The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Chief Willie Obiano

  • 75 fake revenue agents nabbed in Onitsha

    No fewer than 75 persons have been arrested over alleged fake revenue collection and other various criminal offenses in Onitsha, Anambra state.

    The suspects were nabbed at different locations by the state task force on collection of illegal tolls, stealing and extortion.

    Parading the suspects before the traders, the Commissioner for Commerce, Markets and Wealth Creation, Christian Madubuko, regretted the huge millions of naira the government had lost to the criminals.

    He insisted that government had placed ban on the collection of revenue in the state.

    He said, “These criminals have defrauded Anambra state government of millions of naira. They brandish various fake authority payers purported to be issued by the state government.

    “I want to state clear that Anambra state government has not authorized anybody to collect revenue on her behalf.

    “They have their pay masters and we are picking them one after the other. These criminals have made Anambra state unsafe, chased out our customers and investors.

    “How can you come to the market, buy goods, put it in a vehicle and these hoodlums would be tasking the trader at every point and collecting various sums of money to the unsuspecting trader thereby giving the state government bad image?”

    The commissioner reiterated government readiness to sanitise the state and to ensure tax payers’ money and other revenues accruing to the state were used for the development of the state.

    “We have a purposeful government whose policy trust is to build an enviable state that would be the first choice of investor destination in line with the mission and vision of the state government under Chief Willie Obiano,” he stressed.

    He charged traders and the public to arrest anybody suspected to be acting as agent of government in revenue collection.

  • OUR LIVES IN DANGER!

    • Residents of Anambra community cry out after invasion by hoodlums
    • Send SOS to Buhari, Obiano

    For the people of Ubaru, Igbariam community, Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State, their bond of unity has broken and things have fallen apart. The situation is such that the residents have petitioned President Mohammadu Buhari and the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, to save them from the hoodlums in the area.

    Their cry to the federal and state governments came as a result of the mayhem unleashed in the community by some hoodlums on Friday last week when no fewer than eight buildings were destroyed in a midnight attack.

    The arrest of 84-year-old Michael Ezike and 18 others by security agents has also heightened tension in the community.

    Following the destruction that took place in the village, more than 100 residents have relocated to neighbouring communities and other states in the country for fear of being harmed.

    The buildings destroyed included that of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture in Anambra State, Dr. Edwin Ezinando.

    Since the crisis erupted, the area has become a ghost town, while the residents now live in fear of the unknown.

    The Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, Haruna Mohammed, said the arrests made in the community were not carried out by the state command

    He also said the police command was not aware of the matter and, therefore, would not speak on it.

    The Nation gathered that the police command had deployed enough security in the community to avoid further break down of law and order, despite the command’s claim that it is not aware of the crisis.

    One of the victims of the mayhem, Nnalue Iloegbune, whose building was destroyed by those who invaded the community, said they were living in fear.

    He called on both the state and federal governments to come to the aid of the community before things could get out of hand.

    Iloegbune recalled that trouble began when one of the leaders in the community wanted to intimidate the people by converting a communal land to his own.

    He said it was agreed that the said land would be shared to the seven villages while the remaining portion would be used for the development of the community. The leader was, however, said not to be favourably disposed to the idea, hence he allegedly connived with another top shot in the community to harass and intimidate the people.

    The land in question covers about 360.085 hectares. While each village was allotted 900 plots, the said leader was said to have maintained that he would take the remaining 407 plots. The idea was resisted by the people, culminating in the mayhem.

    Read also: Three suspected cultists nabbed for murder in Anambra

    An 81-year-old widow, Madam Agnes Atomba, said the hoodlums had stormed her house at 2: 00 am that Friday and allegedly made away with the sum of N200,000 her children had sent to her for medication.

    She said the hoodlums had introduced themselves as policemen and ‘Bakassi boys’, beating up the entire household and destroying the building.

    She said: “They came in commando style, broke into my house at 2: 00 am and ordered the entire household to get out. They kept asking about Gilbert, my son, who lives in Lagos.

    “I have been sick. The entire money my children sent to me, totalling N200,000, they took everything, destroyed our property and took away other items in the house, not minding my health status and my age.

    “I will not curse them because I know that they are from this community, but God will do so for a poor aged widow like me.”

    Another hapless resident, Mrs Catherine Ogini, said that church money kept with her totalling more than N200,000 was taken away by the hoodlums, while their building was also destroyed.

    She said most of the people in the area are now forced to sleep outside their homes, while the youth, who she said were the main targets, had all run away from the community.

    Narrating his ordeal, Christian Iloegbune said the youth were being hunted by the hoodlums, but the former, according to her,  had all relocated to unknown places.

    Some red-eyed young men seen inside the palace of the monarch of the community, Igwe Nzekwe Kelly, told our reporter that the traditional ruler had travelled out of town, when we attempted to seek his reaction to the crisis in his domain.

  • Health workers give Enugu, Anambra three months to address CONHESS issues 

    The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), has given the governments of Anambra and Enugu states three months to address the impending issues of CONHESS or face the wrath of the workers

    The National Vice President of MHWUN, South East zone, Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, said this Friday in Awka, Anambra state, during its zonal workshop and meeting of the Union at the Noble Hotels.

    He said the issue with Anambra was the disparity in payment of the CONHESS, where local government pays 40 percent to health workers, while their counterparts in the state pay 60 percent, calling for the harmonization.

    But in Enugu said, Nwafor said nothing had been started, adding that Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states were 100 percent on the CONHESS issue.

    “We are giving these governments in the South East three months or we use every other available means at our disposal to get our rights and they should not allow us to exercise it”

    The Anambra state Chairman of MHWUN, comrade Chinwe Orizu, commended the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for the prompt payment of workers’ salaries in the state, while calling on him to address the disparity.

    She said the Union had written several letters drawing the attention of the Governor to the discrimination and the committee setup to look into labour issues for the past one year, had not equally submitted its report.

    On contributory pension Scheme, she said notwithstanding the overwhelming opposition of workers to the scheme, government still deduct from worker’s salary.

    The Head of Service HoS, Harry Uduh, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Establishments, Carol Njaka, said the state government and workers relationship had been cordial in the state, adding that they should be patient.

    For the Permanent Secretary, Environment, Okafor S N, represented by Rev Sis Monic Okeke, workers should be united in everything they do, adding that they should not allow ‘bad blood ‘ divide them.

  • Obi to Obiano: don’t hide non-performance under N7b demand

    Obi to Obiano: don’t hide non-performance under N7b demand

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has urged his successor, Chief Willie Obiano, to tell the people what he has done for them in almost four years, rather than use “the non-existent” demand for N7 billion as an excuse to hide his non-performance.

    Obi was reacting yesterday to a statement credited to Obiano that the former governor demanded N7 billion from him.

    Responding through a statement by his Special Adviser, Mr. Valentine Obienyem, the former governor said Obiano was using the campaign period to sponsor people on different media platforms that he (Obi) asked for N7 billion from him (Obiano).

    Obi said the governor’s claim was false.

    The statement said: “We know the governor has many questions to answer and cannot run away from them through blackmail. For instance, on the issue of the N75 billion Obi left for him, he tried to deny it by saying he met ‘near cash’. We went published the banks and account numbers where the funds were lodged and the bank certified statement of accounts, but they tactically kept quiet.

    “To refresh our minds, Obi left N2,139,951,400 billion in First Bank (account number 2018779464) for Oko erosion; N4,909,576,925.98 billion in SURE-P’s Diamond Bank account (0026290200); N1,782,568,032 billion in UBEC 1 Diamond Bank account (0023484282); N2,101,864,766 billion in UBEC 2 Diamond Bank account (0031151473); over N4 billion in many MDG accounts, one of which was the N3,048,355,196 billion in Fidelity Bank (5030047097); over N35 billion cash (set aside funds added) in all the banks.

    “Obi also left $156 million in Fidelity Bank ($56 million); Diamond Bank ($50 million) and Access Bank ($50 million).

    “If left as Anambra’s Future Growth Funds as conceived by Obi, the money with interest and accruals would have been about N200 billion, but Governor Obiano has sold all of them. In fact, it was one of the disagreements about the sale that led Mr. Oseloka Obaze to resign. Obiano should be busy telling us the status of these funds rather than his current blackmail.”

  • Threat to life: Obiano, PDP chairman trade words in Anambra

    Threat to life: Obiano, PDP chairman trade words in Anambra

    …We’re on the matter, says DSS

     

    Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the state chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Ken Emeakayi, are at daggers drawn following allegations of threat to life reported to the police and Department state service (DSS) by the later.

    While Emeakayi has insisted that Obiano threatened to kill him on phone if he continues to propose his administration, the governor, has described the allegation as neither here nor there.

    But, the State Director of Department of State Service (DSS), Yusuf Isyhaku says the command was on the matter and had gone far, while the state commissioner of police, Mr. Samuel Okaula has continued to keep mute over the issue.

    Before now, the PDP chairman had written a letter to the two security agencies, intimating them on the development between him and the state governor.

    After waiting some time without response from the security chiefs, Emeakayi decided to storm the police and DSS commands at the weekend to find out the situation of things.

    Emeakayi alleged that the reason he was being pursued by the governor was as a result of the letter he wrote to the state house of Assembly, the police and DSS to call the governor to order for traveling out of the state for 30 days without transmitting to his deputy.

    In the letter written about a month ago, the PDP chairman described Obiano action as unconstitutional, adding that anything he did now as the governor of the state was illegal.

    Also, the letter calling for Obiano’s impeachment to the state Assembly, was equally endorsed by 27 other political parties in the state under the aegis of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) led by Hon. Kate Oby Okafor, who is also the state chairman of African Congress of Democrats (ACD)

    But in his reaction Obiano’s senior special adviser on research, strategic communication and legislative matters, Prince Oliver Okpala said the allegation by Emeakayi had no basis.

    According to Okpala, “When did mere telephone calls transform to violence? That is why I said they are neither here nor there. Since he has reported to the police and the DSS, he can now wait and see the outcome of the investigation”

    As a result, Emeakayi during his visit to the DSS and Police,  requested security protection from the police and DSS, also for the security agencies to investigate his allegation and to get a call history of his conversation with the Governor from the service providers.

  • Obiano eulogizes Maduekwe, Amadi in death

    Obiano eulogizes Maduekwe, Amadi in death

    Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, was in pains Thursday, following the news of the death of two prominent citizens of the country, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and the novelist, Elechi Amadi.

    Describing Maduekwe as unapologetic in his views on the major themes of his time, Obiano said the concubines written by Amadi opened his eyes to the many perplexities of life.

    Obiano’s condolence massage on the two icons Thursday in Awka was made available to reporters.

    He expressed shock at the passage of the former minister of foreign affairs and Amadi, whose deaths occurred on Wednesday.

    According to the Governor, “Maduekwe was a deep thinker and a consummate bridge builder whose wise counsel would have been very helpful in this phase of the country’s growth when the very idea of nationhood was being challenged.

    “Ojo Maduekwe was unapologetic in his views on the major themes of his time. He spoke his mind freely on any issue and helped to shape perception on matters that needed a deeper reflection from the citizens.

    “Ojo was passionately patriotic and fearless in making his views known. We shall miss him dearly.”

    Also, on the death of the master story teller Amadi, Obiano said, “I read The Concubine, one of Amadi’s books, when I was younger and it helped open my eyes to the many perplexities of life”

    “I have no doubt that though he is gone, Elechi Amadi’s books will continue to speak to us through the ages.”

    “My thoughts and prayers and the thoughts and prayers of Ndi Anambra are with the governments and people of Abia and Rivers States and the families of Maduekwe and Amadi in this moment of grief and sorrow,” the governor said.

     

  • Obiano under pressure over council polls

    Obiano under pressure over council polls

    Anambra state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano is under pressure from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), council chairmen and local government heads of administration over local government elections in the state.

    APGA has intensified its lobbying of the Governor to putting transition committees in the council areas, for the party to be relevant when the tenures of the current chairmen expires in January 12, 2016.

    But the current council chairmen who were elected during the twilight days of former Governor, Mr. Peter Obi’s tenure are not relenting as they are lobbying for extension from Obiano.

    Apart from these two groups, also the local government heads of administration are looking towards the Governor to hand over the administration of the 21 council areas to them.

    Their reason, according to The Nation investigation, is that they would save a lot of money for the state, the way it happened during the era of Obi.

    This, according to them would raise enough money for the second term project of the Governor.

    However, The Nation gathered that the pressure is giving the Governor sleepless nights, as he would not want to offend any segment in order not to ruin his second term bid.

    As a result, the Governor has been weighing the option of using sole administrators in all the 21 local government areas of the state.

    The Governor’s argument is that the sole administrators would head the councils without members to cut cost, as the state is already grappling with economic woes that had affected most states.

    According to a chieftain of APGA who pleaded anonymity, “the best option for his Excellency right now is to appoint transition committees which will embrace a lot of people who will help in the 2017 second term project.

    “But from what we are seeing, the Governor is rooting for sole administrators like the way late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s son Emeka (Jnr.) was appointed in Nnewi North.

    “We do not believe such arrangement will help our course because we know that People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) still have their eyes on the seat,” the source said.

  • CONJUSS: Anambra Judiciary workers dare Obiano

    CONJUSS: Anambra Judiciary workers dare Obiano

    Anambra State Judiciary workers have told the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano that they will not return to work until they are paid the Consolidated Judiciary Staff Salary Structure, (CONJUSS).

    Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) had been on strike in the state for the past two months which had paralyzed activities in all the courts in Anambra State.

    During their rally Wednesday at the judiciary headquarters in Awka, the workers who came from all the 21 local government areas of the state said the condition given by the state government that it would implement the new salary structure when its Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, improved was unacceptable to them.

    Chairman of JUSUN, in the state Mr. Mark Ifezue described as unfortunate, a situation whereby the state government attached the implementation of the salary structure to improvement of IGR.

    Furthermore, he argued that the state IGR had more than doubled in the last one year, and questioned where they kept all the money

    Ifezue stated that rather than keep the workers in suspense, government should make it clear what it wanted to pay.

    Again he recalled that the state government promised earlier that it would review their salary once the IGR improved.

    According to him, IGR has improved and government was still tying the welfare of the workers to further improvement of IGR.

    Some of the workers who spoke with The Nation said; “We are demanding our right and we are not concerned about IGR and its improvement. Anybody who is linking the implementation of CONJUSS with IGR is insulting us.

    “Many of our colleagues who retired from the service have become beggars in their villages because their entitlements have not been paid. We do not understand why Anambra State judiciary should be different from that of other states.”

    However, the workers argued that the state’s monthly IGR had increased from about N500 million to over 1.5 billion naira and wondered why the state government was still dragging its feet on the matter.

     

  • Obiano canvasses national sacrifice

    The governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has called on Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of sacrifice as an imperative tool for nation building.

    In his special message for Easter titled “The supremacy of sacrifice to human advancement and nation building”, Obiano said: “Nigeria is on the cusp of change and the situation requires greater introspection and better appreciation of the place of sacrifice in the handling of the delicate issues of nationhood.”

    According to him, at no time is humanity more vividly reminded of the significance of sacrifice to human progress and nation-building as the period of Easter.

    “Indeed, every Easter, the entire Christendom is forced to recall that our salvation is a product of priceless sacrifice that there can be no progress without sacrifice.”

    He observed that President Jonathan demonstrated a deep understanding of the imperatives of sacrifice to nation-building when he accepted the collective wish of Nigerians and congratulated the President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari on his victory in last Saturday’s presidential election.

  • APGA picks Obiano as leader, BoT chair

    APGA picks Obiano as leader, BoT chair

    The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has appointed Anambra State Governor Chief Willie Obiano as the leader and the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT).

    He replaces former Governor Peter Obi, who has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    NEC also approved guidelines for the conduct of the primaries.

    A statement yesterday by APGA’s National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh in Abuja said pursuant to the mandate given on January 18 by NEC to the National Working Committee (NWC) to fill vacant positions, NEC has appointed Mr. Alexander Amujiogu as the acting deputy national secretary.

    The statement reads: “At the end of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on November 3, at the national secretariat in Abuja, NEC resolved as follows:

     

     

    “To approve and adopt the APGA Electoral Guidelines for primary election for 2015.

    “Having regard to the resignation of Chief Peter Obi as the leader and chairman of the Board of Trustees of APGA and his defection to the PDP and the vacancy created thereof, the National Executive Committee unanimously appointed Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano as the leader and chairman of the Board of Trustees.

    “Pursuant to the mandate given on January 18 by the National Executive Committee to the National Working Committee to fill vacancies in the NWC, the NEC also appointed Mr. Alexander Amujiogu, a lawyer, as the acting deputy national secretary.”

    NWC on October 21 released the schedule of activities for the conduct of the primaries for the coming general elections.

    According to a schedule of activities released after the NWC meeting, signed by the National Secretary, Dr. Abdulahi Sani Shinkafi, the purchase and return of the expression of interest and nomination forms began on October 27 and ended on November 4.

    The party pegged its governorship form at N12 million, with the expression of interest form going for N2million, while the nomination form is N10million.

    For the House of Assembly, the expression of interest form is N200, 000, while the nomination form is N1million. The expression of interest form for the House of Representatives is N500, 000 and the nomination form is N2million. Expression of interest form for the Senate sells at N500, 000, while the nomination form is N3million.

    Shinkafi said women aspirants would pay only 50 per cent of the fees for the nomination forms. The House of Assembly and National Assembly expression of interest forms and nomination forms are obtainable at the state secretariats.

    While the governorship expression of interest form and nomination form are obtainable at the national secretariat in Abuja.