The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enugu

  • U.S. showcases business opportunities in Enugu

    The Foreign Commercial Service of the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria has concluded a four-day outreach to Enugu State that focused on expanding commercial ties between the U.S. and Nigeria, especially the Southeastern geo-political zone.

    During the outreach, a team of trade and commercial specialists from the U.S. Mission to Nigeria, led by Commercial Counselor Brent Omdahl, held meetings with Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, state commissioners, and other senior Cabinet-level officials on trade opportunities which will contribute to mutual prosperity and job growth for both countries.

    “This outreach demonstrates the strong U.S. business interest in expanding commercial ties with Nigeria,” Commercial Counselor Omdahl said.

    Governor Ugwuanyi and Commercial Counselor Omdahl discussed U.S. investments in Enugu State, including the on-going $700 million Motir DuSable solar plant project in the Nachi community of Udi local government area. At full capacity, the solar plant will add 300 Megawatts to the national grid.

    While in Enugu State, the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service participated in the 28th Enugu International Trade fair. The Foreign Commercial Service also hosted leading regional business owners at a workshop entitled: “Networking with the USA Business Summit and Conference – Enugu 2017”.

    “We are expanding our Networking with the USA (NUSA) program to key growth areas in Nigeria and we see Enugu as one such important growth area. During this program, we advised Enugu companies on best practices for engaging with American companies, in addition to discussing U.S. agencies to work with in order to take advantage of various partnerships,” Commercial Counselor Omdahl said.

    In the course of the Networking with the USA (NUSA) program, an American consular officer from the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos held a session with the business owners on the process for obtaining a business visa to America. The consular officer demystified the commonly held ideas about U.S. visa application process.

    The Foreign Commercial Service of the U.S. government works to promote the expansion of U.S. trade and investment to Nigeria through support of business partnerships between American and Nigerian companies.

  • Timaya returns to Enugu for ‘Real Deal Experience’

    Timaya returns to Enugu for ‘Real Deal Experience’

    With fun seekers still basking in the euphoria of a recent concert, the Polo Park Shopping Mall, Enugu, will this Sunday, host another round of electrifying music performances, as Nigeria’s Dance Hall King, Timaya makes a second stop with other artistes on the Legend Extra Stout’s signature nationwide music tour tagged Real Deal Experience.

    The popular music tour, which is making its second stop this year with the Enugu edition, is an annual nationwide tour used by the stout brand to interact with consumers.

    The tour takes Nigeria’s biggest music stars to various cities around the country to entertain consumers and give music fans an experience filled with comedy, music and dance.

    The event also rewards Legend’s consumers with exciting gifts such as flat screen TVs, generators and refrigerators etc.

    In addition, the self-acclaimed ‘Egberi Papa One of Bayelsa’, Timaya, who has been a major act on the Real Deal Experience train since it first launched years ago, will be on ground to thrill consumers with back-to-back hits.

    Speaking of his excitement at returning to Enugu where he performed in 2016, the “Dem Mama” crooner said, “I’m very glad to be returning to Enugu again. The Real Deal Experience tour always gets the fans turned up and it’s never a dull moment…always electrifying. I’m really looking forward to it and seriously can’t wait to light up that stage.”

    Organisers say there will also be live performances by the Tipsy Kelvano band and rib cracking jokes by comedian De Don who also doubles as the host for the event.

    The show has over the years featured some of Nigeria’s entertainers like Kcee, 9ice, Oritsefemi among others, across different cities, including Lagos, Ibadan, Onitsha, Umuahia, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Abakaliki, and Owerri.

  • Police arrest two over NYSC member’s death in Enugu

    The Enugu State Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged drowning of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member at a hotel swimming pool.

    In a statement yesterday in Enugu, police spokesman Ebere Amaraizu said the corps member was allegedly drowned on Saturday at Ugwuoba community in Oji River Local Government Area.

    It was gathered that a group of NYSC members reportedly went to a hotel at Ugwuoba in Enugu State, Hotel De Oranzi Resort at Agungwu Ugwuoba for swimming.

    The statement said: “In the ensuing swimming rendezvous among the celebrating corps members, one of them, whose name is yet to be established, allegedly got drowned.

    “She was later rescued and rushed to the General Hospital at Amaku in Awka, Anambra State – since Oji River Local Government Area shares boundary with Awka – for medical attention but was confirmed dead at the hospital.”

    Amaraizu said the body of the deceased corps member had been deposited at the morgue.

    The statement said the police had intensified efforts to establish the identity of the deceased.

    “The two persons held in connection with the incident are helping the police operatives in their investigation,” he said.

  • Complex lifts Enugu landscape

    Complex lifts Enugu landscape

    A multi-purpose commercial edifice, Pliis Place has been inaugurated in Enugu by the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, Rev. Dr Emmanuel Chukwuma.

    It is owned by Nigandi Engineering Limited.  Archbishop Chukwuma applauded the owner of the building project, Mr.  Gandi Obiefule Ekwegh, for bringing the project to Enugu as it would encourage other investors to come home and create employment opportunities for the unemployed.

    He also used the opportunity to counsel the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration on the need to lead the nation to prosperity.

    He said almost two years since the president came into office, “nothing tangible has been achieved”, adding that the president should use the period of his return from medical vacation to ensure progressive governance and positive change in the nation’s body politics.

    “It’s not to be back on seat from vacation, he should be back on seat for a reactivated progressive governance. We don’t want it to be decorative; let him think of how to make Nigeria better than he met it. Change is not a matter of making things worse, change should be about making things better for the citizenry, we are looking forward to that.

    “Life is worse now than when he came in; we are looking forward to an improvement in our economy; our naira should improve, inflation should come down, intensive security care for the people should be guaranteed and then power that will encourage more investments to come in should be improved upon,” he said.

    He advised the president to desist from further apportioning of blames to previous administrations in the country but to remain focused and deliver good governance to the people.

    The Archbishop, who is also the Bishop of Enugu Diocese of the Anglican Church, said the project was a clear indication that Enugu has become “atmospherically conducive for investment”.

    ”I want to say the building will invite more investors particularly now we are looking for investments that would employ our youths. I want to encourage our people to come and invest, we need businesses and housing, our well-to-do individuals should come home and invest, most of our people invest in recycling themselves in politics, we don’t want further recycling in politics, politics is to serve not to sap, government cannot do it alone,” he said.

     

  • Enugu Trade Fair: Job seekers throng fair ground

    Hundreds job-seeking artisans in Enugu and neighbouring states have thronged the Enugu International Trade Fair ahead of the commencement of the 28 Enugu International Trade on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that most of the artisans spotted at the Permanent Trade Fair Complex include; carpenters, decorators, painters and electricians among others.

    A carpenter, Mr John Odo, told NAN that most of his colleagues had been contracted to build wooden exhibition stands at the fair ground.

    “I got some jobs which I am billed to finish before 10 a.m. on Friday, the opening of the fair.

    “I have called some of my colleagues to take up some of the jobs I rejected due to lack of time,’’ Odo said.

    A painter, Mr Godswill Onyekachi, said that he had not rested for two days so that he could deliver various painting contracts he collected at the fair ground.

    “As you can see, my apprentices I and are so busy and it is likely we will pass the night here to meet our contractual targets,’’ Onyekachi said.

    A decorator, Mr Obinna Amadi, noted that more exhibitors and exhibiting companies had taken to interior and exterior decoration of their stands to attract more customers.

    “I have observed that we have more jobs in this up-coming fair than previous years.

    `This development he said showed that Nigerians as well as companies participating in the fair appreciated the aesthetics- colour interior and exterior decoration- added to their stands at the fair,’’ Amadi said.

    NAN reports that the 28 Enugu International Trade Fair, which has been scheduled between March 31 and April 10, is organised by Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA).

    The theme of the fair is, “Promoting Nigeria’s Industrial Sector and SMEs for Inclusive and Robust Economy’’.

  • Enugu ex-commissioner rues demolition of property

    A former Commissioner for Lands in Enugu State Deacon Okey Ogbodo has protested the alleged illegal demolition of walls of his property by the Enugu Capital Development Authority (ECDA).

    He urged all and sundry to prevail on the ECDA to backpedal, adding that in seeking redress he would follow due process and God’s leading.

    He said, “I do not have the power or might to reverse overnight this illegal action committed against me and my family, but I shall rely on the due process of the law of the land and the Supreme God whom I serve to hold the perpetrators of this dastard act, to account, sooner or later.

    But in a swift reaction, the Commissioner for Enugu Capital Development Authority, Mr Chidi Aroh, a lawyer, dismissed Ogbodo’s claim, pointing out that the property was pulled down based on reports from the state ministry of lands which marked it illegal structure.

    The fence, according to Aroh, was not part of the original master plan of the layout, hence the need to bring it down.

    Ogbodo, in a press statement he personally signed and issued in Enugu, accused the ECDA officials of compromising their duties.

    The said structure located at Onah Lane, off Agbani Road Enugu, had been under dispute, as St. Patrick’s Catholic church and some residents of the area had petitioned the state ministry of land and ECDA, claiming that the fence was obstructing free flow of movement of people and waterways in the area, adding that it was lying on access road.

    The petitioners had also claimed that the controversial fence has continued to make life unbearable for residents of the area, insisting that it be removed.

    But, the ex-commissioner accused the church of being determined to wrestle the said piece of land where the fence was erected from him at all ýcosts, “even after I had made it known that, being an ancestral inheritance bequeathed to me and my siblings, I was not in a position to dispose of the land.”

    Ogbodo, who also served as Finance Commissioner, said: “I restate without equivocation that there has never been any such layout plan in existence. If the ECDA officials actually pulled down the walls of my property in satisfaction of the fake layout plan bandied about recently, then they have committed a heinous, unforgivable crime against, not just a law-abiding citizen, but a servant of God.”

    He alleged that the church connived with some corrupt town planning officials to manufacture a fake layout plan which purportedly designated the said land as lying on an access road” And may I ask, access road to where?

    “In the past three months, I have cried out to the whole world, and made formal representations to the Enugu state Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, detailing the dubious machinations of the church and its paid agents in government ministries and parastatals to have the land taken from me.

    The ECDA Commissioner said that his office acted based on reports from the ministry of Lands which carried out thorough investigation and established that the controversial fence was actually an illegal structure, which was creating serious problem for residents.

    Aroh, explained that prior to the implementation of the report on the demolition, his ministry had received several petitions from the Catholic church and residents of the area, complaining bitterly about the difficulties they go through as a result of the blockage of their access road by the fence.

    Besides, the Commissioner said that Deacon Ogbodo, had more than 60 days to take any action, aimed at stopping the demolition, including court injunction, but he failed to do so, until the structure was brought down.

  • Enugu set for Chukwumerije’s ‘Made in Nigeria’

    Enugu set for Chukwumerije’s ‘Made in Nigeria’

    Lovers of arts and entertainment in Enugu are set to experience a poetry production by Dike Chukwumerije, Made in Nigeria, on March 25 at the Oakland Centre.

    Dike, a performance poet, won the Abuja Literary Society Poetry Slam 2011 and the National Poetry Slam 2012. He has done three Performance Poetry videos, a bi-annual live Poetry show now in its 5th year and the theatre production, Made in Nigeria, which tells Nigeria’s history over the last 120 years.

    “It is a great joy for us in the South East to know that Dike is coming and he is bringing his very famous “Made in Nigeria” poetry show to Enugu and the South East in general for the first time,” Mr. Ken Ike Okere, South East Zonal Director of Radio Nigeria said.

    “Performance poetry is like the fuel that is driving poetry appreciation in Nigeria at the moment.”

    Chukwumerije also said that after Enugu, Made in Nigeria would go to Kaduna later in the year.

    Made in Nigeria was last performed during in February 2017 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja after previous showings in Lagos in December 2016 and at Merit House, Abuja in September 2016.

  • FESTAC 77 @ 40: CBAAC boss seeks active participation of Nigerians

    FESTAC 77 @ 40: CBAAC boss seeks active participation of Nigerians

    Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) on Monday,called on Nigerians to ensure full participation in celebration of FESTAC 77 at 40.

    He made the plea while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, adding that this was to ensure that Nigerian cultural heritage was celebrated and promoted beyond the shores of the country.

    Anikwe who noted the complacency of some Nigerians towards most cultural programmes, said this should serve as a wakeup call to all citizens within and outside the country.

    ” I want us all to erase that thinking pattern and assumption that the celebration is bringing back the fetish nature of Nigerians.

    ” This is outrightly wrong and I believe everything that has to do with FESTAC 77 is an exhibition of our rich cultural heritage which we must celebrate this year,” he said.

    Anikwe said that the event would hold in over ten states including the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) where the Mascot would be unveiled by April 1.

    He said that different cultural displays would be held in some states including Katsina, Enugu, Ogun, Kaduna, Akwa- Ibom and some foreign countries.

    ” The celebration would be all through the year and it promises to be eventful and memorable.

    ” We are going to have Durbar display in Katsina , there will be masquerade festivals in Enugu and some other cultural activities in other parts of the country,” he said.

    Anikwe said that if Nigerian cultural heritage was well celebrated, promoted and properly harnessed, it could be a money spinner for individuals and the country.

  • I have no case with EFCC–Chime

    I have no case with EFCC–Chime

    A former governor of Enugu State, Mr Sullivan Chime, says he is not aware of any case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as insinuated in some quarters.

    Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu, Chime however, agreed that he was invited once by the commission in respect of party funds spent during the 2015 general elections.

    Chime was a two-term governor of Enugu State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2007 and 2015.

    The former governor, who recently denounced the PDP, described the insinuations as `misplaced and emanating from detractors.’’

    “ In two months time, I would have been two years out of office. I am not aware of any case I have with the EFCC. They invited me once in respect of party funds.

    “They wanted to know what happened to the money sent to Enugu PDP by the party headquarters and I went and told them what happened,” he said.

    Chime said that prior to the 2015 general elections, his former party raised funds to prosecute the elections and that part of the funds was availed to state chapters of the party.

    He explained that the funds as sent to the state chapter of the party were deployed for the purposes they were meant for.

    “I will be glad to see the day I will be prosecuted as a leader of the party in the state for accepting or receiving money from the same PDP, our parent body, to fund our elections.

    “We were told the PDP raised about N21 billion for the elections and we got part of it. Would I have funded the elections with state funds?

    “If government is now saying the money you got is not from the fundraising of the party but stolen we do not know. Nobody is in a position to verify that,” he said.

    Chime said that if the government had established that the money was stolen “let them catch the people that stole it as that was not the first time we were given money to fund elections.’’

    “The American elections have come and gone and we saw how they raised and used money.

    “I do not see how you can punish anybody for using party money for the purpose it was meant for,” he said.

    The former governor said that his decision to quit the PDP was not in any way connected to the alleged case with the commission.

    He admitted being aware of rumours of petitions against him but insisted this was not from the EFCC.

    “I have been accused of being the owner of The Polo Malls; I have been accused of being the owner of Park and Shop. I have been accused of being the owner of Golden Royale Hotel.

    “I have been accused of being the owner of The Dome and anything good in Enugu but the EFCC has not written me in respect of those other allegations,” Chime said.

    NAN reports that the former governor had on Friday confirmed his dumping of the PDP but had yet to join any other political party. (NAN)

  • Former Enugu governor, Chime confirms dumping PDP

    Former Enugu governor, Chime confirms dumping PDP

    A former Governor of Enugu State, Mr Sullivan Chime, has confirmed that he has left the PDP.

    Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Enugu, Chime said that his decision to quit the PDP was because the party was “no longer in existence in the true sense of it’’.

    Chime said, however, that he had yet to join another political party, contrary to speculations that he had defected to the APC.

    He said that he was still making consultations to determine the political party to join, pointing out that his decision to dump PDP had nothing to do with his corruption case with the EFCC.

    “The PDP, we used to be members of is dead. The party I joined in 1999 and had the opportunity of leading in the state for eight years is no longer in existence.

    “We have two groups claiming to be in charge of the party as chairman. These two, none of them can actually lay claim to the chairmanship of the party.

    “There is no provision in PDP’s Constitution for interim caretaker committee led by Sen. Ahmed Maikarfi.

    “The PDP convention has no power to set up a caretaker committee and did not seek to amend the party’s constitution,” he stated.

    The former governor explained that Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff on his own was brought in to serve out the tenure of former PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, adding that the tenure had long elapsed.

    Chime said that remaining in the PDP would be a deceit, advising his supporters to look for a better platform to actualise their political aspirations.

    He said that he could not explain why INEC had not deregistered the PDP.

    “It is surprising or maybe INEC has not deregistered the PDP because the organisation is no longer working in tandem with the constitution that created it.

    “The PDP as originally formed has been cremated and no serious-minded politician will remain in it.

    “If those still remaining feel strongly about coming together they can come back, secure deregistration of the party and then form another party.”

    Chime said that the founding fathers of the party lost it in 2014, when the PDP deviated from its norms.

    He said that he had not become a registered member of any political party but that he would certainly join a political party that would take the interest of his people at heart.

    “I will not join a party without making it public. I cannot join through the back door,” he asserted.

    Chime said that it was obvious that the real founding fathers of the PDP had left, noting that no one would play active politics and succeed in the party.

    Some notable politicians in Enugu State, including a former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani and Chief Jim Nwobodo, a former senator had since dumped the PDP for the ruling APC.  (NAN)