₦airaland Forum

Officer of Nigerian Police Force have evacuated the dead body found at Bata junction in Aba Abia State on Tuesday.

They arrived the scene at about 4:30 on Tuesday for the operation.

No arrest has been made as at the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, investigations are still ongoing.

ABN TV in the early hours of Wednesday brought you a report of a middle aged man whose manhood was cut off and his lifeless body laid at the popular Bata junction.

READ MORE: https://www.facebook.com/1554378488161518/posts/2279277022338324/

@lalasticlala @Mynd44

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has approved the reconstitution of 18 market committees in the state.

This is contained in a release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Enyinnaya Appolos.

The markets are listed below

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has approved the reconstitution of the market committees/Boards as follows:

ARIRIA INTERNATIONAL MARKET:
1. Okeke Chigozie Stephen (Chairman)
2. Elder Ugochukwu Achilihu (Secretary)
3. Mr. Obichukwu Daniel (CSO)
4. Mrs. Uloma Alozie (Woman Leader)
5. Mr. Nnabuike Azuogu (Member)

NGWA ROAD MARKET (AHIAOHU)
1. Elder Chijindu Ojogho (Chairman)
2. Chief Joseph Ndukwe (Secretary)
3. Hon. Sylvanus Eke (CSO)
4. Mrs. Nkechi Azubuike (Woman Leader)
5. Mrs. Joy Ebere (Member)

EKEOHA SHOPPING CENTRE
1. Mr. Friday Dimitri (Chairman)
2. Mr. Vitalis Igbo (Secretary)
3. Mr. Chibuike Ugochukwu (CSO)
4. Mrs. Lilian Nkechi Obinna (Woman Leader)
5. Mr. Innocent Anosike (Member)

EZIUKWU ROAD MARKET
1. Mr. Kingsley John (Chairman)
2. Mr. Chimaobi Nkaru (Secretary)
3. Mr. Hilary Anucha (CSO)
4. Mrs. Ngozi Onyekwere (Woman Leader)
5. Mr. Chinwendu Nwankwo (Member)

READ MORE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/breaking-ikpeazu-approves-reconstitution-of-board-of-18-markets-see-list/

@lalasticlala

The Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) has condemned the new guidelines by National Assembly to accredit media practitioners to cover legislative proceedings.

The body in a statement signed by Ismaila Yahaya Kana, the National PRO OMPAN describe the new policy as obnoxious, arrogant and an insensitive attempt at muzzling the media.

OMPAN therefore urged the National Assembly to resist the temptation such as this to save itself from unnecessary scandal, even as the eighth NASS comes to an end.

Read full release below

[b]Press Release

1. In spite of the recent cold feet developed by the National Assembly (NASS) after receiving guarded criticism from well meaning Nigerians in the wake of it’s audacious attempt to restrict media access to legislative proceedings, the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN) still finds it necessary to register its disappointment at the NASS for even considering the long list of conditions it reeled out as prerequisites for granting media access to media practitioners seeking to cover its proceedings.

2. This treatise, which can only be compared to the kind of list that a father who is not keen on giving his daughter to a particular suitor gives to his prospective in-laws to scare them away, is a very cheap attempt at favouring a few media houses for reasons best known only to NASS.

3. This is why OMPAN wishes to join other well meaning Nigerians to condemn the now rescinded guidelines as obnoxious, arrogant and an insensitive attempt at muzzling the media. If it has been allowed to stand, OMPAN has no doubt that only media houses belonging to our honourables and Distinguished senators or their friends will secure this elusive access in secret seeing that secrecy has become the shroud that veils the activities of NASS.

4. In case our legislators are not aware, Media freedom like fundamental Human right is perhaps one of the most important laws that a democratic constitution must contain to pass the lens of scrutiny. This is why the media is referred to as the fourth estate of the realm in a democracy. And that is the reason why the draconian ploy that sought to take that freedom away was both bizarre and shocking considering it was attempted by the very institution saddled with with the responsibility of making Media friendly laws to serve in the first instance as the panacea for good governance, and in other instances to improve the quality of legislation in the Green and Hallowed chambers.

5. It is in light of the foregoing, that OMPAN wishes to congratulate Nigerians for standing together to force the leadership of NASS to roll back that red tape and maintaining status quo. Going forward, OMPAN believes it will be in the best interest of NASS to resist temptations such as this that will do nothing but mire it in unnecessary scandal, especially at this dying days of the current legislative tenure in which they have not particularly wrapped themselves in good graces.[/b]

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/nass-media-accreditation-guidelines-obnoxious-arrogant-insensitive-ompan/

@lalasticlala

Residents of Ikot Ekpene road area of Aba, Abia State are now in panic mood following the discovery of a dead body at Bata junction off factory road, along Aba-Owerri road in the early hours of Tuesday.

Source who spoke to ABN TV on the condition of anonymity disclosed that the private part of the middle aged man was cut off by his assailants, adding that a part of his body that looks like his balls was found by his side.

The source expressed dissatisfaction over the incident, wondering why a team of the Nigerian Army personnel who are just few meters away from the scene could not arrest the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

All efforts to reach the PPRO Abia State Command, Geoffry Ogbonna proved abortive.

There has been a heightened insecurity in most recent times in Aba and Umuahia.

Recently, the Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu ordered the immediate closure of some brothels in Umuahia, suspected to be hideouts for criminal gangs terrorizing the residents of the capital city.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/residents-panic-as-suspected-ritualists-murder-man-cut-off-manhood-in-aba-graphic-photos/

The Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro has welcomed the Senator-elect, Abia North Senatorial District, Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu in his country, ABN TV reports.

In a verified Twitter handle, Maduro expressed the readiness of his country to strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation with Nigeria.

He also congratulated president Muhammadu Buhari on his re-election.

"I received brother Orji Uzor Kalu, senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I expressed my congratulations to the recent electoral victory of Presidente Electo, Muhammadu Buhari. We ratify our readiness to continue to strengthen ties of friendship and cooperation" the post read.

Source: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/breaking-venezuelan-president-receives-orji-kalu-vows-to-strengthen-cooperation-with-nigeria/


@lalasticlala @Mynd44

A lady Grace Amaka Uwaekwe has taken to the social media to threaten taking her own life on Monday.

In a Facebook post, Uwaekwe said, “I will commit suicide on Monday if ASUBEB & SEMB are not paid by this weekend, I better die before Education dies in Abia.”

Abia State Universal Basic Education Board and State Education Management Board are among the parastatals being owed salaries in the state.


READ MORE: https://www.facebook.com/1554378488161518/posts/2276805542585472/


@Lalasticlala @Mynd44

Since the beginning of this year, hardly does a week pass without the incident of the death of one university student or the other. This is not however to say that the problem has not been with us for a very long time. Recent times signaled the beginning of the alarming proportion of what one can safely describe as a hydra headed challenge that has gradually crept into our national life.

Sadly, the appropriate authorities have been very mute, at best inactive to a problem of this magnitude. No serious attention has been paid to it or action taken to reverse an ugly trend that has the capacity to spell a doomy future for Nigeria and her human capital development.

How many parents will be happy that their children who have gone to acquire education for a brighter future were brought back in body bags? How many parents will cheer at the news that the body of their children could not be recovered in a certain river after s/he has gone missing for three days?

In our usual life, this will sound like tale by the moonlight, we feel entertained, gloss over a national tragedy and move on with our lives as if nothing has happened till the children of the high and mighty are struck before we could wake up to a terrible reality steering us at the face with ignoble impunity.

The catalogue of young men and women who have lost their lives in very avoidable circumstances is not only startling but scary and must get any well meaning Nigerian thinking how we managed to find ourselves where we are today. No nation tampers with the welfare and general development of her youths and come out of it better. With our dear nation on a full throttle to the rock, whatever becomes of the future of our youths is still shrouded in fear and uncertainty.

Just few weeks ago, Benue State University was thrown into mourning following the death of a 200 level student of Library and Information Science department of the institution whose name was simply given as Jeff after allegedly engaging in a marathon sex with his girlfriend whose identity till date has remained a mystery. This happened just few days after two students of the same institution Adekole Christopher and Emmanuella Mson a 100 level medical student and the only child of her parents allegedly drowned beside BSU water works, an area close to the river. According to reports, the students had visited the area on grounds of playing football and to enjoy the cool weather at the riverside before the sad incident happened.

This is aside the figure that voluntarily took their own lives out of frustration and hopelessness from various higher institutions across the country. For instance, a final-year student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, identified as Kolapo Olowoporoku, reportedly committed suicide after several attempts to make his outstanding courses – CVE and CSC 517 – as an extra year student of Computer Science at the University. His self-esteem was bruised and lowered to the base, seeing his mates take part in the school convocation and mobilise for NYSC.

Whatever the underlying facts are, the truth remains that the authorities of the schools have not really seen the students as stakeholders, or the main reason why they are in the business of teaching. They labour to ensure that the students are sufficiently abused psychologically in such a way that self worth and confidence will be far from the psyche of such students.

Some lecturers go as far as threatening the students with failure at little or no provocation at all. While the male students suffer constant harassment for gratification from the lecturers, their female counterparts have been made objects of sexual harassment, extortion and obnoxious demands. Again, the attitude of some educators has reinforced the need for a proper profiling of the kind of individuals that should manage our education. It shouldn't be left in the hands of sadistic elements who derive joy in bullying students both emotionally and psychologically with utmost impunity. Kolapo Olowoporoku is no more to state his own side of the story. He obviously couldn't have been the worst of students in his category.

There was a time in our academic and indeed social environment when suicide was seen as a no-option. Unfortunately, these days, at the slightest emotional breakdown, either from a lover, missed expectation or other mundane factors, suicide becomes the only escape window. Now, one can simply ask, what kind of orientation and re-orientation does these school authorities give to their students? What kind of counseling do they receive to enable them manage unmet expectations and new challenges?

The students who leave the hostel at will, what kind of orientation were they given? The three FUTO 100 level students who allegedly took excess hard drugs before engaging in an aggressive sex romp that turned out to be their last on this earth, were they properly briefed on life in the campus? Why has the death of our young ones suddenly assumed a mind-boggling proportion in the university environments?

Some cases that could have been salvaged were equally lost on the account of non availability of first aid treatment for emergency cases, casting a dent on our response capacity to urgency when it really matters.

The school authorities must rise up to this serious challenge at hand. They must identify and show the way out to lecturers who have distinguished themselves as albatross to the psychological welfare and self esteem of their students. The higher institution should be a place for breeding bold and courageous young men who will be fully equipped to confront the challenges of the future and not a place to make them feel like less human, peddling timidity and lack of confidence.

The ministry of youths and sports has not paid adequate attention to the well-being of our university students, their welfare and development. Sadly, so much is being appropriated to the ministry on yearly basis without much to show for it apart from the embarrassing football outings the country has faced over the years. The ministry and indeed the National University Commission (NUC) and other stakeholders should have a close synergy with Students Union Government (SUG) in various public schools, have a regular meeting, harvest a first hand information from them and seek ways students can have a conducive learning environment devoid of emotional and psychological bullying.

It is worthy of note that no religion in our environment encourages the act of taking one's life under any circumstance. The campus fellowships must do more to ensure that students at all levels are counseled and given proper moral orientation to face the business for which they are in the school. The students themselves must abide by the rules and regulations guiding movements within and outside the schools for their own safety. They must shun illicit drugs and social vices that could put their lives in danger.

While I deeply sympathize with parents who have lost their children to these painful deaths in our institutions of higher learning, I must urge them to train their children in the way and admonition of the lord. Well trained children are blessings to them, their schools and indeed the society at large. We must do more to inculcate the right moral attitude in them.

To deal with accident related issues, the schools must have functional first aid kits that could enhance the chances of survival of accident victims before accident they could be rushed to medical facilities. The life of every Nigerian should matter and must be guarded with jealousy. The era when our undergraduates die like chickens must be put on check.

Ifeanyi Okali is the Editor in Chief ABN TV

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/ravaging-death-among-nigerian-undergraduates-a-call-for-action-by-ifeanyi-okali/

@Dominique @Lalasticlala @Mynd44

The outgoing Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, on Wednesday declared himself “crazy.”

The governor stated that the declaration came with respect to his passion to make the state better than he met it.

Okorocha said this during the inauguration of the New Imo State High Court Complex in Owerri, the state capital.

In his statement, he noted that his crazy style of governance in the state has produced results which can be seen in the area of infrastructure.

“I’m crazy and mad not because something has affected my medulla oblongata but because of my vision for Imo State. When I came in, I was baptized with the name OkoroHausa because I did not school in this part of the world.

“I broke protocols and bent rules because such is allowed to get to wherever you want to get to.

“I came here with a mandate to make Imo better. I came to practice an unusual style and I apologize for my style of getting to where I want.

“My crazy system has worked for me, it has produced results.”

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/im-crazy-and-mad-not-because-something-has-affected-my-medulla-oblongata-says-okorocha/

@Lalasticlala @Mynd44

The Abia State APC has dispelled rumours that it has made a shift in its earlier support for the emergence of the Abia North Senator-elect, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu as the Senate Deputy President and Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha as Speaker House of Representatives.

Speaking ABN TV in Umuahia, the state publicity secretary of the party, Comrade Benedict Godson said there is no truth in such rumour, insisting that the party is not ready to compromise it support for the two lawmakers to emerge principal officers.

He said the decision to support the two candidates was reached in an extended exco meeting of the party where it became a unilateral agreement of the party to support their own.

Comrade Godson however stated that this decision does not prevent any member of the party from having any personal opinion, adding that the collective decision of the party has not been reversed.

He described Hon. Onyejeocha as a good legislator, experienced person who has also been a council boss, Commissioner and a forth timer in the House of Representatives, adding that she has a grounded knowledge of how the business of legislature is run, coupled with her ability to manage human and material resources.

He insisted that these qualities stand her out as the best to occupy the position of the Speaker in the ninth National Assembly.

On the Abia North Senator-elect, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, the Publicity Secretary said the former governor is not a first timer in the legislative business, having been previously elected into the House of Representatives.

He added that the incoming federal lawmaker performed well, brought stability to Abia and took it to a greater height when he held sway as the governor.

Comrade Godson said Kalu had what it takes to represent the state and the South East region at the National Assembly if elected to Senate Deputy President.

He expressed confidence in the Hon. Donatus Nwankpa led exco of the party, saying the party has come of higher strength in the state than it previously was.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/9th-nass-on-orji-kalu-hon-onyejeocha-we-stand-abia-apc-insists/


@Dominique @Lalasticlala @Mynd44

The Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has exonerated himself from any approval regarding the inauguration of of caretaker committees in Aba markets.

The governor in a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mazi Enyinnaya Appolos urged members of the public to disregard any media report on the approval of such inauguration.

He also directed all members of dissolved boards and committees to hand over government properties in their care to the Chief Security Officer of the relevant markets.

Read full release below

Announcement

The attention of the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has been drawn to radio announcements on the inauguration of caretaker committees for some markets and market association in the state, particularly ASMATA, Ariaria International Market, Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Ngwa Road market, Cemetry/Eziukwu Road market, Ochendo Shoe & Bag market and Ubani Ibeku Ultra-Modern Market.

We wish to inform members of the public that the Governor has not approved any new committee or board for any market in the state.

Kindly disregard the purported new committees/boards as announced. All members of dissolved boards and committees should hand over government properties in their care to the Chief Security Officer of the relevant markets.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/i-never-approved-the-inauguration-of-caretaker-committees-in-aba-markets-ikpeazu-warns/


@Dominique @Lalasticlala

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has removed Governor Willie Obiano as its Board of Trustees Chairman (BoT).

Also, removed was late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s wife, Bianca as member alongside others.

The decisions were taken on Tuesday in Awka during the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which followed the expiration of the four year term of the members of the BOT.

Meanwhile, the party had picked May 31 as for it’s National convention at the Prof Dora Akunyili women development center in Awka, Anambra state.

New BOT members were to be nominated ahead of its National Convention for ratification, as read out by the National Secretary of APGA, Labaran Maku.

Also, the Ward and Local Government Congresses of the party would hold on the 19th and 21st of May.

READ MORE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/breaking-apga-sacks-gov-obiano-bianca/

@Dominique @Lalasticlala @Mynd44

The Venezuelan Ambassador to Nigeria Mr Maduro and the Venezuelan Embassy's Consular on Monday paid a visit to the Senator-elect, Abia North Senatorial District, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu in his Abuja Residence.

Also in the entourage was a chieftain of APC in Delta State, Olorogun O'tega Emerhor.

Our correspondent gathered that discussions centered on how to deepen Nigeria - Venezuela relationship.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/venezuelan-ambassador-consular-apc-chieftain-visit-ouk-in-abuja-photos/


@lalasticlala

The Abia Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Umuahia has adjourned till Thursday, May 23rd 2019, for Commencement of the Pre-hearing on the petition filed by the Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Mao Ohuabunwa against the electoral victory of the Senator-elect for the senatorial district, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.

ABN TV gathered that the pre-hearing which was scheduled to hold today Monday 13th of May 2018 could not hold because the first respondent which is the All Progressive Congress has not been served notice.

The Tribunal frowned at the failure of the plaintiff to effect service on the 1st Respondent.

The 2nd Respondent and others have however been served by the Court.

The matter was adjourned till Thursday 23rd May 2019 for commencement of the pre-hearing.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/mao-vs-ouk-failure-of-plaintiff-to-serve-respondent-stalls-hearing-as-court-adjourns/


@lalasticlala

An architect, Dr. Alozie George Chinedu has attributed the high rate of building collapse in the country to quackery in the industry and failure of professionals to make use of quality materials in building.

Architect Chinedu said this while featuring in ABN TV's “Talk Make I Talk”.

On the recent building collapse at the Michael Okpara University, Umudike, Abia State, he pointed out that, “for that building to have collapsed, it is either, they have gone on without an architect, and that means with the absence of an architect or a civil engineer, it means they have compromised standard in terms of materials, in terms of mixture and that is why it is proper to have a proper documentation and a proper method of engaging an architect.

“Most buildings that collapsed are not even a product of an architect. It is most unfortunate that the society does not even know who they are. An architect is a person who has received training in a minimum of six years, took some tutelage under a registered architect.

"Expected to be tutored for six years by a registered or licensed architect, and after the tutelage the student is expected to sit for a keenly contested exam. But what do you see in our society? Experience showed that today you set out a building, you have a clown who changes over night from brick laying and he calls himself an architect and people trust him” Arc. Chinedu said.

He added that the architectural regulatory body in Abia state is doing fine and it has also attracted other states to make enquiries of their success.

The lecturer, ABSU also pointed out that “any drawing that does not have an architect seal does not originate from an architect”. He also insinuated that town planners do not pay much attentions to drawings.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/quackery-compromise-in-quality-major-reasons-for-building-collapse-architect/

@lalasticlala

The Election Petition tribunal sitting in Umuahia today 13th, May 2019, struck out the Petition of Mrs Phina Ihuoma Kanu the All Progressive Congress, APC candidate for Umuahia South State House Constituency EPT/HA/14/2019, against the Electoral Victory of Chief Jerry Uzosike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This was sequel to the application of Mrs Phina to withdraw her matter.

The Petitioner said she withdrew the Petition against the Victory of Hon Barr Jerry Uzosike on Personal Reasons.

The Chairman of the Tribunal Justice Cornelius Akintoye said the law is clear, when an Applicant decides to discontinue a case.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/tribunal-strikes-out-suit-against-abia-pdp-lawmaker-elect-jerry-uzosike/


@lalasticlala

The Senator-elect, Abia North Senatorial District, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu has said lack of education has contributed to why banditry, terrorism and other crimes have remained a hydra headed challenge in the Northern Nigeria.

The former governor in his verified Twitter handle said until steps are taken to address the problem of high rate of out of school children in the region, they will remain vulnerable recruits to arm groups.

He said, “Besides deploying security men to combat bandits,terrorists & other crimes in the North. Education remains the “key” to a long term lasting solution to the crisis.Unless that happens the current out of school children would continue to remain vulnerable recruits to Armed Groups.”

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/lack-of-education-fueling-banditry-in-the-north-kalu/

@lalasticlala @Mynd44

Unknown gunmen yesterday kidnapped a mechanic, Ngozi Alozie, along Opobo road, Aba.

The gunmen were said to have seized the mechanic as he was driving home in a Toyota Sienna bus belonging to one of his customers at about 8pm.

The gunmen also shot his apprentice on the leg and threw him out of the bus and sped off, Vanguard reports.

The apprentice is now receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital in the city.

Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the incident, stated that Policemen later recovered the Sienna bus at Isiala Ngwa area.

Ogbonna disclosed that another vehicle abandoned by the gunmen was also recovered.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/breaking-gunmen-kidnap-mechanic-in-abia-state/

@lalasticlala @Mynd44

As the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, released the results of the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, UTME, a 15-year-old boy from Abia State emerged the best candidate by scoring 347 marks considered as the highest by board, ABN TV reports.

Similar, a 16-year-old boy from Abia State came second by scoring 346 marks just as a 17 year old from Osun State trailed behind with 345, considered by the board as the third best result in the 2019 UTME.

But the Registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyode, who announced this at a media briefing, Saturday, however, said the best candidate may not be admitted in the University of Lagos,which he chose as his first choice because of age.

He gave the names of the three best candidates as Ekene Franklin: Igban Emmanuel Chidiebube and Oluwo Isaac Olamilekan Oloyode did not disclose the intended courses of the best performing students.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/breaking-15-year-old-ekene-from-abia-scores-highest-in-2019-utme/


@lalasticlala @Mynd44

The Nigerian Medical Association has lamented the horrible working conditions of Abia State health workers and doctors who last received salaries 13 months ago.

Dr. Francis Faduyile, NMA President, disclosed this while reading the communique issued at the end of the 59th Annual General Conference and delegates’ meeting of the association that held in Ebonyi State.

Faduyile also said that Abia State Hospital Management Board has not been paid for 10 months.

He also lamented a similar situation in Imo State where salaries of doctors and health workers were slashed by 30 percent since 2015.

He said, “The AGC/DM expressed great displeasure and frowned at the failure of the Abia State Government to pay the salaries of doctors and other health workers working at Abia State University Teaching Hospital for up to 13 months and Abia State Hospital Management Board for 10 months.

“The AGC/DM also expressed great displeasure and frowned at the payment of 70 per cent salaries to doctors and other health workers working with the Imo State Government since September 2015.

“The AGC/DM considered the action of both the Abia State Government and Imo State Government as unacceptable, while also expressing great displeasure at the non-payment of skipping by some tertiary health institutions in the country.”

Faduyile stated that salaries health doctors received in Nigeria is low when compared to their colleagues in other African countries.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/nma-decries-10-months-unpaid-salaries-in-abia-hospital-management-board/

@lalasticlala

As part of measures to help in advancing education especially among the less privileged, a renowned Nigerian philanthropist and business mogul, Sir Alex Ikwechegh has launched a scholarship scheme for indigent students in Abia State.

ABN TV gathered reports that the program which will kick off September, 2019 will cover the three senatorial districts in the state.

Both primary and secondary schools students whose parents cannot afford to pay their tuition fees will benefit from the scheme.

Ikwechegh in a chat with our correspondent revealed that he is always touched whenever he sees children who are intelligent but can’t go to school because their parents are financially handicapped.

He said the scholarship will be given to over 200 students who are doing well academically and these children will be selected from various villages in Abia state.

READ MORE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/over-200-abia-children-to-benefit-from-alex-ikwechegh-education-scholarship-photos/


@lalasticlala @Mynd44

Unspecified number of arm robbers on Wednesday evening attacked a popular footballer, Christian Jacob aka Nkita Ara along Umuola road in Aba the commercial city of Abia state.

He was immediately shot dead after he was dispossessed of his mobile phone by his assailants, leaving his lifeless body on the scene.

ABN TV learnt that Christian Jacob until his death played for Enyimba Football Club Aba, Iwuanyanwu National Football club of Owerri IMO state, FC Sheriff of Moldova and others.

He was said to be one of the fastest wingers during his time at Iwuanyanwu National.

He was single before his death.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/sad-ex-enyimba-fc-player-shot-dead-in-aba-graphic-photo/

Unknown gunmen on Tuesday night abducted the Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employees (NULGE) chairman Isiala Ngwa North, Abia state Comrade Wachukwu Okechukwu.

ABN TV gathered that Comrade Okechukwu was abducted in Nbawsi Isiala Ngwa North at about 10:15pm at his elder brother's viewing center where he had gone to watch Liverpool vs Barcelona match.

The unknown gunmen were said to have accosted his black Toyota Corolla salon car, bundled him into the boot and whisked him away through Ururuka road.

Source: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/breaking-gunmen-abduct-nulge-boss-in-abia/

@lalasticlala @Mynd44

Jubilation has greeted the miraculous survival of occupants of a salon car involved in a fatal accident at Umuaku Isuochi in Umunneochi LGA of Abia state.

A Facebook user Gentle Dove God'stime took to the social media to write:

READ MORE: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2268781726721187&id=1554378488161518


@lalasticlala @Mynd44

Hon. Benjamin Kalu, House of Representatives Member Elect for Bende Federal Constituency visited some motherless babies homes and the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Area 1, Abuja to mark his birthday yesterday which coincided with his stay in Abuja to process certain documentations in preparation of the upcoming 9th House of Reps swearing in next month. The camp, established 6 years ago, currently holds 3015 people including IDPs from Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States who were visibly excited to welcome the legislator.

After distributing food, drinks and other items, the member elect celebrated his birthday with the IDPs, singing and dancing with them as he assured them of his commitment to their wellbeing. He declared the improvement of IDP conditions as part of his legislative agenda and described his visit as part of a more elaborate information gathering tour ahead of his swearing in, designed to obtain firsthand experience and information on the conditions of IDPs in Nigeria.

WATCH VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fr8gvMd2uQ

Hon. Benjamin Kalu (popularly called BenKalu) was impressed by the entrepreneurial drive of the IDPs, some of whom had already started petty businesses, and promised to empower them through his foundation. He immediately gave employment to 2 IDPs to commence work in an agricultural business. The member elect also recognized the work of the Camp’s Chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Ahmadu and thanked the administration for accommodating his visit on a very short notice.

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/ben-kalu-pushes-aside-ethnicity-advances-humanity-as-he-marks-birthday-with-abuja-idps-photos-video/

@lalasticlala @Mynd44

The Arochukwu/Ohafia Diocese of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) in Abia State has dismissed two priests for indulging in homosexuality, ABN TV reports.

A letter entitled: “Notice of dismissal from ministry”, dated April 29, 2019, and signed by Bishop of the Diocese, The Rt. Rev. Johnson Onuoha, circulated to all archbishops and bishops of the church said an investigation by the diocese, after it got wind of the allegation, confirmed that the two men were neck-deep in the act.

The memorandum which was also copied to the Metropolitan and Primate of All Nigeria and Bishop of Abuja, The Most Rev. Nicholas Okoh, warned any persons dealing with the expelled clerics to be mindful as such could dent the image of the church.

READ MORE: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2268468140085879&id=1554378488161518

@lalasticlala @Mynd44

Anambra State Police Command has nabbed a notorious thief who specializes in dispossessing people of their mobile phones and other valuables.

According to a post by one Frank, the suspect had earlier snatched his wife's phone and failed to return it after several appeal.

His prayer for him to be caught according to him had finally paid off as the suspect has met his Waterloo.

Read his full post.

Last two weeks at Upper Iweka , a thief snatched my wife's Hot 6 Infinix Phone inside a bus without her knowing.

On knowing it, i called her number and the guy picked talking to his fellow guy saying.. " ha na akpo ya" then cuts the phone switching it off. In the next day when i tried the line , it was ringing for many hours without anybody picking, that at a time i started sending SMS appealing to him to please return the phone, but the result was abortive as the message neither elicited any acknowledgement nor the phone switched off that we had to go and block the line .

READ MORE: https://www.facebook.com/1554378488161518/posts/2267940300138663/

The Anambra state police command have arrested Ogochukwu Onourah ‘f’ aged 27 years of Ilongodo, Ogidi in Idemili North LGA of Anambra State, for luring her male friend on facebook, Emerole Ikechukwu, from Imo state to Ogidi and arranged for him to be robbed.

According to a statement from the police, Ikechukwu from Irete village Owerri, had reported at the Ogidi Police Station that a female facebook friend lured him from Imo State to Ogidi and that upon arrival at about 1:15pm, the supposed friend directed a bike man who picked him and took him to the bush where was robbed at gunpoint of his money cash sum of Seven thousand Naira (#7000), his ATM card where another sum of Ten thousand Naira (#10:000) was withdrawn and other valuables.


READ MORE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/lady-in-police-net-for-inviting-facebook-friend-arranging-robbers-to-attack-him/

@lalasticlala @Mynd44

A charity organization, Alex Ikwechegh Foundation has visited Miss Esther Nmecha, a lady whose fingers were chopped off by Fulani herdsmen in Aba in March 31, 2019.

ABN TV gathered that the proprietor of the Foundation and a former Aba North Chairman, Alex Ikwechegh during the visit made a cash donation of undisclosed amount and offered an employment opportunity to the victim to take care of her personal needs.

Mr. Ikwechegh who was represented by the Spokesperson of the Foundation, said he was shocked when he heard of the news of Miss Esther Nmecha’s plight.

“We are here because our Chairman, Alex Ikwechegh understands your plight. In fact, he was dejected and devastated when he heard the news and that’s why he sent us to donate this money to you.

“This is not Abia State that we use to know before. We had peace but now with the coming of the Herdsmen, our people now live in fear which ought not to be so.

Source: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/04/alex-ikwechegh-foundation-visits-woman-whose-fingers-were-cut-off-by-fulani-herdsmen-in-aba-gives-her-cash-employment-opportunity-photos/

@lalasticlala @Mynd44

THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF MONTHS BEING OWED TO WORKERS IN ABIA STATE - NLC, Abia state chapter Chairman, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe reveals

Says: "Abia state Teaching Hospital are owed 12 months,
Hospital Management Board -10 months,
Abia Polytechnic (Aba) -13 months,
Arochukwu Technical -13months,
Abia College Of Health and Science - 12 months,
ASUBEB -6 months, that of pensioners is between 19 – 25 months.

WATCH VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdtFilz5z78

SOURCE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/video-nlc-charges-abia-mdas-on-regular-payment-explains-why-abia-workers-are-yet-to-protest/

Anambra State Police command on Saturday said it has arrested a man and his wife for allegedly selling their three-day old baby boy at the rate of Three hundred Naira only (N300,000).

The Police spokesperson in the state, Haruna Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement.

He said the suspects Chinonso Anyanwu and Oluebube Anyawu were apprehended following intelligence report.

READ MORE: https://www.facebook.com/1554378488161518/posts/2266739186925441/

The Abia State government has offered detailed explanations on the outstanding salaries owed to civil servants in the state, saying actions are ongoing to address issues bordering on salary payment.

In a release signed by the State Commissioner for Finance, Mr Obinna Oriaku, the state government said it is embarking on a reform/restructure of the public sector management system to make it more functional and optimally effective.

It also solicited for support of the general public as it embarks on this journey which it says will help redirect our state to the path of sustainable development.

Read full release below;

Press Statement

Our Position on Parastatals Salary issues

While we acknowledge that there are lingering salary issues to be cleared in Abia State, especially with parastatals and pensioners, we wish to state the following facts to clarify the distortions and present concerned members of the public with details of ongoing efforts by the Government to tackle the challenges

HMB/ABSUTH

Parastatals like the Hospital Management Board (HMB) and the Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) are institutions to which the State pays subventions on a monthly basis, these institutions generate revenue which they are supposed to use for their operations including payment of salaries of their workers.

Following a painstaking review of the operations, processes and procedures of these parastatals which are discovered to be grossly flawed, the Abia State Government was left with no other option but to wield the big hammer by dissolving their Boards last week to pave way for more efficient management team that would reposition these institutions, shield them from undue external interference and pressures and deliver on their mandates seamlessly. These steps are in addition to the series of meetings representatives of government had with the Nigeria Medical Council (NMC) and a holistic review of HMB/ABSUTH operations last month wherein it was agreed that that state government pays two months subventions every month to the institutions to help them clear the outstanding. Implementation of this agreement will commence this May. It is our sincerest hope that ABSUTH workers will seize this opportunity to call off their industrial action. It is our firm belief that after the review and implementation of the recommendations of the committee set up by the state government on these institutions, they will become more efficient and self-sustaining.

SEMB

The secondary school teachers salaries’ outstanding is due to the restructuring of the sector that has affected the Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB). It is on record that Abia is the only State in the entire federation that still manages a Junior Secondary School system that is distinct from its senior category. With the recent signing off on the review of the sector by the Governor, the Junior Secondary School system will be joined with ASUBEB as obtainable in other states of the federation and with its resultant effect on staff delineation from SEMB to ASUBEB. It is expected that this process would be completed this month and the secondary school wage bill would be easier to manage unlike what is currently on ground. The State has also concluded plans to be paying the teachers two months salaries every month effective from May allocation to clear the outstanding.

READ MORE: https://www.abnews247.com/2019/05/breaking-abia-govt-admits-owing-salaries-highlights-affected-mdas-pledges-action/