₦airaland Forum

Senator representing Abia North senatorial district and the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has congratulated the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu on the successful completion and commissioning of Osisioma flyover in Aba, ABN TV reports.

The former governor in a goodwill message on Monday urged Ikpeazu to do more and extend his projects to other senatorial districts of the state.

He said, "I congratulate Governor Okezie Ikpeazu on the commissioning of the Osisioma Flyover by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State"

"The governor has done well on this and we must commend him. However, like Oliver Twist, we urge him to do more and also extend it to other senatorial districts"

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, signed into law the bill for an act to amend the Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET Act to grant the Nigeria Meteorological Agency sole authority to grant approvals and licenses for the establishment of meteorological stations and other related matters sponsored by Hon. Benjamin Kalu, representing Bende Federal Constituency, ABN TV reports.

The NIMET bill was listed among the eight bills signed into law by President Buhari, Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly matters (House of Representatives), Hon. Nasiru Baballe lla said in a statement.

The bill which was first read on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 seeks to repeal the Nigerian Metrological Agency (Establishment, etc.) Act, No. 9 of 2003, enacts the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (Establishment) Act, to provide for a comprehensive legal and institutional framework for the regulation of meteorology in Nigeria.

It further advises the Federal Government on all aspects of meteorology; project, prepare and interpret government policies in the field of meteorology; and issue weather forecasts for the safe operation of air-crafts, ocean-going vessels, and oil rigs in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

In his lead debate, the member stated that following the massive land mass of the Country, 54 meteorological observation stations nationwide is a far cry from the required 9000 observation stations also stating the difficulty for the government to fund the establishment of the stations. According to the debate:

“Section 7(1)(q) of the Nigeria Meteorological Agency Act provides for the agency to be the sole authority that approves and establishes meteorological centers in Nigeria. This inadvertently makes it unlawful for any other person to establish a meteorological station anywhere in Nigeria irrespective of its purposes.  

"This means that all the universities, polytechnics, colleges, secondary schools, and even private sectors that own and run meteorological observation do so contrary to the laws of the land.

"You will acknowledge the fact that 54 meteorological observation stations nationwide are a far cry from the required 9000 observation stations. 

"It is also worrisome that we are far below the expectation and recommendation of the World Meteorological Organization, we must realize how difficult it is for government to directly fund through the agency, the establishment of as many as 9000 meteorological stations.  The way to go therefore is to open up the sector by identifying the existing stations that are not part of the network run by the agency, approve and license them and as well enter into collaboration with them, upgrade them, and provide them with the necessary support.  At the moment there are about 40 universities, 36 polytechnics and 32 colleges of education, and thousands of secondary schools that have meteorological stations. Licensing and regulating the existing meteorological stations as well as other intending stations will be a quick way of improving upon the density of meteorological stations across the federation.”

With this Act becoming law, the Agency is empowered by this Act as the sole authority to approve, license, certify and regulate the establishment of meteorological stations for meteorological observations, the operators and operating personnel at a fee to be prescribed by the Agency and where necessary, make regulation in this regard, save for aeronautical meteorological services.

Historically, this would be one of the rare moments that a bill sponsored by a first-time member of the House of Representatives becomes law.

Rep. Benjamin Kalu who was ecstatic with this development while speaking with ABN TV Correspondent from Sydney New South Wales Australia, expressed delight in seeing that his efforts on this bill have come to fruition. The lawmaker recalled that this was the second bill that he sponsored on the floor of the House upon resumption into office as a result of the change in weather conditions as a result of global warming in society and the need to observe the weather conditions more accurately.

Rep. Kalu thanked the President for his commitment to the security and welfare of the citizens by signing this Act into Law, adding that with this law, there will be an increase in the density of meteorological observation stations across the federation to meet the standards set by the World Meteorological Organization among other things.

Rev Ehiemere Fighting Tooth And Nail To Protect His Financial Misappropriations - APGA Chair, Prince Ukaegbu Alleges

The leadership tussle currently facing the Abia State chapter of the All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA is far from over as Onapuruagu Prince Ukaegbu insists he is the duly elected chairman of the party.

This comes as Rev. Augustine Ehiemere says he remains the authentic chairman of the party in the state.

Speaking with ABN TV on Wednesday in Umuahia, Prince Ukaegbu said a court of competent jurisdiction sitting Umuahia has pronounced him the duly elected chairman of Abia chapter of APGA.

Dissatisfied with the court decision, the Rev. Ehiemere faction approached the Owerri division of the appeal court which later dismissed their appeal in February and upheld the decision of the High Court in Umuahia to the effect that Prince Ukaegbu is the state chairman of APGA.

According to Prince Ukaegbu, instead of Rev. Ehiemere and his faction to abide by the decision of the appeal court, they again approached the same court, urging it to reverse itself, an application that was thrown out and a cost of two million Naira awarded in his favour.

"One would have thought that that will be the end of the tussle but Ehiemere and co clung on to power solely for the simple reason that its own executive led by his own deputy and 22 all-state exco accused him, wrote a petition and forwarded to me that he stole the sum of N56,470,000.

"Ehiemere is fighting tooth and nail to protect himself and his criminal activity within the party. That's not all, with we being law-abiding citizens, we didn't want to take the laws into our hands, we made applications to all the relevant authorities and the Inspector General of Police approved that the state secretariat of APGA at Aguiyi Ironsi should be made available for we and the party to conduct our normal and legitimate duties," he said.

According to him, the premises was made available to the exco under his leadership where they addressed the press, and took vital decisions, among which are that Ehiemere and co will not remain in the party while the investigation is ongoing.

To this end, the party suspended him along with Sunday Onukwubiri, Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, and Lucky Erondu for financial misappropriation in Abia APGA to the tune of N56,470,000.

According to Prince Ukaegbu, the party has since set up an investigative panel to look into the allegations of theft of party funds against the suspended officials, an investigation expected to be concluded within two weeks.

The National Board of Technical Education, NBTE has restored the accreditation of the state-owned Abia State Polytechnic Aba, ABN TV reports.

The board has weeks ago de-accredited the school over a backlog of unpaid salaries, numbering over 20, it said in a statement earlier.

Barr Eze Chikamnayo in a statement on Monday said the restoration of the state Polytechnic is in line with the vision of the state Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu to "smiles on the faces of the students and Stakeholders of the Abia State Polytechnic Aba."

Recall that the Governor has mapped out funds to pay a part of the salaries owed to the lecturers.

The commissioner said in a statement, "Consequently, His Excellency, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu rose to the occasion propelled by the fact that the welfare of our citizens has always been of utmost concern to his administration beyond all other legalistic consideration.

"We are, therefore, happy to announce that the accreditation of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba has been restored by the National Board of Technical Education, NBTE owing to the gallant efforts of our Dear Governor.

"The achievement of this uncommon feat on scheduled time has been made possible not only by the prompt provision of 450 million Naira by our education-loving Governor to bail out the Institution from their self-inflicted malaise but by the immediate adoption of far-reaching reforms aimed at establishing sustainable growth and best practices moving forward.

A 16-year-old Ezera Nmesomachi has emerged as the overall winner of the 2022 Teens Essay Competition organized by The National Children and Teens Desk of The Presbyterian Church Of Nigeria, ABN TV reports.

A native of Ebem Ohafia, Ohafia LGA Abia state, Nmesomachi worships at Solid Rock Parish of Presbyterian Church Of Nigeria, Umuahia.

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The essay competition which has as the theme, “The Beauty Of The Presbyterian Liturgy” was organized for teenagers between the ages of 13 – 19 years in all the parishes of the church within the country.

Nmesomachi, an ex-student of Intellectual Giant Christian Academy Umuahia sat for the 2022 WAEC.

Speaking on the essay Topic she said it has to do with the uniqueness of the method of worship, making one stand apart from every other method of worship by other churches.

Nmesomachi while speaking said it is her first time writing an essay competition and having the first position motivates her.

She said hard work inspired her to write the essay, In her words ’’actually, when I was writing this essay it wasn’t easy at some point I became frustrated I just felt like I won’t be able to get the first position so it’s of no use writing this I just need to drop my pen because as that time I was still writing my exams so I was actually struggling, reading for my exams and writing an essay to emerge the first position.

‘’I feel very happy and grateful to God, to my parents, and to the church at large for giving me this opportunity to showcase my talent and do what I love most.

Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has revealed that his administration has commenced and delivered no fewer than 150 roads in the past seven years since it came on board.

The governor also hinted that at the moment, about 48 road projects across the state are at their advance stages which he hopes will be completed before the end of the administration next year.

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The governor who spoke in a state-wide broadcast as part of activities marking the 31st anniversary since the creation of the state noted that the projects executed by his administration will serve as monuments to the work his leadership did after the expiration of his tenure.

He said, "We have over 150 roads which our administration has commenced and delivered in the course of our tenure. We are strongly advancing work on another 48 roads and we have a target to finish them before we hand them over to the next administration by May 29, 2023.

"One aspect of these projects I am proud of is their strategic significance and economic importance. A project like the Osisioma Interchange has forever changed the trafficking narrative at that junction.

"Users of that road in recent years will recall how they were often condemned to spend hours in traffic due to the lockdown on the road at peak periods. Today, that episode is in the past as there is now a guaranteed seamless flow of traffic along the axis in addition to the aesthetic uplift of the general environment.

"The adjoining Aba Owerri Road which also hitherto used to be a nightmare has been rebuilt and expanded with relevant road furnishings installed.

"Roads abutting the Aba Owerri road have also been opened up to ventilate the city of Aba.

"We have a solid Abayi Umueze-ABSUTH road built with our signature rigid pavement technology that is a beauty. The perennial swamp along that axis leading to recurrent road failure has been decisively resolved. Kamalu , MCC and Eziukwu roads are all our signature projects. Down Okpu Umuobo road, we are completing and bringing back the old road that leads to Mgboko Obingwa LGA Secretariat from where motorists can join the new Obikabia – Obikabia Road and emerge at the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway.

"Our work in other areas of Aba are equally heartwarming for their strategic importance. Osusu, Imaculate, Milverton, Azikiwe, Ukaegbu, Ehere, Umuola, Ebenma, Egege, Opobo, Okigwe, Chima Nwafor Road and other roads we have built around the city are all of immeasurable importance to the continued economic vibrancy of Aba. We have advanced work on the Ngwa Road axis where we have constructed 6 internal roads so far. We are hard at work on Omuma, Obohia, Ohanku, Uratta and Port Harcourt roads which we will complete before we leave office.

"Today, for the first time in over 30 years, our major markets in Aba are now accessible by road. The Eziukwu Cemetery road leading to the popular Cemetery Market which had long been forgotten is now fully rebuilt and back to life and it is easy now to connect that market from Aba-Owerri road seamlessly. Same goes for the Ngwa Road Market and the Ariaria International Market.

The Labour Party’s Gubernatorial Candidate in Abia, Dr Alex Otti, has unveiled his running mate, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu, a 38-year-old engineer, ABN TV reports.

Dr. Otti also inaugurated his Campaign Council, with a former House of Representatives member, Chief Nnanna Ngwu, as the Chairman.

In a speech at the event in Umuahia on Tuesday, the governorship hopeful said that Emetu satisfied his desire for a youth as running mate.

According to him, the choice is to give the Abia youths a sense of belonging in the political space.

Otti also said that he got attracted to Emetu because of his antecedent as a philanthropist.

“He is renowned in his Ohafia Local Government Area for his outstanding community development service and humanitarian gestures.

“So in all, he fits squarely into the character and quality of the kind of deputy that I yearned for,” he said.

Speaking also on the campaign council, he said that the team was constituted to drive a robust and result-oriented campaign that would ensure victory for the party.

In an acceptance speech, Emetu thanked Otti for finding him worthy for such an exalted position.

“This opportunity is not only for me but for millions of Abia youths.

“You have made us to believe that the future truly belongs to the youth,” Emetu said.

The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, PCN has expressed dismay over fake news published in some news outlets, alleging that the newly elected Moderator of the General Assembly and Prelate of the Church, Most Rev. Ekpenyong Akpanika faulted the process that brought him to power.

The news publication alluded that Rev. Akpanika spoke in an interview on August 15 where he allegedly said that the electioneering process that elevated him to the top position was "ungodly".

On Tuesday, the Director of Information and Public Relations Affairs of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Nnoke Ibe said Rev. Akpanika never granted a press interview on the said date and never made such comment on the said date.

While insisting that the new Moderator of the General Assembly and Prelate of the Church was elected through a free and transparent exercise, the church cautioned that anything Rev. Akpanika has said in the past should not be taken out of context.

According to Rev. Ibe, the Church has over the years maintained a stringent pattern in choosing its leadership which avails delegates the opportunity to vote their choices without any form of inducements.

"We are using this medium to make it clear that the Prelate never granted any press interview nor did he speak to any member of the press on the said date. We, therefore, wonder where that interview was held or where the Prelate might have made that embarrassing statement.

"We further clarify that whatever the Prelate might have said on any other occasion should not be taken out of context. To clear any doubt, we are confident that the process that produces the leadership of the Church has always been adjudged by observers to be stringent, transparent, free, and fair.

"In the processes of her elections, the PCN prayerfully depends on the leadership of the Holy Spirit as members and ministers of proven integrity gather to vote for their choices without inducement or any form of pressure. The election that produced His Eminence Ekpenyong Akpanika followed this same time-tested procedure.

"We want to finally affirm that His Eminence has promised to continue to resist all ungodly influences and practices in the process of choosing leaders for the Church to ensure that it remains pure and guided by righteousness. According to the Prelate, elections must be devoid of ungodly, unchristian, and unethical practices."

The church, therefore, urged the general public to ignore any attempt by anybody to cast slur or aspersion on it or the person of the Prelate and Moderator, Rev. Ekpenyong Akpanika.

The Presbyterian Church assures that it will continue to show the way in conducting transparent and acceptable elections through the grace of God and showing good examples for the nation and the world to follow in the course of choosing leaders.

The new Prelate of the Presbyterian church, Most Rev Dr. Ekpeyong Akpanika was elected in Calabar Cross River state recently at the 25th General Assembly. He succeeds the outgoing Prelate, His Eminence, Nzie Nsi Eke.

At least six persons have been killed at a gas explosion in Owaza, Ukwa West local government area of Abia State.

Though the details of the victims are yet to be ascertained, our correspondent gathered that at about 9:50am on Sunday, the victims stormed an illegal oil refining site in Owaza.

They were said to have used a gas cylinder to disconnect an oil pot which exploded in the process and killed the six on the spot, a source who pleaded anonymity told ABN TV.

The people of Abia Ohafia in Ohafia local government area of Abia State have said former governor of the state and senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is the first politician to construct a road project in their community, ABN TV reports.

They also gave him credit for the power supply in their community.

Senator Kalu was in the community on Wednesday in continuation of his mid-term tour to give account of his stewardship to the people of the district.

Chief Peter Eke Onoh, the president general of Abia Ohafia Community Development Association expressed gratitude for the senator's visit in the community, praising him for the developmental projects he's currently embarking on.

"He has built the road to a certain stage. The third phase is what we are pleading with him to complete. Without him, we don't have road, without him, we don't even see light," Chief Onoh said.

He also pleaded for the assistance of Sen. Kalu to fully restore electricity to the community after a havoc following a heavy downpour.

An unidentified official of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC has stabbed to death a driver around Umuikaa junction in Isialangwa South local government area of Abia State, ABN TV reports.

Though the details of the incident is still sketchy, all efforts to reach the public relations officer of Abia State command of FRSC proved abortive.

Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, and State ALGON Chairman, Comrade Ike Anyatonwu has condemned in strong terms the alleged stabbing of the motorist.

He said, "Comrade Anyatonwu who broke his annual leave to visit Ronald Hospital, Mkpuka where the victim was dumped in the pool of his blood by his alleged killers and was later confirmed dead by the Management of the Hospital wondered why such dastardly act has become a recurring incident at Umuikaa junction and called on the State Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety Corps to immediately investigate the matter with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.