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Tag: David Umahi

  • Buhari arrives in New York for UN Summit

    Buhari arrives in New York for UN Summit

    President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in New York, United States, to join other world leaders for the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level events starting on Tuesday.

    The President was accompanied by governors Abdul’aziz Yari (Zamfara), David Umahi (Ebonyi) and Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo).

    He was received at the JF Kennedy Airport by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, and Nigeria’s Permanent Representative  to the UN, Prof. Tijjani Bande.

    The President was thereafter, received at 8:30 p.m. at his lodge by three ministers – Kayode Fayemi (Solid Minerals), Adamu Adamu (Education), and Okechukwu Enelamah (Industry, Trade and Investment).

    The others were the Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jibril; his Budget and National Planning counterpart, Zainab Ahmed, presidential aides as well as members of staff of the Nigerian Missions in the U.S.

    Buhari will deliver Nigeria’s National Statement on Tuesday, the first day of the general debate.

    He has been listed as the eighth speaker of the 193 Head of States expected to address the General Debate of the General Assembly.

    The theme for this year’s debate is ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’.

    The President will also join other world leaders at the welcoming reception to be hosted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and hold a bilateral meeting with the UN chief.

    Aside other high-level engagement, he will have a lunch meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, along with other world leaders.

    Nigeria will also participate in high-level meetings on “Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: Building Momentum for Change,” the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, a High Level Event organised by African Union under its theme of the Year: “Roadmap on the Demographic Dividend:From Commitment to Action,” among others.

    It is expected that the President and members of his delegation will project Nigeria as a strong moral force and responsible member of the international community.

     

  • S/East governors’ forum denies meeting against FG

    S/East governors’ forum denies meeting against FG

    The Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi has debunked reports making the rounds alleging that the body met behind closed doors where they accused the federal government of killing members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and other issues.

    Umahi was reacting to a report credited to one Comrade Nwankpa Osita Okere alleging that the forum met in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state where they accused the federal government of brutality on Ndigbo.

    Umahi who is also the Governor of Ebonyi State described the report as tissues of lies from the pit of hell.

    The governor who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor described the report as nothing but a figment of the writer’s imagination.

    He alleged that the said report was craftily done to embarrass the forum and create friction between the Governors of the zone and the federal government as part of efforts to thwart the ongoing peace process with the IPOB.

    He accused the originators of the falsehood of trying to sabotage the peace process already in motion between the forum and leadership of the IPOB especially as it concerns the rebuilding process and way forward to achieving lasting peace in the zone.

    “The attention of the forum has been drawn to a report circulating in various social media platforms, alleging that the South East Governors met behind closed doors at the Government House Abakaliki where they reached a consensus and accused the federal government of killing members of IPOB,” said the statement.

    “While it is our responsibility to protect the lives and property of our people including the IPOB, it is rather embarrassing to link the forum to whatever politics of bitterness in any part of the country”

    “Firstly, the writer and his paymasters failed to meet up with the realities on ground as concerns the already initiated move between the governors’ forum and leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu reached during our last meeting in our secretariat in Enugu.

    “It is therefore the wish of the forum to assure the general public that the communiqué raised during our last meeting with IPOB leadership still stands and anybody circulating any report contrary is the real enemy of Ndigbo and should be disregarded”

    The statement further disclosed that there was no such meeting as reported by the agent, adding that the Chairman of the forum, Governor Umahi whom he quoted as issuing the statement was not even in the country as he is outside the country on investment drive for the development of his state.

    He said that the forum is working in synergy with the federal government and other federating units towards economic and regional integration and development of the South East region.

    The governor further called on members of the public to disregard every attempt by amorphous groups to instigate crisis between the zone and the federal government.

     

  • Ebonyi releases N1.5b for pension, gratuity arrears

    Ebonyi releases N1.5b for pension, gratuity arrears

    The Ebonyi Government on Thursday released N1.5 billion to settle arrears of workers’ pension and gratuities accruing from Oct.2, 2016 to June 6, 2017.

    Sen. Emmanuel Onwe, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, disclosed this in a statement in Abakaliki.

    According to him, the decision was sequel to a report submitted by the committee on verification of workers’ pensions and gratuities to the state executive council.

    “The council has authorised the release of N750 million for the payment of pension and gratuity arrears of retired state civil servants.

    “The council also authorised the release of N750 million for the payment of the pension arrears and gratuities of local government workers,” he said.

    The commissioner said that Gov. David Umahi had directed all eligible beneficiaries to proceed to the Deputy Governor’s Office for verification and to ensure that the payments were disbursed with dispatch.

    “The council also deliberated on the deepening economic recession in the country and resolved to expand the state government’s empowerment programme.

    “This is to meet the growing economic challenges faced by the ordinary citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in the society,” he said.

    Onwe said that government would release funds for the ongoing economic empowerment for over 2,000 widows across the state on Monday, Aug. 21.

    “The widows would be given N200, 000 following the concluded report of the verification exercise conducted by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious and Welfare Matters which has been presented to Council.

    “The widows’ empowerment programme has also been expanded to accommodate additional 2,000 widows who will be selected, verified and paid the sum of N200, 000 each by October, 2017,” he said.

    Onwe said that the N1billion budgeted for empowerment of 4,000 eligible persons of the state was still being disbursed by the Ministry of Empowerment and Job Creation.

    He said that over 1,000 persons had already applied and collected grants of N250, 000 each.

    “Beneficiaries who meet the criteria should expect to be paid with effect from Monday, Aug.21 as the relevant ministry will announce and publish the names of recipients of the grants at the conclusion of the disbursements.

    “The state government in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) has inaugurated a Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Fund of N4 billion operated by the bank for companies and cooperative societies.

    “The beneficiaries with business plans, would access loan facilities ranging from N1million to N100 million to either commence or expand small scale or medium scale enterprises.

    “Interested citizens of the state with creative and entrepreneurial drive are encouraged to approach the BOI to obtain loan facilities at a staggeringly low interest rate of just 6%”.

  • Umahi breaks eight years water scarcity jinx in Ebonyi

    Umahi breaks eight years water scarcity jinx in Ebonyi

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has broken the age long jinx in the area of distribution of portable water in the state since inception of successive administrations.

    The Commissioner for Water Resources, Mrs. Euphemia Nwali stated this in Abakaliki Saturday while addressing journalists.

    She said the ministry has been able to fix all problems associated with reticulation of water across the state with the state capital taking the lead.

    She said the state government through the ministry of water resources had embarked on provision of affordable water to the people of Ebonyi state in a sustainable manner to improve living standard of the people.

    Nwali disclosed that following the water losses in the pipe network in Abakaliki metropolis, often occasioned by vandalism on the pipes conveying water from the Oferekpe water scheme, the state government embarked on comprehensive pipe replacement programme in order to reduce water loss, replaced aged pipes and ensured sustainability in water delivery.

    She said water has been reticulated to a distance covering over 500km using different sizes of HDP pipes which WHO recommended for water
    distribution and over 23 streets have been covered and HDP pipes ranging from 181 lengths of 6 HDP pipes and installation of fitting were also used to achieve the feat.

    The Commissioner also flayed the statement allegedly credited to the former General Manager of the defunct Ebonyi Water Corporation, Paul Okorie alleging that there was no water in the state and described the statement as pure falsehood coming from the propagandists of opposition party in the state.

    “The state government has completed two giant water schemes it inherited from the past administration example of such included the Iyiokwu washout chamber which was awarded to James JS Construction Company and Washing of Oferekpe Water transmission line.

    “The state government has been able to design and initiate the construction of new water scheme in Ishiagu in Ivo local government area of the state and reconstruction of Uburu water scheme. All these were achieved within just two years in office and that is why water is running in every home in the state”

     

  • Communal clash IDPs get relief in Ebonyi

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has distributed relief materials worth N20million to persons displaced by the intra-communal dispute between the people of Ogiri and Okporojo in Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.

    The two neighbouring communities have been locked in land dispute which claimed the lives of over 40 persons when fighting broke out in May with properties including houses worth millions of naira destroyed.

    The relief materials included cartons of noodles, bags of rice, cartons of wrappers, and mattresses, among others.

    In addition to the relief materials, the government also gave each household affected in the crisis N100, 000 to the over 121 households.

    Handing over the relief materials to the IDPs at government house, Abakaliki,  Governor Umahi represented by his Deputy Dr. Kelechi Igwe called on the over 130 communities in the state to live in peace.

    He said the distribution of the relief materials will) be the last time the government will be intervening in intra crisis.

    He noted that the government was spending much in maintaining security of lives and property of the citizenry and warned that it will not tolerate anyone or community frustrating the government’s efforts.

    “We are doing a lot to change the state for good and also touch lives. What security is taking from this government is so much that any other government would have collapsed because in all our border communities, there are crisis and the government has been providing security in all these flash points. The government ensures the welfare of the security agencies in these areas,” Umahi said.

    The Chairman of the local government, Eni Uduma Chima who commended the government for the gesture, said normalcy has returned to the two warring communities.

    Eni Uduma Chima who lamented the condition of the affected village in terms of infrastructure and welfare added that the present administration has begun the reconstruction of the houses in the area to ensure that the people were comfortable and repositioned to face the challenges ahead of them.

    Chima further noted that security personnel were fully mobilized within and around the affected village to ensure peace and order adding that his office would ensure that the relief materials were duly distributed to the IDPs.

  • Ebonyi distributes relief materials to IDPs

    Ebonyi distributes relief materials to IDPs

    Ebonyi state Governor, David Umahi on Monday distributed relief materials worth N20million to Internally Displaced Persons in the intra-communal dispute between the people of Ogiri and Okporojo, Afikpo South local government area of the state.

    The two neighbouring communities have been locked in land dispute which claimed the lives of over 40 persons when fighting broke out in May this year with properties including houses worth millions of naira destroyed.

    The relief materials include cartons of noodles, bags of rice, cartons or wrappers, sleeping mattresses among others.

    In addition to the relief materials, the government also gave each household affected in the crisis N100, 000 to the over 121 households.

    Handing over the relief materials to the IDPs at government house, Abakaliki, Governor Umahi represented by his Deputy Dr. Kelechi Igwe called on the over 130 communities in the state to live in peace.

    He said the distribution of the relief materials will) be the last time the government will be intervening in intra crisis.

    He noted that the government was spending much in maintaining security of lives and property of the citizenry and warned that it will not tolerate anyone or community frustrating the government’s
    efforts.

    “We are doing a lot to change the state for good and also touch lives. What security is taking from this government is so much that any other government would have collapsed because in all our border communities, there are crisis and the government has been providing security in all these flash points. The government ensures the welfare of the security agencies in these areas”, Umahi said.

    The Chairman of the local government, Eni Uduma Chima who commended the government for the gesture, said normalcy has returned to the two warring communities. 

    Eni Uduma Chima who lamented over the condition of the affected village in terms of infrastructure and welfare added that the present administration has begun the reconstruction of the houses in the area to ensure that the people were comfortable and repositioned to face the challenges ahead of them.

    Chima further noted that security personnel were fully mobilized within and around the affected village to ensure peace and order adding that his office would ensure that the relief materials were duly distributed to the IDPs.

  • Fraudsters defrauding people on Facebook with my name, pictures – Umahi

    Fraudsters defrauding people on Facebook with my name, pictures – Umahi

    Ebonyi state Governor, David Umahi have raised alarm over a group of fraudsters using his name and images to defraud members of the public of their hard warned money on popular social media platform Facebook.
    The governor raised the alarm in a statement issued on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor on Wednesday in Abakaliki, the state capital.
    “It has come to the notice of the Governor of Ebonyi State, David Nweze Umahi that a group of online fraudsters have opened facebook accounts using His name and photograph with intention to defraud unsuspecting members of the public especially Ebonyians”, said the statement.
    According to Mr Uzor these group of fraudsters pride themselves as agents of the state government using the governor’s name and photograph to perfect their heneious crime and are sabotaging​ the various genuine empowerment schemes of the state government by pretending to be acting on behalf of the Governor of Ebonyi State.
    “Consequently,  the general public is warned to disregard any facebook account bearing the governor’s name and photograph or any other social media accounts thereto especially the one created by a fraudster who gave his name simply as Dr. Philip with phone number, 09028955296 as these accounts have been found to be willing tools in the hands of these online fraudsters to fleece unsuspecting members of the public”.
    “In the face of the foregoing,  the general public is also urged especially one Ajah Felicia from Ukawu in  Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State to disregard the directive of the so called Dr. Philip who was operating as the Director  of Small and Medium Enterprise,  SME in the state who has been calling unsuspecting members of the public to pay 1 percent of  N2m emporment scheme as counterpart funds before accessing the N2m emporment funds”, read the statement.
    Mr Uzor further warned members of the general public to desist from patronizing operators of any social media accounts bearing the name, photograph and phone number of the governor especially the one being operated by the so called  Dr Philip, the purported Director of SME fund with phone number  09028955296 “so as not to be victims of these bad elements operating in the social media using improved information and communication technology as tools”.
    He reiterated that Mr Umahi does not own nor run any social media account especially on facebook and has never directed anybody through these online platforms to access any government empowerment scheme.
    “The security operatives have been duly briefed of the unfortunate impersonation by these fraudseters and anybody caught in this crime will face the full weight of the law. To be forewarned is to be foreharmed.
    Don’t be a victim! Shine your eyes and act accordingly!!”, concluded the statement.
  • Ebonyi begins certification of yam for export

    Ebonyi begins certification of yam for export

    The Ebonyi State Government said on Friday that it has started discussion with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for the certification of yam for export.

    The Gov. David Umahi, who made the disclosure to journalists in Abakaliki, said the move was in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to boost yam export to the United Kingdom and the United States (U.S.).

    According to him, when the certification is through, we will commence export of the yams immediately.

    “Our yam is the biggest and sweetest in the whole country.

    “I have discussed with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; we have agreed that the certification of our yam will be done.

    “The moment that is done, by the next dry season, you will see containers of yams leaving Ebonyi State for export,’’ the governor said.

    Umahi said the state would establish an equity investment law that would enable land owners benefit from foreign investment in the state.

    “We will establish a law whereby if you want to take 5,000 hectares of land that you want to farm in as an investor, the farm owners will aggregate to form a cooperative society.

    “The farm owners will become shareholders by reason of the percentage of the area the owners have on the hectare housing the investment.

    “The law will be such that individual owners will have like 10 per cent equity of investment and the state will have 10 per cent as the constitutional owners of the land,’’ he said.

    The governor explained that the law would no longer tolerate the previous business of employing only host community natives or paying tax to the government.

    “I recommend this to the Federal Government too. Let investors come but let the owners of the place have equity in whatever business that will be set up on the land.

    “Host communities should be part of the consideration in terms of benefits because their land is being damaged and de-possessed.

    “If you didn’t damage the land, they should have used it to do other things within their reach,’’ Umahi said.

  • Ebonyi borrows N10bn to finance agriculture – Umahi

    Ebonyi borrows N10bn to finance agriculture – Umahi

    The Ebonyi State Government says it has borrowed N10 billion from the Federal Government to finance agricultural activities in the state.

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi specifically told newsmen in Abakaliki on Friday that the credit would be used to support farmers and domesticate rice production in the state.

    The governor added that the state government would also establish Mega Rice Cities in the various local government areas of the state to boost rice production.

    “We have also borrowed some funds under CARTS from the Federal Government.

    “We borrowed N2billion, we will be paying off in the next 3 months, of course we borrowed another N5 billion and another N3 billion.

    “We want to domesticate rice production in Ebonyi State and we are going beyond individual production.

    “We are now beginning to see how we can institute what we call rice mega cities in each local government area where by we have 5,000 hectares of land dedicated for rice production in each of our local government areas.

    “Already, we have 4 rice mills that are in operation and you also see private people that are  milling with their traditional machines.

    “We have imported another 3 sets of rice mills which we will install in the next 3 to 4 months and our idea is that before the middle of next year, we will be able to have one rice mill in each local government area.

    The governor stated that the idea is to maintain the nutritious quality of the rice produced in the state with a view to making it compete internationally.

    According to Umahi, the state is planning to cultivate 100,000 hectares of land to produce 400,000 tonnes of rice in the next two years.

    He said government was already supporting farmers with inputs and subsidies and that buyers from neighbouring African countries were patronising the rice market in the state.

  • Umahi appoints new CPS

    Umahi appoints new CPS

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has appointed Mr. Emmanuel Uzor as his Chief Press Secretary.

    A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Sen. Emma Onwe, said the appointment takes immediate effect.

    Uzor, until his appointment was the Ebonyi State Correspondent of The Sun Newspaper.

    He takes over from Mr. Emma Anya who was relieved of his appointment recently.

    Uzor joined The Sun Newspaper in 2010 and has worked in Onitsha, Anambra State, before he was transferred to Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, in August 2015.

    He holds Bachelor of Art (BA) degrees in Philosophy and Mass Communication from the University of Ibadan and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka respectively.

    He also holds Bachelors of Philosophy (B’PHL) from the Pontificate University, Urban, Rome and Diploma in Latin from St Joseph University, Rome.

    Meanwhile, the National President of the Sports Writers’ Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Comrade Honour Sirawoo, has congratulated Uzor over his appointment as CPS to Ebonyi State Governor.

    In a congratulatory message delivered through the state Chairman of SWAN, Mr. Chukwuemeka Opara, Sirawoo described Uzor’s appointment as well deserved and a vindication of the state governor’s penchant for excellence.