WordPress

Author: Chukwuemeka Opara

  • Anyim lauds lawmaker’s efforts to revive culture in Ebonyi

    Youths
    By Chukwuemeka Opara
    Ikwo (Ebonyi) June 29, 2024 (NAN) Former senate president Pius Anyim on Saturday hailed the efforts of Chief Chinedu Ogah, who represents Ikwo/ Ezza South in the House of Representatives, towards reviving culture in his area.
    Anyim made the commendation at Amagu, Ogah’s community in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi, while inaugurating the community’s cultural centre initiated by its development authority and completed by Ogah.
    The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) said that the centre would provide an avenue for cultural mentorship of youths of the area and also serve as a meeting point for its elders.
    “The centre will enhance interaction within the community and create the much needed understanding between the young and old.
    “The state government should be commended for placing emphasis on the project by assisting the community ‘s development authority to initiate it,” he said.
    Anyim described the occasion as epochal, adding that culture remain a viable tool for societal rejuvenation.
    “Imbibing cultural values, especially into our young ones, will set the society on the path of growth and development,” he said.
    The state’s immediate past deputy governor, Dr Kelechi Igwe, in a remark, ommended Ogah for the feat, saying that he had surpassed expectations as a lawmaker.
    Igwe, who also inaugurated a complex constructed by Ogah for  elders of the community, described him as a treasure and asset to the community, Ikwo Local Government and Ebonyi.
    “The state governor could have concentrated more on human empowerment if other legislators created the same impact Ogah has, on infrastructural development,” he said.
    Igwe described Ogah as someone who respects elders and therefore deserves respect.
    “He told me that I will inaugurate some projects for him and I replied that wherever the projects are situated, I will come.
    “I want to also thank our Leader, the former Senate President, Sen. Pius Anyim, for coming to our area to inaugurate projects, as he remains my friend and brother.
    “He will always be remembered for stabilising the Senate during his reign and providing panache to the office of the SGF,” he said.
    Ogah, in his remark, thanked the personalities for honouring his invitation, remarking that he was happy to complete the centre on the community’s ancestral home.
    “I was approached by the former leadership of the community’s development authority to complete the project after only laying its foundation despite the state government ‘s contributions.
    “I lobbied at the national assembly and the project was graciously captured in the 2024 appropriation act,” he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogah has been initiated projects alongside the empowerment of his constituents as part of activities to mark his 48th birthday celebration.  (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    RCO/OJI/BRM
    =================
    Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Reps member inaugurates study facility at Abakaliki custodial centre

    Facility
    By Chukwuemeka Opara
    Abakaliki, June 28, 2024 (NAN) The Member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Chief Chinedu Ogah, has inaugurated a study facility of the National Open University, at the Abakaliki custodial centre.
    Oga inaugurated the facility on Friday as part of activities to mark his 48th birthday ceremony.
    He said it was to enhance the educational well-being of the inmates and give them hope of a secured future.
    The legislator said the inmates should be encouraged to embrace education while on awaiting trial or serving various sentences.
    “The inmates should access free education from the facility and one of my friends have promised to provide 24 computers at the facility.
    “The facility will be equipped with internet facilities to ensure that the inmates receive quality education.
    “I am also in contact with a United Nations agency and this custodial centre will be part of those to benefit from its intervention,” he said.
    He noted that the centre and the one at Afiikpo would receive infrastructural facelift as captured in the 2024 budget.
    “We are also providing free drugs for the inmates and urge that they should not be sold.
    “Sick inmates should be treated at the centre but those with serious cases should be referred to the Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki.
    “We don’t want to further lose any inmate and as the Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, I will ensure you are well provided for,” he said.
    Ogah advised the inmates to behave well in order to be useful to themselves and the society when released.
    “Those that actually committed the offences being charged with, should repent while the innocent ones should know that God kept them at the centre to be saved.
    “Do not threaten custodial centre officials or cause trouble but be reformed with your stay at the centre,” he said.
    A Representative of the Controller of Corrections in Ebonyi, Linus Otah, thanked Ogah for his love for the officials and inmates of the centre and prayed for God’s protection upon him.
    “You have continued bringing good tidings to the centre and we would continue doing our best to take care of the inmates,” he said.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ogah cut his birthday cake with the inmates, donated food items and also visited the custodial centre at Afiikpo. (NAN) (www.nannews.com)
    RCO/MNA
    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • FG to create 6,500 jobs in Ebonyi through renewed hope housing project

    Jobs
    By Chukwuemeka Opara
    Abakaliki, June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government says it will create 6,500 jobs for different categories of persons through the construction of the 250 housing units in the Renewed Hope Estate in Ebonyi.
    The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa made the disclosure on Wednesday during the ground breaking ceremony of the estate, situated at Umuezekohu community of Ezza North Local Government Area of the state.
    Dangiwa said that the estate expected to be completed in three months, would create jobs for  architects, civil and mechanical engineers, plumbers, masons, tilers, among others.
    “This project consists of 50 units one-bedrroom semi-detached bungalows, 150 units of two-bedroom and 50 units of three-bedroom semi-detached bungalows.
    “The project will also enhance economic activities such as food sales, block supplies, provision of building materials among other trades, creating an impactful value chain,” he said.
    The minister said the ceremony began with the second leg of a nationwide groundbreaking exercise for housing projects under the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates Programme.
    “The programme was, launched in February 2024 with the inauguration of a 3,112-housing units in Karsana, Abuja.
    “The programme’s first phase will deliver 50,000 housing units across Nigeria which includes seven renewed hope cities with 500 to 1,000 housing units per site in each geopolitical zone and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
    “The renewed hope estates will have 250 units per site in the remaining 30 states as it aims to unlock Nigeria’s massive housing development potentials,” he said.
    He noted that the ministry had embarked on the first leg of the exercise with the groundbreaking of 1,500 housing units in the northern part of the country.
    “This includes 250-housing unit renewed hope estates, one in Katsina, Yobe, Gombe, and Sokoto, and a 500-housing unit renewed hope city in Kano.
    ‘This second leg will see the construction of 2,000 renewed hope housing units in states of the south and north central zones and this includes 250 housing units each commencing from Ebonyi.
    “This will be followed by Abia, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Osun, Oyo, Benue, and Nasarawa states,” he said.
    He noted that the housing units had been designed to be easily acquired and affordable for people by using organic designs for future expansion as beneficiaries”s income increased.
    “We have created different acquisition options which include single-digit mortgage loans repayable over 30 years, rent-to-own schemes from the Federal Mortgage Bank and outright purchase options,” he said.
    Gov. Francis Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Patricia Obila described the occasion as “historic” and commended President Bola Tinubu for implementing the programme.
    “This underscores the president avowed commitment to provide affordable housing to Nigerians especially the middle and low-income earners.
    “The project is also significant in realising the state government ‘s objective of providing affordable housing for its citizens,” he said.
    The governor assured of adequate security for the project to ensure its timely completion and appealed that at least 60 per cent of its indigenes benefited during its allocation.
    The Chief Executive Officer of Proportion Construction Company, who spoke on behalf of other developers, promised that the project would be completed within the stipulated period and also, of required standard. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    RCO/MNA
    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • Ebonyi govt. welcomes independent investigation into collapsed building

    Ebonyi govt. welcomes independent investigation into collapsed building

    Investigation

    By Chukwuemeka Opara

    Abakaliki, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Ebonyi government said on Tuesday that it would welcome investigations by independent bodies to unravel the cause of a collapsed two-storey building in Abakaliki, on June 18.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that two trapped construction workers at the building owned by a serving state legislator were rescued alive while other workers escaped unhurt.

    Chief Sunday Inyima, Ebonyi Commissioner for Capital City Development and Urban Planning, said this in Abakaliki while conducting a team from the Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBBRI) round the debris.

    “The government needs the truth on the cause of the collapse and that was why I inaugurated an investigative committee on the issue.

    “The interest shown by independent bodies in conducting investigations into the incident gives us hope of unraveling the remote cause of the collapse,” he said.

    He said that the government’s investigative committee was jointly headed by state chairmen of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON).

    “Your own report will be different from the state government’s committee and if we get a unified report, it will mean that a good job has been done.

    “When there are differences in both reports, we would review such differences to unravel the true cause of the collapse.

    “We hope to get recommendations from both committees that would help in forestalling future building collapse in the state,” he said.

    He thanked the team for rating Ebonyi very low in occurrences of building collapse, assuring that efforts would be intensified to forestall such occurrences.

    The Leader of the team, Prof. Akaolisa Ezeagu, said it was constituted by NBBRI Director-General, Prof. Samson Duna, to investigate the cause of the collapsed building and recommend ways of forestalling such.

    Ezeagu commended the commissioner for conducting the team round the scene and for providing relevant documents among others that would assist the team in its assignment.

    “We are not in Ebonyi to witch-hunt anyone but to conduct scientific based investigation into the collapse and providing documented recommendations to forestall future occurrences.

    “Building collapse has become a national menance but we are happy that Ebonyi ranks very low in such occurrences.

    “Our recommendations on forestalling building collapse assist federal, state governments and developers to learn relevant lessons in checking such ugly occurrences,” he said.

    He called for concerted efforts from stakeholders to check building collapse due to inherent fatalities and economic losses.

    NAN reports that the team conducted relevant tests on the building’s debris and interfaced with relevant authorities in the state’s housing and construction sectors. (NAN) (www nannews.ng)

    RCO/KUA

    ========

    Edited by Uche Anunne

     

  • Ebonyi: Journalist’s LG Chairmanship bid gets massive boost

    Candidacy
    By Chukwuemeka Opara
    Abakaliki, June 22, 2024 (NAN) The ambition of Mr Timothy Nwachi, former Director-General of Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation, to take the Afikpo North Local Government Chairmanship seat, got a massive boost on Saturday.
    The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that Nwachi’s bid got off to a good start with the area’s Diaspora group endorsing his candidature.
    The group, while identifying with the media guru, thanked the All Progressives Congress(APC) for ensuring a transparent process that led to his emergence.
    Its President-General, Chief Oko Enyim, told NAN that the group would support Nwachi’s bid to lead  Afikpo North Local Government Council.
    “The party has identified with Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s mantra of transparency in ensuring fairness and credibility in all facets of the state.
    “This is a testament of the governor’s unwavering commitment towards enthroning genuine democracy in the state starting, from the local government level,” he said.
    Enyim described Nwachi as “a square peg in a square hole”, noting that he is “grass-rooted and well-equipped to deliver the goods”.
    “We, the natives of Afikpo, attest to the fact that Nwachi possesses the qualities to replicate the governor’s democratic and human-uplifting ideals in the council.
    “Nwachi’s eventual emergence as chairman will usher in the needed peace and tranquility in the area under a leadership of transparency, accessibility, among other virtues.
    “The people are expecting real progress and development in the area and the group will contribute all within its reach, to ensure his success at the polls,” he said.
    He further described Nwachi as a humble and responsible administrator whose vast experience in the public service will be key in providing quality leadership to the people.
    “Nwachi excelled as the Director-General of the Ebonyi Broadcasting Corporation and the immediate past Deputy Chief of Staff to the state Governor, among other top positions.
    “His pedigree, especially in the media industry, stands him out as a tool of re-integration and beacon of hope for the people,” he said.
    Enyim said that the group is solidly behind the state government in achieving its goals as contained in its people’s charter of needs mantra.
    “The surge of eminent personalities and political heavyweights into the APC signifies the party ‘s total acceptance in the state.
    “Afiikpo North will demonstrate such acceptance at the polls,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    RCO/ETS
    ========

  • No confirmed cholera case in Ebonyi — Health Commissioner

    Cholera

    By Chukwuemeka Opara

    Abakaliki, June 22, 2024 (NAN) The Ebonyi government on Saturday said there is no confirmed cholera case in the state except suspected cases.

    Dr Moses Ekuma, the State Commissioner for Health, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki.

    He explained that the state currently had 38 suspected cases.

    Ekuma said that the ministry in collaboration with relevant agencies were closely monitoring the situation and had taken proactive steps to forestall any outbreak in the state.

    “We have inaugurated a technical working group on the issue while increasing the training and re-training of health personnel for emergency responses.

    “We have increased our enlightenment campaign on the citizens to take precautionary measures while our health facilities are on alert to handle emerging situations.

    “The citizens have been enlightened to wash their hands always before eating, avoid drinking contaminated water, cover their foods properly among other measures,”he said.

    The commissioner noted that emphasis was being placed on open defecation, which the citizens must avoid presently and beyond.

    “We are working in synergy with sister ministries of water resources, environment among others, to ensure that adequate water is supplied to the citizens and the environment kept clean.

    “The citizens should not panic but ensure they engage in safe health practices and be vigilant within their environment,” he said.

    He urged the citizens to report suspected cases to nearby health facilities and not engage in self medication.

    NAN reports that there are reported cases of cholera across the country with attendant fatalities. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    RCO/AMM

    ==========

    Edited by Abiemwense Moru

     

  • All victims of Abakaliki collapsed building are safe- Ebonyi Govt, Police

    Building
    By Chukwuemeka Opara
    Abakalikii, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Ebonyi Government and the Police have confirmed that all victims of the  collapsed building incident which occurred in Abakaliki on June 18 are safe.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three- storey building under construction is owned by a member of the Ebonyi House of Assembly, Mr Oluchukwu Ezeali.
    The state Commissioner for Capital City and Urban Planning, Chief Sunday Inyima told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that two construction workers trapped inside the building’s rubble had  been rescued.
    Inyima said that four other construction workers at the site successfully escaped when the building collapsed.
    “We went to the hospital with the four workers to see the two rescued victims and they confirmed that the workers worked with them on the site.
    “We are happy that all the workers are alive and we can presently face technical matters,” he said.
    The commissioner assured the public that the matter would be thoroughly investigated to serve as deterent to others.
    “We call on the owner of the building to present himself to security agencies for investigations.
    “I spoke with him and he promised to bring the site workers and the supervising engineer to the ministry but he has only brought the workers,” he said.
    He noted that the building was not approved by the ministry as the owner was advised not to erect a high rise building in the area.
    “The building was situated at Udensi/ Nnodo low-cost housing estate of Abakaliki and only bungalows were approved for the area.
    “The owner ignored the advice and according to information in his records, he was constructing a three-storey building.
    “He did not obtain a building approval as whatever he did concerning the structure was illegal,” he said.
    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joshua Ukandu, also confirmed that the two trapped  victims were responding to treatment at the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital.
    “The divisional police officer in charge of the area is on top of the situation and can confirm that the victims are responding to treatment,” he said.
    One of the victims, Celestine Arua, thanked God for saving him as he thought he would die under the rubble.
    NAN reports that officials of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and other engineering regulatory bodies all visited the site and confirmed that it didn’t meet relevant engineering stipulations.
    The Lawmaker, Ezeali, when approached by newsmen, said that he was still in shock over the incident and would address the press appropriately. (NAN) (nannews.com)
    RCO/MNA
    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

  • Sallah: No security breaches in Ebonyi—NSCDC

    Sallah: No security breaches in Ebonyi—NSCDC

    Security

    By Chukwuemeka Opara

    Abakalikii, June 18, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Tuesday, said so far there has not been any security breach as Ebonyi residents join other Nigerians to celebrate Eid-el Fitri.

    The State Commandant of the corps, Dr Elijah Willie, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakalikii that the celebration in the state has been peaceful.

    Willie said he was monitoring operations of his personnel deployed across the state especially at security flashpoints.

    “We deployed over 700 personnel across the state to ensure maximum security during the celebration.

    “We are maintaining the same security deployment used during the sit-at-home directive of an outlawed group in the south east zone, on May 30.

    “We are working in synergy with relevant security agencies  to ensure that there are no security breaches across the state,” he said.

    He urged the citizens to continue being law-abiding and provide security agencies with relevant information to combat crime.

    “I advise criminals to repent or leave the state as the NSCDC and other security agencies would make life very uncomfortable for them.

    “The citizens should see security agencies as their friends because protecting their lives and properties is our business,” he said.

    He thanked Gov. Francis Nwifuru for his support to security agencies in the state which, he said had made their work easier and more efficient. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    RCO/KUA

    =========

    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • Nwirufu cautions Ebonyi residents against flood-inducing activities

    Nwirufi cautions Ebonyi residents against flood-inducing activities
    Flood
    By Chukwuemeka Opara
    Abakaliki, June 15, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi on Friday in Abakaliki urged residents of flood-prone areas of the state to avoid activities that expose them to floods.
    He said through his Deputy, Mrs Patricia Obila, that such activities included building on water ways, blocking of drainages and indiscriminate felling of trees.
    Nwifuru spoke during the commencement of flood early warning, downscaling strategies in Ebonyi to mitigate the adverse effects of the menace in 2024 by National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
    “The welfare of the citizens is paramount in our people’s charter of needs mantra and efforts will be intensified to check the loss of livelihood and properties of occasioned by flood.
    “The state government will provide funds and other logistics needed to effectively downscale this flood early warning strategies to the grassroots,” he said.
    He commended NEMA for the taking actions to mitigate the effect of flooding in the state and pledged that his administration would cooperate with the agency to achieve desired goals.
    The Executive Secretary of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said during the event that the agency would pay special attention to rural areas during the sensitisation.
    “For the 2024 rainy season, some Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state are predicted to be affected by flood.
    “The affected councils are under high and moderate flood risk areas and are already listed in NEMA’s earlier communication to the state government.
    “This underscores the importance of this flag-off and I seek stakeholders’ support in downscaling early warning and risk mitigation messages to the grassroots,” said Umar through Dr Ejike Martins, the agency’s Director of Human Resource Management.
    She noted that the devastating impact of flood across the country especially in 2012 and 2022 tasks all tiers of government to collaborate with NEMA in managing disaster risks and associated hazards.
    “Lives have been lost, means of livelihood and infrastructure worth billions of naira have been destroyed,” she said.
    Umar noted that NEMA banks on the rainfall and flood advisories in the Seasonal Climate Predictory and Annual Flood Outlook of Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency.
    “They have provided valuable early warning alerts and we are all expected to take steps that would drastically reduce the adverse impact of flood on the entire landscape.
    “This impact is especially on the most vulnerable persons living in communities at the risk of flood,” she said.
    Mr Clement Ovuoba, the Executive Secretary, Ebonyi State Emergency Management Agency (EB-SEMA), said the agency would increase its efforts in mitigating predicted flooding and raising flood awareness. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    RCO/KUA
    ========
    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • EBHA commends IFAD for supporting Ebonyi farmers

    EBHA commends IFAD for supporting Ebonyi farmers

    Farmers

    By Chukwuemeka Opara

    Abakalikii, June 13, 2024 (NAN) The Ebonyi House of Assembly has commended the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)-assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) for supporting farmers in the state.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Chief Onyebuchi Ogbadu, made the commendation on Thursday during its oversight visit to the programme’s headquarters in Abakalikii.

    Ogbadu said the committee’s mandate was to liaise with relevant stakeholders in the state’s agriculture sector to ensure that farmers were empowered for bountiful food availability in the state.

    “This mandate is serious and that was why the Speaker of the House identified lawmakers who are farmers and own farms as the committee members.

    “We will identify IFAD-VCDP’s activities in the state and areas to assist in enhancing its services through legislation among other means,” he said.

    He urged the programme managers to increase the enlightenment on relevant stakeholders to combat standard measurement challenges of produce such as rice.

    The Deputy Whip of the House who is a member of the committee, Mr Lucas Chukwu also lauded IFAD-VCDP on its numerous interventions that have assisted farmers in the state.

    Chukwu said the committee was impressed with the programme’s utilisation of the counterpart funds from the state government for famers’ benefit.

    “It will be beneficial to Ebonyi to pay counterpart funds in the range of 400million and access interventions worth over N4billion.

    “This makes us desirous to assist you to enable our farmers access interventions for increased food production in the state,” he said.

    The State Programme Coordinator (SPC) of IFAD–VCDP, Mr Sunday Ituma, thanked the lawmakers for the visit noting that it would open avenues of collaboration between both bodies.

    “The project design of the programme allows relevant stakeholders to conduct oversight on its activities to ascertain the progress of implementation.

    “We had fruitful interactions with the committee and it requested that we submit list of our achievements and challenges for necessary intervention”, he said.

    He said since 2015 the programme had injected billions of naira into the state’s economy though its interventions in eight local government areas of operation.

    “We have inaugurated modern rice processing centres at Iboko ,(Izzi LGA) Omege Echara (Ikwo LGA) Osso (Edda LGA) while upgrading 20 of such centres each for rice and cassava across participating LGAs.

    “We have constructed 80.4kilometres of rural farm roads to assist farmers access markets and reduce loss of farm produce.

    “We have constructed 94 culverts, 20 mini bridges and 63 solar-powered bore holes to assist farmers in rural communities among other interventions”, he said.

    He urged the Assembly to domesticate the national standard weight and measure Act to ensure that buyers of produce such as rice get due value for their money. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

    RCO/KUA

    ========

    Edited by Uche Anunne