The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enugu

  • Enugu Disco donates books to varsities

    The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), in partnership with Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF), a non-governmental organisation, has donated books and computers to 15 tertiary institutions in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. The institutions were nominated by their states.

    Speaking at the donation held in Oraifite in Anambra State, SEOF’s co-ordinator, Tony Obi praised EEDC for the partnership to improve education. He urged the beneficiary institutions to ensure that the materials are used to improve the quality of education and research.

    EEDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Robert Dickerman, said the gesture was in line with the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, which he said was aimed at contributing towards the development of its host community.

    Dickerman said: “We know the importance of education and we have obligation and responsibility to ensure that our business is not just to provide electricity to communities, we also have task to help and support the communities in which we are a part of.

    “We believe education is key to development of any society; we are honoured to be part of this donation and we are committed to take active role in the development of education of the five South-eastern states in which we do our business.”

    “Besides lighting up homes, companies and industries, we can also light up minds. We believe in supporting social programmes under our CSR initiatives by partnering with such progressive foundation, such as SOEF.”

    Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr Beatrice Okonkwo, hailed the gesture, saying it was a good example of life-changing CSR.

    The governor said: “Government alone cannot provide everything needed for the education, and it is usually a great relief when corporate establishments like EEDC come out to contribute to the effort.”

    The governor stressed said the donation of the education materials would go a long way in improving quality and standard of education in the region.

     

     

  • Towards better days in Enugu

    Towards better days in Enugu

    The Enugu International Investment Summit tagged Oganiru, has started to yield results. Two strategic partners working on integrated infrastructural backbone for the country has chosen Enugu State as the centre point for the regional integration of Southeast’s economic growth. CHRIS OJI reports

    Good things are coming the way of Enugu State. It has been chosen as the centre point for the regional integration of Southeast’s economic development under the planned national framework. The state was picked by two strategic Korean and Nigerian partners working on integrated infrastructure for the country

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi hosted the high-powered teams from the Integrated Infrastructure Backbone for Nigeria and Hyundai Engineering of Korea. They told him that talks with the Federal Government on their ambitious project has reached an advanced stage.

    The two corporate organisa-tions, which attended the last Enugu International Investment Summit tagged ‘Oganiru’ said action plans and designs for the proposed infrastructure backbone for the country has made the state a central focus for the Southeast, especially with the proposal for establishment of a dry port at Obollo-Afor, a boundary town.

    The designation of the busy border-town, Obollo-Afor for a proposed inland container/dry port was effected during Governor Ugwuanyi’s tenure as the chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Marine Transport.

    The elated Governor Ugwuanyi spoke to his visitors said: “I wish to thank you for your kind comments on the success of the Oganiru – Enugu State Investment Summit – during which, as you rightly observed, I declared that Enugu State is open for business.

    “Your visit today actually goes to confirm that the Summit made the required impact and is therefore yielding the desired results. It is in that spirit therefore that I do warmly welcome the team from Hyundai Engineering and those from Integrated Infrastructure Backbone for Nigeria.

    “We are certainly interested in hearing your proposals for investment in Enugu State and you can always count on our cooperation and partnership”, he told the investors.

    Those who came for the special presentation before the governor included; (from Korea) – Mr Hon Byung Chul, the General Manager, Overseas Investments, Mr Jang Hosung, Manager, Overseas Investments, Mr Cha Ki Young of Alpos which are Consultants to Hyundai Engineering and Mr Justin Okafor, President, Nigeria Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Japan.

    The delegation from the Integrated Infrastructure Backbone Project was led by Dr Nkemka Jombo-Ofo, Principal Consultant, Dr Stephen Dike, Principal Consultant, Dr Solomon Nyagba, Consultant, Mr Eric Eze, Surveyor and Mr Kingsley Eze, Consultant.

    Dr. Dike of Integrated Infrastructure Development Associate spoke on the dynamics of the ambitious project: “It is a special purpose company established to initiate the integrated infrastructure development project for Nigeria and the whole idea is to create economic development catalyst that would ensure that we have an integrated infrastructure backbone that would go from Akwa Ibom deep sea port all the way to Katsina.

    “We also have another one at Bayelsa which would now join the backbone from Akwa  Ibom to Katsina at Enugu. Our whole idea is to make Enugu/Obollo Afor Centre Point of integrated infrastructure development plan for the whole South-East region.

    “Along this backbone, we are going to have five dimensions of infrastructure development. That would include: power grid, fiber cables, high-speed rail road, dual carriage high and finally, it would include the gas pipeline 70 inch diameter gas pipeline.

    “The whole idea is that economic development in Nigeria can only go as fast as infrastructure development would go. Infrastructure development in Nigeria has not been strategic and integrated. The highest cost of infrastructure development are; the cost of security and the cost of right of wealth.

    “We are looking at other developed countries like Shanghai, Japan, Singapore et cetera and we are trying to emulate their successes of those at best practices in order to bring it to infrastructure development in Nigeria”, he further explained.

    On the strategic role of Enugu State in the whole project, he also explained that “Our partnership with Enugu State government is that the infrastructural backbone is going to pass through the state. Obollo Afor is the centre point for the backbone because we are going to have an inland container port at Obollo Afor.

    “Obollo Afor also is going to be the centre point for the inter-connector project that would go to other areas. For instance, the one coming from Bayelsa is going to connect at Obollo Afor. So the strategic relationship with Enugu State Government is that it is going to be the centre point for the South-East region”, he stated.

  • Enugu’s quest for economic diversification

    It is public knowledge that agriculture was the mainstay of the country’s economy before the discovery of oil in Nigeria. Since the discovery of oil, Nigerians and successive governments played down agricultural activities to the detriment of the nation’s economy.

    It is shameful that a country like Malaysia touted to have taken palm-nuts from Nigeria so many years ago is today the world’s major producer of palm oil. For several years of oil boom, Nigerians over-depended on imported food items to survive, with little or no manufactured exports in return. Also government’s policies on imported food items were neither here nor there, considering that it was never protective and supportive of local production.

    Successive governments at all levels had consistently paid lip service to diversification of the country’s economy before now.  They usually rush to Abuja on monthly basis to collect handouts called monthly federation allocation. This was the practice in government’s circle and corridors of power since the discovery of oil in the Niger-Delta region until recently when the global price of crude oil suddenly crashed.

    With the unprecedented crash and the renewed militancy in the Niger-Delta, the country’s economy is in dire straits. The only way to revive and sustain the economy is through diversification into agriculture and other sectors. If there is any appropriate time for our leaders to put on their thinking caps, it is now.

    So far, only a few states are taking concrete steps to diversify their states’ economy in line with the federal government’s economic diversification agenda. Enugu State is one, not just through policy statement, but by implementing policies and actions that will sustain the agenda. Its first step to demonstrate a commitment in that direction was during its International Investment Summit which held from April 12-14.

    At the summit, agricultural processing was one of the major identified 10 key sectors that the governor, IfeanyiUgwuanyi presented to the investors.    The agri-business players and investors at the summit were presented with the ample opportunity to explore options at developing the agricultural sector in the state through Public Private Partnerships, as well as privatisation and commercialization of government agriculture enterprises.  The summit and its major theme were indicative of the importance the state government attaches to revival and development of agriculture in the state. The plenary, held under the theme; Agribusiness as a Viable Business Platform, had in attendance international investors, agribusiness players, exporters and players from within and outside the shores of Nigeria. Speakers commended the government’s effort, embraced the agricultural potentials of the state and expressed readiness to partner with the government in developing the sector.

    The governor made it clear that his government was seeking to commercialise agriculture in the state as part of its development plan for the sector.  It was discovered that major crops that are viable in the state which offered potentials for investment and commercialisation include; palm oil, rice, cassava, cashew, vegetable fruits, and livestock production.

    Subsequent to the summit, the governor has apportioned 750 hectares of arable land across the state for commercial agriculture. The communities that benefitted include Ogbeke – 50 hectares, Oduma–50 hectares, Ogulogu– 100 hectares, Akpugo-Eze – 50, Owo– 50 hectares and Nnewe–100 hectares.

    Others are Ikem – 50 hectares, Agkuibeje –50 hectares, Oghu–50 hectares, EhaAmufu –100 hectares, Obimo– 50 hectares and Amangunze –50 hectares.

    Contractors have commenced work diligently to clear the lands, after which the land would be segmented into three-hectare plots for allocation to youths and women to undertake commercial agriculture in the state.

    In addition, the government has packaged soft loan for the would-be-beneficiaries of the programme, and purchased 20 tractors with complete sets of implements for each of the tractors at the total cost of N175.3 million.

    The tractors are to be given to young agricultural/engineering graduates to render tractor-hiring services to farmers, especially those farmers at the arable planting areas where commercial agriculture is being practiced, on a cost recovery basis for sustainability. The beneficiaries will be required to pay back the subsidised cost of the tractors and its implements over a period of six years.

    To ensure that the farm produce from these earmarked farms could be easily transported to the urban areas for sale, the state government constructed some major roads leading to these farms and other rural areas. This can be seen in the ongoing dualisation of Opi/Nsukka road, Achalla road, Orba road and other roads in Enugu North zone.  It is of note that the zone, which is made up of 80 percent agrarian communities has the agricultural and human potentials of feeding the South-east zone and beyond if given the necessary support.

    But unfortunately, these potentials have not been harnessed by successive governments in the state and national levels due to poor agricultural policies, high revenue from crude oil, resulting in neglect of the zone for too long. With the crash in crude oil price and governments anxiety to diversify the economy by reviving the agriculture, Enugu State government may have taken the lead by its concrete plan and efforts so far.

    The governor’s focus and pragmatic policies in that direction has not deterred or prevented government from attending to other state obligations like road construction, payment of workers’ salaries among others. Obviously, the Ugwuanyi administration understands the potentials of huge investment in the agricultural sector.   With that foundation, it should not be surprising if, in the years ahead, the state competes favourably with states like Benue, Nassarawa and Taraba in food production.

    Instead of relying solely on the month federation allocation to run the state as has always been the case, governors should take a cue from what their Enugu counterpart has done so far in the area of agriculture. Every state in the country is blessed with vast arable lands that have been left unused and unattended because of the availability of the crude oil proceeds. The advantage of what Enugu government is doing in the agricultural sector is that even if crude oil price rebounds in future, the state will have enough funds to develop other sectors of the economy.

     

    • Ugwuoda, a development expert wrote from Agani, Enugu State.
  • 14 broadcast, MP3 suspected pirates arrested in Enugu

    14 broadcast, MP3 suspected pirates arrested in Enugu

    •N12.7m equipment recovered

    Operatives of the Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC) arrested yesterday in Enugu 14 suspected pirates in a morning raid.

    Eleven of the suspects allegedly operated the MP3 while three others engaged in broadcast piracy.

    The raid, led by the agency’s Director of Enforcement, Augustine Amodu, resulted in the seizure of equipment worth N12.7 million from the suspects.

    Amodu said the operatives carried out the raids simultaneously in two areas of Enugu.

    The NCC director noted that because the raid was carried out as early as 4 a.m, some of the suspects were caught manipulating their equipment.

    He said the NCC discovered that the suspects gave out subscriptions at N2,000 each to between 50 and 100 houses, adding that each of the suspect had his or her dedicated subscribers.

    Amodu urged the public to stop patronising operators of such broadcast and MP3 piracy outfits because they were illegal.

    The NCC director said the agency would align with the Federal Government’s war against corruption.

    He warned those pirating other people’s businesses to desist because “the tune of the music has changed”.

    Amodu added that the commission had secured 59 convictions since the beginning of the year.

     

  • Court sacks Enugu Rep

    •INEC to issue Certificate of Return to Ozomgbachi

    Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the election of Dennis Amadi, representing Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency of Enugu State in the House of Representatives.

    In a judgment on Friday, Justice Okon Abang held that Amadi was not the valid candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2015 election because he was not elected through a credible primary.

    The judgment was on a pre-election suit filed before last year’s general elections by Ogbuefi Ozomgbachi. The suit had Amadi, PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first, second and third defendants.

    Justice Abang held that the purported primary election of the PDP, from which Amadi emerged, was “illegal, null and void” because it was held in violation of the party’s guidelines.

    The judge further held that the party’s primary on December 6, 2014, was valid.

    He pronounced Ozomgbachi the winner of the primary.

    Justice Abang ordered INEC to immediately withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Amadi and issue a valid Certificate of Return to Ozomgbachi for him to assume the position as the representative of Ude/Ezeagu Federal Constituency of Enugu State.

    The judge ordered Amadi to vacate his seat with immediate effect and refund his earnings while he occupied the seat “illegally”.

    Justice Abang said: “After a careful reading of the submissions of counsel in the suit, I note that the election of the plaintiff was conducted at the designated venue for the Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency of Enugu State.

    “The plaintiff has shown that the duly appointed electoral officers were present and declared him winner.

    “I find merit in his request to uphold his election and, therefore, hold that he be declared the authentic winner of the primariy held on December 6, 2014, having duly satisfied the party’s guidelines for elections in 2014.

    “Dennis Amadi, who is the first defendant in this suit, shall also return all the money collected by way of salaries, allowances or whatsoever since when he took the seat.”

    The judge awarded N100,000 cost against Amadi.

  • Echoes of Enugu killings

    I have followed with keen interest the development in the country over the unfortunate attacks on communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The incessant attacks which are ravaging some communities in the country have posed a serious security threat to our unity and peaceful co-existence as an indivisible entity.

    Of all these callous incidents of herdsmen attacks, I had special interest in the recent carnage in Nimbo community in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State, which drew the attention of the world.

    I lived and studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) for five years in the late 80s, and I came to identify the people of the state as peaceful and accommodating.   During my academic pursuit in Nsukka, I undertook constant visits to Adada River in Uzo Uwani L.G.A, located not too far from Nimbo community where the killings took place.

    When the governor visited the Nimbo community, saw a dead body, wept and called for fasting and prayers, many people then misunderstood the wisdom behind his emotions, empathy and resort to God’s intervention. But, when I recalled that tears streamed down President Barack Obama’s cheeks in January this year, when he summoned the memory of the 20 elementary school children slaughtered in Newtown, Connecticut, I saw wisdom, leadership, humility and maturity in what the Enugu governor did at Nimbo.

    After his press conference, where he gave a narrative of what transpired and how the security agencies failed him despite all the assurances and painstaking efforts he made to forestall the attack on Nimbo, I was overwhelmed with emotion and convinced that the security agencies have questions to answer.

    The recent turn of events, has proved those who had criticized the state’s handling of the Nimbo attack wrong. The trend of events has portrayed the governor as a statesman and diplomatic leader with a deep rooted instinct in crisis management and passion for peace and unity of the country. It has proved that he displayed maturity in the face of provocation, by not allowing a reprisal attack that would have done the Igbos more harm than good.

    I am convinced that he considered the consequences of a possible counter-retaliation on his innocent brothers and sisters residing in other parts of the country, when he condemned the dastardly act and promised to do everything possible within his constitutional powers to bring the culprits to book and put an end to the incessant killings in the state.

    I have realized that the governor’s path to peace, dialogue and strategic engagement of all concerned, towards bringing the culprits to book and finding a sustainable solution to the menace of the herdsmen, was not a sign of weakness but a sign of reasoned maturity and commitment to the promotion of our national unity and integration.

    I sincerely commend the governor for this uncommon wisdom geared towards a peaceful, united and prosperous nation.

    The significant fact about the Enugu attack is not only that it drew the attention of the entire world to condemn the heinous act and call for justice, the President after the prompt visit of the Enugu Governor to him, also condemned the attack and directed the security agencies to immediately secure communities under the attacks of herdsmen and arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly acts and bring them to justice.

    I was delighted by the decisive action of the governor, shortly after the attack to reactivate and strengthen the vigilante groups in all the communities in the state with an initial seed fund of N100million to provide complimentary security services in their respective areas.  The governor equally constituted a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to unravel all the circumstances surrounding the attack.

    I was equally impressed by the avalanche of heartfelt condolences and   commendations the governor has received over the Nimbo attack and for the maturity he displayed in handling the matter.

    It is on record, that the governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were the first to pay a condolence visit to the state over the Nimbo attack. They condemned the attack and commended Governor Ugwuanyi for “the show of maturity in handling the provocative incident, which they described as a criminal act that cannot be associated with tribe, religion or political party.”

    I appreciate the inspirational words of the chairman of the APC Northern Governors, Governor Ibrahim Shettima of Borno State during his visit: “Times like this call for maturity, calmness, leadership role, which Governor Ugwuanyi has displayed. We are one nation with a common destiny. The killers should be treated like criminals and should be fished out and dealt with.”

    Worthy of note is that the Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola also condemned the carnage as callous and commended Governor Ugwuanyi for the manner he has handled the matter by not allowing a reprisal attack.

    It is also on the condolence register, that the South-east governors and other leaders from the zone; the South-east PDP governors and other leaders of the party; South-east Council of Traditional Rulers; the state chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN); South-east Town Unions; some Catholic and Anglican Bishops in the state; the Fulani and Shuwa Arab Communities in the state;, the governor’s kinsmen under the aegis of Nsukka General Assembly and Nsukka Professional Group, among others,   all condemned the attack and commended the Enugu Governor for his maturity in handling the sad incident of Nimbo which did not lead to further violence or a reprisal attack.

    Just a few days ago, I watched the governor on television, accompanied by Fulani leaders to a community in the state (Akpakwume/Nze) to dispel the rumour of an impending attack on the people of the area and to reassure them of their safety. My heart thawed over the wisdom in his efforts to embark on a prompt visit to the community to promote peace and unity and guarantee the people of their safety. This is an attribute of a statesman and detribalized Nigerian.

    Two days after the visit, I also read in the media, that the governor met with the Fulani and Shuwa Arab communities in the state and Leaders of Apkakwume/Nze community on how to foster peace and unity and enhance the security of lives and property of the people of the state in the wake of the recent attack on Nimbo community.

    It was reported that after the meeting, all the parties involved unanimously resolved through a communiqué read by the secretary of the Fulani community in the state, Bala Ardo, that there will be no night grazing or rearing of cattle, no carrying of arms by the cattle rearers, and no night movement of cattle from one location to another in the state. The meeting also constituted a joint peace committee that will be meeting every month to promote peace and address any issue that might arise between the herdsmen and their host communities, etc.

    From the foregoing, there is no doubt that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has through the sequence of his actions since the incessant attack on Nimbo community, demonstrated quality leadership that provides answer to the fundamental problems of national disunity, tribalism and religious bigotry that have threatened our existence as an indivisible entity.

    Again, I commend him immensely for being in the vanguard of national discourse for peace, unity and integration, for in unity we stand and in disunity we fall. Enugu State is truly in the hands of God!

     

    • Idowu, a public affairs analyst wrote in from Ikeja, Lagos.
  • EFCC grills Enugu governor’s adviser over N200m fraud

    EFCC grills Enugu governor’s adviser over N200m fraud

    The Economic and Fnancial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed a Senior Special Adviser to Enugu State Government on Special Duties, Pastor Sam Ifeanyi Iyiogwe, for alleged embezzlement of over N200million.

    The cash was allegedly laundered when was the chairman of the Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State.

    The height of the sleaze was the alleged payment of N1.5million monthly to his wife without legislative approval.

    Also, the cashier of the council, Mrs. Felicia Okeke, withdrew N80million from the council account with UBA and deposited same into the UBA bank account of the suspect while in office.

    According to a top source in the commission, the invitation of the Special Adviser followed a petition on how he allegedly mismanaged funds while in office.

    Some of the allegations are as follows:

    • Diversion of funds meant for the development of the local government into a  personal account,
    • Spending funds without approval from the Nkanu East Local Government Area Legislative Council,
    • Non-execution of up to 30% capital project captured under 2012 – 2015 for which billions of naira were appropriated,
    • Withholding of workers’ salaries for several months, including leave allowances which were never paid for four years,
    • Refurbishment of the LGA bus with N5, 000,000(five million naira) and lavishing N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira) of bribe to some council members to cover up some of his corrupt practices,
    • Operation of a domiciliary account with $30,000.

    The source added: “Iyiogwe, who is said to be a pastor, was alleged to have been paying his wife N1.5m monthly without legislative approval. He allegedly diverted public funds for the construction of a shopping plaza at the Ogui Road Junction; an estate near Mbaukwu Street, Enugu; a multi-million naira mansion in his village at Ubaha; a filling station at Agbani; fleet of cars for transport services being managed by his wife in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    “He was said to have used some of his special advisers to divert N20million for road repairs that was never carried out, while awarding another road contract for N100million that was never constructed, among other alleged infractions.

    “Investigations into the allegations contained in the petition confirmed that the cashier of the council, Mrs. Felicia Okeke, withdrew N80million from the council account with UBA and deposited same into the UBA bank account of the suspect while in office.”

    The source added that the Head of Works of the local government, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, admitted during interrogation that he was used by the suspect to “steal and launder various sums of money.”

    “Okonkwo admitted that the suspect, Pastor Sam Iyiogwe Ifeanyi, actually asked him to forge the various receipts used for the retirement of the looted funds, while a certain Evangelist Felix Okoye forged the receipts of Enugu State Broadcasting Service, ESBS, Radio Nigeria and Nigerian Television Authority NTA, used in carrying out some fund retirement for purported Public Relations.”

    The EFCC said investigation was still ongoing as at press time.

    More arrests might be made with all the suspects likely to be arraigned for trial.

  • Enugu, Agatu, Nasarawa killings criminal, says Sultan

    Enugu, Agatu, Nasarawa killings criminal, says Sultan

    Sultan of Sokoto and President-General,  Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has described the killings during attacks on communities of Agatu in Benue state, Nnibo in Enugu State and some parts of Nasarawa state as a crime and urged the government to bring perpetrators to justice.

    He called for a thorough investigation by appropriate security agencies into the killings in order to fish out the evil perpetrators and forestall re-occurrence.

    Sultan Abubakar made his view known in a statement signed by JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu. He said: “Crimes are abominable and whoever commits them is a criminal.”

    He lamented that certain groups or people ascribe the killings to ethnic and/or religious premise and to whimsically apportion blame in order to batter the gradual restoration of peace and security in Nigeria.

    The statement said: “Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) received with great shock and deep concern the news of incessant killings and maiming of innocent lives and the destruction of public and private properties. Of particular concern are the brutal murders of people in Agatu-Benue state, Nnibo-Enugu state and some parts of Nasarawa state. It is indeed alarming that within few weeks, deadly attacks were reportedly unleashed while the perpetrators go un-arrested.

    “JNI therefore condemns in strong terms these repeated heinous attacks and once again calls on the relevant security agencies to brace up to the trends, in order to put a stop to this ugly tide, as human lives are sacred and must be seen to be treated as so.

    “JNI and indeed all Nigerians, view the fall out of these repeated attacks, particularly the taking up of arms against other citizens as another trend of insecurity that portends grave danger to the Nation. We must not forget so soon the adverse effect of the so called Boko Haram group, that claimed the lives of many thousands innocent lives.

    “Hundreds have been abducted, the males forced into insurgency and the females into slavery. Millions more are wallowing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Nigeria and in Refugee Camps in neighbouring countries. Public and private properties worth trillions of Naira have been destroyed.

    “We therefore call for a thorough investigation by appropriate agencies in order to fish out the evil perpetrators, bring them to justice and forestall re-occurrence. The repeated heinous acts of attacks are crimes against the citizenry and the perpetrators are therefore criminals and must be treated so.

    “It is indeed absurd and most unfortunate that certain groups or people ascribe the incidents on ethnic and/or religious premise and to whimsically apportion blame in order to batter the gradual restoration of peace and security in Nigeria. Well, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State has debunked the rumours, likewise the Inspector General of Police has also debunked the insinuations over those being blamed.

    “We must thus be cautious of packaging crimes on religious and ethnic garments. Crimes are abominable and whoever commits them is criminal. Security agencies should brace up in being proactive and utilize maximally intelligence reports in order to nip-in the bud possible eruptions of security problems within and around communities.

    “Painfully, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on behalf of Nigerian Muslims, condoles the families of those who lost their lives and sympathies with all affected victims, and also calls for concerted introspection and commitment by relevant agencies to take proactive and effective measures in addressing this pernicious problem.

  • Ekweremadu: Enugu herdsmen’s attack‘ll be Nigeria’s last

    Ekweremadu: Enugu herdsmen’s attack‘ll be Nigeria’s last

    Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday said the recent attack on Nimbo community in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State by suspected Fulani herdsmen will be the last of such attacks in any part of then country.

    Ekweremadu, who led other members of the National Assembly from Enugu State to the area, described the damage done to the community as devastating.

    Announcing a donation of a transformer to the community, the senator assured that “this will bring an end to what herdsmen are doing”.

    He also announced a donation of N2 million to rebuild the two churches the herdsmen allegedly torched during the attack.

    Ekweremadu visited the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Enugu, where some of the injured were receiving treatment.

    The senator expressed shock over the casualties recorded during the attack.

    He said: “This will bring an end to what herdsmen are doing in Nigeria. We shall do our best to ensure that it doesn’t happen again, whether here or elsewhere.

    “NEMA (the National Emergency Management Agency) will also visit here tomorrow (Monday) with materials. In the meantime, the National Assembly caucus in our state is donating N2 million to help you start the rebuilding process.

    “We are going to ensure that roads here are given clear attention. After four years, the story of Uzo-Uwani will change.

    “I will also give you a transformer within the next three to four days.”

    In their separate speeches, Patrick Asadu and Dennis Agbo, representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South and Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal constituencies, chorused the need to prevent a recurrence.

    They noted that the attack on Nimbo would not be taken for granted.

    “They have been doing this and going free, but this attack on Nimbo will be the last. The people doing this are not just cattle rearers; they are terrorists, Boko Haram elements. We are not going to take it,” Asadu said.

    The parish priest of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Nimbo, Rev. Patrick Obetta, narrated how God saved him from the invaders.

    The cleric told the delegation that 50 herdsmen invaded the church and vandalised it after several attempts to set it ablaze had failed.

    The traditional ruler, Igwe John Akor, said his community had been having harrowing experiences in the hands of Fulani herdsmen for decades.

    He said sad stories about Fulani herdsmen were regular in his domain.

    He urged Ekweremadu and his team to curb the menace so that the residents would enjoy some peace.

     

  • Enugu governor raises judicial panel

    Enugu governor raises judicial panel

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State yesterday constituted a panel of enquiry to investigate the immediate and remote causes of all the violent occurrences in the state associated with Fulani herdsmen.

    The panel will also recommend appropriate measures that will be put in place to prevent future reoccurrence of the violent incidents, including Monday’s invasion of Nimbo in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state, where no fewer than 40 people were killed..

    Before an assembly of elders and other stakeholders in the state, the governor wondered how the herdsmen were allowed to go on the rampage even after all the security agencies had sufficient intelligence about the impeding attack and had assured him that they were on top of the situation.

    His words: “Four days ago on Monday April 25, 2016 many of our brothers and sisters in Nimbo in Uzo Uwani Local Government Area of the state were murdered in cold blood by suspected Fulani herdsmen who have been grazing their cattle in that area for a while now. May their souls rest in peace. Amen.

    “On Sunday, April 24, 2016, by 7 pm, the night before this carnage took place, I got security information from Uzo-Uwani Local Government Transition Chairman, Hon. Cornell Onwubuya that such an incident was likely to take place in the state.

    “I immediately summoned a meeting of the State Security Council which commenced by 10 pm.

    The meeting was attended by the following:

    *   Garrison Commander Brigadier General Olufemi Akinjobi who normally represents the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army

    *   The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nwodibo Ekechukwu

    *   The State Director of Department State Security Services (DSS), Mr. M. Abdul Malik

    *   The State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. Lar Stephen

    *   Representatives of the Nigerian Air force, Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigerian Prison Services, who attended as observers.

    “From the side of government were myself, the Governor, the Deputy Governor, the Secretary to the State Government, the Chief of Staff, the Chairman, State Traditional Rulers Council and the Honourable Attorney General of the State.

    “In the meeting, we received assurances from the Commissioner of Police that the Area Commander of SARS was on ground in Nimbo.

    -That the Anti-Terrorism Unit was at Nimbo

    – That he was in contact with the Kogi State Commissioner of Police and reported suspected herdsmen grouping at Odolu in Kogi State preparatory for an attack on Nimbo and Abbi communities

    – That Police mobile force and conventional police were already drafted to Nimbo and Abbi communities.

    –  That he was in touch with the Area Commander, Idah, ACP Ikegwuonwu and had linked him with the Area Commander, Nsukka, ACP Monday Kuryas.

    “Both men according to the CP reported that there were no traces of suspected herdsmen in Nsukka or Idah.

    -That he ordered the Area Commander, Nsukka to redeploy to Nimbo.

    -That the Garrison Commander on his part assured the meeting that Military was already deployed to Nimbo.”

    The governor said that government immediately provided logistics for these deployments,adding: “After receiving these assurances of deployments to Nimbo, I felt quite confident that we had done everything possible to forestall an attack on Nimbo.

    Sadly, in the early hours of Monday reports of this carnage reached me. More disturbing was the report that the attack of innocent and defenceless citizens were carried out at about 6 30 am.

    “Further reports available to me indicate that apart from the killing and maiming of innocent and defenceless citizens of Nimbo a Church was also burnt. Following this development, I engaged the security agencies in order to ensure that the Nimbo area was secured from further attacks that might escalate the situation.

    “On Tuesday, April 26, 2016, I visited Nimbo in order to establish firsthand the extent of carnage. My visit to Nimbo was revealing. I came face to face with the wounded and bereaved. I saw burnt and damaged personage of Christ Holy Church.

    “I saw a traumatized community in shock and despair. I saw a dead body. I wept. I wondered what has become of our quest for a united, peaceful and prosperous nation.”

    He then announced the setting up of a panel to probe the attack and similar ones in the state,because as he put it: “This situation cannot be allowed to continue.”

    Ugwuanyi said that the people of the state cannot live in isolation, “those who come to Enugu must respect out values and not engage in such dastardly act as we have witnessed recently.”

    He said: “What happened between 6.30am and 7.30 am on Monday 25th April, 2016 despite assurances from the Security Agencies? Only the Security Agencies can answer this question.”