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Tag: Anambra

  • Gunmen kill policeman, civilian in Anambra

    Some people suspected to be gunmen yesterday shot dead a policeman and a civilian near Assemblies of God (AG) Church on Oguta Road at Onitsha in Anambra State.

    An eyewitness said the gunmen stopped near the church, adding that on sighting some policemen nearby, they opened fire on them.

    The source also said the attackers took away the rifle of the slain policeman.

    The eyewitness said: “When the firing became too hot, the policemen abandoned their patrol vehicle and ran away for safety.

    “The gunmen moved to their patrol van and took a gun belonging to the policeman they killed.”

    The eyewitness said he could not identify the number of armed men involved.

    Another eyewitness said: “Gunmen on Okada (a motorcycle) shot a policeman and collected his rifle.

    They also shot dead an Okada man while escaping; the passenger he was carrying was injured.

    The policeman was the one armed among his colleagues. They were providing security while church service was going on at Assemblies of God Church on Oguta Road at Onitsha.

    Police Commissioner Garba Umar confirmed the incident to journalists.

    Umar said it was not an attack on the church, adding that the gunmen took away a rifle belonging to the slain policeman.

    He said: “My men were on patrol near the church when they were attacked by some gunmen. It was not an attack on the church in the real sense of it.”

  • Gunmen kill Policeman, civilian in Anambra

    Gunmen kill Policeman, civilian in Anambra

    Some people suspected to be gunmen on Sunday, shot dead a policeman and a civilian near Assemblies of God Church, Oguta Road Onitsha, Anambra.

    An eyewitness said that the gunmen had stopped near the Church, adding that on sighting some policemen at the church, they opened fire on them.

    The source also said the attackers made away with the rifle of the slain policeman.

    “When the firing became too hot, the policemen abandoned their patrol vehicle and ran away for safety.

    “The gunmen moved to their patrol van and took a gun belonging to the policeman they killed,” he said.

    The eye witness said he could not identify the number of armed men involved.

    Another eyewitness said, “Gunmen on Okada (motorcycle) shot a policeman and collected his rifle.

    They also shot dead an Okada man while escaping and the passenger he was carrying was injured.

    The policeman was the one armed among his colleagues; they were providing security while church service was going on at Assemblies of God Church, Oguta road Onitsha.

    Reacting to the incident, Mr Garba Umar Commissioner of Police in Anambra confirmed the incident to journalists.

    Umar said it was not an attack on the church, adding that the gunmen took away a rifle belonging to the slain cop.

    “My men were on patrol near the church when they were attacked by some gunmen. ‘’It was not an attack on the church in the real sense of it, “he said.

    Unknown gunmen on Aug. 6 attacked worshipers at St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo council in Anambra, killing no fewer than 13 persons and injured 27.

    A Federal Government delegation,led by Sen. Chris Ngige had on Aug. 12 visited Anambra to condole the people and government of the state as well as the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi over the incident.

  • FG to beef up security in worship centres – Ngige

    FG to beef up security in worship centres – Ngige

    The Federal Government says it will come up with security plans that will guarantee the safety of lives and property in worship centres across the country.

    Sen. Chris Ngige, Minister for Labour and Employment, said this in Amakwa, Ozubulu in Ekwusigo council when he led a delegation to commiserate with the people and government of Anambra on Saturday.

    The delegation was led to St. Philips Catholic Church by Dr Nkem Okeke, Deputy Governor of Anambra and Most Rev. Dr Hillary Okeke, the Catholic Bishop of Nnewi Diocese.

    Ngige said the Federal Government would cooperate with Anambra to ensure that the culprits were brought to book.

    The minister, who described the attack as heinous, wicked and sacrilegious, said the delegation would report back to the presidency.

    He said the Federal Government would also work out a security framework that would protect worshipers anywhere in the country.

    Ngige, who was briefed by the Bishop and Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Jude Onwuaso, said efforts would be made to forestall future recurrence.

    In his remarks, the deputy governor said the church was praying for the repentance of the perpetrators.

    He said government and the security agencies could go ahead with the hunt for the culprits, but as Christians, the diocese was praying that the masterminds should change their ways.

    He called for prayers and support for the victims either directly to the affected families or through the church through its Victims’ Support Fund.

    Other members of the delegation included the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Anthony Anwukah, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama and the Minister of State for Environment, Mr Ibrahim Jubrin.

  • ‘No zoning in Anambra’

    ‘No zoning in Anambra’

    Mr. Godwin Ezeemo is the candidate of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) in Anambra State for the November 18 governorship election. In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, he speaks on his manifestos, zoning and other issues.

    WHY do you think that there is vacancy in Anambra Government House when Governor Obiano is in the race for November 18 election?

    About two weeks ago, I went to Abuja to collect expression of interest form and nomination form of my party, PPA for the 2017 governorship election in the state. My reason for doing this is because there is vacancy at Agu Awka right now. This is the time for all Anambrarins, who feel they have something to offer this state to go for it. We all live here and know how things work here. In as much as the current administration is doing its best, that best is not enough and that is why I said there is vacancy in Awka.

    Their best may be best for them and their rating, but for good number of Anambra people who yawn for good leadership, seeking for an individual that has character and love for the black nation, an individual that is contented and has ideas on how to move this state forward. That is exactly what Anambra state needs now, and that is why I’m gunning for this position. I think I have all these qualities and I can use them to help, assist helplessly in building this state and getting to that height we all desire our dear state to be.

    Leadership that is only interested in money making can’t make it for us. Leadership that is interested in segregating among the youths of Anambra state cannot make it, leadership that is interested in favouring a particular group of people because they are in the corridor of power, leadership that will look after youths, Leadership that will empower children is my dream. It is abomination to me in this 21st century to see children hawking on the streets while others are in school, it is not acceptable. We must as a matter of sincerity and duty, empower these children. We will declare free education; at least, from primary to JSS 3 so that these children can be empowered and by so doing, we can eliminate the type of problem we are having today.

    We will at the same time look at harvesting the talents we have in this part of the world, we must go back to our good days in athletics, we have to harness these talents, give them special training. Everybody cannot be Engineers and lawyers. Some can be football stars, volley ball and tennis stars, while some can be Olympians to get medals for the state. But what is going on now, nothing is happening and nobody is interested at all. These children will grow up to adult hood but nothing happens to them anymore, it is not going to be acceptable anymore.

    For this purpose, I will build sports city in every local government of Anambra state. It will include a standard stadium, a standard swimming pool, a standard lawn tennis, a quality track and some other important games. We should give our children the opportunity of showcasing what they have and may be change the life of their families.

    What is your take on the high cost of nomination forms?

    I agree with you that the cost of these forms seem to be high and I have in one time confronted one of the national leaders of PPA on why it should be so because it will be better, in my opinion, to have greater number of people coming to vie for positions when they are available because the volume of money seems to be very high. But they have explained to me why it is so.

    They said that part of the money is used to run the political party, they also said they will organize the primaries from the money and it involves a lot of logistics. I agree with them because our own political party charges less, there are some political parties that charge more. Politics is not a small enterprise. It is expensive not because of the money that is being shared, but because of what is involved. People have to be transported, public address system and venue have to be booked, bill boards have to be raised and so on.

    Where we are getting it wrong is giving this money out direct as bribery. It is suppose to be the electorates judging candidates based on what they can be, who they are and what they can offer. Today, our politics is based on how much money you can share or give. So, without being misunderstood, politics requires lots of money.

    What is your position on zoning?

    There is no zoning in Anambra State that is formal, all this are informal argument. I want Anambrarins to look to the fact that Anambra South have had this type of argument in the past when Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju was the governor. There was this contention that he should be allowed to continued, but he was stampeded because he didn’t do well. I learnt also that his brother, Dr. Obinna Uzor from the same South indicated interest to get the position again, but nobody gave him the chance and power was shifted to the Central that held to it for 11 years.

    For the sake of equity, the past administration said, let shift the power to the North but the truth is that the governor is not doing very well which was exactly what happened in 2003 that made Mbadinuju lose PDP ticket. Ordinarily, it would have been unfair for the South to be denied that ticket. So, the argument of the power going to the North does not hold waters, whoever that is saying that is saying that at his own personal aggrandizement. Mention all of them, I can confirm it and tell you what they are gaining. What they are saying is not in the interest of the Anambrarians. I spoke with a lot of stakeholders from there and they said it could be either South or North so that we can meet up with what Central has done already. So the only animal we don’t know how to dissect is an animal that has not been killed before.

  • INEC closes voter registration Aug.15 – Anambra Rec.

    INEC closes voter registration Aug.15 – Anambra Rec.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, Dr Nkwachukwu Orji, on Thursday said the ongoing continuous voter registration would end on Aug. 15 in the state.

    Orji disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka.

    He said that the exercise was conducted at the local government level and all the 326 electoral wards across the state,  to enable eligible voters register before the closing date.

    The REC who put the total registered voters in the state at 2.42 million, expressed the hope that more people would be captured.

    Orji assured that the commission had deployed all necessary facilities for the voter registration.

    According to him, people should use the opportunity to transfer their registration centres, collect their permanent voter cards and have their lost cards replaced.

    On the forthcoming governorship election, the REC said the commission would deliver transparent, free, fair, and credible election.

    Orji therefore encouraged the electorates to ignore reports making the round that election would not hold, stressing that INEC was fully prepared for the polls.

    “Come out en-masse to perform your civic duty and have a voice in your governance,” he urged registered voters in the state.

  • Community seeks varsity status for college

    Community seeks varsity status for college

    Members of the Governing Council of the Federal College of Education, Technical (FCET) in Umunze, Anambra State, have held their inaugural meeting. They toured the insitution after the meeting. EMEKA ONWUDINJO reports.

    LAST week’s Governing Council meeting of Federal College of Education, Technical, (FCET) in Umunze, Anambra State, was spectacular. It was the inaugural.

    Apart from focusing on the state of facilities in the institution, they also, thereafter, toured the campus.

    But what they did not discuss –  the institution’s upgrade into a university- came up during a visit to the monarch of Umunze, Igwe Promise Ezeh, who urged them to support the call for the elevation of the college to become the first University of Education in the Southeast.

    Igwe Ezeh said: “I can tell you that every member of the town is interested in the progress of the school, and the management has maintained cordial relationship with members of the host community. We have seen the college becoming one of best in the country in terms of academic performance and teachers’training. This is why we want the college to be upgraded to a university.”

    The traditional ruler pleaded with the council to consider appointing a qualified indigene of the host community to succeed the college provost, Prof Josephat Ogbuagu, noting that nobody from the area been a provost of the college since its inception in 1989.

    Responding, the Council Chairman Mr Ibrahim Radda, assured the traditional ruler that the selection of the next provost would follow due process, pointing out that Ogbuagu’s successor should be ready to work with the council to address olege’s challenges.

    Earlier, he said the tour was prompted by members’ desire to ascertain the state of the college’s infrastructure, promising that the council would consolidate on the gains recorded by the college management led by Prof Josephat Ogbuagu.

    After the tour, Raddah said council members were thrilled by the management’s achievements, claiming that the facilities were better than those of other Federal Government colleges. He praised the provost for his “giant stride”.

    A member of the council, Hon. Uche Anakor, said there had been improvement in the institution in the last three years. He said most of the council members did not oppose the proposal for the college’s elevation to a university when it was raised during their meeting. He praised the college’s degree programme with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka.

    He said: “With the state of the college facilities, the council will make case for its upgrade to a university because it has the personnel and good location.  And since the college has started to run degree programmes in affiliation with UNIZIK, there will be no hindrance to its quest to be upgraded to a university.

    “We will approach the federal government and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for funding and build more structures. If the college must be upgraded to a university, there is need for more classrooms, auditoriums and other necessary facilities to be in place.

    “We are going to throw our weight behind that proposal and see what we can do to assist the school by looking out for necessary funding of these projects. To upgrade from a college to a university requires a lot of processes.”

    Anakor lauded the cordial relationship between the college and the host community. He praised  Ogbaugu for providing leadership, which he said, transformed the college to a centre of excellence.

    He said: “I think the provost has done so well. If it is possible to give him a third term, I am sure most of the council members would strongly support it. Under him, the students’ population grew and he embarked on projects that improved the rating of the institution.”

    Other members of the council on the tour included Mrs Helen Abdu of Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Paul Onochie, Mr Edmond Nkalu, Dr Jane Madichie, Dr Christopher Ugwuogo, and Secretary to the Council, Mr Augustine Udensi.

  • Controversy trails Linguistics student’s death

    The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, was thrown into mourning, following the death of 300-Level Linguistics student, Miss Sochinmma Amanda Iloka.

    The late Sochinma, 23, died on Sunday evening, days after she finished her examination. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that she took ill during the examination, but delayed treatment because of the exam.

    After the examination, her condition worsened, prompting her colleagues to rush her to a hospital in Regina Caeli area of Awka where she was said to have been diagnosed with acute malaria. Hours after, she was pronounced dead.

    According to her close friend, Ijeoma Elodimma, the late Sochinmma delayed the treatment because of the exam. She said: “On Sunday, her illness became complicated and we felt she required medical attention. She was rushed to the hospital. Doctors battled to save her life, but she could not make it.”

    Her course mate, who pleaded for anonymity, said the late Sochinmma may have died as a result of wrong diagnosis and medication. During the exam, the source said the deceased approached a nurse, who gave her drugs. When her condition did not improve, the source added that the late Sochinmma went to El Dorado Hospital close to the school temporary campus, where she was allegedly diagnosed with typhoid fever.

    “It leaves many of us confused if another doctor is now saying Sochinmma had acute malaria. Which one should we believe?” the source queried.

    Her hostel mate, who declined to give her name, noted that Sochinmma “screamed in pain” before she was rushed to the hospital.

    Her colleagues broke down in grief, following the news of her death. They held a procession on the campus, clad in black clothes. They held leaves and chanted dirges as they moved round the school to mourn her.

    Her course mate, Dizzy Tobechukwu, described her as a “very friendly person who was always ready to assist”, saying her death was painful.

    Addressing the mourners, Head of Linguistics Department, Dr Chinedu Uchechukwu, described the death as “a painful loss”, advising the students to pay attention to their health.

    The late Sochinmma hailed from Akwaeze in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, where she was buried.

  • UNIZIK expels 14

    Fifteen students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, have been expelled for various offences that contravened the school regulations. In the resolution made at its 335th regular meeting to consider the recommendation of the school’s disciplinary committee, the Governing Council ratified the students’ expulsion.

    According to the school bulletin, the affected students were found guilty of crimes, including armed robbery, sexual harassment, possession of arms, theft, cultism, fighting, Indian hemp smoking and forgery.

    The management suspended Victory Chinedu Mbaegbu of the Department of Science Education for two sessions for phone theft. He was directed to visit Prof Michael Ezenwa  of the Department of Psychology for counselling.

    Ikechukwu Victor Chukwunweike of the Department of Public Administration, Somtochukwu Ilogbede of the Department of Civil Engineering, and Precious Obiriki of the Department of Computer Science were expelled after they were found guilty of alleged armed robbery.

    The Disciplinary Committee also recommended the expulsion of Joseph Ikechukwu of the Department of Anatomy, and Christopher Isinetugo of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, for cultism and possession of arms.

    Seven students were expelled fpr forging their results. They are Fidelis Okoye Onyebuchi of the Department of Civil Engineering, Ifunanya Eze of the Department of Public Administration, Dubem Okeke, Inegbeose Samuel and Lawrence Ozalla of the Department of Business Administration, Tochukwu Okoye Emmanuel of the Department of Electrical Engineering, and Nwanneka Obiorah of the Department of Accountancy.

    For smoking Indian hemp and being involved in admission racketeering, Amaka Nkem of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, and Chukwuka Unabia of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy, were recommended for expulsion by the committee.

    The management directed the expelled students to return their Identity (ID) Cards and other property of the school in their possession to the security department.

    A lecturer of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr Allen Adum, said the varsity took the decisions after a “fair and just” trial by the Disciplinary Committee. He said the affected students neglected their primary aims in the university to engage in vices that contravened the school rule.

    Students’ Union Government (SUG) Vice President, Grace Awazie, hailed the management for the action, saying most of the affected students had been tormenting residents of off-campus hostels.

    A Public Administration student, Sylvester Okoli, said the decision was harsh, noting that the management should have suspended the affected to serve as warning. He said their expulsion would leave their parents and guardians dejected.

  • Anambra election: Incumbency won’t stop PDP – Oduah

    Anambra election: Incumbency won’t stop PDP – Oduah

    Sen. Stella Oduah, who represents Anambra North in the Senate, on Wednesday said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would reclaim Anambra governorship seat in the election slated for November.

    Oduah said in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the power of incumbency would not stop the PDP from winning the election.

    “PDP is a very dynamic party, so far they have not shown us who their candidate will be, but I am very sure that they are going to give to Anambra people a visionary candidate,“ she said.

    According to her, the PDP will provide a visionary candidate who has clear and well thought out programme for the state.

    “Yes the governor has done extremely well but it has to be a candidate that will do far better than what the governor has done so far.

    “For Anambra people, education is very important, most importantly because Anambra is a commercial city, you must have a very dynamic leader to come and do that and it is only PDP that can produce such.

    “Anambra is a PDP state any day any time; it is a state that believes in freedom, it believes in equality, it believes in zeal and tenacity of people. That is what PDP represents.

    “PDP is a party that is fully republican; it is a party where aspirations and inspirations could be accomplished.

    “If you have an election today, tomorrow or even in two weeks time, PDP will win,” she asserted.

    Oduah said she remained in the PDP during the party’s internal crisis because “PDP remain the best party in the country.’’

    The senator said she believe in the cardinal principles of the PDP where people do not require godfathers to win elective positions.

    “It is only a party like the PDP that could have gone through the challenges it went through and still survive.

    “It is because of the dynamics and strength of PDP that the party was able to go through what they went through and still survive.

    “We have grown much stronger, after the congress, after the convention, you will see very strong PDP,’’ she said.

  • Anambra Church killings an attack on God- Ohaneze​

    Anambra Church killings an attack on God- Ohaneze​

    The Socio-Cultural group Ohaneze Ndigbo has condemned the attack on St Philip Catholic Church Ozubulu, Anambra state by unknown gunmmen describing it as an attack on God.
    “Such a dastardly and cantankerous act smells to high heaven. People have lost reason, civility and good conscience. This is a direct attack on God with daft and brazen impunity,” the organisation noted .
    In statement by the National Publucity Secretary of the Organization, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga, Ohaneze said the attack is unforgivable.
    “The devil sold a dummy to them and they bought it hook, line and sinker. This is condemned in all ramification. If you attack a man you appeal to God for recompense, when you attack God in His sanctuary who will will appeal to”, he queried.
    The group while commiserating with the government and people of the state, urged the Police not to speculate but to carry out detailed investigation to unmask the real perpetrators.
    “Ohaneze joins the league of well meaning Nigerians to commiserate with the good people of Anambra state and, in particular, the entire bereaved families and pray the Almighty God to give them enough spiritual shock absorber to bear the irreparable and irreplaceable loss.
    “The operatives should not speculate. They should swing into action to unmask the devil incarnates”.
    Mr Achi-Okpaga further charged  security agencies to redouble their efforts to make the south east zone safer for the people.
     “The whole of South East is under siege with Police and military blockades here and there. Yet herdsmen killings and kidnapping and all sorts of vices have become the order of the day. It is unfortunate,” he lamented.