The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra

  • NYSC graduates 1,329 SAED trainees in Anambra

    Mr Arinze Awogu, Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government Council in Anambra, has applauded the contributions of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to the development of area.

    Awogu gave the commendation at the graduation of members of the corps who took part in the Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) of the scheme at the temporary orientation site, Umunya on Friday.

    He said Ogbaru had benefitted from activities of Corps members in the areas of education, agriculture and cultural interaction.

    The council boss assured those who would be posted to the area of the best of Ogbaru hospitality and service experience.

    He said though Ogbaru was an agrarian community, Anambra was an entrepreneurship-oriented that anyone who was privileged to serve in the state would have no business in the unemployment market and with poverty.

    “I must commend the NYSC for the contributions the scheme ha made in Ogbaru and the entire state.

    “For those that will be posted to Ogbaru, count yourself lucky because we shall feed you and make you enjoy the best of service experience with the Ogbaru brand of hospitality,’’ he said.

    Contributing, Mrs Ifeyinwa Nwafor, Director of SAED programme, said no fewer than 1,329 corps members of the 2018 Batch B Stream One participated in the training which lasted for 10 days.

    Nwafor said they were trained in 11 major skills areas and exposed to the various funding options with experts from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bank of Industry and Commercial Banks as resource persons.

    She congratulated them and urged them to take advantage of the after-camp mentorship programme when they go to their Places of Primary Assignment.

    Speaking, Mr Kehinde Aremu, Coordinator of the NYSC in Anambra, urged the corps members not to allow their skills to die in the camp.

    Aremu, who closed the training, said they must go with the mindset of one youth, one skill, as there was so much money to make in the world of entrepreneurship.

    He promised that the NYSC would continue to provide assistance to them, urging them to have their eyes at the top of whatever skills endeavour they took to.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the skills taught were Event Planning and Decorations, Solar Panel System, Bridal Fascinators, Fashion Designing and Bead Making.

    Others are Agro and Allied, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System, Car Tracking Technology, Aluminum Fabrication and others.

  • PDP to APGA: Obiano is your last governor in Anambra

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra State has asked the All Progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA ) to forget about fielding any candidate in the next governorship election in the state.

    The party said the incumbent governor of the state, Willie Obiano would be the last governor the party would produce in the state.

    The leader of PDP reconciliation committee in the state, Mr. Ngozi Agudozi, who stated this on Friday at Nnewi South council area of the state during a meeting with different factions of the party, described the state as PDP’s birthright.

    The PDP chieftain regretted the 14-year old internal crises of the party in the state, which he said APGA took advantage of to wrestle power from her, vowing to reclaim it at the expiration of Obiano’s tenure.

    He said, “APGA is like a faction of PDP in Anambra state. Today, they are claiming to have won 21/21 in the last polls which most of them can’t explain how it happened.

    “By the time I am through with this mission, we are going to say bye bye to APGA in Anambra State. I’m not boasting. Obiano will be the last governor of APGA in Anambra State. After Obiano, there won’t be any other APGA governor in Anambra.

    “Take it from me, this state belongs to us. There is no man, big or small in the state that have not drank from the milk of PDP.”

    Agudozi however denied being sponsored by certain stalwarts in the party, describing his mission as simply divine.

    Read Also: You can’t remove Saraki, Ekweremadu – PDP

    “Nobody is backing me. A lot of people don’t even like me because I say the truth the way it is. I’m convinced in this project because it is a divine mandate that I should go and reconcile my people so that our party can win elections.

    “I saw the crying and pains of party members at the grassroots. They are seeking for someone to give them sense of direction, which I will provide. That’s why they are embracing it.

    “I only consulted my leaders from the state in Abuja and I told them I’m going on this mission. Olisa Metu, Peter Obi and Chris Uba are my political leaders, but none of them sent me here. I’m here based on the interest for the state. And all of us are working together,” he stressed.

    A former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Chukwuma Soludo and a chieftain of APGA, had, during last year’s gubernatorial electioneering campaign, boasted that APGA would rule Anambra State for 50 years.

    He said his prediction was informed by the developmental indices the party leadership had provided in the last twelve years the party held sway in the state.

  • 2019: Anambra begins regulation of branded vehicles, banners

    The Anambra State government has said it will start to regulate the movements of branded vehicles, placement of banners and pasting of political posters as from next week.

    But the government assured the residents that it is not a ploy to witch-hunt any political party, as being speculated.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Awka, the state capital, the Managing Director of the state Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA), Sir Jude Emecheta, said the aim was to sanitise the environment.

    He debunked the claim that it was a punitive measure by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to clip the wings of other parties ahead of the National Assembly poll in 2019.

    It was gathered that ANSAA had concluded arrangements to drive branded vehicles from the road, especially those of the opposition, to pave way for only APGA vehicles.

    But Emecheta said such allegation was unfounded and unfair to the state government.

    The agency chief said letters were written to the state party chairmen on the planned regulation.

    He said: “There is no law that says APGA will not pay such fee; it cuts across all political parties in the state. The agency is not witch-hunting any party.

    “We will start impounding the vehicles of those who refuse to pay. You can brand your vehicle without putting any pictures on it. But once a picture appears, it becomes an advert and you must pay.

    “What we are doing now is sensitisation. By next week, the operation will start. For now, no party has paid for any branded vehicle, posters and banners.”

    The agency had pegged placement of posters at N1 million for senatorial; N500,000 for House of Representatives and N250,000 for House of Assembly.

     

  • SDGs: Nigeria may miss 2030 deadline on sanitation, access to safe water

    Nigeria may likely not meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 6, with the continuous decline in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), it was learnt.

    The SDG goal 6 states that countries must achieve universal and equitable access to potable water for all achieve access to adequate sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation.

    The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS 5) has revealed that access to basic sanitation has steadily reduced in Nigeria between 2000 and 2015.

    This is as 70 million people still lack access to potable water despite efforts by governments and partners.

    The survey also revealed that open defecation has worsened between 2010 and 2015.

    According to the report, Sanitation in the country is quite alarming, as over 110 million people lack access to improved sanitation in 2013 while about 46 million people still practice open defecation.

    Open defecation and poor hygiene have been linked to increased diarrhoea cases, which in turn affects the nutritional status of children. Every year, an estimated 124,000 children under the age of 5 die because of diarrhoea.

    Though there are efforts to address the situation through the European Union (EU) assisted Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Project (WSSSRP) has continued to build strong institutions and systems for effective and sustainable water services delivery.

    Six states which include Anambra, Cross River, Jigawa, Kano, Osun and Yobe states are benefiting from the initiative.

    Speaking during a recent media dialogue on WASH in Anambra State, a specialist with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Mainga Banda, said about 130 million Nigerians use unimproved sanitation facilities, with majority of them living in rural areas.

    Read Also: Soldiers embark on sanitation, sweep Kaduna streets

    Mrs Banda, while quoting the MICS5 published in 2017, said that over 46 million people still practice open defecation, which ranks Nigeria 3rd among countries in the world with such people.

    She said, “Despite all effort, sanitation is declining instead of improving and this calls for concern. The trend in water availability between year 2000 and 2015 revealed that the gradient is going up instead of declining, same with sanitation especially in the rural area.

    “WASH plays a critical role in improving health, nutrition and hygiene in Nigeria. So it is a necessity for Nigeria to curb issues of water borne and sanitation related diseases to meet its SDG 6 by 2030,” she said.

    Mrs Banda also noted that most people in rural areas still lack latrines, basic hand washing tools, among others, ”which if not provided will keep worsening sanitation in the country”.

    A visit to Ononaku Ezinifite, a community in Aguata LGA, Anambra State with over 2,000 residents, reveals the benefit of the project to the people, especially those in the rural communities.

    The secretary, WASHCOM unit in the community, Ike Christian, said the project has relieved them (residents) of a lot of stress.

    He noted that before the introduction and completion of the project, children used to go to a distance to fetch water for home use and ”people made use of the nearby bushes to defecate.”

    Mr Ike said since the provision of the facilities, there has not been reported cases of any water-borne disease in the community. He added that people now take care of their environment “because of the orientation they are getting from WASHCOM officials in the community”.

    He also said the officials are making efforts to ensure that the facility is secured.

    A resident of the community, Nathan Ofoma, said since the completion of the project, people no longer defecate openly.

    He laments that before now, residents rely majorly on rain water  “as there is no single river in the community”.

    The Programme Manager, Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Ministry of Public Utilities and Water Resources, Anambra State, Ezekwo Victor said the state government was committed to WASH. He also said they have ”completed 33 water supply schemes, the compilation of phase 11 rehabilitation works for non-functional boreholes, among others.”

    He noted that the state has also rehabilitated 116 non-functional boreholes across the state.

    The project was co-funded by EU and the Anambra State government with 70 per cent EU/UNICEF support and 30 per cent from the state government. It was a public procurement concept awarded to the lowest bidder.

  • Man shoots lover dead in Anambra

    A 25-year-old woman, Uchenna Onyeama, has been allegedly shot dead by her lover, Chika Modili.

    The Nation learnt the incident occurred at Oranto village, Ukpo in Dunukofia Local Government of Anambra State.

    The deceased was said to have been shot dead in the room of the suspect’s friend, Nonso Nwabueze.

    The cause of the incident could not be ascertained last night.

    Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said the suspects escaped to an unknown destination.

    Said he: “On July 29, about 1830hrs, Uchenna Onyeama, female, 25, of Orofia village, Abagana was shot dead by Chika Modili, male, of Oranto Ukpo inside his friend’s room at Oranto village, Ukpo.

    “Detectives attached to Dunokofia division, led by the DPO, visited the scene and discovered that the room occupied by Nwabueze was locked. The suspects escaped.

    “Power of Ingress was used to gain entrance to the room. The victim was taken to Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital where she was confirmed dead by a doctor.”

    Mohammed said the body had been deposited at the mortuary for autopsy, adding that efforts are on to arrest the suspects.

    “One single barrel gun and one expanded cartridge, suspected to be used in perpetrating the act, were recovered inside the room,” he added.

    A 34-year-old man, James Nwogha, has allegedly killed his 30-year-old wife, Jennifer Nwogha, at Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State.

    It was gathered the suspect hit the deceased with a pestle, following a disagreement.

    Police spokesman Mohammed, who confirmed the incident, said the suspect had been detained.

    He said: “On July 31, about 0012hrs, James Nwogha, male, 34, of 2, Umudioka Street, Nkpor used a pestle to hit his wife, Jennifer Nwogha, female, 30, of the same address on the head during a quarrel. She died instantly.

    “Detectives attached to Ogidi division visited the scene. They photographed the body and deposited it at Iyienu mortuary for autopsy, after the woman was certified dead by a doctor.

    “The pestle was recovered and the matter is being investigated, after which the suspect will be arraigned.”

  • Flood: FG issues red alert to 14 councils in Anambra

    Fourteen Local Government Areas in Anambra state have been identified as highly prone to flood disaster this year.

    Acting Director General, Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency, Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mr Olayinka Ogunwale, disclosed this yesterday in Awka, while presenting a paper on the 2018 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) at the sensitisation workshop.

    He listed some of the council areas likely to be hardly hit as Aguata, Idemili North, Ogbaru, Anambra-East and West, Njikoka, Anaocha, Ayamelum, Dunukofia, Orumba-North and Onitsha-North and South.

    Ogunwale, who was represented by the Director in charge of Engineering Hydrology in the Agency, Clement Nze, called on the state government and NEMA to intensify efforts to mitigate flood outbreak.

    Describing flood disaster as inevitable, the Acting DG stressed the need for early preparation to reduce its impact.

    He also called just for residents’ attitudinal change towards the environment.

    “Some of the major factors that contribute to recurrent flood disaster in the state are overflowing of rivers, high intensity of rainfall, improper urban planning and flood plains as well as indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the water ways,” he said.

    Commissioner for Public Utilities, Obi Nwankwo, urged residents to avoid practices that would encourage flood outbreak.

     

  • Anambra opens youth entrepreneurship office

    A youth entrepreneurship office just opened in Anambra State by Governor Willie Obiano has given hope to youths in the state.

    The office is working in conjunction with the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).

    The idea, according to the Special Assistant to Obiano on Youth Entrepreneurship and state coordinator of NACCIMA, Eloka Maduekwe, is to reduce youth unemployment in the state.

    The office was inaugurated in Nnewi during the 19th anniversary of Nnewi Chamber of the NCCIMA, which was attended by the state Deputy Governor, Dr Nkem Okeke, who represented Obiano. NACCIMA youth entrepreneurship focuses on youth development programmes including skills acquisition and economic empowerment.

    Maduekwe told The Nation that with the inauguration of the office, participating Anambra youths stand a chance of benefitting from NACCIMA.

    The youth leader said NACCIMA youth entrepreneurship will liaise with Government to assist youths in entrepreneurship skills.

    This, according to him, would equally ensure that youths acquire self-sustaining skills, rather than job hunting.

    Obiano in his speech presented by his deputy, Dr Okeke, sadi Nnewi Chamber of commerce needs steady power supply to boost the ever growing businesses in the area.

    He said Anambra and the federal government were working hand in hand to make sure the dream becomes a reality. He said the chamber was the biggest Chamber of commerce in Nigeria, adding that the state government would give it all necessary assistance for it to succeed.

    While presenting his speech, former president of NCCIMA, Mr Linus Ilozue said the chamber had already secured a massive land for its permanent office.

    He mentioned power supply as the greatest problem confronting it, while giving kudos to the Minister of Power and Housing, Babatunde Fashola for taking the sector to a greater height since his assumption of office.

    He said the chamber was in constant consultation with the Minister on how to get it right for the people of Nnewi.

    Speaking with The Nation, the new president of NCCIMA, Ifeanyi Uzodike said his executive was ready to achieve more for the chamber with the cooperation of the members.

  • Four-storey building collapses in Anambra

    A four-storey building under construction has collapsed at Owelle-Aja layout, Obosi in Idemili North local government Area of Anambra with no casualty reported.

    The structure, located off Tony Eze Street, was said to have collapsed around 7.30a.m. on Monday.

    Workers at the site had yet to resume work when the incident occurred.

    A resident of the area, who preferred anonymity, alleged that the building was originally designed as a two-storey building before the owner decided to add two more floors.

    The source also claimed that there were cracks on the walls of the building before the collapse.

    Another resident, Mrs Obiageli Okaforuzu, told our reporter that the building had been under construction for many years.

    Read Also: Benue has not been a happy state since January 2018 – Ortom

    “We thank God that nobody died in the mishap; it would have been a different scene by now,” she said.

    In his reaction, the Chairman, Landlords Association of the area, Chief Chuka Chukwudebelu, expressed regret over the incident and appealed to the state government to mobilise excavators to the site.

    “I don’t think anyone was trapped since the workers had not come to work by the time it happened,” he said.

    Similarly, the state Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Mr Joachim Ulasi, expressed concern over people’s failure to obtain building approvals before embarking on projects.

    Ulasi blamed the collapse on the use of substandard materials.

    He wondered why people preferred to patronise quacks in spite of several warnings by professional bodies and the government.

  • Gunmen kill couple in Anambra

    Gunmen on Saturday night killed a man and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ifekandu.

    The incident occurred at Umuota village, Obosi, in Idemili North Local Government of Anambra State.

    The Nation learnt that the suspects were allegedly contracted by people believed to be involved in a land dispute with the deceased.

    A source, who pleaded anonymity, said the suspects were yet to be arrested.

    “The incident occurred close to the palace of the traditional ruler.

    “The couple, after having dinner, went to bed. The incident happened at night. Neighbours said they heard gunshots,” the source added.

    The Nation gathered that the deceased were the only ones attacked in the house. The attackers did not steal anything.

    Police spokesman Haruna Mohammed said investigation was on.

    He urged the public to assist the police with information that would lead to the arrest of the killers.

     

  • Woman dies, six injured in Anambra auto crash

    A middle-aged woman on Thursday, lost her life while six others sustained varying degrees of injuries in a fatal accident along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway, Anambra State.

    The accident which occurred at about 5.30 pm, close to the Anambra State government house, involved a commercial bus with registration number AWK 166 XX and a Toyota Camry car with registration number, FGG 28 LN.

    An eye witness, who identified herself as Chiamaka Ugo, said the Toyota Camry somersaulted into a nearby drainage after ramming into the bus.

    She said the victims were rushed to hospital by men of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) who arrived the scene shortly after the accident took place.

    Confirming the incident, the Sector Commander of the FRSC in the State, Mr Sunday Ajayi, said three of the injured persons were taken to a nearby hospital in Awka.

    He however said three others in very critical condition were conveyed with an ambulance belonging FRSC to the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.

    Ajayi, who blamed the accident on wrongful overtaking and over speeding, appealed to motorists to exercise caution while plying the highway.