The Nation News

Category: News

  • Women Affairs Minister, Ohanenye vows to end sufferings, empower women in Bauchi

    Women Affairs Minister, Ohanenye vows to end sufferings, empower women in Bauchi

    By: Ajiya Ayuba Bauchi

    The Minister for Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy Ohanenye has vowed to partner the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir to empower and end all sufferings by women in the state.

    Ohanenye made this known while addressing stakeholders and the people of Bauchi state during her visit with the governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, that took place at the banquet hall, Bauchi state government house.

    She pledged to ensure adequate empowerment of women in Bauchi state, adding that “women are suffering enough and we don’t want to continue suffering.

    “if women are empowered, it will give them voice and they will be able to grab their rights in some things”

    “For women not to suffer again, their is certain ways for the women empowerment, we don’t want that to continue happening because there is something call Nigeria women project, with the project women will fights the battle of poverty.

    She however, urged the governor to ensure the adequate implementation of the 35 percent affirmative action for women, adding that all the governor’s should involve women into the governance of their various states, and that when such, is done poverty and sufferings will be reduced among women in Nigeria.

    “Women are the poorest in the society, only 10 percent of us own property which is very bad, that’s so shameful, should we always fold our hands and be waiting for you in order to be giving us while we were your mother’s, so we want women to be fully empowered”

    According to the minister; “Women are very brilliant and intelligent that if they have money they will also vie for political offices and compete with men, because women have the capacity to deliver, but the main reason why they are not coming out is because they are poor and not empowered”

    Adding that “We don’t want to continue been, so we decided to help ourselves to make money so that in terms of politics we vie form and compete with you, anybody who win the election will go in to office.

    “We need the 35 percent affirmative to be giving to women so that they can be empowered and bring change to the country, also establishment of women rehabilitation center in Bauchi state.

    She expressed her appreciation to president Ahmed Bola Tinubu for agreeing to be giving 50,000 to women for Six months and 25,000 for three months.

    “We will give 1000 point of sale (POS) machines to women of Bauchi state who will use it and start their businesses to make money themselves, so that they can reduce poverty because we have no reason to be poor, not only that but she also come to Bauchi with some economic rice milling machines in order to distribute to the women.

    Adding that for those who are farming, they will process the rice and package it by themselves, sale it to people at affordable price which is another development.

    The minister for Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy Ohanenye appealed to governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir of the state to partner with their ministry (Women Affairs) in order to empowers women for the development of the state and Nigeria at large.

    In his response, governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir of the state, said that women can be trusted because they are intelligent and off course they are dependable.

    He said that “I have the will in partnering with you because you have seen the need to achieve some miles stones in terms of solving problems.

    The governor said that “Am with you 100 percent and we’ll work as governor’s forum so that they wold bank loan will be restructured in a manner that women will be beneficial” he stated.

  • Ebonyi govt. empowers 100 communities with over #2 billion

    By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

    Ebonyi state government led by governor, Francis Nwifuru on Monday, said it has started the disbursement of over two billion naira empowerment to one hundred communities located in the thirteen local government areas of the state.

    The Nations News Ngatia reports that over two thousand and forty people are targeted to be empowered by the governor Francis Nwifuru.

    The governor, Nwifuru officially flagged off the Ebonyi state community and social development agency EB-CSDA program, held at Re Meritona Hotel Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital.

    It was learnt that the empowerment are handled by the ministry of human capital development and monitoring.

    Nwifuru stated that the two thousand and forty citizens would be empowered under the world bank Assisted NG-CARES.

    Represented by the speaker of Ebonyi state House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa said that the state wide micro-project and fund disbursement would be beneficial to 100 qualified communities to the tone of 12.5 million naira for each community for the development of the rural projects.

    The Speaker also noted that 2,040 labour intensive public workfare beneficiaries would receive the sum of one hundred and eighty per individual, adding that the decision was in line with the governor’s people’s charter of needs mantra.

    Earlier, the state Commissioner for human capital development and monitoring, Mrs. Ann Aligwe said that the areas of focus in the community projects were chosen by the people who know the basic needs of their  communities.

    She added that the state governor is not resting on his oars to ensure he reduced hardship in the state.

    Also, the general manager Ebonyi state community and social development agency (EB-CSDA) Mr. James Egwu said beneficiaries of the empowerment would receive the total of three hundred and sixty thousand naira and however applauded the state governor for his strong support to the people of the state.

    In an interview, some of the beneficiaries including; Abraham Ovuoba and Fidelis Nwankwo said that the intervention of the state government in community projects, especially on health sector would help to save lives by curtailing mortality in health centres.

    They appealed that the governor should give special attention in rural electrification, rural road networking and primary school renovation.

  • Monarchs warn acting paramount ruler, Ntufam from parading self as monarch in C’River

    By Ene Ene, Calabar 

    A group of traditional rulers operating  under the auspices of Mbume blocks of clans traditional rulers, Etung local government area of Cross River State have Kicked against the legitimacy of acting paramount  ruler, HRM, Ntufam Ntui  Anthony- Etta , claiming that the nomenclature “acting”paramount ruler is alien to Etung people.

    The traditional rulers made this known to  journalists at the  end of an emergency town hall meeting which took place at Abia community on July 11,2024.

    A resolution  signed by six  traditional rulers of  Mbume blocks of clans, compromising of Abia, Bendeghe Ekiem and Etomi Communities, in the LGA asked  the Ajassor  monarch, HRM, Ntufam Anthony Ntui -Etta, to desist forthwith from parading self as acting paramount ruler.

    The monarchs averred that the authentic paramount rule of the LGA  is Ntufam Dr Oru Ojong of Abia community and not  Ntufam Anthony Etta of Ajassor community  stressing that the word “acting” is strange to the  traditional institution.

    “His adoption “acting paramount ruler” is both foreign and unknown to the Cross River Traditional Rulers Edit 14 of  1978.

    The traditional rulers stressed that though their paramount ruler Ntufam Dr Oru Ojong, was suspended some time ago, and  reinstated via  a court process in suit No.suit No. HC/96/2022 of March 23, 2023.

    “Fired by a deepening sense of indignation and disgust, have, of compelling necessity, resolved to denounce and shun Clan Head  Anthony Ntui Etta of Ajassor Community in Etung local government area with immediate effect.

    “He is not our paramount ruler,rather Oru Ojong of Abia community remains our paramount ruler.

    “We  automatically invalidates any fictitious chieftaincy  title he had arrogated   to himself; since his adopted title of acting paramount ruler. ” The monarchs maintained.

    Reacting to the chiefs’  resolution in a telephone conversation, Acting paramount ruler of Etung, Ntufam Anthony Ntui -Etta, said, “I am not an acting paramount ruler, I am paramount ruler -elect of Etung. I don’t know what prompted them to do so, that is their own issue,he stated

  • APGA national boss, Ezeokenwa decries negligence, turning primary school into soccer pitch in Anambra

    By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

    The National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Sly Ezeokenwa at the weekend has lamented over the purported negligence and turning of his childhood Primary School, Fegge Onitsha, Anambra state into a soccer pitch.

    Ezeokenwa who Commissioned water borehole dug by the old students of Agai Primary School, Fegge Onitsha, his alma mater during the graduation of the primary six pupils,

    He however, expressed his deepest appreciation to the management of the school for restoring the lost glory of the school.

    The APGA national chairman recalled that “I started my afternoon primary school here with my mother who was one of the teachers then, I read classes one, two and three here and as a child of a teacher, she goes to any school she was transferred to with me.

    “I later followed her when she was transferred to Niger City Primary School Fegge, so I still have the memories of Agai Primary School, the fact is that Agai Primary School is the foundation of my primary education, if I didn’t get that foundation, I wouldn’t have been where I am today.

    “And God through the instrumentality of the Old Boys/Girls association, the greatest thing we can do to the next generation is to give our modest contribution, to make sure that the institution that moulded us continues to mould the future generation.

    “We are going to make sure that our Alma Mater is the best, my being here today reminds me of how I used to play around during the breaktime,” he recalled.

    He lauded Governor Charles Soludo for his resolve to take education to the next level with the aid of free education in the state.

    He appreciated his fellow Old Students for the borehole, stating  that, “in recognition of the fact that this is our foundation, it is the reason the borehole was dug, we will make sure it runs 24 hours water supply”.

    He further said that “One of the basic tenets. of education is the ICT, “we are going to put innovation district in the school so that children in Fegge will acquire the ICT training”

    “You all know that anybody that was bred in Fegge was never given a chance because people looked at Fegge brought up as a cursed person, but it is our duty and responsibility to change the narratives.

    “We are going to institute scholarships for the first, second and third positions from the outgoing pupils to secondary school level and to provide the school with all their needs”, even as he directed the Headmistress to compile and forward to him.

    The School Headmistress, Agai Primary 11, Mrs Nkiruka Ezenwamma, in her vote of thanks appreciated the Old Boys/Girls of the school for the borehole, lamenting however that it has been one of their challenges.

    She lauded Governor Charles Soludo for his cordial relationship with the teachers and pupils of the schools in the state.

    On her part, lady Olivia Ezeokenwa, mother to Sly Ezeokenwa, appreciated the Old/Boys of the school, saying that they are the reason she attended the occasion and advised other Primary Schools’ Old Boys/Girls association to emulate the kind gesture of the august visitor, her son, which will assist to spread widely what the old students did.

    The President of the Old Boys/Girls association, Mr Victor Onyeka, (a.k.a Skido), appreciated Governor Soludo who took education to the next level, stating that the borehole they dug is to support the governor’s infrastructural development in the state.

    He also advised the pupils of the school to respect the teachers, elders and their parents as there are blessings attached to it and to also be dedicated in their studies, noting that they found themselves  in their present condition because they adhere to what their teachers, and parents impacted in them.

    The Vice President of the Old Boys/Girls, Mr Onyeka Anyacho, noted that it is very rare for Old Boys/Girls of Primary schools to come together and carry out projects in their Alma mater as they are doing, as people are more concerned only on secondary and tertiary institutions thereby neglecting primary schools.

    The Secretary, Mrs Nkiru Odina stated that they have done a lot in the school which  included, repairing their staircase, refilling the school compound with stones, digging of borehole, culvert at the entrance road  that is approaching finishing touches, building of security house, among others.

    Highlights of the event included the commissioning of the borehole project by Hon. Ezeokenwa, presentation of cash gifts to the senior citizens who were teachers in the school,( the headmistresses of Agai 1 & 11 ), and displays by the pupils of the school.

  • Gov. Soludo to plant 10million trees to tackle menace of erosion in Anambra

    Gov. Soludo to plant 10million trees to tackle menace of erosion in Anambra

    By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

    , 

    The governor of Anambra state, Charles Soludo at the weekend has vowed to plant over ten million trees to tackle the menace of erosion that has ravaged various communities in the state.

    Governor Soludo made this known at Godwin Achebe Stadium, Onitsha South local Government Area during the official launch of a programme designed to plant at least 10 million seedlings in Anambra State.

    He said that the purpose of the tree planting was to curtail the menace of erosion in various communities of the state and the programme will run for the next two years.

    His words, “Our environment is our number one existential trait and we must do everything especially in the light of climate change to recover our land.

    “Our mission is to make Anambra the greenest state in Africa, we must learn from our past to build sustainable prosperity, we must empower people sustainably”.

    He recalled that Malaysia was built largely at the peak of palm revolution, while China rebuilt poverty significantly on the peak of Agro allied industrialization even as South Eastern Nigeria was the fastest Sub region in the world in the late 50s and early 60s on the basis of palm revolution.

    He revealed that “1.1 million seedlings have already been distributed between 2022 and 2023, adding that this year and weekend, “We are officially launching the distribution of 100 40,000 seedlings for this year.

    “7000 palm seedlings, 200,000 breadfruit(ukwa) which have become extremely expensive, we will bring it back to become a staple food, including 50,000 Orji Igbo, 50,000 bitter kola, and 40,000 pawpaw.

    “All these are currently being distributed in the 320 wards in the State, down to the families.

    “Today we have talked through that one of the silver bullets, we must reinvent, will be reinvesting our past for us to emerge a big tent by empowering over 1 million households over a period of time by planting at least 10 million  seedlings, economic trees, oil palm seedlings, coconut seedlings,and ukwa.

    “We will plant hundreds of thousands of new ukwa trees in Anambra,  bitter kola, pawpaw, soursop, our agenda is to empower people sustainably, we want to give them something to fish for life, build a new industrial ecosystem for life and we will be creating the greenest and the most environmentally ecosystem in Anambra,” he stated 

    The Commissioner for Agriculture , Dr Foster Ihejiofor in his welcome address said that it was an exciting corporate journey towards a future in which agriculture was not just a means of sustainability  but a thriving industry that fuels our economic growth.

    “This agenda is not just a plan, an unflinching commitment to harnessing the immense potential of our agricultural sector to drive social progress and create opportunities for all, but a testament to Mr Governor’s unwavering dedication to building resilient and prosperous inclusive ecosystem in the state

    Speaking, the Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area,, Chief Emeka Orji advised the beneficiaries of the seedlings who are tenants to plant the seedlings in the villages and harvest it when the time comes instead of wasting them.

    He lauded the Governor for the love he has for the people of Onitsha South and vowed  to facilitate the construction of Bida road, Modebe Avenue, Uga Street, Nkrumah, Orlu Street, behind Top Rank, and adjacent to Achebe Stadium.

  • ‘Without Tinubu becoming President, Nigeria would have been a failed country – works minister, Umahi

    ‘Without Tinubu becoming President, Nigeria would have been a failed country – works minister, Umahi

    By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi at the weekend said that without Tinubu becoming the president, Nigeria would have been a failed country and 

     The Minister made this known while speaking with newsmen at his country home in Uburu community, Ohaozara LGA, shortly after casting his vote in the ongoing local government area election in Ebonyi state.

    He berated those casting aspirations on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, and however warned Igbos or Nigerians planning to protest against the administration to be mischievous. 

    The former governor of Ebonyi State, Umahi, also described the outcome of the local government election as peaceful and successful.

    Umahi, also advised Nigerians to change their level and hour of productivity should they improve on their standard of living.

    According to him: “Protest has never favored an Igbo man. Igbo man needs to be busy twenty-four hours. You do not get involved into something that you do not know anything about. By the way, what are people protesting about? Without the coming of President Tinubu, we would have had a failed country.

    “The job is cheap when you are not the one doing it. When people say there is hunger, tell us the solution to hunger. It is not just to be talking, talking and talking. I was going round talking to my private workers. 

    “I say yes, you are doing this and you are being paid seventy thousand naira, but I said with this seventy thousand, you cannot marry a wife with it, you cannot send your children to school with it, so you need something extra to do. And this place you are working, you are not doing more than three hours of work in a day, which means the efforts and productivity in this country is very low.

    “There is no way we can improve our standard of living if we do not improve on our productivity and hours we put in. Look at the Chinese, we should be able to tell ourselves the basic truth. When I was Governor when Saturday and Sunday were coming, I was always very angry. If the rain should start falling so that agriculture can prevail, I will be happy. 

    “I can remember when I was in the private sector, I was pushing for more productivity hours. One day there was rain falling and that worker was late now,  from Isu ,and he said rain is falling and he said yes what do I want him to do; he was very happy, but the person that is paying is in pains when the work is not being done,  but the person that is working is happy that he is collecting money. 

    “Today, we can grow yam in bags, we can grow tomatoes, we can grow pepper. Sometimes, I feel like coming back home because of my greenhouse. If you go there, I cultivated a lot of yams. Now, I want to start growing rice in bags. Everybody has something to do. We should not as a people be buying pepper. We should not be buying tomatoes. We should be able to get bags and fill them with manure and plant these things in front of our houses. 

    “So,  I am advocating, when we say we are protesting, when we say there is hunger, it is the responsibility of everybody. No matter how much the federal government injects into the system and palliatives, we must change our working hours. We must change our level of productivity, because if we have all the working tools and you do not deploy it, there will be no result. 

    “I support what the President is doing. The CNG buses, a lot of palliatives, trade monies, monies to the vulnerable families, agricultural inputs, giving out rice and fertilizers to our farmers, to indigent women and men. These are very important. But we must be committed and faithful to it. 

    “We must change the narratives. Government cannot do everything for you, but you have to leverage the magnanimity of Mr. President to change the course of things. This is my position. When people say they want to protest, they are just being mischievous”, he stressed.

  • Economy: Tinubu vows to invest in key sectors that will impact on citizens in Nigeria 

    Our reporter

    President Bola Tinubu at the weekend has emphasized that investments in key sectors of the economy will adhere to clear timelines and be evaluated based on their impact on citizens in Nigeria. 

    Tinubu made this known during a meeting with Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria’s, ALSCON,  management in Abuja.

    He, however, highlighted the importance of reviving the smelter company in Ikot Abasi and called for detailed plans in the steel and energy sectors. 

    Mr. President however, directed the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaib Audu, and the Special Adviser to the president on Energy, Ms. Olu Verheijen, to review and provide an update on the status of ALSCON.

    Responding, the Chairman of ALSCON,

    Alexey Arnautov, said that they are committed to investing $500 million to enhance the company’s operations. 

  • Ex-Reps speaker, Dogara tasks Abuja ZDA Officials to be trustworthy

    Ex-Reps speaker, Dogara tasks Abuja ZDA Officials to be trustworthy

    By: Ajiya Ayuba, Bauchi

    The Former speaker of the house of representatives, Yakubu Dogara has tasked the officials of the Zaar Development Association (ZDA) Abuja Branch to be trustworthy in the discharge of their duties. 

    Dogara gave the charge during a courtesy call by the Association which took place at his Abuja office at the weekend.

    He further tasked the youths to work hard not for the interest of themselves but Zaar land, adding that the leadership of the association should be trustworthy in their administration.

    Earlier in his remark, the chairman of the Zaar Development Association ZDA Abuja Branch, comrade Denis Manzo, said that there were at the house of the former speaker, Yakubu Dogara to seek for fatherly advice and blessing.

    He said that the ZDA Abuja branch is ready to work with relevant authorities and stakeholders to ensure that the good people of Zaar land should go to bed with food and to live peacefully with one another.

    Manzo said that they were also at Dogara’s Office to fully introduce themselves to him that they are the ZDA Abuja Branch Officials, stressing that they will continue working tirelessly to see that members of the association in Abuja are developed

    The chairman of the association, Manzo also informed the former Speaker that the branch has initiated policy and programmes that will help members, and however delivered their proposals to him for adequate advice to the former speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

    Those in attendance included the Chairman, Manzo and his vice, Lukka Haruna.

    Others are, the Assistant Secretary Sunday Markus , Treasurer Adamu Yahaya, Financial secretary Masoyi Iliya, Auditor Rifkatu Iliya, among others.

  • NPC moves to step up  birth registration in difficult Terrains 

    NPC moves to step up  birth registration in difficult Terrains 

    From Ene Ene, Calabar 

     The National Population Commission (NPC), has  commenced the process  of upscaling  birth registration in Cross River’s very hard to reach areas.

    The National Commissioner, National Population Commission, NPC (Cross River State), Alex Ukam, made this known in Càlabar while speaking during the Advocacy Campaign in collaboration with the Cross River State government.

    With the theme “Enhancing the power of inclusive data towards a resilient and equitable future for all” to  commemorate the World Population Day stressing  that the World Population Day is celebrated annually on July 11, following  declaration of United Nations on July 11, 1989.

    Ukam stressed that for  too long, segments of Cross River’s population in the  rural communities had been  marginalised or  denied population services stressing that these communities should be counted.

    He stated that it was against this background that the commission at the state began pursuing the tool of birth registration to ensure the legal recognition of every child in the state.

    “Significant progress is being made in birth registration through our collaboration with the primary health care centers across the state but noticeable gaps still exist particularly in hard-to-reach communities and settlements.

    “The way forward therefore is for Cross River and indeed Nigeria to ensure a total and effective civil registration of vital statistics, conduct regular censuses to generate data that are timely, credible, verifiable and geo referenced, ” he said.

    In his remarks, Cross River State deputy governor, Mr Peter Odey, stressed that the state was putting  its weight solidly  behind the population  commission because accurate data is necessary to assist  the state in  all forms of developmental planning.

     The United Nations Population Fund UNFPA, Programme Coordinator in Cross River State, Dr. Andrew Kirima, said the theme of the event called for reflection on the indispensable role of inclusive data in crafting the resilient and just future for everyone.

  • C’River house of assembly tasks DG of NYSC to produce missing youth corp member

    C’River house of assembly tasks DG of NYSC to produce missing youth corp member

    From Ene Asuquo, Calabar 

    Cross River State House of Assembly has called on the Director General, National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), to produce Miss Dorcas Paul Ojong, a missing Corp member who served in Awka, Anambra State 

    A resolution adopted by the House of Assembly, asked the NYSC to without delay commence immediate investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the NYSC member, who is an  indigene of Akamkpa local government area  of Cross River State.

    The House had deliberated on a motion presented by the Member representing Akamkpa 1 State Constituency, Okon Nyong Owuna, who bemoaned the disappearance of Ojong, his constituent, posted to Anambra State for the mandatory National Youth Service Scheme.

    Owuna stated  that  Miss Dorcas Ojong, is a graduate of Cross River  State College of Health Technology Calabar, was last seen on February 18, 2024, by her landlady, adding that  all efforts by her family and friends to trace her  whereabouts since her disappearance had yielded no fruits.

    “Mr Speaker, Dorcas with NYSC NO. AN/2023/4309, a Batch A, Stream 2 2023 Corp Member who was supposed to have rounded off service in March 2024, was last seen on February 18, , 2024 by her landlady who said Dorcas told her that she was going to her place of primary assignment at the  Federal Ministry of Health, Awka” l Uwana stated.

    The Akamkpa lawmaker lamented  the disappearance of Ojong  who  he said had  brought  trauma and grief to the entire family and blamed the NYSC Anambra State authority for their  failure to trace  the whereabouts of the missing corper.

    In their separate contributions, the Lawmakers lamented the disappearance of Ojong and called for an immediate investigation of the matter.

    The lawmakers  stated  that the protection of lives and property remains paramount to the Federal Government calling on the government to be  responsive and rise up to the occasion and investigate  the disappearance of the Corp Member.

    In his reaction to the issue, Speaker of the Assembly, Rt Hon Elvert Ayambem assured of the Assembly’s commitment to the matter which he described as very unfortunate.