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Uzo-Uwani leaders move against land racketeers in communities

…Ask them to return illegal proceeds to purported buyers

The leaders of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State comprising the chairman, all the traditional rulers and other stakeholders of the agrarian council, rose from an emergency meeting on Tuesday, and unanimously dissociated themselves from all purported sale, lease or other forms of alienation of land at Nkpunator, Igga, Nkpologu and other communities in the area.

In a stern communiqué issued at the end of the meeting which was signed by the chairman, Hon. Barr. Fidelis Ani and all the 14 traditional rulers, on behalf of the people of Uzo-Uwani Local Government, the leaders noted with great concern and dismay, the indiscriminate sale, lease and other alienation of their ancestral land “contrary to extant laws, customs and traditions regulating alienation of land by criminal elements who have no authority to do so”.

Noting the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), the Land Use Act and other extant laws regulating the Alienation of Land, “including but not limited to Judicial pronouncement on same”, the leaders expressed concern at “the activities of criminal elements who pose as foreign investors in their quest to illegally acquire community land”.

They added that they were “determined to develop our respective communities, local government and State and improve the living conditions of our people with the meager resources at our disposal”, acknowledging the urgent need “to preserve our land and natural resources for our use and that of generations yet unborn”.

The stakeholders maintained that they were disposed and open to foreign and local investments and recognize their importance in stimulating economic growth and social progress of the area, in a peaceful and secure environment.

Consequently, they advised those who facilitated the unauthorized and illegal sale of such land to return the proceeds of such sale to the purported buyers and went further to advise “those who purportedly purchased the land to lawfully seek recovery of their money or other considerations”.

The people of the council therefore offered advice to the public to be guided strictly by the extant laws, customs and traditions regulating alienation of land and “refrain from dealing with unauthorized persons who go about selling what they do not have”.

According to the communiqué, “the government and people of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area remain open and indeed welcome all genuine investors who are interested in investing in Uzo-Uwani”.

Enugu State is in the hands of God. #amokelouis

Ugwuanyi gives succor to victims amid tears of joy

*Gov, others thank God no life was lost

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Friday visited traders of Amigbo Market in Obiagu, Enugu North Local Government Area whose shops were gutted by fire at the wee hours of yesterday to empathize with them, ascertain the cause and level of damage, and offer state government’s assistance to ameliorate their loss.

Gov. Ugwuanyi, who arrived at the market to the amazement of the traders and residents of the suburb, after he was briefed by the chairman of the market traders association, Mr. Emeka Nnajiofor Ogbodo, and the Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs. Nkechi Eneh, first thanked God that no life was lost during the inferno and consoled the victims.

Consequently, the governor donated the sum of N100,000 to each of the affected 68 traders whose shops were burnt as immediate intervention to cushion the effect of the inferno and promised that his administration will rebuild the shops for them, in keeping with its commitment to the wellbeing of the people of the state.

He therefore directed the Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area, Hon. Emma Onoh who was present during the visit alongside the member representing Enugu North Constituency in the State Assembly, Hon. Barr. Ibekaku Onoh, to take inventory and come up with the cost implication for the rebuilding of the shops, for necessary action.

His words: “I came to console you. I know how you are feeling. As a governor whom you elected, what affects you affects me too. When you mourn, I follow you in mourning. What affects you affects all of us in Enugu State. I am here therefore to put smiles on your faces. All of you affected should come to Government House for immediate payment”.

Earlier, the chairman of the market, Mr. Ogbodo, who thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi and his entourage for coming to empathize with them, narrated that the inferno started around 12:50 am, shortly before he received a distress call from the Neighborhood Watch group.

He disclosed that the swift intervention of the state fire service saved the day despite the fact that their fire-fighting trucks had challenges accessing the market.

“If not for the quick assistance of the fire service, the whole market would have been burnt down. When the fire service came with many vehicles, there was no road because of buildings here. One of them tried to enter through here but could not enter. It was another one from the other way that tried with the support of the residents to quench this fire.

“God did wonders; nobody was wounded, including people who entered inside the shops to quench the fire. God Almighty did it; no one was hurt or taken to the hospital. It was only those whose shops and goods were destroyed that were affected”, the market chairman said.

Also speaking, SEMA Executive Secretary, Mrs. Eneh stated that on the spot assessment conducted by the agency revealed that “the fire started about 12: 50am today and men of the Enugu State Fire Service were here on time to contain the fire, as you can see”.

According to her, “No casualty, no fatality was recorded. We are grateful to God about that. We are yet to ascertain the cause of the fire, though some of the victims stated that about 4pm the previous day that they experienced power fluctuation but about 12 midnight, the power went off completely and about 12:50am they now started hearing about the fire outbreak; that was when the men of the fire service were called”.

Mrs. Eneh, therefore appealed to residents of the state to be cautious and observe safety measures both at home and in their work places, reassuring them of the state government’s commitment to safety of their lives and property.

Responding, some of the victims who spoke to journalists amid tears of joy, after they collected the money at the Government House, Enugu, thanked Gov. Ugwuanyi for coming to their rescue after they lost their means of livelihood to the inferno and prayed God to continue to bless and reward him abundantly.

Enugu State is in the hands of God. #amokelouis


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The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Enugu State chapter, on Thursday asked residents of the State to ignore rumour making the rounds that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the State has donated some land for the controversial Ruga programme.

There were claims in some circles that the governor donated some hectres of land for the settlement project at some communities in the State.

But addressing journalists, the Secretary of CAN in the State, Dr. Joseph Ajujungwa said checks by the Christian body showed that no such thing happened.

He warned rumour mongers to desist from stoking unnecessary tension in the State, noting that such would do no one any good.

He said that “we have taken time to investigate some of the allegations against the governor on this Ruga, claiming that he has given land for the project.

I am assuring residents of the State that it is not true; we have investigated, we have done everything we are supposed to do and we found out that the allegation is false. The claim is from the pit of hell, it cannot be substantiated.

“How many hectres of land do we have in Enugu that some can come out and say the Governor has given out 31 hectres?

“We, therefore, use this opportunity to call on Enugu residents to carry on their normal businesses and forget such propaganda.”

Ajujungwa, who is also the National Chairman, Christian Enlightenment and Welfare Organization, CEWO, said “the most annoying part of it is that those circulating this fake news are not in this State; they stay in their comfort zone and create unnecessary tension here.

“Their attempt is to cause a breach of peace, to truncate the harmony we are enjoying in this State, just to seek political relevance.”

“The governor has assured us that he is not different from other Southeast governors; he is on the same page with them.

“We have interfaced with him and he told us bluntly that such a thing never happened,” Ajujungwa added.

Gov. Ugwuanyi prohibits activities of IPMAN in Enugu State

Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has issued an Executive Order prohibiting the activities of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in the State till further notice.

The Order which was issued by Gov. Ugwuanyi pursuant to section 48 (1) and (2) of the Public Order Law Cap 130 Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004, section 215(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and all other powers enabling him in that behalf, was as a result of the protracted crisis between warring factions of the IPMAN that has within the recent past given rise to cult activities, gun battles, banditry, continuing threat to public order and human lives and property.

According to the Order, "the foregoing has created a general state of insecurity in Enugu State (the "State", presenting grave danger to lives and property of members of the public in the State".

The Order also expressed deep concern that "the continuance of activities of IPMAN in the State is likely to endanger peace and public order in the State", stressing that "it is expidient in the interest of public safety, public order, public morality, and for the purpose of protecting the rights, freedoms and lives and property of members of the public in the State and the maintenance of peace, security, and good governance of the State".

Prohibiting the activities of the association, the Order further stated that "without prejudice to the issues in contention between the parties and the rights and obligations of the parties, and without prejudice to any judicial decisions in that regard: The activities of IPMAN in Enugu State are hereby prohibited till further notice".

It added that "a committee comprising the Department of Petroleum Resources, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and Department of State Services shall be constituted to engage with the parties with a view to maintaining public safety and public order".

Consequently, the Order, which may be cited as "The Activities of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (Enugu State Interim Prohibition) Order 2019", directed the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State to take all lawful measures in the above regard for maintaining and securing public safety and public order in the State".

Enugu State is in the hands of God! #amokelouis

…Ekere walks out of tribunal

Witnesses called by the All Progressives Congress in Akwa Ibom State have frustrated the pleas made by the party at the governorship election petitions tribunal.

The governorship candidate of the party Obong Nsima Ekere, in his amended prayers sought the tribunal to set aside of results announced by INEC in all the local government areas in the State except in Etim Ekpo and Essien Udim local government areas.

Ekere claimed that election was conducted at polling units and results were announced in Etim Ekpo and Essien Udim.

However, a chieftain of the APC, Engr Akanimo Edet, who was the party’s collation agent in Etim Ekpo, has disproved the claim made by Obong Nsima Ekere.

Appearing in the elections petitions tribunal sitting at Court 8, Fulga road, Uyo, Edet distanced himself from claims by his party that it won the election in Etim Ekpo, saying that there was no election in all parts of Etim Ekpo local government area.

Edet, a former member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, admitted a statement he earlier deposed under oath, that there was no collation and announcement of results of the governorship election in Etim Ekpo.

During cross examination, Chief Assam Assam(SAN) counsel to Governor Udom Emmanuel asked Edet if his party won the governorship election in Etim Ekpo.

He answered, “there was no election, so there is no way APC could have won.”

Edet’s response foreclosed the chances of the APC to further claim that it won the governorship election in Etim Ekpo local government area.

Our reporter who is covering the sittings of the tribunal said, the APC governorship candidate, Obong Nsima Ekere, immediately walked out of the tribunal furiously after Edet’s testimony contradicted his claims and submission made by the party.

The leadership of the APC is said to be disappointed that its star witness in Etim Ekpo, Engr. Akanimo Edet has frustrated their case at the tribunal.

However, other six witnesses called by the APC said there was no election in their respective local government areas but at the same time insisted that their party won the election in some units and wards in those local government areas.

One of the witnesses, Barr. Emmanuel Atakpo, told the tribunal that there was no election in Ibesikpo Asutan local government area, but when asked by counsel to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) if APC won in any ward or unit in Ibesikpo Asutan, he said, the party won in Ward 1, Unit 6.

Atakpo had claimed that the election results were manipulated at the local government coalition center, but when asked if he had the election result as the party agent for the local government before it was manipulated, he said he had no result.

When asked how he arrived at the conclusion that the governorship election was not held in the entire local government, Atakpo said, “I personally drove around most of the polling units within his ward to confirm that election didn’t take place.”

Another witness for the petitioner, Dr. Ita Udosen, also said in his statement that
there was no election in his unit, unit 4, Ibesikpo ward 3.

During cross examination, Udosen however admitted that election took place in his unit but that a fight broke out midway during voting so he ran away to the local government coalition center.

Another witness called by the APC, Mr Effiong Bassey Etim, from Ikot Akpabio in Nsit Atai local government told the tribunal that there was no election in his polling unit where he served as APC agent because there was violence immediately the election materials arrived.

Etim in Paragraph 5 of his earlier statement deposed at the tribunal said there was no violence but massive thump printing at his unit. It is clear to the world that the strategy of the APC to say that elections did not take place in some local government areas has fallen apart, as they keep contradicting themselves at the tribunal. The governorship elections took place peacefully throughout the state, a fact that the Police Commissioner in charge of elections in the State, Ibrahim Kaoje in his report to the Police Headquarters also affirmed.

The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of bowls and spoons for pupils in public primary schools benefiting from the National Home Grown School Feeding Program . First phase of the distribution commenced this week in Ebonyi, Katsina, Oyo, Adamawa, Delta, Kaduna, Plateau and Ogun states. Below are pictures from the distribution in various local governments in Katsina State.

Distribution was carried out in 34 local governments to 3, 742 cooks

…Confirm police statement that no such incident occurred



…As Gov. Ugwuanyi, heads of security agencies visit



The people of Agbada Nenwe in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, members of the Hausa/Fulani community and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the South East zone, have denied the video trending on social media over the purported expulsion of some herders and their cattle out of the community.



It would be recalled that the Enugu State Command of the Nigeria Police had in the wake of the news report on social media denied that no such incident occurred, explaining that after a preliminary investigation, it was revealed that what transpired was “only the movement of cattle and herders from Cross River State through Uburu in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State and a neighboring town for grazing”.



The police further stated that “such transit had nothing to do with escorting herders and their cattle out of Agbada Nenwe community”.



Speaking when Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State led the State Commissioner of Police, the Director of Department of State Services (DSS), the Garrison Commander, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, the State Commandant of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, and other relevant stakeholders, to Agbada Nenwe on Monday, on a fact-finding visit, the traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe Dr. Francis Imo, said the video is untrue, stressing that “nobody drove the Fulani community out of Agbada Nenwe”.



The monarch disclosed that they enjoy cordial relationship with the Fulani community, adding that “no cow has ever been killed in this kingdom, no Fulani man has ever been hurt”.



According to him, “we have continued to maintain peace as directed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who has always urged all the traditional rulers to maintain the security and unity of the country, to make sure that we live peacefully with one another”.



Also speaking, the Chairman of Aninri LGA, Hon. Ezekiel Chukwu, said that immediately he got wind of the rumour he “rushed to the community with the security agencies in the council and could not establish the occurrence of such incident”.



The council chairman assured the indigenes of the community and Aninri LGA to continue to go about their normal business without any fear or panic, saying: “We are assuring you that we will continue to maintain peace and security of lives and property”.



On their part, the leaders of the Northern community and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, South East zone, who appreciated Gov. Ugwuanyi for his commitment to peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians resident in Enugu State, pointed out that they have not come across any herder or Fulani man who has complained that he was molested or chased out from the community.



In his presentation, the Sarkin Hausawa, Enugu State, Alhaji Abukakar Yusuf Sambo, said: “We have been enjoying peaceful co-existence in Enugu State and we are here to say that mischief makers will not succeed”.



In his submission, the Chairman of MACBAN, South East Zone, Alh. Gidado Siddiki, who frowned at the development, cautioned against “the harm our individual or group unruly act can cause the wider society beyond our immediate environment”.



According to him, “it is my sincere plea that while we genuinely seek our individual or group interests, we encourage collective good of all and healthy cohesion for virile nationhood.



“I wish to thank the government of Enugu State and indeed the governments of the South East states for their role in nurturing cordiality amongst residents of their states and other persons whose businesses are of economic value”.



Responding, Gov. Ugwuanyi, who stated that the delegation has found out from the presentations by the leaders of Agbada Nenwe and Northern communities, MACBAN, and Nigeria Police, that the said video is not true, appealed to those who are peddling false news about Enugu State to note that Enugu is a very peaceful state.



The governor maintained that “Enugu State, as we declared during our first ever Oganiru Investment Summit, is open for business and a home for all”, and reassured both the indigenes and non-indigenes of the community that the state is secure and remains one of the most peaceful state in the country.



“As a government, we assure and reassure both the indigenes and non-indigenes of this community that Enugu State is secure and remains one of the most peaceful states in the country”, he said.