₦airaland Forum

Relief has finally come the way of road users as the federal government has released the sum of N13.2billion for the construction of Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene federal road.

Rep Sam Onuigbo

The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency, Rep Sam Onuigbo, broke the cheering news to his constituents within whose area the road falls during a stakeholders meeting he held recently.

Speaking at the meeting which took place at the MOUAU Women Association Event Centre, the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia, Rep Sam Onuigbo, commended the Federal government for acting on the demand made in 2016.

He said the stakeholders meeting was on the instance of the Honourable Minister for Works and Housing, Hon Babatunde Fashola, who on the 24th of November 2021, wrote a letter for him to go home and address his constituents. "Part of that instruction is what we have done today".

Fielding questions from the Press, Rep Onuigbo said the meeting was basically to bring his constituents up to speed, as regards what is being done on the Umuahia-Ikwuano-Ikot Ekpene road.

"We have been on this road since 2016. I moved the first motion of this road in May 2016 and met with the Minister of Works and Housing, on the 14th of June 2016. The Minister did a letter on the 15th, committing for a palliative work be done on the road because the road was impassable, particularly the Ndoro and Okwe axis of the road".

The Lawmaker revealed that he persistently made requests towards a palliative and a total reconstruction of the road, adding that in line with the request, the Federal government did a palliative work and it took a while before the full reconstruction was awarded.

"The road was awarded in 2019 but due to paucity of funds, contractors were not mobilized to site. We didn't relent in mounting pressure on the Minister of Works and overtime, he listened to our requests and appeals. The reconstruction of the road was moved to be funded under the NNPC Tax Credit Scheme on routes.

"That is why we have come to appeal to people to remove items, structures from the right of way, so as to enable the contractor's unimpeded access to the areas for reconstruction so that the job can be done and completed in a timely fashion.

Rep Onuigbo further revealed that the Federal government has transferred the money for the project to the Federal Ministry of Works, adding that the contractors are set to commence work.

Rep. Sam Onuigbo, however, said that he made a promise to serve his constituents on the acronyms of EAR, which is Effectiveness, Accessibility, and Responsiveness, being able to respond to the concern of his constituents according to resources and contact available, adding that he vowed to redefine representation.

Responding further, the federal Lawmaker maintained that he has attracted several other projects to his constituency, ranging from erosion control in Amachara and Okwe, building of hospitals in Oloko and Ibere in Ikwuano LGA, distribution of transformers, building of classroom blocks across the constituency, and as well as carried out empowerment programmes.

He further noted that he is not in any competition with any politician, as regards who facilitated the reconstruction of the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road, saying that what is most important to him, is for the road to be reconstructed to aid free movement of everyone.

Speaking during the event, the Chairman on the occasion, the Chief Medical Director, Federal Medical Center, Dr. Onyebuchi Azubuike, called on the contractors to be timely and work according to specification. He said they should give Abians quality roads, so as to boost the economy of the state, which would also help in reducing crime among other benefits.

The Liaison Officer to Rep.Onuigbo and the Community Liaison Officer, Evang Abraham Osondu, stated the bottlenecks on the Umuahia-Ikot Ekpene road, expressing optimism that the meeting with the stakeholders would help in addressing them, urging the participants to be free in airing their opinions.

In his contribution, the Abia State Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Commander Paul Ikechukwu, noted the benefits that accrued the state if the road is constructed, appealing that the Contractors should construct speed breakers to control the level of speed by motorists.

The Director of Transport, MOUAU SUG, Comr Bennard Chisom, appealed that the road be constructed on time so that students can ply the road safely.

Earlier in their separate speeches, the Public Relations Executive of Hartland/Raymond Construction Company, the contractor handling the project, Mrs Grace Gbagi, and a representative from the Federal Ministry of Works, Engr Michael Ituyobe, decried the rate people throw caution to the wind when building structures on the right of way.

Mrs Gbagi informed the participants on the right of way, stating that anyone that has landed properties or structures on the right of way, should not expect any compensation from the Federal government, adding that the government would only compensate those whose buildings or properties are not on the right of way.

She added that already an individual has dragged her company to court over the case of demolition, even when they have not done any, appealing that people should vacate the right of way so that work can commence.

Engr Michael Ituyobe, disclosed that the Federal Ministry of Works gave 45.72m from the centre of the road as the right of way, but stated that the contractors will not go into details with the 45.7m, but appealed that a space be created, at least 2.7m from the gutters and as well, space for the drainages so that work can commence.

He revealed that work would commence on the road this month, saying that over 49km of the road would be reconstructed, from FMC Umuahia and terminates at Ikot-Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State.

Metrix147:
The Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has commended the member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Benjamin Kalu for the completion and commissioning of key projects in his constituency, saying he is proud of Reps spokesman.

Sen. Kalu former Governor of Abia State spoke on Saturday in Bende where he had gone for commissioning of the projects.

The projects commissioned include 1km Amaogwu Ndiokorieukwu road and 1Km Bende Okporoenyi road which has never been constructed since its existence, as well the Agbamuzu Civic Hall with offices amongst others in Bende Federal Constituency.

Sen. Kalu, Chief Whip of the Senate, in his address commended the representative for a job well done. He commended Hon. Benjamin Kalu for performing excellently in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of Bende, saying that he is pleased with the Reps Spokesperson.

He said, "Ben Kalu is my representative in whom I'm very pleased with because he has performed excellently well. The beauty of democracy is continuous improvement and Benjamin Kalu has proven that he is a forthright man who loves his people the same way I love them and I told him that he must work like me."

Speaking further Kalu said the various ongoing and completed projects in Bende and Abia-North at large was a payback to the people for voting massively for President Buhari and APC during the 2019 general elections.

Kalu pointed out that Abia-North was the zone in the entire Southeast and South-South that President Buhari won convincingly.

He reiterated that the zone remains the stronghold of the ruling All Progressive's Congress (APC).

Kalu also urged the people to shun their negative attitude towards President Buhari, saying that the President has great love for the Igbos.

Speaking during the commissioning, Rep. Benjamin Kalu appreciated the Distinguished Senator for his role as a leader through his journey in politics and as a big brother who loves his people. He highlighted that the story of Bende is becoming different today because of the partnership between him and Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu in developing Bende. According to him:

“Dr. Kalu asked me to hit the ground running once elected and I brought him here today to show him how fast I learnt and implemented that. There is no time to take him to all the new projects to commission in the federal constituency that was why we chose three that are together to save him time and hope he will have time to tour the entire new projects soon which will take him three days to cover. Now he has commenced the commissioning, we shall continue in his absence to enable us hand over the project to the people soon.”

Source: https://abntv.com.ng/2022/01/senator-kalu-hails-benjamin-kalu-over-project-completion-commissioning-says-im-proud-of-him/

Cc; lalasticlala, Mynd44, Seun, OAM4J, Ishilove, Marpol, Semid4lyfe

Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Sen. Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has said President Muhammadu Buhari will surprise Ndigbo with more developmental infrastructure, urging them to support him.

The former Abia governor insisted that President Buhari has good intentions towards the people of the Southeast, noting that several infrastructures going on or completed by the Buhari-led federal government show that the President loves Ndigbo.

Sen. Kalu, representing Abia North Senatorial district spoke on Thursday at his country home, Igbere Bende local government area of Abia State when he played host to the loyalists of APC.

He stated that President Buhari has enough time to surprise the people of South-East region with more projects.

He also called on politicians and Nigerians to consider the unity of the country before seeking personal gains.

Kalu, insisted that the security of lives and protection of properties cannot be achieved in the absence of unity amongst the different tribes in the country.

He said, "The unity in family, Community, Local Government, state and the country is more important than whatever we are looking for as individuals, businessmen, and politicians.

Interpol Systems Consultant and renowned philanthropist, Sir Chikwe Udensi has declared that he wants to be governor of Abia State come 2023, ABN TV reports.

This is even as he insists that he has the drive, capacity, motive, and motivation to lead God's Own State.

"Of course, I want to be the governor of Abia State. I have the capacity, I have the drive, I have the motive, I have the motivation, I also have enough hard balls to play the hard game.

"I'm going to go for the governorship of Abia State and God willing, I will take that position and Abians will be better off for it," he said.

The APGA chieftain who spoke to newsmen in Ohafia on Monday during the pensioners and elderly persons palliatives and cash distribution organised by his non-governmental organisation, Chikwe Udensi Foundation noted that Abia has lagged behind in quality leadership, insisting that he will be in the governorship race to make the difference.

He took a swipe at the federal and state governments for not doing enough to alleviate the sufferings of the masses, accusing them of insensitivity.

Sir Udensi said the economic situation in the country is pathetic on the ground of insecurity which he said has affected every other thing in the country.

He urged the government to put its instrumentality in place to ensure that Nigerians are secured so that the economy will experience a boost again.

Soldiers have allegedly killed a 28-year-old man identified as Chinonso Nwachukwu in Ovim community, Isuikwuato local government area of Abia State.

This is even as the pregnant wife of the victim whose name could not be ascertained as at the moment of this report fainted upon hearing the death of her husband.

Sources who spoke with ABN TV on the condition of anonymity of Tuesday said the soldiers had invaded the community at about 9pm on Monday in mufti.

They were said to have accused the late Chinonso Nwachukwu of blocking their way.

While he made efforts to stand up to give way, one of the military officers was said to have shot at the late Chinonso on his head, killing him on the spot.

The trigger-happy soldier was said to have continued shooting sporadically after killing Chinonso, scaring residents and passers-by.

Our source said there is tension in the community as military personnel and equipment are said to have taken over the community.

Minority Leader of the Senate and Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, on Saturday evening confirmed through his aide his intention to run for the governorship in 2023.

Reliable sources had told  ABN TV that Abaribe informed Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu about his ambition.

It was when he visited Ikpeazu along with his supporters and leaders of thought on Christmas Day.

Abaribe’s special assistant on media, Uche Awom, confirmed the development in a telephone chat with our correspondent.

According to him, Abaribe made his intention to contest the gubernatorial race known to Governor Ikpeazu at the Abia Government House in Umuahia during the visit.

NBM OF AFRICA WORLDWIDE
C/o Uhuru Heritage Centre
Amagba Benin City
Edo State, Nigeria, W’’Africa

A new BBC Documentary, “Black Axes” is a hatchet, Vindictive, self-serving, slanderous, defamatory and libelous job to mislead the public against the NBM of Africa.

NBM of Africa is disappointed and disgusted with the BBC Africa Eye report, NBM is an organization birthed on equality and social justice, seeking the total freedom of the black race as well as research on Africa culture and progress. It is a non-violent group whose ideology is to lift and unite humanity. The BBC producer contrived or manufactured all trumped-up allegations against NBM.

The producer of the egregious documentary is a man whose background should be investigated by BBC as well as security agencies in Nigeria and abroad. The BBC’s interview with our leadership was to help the world understand that has never been, is not and can/will never be NBM. The president of NBM granted the interview to BBC in good faith to clear any misconception. It is shameful to see how a journalist intentionally twisted the context in which commentaries were made, mixed it up with responses of charlatans to make an asinine claim that NBM is a violent group. It is standard practice that participants of such work be fully aware of what they are getting involved in before their opinions are used in such in such a documentary. What he has done criminal and unacceptable.

The producer Otunba Friday Gbolahan Macjob, used footages of violence during the #EndSARS campaign in Nigeria to falsely allege that NBM is Violent. Several footages in the documentary are false and never involved NBM or its member. Videos of violence and criminality by NBM should abound if is a violent group. We see through the lies, Macjob is a politician that contested for election for the Abeokuta South federal constituency in Ogun State in the platform of YDP, a party in Nigeria. We do not need any prophet to tell us the reason behind the slanderous publication against certain targeted individuals and political party.

NBM is unaware of any organization called “” as we restated on June 22, 2021 in Vanguard newspaper, page 21. We have also made this known several time s through other media channel but detractors deliberately link misconduct of certain unscrupulous element to NBM. Persons parading themselves as are not NBM members.

Many may wonder why NBM would retain the Axe cutting chain symbol as our logo when it is same as what is seen on that of the “” impositions as shown by the documentary. The axe represents a tool of breakthrough and freedom. It has nothing to do with murder or crime. It remained our logo because the significance is very important. We cannot be held to account for the plagiarizing of our logo. We are working with security agencies to solve the problem.

For us as Pan-Africanist group, the hypocrisy of the western media has also not gone unnoticed. It is common knowledge that anything the western world does not understand and control is marked for destruction especially when it is black. NBM is the largest growing black organization worldwide. The attempt to alienate an annihilate us is deliberate but futile exercise.

USA, UK and other western countries have dangerous organizations but they have ignored all of their problems to discredit the struggle in Africa. This is intentional to diminish the good work of legal organization like NBM. The killing of George Floyd Jnr by Officer Derek Chauvin did not turn the hardworking Minneapolis Police to a violent or criminal organization. The rape, abduction and murder of Sarah Everard by Officer Wayne Couzens did not turn the hardworking metropolitan police into criminals.

“Like every other organization worldwide. NBM has its internal challenge created by non-conformist and renegades who flout its code of conduct. Like every other group, we are working tirelessly to flush such recalcitrant persons out of our fold. It is not a sprint race. It is an exercise that requires tact, patience and precision.

NBM global movement built on solid principles and is against all social vices. It stands for humanitarian public service and international solidarity of all people regardless of their race, creed, ideology, religion and location. NBM has highly respected, responsible and award-winning members in all profession and other facets of life. It is not a dumping ground for criminals. Individuals who commit crimes should be arrested and prosecuted instead of dragging the organization into it. Some members of other notable organization have been involved in certain crimes but the outfits have been dragged into their personal problems.

“We recognize that like every organization, we have work to do. We condemn all forms of violence. We do not seek superiority of any kind.

“NBM’s goal is Pan-Africanism and so abhors black-on-black violence. We are committed to nation building and making the world a better place.

In fact, in the Vanguard DISCLAIMER, NBM stated:
“we have been consulted and our professional service retained by the Registered Trustees of NBM OF AFRICA, a registered non-governmental organization under the relevant laws of Nigeria and with its office at Uhuru Heritage Centre, Amagba, Benin City, Edo State whom we hereinafter referred to as our client and with its firm and equivocal instructions we put up this notice of disclaimer.
“I has come to the notice of the leadership and members of our client that some persons who are not members of NBM OF AFRICA are associating in the name of “” with our client. The leadership and member of NBM OF AFRICA hereby notify the relevant government agencies within and outside Nigeria and members of the general public that NBM OF AFRICA being registered non-governmental organization with its core aims and objectives centered on the principles of democracy, equality and social justice and which is dedicated to the promotion, protection and the advancement of black solidarity, world peace, international co-operation, understanding, equality and social justice for disadvantaged persons globally, has no nexus with the name or appellation “” in no event shall our client (NBM OF AFRICA) be liable for any act special, direct, indirect, consequential or any damage whatsoever, arising from action(s) individually, jointly, collectively or severally in connection with the use of the name BLCK AXE by any person or persons who claim(s) to be members of the , our client (NBM OF AFRICA will not fail or neglect to take any necessary legal action against any individual, group, agencies of government, media organization that bring(s) or tries/try to bring the name of NBM OF AFICA to disrepute or public opprobrium by associating it or her known members with the name and activities of . The relevant government security agencies, media organizations and general public should take note accordingly.”

Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu has called on Nigerians to at all times use their positions to ensure the promotion of unity, love, and peaceful coexistence in the country.

ABN TV reports that the former Abia governor also appealed to Nigerians to shun religious and tribal considerations in all they do but place the country at the forefront.

Speaking in Lagos on Sunday at the grand reception in honour of the newly promoted members of Progressives Group, an arm of Island Club, the Senator representing Abia North said Nigerians from all works of life must come together the advance issues that can promote the country and shun its polarisation.

"We must sustain the spirit of unity in all our pursuits. Let us use our positions to advocate peace and unity among Nigerians regardless of age, social, political, economic,  religious and tribal differences. Nigerians must shun divise  tendencies capable of polarizing the country.

"There is strength in numbers and as such Nigeria's heterogeneity must be seen as a blessing," he said.

Represented by the Chairman, House J Hotels Ltd, Lagos, Mr Abayomi Fatunsin, Sen. Kalu said Island Club has since its birth in 1943, sustained the ideals of its founding members by promoting inter-racial harmony among people of various background and ultimately promoting unity, friendship and networking.

He said, "Since its birth in 1943, the premier club has over the years sustained the ideals of its founding members by promoting inter-racial harmony among people of various background and ultimately promote unity, friendship and networking.

"The progressive group is an integral part of the island club being championed by like minds with progressive mindset and the group has continually maintained the ideals of the premier club in all its activities.

"As we gather here to honour, acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of the newly promoted members of the progressive club, I congratulate all members for promoting unity and being positively impactful.

"The progressives are known to be focused, visionary and optimistic. Hence, I implore you all to remain committed to the growth and progress of the progressive group , island club and Nigeria in general."

According to the former governor, Island club remains a leading club across the globe in view of its contributions to nationhood and global development.

While congratulating the newly promoted Progressive Group members and the Island Club, he called on members of this noble club not to relent in championing the good causes for which it was established.