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Sokoto Ranked Highest Poverty State In Nigeria.

Sokoto state has been ranked as the highest poverty state in Nigeria, according to a survey conducted by the Nigerian Bureau of statistics (NBS). Sokoto state’s poverty rating stood at 87.73 per cent.

This was made public via a statement on the official Twitter Nigerian Bureau of statistics @nigerianstat.

According to the report the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics also ranked Delta State as the second least poor state in the country after Lagos State.”

“The bureau stated that: “Lagos State has 4.50 per cent poverty head count rate and is closely trailed by Delta State with 6.02 per cent with Sokoto state has the highest rate of poverty in the country with 87.73%.

The National Poverty rate currently stands at 40.09 per cent, representing 82.9 million persons, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said.

According to the 2019 Poverty and Inequality in Nigeria report published Monday by the statistical agency, Borno State is however excluded from the poverty estimate.

Urban poverty rate stood at 18.04 per cent, while the rural poverty rate is estimated at 52.10 per cent.

In his reaction, the Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Charles Aniagwu, stated that the report was a reflection of the “Prosperity for all Deltans” agenda which has been vigorously pursued by the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration.

https://premiumreportersonline.com/2020/05/06/sokoto-ranked-highest-poverty-state-in-nigeria/

The federal government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that will benefit from the COVID-19 contributions to provide information to the public within seven days on how the money is spent

The federal government also barricaded the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID 19 from having access to the donated funds.

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) in Abuja on Tuesday issued a framework on how the donated COVID 19 fund is to be administered.

According to the framework, disbursements of all COVID 19 Fund including those being collected directly by CBN and those domiciled with commercial banks shall be through appropriation.

The framework stated that the COVID 19 Funds are “to be appropriated directly to participating MDAs and spending units like Ministry of Health, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, etc rather than to an intermediary agency like the Presidential Task Force (PTF).”

Administrative cost of the PTF the government noted “shall be appropriated separately to the PTF Secretariat.”

“The advantage is that the respective spending units and their Accounting Officers take full responsibility for funds appropriated to them and likely bottlenecks at the PTF are eliminated” the framework stated.

The government noted that, “transparency is enhanced when funds are spread to more MDA than when a huge amount is put under the control of a single entity.”

To ensure equity and transparency in fund allocation, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning has also been directed to work with the PTF to determine the needs of participating MDA such as Health, Humanitarian Affairs, NCDC, etc.

Affected MDAS, the framework noted, “shall present details of their needs together with estimated cost. This will form the basis for allocation of funds and enable post expenditure reporting and audit.”

Funds are to be transferred to TSA Sub Accounts of spending units based on approved allocations.

The federal government also ordered all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that will benefit from the COVID-19 contributions to provide information to the public within seven days on how the money is spent.

According to the framework, any information regarding the management of the COVID-19 fund should be made available “to any member of the public. All participating MDA are to provide information on all COVID-19 Fund transactions to any member of the public – individual or corporate – under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) within 7 days of receiving the request.”

Failure to publish timely report of COVID-19 activities in the prescribed format and at the stipulated intervals or to respond to FOI request the government warned “will constitute early warning signs of mismanagement and shall be deemed as contravention of this Guideline.”

The framework also ordered that “all collections into the Commercial bank accounts are to be swept into FGN Sub-Recurrent Account with the CBN. Failure to sweep all balances within 24 hours shall be deemed a violation of the Presidential directive on TSA which shall attract sanctions.”

Going forward, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation shall publish a Daily Treasury Statement for COVID-19 Fund outlining all the inflows into the Fund and all the outflows.

Also, each participating MDA shall publish a Daily Payment Report indicating the Beneficiary, Purpose of the Payment and the amount for any payment above N5 million made out of the COVID-19 Fund.

These publications shall be made on the Open Treasury Portal (www.opentreasury.gov.ng) not later than one week following the respective transaction. In addition each MDA shall publish a detailed report of its activities relating to COVID-19 Fund on its website at the end of every week.

The Monthly Budget Performance Report for the COVID-19 Fund shall be published on the Open Treasury Portal not later than 14 days following the end of the month.

In addition, a comprehensive report of all receipts and payments shall be published on the OAGF Transparency Portal as well as other Government websites including those of Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) not later than two weeks following the end of the pandemic.

For purposes of visibility the government has instructed that “the inflow information “shall indicate the source of the funds while the outflow information shall indicate the MDA responsible for each payment out of the Fund.”

All accounts with commercial banks are to be linked with the TSA at CBN to provide a single consolidated view of aggregate Government cash balances.

This will provide a single window for real time access to details of receipts and payments across all commercial bank accounts. In the absence of a ready tool to accomplish this requirement, the current CBN Payment Gateway may be deployed.

The organized private sector, wealthy individuals and ordinary citizens have rising to to help government mitigate the impact of the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic through financial and material donations for the provision of critical medical facilities and equipment as well as palliatives for vulnerable citizens.

According to a statement by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Friday, April 17 2020; donations to the Private Sector Coalition Against COVID-19 (CACOVID) Fund domiciled at the CBN was N25.8 billion.

In addition to the main CACOVID Fund Account with CBN; President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the opening of five COVID-19 Donor Accounts which form part of the existing TSA arrangement in the following commercial banks: Zenith Bank; Access Bank; Guarantee Trust Bank; UBA; and First Bank.

https://premiumreportersonline.com/2020/05/05/covid-fund-federal-government-orders-beneficiary-mdas-to-its-expenditure-public-within-seven-days/

Edo Government Explains How it spent Over One Billion Naira Fighting COVID

We purchased 6 dialysis machines, 10,000 PPE,constructed isolation centres,others.


Edo State Deputy Governor , Mr. Philip Shaibu, has given a breakdown analysis of how the state spent over N1billion in its bid to tackle the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Shaibu, who also serves as chairman of the state’s COVID-19 response technical committee, discloses that the fund was spent on medical equipment, isolation centres, PPEs, and palliatives.

Governor Godwin Obaseki had, on April 19, said the state had already spent over N1billion on its COVID-19 response but this drew a lot of backlash on and off social media.

However, speaking with Osasu Igbinedion on The Osasu Show, on television, Shaibu said: “The over N1 billion that is becoming a controversy is crazy because, for instance, we have two new isolation centres that have been built, we have a 30-bed new isolation centre in Stella Obasanjo Hospital.

“We have a 12-bed isolation centre in Auchi, 12 female and 12 male, making a total of 24. The entire Stella Obasanjo Hospital now, that used to be 168-bed facility is being converted, as we speak, to a 400-bed facility, which will be also a holding centre and an isolation centre.

“Beyond that, equipment, ventilators, presently have become the hottest cake in terms of medical equipment in the entire country beyond PPEs. We procured recently, within this period, a total of 32 ventilators.”

“When you quantify the amount of the cost of a ventilator, an average of N8 million, you would know the cost of that.”

Shaibu also explained the need to buy dialysis machines for renal problems, springing from COVID-19, adding the money was spent on it.

He said: “We also procured dialysis machines because when we were investigating this particular ailment, we discovered that you can get to a state where you will need dialysis because of kidney failure and other renal problems.

“So, we also procured six dialysis machines for the new facility, we also procured two new mobile x-ray machines for this new facility. When you check from the angle of this equipment alone, you have over N600 million.

“We are not talking about the facility itself, the structure itself. Don’t forget we have a brand new isolation centre in Stella Obasanjo, which was an expansion of the old one.

“We had one existing one that had a 24-bed ICU facility that we were supposed to use for the Edo 2020 national sports festival, but because of the pandemic, we decided to build a new one, which is a 30-bed one. That infrastructure was built in 12 days.

“We procured over 10,000 PPEs. We have procured a lot of face masks, N91, N3, and all the necessary medical protective kits.

“Beyond that, we have also invested in palliatives, with the first phase of palliatives for our people took place last two weeks, and the second phase is about to kick start from this week.

“When you quantify those costs, you’d agree with me that a billion is already too small for what I said.”

Similarly, the state government has rebuffed the allegations of ever releasing any photograph of a fleeing COVID-19 patient, a nursing mother, who is wanted for treatment in the state.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, who stated this in reaction to a video on social media by someone claiming to have been falsely identified as the nursing mother but absconded after testing positive for COVID-19, noted that the lady whose picture was circulated on social media, was a victim of fake news.

He said the action by the mischief makers amounted to undermining government’s efforts at tracking down the nursing mother.

Osagie said: “Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media by a lady who claimed her photos have been circulated on social media wrongly as the nursing mother wanted for COVID-19 treatment by the state government.

“It must be stated that when government made the announcement, it only gave the name of the woman in question and her address and never released any photograph of her.

“We categorically stated that the nursing mother lives at No. 2 Atoe Idubor Str, off 2nd Ugbor, Benin City. With such detail, it would be impossible to mix up the person we are searching for.

“However, we understand that the action of the mischief makers would have caused the lady in the video on social media undue psychological torment. We sympathize with her as, just like us, she is now a victim of fake news.”

“Therefore, we use this opportunity to reiterate the warning to purveyors of fake news and misinformation to desist from such act, as their actions amount to undermining government’s effort to check the spread of coronavirus. This is punishable under the Quarantine Act Regulations, which is in force in the state.”

He urged the general public to continue to provide useful information that would aid in tracking down the COVID-19 patient and her baby to safeguard Edo people.

https://premiumreportersonline.com/2020/05/05/how-we-spent-over-one-billion-naira-fighting-covid-19-edo-government-explains/

Nigeria recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases on the day the nation eased the lockdown regulations in major cities across the country with the figure for Monday at 245.

The new figure released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) on Monday night sums up the total tally for the country to 2,802, the agency disclosed..

“On the 4th of May, 245 new confirmed cases and 6 deaths were recorded in Nigeria,” it said.

An analysis of the new cases revealed that Lagos leads with 79 cases, followed by Katsina 37, Jigawa 32, Kano 23 and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with 19 cases.

On Monday, 16 states reported at least a case of the virus.

“245 new cases of #COVID19 reported; 76-Lagos, 37- Katsina, 32 – Jigawa, 23 – Kano, 19 – FCT, 18- Borno, 10 – Edo, 9 – Bauchi, 6 – Adamawa, Oyo and Ogun reported 5 cases , Ekiti, Osun, Benue, Niger and Zamfara reported one case each.

“As at 11 :46 pm 4 May – 2802 confirmed cases of #COVID19 reported in Nigeria. Discharged: 417 Deaths: 93,” the health agency disclosed on its official social media handle.

The 245 cases on Monday brings the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 2,802 including 417 patients who have been discharged after recovery, and 93 deaths.

Analysis

Nigeria has so far tested 18,536 persons since the beginning of the pandemic in the nation.

A breakdown of the 2,802 confirmed cases shows that Lagos State has so far reported 1,183 cases, followed by Kano – 365, FCT – 297, Borno – 100, Gombe – 96, Kaduna – 81, Ogun – 85, Bauchi – 80, Sokoto – 66, Edo – 62, Katsina – 83, Osun – 37, Oyo and Jigawa – 39, Delta – 17, Kwara and Akwa Ibom – 16, Rivers – 14, Yobe, Zamfara and Ondo – 13, Ekiti, Adamawa, Kebbi – 13,Nasarawa – 11, Enugu and Taraba – 8, Ebonyi and Baylsa – 5, Plateau – 3, Niger – 4, Imo, Benue and Abia – 2 while Anambra has one case.

The number of infected people in the country is expected to rise as the country has entered into the community transmission phase. The country has also increased its testing capacity.

Lockdown Ease

After five weeks of a lockdown of three major cities – Lagos, Ogun and Abuja – the government eased the lockdown on Monday and replaced it with a night curfew.

The government also announced mandatory safety precautions including wearing of face masks and social distancing.

However,situation reports revealed thae the regulations were largely flouted in the major cities as thousands converged at banks , bus stops and other major public places.

The government Monday evening admitted the violations and appealed to residents to comply with the directives so as to limit the spread of coronavirus.

https://premiumreportersonline.com/2020/05/05/may-4th-aftermath-nigeria-records-highest-daily-coronavirus-cases-as-fg-relaxes-lockdown/

Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has expressed sadness over the gruesome killing of his constituent in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State by security operatives in the state.

Igbere TV had on Friday reported the killing of a young man from Ebem Ohafia identified as Ndukwe Arunsi by men of the Nigerian police said to be under the influence of alcohol while enforcing the lockdown order by the state government.

Reacting to the development in a statement sent to Igbere TV, Kalu, through his Special Assistant/Head of Administration, Barr. Emeka Nwala, said he was heartbroken over the killing of “this hardworking, promising and productive citizen.”

He condemned the action of the law enforcement operatives, saying it was a “sad reflection of abuse of the roles of the security agencies in our land”, insisting, however, that it cannot be justified under any guise but must be roundly condemned by all.




“The land of Ohafia is well known for its peaceful coexistence and respect for constituted authority. Sadly, this avoidable killing has shattered the quietude of the land and ignited anger, restiveness, chaos, anarchy and acts of lawlessness, which also should not in anyway be tolerated or condoned in the land.”

The Abia North Senator, however, called on the youths of the district to immediately exercise restraint and cease all acts of violence, “as the hierarchy is well constituted to ensure erring officers who engaged in this cowardly and wicked killing are brought to book.”

He said his Special Assistant/Head of Administration has been directed to immediately engage the elders, stakeholders, police hierarchy and others in the district concerned in bringing back normalcy to the land as well as seeing to it that justice is done and that the culprits do not escape the full wrath of the law.

“We therefore call upon the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate the incident with a view to addressing the issues that have arisen therefrom.

“Furthermore, the office calls on the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to make examples of these officers who commit plain murder under the guise of enforcing the lockdown order.

“Section 33(1) of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) provides that every citizen has a right to life and no one shall intentionally be deprived of his life. The right to life is also enshrined in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“Pursuant to this, Mr President in his last nationwide broadcast mandated law enforcement agencies to exercise restraint in carrying out the enforcement order without neglecting their roles. This compliments the provision of rules of engagement for law enforcement agencies.

“This clear violation of such rights, in the case of the murder of Mr. Arunsi, must therefore not go unpunished. Lives that are being preserved through the lockdown exercise cannot be wasted by trigger happy personnel of the police under unjustifiable circumstances.

“On this note, our youths are called upon to henceforth exercise full restraint as any person found to be promoting or engaging in any further disturbance in the land will not enjoy the protection of the law on account of the killing.

“We believe that the genuine efforts of this administration to preserve lives and protect the people of the district will not be destroyed by the handiwork of bad eggs in the force.

“Finally, all citizens of the district are enjoined to obey the lockdown order since it is in the interest of all of us while awaiting the outcome of the efforts to bring about normalcy,” the statement added.


http://igberetvnews.com/1348452/sen-kalu-condemns-killing-constituent-calls-calm-restraint/

As the fight against the spread of the corona virus continues, and governments at all levels putting up stringent measures to curb the spread, the Nigerian Police has been at the fore front in making sure the lock down is adhered to, while ensuring safety of persons and property during this trying period of the nation


In complementing the effort of government and the Nigeria Police Force, Basement Africa, one of Nigeria’s leading Entertainment brands and show promoters in Delta State, paid a courtesy visit to the Delta State police headquarters where they made donations of packs of table water and other items to support the police force.

During the visit, the CEO of Basement Africa, Engr Okiemute Onuovughakpor alongside top entertainers from Delta State appreciated the police and encourage citizens to support government’s effort in combating the corona virus

Receiving the items on behalf of the Nigerian Police Force Delta State command, the Assistant Commissioner of police (Administration and Finance) Delta State ACP Osifo Emefili, thanked basement African for this gesture and also appeal to Deltans to comply with the lock down directives while assuring them of safety during the lockdown period.


The group also made similar presentation of packs of table water to all check points in Asaba the Delta State capital.

Basement Africa
Nigerian Police


https://abacityblog.com/2020/04/16/basement-africa-appreciates-the-nigeria-police-force/

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Covid-19: Gov. Ugwuanyi completes the construction of abakpa Nike road project, amidst lockdown.

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, through the ongoing massive construction of the 10.5-kilometre Nike Lake Junction-Harmony Estate - Amorji Nike - Adoration Pilgrimage Centre road, has succeeded in linking the ever-busy and thickly populated Abakpa Nike with Emene satellite town, in Enugu East Local Government Area.

The all-important bypass with lined drains and five river crossings, including culverts and bridges, across the ‘Ogbarishi’ thick forest of Umuchigbo community, presents an amazing experience of the indelible imprint of Gov. Ugwuanyi's rural-urban development agenda in Enugu State.

The road project nearing completion will not only link Abakpa Nike with Emene but also bring rapid development to the area and ease flow of traffic at the popular Akpakpa Nike/Nike Lake Road T-junction, which has been proposed for construction of the first ever Enugu Flyover/Underpass by Gov. Ugwuanyi's administration.

Enugu State is in the hands of God!#

https://twitter.com/amokelouis/status/1250447229099352066?s=19

Despite his detention A road construction intervention project attracted by the senator representing Abia North, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu will soon be opened for public use.

The road located in Acha Ozara in Isuikwuato LGA, Abia state according to findings commenced last year.

The project sponsored by NDDC is currently at its asphalt laying stage, ready for use soon.

The former governor who has since appealed his conviction by a Federal High Court in Lagos on corruption-related charges had earlier assured his constituents that his absence will not affect his assignment as their representative.

https://abntv.ng/2020/04/breaking-orji-kalus-road-intervention-project-in-isuikwuato-near-completion-photos/

Laurence Ani

With over one million infections and a daily surge in fatalities (53,000 deaths as at April 3), there is no doubt that Covid-19 pandemic is truly the most devastating human catastrophe since the Second World War. And the projections remain anything but cheery. So, the measures – from the moderate to extreme – introduced by governments to curb the spread of the virus seem guided by the wisdom in choosing to err on the side of caution. This is seen even in countries and regions where the impact has not been as severe as it has been in places like Italy, Spain, United States, France, United Kingdom, Iran, and Covid-19’s country of origin, China.

In Enugu State, the steps so far taken by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi show he is leaving no room for error. There are presently three isolation and treatment facilities for Covid-19 patients in the state, comprising the Enugu Medical Diagnostic Centre, a newly-built state hospital in Nsukka to serve residents of Enugu North Senatorial Zone, and a facility within the premises of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital, Parklane. Although these centres have been equipped with the requisite facilities, they have not decreased the governor’s level of alertness on the pandemic. The state government has also taken over the former Colliery Hospital, Enugu, and commenced extensive rehabilitation and reconstruction to further expand the state’s capacity to isolate and treat Covid-19 patients.

This is particularly instructive, as it says a lot about his work philosophy. For him, being proactive is not a fleeting inclination; it is a continuing state of mind that fully understands the dangers of complacency. The ongoing disinfection and fumigation of markets across the state as well as major locations in the Enugu metropolis and its environs is reflective of that conviction. The recent procurement of some fully equipped ambulances and incidence vehicle for the state’s Emergency Response Service, to enable its team to sufficiently respond to every exigency that may arise from the Covid-19 outbreak, is another example.

That same inclination had also informed his commitment towards the completion of the Enugu Medical Diagnostic Centre, a largely unfinished project of the preceding administration. Built with cutting edge technology, the Enugu Medical Diagnostic Centre was on the cusp of being operationalized before the outbreak of the pandemic. Its current deployment as isolation and treatment facility for Covid-19 shows that the governor is not blinkered by the typical narrow-mindedness that characterizes Nigeria’s politics. Such sour grapes politics often result in incumbents jettisoning predecessors’ projects, regardless of their viability and cost to government. It is kudos to Ugwuanyi that he is nurturing the facility to its intended use.



In a move that further underscored his unrelenting fervour to secure an improved public health for Enugu people and eliminate any threat to that goal, the governor had convened an emergency meeting of the State Executive Council at the onset of the pandemic’s spread to Nigeria. The Council approved the sum N330million to strengthen Enugu’s preparedness and response plan coordinated by the State Multi-Sectoral Rapid Response Team, which had been created by Gov. Ugwuanyi. The funds were also used to procure personal protective equipment and essential drugs and consumables to replenish the depleted stock of the State Central Medical Stores.

The funds also helped in the procurement of substantial quantities of sundry infection control materials like hand sanitizers and face masks which have been distributed across the state. It’s worth stressing that the intensive training of general health workers and extensive awareness campaign, particularly at the grassroots, have helped to curb the spread of the virus and kept the populace well informed with regard to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control’s social distancing and personal hygiene protocol.

Although the state has recorded two confirmed cases, the wide range measures so far implemented by the Gov. Ugwuanyi administration have instilled confidence among Enugu residents and look, to all intents and purposes, to be a sufficient bulwark against the further spread of the virus. The government’s containment strategy has been implemented scrupulously, but with a human face. This has earned the people’s trust and support, two vital elements in challenging times such as this. And this is in spite of the closure of bars, night clubs, entry points into and out of the state, as well as suspension of socio-cultural gatherings such as marriage and burial ceremonies.

A long absence of disasters often tends to lull governments and their agencies into a false sense of security. Not so for Gov. Ugwuanyi who understands that it is always expedient to take actions to curb possible future disasters even when the risk of one occurring is minimal. It is this conviction coupled with the resolve to enthrone a reliable and affordable public healthcare system that underpins his administration’s sustained investment in growing the capacity of health institutions. This is exemplified as well in the launch of Universal Health Coverage in the state. The result is that Enugu State today has the country’s third best doctor-to-patient ratio profile and ranks among states with the least maternal and child mortality rate.

The approval and implementation of the Consolidated Health Workers Salary Scale (CONHESS) for health workers in the state also highlights Gov. Ugwuanyi’s vision for a robust public health system. That gesture brought a significant rise in the earnings of nurses, midwives, laboratory scientists, radiographers and a host of other health workers under the Allied Union of Health Workers. Indeed, resident doctors in Enugu State had long been on the Consolidated Medical Salary Scale (CONMESS) even while their counterparts in many other states were yet to commence negotiations with their employers.

A common refrain that mirrors the frustration of health workers at the forefront of the fight to end Coronavirus is the complaint over insufficient personal protective equipment and absence of insurance policies that mitigate the risk they face. Ugwuanyi fully grasps the enormity of the challenge. He has ensured the provision of the necessary safety equipment and adoption of group life assurance policy for the doctors. To avoid the difficulty that could arise in the event of some unforeseen public health challenge, he had also approved that N100million be set aside as Special Emergency Fund. Such prescient thinking is the sort of mindset required to defeat the Covid-19 scourge.

Ani, former editor of ThisDay – The Saturday Newspaper, and Saturday Telegraph, is a senior communications aide to the governor of Enugu State.
https://www.sunnewsonline.com/as-ugwuanyis-measures-against-covid-19-gain-traction/

Orji Kalu : Ohanaeze Finally Speaks Describes Conviction As Political

The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) Worldwide has described the conviction of the former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu by federal High Court in Lagos over corruption charges as political, wondering why only Christians are the ones being convicted in corruption-related charges.

The group in a statement made available by the Deputy President General, Comrade Obinna Achionye described Kalu, the Chief Whip of Nigerian senate as the Nelson Mandela of Nigeria.

The statement added that the group appreciates the role Arewa Youths led by Yerima Shettima is playing in securing the freedom of the federal lawmaker.

It called on those behind the travails of Kalu to immediately hands-off, wondering why those who have held various political positions across the country are walking as free men even after allegedly committing various crimes.

Read full release below

(1) Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide had alerted Igbos that the political travails of Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is more political than Corruption charges, We appreciate the role of Arewa Youths led by Yerima Shettima is doing in championing for the Northern Intervention to secure the Release of Senator Kalu.

(2) OYC Commend Kalu pan African leadership qualities, he remains the Mandela of Nigeria, definitely, he will replicate South Africa’s version of the political journey of Igbos to be Nigerian President of Igbo Stock, Igbo Youths had to plead with those behind his travails to hands-off, if many people who were in charge of governance at various political positions, who had committed various crimes are free-roaming about, Sen will be free soon.

(3) OYC observed that its only Christians were being Convicted in the fight against corruption, Former Governors, Joshua Daiyre, Jolly Nyame, Orji Uzor Kalu, etc, We are not against the fight against Corruption by EFCC, but it should be without being biased…OYC Commend Kalu for being steadfast in the face of Persecutions.

https://abntv.ng/2020/04/just-in-orji-kalus-travail-more-political-than-corruption-charges-ohanaeze-youth/

The Niger State Government has announced the closure of public and private schools as well as tertiary institutions across the state with effect from Monday, March 23, 2020.

Also, the government has suspended all forms of public gathering with immediate effect for the next 30 days.

The government in a statement by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane in Minna on Thursday stated that the closure of the public, private schools and tertiary institutions which is for the period of 30 days is part of the proactive measure by the government to contain the global spread of the coronavirus pandemic

Ahmed Matane called on the people of the state to always uphold the highest degree of personal hygiene, remain calm and adhere strictly to all safety measures earlier announced by the state Ministry of Health.



The government decision is a sequel to a resolution reached by the governors of North East and North Central after a one-day meeting in Kaduna to jointly embark on measures to contain the coronavirus and armed banditry in the regions.

The governors in a communiqué at the end of the meeting, also agreed on joint measures to protect citizens from the likely impact of Covid-19.

Some of these measures include the closures of schools for the period of 30 days, starting from Monday, March 23rd, and this shall be done by each of the states in consultation with the national examination bodies.
Other measures include sensitization campaigns to discourage large gatherings until further notice, public health awareness campaigns by these states to encourage citizens to uphold personal hygiene, including handwashing and environmental sanitation.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/covid-19-niger-govt-closes-public-private-tertiary-institutions/

Korllami007:
There are millions of non virgin women giving their men wahala by fvcking their exes a day before their marriage then probably give you someone else kid to train. There millions of non virgin women a cross the world that they characters can turn north pole to desert. Most infedelities in the world are mostly perpetrated by non virgin women.

I would rather marry virgin with wahala and enjoy my tight pussy than marry a community sperm depot with wahala.

It's a food for thought.

That same virgin lady can still knack another man, while still married to you, and bring home a blissful bastard for you to train.
Las Las, personality speaks more than virginity...

Kenneth Udeh - Abuja

SOLICITS FIRS SUPPORT TO ENHANCE STATE'S REVENUE DRIVE

Niger State Governor and chairman north Central Governor's Forum Abubakar Sani Bello says diversification of the economy has become necessary following the inconsistency in the fall of the global price of crude oil.

Governor Sani Bello stated this when he led a delegation to pay a congratulatory visit to Mohammed Mamman Nami, on his recent appointment as the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Governor noted that the signal has been there , from 2015, of inconsistency and decline in the economy as oil price continue to dwindle, hence the state started investing in other sectors to boost its revenue and give people confidence.

He said all the states in the country must diversify and invest in other sectors of the economy adding that, in the nearest future, proceeds from such investments would be utilized in running the affairs of government.

"Any meaningful investment will take time, it has a gestation period and we have to also work on the system", he said.

While frowning at the attitude of some people that refuse to pay tax, the Governor explained the need for them to desist from such act, noting that such funds are needed to address infrastructural deficit and other social amenities that have been stretched.

Governor Sani Bello threw his weight behind the computerization of the revenue sector, stressing that the infrastructure and logistics needed should be provided for.

Governor Sani Bello also called for synergy with the FIRS to assist the state in exploring more ways of enhancing its revenue generation drive.

In his remarks, the FIRS Boss lamented the poor tax payment culture in Nigeria, describing it as the weakest in Africa because the people don't like paying taxes, pointing out that tax collection in the country has remained a daunting task for the organization.

Mohammed Nami suggested the use of technology as a necessary step to reverse the trend of taxes payment refusal and also called for attitudinal change from prospective tax payers.

While assuring of FIRS's support in enhancing its revenue generation drive, the Chairman urged the state government to key into the organization's platform that would be introduced mutually beneficial partnership between the state and the federal government.

He appreciated Governor Sani Bello for leading a powerful delegation that has the Emir of Agaie, HRH Yusuf Nuhu and other top government functionaries to congratulate him on his appointment.

The FIRS chairman also extended his gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for finding him worthy for the job.

Press Statement

Igbere TV Boss Regains Freedom, As Management Thanks Nigerians For Standing With Newspaper

The management and staff of popular online medium, Igbere TV is happy to announce that our abducted Executive Director, Emeh James Anyalekwa, has regained freedom.

Mr. Anyalekwa, who doubles as National President of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), was on Thursday abducted around Kubwa area of Abuja, in a gestapo manner.

The development sent cold shivers down the spines of friends and family of the Abia-born journalist, with his phone lines switched off and online platforms “hacked”.

However on Friday, younger brother to the Igbere TV Director, Prince Udochukwu Eme, confirmed to journalists in Abuja that Mr. Anyalekwa had regained freedom.

“He (Anyalekwa) breathed the air of freedom at about 4:30pm when he arrived (location withheld)”, he said.

Speaking further, Udochukwu said, "I am excited to inform you that my elder brother has regained freedom...”

He thanked the wonderful people of Nigeria for their pronounced concerns and demand for the immediate release of Mr. Anyalekwa.

“Nigerians in unison showed that suppression of journalists is frontal attack on freedom of the press.

“Though worn out, yet Anyalekwa has asked me to extend his gratitude to all Nigerians”, he added, hinting that his brother will be undergoing medical check-up soon.

Signed:
Management

The publisher and Editor-in-chief Igbere TV, James Emeh Anyalekwachi has been abducted in a Gestapo style in Abuja by unknown gunmen.

The ugly incident took place at about 7pm on Thursday around the Kubwa area of Federal Capital Territory.

The victim’s younger brother confirmed the incident to ABN TV. All efforts to establish contact with the abductors proved abortive as at the time of filing this report. A judge of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Justice Okon Abang had recently ordered the Police, EFCC, DSS and other security agencies to arrest Mr. Anyalekwachi over an unsavory report. Mr. Anyalekwachi is also the president Online Media Practitioners Association.
More details shortly.

https://abntv.ng/2020/03/breaking-igbere-tv-boss-abducted-in-abuja/

A North American Intelligence Agency has frowned at the incarceration of the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, describing his ordeal as “Politically motivated.”

A revered source in the agency who craved anonymity because he is not authorised to speak on the matter said Kalu remains a respected figure globally, especially within the political and business circles, and has been in the fore front of the fight against corruption in sub-Saharan Africa.


According to the source : “We have received many highly classified intelligence from Kalu, exposing corruption in several African countries in the past, which makes the charges against him questionable.”

“Since the beginning of Kalu’s ordeal, we have embarked on thorough investigation to ascertain the level of his culpability, but our findings so far show that his imprisonment is politically motivated”.

“Kalu remains a prominent figure and we have gathered that there are plans to annihilate certain parts of the country from the country’s presidency and this is unacceptable”, he said.

“The agency has however opened correspondence with Nigerian authorities on the matter, and we’re hoping the right thing will be done” our source concluded.

Recall that the Former Governor of Abia State, and Senate Chief Whip was recently found guilty of N7.56bn fraud by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the presiding Judge, Justice Mohammed Idris.

However, many pundits and political analysts have described his imprisonment as a plot by powerful political interests to frustrate him and Ndigbo ahead of 2023 presidential race.

READ ALSO Deadly attack hits American University campus in Kabul
Kalu is one of the strongest voices in the South East who has been campaigning against the continued marginalisation of Nigeria’s South East in the political equations of the country.

In the same vein, a European Union commissioner (Name withheld) has commended Kalu for the great feat he achieved for his home state of Abia and Africa generally.

The EU Commissioner, who is a personal friend of Kalu, said the former governor is loved because he is not just a politician but a renowned philanthropist whose work is enviable across all regions of the country.

He said : “I have known Kalu for many years, and his good works and passion for the people speak volume. He is a giver and a man with compassion.”

“We have partnered with him through Orji Kalu Foundation for several humanitarian services, many of which are still running.”

“I have no doubt of his innocence in the charges and strongly believe he will come out better and stronger to serve his people”.

https://9newsng.com/kalus-ordeal-politically-motivated-north-american-intelligence-agency-eu-commissioner/

The 9th Senate on Thursday endorsed the South East Development Commission bill which has just scaled the second reading.

The bill sponsored by Senator Oduah, Stella Adaeze (Anambra North) titled “A bill for an act to establish the South East Development Commission in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to act as a catalyst to develop the commercial potentials of the South East and other connected matters, 2020 (SB. 161)” scaled its second reading.

During her lead debate Oduah explained to her colleagues that the establishment of the commission would promote national unity and boost the nation’s revenue.

She explained further that the bill would harness the potential of the South East in the aspect of managerial, entrepreneurship, science and technology thus increasing the revenue allocation to the federation account. She also noted that the commission would address the development challenges in the region as well as address the agitations witnessed in the region due to marginalisation.



Speaking in support of the bill, Senator Kabiru Gaya ( Kano South) commended Oduah for coming up with the bill. He also suggested the increment in the financial content of the bill, stating that the proposed amount was meagre. Gaya also pointed out that the establishment of the commission would address the environmental challenges like erosion witnessed in the region.

In his words “I wish to commend Senator Stella; I support this bill. The South East youths should be encouraged to manufacture machinery. The erosions can’t be solved alone locally; they can get assistance from the international communities.

“I am happy that she has brought the financial compendium; she needs to review the proposal. I think the amount is low, I support this bill.”

Senator Ibrahim Gobir on his part threw his weight behind the bill; he noted that it would solve the infrastructure challenges and also contribute to the educational sector of the South East.

He said: “I rise to support this bill; the commission is going to assist the South East to develop themselves in the aspect of education, roads, etc. It is going to assist the region in a very long way.”

Supporting the bill, Senator Barau Jubrin  (Kano North) said the establishment of the bill would ensure equity in the development of the regions of the country. He cited Lagos State as the most developed part in the county, while stating further that creating the commission would promote balancing in the development of the nation’s regions.

He said: “I supported this bill in the 8th Senate; I believe every part of this country should be developed. We don’t want a situation when one region is developed than the other region. It is good to look at the peculiarities of each zone and seek means of developing them and addressing their challenges. We all supported the North West development commission, so I call on my colleagues to support this bill.

South East senator,  Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central ) rallied his colleagues to support the bill; he described the South East as a hardworking people. He also appealed to the president of the country to sign the bill in other law after its final passage by the Senate.

He said: “I rise to support this bill and one thing that is interesting is that this bill was passed in the 8th Assembly. Mr. Senate President, so many people have said so many things about this bill. We the south easterners are  very hardworking; if we are given this commission, it will go a long way in telling the youths that the Federal Government  knows that the South East exists.

“I want the president of the county to find a way in his heart to assent to this bill. We the South East senators have been supporting other zones; they should support also us too.”

Senator Michael Nnaji (Ebonyi South) opined that the bill is devoid of sentiments; he appealed to his colleagues to support it.

Senator Rochas Okorocha, speaking in support of the bill said that the creation of the commission will erase the impression of marginalisation being expressed by south easterners. He lamented the exclusion of the southeast zone from as beneficiaries of the recently-approved $22.7 bn development loan requested by President Buhari.

He said: “This bill is very important; it would be reassuring and give South East people a sense of belonging.

“When we talk about the South East, there is the undefined impression in the minds of people. But the South East are true nationalists that are found everywhere in this country. There is no village where you can’t find an Igboman.

“There is this feeling of marginalisation; the South East was not included in the   $22.7 billion development loan.

“The Igbo feel rejected – that they are not part of the system. In this hallow chambers, the South East still feels neglected.

“The people are not carried along. If you talk about technology and scientific development the South East are blessed.”

At the conclusion of contributions, the Senate in a voice vote unanimously approved the bill for a second reading. Senate President Ahmed Lawan referred the bill to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters which will report to the Senate within four weeks.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/breaking-news-south-east-to-get-development-commission-bill-scales-second-reading/

The 9th Senate on Thursday endorsed the South East Development Commission bill which has just scaled the second reading.

The bill sponsored by Senator Oduah, Stella Adaeze (Anambra North) titled “A bill for an act to establish the South East Development Commission in the Federal Republic of Nigeria to act as a catalyst to develop the commercial potentials of the South East and other connected matters, 2020 (SB. 161)” scaled its second reading.

During her lead debate Oduah explained to her colleagues that the establishment of the commission would promote national unity and boost the nation’s revenue.

She explained further that the bill would harness the potential of the South East in the aspect of managerial, entrepreneurship, science and technology thus increasing the revenue allocation to the federation account. She also noted that the commission would address the development challenges in the region as well as address the agitations witnessed in the region due to marginalisation.



Speaking in support of the bill, Senator Kabiru Gaya ( Kano South) commended Oduah for coming up with the bill. He also suggested the increment in the financial content of the bill, stating that the proposed amount was meagre. Gaya also pointed out that the establishment of the commission would address the environmental challenges like erosion witnessed in the region.

In his words “I wish to commend Senator Stella; I support this bill. The South East youths should be encouraged to manufacture machinery. The erosions can’t be solved alone locally; they can get assistance from the international communities.

“I am happy that she has brought the financial compendium; she needs to review the proposal. I think the amount is low, I support this bill.”

Senator Ibrahim Gobir on his part threw his weight behind the bill; he noted that it would solve the infrastructure challenges and also contribute to the educational sector of the South East.

He said: “I rise to support this bill; the commission is going to assist the South East to develop themselves in the aspect of education, roads, etc. It is going to assist the region in a very long way.”

Supporting the bill, Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano North) said the establishment of the bill would ensure equity in the development of the regions of the country. He cited Lagos State as the most developed part in the county, while stating further that creating the commission would promote balancing in the development of the nation’s regions.

He said: “I supported this bill in the 8th Senate; I believe every part of this country should be developed. We don’t want a situation when one region is developed than the other region. It is good to look at the peculiarities of each zone and seek means of developing them and addressing their challenges. We all supported the North West development commission, so I call on my colleagues to support this bill.

South East senator, Obinna Ogba (Ebonyi Central ) rallied his colleagues to support the bill; he described the South East as a hardworking people. He also appealed to the president of the country to sign the bill in other law after its final passage by the Senate.

He said: “I rise to support this bill and one thing that is interesting is that this bill was passed in the 8th Assembly. Mr. Senate President, so many people have said so many things about this bill. We the south easterners are very hardworking; if we are given this commission, it will go a long way in telling the youths that the Federal Government knows that the South East exists.

“I want the president of the county to find a way in his heart to assent to this bill. We the South East senators have been supporting other zones; they should support also us too.”

Senator Michael Nnaji (Ebonyi South) opined that the bill is devoid of sentiments; he appealed to his colleagues to support it.

Senator Rochas Okorocha, speaking in support of the bill said that the creation of the commission will erase the impression of marginalisation being expressed by south easterners. He lamented the exclusion of the southeast zone from as beneficiaries of the recently-approved $22.7 bn development loan requested by President Buhari.

He said: “This bill is very important; it would be reassuring and give South East people a sense of belonging.

“When we talk about the South East, there is the undefined impression in the minds of people. But the South East are true nationalists that are found everywhere in this country. There is no village where you can’t find an Igboman.

“There is this feeling of marginalisation; the South East was not included in the $22.7 billion development loan.

“The Igbo feel rejected – that they are not part of the system. In this hallow chambers, the South East still feels neglected.

“The people are not carried along. If you talk about technology and scientific development the South East are blessed.”

At the conclusion of contributions, the Senate in a voice vote unanimously approved the bill for a second reading. Senate President Ahmed Lawan referred the bill to the Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters which will report to the Senate within four weeks.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/breaking-news-south-east-to-get-development-commission-bill-scales-second-reading/

Prophet Joshua Arogun  who predicted the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 election has again predicted that Buhari's successor is a former governor from the South who is in prison at the moment.

During the church service on Sunday in Lagos  , the  General Overseer of  Light of the World International Church, said it is his primary duty tell people anything God reveals to him .
He said: “I am a prophet of God and by the grace of God, anything the Lord tells us comes to pass because we hear from Him; we don’t hear from men. We don't rely on public opinion for prophesies.  We are not afraid of what people will say when such prophesies are given to us to tell the people. When we hear from the Lord, we tell people no matter how it is  interpreted .It is left for people to take it.

" Before the election last year , God told me that President Buhari would be re-elected; . And God told me a lot of things about Buhari. It is He that anointed him to be  the president and there is no questions about that.  No one can change it . The people can hate him: the people can reject him but God has ordained him, and there is something about God. When He says that you would be this, no man can change it. He does what pleases Him”
The religious leader told the congregation that while they were praying,  he received a clear message about 2023 election and how it would manifest. 
He said: “I got a revelation about Nigeria's political dynamics in the next general election.  I saw a man in Prison and this man has been a former Governor from the South East  taking over from President Buhari . There is absolutely nothing one can do about someone's destiny especially when sanctioned by God . Everything that happens in life is for a reason.  I saw renewed alliances among the political class and across the political parties and I saw this country reuniting more than it has ever done before . God loves Nigeria so much. Nigeria is a big country, and is blessed with human and natural  resources. 

Pastor Arogun asked his congregation to pray more for the revelation.  He also called on the congregation to pray for Nigeria at this period of pandemic disease outbreak in the world. He said prayers should be conducted on behalf of researchers to find a cure for the coronavirus before it spreads more. 

https://abacityblog.com/2020/03/01/pastor-who-predicted-buharis-victor-in-2019-reveals-his-successor-is-an-ex-governor-in-prison/

Kenneth Udeh, Abuja

Amidst the divergent reactions, over the recent the release of 1,400 arrested Boko Haram members who were said to have been rehabilitated, the Senate is mulling the establishment of a national agency to accommodate repentant members of the Boko Haram sect.

The bill to that effect titled “National Agency for the Education, Rehabilitation, De-radicalisation and integration of repentant insurgents in Nigeria (Est,etc) Bill 2020 (SB.340 ) scaled the first reading during on Thursdays plenary on the floor of the Senate.

The bill is being sponsored by the former governor of Yobe State, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe East).

Minutes after the leader of the Senate, Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) mentioned the bill which was listed as item three under presentation of bills as contained in Thursday’s order paper, the clerk of the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh, read the short title of the bill while the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie-Omo Agege (Delta Central) who presided over the plenary ruled that the bill be submitted for further legislative actions.

Recall that mixed reactions greeted the recent pronouncement by the Federal Government that it intends to give amnesty to and rehabilitate more than 100 repentant insurgents.

Also recall that according to a recent revelation by the Borno State Commissioner for Information Babakura Jato, about 1,400 repentant Boko Haram suspects have been released in three tranches by the military and re-integrated into the society since the inception of its  Operation Safe Corridor, the government’s de-radicalisation programme which commenced in 2016.


https://www.sunnewsonline.com/just-in-bill-to-cater-for-ex-bharam-members-surfaces-in-senate-scales-1st-reading/

Worried by the ravaging spread of the deadly Coronavirus in China and 15 other countries, the Nigerian Senate on Thursday directed incoming travellers from China, Asia and other affected countries to isolate themselves by staying indoors and disassociate themselves from physical contact with the Nigerian public for at least two weeks.

The Senate further urged the Nigerians Intending to travel to Asia, especially China, to heed the Federal Government’s travel advisory by putting their travel arrangements on hold till further notice until the outbreak of Coronavirus is vanquished. In the same vein, the Senate advised the Nigerian public to adopt health precautionary measures by washing their hands with running water, it further urged those with reported cases or likely infection or symptoms that are approximately associated with the Coronavirus to visit the hospitals for an urgent health check.

The Senate made the resolutions in response to a motion moved by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu South) titled ‘Motion on Coronavirus Outbreak and Preventive Response in Nigeria’.

According to Utazi, the virus infects humans and was spread via air, coughing and sneezing, close personal contact, touching an object or surface contaminated with the virus. Utazi explained that the symptoms of the infection were characterised by running nose, sore throat, feeling unwell, cough and fever.

The Senate expressed worry that the deadly disease had killed over 170 persons and infected more than 630. The Senate pointed out that the number of infected people would increase rapidly as the disease outbreak occurred at the period when Chinese around the world travelled home for their annual Holiday and week-long Lunar New Year, and they would be returning back to their various countries of residence.

Utazi informed the Senate that the Federal Ministry of Health through the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had risen to the occasion and were closely monitoring the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the new Coronavirus. He further disclosed that aviation regulatory agencies recently stepped up surveillance across operating international airports across the country in a bid to contain the spread of the endemic.

The Senate commended and lent support to the Federal Government’s travel advisory.

Supporting the Motion, Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano North) called on health officials in the country to employ preventive measures.

In his words: “People are dying in their numbers in China and disease spreads very fast across the globe. Other countries have taken effective measures to make sure that this disease doesn’t find its way into their countries. This motion is a wakeup call to our health officials to make sure they employ preventive measures to make sure that this disease does not come into our country. We should find a way to send an urgent message through this motion to the executive to make sure that the proper thing is done because once this country enters this country we are in trouble.”

In his contribution, Senator James Manager (Delta South) hailed the Federal Government’s precautionary measures, disclosing that he had almost embarked on a journey to China but changed his mind, saying “I don’t want to die”. He advised that preventive measures be taken by all Nigerians.

“I am surprised that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not been able to qualify the virus as an international health emergency. I am happy that we are rising to the occasion here in this country, that means we are learning from history. This Coronavirus is like another Ebola disease, we were able to deal with it and learn from the experience. Our health ministry is doing well and I want them not to relent.

“In fact, myself, I was to travel to China a few days ago, but I said no I will not go to that part of the world. I don’t want to die. At every opportunity please wash your hands, if you have not been doing that you can never tell if the person is transmitting to you or you are transmitting to another person.

The Senate, in its resolution, commended the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for their efforts aimed at stemming the Coronavirus infection in Nigeria and urged them not to lower their guard until the scourge was eradicated internationally and locally. It also asked the Federal Government to allocate more funds to the NCDC to acquire the latest equipment for research into drugs and diagnosis of diseases.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/coronavirus-stay-indoors-for-2-weeks-senate-tells-incoming-travellers-from-china-other-countries/

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has been conferred with a Chieftaincy title by the Traditional ruler of Amurri Ancient Kingdom in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the State, Igwe Charles Egbo Nwoye (Obioha II of Amurri).

Igbere TV gathered that Igwe Nwoye bestowed the title of (Akana Edozie Obodo 1 of Amuri) Gov. Ugwuanyi when he marked his 10th year on the throne with pomp on December 28, 2019.


Highpoints of the Ofala festival included the conferment of chieftaincy titles on other deserving Nigerians for their contributions to their fartherland. Also recognised were Minster of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

Other recipients of the honour included, former governor of old Enugu State, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, as well as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and retired general of the Nigerian Army, Joseph Okoloagu, among others.



Conferring the titles on them, the monarch said they were chosen based on their track records and contributions to the society

Igwe Nwoye, who bestowed the title of (Akana Edozie Obodo 1 of Amuri), meaning, “hand that builds community” on Ugwuanyi, stressed the need for Nigerians to always eschew violence and engage in meaningful acts capable of promoting peace and unity in the country.

Ugwuanyi, who was visibly elated thanked the traditional ruler for honouring him with a title. He said he would ensure that more projects were done in the community to show his level of appreciation of the title.

On the title he received and his development plans for the community, Governor Ugwuanyi said, “Since the people of Amurri decided to appreciate me for the projects I’ve done already, they should get ready for more.”

In his goodwill message, Nwodo said that “the massive accomplishments you and your dear family have recorded in your community are evident for all to see. To some, the crowning achievement so far has been the tarring of Amurri road in your time by the Enugu State government.

“This has opened Amurri to the state and, resultantly, a lot of development is expected to come to your home. Igwe, 10 years is a short time, and you are in your prime. My prayer is that, by the time you celebrate your diamond jubilee on the throne, Amurri will be a town brimming with technological and social advancements.”

Similarly, Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Chief Edward Ubosi, extolled the leadership qualities of the traditional ruler, describing him as a man who always craved for the development of his community.

In an interview, chairman of APC in Enugu State, Dr. Ben Nwoye, said 10 years was very significant for any traditional ruler in Igboland and in the traditional beliefs of Amurri people.

“Today is a great day for our king. His 10 years on the throne, just as is the belief of our people and the entire Igbo nation, shows that God has endorsed his leadership. So, it calls for celebration and we are all happy this is happening,” he said.

Dr. Nwoye who is the Crown Prince of Amurri ancient kingdom, also thanked God for using Governor Ugwuanyi to help start some infrastructural projects in the area.

He said: “When there was kidnapping, the entire security infrastructure, or rather architecture, they all came to Amurri, the governor sent them, the Commissioner of police, the GOC, the DSS director in the state, they all came here to protect us and that is why we crowned him Onye Na Edozi Obodo of Amuri.”

The state APC chairman reasoned that people had thought that he would be at war with Governor Ugwuanyi just because they belonged to different political parties but urged Nigerians to shun politics of bitterness and acrimony: “Politics is not quarrel. It is not fight; we have ideological differences. However, we have commonality, both APC and PDP, we want to do good to the people of Enugu State but we want to do it in different ways and everyone that comes and joins politics wants to do good. Political party is just a platform that is used to arrive there, both those in PDP, those in APC and other political parties.

“Some people expect me as the leader of opposition in Enugu State to be abusive to the PDP government; that is not the way we do it; we do it through constructive dialogue. When the government of the PDP does a good thing, we praise them.”

It was indeed a huge cultural carnival with colourful and dazzling performances of various troupes.

http://igberetvnews.com/1231755/gov-ugwuanyi-nwodo-others-receive-chieftaincy-titles-enugu/

This is the type of life changing experience that one usually comes across either in the Bible or in fairytales, but I was a witness to this event, and I so testify…

Chukwuebuka Asika was a struggling boy who finished secondary school, took JAMB twice without success and ended up a road sweeper, starting out to work cleaning the city streets as early as 5:00a.m every day.

The only child of his parents has as passion singing and music, which he uses his spare time to practice. This frequently pitched him on a collision course with his father who felt he was wasting his time. He joined his church choir a few years ago, and mother luck shined on him recently on the day of the Festival of Nine Lessons at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu.



He performed the ‘Largo Al Factorum’ from Rossini’s Opera The Barber of Seville. It was a powerful rendition. Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was a guest at the event was awestruck; So was the audience. The governor asked him right there and then… “Make a wish….”

Chukwuebuka dreamt of owning a design house and a tailoring training institute. Instantly, Governor Ugwuanyi doled out a largesse, which had this poor guy shedding tears and rolling on the floor. He literally had to be straitjacketed or he would have injured himself. It was a tear-jerking moment for many of us present.

Today, Chukwuebuka is actualising his dream, acquiring floor space, industrial machine and generator, and other equipment for his institute. When we tracked him down recently, he had this to say… “I am just a struggling boy from Atta, Ikeduru Local Government Area in Imo State. I love to sing. My parents never believed any good could come from this. I used to feel I disappointed them, being their only child, but I never gave up. Who will believe that a road sweeper like me will experience this good fortune from a stranger? I never got the chance to thank Governor Ugwuanyi for changing my life. I pray God to meet him at every point of his need as he has done for me”.

At a function yesterday I reminded Governor Ugwuanyi of his act of benevolence which he had almost forgotten, and he simply said… “Ambassador, I was a child of poor parents, so I have walked a few miles in that boy’s shoes. Our fate in this life lies in the hands of God”.

I start this New Year with saying Bravo to an exemplary and compassionate leader, a shepherd of dreams, a humble servant of his people, magnanimous to his predecessors; benevolent to his benefactors, a destiny changer. Again I say, may your shadow never grow Dim.

To all struggling youth out there, never give up on your God-given talent. Patience and perseverance are the true conquerors of time….

• Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu is former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain and widow of Igbo leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Ezeigbo Gburugburu).

http://igberetvnews.com/1227270/ugwuanyis-miracle-road-sweepers-destiny/

Popular comedian, Mr. Ibu has opened up on the scariest day of his life. In a chat he revealed that it the day he came face-to-face with cannibals in a two-hour ordeal while filming on set in a remote part of Nigeria

“My colleagues left me on set by mistake late in the night after shooting. However, the location manager had earlier admonished us to move in groups because in the community, they eat human beings. However, it was quite late when we finished. We had two location busses and I was already sitting in the bus in front but because I was manager, I said let me organize the people in the bus behind before we moved. As I alighting, the bus in front zoomed off and before I made it to the second bus it also moved. I kept shouting as I chased both busses but nobody heard me and I was left alone.”

Mr. Ibu disclosed that he was so angry and frustrated and was contemplating what his next move should be when he noticed to his chagrin that strangers were slowly gathering around him and his heart flipped!

“I remembered what the location manager told us earlier. Was I about to be a victim of cannibals? I heard two guys speaking a familiar language which I understood and so I moved closer to them and to my shock, I realised I was the subject matter and what they said only magnified my fears. They were debating how tasty my flesh would be! I moved up to them and greeted them in the language that they were speaking and instantly told that I am not meat. They were surprised I could speak their language and one of them asked where I was from and I told him I was from his tribe and I already had a brother in him. He was happy and he embraced me and we continued speaking. That was when they warned me to get ready to run for my life or I would be dead because the people around were already planning how to kill and eat me. I was scared but I remained calm.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Ibu said the crowd kept gathering and inching towards him and he felt like a trapped animal about to be slaughtered. However, that was when he heard his friends shouting his name from afar!

“They had returned just on time to rescue me with a team of policemen and vigilante. I was greatly relieved. The ordeal lasted for about two hours,” he added.

What lesson did he learn from the experience: “Never take any language for granted. Anywhere you are, learn the local language, you just can’t tell when it would come in handy. Till this day I thank God for saving my life because but for his grace, I would have ended up in the belly of cannibals.”


https://www.sunnewsonline.com/how-i-escaped-from-den-of-cannibals-mr-ibu-comedian/

Kenneth Udeh, Abuja

Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige has said that he initially disregarded news of the death of Imo North Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu. The visibly saddened minster said he thought it was Fake News when he first received news of the Senator’s death.

Ngige made the comment on Friday when he led a high-powered delegation to pay condolence to the family of the late Senator. Among those in the delegation were the Minister of State Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo, representative of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and current General Secretary, Barrister Ugbaja, and Directors of the Federal Ministry of Labour.




During his address Ngige described the late Uwajumogu, who until his death was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, as a friend of the Ministry. He noted that Uwajumogu was a man of peace.

“We are here on a condolence visit by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and our social partners. We won’t have set up this emergency team if the late Uwajumogu was not a friend of the Ministry,” Ngige said.



“If Benjamin was a troublesome person we may have not be here. When the Senate was convened, we were engaged in discussions for leadership positions and other matters, because at that time there were only two Senators from the South East.

“He was at that period a ranking Senator, but he had legal battles to deal with and before he could finish the battle the 9th Senate was inaugurated and principal officers were already elected.”

Recalling his contributions as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, Ngige noted that Uwajumogu was a very competent administrator who never desperate for power or leadership positions.

He said: “Despite that he never lobbied to become the labour committee chairman, he was unanimously posted to chair the Labour Committee, and I was brought back as Labour Minister.

“My staff members and I discovered him as very competent administrator. He was also quick to fuse together the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Labour and Employment, thereby making it a joint committee.

“He was someone who is not desperate for power, [and] despite being the Senate Committee Chairman Uwajumogu on some occasions would ask, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Labour to preside over meetings and he would be seated in the meeting. That would show you the degree of humility and the way he perceived the work and assignment that was given to him.

“The Labour Ministry enjoys a friendly relationship with the Senate and 9th National Assembly, but we got more and felt the friendship in the Labour Committee, and that is why you can see all of us gathered here to come and condole with you people.”

Recalling Uwajumogu’s last moments with the Senator, Ngige said:

“He was with us on Monday and spent one to two hours, in fact we concluded the session with the Permanent Secretary. When the Permanent Secretary left, we started discussing as politicians. Myself, Benjamin and the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Labour Committee, Honorable Wudil, concluded our discussions and I saw them off, and I didn’t know that that was the last time that Benjamin had come to show himself. As a matter of fact it was Benjamin that arranged for the meeting to take place at my home.

“I was at the Federal Executive Council and the President adjourned for a break – we don’t normally go into the meeting with our phones – when I came out to make some calls, messages started coming in about his death, and I said, well, this is a Fake News. I didn’t believe it; only for me to confirm.

“We can identify him as a friend of the Ministry and other parastatals. We also want to say that we as a Ministry would support the family in anyway that we can.

“When he was Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, we can vouch that he was a man who believes in leadership, respects leadership and believes that everyone should be given what is due for him or her. He was very democratic and, for us a party, we have lost a democrat and the nation has also lost a very huge democrat.”

The Minister enjoined the family to take heart and to see his death as the will of God.

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/i-thought-it-was-fake-news-ngige-says-uwajumogus-death/

The governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, on Friday, the 27th day of December, 2019, signed into law the Enugu State 2020 Appropriation Bill.

According to Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh Mnim, Fidrpn, AcArb, the Honourable Commissioner for Information; “The appropriation bill of a total of ₦169,557,658,300:00 (One hundred and Sixty-nine billion, Five hundred and fifty-seven million, Six hundred and Fifty-eight thousand, three hundred Naira) only made up of a Capital Expenditure budget of₦100,767,658,300.00 i.e. 59% of the total budget and Recurrent Expenditure of ₦ 68,790,000.000 (Sixty-eight billion, Seven hundred and Ninety million naira) only, being 41% of total budget, was passed by the Enugu State House of Assembly on the 24th of December, 2019.



“This budget which is a result of Constructive Stakeholder and Inter-governmental Engagement, spanning over 4 months tagged a budget of Responsive and Accountable Governance, is aimed at continued robust investment in infrastructural development, which includes the construction of 17 small scale industries with at least one in each Local Government of the State and the Completion/Reactivation of Legacy Projects including: the prestigious Presidential Hotel Enugu, the Enugu International Conference Centre, The Nike Lake Resort Hotel, Michael Okpara Square, construction of an ultra-modern 3000 capacity multi-purpose arena and the construction work at the ADADA Campus of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, in line with the Multi-campus Law as passed by the State House of Assembly.





“The recurrent Expenditure of ₦ 68,790,000.000 aimed at ensuring smooth running of Government, its agencies and departments, also accommodated expected expenditure arising from the consequential adjustments on the new minimum wage.



“His Excellency at the signing of the budget today in Government house Enugu, upon presentation of the appropriation bill by the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi accompanied by Honourable members of the Enugu State House of Assembly and the Clerk of the House of Assembly with Her Excellency Barr Mrs Cecilia Ezeilo, Deputy Governor and members of the State Executive Council in attendance, expressed profound gratitude to the Speaker and Honourable members of the House of Assembly for the commitment to duty and harmonious relationship with the Executive, which has resulted in the unprecedented peace and development being experienced in Enugu State today.”


https://journalist101.com/2019/12/27/enugu-state-signs-year-2020-budget-into-law/