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Tag: Willie Obiano

  • Anambra NUT boss tasks Obiano’s aides on true partnership

    Mr Ifeanyi  Offordile, the Anambra Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), on Thursday called on the newly-appointed aides of Gov. Willie Obiano to work for the realisation of the state’s goals in the  Education Sector.

    Offordile made the remark in an interview with the our reporters in Awka.

    He, however, urged them to work together as a team to consolidate on the achievements already recorded during Obiano’s first tenure.

    According to him, Obiano has recorded a lot of achievements in the past four years and should be working to consolidate on his legacies in his second term, to enhance the overall development of the state.

    He assured that Teachers in the state will continue with their support for the Obiano administration and urged Anambra people to give the governor maximum support.

    Offordile said that the body expects that Obiano will perform far better than he did in his first tenure and appealed to relevant stakeholders to lend their support to the administration.

    He said that the body was hopeful that grey areas in the education sector would be fully addressed in the second tenure of the governor.

    Gov. Obiano of Anambra and his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, were sworn-in for their second term in Office on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

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  • Obiano appoints SSG, media aide

    Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra, who was sworn in Saturday for his second tenure, has re-appointed Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, as the Secretary to the State Government.

    A statement by Dr Daniel Ezeanwu, Permanent Secretary, Office of the Secretary to the State Government on Monday in Akwa, said Mr Primus Odili was also appointed as Chief of Staff to the Governor.

    Read Also: Obiano, sworn-in for second term in office

    According to the statement, other appointees are Mr Willie Nwokoye, who returned as Principal Secretary to the Governor, while Mr James Eze, who was Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, assumes the position of the Chief Press Secretary.

    It said the newly appointed officers would be inaugurated later in the day.

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  • Obiano, sworn-in for second term in office

    Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra State and his Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke were on Saturday sworn-in for second term in office with a pledge for more remarkable achievements.

    The News men reports that Obiano and Okeke accompanied by their wives were sworn-in by the Anambra State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.

    Addressing the people, Obiano said that the state was on another journey of remarkable achievements.

    The governor assured the people that his second tenure would witness improvement in the provision of infrastructure, entrepreneur and agriculture.

    “As we have commenced another journey of four years, we will install CCTV cameras to further improve security across the major cities.

    “We will dualize major roads in Nnewi and Onitsha and transform Awka to 21st century modern city,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Obiano’s second term inauguration tomorrow

    Obiano advised people of the state to stand together with his government to bend the tide of destiny of the state.

    The governor reviewed his achievements in the past four years in the areas of healthcare, infrastructure, education and security.

    He assured the people that the Airport City project he promised during his campaign would be achieved.

    The news news reports that the event was attended by the Governors of Delta, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, Ebonyi, Chief Dave Umahi, Abia, Okezie Ikpeazu, Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti state.

    Other personalities that attended the event include Obi of Onitsha, Prof. Nnaemeka Achebe, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi,  HRM Dubem Iweka, the traditional ruler of Obosi, members of the National Assembly from the zone and captains of industries and religious leaders.

    The event also witnessed cultural displays from different parts of the state.

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  • Anambra executive council not sacked— commissioner

    Anambra executive council not sacked— commissioner

    Chief Tony Nnacheta, the Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy in Anambra, has dismissed the report that  Gov. Willie Obiano has sacked all his political appointees.

    Nnacheta made the clarification at a news conference in Awka on Thursday.

    He said the internal memo directing all commissioners and political appointees to prepare their handover notes and properties for submission to permanent secretaries and secretary to the state government was misinterpreted.
    The memo was signed by Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, the Secretary to the State Government and dated March 2.

    “His Excellency, Dr Willie Obiano, has directed that all political appointees and non-civil servants, heads of MDAs in the state submit their handover notes and reports on or before Friday, March 16, 2018, to the permanent secretaries of their respective MDAs.

    “All appointees, non-civil servants, heads of MDAs and SSAs/SAs under reference are to hand over any government projects/ utility vehicles in their custody to the permanent secretaries, secretary to the state government or to the office of the governor on or before 16th March 2018,”  Chukwulobelu wrote.

    Nnacheta said Obiano merely asked the political appointees that their handover notes be completed on or before March 16 when the tenure of the administration would end.

    He said the memo was in line with best practices and not a sack letter as purported in some reports.

    He urged those who published the erroneous and misleading report to re-cast their headlines and apologise to the state government.

    “The memo was done on March 2, that is; two weeks to the end of this administration, on that day the governor’s tenure ends and every political appointee’s tenure end as well.

    “From March 16, the government will be in the hands of senior civil servants until the governor is sworn in on March 17.

    Read Also: Anambra inaugurates monthly road walk for workers, residents

    “The memo says; hand over your notes and the project vehicles in your possession, so all political appointees in the state have two weeks to prepare and hand over these things.
    “So, Anambra State Executive Council has not been sacked, not been dissolved and has not been removed, you do not issue a man letter and tell him you are sacked in two weeks.

    “Some media houses which did not deem it fit to confirm ran that story to the embarrassment of Anambra Government and the good people of the state.

    “Next week another EXCO meeting would be convened and that will be the valedictory session and EXCO will eventually stand dissolved on March 16,” he said

    The commissioner said the handover ceremony which would hold on March 17 would be low-key and urged Anambra people to come out en masse at Alex Ekwueme Square and celebrate the success of the Obiano administration.

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  • 2019: APGA promises fair, transparent primaries

    2019: APGA promises fair, transparent primaries

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) said its primaries for aspirants seeking to contest in the 2019 general elections would be free, fair, credible and transparent.

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of APGA, made the commitment in an interview with our Reporter in Awka on Tuesday.

    Oye said while reacting to insinuations that some aspirants had been promised automatic tickets, that all nominations would be strictly in line with the party’s constitution and guidelines.

    The APGA national chairman advised those aspiring for the party’s ticket for any elective position to embark on wooing support for themselves and the party in their various constituencies.

    Read Also: Ekiti Guber: APGA tasks INEC on sensitisation of corps members

    He also stressed that good stewardship and loyalty to the party remained major criteria for those seeking re-election under the party.

    “APGA will hold transparent, credible primary for every elective office to be contested for in 2019 general election,” he said.

    Oye also spoke on Anambra politics, advising party members to allow Gov. Willie Obiano face the task of governance without distraction.

    “Leave the governor alone to concentrate on the avowed task of effective governance which is his primary focus for now,’’ he said.

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  • Anambra moves against buildings under electricity transmission lines

    Anambra moves against buildings under electricity transmission lines

    Anambra Government on Thursday said it would demolish all buildings under high tension electricity transmission lines in the state.

    Mr Mike Okonkwo, the Managing Director of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), made the disclosure in an interview with our reporters in Awka.

    Most of the popular leisure outfits at Abakaliki Street and Amaudo near Aroma Feeds are situated under the high tension power line.

    Okonkwo said the Federal Government had already written Gov. Willie Obiano of the state to check unwholesome human activities around the high tension lines.

    He said that it was worrisome that people decided to encroach on the spaces under high tension lines because of its cost-free nature.

    Read Also: ‘Refund N43b Anambra spent on federal roads’

    The ACTDA boss noted that the agency had stopped further constructions under transmission lines and had instructed those living or operation businesses there to move out.

    Okonkwo said the danger and death associated with accidents related to high tension were fatal that the government could not condone such deadly adventure.

    “We have stopped all construction works going on under the high tension; unfortunately people build in the night to beat our enforcement agents.

    “The attitude is that people hold tenaciously to the lands and encroach on the right of way.

    “High tension accident is deadly and we have instructed people to stop building under such places and any bulldozer seen there will be seized,’’ he said.

    Okonkwo said ACTDA had embarked on dislodging of shanties and illegal settlement in line with its urban renewal programme.

    He added that the shanties evacuated included those at Ngozika Kwata and Nise where criminal elements were using as hide outs.

    Okonkwo, however, encouraged Awka residents to go for decent accommodation and urged those who wished to live in cluster to acquire a piece of land and develop.

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  • Anambra commences assessment of Skill Acquisition Centres

    Anambra commences assessment of Skill Acquisition Centres

    The Anambra Government has commenced assessment of all the Skill Acquisition Centres in the 21 local government areas across the state with a view to equipping them properly.

    Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Special Adviser to Gov. Willie Obiano on Youth Empowerment and Mobilization, disclosed this to our reporter in Awka on Tuesday.

    Ibezim said the assessment was to get firsthand information about the facilities and equip them for immediate training of youths interested in skill acquisition.

    The governor’s aide said the exercise was aimed at empowering youths in the state to be self-reliant.

    Read Also: Anambra appoints 100 Justices of Peace

    He said that the Gov. Willy Obiano-led administration was totally committed to improving the living standards of the citizenry, especially youths, who had shown interest in their economic development.

    Ibezim urged the youths to endeavor to acquire skills to boost their daily income for sustainable livelihood.

    The special adviser also enjoined them to shun social vices and acts capable of marring their future.

    He further tasked residents of the state to always protect government’s facilities in their various areas against vandals to ensure their sustainability.

  • Anambra frowns at non-completion of N20m community infrastructure

    Anambra frowns at non-completion of N20m community infrastructure

    The Anambra State Executive Council has frowned at the delay by some communities in completing the N20 million Community Infrastructure Projects in their areas.

    Mr Tony Nnachetta, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy made the government position known in a statement issued on Thursday in Awka.

    Nnacheta, in the statement, directed president generals, traditional rulers and leaders of town organisations to galvanize completion of the projects.

    The news men reports that the administration of Gov. Willie Obiano initiated community infrastructure projects with the provision of N20m to each community to execute projects of their choice.

    The commissioner noted that in spite of releasing first and second tranches of N20 million to communities, some of them had yet to complete their first projects.

    Nnachetta said that the council had directed 19 communities whose names were listed in the statement to ensure that they completed their projects before the end of February 2018.

    The commissioner said the council also noted with dismay that some communities had yet to process the second tranche of the project fund.

    Read Also:Fire guts six shops, goods in Anambra market

    “Government is set to activate the third tranche around March 2018 and completion of first and second tranches are clear prerequisites for communities to qualify,’’ he said.

    Nnachetta said that the state government would equip the Anambra Road Maintenance Agency to operate three-work teams in each of the three senatorial zones and aggressively maintain the road network in the state.

    On the Lassa fever outbreak in some states, the council expressed concern for the outbreak of the disease and had continued to provide considerable medical attention through professionals at the Ministry of Health.

    “Everyone is advised to take extra care in cleanliness and for any symptoms, which should be promptly reported to health authorities.

    “Council requests all Local Governments, churches and unions to disseminate information to our people to be extra vigilant in schools and public places,’’ Nnachetta said.

    The commissioner expressed council’s satisfaction, gratitude and cooperation to the people of the state for their effective participation during the funeral of late former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme.

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  • Ekwueme buried in Anambra

    Ekwueme buried in Anambra

    Anambra State stood still on Friday as Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria’s former Vice President was laid to rest in Oko, his home town.

    The burial had in attendance the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as well as Goodluck Jonathan, former President of Nigeria. Top government officials, close friends and family members gathered to pay their lasts respect to the 85-year-old elder statesmen who died in November 2017.

    Some of those present to witness the final moments were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience.

    Read Also: FG renames Varsity after Ekwueme

    Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, his colleague, Rochas Okorocha, Governor of Imo State, as well as Akinwunmi Ambode, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Okowa of Lagos, Abia and Delta State respectively, were also in attendance.

    Osinbajo, in his tribute to the former Vice President, described him as a true Nigerian icon, worthy of celebrating.

    He said Ekwueme was being immortalised for his selfless service, integrity and contributions to national development.

  • NSCDC deploys 1, 000 personnel for Anambra senatorial re-run

    NSCDC deploys 1, 000 personnel for Anambra senatorial re-run

    The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC ) has deployed 1,000 security personnel for the conduct of Jan.13 re-run election in Anambra Central Senatorial District.

    The State Commandant, Mr John Ahwen, who disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Awka, said the number would support over 4, 000 personnel deployed by the Nigeria Police Force.

    Ahwen explained that 500 out of the figure would be deployed to the polling units, while others would assist in the patrol of the areas where the election will take place.

    The NSCDC official said the personnel with other security agencies have concluded arrangements on the re-run election, with expected high success level as was achieved during the Nov.18 governorship election in the state in 2017.

    He assured that security would be adequate in all the areas and called on the electorate to observe security measures during the in the exercise.

    Read also: NSCDC recovers N23.2m debts in Jigawa in 2017

    Ahwen, who used the medium to review the operations of his command in 2017, said that officers and men of NSCDC were fully prepared for the exercise.

    “During the Christmas and New Year festivities, we made sure that all the flash points were manned and no single case of security challenge was recorded.

    “We thank Gov. Willie Obiano for donating power-bikes, five vehicles, and other encouragements to our command,’’ he said.

    Ahwen advised personnel under the command to be active in the discharge of their duties in 2018, as earlier directed by the Commandant- General.

    Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has announced partial restriction on movement in some parts of the state ahead of Saturday’s January 13 re-run election holding in Anambra Central Senatorial Election.

    According to the statement signed by Mr Tony Nnachetta, the State Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, movement of individuals and vehicles would be restricted from 6.a.m till 4p.m in the seven local government areas.

    The local government areas are: Idemili North & Idemili South, Njikoka, Dunukofia, Anaocha, Awka North and Awka South.

    He also said that all markets in the affected local governments would be closed between 6 a.m and 4 p.m.

    The commissioner also said that there would be no restrictions of movement along Enugu/Onitsha Expressway for interstate commuters.

    “These partial restrictions are to encourage registered voters in the affected local government areas to go out to exercise their civic responsibilities,’’ he added.

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