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Tag: David Umahi

  • Don’t abandon farms for politics, Umahi advises

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has advised the people not to abandon their farm work and other agricultural ventures because of the general elections.

    Umahi gave the advice on Thursday in Abakiliki, at the launch of the 2019 farming season in the state.

    The event was attended by rice and cassava farmers, traditional rulers and beneficiaries of government’s empowerment schemes, among other stakeholders.

    He said that government had enough funds to assist farmers during the farming season.

    He said: “We have funds from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Federal Government so farmers should register with the state ministry of agriculture and natural resources to be able to access the loans.

    “You only need to tell us how much fund, fertilizer and herbicides you want and how you intend to pay back because we will not profile farmers this farming season.”

    He said that government would only verify the farmlands to be used for cultivation but will not provide rice seedlings to farmers this year.

    Read Also : Ebonyi APC candidates: we will challenge results

    “Our own people, including workers and government officials, dealt with us last farming season and when we are eating our future, we do not know.

    “You pay high amount of money for rice seedlings and they (officials) would get the seedlings through the farmers and supply them to us.

    “We are therefore not procuring rice seedlings for anybody again,” the governor said, adding that farmers should produce their own seedling or go to Benue to buy.

    “My father was a farmer all through his life, trained all his children to the university level but never sought for government’s rice seedlings,” he said.

    He further advised civil servants, who had yet to access the N4 billion agricultural loan for farmers, to register.

    He, however, warned that the facility would not be treated like the issue of gratuity.

    “The records of the gratuities paid by the past administrations in the state were burnt. “Otherwise, the 40 per cent payment we made could have been used to pay all the civil servants,” Umahi said.

    The governor, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, appealed to the traditional rulers to persuade their subjects to vote for him on March 9.

    He said that voting massively for him in the election would demonstrate the people’s appreciation of all that God had used him to do for the state.

    “The turnout of voters on February 23 was poor. You should persuade our people to vote for us instead of voting on the basis of clanishness,” he said.

    Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Eze Charles Mkpuma, the Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, admitted that votes were cast on clanish consideration.

    “We shall, however, guard against such attitude on March 9. We shall use the election to reward you for the rapid transformation witnessed in the state under your watch,” Mkpuma said.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that representatives of the farmers and town unions and beneficiaries of the governor’s empowerment schemes took turn to assure him of their unflinching support.

  • Umahi commends INEC for smooth conduct of elections in Ebonyi

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the successful conduct of the election in the state.

    Umahi stated this after voting at Onuwafor polling unit in Umunaga ward, Uburu in Ohaozara local government area.

    He said that the election was excellent and beautiful and therefore commended the INEC boss, Mahmood Yakubu for the smooth process.

    The governor who voted by 10:20am noted that the turnout of voters was an indication that Nigerians were beginning to know their rights.

    He said that with the disposition of the electoral body, politicians should be held responsible if any of the processes failed and not the INEC.

    Umahi said: “The process is excellent, very beautiful. INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu should be commended. If any process fails, the fault is from the politicians and not part of the INEC. INEC has done very well. The problem of the card readers are from the operators. The card readers are functioning well but the operators are the problems. They need to be educated on the use of the card readers”.

    Read Also: Ebonyi traditional rulers endorse Buhari, Umahi

    “There is high turnout. It is a statement from the people that leaders should stop taking them for granted. Everybody is interested now. So if you are a leader and you are voted into office, your eyes must be on the people because the level of turnout is an indication that Nigerians are beginning to know their right”.

    The governor said there were infiltration of people in some places because people who were not on ground thought they can use thugs and security agencies to intimidate the people.

    Umahi however condemned the killings in Ikwo local government area on Friday night where two people died, stressing that the perpetrators of the dastardly act must be face the full wrath of the law.

    “The incident in Ikwo is saddening. Ikwo is going to be isolated at the end of the day. All the killings and evils against the people of Ikwo must be attended to. It’s not election or no election, anyone that takes life must be called to order, the governor vowed.”

     

  • Umahi to security agents: Shoot anyone bearing illegal firearms

    Following the incessant attacks and violent activities in some parts of Ebonyi State, Governor, David Umahi has ordered security agencies in the state to shoot any person caught terrorizing the state with illegal firearms.

    Addressing victims of the pre-election violence in Agbaji in Izzi local government area where two persons were said to have been killed and over 20 houses burnt, Governor Umahi also directed security agencies to be ruthless to perpetrators of violence in the state.

    Umahi advised youths to organize themselves and protect their mothers and young ones to avoid further attacks in the state.

    The governor condemned the violence in Izzi, urging the youths of the area to be more united to resist any attack and therefore charged them to deal mercilessly to anyone who terrorizes the community.

    He urged the state commissioner of Police to withdraw all illegal police attachment to any politician in the state, stressing that if the attack continues, he would order the youths to beat up any politician seen going about with security guards.

    The governor blamed the leaders of Izzi as responsible for the violence in the community, warning also that if they don’t curb the incessant attack in the area, he would turn and set the youths against them and their homes.

    “I am the Chief security officer of Ebonyi state. I want to order security agencies to shoot-at-sight any person bearing illegal firearms which he is using to attack Ebonyi people. I want the commissioner of Police to withdraw all illegal policemen attached to some politicians in the state. The leaders of Izzi clan are the ones causing the crisis. Youths of Izzi should unite and come together to protect their mothers, younger ones and themselves too.

    “If you arrest any person with gun, break the person’s hands, legs and tie him to the police station. I want the security agencies to be ruthless to any person who attacks innocent and law-abiding citizens in the state. If this violence and attack continue, I will order the arrest of all the leaders of Izzi no matter the person or his relationship with the president, Umahi warned.

    Read Also: Umahi vows to probe APC gov candidate

    A stakeholder of the area and Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru blamed desperate politicians in the area who want to win elections at all cost.

    Meanwhile, the state PDP chairman, Onyekachi Nwebonyi raised the alarm over what he termed an alleged plot by the APC in the state to arrest top PDP members ahead of the Saturday presidential election.

    According to him, the plot is meant to whittle down the power of the PDP and pave way for the APC to rig the election.

    He alleged that the plot was being hatched by some major candidates of the APC in the state.

    Nwebonyi warned that the PDP would resist any form of intimidation and victimization of their members.

    He lamented that PDP members have been killed and many houses burnt in recent attacks in the state.

    He, however, appealed for peace and calm, urging Ebonyi people to turn out and participate on the presidential election.

    “Security agencies are on ground and have assured us that they will be fair to all,” he said.

  • Updated: Two arrested for planting explosives on Ebonyi bridge

    Two persons have been arrested in Ebonyi state while planting Improvised Explosive Devices, IEDs, on Idembia bridge in Ezza South Local government Area of Ebonyi state.

    Governor David Umahi stated this in a special security situation broadcast to the people of the state on Friday.

    He said the arrest followed intelligence reports that some members of a political party were planning to bomb bridges and other installations in the state.

    He said the two suspects were arrested by villagers living close to the bridge which links Ezza South to Ohaozara local government area.

    The governor also said that a National Assembly Candidate of a political party, a few days ago went to a quarry site in the state to purchase explosives but was turned down by the operators who also reported to the state government.

    “The report came to me as Chief Security officer of this state that a House of Assembly candidate went to quarry site to buy explosives and the people came and reported to us, they refused to
    sell to him”

    “We had to immediately report to the security agencies and they have the name of the person. They moved into action to arrest the person and I have said they should declare him wanted”

    “Subsequently, four hours later, we got information that a meeting was held and it was agreed to plant explosives in hotels, in flyovers and bridges including bridges built by past administration in the state”.

    “While we were still examining the authenticity of the information, Commissioner for Internal security called to say that the community and Neighbourhood Security Watch apprehended two people that have succeeded in planting explosives at Idembia bridge but they have not detonated it”

    “They were still planting it, they went to the expansion of the bridge the weakest link to plant it. They have been apprehended and sent to the Army and the Army has sent them to the police. So, they are being investigated”.

    The governor also gave report of other violent incidents in various parts of the state candidates.

    “Two House of Representatives candidates in Ezza North LGA were shooting guns. Incidentally, a police orderly was attached to one of them who participated in the shooting of gun. The matter has been reported to the police to fish out the police orderly and he must be arrested”.

    “Army arrested one of the candidates of a political party along the road with a short gun. Then in Ikwo, somebody was arrested with gun for terrorizing his community”.

    The governor warned that anyone, irrespective of political affiliation, caught in any violent conduct before, during and after the election will be prosecuted.

    He charged the people to go about their lawful business and not to let the incident deter them from coming out to vote in tomorrow’s election.

    “I encourage Ebonyians to come out and vote because we have enough security and that any disturbance, they should just let the security agencies know”.

    “Security agencies are equal to the task and they are very neutral and well prepared to protect the people”

    “So, I urge Ebonyians not to be afraid of anything because those that are here to protect us are so many and they are they are doing perfect work and so every life will be protected”.

    Police Spokesman in the state, Loveth Ogah confirmed the incident.

    She gave the names of the suspects as Kingsley Nweke and Chijioke Uwakwe.

    The spokesman said the Police is investigating the matter assuring that the Police is on top of the security situation in the state.

  • Buratai and the accolades from Ebonyi State University

    Good deeds trail a leader to even forlorn corners of deserts in a natural response to the instincts of appreciation in mankind. Not all Nigerians are thankless people and in spite of the generalized degeneration in the land, good leaders are feted and honoured by foresighted and conscionable Nigerians.
    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. TY Buratai has passionately touched the hearts of Nigerians in an unforgettable manner. Without his effective leadership of the Nigerian Army and command of Nigerian troops in the trenches against terrorism, insurgencies and insurrections, by now, Nigeria would have lost a sizeable chunk of its territories to terrorists.
    And without Gen. Buratai, most communities in Nigeria would have ceased to exist in peace and security because of the agonizing actions of armed gangs, armed militias, warlords and assailants. But the Army Chief has religiously stuck to his vow to Nigerians of terminating the reign of terror anywhere in Nigeria.
    The Army boss promised Nigerians to enthrone peace and security even if it costs him his life. So far and in the past three years, Gen. Buratai has discharged this responsibility creditably. He has fulfilled his covenant with Nigerian people in an amazing and stylish manner.
    And Nigerians are beginning to discern the efforts by appreciating Gen. Buratai, a silent achiever, rugged soldier, patriot, military scholar, reformer and the unsung hero of security in Nigeria. In far away Southeast and precisely, Ebonyi  state, Governor David Umahi, and his   State Executive Council unanimously approved and named an institute in the Ebonyi State University (EBSU) as “Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies”.
    Naming the newly established institute after Gen. Buratai  in itself is not sensational. But what is more captivating is the reason adduced for such honour to the Army boss. As revealed by the Vice Chancellor of EBSU, Prof. Chigozie Egbu, the Army boss deserved the honour for his selfless service to the nation and humanity. They have noticed his splendor in the promotion and maintenance of peace and security in Nigeria.
    By implication, the entire people of Ebonyi  state have scored Gen. Buratai and the Nigerian Army distinctively on securing Nigeria. The people have specially recognized the contributions and sacrifices of the Nigerian Army in ending the assailing myriad of security threats, which almost consumed the country before Gen. Buratai was burdened with the task of restoring security sanity in the country.
    And the honours  to Gen. Buratai are coming in torrents and competitively. Barely two weeks ago, the Igbinedion University, Okada, opened the floodgate by  honoring  the Nigerian Army. It also named its Centre for Contemporary Security Affairs after Gen. Buratai. Its strategic and encouraging, to say the least.
    But the gesture by Ebonyi  people is particularly exciting for unique reasons. The natives of Ebonyi  state are Igbo people who are famed for their high mobility flair driven by investment motives and business pursuits. They are found everywhere in Nigeria and their investments have no geographical boundaries. Ndi’gbos  appreciate a stable and secured Nigerian more than any other Nigerian.  And it is this priceless gift of security and peace Gen. Buratai has delivered to them and the rest of Nigerians.
    Gen. Buratai is therefore, worthy of this honour and much more. For a COAS who has changed the sad narrative of the war against Boko Haram terrorism into success story in favour of Nigeria ought to be celebrated. The decimation and defeat of Boko Haram or the suppression of violent secession agitations in the Southeast   has impacted positively on the security and peace of all Nigerian citizens particularly Ndi’gbos.
    Southeasterners are now transacting their legitimate businesses in the Southeast or elsewhere in Nigeria, unmolested or harassed and or, without any fear of being killed or their businesses destroyed by hoodlums or armed assailants.
    The COAS has endeared himself to the Southeast in other numerous  ways too. Gen. Buratai enforced local content in goods and services for the first time in the history of Nigerian Army,  and launched the Made in Aba and Made in Nigeria campaigns. Through this  policy of the Army in patronizing local goods and services, the Southeast has become the greatest beneficiary.
    It  has impacted positively on businesses and  the economy of the Southeast.  Innoson Motors and others can bear positive testimony to this partnership with the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Gen. Buratai.
    And furthermore, during the “Egwu Eke” Exercise I & II launched by the Nigerian Army,  it provided free water supply to  “Abakpa” community  in Enugu State  and free medicare to different communities in the Southeast in exercise of its  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The Army’s gesture of water supply to the Abakpa was historic hence the community was benefitting from treated and hygienic water for the first time in its history of existence.
    And assessing the leadership personality of Gen. Buratai, what strikes anyone instantly is the  de-tribalized nature of the Army Chief. He ensures that every officer and soldier is treated fairly and equitably without recourse to his or her ethnicity, religion or region. These were impossible even when a privilege Igbo son held the position he is occupying today.
    Rather, such privileged positions were used to exhume old   rivalries in Igbo land and the his powers deployed to oppress weak communities.  And there are a dozen other ways Ndi’gbo has felt the impact of Gen. Buratai’s leadership of the Nigerian Army.
    Therefore, naming the EBSU institute after Gen. Burati is considered as a step in the right direction. The people of Ebony and Gov. David Umahi deserve a loud applause for this wisdom. It is a decision that would further explore more beneficial opportunities to people of the state, the Southeast and Nigerian security agencies in the nearest future.
    And Gen. Buratai  has already indicated intention  to support the university to provide quality education and  place the institute on a development pedestal that would serve as a centre for academic research on contemporary security challenges.
    Finally,  the good people of Ebony state must not forget that the  honour to  Gen. Buratai is an honour to the   officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army. It is a unique salute to the Nigerian Army for their commitment and sacrifices to resolving Nigeria’s choking security threats. And indeed, all Nigerians have appreciated the wisdom of the great people of Ebonyi  state and God himself will reward them richly and in ways they have never contemplated.
    Odoma wrote this article from Asokoro, Abuja.

     

     

  • CAN endorses Umahi for second term

    The Ebonyi state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, on Thursday endorsed Governor David Umahi for re-election in the forthcoming general election.

    The Association gave the endorsement at Ezzilo, headquarters of Ishielu local government Area during the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, rally in the council.

    All the blocks of can were represented at the event which had over 30 Bishops in attendance who prayer for the governor.

    The Chairman of CAN in the State, Rev Fr Abraham Nwali said the association endorsed the governor because of his disposition to peace which led to the lasting peace he has brought to the crisis ridden Ezza-Ezillo axis in the council.

    He said the governor has achieved more than was expected not him and this deserves a second term to continue with his people oriented projects across the state.

    “All his predecessors had two terms so he deserves a second tenure too”, said the clergyman.

    The governor also had the blessings and endorsement of traditional rulers in the council who blessed him and pledged their support for his re-election.

    Responding, Governor Umahi, jokingly said he will donate N5m to the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Sunny Ogbuorji to enable him change his posters and billboards.

    He said he was constrained to make the donation because the posters of the APC guber candidate and his running mate, Justin Ogodo, was not good for the image of the state.

    The governor directed his Chief of Staff, Dr. Offor Okorie, to release the money immediately to Ogbuorji and his running mate.

    The gesture was however, opposed by PDP supporters in the rally who immediately chanted “no! no! no! no! .

    “Tell my brother, the one who said he is contesting governor with the so-called deputy to change their pictures (referring to their posters). People will think that is how Ebonyi people look like.

    Read Also: CAN: we’ve not endorsed any presidential candidate

    “I want to donate N5m naira to assist them change their pictures. For the sake of image of Ebonyi state, let them change those posters and billboards. I want the Chief of staff to release the money immediately to them,” Umahi said, though with pidgin English.

    He also warned PDP supporters against attacking members of opposition or tearing their posters or billboards, saying, they are so insignificant and should not be given unnecessary attention.

    Umahi also said he was impressed by the massive turnout of people in the rally and commended the stakeholders of the area for the feat.

    He recalled that in 2015 when he came to Ishielu to seek for their votes “there was alot of blood shade caused by the Ezillo and Ezza Ezillo communal war but today it has become a history as absolute peace has returned to the area.

    He said the peace was made possible through prayers from the clergies.

    The governor said there was no alternative to peace because without the return of peace in Ishielu LGA his administration would not have achieved what he has achieved in the area.

    He told the cheering crowd to votes for all PDP candidates including the party’s presidential candidate and his running mate.

    “Ebonyi state is PDP. Vote for our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar; vote for Peter Obi (okwute ndi Igbo), our vice Presidential candidate; vote all the PDP candidates.There is no division in PDP South East. Southeast is totally PDP, Umahi urged the crowd.

    He said he was confident that Ishielu people would deliver all PDP candidates in upcoming general election.

  • Umahi vows to probe APC gov candidate

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi on Wednesday vowed to probe all federal government road projects executed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Senator Sunny Ogbuorji in the state.

    Umahi spoke in Isaka, the Council headquarters of Ivo local government area, during his re-election rally in the area.

    He maintained that Ogbuorji would vomit every kobo he embezzled from the money meant for the projects.

    The governor said all the road projects being executed by Ogbuorji had already failed, nothing that he won’t allow any substandard project to be executed in the state under his watch.

    “I am going to probe all the federal government roads that he (referring to Ogbuorji) is currently doing that have already failed.

    “I will probe all of them and the street light project and I assure you that I will make him vomit every kobo that he has embezzled in those projects,” he stressed.

    Umahi appealed to the people to stop wasting time on the APC guber candidate, as according to him, he had no capacity to withstand him.

    “I don’t waste my time talking about Ogbuorji because I know his capacity. You cannot compare him with this man standing here (referring to himself). We are no match. So, don’t waste your time talking about him.

    “I want him to come and debate with one of my House of Assembly members. That is his qualification.

    ‘’I won’t waste my time on him. I am a divine project. Who was he before we pushed him into politics? So, don’t waste your time on him”.

    He further advised PDP supporters not to attack any person or tear posters/ billboards of candidates of other political parties in the state, saying, there was no need since they are already in charge.

    Umahi, who described Ivo LGA as his second home, announced that work would immediately resume on the Ivo water project.

    Read Also: No division in Southeast PDP – Umahi

    The Governor also said in compliance to the request made by the former Secretary to Government of the federation, Senator Pius Anyim, he would flag-off of the construction of the road leading to His Royal Highness, Agu(3), Eze Moses Ngele of Ishiagu, and Asa road on Monday.

    The governor assured the people of Ivo LGA that he would construct their urban roads in his second tenure in office.

    Former Secretary to Government of the federation, Pius Anyim, stated the governor means well for Ebonyi people considering the qaulity of people flying the PDP flag in the state.

  • No division in Southeast PDP – Umahi

    Ebonyi state governor, David Umahi on Saturday reiterated that there is no division in his party, People’s Democratic Party ( PDP) in the South East.

    The governor, who is the Chairman of the Southeast Governor’s Forum, stated this at Iboko, headquarters of Izzi Local government area during the flag off of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) campaign in the council.

    He charged the people to vote for all the candidates of the party during the forthcoming general elections.

    “There is no division in PDP in Southeast, Southeast is PDP and PDP is Southeast. Vote for all PDP candidates”, he said

    Governor Umahi promised that the Abakaliki ring road will commence by Match.

    He said efforts to begin the construction years earlier were twarted by some members of the All Progressive Congress who deployed all means to frustrate the efforts of government to take loan from the African Development Bank to donstruct the road.

    The Abakaliki ring road is the longest road in the state and cuts across 8 out of the 13 local governments in the state.

    “The same people who caused the delay are today coming to ask you to vote for them. We will commence the road by Match and will do more projects for you”.

    The governor also announced the appointment of Dr Sunday Nwangele as a Commissioner to make it two commissioners from the local government.

    He urged the people to vote for Dr Sam Egwu for Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, Sylvester Ogbaga for Abakaliki/Izzi federal constituency and Chukwuma Nwazunku for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu federal constituency in the election.

    Read Also: Umahi effects cabinet reshuffle

    The governor also flagged off the the N1.4 bn community development project for the 140 communities in the state.

    According to him each Community will get N10m to carry out a project of their choice.

    Umahi said the money for the community projects has already been set aside and that leaders of all the 140 communities have submitted projects their communities like for execution.

    Umahi noted that he will continue to develop the state and called on the people to continue to support his administration.

    “We are starting N10million project in each of the 140 communities. The money is already available, it is by action not by mouth. We said that every community should give us project of their choice and they have done that. So, we will need to flag it off”, he said.

  • Election: Umahi directs supporters to be at polling units by 6am

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has directed the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters to move to their polling units on election days by 6 a.m., to prevent possible electoral malpractices.

    Umahi gave the directive on Friday at Ikwo Local Government Area during the flag-off of his election campaign, urging the supporters to remain at the polling units after casting their votes.

    “Nobody should attempt any form of malpractice because we will resist such with everything we have.

    “When I was asked to sign the peace accord by the Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), I signed but said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies should actually sign the accord.

    “There will be peace if they say let there be peace and if they refuse, there will not be,” he said.

    The governor noted that anybody collecting gratifications to perpetuate malpractices during the elections was risking his life because Ebonyi people would not agree to such.

    “Anyone coming for elections in the state should do the right thing because we are not asking for favours, having been blessed by God.

    “Henceforth, appointments into governmental positions will not be based on local government area considerations but on support to the PDP and its candidates.

    Read Also: Umahi donates operational vehicles to security agencies

    “Do not allow people to deceive you with all sorts of insinuations as everybody supporting the PDP must vote for the party’s candidates.

    “We are commencing our house-to-house campaign from Sunday, Jan. 20, and party faithful should post their findings on our social media platform,” he said.

    Umahi said that the campaign was flagged-off in Ikwo Local Government due to the electoral success recorded when such flag-off commenced in the area in 2015.

    “You gave 90 per cent of your votes when an incumbent governor from the area was not supporting us and you hadn’t a present deputy governor, three commissioners and other appointments.

    “I am optimistic that you will give us 100 percent presently with our infrastructural strides in roads and plans to make the Oferekpe water scheme functional, among others,” the governor said.

    Dr Kelechi Igwe, the Deputy Governor, who hails from the area, thanked the governor for replicating the flag-off of the campaign in the area and assured of the peoples’ total support.

    “The women of the area and decampees from the All Progressive Congress (APC) have donated Sienna buses respectively in appreciation of your numerous developmental strides and to support your re-election,” he said.

    Chief Uche Secondus, the PDP National Chairman, urged the electorate to vote for all PDP candidates from the presidential to the House of Assembly level.

    Secondus, represented by Chief Austin Umahi, the party’s National Vice-Chairman-South East Zone, said that the journey to the party’s electoral victory in 2015 started in Ikwo Local Government Area and expressed optimism of a repeat performance.

    Mr Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the state Party Chairman, noted that the governor had justified his campaign with his numerous infrastructural strides across the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the occasion witnessed the defection of APC supporters to PDP, presentation of PDP candidates from the area and goodwill messages from party faithful among others.

  • Umahi donates operational vehicles to security agencies

    In a bid to sustain the high security performance of security agencies in the state which has made the state the most secured in the Southeast, the Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has donated Hillux vans to various security agencies.

    The event took place at the Pa Oruta Ngele Township Stadium Abakaliki and has in attendance, the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division Enugu, Abubakar Maikobi.

    Recall that the Army had chosen Ebonyi as its headquarters for the operation Python Dance III in the Southeast which commenced on January 1.

    The GOC had earlier said, during the flag-off of the exercise, assured that the army would remain neutral, professional and totally apolitical during the Operation Python Dance III in the Southeast zone.

    “I have been mandated by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to inform you as the state’s security officer, that the exercise would commence from January 1 and last till February 28,” Mr Miakobi said.

    On why Ebonyi is headquarters, Mr Maikobi said: “We have selected Ebonyi under your purposeful leadership as the location for the step-up headquarters for the exercise.”

    Speaking during the distribution of the vans, Governor Umahi said those criticising Operation Python Dance III in the Southeast are against Nigeria’s progress, stressing that the nation must move forward.

    Mr Umahi commended security agencies for their effort in sustaining the security challenges in the state and the country.

    A breakdown of the vehicles showed that the police received 30 vans, Army four, AIG Calabar two, State Security Services three, GOC Enugu 12, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps four, Immigration one, Prisons one, Federal Road Safety Corps 2 and Neighbourhood Watch 15.

    Umahi further explained that the 15 vehicles for Neighbourhood Watch would be shared among the 13 local government areas, stressing that the vans would be used for joint patrols by the security agencies.

    He added that the Herdsmen Committee would also benefit from the gesture.

    Umahi commended the GOC 82 Division Enugu, Cantonment Commandant, Commissioner of Police and other security agencies, adding: “The Operation Python Dance III, which was widely misunderstood, has turned out to be a blessing, contrary to predictions.

    He said the exercise which was misconstrued by some people, has recorded no incidences of infractions, quarrel or torture, among others.

    “I believe that with the pedigree of the General Officer Commanding the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, his commandant and officers, we would continue to shame our enemies.

    “We are brothers and sisters across the Niger and no level of enmity wished by the enemies will help the country.

    “Let us embrace love to engender oneness as this is the only way Nigeria would continue to remain as a nation,” he said.

    The governor berated groups in the Southeast zone which declared that they would participate in the general elections to vote against him.

    “I ask of the need to conduct governorship elections in the state considering what God has done but I will not fold my hands and watch uninformed Ebonyi people continue being killed.

    “When the military was confronted at Umuahia, 90 per cent of those that died were Ebonyians and one person was busy talking about his dog that died.

    “Ebonyi people would never experience a second colonisation and no other group exists in the state but our people who are determined to re-write their history.

    “We would continue to collaborate with the Federal Government and security agencies to rid our state of criminals to sustain its rating as the safest state in the zone,” he said.

    He said the vehicles were distributed to appreciate and complement the efforts of security agencies in the state and particularly praised the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

    “The NSCDC has formed the backbone of intelligence-gathering and collaborates effectively with the police by demobilising and handing over criminals.

    “The police would be allotted 30 vehicles, the army 4, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of zone 6, 2 vehicles, GOC 82 Division, 2, State Security Service 3, NSCDC 4 and the Neighbourhood Security Watch, 15.

    “The Nigerian Immigration Service would receive one vehicle, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) 1, Governor’s Convoy 1, Nigerian Legion 1, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), 2 and Nigerian Prisons Service 1,” he said.

    Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, Muhammad Mustapha, thanked the governor on behalf of other security agencies and pledged that the vehicles would be judiciously utilised.

    “Ebonyi remains the safest state in the Southeast zone and we would ensure that the rate of criminality in the state is reduced to zero per cent.

    “We have been adequately motivated to perform optimally and we assure the people of the protection of their lives and properties,” he said.

    Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Commissioner for Internal Security and Boarder Peace, pledged that the neighbourhood Security Watch would continue to assist security agencies to rid the state of criminals.