Monthly Archives: May 2024

LG polls: Crisis rocks APC delegate, Councillorship primary election in Ebonyi

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Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

Crisis has allegedly marred the conduct of the 5-man delegates, Councillorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress, APC, that was conducted  in the 171 political wards of the state.

It was gathered that crisis came as a result of disagreements from APC members and those appointed to conduct the election.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the local government council election will be conducted on 20th July 2024, while the final date for the submission of names of candidate, will hold on 3rd June 2024.

It was gathered that some youths were said to have sustained varying degrees of injuries on their heads and other parts of their bodies as a result of alleged matches cuts from hoodlums who infiltrated the venue of the election.

Meanwhile, some youths who pleaded anonymity said there was no election in Ekka ward in Ezza North Local Government area of Ebonyi State.

Reacting to the development, a Stakeholder from Ekka ward and Commissioner for Rural Development, Ikeuwa Omebe who debunked the report of violence in his Ward, explained that the Delegate election was free, fair and credible.

“Well, I am surprised of what you are saying. The election in my Ward was peaceful. People queued behind the aspirant of their Choice while the election went on smoothly. In my presence nothing like that happened. You know youths now, they are on their own.

“Maybe the incident you are talking about took place after the election was conducted. As at when we were there the election was peacefully done. Disagreements will never happen between myself and the Coordinator of my DC.

“As at the time I got to the Venue of the election and after we left, there was nothing like that. The election in my Ward went on peacefully.”

Also, a Councillorship aspirant, Mr. Agbo Sunday from Okposhi Ward I in Ngbo Central of Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State emphasized that there was no election in his Ward as some individuals conspired against the election.

“The Staff of EBSIEC didn’t play his role well. We were about four aspirants who stood in for the election but only the result of one contestant was counted 

“I am calling on Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the State Chairman of APC, and EBSIEC boss to cancel this election because what happened on the field wasn’t an election.”

Another aspirant, Mr. Igwe Frank Arinze, for Okposhi Ward I Councillorship primary election alleged that the Retuning Officer by the name Friday Onwe, after he counted the votes of one Henry Okpe refused to count his own votes.

“When the retuning officer realised that those standing behind me were more than those of Mr. Henry Okpe’s, he decided not to count my own. When we asked to know why he did that, he said he was instructed to count only those on Henry Okpe’s line. 

“And after counting Henry Okpe’s votes, those that came to conduct the election, rushed into their car and drove off. But before they drove off, the thugs they had prearranged, started attacking my people 

“We had to rush into our car and drove off in order to save our lives. But before we drove off, they attacked my car and damaged some part of it. And so, we managed to drive to 135 to save our lives. 

“I want to appeal to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, APC State Chairman, and the EBSIEC boss to look into this matter and declare me the winner of the election in Okposhi Ward I because it was clear that those standing behind me were about three times more than that of Henry Okpe.

“I have all my evidences. But how can EBSIEC declare someone that didn’t win an election a winner? If you declare the person that didn’t win an election the winner, how can people come out next time to participate for an election.” He stated.

Scarcity: Why water supply is yet to be restored in Lokoja metropolis- Kogi Govt.

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By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, kogi

The Kogi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Yahaya MD Farouk has assured Kogites that the current administration, under the leadership of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and his Ministry are not sleeping over the scarcity of portable water in Lokoja and its environs.

The Commissioner disclosed that the governor, Usuman Ogbodo had given his strong political will to actualize the restoration, sooner than later.

Farouk who gave the assurances during a press conference in his office on Friday in Lokoja, attributed the delay in getting the facility back on track to many factors.

The Commissioner,who described the Greater Lokoja Water Treatment as one of the best in Nigeria , stressed that it had the capacity to pump 10 million gallons of water per day with provision to expand that to 15 million gallons of water for the same day.

He, however, noted with regret that the October 2022 flooding in Lokoja submerged most of the vital equipment of the facility, including six electro mechanical equipment, the high lift pumps with huge cost, adding that the development brought the treatment and supply of potable water to a halt.

Faruk also told journalists that equipment needed to be replaced to put the facility back in optimal condition are very expensive and would require months for them to be produced.

He said the state government, in its avowed determination to restore water to Lokoja is presently considering three options in achieving such ambition.

According to him, “the government is considering either to outrightly locate the site of the Greater Lokoja Water Treatment, the cost of which he disclosed, stands at between N120 billion and N150 billion, excluding reticulation.

He added that the possibility of relocating the two major flood prone sections of the facility at the cost of between N70 billion and N90 billion to execute.

According to the commissioner, the third option is the raising of the equipment of the facility above the flood level of 2022, pointing out that this dream project also runs into billions of naira.

Answering questions from journalists after the press conference, the commissioner disclosed that the state government intends to contact the Federal Ministry of Water, to look into the possibility of Public Private Partnership, PPP, and state government financing to put the facility back on its foot to serve the purpose it was intended for.

Farouk said that while efforts are on for the restoration of potable water to residents, his ministry he explained , has embarked on the rehabilitation of the Old Lokoja Water Works, to supply healthy water to some areas among other interim measures pending when the Greater Lokoja Water Treatment would be back alive.

The Commissioner disclosed that the State Governor is having sleepless nights in ensuring that taps run, pointing out that rather than run to fix he noticed challenge, that has become imperative to look into at solving the problem once and for all.

He mentioned that the project at inception was hurriedly handed over without putting into consideration the noticed challenge caused by climate change, adding that with the constant flooding of Lokoja since 2012, with the highest in 2022, it has become expedient to think long term solutions.

He said with the differential in foreign exchange when compared to when the project was constructed, the huge cost outlay calls for patience and understanding on the part of the citizens.

The Commissioner described Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo as one committed to the well-being of the people of the State, stressing that, since his assumption of office, no day passes, without the Governor giving matching orders to the Ministry officials in doing all that is humanly possible to providing water to the people.

He mentioned that the State Government is equally looking holistically in revamping all water facilities across the state.

The Commissioner appreciated the patience and understanding thus far shown by the people of Lokoja metropolis.

Mortality: state govts urged to provide Family Planning commodities

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By Lovina Anthony, Akwa-ibom 

A non governmental organization known as ‘The Challenged initiative, TCI, on Friday has tasked state governments in the country to provide consumables and commodities of family planning for effective service delivery.

They insisted that the provision of such consumables and commodities of family planning, will stem the tide of maternal mortality as well as unwanted pregnancy in Nigeria.

The Director, The Challenged Initiative, TCI, Nigeria Hub, Taiwo Johnson who made the appeal in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital during a facility tour to Primary Health Centres in the area said  that States should make available these commodities to meet the rising needs of women who want to access family planning services.

Johnson observed that women are coming out to access family planning which was aimed to be free adding that, with state governments support, demand would be matched with supply thereby reducing the incidents of maternal mortality by 30 percent.

The TCI Director said that Federal government only provides 13% of the commodities needed for family planning, so it behoves on states to develop plan of procuring these commodities and look for domestic funding to sustain it.

“TCI wants to know the high impact practices and high impact interventions that have been sustained in these facilities. TCI is government led and what this means is that we support government to implement some of these high impact practices and continue with them when we leave and we ensure they put it in their operational plan. 

“We appreciate the fact that Akwa Ibom government provided the enabling environment but we are saying that every state should procure their commodities and consumables. Government should release funds to implement this.

“Every woman deserves a family planning and family planning is a low hanging fruit for maternal mortality.  It allows women having children by choice and not by chance, we want when a woman walks into a facility she gets these services there without any charge.

“Federal government can only provide 13 Percent of the commodities needed for family planning so what this means is that every state has to develop its plan to procure family planning commodities and find domestic funding to drive it.

“Some states have started doing it and this is more reason Akwa Ibom State government should start doing it too. Donor funds partner is not sustainable, TCI has timeline, FHIS has ended. So after that what happens? So we won’t go back to the status quo, no more outreaches, In-reaches,  project supervision community mobilization. I think Akwa Ibom should ensure that family planning reaches a state of self reliance.”

In their separate remarks, the officers in charge of Primary Health Centres, Ewet Offot and Ikot Ebido all in Uyo, Mrs Rose Okon and Mrs Enobong Umoren noted that many women are accessing family planning unlike before through  community mobilization programme.

They regretted the inadequate supply of family planning commodities and consumables and thanked commended TCI for providing the ones used so far for women of reproductive age even as they urged the state government to complement the efforts of TCI by providing these facilities for betterment of the women.

IPOB condemns attack on military in Abia

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By Cyprian Ebele, Oniitsha 

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Friday, condemned in strong terms the alleged attack of military on duty in Aba, Abia State.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the soldiers were attacked on Thursday during the celebration of Biafran  fallen heroes and heroines via sit-at-home exercise.

The spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful, stated that IPOB has no chance to attack anyone, adding that those responsible for this attack are politicians planning to create problems in peaceful Enyimba city.

The group made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen on Friday.

The movement advised the governor of Abia state, Alex Otti, to be careful as those involved aimed at creating crisis in Aba.

IPOB, however maintained that those who attacked military on duty are criminals not IPOB.

“We are much engaged with sit-at-home to remember our fallen heroes and heroines who died during the genocidal war against Biafrans and Ndigbo. IPOB condemns criminal activities of yesterday,” the movement lamented.

C’River: Gov. Otu’s wife emerges patron national council for women society

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..as 15 persons inaugurated as new exco, C’River

From Ene Ene, Calabar 

The wife of Cross River State governor, Mrs Eyoanwan Otu, on Friday emerged as the patron national council for women society.

She was decorated as the patron by the president national council for women society, during the inauguration of the State EXCO and her Investiture ceremony that took place at the women Development center, Calabar

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the national president, Hajiya Lami Adamu lau inaugurated fifteen persons to takeover the leadership of the association in Calabar, Cross River State.

Adamu lau however, commended Cross River State for the re-integration, adding that the state has been one of the strongest branch of the council since it inception.

She applauded the wife of the Governor, Mrs Eyoanwan Otu for bringing back cross river state to rejoin the council, after the State had been out from the association for about eight years without conducting an election to elect state exco.

Hajiya lau however vowed to support the pet project initiative of the wife of the governor, and further invested her as the state patron of the council 

Responding, the Wife of the governor, Eyoanwan Otu has described her investiture as a call to more service in her determination to advance women’s empowerment and build a more just and equitable society.

She said “your work in advocating for gender equality and women empowerment is commendable,” while informing women that their voices matters and their potentials are boundless. Rev. Otu hinted that the dreams of young women and girls are valid and achievable, adding, “let this recognition be a testament and encouragement to what can be accomplished with integrity and resilience.”

The Governor’s Wife urged the new EXCO members to see their offices as an avenue to serve and not for title or show but to do it in honour and integrity, adding that they should all think Cross River and collectively achieve more for the State.

According to her, at the “NCWS, we acknowledge and celebrate your remarkable achievements through your pet projects – the Humanity Without Borders Empowerment Initiative. This initiative covers humanitarian services across various sectors. Your deep concern for children, women and people with disability is highly recommended.”

Giving an acceptance speech on behalf of the newly inaugurated EXCO members, the President, NCWS, Cross River State Chapter, Majorie Asuquo expressed gratitude at the opportunity to serve, promising that the EXCO members will serve within the confines of the constitution of the society as well as under the authority of the State Patron.

Sit-at-home: IPOB commends Ndigbo for observing Biafran heroes’ day celebration 

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By Cyprian  Ebele, Oniitsha 

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB,, on Friday commended Igbos for what it described as a successful celebration of May 30th 2024 Biafran heroes day.

The group recalled the genocide of over six million Biafrans murdered during 1967-1970 genocidal war.

The spokesperson of IPOB, Emma Powerful, said, “IPOB leadership commend members who mobilised Biafrans to sit-at-home in honor of our heroes and heroines. 

“We are thankful to  Biafrans in all the States of Biafra particularly in Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi, Rivers, Cross River, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.

“Also the Biafran clans of Edo State, Benue and Kogi States for compliance to the sit-at-home. We also congratulate Biafrans in diaspora who marched on the streets in raising awareness in their respective countries.

“At least an important message has been sent to our adversaries that the illegal detention of our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu does not deter the resoluteness of IPOB and Biafrans for our freedom. IPOB is a state actor that is fully in control of Biafra territory. 

“As we remember, our fallen heroes and heroines, including IPOB members who were killed, we do so reverently. Our message to Nigeria is never will Biafrans be slaughtered unchallenged again. 

“We shall continue to remember and honor our heroes and heroines who died in defense of our lives during the genocidal war of 1967-1970 against which was orchestrated by the British and Nigeria government. 

“We remember those still paying the supreme and ultimately prize till date. We shall continue to remember them until Biafra comes and beyond. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB leadership (DOS) pledged never to disappoint Biafrans. We have come to restore Biafra and Biafra we must get.

“It is a time of introspection, a moment to consider the position of Biafrans in modern-day Nigeria and their relevance in the broader national context. Unfortunately, the issues that ultimately led to the Biafran genocidal war in 1967 still exist today.  

“The present Nigeria Government’s policies and persecution against Ndigbo have been x-rayed by continuous illegal detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” it lamented.

NMA applauds Gov. Ododo over tribunal victory, seeks partnership 

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By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi

The Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, has congratulated the Kogi State Governor Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo on his recent victory at the tribunal.

In a communique signed by the Kogi State NMA Chairman, Baoku Olusola and the Public Relations Officer, Peter Aiyevbomwan, both said the association is fully in support of the present administration to succeed in the State.

While congratulating the Executive Governor on this symbolic victory the association, also commended his efforts on the  recent flag-off and  distribution of medical equipments and consumables to health care facilities in the state.

“This will improve the standard of health care delivery in Kogi State. Let us remind His Excellency of one of his famous quote.

“We must go back to the grassroot because this mandate belongs to them. As the Governor and appointees of this Government, we are not Leaders, we are the people’s servants.

 “It is on this note we are calling on His Excellency, Alhaji Ododo Ahmed Usman that the health sector can’t wait to witness a tremendous transformation of your continuity agenda .  

” We also call on His Excellency to continue to  pay huge attention into  supporting and  funding  health sector towards achieving standard  health care delivery, improved renumeration, incentives for doctors and workable partnership all geared at making Kogi state health sector an envy for other states. 

“NMA promises to continue to do her possible best in safeguarding and protecting the health of Kogi indigenes as we look forward to a courtesy visit to the Governor soon” it stated.

Blame politicans for hardship in Nigeria, not Tinubu – works minister, Umahi 

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Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

The Minister of works, David Umahi has said that politicans in Nigeria should be blamed for hardship in the country and not President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Umahi made this known while addressing journalists in Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State, shortly after one year anniversary of the governor, Francis Nwifuru.

He said: “The President is taking hard decision to secure our future. You can call him all sorts of names because the job is very easy when you are not the one doing it. We inherited a very terrible economy and the economy is not just peculiar to Nigeria, even our own has a different dimension, but it is not the worst in the world. But there is global economic meltdown and so we are not isolated.

“The President is taking hard decisions and I believe strongly that if we support the President, if we are a little bit patient, he said to me in Lagos we have crossed the cuff which means that we have crossed the worst. 

“It is for an assignment and the manners and the way the President came defiling all permutations, obstacles and challenges set up against him, you will see he is a divine President. You will recall that Nigerians prayed and prayed. 

“I thought it is the set time that God has remembered Nigerians. They said that dawn is the darkest part of the Night. So, there is Asiwaju and there is hope and there is David and our infrastructure which is a catalyst. We are on the right path I can tell you.

The Minister, Umahi, however commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for refusing to be lobbied by people.

“I thank the President 100%. The impact we are making is because the man is very unyielding when it comes to.supporting anybody he gives assignment. He is not the type you will go and lobby otherwise, I would have failed because I had issues with a number of contractors who have been enjoying and cheating us for a very long time and I say no, they have to do the right thing. 

“Then, they are lobbying everybody but they cannot lobby the President because the President insists the right thing must be done. Forget it, no Landmark property was destroyed. Landmark has no tilted document on our right of way neither the Oniru people wrongly of rightly give him the shoreline. And we have since passed. We continued 1.8 kilometre to chenet 20, 18 kilometre before we realigned. 

“The Ukwuaja community were going to fight with me, including the gods there. I was getting ready for the fight. But When the stronger reason came, the President said do not tamper with the communication infrastructure, we had to do a detour. The correct thing is that we did not follow the proposed alignment, we went totally out of the two proposals to save principally the network cables” he stated.

EEDC commends NAPTIN for human capital development in electricity sector

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From Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

The Managing Director of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Praveen Chorghade, has commended the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN) for the training and skill development programmes the Institute have been providing for Nigeria.

Chorghade also said that the training and skill development Programmes remained a conscious way of building the capacity of workers within the Nigerian Power Sector.

The EEDC boss made this known on Wednesday when the Director General, NAPTIN, Mr Ahmed Nagode, paid him a courtesy visit at the EEDC Corporate Headquarters in Enugu.

He noted that “NAPTIN’s role is extremely important to the sector as the training they provide enables the staff to be grounded and skilled to deliver efficiently in their respective roles.”

According to him, this special input is imperative considering the very hazardous nature that characterize the work environment within the power sector.

Responding, Nagode said that the courtesy call was part of his familiarization visit to the management of EEDC, and to formally present NAPTIN’s Training Center, Oji River, to the company and to explore opportunities for collaboration.

The NAPTIN chief, who was accompanied by the Center Manager, Regional Training Center, Oji River, Justin Ezeh, alongside with some of the institute’s management staff, emphasized the mandate of NAPTIN to provide skilled workforce and professionals for the power sector.

The Nations News Nigeria gathered that part of the discussion at the meeting centered on ways trainings could be made to be affordable and the possibility of introducing e-learning in the curriculum of NAPTIN.

Sanusi emerges as new NULGE President in Kogi

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By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi

Mohammed Sanusi has emerged as the new President, National Union of Local Government Employees, (NULGE) in Kogi State.

Sanusi is taking over from Tade Adeyemi who retired from service and has since been appointed as Senior Special Assistant to Kogi State Governor on Civil Service Matters.

The new NULGE President in Kogi State defeated his close rival, Lasisi Aminu in a bye election held in Lokoja on Thursday.

He scored 26 votes to defeat Lasisi who scored five votes.

Others elected at the Special Delegate Congress includes; Adejoh Alih, (Welfare Officer) and Comr.Olajide Ronald Babalola, (Welfare Officer 1).

In his remarks, the Kogi State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Gabriel Amari, Congratulated the immediate past President of NULGE  for a successful completion of tenure.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser the Kogi State Governor on Labour matters, Comrade Onuh Edoka, charged the new President to imbibe the fear of God

and work for the people’s interests.

In his valedictory speech, the immediate past NULGE President in Kogi State Comrade Tade Adeyemi thanked members for the support, adding that, the new administration should work towards resolving the issues of litigations in the union.