Author: Douglas Okoro

YPP inaugurates caretaker executive committee in Ebonyi
Committee
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, June 30, 2024 (NAN) The Young Progressive Party (YPP), Ebonyi chapter, has inaugurated a 21-member caretaker State Executive Committee (SEC) to pilot the affairs of the party for the next six months.
The committee led by Mrs Mercy Nwaogbala was inaugurated in Abakaliki following approval by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
Dr Sunday Opoke, the governorship candidate of the party in the state in the 2023 gubernatorial election who doubles as the leader of YPP in the state, advised the officials to see their appointments as a call to duty.
Opoke enjoined the committee members to put personal interest aside and work to actualise the collective goal of the party, among which is to make YPP a vibrant opposition that would take over power in 2027.
He further advised the officials to shun any temptation of anti party activities.
”Such activities will not be tolerated as it will constitute gross violation of the party’s constitution.”
He emphasised that the party must strategise to take power in order to provide credible leadership to the people of Ebonyi.
He said: “If you must take power, you must strategise; you must be dynamic and play with all your intelligence.
“Taking power is not easy but it becomes easy when men are committed.
“I believe that the men gathered here are committed, and come 2027, will lead Ebonyi through YPP. We are not saying that to impress you; already, we are aware that they are having issues here and there.
“Why we are trying to address leadership issues early enough is so that we will not behave like them because we want to be sure that when people are coming to us, they are coming to us because we are matured.
“When they are coming to us, they are coming because we are capable and have the potential and capabilities to take power.
“So, if we do not express such capacity, then we are not doing party business; that is why as you have been inaugurated today, whom much is given, much is expected.”
Opoke pledged the support and loyalty of the members to the new leadership, urging them to stay committed to their new assignment.
Meanwhile, Nwogbala, in an acceptance speech on behalf of the members of the SEC, pledged to move the party to the next level, while appealing for support and solidarity to enable the committee to succeed.
She noted that the duty of an opposition party was to make the ruling party, through a constructive and virile opposition, deliver good and credible governance anchored on democratic tenets.
She said that YPP under her watch would not antagonise the ruling party in the state but serve as a watchdog to ensure that the principles of natural justice and rule of law were upheld at all times by the government.
Nwogbala, while assessing the performance of the Gov. Francis Nwifuru-led State administration, appreciated the governor for achieving a lot within his one year in office.
She, however, urged the governor to pay attention to grassroots social and infrastructural developments and also create job opportunities for the youths.
“As the chairman of this party, I will make sure that I and my team will move the party forward to the best of our ability.
”I will do my best to ensure that YPP will produce the next governor of the state in 2027. All we ask is your support and solidarity.
“We, as opposition, will not engage in needless criticism of the ruling party but we will constantly serve as a watchdog so as to keep them on their toes to offer good governance and credible leadership.
“Many youths who are graduates in various disciplines, engage in commercial motorcycle and tricycle riding; this has to be addressed,” Nwogbala said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ODO/EMAF
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne
June 30, 2024
Ebonyi, NBC partnering to resolve boundary disputes with neighbouring states – Nwifuru
Ebonyi, NBC partnering to resolve boundary disputes with neighbouring states – Nwifuru
Disputes
By Douglas Okoro
Isiaka (Ebonyi), June 29, 2024 (NAN) Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has said that the State Government is doing everything possible to ensure that all inter-state boundary disputes affecting communities in the state were permanently resolved.
Nwifuru said this on Saturday during a campaign rally for the re-election of the Chairman of the council, Chief Emmanuel Aja, held at Isiaka, the Headquarters of Ivo Local Government Area .
The governor, represented by his Deputy, Mrs Patricia Obila, said that the government was collaborating with the National Boundaries Commission (NBC) and other relevant bodies to ensure that border communities in the state enjoyed permanent peace.
He regretted that some communities in Ivo had been embroiled in boundary disputes with their neighbouring communities in Abia.
He expressed optimism that all the boundary-related disputes in the state would soon be a thing of past.
Nwifuru said: “Our duty as a government is to ensure that there is peace in every part of the state.
“I’m aware that Ivo people have some problems in some areas, let me assure you that we are not sleeping.
“We have contacted the NBC and other relevant bodies involved in boundary matters.
“Soon, they will be here in Ebonyi to give you that very peace that you demand.”
The governor thanked the youths for being very peaceful and not engaging in fighting with their neighbours.
He also thanked the people of the area for being peaceful during the nomination of APC candidates for the upcoming council polls.
He implored them to sustain the peace during and after the exercise.
He also called on those who were aggrieved to close ranks with the party and its candidate to usher the party to victory at the election.
“We couldn’t have come this far without your cooperation had it been that we had some rancour during the primary election.
“It wouldn’t have been easy. I want to thank you for your understanding and assure you that government will always be there for you,” Nwifuru said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to deepening good governance at the grassroots and emphasised the importance of credible and democratic elections in selecting leaders for grassroots administration.
In a speech, Aja lauded the governor for his people-oriented government and ensuring that peace and security prevailed in every part of the state.
He pledge to follow in the footsteps of the governor, if elected, promising to provide genuine and credible leadership for the people of the area.
“I’m appealing to everyone who feels agrieved to forgive since peace is the only prerequisite for development and there cannot be development without peace.
“I’m certain that with peace and collective effort, we will surely achieve victory at the poll,” Aja said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the well-attended rally, attracted party chieftains and supporters, including the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Moses Odanwu, and state party Chairman, Stanley Okoro-Emegha, among others. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ODO/USO
Edited by Sam Oditah
June 29, 2024
ASUU urges FG to prioritise varsity education to curb brain drain
ASUU urges FG to prioritise varsity education to curb brain drain
Education
By Douglas Okoro
Ndufu-Alike (Ebonyi), June 26, 2024 (NAN) The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the Federal Government to prioritise university education to boost research and academic excellence in the nation’s ivory towers.
The Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo (AEFUNAI), branch of ASUU made the appeal in an address delivered during a press conference on the campus on Wednesday at Ikwo local government area in Ebonyi.
The union had earlier embarked on a peaceful march that commenced on the university campus and terminated at entrance gate of the institution to draw awareness of its demand for a better welfare and funding of university education in Nigeria.
The address signed by Dr Louis Omenyi and Dr Joseph Chukwu, the branch chairman and secretary respectively lamented the poor state of infrastructure, welfare of lecturers and other anomalies in the system.
According to the unionists, the perceived rot in the public owned universities need urgent action so as to stem brain drain and incessant strike actions that had bedeviled the university education.
The union rejected what it termed, ‘illegalities , underfunding, disrespect and flagrant violation of university autonomy and academic freedom by governments at all levels.
It also decried the federal government’s failure to honour the agreement it reached with the national body.
“All these anomalies have occasioned the massive exodus of some of our best brains through the phenomenon that has become popularly known as ‘Japa’ syndrome.
“The few of us left behind will not let our generation down because the struggles of our irrepressible union are our historic responsibility to secure the heart and soul of the university system where intellectualism, research, innovation and development are nurtured and delivered.
“The baton is in our hands today and we cannot let down our heroes past by allowing people who benefitted from free and subsidised education to destroy our national heritage and educational system,” ASUU said.
ASUU which reaffirmed its commitment to industrial peace and harmony noted that it remained and committed to placing quality education of all Nigerians in its rightful place.
“We are here to reaffirm that we are committed to ensuring qualitative and affordable higher education for all Nigerians and nothing will make us renege from this sacred responsibility,” it added.
The union frowned at the government’s insensitivity to the plight of the university lecturers and lack of commitment to implementing agreements entered with the union and the infrastructural decays.
It therefore called on relevant authorities to do the needful to avert another looming crisis that could lead to further devaluation of standards in the university education.
“We are also making a clarion call to all Nigerians to join hands with ASUU to salvage the Nigerian university system from total collapse.
“We are also using this medium to warm that the ritual of ASUU’s preparation for another round of strike has just begun.
“Arising from the texts of press conferences after the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union held recently at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the cloud is gathering for a show down if the needful is not done very quickly.
“You will recall that ASUU has reached an agreement with the the government in 2009, which is supposed to be reviewed three years later; for 15 years now, that agreement has not been wholly implemented let alone reviewed.
” As a consequence, lecturers in public universities have remained stuck with the same poor condition of service,” the union said.
ASUU called on government to urgently set up a committee to review the agreement reached by its leadership and Prof. Nimi Brigs-led Government committee to further look at the document, adjust it according to the current economic realities.
The union condemned government’s sustained use of the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) payment platform saying that the system usurped the powers of the university councils.
The group rejected continued withholding of three and half months salaries of members, non-payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA) and promotion arrears among other alleged injustices. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ODO/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu
June 26, 2024
NUJ bars journalists from covering activities in Ezza North LGA
Coverage
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, June 19, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi council, has barred members of the union from covering events in Nkomoro community in Ezza North LGA of the state following an attack on three of its members.
The decision is contained in a statement Wednesday in Abakaliki signed by
Mr Samson Nwafor, NUJ Chairman in the state, gave the directive in a statement he issued on Wednesday in Abakaliki, after an emergency congress of the union.
Nwafor stated that three journalists, Mr Uchenna Inya of Daily Sun, Mr Godwin Oguta and Dr Chinelo Okoro of Radio Nigeria’s Unity FM, Abakaliki, were attacked in the community on Saturday.
They were attacked when the kingship tussle between two warring groups in the area took a dangerous dimension.
The warring groups invited the journalists to cover and report the election/coronation of a new traditional ruler of the community who was to emerge that day.
But, the event turned bloody when one of the factions objected to the coronation of a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Chief Jacob Nwakpa.
Mr Chika Igboke, an official of the state government had said that he was instructed by the state ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to coronate the man.
Igboke eventually presented the authorisation paper directing him to do so.
Inya’s vehicle which the media team drove in, to the venue of the event, was smashed by an angry mob.
The NUJ chairman described the incident as barbaric, wicked and wondered why journalists should be attacked while discharging their responsibilities as watchdog of the society.
The NUJ, however, demanded an apology and compensation for the attacked journalist from the warring parties to cover for their losses.
“Congress condemns in strongest term the attack on three members of the union, namely: Mr Uchenna Inya of The Sun newspaper, Dr Chinelo Okoro and Sir Godwin Oguta, both from FRCN, Unity FM, Abakaliki, at Nkomoro Community in Ezza North LGA.
“Congress describes the attack as not only crude and barbaric, but a clear attempt to intimidate, subdue and force journalists into self censorship.
“We strongly bemoan the unconcerned attitude of the people of Nkomoro community about the unprovoked attack as they are yet to sympathise with the victims of this attack more than four days after the incident.
“Congress views this total lack of empathy by the people of Nkomoro to mean that the attack was carefully and deliberately planned and executed by the entire community.
“Congress therefore, directs Members of NUJ in Ebonyi to henceforth desist from covering events in Ezza North LGA, pending when relevant authorities and stakeholders of the council prevail on the community to compensate our colleagues.
“The community or perpetrators of this dastardly act are to tender unreserved written apology to them and copy NUJ as a body. Congress resolved to sanction any member who flouts this directive,” the statement quoted Igboke as saying.
He called on the Ebonyi Government and the Commissioner of Police in the state to immediately arrest and prosecute those directly or indirectly involved in the attack. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ODO/EMAF
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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne
June 19, 2024
Church empowers members with cash gifts to cushion economic hardship
Church empowers members with cash gifts to cushion economic hardship
Cash
By Douglas Okoro
Ezzangbo (Ebonyi), June 19, 2024 (NAN) A Christian denomination, ‘The Gate Of Heaven Church’ also known as ‘United For Jesus Ministry’, has doled out cash gifts of various amounts to its members to enable them overcome present economic hardships in the country.
The event took place on Wednesday at the Church’s complex at Umuagara Community of Ezzangbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi.
Mr Ndubuisi Chibueze-Agbo, the President of The Gate of Heaven Church World-Wide who spoke to journalists after the event said that the decision to empower the members of the Church was taken by its Committee.
According to him, the empowerment funds amounting to hundreds of thousands of Naira were proceeds of tithes paid by the members from 2022 to date, adding that the charitable act was biblical.
Chibueze-Agbo said that 54 members of the Church benefited from the empowerment programme, saying that each beneficiary got a total of tithe paid from January 2022 the date.
He explained that the Church took the steps to mitigate the current economic hardships and cash crunch in the country.
“The decision to empower the indigent members of our Church from tithes paid from 2022 to date was taken on Sunday after the committee’s meeting which deliberated on the modalities for the distribution.
“The committee approved this formula of empowerment in its meeting held on Wednesday, June 12, after taking into consideration the high cost of foods and other essential materials in the country.
“We also encouraged our members to go into farming and produce most of the things they eat instead of depending on buying everything from the market.”
He said that the wealth of the Church should be redistributed among the members and not to be taken over by few leaders.
“Church members should be encouraged and supported with the resources they put together because God will not come from heaven to collect the cash offerings or the tithes.
“God does not need it; it is people that use money; so we do this from time to time as it has been our practice, it should be about service to the Lord’s people as Apostle Paul emphasised in 2 Corinthians 9:1-15,” he said.
Chibueze-Agbo, who was also a former Commissioner for Education in Ebonyi, maintained that what the Church did was biblical and urged other Christian denominations to always prioritise the welfare and well-being of the faithful.
The clergy said that the Church used the occasion to pray for peace in Nigeria and other countries of the world bedeviled by insecurity and conflicts.
Chibueze-Agbo said that prayers were further offered to God to raise leaders both at the national and global scenes to put the interest of the people first and strive for peace and unity among nations.
“The Church appeals to world leaders to cooperate and avoid unnecessary cold and physical wars that have become the order of the day presently.
“The word of God will never be in vain and God will turn things around for our good; let us worship God, and use the knowledge he has given us to make humanity better.
“We have to pray and work for our Creator as supreme and sovereign. It is only His will that will prevail at the end of everything, but let no one be lazy for our God does not encourage laziness,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Senior Pastor of the Church, Pastor Ebe Chukwudi, prayed for the entire congregation that the cash distributed to them would solve their basic problems and attract more wealth to the Church.
He also prayed that God would continue to bless the President of the Church who had always kept the interest of the members paramount.
The clergyman, on behalf of the beneficiaries thanked the church and the president for impacting in the lives of the congregants.
“On behalf of the beneficiaries and the Church of God, I wish to express deepest appreciation to God for his benevolence and to the president for allowing himself for God to use as a vessel of honour,” Chukwudi said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ODO/BRM
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Edited by Bashir Rabe Mnai
June 19, 2024
Foundation decries poor health facilities in Ebonyi

Facilities
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, June 11, 2024 (NAN) A Non -governmental organisation in Ebonyi, Development Integrity Goal (DIG) Foundation has expressed worry over the poor condition of primary health centres in the state.
called for renovation of Primary Healthcare Facilities in the state to meet the health care needs of the citizens.
The foundation made the observation during the Health Sector Advocacy Alliance Roundtable for media and Civil Society Organisations organised by ‘Green-The-Red-Health Sector Cluster’ in collaboration with DIG.
The workshop was implemented with support from the United Agency for International Development (USAID).
Mr Oliver Ajah , Executive Director of DIG, said that out of the N9 billion budgeted for the health sector in the 2024 fiscal year, only N9 million had so far been released to the sector by the state government for the first quarter covering January, February and March.
the result of USAID State2State 2020 report conducted in 171 Primary Healthcare Facilities by the state Ministry of Health indicated a poor state of public health facilities in the state.
According to him, the report done in collaboration with Health Policy Plus showed that 96 per cent of the Primary Healthcare facilities needed various degrees of renovations.
The report further noted that 46 per cent of the facilities had no fence, while 35 per cent has no forms of power supply with 47 per cent of them without alternative power supply.
According to the group, only 40 per cent of the facilities has functional toilet, but no good waste management while 55 per cent has no sources of water supply in the facilities and described it as worrisome.
The foundation explained that Ebonyi was yet to fulfill the 2001 Abuja declaration of allocating 15 per cent of its annual budget to health sector adding that only the Ebonyi Health Insurance Authority (EBSHIA) accessed a little percentage of its budget releases.
“Ebonyi has never fulfilled the 2001 Abuja declaration of allocating 15 per cent budget to health, and budget releases for the sector.
“For instance, ministry of health has less than one per cent annual capital budget release in 2022.
“Ebonyi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EBSPHCDA) and other sister agencies/Institutions had zero per cent capital budget performances in 2022, and 2024 first quarter.
“The healthcare facilities in the state also had challenges of inadequate manpower, some dilapidated and non-existence of some infrastructures among others.
This results to high out-of-pocket expenditure for vulnerable groups coupled with poor healthcare services.
“The result of USAID State2State baseline of 2020 also confirmed the 2019 baseline survey conducted in 171 Primary Healthcare Facilities by Ebonyi State Ministry of Health in collaboration with HP Plus.
“However, it is worthy to note that the health sector budget performance in the last quarter of 2023 under this administration was very promising, but the drop in first quarter of 2024 is worrisome,” Ajah said.
Participants at the workshop including; Mr Samson Nwafor, chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) among others in their separate speeches called on the state government to prioritise the health sector. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ODO/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

June 11, 2024
IPAC calls for credible, transparent LG election in Ebonyi
Election
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, June 10, 2024 (NAN) The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has called for a credible, free, fair and transparent election in the forthcoming Local Government poll scheduled to hold in Ebonyi in July.
Mr Ernest Nwaze, Chairman of IPAC in Ebonyi, made the call on Monday while briefing newsmen in Abakaliki on the outcome of their meeting held on Monday.
Nwaze said that the group assessed the preparations of the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) ahead of the chairmanship and councillorship polls and was satisfied with the level of preparation.
He said that statistics from EBSIEC showed that 16 out of the 17 registered political parties in Ebonyi would be participating in the July election.
“We have just ended our meeting which was to assess the performance of EBSIEC ahead of the July council polls in the state, and after our analysis, we came to the conclusion that the commission has performed above 80 per cent.
“We resolved that all the registered political parties in Ebonyi will participate in the election.
“We have also resolved that if EBSIEC continues to abide by the processes it has rolled out for the conduct of the election, then, IPAC will play according to the rules and participate fully.
“EBSIEC must ensure that the exercise is free, fair, transparent, and every political party should be treated equal by providing a level playing field,” Nwaze said.
He said that the recent comment by one Mr Splendor Oko-Eze, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP) in Ebonyi, alleging that the party would not participate in the coming council poll should be disregarded and discountenanced.
He said: “In every political party, the chief spokesperson is the chairman of the party; that you were a candidate of a party in an election, does not confer leadership position on you.
‘Today, there is no faction in the Labour Party and the only chairman recognised by the law and the national leadership of LP is Mr Godwin Jioke and his led-executive.
“The party rolled out nomination forms for aspirants, and the party has indeed conducted its primaries and have submitted names of candidates for the election to EBSIEC.”
According to him, the only registered political party not participating in the election and which did not attend the meeting was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He explained that the party was not invited to the meeting because of a subsisting circular from the national leadership of the party stating that the party was yet to resolve issues of leadership tussle in the state chapter of the party.
“So, we did not know who to invite in particular and that’s why we did not invite the PDP and that’s why the party won’t be participating in the forthcoming polls,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Sunday Nwambam, Special Assistant to Gov. Francis Nwifuru on Inter Party Affairs, applauded the state government for providing an enabling environment for opposition parties to thrive in the state.
He assured that the forthcoming council election would be free, fair, transparent, and would be conducted in line with best practices.
He commended the state electoral umpire for their level of preparedness, and enjoined the electoral body to stick by its rules, regulations and guidelines for the exercise.
“Government has already assured all the participating political parties and their candidates of a level playing field, and our governor is committed to deepening grassroots democratic governance,” Nwambam said.
NAN reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC), Zenith Labour Party, Accord Party, Action Alliance, All Progressives Grand Alliance among others, attended the meeting.
NAN further reports that IPAC is an umbrella body of all the registered political parties in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
ODO/OJI/EMAF
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Edited by Maureen Ojinaka and Emmanuel Afonne
June 10, 2024
Effective audit findings key to financial probity – Expert
Audit
By Douglas Okoro
Abakaliki, June 7, 2024 (NAN) A Public Financial Management Specialist, Mr Chibueze Nwonye, on Friday, stressed the need for effective audit findings, saying it was key to financial probity.
Nwonye stated this while delivering a lecture at United States Agency for International Development (USAID) STATE2STATE Activity workshop on accountability, transparency and effectiveness in Abakaliki, Ebonyi.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was aimed at developing, launching and implementing plans to address priority audit findings in the state.
Nwonye, a financial expert, said that the audit findings on the Auditor-General’s Reports was a key interest to the State2State activities, especially in the education, health, water, sanitation and hygiene sectors.
He said that the findings and the recommendations made would be beneficial in the implementation of the current budget, which would lead to proper service delivery.
Speaking earlier, the state’s Auditor-General, Dr Samuel Udu, said that the importance of audit findings was to ensure accountability, probity and good governance.
Udu said that his office had done a lot to ensure the effectiveness of audit findings, having worked and handed over audit findings to the state House of Assembly through the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
He stated that the findings in the field had testified to the readiness of his office to ensure that the state government got the best accountability records.
The auditor-general thanked the State2State Activity for its tremendous help in preparing the audit manual which was a guide to audit preparation.
He, however, explained that audit findings were not for witch hunting, adding that they were rather meant to put audit records straight and use it to correct any observed fault in future auditing.
“Audit reports are not meant for witch-hunts but they are meant to put audit records straight,” Udu said.
A member of the state House of Assembly, Mr Godwin Abiri, appreciated the organisers for putting together the workshop, saying it was a right step in the right direction.
Abiri, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts, also thanked State2State Activity for its involvements in improving government’s ability to plan and budget, monitor the budget and be accountable for every item budgeted.
NAN reports that the Communication Specialist of the State2State Activity, Mrs Nneka Egbuna, presented communication strategies for rolling out a plan to address the audit findings.
Egbuna, in her presentation, said that Ebonyi had benefited much from the interventions, particularly the Public Accounts Department (PAD). (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
ODO/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq
June 7, 2024