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Tag: Enugu State

  • The Second Term: Ugwuanyi to build on laid foundation

    The Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was sworn-in for a second term alongside his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo on May 29, 2019.

    Ugwuanyi, whose journey to the Lion Building formally commenced in 2014, following his unanimous endorsement as the consensus candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has remained grateful to God and also to the people of the state for their show of love, solidarity and support. Ugwuanyi, who later won the 2015 governorship election with a landslide, became the most popular political leader in the history of Enugu State.

    Consequently, he was sworn in as the third Executive Governor of Enugu State on May 29, 2015, when the nation’s economy was in recession and confronted with other economic challenges occasioned by the drastic drop in the crude oil prices in the international market. These economic adversities affected allocations to states from the federation account.

    More worrisome was that Enugu State was among the worst hit, considering its position as third from the bottom of the revenue allocation chart and predominantly a civil service state with high expectations for rapid socio-economic expansion in view of its enviable status as the historical capital of the Eastern Region, old Anambra State and old Enugu State.

    The governor was also faced with sundry issues of inherited debt profile and other huge wage bills to be serviced as well as management of the political space in the state, considering that his party, the PDP, lost power at the national level after 16 years. All these challenges were a source of worry, which required drastic approach and a clear-cut intervention to move the state forward.

    The governor, being a God-fearing leader, team player, bridge builder, peace-maker, finance management expert, consummate politician and visionary leader, remained undaunted and committed to the speedy actualisation of his administration’s well-thought-out programmes for the people of the state, as contained in its four-point agenda.

    The governor’s antecedents as a three-term member of the House of Representatives and two-term Chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transport as well as former Chief Executive Officer of Premier Brokers Limited – a prime insurance broking firm in the Southeast geo-political zone, owned by the five states of the zone and African Continental Bank (ACB) – also strengthened his courage to successfully guide the state through the economic crunch.

    For instance, Gov. Ugwuanyi in his 2015 inaugural address stated that the economic melt-down then was “another great opportunity for Enugu State and indeed Nigeria to look inwards and harness those potentials which free oil money has blinded us from exploiting,” resting his faith in God’s miracle of five loaves and two fish.

    Besides the nation’s economic challenges, the governor expressed gratitude to God for the grace to “take up the gauntlet of the struggle for the emancipation of the Wawa man from where our heroes past stopped”, saying: “It can only be God, for it is He who raises the poor from the ash heap and makes him to inherit a throne of honour”.

    In actualising these inspirational visions,  Gov. Ugwuanyi recommitted himself to his four-point agenda to take Enugu State to the next level and promised that his administration will “deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth, educate our children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment”.

    Four years down the line, one is glad to state with great honour that Gov. Ugwuanyi, through his new ethos of leadership, anchored on peace and good governance, has religiously and effectively delivered on these promises. He has remained committed to the principles of transparency, accountability, due process and prudent management of the state’s lean resources.

    He has, through his administration’s adherence to fiscal discipline, peace and grassroots development initiatives, successfully delivered democracy dividends to the doorsteps of the people of Enugu State.

    He has, through his administration’s rural development policy, one-community-one-project initiative and a great deal of passion for the wellbeing of the masses, remembered the long-neglected communities in the state in line with his firm belief that the greatest objective of government is to alleviate the suffering of the people. His government has also made a veritable mark in all other sectors of development, which have impacted the lives of the people positively.

    While workers’ salaries and pensions are paid regularly with or without receipt of statutory allocations from the federation account – even at the time 27 states could not pay – the 13th month salary was also extended to them as Christmas bonus.

    On road construction and rehabilitation, the Ugwuanyi administration has covered about 400 kilometres, spread across the state with signature projects such as the remodeled ancient, historic and undulating Milliken Hill road – a tourist attraction and state’s natural roller coaster; the Opi-Nsukka dual carriageway; the Ebonyi River Bridge, Ikem; the Udenu Ring road; Iva Valley road, Enugu. Others include the Nkalagu-Eha Amufu road, neglected for over 35 years and the Amurri road in Nkanu West Local Government Area constructed for a hitherto neglected community that has not experienced any form of government development on its land in the past 100 years, etc.

    The state government’s infrastructural revolution has been unprecedented and indeed recorded a huge success in expanding development to the frontiers of the rural areas.

    Recently, Enugu State was rated by the World Bank Group as the second most advanced state in Nigeria towards the frontier of global good practices with regards to Ease of Doing Business. Through the impressive increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile, as a result of far reaching reforms introduced in the sector by the governor, Enugu State has remained on top as one of the few states in the country that can survive without allocations from the federation account, among other outstanding ratings.

    Other areas the governor has left visible impact include the monthly traders’ empowerment scheme, in which 3,600 genuine traders of the state have so far been empowered with the sum of N50, 000 each, to grow their various businesses; the empowerment of over 750 youths in skills acquisition under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme; the engagement of over 2000 youths to clean up the state under the Enugu Clean Team Project; recruitment of over 4000 primary and secondary schools teachers, with additional 1,500 for primary education among others.

    In view of these, which represent just a tip of the iceberg of the great achievements recorded so far by the Ugwuanyi’s administration, the good news about his second term inauguration is that the governor, through the details of the 2019 budget and his post-election actions has displayed renewed vigor and firm commitment to continue and consolidate on the solid foundation laid in the last four years.

    It is therefore, expected of the people of Enugu State to continue to pray for the governor and give him the usual maximum support and cooperation to take the state to greater heights. This is in line with the dreams of the founding fathers for Enugu State is truly in hands of God.

    • Amoke writes from Enugu

  • Second Term: Ugwuanyi set to build on laid foundation

    On May 29, the re-elected Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, will be sworn-in for a second term alongside his deputy, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo.

    The event, which renews the governor’s mandate to continue with his sound vision for the state and consolidate on the solid foundation laid by his people-oriented administration in the last four years, calls for celebration and thanksgiving to God.

    Ugwuanyi, whose journey to the Lion Building formally commenced in 2014, following his unanimous endorsement as the consensus candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has remained grateful to God and also to the people of the state for their show of love, solidarity and support. Ugwuanyi, who later won the 2015 governorship election with a landslide, became the most popular political leader in the history of Enugu State.

    Consequently, he was sworn in as the third Executive Governor of Enugu State on May 29, 2015, when the nation’s economy was in recession and confronted with other economic challenges occasioned by the drastic drop in the crude oil prices in the international market. These economic adversities affected allocations to states from the federation account.

    More worrisome was that Enugu State was among the worst hit, considering its position as third from the bottom of the revenue allocation chart and predominantly a civil service state with high expectations for rapid socio-economic expansion in view of its enviable status as the historical capital of the Eastern Region, old Anambra State and old Enugu State.

    The governor was also faced with sundry issues of inherited debt profile and other huge wage bills to be serviced as well as management of the political space in the state, considering that his party, the PDP, lost power at the national level after 16 years. All these challenges were a source of worry, which required drastic approach and a clear-cut intervention to move the state forward.

    The governor, being a God-fearing leader, team player, bridge builder, peace-maker, finance management expert, consummate politician and visionary leader, remained undaunted and committed to the speedy actualisation of his administration’s well-thought-out programmes for the people of the state, as contained in its four-point agenda.

    The governor’s antecedents as a three-term member of the House of Representatives and two-term Chairman of the House Committee on Marine Transport as well as former Chief Executive Officer of Premier Brokers Limited – a prime insurance broking firm in the Southeast geo-political zone, owned by the five states of the zone and African Continental Bank (ACB) – also strengthened his courage to successfully guide the state through the economic crunch.

    For instance, Gov. Ugwuanyi in his 2015 inaugural address stated that the economic melt-down then was “another great opportunity for Enugu State and indeed Nigeria to look inwards and harness those potentials which free oil money has blinded us from exploiting,” resting his faith in God’s miracle of five loaves and two fish.

    Besides the nation’s economic challenges, the governor expressed gratitude to God for the grace to “take up the gauntlet of the struggle for the emancipation of the Wawa man from where our heroes past stopped”, saying: “It can only be God, for it is He who raises the poor from the ash heap and makes him to inherit a throne of honour”.

    In actualising these inspirational visions,  Gov. Ugwuanyi recommitted himself to his four-point agenda to take Enugu State to the next level and promised that his administration will “deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth, educate our children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment”.

    Four years down the line, one is glad to state with great honour that Gov. Ugwuanyi, through his new ethos of leadership, anchored on peace and good governance, has religiously and effectively delivered on these promises. He has remained committed to the principles of transparency, accountability, due process and prudent management of the state’s lean resources.

    He has, through his administration’s adherence to fiscal discipline, peace and grassroots development initiatives, successfully delivered democracy dividends to the doorsteps of the people of Enugu State.

    He has, through his administration’s rural development policy, one-community-one-project initiative and a great deal of passion for the wellbeing of the masses, remembered the long-neglected communities in the state in line with his firm belief that the greatest objective of government is to alleviate the suffering of the people. His government has also made a veritable mark in all other sectors of development, which have impacted the lives of the people positively.

    While workers’ salaries and pensions are paid regularly with or without receipt of statutory allocations from the federation account – even at the time 27 states could not pay – the 13th month salary was also extended to them as Christmas bonus.

    On road construction and rehabilitation, the Ugwuanyi administration has covered about 400 kilometres, spread across the state with signature projects such as the remodeled ancient, historic and undulating Milliken Hill road – a tourist attraction and state’s natural roller coaster; the Opi-Nsukka dual carriageway; the Ebonyi River Bridge, Ikem; the Udenu Ring road; Iva Valley road, Enugu. Others include the Nkalagu-Eha Amufu road, neglected for over 35 years and the Amurri road in Nkanu West Local Government Area constructed for a hitherto neglected community that has not experienced any form of government development on its land in the past 100 years, etc.

    The state government’s infrastructural revolution has been unprecedented and indeed recorded a huge success in expanding development to the frontiers of the rural areas.

    Recently, Enugu State was rated by the World Bank Group as the second most advanced state in Nigeria towards the frontier of global good practices with regards to Ease of Doing Business. Through the impressive increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) profile, as a result of far reaching reforms introduced in the sector by the governor, Enugu State has remained on top as one of the few states in the country that can survive without allocations from the federation account, among other outstanding ratings.

    Other areas the governor has left visible impact include the monthly traders’ empowerment scheme, in which 3,600 genuine traders of the state have so far been empowered with the sum of N50, 000 each, to grow their various businesses; the empowerment of over 750 youths in skills acquisition under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) programme; the engagement of over 2000 youths to clean up the state under the Enugu Clean Team Project; recruitment of over 4000 primary and secondary schools teachers, with additional 1,500 for primary education among others.

    In view of these, which represent just a tip of the iceberg of the great achievements recorded so far by the Ugwuanyi’s administration, the good news about his second term inauguration is that the governor, through the details of the 2019 budget and his post-election actions has displayed renewed vigor and firm commitment to continue and consolidate on the solid foundation laid in the last four years.

    It is therefore, expected of the people of Enugu State to continue to pray for the governor and give him the usual maximum support and cooperation to take the state to greater heights. This is in line with the dreams of the founding fathers for Enugu State is truly in hands of God.

    • Amoke writes from Enugu

  • 9th Speakership race: Ugwuanyi delivers eight Enugu members-elect to Gbajabiamila

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has pledged support for the candidature of Femi Gbajabiamila and Idris Wase for the position of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives.

    Ugwuanyi made the pledge on Monday at the Government House, Enugu while receiving the 103 members-elect on the Gbajabiamila/Wase on consultation drive to the Southeast and Southsouth.

    He made good the pledge by delivering the eight members-elect from the State to the Gbajabiamila/Wase team.

    The governor handed over the four members-elect, who were present at the consultation meeting to Gbajabiamila, while he made phone calls to the absent four for the decision taken.

    Read Also: Ugwuanyi preaches peace, unity, progress

    Ugwuanyi, who was a former member of the House, served as Chairman Committee on Marine for two terms while Gbajabiamila was a member.

    “I commend the wisdom and initiative behind this aspiration and I wish you well,” he added.

    Gbajabiamila promised to run an all- inclusive leadership saying “That office would be for your State, we will support all your demands in the House. It is going to be an office for all States”.

  • Save Enugu Airport

    The threat by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, to downgrade the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, has led to a frenzied demolition of structures around the runway to the airport. Sirika warned that the cluster of houses at a market and an abattoir close to the runway posed danger to aircraft which need the expanded runway to land. He also noted that the activities in the two places attract birds, and that could lead to a bird strike, which is detrimental to aircraft engines.

    After a state executive council meeting, Enugu State government swiftly directed the local council authority to immediately close the market and the abattoir even as efforts will be made to relocate them. While I sympathize with those who will be dislocated from the area, it is important that necessary measures be taken to ensure that instead of downgrading the status of the airport, the remaining facilities needed to ensure full operation of international flights from the airport be put in place.

    Sirika’s concerns for safety are genuine, as aircraft safety is of utmost importance in aviation industry. The immediate response of the state government is also commendable considering the significance of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport to the southeast zone. As the only international gateway to the southeast and parts of north-central, its continuous operation must be guarded jealously. If not for the duplicitous politics of our beleaguered federation, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport would be one of the busiest in the country and a top earner for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

    Thankfully, instead of playing politics with the threat of closure by blaming the APC-led federal government, the Enugu State PDP-led government took immediate steps to address the complaints. Going forward, more collaboration is needed to finish the international wing of the airport, and rehabilitate the runway. Considering the crisis experienced in inter-state road travel, worsened by roaming armed bandits and kidnappers on the highways, every reasonable effort should be made to save international travellers the agony of going to Lagos or Abuja or Port Harcourt to catch their flights.

    The security challenges faced by our country gets graver by the day, and the aviation sector should not add further stress to the national security apparatchik, by adding international travellers going or returning to Enugu from Lagos or Abuja or Port Harcourt to their worries. If the Enugu airport is downgraded, the pressure on the facilities in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt will further heighten, and those cities are having more than their fair share of over crowdedness. The Port Harcourt International Airport in the south-south zone is no less stressful to access, with the Enugu-Port Harcourt road in very deplorable condition.

    Travelling out of the zone to catch an international flight in other zones, is also a disincentive to economic activities, as hotels, local transporters and other service providers will be affected. For those travelling or coming into the zone, landing elsewhere and taking a connecting flight or entering the fearful road is an extra expense that can be avoided. Also the hotel bills and delayed arrivals and departures are all avoidable stress for citizens and visitors. The airport authority knows there are already more than enough stress inducers to go round.

    Indeed, this column has always advocated for sustainable regional economic activities as the lack of it heightens the very deplorable security challenges facing our dear country. Many of the idle youths in the state and even across the zone would be gainfully employed with an increase in economic activities at the Enugu airport. Honourable Minister Sirika must bear this in mind and should therefore take necessary measures to ensure the airport remains open and even enhanced for the use of more international flights.

    If he wants to be fair to all parts of the country, he must advise the federal government on measures needed to bring the airport at par with other regional hubs. The upgrade of Akanu Ibiam International Airport to international status was late in coming, and it will be a monumental disaster to contemplate a downgrade, when Nigerians are expecting a further upgrade to open the airport to more international flights. Currently only Ethiopian Airlines is approved to operate international flight from the airport, and that is not a fair deal.

    The south-east is a traders’ den, and to deny the region international gateways is unfair. The PDP government at the centre gave the Akanu Ibiam International Airport half-heartedly, so, I strongly urge the APC-led federal government to give it with their whole-heart, by finishing the international wing and opening it to more flights. With flights into the airport far-between, substantial upgrade of the runway can be achieved with minimal disruption of flight schedules, both local and international.

    Also important, is that mutually agreed measures to keep the airport running will starve the cries of marginalisation, which separatist groups feed on. The government of Enugu State which is averse to such distractions has that as one more reason to collaborate with the federal government to keep the airport optimally functional. Indeed, if it can muster the resources, it should support the airports authority to turn the bend to make the airport a truly regional hub. After all, states build federal infrastructure and seek refunds later.

    On a mutually agreed procedure, the state government can join resources with the federal authority to fund some of the immediate needs of the international airport. Of course, this is not a call for the federal government to abandon their responsibility to the people of the region, but rather a call for collaboration to sustain a much needed infrastructure in the region. After all, it is the people of the region and particularly of Enugu State who re-elected Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi that will benefit more than other Nigerians.

    As I was putting this piece to bed, the newswire reported that the incoming Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to end the intractable Apapa-Oshodi expressway gridlock, within 60 days of assuming the reins of power. To do that, he will assume the responsibility of the federal authorities to solve a nightmare for the people that elected him into power. If he succeeds, his government would instantly become a toast of the people of the state.

    While Enugu State is not as rich as Lagos State, and may not have the financial muscle to do much, it must do what it can to save the Enugu Airport from the threatened downgrade. Of note, it has taken the first step, by demolishing the houses complained of by the federal minister. Governor Ugwuanyi should follow up by sending his officials to the airports authority to agree on further steps to avoid a downgrade. The watchword should be inter-agency collaboration.

  • Police arrest suspected armed robber, cultist in Enugu

    Police Command in Enugu State has arrested a suspected notorious armed robber and cultist, Chukwuebuka Ani, 23, who had been operating within Enugu metropolis and 9th Mile areas of the state.

    The operatives of the command also recovered a locally made double barrel pistol from the suspect.

    The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), SP Ebere Amaraizu, in a statement in Enugu on Monday said that the suspect was arrested on May 3 by the Command’s Anti-Cultism Unit.

    Amaraizu noted that Ani, also known as Chi, was arrested through intelligence information in the early hours of May 3 at his hideout at Ugbene-1 axis of Abakpa within the outskirt of Enugu metropolis.

    “It was gathered that the suspect had before now allegedly involved himself alongside with Chigozie alias SMS and others at large in nefarious activities ranging from cultism and armed robbery in Abakpa, Independence layout and 9th mile areas.

    “It was further gathered that the suspect is the Coordinator/Executioner of Ayees Confraternity within Abakpa axis and its environs.

    “He was initiated into Ayees cult in 2012 at Alulu Nike by one Ikechukwu also known as 6-months, who is no longer in Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Police arrest fake soldier in Ogun

    The police spokesman said that the 23-year-old suspect, who also sells marijuana, hails from Umuodimegwu Amaozalla village in Affa community in Udi Local Government Area of the state.

    “The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Sulaiman Balarabe, has directed for a full scale investigation into the activities of the suspect.

    “The Command through its Public Relations Department has intensified campaign against cultism and other vices with a view to saving youths from the claws of cultism and other vices,’’ he added.

    NAN

  • Why Anambra, Enugu, Kogi can’t be declared oil bearing states, by DPR

    The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Thursday said that Anambra, Enugu and Kogi States can only be declared oil- producing states if necessary conditions are met.

    DPR, in a letter to the Senate Committee on Petroleum (upstream), said the three states could only be declared oil- bearing states if the oil firm in the area, Orient Oil, scales up its operations from oil prospecting to oil mining lease.

    DPR insisted that Anambra, Kogi and Enugu States cannot be categorised as oil- producing states for now because they have not met necessary requirements.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, said that the issue at hand had to do with a referral to the committee   on the contentious boundary between Anambra, Kogi and Enugu States.

    He noted a report titled “FG confirms Anambra oil producing ‎status” threw up the matter to the front burner.

    Alasoadura said that his committee lacked the power to declare a state oil -producing.

    He said that the committee believed that the agency in the best position to settle the matter is the National Boundary Commission.

    The Ondo Central senator said that the committee wrote to the DPR “but their response was not quite satisfactory. That is why we want to hear from your commission.”

    He noted that the committee decided to hear from the National Boundary Commission because “when we had a similar issue in Ondo State in the past, it was your commission that resolved it.”

    Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North) in his contribution noted that the issue of OPL 915 and 916 dated back to antiquity.

    Utazi said: “I didn’t know that this motion would come up, because we had already resolved the issue when Senator Isaac Mohammed Alfa was away.

    “Kogi and Enugu State do not have problem; the two are in agreement. But Enugu and Anambra are not in agreement.

    “We in Enugu want to be declared as oil -producing state too. Let that be done pending when the boundary commission finishes its work.”

    He added that Orient Oil within seven years moved from 3,000 to 10,000 barrels a day.

    According to him: “An oil company that had been able to move from 3,000 to 10,000 barrels per day should have graduated from oil prospecting to oil mining lease.”

    He said that they would go to the DPR to find out why Orient Oil refused to move from oil prospecting to oil mining lease.”

    Read Also: DPR vows to stop petrol diversion

    Senator Alfa in his contribution said that there was no contention on the desire to recognise the affected communities as oil producing communities.

    Adamu Adaji, Acting Director General, National Boundary Commission, Adamu Adaji said that the issue is a tripartite one involving the three states.

    Adaji noted that the commission had been on the issue for some time.

    He added that the challenges were related to legal framework.

    Adaji said: “We carried out preliminary field work on Kogi-Anambra boundary, but the challenge we have is the document we are using, which was produced before independence.

    “We had to use a provincial boundary map produced by the colonial masters. We discovered that the descriptions on the map are not too clear.

    “We scaled out seven points, and about five of them were discovered, but the remaining two resisted.

    “Some youths from Ibaji community accosted our staff at some point that they will not agree with the legal document we were using. We are relying on Legal Instrument of 1954.

    “The work was stalled because the people of Ibaji were of the view that we must identify the points between Anambra, Kogi and Enugu before we could do anything.

    “When we made an attempt in 2015, our effort was aborted. We met with the then governor of Kogi State and he promised to talk to the community to cooperate with us.

    “What we want now is to get the states to cooperate so that we can work.

    “The three states were not quite forthcoming for us to do the job. That is what we have been trying to do now.

    “If we cannot rely on the map, we plead that the states should cooperate for us to come to a boundary that is acceptable to all.”

    Senator Magnus Abe noted that from what the commission said: “It is already doing something, but the problem is except the commission does what some people want, the work can’t be done. Except there is the right atmosphere for them to work, nothing can be done.”

    Abe suggested that the only way the issue could be resolved is for the committee to invite the states to come and “we set up a joint team with the boundary commission so that we can have adequate security ‎before they can go and do their job.”

    He insisted that the states must be prepared to accept the realities on the ground.

    Senator Gershom Bassey said that the National Boundary Commission cannot completely be exonerated from the blame. He noted that in his state, Cross River, “there have been communal clashes because the commission has not done its job.

    “It appears to me that the commission has been doing one job for 10 years. You can’t convince me on that.

    “The commission has to be held responsible for what is happening. You must do your job no matter what.”

    Philip Gyunka said that it appeared the commission does not want to hurt some communities.

    “I want to advise here that whatever you think can solve the problem, please try and do it.”

    Alasoadura however explained that the Boundary Commission cannot do anything without the cooperation of the states.

    States, he said, should also establish their own boundary commissions so that they can work directly with the National Boundary Commission.

    Utazi suggested that a political solution should be a way out of the problem

    Alasoadura said that the committee will meet with the oil firm to find out why they could not meet up with the requirements.

  • Ex-Governor’s estranged wife demands custody of 10-year-old son

    Estranged wife of former Enugu State Governor, Mrs Clara Chime on Thursday asked the FCT High Court, Apo to grant her custody of her 10-year-old son.

    Clara prayed the court during her response at the hearing of the petition filed by Sullivan Chime, seeking the dissolution of their 11 years marriage.

    She informed the court that she was ready to divorce her husband and prayed that the custody of their son be given to her and child maintenance fee of N500,000 monthly.

    Clara told the court that her son was not properly cared for and she is only allowed to see him five hours a month under heavy security.

    When asked under cross-examination if she had taken a picture to present as evidence, she informed the court the she was forbidden by her husband’s stewards and security personnel from taking pictures of her .

    While responding to Mr Paul Onya ,counsel to the petitioner, she  informed the court that in the two previous petitions she filed she had demanded for custody of her child.

    Read Also: Governors approve payment of minimum wage

    Onye then requested to tender the petitions filed at Enugu High Court and a FCT High Court as exhibits before the court.

    Counsel to Clara, Mr Achibongu  Iyeme, objected that the documents were not certified.

    Clara also informed the court that she was depressed during her marriage because her husband only had marital relations with her only on their wedding night and never touched her so it led to her depressed condition.

    Clara further denied any allegation of schizophrenia but said she only saw the CMD of  neural psychiatric because her husband brought him home.

    Justice Angela Otaluka ruled that documents were not admissible, she further adjourned the case till June 10 for continuation of hearing.

    NAN

  • Enugu council joins oil host communities

    The Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State chapter of the Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas (HOSCON) has been inaugurated.

    HOSCON came into existence after signing into law the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) in 2017 by the National Assembly.

    It was the PIB that gave impetus and extended the rights and benefits of the host communities of oil producing states to other states that are producing oil and gas pipelines and oil depots which are now known as “oil impacted states” which Enugu is a member.

    Inaugurating the chapter, the Enugu state chairman of HOSCON, Dr Perry Iloegbunam explained that the PIB that where there is “refinery, petroleum depot or where pipelines pass through, will draw from Host Communities Funds”.

    “Though oil has been discovered at Igah and other places in Enugu state, but even by the spirit of PIB, Enugu state by hosting a depot and numerous pipelines is much more qualified and such has been recognized, admitted and certified as the 19th HOSCON state”, Iloegbunam informed.

    He listed other parts of Enugu where oil and gas have been found in commercial quantities that lie idle and waste as Isi Uzo, Eha Ndiagu, Oji River, Nsukka, Ezeagu, UDI, Awgu, Eha Alumina and others.

    The Aninri Local Government chairman of HOSCON, Chief John C. Eze said the inauguration was the beginning of another phase of human economic and social development in Aninri.

    He said, “Today is the beginning of another job creation and general empowerment of the teeming jobless youths in the local government area.

    “I can assure the people of Aninri local government that after this inauguration, the local government will witness what will be better described as simultaneous rejuvenation and bumper harvest of agric produce through HOSCON mechanised agric programme.

  • NFF appoints Christian Chukwu “Life Ambassador’’

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has directed the immediate employment of Emeka Chukwu, the first son of ailing former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu.

    This is just as the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick on Wednesday announced the appointment of the former coach as NFF Ambassador.

    The appointments came simultaneously when the NFF boss in company of Ugwuanyi and the Chairman of Otedola Foundation visited Chukwu in his Enugu residence.

    Commissioner for Sports, Josef Udedi made the announcement after a closed door meeting between the delegation and the family of Chukwu.

    Read Also: Ugwuanyi appoints Christian Chukwu as Rangers GM

    Udedi said that the engineering graduate would be given automatic employment by the state government.

    On his part, Pinnick said that the NFF would approve an appointment for the former skipper of the Green Eagles as a Life Ambassador of the organisation.

    He said that the management of the NFF would work out a stipend that would be paid to him.

    Udedi said that the football house was desirous of improving the welfare of ex-internationals.

    He said that one of the objectives of the proposed NFF Foundation was to build a database of every player that represented the country whether in the past or in time to come.

    NAN reports that a cheque of N18million was presented to Chukwu for his foreign medical trip by the Otedola Foundation.

    NAN

     

  • Mama Jenny Aniwobodo (1912-2019)

    Madam Jenny Ani, as she was fondly called, was born in the quiet ancient town of Obodo Akpuru in Nkerefi, Nkanu East Local Government Area of present day Enugu State.

    She did not have the benefit of a formal education because her father was among those who did not believe in the girl-child education.

    Nonetheless, Mama Jenny, as a young lady, enrolled in the school of life where she learnt a lot about honesty, truth, forthrightness, discipline and resilience, the core aspects of Christianity and family values. These qualities prepared her for a later life experience as a wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

    The story of Mama Jenny is a dramatic account of faith and trust in God. She lost her husband several decades ago. The ugly development completely devastated her but she was able to weather the storm of a widow and a single parent.

    An easy going woman, an embodiment of peace and harmonious co-existence, Mama was also a great disciplinarian who exhibited and practiced hard work, trust and positive diligence in her dealings with people.

    She never allowed her children to play pranks just as she never tolerated indolence. For her, hard work is the only tool for achieving success in life. These traits earned her the respect and admiration of people across gender lines.

    Mama lived an exemplary life. She taught her children and all around her the principles of forthrightness and personal character. She believed so much in the efficacy of prayers in solving life’s myriad problems and she was never disappointed in her daily interface with God, the Creator and the Sustainer.

    A rock and a pillar of strength, Mama brought everyone in the family together. She never ceased to teach and emphasise unity.

    One of Mama’s greatest attributes is her high standards of hygiene. Mama’s penchant for hygiene and cleanliness is pristine. Mama could detect dirt better than a microscope.

    Today, Mama may have gone but her legacy lives on in her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who are now accomplished men and women in their chosen careers.

    Mama will be remembered as a woman of immeasurable value to her family, friends and the entire Obodo Akpuru community.

    • Jane Nneka Nwigwe Aibangbe contributed this on behalf of the family.