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Tag: David Umahi

  • Ohanaeze, others flay IPOB attacks on Ikpeazu, Umahi

    Ohanaeze Youth Council and a coalition of Igbo groups on Monday condemned the verbal attacks on governors of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu and his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi by members of the opposition parties and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    IPOB leader, Nnamdi KANU, had said in his recent broadcast that Abia and Ebonyi people should vote out Ikpeazu and Umah, claiming that they are sabotaging their agitation.

    The groups described their actions as unacceptable and laughable.

    National President of OYC, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, after their meetings in Abakaliki, said Kanu has derailed from his Biafra agitation and should not be listened to.

    He urged Kanu to concentrate on the no-election campaign and leave Ikpeazu and Umahi alone to concentrate on their quest to reposition their different states.

    In a statement, he said: “The coalition of Igbo groups; namely World Igbo Youth Congress, Southeast Women Professionals and Igbo Students Movement had met with the Forum of BibeingaAgitators and resolved that the attack was laughable.

    “It is laughable that Kanu is derailing from his Biafra agitation and now being sponsored by politicians to cause confusion and pursuing campaign of calumny against those who mean well for him.”

    The coalition expressed concern at the outburst, asking why the IPOB members did not register to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), despite that they were advised to do so.

    Read Also: Stronger, more focused Ohanaeze Ndigbo emerging, says Nwodo

    Isiguzoro urged the IPOB to emulate the maturity and non-violence approach of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), led by Uchenna Madu.

    It lauded the group, which had expressed willingness to allow INEC to conduct election in the southeast, and also ensure that there is no bloodshed during the ongoing Operation Python Dance111.

    On Adams Oshiomhole’s allegations that Ikpeazu has been collecting bailout funds without paying salaries, it said: “We are shocked because our members who are Abia workers are paid as at when due, while no Abia or Ebonyi worker is being owed.”

    “We unanimously state that zoning formula favours Ikpeazu and Umahi. The opposition parties in Abia and Ebonyi know that their candidates cannot win in these states, because there are no vacancies to be filled in the two Government Houses till 2023.”

  • Umahi effects cabinet reshuffle

     

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Sunday effected a minor cabinet reshuffle which saw some commissioners swapping positions.

     

    In statement signed by Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Emmanuel Uzor, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey has been split into two, with respective commissioners.

     

    “Mr Sunday Inyima, former Commissioner for Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution, presently heads the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

    Read Also:Lagos Lawyer asks court to stop “Operation Python Dance”

     

    “Prof. John Ekeh, who headed the erstwhile ministry before it was split, presently heads Ministry of lands and survey,” he said.

     

    Uzor revealed that the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security (SSA-IS) and the Ministry of Border, peace and conflict resolution had been merged.

     

    “It would be known as the Ministry of Internal Security and Border Peace and Dr Kenneth Ugbala, the former SSA-IS, has been nominated as the new commissioner.

     

    “He will be in charge of the ministry, pending his screening and possible confirmation by the State House of Assembly.”

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dr Kelechi Igwe, the state Deputy Governor, will supervise the exercise while all handover processes should be completed, on or before Monday.

     

  • Umahi presents N188.4b 2019 budget

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has presented the 2019 appropriation Bill of N188.4b to the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

    He also assented to the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill.

    Speaking during the presentation of the appropriation Bill of N188, 401, 913, 868, Governor Umahi said the state executive Council has painstakingly went through the performance of the 2018 budget and expressed satisfaction with the level of performance and implementation.

    Governor Umahi however disclosed that the 2018 budget witnessed a lot of bottlenecks ranging and affecting every sector of the state economy simultaneously citing global instability occasioned by persistent incidence of terrorism and other challenges.

    The Governor said the state pursued the implementation of the 2018 budget with resilience and determination to ensure the attainment of ambitious target even in the face of scarcity of funds.

    The 2019 budget christened Budget of Divine Fulfilment has expenditure ratio between recurrent and capital expenditure of 22.1 percent to 77 percent with recurrent expenditure gulping N41.556b and capital of N49.068b

    He said the 2019 budget which is lower than last year budget is expected to take care of recurrent expenditure and is expected to address all ongoing capital projects across the State.

    Read Also: Southeast future beyond partisan politics, says Umahi

    Earlier in the State Executive Council before the presentation of the 2019 appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly,  Governor Umahi assented to the National Health Insurance Scheme Bill to address health needs of the state civil servants.

    Governor Umahi said the assent to the bill followed the passing of the bill by the State House of Assembly, adding that the law when fully implemented is expected to address all health needs of the Civil servants.

    The Speaker of Ebonyi State House of,  Mr Francis Nwifuru earlier in his address extolled the prudent management of all resources accruing to the State by Governor Umahi and maintained that it was the magic behind massive infrastructural development in the state.

    He said the synergy between the executive and the legislature has provided the state enabling environment to excel above her contemporaries and had placed the state on a high pedestal of economic boom.

    Nwifuru noted that despite the hard bite of economic challenges,  Ebonyi State has remained on the rise through robust and healthy management of resources by the State governor and discouraging profligacy in governance.

     

  • Atiku’s campaign council: Umahi denies rejecting appointment

    The Ebonyi State Government has debunked insinuations on social media alleging that the state governor, David Umahi, has rejected his recent appointment as the South-east coordinator of the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign.

    A state official also said Mr Umahi has pledged loyalty to Mr Abubakar’s presidential campaign.

    Mr Abubakar is the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and has selected a former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, as his running mate.

    Mr Umahi, who is also of the PDP, has in the past declared his fondness of President Muhammadu Buhari and recently criticised the mode of selection of Mr Obi; a factor that may have fuelled the rumour.

    The Ebonyi governor’s stance was explained after Friday’s State Security Council meeting.

    The government also denied speculations that the governor had concluded plans to distribute bags of Abakaliki rice branded with campaign pictures of Mr Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

    Mr Umahi’s stance was declared by the Ebonyi State information commissioner, Emmanuel Onwe.

    He said the reports that the governor was working for any other presidential candidate other than Mr Abubakar and his running mate was false, wicked and malicious.

    Mr Onwe said his principal considers his appointment as the South-east coordinator of Atiku/Obi campaign organisation as a great honour and would discharge the duties thereof with immense commitment and dedication.

    Read Also: Peter Obi visits Ugwuanyi, Nwodo

    He urged the general public to disregard any other reports to the contrary, describing them as the handiwork of mischief makers.

    The social media has been awash with reports alleging that the governor had rejected his appointment.

    The governor was said to have disclosed his rejection of the appointment during the State Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

    But Mr Onwe said there was no time the issue of Atiku/Obi election or campaign was discussed during the meeting.

    “The governor never rejected his appointment as the Coordinator of Atiku/Obi Campaign Organization for South-East”, he said.

    “The social media report to that effect is false and should be disregarded. I was at the exco meeting of yesterday, at no time was such thing discussed. The governor considers the appointment as a great honour and would discharge his duties in that regard with great commitment and dedication.

    “They also said that the governor has concluded plans to distribute bags of rice with the pictures of the presidential candidate of the APC; that is also not true.

    “The governor does not know any other Presidential Candidate except that of his party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi,” Mr Onwe said.

  • Five killed in Ebonyi/Benue land dispute

    Five persons from Mgbo in Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi State have been killed allegedly by their neighboring Agila people of Benue State.

    The killings, it was gathered, took place on Tuesday night when the people of Agila allegedly invaded two villages in Mgbo.

    The two border communities have been embroiled in a bitter land tussle spanning decades with many people killed.

    Gernor David Umahi who visited the scene of the incident on Wednesday expressed shock over the killings.

    Represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, the governor also paid a condolence visit to families of the affected persons at Ekwashi and Ukwagba communities.

    He condemned the ‘flagrant disregard’ to peace agreements entered into by the governments of both states.

    According to him, Ebonyi people have suffered incessant attacks from their neighbors in the recent times and appealed to the federal government to intervene before the people would resort to self defence.

    Mr Umahi also appealed to the people to remain calm and law abiding, assuring that government would ensure permanent resolution of the crisis.

    Read Also: Ibori drags UK to EU Court of Human Rights

    The state Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo promised that the situation has been brought under control.

    He appealed to the people of the area to remain calm and go about their lawful business.

    The chairman of Ohaukwu local government Council Barr Clement Odah told the governor that Benue people invaded the people of Ngbo despite peace agreement signed with Ado local government council few weeks ago.

    He lamented the incessant attack and called on Benue state government to call Agila people to order.

    The governor was accompanied by security chiefs including CP Musa Kimo and representatives of the Cantonment Commander, Major S Milla.

  • Umahi canvasses amnesty for treasury looters

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has called on the Federal Government to grant amnesty to political office holders accused of looting the nation’s treasury.

    Umahi made the call on Monday in Abakaliki when he declared open the anti-corruption, ethics and integrity training organised by Anti Corruption Academy of Nigeria for local government officials in Ebonyi.

    He expressed concern over the number of unresolved corruption cases and blamed the development on “wrong approach” by various anti-graft agencies.

    “Ebonyi is determined to inaugurate an anti-corruption office because corruption remains the bane of Nigeria’s underdevelopment.

    “The Federal Government should, however, be commended for its visible efforts in the fight against corruption in the country,” he said.

    The governor charged the anti-graft agencies to be resolute and firm in the discharge of their duties and resist political manipulation.

    He said that granting amnesty to individuals facing corruption charges would enable the government to recover stolen funds.

    He said the fear of the anti-corruption agencies had sent several treasury looters into hiding their loot.

    “We have so much of the looted funds either trapped in foreign banks, buried at cemeteries or underground and destroyed by termites,” the governor said.

    He advised the Federal Government to negotiate with suspects to enable them to surrender at least 70 per cent of the looted funds or invest the entire loot in the country.

    The governor said the training was designed to enlighten participants on the most effective way to fight corruption and ensure the overall development of the state.

    Earlier, a representative of the Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, Mrs Rose Okoduwa, said the training was intended to bring the anti-graft crusade closer to the grassroots.

    “We intend using the local government officials as vehicles of social re-engineering,” Okoduwa said.

    She commended the anti-corruption stance of the state government and admonished council officials to shun corrupt tendencies.

    “This will help to ensure that democracy dividend gets to the grassroots,” she said. (NAN)

  • Umahi doles out N4000m to NYSC

    Ebonyi State governor, David Umahi on Monday doled out N400m for to the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC in Ebonyi State for the renovation of the scheme’s Orientation camp in Afikpko North Local Government Area.

    This is separate from the N5000 travel allowance he directed to be immediately given to each of the 2200 Batch B stream 1 Corps members who ended their orientation course today.

    The governor also gave the corps members who took part in the parade another N2million.

    He also gave out various cash sums to the staff of NYSC and the Military officers who trained the corps members.

    Addressing the corps members, Mr Umahi urged them not to allow themselves be used by politicians to twart the country’s democracy.

    According to him, politicians are planning to rig next year’s election and the corps members owe a duty to the country not to give in to the nefarious plots of such politicians.

    “I have no doubt that you were adequately motivated and sensitised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on your participation in the forthcoming 2018 General Election.

    Read Also: Ebonyi APC dares Umahi, vows to use stadium for rally

    “Let me inform you that your participation in that all important assignment is a rare opportunity for you to contribute your quota towards enthroning a credible leadership, good governance and above all, engendering a peaceful and prosperous Nation”.

    “In the light of the above, I charge you to discharge the INEC assignment with utmost sense of responsibility and good conscience by not allowing yourselves to be manipulated by desperate and unscrupulous politicians who will be willing to buy your conscience at all cost”.

    “Do not in any way give in to their antics, desperation and lure of cash or kind especially when you have to consider that posterity will judge you for the role you will play either positively or negatively during the general elections”, Umahi said.

    He said the N4000m will be used to renovate the road leading to the cam, renovate dilapidated  structures in the camp, provision ofdrainage and regrassing of the camp’s parade ground, connection of the co to national grid, solar street lightening of the camp and the road leading to the camp, etc.

    The Coordinator of the scheme in Ebonyi State, Ann Ngozika Ibe said that the corps members were posted to all the local government atras in the state except Ishielu local government area.

    “This decision is an aftermath of the 2008 Ezillk/Ezza-Ezillo communal crisis. We remain open-minded to post corps members to Ishielu LGA as soon as we receive the approval of the state government and clearance from relevant security agencies via the NYSC Natinal Directorate Headquarters, Abuja to do so”,she said. ENDS

  • NIGERCEM: Umahi assures foreign partners of adequate security

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Monday assured Ibeto Group of Companies and its foreign partners of adequate security of its staff and investment in the state.

    He stated that the revitalization of NIGERCEM Company, Nkalagu in Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi state would serve as a catalyst for the vast development of the State.

    The Governor stated this at NIGERCEM, Nkalagu when the Dream team Core Investors of Ibeto Group Ltd NIGERCEM factory led by Amanda Wester paid a visit to the industrial site of the company.

    The Governor assured the investors of the cooperation of the locals adding that the revitalization of the company would not only benefit the State but the entire country.

    According to him, we are at home with America and any support you need to make the project a success would be given to you by the present administration.

    Read Also: Umahi task corps members on national unity

    “I am so excited today. We are happy to have the technical partners here. We are at home with America as our partners. I want to assure the Nalagu people that the promise we made to you is being fulfilled.

    “I want to assure you of the cooperation of the locals. I am building the seven bridges and roads leading to Nkalagu have been worked on. We have a law that protects investors. Nigercem will be a catalyst for vast development of the state. We will continue to support Ibeto so that the project will succeed”, he said

    In his remarks, the Chairman of Ibeto Group, Chief Cletus Ibeto thanked Governor David Umahi for the enormous support it has been receiving from the state government towards the revitalization of NIGERCEM.

    He added that with America’s support as financiers of the project, NIGERCEM would soon bounce back.

    Ibeto further promised that a new cement plant would be commissioned at Nkalagu Cement Company.

    The leader of the American team, Ms Amanda Wester and management of Ibeto group of company later paid a courtesy call on the Governor at the state government house, Abakaliki.

  • Umahi task corps members on national unity

    Ebonyi state Governor, David Umahi on Thursday assured corps members posted to the state of adequate security throughout their service year while charging them to ensure that the aims of setting up the service, which is national unity and integration, is attained.

    He gave the charge during the swearing ceremony of the National Youth Service Corps 2018 Batch B corps members at the Old Macgregor Secondary School permanent orientation camp in Afikpo North local government area of the state.

    The Governor further charged the corps members to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors who he noted have served the state so diligently and contributed in its development especially in the areas of heath, education and agriculture.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Charles Akpuenika, Mr Umahi said the state government has approved the sum of N1m for the four best performing Cops members in the last graduating batch.

    He also revealed that his administration has mapped out 50 hectares of land to be given to the NYSC in the state to use for mechanised farming.

    He said these will enable the corps members and staff of NYSC to key into the administrations agricultural programme especially in rice production and by so doing give the corps members knowledge of the agricultural sector s that when they are through they can go into agriculture full time rather than waiting for non-existent white collar jobs.

    Mr Umahi also said the state government will deploy tech savvy corps members to train the youths of the state so as to improve the ICT capacity of the youths of the state.

    The State Coordinator of the Service, Mrs Ann Ngozika Ibe charged the corpse members to use the service year to promote peace, unity and integration of the country.

    “Let me make it clear to you that the attainment of the much-needed unity and integration of the country Nigeria, rests squarely on the shoulders of the educated youths like you who are the beacon of a bright and prosperous futre for all Nigerians”.

    “Be informed too that the nation’s quest to deepen the foundation of her democracy, good governance and the restoration of our cherished positive societal values are in your hands as the successor generation. In view of the foregoing, you must play an active role in ensuring that the nation remains indivisible and indissoluble by emphasizing the merits in our togetherness and unity as Nigerians more than anything else”, she said.

    The state Chief Judge, Justice Alloy Nwankwo represented by Justice benson Ogbu later swore in the 2200 new members into the Service Corps.

    Of the number, 1211 are men while 989 are females and were drawn from all the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

  • Ebonyi South Senate seat: I will step down for Umahi in 2023 – Aspirant

    A former member of the Federal House of representatives and Ebonyi south senatorial Aspirant, Hon. Irem Oka Ibom, says if elected senator in 2019, he will step down for Governor David Umahi in 2023 and even purchase his senatorial form.

    Ibom who made this known in Abakaliki, said by 2023, Afikpo South local government(Edda) would have occupied the senatorial seat for the past 12 unbroken years and since five local government areas are jointly in ownership of the position, it would be unjust and unfair for Edda people to occupy the seat beyond 2023.

    He added that since David Umahi would be rounding off his 8 years as a Governor in 2023, it would be right for him to go to Senate in 2023.

    “If an Edda man serves till 2023, what it means is that Edda has served for 12 unbroken years at the Senate.It will be unjust and unfair for anybody from Edda to aspire to go to the Senate beyond 2023; because it is a position five local government areas of Ebonyi south zone jointly own.

    “Because of the magnanimity of the Governor, we would have enjoyed it for 12 years. So, I, for one, have a living conscience. After 2023, Senate will be rezoned to Ohanivo and it will be up to the people to determine.

    “But for me, I would want the Governor to join his colleagues in the Parliament; because that is where they go to rest after 8 exhaustive years.

    “If God willing, I go to Senate by 2019; I will not re-contest in 2023, because that would have been enough for Edda people. And if by then, Governor David Umahi wishes to contest, I will buy his form”, Ibom said.

    He said the zone has had poor representation in the Senate for the past 8 years, a situation he blamed on imposition of unqualified and greatly inexperienced candidates by the powers that be.

    “If we are complaining of poor represention of the zone for 8 years the question we should be asking ourselves is: what is the problem? It is because the candidate was imposed on the people who did not pass through the party”

    Read Also: Umahi denies dumping PDP for APC

    “He was imposed on the people by the powers that be in Abakaliki here. He does not attend ward or local government meetings of the party. Why won’t he alienate himself from the people? Because, he is not the product of the system unlike us who are grounded in the party”, he said.

    Ibom said he was among the 10 persons who started the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in the state and has paid his dues and deserved the senatorial seat more than anyone else from the area.

    “If we were to be in a place like South Africa, where party follows hierarchical order, nobody will be contesting this senatorial seat with me; because I am up there in the party hierarchy.

    “But here, because of the kind of society we are, that is why you see every Thom, Dick and Harry coming to contest for the senatorial seat including those that have never contested to be ex-official of a party in their wards. All of them want to go and represent Ebonyi south senatorial zone in the Senate. Do they know what it means to represent in the Parliament?

    “You know,  God is wonderful. He created man in a way that if you are born, you learn how to sit down, you learn how to stand, before you learn stepping out and then, you start walking and before you start running. Senatorial representation entails running, call it 400metres running if you like, because you have four years to either put your name in the sands of time or you destroy yourself”.

    Ibom who had also served as a Commissioner for four years under former governor Dr. Sam Egwu, administration, said he has used his past positions to empower and brought development to his people, and was well connected to bring quality representation to his people.

    “It is not a place you send a rocky to go to start learning parliamentary roles. No. That is not what it is, and Ebonyi should be developmental conscious. We should be in a hurry to catch up with other States within the Southeast. That is my position”

    He added that he will focus on infrastructure development and human capital development if he gets to the Red Chamber of the National Assembly.