The Nation Newspaper

Tag: COMMUNITY

  • Man presents 8.5 km road as birthday gift to Enugu community

    Man presents 8.5 km road as birthday gift to Enugu community

    It was an event full of pomp and ceremony as 52-year-old Chris Baywood Ibe performed the contract award ceremony and flagging off of the construction /asphalting of 8.5km Agbogugu Isuawaa-Ihe /Agbudu Road In Agwu LGA of Enugu State. He is singlehandedly building the neglected road for his community.

    During the event which took place at his home town, Isu-Awaa, Ibe, an Europe-trained quantity surveyor, told the numerous guests that it was an honour and privilege for him to construct the road. He noted that the road, when completed, would be of immense benefit to the people.

    His words: “My family and I have for some time now taken over the maintenance of this road, which we believe is important in turning Isu-Awaa Kingdom into a tourist destination, which would have positive impact on our local economy and on the standard of living of our people. It will no doubt act as an infrastructural catalyst to improve the quality of life of our people and neigbours”.

    Ibe further stated that entreaties made to the government for the construction of the road had repeatedly failed, which was why he decided to take up the challenge, even though he considered the project a partnership deal with the Enugu State government. He further assured that the said road would be completed in 120 days, urging the community members to join in the overall supervision and see the road as a gift from him on his birthday.

    On his part the President of Isu-Awaa Town Union, Mr. Godwin Ude, decried lack of government’s presence on the roads in the past, even as he openly appreciated the gesture of the celebrant on behalf of the town union.

    Ude said the celebrant and his family members had not only impacted positively on the lives of the people, he also made a remarkable example of what a true son of the soil should be. He advised parents to inculcate in their children the spirit of selfless.

    The traditional ruler of Isu-Awaa, HRH Igwe Udemgaba Maduka, eulogised the celebrant, calling him a large man with a large heart. He noted that Baywood’s efforts would complement the developmental efforts of the government for his people.

    The Anglican Bishop of Agwu /Aninri, Rt. Rev. Dr. Ugwu, who was present at the occasion, described the celebrant as magnanimous, kind-hearted and illustrious. He urged other capable people to emulate him.

    Ibe , the proprietor of Baywood Oil and Gas Skill Service, who many invitees regard as a good manager of men and resources, afterwards signed the contracts and flagged off the road construction amidst fanfare.

    The event recorded the presence of many dignitaries, among whom were Senator Ike Ekweremmadu, represented by his special adviser on project, Engr. Bethel Onyenyiri, and many other influential personalities.

  • Thugs unleash mayhem on Edo community

    Thugs unleash mayhem on Edo community

    Residents of Ukhorumi community in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State are trying to come to terms with the calamity that befell their community. The hitherto peaceful community was attacked by armed men suspected to be thugs hired to settle scores between two feuding leaders of the community.

    The once bubbling town is now turned into a ghost town. Its residents are yet to return one week after the deadly attack. The community head (Odionwere), Pa John Edosomwan, managed to flee with nothing but the cloths on his back. He is now taking refuge in a nearby village. Many residents fled into the bush when the thugs struck.

    At the end of the attack, three persons laid dead, properties worth several millions of naira including 15 houses, 12 vehicles and motorcycles were burnt. Poultry farm housing over 10,000 birds belonging to an ex-banker was vandalised and looted. Some new buildings erected by non-indigenous of the community were also burnt.

    Trouble was reportedly sparked off when the Vice Chairman of Ukhorumi Community Development Association, Ovbokhan Igbinovia was suspended from office by the chairman, Prince Ewuare Erese.

    The suspension followed alleged refusal of the community leaders to accompany a relation of the Vice Chairman, Omonedo, to lay the foundation of a building project because he did not inform them five days ahead.

    Prince Ewuare said the decision not to accompany Omonedo did not go down well with Ovbokhan, who he alleged rained abuses on him, a development that provoked the suspension. He said the suspension letter was yet to be delivered and that the elders were already discussing the matter when the attackers came.

    He said his younger brother and the youth PRO were killed before his eyes. Speaking with newsmen when he went to take stock of the destruction under heavy security, Prince Ewuare said his life was under threat.

    “This is my first time of coming here. Look at all the destruction they have done even those buildings that belonged to the people that are not from this community. I saw them from where I was hiding how they shot my brother. I ran away and did not know where my family is now. The thugs were brought from neighbouring communities. The vice chairman said he was supposed to be the chairman and not me. My house at Amagba village was also burnt.”

    The community head, Pa Edosomwan said the elders were already discussing the issue of the building by Omonedo when some youths invaded the community. He said he ran to the police station when the shooting started but that damage was already done before security operatives arrived.

    “When the shooting started, I went through the bush to the police station to complain about the attack. But the police did not leave. I was informed at the police station that many buildings were on fire.”

    On why he was yet to return home, he said there is no place to go to as his buildings were affected.

    A school teacher, Izevbokun Osafamwen, whose building was razed said he is now sleeping on the bare floor with his family in an apartment provided by a friend.

    “I have a house there where I lived with my family. I was called not to go home that day that the community was on fire. I managed to rescue my child. They have burnt my house. I slept in bush with my family that night. I lost all my certificates in the fire. Somebody just gave me a place to sleep on the floor with my wife and four children. Somebody should come to my aid. I don’t have money to rent a house now.”

    Evelyn Obadiaru’s father lost three buildings to the attack. She said her father and his aged wife were picked up in the bush after two days.

    However, independent investigation however revealed that the attack on the community was in retaliation for the killing of an undergraduate by thugs who first invaded the community.

    At the time of this report on Tuesday evening, it was learnt that the Edo State Police Command were questioning elders of the community and Ovbokhan, who was fingered for the mayhem, had been arrested.

    Similarly, it was gathered that the Oba of Benin, Oba Eradiauwa II had sent traditional chiefs to the security operatives for detailed investigation of the causes of the crisis in Ukhorumi and other communities.

    Sources close to the monarch said he expressed concern over “incessant and disturbing occurrences of community clashes, boundary disputes and land matters in his kingdom”.

    The monarch was said to be disheartened that the development was a dent to the much valued peaceful co-existence of his people. He spoke through the Chairman of Peace and Conflict Resolution Committee, Chief Eduwu Ekhator Obasogie.

    Oba Erediauwa frowned at a situation where members of Community Development Association who are supposed to be involved in development of community turned around to become instrument of destabilisation and disrupting utilisation of available resources of the people.

    He said, “We are now witnessing a very sad and total liquidation of our age-long keynote of oneness which has been the hallmark of our collective responsibility and peaceful co-existence in the kingdom and in the state.

    “Our communal landscapes have been turned into war zones with rival parties armed to the teeth with weapons of destruction. They go on rampage desecrating our beloved fatherland with wanton destruction of lives and properties.”

    Edo State Police spokesman, DSP Moses Eguaveon said investigations were still going on in the Ukhorumi crisis.

    Eguaveon said normalcy has been return to the community and advised members of the community to return home for normal businesses.

    He however added that anybody found culpable would be invited for questioning.

    A soldier who was in the village shortly after the attack told the Nation under condition of anonymity that they met the houses on fire but that the attackers have fled.

    He said they were not informed about the incident on time.

     

     

     

  • Fear of cholera epidemic grips community

    Residents of Garki village are afraid they might soon have a cholera epidemic on their hands because sewage is spilling into the streets from broken channels.

    Investigation revealed that officials of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) in charge of monitoring hardly visit the community, leaving most residents to rely on local plumbers to repair broken sewage.

    A resident of Garki village, Mr. Laid Olamipo who spoke with Abuja Review said that the area may experience outbreak of cholera in matter of days following the negligence by AEPB.

    His words: “We have been experiencing acute littering of rubbish water coming from most broken sewages and environmental officials who are supposed to carry out their duty by evacuating the filled sewage are nowhere to be found and entrance of the Enugu Street has been polluted.

    “We have been abandoned to face the consequences which may be disastrous if no urgent action is taken. How can we have people in charge and things are going bad this way. We are not safe with the situation.”

    A visit to the area shows that both defecation and toilet water flow freely around the streets as some roadside traders still ply their trade even as a roadside local restaurant boom in the area.

    Another resident, who pleaded anonymity because of security reasons expressed fear of possible outbreak of water-borne disease in the community, even as he lamented that most residents in such area may be infected by diseases.

    A source said: “The concern of women in this community is to prevent imminent outbreak of water-borne disease. I call on the FCT Minister to set up a committee to checkmate the activities of the AEPB contractors.”

    In his reaction, Head Information and Outreach Programme of the AEPB, Mr. Joe Ukairo who described Garki Village as an unplanned settlement in the midst of city centre, added that “it is against best practices the world over. They must be relocated for sanity to be sustained.

    “The existence of a village which is an unplanned settlement in the midst of city centre is against best practices world over. They must be relocated for sanity to be sustained.

    “Garki Village is an aberration! It ought not to be there still. We are trying our best to help in any way possible. No access road, no infrastructure for the high-tech equipment and services AEPB renders,” he said.

  • Community rues location of Calabar dump site

    Community rues location of Calabar dump site

    For residents of Ikot Effanga Mkpa, a community on the new LEMNA Road in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, the permanent stench of refuse has almost become a part of their lives.

    Reason: within the community are acres of land, which serve as the Calabar dumpsite, where all the refuse gathered throughout the city is emptied.

    Calabar has gathered fame for its cleanliness. In fact, it is reputed to be the cleanest city in the country. Residents of the community feel it is their sacrifice to bear brunt of the state’s rising dirt-free status.

    The community, it was gathered, grew around the dumpsite, as before the construction of the LEMNA Road, there were hardly any residents around there. With the government’s city expansion project through the construction of the road that led through an area of the town that was before now secluded, houses started springing up.

    The habitation of the place became so much such that people were living right across the dumpsite.

    A resident, Mrs Cecilia Ekpang, said they had learnt to live with the hazardous situation, but she appealled to the government to do something about the situation.

    She said such a dumpsite should not be located anywhere near a city. She said: “Such a dump should not be close to where people are living, not to mention inside a city, such as Calabar. The level of risk we are exposed to here cannot be quantified, but what can we do, this is the place available for most of us to build our houses. Should we be the ones to leave the place for the dump? or it should be the dump leaving the place for us? Calabar is becoming a fast growing city and you can see the number of houses growing around this new area the government has opened up. So, as a government which I believe means well for its citizens as well as trying to uphold its status as sanitary conscious; I plead that this dumpsite be moved to another area for the sake of our health. Children are always getting ill around here and I am sure it is because of the air they breathe around here.”

    Another resident, Mr Daniel Bassey, said: “As it is now, you can smell the pollution in the air right from my house. But I tell you that is nothing. Come back in the night and you would wonder how we manage to survive here. In the night, the smell is so thick that you can even taste it. Even if you like, you can go inside your room and lock everywhere, the smell will meet you. I can only imagine the kind of things we breathe into our bodies. The government needs to do something urgently about the situation before some kind of epidemic breaks out here. In my opinion, a dumpsite, such as this, should not be anywhere close to where human beings are staying. It is a very terrible situation we face here and God is the only one who is keeping us.”

    Worried by the development, the Cross River State House of Assembly last week resolved that its Committee On Environment interface with the waste management agency and other relevant agencies to address the health hazard caused by the refuse dumpsite.

    The resolution was sequel to a motion of matter of urgent public interest on the danger of the refuse dump by the Deputy Speaker and member representing Akamkpa State Constituency, Itaya Asuquo Nyong.

    Nyong observed that with the fast growing status of the state capital, locating such dumpsite in the city was dangerous to the inhabitants.

    He said already two lives have been lost due to the outbreak of cholera, possible caused by the hazardous situation.

    The member representing Boki II State Constituency, Jacob Otu Enyia, noted that about N70 million was provided in the 2013 budget to tackle the issue.

    Enyia said the matter was of great concern and appealed to government to address the problem, before more harm would be done.

    The member representing Yala II State Constituency, Ogana Lukpata, said unless the refuse dump was removed, everybody around there and even passers-by were at the risk of contracting air- borne diseases.

    Member representing Odukpani State Constituency, Wilson Ekpenyong, called for a recycling facility as a permanent solution to the problem.

    The Commissioner for Environment, Dr Sandy Onor, could not be reached for comments on the situation.

     

     

  • Tears as robbers storm community

    Tears as robbers storm community

    The residents had smiled to bed after a fulfilling day. But, just when some of them who were still “alive” should celebrate the birth of a new day, the devil struck, leaving in its wake, tears and bloodshed.

    It was on Sunday. Idowu Crescent, Community Road and Ariya Street – all in Adalemo, Sango area of Ogun State – were the theatre of what many a victim described as an unforgettable ordeal.

    Armed robbers – for the second time in a week – swooped on the neighbourhood without let. As they shot their ways into homes, beating and maiming residents, they looted valuables, especially money. Their prey could only groan in pitiable helplessness.

    The operation, it was gathered, began around 12am and lasted hours. Several houses, it was said, fell victim to the invasion by the unwelcomed visitors who reportedly shot sporadically into the air to scare off security agents.

    “They blew whistles like typical night guards while the operation lasted. So, many of us mistook them for local security guards,” said a resident.

    A victim a landlady on Idowu Crescent, Mrs Osho a.k.a Mummy Solo, said she was thoroughly beaten when she refused to handed over her bag containing her money and gold to them.

    “As they came in, they demanded money and I said I had none. They asked for gold; I said I had none. One of them pointed gun at my daughter, Bose, when she too said she didn’t have money and that she was an apprentice. Then, I said my last prayers. Another one ordered them to fire us if we refused to cooperate. They vowed not to leave our house if we didn’t surrender money or gold to them. To avoid wasting our lives, I handed over all I had to them,” she recalled, sobbing.

    Another victim, who simply gave his name as Mrs Linus, said she was “mercilessly pounded” and hit with an iron in her head as she didn’t have anything to offer them.

    “As they came into our house, about four men entered my room and ordered me to bring out my money. I replied that I had no kobo. And after thoroughly searching the room and found no penny, except my faulty mobile phone, one of them, in annoyance, smashed the phone on the floor. Another one hit my head with the iron rod of my standing fan. He said he would have fired me but for my cooperation,” still in shock, Mrs Linus said.

    It was gathered also that another victim, Mr Akeem, who lost his wife while delivering a baby about three months ago, was angrily shot in the leg when nothing was found on him. He was said to have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital.

    It was the same tale of woes on the other affected streets. While many of them said security must be seen as a responsibility that should not be left only for night guards, most others urged government to strengthen security of lives and property, especially in the suburbs.

  • Commission trains 150 community leaders

    The Jigawa State Justice Sector Reform Commission (JSC) has begun training for 150 community and religious leaders on alternative dispute and conflict resolution.

    The Chairman of the commission, Justice Tijjani Abubakar, said while inaugurating the workshop in Auyo, near Dutse, that the exercise was designed to build the capacity of community leaders in adjudication as an alternative to conflict resolution.

    Represented by Mr Musa Imam, a secretary in the commission, Abubakar said the exercise would also enhance service delivery in the justice sector.

    He said the commission had so far trained community and religious leaders and other stakeholders in the five emirates in the state, to encourage alternative dispute resolution within the communities.

    He said the participants were drawn from Auyo, Kaugama and Kafin Hausa local government areas.

    The Chairman of Auyo Local Government, Alhaji Muhammad Danjani, praised the JSC for the gesture, saying that it would enhance peaceful co-existence in the communities.

    “It will encourage quality service delivery and peaceful co-existence in the society,” he said.

    The reform programme is one of the key interventions by UK’s Department for International Development, to enhance justice service delivery at the grassroots.

     

  • A lift for community

    The Rotary International District 9110 Governor, Rotarian Olugbenga Olutayo Olowu, district secretary, Rotarian Bola Oyebade and the members of the executive were on a two-day working visit to the ancient city of Badagry, Lagos State.

    Their mission: philanthropy and service to humanity for which Rotary International is renowned.

    They were received by members of Rotary Club of Ajara led by its President, Rotarian Otunba John Yomi Olomofe. Past presidents and the entire executive and members were all on ground to receive their district governor.

    Also on ground were the Rotaract Club of Ajara led by its President, Rotarian Hokon Opeoluwa.

    The first point of call was Gberefu Beach Island Community where they were received in the palace of His Eminence, Alashe Nojeem Adeniyi Mautin Sanni, the Baale of Gberefu Beach Island; the Numeton 1 of Badagry Kingdom and Alashe Orisa II, Asayedero 1 of Agbaye.

    The Rotary International District 9110 Governor, in his speech announced to His Eminence, members of his royal council and cheering natives that Rotary International, through Ajara Rotary Club, has adopted Gberefu Island for community projects and service in all the six areas of Rotary International community focus.

    Rotarian Yomi Olomofe said Gberefu has been singled out in its health programme to wipe out completely malaria from the Island.

    The District Governor buttressed the point that the health intervention programme in Gberefu Island will extend to all categories of persons and will be total and free for pregnant women, children and adults.  There will also be assistance in the areas of child’s education and adult literacy.

    He further emphasised that Rotary International believes that “the more educated we are, the more enlightened, free, healthy and wealthy we become.  The Rotary projects in Gberefu will also include empowering businesses of vulnerable population of the Island in order to raise their standard of living.

    The Rotary International had recently embarked on free medical test and treatment on malaria, vaccination and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to members of the Island community.

    The District Governor said: “It may interest you to know that Rotary International relies solely on both national and international resources for humanity work worldwide. A committee has already been put in place to liaise with the community leaders so as to prioritise the immediate needs of the community so as to avoid wastage or duplication.

    “To this end, a letter of intent signed by the District Governor on behalf of Rotary International was presented to Alashe Sanni who signed on behalf of his council and people.

    The traditional ruler could not hide his joy and appreciation.  Prayers were offered amid praises, even as the royal father eulogised the philanthropic spirit of Rotary International. He said he was overwhelmed by the magnanimity of the Rotary Club of Ajara, the District Governor and Rotary International as a body.

  • ‘Ekiti govt’ll support community projects’

    Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu has said the government will support community self-help projects.

    She spoke at Orun-Ekiti at the presentation of the Instrument of Office to Oba Joseph Oluwasola Osalusi, the Oloja Orun in Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government Area.

    Mrs. Adelabu said: “The government is willing to support viable developmental project embarked upon by communities.”

    She urged Orun-Ekiti indigenes to support the monarch to develop the community.

    The deputy governor said the granting of autonomy to some towns and villages by the government was not to create division but to ensure development.

    She said: “Granting of autonomy to any community is not an attempt to factionalise or disintegrate a hitherto compact community for ulterior motives.

    “It is a response to the genuine demand of a people, who felt their deserved recognition would enhance development in all facets of life. It is not designed to breed hatred, rancour, nepotism and other negative disposition that can negate harmonious co-existence with their former allied communities. It has no political colouration.”

    She explained that Orun-Ekiti was granted autonomy in line with best practices, saying: “Orun-Ekiti was one of the five communities granted autonomy by the state government last December 19 in line with Section 6A (1) and (2) of the Chiefs Laws of Ekiti State, CAP C5 of 2012.”

    Mrs. Adelabu urged Oba Osalusi to see his installation as a divine call to service, which requires diligence, sacrifice and perseverance.

    Assuring his people that his reign would facilitate growth and peace, Oba Osalusi listed the community’s needs and pledged to cooperate with the government.

    He said: “Here in Orun-Ekiti, the best has happened to us through your Solomonistic wisdom and, by the law of reciprocity, our covenant with your government is absolute, as well as total deliverance of our responsibilities on the day of reckoning.”

  • Thugs attack Edo community

    Three buildings in Okomu community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State were yesterday razed by thugs suspected to be ex-militants.

    They were allegedly protesting the sharing of empowerment materials donated by Okomu Oil Palm Company.

    The youths were said to have fired sporadically and set the buildings ablaze when they discovered that some community leaders have escaped.

    A building belonging to the head teacher of Okomu Primary School was affected.

    One of the victims, Rickson Nanagha, said the youths stormed his house, demanding the skill acquisition materials donated by the company.

    He said: “These boys started this problem in 2011 when we asked them to disarm and accept amnesty.

    “Last week, Okomu Oil Palm Company gave our people bursary and skill acquisition materials, I was directed to give the materials to the community which I did.

    “But they came to my house demanding the materials, I escaped from the community and went to report the matter to the police. When they heard I reported the matter they set my house and others ablaze.”

    Police Commissioner Funso Adebanjo promised to investigate the matter and take necessary action. “We will not tolerate any form of violence in this state.”

     

  • Community gets new monarch

    Residents of Owevwe Kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government of Delta State will soon are expecting a new monarch.The kingdom is in full preparation for the installation of a new Ovie.

    The last Ovie, His Royal Highness Asakpakeregha, Onoriji 11, joined his ancestors in 2004. After a period of interregnum, the Ekru- Ivie Edion, unanimously selected his heir apparent, Prince Osegbe Joseph Arhiakpore as the Ovie-Elect. The Ovie-elect would be the 14 Ovie since the institution of the Ovieship began in the Kingdom.

    Speaking to Newsextra on preparations by the people for the installation of the new Ovie, legal practitioner and Chairman of the Installation Committee, Olorogun Benedict Asaboro said the the people are in a festive mood. He said all the years that the people had been without an Ovie had been very traumatic, considering the fact that all other kingdoms around lived under the guidance of their Ovies.

    “ We are very happy that at the end of a rather long interregnum, our Ovie will soon be installed. Everywhere you go to, the atmosphere is electric, the people are happy, and grateful to God. Honestly, we cannot wait for too long. It has been our earnest wish because if you look at other kingdoms around, they are all living under the guidance and direction of their Ovies. We want a similar thing here and God has been good to us”, he said.

    On the possible date for the installation, Asaboro said it is still being kept under wraps but suffice to say that all the seven communities have been visited and dully informed.

    ‘The reception at each and every community was rousing, you could see joy and happiness radiating all over. It is almost like a stigma to say you don’t have an Ovie. But we thank God that era is about to end”.

    Prodded to reveal the royal title the new Ovie would bear or answer, Asaboro said it was not yet time to unveil it. “When the staff of office is given, it would be unveiled at that moment. Some of these things must be done and handled carefully because of their sensitive nature. Ours is to fully mobilise our people, which we have done, from Otokutu to Opherin, from Owevwe to Gana, from Esaniko to Agbaide and the rest communities, we are ready, happy and grateful”, he said.