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Author: Patrick Anaso

  • Panel  to conduct tests on structures near collapsed DMGS building

    Panel  to conduct tests on structures near collapsed DMGS building

     

    Tests

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 27, 2024 (NAN) A panel of inquiry is to conduct integrity and structural tests on buildings around the collapsed Dennis Memorial Grammar School centenary building in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The panel is charged with investigation of cases of collapsed buildings in the state.

    The Chairman of the eight-man panel of inquiry, Mr Victor Meju, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Thursday.

     

    Meju,  also the Chairman of Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter,  said that preliminary findings showed that the five-storey centenary building collapsed due to a gap between the technical engineer and the engineering team.

     

    He said the panel, which started sitting on Tuesday, had received testimonies from the various teams  involved in the construction process.

     

    The chairman said the building engineer could not interpret the technical report on the soil which recommended raft foundation of ground beams.

    According to the chairman, the building engineer did what he felt would be good.

    “Again, we discovered that the consultant was working on pro bono which is unethical, because without collecting consultancy fee, you will not be able to give the job priority and professional attention which is what played out.

     

    “The man who did the foundation was different from the man who did from the DPC to the last floor and there was a compromise of the quality control management at a time when they engaged daily pay workers due to lack of funds,” he said.

     

    Meju said that structural and integrity tests would be conducted on buildings around the collapsed one  to ascertain their safety.

     

    He said that the tests would be on soil, chemical composition of cement used, reinforcement rods and other relevant materials.  (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/IGO

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    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

     

     

  • Anambra Beach Soccer team confident of 2024 league victory in Kaduna 

     

    Beach

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 27, 2024(NAN) The Anambra Beach Soccer Warriors have expressed confidence of winning the 2024 National Beach Soccer League.

    Okwudili Awam, the Coordinator of the team said this ahead of the last round of the Beach Soccer League in Kaduna.

    The coordinator said that the team would do well in spite of being debutants.

    The Kaduna leg of the Nigeria Beach Soccer League known as Super 4 will hold between July 4 and July 6.

    Awam said the Anambra Beach Soccer team had done well in the league so far that they could no longer falter.

    According to him, our chairman, Prof. Victor Madubuko has been passionately supporting the team and our supporters are counting on us.

    “The boys are ready to deliver, and I have no doubt we’ll return home with the trophy.

    “We will intensify our preparations for the big showdown because the stage is now set for an electrifying competition,” he said.

    Awam said that Anambra Warriors would fight for glory against Kebbi United BSC, Kebbi(Fishers) Beach Soccer Club and hosts, Kada City.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/MNA

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

     

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  • Research institute moves to commercialise energy-saving bulbs, solar lights, others

    Electronics

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 27, 2024(NAN) The Electronics Development Institute (ELDI), a research institute under the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), says it is set to introduce four of its projects into the Nigerian market.

    Dr Oluwaseyi Ogungbenro, Overseeing Officer of ELDI in Anambra disclosed this when he led top management of the institute on a visit to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Thursday.

    Ogungbenro said the products included ELDI bulb, ELDI Ceiling Light, ELDI Solar Lighting System and ELDI Solar generator.

    He said the products were richly researched and certified fit for the Nigerian market adding that it would be assembled in Anambra.

    The Overseeing Officer said the visit was in acknowledgement of NAN as a media giant in Nigeria as well express their willingness to partner with the agency in the project.

    “Firstly, I want to thank the NAN team for visiting our office a few weeks ago and we acknowledge that the impact of the media report was felt.

    “We are going to  start major commercialisation of four of ELDI products, ELDI bulbs,  ceiling light , solar lighting system and Solar generator which are ready for the market.

    “We are going to have awareness campings with roadshows and other strategies and ELDI is open for a collaboration with NAN,” he said.

    Responding, Mrs Joy Mbachi, State Correspondent of NAN in Awka appreciated the Overseeing Officer for his genuine feedback.

    Mbachi said it was good that the ELDI team understood that the media was crucial to the success of any endeavour adding that the agency would be glad to work with the institute.

    “Our duty in NAN is to inform the public about what the government is doing and other things going on in the society” she said.

    Electronics Development Institute (ELDI) was formerly known as Centre for Adaptation of Technology (CAT). It was established in 1988 by the government of the old Anambra state when Col. Robert Akonobi Rtd was the military governor of the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/MNA 

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

     

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  • NOC holds seminar for female coaches, administrators in S/East

     

    Seminar

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 26, 2024 (NAN) Female sports coaches and administrators have been urged to encourage more sportswomen to attain the peak of their careers.

    Prof. Florence Adeyanju, Chairperson, Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Women’ Commission, made the call in Akwa on Wednesday at a one-day capacity  seminar for female coaches and administrators in Southeast.

    Adeyanju said the two groups should work harmoniously considering the importance of their work.

    She said that while administrators make sports policies, coaches implement them to achieve the set goals.

    “Coaches establish good relationships with athletes, administrators, management and stakeholders and gain their support.

    “They must adapt methods to fit the athletes and situation, and provide constructive feedback when necessary, as good communication skills are vital,” she said.

    She added that the job of coaches  was to help young athletes to discover and develop their talents.

    Adeyanju, however, commended female coaches and administrators for the success of Nigerian sports women, noting that they were doing well in spite of the challenges facing them.

    She noted that female coaches should be provided with all the support they needed to succeed as well as strategies to manage their strengths and weaknesses.

    Adeyanju urged female coaches to be mindful of gender issues and encourage inclusiveness and also take cognisance  of the organisational structure within which they operated.

    She urged administrators to review their training curriculum, while coaches should endeavour to update their capacities.

    She listed some obstacles militating against the success of women coaches to include poor coaching philosophy, lack of transparency in dealing with athletes, poor anger management, lack of tolerance, low level training and lack of confidence.

    In his goodwill message, Habu Gumel, President of NOC, said the seminar was to enhance the capacity of female coaches and administrators in the country.

    Gumel who was represented by Kemi Obidahunsi, Secretary of NOC women’s Commission, commended women for their contributions to sports in Nigeria, and assured that the Commission would continue to support them.

    On her part, Princess Ugonwaezeh-Agugo, Coordinator of the event, welcomed the participants and expressed optimism that the programme would benefit them.

    Ugonwaezeh-Agugo, a Rugby administrator commended the NOC for the seminar which was the first of its kind in the Southeast.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that four presentations were made at the event which was attended by no fewer than 60 participants from the five states in Southeast. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/EMAF
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    Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

  • Anambra Assembly confirms 21 LG transition committee chairmen

     

     

    Confirmation

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 20, 2024 (NAN) The Anambra State House of Assembly has confirmed Mr Romanus Ibekwe and 20 others, including a woman, as new transition committee chairmen.

     

    The transition committees are to manage the administration of local government areas for three months in the first instance.

     

    The lawmakers confirmed all the nominees at a  plenary session on Thursday after the nominees were screened by the relevant committees of the assembly.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Chukwuma Soludo sent their names to the House of Assembly for consideration on Wednesday.

     

    The only woman among the chairmen is Amaka Obi,  for Idemili South LGA.

    Mr Chukwuma Okoye, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly, who presented the nominees, said that all them met the requirements.

    He requested that the assembly should approve their nomination.

    Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, subjected the request to members of the assembly, who unanimously voted for the approval  adoption.

     

    Udeze said that the exercise was in  fulfillment of Section 208 of the Local Government Law of 1999 as amended.

     

    The speaker also announced the names of councillors who would work with the Chairmen in their various LGAs.

     

    Councillors nominated for Ezi-Anam Ward and Ukpor Ward 5 in  Anambra West and Nnewi South, respectively,  were stepped down based on petitions against them.

     

    Meanwhile, the Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONET) has expressed concern at the constitution of  the transition committees.

     Mr Chris Azor, the Coordinator of ACSONET, who reacted to the nomination and confirmation of the committees, said that the civil society desired to see democracy at the grassroots.

     

     “We feel worried about the development. 

     

    “However, we feel the governor may have nominated the transition committee  members in order to avoid a vacuum.

     

    “We implore the governor to make this the last transition to a guaranteed democracy at that level, as enshrined in Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution,” he said.

     

    Anambra State Gov.  Chukwuma Soludo had, in a letter dated May 17, sacked the former transition chairmen and directed them  to handover affairs of  local governments to the heads of local government administration.

     

    The nomination came as a surprise to some people who expected that Soludo would conduct local government elections soon since he sent a bill for re-establishment of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission  to the assembly in May. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/IGO 

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    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

     

  • Food Crisis: Expert urges FG to prioritize agric sector

     

    Food 

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 19, 2024(NAN) Prof. Raphael Okigbo, lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has called on President Bola Tinubu led administration to pay more attention to the agricultural sector with a view to addressing the food crisis in the country.

    Okigbo, a professor of Plant Pathology in the Faculty of Biological Sciences, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Wednesday.

    He said the scarcity and high price of food items had demanded a deliberate effort to address the challenges in the sector.

    The don blamed insecurity and high cost of transportation as the bane of food security in Nigeria.

    Okigbo advised the Federal Government to open the country’s borders to importation of healthy food items in the short run to increase their availability and push down prices.

    According to him, we are not producing enough, our farmers both men and women, can no longer enter the forest to farm because of insecurity; government has to address the problem.

    “Again, the cost of moving produce from the farm to where they are needed has more than quadrupled; this is another harmful effect of removal of petrol subsidy.

    “All this explains the scarcity of food items and their high prices where you find them.

    “So, I want to say that the government should design a good and urgent policy to address the challenges in agricultural sector,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/MNA 

    Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

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  • We got administrative, technical approvals for collapsed building – DMGS

     

     

    Collapse

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 17, 2024 (NAN) Dennis Memorial Grammar School (DMGS), Onitsha, says it obtained all relevant technical and administrative approvals in the construction its  collapsed centenary building.

     

    The mission-owned school made the clarification in a statement signed by Dr Chijioke Ojji, Director of Operations, DMGS Centenary, in Awka on Monday.

     

    It said the building plans approval was sought and obtained from the Anambra State Physical Planning Board, which also carried out periodic inspections during its construction.

     

    The school also said that materials used in the construction underwent rigorous quality assurance processes, including tests by the Anambra State Materials Testing Laboratory, in Awka.

    It said that it was cooperating fully with the panel set up by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria to investigate why the building  collapsed.

     

    “In order to provide necessary assurance to the general public, we wish to state  indisputable facts concerning the DMGS centenary building.

     

    “All proper administrative and technical processes were scrupulously adhered to.

     

    “The architectural design of the building was  by a qualified and experienced architect, who is registered with the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria.

     

    “The structural design of the building was by one of the foremost structural engineers in Nigeria,” the school said.

     

    It added that the construction supervision was by an experienced structural engineer with over 30 years of experience while the technical foreman was a qualified engineer with relevant experience.

     

    DMGS said that it was aware that the identification of the cause of the collapse of the building would be a complex and painstaking evidence-based exercise that would take time. 

    He cautioned against hasty conclusions.

    He urged members of the public to  patiently  wait for verifiable and scientifically-sound conclusions on the cause of the collapse.

     

    “It is therefore with incredulity that we receive various press reports containing hasty, false, malicious and completely unsubstantiated purported conclusions as to the cause.

     

    “Our priority remains the safety of everyone: so, we share the public’s desire to know the truth and to prevent future accidents,” it said.

     

    Meanwhile, the school has confirmed that one person died from the building collapse while two persons were rescued alive.

     

    It condoled with  the family of the deceased and gave assurance  of its  support in dealing with the loss. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/IGO 

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  • Ezenwa emerges 9th chairman of ICAN Awka district society

    Ezenwa emerges 9th chairman of ICAN Awka district society

    Investiture
    By Chimezie Anaso
    Awka, June 16, 2024 (NAN) The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Awka District Society, on Sunday, inaugurated Mr Francis Ezenwa as the body’s ninth Chairman.

    Ezenwa was inaugurated alongside 13 other executive members at the investiture and N20 million fundraiser for the purchase of a bus for the district.

    In an inaugural speech at the ceremony held in Awka, Ezenwa, an alumnus of the University of Benin (Accounting), promised to prioritise the welfare and capacity enhancement for members.

    He said that the body, under his leadership, would entrench the culture of accounting by sponsoring prizes for students who did well in basic financial accounting in select schools in the state.

    He expressed the hope that, with the support of members, he would take the association to greater heights.

    Ezenwa, who succeeded Mr Emmanuel Modozie, promised that his executive would purchase an operational vehicle for the district.

    The Chairman, Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Dr Greg Ezeilo, delivered the investiture lecture, entitled “Accountants in the new world order: Using professional skills to save the world”.

    Earlier in an address of welcome, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Okechukwu Obi, expressed happiness that the association had continued to thrive over the years.

    Obi hoped that the new chairman would lead and leave the district better than he met it.

    Dignitaries from different walks of life, including the Traditional Ruler of Uga in Aguata Local Government Area, Igwe Stephen Ezenwugo, attended the colourful event. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/USO
    Edited by Sam Oditah

  • DMGS centenary building collapse: Institute says project not approved

    DMGS centenary building collapse: Institute says project not approved

    Site of collapsed DMGS centenary building

     

    Collapse

    By Chimezie Anaso

    Awka, June 15, 2024 (NAN) The Nigeria Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) says preliminary evidence before it shows that the collapsed Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha, centenary building, did not get necessary approvals.

     

    Prof. Akaolisa Ezeagu, Chairman of NBRRI Technical Team on Building Collapse in Anambra, said this when the team visited the site for assessment  on Saturday.

     

    Ezeagu, who is the Head of Civil Engineering Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, attributed the collapse to foundation problem that resulted from  disconnect between the building team and the technical engineer.

     

    He said that a building of such magnitude should be subjected to all construction approval processes including those from the central authority.

    “For now, what we have seen shows some areas of concern which point towards a foundation problem.

     

    “We have seen that there was a gap between the technical engineer and the construction team in terms of the foundation the technical engineer prescribed and the one the construction team used.

     

    “Again, the document they gave us had no approval stamps by any known authority, which should not be the case,” he said.

     

    Ezeagu added that drawings sighted by the team had no stamp of any central approval to show that it had been  studied and given a seal of approval to start.

     

    “This type of building should get approval from a central body in the state which will thoroughly go through the documents submitted by the architect and engineers and look for gaps, and where there is none, construction will be approved,” he said.

     

    Ezeagu, who described the building collapse as unfortunate,  said that the visit was mainly for fact-finding which involved establishment of negligence and concerns, and recommendations.

     

    He said that the team had collected samples for a series of tests.

     

    The expert expressed worry over  the rate of building collapse in Onitsha metropolis, and recommended a detailed research on the type of soil and the height of building it could carry.

     

    He commended the school and the building team for cooperating with the NBRRI team by providing  information to aid its investigation.

     

    “We have interacted with the principal of the school and the consultant, and the building team has supplied us with all the information, including building drawings and building calculations.

     

    “There are areas that are originally designed for non-high rise buildings, and if you must build high-rise buildings in such places,  you must go the extra mile.

     

    “Based on the history of this area, the highest floor here is three or four, and if you want to go for six floors, it requires that you must do something different from what other people here have done,” he said.

     

    Ezeagu said that the details of the teams’s findings would be captured in a report which would be gazetted and made accessible to members of the public. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/IGO 

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    Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

     

     

     

  • Bedridden sports coach begs Soludo, other Nigerians for help

    Appeal
    By Chimezie Anaso
    Awka, June 14, 2024 (NAN) An Awka-based grassroots football and gymnastics coach, Benson Udeh, bedridden for eight years, has appealed to Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra and other public-spirited Nigerians to come to his aid.

    Udeh, who is bedridden with spinal cord injury, made the appeal on Friday, when he spoke with newsmen from his sick bed in Awka.

    He said that with the assurances given by the experts managing him, he was hopeful to walk again, if he could have access to the necessary medical care.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Udeh sustained a spinal cord injury in June 2016 on his way to the final of the maiden Gov. Willie Obiano Academicals Football Competition at the Rojenny Stadium, Oba, near Onitsha.

    He was leading his team, the Community Secondary School, Aguluezechukwu and Community Secondary School, Isuanocha, when their vehicle crashed at the Oba-Nnewi Road.

    He was treated at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Memphis Specialist Hospital, Enugu and National Orthopedic Hospital, Enugu but stopped receiving treatment since 2017.

    He said: “Living in solitary confinement for eight years has been the most traumatic experience in my life.

    “It has been eight years now since I sustained this spinal cord injury and I have been bedridden since then.

    “l thank everybody for the assistance they have given to me but I still want to walk again.

    “I call on Gov. Soludo and his sports-loving and compassionate wife to help me.

    “I call on lovers of sports and public-spirited Nigerians to support me financially to get the needed medical attention,” Udeh said.

    He said that he still love football and wanted to go back to what he loved doing, including helping young people to discover and develop their talents in sports. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    APC/OIF/USO
    Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Sam Oditah