The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekwulobia

  • Firm empowers 19 Anambra entrepreneurs with N5.7m

    A total of 19 young entrepreneurs have been empowered by Life Lager Continental Beer with the sum of N5.7 million at Ekwulobia,  Anambra State.

    The beneficiaries, who received N300,000 each, emerged from over 700 entrepreneurs who submitted business proposals across the South East region.

    Speaking during the award presentation, Assistant Brand Manager, Life Lager Continental beer, Rex-Anthony Anieke, said Life Progress Booster was one of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility targeted at supporting upcoming young businesses.

    He said winners were selected after a thorough consideration of their business proposals and interviews.

    According to Anieke, no fewer than 800 businessmen and women had benefited from the gesture since the company launched the project for the region in 2015.

    Read Also: Police seal Anambra PDP secretariat

    He said: “The Life Progress Booster is a platform targeted at support upcoming businesses, especially in the South East, where the core value is to make progress from trade.

    “The small boost of N300, 000 per beneficiary is to help them make more progress in their trade.”

    Expressing satisfaction with the successes the project has recorded since its commencement, Anieke hinted that other editions would hold in Asaba, Port-Harcourt and Aba within the year.

    One of the beneficiaries, Miss Gift Samuel, a proprietor of a restaurant in the area, was full of appreciation to the benefactor, saying the money would assist her equip her restaurant with chairs, tables, refrigerator, generator set and other necessary items.

  • Couple kill cousin for beating children over ‘pot of soup’

    A 35-year old woman was allegedly beaten to death by a couple over scuffle she had with their children in Okpo village, Ekwulobia, in Aguata local government area of Anambra State.

    The deceased, identified as Uju, said to be related to the couple, Mr and Mrs Okafor, reportedly gave up the ghost following series of flogging by the suspects.

    The Nation gathered that the children of the suspects were playing football within their compound in the evening of the fateful day when their ball suddenly fell into the deceased’s pot of soup, which she seized.

    “Okafor’s children rushed immediately and reported the matter to their mother who did not take it lightly, as she hurriedly went over to Uju’s apartment and pounced on her,” one of the neighbors said.

    The neighbor, who preferred anonymity added that while the fight ensued, her (Okafor) husband, who got wind of the incident, rushed to the scene and teamed with his wife to flog the deceased.

    According to the source, the beating persisted until the deceased collapsed and lost consciousness, adding that she was later rushed to Dionye Memorial Hospital where she was confirmed dead by the doctor.

    Reacting, the chairman of the community, Chief Peter Odika, confirmed the incident, describing it as abomination.

    He explained that the deceased was Mr Okafor’s second cousin, adding that the village would meet, while they wait for the police to conclude its investigations.

    “The accused will be made to undergo certain cleansing rites in order to appease the gods of the land and to avert whatever curse such an abominable act could attract,” he added.

    When our correspondent visited the town, some angry women from the village were seen protesting against the act, chanting “it is an abomination, an abomination has occurred.”

    Efforts to get the reaction of the state police spokesperson, Mohammed Haruna, was unsuccessful, but a police officer who preferred anonymity, said the suspects were presently cooling off in Ekwulobia Police station.

  • Tension in Anambra as Kanu visits Ekwulobia

    Tension in Anambra as Kanu visits Ekwulobia

    The scheduled visit of Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, yesterday caused tension across the state.

    As early as 8 a.m, security operatives, including soldiers, the Navy, police and others, stormed Ekwulobia in 14 trucks.

    Despite the heavy security presence, IPOB members paraded the area, singing and chanting Biafran songs.

    The Biafran flags, caps, shirts and other items on sale by youths were seized and burnt by the security operatives.

    The situation, an eyewitness said, angered the IPOB members, who attempted to attack the security operatives.

    But the security agents used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

    It was learnt that one person was feared dead.

    But Police spokesperson Princess Nkeiruka Nwode, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), denied the alleged death of any IPOB member.

    But she said there was presence of security to avoid breach of peace.

    Nwode said: “There was nothing like that (death). The presence of the security men was to secure the place from people being attacked by hoodlums.

    “People should not take the laws into their hands. The security operatives in Anambra are working day and night to secure the environment. They are not ready to allow miscreants to take over the society.

  • How to ensure peace in Ekwulobia, by town union president

    How to ensure peace in Ekwulobia, by town union president

    Chief Emmanuel Okeke, the Chairman of Eziagulu village in Ekwulobia and the Chairman of all the village chairmen in Ekwulobia, is also the President General of Ekwulobia Town Union, Anambra State. In this interview, he spoke about Ekwulobia, Governor Willie Obiano and related issues.

    What is your assessment of Governor Obiano’s performance in office?

    Let me start by thanking the governor for the construction of Ekwulobia to Ezinifite road. To be honest with you, the entire people of Ekwulobia and Ezinifite will remain forever grateful to the governor because of that road. My reason for saying this is because the road was formerly impassable, it can best be described as a death trap. But as at today, it is now a motorable road tarred with nylon asphalt. I will not also forget to thank the Governor for the water projects he executed across the 9 villages in Ekwulobia. Our people can now boast of drinking portable water, courtesy of the truly working Willie Obiano’s administration. As for my general assessment of His Excellency Chief Dr. Willie Obiano’s performance in office, I will score him 100/100. As far as I am concerned, Governor Obiano has performed excellently and wonderfully well in all sectors of governance in our beloved State. Governor Obiano came to deliver dividends of good governance to ndi Anambra and that is exactly what he is doing for our people.

    We are talking about a governor that ensured the security of lives and properties of Ndi Anambra State, transformed Anambra State Agricultural Sector to a viable, interesting and competitive sector. This is a Governor that re-ignited think home initiative in the minds of prominent Anambra business tycoons. The likes of Engr. Emeka Okwuosa, Cosmas  Mmaduka, Akai Egwuonwu and many others keyed into Governor Obiano’s administration think home initiative and ndi-anambra are reaping the benefit. Awka as a capital city is now wearing the befitting look of a capital city. The infrastructural sector is witnessing tremendous transformation in all the nooks and crannies of Anambra State. Our Governor is also working assiduously to open up the oil sector with the construction of two major roads that leads to the Aguleri Otu Oil Rig. Already two bridges, one at Aguleri Uno and the other one at Iyiora Anam have crosssed Omambala River.  The contractors are now seriously working to connect Iyiowa Anam and Eziagulu Otu roads to Aguleri Otu Oil Rig. When this project is completed, it will go a long way in boosting Agricultural business within the Omambala axis and it will also be a take-off point for Orient petroleum refinery. Recently the Governor lighted up Orumba South with electricity and also commissioned a big with Rice mill project at Ufuma.

    So, I am stating without mincing words that Governor Obiano has justified the confidence reposed on him by Ndi-Anambra electorates and that he deserve to be re-elected for a merited 2nd term in office.

    Ekwulobia Town Union is enmeshed in leadership crisis. What is  fuelling this crisis?          

    It’s a long story, but I will be brief in telling the story. The truth is that Ekwulobia Town Union leadership crisis is a problem that has lingered for many years now.

    The problem can be traced to the manipulation of the town’s constitution. As a result of this manipulation, aggrieved prominent indigenes of Ekwulobia dragged Igwe and the constitution amendment committee to Court. They won the case at the state high court. Our Igwe appealed the high court judgment and lost at the court of appeal. Judgment was given in favour of those that sued against the manipulation of the constitution because of the defection and open confession of the seven people that were saddled with the constitution amendment responsibility. They openly confessed that the constitution was manipulated and their open confession led to the nullification of the amended 2010 constitution.  Seeing the truth, the court nullified the 2010 amended constitution and ordered the community to revert to status quo of which is to be using the 1994 constitution of the town in running the affairs of our community. When Igwe appealed this judgement and lost at the Court of Appeal, I went to him to plead with him to give peace a chance in our community because as a matter of fact Ekwulobia is the heartbeat of Aguata local government and OAU at large. But in defiance to the court order, the igwe continued making use of the 2010 nulified constitution in running their affairs of our community. To the extent that the aggrieved parties want to file contempt of court proceedings against him to commit him to prison and I stopped them from doing that in the interest of peace. I did my best for the town union crisis to be settled amicably all to no avail. Lots of peace committee was set up and when they come up with their report for the amicable resolution of the crisis and it is not in favour of the Igwe, but in favour of the people of the community, Igwe Onyenaeke will reject the report. Until the clergy men waded into the crisis.

    Can you shed more light on the clergymen’s intervention?

    When the clergies in Ekwulobia, both the Anglican and Catholic Bishops, intervened, they came up with their own recommendation which is setting up a town union caretaker committee. The Igwe accepted their recommendation.  Two people were nominated per each village in Ekwulobia and the people of my village nominated me.  At the end, I was chosen to be the PG of Ekwulobia town union. The Igwe witnessed the election because it was done in the open. He even gave an acceptance speech. I have video record of all that transpired on my election day. Igwe Onyenaeke later reneged and rejected our election. He said that he will not work with my executive simply because he does not like two or three people in my exco. What he did was to be parading somebody his tenure has elapsed as the PG of Ekwulobia. Our people want to lead a protest to government house because of this ugly development and I stopped them because I don’t want the protest to be misconstrued. I told our people that it is better to draw the attention of the Governor officially to the illegalities going on ion Ekwulobia. So am using this medium to plead with our governor, His Excellency Chief Dr. Willie Obiano, to wade into this matter for its amicable resolution because Ekwulobia is currently sitting on a keg of gun powder and if nothing is done urgently it will explode. It is only the government that can call the Igwe to order. The 1st step government must take is to stop the kangaroo election igwe Onyenaeke and his few cohorts are planning to hold because our people has vowed never to allow that kangaroo election to hold. So to avoid loss of lives, break down of law and order government should do the needful because a stitch in time saves nine. I am also suggesting to the governor to get in touch with the Anglican and Catholic Bishops of Aguata diocese for factual briefings that will help him to resolve the Ekwulobia Town Union crisis amicably.

    Have you officially drawn the attention of government to this town union crisis?

    Yes, we have written to government officially. The mandate of my executive that was set up by all the clergy men in Ekwulobia was to broker peace in Ekwulobia. We started with consultation and we also wrote to government because we don’t want the crisis to lead to a breakdown of law and order in Ekwulobia, especially this year that Anambra is preparing for governorship election. The main reason why I am calling on our governor to wade into this matter is because Ekwulobia vote is the determinant factor of elections in Aguata. As a matter of fact, Ekwulobia has 27,000 registered voters. So, the governor should listen to the cry of Ekwulobia people.

    What advice do you have for Ekwulobia people and Ndi-Anambra at large?

    My advice to Ekwulobia people is to remain law abiding and not to take laws into their hands because of the town union crisis. I have confidence on the ability of our hardworking Governor to resolve the crisis amicably. As for Ndi-Anambra, I will plead with them to keep supporting Governor Obiano’s administration because he is doing a good job in our beloved State and they should also endeavour to re-elect him for a merited 2nd tenure in office.

  • Boko Haram: Protest paralyses Anambra community

    Boko Haram: Protest paralyses Anambra community

    Activities were paralyzed Tuesday in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state as traders, young and old trooped out to protest the dumping of alleged Boko Haram suspects in the prisons in the area.

    As early as 7.30am, placard carrying protesters, including some clergy and high chiefs and women marched through the Ekwulobia Street to register their grievances.

    All the shops in the Area were under lock and key as security operatives were deployed by the state commissioner of police, Hosea Karma to maintain law and order.

    The chairman of Aguata Local government area, Mr.Tony Umeoji, while speaking with reporters said the transfer of the Boko Haram prisoners to the place was politically motivated.

    He alleged that any attempt to interrupt the development of the South East from Anambra State, would be suicidal.

    According to the council boss; “I must tell you that this development will chase away intending investors to Anambra State, thereby setting back the wheel of progress of the state.

    ‘It is a situation that calls for concern because of the apprehension and restiveness among the people of Ekwulobia.

    “The people are scared and there is a general sense of insecurity in the place right now.

    “The Ekwulobia prison does not have minimum capacity and facility for such high profile inmates.

    “The prison is 80 bedded and there are already 133 in mates and you are adding another 43 in mates of the Boko Haram prisoners. That is too much and not healthy for human being,” he said.

    Also in his own reaction, the member representing Aguata II Constituency in state House of assembly, Ikem Uzoezie appealed to the authorities concerned and President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency relocate the Boko Haram inmates to a prison with maximum capacity and facility.

    He said; “this development calls for concern because the relative peace we have been enjoying has been interrupted.”

    Meanwhile, Uzoezie revealed that when the Assembly reconvenes, it would deliberate on the matter with a view to prevailing on the presidency to redress the issue.

     

  • …as Tiwa Savage cuts short honeymoon to thrill fans

    …as Tiwa Savage cuts short honeymoon to thrill fans

    TODAY, the city of Ekwulobia in Anambra State will come alive as the Star Music Trek flags-off the sixth stage of its scintillating music show, where a number of Nigeria’s biggest artistes will converge to thrill excited music fans. Also, a rich selection of popular homegrown talents will perform before thousands of guests.

    “We’ve been to Nsukka, Makurdi, Uyo, Umuahia and Orlu on The Trek so far, with our fans also witnessing some of the most amazing performances on any stage in Nigeria. There’ll be so much going down in Ekwulobia; so, just be sure that this will be one of the most exciting concerts you will ever watch in a long time,” assured Timaya.

    Meanwhile, sensational pop singer, Tiwa Savage, whose white wedding held last Saturday in Dubai, has said: “My Eminados, I’m back! I can’t wait to see you once again in Ekwulobia”

    Consequently, Tiwa Savage will cut short her honeymoon to thrill expectant fans at the sixth stage of Star Music Trek today.

    The beautiful singer is among the five headline artistes scheduled to perform at the music show

    For over five weeks, music fans at The Trek have been dazzled with show-stopping performances from selected artistes with many winning fantastic prizes at the concert venues.

    Fayrouz Chilled Out Bar, Awka was the venue of this week’s pre-gig party, which will held yesterday. Lucky guests won lots of branded prizes such as phones, TVs, branded carpets and much more up.

    Last week, Fidelis Amarachi, a 400-level student from Imo State University, won an LED TV, which was presented to him by popular rap artiste, Mr Raw.