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Tag: Ebonyi State

  • Police confirm release of abducted Reverend Father in Ebonyi

    Police confirm release of abducted Reverend Father in Ebonyi

    The Police Command in Ebonyi, says Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike who was abducted on Monday, has regained his freedom.

    A statement on Tuesday in Abakaliki by SP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, Spokesperson of the Command, said Azubuike was released unhurt.

    The cleric was kidnapped together with three other people in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

    Azubuike, a Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbaleze Isu in  Onicha LGA, was released  at about 1800hrs.

    “Rev. Father Joseph Azubuike has been rescued unhurt, hale and hearty as a result of the concerted efforts of the Operatives of the Command.

    “Serious manhunt is on for the perpetrators, who escaped during the rescue mission. The Rev, father is in the hospital now for medical checks,” the police spokesperson said.

    Also in a statement, Rev. Father Mathew Opoke, Chancellor of Abakaliki Diocese confirmed the rescue of Azubuike on Tuesday.

    He said the three other victims were released by the kidnappers unconditionally.

  • Ebonyi governor freezes all government bank accounts

    Ebonyi governor freezes all government bank accounts

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has directed the freezing of all state government accounts domiciled in various banks from Tuesday, May 30.

    The directive was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s newly appointed Chief Press Secretary, Dr Monday Uzor and made available to newsmen.

    Nwifuru in the statement directed the managers of banks which operate  government accounts to immediately comply to the  directive.

    “No payment should be made from any government account till further notice,” the statement read.

  • May 29: I will not forget anything in Ebonyi Govt. House – Umahi

    May 29: I will not forget anything in Ebonyi Govt. House – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that he will not forget anything in the state Government House, when he leaves office on May 29.

    Umahi said this on Wednesday at a civic reception held in his honour at Uburu, his home town, in Ohaozara Local Government Area.

    The event was organised by constituents from Ebonyi South Senatorial District to celebrate his successful tenure in office as governor.

    He said that he was leaving office a fulfilled man.

    “I thank all those who made my tenure successful and urge you to extend similar support to the incoming administration.

    “The incoming administration is not different from the present one as we all belong to the divine mandate platform.

    “When I return from my journey at the Senate, we would still gather in praise and appreciation to God for his goodness,” the governor said.

    He said that he was going to the senate to represent the entire state rather than only his constituency.

    “We have laid the foundation for development, peace and unity of the state.

    “I cannot thank God enough because all the miracles wrought on the state were through his power,” Umahi said.

    The Chairman of the event and former senator representing the district, Sen. Sonny Ogbuoji, said the people were proud of the governor and heartily welcomed him back.

    “Umahi brought no shame to us but glory as the message we sent him was fruitful.

    “You are not coming back to stay indoors but to go to the higher chamber of the National Assembly,” Ogbuoji said.

    He said that Ebonyi would not forget Umahi in its history because he achieved development feats, no past governor had achieved.

    “We know that having conqured as a governor, the challenges of the senate will be easier to handle.

    “I am talking as someone who had been there and we still look forward to receiving you again after your senate sojourn,” he said.

    Other stakeholders from the area commended Umahi for the successes recorded by his eight-year administration.

    The Traditional Rulers Council in the area confered on him, the title of “Dike di oha mma” (The hero in whom the people are well pleased) of Ebonyi south district.

  • Ebonyi Govt denies imposing tax on petrol dealers

    Ebonyi Govt denies imposing tax on petrol dealers

    The Ebonyi Board of Internal Revenue has said the board did not impose any tax on the Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN) operating in the state.

    Mr Agwu Nweze, Chairman of the Board disclosed this in Abakaliki on Wednesday, stressing that they only placed a demand notice on them over the money owed to the state government.

    “They have refused to pay the N3.5 million owed to the state government. We did not impose fine on them; we were only following the law of the Federal Government.

    “Some members of the Association have not been filing the tax they paid since 2015. Filing of tax paid gives authority the breakdown to ascertain whether you have under or overpaid the state government.

    “So many filling stations have not been filing since 2015 when this administration came on Board.

    “The filling stations are to pay N3.5 million each to the state government. That is N500,000 per year for seven years.

    “The Association have not been fair to the government of Ebonyi. Though, some of the operators have started filing and hopefully others will follow suit,” he said.

    Recall that PEDAN had on Monday, shut down all its stations in the state over what it described as excessive taxation and fines by the State Board of Internal Revenue Office (IGR).

    It was, however, observed that the filling station operators had on Tuesday resumed work in the state.

    In his reaction, the State Chairman of PEDAN, Mr Silas Njaka, said its members shut down operations on Monday because of the state government’s action on the issue of Pay as You Earn Income Tax.

    Njaka explained that some of his members failed to make their filing on the issue of Income Tax.

    “Our members, who are involved have been sued to court over the matter and the case will be heard on May 15,” he added.

  • 20 days to exit office, Umahi swears-in 4 new commissioners

    20 days to exit office, Umahi swears-in 4 new commissioners

    Gov David Umahi of Ebonyi on Tuesday Sworn-in four new Commissioners into his cabinet barely 20 days to exit from office.

    The Commissioners, who were screened earlier by the State House of Assembly were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Abakaliki.

    The new Commissioners include: the former Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Local Government, Chieftaincy Matters and Rural Development, Mr Enekwachi Akpa.

    Other are the former SSA to the Governor on Aviation and Technology, Mrs. Obianuju Aloh, former SSA to the Governor on Legal Matters, Mr. Emeka Nwode and a former SA to the Governor on Projects, Mr. Uchenna Nwankpuma.

    Also inaugurated by the governor was the Inauguration Committee members for the May 29 handover.

    The governor charged the newly Sworn-in Commissioners to use the little opportunity available to them to leave a legacy in their services to the state and humanity.

    Umahi, during the EXCO meeting, also received the newly recruited 400 Staff of the President Muhammadu Buhari International Airport, Onueke, Ebonyi State.

    He charged them to exhibit the highest level of commitment and patriotism in the discharge of their duties, stressing that the airport is one of the prime projects of the State.

    “We feel very much fulfilled about that airport, and people have not stopped talking about it.

    “It was almost an impossible task. Please take very good care of that Airport, it belongs to all of us.

    ” My last advice is that if you want to succeed in life, take care of public property the way you would do of your personal property.

    “And even if man does not reward you, God will surely do,” he advised.

    Umahi congratulated the newly recruited staff and commended the Head of Service, the SSA on Aviation and all who facilitated the recruitment process.

  • Umahi approves N10,000 exit package for Ebonyi workers

    Umahi approves N10,000 exit package for Ebonyi workers

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has approved an exit package of ₦10,000 for Ebonyi State workers.

    Umahi made the disclosure on Monday in Abakaliki at  the 2023 Workers Day celebration with the theme: “Workers’ Rights and Socio-economic Justice”.

    Represented by his Deputy, Mr Kelechi Igwe, the governor said: “The exit package is also for  local government workers, and that shall be added in their May salaries.

    “My administration has made government-worker friendliness possible. Our relationship with civil servants has been cordial.

    ‘In my eight years in office, we can say that we have created over 65,000 direct and indirect jobs for the people.

    “We have created four more federal institutions  – David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Muhammadu Buhari International Airport and Isu College of Education.”

    The governor said that the creations meant more income tax from both federal employees and state employees to the state government, improved welfare of the people, more funds to the economy and increased commercial activities in Ebonyi.

    Umahi said that he understood the significance of the 2023 Workers Day celebration all over the world.

    “It reminds us of the ugly past where workers were dehumanised and  their rights and freedom denied them,” he said.

    Prof. Oguguo Egwu, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said that that there was the need for the government to engage more teachers, medical doctors and nurses.

    Egwu said that engaging more teachers in the state public and secondary schools would go along way in enhancing quality of education.

    “I commend the governor on efforts to renovate the state health facilities.

    “We, therefore, urge the governor to engage more  doctors and nurses  to achieve more in healthcare delivery.

    “We also need enhancement of workers’ welfare package.

    “Your excellency, we ask you to look deep into your good heart and, in liaison with your successor, design a take-home package that will be unique to Ebonyi workers,” the NLC chairman said.

    Mr Jenifer Nwafor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, also congratulated the workers, and pledged continued cordial relationship with the workers.

  • Labour Party cries foul as election tribunal relocates to Abuja

    Labour Party cries foul as election tribunal relocates to Abuja

    The Ebonyi chapter of the Labour Party (LP) on Friday expressed concern over the relocation of the state Election Petitions Tribunal (EPT) to Abuja.

    The President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, on Wednesday directed the tribunal to relocate to Abuja immediately.

    The State Chairman of the Party, Mr Godwin Jioke, consequently told NAN in Abakaliki, that the shutdown of the court in the state was worrisome to its party.

    “We are not comfortable with the cessation of operation and decision of moving the EPT sitting to Abuja.

    “The decision has to be reconsidered and allow matters to be handled in the state where elections took place,” Jioke said.

    Mr Sylvester Amah, a Legal Practitioner, said there could be reasons for the relocation, ranging from insecurity, logistics and funding.

    “The team of the tribunal could be looking for a neutral environment where political parties would not claim ownership of the process.

    “Yes, I okayed  the relocation and I believe it will allow all processes relating to the matters before the tribunal to gain equity, fair hearing and justice.

    “It will be fair hearing and justice. It will also avoid laying claims, interference and perversion of justice,” Amah said.

  • BREAKING: Ebonyi Election Petition Tribunal relocates to Abuja

    BREAKING: Ebonyi Election Petition Tribunal relocates to Abuja

    President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem has directed that the Ebonyi Election Petitions Tribunal be relocated to Abuja immediately.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Secretary of the tribunal, Nyior Sekulla announced this in Abakaliki on Wednesday.

    He said the tribunal office at the Ebonyi Judiciary Headquarters in Abakaliki has been shut down,  following the directive.

    According to him, all processes relating to matters before the tribunal would continue at Abuja.

    “In compliance with the HPCA directives, the petitioners, counsel to parties and general public is hereby informed via this medium that, the EPT sitting here in Abakaliki thereby cease to operate in Abakalik

    “Therefore, in compliance with the HPCA directives, the petitioners, Counsel to parties and general public is hereby informed via this medium that, the EPT sitting in Abakaliki thereby cease operate in Ebonyi at April 26.

    “Fillings of processes taking of proceedings among other, shall henceforth continue at Abuja. Our contact remains same for further enquiries please,” the statement read.

  • APGA wins Reps seat in Ebonyi

    APGA wins Reps seat in Ebonyi

    The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has won the rerun election for Ezza North/Ishielu Federal Constituency in Ebonyi.

    The Returning Officer, Prof. Augustine Ibegbu of Alex Ekwueme University, declared APGA candidate, Joseph Nwobashi as winner, on Sunday.

    According to Ibegbu, Nwobashi won with 11,890 votes to defeat his closest rival, Mr Emmanuel Nwite of PDP, who got 11,150 votes and Mr Chinedu Oguta of Labour Party, who garnered 8,076 votes.

    Meanwhile, Chibuike Nwanchor, the state Publicity Secretary of APGA, has congratulated Nwobashi for the victory and urged party members to continue to work together.

    According to him, better days are ahead for the party.

  • Ebonyi Gov, Umahi boasts after ‘enthroning’ successor

    Ebonyi Gov, Umahi boasts after ‘enthroning’ successor

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has boasted that he was a man with excess grace from God which enabled him win a senatorial seat and enthroned a successor as governor.

    Umahi made the assertion on Monday night during a thanksgiving session he organised for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Chief Francis Nwifuru, in the March 18 governorship poll.

    The governor said that no conspiracy could overcome him as people, out of jealousy, made efforts to stop him from being elected as a senator and enthroning his successor.

    “You know how governors are currently struggling to be re-elected, enthrone successors and to be elected Senators.

    “We are three governors in the south east for instance who sought to enthrone successors but only one (me) succeeded.

    “Only two governors were elected into the senate and despite all apprehensions, the APC performed marvelously in the south east zone,” he said.

    He said that he would not mount pressure on Nwifuru or try influencing his government.

    “At this time on May 29, I will bow to him and say: ‘my boss I salute you’.

    “He is my son and if he finds anything difficult, he will consult me and I will be there for him.

    “When Nwifuru was nominated, I prayed to God that I don’t want my enemy to succeed me but him (Nwifuru),” he said.

    He thanked Ebonyi people for supporting Nwifuru and other APC candidates as they would deliver on the mandates given them.

    “I urge the governor-elect to enshrine a reward system to appreciate all those who worked assiduously to ensure his success,” he said.

    The governor-elect Nwifuru who was the Speaker of the state House if Assembly before the polls, dedicated the victory to God and Ebonyi people who found him worthy to serve.

    “I specially thank our father and leader of the party, Gov. Umahi, and assure him that I will be a worthy successor.

    “I promise to fulfill my campaign promises and urge my fellow contestants to join me in making Ebonyi, the envy of other states of the federation,” he said.

    Chief Stanley Okoro-Emegha, the state APC chairman, thanked party faithful for working tenaciously towards the victories recorded during the elections.