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Tag: Ebonyi

  • APC holds rally for Buhari, drums support for second term

    APC holds rally for Buhari, drums support for second term

    All Progressive Congress (APC) Ebonyi chapter, on Monday in Abakaliki held a rally to celebrate President Muhammadu Buhari’s return from medical vacation, as well as drum support for his second term in 2019.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rally created heavy human and vehicular traffic long Afikpo and old Enugu roads, among others.

    Acting state APC Chairman, Mr Eze Nwachukwu, who addressed the rally, commended party faithful and other teeming supporters of APC for turning out in their large numbers for the rally.

    “We thank God for the recovery of Mr President from his sickness and successful return from the medical vacation in London to resume his normal duty as president.

    “The overwhelming crow that attended the rally is a clear indication that Ebonyi is indeed an APC state and by massively attending this solidarity rally is another indication of the love Ebonyi people have for our president and his populist government.

    “This is the third time APC in Ebonyi is organising this type of rally to demonstrate its love, support and loyalty for Buhari and APC led central government,” Nwachukwu said.

    He said that the rally was also to drum support for the people – oriented programmes and policies of the present administration, stressing that the anti- graft war of the administration had redeemed the battered image of the country at the international community.

    “We have witnessed tremendous live-transforming programmes and policies which are impacting positively on the lives of the ordinary citizens, including job creation, economic repositioning, infrastructure, anti-graft and fight against insecurity, among others.

    “We are calling for more support for Mr President while urging him to avail himself for 2019 to enable him consolidate on the many achievements so far recorded by his administration.

    “We want to reiterate that Ebonyi is an APC state and that we pledge our unalloyed and unflinching support and loyalty to the President and Commander – in – Chief of Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ” Nwachukwu added.

    The rally was attended by the Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, former Governor of Ebonyi, Chief Martin Elections, among other top party members.

  • Ebonyi speaker assures NULGE of support for local govt autonomy

    Ebonyi House of Assembly Speaker Francis Nwifuru told members of Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Ebonyi chapter, that the state government supports local government autonomy.

    Nwifuru spoke in Abakaliki when NULGE members marched to the assembly complex to seek the lawmakers support for local government autonomy, already endorsed by the National Assembly.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that for the National Assembly endorsement to sail through, it must be endorsed by the houses of assemblies of two-thirds of the 36 states.

    According to Nwifuru, besides the Assembly being in support of local government autonomy, Gov. Dave Umahi, is also highly in support of the autonomy.

    According to the speaker, the governor endorsed the autonomy in a letter for constitutional amendments he sent to him as required by all State House of Assembly speakers.

    “The speakers were invited to Lagos on the issue of constitutional amendments with relevant sections to be amended and asked to present the letters to their governors.

    “My governor fortunately voted in support of the autonomy and told me that we should try them and leave Nigerians to see and deal with them if they fail,” he said.

    The speaker advised NULGE not to hold him responsible for the outcome of the assembly members’ votes on the autonomy, but to immediately consult with their constituencies’ representatives before resumption from recess.

    “You watched the National Assembly voting process during the constitutional amendment and you saw that the Senate President and Speaker of House of Representatives did not vote.

    “They will only vote when there are contradictory situations to ascertain whether the issues will scale through or be rejected.

    “Go and discuss with your representatives so that when we reconvene by October 3 and start debating on them, you must have given them inputs to support the autonomy.

    “You should dialogue, educate and give them clear explanations on the merits of local government autonomy because it is what all of us needs and can be achieved through unity,” he said.

    Mr Leonard Nkah, Ebonyi NULGE President, noted that autonomy would ensure that local government chairmen would stop blaming state governors as excuses for non-performance.

    “It will curb the excesses of the chairmen and abolish issues like bloating of workers and teachers payroll with its attendant vices and consequences.

    “Autonomy will also enable the local governments bounce back with activities and replicate the state tier of government in areas of road construction, agricultural enhancement, revenue generation, among others.

  • Ebonyi residents back Umahi to borrow $150m for ring road

    Ebonyi residents back Umahi to borrow $150m for ring road

    Thousands of people in the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State have held solidarity rallies for Governor David Umahi to take a $150 million loan from African Development Bank (AfDB) and Islamic Bank for the construction of ring roads to link the councils.

    The roads will connect about eight local government areas in the state.

    The solidarity rallies followed a suit filed by some unnamed petitioners, stopping the release of the free interest loan, which would be repaid in 30 years.

    All the 13 local government areas’ chairmen and other stakeholders supported the loan to enable the government start work immediately on the roads.

    At Ezillo, headquarters of Ishielu Local Government Area, stakeholders and traditional rulers came out en mass to condemn the petitioners.

    They said the legal action would frustrate the “laudable initiative of Umahi’s administration in intervening on the age-long abandoned roads”.

    The chairman of Ishielu Local Government Area, Sunday Eze, assured the state government that his council supported the governor’s moves to secure the loan, which he said would boost economic activities and the lives of the residents.

    The council chief cautioned his people not to play politics with the future of the state.

    He noted that the governor had displayed enough commitment to transform the state.

    But as Umahi’s administration expressed its preparedness to repair the deplorable ring road, some stakeholders reportedly felt slighted and sued the state government from proceeding with the loan negotiation.

    Addressing reporters in Abakaliki, the state capital, Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe said the petitioners would soon be unmasked.

    The deputy governor said the rally was for solidarity to the governor on his giant strides in the development of the state and to support him for the construction of the ring roads.

    He said: “We will like to know the petitioners in full. I have told you to approach the court. But very soon, we shall, for the purpose of publication, give you the processes that were served on the Ebonyi State government, where you will see the names of the plaintiffs who took the Ebonyi State government to court because of the ring roads.

    “The rally evolves from the people of the state to show solidarity to Governor Umahi for the good works he is doing and to support the construction of that ring road. The road is very important for an Ebonyi man, whether you are from the Central, North or South because that ring road is a key to unlocking the economic potentials of the state.

    “People have been clamouring and calling on the governor. We learnt that some people went to court to challenge the effort of the government to reconstruct that road. But people of Ebonyi are saying: ‘Governor, please, make yourself available; we want to show you solidarity, we want to show you support.’

    “The people are saying they want to converge on the local government areas to demonstrate their support for the construction of the ring road, and we cannot stop them.

    “What we can do as government officials is that if we have the time, we will go to various local governments areas and see what the people are saying, to see whether they are speaking from their mouths or they are speaking from somewhere else.”

  • Cameroon clash: Ebonyi fans give praises, knocks to Super Eagles list

    Cameroon clash: Ebonyi fans give praises, knocks to Super Eagles list

    Some soccer fans in Ebonyi have expressed mixed feelings over the calibre of players invited by Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr for the World Cup qualifier against Cameroon.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Rohr invited 23 players to camp for the encounter billed for Uyo on Sept. 1 and Yaounde on Sept.4.

    The list consists of 22 foreign based players and one home-based player. He also placed on standby seven players made of four foreign-based and three home-based players.

    The fans told NAN that retaining the entire team that fell to South Africa in an AFCON 2019 qualifier in June was suicidal while others reasoned otherwise.

    Bright Ibe, former Chairman of the Nigerian Referees Association (NRA), Ebonyi Chapter, said that Rohr would have invited players with requisite experience for the clash considering Cameroon’s pedigree.

    “Players such as Godfrey Obaobona, Efe Ambrose, Nnamdi Oduamadi, among others, should have been invited to avoid the lethargic performance of the youngsters paraded against South Africa.

    “Cameroon as African champions are buoyed by its FIFA Confederation Cup escapade and can only be dismantled by an experienced side,” he said.

    Benson Imagwe, defunct Ebonyi Angels Goalkeeper, faulted the retention of Daniel Akpeyi in the team after a poor display against South Africa.

    “Fans are still nursing the pains caused them by Akpeyi’s performance against South Africa. His matter is worsened by his loss of first-team place in his South African club, Chippa United.

    “Rohr should have invited the CHAN team and Plateau United goalkeeper Dele Ajiboye for the clash,” he said.

    Princewill Udoh, a lecturer, also faulted the retention of some players, especially in the defence.

    He said that the defence might be an “easy pie” for the rampaging Cameroonian strikers.

    “Chidozie Awaziem and Elderson Echiejile outing against South Africa was poor and the matter is worsened by the absence of another natural left-full back to cover Echiejile.

    “Rohr is only left with the option of fielding untested players such as Mikel, Agu, Ola Aina, among others; the situation is dicey,” he said.

    Chief Sebastine Elem, a retired public servant, however, said that the coach was right to select the players because the time was too short for changes in the team.

    “The Eagles would have less than one week to train before the match and it will be difficult for Rohr to field players that are new to him.

    “He wants to give the players an opportunity to correct the South African poor showing but we would have wished for a lesser opposition than Cameroon,” he said.

    Judith Odoh, a female musician and soccer enthusiast, noted that the return of players such as Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Mikel Obi, among others, would definitely strengthen the team.

    “Soccer fans should support the team because the team even if deficient cannot be changed overnight,” she said.

  • Prison controller advocates use of ADR in resolving minor crimes

    Prison controller advocates use of ADR in resolving minor crimes

    Mrs Emelia Oputa, the Controller of Nigerian Prisons Service in Ebonyi, has advocated the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in resolving minor crimes.

    Oputa who said that adoption of ADR would help in reducing prison congestion also advocated for regular jail delivery to hear deserving cases.

    She spoke on Tuesday in Abakaliki in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Oputa said that adoption of ADR to resolve minor criminal cases would ensure that only persons involved in alleged capital offences were charged to court, while lesser crimes were resolved at informal levels.

    “If you visit prisons across the country, you will be shocked to see people who have spent months or years in prison awaiting trial for trivial cases such as quarrel, affray, ordinary theft, among others.

    “These cases could have been easily settled at the family, village or community levels, using the alternative dispute resolution approach and traditional legal system of dispute resolution.

    “Sadly, most of these cases end up with the police arraigning the victims to court sometimes without carrying out diligent investigation.

    “The suspects end up staying months or years in prison awaiting trial,” Oputa said.

    She said that the Abakaliki Prison built to accommodate 387 inmates was now housing no fewer than 1,000 inmates, and called on the relevant authorities to act fast and address the situation.

    “The Abakaliki Prison built during the colonial period was originally designed to accommodate 387 inmates.

    “The number of prisoners inside the yard have risen above 1,000, mounting undue pressure to the facility,” Oputa said.

    The controller appealed to the police and Ministry of Justice to ensure that case files of inmates awaiting trials were speedily processed to avoid keeping them in custody without trial.

    “Our duty is to keep custody of suspects brought to the prisons and to produce them when they are needed in courts.

    “Unfortunately, some suspects under our custody do not have case files and as a result are made to stay in custody without accessing the court.

    “An accused is presumed innocent until found guilty by court, hence denying inmates fair hearing infringe on their fundamental rights.

    “The police and Ministry of Justice should ensure that all preliminary investigations and processes needed before arraignment of criminal suspects are done before charging them to court to enhance speedy trial of their cases,” she added.

    Oputa commended Ebonyi Government for embarking on the building of new prison yard, which she said, was at an advanced stage of construction.

    She said that during the 2016 attempted jailbreak by inmates, Gov. Dave Umahi during his visit, promised to construct additional prison yard to decongest the Abakaliki Prison.

    “I am happy to announce that the governor has graciously kept to his promise and that work on the new prison facility has started and is now at an advanced stage.

    “When completed, the problem of overcrowding in Abakaliki Prison will be a thing of the past.

    “The governor has also intervened in many areas to enhance the conditions of the Abakaliki Prison and welfare of the inmates.

  • Ebonyi releases N1.5b for pension, gratuity arrears

    Ebonyi releases N1.5b for pension, gratuity arrears

    The Ebonyi Government on Thursday released N1.5 billion to settle arrears of workers’ pension and gratuities accruing from Oct.2, 2016 to June 6, 2017.

    Sen. Emmanuel Onwe, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, disclosed this in a statement in Abakaliki.

    According to him, the decision was sequel to a report submitted by the committee on verification of workers’ pensions and gratuities to the state executive council.

    “The council has authorised the release of N750 million for the payment of pension and gratuity arrears of retired state civil servants.

    “The council also authorised the release of N750 million for the payment of the pension arrears and gratuities of local government workers,” he said.

    The commissioner said that Gov. David Umahi had directed all eligible beneficiaries to proceed to the Deputy Governor’s Office for verification and to ensure that the payments were disbursed with dispatch.

    “The council also deliberated on the deepening economic recession in the country and resolved to expand the state government’s empowerment programme.

    “This is to meet the growing economic challenges faced by the ordinary citizens, particularly the most vulnerable in the society,” he said.

    Onwe said that government would release funds for the ongoing economic empowerment for over 2,000 widows across the state on Monday, Aug. 21.

    “The widows would be given N200, 000 following the concluded report of the verification exercise conducted by the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Religious and Welfare Matters which has been presented to Council.

    “The widows’ empowerment programme has also been expanded to accommodate additional 2,000 widows who will be selected, verified and paid the sum of N200, 000 each by October, 2017,” he said.

    Onwe said that the N1billion budgeted for empowerment of 4,000 eligible persons of the state was still being disbursed by the Ministry of Empowerment and Job Creation.

    He said that over 1,000 persons had already applied and collected grants of N250, 000 each.

    “Beneficiaries who meet the criteria should expect to be paid with effect from Monday, Aug.21 as the relevant ministry will announce and publish the names of recipients of the grants at the conclusion of the disbursements.

    “The state government in partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) has inaugurated a Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Fund of N4 billion operated by the bank for companies and cooperative societies.

    “The beneficiaries with business plans, would access loan facilities ranging from N1million to N100 million to either commence or expand small scale or medium scale enterprises.

    “Interested citizens of the state with creative and entrepreneurial drive are encouraged to approach the BOI to obtain loan facilities at a staggeringly low interest rate of just 6%”.

  • Ebonyi distributes relief items worth N19m to IDPs

    Ebonyi distributes relief items worth N19m to IDPs

    The Ebonyi Government on Tuesday distributed relief materials worth N19 million to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Ebouwana Camp in Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the beneficiaries are victims of an intra communal clash in Itinam, Ebouwana community.

    The Chairman of the local government, Mr Eni-Uduma Chima, who distributed the relief items on behalf of the state government, said the gesture was to alleviate the suffering of the IDPs.

    “We are here to distribute relief items from government to lessen the hardship faced by our brothers and sisters displaced by the intra boundary conflict among the Itinam people of Ebouwana.

    “The relief materials will facilitate the settling down of the returnee IDPs. Gov. Dave Umahi is committed to promoting and entrenching peace in all parts of the state,” Chima said.

    He urged the people to live in peace, shun violence, and love one another, adding that peace was essential for the socio-economic development of any society.

    Chima warned that the state government would not hesitate to deal with anyone or group found to be causing violence and war in Ebonyi.

    “Government has warned that it will henceforth punish anyone or group discovered to be responsible for outbreak of violence or war in any part of the state.

    “Government is irrevocably committed to this policy.

    “We don’t want to have our people killing one another and displacing hundreds of others,” he said.

    NAN reports that items distributed included 121 bags of rice, 121 cartons of Indomie noodles, 121 wrappers, 121 sleeping mattresses and N12 million cash.

  • Why we killed 60-yr-old woman, by notorious kidnapper

    Why we killed 60-yr-old woman, by notorious kidnapper

    On January 18, Mrs Catherine Okorie was abducted by some thugs from her home at Ishiagu community in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.  Initial reports after she was taken away said the abductors only wanted to collect ransom and nothing more. This triggered frenetic efforts to enter into negotiations with the kidnappers. Then reports filtered in that she had been murdered.

    Her remains were later discovered in a shallow grave located in a forest bordering Lokpanta in Umunneochi and Awgu local government areas of Abia and Enugu states

    Investigations by the police later led to the arrest of some suspects who have since been charged to court.

    The police have arrested one of the alleged masterminds of the kidnapping, Ogonna Alioka who reportedly drove the car used in the operation.

    Alioka, popularly known as Pilot, according to the police, was allegedly among the gang of kidnappers involved in the abduction and killing of the 60-year-old woman.

    The general belief had been that Mrs Okorie was killed because she recognised one of her abductors who is from the area but Alioka while speaking to reporters in Abakaliki after being paraded by the police disagreed.

    He alleged that the woman was killed while fleeing from them in the bush, pointing out that he engaged the kingpin in a fight when the incident occurred.

    Parading the suspects at the police headquarters Abakaliki, the police spokesman in the state, Mr Jude Madu said though some members of the gang had been arrested and arraigned in court, Alioka who allegedly drove the vehicle used in the operation had been on the run until a few days ago when he was arrested in Abia State.

    He said after killing the woman he ran away to avoid being arrested pointing out that the abduction of the woman was masterminded by a politician in Ishiagu.

    The police also paraded other suspects including one Chukwudi Nwezaku, Otu Okpara, Eze Chima ,Chiadikaobi Ani, Uchechukwu Aniewo and Ozomena Obasi who were arrested in connection with armed robbery attacks, electricity cable vandalism, buying of stolen cars and unlawful possession of firearms.

    Mr Madu explained that Police also arrested one Gideon Omaka who was just released from prison custody in March this year for allegedly robbing and killing one Eze Idam Ogbonnaya during a robbery incident in Amasiri, Afikpo North local government area.

    The group is believed to be responsible for various armed robbery and other criminal activities recorded recently in the area.

    Omaka’s arrest came after angry youths in the community attacked and buried alive his brother Chukwudi Omaka who was also part of the robbery gang who robbed Ogbonnaya.

    An eyewitness and resident of the community, Emmanuel Udu told our reporter that Omaka was also among robbers who robbed one cool room known as Etuelughu which belongs to Oko Udu Monday and another businessman identified simply as David who sells provision

    “This handsome boy was beaten thoroughly; despite that, he refused to call the names of his members. He was later buried alive by Amasiri youths,” Emmanuel told our correspondent.

    Items recovered from them included five vehicles, one tricycle, electronics, guns and live cartridges.

    Mr Madu said all the suspects arrested would be arraigned in court soon.

     

  • FRSC laments incessant attacks on personnel in Ebonyi

    FRSC laments incessant attacks on personnel in Ebonyi

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on Saturday lamented what it described as incessant attacks on its personnel discharging their lawful duties in Ebonyi.

    Mrs Stella Uchegbu, Sector Commander of the commission in the state told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that such negative development was hindering the effective discharge of their duties.

    According to Uchegbu, such incidents are recorded more along the busy Abakaliki to Enugu Federal highway.

    “The attackers do not ask questions on the actions of our personnel, or listen to explanations before attacking and leaving our staff critical wounded in most cases.

    “The question is, do they attack other security agents in such manner, or is it because we do not carry arms?” she queried.

    The sector commander lamented that despite the various avenues explored by the corps to enlighten the public on its activities, the threat had persisted.

    “Our duty is primarily to save lives but it has become pertinent that in doing so, we have to protect ourselves first.

    “Not all dehumanizing acts against our staff are made public as the offenders usually appeal that such issues are settled amicably” she said.

    She said that whenever the corps prosecuted motorists for violating traffic regulations, the culprits always felt our staff were against them.

    “When accidents caused by violating these regulations occur, they do not affect only the offenders, but innocent people, who did not violate such regulations.

    Uchegbu recalled an incident on July 28, when a bus driver abducted FRSC staff detailed to take him (driver) to the FRSC headquarters for prosecution.

    “The driver overloaded his vehicle and when our staff was detailed to take him to our office, he sped towards Enugu, which made other personnel to pursue him with our patrol vehicles.

    “The abductor’s vehicle unfortunately somersaulted and the crowd, which gathered, started brutalising our personnel, including the abductee, which left them seriously injured and hospitalised.

    “The most intriguing aspect was that a serving commissioner in the state witnessed the spectacle and was alleged to have aided the attackers,” she lamented.

     

  • Communal clash IDPs get relief in Ebonyi

    Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has distributed relief materials worth N20million to persons displaced by the intra-communal dispute between the people of Ogiri and Okporojo in Afikpo South Local Government Area of the state.

    The two neighbouring communities have been locked in land dispute which claimed the lives of over 40 persons when fighting broke out in May with properties including houses worth millions of naira destroyed.

    The relief materials included cartons of noodles, bags of rice, cartons of wrappers, and mattresses, among others.

    In addition to the relief materials, the government also gave each household affected in the crisis N100, 000 to the over 121 households.

    Handing over the relief materials to the IDPs at government house, Abakaliki,  Governor Umahi represented by his Deputy Dr. Kelechi Igwe called on the over 130 communities in the state to live in peace.

    He said the distribution of the relief materials will) be the last time the government will be intervening in intra crisis.

    He noted that the government was spending much in maintaining security of lives and property of the citizenry and warned that it will not tolerate anyone or community frustrating the government’s efforts.

    “We are doing a lot to change the state for good and also touch lives. What security is taking from this government is so much that any other government would have collapsed because in all our border communities, there are crisis and the government has been providing security in all these flash points. The government ensures the welfare of the security agencies in these areas,” Umahi said.

    The Chairman of the local government, Eni Uduma Chima who commended the government for the gesture, said normalcy has returned to the two warring communities.

    Eni Uduma Chima who lamented the condition of the affected village in terms of infrastructure and welfare added that the present administration has begun the reconstruction of the houses in the area to ensure that the people were comfortable and repositioned to face the challenges ahead of them.

    Chima further noted that security personnel were fully mobilized within and around the affected village to ensure peace and order adding that his office would ensure that the relief materials were duly distributed to the IDPs.