from gunshots fired sporadically during the fracas.

    Confirming the incident, said no casualty was recorded but disclosed that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the clash.

    He said the clash may not be unconnected with a protracted land dispute between both communities.

    Mohammed, however, said the situation was brought under control through combined Security forces who were on ground to restore lasting peace in the affected communities.

    He said, “At about 3pm, there was a report that youths of Umuemu Anam community in Anambra West LGA using a bush path went to the farm camp of neighbouring Nzam community also in the same Local Government and allegedly set ablaze their thatched houses and yam seedlings.

    “Consequently, in a swift reaction, youths of Nzam community also mobilised using speed boats and went to the farm camp of Umuemu community, set ablaze houses and properties.”

    He said value of property destroyed was still unknown.

    According to Mohammed, “Joint Patrol teams of the Police, the Army and other Sister agencies were immediately deployed to the area to restore order and arrest perpetrators of the unfortunate incidents.

    The police spokesperson said the state Commissioner of Police, Garba Baba Umar had ordered for a full-scale investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

    Read Also: 24 women in Adamawa to contest for gov, NASS seats

    “The public is enjoined to go about their lawful businesses and report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest Police Station.

    Deputy Director, Public Relations 82 Division, Col. Sagir Musa who also confirmed the incident in a statement, said troops of Sector 5 in 302 Artillery General Support Regiment AOR, assisted in preventing the clash from escalating.

  • Anambra doctors threaten strike over poor remuneration

    Resident doctors in Anambra State have threatened to embark on indefinite strike over government’s inability to fix the rots at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku.

    The doctors under the aegis of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), also lamented poor funding of the health institution and lack of implementation of the 2018 budgetary provision.

    The medical officers, after its general congress last year, issued a 21-day ultimatum to Governor Willie Obiano, demanding immediate solution to series of challenges confronting the medical personnel in the state hospital.

    In a communique signed on Tuesday by the body’s President, Dr. Obinna Aniagboso and his secretary, Dr. Chidiebele Egolum, they demanded appropriate placement of doctors in the remuneration platform as obtainable in other places.

    They also demanded for payment of 100% revised CONMESS as contained in the Salary Review Committee report.

    Read Also: Gunmen kill man in Anambra

    Other prayers included adequate funding of COOUTH to enable provision of needed human and material resources for improved patient care and quality services befitting of a teaching hospital; well-structured academic programme for residency and full implementation of the Residency Teaching act recently signed into law by Federal Government.

    According to Anigbogu, the ultimatum elapsed few days ago, insisting that government should not expect industrial harmony in the state.

    He said: “The COOUTH doctors are the lowest paid in Nigeria and the entire West African region earning less than 40 per cent of the recommended CONMESS salary structure.

    “That in spite of the laudable efforts of the CMD to increase productivity and excellence, there remains widespread disenchantment and morale plummet amongst doctors.

    “That the current situation has endangered much instability in the workforce via continual efflux of experienced personnel leading to grossly inadequate medical personnel.

    “The current paltry pay of doctors cannot support residency training Programme (RTP) which requires periodic update courses.

    “It is our earnest hope that the state government graciously takes steps to address these demands in order to ensure the continued smooth running of the hospital; otherwise we may not guarantee industrial harmony.”

  • Women threaten ‘nude protest’ over killings in Anambra community

    A group of women in Obosi community, Idemili North local government area of Anambra State has decried incessant killings in the area by unknown assailants.

    The women, under the umbrella of “Obosi Concerned Women,” called for immediate redeployment of the Divisional Police Officer, Obosi Police Division, SP Usman Ibrahim Oboshi over alleged incompetence.

    Speaking through their leader, Mrs. Elizabeth Ajanuonwu, the aggrieved women threatened to demonstrate naked at the State police headquarters if the DPO was not redeployed and replaced within a short time.

    They asked the Commissioner of Police, Garba Umar, to replace him with “a more humane and dedicated officer”, claiming he has been unable to adequately police the area.

    Read Also: Culture, feast of masquerades in Anambra

    She insisted the removal of the police boss was the only way to resolve the impasse.

    According to her: “Presently, cult groups such as Supreme Vikings Confraternity, Neo-black Movement, Eiye Confraternity, and similar groups have freeway in the community due to inadequate policing.

    “The most feasible way to check the trend is to urgently redeploy the DPO in Obosi Division and bring in a more dedicated senior police officer to head the police station.”

    The Nation reliably gathered between December 2018 till date, about four persons have been reportedly killed in mysterious circumstances throwing the residents of the area into panic.

  • Buhari, Fashola, Ngige storm Anambra as Obiano hosts festival

    All is set for the arrival of President Muhammadu Buhari in Achina, Anambra State tomorrow for the triennial Idegwu festival. To accompany him are the Ministers of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and that of Labour and Employment, Sen Chris Ngige.  The host  is Governor Willie Obiano, while former Chief of General Staff (CGS), Ebitu Ukiwe is the special guest of honour.

    In preparation, Igwe Godwin Nnaemeka Obiora of Achina held the community’s ofala festival on Saturday. Speaking with reporters yesterday at the Achina Idegwu Day celebration, the Chairman of the organising committee, Nze Modestus Umenzekwe, said it was all about celebrating the community’s heritage and history. He said there is no fetish act attached to the festival, aside celebrating the birth of Achina, which was bequeathed to them by their fore fathers.

    Special Assistant to Obiano on Political Matters, Anayo Okpalaeke, told reporters  the’ iti omu’ and ofala before the event on Friday and Saturday respectively,  were to herald the Achina Idegwu festival.

  • 17 die of diarrhoea in Anambra

    Seventeen persons have reportedly died following the latest outbreak of diarrhoea in Igbedor, Nzam, Umuenwenum Anam and Ode communities in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    Nine persons died in Igbedor, three in Nzam, three in Umuenwelum and two in Ode.

    Commissioner for Health Dr. Joe Akabuike, who led top officials of the ministry to assess the situation, said the disease was occasioned by a recent flooding in the area.

    He also debunked rumours that the deaths were caused by cholera outbreak.

    The commissioner blamed the residents for seeking solution through traditional means and herbalists rather than accessing health facilities in the area.

    He said: “What we have in Anambra West is not cholera outbreak as being speculated, but diarrhoea which usually occurs after flooding. The disease is characterised by vomiting and other signs, but what is important to us is not necessarily the name but worried that people are dying.

    “We are here to tell them that this is a pure environmental challenge. I am here with a complete team and lots of drugs, and Governor Willie Obiano has approved money to make sure we combat the situation.

    “The people should maintain personal hygiene, wash their hands regularly. They die because they seek solution where they will never get it.”

    Akabuike, however, promised that arrangements are on to ensure more drugs are sent to them as well as immediate construction of boreholes to solve their water needs.