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Tag: Willie Obiano

  • Boko Haram not responsible for Anambra attack – Obiano

    Boko Haram not responsible for Anambra attack – Obiano

    Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano, has dismissed claims that Sunday’s killing at the St. Paul Catholic Church in Ozobulu was carried out by Boko Haram militants or separatist group.

    The governor, who spoke in Abuja after collecting his nomination form for the state governorship election, also said the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) posed no threat to the smooth conduct of the November 18 election in the state.

    The governor was responding to claim that the Anambra church attack was carried out by terrorists.

    He said: “Let me make this point. Ozobulu killing was not the kind of terrorism you use to know. It is not by Boko haram or anybody. Again it is not by people agitating for separation. It is a feud between two gangsters that live outside Nigeria.

    “They killed themselves over there and they decided to come home and both of them are from that village where the church is built. We have picked up some guys already and very soon, I’m very confident that we are going to pick up the guy that did the killings dead or alive.”

     

  • Ozubulu church attack: Buhari calls Obiano

    Ozubulu church attack: Buhari calls Obiano

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday night made a telephone call to Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra to commiserate with him and people of the State over the Ozubulu Church attack.

    The Sunday early morning attack on St. Philip Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Ekwusigo Local Government Area had claimed the lives of 11 worshippers and 18 others injured.

    Buhari had earlier in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Malam Garba Shehu condemned the attack, describing the incident as “an appalling crime against humanity and unspeakable sacrilege”.

    In the statement, the President said that “there was no justification whatsoever to target Church worshippers and kill them in cold blood.’’

    He expressed his deep sympathy with the families of the victims, the Church leadership and the government of Anambra.

    However, barely two hours after the release of the President’s statement on the incident, Shehu also confirmed that the President had a telephone conversation with Gov. Obiano where he commiserated with him, families of the victims as well as the people of the state.

    He said: “The President has just finished speaking to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, in the course of which he commiserated with him, the famines of the victims and the citizens of the state over the tragic shooting incident this morning.’’

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Gov. Obiano was quoted as saying that the Ozubulu killings was a result of a dispute between two sons of the area and vowed that all those behind the act would be apprehended.

    The Commissioner of Police in charge of Anambra, Mr Garba Umar, also in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Sunday, revealed that the police had launched a manhunt on those behind the incident and gave an assurance that everybody behind the act would be brought to justice.

  • Obiano approves Hepatitis screening for Anambra people

    Obiano approves Hepatitis screening for Anambra people

    Gov. Willie Obiano has approved Hepatitis screening for an estimated 6.18 million Anambra population, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Josephat Akabuike, said on Friday.

    Akabuike said this during a news briefing to mark the 2017 World Hepatitis Day in Awka.

    He said that the screening was already included in the state health insurance scheme and was billed to commence before the end of this fiscal year.

    According to him, the screening will be done at all government health facilities across the state.

    “Hepatitis is more deadly than HIV/AIDS; therefore; I urge all Anambra residents to regularly embark on medical screening, to ascertain their health status.

    “Early detection helps in the cure of the disease.”

    He said that the theme of the 2017 World Hepatitis Day which is “Eliminating Hepatitis’’, was apt with the current focus on how to eliminate the disease.

    “Statistics show that more than 20 million Nigerians are living with Hepatitis B and the figure is more likely to increase due to the lack of awareness and enlightenment.

    “A recent study conducted at the Nnamdi Azikwe University Teaching Hospital, Awka, on some pregnant women, revealed that more than 8.3 per cent of those screened had both Hepatitis B and HIV.”

    The commissioner said that the Nigeria Medical Association had appealed to the government to declare an emergency on the treatment of Hepatitis.

    He noted that some types of Hepatitis were asymptomatic, making routine screening imperative for early the detection of the disease.

    The commissioner advised the people to jettison the notion that any person yellowish eyes already had hepatitis, adding that such a position was erroneous in medical science.

    Akabuike, therefore, appealed to the media to step up enlightenment and education of the masses, saying that it would help people to understand the disease and take the necessary precautions.

    World Hepatitis Day (WHD) is celebrated on July 28 every year to raise awareness of the global burden of viral Hepatitis with a view to combating the disease.

  • 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.

  • Commissioner urges increased youth participation in agriculture

    Commissioner urges increased youth participation in agriculture

    The Anambra Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief Afam Mbanefo, has advised youths to take advantage of the best training in agronomy practices offered by the ministry to boost food production.

    Mbanefo made the call on Wednesday in Awka while briefing representatives of the Gov. Willie Obiano media team on the achievements of the administration in agriculture so far.

    “With good agronomy practice, vegetable farming can easily net a farmer between N300,000 to N350,000 in six weeks.

    “We are targeting youths for increased food production in 2017; that is why these programmes are organised periodically to sensitise and encourage youth farming, to boost yield in their farms.”

    Mbanefo attributed the launch of the programme to the governor’s desire to alleviate farmers’ low standard of living.

    “Community Farm Development Programme was launched by Gov. Obiano to boost the living standard of farmers in the hinterland and bring development to the grassroots.

    “This will attract youths into agriculture, thereby giving them a source of income which will make youth restiveness and the prevailing poverty in the society a thing of the past,” the commissioner said.

  • APDA backs the call for the restructuring of Nigeria

    APDA backs the call for the restructuring of Nigeria

    The Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) has backed the call to restructure Nigeria, saying it will end agitations by ethnic nationalities and youths across the country.

    Interim Chairman of the party in Anambra, Chief Obunike Ohaegbu, said in Nnewi on Tuesday that a united Nigeria that was discussed and restructured would be a better for everyone.

    He urged the Federal Government to address the issues that were giving rise to the tension in the country.

    As panacea, Ohaegbu suggested that the government should make public the resolutions of the 2014 National Conference and allow citizens decide on it.

    “APDA is saying that we need to restructure Nigeria, that if we restructure Nigeria, every Nigerian will have a sense of belonging.

    “We made our stand clear that we want Nigerians to be allowed to vote on the 2014 national conference.

    “Most, if not all the decisions of the conference, were not voted for; they were arrived at with unanimity.

    “So, as a political party, we are thinking that it should be taken to the people to decide what they want to do with it.

    “If we have the system running, people will not be clamouring for Biafra,” he said.

    Ohaegbu said that the Federal Government should also engage the youths who are heating up the polity in peace talks rather than threatening them.

    According to him, this will be more productive than discussing with elders who have little influence over them.

    The APDA chieftain blamed the political elite for the problems of the youth, saying that the elite equipped youths with i-pads and smart phones “to insult each other while they wined and dined, leaving the youth frustrated”.

    On the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra, he said that the party was ready to take over power from the ruling All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).

    Ohaegbu said that Anambra people deserved more from what they were getting from APGA government under Gov. Willie Obiano, adding that they could not continue to see government run with propaganda.

    He said that APGA should no longer use the face of late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu as its logo, adding that it was an insult to him and the Igbo nation.

    “What is it that APGA has done? It has gone to the point that as Ndi-Igbo, we need to come out and be firm that our leader, Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu should not be a logo of any political party.

    “It has to stop. Every APGA billboard you see in Anambra as we speak today has the picture of Ojukwu. Is he the logo of APGA?

    “Ojukwu belongs to Ndi-Igbo; it is an insult for any political party to use Ojukwu as its logo,” he said.

    Ohaegbu urged the electorate in the state and the entire country to endeavour to take part in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR).

  • Nigeria can’t afford bloodshed again, says APGA National Chairman

    Nigeria can’t afford bloodshed again, says APGA National Chairman

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has called on those beating the drums of war not to plunge the nation into fresh internal crisis.

    Oye made the call in an interview with News agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Awka.

    He said the nation could not afford another war after so much life had been lost with attendant setback in the course of keeping it united.

    “All these threats, all these ethnic jingoism, all these grandstanding and shenanigan does not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

    “We have had enough of crisis and we cannot afford another one,” he said.

    Oye said there was need for Nigerian to come to the round table, examine the situation and find out what is causing tension in the country.

    He said the recommendations of the 2014 national conference should be implemented in the interest of the country.

    The party chairman commended Acting President Yemi Osinbajo for his tact in managing the challenges so far, but added that he could not do it alone.

    “We need a committee that shows the true representative of the people to sit down and study the 2014 conference solutions as it concerns the situation now.

    “Nigeria could not have spent so much money, time and brain on such document only for it to be locked up in a drawer.

    “We have to genuinely discuss as a people; only that can give us the peace we crave.

    “America is larger than Nigeria, more populated than Nigeria and even more diverse than Nigeria but yet they are more united and stronger because they agreed, respect each other and adhere to a constitution that is a product of its people.

    “The quit order issued to some people in other parts of the country is irresponsible and ill thought out, the issuers should be arrested and tried for treason because they want to create crisis in Nigeria.

    “The Acting President has done well so far but it is not enough, it would have been better ifa PresidentMuhammdu Buhari was around to handle the problem of this country.

    “That is why I continue to pray for his quick recovery and return to his seat,” he said.

    Speaking on the crisis in the party, Oye described those seeking to take over the national leadership of the party through the backdoor as faceless impostors.

    He said the court judgement which gave the Police and INEC Order of Mandamus to recognise Chief Martin Agbaso as national chairman of the party could not stand the test of time.

    “Those who are scheming to takeover APGA through the backdoor are faceless impostors, most of them were expelled members of APGA and Agbaso is a PDP man.

    “The Police and INEC that are to execute that order are in court because they were not served writ of summon prior to the judgment just as I was not served.

    “As matter of fact, the Judge who gave that judgement has excused himself from the matter, how can I suffer precarious liability for what I know nothing about?

    “All these are just part of the grand design to stop Gov. Willie Obiano from contesting and winning second term, but it will not work,” he said.

    Oye said APGA remained party to beat in the Nov.18 governorship election in Anambra.

    He urged all stakeholders to play according to rules and in the best interest of the state
     

  • We must condemn hate speeches – Osinbajo

    We must condemn hate speeches – Osinbajo

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday urged leaders across the country to speak out against hate speeches and divisive comments.

    He made the call during opening session of a meeting with leaders of thoughts from the South East, at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Noting that the meeting was very urgent and crucial because of the current hate speeches and divisive comments across the country, the acting President said the situation requires urgent attention from all concerned.

    He stressed that it is not the time to hide under any ethnic or religious platform to support comments that divide rather than unite the nation.

    Osinbajo urged leaders to raise their voices against the present strident divisive speeches in the country, saying “violence pays no one.”

    “Violence and war are not going to do anyone any good. Wars today hardly end. No one who has seen the face of wars even on television will wish it for anyone. We should not tolerate hate speeches or divisive comments,” he said.

    He reiterated Federal Government’s resolve to deal with any trouble maker who threatens the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria.

    The acting President added: “There is no doubt on the resolve of government not to allow anyone get away with hate speeches and divisive words. Our emotion should not be allowed to run wide so as to threaten the existence of anyone anywhere in Nigeria.

    “We will do everything within our power to protect the lives of every citizen anywhere and in any part of the country.”

    While thanking the leaders for their prompt response to the consultative meeting, Osinbajo said he expects fruitful and frank deliberations at the meeting.

    Those at the meeting were – Senate President, Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, some state governors –  Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), David Umahi (Ebonyi), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Willie Obiano (Anambra), and Rochas Okorocha (Imo).

    Others are – the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno and other top government officials.

    Former Senate President, Ken Namani; Senator Eyinaya Abaribe, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Senator Joy Emodi, Prof. Viola Nwuleri.

     

     

  • Anambra donates 50 motorcycles to police

    Anambra donates 50 motorcycles to police

    The Anambra Government has donated 50 motorcycles, fitted with modern communication gadgets, to the state’s police command, to support its fight against criminals.

    Mr Ibrahim Idris, the Inspector-General of Police, who disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lafia, described the gesture as the first of its kind, and challenged other state governments to emulate it.

    “The support by Gov Willie Obiano is unprecedented; it will enhance our operational capacity and aid our resolve to fight crime and criminality in all nooks and crannies of the state.

    “Aside the motorcycles, Obiano also donated a massive land for the establishment of the 54th mobile sNext pagequad at Aguleri,” he said.

    He assured the people and government of Anambra that the police would reward the state for such gestures through effective communal policing.

    Idris said that the motorcycles would ease the fight against criminals in remote areas, and called for more support from members of the public.

    The police boss said that the Force would partner with government, stakeholders and  traditional institutions toward ridding Nigeria of insurgencies, kidnapping, armed robbery and other crimes.

    “We need to work together with all stakeholders at all levels. The synergy between relevant stakeholders and security agencies will assist in fishing out bad eggs in the society,” he said.

    Idris noted that such synergy was particularly crucial to effective policing of rural communities, pointing out that criminals fleeing the urban cities usually disappear into the villages.

    He appealed to governments all levels, religious leaders and traditional rulers to educate members of their respective communities on the importance of peace and unity to the development of any society.

    Idris advised Nigerians to be law-abiding and respect constituted authority, and stressed the need for everyone to be vigilant and report any suspected person to the nearest police station.

  • APGA condoles Gov. Obiano over mother’s death

    APGA condoles Gov. Obiano over mother’s death

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has expressed sympathy with Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra over the death of his mother, Mrs Christiana Obiano.

    A statement by the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, signed by APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mr Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, urged Obiano to bear the irreparable loss and find solace in God.

    The statement described the governor’s late mother as a good woman and devout Christian.

    “The National Chairman, Dr Victor Ike Oye and members of NWC of APGA express our condolence to His Excellency, Governor Willie Obiano and members of his family, over the death of his mother.

    “May the good Lord give you and the entire family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

    “Mama in her lifetime was a devout and committed christian and a very active member of the Catholic Women Organisation.

    “May her gentle soul find eternal peace in the bosom of our Lord,” it said.

    NAN reports that the death of Obiano’s mother was announced on Saturday by Mr Tony Nnacheta, Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy in Anambra.

    He said that Christiana Obiano died on June 2.