The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enugu State

  • Good governance is your right, Osinbajo tells Igbo

    Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has informed the people of the South East that it is their right to obtain good governance and not to beg for it.

    Osinbajo who was on a double barrel mission to Enugu stated on Friday at the commissioning of the campaign office of the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu, Senator Ayogu Eze told the people that governance is for the well-being of the people.

    He said the Muhammadu Buhari led Federal government was committed to the development of the South East whether the people asked for it or not.

    The Vice President cited the 2nd Niger Bridge as one of the projects in the South East and assured that the would be completed as promised by the President.

    He also said that many other ongoing projects in the South-East zone by the Federal government would not suffer abandonment as it is desire of the president to see to their completion.

    “The Federal government will surely deliver its promise to the people of the South East. The contracts of the projects are ongoing. The second Niger Bridge is on course. The Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway and many other roads and projects are on course, the Vice President stressed.

    Read Also: Osinbajo won’t be distracted, says Presidency

    He changed the people to embrace the change mantra being enunciated by the APC by ensuring that they voted for the in the coming elections.

    The standard bearer of the APC in Enugu State, Senator Ayogu Eze who was visibly elated at the presence of the Vice President assured that the party would wrest power from the ruling party in the state, the PDP.

    He dismissed the said endorsement of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi by some Igbo leaders saying that the Igbo never at any time met and discussed it.

    “The said endorsement was a fraud. The Igbos never met to take such decision,” he said.

    Osinbajo left immediately after commissioning the campaign office to attend the book presentation by the immediate past governor of Enugu State, Sullivan Chime.

  • Police begin investigation into killing of 85-year-old woman

    The Enugu State Police Command has began investigation into the alleged killing of an 85-year-old woman by her son at  Eziokwu Amurri community of Nkanu West Local Government Area.

    The command’s spokesman, Superintendent  Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement in Enugu on Thursday that the incident happened on Nov. 17.

    According to the statement, the suspect’s name is Emeka Pius, 50.

    The police said that Pius hacked down Ma Helen .

    “After the incident was reported,  police operatives from the Nkanu West Division of the Command promptly rushed to the scene and  found the victim lying in a pool of blood with injuries.

    Read Also: Teenager kidnapped in Enugu found in Niger

    “The suspect was promptly arrested by police operatives who also rushed the victim to Agbani District Hospital for medical attention and doctors on duty confirmed her dead,’’ he said.

    According to him, the corpse of Ma Helen is now deposited at the Agbani District Hospital for post-mortem examination while investigation has commenced fully on the matter.

    Amaraizu said that the  suspect had been helping police operatives in their investigation.

     

    NAN

  • Father, son arraigned over alleged assault of neighbour

    A 60-year-old man, Sunday Okeke and his son, Ebere, 33, were on Wednesday arraigned in  an Enugu Magistrates’ Court for allegedly assaulting a neighbour, Edmond Emeka.
    The defendants, who reside at Enugu East Local Government Area, were arraigned on a two-count charge of conspiracy and assault, offences they denied committing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Matthew Opara, told the court that the matter was reported at the Enugu State Police Command on Sept. 23, by Emeka, the complainant.
    Opara said the complainant alleged that the defendants attacked him and inflicted injuries on him because he reported them to the police at Aninri, for extending their septic tank into his land.
    When the matter came up for hearing, the younger Okeke, told the court that the police obtained a statement from him under duress.
    He denied conspiring with his father to beat up the complainant, alleging that it was Emeka that destroyed their property , a shop, which the family depended on for survival.
    Counsel to the defendants, Mr A. Aneke, said that it was wrong for the prosecutor to place his client on trial after their objection to the admissibility of the purported statement tendered as exhibit by prosecution.
    However, the prosecutor denied the allegation that the statement obtained from the defendants was by duress and urged the court to continue with the matter.
    The magistrate, Mr J. Umezurike, said it was important to ascertain if really the defendant made his statement under duress.
    He adjourned the matter until Nov. 28 for continuation of hearing

    NAN

  • 2019: Senior staff association sues for restraint

    Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government Owned Companies (SSASCGOC) rose from its meeting in Enugu State with a call on politicians to exercise restraint as the 2019 electioneering period approaches.

    The association said it was of the view that no human life is worth losing in the quest for power.

    In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the association advised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain unbiased ‎as the umpire and ensure that the general elections were free, fair and credible.

    The communique signed by the national president, Comrade Muhammad Yunusa and the secretary, Comrade Ayo Olorunfemi also commended government’s efforts in fighting insecurity and criminality in the country.

    It, however, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to combat “the nefarious acts of herdsmen, kidnapping and Boko Haram insurgency in the country “.

    It frowned at the non-payment of workers’ salaries in the states despite the release of bailout funds and Paris Club refunds to them.
    ‎
    “We hereby call on state governments to as a matter of urgency pay salaries owed workers in order to ameliorate the sufferings and hardship being experienced by workers” the association demanded.

    The communique further states: “The NEC in session noted clearly that the present National Minimum wage has been eroded with the current inflation in the country. We hereby call on the government to immediately forward a Bill to the National Assembly on the proposed new minimum wage so as to ameliorate the economic hardship workers have been made to go through.

    “The NEC in session noted with dismay how government at all levels had abandoned the provision of potable drinking water for her citizens, we hereby call on governments to as a matter of urgency begin to resuscitate moribund water distribution networks in the country and fund the Water Corporations in the states.

    “The current poverty in the country is alarming and the need to curb this cannot be over emphasized. We call on governments at all levels to consciously create economic policies that will genuinely alleviate poverty in the land”.

  • Enugu APC chairman escapes assassination

    The Enugu state chairman of the All Progressives Congress ( APC), Dr. Ben Nwoye, escaped death by whiskers in the early hours of Saturday, as heavily armed suspected assassins invaded his Enugu residence.

    According to Nwoye, the hoodlums, who gained entrance into the compound at about 2:15 am,  shot one of the police officers attached to him, Mr. Gerald Eke, on the head, and took away his official riffle.

    The officer, who hails from Nsukka, Enugu state, is currently on admission at the Federal Orthopedic Hospital Enugu.

  • Police arrest man for claiming to be a lawyer

    The Police in Enugu State have arrested a man, Festus Ozonwanji, for allegedly claiming to be a lawyer in court.

    Police also said that the operatives recovered a seal believed to be that of the Nigerian Bar Association and other legal documents from the suspect.

    SP Ebere Amaraizu, the state Police Public Relations Officer, said in a statement on Saturday in Enugu that the suspect was arrested on Oct. 11.

    Read Also: Police nab 16 suspected kidnappers in Ankpa

    Amaraizu said that the suspect was arrested by the Legal Department of the Enugu State Police Command through intelligence information.

    “He was arrested having allegedly presented himself as a legal practitioner at a court in Ezeagu Local Government Area.

    “However, the suspect later denied being a legal practitioner on interrogation, saying that that he just graduated from the law faculty of the National Open University of Nigeria and he has been acting as a legal practitioner’’, Amaraizu said.

    NAN

  • SDP holds primaries in Enugu

    The Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Saturday held a peaceful and hitch free primaries to elect candidates that would fly the party’s flag in the 2019 general elections in Enugu State.

    The primaries saw to the emergence of three senatorial candidates for the three senatorial zones of the state, the eight House of Representatives as well as the twenty four candidates for the Enugu State House of Assembly.

    The senatorial candidates are Felix Ukwu for Enugu East, Philomena Agu, Enugu West, while Eze Mark Eze is for Enugu North Senatorial Zone.

    Others are the House of Representatives candidates among whom include Rev. Madueke Jonas for Aninri/Awgu, Oji River Federal Constituency; Mrs Lydia Ogbu, Enugu North/Enugu South; Peter Icha, Isi-Uzo/Enugu East, among others.

    Read Also: Gemade dumps PDP again for SDP

    Speaking at the occasion witnessed by INEC officials, Enugu State chairman of the party, Barr. John Nwobodo said that with the calibre of candidates they have, SDP would sweep over the whole state come 2019.

    “We have presented men and women of honour and credibility.  We shall take over Enugu State, from the House of Assembly to the Senate,” he said.

    All the candidates were elected unopposed but were however a voice vote for affirmation was done by the electoral panel that superintended the election.

    Meanwhile, for the governorship candidates of the party, their election would be done at a later date.

  • It’s not easy to run against Ugwuanyi – Lawmaker

    Member representing Nsukka/Igbo Eze South Federal Constituency of Enugu State, Hon. Pat Asadu has said that it would be an uphill task for any candidate to run against Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in the forthcoming 2019 governorship election in Enugu.

    Asadu, who is aspiring to return to the Green Chambers for the 4th tenure, told journalists in Enugu that Gov. Ugwuanyi’s style of leadership has made Enugu State a one party state and therefore impregnable for any candidate from the opposition to dislodge him.

    “Anybody running against Governor Ugwuanyi will not have an easy ride.  Ugwuanyi has made Enugu State a one party state,” Asadu said.

    Asadu said that the only thing that could stop Ugwuanyi from returning to the Lion Building come 2019 is only if the Federal Government should plant bomb everywhere on the election day.

    “Unless APC plants bomb everywhere, PDP must win in Enugu State,” he said.

    He posited that the way Ugwuanyi has been using scarce resources to affect the lives of Enugu people, he has endeared himself to the people, saying that even the opposition have nothing against Gov. Ugwuanyi.

    Read Also: More support for Ugwuanyi ahead 2019

    Speaking about himself and his ambition to retain his seat come 2019, Asadu said that he was relying on God and his people’s support to win, adding that it is wrong for some people to carry placards that he should not run.

    “If anybody is complaining, he makes me bigger.  It is not fair that people should carry placards to say that somebody should not run.

    “I am holding on to my people for my reelection.  I am counting on God’s support, not man’s support.  As long as my people are with me, I have no fear of winning, ” he said.

    Asadu, a medical doctor, who believed that he has delivered enough democracy dividends to his people,  said that he would return to his medical practice when he has finished serving his people, saying that he had always been practicing medicine in the rural communities before he went into active politics.

    The lawmaker however regretted that the national assembly had on three occasions passed the Electoral Act but unfortunately, the presidency rejected it thrice may be because of the forthcoming 2019 elections.

    He explained that why it appears the Igbo representatives at national assembly seem not to be representing their people effectively is because they are outnumbered as the South East have 43 representatives out of the 360.

  • 2019: Groups endorse Ugwuanyi, laud his strides

    From their early morning workouts at the popular Michael Okpara Square, Independence Layout, Enugu, jubilant fitness enthusiasts on Saturday paid a solidarity visit to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, in support of his re-election in 2019.

    The sporty, bubbling Enugu residents who trooped to the Lion Building in two groups – Coal City Fitness Exclusive Club and Coal City Keep Fit Club Enugu – commended Governor Ugwuanyi for entrenching peace, security and good governance in the state.

    They said that the governor has transformed Enugu State for the better through various people-oriented programmes in the areas of infrastructural development, healthcare delivery, education, security, agriculture and human capital development, among others, stressing that they will continue to “show loyalty and support to our amiable governor”.

    The groups noted that the reconstructed historic Milliken Hill Road, Ngwo, Enugu as well as the recent proposed intervention on the abandoned International Conference Centre and the Hotel Presidential Enugu, respectively, were among the “eloquent testimonies to what Enugu State would look like after his completion of eight years in office”.

    Speaking on behalf of the Coal City Fitness Exclusive Club, Mr. Obiora Okereke said: “I live in Asata area of Enugu. We are no more going to the Parklane Hospital. Poly Clinic, which has been rehabilitated by the governor, is a testimony to his good work.

    “Are we talking about the security we have found in Enugu State today? There is no car snatching anymore, no robbery anymore. If you look, there is no act of cultism in our schools, courtesy of this man’s style of governance”.

    Read Also: Ugwuanyi to include more women in cabinet

    Mr. Okereke equally applauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for his administration’s programmes in agriculture and human capital development, among others, saying: “What we came here to do is to thank him for what he is doing in Enugu State”.

    Chief Frank Anioma, the spokesperson of the second group, lauded the governor for his grassroots development programmes that impact positively on the lives of the rural dwellers, and for allowing them to use the Okpara Square for their daily exercise.

    Chief Anioma reassured the governor that they will not only support his re-election, but will also campaign vigorously for him in various places of their gathering to ensure that he emerges victorious in 2019.

    They collectively requested for the involvement of more of their members in the governance of the state, which received an express approval from the governor, amid loud ovation.

  • UNN student dies in auto crash

    Students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka ( UNN ) Enugu state were thrown into mourning on Thursday morning following the death of a second year student of Mass Communication.

    Judith Okeke died in a road accident on her way to Lagos from the Institution.

    Details about the accident were sketchy at press time, but it was learnt that the late Judith was traveling in a passenger bus.

    Read Also: OAU suspends six students for cultism

    Her course mates were shocked on learning about her death.

    It was gathered that the remains of the late Judith were still being prepared for burial at the time of this report.