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Tag: Enugu State

  • APC will win Enugu in 2019 – Chime

    APC will win Enugu in 2019 – Chime

    Immediate past governor of Enugu State and former leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Sullivan Chime Wednesday made it clear that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would win the 2019 elections in the state.

    He hinged his estimation on the fact that the party PDP was part of history in Enugu State.

    Chime, who spoke to journalists in Enugu, said it was unfortunate that the once vibrant PDP was now dead following the national leadership crisis that engulfed it as well the party’s inability to carry out its constitutional responsibilities for some time now.

    He expressed satisfaction over the defection of notable politicians to the APC in the south east zone of the country, saying he decided to join the party because the PDP has collapsed and could no longer carry them to their desired political destinations.

    The former governor disclosed that before he made the decision to join the APC, he consulted widely, adding that those who were in the position to know about his decision to defect to APC coming Saturday were informed.

    “PDP is now part of history in Enugu State; APC is the only viable national party. PDP is a party without leadership. APC is the party that can take any politician to his or her destination” he stated.

    Chime who reinstated that the PDP was no longer existing, said the party abandoned the rules that guided them hence the need for INEC to de-registered the party.

    He posited that the forthcoming election in Anambra State will teach the PDP a lesson, hinting that the party might not have candidates during the election.

    According to him, the PDP has been murdered and killed, saying because of the collapse of the party, it’s members including founding fathers have no choice than to leave to find better option.

    Shedding more light on why he left the PDP, the former governor said he has a lot of people who have a long way to travel in politics hence the need for him to show them the way.

    Chime further stated that he was happy that at the end of his eight year tenure as governor, representatives of the various zones came to his village to thank him over the way he governed Enugu State.

    He, however, expressed sadness that since he made the decision to join the APC, some people having been making efforts to bring him down through blackmail and falsehood.

    The former governor expressed regrets that the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu allegedly accused him of marginalizing the people of Aninri, his local Government council at an occasion.

    While dismissing the allegation, Chime said it was on record that he appointed some indigenges of Animri as permanent secretaries, adding that some also held various positions when he was governor

     

  • We will break 5 years quarter-finals jinx – Star Plus FC

    We will break 5 years quarter-finals jinx – Star Plus FC

    The Chief Coach of Star Plus FC of Ngwo in Enugu State, Anistar Izuikem, says the club will break their five years quarter-finals jinx in the ongoing 2017 Federation Cup in Enugu.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Enugu that the club had not gone beyond quarter-finals of state’s Federation Cup for five years of its participation.

    Izuikem, who is also the Secretary to Enugu State Grassroots Coaches Association, said that his players had resolved to go beyond the round of eight.

    He said that Federation Cup had not been an easy competition, noting that all the teams had good players who could give even Rangers a run for their money.

    “First of all, I wish to thank the Enugu State Football Association (FA) under the leadership of Chidi Offor-Okenwa for briefing the clubs on the rules and its alterations.

    “We have being briefed on the new rules of the game and was asked to abide by it for easy flow of the game.

    “I encourage club owners and coaches to always attend such seminars or in a situation they cannot make it, to send a representative.

    “The new rules will make the game more interesting rather than the old rules that lead to misunderstanding and fighting,’’ he said.

    Izuikem said that Star Plus had every reason to go all the way to the final as he believed the players were now experienced.

    “We have been making waves in U-13, U-15 and U-17 state league; so, it is time we transformed the performance to the Federation Cup,’’ Izuikem said.

    NAN reports that Purple Krown FC piped El-Nahag FC 1-0 in the first match of the opening day, while Star Plus defeated Flying Angels FC 4-2 on penalties after the regulation time ended goalless.

  • Enugu: Police warn masquerades against recklessness

    The Police Command in Enugu State has warned masquerades and their assistants against assault, molestation and intimidation of Nigerians in the state under whatever guise.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, gave the warning in a statement in Enugu on Monday.

    Amaraizu said that the police would arrest anyone caught committing any offence under the guise of masquerade shows.

    He said that the command had continued to say that people’s rights should not be infringed upon in any show or festivity.

    He advised communities to celebrate their culture and masquerade festivities within the confines of the law.

    “The Police have frowned at the report received concerning the alleged recklessness of some masquerades and their assistants on the issue of assault, molestation and intimidation of good people of the state.

    “Anyone caught committing offence or wrecking havoc on members of the public under the guise of masquerade festivities will be promptly arrested and prosecuted,’’ he said.

    In a related development, the command through its operatives in Nsukka Police Divisional Headquarters has nabbed one of the assistants of Oriokpa Masquerade, Nnamdi Okoro, in Nsukka on March 26.

    Okoro was alleged to have assaulted Mr Ezeugwu Lawrence, which caused him injury on his head at Ugwuoye axis of Nsukka.

    “Okoro is now helping police operatives in their investigation.

    “He will be arraigned properly in court after investigation,’’ the police spokesman said.

  • Enugu: Police assure schools of adequate security

    Enugu: Police assure schools of adequate security

    The Police Command in Enugu State says it will continue to provide adequate security to schools in the state  for the pupils and students to have conducive learning environment.

    The command’s spokesman, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said this in Enugu on Tuesday that the police had put the necessary measures in place for better security services to schools in Enugu.

    Amarizu said that providing security to schools irrespective of their locations in the state was very important, adding that it would make the pupils and students to focus more on their learning activities rather than living in fear.

    He said with the continued security, there would be no need for parents of the students to worry about the safety of their children, noting that this would make parents to have relaxed minds whenever their children were at school.

    According to him, without security in a state, people will always live in fear and teaching and learning cannot go on normally.

    The spokesman said that the police have strong partners with other security agencies so as to work together for the purpose of maintaining peace in the state.

    “We are in strong partnership with other security agencies and the neighborhood association in the communities in the state because the peace of the state must be maintained for people to continue to enjoy their stay and as well continue to sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.

    Amaraizu urged all the schools in the state to always partner with the police for a safe and secure environment.

    He advised he students to be law abiding at all times as well as report any criminal cases around them to the police for necessary actions.

     

  • Enugu sets up consumer protection committee

    Enugu sets up consumer protection committee

    The Enugu State Government has set up a consumer protection committee to check sharp increases in prices of goods and services by traders and service providers.

    Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, disclosed this on Saturday in Enugu, at a meeting with the state executive of Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria.

    Ogbu-Nwobodo said that the committee, which is under his ministry, would enforce relevant consumer protection laws of the state.

    He noted that the committee would also ensure that offenders were punished according to the provisions of the law.

    Consumer Protection Council (CPC)
    Consumer Protection Council (CPC)

     

    The commissioner, however, enjoined petroleum dealers not to engage in any illegal practice.

    “Enugu State Government will sanction any petroleum dealer found short-changing consumers in the state,’’ he said.

    The commissioner urged petroleum dealers to always support the state government by complying with the state laws on weight and measures as well as quality and safety standard of their petroleum products.

    He also reminded them to promptly pay their registration and renewal of business premises fees for 2017 as enshrined in the state law.

    Responding,

    , Chairman of Petroleum Dealers Association, Enugu State chapter, said that the association would leave no stone unturned in supporting the present administration of Enugu State.

  • Four suspects arrested over illegal revenue collection in Enugu

    Four suspects arrested over illegal revenue collection in Enugu

    The Enugu State Police Command has arrested four suspected illegal revenue collectors, who specialised in extortion and terrorising members of the public by disguising as environmental officers in Enugu.

    This was disclosed in a statement by the command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, on Friday in Enugu.

    Amaraizu noted that the suspects were nabbed on Feb. 15 at Upper Chime Avenue axis of Enugu metropolis.

    He said that the operatives of the New Haven Division of the command, through intelligence information, caught the suspects red-handed.

    “The suspects, who gave their names, are helping police operatives of the state’s Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (CIID) in their investigations.

    “The suspects are regretting their nefarious activities.

    “They maintained that they are not Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA) officials but once worked in the agency before they were laid off and that they needed to get life going as they faced economic hard time,’’ he said.

    Amaraizu said that two fake ESWAMA identity cards, two ESWAMA emblems and suspected receipts with ESWAMA inscriptions were recovered from the suspects.

  • Police smash Enugu robbery gang

    Police smash Enugu robbery gang

    The Enugu State Police Command has nabbed a three-man armed robbery gang terrorising residents of Enugu metropolis.

    The command’s spokesman, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, disclosed this in a statement released to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Enugu.

    Amaraizu said that the command’s Anti-Kidnap Unit operatives nabbed the armed robbers following intelligence information.

    He said that the armed robbers were trailed and arrested on Jan. 12 in their hideout in Ogidi in Anambra State.

    “The command has nabbed a notorious armed robbery kingpin identified as one Chinedu Okeke alongside his gang members identified as Onyedikachi Isiuwa and Tochukwu Nwodo.

    “It was gathered that suspects allegedly snatched an Acura MDX Jeep with registration number EKY 642 DJ at gunpoint on Dec. 6, 2016 at Upper Chime Avenue in Enugu and as well stole other valuables.

    “Following intelligence information, suspects were trailed to their hideout at Ogidi in Anambra State where the suspects were nabbed after a gun duel.

    “The gun duel left the suspects fatally injured,’’ he said.

    Amaraizu said that the police operatives also recovered some of the stolen items.

    “The suspects are currently helping the operatives in their investigations in relation to their nefarious activities,’’ he said.

  • 2017: Mbaka advises Buhari

    2017: Mbaka advises Buhari

    Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry in Enugu State has advised President Muhammadu Buhari on leadership in the New Year.

    He gave the advice in Enugu on Saturday in his New Year message at the cross over service to 2017.

    He advised the President to tackle the challenges facing the country, saying “many Nigerians are suffering.

    “Though the President is trying on corruption and security, Nigerians are hungry; they want to see more changes.

    “There is the need to assist businessmen and women in their businesses.”

    He also advised the President to appoint experts who would help him to revive the economy.

    The cleric asked the President to consult Church leaders and eminent men of God
    to advise him and tell him the truth about the economy.

    “We cannot reach him for advice because of the kind of people around him,” he added.

    He then urged Nigerians to be patient and be prayerful “as your sufferings and hardships would be over in 2017.

    “Nigeria is set to be great again,” he stressed.

  • Emehelu confirmed as Enugu chief judge

    Emehelu confirmed as Enugu chief judge

    The Enugu State House of Assembly has confirmed Justice Ngozi Emehelu as the substantive chief judge of the state.

    The confirmation of Emehelu, who had been in an acting capacity for two and half months, was approved on Friday during plenary when she appeared before the legislators.

    The Leader of the House, Chief Ikechukwu Ezugwu, representing Udenu State Constituency, described Emehelu as a woman of integrity with an outstanding character.

    Ezugwu said that the judge had been in the legal profession for 35 years, adding that she had served in several election petitions tribunals due to her impeccable character.

    “She is a woman of integrity with what we know. We have not had any complaint since she was appointed in acting capacity.”

    Ezugwu moved a motion for the legislators to confirm Emehelu as the substantive chief judge.

    The Deputy Leader, Mrs Onyinye Ugwu, representing Enugu South Rural State Constituency, seconded the motion for the confirmation.

    The Speaker, Chief Edward Ubosi, then announced the confirmation of Emehelu as the substantive chief judge of the state, following a voice vote.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Emehelu is expected to be sworn in by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, following the confirmation.

    The appointment of Emehelu followed the sacking of her predecessor, Justice Innocent Umezulike on the recommendation of the National Judicial Commission.

  • ‘Enugu a no go area for criminals’

    ‘Enugu a no go area for criminals’

    The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Douglas Agboleni, has said “Enugu State is still a no go area for criminals’’ and those with ulterior motives.

    Agboleni stated this while speaking with journalists in Enugu on Thursday.

    He promised that the police would ensure that “the state is peaceful and safe’’ for visitors and indigenes coming to spend Christmas and New Year holidays.

    The commissioner further assured that the command would re-double efforts in crime fighting.

    “We are planning seriously for it (yuletide). ‘’Very soon, our operation orders will be out.

    “We intend to improve on whatever had been on the ground before now.

    “We assure members of the public, especially residents of the state, that we will make a difference.

    “Members of the public will see and appreciate our work better.

    “I assure them that we will be fully on duty; on the roads as well as policing all nooks and crannies of the state,’’ he said.

    The command recently reported increased armed banditry along major roads in Nsukka axis of the state.

    Enugu metropolis is not spared as home burglary had also increased, especially when residents of remote areas must have left for their offices and businesses.