The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Emeka Eze

  • Power: EEDC urges customers to embrace smart prepaid meters

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company ( EEDC ) on Tuesday blamed the rejection of smart prepaid meters by some customers on ignorance.

    Mr Emeka Eze, Head of Communication of EEDC, expressed the view at a forum organised by the company for its customers in Ekwulobia Business District in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area.

    He said that using prepaid meter enables a customer to pay for the exact amount of energy consumed.

    Eze said the EEDC issues prepaid meters free of charge to customers, urging them not to induce any staff to get it.

    The spokesman said the process of installing such meters for customers was on top gear, assuring those that had applied would soon get theirs.

    He said the company needs N70 billion to meter all its customers, promising a more robust service in electricity supply to those in its network.

    Eze said the EEDC was determined to ensure value for the money the customers pay for electricity, urging those who receive bills to pay regularly.

    Mr Eugene Nwankwo, a customer, said epileptic power supply was a major problem and they sometimes had to pay even when they were in total darkness.

    Nwankwo called for a load shedding schedule, to enable communities and individuals on bulk and estimated billing to track supply.

    Another customer, Mr Nwosu Nwosu from Oko, said officials of EEDC were demanding money from his community to install a transformer donated to them.

    Nwosu thanked the distribution company for organising the forum and expressed hope that it would lead to a better relationship and service delivery.

    In his comment, Mr Frank Ejiofor, who was the chairman of the occasion, said the forum was the first in 2018, and was geared toward serving EEDC customers better.

    Ejiofor who is the Head of Security in the company, decried acts of vandalism on EEDC installation and attacks on its personnel, saying these impede progress.

    Participants at the forum include community leaders, residents associations, the business community and other stakeholders.

    NAN

  • ‘Emeka Eze still suspended for anti club activities’

    ‘Emeka Eze still suspended for anti club activities’

    •  Former club skipper still  bonafide player, says club

    Enugu Rangers have confirmed that their former skipper, Emeka Eze remains suspended after he travelled to Egypt without permission and that the former Inter FC midfielder is still their player amidst growing interest from El Nasr.

    The Flying Antelopes’ top official told SportingLife that negotiations over the transfer of their highly prized midfielder broke down between them and El Nasr because of the insincerity of the Egyptian side and that they are expecting Eze to return to them to continue the suspension clamped on him.

    Rangers disclosed that El Nasr erred immediately they approached Inter FC-his nursery club and that by the time the club could correct their error it came only after the transfer period in Egypt had been shut.

    The Enugu side said they have encouraged El Nasr to re-apply for the services of Eze during the next transfer season in Egypt but that Eze must come back to Nigeria for Rangers to determine his fate for travelling abroad without official permission from the club.

    Eze was snapped up from Inter FC in Enugu and he has grown through the ranks to become an important member of the club and was even at a time the club’s captain before he handed over to Cyril Oriaku.

  • Bureau of Public Procurement saves N680b from contracts

    Bureau of Public Procurement saves N680b from contracts

    The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has saved N680 billion from following due process in awarding contracts, its Director-General, Emeka Eze, has said.

    Emeka, spoke at the annual  retreat for Federal Permanent Secretaries, who are accounting officers of Ministries, to improve their understanding of the Federal Procurement System and the appropriate strategies for the implementation of government’s annual budgets.

    He said at the 2016 procurement retreat held in Lagos with theme: ‘Public Procurement Act, 2007: An Effective Tool for Delivering More for Less’, that the the funds were saved from 2009 till date.

    He said beyond the money saved, the opportunity granted ordinary people to bid and win contracts, is even to BPP more rewarding. He said the ordinary people can now bid for contracts and be considered. “They can now bid and when they feel they have been short changed, they can complain to us and we intervene to restore their own things back. Even beyond the savings, that one is even more important to us that people are now biding for contracts,” he said.

    On the Procurement Act of 2007, he said Nigeria is a member of the United Nations and signed a document committing itself to enthroning anti-corruption through preventive measures. He refuted claims that the procurement process is cumbersome adding that it is difficult only to those that do not want to follow due process.

    “When you say its cumbersome, cumbersome is the position being canvassed by those who don’t want rules.  I don’t see anything cumbersome in asking people to define what you want done and then put it in the public domain and ask people who consider themselves competent enough to indicate interest and there after access them base on the set criteria,” he said.

    Continuing, he said following the procurement rules is only cumbersome for those who are wrong doers. “Of course for criminals, it is cumbersome because criminals don’t want any rules. They don’t want records but to innocent, sincere people who want the system to work, there is nothing cumbersome about it if we are just being honest,” he said.

    Speaking also at the event, Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, said with the dwindling resources at all cadres of government, there is need to promote transparency and accountability among Civil Servants.

    She called for the implementation of e-procurement relying on effective and efficient deployment of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) tools to get the best result.

    She also called for a deepening of he ongoing public service reforms adding that all Civil Servants should carry out their work efficiently and transparently.

  • Wonder Goal: Eze dedicates award to family, lauds LMC

    Wonder Goal: Eze dedicates award to family, lauds LMC

    Family and friends of Enugu Rangers International FC player, Emeka Eze joined him during the presentation of the Glo Premier League Wonder Goal Award at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium,where he thanked the family for supporting his career and the League Management Company (LMC) for innovations in the league.

    Eze’s goal against Kano Pillars on Match Day 5 had secured 51.6% of the voting by fans to beat Sunshine Star’s Cletus Itodo whose goal for Abia Warriors against Enyimba International got 41.9% of the votes. The third nominee, Chikatara Chisom also of Abia Warriors had 6.5% of the votes.

    Eze received the prize money and plaque from former national team captain, Christian Chukwu and said he was dedicating it to his family, especially the parents who supported him through school and in building a football career.

    “I come from a family of sports people…my father is a retired referee, my mother won medals in athletics at the National Sports Festival in Ilorin while my sister is very active in volleyball and my only brother is showing potentials to do better than I have done so far. They are the source of my strength and motivation to succeed,” Eze stated in a voice that was calm but emotional.

    The player, who will be 22 in December and a graduate of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) with a degree in Management Science, is undergoing the compulsory National Youth Service Corps(NYSC) scheme at Rangers.

    Eze was signed over to Rangers International from an Enugu-based academy, FC Inter Academy four seasons ago and he also expressed appreciation to the management of Rangers International for accommodating his academics with the job.

    “Rangers management have been very supportive, permitting me to face school when the time arises and accepting to have me perform my national service”, remarked the player who captained the Flying Antelopes on the day.

    He announced the Red Cross Society Motherless Babies Home, Enugu as his chosen charity to donate 50% of his prize money and also praised the League Management Company (LMC) for instituting the award.

    “This is the first big and national award I will ever win and it means so much to me and the entire family because it shows that the encouragement they have provided is yielding dividends. My appreciation goes to the LMC for this award and I praise them for all the innovations that has been introduced in the league,” asserted the defensive midfield player.

    He is the second to win the award after his Rangers team-mate, Osaguona Ighodaro won the inaugural award.

  • FERMA rewards 17 staff

    FERMA rewards 17 staff

    The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has celebrated 17 of its staff members for distinguishing themselves in service.

    The assessment for the awards was made between 2011 and 2013; it cut cutting across all cadres.

    At the ceremony held in Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers, were Chairman Senate Committee on Works, Senator Ayogu Eze, who chaired the occasion; Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji; Director-General Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Emeka Eze, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Dr Abubakar Koro Muhammad, who represented Minister of Works, Alhaji Kassim Ibrahim Bataiya; and President, National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), and member, FERMA Governing Board.

    Also present were representatives of major contractors, and other dignitaries.

    Senator Eze said the reward for work is more work, advising those who were honoured to show more commitment while those yet to be recognised not lose hope.

    He said the impact of FERMA was being felt and applauded by the public.

    Aji, the immediate past Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, said he was happy to be associated with FERMA and the sector.

    Noting FERMA’s achievements, he said the notion that civil servants don’t contribute much to economic growth had been proved wrong.

    Also, Chairman, FERMA Governing Board, Ezekiel Adeniji, said his board was lucky to have a competent and committed management team, a conducive policy environment and good will from the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

    FERMA Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gabriel Amuchi, thanked the awardees and other staff for their contributions to the agency.

    The agency, he said, had reduced the stock of poor and bad roads from eight per cent in 2003, when FERMA commenced operations, to about 26 per cent last year.

    He said FERMA is better positioned and resolved in its commitment to improving federal roads, adding that it had acquired some machinery, employed and trained more staff.

    He also said staff welfare was being improved by the management.

     

  • Eze set to join German club

    Eze set to join German club

    Super Eagles and Enugu Rangers midfielder Emeka Eze has been approached by two top clubs in Germany and could be on the verge of quitting the Coal City club for a playing career in Europe with Hertha Berlin thought to be closing in on a deal with the player as gathered by futaa.com.

    It could be recalled that the young midfielder was earlier linked with a move to German Bundesliga club TSG Hoffienheim last season.

    In a chat with futaa.com, Emeka confirmed the story and also went further to disclose that went he did not miss out on the deal last season because he was injured as speculated in the media.

    “yes, I was close to joining TSG Hoffenheim last season, but was surprised when news went round that it was because I was injured that’s why the deal failed, but that’s not true, I guess it was just masterminded by people who just wanted to say something.

    “Every footballer always wishes to take his career to the next level, and that’s what am already looking at, and very soon the news will be known to all,” Emeka stated.

    The holding midfielder also confirmed that he is fit to play for any European club that need his services and that discussions are in top gear with German club Hertha Berlin.

    Eze who was member of the Super Eagles squad to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil and a regular player for Rangers has been likened to Ghanaian star Micheal Essien due to his combative and dazzling style in the midfield. He is a super marksman and good ball passer with a lot of energy.

    With the expected move of the young talented midfielder looking positive, his club and Nigeria fans will be hoping to see another john Mikel Obi in the making.

  • I disarmed kidnapper, says GUO Motors’ boss

    The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of G.U.O. Motors Ltd, Chief Godwin Ubaka Okeke, yesterday narated how he disarmed one of his kidnappers on a church premises before they overpowered him.

    Okeke told an Onitsha High Court, presided over by Justice Chudi Nwankwo, that he disarmed Emeka Eze (aka Emeka Nando), the gang’s second-in-command.

    Okeke was kidnapped on the premises of the All Saints Anglican Church Cathedral, Onitsha, on August 23, 2009.

    He said his abductors attacked him with machetes, gun and other objects and shot him in the left leg.

    Okeke alleged that one of the kidnappers, Ifeanyi Okafor, the second defendant, cut his left hand with a machete.

    He spoke during his cross-examination by Mr. D.U. Nwafor, counsel to the second defendant.

    The defence counsel applied to tender a Certified True Copy (CTC) of Okeke’s statement to SARS dated January 8, 2010, but the prosecution counsel, Mr. Chris Ajugwe, relying on Section 232 of the Evidence Act 2011, objected on the grounds that a proper foundation had not been laid.

    Justice Nwankwo, however, admitted the statement as evidence, which he marked Exhibit ‘C’, saying though that it “may not play much role at this early stage.”

    The court adjourned hearing till today, tomorrow and Thursday for further cross-examinations of Okeke, the First Prosecution Witness (PW1), by the second defence counsel, Nwafor and third defence counsel, Chinelo Okongwu.

  • Federal Executive Council Meeting

    Federal Executive Council Meeting

  • Economic Management Team Meeting

    Economic Management Team Meeting