The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ebonyi State

  • Flood: Ebonyi residents lament losses

    Residents of Ebonyi state have continued to lament their woes following last weekend heavy downpour as a fish farm in Abakaliki, the state capital Monday said it lost over 4000 fishes to the rampaging flood.

    Conducting The Nation round the Oluchika Nigeria Limited fish farm located at No6 Edda Close Abakaliki, the Manager Mr Onwe David said the rain wrecked severe havoc to the farm.

    “We lost over 4000 fishes to the flood. The damage is so much that we are feeling very terrible,” he lamented.

    He said that the farm also had one of its biggest fish pond destroyed by the flood.

    According to him, the flood forced the wall demarcating the farm and a nearby hotel, Salt Lake hotel to cave in and thus flooding the fish pond.

    “In the process many of the wishes were killed and washed away,” he added.

    The Chairman of the Company, Chief Bestman Anikwe said millions of naira was lost to the flood by the company.

    He noted that despite the good work the government did by building a canal to channel the water, the enormity of the rain meant that the canal could not contain the water.

    He appealed to the state government and the NEMA to come to the aid of the company.

    “We are praying that they will come and help the people leaving along the area as the water is trying to overpower the people”, he pleaded.

    In Ohaozara Local government area, council buildings belonging to Ohaozara West Development Centre and an Assemblies of God Church building were severely damaged by the heavy winds that came with the rain.

    The Church which is located in Governor David Umahi’s hometown, Uburu had its roof blown off by the wind which also damaged some other buildings in the area.

    Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area, Mr Justice Ogbonna who confirmed to our reporter the damage to the Church, council building and others, however, thanked God that no lives were lost in the disaster.

    He said his administration has done a thorough assessment of the damages done and forwarded same to the Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (EBSEMA) for onward transmission to NEMA.

    Secretary of EBSEMA, Pastor Ken Eze said the agency is making an assessment of the damages done with a view to making a report to NEMA and the state government.

    “I do believe that as we send our report to them they will respond with relieve materials very soon”.

    Meanwhile, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), have called on Ebonyi state government to checkmate erection of structures on water ways to prevent flood disaster in the state.

    South East Coordinator of the Agency, Martins Udeinya made the call while accessing the level of damage done by the flood disaster in the state.

    He said: ‘’sometimes hard decisions must be taken in order to build sustainable cities. So, it is my advice that government must really do something about the development of the city.

    ‘’People cannot be allowed to build on water ways because it is disaster in the waiting; one day it will happen whether we like it or not.

    ‘’The institutions or authorities responsible for controlling urban development should live up to expectation and ensure that people are not allowed to build on water ways.

    ‘’ It is a very hard decision to take but if you take it, you are ensuring sustainability of the future because one bad thing about flood disaster is that you don’t know the dimension it can take.

    ‘’Efforts should be made by government to ensure that people don’t build on water ways and on our own part, we are going to step-up sensitization on flood prevention and mitigation and what people are expected to do for flood prevention and mitigation and other issues around disaster risk reduction.”

    He described the damage done by the flood as terrible.

    ‘’It is a terrible devastation. I saw lots of devastation; no one can believe that a flood disaster can be of this magnitude.

    ‘’It has affected many people, it has affected properties, it has affected livelihood. So many things caused it. Streams that supposed to flow free were chased to narrow areas. The chasing of the streams into narrow areas directly or indirectly affected free flow of streams”.

    ‘’I have been directed by the Director- General of National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA), Alhaji Muhammed Sanusi to proceed as a matter of urgency to Ebonyi state to look at the devastation and report back to him. We will send the report to Abuja to tell them what we have seen with a view to assisting the victims,’’ Udeinya stated.

     

  • Ebonyi wins 2016 democracy school debate

    Ebonyi wins 2016 democracy school debate

    Ebonyi State has won the 2016 democracy school debate. It defeated Taraba and Police teams at the finals of the championship organised by the President’s School Debate Nigeria (PSDN) a non-governmental organisation from May 24 to May 28 in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PSDN comprised private and public sector stakeholders.

    Dr Adaeze Nwauzor, Ebonyi Centenary Debate team leader, told NAN on Monday that Ebonyi would represent Nigeria in an international school debate competition in Indonesia.

    “By this feat, we have qualified to represent Nigeria in the forthcoming international school debate competition in Indonesia.

    “We were also presented with a trophy by Hajia Aisha Buhari, wife of the President, at a dinner party with the students.

    “My team won because of hard work coupled with their intelligence. We took time to select the best students in terms of debate for this competition.

    “We started by training the trainers – debate handlers – then we went round the 13 local government areas and selected the best speakers from each local government.

    “We went to three zones and selected the best speakers; then at the semi-grand finale, we selected the best speakers,’’ she said.

    She commended Gov. Dave Umahi of Ebonyi, and his wife for their support and commitment to human development.

    Nwauzor, who is the Senior Special Adviser to Umahi on Higher Education, said that the governor’s support and passion for educational development of the state contributed to the team’s victory.

    She also thanked the organisers, especially, Dare Olotu, PSDN’s National Coordinator and all the members of the committee, for a well organised debate.

    NAN recalls that Olotu had at the opening ceremony, said that the essence of the competition was to bring Nigerian students to debate on motions affecting the country.

    He said that wining team would have automatic qualification to represent Nigeria in the forthcoming international schools debate in Indonesia.

    Olotu said the topics of debate were: “This House Believes that the Agricultural Sector has Better Prospects for Nigeria’s Economic Growth.

    “This House Believes that Posting of National Youth Corps Members should be Limited to their Geo-political Zones.’’

    No fewer than 13 teams drawn from Taraba, Imo, Niger, Ebonyi, Anambra, Kaduna, Oyo, Sokoto, Benue and FCT, participated in the competition.

     

  • FG commends Benue, Ebonyi for truce over boundary challenges

    Dr Mohammed Ahmed, the Director-General, National Boundary Commission (NBC), has commended the governments of Benue and Ebonyi states for achieving a truce over the boundary challenges between them.

    The commendation is contained in a statement issued by Mr Kabir Bala, the Resident Information Officer of the commission, made available in Abuja on Thursday.

    The statement quoted Ahmed as saying that the reported cases of attacks and counter attacks resulting in loss of lives in the Agila and Ngbo communities was unfortunate.

    The NBC boss, who chaired a joint meeting of officials of Benue and Ebonyi States Boundary Committee with the Representative of the Surveyor-General of the Federation in attendance, said the killings must stop in these communities.

    He said peace was very necessary for societies that were in dire need of development, stressing that “there is no alternative to peace; conflict often affects the people adversely and impedes development economically and socially.”

    The director-general stressed the need for peace to prevail to enable communities to benefit from government`s programmes meant for economic and social development.

    He added that a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting deliberated on so many issues that would lead to the cessation of hostilities between the communities.

    He said that it was resolved that Benue and Ebonyi states would be assisted by the affected local government areas and traditional institutions to enlighten the affected communities on the need for peace.

    He noted that the meeting also resolved that the Inter-communities Joint Peace Committee should meet monthly on rotational basis and adequately brief chairmen of their respective states boundary committees.

    It was also resolved that NBC should coordinate a joint enlightenment campaign from June 17 to June 27, as the Federal Government continued the demarcation exercise as soon as peace was guaranteed in the affected communities.

     

  • Man defiles 10 year-old boy in Ebonyi

    Man defiles 10 year-old boy in Ebonyi

    A 35 year old man, Stephen Ude of Amuzu community, Amasiri Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi state have been arrested for allegedly defiling a ten year old boy, Victor Agha.

    The victim who hails from Amuzu Ezeke in the area had followed the suspect to the farm where the man proceeded to defile him.

    A source from the boy’s family said when he returned from the farm in the evening, Agha looked very weak and sick prompting the father to ask what happened to him and he told the father that Stephen Ude had sex with him through the anus.

    ‘’The father of the boy, Pius Agha Idam immediately rushed him to the hospital and reported the matter to the police,’’ the source said.

    Police spokesman, ASP George Okafor confirmed the incident adding that the suspect has been arrested.

    He warned that the command cannot tolerate any homosexual act in the state and advised parents to be mindful of those they allow their children to mingle with.

    ‘’By the time we conclude with the necessary investigation, get the medical report together as well as other necessary facts, we will send the suspect to court and ensure that the law takes it course,’’ he said.

     

  • Cholera kills 76 persons in Ebonyi – Commissioner

    No fewer than 76 persons lost their lives in Ebonyi state to the dreaded Cholera disease outbreak that ravaged 38 communities in 11 local government areas for five months last year.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Daniel Umuzuruike stated this Wednesday in Abakaliki.

    He said that apart from the 76 deaths from Cholera, 14 other patients died of Lassa fever.

    The Commissioner stated that there is no more case of Cholera outbreak in the State even throughout the dry season and assured that the ministry would continue to sustain the surveillance effort to avert its recurrences.

    He said: “upon assumption office, I was welcomed with the outbreak of cholera which actually started in February, 2015 and had claimed many lives before my assumption of office, we quickly mobilized our Surveillance and Response Team to all the places discovered to have been ravaged by the disease.

    “With the help and logistics support of the State Governor, Chief David Umahi, we were able to control the five months old epidemic within 2 weeks. Prior to our intervention, the deadly disease killed over 76 people, affected 38 communities and 11 out of 13 LGAs of Ebonyi state and used to recur on regular basis especially during the dry seasons.”

    The Commissioner also dismissed rumors of another outbreak of guinea worm in the state.

    According to him, the ministry quickly mobilized its response and surveillance teams to all those sites that the rumors emanated from and after conducting tests none of those cases were confirmed to be guinea worm.

    “We also collected samples from the ponds and Cyclops isolated, preserved and sent for DNA analysis, so there is no confirmed case of guinea worm anywhere in Ebonyi State.”

    Dr. Umezuruike said that the virology center approved for construction by the State Governor, Chief David Umahi is at 95% completion while all the equipments needed for the center has been paid for and would arrive the state this week.

    “As I address you, the Virology Center is almost completed and all equipment for the take off of the center has been procured. The prevalence rate has drastically reduced as they are minimal cases and we promise Ebonyi people that the government would continue to put in professional competence to ensure that it is totally eradicated”.

    The Commissioner also stated that the state Governor graciously approved and gave the ministry the mandate to complete and upgrade the renovation and reconstruction of the 13 General Hospitals starting with 6, 2 per senatorial zone not minding the drastic reduction in the monthly Federal allocation to the state.

    He said that the ministry has also been mandated to upgrade 171 primary Health Centers starting with 65, 5 per LGA and to also ensure the construction of the State Drug Distribution Center which he said would soon kick-off immediately some of the lacuna created by contract issue are cleared.

    According to Dr. Umezuruike, the Governor has also approved the procurement of Cerumo Cell Harvester machine worth N10 million and which was donated to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki for the separation of blood into different components.

     

  • Police nab three for murder of task force leader

    Police nab three for murder of task force leader

    The Police have arrested three suspects for allegedly masterminding the death of a 27-year-old man, Joseph Anyigor in Ndieke Ndiagu village in Amagu community, Ikwo local government area of Ebonyi state.

    The deceased it was gathered was beaten to death for driving recklessly at the market.

    Anyigor was a taskforce Chairman of Motorcycle Transport Union in Ndiagu Amagu.

    He had a scuffle with members of his union who alleged that he drove his motorcycle recklessly at Afia Igwe Market Square and the union members attacked him which led to his death.

    Police spokesman, ASP George Okafor confirmed the incident.

    He said: “On March 4, 2016, the Chairman of Ndieke Ndiagu Amagu, Earnest Nwoba in company of Walter Nwanchor Nwangbo and Godwin Anyigor reported at Ikwo Police station the death of Anyigor at about 4:30 pm.”

    “There was a fight between the late Anyigor and his taskforce members on the way he drove his vehicle at the market square.

    “We are yet to discover what actually transpired that led to the death of the young man. Whatever the situation, it couldn’t have led to beating him to the extent that he died.  We’re yet to know if they used weapons on him or just fist that really killed him.”

    “The deceased was the chairman of taskforce unit of the Motorcycle Union in the area and it was his fellow taskforce members who alleged that he rode his motorcycle carelessly or recklessly within the market area, may be in a bid to get him down, a scuffle ensued.”

    He disclosed  that Chukwuma Nwangbo, Nwabueze Nwoba, Emmanuel Igboji, have been arrested in connection with the crime while  the deceased has been deposited in Onueke General Hospital in Ezza South local government area of the state as investigation into the matter continues.

     

  • Police officer wounded in Ebonyi rival gangs clash

    Police officer wounded in Ebonyi rival gangs clash

    A police officer is lying critically ill at an undisclosed hospital in Ebonyi State following a machete cut inflicted on him during a clash.

    The incident it was gathered happened at Amasiri Community in Afikpo North Local Government Area of Ebonyi state.

    Mr. Ikiri Okugo, The Nation further learnt has been arrested by the Police for the attack on the officer.

    Police spokesman, George Okafor, confirmed the incident yesterday in Abakaliki.

    According to him, the Police area command office in Afikpo received a distress call of a clash between some groups in the area.

    He noted that the area commander instructed the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the area to investigate the matter as the police discovered that the group members had escaped.

    The team visited the traditional ruler of the area who took them to the home of the main suspect and knocked at door while announcing its presence.

    “Okugo who is the father of the kingpin opened the door and hit the officer who knocked with a matchete and wounded him with deep cuts in the process.”

    He noted that other officers swooped on him and took him to the station.

    He said the incident followed a clash by two rival groups at a bar belonging to one Mrs Estther.

    “They destroyed the Esther’s properties and escaped by the time the officers arrived.

    The spokesman denied any death in the incident.

    “We cannot establish any case of cult related clash and death because we did not see any corpse”, he added.

    He noted that the matter was being expected at the police headquarters in Abakaliki for investigation as the wounded officer is responding to treatment at the Mater Misericaordea hospital Afikpo.

  • Fire Outbreaks: Ebonyi Government alleges sabotage

    Ebonyi State Government Saturday blamed the series of fire outbreaks in the state to sabotage by unknown persons.

    It said such acts of sabotage are being treated as terrorism by the state
    government.

    The state have recorded over eight fire outbreaks within the past two weeks
    with many lives lost and properties worth million of naira destroyed.

    The major ones include two separate incidents at the Abakpa Main Market in
    Abakaliki which razed at least 50 shops.

    Also an INEC office in Izzi local government was destroyed while a mother and seven of her children were burnt to death in another incident in Ishielu local government area.

    Chairman of Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency, (EBSEMA), Evangelist
    Ephraim Ononye said the state government initially attributed the earlier fire outbreaks to carelessness by some residents.

    He said recurrence of such fires across the state have made it to reevaluate the cause.

    According to him, preliminary investigations show that the fires may have been deliberately started by unknown criminal elements.

    His words, “Earlier, we were looking at it from the angle of carelessness from the people but now I am looking at it as sabotage and terrorism. I am looking at it from the point that some people are behind it, I think it is a deliberate sabotage”.

    “The last fire outbreak at the market, there was no electricity in that area, so how did the fire start?. It wasn’t candle either because they close by 5pm and the fire started by 3am the following day. No candle left before close of market would have burnt till that time”

    “The fire at Ezeagu, the two buildings are not close to each other but the fire started at the same time on both buildings. So it’s also suspicious”.

    He blamed the inability of the fire service to respond adequately to the fires to inability of past administration to adequately equip the service.

    The Chairman said the state government has ordered two more fire fighting trucks which will arrive the state within the week to improve the capacity of the fire service.

    “Before the inception of this present administration, there was no fire service in Ebonyi state. They had just the structure and the vandalized vehicles”.

    “But the present administration rehabilitated their boreholes, built an underground water reservoir, channeled water from state water
    reservoir to be supplying them water and repaired their fire fighting truck.

    “Government have made approval for two water tankers that will arrive the state within the week to enhance their ability to fight fire.”

  • Umahi suspends aide indefinitely

    Umahi suspends aide indefinitely

    Ebonyi state Governor, Chief Dave Umahi Friday suspended indefinitely his Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Chief Jeremiah Oketa for taking actions beyond the authorities and command of his office.

    Though details of why Oketa was suspended was not disclosed  by the government, The Nation learnt that he was suspended for creating a separate bank account for payment of  IGR without the consent of the state government.

    Oketa was said to have aligned with a company given the contract to enumerate all the buildings in the state for tax payment and created separate bank account where the taxes will be paid without the knowledge of the government whereas the government had already created its own account for the purpose.

    Angered by the development, the government wielded the big stick and suspended Oketa indefinitely.

    Announcing the suspension at a press briefing on the decision of the state government on the matter and the outcome of the executive council meeting, the state Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, Sen. Emmanuel Onwe said Oketa had already been stopped from collecting IGR for the state.

    He announced that Commissioners have been banned from collecting IGR for the state, adding that only Board of Internal Revenue (BIR) is charged with the responsibility of collecting Internally Generated Revenue.

    He said the decision was to allow the Commissioners to concentrate on their jobs for optimal performance. ENDS

    The commissioner said,  “The Special Adviser on IGR ,Chief J.O.J Oketa, has been suspended indefinitely for going beyond the authority and command of his office.

    “Special Advisers and commissioners are no longer authorised to collect taxes or revenue of any kind. The Only legal body now authorised by council to collect revenue is the Ebonyi Board of Internal Revenue or any agent that the board may legitimately engage to do so.

    “All payments of all kind of revenue should be done in the way it goes directly into the account of government.”

    He explained that the Executive Council received presentations from companies on enumeration and collection of taxes and revenues for government without imposing hardship on Ebonyians.

  • Gunmen kill businessman in Ebonyi

    Gunmen kill businessman in Ebonyi

     Facebook  Google+  LinkedIn

    Gunmen on Wednesday shot a businessman to death in Amasiri, Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi State.

    The hoodlums numbering four had robbed a warehouse in the neighborhood before proceeding to the shop of the businessman to shoot him.

    The businessman was rushed to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.

    An eyewitness, Amadi Clement said the hoodlums shot sporadically to scare people away before they proceeded with their robbery operation.

    “When Afikpo Divisional Police command was contacted, a team of policemen stormed the area but the robbers had shot someone and robbed the warehouse before the arrival of the policemen”, he added.

    Spokesman of the Police, ASP George Okafor confirmed the incident.

    He debunked reports that the hoodlums robbed a warehouse and other shops.

    The spokesman, however, claimed that a team of policemen from the area command and safer highway repelled the robbery attack on some shops in the area.

    He said one person was shot by the hoodlums and that the victim died on the way to hospital.

    The robbers, he said, took to their heels on sighting the police.