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Tag: COMMUNITY

  • Olanipekun donates hospital facility to community

    Olanipekun donates hospital facility to community

    The multi-million Naira Iyaafin Bosede Olanipekun Special Amenity Ward constructed and equipped by Chief Wole Olanipekun was unveiled on Saturday by the Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose. PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU reports that the facility is second to none in the state.

    Inside the State Specialist Hospital in Ikere-Ekiti, a magnificent structure stood out. The road to it was well tarred, flower beds properly laid out, with a state-of-the-art ambulance parked in front of it.

    Welcome to the Iyaafin Bosede Olanipekun Special Amenity Ward donated to the state government by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN).

    Guests who thronged to the venue, including Governor Ayodele Fayose for the unveiling of the 26-bed special amenity ward, equipped with a 3D Ultrasound scan with capacity for echo-cardiography, marvelled at the masterpiece erected within four months to boost medical care for the people.

    As Fayose was taken round the beautiful structure, which has a standard kitchen, laundry room as well as every other world-class facility, he could not hide his disbelief that an individual could do so much even at a time states were finding it difficult to pay salaries.

    The governor directed that the facility must be maintained and monthly inventory taken to ensure it stays evergreen.

    To Fayose, Chief Olanipekun is a blessing and pride to Nigeria. Showering encomiums on the learned silk, Governor Fayose pledged to emulate him by embarking on a similar project in memory of his parents.

    Governor Fayose stated that unlike other rich men who will choose to save their wealth for their children’s children, Chief Olanipekun has continuously embarked on programmes and projects that would benefit the less-privileged in the society.

    “This is a very commendable project coming especially in times like this when we do not have funds to pay salaries, let alone building a facility such as this.

    “The Lord will turn around your captivity.  There is no man born of a woman that doesn’t have issues, no matter how small in their lives. The Lord will turn your issues around no matter how small.

    “You have helped our state. You see, a governor can afford medical care; a lot of people in high places can afford medical care. The man who does not have money knows the value.

    “The people who need this hospital will continue to pray for you. Their spirits will pray for you. What kills a man most is trauma between the point of accident and the hospital.

    “This ambulance you have provided says it all; that you can salvage a life from the point of accident to safety.

    “Not many rich people will do this. They want to leave inheritance for their children’s children, for their family’s family. But you have given this to the state out of your free will. You have given to the poor man, poor woman, unborn children of this state. They will remember you for good.

    “I am going to copy you. I will do fund-raising one day and do something such as this to remember my mum and dad. This is leadership by example. The Lord will help you, sir. Thank you for adding value to our health care delivery. You are a pride to Nigeria,” Fayose said.

    In his remark, the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole described the project as well conceived, adding that it will have direct bearing on the well-being of Nigerians.

    Adewole, who was represented by the Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital (OATH) Prof. V.A. Adetiloye noted the need to woo philanthropists and corporate bodies to invest or partner with the nation’s health sector to achieve the much-needed accelerated development in the sector.

    “One significant mark of a selfless individual is the willingness, without compulsion to impact on others positively even when there are no visible signs of immediate gains for self-aggrandisement.

    “Many wealthy individuals and corporate institutions with resources will need to emulate this gesture of Chief Olanipekun, the donor of this building.

    “In the present circumstance of global economic recession, which has impacted negatively on government’s ability to provide for the basic health needs of the nation, health care financing can no longer be left in the hands of government alone.

    “This economic downturn is further worsened by the sliding cost of oil in the world market, coupled with the burden associated with diseases, accidents, mishaps and more recently, injuries from terrorist attacks in our country. No other time would be better suited for philanthropists to rise to the occasion and intervene to safe Nigeria’s health sector, “he said.

    In a chat with Southwest Report at the sideline of the event, the Chief Medical Director of the state’s specialist hospital, Dr. Sunday Omoya said Chief Olanipekun also made provision for the maintenance of the facility for one year.

    “The concept of maintenance was incorporated into it from the onset. There is an agreement between the donor and us on the maintenance of this place. One of the first steps he took which is quite commendable is making available funds for the maintenance of this place for the next one year.

    “Payment of staff, procuring of diesel, servicing of equipment and everything necessary to make everything equipment function optimally was provided by him. It is expected that, over that period, the services will grow and that will definitely improve the internally-generated revenue (IGR) and, by extension, grow the capacity of the hospital.

    “After that one year period, the hospital takes over the maintenance of the equipment. We are so committed to it because we know the impact these facilities will make in our care.

     

  • Wada assures community of development

    Wada assures community of development

    The people of Otokiti community in Lokoja Local Government Area of Kogi State have been assured of improvement in infrastructure, if Governor Idris Wada is re-elected.

    Deputy Governor Yomi Awoniyi, who met the residents as part of efforts to woo the electorate, hailed them.

    He said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Abu Michael, that they deserved to be praised because of their faith in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) since 1999.

    Awoniyi assured them that issues relating to the Greater Lokoja Water Works, improvement in electricity supply and road network would be prioritised by the Wada administration, if given another mandate.

    He described the PDP standard-bearer as an angel and a light, saying his performance and character made him suitable for re-election.

    The deputy governor advised the people to make “a choice that will guarantee improved living condition for their children and those unborn.

    According to him, Wada had laid a solid foundation and he would consolidate it, if re-elected.

     

  • A community in dire need

    A community in dire need

    Its roads are in disrepair, water is scarce, drainage dreadful. Health facilities in Lugbe, a satellite town, are also a big concern, reports OLUGBENGA ADANIKIN

    The civil servants, private business owners, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and others who live in Lugbe, a large settlement in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are familiar with the lack narrative. Their roads are poor and drinking water is a huge challenge. When it rains, the community is flooded not as much by the volume of the downpour as of the dreadful drainage. They have also health care challenges.

    In places around the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) where some businessmen live, life seems a big better. There are eateries, banks, huge pharmacies and other health facilities, but on the other side, residents seem to gnash their teeth more. The population of over 10,000 clearly cannot afford the FHA rent, and have to cope with whatever comes their way.

    There is indeed a health facility strategically located close to the market there but it cannot cope with the residents’ needs.

    There have been several calls for the authority to expand the facility to include other structures and departments considering the population, unfortunately little or nothing was done. In terms of personnel, there are few permanent health workers and more of support nurses numbering over 10.

    A visit to the hospital revealed some of the equipment are archaic; the beds have become flat while sitting furniture was unavailable. There are insufficient beds and staff to attend to patients. The situation is as worrisome as these few health workers struggle to attend to expectant mothers who visited for medical checks.

    A nurse who pleaded anonymity said, “Only six workers are full staff nurse here and there are about 10 non-permanent staff. We are not enough considering the population of people living here in Lugbe. The permanent staff don’t come for night shifts except for one. Other five come only in the morning. In fact, we supposed to have a general hospital.”

    Speaking further on remunerations, the female nurse stressed, “For about five years now, we have been working but they refused to regularise our work as permanent nurses. We do more of the job because we do night shifts a lot unlike the permanent nurses. So we are hoping that by the time they appoint a new minister, things will change.

    “Whichever employment they want to carry out, they should please consider we that have been working here for so long without been paid.”

    Perhaps, outstanding performances and commitments of the staff despite all odds earned the health centre AMAC Health Department Certificate of Excellence in 2013. The staffs were rewarded for their contribution to developing primary health care services for the year.

    Shortly after, the facility was also renovated by the Nigeria Urban Reproductive Health Initiative (NURHI). The Non Governmental Organisation NGO also donated relief and medical materials.

    According to NURHI during the visit recently, “the influx of women coming to the health centre here is alarming, especially for delivery and medicare. We have about 60 women in a month that come here for family planning. When you look at the total influx of women coming here for delivery, I can tell you they are more than 500 in a month.

    “I am not being specific but they are more than 500 in a month that comes here for delivery.”

    While conducting survey on this facility, it was gathered that the primary health care centre was built by a former AMAC Chairman, Dr. Zaphaniah Jisalo in 2008 and commissioned on Tuesday 8th December, 2009 by the then Minister of State for FCT, Chief Chuka Odom.

    A resident, Mr. David Dumelo tasked the authority to consider expanding the hospital or establishing a general hospital in the locality.

    “I’m sure government knows what is right to do. We don’t need to beg them if they have our interest at heart. First, look at the road leading to the health centre, so bad in a deplorable condition. Do you know during emergencies, we mostly rush our people to Wuse General

    Hospital in town?

    “That’s the situation we have found ourselves. Unfortunately there is little we can do.”

  • Community enmeshed in kingship tussle

    Community enmeshed in kingship tussle

    The people of Ogbe-Ijoh in Warri Kingdom had looked forward to being ruled again by a crowned king, following the death of the immediate past king, Pere Amakosu, Oduwor III.

    Their prayers and yearnings were realised in May this year, a year after their former king was buried.

    •Chief Johnny Aribogha
    •Chief Johnny Aribogha

    An election was conducted by the kingdom among three contenders, namely Couple Oromoni, Johnny Aribougha and David Pere, all from the Perebiri Ruling House. At the end of the election, Couple Oromoni emerged as Pere Amakosu-elect. He scored eight out of the 12 votes cast and leaving two apiece to the two other contenders.

    The process that produced the new Pere-Amakosu was driven by a committee of 12 representatives from across the kingdom. The result of the selection was openly announced by the Ogbe-Ijoh Council of Chiefs, led by the then Regent, Chief Samson Mamamu.

    It was gathered that the selection followed a rigorous process, which ensured that the guidelines for the selection was followed to avoid controversies. Before getting down to its responsibility, all members of the selection committee took an oath in the Warri High Court to be of good behaviour and to accept the outcome.

    They also signed a legal oath and agreed that all of them would abide by the outcome of the election without recourse to court or publish comment discrediting or challenging the outcome.

    Chairman of the Selection/Succession Committee, which decided the fate of the contestants, Elder Anthony Jolomi, said their procedure considered the personalities of the three men, taking particular notice of their contributions to the development of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom and their everyday life style.

    Things seemed to be going without let or flaw until reports of petitions and questions on the status of the new king-elect started read. A couple of persons started a move to stop the crowning ceremony of the new king, a departure from agreements signed before the commencement of the selection process.

    The courts and the media were resorted to by those who wanted to stop Oromoni from being crowned. The high point of the plots was the mention of the state’s deputy governor, Mr Kingsley Otuaro, in the drama.

    He was accused of using his position to enforce his will against that of the people. Probably other interests in the happenings in the Ogbe-Ijoh traditional politics might have just continued folding their arms and watch where the unfolding drama would end. But the supposed wrongful inclusion of the name of the deputy governor, which, to most people, was sheer mudslinging, brought a new twist to the kingship issue.

    Many stakeholders vehemently rebuked those who had been signing the petitions and statements against the crowning of the king. They were angry that the name of the deputy governor was not only included, but also told lies against his person and office.

    In a position paper against the development, the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Clan Governing Council categorically exposed whom it said was behind the attacks, stating the reason for his bitterness.

    The paper, signed by its Chairman, Hon. Lucky Oromoni and Secretary, Mr Elvis Wurusibewei, said: “Chief Alfred Yola, (who is not an Ogbe-Ijoh Chief, but claims to be an Obotebe Chieftaincy title holder in Burutu Local Government Area and Isele Banni, were neither authorised nor mandated to speak for any family, quarter, community in Ogbe-Ijoh or in the entire Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom.

    “There are appropriate persons and organs with authority to speak for Ogbe-Ijoh people at every given time. His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Delta state, is innocent of the accusations in the petition published in the said publications.

    “The signatories to the petitions; Chief Alfred Yola and Sele Banni, are only being used as surrogates by desperate and bad losers. The allegations and protests are the handiwork of Mr Johnny Aribogha, who contested and failed by scoring only two (2) votes.

    “The selection process, which Mr Johnny Aribogha voluntarily participated in and scored only two votes, started long even before the emergence of Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro as deputy governor,” the council said.

    In a chat with Niger Delta Report, a prominent son of Ogbe-Ijoh, who did not want his name mentioned because of security reasons, lamented the twist introduced to the kingship issue.

    While exonerating the deputy governor of all the infringements levelled against him, the source revealed that the choice of Pere Oromoni was an overwhelming decision of the entire kingdom, including Perebiri, which the king’s traducers were using as front.

    “This unnecessary crisis over the crowning of the Pere is the typical example of wars of attrition you see everywhere in Nigeria. But where its drivers goofed, and badly too, is the way they threw the name of the deputy governor into it. Believe me, I’m yet to understand their motive.

    “To start with, Deacon Otuaro is not involved in the crowning of the king. All those stories about him sending police to enforce the crowning are false and that’s where I lost hold on their game plan. Why involve the person who played no role in an event and doing so using unsubstantiated claims? Was this just to destroy his name or to use it as a lever or floating buoy?

    “Don’t let the names of those signing all these petitions deceive you. They have no stake; they are just being used as puns by a man who believes he spent enough to buy the conscience of all of Ogbe-Ijoh, but who realised late in the game that even with all he thought he had spent, the people would always vote according to their consciences and their impression of him. The pattern of votes cast revealed how unpopular he is with the people of Ogbe-Ijoh Kingdom. This is a man who had tried to wrongly claim the throne, even when it was not open yet for contest. He forgot all his infamous acts of the past.

    “So, my advice to those who lost is to stick to the agreement they signed before the result of the election to the throne was announced. The three contenders agreed to abide by the outcome of the election, seeing how stringent and transparent the process was.

    “We were all there, he also saw there was no room for manipulation and he signed to abide by the outcome and not to put the kingdom and its people through all these sort of turbulence we are witnessing now. Out of 12 lots, eight went to the current king, two apiece to the sponsor of this confusion and the third contender. When he stormed out of the community hall that day immediately Pere Oromoni was announced as the winner, I knew he was up to no good.

    “I believe he will burn his fingers by involving the name of the deputy governor in his plots because the man knew nothing about all those things he put out in the media,” the source said.

    There is an intense altercation between the contenders on one hand and the community on the other hand over the selection process. Whoever emerges winner would be accepted by all and the community would be spared the stress and complications of litigation. But here is the community and its new king being dragged through a bitter legal tussle. What is left to be seen is if there would be any penalty for breaching a duly signed agreement by a party in this matter.

  • Community hosts Anambra Speaker

    Community hosts Anambra Speaker

    Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu has been busy lately. She is not just leading the state lawmakers but also presenting herself to be honoured by people who are proud of her achievements and by those who directly benefitted from her.

    Not long ago, some women in the state organised a reception for her for occupying the Speaker’s position. Now Ukpor community in Nnewi South Local Government Area of the state has hosted her at a church, thanking her for the amenities she brought to their town.

    Ukpor has paved roads, water because of her. Also, the needy have recived all kinds of assistance from the lawmaker.

    The event which held at Saint Mary Mother of Christ Parish, Ukpor attracted the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Valerian Okeke and former governor of the state, Dame Virgy Etiaba and former Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon. Anayo Nebe, among others.

    In his homily, Most Rev Valerian Okeke urged the Speaker to continue to serve the state with the fear of God.

    The cleric also prayed God to give her the strength and wisdom to discharge her duties, adding that what had happened in her political career showed that God was an awesome one.

    Former female governor and Peter Obi’s Deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba, described the Speaker as a virtuous woman and an experienced politician who has done well for the community and the state.

    Etiaba expressed satisfaction with the level of cordiality existing among the three arms of government in the state.

    She added that the tenure of the speaker would bring more positive development to the state, even as she prayed God to give the state more women who would be willing to serve the state creditably.

    Maduagwu who was beaming with smiles throughout the event, promised to use her position to serve both God and humanity creditably.

    Speaking with The Nation, she reaffirmed her determination to ensure that the House of Assembly under her watch would touch the lives of the citizenry positively through enactment of people oriented laws.

    Her husband, Hyacinth Maduagwu, told THE NATION that power comes from God, adding that his wife had been a dutiful one, noting that it was not surprising that God would elevate her to such height.

    One of the widows in the community Esther Udogu, prayed God to give the speaker the wisdom to lead her colleagues in the state Assembly, describing her as an asset to Ukpor community.

    According to her, “this woman is a down to earth, humble person, who used her position to elevate many people in this community and that is why you are seeing this crowd today”

    Before she went into politics, she had been in the habit of helping the poor and less privilege in the society including some of us who are widows, and that is why we pray for her always.”

     

  • Tributes to a community leader

    Tributes to a community leader

    Of late, the sleepy town of Usokun in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State has witnessed great influx of visitors from all works of life. This was because of the burial ceremony of the late Madam Skin Igoju, grandmother to one of the Pastors of Salvation Ministries in Port Harcourt the state capital, Ibiso Williams.

    Madam Igoju, mother of four daughters, 18 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, passed away during a brief illness four years ago. She was 74.

    In their separate tribute to their late mother, every member of her family praised her rare virtues such as hard work, love, care, forgiving heart and peace-loving among others and wished she was undying.

    Speaking to Niger Delta Report, one of her sons-in-law, Mr. Churchill Gudi described her as mother of inestimable value, who cared and loved her sons-in-law and grand children to a fault. He noted that her memories would remain indelible in their hearts.

    “I missed her very well. She was a mother indeed. She treated me not like her son-in-law but as her direct son.

    “My late mother-in-law was someone who spread happiness and peace wherever she was. Each time she was in my house, my children would remain happy and would not like to play far away from the house,” he said.

    “Mama’s care will be missed forever. Her discipline, pieces of valuable advice, jokes, hard work and dance steps, among other virtues. I wish she had lived longer to reap the fruit of her labour; but since it pleased God to call her home now, we pray that her soul rests in the peace of the Lord,” he prayed.

    Also speaking about her late mother, her last daughter, Mrs Gudi said: “I was my mother’s pet. She cared and loved me so much so that she would not want me to go far from her. My mother was very peace-loving, she didn’t keep malice.

    “Mama loved every of her grand children to a fault.”

    Asked about lessons she learnt from her mother that would keep her going on in life she said: “I learnt so many Godly virtues from my mother such as praying at all times, being happy and spreading same anywhere. In fact, my mother’s religious practice was a big challenge to us her children, and we tried as much as possible to emulate her in fearing and serving God.”

    One of her grand children Ibiso Williams described her grandma as a God-fearing woman who trained her children in a God-fearing way. She was one who cared for the well-being of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended relatives and anyone who came her way. She was a disciplined and peaceful woman.

    “Memories of our late grandmother will forever remain in our hearts,” he said.

     

     

  • Land tussle: Community rejects judicial commission’s chair

    The people of Ibagwa-Nike community have pleaded with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to reverse the appointment of Mr. Albert Edoga as the chairman of a judicial commission of inquiry on Ibagwa Nike crisis.

    Ugwuanyi had recently set up a judicial commission of Inquiry into the land crisis rocking the community in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state, with a view to providing a lasting solution to the lingering crisis.

    But the Ibagwa Nike General Assembly in a letter to Governor Ugwuanyi dated October 27 2015, while appreciating the effort of the governor, raised serious objection against the chairman of the commission, Edeoga, whom the community alleged has vested interest in the land crisis.

    According to the letter signed by ten prominent leaders of the community including Chief Anike Nwoga and Mr. Cyril Mbah, an engineer, the people alleged that Edoga, who is a former commissioner for lands in the state, contributed in no small measure to the problem of the community in area of land allocation.

    Part of their petition reads: “Barrister Edeoga on many occasions connived with Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu to disposes individuals and families of their land in the name of government acquisition when he was commissioner for lands and urban development.”

    The petitioners cited the so called Gateway layout as a clear case where individuals and families were dispossessed of their land.

    The petitioners further alleged: “Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu realising that he cannot have access to the land without resistance now ran to Edoga and all manner of government machinery was deployed to forcefully take over people’s patrimony.”

    They pleaded that the commission be peopled by those with no immediate or remote attachment to any of the issues in the community.

    They congratulated Governor Ugwuanyi for coming to their rescue and pledged more support for his administration.

     

  • Community at the mercy of flood

    Community at the mercy of flood

    At any sign of rain, residents of Wire Road in Ihinmwin community of Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State become fidgety. Their fears are genuine. Floods have wreaked havoc in the community forcing hundreds of landlords and tenants to abandon their homes to take refuge in ‘strange lands’. OSAGIE OTABOR writes that residents are pleading with government to repair their road for ease of movement.

    In the yesteryear, the popular Wire Road used to be one of the finest in Ihinmwin community in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State. Taxis relish plying it, as they  convey residents to the Ikpoba River where the road terminates.

    The ancient city of Benin-City boasts two major Wire roads; one leads to the famous Benin Five-Junction from Ibiwe Street, while the other, which is now in a parlous state, is in Ihinmwin community. It is located at Saint Saviour Road, off Upper Sokponba.

    Investigations by Niger Delta Report revealed that the road which used to smooth and motorable is now in its worst state of dilapidation. Some describe it as eyesore and a nightmare to the few remaining landlords whose houses are still standing. There are now less than 10 houses, including two churches on Wire Road. Over 100 landlords have been forced out of their homes by persistent flooding that has been ravaging the area for over 15 years.

    Many adjoining streets linking Wire Road have been cut off by the rampaging flood which does not  dry. A larger part of the road has been overtaken by weed. Not many residents could remember how the once-good road became prone to flooding and erosion. But they all prayed and hoped that help would soon come their way.

    Some residents who spoke with our reporter expressed their helplessness with regard to the road.  Some of them wonder why the road still remain in its worst state despite millions of Naira which the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has sunk in its efforts to control flood in the area as well as to recover the road. The residents lamented that contractors always abandon the road projects after collecting mobilisation money.

    Victor Obaseki, a resident in the area recalled how part of the job was sub-let to a landlord in the area. Victor said the contractor collected money, built another house at Oregbeni Quarters and ran away; leaving his building at the mercy of flood.

    As a result of the flood that has ravaged the area, business activities have totally collapsed in the area.

    Patricia, a tailor and resident of the area told Niger Delta Report that the state of the road had negatively impacted on her business. She added that customers are not willing to come to that  deplorable part of Benin City.

    Explaining why she remained behind, she said she could not afford the fund to rent a shop elsewhere.

    “I have lots of friends that would willingly give me jobs but they always complained about the bad state of the road and I cannot afford a better place. The area is good but the road network is the problem.

    any people do  not pass through this area; only a few do. If I do not have customers, I would sew children’s clothes and hawk them in the  markets for about one hour.

    “If there is a possible solution to this road, I will be happy. My mother lives here and I cannot afford to rent a house. I have to stay with my mother,” she said.

    A retired civil  servant, Aluya Patrick, said he always live in constant fear whenever the rain approaches; because his house could be the next to be submerged by the flood.

    Patrick said several letters have been written to relevant authorities, even as he expressed sadness that nothing has been done about the deplorable nature of the road.

    He said other landlords  have decided not to renovate their houses because of the flood.

    “Many people have left; that is why we are not interested in maintaining our  houses because we don’t know what would happen next. We have tried our best possible; but fixing the road is beyond the ability of our community.

    “We have written several letters to our representatives at the Senate and House of Representatives. I am very scared because as an old man, I do not have the resources to build another house. If worse becomes worst, I will relocate to the village. I have spent over 30 years here. This road was very good. You can drive to the river. Taxis plied the road and there was nothing like erosion. Maybe it was caused by development.”

    Odionwere of the area, Augustine Ikponmwosa, said: “This Wire Road has become a liability to us. For the past 18 years, we have been living in a perilous situation. It has been bad for a very long time. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) came to fix the road but it was not properly done. The erosion has driven many people away from this area. Over 100 landlords have relocated to other places.

    “The contractor came and did one manhole which has stopped functioning. They should have channelled the flood to the Ikpoba River.

    “We have written several letters to the House of Assembly,  Senate and the last contractor engaged by the NDDC. There was a contractor who the main contractor sub-let the job to. He  ran away after collecting money to built another house at Ikpoba Hill area.”

    Victor Obaseki, on his part, said he has been living the area since 1973, stressing that  there is nowhere else to call home.

    “We are begging the government to help the masses here, especially the tenants. Those living here don’t have anywhere else to go. We beg the government to monitor whoever they award the contract to construct the road to. This is the first good road we had in the whole of Ihinmwin during the regime of the late Ali and Ogbemudia,” Obaseki said.

  • Community provides land for abattoir

    Community provides land for abattoir

    An abattoir sitting on eight hectares of land is in the offing in Awka, the Anambra State capital but the government and residents have the Umuike village to thank for donating it. The community is in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

    The abattoir project contractor Mr. Dozie Abajue of Hyperfarms Construction firm said it will be ready next year.

    The state governor, Chief Willie Obiano has announced that the abattoir, said to be one of its kind in these parts, will cost the contracting firm and the state government $11.4 million (about N2.576 billion).

    The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Afam Mbanefo told The Nation that Hyperfarms will be ably supported by a Dutch company known as MAREL, one of the best in livestock processing and packaging, according to him.

    Also, he said that Hyperfarms has the capacity to slaughter and process 400 cattle per day and could easily handle 1000 cattle per day, when fully operational.

    The traditional ruler of Awka community, Obi Gibson Nwosu commended Governor Willie Obiano for his efforts in making Anambra look like any other capital city.

    The monarch further hailed the people of Umuike village in his kingdom for bringing out the land for the abattoir project, which according to him, would create job opportunities in the community.

    Speaking with The Nation in Awka, the chairman of Umuike land management committee, Chief Dilim Okafor, lauded governor Obiano for his initiative of bringing such project to Awka.

    Again, he said that the governor followed Anambra State’s land policy by inviting and negotiating with landowners before embarking on the project.

    He said the abattoir, when completed would give the community a new face compared to what people operate in the area as slaughter houses.

    Okafor, one of the elder statesmen in Umuike village in Awka, commended Obiano’s administration on behalf of the village for some of the projects the government was doing in the area.

    Furthermore, he urged the state government to initiate other projects in the community, which according to him had been yearning for developmental projects in the part.

    According to the septuagenarian, “this community is equally due to have a five star hotel in it, we also need other projects to be like other capital cities in the world and we believe Obiano has the capacity to do it.”

    “Anytime the state government is ready for any of these developmental projects, we are ready to provide enough lands for them because we have enough” Okafor said.

    While speaking with The Nation after the foundation laying event, Obiano said the commencement of construction work on the ultra modern abattoir was the most critical step following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in June.

    Obiano expressed a strong reservation with the current state of abattoirs in the state.

    According to the Governor, “what we have as abattoirs in Anambra State is not a standard we should adopt. The hygiene surrounding the places where animals are slaughtered and processed is still very poor.

    “So, we are going to address that with this kind of abattoir. Secondly, we are going to build the same thing for other senatorial zones. We will build one in Oyi Local Government and another one in Orumba.

    “These will address the challenge in these critical areas. it is only when we have done this that we can start enforcing the minimum standards of hygiene conditions surrounding meat processing, packaging and sale”

    Throwing some light on the equity structure of the investment, Governor Obiano explained that the abattoir is a partnership between Anambra State government and Hyperfarms Limited which owns 90 percent of the equity while the state government owns 10 percent. The host local government retains 2.5 percent.”

    The governor also revealed that on completion, Hyperfarms Limited would create 250 direct jobs and 1500 indirect jobs.

    He further assured that the abattoir would be ready for commissioning after one year of commencement of construction.

     

  • Community backs ex-UI V-C as ministerial nominee

    Community backs ex-UI V-C as ministerial nominee

    The Iroye Odundun Community in Ward 7, Ilesa East Local Government of Osun State, has backed the nomination of Prof Isaac Adewole as a minister by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    A statement by the community’s leader, Thomas Lucas and Secretary Afolabi Komolafe, said the former University of Ibadan (UI) Vice-Chancellor was a very qualified technocrat and merited the nomination.

    The community said Adewole, a renowned obstetrician and gynaecologist, possesses the intellectual capacity, resourcefulness and effective managerial  ability to help turn the country around.

    “He displayed these traits while he served as the Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan (UI),” the community said, adding that the nominee personifies intergrity.

    The group urged the people of Osun and the Senate to give the nominee “a resounding clean bill when eventually screened.”

    “Many community members have gained from the nominee’s mentoring skills in the past which is unmatchable and such a character is even needed at this moment when our youth need to be governed by people  with untainted records  such as Prof Adewole,” the statement added.