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Tag: Dave Umahi

  • Quit notice: Governors assure Igbos in northern Nigeria of safety

    Quit notice: Governors assure Igbos in northern Nigeria of safety

    South East governors have urged Igbos leaving in the northern part of the country to remain where they are and go about their activities without fear of being attacked.

    They also assured Igbos in the north of their security despite a three- month ultimatum given to them to leave the region.

    The Chairman of the Forum, David Umahi, gave the assurance at a press briefing in Abakaliki on Thursday.

    He was reacting to the ultimatum issued by the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (ACYF), a coalition of socio-political groups in northern Nigeria, to all Igbos in the 19 northern states to vacate the region.

    The Federal Government and the Kaduna State government have since condemned the call, assuring the Igbos of maximum security.

    Governor Nasir El-Rufai has since called for the arrest of those that signed the eviction notice to the Igbos.

    Governors of the 19 northern states have also disowned the Northern youth groups that issued the ultimatum and assured the Igbos of their safety in the region.

    Describing the ultimatum as provocative and mischievous, Governor Umahi urged northern leaders to take actions that would counteract the intended plot of the youths, in other to ensure that the grim history of the past is not repeated.

    The Ebonyi governor said, “We must call on all serious minded patriots, particularly the religious leadership in Northern Nigeria; the leadership of other socio-cultural groups in Northern Nigeria; the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and all the service branches to rise up with voices of peace and wisdom to counteract the mischievousness and exuberant excesses of the northern youths.

    “The ugly lessons of history are too grim to be stoked with carelessness. As leaders, we must exert the full measure of our powers and influence to forestall a repetition.

    “We call on all Igbo sons and daughters resident in Northern Nigeria to go about their lawful daily activities without fear of intimidation, hindrance or molestation.”

    Umahi reiterated the commitment of the South East governors to “the existence of a virile, united prosperous and progressive Federal Republic of Nigeria where Justice, fairness, equity, mutual respect and equality of opportunity to all citizens regardless of creed, ethnicity or gender will reign supreme under the inflexible rule of law.”

    The governor also denied reports that the governors held a meeting on Wednesday night and resolved to send buses to evacuate Igbos in the north.

     

     

  • Ebonyi NLC hopeful Umahi will set aside N1bn for pension, gratuity

    Ebonyi NLC hopeful Umahi will set aside N1bn for pension, gratuity

    Mr Leo Nkah, Acting Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Ebonyi Chapter, says he is hopeful that Gov. Dave Umahi will set aside one billion naira for the settlement of pensions and gratuities as he promised.

    Umahi, during the 2017 May Day celebration in Abakaliki, had promised to set aside the sum for payments of pensions and gratuities.

    Nkah spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He recalled that the governor had promised that N500 million would be for retired local government workers and N500 million for retired state workers.

    “In the promises he made, some of them were time bound; some that were immediate, we have already started seeing the results.

    “At least, the issue of promotion has been lifted, suspension of the pension law is in effect.

    “The return of the money deducted under the (suspended) pension scheme has been effected.

    “The ones that are yet to be done, he (governor) promised to do, the delay was because of technical issues.

    “And the environment is already conducive for the governor to do more.

    “I believe that all will be done in accordance with what he promised and all we demanded during the May Day.’’

    Nkah, who is also State President, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, said that Umahi was favourably disposed to the workers’ welfare.

    “But what happened was that he assumed office in a period of recession and took a little hard stand when it came to the payment of salaries and other allowances.

    “Also the knowledge level of those who should have explained to him some things that were statutory were lacking then.

    “ But currently the governor is disposed to taking care of most pressing areas the workers are pointing at, that he should look into.

    “He is well disposed, it is just for us to be on our toes and continue to press him.

    “I know he will do most of the things, if not all the things we asked for, he is better disposed now than before.’’

  • Umahi is most police friendly governor – Idris

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has presented Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, with the most police friendly governor in Nigeria award.

    Umahi was presented with a plaque by the IGP on Saturday.

    The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), South East zone, Valentine Ntomchukwu, presented the award to the governor on behalf of the IGP during a courtesy call at the Government House, Abakaliki.

    Addressing Governor Umahi before presenting the award to him, Ntomchukwu said “the IGP has asked me to tell you that you are the most police friendly governor in Nigeria and I am not saying it because I am in Ebonyi State. It is because of what I have seen which you have done for the state police command.

    “Honestly, on arrival at the police command, I saw street lights and other things I have never seen in other police command and when I asked they said the governor did those things for the command. I can see houses for policemen of rank and file and I can see storey buildings also built by the governor for the command.

    “I am going to relay what I have seen to the IGP and maybe he will come one day and see for himself the wonders you are doing in terms of infrastructural development.

    “I also want to thank you for the communication equipments which you provided for the command and the ongoing renovation of the perimeter fencing and security post of the command which has lifted the status of the command.”

    “I hereby on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police present this plaque to you. Sir, find anywhere in your office and place this plaque so that any time you turn around, you will look at it as a mark of honour and appreciation of your support to the police.”

    Umahi commended the IGP for the honour and promised to do more for the state police command.

  • ‘Ebonyi to reimburse students N1,000 paid for unified promotion exams’

    The Ebonyi Government says it will reimburse the N1,000 paid by each student for the aborted 2015/2016 unified promotion examination.

    Prof. John Eke, the Commissioner for Education, gave the assurance on Thursday in Abakaliki in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    According to him, the state government has concluded arrangement to begin immediate reimbursement of the money to all the pupils and students that paid the money.

    Eke explained that the delay in reimbursement was to ensure that proper modality was worked out so that no one who paid would be left out.

    He said that government cancelled the proposed unified promotion examination for pupils and students in public and private schools in the 2015/2016 third term examination when it discovered that school authorities imposed additional illegal fees.

    “Let me begin by apologising to parents and guardians over the delay in the reimbursement of the fee to their children and wards and to appreciate their long patience.

    “We are trying to ensure that we put in place all the necessary arrangements for a hitch free refund, so that no one who paid will be left out in the reimbursement exercise.

    “The good news is that all the money collected from the school children, including the N,1000 approved by government and the additional illegal fees have been recovered and kept in government coffers.

    “I want to appeal to parents and guardians for more understanding as we will soon give back these monies to their owners,’’ Eke said.

    He said that ban on the collection of illegal levies in both private and public schools in the state was still in force and warned that the state government would deal with anyone contravening the ban.

    “We are committed to the free and compulsory universal basic education, hence, no school or head teacher found imposing or collecting any levy not approved by government, will go unpunished.

    “The Governor, Chief Dave Umahi has been regular in the payment of the Ebonyi counterpart fund with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), hence we access our funds and use them to develop infrastructure and capacity of personnel,’’ he added.
    Eke explained that the campaign against examination malpractice, establishment of exam ‘magic’ Centers and truancy by teachers were yielding desired result.

  • Ebonyi NLC hopeful of peaceful resolution of contributory pension issues

    Mr Leo Nkah, the Acting Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Ebonyi Chapter, says Gov. Dave Umahi has promised to ensure smooth resolution of issues concerning the newly introduced Contributory Pension Scheme.

    Nkah, who spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the governor gave the assurance when the new NLC leadership paid him a courtesy visit.
    NAN recalls that deductions were made from workers’ salaries following the passage of the Law on Contributory Pension by the Ebonyi House of Assembly.

    He said that the governor was intimated about the leadership change in NLC, in which Nkah, the President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ebonyi Chapter, was elected acting chairman.

    NAN recalls that Nkah emerged Acting NLC Chairman, following the indefinite suspension of the incumbent Chairman, Ikechukwu Nwafor, over alleged financial misappropriation and gross misconduct.

    He said that the governor was told that the change followed due process, as it was carried out in line with NLC constitution.

    Nkah said that the union emphasised the need for greater co-operation between the government and labour in order to boost the welfare of workers and promote good governance.
    He said that the governor gave an assurance that issues concerning the new pension scheme already passed into law by the Ebonyi House of Assembly would be resolved.

    “The governor pledged that a 14-man panel of labour/government will be set up to review all issues that concern the pension law recently passed by Ebonyi State House of Assembly.”

    Nkah expressed optimism that the governor would fulfil the promise, noting that till date, “it is on record that Ebonyi is among the states not owing workers’ monthly salaries.

    “Workers in Ebonyi public and civil service are paid within the month.

    “He gave the instruction that workers must be paid within the month and he ensures the directive is carried out.

    “The promise to resolve all issues surrounding the new pension scheme will not be an exception.”

    Nkah also solicited the support and co-operation of the state workforce to the state NLC.

     

  • Osinbajo intervenes in three states’ boundary dispute

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Tuesday waded into the boundary demarcation dispute among Ebonyi, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

    Although the outcome of the mediation was not made public, the stakeholders in the states attended a meeting presided over by Osinbajo at the State House, Abuja.

    The spokesman to the acting President, Mr. Laolu Akande, said the meeting was “to review updates on boundary and boundary demarcation issues.”

    The governors of the states – Prof. Ben Ayade (Cross River), Mr. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom) and Mr. Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) attended the meeting alongside their deputies.

    Also in attendance were officials of the National Boundary Commission led by the Director-General, Dr. Muhammad Ahmad, the clan head of Ipollo community in Cross River, Chief Stephen Odom, and senators from the states.

    NAN

     

  • Ebonyi distributes education materials to schools

    Ebonyi distributes education materials to schools

    Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi says the state government is determined to promote qualitative education to greater heights to widen the horizon of students.

    Umahi made this known in Abakaliki on Tuesday when he was inaugurating the distribution of assorted educational materials to senior secondary schools in the 13 local government areas of the state.

    The governor represented by the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. John Eke said that the initiative was a demonstration of government’s commitment to the development of education sector.

    Umahi described education as “pivotal for the socio-economic, political and cultural engineering of the people’’.

    He said that the state government would do everything within its powers to upgrade critical infrastructure to enhance service delivery.

    “Our desire is to build, enthrone and entrench a sound and solid educational system that will be the toast of all.

    “Education is an important tool for socio-economic, political and cultural engineering of any nation or society and it must be given serious attention.

    “No nation, either ancient or modern, has risen above its educational attainment.

    “For us to rise above our present level and achieve the type of development that we all yearn for, we must address the problem of human and material infrastructure in education sector.

    “We have developed and are still developing the capacity of our personnel through regular training and retraining to acquire modern skills in teaching.”

    The governor said that the educational materials would enhance performance of teachers in providing quality education for the children.

    “We have vowed to give the best and nothing but the best for our people.

    “We will not relent until we are sure that our children in public schools are receiving the best in teaching and learning,” Umahi said.

    He charged school administrators to ensure that the materials were timely distributed to the benefiting schools and judicious used.

    “The materials must not be diverted for private use and ensure that they get to the benefiting schools very timely, ” he said.

     

  • Umahi denies decamping plot

    Umahi denies decamping plot

    Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, has denied speculations that he plans to dump his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    He was rumoured to be making final arrangements with his deputy to jointly move to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Senator Emmanuel Onwe, said that the speculations of the movement was false.

    Stressing that the speculation was the figment of the imagination of those harbouring the rumour, he said that Umahi is going nowhere.

    He said: “There have been speculations as to whether the Governor of Ebonyi State is moving to the APC or whether he is remaining in PDP, and who is going with him and who is not going with him.

    “I want to address this matter hopefully once and for all, for all Nigerians to understand that Governor Umahi is one of the centre pillars of the PDP.

    “And I say that with a very deep conviction from my soul. This is a party on whose platform he has been the state Chairman for four years, a party on whose platform he was the deputy governor for four years and now, governor hopefully for eight years.

    “And anyone speculating about either his commitment or his strength, or his role within the party or any doubt at all about whether he is remaining or decamping, is just dreaming,” he added.

    The former lawmaker also noted that Umahi’s leadership style was one of the qualities that would lead the PDP out of the current challenges bedevilling the party.

    “If the Umahis are not in the PDP, it will completely collapse. And that is why his colleagues and others recognize that he is a man of considerable political wisdom, and knowledge and understanding and can really play the game very well. So, he is not going anywhere.

    “And all those with him, I emphasize that; every single member of his cabinet and those that are the stalwarts of PDP in Ebonyi state are with him 110 percent. Nobody is going anywhere.

    “He has provided the sort of leadership that I think not only is it necessary in Ebonyi to have that sort of leadership, but it is absolutely imperative that in a country, we should have that sort of leadership as well.

    “So, his style is to be emulated and if the APC or any other party for that matter is hoping that Umahi would join them, I think they should not be blamed for wishing to have a very good quality political material indeed,” he stated

  • Ebonyi moves to end robbery, kidnapping

    Ebonyi moves to end robbery, kidnapping

    Ebonyi State government on Thursday said issues of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes will soon be a thing of the past in the state soon.

    The state governor, Dave Umahi stated this in Abakaliki the state capital while flagging off the Sustainable Development Scheme (SDG) water scheme in the state.

    The Governor stated that his administration is working with the Police and other security agencies in the state to install CCTV and other surveillance apparatus in all the major entry and exit points and major cities of the state to ensure proper monitoring of the state.

    “When this is done, it will make it difficult for kidnappers and armed robbers to operate easily in the state and go free.”

    Umahi also backed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido’s advice that governor’s should not borrow to pay workers salary.

    He described it as postponing the doomsday asking, “if you borrow to pay workers, what will you do when the maturity time comes, it will then be a worse situation for the state.”

    He, however, promised that workers in the state and pensioners will continue to receive their salaries and pensions every 20th of the month despite the economic challenges facing the state government.

    On the water scheme, Umahi said his government will work to ensure that every local government is properly reticulated before the end of his tenure.

    He said the state government added another N900m to its N600m counterpart fund to ensure the completion of the projects.

    He listed the projects to include: rehabilitation of Ezillo water scheme, Sakamori water scheme to be done by Lannard Construction Company and Ohaozara water scheme to be done by Belform Nigeria Limited.

    Focal Person of SDG in Ebonyi state, Dr Ngozi Obichukwu attributed the realisation of the project to Umahi’s determination develop the state.

    She urged the people to ensure that the projects are properly maintained and protected.

  • Ebonyi governor suspends commissioner

    Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, has suspended the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development in the state, Mr. Samuel Okoronkwo.

    Umahi, who announced the suspension while declaring open the ITF programme in Abakaliki on Saturday, also disbanded the state’s committee on employment

    He said the suspension takes immediate effect, adding that his administration would not tolerate any action that would take the state back to the dark ages.

    The governor, however, did not give reason for the commissioner’s suspension.

    “The Commissioner for Local Government is hereby suspended from office effective from now. The highest officer, a civil servant, should take over and be attending Executive Council meeting until further notice,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the governor as saying on Saturday.

    “This administration from day one has been built on the principle of justice, equity and fairness.

    “In some of our programmes, we do equality of local governments, but in this kind of empowerment, we do equality of wards.

    “So, what I expected to see here would have been for them to borrow a leaf from what we are doing to empower about 3,000 of our women and youths.”