The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enugu State

  • Charcoal dealers cry over low patronage in Enugu

    Charcoal dealers cry over low patronage in Enugu

    Charcoal dealers in Enugu State are crying over low patronage due to  availability of kerosene and cooking gas in the state, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Some of the dealers told NAN in Enugu on Thursday that their businesses have been paralysed for some time, since kerosene and cooking gas became available in the market.

    NAN reports that a bag of charcoal which rose to as high as N6, 500 earlier in the year, now cost between N2, 800 and N2, 200 depending on the quality.

    Mrs Adaora Onyeje, a charcoal seller at Amaichi Junction, noted that since the boom in sales between February and June, the business has now virtually collapse, as “all of a sudden, the demand declined to an unimaginable level.”

    Mr Ikechukwu Obioma, also a charcoal seller, said: “People hardly come to buy the product these days, because they now prefer cooking with kerosene, electric stoves and gas.”

    Another trader at Achara Layout, Mr Munachi Onuora, said it was now difficult to sell up to six cellophane bags of charcoal a day.

    A student, Miss Maria Nwankwo, expressed happiness over the availability of kerosene, saying it was cleaner to use, as charcoal sometimes fail to be active.

  • Police trail ‘one-chance’ tricycle, taxi cab operators in Enugu

    Police trail ‘one-chance’ tricycle, taxi cab operators in Enugu

    The  Police Command in Enugu State says it is trailing hoodlums masquerading themselves as commercial tricycles and taxi cabs operators to commit heinous crimes in the state.

    The command’s Spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said this in a statement in Enugu on Wednesday.

    According to Amaraizu, plain cloth detectives have been detailed to trail, arrest the tricycle and taxi cab operators, popularly called “one-chance” in the state.

    Amaraizu said that some of the operators had resorted to using the antics of being tricycle and taxi passengers to dispossess people, especially women, of their valuables.

    He advised members of the public to be wary of the antics of the hoodlums who also masqueraded as tricycle operators, otherwise known as Keke NAPEP.

    “The command is also advising members of the public to be security conscious.

    “Please, report promptly to the command through its distress call lines: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 and 08098880172.

    “You can also get us on our social media platforms of @PoliceNG_Enugu, for twitter; Nigeriapoliceforceenugustatecommand for Facebook, about any threat to peace and security in your environment or any suspicious movement and happening around you,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Enugu trains personnel to fight child abuse

    Enugu trains personnel to fight child abuse

    Enugu State has stepped up its war against child abuse with the training of social workers in the state Ministry of Gender Affairs to help contain the vice.

    At the training session in Enugu, the national president of African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN), Professor Peter Ebigbo described the recent signing into law of the Child Rights Act in the state as a clear manifestation of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s interest in the welfare of vulnerable persons.

    The workshop was organised by the state Ministry of Gender Affairs and Social Development for the welfare officers in charge of the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

    Ebigbo said, “History was made in Enugu State when the child rights law was passed. The governor of Enugu State deserves accolades for this incredibly comprehensive child protection instrument in the state.”

    He said the administration’s sensitivity to the general upkeep of the society, including children, necessitated the appointment of credible stakeholders into the Fostering and Adoption Committee that swung into action to sanitise the system and rid the state of baby factory syndrome.

    He thanked the state Ministry of Gender Affairs for its giant strides and urged the participants to avail themselves of this opportunity towards rendering selfless service to the people.

    The chairman of the state committee who is also the Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma paid glowing tribute to Governor Ugwuanyi for his positive approach to the issue of child rights and welfare in the state.

    “As the chairman, Fostering and Adoption Committee in Enugu State, I will say that Governor Ugwuanyi has done well in the area of child’s welfare. He provided all we needed; logistics, security, money, support that made us to continue combing all the nooks and cranny of Enugu State to ensure that there is no baby factory or illegal adoption in the state.

    “The system has been sanitised based on His Excellency’s magnanimity,” the Anglican cleric said.

    Speaking on the occasion, Governor Ugwuanyi reiterated his administration’s unflinching commitment to implementing and sustaining gender-friendly policies, especially as they related to the protection and empowerment of women and children in the state.

    The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Gabriel Ajah, stated that the “government has demonstrated commitment to the implementation and sustenance of gender-friendly policies in the state especially as it concern the protection and empowerment of women and children in the state.

    “This programme is designed to improve the capacity of the participants, that is, the social welfare officers in the state to discharge their functions in this regard more effectively and to satisfaction and sustainable benefits of the society”, he stated.

    He commended the Gender Affairs Ministry and other stakeholders for their success and urged them not to relent.

  • Enugu: Over 5,000 security personnel for Nov. 4 LG Polls – Danmalam

    Enugu: Over 5,000 security personnel for Nov. 4 LG Polls – Danmalam

    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Danmalam, has said that over 5,000 security personnel will be deployed for the Enugu State Local Government polls on Nov. 4.

    He said that the personnel would be drawn from the various security agencies working in the state.

    Danmalam made this known in Enugu on Tuesday that the poll would witness massive vehicular logistics as the security agencies would pull their logistics resources together for the exercise.

    Danmalam said that both armed and plain-clothed officers and men from various security agencies would provide needed security before, during and after the election.

    According to him, the harmonised joint operation for the council poll shows the level of co-operation and synergy among various security agencies in the state.

    “No security agency will be left out in the security duty for the council poll as we have jointly mapped out strategies on how to provide effective policing and security for the election,’’ he said.

    He, however, warned politicians and their followers to abide by the rules of the game, saying that any politician or supporter who contravened the electoral law would be arrested and prosecuted.

    “Yes, let me use this avenue to warn troublemakers to steer clear of Enugu State, especially within the election period.

    “Under my watch, we will not tolerate ballot box snatching, violence and hooliganism from anybody.

    “All forms of violence and intimidation is outlawed in this election,’’ Danmalam said.

    We recall that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission ( ENSIEC ) had fixed Saturday, Nov. 4, for council poll in the state.

    The council poll would be carried out simultaneously for the positions of chairmen and Councillors in the 17 Local Government Areas and 261 political wards in the state.

    Various political parties and ENSIEC had on Thursday signed a peace bond in the presence of the police commissioner at a stakeholders’ parley with the police.

    NAN

  • ‘NSCDC to deploy 300 personnel, others for council election in Enugu’

    ‘NSCDC to deploy 300 personnel, others for council election in Enugu’

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) says it will deploy 300 of its personnel and other plain-cloth officers to ensure hitch-free local government election next Saturday in Enugu state.

    The Commandant of NSCDC, Enugu State Command, Mr Steve Amoga, disclosed this in an interview on Sunday in Enugu.

    NAN report that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission ( ENSIEC ) has fixed Nov. 4 for the conduct of the election in the 17 council areas and 261 political wards of the state.

    The planned exercise is for the chairmanship and councillorship positions.

    Amoga also said that the command would deploy some of its vehicles to be mounted in strategic locations during the exercise.

    He said that personnel of the corps would fortify all ENSIEC offices and collation centres as well as protect the commission’s key personnel.

    “Apart from our deployment; the command will work in synergy with other sister security agencies.

    “Our plain-cloth officers and men will be in all the nooks and crannies of the state to get first hand intelligence report about security development in all parts of the state.

    “NSCDC is also going to ensure that all critical assets for the election are protected and secured before, during and after the council polls,’’ he said.

    The commandant, however, warned trouble makers to stay away from venues of the election adding that the corps would arrest anyone found violating the electoral act, especially on the election day.

    “We are ever ready, the command will not allow anyone or group of individuals cause violence or intimidate law abiding citizens that will come out to exercise their civic responsibility.

    “Residents of the state should come out en masse and vote for the candidate of their choice without fear or favour.

    “Officers and men of the command have been briefed not to allow anybody intimidate anyone try to do any form of manipulation at the polling booths.’’

    Amoga, however, advised those that might stay back to see the vote counted to stay calm and be peaceful within the compulsory 200 metres away from the polling booths specified by the electoral law of the country.

    NAN reports that the Chairman of ENSIEC, Dr Mike Ajogwu (SAN), has assured the people of his commission’s readiness for a successful conduct of the state council polls, come Saturday.

    NAN

  • Police nab undergraduate for impersonation, bank fraud

    Police nab undergraduate for impersonation, bank fraud

    The Enugu State Police Command said it arrested a suspect involved in impersonation of bank customers and beneficiaries of transfers from abroad.

    The Police Command’s Spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement on Sunday, that the 23 year-old suspect was an undergraduate from Amaigbo in Nwangele Local Government Area of Imo.

    According to him, the suspect went to a new generation bank located at Okpara Avenue in Enugu metropolis to cash the sum of 800 U.S. dollars purported to have been sent to him from someone abroad.

    “When he was asked by the bank staff to provide proof of identification, he presented an identity card bearing the name of One Eleng Okpara Peter likely to be the authorised beneficiary.

    “He smartly superimposed his passport photograph on that of the likely beneficiary and presented himself to be Eleng Okpara Peter.

    “When he could no longer establish his innocence, it was obvious that he was trying to withdraw money sent to another person by impersonating the beneficiary,’’ he said.

    According to him, the suspect earlier claimed that the money was sent to him as a gift by a female Facebook friend.

    Investigation further showed that the account number he presented as his belonged to someone else.

    The command advised members of the public to be security conscious and not disclose their bank details and vital personal information to the public.

    NAN

  • LG election: ENSIEC ready for Nov. 4 election – Chairman

    LG election: ENSIEC ready for Nov. 4 election – Chairman

    The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission ( ENSIEC ) says it is set for the Nov. 4 local government election in the state and will use true and certified Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) register for the exercise.

    The Chairman of ENSIEC, Dr Mike Ajogwu (SAN), said this in an interview in Enugu on Sunday.

    He said ENSIEC had fixed the election for Nov. 4, adding that the exercise would take place simultaneously in the 17 council areas and 261 political wards, for the chairmanship and councillorship positions.

    Ajogwu, who said that the commission would not use card readers in the election, assured that it was fully prepared for the exercise.

    He also assured that ENSIEC had concluded all arrangements, including training of permanent and ad-hoc staff for the election.

    According to him, the commission has been interacting with stakeholders in the election with a view to ensuring a hitch-free and successful exercise.

    Ajogwu also assured that all materials for the election are ready and secured; adding that the commission would ensure they were deployed in due time on the D-day.

    “ENSIEC wants to create a level playing field for all the candidates, irrespective of party affiliation.

    “As an unbiased umpire, the commission’s office is always open to receive genuine complaints and make amend, where need be.

    “We try as much as possible to carry everyone along, especially our stakeholders.

    “However, ENSIEC must stick to its rules and guidelines known to all in order to be fair to all.’’

    NAN

  • Enugu releases fund for accreditation of two health institutions – Commissioner

    Enugu releases fund for accreditation of two health institutions – Commissioner

    The Enugu State Government has released an undisclosed sum for the accreditation of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Awgu, and School of Public Health, Nsukka.

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Fintan Ekochin, made this known in an interview on Friday in Enugu.

    Ekochin, who did not disclose the amount released for the accreditation, noted that full activities in the institutions would begin as soon as the accreditation was concluded.

    “The state government is eager to revive the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Awgu that was closed down for some years now due to non-accreditation for resumption and regular academic activities.

    “The non-accreditation has affected the students of the school from advancing academically.

    “Also, the government has provided funding for the construction and refurbishing work at the School of Public Health in Nsukka, to get ready for its accreditation as well,’’ he said.

    According to him, the re-accreditation will enable young people that have decided to be health workers to realise their dreams, get their licences and certifications; thus, becoming breadwinners for their families.

    “The Gov. IfeanyiUgwuanyi of Enugu State is delighted that these two health institutions are coming back to life,’’ he said.

    Ekochin, however, noted that the government was working towards ensuring that the state produced quality manpower to sustain its comprehensive healthcare delivery in the state.

    “The governor is paying great attention to healthcare, especially the free maternal and infant healthcare services currently running in the state.

    “We are planning on how to get the best to ensure that the free maternal and infant healthcare will continue to remain a huge success in the state,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • 850 police personnel, others to engage in fitness exercise in Enugu

    850 police personnel, others to engage in fitness exercise in Enugu

    The Police Command in Enugu State said about 850 of its personnel, personnel of sister security agencies as well as staff of corporate bodies would on Oct.21 engage in monthly  fitness exercise.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Enugu.

    Amariazu, a Superintendent of Police, said the October monthly edition of the sporting exercise was tagged “Jog/Walk for Life and Agility’’.

    He, therefore, urged members of the public not panic as the exercise would command large turnout of able-bodied men and women.

    He said those involved in the exercise would pass through major roads and routes within Enugu metropolis.

    “The Command will on Saturday, Oct. 21, hold its October monthly edition of the sporting exercise tagged: “Jog/Walk for Life and Agility’’.

    “The exercise is packaged to foster unity between the command and its publics and to promote physical and mental well being of participants.

    “During the period of the exercise, participants which include officers and men from among the police, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders, would jog and walk together.

    “Participants would take-off from the command headquarters passing through designated streets and roads in Enugu metropolis.

    “The exercise will terminate at the Superior Police Officers Mess field for further cooling down and warming down exercises,’’ he said.

    Amaraizu, who doubles as Sports Officer of the command, urged motorists and other members of the public to be guided by the information.

    NAN

  • Monkeypox: Ministry appeals to parents to return wards to school

    Monkeypox: Ministry appeals to parents to return wards to school

    Enugu State Ministry of Education has appealed to parents to send their wards back to school, assuring them that no unapproved activities were carried out in any school.

    The state commissioner for Education, Prof. Uche Eze, gave the assurance in a signed statement issued in Enugu on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on Wednesday, virtually all schools in South East abruptly suspended academic activities over an unconfirmed rumour of vaccination being administered on pupils in primary schools by soldiers.

    It was alleged that some military personnel were forcing people to engage in a free medical vaccination and were been injected with Monkeypox virus.

                 Read Also: Monkeypox: Transmission, symptoms, Prevention

    NAN reports that parents in the state especially in Enugu metropolis quickly withdrew their children and wards from schools as early as 10 a.m. that fateful day.

    While some schools which gates were locked with a padlock, were forcefully opened, some of them had their gates damaged due to the stampede to get the children out from schools.

    But Eze said that his ministry’s investigation revealed that the Monkeypox news had been found out to be untrue and unfounded.

    “We are appealing to parents to do the needful by sending their wards and children back to school.

    “The ministry had taken appropriate pro-active steps to ensure that our schools are safe and no unauthorized and unapproved activities are carried out in any school in the state.

    “The ministry had strengthened its supervisory and monitoring units with more hands as well as given them additional mandates in order to keep a close eye on schools especially on activities on-going in and round schools,’’ he assured.

    NAN reports that since Wednesday, after the unfounded Monkeypox rumour incident, school attendance has dropped slightly in the state.