The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ebonyi

  • Four human heads discovered in Ebonyi

    Security operatives in Ebonyi State have arrested five suspected ritualists including a lady (names withheld) who were intercepted in a commercial vehicle along the boundary between Ebonyi and Enugu States with four fresh human heads.
    The incident happened along the Abakalik/Enugu expressway.

    It was gathered that the suspects were intercepted during a stop and search operation conducted by security operatives who must have been on their trail after they beheaded  their victims.

    A reliable source at the scene of the arrest observed that the suspects were from Enugu heading to Cross River state through Ebonyi state border.

    It was learnt that when the suspects made attempt to runaway from the scene after the fresh human heads were discovered in a sack in their possession, the security operatives shot them on their legs to restrain them from running away.

    An eyewitness who did not want her name in print revealed that the security agents were Department State Security, (DSS) operatives as they were seen in bullet proof vests with DSS boldly written on them.

    According to the eyewitness, the human heads were displayed on the highway before the  public and motorists who had crowded the scene.

    The security operatives later whisked the suspects away to an undisclosed destination

    As at the time of this report, the Ebonyi state police command and state DSS command were yet to react to the development at the time of this report. ENDS

  • Lawmaker trains Ebonyi youths in fish production

    Lawmaker trains Ebonyi youths in fish production

    The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Agricultural Colleges and Institutions, Rep Linus Okorie has facilitated the training of over 50 youths of Ebonyi State in fish production.

    Okorie said if the state could become a fish producing state coupled with its other food production potential, then it could overcome recession quicker than some thought.

    The lawmaker who represents Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency has recently trained numerous women and other farmers on new trends in cassava cultivation as well distributed hybrid cassava and maize seedlings to the farmers in the constituency.

    He has equally held trainings for the farmers on the art of marketing agricultural products and the benefits of cooperative societies.

    It was therefore another boast when the lawmaker again organized provision of empowerment training and support on fish production for no less than 50 youths from the constituency.

    The youths were trained by the Federal college of Fisheries and Marine Technology Lagos  through the sponsorship of Okorie.

    The Youths also received training on how to rear consumable fish and also on how to produce different types of feeds.

    Declaring the training open, Okorie told the participants that the training was meant to enable them apply the knowledge in creating wealth for themselves.

    He said, “the country is changing and people need to eat. The country should produce what it eats and eat what it produces. Importation of fish is telling on the economy and now the government says we must feed ourselves.

    “Even if we have all the food, we still need the safest protein which is fish. Since we produce considerable quantity of food in Ebonyi state, we are going to complement it with fish production so that we can attain self sufficiency.”

    Okorie urged the trainees to share the knowledge from the training with others so that the state could boast of having enough fish farmers.

    “Our plan is not just to train you but to imbibe in you so that you become masters in fish production, because we have plans for food chain that includes marketing of the products.

    “We need to build local capacity on fish production, it will be followed with fish driers and we will create value chain which will bring about jobs for hundreds in fish business,” said Okorie.

    He urged them to ensure they form themselves into cooperative groups, which he said will give them additional support such as loan facilities for greater fish production.

    The Chief trainer, Dr. Chuks Onuoha from the Federal College of fisheries, urged the participants to adequately utilize the learning and support facilities that will be given to them after the training, noting that after the training they would have the potential of making good leaving from the business.

    Some of the participants who spoke  after the training said it was a great opportunity offered to them. Desmond Odii from Onicha local government area said “its a very nice development from Hon Linus. Thats what we’ve been waiting for and we thank him a lot. Before now I was into fishery but now with the knowledge I have gathered, I will go back fully fortified.

    “The only problem I had was finance but with the support we have received, I am better off. We will form ourselves into cooperative societies and we will achieve greatness.

    Another participant, Mrs. Nnennaya Eze, from Ohaozara local government said the training was very good and encouraging. “Its something that empowers someone. You can do it on your own once you put what it takes. Its for you so that you can get engaged in economic venture.

  • Agric: Ebonyi to partner 50,000 farmers

    The Ebonyi State government has said it will partner over 50,000 farmers this year to boost agriculture and improve its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Governor David Umahi announced this last Friday in Abakaliki, the state capital, when he hosted a team from an international group, Zero Hunger Forum.

    The governor also said 8,000 civil servants would benefit from FADAMA III programme.

    Umahi expressed gratitude to the leader of Zero Hunger Forum and former President Olusegun Obasanjo for being part of the global efforts to end hunger in 2030.

    The governor promised that his administration would support the team.

    Giving a rundown of some efforts made by his administration to  eradicate hunger in the state, Umahi said: “International Fund for Agricultural Development  (IFAD) injected over N4 billion into the society by reason of empowering over 6,000 farmers. Of course, we supported the farmers by standing in for them in their 50 per cent equity contribution.

    “Through direct funding, over 15,000 farmers were funded directly by the state government. That is, to me, stomach infrastructure.

    “So, this year, we are targeting over 50,000 farmers to partner with and to see how we can begin to eradicate hunger in Ebonyi State.”

  • Jobs tools for youths in Ebonyi

    Jobs tools for youths in Ebonyi

    The Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has presented over 50 motorcycles and tricycles to the youths and women in Izzi Local Government Area of the state as part of his poverty alleviation intervention for his constituents.

    The Speaker made the presentation at his country home, Oferekpe  Agbaja in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi state.

    Over 500 pieces of cloth and customised bags were also distributed to the women by the Speaker’s wife  Mrs Uzoamaka Nwifuru.

    The distribution of the motocycles and tricycles with other gift items were to, among other things, address the challenge of unemployment and re-direct the attention of young individuals from crime and criminality to employers of labour.

    For the people, it was a rare opportunity to witness such an event which according to them was the first of its kind since the creation of the state.

    During the event the speaker remarked that there could be no level of empowerment from him that would be commensurate with the mandate given to him by the people.

    He stated that 63 per cent of all he gets from the Assembly will be channeled to changing the face of his constituents.

    The Speaker emphasised that he has drilled over 30 boreholes for the people, built culverts and bridges, provided streetlights in addition to the ongoing housing projects for two widows in the area initiated by his wife.

    The lawmaker outlined the multi-faceted achievements of Governor Dave Umahi in the constituency to include construction of 25Km access road and 18km road connecting Amaechara, Ogbagharu and Ededeigwe all in Izzi West constituency and declared that 2019 general elections is  already secured by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    The wife of the speaker, while distributing the cloth to the women praised Governor’s Umahi’s wife, Mrs Rachael Umahi for building two houses for indigent widows from the area and encouraged the women to vote for Peoples Democratic Party in the upcoming elections.

    Mrs Nwifuru expressed joy for the judicious use of the mandate given to them by the people and submitted that something good must come from Oferekpe.

    The caretaker chairman of Izzi Local Government Area, Hon. Richard Idike said the gesture was made possible by the young and brilliant categories of persons under Governor Umahi’s administration and assured of his constant partnership with the Speaker.

    The traditional ruler of Agbaja Autonomous community, HRH Eze Emmanuel Nwojiji said that since the inception of government such gesture has never taken place.

    Eze Nwojiji used the medium to call on other public office holders in the area to toe the same part with the speaker to uplift their people from the sharkles of poverty.

    One of the beneficiaries of the gesture Mr. Paul Offia whose shop was said to have been burnt by opposition party elements recently thanked the speaker for the gift of the motocyles and prayed for more political positions for him.

  • Three killed in Ebonyi, Cross River communal clash

    Three persons have been reportedly killed and property valued at millions of naira destroyed in a fresh clash between Azuofia-Edda community in Abakaliki Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and their Obubra community in Cross River State neighbours.

    It was gathered that the seven villages in Obubra armed their warriors with guns and invaded Azuofia-Edda community.

    A source in the community, who pleaded not to be named, said the attack was a reprisal against Azuofia-Edda residents for their alleged killing of an Obubra commercial motorcycle operator.

    Also, residents of Azuofia-Edda community have urged the Federal Government to set up a commission of enquiry into the clash.

    In a statement in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State by two youth leaders from the community, Obinna Udenwe and Chinedu Nwasum, the people traced the origin of the January 13 attack to a dispute over an alleged beheading of a motorcycle operator from Obubra area in a Cross River village by suspected assailants.

    The youth leaders recalled that residents of Edda, who were fingered by their Obubra neighbours in the alleged killing, were peace-loving.

    They said the people had been living in peace with their neighbouring Cross River communities since 1984 when the last attack occurred.

    They said: “After several efforts by the elites from Abakaliki, on January 12, Obubra residents assured their counterparts from the Abakaliki that there would be no crisis. They agreed to a meeting in Abakaliki to settle the problem. But unknown to the people of Abakaliki, it was a plot to set them off their guard and attack on Friday morning – the Friday the supposed peace talk was to hold.”

    The spokesmen said elders from Azuofia-Edda of Abakaliki and their elites made efforts to placate Obubra residents that they did not behead the motorcyclist.

    The duo listed the peace efforts as: “inviting them to a roundtable meeting, suggesting travelling to their village to swear to an oath of innocence, inviting their elites and government stakeholders to talk to the elites of Obubra, among others, shows that the people of Azuofia-Edda in Abakaliki are peace lovers”.

    They said: “Let it be noted that the only route accessible to the over seven villages of Obubra, which came on the attack, passes through Azuofia-Edda community. If Abakaliki residents had planned attacking them, as they alleged, they would have done so while they passed through their road everyday to access the Nwida Market, the Abakaliki Rice Mill and the markets in Abakaliki, Enugu, Onitsha and the rest of the country.

    “The electricity being enjoyed in Obubra villages was installed by Abakaliki Local Government and the roads being used by these aggressive villagers in Obubra were built by Abakaliki Local Government.”

    The spokesmen for Azuofia-Edda added: “When the attack happened, the people of Azuofia-Edda in Abakaliki were taken unawares because while the aggressors prepared for the attack and informed Abakaliki residents that they would avenge their son, Abakaliki people never believed them – for they had lived in peace, inter-married, farmed together and attended each other’s festivals since 1984 that these Obubra villagers last attacked Abakaliki residents.”

  • Ebonyi’s governor’s sharing of the state’s riches

    I read in one of our national newspapers, a statement attributed to Governor David Umahi that plans are on the way to pay “monthly stipends to former lawmakers and local government chiefs in Ebonyi State”. He went on to say he would send a bill to the House to this effect. His press secretary Emma Anya quoted the governor as saying “my aim is to carry everybody along especially the political class, that’s why I will be approaching the House of Assembly to ask for approval so that those legislators who are not on seat now and former local government chairmen can continue to be paid. I believe this is how we can get them to help in developing and creating wealth in our state”. I felt very sad about how low we have descended in this country that we have a governor who thinks this way. How does paying ex-legislators help to develop and increase the wealth of a state as suggested by the governor? What does he mean by “political class”? Is there such a thing sociologically speaking? A group of freeloaders cannot constitute a class. This kind of thinking shows our buccaneering approach to politics. Politics is regarded by some Nigerians as their own farms where they go to harvest. They sometimes do this on farms which do not belong to them. This is the way I see this “Ebonyi formula” of sharing the commonwealth among a few people while the vast majority of the people are suffering. This is why our youth are okada riders and politicians. When one goes to the village and meets a young man and he is asked – “young man what are you doing for a living?” – the answer is “I am into politics” as if politics is a job or a professional calling and not just a call to serve. And this is why the approach in Ebonyi to sharing the state riches among politicians is so wrong that it deserves to be challenged. This sharing is planned for one of the poorest states in the country.  It raises the fundamental question of what platform or manifesto was this man elected? Is paying all politicians who had previously held office part of his manifesto or that of his party? This kind of irresponsible behavior justifies the call from Chief Emeka Anyaoku that these so-called states should be scrapped so that we can return to regional governments that served our people very well and threw up people knowledgeable in the art of government and not village champions as we have today. It is also because we practice this form of centralized federalism in which states that have no resources at all can share in the wealth generated  and derived from other parts of the federation and are therefore not accountable to their people or to anybody about how state funds are spent. If we have fiscal federalism and Ebonyi revenues are derived from rice farmed by poor people using ancient tools of hoes and cutlasses, their government would think twice before abandoning the people to pay stipends to politicians who previously held office on the grounds that the transient governor wants to carry everybody along. If we do not stop this practice in Ebonyi, it will create precedence and every state including the centre will follow suit and begin to pay anybody who had previously held one kind of office or the other. It will spread to all former board members at state and federal level, all former chairmen of boards, all former non-career ambassadors and so on. Sometimes ago, some members of the National Assembly asked that their members be granted immunity and be paid for life. I do not know whether this suggestion has been surreptitiously passed since the legislative budget at the federal level is shrouded in secrecy. To imagine these ridiculous suggestions are coming during recession when there is just no money anywhere, one wonders what our politicians will do when we come out of recession. Nigeria carries the victor ludorum as the country with the highest percentage of its budget going to administration. We are totally over governed with 774 local government administrations 37 states administrations that is including the federal capital territory and of course the elephantine federal government . We are so over administered that there is no money left for development. Our rulers at all levels get away with murder so to say.

    It is because we as a people without protest have accepted the humongous golden handshakes and allowances being paid to all former chief executives and their deputies at the federal and state levels that our politicians want to take us for a ride. In Akwa Ibom, former governors are entitled in cash and other allowances well over N100 million a year. Less endowed states are not far behind. Recently Edo State government is planning to spend N300 million to build houses for the former governor and his deputy. Presumably, this largesse will be extended to all former state chief executives in the same state. This is also the practice across the whole country. I am really sorry for this country because one wonders where we learnt this from. Is it also borrowed from the American system? Our people unreasonably point to America when they spring this corrupt practice on us. First of all, this does not happen in America. Secondly, Nigeria is not America. The entire budget of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not even as big as that of New York fire department. We should stop comparing ourselves with America and face squarely the fact of our underdevelopment. Sometimes the action of our governments suggests that we are not only physically underdeveloped, we are also cerebrally and mentally under developed. This is the only way we can understand the poorest state in the South-east of Nigeria and one of the poorest states of the federation planning to start paying former office holders in the state when they are not holding pensionable jobs. This action will be outrightly illegal and could constitute a threat to public order and security if the common people were to challenge the government for its insensitivity.

    I pray that the audit departments at state and federal levels should be well staffed and should be made aware of their responsibility to stop any errant governor from frittering away the riches of the state on frivolous grounds not provided for in the constitution. The public, the press and NGOS in the country should wake up to protect public interest so that what belongs to the commonwealth of Nigerian peoples at federal and state levels are not appropriated by a few . Democracy is not government by politicians for politicians.

  • N15m gone as fire razes Ebonyi mechanic village

    An early morning fire has destroyed eight cars and motor spare parts estimated at over N15 million at the Mechanic Village in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

    It was gathered that the fire, which started at 1 a.m, would have spread to other parts of the village but for the quick intervention of the fire service.

    The scene was covered with smoke yesterday, when our reporter visited the village.

    There was smoke from cars, tyres and spare parts in some workshops.

    The owners and sympathisers stood in clusters,

    watching helplessly.

    One of the victims, Mr. Sunday Nworie, was in tears.

    The trader said the fire started from a nearby workshop where apprentices might have forgotten to put out burning firewood for refurbishing car shock absorbers.

    But the owner of the workshop, Mr. Livinus Nwadume, denied the allegation.

    The artisan said he did not use such materials.

    He described the incident as unfortunate. Nwadume said he lost tyres and other spare parts estimated at several thousands of naira.

    The owner of a workshop where five cars were destroyed Mr. George Brother said he had informed the owners about the damage.

    He urged the government to expand the mechanic village to enable those selling car parts have enough space from those making fire-related businesses.

    The Chairman of the village Mr. Erasmus Nwaojiji said his management committee had done all it could to enforce the decongestion and removal of inflammable materials but to no avail.

    He hailed the state fire service for its prompt response.

    The chairman sought government’s help to the victims to enable them start life again.

  • Opposition’s broom has nowhere to sweep in Ebonyi, says Umahi

    Ebonyi State Governor David Nweze Umahi has said no opposition party can sweep victory in any part of the state.

    Umahi spoke when a delegation from Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo Federal Constituency as well as stakeholders from Onicha-East Constituency in Ohaozara Local Government Area visited him for the New Year homage.

    The governor said his efforts to transform the state had made it impossible for the broom to attract the residents.

    Umahi, who was apparently referring to the All Progressives Congress (APC), whose symbol is the broom, added jocularly: “Our people doing handiwork have refused to produce brooms again.”

    A statement at the weekend by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, quoted the governor as saying the only recognisable APC member in the state was President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Umahi, according the statement, said: “When you have a broom in Ebonyi State, where will you sweep? Is there any place to be swept? Is Ebonyi not clean? Is Ebonyi not neat?

    “There is nothing to sweep. They have to take it (broom) to places that are dirty and continue their sweeping. But in Ebonyi State and because of the kind of people in APC, our people doing handiwork have refused to produce brooms again. So, there are no brooms in Ebonyi State because we have made everywhere very clean.

    “When you’re walking on our roads, you will be seeing yourself because the light will be on. So, you will be seeing your shadow on the road. There is nothing to sweep.”

    The governor hailed President Buhari, saying he was the only recognisable APC member in the state.

    The President, the governor noted, held Ebonyi with deep affection, unlike other APC members from the state who he said did not care about the welfare of the people.

    Pledging the unflinching loyalty of the residents to the Buhari administration, Umahi said the only vote APC would get in the state would be for the President.

    He said: “I have always said that APC is one man, and that’s the President. The President is a man with good character. That’s why we are supporting him and he is supporting Ebonyi State. The state is very dear in the heart of the President, but not in the hearts of the masqueraders who have not given anybody a piece of chalk.

    “If APC will get a vote in Ebonyi State, it will get the vote for the President alone and nobody else.”

    Umahi said his purposeful leadership which, according to him, is anchored on God, had brought peace and made it impossible for other parties to exist in the state.

    The governor urged the people not to be deceived by those he said had the opportunity to help others but cared for themselves alone.

    Umahi said: “We have seen the need for unity in Ebonyi State. We’ve seen the need for equity and fair play in the land of Ebonyi. God is helping us so much in this direction. That’s why we have peace in Ebonyi State, and that’s why there is no other party.

    “Some politicians have been deceiving our people for years. Every time they deceived our people, they had the opportunity to buy houses in Abuja. Who have they sent to school? Who have they paid their school fees? The time of deceit is gone.”

  • Panic in Ebonyi over suspected IED in stream

     
    There was panic in Okposi community in Ohaozara local governnment area of Ebonyi state following the discovery of an object suspected to be an improvised explosive device (IED) in the community.
     
    However, the Police command moved in and evacuated the object for analysis and  assured the public of their safety.
     
    Police spokesman, DSP Jude Madu confirmed the incident to our correspondent in Abakaliki.
     
    According to him, one Okoro Chikaodi discovered the object when he went on a fishing expedition to the a stream in the town and raised the alarm.
     
    The spokesman said the command anti- bomb squad moved in and evacuated the suspected bomb to its lab in Abakaliki for analysis.
     
    “Yes an object suspected to be bomb was discovered by one  Okoro Chikaodiri fromOkposi in Ohaozara local government when he went to the stream.
     
    “He said that while he was in the stream looking for crabs, he saw an object suspected to be bomb on the side of Onu ezeukwu uzor  stream in Okposi, Ohaozara local government area.
     
    “He quickly reported to the DPO Ohaozara who visited the scene and took photographs. He then invited our bomb squad who went and evacuated that object for analysis.
     
    “The object has been removed and taken to workshop here at the command headquarters Abakaliki for analysis. The  result of the analysis is being awaited.
     
    “The public should go about their lawful business because the case has been taken care of,”, the spokesman stated.

  • Police launch ‘change begins with me’ crusade in Ebonyi

    In line with President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s change mantra, Ebonyi State Police Command has launched the “change begins with me” programme and its Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit.

    At the occasion, Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi Police Command, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah said the change mantra would reposition the Nigeria Police Force to be more accountable, responsive, responsible and reliable.

    She urged men and women of the force to carry out their functions based on international policing standards which are based on zero-tolerance to corruption and respect for fundamental human rights.

    She added that the “change begins with me” philosophy has already taken place in Ebonyi State Police Command.

    Ibekwe promised she would lead in the realisation of the change needed to crush  any form of crime, stressing that the Crush Crime Walk strategy she introduced is yielding results.

    She said apart from sensitising the public to the consequences of any form of involvement in criminality, the strategy also availed me the opportunity to personally lead in many operations. She noted that evidences of remarkable success of these operations are already open to the public.

    She said: “My interpretation of “change begins with me” is leadership by example, doing the right thing that would ensure effective and efficient utilisation of our meager resources to police in Ebonyi State.

    “My achievements in this regard are enormous and that is why I stand firm to announce that the ‘change begins with me’ is already working in Ebonyi State Police Command.

    “I urge my management team, head of departments, divisional police officers and all other officers in the command and Ebonyi people to replicate my efforts.”

    On Public Complaints Respond Unit, Ibekwe said it was the initiative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris which was aimed at receiving from the public complaints about police unprofessional conducts, stressing that complaints from the public will be treated with urgency.