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Tag: David Umahi

  • Buhari, Umahi relationship not partisan – Ebonyi Govt

    Ebonyi State Government on Friday, said the relationship between the Gov. David Umahi and President Muhammadu Buhari was mutual but non-partisan.

    The government stated this at the backdrop of insinuations in the state that the governor may have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Sen. Emmanuel Onwe in Abakaliki said that some people in the state had misconstrued the relationship Umahi and the president.

    Onwe said that people were surprised at the bonding between both men in spite of the governor being a member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said that contrary to the insinuations, Buhari had never urged the governor to join the APC, adding that the closeness was beyond party affiliations.

    According to him, the relationship is based purely on appreciation of efforts by both the president and the governor to develop the state and country.

    “Those who whip up such sentiment do not understand the dynamics of personal relationships which must not always be defined by politics.

    Read Also: Businessman survives assassination attempt in Ebonyi

    “The two leaders have many areas of agreement, with Buhari appreciating Umahi’s development strides, while the latter appreciates Buhari’s corruption fight and economic diversification through agriculture,” he said.

    The commissioner said that Buhari wanted Umahi’s strides to be replicated across the country which he expressed while inaugurating some projects in the state in November, 2017.

    “Tribute should be paid to Buhari for stabilising the country from the scenario of break-up in 2015, which many people seem to have forgotten.

    “Nigeria was close to meeting the doomsday prophesy of America that it would collapse in 2015 and we came close to that during and after that year’s general elections,” he said.

    He noted that Umahi had been recognised as a statesman across the country and that in his inaugural address in May, 2015, he extended his hands of fellowship to other statesmen across the nation.

    “The President grabbed those hands very close to his chest up till now as the governor does not need to decamp to the APC before Nigerians appreciate his strides in all sectors of the state’s existence,” he added.

    Onwe also debunked insinuations of rancour in the state’s Executive Council occasioned by cases of resignations, suspensions and reshuffles.

    “The state EXCO is as solid as a rock and I have granted news conferences clarifying that those suspended were for specific reasons and are accepted.

    “You should move away from whittle-tattle and if they are abnormal, I would have seen them as
    things to pay attention to, but they are not abnormal,” he said.

    Onwe said that developments in the council could not be termed mutual suspicion, but competition and likened the situation to the competitive spirit in any environment, especially a political one.

    “Heads would clash most times, but the Ebonyi executive council is cohesive and driving towards one agenda of delivering on the governor’s promises to the people,” he said.

    NAN

  • Umahi seeks proper utilization of corps members skills

    Ebonyi State Governor, Chief David Umahi, has sought for the deployment of next batch of the members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members to their specific areas of specialization while in the higher institution.

    He said it would be of no use posting corps members who studied Engineering, Agricultural Science or Information Technology to classrooms where their impact would not be felt.

    Umahi requested this when he received the new State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) posted to the state, Mrs Ann Ibe, and other officials of the council who accompanied her to the Government House, Abakaliki.

    “When these new set of people will come, let me look at the list to know those who are professionals and see how we will use the professionals instead of teaching.

    Read Also: I won’t castigate Buhari, says Umahi

    He said from next batch, his administration will utilize the expertise of Engineers among the corps in its massive construction projects around the state

    “Some of them that are in ICT will also be useful. Civil and mechanical engineers and those who read Agriculture Science will not go to teach.

    “You should be looking for lands. The NYSC should have a land for agriculture. We can give you a land and partner with you to do the agriculture. Let everybody be working”, he said.

    The Governor also promised to renovate the permanent NYSC orientation camp at the Old MacGregor College, Afikpo which had become very dilapidated.

    He also directed the Chief of Staff to immediately secure a Residential Area for the State Coordinator.

    Earlier in her speech, the new State Coordinator, Mrs Ibe, lauded the governor for his welfare packages for the corps members serving in various state government establishments and the conducive environment the government has provided.

    “My predecessor briefed me appropriately on the support of your administration to the NYSC in the state. Worthy of mention are the release of meal subsidy for the feeding of corps members during orientation course; payment of monthly stipend of N5,000 only to corps members serving in state schools among others”, Mrs Ibe said.

  • Police discover bomb in Ebonyi PDP secretariat

    Ebonyi State Police command has discovered an explosive device suspected to be Improvised Explosive Device, IED at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Secretariat along Abakaliki Enugu Expressway.

    The discovery of the bomb resulted to emergency security meeting summoned by Governor David Umahi at the State Executive Council chambers, Government House, Abakaliki.

    Addressing journalists after the Security Council meeting, Governor David Umahi disclosed that the discovery of the IED came to him as a shock and expressed concern over desperation of the opposition to cease power at all cost.

    Governor Umahi alleged that all available security briefs from the Commissioner of Police and other security chiefs in the state pointed to desperation of some persons in the opposition party.

    “The police discovered bomb in our PDP secretariat and from all accounts, the and information from the security briefs from the commissioner of police, the IED was a little bit old showing that it must have been planted by the desperate opposition people in one of the days I was at the secretariat for a meeting but God did not allow
    the thing to detonate and God will never allow it to happen to us”

    “Our suspects are the desperate opposition people who have become jobless and aggressive ahead of the 2019 general election because they think they can cease power by all means. I have directed the security chiefs to make full scale investigation into the incident and report to their various headquarters while we as government will report to Mr President”

    Read Also: Two killed in Ebonyi rival cult clashes

    Governor Umahi further decried spate of killings of the people of the state by militias suspected to have come from Cross River state and urged the people of the affected areas to defend themselves in the
    face of helplessness from various quarters.

    He lamented that despite his peaceful disposition to maintain peace between the people of Edda in Afikpo South and Oferekpe in Ikwo local government areas of the state between their Cross River state counterparts, the later have been consistent in killing of their Ebonyi brothers.

    “The council also received briefs from the security agencies concerning the worrisome killings of our people in Edda and Oferekpe areas by the Cross River state people. I have complained to Mr. President and Vice President, I have also complained to various quarters and nothing seems to be happening but since we have complained and nothing is happening, I have asked my people to defend themselves with stones. We are tired of complaining and we can’t allow ourselves to be killed like fowl”

    The Governor also condemned the cult related killings in Ohaukwu local government area of the state in which two persons were reportedly killed by rival cult groups and ordered the security agencies to intensify investigation into the killings and bring whoever that was culpable to book.

    He also called on Governor Willie Obiano to rescind his decision on renaming the Abakaliki street in Awka, Anambra state capital in the interest of unity and love Anambra and Ebonyi states have shared.

    Governor Umahi also constituted a special committee to be headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Hyginus Nwokwu to have an interface with Governor Willie Obiano on the matter on how best to reconcile the controversy and urged the people of Ebonyi state living in Anambra to remain calm that the issue will be settled amicably. Ends

  • Umahi condemns renaming of Abakaliki street by Anambra govt

    Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum David Umahi, has condemned the alleged renaming of Abakaliki street in Awka, the Anambra State capital by the state government.

    The governor made his feelings known in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Emmanuel Uzor after the renaming of the street to ‘Club Street’ caused uproar on the social media.

    The governor while calling on the people to remain calm said he has contacted his Anambra counterpart, Willie Obiano with the aim of getting him to correct the action.

    Ebonyi and Anambra are in the Southeast region of the country together with Imo, Abịa and Enugu states which are predominantly Igbo speaking states.

    Read Also:Umahi suspends solid minerals development commissioner

    Umahi who noted that Mr. Obiano has every constitutional right to rename any structure,  be it road or any other infrastructure,  however pointed out that “in doing so,  what should come to mind should be the unity and perpetuation of legacies and sustenance of the sacred thing that holds us together as a people”.

    “While he condemns in its  entirety, Umahi has put everything in place to ensure that Chief Willie Obiano reverses the action of bringing back the Abakaliki street,  a name gazetted long time ago in the spirit of oneness in Igbo land”, said Mr Uzor.

    “There should be no part of Igbo land that should be discriminated upon. Ebonyi State has received the highest discrimination even from among her brother states and this is not healthy especially as we fight to unite our people and form formidable economic and political blocs”.

    “The Governor has put a call through to his brother Governor, Chief Willie Obiano on how best to resolve the conflict of interest especially as regards the social media claims that the street was taken away from Abakaliki people because they are not qualified to answer such name of a major street in Awka”

  • Umahi suspends solid minerals development commissioner

    Gov. David Umahi on Thursday suspended the state Commissioner for Solid Minerals Development, Chief Francis Orji, indefinitely for gross misconduct.

    Sen. Emmanuel Onwe, the state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, disclosed this to newsmen during a joint press briefing with other state Executive Council (EXCO) members.

    Onwe said that Orji committed acts embarrassing to the state government.

    Orji was formerly in charge of water resources before being moved to the Ministry of Border, Peace and Conflict Resolution and subsequently re-deployed to the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

    According to him, the Deputy Principal Secretary, Chief Emmanuel Obasi, will take charge as the acting commissioner for 30 days.

    Umahi had previously suspended indefinitely the former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Augustine Nwankwegu, and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Moses Nome.

    The suspensions later resulted in the sack of both officials.

    Onwe further told newsmen that Mr David Nweke, an accountant with the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) had been recommended for special commendation by the EXCO.

    “Nweke displayed an act of integrity and honesty by returning N20 million to the state government coffers which was excess payment made by the board.

    Read Also: I won’t castigate Buhari, says Umahi

    “He detected the anomaly, being the accounting officer whom the funds passed through and returned it to government coffers.

    “The chairman of EXCO, who is the state governor, approved that Nweke should be promoted at least by one grade level with immediate effect and given special commendation.

    “The governor also approved that Nweke should be given an official vehicle in appreciation of his act of integrity and honesty,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Dr Chamberlain Nwele, the Head of Service, said that the state government would offset the total cost of burying the late Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Chief Fidelis Mbam.

    “The EXCO has approved a state burial for Mbam for his performance in the position and other positions he held before his demise.”

    “He was an astute politician, technocrat, bureaucrat,” Nwele said.

    The burial ceremonies commenced on Wednesday with a service of songs while the lying in state ceremony was held on Thursday at the State Cabinet Office. The burial will hold on Friday

    NAN

  • Democracy day: South East being marginalized in Nigeria – Umahi

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Tuesday said the Southeast is being marginalised in the country.

    He however, emphasized the need for the zone to constructively engage the federal government on the issue.

    Umahi stated this at the Oruta Ngele Stadium Abakaliki during his democracy day speech.

    He said though the zone is not happy with the way it was being marginalised, the Governors of the five states in the region believe constructive engagement as being championed by the Governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo was the way to go.

    He condemned the method being deployed by pro Biafran groups in the county which he said is inimical to peace and development of the region.

    He further condemned the seat-at-home exercise called by Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, for tomorrow in the zone.

    Read Also: I won’t castigate Buhari, says Umahi

    He warned that any trader in the state who fails to open his shop tomorrow in solidarity with the IPOB and MASSOB will be made to forfeit the shopsto government.

    “And so, any trader that closes shop will forfeit the shop forever. Anybody that flouts this order will be decidedly dealt with. I ask Ebonyians to go about their businesses freely and peacefully.

    “Let me say that when we the South East Governors say that we don’t want the activities of IPOB does not mean that we are very happy with the marginalization of the South East in the affairs of our nation.

    “But we are saying that the way IPOB is going to address the matter is not the right way. The right way is what the Ohanaeze Ndigbo did; which they did in the committee of Igbo people and that is what we believe.

    “We call on the federal government to look into the plights of the South East people and address the issue of marginalization. We believe in one Nigeria that is found in equity and fairness and fair play”.

  • Ebonyi warns IPOB, MASSOB over seat-at-home order

    Ebonyi state government Monday warned the Separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign state of Biafra, MASOB to steer away from the state or face the consequences.

    It also urged residents of the state to ignore the seat-at-home order issued by the pro biafran agitators for the 30th of May and go about their lawful businesses on the said date.

    IPOB and a faction of MASSOB had issued an order urging Igbos to seat-at-home on Wednesday, 30th of May, 2018, to commemorate the declaration of Independence of Biafra by late Biafra war lord, Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu.

    IPOB was last year declared a terrorist group by the federal government while its activities were proscribed in the South East by Governors of the Region under the leadership of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi state.

    Read Also:IPOB sit-at-home: Police, others hold joint show of force

    During a press briefing on Monday, Senior Special Assistant to the governor David Umahi on Internal Security, Dr. Kenneth Ugbala, said the state has adopted all necessary security measures and nothing of such would take place in the state.

    “You recall that in 2017, there was this idea of sit-at-home by those who call themselves Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and that brought some chaos in some big cities like Abia, Anambra, Enugu and Imo, but in Ebonyi here we have always been lucky. God has always being with us and with the proactive measures we adopted, we were able to handle the situation.

    “You could equally recall that the activities of IPOB have been proscribed by the southeast governor’s forum which our Governor, Engr. David Nweze UMAHI is the chairman.

    “Now, we have started gathering security information and reports that people are going to sit-at-home on 30th of May. But the governor has directed us to inform the public that there is nothing like sit-at-home on 30th May. We don’t allow it in Ebonyi state. It can never be observed here. We don’t recognise it and it has nothing to do with Ebonyi stats.

    “The activities of IPOB has been proscribed. As government, one of the responsibilities we owe the people is to ensure the protection of lives and property.

    “So, everybody is expected to go about their lawful businesses. The security agencies are already on alert and proper security measures have been put in place to ensure that every law abiding citizen of the state go about their normal business without interruption,” he said.

    Ugbala said Ebonyi state government would not tolerate any plot to sabotage its efforts in developing the state’s economy.

     

  • Businessman survives assassination attempt in Ebonyi

    A business mogul in Ebonyi state, Chief Monday Okeh who was kidnapped has escaped assasination attempt by his abductors.

    Enraged by the incident, the state Governor, David Umahi has vowed to sign his first death warrant once the arrested kidnappers of Mr Okeh are convicted.

    Okeh was kidnapped in front of his Monablis Hotel, Mile 50 Abakaliki the state capital and taken to a river where he was shot and thrown into the river. He however survived the incident.

    A source close to the family said  the assassins used black Highlander Jeep that has no bumber in the front.

    “It was neighbourhood Security Watch members that saw the jeep the way it was packed and suspected the jeep because it was open and the four doors were opened”.

    “Three ATM cards, jellof rice and foot wear were found in the jeep. It was the Neighbourhood watch members that called policemen who later came to the scene”.

    It was also gathered that following his return, the businessman was rushed to the hospital for emergency medical treatment.

    “Doctors were able to extract bullets from the spinal cord region of his body. He is responding to treatment”, added the source who pleaded not to be named.

    Police spokesman, ASP Loveth Odah confirmed the kidnap and arrest of suspects.

    She disclosed that four persons have been arrested in connection to the incident.

    Read Also: Ebonyi APC suspends acting chairman

    Odah added that the hoodlums stole N9million belonging to the victim, adding that investigation into the matter was still ongoing.

    Governor Umahi during a media chat at government House Abakaliki also confirmed the incident.

    The governor who has previously refused to sign death warrants of convicted criminals in the state promised to do so this time.

    “There was a kidnap and robbery incident that happened in the state and it was carried out by a set of hoodlums assigned to this state by their gang. They have been doing it and escaping but today, both their ring leader and four others were tracked from far away Onitsha, Anambra state.

    “The owner of Monablis hotel was kidnapped and robbed and taken to a rivers through Enugu state. He was shot and pushed into the river but miraculously he survived and came back”.

    “Through our intelligence network, the Neighbourhood Security Watch, police, SSS brought himback to the state and I have already dedicated my red biro. As soon as there (the suspects) are convicted, that will be the first death sentence I will sign”, Umahi said.

     

  • Policeman injured during clash with motorcyclists, dies after surgery

    One of the Police officers who was injured in the clash with motorcyclists last week in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, has died from the injuries he sustained during the clash.

    Governor of the state, David Umahi confirmed the death of the Police officer whose name could not be ascertained at press time.

    A motorcyclist, Mr. Ofim Ejike was shot along the popular Waterworks road in Abakaliki last week Wednesday by a trigger happy police Sergeant, Onyebuchi Nweke attached to the Anti-kidnapping squad of the command.

    The policeman has since been tried in his Department, Anti-Kidnapping, AK, and summarily dismissed from the force.

    The Police also said they will also arraign him in court for murder at the end of their investigations.

    Motorcyclists in the city had staged a protest the next day following the killing of Mr Ofim, which later degenerated into a clash with the Police, despite the arrest and dismissal of the officer by the Police.

    During the clash, some police officers sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

    Speaking during an enlarged State Security Council meeting in Abakakaliki on Monday, Mr Umahi regretted the death of the Police officer.

    He said about 7 Police officers sustained various degrees of injuries when the protesters pelted them with stones.

    “One of them sustained a serious injury on his head and was rushed to Enugu where he was operated upon but unfortunately he died”, Umahi said.

    He commended the Police in the state for handling the matter in a professional manner even as he promised to assist in the burial of the late Police officer.

  • Umahi urges new NYSC members promote national unity

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State on Monday called on the Corps members to be vanguards of national unity of the country.

    He also urged them to shun social vices such as corruption, ethnic bigotry, religious intolerance, violence and indiscipline in the course of their service to the nation.

    The Governor made the call during the swearing-in ceremony of 2018 batch ‘A’ Corps members deployed to Ebonyi State at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC permanent Orientation Camp, Old Macgregor College, Afikpo.

    He charged the Corps members to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all they do both at the Camp and throughout their Service year.

    Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Hyginus Nwokwu, the Governor further charged the Corps members to take full advantage of the Camp activities to enrich themselves by dedicating themselves to the lessons that they would learn from the activities prevalent in the Camp.

    “I urge you to be prepared to follow in the footsteps of your predecessors who have done very well over the years in contributing meaningfully to the development of the State. I wish to say it here that I am proud of the lofty achievements of the NYSC in the State over the years”.

    In her address, the State Co-Ordinator of NYSC, Iluebbey Regina. E. advised the prospective Corps members to play an active role in ensuring that the nation remains indivisible and indissoluble by emphasizing the merits in the togetherness and unity of the nation.

    The State Coordinator who charged the Corps members to shape up and adapt themselves adequately to the demands and expectations of the orientation camp to enrich their knowledge and expand their horizon.

    “Your Excellency sir, let me use this medium to inform you that a total of 2,201 prospective corps members deployed to the State has reported and has been registered. Out of the number registered 1,116 are males while 1,085 are females.

    Mr Iluebbey appealed to the state government to assist the NYSC to renovate facilities in the camp and reconstruct the road leading to the camp.

    The corps members were sworn-in by Justice Benson Ogbu, who represented the State Chief Judge, Justice Alloy Nwankwo.

    The corpers also engaged in several activities to entertain the audience which include tug of war, karate, dance etc.