The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Onitsha

  • Power Oil takes healthy heart campaign to PH, Onitsha

    Jogging and other aerobics like walking have more benefits for the heart than most people realise.

    It is for this that Power Oil healthy cooking oil has extended one of its yearly consumer health awareness  tagged ‘Power Oil pay with calories’, to Rivers and Anambra states to encourage more Nigerians to embrace body fitness and healthy living.

    The ‘Power Oil pay with calories’ idea began five years ago to help consumers who are willing to  trade off some calories in exchange for gifts.

    This year’s events, which held at the Onitsha Mall and Port Harcourt Mall,  created a platform for the brand to interact with its consumers. Various gift items were offered to the consumers burnt some calories.

    Its Brand Manager, Miss Amisha Chawla explained that the campaign was borne out of the necessity to encourage Nigerians to further become mindful of their heart health by maintaining good body fitness and eliminate unhealthy consumption habits, as these factors are important to lowering the risk of blood pressure and heart-related ailments.

    “The activation is simply to promote healthy living by encouraging Nigerians to pay more attention to their body and be cautious about the quality of what they consume to maintain a healthy heart. We also make it a point of duty to advise Nigerians against the consumption of low-quality or sub-standard cooking oil, which on the long run puts consumers at risk of heart related diseases and other health issues.

    “The idea is to engage consumers in a series of exercise on the treadmills and cyclers to burn some calories, of which will eventually be rewarded with amazing gift items depending on the amount of calories being able to burn within a specific time,” she said.

    According to Mrs. Omotayo Abiodun, the firm’s Public Relations Manager, the campaign had been held in Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja.

    However, to have more people, especially from the east, benefit from the campaign, it has being extended to two more states – Rivers and Anambra. It was also extended to more states with the belief that it would motivate consumers to understand the importance of leading a healthy life.

    Mrs. Ngozi Ibekwe, from Onitsha, who lost up to 30 calories and got rewarded with a tummy trimmer, commended the brand for its efforts in encouraging Nigerians to live a healthier and better life through their various health friendly activities.

    Mr. Tony Chris, a participant in Port Harcourt, who also burnt 53 calories said: “We had so much fun while getting rewarded for that made it more interesting. I applaud the Power Oil brand for bringing the event to Port Harcourt, and we shall be looking forward to another edition.

  • Goods worth over N1b destroyed in Onitsha market fire 

    Goods worth over N1b destroyed in Onitsha market fire 

    Goods worth over N1billion were destroyed yesterday in Onitsha as fire gutted the Polythene Producers Industrial Cluster.

    The cluster is located near Ekene Workshop,between Awada and the commercial city of Onitsha

    Victims were seen at the scene of the fire folding their arms and bemoaning their fate.

    Chairmen of the clusters Anthony Ubakasi and Johnson Okolo attributed the fire to epileptic power supply by Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

    They lamented the lack of space for them to operate in separate warehouses/factories as over 20 Small Scale Industries were operating in a warehouse with multiple machines.

    Ubakasi said some of the affected small scale industry operators would have saved some of their machines, goods and raw materials if they were on doing night duties.

    “But unfortunately EEDC is giving them two hours light in the night and they stopped night duties because, the time is not even enough for their machine to heat for production”

    Okolo blamed the EEDC and the government for not recognising their contribution towards industrialisation and reduction of unemployment.

    They appealed to Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano to pay them a visit to see things for himself, having failed to visit them in February 2017, when similar incident occurred .

    One of the victims Chuks Eze said he lost nine Side Sealing Cutting machines, worth N1.5 million each, one Compressor, worth about N300,000, two Bottom Sealing Machines one N12 million among others.

    Another victim Ikechukwu Emehige said he lost four Cutting machines, worth N900,000, each, a 40 Horse Power Electric Motor, worth about N1,9 million, three Air blower each worth N600, 000, one Compressor worth among others too.

    Paul Agadinulo lost Printing machine he bought N8 million and installed in September 2017, and lost IPA, Butternol, rolls of BOPP, more that 50 Rubber Stereos and gallons of ink worth more than N13 million.

    The only woman victim, Eunice Onuora, said she lost to the inferno, two Bottom Sealing Machines worth N10 million, three Side Sealing machines worth N1.9 million, a Cutting machine worth N1.7 million and others

  • ‘Complete Enugu/ Onitsha Expressway’

    The National Coordinator of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Media Warriors Forum, Chinedu Obigwe, said yesterday that the Umunya axis of Enugu/Onitsha expressway project had been abandoned by the contractor.

    The road is a federal project.

    Obigwe spoke after a visit to the site. The Nation learnt that during the campaign for November 18 governorship election, work was going on at the site, but the contractor abandoned the place immediately the results were announced.

    Obigwe said: “It is an act of deception for the project to be abandoned after the governorship poll. The opposition should refrain from playing on the intelligence of Anambra people. The contractor should return to the site to continue work and complete the project before the rainy season. Their claim to have concluded arrangement with the Federal Ministry of Works for the building of Otuocha-Nzam-Innoma-Iheaka-Ibaji-Odulu-Ajejewu federal road is a ploy to deceive the people of Anambra East and West. The opposition should stop deceiving us.”

    He urged the Federal Government to reimburse Anambra State Government the N43 billion spent on the execution of federal projects.

    Obigwe hailed elders led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku for demanding the refund of the money.

    He said: “Tony Nwoye, who parades himself as the only federal lawmaker from Anambra State, should use his connection to get the money if he cares about the welfare of the people. He should intervene and ensure the money is refunded to the government.”

  • NAFDAC uncovers contraband in Onitsha

    NAFDAC uncovers contraband in Onitsha

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) on Monday uncovered 30 different banned and unregistered products worth millions of naira in Onitsha, Anambra, an official has said.

    Mrs Christiana Essenwa, a Deputy Director of NAFDAC, said this when she conducted newsmen round the uncompleted building where the contraband were discovered.

    She listed some of the banned products to include rice, vegetable oil, tomato paste, tomato ketchup and toilet and medicated soaps.

    The list includes, among others, dairy products, hand wash, creams, cosmetics, toothpaste, furniture, plastic products, electrical cables and textiles imported in a 40-foot container.

    Essenwa expressed concern that in spite of the Federal Government ban, some businessmen ignored the hazards the banned products pose to unsuspecting consumers.

    “These contraband items are written in foreign language; it is difficult for consumers to know the content of the products, making it hazardous for consumers in the country.

    “For instance, these foreign toothpastes contain saccharine which is not allowed in the country; the vegetable oils do not have the eye logo, signifying that they are fortified with vitamin A.

    “We are going to confiscate every item and get them ready for destruction,” Essenwa said.

    She said some of the seized products such as textiles, cables and plastics also required the involvement of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) to certify the authenticity of the items.

    The deputy director said the discovery was made following a tip-off and urged the public to be circumspect before picking products on display in the market.

    “Check whether they have NAFDAC registration number; whether the labelling is alright, whether it was written in foreign language, manufacturing address and of course, the expiry date,” Essenwa said.

    Also speaking, an industrialist, Mr Steve Evans, the Manager of Evans Industries Limited, decried the importation of fake products into the country, describing the act as “economic sabotage”.

    Evans, urged the Federal Government to step up its surveillance on fake products being dumped in the country.

    Read Also:  NAFDAC reduces MSMEs registration fee By 50%

  • Robbers kill SUN’s circulation man at Onitsha

    •Police: we’re on trail of suspects

    The circulation representative of The SUN at Onitsha in Anambra State, Mr. Fabian Obi, was killed yesterday by a two-man robbery gang at the company’s office on Old Market Road.

    The hoodlums reportedly stormed the office at 8 a.m on motorcycle and were said to have collected a huge amount of money and shot the victim.

    The incident attracted several passersby.

    Those studying the security situation in the state in the past few months described it as bad.

    Police spokesperson Princess Nkeiruka Nwode, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), told reporters in Awka, the state capital, that the command was on the trail of the suspects.

    She said no stone would be left unturned until the hoodlums were apprehended and made to face the wrath of the law.

    The command commiserated with the company and family of the deceased.

    It assured the residents of the protection of their lives and property.

    The body of the deceased has been deposited at the Boromeo Hospital.

     

  • Wage structure needs review, says Obi of Onitsha

    Wage structure needs review, says Obi of Onitsha

    The Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, has said workers’ wage and salary structure should be reviewed to stop professionals from leaving the country.

    Achebe  said it was a tragedy for members of the political elite to determine their wage structure, while workers in the country cannot.

    He said this at the 36th convocation of the National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN), which held in Ijanikin, Lagos.

    According to him, Nigerian doctors. after getting their training locally, become expatriates in various countries, which reveals the shortcoming of wages and infrastructural systems in the country.

    “Doctors should be well rewarded as they are special due to what they do and it was this realisation that stopped me from studying medicine, though I was admitted to study it, but I went for chemistry,”he said.

    He said though traditional rulers voices were getting smaller, he would do something about the situation by talking to the authorities.

    The college President, Prof. Ademola Olaitan, said though doctors going abroad was pathetic, there was nothing that could be done as they (doctors) have to feed themselves and work in conducive environments.

    He said: “Part of the mandate of the college is to prevent human capital flight in the medical sector, which we have succeeded in doing by convoking 387 fellows this year, aside those convoked in previous years and saving the nation, millions of dollars.”

    He said it was a shame that industrial action is the only language government listens to.

    “Industrial actions are not encouraged as it disrupts work and placements by doctors into various teaching hospitals which does not allow for fulfillment of the prescribed minimum period of clinical placements and rotations that qualified them for examinations,” he said.

    Olaitan urged the government to reconstitute the Board of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) as the body had operated without a council for the past two years when the board was dissolved. He noted that reconstitution will allow the council to perform its statutory functions, which are crucial to the smooth running of medical services.

    The guest speaker, Prof Obiora Onuba, who spoke on the theme: “Medical Management of Terrorist Bombing of Nigerian Civilians;” Lessons to Learn”,  said doctors must have training in treating victims of terrorist acts as only a few doctors have experience in a true mass casualty attack.

  • Nigerian Breweries takes Friendship Party to Onitsha

    Nigerian Breweries takes Friendship Party to Onitsha

    Nigerian Breweries Plc, producer of “33” Export Lager Beer, has taken its Friendship Experience Party to Sweet Garden Hotel at Onitsha in Anambra State.

    The exercise was an opportunity for consumers to be treated to amazing music, fun and games.

    This followed similar parties organised by the brand in Lagos, Ibadan and Uyo, where consumers trooped out in large numbers to enjoy “33” Export while they were entertained by top disc jockeys (DJs) and comedians, including Bash, I-Go-Save, Shakara, Ajebo, DJ Kentalky and DJ Real.

    Portfolio Manager for Mainstream Lager and Stout at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Emmanuel Agu said “33” Export Lager Beer was focused on highlighting the time-tested values of friendship, hence its decision to create an atmosphere for which the values could be expressed.

    “Building on creating experiences, the brand is leveraging on the Friendship Experience Parties to engage with its customers and deepen its relationship with friends of the brand across the country,” he said.

    With auctions and other interesting activities, friends in Onitsha were rewarded with gifts, such as generators, refrigerators, standing fans, T-shirts, among others.

  • Relief after road nightmare

    Relief after road nightmare

    Once one of the smoothest and most important in the Southeast, the Onitsha-Owerri Road is in terrible disrepair. But there is respite as remedial work starts, OKODILI NDIDI writes

    It used to be a pleasure to drive on the 90km stretch. In under an hour, from Onitsha, the business hub of the Southeast, you are in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

    Not anymore. The Trunk A road is in a terrible state of disrepair. No fewer than 11 travellers died in crashes on it in the last three months. The Owerri-Onitsha Road is a nightmare.

    Relief has come. The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has started repair work on it.

    The road is significant. It links Abia, home to the famous Ariaria international market, and Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, where the nation’s second largest port is located.

    A portion of the road at Mgbidi, in Oru East Council Area of Imo State has been washed away by rainwater, resulting in avoidable accidents. Motorists plying the road also incurred huge losses, from damaged vehicles to destroyed goods, as vehicles keel over, spilling their consignments. Goods worth millions of Naira are lost on the road.

    Building owners by the roadside are also counting their losses as floodwater on the failed portion of the road gushes into their compounds.

    But at last, there is something to cheer as FERMA has started palliative repairs on the road, especially the reopening of the blocked waterways, which caused the flooding of the carriageway.

    A FERMA engineer in Imo State, Emeka Maduagu, who flagged off the repair amid jubilation by motorists, blamed the damage on the road on indiscriminate blockage of waterways by residents who erect illegal structures on them.

    Speaking to newsmen, Maduagu decried the unwholesome practice, stating that the agency had earlier warned residents to steer clear of waterways and to avoid other practices that are capable of damaging the roads.

    He said, “Why this particular portion of the road failed is because the waterway, where the whole water collected around here is supposed to flow through into the canal was deliberately blocked by the owner of a petrol station, who built his fence on top on the waterway”.

    He continued that, “as a result of that, the water, since it has no other place to flow to, gathered on carriage way and with time it washed off the coatings, resulting in deep potholes, which was gradually eating up the road.

    “We have been sensitising the community heads to educate their people on the dangers of blocking the waterways but they don’t seem to heed the advice. But what we are doing today is to open up the blocked waterway and after that the water that is collected on the carriage way will flow into the canal before we can repair the failed portions, once that is done, the road will be good again for motorists and other users”.

    Commending FERMA for the intervention, a commuter, Okechukwu Simon, said that, “we are happy that FERMA has commenced the repair of the bad portion of the road. Actually, we had suffered untold hardship on this road. Take for instance, before the road went bad, we used to drive from Onitsha to Owerri in less than one hour but now it takes about one hour thirty minutes or more.

    “That is not the only challenge. In the last three months we have recorded over 20 ghastly motor accidents on this spot, which claimed the lives of over drivers and travellers but we are happy that finally the government has heard our cry”.

    Nze Obinna Okoroafor an octogenarian, who owns one of the flooded buildings by the roadside, blamed the poor state of the road to the negligence of property owners who build on waterways.

    He said, “After Julius Berger constructed this road in 2009, the waterways were clearly demarcated but soon after they left, some individuals ignored the signs and started building on the waterways. The most painful aspect is the impunity with which they do it as if we don’t have any law in the country.

    “But I also believe that the government has a lot to do in monitoring the highways to ensure that people do not engage in activities that can damage the roads. Take for instance when the man who built that petrol station on the waterway was still constructing it, I reported to the community leaders but nobody did anything, today we are all suffering as a result of that singular act. I know how many people that have died in ghastly accidents caused by that failed portion of the road, not only that, most of our compounds, especially those by the roadside, have all been flooded, with its attendant consequences.”

  • Fidelity empowers entrepreneurs in Onitsha

    Fidelity empowers entrepreneurs in Onitsha

    Fidelity Bank Plc held a four- day empowerment workshop for unregistered small business owners in Onitsha, Anambra State. The exercise was in furtherance of its commitment to continually support and grow the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the country.

    Appropriately themed “Gaining Financial Freedom through Profitable Small Businesses” the workshop was organised to create requisite awareness on entrepreneurship and provide unregistered businesses with useful financing tips which will spur business growth.

    The initiative which is in consonance with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) financial inclusion strategy, seeks to increase the penetration of financial services amongst the vast majority of Nigerians, particularly the unbanked, under-banked and micro business sectors.

    At the event, representatives from the Bank’s retail division participated in various awareness sessions to showcase the broad spectrum of products and services offered by the Bank. Some of these sessions included market storms and engagement exercise where notable clusters in Onitsha and its environs were visited.

     

  • Army offers free medical treatment to 500 in Anambra

    Army offers free medical treatment to 500 in Anambra

    The 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha on Saturday offered free medical treatment to more than 500 persons in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra.

    Col. Idongiset Akpan, the Commander of the Regiment, said the service and an earlier clean up exercise were some of the activities lined up for the week long 2017 Nigerian Army Day celebration.

    Akpan said the free treatment and cleanup exercise near Electrical International Market, Onitsha, were to maintain the excellent civil/military relationship and to imbibe the culture of clean environment.

    “It was also an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the Nigerian Army, and also launder our image as a potent force for the defense of our democracy and nation building,” he said.

    He explained that the Army Day celebration was a yearly exercise to commemorate the creation of the Nigerian Army.

    Also speaking, Capt. Wilson Ejiga, the Regimental Medical Officer in-charge of the Cantonment Hospital, said cases of malaria, typhoid and other minor ailments were treated.

    “We conducted HIV counseling and testing and a number of investigation including, random blood sugar, urine text and any case that is beyond us were referred with a provision to take care the patient in the hospital,” he said.

    Mrs Njideka Oraedum, the Senior Special Adviser to Gov. Willie Obiano on Environment, Climate Change and Beautification, commended the Army on the gesture.

    Oraedun assured that the state government will provide more receptacles in the area to ensure that people do not drop their wastes indiscriminately.