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  • FCCPC, Enugu govt vow tougher enforcement over food contamination

    FCCPC, Enugu govt vow tougher enforcement over food contamination

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned against the rising cases of food adulteration and unsafe practices in Nigeria’s food sector, stressing that no nation can prosper while endangering the health of its citizens.

    The caution came during a one-day sensitization campaign on food quality standards, safety, regulation, and fair business practices organized by the FCCPC on Wednesday at Toscana Hotel, Independent Layout, Enugu.

    Delivering the keynote address, FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Olatunji Bello, said the commission was deeply concerned about the growing menace of chemically ripened fruits, adulterated palm oil, contaminated meat, and unsafe grains.

    The Executive Vice Chairman, who was represented by the Director of Quality Assurance and Development, Dr. Nkechi Mba, said, “Food is not merely a commodity; it is a fundamental human right. 

    “Unsafe food not only endangers lives but undermines trust in markets, disrupts trade, and damages the reputation of businesses. Any operator who places profit over public safety will face the full wrath of the law.”

    He highlighted some of the dangerous practices in the food industry, including the use of calcium carbide for forced ripening, toxic additives such as bromate and Sudan red colorant, and poor hygiene across the value chain from farms to markets. 

    These, he said, expose consumers to severe health risks and weaken Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness.

    The FCCPC, Bello added, is working closely with agencies such as NAFDAC, SON, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, and state authorities to enforce food safety laws through surveillance, education, sanctions, and prosecutions.

    The FCCPC Director of Consumer and Business Education, Mr. Yahaya Garba Kudan, in his welcome remarks, said the commission was committed to empowering consumers and stakeholders with the knowledge to make informed choices and advocate for safer practices.

    “Our goal is to equip you with the tools needed to identify adulterated food, understand the dangers of forced ripening, and know the avenues available for seeking redress,” Kudan said, urging participants to actively engage in the sessions.

    Read Also: FCCPC introduces new regulations to protect consumers, non-compliant digital lenders faces N100m fine

    Also speaking, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture, Patrick Ubru, described food contamination as a threat to both public health and national development. 

    He warned that unsafe agricultural practices and poor storage methods could lead to frequent hospital visits for consumers and rejection of Nigerian agro-products in international markets.

    “Health is wealth, and what you eat determines your productivity,” Ubru noted. We cannot overlook this challenge. Preventing food contamination requires joint responsibility—not only from government but from every farmer, vendor, and consumer.”

    He outlined preventive measures including proper hygiene, safe storage, adherence to best agricultural practices, and food safety education, adding that vendors and households must cultivate the habit of cleanliness to protect the food chain.

    The campaign brought together regulators, industry players, consumer groups, civil society organizations, and market unions, who pledged to collaborate in ensuring safer food systems in the country.

  • Enugu Govt accuses wanted Sujimoto CEO of premeditated fraud

    Enugu Govt accuses wanted Sujimoto CEO of premeditated fraud

    The Enugu State Government has dismissed recent claims by the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Olasijibomi Ogundele, describing them as “crocodile tears,” while accusing him of masterminding a premeditated fraud that cost the state nearly N6 billion.

    In a statement at the weekend by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo, the government alleged that Ogundele disappeared after receiving N5.7 billion as 50 per cent mobilisation fee for the construction of 22 Smart Green Schools across the State.

    According to the government, the contract, worth N11.4 billion, was awarded to Sujimoto on July 2, 2024, with a six-month completion timeline. 

    However, instead of delivering the projects, Ogundele allegedly resorted to shoddy work, employed quack engineers and eventually abandoned all sites without meeting any structural specifications.

    “Worse still, he vanished into thin air with the money. He refused to honour periodic project briefings, avoided calls and messages, and absconded from site inspections,” the statement read.

    The government further revealed that Ogundele presented a performance bond from Jaiz Bank to secure the contract but used his company’s account in a new generation bank to receive payments, thereby shielding Jaiz Bank from liability and betraying what officials described as “a clear premeditated intent to defraud.”

    A joint inspection by the Ministry of Works and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 8 and 9, 2025, reportedly confirmed that most of the sites were abandoned at foundation level, with a few at damp-proof course stage.

    Read Also: Enugu govt moves against illegal ‘spiritualists’, bandits, kidnappers in new bill

    Following the findings, the government said it reassigned the projects to new contractors who are working to meet the September 2025 deadline for the Smart Schools initiative.

    Agbo urged Nigerians to disregard Ogundele’s “theatrics,” insisting that every kobo misappropriated would be recovered through the EFCC and other legal channels.

    “The Mbah administration remains resolute in delivering Smart Green Schools to Ndi Enugu. No amount of crocodile tears from Sujimoto will erase the fact that he defrauded the people,” the commissioner stated.

    The government also released pictures taken during the joint inspection, showing the abandoned state of the project sites.

  • Businessman cries out over Enugu gov’t’s threat to demolish home

    Businessman cries out over Enugu gov’t’s threat to demolish home

    A businessman in Enugu, Mr. Ihekwoaba Uzoho has been traumatised after a demolition notice was issued by the Enugu Capital Development Authority (FCDA) on his family home at No. 6 Ozubulu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu.

    This, it was gathered, was to enable the state government to demolish his home and reallocate his land to a minister.

    To this end, the businessman has sent a passionate plea to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to save him and his family from the demolition threats by the agents of the ECTDA.

    Uzoho, who narrated to newsmen, amidst tears in his house, disclosed that he bought the said land in 2007, and subsequently moved in with his new family.

    Read Also: Imo addresses food insecurity

    “I bought this place, No. 6 Ozubulu Street, Independence Layout, Enugu in 2007. I bought it because it has genuine documents, ranging from the certificate of occupancy (CofO), building plan, and all the necessary documents.

    He noted that since he heard the sad news he and members of his family had been traumatised as they did not know the reason for the planned demolition.

    “Since then, I have been trying to reach them to give me reason for wanting to demolish my house. But nobody is ready to listen to me.

    “That’s why I am speaking out through the media. Please Governor Peter Mbah should not allow his government to treat me like this.”

  • Enugu govt urges youths to join police

    Enugu govt urges youths to join police

    Enugu State Government has urged qualified people to take interest and apply for recruitment by the Nigeria Police.

    The Police Recruitment Board had announced that its online portal for recruitment would be opened for application for six weeks, beginning from October 15.

    Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aka Eze Aka, said in a statement issued in Enugu that government had noticed lethargy on the part of Enugu citizens to join the police.

    Read Also:Missing ex-seminarian, allegedly killed by flood in Enugu community

    “The ministry advises interested and qualified persons from Enugu State to apply to get enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as constables.

    “The need to have our people recruited into the Force cannot be overemphasised.

    “Interested applicants should visit www.apply.policerecruitment.gov.ng’’, Aka said.

  • Enugu govt approves recruitment of additional 1,500 teachers

    THE administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved and directed the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB) to recruit additional 1,500 primary school teachers to enhance basic education in the state.

    The administration also approved the sum of N252,456,917.67 (two hundred and fifty two million, four hundred and fifty six thousand, nine hundred and seventeen naira, sixty seven kobo) for the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) to pursue the re-accreditation of the institution’s courses that the previous  accreditation had expired. Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council’s meeting, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, disclosed that the basic requirement for the recruitment is National Certificate of Education (NCE), adding that the candidates must have teaching background and would accept to reside and teach in the rural communities. He stressed that Governor  Ugwuanyi, through his grassroots development initiatives, has provided in the rural areas, some amenities that attract people to urban centres. It would be recalled that the Ugwuanyi’s administration had recruited over 4,000 teachers since its inception, to create jobs and improve the standard of learning in the state. According to Prof. Eze: “His Excellency is committed and determined to ensure that teachers continue to be available at the basic education level so that our children will benefit from the investment that the state government is making in the education sector.”

    He explained that “a good number of our teach ers at the primary school level have retired and some lost to death”, noting the recruitment exercise was to fill the vacuum created to ensure availability of teachers in the classrooms for effective teaching and learning. The education commissioner further disclosed that “the council directed ENSUBEB to make arrangement for the recruitment of additional 1, 500 to ensure that those who are qualified are appropriately placed so that our children will continue to benefit.” On IMT,  Eze stated that the fund was approved sequel to a presentation by the governing council and management of the institution, which informed the EXCO of the need for the re-accreditation of the courses on the premise that “when a course is accredited, after five years, that course needed re-accreditation”. He maintained the approval was in line with  Ugwuanyi’s interest in ensuring that IMT is repositioned.

    His words: “You will recall that since the inception of this administration, His Excellency has invested so much in IMT because he believes that IMT is the prime institution in this state and that he has to do whatever it takes to make sure that he brings IMT back to its former glory. “You will also recall that last year about N1 billion was invested in infrastructural development. He also released funds earlier for the accreditation but because accreditation is a continuous process, as the programmes expire, a re-accreditation is expected. This is why, His Excellency, at the State Executive Council’s meeting, saw it as very important to ensure that courses are re-accredited in IMT”.

    In her briefing, the Commissioner for Gender Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Princess Peace Nnaji, stated that the state government approved the establishment of 12 courts (lower and high courts) to deal with issues that concern the implementation of the Child Rights Law. Princess Nnaji added that the council also approved the appointment and inauguration of formidable men of integrity in Enugu State as members of a committee that will drive cases that are related to adoption and fostering in Enugu State, in the newly approved courts.

    She further revealed that the present administration, through the Committee on Adoption and Fostering headed by Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, has recorded tremendous achievements in curtailing the excesses of child trafficking, illegal adoption and baby factory, saying: “Before the governor of Enugu State came into office as governor, issue of child/baby factory was everywhere in the state”.

    The gender affairs commissioner said the governor through the council has equally approved that “we will have meeting with all the hospitals in Enugu State to make sure that they key into what we are doing” under the Corporate Social Responsibility Act. She pointed out that the adoption committee through the instrument of the government was “able to stop the nefarious activities that were going-on at the New Artisan Market, Enugu, where children are being trafficked, sold and engaged in prostitution”, stating that her ministry is working with the Ministry of Education to organise seminars and workshops to talk to teenage girls in secondary schools against lesbianism, prostitution, pornography, etc.

  • Enugu govt bans unapproved speed breakers on roads

    THE Enugu State government has banned the unauthorised and indiscriminate erection of speed breakers, popularly known as bumps, on  asphalted roads across the state. The ban was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Gabriel Ajah.

    The state government stated that illegal speed breakers constitute devastating damage to the roads, adding that the practice in some cases leads to road accidents. The statement referred to the unfortunate accident that involved the state fire service truck on a distress call, which fell into a drainage while manoeuvring over a bump along Obioma Road, in Udi Local Government Area.

    Read also: Enugu govt approves recruitment of additional 1,500 teachers

    The government, therefore, called on people  and communities involved in the erection of the bumps to liaise with the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to have them removed before the end of May. It added that “henceforth, any installation of road bumps/speed breakers must be done with the approval of all relevant authorities.”

  • Public servants on surveillance over corruption – Enugu govt

    Public servants on surveillance over corruption – Enugu govt

    Enugu State Government said on Saturday public servants in the state are under surveillance due to high level corruption in the service.

    Therefore, the State Executive Council had vowed to dismiss and prosecute corrupt workers in the state.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbuagu Anikwe, stated this in Enugu while briefing journalists on the outcome of the council meeting held on Friday evening.

    Anikwe said the council took the decision frauds were unearthed among workers in the Post Primary School Education Management Board (PPSMB).

    “Government through its anti- corruption measures has discovered another set of fraud relating to issues of ghost workers in PPSMB.

    “The Chairman of the board, Mr. Nestor Ezeme, had three months ago obtained the leave of the council to pay salaries directly to workers after which he had a leftover of N7 million in the first month.

    “He thought it was an oversight and that those not paid would come to claim the sum but it continued for three months,” the commissioner said.

    He said the unclaimed N21 million saved in the last three months had been returned to the state treasury.

    NAN

     

  • Bailout: Between Enugu govt and ICPC

    Recently, some newspapers reported on the alleged mismanagement of the bailout fund given to 27 states by the federal government. The reports purportedly emanating from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), alleged that Enugu State government utilised N6 billion out of the N10.2 billion bailout fund collected last November to settle domestic debts, thus leaving staff salaries and emoluments unpaid.

    Expectedly, some of affected state governments have denied the allegation putting the ICPC on the spot. While it is not impossible that some state governments may have mismanaged or diverted parts of the fund for other purposes, it is also a fact that some states have utilised theirs for the purpose it was meant for – which is settling outstanding workers’ salaries and emoluments.

    From the referenced ICPC report on Enugu State government’s use of the bailout fund, it is obvious that the ICPC did not find out from the workers in the state on when last they were paid salaries before arriving at its conclusion. It is expected that in the process of investigating on how states disbursed the bailout funds, ICPC would have at least approached the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to get all the necessary documents submitted by the beneficiary states which was part of the conditions before the funds were released to them by the apex bank. If it had, ICPC in their reports would have been more accurate and precise on how much were requested by the states and how much were given to them and when. This is in order to avoid being speculative and mischievous as the case of Enugu State alleged to have collected N10.2 billion.

    The Enugu State government through its Secretary to the State Government, Elder Gabriel Ajah, and the state chapter of the Organized Labour in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Virginus C, Nwobodo, chairman, NLC; Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe, chairman, TUC/JPSNC and Comrade Theo. O. Obasiani, secretary, JPSNC have refuted the claim saying that contrary to the figures bandied in the ICPC report, the state actually collected the sum of N4,207,000,000.00.

    Understandably, the workers in the state comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JPSNC) have described the allegation by the ICPC as false and misleading and a deliberate attempt to instigate workers and good people of Enugu State against the state government as well as tarnish the good image of the state.

    The workers their joint statement averred that “the Organised Labour in Enugu State is seriously embarrassed by the false, unfounded and malicious publication purported to have emanated from the office of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).” It explained that “a committee comprising labour and government was set up to verify, monitor and disburse the funds to the beneficiaries, adding that as at the time referred to by the newspaper publication of February 29, over 60% of the fund has been disbursed to the beneficiaries while the verification and disbursement exercise will continue till May 31, as some of the beneficiaries (pensioners) are yet to show up for verification.

    While expressing satisfaction with the management of the N4.207 billion bailout fund for payment of arrears of pensions and salaries, the Labour noted that it will continue to partner the state government for good governance and sustainable development of the state.

    Of course, since coming into office, Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has made workers’ welfare his government’s topmost priority. Given the character of the state as a civil servant state, his government has not only ensured that workers got their due, but has also carried them along in his developmental initiatives. This has been attested to by the leadership of the workers in the state and the national level.

    Indeed, during a fact-finding mission in the state towards the end of last year, President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama alongside other labour activists could not hold their joy over the state government’s responsiveness and commitment to the workers‘ needs and welfare in the government’s policy thrust of ensuring transformed lives of the entire Enugu people.

    Speaking during the mission, NLC president, Wabba said: “I(  think in this country we are beginning to have leaders at the helm ( of affairs that are truly leaders. I strongly believe( that Enugu State is a lucky state. You have shown us that workers in your state are partners in progress, not slaves”.

    Speaking at this year’s Workers’( New Year Prayer session, Governor Ugwuanyi said: “We will continue to pay salaries. It is( only when we pay salaries that we can activate the economy of the state. This is because Enugu State is more of a civil service state. Enugu State TUC chairman, Chukwuma Igbokwe also on the occasion said: “Even when some ( states are having issues with the bailout fund, Ugwuanyi made sure(  we are involved in the management and disbursement of the fund to the extent that civil servants whose salaries and allowances were being( owed were paid…On the issue of arrears of the absorbed workers, we also approached him and we reached agreement. He has ( never promised the workers and failed them.”

    With such overwhelming testimonies and confessions about Ugwuanyi-led government’s responsiveness and commitment to their welfare since coming into office, the question is where did the ICPC’s report of alleged mismanagement of the state bailout emanate from. Was it a case of Biblical voice of Jacob and hand of Esau? Why did the ICPC choose to play to the gallery rather do their investigation on the bailout fund thoroughly? Is it a case of being used to do a dirty job against the state government? If not, why has ICPC remained silent in the face of the strong and obvious denial by the Enugu State government and Organized Labour in the state? Nigerians know that ICPC’s silence is not golden; it is suspicious and misleading. Again, if truly the reports were investigated and compiled by the ICPC and Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) as claimed by the ICPC, why hasn’t the leadership of the NLC substantiated or authenticated the reports?

    It is a known fact that most anti-graft agencies in the country including the ICPC abandoned their constitutional responsibilities in the past. Some have just suddenly woken up from slumber since the inception of the present APC-led administration. Nonetheless, it is very important for due diligence to be followed and professionalism to be exhibited in investigating sensitive a issue like the disbursement of states’ bailout fund. This is to avoid misleading the public and instigating the workers against their state governments.

    It is on record that since Ugwuanyi came into office, Enugu workers have not embarked on or threatened to embark on strike over issues of salaries or arrears. It is also indisputable that Enugu is one of the states with the least bailout fund with N4.207 billion out of the N32( billion requested for. The implication is that the state workers are the probably the best bailed out given the precarious financial situation facing workers across the country today. Anyone with contrary information should provide it with incontrovertible evidence and not misleading reports as we have seen from the ICPC.

     

    • Mrs. Ugwuada, a retired civil servant wrote from Nkanu, Enugu State.
  • Rangers seek N150m from Enugu Govt

    Rangers seek N150m from Enugu Govt

    •Play 1-1 in last friendly with Delta Force

    Top officials of Enugu Rangers have met with the Governor of the state, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the fourth time since his election as the number one citizen of the state to press home the Flying Antelopes matters and also appealled for the release of N150million to prosecute the club’s activities in the league this season.

    Rangers are still in the hunt for their first title since 1984 when they last won the league and to make this a reality this season under Governor Ugwuanyi, the club’s General Manager, Paul Chibuzor Ozor and some board members with the club’s secretary, the State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Charles Ndukwe and few others had a fruitful meeting with the governor on Monday evening.

    SportingLife gathered that Rangers’ officials told the governor that they are in need of cash to pay for the clearance fees of the players they intend using for the season, also to attend to other needs of the club.

    At the end of deliberations, SportingLife was told that the governor promised to release substantial part of the money requested next week but noted that due to the economic recession he won’t be able to pay up the entire N150million to the club alone as other issues need money to be spent on in the state.

    Rangers will play their first game of the season against Kano Pillars.

  • Enugu Government backs creation of Adada State

    Enugu Government backs creation of Adada State

     

    The Enugu State Government said that it is supporting only the creation of Adada State in the South East Zone.

    The government made this position known in Enugu on Friday during the senate public hearing on constitution review.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Amaechi Okolo, who spoke on behalf of government, said that Adada State was the oldest outstanding state creation agitation in the zone.

    Okolo said that Nsukka, which is made up of the Adada State, was the only province in the Eastern Region that had not been accorded state status.

    “To ensure equity and fairness, Enugu State Government enjoins the senate committee to support the creation of one additional state in the south east.

    “In specific terms, Enugu State Government asks for the creation of Adada State.

    “We want to put on record that of all the provinces of the former Eastern Region, it is only Nsukka which constitutes the state in question that has not been given state status.

    “It is the oldest outstanding state agitation in the south east.

    ” As much as we have been deceived with a lot of agitation today, we should also bear in mind that law recognises first among equals and that should be granted the right of place,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the SSG as saying on the issue on Friday.

    Reading the resolutions of the state, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Dave Umahi, said that implementing local government autonomy would be detrimental to the country.

    “Local government is part of the state and should not be divided. The powers of the state government must also not be divided,’’ Umahi said.