The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Enugu

  • Enugu approves N4.2b for salaries

    Enugu approves N4.2b for salaries

    The Enugu State Executive Council has approved the procurement of a bailout fund of N4.2billion through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the liquidation of the outstanding salaries, pensions and arrears including subventions for parastatals, institutions and boards.

    The council equally approved the procurement of N10billion loan from the CBN for infrastructural development.

    The state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Godwin Udeuhele disclosed the development while briefing reporters at the end of the state executive council meeting.

    The approvals, he explained, were sequel to the memoranda from the Commissioner for Finance Mrs. Eucharia Offor requesting the urgent need to liquidate all workers entitlements and consolidate on the state’s ongoing developmental projects.

    According to the commissioner, the council also approved the relocation of motor mechanics and other allied workers in Enugu metropolis to the Mechanic Village, Umuatugbuoma Akegbe Ugwu in Nkanu West Local Government Area, sequel to a memo from the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo.

    The council had further mandated the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry to open up more mechanic villages at Nsukka urban, Emene, Ninth Mile Corner among others to improve the environmental status of the state’s urban areas as well boost its economic and commercial life.

     

  • Ohanaeze youths to Buhari: revamp Enugu coal mine

    Ohanaeze youths to Buhari: revamp Enugu coal mine

    The youth wing of the apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has  urged President Muhammadu Buhari to revive the Enugu coal mine, which has been comatose for over four decades.

    The youths also urged the President to rely on Federal Character in his subsequent appointments.

    They equally condemned Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha for reportedly saying that “Igbos are the cause of their exclusion in recent appointments made by the President in a recent interview.”

    The remark was contained in a statement jointly signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the president and the secretary, respectively, after a meeting between the national executives of the group and  members of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the organization. The meeting was centered on the need to foster  the wellbeing of the Igbos in the state.

    “We call on President Buhari to work towards fulfilling his electoral promises to Ndigbo especially the revamping of Enugu Coal Mine which has remained moribund for 43 years now. We are not happy with the interview credited to Imo State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha. Instead of castigating the Igbos, he should use his position in the party to make the President  to make use of Federal Character in his appointments.

    Speaking, the Akwa Ibom chapter president, Mazi Emmanuel Ikechukwu-Jonathan, appealed to the Department of the State Services(DSS), to “release the report of its finding on the recent invasion of Akwa Ibom Government House by its operatives to calm the nerves of both indigenes and non-indigenes in the state.

    “The silence of the DSS after the raid is enough to put fears on those who want to invest in the state or currently doing business in the state. We are making this appeal because of our people who have invested heavily in the economy of this state as we don’t want anything that will create civil unrest because it is our people who will suffer most.

    “You know that any part of this country where there is civil unrest, it is the Igbos who usually suffer the damages because they are the highest in number in terms of the non-indigenes you will find in any state outside the South East. Currently the APC and the PDP are trading blames and you don’t know what may come out of such actions.

    The group sympathised with the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over the accident he was involved in on his way to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja to board an international flight.

    “We wish our in-law quick recovery from the injuries he sustained from that accident and pray God to continue to protect him in all his endeavours,” the group said.

     

  • CPC to prosecute Benin, Enugu DISCOs for exploitative electricity billing

    CPC to prosecute Benin, Enugu DISCOs for exploitative electricity billing

    The consumer Protection Council (CPC) said it is set to commence prosecution procedure against Benin and Enugu Distribution Companies for violating its enabling Act in the on-going investigation of the activities of the country’s distribution companies (DISCOs).

    The CPC, in a statemnt, said it had to take this decision due to the non-appearance of the two power firms before  Council’s Panel, instituted to investigate numerous complaints of electricity consumers on estimated billings and non-provision of metres.

    “Benin Distribution Company was expected to appear before the Panel on Wednesday by 10 am, while Enugu’s time was 2pm the same day, in line with a schedule of appearance agreed upon with the representatives of the DISCOs at their meeting with the Council on Monday, September 7.

    “The distribution company, like its other counterparts, was also expected to have forwarded some documents that would aid the Council in its hearing by Friday, September 11 even though the date was shifted to Monday, September 14 for all the DISCOs, pursuant to a plea from the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) for more time for the submission of the documents.

  • Enugu varsity buries pioneer VC

    Enugu varsity buries pioneer VC

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s mentor, Professor Julius Onah has been buried. The pioneer vice chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) was 76.

    He was the first professor of marketing in West Africa.

    The academic community in the former Eastern Region and beyond trooped to ESUT to pay their last respects to the academic giant.

    Four former vice-chancellors of the university were present at the valedictory.

    At the occasion, Governor Ugwuanyi named the ESUT Auditorium after Professor Julius Onah, describing him as not only a mentor but motivationalý father whose life examples propelled many to greater heights.

    The late Onah was buried at his home town, Orba in Udenu local government area of the state where the governor also hails from.

    In a eulogy, Ugwuanyi urged his contemporaries to emulate the late Professor Onah by distinguishing themselves in their various disciplines.

    The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese Most Rev. Godfrey Onah urged people who aspire to achieve greatness on earth and remain hopeful in having a place in God’s Kingdom to follow the path of sincerity as exemplified in the life of late Professor Onah.

    He observed that late Onah’s exemplary leadership and academic prowess reflected by his first positions in various endeavours which he said had affected lives of both the small and the great who had continued to look up to him as a role model even at death.

  • 5,300 sq. meter poster unveiled in Enugu

    5,300 sq. meter poster unveiled in Enugu

    A 5,300 square-meter poster, believed to be the largest in the world, has been unveiled in Enugu. It is bigger than the one launched earlier in India measuring 4,700 square meters.

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his Anambra counterpart were represented at the event hosted by Nigeria Breweries Plc.

    The launch featured a miniature version of the Gulder Ultimate Search. Mr. Chuka Nnabuife, chief executive of National Light Newspaper published in Anambra State, found the hidden treasure and won a Honda SUV for his effort.

    Nnabuife told The Nation, “I almost ignored coming…When I came here, I checked my heart pressure and they said that it was okay. I equally had to test my mind and I decided to be part of the exercise…I felt elated.”

    In his speech, the Sales Director of NB plc, Mr. Hubert Eze, said, “Nigerian Breweries is at home in Enugu. So, when want to break history, we break it at home and ensure that every corner of the earth salutes this feat.

    The MD of the beverage company, Mr. Nicholas Vervelde described the southeast as a fertile ground for their business, stressing that the relationship that they have enjoyed in the zone was part of the factors that made them to establish their biggest malting plant in the zone.

    He also said the brewery was equally investing in education, building and furnishing schools in Enugu as well as feeding pupils in two schools in Eke community.

    Governor Ugwuanyi represented by the Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Sam Ogbu Nwobodo thanked the beverage company for choosing the state as a place for the promo poster unveiling, stating that it showcases the fruits of previous administrations in the state which has made the state a choice destination for investors and the incumbent administration working tirelessly to sustain.

     

  • Science fair for Enugu pupils

    Science fair for Enugu pupils

    The Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ESUBEB)  in collaboration with the Community Innovation Center (CIC) has announced its plan to make the state the hub of science and technology.

    That was why it organised a science and technology fair for primary schools.

    The programme was designed to lift Nigeria from its  backward status to compare with the western countries in terms of science and technology.

    The theme of the fair was titled “Applying Science and technology to solve today’s problems.”

    The programme which hosted about 12 schools out of 40 selected schools featured exhibitions from different primary schools, junior secondary schools, budding scientists and researchers within and beyond the state.

    The Executive Chairman ESUBEB  Enema Onuora said that the programme was created to help in strengthening science and technology education in primary and junior secondary schools through creating platforms for junior and senior innovations within and outside school system.

    She explained that the programe which started with a workshop, trained selected teachers and pupils from public schools on creating technological products and applying science to create simple appliance in the state.

    The Chairman stated that the science and technology fair  was mainly focused on pupils  who already have science background and was also limited to the schools in the urban areas as it looks forward to extending and branching  to the rural area’s in their subsequent  trainings.

    The principal consultant of the project and the Community Innovative Centre managing director, Ifeoma Ozodiegwu said, that their goals were  to bring science and technology closely associated with “our lives as it involves both innovations in medicine and innovations in engineering.”

    Ozodiegwu also stated that the fair was  an eye opener to other young people from other schools, organizations  and private individuals to begin to find a place to express love in science and technology and have a platform to expose or showcase whatever products or research they have as cash reward  would  also be given to them

    According to her, the cash reward  being involved   by the ESUBEB , would  be used to build small science laboratories  in schools that came first, second and third with a view to keep nurturing their interest.

    One of the innovators, Osita Nwazuruje, according to her,  who showcased what he called catching them young in mathematics, science and technology, said that it would be of a tremendous value to the society as children would  begin to understand mathematics because it is a very strong component of science and technology adding, “until the children begin to read and understand mathematics, science and technology will not be improved in the country.”

    One of the participating pupils  from Ugbo-Odogwu Primary School, Adinde Immaculate who constructed a Bamboo house,  is from an under privileged family  who could not afford money to build block houses.

    At the end of the fair, prizes were awarded to the three best schools.

    The first, second and third positions came from Igbariam street primary school III Enugu, Aeril primary school Enugu and Army Children’s school respectively.

    The Igbariam Street Primary School III in the Enugu South LGA came first with a total score of 439 points. The school  constructed what they titled Automatic Emergency Lighting System used in hospitals especially in the labour or theatre wards for situation where there might be an interruption of light from power holding or the generator set.

    In that situation, the automatic lighting system would switch on and enable the operation to be carried out.

    The teacher who led the pupils of the school to the exhibition, Mrs. Nsube Patience expressed joy and gratitude to God, and the ESUBEB for their instructions and encouragement and the CIC who trained them during the workshop.

    Science and technology equipment worth thousands of naira  were given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions while consolation prizes were  given to each participants in the fair.

  • DFID opens new office in Enugu

    DFID opens new office in Enugu

    THe Enugu, expressing its willingness to continue partnering with the federal and state governments in the task of nation building.

    The office is located at Garden Avenue, GRA, Enugu.

    The head of the organisation in Nigeria, Mr Ben Mellor explained at the inauguration of the office that DFID in Nigeria is in partnership with some state governments on development and good governance.

    In an address, Olachi Chuks Ronne, the DFID Regional Coordinator for Southeast-Southsouth zones, said the organisation has been working closely with the various state governments since 2001, especially in Anambra and Enugu states.

    The areas of focus include poverty reduction and health.

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who was represented at the occasion by his deputy, Mrs Cecelia Ezeilo, praised the DFID for its contributions in the sustenance of democratic process in the state as well as welfare of the people.

    Ugwuanyi mentioned DFID has recently conducted an induction seminar for elected officials in the state on how to stir good governance, likewise refurbished the state high court through one of its development agencies, ‘Justice for All’.

    Likewise, Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, who sent a representative, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, expressed gratitude to the contributions of DFID, in achieving the development goals of the various administrations in Anambra state, since 2001 and expressed happiness that the organization has rolled out partnership projects that keyed into the development agenda of the current administration in Anambra state, under governor Willie Obiano.

     

  • Police arrest masquerades for armed robbery

    The Enugu state police command on Saturday arrested two masquerades for alleged armed robbery.

    A police bulletin sent by the command’s spokesman, Ebere Amaraizu indicated that it was a new ploy of armed robbery operations.

    The new dimension occurred at Ovoko in Igboeze South local council of the Nsukka area command.

    According to Amaraizu, the two masquerades “allegedly robbed a member of the public some amount of money to the tune of about seventy thousand naira as well as some other valuables amongst other things.‎”

    He said the police have commenced a full scale investigations into the alleged incident of robbing by masquerading.

    It was gathered that the two men behind the masquerades were already helping operatives in their investigations.

    The police,however, advised masqurade operators to always be law abiding and respect the tenets of culture and remain law abiding in the operations of masquarade as well as its activities in the state.

  • Enugu monarch mourns Ooni

    Enugu monarch mourns Ooni

    An Enugu State monarch has described the departure of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, as “a fall of an Iroko tree”

    Igwe Charles Nwoye, the Obioha II of Amurri in Nkanu West Local Government Area of Enugu State, in a statement, by his media adviser, Nze Sam Nwanze, said the contributions of the late monarch to the peace and development of the country and Yoruba tradition and culture, “cannot be forgotten in a hurry”.

    “Ooni Sijuwade was a colossus and one of the highly respected royal fathers in the country. He championed many peaceful and development initiatives in his domain and beyond, which is why he will be greatly missed not only by Yoruba people or those directly under his influence, but by many Nigerians across the nation who saw in him a reference point of tradition and culture and as father of all.

    Nwoye, who a successful business man,  prayed God to grant the Ooni eternal rest “as he joins his ancestors after 85 years on earth”.

  • Enugu’s new secretariat and Gov Ugwuanyi’s dilemma

    Enugu’s new secretariat and Gov Ugwuanyi’s dilemma

    It was cheery news when it was announced that a new secretariat was to be built for Enugu workers. The secretariat was to replace the colonial buildings erected in the 1920s. It was a state of the art structure which on completion would house all the ministries and parastatals in the state.

    But shortly after the cheery news, a controversy reared its head. Residents of Enugu, on learning that the colonial buildings and those built by the legendary Michael Okpara administration would be demolished to pave way for the new secretariat, they frowned at the idea.

    There was the insistence that those buildings should be allowed to stay as historic monuments and be converted to other use. It was suggested that the new secretariat should be sited at a new location. But these suggestions fail on deaf ears as the then Governor Sullivan Chime was determined to go on with the demolition and building of the new secretariat at the old site.

    However, a wiser counsel was applied. Chime decided to spare some of the colonial buildings. But those built by the Okpara administration in the First Republic were marked for demolition, and work began in earnest.

    The construction of the new secretariat was awarded to Arab Contractors to be delivered in 18 months. The initial cost was put at N13 billion. Former Governor Sullivan Chime had told reporters that the amount involved would be sourced from internally generated revenue. Although the amount later on jumped higher, one is not sure of exactly the figure.

    Nonetheless, the last Enugu House of Assembly, in the tail end of its tenure, fell out with the former governor and a faction of the House initiated impeachment process of the then governor. It was during the ensuing imbroglio that it was revealed that the figure had been inflated from N13 billion to N22 billion. It was one of the allegations against Chime.

    Although the impeachment process could not sail through and the Speaker of the House lost his seat in the process, nothing was heard of the “inflated” amount. And the new secretariat was commissioned on the eve of the departure of Chime from the Government House.

    Observers see the commissioning as hurriedly done as they argue that the project was incomplete. Whether complete or not, the workers are already moving into the edifice. Various ministries in the state have already taken positions in the new secretariat.

    While the movement of workers continues, it was discovered that the architectural “masterpiece” has some defects. For example, it is only in the ground floors of the five-storey buildings that the conveniences are located. Anyone pressed would have to come downstairs to ease him or herself.

    It was also discovered that the electrical installations were limited to some sections. Some of the workers are already grumbling.

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, after inspecting the edifice recently, said he was not happy with what he saw. From outside, the buildings look every bit like masterpieces but their interiors are far from measuring up to their outer beauty.

    Ugwuanyi then decided to approve the sum of N260 million for necessary corrections and provision of some missing facilities. The approval was made penultimate week during the state executive council meeting. The amount is meant to take care of the first phase of the provision of electricity and toilets in the edifice.

    But the move has sparked protests among concerned indigenes who believe that the project has consumed far more than its fair share of the state’s resources after the billions expended on it by the previous administration. Petitions have also been written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the execution of the project.

    In reaction to the protests and petitions, the EFCC has already invited some government officials in the last dispensation in the state for interrogation. But while the outcomes of the interrogations are being awaited, the Ugwuanyi administration is at a crossroads on whether to halt further expenditure on the project or commit more funds to see to its conclusive end.