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Tag: Willie Obiano

  • APGA, APC trade words over Obiano’s trip

    The government of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressive Congress (APC),  are in war of words in Anambra State, over Governor Willie Obiano’s trip to Austria to import Tricycles

    APC accused Obiano of abandoning Innoson motors company to negotiate with foreign manufacturers on importation of tricycles to the state,  describing it as a waste.

    This was contained in a statement on Friday in Awka,  by the Zonal Publicity Secretary of the party,  Mr. Igboeli Arinze.

    But in a swift reaction on Friday, the state Commissioner for information and public enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba, described the statement as a combative ignorance.

    He said the party was trumpeting its own values, adding that the Governor was in Austria on the invitation of the Nigerian Ambassador to the country, Mrs S N C Okeke for business opportunities

    Furthermore, Adinuba said Innoson does not manufacture Tricycles, noting that Anambra was the highest patronisers of Innoson vehicles in Nigeria.

    He added that Obiano recently purchased 40 vehicles which the state donated to some groups, while another 60 had equally been booked from the same Innoson manufacturing company.

    Adinuba further faulted the statement , adding that the Governor never said he would replace motorcycles with keke napep, rather, that he would replace them with Shuttle buses.

    Read Also: Obiano: no going back on Okada ban

    However, APC wondered why the presence of vehicle manufacturing firms like Innoson which was sited in the state, would be left by the APGA government for a foreign firm.

    “it is indeed contrary to all the dictates of reasoning for the governor to visit Austria with the intention of getting foreign coupling companies to produce these tricycles also known as Keke Napep for use in Anambra State”

    According to the statement, which was made available to reporters yesterday in Awka, ” With the impromptu ban on the use of Okada by the present government of Anambra State, without giving any consideration to the plight of ndi Anambra who have indeed suffered increased hardship following the ban, the APC condemned such an action and did not buy into the bourgeoisie reasons offered by this administration in its deliberate attempts to impose hardship on the people”

    “Be that as it may, we as a people oriented party did expect that this administration would put in place palliatives to ease the burdens of such a rash action but to our dismay this was not the case”

    “Rather, we have it on good  authority that the governor, in what we describe as a jamboree went to Austria to seek investors for the coupling of transport vehicles for use in Anambra State”

    “This is ridiculous and a sheer case of policy summersaults, for indeed Anambra is not lacking in these industries. What stops Governor Obiano from visiting Innoson for the procurement of these vehicles?

    “Is the governor not aware of the huge costs such a trip as well as business would have on the states finances compared to what the state will benefit should such jobs go to our manufacturers?

    Regarding the 2019 elections, the party stated that the APC in Anambra Central would field quality candidates who in turn would retire the present holders of legislative seats, both at federal and state levels.

  • Anambra community raises alarm over N1m burial levy

    Indigenes of Eziowelle community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state have raised alarm over high cost of burial in the area.

    They accused the leadership of the town of imposing a burial levy of N1million on every bereaved family as a prerequisite for commencement of funeral arrangements of their loved ones.

    Addressing newsmen in Awka, on Tuesday, some stakeholders in the community led by Chief Felix Okafor and Emeka Akukwe, said bodies of their loved ones spent months in morgues due the inability of the family members to raise the compulsory levy.

    “As soon as the leadership of the town came on board about three years ago, they imposed a burial levy of N1million on every bereaved family in the community before they can commence funeral arrangements of their loved ones.

    “This ugly development have  forced many to abandon their loved ones in mortuaries for months until they can raise money to pay for the levy,” their bemoaned.

    The stakeholders who also accused the leadership of demanding a compulsory levy of N1million to the town union before commencement of any building in the community, said failure to comply to the directive attracted attacks by thugs.

    Read Also: Woman murdered in Anambra

    Describing as bondage the ugly situation members of the community has found themselves.

    Akukwe said, “It was these anomalies that informed my decision to offer myself as a candidate in the June 30 town union election in the area to liberate my people from the yoke”.

    He however noted that the election was rigged by what he called “anti-democratic forces” in the community who he alleged manipulated the electoral processes in their favour.

    Akukwe called for the immediate intervention of the state governor, Willie Obiano, in order to liberate the people of the area and offer them desirable leadership to avert any imminent crises.

    Efforts to get the reaction of the President General of the community, Mr. Titus Akpudo was unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was switched off, while text message sent to him was not replied as at the time of filling this report.

  • APGA: Court fixes July 13 for judgement on leadership tussle

    Members of the All Progressive Grand Alliance ( APGA ) backing Chief Victor Oye as the National Chairman of the party have started celebrating the yet to be delivered judgement of the Supreme Court on the Leadership tussle within the party.

    The Nation was informed that members of the party in Anambra and Imo states are already jubilating in anticipation that the Supreme Court will affirm Chief Victor Oye as the authentic National Chairman in its judgement scheduled to be delivered on July 13.

    The source said that Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano had addressed the parry members assuring them that victory was assured and that Chief Oye would be affirmed as the party National Chairman by the Apex Court.

    The party has been enmeshed in litigation over who is the real national Chairman between Chief Victor Oye and Martin Agbaso since May 22, 2017, when an Enugu State High Court presided over by Justice Ozoemena, gave an order of mandamus, compelling the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to recognize Chief Martin Agbaso as APGA National Chairman.

    This followed an application brought before it by the party’s Deputy Chairman in Enugu State, Mike Alioke, asking the Court for an order of mandamus, compelling INEC to recognise the decision of APGA appointing Agbaso as the acting national chairman of the party.

    Alioke had also prayed the court for a declaration that by section 4 of the Police Act, both the Inspector General of Police and the Enugu State Commissioner of Police are bound to ensure the compliance of the decision of APGA regarding the appointment of Agbaso as the acting national chairman of the party in order to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

    He had also prayed for an order prohibiting INEC and its privies from recognizing or accepting any other person as the national chairman of APGA other than the Agbaso as submitted to it by the party.

    Chief Oye challenges the decision of the Enugu High Court at the appellate court court and the decision. was over turned by the Court of Appeal while Chief Agbaso challenges the judgement of the appeal court court.

    The Supreme Court had reserved judgement on the matter for July 13, following the refusal of the presiding judge, Justice Rhode Vivour, to discontinue with the case as requested by counsels to the defendant, Victor Oye.

    While the news, jubilation spread to Owerri, it was further gathered that the group met yesterday in Abuja to deliberate on measures that would be taken to ensure that the APGA leadership did not strip away from the Victor Oye and Obiano camp, ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    All attempts to get the reaction of Chief Victor Oye and Chief Martin Agbaso, to the report proved abortive as both contending chairmen refused to pick their calls.

    However a chieftain of the party, Chief Eneja Okeke, who spoke to our correspondent on phone maintained his strong belief in the integrity of the judiciary, adding that the Nigerian judiciary has come of age and cannot be bought over by any money bag.

    Chief Okeke, who dismissed the report of jubilation, insisted that though it could be true that the governor may have out of desperation influenced the judgement, the Supreme Court has given him cause to believe their integrity and would not yield to the desperation of any interest in the case.

    “There may certainly be desperate moves to get judgement from the back door, but I can tell you that the integrity of the judges are at stake here.

    “I am sure that they cannot sacrifice such hard earned integrity. So, any person can close the streets in jubilation for a case which judgement is still several weeks away from now. That shows their desperation, but we are not bothered because the truth must prevail”.

  • Umahi condemns renaming of Abakaliki street by Anambra govt

    Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum David Umahi, has condemned the alleged renaming of Abakaliki street in Awka, the Anambra State capital by the state government.

    The governor made his feelings known in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Emmanuel Uzor after the renaming of the street to ‘Club Street’ caused uproar on the social media.

    The governor while calling on the people to remain calm said he has contacted his Anambra counterpart, Willie Obiano with the aim of getting him to correct the action.

    Ebonyi and Anambra are in the Southeast region of the country together with Imo, Abịa and Enugu states which are predominantly Igbo speaking states.

    Read Also:Umahi suspends solid minerals development commissioner

    Umahi who noted that Mr. Obiano has every constitutional right to rename any structure,  be it road or any other infrastructure,  however pointed out that “in doing so,  what should come to mind should be the unity and perpetuation of legacies and sustenance of the sacred thing that holds us together as a people”.

    “While he condemns in its  entirety, Umahi has put everything in place to ensure that Chief Willie Obiano reverses the action of bringing back the Abakaliki street,  a name gazetted long time ago in the spirit of oneness in Igbo land”, said Mr Uzor.

    “There should be no part of Igbo land that should be discriminated upon. Ebonyi State has received the highest discrimination even from among her brother states and this is not healthy especially as we fight to unite our people and form formidable economic and political blocs”.

    “The Governor has put a call through to his brother Governor, Chief Willie Obiano on how best to resolve the conflict of interest especially as regards the social media claims that the street was taken away from Abakaliki people because they are not qualified to answer such name of a major street in Awka”

  • Anambra poll: Tribunal dismisses petitions against Obiano

    The Anambra 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.

    Justice A.O. Ayoola and Justice Birnin Kudu were other members of the tribunal.

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were first and second respondents respectively.

    The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr. Chukwudi Obianaso and his Mega Progressive People Party (MPPP) counterpart, Ms Praise Okechukwu, had prayed the tribunal to nullify the governorship election.

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

    “INEC should conduct a fresh election and Obiano be disqualified from 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,’’ Okechukwu said.

    The tribunal said Okechukwu could not 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 tribunal said: “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.”

    NAN

     

     

  • Ohanaeze urges Ndigbo to ignore IPOB’s tantrums

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged those misguided by the tantrums of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members and other destabilizing agents to rethink and ignore the fake propaganda of its detractors and embrace the new dawn in Igboland.

    A release issued by the media adviser to the president general, Chief Emeka Atamah regarding the just concluded summit on restructuring held in Awka solicited for unity among the Igbo.

    Ohanaeze reminded the people that this was not the first time the empty threats by the misguided elements fell through as its threat to disrupt the Anambra State elections last year came to nought as the election went on with a huge and unprecedented success for Governor Willie Obiano with its unprecedented turnout.

    It said that the success of the Igbo Summit was resounding and was reverberating in the country and other parts of the world, adding that the only observed noise was by some obviously rented women at the venue who, in any case were ignored by both the audience and security operatives as their noise amounted to nothing.

    The release further said that in any democracy, the majority will always have its way with whimpers from the minority as will always be the case in a matter where Ohanaeze Ndigbo has the unalloyed and overwhelming support of the generality of Ndigbo and urged the few dissenting voices to join the band wagon.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze Ndigbo: Innoson boss is being victimised

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo reiterated its unmitigated resolve to pursue the restructuring fight and other fights that will advance the interest and livelihood of Ndigbo to logical end.

    The body observed that it was important that members of Pro-Biafra groups understand that Ohanaeze Ndigbo was not working at cross purposes with them but striving for the same end they were fighting for which is self-determination for Ndigbo in a country where they are respected and allowed to develop at their own pace without hindrance.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo once more, extended its hand of friendship to IPOB and called on dialogue as the path they were following would only lead to further spilling of Igbo blood for a cause that can be peacefully fought and realised,  enough blood of our children have been shed in pursuit of the cause,” the organization stressed.

    It expressed its gratitude to the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, for hosting the recently concluded Igbo Summit on Restructuring the country.

    The body attributed the success of the Summit to the high priority Governor Obiano accorded to it.

    The release thanked the Deputy Senate President, Prof. Ike Ekweremadu and members of the National Assembly who attended the Summit with him for their marked presence and resolve to pursue vigorously the issue of restructuring with their colleagues at the National Assembly.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo commended the unequalled enthusiasm and commitment of the Prof. Chukwuma Soludo-led Local Organizing Committee that made the unanimity of Igbo resolve on restructuring manifest through their highly researched and intellectual input and output.

    The apex Igbo body expressed its deference to the chairman of the occasion, its illustrious son, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and a host of distinguished Igbo sons and daughters for the big presence and endorsement of the historical stand of Ndigbo.

    It further expressed its gratitude to Speakers of the State House of Assembly, Chairmen of State and Local Chapters of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and distinguished traditional rulers whose state chairmen gave their royal assent to the Igbo Position on restructuring which made it a working document for the restructuring of the nation.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo thanked most especially the delegates from the South West, South South and Middle Belt for their solidarity and felt presence through their goodwill messages at the Summit and assured them that Ndigbo would never relent in the struggle until victory for fairness and equity was realised in Nigeria.

  • Anambra adds 16 new schools to feeding Programme

    The Anambra Government has concluded plans to extend the school feeding programme to the 16 new public schools established by Governor Willie Obiano in the last four years.

    Chief Olisah Nzemeka, Chairman of Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), told our reporters in Awka on Friday that the schools, comprising 15 primary schools, and one model secondary school, are located in Anambra West, Ogbaru, Nnewi North and other parts of the state.

    He described the implementation of the school feeding programme in Anambra as effective and successful, adding that there had been tremendous improvement on enrollment level.

    Read Also: Battle for Anambra Government House

    He said: “We have directed our vendors to ensure that pupils in these schools are covered in the school feeding programme.

    “School enrollment has been high as always, I can’t say exactly if it is because of the school feeding programme or our natural disposition to western education, but the programme has been tremendously successful here,” he said.

    Nzemeka warned that ASUBEB would not waste time to sanction vendors who did not meet the standard set for the programme.

     

  • Anambra to establish Sports Commission – Commissioner

    The Anambra  State Government on Friday said it would establish a Sports Commission to manage and drive sports in the state.

    Mr Bonaventure Enemali, the Commissioner for Ministry of Youths Empowerment and Creative Economy in the state, made the disclosure in an interview with our reporters in Awka.

    The ministry until March 18, when Gov. Willie Obiano was sworn-in for a second term, was known as Ministry of Youth Entrepreneurship and Sports Development.

    The change of nomenclature makes sports to lose its status as an independent ministry in the state.

    Enemali said the development would enable sports to enjoy full attention from technocrats and administrators, and insulate it from the bureaucracy of civil service.

    “We are going to create a Sports Commission to handle all those things that pertains to sports more robustly than seen under the ministry.

    “The Sports Commission will be responsible solely for sports because under the ministry arrangement, sports is fused with many other things.

    “We shall still be having competitions, capacity building for coaches and training of athletes and facilities, its’ a very good decision.

    “There shall be massive investment in sports facilities through Public Private Partnership, we hope to build a sports stadium that will not only serve for football but all other games,’’ he said.

    Enemali said the new ministry had the mandate to ensure that the state bring out the best in the Anambra youths and empower them for economic independence.

    He said the government would explore opportunities in the film, agriculture and technology industries to empower the youth, adding that sports was a creative endeavor and would not be left out in the scheme of things.

    “This is to complement what the governor is doing on security because economic independence will curb youth restiveness, lessen corruption and reduce criminality.

    “Sports is part of what we do here because, it is creativity; we are going to develop the youth in line with their skills and talents.

    “We have already started, the Youth Economy and Creative Council has been inaugurated to serve as a think-tank to develop the blueprint and implement the ideas.

    “The programme will centre on film industry, agriculture and entrepreneurship, so, it will create film academy and technological hubs across the senatorial zones of the state,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Anambra: 13 NYSC members to repeat service

    No fewer than 13 members of the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ) 2017 Batch A stream 1 will repeat their service in Anambra.

    Mr Ebenezer Olawale, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, disclosed this at the passing out of the corps members in Awka on Thursday.

    Olawale, however, did not give details of those who would either repeat the service and those whose service year was extended.

    He said that out of the 2,814 corps members, 2,801 satisfied the requirements of service and were accordingly issued discharge certificates.

    The state coordinator said seven members won the Governor’s Award while five won the Chairman’s Award and 13 went home with the State Coordinator’s Award.

    He prayed for the repose of the souls of one corps member and a staff of the NYSC in the state who died during the service year.

    Read Also: Lagos NYSC appeals for new permanent orientation camp (more…)

  • Commissioner cautions workers against official misconduct in Anambra

    Mr Nnamdi Onukwuba, Commissioner for Lands, Physical Planning and Rural Development in Anambra says he has zero tolerance for official misconduct in order to achieve greater productivity in the state.

    Onukwuba, who was recently appointed by Gov. Willie Obiano, gave the warning in Awka on Tuesday while addressing workers in the ministry on work attitude.

    The commissioner said that getting the right work attitude in workers remained optimal in ensuring effective service delivery to the people.

    According to him, civil servants should strive towards changing the negative public perception on their activities because it is believed that they pay less attention to their duties.

    He urged the workers to wear a new attitude to work so as to erase the wrong impression of the public service in the minds of the people.

    “I will not tolerate late coming and leaving the office before the close of work because I have zero tolerance for official misconduct,’’ he warned.

    Read Also: Cleric administers sacrament on 14 prison inmates in Anambra

    The commissioner urged the workers to follow due process in executing their duties in order to move the state forward.

    Onukwuba charged them to be ready to take responsibility for all their actions pointing out that all revenue windows must be opened to ensure that maximum revenue was generated.

    The commissioner pledged to place priority on staff welfare and promised to work towards scheduling the staff of parastatals under the ministry in line with the civil service scheme.

    He said that his office would run an open door policy and urged the public to lodge any complaint against its workers to his office and assured them of fair treatment of any report brought to the office.

    NAN