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Tag: Ebonyi

  • 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.”

  • Atiku’s campaign office in Ebonyi attacked

    The campaign office belonging to one of the support groups to Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital was attacked by unknown hoodlums on Friday with its billboards destroyed.

    The campaign office which is located along the Mile 50 axis of the old Enugu Road belongs to Friends of Atiku, a support group in the state powered by A House of Representatives member, Linus Okorie.

    One of the double-faced billboards mounted near its fence was torn to shreds.

    This came barely 24 hours after the leadership of the group informed that over 100 women in its fold have left Ebonyi to Abuja to attend a conference being organised by Atiku’s wives for women across the 36 states of the federation.

    Read Also: Quit Presidential race to avoid embarrassment, BMO tells Atiku

    Reacting to the ugly incident, the state Coordinator of the group, Chief Linus Okorie, at a press briefing, condemned the attack describing it as a ‘wicked act.’

    He disclosed that he was alerted about the incident on phone at about 5:30am.

    Okorie, who is currently representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency in the House of Representatives, spoke through the organisation’s coordinator in Onicha Local Government Area, Nnamdi Onu.

    Onu said, “As early as 5:30am we began to get calls from people that our office has been attacked by some hoodlums.

    “We rushed here and discovered that some of our billboards have been badly damaged.

    “We have made a formal report to the security agencies. Yesterday, we noticed some unusual movements around here. We condemn this act in its entirety.

    “It is despicable for anybody to think that destroying billboards is a way of enhancing his or her political popularity.

    “We appeal to all Ebonyians and Nigerians to be steadfast in their support to our presidential candidate”, he added.

  • Atiku accuses Buhari, APC of using state resources, apparatuses for campaign

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has accused President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using state resources as apparatuses for electioneering campaign.

    Describing the action as a violation of the nation’s electoral laws, Atiku said Buhari and the APC have been acting contrary to claims by the President that he would not use state resources for election.

    In a statement Thursday by his media Adviser, Mr. Paul Ibe, the PDP presidential candidate called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction President Buhari and the APC for violating the Constitution and the Electoral Act.

    The statement said, “Recall that the National Chairman of INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu had in December of last year warned incumbent office holders against using state resources or apparatuses for their campaigns, or deploying same against their opponents.

    “Prof. Yakubu, who issued the warning at a lecture titled “Political corruption and other emerging issues for the 2019 elections” in Abuja, noted that the commission has the power to monitor campaign financing and sources of funds according to the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    “However, in negation of the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2010 as amended, the Buhari administration and the APC has taken to the illegal deployment of state resources to its advantage for the election.

    Read Also: Atiku blames APC for joblessness, insecurity

    “We wish to remind President Buhari and the APC that the use of state videos released by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture is illegal under the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    “The media is awash with advertisements with the hashtag #PMBDIDIT and signed by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and referencing so-called achievements of the APC administration in the states of Abia, Kwara, Lagos, Ebonyi, Delta and Kano, among others”.

    These, Atiku said, were without doubt, 2019 presidential campaign materials produced by the Ministry of Information and Culture using state resources and apparatuses to benefit President Buhari.

    “This appalling conduct, which is clearly in violation of Section 100 of the Electoral Act, is even more shocking when it is recalled that the state resources being used to the illegal advantage of President Buhari are being drawn from agencies which for over three years, prior to this election, failed to perform their duties to the benefit of Nigerian citizens. The Ministry of Information and Culture must stop this illegality immediately.

    “We demand that INEC issues an immediate cease and desist order to both the Ministry of Information and Culture and to the broadcast channels running it.

    “We also insist that INEC register the media spend behind it as part of the APC’s total N1 billion campaign spend limit.

    “Fortunately, INEC is alert to this danger and itself warned the ruling party to refrain from such conduct. Now that the party has clearly flouted the law in negation of the electoral umpire’s warning, we urge that INEC sanctions them accordingly”.

  • Ebonyi gets two new ministries, commissioners

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has created two ministries and appointed commissioners for them.

    The governor split one ministry and merged the Department of Internal Security with the Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution.

    A statement yesterday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, said the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Survey was split with two commissioners.

    The statement reads: “Sunday Inyima is moved from the Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution to Housing and Urban Development. Prof. John Eke moves from Lands, Housing and Survey to the Ministry of Lands and Survey.”

    “The Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security (SSA-IS) and Ministry of Border Peace and Conflict Resolution are abolished. Consequently, a Ministry of Internal Security and Border Peace has been created. Kenneth Ugballa, who was in charge of Internal Security, has been nominated a commissioner and will be in charge of the office pending his screening and possible confirmation by the Assembly.

    “Deputy Governor Eric Kelechi Igwe will supervise the exercise. All handover and taking over processes must be completed on or before, January 14.”

  • FG inaugurates 5.5km road project in Ebonyi community

    The Federal Government on Saturday inaugurated the construction of 5.5 kilometre road in Ekwetekwe, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

    Mr Uwem Use, Permanent Secretary, Ecological Fund Office of the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) represented the Federal Government at the ceremony held in Ekewtekwe.

    He performed the handing over ceremony of the Engineering Design for Erosion Control and Road Improvement Works to Kanode Construction Limited, the contractor handling the project.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the erosion control and road improvement works at Ekwetekwe/Ogbunyagu will span across three communities and totalling about 5.5 kilometres.

    The permanent secretary said the day was a remarkable one for the people of the community, having lived for over two decades without any completed federal road in the area.

    ”Today is indeed a remarkable day for the people of Ekwetekwe and Umuezeoka communities as we are here to hand over a project approved by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria through the Ecological fund office.

    ”The project is spanning from Nduagu Onu-Nworie to Azu-Itumo village and down to Umuezeoka community all in Ezza North Local Government of this State,” he said.

    ”I believe this is one of the good projects of Mr President to touch the lives of the rural dwellers in Nigeria.

    ”This community was once crying, but the Federal Government has remembered them.

    ”You can now enjoy with other communities because, for the past 100 years, this had never happened in this community”.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties office of the SGF, Chief William Alo, who is a native of Onu-Nworie expressed profound gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari over the project.

    Read Also: Free medical treatment for Ebonyi community

    Alo thanked the Presidency and everyone who contributed in ensuring that the project was situated in the area.

    The contracting firm, Kanode Construction Ltd represented by a Senior Consultant, Mr Nwokoro Ukakonu, in an interview, assured that the job would be ready in six months.

    He promised that the firm would engage some villagers in the execution of the contract and ensure that it was done according to specifications.

    Mr Columbus Nwovu, a retired Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who responded on behalf of the benefitting communities said the project would prolong the lives of the indigenes of the communities affected.

    ”Our son, Chief William Alo has been trying. But now, he has done the best which I am very happy to be alive to see this project.

    ”I am applauding Buhari for the good he has done to the members of Ekwetekwe and Ogbunaygu.

    ”We are with him even in the coming elections for remembering our people. We will support his re-election and the APC in 2019,” he said.

    NAN

  • Buhari commissions Ebonyi fertiliser plant

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday commissioned the ultra modern Fertilizer blending plant, the first and only in the entire South East and South South zones and lauded the developmental strides of Governor David Umahi.

    The President who was represented by the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbe while commissioning the modern fertilizer plant at Onuebonyi said Governor Umahi has the capacity to make Nigeria a great nation and urged Ebonyians to continue to support him.

    “It is always a thing of delight to come to Ebonyi. We have been driving through Ebonyi State and not one pothole on the roads. You know Your Excellency, I want to say it before your people that we are very proud of you. The primary responsibility of a governor is to develop the economy of the State. Politics is nothing. Politics will come and go but when you have a good leader, lifting the economy of the State, creating jobs, saving people from hunger and disease, hold on to him and pray for him”

    “Yesterday, you won a prize in Abuja, awarded by the President himself for your contributions in Agriculture. The Plaque will be delivered to you shortly. We are here to commission this plant which is the only fertilizer plant in the entire southeastern zone and South-South. It is going to add to the production of food in this entire regions”

    Speaking further, Chief Ogbe said: “We are very proud of you for your commitment. We are thoroughly amazed with what we see here today Please remember that anywhere, anytime we mention our successes in Agriculture, your name comes up”

    “Your rice, is in every Supermarket in Abuja and in Lagos and you are one of the five Governors who have succeeded in making Nigeria almost self sufficient in rice production. You have reduced rice import by 90 percent and we have saved some seed import in the last 34 months to the tune of $21b as a country”

    “We thank you, we commend you and we are here today because we have high regard for you, the Governor, and we wish you well. Continue to work. Ebonyi has become a major player in Nigeria’s economy. We have just come away from the place where you are going to build a plant for Lead processing and many other minerals. We saw the road that led to the site”

    A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Umahi, Emmanuel Uzor further quoted President Buhari as describing the governor as one of the people that has the capacity an ability to make Nigeria grow.

    Read Also: Buhari: We’ve dislodged Boko Haram

    He said:”It is men like you that will make Nigeria grow. Let us say this, that in no distant future, the South-East should give us a president and you have worked for it. I want to thank you very much the people of Ebonyi. Continue to give him support, continue to work hard and this man will lead you well and free all of us from poverty and want. Poverty is not an asset. It is an embarrassment”

    Earlier, Governor Umahi who spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony of Ebonyi Tongyi Lead/Zinc/Copper Processing plant in Uburu said his administration has put every measures to improve the economy of the state through harnessing the large deposit of solid minerals in the state.

    He said with the limited land in the state, agriculture and solid minerals have been prioriotized to serve as mainstay in the economy of the state in the face of the dwindling fortunes from oil.

    The Minister of State for Mines and Steal Development, Hon. Abubarkar Nawa Bwari while laying the foundation stone for the processing plant commended the governor for his developmental strides and expressed satisfaction that with the state government’s commitment towards harnessing solid mineral deposit, Ebonyi State will become first in the country.

  • Body of slain lady found in Ebonyi hotel

    The Police in Ebonyi state says it has discovered the body of a yet to be identified middle aged lady in a hotel in Abakaliki.
    Spokesman of the Police in the state, Loveth Odah said the body had deep cuts on the chest and neck and has been deposited in  mortuary.
    The incident, according to the spokesman, took place at Crown Garden Hotel Abakaliki located along the ever-busy Afikpo road in the capital city.
    Odah, who said that the victim was seen in the pool of her own blood, noted that the identity of the suspected assailant has been uncovered.
    She said that though the identity of the deceased is yet to be ascertained, the hotel manager Mr. Emmanuel Eze, the supervisor and other staff had been taken to the police station for questioning and accused the hotel management of negligence.
    “The Manager of the hotel, the supervisor and other staff of the hotel were taken to the station for questioning and I must confess to you that the whole thing is negligence on the part of the hotel management. How can a guest be murdered in a hotel room and days after, the management is not aware of the incident.
    ” We will investigate the matter properly and I assure you, the perpetrator of the act must be arrested and prosecuted. All we are asking is for the members of the public to avail the police of useful information that would led to the arrest of the suspect”.
    A customer, Mr. Sylvester Oduma whose complaint led to the discovery narrated what happened to journalists.
    According to him,  he arrived the hotel on Sunday, paid for a suite and checked into the hotel only to perceive unpleasant odour oozing out from the next room until it became unbearable.
    “I quickly drew the attention of the management of the hotel to the unpleasant odour and they quickly opened the door and found the lifeless body of a fair lady in the room. Possibly she was stabbed to death by her supposed boyfriend identified as .”
    “Immediately, the police was contacted and a team of Officers arrived the scene. On arrival they saw the gory sight of the stabbed lady. The policemen immediately arrested all the management and staff of the hotel and took them away. The policemen evacuated the corpse and deposited it in a morgue”.
    Mr. Oduma noted that the suspect was also said to have made away with all the belongings of the deceased including her phone so that he could not be tracked.
    The Hotel Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Eze said that he was on a three days journey when the incident took place.
    He said that as soon as he was contacted, he immediately contacted the police who went and evacuated the corpse from the hotel room.
    ” I was on a three day journey when the incident took place but as soon as I was informed, I also informed the police who immediately went to the scene and evacuated the body of the lady. Upon my arrival to Abakaliki, I was invited by the police but after making statement, I was granted bail”.
    He said that the unfortunate murder case may not be for ritual purpose as her vital organs were still intact before her evacuation from the hotel.
    “Every business has its own challenges, this is one of the hazards of hotel business. I thank God that as at today none of my staff has been linked to the gruesome murder,” the Manager said.

  • Over 150,000 additional PVCs ready for collection in Ebonyi–REC

    The Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC) in Ebonyi has taken delivery of 150,892 additional Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs)  following the  recent ’ Continuous Voters Registration(CVR).

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Godswill Obioma, announced this  at a meeting with  the chairmen and secretaries of political parties in Ebonyi on Wednesday in Abakaliki.

    He said that the commission received 179,550 PVCs from the previous registration, adding that 69,545 PVCs had been collected by their owners.

    Obioma said that over 110,000 cards were yet to be claimed by their owners from the previous registration exercise.

    “Our office has just received additional 150,892 PVCs and the cards are ready for collection.

    “I therefore call on you all, as stakeholders, to double your efforts in the sensitisation of registered voters to come forth and collect their PVCs.

    “Collection of PVCs will not be by proxy, their owners must come forth and collect their PVCs.

    “This will guarantee earnest expectations for Ebonyi to witness a larger voter turnout in the forthcoming 2019 general elections,” Obioma said.

    He said that the commission’s contiguous polling units within each registration areas were now  PVC collection points as they were closer to the people.

    The resident commissioner also urged political parties and candidates to engage in issue-based and violence-free electioneering towards the 2019 general elections.

    Obioma said that it was imperative for candidates in the election and their political parties to conduct themselves well.

    He reiterated  INEC’s commitment to conduct transparent, credible, free and fair elections in Ebonyi, while urging politicians in the state to cooperate with the commission to achieve its objectives.

    Obioma said that INEC would monitor all the campaigns of the various political parties as well as track their finances.

    “It is our duty to advise all active players engaged or to be engaged in this segment of electionerring process to carry on with issue based political campaigns.

    Read Also: Oyo: 800,000 PVCs yet to be collected – INEC

    “Contestants and indeed political parties should avoid campaign of calumny, hate and divisiveness.

    “All manners of hate speeches should be avoided as these will only lead to violence and undue heating up of the polity,” he said.

    Obioma reminded the party leaders of the provisions of the Electoral Act 2010(as amended) that prescribed acceptable code of conduct for political parties and their candidates during  campaigns.

    “We hereby draw your attention to sections 94 and 102 of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and Article 3 of political parties’ code of conduct.

    “Political parties, their candidates, officials and agents are expected to conduct their political campaigns within the ambit of the law.

    “They are to work towards ensuring an environment conducive for successful, peaceful, free and fair election campaigns”.

    He said the commission, in accordance with the extant electoral laws,. had stipulated campaign spending limits for the various elective  positions and corresponding penalties for violation.

    According to him, campaign spending limit for presidential election is N1 billion, while penalty for violation is N1 million or 12-month imprisonment or both.

    Obioma said that governorship  campaign spending limit was N200 million with penalty of N600,000 or six-month imprisonment or both, while Senatorial and house of representatives spending limits were N40 million and N20 million respectively.

    He said that defaulters would pay N600,000 or risk six-month jail term or both.

    The resident commissioner said that campaign funding for candidates vying for state house of assembly was pegged at N10 million with N300,000 penalty or three months’ imprisonment or both.

    “Political parties are expected to comply with provisions of the law in this regard by reporting their financial transactions to the commission,” he said.

    Obioma urged the party leaders to sensitise the electorate on dangers  inherent in vote selling and vote buying, while appealing to them to mobilise voters  to collect their PVCs.

    NAN

  • UNIZIK opens Chinese study centre in Ebonyi

    The Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, has established a teaching centre of the Confucius Institute at the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu in Ebonyi State. This followed a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Joseph Ahaneku, and the Provost of the college, Prof Justina Mgbada, for the setting up of an institute for Chinese studies in the college.

    Speaking during the tour of the facility, the VC explained that the institute would afford people within the catchment area an opportunity to learn mandarin, noting that it would go a long way in assisting most of them in doing business with the Chinese.

    Prof Ahaneku said the establishment of the teaching point is in line with his administration’s resolve to give the Chinese programme a national outlook. He urged the people of Ebonyi State to utilise the opportunity that the programme offers.

    Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, who graced the event, donated an executive Peugeot 506 car to the institute to assist Chinese teachers discharge their duties.

    The provost, Prof Mgbada, expressed joy on the fruition of the MoU, which, according to her, appeared impossible at the outset. She praised the VC for his tenacity, which, she said, led to the success of the partnership.

    Prof Mgbada assured the VC of the college’s resolve to abide by the regulations of Hanban – Confucius Institute headquarters. Being the first non-affiliated institution to be accorded the privilege, the provost said the college would live up to expectation.

    In the entourage of the VC to Ishiagu include the Deputy VC for Academics, Prof Charles Esimone, his counterpart in Administration, Prof Carol Arinze-Umobi, UNIZIK Director of Public Relations, Dr Emmanuel Ojukwu, and some staff of the institute led by their Director, Prof Yu Job.

    In a related development, UNIZIK hosted the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Arts Exhibition contingent from Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The exhibition was held at the university auditorium.

    Receiving the team led by Prof Wang Jun Wen, Prof Ahaneku, said the visit would open opportunities for collaboration with the university, especially in the area of medicine.

    Prof Wang thanked the VC for his support to the institute, expressing optimism that the partnership would yield good fruit.

    The event featured variety of Chinese music, drama, kung fu and martial arts presentations from the TCM contingent and students of Confucius Institute.

  • Ebonyi lifts small business owners with N4m

    The Ebonyi State Government said it has changed the narrative of Micro Small &Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state by distributing over N4billion to small business owners in the state. Commissioner for Commerce & Industry, Chief (Mrs) Ugo Nnachi said in addition, the state is supporting civil servants with additional N4 billion to invest in agro based sector, especially poultry and fish farming. She spoke exclusively to The Nation in Lagos.

    She said the state governor  David Nweze Umahi is committed to changing the narrative that Lagos State is filled with Ebonyi youths, who engage in street trading. To underscore  this, she said the governor has doled out N130 million to over 540 street traders to enable them engage in meaningful commercial activities as against petty and street trading.

    The Commissioner said the idea of attributing street trading to people from Ebonyi State in major cities across the nation has become a thing of the past as over 4,000 widows were empowered with N250, 000 each and tricycles distributed across the 13 local government areas of the state.

    She encouraged investors to take advantage of the rich resources in the state and invest for high returns. According to her, the state is blessed with abundant mineral resources in commercial quantities and scattered throughout the state, but are yet to be fully and industrially exploited, resulting in the low level of industrial development of the state.

    On what the state is doing to industrialise,  she said Governor Umahi has aggressively tackled the problem of poor road network within the state and pursued all round infrastructural development, including mechanised agriculture and agribusiness.

    She said: “In matching his words with action, the governor has recently established three factories such as the pencil, water, and women bag factories and created three industrial parks, each in the three senatorial districts of the state in Uburu in the south, Ezzamgbo in the north and Nkalagu in the central to aid industrialists in establishing micro, small and medium enterprises. In addition to the three industrial parks, government has, since 2017, taken preliminary steps towards the establishment of an ultra-modern regional market at Afikpo, known as Most Reverend Bishop Micheal Okoro regional market.”

    The state’s agricultural main crops, she said include, but not limited to rice, palm produce, cocoyam, maize, ground nut, yam, plantain, banana and cassava. Others are melon, sugarcane, local beans, fruit and vegetables.