TheNewsGuru

Tag: Ebonyi

  • I have no apologies saying Buhari has good heart – Umahi

    I have no apologies saying Buhari has good heart – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi says he has no apologies for describing President Muhammadu Buhari as a man with a good heart and father to him.

    Umahi said this on Wednesday, while receiving the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, at the Government House, Abakiliki.

    Shariff was in the state to consult with the governor over his ambition to run for the National Chairmanship of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said he had no regret for his comment, notwithstanding the backlash from the public.

    “When one person has a good heart and the rest of us do not and are not patriotic, no development can take place.

    “You can see that my executive council members melted their hearts into mine, which made us have good hearts and achieve a lot,” the governor said.

    He appealed to Nigerians to continue to support Buhari, saying that he is conscious of his integrity, which stands him out.

    “I thank you (Sheriff) for informing us of your decision to contest the APC national chairmanship but the president, who is the leader of the party, has a role to play.

    “He is the only one that can take a decision but if it is thrown open, you are my choice.

    “The president can say in the interest of the party, let another person be there, we will obey him,” Umahi said.

    He commended Sheriff for his role in stabilising PDP, adding that his mind left the party the moment Sheriff was unceremoniously removed.

    In a speech, Sheriff said he decided to inform Umahi of his decision to contest the APC national chairmanship because he is a “political Iroko” in the South-East.

    “You are very influential in APC and your fellow governors and leaders across the country rate you highly for your infrastructure strides, among other achievements,” he said.

    He called on Nigerians to stop zoning the presidential seat, saying the best candidate that would deliver the good should be considered and supported.

    “It is however, not the time to talk about the next president because an incumbent is still in office and should be supported to accomplish his goals,” Sheriff, a former governor of Borno, said.

  • God will give Nigeria a president with good heart like Buhari- Umahi

    God will give Nigeria a president with good heart like Buhari- Umahi

    Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, on Monday stated that God will give Nigeria a president “who has a good heart like President Muhammadu Buhari for the good of this country” in 2023.

    Umahi revealed this while addressing State House correspondents after meeting with the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The governor applauded the President on some landmark projects in the South East, especially the Second Niger Bridge which, he said, was becoming a reality.

    When asked about his reason for visiting the State House, Umahi said, “I came to see, Mr. President. One is to thank him very highly for a number of mega projects that he is doing in the southeast. The second Niger Bridge is fast becoming a reality. Each time we visit that bridge location, it is always like a dream.

    “So, we the people of the South East are very grateful to Mr. President for this.

    “We also thank him for the award of these Eastern corridors of the railway line. This is a project that is going to fast track the commercial activities of our people.

    “I recall that when I was in school, I used to take a train from my state, Ebonyi and then get up to Maiduguri where my brothers were staying, for my holidays. Mr. President is about restoring that hope. We are deeply very grateful.

    “But I also reminded Mr. President that one of his cardinal objectives is to integrate South East or the state capitals, but in putting together the project through South East that is the capital of Ebonyi state, which is Abakaliki and capital of Anambra state, which is Awka, were omitted.

    “And I reminded Mr. President that the South East governors had requested that I write, which I did, but not yet approved by the Honourable Minister of Transport, which Mr. President said he will find out why they were omitted in the first place.

    “I am very, very hopeful that Mr. President is going to give approval to those two locations. And also the limestone granos to fast-track the fertiliser presidential initiative, which has helped the country Nigeria so much in food sufficiency.

    “Let me point out that without the effort of Mr. President, through this fertiliser initiative and other programmes in the agricultural sector, it would have been a very difficult time for this country. And so that project is supposed to produce a large set of granules to enable us to produce fertilisers to serve the South-South, South East and part of North Central.”

     

    Asked if the South East leaders were working together to ensure that the two major political parties have one candidate from the zone for presidency in 2023, Umahi said, “Well, for me, I’m very much entrenched in completing my projects. And I will look into politics when my tenure has one year remaining, which is from May 29, 2022. And I think it is the same thing with other governors of the South East and by extension, governors of APC.

    “My position about what you ask is that our people that are in those political parties are making the effort in selling the need for the South East to produce the next president. But I think both the governors and Mr. President should not be distracted, when the elections are done and won, it should be governance.

    “But in this country, the moment the election is completed, the next one starts. It is the masses that are being cheated. So those whose jobs are politics and who are not into elected position, or appointed position have all the time and the opportunity to do this conversing.

    “But I continue to say that power rests in the hands of God. And God will also give us the next president who has a good heart like President Buhari for the good of this country.

    “We need God’s own anointing for our own anointed President for the interest and unity of this country.”

     

     

  • Corpses of APC Youth Leader, two policemen recovered from 32-feet-deep excavation pit in Ebonyi

    Corpses of APC Youth Leader, two policemen recovered from 32-feet-deep excavation pit in Ebonyi

    Officials have recovered the decomposing body of the Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, Ogochukwu Elem, from a mining pit in the state.

    The remains of two policemen travelling with the late Elem were also retrieved from the scene on Monday, two days after a vehicle conveying the victims plunged into the pit.

    They were pulled out by rescue officials and local divers supported with a crane provided by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Infrastructure during an exercise supervised by Governor David Umahi.

    While addressing reporters at the scene where the bodies were recovered, Governor Umahi mourned the victims and condemned the activities of miners.

    He decried the indiscriminate digging of mining pits which he said was endangering the lives of the people and causing destruction to the environment.

    “We learnt of the unfortunate incident of an accident here on this road; that was on Saturday,” the governor said. “The accident is still a mystery to all of us; that was the APC Youth Leader with some policemen that were going for a function and the accident happened.

    “We do not know the cause of the accident; we do not know what happened but it’s quite very mysterious how it happened that even the wages of the sand could not stop them, and the small vehicle plunged into a pit that was dug over 20 years and not closed.

    “It is very unfortunate, and we have been fighting this issue of digging pits, harvesting lead, zinc, and shippings without closing it. We have been fighting with miners in Ebonyi State over this issue. The Chief of Staff is here who also doubles as the Commissioner for Solid Minerals.

    “We are going to identify all the pits in Ebonyi whether it was dug for lead, for zinc, for shipping, or any other mineral. We have to identify who did it and then the closing of these pits must commence, latest, by next Monday.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the accident occurred on Saturday at the Enyigba-Izzi community axis of Abakaliki-Ikwo Expressway in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state.

    The victims were said to be travelling to Ikwo Local Government Area for an event before their vehicle lost control and plunged into the pit which is about 32 feet deep.

  • Photo: Many passengers feared dead as commercial vehicle plunges into 32-feet-deep excavation pit in Ebonyi

    Photo: Many passengers feared dead as commercial vehicle plunges into 32-feet-deep excavation pit in Ebonyi

    An unspecified number of passengers are feared dead as a vehicle skidded of the road and plunged into an excavation pit in Ebonyi on Saturday.

    The pit is about 32 feet deep.

    The accident, which occurred around 1:30pm, happened along Abakaliki-Ikwo expressway at Enyigba-Izzi community in Abakaliki local government area.

    Officers from the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps were already on ground to ensure the availability of security and management of traffic.

    Meanwhile, local divers involved in the rescue operation confirmed that the vehicle involved is a shuttle bus.

  • Ebonyi soccer fans celebrate ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha at 48

    Ebonyi soccer fans celebrate ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha at 48

    Football fans in Ebonyi have joined others across the globe to celebrate a former Super Eagles skipper and talisman, Augustine Okocha who clocked 48 on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dribbling wizard, known as ‘Jay Jay’ by fans around the world and affectionately called ‘Pa Jay’ by those in Enugu where he grew up, was born on Aug. 14, 1973.

    NAN also reports that the AFCON 1994 gold medalist, Olympic Games 1996 gold medalist, AFCON 2000 silver medalist and AFCON 2002, 2004 and 2006 bronze medalist, meritoriously represented Nigeria from 1993 to 2006.

    The fans, who spoke with NAN in Abakaliki on Saturday, described Okocha as a skill workshop whom the iconic Pele of Brazil touted as one of the world’s greatest footballers.

    Ndudi Okonkwo, a Football Historian, recalled that Okocha took the nation’s football by storm in 1993 after a scintillating performance for the Flying Eagles at the African Youth Championship in Mauritius.

    “I was inside the National Stadium, Lagos on July 3, 1993 when Jay Jay made his home debut for the Super Eagles in a USA ‘94 World Cup qualifier against Algeria.

    “He kept fans on the edges of their seats with a scintillating performance, capped with an awesome free kick-equaliser for Nigeria and an audacious overhead dribble of the Algerian left full back,” he said.

    Nobert Okolie, Media Officer of Okocha’s boyhood club, Enugu Rangers International FC, said that the club would always be proud of the mercurial midfielder.

    “Pa Jay played for Rangers before leaving Nigeria in 1990 for Germany where he made his mark with Borrussia Neunkirchen and Eintracht Frankfurt.

    “He played alongside his elder brother, Emma, and will be best remembered for his stupefying goal against defunct African Continental Bank (ACB) of Lagos, off a shot from the centre circle,” he said.

    Franklin Anosike, a former student of Nike Grammar School, Enugu, where Okocha also attended, wished him God’s blessings and continued success in life.

    “Okocha brought the school to the forefront of sports in the country and had a fabled tale about him stuffing oranges as football inside his school bag, while knocking around any round object.

    “He tutored the great Ronaldinhio of Brazil in PSG of France when Lionel Messi, whose move to the club is currently being celebrated globally, was just 11 years old,” he said.

    Mrs Angela Obi, a Financial Expert and Soccer Enthusiast, also felicitated Okocha and commended him for his responsible conduct during his active days.

    “Okocha was not engrossed in any off-field controversy during his playing days and married Nkechinyere, his long-time heartthrob, instead of a foreign lady.

    “He, alongside players like Kanu Nwankwo and few others are still financially stable, unlike other celebrated stars, who did not plan properly for the rainy day,” he said.

  • Umahi suspends 5 permanent secretaries for 6 months

    Umahi suspends 5 permanent secretaries for 6 months

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Wednesday suspended five permanent secretaries in the state civil service for six months over alleged lack of commitment to duties.

    Umahi made the disclosure while swearing in 11 reappointed commissioners, several old and new Special Assistants and Senior Special Assistants.

    The governor announced that the affected permanent secretaries who would be sent for retraining were those in charge of the ministries of health, education, communication, sports and solid minerals.

    “The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and the commissioner for human capital development should organise six months training for them which I would sponsor.

    “They should be taught what a permanent secretary is, how to prepare memorandum and how to take responsibilities in their ministries.

    “The SSG and the acting Head of Service should identify ministries without permanent secretaries and fill such positions with the most intelligent official in such ministries.

    “The official can be on grade level 10 but would be promoted to level 14 because I need help in the ministries,” he said.

    He noted that underperforming permanent secretaries would henceforth be demoted by two grade levels and disengaged from the system.

    “The permanent secretary is the real owner for the ministry and the issue with the suspended ones was not dullness but lac of commitment,” he said.

    Umahi congratulated the newly-sworn in commissioners and noted that he would admonish them during the state executive council meetings.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that nine out of the 11 sworn-in commissioners retained their positions, while two were assigned new portfolios.

    The commissioners include: Chief Clement Nweke-housing and urban development, Mrs Ann Aligwe—human capital development, Mr Charlse Akpuenika-youth development and sports and Mrs Chinwe Okah—women affairs.

    Mrs Chioma Nweze was retained as commissioner for investment, Chief Emmanuel Uguru-lands and survey. Mr Oluchukwu Ukie-Ezeali–project monitoring, Mrs Elizabeth Ogbaga—culture and tourism and Chief Ogodo-Ali Nome—agriculture and natural resources.

    Mr Eze Nwachukwu was assigned the commissioner for market and park development while Mr Joseph Ekuma-Nkama takes charge of inter-governmental affairs.

    Chief Clement Nweke, Commissioner for Housing thanked the governor for reappointing them and pledged to redouble their loyalty and commitment to the cause of governance.

  • Ebonyi rates highest on drug abuse in Nigeria

    Ebonyi rates highest on drug abuse in Nigeria

    Mr Eze Ude, State Coordinator, International Society for Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals (ISSUP), said that Ebonyi was being rated highest in substance abuse among states of the federation.

    Ude disclosed this to newsmen on Friday during conclusion of a three-day workshop.

    The workshop was organised by officials of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for the National Association of Patent Proprietary Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) in Abakaliki.

    According to him, the state is rated above 13 per cent in the act of drug abuse, according to United Nations’ statistics.

    “In United Nation report of 2018, research shows that globally, we have about 5.6% rate of substance abuse.

    “In the country, we have 10.4% rate of substance abuse; when you convert it, the other way round, one will find out that Nigeria per cent in the act out-weighed the globe.

    “According to the same statistics, the state is over 13 per cent with this analysis, one can see the rate of substance abuse in Ebonyi and Nigeria in general,” Ude explained.

    Ude who is also a Clinical Psychologist at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, and Chief Executive Officer of Brain Care Foundation said the problem had contributed significantly in mental health of the society.

    He said that large number of young men and women at the hospital were usually seen on daily basis going down as a result of drug abuse.

    He added that the abuse was in addition to other mental related problems associated with substance use.

    He, however, advised that people should understand its effect and stop the practice.

    He further charged NAPPMED members, who are grassroots health care givers, and other stakeholders to synergise towards fight against the trend to avoid other problems emanating from the act.

    Mr Aliyu Omamah, state Commander, NDLEA in his speech revealed that between January and May 2021, men of the agency had seized about 105 kilgrammes of different types of drugs in the state.

    According to him, 26 per cent of the seizures is psychotropic drugs.

    “According to the agency’s survey by EU and UNODC 2020, in Nigeria, 14.3 million people use drug, that is prevalence rate of 14.3 per cent (15-64 years) which is higher than the global rate of 5.6 per cent.

    “4.6 million people use prescription opioids such as tramadol or cough syrup with codeine, in the state, prevalence of drug use is 12.8 per cent,” he said

    He said that the workshop was to cut the supply chain of prescription drugs and to reduce the demand of the same substances.

    He added that various crises confronting the state could be attributed to the use of hard drugs.

    The commander stated that problems found in some homes, work places, schools, physical dangers and troubles with the law are common negative consequences associated with the drugs known as psychotropic substance.

  • Ebonyi begins 3-day intercessory prayer over death of 2 commissioners

    Ebonyi begins 3-day intercessory prayer over death of 2 commissioners

    The Ebonyi Government has begun a three-day intercessory prayer following the death of two commissioners in the state.

    This is contained is a statement issued by Mr Francis Nwaze, the Special Assistant to Gov. David Umahi, on Media and Publicity on Thursday.

    The prayer tagged “God Protect Our Dear State and Leaders’’ is being organised in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ebonyi chapter.

    Nwaze quoted the governor as saying that the prayer was for the leaders in the state and Nigeria at large.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fidelis Nweze, Commissioner for Infrastructural Development died at the Turkish Hospital in Abuja on Tuesday following an auto crash, barely after Mrs Uche Okah, Commissioner of Housing passed on.

    The governor has ordered for autopsy on Nweze.

    “We have directed an autopsy on Nweze. We have also directed that the driver and orderly should go to the Commissioner of Police and make their statements.

    “The two commissioners are irreplaceable and I am saying it with all sense of sincerity, they are destiny helpers to me; while we live, let us live well,’’ Umahi had stated.

  • Ebonyi Attacks: Police parade teenager, 60 suspected IPOB members

    Ebonyi Attacks: Police parade teenager, 60 suspected IPOB members

    The Police Command in Ebonyi on Monday, paraded 60 suspects including a teenager over alleged attacks on its personnel and public facilities, among other offences.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, Aliyu Garba, while parading the suspects, remarked that over 50 of them were directly involved in various attacks on police personnel, facilities and public infrastructure across the state.

    Garba said that several AK 47 and AR rifles with live ammunition, locally made pistols, locally-fabricated improvised explosives, machetes, jack-knives, charms among other items were recovered from the suspects.

    The commissioner noted that one of the suspects Daniel Elom, 17, a self-confessed member of Eastern Security Network (ESN) specialised in mapping out strategies for attacks by the group.

    “Elom took police operatives to the group’s hideout at Agabaja-Izzi community in Abakaliki Local Government Area (LGA) where the owner of the house escaped and abandoned his wife and child.

    “Police personnel conducted a search in the house and recovered most of the items as Elom confessed that meetings for planned attacks on police facilities were held at such hideouts,” he said.

    He noted that Elom further confessed the group’s responsibility for the attack on the Army checkpoint at Amasiri, Afikpo North LGA of the state on May 26 where two army officers were killed.

    “He also confessed that the group was responsible for the attack on Central Police station Abakaliki, during the #EndSARS protest in 2020 where a police inspector was killed.

    “One of the AK 47 rifles recovered from the group was crossed-checked and found to be the same rifle stolen by the hoodlums from the late inspector,” he said.

    Garba also said that one Nathaniel Itumo was arrested for killing Idike Agwu, an Ebubeagu security outfit’s personnel on May 31 and had been charged to court for murder.

    “We thank the state governor for his immense support especially for his recent donation of 90 protective helmets and 90 bullet-proof vests to the command.

    Mr Stanley Okoro-Emegha, state Commissioner for Border, Peace and Internal Security said that the wife of the slain Ebubeagu personnel had been placed on monthly salary in the outfit’s welfare scheme.

    Okoro-Emegha, who is the Coordinator of the outfit in the state, said that it would not be deterred by the loss of its personnel but redouble its efforts to provide adequate security to the citizens.

    Elom on interrogation by newsmen, noted that in spite of being a teenager, he was promised a top position in the ESN group when it actualised its ambition.

  • Forget it, Ebonyi has no land for ranching – Umahi

    Forget it, Ebonyi has no land for ranching – Umahi

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi has said the state has no land to give Fulani herdsmen for ranching as the people have kicked against it.

    Umahi, who spoke in an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Sunday, said the issue at hand was not about the governors, but about the people.

    ×
    He said whatever position the people took in this regard, that is what would happen, saying that “there is no land in this regard that is not owned by individuals, corporate bodies.”

    Umahi added: “So, this is beyond governors and that is the truth. People calling governors are making a very grievous mistake. Even if I say as a governor in South-East, I want people from this village, I want you to donate this land, the question is: will they allow it?”

    The governor said he has had about three communal crisis in his state, and that it was all about land.

    “There is a place that I am building a medical university and the people of that village, for a project that is almost completed, went and brought it down. They prefer to have their farms than a medical college. So, the land is a different ball game altogether,” he stated.

    Umahi summed it up: “My people said they have no land for ranching. They put me where I am. If I have one acre of land and I am talking about giving land for ranching, I should be talking about that particular land.

    “I can’t be talking about somebody’s land. Yes, constitutionally, I have control over the land but you have to kill all the people to get the land.”