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Tag: Anambra

  • Real reason why I left APGA for Labour Party – Victor Umeh

    Chief Victor Umeh, the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has given reasons for defecting to the Labour Party.

    Umeh spoke at a press conference held at the Secretariat of the Anambra Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Awka.

    He said that he dumped APGA because of an alleged conspiracy against him by some party members in the state.

    Umeh emerged the LP candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District in the 2023 general elections, after leaving APGA.

    “During the last senatorial primary election, which I contested under APGA, it was glaring that some people within the party perfectly wheeled conspiracy to pull me down.
    “That was why I decided to leave APGA,” he said.

    He further said that he joined LP on the advice of the party’s Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi.

    He expressed delight over his movement to LP, saying that the decision had reunited him with Obi.

    He recalled how Obi and himself steered the ship of APGA to victory and opined that a similar fate was about to repeat itself in LP.

    “Nigerians from all shades of opinion want Peter Obi as president in 2023 and what is happening in LP is divine.

    “What is driving him are statements he makes on the management of the resources of the country.

    “These truly represent his conduct on the ways public resources should be managed,” Umeh said.

    He urged Obi’s supporters to ensure they obtained their permanent voter cards ahead of the elections to enable the country witness a progressive era.

    He commended the leadership of Anambra NUJ “for providing a platform for people to communicate to the public”.

    The state Chairman of LP, Mr Ugochukwu Emeh, said it was wrong for some people to say that the party did not have structures across the country.

    “Labour is a political party registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress.

    “It includes the NUJ and we have more than 50 million people who are members of these bodies.

    “In addition to these groups, millions of Nigerian youths, whose future has been messed up by bad leadership, are the ones driving the Obi’s movement,” Emeh said.

    The state Chairman of NUJ, Dr Emeka Odogwu, said the event was organised to provide an avenue for people to be better informed on current political happenings.

  • 2023 election may end electoral fraud and monetary inducement- Accord chairman

    Accord Party Chairman, Chief Bartho Igwedibia, has disclosed that the outcome of the 2023 general election might end the era of electoral fraud and monetary inducement in Nigeria’s political struggle, he further stressed that politicians banking on vote-buying and electoral malpractices will get disappointed.

    He made this known during a news conference on Sunday in Awka.

    Igwedibia said that the leadership of the party both at the state and federal levels foresaw this and decided to adopt proactive steps ahead of time.

    “With the recent amendment in the Electoral Act, it is now clear that results shall be transmitted electronically from the polling units to central collation point, and this will end manipulation of results,” he said.

    Igwedibia attributed the recent surge in the number of people seeking to obtain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Permanent Voters Card (PVC) to the fact that votes will count in next year’s elections.

    “After considering that votes will count in next year’s elections, Accord leadership resolved that candidates to fly our flags must have sterling qualities which Nigerians most desired now.

    ” The choice of our presidential candidate, Prof. Chris Imumolen, shows that it was a painstaking exercise that we did to get youth with high leadership qualities and he will spring a surprise in next presidential election,” he said.

    Igwedibia noted that Accord resolved to field Imumolen, 39 years of age and an educationist because education was the bedrock upon which every development occurred.

    “Most of the bigger political parties were ignorant of this fact that a lot of Nigerians are now informed and will desire a new order in her leadership structures.

    “Most bigger parties presented old men as presidential candidates, but we scored a heart trick by making sure that we presented a youth full of potential,” he said.

    According to him, “Nigeria is presently having a mirage of challenges due to recycling of old men as political leaders most of whom no longer fit into the digital world.

    “We need a sound-minded and experienced youthful leader capable of tackling the challenges of insecurity, unemployment, hunger and poor funding of our universities amongst others,” he said.

    Igwedibia said that Accord had already drawn action plans to ensure that its candidates, especially the presidential candidate, emerged winner of the 2023 election.

  • Sleeping driver kills bus conductor in Anambra

    A sleeping driver has killed his conductor in an accident on Ihiala-Owerri Road, Anambra, on Tuesday.

    Mr. Adeoye Irelewuyi, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), in Anambra, confirmed the incident in Awka.

    Irelewuyi said the accident which occurred at about 5. a.m. was caused by fatigue and loss of control by the driver.

    “The crash involved an unidentified driver of a white luxury bus with registration number NNE423XB and another vehicle which we were not able to get the details.

    “According to an eyewitness, who is a passenger in the bus, the driver was tired and slept off while driving. He lost control of the vehicle and rammed into another vehicle in his front and crashed.

    “22 persons including 17 male adults and five female adults were involved in the crash. Four male adults were injured while one male adult, who was the conductor of the bus has been confirmed dead.

    “The injured victims were taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala, while the deceased was deposited at the hospital’s mortuary by the FRSC rescue team from Ihiala Unit Command, ” he said.

    While condoling with the family of the deceased, Irelewuyi urged drivers to ensure observing rules and regulations guiding the use of road.

    “Drivers need to take a minimum of 15 minutes after every four hours of driving to relax and energise themselves, it prevents fatigue,” he said.

  • I”ll fish out killers of Northern woman – Soludo

    I”ll fish out killers of Northern woman – Soludo

    As condemnations trail the brutal killing of a Northern Woman and her children in Anambra State, Governor Charles Soludo, has vowed to fish out the killers.

     

    The woman and her children were allegedly killed by IPOB militants in the state.

     

    Gov Soludo described the May 20 killing as “barbaric and unacceptable without naming the killers.

     

    In a Statement signed by Christian Aburime, his Chief Press Secretary, Soludo vowed to fish out the perpetrators and ensured they were dealt with according to law.

     

    He said that all law-abiding Nigerians, irrespective of tribe or religion, were entitled to reside and or do business in any part of the country, including the Southeast and in Anambra without fear of unlawful harassment, molestation or attack of any kind, under any guise by anyone or group.

     

    He said “no group or Nigerian is justified to harass, attack or kill any citizen of Nigeria or anyone resident in Nigeria under any guise whatsoever unless in lawful execution of a court sentence.

     

    “Perpetrators of these heinous atrocities and their sponsors are testing the resolve of the Government and people of Anambra State, but I assure you that efforts are underway to fish out and bring to justice whoever is behind the criminal activities.

     

    “All Nigerians living or doing business in Anambra are assured, of the resolve of the State government to ensure adequate protection of their lives and properties at all times,” he stated.

     

    In a related development, the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, has alleged an ethnic cleansing agenda against Northerners residing in the Southeast.

     

    AYCF National President, Yerima Shettima alleged the failure of South-East governors to stop the killing of Northerners in their region indicated they had an ethnic cleansing agenda.

     

    He was reacting to the murder of a pregnant woman, Fatima and her four children in Anambra State. (Read also MURIC reaction)

  • Ex-Aviation minister, Stella Oduah did not finish service – NYSC

    The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has revealed that former Aviation Minister and Senator representing Anambra North, Stella Oduah did not complete a compulsory service year.

    In a letter replying to the request by the Concerned Anambra North Peoples Democratic Party Stakeholders which sought to validate the claim by the Senator that she lost her NYSC certificate, the Director-General of the service said even though Oduah was mobilised for national service in 1982/83 service year and was deployed to Lagos State, she absconded after the orientation and never completed the service.

    “The consequence of this is that she is not qualified for the issuance of the certificate of national service”, the Director-General wrote in the letter that was signed on his behalf by Eddy Megwa.

    The letter, dated 24th, May 2022, with reference number NYSC/DHQ/PPRU/783/ VILIII, was obtained by our correspondent.

    In 2014, Oduah deposed to an affidavit and obtained a police extract where she stated that she sometime in 2010 while in transit from Akili in Ogboru Local Government Area to Abuja, she discovered that some of her personal belongings were missing.

    The affidavit, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent read: “I Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, Christian, Adult , Nigeria Citizen, Politician of Umuoma Village, Akili, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State do hereby make oath and depose as follows:

    1. That I am the dependent of the affidavit.

    2. That I am a native of Akili Ozizor in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    3. That sometime in 2010 while in transit from Akili Ozizor in Ogbaru Local Government Area to Abuja I discovered that my personal belongings were missing.

    4. That the missing documents are the originals of my West African School Certificate of 1978 from Zixton Secondary School Ozubulu, First School Leaving Certificate from St. John Odoakpu Onitsha, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Certificate 1982 from St Paul’s College Lawrencevile Virginia USA, National Youth Service Corps Certificate 1983, National Identity Card, United States of America Social Security Card with the number on it.

    5. That all efforts are to trace the missing documents proved abortive.

    6. That I made this affidavit in good faith believing same to be true and correct and in accordance with the Oaths Act.”

    However, the Concerned Anambra North Peoples Democratic Party Stakeholders wrote to the NYSC Director-General to issue them with a certified true copy of the certificate of national service with the Youth Service Corps issued to Stella Adaeze Oduah in 1982/83.

    By the letter, NYSC has confirmed that Oduah served as minister in breach of the nation’s extant law barring anyone who fails to do the National Service after acquiring the necessary educational level should not be employed by the government and should also not be allowed to hold public offices.

    The group had earlier written to the National Chairman of the PDP to order Oduah to produce her National Youth Service Corps certificate or be disqualified from participating in the party’s primary for Anambra North Senatorial election.

    Oduah’s case is similar to that of Kemi Adeosun, former Minister of Finance, who was forced to step down after it was exposed that she forged her NYSC certificate.

  • Soludo declares 6pm to 6am curfew in Anambra

    Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra on Wednesday imposed an indefinite dusk-to-dawn ban on the movement of motorcycles, tricycles, and shuttle buses in eight local government areas of the state.

    In effect, those vehicles are not to operate in the local government areas between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

    Seven of the local government areas are in Anambra South Senatorial District while the eighth one is in Anambra North Senatorial District.

    Soludo announced in a state broadcast that the ban on movement takes effect from May 26,

    The affected local government areas are Aguata, Ihiala, Ekwusigo, Nnewi North, Nnewi South, Ogbaru, Orumba North and Orumba.

    Soludo said motorcycles, tricycle and shuttle buses were banned from operating on Mondays in the affected areas until the “Sit-at-Home’’ order imposed by the proscribed Independent Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) completely stopped.

    The governor said the decision became imperative in the face of growing insecurity which was threatening the existence and economic prosperity of the state.

    The governor also announced a four-week deadline within which all fuel stations in Anambra must install 24-hour Closed Circuit TVs.

    All commercial transport vehicles, tricycles and motorcycles must also re-register with biometric details to reflect the real identities of their operators.

    “All transporters, bus drivers, shuttle drivers, tricycle (keke) and commercial motorcycle riders must immediately report any suspicious passenger.

    “This exercise shall immediately be commenced and anyone who defaults in complying after four weeks from Wednesday would be treated as a suspect and adequate measures taken against him or her.

    “All hotels are directed to obtain the means of identification of their guests and keep an inventory of all guests in their hotels and management of the hotels should immediately report any suspicious persons or group of persons checking into or converging on their hotels.

    “Immediate sanctions would attend any dereliction in that regard, including possibly shutting down or demolition of such hotels,’’ the governor announced.

    Soludo noted that the phenomenon of the so-called ‘unknown gunmen’ who attacked his campaign rally in March 2021, claiming lives of three policemen, had continued to threaten the peace and progress of the state.

    He stressed that it was no longer acceptable.

    The governor said the gunmen are not spirits but human beings who lived with or occupied forests in communities.

    He called on town unions, market leaders and youths to provide information on the activities of the gunmen.

    He warned that owners of hotels, landlords of houses and communities where criminal gangs hibernate who refused to disclose their presence to the government would have their properties and lands confiscated.

    According to him, the ‘unknown gunmen’ are a tiny minority of less than 0.1 per cent of the population.

    He said they would not succeed to redefine the people by attacking their age-long values of enterprise, Christianity and hospitality.

    Soludo said while the State Security Council planned deploy kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to end the menace, sustainable peace and security could not be achieved without the cooperation and solidarity of the people.

    He said also that government had done all that was possible to assuage genuinely aggrieved agitators including organising peace and security dialogues, granting of amnesty, setting up of peace and reconciliation and meeting the leader of IPOB.

    He noted that criminal elements masquerading as freedom fighters refused to abide with the withdrawal of the Monday “sit-at-home’’ regime imposed by IPOB to continue to kill and to destroy properties of those they claim to be fighting for.

    “We visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and he reiterated that he never authorised the senseless “Sit-at- Home’’, and absolved his organisation, IPOB, from the crass criminality, especially the barbaric enforcement of the Sit-at-home and the kidnappings and spilling of blood.

    “Despite the above, the criminal gangs are unrelenting in their desperation to maintain their very lucrative criminal enterprise and expand their other agenda of domination.

    “These criminals causing mayhem in Anambra, albeit of disparate groups and gangs, are Igbos (dominantly from other Southeast states) whose real objective is lucrative criminality and foisting their idolatrous religion on the region.

    “They claim to be fighting for the people and yet randomly kill the same people, destroying their livelihood, and stopping their children from going to school.

    “What has agitation got to do with kidnappings including kidnapping of priests of God, invasion of churches and tabernacles including desecration of the Altars of God?

    “They have failed, and will continue to fail. Millions of our people live in the northern and other parts of Nigeria, and Anambra people are known for their uncommon hospitality.

    “The criminals are in our forests, communities, and houses owned by individuals, they do not come from the air, and hence are not `unknown’ gunmen.

    “While we continue to commit Anambra unto the hands of God, we as a people must rise up to clean and cleanse our land.

    “These phone numbers are managed in my office in strictest confidentiality, call, text or WhatsApp on, 09017280990, 07039896429, 09167514891, 09076237441, 09168041120, 08093175528, 08124153139 and we will respond expeditiously,’’ the governor said.

    Soludo restated his N10 million bounty for information on those who killed and beheaded Dr Okechukwu Okoye, a lawmaker and his aide Mr Cyril Chiegboka.

    Soludo added that those who provide information on criminals would get N1 million upwards.

    The governor commiserated with families of those who had lost loved ones in the wave of insecurity in the state.

  • 2 dead as petrol tanker crashes, explodes in Anambra

    The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) on Tuesday confirmed the death of two persons following the explosion of a petrol tanker at Umunya Junction on the Onitsha-Awka expressway in Anambra.

    FRSC’s Sector Commander in Anambra, Mr Adeoye Irelewuyi, confirmed the incident in Awka.

    Irelewuyi said attributed the accident, which occurred at 10.00a.m. to speeding.

    “The fatal crash involved an unidentified driver of a Mack tanker with no registration number, which was laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and a shuttle bus, with no registration number.

    “According to an eyewitness account, the tanker driver was on speed, lost control, and rammed into the shuttle bus from behind. It crashed and exploded, and both vehicles caught fire.

    “The crash involved five male adults. Two were killed, including one that was burnt beyond recognition.

    “Police personnel from Oyi Division in Nteje were invited and the dead victims were handed over to them by the FRSC team from Nteje Unit Command,” he said.

    The sector commander noted that the state’s fire service had put off the fire, adding that the FRSC rescue team were still on ground managing traffic and ensuring that the obstruction caused by the crash was removed.

    While commiserating with the families of the dead, Irelewuyi warned motorists to avoid speeding and ensure they keep to the recommended speed limit.

    “Speed thrills but kills; check your speed and not your watch. Let us keep our roads safe from accidents,” he said.

  • Police confirm burning of LGA secretariat in Anambra

    Police confirm burning of LGA secretariat in Anambra

    Police in Anambra have confirmed the burning of the headquarters of Idemili North Local Government Area in Ogidi, Anambra, in the early hours of Monday.

    DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Anambra State Police Command, confirmed the incident in on Monday in Awka.

    He said the arsonists attacked the council’s headquarters about 2 a.m. today.

    Ikenga said combined response by security operatives and the natives helped to repel the criminals.

    “As we speak, security operatives are still over the incident, and we have put the place under control.

    “I must add that the natives were helpful to contend with the attack as some of them joined security operatives to repel the attackers,” Ikenga said.

    A source, however said that the arsonists attacked Idemili North Local Government Area headquarters burning down buildings within the complex.

    The source said the Magistrate’s Court building and office of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company EEDC, within the complex were also affected by the inferno.

    He also said that operational vehicles parked in the premises were destroyed.

    He said no human casualty was recorded during the attack.

    Ikenga further said enough security personnel were drafted to the area as well as fire fighters who quickly put out the fire and restored normalcy in the area.

    NAN

  • Gov. Soludo salutes Achebe, Obi of Onitsha on 81st birthday

    Gov. Soludo salutes Achebe, Obi of Onitsha on 81st birthday

    Gov Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has congratulated Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, on his 81st birthday anniversary.

    Soludo, who also congratulated Achebe on his 20th year reign on the throne, described him as a man of exemplary life and outstanding leadership qualities.

    Achebe clocked 81 on May 14.

    Soludo, who conveyed the message in a statement signed by Mr Christian Aburime, his Chief Press Secretary on Saturday, said the people of Anambra were proud of the traditional ruler and thanked God for His grace upon him.

    He said Achebe, who was also the Chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, had provided wise counsel and contributed immensely to the growth and development of Anambra, Southeast and the country.

    “Igwe Achebe is a worthy son of Anambra and an elder statesman whose fatherly disposition to issues in regard to peace and security in the state and the well-being of the people have continued to earn him the highest respect in the land.

    “As Igwe Achebe marks his 81st birthday anniversary, I join millions of Nigerians and well-wishers home and abroad in celebrating the auspicious occasion and wish him many more years of good health, wisdom and selfless service to God and humanity.

    “Governor Soludo also leverages this occasion to congratulate HRM Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe on his 20th anniversary as the Obi of Onitsha,” he said.

  • Anambra Govt. to utilise telemedicine to improve healthcare delivery — Commissioner

    Anambra Govt. to utilise telemedicine to improve healthcare delivery — Commissioner

    The Anambra Government says plans are underway to commence the utilisation of telemedicine to make up for the deficit in healthcare professionals in the state.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, said this in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Tuesday.

    According to him, the initiative will increase access and improve healthcare delivery in the state.

    He said telemedicine is the use of telecommunication technology to remotely diagnose and treat patients from any location, adding that it could be through telephone conversation, e-mail or instant messaging conversation.

    He added that “it is an innovative way of getting access and delivering healthcare through digital devices such as the mobile device and computers.

    “We are aware that we have a shortage of health personnel in some hospitals when we took over office. We cannot prevent the issue of brain drain, but we are not perturbed.

    “This is why Gov. Charles Soludo is working to ensure that Anambra becomes one of the first states to implement what we call ‘Telemedicine.

    “Telemedicine means that you can be in the comfort of your home and book appointment to see a doctor that is working anywhere in the world.

    “Telemedicine can prospectively improve the health and well-being of people by making up for the shortage in healthcare personnel, reduce delays in accessing healthcare due to distance and increasing access to quality health.

    “We have reached advanced stage of the agreement with some partners that came in from U.S. and UK recently and we are having positive discussions. By God’s grace, it will commence by August.”

    The commissioner also said that the Ministry of Health was waiting for the governor’s approval to commence the employment of health personnel.

    “I have visited about six general hospitals unannounced since I resumed office and it is so sad to see that some hospitals do not have doctors, while some workers do not report to work.

    “So, in terms of monitoring of health personnel, we are planning to have a health management information system in hospitals whereby workers will clock-in and it will reflect attendance to work.

    “Our plan is to give residents of Anambra quality healthcare.”