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Tag: Ebonyi

  • Ebonyi trains 5,000 teachers

    Ebonyi trains 5,000 teachers

    More than 5,000 teachers have been trained by the Ebonyi State Government on early detection and management of the Ebola virus disease (EVD).

    The Commissioner for Education, Mr Ndubuisi Chibueze-Agbo, said this in Abakaliki, the state capital.

    He said the training was part of the measures taken to enhance teachers’ capacity to handle any suspected case of Ebola in their schools.

    He, however, indicated that schools in the state would resume on September 22 for the 2014/2015 academic year as directed by the Federal Government.

    “The training coordinated by the Ministry of Education took place across the three senatorial districts- Ebonyi North, South and Central- and two teachers were selected from each school.

    “The training was meant to equip them with relevant knowledge on how to detect suspected Ebola case and what to do when such happens.

    “We trained no fewer than 5,000 teachers drawn from both public and private primary and secondary schools in the state,” Chibueze-Agbo said.

    He said that the state government was determined to sustain the fight to stop the infectious disease from entering the state and to complement Federal Government’s efforts.

    “Steps have been taken to ensure that functional water system is installed in all our schools while private schools that have none will be made to provide for their schools.

    “Sanitisers and other necessary personal protective kits to guarantee protection of our teachers will be provided.

    “One of the most effective ways to prevent this disease is through maintenance of proper personal and environmental hygiene,” Chibueze-Agbo added.

  • ‘Ebonyi committed to resolving boundary disputes’

    When Ebonyi State was created; communities at its borders became enmeshed in crises with neighbouring communities in Cross River, Benue; Enugu and Abia states.

    The inter-state disputes over land were as a result of poor delineation of the boundaries at the time of its creation.

    Many lives have been lost and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed to the intermittent crises, especially at the Amagu–Ikwo Local Government Area, Ebonyi/Adadama-Abi Local Government Area of Cross River axis and the Ngbo Ohaukwu Local Government Area/Agila Local Government Area axis.

    Speaking at a meeting with a delegation from the National Boundary Commission, (NBC) and the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation led by NBC boss, Dr. M.B. Ahmad in Abakaliki, Governor Martin Elechi expressed worry over the negative perception of the state as a result of the boundary disputes between it and the neighbouring states.

    He stated that the intractable boundary disputes between Ebonyi and other neighbouring states have given the outside world the impression that people of Ebonyi State are difficult to deal with even when the reverse was the case.

    He, however, noted that the world over, boundary disputes have remained intractable problems, maintaining that theirs would not be an exception, even as he urged the people not to regard it as a problem beyond solution.

    “I have been involved in settling boundary disputes in different levels and I know that it is intractable problem. But we have been able to manage some cases. Ebonyi State appears to be an unfortunate state in that from all fronts, it is being faced by the same phenomenon which gives the impression that we are difficult people, uniquely difficult. But that is not the case. As you can affirm on the cause of your interaction and investigation, we are not as bad or as hostile as the picture is being painted.”

    Determined to end the bloodshed once and for all, Governor Elechi reconstituted the state boundary committee headed by his Deputy, Mr. Dave Umahi.

    Governor Elechi also reached out to the governors of these states and convinced them to do same so as to engender an accelerated discussion and actions that will lead to the settlement of the disputes.

    To support his seriousness in amicably resolving the disputes, Elechi recently played host to a contingent from Cross River State led by Governor Liyel Imoke in Abakaliki where far-reaching decisions on how to solve problem were taken.

    The states, at the end, agreed to set up a 26-man joint committee to proffer lasting solution to the crises.

    The meeting, which, for the first time was attended by governors of the two states, mandated the committee to submit its report to the governors on November 30, this year. The committee is to be jointly headed by the Deputy Governors of both states.

    The Deputy Governors immediately swung into action and held another meeting in Calabar during which they constituted an 84-man “Joint Governors’ committee to resolve the protracted boundary dispute existing between both states.

    The committee’s terms of reference include determination of the immediate and remote causes of the boundary dispute.

    The committee held its maiden meeting in Calabar under the leadership of Deputy Governors of both states, Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Mr. Efiok Cobham (Calabar) respectively.

    It is also to determine the factors responsible for the failure of previous peace initiatives in the affected states and propose a lasting solution to the disputes.

    Also, the committee is expected to set up conflict resolution mechanisms for the communities in each sector with a view to maintaining peaceful co-existence.

    The committee is to submit detailed report and recommendations to the Governors of both states on or before November 30, this year.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting which was signed by the Deputy Governors and their Attorneys-General of both states, the committee appreciated the prevailing peace between the communities in recent times.

    The communiqué urged the borderline communities to continue to live in harmony as the creation of states was not intended to divide brothers and sisters.

    At the end of the meeting, Umahi told reporters that peace was paramount to both states and could not be compromised.

    “I implore the committee to fuse together as a common body in relationship and understanding in the discharge of its function.

    “The positive outcome of their deliberations would bring about peace and harmony not only to the bordering communities but also would enable the states to forge ahead in growth and development,” Umahi said.

    He further emphasised the need for members to bury their differences and work towards discharging their onerous assignment creditably.

    On his part, Cobham hinted that the demeanor exhibited at the meeting was a sign that both states were now fully disposed to peace.

    According to him, the boundary dispute had impeded on the cordial relationship between border communities of both states.

    “The time has come to resolve this issue so that our states and the border communities would live as brothers and sisters,” he said.

    Umahi and members of the state boundary commission also held another joint boundary meeting with his Abia State counterpart in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

    At the end of the meeting, they sued for maintenance of the existing peace among communities along the disputed 75km stretch of land.

    The meeting was organised in order to resuscitate necessary actions towards fast-tracking the delineation of the boundary between the two states.

    In attendance at the meeting were the Director-General of NBC, Dr. M.B. Ahmad, delegations of both states led by Deputy Governors of both states, Sir Emeka Ananaba (Abia) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and the Director Boundaries, M.O. Arowolo who stood in for Surveyor-General of the Federation.

    The two states, in a communiqué at the end of the meeting signed by the Deputy Governors of the two states and Director- General of NBC, directed that “the major stakeholders should encourage good neighbourliness through proper information dissemination.

    “The existing peace along the boundary should be sustained through the joint utilisation of the border resources of both states by the border communities.

    “The two states shall search for the relevant delineation documents describing/defining the Abia/Ebonyi inter-state boundary; “Four copies of the relevant delineation documents should be submitted to the National Boundary Commission on or before September 30, this year and shall be screened on October 9 and 10 this year at the headquarters of the NBC in Abuja;

    “The composition of the screening and authentication committee and the Joint Field Team as constituted at the Abakaliki meeting of 20th October 20, this year  still stands;

    “The Joint Field Team shall be inaugurated on 17th November 17 this year at Nkwoagu in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State and the fieldwork shall commence at Uru-Lokpanta and shall be completed on or before December 18, this year.

    “The existing co-operation between the two state governments and their various border communities be encouraged by the traditional rulers and the local government officials of both states;

    “The chairmen of border LGAs of the two states should adopt appropriate strategies to synergise their efforts in peace-building;

    “Adequate security shall be provided for the Joint Field Team during the field exercise by both states;

    “The Federal Government and the two states governments shall provide funds, four wheel drive vehicles and necessary logistics support to their representatives in the various field exercise;

    “The two state governments, chairmen of the affected LGAs and traditional rulers shall carry out joint enlightenment campaigns in the affected areas prior to and during the period of the field exercise and beyond; “And the status quo shall be maintained until the boundary is properly defined and demarcated.”

    Similar meetings and agreements have also been held with governments of Benue and Enugu states where far-reaching agreements have been reached on the way forward. If the word of the Deputy Governor is anything to go by, then the crisis on all fronts may soon be a thing of the past.

    He said: “The Governor’s title is Ochudo, meaning one who keeps the peace and he has made it clear that he wants to leave the state more peaceful than he met it.  That is why we are working round the clock to ensure that there is lasting peace in the border communities. I assure you that we shall succeed by the grace of God.”

    The Deputy Governor said unlike reconciliation efforts in the past which yielded no results, the states are currently determined to resolve the boundary disputes once and for all.

  • Okorocha praised for security

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has been praised for providing adequate security for the people.

    Imo citizens and visitors from other states praised him at the headquarters of Lifeline Assembly, Ohii, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State when his deputy, Prince Eze Madumere reminded the congregation that during the former administration, people’s freedom was constantly trampled upon through intimidation, crime and other anti-social activities that nearly brought the state to its knees.

    Speaking during the church convention whose theme was “Divine Restoration,” he said God answered the prayers of Imo people through Governor Okorocha who he described as God-send.

    He also told the congregation that relationship between Governor Okorocha and Bishop Maxwell Korie has remained cordial, even as he regretted the seeming misgivings that existed between them due to wrong inferences coming from quarters that do not cherish peace.

    Continuing, he narrated the proposed government demolition of the former Lifeline Assembly Church, which was located at the Ware House Roundabout and the church’s opposition to it. He thanked God that the matter was amicably resolved, noting that the reason for government’s decision could be better appreciated as issue of what used to be an eternal traffic challenges has been solved with roundabout and exit route for motorists.

    He averred that ever since, Lifeline Assembly has remained his church as he is committed to its growth and will be ready to render any form of assistance towards its growth, especially when it has to do with salvation and changing our people’s life for the better.

    There was, however, uproar when former governor Ikedi Ohakim and his entourage came to the church with over 10 buses as though they were going for campaign. It was later discovered that they were there to oppose what the opposition was to say.

    While Prince Madumere was speaking on free education and its gains, some of them that had found their way into the church shouted no, even though they were cautioned to behave responsibly by Bishop Korie.

    One of the church members who spoke in confidence decried desperation on the part of some politicians coming to the house of God to behave irresponsibly.

    Earlier before the introduction of Madumere, Bishop Korie said his humility and loyalty were infectious, saying such character is rare in our clime.

    He also described Madumere as a man of peace who came at the time he was needed.

     

  • Ebonyi understudies Akwa Ibom plans

    The Ebonyi State Government is understudying the development strategies that have led to the development of Akwa Ibom State, particularly Uyo, the state capital.

    The Chairman and other key officers of Abakiliki Capital City Development Authority (ACCDA) of Ebonyi State at the weekend concluded a two-day visit to their Akwa Ibom counterpart, the Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA).

    The Ebonyi State team, led by its chairman, Mr Edward Nkwegu and General Manger Justin Ogedo, held an interactive session with the UCCDA last Thursday at their conference hall at Esuene Street, Federal Housing Estate, Abak Road, Uyo. They were received by UCCDA Chairman Imo Edet Inyan and his team.

  • Ebonyi laments low IGP from LGAs

    EBONYI State Government yesterday said the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from the 13 local government areas of the state is poor despite revenue generation outlets available in different sectors of the economy.

    The state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Celestine Nwali, said this at Onueke Motor Park in Ezza South Local Government Area while indugrating ten new buses procured by the council area for its mass transit scheme, Ezza Ezekuna Line Mass Transit, in the state.

    Nwali called on the council chairmen to find out ways of increasing their IGR instead of solely depending on allocations from the Federation Account for the execution of their projects.

    The commissioner, who applauded the chairman of Ezza South LGA, Chief Lazarus Ogbee, for the initiative, urged other council chairmen in the state to emulate such venture for the well-being of their people.

    Commenting on the idea Ogbee said: “My administration decided to resuscitate this transport outfit after carefully and keenly observing its importance and usefulness in the socio-economic lives of the good people of Ezza South LGA and beyond.”

     

  • Houses submerged in Ebonyi flood

    Twenty houses were submerged at the weekend in Ebonyi State following a downpour that caused flood in several communities.

    The most affected communities were Ndibe, Ngodo, Amuro and Amasiri in Afikpo North Local Government Area.

    Household items and other property were carried away by the flood.

    The rain started at 11.30pm and lasted till the following day.

    A victim, identified simply as Mrs. Ikechi, told our reporter that her family had gone to bed when the rain started.

    She said the bleating of their goats woke them from sleep.

    “By the time my husband rushed out of the house, the flood had destroyed the pen house, where the goats were kept. Our compound had been flooded,” Mrs Ikechi said.

    Another indigene of Ngodo community, who spoke in confidence and whose vehicle was damaged, urged the state government to assist the flood victims.

    Nigerian Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) State Coordinator Dr. Philip Echiegu said there was an action plan in place to assist the flood victims.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Boundary disputes: Ebonyi, C’River set up peace committee

    The Ebonyi and Cross River State governments have constituted an 84 man “Joint Governors’ Committee to resolve the protracted boundary dispute existing between both states.

    The committee terms of reference is to determine the immediate and remote causes behind the age-long boundary dispute.

    The committee held its maiden meeting in Calabar under the leadership of deputy governors of both states, Engr. Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Mr. Efiok Cobham (Calabar) respectively.

    The committee is also to determine the factors responsible for the failure of previous peace initiatives in the affected states and propose a lasting panacea to the disputes.

    Also, it is expected to set up conflict resolution mechanisms for the communities in each sector with a view to maintaining a peaceful co-existence.

    The committee is to submit detailed report and recommendations to the governors of both states on or before November 30,2014.

    In a communique at the end of the meeting, which was signed by the deputy governors and the attorney-generals of both states, the committee appreciated the prevailing peace between the communities in recent times.

    At the end of the meeting, Ebonyi deputy governor, Umahi, told reporters that peace was paramount to both states and could not be compromised.

  • Ebonyi considering six-month leave for nursing mothers

    Ebonyi considering six-month leave for nursing mothers

    EBONYI is understudying the recent six-month maternity leave approved in Lagos State for nursing mothers with a view to adopting it.

    But the policy will not take off if it is abused by the nursing mothers.

    The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health in Ebonyi State, Mr. Hycient Oteh, stated this during a briefing as part of activities to mark the 2014 World Breast Feeding Week.

    While applauding the policy, he expressed fears that it might be abused by the beneficiaries.

    Oteh said: “The introduction of six-month maternity leave is an encouraging development but we need to monitor it so that it won’t get to be abused by nursing mothers.

    “If six months is given, it is expected that the period is used for what it is meant for. It is a good development that the state would consider in due course.”

    The ministry, he added, will sensitise other ministries and parastatal to put up a bay where nursing mothers can go and breast feed while in office.

    Oteh pointed out that such initiative would help the nursing mothers not to break the chain of exclusive breast feeding for six months.

     

  • Police arrest Ebonyi Speaker, 13 lawmakers

    Police arrest Ebonyi Speaker, 13 lawmakers

    Fourteen  members of Ebonyi State House of Assembly members loyal to Hon Helen Nwobasi have been arrested by the Police in the State.

    They were arrested Tuesday  morning outside the court premises.

    They were in the court premises for the court case on the leadership of the assembly between their group and the Chukwuma Nwazunku led group.

    The crisis started last three weeks when 18 of the 24 members of the house allegedly impeached speaker Chukwuma Nwazunku.

    But Nwazunku denied he was impeached describing his impeachment as illegal.

    He and nine  lawmakers loyal to him filed a suit asking the State High Court to restrain Nwaobasi from parading himself as Speaker.

    The Nwaobasi group also filed a counter motion seeking to restrain Nwazunku as Speaker of the Assembly.

    The court had fixed today for further hearing  on the suit which the 14 house members attended.

    But the Police laid siege for them at the gate of the court and bundled them to the nearby State Police Headquarters.

    The incident happened at about  10 am as they were leaving the court premises.

    At the time of filling this report, they were still in detention at the command.

    Notable among those arrested were  the Minority Leader, Enyi C. Enyi (APC) and Minority Whip, Joseph Nwaobasi (APC), Deputy Speaker, Blaise Orji(PDP) and the Speaker Helen Nwaobasi.
      

    No reason have been given for their arrest at the time of filling this report.

    Police spokesman, Chris Anyanwu denied knowledge of the arrests.

    Reporters were also chased out of the police headquarters premises by police officers on the orders of the Police Commissioner.

  • 2015: Ebonyi political landscape gathers steam

    2015: Ebonyi political landscape gathers steam

    Sam Egburonu reports that the recent impeachment of the former  Speaker of House of Assembly and the battle for the successor of Governor Martin Elechi have added pep to the politics of Ebonyi State 

    In the past three weeks, since July 21, when 18 members of the state House of Assembly impeached the former Speaker, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazurunku, and replaced him with Hon. (Mrs.) Helen Nwaobashi, the political developments in Ebonyi State have been both interesting and intriguing.

    In fact, the political scene, which has remained calm and peaceful for a very long time, suddenly recorded high-wired violence that involved lawmakers.

    For example, within two days after the impeachment, two lawmakers were attacked, leading to tense political atmosphere that has left supporters of both the former Speaker and that of the new Speaker suspicious of one another.

    It began on Tuesday of the week, when a lawmaker, Hon. Nnenna Nweme, described by insiders as one of the strong supporters of the new Speaker, was attacked by some elements described as thugs.

    The next day, Wednesday, the Majority Leader of Ebony State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Nwali, was that afternoon abducted by unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers.

    Nwali, who is believed to be a strong supporter of the new Speaker, Hon. Helen Nwobasi, was kidnapped at his residence at Watchman Street in Abakaliki.

    Reports said that the kidnap of the House member, who represents Ikwo South State Constituency, may not be unconnected with the crisis rocking the House of Assembly over the impeachment of the former Speaker, Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku.

    He was rescued by security operatives on Thursday morning “within the boundaries between Ikwo Local Government Area and Cross River State.”

    Ebonyi State Governor, Martin Elechi, as well as members of the State House of Assembly who are loyal to the Speaker-elect, was at the premises of the Ebonyi Directorate of State Services, DSS, to see the victim.

    In her maiden formal interaction with journalists Nwaobashi admitted that she never anticipated that the political landscape would swing around so much that she would emerge the Speaker at this point. “I never dreamed of becoming Speaker because we were only four women in the House. Even in the previous House of Assembly of which I was a member, there were only two of us with the other person, Hon. Dorothy Obasi, serving as Deputy Speaker. So my election as speaker came to me as a surprise but it provides hope to women in politics that the future is bright. Also my election as Speaker in an Assembly dominated by men, shows that the campaigns by the wife of President, Dame Patience Jonathan and Chief Josephine Elechi; for women participation in politics is bearing fruits. I think the men are beginning to see that women are not coming to compete but to complement their efforts in nation building. That is how I see my election as Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly,” she said.

    By insiders say the political development in the state is beyond the men in the House simply deciding to give the leadership to the current Speaker.

    “This current development is not by chance. No. It has to do with calculations for the 2015 elections. To achieve the expectation of some powerful political elements in the state, some officers and political forces considered as stumbling blocs have to be pushed aside. There would be a lot of changes in the political texture of this state before 2015. We all want obvious change,” said a top government official who pleaded not to be named.

    Nwaobashi herself, offering explanation on the process that threw her up has these to say: “The beauty of democracy is that it gives room for change. We were all elected in the first place to represent various constituencies in the State. That is to mean that all members are equal. The election of one person among us to serve as speaker or leader is just an administrative necessity for moderation and direction of debates and discussions in the plenary. The point I want to make is that the position of Speaker is by the grace and judgment of all members. Therefore if for any reason the members feel that the speaker or their leader is not behaving according to their expectations or begins to act as Lord, they exercise the right to change him or her. This is what happened. People should not forget this fact that it is the responsibility of members of the House of Assembly to choose who represents them as Speaker. You must have read the resolution of the House for the impeachment of the former Speaker. May be I should take your mind back to some of the reasons that prompted the removal of Hon Chukwuma Nwazunku from office as Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly. Majority of the members resolved that the former Speaker was conducting himself in a manner likely to cause a breach of the constitution by not ensuring that sittings were as frequent as to satisfy the demands of the Constitution. You can see with me that this is a grievous issue. The members saw this error and felt that the speaker was leading us into temptation such that at the end of the day we may be invited to sign for sittings we never had. The impeachment of Nwazunku therefore was the best way for the members to avoid a situation where we may be compelled by him to fill the sitting Attendance Register so as to escape the censure of the constitution and the wrath of those who elected us. So you can see that if after seven months of the year we were able to sit for just seventeen times, there was no way we could fulfill the 181 days stipulated in section 104 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So the members studied the situation and felt that the former Speaker was being distracted by his estate business and decided to change him. His impeachment followed the laid down procedures. The other reasons including incompetence, corrupt enrichment and violation of the code of conduct as spelt out in the constitution are also very weighty allegations. I think that is the much I can say for the process that brought about my election as Speaker.”

    Besides the impeachment saga, another issue that has added some pep to the politics of Ebonyi State is the issue of who would succeed Governor Martin Elechi. While the quest for a young governor after Elechi has dominated the demands of the youths, there is also the battle between the North and the South.

    It would be recalled that former governor Sam Egwu (North) handed over power to the incumbent, Governor Martin Elechi (Central). So, the calculation is that in 2015, power would move to the South, according to the principles of charter of equity. But some insiders say the camp even the governor’s family is divided over the candidate to hand over PDP ticket.

    Mazi Ukoma Udo, a community leader in Ebony South however told The Nation on Thursday that “Governor Elechi assured us that it was the turn of the old Afikpo bloc to produce his successor.  Since the proclamation, the Izzi clan has tightened her belts to ensure a twist, so that the southern agenda does not materialise. But we will not allow such a game plan.”

    Given these intrigues, Ebonyi political landscape has suddenly gathered steam ahead 2015.