₦airaland Forum

The Enugu State Police Command said on Friday that no life or property was lost in the fire outbreak that occurred at the mattress section of Ogbete Main Market in the state capital.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu, told journalists that the fire was first noticed in a shop at the foam section of the market at 3:30 p.m.

Amaraizu said the fire started from a faulty small generating set in the shop.

He said: “The fire and fume from the faulty generating set were put off by public-spirited traders.

“As I speak to you, no life or property was lost in the entire incident.”

The command’s spokesman, however, urged social media speculators and those that magnify incidents out of proportion to have a change of heart this New Year.

“I wonder what one wants to gain by raising an unfounded alarm or escalating minor issues,’’ he said.

The state’s Chief Fire Officer, Okwudili Ohaa, who came with a fire-fighting truck to the market, lauded the traders for putting out the fire at its nursery state. (NAN)

A coalition of youth organizations in Enugu State, under the auspices of Enugu Youth Coalition for Good Governance, has berated a purported group of civil society organizations in the state for giving the state government a 14-day ultimatum to release the three suspects in the murder of Mrs. Maria Amadi, the former head of nursing services, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu.
In a statement by the coordinator of the youth coalition and the Executive Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Paschal Ugwu, the group disclosed that the murder case is in court and subjudice.
Describing the 14-day ultimatum to the state government as baseless, diversionary and mere shadow-chasing, the youth group warned the purported CSOs to respect the rule of law and allow justice to take its course, adding that any attempt to divert attention and mischievously ridicule the state government’s commitment to justice will be firmly resisted.
The youth stated that that the “kangaroo” ultimatum was the handiwork of those who are afraid of justice and have skeletons in their cupboards, wondering why they should not allow the judiciary and the security agencies carry out their due responsibilities, according to the law and constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
 
Reacting to the threat by the purported CSOs - the group led by Comrade Igboke Onyebuchi - to embark on a protest if the three persons accused and detained over the murder of the nurse are not released after the expiration of the two-week ultimatum, the youth group warned them to desist from any act that could undermine the existing peace and tranquility in the state.
 
According to the youth coalition, “Enugu youths view this latest show of shame by this concocted coalition of civil society organizations’ group being mischievously propelled by one Igboke Onyebuchi as a charade and a diversionary measure to evade justice - we cannot allow this to happen.
 
“We, therefore, warn the originators of this baseless ultimatum to allow justice to take its course and stop bringing Enugu State government into this matter as it is neither the judiciary nor the police that are prosecuting the murder case in a competent court of law. We urge the state government to remain focused and undaunted in its resolve to support and promote the course of justice in Enugu State.
 
“We support the demand for justice by the late Mrs. Amadi’s family, the members of National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Enugu State Chapter, including the Joint Health Sector Union and Association of Resident Doctors, among other concerned bodies and individuals.”

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, today inspected the ongoing rehabilitation of the runway of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu with the Enugu State Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Federal House of Respresentatives, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji, the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu, the State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Greg Nnaji and the delegation from the South East Governors Forum' Enugu Airport/Palliative Works Committee, among others.

Briefing newsmen after the inspection, the minister expressed satisfaction with the extent of work done so far, reassuring that the airport will be reopened before Easter as earlier promised.

In her remarks, Enugu State Deputy Governor, Hon. Mrs. Ezeilo, who stressed the importance of the airport to the people of the South East geo-political zone and beyond, said that the state government remains committed to the timely completion of the project.

Also speaking, the Aviation Committee Chairman, Hon. Nnaji disclosed that the National Assembly has fulfilled her part in the execution of the project adding that what is remaining is their oversight functions to ensure that the airport renovation is completed to standard for its reopening as promised by the Federal Government.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!##

...Parades arrested woman


The Enugu State Police Command has rescued a maid, Peace Goewam, captured in a viral video where she was being traumatized by her madam.

In the video, which elicited angry reactions from Nigerians, the woman, Mrs. Amaka Ortolehi, from Ngor-Okpala, Imo State, was seen maltreating the maid in most heartless manner.

The incident, our correspondent gathered, led the Enugu State Police Commissioner, Ahmad Abdulrahman into launching a manhunt for her.

Addressing journalists at the State Police Command, the Commissioner said "when I viewed the viral video, it was an eyesore.

"I gave order to my technical officers and anti-cult team. This eventually led to her arrest, alongside her husband Nkemakolam Ortolehi.

"We also arrested Mr. Jonathan Goewan, the uncle to the victim, who out of greed brought her to Enugu from Jos and probably sold her to this wicked family.

"Irrationally, she held her own daughter who she had affection for but was thrusting this very girl on the ground as if she was killing a fowl."

He added that "we protected and rescued the girl and she is going be to handed over to a government agency that will take care of her till we trace her parents.

"They will come down and tell us why they divorced this girl from them; as for the uncle, he has no satisfactory answer, so we are suspecting fowl play.

"This is typical example of Child Abuse, child labour, torture and man's inhumanity to man."

The Police Commissioner vowed that all those involved in one way or the other in the girl child's ordeal would be prosecuted and appropriate punishment meted on them.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Ortelehi has blamed the devil for her actions.

Speaking with newsmen amidst tears, she said "I don't know what came over me. I don't treat her in such manner before. You can enquire from her school, you can ask our neighbours.

"This is not how we have been living, I'm a lover of children, all come to my house. Anger put me into this, I love Peace, we have been living together for two years, this is just something that went out of the ordinary."

earmarks more legacy projects

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Tuesday, presented a budget proposal of one hundred and sixty nine billion, five hundred and fifty seven million, six hundred and fifty eight thousand, three hundred naira (N169,557,658,300) for the 2020 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly for consideration and passage.

Presenting the budget proposal tagged: “Budget of Responsive and Accountable Governance”, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that his administration through the budget intends to strategically consolidate and expand on the solid foundation already laid in creating an environment that encourages full development of human and natural resources.

The governor stated that the essence is to rekindle social services as well as build vital infrastructure in all sectors of the economy across the state, revealing that the implementation of the recommendations of the twelve (12) sectoral ad-hoc committees, constituted at the inception of his second term administration, on review of different sectors of governance for advancement of good governance and optimized service delivery, were aptly captured in the 2020 budget proposal.

He disclosed that the revenue and expenditure performance in the 2019 budget was a huge success as his administration recorded unique achievements in infrastructure, education, health, electrification, security, urban beautification, transport, water, women and youth empowerment, commerce and industry, housing among others.

Gov. Ugwuanyi pointed out that National Inflation Rate of 10.8%, National Real GDP Growth of 2.93%, Oil Production Benchmark of 2.18 million barrels per day, Oil Price Benchmark of $55 per barrel and an Exchange Rate of N305 per US Dollar, were the macro and micro-economic indicators that informed his administration’s projections for the 2020 budget proposal.

He stated that the state has in the past four years maintained steady economic growth, which was largely because of political stability in the state, stronger and more efficient institutions of governance, improved security of lives and property, provision of critical infrastructure, consistent economic policy and commitment to fiscal discipline.

The governor further disclosed that these remarkable achievements have created opportunities for private sector participation in the economic development process of the state.

Gov. Ugwuanyi noted that the outcome of the reform initiatives coupled with robust fiscal administration and the reorganisation of Enugu State Internal Revenue Service have ensured substantial increase in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which he said has maintained an annual average growth rate of 11% since 2015 and current figure of N27 billion - the highest in the history of the state.

He explained that the proposed N169.56 billion budget size was 55.27% higher than the 2019 budget of N109.199 billion because of “our continuing commitment to meeting the development expectations of our people through the provision of critical infrastructure in virtually all the sectors, including but not limited to roads, housing, education, health, agriculture, rural electrification, water, transport, women and youth empowerment”.

The governor further revealed that out of the N169.56 billion budget proposal, recurrent expenditure is N68.79 billion, representing 40.57% of the total budget, noting that “this is slightly higher than the 2019 figure of N65.71 billion by 4.69%”.

He said the capital expenditure stood at N100.77 billion, representing 59.43% of the budget, which is above the 2019 figure of N43.93 billion by 129.4%.

Highlighting the key deliverables of the 2020 capital budget, Gov. Ugwuanyi, stated that the state government, among numerous others, plans to construct the first Enugu Underpass/Flyover at Nike Lake Resort/ Nike Road T-junction, Enugu, construct and reconstruct more urban and rural roads, upgrade and remodel the Hotel Presidential, Enugu as well as enhance facilities at Nike Lake Resort and complete the construction, landscaping and furnishing of the International Conference Center (ICC), Enugu.

Others include the reconstruction of Michael Okpara Square, Enugu with provision of additional pavilions, construction of Adada Campus of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Nsukka, operationalization of the Enugu Medical Diagnostic Centre and full implementation of the Universal Health Coverage in the state, establishment of Small and Medium Scale Industries in the 17 LGAs and the upgrading and revitalization of Primary Health Care facilities across the 17 Local Government Areas to ensure quick and easy access to healthcare delivery in the remote villages, etc.



“We have done a lot to make Enugu a destination of choice for credible investors. Under my watch, Enugu State has transited from its 2014 World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking as 27th out of 37 States (including FCT, Abuja), to an enviable ranking as the 2nd State in Ease of Starting Business and 3rd State in Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria in the 2018 World Bank Ease of Doing Business sub-national ranking. For this feat, Enugu State was honoured on 3rdApril, 2019 by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council at Abuja. We are committed to sustaining this position and possibly improving on it in the coming years”, the governor said.

…As gov offers special thanksgiving to God for electoral victory

The Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministry Enugu Nigeria (AMEN), Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, has described Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State as a rare and God-fearing leader who has continued to lead the state with uncommon zeal, passion and humility even after his re-election in office.

Fr. Mbaka who spoke when Gov. Ugwuanyi, accompanied by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, other elected public office holders at the state and national levels, leadership of the state Judiciary, Prince Engr. Arthur Eze, members of the State Executive Council (EXCO), state leadership and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), various support groups, among others, offered a special thanksgiving to God at the Adoration Ministry for his landslide victory at the last governorship election, stated that “it is only a humble man who will do this”.

Relating the gesture to the story of ten lepers who were healed by Jesus Christ in which one of them came back to appreciate God, Fr. Mbaka said: “I want to thank God for giving us a man with this kind of gold heart”, stating that “Enugu has never had it like this”.

The priest pointed out that the thanksgiving Mass was unique, unprecedented and a true reflection of what Gov. Ugwuanyi represents, as a humble, peaceful, visionary and God-fearing leader.

He explained that it was “a Mass of holistic appreciation to the Almighty God for what He did in the life of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyichukwu Lawrence Ugwuanyi, our own, for the successful election” which ushered him into his second tenure as the governor of the state.

Fr. Mbaka further explained that the thanksgiving Mass was also to thank God that the entire elections in Enugu State were adjudged the most peaceful and hitch-free in the country, adding that “we have all gathered here because of our governor, to give honour to whom honour is due and appreciate his good leadership”.

The spiritual director applauded the governor for his sustained efforts in securing the state and providing more dividends of democracy to the people after his re-election, disclosing that “many governors do not work in their second term”.

The cleric therefore commended the governor for continuing with his massive infrastructural development across the state as well as other remarkable achievements such as payment of the 13th month salary to all civil servants and staff of MDAs in the state as Christmas bonus, which he said was not obtainable in other states of the country.

He equally lauded Gov. Ugwuanyi for his humility, passion for the wellbeing of the people, especially the poor “and kind-heartedness for being a father to his people”.

Proclaiming that the governor “will go higher than this level”, the Spiritual Director reassured him of the unceasing prayers of the ministry, advising him to continue with his good works.

“This is my son, please let him sustain his good works. Good name is better than silver and gold. Keep your good works up. You will be a free and happy man after office. God will be with you”.

Prince Arthur Eze, in a brief remark, expressed delight with Gov. Ugwuanyi’s leadership style and commitment to God, describing him as an exceptional leader, with humility and compassion.

In his speech, Gov. Ugwuanyi who restated that “it ended in praise”, maintained that it was worthy of thanksgiving to God that the elections were hugely successful and devoid of violence.

The governor disclosed that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won all the elective positions overwhelmingly as Enugu was adjudged the most peaceful, adding that the state has continued to prosper despite all challenges.

Gov. Ugwuanyi who said that they came to show appreciation to God, also expressed gratitude to the people of the state including the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Rev. Fr. Mbaka and the entire congregation for their support, solidarity and prayers.

He reassured them of his administration’s commitment to continue to serve with the fear of God and advance good governance in the state.

Enugu State is truly in the hands of God! # #

*EXCO approves more development projects

The administration of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has approved the payment of 13th month salary for all the civil servants and staff of all the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the state, to celebrate the forthcoming Christmas with their loved ones.

The decision, part of the outcome of the State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, was disclosed by the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, who briefed newsmen on behalf of the Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, who was absent.

It would be recalled that the Ugwuanyi administration has been consistent with the payment of the 13th month salary as Christmas bonus - a gesture the organized labour has described as “unprecedented in the history of Enugu State,” which “we never asked or agitated for”.

Briefing newsmen yesterday, Hon. Edeoga disclosed that the state government, in the spirit of Christmas, has paid the December salary of all civil servants and staff of MDAs in the state, adding that the 13th month salary will be paid “in a few days from now”.

The commissioner, who addressed the press, alongside the Commissioners for Works and Infrastructure, Finance, Chieftaincy Matters and Science and Technology, Engr. Greg Nnaji, Mrs. Adaonah Kene-Uyanwune, Dr. Charles Egumgbe and Sir. Carl Obi Kama, respectively, also disclosed that the council awarded contracts for more development projects worth over N700 million.

The projects, according to him, include the renovation/rehabilitation of Enugu State Judiciary complex, Independence Layout, Enugu at the sum of N189,493,901.89 and construction/rehabilitation of Amutenyi Obollo Afor-Umuenachi Amalla road, Udenu LGA, at the cost of N321,510,780.94.

Others include, access road and landscape works at 1x8 court room blocks A and B, Enugu North, Enugu South and Enugu East Magisterial Districts, for N138,090,832.83 and the ground water seepage control and soil stabilization works at the court premises to cost N59,916,024.00, totaling N709,011,539.66.

Hon. Edeoga further disclosed that the council rewarded the student of Girls Secondary School, Abakpa-Nike, Enugu State, Miss Chidiogo Jane Onoh, who emerged the overall winner in the country of the maiden edition of the essay writing competition of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), with the sum of N250,000.00 and a laptop “to encourage her and other children of Enugu State to strive to excel wherever they are”.

“We are trying to convey the information that there is reward for excellence, there is reward for merit, there is reward for hard work”, the commissioner said, adding that the council equally approved appreciation of some students of the state “who did very well in the National Mathematics Competition in Port Harcourt”.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Sir. Kama, added that the council consequently approved the sum of N250,000.00 and a laptop for the Enugu student that came first in the mathematics competition in Port Harcourt and N100,000.00 each for two other students of the state who took the second and third positions, respectively, stressing that the governor is education-friendly and the decision was “a way of encouraging our students to emulate these ones”.

On his part, the works and infrastructure commissioner, Engr. Nnaji, advised residents of the state to protect the existing road infrastructure during the festive season and “desist from burning tyres on our hard earned roads”.

On his part, the works and infrastructure commissioner, Engr. Nnaji, advised residents of the state to protect the existing road infrastructure during the festive season and “desist from burning tyres on our hard earned roads”.

He pointed out that such acts, usually carried out during the New Year cross-over night and eve of Christmas, destroy the roads, revealing that “our people will move round to apprehend those who will violate this directive”.

In her briefing, the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Uyanwune, while applauding the governor’s consistency in the payment of the 13th month salary in the state, confirmed that the December salary has been paid “so that civil servants will have enough time to do their Christmas shopping and meet other financial obligations of the season.

Their chieftaincy affairs counterpart, Dr. Egumgbe, who spoke about the state government’s conventional disposition to the traditional rulers in the state, especially during the Yuletide, stated that the government remains committed to “ensuring they (Royal Fathers) continue to partner the state in the maintenance of peace and security within our local domains”.

Things are falling apart for Allen Onyeama and Air Peace, the US Department of Justice have indicted him for money laundering while Nigeria’s EFCC has launched an investigation into the books of one of Nigeria’s leading Airline Company.

In a game of names and conspiracies, new facts have emerged which point to the reality that the Jonathans, Mr. Timi Alaibe, former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commision and Kingsley Kuku, former Chairman of The Presidential Amnesty Program to former President Jonathan are the real owners of Nigerian Airline, Airpeace Nigeria LTD.

WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM

Kingsley Kuku during his time as Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Program converted his office as a fund raising scheme, and indeed the funds were raised. Several billions of unaccounted tax payers money were stolen from the Amnesty program, and when Kingsley Kuku’s time as Chairman was over, a clearly orchestrated arson was committed at the accounts records office of the Presidential Amnesty Office to erase all trace of theft and fraud, a well thought out plan, a well executed plan. But the eyes of Nigeria’s anti graft commissions were already on him, and he fled to the U.S. before he could answer to EFCC’s questions about a N6.2bn contract, he has been on exile since 2015.

THE FRONT – ALLEN ONYEAMA.

Allen Onyema, the publicly known owner of Air Peace was a legal practitioner based in Lagos until 2013 when Air Peace was inaugurated. He was not a business man who had build successful empires over time, he had no digital or analogue record of successful business ventures. In 2013, he had successfully obtained the permits to set up what would eventually be Nigeria’s biggest airline company from nothing.

The US Department of Justice a few weeks ago indicted Mr Onyeama for fraud and money laundering, apparently more people have began to ask the question “Where did Mr Allen get the funds to set up Air Peace from?”

Private investigations have revealed that Air Peace and “Mama Peace”, the nickname of Former First Lady, Patience Jonathan are no different from rain and water.

It has been gathered that Patience Goodluck Jonathan popular known as ‘Mama Peace’ who personally recommended the name ‘Air Peace Nigeria’. Patience Jonathan who had wanted her face to be behind the then newly founded airline was advised against it as it would have far reaching consequences on political optics seeing as Goodluck Jonathan made no attempt to revive the nation’s national Carrier

Investigations confirmed that Mr. Timi Alaibe and Mr Kuku used Alex Onyema’s firm to open different NGOs and companies that were later used to transfer money in millions of dollars to US accounts that Mr. Allen Onyeama used to purchase the Airpeace Nigeria LTD fleet – This is why the U.S got involved.

In 2009, Mr. Timi Alaibe who had wanted to contest for Bayelsa governorship election after his stint as Senior Special Adviser on Amnesty to the president, approached Patience Jonathan the then First lady to help persuade President Jonathan to appoint his progeny Kingsley Kuku who served as his Personal Assisatnt while in NDDC to be Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Program in an attempt to cover his tracks.

Patience Jonathan agreed on the condition that her office will be constantly serviced by the Amnesty Office. Timi Alaibe agreed and a new alliance was forged between the duo. An alliance that would consequently give birth to Air Peace Airlines LTD.

FOLLOWING THE MONEY

A few months ago, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered a financial audit of the Presidential Amnesty Program and the NDDC.

Consequently, the The United States Department of Justice charged Allen Ifechukwu Athan Onyema, the Chairman, CEO, and founder of Air Peace, a Nigerian airline, with bank fraud and money laundering “for moving more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of airplanes,” according to a statement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

Air Peace’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha, was also being charged with bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.

According to the statement issued by the Department Office Justice, “Onyema allegedly leveraged his status as a prominent business leader and airline executive while using falsified documents to commit fraud.” U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak was quoted in the statement as saying; “We will diligently protect the integrity of our banking system from being corrupted by criminals, even when they disguise themselves in a cloak of international business.”

Robert J. Murphy , Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division who commented on the indictment said, “Allen Onyema’s status as a wealthy businessman turned out to be a fraud. He corrupted the U.S. banking system, but his trail of deceit and trickery came to a skidding halt. DEA would like to thank the many law enforcement partners and the subsequent prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office who aided in making this investigation a success.”

“Onyema setup various innocent sounding multi-million dollar asset purchases which were nothing more than alleged fronts for his scam,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Robert Hammer, who oversees HSI operations in Georgia and Alabama.

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the indictment, and other information presented in court: “Onyema, a Nigerian citizen and businessman, is the founder and Chairman of several organizations that purport to promote peace across Nigeria, including the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development, and All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited.

“Beginning in 2010, Onyema began travelling frequently to Atlanta, where he opened several personal and business bank accounts. Between 2010 and 2018, over $44.9 million was allegedly transferred into his Atlanta-based accounts from foreign sources.”

Onyema founded Air Peace in 2013.
According to the statement, “in years following the founding of Air Peace, he traveled to the United States and purchased multiple airplanes for the airline. However, over $3 million of the funds used to purchase the aircraft allegedly came from bank accounts for Foundation for Ethnic Harmony, International Center for Non-Violence and Peace Development, All-Time Peace Media Communications Limited, and Every Child Limited.

“Beginning in approximately May 2016, Onyema, together with Eghagha, allegedly used a series of export letters of credit to cause banks to transfer more than $20 million into Atlanta-based bank accounts controlled by Onyema. The letters of credit were purportedly to fund the purchase of five separate Boeing 737 passenger planes by Air Peace. The letters were supported by documents such as purchase agreements, bills of sale, and appraisals proving that Air Peace was purchasing the aircraft from Springfield Aviation Company LLC, a business registered in Georgia.

“However, the supporting documents were fake — Springfield Aviation Company LLC, which is owned by Onyema and managed by a person with no connection to the aviation business, never owned the aircraft, and the company that allegedly drafted the appraisals did not exist.

“Eghagha allegedly participated in this scheme as well, directing the Springfield Aviation manager to sign and send false documents to banks and even using the manager’s identity to further the fraud. After Onyema received the money in the United States, he allegedly laundered over $16 million of the proceeds of the fraud by transferring it to other accounts.”

Onyema and Eghagha were indicted on November 19, 2019, on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, three counts of bank fraud, one count of conspiracy to commit credit application fraud, and three counts of credit application fraud.

Additionally, Onyema was charged with 27 counts of money laundering, and Eghagha was charged with one count of aggravated identity theft.

You would recall that in 2014, Diepreye Dikibo, spokesman of the ex-Militant Leaders Forum in the Niger Delta, alleged that Onyema and Kingsley Kuku, former adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Niger Delta Affairs, used funds meant for the amnesty programme to float Air Peace.

Kuku was the coordinator of the project while Onyema was a consultant.

In a statement, Dikibo alleged that Onyema’s Foundation for Ethnic Harmony was one of the biggest beneficiaries of contracts from presidential amnesty programme.

Read an excerpt of the statement from the spokesman of the ex-militant leaders as published on www.thecable.ng 24th November 2019.

Initially, there were rumors that Air Peace, a new Airline whose aircraft have recently been cited at Lagos Airports belong to the First Lady Patience Faka Jonathan. That is all not true. We believe at this moment, that those who churned out the story that the Airlines belonged to the First Lady did so deliberately to hide the truth and to mislead the people.

The truth did not take too long to come out. Business concerns owned by Allen Onyema, a Lagos based businessman, colleague and close confidant of the Special adviser to the President on Niger Delta & Chairman, Presidential Amnesty Programme Kingsley Kuku have not been confirmed as responsible for the Airlines and more to that, Allen Onyema has now publicly confirmed that he is the Chairman of the Air Peace Airlines.

Allen Onyeama’s business outfit handled the demobilization and orientation of former Niger Delta militants which cost billions of Naira to run. Allen Onyema has also been responsible for high valued training contracts (running into billions) in the areas of welding training as well as aviation training for the Presidential Amnesty Programme in countries such as South Africa, The United States and Dubai.

Kingsley Kuku, Allen Onyema with House of Reps Committee Members on the Niger Delta visiting Proclad Academy, Dubai (Where Allen Onyema’s business outfit ICNPD) is training Niger Delta youths in Welding for millions of dollars.

The appointment of Kingsley Kuku as SA, Niger Delta & Chairman of the Amnesty Programme in January 2011, was a huge blessing for Allen Onyema as it gave him automatic access to a monster chunk of the more than sixty billion naira allocated to the amnesty programme yearly.

Two of Allen Onyeama’s NGOs which also double as business outfits are known to be the biggest beneficiary of large value Presidential Amnesty Contracts and we can confirm that none of these outfits has any ties to the First Lady Patience Jonathan.

They include the Foundation for Ethnic Harmony in Nigeria (FEHN) and the International Center for Non-violence & Peace Development (ICNPD).

All the contracts awarded to Allen Onyema and his business run into millions of dollars and are all grossly inflated and over valued in a manner designed to short change the Amnesty Programme and steal the billions of naira yearly allocated to the manage the amnesty program in the Niger Delta.
End of excerpt.

Since her husband, Ex-president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, was voted out of power in 2015, Patience Jonathan has been dragged to court at least four times by the Economic and Financial crimes Commission (EFCC), with the target of reclaiming both money and properties allegedly acquired with “proceeds of unlawful activities.”

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Tuesday, launched the first ever meningitis vaccination campaign in the state, declaring a mass vaccination of children between the ages of one and five.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony at Abakpa Nike Primary Health Centre, in Enugu East Local Government Area, Gov. Ugwuanyi who stressed the importance of the campaign against meningitis, stated the timing for the campaign was apt, considering that "meningitis is often associated with heat and dry season".

Disclosing that "Enugu State is the first state in Southern Nigeria to fully implement this meningitis mass vaccination," he added that the state came first in the country in Maternal and Child Healthcare indices, according to the recent Lots Quality Assurance Survey, by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

Reiterating the state government’s premium on healthcare delivery for citizens and residents, Gov. Ugwuanyi disclosed that the State Ministry of Health, since the inception of his administration on May 29, 2015, has consistently taken the third position after the Ministries of Works and Education in terms of capital expenditure portfolio provision in the budget.

Noting that his administration is being encouraged by the results it is getting to continue pursuing the goal of a healthy state, the governor revealed that the state government is expecting the visitation of African Regional Certification Committee for Polio eradication "as they adjudged Enugu State, the best performing state in South East Nigeria, in terms of polio eradication".

He said the state has a free pre-natal and anti-natal treatment for women, while general hospitals in various Local Government Areas are being rejuvenated, statistically resulting to an all-time low infant mortality.

Gov. Ugwuanyi further said that his administration is repositioning the Enugu State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for optimum results, adding that the state paid N100 million counterpart fund to enable it benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.

His words: "The state provided a take-off grant of N200 million to Enugu State Agency for Universal Health Coverage and a Duplex at No. 12 Colliery Avenue, as office complex for Universal Health Coverage.

"Last month, that is November 2019, Enugu State ensured that the Measles Second Dose Campaign was transferred into our routine immunization exercise".

In his address, the Executive Secretary, Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. George Ugwu, commended Gov. Ugwuanyi for his passion, disposition and support to the agency through various interventions and primary healthcare programmes across the state, "especially those that positively and directly impact on the health of the people of Enugu State as a whole, especially women, children and other vulnerable groups in the society".

Dr. Ugwu stated that one of the interventions "worthy of mention is the just concluded introduction of Measles, second dose, into Routine Immunization for children between 15 and 23 months of age" implemented to protect them against measles disease which is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children across the globe.

The Executive Secretary revealed that the acceptance of the introduction of measles second dose vaccine and other related interventions by the people was demonstrated through the high demand for the services witnessed during the exercise.

"Your (Ugwuanyi's) support in this regard was the magic wand that made the difference. I cannot forget Your Excellency's wonderful support for National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) and the Outbreak Response (OBR) that was conducted in Uzo-Uwani LGA in order to ensure that our people living within the border communities in the Local Government Areask where the last strain was reported in Kogi are fully protected.

"May I inform our dear governor that Her Excellency, the wife of the Governor of Enugu State, Hon (Mrs.) Monica Ugochi Ugwuanyi, personally launched the grand finale of the just concluded introduction of Measles second dose campaign.

"Her acceptance to personally discharge that responsibility was, indeed, a big morale booster for both health workers and recipients of the vaccines, as well as a demonstration of government’s commitment to the overall health and well-being of the citizens of this State".

In their goodwill messages, representatives of the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and NPHCDA applauded the sustained efforts of Gov. Ugwuanyi's administration in providing healthcare delivery to the people as well as supporting and collaborating with the NPHCA and the development partners in their quest to making the country healthy.

They advised parents to avail their children the opportunity of benefitting from the exercise in the state.

The health commissioner, Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu, was represented by the permanent secretary, Dr. Ifeanyi Agujobu.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!##