The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anambra

  • Chidoka: I’ve faith of becoming Anambra governor

    Former Minister of Aviation and ex-Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Osita Chidoka has said his experience in the November 18 governorship election gave him hope that he will govern the state one day.

    Chidoka, who contested the election on the platform of the United Peoples Party (UPP), said yesterday that God’s time is the best

    According to him, his ambition to govern the state had been rekindled with the encouraging experience garnered during the poll.

    He spoke at an interactive session with members of his campaign organisation and people of his community in Obosi, Idemili North, to thank them for their support.

    Chidoka said the journey to Anambra Government House had just begun, insisting that there will be ‘no retreat, no surrender’ until the objective was achieved.

    He said: “God’s time is the best and what I am asking from God is to give me what is due to me. Whatever God has destined must come to pass. The journey we have started will continue and I want to assure Anambra people that they will not be disappointed in our next outing.

    “I am optimistic that I will win the next governorship election because that election will be determined by a lot of factors. After the 2019 general elections, we will begin to work for the 2022 election in earnest, and the experience we gathered this year will be our guide.

    “What we should do to move forward is to return the secrecy of balloting. That is to say that the voting point should be in a secluded area so that the voter would not be influenced.

    “We also have to reduce the impact of money in our electoral process because money was widely used in the Anambra election, and that was because there was no secrecy.

    “There is also need for more voter education, for people to learn that money collected during elections will ultimately affect governance.”

  • SMEDAN empowers 160 in Anambra, Kebbi

    SMEDAN empowers 160 in Anambra, Kebbi

    The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) has begun the empowerment of 160 young business owners in Anambra and Kebbi states.

    Kicking off the exercise in Awka, the Anambra State capitalko Umaru Radda, said the empowerment has two components – enterprise management training and payment for workspaces for one year.

    According to the him, the two components are part of the solutions designed by the agency to mitigate business failures recorded by young business owners.

    He noted that the training would sharpen the business management skills of the beneficiaries which would enhance their performance while the payment for workspaces would reduce their financial burden and free some funds for daily operations.

    Urging them to make the best of the window of opportunity opened by SMEDAN, Radda, who was represented by the Southeast Zonal Coordinator of the agency, Mr. Levi Anyikwa, stressed that sustenance of the Young Business Owners in Nigeria (YBON) initiative was imperative for addressing the unemployment situation in Nigeria, which has reached a crisis level.

    The target beneficiaries of the programme are youths between 20 and 45. The goal is to create new opportunities for enterprise growth for start-ups and for employment.

    Selection criteria for beneficiaries include: technical capacities of the promoters, available raw materials, markets, available skills, access to appropriate technologies, among others. Needs assessment was conducted, which formed the basis for the design of the empowerment package.

    Furthermore, the delivery of a tailored Business Development Services (BDS) package would include mentoring, linkages to markets and sources of equipment and provision of workspace.

    For sustainability of the programme, small business advisors would be assigned to each beneficiary/group to provide critical hand-holding supports to ensure the realisation of the set goals prior to the agency’s project-exit.

  • ‘Why PDP lost in Anambra’

    The National Coordinator of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Media Warriors, Chinedu Obigwe, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Oseloka Obaze, lost the November 18 election to Governor Willie Obiano because he did not possess the required electoral value to unseat a performing governor.

    He was reacting to a report by Chamberlain Njoku, published on Vanguard of December 11, page 33.

    In the report, Chamberlain alleged that Anambra election may have been free, but definitely not fair.

    Obigwe said Obaze ran his campaign on falsehood and left the Anambra electorate with the option of using their votes to reject his falsehood.

    He said since the inception of democracy, the November 18 poll was not just free and transparent, but also fair.

  • VC vows to stamp out cultism in Anambra varsity

    VC vows to stamp out cultism in Anambra varsity

    Prof. Fidelis Okafor, Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University ( COOU ), Anambra, on Wednesday restated his commitment to stamp out cultism and other social vices from the institution.

    Okafor made the pledge when a delegation from the National Association of Nigerian Students ( NANS ), Zone ‘B’, paid him a visit at the Igbariam campus of the university.

    He said the institution would continue to provide opportunities for cult members to renounce their membership as well as provide counseling to them.

    Okafor, however, warned that those who refused to renounce their membership of various cult groups would face the wrath of the law.

    Read also: Three Oduduwa Varsity students remanded in prison for ‘cultism’

    He urged parents and guardians to monitor their wards, and also advised students against indulging in acts that would “spell doom” for them, especially during the Yuletide.

    The vice chancellor also promised to ensure that the institution sustained its achievements in research and learning as well as provide support to NANS.

    The Coordinator, NANS Zone ‘B’, Mr Kenneth Okeke, said the delegation was in the institution to solicit support in the area of curbing cultism, prostitution, examination malpractice and other vices from campuses.

    Okeke, who was elected at the November convention of the body in Yenegoa, said his administration which would last for one year, also targeted improved condition for students in the zone.

    He commended the vice chancellor for the infrastructure development of the institution.

    NAN

  • Police arrest mum, others for killing teacher in Anambra

    Police arrest mum, others for killing teacher in Anambra

    The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a mother, her daughter and another person for killing a school teacher, Miss Rita Odilinye.

    The late Rita was said to have flogged one of her pupils, identified simply as Chinaza, for failing to sweep the classroom.

    The incident reportedly happened at Starlight Secondary School at Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area.

    The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the area, Mr Mark Ijarafu, addressed reporters on the incident.

    He said: “We have arrested the mother, daughter and one other person.

    “The body of the teacher has been deposited at Iyi-Enu Mortuary while investigation is ongoing as we talk. The command is ready and willing to do justice to the matter.”

    A source said the mother, identified simply as Mrs Okafor, with Chinaza, and a yet-to-be-identified person are in police custody.

    The Nation gathered that the teacher taught the pupils Igbo language.

    Another source, who did not want his name mentioned for security reasons, recalled that last Friday, when the teacher found that her class had not been swept, she asked the pupils who was supposed to do the task.

    The source added: “It was then the pupils told her that Chinaza, who should have swept the class before going home the previous day, did not sweep it.

    “When the teacher asked her, the pupil was said to have proved stubborn, making the angry teacher to flog her.

    “While she was being flogged, she ran out of the classroom and scaled the school fence, as the gate was locked. She went straight to her house where she reported the matter to her mother. The pupil said she had been beaten black and blue by her teacher for not sweeping the classroom.

    “Furiously, the mother went to the school, armed with sticks and accompanied by her daughter and one other person, to avenge the flogging of her daughter.

    “Efforts by other teachers to calm down the aggrieved persons and allow the school authorities handle the matter fell on deaf ears.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Over 200 transformers vandalised in Anambra, says EEDC official

    Over 200 transformers vandalised in Anambra, says EEDC official

    No fewer than 200 transformers were vandalised by hoodlums between January and November in Anambra, an official of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has said.

    Mr Samuel Onuoha, the Network Manager, EEDC, Awka, disclosed while addressing a group of protesters who stormed the EEDC office in Awka on Monday.

    Onuoha, who noted the company had zero tolerance for vandalism of its installations, said 50 transformers were vandalised in Nnewi; 30 in Awka; over 100 in Onitsha and six in Ekwulobia districts within the period.

    “There are different levels of vandalism; some go for oil and different types of cables and some remove the feeder pillar units, among others.

    “The vandalism escalated in the Ember Months; we cannot continue to run business like that,” Onuoha stated, adding that six cases of vandalism were currently at different levels of prosecution in the state.

    However, the network manager said the company had commenced replacement of vandalised facilities across the South-East geo-political zone, urging residents and community leaders to protect their transformers.

    He also urged them to report cases of vandalism to the office or the nearest police station.

    “What we do in EEDC is also a business that involves buying and selling; so anything affecting our inability to distribute electricity is also affecting our income,” he stressed.

    Read Also: EEDC expresses worry over forged bills

    Onuoha assured the protesters that the company would fix their vandalised transformer by Wednesday.

    He appealed to them to show understanding, noting that the company was collaborating with security agencies and community leaders to minimise vandalism of its installations.

    Earlier, residents of Odeagba and Arthur Eze Street business owners took to the streets and later disrupted business activities at EEDC office for two hours to demonstrate power outage for 14 months.

    Mr Amaechi Okeke, Chairman Arthur Eze Business Association, who led the protest, said since October 2016 when the Arthur Eze one sub-station/transformer was vandalised, the area had been without power supply.

    “Despite several appeals to EEDC, we have been left in darkness for long and this has affected us tremendously since then,” Okeke said.

  • Anambra: Time to move ahead

    SIR: Prior to the November 18, Anambra State governorship election, the electioneering process deepened our differences, and pitted politicians, who were once political allies, against one another. Instead of talking about economic and political policies, and stating unequivocally how they would embark on the development of the state, they mounted the rostrum to rubbish the public images of one another. They made snide remarks about their political foes and rivals.

    And, the clergy, both the Anglican priests and Reverend Fathers, used their platforms and pulpits to pontificate on the necessity of their members casting ballots for a governorship candidate, who belongs to the same Christian sect as they. Why should religion in a homogenous state like Anambra where its people are practitioners of Christianity be a divisive factor?

    Clannishness has become one of the enduring features of our political culture. It is characteristic of Anambra people to queue up behind a political candidate, who belongs to the same geographical zone as they, not minding the political pedigree and antecedents of the politician as well as his or her leadership qualities. This disposition of ours to politics and politicking creates division and tension in our state in the lead up to major elections.

    Thankfully, the governorship election that created so much tension and tended to divide us was conducted peacefully.  Against some people’s expectations and political permutations and calculations, Chief Willie Obiano won convincingly with landslide victory, burying his political rivals in a mud of political ignominy and gnashing of teeth, and affirming his supremacy in Anambra’s politics. His victory at the polls is an attestation to his popularity with the teeming masses of the state. It is a proof that his good works have not gone unnoticed by the people. Now, Anambra people have given him the political authority to lead them for another four years.

    But, it is not time for him to let the feelings of triumphalism seize him, and goad him into perpetrating unpopular deeds. Rather, he should run an inclusive government, and see the whole state as his constituency, forgiving those who spearheaded the smear campaign against him. Large- heartedness is the hallmark of a great politician. And, his political rivals should lend him unalloyed support because the overall good of Anambra State is more important than their personal aspirations and desires. We should bury our political differences, close ranks, and unite to take Anambra State to unprecedented economic and technological heights.

     

    • Chiedu Uche Okoye,

    Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State.

  • NDLEA intercepts 200kg of suspected Cannabis in Edo

    NDLEA intercepts 200kg of suspected Cannabis in Edo

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency ( NDLEA ) in Edo says it has intercepted a shipment of dried weeds suspected to be Cannabis Sativa at Ehor in the state.

    Mr Buba Wakawa, State Commander of the agency in the state, disclosed this in Benin on Thursday.

    According to Wakawa, the suspected substance was packed in 20 bags weighing about 200 kilogrammes and concealed in a false compartment.

    He said the stuff was lined on the inner wall of a dark blue Volkswagen Bus with Anambra registration number: ACA 711 XT.

    He said the driver of the bus had been arrested in connection with the suspected substance.

    The commander also said that preliminary investigation revealed that the illicit drugs were being conveyed from Iruekpen in Edo to Uko-Orji in Imo.

    He said that the driver of the bus was presently assisting the command in its investigation.

    He also said that the suspect was married with four children and hailed from Ndokwa East Local Government Area of Delta.

    Wakawa said the suspect in his statement, disclosed that he had been driving for fifteen years but recently began to smuggle cannabis because of lack of a stable job.

    “I have been driving for the past fifteen years. However, in the past two years, I have been out of a stable employment.

    “It was in the process of looking for food for my family that l accepted to smuggle cannabis.

    “Shortly after l took off, my bus was stopped at Ehor by NDLEA officers on patrol; the drug was well hidden but l was surprised when the officers detected it in a false compartment,” the suspect said.

    NAN

  • Banky W’s wedding, Anambra election dominate Google search

    Banky W’s wedding, Anambra election dominate Google search

    Popular Nigerian singer/songwriter, Oluwabankole Wellington, a.k.a Banky W, and actress Adesua Etomi’s wedding dominated the internet search engine Google this week.

    Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, Google’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager, Anglophone West Africa, made this known in a dispatch to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    He said that the Anambra state governorship election also top the chat of the search engine.

    “The highly anticipated wedding of Nigeria’s favourite couple, R&B singer, Bankole Wellington and Nollywood actress, Adesua Etomi was held on Sunday.

    “The couple, who announced their engagement shortly after co-starring in the Wedding Party movie, also held their court wedding on Monday.

    “The video of the court wedding went viral as soon as it was posted on social media by the happy couple.

    “Fans and friends have since taken to Google to search for more photos from the couple’s traditional wedding,’’ Kola-Ogunlade said.

    The Google manager said that Governor Willie Obiano, this week, was declared the winner of the Gubernatorial Election held in Anambra State.

    IPAC, Buhari Congratulates Obiano

    He added that in his acceptance speech, Obiano thanked the citizens of Anambra State for voting despite several instances of election manipulation and over-voting cited by the election officers.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that this led to the cancellation of results in several units.

    Well-wishers also raced to Google to search for more details about the election results.

    Also, the reported death of the former Vice President Alex Ekwueme who died in the early hours of Sunday in a London clinic became a trending topic.

    “The sad news was confirmed by his family in a statement. This followed his family debunking news of his death two weeks earlier.

    “Fans and well wishers raced to Google to confirm the sad news,’’ he said.

    Kola-Ogunlade said that the news of the resignation of the Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe also trended on google.

    “Mid last-week, in what was referred to as a “bloodless transition”, Mugabe was removed from office and placed under house arrest.

    “After almost a week of uncertainty, the 93-year old dictator resigned on Tuesday after nearly four decades in power.

    “His resignation letter was read out at a joint session of the Zimbabwean Parliament in Harare and as celebration continues in Zimbabwe, Nigerians took to Google to confirm Mugabe’s resignation,’’ he said.

    Early this week, news broke of Cyntoia Brown, a 29-year-old victim of sex trafficking, who had been sentenced to life in prison in Nashville, Tennessee,’’ the Google manager said.

    He added that she was sentenced for shooting her abuser after being forced into prostitution at the age of 16.

    “Brown, who has already served nearly 13 years in prison, will be eligible for parole after serving 51 years behind bars.

    “This sentence has drawn outrage from celebrities such as Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna, who has began a social media protest with the Free Cyntoia Brown.

    “Nigerians raced to Google to read more about Brown’s story, making her name a top trending search term,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Google Trends launched in May, 2006, allows one to see how popular, search terms and its demography have been over time on Google.

  • INEC fixes Anambra Central senatorial district election for Jan 13, 2018

    INEC fixes Anambra Central senatorial district election for Jan 13, 2018

    The Independent National EIectoral Commission ( INEC ) has fixed Jan. 13, 2018 for the conduct of the rerun Anambra Central Senatorial District election.

    The seat became vacant following the nullification of the 2015 election for the position by an election tribunal.

    The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja  on Monday ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct re-run election within 90 days of the judgment.

    Mr Haruna Mohammed, INEC National Commissioner and Member, Information and Voter Education Committee ( IVEC ),  made the development known in a statement on Friday.

    Mohammed the commission  met on Thursday and discussed the case of the outstanding election to fill the seat for the Anambra Central Senatorial District among other issues.

    “Following the determination of this case, lNEC has decided that all encumbrances to the conduct of the rerun election have now been removed.

    “There is presently no court order restraining lNEC from conducting the election.

    “The Commission has considered all the circumstances surrounding the election particularly the 90-day time-frame ordered by the Court of Appeal.

    “It also considered the demands for preparing adequately for the election as well as the coming Yuletide and decided that the rerun election shall take place on Saturday Jan. 13, 2018,” Mohammed said.

    The Commission commended all stakeholders, particularly the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District for their patience.

    “We hope that the delay has served to clarify some grey areas in our electoral process to make it stronger, freer, fairer and more credible,” Mohammed said.

    NAN