The Nation News

Category: News

  • C’River Govt. Debunks None recruitment of teachers since 2018- Commissioner

    By Ene Ene, Calabar 

    Cross River State Commissioner for education, Steve Odey has said it is not true that cross river state has not recruited teachers since 2018 as reported in one of the National Daily newspapers {not The Nations News Nigeria}

    The commissioner, Odey made this known during a courtesy visit by the State Executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River state Council, that took place in office.  

    According to him: “There was a report in one of the Nigerian daily newspaper that said cross river state is among states that had not recruited teachers since 2018”

    “I recruited 2,500 primary school teachers in 2019 when I was Chairman of the Universal Basic Education (SUBEB), so I can say here with authority that the  report is unfounded” he stated.

    Odey however applauded the chairman, Archibong Bassey for being the first woman to occupy that position and called for synergy between NUJ and the ministry, maintaining that the media is a critic partner that can not be under estimated.He said if the public is not aware of what you are doing then means you are doing nothing.

    He stressed that he came to salvage the situation in the sector stating that the rot in the education sector is enormous, adding that if anything happens to the education sector, then the state is finished.

  • ENSIEC partners DSS to ensure free, fair LG polls in Enugu 

    From Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

    The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission, ENSIEC, has vowed to collaborate with the state security services, SSS, to ensure free, fair and credible local government elections in the state.

    The Nations News Nigeria reports that ENSIEC will soon conduct elections in the 17 local government areas of Enugu state.

    The Chairman of ENSIEC, Prof. Chris Chidubem Ngwu made this known during a courtesy visit to the State Security Service (DSS) Enugu State Command. 

    Ngwu noted that  the courtesy visit is also an opportunity for the electoral body to brief the security agency on its preparations and plans for the local government polls. 

    He emphasized the importance of synergy between ENSIEC and the security services to ensure a peaceful, credible, free, and fair electoral process.

    The chairman, Ngwu, however provided updates on the voter registration exercise, nomination of candidates, and the commission’s sensitization campaigns across the state. 

    He solicited for the DSS’s support in areas such as; intelligence gathering, securing electoral materials, and protecting electoral officials and voters on election day.

    In her response, the State Director of the DSS, Theresa Egbunu, assured ENSIEC of the agency’s commitment to working closely with the commission. She pledged the DSS’s willingness to deploy its personnel and resources to safeguard the electoral process and maintain law and order before, during, and after the local government elections.

    Egbunu stressed the need for all stakeholders to play by the rules and eschew any form of electoral malpractice or violence. 

    She called on political parties, candidates, and the general public to cooperate with the security agencies to ensure a successful electoral exercise in the state.

    The courtesy visit underscores the importance of inter-agency collaboration in upholding the integrity of the electoral process. By aligning their efforts, ENSIEC and the DSS can work hand-in-hand to address potential security challenges and create an environment conducive for the people of Enugu State to freely exercise their democratic rights.

  • Ex-govs, Minister reject state creation, vow to remain in C’River state

    By Ene Ene ,Calabar.

    The former governors of Cross River State, including Chief Clement Ebri, Senator Liyel Imoke, former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, former presidential aide, Okoi Obono-Obla, member House of Representatives Alex Alex Ogbonna have said they prefer to remain in Cross River State.

    The key leaders of Cross River State central senatorial district said, that they would support every move made to actualize the creation of  Ogoja State,  but preferred to remain in Cross River 

    They have insisted that Abi and Yakurr should not have been added by the promoters of the movement for Ogoja State which are in the central senatorial district to the list of local government areas which are to form the new Ogoja State. 

    They said, “We are and wish to remain in Cross River State…  The promoters ought to have consulted with us before they submitted their proposals to the House of Representatives.”

    The former governors made this known in a statement signed on their behalf by the Chairman of  Abi-Yakurr Peoples Assembly, Chief Patrick Iwara, and Secretary, Sam Eno, and issued to newsmen on Monday.

    They assured that Abi and Yakurr People are united in purpose to remain in Cross River State and that they are not opposed to the creation of Ogoja State, “All the leaders of Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas are in support of the move to remain in Cross River State”.

    “Whether Ogoja State is created or not, we are not against it.  We want to remain in Cross River State as seen in the submission to the National Assembly”.

    “Besides our submission to the National Assembly, Abi-Yakurr People Assembly also made its position known to the Ogoja State Creation Agitation Group, We state clearly that we are not against their advocacy and indeed we support it but we will not be in Ogoja State albinitio.”

    Also reacting in a statement, member representing Abi/Yakurr in the House of Representatives, Alex Egbonna said “I did not want people to think that I was against the aspiration of my friends who are pursuing a genuine agenda of a new state from the present Cross River State.”

    “There was no time anybody approached me for a buy-in, neither did anybody get my consent in the drive for the Ogoja State. My hair was merely being barbed in my absence and I say here, for the avoidance of doubt, that I have never been part of those pushing for the creation of the Ogoja State”.

    He stated that he is all in support of Ogoja State, and cannot be going in a different direction when the people whose interest I represent in the National Assembly have already taken a decision and have indicated where they prefer to remain as a people, which is Cross River State.

    “That position has my full support and I am part of the signatories to the letter to the committee on states creation, where we made known our position as Abi/Yakurr people.” it stated.

  • Market chairman, Oforleh vows to fight against cholera outbreak, other diseases in Anambra

    By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha 

    The chairman of New Auto Spare Parts market, Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Stephen Oforleh, has fumigated the market against cholera and other diseases outbreak.

    Oforleh disclosed that the directive to fumigate  the market came from the Special Adviser, SPAD, to Governor Charles Soludo on Trade and Markets, Evarist Uba, through the president general of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, Humphrey Anuna.

    “They directed that we should negotiate with the veterinary services from the State Ministry of Agriculture to fumigate the markets due to these incessant diseases like cholera that is around the corner.

    “The government in her wisdom found it necessary that not only markets but other facilities should be also fumigated in order to wipe out those diseases both airborne and others.

    “My person being so conscious  about health, we are fortunate enough that this exercise is kicking off from our market today,” he stated.

    Speaking further, he lauded the State government for having the interest of the traders in her heart, stating that the present administration led by Governor Soludo is very concerned about the citizens and their health condition adding that, “When you are healthy, you can do your business comfortably”.

    According to him, the government has played her role by approving the fumigation exercise stating that the negotiation for such an exercise was not much for it to take place.

    Speaking, an environmental scientist, Chinedu Amuta, stated that they have all the equipment required for the exercise that  include chemicals to tackle viruses in the air, fungi, bacteria which goes right inside the air to attack any kind of fungi, bacteria and viruses.

    “Also the ones for insecticide like snake, cockroaches, mosquitoes etc, which most times bring malaria and other illnesses.

    “This time we have diseases caused by rats, with zoonotic ones, we can control them, while we spread the chemicals for viruses, we spread insecticides too.

    Amuta who is the chairman of Registered Association of Nigerian  Determinations and Agro Chemical Dealers In Nigeria, advised people to be very serious with the exercise saying that it is not all about the markets and facilities in the State as cholera is actually bringing a lot of waves in the air now, that people should be conscious of their health.

    He pointed out that most of these pesticides, if not rightly managed, can cause diseases of their own and advised people to ensure that a professional from a registered organization is engaged in controlling pests for them.

  • Recruitment: Ebonyi Hunters boss, Igwe speaks on alleged embezzlement of over N80m

    Recruitment: Ebonyi Hunters boss, Igwe speaks on alleged embezzlement of over N80m

    Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki 

    Ebonyi State commander of the Nigerian hunters and forest security service, NHFSS, Mr. Lary Igwe has denied the alleged embezzlement of over eighty nine million naira meant for the recruitment exercise of two thousand six hundred job seekers in the state.

    Recall that the governor of Ebonyi State Francis Nwifuru had approved the recruitment two thousand six hundred persons into the hunter services, as away to fight against crime, such as kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminal activities in the state, especially those that took place within the forest in the state.

    The Nations News Nigeria reports that the governor, Francis Nwifuru released forty one million, nine hundred thousand naira for the purchase of forms and for other logistics in the ongoing recruitment exercise in the state.

    A reliable source who spoke to newsmen unanimity in Abakaliki capital of Ebonyi State, alleged that apart from the said sum released by the governor, Francis Nwifuru to the commander to take care of the recruitment exercise and purchase of forms, but Igwe went ahead and collected another fifteen thousand naira each from the 2600 persons, amounting to 39 million naira.

    It was gathered that the commander, Igwe also collected another fourteen thousand five hundred naira each from another six hundred persons, totaling about eight million seven hundred thousand.

    Investigation revealed that the state commander, Igwe has gapped a total of eight nine million naira, that is currently  domicile in his first Bank and FCMB personal account.

    it was further gathered that the commander, Igwe has been allegedly extorting money from old members in the name of giving them ranks.

    The source, equally accused the commander, Igwe of using part of the money to build houses and bought a Camry car for himself, and called on the state government and security agencies to arrest Igwe and prosecute him for indulging in fraudulent activities.

    In swift reaction, the commander, Igwe denied the allegations, saying that his accusers are jobless people, who approached him to lend them money from the money released for the recruitment exercise by the governor Francis Nwifuru, but he refused, and they decided to be going about writing petitions against him in other to tarnish his hard earned image.

    He said that he used the money to procured the forms from the national secretariat of NFSSS, “I was on 8th February 2024, by His Grace, the governor Francis Nwifuru approved the request I made to help improve our numerical strength like other states.

    “We are not up to four hundred members, we cried to the governor, Francis Nwifuru to help us recruit and get forms for people to cue into the recruitment exercise. He paid for 2600 forms for new members and additional 299 for old members who have not paid for the forms.

    “The money was released, which is N41 million. The money was paid to our state account, and later disbursed as directed. You know in the paramilitary, you must obey the last order. This money was meant for procurement of forms, apart from that, there are other things involved to give you the expected result. 

    “I did not collect any money for forms, because governor has already paid for it. The money they are alleging is N15,300 for medical fitness.

    Igwe revealed that he was summoned by the department of state security, DSS, and the police, and has narrated to them the true situation of things in the recruitment exercise of the Nigerian hunters and forest security service, NHFSS, in Ebonyi state.

  • Uwazuruike warns Southeast Govs, Senators to stop politicizing Kanu’s release 

    Uwazuruike warns Southeast Govs, Senators to stop politicizing Kanu’s release 

    By Cyprian Ebele Onitsha

    The founder and leader of Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, Sunday, warned Southeast governors and Senators to stop politicizing the release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    Sounding the note of warning,  Uwazuruike in a viral video faulted the way the Governors and  Senators from South East region are politicizing Kanu’s  release.

    Uwazuruike who fired at the politicians said that even President Bola Ahmed  Tinubu as the Nigeria’s President does not have the absolute powers to order Kanu’s immediate release without seeking  the advice from the National Security Adviser, NSA.

    In a statement signed  and made available to newsmen by the group’s Director of information, Mazi Chris Mocha, Uwazuruike said, “It is not the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, who is a  government lawyer or the President  who is the Commander -in -Chief  of the Armed Forces is holding Kanu  but the Security Chiefs.”

    According to him, rather than meet the Service Chiefs including the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Chief  of Naval Staff,  Chief of Air  Staff and Chief of  Defence  Staff,  CDS, Uwazuruike faulted the approach being taken by the  Governors and Senators from the zone. 

    He advised the Governors from the South East region to meet the NSA with convincing security report on why Kanu needs to be freed , stressing that once this is done, the IPOB leader would certainly be released the next day”, Uwazuruike counselled.

    He stated that rather than meeting the National Security Adviser, NSA, who usually advises the Pesident based on his available security report from South East, the Governors and Senators were busy hobnobbing in Abuja taking photographs and claiming to be  working for his possible release without following the proper procedures.

  • Ebonyi govt. announces Completion of airport runway, set to float 4 aircrafts

    Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

    Ebonyi State government led by governor Francis Nwifuru on Friday revealed it’s preparedness to float four aircrafts for operation in the Chuba Okadigbo international airport, located at Ezza South LGA, Onueke.

    “Permit me to announce to you that the governor, Francis Nwifuru, is very passionate about bringing in our own flight. And we are launching four at a time and when it comes, everybody will hear it. The governor wants to make this airport the economic hub of the southeast region.

    The commissioner for Aviation and transport technology, Mrs Ngozi Obichukwu, equally announced the completion of the Chuba Okadigbo international airport runway rehabilitation.

    She made this known while speaking with newsmen during the inspection of work done at the airport runway and that of the control tower that is near ninety percent completion.

    Obichukwu also revealed the committed efforts of the state governor, Francis Nwifuru, to establish aeronautical University in the airport, “when the flights start coming in, we have investors that are ready to give us extra three flights. We have already entered into agreement with them, and very soon it will start happening.

    “We will soon start floating our aircrafts, and let me announce to you that, in this particular area now, we are constructing quarters for all the staff of the ministry of Aviation and transport technology. 

    “As you were coming into the airport, by the right, you saw a very large cleared land, we are building the aeronautic University there. We already have investors who want to help us.

    “We also have the hangers and you know, not all the states that have an airport have hangers. Other states can bring their aircraft and we will repair it for them here in Chuba Okadigbo international airport, Ebonyi state. Indeed, Chuba Okadigbo is a real international airport, and we have everything needed here.

    “There are three major projects that I told you we have investors, and they are already here, writing an agreement with us. 

    For the first time in Ebonyi state; we have airport law and gazetting, which is very important. The issue of handing over the airport to the federal government, and when that is done, it will bring greater economic development to the state.

    “And lastly, the next project that is paramount in our mind, is how to bring electricity into the airport. Right now, we don’t have any source of power, but the governor, Francis Nwifuru has graciously constructed a mobi-trans road that will help TCN to come in and install electricity in the airport” she stated.

  • Ex- Kogi CAN boss, Ibenu tasks Churches to rise against hardships, challenges 

    Ex- Kogi CAN boss, Ibenu tasks Churches to rise against hardships, challenges 

    By Odimayo Olatunde Fredrick, Kogi 

    The immediate past Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) Kogi State chapter Bishop John Ibenu, has tasked Christians to be prayerful, focused and spiritual to enable them overcome the current world challenges.

    Bishop Ibenu who is the General Overseer, Chapel of Freedom International Churches Lokoja, said that the current challenges faced by the world, is an opportunity for the church to rise.

    The general overseer who stated this in his welcome address at the 32nd anniversary of his ministry, noted that the church needs to rise and shine with the light of God’s word, power and holy spirit. 

    The theme for the anniversary is “Jesus Revolution and Endless Opportunities”, it’s time to teach principalities and powers, the manifold wisdom of God.

    The clergy assured participants that the 2024 convention with a four-fold package will birth a new revolution in the lives of participants. 

    The packages he added include; “The purpose driven life, The pathway to wealth creation (overcoming the spirit of poverty), the Revelation of Jesus, The church and end time and The Jesus Revolution: empowered to change the world for the better.”

    He called on the congregation to be expectant, desirous, focused, prayerful, spiritual and be vigilant throughout the convention. 

    “This year’s convention is specifically for your sake. You will not remain the same. All your expectations will be granted and God will give you a testimony that the following generations will read and be encouraged.”

    The 2024 Anniversary which commenced from July 1st to 7th 2024, he said, will open doors of blessings for all.

    Prominent personalities within and outside Nigeria who graced this year’s occasion are; Rev Pita Momoh from Namibia, Bishop Titus Sithole from South Africa, Apostle Lawrence Achudume from Abeokuta and Bishop Jerry Gbakara from Warri. Others are; Rev Arome Adah, Rev Arome Adah, Rev. Arome Tokula and Bishop Steve Balogun.

  • Gov. Mbah Signs 4 Bills into Law. vows to Checkmate Land Grabbing, Open Grazing in Ebnugu 

    From Chinelo Kodilichukwu Enugu

    The governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has signed four bills into law, saying they were part of his administration’s effort to make the state the number one in Ease of Doing Business and preferred destination for investment, business, tourism, and living.

    It includes: the Enugu State Properties Protection Law, aimed at checkmating the activities of land grabbers;  Enugu State Ranch Management Law to stem the tide of open grazing and attract both local and foreign investment in the livestock industry;

    And the last, is the Enugu State Sports Development Fund Law to reposition the sports sector as a major source of economic growth and the Enugu State Environmental, and Climate Protection Law.

    Mbah who addressed the citizens of the state during the programme said that with the laws, the days of land-grabbing and open-grazing were numbered.

    “We frown at land grabbers, people who go out there to grab land even when they do not have any title to that land. Essentially, this law is designed to penalyse such acts. This is a big warning to those people who engage in going to empty plots of land  to grab them. Under the new law, there are severe and strict punishments that await people who get themselves involved in such acts”, he said.

    He also regretted the total misunderstanding of the Ranch Management Agency Law, saying that with the law now in place, people were now expected to rear cows in a civilised manner.

    “This law, I believe, has been misunderstood and misinterpreted. We had some time been accused of surreptitiously trying to introduce something beyond just ranching. However, we have to put an end to the idea of having cattle graze openly and then creating friction between our farmers and herders. Our objective here is to ensure that it ends.

    “In the 21st Century, there is no reason why we should encourage the open grazing of cattle. So, this law is essentially designed to ensure that people act in a civilised manner. We are going to ensure that we have enough services, create a slaughterhouse and proper cattle market, not where people will come and live.”

    Governor Mbah further explained that the Enugu State Sports Development Fund Law would assist the state to “build capacity, nurture talents from the grassroots, encourage school sports, and essentially develop our sports sector.“

    “We see sports not just as recreation. We see it as a veritable sector by means of which we can encourage business. And the bill that is signed into law today is going to help us accomplish it,” the governor concluded.

    He commended the State Assembly for expeditiously passing the various executive bills initiated by his administration, saying such partnership was the beauty of democracy.

    In his remarks earlier, the Speaker, Hon. Ugwu, expressed happiness that the bills signed into law would better the lives of the people of Enugu State, saying the House would continue to partner with the executive for the common good.

    The Nations News Nigeria reports that the speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Uchenna Ugwu and the Clerk of the State Assembly, Emma Udaya, among other senior government functionaries were present during the signing of the bills into law.

  • IPOB vows to publish names of Igbo politicians frustrating release of Nnamdi Kanu

    IPOB vows to publish names of Igbo politicians frustrating release of Nnamdi Kanu

    By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) has vowed to publish names of some Igbo politicians and others frustrating the effort to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu whom the Appeal Court reportedly discharged and acquitted on 13th October 2022.

    The leadership of the group made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful on Wednesday.

    The group revealed that some igbo politicians visited Abia State Governor, Chief Alex Otti, to persuade him not to support the quest for the release of  Kanu from DSS detention. 

    “We wish to inform those criminal elements working against the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to beware because we know of their secret meetings and discussions against Nnamdi Kanu. If they continue with their sabotage, their names will be made public soon. Also, some of the political jobbers in the South East Region working against the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should know that we are following the activities closely. 

    “The unscrupulous individuals hold secret meetings with South East Governors to frustrate the clarion call of the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who incidentally is the only political prisoner in Nigeria currently.  We warn those sabotaging the unconditional release of our leader to stop provoking IPOB. The saboteurs should know that nothing happens in the South East Region without IPOB getting the intel ahead of time.

    ” Those Igbos involved in this dastardly act to frustrate the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu should retrace their steps quickly.

    IPOB-ESN is not begging them to stop, but they should be ready for the consequences of their oppositional actions.  

    “The IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has not committed any crime known to law internationally or locally. He is being detained illegally for more than 3 years by the Nigerian government after he was ‘kidnapped’ in Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria in violation of international extradition laws. 

    “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s continuous detention is a gross violation of Appeal Court judgment and  a slap on Ndigbo’s face as a race. 

    IPOB understands that the Nigeria government has no case against Mazi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu. He must be released unconditionally according to the judgment of the Appeal Court. 

    “The continuous illegal detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is discrimination against Ndigbo. The Nigerian government has dropped cases and charges against political prisoners from other ethnic groups but kept only Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in their detention because he is an Igbo man. 

    “Does it not mean that Ndigbo mean nothing in Nigeria. The unscrupulous politicians from the South Eastern Region  sabotaging the release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu are also not regarded. 

    “The unscrupulous Igbo persons working against the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu are not only working against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu but also sabotaging Ndigbo as a whole,” the group stated.