Fire guts Anambra LG secretariat

A part of the building housing the Dunukofia Local Government Area secretariat in Ukpo, Dunukofia, Anambra State, has been gutted by fire.

It was gathered that the fire outbreak, which occurred late on Wednesday, was a result of bush burning close to the local government secretariat.

It had earlier been reported that two separate fire outbreaks were also recorded at the Timber Market in Nnewi and behind the Sinai Gas Plant in Awka, the Anambra State capital. The fire, which occurred at different times on Tuesday, raged for hours but was controlled by the intervention of the men of the Anambra State Fire Service.

The Anambra State Fire Chief, Martin Agbili, who confirmed Wednesday’s incident at the LG secretariat, said it started around 6:53 pm on Wednesday.

Agbili said, “At about 18:53hrs (6.53 pm) of Wednesday, Anambra State Fire Service, received a distress call of a heavy fire outbreak at Dunukofia.

“Immediately, we deployed our fire truck and gallant Firefighters to the scene of the fire and fought, controlled and extinguished the fire.

“The cause of the fire was a bush fire which was started by unknown person(s) and encroached into the local government council secretariat.

“During the firefighting operations, we were able to control and extinguish the fire and prevent it from destroying a lot of things at the local government council.

“We withdrew from the fire scene at about 20:30hrs after fighting the fire to a standstill and calming the situation.

“It is also important that we clear all bushes around our environment, especially at this dry season and harmattan, to avoid ‘had I known’. Fire kills but you can prevent it.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has asked the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to account for the over N144 billion he received from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) in the past five months.

The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, made the call yesterday when he led stakeholders of the party on an advocacy visit to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt—Hon. Martin Amaewhule, in Port Harcourt.

Okocha who accused Governor Fubara’s administration of misappropriation of state funds, said the governor has nothing to show in the state in terms of development despite receiving over N144 billion from the Federal Government Allocation Funds from June to November 2023.

He also urged the governor to focus on developing the state rather than playing politics with the state funds.

“This might sound unpalatable but annoying. As a party in opposition in the state, we have applied and received data on the sum received by the Rivers state government from Federal Allocation.

“From June 22, 2023, to November 2023. It is our finding that a whooping sum of N144,291,667,791.01 has been received from Federal Allocation under FAAC.

“This amount is besides internally generated Revenue of the state which is put on conservatively N10 billion every month. We regret that this humongous amount has not been transmitted to action in any way in terms of development in the state.

“We, therefore, warn that as a party, We regret that this humongous amount has not translated to action in anyway in terms of development in the state. What we see are heavily funded sick processions and media presences in support of an unnecessary political imbroglio.

The Rivers APC CTC Chairman also frowned at the governor’s alleged refusal to represent the 2024 Budget Estimate to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Amaehwule and urged him (Fubara) to without delay go and present the budget to the assembly.

He wondered how the Rivers State government, under Governor Fubara, has been spending the state funds without a budget.

“We frown at the governor’s impunity in running Rivers State without a Budget. However, we remind him that it will amount to gross financial misconduct for him to continue on this dangerous voyage.

“As a party, we are happy to receive you as an ornament and treasurable asset. We thereby through you demand the Executive arm to shelve their necessary delay in presenting the 2024 Budget Estimate to the Assembly, to enable the budget to pass through the crucibles and be approved.

“What we see are hidden funded sick processions and media presences in support for unnecessary politics.

“We, therefore, warn that as a party, we shall not hesitate to punish any member of our party who is in cohort with this massive flopping and crafts financial magnificent of our dear Rivers state fund.”

Responding, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule said the assembly had recently, passed many bills into law which included the local government autonomy bill, adding that the lawmakers had also reverted the embargo on the use of public facilities for political activities in the state.

He noted that all actions taken by the assembly were fully backed by law.

Former Special Adviser to the Governor on Imo Orientation Agency, Chief Dr Fidel Onyeneke has appeal to Nigerians not to compromise in enhancing peace and unity in spite of the hard times in the Society.

Chief Onyeneke made the appeal in Owerri yesterday while addressing a forum organized by the Great Foresight Initiative for Peace, Leadership and Development.

He said that most of the problems facing the masses could be ameliorated in an atmosphere of peace and Tranquility.

Chief Onyeneke observed that many Non-Governmental Organizations and Religious bodies had not devoted enough time and resources towards promoting peaceful co-existence among the indigenes of the State.

The former Special Adviser called for a more aggressive method of engaging the populace and convincing them to shun all acts of wickedness and discriminations against their fellow human beings.

Chief Onyeneke cautioned the people not to succumb to carrying out nefarious activities due to desperation and frustration.

He urged the masses not to lose faith in the government at all levels,assuring that with resilience,the current societal obstacles faced by many persons, would be addressed and ameliorated.

Chief Onyeneke expressed optimism that the Imo State government would roll out programs that will touch positively on the lives of the masses,and equally restore their confidence in governance.

He further admonished the people to contribute towards the development of their communities, as the task of sanitizing the society, remains the joint responsibility of both the Government and the governed.

Chief Onyeneke was later conferred with a Good Leadership and Humanitarian Award at the event by the President of the Organization, Evangelist Samuel Ezeji.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reversed last week’s sack of 20 staff of the Enugu State Water Corporation.

The workers were disengaged by the governor’s special personal assistant on water and waste management, Andreas Gebauer, an Austrian.

The reversal followed the public outcry that greeted the sack and the eventual death of one of the affected workers.

The affected workers were sacked following their alleged inability to meet the minimum N50 million monthly internally generated revenue target from the water supply.

Two days after the reported sack, one of the victims and director of the corporation, Christopher Abonyi, was reported to have died out of shock, a development that led to public outcry and protests from workers.

However, addressing the protesting workers of the corporation, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Fabian Nwigbo, and his Trade Union Congress (TUC) counterpart, Ben Asogwa told the workers that Governor Mbah has ordered the reinstatement of the disengaged workers.

Asogwa said: “On interaction with the governor, we found out that the sack was not the governor’s directive, he was not even aware of the sack and he directed that everybody should go back to their work. The governor said everybody should maintain peace and tranquillity and improve productivity.”

Reacting to the development, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Felix Nnamani said Gebauer’s sack action was not officially communicated to him and only heard about it in the media.

Nnamani said: “There are civil service regulations, there is the Head of Service who is the administration head of all the civil servants and if any civil servant is found wanting, there are procedures that should be taken before extreme measures; so the unilateral sack of the workers is unknown to the ethics of civil service.

“I urge workers to calm down, it’s regrettable that one of them died two days after he was dismissed and I say condolences to his family, but I’m confident that the governor will do the needful because he is here to build people and not to destroy and he detests injustice.”

The public relations officer of the corporation, RomanusUgwu said the protesting staff have all gone back to duties while awaiting a formal letter withdrawing the purported sack of the 20 workers.

Imo has recorded big success at 48 – APC S’East Nat’l Vice Chairman

As Imo people proudly marked the 48 years anniversary of statehood of Imo State, the APC South ‘East National Vice Chairman, Dr. IjeomahArodiogbu, has stated that Imo has recorded big success in all areas of human endeavours.

Arodiogbu pointed out that Imo State which was created on 3rd February 1976 by the then Military Head of State, General Murtala Mohammed, with Rear Admiral NdubuisiKanu being its first Military Administrator, has tremendously progressed in human capital development, social amenities, education, cultural heritages, agriculture, farming, technology, trade, commerce, industry, tourism, hospitality, health, politics, governance, peace, security and orderliness.

The APC South East National Vice Chairman, who joined the Governor and other citizens of Imo State to grandly, joyfully celebrate the State 48 Years Independence Anniversary, said he is proud and happy to be an indigene of Imo State.

He observed that Imo State is richly blessed with natural resources which he posited are being positively used to advance the state and make life bearable for all citizens and residents of the state, saying that the present regime has continued to show capacity and deep concern hence the upholding of democracy tenets for improved good leadership, respect to human dignity, rule of law, the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which Imo State is subjected to.

Arodiogbu who has been contributing effectively to complement the rich efforts of government to develop the state to the advantage of all persons, remarked that APC and the Shared Prosperity Government being engineered by Hope Uzodimma has done marvelously to lift the state to greater heights in spite of numerous opposing and challenging forces.

He commended Uzodimma for being a visionary, pragmatic and selfless leader, qualities he mentioned are contributory to the huge achievements of the 3R Administration on quality road construction, maintenance, human empowerment, heath, education, tourism, regular payment of salary to workers and healthy promotion, payment of pensions and gratuities, peace, security of life and property, orderliness, among other great gains.

The pragmatic politician, supper philanthropist and renowned medical doctor urged the citizens to continue to believe in Imo as they work in one page with the leaders of the state, to keep afloat the foundation, vision of prosperous, peaceful, secured and progressive Imo, so that all citizens and residents would have cause to fruitful, respite and healthy existence.

“His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma, has recorded big success in developing and edifying Imo State, despite visible and invisible hiccups. He has done well to advance the state positively in line with the belief and vision of founders of Imo State. Hence the state is wearing beautiful looks and the citizens and residents are enjoying peace and social comfort”, Arodiogbu reflected.

The Anambra State Government in partnership with security agents yesterday rescued six pregnant teenagers from ‘a baby-making factory’ at Umunya in Oyi Local Government Area of the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, told journalists after the raid that the baby factory where babies were being sold had the name ‘Mother and Child Hospital and Maternity’.

According to him, the state’s Health Facility, Accreditation and Monitoring Unit arrived at the facility for its routine inspection when it uncovered the operation.

He added that the nurses working in the establishment locked up the hospital and ran away after they requested to see the doctor on duty to find out why the facility was not registered with the state government.

The commissioner said security operatives including OCHA-Brigade, Civil Defence Corps and the Police later assisted the monitoring team in gaining access into the facility.

“When we gained access into the facility, what we saw was shocking. We discovered six under aged pregnant girls, within ages 14, 15,16, 17 and 21 years, allegedly camped against their wish.

“We interviewed these girls and they told us that they were being camped by one self-acclaimed doctor, who they identified as Mr Odili Ossai from Delta State, now at large,” he said.

The commissioner urged residents to report any illegal activities, malpractices or concerns related to healthcare services in the state.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to swiftly terminate the appointment of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Dr. Olayemi Cardoso, citing concerns about a perceived lack of expertise and understanding in international economics.

In a statement released yesterday and jointly signed by NANS Southwest Zone D Coordinator, Alao John and Public Relations Officer, Bamigboye Peter Oluwadamilola, the student body expressed deep worries about the direction of the nation’s economy under Cardoso’s leadership.

Highlighting the crucial role of the CBN in shaping economic policies and ensuring financial stability, NANS asserted that Cardoso’s alleged deficiency in international economics poses a significant risk to Nigeria’s economic interests, especially in navigating the complexities of the global financial landscape.

The statement read, “It is evident that the incumbent CBN Governor lacks the necessary expertise in international economics.

“This deficiency poses a significant risk to Nigeria’s economic interests, particularly in navigating the complexities of global economic dynamics and fostering sustainable growth.” NANS urged the federal government to prioritize the appointment of a CBN Governor with a comprehensive understanding of international economics and the ability to collaborate effectively with fiscal authorities.

The student body stressed the importance of competent leadership for implementing sound monetary policies that promote economic stability and growth.

Additionally, NANS advocated for establishing a clear and measurable performance evaluation framework for the CBN Governor, encompassing key areas such as price stability, financial system resilience, and economic growth.

The call for the removal of the CBN Governor came amid growing concerns about the economic challenges facing Nigeria.

Members of the National Union of Food Beverage and Tobacco Employees (NUFBTE) staged protests in Lagos against the recent ban imposed by the National Agency for Food, Drug and Control (NAFDAC) on cheap alcoholic beverages in sachets.

According to the union, the ban, effective since February 1, 2024, has led to the closure of production lines and raised concerns about potential job losses in the industry.

The ban, announced after a five-year phase-out notice issued in 2019, followed a multi-agency agreement in 2018.

NAFDAC asserted that it adhered to the timeline and did not renew licenses for the banned products after January 2024.

NUFBTE, representing workers in the food and beverage sector, expressed fears that the ban could result in thousands of job losses.

OlamideSomefun, vice chairman of the union’s Ota branch, emphasized the potential impact on employment within the industry, predicting that many local industries serving as raw material suppliers might fold up.

While acknowledging public health concerns, the union urged NAFDAC to consider the economic impact and proposed postponing the ban until economic conditions improve.

Idogen Emmanuel, the union’s Lagos deputy chairman, emphasized the importance of responsible consumption and age restrictions.

In response, AmudaKayode, NAFDAC director of drug evaluation and research, assured the union that the agency encourages businesses and does not aim to shut them down.

He reiterated the focus on public health, especially among young people, clarifying that the ban only applies to alcoholic beverages in sachets.

The union pledged to raise awareness through media channels and encourage members to follow existing regulations while expressing concerns about potential job losses and urging a reconsideration of the ban’s timing in light of economic challenges.

The police in Ebonyi, yesterday, said they arrested 17 suspects for various crimes in the state and recovered some weapons.

Joshua Ukandu, spokesman of the command, disclosed this while briefing journalists on recent breakthroughs recorded by the command.

Ukandu said that the suspects were arrested in various locations within and outside the state. added that they were arrested in connection with crimes such as alleged murder, kidnapping, robbery, and motorcycle snatching, among others.

“We have gathered to inform you, the press, of the recent achievements and progress made by the command through intelligence-driven and community-oriented policing.

“Following the murder of one Chinese Eziulo, (f) and the kidnapping of Micheal Eziulo, (m) and Linda Eziulo (f), the command, under the leadership of Augustina Ogbodo, the Commissioner of Police, launched a manhunt for the kidnappers.

“Intelligence led operatives of the command to the trailer park in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, where two suspects, suspected to be behind the crime, were apprehended. “Marked dollar notes paid as ransom were recovered from the suspects. The total money paid for ransom was N40 million but we were able to recover some,” Ukandu said.

The spokesman also said that some other suspected murderers, who invaded the premises of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Nkwagu, on December 24, 2023, were arrested.

“They were arrested and a stolen Toyota Corolla vehicle was recovered from them. The suspects have provided leads for further arrest.

“The police also nabbed two suspects for alleged motorcycle snatching in Abakaliki.

“They were apprehended while trying to sell a motorcycle belonging to one, Hassan Mohammed,” he added.

He assured the general public that the command was committed to making Ebonyi crime-free.

The Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has disclosed that the state has commenced action to ensure that a Lawyer, identified as Adachukwu Chukelu Okafor, who brutalised her 11-year-old househelp is brought to justice.

It was learnt that Adachukwu, who resides in Akpaka, Onitsha, allegedly molested 11-year-old Happiness, whom she brought into her home in January 2024 after contacting her parents to help her get a child who would assist her with house chores.

According to FIJ, the househelp had mistakenly touched the private part of the lawyer’s little son while bathing him, and she inserted a hot knife into her private part as punishment.

The action generated outrage among residents, which led to the lawyer’s ‘disappearance’, and has failed to disclose her whereabouts or respond to calls.

In a statement via his Facebook page, Soludo condemned Adachukwu’s action, stating that she is one of many who do not deserve a place among decent humanity.

He wrote, “Mrs. Adachukwu Chukelu-Okafor who visibly violated the young girl left in her custody is one out of many who do not deserve a place amongst decent humanity. We have commenced actions to ensure she is brought to justice.

“This should serve as a firm warning to all abusers of any kind, that Anambra State is not a place where their excesses will be condoned. Child’s Right Act (2003) and Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act (2017) have long been domesticated in Anambra together with other laws, and my administration is big on entrenching Law and Order as a foundation for building the liveable and prosperous homeland that we all seek.

“It is the highest sign of weakness to abuse or violate the vulnerable. This, and others like it, can not be tolerated in the Anambra State we are building.”

There was jubilation in Nawfia Community, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State yesterday, as leaders of the community, who were previously sacked by the state government returned to office after a court judgment.

An Anambra High Court sitting in Ogidi recently overruled the Anambra State government, by returning the executive leaders of the community to office, after they were sacked.

At the maiden meeting of the newly installed executive, indigenes of the community expressed happiness, saying that the reinstatement was a sign that the government’s decision to remove them in the first place was wrong.

President General of the newly reinstated executive, Mr Nathan Enemuo who presided over the meeting assured that the leadership of the community will ensure peace in the community.

“We will continue to work to ensure peace in the community. Having been reinstated, our tenure will elapse in the next 47 days, and we are working to ensure the smooth election of another set of executives,” he said.

The meeting was attended by several personalities in the community, including the traditional ruler of the community, priests and religious, among other indigenes.

The community had been in crisis, following a leadership tussle, which had broken it into factions, with each running parallel leadership.

Some Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU) students in Abia shut down the institution yesterday to protest the tuition fee hike.

The angry students stormed different halls in the university. They chased out students taking their first semester examinations, damaging glasses and other property at the university Senate Building, the secretariat of the Students Union Government, the library, the microfinance bank, the main gate and others.

The aggrieved students sang anti-management songs such as ‘VC Iwe, reverse our school fees’, ‘Say no to extortion’, and ‘Allow us to write our examinations’.They also barricaded the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene Road, specifically at the university main gate, thereby disrupting vehicular movement.

Shop owners on the highway quickly closed their shops for fear of protesters attacking them.

It took the intervention of the police to disperse the protesters with tear gas and gunshots into the air.

Some of the students who spoke on the condition of anonymity said they were protesting against the insensitivity of the vice-chancellor, Maduebibisi Iwe, and his management of the students’ plight.

“We started our first semester examination Monday and the vice chancellor came to the hall and sent out those who have not paid their school fees.

“They increased our school fees twice in 2023; some of us were paying about N50,000, but it is now between N120,000 and N150,000. The vice chancellor insisted that students must pay it at once, even when we begged them to allow us to pay in two instalments for the two semesters,’’ one of the protesters said.

Another student said, “Some of us were stopped from writing the examination because our names were yet to appear after doing our biometrics.

“The management introduced the compulsory bio-data for students this semester, and it is still ongoing, but they said that no student will write an examination without it.”

Some protesting students, who said they were final year students, complained that the management’s actions would make it impossible for them to graduate with their set.

Efforts to speak with the SUG president, Emmanuel Chjioke, failed as neither he nor his executive members could be seen or reached.

Also, the vice-chancellor could not be reached for comments.

The Edo State Police Command said it has rescued nine members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who were kidnapped during last Sunday’s Ward Delegates Congress in the state.

It was reported that the state leadership of the party had on Sunday in a statement signed by Anthony Anenih (Jnr), the organizing secretary of the party, said nine members of the party who are electoral officers at the congress were kidnapped at Jattu on their way to Etsako Central Local Government Area.

The Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP ChidiNwabuzor, who confirmed the rescue of the abductees, said they were rescued by the operatives of theJattu division of the command.

According to him, ”the police have rescued them and the DPO of Jattu confirmed that the victims had been successfully rescued.

He added that the DPO of the Jattu division, on receiving the information, mobilized operatives to comb the bushes and rescue the victims.