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Umahi orders arrest of traders on Enugu-PH expressway

Umahi

Traders on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, which is still undergoing rehabilitation risk jail terms as the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi on Saturday, ordered the arrest of persons trading on the completed section of the Aba axis of the road.

Expressing his disappointment over the activities of the traders, the minister who was inspecting the project, ordered his security details to arrest the erring traders with a strong assurance that the offenders would be charged to court according to the extant laws of the land.

He said, “While Mr President is passing through sleepless nights on how to solve the problems of a very bad inherited economy, Nigerians should support him and also support themselves. We wouldn’t like a situation where after the Federal Government had spent so much here, we see people building and trading on the road.

“It appears the people here like to inflict injuries on themselves. They can’t even allow the contractor to work. They drive against traffic and use the completed road as car parks, trading, and dumping of refuse. The whole of refuse generated in Aba is being dumped on this road. It is not encouraging at all.

“The only way out for this work to be completed is for the governor to set up a task force and clear the road and I will advise the governor to set up a task force here. The citizens of this country will need to do their best, while leadership also does its own. That is the only way it will work.”

Umahi

Fielding questions from newsmen, the minister, however, expressed his satisfaction with the job done by the contractor stating that the project, which was first awarded about 10 years ago, had yet to be completed because of the high cost of construction materials.

“When I came on board in August 2023, bitumen was N500,000 per ton, but today it’s about N1.3 million per ton and that is why we are asking, can we go for concrete that is almost 95 percent sourced locally?” he added.

Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Abia, Tony Onwubiko, said that the project covered about 57km from Abia Tower in Umuahia to the Railway Crossing at Alaoji in Osisioma Local Government Area.

The minister also inspected the NNPC Mega Filling Station at Nkwoegwu in the Umuahia section of the Enugu-PH Expressway, near Abia Tower of Peace where he expressed his happiness with the work done by Setraco Nigeria Limited, and urged the company to correct some errors he detected.

Recall that the minister had revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved funds for the construction of the Second Niger Bridge bypasses, the Lagos-Ibadan highway, and the Lafia bypass.

Umahi said during the inspection of the Lafia bypass road and dualisation of the 9th Mile, Enugu-Otukpo-Makurdi Road Project.

NDLEA arrests Brazil returnee with cocaine, declares ex-beauty queen wanted

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have apprehended Udechukwu Ekene Theophilus, a Brazil returnee, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

Udechukwu ingested 60 wraps of cocaine, totaling 1.279 kilograms, on a flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, and posted on the agency website on Sunday.

The statement said, “Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested a Brazil returnee, Udechukwu Ekene Theophilus at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA Ikeja Lagos for ingesting 60 big wraps of cocaine.

“The suspect who was arrested during inward clearance of passengers on Ethiopian Airlines flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at the D-Arrival Hall of the Lagos airport on Sunday 21st January 2024, initially refused to undergo body scan, raising health concerns in a desperate bid to evade arrest.

“When he was however offered other options, he accepted to be placed on excretion observation and shortly after he was ushered into NDLEA observatory, he excreted the first set of cocaine pellets, after which he expelled a total of 60 wraps of the class A drug weighing 1.279 kilogrammes in five excretions.”

NDLEA said Udechukwu claimed in his statement that he ingested the consignment in Brazil and was to discharge everything at the airport in Addis Ababa but could only excrete 15 pellets which he handed over to another member of his syndicate before his connecting flight to Nigeria was called.

Suspects

Additionally, NDLEA operatives recovered 12 cartons of tramadol weighing 385.40kg from an overstayed cargo at the SAHCO import shed at Lagos airport.

The tramadol arrived in two batches on KLM Royal Dutch Airline flights from Karachi, Pakistan, between July 27 and August 1, 2023.

The agency also declared ex-beauty queen Ms. Aderinoye Queen Christmas wanted after she escaped during a raid on her Lekki residence, where cannabis and drug-related items were found.

The statement said, “Meanwhile, an ex-beauty queen, Ms. Aderinoye Queen Christmas also known as Ms. Queen Oluwadamilola Aderinoye has been declared wanted by the Agency after she escaped from her Lekki, Lagos residence when NDLEA operatives raided her apartment at Oral estate, Lekki on Wednesday 24th January following credible intelligence she deals in illicit substances.

“The suspect was Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture 2015/2016 and the founder of Queen Christmas Foundation.

“Recovered from her home during the search witnessed by the estate officials include 606 grams of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, an electronic weighing scale, large quantities of drugs packing plastics, a black RAV 4 SUV marked Lagos KSF 872 GQ, and her picture frame among others.”

Members of an international drug trafficking syndicate, Sunday Michael Owoborode and Valentine Anene, were also arrested in Ogun state, while Sunday Adediran was apprehended in Lagos with 20kg of cannabis sativa.

Imported medical syringes killing local industry, NAFDAC raises alarm

Prof Adeyeye

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised the alarm over the disappointing demand for locally produced medical syringes in the country, following the discovery of over 1.5 billion unsold units of the product in one local factory alone.

The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, lamented that the situation is even more concerning given that the quality of facilities in Nigeria’s local pharmaceutical companies is on par with those in the United States or any European country.

Adeyeye has, however, tasked the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) with the job of curbing the trend of importation of syringes as part of their responsibilities.

In a statement by the agency’s resident media consultant, Sayo Akintola, Adeyeye emphasised the necessity for ANLCA to prioritize the nation’s interests over personal gains in their roles as clearing agents at the nation’s ports.

The DG expressed her concern in Lagos on Thursday during a familiarization visit by the newly inaugurated executives of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), led by its National President, Mr. Emenike Nwokochi, to the NAFDAC Lagos corporate office.

The statement reads in part: “She said that the standard of the facilities she met on ground was comparable to whatever facility that could be found in the US or any country in Europe, adding that after the facility tour and being led into the warehouse, she was highly disturbed at the sight of huge unsold products.

“The NAFDAC DG told her guests that over 1.5 billion units of the product were lying untouched in the warehouse due to low sales, exacerbated by the influx of imported syringes into the country, despite the high import duty slammed on the product to protect the local market.

“Prof. Adeyeye however, noted with regrets that intelligence reports reaching her indicated that some compromises are being made at the port of entry in allowing illegal importation of unregistered containers of syringes into the country.

Prof Adeyeye

“She revealed that a publication by USFDA stated that some syringes that come from Southeast Asia are of bad quality, adding that those products didn’t fly by night and land in different warehouses in Nigeria: rather, they entered the country through individuals.”

While expressing empathy towards manufacturers, Adeyeye said: “I understand the challenges of not making sales, especially after investing a significant amount of money. That’s why I am particularly meticulous when it comes to overseeing our export processes.”

Speaking in the same vein, the National President of ANLCA, Emenike Nwokochi said: ‘’It’s shameful that when you buy yam abroad they tell you it is from Ghana, or any other country in West Africa when Nigeria is the highest producer of yam.

“As the Naira continues to fall to the dollar, we can’t do anything to help the Naira other than to increase the level of exports in the country to provide alternative source of raising foreign exchange.’’

He, however, pledged his association’s resolve to work in collaboration with the Agency to achieve the common goal of developing the nation’s economy.

We’ve returned to Buhari era – CUPP kicks over Tinubu’s frequent foreign trips

Tinubu

The Coalition of United Political Parties, (CUPP), has disagreed with President Bola Tinubu over his recent private trip to France.

The group wonders why the president would be embarking on such a trip while, according to it, Nigeria is in dire need of leadership.

CUPP said it is disturbed and not happy by the frequency of Tinubu’s so-called private trips to France, adding that the country may have just returned to the Buhari era.

It recommends that, while choosing a leader, a comprehensive health and fitness test be made compulsory so that Nigerians will avoid this situation in the future.

“It is our hope and belief that these private trips do not involve something untoward that is hidden from Nigerians who voted for him to salvage the country, which has been in a downward spiral,” the coalition said in a statement signed by its national publicity secretary, Peter Ameh.

“Tongues have begun to wag, and speculations are beginning to abound about the real reasons for these private trips.

Tinubu

“We hope that Nigeria is not about to witness another Buhari 2.0 presidency where, from time to time, without any form of announcement, the President would sneak out of the country to a foreign country for medical treatment in the name of private visit.

“President Tinubu should realise that Nigeria is beset on all sides by insecurity, galloping inflation, hunger and starvation, unemployment that is running wild and out of control, etcetera. The value of the naira is speeding southward, with our currency exchanging at almost a thousand five hundred naira to the United States dollar.”

CUPP said it feels and recommends “that the country needs a hands-on-deck president, and whatever the reason for these private visits can be conveniently handled in Nigeria or in the absence of such facilities being available, provision should be urgently made to have them brought to Nigeria.

“Nigeria needs the physical presence of their president to have that assurance that the job of Mr. President has not been outsourced to those who have no business exercising it.”

Abia joins Lagos, bans use of plastics, Styrofoam foils

Governor Alex Otti‘s led government of Abia State has issued a ban on the use of Styrofoam foils, popularly known as ‘Take Away’.

The development was announced during the weekend by the state Ministry of Environment.

In the statement signed and issued by the State Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Ogbonna, the government enforced the ban on the use of ‘Take Away’ as food containers in the state, emphasizing that the product had already been prohibited in other states, such as Lagos, and urged the public to immediately stop using the foils until a thorough investigation is conducted to assess the potential risks to public health.

During the January 2024 Clean-Up exercise in Umuahia, several individuals who violated the government’s previous directives were apprehended and penalized.

These offenders, found in various areas of the State capital during the designated environmental sanitation hours, were engaged in either trading or loitering, which goes against the government’s regulations.

Nevertheless, the cleanup effort demonstrated a commendable level of adherence as numerous residents diligently cleared their gutters, while trucks allocated by the State government efficiently removed the accumulated waste.

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s led government of Lagos State has declared a further three-week extension to implementing the prohibition on styrofoam and other disposable plastics.

The latest development was confirmed in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab.

In the statement released through his official X handle last week, the commissioner emphasized that the state’s priority lies in the welfare of its inhabitants rather than the financial gains obtained from styrofoam production.

“As a responsible government, the lives of the residents are far more important than the profit producers set to make from the continuous production of styrofoam,” he stated.

The Lagos state government initially announced the immediate ban on styrofoam and other single-use plastics on January 21, citing concerns for the environment and public health.

Wahab emphasized that these products pose a significant threat to the ecosystem, especially during the rainy season.

Styrofoam, made from styrene, a petroleum-based material, is commonly used in the production of food containers.

Foil

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) classified styrene as a probable carcinogen, indicating an increased risk of cancer associated with its usage.

Despite previous restrictions on styrofoam usage in Lagos, Wahab confirmed the state’s determination to enforce the ban.

He highlighted the extensive damage caused by single-use plastics to public infrastructure, particularly during and after the rainy season.

The commissioner also acknowledged the detrimental effects of styrofoam on human lives, the ecosystem, aquatic life, and the overall environmental nuisance.

Outrage as Gov, Ododo pick Yahaya Bello’s Nephew indicted For N3 billion fraud as Chief of staff

Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, has come under heavy criticism following the appointment of Ali Bello, a nephew to former Governor, Yahaya Bello, as the Chief of Staff.

The new CoS to the Kogi governor is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 18 counts bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of about N3 billion.

The other defendants in the case are Abba Adauda, Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege, Iyada Sadat and the Kogi First Lady, Rashida Bello.

The EFCC is prosecuting them in suit No ABJ/CR/573/2022 and they are facing charges of misappropriation and money laundering.

According to a statement by EFCC in 2022, Bello and Sulaiman were remanded in prison pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions granted. The judge granted them bail in the sum of N1 billion each.

The defendants are accused of fraudulently withdrawing over N10 billion from the Kogi State treasury, which they allegedly delivered to a bureau de change operator, Rabiu Tafada, in Abuja, to keep or change to foreign currencies for personal gains.

Fresh crisis looms in APC

In a dramatic turn of events within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue State, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, the APC senatorial candidate for Benue South in the 2023 elections, has filed a petition against the state party chairman, Austin Agada, alleging anti-party activities.

The petition, submitted at the party’s secretariat, calls for the immediate suspension and investigation of Agada.

Contained in a 13-page document dated January 22, 2024, and titled “Petition against anti-party activities by the Benue State APC Chairman and others, targeted at my candidature,” Onjeh accuses Agada of sabotaging the APC’s chances in the senatorial election.

He claims that the state chairman’s actions favoured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Patrick Abba Moro, who is also the current Senate Minority Leader.

Onjeh alleged a deliberate manipulation of the electoral process by Agada and his associates, leading to the APC losing the senatorial and presidential elections in Benue South, despite winning three out of four House of Representatives seats in the region.

This, according to Onjeh, is an unprecedented scenario in Nigeria’s election history.

The petition also accused Agada of using party funds to support opposition parties and candidates.

Onjeh claims that Agada held meetings with APC structures across the nine local governments in Benue South, directing them to work for the PDP’s Moro and allegedly withholding logistics on election day to impede APC agents.

These allegations, if proven true, could have serious implications for the APC in Benue State.

The petition has been forwarded to the APC’s National Working Committee (NWC) through the National Chairman for further action.

The APC at both the state and national levels will have to address these allegations promptly to resolve the internal discord and restore confidence among its members.

2023 social activities: Uzodimma scores 34 Brigade Army high, urges them to redouble efforts

By Jude Onyenedogha…

Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has rated the performance of Officers and Soldiers of the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, in 2023 excellent, while calling on them to redouble their efforts in 2024.

Uzodimma made this commendation in his address, as the special guest of honour during the 2023 West African Social Activities (WASA) of the Brigade held at the parade ground, Obinze Barracks.

The Governor said Officers and Soldier of the 34 Artillery Brigade performed excellently well in 2023, contributing greatly to the relative peace which the state enjoyed all year long.

Governor Uzodimma who was represented by the state Head of Service, Barr Raymond Ucheoma, said the dedication to duty and professionalism employed by the brigade  contributed to social economic gains recorded in the state, such as increase in crude oil production, as well as drastic reduction in oil theft.

He however urged them to redouble their efforts towards more drastic reduction in crimes and criminalities in whatever guise in the state in the year 2024.

According to the Governor, the display of various cultural heritage at the occasion is a pointer to the fact that Nigeria can thrive in its diversity as a nation.

“As for families of our troops, I sincerely appreciate your efforts in keeping the home front while your husbands operate in the field, which has no doubt contributed to the successes of our troops and the Nigerian Army at large”.

Earlier in his address, the Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Brigadier General Usman Lawal had made bold to say that the Brigade performed excellently in 2023, resulting to drastic reduction in crimes and criminalities within its areas of jurisdiction.

He described the WASA as a programme organized to celebrate the successful end of training and operational activities in military formations of the Nigerian Army, which also herald the New Year.

“The 2023 Imo State off circle gubernatorial election which seemed impossible became one of the most peaceful and successful election in the annals of the state and even Nigeria in general. This was largely do to our effort in providing security, in collaboration with sister security agencies.

“You also witnessed how peacefully the Christmas and New Year were celebrated in the state

“We have trained and operated successfully in 2023, we are now in 2024. We have recorded a lot of achievements and that is what we are celebrating today.

He described the relationship between the military and civilians in the state as cordial, describing the large turnout of civilian guests to the WASA ceremony as an eloquent testimony to the cordial relationship.

He used the opportunity to advise renegades in the state to come out from the bushes, lay down their arms and embrace peace, saying, “otherwise, we have the capacity to make them drop their arms by force”.

Activities which featured during the event included; Inspection inspection of various local/traditional delicacies of different tribes, display of cultural dances by different cultural troupes from various tribes such as; Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, Tic, Igala,  Fulani, IdomaAkwa /Cross, as well as selected children of 34 Brigade officers, among others.

The event attracted the presence of the chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Emmanuel Okeke, and other traditional rulers, especially traditional rulers of 34 Brigade host community, heads of other security agencies in the state, heads of some tertiary institutions in the state, among others.

Abia Community crowns PWD as traditional ruler

A hearing and speech-impaired person, HRH Eze Anthony Anyiam Ohaeri, 64, was Saturday, coronated the traditional ruler of Umuawa Alaocha Autonomous Community in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State.

The coronation which attracted dignitaries from across the state, marked the first time, a Person With Disability (PWD), would be crowned monarch in the state.

He is the eldest son from a polygamous royal family with 14 male siblings and sisters.

The new monarch, according to multiple community sources, was unanimously endorsed to succeed his late father, HRH Eze G. U Ohaeri, being the eldest son.

The United States, US-trained Computer Specialist and father of four, intermittently shed tears of joy as the glamourous coronation which took place at Umuawa Alaocha community school lasted.

Speaking through an interpreter, the monarch said he was overwhelmed with joy over the honour done him by his people, and promised not to fail them.

“I have always looked forward to this moment with anticipation and enthusiasm because it has set the stage for a transformative era in the community’s history and indeed the state and the nation at large.

“I am awed and humbled by the trust and confidence placed in me by my people, and I assure the good people of Umuawa Alaocha Autonomous Community that I would faithfully and diligently discharge my duties.”

“This is the first time in the history of this community, state and nation that a hearing impaired (deaf) person has been made a traditional ruler. Also, I would like to add that even in the bible, no hearing impaired person became king, this is a first of its kind.”

He promised to embark on community development programme that would help improve the living standard of the agrarian community.

“As traditional ruler, I will adopt an inclusive leadership style to give everyone a sense of belonging and foster the socioeconomic development of the community.”

“I am an enthusiast of building progressive communities and systems that would stimulate rural economy, this is because I believe when there is prosperity in the rural communities it positively impacts on the socioeconomic growth of the state and makes the job of the state government easier.

“As l take up the mantle of leadership entrusted upon me by the people of Umuawa Alaocha Autonomous Community I am conscious of the enormous responsibility that comes with it and I assure you that I will live up to expectation.

He thanked Gov. Alex Otti for his supports, and appealed to him to reconstruct the Umuawa Alaocha road and other internal roads in the community to boost economic activities in the area and improve the welfare of the people.

In a remark, the Special Assistant to the Governor on PWDs, Hon. David Anyaele, thanked the people of Umuawa Alaocha community for not denying the monarch his traditional right of succeeding his late father on the throne because of his hearing and speech impairment.

Hon. Anyaele who said that “there is special ability in disability”, expressed confidence in the ability of the Eze Ohaeri to deliver.

He solicited the continued support of the people for their new monarch, and the State Government, assuring that Gov. Otti has beautiful intentions for PWDs in his administration.

In a remark, the Chairman of Umuahia North Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Eze Innocent Nwaigwe, said that the new monarch “is competent and mentally sound to deliver”, assuring him the full support and cooperation of other royal fathers in the Council.

 

Holistic health insurance coverage in Imo: Health Insurance Agency interfaces with Organized Labour, Market Unions

By Jennifer John...

The Management of Imo State Health Insurance Agency, ably led by the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Uche Ewelike recently held a meeting with the Organized Labour in Imo State comprising the NLC, TUC and NULGE, to fashion out modalities towards a holistic health insurance coverage for the formal sector in the state.

The meeting centralized on deliberations and strategies to be implored in achieving a holistic insurance coverage for all dependants of the principal beneficiaries of the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme (FSSHIP) which was approved and paid for by Imo State Government, under the able leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma.

Addressing the leadership of the Organized Labour, Dr. Ewelike disclosed that the rule of the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance provides health insurance coverage for the principals, whom the governor has already paid and their dependents who are their spouses and four (4) children, under the age of 18.

He noted that this will enable the agency ensure comprehensive and holistic healthcare coverage for Imo Workers and their families.

The Organized Labour while attesting to the active and ongoing access to care for the Formal Sector Social Health Insurance Programme, thanked the Governor for his kind gesture for the civil servants in Imo by approving and paying the health insurance premium for all Imo State civil servants, and therefore pledged their unalloyed support, through sensitization, to ensure that the coverage is extended to dependants.

In a similar vain, the Imo State Health Insurance Agency was hosted by the Executives of the Imo State Amalgamated Markets and Traders Association (ISAMATA), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, at their boardroom located at the Imo State Secretariat.

The meeting focused on deliberations in integrating the Marketers and Traders in Imo State into the ImoCare Informal Sector Health Insurance System of the Imo State Health Insurance Agency, towards actualizing financial risk protection for over 80% of the population of the state.

While addressing the ISAMATA leadership, Dr. Ewelike who explained the benefits, protocols and premiums of the ImoCare programme, noted that the agency has hospitals across the 27 LGAs of the State.

He stated that provision of access to care for ISAMATA members and their dependents, through the agency (ImoCare Program) will reduce the financial hardships on members as a result of the high cost of health care services.

The President of ISAMATA, Hon. Emmanuel Ezeanochie, on behalf of the association welcomed the IMSHIA team ably led by the Executive Secretary/Chief Executuve Officer, Dr. Uche Ewelike and expressed and readiness to partner the agency in getting members of the ISAMATA in all zones of the state on-board for the health insurance scheme, as he noted that they have been awaiting the visit.

In his words, “it is only a healthy marketer or trader that will go to market and sell, and therefore there’s every need for one to insure his/her health, because nobody knows when sickness will strike.

“He also seized the opportunity to congratulate and appreciate the strong political will of the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, towards the health welfare of Imolites through the health insurance programme.

Inauguration: Nwaneri commends Uzodimma …Pledges support of Imo Widows

The President, National Widows Association of Nígeria, Imo State Chapter and Southeast; Hon. Mrs. Chioma Nwaneri, has commended the Imo Governor, Distinguished Sen. Hope Uzodimma, on his second term victory and inauguration ceremonies, saying that Sen. Uzodimma deserves to be re-elected.

She said this in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Wednesday, while addressing Journalists about the re-election of Governor Uzodimma and her Deputy, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru.

Nwaneri, expressed joy that the governor had carried Imo Widows along in the scheme of things, testifying that the governor treated them well for them through the immediate-past Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Nkechi Ugwu.

“We are aware the governor is doing well for us but we want him to do more. We know that God is by their side. Let the governor continue to take Imo to greater heights. We are appreciative of his benevolence towards us, the widows”, she said.

She also pleaded with Governor Uzodimma to come to their aid by Commissioning and institutionalizing the association in order to ensure that Widows are not subjected to harsh practices by their late husbands’ family members.

The National Widows’ President therefore promised that their association would continue to support the governor in his second missionary journey, advising Imo people to commend the governor and his wife, Her Excellency, Barr. Chioma Uzodimmna for their laudable achievements.

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