The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Obiano

  • NEC okays panel’s recommendation on flood

    The National Economic Council (NEC) on Thursday approved the establishment of Federal Project Coordinating Unit on flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness programme.

    A panel has recommended the setting up of the unit to mitigate the effect of flood in many parts of the country.

    Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano, disclosed this at the end of about two hours meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He was with the Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Moses Adeyemo and Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Oluyemi Dipeolu, at the briefing.

    According to Obiano, the Minister of State for Environment, Usman Jibril, briefed the Council and asked for collaborative partnership between the Federal Government and State governments against flooding and other erosion disasters in the country.

    He said: “The presentation informed the Council on the imminent onset of this year’s flood season and the need for collaborative partnership between the Federal and State Governments with the Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR) for immediate intervention on flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness in the country.

    “The occurrence and magnitude of flood continue to increase in Nigeria due to many factors, among which are prolonged rainfall, siltation of existing streams, human manipulation of drainage basins, undeveloped drainages, poor urban planning and dam collapse, among others.

    “It is estimated that about 20 per cent of the population is at risk from one form of flooding or another, resulting in property damages and loss of lives annually. Climate change projections indicate that there may be greater risk of flooding in the years ahead.

    “Natural causes of flood are beyond human control, but human manipulation/human induced situation can either be prevented or at least have their impact mitigated.

    “Enormous resources towards flood disaster mitigation have been committed by government at all levels. However, the menace continues unabated. There is need for a paradigm shift in the approach to solve the annual negative experience, hence the need for suggestive approaches for an efficient and effective collaboration among stakeholders.”

  • Obiano present cash gifts, laptops to 11 ex corps members

    Eleven NYSC members of 2016 Batch B Stream II set were yesterday rewarded by the Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano for distinguishing themselves during their one year national service in the state.

    The awardees, nine males and two females, were rewarded with Governor’s and State’s Awards, comprising of cash donations and laptops.

    Speaking during the award presentation ceremony in Awka, the governor commended them for their patriotism, commitment and resilience during their service year, which stood them out from their peers.

    Obiano, represented by the Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Creative Economy, Bonadventure Enemali, said the award was in demonstration of the importance the state attaches to hard work and selfless service both to the state and the nation.

    “It is not an easy feat to emerge the best out over two thousand corps members who were deployed to the state with you for the national service.

    “You proved yourself as leaders by not only identifying the problems in your host communities, but finding ways of solving them,” he said.

    The governor reminded them that expectations from them were high which they could afford to toy with, challenging them not to relent in their future endeavours.

    Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mr kehinde Aremu, said the award beneficiaries were subjected to a rigorous selection process, including their participation in the orientation course and Community Development Service as well as their conduct all through the service year.

    Speaking on behalf of the awardees, Thomas Effiong, a first class graduate of Business Education and Accounting from University of Uyo, expressed appreciation to the governor for the gesture.

    He pledged to invest the money into rice production, a business he said he commenced soon after his service.

  • Obiano: no going back on Okada ban

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has reiterated that there is no going back on the ban on motorcycle operations in Awka and Onitsha.

    Reactions have trailed the ban which came after the May 22 executive council meeting, with the clergy, market leaders and other stakeholders calling to Obiano to reconsider the decision because of its consequences.

    Obiano spoke at the weekend during the 2018 Annual Seminar of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council in Awka.

    The governor, who explained that the ban would be for commercial motorcyclists in Onitsha, Awka and neighbouring towns, said the government was making alternative arrangements to provide more shuttle buses to cover as many routes as possible.

    He urged transporters to take advantage of the opportunity and invest in deploying shuttles and tricycles to complement government’s efforts.

    Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council and Traditional ruler of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, said the monarchs had a role to hold their communities in the line of development, peace and security, to make governance less cumbersome for the government.

     

  • Tribunal dismisses election petitions against Obiano

    The Anambra State Governorship Election Tribunal has dismissed two of the three petitions against the victory of Governor Willie Obiano in the November 18, 2017 election in the state.

    The tribunal affirmed Obiano’s victory in two separate unanimous judgments delivered by its chairman, Justice H.A. Olusiyi.

    Dr Chukwudi Obianaso and Ms Praise Okechukwu, candidates of African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Mega Progressive People Party (MPPP) respectively in the same election had prayed the tribunal to invalidate the victory.

    Obianaso in his petition said the election should be nullified because it was marred with corrupt practices allegedly perpetrated by Obiano and his agents in connivance with INEC.

    “INEC should conduct a fresh election and Obiano be disqualified to contest in the fresh election,” he said.

    In her petition, the MPPP candidate said Obiano was not duly elected or returned by the majority of lawful votes cast and that the exercise did not comply substantially with the Electoral Act.

    “Obiano did not score the majority of valid votes cast in at least two-third of the 21 council areas in Anambra in the election; thus his return by the third respondent is unconstitutional, irregular, null and void and of no effect whatsoever,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quoted the tribunal as saying Okechukwu failed to substantiate her claims of electoral malpractice with credible evidence.

    It said those allegedly involved in vote-buying and polling units where the alleged corrupt practices took place were not mentioned, and that only one witness was not enough to testify on the claims.

    “The petitioners have woefully failed to prove by any credible evidence that the first respondent was not duly elected or returned as governor of Anambra by the majority of lawful votes cast.

    “The petitioners have abysmally failed to prove with any modicum of satisfaction that the election in question was invalid by reason of corrupt practices and non-compliance with provisions of Electoral Act 2010 as amended.

    “On the whole, the petition failed as it patently lacks substance and merit, it is accordingly dismissed in its entirety, consequently we affirm as valid the election and return of the first respondent as governor of Anambra,” it ruled.

    On his part, Obianaso hinged his case on the claim that Obiano bought some vehicles for unmanned persons, including ward, local government chairmen of the party and council care-taker chairmen.

    He also alleged that funds were also disbursed to them all geared toward the election and spent in excess of N200 million allowed by the Electoral Act, 2010 as amended.

    The tribunal said the petitioner listed about 15 documents which he intended to rely upon but could not successfully tender two in evidence, including P1 and P2.

    These, according to the tribunal, were CTC of newspaper publications that have no “probative value”.

    “He did not call a single witness to corroborate or substantiate his allegations and did not tell the tribunal where the unlawful campaign took place nor deem it fit to call any election monitor to testify for him.

    “Allegations of spending money beyond permissible limit, massive sharing of money to voters and unlawful spending on Election Day was ‘grossly unsubstantiated and pitiably tenuous’.

    “With all issues considered, and in the light of all foregoing, we come to the irresistible and compelling conclusion that the petitioner has failed to prove by credible and satisfactory evidence that the election of the first respondent as governor of Anambra was marred by corrupt practices.

    “The sole issue for determination is resolved in the negative against the petitioner; the petition is dismissed in its entirety as it is bereft of any scintilla of merit.

    “We hereby affirm that the first respondent was duly elected on Nov. 18, 2017,” the tribunal ruled.

    The tribunal had earlier struck out the petition of African Peoples Party (APP) against the governor following the preliminary objection raised by the respondents for lack of merit.

    Obiano, candidate of APGA, won the election with a total of 234, 071 from the total of 488,771 votes cast.

     

  • APGA forum: Obiano means well for Anambra

    The national co-ordinator of the APGA Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, has said Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano means well for the state.

    The group, in a statement yesterday, said the governor had demonstrated his love for his people.

    The statement reads: “ Unfolding events in Anambra State with regards to Governor Obiano plans for the people are proofs that the governor is a godsent.

    ‘’He came to govern the state to make life better for the people. At a time other states are finding it difficult to pay workers, Obiano has concluded arrangements to pay new wages by July.

    “The governor plans to launch a 50-year sustainable development plan in the state. This is a good omen and will  entrench development in the state.”

    Obigwe hailed the governor for empowering youths.

    He said: “Obiano is committed to ensuring that he runs a corrupt-free government, hence  he invited Magu, EFCC chairman, to the retreat for new appointees.’’

    ‘’The opposition is an enemy of progress using unnecessary litigation to thwart the governor’s plan to conduct council elections.

    ‘’The opposition is frustrating the governor’s good intention and giving the people the wrong impression that he won’t conduct elections.

    “The people should hold the opposition responsible for the non-conduct of  elections, and prevail on it to withdraw the suit filed in court, so Obiano can go ahead with his plans to conduct council elections.”

     

  • Obiano launches 50-yr devopment plan

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano is to launch a 50-year development plan for sustainable development.

    The government will also begin paying the new minimum wage in July.

    Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment C-Don Adinuba stated this yesterday during his first post-executive briefing in Awka.

  • Anambra guber: Tribunal fixes hearing of case against Obiano for April 17

    THE Anambra Governorship Elections Tribunal sitting in Awka on Friday concluded prehearing on the matter brought by Dr Paul Obianaso of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Obianaso was seeking to upturn the election of Gov. Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance. He prayed the tribunal to nullify the Nov. 18 governorship election in Anambra for non-substantial compliance to the Electoral Act. Answers to pre-trial notices were adopted and the tribunal gave the scheduling order.

    The petitioner, Obianaso, who was in court, was represented by Theophilus Nweke, while K. O. Mozie, appeared for the first defendant, Gov. Willie Obiano. In his ruling, Justice H.A. Olusiyi, Chairman of the Tribunal, said that the tribunal was satisfied that there was no other way to resolve the matter than a full blown trial. Olusiyi said there would be expedited hearing of the matter and that the tribunal would not accommodate unnecessary applications for adjournment, as the time was short.

  • Obiano appoints SSG, media aide

    Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has appointed Mr. Primus Odili as his Chief of Staff. He replaces Prof. Joseph Asike.

    The governor also appointed three principal officers – James Eze (Chief Press Secretary – the first); Willie Nwokoye (Principal Secretary to the governor) and Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu (Secretary to the State Government).

    They were sworn in yesterday at the Conference Centre in Awka.

    Obiano worked for four years without a chief press secretary, but he had many special sssistants and special advisers on Media.

    He urged the appointees to work hard as his second tenure would not be a ‘Tea Party’.

  • Gov. Obiano begins second term

    GOVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State and his deputy, Nkem Okeke, will begin their second tenure in the state today. They will be sworn in at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Peter Umeadi. Obiano will be the second Governor of the state to be elected to office for a second term after former governor, Peter Obi, in 2014. During the November 18, 2017, governorship election, Obiano defeated other candidates with ease, by winning in all the 21 local government areas in the state.

    It was the first time such a thing happened in the country, and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Victor Ike Oye, described the governor’s overwhelming performance as his measure of goodwill with the electorate. Speaking with The Nation in Awka, Oye said Obiano is prepared to take Anambra to the zenith of governance and development. Already, Anambra is agog for Obiano’s investiture. The venue of the event is wearing a new look, with the arena decorated with colours of the national flag and APGA colours.

  • Obiano’s second term inauguration tomorrow

    •Sultan, Emir of Kano expected

    All is set for the second term inauguration of Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano, and his deputy Nkem Okeke, tomorrow.

    Chairman of the inauguration committee Ifeanyichukwu Ibezi, in a statement yesterday, said dignitaries from across Nigeria and some select foreign countries were expected at the inauguration.

    The statement listed programmes lined up to include a business round table, themed “consolidating the vision”, among others.

    The United Nations Resident Coordinator, Edward Kallon, would be leading international development partners to the round table.

    A thanksgiving service will hold at the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral Church in Awka on Sunday.

    The Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abukakar III, Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II, among other personalities, are expected to attend the inauguration.

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Victor Oye addressed reporters in his Amawbia home in Awka yesterday.

    Oye maintained that APGA is the only party in Nigeria with a clear cut ideology, which was why Obiano won the election.

    He said Obiano and Okeke were excited on their second term and grateful to the people for their support.

    The APGA national chairman defended Obiano by saying he was not clannish as being speculated by the opposition. According to him, the governor had an open mind.

    He was also not seeking for wisdom again from God to lead the state, but understanding and knowledge.