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Tag: Enugu

  • There is zoning in Enugu, says group

    There is zoning in Enugu, says group

    The people of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area, Enugu State have called on  the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP and Governor Sullivan Chime to respect the zoning agreement in Enugu State in the interest of fairness and justice.

    A community leader,  Ignatius Onodugo, said the neglect of the pact would lead to the political marginaliation of the area.

    He  said the agreement on the rotation of the House of Representatives slot between Uzo-Uwani and Igbo-Etiti councils in the Nsukka Constituency  is sacrosant, adding that it is the turn of the former to enjoy the slot in the next year’s election.

    The community leader said the  federal legislator from the constituency is trying to tamper with the agreement by mooting a second term agenda.

    Onodugbo said: “In recognition of the historical and brotherly affinity and the need to foster peace and unity between Igbo-Etiti and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas,  some wise men from both areas met in February, 1998 and entered into an agreement that the House of Representatives seat shall rotate among the two brotherly local governments.

    “They further agreed that Igbo-Etiti would produce the first candidate for the seat and this led to the emergence of Hon. Mathias Ozor in 1998 under the platform of the UNCP. However, his tenure was short lived because of the truncation of the Abacha transition programme due to his demise,” he said.

    He added: “Again, in January, 1999, by a broader representation, another agreement was entered into by political leaders from the areas reiterating the need to foster a harmonious co-existence between the two areas by rotating the seat.

    “It was further agreed that Uzo-Uwani LGA shall take the first shot this time around having conceded the position to Igbo-Etiti the previous year but for the truncation of the transition programme.

    “This agreement led to the emergence of Dr. Romanus Ezike from Uzo-Uwani whose election was upturned by the electoral tribunal . He spent only three months in the office and was replaced by Hon. Chris Nnadi from Igbo-Etiti, who now stayed from September 1999 to 2007.”

    “It is instructive to note that, since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999 till date, Uzo-Uwani has served only four years out of the 16 years by 2015 when the incumbent might have completed her tenure making Igbo-Etiti to occupy the position for 12 years leaving Uzo-Uwani with only four years.

    “It is in the interest of the foregoing that we call on all men of goodwill to see the need for an Uzo-Uwani to take the next turn’’.

  • Alumni celebrate Enugu Queens School anniversary

    Alumni celebrate Enugu Queens School anniversary

    It was indeed a gathering of queens. They had poise, grace and many are achievers in their own right.When they assembled to celebrate the coming of age of their school, their good breeding and excellence were in bold relief. And they were there to celebrate their alma mater, Queens School, Enugu’s Diamond Jubilee. .

    Among the prominent names that passed from the school are the former Chief Judge of the Fedral High Court, Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), president of Customary Court of Appeal, Enugu,  Justice Victoria Nebo, Minister of Finance, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, deputy vice chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Ifeoma Enemuo and renowned pediatrician, Prof. Ifeoma Egbuonu.

    There were also Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Justina Offia, renowned United States-based physician, Dr. Henrietta Ukwu, Prof. Gloria Chukwukere,  and so many others.

    The occasion was ushered in by lectures from tthree distinguished academics and professionals who are also old students of the school. The first speaker, Dr. Ann Okigbo-Fisher, a seasoned professional in human capital development sectors spoke on the topic: “Inspiring a Girl Child to Success”, the second speaker, Prof. Janet Ajuluchukwu, a professor of medicine, spoke on the topic: “Health a Key to Success” while the third speaker, Justice Ije Onwuamegbu presented the topic “Environment an Instrument to Success”. The keynote speaker was Prof. Henrietta Ukwu, an expert in infectious diseases who presented the paper, “Knowledge a Vehicle to Power.”

    Queens School, Enugu was founded on October 4, 1954 by the defunct Government of Eastern Nigeria. Its firstPrincipal, Mrs. Evelyn Doris Mather who was a seasoned administrator and educator and a rare combination of strict discipline and sweet motherliness. It was the only Girl’s Government Secondary School in the then Eastern Nigeria. As a result, it had the best things among which were an all graduate teaching staff, large infrastructural facilities, dormitory blocks, administrative blocks, classrooms, well-equipped science laboratories, a school library, school hall, home economics block and very good catering services

    The school started with a student population of thirty, who were all boarders. These days, the student’s population is a staggering figure ranging between three thousand to four thousand.

    In those early years of its existence when admission into the school was gained only through a very competitive examination and an interview, the school attracted a high concentration of brains. As a result, excellence persisted as a tradition throughout the pre-civil war years. Queen’s School, Enugu distinguished itself in sports both at the regional and international levels. It maintained a hundred percent tradition at the West African School Certificate Examinations. It excelled in dance and drama, especially during the Regional Festival of Arts.

    The second Principal was Mrs. Kirik Patrick whose tenure lasted from 1957-1967. Her benevolence and motherliness earned her the nickname “Mater” (Latin for “Mother”). She continued the tradition of excellence, elegance and unity.

    Queen’s School, Enugu was closed during the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 – 1970. After the civil war, Queen’s School’s tradition of excellence was maintained by its post-war principals, who are seasoned Educational Administrators.

    Right from its inception, Queen’s School has remained a veritable agent of national integration. The student population was drawn from all over the country. The composition of the student body therefore lent itself easily to national integration. Queen’s School culture of tolerance, and co-operation symbolized in the school motto LABORARE UNO ANIMO (working with one mind) is a guiding principle for unity among the staff and students. The creation of states will definitely not confine the student population to the school’s geographical area. Queen’s School Enugu is indeed one of the pioneers of “Unity School”.

    In its 60 years of existence, Queen’s School Enugu has turned out sets of high achievers in various fields of learning, including Architecture, Engineering, Accountancy, Banking and Financing, Computer Science, Medicine, Agriculture and Education. Queen’s School instills in its students a remarkable sense of dignity and self-confidence in whatever they are doing.

    Queen’s School’s achievements over the years are too many to be enumerated here. Queen’s School, Enugu is treasured by its Old Girls’ Association, the Parent-Teacher Association, Friends of the School, the Staff, Students and the State Government who collectively contribute· towards making it a centre of excellence for women education.

  • That Enugu Town Clock may tick again

    That Enugu Town Clock may tick again

    All through the decades, the Old Big Ben did its duty. It ticked and tolled for everyone. It announced the time for everybody. It remains a landmark.

    However, the famous towering timepiece located at the Old Eastern Region House of Assembly has stopped telling the time.

    Not for the first time. The Old Big Ben worked for ages, then stopped until the administration of Sullivan Chime revived it in 2010 after over 40 years of disuse. The rehabilitation of the clock by Enugu State Government marked a clear departure from the common practice where successive administrations failed to identify with projects initiated by their predecessors.

    The “Old Big Ben” was a colonial contraption. It remained there during the post-independence. Subsequently, the administration of the then Premier of Eastern Nigeria, Dr. Michael Okpara abandoned it. The clock became obsolete, especially as the Nigerian civil war was raging.

    It remained so until the inauguration of the current administration in the state when Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) was established. The authority showed commitment to reactivation of “Old Big Ben” and it did.

    The former Commissioner for Enugu Capital Territory, John Egbo, should be commended for working assiduously to get Messrs Smith of Derby to rework the clock.

    Governor Sullivan Chime also deserves some praise for this feat. The upgrade of the Town Clock by the government proves the Governor’s foresight in creating the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority.

    Those who know Enugu or must have lived in the Coal City, would understand why the rehabilitation of the former Eastern House of Assembly and more importantly the Town Clock erected in 1948 generated much excitement in the city in particular and the state in general.

    The clock was originally built to be manually manipulated. But the Chime administration upgraded it to an electronic quartz system. In a clime where maintenance culture is sadly lacking, the gusto with which Chime ordered the rejuvenation of the clock was worthy of commendation.

    The governor seems to have recognised the historical burden which Enugu bears, but also puts life into a line of our country’s national anthem demanding that “the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain”.

    It could be a divine will that Chime would be Governor of Enugu State when the state celebrated its centenary as a city.

    In tune with history as a Coal City boy, Chime also recognised the essence of marking Enugu’s Centennial with events primed at celebrating the city’s chequered history. Just like the creation of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) to supervise public amenities and infrastructure, a committee headed by one of the prominent sons of the state was set up by the governor to organise the Centenary celebrations.

    Today, and sadly, four years after its reactivation, the “Old Big Ben” has relapsed to its former condition.

    What may be wrong? Could it be the usual lack of maintenance culture on the part of Nigerians? The answer may be a matter of gesticulation as the officials at the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority which has now been upgraded to a ministry not given any explanation.

    Efforts made to get the Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Ugwuegede were futile as he did not pick several phone calls our correspondent put across to him.

    Residents of Enugu, particularly workers want to know what actually went wrong with the “Old Big Ben.” They acknowledged that in re-activating the clock, the governor went back in time to recapture the vision of the great political forebears who deemed it necessary to erect such a monument believing that whenever it tolls, the people would not only be roused to activity but will also share the spirit of unity and enterprise it conveys.

    It is pertinent to state that the twin challenges facing humanity remains time and space. And all through history, especially in the great march of industrial revolution, men have devised ways of tackling those problems.

    Of all instruments, the chronometer is a reminder that time waits for no man. It is also a mechanical representation of the demand on humanity to make hay while the sun shines. But apart from the above technical verities of the time piece, the renewal of Enugu Town Clock was symbolic in many ways.

    Enugu Town Clock represents the common destiny of the people of Old Eastern Nigeria; the shared qualities of hard work, enterprise and social cohesion.

    It reminds us of our common history and challenges us in the journey to the future. Whenever it tolled, it called to mind the ingenuity and thoughtfulness of our great leaders of yesteryear thereby urging present leaders and the led to strive to leave behind worthy legacies.

    The spiritual significance of the bell woke in the residents, creativity endowed in them as well as reminding them to have hope of a better tomorrow. The founding fathers of Eastern Nigeria must have discovered that proper planning was the key to success. Therefore, the clock challenges residents to plan ahead and avoid all manner of desperation and needless haste.

    Whenever the clock tolled, it prods the emotions by reminding residents of how yesterday is connected to today and that the march to tomorrow is on. The Enugu Town Clock also woke up myriad of images in our mind, including the coal miners who toiled to ensure Enugu exists, the colonial overlords who lashed the backs of our forefathers as they worked on street roads for vehicles and pedestrians with their whips.

    More importantly, the great clock wakes us up to the realisation that whatever our individual callings are, we should endeavour to work for common good.

    The old Eastern House of Parliament is another very important historical monument in the Coal City. It was thoughtful of Governor Chime to have renovated this edifice to serve its purpose of exposing great men and women who served as parliamentarians in the city.

    Elevated from its former state of disuse, the building has retained its ancient architectural design with a blend of new ideas, thereby providing a historical and didactic tool for the younger generation.

    Having revitalised these historical monuments, it could rightly be said that Governor Sullivan Chime, has effectively made Enugu State to live  up to its status as the administrative capital of Old Eastern Nigeria as well as playing the role of a unifying ground for the people of the area despite the fault lines of new states.

    Residents of Enugu State, particularly, workers want the “Old Big Ben” revived again. Its reactivation would not only serve as their time-keeper but will also give the new multi-billion Naira secretariat just opposite the “Old Big Ben” an aesthetic blend.

  • Gulder Club Ultimate goes to Enugu

    Gulder Club Ultimate goes to Enugu

    The coal city of Enugu will come alive today as the third edition of the Gulder Club Ultimate holds at the Polo Park Mall.

    The event, which will be anchored by award-wining artiste, Darey and Cool FM’s Freeze, will feature celebrities such as Naeto C, J Martins and Tony One Week, among others.

    Meanwhile, both radio personalities, Tobe Dadiva and Lorenzo Menakaya, will play host on the red carpet.

    It was further revealed that DJ Neptune, DJ Caise, DJ Spinall and Big N team will behind the turntable to dish out delightful tunes.

    The Gulder Club Ultimate, according to the organisers, has become a popular virtual club hotspot, where celebrities and party-goers frequent for relaxation.

    It will be recalled that it has played host to the likes of Genevieve Nnaji, Jay Jay Okocha, Tee A, Alex Okosi, D’Banj, Dr Sid, Denrele, Tee-Y Mix, Kunle Afolayan, Tunde Ednut, Yaw, JJC, Weird MC, Toni Khan, Black Magic and Zania, among others.

    Marketing Manager, Gulder, Emmanuel Agu, said: “It’s an honour to be able to share this life-changing experience with Enugu. Gulder continues to dominate experiential activations nationwide and I’m confident that Club Ultimate will go down as the greatest event Enugu has seen yet.”

  • IMT matriculates 5,000

    The Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, has held its 32nd matriculation at the Jeremiah Useni Sports Complex.

    In her lecture titled: “Youth Employment through Education and Good Governance,” Chief of Staff to the Enugu State Government, Mrs Ifeoma Nwaobodom, who represented Governor Sullivan Chime, said education was the key to unlock potentials of youths. She said education was useful in ensuring political stability and fostering understanding among people of diverse cultures and belief.

    She urged the freshers to focus on their studies. According to her, education is the best way to empower themselves for the future.

    The Rector, Prof Mike Iloeje, noted that the institute had improved its academic standard and is prepared to attain global best practices. He urged the students to take their academics serious, saying it was their primary objective as students.

    The Public Relations Officer, Dr  Ifeanyi Ojobor, urged the freshers to study hard and make better grades.

    President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Kingsley Isiani, also encouraged the freshers to study hard and be good ambassadors of the institution.

    Students at the programme advised the freshers to abide by the rules and regulation guiding the institution.

    Other persons at the occasion included the Deputy Rector, Mr Fidelis Okafor; Registrar, Mr SylvanusAsogwa; Chief Librarian, Mr Donald Ozoalor; Bursar, Mr Augustine Ejiofor and Director of Works Services, Engr Luke Mmamel,

     

  • Arms firm found in Enugu

    The police in Enugu have discovered an arms manufacturing company located at Ihuoha Amansiodo Oghe in Ezeagu local Government Area of Enugu state.

    According to a police bulletin signed by its spokesman in Enugu, Ebere Amaraizu, the factory was allegedly run by “an operator identified as one Ejike Eze who also manufactures the gun for the use of suspected hoodlums”.

    Eze was said to have escaped during a raid on the arms factory. His lover, identified as Juliet Nwachukwu in whose home some of the equipment and guns were found was arrested.

    Amaraizu said acting on a tip-off,  the Special Anti Robbery Squad(S.A.R.S) of the Enugu state command  received from the members of the public o in the early hours of Friday, raided the gun manufacturing company.

    It was gathered that when the police struck, the suspect was said to have swiftly relocated  some of the manufactured cut to size double barrel and single barrel guns, manufacturing tools and some of the manufactured cartridges to the lover’s house, identified as a widow and mother of four.

    Eze was said to have absconded from there.

    Police said Juliet admitted that the guns and the tools were brought to her two days earlier by the manufacturer who did not tell her reason for bringing them to her house.

    She, however, revealed that Ejike  has been a manufacturer of gun for sometime now and regretted accepting the guns from him.

    A large quantity of  manufactured and about to be manufactured guns with some manufactured live cartridges as well as some tools for the manufacturing were recovered by the police.

    Police said investigations into the  incident have commenced in full scale just as manhunt on the fleeing suspect is intensified while Juliet Nwachukwu is helping the police in their investigations.

  • ‘It’s Enugu North’s turn to produce governor’

    ‘It’s Enugu North’s turn to produce governor’

    Chief U.S.A. Igwesi, former Leader of Enugu State House of Assembly and House of Representatives member representing Nkanu East and West federal Constituency, in this interview with CHRIS OJI assesed Governor Sullivan Chime’s performance in ofice, among other issues in the state. Excerpts:

    Six years under Chime in Enugu, how will you rate his administration?

    Excellent, wonderful and unprecedented. Enugu State has been transformed and re-engineered to embrace the big brother role it used to play to the states in the Southeast. The government has constructed and reconstructed almost all the roads in Enugu metropolis. His administration has been able to bring sanity in the streets of Enugu. Night life that had eluded Enugu for several years has been brought back. All the roads in the city have been reactivated with street lighting and resounding roads signs for easy movements. Now Enugu is working. The most interesting thing is that all these were achieved with minimal noise and publicity. My prayer is that whoever is going to be his successor should take a cue from his style of administration. I have a dream of a successor who will play less politics but who will open up infrastructural development in the state. A successor who will not only enrich government institutions but promote peace and unity in the state.

    State caucus of the party, under the watchful eyes of Governor Chime, insisted that members of the National Assembly who have done two terms will not go back, and the direction seems not to have gone down well with members. What is your take on that?

    Every organisation has a leader, and a good follower should always obey the leader, so that when it is time for him or her to lead, others will obey him or her. The present members of NASS from the state were not elected because they were our First Eleven or our best but because members of the party who had the same political interest were compelled by an understanding to give them chance to go, through this kind of directives. I definitely expected them to be good party men by listening to the voice of wisdom. Personally, I was deprived of second tenure in National Assembly in spite of my striking, performance while , because there was an instruction similar to this that was handed over to me. I had no choice but to back out. That is party discipline and decency in human interaction and socialisation.

    How do you see the recent attack by some unknown men on the Enugu State Government House?

    First and foremost, I condemn that incident. It is sheer madness for any group of people under whatever guise to march to Enugu seat of power at such ungodly hour. I wish to call on the police to embark on a full-scale investigation aimed at unravelling the deadly act. The aim, motive and objective of the group should be ascertained because such incident is alien and new to our people, and as a stakeholder in the state, I deserve to know what is happening in my state, whether negative or positive.

    What is your reaction to the zoning of 2015 governorship slot to Enugu North Senatorial Zone and what manner of person do you recommend for the office from the zone?

    That is the best political decision in that direction. Because Enugu is tripodal in her political engineering, and that has been working for them for decades. As I said Enugu is seating on a tripod that is Enugu East, Enugu West and Enugu North. Enugu East has taken her own share of the slot; Enugu West is presently occupying the position and the next zone is Enugu North. So you can see the equity, fairness and political balancing in this decision. So, this is the best political decision to assuage marginalisation and almost all the stakeholders in the State were at home with this arrangement. Those who claims is not written any where are just deceiving themselves, because it has been working for us and is like a bond or convention.

    You have since relocated to Abuja, what is your political ambition?

    For now, I think I don’t have anything in mind. At the appropriate time, Almighty God will direct me aright. As a party member and a foundation member of the party who have never left the party to any other party. I wish to support those chosen by the party at any level, that is the hallmark of a good party man. And to correct you, I have not relocated to Abuja, I’m in constant touch with my ward, local government and indeed the state.

  • Eulogies as Enugu Chief Judge presents book

    Eulogies as Enugu Chief Judge presents book

    A Professor of Land Law and Enugu State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike, has presented his 586-page book entitled ABC of Contemporary Land Law in Nigeria.

    The event, held in Enugu was a showcase for his intellectual prowess. Nigerians from all walks of life attended the presentation. Among guests were Deputy Governor of Delta State, Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), Attorney-General of Enugu State, Anthony Ani (SAN) who represented Governor Sullivan Chime, President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Okey Wali (SAN), Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, President, National Industrial Court (NIC) Justice Babatunde Adejumo and Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN).

    Chief Judges of Benue State Justice Iorheme Hwande; Anambra State Justice Peter Umeadi; Ebonyi State Justice Aloysius Nwankwo; Bayelsa State Kate Abiri; Imo State Justice Benjamin Njemanze and Delta State Justice Zai-Laye Smith were also there.

    Prof. Utuama, who chaired the event extolled the virtues of the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the late Prof. Jelili Adebisi Omotola (SAN) for his interest and contribution to the research and teaching of of land law which he described as ‘’unparalled’’.

    He said he and Justice Umezulike were beneficiaries of the law. Prof. Omotola’s knowledge on the subject, which gave him immense insight into Property Law during his sojourn at UNILAG Faculty of Law.

    The late Omotola, to him, was unequalled as a doctrinal reseacher and teacher. He said: “Prof. Omotola’ s seminal writing on the Land Use Act were and remain of immense assistance to members of the legal profession, including judges and lawyers who argue before the courts and this helps law students and bureaucrats in understanding its policy and principle.

    “His works remain most authoritatively outstanding, cited and relied upon, by the very best in the legal profession. Omotola appeared as amicus curiae in many cases before the Supreme Court on land law issues.”

    In audience were, the Executive Vice-President (Operations) Real Estate Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (RELAN) Adekunle Omotola, Mr. Kola Awodein (SAN) and Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN). Utuama, praised Justice Umezulike for dedicating his works to the late Prof. Omotola and for bringing the memory of the legendary legal scholar back into reckoning.

    He also praised the author for finding time to write, considering the onerous twin task of discharging his judicial and administrative duties as the Chief Judge of Enugu State.

    Wali said the participation of the bar in the ceremony was a result of the cordial relationship between Justice Umezulike’s style of administration and the bar. Wali was accompanied to the event by the Chairman, NBA Enugu branch, Mr. H. Eya.

    Senator Ekweremadu, who chairs the Senate Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution, joined the debate on what to do with the Land Use Act, saying the Act should be expunged from the Constitution in order to make changes in the land administration system in Nigeria much easier.

    He described Justice Umezulike as a complete lawyer and commended him for publishing a unique book that would expand the frontiers of Land Law and legal education.

    “The book is complete in the sense that Justice Umezulike was in private legal practice, a law teacher and now Chief Judge of Enugu State. So, the book is written from the perspective of a man who has seen it all.

    “Thus, when this book was named ABC of  Contemporary Land Law in Nigeria, for me the “A” there is the apex, the “B”  is the best and the “C” means it is complete”, he said.

    Dean, Faculty of Law, UNILAG, Prof. Oluwole Smith (SAN), who reviewed the book said the book has shifted the frontiers of knowledge in the area of Land Law and practice in Nigeria, adding that ‘’it is a book for researchers and scholars in the field of Land Law and an ingredient for interpretation and implementation purpose of the Land Use Act to be addressed by the legislative and judicial arms of the government.”

  • Fuel scarcity: Commuters stranded in Enugu

    Commuters in the Enugu metropolis were stranded at various bus stops on Monday, following a sharp rise in transport fares, due to an acute fuel scarcity in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that school children, workers and traders were stranded at bus stops, due to non availability of vehicles.

    The development made commercial vehicle operators to increases their fares, forcing many to resort to trekking.

    Investigations showed that commercial buses charged between N80 and N100 from Abakpa Nike to Old Park and Obiagu as against the previous fare of N50.

    The same situation obtained at Garki, Emene, Trans-Ekulu and Uwani, where commuters paid as much as N150 to get to their destinations.

    Some of the commuters, who spoke to NAN, said they had waited for up to 40 minutes to an hour, to get transport.

    At Mayor Bus Stop on Agbani Road, Edith Okafor, a student of Queens’ School, Enugu, said she was told to pay N80 as against N40.

    Jude Eboh, a student of Government Training College on Abakaliki Road, said he could not afford the fare as he had only N100 for transport.

    Some students of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), attending lectures at the Agbani Campus of the University in the Nkanu West LGA, said they paid N200 as against N100 to get to school.

    Cynthia Onuh and Okey Eneh said the situation had posed untold hardships to students as they could not afford the fares.

    Some commercial vehicle operators said they purchased fuel at N150 per litre, adding that they spent the whole day in queues at filling stations.

    One of them, Mr Chibuike Onwe, appealed to the Federal Government to address the situation urgently.

    A taxi driver, Mr. Victor Eze, said that transport fares increased because of the increase in the cost of petroleum products.

    Tricycle operators also complained bitterly over the latest round of fuel scarcity in the country.

    Oil-producing Nigeria has often faced acute fuel scarcity, causing severe hardships to citizens of Africa’s most populous nation

  • Hoodlums attack Enugu Government House, 1 killed, 3 arrested

    Hoodlums in the wee hours of Saturday attacked the Government House, Enugu.

    Vigilant security personnel at the popular Lion Building however repelled the attackers. One was shot dead while three were arrested.

    Eye witnesses said it would have been a bloody scene had the hoodlums come with guns.

    The motive behind the attack was not known at press time  but there were speculations that they were thugs loyal to a top politician in the state.

    “The invasion is not unconnected with the refusal of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the state to allow the readmission of some discredited politicians into the party,” said a government house source.

    Confirming the incident Chukwudi Achife, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Sullivan Chime said the attack occurred at about 4.30 am “when a group of young men numbering about 50 and carrying machetes and cutlasses invaded the Government House and tried to force their way in.”

    “The attackers were immediately engaged by the security personnel who shot dead one person and arrested three,” Achife stated.

    He disclosed that one security personnel was injured in the attack.

    Achife added that the arrested persons along with some of the weapons recovered (machetes) have since been handed over to the Enugu Police Command for further investigations.

    Police spokesman in Enugu, Ebere Amaraizu said the matter was being investigated.