The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Imo State

  • AFA, Imo State to train young filmmakers

    AFA, Imo State to train young filmmakers

    Mother company to Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA), the Africa Film Academy (AFA), is partnering the government of Imo State to train youths from the Eastern Nigerian state who desire a career in filmmaking.

    AFA said in a statement on Wednesday that the training which will be intensive, is scheduled to run from April 25 to May 10, 2017 in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    In the statement signed by founder of AFA, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, facilitators will include Segun Arinze, Paul Obazele, Tony Anih among others.

    “At the end of the training which will cover script-writing, photography, editing, acting, cinematography, sound, lighting etc, the students are expected to produce short films that will give practical expression to what they will learn during the programme,” she said.

    According to Anyiam-Osigwe, the training is meant “to introduce the prospective youths to how they can start a career in the film industry and technical production and open them to the possibilities that exist.”

    Continuing, she said: “At the end of it, we expect participating students to take their interests to the next level through further education in higher institutions and other institutes where they can acquire more and in-depth knowledge. We want to say that the Imo State Government has been kind enough to sponsor 100 students apart from providing venue and other logistics for the training and this is because of the interest of Governor Rochas Okorocha to empower the youths and create job opportunities for them. Diamond Bank as part of its CSR initiative is also sponsoring 10 students to the training while Africa Magic is also a strategic partner to make this a very successful one,” she said.

  • Gunmen kill bank customer in Imo 

    Gunmen kill bank customer in Imo 

    Gunmen suspected to be armed robbers Thursday caused pandemonium in Owerri, the Imo state capital after they shot a bank customer, who was returning from one of the new generation banks after withdrawing huge sum of money.

    The dare-devil armed robbers shot the victim who was in the car with his wife severally before carting away the cash.

    According to eyewitnesses, the victim was trailed from the bank by the by the gang of three who operated in a Camry salon car.

    It was learnt that the assailants who caught up with their victim before the Okigwe roundabout directly opposite the Government House had shot sporadically into the air to scare away the people and ordered their victim to hand over the money, but when he resisted they shot him three times snatched the money away and zoomed off .

    One of the eyewitnesses, ” I was at the Newspapers stand across the road which is just before the Okigwe roundabout when I heard a gunshot and then two young men who were in a Camry car who  blocked a Man and his wife in another car came out.

    “hey asked the man where is the money and at that moment woman ran out of the car, but man refused to hand over the money to them and one of the robbers shot him three times and still took the money from him. But I don’t know if he was dead but he was seriously wounded”.

    The source further added that “immediately the robbers started shooting into the air that all the Policemen including the NSCDC who were at the roundabout just opposite Government House  ran away and that it was after the robbers had long gone that they came back”.

    Another source who witnessed the incident from a close range,  said that “I was four cars behind the robbers when they blocked the man and as soon as they cornered the man who was inside the car with a woman they started shooting into the air.

    ”  it was when I had gunshots that it dawned on me that those in that Camry were robbers because they had overtook me and I was wondering where they were hurrying to not knowing that they were actually after somebody. Even when they had succeeded in their evil act they kept shooting into the air which sent people running in different directions including the Policemen at the Okigwe roundabout junction”.

    The Police Public Relations Officer of the Imo state Police Command, Andrew w(DSP),who confirmed the incident  said that the victim was confirmed dead at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri.

  • I have not borrowed money to execute projects – Okorocha

    I have not borrowed money to execute projects – Okorocha

    Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State says he has not borrowed any money to execute ongoing projects in the state.

    Okorocha made the disclosure in a statement signed and issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Owerri on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Sam Onwuemeodo.

    “I was able to fund such projects following my unconventional style of administration that has blocked all financial leakages,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.

    The governor described the state as the ‘fastest developing state’ in Nigeria, adding that he was able to achieve the feat through sacrifice and prudence especially in handling public fund.

    “ I have not borrowed any money; neither is Imo owing any bank or institution.

    “I am using the state fund to execute all my projects for the state especially the new urban renewal program.

    “Those people carrying rumours that the state is hugely indebted to new generation banks are either not well informed or enemies of progress.

    “Upon completion of the massive infrastructural developmental stride of this administration, the incoming governors will have less work to do for the state.

    “I am laying a solid foundation for the future and I have cut off all means of embezzlement.

    “This bold step has enabled me to achieve what I am doing today,” he said.

  • Imo CJ calls for appointment of more judges

    Imo Chief Judge, Justice Paschal Nnadi, has called for the appointment of more judges and magistrates into the state judiciary in order to lessen work load of judiciary officers.

    Nnadi said that cases pending at the state high court were 36,159, as at Sept.30, 2016.

    He spoke in Owerri at a special court assizes of the state judiciary, in commemoration of the 2016/2017 Legal Year.

    Nnadi added that 23,192 cases were filed between Oct.1, 2015 and Sept. 30, 2016, while 853 cases were disposed of within the same period.

    The chief judge urged legal practitioners to utilize the Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism in the new Imo High Court Civil Procedure, for efficient and expeditious disposal of cases.

    Nnadi urged the Legal Aid Council to take up cases of some inmates who had stayed for longer period in custody.

    Imo Governor, Mr. Rochas Okorocha, who spoke, commended judges for the way they have carried out their duties and called for strict scrutiny of membership of the judiciary.

    He urged the judiciary to complement the efforts of the executive to ensure good governance.

    Okorocha debunked allegations of sack of 1,100 workers in the state civil service.

    He however said that he would not spare any worker found wanting and called for discipline among workers.

    Mr. Milletus Nlemedim, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, who spoke, said more judicial workers would be appointed within the year in order to boost justice delivery.

    He also said that the state government had set up a Law Revision Committee to review and update laws in conjunction with the House of Assembly.

    Mr. Lawrence Nwakaeti, Imo Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, who also spoke, condemned the interference of the executive arm of government in judicial processes.

    He recalled the invasion of the homes of judicial officers by the Department of State Service in 2016, describing it as a sacrilege.

    Nwakaeti advised the executive to leave the discipline of judges to the National Judicial Council.

    He said the judiciary must stand up in defence of its independence and resist every action of the executive aimed at reducing its independence.

    Nwakaeti also accused Imo Government of sacking over 1,100 employees of the local government councils.

    The highpoint of the event was the unveiling of the new High Court Rules by Gov. Okorocha.

     

  • 1,400 LG workers sacked in Imo – NULGE

    1,400 LG workers sacked in Imo – NULGE

    One thousand and four hundred local governments workers in Imo were sacked last week, according to the state’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

    The chairman, Mr Ndubuisi Uchehara, while confirming the sack on Thursday in Owerri, declared, however, that the union would not confront the state government over it.

    “As a responsible union, we only act when the rights of legitimate worker are infringed upon.

    “When you are an absentee worker, labour cannot protect you when you are visited with the right punishment.

    “When you reside in Abuja and draw monthly salaries from a local government in Imo, such persons are not worth NULGE’s time and efforts.

    “But there are also cases of people, who were wrongfully treated; the union is already handling such cases with Gov. Rochas Okorocha,’’ he said.

    He expressed optimism that people with proven cases of injustice would have their situations addressed.

    “Such persons should not panic; we shall put in everything to resolve their matters,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the sack axe hit workers from across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state

  • FUTO: Police arrest 15 students over violent protest

    FUTO: Police arrest 15 students over violent protest

    No fewer than 15 students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), in Imo, were arrested following violent protests in the institution on Friday, last week.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Mr Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the arrest in Owerri on Monday, said that the students were arrested for vandalism and looting of the university property.

    Enwerem said that the students would be charged to court when investigations into the incident had been concluded.

    He dismissed claims by the students that the protest turned violent when policemen allegedly fired teargas at them.

    He said the police intervened at the instance of the school management when the protest degenerated into violence.

    The students embarked on the protest over alleged increase in their school fees.

    The university facilities were damaged by the protesting students who also made away with some valuables.

    One of them, Chinedu Nwakuche, alleged that the university increased fees for first year students from N48, 000 to N54, 000 per session while second and third year fees increased from N32, 000 to N49,000.

    According to him, fees for students of fourth and final years also went up from N28, 000 to 39,000, while acceptance fees has gone up to N45,000 from N25,000.

    Nwakuche said that students now paid as much as N1,500 to register a course every semester.

    The Public Relations Officer of FUTO, Mr Chike Ezenwa, said the management of the university would comment after determining the extent of the damages.

     

  • Owerri, Orlu will be transformed to mega cities – Okorocha

    Owerri, Orlu will be transformed to mega cities – Okorocha

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, on Tuesday pledged to transform Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe into mega commercial cities before the end of his tenure in May 2019.

    Okorocha made the disclosure in Orlu during the one year anniversary of the opening of Okporo Orlu Electrical/Electronics Market, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chidi Ibe, the governor said the market was opened to carter for Igbo traders displaced by crisis in the North East.

    He expressed satisfaction that one year after, the level of economic activities had justified the establishment of the market.

    The governor urged the traders to partner with government to further develop the commercial sub-sector, to promote local entrepreneurs and create jobs.

    He commended the market leadership headed by Mr. Emmanuel Ezeanochie and pledged to upgrade infrastructure at the facility.

    Also speaking, the Chairman, Njaba Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Vincent Duru, commended Okorocha for constructing the market and urged businessmen to establish similar markets across the state.

    Duru, a former Deputy Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service and the monarch of Okponakuma community, said several job opportunities abound in the market.

     

  • Owerri rocks with Star Music Trek

    Owerri rocks with Star Music Trek

    …Bright Chimeze makes surprise appearance

    …Olamide’s Yoruba lyrics popular among young Easterners

     

    DJ Neptune took the lead in the music rave, setting the mood for the much anticipated occasion.

    Anchored by notable Lagos MC Laffup, the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Imo State, played host to an amazing number of revelers who were determined to keep vigil with the widely advertised music stars in this year’s Star Music Trek, an annual city-to-city tour of trending artistes,  put together by Nigerian Breweries Plc.

    As early as 9pm, last Saturday, the atmosphere was turbocharged with ecstatic youths who were not only anxious for live performances, but to savour the moment with familiar artistes in concert.

    On the line-up included Flavour Nabania, Olamide, M,I Abaga, Kcee, Nigga Raw, Humble Smith and  Runtown. And it was obvious the crowd couldn’t wait.

    The icing on the cake was having burgeoning artistes show their stuff on the glamorous stage, before these big masquerades. Not less than 30 of these wannabes artistes took their turns to impress the crowd. Although theirs were not popular tunes, they sounded promising to the ears, lending credence to why they were selected among the multitude that approached the organisers for chance on stage.

    Hash-tagged ‘mycityrocks’, the road-show had made previous stops in Makurdi, Abuja and Calabar, with the last leg billed to hold in Lagos on November 26, 2016.

    Kicking off the show proper, the dramatic entry of Mr Raw was indeed a show production delight. The MC had feigned a random search for freestylers in the crowd, and after putting the microphone to the mouths of three guys who struggled with their rap lyrics, the compass rested on Mr Raw who was only revealed when he lifted the hood from his face. The crowd roared as the artiste made his way to the stage, singing his popular song, Obodo, which he did with Klint da Drunk. That was soon followed by tracks like ‘Baby Baby’, ‘Odi Okay’ and ‘Mr Raw Nwanne’, ‘Spiritual Congi’ and ‘Hip-hop Gyration’ among others.

    Mr Raw’s act was followed by that of Runtown. Then, Humble Smith who was introduced by actor Osita Iheme, aka Pawpaw through a recorded video. A rare gem, the Humble Smith, with his live band, comprising of a back-up singer, two guitarists and a pianist, thrilled the crowd with some high life tunes that changed the tune of the show. He disclosed that he started music 18 years ago through the influence of the legendary Highlife singer, Bright Chimeze. Then came a moment of surprise, as the Zigima sound-styled crooner climbed the stage to do back-up for Humble Smith who sang his hit, ‘African Style’.

    It was homecoming for Kcee who, alongside his former band member, Presh, started his journey at the Star Quest academy in Lagos. Kicking off his performance with ‘Limpopo’, he raised the tempo of the beats which was gracefully toned down by Humble Smith’s kind of songs. However, Kcee’s entry continue the live aspect of the show going by his inclusion of a back-up singer and a pianist. He introduced two members of his 5Star Music label, Xbustar and Skiibii who rocked the stage with him. But Kcee’s shows are usually not complete without some show of generosity. Despite throwing a bunch of N500 notes into the crowd, one Lucky Azubuike won N30, 000 for being a good dancer. Someone in the crowd also got his golden anklet, and another, his sweat shirt.

    Next in line for performance, M.I Abaga entered with his ‘Africa Rapper No 1’ song, a mix of rap and highlife. For Christian, a guy spotted from the crowd for being versed in M.I’s raps, the artiste’s sun glasses and a brand new shoe became his take-home. Like Bright Chimeze, Kelly Handsome made a surprise appearance with his ‘Maga Don Pay’ song.

    When Olamide climbed the stage at 3:17am, a new spirit appeared to have entered the fun seekers. It was unimaginable how the leading South-west hip star could have so much impression on the Easterners. They know his songs and were almost ahead of the artiste in rendering the lyrics which are mostly delivered in Yoruba. The shout if Bodoo, as Olamide is often called rent the air. The artist himself appeared to be amazed by the sing-along, as he stopping the music once in a while to examine their mastery of the lines. Then, singing ‘Fada Fada’, predominantly Igbo song he did with Phyno, Olamide showed he too was at home with the Easterners.

    Now, who is best to close the Owerri show if not Flavour, the rumoured bae of Project Fame winner, Chidinma Ekile, whose sexy biceps makes as much news as his music across the continent.

    He was the third artiste on the night to deliver a live performance with a guitarist, a pianist and a trumpeter. He rendered his popular highlife music to the delight of all – Some tales by moonlight, some romantic poetry, a bit of adult remarks – he did tracks like ‘Ada Ada’, ‘baby Oku’, ‘Oyi’, ‘Mmege’ and ‘Obianuju’ among others.

    By the time Flavour hit the last note at 4:37am, Star Trek Owerri had delivered a sterling night of fun and the crew could only look forward to a fortnight when the last leg of the series will berth in Lagos.

  • Imo pulls down homes of suspected kidnappers

    Imo pulls down homes of suspected kidnappers

    Imo State Government Thursday demolished houses belonging to suspected kidnappers who were arrested by the Police in the recent onslaught against kidnapping and other heinous crimes by the State Police Command.

    In the operation tagged “Operation Osheebe” led by the Imo State Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere and the State Police Commissioner, Taiwo Lakanu and the Commander 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Brigadier General Kay Isiyaku,  over ten houses were pulled down the in Ohuba, an agrarian community in Ohaji-Egbema Council Area of the State.

    According to Police sources, most of the kidnap incidents in the State is coordinated from a massive forest located in the community, where the victims are kept in connivance with the villagers who conceal the information from security agents.

    According to the Deputy Governor, the operation was in line with the determination of the State government to give priority to the security of life and property of the people living in the State.

    He said that the State government will not rest on its oars until those behind the unwholesome acts of kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes are brought to book.

    Madumere who was shocked by the massive buildings owned by the kidnappers, said that the demolition exercise is a strategy that will have a lasting effects in the minds of the people so serve as a deterrent to others.

    He noted that it will be an unpardonable error on the part of the government if it allows those known for ill gotten wealth to continue to show off with their wealth, adding that, “such will be contradicting the cherished value and the very foundation of the society”.

    The Commissioner of Police, in his speech, noted that the strategy of demolishing the homes of criminals and their accomplices will send a warning signal that whosever indulges in crime and those abating and protecting them will not go unpunished.

     

  • Police save woman from committing suicide in Imo

    Police save woman from committing suicide in Imo

    The police in Imo on Tuesday rescued a female staff of one of the higher institutions of learning in the state who attempted to commit suicide.

    The Imo Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Andrew Enwerem, who confirmed the incident but declined to disclose the name of the woman, said she was rescued unhurt.

    He said the woman had climbed the high stanchion of a water tank in the early morning hours and was shouting on top of her voice that she was frustrated and tired of life.

    “A woman was rescued from committing suicide early hours of this morning by the Police.

    “We got a distress call in the early hours of the morning that a woman was going to commit suicide along MCC road in Owerri.

    “A team of policemen was dispatched to the scene and the woman was brought down from the height.

    “As I speak with you, she has been identified as a Staff of the ALVAN College and is still in police custody.

    She will be released to her family after preliminary investigations,” Enwerem said.

    When contacted, a senior management staff of the institution who preferred anonymity, wondered why one would want to take his or her life, saying that the college should be left out of the matter.