TheNewsGuru

Tag: Abia State

  • Abia, Kwara welcome New Year babies

    Abia, Kwara welcome New Year babies

    The wife of the Kwara State Governor, Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq, on Wednesday in Ilorin, welcomed three babies into the New Year 2025.

    Abdulrazaq, who was represented by the Commissioner for Women Affairs in the state, Mrs Opeyemi Afolashade, visited the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (KWASUTH) in Ilorin.

    She was there to celebrate the arrival of the New Year babies and to share in the joy of their parents.

    She emphasised that the state government, under the leadership of Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, was passionate about the care and well-being of children.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, noted that welcoming New Year babies was a yearly tradition for the Governor’s wife, as every newborn was considered precious, particularly at the start of a new year.

    El-Imam added that Kwara was one of the best places to be born, due to the Governor’s commitment to the welfare of the state’s citizens.

    She reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to improving healthcare delivery in Kwara.

    The the entourage was guided around the ward where the babies were born by the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Council at KWASUTH, Dr Idowu Ogunlaja.

    The first baby was born at 3:25 a.m., weighing 4.1 kilogrammes; the second at 3:50 a.m., weighing 3.1 kilogrammes; and the third at 10:16 a.m., weighing 3.4 kilogrammes.

    The babies were presented with gifts by the Governor’s wife.

    In response to the kind gesture, one of the parents, Abdullahi Olaoye, who spoke on behalf of the families, expressed gratitude to Abdulrazaq for her kindness.

    Olaoye prayed for continued blessings and support for both the Governor’s wife and the state government.

    Otti’s wife welcomes first baby in Abia

    Similarly, the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, on Wednesday welcomed the first baby of 2025 at the Aba South Ward Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC).

    A baby boy, Chiudo Favour, was born to Mrs Comfort Favour at exactly 12:08 a.m. on New Year’s Day, weighing 3.5 kilogrammes.

    Otti also welcomed three other babies born at the facility between 12:10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

    Otti presented gifts, including post-natal care products, nutritional supplies, and cash gifts, to Chiudo and the other babies born on New Year’s Day.

    She expressed her joy, calling the birth of a baby a miracle and a wonderful testimony.

    Otti emphasised that the baby’s birth at a Primary Healthcare Centre demonstrated the success of the government’s healthcare interventions.

    “I am really happy that this is happening at a Primary Healthcare Centre because our goal is to reduce maternal mortality, which is very important.

    “The government is determined to ensure that all maternal and child mortality indices will be reduced in Abia.”

    She urged the mother of the newborn to prioritise good nutrition and practice exclusive breastfeeding for the health of her baby.

    Otti also prayed for the child’s future success and hoped he would be a blessing to both his family and society.

    Prof. Enoch Uche, the Commissioner for Health, also spoke, noting that the event highlighted the efficiency of state-owned hospitals and primary healthcare centres.

    “The visit to the babies born in the health centre is symbolic and shows that the award won by Abia is not a fluke.

    “It also shows that we are working actively to deliver live babies in our health facilities,” Uche said.

    He lauded the ongoing renovation of more than 200 PHCs in the state as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to provide quality healthcare services.

    The Chairman of Aba South Local Government Area, Mr Obilor Anyanwu, also stated that the birth of the first baby of the year symbolised the blessings of 2025.

    He added that the number of births at the health centre had increased, with 144 babies born in 2023 and 110 babies in 2024, showing the impact of the government’s commitment to improving healthcare access.

    Favour, the mother of the first baby, expressed her gratitude to the Governor’s wife for her kind gesture and prayed for God’s blessings upon her.

    Otti later visited the Federal Medical Centre in Umuahia, where she also welcomed New Year’s Day babies with gift items.

  • NAFDAC shuts popular Abia market, destroys goods worth N5bn

    NAFDAC shuts popular Abia market, destroys goods worth N5bn

    The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops at Eziukwu Market in Abia State, over fake and expired products worth N5 billion.

    The agency disclosed this in a statement on its X handle (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

    NAFDAC said the shops were shut during a two-day operation on Dec. 16 and Dec. 17, while products valued at N5billion were destroyed at the market.

    The Director of South-East Zone, Dr. Martins Iluyomade expressed dismay at the continued illegal activities, in spite of a previous undertaking signed by market leaders in December, 2023 to expose counterfeiters.

    According to the statement, Iluyomade described the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products.

    “Our team uncovered a large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils.

    “Revalidated food items such as milk, yoghurt, noodles among others were also destroyed,” the director said.

    It reaffirms NAFDAC zero tolerance for such practices and emphasised its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health while working toward a permanent solution to the problem of counterfeit in the market.

  • Abia airstrip project upgraded to international cargo airport

    Abia airstrip project upgraded to international cargo airport

    Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, on Tuesday, performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the Abia Airport project.

    In a speech at the event held at Ubaha-Nsulu in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area, Keyamo said that the project was upgraded from an airstrip to an international cargo airport.

    He described the airport as a presidential initiative because President Bola Tinubu instructed that no part of the country, particularly the South-East, should be left out of aviation development.

    Keyamo said that the president specifically requested an airstrip for Abia State in the 2024 Budget due to his affection for the state and its governor.

    He also said that Abia Government expressed willingness to partner with the Federal Government through counterpart funding to upgrade the project to an international cargo airport.

    The minister highlighted the economic importance of Abia in the country’s industrial ecosystem.

    He said that the state is considered the industrial hub of the South-East, producing many “Made in Nigeria” goods.

    Keyamo further said that siting a cargo airport in the state would allow goods to be processed and exported directly, boosting logistics and economic activity.

    He said that the airport would primarily focus on cargo operations to support industrialisation and trade in Abia and the South-East.

    Keyamo said that an airport stands as an enabler that generates economic activities, and its construction should not be dependent on existing commercial demand.

    He said that airports play a key role in enhancing connectivity and response to emergencies and Abia being excluded from the aviation ecosystem was deemed unacceptable.

    He directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to prioritise employment for people in Nsulu, where the airport will be located, to give them a sense of belonging.

    He said that funds were allocated in the 2024 budget to commence clearing and development.

    Keyamo also said that the Deputy Speaker had promised prompt approval of subsequent funding in 2025.

    He said that the initiative underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable infrastructure development, regional economic integration, and industrial growth in Abia.

    In an address, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia said that the airport would accelerate the socioeconomic development of the state.

    Otti thanked the president for his  commitment to boost socioeconomic advancement of the zone.

    He said that the State Government had commenced preparation for the payment of compensation to genuine land owners.

    Otti also said that the project would be completed in 36 months and thanked everyone that  contributed to marking it a reality.

    The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu, expressed confidence that the project would be completed in record time because “Abia is blessed with a governor that understands the importance of synergistic partnership”.

    Kalu said that he would work assiduously to ensure that any fund appropriated for the project received speedy approval by the House.

    “The people with me here are members of the House from different parts of the country.

    “We are promising Abia people that when the budget comes we will look out for the budget that is  going to benefit Abia Airport and we will approve it,” he said.

    Also, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, expressed the determination of the president to deliver the dividend of democracy to the citizens.

    Onyejeocha said that the people of Abia stood to gain enormous economic benefits from the siting of an airport in the state.

    The lawmaker representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, thanked the president for the resolve to build an airport in Abia.

    Onwusibe said the project would contribute greatly to the achievement of critical infrastructure development in the area.

    In a remark, the Chairman of Board of Trustees, Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Adolphus Wabara, expressed delight over the fact that “an airport would be built in Abia in our lifetime”.

    Wabara also expressed delight over the upgrade of the project from an airstrip to an international airport, where Boeing 737 aircrafts would land.

    The Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, described the project as a foundation for the future of economic growth and progress in Abia.

    Ukaegbu said that the vision of the airport aligned with the government’s commitment to position Abia as a key economic hub in Nigeria and  beyond.

    In separate speeches, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, and the Airport Project Coordinator, Mr Okorougo Aji, said that 1,325.86 hectares of land were acquired from nine Nsulu Communities for the project.

    They said that Abia Government was working assiduously to ensure that compensation was paid to all those whose land made up the project space.

    They also said that Nsulu was chosen as the site for the airport because “all the analysis indicated that the place passed the requirements for an airport”.

    A prominent son of Nsulu, Chief Ncheta Omerekpe, thanked the Federal and State Governments for the decision to site an airport in the area.

    Omerekpe described the project as a welcome development and appealed to Abia Government to ensure that due compensation was paid to land owners.

    The event was attended by top government functionaries and prominent Nigerians from different walks of life. The project is being handled by Craneburg Construction Company.

  • Abia pensioners beg govt to clear gratuity

    Abia pensioners beg govt to clear gratuity

    The Concerned Abia Pensioners, a pressure group, have appealed to the State Government to begin the payment of arrears of gratuity in instalments.

    The Chairman of the group, Mr John Kalu, made the appeal on Monday during a briefing in Umuahia.

    Kalu urged the government to reconsider its stance on the payment of gratuity as agreed by the leadership of the Abia Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP).

    He said that although these arrears were not incurred by the present government, he urged the present administration to clear it the same way it paid salary arrears.

    Kalu also said that pensioners would not mind if the government cleared the arrears of gratuity in instalments.

    He said that the NUP did not carry pensioners along in the said agreement reached with the government and expressed the hope that the matter would be looked into again.

    Also, the Secretary of the association, Mr Stanley Ibekwe, thanked the government for regular payment of pension without any deductions.

    He apologised to Gov Alex Otti for the misrepresentations against his person and his administration by the leadership of NUP.

    Ibekwe said: “We appeal to the governor to please take a second look at the issue of gratuity and ensure that though these arrears were not incurred by his government.

    “We appeal to the governor to extend his compassionate intervention by clearing them like he has done on salary arrears, even if it is done instalmentally.

    “This is because, gratuity is the whole essence of the public service and nobody would think of losing his gratuity after 35 years of service or 60 years of age in the service”.

    The present administration had waived a percentage of Abia pensioners’  gratuity based on a Memorandum of Agreement it reportedly signed with the executive of NUP.

  • Gov Otti pledges to relocate Abia NYSC secretariat

    Gov Otti pledges to relocate Abia NYSC secretariat

    Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has pledged to relocate the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) state secretariat from its present location at Finbarrs Road, Umuahia, to a more conducive and befitting office environment.

    He disclosed this at the swearing-in ceremony of 2024 Batch ‘C’ Stream 1 Corps Members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Umunna, in Bende Local Government Area, on Friday.

    Otti, who was represented by the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr Obilor Ananaba, said that he had also approved the release of a 100 KVA generator for the NYSC camp.

    Though the governor did not disclose the new place for the secretariat, he said that he would stop at nothing to make the NYSC scheme in the state comfortable.

    While congratulating the corps members on their deployment, the governor said that his administration was poised to making their stay in the state, not only comfortable but remarkable.

    “As you can see for yourself, we are currently working to give this camp the needed facelift, to make it one of the best in the country.

    “Once your orientation exercise is done, full construction work will commence,” he said.

    Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs Gladys Adama, expressed gratitude to the governor for releasing funds to the Ministry of Lands and Housing for the rehabilitation of the orientation camp.

    Adama also thanked Otti for approving the release of a 100KVA generator for the NYSC camp, .as well as the installation of 40 solar-powered street lights in the camp.

    “May I at this juncture, like Oliver Twist, plead with Your Excellency, that you give instructions for the immediate release of the 100KVA generator earlier approved,” she said.

    The Chief Judge of Abia, Justice Lilian Abai, represented by Justice E.O Enwereji, administered the oath of allegiance on the 1,087 corps members posted to the state.

  • No part of Abia will be left to criminals – Official

    No part of Abia will be left to criminals – Official

    The Abia Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr Okey Kanu, has said that the state government  “will not yield any part of Abia State to criminals”.

    Kanu said this on Monday, during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, at the Government House, Umuahia.

    He said that the safety of lives and property in the state remained a top priority of the government.

    “The present administration will continue to take the security of lives and property in Abia very seriously.

    “Also, as the Yuletide season approaches, the state government wishes to assure citizens that it will stop at nothing to ensure that lives and property  are protected,” he said.

    Kanu also said that as part of the efforts made to tackle insecurity in Abia, the Nigerian Army has launched its operation code named “Udo Ka” in the state.

    He said that the operation would focus on ensuring that there would be peace as well as  security of lives and property in Abia, particularly during the Christmas season.

    “This means in the days and weeks ahead, the security agencies will be very visible around the state.

    “We are assuring the people of Abia that the security agents are out there for their own good and security.

    “All the government requires from the citizens is to cooperate with them and offer necessary information about security breaches, and movement of suspected criminals in the state,” Kanu said.

    On health, he said that going forward, all medical outreaches in Abia  must be approved by the Ministry of Health through its Commissioner.

    “It is an offence to offer such philanthropic public healthcare without the express approval of the Ministry through the Office of the Commissioner.

    “This is to forestall untoward consequences of unregulated medical outreaches that may hurt rather than heal nor help the citizens,” Kanu said.

    On Housing, the Commissioner said that the government had evolved a programme known as “Public Buildings Initiative”, specifically for rehabilitation of dilapidated public buildings.

    He said that the initiative would be a continuous exercise up until every abandoned public building in Abia wore a new look and became functional.

    “We are aware that there are lots of abandoned public buildings around the state.

    “There is a deliberate government policy to renovate and retrofit all those buildings and that started with the banquet hall within the Government House premises,” Kanu said.

  • After fatal attack, Abia rejigs security architecture

    After fatal attack, Abia rejigs security architecture

    Governor Alex Otti of Abia State says the State Government has taken pragmatic measures to rejig the state’s security architecture.

    Otti said this on Saturday, when he briefed newsmen at the end of a Security Council meeting held at Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area (LGA).

    The government’s measure is coming in the wake of November 13 fatal attack on troops of the Joint Task Force of the South East Operation Udo Ka in Ekeneobizi Coummunity of Umuahia South LGA.

    The gunmen shot and killed three soldiers during the attack. On Sunday the convoy of the lawmaker, representing Isiala Ngwa South and North Constituency, Chief Ginger Onwusibe, was ambushed by gunmen and a police officer killed.

    On Wednesday, a police checkpoint in Ohafia LGA was attacked by gunmen, and a police operative was killed, while two others were injured.

    The governor described the attacks and killing of security personnel in the state as unfortunate. He further said that positive and proactive approaches were being taken to address the security challenges in the state.

    He said, “I am happy that today we have resolved to rejig the security architecture of the state and be sure that things like this will be a thing of the past.”

    Otti commiserated with the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Police over the loss of their personnel.

    “As I settle down I’ll try and visit the families of the deceased, including the leaderships of the Nigerian Police and Nigerian Army in the state.

    “We have also agreed to double our efforts in the different areas where there are possibilities of attacks, particularly now that the Yuletide is here. We want to also reassure our people that we are more than competent to deal with the security challenges,” he said.

    Otti urged the people not to live in fear and assured them that the government would do everything possible to protect their lives and property.

    He also urged the people not to take the unfortunate attacks as what defines Abia. According to him, effective strategies would be applied in addressing the situation, accordingly.

    He said: “We have the commitment of the security agencies and everyone is going to double their efforts to ensure that the attacks did not happen again. We also have taken a decision to smoke all the criminals out, wherever they are hiding.

    “So, we want to give notice that, if you are a criminal and in Abia, whether you call yourself IPOB or ESN or bandits or kidnappers, this place will not be safe for you. So, that is the warning from us.”

  • Child rights law: Abia govt vows to punish erring parents

    Child rights law: Abia govt vows to punish erring parents

    The Abia Government has said that, effective from Jan. 1, 2025, it will make it a punishable offense for parents or guardians who fail to send their children or wards to school.

    The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Mr Okey Kanu, made this known on Monday during a press briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Umuahia.

    Kanu said that this initiative reflected the state’s commitment to ensuring that every child received a basic education, with free schooling available up to the end of junior secondary school in line with the 2006 Abia State Child Rights Law

    “There is no reason whatsoever why parents should not send their children to school.

    “The issue of indigency is no longer the reason for non acquisition of free and basic education in Abia State so as from the first of January 2025, when this policy will come into full effect, parents who default would be prosecuted under that law.

    “This course is part of the reforms that are ongoing in the educational sector,” he said.

    He said that the policy underscored the government’s stance that financial constraints should no longer be a barrier to education for any child in Abia.

    According to him, the initiative aligns with the ongoing reforms carried out by the government in the education sector.

    Kanu said that the present administration had introduced several key policies and initiatives to advance education, infrastructure, and workers  welfare.

    He further said that the relocation order by the government for the relocation of Umuahia campus of Abia State University back to its Uturu main campus remains firm.

    Kanu expressed the readiness of the government to  engage with affected stakeholders to address any concerns,and said  that the decision was made with the students’ and the institution’s best interests in mind.

    On the new minimum wage, he expressed the readiness of the government to dialogue with the organised labor to address any concerns around implementation of the new minimum wage.

    Kanu said that the present administration desired to ensure that transparency and mutual understanding existed between the government and labor unions.

    On infrastructure, he said the  government had approved contracts for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of nine roads across Abia’s three senatorial zones.

    Kanu said that the government had given directives for the immediate rehabilitation of the Osisioma flyover, which had started deteriorating two years after its commissioning by the previous administration.

    He reiterated the resolve of the present administration to deliver substantial infrastructure improvements.

  • JUST IN: 2 dead, 10 injured in Abia road crash

    JUST IN: 2 dead, 10 injured in Abia road crash

    Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Abia Sector Command, has confirmed the death of two persons, while 10 others were injured in a road traffic crash on Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway.

    The Sector Commander, Mrs Ngozi Ezeoma, disclosed in Umuahia on Monday that the crash occurred at the Ntigha junction axis of the expressway on Sunday at 5:02 p.m.

    Ezeoma said that the command was informed of the crash at approximately 5:07 p.m while the response team arrived at the scene within five minutes.

    She said that preliminary investigation suggested that the accident might have occurred due to burst tyre.

    Ezeoma said that FRSC Crash Investigation experts would further  analyse the crash to identify likely contributory factors.

    She said that the accident was a lone crash involving a green-coloured Toyota Hiace bus conveying 16 passengers, consisting of 15 male adults and one female adult from Enugu.

    Ezeoma said that the bus belonged to Church of Christ, quoting one of the uninjured victims as saying that they were coming from a crusade in Enugu.

    She said that of the 16 occupants of the bus, 10 were injured (one female adult and nine male adults).

    ”One of the accident victims died on the spot, while the other person was rushed to Central Medical Centre, Mbawsi, by FRSC officials where he later passed away.

    “This made the death toll to be two male adults, while the other accident victims were taken to FMC,” she said.

    The sector commander urged drivers to regularly check their tyres to ensure they were neither expired, worn-out, over-inflated, nor under-inflated.

    She sympathised with the injured victims and commiserated with the families of the deceased.

    Ezeoma restated the command’s determination to ensure safety on the roads and continually sensitise road users on the need to comply with road safety rules and regulations.

  • Gov Otti sets agenda for newly sworn in Abia LG Chairmen

    Gov Otti sets agenda for newly sworn in Abia LG Chairmen

    Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has sworn in 17 newly elected Local Government (LG) Chairmen, with a charge to sustain the State Government’s rebuilding agenda at the grassroot level.

    Otti, who gave the charge while speaking on Monday during the ceremony at Government House, Umuahia, urged the chairmen to evolve programmes that would yield measurable improvements in the living conditions of the people in the next six months.

    “We have since laid the marker at the State, my expectation is that you will run with the vision and continue the work of the socioeconomic transformation of Abia from your various LGAs.

    “As I had also said, your task is to solve the basic problems that have bedevilled our people in the various communities for ages.

    “Access to water, basic health and education services, effective maintenance of Trunk C roads and quick response to security threats in your local communities should rank very high in your order of priorities,” he said.

    Otti also expressed the readiness of the government to partner with the chairmen to drive their  coordinated development agenda for the betterment of the citizens.

    “It is imperative that we develop a framework of effective collaboration to be able to achieve improved outcomes especially in the areas of agriculture, security, road infrastructure, education and health,” he said.

    The governor charged the chairmen to strive to fulfill their campaign promises, because  “there can be no excuse for subpar performance”.

    He commended the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) for conducting a free and fair local government polls.

    Otti also commended the political parties and candidates that took part in the exercise for their show of sportsmanship, disposition to service and discipline to follow the rules.

    He said that successful conduct of the elections had given him a great sense of fulfilment because the elected officials would  drive socioeconomic development at the grassroot level.

    The governor advised the chairmen to adopt a culture of openness, firmness and responsiveness in the discharge of their duties.

    Responding on behalf of his colleagues, the Chairman of Isiukwuato Local Government Area, Mr Chinedu Ekeke, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the people of Abia.

    In an interview with newsmen, the Chairman of Isialangwa South LGA, Mr Nnadozie Nwaogwugwu, promised to align with the rebuilding agenda of the state government.

    Nwaogwugwu expressed his resolve to evolve programmes that would boost socioeconomic development in his LGA.

    The LG Chairmen include: Mr Iheanacho Wabara(Ugwunagbo), Chief Timothy Iheme(Aba North), Dr Anthony Nwaubani (Ikwuano), Mr Maxwell Nwadike(Obingwa),  Mr Smart Iheoma( Umuahia North) Mr Sunday Afuruobi (Umunneochi), and Mr Chidi Agu (Osisioma).

    Others are: Mr Innocent Uruakpa (Isialangwa North), Mr Eleanya Kalu(Ohafia), Mr Chibunna Akara(Ukwa East), Mr Dike Nwankwo(Ukwa West), Mr Uwabunkeonye Bassey(Bende), and Mr Okereke Ezearu(Arochukwu) Mr Chinedu Enweruzo(Umuahia South), and Mr Obilor Anyanwu(Aba South).

    The Governor also swore in the Deputy  Chairmen of the 17 LGAs in the state.