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Tag: Anambra

  • INEC decries exclusion of persons with disability

    ….unveils plan for 25m PWD ahead of 2019

     

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has decried the exclusion of persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the country’s electoral process.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stressed that excluding a community with an estimated population of 25 million from the political process, amounts to denying the nation of their critical contribution.

    Yakubu spoke on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of the Public presentation of INEC framework on access and participation of PWDs.

    He therefore said that the commission has come up with various policies for the engagement of PWDs as well as the expertise to implement the Framework. The document is therefore expected to guide the decision making process and activities of the Commission from the Committee level, Departmental and Divisional level, down to the State and Local Government Area offices.

    Yakubu who was represented by National Commissioner and Chairman Outreach and Partnership Committee (OPC),Dr. Adekunle Ladipo Ogunmola said: “Permit me, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen to stress that, excluding a community with an estimated population of over 25 million from the political process, amounts to denying the nation the much needed contribution of this critical mass in the task of nation building, as well as a dent on Nigeria’s domestic and international commitment to respecting and promoting the human rights of ‘ all its citizens.

    “Democracy is all about participation; it should be an all-comers affair. For it to have any meaning, all eligible citizens must be allowed to participate meaningfully not just symbolically.”

    To ensure that no one was left behind, the Commission, he said “commenced certain strategic initiatives beginning with its Gender Policy which it has faithfully implemented in the last few years. It is also in the process of developing its Youth Engagement Strategy.”

    On the policy framework which was presented, he said “From a human right perspective, this document not only guarantees the full participation of eligible PWDs and all such vulnerable groups, but places responsibilities and obligations on the Commission, as well as other election stakeholders in line with its objective of making our elections more inclusive.

    Read Also: Is INEC not right on Osun poll?

    “However, while we acknowledge that the document about to be formally presented may not necessarily carry the weight and force of law in all regards, it comes with a moral burden and weight on the part of all stakeholders to ensure the inclusion of all eligible PWDs in the electoral process. As a Commission, we intend to lead in this regard. We take the Framework as our Charter with all citizens living with any disability. We hold ourselves bound by the commitments contained in this Framework.

    “We are of the candid view that integrating aspects or the entire Framework into a codified law should be the immediate focus of stakeholders and the Commission is hereby committing to lead in the advocacy for such in the future.

    “The summary of this document revolves around the rights of eligible PWDs to vote, be voted for, and hold political party offices, among others. It further expands access of eligible PWDs to the electoral process by placing responsibilities and obligations on the Election Management Body (EMB) to provide assistive materials, as well as provide or ensure PWD friendly and compliant environment and processes.”

    Even before this formal presentation, the Commission he said “has since commenced the pilot of certain aspects of PWD access in the recent off-cycle governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun States and will hopefully replicate same in other elections. The Commission will build on the successes of the pilots and with lessons learned, improve on the inclusiveness of our future elections.

    “Beyond this, the Commission has put in place various platforms for the engagement of PWDs as well as the expertise to implement the Framework. This document is therefore expected to guide the decision making process and activities of the Commission from the Committee level, Departmental and Divisional level, down to the State and Local Government Area offices.”

     

  • Man, 36 lynched over burglary in Anambra

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

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

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

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

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

    Read Also: Man arraiged for ‘stealing’ at eatery

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

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

  • Flood: ‘Why we don’t want to relocate to IDP camps’

    As flood continues to ravage many communities in Anambra State following steady downpour, many affected communities have refused to heed to the call by the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to relocate to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

    As a result of the natural disaster, socio-economic activities have been completely shut down in the affected communities, while those residing in areas yet to be affected were sleeping with one eye closed.

    No fewer than 10 communities in Anambra West Local Government Area alone have been submerged by the flood.

    Even when few simply relocated to neighbouring towns yet to be affected, and some to upland within the community, majority are still trapped in their locations.

    Southeast Report reliably gathered that the refusal of the residents to heed to the call by the SEMA may not be unconnected with the cost implications of relocation.

    Those who spoke to our correspondent lamented the distance of the camps from the communities as well as the condition of the camps.

    They said some of the IDP camps were under construction, appealing to government to set up emergency response unit in the area.

    The President-General of Innoma Community, Mr Patrick Ugboja, said his community was in dire need of emergency intervention to avoid loss of lives.

    He said many residents of the area could not afford the cost of relocation to various IDP camps set up by state government as the camps were far from the communities.

    “We appeal to NEMA/SEMA and the state government to assist in relocating us to IDP camps, which are far from us as most of us cannot afford the cost of transporting ourselves there,’’ Ugboja said.

    Also speaking, President-General of Nzam Communnity, Prince Uche Okolo, lamented that about 40 per cent of the community’s landmass had been taken over by flood.

    “Most of our people affected have been relocated to dry lands not yet affected. Our farms and crops have been completely destroyed,’’ he said.

    According to him, their IDP camp was undergoing construction, even as he called for an emergency response unit to rescue people who might be trapped.

    In Olumbanasa Community, which is made up of Odeh, Odekpe, Igbokenyi, and Egbede villages, schools, churches and farmlands were adversely affected.

    President-General of the community, Mr Lawrence Nnachor, revealed that farm produce and economic trees worth millions of naira had been destroyed by the disaster.

    He noted that Odeh village was the most affected by the ravaging flood, appealing to government to assist in relocating inhabitants of the community.

    At Umueze Anam, virtually 60 per cent of households and farm lands have been affected.

    A community leader in the area, Mr Chinwuba Muoba said: “The flood is coming with high current and about 60 per cent of houses in our community are completely submerged.

    “Most of the people affected have relocated to neighbouring towns yet to be affected, while some have relocated to upland within the community.

    He explained that they were not ignorant of the holding centres within the locality, but said they were yet to move because the volume of flood had not reached alarming proportions.

    On his part, a counsellor in Mmiata Anam, Mr Osita Uduaka, Ifite-Anam, Mmata, Umuoba-Abegu and Iyioraa, described the flood as serious threat to their lives as appreciable percentage of inhabitants had already been affected.

    “We appeal to government to evacuate our people in case of emergency,’’ Uduaka said.

    Southeast Report further gathered that five communities-Ezi-Anam, Umuikwu, Umudora, Umuewelum-Anam and Oroma-Etiti-Anam have been completely submerged by the flood as the inhabitants were spotted vacating the areas.

    The story was not different in Igala-speaking communities of the council area where not less than 80 per cent of Innoma residents had their farmlands and household items destroyed by the raging flood.

  • Anambra community bemoans lack of infrastructure  

    For the rustic Ebenebe community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, nothing seems to be a source of joy . Residents have been brooding over lack of infrastructural development that will contribute to their socio-economic well-being.

    Besides, the community’s only bridge has been abandoned after government awarded the contract.

    The roads are poor. There is no potable water.

    The Amansea-Ebenebe-Ugbenu-Ugbene-Awba Ofemili Road is in a deplorable condition.

    Despite the ugly situation, the residents have promised to continue to carry out the monthly sanitation exercise.

    The abandoned Ezu River Bridge and the road, links10 communities in the Awka North Local Government Area and also links other 12 neighbouring communities of Eziagu in Enugu State.

    All the affected communities had cried to Governor Willie Obiano for quick intervention.

    They stressed that the situation has made them suffer economic retardation and socio-economic backwardness.

    Southeast Report reliably gathered that the about 12.30 kilometre road project with a bridge across Ezu River was billed to be completed in 15 months when it was awarded to Breco Construction Nigeria Limited on April 11, 2007 at a contract sum of N650 million.

    It was also gathered that there was an upward review of the contract to the sum of N7, 816,193,590.63 during the regime of former Governor Peter Obi.

    When Southeast Report visited the site recently, neither the contractor nor working facilities were found.

    The bridge and the one kilometre part of the road constructed have become death trap sequel to potholes necessitated by flooding.

    The Traditional Prime Minister of Ebenebe community, Chief Joe Nwegwu lamented the deplorable condition of the road, wondering why other projects such as Agulu Lake and Odo Bridge inaugurated in the same year had been completed in other communities.

    He said: “As you can see one kilometre part of the road from Amansea to the bridge was tarred, but now it is full of potholes.

    “The bridge itself is yet to be completed; not tarred, wings side not fixed. Recall that some experts were reportedly sent to Egypt to design the bridge before it would be installed. I don’t know whether to call that a jamboree.

    “The other part leading through Ebenebe stopped at Obuno Village Ebenebe. When is it going to reach Ugbenu, Ugbene and Awba-Ofemili?

    “We are appealing to Governor Obiano to rescue us from the menace. It scares travellers, marketers and visitors away from the agrarian communities.

    “The cost of transportation here is too high. We were happy when our governor promised to construct and link the road to Omor. Therefore, we are pleading to him to compel the contractor to return to site or to even revoke the contract and re-award it to another contractor”

    For Rev. Phil Nwokolo, an indigene of Ebenebe and the Resident Pastor of Grace of God Mission, Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area, the situation is becoming unbearable.

    He said the affected communities were capable of feeding the whole country with their abundant agricultural produce, but reverse has become the case as poor road network has crippled all their activities.

    He said: “My heart skips whenever I remember home. This is because there is no road; for one to ride in one’s car home, one must be ready to spend huge amount of money on servicing it thereafter.

    “If you choose to travel by public transportation; you would spend more than expected. Governor Obiano should help us out of this trauma.”

    Mathias Arinze from Ugbenu also said: “It is too devastating. Our people recount their ordeals on the road on daily basis.

    “Whenever rain falls, floods wash travellers away. Our agricultural resources that would have helped in revamping the economy and increase IGR are always destroyed by flood.

    “Is it because we are from Ofemili or Adogbe? We are begging our governor to assist us by fixing the road.

    “Ugbenu and the entire Awka North are suffering because of the deplorable condition of the road. Obiano help us. You know we are mostly farmers; we need the road to transport our produce to the cities.”

    Two of the farmers, Mr. Eze Ozoemena and Mrs. Dorathy Afujue implored Anambra State government to assist them by rehabilitating the bridge and the road.

    This, they said, will help them to evacuate their farm produce to the cities instead of allowing them to waste. Traders and visitors no longer visit their major markets, which results in hunger and poverty.”

    Ezu River, however, came into the limelight following the collapse of its bridge at Ebenebe around 2006, as well as the discovery of floating corpses whose identity and those of their killers remain unknown till date.

    Again, following the election of new President-General of Ebenebe Town Union (ETU) and it’s executive at the weekend, the community had renewed its call for urgent attention to the bridge.

    Hon. Paul Nnatuanya, the new President-General told Southeast Report that they would not relent in carrying out their monthly sanitation exercises despite the deplorable condition of their community.

     

  • Anambra Flooding: No cause for alarm, says NYSC

    The National Youth Service Corps (  NYSC) has said that there was no cause for alarm over the safety of corps members posted to serve in the areas affected by flooding in Anambra.

    The Coordinator of the NYSC in Anambra, Mr Kehinde Aremu, gave the assurance to corps members and Nigerians in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Awka.

    Aremu said the scheme had asked employers who requested for Corps members to go to the various Local Government Headquarters for proper documentation of acceptance process.

    He disclosed that those already serving in the affected places had been directed to move upland for about one week, when the water must have receded.

    “We have told all the employers to come to the local government secretariat and liaise with the Local Government Inspectors, so that they will do the virtual acceptance of all the corps members.

    “The process of permission asking and taking, has taken place and they have been granted permission to go and gird up their loins for the service year.

    Read Also: Flood: FG approves N3bn to respond, mitigate disaster

    “We expect that in about one week’s time when the water must have receded according to predictions, they will be back.

    “The corps members have been received and accepted by their employers in Ogbaru, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anyamelum, Awka North, and parts of Onitsha.

    “We have not allowed them to go to the flooded areas,” he said.

    Aremu said the measure was a reaction to the declaration of the areas as flood disaster areas by National Emergency Management Agency and closure of most schools in those places.

    “NYSC is very caring. We are as concerned as parents and guardians because we are their parents here.

    “We have done what we ought to have done to ensure their safety, so there is no cause for alarm.

  • Undergraduate hangs self in Anambra

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

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

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

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

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

    Read Also: UNN student dies in auto crash

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

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

  • Man, 25, commits suicide in Anambra

    A 25-year old man, Shola Abisola, at the weekend, committed suicide in his room in Awka, the Anambra State capital.

    The deceased, a native of Ikogbo in Ododo Ota local government area of Ogun State, was reportedly found laying unconscious in his room after taking a poisonous substance.

    A resident of the area said the deceased was rushed to Amaku Teaching Hospital where he was certified dead while receiving treatment.

    Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed, said the corpse was deposited at the mortuary for autopsy.

    “One Sunday Ozoemene ‘m’ of NO 33. Chime Street Awka, reported at the Central Police Station Awka, at about 4:30pm, one Shola Abisola male aged 25 years of Ikogbo in Ododo Ota LGA of Ogun State allegedly drank a chemical substance labeled “SNIPER” and was found laying unconscious in his room,” he said.

    He said exhibit were recovered and photograph obtained at the scene during a visit by Police detectives attached to Central Police Station Awka.

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

  • NYSC: 300 members withdraw relocation from Anambra

    The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) says no fewer than 300 Corps members have withdrawn their applications for relocation to serve outside Anambra.

    Mr Kehinde Aremu, Coordinator of NYSC in the state said this during the cultural carnival held for 2018 Batch B Stream Two Corps members at the Umunya Temporary Orientation Camp, Oyi Council Area on Sunday.

    Aremu, who said the scheme had received about 600 of such applications, attributed it to fears the corps members have about the state before coming to camp.

    He said the withdrawal of the transfer applications was due to the interaction which the NYSC created between the corps members with community leaders and local government administrators.

    He said the process of acculturation had been so effective that they were now relaxed and ready to contribute their quota to the development of the communities where they would be posted for primary assignment.

    The coordinator said the corps members were able to study, understand and display the rich and diverse cultural groups in Nigeria excellently within such a short time of being together.

    “The bonding is great both among the corps members and between the corps members and the communities.

    “Local government officials have been coming to talk to them and also entertain them, traditional rulers have also been coming and at this event we have a good number of them from Anambra and Enugu.

    “Before now, I had not less that 600 applications for relocation from Anambra but at this moment, more than 300 of them have withdrawn their requests because we have been able to connect them with the people.

    “Their fears were unfounded, they had a wrong idea of the Anambra environment but now they know better,” he said.

    In his remark, Igwe Chris Onyekwuluje, the Traditional Ruler of Umunya said the larger Nigerian society had a lot to learn from what the NYSC was doing.

    Onyekwuluje gave his blessing to the corps members and urged them to respect the culture of the people they were posted to serve while assuring them of the best of hospitality where ever they found themselves in the state.

    “I am impressed with what I have seen here, the beautiful representation of the cultural endowment of this country by these Corps members really overwhelmed me.

    “I thank the coordinator, he has done well, the good number of traditional rulers here says a lot and I must say that this is the best way to keep Nigeria together. Leaders of this country should understand and appreciate the people they are leading and their ways of life.

    “NYSC is a good example of how to manage this country. For the corps members I welcome them to Anambra and assure them of the best hospitality,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were cultural parade by the various platoons depicting major cultural groups in Nigeria, dance, drama and other competitions.

    The camp was for Corps members deployed to serve in Anambra and Enugu states. (NAN)

  • Flooding: Edo intensifies work at resettlement camps, safe havens

    The Edo State Government has said that work has intensified at designated resettlement camps across the state to receive residents, who are displaced by flooding.

    Persistent rainfall in the past few weeks dislodged some persons from their homes, as the state government announced the opening of resettlement camps for residents that were adversely affected by the heavy downpours.

    The state government issued flood alert in parts of the state last week, following new predictions that the state will experience flooding incidence with the persistent rainfall and the release of water from dams in neighbouring countries.

    Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Mr Yakubu Gowon, said that an inter-ministerial committee to oversee the relocation of affected persons and running of the resettlement camps and safe havens has been set up.

    He disclosed that the committee is made up of officials of the state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), special assistants to the governor in the various wards, officials of ministries of infrastructure, environment and health, local council chairmen, members of the Red Cross, Fire Service and local government councillors, who are on standby to assist people in distress.

    He listed the areas earmarked as safe havens to include “the Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camp in Oghomere in Etsako Central Local Government Area and the skills acquisition centre in Fugar.

    Read Also: Edo intensifies promotion of local languages

    “In Esan South East Local Government Area, the council hall and the hall of St. Benedict Catholic Church in Ubiaja will serve as safe haven.  In Ikpoba-Okha local council, Western Boys High School hall has been pencilled down to receive those displaced from their homes in the council area,” he added.

    He said that men and women will be separated in the camps to protect their rights and assured that effort is being made to procure more relief materials to be delivered when the camps are ready.

    “In Ovia North East, the local government chairman has donated a place in Okada while another place in Gelegele, in the same local council will provide succour to flood victims,” Gowon said.

    The governor’s aide maintained that the relevant ministries have desilted blocked drainages to ease the flow of water in the city.

    Two weeks ago, Edo State government donated relief materials to communities affected by windstorm in Esan West and Owan West local government areas of the state. Similar donation had been made in ten local councils where windstorm destroyed houses.

    Handing over the relief materials on behalf of the state government to chairmen of the two local councils in Benin City, the state capital, Gowon said “This is a continuous exercise, we have donated relief materials to communities in about 12 local government areas and we have been receiving letters of appreciation from the beneficiaries.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Hydrological Services Agencies (NHISA) have warned that 12 states across the country would experience flooding due to torrential rain falls.

    The two agencies gave the warning during an emergency stakeholders’ meeting held with relevant stakeholders in Abuja.

    Mr Clem Nze, Director, Engineering Hydrology, NHISA, listed the states to include: Kogi, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Edo, Anambra, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states, from the River Niger axis.

    He also listed Taraba, Benue and Adamawa as states to be affected from the River Benue axis.

    He said that the decision to raise the alarm was to ensure preparedness among stakeholders and residents of flood-prone communities.

    The NEMA and NHISA alert followed a similar alert issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT), warning of high floods in some identified states across the country including Edo.

  • Housewives fight over ‘lover boy’ widower in Anambra

    Two married women reportedly stripped themselves naked in a brawl over the ownership of a widower in Okpoko, Ogbaru local government area of Anambra State.

    The women, a civil servant and a petty trader (names withheld) were said to had severally clashed over their relationship with the widower, a commercial bus driver, identified as Chiemeziem.

    The Nation gathered that both housewives had warned each other to steer clear of the “lover boy” widower, but none had heeded to such warnings as the relationships continued until the fateful day.

    A source close to the widower, told our correspondent that the widower, fondly called Emeziem, had repeatedly appealed to the women to see themselves as partners in the relationship than rivals.

    “He threatened to dismiss any of them that caused quarrel. He even had to draw a roaster for their visits to ensure peace and forestall clash in the double-dating game,” the source said.

    Trouble however ensued when one of the women broke the rules as she visited on the day meant for her rival.

    “The trader was already with Emeziem when her civil servant rival showed up and as expected, heated argument started.

    “The quarrel was so uncontrollable that he had to push both of them out of the house, locked the apartment and left with anger,” the source said.

    The source further revealed that attempts to broker peace between them by neighbors and sympathisers was unsuccessful as the brawl continued till they striped themselves naked.

    The Nation further learnt that both women, said to had produced children for him, had since been dismissed by the widower following the ugly incident.