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  • Ikpeazu sacks ASEPA GM over poor sanitation in Umuahia

    Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the immediate sack of the General Manager of Abia State Environmental Sanitation Agency (ASEPA), Mr Okechukwu Apugo.

    A release by the Commissioner of Information, Chief John Okiyi said that Apugo was sacked over poor sanitation situation in Umuahia, the State capital.

    According to Kalu, the Governor gave the directive while on project tour in the state after passing through Ochendo by pass road and saw heaps of refuse along littered along the road.

    The information commissioner stated that the Governor Ikpeazu also directed the Secretary to State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, to take over sanitation in Umuahia with Dr Aham Uko assisting him.

    Ikpeazu has said that he would in the next four weeks, personally coordinates and supervises evacuation and disposal of refuse within the Aba metropolis.

    This is even as Ikpeazu has equally declared a State of Emergency on Environmental Sanitation in the state.

    The decision of the Governor to take over waste management activities in the state for four weeks was in response to the increasing challenges of waste management in some parts of the State (which seems to have proven overwhelming for the managers) including Aba, the commercial nerve of the state where the state generates tons of domestic and industrial waste daily.

    The Press secretary to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Onyebuchi Ememanka in a release also hinted that the Governor who happed on the need for a cleaner, hygienic and healthier environment would be signing an Executive Order in the next couple of days where distinct Waste Management Authorities would be created to manage waste in the major metropolitan Local Government Areas in the state.

    Read Also: Kogi poll: SDP candidate rejects disqualification

    “The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ph.D. has declared a State of Emergency on Environmental Sanitation in response to the increasing challenges of waste management in some parts of the State.

    Consequently, the Governor will, in a matter of days, sign an Executive Order to create distinct Waste Management Authorities in the following Metropolitan Local Government Areas of the State – Aba North, Aba South, Osisioma Ngwa, Obingwa, Ugwunagbo, Umuahia South and Umuahia North Local Government Waste Managers shall be appointed immediately to superintendent over these Waste Management Authorities in the specified Local Government Areas.

    Effective from today, Friday, 27th September 2019, the Governor shall, for four weeks, PERSONALLY take over and coordinate Waste Management activities in the entire Aba Metropolis to restore sanity and discipline in the entire Waste Management System within the emergency period.”

    It could be recalled that Ikpeazu had within the week handed over two refuse compactor trucks to ASEPA to help them in the management of wastes in the state, an action that has received commendations from Aba residents.

  • Police intercept van fully loaded with Indian Hemp in Ekiti

    The operatives of Ekiti police command have intercepted a vehicle in Ise-Ekiti, the headquarters of Ise/Orun Local Government Areas of the state, fully loaded with bags of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp

    The suspects who were heavily armed were arrested by the police at about 7.45 am when the monthly sanitation programme, which normally cause restriction of human and vehicular movements, was ongoing.

    This development occurred barely two days after a branch of Wema Bank was robbed in the town leading to the death of a police officer, the arrest had fueled the insinuation around town that the suspects were arrested in connection with the bank robbery.

    Addressing newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Saturday, the police spokesman, Ekiti Command, DSP Caleb Ikechukwu, said the suspects were arrested along Ise-Emure road when his men were on patrol of the area.

    Read Also: Police arrest alleged killer of three family members in Kano

    Ikechukwu said they were arrested with dangerous weapons and with full load of substance suspected to be Indian Hemp inside a mini bus fondly called (Akoto).

    “I can’t confirm that four men have been arrested in connection with the Thursday’s bank robbery in Ise Ekiti. We are still investigating and trailing the perpetrators.

    “But I can confirm to your that our men this morning arrested four men inside a mini bus carrying full load of Indian Hemp in Ise Ekiti.

    “Apart from the fact they transported this dangerous weeds, they were caught with dangerous weapons which were not expected to be carried about.

    “They are currently being detained and investigation has begun to be able to ascertain the extent of their involvement in the illicit business, so that their syndicates can be fished out”, he said.

  • Kogi guber election: Miyetti Allah endorses Bello

    The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has adopted Gov. Yahaya Bello as its candidate for the forthcoming Nov. 16 governorship election in the state.

    The National Organising Secretary of the group, Alhaji Aliyu Saleh, who made the declaration at a news conference in Lokoja on Saturday, directed Fulanis in the state to immediately embark on Ruga-to-Ruga campaign for the re-election of Bello.

    Saleh said that the group decided to support the governor for providing a secure environment for Fulanis to operate in the state.

    “We are also supporting the governor for approving free Contagious Bovine Plurol Pheneumonia (CBPP) vaccination for over 23, 000 cows belonging to our members in the state ,” he said.

    The group also commended Bello for putting in place measures which had led to a reduction in clashes between farmers and herders in the state.
    It also stated that the governor had given its members a sense of belonging by appointing one of them into his cabinet and by making their leaders members of the traditional councils at the state and local government levels.

    The national organising secretary, who was flanked by the state Chairman of MACBAN, Alhaji Umaru Jaido, also said that they decided to endorse Bello’s candidature because of their love for President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Kogi poll: SDP candidate rejects disqualification

    The State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Abubakar Ohere, who received the endorsement document on behalf of the governor, thanked the group for adopting Bello as its candidate.

    Ohere described Gov. Bello as a leader with a large heart, saying that his priority had always been to provide security for all, irrespective of tribe and religion.

    He said that Bello decided to include Fulani leaders in the traditional council to reduce communal clash, especially between farmers and herders.

    While thanking the association for the endorsement, the commissioner said the gesture would propel Bello to do more for the people of the state.

  • DSS loses two personnel in car crash

    The Department of State Service on Friday September 27, 2019 lost two of its personnel in a fatal car crash.

    A statement by the Public Relations Officer,Department of State Services, National Headquarters, Abuja, Dr Peter Afunaya, indicated that the incident occurred in the evening at Gidan Busa Katari, along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

    “The team was heading to one of the States in the North-West zone for an operation when the Hilux vehicle in which they were travelling somersaulted. Two (2) persons died in the accident while another was injured. He is presently receiving required attention in a medical facility.

    “This clarification has become necessary in order to debunk fake news making the round that the gallant officers were attacked by bandits. The public is enjoined to disregard any contrary information,” the statement read.

  • Imo bans use of polythene bags for waste disposal

    Imo State government has banned the use of polythene bags to dispose refuse in the state, reiterating its determination to restore the state to its premier position as the cleanest and most beautiful state in the country through sustained aggressive environmental sanitation exercise.

    The Chairman of the State Sanitation Committee and former governor of the state Chief Ikedi Ohakim disclosed this shortly after monitoring this month’s state environmental sanitation exercise within the Owerri capital city and its environs, jointly with officials of the State Environmental Transformation Commission (ENTRACO) led by the General Manager, Alex Emeziem.

    He said that the use of Polythene bags to dispose refuse has been banned in the state with immediate effect.

    “From now henceforth nobody is allowed to use polythene bags in this state to dispose refuse and anybody who dumps refuse in unauthorized places will henceforth be sanctioned accordingly,” he warned.

    He warned road site/street traders to relocate to markets or be prepared to face the full weight of the law established in this regard.

    Ohakim said that his committee had already desilted 16,000 K/m of roads with drainages previously blocked by refuse cleared of such refuse

    The former governor commended Governor Emeka Ihedioha for providing new engineering dumpsites in the three senatorial zones of Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu and enjoined the residents in the state to make maximum use of the facilities.

    Read Also: Nwajuiba proffers solution to intraparty dispute over primaries

    Also speaking, the ENTRACO boss, Alex Emezie disclosed that the state government had acquired new equipment and trucks and would soon come up with the policy of door to door system which would later be evacuated by trucks to stem the ugly tide of environmental degradation in the state.

    Emezie, a former member of the state House of Assembly added that his commission had divided the state into 12 zones and would also engage some qualified vendors that would pick waste materials in any part of the state and dump them at designated sites.

    “By next week, we will finish the selection of vendors who will be collecting refuse in the state from the zones created so that if there are any lapses, we will know who to hold responsible,” he added.

  • Gunmen kill 24-yr-old student in Kogi

    Yet-to-be identified gunmen have allegedly killed a fresh student of the Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Idah, Kogi State, Sule Moses.

    The 24-year old student was allegedly attacked and killed by the unknown gunmen, on Thursday, at a private hostel, located behind the school.

    The college provost, Dr Nuhu Anyegeu described the attack on the student as ‘inconceivable and shocking.

    The provost in a statement issued, in Idah, on Saturday, expressed regret over the death of the deceased, who he described as a promising young man.

    “On behalf of the college community, particularly the Governing Council and management of the institution, I am deeply touched by this act of man’s inhumanity to man.

    “We sincerely extend the deepest sympathy of the management to the parents of the deceased and the entire college community over this shocking development,” he stated.

    He appealed for calm and cooperation, particularly among the students of the institution.

    He said that the incident was immediately reported at the Idah Police Station, and the body of the conveyed to the mortuary.

    Read Also: Gunmen abduct two senior NSCDC officials

    He added that the deceased has since been buried in his home town in Dekina LGA of Kogi, amidst weeping and wailing by students of the institution.

    He called on the police to do a thorough investigation into the unfortunate incidence and bring the perpetrators to justice.

    The Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), William Anya, said that he was not aware of the incidence, but promised to find out and get back to our reporter.

    As at the time of filing this report, the police spokesman was yet to get back to our reporter.

  • Couple, four others arrested for allegedly stealing, selling siblings for N900,000

    The police in Imo State have arrested a couple and four others for stealing and selling two siblings for N900,000.

    The state’s Police Commissioner, Rabiu Ladodo, said the command had recovered one of the stolen children, Promise Opunwa, 2, while his elder sister, Oluma, 4, was still missing.

    Parading the suspects before newsmen, Ladodo who gave the names of the suspects as Chika Obi,28 and Chiamaka Obi, described the deal as absurd, saying that the infant was recovered at Uli in Anambra State.

    Ladodo said other members of the syndicate, include Ogidi Chukwuma, 26; Anuforo Ogechi, 28; Ebere Okafor,45, and Chioma Ngobiri, 46.

    He said: “On August 4, three members of the syndicate invaded the house of one Ijeoma Opunwa and inflicted machete cut on one Daberechi Okafor who was present at the time of the invasion.”

    Read Also: Couple nabbed for selling three-day -old baby for N300,000 in Imo

    “They instilled fear on other occupants and made away with two children, Oluma (4), and Promise (2) to an unknown destination. They robbed them of their phones and undisclosed amount of money.”

    The CP said his men carried out diligent investigation and arrested the suspects at their hideout in Umulololo in Okigwe Local Government Area.

    “The suspects confessed to the crime and even led operatives to Onitsha through Uli in Anambra State where their gang members one Ebere Okafor and Chioma Ngobiri were arrested and one of the stolen children, Promise ,2, was recovered. “

    Ladodo assured that the remaining missing child would be recovered.

    One of the suspects, Ogidi, he said admitted that he got N130, 000 from the shady transaction.

  • Buhari condemns abuse of children in Kaduna ‘reform institution’

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned reported horrific acts at a ‘reform institution’ in Kaduna where about 400 persons were rescued by the police.

    According to a statement by Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Saturday, President Buhari condemned all forms of rights abuses whether of adults or children.

    While commending the efforts of the police for the discovery and subsequent arrest of operators of the horrific hub, the president said all children must be safeguarded and protected from all evil influences in the society.

    The statement read in part: ‘‘In commending the police for their discovery of this horrific hub and arrest of suspected operators of the unedifying, so-called “reform institution,” the administration of President Buhari categorically condemns rights abuses whether of adults or of children.

    ‘‘We are glad that Muslim authorities have dismissed the notion of the embarrassing and horrifying spectacle as Islamic School.

    ‘‘The place has indeed been described as a house of torture and a place of human slavery.

    ‘‘The President holds the view that children will be safeguarded from roaming the streets and protected from all evil influences that assail idle hands and idle minds, when they are sent to school.

    ‘‘When he inaugurated the National Economic Council for the year 2019/2023 at the Presidential Villa, in Abuja, President Buhari warned that keeping children away from school is a criminal offence.

    ‘‘He also stressed the need to take seriously and enforce the statutory provisions on free and compulsory basic education.

    “Citing Section 18(3) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which he says places on all of us – public leaders and political office holders – an obligation to eradicate illiteracy and provide free and compulsory education.

    ‘‘He added that “Section 2 of the Compulsory Free Universal Basic Education Act provides that every government in Nigeria shall provide free, compulsory and universal basic education for every child of primary and junior secondary school age.

    “It is indeed a crime, he stressed, for any parent to keep his child out of school for this period.”

    Read Also: Yes, I’ve seen Buhari’s certificate, but any further need?

    According to the president, his administration has introduced a number of programmes, including the school feeding programme which is now in 32 states in the country, with 9.8 million children in its roll.

    He said the school feeding programme was meant to encourage school enrolment and enhance the health and learning capabilities of pupils.

    President Buhari maintained that ”state and local governments are obliged under the law to ensure that every child of school age goes to school throughout the crucial nine years of basic education”.

    The president enjoined religious and traditional authorities to partner with the three tiers of government to check the menace of what he described as ‘unwanted cultural practices’.

    He said: ‘‘To stop unwanted cultural practices that amount to the abuse of children, our religious and traditional authorities must work with the federal, state and local governments to expose and stop all types of abuse that are widely known but ignored for many years by our communities.’’

  • TCN moves to recover N270b debt from DisCos

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has written a letter to the Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman on how to compel the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to pay the outstanding debt of N270billion to the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) Plc.

    Speaking at the TCN’s/Donor/Stakeholders meeting in Abuja on Saturday, its Managing Director, Mr. Usman Gur Mohammed, noted that with the application of the market rule, the company has been able to collect its 100 percent revenue from the DisCos.

    But the outstanding N270billion debt was the revenue that the Discos failed to remit to the TCN before he assumed office as the Chief Executive Officer of the TCN.

    His words: “We have written to the Minister of Power, we also suggested to him, his we can work with NBET, if they will agree to work with us to force the DisCos to pay them their money. We are going to enforce it if they (ministers) agree. There is no reason we cannot enforce it.”

    With the enforcement of the market rule, the TCN’s boss noted that the company has discovered that the DisCos that are weak, those that are strong, which can survive and those that will collapse under real market conditions .

    He added that the enforcement has improved discipline and transparency in the electricity market.

    Mohammed expressed hope that enforcing the market rule will reduce the federal government liabilities in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).

    The TCN, according to him, is now working with state Governors to secure the right of way for the expansion of network (25 meters both side for 330Kv line and 15 meters on both sides for 132Kv.

    Read Also: Police intercept van fully loaded with Indian Hemp in Ekiti

    On the essence of the meeting, he noted that the TCN has received loans and grants totalling $1.6b from donor agencies.

    He noted that the meeting was to give the donors an updated breakdown of the projects for them to guide the TCN on whatever ways they feel.

    Mohammed said that aside from the Abuja Wheeling Scheme Project, non of the projects for which funds have been disbursed.

    The CEO insisted that the projects are at their procurement stages in sustainable manner.

    He revealed that the management of the TCN has reintroduced the Pupillage Training Program under engineers work under the tutelage of senior engineers for a period of one year before they can start work on their own.

    He added that pupillage program existed in the PHCN where young engineers were trained for two years.

  • Ekiti APC suspends LG primary elections indefinitely

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Ekiti State Chapter on Saturday said it has postponed the local government primary elections in two local government areas of the state.

    The ruling party’s shadow primary which was scheduled to hold on Saturday was suspended indefinitely in Ado and Ikole Local Government over security concern while the elections held in other 14 local councils.

    The party spokesperson, Ade Ajayi who stated this in Ado Ekiti in a telephone chat with newsmen, said the decision was reached by the party high decision making organ following emergence of a security report that some hooligans were plotting to tinker with the political atmosphere and disrupt the exercise.

    Ajayi said that a new date would be communicated to all concerned stakeholders as soon as report shows that the coast is clear.

    “The reason for the postponement in respect of the two local government is due to security concerns. We had it on record that there would be breakdown of law and order.

    “And it was on this basis we decided to postpone the election in the two local government until further notice. The remaining 14 Council election will hold today as scheduled”, he said.

    The indefinite postponement has created fear and re-awakened the suspicion of some aspirants who alleged the party leadership of plotting to impose its anointed candidates on the people.

    Two of the aspirants who spoke to newsmen at the venue of the primary including Alhaji Tajudeen Gidado, and Tosin Aluko, expressed displeasure over the suspension of the party’s shadow election.

    They accused the leadership of the party of being undemocratic, warning that they would resist any attempt to impose on the party.

    Read Also; No cold war in the Presidency -APC, Govs.

    In her reaction, Mrs Aluko, an aspirant in the election lamented that the leadership of the party were determined to impose a candidate.

    “I just heard it here now that the election has been Postponed. I don’t want to believe it because Governor Kayode Fayemi issued a statement last week that there would be primary election and that there won’t be imposition.

    “We have been waiting here since morning for the primary. Some people are with the Deputy Chairman of the party now, Sola Elesin, they don’t want the election to hold because of the plan they have to impose one of us as the candidate.

    ” I don’t know why they are doing this, they should allow people to make their choice because this is democracy. They’re doing this because they want to impose someone. But the governor they are dropping his name has come out to say he has no preferred candidate.”

    But the party Spokesman described the allegations as a conjectural statement that lack content of validity in all its measure.

    Ajayi maintained that all aspirants will be given a level playing ground to participate in the excercise, noting that the election will be conducted in a transparent, free and fair manner without compromising the basic principle of internal democracy.