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Tag: Enugu

  • Injured Rangers striker, Egwim, eager to return to active football

    Injured Rangers striker, Egwim, eager to return to active football

    An injured striker of Rangers International FC of Enugu, Ifeanyi Egwim, says he is eager to return to active football to help the team defend the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) trophy.

    Egwim was injured in Rangers final match day of 2015/2016 which ended in 4-0 thrashing of El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri.

    The player told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday that he had started “little jugging’’ for now.

    He said that the doctor gave him April to start kicking the ball.

    “First of all, I wish to thank God that made it possible for me to be alive and walking with my legs again.

    “I wish am now playing active football but it is better for me to return with full strength so that I will help my club to retain the NPFL trophy.

    “My doctor gave me four months from now to start kicking the ball again, but I am at the stage of jugging and it is going well as I am not feeling pains there again.

    “Although, I still feel pains at my ankle, but the doctor said that it was caused by the injury which affected my ankle a little,’’ he said.

    Egwim praised his team mates for their commitment to the cause of defending the NPFL and doing well at the CAF champions league.

    “Rangers is not a one-player club; so, my absence cannot stop other players from doing well.

    “We have good players who are doing the same job I did for the club last season but we only need a little bit of luck.

    “I pray that the goals start coming as soon as possible so that people will start to notice our target at the ongoing season,’’ he said.

    On the club’s 4-1 defeat by Zamalek, Egwim said that 3-0 will see Rangers through to the next round.

    “Our slogan is `never say die’ and we have been looking up to it so that we can get the ball past the Egyptians more than three times.

    “It is not over until it is over. Only the 90 minutes of play will say it all and we are not going to let the people of Enugu and Nigeria down on that day,’’ he said.

    Egwim thanked the state government, club supporters, management and his team mate for their encouragement and support during his recuperation in the hospital.

    NAN reports that Rivers United defeated Al Merrikh Sudan 3-0 in Port Harcourt to brighten their chance of making it to the group stage of the competition.

     

  • Enugu community protests acquisition of ancestral land

    Enugu community protests acquisition of ancestral land

    The people of Amechi-Uwani in Enugu South Local Government Area of Enugu State have protested the acquisition of over 2000 hectares of their ancestral land called Agbana. The expanse of land has been a matter of controversy since the days of the old Anambra state when Senator Jim Nwobodo, who incidentally is one of their kinsmen, wanted to acquire the land as the permanent site of the then Anambra state University of Science and Technology (ASUTECH).

    But according to the traditional Prime minister of the community, Chief Michael Oguejiofor Okenwa: “We protested pointing out that the land was the only one left as we had lost all our other land which includes University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, parts of Independence Layout, Nigeria Police College, etc. Because of our reasonable and heart touching explanation, Nwobodo could not go ahead with his plan. He dropped the idea.

    “After Nwobodo, came military Governor Emeka Omeruo who tried to resume the permanent site plan. Due to our continued pathetic argument and protest, he too could do nothing other than to start erecting one building on the land. Still no negotiation, no compensation, no gazette, no acquisition.

    “Governor Allison Madueke later replaced Omeruo and went ahead to publish a gazette purporting to acquire the land for the said university. Still there was no negotiation and no compensation. Our protest continued. Then came Chimaroke Nnamani who perfectly understood our case and plight. Consequently he took the university to Agbani, and we heaved a sigh of relief.”

    The community’s jubilation was, however, cut short when the immediate past dispensation in the state led by Sullivan Chime took over the reins of power. The land was neither returned to them nor was it acquired for overriding public interest but for private use.

    The community said, “Sadly, instead of releasing the land to us, Sullivan Chime who succeeded Nnamani handed the land to a private developer – Private Estate International West Africa allegedly owned by his brother and others. This company is parcellating and selling our land without recourse to any law of the land. No negotiation, no compensation.

    “We went to court against Enugu State Government and the private developers. More than one year ago, the defendants told the court that they wanted out of court settlement and requested for time. We and the court agreed but the defendants failed to initiate any negotiation since then. Instead they have intensified the sale of our land to all sorts of people powerful enough to bully us into abandoning our birth right.”

    Members of the community who poured out in hundreds on Tuesday morning, although, exonerated the current administration in the state led by Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi from their travails, they, however, in a letter to the governor drew his attention to the “bitterness, disappointment and unfair treatment meted on the owners of the land and handed over to a private developer without negotiation with or compensation to us.”

    They told the governor in the letter that the land in question, Agbana Land (Now being called Centenary City) is their ancestral land owned by the clans that make up Amechi-Uwani. The clans include Umu Nuzi, Umu Ogori, Umu Nwachi, Umu Agom, Umu Arum, Umu Oko Aga, Umu Nnaji Aga Egbo, Umu Chime Ngwu and Umu Ngaa Nvene.

    They further told the governor that “the land in question is the only homestead we have for our children, having lost all others to government acquisition. We have paid our dues and government, our government is requested to be understanding enough and hands off this remaining land. If any part of our land must be needed, appropriate negotiation and compensation platform should be erected and put into force.”

    At the protest procession, the community members displayed placards some of which read, “Give us back our land as it is no more for ESUT”; “ Government don’t acquire land to sell, they acquire for public interest”; Our land acquired for ESUT is now Jide Chime’s own through his brother ex-governor Sullivan Chime”.

  • Enugu: Tricycle riders bemoan high cost of maintenance

    Enugu: Tricycle riders bemoan high cost of maintenance

    Ugboezeji Tricycle Union in Abakpa, Enugu, said on Tuesday that the rising cost of maintenance of their vehicles was driving many members out of business.

    According to Mr. Innocent Onyemaobi, the union’s secretary, due to the economic recession, the cost of spare parts had doubled, making it tougher for some to continue in business.

    “In the past, tricycle engine block was N7,000 and crankshaft N6,000; but now, they are N15,000 and N14,000 respectively.

    “Those riding on hire purchase hardly make it, as the price of tricycle has skyrocketed to N700,000 from between N400,000 and N450,000.

    “When we talk of the cost of fueling the tricycle, you can see that the business can only serve your daily feeding and not take care of your family.’’

    Onyemaobi commended the Enugu East Local Government Council for being upright in their dealings with the union.

    “We are not having issues of double payment for toll ticket which is N150 daily.”

    Nevertheless, he urged the government to assist tricycle operators by making more tricycles available on hire purchase through poverty alleviation schemes.

    “The cost of buying tricycles from individuals can be too high, but buying from the government should make it more affordable.

    “These days, the high cost of maintenance, fueling and other things make it difficult for operators to accept hire purchase from individuals.’’

    On the conduct of the members, he said the union had instituted laws and enforcers to ensure compliance.

    “Offences like fighting and expensive jokes attract N5,000 fine each and this is subject to being found guilty of the offence after undergoing trial before the executives of the union.

    “To ensure orderliness in the business, we queue up on a first come basis. Once you jump the queue, you can be suspended, especially if you did it to purposefully cause trouble.

    “The work of the task force is to maintain orderliness and to enforce the law on any member who fails to respect it,’’ he said.

    The secretary said that in spite of the recession, the union had retained the fare at N40 and N200 per drop respectively due to the high passenger flow.

     

  • ‘Enugu expresses concern on shortfall of water to city centres’

    Enugu State Commissioner for Water Resources Charles Egungbe has said the shortfall in water supply to cities was a concern to the government.

    Egungbe, who made this known at the 2017 budget breakdown in Enugu, said the government would redouble efforts to improve the volume of water supplied to the affected areas.

    He said the budgetary allocation of N800 million to Water Corporation might not be sufficient, compared to the quantum of assignments they provided, but the government had shown the will to solve the problem.

    “If what we have in the 2017 budget is given to us, it will improve water supply,” Egungbe said.

    He said prior to the advent of the present administration, the corporation could only supply 15 cubic metres of water to Enugu urban.

    “The corporation is responsible for the supply of water in Enugu urban and the area requires about 200,000 metric tonnes

    “Through government’s intervention and prudent resource management, we can now produce 15,000 metric tonnes

    “It is not the size of the budget that matters, but how you use the one allocated to you. We hope to do better if there is improvement in the global economy,” Egungbe said.

    He said the government was negotiating with the French Development Agency to intervene in the supply of water to residents.

    The commissioners said the government was making efforts to defray over 71 months pension arrears owed retired workers of agencies under the ministry.

    He attributed the debt to lack of foresight and prudence on the part of management of the affected agencies.

    Egungbe said the government was worried that pensions and gratuities were owed and was dialoguing with the affected retirees.

  • Enugu sets up consumer protection committee

    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.

    Commerce and Industry Commissioner Mr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo spoke in Enugu at a meeting with executives of Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria.

    He said the committee, which is under his ministry, would enforce relevant consumer protection laws of the state.

    Ogbu-Nwobodo noted that the committee will ensure offenders were punished according to the law.

    He enjoined petroleum dealers not to engage in illegal practice.

    “Enugu State government will sanction any petroleum dealer found short-changing consumers,’’ the commissioner said.

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

    Ogbu-Nwobodo told them to pay their registration and renewal of business premises fees for 2017 as enshrined in the law.

    Chief John Eze, chairman of Petroleum Dealers Association, Enugu State chapter, said the association would support the present administration.

  • Champions League: Rangers FC vows to beat JS Saoura of Algeria

    Champions League: Rangers FC vows to beat JS Saoura of Algeria

    Rangers International FC of Enugu has vowed to beat JS Saoura of Algeria in the second leg of the ongoing Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League match coming up on Feb.19, 2017.

    Rangers played 1-1 draw with Saoura FC in Algeria on Feb.10 and needs at worst a goal-less draw to qualify for the next round of the competition.

    The Media Officer, Foster Chime, on Wednesday said that the club would beat the North African club to seal its qualification.

    He said that the players met Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who promised to boost their morale for the match.

    “The governor promised to boost the morale of the players for the CAF return leg match against Saoura but he did not mention the amount due to some reasons best known to him,’’ Chime said.

    He said that the club would go for the winning goals.

    “I know that the match will be a tough one as Saoura showed that they were a good side in the first leg and they would be facing us in Enugu like wounded lions.

    “We need goalless draw to progress but the players want to progress with victory and on superior goal difference.

    “I am happy players like Captain Okey Odita, Chinedu Udeagha, Etim Mathew and lots more made it known to the technical crew that they will give their all for the club to go far in the ongoing Continental league.

    On players’ injury update, the Club’s Physician, Okey Ezeaku, said that there were no serious injuries sustained from the last match.

    “All the players are fit and are expected to face Saoura squarely for a slot in the next round.

    “Although we had minor knocks after the match in Algeria and Pape Usmane had malaria but all this were bye gone as all the players were now back to training,’’ Ezeaku said.

    Rangers’ test match against Abia Comets of Umuahia on Feb. 14, 2017 ended 1-1 as the flying antelopes open scoring in 27th minute through Daniel Etor, while Marshal Okoro restored parity for the visitor in the 42nd minute.

     

  • Community fetes Enugu police image maker

    The saying that a prophet is not respected in his community was disproved recently when the Itungwa community in Obingwa local council of Abia State honoured its son, the spokesman of the Enugu State Police Command, Ebere Amaraizu, a Superintendent of Police.

    The well-attended occasion was witnessed by many including the indigenes of the community in diaspora. The ceremony was held at the community’s civic centre which also featured the unveiling of scholarship programme to indigent students of the community.

    The community described Amaraizu as a proud son, decent and fine police officer, a good ambassador and a role model for the youth of the community. “He has distinguished himself in both the police job and sports activities,” the community credited Amaraizu.

    According to the President of the Itungwa Peoples Assembly, Hon Emeka Awuda, “Amaraizu has distinguished himself in the police and in sports growth and development thus proving that a prophet can be known by his community and I urge other youth and individuals to be upright and embrace good virtues at all times in order to always connect and impact on mankind for the development of the society just as Amaraizu is doing.”

    The Traditional Ruler of Itu Ahiafor Ukwu community who graced the occasion, HRH  Eze Appollos A.Orji a reired Deputy commissioner of police, described Amaraizu as a man with many parts and with burning desire to turn around things positively and challenge other youth to be good ambassadors of their communities despite all odds.

    The chairman of Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Hon Amaechi Sunday Hanson, thanked God for the the occasion, pointing out that the event has shown that whatever one is doing,  the person should know that he is being watched and charged the youth to always strive to distinguish themselves positively and be good ambassadors of the community, local government, state and the entire nation.

    Amaraizu in his reaction expressed his satisfaction on the gesture and thanked the entire community pointing out that such recognition and honour was always a propelling factor to put in his best and never to derail. He also thanked the Almighty God for “revealing the mystery to His mere children.”

    Highlight of the event was the formal presentations of footballs to the community at the playing ground as a mark of commitment to set the ball rolling in terms of football development from the field where Amaraizu started his football career.

  • ‘Why I left PDP for APC’

    ‘Why I left PDP for APC’

    The managing director and chief executive officer of Peace Mass Transit Limited, Chief Maduka Onyishi said he left Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the former’s impunity and undemocratic tendencies.
    Onyishi who formally registered in APC at the just concluded registration exercise said he frowned at the situation where one person in the state would single-handedly dictate who to contest election or not.
    The transport magnet spoke to reporters in Enugu yesterday on his defection from PDP to APC.
    According to him, it was only the APC that can afford him the opportunity to serve the society because of its democratic and transparency antecedents.
    Onyishi said he was in politics to render service to the society and not to contest positions whether elective or appointive.
    “I have watched and studied the APC and found out that there is nothing like impunity or imposition of candidates. APC is the party where you queue up and cast your vote for your preferred candidate,” the transport magnet explained.
    He praised the Muhammadu Buhari led APC Federal government for its forthright and focused direction it is giving the country.
    He admonished Nigerians to give their total support to Buhari whom he posited, has the interest of the common Nigerian at heart.
    He said: “I have the convincing belief that Buhari will actually re-engineer this country for good. My admiration for him dates back to 1984 when he introduced the War Against Indiscipline (WAI). Buhari’s war against indiscipline then made me to be self-disciplined up till today.
    ‎”Today he has waged war against corruption. He is the only Nigerian leader who has the courage to confront corrupt politicians. Corruption is what is holding down Nigeria today. And President Muhammadu Buhari, I believe is equal to the task.”
    Onyishi was also of the view that before 2019, the APC would be the predominant party in the South East with the influx of array of political bigwigs from the zone that are joining it.
    “PDP is gone in this zone. The party shot itself down by the way it practices strange democracy where imposition takes the place of election. If you challenge the master’s voice, then you are done for,” he stressed.

  • Enugu police celebrate officer’s nuptial

    The entire Enugu State Police Command was agog as one of their female officers tied the nuptial knots with her Malaysian-based heartthrob. One peculiar aspect of the marriage was that the lovebirds met for the first time through the social media. To crown it all it is a kind of handshake across the Niger marriage, the bride coming from Ekiti State, and the groom from Ebonyi.

    Bukola Mercy Olagunju, a police corporal serving in Enugu met Ejike Nweke in the Badoo social internet media. The couple did not contemplate marriage. But one thing led to another and the result is that the two found out they were compatible as husband and wife, hence the intensity of the love between them.

    The marriage which was solemnised at the Celestial Church of Christ, Eastern Diocesan Headquarters, New Jerusalem Parish, Garriki Awkunanaw, Enugu was so important and special that the Spiritual Head of the Celestial Church world wide, Rt. Rev. (Pro) Gabriel Beni Omoge had to come down personally from Lagos to conduct the marriage.

    Omoge was assisted by the head of diocese, Enugu/Ebonyi states, Most Sup. Evang. Gabriel Daramoka and the arch diocese head of Enugu/Ebonyi states, Most Sup. Evang. Paul Ayedu.

    The moderate church building was filled to capacity by the relations and friends of the couple who mostly came from Ekiti and Ebonyi states as well as far away Malayasia. It was gyration all through the service as the church band rendered some Igbo and Yoruba tunes.

    Bukola’s colleagues were in their best adorning the traditional red upon black ceremonial police outfit, to usher in and usher out the couple into and from the church.

    The reception which was held one of Enugu’s top events centre was turned to a competition between the two families of the couple of who will outdo each other. The Police band entertained while the spokesman of the Enugu state police command, Ebere Amaraizu was on hand to represent the state police commissioner.

    “I am the happiest woman on earth today,” Bukola told Southeast Report. “In fact what started like a joke has ended up in something very serious today. Glory be to God that I’m married to the man I love,” she added.

    And Ejike said: “Today is not only the happiest day in my life but the most remarkable. Today I have married the woman of my dream and with God on our side. We are going to make it together till death parts us.”

  • Assemblies of God Church disowns 2000 pensioner pastors

    Assemblies of God Church disowns 2000 pensioner pastors

    • Says no pension scheme for pastors of the church
    The Assemblies of God Church, Nigeria has described as mischievous, media reports linking some of its leaders to alleged missing pension fund belonging to retired ministers of the Church.
    In a press statement issued in Enugu, the Church said the publication was rather a clever but criminal design by some elements to divert attention from some atrocities they committed while they held sway in the Church.
    The reaction followed reports that the Inspector General of Police invited the Church’s General Superintendent, Rev Dr Chidi Okoroafor, Rev Vincent Alaje and Tony Ewelike, over a petition by one Mr C. N. Idris, wherein the church leaders were allegedly accused by 2000 pastors of embezzling the pension fund.
    However, the Church’s General Secretary, Rev Dr Godwin Amaowoh, who signed the statement said the contents of the said petition as published in the media “are lies from the pit of hell, merely intended to distract the Church.”
    He said: “We had wanted to ignore this report but following the insistence of some of our members that these liars should be exposed to stop them from further deceiving the innocent public, we have now deemed it fit to make these clarifications.
    “May we make it bold that we do not have a pension scheme in the Assemblies of God Church as we never in the first instance employed any minister. Assemblies Of God only operates what we call Assemblies Of God Ministers Benefit Scheme”
    “Every minister with the Assemblies of God Church is on voluntary service. Therefore, we have no such thing as pension fund; rather we operate a welfare scheme for our ministers.
    “All the ministers involved signed contracts in that regard in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Church. We follow the provisions of that constitution strictly.
    “It is also apt to make it clear to the members of the public that we do not know about 2000 ministers; perhaps they are with the disfellowshiped Rev Paul Emeka.
    “Our constitution provides that those who are under discipline are not entitled to the welfare scheme, until after certain years depending on the level of discipline.
    “A minister who is dismissed is not entitled to welfare except only his own contribution to the welfare; but if the minister is suspended and he leaves the church, he will not be entitled to the welfare scheme. But if he remains in the church, till after the period required for restoration, he knows the normal processes to follow
    “It also needs to be stated that the body administering Assemblies Of God Ministers Benefit Scheme  is distinct from the General Council and is appropriately registered with the CAC.”
    While accusing Rev. Paul Emeka of bolting away with N17m from the Assemblies Of God Ministers benefit Scheme account, he explained that “the General Superintendent, Rev Dr Chidi Okoroafor and the General Treasurer, Rev. Dr. Vincent Alaje are not members of that body, however, as an officer of the Council, I am aware that Paul Emeka took a whooping N17m away from that account.”
    “Emeka is not qualified for the welfare scheme because he took a loan of N17m from AG-HOMES and instead of paying back the loan, he wrote a letter to AG-HOMES that they should take his entitlement for the loan. His entitlement was not even up to that amount.
    “When he held sway as the General Superintendent, he appointed Rev. Ejikeme Ejim, the current Assistant General Superintendent of the Church as the chairman of the welfare Board, however  when Rev Ejim discovered that Rev Paul Emeka was constantly taking money without given proper account, he voluntarily resigned as the Chairman of the Board.”
    He further stated that any minister in the Church who so desired to receive his package from the scheme, “should apply in accordance with the Constitution of the Church and will receive same if qualified.”
    The Church also denied media reports that the Inspector General Of Police invited some of its Officers on Tuesday 24th February 2017
    “It was a Crude and Dishonest effort by Rev Paul Emeka and his gang to embarrass the church and paint it black by conniving with some Junior Police Officers in an attempt to ruin the Church he claims he wants to be returned as the Leader”.