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Tag: Anambra

  • 14 magistrates’ courts coming in Anambra

    14 magistrates’ courts coming in Anambra

    The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi has said the state governor Chief Willie Obiano has approved the building of 14 magistrate court halls in the state. He said this at Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, while commissioning court halls in the community.

    Umeadi said the development will bring justice closer to the grassroots, adding that the areas approved for the construction of the magistrate court halls are Awka, Eziowelle, Nnobi, Ukpo, Anaku and Mmiata-Anam. Others were Ozomagala, Fegge, Amesi, Ihiala, Ugbenu, Ajalli, Umunze, adding that the construction of new court halls would give Anambra a new lease of life.

    He said the issue of low productivity would have been arrested with the new development.

    Already, he said the judiciary had commissioned three in communities like Achalla, Eziowelle and Nteje, adding that they wanted to make judiciary conducive for the populace.

    The Ukpo Magistrate court according to Umeadi, would serve communities in Dunukofia local government area such as Ukwulu, Abba, Umunnachi, Nawgu, Ukpo and Ifite Dunu.

    However, he reminded the administrative magistrate of the new court, Mrs. Loretta Okoye that she was representing the judiciary, adding that she would keep the flag flying without fear or favour.

    Virtually all the judges in the state and magistrates were present at the weekend with some of the traditional rulers.

    The state Chief Judge, commended the state Governor Chief Willie Obiano for his assistance to the judiciary and oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze for his support also.

    He said the judiciary with the support of Obiano, had supplied vehicles to the magistrates, while the court halls had been provided with befitting chairs, tables, air conditions among others things.

    The local government chairman of Dunukofia, Chukwudi Onuorah said the commissioning of the project meant that the judiciary had good plans for the Anambra communities.

    He, however, praised Governor Willie Obiano and Justice Peter Umeadi for their foresight in bringing justice to the grass root.

    The administrative judge Mrs. Loretta Okoye, said that she would discharge her functions in the office without fear or favour.

     

  • Anambra battles common enemy: illicit drugs

    Anambra battles common enemy: illicit drugs

    Of the 235 Nigerians jailed in Thailand for illicit drugs, 200 hail from Anambra State. That is why the state, in conjunction with National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) is fighting to reverse the trend. NWANOSIKE ONU reports

    Banned drugs are wreaking havoc in Anambra State. The government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) are battling to tackle the problem. There may be some success in the war against Indian hemp but harder drugs such as cocaine and heroin seem to be proving tougher to contain. Two hundred of the 235 Nigerians in Thailand’s jails hail from the state, said Governor Willie Obiano at a forum organised to fashion out new ways to stop the illicit business.

    Obiano was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government Prof Solo Chukwu-lobelu, who noted that some communities in the state had become havens for drug addicts.

    This is frightening, he said, and must stop.

    At the forum, stakeholders agreed that the fight against doing trafficking and abuse should be continuous adding that all hands must be on deck.

    They spoke at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital. They regretted the agency’s lack of resources to effectively to crush the illicit drug business.

    The theme of the lecture was “Curbing Abuse and Trafficking in Illicit Drug in Nigeria, how far, how well”. Dr. Kabir Mato of the Department of Political Science and International Relations, University of Abuja was the guest lecturer.

    In a paper, he advocated that states and local governments should provide more money for the NDLEA in order to effectively tackle the menace.

    He said, “This support could come in form of logistics and monetary support in a coordinated manner, that would assist in confronting drug cartels, because such cartels are often financially very strong and willing to deploy huge resources to deal with any opposition as may come from the agency.”

    He also said state and local governments should maintain and enforce drinking age limits and constantly monitor retailers for compliance as well as stop selling alcohol to drunks.

    “State and local governments should enforce legal requirement for installation of ignition interlocks in the vehicles of those convicted of drug use and abuse-impaired driving,” he said. “State and local governments should strengthen and monitor prescription drug programmes and facilitate controlled drug disposal programmes, including policies allowing pharmacies to accept unwanted drugs.”

    The state commander of NDLEA Mr. Sule Momodu said the aim of the lecture was to partner with communities and local government areas to see how to end the menace in the state.

    He said in 2015 the command convicted 30 suspects, adding that the huge challenge was for the agency and the government to re-strategise.

    Momodu asked, “If cannabis sativa challenge is reducing, why are heroin and cocaine on the increase in the state?” He said there was need to address the situation.

    He thanked Governor Obiano for helping the agency in the state, adding that the governor had been in the forefront of NDLEA activities in the state.

    It was suggested that building rehab centers might be necessary given the prevalence of the use and effects of prohibited drugs in the state, but Obiano said the state would want to be the first in the zone to do so. He would rather get Anambra residents off such drugs than herd them into rehab institutions.

     

  • 14 magistrates’ courts coming in Anambra

    14 magistrates’ courts coming in Anambra

    The Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Peter Umeadi has said the state governor Chief Willie Obiano has approved the building of 14 magistrate court halls in the state. He said this at Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state, while commissioning court halls in the community.

    Umeadi said the development will bring justice closer to the grassroots, adding that the areas approved for the construction of the magistrate court halls are Awka, Eziowelle, Nnobi, Ukpo, Anaku and Mmiata-Anam. Others were Ozomagala, Fegge, Amesi, Ihiala, Ugbenu, Ajalli, Umunze, adding that the construction of new court halls would give Anambra a new lease of life.

    He said the issue of low productivity would have been arrested with the new development.

    Already, he said the judiciary had commissioned three in communities like Achalla, Eziowelle and Nteje, adding that they wanted to make judiciary conducive for the populace.

    The Ukpo Magistrate court according to Umeadi, would serve communities in Dunukofia local government area such as Ukwulu, Abba, Umunnachi, Nawgu, Ukpo and Ifite Dunu.

    However, he reminded the administrative magistrate of the new court, Mrs. Loretta Okoye that she was representing the judiciary, adding that she would keep the flag flying without fear or favour.

    Virtually all the judges in the state and magistrates were present at the weekend with some of the traditional rulers.

    The state Chief Judge, commended the state Governor Chief Willie Obiano for his assistance to the judiciary and oil magnate, Prince Arthur Eze for his support also.

    He said the judiciary with the support of Obiano, had supplied vehicles to the magistrates, while the court halls had been provided with befitting chairs, tables, air conditions among others things.

    The local government chairman of Dunukofia, Chukwudi Onuorah said the commissioning of the project meant that the judiciary had good plans for the Anambra communities.

    He, however, praised Governor Willie Obiano and Justice Peter Umeadi for their foresight in bringing justice to the grass root.

    The administrative judge Mrs. Loretta Okoye, said that she would discharge her functions in the office without fear or favour.

     

  • Supreme Court sacks Anambra PDP leadership

    The Supreme Court yesterday sacked the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  in Anambra State.

    The apex court, in a unanimous judgment by a five-man bench upheld Ejike Oguebego-led Executive Committee of the PDP in the  state as constituting the party’s authentic leadership.

    The court upheld the appeal filed by Ejike Oguebego-led Executive Committee of the PDP against the judgment of the Court of Appeal on the issue and awarded N100,000 each against the PDP and its member, Chukwudi Okasia, (listed as 1st and 3rd respondents in the appeal) in favour of the appellants.

    The  judgment was interpreted differently by the two opposing camps in state.

    While the Oguebego camp saw the judgment as an indication that Senators Andy Uba, Stella Oduah and others, who were products of a second list submitted to the INEC by the caretaker committee set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP to manage the affairs of its Anambra chapter have been sacked and are now to be replaced by candidates  on the earlier list submitted to the INEC by the Ejike Oguebego-led Executive Committee of the PDP in Anambra, the other camp said Uba and Oduah remain senators as the Supreme Court made no such declaration.

    Justice John Inyang Okoro, who read the lead judgment, resolved the five issues, the court determined in the appeal, in favour of the appellants.

    It was the court’s view that the decision by Justice H. A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court,Port Harcourt in the suit earlier marked  FHC/PH/CS/213/2014, but now marked FHC/AMK/CS/247/2014, which recognised the Oguebego-led executive as constituting the authentic leadership, still subsist.

    The court, in setting aside the February 6, 2015 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Abuja on the issue, held that the lower court misconceived the issues at stake in the dispute over the soul of the PDP, Anambra.

    Justice Okoro said: “Let me say from the outset that the facts leading to this appeal are a product of the struggle for the soul of the PDP, Anambra State chapter. As a result, many suits were filed by various contenders seeking the control of the executive committee of the state chapter of the PDP.

    “This appeal is an offshoot of one of those suits. The sequence of events leading to the filing of the suit giving birth to this appeal clearly demarcate this matter from the many issues thrown up by the respondents which appear to make the appeal confusing.

    “There is no doubt that the Federal High Court, in suit No. FHC/PH/213/2013 now suit No: FHC/AWK/CS/247/2013 on 12th September, 2013 made an interlocutory order to the effect that the PDP and INEC should recognise and deal with the Ejike Oguebego-led state executive committee of the PDP, Anambra chapter in all election matters in Anambra State

    “The issue before the trial court was whether the 1st respondent (PDP) can rubbish the judgment/order of the court for whatever reason and set up a caretaker committee, other claims notwithstanding.

    “For me, I strongly hold the view that there is no dispute on the relevant/essential facts grating the claims of the appellants which relate to the determination of the action of the 1st respondent in setting up a caretaker committee of the PDP, Anambra State chapter during the pendency of the judgment/order of the Federal High Court, recognising the appellants as the persons duly elected to that position.

    “The 1st and 3rd respondents (PDP and Chukwudi Okasa) have tried to raise issues which tend to show that there are conflicts as to facts. I do not see any. Those facts which seem to cause disputes are not relevant to the determination of the main issue before the court.

    “As it stands, it is clear that the court below premised its decision on this issue on a wrong appreciation of the claim of the appellants before the trial Feder hFederal High Court.

    “Having resolved all this five isues in favour of the appellants, I hold that there is merit in this appeal which is hereby allowed. The judgment of the Court of Appeal is hereby set aside.

    “The order of the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/PH/213/2013 (now suit No: FHC/AWK/CS/247/2013) recognising the Ejike Oguebego-led Executive committee of the PDP, Anambra chapter is still subsisting until it is set aside by an order of the court,” Justice Okoro said in his lead judgment.

    He also awarded N100,000 cost against the PDP and Okasia in favour of the appellants.

    Justices Nwali Ngwuta, Mary Peter-Odili, Olukayode Ariwoola, Musa Muhammed, who were also on the panel agreed with Okoro’s reasoning.

    Reacting to the judgment, lawyer to the appellant, Chris Uche (SAN), said the judgment has resolved the dispute about the lists of candidates submitted to the INEC by the various factions of the PDP in Anambra before the last election.

    “By the judgment, the only authentic list is the one endorsed by the court and the one INEC published first before it was withdrawn.

    “So the implication of this judgment is that the first list that was first published by the INEC, with all the names of PDP candidates for the National Assembly election are the names legally and constitutionally recognised now.”

    Lawyer to the INEC, Hassan Liman (SAN) said by the judgment, INEC is now compelled to revert to the first list from the Oguebego-led Executive, which it earlier published but later withdrawn by virtue of the Appeal Court judgment.

    “The implication of this judgment is that the order of the Supreme Court today, restoring the order of the Federal High Court, is that we are to deal with the initial list as ordered by the Federal High Court.

    “This is because, as at today, it is the decision of the Federal High Court that the INEC is now bound to work with,” Liman said.

    Liman said the INEC would not conduct fresh elections for  all the seats not voided through electoral disputes. This implies that  a fresh election will only be conducted in the Anmabra Central Senatorial district, which election was voided by the Court of Appeal.

    “This is a pre-election matter. We are dealing with the issue of party executive and the activities of the party executive.

    “By the judgment, the list candidates sent by our executives is now the authentic. We are indeed glad,” Oguebego said.

    The Nation learnt last night from the Uba and Oduah camp that the Supreme Court will be approached next week to shed light on its judgment in view of what a lawyer close to both senators described as “its lack of clarity.”

    Meanwhile, Senator Oduah dismissed reports of her sack by the apex court.

    She branded the reports as  mere misinterpretation and asked that it be disregarded by the public.

    She said the Supreme Court did not order the withdrawal of the Certificates of Return issued by the commission issued to her and  “did not hold that the faction of the PDP had the right to sponsor candidates for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”

    Oduah also claimed that the Supreme Court did not authorize the INEC to substitute her name with any one whose name was “ on the list improperly allowed by the commission in obvious disregard of the series of judgments of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to the effect that it is only the National Executive of the party that has the vires to sponsor candidates.”

  • Before the next fire in Anambra

    To those who believe in the holy books especially the Bible, when God warns it is established and it endures for all ages. This is true of the warning reeled out by God to the Israelites in I Samuel 8: 15, 17 when they demanded for a king to rule over them like the other nations.

    He told them: “the king (symbolising government) would demand of you 10% of your resources (tax is 10% of basic salary) either for himself or his attendants.”

    That warning seems to be playing out in our contemporary society as governments of the day keep on making demands on the people and the organised private sector in form of tax and levies without corresponding returns in terms of amenities and infrastructure that can guarantee a new lease of life or even the safety/security of businesses.

    In fact in these days of global economic downturn occasioned by the slide in crude petroleum prices, every tier of government now looks inwards to shore up whatever accrues to its vault; more so as revenue from the federation account keeps shrinking by the day.

    Income and corporate tax from individuals and the corporate entities is the first option being explored by these governments in more intensity than ever before since Lord Lugard introduced taxes in the country.

    The argument has been that it is one of the means through which government can raise funds to meet its responsibility to the citizenry especially the provision of the necessary basic infrastructure that will in turn protect and ensure survival of individuals and their business concerns.

    As the government encourages the payment of these taxes and levies, it behoves on it constitutionally to seek ways to assist these individuals and the corporate organisations to grow and make sufficient profit such that payment of any tax or levy becomes less cumbersome.

    However, the reality on ground is that most governments in the country have failed in their responsibility to provide even the basic infrastructure that will ensure the sustainability of both the citizenry and the corporate entities.

    This takes me to the case of the recent fire incident that engulfed the LPG plant of a subsidiary of Chicason Group of Companies in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Christmas Eve leading to the death of eight persons who were essentially onlookers and not workers of the conglomerate.

    My concern here is not the number of casualties or the setback the fire incident has caused to the company’s production processes but the efforts by government to prevent a recurrence especially as Nnewi is the industrial epicentre of not only Anambra state but the entire South-east geographical zone housing the first indigenous auto industry in the country, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd., Ibeto Group of Companies and Coscharis Group, the factory where the first fully built motorcycle in this country was rolled out, to mention just a few.

    Various government functionaries, including the Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Ngige, a former governor of the state, have visited the scene of the inferno to commiserate with the company without proffering measures to invigorate fire fighting in the state.

    So far there is no hope of a better response in case of a similar incident in the future as the in-house fire-fighting capacity recommended to Chicason Group including provision of water sprinklers, sand and fire extinguishers cannot suffice in the face of industrial fires.

    For instance, it is ridiculous that ill-equipped and short-staffed Anambra State Fire Service personnel had to travel 200 kilometres on a bad road from the state capital, Awka, to Nnewi with just a tanker of water to quell a fire resulting from an explosion from a gas plant. This is the evidence that there is no federal government presence to provide the type of sophisticated equipment needed to combat such an inferno, in that part of the country.

    To add salt to injury, there are no communications gadgets to mobilise other fire stations in the vicinity as the entire organisation has just one telephone line.

    Also on ground are only 83 personnel serving the entire state and who are paid a mere N10 hazard allowance monthly approved 44 years ago working with three fire engines and one water tanker which capacity is seven tonnes of water. Worse still, reports reveal that the station is bereft of a Turn Table Fire Vehicle meant for fighting fires in a three storey building.

    The company had met its own side of the bargain in the provision of basic safety equipment and the training of its staff in fire drills at inception hence the minimal loss of lives recorded and injuries incurred among the staff.

    The Physical and Urban Planning department of Anambra State government could have taken into consideration the industrial significance of Nnewi to locate a fire station there sophisticated enough to combat industrial fires.

    The government should go beyond making mere political pronouncements and take a positive step to make the public sector more responsive to the people it claims to serve.

    In this era of change in our country, it is expected that the All Progressives Congress, APC, administration at the centre will consider, as part of its job creation programme, employment of personnel to man its fire stations apart from equipping them adequately and improving the welfare package of fire fighters across the nation.

    Also while the Willy Obiano’s administration has gone down for the giant strides it has made since coming into office, there is much more to be done in the area of fire-fighting by ensuring that an industrial town like Nnewi is adequately covered.

     

    • Okeke writes from Lagos.
  • APGA Blasts PDP over threat of bloodshed in Anambra

    APGA Blasts PDP over threat of bloodshed in Anambra

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is lacking in ideas and a party in disarray for threatning bloodshed in the State over local government election.

    A pressure group, popularly known as United Anambra Youth Assembly (U-AYA) in a statement Thursday in Awka, described the Chairman of PDP in the State, Prince Ken Emeakayi, as a rotten egg that does not deserve to be used in the State.

    The statement by the group was signed by five others, led by its Vice President Hon. Ogo Egolum, and made available to the Nation Thursday.

    Before now, the PDP Chairman Emeakayi had threatened that the State was heading into Anarchy and Bloodshed if Governor Willie Obiano fail to conduct local government election in the state.

    They urged the PDP chairman to take note of the fact that Ndi-Anambra has not forgotten in a hurry his antecedents in the governance of Anambra state between 1999 -2003.

    The group alleged that Emeakayi was fighting the Obiano’s administration because it failed to release some funds he demanded from the Governor which did not materialize.

    According to the statement, “the reason why PDP will continue to fail Election in Anambra State is because of the likes of ideologically bereft politicians such as Ken Emeakayi whose only stuck in trade is blackmail and fanning of the embers of anarchy to overheat the polity”.

    They admonish Emeakayi to dissipate his energy in convincing Anambra and neighboring states of Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, and Delta being governed by PDP to conduct Local government election in their state before having the effrontery to cast aspersion on Obiano.

    They declared their unflinching support to Governor Obiano’s administration while urging the governor with his team to consider any appropriate step with regards to Council administration in Anambra state.

  • Anambra Speaker, lawmakers shun Armed Forces Remembrance Day

    Anambra Speaker, lawmakers shun Armed Forces Remembrance Day

    None of the 30 members of the Anambra State House of Assembly was present at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day held at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State yesterday.

    But Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, among other government functionaries, praised the efforts of the past heroes in uniting the country.

    However, the governor was worried that the activities of Boko-Haram in the North-East had given everybody a lot of concern while calling for its end in the land.

    The Nation gathered yesterday that the absence of the lawmakers from the event was as a result of a crucial meeting they held at the Assembly complex over a letter sent to them by Obiano.

    Some of the lawmakers who spoke with our correspondent yesterday said the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu had been pushing to end the rift between those loyal to her and the opposition group in the house.

    It was also gathered that Obiano would meet with the lawmakers any moment from now to iron out some of the grey areas in his letter seeking to use the council chairmen as transition committee chairmen.

    Since the letter was written by Obiano, which was addressed to the speaker when he travelled abroad, it had caused serious ripples in the Assembly with the lawmakers threatening their Speaker with impeachment if the issue was not addressed properly.

    In her message to the Armed Forces Remembrance Day yesterday, which was made available to The Nation, Maduagwu said Nigeria’s fallen heroes showed uncommon patriotism for the cooperate existence of the country as well as total security of lives and property.

    She noted that the fallen heroes and ex-servicemen deserved to be honoured and remembered as people who fought gallantly and sacrificed their lives for the common good of the country.

    Maduagwu called on politicians and individuals to commit part of their resources to the well being of the ex-servicemen in their midst, while commending Obiano for improving their living conditions.

    She said the event of the remembrance day of the armed forces called for sober reflection, especially on the bold steps of unity and internal security of the country.

    For Obiano, the gallant efforts of the past heroes and the current servicemen has helped in keeping Nigeria as a united entity, adding that his administration would continue to support both the past heroes and the servicemen.

    Obiano said: “Fellow compatriots, the war on terror is a bizarre warfare! It has defied the genius of many celebrated military strategists and made various superpowers of conventional warfare look ordinary.

    “It is to the credit of our gallant servicemen and women that this virulent affliction has not spread beyond one region of the country.

    “So, as we lay our wreaths before the statue of the Unknown Soldier across the country today, we honour their memory, their bravery and their valour.

    “But perhaps more importantly, we acknowledge the priceless blood that they shed to nourish the tree of liberty.”

  • Towards better health care delivery in Anambra

    The Divine Hope Health Care Association under the auspices of the Federal Government’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been launched in Iyi-Enu General Hospital in Ogidi Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Many dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony.

    Speaking at the event, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Most Rev. Owen Nwokolo, who was represented by Venerable Obi Ubaka, said it was the wish of the people that they must have good health.

    He thanked God for the vision, the will and the people who had made Iyi-Enu Hospital thick.

    “People have to spend in order to get good health; NHIS brought health care closer to the people in communities in Nigeria.

    “While the Federal Government is performing its responsibility, Iyi-Enu Hospital is also performing its own responsibilities to guarantee the spiritually and physically health of the people.

    “The NHIS is our own and all hands must be on deck to make it work. The diocese of Onitsha has been behind the success in the hospital,” he said.

    During the inauguration, five-year-old Onyinyechi Ibe and 29-year-old expectant Molokwu Ijeoma received their identity cards for NHIS.

    The Acting Executive Secretary, Chief Executive NHIS, Mr. Femi Akingbade, said the partnership between the body and Anambra State government was yielding positive results under the informal sector as Divine Hope Health Care Association.

    He said the association is the 3rd Community-based Health Insurance Programme to be inaugurated after that of Igbo-Ukwu in 2012, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Anaocha Mutual Health Association in May, this year.

    “As you know, the NHIS, as an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria was established to improve on our health by significantly reducing financial barriers to access to health care services through pre-payment mechanisms.

    “Towards achieving this, a number of programmes were designed and developed, targeting the different socio-economic groupings in our diverse country.

    “We are aware that the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has expressed interest to log on to the state’s Socio-Health Insurance Scheme (SHIS) for all citizens of Anambra State.

    “One of our key driving forces as an organisation is the presidential mandate to ensure universal coverage for Nigerians by the year 2015,” he said.

    Akingbade further said their major challenge as they strive towards achieving their target, remained extending the benefits of health insurance to the formal sector.

    “We are aware that Nigeria has a very huge informal sector (80 per cent of the total population) and we recognise the fact that the achievement of our targets and goals are only possible if we are able to provide health insurance cover for this sub-sector,” he stated.

    He further said the Community-based Health Insurance Program-me (CBHIP) and the State Social Health Insurance Scheme (SSHIS) were their strategy to reach out to the informal and formal sectors.

    Also, the state coordinator of NHIS, Mrs. Ossi Gertrude Ihekerenma, told Southeast Report that the state had been working hard in the area of mobilisation in Anambra State.

    She said the people had been yearning for such opportunity, adding that it was the 3rd time it had been carried out in the state.

    “It has not been long we began the Divine Hope here as a result of the commitment of the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Most Rev. Nwokolo. This is a programme the people want here.

    “We are bringing quality health care to the rural people with a token contribution. They will be attended to by trained personnel and the programme will reduce mortality and morbidity in rural areas. It is health care at your door steps,” Ihekerenma said.

    For Venerable Emma Mbanugo, many people die in silence because of the high cost of health care in Nigeria.

    However, he thanked the Federal Government and the NHIS for introducing such programme. He, however, warned that it should not be a reason for people to start rearing children like pigs.

     

  • Anambra gets c as babies of the year

    Anambra gets c as babies of the year

    For the first time in the history of Anambra State, there is a set of triplets to celebrate the traditional baby of the year. NWANOSIKE ONU reports that the wife of the governor, Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano, was excited to receive the triplets, describing their birth as a sign of good things to come to both the state and the family.

    There were still fireworks to herald the New Year when an expectant mother, Mrs. Chioma Nwankwo arrived at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital in Awka, Anambra State at exactly 11:35 p.m. on December 31.

    She visited the hospital to be delivered of her baby. Though she was aware that she had more than one baby in her womb, she had no inkling that she would be delivered of a set of triplet.

    At exactly 12 a.m. on January 1, the first male child was delivered. It was a good omen of the New Year for both the family and the state.

    As she was still writhing in pains after the first baby was born, the second baby arrived at 1:15 a.m., while the 3rd was delivered at 1:50 a.m.

    Unfortunately, one of the set of triplet died few minutes after it was delivered, an incident one of the nurses described as the will of God.

    Following the news of the early morning delivery of the triplet on the New Year’s Day; the first of its kind in the state as babies of the year, the wife of the state Governor, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano hurried to the hospital.

    Represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Oby Okeke, Mrs Obiano told Southeast Report that it was a sign of good things which the state would experience this year.

    Mrs. Obiano said: “This is the best New Year gift to Ndi-Anambra because it signifies a New Year of bountiful harvest and progress for all.

    “Triplets are wonderful to behold. Though I was told we lost one of them after it was delivered, they come with good tidings to our people. The birth of three male children at this period when resources are scarce shows the state is blessed.

    “They have come to rekindle our hope and belief that God will always provide our needs. I have no doubt that our state will continue to prosper under Governor Willie Obiano.”

    She, however, advised the mother of the babies which she described as bundle of joy to the state and the community to hold on to her faith in God who ensured her safe delivery.

    One of the registered nurses and midwives in the maternity ward, Mrs. Rita Ifeka, told Southeast Report that the expectant mother arrived at the hospital at exactly 11:35 p.m.

    She also confirmed that the two surviving babies weighed 1.3 and 1.35 kilograms respectively and were in stable condition.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Victoria Chikwelu, told Southeast Report that it was the first time the state was recording triplets as babies of the year.

    This, according to her, was a sign of good things ahead, adding that the delivery of the triplets also qualifies the mother for a special award later this year.

    Beaming with smiles, the mother of the triplets, Mrs. Nwankwo, who hails from Arondizogu in Imo State but resides in Awka, thanked Mrs Obiano for the visit and gifts.

    She told Southeast Report that she and members of her family are joyful and thankful to God Almighty for blessing them with the triplet, even though she wished none died. She prayed that God should replenish the resources of the Obianos and that of the state for the gift items donated to her family.

  • Towards better health care delivery in Anambra

    The Divine Hope Health Care Association under the auspices of the Federal Government’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), has been launched in Iyi-Enu General Hospital in Ogidi Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State. Many dignitaries attended the inauguration ceremony.

    Speaking at the event, the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Most Rev. Owen Nwokolo, who was represented by Venerable Obi Ubaka, said it was the wish of the people that they must have good health.

    He thanked God for the vision, the will and the people who had made Iyi-Enu Hospital thick.

    “People have to spend in order to get good health; NHIS brought health care closer to the people in communities in Nigeria.

    “While the Federal Government is performing its responsibility, Iyi-Enu Hospital is also performing its own responsibilities to guarantee the spiritually and physically health of the people.

    “The NHIS is our own and all hands must be on deck to make it work. The diocese of Onitsha has been behind the success in the hospital,” he said.

    During the inauguration, five-year-old Onyinyechi Ibe and 29-year-old expectant Molokwu Ijeoma received their identity cards for NHIS.

    The Acting Executive Secretary, Chief Executive NHIS, Mr. Femi Akingbade, said the partnership between the body and Anambra State government was yielding positive results under the informal sector as Divine Hope Health Care Association.

    He said the association is the 3rd Community-based Health Insurance Programme to be inaugurated after that of Igbo-Ukwu in 2012, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Anaocha Mutual Health Association in May, this year.

    “As you know, the NHIS, as an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria was established to improve on our health by significantly reducing financial barriers to access to health care services through pre-payment mechanisms.

    “Towards achieving this, a number of programmes were designed and developed, targeting the different socio-economic groupings in our diverse country.

    “We are aware that the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has expressed interest to log on to the state’s Socio-Health Insurance Scheme (SHIS) for all citizens of Anambra State.

    “One of our key driving forces as an organisation is the presidential mandate to ensure universal coverage for Nigerians by the year 2015,” he said.

    Akingbade further said their major challenge as they strive towards achieving their target, remained extending the benefits of health insurance to the formal sector.

    “We are aware that Nigeria has a very huge informal sector (80 per cent of the total population) and we recognise the fact that the achievement of our targets and goals are only possible if we are able to provide health insurance cover for this sub-sector,” he stated.

    He further said the Community-based Health Insurance Program-me (CBHIP) and the State Social Health Insurance Scheme (SSHIS) were their strategy to reach out to the informal and formal sectors.

    Also, the state coordinator of NHIS, Mrs. Ossi Gertrude Ihekerenma, told Southeast Report that the state had been working hard in the area of mobilisation in Anambra State.

    She said the people had been yearning for such opportunity, adding that it was the 3rd time it had been carried out in the state.

    “It has not been long we began the Divine Hope here as a result of the commitment of the Anglican Bishop on the Niger, Most Rev. Nwokolo. This is a programme the people want here.

    “We are bringing quality health care to the rural people with a token contribution. They will be attended to by trained personnel and the programme will reduce mortality and morbidity in rural areas. It is health care at your door steps,” Ihekerenma said.

    For Venerable Emma Mbanugo, many people die in silence because of the high cost of health care in Nigeria.

    However, he thanked the Federal Government and the NHIS for introducing such programme. He, however, warned that it should not be a reason for people to start rearing children like pigs.