The South East Governor’s forum has resolved to interface with the federal government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The S-East governors forum made this known to newsmen shortly after in a closed door meeting in Enugu state.
The governors in a communique read by the Chairman of the forum and the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma said the forum is determined to interfere with President Tinubu’s administration to ensure that Nnamdi KANU is released from detention.
According to him: “The Forum commiserated with the Government and people of Abia State, Ebonyi State, Imo State, South East, Nigeria and Chief Ogbonnaya Onu’s Family on the demise of His Excellency, Ogbonnaya Onu.
“The Forum received the delegation of the Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, GCON and His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe CFR, Obi of Onitsha who came on a solidarity visit to the Forum.
“The Forum deliberated on the reviewed report of the South East Security and economic Summit held in Owerri on the 28th September, 2023 and agreed to implement the aspects of the report pertaining to security and economic integration and affirmed its desire to put actionable plans on the key issues agreed.
“The Forum resolved to visit Mr. President to discuss pressing issues concerning the SouthEast Region.
“The Forum also resolved to interface with the Federal Government to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu” he stated.
The governor of Cross River state, Bassey Otu has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his directives to commence work on the Calabar axis of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
He also commended president Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the gracious approval for the construction of Calabar- Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway as major signature projects of his ‘Renewed Hope Administration.’
The governor made this known in a statement dated 1st July, 2024 and issued to newsmen in calabar, said “Section 3A of the Project traverses 11 communities in cross river state with a total length of 38KM and is grateful that 92KM from the Calabar- Ebonyi-Benue-Kogi-Nasarawa-Abuja Superhighway falls within Cross River State.”
Otu stated that the two super projects will greatly improve the connectivity and accessibility of the region, boosting economic activities and enhancing the quality of life for citizens and, above all, reform the economy for inclusive growth, enhance agriculture, transportation and governance for effective service delivery, which he maintained, are the tenets of the ‘Renewed Hope’ policies and programmes.
“Your commitment to infrastructure development is laudable, and we are grateful for the positive impact it is going to have on our communities. I am glad that despite the difficulties of all kinds on all fronts, Nigeria remains characterized by its great capacity for resilience”.
“I most profoundly felicitate Your Excellency for your administration’s interventions in the critical sectors of the economy. Thank you for your dedication to nation-building. Please accept, Your Excellency, my highest regards and that of the good people of Cross River State,” the governor concluded”.
Recall that on Sunday, June 30, the Minister of Works was in Calabar for a stakeholder engagement, where he informed Cross Riverians and other stakeholders that work on the Calabar axis of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will begin in August.
Some cocoa farmers operating in Etung local government area under the aegis of Njor and Cocoa Allottees, led by Mr. Asu Njor, has raised the alarm over what they described as used of unknown soldiers to harass and intimidate cocoa allottees and their workers at Abonita government cocoa estate in Etung local government area in Cross River State.
The group requested for thorough investigation on the legality of five soldiers providing security to one Mr. Mbu Liku ( also a Cocoa farmer), in the estate.
The group raised the alarm while answering questions from Journalists on the allegation Tuesday in Càlabar.
The aggrieved farmers asked the military authority in Cross River to caution her personnel, not to allow themselves to be used by civilian elements to intimidate and harass fellow farmers having boundary disputes with their neighbours.
“Despite warning from three different courts in Etung , Odukpani and Appeal court Càlabar that Mbu Liku should steer clear from the cocoa plots which had been in contention with the Cross River State government, unfortunately Liku has refused to heed.
in suit No: HM/73/2020, HC/MSC/24/204, and CA/C/117/2023, pending at the Cross River State High Court Odukpani and the Appeal court Càlabar, the court had ordered Mbu Liku to desist forthwith from entering the cocoa farm in government owned cocoa estate, pending when the matter will be determined by the court unfortunately Liku would not listen.”.
Njor who spoke on behalf of the aggrieved persons stressed that he is surprised that a mere civilian can resort to use of soldiers to intimidate other allottees even as the matter is in court.
“I urged the military authority not to allow people to use their personnel to intimidate cocoa allottees at the Abonita cocoa estate.
“When a matter is in Court ,we expect both parties to allow the court to decide rather than resort to the use of unknown soldiers to intimidate people”.
“Some soldiers were seen in the estate on Saturday when everybody was busy with environmental sanitation”.
“Some of my boys who went early to continue with the spraying of black pods chemicals in plot 77(Block 7B) actually saw three armed soldiers in company of one Mr. Mbu Liku, his wife, and one Mr. Abolika of course my boys took to their heels for fear of harassment”.
“The unknown soldiers were parading the area legitimately allocated to us by the state government at Abonita cocoa estate”.
“This is not the first timethey are doing that to me. some time ago, my workers and I were chased out by this same group of individual”.
“Luckily this time around, we sighted them first going round our farm, of course we knew that if we didn’t take cover, we might be hurt.So we took cover”.
“Mbu usually does that whenever he knows cocoa has gotten to a period when harvesting is nearer.He uses soldiers to chase my workers and i and to enable him harvest the fruits of our labour, reaping the sweat of our labour”.
“Nobody is above the law.The military should re-direct their efforts in the protection of the common man instead of allowing themselves to be used against law-abiding citizens like me in civil matters”. “I do not think that there is war at Abonita Cocoa estate ro warrant military men coming to chase workers away”.
“That we have trouble with an individual who has a brother in the army does not mean we are lesser individuals. Of Course we were all Nigerians”.
Reacting to the allegations in a telephone conversation, Mr. Mbu Liku denied any involvement in the use of soldiers to intimidate anyone, claiming the allegations were false.
Also speaking on the issue, Army Public Relations Officer PRO 13 Brigade Akim Barracks Càlabar, Cross River State, Capt. Jemila Jimoh, denied drafting any to accompany Mbu Liku to intimate and harass cocoa allottees at Abonita Cocoa estate.
The army PRO said, “Let the person come to us so that we can identify the soldiers.She maintained
An Anambra based business mogul, Nduka Chika Chibueze, on Tuesday called on the financial institutions in Nigeria to ensure immediate naira stabilization and value restoration.
Chibueze said that his business was in shambles due to the depreciating value of the naira and however, applauded the monetary policy of Charles Chukwuma Soludo when he was the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
He made this known while interacting with journalists in Onitcha, Anambra state on Tuesday.
The business mogul, Chibueze however applauded the governor of Anambra state, Charles Soludo for the good financial policies he took when he was the CBN governor.
According to him: “He made me what I am today with his financial policy as CBN Governor. He is a testimony to my life. I am supposed to pay my tithe to him for stabilizing the naira and bringing me to the height I am today in business.
“It was then that I started going to China. A lot of traders in Onitsha, especially importers, were made by Soludo through his financial policy. Soludo is for development, I am not saying this because he is the incumbent governor of Anambra State but I am referring to his past achievements to the nation of which Igbo benefited more because they are into business of trade and commerce.
Chibueze who is the coordinator, Soludo Support Group, all support groups in Anaocha Local Government Area and Public Relations Officer, PRO, in Anaocha, lamented that some people in the state may not know what Soludo can do but urged them to cast their mind back to what he did when he was the CBN governor.
“We are supposed to support Soludo for what he has done to the Igbo nation when he was in the Central bank of Nigeria, CBN, as governor, his financial policy helped a lot to stabilize the naira.
“What the people of Anambra state are seeing as achievements by the governor in two years is just a tip of the iceberg of what he will achieve in four years. These achievements are there for all to see, it is not an issue of campaigning for votes but are there for all to see,” he stated.
“He focuses on youth development for self-reliance, roads are being scattered all over the state, free health treatment for pregnant mothers, free education up to JSS, sack of touts who terrorize us, water tight security, among others,” Chibueze stated
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down about 100 shops in Ogbete Main Market, Enugu for alleged dealing in suspected fake alcoholic beverages.
The agency also confiscated a truckload of adulterated products as well as effected the arrest of four suspected traders in the process of a well-coordinated raid.
Speaking after the raid and arrest, NAFDAC’s Director South-East Zone, Pharm Martins Iluyomade, said on Monday that the suspects were already in custody and would be charged to court after ongoing investigation.
He noted that the raid was in furtherance to NAFDAC’s mandate to safeguard the health of the nation and rid the South-East of unwholesome, substandard, fake and adulterated products.
“We stormed the popular Ogbete Main Market, Enugu in Enugu State since Friday and have shut down 100 shops which have been identified for selling fake alcoholic beverages.
“Arrests were made and the suspects are currently in custody.
“This fake wine and alcoholic beverages are being sold to unsuspected customers and the general public but we are determined to rid the market of these unwholesome products, ” he said.
The NAFDAC Zonal boss said the intensive operation was with active collaboration with the Police, Department of State Services and the Nigerian Army which deployed their personnel for the purpose of the well-coordinated raid.
In its bid to ensure safety of lives and wares in markets in Anambra State, the State House of Assembly through its Committee on Commerce, Trade and Industry, has presented a new law termed, “Market Safety and Protection Law, 2024,” to traders in the state.
Presenting the new law to the traders through their umbrella body, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, headed by their President General, Humphrey Anuna, at the ASMATA secretariat in Onitsha, the House committee chairman, Innocent Ojike, said it would give a proper protection to the markets in the state.
According to him the law which comes into force on the 27th day of June, 2024, allows each market to ensure the implementation of the contents of the new law within six months.
The contents include, establishment of a standby water supply outlet of a minimum 5000 liters to fight fire outbreaks, ensure strategic places are installed with solar powered CCTV cameras with 24 hours internet access and dedicated staff to monitor all activities in the market and CCTV data backups must be for at least one year interval before deleting.
Others are, Installation of industrial fire extinguisher in strategic places, ensure clear and free access to all boreholes and fire hydrants in the market, and easy and free access to roads into and within the market, ensure operational boreholes in their markets, and establishment of a taskforce whose duties is to ensure that the activities going-on in the market are not causing road obstructions.
Also every market shall establish a taskforce to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of this law and every market shall ensure a muster point.
For the purpose of easy execution market leaders established within the market will raise funds where necessary through levies/contributions known as “safety levy” from Traders and or Shop Owners and the levies shall be accounted for to the market union and report sent to the Ministry.
The law warned that any market that falls to adhere to the provisions of this Law within six months of its enactment shall be issued a Notice of Contravention by the Ministry stipulating the various provisions of this Law which were violated otherwise sub- section “b” shall apply.
It added that if after another three months of non compliance, the State Government shall close the market indefinitely which shall only be re-opened for business upon full compliance plus a fine of ₩500,000.
“Any trader, group or association that fails to comply with the provisions of this Law shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable upon conviction for a term of two months Imprisonment or a fine of ₩100,000 for an individual, N1,000,000 for group or both,” it further stated.
Commending the lawmakers, the ASMATA PG said that the law was made for the interest of traders adding that it is a welcome development and urged the lawmakers to look into extension of trading hours to about 11 pm daily to cover up wasted Mondays caused by sit- at-home exercise.
The ASMATA PG also stressed the need for enactment of a law against sale of inflammable materials in markets as means of curbing fire outbreaks in markets.
Speaking, the Main Market chairman, Ezeoha Ezennia, lauded the lawmakers for their efforts in moving the markets and entire state forward adding that Governor Soludo has made the state better than he met it and urged the traders not to relent in giving him maximum support.
He disclosed that early arrangements on water supply to the market assisted in quenching on two occasions fire outbreaks in his market even as fire extinguishers were installed in every line in the market.
The chairman of Ogbaru Relief (Main)market, Ndubuisi Ochiogu, in his speech disclosed that he installed 300 fire extinguishers and 300 solar lights in his market while the chairman of Iron rod Dealers Atani, Evaristus Ejezie, said that he installed solar lights in his market.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has reappointed Prof. Usman Ogbo as the rector of Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja.
The Director, Public Relations and Protocol of the institution Mrs Uredo Omale disclosed this in a statement on Monday..
It was learnt that Prof. Ogbo was appointed for a second term in office.
The statement reads in part: “The re-apportionment was due to his superlative performance as Rector of the institution over the last four years.
“The Rector thanked His Excellency, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for acknowledging his modest contributions to the growth of the institution.
“He also appreciated the immediate past Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, for bringing him on board as Acting Rector after which the appointment was confirmed in 2021.
“The Rector also thanked the Governing Council, Academic Board, Management, staff and students of the institution for the invaluable support that assisted in the transformation of Polytechnic this far”.
The statement quoted the Rector as having vowed to put in much more effort in his second term to strengthen the positive visibility of the institution.
It would be recalled that since coming on board as Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Usman has radically transformed the institution as reflected in massive infrastructure improvement, security of lives and properties, full accreditation of programmes stagnated for years, administrative reforms, restoration of discipline, general quality assurance, amongst others.
The Federal Government has given construction giant, Julius Berger 7days notice to return to site or risks termination of contract on calabar/ Itu road project
The Minister of works, David Umahi gave the order in calabar during the Stakeholders engagement meeting on the alignment of section 3A of Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
The Minister who was displeased with the attitude of some contractors handling the road project said that the Federal Government will no longer pay variation of price (VOP) maintaining that it is a fraud by contractors
“we are very sad that Julius Berger abandoned site without notifying us, which is a bridge of contract, we have issued them 7 days notice to return to site according to the law and if they don’t come back, we will issue 14 days termination of contract notice”, he stated
He commended SAMATEX construction for the kind of job the are doing in Calabar/ Itu Highway especially the concrete road, noting that out of all the companies that are handling the road project there, it is only SAMATEX that have worked according to specification, promising that they would encourage the company
On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Minister presented and discussed the proposed alignment for the construction of the section 3A which is partly Akwa Ibom and partly Cross river state
He warned people not to build on the corridors that have been exposed for the project so that they will be compensated, maintaining that the Government will not pay such compensation to any body or group of people.
The Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, LP, in the last 2023 general election, Peter Obi at the weekend insisted that Nigeria is only suffering from leadership failure.
He said that Nigeria is a country blessed with rich in human and natural resources but encountering huge setbacks due to the endemic leadership failure.
Obi who made this known shortly after delivering a lecture at the college students graduation in River state, tasked leaders to invest in education.
According to him: “Nigeria remains a blessed country, rich in human and natural resources, but only suffering from leadership failure.
“We, therefore, look forward to young ones like the graduating students, to leverage their education in learning and character to cause a positive transformation of the nation.
“I thank the Management and Staff of the College for maintaining an admirable standard of education which was evident in their last UTME results, where 85 out of 89 candidates scored over 300 in the exam.
“Through our support and investment in education, we will build a New Nigeria that will work for all” he stressed.
The former gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, in Ebonyi state, Prof. Benard Odoh has applauded President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Prof. Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, (RMRDC).
Odoh made this known in a statement signed and issued to newsmen on Saturday, in Abakaliki, capital of Ebonyi State.
He noted that the appointment of Ike-Muonso – an Economic maestro is a strategic and informed decision that is deeply rooted in the consideration of the intricate interplay of global raw materials economics and supply chain dynamics that can boost national economic growth.
The statement reads in part: “As the driver of the research council, there’s no doubt that Ike-Muonso’s background as a professor of economics equips him with the analytical prowess necessary to navigate the complexities of global raw materials markets.
“Understanding the economics of supply and demand, pricing mechanisms, and the macroeconomic impacts of raw materials is crucial for effective leadership at the RMRDC.
“His expertise would ensure that the council can make data-driven decisions that align with both global trends and national interests.”
Odoh, the former secretary to Ebonyi state government noted further that: “The global energy sector is currently facing significant supply chain challenges, particularly with critical raw materials like nickel, lithium, and rare earth elements. These materials are essential for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles, with demand outstripping supply and causing market volatility.
“The global supply chain for critical raw materials is strained by geopolitical tensions, environmental regulations, and logistical challenges. Prof. Ike-Muonso’s strategic management skills are essential for addressing these gaps.
“His experience in economic policy and strategic planning will enable the RMRDC to develop robust frameworks for securing raw materials, fostering domestic production, and minimizing dependency on volatile international markets.”
He added that: “Innovation in raw materials processing and utilization is key to staying competitive in the global market. Prof. Ike-Muonso’s academic background includes significant contributions to research and innovation. Under his leadership, the RMRDC can prioritize technological advancements and partnerships that enhance Nigeria’s capacity to produce and process raw materials more efficiently and sustainably.
Odoh said hence raw materials are fundamental to Nigeria’s economic development as they serve as the backbone for various industries, driving innovation and contributing significantly to GDP growth, “the council by leveraging Prof. Ike-Muonso’s economic expertise can better align its research and development efforts with national economic goals and interests” he stated
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