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Tag: Ebonyi

  • 95 per cent of States can’t pay N30, 000 minimum wage – Umahi

    Gov David Umahi of Ebonyi on Wednesday in Abakaliki, declared that 95 per cent of states in the country cannot pay the proposed N30, 000 minimum wage to workers.

    Umahi, who is the Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, said this while inaugurating a 36-member fact-finding committee to ascertain the mode of workers’ promotion arrears payment in states across the six geo-political zones of the states.

    According to Umahi, the payment of the N30, 000 can only be realised if the federation account allocation formula is reviewed to offer more earnings to states.

    “The federal government collects 52 per cent of the revenue from the federation account and when I tried to put the N30,000 figure to Local Government Areas (LGA) it means they will borrow N1billion to add to their allocation, in paying salaries.

    “I will definitely not be a governor to govern such a state and will never preside over a state that will allocate 100 per cent of its earnings to pay salaries,” he said.

    The governor recommended that the issue of petroleum subsidy in the country should also be reviewed as had been noted by the state and federal governments.

    “We must presently have the courage to say this because a lot of money can be saved from the subsidy if properly distributed.

    “When 100, 000 litres of petrol is allocated to me for instance and deducted from my allocation, it is then my business to ensure that there is no leakage.

    “There is no governor or political office holder that signs cheques but civil servants as the country’s leaders and labour are just putting water inside a basket and praying God to hold it with this minimum wage issue,” he said.

     

    He urged the country’s leaders and labour to liaise and decide on the percentage of the federation account that should be voted for salaries and other sectors.

    “We should determine how much should be allocated to education, health, infrastructure among others if 100 per cent of earnings are used to pay workers salaries.

    “Many states are experiencing various problems and cannot pay salaries but the people condemn their governments over their inability to provide good roads and other amenities.

    “People don’t understand the problems being experienced by these states and the governors have kept quiet for long and need to speak presently,” he said.

    Umahi regretted that the issue of promotion arrears for workers in the state had lingered for long and urged the committee to be sincere with their findings to find an amicable solution to it.

    “We have been setting up committees on this issue and getting no results with people not being sincere and resorting to all sorts of things,” he said.

    Read also: Minimum Wage: Buhari to study report before any announcement – FG

    Dr Hyginus Nwokwu, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) noted that the issue made the governor to institute a 36-man member committee to tour states in the six geo political zones and ascertain the mode of payments.

    “The members are drawn from critical elements of state with the organised labour having 12 nominees, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) 12 nominees and the government-12 nominees.

    “The committee will tour three states in each of these zones, ascertain relevant facts, analyse and present them to enable government take disposable and final actions on the matter,” he said.

    Mr Leonard Nkah, the Acting Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state and Chairman of the committee pledged to ensure the actualisation of the committee’s aims.

    “We pledge to assiduously discharge our duties and make recommendations that will permanently solve the problem for a healthy government and labour relationship,” he said. (NAN)

  • 2019 : Ebonyi APC chieftain dumps party, picks SDP governorship ticket

    A House of Representatives Aspirant under the All Progressive Congress, APC, Ndubuisi Chibueze-Agbo, has dumped the party and picked the Governorship ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

    Mr Chibueze-Ago, a former commissioner of Education under the Chief Martin Elechi administration announced his exit from his former party at a rally held in Ngbo, Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi on Monday.

    At the occasion, he received the SDP ‘s endorsement to fly the party’s flag in 2019 governorship election in Ebonyi.

    According to him, his decision to quit his former party, APC is due to alleged injustice and lack of internal party democracy which has bedevilled the party.

    “Truly my resignation from my former party, the APC is because the party is bedevilled with lack of internal democracy, injustice and fraught with irregularities, calumny and political atrocities.

    “We made personal sacrifices, formed a merger and paddled a common boat propelled with a vision to emancipate the good people of our dear state but some political ‘Judases’ in a bid to push their own selfish interest betrayed our trust.

    “They dashed the hope of our people and returned vanity for our collective costly labour and efforts.

    “I became disenchanted and disappointed at the lack of healthy party politics and healthy internal party democracy in APC; the holllnwness of the party executive, deliberate and wanton disregard to party rules and guidelines.

    “Indeed, the APC we laboured for at the risk of our personal comfors and investmentents is now converted to an ‘auction’ market where the highest bidder takes it all.

    “Consequently, things fell apart in the party and those of us whose vision for a better Ebonyi cannot be shattered left the party not for personal gains but for the over-riding interest of our dear state”, he said.

    The SDP gubernatorial candidate explained that he was in the party to champion the cause of repositioning Ebonyi for the good and wellbeing of the citizenry.

    “Today and now, I sincerely offer myself to you for your indispensable support as we make our vision, our mission and our dream a reality of forming the next government of Ebonyi where I shall serve you as the governor”, he added.

    Chibueze-Agbo said that his government would focus on five cardinal areas including education, health, security, agriculture, youths and women empowerment if elected.

    The state chairman of SDP while handing the party’s flag to Chibueze-Agbo described him as a bridge-builder and versatile politician with requisite knowledge and leadership experience to deliver democracy dividends to the people of Ebonyi.

    Read Also: PSC, NPF clears air on promotion of DIGs

    The SDP governorship candidate contested for the primary election of Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal constituency under the platform of APC for the 2019 election.

    After the primaries, Mr Agbo also petitioned the APC national chairman, Mr Adams Oshiomhole dated wherein he condemned the brazen abuse and compromise of the party primaries in Ebonyi.

    He also lamented the killing of seven party members at Onueke in Ezza South local government area during the party’s national assembly primaries.

  • Ebonyi Government wades into border crisis with Benue

    The Ebonyi Government has urged Ekwashi and Ukwuagba Ngbo Autonomous communities of Ohaukwu LGA in the state to stay calm as government was working to resolve the attack on them on Tuesday.

    The state governor, Chief Dave Umahi made the call in Ngbo on Wednesday when he visited the communities attacked by Agila, a bordering community in Benue.

    Umahi, represented by his deputy, Mr Eric Igwe, led a team of security agencies including the Police, military, the Department of State Services and stakeholders on Border Peace and Conflict Resolution and media.

    He confirmed that five persons were killed while some farmlands were destroyed by the Benue community over a land dispute.

    Umahi frowned at the level of destruction noting  that in spite of efforts by Ebonyi Government to resolve the crisis, the Agila people went on to attack its neighboring communities.

    He said that more measures would be taken to strengthen the agreement between the two states while he called on Federal government for quick intervention on the warring communities.

    He appreciated the Ngbo community on their adherence for not giving room for reprisal.

    The governor said that local vigilance groups would be empowered to assist and accompany farmers whose farmlands are located at the dispute areas.

    He charged traditional rulers, coordinators, chairmen and other stakeholders from the areas to devise means to also enable farmers visit their farms.

    “I warn that no farmer should go to their farms alone without being accompanied by the local vigilance group.

    “Enough is enough. We will meet to take more measures because two wrongs cannot make a right but we will ensure lives are saved,” he said.

    The Chairman of Ohaukwu Local Government Area, Mr Clement Odah, who expressed dismay over the attack, said that the five persons killed include three females and two males whose bodies were recovered from the farm land.

    Odah said some persons were hospitalized while means of livelihood and farm lands were destroyed.

    He said that the frequency of the attack was becoming unbearable, in spite of all efforts made by the state government including a recent meeting held by the two states with a communique issued but the Agila reneged and attacked Ngbo people.

    “We need an end to this interstate crisis. Those killed, injured were in their farms to harvest before the attack,” Odah said.

    A regent of Ukwuagba Community, Mr Emmanuel Igboke, while narrating his ordeal, said that the circumstances were due to land issues.

    Igboke disclosed that the land dispute had been in existence immediately after the Nigerian Civil War.

    “The Agila people attacked them during harvest period. This issue has consumed lots of souls.

    “They cut off the women’s breast, arms, and legs of the men. You need to see the inhuman act,” the regent cried.

    He pleaded that the land be demarcated to avoid further attacks adding that an access road be constructed for them.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Musa Kimo while condoling with the victims’ families and communities demanded their cooperation to the police.

    “We assure you that the crisis would be resolved but we appeal that your partnership will be needed,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that bodies of a female and a male victims were shown to the team. (NAN)

  • 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.

  • World Food Day: FG restates commitment to zero hunger

    The Federal Government has restated its commitment to zero food hunger by the year 2030 if the present tempo of agricultural activities are sustained in the country.

    Speaking at a symposium to mark the 2018 World Food Day in Abuja with the title, “Our Actions are Our Future: A Zero Hunger World by 2030 is Possible,” in Abuja at the weekend, Minister of State, Agriculture and Rural Development Senator Heineken Lokpobiri pledged the commitment that, “In the next 12 years, Nigeria will join the League of Nations who would be able to feed the world.”

    But the minister was quick to add that this projection can only be attainable if all Nigerians see and treat Agriculture as serious business and not as mere programme.

    He stated that Nigeria must take advantage of its rapidly growing population to invest seriously in agriculture  and that the private sector must take the lead in this project while the Government provides the enabling environment, because Government has proven to be bad business manager.

    The World Food Day is celebrated each year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the Organization in 1945. Events are organized in over 150 countries across the world, making it one of the most celebrated days of the UN calendar. These events promote worldwide awareness and action for those who suffer from hunger and for the need to ensure food security and nutritious diets for all.

    Lokpobiri maintained also that the state governments must collectively demonstrate seriousness in agriculture by committing at least five percent of their budgets to agriculture, this way, the country would be able to upscale the agricultural production.

    This was as he commended the efforts of some States like Kebbi, Ebonyi, Zamfara, Ogun, etc in agriculture and urged other states of the federation to emulate the same examples because collectively Nigeria will achieve the set target.

    According to the minister, if Nigeria is able to feed itself, it would have been able to solve the issue of hunger and malnutrition in the black race and by extension Africa, which is, “a bold step in guaranteeing food for all in the world.”

    The minister was worried that if we do not achieve the zero hunger target, he foresaw a situation where, “people will be eating food and it will be snatched away from them forcefully by the hungry citizens.”

    He said it is established fact that the world has made unbelievable progress in the fight against hunger, which has led to the decline in the number of hungry people in the world, but regretted that this success is being threatened by the growing global population.

    This is also as Lokpobiri expressed concerns that the resolve for Food self sufficiency may be hampered by the current herdsmen/farmers crises in some northern parts of the country.

    “Prolonged crisis, especially in the north eastern part and other parts of the country that have experienced incessant clashes of herdsmen and farmers is also an issue of concern,” the minister said.

    Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Nigeria, Suffyan Koroma stated that over the past forty years, FAO in Nigeria has been working closely with the Government of Nigeria to advance sustainable agriculture and food systems with great optimism towards achieving Zero Hunger in in the country.

    He appreciated the continued commitment of the Government of Nigeria in forging strong partnerships for nourishing, nurturing and growing a prosperous and peaceful Nigeria where all Nigerians thrive and contribute to socio-economic development.

    According to him, achieving Zero Hunger is FAO’s shared commitment, which can be achieved through a Right based approach.

  • Ebonyi: from dust to salt

    Its founding fathers, at its creation in 1996, crowed it was the “salt of the nation”, after its abundant salt deposits, in the Okposi and Uburu salt lakes.

    But at the nadir of its huge infrastructural hole, its neighbours sneered it was the “dust of the nation” — no roads, anywhere in the country, boasted a cascade of dust more than Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital!  A pun never sounded more devastating!

    Nevertheless now, with a developmental rebound, the extant Ebonyi order is pushing to make it the tourism hub of the nation — an enchanting destination of choice, after which Nigerian travellers and foreign tourists would soon lust.

    It’s all the salt-to-dust-to-lust story of Ebonyi at 22!

    Indeed, Abakaliki streets, on the night of September 28, had the magical look of a vast grotto.

    The roads not only gleamed with streetlights, they also sparkled and twinkled with low roadside lights, such that visibility was excellent, navigation enchanting and driving, purring.

    Many times you had to pinch yourself: when is Santa leaping out of this vast grotto, with his jumbo Yuletide gifts?

    In this nightly incandescence, the dust of the nation, slowly but surely, may well be morphing into the pearl of the nation!

    Still, that grotto was no open sesame; and Governor David Umahi, no Ali Baba, snapping his fingers, conjuring up sheer magic, less than four years in office.

    At least, that was the impression the upbeat governor gave, at a special media chat, televised live, to mark Nigeria at 58, and Ebonyi at 22.

    It was rather, the result of a sustained developmental upscale, across almost every facet of Ebonyi life: roads, with more stress on concrete, less on asphalt; flyovers, safe water provision, power, with a special bent on solar; agriculture, and even processed solid minerals.

    Indeed, processed solid minerals drive the Umahi government’s concrete road activism, thanks to huge limestone deposits; and its renewed efforts to process Ebonyi’s natural salt, also in fulsome deposits, into some industrial products.

    Yet, as show-grabbing and eye-popping as Ebonyi’s bevy of roads and new bridges are, they have elicited harsh criticisms, from the governor’s local political foes, who accuse him of “wasting” scarce resources on prestige projects, while shunning the basics.

    What does it profit Ebonyi, such foes probably growl, that Abakaliki fountains sparkle with water jets, while residents there lack sparkling drinking water?

    But Governor Umahi, unfazed and unrepentant, just countered: ”Tell those who criticize me for building roads and bridges that the beautification of Abakaliki, the state capital, has just started.”  The packed State House auditorium exploded with cheers!

    That declaration somewhat echoes Chinua Achebe’s 1975 collection of essays, Morning Yet on Creation Day!  Indeed, in Umahi’s Ebonyin, it is morning yet on renewal day!

    In the governor’s logic, beautification births city beatification, since solid investment in tourism infrastructure offers Ebonyin a future bliss, in tourists-driven new jobs, earnings and wealth!

    For starters, the governor, with infectious passion, talks of a Muhammadu Buhari Glass  Tunnel; an Ebonyi version of the famous Dubai Mall; a specialist medical facility, projected as an Ebonyin hub for medical tourism; and an ecumenical centre — “biggest and best” — to serve as magnet for faith tourism!

    That President Buhari’s name somewhat bobs up in Umahi’s tourism vision, speaks to his rather liberal and accommodative politics, sans needless confrontation, powered by ethnic jingoism — a clear breath of fresh air.

    Besides, a Goodluck Jonathan Boulevard, cohabiting with a Muhammadu Buhari Glass Tunnel, may well be teaching the rest of Nigeria principled collaborative politics, without compromising fealty to politicians’ partisan platforms.  That appears the Ebonyin governor’s prime political philosophy.

    At the core of the Umahi infrastructural activism is the primacy of cement.  That triggers an urgent need to leverage Ebonyi’s vast limestone deposits, already drawing the attention of three Nigerian cement majors: Ibeto (new investors in Niger Cement, Nigercem), Lafarge and Bua, all soon to set up shop in the state.

    Little wonder then, that the governor reeled out a list of roads, in different parts of the state, most of them eight-inch deep concrete works, in advanced stages of completion.

    Though the governor admitted the entry cost of cement roads could be higher, its long-term durability, with minimum maintenance, makes them an absolute bargain.

    Aside road, another core project is power.  Solar-powered electricity, the governor announced, would soon bath, in streetlights, all of Ebonyin’s 13 local governments; each, for a cumulative stretch of 10 km.

    But even this project is a putative work-spinner for local artisans.  From this month, solar panels, to power the project, would be manufactured in the state, courtesy of some Chinese investors, thus employing hundreds of Ebonyi youths.

    But even with the infrastructural upgrade, the Umahi governorship is not about taking its eyes off Ebonyi’s famous rice cultivation and processing.

    To boost general agriculture, the governor announced an ambitious fertilizer project that would make Ebonyi the fertilizer capital of the whole of the South East.  And wastes, from Abakaliki’s rice mills, would also come handy, to generate off-grid electricity for some communities.

    But away from brick-and-mortar and tourism lure and lustre, Ebonyi’s social infrastructure, with a special focus on education, also takes a centre stage.

    Though Ebonyi already funds free primary and secondary education, the state is putting in place 13 primary and 13 secondary model schools — one each, in its 13 local government areas.

    Science-driven, the governor hopes to turn these schools into nationwide reference science primary and secondary academies.  Requirement for entry?  Strictly merit.

    Much higher at the tertiary level, the governor not only talked of a policy to peg fees for tertiary education, he also told the gathering that 10 per cent of every kobo Ebonyi earns goes into funding grants and subventions, to its tertiary institutions.

    Reeling out more achievements during the telecast — flood control and management; community security via neighbourhood watches; low crime rate, resulting from positive youth engagement; resolving community feuds and border disputes at the Ebonyi-Cross River border areas; civil servants’ special rice cultivation scheme, among others — the governor oozed a rare bonhomie, to turn Ebonyi into the very best, in every sphere.

    But that geniality vanished, each time the discourse turned to the local political opposition.  Neither the governor, nor his local traducers, take prisoners!

    But that is no surprise.  It’s virtual election eve and the governor is running for second term.  Indeed, all politics is local!

    But no matter Abakaliki’s local political in-fighting, Ebonyi appears a place to watch in developmental politics.

    If the current momentum is sustained, history may yet mark up the Umahi era as Ebonyi’s Renaissance.

  • Ebonyi APC clash: Death toll rises to three

    The death toll arising from the violent clash at Onueke, Ezza South local government area of Ebonyi State during the All Progressives Congress National Assembly Primaries has increased to three.

    Police spokesman in the state, Loveth Odah confirmed this on Saturday.

    She said two more dead bodies were discovered by the Police in nearby bush around the venue of the Primaries.

    She also debunked reports that a Police officer was injured in the clashes between rival APC factions.

    “While APC were having their senatorial primary at Darling Star Hotel Onueke in Ezza south local government area of Ebonyi state, sporadic gunshots were heard on air in a nearby bush”.

    Policemen deployed to the area for the exercise, quickly mobilized and repelled the assassins. Upon combing the nearby bush, unfortunately, two lifeless bodies; a man and a woman were found in the bush”.

    She gave the names of the dead victims as The Mary Innocent 40 years old of Agba in Ishielu local government and Ifeanyi Akwule, 45 years old.

    Mrs Odah said that the identity of the first victims whose body was recovered yesterday from the area has not been ascertained.

    “So, we are having three not five as being speculated”.

    The spokesman said the dead victims have been deposited at Onueke general hospital mortuary.

    “Equally, one Chioma Linus, 43, of Ikwo local government, Orawo Regina, 32, of also Ikwo and Ezinne, 22, were found injured and were rushed to Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki for treatment”

    On the primaries, the spokesman said the violence led to the cancellation of the primaries.

    “The process was truncated and the committee sent from Abakaliki for the senatorial primaries were evacuated to Abakaliki . A combined team of armed policemen has been deployed to the area and normalcy has since returned”,she added

    Meanwhile, the primaries for Ebonyi Central zone which was truncated by the violence was shifted to today. At the time of filling this report, voting was still ongoing at People’s Club Abakaliki, the new venue of the exercise.

    Governor David Umahi had on Friday night expressed great shock over the killings.

    The governor, while condemning the heavy shooting, warned the APC against instigating crisis in the peaceful state.

    Umahi in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor further ordered security agencies to investigate the killings and bring the perpetrators and their sponsors to book.

    He warned that nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Ebonyi citizen.

    The Governor who said that he received the news of the heavy shooting in Onueke, from Port Harcourt, Rivers State warned all political actors in the opposition party to play by the rules and eschew politics of destruction and bitterness.

    Uzor in his statement said ” Governor Umahi received with great shock and disbelief the unfortunate and devilish shootings in Onueke, the headquarters of Ezza South council area, one of the venues for the APC factional senatorial primaries and has ordered full investigation into the incident and warned that his administration will no longer condone unnecessary and wanton killings of innocent citizens under whatever guise by the APC”

    “He therefore warns that any politician who is being driven by inordinate ambition must play by the rules as his administration is poised on ensuring that all those whose hands were in the killings and destruction of both private and government property are severely dealt with in accordance with the law”

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    “Governor Umahi has always believed that nobody’s ambition is worth the blood of any Ebonyi citizen and for that, saw the killing and destruction of vehicles by suspected APC militias in the state as provocative and warned that all political actors must play by the rules”

    “The People’s Democratic Party, PDP in the state has been conducting their primaries without any form of violence but to think that APC can not conduct themselves in a peaceful manner in their ambition is not only unfortunate but has further exposed their penchant for violence and destruction ”

    Uzor further disclosed that from available information, though still sketchy, the shooting which led to the death of one of the youths whose identity is not yet known started when two factions loyal to a house of Representatives aspirant from Ikwo clashed with supporters of the former governorship aspirant of the same party who hails from Ezza North over who controls the authentic delegatesl.

  • 2019: Izzi elders urge politicians to maintain peace, unity

    The Izzi Elders Council, under the aegis of Ishiuke Traditional Council, has called for peace, unity in Ebonyi, the Izzi `nation’ ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    The Ishiuke Elders Council, a highly revered traditional institution in Ebonyi, made the call on Friday in Amagu community, Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi.

    Our reporter gathered  that the Ishiuke traditional institution is the ‘supreme’ decision making body in Izzi land and custodian of the culture, tradition and religious practices of the Izzi people.

     

    Our reporter  also reports that Izzi people occupy three out of the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi.

    The local governments are:  Abakaliki, Ebonyi and Izzi, which are also part of Ebonyi North Senatorial District.

    Chief Ogbedege Nkwuda, the traditional Prime Minister of the Council made the call when he led the council to bestow blessings and prayers on Chief Chris Adol-Awam.

    Adol-Awam is a senatorial aspirant in the 2019 general elections who came to receive spiritual blessings and support from them.

    Nkwuda said that the peace and unity of Ebonyi and Izzi land were more paramount than the ambitions and aspirations of politicians in the state.

    He called on political parties and their aspirants to put the interest of the state ahead of their parties or personal considerations.

    He especially urged politicians from the area to shun all forms of conflict, violence and any action that would disrupt peace and disunite Izzi ethnic people, as they pursue their various political aspirations.

    “We are your fathers and elders. We will always pray to God for the guidance of our children who occupy leadership positions and also pray for those seeking for leadership positions.

    “We want you to remember that your political interests and aspirations cannot supersede the peace, unity and oneness of our people.

    “As politicians you have the right to pursue your ambitions, but these ambitions must not run counter to the general will of the people.

    “There is no reason for us to fight one another in the name of politics; we must focus on maintaining peace, unity and oneness that have existed among us since the days of our fore – fathers.

    “No society or country will achieve meaningful development without peace and harmony. I, therefore, appeal to all our people in politics to pursue and maintain peace with one another irrespective of their political affiliations”, Nkwuda said.

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    He added: “I also appeal to traditional and religious leaders to spread the language of peace in their domain to ensure sustainable peace and development in the state”.

    Adol-Awam, who briefed journalists said that he visited the Ishiuke to obtain their rich traditional blessings ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election.

    “The ‘Ishiuke’ is the custodian of our tradition; they are the supreme traditional authority throughout the Izzi nation and every Izzi man revere and regard them highly.

    “Their prayers and blessings are always effective and whatever they decide is final, they are our elders and represent our fore-fathers.

    “And coming to see them is like coming before your father to say father I am going somewhere or that I want to do this or that and your father will in turn bless you.

    “That blessing or the directive of your father is always effective and so, the visit is very very significant especially for those of us that are well groomed from the home “, he said.

    Adol-Awam who is seeking the APC senatorial nomination for Ebonyi North zone said he visited the elders earlier when he was vying for gubernatorial position and obtained their blessing.

    “I came back to tell them that I’m no longer vying for governorship, that I am now contesting for senate and to obtain their blessings for my new aspiration “, he said.

    He lauded the Ishiuke for their efforts in promoting peaceful living and unity among Izzi people and Ebonyi in general.

  • I am not perturbed by workers’ strike threat – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Wednesday, said that he was not perturbed by the industrial action threat by workers in the state, especially such from staff of the state-owned higher institutions.

    Umahi disclosed this during a meeting with the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), its affiliate unions and managements of the state-owned tertiary institutions over the disbursement of the second tranche of N7.6billion-Paris Club refund to the state.

    The governor remarked that the threat did not bother him as it was the legitimate right of the workers to make agitations but advised that it should be done peacefully.

    “The state-owned institutions for instance, are autonomous and instead of embarking on strike, I feel that the workers should instead dialogue with their managements to find solutions to their problems.

    “The government does not inquire how the institutions manage their funds because it has problems managing its own funds and spends 10 per cent of its gross earnings on the institutions.

    “The institutions are at liberty to recruit or reduce their staff but the government’s own duty is to offer subventions in which the state ranks the highest in the country.

    “In a situation where you embark on strike, we will transfer the students to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo and use the augmentation due to you to pay their fees,” he said.

    The governor noted that N1.56 billion had been allotted to workers from the second tranche of the refund, noting that it could either be used for the contributory pension scheme or health insurance scheme.

    “We can use the funds to offset what the government and the workers are supposed to pay from the contributory pension scheme because both sides do not have the ability to pay the funds.

    “This will ensure the commencement of the pension scheme but you can still deploy it for the National Health Insurance Scheme if it is convenient for you,” he said.

    He noted that the first tranche of N8.3 billion was put in a fixed deposit account, pending the appropriation for its usage by the state House of Assembly.

    “The government received an interest of N700 million within the period the money was fixed as its policy is to fix any fund that would stay over 24 hours in the bank before being used.

    “We have generated over N3billion within three years of our administration as interests from fixing such funds and I will never cheat civil servants or tamper with their funds even at the point of death,” he said.

    “We gave the Local Government Areas N2.9 billion which was used to pay over 40 per cent of gratuities, offset pensions and workers’ salaries.

    “The state government used N4.6billion to also pay over 40 per cent of gratuities, outstanding pensions, promotion arrears and leave allowances,” he said.

    Mr Leonard Nkah, Chairman of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in the state thanked the governor for his favourable disposition towards workers which had enhanced the relationship between government and workers.

    “This is the first government that will grant workers audience to discuss pressing issues and ensure the payment of their salaries before the 15 of every month.

    “We however, suggest that funds appropriated to workers for the Paris club refund be used to commence the contributory pension scheme while the health insurance scheme will follow suit.

    “We however, make special case for the parliamentary staff workers union and the review of arrears of promotion and leave allowances due to workers,” he said.

    Chief Frank Ogbuewu, Pro Chancellor of the EBSU, which received N1.1 billion from the second tranche called on the government to grant the institution more autonomy to run its affairs.

    “We assure you that our staff will not embark on strike because they are more mature presently as no one wants to stay without salaries nowadays,” he said. (NAN)

  • Nollywood actor Jim Iyke to launch ‘Mr Taxi’

    Ace Nollywood actor Jim Iyke is set to launch a taxi service that will begin operations in the South-Eastern states of Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, and Ebonyi respectively.

    Iyke , turned 42 on Tuesday, disclosed this on his Instagram Page, indicating that the taxi platform will be formally launch on October 5.

    The Nollywood star who is the Chief Executive Officer of the company named MR.TAXI, is also planning expansion to the south south region.

    He wrote:”On 5th October, we’re proud to launch a platform that provides chauffeur services for the people of South East, Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi states.

    “This is just the beginning. Our goal is to expand the scope of operation to the south South in a matter of a few months after takeoff.”

    Read Also: Uber, Taxify: Jostle for drivers intensifies

    He added that an official launch would take place in Awka, Anambra State, with guest artists including Basketmouth and singer Timaya, among others in attendance.

    NAN reports that Iyke, popularly known as ‘Nollywood Bad Boy” by fans and industry watchers because of his acclaimed aggressive and controversial roles, came to limelight in 2001 and is reputed to have feature in over 150 films.

    He is a three-time winner of the Teenage Choice Awards, among other honours.

    In 2008, he won the Best African Actor at the NET Awards, and the Best Actor of the Year in 2010.

    Having conquered the motion picture world, the Enugu-born thespian seems to now want to make a name as an entrepreneur.

    Earlier in the year, he launched an app he dubbed ‘Oga Work’, a platform to source artisans in Nigeria.

    According to him, the app is especially designed for artisans who have a passion for their crafts but do not have a space or a store but crave for their services to be offered to end users.

    The feisty actor Nollywood actor had also launched his brand of bottled water ‘Burgeon Water’.