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Tag: Umahi

  • BREAKING: Gov Umahi’s right hand man and Ebonyi Commissioner for Infrastructure Dev, Fidelis Nweze is dead

    BREAKING: Gov Umahi’s right hand man and Ebonyi Commissioner for Infrastructure Dev, Fidelis Nweze is dead

    Ebonyi Commissioner for Infrastructure Development Engr. Fidelis Nweze is dead.

    He died in a hospital in Abuja from complications after a surgery he underwent to correct a ruptured intestine.

    He sustained the injury in an auto crash on Saturday along the Enugu-Abakaliki highway.

    Governor David Umahi, in an emotion laden voice, confirmed his death to reporters on Tuesday in capital Abakaliki.

    He described the Commissioner as irreplaceable and one of the pillars of his administration.

    The Governor said: “Nweze died this morning at Turkish Hospital Abuja at about 9:50am. He was traveling to Enugu on Saturday morning with his driver and orderly.

    “At Obunagu in Enugu state they rammed into a stationery truck. He was on seat belt and they were all conscious. He was rushed to Niger foundation Enugu.

    “I got to know about it on Sunday and I insisted they move him to Abuja. I sent a doctor to the Turkish hospital.

    “He was having severe pain so they did an examination and discovered that the seat belt had ruptured his intestine.

    “They did a successful operation and wanted to move him to the ward but we said no they should put him in intensive unit for 3 days to be sure everything is okay.

    “This morning they said he had crisis and at about 9:50am he died”.

    The governor described him as one of the pillars of his administration.

    “I feel so sad and empty. To me it is like a dream. It is like my younger brother, my son or very close friend just slept and died,” he wept.

    He declared Tuesday as public holiday in the state, adding no market or any other business will open in honour of the late commissioner.

  • Insecurity: More woes for South East as fresh crisis cripples Ebube Agu before official takeoff

    Insecurity: More woes for South East as fresh crisis cripples Ebube Agu before official takeoff

    Major-General Obi Abel Umahi (rtd), chairman of Ebube Agu, a Southeast joint security outfit has resigned his position.

    According to him, Ebube Agu failed to take off because the governors of the five eastern states did not fund it

    Announcing his resignation as chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum (SGF) security committee on Monday, Umahi said the outfit was also not provided with an office.

    He tended his resignation in a June 4 letter entitled: “Resignation as Chairman Southeast Security Committee – Ebube Agu” and addressed to the SGF chairman and Ebonyi State who also doubles as his younger brother, Governor David Umahi.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the retired major-general was tasked with leading the outfit following its launch amid fanfare in April.

    In the letter also copied to the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor and sighted by our correspondent, Umahi said his committee’s plans for the outfit were frustrated.

    The letter reads in part: “Since this security committee was formed, we deliberated and agreed on ways to raise security consciousness down to the community level in Igboland, mode of operations, logistics and types of equipment required, such as drones, vehicles, etc. We also crafted the concept of Southeast security.

    “I chaired a 21-man committee set up to draft a legal framework for the outfit. The committee was composed of members of the Southeast Security Committee, the attorney-generals of the five Southeast states and some prominent Igbo sons and daughters…

    “On 11th April 2021, Southeast governors announced the formation of Ebube Agu in Owerri.

    “Subsequently, the draft legal framework produced by the 21-man committee was reviewed by Southeast Security Committee members and the attorney-generals of the five states…

    “From inception to date, Southeast Security Committee was never funded at all in any capacity and not even an office space was provided.

    “At this juncture that Ebube Agu will soon come fully on-stream, I respectfully request that your excellencies kindly permit me to resign my appointment as the chairman, Southeast Security Committee.

    “In the spirit of my love to serve Ndigbo, I can assure you that I will always be available to advise on the success of Ebube Agu at no cost, just as I served as the Chairman of Southeast Security Committee from 31 August 2019 till date at no cost directly or indirectly to the five Southeast state governments, groups and individuals.

    “I highly appreciate your excellencies for the opportunity you gave me to serve Ndigbo”.

    Umahi, who confirmed the resignation to journalists, said: “Please be assured of my loyalty, respect and accept my highest regards of your esteemed considerations.”

  • Unknown gunmen: Those causing unrest in S’East are known young men, women who should defend region – Umahi

    Unknown gunmen: Those causing unrest in S’East are known young men, women who should defend region – Umahi

    Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, believes those responsible for the rising security challenges in the South East are not foreigners.

    He stated that they were indigenes of the region, especially the young people who should protect the interest of the South East as future leaders.

    Umahi who featured as a guest on a monitored Channels Televison programme said: “When you have infested firewood, the ants will definitely come over there.

    He added, “Let our people come out to speak out that the unknown gunmen are not really unknown gunmen, they are our young men and women who will defend our land tomorrow; they should stop giving themselves to be killed.”

    Governor Umahi, however, commended the security agencies in Ebonyi for their conduct in the face of provocation and attacks on government facilities.

    He noted that the security agencies have yet to go after the perpetrators, as they were tied with protecting the facilities from further attacks.

    The governor decried the killing of some of the security operatives in the line of duty and defended them for returning ‘fire for fire’ as a means to defend themselves.

    He stressed that the people of the South East were not known for criminal actions and such were beyond the Igbo culture.

    Governor Umahi lamented that he had done everything necessary to enlighten the youths and discourage them from engaging in criminal activities.

    “Let our people stop confronting the security agencies. Without burning properties of the government, there will be no need for the deployment of security operatives and when they are deployed, you cannot tell them how to do the job when they are confronted with death.

    “A lot of them have lost their lives; they have families. We have to also know that the lives of the security operatives are the lives of our brothers and sisters, we are killing ourselves and it should stop,” he said.

    According to the governor, a majority of the youth do not know the cause they are fighting for and the insecurity in the region can be attributed to three factors.

    “People are being brainwashed – they don’t even know what they are agitating for,” he stated as the first factor.

    Highlighting the other factors, Governor Umahi said, “There are people who go to talismen to get all kinds of juju (charms) that no gun can kill them and yet, guns are killing them, then you have the hard drugs; these are the three factors destroying our land.”

  • IPOB sit-at-home: Umahi withdraws threat to traders

    IPOB sit-at-home: Umahi withdraws threat to traders

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has rescinded his threat that traders who fail to open for business on Monday in Obedience to stay at home order of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) will forfeit their shops.

    Umahi during his statewide broadcast on May 29, had issued the forfeiture order to scuttle the IPOB’s sit-at-home order.

    IPOB had issued its sit at home order in the South East with a threat to deal with those that might violate it which prompted Umahi to counter with his forfeiture notice on traders who might close shops on Monday.

    The governor’s reversal is, however, contained in a statement signed on Sunday by Umahi’s Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Francis Nwaze.

    Umahi in the statement, disclosed that the state government had received several requests from some citizens who wished to remain at home on that day to organise personal prayers.

    “The prayer requests are to honour their loved ones killed during the Nigeria – Biafra civil war and most of those who made these requests are traders.

    “The state government remains resolute to protect its citizens but also realises that people have the right to remain at home or engage in various engagements,” he said.

    The governor in the statement, therefore, directed that those who wished to remain at home on Monday would no longer be penalised or have their shops locked.

    “It is their constitutional right while the rights of those who wish to open for business should also not be infringed upon.

    “Security agencies are directed to do everything possible to maintain law and order in the entire state.

    “The ban on processions or gatherings of any kind throughout the state is still in force,” the statement added.

  • IPOB: Get cutlasses; defend yourselves or forfeit your shops, Umahi tells Ebonyi traders

    IPOB: Get cutlasses; defend yourselves or forfeit your shops, Umahi tells Ebonyi traders

    Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has warned that traders who comply with the Monday’s sit-at-home order should be ready to forfeit their shops.

    Umahi issued the warning in a state-wide broadcast on Saturday in Abakaliki to mark the sixth anniversary of his administration.
    He was reacting to the order by the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to the people of South-East zone.

    He directed that all markets in the state should open for business on Monday.

    The governor said: “There should be free movement of people in the state on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and other days of the year.
    “People should go to church on Sunday to pray for the nation’s fallen security agents, civilians and peace and unity of the state and country.

    “I challenge the youths, local government area chairmen, security agents, Ebebeagu security outfit, among others, to ensure that no one is molested in the state.

    “Anyone who has nothing to protect himself should do so with cutlass, which should be for protection and not for attack.”

    He said that all forms of procession had been banned in the state except those by youths organised by council chairmen.

    “I have been notified about such processions and they are being used to profile our people for empowerment.

    “I charge the Ebubeagu security outfit, which is backed by the state laws, to ensure that the people are protected,” Umahi said.

    He said the state could not go into “second slavery under any guise”, pointing out that “the secession the people need is massive economic development.

    “There will be movement in other parts of the country, if there is none in the South-East so people should therefore ignore such order.

    “Ebonyi people are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for all his assistance and if people do not see his goodness, he has been good to us,” he said.

    He urged parents and relevant stakeholders to advise youths to toe the path of peaceful co-existence and not depend on the illusionary influences of hard drugs and fetish powers.

    Ebonyi Police assure residents of safety

    In a related development, the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Aliyu, also advised residents to disregard the IPOB order.

    Aliyu gave the advice in a statement issued in Enugu by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Daniel Ndukwe, on Saturday.

    According to Ndukwe, the commissioner appeals to residents to discountence the order and go about their legitimate businesses without fear of intimidation.

    “We are reassuring everybody about the command’s commitment to collaborate with other security agencies to sustain adequate public security and safety in the state, in line with the mandate of “Operation Restore Peace.”

    “The command warns anybody or group harbouring any sinister intentions to disrupt the relative peace and security enjoyed in the state to desist forthwith, as such attempt will be resisted.

    “The command entreats parents, guardians as well as religious, traditional and town union leaders to caution their subjects against allowing themselves to be incited by mischief-makers to foment trouble,’’ Ndukwe stated.

    The statement further urged residents to “remain law-abiding and vigilant as they go about their legitimate businesses”.

    It appealed to the people to report criminal elements and persons found fomenting trouble to the nearest police station.
    It implored the people to alternatively call the following emergency command’s hotlines: 08032003702, 08075390883, 08086671202 or 08098880172.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that IPOB had issued a sit-at-home order in the southeast on May 31 to commemorate the death of many people during the civil war that ended about 51 years ago.

  • BREAKING: Governor Umahi sacks over 1000 board members, aides

    BREAKING: Governor Umahi sacks over 1000 board members, aides

    The Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi has dissolved all boards and commissions in the state with immediate effect.

    The governor announced this during his 2021 anniversary day address to the people of the state.

    Also sacked are management Committee members, liaison officers and local government advisory committee at all the 64 local government areas and 171 wards in the state.

    Also affected by the sack are all the Executive Assistants, Technical Assistants and Senior Technical Assistants to the governor.

    Put together, those sacked are over 1000.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the sack comes barely 24 hours after the governor sacked 83 members of the state executive council.

    He however noted that some statutory boards are not affected by the dissolution.

    They include Judiciary Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission, Civil Service Commission, Local Government Service Commission and Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC).

    The governor said the sack became necessary because some of the appointees have sympathy for the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    He also stated that the sack is to enable those who want to contest the local government elections next year and the All Progressive Congress(APC) congress to take part in the elections.

  • It’s foolish to insult Buhari, Umahi tells S’East youths

    It’s foolish to insult Buhari, Umahi tells S’East youths

    Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, on Thursday assured irritated youths that the South-East governors would join their agitation if the reasons for such protest were not addressed after six months.

    Umahi gave this assurance while participating in the Presidential Ministerial briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at the presidential villa, Abuja.

    He, however, demanded that youths against the region’s marginalization should forward their grievances.

    The governor urged them to grant their governors six months to discuss with the Federal Government.

    The governor said, “I have done stakeholders’ meetings in the 13 Local Government Areas; I have done seven-day prayers.

    “I have deployed the widows to fast and pray; I have deployed the elders’ council to go round and talk to our people. I have deployed founding fathers to go and talk.

    “All these talks are getting results. Some of the bad boys are pulling out and surrendering to us and they are giving us information.

    “But my position is that these people are our children. It does not please me. I’m trying to let them know that what they are agitating for can be solved through dialogue. We are calling on our youths to submit their demands to us. We will come to the centre and submit them.

    “If in the next six months, we have not substantially addressed them, we can join you in the agitation. But right now, we won’t support you to insult the President, leaders of the South-East and other leaders. That is not agitation; that is foolishness. Agitation is agitation.”

    Umahi said in addressing marginalisation and exclusion from the affairs of the nation, wisdom has to be applied.

    He described IPOB as “a child of necessity,” saying that the same organisation had now birthed the Eastern Security Network.

    The governor added, “You can see how this has multiplied. But the point remains that from the onset of matter, the past governments did not address the matter properly because when your children cry for any reason, you have to find out what the problem is, what the reasons are and then fix it.”

     

  • Umahi queries Commissioner, SSA, two LG chairmen over attacks on INEC offices in Ebonyi

    Umahi queries Commissioner, SSA, two LG chairmen over attacks on INEC offices in Ebonyi

    The Ebonyi State Government on Wednesday queried some of its officials over the burning of two Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in the state, on May 18, by hoodlums.

    Mr Uchenna Orji, state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, disclosed this in Abakaliki while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the state Executive Council meeting.

    Orji disclosed that the affected officials include Dr Nora Aloh and Dr Chinyere Nwogbaga, Chairmen of Ezza North and Ebonyi Local Government Areas (LGA) respectively where the burnt INEC offices were sited.

    The commissioner noted that the other government officials queried include Chief Solomon Okoronkwo, Commissioner for LGA and Chieftaincy Affairs and Mr Enekwachi Akpa, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on State and LGA Affairs.

    “The affected officials should explain why disciplinary actions should not be taken against them for failing to take proactive actions that could have prevented such occurrence.

    “We are waiting for the outcome of the query which will be issued by the Secretary to the State Government,” he said.

    He noted that the executive council warned all public office holders to rise to the responsibilities of their offices.

    “They should be diligent and passionate in their duties as disciplinary actions would be taken against anyone who fails in this regard,” he said.

    Orji also announced that the governor effected a minor cabinet reshuffle which saw some principal officers of government redeployed to other offices.

    “Mrs Queen Agwu, the Chief of Staff to the Governor has been redeployed as the governor’s Principal Secretary.

    “Chief Clement Nweke, the former Principal Secretary to the Governor has been redeployed to the ministry of Housing and Urban Development as the Commissioner,” he said.

    The commissioner also announced that council deliberated on the late commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Mrs Uchechi Okah, who died on May 14.

    “The government has set up a medical committee to ensure the testing of 4,000 public office holder for hepatitis and other ailments.

    “The committee should also ensure the testing of 2,000 female public office holders for cervical cancer,” he said.

  • Ebonyi National Assembly members allege threat to lives

    Ebonyi National Assembly members allege threat to lives

    Senators and House of Representatives members from Ebonyi State on Tuesday claimed that Governor David Umahi was after their lives.

    The Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers revealed this at a press conference addressed on their behalf by their caucus Chairman, Senator Sam Egwu.

    They claimed that Umahi was fueling insecurity in the state with hoodlums

    The group said, “As lawmakers and responsible citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we are alarmed and concerned by the senseless killing of security personnel in the lawful discharge of their duties.

    “This situation has been further compounded in Ebonyi State by the wide scale distribution of pump-action and AK-47 rifles and ammunition to young men throughout the 13 local government areas of Ebonyi State by the state government under the guise of vigilantes/Ebubeagu.

    “As it stands today in Ebonyi State, it is impossible to draw a line between the criminal activities of agents of the state government and that of other groups. Today, Ebonyi State is awash with weapons supplied and distributed by the state government to persons who are undocumented or trained in weapon handling ostensibly for use against perceived political opponents.

    “It is important to state here that Governor Nweze Umahi’s resort to arming thugs and cultists across Ebonyi State is his response to the refusal of major political stakeholders in the state who rejected and refused to defect with him from the PDP to the APC.

    “It is for this reason that Ebonyi State has become the first and only state in the South East to inaugurate and arm the so-called Ebubeagu.”

    In his reaction, the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Orji Orji, described the allegations as false and baseless.

    He said, “The press briefing is a continuation of the series of media plans by the Peoples Democratic Party elements in the state to continue to spread falsehood and incite public hatred against a government that has performed extraordinarily in Ebonyi State.

    “The government’s clear track records of integrity and people-oriented governance have been celebrated across the country. PDP in Ebonyi State has got no base without the people of Ebonyi; they rather group themselves to incite the public against a performing governor.”

  • Bandits are our children, we should empower them – Umahi

    Bandits are our children, we should empower them – Umahi

    Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi on Friday said bandits are ‘our children’, and called for their empowerment.

    Umahi spoke in Abakaliki at the presentation of 40 Toyota Sienna vehicles and 20 Hilux vans to security agencies for enhanced operations in the state.

    The governor declared his intention to negotiate with bandits to ascertain their grievances and the way forward.

    Umahi directed local government chairmen and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to identify the bandits and present them for debriefing.

    “I want talk to the bandits and empower them as we cannot continue to kill ourselves and destroy public infrastructure.

    “The bandits are our children and I am pained when they or the security agencies are killed.

    “I want to ascertain their grievances against the Ebonyi or federal government, collate the facts for discussions to commence,” he said.

    He expressed disappointment over the announcement of guidelines for the 2023 elections, noting that the nation was at a crossroad for such engagement.

    “Let us forget about the 2023 elections with the leaders taking responsibility for the situation and discussing for a way forward.

    “No one takes money to the grave and when we hear a gunshot, we will run and abandon the money we amassed.

    “This is not a period to discuss political parties but ensure that the resources of this nation which can truly transform it is judiciously utilised,” he said.

    Umahi debunked the insinuation that members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) or Eastern Security Network (ESN) were after him, insisting that he has discharged his duties to the people.

    Dr Kenneth Ugbala, Secretary to the State Government said that the presentation was the first batch of the 100 sienna vehicles and 40 utility vehicles to be procured for security agencies.

    “The governor has fully paid for the 40 sienna vehicles and 20 Hilux vans being presented as the recipients are charged to judiciously utilise the vehicles.

    “I want to thank the governor for this feat despite the prevailing economic challenges as he had earlier distributed 70 utility vehicles to security agencies in 2019,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the heads of various security agencies, top government officials, youth groups among other stakeholders, witnessed the presentation ceremony.