By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

The Enugu State Government has restricted human and vehicular movement for the state’s monthly sanitation on Saturday, Sept. 28, between the hours of 7am and 10am. 

This is contained in a statement issued by the Senior Personal Assistant (SPA) to Gov. Peter Mbah on Water and Waste, Mr Andreas Gebauer, on Friday in Enugu.

Gebauer, who doubles as the Managing Director of Enugu State Waste Management Authority (ESWAMA), said that there would be restriction of all forms of movement in the state except for those on essential services.

He said that those on essential services must provide a valid means of identification or ESWAMA’s official Pass.

The governor’s aide said that “offenders will be arrested and prosecuted at the environmental mobile court of law.”

“All early morning sporting activities across the state, loading/off-loading of passengers in motor parks and other commercial activities should be suspended during the clean-up exercise.

 “The Authority appeals to the general public to bag their waste properly before disposal.

“Residents should also ensure they pay their ESWAMA bills at any commercial bank closer to them,” he said.

Gebauer noted that ESWAMA officials would be moving around to ensure that residents’ surroundings are clean – cut grasses, clear debris and clean drains to avoid water flow obstruction.

According to him, residents should join hands with the state government and make Enugu State clean, safe and beautiful.

By Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

The Chairman of Ogbete main market traders association (OMMTA) Enugu, Stephen Aniagu has been shot dead by unknown gunmen on Saturday night 14 September 2024.

He was reportedly shot dead around Moses Ogbodo junction near topland market in Amechi area of Enugu South local government.

The late Aniagu who is serving his first tenure in office hails from Akegbe Ugwu Community in Enugu South local government area of Enugu state.

A source who wishes to be unknown, said that Aniagu was likely to be on his way home after the close of the day’s market.

According to the source, “We heard gunshots and ran for safety. When we came out of our hiding a few minutes later, we found a lifeless body on the ground and his car was missing. His body was shot with multiple bullets by his assassins.

Our correspondent made efforts to speak with the state police public Relations officer,  PPRO DSP Daniel  Ndukwe failed, as his mobile telephone number could not go through as at the time of filing this report.

By Cyprian  Ebele, Onitsha 

The member of Anambra state house of Assembly, Ejike Okechukwu representing Anaocha 2 constituency has expressed worry over the growing lack of interest of Igbo youths in Igbo apprenticeship scheme popularly known as “Igba boyi” amidst numerous benefits.

He said that  “Igba boyi” is the only way to tackle the menace of crimes and unemployment in the state.

Okechukwu, disclosed that despite recent observable dishonesty among the parties involved, benefits accruing from the arrangements far outweigh the demerits.

Speaking during an advocacy campaign visit of members of Catch Them Young Community Initiative (CATYCOI) to his office, the lawmaker enumerated reasons behind his introduction of the bill.

He said aside addressing crimes and unemployment, the scheme which he described as an informal form of education, would teach the youth how to marry, relate with their wives, train their children and gain more contracts.

According to Okechukwu, who doubles as Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on appropriation, the commission to be established by the bill, would in partnership with any higher institution of learning issue beneficiaries with diploma certificates.

He said, “The bill, which has passed through second reading and is currently waiting for public hearings, has come to salvage the situation, while providing a regulatory framework to ensure fair treatment of apprentices, establish minimum standards for training, including mechanisms for resolving disputes among parties through a commission.

“This is an informal type of education. By engaging in it, you will learn a lot from your master. You will learn how to marry, relate with your wife and train your children, relate well with your customers and attract more contracts.

“At the end, the commission to be established by the bill, will in partnership with any higher institution of learning issue you with a diploma certificate. The commission will also assist in settling any dispute arising from Ịgba boyi.”

While canvassing support from younger generation in sensitising the public about the bill, Okechukwu assured that beneficiaries, through the bill would not only be placed under the mentorship of experienced artisans or business owners to serve over a period of time but would learn to succeed in trade, family and other ways of life.

The lawmaker, who had sponsored over 20 motions and several bills, also seized the opportunity to sensitise the youth on his new bill, Anambra State mental health bill, which he said would address issues of depression, anxiety, among other vices through the services of trained and professional psychologists and doctors.

He further enumerated the importance of Anambra State E-Governance bill also introduced by him, noting that it would help in monitoring and tracking government projects for inclusive and good governance with a view to hold government accountable and prevent misappropriation of public funds.

Responding, Executive Director, CATYCOI, Comrade Nonso Orakwe, lauded the State House of Assembly especially Hon. Okechukwu for legislating on policies capable of engendering community development.

Orakwe, who recalled that his civil society group had trained and empowered 30 youth across the 30 Constituencies in Anambra State on policy making, assured their readiness in contributing favourably in drafting, monitoring and implementing government policies through mass sensitisations of people.

Contributing, Programmes Manager, CATYCOI, Israel Oji maintained that the practical knowledge and experience the youth have gathered from the training and advocacy visit would empower them to engage others to support government policies.

One of the participants, Mrs Chinenye Ikele, expressed optimism that Ịgba boyi bill would help in reducing unemployment, poverty and crimes in society.

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki

The deputy leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Mr. Joseph Ununu and member representing Abakaliki South constituency on Friday begged governor Francis Nwifuru to intervene over the arrest and reminding in correctional centre of his younger brother, S.U Ununu who is a lawyer.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the embattled lawyer, S.U Ununu was partially arraigned in a magistrate court sitting in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State over alleged murder of one, late Nnamdi Nwite during a celebration that took place at Agbaja Unupfu in Abakaliki local government area.

The Lawmaker, Ununu who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki shortly after the attempted arraignment in court, said: “I visited the family of the deceased person day before yesterday and they told me vividly that they don’t have any case with my younger brother, S.U Nnunu, whom police arrested for killing their brother that he was not the person that killed their son, that their son was actually murdered but they don’t know who killed him.

“That as family, they have resolved that they don’t need a case and that they have wrote to the Commissioner of Police that the case should be discontinued so that they can carry their son and give him proper burial, and that they are asking police to stay clear and allow them to carry their son and bury him.

“Nobody is above the law, but shouldn’t condemn somebody who God has not condemned and we are appealing to the state governor to listen to this matter and throw his weight to ensure that peace reigns in the area” he stated.

In a swift reaction, the counsel to the deceased family,, Obinna Nwankwo who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki said: “the family I’m representing is of Mr Nnamdi Nwite who was injured sometimes August by some unknown persons, while he was attending a function and was taken to the hospital, subsequently, he died.

“The family after their meeting with their kindred as well the community at large, resolved that they do not want to prosecute the cause of the death of their son and in doing that, an affidavit was deposed to that very fact by the biological brother of the decease, Mr Ekene Nwite.

“That affidavit was served together with an application written on the behalf of the family by the kindred as well,the community to the Commissioner of Police Ebonyi state command, that was on the 29th day of August, 2024.

“But, notwithstanding the said application and request for the release of body of late, Mr Nnamdi Nwite the police did not in any way report to the family or made their decision known to the family consequent upon the family briefed me as a lawyer, I wrote a reminder to the Commissioner of Police, after my reminder, we were surprise that today being 6th of September, 2024 that somebody is being arraigned, by name, one, S.U Nnunu over a murder case. 

“It is clear that the family I am representing never made any complaint against anybody, and as to the circumstances that surrounded the death of late Mr Nnamdi Nwite, the family made their position known to the Commissioner of Police, that they don’t know who injured the deceased. No petition written formally to the CP by the family, and up till now, the police has refused to grant the family the permission to have their deceased brother buried.

“And,we have also made it clear to the police that by virtue of the tradition, belief and religion of my client, they do not believe in autopsy. We are still saying that nothing should be done to that body. We are not interested in litigation,we are not interested in investigation, however. 

“Our humble application is that let the whole world hear that, let them release the body of our brother, late Nnamdi Nwite for burial, as we speak, the siblings as well as the wife, and family are being traumatized over this issue.

“They said that our brother had died, and nothing can bring him back to life and therefore,we are not interested in any other thing, allow us to accord him the last respect he deserved and they are doing this without any inducement or coercion from any quarter” he stated.

Also, the elder brother to the deceased, Mr Ekene Nwite who described the incident as shocking, appealed to the police and the government to release the deceased body as they’re not interested in litigation.

“The death of my younger brother was painful, but I will not make case with his death knowing that I am the elder brother, I am calling on the government to release that my brother who I was the one that trained him in primary school before going to learn welder, after graduation,the profession was not favourable to him and he went and learn carpentry with no help from government or individual and wouldn’t like anybody to bring problem between my family and anybody for any reason whatsoever.

“If anybody is interested in his burial should come to the family and talk to us, not keeping our late brother when we are not interested in litigation and making a case with his dead body” he stated.

When contacted, Ebonyi state Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Joshua Ukandu said that the case is still under investigation and added that the command is still observing all the processes necessary within the law as the matter is a criminal case.

By, Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu 

The Enugu state government led by governor Peter Mbah has clarified its position on the reports over the collection of industrial gas emission levy by consultants to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

The state government who made this known in a statement signed by the secretary to the state government, Chidiebere Onyia, and issued to newsmen, noted that the exercise had since been suspended on 29th August 2024 and the consultancy terminated with immediate effect.

It also clarified that Governor Peter Mbah equally directed the refund of any such levy so collected, noting that the said consultants exceeded their brief.

It also described as blatant falsehood,  reports in a section of the media alleging that the government had introduced fines for the  use of renewable energy sources such as solar, stressing that on the contrary, the  government’s legislative and policy directions favour all renewable and green energy sources, as they  are environmentally friendly. 

The government explained that whereas the Ministry acted within its powers, given the provisions of Section 4 (2) and Section 124 of the Enugu State Environmental and Climate Protection Law, 2024, which covers the enforcement of environmental laws, as well as Section 125 of the Law, which prescribes fines for “obnoxious gaseous emissions into the environment,” such levies and enforcements were premature as the necessary groundwork and infrastructure were still being put in place.

The statement reads in part: “Recent reports have highlighted the collection of levies on alternative energy sources by consultants engaged by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.

“After reviewing the matter, he directed the immediate cessation of this levy collection process and the termination of the consultancy effective Thursday, August 29, 2024.  

“Furthermore, the governor has directed that any levies that have already been collected must be refunded to the payers without delay.

“While it is important to note that the Environmental and Climate Protection Law of Enugu State empowers the Ministry to enforce regulations aimed at reducing emissions of toxic gases, the necessary groundwork for the full implementation of these provisions is not yet complete.

“The government is currently in the process of developing a comprehensive climate policy, which will outline a balanced framework for promoting business and industrial activities while fostering clean innovation and sustainable practices across the state.

“However, while the Governor Mbah Administration remains committed to protecting the environment and addressing environmental pollution, it is equally committed to doing so in a way that ensures fairness, transparency, and regard to proper regulatory preparation,” the statement noted.